A DEFENCE OF D r. TENISON's SERMON OF Discretion in Giving Alms. Written in a LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF THE Apology for the Pulpits. A DEFENCE OF Dr. Tensions SERMON OF Discretion in Giving Alms, etc. SIR, I Have here sent you, according to my promise, The defence of my Printed Sermon: you may please to use it as you see occasion. Though I have been a Preacher many years, yet, not perceiving any want of Printed Sermons, I never was prevailed with to publish more than one. It was a Sermon preached at St. Sepulchers Church in London, instead of the Spitall, upon Wednesday in Easter-Week, April the sixth 1681. It was then a Thing in course to print such Spitall Sermons at the request of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen: and with their Request I complied. I was the more inclined to do it, because I had seen little upon that Subject [Discretion in giving Alms;] and yet I had very often observed, that Alms, by a careless and unskilful distribution of them, fell unprofitably to the ground. And I did believe it to be one part of Charity to give caution to the Rich for the Advantage of the true Objects of their Liberality. I am not surprised at the offence which some have taken at this Sermon; for it touches a very tender part, when it touches their gain. Those who have appeared against it are two persons of the Roman Communion; The Author of the Advice to Pulpits, and Mr. A. Pulton, Jesuit. The first of these, the Author of Advice to Pulpits (who is of the number of those forward Men who give Counsel when they stand in need of it) has picked out the following passage, which, by the mention of Indulgences (which tempt loose men to say to their Souls; Souls take your Ease, you have pardons laid up for many Years;) is become very grievous to Him and his Follower. a Good Advice to the Pulpits, p. 39 Tho. Tenison at S. Sepul. 6. Apr. 1081. p. 16. There is great boast made of Alms in the Romish Church, they sound the trumpet of them perpetually in our Ears. But what is the End to which a great part of this Charity tendeth?— The Scope they too often vainly aim at, is the Blessing of a presumed Saint, who is ignorant of them; Security from the External force of Evil Spirits, by the charms, and spells of Monkish Conjuration, a sort of Ecclesiastic Magic, which those very Spirits invent and encourage— Nay sometimes the Scope is that very wicked one of compounding with Heaven by their liberal Alms, for their unforsaken Sins. And here in this Nation (whilst the Island was enchanted with Popery) there were granted Indulgences even for what they call Deadly Sins, for many thousand Years to come. Here these Remarks may (I think) be made, without impertinence: 1. He first leaves out these Words [frequently the Motive which persuades them is extremely selfish, and the means they use are extravagantly indiscreet] then he drops those betwixt encourage, P. 16. and Nay. — Avoidance of those causeless Curses and anathemas which are with Terror denounced from their Seven hilled counterfeit Sinai; Preservation from, or deliverance out of, the imaginary flames of Purgatory, blown on purpose by Jesuitick breath for the melting of the Treasures of credulous people; Canonization, as scandalous as it is chargeable, P. 17. and performed in such manner, that, according to the Note of Cardinal Bessarion, the making of their New Saints doth move some sceptical Men to question the Old ones. He leaves out these Words; which are not far from those he cited. The things they purchase as conducive to these ends, P. 17. are the Wares of dark imposture; namely, such as these. Shrines, Images, Lamps, Incense, Holy Water, Agnus Dei's, Blessed grains, Roses, Pebbles, Rings, Beads, Relics, Pardons, Masses, Diriges, and Soul-Obits; the goodly Inventory of Superstition. This, it seems, was too particular for the purpose of Men who deal in generals which admit of less discovery. 