The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

Reliques.

The beginning of adoration of Reliques, may be reduced to this time. Ruffin writeth of Theodosius, before hee enterpri∣sed warre against Eugenius, the tyrant himselfe went with the Priests visiting the Churches, and before the Sepulchres of the Apostles made his Orisons and Praiers.

The contention betwixt Hierome and Vigilantius, prest Bishop of Bercolne in Spaine, doth sufficiently shewe that su∣perstition was then come forward. By the writings of Hierome (which are stuffed rather with iniuries & outrages then sound reasons out of the holy scriptures) we may know that Ʋigilan∣tius had reason to oppose himselfe to such Idolatry, rather then veneration of the Martyrs. The words of Hierome writing to Riparius, are: Thou saist that Ʋigilantius openeth againe his stinking mouth, and spitteth his infection against the reliques of holy Martyrs, calling vs (which receiue them) Cendrier Ido∣laters, which do reuerence vnto dead mens bones. And in the booke which he perticularly writ against Vigilantius, saith: One Vigilantius is risen vp, which with an vncleane spirit against the spirit of Christ, denieth that we must honour the Sepulchres

of Martyrs, condemneth Vigils, &c then addeth: And thou sayest in thy booke, that as long as we liue we may pray one for an other: but after we be dead, that the prayers are not heard, and yet they pray for the vengeance of their bloud and can∣not be heard.* 1.1 In which thou proposest vnto me an Apogry∣pha Booke, which thou and the like readest vnder the name of Esdras, where it is written, that after death none dare pray, &c. And thou darest out of the gulfe of thy brest, vomit so filthy a mockery, as to say the soules of Martyrs then loue their owne ashes, and flie about them: for being absent they cannot heare a poore sinner, who by chance resorteth thither, &c. Briefly he alleadgeth for great meruailes whatsoeuer Vigilantius said, but refuteth it not.

Hee addeth also that Ʋigilantius heretike saide, that Al∣leluia should not be sung but at Easter. That continencie of single life commaunded, is heresie, and the seede of whoor∣dome: It is also reported vnto me (saith hee) that against the authoritie of Paul (vnto whom Peter, Iohn, and Iames, gaue the right hands) who commaunds to remember the poore, thou forbiddest that any should send any comfort of money to Ierusalem for the vse of the Saints, and maintainest that they doo better which vse their owne, and which by litle and litle distribute fruites of their possessions, then they which hauing solde their possessions, giue all at once. He saith yet: Thou fearest and turnest away (viperous tongue) Monkes from their application and studie, and sayest by way of argument; If all men should shut themselues vp, or goe into solitude, who should celebrate Churches, or who should gaine and winne seculer men? &c.

Wee may know by this rehearsall, that Vigilantius and other good Doctors of this time, maintained that the adoration of Saints was drawne from the Ethnike superstition of the Gods, into the Church of the Lord.

The abuse came first from the too great praise of Saints. It encreased afterward by the false perswasion of the inter∣cession,

confirmed by signes and lying miracles.* 1.2

The same ceremonies which were at the burial of bodies,* 1.3 were also in this age obserued in the translation and eleuation of holy bodies. The Priests of Apollo heretofore made that Apo∣state Emperor Iulian (as he sacrificed in Antioche nie the foun∣taine Daphne) beleeue that the sepulchre of Babyla Martyr nigh vnto the said place, was the cause that Apollo gaue no an∣swere. Iulian then cōmaunded the Christians which he called Gallileans to take away the said sepulchre: then all the Church came thither, young and olde, virgins and mothers, and with great ioy drew out and conducted the Coffer of the bones of Babila, singing as high as they could. Ruff. lib. 1. chap. 35. And Toch. lib. 3. cap. 18. Ambrose in his 85. Epistle to his sister, shew∣eth how this manner of taking vp and translating of the Mar∣tyrs bodies, was obserued in the west Churches. The Reliques saith he of a Saint beeing found either aduisedly or by chance, first they are shewed the people, and declared it is by some, of what Martyr those reliques are: after, hauing laid them in order they are carried into some Temple,* 1.4 and there vigils & watches are made all night, then the next day a Sermon is made of the life of that Martir. See what Ambrose saith, who also witnesseth (if we must giue faith vnto him) that miracles were done there.

Behold how a new deuotion transporteth not onely the com∣mon people, but also the Pastors and Bishops.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Apoc. 6 2.10.11.
• * 1.2

  Theodosus
• * 1.3

  Translation & eleuation of the bodies of Saints.
• * 1.4

  Vigils or wat∣ches of Saints.