The parable of the pilgrim written to a friend by Symon Patrick ...

CAP. XXXV.

A Discourse with some Pilgrims that were going to Lo∣retto, the Holy Land, or such like places. How much such persons are abused and cheated. The judgment of St. Gregory Nyssen of these Pilgrimages. The Privi∣ledges which Rome boasts of above all other places. And what a Market is there held continually for Par∣dons. Of which a Lease may be bought of many thou∣sand years, for a small matter.

WHen the two Champions (for so they esteemed themselves) saw that there was no ground to be won of these men, they thought it best to quit the field, especially since the night was coming on a pace to part them. They made therefore but a short return to what had been objected to them, and then both sides expressing all the kindness that might be towards each other and promising to live in Charity, they took their several courses. And as for our two friends, they did but rid themselves of this company, to make room for a new. For having bequeathed their wearied bones to rest in such a bed as they could get, betimes the next morning they met with a cluster of Pilgrims (as they called themselves) in a very poor habit and much weather-beaten; who were got together under a tree, relating their several Pilgrimages which either they

intended, or had already performed. To this compa∣ny they were very desirous to joyn themselves a while; and it being admitted, they found one of them telling how holy a place Mount Sinai was which he was going to visit with great devotion. And I, said another, shall go your way; for there is a Vow upon me to go and see the Oak of Mamre under which Abraham enter∣tained the Angels. But first, said a third, let us go to Jerusalem whither I am bound, to see the sanctified places which our Saviours feet have trod. The place where he made the Pater noster, and where the Apo∣stles made the Creed. The Olive tree also still stand∣ing hard by the house of Annas, to which Christ was tyed when they brought him to be examined by him. For you must know, by the way, that Annas being fast asleep when he was taken and they being loath to awake him, they got a cord and bound our Saviour to this tree lest he should slip away before the High Priest arose. But especially I intend to visit the Holy Sepulchre, and to behold the place where he lay, which I have heard is an action very meritorious. And I, said a fourth, am ingaged to go to our Lady of Loretto to see the very Chamber where she was born, and where she was educated by Joachim her Father and Ann her Mother; and where the Angels came to her and she conceived our Lord. This I hope is as meri∣torious if not more, as to travel to his grave (and be∣sides it is a shorter journey) for I have heard one say of this place as I believe you never heard any say of the other, that the words of Jacob do well befit it, This place is dreadful, it is no other then the House of God, and the gate of Heaven. You speak so highly of these holy places, said a fifth, that I should have a great mind to accompany you to some of them, were I not now re∣turning

turning home from a Pilgrimage which I have made to St. James of Compostella, wherein I have spent more time then I could well spare from my necessary affairs. O then said the Father (who had listned attentively all this while to them without speaking a word) you have brought home I presume to your family one Feather at least of the Holy Cock or Hen which are kept in a certain Church of an ancient City not far from that place. I hope you will favour us with a sight of it, for here is no air stirring to blow it away if it should chance to fall; and this company I believe would be glad if you would bless their lips with a kiss of it. I do not know well what you mean said the man, for I never so much as heard of any such thing. That is very strange replyed the Father, that they should either suffer so sacred a breed to perish, or that the fame of them should not come to your ears. There is scarce any Pilgrim who passes that way who doth not go to see them, and therefore I may well marvel that you should hear no news of them: though I shall sooner believe that; than that they should be so care∣less as to let those Holy Chickens dye, whose great Grandfather and Grandmother were so miraculous an instance of the Vertue of St. James of Compostella! I pray Sir said another of them be pleased to let us hear the story of these Sacred Creatures, for we are all I believe very ignorant of it. I will tell it you then said he just as I received it from a person of no mean ac∣count that lived in Sicily but was well acquainted with all these Countryes.* 1.1 There was on a time a certain man, a great friend of God (whose name he was pleas∣ed to conceal) who undertook a Pilgrimage, together with his wife and son to the Saint forenamed. It was their fortune being in their journey thither to take up