2. Whilst he recites the Charge [of Indulgences granted even for what they call deadly Sins for many thousands of years to come] he leaves out the Proof of it; Printed in the Margin in these words, Horae B. M. add us. Sar. Fol. 66. Who that devoutly say [these three Prayers] shall obtain ten hundred thousand years of Pardon for deadly Sins, granted by our Holy Father John 22d. P. of R. 3. He allows, that the Practice with which the Church of Rome is hore charged is, in its Nature, very wicked. Otherwise, why does he bring this part of my Sermon as an instance (under his third Caution) of exposing the Roman Church, P. 30, 31. and laying on blacker Colours than justly belong to her? 4. There remains then, nothing but the Proof of this Charge; and that is Printed with the Charge, but left out by this Censurer; that his party who read on one side only, may believe my words to be malicious Slanders, without any ground for their support. For Mr. Poulton, either he had Read my Sermon, or he trusted to the Book of the Adviser. If he trusted to him, he was deceived by him; and he ought not, at adventure, and with a mixture of credulity and confidence, to have accused me falsely; much less in Public. If he read my Sermon himself, than the words he used in reproaching me, and in discouraging people from hearing of me, are a Demonstration of a wilful Malice: for these are the Expressions he used in his Afternoons-Exercise at the Savoy-Mass-House, on November the twenty seventh last past; of which the Effects have been, a further discovery of his rash and insincere dealing, and the People's Contempt of his useless Admonition. Mr. Pulton's Avicen.— Therefore, I say, if there be any of your Preachers tell you in their Sermons, that the Roman Catholics do believe and do those things, which 'tis evident We do not, you ought to have the greater Care of them: I shall not mention the Names of any; they are done in an excellent Book lately published, Entitled Good Advice to the Pulpits, which I would have every one here read and have by them; wherein you'll find an Eminent Doctor (or one that is so thought to be) in his Sermon taking occasion to lay this Calumny on the Church of Rome, viz. that the Pope has ofttimes granted his Bulls of Indulgence for many years' sins unrepented of; and that it has been, and is a common Practice: Now I say, that this is notoriously false; for I would said have this Doctor discover by whom these Bulls have been granted? what time? in what place, & c? Or else 'tis a palpable imposture, and abuse both to us and his Auditory; and there when he goes thus to misinform six hundred, or more, that come at a time to hear him Preach the truth of the Gospel, they ought to have a Care how they trust him for the future. 1. Now here Mr. Pulton has added both to the words in the Adviser's Book, and to those in my Sermon. I say sometimes, and He makes me to say that it has been and is a common Practice. I did not say it; but how nigh I should have come to Truth, if it had been said by me, will by and by appear. 2. The Reader has here a farther Exemplification of Mr. Pulton's Method in disputing or managing a Conference. He has Proofs given him, and he takes no notice of them, and goes on ask, Where are they, & c.? I had cited the Book, the Indulgence, the Pope that granted it; and he cries out, by whom was it granted? at what time? and what place? this 'tis to have been refined by Travel, and to have stayed eighteen Years out of the dull Air of England. 3. But, seeing Mr. Pulton is so much upon Inquiry, I will give him my first Proof more at length; and then several other Instances, (though not, all of them, of so high a strain) out of the same Authentic Book, in which the Rubrics, which mention the Indulgences, are printed in English; but the Prayers are in Latin. For some believe them to be, in this, like Charms, which have the more Virtue, the less they are understood. Horae B. Virgins Mariae ad usum Sarisburiensem, Fol. 66. Paris. 1526. THese 3. Prayers be written in the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Rome, otherwise called Sacellum sanctae Crucis septem Romanorum: who that devoutly say them, shall obtain 1000000. of yers of Pardon for deedly Sins granted of our holy Father John 22. Pope of Rome. Pater Noster Ave. Oratio. Domine Jesus Christ, etc. TO all them that before this Image of pity devoutly say 5. Fol. 54. 