A07146:329
The relics of Rome containing all such matters of religion, as have in times…The reliques of Rome contayning all such matters of religion, as haue in times…
The relics of Rome containing all such matters of religion, as have in times past been brought into the Church by the Pope and his adherents: faithfully gathered out of the most faithful writers of chronicles and histories, and now newly both diligently corrected & greatly augmented, to the singular profit of the readers, by Thomas Becon. 1563.The reliques of Rome contayning all such matters of religion, as haue in times past bene brought into the Church by the Pope and his adherentes: faithfully gathered out of the moste faithful writers of chronicles and histories, and nowe newly both diligently corrected & greatly augmented, to the singuler profit of the readers, by Thomas Becon. 1563.
London: printed by John Day, 1563London: printed by Iohn Day, 1563
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
AS concerning the monastical sect of the Recluses, and such as be shut up within walls, there, unto the death continually to remain, giving themselves to the mortification of carnal affects, to the contemplation of heavenly and spiritual things, to abstinence, to prayer, and to such other ghostly exercises, as men dead to the world, & having their life hidden with Christ ⟨image 82⟩I have not to write: forasmuch as I can not hitherto find probably in any author,1 whence the profession of Anchors and Anchoresses had the beginning and foundation, although in this behalf I have talked with men of that profession, which could very little or nothing say in the matter. Notwithstanding as the white Fryers father that order of Elijah the Prophet (but falsely) so likewise do the Anchors and Anchoresses make that holy and virtuous Matron Judith their patroness and foundress. But how unaptly, who seeth not? Their profession and religion differeth as far from the manners of Judith, as light from darkness or god from the devil, as it shall manifestly appear to them that will diligently, confer the history of Judith with their life and conversation.2 Judith made her self a privy chamber where she dwelt (sayeth the Scripture) being closed in with her maidens Our Recluses also close themselves within the walls but they suffer no man to be there with them Judith ware a smock of ha•re▪ but our recluses are both softly ⟨image 82⟩and finely apparelled. Judith, fasted all the days of her life, few excepted. Our Recluses eat and drink at all times of the best, being of the number of them Qui curios simulant, & Bacchanalia vivunt. Judith was a woman of a very good report. Our recluses are reported to be superstitious and idolatrous persons, and such as all good men fly their company. Judith feareth the Lord greatly▪ and lived according to his holy word. Our Recluses fear the pope and gladly do what his pleasure is to command them. Judith lived of her own substance and goods, putting no man to charge. Our Recluses as persons only borne to consume the fruits of the earth, live idly of the labour of other mens hands. Judith, when time required, came out of her closet to do good unto other. Our Recluses never come out of their lobbies sink or swim the people Judith put her self in jeopardy for to do good to the commune country.