Chapter C: J. E

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Minor Queries Answered.

_The Fifteen O's._--In the third part of the "Sermon of Good Works" is this passage:

"Let us rehearse some other kinds of papistical superstitions and
abuses; as of beads, of lady psalters and rosaries, _of fifteen oos_,
of St. Barnard's verses, of St. Agathe's letters, of purgatory, of
masses satisfactory, of stations and jubilees, of feigned relics, of
hallowed beads, bells, bread, water, palms, candles, fire, and such
other; of superstitious fastings, of fraternities, of pardons, with
such like merchandise, which were so esteemed and abused to the
prejudice of God's glory and commandments, that they were made most
high and most holy things, whereby to attain to the eternal life, or
remission of sin."

I cite the above from the Parker Society's edition of Archbishop Cranmer's _Miscellaneous Writings and Letters_, p. 148. It occurs also in Professor Corrie's edition of the _Homilies_, p. 58. I shall be glad to be informed what is meant by the "fifteen Oo's," or "fifteen O's" (for so they are spelt in the above edition of the _Homilies_).