1. Pater Noster and 5. Abes, and a Credo, piteously beholding these Arms of Crysts Passion are granted 32755. years of Pardon. And Sixtus the 4th Pope of Rome hath made the fourth and fifth Prayer, and hath doubulled his foresaid Pardon. Adoro te Domine Jesus Christ in Cruse pendentem, etc. THis epistle of our Saviour sendeth our holy Father Pope Leo to the Emperor Carolo Magno, Fol. 66. p. 1. of the which we syndest written, who that beareth this Blessing upon him and saith it ones a day, shall obtain forty year Pardon, and 80. Lenttyge. And he shall not perish with sudden death. Crux X. Christi sit mecum. Crux X. est quam semper adoro, etc. OUr holy Father Pope John the 22. Fol. 58. p. 2. hath granted a hundred days of Pardon to all them that say this Prayer at the Elevacyon of our Lord Jesus christ. Oratio. Ave Caro Christi Chara immolata Crucis ara, etc. OUr holy Father Innocentius Pope of Rome, Fol. 59 p. 1. hath granted seven year of Pardon to all them that say this Prayer devoutly at the Elevacyon of our Lord in the Mass. Oratio. Salve lux mundi: Verbum Patris, etc. THis Prayer was showed unto St. Augustine by Revelacyon of the Holy ghost, Fol. 62. p. 2. and who that devoutly say this Prayer or hire read or beareth about them shall not perish in Fire or Water nother in Battil or Judgement and he shall not die of sodyn Death, and no Venym shall poysmn him that day; and what he asketh of God he shall obtain, if it be to the salvation of his Soul; and when thy Soul shall depart from thy Body, it shall not enter to Hell. Pater Noster. Ave Maria. Deus propicius esto mihi, etc. THese 5. Petitions and Prayers made by St. Gregory, Fol. 65. p. 1. and hath granted unto all them that devouted say these 5. Prayers, with 5. Pater Noster, 5. The Maria, and a Credo, 500 years of Pardon. Oratio. Ave Manus Dextera Christi etc. THis Prayer shall ye say in the Worship of all the blessed members of christ devoutly: Fol. 65. p. 2. and ye shall have 300. days of Pardon for every Salve. Oratio. Salve tremendum cunctis potestatibus Caput etc. THis Prayer is made by our Holy Father the John the 22. Fol. 66. p. 2. and he hath granted unto all them that devoutly say this Prayer beholding the glorious visage or vernakell of our Lord, 10000 days of Pardon: and they that kann not say this Prayer, let them say 5. Pater Noster, 5. Abes, and 5. Credo in Deum. Salve Sancta facies Nostri Redemptoris etc. AN other Oryson to the blessed Vernacle of our Lord, Fol. 67. p. 2. who that saith it devoutly shall have 3. yers of Pardon, granted by our Holy Father the Pope Innocentius. Oratio. Ave facies praeclara etc. WHo that devoutly beholdeth This Arms of our Lord Jesus christ, Fol. 68 p. 2. shall obtain 6000. yers of Pardon of our Holy Father St. Peter the fyrste Pope of Rome, and of 30. other Popes of the church of Rome successors after him, and our Holy Father Pope John the 22. hath granted unto all them very contrite and truly confessed, that say these devout Prayers following in the commemoration of the bitter passion of our Lord Jesus christ 3000. years of Pardon for deedly Sins, and other 3000. for venial Sins, and say fyrste a Pater Noster and The Maria. Oratio. Dirupisti Domine Vincula mea etc. THis Prayer made the holy Doctor St. Ambros of all the articles of Crystus passion, Fol. 70. p. 1. and our holy Father Anastasius the Pope hath granted to all them that devoutly say it five hondreth days of Pardon. Oratio. Domine Jesus Christ etc. OUr holy Father Pope Innocentius the 2d. hath granted to all them that say this Prayer devoutly in the Worship of the wound that our Lord had in his blessed side when he was deed, Fol. 71. p. 2. hanging in the Crosse. 