A07146:61
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.
When Christ toke upon him the office of preaching at the commandment of his father, who embraced his doctrine, but a few poor people vile, and of no estimation in the sight of the gallant and wise worldlings?1 As it is written: Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many of high degree are called. And as the Pharisees said to their ministers, when they came home from Christs Sermon: Are ye also deceived.2 Doth any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees believe on him? But this common people, which know not the law, are cursed. Did not the seed (as we read in the Gospel) that was sown,3 fall into .iiii. parts: and one part only brought forth good fruit? Did not a certain man make a supper, and called many: and yet there came none, but a few poor people, ⟨image 18⟩halt,4 lame, feeble, blind, &c. Bishop Caiaphas gathered a council, where were present a great rabble of bloody hypocrites, to condemn Christ: no man at all taking Christs part. Against the Apostles of Christ assembled and gathered them selves together the priests, the Rulers of the temple,5 the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Scribes, the Lawyers, and Annas the chief priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priests but who rose up to take their parts, and to defend the innocency of their cause. What a swarm of hellhounds flocked together to condemn blessed Stephen, and to stone him unto death: no man once speaking one word for him. What multitudes from time to time came against Paul, as we may see in the Acts of Apostles to accuse him, and to make him out of the way: and how few, or rather none toke his part. After the Apostles time, what swarms of tyrants and beastly hypocrites rose up against the poor little company of the faithful Christians, murdering them without all pity or mercy. As it is written.6 For thy sake are we killed all the day long, and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain. As I may among many touch one Ecclesiastical history: What shall I speak of the unhappy time of that most unhappy and wicked heretic Arrius. Although the Fathers of the council Nicene did judge truly & rightly according to the doctrine of the holy Scripture of the true & everlasting divinity or Godhead of Christ the Son of God: