and no man constrayned to their newe founde Relygyon sacryfyces â–ª and worshyppynges But alac that fredome conâ—yaued not longe with them as ye shall wele perceyue here after Than ded Augustyne get hym into Fraunce agayne and caused one Etherius than Archebyshop of Arelas to consecrate hym the great byshop of all Englande without eleccyon or consent of the people that we reade of And in the yeare of our Lorde euen DC ded Gregorye sende vnto hym from Rome hys prymates pall with superaltares châ—lyces copes candelstyckes vestymentes surplyces alter clothes syngynge bokes rellyâ—kes and the blessynges of Peter and Paule And so admytted hym for the fyrst metropolitane of all the whole realme appoyntynge hys seate from thens fourth at Canterburye than called Doroberna the worthye cytie of london euer after depryued of her former tytle and so made an vnderlynge But the spyrituall fathers knewe wele ynough what they ded beholdynge afore hande manye hydden mysteryes They perceyued that Caunterbury was wele out of the waye and moche nygher the see than was London and so moche the fytter for their craftye conueyaunces aÌ„d flyghtes to their holye father yf nede shuld requyre yt with manye other commoditees els Marke alwayes these nombers of Syxes and their mysteryes for the age of Man and the Beast Apoca 13. ¶ Their preparacyons for Antichrist THe first stodye of these fathers after they were ones satled was all aboute masse offerynges ceremonyes byshoppes seates consecracyons churche hallowynges orders geuynge tythes personages puryfycacyous of women and soche lyke Wherupon a Syunode was called and there commanÌ„ dementes were geuen that all thinges shuld be here obserued accordynge in the customes of Rome In Englande was there afore their commynge a christyanyte but it was all without masses and in a maner without choyce of eyâ—her dayes or meates The Brytaynes in those dayes had non other Gods seruyce but the Gospell Seldome admytted they any dyfference of tymes with the Iewes eyther anye Idoll sacryâ—yces with the Gentyles but folowed the playne rules of the scripturs If anye superstycyons were amonge their Monkes they had nought to do ther with but were euermore at lyberte For Prynces at that tyme were not yet becomen the Beastes Images to speake out of theyr spretes or to make lawes accordynge to theyr lustes The labour of Augustyne with his moÌ„kes from the forseyd yeare of our Lorde DC was to prepare Antichrist a seate here in Englande agaynst the full tyme of hys perfyghtage of 666. For though he were first conceyued in the wycked churche of Cain yet coude he not shewe hymself in hys owne lykenesse that is to saye Christes opeÌ„ aduersary tyll Christ came in the fleshe And than he apered at all one tyme with hym in the malygnaunt churche of the Iewes or spyrytualte of Herode which than first began to persecute hym and to seke hys death ¶ The prouynge of Augustynes Apostleship IN the yeare of our Lorde DC aÌ„d ij helde Augustyne an other counsell in the west part and countye of worcestre in a place that is yet called Augustynes oke wherunto he called by coÌ„maundemeÌ„t the vij byshoppes of the Brytayne churche with their principall doctours And as they were takynge their iournaye thydreward they counselled with a serten solytarye man which was knowne to be of amost perfight chri sten lyfe what was to be done coÌ„cernynge the afore seyd Augustyne Anon he made them this christen answere If he be a man of God sayth he in anye wyse folowe hys counsell If he be not vtterlye refuse it How shall we know that saye they Ye shall wele perceyue yt by his gentyll sprete sayth he agayne For Christ bad hys scolers lerne of him to be meke harted If he be of that sort he ys lyke to brynge ye non other than Christes moste easye yoke But yf ye fynde hym proude be ware of the importable burdenes of the hygh mynded Pharysees And as they were commen thydre they founde hym syttynge a loft in a throue of hygh honoure shewynge vnto them no countenaunce of gentylnesse Wherfor they regarded hym not but vtterlye withstode all hys enforcemeÌ„tes ¶ The Englysh churche begynneth with tyrannye AFter longe dysputacyons and other weywarde wrangelynges he layed vnto their charges that they were in many thynges contrarye to the vnyuersall Christen churche NotwithstaÌ„dynge yf they wolde consent vnto hym in these .iij. poyntes That ys to saye to baptyse after the Romysh maner to celebrate the feast of Eastre as they do there and preache to the Englysh Saxons as he shuld appoynt them he wolde wele beare with them in all other causes In no case wolde they graunte vnto hym nor yet accept him for their archebyshop â–ª but sayd playnelye they wolde styll holde theyr auncyent tradycyoÌ„s which they perfyghtlye knewe to be agreable to the holy Apostles doctryne Than sayd Augustyne furyouslye vnto them that yf they wolde not peceably graunte to hys requestes they shuld be enforced therunto by most cruell battayle And so in the yeare next folowynge were slayne of their preachers by Augustynes procurement to the nombre of a thousande and ij hondred with their great mastre Dionothus Loke Flores Historiarum Amandus Zierixensis Galfrede Ranulph Capgraue Caxton Fabianc their churche legendarye and other Thus ded that carnall Synagoge than called the Englysh churche which came from Rome with Augustine most cruellye persecute at her first commynge in the ChristeÌ„ churche of the Brytaynes in these holye martyrs Theyr synefull Syon buylded they than in blood for that theyr wycked instytutes were Godlye dysobeyed But he they sure yt shall be plowed vp in thys lattre age aÌ„d lye wast lyke a uoyde felde accordynge to Mycheas prophecye Mich. 3 ¶ What the Brytayne churche was afore TRue is the faythfull saynge of Iohan Leylande in assertione Arturij fo 35. That the Romysh Byshop sought all meanes possyble to vpholde the Englysh SaxoÌ„s in a kyngedome falselye gotten the Brytaynes hatynge hym for yt and he agayne of myschefe prouokynge those Saxons fearcelye to invade them Marke yt hardelye for yt ys worthye to be noted Marke also the agrement of the Brytayne churche with the vij churches of Asia in Saynt Iohans tyme Not onlye for the iust noÌ„bre of theyr byshoppes but also for their obseruacyon of Eastre afore thys Augustynes coÌ„mynge For in their argumentacyons aboute that matter they layde alwayes for themselues the vsages of that churche receyued first of Iohan the Euangelist Philip the Apostle Policarpus Traseas Sagaris Papirius and Meliton allegynge the saynges of Policrates and Eusebius in that behalfe The churche that Augustyne than planted in Englande was more gouerned by byshoppes polycyes for their aduauntage than by the expresse worde of God to hys honour as it hath beue euer sens And therfor yt was and is