4000 days of Pardon. Pater Noster. The Maria. Oratio. Ave Vulnus Lateris Nostri Salvatoris etc. Oratio Sancti Bernardi de Senis Ordinis Minorum. THis moost devoutly prayer said the Holy Father Saint Bernard daily knelying in the Worship of the most holy name Jesus. Fol. 72. p. 1, 2. And it is well to believe, that through the Invocation of the most Excellent name of Jesus St. Bernard obtained a singular ward of perpetual consolation of our Lord Jesus christ. And this Prayer is written in a thabell that haunged at Rome in St. Peter's church ne'er to the high Awter there as our holy Fader the Pope evely is wounte to say the office of the Mass; and who that devoutly with a Contryte heart daily say this orison, if he be that day in the state of eternal damnation, than this eternal pain shall be changed him in temporal pain of purgatory, it shall be forgotten and forgyven throw the infinite mercy of God. Pater Noster. The Maria. Oratio. O bone Jesus. O dulcis Jesus. O Jesus fili Mariae. etc. Fol. 79. p. 1. ALexander the 6th Pope of Rome hath granted to all them that say this Prayer devoutly in the worship of St. Anna, and our Lady and her Son Jesus 10000 yers of Pardon for deedly Sins totiens quotiens. Oratio. Ave Maria gratiâ plena Dominus tecum etc. ANother devout Prayer to be said before the image of St. Anna, Fol. 79. p. 1. Maria and Jesus: of the which Raymundus the Cardinal and Legate hath granted a 100 days of Pardon totiens quotiens. Oratio. Quotquot Maris sunt guttae & arenae, terrae grana etc. A After all this, Mr. P. may, perhaps, offer at an Evasion, and allege, that Prayers, without Money, procure Indulgence. Be it one way or other, they have found out an easy method of comforting Sinners. My Sermon speaks of the Money under the name of Alms. But Pope Leo called it a Tax; and the Council of Trent in one place calls it Alms, and Gain in another a Sess. 22. c. 9 p. 230. Sess. 25. decret. de Indulgentiis. p. 388. They take it under the name of Alms; but, no Penny, no Indulgence, if the Penny be to be had. And when a Pope grants one, he grants to the dispensers, as great a temporal benefit as if he had given them a Toll, a Fair, or a Mercat. The Jesuit Escobar (in his Book taken from the works of 24. Jesuits, and printed 37 times in Spain, and thrice at Lions and once at Brussels,) says something of this nature, but elsewhere more is told. a Escob. Mor. Theol. Tract. 7. Exam. 5. de Indulgentiis, p. 1055. Indicitur Eleemosyna ad indulgentiae lucrationem: sufficit quaelibet? sufficit obolus si non indicatur fieri cum proportione ad facultates. Quid si pauper vel obolo careat? Commutandam Eleemosynam in aliud pium opus aliqui asseruere. Ast Ego cum Antonio Fernandez de Corduba part. 3. c. 7. § 8. n. 3. affirmo mentem esse Pontificis, quod qui Eleemosynam exhi●ere non potest, absque ullâ Commutatione indulgentiam consequatur. Is an Alms exacted for the gaining of an Indulgence: does any suffice? A halfpenny sufficeth, if it be not declared that it is done proportionably to the fortunes of the Giver. But what if a poor Man has not so much as an halfpenny? Some have asserted that in such a case there should be a Commutation of the Alms into some other pious work. But I, with Anthony Fernandez of Corduba part. 3, c. 7. §. 8. n. 3. do affirm that it is the mind of the Pope that he who is not able to give an Alms, may obtain an Indulgence without any Commuting. It should seem by this Casuist, that Money is the principal matter aimed at. But much more Money has been designed and procured than Escobar's Halfpennys would amount to. For Pope Boniface the ninth made, by his Agents, in one Province above a hundred thousand Florins by selling of Pardons; and he had so great Custom for them, because he gave Indulgence for All Sins without Repentance. So an Author of their own assures us. a Theod. à Ni●m Pontif. seriba & Epise. Verdensis de Schismate, etc. l. 1. c. 68 p. 73. Bonifacius hujusmodi Offertoriis non contentus, etc. ad diversa Regna misit Quaestuarios vendendo dictam Indulgentiam offerentibus tantum, quantum essent expensuri in viâ si proptertà ivissent ad urbem. Et hujusmodi Exactores seu Questuarii etiam maximas summas pecuniarum à simplicibus seu Barbaris subtiliter extorserunt, ita aliquando in uno regno seu in unâ provinciâ hujusmodi venditionibus ultra centum millia Florenorum reportarunt, quia Oinnia