The bee hiue of the Romishe Church a com[m]entarie vpon the sixe principall pointes of Master Gentian Heruet, a Romish Catholike his booke, which is deuided into sixe partes, as in the argument doth appeare. And an epistle made by the authour of this booke vnto Franciscus Sonnius, late Bishop of Antwerpe. Translated out of Dutch into English, by George Gylpen the elder.

Title

The bee hiue of the Romishe Church a com[m]entarie vpon the sixe principall pointes of Master Gentian Heruet, a Romish Catholike his booke, which is deuided into sixe partes, as in the argument doth appeare. And an epistle made by the authour of this booke vnto Franciscus Sonnius, late Bishop of Antwerpe. Translated out of Dutch into English, by George Gylpen the elder.

Author

Marnix van St. Aldegonde, Philips van, 1538-1598.

Publication

Imprinted at London :: At the three Cranes in the vinetree, by Thomas Dawson, for Iohn Stell, dwelling at the Dukes place, by Creechurch,

1579.

Rights/Permissions

To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.

Subject terms

Hervet, Gentian, 1499-1584. -- Missyve oft seyndbrief aen de verdoolde van den Christen gheloove -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800.

Catholic Church -- Controversial literature -- Early works to 1800.

Link to this Item

https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A07026.0001.001 content_copy

Cite this Item

"The bee hiue of the Romishe Church a com[m]entarie vpon the sixe principall pointes of Master Gentian Heruet, a Romish Catholike his booke, which is deuided into sixe partes, as in the argument doth appeare. And an epistle made by the authour of this booke vnto Franciscus Sonnius, late Bishop of Antwerpe. Translated out of Dutch into English, by George Gylpen the elder." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A07026.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 7, 2025. content_copy

