Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright

The fifth Book.

THe first persecution of the primitive Church, beginning at the 30. years of Christ, was prophesied to continue two and forty months, that is 294. years.

The ceasing of the last persecution of the primitive Church, by the death of Licinius the last persecutor began, Anno 324. begun from the Natiuitie of Christ, which was from the 30. year of his age 299.

The binding up of Satan after peace given to the Church, counting from the thirty year of Christ, began anno 294.

And lasted a 1000. years, that is counting from the 30. years of Christ, to the year 1294.

About which year pope Boniface sat in the sea of Rome, and made the sixth book of the Decretals, confirmed the order of Friers, and privileged them with great freedoms, Anno 1294.

Unto the which count of years doth not much disagree, that which Master Fox saith, he found in a certain old Chronicle prophesied, and written in the latter end of a book: which book was written as it seemeth by a Monk of Dover, and remaineth yet in the custody of William Cary, citizen of London, alleging the Prophecy of one Haynchardus a Grayfrier, grounded upon the authority of Joachim the Abbot, prophesying that Antichrist should be borne, the year from the Natiuitie of Christ 1260. which is coūting after the Lord's passion, the very same year when the orders of Friers both Dominickes and Franciscans began first to be set up by Honorius the third, and Gregorius the 9. which was the year of our Lord counting from his passion, one thousand, two hundred, and twenty six: and counting after the Natiuitie of the Lord, one thousand, two hundred, and three score, whereof the verses in the author are written, anno 1283.

As diverse other before times opposed themselves against the Pope, so now about the year one thousand, three hundred, three score, against the Pope and his Clergy was set out a Prayer, & complaint of the Ploughman, faithfully set forth by William Tyndale, against auricular confession, shrift, penance, long prayer, mass, singleness of priests, Images, &c.

Not much before this Johannes de Rupe Scissa, uttered a prophetical parable against the clergy of Rome, complaining it to be a byrde decked with the feathers of other fowls, whereof because she was proud, and did not acknowledge the benefit, nor from whom she had it, the fowls pulled everyone their feathers, and left her naked: and so (said he) it will befall to the church of Rome.

About the same time, also God raised up Armachanus against Antichrist, which Armachanus was Primate and Archbishop of Ireland, who in the time that he lived had no man that exceeded him either in life or learning: his name was Richard Fitzrafe: he was brought up in the university of Oxford under John Badenthorp, who was a great enemy to begging Friers: whose steps also the scholar following, began to do the like: and being called up to London, made seven or eight Sermons, wherein he propounded nine Conclusions against the Friers, for the which he was by the Friers cited up before Pope Innocent the sixth: before whom he valiantly defended himself, and continued constant therein until his dying day: his sufferings and deliverances were marvelous great.

The controversy for the Friers held very long in the church, & they had of popes, some mainteiners, & some adversaries, Mainteiners, Honorius 3. Gregory 9, Alexander 4. Clemens 4. Boniface 8. Clemens 5. Against them, Innocētius 3. Innocentius 4. Martinus 4, Benedictus 11.

The learned men that disputed against the Friers, were these, which either were condemned by the Popes or caused to recant: Guilielmus de sancto amore, Bernardus super capitulum, Omnis vtriusque sexus. Godfridus de fontibus, Henricus de Gandauo, Guilielmus de Landuno, Johannes Monachus Cardini, Johannes de Poliaco, who was caused by the Pope to recant at Paris. Armachanus, who wrote a Book Defensorium Curatotorum, and for his defense of Curates against the Friars, he was banished, besides other vexations, seven or eight years, and died in the same, banished at Avigno: of whose death, a certain Cardinal hearing, openly protested, that the same day a mighty pillar of Christ's Church was fallen. Against this Armachanus, wrote diverse Friers,

After the death of Pope Innocent, was Pope Urban 5. who by the fathers side, was an Englishman: he maintained and kindled great wars in Italy, sending Egidius his Cardinal, and Legate: and after him, Ardiminus a Burgundian, his Legate and Abbot, with a great puisance, and much money against sundry cities in Italy: by whose means, Cities and towns, which before had broken from the pope, were oppressed. Also Bernabes & Galeaceus princes of Millaine vanquished, by whose example others being feared, submitted themselves to the church of Rome, and thus came that wicked Church by her great possessions, which her patrons would needs father upon Constantine the godly Emperor,

In the time of this Pope, and in the second year of his reign, about the beginning of the year, 1364. [ 1364] upon the even of the nativity of the Lord, the fourth Sunday of Advent, one Nicholaus Orem preached a Sermon before the Pope and his Cardinals: in which he rebuked the Prelates & priests of his time: and threateneth their destruction not to be far off, by certain signs taken from their corrupt life, &c. His Text was out of the six and fifty of Isaiah: My saving health is near at hand to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

In the fifth year of Pope Urban, began first the order of Jesuits.

Unto this time, which was about the year 1367. [ 1367] the offices here in England, as the L. Chancellor, L. Treasurer, and of the privy seal, were wont to be in the hands of the Clergy: but about this year, through the motion of the Lord's in the Parlement, and partly, for hatred of the Clergy: all those offices were removed to the Lord's temporal.

After the death of Urban succeeded Gregory the eleuēth: who among his other acts, first reduced again the papacy out of France unto Rome, which had now been from thence, the space of seventy years: being thereto moved (as Sabellicus recordeth) by a Bishoppe, who being blamed by the Pope, for long absence from his charge, answered: and why are you so long absent from the place where your Church doth lie? Wherevpon the pope sought all means after that, to remove his Court out of France into Rome.

This Pope Gregory 9, in a certain Bull of his sent to the Archb. of Prague, maketh mention of one named Melitzing, a Bohemian, and saith in the same, that he should teach, Anno 1366. [ 1366] that Antichrist was already come, and that the same Melitzing had certain congregations following him: and in the same congregations, certain harlots, who being converted frō their wickedness, were brought to a godly life: which harlots he used to prefer before all y ^e holy religious virgins, wherefore he commanded the Archb. to excommunicate and persecute the said Melitzing: which he did, and also imprisoned him.