peccata etiam Sine poenitentia Ipsis Confitentibus yelaxarunt. Super quibuslibet irregularitatibus dispensarunt interventu pecuniae, etc. It is true, other Alms are sometimes required, but together with them there goes Money for the special Masses, as in the following Example, which I have transcribed from the End of an Ancient Roman office in MS. What Man or Woman, that causeth or maketh thighs Messes foloving devoteli to be saed for themselves or for any other special friend in whatsoever tribulation. need. sickness. or dises that thai be in. thai schal be delivered with the grace of God within. X. daes. And in the same form the Saul of their Friend, schal be pardoned and released. of their panes in Purgatori. First schal be said of the Sondai. a mes in the worschippe of the trinity. being light. iij. candles. and that day fede. iij. poor men. or do. iij. alms dedis. The Moundai a mes in the worship of St. Michael and all the Angels. and light nine candles, and feed nine poor men. or do. ix. alms dedis. The Tisedai a mes of Saint John Evangle. and light iiij. candles. and feed iiij. poor men, or do iiij. alms dedis. The Weddonsdai a mes of Saint Peter and other apostles. and light. xii. candles. and feed xii. poor men. or do xii. alms dedis. The Thorisdai a mes of the holi ghost and light seven. candles, and feed seven. poor men. or do seven. alms dedis. The Fridai a mes of the holi cross. and light v. candles. and fede. v. poor men. or do. v. alms dedis. The Saterdai a mes of our Ladi and light a candle. and feed a por man. or do a alms deed. And at ich on of thighs messes v must be, offered after the power and devotion of them that causeth thighs messes to be said. and verali thorow goddis merci this praer within short time shall be hard of God, and sai this holi imp Ueni sancte spiritus within seven. Verses and this versicul. Emitte spiritum tuum & creabuntur. And this Collet following. S. Deus qui corda fidelium. If this be too ancient and out of Date, I will offer one, which is more Modern; in which, though the gaining of Money is not proposed, yet great Superstition appears, and the easiness of Penance. Indulgenze che la santita' din. Signore Clement Papa K. concede alle Corone, Rosarii Imagini, Croci, e Medaglie benedette, in occasione della Canonizatione de Santi Confessori Gaetano, Francisco Borgia, Filippo Benizio, Lodovico Beltrando, e di Santa Rosa Vergine del Peru. CHi sarà solito dire, una volta almeno la settimana, la Corona del Signore, ò della Madonna, ò'l Rosario, ò lafoy sua terza parte, ò l' Officio Divino, ò piccolo della Madonna. ò d'ye Morti, overo i set Salmi Penitenzialè, ò Graduali, overo haver à per usanza di visitare i carcerati, ò di souvenire i poveri, ò di far per un quarto d'hora almeno, orazion mentale; se confessandosi da Confessore approvato dall' Ordinario, e communicandosi in qualsivoglia delle Feste del Signorè, e della B. V. che celebra la S. Chiesa, cio è Natività, Circoncisione, Epifania, Resurrezione, Ascensione, Pentecoste, Trinità, e Corpus Domini; Concezione, Natività, Presentazione, Visitazione, Annunziazione, Purificazione, & Assunzione della B. V. ò nel giorno della Natività di S. Gio. Battista, ò de SS. Apostoli Petro, Paolo, ò dell' uno dè sudettis cinque Sancti Canonizati, ò de tutti i santi, ò della dedicazione della propria Chiesa, ò del Padrone, ò Titolo di essa, devotament pregarà Dio per l'estirpazione dell' Eresie, e per la Propagazione della Feed Cattolica, e per alter necessita della santa Madre Chiesa, ogni volta conseguisca Indulgenza plenaria. Chi digiuner à la vigilia di ciasche duno d'ye sudettis cinque santi, e confessato si communicherà nec giorno della sua festa, e pregherà come sopra, acquisterà ogni volta Indulgenza plenaria. Chi dira messa, overo confessato, e communicato l' udirà, all' Altar dove sia l' imagine, ò'l corpo, ò qualche reliquia d'uno d'ye Sudettis Santi, in un giorno di ciasche dun mese à sua elezione, pregando come sopra, acquisti Indulgenza plenaria. Chi pentito d'ye suoi peccati, con proposito d' emendarsi, visiterà in un'istesso giorno set chiefe à