Contents

• title page
• bookplate
• bookseller's dedication
• To the Reader.
• This is a cleare and perfect interpretation of the Epistle of Maister Gentian Haruet, nowe latelie set foorth in French, and in Dutch, and directed to those, that are fallen from the true Christian beliefe.
• To the right worshipful, ho∣lie, profounde, and learned Doctor, and Magister noster, Maister Franciscus Sonnius, nowe most woorthie Bishop of Shertoghenbosch, health and blessing from God, and the Pope our most ho∣lie father.
• The argumēt of this booke: Wherein the Epistle or Letter mis∣siue of Maister Gentian Heruet, is deui∣ded into sixe partes, and the mea∣ning of the same brieslie de∣clared.
• ¶ Here followeth the de∣claration of the first parte of the Epistle of Gentian Haruet: wherein is treated, what the holy Church of Rome is: wherein her power and authoritie doeth consist: and how farr the same extendeth: then is cōcluded, That the Lutherans & Huguenotes can not be estee∣med or taken for true beleeuers: but must be banished and burnt for Heretikes.
  • The first Chapter. VVherein is plainly declared, that the Luthera and Huguenotes are Heretikes, and ought to be burnt: notvvithstanding, that as vvell by Scrip∣ture, as by many examples, they shevve them∣selues to be the very Church of God.
  • The 2. Chapter. VVhereby is declared that the Church, vvith her povver and authoritie, can not be inclosed vvith in the pales of the holy Scripture, but that the Church may adde to the Scripture, or take from it, vvhat she thinkes good: and therevpon are many examples, and profoūd reasons alledged.
  • The .iii. Chapter VVherein is set foorth, that the Church of Rome hath likevvise povver and authoritie, ouer the auncient fathers, and may receiue, condemne, interpret, & vse them as shall please her holines.
  • The iiii. Chapter. VVherein is set foorth, that the Church of Rome is not subiect to anie Councell: but maye ap∣proue, or disanull them, according as shee shall thinke best for her ovvne benefite: And this is confirmed by many examples and profounde reasons.
  • The v. Chapter. VVherein is taught, that the canons and decrees of Popes, can not binde the Romish Churche, but that she is sill aboue all decrees, and maye breake and adnihilate the same, so as shee shall thinke good.
  • The vi. Chapter. VVherin is concluded, out of that vvhich is afore∣sayd, that the benefite and profite of the Church of Rome, is the onely rule and direction of all scriptures, decrees and Councels.
  • The vii. Chapter. VVherin is declared, that the Church of Rome can likevvise helpe her selfe vvith the opinions and doctrine of the olde Heretikes, in follovving the same, vvhen it serues for her purpose.
  • The viii. Chapter. Declaring that the Church of Rome hath like∣vvise borrovved manye things of the levves, vvhich shee doeth set forth and holde as articles of the faith.
  • The ix. Chapter. VVherein is declared, that the holie Church of Rome hath gathered manie things of the doctrine & examples of the Heathen, which she hath conuerted and turned to her owne commoditie and profite.
  • The x. Chapter. VVhich concludeth, that the Church of Rome hath gathe∣red all these before named pieces together, and taken out of them, what shee hah thought good, which are called [Traditiones Romanae Ecclesiae] that is to saye, The traditions of the church of Rome, and the foun∣dation of our beleef.
  • The xi. Chapter. VVhich teacheth, how that vpon this foundation, Here∣tikes must be examined. And what questions are to be proponed vnto them in the inquisition.
  • The xii Chap. VVherein is declared, that the Lutheranes are with this foundation so valiantly assalted on all sides, that it is not possible for them to escape any way: and what is the last argument to be obiected against them: is, de∣clared and proued by the example of Transubstantia∣tion.
• The second parte. Now doeth followe the exposition vpon the second parte of the Epistle of Gen∣tian Hauet, wherein is discosed the ight and suf∣ficiencie of the Scriptures, and specially of the exposition of the same. And fuher, al the points of the Romish beleefe, are approued by the Scripture.
  • The Preface, wherein this treatie is diuided in two partes.
    • The first Chapter. That the holy Church of Rome onely hath power to ex∣pound and set forth the Scripture after her will, and as shee doth vnderstand it. And of the keyes and key∣bands which shee hath receiued to that end: and that euerie man ought to be content with her exposition.
    • The ii. Chapter. Declaring, that the sonne offring of the Masse, and the or∣der and office of Priestes, and Masse Priestes, is gathe∣red out of the Scripture, if it be rightlie vnderstoode, according to the interpretation of the Church of Rome.
    • The .iii. Chapter. That the name and Ceremonies of the Masse are fished out of the holie Scripture.
    • The .iiii. Chapter. Teaching that the transubstantiation of chaunging of the bread into the verie bodie of Christ, and the wine into his bloud, is grounded vpon the Scripture, after the in∣terpretation of the Church of Rome.
    • The v. Chapter. Treating of the great stife and difference which is amongst the Romishe Doctours, concerning the words of the Sacrament: and yet all they agree and stande fast touching the Transubstantiation. Herein are like∣wise set forth some textes of Scripture, whereby Tran∣substantiation is established.
    • The vi. Chapter. Establishing the sufficiencie of the Sacrament vnder the substance of bread alone.
    • The vii. Chapter. VVhich doeth treate of full satisfaction for sinnes, of the desertes of good workes: also of the merites of Chri∣stes passion, and of Iustification: of the difference be∣tweene mortall sinnes and veniall sinnes: and of the as∣sured hope of saluation.
    • The viii. Chapter. VVherein Purgatorie is established, as well bp Scripture as by inheritance. And herein are likewise intreated the remedies and helpes whereby the sillie soules are relea∣sed out of Purgatorie.
    • The ix. Chapter. Intreating of indulgencies and pardons, prouing and e∣stablishing the same by the Scripture.
    • The x. Chapter. VVhich doth treat of the Supremasie of the Pope, and pro∣ueth & establisheth the same by scriptures & examples.
    • The xi. Chapter. VVherein is set foorth, howe that no Prieste nor spiri∣tuall persons are subiect or vnder the iurisdiction, or power of the temporall Magistrates or Officers.
    • The xii. Chapter. VVhich proueth by Scripture, that Priestes, and all Spiri∣tuall men, ought to be rich.
    • The xiii. Chapter. VVherein is set forth by the Scripture, the praying to images.
    • The xiiii. Chapter. VVhich treateth of some particular images, and painted tables, which the Church of Rome doth vse, and for the establishing of the same by the Scripture.
