Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…

Among many other false and lying miracles, forged in this corrupt time of Monkery, the fabulous or rather filthy legend of Editha were not to be overpassed, if for shame and honesty it might well be recited. But to cast the dirt of these Pope holy monks in their own face, which so impudently have abused the church of Christ, and simplicity of the people with their ungracious vanities, let us see what this miracle is, & how honestly it is told. Certain years after the death of Editha, saith Will. of Malmes. which years Capgrave in his new Legend reckoneth to be thirteen, the said Editha & also S. Denis holding her by the hand, appeared to Dunstan in a vision, willing and requiring him that the body of Editha in the church of Wilton, should be taken up & shrined, to the intent it might be honoured here in earth of her servants, according as it is worshipped of her spouse in heaven. Dunstan upon this, coming from Salisbury to Wilton, where Editha was interred, commanded her body to be taken up with much honour & solemnity. Who there in opening her tomb (as both Malmes. and Capgrave with shame enough record) found all the whole body of this Editha consumed to earth, save only her thumb, her belly, & the part under the belly. Whereof the said Editha expounding the meaning, declared that her thumb remained found, for the much crossing she used with the same. The other parts were incorrupted for a testimony of her abstinence, and integritie, &c. Ex Malmes. & Capgravo. What Satan hath so envied the true sincerity of christian faith and doctrine, so to contaminate the same with such impudent tales, such filthy vanities, & Idolatrous fantasies as this? Such Monks with their detestable houses,¹ where Christs people were so abominably abused and seduced to worship dead carcasses of men and women, whether they deserved not to be razed, and plucked down to the ground, let all chaste Readers judge. But of these matters enough and to much.

Among many other false and lying miracles, forged in this corrupt tyme of Monkery, the fabulous or rather filthy legēd of Editha were not to be ouerpassed, if for shame and honesty it might well be recited. But to cast the dyrt of these Pope holy monkes in their owne face, which so impudently haue abused the church of Christ, and simplicitie of the people with their vngratious vanities, let vs see what this miracle is, & how honestly it is told. Certayne yeres after the death of Editha, saith Will. of Malmes. which yeres Capgraue in his new Legend reckoneth to be thirtene, the said Editha & also S. Denys holding her by the hand, appeared to Dunstan in a vision, willing and requiring him that the body of Editha in the church of Wilton, should be taken vp & shrined, to the entent it might be honored here in earth of her seruants, according as it is worshipped of her spouse in heauen. Dunstan vpon this, comming from Salisbury to Wilton, where Editha was interred, commaunded her body to be taken vp with much honor & solemnitie. Who there in opening her tombe (as both Malmes. and Capgraue with shame enough recorde) found all the whole body of this Editha cōsumed to earth, saue only her thombe, her belly, & the part vnder the belly. Wherof the said Editha expounding the meaning, declared that her thombe remained found, for the much crossing she vsed with the same. The other partes were incorrupted for a testimony of her abstinence, and integritie, &c. Ex Malmes. & Capgrauo. What Sathan hath so enuied the true sinceritie of christian faith and doctrine, so to contaminate the same with such impudent tales, such filthy vanities, & Idolatrous fantasies as this? Such Monkes with theyr detestable houses,