Theophilus. This is yet the least fault of the Prothonotaries: But from that same fountain ⟨image 85⟩is risen and sprung up the error of invocation of Saints, 1of feasts, wanderings, blessings, relics, pilgrimages, and all other Idolatry and superstitions, which men do commit daily about the Saints. For whereas in the ancient Church men did but only make mention of the life, faith and constantnesse of the Martyrs and Saints when the people assembled themselves in the Ecclesiastical assemblies, without invocating or praying to the Saints, but only unto God: Afterwards in process of time, the superstitious and Idolatrous Christians, have made of the Saints Gods, and have dedicated to them, Feasts, Temples, Altars and Chapels. And have begun to sing 2Hymns and superstitious songs in their honour & praise, after the same manner as the Paynims and Idolaters did to their Binges and Emperors, when they Canonized them. And are not content to preach their lives and Legend, as the ancients did: but have added unto it fables and lies. and have made to them Masses, in such sort, that 3for one supper of Jesus Christ, we have more then three hundred nullyons of Masses, all contrary and differing the one from the other. By that means the Prophecy, the preaching of the word of God, the Supper of Jesus Christ, Prayers, and Ecclesiastical assemblies, and the true commemoration of the Saints, are altogether abolished, in such sort that there is nothing, but that it is altogether perverted and turned into more greater superstition and Idolatry, then ever it was among the Paynims. As much happened about the other faithful that dye, which are not counted for Canonised Saints. For as on the one 4side they are given to invocate & pray to the Saints, whom they believe to be in Heaven: Even so on the other side, they give themselves to pray for the dead, whom they think to have yet need of their prayers and good deeds, for to help them, and to prepare the way to Heaven, •• stead of the simple commemoration y• they did in y• ancient Church, without using prayers for the health of their souls. but only exhortation, admonitions & consolations, for ⟨p. 79⟩the health and salvation of those that be alive.
Theophilus. Thys is yet the leaste faulte of the Prothonotaries: But from that same fountayne ⟨image 85⟩is risen and sprong vp the errour of inuocation of Saints, 1of feasts, wanderings, blessings, relycks, pilgrimages, and all other Idolatry and supersticions, which men do commit dayly about the Saints. For wheras in the auncient Church men did but onely make mention of the lyfe, faith and constantnesse of the Martirs and Saynts when the people assembled themselues in the Ecclesiasticall assemblyes, without inuocating or praying to the Saynts, but onely vnto God: Afterwards in processe of time, the supersticious and Idolatrous Christians, haue made of the Saynts Gods, and haue dedicated to them, Feasts, Temples, Aultars and Chappells. And haue begonne to sing 2Himnes and supersticious songs in their honour & prayse, after the same manner as the Panims and Idolaters did to their Binges and Emperours, when they Ca•onized them. And are not content to preach their lyues and Legende, as the auncients did: but haue added vnto it fables and lyes. and haue made to them Masses, in such sort, that 3for one supper of Iesus Christ, we haue more then thrée hundreth nullyons of Masses, all contrary and differinge the one from the other. By that meanes the Prophecie, the preaching of the worde of God, the Supper of Iesus Christ, Prayers, and Ecclesiasticall assemblyes, and the true commemoration of the Saints, are altogether abolyshed, in such sorte that there is nothing, but that it is altogether peruerted and tourned into more greater superstition and Idolatry, then euer it was among the Panims. As much happened about ye other faythful that dye, which are not counted for Canomsed Saynts. For as on the one 4side they are giuen to inuocat & pray to the Saynts, whom they beléeue to bée in Heauen: Euen so on the other side, they giue themselues to praye for the deade, whom they thinke to haue yet neede of their prayers and good deedes, for to helpe them, and to prepare the waye to Heauen, •• steede of the simple commemoration y• they did in y• auncient Chruch, without vsing praiers for the health of their soules. but only exhortatiōn, adm•nitions & consclatiōs, for
- 1The error touching the honour & invocation of saintsThe errour touching the honour & inuocation of saints
- 2Canenization Herodia.
- 3Masses of saints
- 4The original & beginning of the prayers lot the dead.The original & beginning of ye prayers lot the dead.