King Edward the third holding a Parlement in the third year of this Pope, sent his Ambassadors to him: desiring him that he from thencefoorth would abstain from his reservations of benefices used in the court of England: and that spiritual men within this Realm promoted unto Bishoprics, might freely enjoy their elections within the Realm, and be confirmed by their Metropolitan, according to the ancient custom of the land: whereto the Pope sent an answer (but when) it is not recorded) saving that the year following, Anno 1374. [ 1374] there was a tractation at Bruges upon certain of the said articles betwixt the King and the Pope, which did hang two years in suspense: so at the length it was thus agreed betwixt them, that the Pope should no more use these reservations of Benefices in England: and likewise the King should no more give Benefices upon the Writte Quare impedit, &c. But nothing was touched concerning the freedoms of elections confirmed by the Metropolitans.

As touching these reservations, provisions and collations, with the elections of Archbishops, Bishops, beneficed men, &c. wherewith the Pope vexed the lande, the king in the five and twenty yere of his reign, enacted (according to the Statute made in the thirty year of the reign of his Grandfather king Edward the first) against the like pillage and ravening, (but not put in practice) revived it, and enlarged the same: adding (moreover) thereunto, other straight and sharp penalties, against such as offended in any parte of the same.

And in the Parlements holden the 27. and 28. years of his reign, it was decreed, that whosoever (for any cause of controversy in law) either Spiritual or Temporal, whether they were personal or real, should appeal or consent to any appeal to be made to the sea of Rome, should incur the danger of a Premunire.

About this time, being the year of our Lord, 1370. [ 1370] lived holy Brigit, whom the Church of Rome hath not only canonized for a Saint, but also for a prophetess: yet in her books of Revelations, she was a great rebuker of the pope, and of his filthy clergy, calling him a murderer of souls, a spiller, and a piler of the flock of Christ, more abhominable then the Jews, more cruel then Judas, more unjust then Pilate, worse then Lucifer himself: she prophecieth that the sea of Rome shall be thrown down into the deep like a millstone, &c. And that the Clergy have turned the ten commandments into two words. Da pecuniam: that is, give money.

About the same time also, 1379. [ 1379] lived Catherina Senensis, which having the spirit of prophecy much complained of the church of Rome, & prophesied before of the great schism which then followed in the Church of Rome, and endured all the council of Constance, the space of 39, of years, and declared also before of the reformation of religion, that now is.

Also, about the year 1370. lived Mathias Parisiensis a Bohemian, who wrote a large book of Antichrist, and proveth him already come, and noteth the Pope to be the same: besides other abuses in the Romish Church, against which he doeth inveigh.

Shortly after, anno 1384. [ 1384] lived Johannes Mountziger, Rector of the University of Vlme, who preached against the worshipping of the Sacrament, and was resisted by the Friers, till the Senate, and Council of the City was fain to take up the matter betwixt them.

About this time lived Nile, Archbishop of Thessalonica, and wrote a large work against the Roman Church, and layeth the fault of the Schism betwixt the East and West Church upon the Pope: and very copiouslie reproveth many pointes of Popery: as, his Supremacy, &c.

About the yere 1371. lived Henricus de Iota, whom Gerson doth much commend, and also his companion Henricus de Hassia, who in a certain Epistle which he writeth to the Bishoppe of Normacia, Jacobus Cartusiensis, doth greatly accuse the Spiritual men of every order: yea and the most holiest of all, the Pope himself, of many and great vices.

He citeth also out of the prophecy of Hildegardis, these words. Therefore doeth the devil himself speak unto you, Priests: dainty banquets, and feasts, wherein is all voluptuousness, do I find among these men. In so much, that mine Eyes, mine Ears, my belly, and my veins, are even filled with the froath of them, and so forth.

About the yere 1390. [ 1390] there were buried at Bringa 36. Citizens of Maguntia, for the doctrine of Waldenses, as Brushius affirmeth, and Masseus recordeth of diverse, to the number of an hundred and forty, which in the Province of Narbone, chose rather to suffer whatsoever grievous punishment by fire, then to receue the decretals of the Romish Church, contrary to the upright truth of the Gospel.

Also four and twenty suffered at Paris, in the yere of our Lord, 1210. And in the same author is testified, that in the yere, there were 400. under the name of heretics, and fourscore beheaded, Prince Armericus hanged, and the lady of Castile stoned to death.

In the seventeen yere of Edw. the third, the Commons found great fault at provisions coming from Rome, whereby Strangers were dishabled within this land, to enjoy ecclesiastical dignities: and shown how the Pope had granted in most covert wise, to two new Cardinals (and namely to Cardinal Peragoth, ) above one thousand marks of yearelie taxes.

They (therefore) required the king, and Nobles, to find some remedy, for that they never could, nor would, leave those oppressions, &c. or else, to help them to expel the popes authority by force.

Whereupon, the king, Lord's, and commons, sent for the act made at Carlil, an. 35. of the reign of king Edward the first, upon like complaint, thereby forbidding, that anything should be attempted, or brought into the realm, that should tend to the blemishing of the kings prerogative, or prejudice of the Lord's, or Commons. And so at this time, the statute, called The act of Prouision, was made, by common consent: which generally forbiddeth the bringing in of bulls, or any such trinkets from the Court of Rome: or using, allowing, or enjoying, of any such bill, process, instrument, &c.

The penalty of which statute, was, as followed in y ^e next Parlement, anno regni, 18. ) the transgressors thereof, to lie in perpetual prison, or to be forbidden the land: and that all Justices of Assise, Jail delivery, or Oier and determiner, may determine the same: required withal, that the same act and provision, should continue forever. And notwithstanding the bishops were neither named, nor expressed with the other Lord's of the Parlement, yet it stood in full force, notwithstanding.

In which Parlement were also diverse points enacted, touching presentments of Ecclesiastical dignities, and Benefices. Also, in the Parlements, the 20. 25. 38. 40. 50. & 51. of the kings reign, were enacted decrees against the oppression of the Pope, and his filthy, and ravenous Clergy: besides diverse other against them.

Moreover, in the book of the acts and rolles of the king, it appeareth, that he sent John Wycliffe, (Reader at that time of the Divinity Lecture in Oxford) with certain other Lord's, and Ambassadors, to treat a marriage between his Daughter, and Leonell, Son unto king Edward: whereby is to be noted, the good will which the King bare to Wycliffe, and what small regard he had of the sea of Rome.

This Wycliffe lived in the reign of King Edward the third, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, three hundred, [ 1371] thee score and eleven: and then withstood greatly the popes proceedings, and the Popish clergy. He was a man very well learned, as testifieth of him Walden his most bitter and cruel enemy: who in a certain Epistle written to Pope Martin the fifth, saith that he was wonderfully astonished at this his most strong arguments, with the places of authority that he had gathered, and the vehemency and force of his reasons, &c.

