Page:The whole familiar colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam.djvu/13

PREFACE. K to any, what shall we say of those who go to Jerusalem through so many dangers, and at so great expense, out of England and Scotland, and especially leaving their nearest and dearest relations at home, of whom, according to the doctrine of the apostle, they ought to have a continual care ? St. Jerome proclaims aloud, that it is no great matter to have been at Jerusalem, but it is a great thing to have lived well, And yet it is probable that in Jerome's time there were more evident footsteps of ancient monuments to be seen than now. As to the dis- pute concerning vows, I leave that to others. This Colloquy only treats that none should rashly take such vows upon them. That this is true, these words of mine plainly shew : Especially I having a wife at home, as yet in the flower of her age, children, and a family which depended upon me, and were maintained by my daily labour ; and other words that follow. Therefore I will say nothing of vows that are made, only this, that if I were pope I would not unwillingly dis- charge those that had bound themselves from them. In undertaking them, as I grant that it is possible for some one to go to Jerusalem with an advantage to piety, so I should make no scruple from many circum- stances of things to advise that they would lay out the expenses, time^ and pains to other purposes, which would more immediately conduce to true piety. I judge these to be pious things, and for that reason, considering either the inconstancy, or ignorance, or superstition of many, I have thought it proper to give youth warning of that thing ; and I do not see whom this admonition ought to offend, unless perhaps such persons to whom gain is preferable to godliness. Nor do I there condemn the pope's indulgences or pardons, but that most vain triner who put all his hope in men's pardons, without the least thought of amending his life. If any one shall seriously consider with me how great a destruction of piety arises among men, partly by their vices, who prostitute the pope's indulgences, and partly by the fault of them who take them otherwise than they ought to do, he will confess that it is worth the while to admonish young men of this matter. But some may say, by this means the commissioners lose their gain. Hear me, O honest man ! if they are good men they will rejoice that the simple are thus admonished j but if they are such as prefer gain before godli- ness, fare them well. In the Colloquy concerning Hunting after Benefices, I blame those who frequently run to Rome and hunt after benefices, oftentimes with the corrupting their manners and loss of their money; and for that reason I carry on my discourse, that a priest should delight himself in reading good authors instead of a concubine. In the Soldier's Confession I tax the villanies of soldiers and their wicked confessions, that young men may detest such manners. In the Schoolmaster's Admonitions I teach a boy shamefacedness and manners becoming his age. In the Youth's Piety, do I not furnish a childish mind with godly precepts for the study of piety ] As for that which some have snarled at concerning confession, it is a mere calumny, to which I have answered long ago. I teach that confession is to be performed just as it was ordained for xis by Christ ; but whether it be so done I have neither a mind to disprove nor affirm, because I am not thoroughly satisfied of it myself, nor am I able to prove it to others. And whereas I advise to