XXXIV. Of breeding up People in Ignorance. (Book 34)
THE Misrepresenter charges them with this, on these accounts. 1. By keeping their Mysteries of Iniquity from them. 2. By performing Divine Service in an unknown Tongue. 3. By an im∣plicite Faith. To which the Representer answers. 1. That they give encouragement to Learning; and he instances in their Universities and Conventual Libraries; But what is all this to the common People? But their Indices Expurgatorii, and prohibiting Books so severely, which are not for their turn, (as we have lately seen in the new one of Paris) argues no great confidence of their Cause, nor any hearty love to Learning: And if it could be rooted out of the World, their Church would fare the better in it; but if it cannot, they must have some to be able to deal with others in it. 2. As to the common People he saith, They have Books enough to instruct them. Is it so in Spain or Italy? But where they live among Heret••cks, as we are called, the People must be a little better instructed to defend themselves, and to gain upon others. 3. If the People did know their Church Offices and Service, &c. they would not find such faults, since the Learned approve them Let them then try the Experiment, and put the Bible and their Church-Offices every where into the Vulgar Tongues: But their severe Prohibitions shew how much they are of another Opinion: What made all that Rage in France against Voisins Translation of the Missal? Such Proceedings of the Assembly of the Clergy against it; such Complaints both to the King and the Pope against it, as tho all were lost if that were suffered? Such an Edict from the King, such a Prohibit••on from the Pope in such a tragical Stile about it? Such a * 1.1 Collection of Authors to be printed on purpose against it? Do th••se things shew, even in a Nation of so free a temper, in Comparison, as the