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.

The xiii. Chapter. VVherein is set forth by the Scripture, the praying to images.

NOwe will wee treate a while of the praying to images,* 1.1 and see with what Scriptures it is defended. For that second holie Councell of Nice,* 1.2 is (without doubt) maruellous well furnished of excellent scriptures, which serue as fitte for that purpose, as Roses for a swine stie. But we will onlie choose out and set forth the prin∣cipall and most meete to serue our turne, to the intent that euerie man may iudge by those, what all the rest are. Among other they haue fetched out of the olde testament, That GOD did shape man to his owne likenesse:* 1.3 and therevpon concluded, That men may verie well haue images. Item, that God hath diuided the light from the darkenesse, and therefore (saith Agapius, that most holie Bishop of Caesarea) I ac∣cept images gladlie, and cursed bee all they, which are of other opinion. Aha, my friendes! Howe like you this geare? And after that is the writing of Adrian, the Pope of Rome read: wherin hee saith,

That Iames did pray to Iosephs staffe, or else to Ioseph him selfe.* 1.4 Then (I pray you) wherefore should not wee pray to i∣mages? For although that Heretikes do herein so crie out with the Hebrewe texte, which saith, That he prayed to God, lea∣ning vpon his bedde, or vppon a staffe, (for it may be taken both wayes) yet not∣withstanding it is sufficient for vs, that our deare mother the holy Church hath vnder∣stood it otherwise:* 1.5 and that all the forked Bishops which were assembled at Nice, haue otherwise interpreted it.

For they (you must vnderstande) could not misse, nor erre, seeing they were as∣sembled, inspired, and gouerned by the holie ghost of the Empresse Irene: whose spirit was so zealouslie addicted vnto the worshipping of images, that shee did put out her sonnes eyes, who was the right and naturall Emperour, and so kept him shut vp in prison, to the ende that she might haue the rule and gouernement, reigne as Queene all alone, and set vp and extoll images, according to her owne minde.

Wherfore should not we then beleue this holy Ghost? Whereas he hath declared by

the mouthes of the Bishops, that there was a litle proper fellowe carued out vp∣on the end of Iosephs staffe, as you see vp∣on the staues that children and fooles doe ride vpon: yea, and that the same pretie fellowe was by Iacob worshipped?

* 1.6Then do they further alledge this ••ext: The soules of the iust, are in the handes of the Lord. Againe, God is maruellous in his Saintes. For by these Saintes doe they vnderstand nothing else, but dumbe Saintes or images, which stand in the church: for that it is written in an other place: The Saintes which are vpon the earth. Item, Noah did set vp one altar vn∣to God: and Abraham likewise, with ma∣nie other mo. And it is good to be thought, that they would not set vppe anie altars without goodlie images of our Ladie, of Saint Christopher, and of S. Anthonies swine, and such like, to stand vpon the al∣tars. For an altar without Saints, is like a Cowe without a taile, or a Turd without Sugar.

* 1.7Againe, Moses did make the Propitia∣torium, which is the round chest of pure golde, and did by Gods commandement, se•• two Cherubims vpon it. And wherfore

then should we not set images vppon our altars, according to the commaundement of the holie Church? For, whereas the Heretikes will say, that these two Cheru∣bims, and the golden chest, were couered and hidde, so that no man could see them, much lesse pray vnto them: to that our deare mother the holie Church of Rome doeth answere, that they can doe so like∣wise. For the whole Lent through, they do cause their images,* 1.8 to looke through a blewe cloth, and plaie bo peepe: and so they continue till Easter: then come the Priestes and play their pa••tes, and so bidde Coppin out of a corner, and shewe his face like a man. So then, these Here∣tikes haue no cause to pra••e and say, That our images are neuer hidde or co∣uered.

Againe, our holie fathers say,* 1.9 that notwithstanding the Cherubims were kept close, so that no man might see them, for that no man migh•• enter into that ho∣lie place, but onelie the hi•• Priest: and hee but once a yeere: yet did not the Iewes forbeare to pray continuallie to the same. For so haue the fathers at the same Councell concluded out of their

owne heads.

