A17729:104
A very profitable treatise made
A very profitable treatise made by M. John Calvin, declaring what great profit might come to all christendom, if there were a register made of all saints bodies and other relics, which are aswell in Italy, as in France, Dutchland, Spain, and other kingdoms and countries. Translated out of French into English by Steven Withers. 1561. Set forth and authorised according to the Queens Majesties injunctions.A very profitable treatise made by M. Ihon Caluyne, declarynge what great profit might come to al christendome, yf there were a regester made of all sainctes bodies and other reliques, which are aswell in Italy, as in Fraunce, Dutchland, Spaine, and other kingdomes and countreys. Translated out of Frenche into Englishe by Steuen Wythers. 1561. Set furth and authorised according to the Queenes Maiesties iniunctions.
printed by Rouland Hall, 1561
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.
John of Morien do not want some certain part of the head: his chaws are seen at Besanson at saint John the great: there is another part at S. John of Lateran at Paris, and at S. Flour in Auvergne. They keep his hear at saint Saviours in Spain, the brow and some of the hear: There is also some little jot thereof at Noyon, which is shown very authentically. There is also some part (I know not of ⟨image 42⟩what place) at saint Lukes. Is all this done? Let one go to Rome, and to the monastery of saint Sylvester, and one shall hear besides said: behold here is saint John Baptists head. The Poets fain that there was in time passed a king in Spain, named Geryon, who had three heads. If our relic forgers could say as much of saint John Baptist, this would serve well for their purpose, to help them to lye. But seeing this fable hath no place, how will they excuse them selves? I will not press them so near, as for to ask them how the head was so hacked, for to be parted in so many places, and so diversly: neither how they have gotten the same from Constantinople: but I only say, that saint John must needs be a monster, or that they be unshame fast abusers, for to show so many pieces of his head. And which is more they of Seen boast to have his arm the which is repugnant ⟨image 43⟩to all the ancient histories. And yet nevertheless this abuse is not only suffered but also approved as in deed nothing is found evil to the kingdom of Antichrist providing that it entertain the people in superstition. Now they have invented an other fable that is, when all the body was burned that the finger wherewith he did point and show our Lord Jesus did remain hole not being consumed. This, not only, is not conformable to the ancient histories but it may also easily be reproved by them for Eusebe, & Theodorite plainly say that the body (when the pagans ravished it) was already consumed to bones. And they would in no wise have forgotten such a miracle if their had been any thing at all for they are but overmuch curious in mentioning of vain and trifling things.
Iohn of Morien doe not wante some certayne parte of the head: his chawes are sene at Besanson at sainct Iohn ye great: there is another part at S. Iohn of Latrans at Paris, and at S. Flour in Auuergne. Thei kepe his heare at sainct Sauiours in Spaine, the brow and some of the heare: There is also some lytle iote thereof at Noyon, which is showen very autentikly. There is also some part (I knowe not of