A07146:871
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.
Woe be unto them and everlasting damnation hangeth over their heads, that do dishonour priests, speak evil of them, defame & backbite them:1 for they crucify the Son of God again. For so often as thou backbitest or •laundrest a religious person or priest: so often dost thou put a crown of thorn upon Christs head: For they are the head & upper part of the Church militant. So often as thou doest any displeasure unto them: so often dost thou fasten Christ with nails to the cross. So often as thou railest upon them: so often dost thou spit Christ in the face. And so often as thou dost evil entreat them, and find fault either in their speaking or doing: so often dost thou thrust Christ unto the hart with a spear. God therefore willing to show how greatly he detesteth that sin, hath made it evident with that wonderful punishment and unwonted pain, which Dathan, ⟨p. 155⟩Abiron and Chore,2 suffered, whom the earth did swallow up quick, because they did misuse the Priests. Of these things aforesaid it evidently appeareth, that priests even of duty ought to be honoured of all men. In sermonibus discipuli. Germ. iii. Dom. 14. Post. Festum. Trinitatis.
Wo be vnto them and euerlasting damnation hangeth ouer their heades, that do dishonour priestes, speake euill of them, diffame & backbite them:1 for they crucifie the Sonne of God againe. For so often as thou backbitest or •laundrest a religious person or priest: so often dost thou put a crowne of thorne vpon Christes head: For they are the head & vpper parte of the Churche militante. So often as thou doest any displeasure vnto them: so often dost thou fasten Christ with nayles to the crosse. So often as thou raylest vpon them: so often dost thou spit Christ in the face. And so often as thou dost euill entreat them, and find faulte either in their speaking or doying: so often dost yu thrust Christ vnto the hart with a speare. God therfore willing to shewe howe greatly he detesteth that synne, hath made it euident with that wonderful punishment and vnwonted paine, whiche Dathan, ⟨p. 155⟩Abiron and Chore,2 suffered, whom the earth dyd swalowe vp quicke, bycause they dyd mysuse the Priestes. Of these thynges aforesayde it euidentlye appeareth, yt priestes euen of dutye ought to bee honoured of all men. In sermonibus discipuli. Germ. iii. Dom. 14. Post. Festum. Trinitatis.
O ye Priests, which are the bucklers and officers of the true Solomon, that is to say, of Jesus Christ, and the chamberlains and dispensators or stewards of the mysteries of God: Consider & mark diligently in what degree and dignity ye are set over all the goods of the Lord.1 What could God do more for the Priests than to give them power for to make himself, to handle him, to eat him, & to give him to other? Therefore remember your selves, and consider well the noble privilege of your dignity.
O ye Priestes, which are the buckelars and officers of ye true Salomon, that is to saye, of Iesus Christ, and the chamberlaynes and dispensatoures or stewardes of the mysteryes of God: Consider & marke diligentlye in what degree and dignitye ye are set ouer all the goodes of the Lorde.1 What could God doe more for the Priestes than to geue them power for to make hymselfe, to handle hym, to eate hym, & to geue him to other? Therefore remēber your selues, and consider well ye noble priuilege of your dignitye.
Although glass be made of vile matter and stuff,1 yet is it reproved & found to be more clear than gold and silver, so likewise every priest, be he never so great and grievous a sinner, yet doth he far excel all other creatures, ⟨image 185⟩both Kings and Princes & is of greater dignity than all the creatures that are. Ye are (sayeth S. Peter speaking to priests) a chosen generation,2 a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a won people, not only of a temporal election but also of an eternal predestination.
Althoughe glasse bee made of vyle matter and stuffe,1 yet is it reproued & founde to be more clere than golde and siluer, so likewise euery priest, be he neuer so great and greuous a sinner, yet doth he farre excell al other creatures, ⟨image 185⟩both Kinges and Princes & is of greater dignitie than al ye creatures yt are. Ye are (sayeth S. Peter speakyng to priestes) a chosen generation,2 a royall priesthoode, an holy nation, a wonne people, not only of a temporal election but also of an eternall predestination.