their Quarters one night in an old City not many miles from it, they being not able that day to reach as far as Compostella. Now in the house that entertained them you must know there was a maid not so good as she was pretty, who beholding the beauty of their son fell in love with him: and made such undecent expres∣sions of it, that he was forced to be more uncivil to her then otherwise he should have been. This turned her love into a great hatred, and made her study a revenge, which she took in this manner. There being a little silver cup which they used in their Chamber, she neat∣ly conveighed it into his Capouch, and when they were gone out of the City caused them to be pursued by the Alcalde or Justice of the place and accused them of theft. When the Father and Mother had been search∣ed and nothing was found they were some thing trou∣bled at the molestation which they had given them; but as soon as ever they came to the son, they happen∣ed to feel it there, where they little expected to have found it; and so carried them back again. The young man being brought before the Justice could only de∣ny the fact, but was no way able to purge himself, and therefore was condemned to be hang'd. On the Gal∣lows then his Father and Mother were fain to leave him, and as the story goes there he hung by the neck till they had been at Compostella, and performed all their vows to the Saint. And his Mother going to visit the Gibbet at her return, and to spend a few tears at the place of execution, found him in the very same posture wherein they left him. But she had not poured out many complaints, nor lookt upon him long with her eyes full of tears, before he called out to her and said; Dear Mother, weep no more I beseech you for me, for I am not dead as you imagine but alive; being

preserved by the Mother of God and the intercession of St. James whom you went to honour, from suffering the death which my enemies intended me. Go to the Judge therefore and make no longer stay here: Let him know how it is, that I was accused out of meer malice, unjustly condemned, and thus miraculously saved by them that protect the innocent and are grateful to their Worshippers. She did so, without examining him any further about the matter; and the Judge was just sate down to dinner when she came running in say∣ing, Sir, I beseech you cause my son to be taken down and let him hang yonder no longer, for though I must confess that he is still alive, yet it is by the power of God and his Saints. At which news he smiling said, Good woman be content; thy Son is as much alive, as these two Birds; pointing to a Cock and Hen which were ready roasted upon the Table before him. He had no sooner said the word, but they both leapt out of the dish and walkt about the Table, being as ready for a dinner as himself. And as for the Cock, he moreover clapped his wings and fell a Crowing for joy to find them unpinion'd, and to feel that he did not carry his giscern thereabouts any longer. Which when the Judge beheld, he was the most astonished man that ever was seen, and could not of a good while recover himself to speak a word. But as soon as ever the passion was over, away he went without so much as thinking of his dinner, and called the Priest with the Principal men of the City, who all went together to the place where the Youth was hang'd; and found it to their no small wonder∣ment, just as the good Woman had said. Whereup∣on he was cut down and restored to his Parents; but the Cock and Hen as more Sacred things were carried

in much solemnity to the great Church; and there a Coop was made for them, that they might be pre∣served as a monument of the great power of God. Of what colour they were before, my Author said, he did not know; but after their resurrection they were of a pure white snow-like colour. It is uncertain also what they did while the Judge was gone to the place of Execution, but afterward it is not to be doubted they lived very purely. For seven years being pre∣fixed by God for the term of this new life which they had received, they left no more then two Chickens behind them when they dyed; nor had they ever any more issue. These two also lived just the same number of years, and had the like posterity; and so it hath continued in that order to this day. Now all knowing men judge it no less then a Miracle, that the Cock should never tread the Hen above once in his life. And then that he begets just two Eggs. And that one of these alwayes brings forth a Cock, and the other an Hen. And that at the punctual time of seven years end, which you know is a perfect number, they leave the World, and rest in peace. For though the reporter of this did not tell me what became of their bodies, yet you may be sure, that they never came upon the Spit more. And as for their Feathers, the mention of which occasioned the telling of this story, you must know that they are preserved as an holy Relique, and all people that pass to S. James through this City, use to visit this Church and ob∣tain one of them. And here now is another won∣der, that though there are innumerable persons which pass through it, yet they never want feathers; as he tells me who was at the place, and himself wore one of them continually about him.

O Sir, said he that had been at Compostella, how happy a man should I have thought my self if it had been my fortune to meet with you before I took this long journey. I had then been a great deal richer then I am; and brought a treasure home with me which now alas! I want. I could be tempted if my occasions would yield to it to return back, if it were but to see the faces of this chaste Pair, who never come together, but only to beget such another bles∣sed couple as themselves. Who knows what vertue it might infuse into ones mind? Or of what power so holy a relique is against all the assaults of the enemy? Well, I shall never see a roasted Pullet more, but I shall sigh at my loss: And yet I believe I shall see one very often, for it is a dish I love very well. But I pray Sir, did you ever meet with any body that had one of those pretious Feathers?

