A Manual for True Catholics, To the reader – Colophon
To the Reader.
SEe, Chriſtian brother, how in the worſt times they were prepared to die, and commended to God: if the ancient books did not proclaime this truth, ſome would not beleeue but that they had been made in this latter time. But ſeeing the truth cannot be denied, I deſire thee with me to obſerue theſe few collections ariſing out of due conſideration of the premiſſes.
1. Heere is anſwere to that great queſtion, how our forefathers were ſaued, euen by the ſame faith as we are at this day.
2. How truly Chriſt performed his promiſe, namely, that the gates of hell ſhould not preuaile againſt the true faith, for ſo we ſee that in the vileſt times this Faith hath beene preſerued.
3. Obſerue how here is no touch, nor once mention of Purgatory, nor of any thing to be done for their good after this life.
4. Here is no relation to any pardons or indulgences from the Pope.
5. Here is no neceſsity laid downe of ſending for a Prieſt to bring his Hoſte, and his Pix, and his holy water, and his Taper: Theſe matters, it ſeemes, are rather commanded & preſſed vponupon the people by the Romiſh Cleargie▪ then much regarded by the wiſer, and godlier ſort of our forefathers: neither are they commanded to ſtay till the Prieſt come, but (ſaith the booke) let theſe prayers bee ſaid, and the Commendation of his ſoule, by one of the byſtanders.
Laſtly, let it bee obſerued, that in all theſe prayers and commendations, and queſtions (and theſe ſaith the booke are all that be of neceſsity to be ſaid) here is not one ſmack of Popiſh idolarry, or ſuperſtition.
In theſe reſpects I hauehave thought it no needleſſe labour to communicate theſe to thee (deere brother,) I know there be ſtore of godly prayers and meditations already extant. But theſe are of a ſpecial vſe more then others and are venerable for their antiquity. And are to be the more welcome, becauſe God preſerued thē in the hands of our very enemies. And thogh they were mingled with other things not ſo good, yetHieronym. ad Laetum. Grandis prudentiae eſt aurum in luto quaerere. let vsus know as S. Hierome tels vsus, that it is no ſmall point of wiſdome, to ſeeke out gold out of mire and clay.
Make vſe of theſe, and helpe mee with thy prayers, and thou ſhalt ſhortly (if God permit) bee pertaker of more.
FINIS.
TAM ROBVR. TAM ROBOR. NI-COLIS ARBOR IOVIS. 1610.
LONDON, Printed for Leonard Becket, and are to be ſold at his Shop in the Temple neere the Church, 1611.
End of the text · William Crashaw, A Manual for True Catholics (1611)