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 ...

4. Dedication of Temples, &c.

Jewish.

1. THE Tabernacle was Consecrated, by anoint∣ing with the anointing Oyl, Exod. 40.9. 2. Lighting the Lamps. 3. Burning sweet Incense. 4. Offering burnt Offerings, &c. Hereupon a Cloud covered the Tent, and the Glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

2. The Temple was Consecrated, 1. By a great Assembly of the Elders, &c. 2. Feasting. 3. Sa∣crificing an innumerable multitude of Sheep and Oxen, &c. 4. Praises and Prayers, 1 Kings, 8.

Christian.

1. They Consecrated (in Constantine's time) the Temples with,

• 1. Singing of Hymns and Psalms.

• 2. Reading and Expounding the Scriptures; Preaching, Orations.
• 3. Holy Sacrament.
• 4. Prayers.
• 5. Liberal Alms to the Poor.
• 6. Great Gifts to the Church.
• 7. Expressions of mutual Love. And,
• 8. Universal rejoycing. Dr. Cave.

{inverted ⁂} Heathen Temples converted into Christian Churches were Consecrated by placing a Cross in them. Vid. Cod. Theod.

The Anniversary Feast-day in remembrance of the Church built by Constantine in Jerusalem, was kept afterwards constantly, Sept. 14. for eight days, with much pomp and confluence of People. Dr. Cave.

Hence our Wakes (Encaenia.)

Mahometan.

The Grand Seignior gives pieces of Stuff, which is brought to him from the Kiaabe (or Holy House) at Mecha, with which it was covered round, these Stuffs being offered by the Grand Seignior, and o∣ther Princes, to that place. — These the Grand Seig∣nior (when they are old) sends to hang up in new Mosques, which serves for a Consecration. M. de Thevenot.

Three Balls, or a Star and an half Moon, are generally the distinguishing Mark or Ensign of all the Mahometan Mosques.

In Vienna, upon the Spire of S. Stephen's Steeple there stands a Cross, and half Moon; which the City promised should be done, when Soylman the Magnificent besieged the City, upon condition he would not batter the Church, which he had an in∣tention to do. Dr. Edw. Brown's Trav.

Antient Heathen.

They Consecrated their Temples thus.

• 1. The Aruspices drew certain Ribbonds about the Floor, and strawed the plot of ground with Flowers.
• 2. Soldiers carried Boughs into it; and
• 3. Vestal Nuns followed, leading Boys and Girls in their Hands, and sprinkled the place with Holy Water.
• 4. Then a Pontifex and Praetor followed, who purged the Floor, by leading about it a Sow, a Ram and a Bull, and there Sacrificed them, and Prayed to the Gods to bless that holy place.
• 5. By drawing some Ropes, they pulled down the first Stone, setting it with wedges of Gold and Silver, the Aruspex crying out — Ne temeretur opus faxo, alirove, in aliud opus destinato.

Hence their Encaenia, solemn Feasts, at their De∣voting of their Temples to the Worship of some Idol God.

Modern Heathen.

I confess, I have not yet met with any thing in my reading to fill up this Section, but am willing to leave a void space for the Reader to fill up at his leisure, for his own Use; for I cannot be induced to think, but they generally use some Ceremony for this purpose, tho perhaps our Travellers finding the Structures erected, and peradventure long be∣fore their Arrival into the Countries, might see nothing of it, nor make enquiry about it.

Diabolical.

Delrius tells us out of a French Book of Flori∣mund Raimunds, a Senator of the King's, in the Court of Burdeaux, that an old Woman Tried in that Court, A. 1594. for Witch-craft, confessed of

her own accord, That, being a Girl, she was enti∣ced by an Italian Man, on the Eve of S. John Baptist, at Midnight, to go with him into a certain Feild; where the Italian mark'd out a Circle on the ground with a Beech Wand, and muttered certain words over, which he read out of a black Book, and presently up∣on it, a great black Goat stood by them, with great Horns, attended with two Females; and by and by a Man came in Priests Habit, &c. Mag. Disq. l. 6.