how and by whom thys realme was first inhabyted whiche thynge hath bene hytherto in all Englysh Chronycles doubtfullye vnagreablye yea and vntrulye treated vpon coniecturs fantasyes and lyes onlye by reason of ignoraunce in the scripturs and moste auctorysed hystoryes They shall also perceyue what peoples haue here by all ages remayned what doctryues hath bene taught by their true and false prophetes what worshyppynges of God they haue vsed and what lawes in relygyon they haue folowed Fynallye they shall knowe clerelye the deceytfull workemāshyp of the instrumētes of Sathan their byshoppes prestes monkes with other dysgysed locustes of the same generacyō Whose contynuall stodye labour and sekynge was alwayes to blynde them by a colour of chast lyuynge makynge them to beleue that their marryenge of wyues was a prophane layte a brutysh beastlynesse and a thynge which greatlye dyspleased God Their owne vowynge of vyrgynyte was agayne they sayd a spirytuall ordre a lyfe of Angels and an holye relygyon which pleased God aboue all other what though they neuer had yt in their lyues For true vyrginyte ys a fayth vncorrupted or a beleue gouerned by the onlye worde of God without all superstycyons of men Thys was the onlye vyrgynyte that Marye was commended of Luce. 1. Thys vyrgynyte perteyneth chefelye to marryage as testyfyethe Saynt Paul 2. Cor. 11. And as apereth in Abraham and other iust fathers which had faythfull wyues No people are lesse acquaynted with thys vprgyuyte than sectaryes or they that vowe vprgynyte for they thefelye depende vpon mennys tradycyons and rules But yf a tre maye be knowne by hys frutes and a man by hys dedes as our sauer sayth they maye Math. 7. ye shall easelye perceyue by their actes that these vyrgyuall votaryes hath bene the verye Angels of darkenesse Marke their gostlye conueyauuces and their other good workes as they wyll haue them yet called lyke as they are here regestred in course And ye shall fynde them more fyt for hell than for heauen Yet must they be canonysed sayntes and do most wonderfull myracles But those myracles are the stronge delusyons saynt Paule sayth that the lorde wyll sende vnto thē that shall perysh for their vnbeleues sake 2. Thessalon 2. I doubt not but thys labour of myne though yt be verye symple wyll mynystre some lyght as wele to the lerned as vnlerned At the least yt shall teche thē to iudge false myracles that they be no more so deuylyshly deceyued Lete not the oft cytynge of authors be greuouse to the readers my occasyon iustlye cōsidered For therby shall the papystes haue shame alwayes yf they report them fables or els me a lyar for the tellynge of them beynge in their wrytynges so manyfest And as conceruyuge those autours they were their owne dere fryndes and wrote the best they coude of them If they had bene their enemyes and so shewed the worst of them or els but indyfferent wryters as they were most parcyall wytuesses it had bene a farre other shewe of their mischefes than here will apere Men trusted they wolde haue seane themselues in this clere lyght of the Gospell and so haue repented their former factes of falsehede But trulye they are of a farre other kynde than so Their nature is not to repent do they neuer so manye myschefes Rather stodye they out newe practyses of tyrannye and cautels of cruelte to adde myschefe to myschefe tyll the great vengeaunce promysed lyght fullye vpon them Who so euer hath promoted forewarde Gods veryte they thanke God of yt they haue bene non of them as yet If they shuld make their boastes with Paule 1. Corin. 15. that they haue done therin more labours than the other discyples men of knowlege wolde by and by saye that they lyed most falselye In dede they haue with Menelaus Alchinius Ananias wyth Capphas gone afore all worldlye tyrauntes in the murtheringe vp of them which hath done yt And for errours they saye But who euer erred as they haue done sens the worldes begynnynge Trulye non as yet Neyther Turke Iewe Saracene Pagane nor deuyll as the examples herafter wyll shewe they shall not be able to auoyde yt vnlesse they dyspute with fyer ād faggottes as they haue done hytherto For starke nought are they in dysputacyons where as they are not at hāde For this boke I shall haue theyr cōmō lyuerye and be called a thousande tymes heretyke But neyther loke I for reasonable answere of them nor yet for amendement of theyr knaueryes In this boke of myne is one face of Antichrist chefelye dysclosed parauenture iij. vndre one wherwith he hath of longe tyme paynted out his whore the Rome churche that she myght to the world apere a gloryouse madame That face is her vowed chastyte wherby she hath deceytfullye boasted herself spirituall beynge but whore and thefe and dysdayned marryage as a vyle draffe sacke and dyrtye dyshe cloute callynge all them but lewde laye persones that were vndre yt though they were kynges and quenes lordes ād ladyes Ye noble gouerners and lerned lawers vnto whom God hath in thys age delyuered the measurynge rodde of hys worde as he ded to Iohan. Apocal. 11. that ye shuld measure all thynges ryghtlye Be not now slacke in your offyces as in the blynd tyme but throwe fourth that wretched bonde woman with her doughter that Rome churche with her whoryshnesse No poynt of nobylyte were yt nor yet of lerned worthynesse to be as ye haue bene of late yeares styll seruaunt slaues to a most fylthye whore and to her whoredome and whoremongers Our most christen Emprour of Englande kinge Hērye the. viî of that name as a most worthye mynystre of God hath goue before yow in that behalfe He hath made open vnto ye the waye and dryuē awaye from your gates the great aduersarye that shuld most haue noyed yow Dysdayne not than yow to folowe Take from your true subiectes the popes false Christ with hys belles and bablynges with hys myters and mastryes wyth hys fannoms and fopperyes and lete them haue frelye the true Christ agayne that their heauenlye father sent them from aboue fashyoned out vnto thē in the Gospell For moche more bewtifull is he in the syght of true beleuers thā are all the corrupt chyldren of men with all theyr gorgyouse aparelynges Loke you thervnto with ernestnesse for nothinge will be at the lattre daymore strayghtlye requyred of you thā that ⸫ The Actes of Englysh votaryes comprehendynge their vnchast practyses and examples by all ages from the worldes begynnynge to thys present yeare collected out of their owne legendes and Chronycles By Iohan Bale ¶ Marryage instytuted of God IN paradyse our eternall and mercyfull father instytuted maryage inmedyatlye after mannys first creacyon and left yt with hym as an honest comelye wholsom holye and nedefull remedye agaynst all beastlye abusyons of the fleshe