The good man was sorely grieved to see the sim∣plicity and innocence of such persons as they seemed to be so easily abused; and therefore he thought good to undisguise himself and answered him in plain manner to this effect. No truly, nor do I care one straw whether I ever do or no. For though I have heard this Story very confidently related, yet I would be sorry if you should think me so credulous as to receive it for a truth. Nay I should hold my self worthy to be Chronicled for a fool, should I va∣lue one of those feathers any more, then such an one as a Fool wears in his Cap. And I cannot but won∣der that men with such Reverend Beards as yours, should surrender your belief to such sottish tales. You seem otherwise sagacious enough, and therefore whence is it that your heads are fraught with such

that they cannot discern the grossness of these cheats? If you can swallow a lye so great as this; sure the story of Gargantua will not stick with you, but go down easily. Who cutting up a miraculously great Colewort in his Garden, within the leaves of which six Pilgrims like your selves lay asleep; eat it and them one morning for his Breakfast in a Sallet. Nay you will be able to digest what follows, how that one of these got into an hollow tooth that was in his Mouth, and so saved himself. For wondring into what Gulph it was that he was faln, he tryed if it were possible to feel any bottom; and at last gave his tooth such a prick with the pike-end of his Staff, that the Giant immediatly spit him out. At least I may well think that if you had lived an Age or two agone, you would have gone to do your devotion to Thomas à Becket; reverently kissing his Breeches, and laying your lipps with much affection to the Handkercheif wherewith he was wont to wipe his snotty Nose. Nay, be not offended I beseech you at the expression, nor think that I speak with too much rudeness;* 1.2 for they thought it none I'le assure you heretofore, to offer to the peoples salutation, such an holy relique, as had the very prints and footsteps of the Snot still remain∣ing upon it.

I cannot but be offended said one of the company at these reflections of yours upon the Story you have told us, and me thinks you do very ill to laugh at such serious things; which are also attested by so ma∣ny and so good Authors, that if your heart was not very stony and hard to entertain any thing, you could not but admit them for truth. If they were worthy of a serious confutation replyed the Father, I

should but render my self ridiculous by laughing at them. But since they appear to all unprejudiced men to be meer fopperies, it is I think our duty to smile at them. For the Holy Scripture it self doth plainly mock at the folly and absurdness of some mens opinions and doings.* 1.3 You remember sure how Elijah flouted at Baal and his Worshippers, when he said, perhaps their God was a talking with some body, and could not hear them both together; or he might not be at home and so could give no answer; or else so fast asleep (having eaten perhaps too much the night before of the Sacrifices which they brought him) except they called still louder he would not awake. And so the Mount of Olives is called by way of contempt, not Har Mischeh the Mount of Unction,* 1.4 but Har Mashchith the Mount of Corruption. And the place which Ja∣cob had called Bethel the house of God, is called by the Prophet in scorn by the name of Beth-aven the house of Iniquity.* 1.5 And thus a wise man hath long ago taught us whom you reverence as well as I, that many things are thus to be refelled,* 1.6 lest by our serious∣ness they should be at all honoured. They ought to be laught out of countenance, lest we do them too much respect by our grave handling of them. And yet I have not done so much, because I think these things are so grosly ridiculous, that they laugh themselves to scorn. I have only told the plain story of them, and that confutes it self sufficiently. To expose things of this nature to the world is abundantly to disprove them. To bring them into view is to put them to shame, and make them hide their face. To make mention of them, is enough to silence them. We need not be at the trouble to abuse them, for they make Invectives against themselves, and carry their

own Satyrs in their bosome. Not to speak of them is the only Civility we can do them. It is necessary to shut our eyes if you would not have us smile at the folly which they reveal to us. We do not first strip them and then lay the lash upon them; for as soon as they appear, they discover their own nakedness, and carry a whip at their own backs. But suppose any of them be more neatly contrived and cunningly painted the better to deceive; would you not have us pull off the Mask or wash off the paint, that we may shew things in their proper colours? That is all that we intend; and therefore be not angry at it. If we should throw never so much salt in your face, you would receive no harm, unless you be raw and ulce∣rous. But I beseech you what are the Authors you speak of, upon whose credit we are to receive these things; are they not such as need some body of more credit to be their Vouchers? To cite the authority of such men, is as if you should bring those for your sureties; for whose honesty not only Certificates, but also pawns and engagements of Bodies would be re∣quired from other men that are better known then themselves. Not only we, but some that believe as you do in other things, have the honesty to accuse the fraud of the first beginners of these stories, and the folly of them that follow their Sotteries. They do not stick to say that they are very dull peo∣ple and such as never are wont to blow their Noses, who do not smell the forgery of them that first stuff their Sermons, and then their Writings with suchlike tales. Nay, in plain words they tell us, that all Hi∣stories within seven or eight hundred years last past, are so hydropically swoln with lying Legends, that a man would think the Authors of them had made it

their main strife, who should advance the greatest number.