O the worshipful dignity of priests, if ye live worthily and priestlike, within whose hands as in the Virgins womb the Son of God is incarnate and made man. O heavenly mystery, which the father and the son, and the holy ghost doth so marvellously work by you, that in one and in the same moment the same God, which sitteth & ruleth in heaven, is a sacrifice in your hands. The heaven wondereth at so noble a privilege: the earth marveleth: man is greatly astonied: hell quaketh for fear the devil trembleth and shaketh all that is on him: the Angelic highness is in great admiration. What then shall I priest give again unto the Lord, for all things that he hath given me? As for an example: He that hath made me, hath given me power to make him: yea he that made me without me, is made by the ⟨p. 156⟩means of me, &c. Consider therefore (O ye Priests) the marvellous dignity of your excellency,1 that God hath not only ordained you before all other people, but he hath also made you passing all other creatures which he hath created unto the praise and glory of his name, &c.
O the worshipful dignitie of priests, if ye liue worthily and priestlike, within whose handes as in the Virgines wombe the sonne of God is incarnate and made man. O heauenly mysterye, which ye father and ye sonne, and ye holy ghoste doth so maruelouslye worke by you, yt in one and in the same moment the same God, whiche sitteth & ruleth in heauen, is a sacrifice in your hands. The heauen wondreth at so noble a priuilege: the earth marueleth: man is greatly astonied: hell quaketh for feare the deuell trembleth and shaketh all yt is on hym: the Aungelike highnesse is in great admiration. What then shall I priest geue agayne vnto the Lorde, for all thinges that he hath geuen me? As for an example: He that hath made me, hath geuen me power to make hym: yea he that made me without me, is made by the ⟨p. 156⟩
Saving the Angels reverence whose number is infinite: I say plainly, that ye are greater than Angels, and do far excel their dignity largo modo loquendo. For to which of the Angels hath God given that, which he hath given to the priest?1 I mean. Whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound also in heaven. Note: there are two keys, that is to say, of knowledge and of power, given of the Lord to blessed Peter and to other men: not to all men, but to Priests alone, and to their successors.2 For although God alone forgive sin, yet never or very seldom doth he forgive sin without his ministers, that is to say, Priests. Which thing may be proved by the Lepers, to whom, when the Lord had healed them, he said: Go: ⟨image 186⟩show your selves to the priests, and humbly obey them. And while they were going, they were made clean. It may also be proved by Lazarus, whom when the Lord had raised up; he said to his Disciples:3 Loose him and let him go. But wherefore did not the Lord himself loosen him from yt knots of the bindings, which had loosened him from the bonds of death? And wherefore did he not command Mary and Martha his sisters to loose him or his kinsfolk the Jews, which were nearer unto him by the course of nature, than the Disciples of the Lord? Verily to declare manifestly and to prove plainly that the power to loose and to bind is given of the Lord to priests alone. Behold, how great the goodness of God, and the worthiness of priests, is. For the Lord himself worketh good sometime even by them ye are evil: and that to this end, because the keys of the Church should not be despised or set at nought of the faithful. For although priests sometime have not thys power ex merito: yet have they it ex officio dignitatis. And ⟨p. 157⟩if any priest •e unworthy (which god forbid) it hurteth himself: it hindereth thee nothing at all. Behold, what great power is given to you priests, For your tongues are made the keys of heaven. O how great dignity,4
so likewise hath he committed the consecration of his body and blood, not to Angels, but to men, that is to say, to priests only.
so lykewyse hath he committed ye consecration of his body and bloude, not to Aungells, but to men, that is to saye, to priestes only.
Seeing then, that a priest is of so great dignity, that he is the maker of his maker: him to destroy or to condemn, it is not convenient, &c.
Seing then, yt a priest is of so greate dignitie, yt he is the maker of hys maker: him to destroy or to condemne, it is not conuenient, &c.