busynesse for their other tradycyons HEre passe I ouer the clowtynge in of their canonycall houres of their absolucyoÌ„s for synnes their temples their aulters their bel ryngynges their leÌ„tes their dyuersyte of orders and dyuysyons of paryshes least I shuld be therin to tedyouse vnto the readers Aidanus Finnanus and ColmaÌ„nus beynge all iij. byshoppes of lyndysfarne in Northunberlande one after an other Scottysh men borne coude not wele awaye with the pryde and wanton toyes which they behelde in their Romyshe rytes but perseuered styll in the symple ordre of the prymatyue churche not contented to chaÌ„ge yt For the which in those dayes they had moche a do with these hygh stomaked Romanes Hilda in lyke case that was thaÌ„ abbasse of Streneshalt that we now call Whytby a womaÌ„ lerned wyse and vertuouse dysputed with them in their generall counsell vpon Colmannus syde in the yeare of our lorde DC and lxiiij concernynge the daye of their eastre celebracyon their head shauynge and other vnsauerye ceremonyes and wrote afterwarde an ernest treatyse agaynst Agilbertus a frenche man and at that tyme byshop of Wynchestre All thys myght not helpe than but in processe of tyme they had their whole myndes magry all their hartes Bedas Giruuinus li. 3. Ca. 25. De gestis Anglorum Guilhelmus Malmesburye li. 3. De Pontificibus Ranulphus li. 5. Ca. 17. Ioann es Capgraue and other ¶ Relygyouse examples dysuadynge marryage AFter Laurencius folowed Melitus in the Archebyshoppes seate of Caunterburye in the yeare of our lorde DC and .xix. whiche they saye both alyue dead dysuaded yonge men from christen marryage As Saynt Columbanus a Scott about the same tyme came to the sell of an holye Nonne for ghostlye counsell She bad hym awaye least wanton youthe wolde brynge them togyther wylde they nylde they Saynt Edwyne kynge of Northumberlande gaue vnto saynt Paulinus the archebyshop of yorke hys yonge doughter Eanfleda so sone as she was baptysed in the yeare of our lorde DC and. xxvi that he shuld make her an vnholye Nonne And the daye after the sayd Edwyne was slayne he toke with hym both the doughter and mother and so fled with them vnto Rochestre in kent be water neuer returnynge thydre agayne Saynt fiacre a Scottysh hermyte had so greate malyce vnto women that he plaged so manye of theÌ„ with the fowle euyll as came within the precynct of hys monasterye bycause one woman had ones complayned to the byshâ—p of hys prodygyouse charmynges Hector Boethius Saynt Foillanus an Iryshe Byshop with hys bretherne was verye famyâ—yar and seruysable vnto Saynte Gerâ—ruyde and her nonnes at Nigella made dyuerse barren women full gracyouslye to conceyue Saynt keynwirye a virgyne of wales conteÌ„mpnynge marryage fled from theÌ„s to Saynt Myhels of the mounte to kepe her vowed virgynyte amonge the holye fathers there as vower with vowers All these storyes hath Iohan Capgraue ¶ Other relygyouse examples of that age SEbba kynge of the East SaxoÌ„s was so bywytched of the Byshop of London and hys caskynge collygeners there for hys substaunce that he had made hymselfe a monke leauynge vnto them both hys wyfe and possessyons yf she had bene no wyser than he Yet was she by their incantacyous at the last deceyued they hauynge of hym an innumerable summe of moneye and he nothynge of them agayne but a mangye monkes cowle and hys buryall in Paules Whan Saynt Egbynes father was ones departed in wales his mother resorted with hym to the abbeye of Saynt Sampson and there receyued of hym the habyte of a Nonne bestowynge the rest of her lyfe amonge the good bretherne there Saynt Eanswyde abbesse of folkstane in kent inspyred of the deuyll dyffyned christen marryage to be barren of all vertues to haue but transytoryouse frutes and to be a fylthye corrupcyoÌ„ of virgynyte Yet ware Marye Iohan Baptyst and Iesus Christ swete frutes therof the iust fathers of the olde lawe not reckened Saynt Paule sayth also that by vertue of marryage the vnfaythfull man ys sanctyfyed by the woman that ys faythfull 1. Cor. 7. Neyther ded he at anye tyme teache marryage to be eyther a corrupcyon or yet an impedymeÌ„t of christen virgynite whan he coupled the Corintheanes which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ed styll marryed a chaste vyrgyne to Christ. 2. Cor. 11. But thys gentylwoman Eanswyde was moche better acquaynted with the monkes lernynge than with Christes and with a chastyte rather to their behoue than to hys Yet droue she out all the gyantes there yf their churche legende be true These storyes sheweth Iohan Capgraue ¶ The wanton toyes of the holye fathers ABout thys same tyme sent Pope Bonyface the fift a shyrte with a golden collor and a fyne petycote of straunge makynge vnto kynge Edwyne with the blessynges of Peter and Paule And vnto hys wyfe Ethelburge a syluer glasse and a combe of yvoriye with the same to vpholde them in thys newe christyanyte Se these wanton fathers what toyes they vse to set vp their kyngedome here Neuer shall ye reade that Christes dysciples had anye soche wyttye polycyes Saynt Petrock an hermyte of Cornewale was fayne euerye nyght from the crowe of the cocke to the sprynge of the mornynge to stande naked in a pyt to abate the hote mouynges of hys fleshe And neuer coude he haue remedye of that dysease tyll he went on pylgrymage to Rome HierusaleÌ„ Here was a newe sought out salue for that sore Saynt Pyrane a Byshop also in Cornewale had a fayre dammesell in the monasterye of hys mother wingell called Brunett whom the Lorde of the soyle toke vp for hys occupyeÌ„ge At the last he a greed with hym no loÌ„gar to haue her thaÌ„ the bernacle or butture shuld breake hym of hys slepe which chaunced sone after than he sent her home agayne If these be not good honest legendes to be redd in the popes holye churche tell me Plentuouse shall ye fynde Iohan Capgraue in the rehersall of them and soche other The ghostly bestowynge of their vowes A Nonne beloÌ„gynge to saynt Cota and a monke perteyninge to saynt Pyrane aboute the same tyme strake vp a couenaunt of loue And as they mett in a wode for perfourmaunce of the same a yonge pygeon fell betwixt theÌ„ aÌ„d made them both ashamed so they went home agayne â–ª iâ— lyke matter Soche an other pagent was played at yorke but it was longe after The monkes of saynt Marye abbeye and the nonnes of Clement thorpe mett togyther there at haye makynge the abbottes fole beynge with them And as the abbot enquyred of hym at supper for pastyme where he had done all that daye He fell in a great laughynge and declared before all hys gestes that a sore battayle had bene foughten that after none betwixt hys monkes and the monkes of clemeÌ„t thorpe But he thanked