Then, said one of the Pilgrims, you do not believe I warrant, the story of St. John the Evangelist ap∣pearing to St. Edward the Confessor in such an habit as you now see us wear, and craving an Alms of him: who gave him his Ring off from his finger, knowing nothing but that he was a poor man that stood in need of a great Charity. Did not God do a great honour herein to Pilgrimages and the holy Reliques which they went to visit? Indeed, said the Father again, I have not faith enough to believe it; and I wonder much how you came to know that St. John went a begging to that pious Prince. O, said the other, that is a thing not hard to know, for as a cer∣tain Abbot hath told us, St. John himself revealed it to two English men as they were going to visit the Holy Sepulchre. For they being in danger to loose them∣selves in an unknown Countrey, were directed in their way by that blessed Apostle. Who told them they should have a prosperous Voyage, and that God and he would be propitious to them for their good Kings sake; whom I loved (said he) very tenderly for the excellency of his Chastity. I am John the Apostle, and you shall carry back this Ring to him which he gave me some dayes since; and let him know that the day of his death approaches, and that six moneths shall not pass over his head, ere I put him into the company of those Virgins which follow the Lamb wheresoever he goes. Truly, replyed the Father with a smile, I am no more satisfied then I was before; and cannot possibly resign up my belief to any such relations of the dronish Monks of those days. This sto∣ry

seems to me to be just as true as another which the same Abbot reports; how that St. Edward one day saw Jesus Christ himself upon the Altar, stretching forth his hand to bless him with the sign of the Cross, as he was worshipping of the Host and adoring the Divine presence there. A thing that was never talkt of till he was dead as the Author of it acknowledges: and then it was pretended, that he had given it in charge to the Earl that saw this apparition with him, and conjured him most sacredly that he should say no∣thing of it while he lived. Which is as much as to say, that it should not be told while it could be con∣futed by that Good King, who would have made this lye to have stuck in the Authors throat.

I perceive, said another of the Pilgrims, that you have obstinately bolted your heart against all these pious Stories; but yet I hope you do not disallow of all Pilgrimages; nor think it unprofitable for the souls health to go to Jerusalem to worship at the Se∣pulchre of our Lord. To tell you the truth, replyed he, all is alike to me. I do not imagine there is any ho∣liness in that Land more then in any other; nor can I have an opinion of any Sanctity that I shall bring away with me if I should go thither. And therefore it is far better to employ our selves well at home, then to take so long a journey to do that which may as well be done in any other place. That's strange, answered the other, I see now you matter not though you disbelieve the Scriptures themselves, which give us many examples of Holy Pilgrimages. As the Lame you know and the blind went up to Jerusalem to be healed in the Pool of Bethesda.* 1.7 And the Eunuch came out of Ethiopia to Worship in that City; and at cer∣tain

times all the people of Jerusalem went up to their Feasts, which I have been told, were all so many Pil∣grimages. But howsoever that be, you may see if you will that they are as old as Christ himself, and were conceived as Wise men judge at the very same time with him. For he went a Pilgrimage in the Womb of his Mother to see Elizabeth in the Hill Countrey. And after that he went from Nazareth in Galilee to Beth∣lehem Judah when she was near the time of her travel.* 1.8 And as he honoured Pilgrimages thus in his Mothers belly, so afterward when he hung on her breast he travelled into Egypt, and after that returned into Judaea, and every year went up to the Temple of Jeru∣salem.

I have waited a great while, said the Father, who here interrupted him, for some word or other that should drop from your mouth to the purpose; but I have no hopes to meet with it. Sure you have for∣got what you were speaking about, and some holy Feather or Toy hath taken you in the head, which you dreamt you should find at last in some of these places. Do you think that we go a pilgrimage every time we take a journey, or go to the next Church, or make a friend a Visit, or are carried to the Bath in a Litter for our health? Or was there something sacred in Augustus his Officers, or any holy reliques in Egypt, which the Blessed Virgin, and our Saviour went to do some adoration unto? Yes, said the other, who was glad to catch hold of this last word, there were the Bones of Jeremiah the Prophet to which perhaps they paid a respect, for be lay buried in the Royal City and was alwayes honoured by the Egyptians for the singular benefits which they received from him.