sua elezione, e dove set Chiese non sieno, visitarà tutte quelle, che vi sono, & essendovene solo una visitarà tutti gl' Altari di essa; similment pregando per l'esterpazione dell' Eresie, etc. una volta l' anno guadagni l' Indulgenze delle set Chiese di Roma. Chi pensera devotamente à qualche Mistero della Passione di Nostro Signore, & à riverenzà della medesima Passione bacierà humilment la terra set volte, in quel giorno acquisterà l' Indulgenza della Scala santa, e ciò una volta l' anno. Chi farà un' atto di pentimento vero de suoi peccati, confermo proposito d' emendarsene, ò ch'serciterà qualche atto di virtu ad esempio d'ye sudettis Santi, guadagni ogni volta set anni, & altretante quarantene d' Indulgenza. Chi leggerà qualche Capitolo della Vica de sudettis Santi, ò viseterà il loro Altar, ò venererà la loro imagine, pregando per l'estaltazione di santa Chiesa, e per la conversione de peccatori, guadagni ogni volta cento giorni de Indulgenza. Chiunque si eserciter à nella divozione del Santissimo Sacramento dell' Altar, ò della Vergine meditando quel Mistero, e i beneficii, che à not ne dirivano, overo compatendo à i dolori, che senti la Beatissima Vergine per la Passione, e morte del Figlio, ò in altra forma vener ando il Santissimo Sacramento, e pregando per i visogni della Santa Chiesa, guadagni ogni volta cento giorni d' Indulgenza. Chi farà qualche limosina a' poveri, overo compatendo à i dolori gìistruirà nelle cose della Feed, ò buoni costumi, ò pure opererà, che ciò si faccia da altri, ogni volta guadagni cento giorni d' Indulgenza. Chi stando in Roma, ò nel suo Distretto per lo spazio di venti miglia per legitimo impedimento non potria essere present alla Beneditione solenne, che il sommo Pontefice suol dare nel giorno di Pasqua, e dell' Ascensione, se confessato, e communicato, preghera per l'estirpazione dell' Eresie, etc. acquisterà l' Indulgenza come se fosse present: lafoy quale Indulgenza conseguirà pariment chi starà fuori di Roma, e di tall Discretto, in qualunque luogo si sia, bench egli non sia impedito, facendo le cose sudette. Chi raccommanderà devotament à Dio in articolo di morte l'anima sua, & insieme ricorrerà all' intercessione de sudettis Santi ò d' uno di essi con la bocca, ò, non potendo, col cuore, essendosi confessato, e communicato, ò, non potendo, almeno contrito, conseguisca plenaria Indulgenza de suoi peccati. Che ciascuna delle soprad. Indulgenze si possa applicare all' anime del Purgatorio per modo di suffragio. Per acquistore le sopradette Indulgenze basta havere una Corona, ò Medaglia, etc. benedetta da sua santità con le medesime Indulgenze, facendo gl' atti prescritti, come sopra, bench per altro si douvessero fare per obligo. Commanda sua Santità, che nella distribuzione, & uso di quest Medaglie, Corone, etc. si osserui il Decreto della fe. mem. di Alessandro VII. stampato sotto li 6. Febraro 1657. cioè, che le Medaglie, Corone, etc. benedette con le sopradette Indulgenze non passino la parsona di quelle, à quali sar anno consedute, ò à quali da questi saranno distribuite per la prima volta; e che non possano prestarsi ad altri, ò darsi precariament, altrimenti perdano l'Indulgenza, che anno; e che per dendosene una, non se ne possa sostituire in suo luogo un altra, non ostente qualunque concessione, ò priulegio in contrario. Sua santità prohibisce la stampa di quest Indulgenze in ogni altro luogo, fuori di Roma. Michael Angelo Ricci Secretary In Roma, Nella Stamperiadella Rev. Cam. Apost. 