The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

APPENDIX.

COncerning Differences in the Church of Gene∣va, Dr. Burnet tells us— The middle way that Amirald, Daille, and some others in France took, in the matters that were disputed in Holland, con∣cerning the Divine Decrees, and the extent of the Death of Christ, as it came to be generally fol∣lowed in France: so it had some Asserters both in Geneva and Switzerland, who denied the imputa∣tion of Adam's sin, and asserted the Universality of Christ's Death, together with a sufficient Grace given to all Men; asserting with this, a par∣ticular and free Decree of Election, with an Ef∣ficacious

Grace for those included in it: These came to be called Ʋniversalists; and began to grow very considerable in Geneva: Two of the Professors of Divinity there being known to fa∣vour those Opinions; whereupon those who adhered strictly to the opposite Doctrine, were inflamed, and the Contention grew to that height, that al∣most the whole Town came to be concerned, and all were divided into Parties: But tho the Party of Universalists was considerable in Geneva, it was very small in Switzerland, therefore some Di∣vines there, that adhered to the old received Doct∣rine, drew up some Articles, in which all these Doctrines were not only condemned, together with some speculations that were asserted concerning Adam's immortality, and other qualities belong∣ing to the state of innocency; But because Capel and some other Criticks had not only asserted the Novelty of the Points, but had taken the liberty to correct the reading of the Hebrew, &c. They condemned all Corrections of the Hebrew Bible, and asserted the Antiquity of the Points, or at least of the Power and reading according to them, obliging all such as should be admitted tot he Mi∣nistery to sign, sic sentio; so I think. Thus at Bern, Zurich and Geneva, Dr. Burnet's Letters.

Independents.

The Tenets of the Independents, are as follow.

1. They hold, That particular Churches, asso∣ciated for personal Communion, are of Divine In∣stitution.

2. That particular Churches ought to have a proper Exercise of Discipline amongst themselves.

3. That none but free Consenters should re∣ceive the Sacrament, nor be related to the Pastor, as his Flock.

4. That the rest should live, as Catechumens, in peace.

5. That the Church of England is no True Church.

6. That Parish-Churches are no True Churches.

7. That Parish-Ministers are no True Ministers, if Ordained by Diocesans, and not chosen by the People.

8. That Ministers and People must gather Churches, that are purer, and set up purer Disci∣pline; whatever Rulers say, or do, or themselves suffer by it.

9. That no prohibition of the Magistrate will warrant a Minister to forbear his Office. Mr. Rich. Baxter.

Mr. Rosse, and others, give a larger account of their Opinions, but these being all that they have of late Years contended for, and being of late, at least in part, reconciled to the Presbyterians, I forbear to ascribe any more to them.

Anabaptists.

Their Doctrines are, as follows.

1. They condemn Infant-Baptism.

2. They condemn Tithes, and forced Mainte∣nance of Ministers.

3. They allow not, as lawful, Swearing before a Magistrate.

4. They condemn Magistracy it self, as unlawful among Christians.

5. They say, That humane Learning is unne∣cessary in a Minister.

These are commonly professed by them to this that: They who would know more, may read Mr. Rosse, Paget, &c. I forbear at present to tax them with the Doctrine of Community of Goods,

and some other Doctrines; which, as the case now stands with them, are laid asleep, and not asserted or owned by them.

Quakers.

1. Their Tenets.

1. They deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God; but yet grant them to be an holy Declara∣tion of the Word of God, and of the Rule and Guide in Matters of Salvation.

2. They hold, That the Spirit which leads into all Truth, is the great Evangelical Rule of Holy Living.

3. That Christians ought now to expect inward Revelation from the Spirit of God.

4. That Forms of Prayer are not to be perpe∣tuated in the Church.

5. That Baptism, by Water, is not Christ's Or∣dinance.

6. That the Lord's Supper is unnecessary to the Regenerate, because Christ is come to them, viz. by his Spirit.

7. That Swearing before Magistrates is un∣lawful.

8. That all persons inspired may preach, tho' Mechanicks.

9. That Errors and Vices do un-minister Men.

10. That the Jewish-Sabbath, being a Type of Spiritual Rest, under the Gospel; we are not now bound to any set Day, yet to some time of Divine Worship. W. Penn, Esq;

See more in Mr. Rosse's View of all Religi∣ons, &c.