You are ignorant perhaps that the Crocodiles, and ma∣ny hurtful Serpents were banished their coasts by his intercession; and that in the dayes of our fore-fa∣thers the faithful were wont to go to his Tomb and say their prayers; and bringing away some of the dust of that place, it was a certain cure for those who were hurt by any venemous beast. In∣deed, replyed He, we are much indebted to the Au∣thor of this Legend, who hath acquainted us with some other things which the Holy Writers forgot to tell us. As that the Prophet Jeremiah foretold to the Egyptians that all their Images should fall to the ground when a Virgin and her Son should come into that Land. Which was the cause, saith he, that even in those dayes they placed a Virgin in her Bed, and an Infant in a Manger, and gave adoration to them. Of which when the reason was demanded by King Ptolomy (you must not enquire which of them) the Priests answered that it was a Mystery delivered by their Elders, which they recei∣ved from the Holy Prophet. Perhaps then you think that the Blessed Virgin went to let her Son see these sine Pictures of himself and her. Or that they took this Journey to provide themselves with a Boxfull of that holy dust against a time of need. Sure if the Jews had but known any thing of that knack, it would have served them very much; and they would have maintain'd that he did many of his Miracles in the Vertue of their great Prophet. Was this the reason think you that they said Jeremiah was risen from the dead? What do you think of us that you should ima∣gine it possible to captivate our belief to such lubberly lyes as these? Certainly you take us for very thick∣skull'd people; or else they are so themselves, who be∣stowing their time rather in gleaning what is scattered

up and down in every place, than in weighing the au∣thority of the men from whom they borrow their Notes; have filled their Books and the World with whole Cart-loads of these Chimerical Stories.

Here the man having continued mute a while, at last burst out into these words not without some pas∣sion, well, I will produce an unanswerable place; Where the Body is, there will the Eagles be gathered toge∣ther. What say you now?* 1.9 is this also to no purpose? must we not all go thither where the body of our Sa∣viour is? Alas! replyed the Father, what an igno∣rance have I lived in ever since I was born? Is the Bo∣dy of Christ then in the possession of the Turks? Have those Infidels got our Lord into their hands? Was that the end of the Holy War to redeem him from Cap∣tivity, and rescue him out of the power of his enemies? I poor Soul verily believed all this while that he had been in the Heavens, in the Jerusalem which is above: whither I and my Companion are travelling as fast as we can. Thither if you have a mind to go, come along with us. We will flye if you please like so many Eagles. We will run and not be weary, we will walk and not faint; we will stretch our wings to their utmost ex∣tent and not be tyred. In this Pilgrimage we are con∣tent to spend our whole lives, but shall think that we are very much out of our way, should we enter with you upon any other. Here he gave them a short de∣scription of the manner of their life, and shewed them how and where they sought for Jesus. He discoursed of Humility, of Charity, and the rest of the Vertues which are so eminent in our Saviours Example: The imita∣tion of whom, said he, was ever held the highest ho∣nour and worship that could be given him. By this he

continues still in the World. He is every where to be seen in his faithful followers. They bring his li∣ving, walking Image into every place. They expose him to open view at home and abroad. They endea∣vour to have their houses, and their shops in such good order, that you need not go to Jerusalem to find an holy place. They would save men the labour of taking a long Pilgrimage to visit the Shrines of the Saints. For they become such themselves, and are the best reliques of them which the World affords. And lest you should think, added he, that we adhere too much to our own opinions, and put too great a sleight upon the Pilgrimages in which you are ingaged, let me intreat you patiently to hear what a person of great authority with you speaks of them, in an Age when they had but newly begun to gain a reputation among men.

A man may think perhaps, saith St. Gregory Nyssen,* 1.10 that he doth a thing of great note, and much to be valued, when he takes a Journey to the place where our Lord was buried. But he himself, when he speaks of those that shall inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, doth not mention the Pilgrimages to Jerusalem as a worthy undertaking. Nor when he pronounces his Beatitudes, doth he at all com∣mend this labour and diligence. Why should any man therefore trouble himself about that which will not make him Blessed, nor dispose him at all for his Coelestial Inhe∣ritance? And if there were no dangers (as there are too many) of being defiled and corrupted in the passage thither by sundry vices, yet what shall a man be the bet∣ter when he arrives in safety there? Is our Lord to be found there, more than in the place where at present we are? Or is there a greater measure of the Holy Spirit

