And abundance of Dreams, Visions, Apparitions and Revelations were the pretended Proofs that prevailed for many such Superstitions, but especially for Images, and Purgatory, and Prayers for the dead. Among others, an English Monk, Egwin of Evesholme, chosen Bishop of Worcester, must lead the way, by pretence of a Vision, (a Dream, no doubt) see Spelman's Concil. p. 209. in his own Chart Egwin saith, [That the Virgin Mary first appeared to a certain Shepherd called Eoves, and afterward to himself with two Virgins, holding a Book in her hands, and told him in what place she would have him build her a Monastery. The crafty Dreamer divulged the Vision, and some good Men opposing it, the Pope must have the hearing of it. The Pope put it to the Oath of Egwin, whether ever he saw such a Vision or not? Egwin sware it, and the matter was past doubt, (just as honest Commenius took Daubritius's Prophesies to be of God, because the melancholy Man sware that they were true.) Hereupon Egwin is sent home, and a Council called to take Egwin's words again that he had such a Vision, (and in the ⟨p. 204⟩end was added, That the Virgin Mary's Image must be set up in the place.) The Pope sent to King Kenred and King Offa by Bishop Brithwald, to grant what the Vision intended; who obediently make over a great part of the Country to that Monastery, as you may see described in Spelman, Conc. p. 209, 210. in Charta Kenredi & Offae Regum. And p. 211. in Charta Egwini, who saith himself, that [God being propitious to him, he had in a little time got for the said Church an hundred and twenty Farms given, as is written and confirmed in the Charter of that Church. Many Villages are there named, and some great ones, in the fattest and richest part of the County of Worcester. Was not this a profitable Dream or Vision? And should we not have many Dreamers and Swearers, if they could get as much by it as Egwin did? And herewith Images are set up.
And abundance of Dreams, Visions, Apparitions and Revelations were the pretended Proofs that prevailed for many such Superstitions, but especially for Images, and Purgatory, and Prayers for the dead. Among others, an English Monk, Egwin of Evesholme, chosen Bishop of Worcester, must lead the way, by pretence of a Vision, (a Dream, no doubt) see Spelman's Concil. p. 209. in his own Chart Egwin saith, [That the Virgin Mary first appeared to a certain Shepherd called Eoves, and afterward to himself with two Virgins, holding a Book in her hands, and told him in what place she would have him build her a Monastery. The crafty Dreamer divulged the Vision, and some good Men opposing it, the Pope must have the hearing of it. The Pope put it to the Oath of Egwin, whether ever he saw such a Vision or not? Egwin sware it, and the matter was past doubt, (just as honest Commenius took Daubritius's Prophesies to be of God, because the melancholy Man sware that they were true.) Hereupon Egwin is sent home, and a Council called to take Egwin's words again that he had such a Vision, (and in the ⟨p. 204⟩end was added, That the Virgin Mary's Image must be set up in the place.) The Pope sent to King Kenred and King Offa by Bishop Brithwald, to grant what the Vision intended; who obediently make over a great part of the Countrey to that Monastery, as you may see described in Spelman, Conc. p. 209, 210. in Charta Kenredi & Offae Regum. And p. 211. in Charta Egwini, who saith himself, that [God being propitious to him, he had in a little time got for the said Church an hundred and twenty Farms given, as is written and confirmed in the Charter of that Church. Many Villages are there named, and some great ones, in the fattest and richest part of the County of Worcester. Was not this a profitable Dream or Vision? And should we not have many Dreamers and Swearers, if they could get as much by it as Egwin did? And herewith Images are set up.
