except peradventure thou wilt say, that they do the same after the imitation of the ⟨image 81⟩Gallots, Curets, and Corybants, Priests of the Goddess 1Cybele the mother of Gods, whom they do carry upon their shoulders in their processions, sounding of Cymbals, 2Drums, Belles, and other such instruments, which do make a great noise, with the cry and sound of their Litanies, which they go singing after: as many 3ancient Authors do witness, as well Paynims as Christians, namely Lactantius which allegeth some verses of Ovid, who among others, in a few words speaking of her feast, comprehendeth all these things, saying:
Then forthwith shall be heard the home,4
of Berecynthia blow,
Of Cybele grandam of the Gods,
th'approaching feast to show.
And Eunuchs playing upon Drums,
whose noise the air doth fill,
And ringing out the braying blast,
of Trumpet sounding shrill.
She on their shoulders sitting soft,
is borne about the Town,
By Priests and servants of her own,
with noise and shrieking sown.
Epiphanius that good and learned Bishop and of great estimation among the ancients, did write a book, that he 5made of heresies, saying, that there were in his time, some women of Syria who did begin to carry in that sort the Image of the Virgin Mary and offered unto it oblations: But he 6saith that the same superstition and Idolatry was repressed and beaten down through the diligence of good Bishops & pastors, knowing that the same was none other thing, but an imitation of the furor and madness of the Paynims.
Wherefore Epiphanius, numbereth that error in the Roll of the heresies that he hath made. And yet nevertheless our Priests have not ceased therefore to put it forth, and more greater Idolatry then ever was among the Priests ⟨p. 75⟩of Cybele and Isis, after whose example they do carry their Idols, Relics, Hearses and Shrines, and for to declare that they are their successors, they have their heads shaven, & their surplice: & many other ornaments of linen and white cloth, as those had, as the Poet saith:
Attending on the goddess then, the crew both great and small,7
Are clad in linen garments white, to honour her withal.
And again he saith.
These shaven Priests in white arrayed, ensued the Goddess grace,
And making noise with sound of Drums, did follow her a pace.
excepte peraduenture thou wylte saye, that they dooe the same after the immitation of the ⟨image 81⟩Gallots, Curets, and Corybants, Priestes of the Goddesse 1Cyble the mother of Gods, whome they doe carrye vppon their shoulders in their processions, sounding of Cymballes, 2Drummes, Belles, and other such instrumentes, which doe make a great noyse, wyth the crye and sound of their Letanyes, which they goe singinge after: as manye 3auncient Authours doe witnesse, as well Panims as Christians, namely Lactantius which alledgeth some verses of Ouid, who among others, in a few woordes speaking of hir feast, comprehendeth all these things, saying:
Then foorthwith shalbe heard the home,4
of Berecynthia blow,
Of Cyble graundame of the Gods,
thapproching feast to show.
And Eunuches playing vpon Drums,
whose noise the aire doth fill,
And ringing out the braying blast,
of Trumpet sounding shrill.
She on their shoulders sitting soft,
is borne about the Towne,
By Priestes and seruaunts of hir owne,
with noise and shriching sowne.
Epiphanius that good and learned Byshop and of great estimation among the auncients, did write a booke, that hée 5made of heresies, saying, that ther were in his time, some women of Siria who did begin to carry in that sort the Image of the Virgin Mary and offered vnto it oblations: But hée 6saith that the same superstition and Idolatry was repressed and beaten downe through the diligence of good Bishops & pastors, knowing that the same was none other thing, but an imitation of the furor and madnesse of the Panims.
Wherefore Epiphanius, numbreth that errour in the Roule of the heresies that hée hath made. And yet neuerthelesse our Priests haue not ceased therefore to put it foorth, and more greater Idolatry then euer was among the Priests ⟨p. 75⟩of Cyble and Isis, after whose example they doe carrye their Idolls, Relicks, Hearses and Shrines, and for to declare that they are their successours, they haue theire heads shauen, & their surples: & many other ornaments of lynnen and white cloth, as those had, as the Poet sayth:
Attending on the goddesse then, the crue both great and small,
- 1The Priests cl Cybele.The Priests cl Cyble.
- 2Herodot. Diodor.
- 3Apule. de Asini li. 11. Lactan. lib. ca. 21. The feast and procession of Cible.
- 4Ovid Fast. 4.Ouid Fast. 4.
- 5Epiphanius.
- 6Idolatry of the image of our Lady.
- 7Ovid.Ouid.
