A07146:64
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.
Finally,1 some can by no means find in their heart to approve and allow that present state of Religion, which is now received among us, because it greatly differeth, say they, from the old and accustomed order. It is demanded in what points. It is answered: In these. First, The Bishop of Rome is not knowledged and received any more to be Supreme head of the universal Church of Christ. I answer: We know no Supreme head of the Church by the word of God, but Christ alone and under Christ every Prince in his own Realm. Secondly, The Sacrament is received under both kinds. I answer: So hath Christ commanded. saying: Drink of this all ye. Also the Apostle, so oft as ye shall eat of this bread and drink of the cup, &c. Thirdly, The service and public prayer is done in the temples no more in the latin tong, as heretofore, but in the common and English ⟨image 20⟩speech. I answer: So hath the custom been from the beginning in the Church of Christ in all places, and is so used at this present generally, wheresoever the Bishop of Rome hath no authority.2 And God by his holy Apostle commandeth us, that in our congregations all things should be done to edify, approving and allowing rather five words so spoken that they may be understanded than ten thousand otherwise. Fourthly, 3All the laudable ceremonies are neglected and set a side, as the hallowing of salt, water, bread, candles, palms, fire, ashes, &c. I answer, All these are the trifling traditions of men, and have been the cause of much Idolatry and superstition. And it is written, They worship me in vain,4 teaching doctrines, which are the commandments of men. Item, God is a spirit, & they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth. Fifthly, Purgatory is denied. I answer, we know none other purgatory for the soul, but the precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, as it is written.5 The blood of Jesus Christ gods son maketh us clean from all sin. Sixthly, The Sacrifice of the Mass is utterly rejected and caste away, as a pestilence most hurtful, blasphemous, and injurious to the passion and death of Christ I answer: The word of God teacheth us in all places, that there is no sacrifice for sin, but the death of Christ alone. But Christ dieth no more. Therefore is there no more sacrifice offered up for sin.