worke For so sone as he was gone with soche as yt pleased hys pontyfycall pleasure to call with hym sodenly sayth Fabyane Antonyne Vyncent and Iohan Capgraue the ioystes of the loft fayled and they that were vndre yt peryshed there ¶ Dunstanes prouysyon in Englande for Sathan THus haue thys most cruell and wycked generacyon contynuallye buylded their synnefull Syon in blood Michee 3. and are not yet ashamed of these their manyfest knaueryes For these belly founders theues and mourtherers of theirs yet aduaunce they for their princypall Sayntes And whaÌ„ their feastfull dayes come they are yet in the papystych churches of Englande with no small soleÌ„pnyte mattensed â—…assed candeled lyghted processyoned senseâ— smoked perfumed and worshypped the people brought in beleue that the latyne readynge of their wretched actes there in their legendes ys Gods dyuyne seruyce beyng without fayle the most dampnable seruyce of the deuyll Lyke as holye Iohan Baptyst by preachynge repentaunce prepared a playne pathwaye to Christ and hys kyngedome Luce. 3. So ded thys vnholye Dunstane by sowynge of all superstycyons make redye the waye to SathaÌ„ and hys fylthye kyngedome agaynst hys commynge fourth from the bottomlesse pytt after the full thousande of years from Christes incarnacyon Apoca. 20. which ys the sprete of Antichrist He raysed vp in EnglaÌ„de the pestylent ordre of monkes he buylded them monasteryes he procured them substaunce innumerable fynally he brought into their handes the cathedrall churches with the free eleccyon of byshoppes that nothyng shuld there be done within that realme but after their lust and pleasure ThaÌ„ was Chrystes kyngedome clerelye put a syde and hys immaculate spouse or churche vpon hys worde onlye dependynge compelled to flee into the desart Apoca. 12. Men and womeÌ„ that ryghtlye beleued durst not than confesse their faythe but kept all close within them For than was Sathan abrode these monkes euerye where assystynge hym in the fournyshynge out of that proude paynted churche of Antichrist Superstycyon hypocresye and vayne glorye were afore that tyme soche vyces as men were glad to hyde but now in their gaudyshe ceremonyes they were taken for Gods dyuyne seruyce ¶ Sygnes and plages folowynge these myschefes BVt now se what folowed of these afore rehersed myscheues In the yeare of our lorde DCCCC lxxxviij which was the .xij. yeare before that full thousande departed thys Dunstane a swarme of deuyls frequeÌ„tynge hys tumbe as I shall in the next boke she we more playnelye Within the same yeare appered a bloodye cloude in the skye which couered all EnglaÌ„de as witnesseth IohaÌ„ Hardinge with dyuerse other Chronyclers and yt rayned blood ouer all the lande After that entered the Danes so fast sayth Ranulphe at euerye porte that no where was the Englyshe nacyon able to withstande them And the monkes to helpe the matter wele forewarde by counsell of their Archebyshop Siricius gaue them .x. thousand pounde to begynne with that they myght lyue in rest and not be hyndered For lytle cared they what became of the reest so their precyouse bodyes were safe After thys by dyuerse compulsyons they augmented that summe from .x. to .xvi. to .xx. to .xxiiij. to .xxx. and so fourth tyll they came to the sharpe payment of .xl. thousande pounde and tyll they had nomore moneye to geue For the more the Danes had the more couetouse and cruell they were euermore Thus ded they to the lande innumerable harme in sekynge their owne pryuate commodyte and so brought their owne natyue people in most myserable thraldome For by that meanes were the Danes made stronge and the Englyshe nacyon bycame feble and weake yea so wretched at the last that they were fayne to call euerye vyle slaue amonge the seyde Danes their good lorde But now marke the ende coÌ„cernynge these monkes In the yeare of our lorde a thousande .xij whiche was the .xxiiij. yeare from Dunstanes departynge and the .xij. from the deuyls goynge fourth the Danes after manye great vyctoryes within the realme fyered the cytie of Caunterburye and enprisoned the Archebyshopp than Elphegus And as he and hys monkes were able to geue no more moneye they tythed theÌ„ after thys sort They slewe alwayes .ix. and reserued the tenth to perpetuall sorowe and seruytude tyll they had mourthered of them to the noÌ„bre of more thaÌ„ ix hondred there and in other quarters abrode And the moste part of them they hynge vp by the members which was a playne sygnyfycacyon that plage to come than vpon them for their Sodometrye and most vyolent contempt of christen marryage Ranulphus Cestrensis li. 6. Ca. 13. et 15. Fabianus Par. 1. Cap. 199. ¶ The Conclusyon of thys fyrst boke HEre haue I paynted oute before your eyes most derelye beloued contreye meÌ„ the chast holye consecrate and spirituall actes of your Englyshe votaryes prestes Monkes Byshoppes froÌ„ the worldes begynnynge to a full complete thousande years sens Christes incarnacyon Not all haue I here rehersed for that were a laboure without ende they beynge so innumerable but a serten of them for euerye age that ye maye by them perceyue what the rest hath bene In the next part or boke which shall begynne at Sathans goynge fourthe at large after hys thousande years tyenge vp Apoca. 20. and so contynue to thys yeare of our Lorde a MD. and .xlvi. that ye maye knowe what chere hath bene amonge them what occupyenge they haue had what masteryes they haue played aÌ„d what myracles they haue done for that tyme aÌ„d space also I thynke yt wyll apere an other maner of thynge than that which hath gone afore For so moche as Sathan their ghostlye gouernoure hath for that tyme wrought most strongelye Nomore wyll I be ashamed to reherse their fylthye factes lete them trust vpon yt than they haue bene to do them in effect and to sett them fourthe for holye spirytuall coÌ„secrate chast honorable and ghostlye good workes beynge abhomynable and most stynkynge knaueryes The worlde shall wele knowe what Sodomytes and Deuyls they are that haue all thys tyme contempned christen marryage instytuted of God and do not yet repent their most dampnable doynges in that behalf but contynue styll the saint leadynge their lyues in vnspekeable fleshlye fylthynesse Christ promysed ones to all soche as they are that all their hydden myscheues shuld come to lyght yf they wolde not at the call of hys most holye Gospell repent Nothynge sayth he ys so closelye hydden amonge those spirytual murtherers but wyl be clerely opened neyther yet so secretlye couered but shall apere manyfest and be knowne to the worlde Math. 10. Marci 4. Luce. 12. Christ suffered verye longe the Pharysees and Byshoppes the lewde predecessours of our proude spirytualte But whan he ones perceyued non other in theÌ„ but contempt of hys veryte with wylfull resystaunce of the