1676. Con licenza de'Superiori. Indulgences which his Holiness our Lord Pope Clement the X. grants to Crowns, Rosaries, Images, Crosses and Medals, blessed upon the Occasion of Canonising the Saints and Confessors Gaetano, Francisco Borgia, Philippo Benizio, Lodowico Beltrando, and of St. Rosa a Virgin of Peru. WHosoever shall use to say, at lest once in the Week, the Crown of our Lord, or of our Lady, or the rosary, or the third part of it, or the Divino Office of our Lady, or of the Dead; or else the seven Penitential Psalms, or the Graduals, or shall use to visit Prisoners, or to relieve the Poor, or to make mental Prayer for at least a quarter of an hour, confessing himself to a Confessor, approved by the Ordinary, and communicating upon any of the holidays of our Lord, and of the Blessed Virgin, which Holy Church does celebrate; that is to say, Christmas, the Circumcision, Epiphany, the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi; The Conception, Nativity, Presentation, Visitation, Annunciation, Purification, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, or on the day of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, or of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul; or of one of the abovesaid five Canonised Saints, or of All Saints, or of the Dedication of his own Church, or of the Patron and Title of it, shall devoutly pray to God for the rooting out of Heresy, and for the Propagation of the Catholic Faith, and for the other Necessities of Holy Mother Church, shall every time obtain Plenary Indulgence. Whosoever shall fast the Eve of every one of the abovesaid five Saints, and having confessed, shall communicate upon their Holiday and shall pray, as has been directed, shall every time obtain Plenary Indulgence. Whosoever shall say Mass, or being confessed and communicated shall hear it at an Altar where the Image or Body, or some Relic of one of the abovesaid Saints shall be, upon any day of every Month, at his own choice praying, as above, shall obtain Plenary Indulgence. Whosoever repenting of his Sins, with purpose of Amendment, shall visit in one day seven Churches at his own Choice; and where there be not seven, shall visit all that there be; and where there is but one, shall visit all the Altars of it, praying likewise for the Extirpation of Heresy, etc. once a year, shall obtain the Indulgences of the seven Churches of Rome. Whosoever shall think devoutly upon any Mystery of the Passion of our Lord, and in Reverence of that Passion, shall humbly kiss the Ground seven times, shall obtain upon that day, the Indulgence of the Scala Sancta, and that once every year. Whosoever shall do an Act of true Repentance of his Sins, with true purpose of forsaking them; or shall stir up some Act of Virtue after the Example of the aforesaid Saints, shall every time obtain seven Years, and as many Quarantains of Indulgence. Whosoever shall read some Chapter of the Life of the aforesaid Saints, or shall visit their Altar, or shall Venerate their Image, praying for the Exaltation of Holy Church, and for the Conversion of Sinners, shall every time obtain an hundred days of Indulgence. Whosoever shall exercise himself in the devotion of the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, or of the Virgin, meditating that Mystery, and those Benefits, which are derived to us from thence; or else having a feeling of those Griefs which the Blessed Virgin felt for the Passion and Death of her Son, or in other form adoring the most Holy Sacrament, and praying for the Needs of Holy Church, shall every time obtain a hundred days of Indulgence. Whosoever shall give an Alms to the Poor; or having Compassion of their Sufferings, shall instruct them in Matters of Faith, or good Manners, or shall cause the same to be done by others, shall each time obtain a hundred days of Indulgence. Whosoever being in Rome, or within the space of twenty Miles of it, and cannot be by reason of some Lawful Impediment, present at the solemn Benediction, which the Pope is wont to give upon Easter-day; and Ascension-day; and having confessed and communicated; shall pray for the Extirpation of Heresy, etc. shall obtain the same Indulgence, as if he were present; which Indulgence he likewise shall obtain, who being out of Rome and out of the said distance in any place whatsoever (though he be not hindered) provided he do the abovesaid things. Whosoever shall devoutly recommend the Soul to God in the instant of Death, and together shall have recourse to the Intercession of the abovesaid Saints, or to any one of them, with his Mouth; or not being able to do so, with his Heart, having confessed and communicated, or not being able to do