In Wycliffe's time, was the world in most desperate state, and in greatest blindness, and ignorance, both of the power of the Gospel, and all other good learning: and the Church of Rome most cruel, and void of all good gift and grace of GOD: and religion turned to superstition.

Wycliffe first (of matters of religion) began with the Idolatry, committed in the Sacrament: which he did not so soon attempt, but the whole glut of monks, and begging Friers made against him: and after them Simon Sudburie, Archbishop of Canterbury, took the matter in hand, and for the same cause deprived Wycliffe of his benefice at Oxford: notwithstanding, he well supported, and friended of the King, and other: as, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and the Lord Henry Percie, by whom he bare out the malice of the friers, till the yere of our Lord, one thousand, [ 1377] three hundred, seventy seven.

The opinions for which he was deprived in Oxford, were these: That the Pope had no more power to excommunicate any man, than another: and that to absolve, is as much in any Priests power, as in his. That when Ecclesiastical persons do sin habitualiter, continuing in the same still, the Temporal powers may, and likewise ought to take away from them that which hath been before bestowed upon them, &c. He touched also the matter of the sacrament, proving, that in the same the accidents did not remain without the substance, both by the Scriptures and ancient Doctors.

About the year 1376. [ 1376] the Bishops still urging and stirring up their Archbishop Simon Sudbury (which before had deprived him, and afterward prohibited him not to stir anymore in those kind of matters) had obtained by process and order of citation, to have him brought before them, whereupon both place and time for him to appear, after their usual form was to him assigned. The Duke having intelligence, that Wycliffe his Client should come before the bishops, fearing that he being but one, should be too weak against such a multitude, calleth unto him out of the orders of Friers, four Batchelers of divinity, out of every order one, to join them with Wycliffe, for the more surety. Whē the day was come for Wycliffe to appear, which was Thursday, the 19. of February, John Wycliffe accompanied with the Friers, and with them also the Duke of Lancaster, and Lord Henry Piercey, Lord marshall of England: the said Lord Piercey going before him to make room and way where Wycliffe should come: such was the throng of the multitude in Paul's Church (which was the place appointed) that the Lord's, for all the puissaunce of the high Marshall, scarce could with great difficulty get way thorough. In so much, that the Bishop of London, Will. Courtney, son to the Earl of Devonshire, seeing the stir that the Lord Marshall kept in the Church, among the people, speaking to the Lord Piercie, said, that if he had known what masteries he would have kept in the church, he would have stopped him for coming in there. Whereupon grew words. At last, after much wrestling, they preased thorough, and came to our Ladies Chapel, where the Duke, and barons were sitting together, with the Archbishops, and other Bishops, before whom stood John Wycliffe to know what should be laid against him. To whom first spake the Lord Percie, bidding him sit down, saying: he had many things to answer unto, and therefore had need of some soft seat. But the Bishop of Lincoln cast into a fumish heat, said he should not sit there, neither (said he) was it according to law, &c. whereupon grew great heat of speech among them. The Duke also taking part with the Lord Percie, rebuked the Bishop, who went so far beyond the Duke in railing, that the Duke (as the Author saith) was ashamed because he could not overpass the Bishop in brawling, and therefore fell to plain threatening: whereupon the contention grew so great, that the council broken up with scolding and brauling for that day, was dissolved before nine of the clock.

About this time a proud bishop of Norwich was wounded and sore hurt, with his train dispersed at the town of Lennam, for that he presumed to take upon him to command a mace, or tipstaffe, belonging to the chief governor of the town, to be carried before him.

Anno 1377. [ 1377] In the month of June 21. day, died Edward 3. that after he had reigned 51. years, who of all the kings of the realm unto king Henry the 8. was the greatest brideler of the Popes usurped power, whereby John Wycliffe was maintained with aid sufficient.

Richard the second succeeded his father, being but eleven years of age: and in the same year of his Fathers decease, was crowned at Westminster, anno 1371.

Wycliffe, notwithstanding he were forbidden by the bishops, continued yet with his fellows, going barefoot, and in long friers gowns, (as their manner was) preaching diligently to the people: out of whose Sermons, chiefly these articles were collected: That y ^e Eucharist is the body of Christ, but figurately. That Rome is not the head of churches: and that Peter had no more given unto him then other apostles. That the pope had no more the keys, then any other within the order of priesthood: that the Lord's temporal may take away the temporalities of the clergy, offending habitualiter, & are bound under pain of damnation, to take them away frō any Church so offending: That the gospel is the only sufficient rule of life. That neither the Pope nor any other prelate of the church, ought to have prisons, wherein to punish transgressors, &c. Which were collected with diverse more by the Bishops, and sent to Pope Gregory at Rome, where the Articles being perused and read, were condemned by 23. Cardinals, to be heretical.

An. 1378. [ 1378] pope Gregory sendeth his Bull by the hands of one M. Edmund Stafford directed unto the university of Oxford rebuking them sharply, imperiously, & like a pope, for suffering so long the doctrine of Wycliffe to take root: which Bull when it came to be exhibited to their hands, the Proctors and Masters of the university, joining together in consultation, stood long in doubt, deliberating with themselves whether to receive the Popes Bull with honor, or to reject it with shame.

Beside this Bull sent to the University of Oxford, pope Gregory directed moreover his letters the same time to the Archbishop of Canterbury Simon Sudbury, and to the Bishop of London William Courtney, with the conclusions of John Wycliffe therein enclosed: commanding them by virtue of those his letters apostolical, and straightly enjoining them, to cause the said John Wycliffe to be apprehended and cast into prison: and that the King and the Nobles should be admonished, not to give any credit to the doctrine of Wycliffe, &c. Besides this Bull to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London, he wrote two other letters concerning the same matter, to the same Bishops, dearing the same date of day, and year, in the seventh year of his papacy. 11. Kalend. Iunij.

Moreover besides all these bulls, & letters, he directeth an other Epistle bearing the same date unto king Richard the 2. touching the same matter.