at Jerusalem, which will not vouchsafe to come hi∣ther? Must we go so far to fetch its comforts, and will it not be intreated to impart them nearer at hand? Truly I must needs say that I see more devotion, more piety, more of all divine Vertues in this very place, than there is to be found. I my self went thither once upon my occasions, yet I did not feel my self a whit the wi∣ser, or the better by it. What I believed then, I believed before; what I did there, I could do be∣fore I went thither; and I reaped no greater bene∣fit by my Journey, than to find that the places where we live are more holy, than those that we so much ad∣mire. You therefore that fear God, praise him there where you have your present abode, and trouble not your selves to seek any other place wherein to do him honour. The change of place will never bring you nea∣rer to him. But be you where you will, there God will be too, if your souls be fit to give him lodging, and receive so Holy a Guest. If you have your inward man full of perverse and evil thoughts, though you were in Golgotha, though you stood upon Mount Olivet, though you lay even under the Monument of the Resurrection; you are as far from entertaining Christ as the Stones that inclosed him. I advise therefore all the Brethren, that they travel out of the Body to the Lord, and not go out of Cappadocia to Palaestine.

And in another place writing to certain devout persons, he tells them that there is nothing more pleasant than to converse with pious Souls, and to be∣hold what things the Grace of our Lord hath done for them. It is no less, saith he, than a Festival, and presents us with such goodly spectacles, that one cannot but think he sees in an heart full of God, both Beth∣lehem,

and Golgotha, and the Mount of Olives, and the place of the Resurrection. Shew me a man in whom Christ is formed by a good Conscience, who by the fear of God is nailed to the Cross. Who hath rolled away the burdensome Stone of Worldly Vanity, and being got out of the Tomb of his Body, walks in newness of life. Who leaving the low and creeping life of the World in which he was buried, ascends by the force of lofty desires to the Coelestial Conversation. Who setting his affections on things above, is not weighed down by the weight of his Body, but made so light and aetherial by a purer life, that his flesh becomes like a bright cloud which is willing to mount up with him to the things on high. This per∣son in my judgment deserves to be numbred among those so much celebrated things, in which we may plainly see the Monuments of the kindness of our Lord towards us.

Thus that great Man delivers his opinion to us, and we cannot but readily yield him our assent. These are the Holy Places which we desire to behold. A man dying unto sin, presents us with the fairest sight of Christs Sepulchre. It sets us upon Mount Olivet when we meet with a Soul of a Coelestial Conversa∣tion. And I thank our Lord very much that I see such manifest marks and footsteps of these things in this my friend, in whom the burying, the rising again, and the ascention of Christ is most lively pictured be∣fore mine eyes. As for those places in Palestine where you are going to adore, if they were so little worth in those dayes, I think their price is more faln now: and if they that lived nearer to them thought good to stay at home, it will be a silly piece of super∣stition in us to travel so far in devotion to them.

It is very true, said one of the company, I am con∣vinced by what this person hath discoursed that we need not go to Jerusalem. There is a place nearer at hand of greater Sanctity and richer in all Spiritual treasures, and that is Rome. There as I have been in∣formed you may see several Pilgrims (and in time may have that honour your self) who dine every day in the presence of the Vicar of Christ, & that of meat from his own Table, & blessed by his own most holy hands. This methinks is a great deal better then to kiss a cold stone, or to take a mouth full of air on the top of a Moun∣tain. And besides this which is the least part of their entertainment, there is more excellent provision made for their Souls;* 1.11 the Church of St. John Lateran afford∣ing no less then forty eight years of pardon every day in the year, together with the pardon of the third part of all a mans sins. And if you would have some other kind of food for your souls which is more visible, there is in that Church to be beheld among other reliques, some of the fragments of the five barly loaves and the two fishes wherewith Christ fed five thousand men. Some poor body I suppose on whom they might be be∣stow'd after dinner brought them thither, being satis∣fied by the meer sight of them, and hoping that others might be so in after times. But the more probable opinion is (since the poor and rich were admitted to that feast) that the fragments falling to the share of those that waited at the Table, and there being just twelve Baskets full in all, each of the twelve Apo∣stles had one for his portion; and that St. Peter saved his that he might bring it to Rome of which he fore∣saw that he should be made Bishop. But to return to what I began to say concerning the pardon of sin which I suppose you all most earnestly desire. The

liberal grant already mentioned is but a mite to those vast treasures which two Popes indowed that Church withall, who gave thereto so many Indulgences as none can number save God alone. So my Author tells me, and if you doubt of it Pope Boniface witnesses to the truth of it in these words; If men, saith he, did but know the Indulgences belonging to the Church of St. John and how many they were, they would never go so far beyond the Sea as to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, but would rather spare so great a labour. For grant that they are absolved there both from the guilt and also from the punishment of their sins, this is no more then they have nearer at hand in the Church of St. John. And do you not think it is a good bargain for a man to forsake totally his riches and lands and such like things, that he may purchase such an incre∣dible mass of Spiritual and Divine riches? And yet you need not do so much; it is but going thither and leav∣ing your goods for a time, and then besides all these blessings, you shall come loadned home with a great deal more pretious commodities, such as Agnus Dei's, Holy Pictures, Blessed Bread, Sanctified Wood, and a great many other invaluable Jewels.

