The whole body of Christian religion, by Hieron. Zanchius. Translated out of Latine by D. Ralph Winterton.

DOCT. XXX. Of the manner of Christian Temples; what tongue, habit, and ornaments are to be used in them; what Festivals ought to be observed; to whom Prayers are to be made: and that rites & cere∣monies ought to be arbitrary & free, saving those which have been ap∣pointed by Christ or his Apostles.

BUt for that this reason is not the least, why believers doe and ought to live together in the same Cities, Towns and Villages, as far as possi∣ble they may, namely to the end they might not only cherish their com∣mou faith by holy communication daily amongst themselves in private, and exercise mutuall charity in Chri∣stian offices, but also that they might in certain places and times assemble together to praise and call upon God publickly, to hear his word, partake the Sacraments, and perform the pub∣lick works of charity toward the poor; which things cannot be done without speech, and rites, and ceremonies: therefore we declare our opinion of them also in brief after this manner. Seeing it is out of all doubt

that all things ought to be done in the Church to edification, all appea∣rance of superstition removed from it; we conceive that true piety and the edification of the Churches do require, First, as concerning Places, that if old and profained Temples be allow'd of, they should be purg'd from all Idols, and from the reliques and footsteps of all idolatrie and su∣perstition. Fora 1.1 what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? Second∣ly, that no Language be used, but such as is understood by the whole Church. For what edification can ar∣rive to the Church from an unknown tongue? The Apostle also expresse∣ly commandsb 1.2 them to keep silence in the Church who speake in an unknowne tongue, unlesse the interpretation be added thereto. Thirdly, that all loosnesse in apparell, all vanity, and every such ornament which is more beseem∣ing the profane Theaters of the Gen∣tiles then the sacred Temples of Chri∣stians, and condure more to the de∣lighting of the flesh then edifying of the Spirit, be abolish'd: But that all things be performed in the Churches

with the highest reverence and mo∣destie, as in the sight of God and Angels. And although we conceive not that the form of apparell which Ministers ought to wear either in or out of the Ministry, is to be so much Contended about as thereby to di∣sturb the peace of the Churches: yet where the simplicity of the Aposto∣like times is nearest approached un∣to and immitated, those Churches are judg'd most worthy to be com∣mended. Fourthly, that every Lords∣day the Church be assembled into one holy Congregation; since we see that even from the times of the Apo∣stles to these present, that day hath bene consecrated and sanctified to a sacred rest. Next to the Sabbath∣day we cannot but approve the sanctifying of those daies wherein the remembrance of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, of his Cir∣cumcision, Passion, Resurrection, Ascension into Heaven, and sending of the holy Ghost upon the Apostles, was celebrated by the old Church. Upon other daies, as every Church shall judge it expedient they may

congregate the people to an assem∣blie to hear the word, and receive the Sacraments, &c.a 1.3 But this with care, that all superstitious observation of d••••es be avoided. Fiftly, that prayers be poured forth to God alone and to Jesus Christ, without invocation ei∣ther of Angels or Saints departed, as the Prophets and Apostles and all the old Church did, as is evident in their ancient Collects; to say nothing of the command of God, who will haveb 1.4 the Sacrifice of praise & the fruit of the lips offered to himself alone. Sixtly, concerning rites and ceremonies to be observed in the Church, the same true piety and edification of the Churches requires that debates and disputes concerning them be not too sharp and passionate, as if life and salvation depended thereon; but that they be left free to the sense of every particular Church, as we read in Socrates and other Ecclesiastical writers it was wont to be in the an∣cient Church. In reference to which matters in generall we approve thec 1.5 two Epistles of St. Austin to Ianua∣rius For these things conduce to the edification of the Church.

Notes

• a 1.1

  2 Cor. 6.16.
• b 1.2

  1 Cor. 14.21.
• a 1.3

  Col 2.16.
• b 1.4

  Heb. 13.15.
• c 1.5

  Tow. 2. Ep. 118, and 119.