The articles included in the Popes letters, that were held for erroneous, were about 18. as first, none hath power but Christ to ordain, that Peter, and all his offspring, should politikely rule over the world forever. 2. God cannot give to any man for him and his heirs any civil dominion forever. All writings of men as touching perpetual inheritance, are impossible. 4. Every man being in grace, justifying, hath right over all the good things of God. 5. A man cannot but only ministratoriously, give any temporal or continual gift either to his natural son, or to his son by adoption. 6. The temporal Lord's may lawfully take away the riches from the church when they do offend habitualiter. 7. The Pope cannot any way make able, or disable any man. 8. A man cannot take hurt by excommunication, except he be principally excommunicate by him self. 6 No man ought but in God's cause, to proceed to any ecclesiastical censure. 10. An excommunication doth only bind, when it is against the adversary of God's law. 11. Ther is no power given to excommunicate any subject for denying any temporalites. 12. The Disciples of Christ have no power to exact by any civil authority, temporalities by censures. 13. It is not possible by reason of the absolute power of God, that any can bind or lose the people, or whatsoever Christian he be. 14. The vicar of Christ doth only bind and loose, when he worketh conformably by the ordinance of Christ. 15. any priest duly ordained, hath power to minister the sacraments, and consequently absolve any man confessing his faults being penitent for the same. 16. Agreeth with the 6. 17. Whosoever have endued any church with temporalities, it is lawful for them to take them away by way of medicine, for to avoid sin: notwithstanding any excommunication &c. For as much as they are not given but under a condition 18. The Bishoppe of Rome, or any Ecclesiastical minister may lawfully be rebuked of his subjects, and for the profit of the Church, be accused either of the Clergy, or of the Laity. These letters made the Bishops marvelous bold, and brag: but God by a small occasion, did lightly overthrow their devises, for the day of examination being come, a certain personage of the Princes Court of no great noble birth, named Lewis Clifford, entering in among the Bishops, commanded them that they should not proceed in any definitive sentence against John Wycliffe. By which words, they were amazed, and durst not proceed: and thus escaped Wycliffe the second time: and was by them clearly dismissed with a certain declaration made of his articles, and protestation, that he would, while he lived, maintain the law of Christ: and if through ignorance, &c. John Wycliffe was greatly supported by the Londoners: by whose means he escaped the hands of the Bishops the second time: and proceeded, publishing, and preaching the truth: whom also it greatly helped, because in the same year, or the next following, Gregory the Pope died. After whom ensued such schism betwixt two Popes, that it continued in the Church nine and thirty years, till the time of the council of Constance: the occasion of which schism, was through the pride of Urban the sixth. From whom (about the same cause) of his Cardinals, the most part, and other Princes shrunk, and set up another French Pope against him, named Clement, who reigned eleven years: and after him, Benedictus 13. that reigned six and twenty years. Again, of the contrary side, after Urbanus 6. succeeded Boniface 9. Innocentius 8. Gregorius 12. Alexander 5. John 13. in this order: Urban 6. eleven years, and eight months. Boniface 9.14. years & 9. months. Antipopes, Clement 11. years. Benedictus the 13. 26. years. Pope, Innocentius the 8. two years. Gregorius the 12. two years, 7. months. Alexander 5. 11. months. Johannes, 13. five years, ten months.

In which miserable schism fell out many horrible tragedies: as, shedding of blood; imprisonment of priests; murthering of Otho, Duke of Brunswike, Prince of Tarentū; John, Queen of Jerusalem, and Sicilia, his wife, strangled in prison; racking of Cardinals on gibets to death; the beheading of five Cardinals together, after long torments; the slaughter of fifty thousand, slain in battle on both sides: with a number of other cruelties, practiced among them, which Theodorick Niem, who was present at P. Urbanus death, doeth most largely discourse.

About three years after, there fell a dissention between the nobility and commons of the land: in which tumult, the rude people took, and beheaded Simon Sudburie, Archb. of Canterbury. In whose place succeeded William Courtney, who was very diligent in rooting out Heretics: notwithstanding, in the mean season, Wycliffe's parte increased privily, and daily grew to great force, until the time that William Barton, Vicechancellor of the University of Oxford, about the yere, 1380. [ 1380] had the whole rule of that University: who calling together eight Monastical Doctors, with four other, and the rest of his affinity, putting the common seal of the University, to a certain writing, set forth an Edict, declaring unto every man, and threatening them under grievous penalty, that no man should be so hardie hereafter, as to associate themselves with any of Wycliffe's sauourers: and unto Wycliffe himself he threateneth the greatest excommunication, and further imprisonment, and to all his fautors, unless that they (after three days canonical admonition) did repent, and amend. Which thing when Wycliffe understood, forsaking the Pope, and all his Clergy, he thought to appeal unto the Kings Majesty. But the Duke of Lancaster forbad him that, and counseled him to submit himself to the censure, and judgment of his Ordinary: whereto he granted, and made such qualifying of his assertions, that he did mitigate the rigor of his enemies.

The next year after 1382. [ 1382] by the commandment of William Archb. of Canterbury there was a convocation holden at London, where John Wycliffe was commanded to be present: but whether he appeared personally or not, it is not in stories certainly recorded. In which council Wycliffe's articles were some of them condemned for heretical, and other for erroneous. The articles condemned for heretical are these.

1 There is no transubstantiation after the words of conconsecration. 2. The accidents remain not without the substance after the words. 3. Christ is not corporally present in the Sacrament. 4. If a B. or Priest be in deadly sin, he cannot order, consecrate or baptize: (which article seemeth to be falsely taken.) 5 A man truly penitent needeth not outwardly to be confessed. 6. Christ did not ordain the Mass. 7. If the Pope be an evil man, he hath no power over faithful Christians, except it be given him from the Emperor. 8 Since the time of Urban 6. there is none to be received for Pope, but to live after the manner of the Greeks. 9. That church goods may be taken from the Clergy, if they so deserve. The erronius opinions were these. 10 That no prelate ought to excommunicate any man except he knew him first to be excmōunicated of God. 11 That he which doth so excommunicate, is thereby himself excommunicated, or an heretic. 12 That any person excommunicating him that hath appealed to the king, or counsel, is thereby himself a traitor. 13 That they that for fear leave the hearing or preaching of the word of God, are therefore already excommunicated: and in the day of judgment shall be counted as traitors to God.