To this discourse when one listned very devoutly and askt him if a man might have all this Wealth at no greater charges but only going for it; He was a little at a stand. And told him that his words were not so to be interpreted as if he might go fetch such great blessings and carry no money with him; for there is nothing to be had at Rome unless you buy it. It is not to be expected that they should make Holy things so cheap as to give them away for asking. It never was so since there were Pilgrimages: But the good men

that undertook them carried their purses full of mo∣ney, and exchanged it for holy Crosses, blessed Grains and such like things as I now mentioned. For else how could it be that one Monastery in Helvetia should be inriched so much by the offerings of Pilgrims who came thither, that it was able to take away the Tiles that covered it and instead thereof to lay on plates of Gold and Silver? But I hope then, replyed the other, that I shall find all that true which you have said and obtain so many pardons as you promise which indeed I am willing to purchase at any rate. O Sir, said He again, you need not doubt at all of it. I have told you nothing yet of the Holiness of that place and the beau∣ty of the Church. Which is not so much the Mistress of the World, as the Mother of the Faithful, the most indulgent Mother that ever was. There is none can tell the vastness of her Exchequer and the liberal sums which issue out thence unto her children: in com∣pare with which all that she receives from them is not worth the naming. In a little Chappel of that Church of St. John forementioned, there is remission for all sins to be had every day. And not far from it, there is a place of that holiness that you may have no less then three and thirty thousand years of pardon, for once going up a pair of stairs. Is it possible said the other? Sure this is either not believed, or not known, for otherwise all the World would go thither to be de∣livered from their sins. There is none I assure you re∣plyed he, but Hereticks who question the truth of it, and I cannot tell why men are so negligent of their Salvation as not to flock more then they do to that Holy City. The thing is plain enough, or was so not long ago (and I doubt not of the care of the Church to preserve things of such value) for there is an ascent

of three and thirty steps, and how oft soever any man devoutly goes up to the top of it, for every step he hath a thousand years of pardon. And wonder not at the thing, for these steps you must know were brought from Jerusalem and are the very same which Christ ascended when he went up before Pontius Pilate to be judged by him. The women indeed may take it ill that they are not suffered to come into this Chappel (it being called the Holy of Holies); and to say the truth I was much grieved for them when I first heard this, because I know that they have Souls as well as we, and Sins too. But afterward having more diligently searched into the matter I found that they will be no great losers by being shut out of this very Sacred place. For though I do not know where they can get so many years of pardon at once, yet it is provided that they may have enough; and lest they should mur∣mur, I can tell them this for their comfort, that they may obtain them without the labour of going up a pair of stairs. For let but any Pilgrim of either sex, and at any time of the year go to visit the Church of St. Paul and there are granted to all and every of them by three gracious Popes no less then nine thousand years of Pardon.* 1.12 But if any one be so great a sinner that he thinks all this is not sufficient, he may know that there are in the Church of St. Peter so m ny In∣dulgences that they are past numbring. And yet in the Holy time of Lent, how many soever they be,* 1.13 they are all doubled. I suppose that you will think it need∣less to have any more then all these, but if you are afraid, and would be still furnished with some additi∣onal Indulgences; it is but going to the Church of St. Mary of the People, and to those of St. Vitus, Mode∣stus,* 1.14 and a thousand Martyrs, and there you may have

a great many thousand years of pardon more for every day, and besides as many fortieth parts if you think them of any worth, after so large a stock which sure you will never be able to spend.