holye Ghost he went fearcelye vpon them with wo vpon wo callynge them all that nought was As hypocrytes dyssemblers dodypolles fooles blynde beastes bellygoddes scorners false prophetes periures vypers serpentes deuourers rauenours brybers theues tyrauntes murtherers and fyre brandes of hell Loke the .xxiij. chapter of Mathew ye shall fynde that he poured all thys vpon them and doubled yt in the captyuyte of Hierusalem whan the great vengeaunce of all innocent blood lyght greuouslye vpon them For in the syege of that cytie were slayne by vespasianus Titus to the nombre of .x. hondred thousandes of Iues. Not onlye of the inhabytauntes of that regyon there but from all quarters of the worlde aboute which at that tyme came thydre to their Eastre celebracyon Besydes there were there ledde fourth from thens captyue .xcvij. thousande of whome some were solde to the Romanes to become their contynuall seruauntes and slaues and the resydue geuen vnto the Lyons and wylde beastes that they shuld daylye deuoure them and be fed with their fleshe All thys witnesseth Egesippus Iudeus li. 5. Ca. 49. De Hierosolimorum excidio And now after hys most manyfest example Christ wylleth vs also extremelye to rebuke these cruell corrupters of the christyanyte for their most spyghtfull contempt of hys wholsom warnynges the Christen magistrates hereafter or els some other enemye of theirs folowynge with double vengeaunce vpon the heades of them Apoca. 18. Thys plage whan yt shall fall as yt ys not farre of wyll be the most ryghtouse hande of God vpon the malygnaunte generacyon Great wondre wyll yt be vnto manye I know yt wele to beholde their chefe Englyshe sayntes thus rebuked And paraueÌ„ture they wyll thynke that I myght as wele speake agaynst Peter and Iohan Paule and Iames with the other Sayntes Apostles and Martyrs of the prymatyue churche as agaynste these vngodlye hypocrytes of theirs But I tell those men afore hande that they are wretchedlye blynde for want of lyuelye knowlege in the sacred scripturs They haue no true iudgement in them to dyscerne the fallen starre from the starre so fyermelye fixed in the fyrmameÌ„t as neuer coude be yet from theÌ„s remoued Neuer shall he that declyueth to mennys inuencyons be all one with hym whyche onlye folowethe the pure woorde of God But vndoubtedly of no small tyme great honoure wyll yt now be to yow yea rather moche greatter to flee the sede of the Serpent by the worde of God as euer yt was to Saynt George that noble captayne to slee the great hydre or Dragon at Silena as Baptista Mantuanus specyfyeth I speake not thys for that I wolde ye to fall vpon that sorte with materyall weapon but with the myghtye stronge worde of the Lorde For as Esaye Daniel and Paule reporteth they shall be destroyed without haÌ„des Esa. 11. Dani. 8. et 2. Thes. 2. Onlye ys yt Gods true knowlege that nobleth yow before hym be therfor no longar neglygent An vnrecurable dyshonoure were yt vnto yow from hens fourth to be led blynde felde of these bushardes in the darke The most of yow are all redye verye plentuouslye entered that lorde be praysed thynke hym only blessed which perseuereth to the ende Hauynge the gouernaunce of Christes dere herytage drawe not your lawes out of Antichristes rules now that ye knowe Christes wholsom doctryne Neyther yet fatche the breade that ye shall feade your commons with oute of hys bawdye beggerlye bowgettes but lete them haue the pure purueaunce of God out of the vndefyled scripturs Be ones so mercyfull to that christen flocke that ye clerelye delyuer them from that vyle generacyon Lete them no longer worshyp deuyls as they haue done in these dead monkes and theues but lete theÌ„ loke frelye towardes their eternall lyuynge God both to their sowles helthe and yours Amen ¶ Thus endeth the first parte of thys worke called The Actes of Englyshe votaryes Collected by Iohan Bale Anno. 1546. ¶ The Autours names both Englyshe and other out of whom thys present Boke ys collected Abbas Vrspergensis Achilles Pyrminius Alphonsus de Castro Alphredusbeuâ—rlaceÌ„sis Amandus Zierixensis Antoninus FloreÌ„tinus Baptista Platina Baptista Mantuanus Bartholomeus Anglus Bedas Girnuinus Bernardus LutzeÌ„burg Berosus Chaldeus Biblia Sacra Blondus Flauius Caius Iulius Christianus Masseus ClemeÌ„s Alexandrinus Colfridus Abbas Conradus Gesnerus Cornelius Tacitus De utraque Potestate Diodorus Siculus Edgari Oratio Egesippus Iudeus Epiphanius Cyprius Eusebius Cesariensis Festiuale Sacerdotum Flores Historiarum Franciscus LaÌ„bertus Freculphus lexouieÌ„sis Galfredus Monemutensis GeÌ„nadius MassilieÌ„sis Georgius Ioye Gorgius Vuicelius Gildas Britannus Giraldus Cambrensis Guido de Columna Guilhelmus Malmesburiensis Guilhelmus Caxton Guilhelmus Tyndale Guilhelmus Turner Hartmannus Shedel Hector Boethius HelinaÌ„dus Monachus Henricus Huntyngtonensis HemaÌ„nus Contractus HermaÌ„nus TorreÌ„tinus Honorius Augustudunensis Iacobus Vorago Iacobus Bergomas Iacobus Zieglerus Iodocus Badius Ioannes Capgraue Ioannes Hardyng Ioannes Stella Ioannes de Molinis Ioannes Annius Ioannes Nauclerus Ioannes Lydgate Ioannes Textor Ioannes Tritemius Ioannes Pomeranus Ioannes Carion Ioannes Maior Ioannes Lelandus Isidorus hispalensis LegendariuÌ„ Ecclesie Liuthprandus TicineÌ„sis Marcus Sabellicus Marianus Scotus Martinus Carsulanus Martinus Lutherus Matheus Palmarius Merlinus Ambrosius Michael Ricius Nauclerus Ioannes Nennius Britannus Odo Cluniacensis Osbertus CaÌ„tuarieÌ„sis Osuualdus Myconius Otto Phrisingensis Paulus Orosius Paulus Aemilius Paulus Constantinus Petrus Equilinus Philippus MelaÌ„chton Plinius Secundus Polycrates Ephesius Polydorus Vergilius Pomponius Mela. Prosper Aquitannus Ptolomeus Lucensis Ranulphus Cestrensis Raphael Volateranus Robertus Fabyane Robertus Barnes Sigebertus GeÌ„blaceÌ„sis Strabo Cretensis Thomas Braduuardin Thomas Vualden Thomas Scrop VinceÌ„cius BeluaceÌ„sis Vtraque potestas VVernerus Cartusiensis VVilibaldus Anglus Finis The holye Gost shall rebuke the worlde of synne and of ryghtousnesse and of iudgement Ioan. 16. Into the newe Hierusalem shall entre no vncleane thynge neyther that which worketh abhomynacyon nor yet what maketh lyes But they only which are written in the lambes boke of lyfe Apoca. 21. The man of synne shall be opened before the Lordes commynge euen the sonne of perdycyon whiche is an aduersarye and ys exalted aboue all that ys called God whom he shall consume with the sprete of hys mouthe 2. Thes. 2. ⧠Printed at Wesel In the Yeare Of our Lorde God 1. 5. 4. 6. Olde goddes c. newe Dyffa â–ª macyoÌ„s of Marryage blasphemye The deuyls Sayntes vnmaryed Votaryes ChristeÌ„ doctors The antour Chronycles prestes Maryage Vyrgynyte Faythe 2. Cor. â—â— Mat. 7. Myracles Autours Byshoppes Gospel Errour Face of Antichrist Marryage maketh laye Nobylyte Kynge Henry Christ. Matrymonye the first relygyoÌ„ Vnmaryed prestes Gods aduersaryes Cain NoÌ„nes and MoÌ„kes Sodomytes Prestes wyues Prestes wyues Haters of the Pope â—arnes The autour EnglaÌ„de Afore Noe. The flood Iapheth Phaleg Samothes gygas Albion gigas Neptunus Samothytes vestals chastyte TyraÌ„ny now brutus syluius Druydes Athens whores one god beastes worshypped