Nowe thirdly, the holie fathers say, That seeing images may be had secretlie, wherefore should wee not (much rather) haue them openlie to pray to them? For notwithstanding that God hath forbidden it, yet he must bee giuen otherwise to vn∣derstand the matter: for he was not yet in∣formed, that images are the bookes of the Laie people, till such time as Pope Gre∣gorie came, and ••aught it for a perfect doctrine. But nowe, euerie man doeth knowe, that bookes must be laide vppon a deske, that euerie man may reade on them, and are not to bee cast behind a banke, or in a corner. For it is plainlie written, that a candle is not to bee set vnder a bushell, but in a candlesticke, that euerie man may bee lighted thereby:* 1.10 which the holie fathers doe likewise vnderstande by the images, to witte, that they must stande on high pranking vppon the altars, and so be deuoutlie prayed vnto by the com∣mon sort.

Besides all this, they bring forth, that Moses did set vppe a brasen Serpent in the wildernesse,* 1.11 by Gods commaunde∣ment,

to the intent that all such as should looke therevpon, might bee healed of the biting of the venomous serpentes. For vppon that text of scripture they say thus: What follie and madnesse should it then bee of vs, that wee should yet doubte, whether all such as looke vpon the image of Christ, the image of our Ladie, and of all other holie Saintes, shall become holie, and shall likewise bee healed of all diseases?

Which thing is likewise by the holie father Pope Adrian, most faithfully as∣sured with Bull and Seale:* 1.12 so as there is no further doubte to bee made in that matter: the rather, for that this is to bee seene euidentlie at Halle, a towne in Bra∣bant, where so manie ••rutches of lame men, and so manie painted tables are hanging, of such as haue bene so well and perfectlie healed of their diseases, that the most part of those which hang there, neuer feele anie paine or griefe, nei∣ther in the head, nor in the bladder. I speake not of so manie wiues, as haue bene conceiued with childe, after that they had once had our holie and blessed Ladies girdle tied about their middles.

And nowe of late it chaunced in Hol∣land, That a poore woman with a verie great bellie came verie deuoutlie, to seeke our blessed Ladie of Heukelem, and when shee had giuen her offering, shee returned home againe,* 1.13 and left her great bellie be∣hinde her. Yea, there was a blinde Gent∣leman came out of Fraunce, to Saint Iob of Wesemale in pilgrimage, to re∣couer his sight againe, which he had lost by Saint Iobs disease: and after hee had well ended his businesse, hee cried to his seruaunt in French, Ie voy, which the Doctours of Louen did vnderstande, not to bee, that hee would be gone, but that hee did see. In so much that the same is written,* 1.14 and hanged vp vppon a table in the Church for a great miracle. And it is to bee crediblie beleeued, that hee did see as well without spectacles, as with a candle.

I forbeare to speake of the great mira∣cles which the holie and mightie blessed Ladies at Laureto in Italie, and Mont∣ferrato in Spaine doe: and of Saint Iames of Compostella, and Saint Ca∣tharina of Scena, and such other like holie hee Saintes, and shee Saintes: for that

is not meate for euerie mans mouth: wee must content our selues with courser meates, and keepe our mouthes close from such daintie dishes. Yet notwith∣standing, if there were a plompe Hollan∣der, or a Malle Brabander, or a Botte Flemming that had a stomache or appe∣tite to such lordlie fare, and would goe take vpon him a pilgrimage for a wager, to come againe within a certeine time, hee may doe so well inough, and so goe and strawe his lust abroad amongest the holie and blessed Ladies of Spaine and Italie, and see what great miracles they can doe more, than our Ladies can doe here.

Hee might perhappes speede as well as a good honest man of Paris, who could haue no children by his wife, and in hope of helpe, did vowe diuerse pilgrimages: And first hee went to seeke Saint Iames at Compostella, and from thence hee went to Rome to vi∣site the holie Apostles, Peter and Paul: and then on forwarde to our holie and blessed Ladie of Laureto, and from thence to Hierusalem: and last of all, to Saint Catharine of Scena: in fine

so as hee was about a three yeeres from home: And then when hee came home againe, hee found his wife merrie, and had in the meane space gotten three prettie children, with helpe of the good Saintes, which hee so deuoutlie had sought.

Was not this nowe a great miracle? Therefore, who soeuer hath a desire to goe from home, and seeke Saintes, hee may set forwarde, when soeuex hee will, the wagon standeth readie.