14 That it is lawful for any Deacon or Prieste to Preache without license of the, Pope, or Popish Clergy.

15. That so long as a man is in deadly sin, he is neither Bishop or prelate in the church of God: (which article seemeth to be hardly gathered of them.) 16. That all the temporal Lord's may take away temporal goods from the churchmen if they so deserve. 17. That tenths are pure almesse. 18. That all special prayers applied to any private or particular person, by any religious man or Prelate, doth no more profit the same person, then general or universal prayers do profit others, which be in like state with them. 19. That whosoever entereth into any private religion, is thereby made the more unapt to keep the commandments of God. 20. That holy men which have instituted private religions, have grievously offended. 21. That religious men in their private religions are not of the Christian religion. 22. That Friers ought to live by their labor. 23. That whosoever giveth almesse fo Friers, is in danger of curse.

Now when the Archbishop, Suffragans, and Prelates, &c. were assembled at the Grayfriers in London, upon saint Dunstons day after dinner, about two of the clock, and should go about their business, a terrible earthquake fell thorough all England.

The Archbishop endeavored by all means to abolish Wycliffe and his doctrine, and to that effect wrote both to the Bishop of London, to the commissary of Oxford, and also solicited the king against the same.

Upon Wycliffe's conclusions were examined, Nicholas Herford, Phillip Repington, and John Ashton bachelers of divinity, who at length with somewhat adoo, confessed Wycliffe's articles to be heretical or erroneous, after a sort some of them being taken, & in some sense construed: which kind of answer, because it pleased not the prelates, they were appointed to be examined again of certain special points, where their answer was not direct and full before.

In the examination of John Ashton the archb. required, that he would answer in the Latin tongue, because of the Lay people that stood about him, but Ashton refused so to do: and answered in his mother tongue: and so behaved himself that the Archbishop called him heretic and erroneous: and at the same time the archbishop being desirous (as he pretended) to be informed by Thomas Hilman bacheler of divinity (there being present & somewhat favoring John Ashton ) what his judgment was touching the said conclusions, assigned unto him also a deliberation, to appear with Nicholas Herford, & Phillip Repingdon: at which time Thomas appeared, and pronounced the articles all heretical or erroneous: Nicholas, and Phillip, for not appeering were excommunicated for contumacy. Against which excommunication y ^e parties excommunicated, exhibited an appeal unto y ^e B. of Rome, which appeal the archb. utterly rejected, & sent a letter to M. Rigge cōmissary of Oxford, to make diligent search for Nicholas Herford, & Phillip Repington, to apprehend them, & to send them up personally to appear at a certain day prescribed for the same: and solicited the King to join his sword to assist him, whereto he also yielded, and directeth his letters to that effect, both to the Archb. and to the Vicechancellor of Oxford, which was anno 1382. [ 1382]

The vicechancellor the same time was Robert Rigges, the proctors John Huntman, and Walter Dish, who then (as far as they durst) favored y ^e cause of John Wycliffe, & that side: in so much that the same time & year 1382. when certain sermons public should be customably appointed, at the feast of the Ascension, and of Corpus Christi, to be preached in y ^e cloister of S. Frisewide, now called Christ church, before the people, by the Vicechancellor, & the Proctors: the doing thereof was committed to Phillip Repington, & Nicholas Herford, so that Nicholas should preach on the Ascēsion day, & Repington on the Corpus Christi day. In which sermon on Corpus Christi day, Phillip preached, (among other matters) that the Pope and Bishops ought not to be recommended above temporal Lord's, and that in all moral matters, he would defend Wycliffe, as a true Catholic Doctor. And finally, his sermon concluded, he dismissed the people with this sentence, saying: I will in the speculative doctrine, as pertaining to the matter of the Sacrament of the altar, keep silence till such time as GOD otherwise shall instruct and illuminate the hearts of the Clergy. Against this Philip, Peter Stokes a Carmelite, was a great adversary. And a while after, the Vicechauncelor and Brightwell went up to London, to purge themselves, and their adherents of the accusations of this Frier, and being examined upon the articles of John Wycliffe, they did consent, that they were woorthely condemned: and so were with somewhat ado, discharged, and commanded seek out the favorers of John Wycliffe: whereof Nicholas Herford and Philip Repington, having privy warning by the Vicechauncellour, conveyed themselves away, and fled to the Duke of Lancaster, who yet forsook them for fear, or somewhat else, not expressed. So soon as they were fled, the Archbishop directeth letters to the Vicechancellour, and to the Bishop of London, named Robert Braisbrocke, to excommunicate them, and to lay for them both in Oxford, and in London, that they might be apprehended. This was the fourteenth of July, Anno 1382 after which Repington in the same year, the three and twētieth of October, was reconciled to the Archb. and so was John Ashton.

About the 23. of September the same year, the king called a parlement for a subsidy: and the Archbishops and Prelates a Conuocation, in the monastery of Saint Friswide in Oxford, where in the third day of the assembly, in the presence of the prelates, Philip Repington (otherwise called of the brethren afterward Rampington ) abjured his former conclusions, and the doctrine of Wycliffe: & immediately after was brought in John Aishton, who refused to answer, and afterward, was cited and condemned by Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury; but what became afterward of him, it is not certain. It is plain by the Chronicle of S. Albons, that the Londoners did hinder the Archb. himself sitting in the city of London, when he would have made process against John Aishton, anno 1382. Nicholas Herford, during the time of this Conuocation did not appear: and therefore had the sentence of excommunication against him: against which he put in his appeal to the King, and his Council: the Archbishop would not admit it, but caused him to be apprehended, and enclosed in prison: yet he escaped, and returned to his former preaching in secrete manner. Wherevpon the Archbishop thundered out excommunication against him, and wrote letters to the king, requiring his sword to chop of his neck.

In this mean time, it is not certainly known, what became of Wycliffe but as it may be gathered out of Walden, it appeareth that he was banished: but wheresoerver he were, at that time he wrote a letter to Pope Urban the sixth, purging himself therein: and also in the same declareth a brief confession of his faith. But this Pope Urban otherwise called Turban, was so hot in his wars against Clement the French Pope, his adversary; that he had neither leisure, nor list to attend upon Wycliffe's matters, by reason of which schism, Wycliffe was in more quiet.

