ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1553- 



they have so done, they goe to dinner, and after dinner 



Note, they goe againe to service, and the like also after 

 supper : and in the meane time while they are at 

 dinner there is some exposition or interpretation of the 

 Gospel used. 



Whensoever any Abbot of any monasterie dieth, the 

 Emperour taketh all his housholde stufFe, beastes, 

 flockes of sheepe, golde, silver, and all that he hath : 

 or els hee that is to succeede him in his place and 

 dignitie doth redeeme all those things, and buyeth them 

 of the Emperour for money. 



Their churches are built of timber, and the towers 

 of their churches for the most part are covered with 

 shingle boordes. At the doores of their churches, they 

 usually build some entrance or porch as we doe, and 

 in their churchyardes they erect a certaine house of 

 wood, wherein they set up their bels, wherein some- 

 times they have but one, in some two, and in some 

 also three. 



There is one use and custome amongst them, which 

 is strange and rare, but yet it is very ridiculous, and 

 that is this : when any man dyeth amongst them, they 

 take the dead body and put it in a coffine or chest, 

 and in the hand of the corps they put a litle scroule, 

 & in the same there are these wordes written, that the 

 same man died a Russe of Russes, having received the 

 faith, and died in the same. This writing or letter they 

 say they send to S. Peter, who receiving it (as they 

 affirme) reades it, and by and by admits him into heaven, 

 and that his glory and place is higher and greater then 

 the glory of the Christians of the Latine church, reputing 

 themselves to be followers of a more sincere faith and 

 religion then they : they hold opinion that we are but 

 halfe Christians, and themselves onely to be the true 

 and perfect church : these are the foolish and childish 

 dotages of such ignorant Babarians. 



268 



