itelocke's health, with
compliments as before. He took some physic, yet admitted visits and
discourse, from which, and those he formerly had with Senators and
others, he learned that as to matter of religion they are here very
strict to maintain a unity thereof, being of Plutarch's opinion, that
"varietas religionis, dissolutio religionis;" and they permit no other
religion to be publicly exercised by their own citizens among them but
what in their government they do profess, which is according to the
Augsburg confession; and Luther's opinions do wholly take place among
them, insomuch that the exercise of religion in any other form or way is
not admitted, except to the English Company of Merchants in the chapel of
their house, and that by stipulation. Thus every one who differs from
them in matters of religion must keep his opinion to himself, without
occasioning any disturbance to the Government by practice or publication
of such different opinion; and although many are inclined to the tenets
of Calvin, yet their public profession is wholly Lutheran; answerable
whereunto Whitelocke observed in their churches many images, crucifixes,
and the like (not far removed from the practice of the Popish churches);
particularly in their great church, which is fair and large, built with
brick, are many images, rare tablets of painting, crucifixes, and a
perspective of curious workmanship in colours. Their liturgy (as ours in
England was) is extracted from the old Mass-book, and their divine
service celebrated with much ceremony, music, and outward reverence.
Their ministers are pensioners, but, as themselves affirm, liberally
dealt with, and have bountiful allowances if they are holy men and good
preachers; whereof they much satisfy themselves that they are very well
provided in this city, to the comfort and blessing of the inhabitants.

[SN: The trade of Hamburg.]

Touching the trade of this place, Whitelocke learnt that as they are
very populous, so few are suffered in idleness, but employed in some way
or other of trading, either as merchants, artificers, shopkeepers, or
workmen. They have an exchange here, though not a fair one, where they
daily meet and confer about their affairs and contracts.

The several branches and arms of the river Elbe, which pass along by
their houses, afford them the better means and advantages for bringing in
and carrying forth their commodities. There is a partition between the
old and the new to