"`_Plaude, cinis meus! est tua pars Deus; ejus es, et sis_.'"
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Note 1. The early notices of blanket in the Wardrobe Accounts disprove
the tradition that blankets were invented by Edward Blanket, buried in
Saint Stephen's Church, Bristol, the church not having been built until
1470.
Note 2. Father Mortimer is a fictitious person, this Sir John having in
reality died unmarried.
Note 3. Laundresses were very much looked down on in the Middle Ages,
and were but too often women of bad character.
Note 4. Cambric handkerchiefs. It was then thought very mean to be in
trade.
Note 5. Married priests existed in England as late as any where, if not
later than in other countries. Walter, Rector of Adlingfleet, married
Alice niece of Savarie Abbot of York, about the reign of Richard the
First. (Register of John of Gaunt, volume 2, folio 148); "Emma, widow
of Henry, the priest of Forlond," was living in 1284 (Close Roll, 12
Edward the First); and "Denise, daughter of John de Colchester, the
chaplain," is mentioned in 1322 (Ibidem, 16 Edward the Second).
Note 6. Coal smoke was then considered extremely unhealthy, while wood
smoke was thought to be a prophylactic against consumption.
Note 7. I would fain add here a word of warning against one of Satan's
wiliest devices, one of the saddest delusions of our time, for a
multitude of souls are led astray by it, and in some cases it deceives
the very elect. I mean the popular blind terror of "controversy," so
rife in the present day. Let us beware that we suffer not indolence and
cowardice to shelter themselves under the insulted name of charity. We
are bidden to "strive together for the truth of the Gospel"--"earnestly
to contend for the faith" (in both places the Greek word means to
_wrestle_); words which presuppose an antagonist and a controversy.
Satan hates controversy; it is the spear of Ithuriel to him. We are
often told that controversy is contrary to the Gospel precepts of love
to enemies--that it hinders more important work--that it injures
spirituality. What says the Apostle to whom to live was Christ--on whom
came daily the care of all the Churches--who tells us that "the greatest
of these is charity"? "Though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any
other Gospel--let him be accursed!" "To whom we gave place by
subjection, no, not for an hour: that the truth of the Gospel might
continue with you." Ten minutes of friendly contact with the world will
do more to injure spirituality than ten years of controversy conducted
in a Christian spirit--not fighting for victory but for truth, not for
ourselves but for Christ. This miserable blunder will be seen in its
true colours by those who have to eat its bitter fruit.
Note 8.
"Brief life is here our portion;
Brief sorrow, short-lived care:
The life that hath no ending,
The tearless life, is there."
Note 9.
"Exult, O dust and ashes!
The Lord shall be thy part:
His only, His for ever,
Thou shalt be, and thou art."