so, being at least Contrite, shall obtain Plenary Indulgence for all his Sins. That every one of the abovesaid Indulgences may be applied to the Souls in Purgatory, by the way of Suffrage. To obtain the abovesaid Indulgences it is sufficient to have a Crown or Medal, etc. blessed by his Holiness with the same Indulgences, doing the Acts appointed, as above, though they were otherwise to be done by Obligation or Duty. His Holiness commands, That in the distribution of these Medals, Crowns, etc. That Decree of Alexander the VII. of happy Memory be observed, which was printed February the 6th. 1657. viz. That the Medals, Crowns, etc. blessed with the abovesaid Indulgences, may not pass from the Person of those, to whom they shall be granted, or to whom they shall be by them distributed for the first time; and that they cannot be lent to another, or given by entreaty; for thereby they lose the Indulgence they have; and one of them being lost, another cannot be substituted in its Place, notwithstanding any Grant or Privilege to the contrary. His Holiness prohibits the printing of these Indulgences in any other place, except Rome. Michael Angelo Ricci Secretary. Rome, In the Printing-House of the Reverend Apostolical Chamber, 1676. With Licence of the Superiors. This is an Indulgence granted by a Pope; And any English Man may see some such thing in his own Country, and granted by a Bishop of a lower Chair: I mean the Inscription containing the Lord Beauchamp's Indulgence. It is written in a very fair Saxon Letter, at the Southeast Corner Pillar of the Choir at Windsor upon a large Tablet, and underneath a Niche in the Wall or Pillar, in which the Book therein mentioned, is supposed to have been put; as also the Cross: It being almost in the manner of one of their smaller Altars. The Inscription is this: Who layed this Book here. The Reverend Fader in God Richard Beauchamp Bishop of this diocese of Sarysbury _____ And wherefore _____ to this intent that Preestes and Ministers of Goddis Church may here have the Occupation thereof saying there in their divyne servyse and for alle other that lystyn to say thereby their devocyon. asketh he any spiritual meed _____ ye asmuch as our Lord list to reward him for his good intent praying every Man wos Dute or Devoytion is Cased by this Book they wool say for him this Commune oryson Domine Jesus Christ, knelying in the Presence of this Holy Cross for the which the Reverend Fader in God aboveseyd hath granted of the Treasure of the Chirche to every Man, XL. dayys of Pardun. This Beauchamp was a Doctor of Law; Afterwards Archdeacon of Suffolk: then Bishop of Hereford, Anno 1448. Thence he was translated to Sarum, Anno 1450. and twenty seven years after this was made Dean of Windsor, viz. Anno 1477. 17th. Edward 4th. He was the first Chancellor of the Garter, he was nearly related to Edward the Fourth. These Pardons so easily obtained cannot but occasion in the People who procure them looseness of Manners; which if it be so offensive to Mr. Pulton's Church and Person, how comes it to pass, that in his Remarks a M. P. Rem. p. 14. he uses these loose Words? The Fathers there Assembled [that is at Nice in the Second Council] said, as they ought, That an Oath made to the Devil, could not oblige; and that it would be less Sin to be naught with a Woman (it being a Personal and private Trespass) than by denying the Respect due to holy Images (at that time wickedly oppugned by the most Impious Iconoclasts) to give occasion of public Scandal and Heresy. I thank God I do not familiarly know one Clergyman of our Church (either married or unmarried) who would have written this Case with so unchaste a Pen: or who would, with such presumption, have advanced the unjust Opinion of a very weak and partial Synod above the most reasonable Law of God. I do not doubt but this immodest Case is as offensive to yourself, as it is to me and many others. I will, therefore, lay it aside, and put an end to your Pain and this tedious Letter together. S. M. Jan. 11. 87. Sir, I am Your most faithful Friend and Servant, THO. TENISON. FINIS.