Anno 1383. [ 1383] Pope Urban employed Henry Spencer B. of Norwich (who was hardly entreated at Lennam, for striving for the mayors mace) in suppressing of the Antipope, at Avigno in France: and sent Bulls to the same Henry about this time to Croysser, whosoever would go w ^t him into France, to destroy the Antipope, that named himself Clement, & to make wars with all those y ^e took his part: which was takē in hand accordingly, & to y ^e end was givē to the Bishop the fiftinth, which was granted to the king the Parlement before, and about the month of Maie, being come to Canterbury, & there tarrying for a wind, in the Monastery of S. Augustine, received a writ from the king that he should return to him, and know further his pleasure. The B. fearing he should be stayed: notwithstanding the writ, entered the seas, and arrived at Calis, and afterward besieged Grauendie, that held with the Antipope, and took it, and there slue man, woman, and child. Ex Chron. Mon. D. Albons. And after that he had slain at Dunkirke in the chase, twelve thousand of the French, (of his men only seven missing,) and had in vain besieged Ipres, and could not keep Graueling, returned again into England.

In this mean time John Wycliffe, either being banished, or kept in some secrete place, returned again within short space: and repaired to his parish Church at Lutterworth, whereof he was parson: [ 1382] and there died, in the beginning of the year one thousand, three hundred, eighty and four, upon Siluesters day, and died old: of whom Thomas Walden his adversary testifieth, that the same pleased him in his old age, which pleased him being young.

This Wycliffe had written diverse and sundry works, which, anno 1410. [ 1410] were burnt at Oxford, the Abbot of Shrewesburie being the Commissary, and sent to oversee that matter: and not only in England, but in Boheme also, the books of Wycliffe were set on fire, by one Subincus, Archbishop of Prague. The number of the volumes which he is said to have burned, being most excellently written, & richlie adorned with bosses of gold, and rich coverings, (as Aeneas Siluius writeth) were above 200.

Johannes Cocleus in his Hist. Hus. recordeth, that there was a certain Bishop in England, which wrote unto him, that he had yet remaining in his custody, two mighty volumes of Wycliffe's works, which for the quantity, might seem to be equal to the works of S. Augustine. He wrote also certain answers to king Richard the second, touching the Title of the King and the Pope: and whether the king may for his defense in time of necessity withhold his treasure from the Pope. In which he declareth the Popes usurpation, and that Lordly dignity which by the institution of the Apostles is forbidden him, &c.

Wycliffe had many favorers, even of the Nobility, as well as of the lower sort. His special favorers were these: John Clenbone, Louis Clifford, Richard Sturmes, Thomas Latimer, William Neuell, John Montague, which plucked down all the Images in his Church. Beside all these, was the Earl of Salisbury, who for contempt in him noted toward the Sacrament, in carrying it home to his house, was enjoined by Badulph Ergon, Bishop of Salisbury, to make in Salisbury a cross of stone: in the which all the story of the matter should be written: and he eve- Fridaye, during his life, to come to the Cross barefoot, and bareheaded in his shirt: and there kneeling on his knees, to do penance for his fact. Ex Chro. Mon. de albon. In vita Rich. 2

The Londoners at this time, trusting in the mayors authority (the clergy & spiritual men being choked with bribes, and winking at vice) took upon them the office of the B. in punishing vices belonging to the civil law: as, fornication, adultery, &c. Ex eod.

Wycliffe had diverse testimonies of his great learning, and godliness: as, of the University of Oxford, sealed with the University Seal. But so far did his doctrine take place, that the Council of Constance, (to destroy it,) did decree, that forty five of his articles were heretical, and 41. years after his death, commanded his bones to be taken up, and burned

Thomas Walden, in his book de sacramentis, & sacramentalibus, saith, that after Wycliffe, many suffered most cruel death, and many also did forsake the Realm. In the number of whom was William Swinderbie, Walter Brut, John Puruey, Richard White, William Thorpe, Raynolde Peacock, Bishop of Asaph, and afterwards of Chichester: John Scotte, and Philip Norris, which being excommunicate by Pope Eugenius the fourth, anno 1446. appealed to a general, or oecumenical Council. Peter Paine, who flying from Oxford into Boheme, did stoutly withstand the Sophisters, as touching both kinds in the Sacrament of the supper: and afterward, (among the rest of the Orators) was one of the fourteen that were sent to the Council at Basil: where, by the space of three days, he disputed upon the article touching the civil dominion of the Clergy: in the yere 1438.

Also, the Lord Cobham favored, and followed Wycliffe's doctrine, as did the Bohemians, who (by the means of a Bohemian, Student in Oxford, of a noble stock, that carried with him into Bohemia certain of Wycliffe’s book De realibus vniuersalibus, de ciuili iure & diuino, de Ecclesia, de quaestionibus variis contra Clerū, &c. ) had knowledge of the doctrine of Wycliffe.

A certain noble man in the Vniuersity of Boheme, had founded, and builded a great Church of S. Matthias, & Matheus: which Church was called Bethlehem, giving unto it great lands, and finding in it two preachers, every day to preach (both holy day, and working day) to the people. Of the which Preachers, John Hus was one: who having familiarity with the young noble man, that had been student in Oxford, took such pleasure in reading the books of Wycliffe, and such profit, that he began to defend the author, both in Schools, and Sermons.

Anno 1389. William Swinderbie, Priest, was accused of certain false points, untruly objected against him. The denouncers were, Frier Frisbie, observant, Friar Hinclie, Augustine, and Thomas Baxton, Dominican.

Now, although he never preached, or maintained the articles objected against him: yet the Friers, with their witnesses, standing forth, declared him to be convict, bringing also dry wood with them to the town, to burn him: and would not leave him, before he had made them promise, and sworn unto them, (for fear) never to hold them: and that he should go to certain Churches and revoke the opinions which he never affirmed: as, that men may ask their debts by charity, but it is not lawful to imprison any mā for the same. That a child is not truly baptized, if y ^e priest y ^e baptizeth him, or his Godfather or godmother, be in deadly sin, &c. Which penance he did, according to their injunctions.

[ 1391] After this was done in the diocese of Lincoln, W. Swinderbie removed into Hertfordshire, where he was much more vexed by the Friers, and by John Tresuant, Bishop of Hereford. The articles which before were objected, anno 1391. at the church of Bodenham, in the same Dioces, were these. 1 There is no Transubstantiation. 2 That the accidents cannot be without the subject: and that there remaineth material bread. 3 That all Priests are of like power in all things. 4 That auricular confession is superfluous. 5 That inferior priests have power of binding, and losing, only, and immediately from Christ. 6 That the Pope cannot grant yerelie pardons, &c. Whereof, diverse were falsely laid to his charge, as he in his answer did declare.