Prestes maryed Votaryes Zacharye marryed Marye a wyfe No nonne Peter maryed No vowes coÌ„mauÌ„ded Peters wyfe Paule marryed Phylpp marryed Ioseph of Arimathe An. do 63 Scrope gospell Kynge Lucius Rome Anno domini 179. Churches Autours Chrystianyte Dyoceâ—ses paryshes TeÌ„ples MoÌ„kerye Heresyeu Pelagius frewyll Seuerê° Leporiê° 432 Antors Agricola 446. Partrick 361. Martinus Patricius Benignus Chastyte Modwenna Dubritius KeÌ„tigernus merlinê° Turkes A awe Iudgement Dauid kynedê° brigida Cuthbert capgraue whoredome is holye Theyr Gods seruyce The Popes chaplaynes women Dauid dubriciê° Kentigernus brigida Saynt Modwen brigida Iltutus hys wyfe Not Paules lernyng Vrsula cum .xi millibê° Armorica 390 Conanus Dionothus For mariage Drowned Autours With lyes Pylgrimage Dan. 11 Hiere 5. Names teyned Hystoryames Proue the spretes Onlye to marrye NoÌ„nes of Coleyne CoÌ„staÌ„s 443. Maglocunus 552. Mempricius Gildas prophecyeth SaxoÌ„s EnglaÌ„d Christyanyte Gregorye In stede of marryage Angli Wares Macutus â—00 Ethelwolphê° 847. Apo. 13. Tymes 607. 596. Augustinus MoÌ„kes craftye scyence Ignoraunt apostles Myracles WomeÌ„ Saye angrye sayntes Festyuall Ethelbert Processyon lyberte Etheriê° 600 IustrumeÌ„tes Doroberna â–ª CauÌ„terburye Nombers primitie Synodus Christyanyte Brytaynes Princes 600 666 Antichrist 602 Synodus Solytarye maÌ„ ChristeÌ„ counsell A proude monke Thre poyntes A tyraunt A murtherer A carnall Synagoge Bloody Syon Iohan LeylaÌ„d Brytayne churche Englyshe churche 607 full age The papacye Apo. 13. 2. thes 2 Monâ—â—s autoryte Esa. 11 A false chastyte Gregory Example MoÌ„kes chastyte iij. wayes Coloured Sodomye stewes dyuynyte Votaâ—yes lernynge Marryage conteÌ„pned Laye with tayles Dorset Stroude Laurencius cuÌ„ alijs Synodus the feast of Eastre WomeÌ„ Sore bellyes Venus Ceremonyes rytes Good men Hilda et ColmaÌ„nus 664. Agilbertus melitus 619. Columbanus Paulinus fiacrius Foillanus Keyna Sebba ys monked Egbinus SaÌ„pson Eanswida Frutes of marryage Eanswida babyshe ioyes Petronus Piranus legeÌ„des Chastyte of â—â—â—arâ—es Vowes obserued Modwenna Heremite Erkenwaldus Ethelburga Ositha Spirituall knauerye 653 Theodoâ—â—s Apoc â–ª 13. The fullye complete age NoÌ„bre of the beast Crafty scyeÌ„ces Theodatus Theodorus Shauynge 668. Adrianus A scole Straunge sciences Adrianus Character 672 Synodus Ceddas OrdinauÌ„ces IoaÌ„nes de Molinis 680 Synodus AgathoÌ„ No Gospell Synodus generalis Masse Mildreda Vitiza Chastyte fre Hypocresye worketh Monasteryes oswius 684. Synodus SuÌ„ma penitenâ—ialis Drithelmê° 671. FouÌ„dacyon of purgatorye Illusyons Confessyon Masses Canonysed deuyls Cuthbertus NoÌ„nes Verca Colfridus ShaueÌ„ crownes WaldeÌ„ A comete RegnuÌ„ et sacerdotium Apo. 13. ijhornes Augustinus 696. Berinê° 636. ij sectes Papacye Kyngedomes popyshâ— Brytaynes cadwal lader 689. Marke yt 1533. englaÌ„de Roma et Babilon Merlyne Brute of God SaxoÌ„s Merlyne BalaaÌ„ â–ª The .x. hornes of the Beast â–ª Apo. 17 Apo. 18 Wynker of wyles Sedia Guenhera Oswaldus Bebla Ebba Etheldreda Wilfridus Knauerye Theodorus A waytynge hounde The autour Pylgrimes Inas Ethelredus CoÌ„redê° Offa 709 Kenredus Colwolphus Bastardes Adelmus Synodus ij bokes Sergius Egwinus Images Ladye of worcestre Brithwaldus sinodê° 709. Guthlacus Bartellinus MoÌ„kes Dyspersed The popes apostles Wenefridus Bonifacius Synodus 710. Daniel apostle of Germanye Alia Bestia Apo. 13. errours Doctryne Canonystes Rome OpeÌ„ sale of whores Ethelbaldus Colfredus Osredus geraldê° geilepê° Fulda 744. Lieba Monasterium fuldeÌ„se Floriacus 651. To ease their vowes Oxforde Frideswyde A Kynge Alcuinus Autours Ethelwolphê° An whore Popes chosen by their stones An exaÌ„ple Fulda Matrimonye coÌ„dempned 858 A prest Ethelstanê° a monke maryed A myracle Elye Brithgina Wilfhilda Odo 946. Floriacus the kynges concubines ConstytucyoÌ„s Oswalde Floriacus The sacrameÌ„t Myracles Dunstanus magnê° musyck sorcerye Caruynge autours A caste or feate GlasteÌ„burye Edwinus alfgina Odo caÌ„tuariensis Confession Masse of requiem alfgina loueth StroÌ„ge loue Cadina loueth autours Theora cum filiabus IoaÌ„nes Rauennas Ioan the .x 915 whores rule all Guido Mazozia 929 IoaÌ„ xi Hugo rex Italie Synodus Rome rainera Stephana Anna Rome sacryfyce He myght be chast Their spirytuall father IoaÌ„ xij LiuthpraÌ„dus By worde 960. Dunstanus the first compulsyon Foundacyon of chastyte The deuyls coÌ„myssyoner A thefe A tyraunt Kynge Edgare Tyrannye spirytuall Maryage condeÌ„pned Facies ecclesiarum Heretykes and theues wilfrith PenauÌ„ce An apyshe liaue The beastes autoryte A proude knaue All sayntes The mother Dunstane Editha Great loue shewed A narrowe sercher Edgare Imago Bestie Synodus 969 An Acte for sodome Tyrannye Vysytours For maryage Bulles Dunstane accused Edgare alfreda Oratio ad cleruÌ„ Knauerye Stephana Oswaldus magus Floriaâ—us Prestes expelled Apoc. 9 a colour iij. false knaues 975. Scisma Alpherus Ethelredus Baâ—kare sir monke 975. Synodus CoÌ„myssyon Aroode Knauerye The roode speaketh 1. IoaÌ„ 4 Thomas croÌ„well Verses Capgraue 1036. Canutê° The crowne Egelnothus An Idol made kynge Image of the Beast Canutê° Elgius Clanstrall chastyte A monkes bastarde Sweno Heraldus Dunstanus Knauerye Alpherus 976. a lerned byshop Dunstane an asse A blynde beast A lymme of the deuyll Mich. 3 sayntes Gods seruyce Precursor Antichristi Apo. 20 Myracles The churche Apo. 12. Sathan Vyces 988 Deuyls A bloodye cloude Danes Siricius MoÌ„kes were Englandes destruccyon The Danes stregthned Lorde Dane 1012. CaoÌ„terburye Elphegus Tythynges A iust Plage Extent of thys boke The other boke 1546. Sathan at large Good workes Sodomites Mat. 10 Mar. 4. Luc. 12 â–ª Christ rebuketh Mat. 23 Vespasianus et Titus Captyues ExaÌ„ple Magystrates englysh Sayntes The Autour starres Saynt George What maketh noble Lawes Doctryne deuyls