This is a very heavenly privilege, this is an exceeding great glory, this is a grace excelling all grace: a priest to hold God in his hands. We believe & ⟨image 187⟩are thoroughly persuaded, that the celebration of so noble a mystery is committed to none of the Angels, to none of the Archangels, nor to any other heavenly spirits, but to your order only, &c. For on the altar through the mouth and the hands of the priests, the body of Christ is made, even that very body, which is on the right hand of God, &c.
This is a very heauenly priuilege, this is an exceding great glory, this is a grace excelling all grace: a priest to holde God in hys hands. We beleue & ⟨image 187⟩are thorowly perswaded, yt the celebration of so noble a mysterye is committed to none of the Aungels, to none of the Archeaungels, nor to any other heauenly spirites, but to your order onely, &c. For on the altare thorowe the mouthe and the handes of ye priestes, the bodye of Christ is made, euen that very bodye, whiche is on the right hand of God, &c.
O ye priests how great a thing is this, that at the lifting up of your hands, Kings bow down their heads, yea Kings and Queens offer gifts to you. All the Church or congregation confesseth & calleth you fathers, and desireth you to pray for them, &c.
O ye priestes howe greate a thing is this, that at the lifting vp of your handes, Kynges bowe down their heades, yea Kings and Queenes offer giftes to you. All the Churche or congregation confesseth & calleth you fathers, and desireth you to praye for them, &c.
O the worshipful holiness of priests hands. O blessed and happy exercise. O the true joy of the world, where low things are joined to the most high things,1 when Christ handleth Christ, the priest, the Son of God. Thou hast a delight to be with the sons of men. Therefore saith Peter, speaking of priests: ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a won people, &c.
O the worshipfull holynesse of priestes handes. O blessed and happie exercise. O the true ioye of the worlde, where lowe things ar ioyned to ye most high thinges,1 when Christ handleth Christ, ye priest, ye sonne of God. Thou hast a delight to be with the sonnes of men. Therefore sayth Peter, speakyng of priests: ye are a chosen generation, a royall Priesthoode, an holy Nation, a wonne people, &c.
O ye priests consider the excellency of your most noble dignity: For the lord hath enriched & beautified you before all other his creatures. Verily priests are worthy to be honoured, seeing ye the Lord hath given unto them passing all other, so great grace and honour in the world.
O ye priests consider the excellencye of your moste noble dignitye: For the lord hath enriched & beautified you before al other his creatures. Verely priestes ar worthy to be honoured, seing ye the Lord hath geuē vnto thē passing al other, so greate grace and honoure in the worlde.
Ex lib cui titulus est. Stella Clericorum.
Pope Alexander the first (as the papists feign) ordained water mingled with salt to be hallowed,1 & afterward sprinkled upon the people, to put away their sins, and to make them holy and pure: He also commanded, that it should be kept both in churches and in houses to chase and drive away devils and wicked spirits,2 not only out of houses where men dwell, but also out of the hearts of the faithful: as though faith and the devil could dwell together in one heart In the year, &c. 110. Grat. Plot. Sabel. Lib. Concil. D. Barns. P•antal.
POpe Alexander the fyrst (as ye papistes fayne) ordayned water mingled with salte to bee halowed,1 & afterward sprinckled vpon the people, to put away their sinnes, and to make thē holy and pure: He also commaunded, yt it shoulde bee kept both in churches and in houses to chase and dryue away deuills and wicked spirites,2 not onely oute of houses wher mēdwel, but also out of ye hearts of the faythfull: as though fayth and ye deuel could dwel together in one heart In the yere, &c. 110. Grat. Plat. Sabel. Lib. Concil. D. Barns. P•antal.
