hen this is too great a blindness, a
darkness too sensible, that these should be so commended in sermons of
some men, and preached to be done after such manner, as though they could
not be evil done; which, notwithstanding, are such, that neither God nor
man commandeth them to be done. No, rather, men commanded them either
not to be done at all, or else more slowlier and seldomer to be done,
forasmuch as our ancestors made this constitution: "We command the
priests that they oft admonish the people, and in especial women, that
they make no vows but after long deliberation, consent of their husbands
and counsel of the priest." The church of England in time past made this
constitution. What saw they that made this decree? They saw the
intolerable abuses of images. They saw the perils that might ensue of
going on pilgrimage. They saw the superstitious difference that men made
between image and image. Surely, somewhat they saw. The constitution is
so made, that in manner it taketh away all such pilgrimages. For it so
plucketh away the abuse of them, that it leaveth either none or else
seldom use of them. For they that restrain making vows for going of
pilgrimage, restrain also pilgrimage; seeing that for the most part it is
seen that few go on pilgrimage but vow-makers, and such as by promise
bind themselves to go. And when, I pray you, should a man's wife go on
pilgrimage, if she went not before she had well debated the matter with
herself, and obtained the consent of her husband, being a wise man, and
were also counselled by a learned priest so to do? When should she go
far off to these famous images? For this the common people of England
think to be going on pilgrimage; to go to some dead and notable image out
of town, that is to say, far from their house. Now if your forefathers
made this constitution, and yet thereby did nothing, the abuses every day
more and more increased, what is left for you to do? Brethren and
fathers, if ye purpose to do any thing, what should ye sooner do, than to
take utterly away these deceitful and juggling images; or else, if ye
know any other mean to put away abuses, to shew it, if ye intend to
remove abuses? Methink it should be grateful and pleasant to you to mark
the earnest mind of your forefathers, and to look upon their desire where
they say in their constitution, "We _command_ you," and not, "We
_counsel_ you." How have we been so long a-cold, so long slack in
setting