God that hys monkes had the best for they laye euer aloft Bycause that one of Saynt modweÌ„s maydes had layed her best beloues shoes at her beddes head the spretes of heauen that were wonte to vysyte her wolde not come there that nyght After she had bene at Rome and was comen home agayne she dwelt at Scalesclyf where as an holye hermyte ded oft tymes vysyte her and moche refreshe her with a legende boke of sayntes lyues But no tydynges was there amonge them of Christes holy gospell Loke Iohan Capgraue ¶ Erkenwalde and Osith with their Nondryes SAynt Erkenwalde the sonne of Vffa the first Kynge of the east aÌ„gles abbot of Cherteseye aÌ„d Byshop of London buylded a Nondrye at Berkynge And bycause there were at that tyme in EnglaÌ„de no Nonnes to hys mynde for Hilda his kynswoman was to great a scripture woman in those dayes he seÌ„t ouer the see for an old acquayntaunce of his called Hildelitha lerned in arte but not in Christes dyuynyte Her made he there abbasse commyttynge vnto her gouernaunce hys systre Ethelburge and a great sort more of yonge maydes to be taught and made noÌ„nes there Soche rule was kepte amonge theÌ„ within a short space after that God sent vpon them a plage of pestyleÌ„ce which toke awaye all their chaplaynes the cruell Daâ—â—…s folowynge and burnynge vp that was left monasterye nonnes and all Saynt Osith was marryed to Sigher Kynge of the East Saxons But bycause she loued the spirytualte moche better thaÌ„ hym whyls he was on a tyme in huntynge she sent by a preuye lettre for Accas and Bedeuuinus Byshoppes of the East Angles contaynynge Northfolke and Sothfolke causynge theÌ„ to put vpoÌ„ her a nonnes aparell So made she him to beleue in his returne that she had professed the vowe of chastyte and gaue him therby a most wretched occasyon to lyue all the dayes of his lyfe after in most synnefull aduoutrie But a iust plage folowed For in the yeare of our Lorde DC.liii was she slayne of the Danes and her whore howse nondrye I shuld saye vtterlye destroyed Yet was she in the Popes churche allowed for a stynkynge martyr for contempnynge marryage Iohan Capgraue ¶ The perfyght age of the Beast THeodorus a Greke was of pope vptelianus constytute the sixt archebyshop of Caunterburye froÌ„ Augustyne or sens the Papacye began to make all sure here to Antichristes behoue in the sixtye and sixe yeare of hys age and in the yeare from Christes incarnacyon six hondred syxtie and sixe which is in saynt Iohans Apocalyps the full age of the Beast the full nombre of man Marke yt good reader For now of a Beast becometh he a kynge ye as Daniel calleth hym the vnshame fast Kynge of faces Daniel 8. Presumynge to sitt aboue God in euerye mannys conscyence 2. Thessa. 2. Named yt is there the nombre of man and the nombre of the Beast for so moche as yt was the tyme wherin maÌ„nys lernynge most stronglye withstode the lernynge of God to the prankynge vp of that odyouse aduersarye the verye man of synne and sonne of perdycyon all blasphemyes therupon folowynge Euydent is yt by all the Englysh Chronycles that than this Theodorus came hyther with the seale of that execrable Beast to marke vp all to that most blasphemouse kyngdoÌ„ For neuer afore wrought the sprete of Antichrist the mystery of iniquite so strongelye as at that tyme. For hyther than brought he all vayne craftye scyences of countinge calkynge measurynge syngynge rymynge reasonynge arguynge dyffynynge shauinge oylynge exorcysynge incantynge coniurynge Loke Iohan Capgraue in uitis Adriani et Theodori Besydes that Bedas wryteth li. 4. Capit 2. and Ranulphus li. 5. Ca â–ª 18. ¶ For the varyaunce had in supputacioÌ„s TO auoyde coÌ„trouersyes in the supputacyoÌ„ of years for so moche as some writeth hym to haue comeÌ„ hyther in the yeare afore rehersed some .ij years after Ye shall vnderstaÌ„de that Theodatus which was his predecessour departed in the yeare of our Lorde DC.lxv as witnesseth HermaÌ„nus CoÌ„tractus in Chronico de sexetatibus mundi In the yeare folowynge was this Theodorus admytted of Vâ—â—elianê° receyued his full autoryte of byndynge and losynge sayth Platina to holde the Englyshe nacyon styll in that faythe Marke yt But by reason of serten delayes yt was more than a yeare after ere he entered into EnglaÌ„de One cause of hys tarryaunce Iohan Capgraue sayth was the growynge of hys heare concernynge his crowne which was shaueÌ„ afore after a farre other sort he beynge a Greke Hys abydynge there for that only cause was more thaÌ„ .iiij. Monthes besydes other nedye matters So that yt was the yeare of our Lorde DClxviij the xxvi daye of Maye and the seconde yeare of hys consecracyon ere he came into KeÌ„t as wytnesseth both Bedas and Ranulphus With hym sent Vitelianê° a monke borne in Aphrica called AdriaÌ„ to loke to hys doctryne least he taught anye thynge in the Englyshe churche that were not agreable to the Romyshe faythe as the marriage of prestes and the howselynge with leuened breade for he ded not in all poyntes trust hym bycause he was a Greke borne Anon after he sett vp a Greak scole at Caunterburye of all maner scyences as Rhetoryck Logyck philosophie Mathesye Astrologie Geometrye Arithmetyck and Musyck and taught them there openly both in latyue aÌ„d Greke besydes the art Magyck Sortilege Physuomye Palmestrye Alcumye Necromancye ChyromaÌ„cye Geomancye aÌ„d witcherye that was taught there also Bedas Ranulphus and Iohan. Cap ¶ Sealynges to the Beastes obedyence THan constytute he the seyd Adriane both abbot and generall reader there whyls he coÌ„pased aboute all the whole regyon for the Eastre celebracyon other Romyshe rytes This is the first archebyshop sayth Iohan Capgraue that all the Englyshe churche was sworne to Marke here the Seale of the Beast Apo. 13. In the yeare of our Lorde DC.lxxij he helde a Synode at Thetforde in Northfolke where as he enquyred of euerye mannys faythe towardes the Churche of Rome Than constytute he byshoppes for euerye quarter aÌ„d deposed all them that were not confirmed by the popes auctoryte of whose nombre Ceddas the byshop of yorke was one More ouer he publyshed there a boke of the churches ordynaunces made by the forsayd Vitelianus with permyssion of organes to make them myrye commaundynge yt onlye to be obserued Christes ordre sett a part If this were not the departynge that Paule prophecyed to come .2 The .2 where shall we loke for any A sayinge hath Ioannes de Molinis in speculo carmel Ca. 6. which though he were a papyst I fynde here most true From the dayes of Heraclius the Emprour sayth he vnto our tymes the daye drawynge towardes nyght the churche sufferinge a sore eclippes is come to a downe goynge Yea she is almost at