In which answer he denied those that were absurd: and the other he protested he would maintain, till such time as he were by the word of God other wise infourmed. This answer he should seem to have sent in writing, himself not daring to appear, being cited four sundry times. Where upon, he was condemned for an heretic, and his articles, & answers for heretical. From which sentence, he appealed to the K and his Council, alleging reasons for the same.

Bycause the Kings court is above the Bishops, because the matter is of death and the Bishops (said he) will say, Nobis non licet interficere quemquam. It is not lawful for us to kill any man, &c. what after became of him it cannot certainly be affirmed, whether he escaped their hands or died in prison, or was burned: but it remaineth out of doubt, that during the time of king Richard 2. no hurt was done him, which was in the year 1401. [ 1401] At what time the king being wrongfully deposed, Henry the 4. invaded the kingdom. In the beginning of whose reign was holden a parlement at London, wherein Wycliffe's books, doctrine, & maintainers were condemned, & his favorers judged to be apprehended, and except they recanted, to be delivered to the secular power: whereupon a certain priest is said to have been burned in Smithfield for the testimony of the truth, which might be William Swinderby aforesaid.

Next unto William Swinderby, his companion Walter Brute was apprehended for the testimony of the truth. He was a Laye man, and a Graduate of Oxford: the chief cause that stirred up the zeal of this man, seemeth to have been the impudent pardons & indulgences of P. Urban granted to Henry Spencer B. of Norwich to fight against pope Clement: and the wrongful condemnation of the articles and conclusions of W. Swinderby.

The articles laid out against him, were, y ^t he had taught against the real presence of the Sacrament. That he inveighed against the croysing, to fight against Clement, and y ^t he aduouched the P. to be antichrist, & a seducer of the people. That he aduouched W. Swinderbies articles, and answers to be good. Which articles also, they ministered, and laid to his charge, in the chamber of the Bishop of Hereford, at his Manor of Whitborne, then being present, M. Reynold, of wolstan, chanon of Hertford, sir Philip Dilester, person of the church of Blanniorim, &c. To the objections, and articles Brute did cause an answer to be delivered to the Bishop, which because it seemed to him too obscure, & short, required him to write upon the same matters again more at large: whereupon M. Walter declareth his mind more amply of the same matters: and confuteth the Popes usurpation, and proveth him very copiously to be Antichrist. Disputeth against the necessity of tithes: against auricular confession, and the Popes absolution and pardons, against justification by works, and the real presence: that Christ's body is not left for a sacrifice, but a Sacrament: against exercising of Priests selling of prayers, holy water, purgatory, selling of pardons, of orders, of hallowings, discipline, and fraternity, &c. that the city of Rome was Babylon: & against Images. Against all these things, he most pithily, & learnedly treated: and in the ende of his declaration, he prophecieth that the temporalties should be taken from the clergy, for the multitude of their sins.

After that this declaration was exhibited by Walter Brute unto the Bishoppe of Hereford, he further appointed him the third day of October, at Hereford, with the continuance of the days following, to hear his opinion. Which third day, being Friday, anno 1393. [ 1393] Walter Brute appeareth before him, sitting in commission in the Cathedral Church of Hereford at six of the clock, or thereabouts having assistance in the same place, diverse Prelates, abbots, &c. Among whom was N. Herford.

In which assembly Walter submitted himself unto them, after they had continued Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in their informations, and examinations, against him: so as for that time it is like he escaped: what afterwards befell unto him, it is not certain.

Out of the declarations, and writings of W. Brute, the B. with the monks, and doctors, did draw out certain articles, to the number of seven and thirty: which they sent to the Vniuersity of Cambridge, to be confuted, unto two learned men, Master Colwel, and Master Newton, bachelers of divinity, which they to their skill did take in hand.

Certain writings are found in the same register, adjoined to the history of Walter Brute, & one, a letter which hath no name, written to M. Nicholas Herford, who being at the first a great folower of Wycliffe, was now in the number of those that sat vpō Walter Brute. The effect of y ^e letter was to warn him, & put him in mind of his fall: & beside that epistle, there is found annexed with the same, a certain other letter counterfeited, under the name of Lucifer Prince of darkness, to the persecuting Church of the popish clergy. Which letter seemeth to some to be ascribed to Occam above mentioned, wherein Popish Church is noted to be Antichristian, and the abuses of the same laid open, Ex Registro Herfordiensi: and diverse other writings of like argument, both before and since have been devised: as, one bearing the Title Luciferi ad malos principes ecclesiasticos, imprinted first at Paris in Latin, and under the writing thereof bearing this date, Anno à palatij nostri fractione, consortiumque nostrorum subtractione 1351. [ 1351] Which if ye count from the passion of Christ, reacheth to the time of Wycliffe 1385. that was above six years afore the examination of this Walter Brute. There is also another epistle of Lucifer ad Praelatos, mentioned in the Epistle of the school of Prague, to the University of Oxford, set forth by Huldricus Huttenus, Anno 1370. [ 1370]

Also Vincentius in his Speculo historiae, lib. 25. cap. 89. maketh mention of a letter of the feends of hell to the clergy, as in a vision represented before 400. years. In which the feends give thanks to the clergy, in that by their not preaching, they sent infinite number of souls to hell, &c. Also Jacobus Cartusiensis writing to y ^e B. of Wormace declareth the enormities of the church: besides an. 1228. at Paris, in a sinode of the clergy, there was one appointed to make a Sermon, & being careful what to say to the people, the Devil appeared to him, and bid him preach, and say to them, the princes of Hell salute you, ye Princes of the Church, because thorough your negligence all souls go down to hell, adding moreover that he was enforced by the commandment of God to declare the same: yea and that a certain token was also given the Clergy, whereby the Synod might evidently see, that he did not lie. Ex catalog. Illyric. fol. 546.