    • The xv. Chapter. VVhich is touching the difference of meates.
    • The xvi. Chapter. VVherein Lent is proued by the Scripture: And further, that the Romish church must counterfeite Christ in all pointes: and lastlie, touching festiuall dayes, and the ordeining of the same.
    • The xvii Chapter. VVhich treateth of the forbidding of Priestes to marrie, and howe womn ought to be common, by speciall commaundement of the church of Rome, which is di∣ligentlie by them obserued.
    • The xviii. Chapter. VVherein the seuen orders of Priesthoode are set foorth as well by Scriptures, as by the examples of Christ.
    • The xix. Chapter. VVherein is concluded, that all the ceremonies of the holie Church of Rome, are founded vppon the Scrip∣ture, if they be well vnderstoode, and according to their interpretation which onelie is to bee esteemed so good: and what aduantage they haue, that stande fast to this interpretation. And herein is likewise mention made of the masse, and of maister Durandus booke.
• Here followeth the ex∣position vpon the third part of Gen∣tianus Haruets Epistle: wherin is trea∣ted of Auricular confession, of the Sacraments, of Matrimonie, of Con∣firmation, and of the holy Anointment.
  • The first Chapter. Of Auricular confession, and howe necessarie it is, and of establishing the same by the Scriptures.
  • The .2. Chapter. Treating of the Sacrament of seuen orders, & of matri∣monie, & of the holie oyle or oyntment, and of the number of the .vii▪ Sacramentes.
• Here doeth followe the declaration vpon the fourth parte of Maister Gentianus Epistle, treating of the praying to images: Howe they are holden and ordeined in the Churche of Rome: And also of this worde or name Idololatria, of the idolatrie of the Hea∣then, of praying to Saintes, and of the Sacrament, with suche other like mat∣ters.
  • The first Chapter. Of the name Idololatria, and that men ought to pray to I∣mages, wth suche prayers as do appertaine vnto those, after whom the images are made. And of the good fe∣lowhippe and agreeing in one, which is betwixt the Iewes and the Churche of Rome, and of the hallowed Agnus Dei.
  • The ii. Chapter. That the sacrament of the Altar must be prayed vnto, o∣therwise Christ were no God..
  • The iii. Chapter. Of praying to images, and especiallie to the crosse, and of the great power and aduantage of the crosse.
  • The .iiii. Chapter. Of the worshipping of Saintes, and how their charges and offices are bestowed to eache a part, and special∣ly of our holie Ladie of Loretto, and further of the a∣greement and disagreement which is betweene the atholikes and the Heathen.
  • The v. Chapter. Of the interpretation of the wordes Latria, Dulia, and Hyperdulia, and howe they are distributed to eche.
  • The vi. Chapter. VVherein the worshipping of Saintes is affirmed by Scripture.
• Now followeth the de∣claration vpon the .5. part of Maister Gentian Heruet his letter, wherein is shewed, that the heretikes seek nothing but libertie of the flesh, hating all pray∣er, fasting and abstinence.
  • The first Chapter. Which declares that it is a lawfull thing, to lie & falsely to accuse an heretike, being to a good intent. Also of the fables of Cocles of Laurence Surius and of Aloysi∣us Lippomanus, and to what purpose they serue a things most needefull and necessarie.
  • The ii. Chapter. VVherein is declared, Howe it is to be vnderstood, that the Huguenotes & the Lutherans do hate all prayers, fasting, abstinence, and penaunce or mortification: and herein is comprehen∣ded of the abstinence and mortification of Monkes, Bishops, Prelates, and other: and of the mortification which is vsed amongst the Huguenotes & Lutherans.
  • The iii. Chapter. VVhich doeth shewe, howe it is to be vnderstood, that we can not make satisfaction for the least offence: and hree is concluded, that the penaunce of Heretikes is not acceptable with God.
• Now followeth the ex∣position vpon the sixth and last part of Maister Gentian Heruet his Epistle, treating of the ignorance and wicked life of the Huguenote preachers, and of the Holines of the Pope, and other Prelates.
  • The first Chapter. Declaring the lothing of Gentian Heruet, and what we must doe, when a Priest doeth lothe so much, that he doeth cast the Sacrament out of his stomache, after he hath said Masse.
  • The ii. Chapter. Of the great knowledge & holines of Priestes & Monks.
  • The iii. Chapter. VVhich treateth, whether the spiritualtie doe likewise practise knauerie: and here is repeated the high & no∣ble stocke of the Clergie, their forefathers▪ progenie, brought into 32. degrees, and ech set out and beautifi∣d with his armes, crestes, banners, and knightlie actes.
  • The iiii. Chapter. Declaring that the lewde and wicked life of Priestes can not be a let to the administration of their Sacrament. And herein is treated, the briberie, and chopping of benefices vsed in the holie Church of Rome.
  • The v. Chapter. VVhich treateth of the ignorance of Hugnenote preachers, and the great and singular learning, capacitie, weightie and deepe grounded questi∣ons of Catholike Doctours.
  • The .vi. Chapter: Declaring the life and reformation of Huguenote Preachers, and the citie of Geneua and to the contra∣rie, of the great vertues & valure of the citie of Rome: and of the loue and kindnesse of the church of Rome. And of the taxations or rate booke of the penaunce Parloure.
  • The vii. Chapter: VVherein is giuen to Maister Gentian and all other holie Catholikes, good and wholesome counsell: And thus the booke concluded.
• The conclusion of this booke, to the Christian Reader.
• Now followeth further the exposition & declaration of the Bee hiue, and the description of the Bees, the Honie and Honicombe, with all things belonging therevnto.
  • The first Chapter. VVhereof the Bee hiue is made.
  • The ii. Chapter. Declaring the first originall of these Bees.
  • The iii. Chapter. Of the qualitie and sundrie sorts of Bees.
  • The iiii. Chapter. Of the nature of Bees: of their ingendring, and pro∣creation.
  • The V. Chapter. VVhat the rule and beeing of these Bees are, tou∣ching their King.
  • The Vi. Chapter. Of their Burialles.
  • The vii. Chpter. How these Bees worke, and how they be mainteined.
  • The viii. Chapter. VVhich sheweth on what flowers and herbes these Bees labour and gather honnie.
  • The ix. Chapter. Declaring the diseases of these Bees, and the remedies to the same.
  • The x. Chapter. Of the waxe and honnie of these Bees.
  • The xi. Chapter. VVhich heweth a remedie for all those, which are diseased with the honnie of these Bees.
  • The xii. Chapter. Declaring howe it is to bee taken, that which Aristo∣tle writes, that the Bees dye, whensoeuer they are anointed with Oyle.
• The locke of this Booke.
• colophon