the case of a full departynge et c. I thynke a truer sentence coude not than be vttered all circumstaunces therupon coÌ„sydered Great pytye was yt that the churches posteryte than perceyued not so manyfest a defeccyon ¶ More sealynges yet to Antichristes kingedome IN the yeare of our Lorde DC and lxxx helde this Theodorus an other couÌ„sell at hatefelde in the west partyes Where as he demaunded a reckenynge of the byshoppes and other curates what faythe aÌ„d fauer their peoples had than to the churche of Rome as pope Agathon had commaunded hym to do by hys wrytynges which wrote than vnto hym to do all thynges wyselye Ye knowe what that meaneth â–ª I thynke Here was non enquirye made what beleue they had than there in the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ. No yt was an other maner of matter that they sought Oh wonderfull was the workynge of that Serpentes generacyon Polidorus sayth li. 4. Anglice historie that false relygyon counterfett presthode was than throughlye satled and placed there the Actes of the iiij generall counsels receyued in stede of the .iiij. EuaÌ„gelies In the next yeare folowinge was a generall Synode kepte at ConstaÌ„tynople in Grece where as marryage was for euer permytted vnto the Greke prestes and vtterly forbidden the latynes or all other besydes theÌ„ the latyne masse receyuynge there hys first confirmacyon But Theodorê° hys monkes were at a good indyffereÌ„t poynt for that which had veyled within one mounsterye in the Ile of Thanete lxx Nonnes makynge fayre Myldrede their abbasse Loke IohaÌ„ Capgraue Ranulphe and other Englyshe autors In spyght of the former Acte ded Vitiza the kynge of Spayne permytt hys prestes by a lawe newlye made to kepe so manye concubynes as they wolde Michael Ricius de regibus Hispanie et Paulus Constantinus Phrigio in Chronicis regnorum ¶ Chastyte Monkes Monasteryes and Penaunce VVernerus Cartusiensis sayth in Fasciculo temporum that vowynge of chastyte was fre without constraynt in the tyme of Saynt Gregorye sumwhat after Bedas reporteth li. 3. Ca. 6. De gestis Anglorum et Ioannes Maior in gestis Scotorum li 2 Ca. 11. That a monkes cowle after they had ones vowed chastyte was holden in soche reuereÌ„ce that no maÌ„ wolde in a maner than iourneye vnlesse he had their blessynges Into a most wonderfull madnesse were the people than brought by their hypocrytycall wytcherye the verye elect persones scant fre from that dampnable errour Matth. 24. Marci 13. For the vnthankefulnesse of men sayth Iob in settynge hys veryte lyght doth God permytt the Hypocrytes to reigne ouer them in all power of deceytfull wonders Iob. 34. 2. Thessal 2. They ded than spedelye set vp monasteryes without noÌ„bre all the realme ouer Iohan Hardynge sayth in hys Chronycle that kynge Oswye buylded within Nor thumberlande xij in one years space In the yeare of our lorde DC and .lxxxiiij. helde Theodorus yet an other counsell in the North partyes at Twyforde where as he publyshed a serten boke of hys owne makynge called A penytencyall summe commaundynge hys clergye to put yt euerye where in practyse Therin were contayned all maner of synnes and excesses with aggrauacyons reseruacyons penaltees sorowes penuaunces and ponnyshmentes And thys was to terryfye captyue and snare the wretched coÌ„scyences of men euen to vttre desperacy on And where coude haue bene sought out a practyse of more deuylyshnesses Sigebertus Sabellicus Tritemius et Scriptores ferme omnes ¶ The foundacyon of their Purgatorye AT the same verye tyme was there one Drithelmus in Northumberlande whiche leauynge both wyfe and chyldreÌ„ in the yeare of our lorde DC and .lxxi. made hymselfe a monke at Mailros Saynt Cuthbert thaÌ„ beynge abbot there The sayd Drithelmus fayned hymselfe on a tyme to be dead there was knauerye vpon knauerye and reported in hys returne that he had seane by an Angels demoÌ„stracyon both purgatorye aÌ„d paradyse hell and heaueÌ„ After that he had subtylly declared this vnto kynge Alphrede and other great men of the contreye there at the request of the monkes moche people resorted vnto hym for counsell for their sowles from all quarters of Englande So redye are the foles of thys worlde to heare lyes and illusyons whiche neuer had loue to the veryte Thys knaue euermore commended vnto them confessyon aÌ„d penaunce fastynge prayer and almes dedes specyallye and aboue all other masse saynges aÌ„d monasteryes buyldynge Was not thys thynke yow a vertuouse christyanyte of these chast fathers to begynne their holye churche with Were yt not pytie but they were canonysed sayntes and their feastfull dayes solempnysed twyse in the yeare with ryngynges syngynges sensynges and massynges as thys Cuthbertes were and are yet to thys daye I thynke the Turkes churche had neuer more knaues to their Sayntes thaÌ„ these For thys Drithelmus ys one of their sayntes also Iohan Capgraue post uitam Adriani Sigebertus Vincencius Antoninus with dyuerse other ¶ Chastyte of Cuthbert and doctryne of Colfride SO cruell was thys Cuthberte vnto women after he became a Saynt of theirs that noÌ„ myght come within hys sayntuaryes they say at Doilwein Coruen and Mailros in Scotlande nor yet at Durham Tynmouth and Lyndefarne here in Englande vndre payne of sodeÌ„ deathe their chaÌ„bers and selles exempted alwayes Yet was the seyd Cuthbert verye famylyar in hys tyme with Ebba Elsteda Verca .iii. holye abbasses aÌ„d buylded for hys pleasure a solempne nondrye at Carliell Fynallye for the specyall good loue he had vnto Verca aboue all other he commaunded in hys testament that hys bodye after hys departynge shuld be wrapped in the fyne lynnen clothe that she had geuen hym Ye maye se by thys that these chast fathers had their louers and set sumwhat by their owne precyouse bodyes Saynt Colfryde abbot of Girwin in Northumberlande wrote vnto AthoÌ„ kynge of the Pyctes that yt was as necessarye for the vowe of a monke or degre of a prest prestes were than no vowers to haue a shauen crowne for restraynt of their lustes as for anye christen man to blesse hym agaynst spretes whan they come vpoÌ„ hym What wyse lernynge thys ys I report me vnto yow Yet ys yt regettred of Bedas in hys .v. boke De gestis Anglorum and also of Thomas Vualden in hys volume De sacrameÌ„talibus ti 9. Ca 80 to stoppe heretypkes mouthes with besydes that Iohan Capgraue hath sayd in yt ¶ The fallen starre and .ij. Hornes of the Beast ABout thys tyme were manye woÌ„derfull thynges seane in dyuerse quarters of the worlde specyallye a great Comete or blasynge starre which semed with flamynges of fyre to fall into the see great morren folowynge both of beast and man Not all vnlyke was thys to that ys described Apoca. 8. And betokened than in my opynyon both the vttre fall of the pryncelye