Perhaps, said the Father, it was intended that he should lend some to his poor neighbours if he have no use of all this treasure himself, for some of them may not be able to go thither. And therefore in my mind (if all this be true) a man ought not to refuse the least bit of the Charity of the Church, but go to all these places and bring away as many Ages of Pardon as ever he can; that so he may be charitable unto others. No such matter, answered the other, they will do no good to those that do not go to fetch them; being the re∣ward of the labour and pains that a man takes in a te∣dious Pilgrimage. But then, said he again, me thinks the Church should be so charitable as to send greater store then it doth of these blessings to them that are not able to take a journey for them. And it hath made me wonder very much that Rome should be so holy a place, and that a pair of stairs there should be of so great vertue, as to procure greater favours then the blood of Jesus Christ himself in any other Country. For I have read that a little glass full of it was procured from the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Master of the Templars and sent to Henry the third King of England,* 1.15 and by him carried in great devotion on his bare feet and in a beggars habit from the Church of St. Paul to that of St. Peters at Westminster: and yet there were but six years of pardon and an hundred and sixteen (or at the most forty) dayes, granted to those that should come to worship that holy Relique. Doth it not seem to you very unreasonable that the steps on

which he trod should exceed so much in efficacy the blood which he shed? Is there not a vast disproporti∣on between three and thirty thousand years of pardon which the former procures, and six poor years which the later bestows? How comes it to pass that the Pope would do no greater honour to his blood, especially since they paid so dearly for it? For you must know that it was sent to comfort the people of England after he had miserably oppressed them, by levying huge sums of money and excommunicating all that refused to pay them. It seems to me as if the Blood of Christ it self could do little or nothing unless it be at Rome. And yet that is not the business neither, for smaller things can do greater matters when the Pope pleaseth. It is not many years agone since Clement 8. sent some bags full of little Crosses and blessed Grains to be distributed among the people of France, accompanied with this Indulgence; that whosoever had some of these grains in his Beads, should obtain an hundred years of pardon for every kiss that he should at any time bestow upon them. Here was a liberal grant indeed. You see what your holy Father can do if he list by little trifles of his own making. And therefore all that I am able to con∣clude is only this, that nothing can work any more then the Pope will let it, no not the blood of Jesus Christ. And that he was more stern in those dayes when the English were enslaved to him; and now he is grown better natur'd, and studies by his kindness to oblige his subjects; lest they should all shake off the yoke he layes upon them. Or if you had rather so conceive it, there is nothing that he can part withall unless you pay for it: only now and then he affords you a better pennyworth and lets you have more for your money then at other times, that he may gain your

custom and induce you to trust him so much as to suffer him to use you as he pleases. And truly he used our forefathers so hardly, that I wonder they continued his chapmen so long. He put such base commodities, such counterfeit ware into their hands that I cannot tell what should keep them from discovering the cheat. I am ashamed when I think what fools he made of them: and how he used them like little infants, imposing what he thought good upon their belief. It makes me blush to reflect on all the toyes wherewith he gull'd them of their money. He seems to have had them in such servitude that he had scarce left them any Souls of their own, but rifled them of all their reason. For was it not a strange sottishness to believe that he had bottled up the blood of Christ, which we know was carried into the Heavens with Him, that He might appear therewith before God for us and perfect our expiation? And yet there were a thousand of these tales that passed for currant truth. Nay a Frier of Gaunt was wont to say that these godly frauds and cosenages were the Milk which St. Paul gave to Babes, as being unable to digest the harder meat. Since He intended therefore to keep the World alwayes in its swadling clouts, those Nurses to whom he committed his children fed them with little else but this Milk. Of which their Bottles were so full, that it was held by wise men as good an argument to say,* 1.16 He is a Frier, therefore he is a Lyer; as to say, This is White, there∣fore it hath a colour. It would be only to deflowre the time, or else I could give you a large catalogue of their forgeries. And if this little that hath been said will not serve to open your eyes to see the fraud, you may go on to traffique with Rome as those before you have done. But if it vend such Merchandise as this

me-thinks you should judge it no more to your profit to go thither then into Turky; and that City should be as little in your thoughts as the earthly Jeru∣salem.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luc. Mari∣naeus de Reliq.
• * 1.2

  Erasm. Colloq. peregr. Rell. ergò.
• * 1.3

  1 King 18.27. & v. Isa. 44.1 52 16, 17.
• * 1.4

  2 Kings 23.13.
• * 1.5

  Hos. 4.15.
• * 1.6

  Tertul. adv. Valent.
• * 1.7

  v. Rhem. Test.
• * 1.8

  Pits. l. 3. cap. 2. de peregr.
• * 1.9

  V. P••ts. p. 105.
• * 1.10

  Orat. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.11

  Fiscus Pa∣palis. cap. 2.
• * 1.12

  Ib cap. 5.
• * 1.13

  Cap. 4.
• * 1.14

  Cap. 14.
• * 1.15

  Math. Pa∣ris. & Math. West. An. 1247. ••••t. 1250.
• * 1.16

  Walsingh. Rich. 2.