If,  then,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Homilies,  not  all  doctrine  con-
cerning veneration  of  relics  is  condemned  in  the  Article  before  us,
but  a  certain  toleration  of  them  is  compatible  with  its  wording ;
neither  is  all  doctrine  concerning  purgatory,  pardons,  images,  and
saints,  condemned  by  the  Article,  but  only  "  the  Romish."

And  further,  by  "  the  Romish  doctrine,"  is  not  meant  the  Tri-
dentine  [statement],  because  this  Article  was  drawn  up  before  the
decree  of  the  Council  of  Trent.  What  is  opposed  is  the  received
doctrine  of  the  day,  and  unhappily  of  this  day  too,  or  the  doctrine
of  the  Roman  schools  ;  a  conclusion  which  is  still  more  clear,  by
considering  that  there  are  portions  in  the  Tridentine  [statements]
on  these  subjects,  which  the  Article,  far  from  condemning,  by  anti-
cipation approves,  as  far  as  they  go.  For  instance,  the  Decree
of  Trent  enjoins  concerning  purgatory  thus  ; — "  Among  the  un-
educated vulgar  let  difficult  and  subtle  questions,  which  make  not
for  edification,  and  seldom  contribute  aught  towards  piety,  be
kept  back  from  popular  discourses.  Neither  let  them  suffer
the  public  mention  and  treatment  of  uncertain  points,  or  such
as  look  like  falsehood."  Session  25.  Again,  about  images  :
"  Dae  honour  and  veneration  is  to  be  paid  unto  them,  not  that
rve  believe  that  any  divinity  or  virtue  is  in  them,  for  which
they  should  be  worshipped  (colendae),  or  that  rve  should  ask
any  thing  of  them,  or  that  trust  should  be  reposed  in  images,


Relics,  Invocation  of  Saints.  25

as  formerly  was  done  by  the  Gentiles,  which  used  to  place  their
hope  on  idols." — Ibid.