And nowe will wee proceede to our matter againe, and campe with these He∣retikes, who mocke and iest with these our holie fathers of the foresaid Councell, be∣cause they bring in and alledge an exam∣ple of the brasen serpent, to establishe their images, by saying, That the same was a figure in the olde Testament, pointing to Christ, and was set vppe by GOD his speciall commaundement: but vnto this wee will answere them, That they haue eaten stockfish, and knowe not what doeth belong to a pregnant and ripe wit: for otherwise, can they not perceiue, that our images are figures likewise, as wel of Christ, as of his deare mother, grandmo∣ther,

and other holie hee Saintes and she Saintes: yea, and that are by speciall commaundement of our holie father the Pope, and the holie Church set foorth. But yet for all this, these dull Heretikes goe on forward with their follie, saying, That the good King Ezechias did breake downe and burne to powder,* 1.15 the same bra∣sen serpent, as soone as euer hee sawe and did perceiue, that the people beganne to cense and honour it, in like manner as the holie Church of Rome doeth nowe honour and worship her Saintes. And those mad brained fellowes doe therevpon conclude, that wee ought likewise euen so to burne our images. But wee denie that flatlie: for that was an other matter, considering that our images are no serpentes, as that was.

It is verie true, that wee doe as well cense to Saint Margaret, Saint Georges dragon, and Saint Anthonies hogs, as to the Saints themselues, & pray to the one as well as to the other, although those are not much better than serpents: but that now is otherwise to be cōsidered, for it is not done in honor of the dragons, but of the Sainte which they stand by: as is well proued by a

certeine Doctour of Louen, who going out of the porche of the graie Friers, at Louen did put off his bonnet before the i∣mage of Pilate, which standeth there, & so∣denly turning back again, cried w^t a lowd voice: Non tibi Pilate, sed Christo, as though hee would haue said: As for thee Pilate, thou art but a varlot: what dost thou thinke? I did not put off my bon∣net to thee, but to that Christ, with whom thou art dealing.

Nowe consider, euen so standeth the matter with our Dragons, and with S. Anthonies hogs. They gette many times offrings and waxe candles, and are often times kissed for neighbourhood, for the good Saint sake by whom they stand: but they doe not take it vppon them selues, no more then a dumbe stocke or blocke. Ther∣fore remaineth this determination of the holy fathers of the said Councell, alwayes fast and ratified, to witte, That the holie Church must haue images: seeing that the Iewes had a brasen serpent. This is like∣wise mainteined with manie other goodlie testimonies, as specially with that which the prophet Dauid saith in the 96. psalme, There is praise & honor before his face.* 1.16

Item, I loue the cituatiō of thine house.* 1.17 For by these followeth, that the Churches must be trimmed vp with goodly images. Item, O Lord, I seeke thy countenance,* 1.18 Item, O Lord, the rich shall pray before thy face. Item,* 1.19 Let the light of thy coun∣tenance shine vpon vs. For out of these textes do they conclude, that men ought to haue our Lords visage goodly painted, and to pray to it. And for that cause it is, that euerie yeare at Rome vpon good Friday, the holie Veronica, which is an old ouer worne cloute, whereon they say our Lords face is painted, which they pray vnto with great deuotion. And the common peo∣ple crie alowde, Misericordia, misericor∣dia, that is, Mercie, mercie. The like is done also at Besanson in Burgonia, and in manie other places. For this same holie fisnomie of the Veronica, was sette vpon good grounde, and is therefore so well sp••••ung vp, and in such plentie, that there are to bee found a number of them, all which do worke great miracles.

And besides this, they bring forth these testimonies, to witte, that the beliefe commeth not onely by hearing, but like∣wise by sight: for that Iohn saith, Like as

we haue heard,* 1.20 so haue we likewise sene. Item, That the Iewes did weare broade borders vpon their clothes: Ergo, so must wee likewise haue images in the church: with many such other like proofes, which close vp together as fitte as a spin∣dle vpon a flesh pot. So now, when anie man hath a desire to see these goodly testi∣monies, let him read ouer the whole pro∣ceeding of the saide Councell of Nice, as it is sette foorth in the seconde booke of Councels, or else he may reade another little booke, which was set foorth about the same time, in the name of the Empe∣rour Carolus magnus, touching the same Councell: hee shall therein reioyce his spirites, with reading of all those goodly, copious, and fine allegations, brought out and alledged by those holie fathers, to that end and purpose:* 1.21 and with the dreames of Constantine, who (to heale his leprosie) had shedde the bloud of young innocent children, and was for the same comforted by Peter and Paule, in his dreames. And there you shall finde also, a great manie of goodlie and notable miracles done by images, taken out of the booke of Cos∣mus, and Damianus, and out of the booke

