art perspective. Many hearkening 〈◊〉〈◊〉 false reports, conceive and be∣leeeve that which is nothing so. Many give credit to that which they read in authors. But how many stories and bookes are writen of walking spirits and soules of men, contrary to the word of God; a reasonable volum cannot containe. How common an opinion was it among the pa∣pists, that all soules walked 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth, after they departed from their bodyes? In so much as it was in the time of popery a usuall mat∣ter, to desire sicke people in their death beds, to appeare to them after their death, and to reveale their estate. The fathers and ancient doctors of the church were too credulus herein, &c. Therefore no marvell, though the common simple sort of men, and least of all, that women be decei∣ved herein, God in times past did send downe visible angels & appearances to men, but now he doth not so. Through ignorance of late in reli∣gion, it was thought, that every churchyard swarmed with soule and spirits: but now the word of God being more free, open, and known, those conceits and illusions are made more manifest and apparent, &c.
The doctors, councels, and popes, which (they say) cannot 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have confirmed the walking, appearing, and raising of soules 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where find they in the scriptures any such doctrine; And who certified them, that those appearances were true? Truly all they cannot bring to passe, that the lies which have beene spread abroad herein, should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beginne to be true, though the pope himselfe subscribe, seale, and sweare thereunto never so much. Where are the soules that swarmed in times past? Where are the spirits? Who heareth their noyses? Who seeth their visions? Where are the soules that made such moane for tren••••s where by to be eased of the palmes in purgatory? Are they all gone into Italy, because masses are growne deere here in England? Marke wel•• this illusion, and see how contrary it is unto the word of God. Consider how all papists beleeve this illusion to be true, and how all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 driven to say it is & was popish illusion, Where be the spirits that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to have buriall for their bodies? For many of those walking soules 〈◊〉〈◊〉 about their b••stnes. Do you not thinke, that the papists shew nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 selves Godly divines, to preach and teach the people such doctrine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to insert into their divine service such fables as are read in their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 church, all scripture giving place thereto for the time? You shall see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lessons read there upon S. Stevens day, that Gamaliel Nichodemus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man and Abdias his sonne, with his friend S. Steven, appeared 〈◊〉〈◊〉 priest, called Sir Lucian, requesting him to remove their bodies and to bury them in some better place (for they had lien from the time of their death, untill then, being in the raigne of Honorius the emperors to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 foure hundred yeares buried in the field of Gamaliel) who in that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said to Sir Lucian▪ Non insi selummodo causa solicitus sum, sed potius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illis qui me••um sunt; that is, I am, not only carefull for my selfe but chiefely for those my friends that are with me. Whereby the whole course may be perceived to be a false practise, and a counter-felt vision, or rather a lewd invention. For in heaven mens soules remaine not in sorrow and care; neither studie they there how to compasse