A Brief and Pithy Sum of the Christian Faith

It appeareth moreover by that which Saint Cyprian ^fsaid, that it were better for the Virgins which were dedicated by promise to God (that is to wit, to the service of the poor, and not to be idle in Convents) if they would not, or could not continue, that they should marry, rather then fall into the fire and burn by their delights, as also Saint Paul hath ordained^g. If this be heresy, Saint Cyprian must be an heretic. Nevertheless, ye may see the manner of the ancient Monasteries, whereunto what shall we find like or agreeing in these stinking corners, or dens full of all superstition. apishness, blasphemies, envies, treasons, drunkenness, ambitions, Sodomies, poisonings, and all other stinking filthiness, so stinking, that they them selves cannot endure it, which appeared long since, and sprung up by little and little. For Saint Chrysostom had no greater enemies, then such false Monks and Friars, running by the streets from town to town, and namely ⟨p. 179⟩of these which be called Mendicants. Is it not marvel that the Cardinals, and namely among others, he that was Pope of late, named Paul the fourth, is not set aside, and all their tail is not sent again to the Devil, from whence they came? For behold their own proper words, in the book which they did offer to Pope Paul the third, in the year. 1538. Entitled, Concilium delectorum Cardinalium, mendicantium ordines tollendos censemus omnes, that is to say: We are of that opinion, that all the orders of Mendicants, or begging Friars ought to be abolished. Although a certain Friar of late days bathe Imprinted a Book of the Counsels, and hath put in Conuentuales ordines, that is to say, the orders Conventuals. It may be thought he did it to save his own order. But what need is it to enter into these puddles? Truly they must needs be utterly blind, which seek not only Christianity, but also the perfection of Christianity in such an hell,

It appeareth moreouer by that which Saint Ciprian ^fsayde, that it were better for the Vyrgins which were dedycated by promyse to God (that is to wéete, to the seruyce of the poore, and not to bée ydle in Coouentes) if they woulde not, or coulde not continue, that they shoulde marry, rather then fall into the fyre and burne by theyr delyghtes, as also Saynt Paule hath ordayned