of Sophronius, of the miracles of Saints, and other such like bookes, which those ho∣lie fathers caused there to bee read and heard, and by their iudgementes esta∣blished them, and allowed them for good. So as there is no more doubtes to be put in them, than vpon the golden Legende, which standes authentike in the Masse booke. And to the end that men shall haue the more desire to read them, I will bring forth here one example out of them, seruing greatly for our purpose: to the ende you may perceiue by the nest, what birdes are within it.

There was a liuely holie Monke,* 1.22 whiche was continually tempted and troubled with a diuell, euen till his olde dayes: and when in the end he be∣ganne to waxe wearie of it, hee then did pray the diuell verie friendly, that hee woulde let him alone in quiet: wherevpon the diuell did answere him, that so farre as he would promise to do, and sweare to keepe secrete, a thing that hee woulde commaunde him, then hee woulde leaue off to trouble him anie more. The Monke did promise him, and tooke therevpon a deepe othe.

Then said the diuell: If thou wilt that I shall trouble thee no more, then thou must not pray anie more to that image: and it was an image of our Ladie, hol∣ding her childe in her armes. But the Monke was more craftie than the diuel: for he went and confessed him of it the next day to the Abbot, and the Abbot did dispense with him for his othe, vpon condition, that hee should continue his praying to the image.

Is not that a fine and worthie testimo∣nie, borowed of the diuell, whereby the ho∣lie Fathers in the foresaide Councell, haue wonderfull strongly established the pray∣ing vnto images? Truely it is worthie to be written vpon balkes and beames, be∣cause calues shall not licke it off. And our Champion, maister Gentianus, is wor∣thie to carie the standard, & to be crowned with a three footed stoole, seeing hee dare so boldly aduenture, to lay the worthinesse of that Councell in the ballance, against the second commaundement of God, which doth sharpely forbid all worshipping and praying to images: and likewise bringeth in the said Councell, against the Councell of Eliberum, which was kept in Spaine,

in the yeare of our Lorde 1200, and was consonant and agreeable vnto the worde of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  To pray to images.
• * 1.2

  Reade the first chap. of the 4. parte. fol. 4.
• * 1.3

  In the Epistle of Pope Adri∣an, read and accepted in the coūcell of Nice, act 2. reade the 2. booke of the coūcell. fol. 482. a. b. act. 2. pag. 486.
• * 1.4

  Act. 2. Synod Ni∣caenae pag. 480.
• * 1.5

  Concil. Nicen. of Irene.
• * 1.6

  ••••tione 5. synod. Nicaena, & pag. 498.
• * 1.7

  ••ctio. 4. pag. 504. ••.
• * 1.8

  Images coue∣red with blewe cloth.
• * 1.9

  A••••io 3. synod. Nicaen. pa. 498.
• * 1.10

  In the epistle of Adrian to the synod. act. 2. fol. 481.
• * 1.11

  The brasen serpent.
• * 1.12

  In the foresaid epis••le sent to the fathers of the Councell.
• * 1.13

  A miracle.
• * 1.14

  In the table of S. Georges miracles.
• * 1.15

  Brasen serpent burnt. 2. Reg. 18.4.
• * 1.16

  Psal. 96.
• * 1.17

  Psal. 28.8.
• * 1.18

  Psal. 27.8.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 4.7.
• * 1.20

  2. Iohn. 1.1. Num. 15.38. Deut. 6.8. Matth. 23.4.
• * 1.21

  Read the coun∣cel of Nice. act. 4. fol. 521. There doth the Monke Theo∣dosius declare these pleasant histories of the dreame of Con∣stantine, and of the waren i∣mage of Cos∣mus and Damia∣nus.
• * 1.22

  This prettie ieast was read in the councell of Nicaen by the Monke Stepha∣nus, out of the booke of Sophro∣nius: reade of the 2. booke of the councels in the 2. councell of Nicaen. act. 4. fo. 520. ad