A07146:440
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.
Of the Nuns of S. Brigit's or Brides order.
Of the Nunnes of S. Brigittes or Brides order.
Pope Urban the first being Bishop of Rome, a certain widow called Brigitta, Princess of Suetia, began the order of Nuns called Brigittians. But it is to be understand that this order of Brigit receiveth as well men as women, although they dwell severally by themselves, the men divided from the women, and the women from the men. For this holy woman Brigitte ordained, that both men and women being of this order might well dwell together, and ⟨image 104⟩have their habitation both under one roof, but yet men and women separated each from other, so that the one might not come to the other, except only when need required to minister the Sacraments. The Church should be common to both: Nevertheless the Nuns should be closed above in a closet and the men beneath, waiting upon the divine service: and that these should tend the altar, and they the query. The Abbess should have the primacy, and the brethren to be under her, so that she should provide both for man and woman, meat, drink and clothing. Among the brethren should one be called Prior, Warden, or Confessor, and be above the other. The women should be consecrated and brought in by the Bishop. Their clothing is a grey cote with a grey cloak thereon, & a red cross in a white circle. They may wear no linen after the tenor of their rule. The brethren of this order hear confessions, and preach at high feasts. This order also admitteth Lay brethren (as in many places moe) to do their business abroad. They feign, that this ⟨p. 75⟩