Ye think, the words of the Prophet Jeremiah spoken of Idols, and False Gods, may not justly be applied to the Saints of God. In deed of the Saints part, it were great blasphemy, to call them Idols. For they see God face to face, and evermore be with God in Glory. But in respect of your horrible Abuses, and vain fantasies, the Words of the Prophet be rightly applied. For you, in your imagination, of the Saints of God have made Idols: and have so multiplied, and increased the same, that the number of them hath far passed the number of all your Townes, and Cities. And therefore the Ancient Father Epiphanius applieth the like words of the same Prophet Jeremiah, unto the Blessed Virgin Mary, being then idolatrously abused by the Heretics called ⟨p. 313⟩Collyridiani,1 even as the same Blessed Virgin, & other Saints are by you abused now. Thus he writteth, 2Ne quis comedat de errore, qui est propter S. Mariam. Tametsi enim pulchrum sit lignum, tamen non est ad Cibū. Etsi Pulcherrima est Maria, & Sancta, & Honorata: at non ad Adorationē. Hae ver• Mulieres, colentes Mariam, rursus renovant Fortunae Mixturam,3 & praeparant Mensam Diabolo, non Deo: Quemadmodum scriptum est, Pascuntur Cibo impietatis. Et rursus, & Foeminae terunt Pollinem, & Filij colligunt ligna, ut faciant Placentas oleo subactas Reginae Coeli. Compescantur à Hieremia tales Mulieres: & ne turbent Orbem terrarum. Ne dicant, Honoramus Reginam Coeli: Let no man Fate of this Error, touching S. Mary. For though the tree be fair, yet is not this Fruit to be Eaten. Although Mary be bew•ieful, and Holy, and Honourable, yet is she not to be Adored. But these Women, worshipping S. Mary, renew again the Sacrifice of Wine mingled in the Honour of the Goddess Fortuna, and prepare a Table for the Devil, and not for God. As it is written in the Scriptures. They are fed with the Meat of Wickedness. And again, Their Women bolt flower: and their Children gather sticks, to make fine Cakes in the Honour of the Queen of Heaven. Therefore let such Women be rebuked by the Prophet Jeremiah: and let them no more trouble the world. And let them not say, we Worship the Queen of Heaven.
Ye thinke, the woordes of the Prophete Hieremie spoken of Idolles, and False Goddes, maie not iustely be applied to the Sainctes of God. In déede of the Sainctes parte, it were greate blasphemie, to calle them Idolles. For they sée God face to face, and euermore be with God in Glorie. But in respecte of your horrible Abuses, and vaine fantasies, the Woordes of the Prophete be rightly applied. For you, in your imagination, of the Sainctes of God haue made Idolles: and haue so multiplied, and encreased the same, that the number of them hath far passed the number of al your Townes, and Citties. And therefore the Anciente Father Epiphanius applieth the like woordes of the same Prophete Hieremie, vnto the Blessed Virgin Marie, beinge then idolatrousely abused by the Heretiques called ⟨p. 313⟩Collyridiani,1 euen as the same Blessed Virgin, & other Sainctes are by you abused nowe. Thus he writteth, 2Ne quis comedat de errore, qui est propter S. Mariam. Tametsi enim pulchrum sit lignum, tamen non est ad Cibū. Etsi Pulcherrima est Maria, & Sancta, & Honorata: at non ad Adorationē. Hae ver• Mulieres, colentes Mariam, rursus renouant Fortunae Mixturam,3 & praeparant Mensam Diabolo, non Deo: Quemadmodum scriptum est, Pascuntur Cibo impietatis. Et rursus, & Foeminae terunt Pollinem, & Filij colligunt ligna, vt faciant Placentas oleo subactas Reginae Coeli. Compescantur à Hieremia tales Mulieres: & ne turbent Orbem terrarum. Ne dicant, Honoramus Reginam Coeli: Let noman Fate of this Erroure, touchinge S. Marie. For though the tree be faire, yet is not this Fruite to be Eaten. Although Marie be bew•ieful, and Holy, and Honourable, yet is she not to be Adoured. But these Women, vvorshippinge S. Marie, renewe againe the Sacrifice of Wine mingled in the Honure of the Goddesse Fortuna, and prepare a Table for the Diuel, and not for God. As it is written in the Scriptures. They are fedde vvith the Meate of VVickednesse. And againe, Theire Women boulte flower: and theire Children geather stickes, to make fine Cakes in the Honoure of the Queene of Heauen. Therefore let sutche Women be rebuked by the Prophete Hieremie: and let them nomore trouble the worlde. And let them not saie, vve VVorship the Queene of Heauen.
- 1Distinct Offices.Distincte Offices.
- 2Epiphani. Li. 3. Hares. 59.
- 3[Greek or Hebrew].〈non-Latin alphabet〉.