The words of pope Alexander's canon are these.1 We bless the water mingled with salt for this purpose, that all that be sprinkled therewith, may be made holy and pure: which thing we command all Priests likewise to do.2 For sayeth he, if the ashes of an heifer sprinkled, made holy and cleansed the people from venial since: Much more water sprinkled with salt, and hallowed with holy prayers, doth sanctify, make holy, and cleanse the people from venial since.3
The wordes of pope Alexanders canon ar these.1 We blesse ye water mingled with salte for thys purpose, that all that bee sprinckled therewith, may bee made holy and pure: whiche thyng we commaunde all Priestes lykewyse to doe.2 For sayeth he, if the ashes of an heyfer sprinckled, made holy and clensed the people from veniall synnes: Muche more water sprynckled wyth salte, and halowed with holye prayers, doth sanctifye, make holye, and clense the people from veniall synnes.3
And if the salt being sprinkled by Helizeus, the barrenness of the• water was healed: Howe much more salt being hallowed with Godly prayers, taketh away the barrenness of such things as appertain to man, and sanctifieth and purgeth them that are defiled, and multiplieth such goods as we have need of, and turneth away the deceits of the devil, and defendeth men from all naughty and wicked fansies, &c. De conse. Dist. 3. Cap. Aquam sale conspersam. Lib. Concil.
And if the salte being sprynckled by Helizeus, the barennesse of the• water was healed: Howe muche more salte being halowed with Godlye prayers, taketh awaye the barennesse of such thynges as appertayne to man, and sanctifyeth and pourgeth them yt are defiled, and multiplyeth suche goodes as we haue nede of, and turneth away ye disceates of the deuill, and defendeth men from al naughty and wicked fansies, &c. De conse. Dist. 3. Cap. Aquam sale conspersam. Lib. Concil.
Sauyng ye Aungels reuerence whose number is infinite: I say playnly, that ye are greater than Aungells, and doe farre excell their dignitye largo modo loquendo. For to whiche of the Aungels hath God geuen that, whiche he hath geuen to the priest?1 I meane. Whatsoeuer ye bynde on earth, shal be bounde also in heauen. Note: there are two keyes, that is to say, of knowledge and of power, geuen of the Lord to blessed Peter and to other men: not to al mē, but to Priestes alone, and to their successoures.2 For althoughe God alone forgeue synne, yet neuer or verye seldome dothe he forgeue synne withoute his ministers, that is to say, Priestes. Whiche thyng may be proued by the Lepers, to whome, when the Lorde had healed them, he sald: Go: ⟨image 186⟩shewe your selues to the priestes, and humbly obey them. And whyle they were goyng, they were made cleane. It maye also bee proued by Lazarus, whom when the Lorde had raysed vp; he sayd to hys Disciples:3 Loose hym and let hym go. But wherfore dyd not the Lorde hymselfe loosen hym from yt knots of the byndings, which had losoned hym frō ye bondes of death? And wherfore dyd he not commaunde Mary and Martha hys systers to loose him or hys kynnesfolke the Iewes, whiche were nerer vnto hym by the course of nature, than the Disciples of ye Lord? Verelye to declare manifestlye and to proue playnly that the power to loose and to bynde is geuen of the Lorde to priestes alone. Beholde, how great the goodnesse of God, and the worthinesse of priestes, is. For the Lorde himselfe worketh good somtime euen by them ye are euell: and that to thys ende, bycause the keyes of the Churche should not be despised or set at nought of the faythfull. For although priestes sometime haue not thys power ex merito: yet haue they it ex officio dignitatis. And ⟨p. 157⟩if any priest •e vnworthye (which god forbid) yt hurteth hymselfe: it hyndreth thee nothyng at all. Beholde, what greate power is geuen to you priestes, For your tounges are made the keyes of heauen. O how great dignitie,4 saith Bernard, hath god geuen to you? How great and excellent is ye prerogatiue of ye priestes order? He hath preferred you aboue the Kynges of ye earth: He hath exalted thys order of priestes aboue all men: Yea as I may speake more highly, he hath preferred you before Aungells thrones and powers.5 For as he toke not Aungels but Abrahams sede to bryng to passe redemption:
