This book will make a traveler of thee
If by its counsel thou wilt be ruled;
It will direct thee to the Holy Land,
If thou wilt its Directions understand
John Bunyan, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’

Some men a forward motion love;
But I by backward steps would move,
And when this dust falls to the urn,
In that state I came, return,
Henry Vaughan, ‘The Retreat’

The Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God. –Articles of Religion of the English Church, 22 (1544)

Then is his pain more than his wit,
To walk to heaven, when he may sit!
John Heywood, ‘The Play Called the Four PP’

[A] lot of hermits with hooked staves went to Welsingham, their wenches following. These great, long lubbers, loth to work, clothed themselves in clerical garb to be known from laymen, and styled themselves hermits, so as to have an easy life.
Henry Vaughan, ‘The Retreat’

…the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Twentieth century English poet