2. Their Divisions.

In England they are divided, especially in two Parties; such as follow Mr. Mead, who is accoun∣ted

the most rational and moderate, and such as adhere to Mr. Penn. In Pennsilvania we have had lately an account of greater Divisions; some of them being charged by others, with damnable Heresies and Doctrines of Devils, &c. in a Book intituled, The Plea of the Innocent, &c.

I take them for a Branch of the Old Ana∣baptists, which sprung up in Germany, upon the Reformation, though they made no appearance in England, 'till the time of our Civil Wars, about the Year 1644. and then were assisted (at least) by some Priests of the Popish Seminaries, in dis∣guise; as were also several other Sects, which then sprung up amongst us. See Du Moulin's Philan. Angl. &c.

Mahometans.

1. Creed.

The first Chapter of the Alcoran is, as it were, the Mahometan's Creed; and 'tis called the Mother of the Book, containing the Words of Mahomet; for the rest are all deliver'd as the Word of God, he being induced as Speaker. Which first Chapter is this Sense:

In the Name of God, gracious and merciful: Thanks be unto God, the Lord of the World, merci∣ful, pitiful Judge at the Day of Judgment. We pray unto thee; we trust in thee: Lead us into the right way, the way of them whom thou hast chosen, not of them with whom Thou art angry, and of the Infi∣dels.

Out of the Alcoran may be collected more of their Faith, as thus:

1. God is One, necessary to all, incorporeal, neither begetting, nor begotten; the Creator, long-suffering,

searcher of the Heart, true; that he hath no Son, needs nothing.

2. That Christ is the Son of Mary, (the best of Women) the Prophet of God, begotten by the Spirit of her, in the shape of a Man: Christ was not slain by the Jews, but one like him.

3. Their Law is to be propagated by the Sword: Of the twelve Months, four are to be consecrated to this warfare; they that refuse it, lose their Souls. The Unbelievers, taken in War, that will not turn, must be killed, or made Slaves. 'Tis not lawful to dispute about the Law.

4. God made the World, and disposed the seven Heavens, and afterwards Man, like unto himself, and breathed into him his own Soul (a portion of it.) That the Angels being commanded to do re∣verence to Adam, Beelzebub refused, and was there∣fore damned.

5. There is a Paradise and Hell, but of sensual Pleasures and Torments.

6. Mahomet is the Seal, and last of the Pro∣phets; to whom it was lawful to lie with all Wo∣men, even Aunts and Kindred, &c.

7. There shall be a Resurrection, proved by the story of the 7 Sleepers, who slept 360 Years.

2. Moral and Judicial Precepts and Prohibitions:

1. Prohibitions.

1. Abstain from Swines-flesh, Blood, that which dies alone, and that which hath the Neck cut off.

2. From Wine and Women, more than their own Wives or Women.

3. Working on Friday, at Prayer-time.

4. Games of Chesse, Scails and Tables.

5. Marrying with Men or Women, of another Law.

6. Marrying with Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Niece, Nurse, &c.

7. Swearing rashly, and For-swearing.

8. Usury, Lying, Injustice, &c.

2. Precepts Affirmative.

1. Pilgrimage to Mecha.

2. Belief in GOD and Mahomet.

3. Marry and Fight, for the encrease of Re∣ligion.

4. Giving wealth to the Poor; Men, Slaves, Birds, Dogs.

5. Praying five times a Day.

6. Keeping Lent, one Month in the Year.

7. Obedience to Parents.

8. Keeping Friday Sabbath; cum multis aliis.