King Richard the second, was by Boniface the 9. stirred up against the professors of the truth: which Boniface directed his Bull, both to the Bishop of Hereford against the professors, and also another unto the King, the sixth year of his dignity Episcopal: whereupon the King gave out straight commission against them that held of the side of Wycliffe, and specially against Walter Brute he wrote a letter the two and twentieth day of September, the seuententh year of his reign. Albeit during the life of the King none are expressly found by name that suffered burning: notwithstanding some there were which by the Archb. William Courtney, and other Bishops had been condemned, and diverse also abjured, and did penance, chiefly about the town of Leycester: the names of which persons detected are these: Roger Dexter, Nicholas Taylor, Nicholas Wagstaffe, Michael Scrivener, William Smith, John Henry, William Parchmenar, and Roger Goldsmith, inhabitants of the town of Leycester, who for holding against the Real presence, against worshipping of Images, and worshipping of the Cross, against the chaunting of Mass, and mattins, against pardons, Friers, oblations for the dead, auricular confession to the priest, &c. were of the Roman church condemned for Heretics: and because Roger and Nicholas appeared not, being cited, on Alhallow day, being the first of November, the archb. celebrating high mass, cursed thē & their adherents, with hell, book, & candell, and did interdict the whole town of Leicester, and all the Churches in the same, so long as any of the foresaid excommunicate persons should be there, and till all the Lollards of the town should turn from their heresy, obtaining at the Archb. hand, the benefit of absolution: at length it was declared, that there was a certain Anchores, within the Churchyard of S. Peters of Leicester, infected with Wycliffe's heresy, named Matild, which Matild being examined by him, & he not finding her answer directly, assigned her a day peremptory, to appear before him at the monastery of S. James at Northamptō, there more fully to answer unto the articles of that heresy, which was the 6. day of the same month of November: which Matild was so straitly examined, that she recanted, and did 40. days penance.

About that time, there was one Margaret Cailie a Nun, which forsaking her order, was against her will enforced by the Archb. to enter into the same again. Moreover, of the number of the 8. persons before mentioned, 2. recanted, William Smith, Roger Dexter, & Alice his wife, and had enjoined penance, to hear mass, & go on procession 3. times before the cross in their shirts, with Tapers and crucifixes in their hands, and in the open market to do likewise: William singing the antheme, with the Collect, Sancta Katherina, & Roger and Alice a Pater noster, and an Ave Marie: and so also should again stand the Sunday next, as before in the Church, &c. 1389. [ 1389]

About this time, one Peter Pateshull an Agustine frier, obtaining by the Popes privilege, (through the means of Walter Dys, Confessor to the Duke of Lancaster) liberty to change his coat and religion, and hearing of the doctrine of John Wycliffe, and other of that sort, began at length to detect the vices of his order, in such manner, as all men woondred to hear the horrible reciting thereof. which being brought to the ears of his order, twelve of them, while he was preaching at the Church of Saint Christopher in London, stood up openly in his preaching: and one of them contradicted that which he said: which, when the Londoners did see, they thrust him with his brethren out of the Church, and wounded them, sore beat them, and followed them home: purposing to destroy their mansion with fire also, had not the Sheriff of London, with two Friers of good report, of the same house with gentle and mylde words mittigated their rage. This Peter Patshull was afterward desired to put in writing, that he did know, touching their wickedness: which he did, accusing them of murder, naming time, place, and persons: sodomitrie, treasons to king and realm, &c. Which writing, the Londoners caused to be set up on Paul's Church door at London: and was read, and copied out of many. [ 1388] This was Anno 1387. the tenth year of the reign of King Richard the second. Ex Chron. Monast. Albon.

At the same time, Anne the kings wife, had the Gospels in English, with the four Doctors upon the same. She was a Bohemian borne, Sister of Vincelaus, king of Boheme: which care of knowledge in her, Thomas Arundell Archbishop of York, preaching at her funeral, the 18. year of the Kings reign, greatly commended: and praised for having them in the mother tongue, and blamed sharply the negligence of the Clergy. Notwithstanding this Tho. Arūdel, after this sermon, became y ^e most cruel eniury that could be against English books, and the authors thereof: for shortly after the death of the Queen, he with the B. of London, Robert Braybrock, crossed the seas into Ireland, & there desired the kings aide against the heresy of Wycliffe.

Anno 1393. [ 1393] at Westminster was called a Parlement, by the Kings commandment, to that purpose: in which parlement, certain articles were put out in the behalf of the gospel, to the number of twelve; & were fastened upon the Churchdoore of Paul's at London, and also at Westminster. 1. The first was against the appropriations, and pride of the Clergy. 2. Against Papistical priesthood. 3 Against singleness of Priests. 4 Against Transubstantiation. Against exorcisms, and blessings of priests. 6 Against civil jurisdiction of Ecclesiastical persons, 7 Against masses for the dead, 8 Against pilgrimages, and oblations. 9 Against auricular confession. 10 Against the purchasing of indulgences, and pardons a poena, & culpa, by Lord's, unto such as do help their armies to kill Christians in foreign Countries, for temporal gain. 11 Against Nuns, and widows which vow a single life. 12 Against multitude of arts not necessary, used in the Church.

To these articles were adjoined reasons in reproof of the practice of the Church of Rome therein. And unto the articles these verses were thus adjoined.

After these articles were thus set forth, the King, not long after returned out of Ireland: and at his return called certain Nobles unto him, Richard Sturie, Louis Clifford, Thomas Latimer, John Montacute, &c. Whō he did sharply rebuke, and terriblie threaten, for that he heard them to be favorers of that side: and took an oath of Richard Sturrie, that he should never favor any such opinions: swearing that he should die a shameful death if he brake his oath, Ex Chron. D. Alb.

Now Pope Urban was dead six years before: whom succeeded Boniface the ninth, that labored by all means against the Gospel, and had written sundry times to King Richard, as well for the repealing of acts of Parlement, against his provisions, Quare impedit, and premunire facias, as for the persecuting of the professors of the truth: which letter he wrote to the king, anno 1396. which was the yere before the death of William Courtney, Archbishop of Canterbury, after whom succeeded Th. Arundel, brother to the Earl of Arundel first B. of Eli, then archb. of York, and Lord Chancellor of England, and lastly, archb. of Canterb. about the yere 1397.

Anno 1398. the ninth yere of the Pope, K. Richard 2. wrote a certain letter to the Pope, full of virtuous instruction, to the quieting of the schism: and a godly admonition, very pithilie, and copiouslie: in the ende whereof (the rest being of like sort) he beseecheth him to receive his council effectually, that in doing thus, the waters may return to the places from whence they came: and so the waters may begin to be made sweet with salt, least the axe swim on that water, and the wood sink, and least the fruitful Olive degender into a wild Olive, and the leprosy of Naaman, the Nobleman, cleave continually to the house of Gehezie, and least the Pope, and the Pharisees crucify Christ again. Christ, the spouse of the Church, which was wont to bring the chief bishop into the holiest place, increase your Holiness, or rather, restore it, being lost, &c. Ex lib. cuiusdam Dunelmen. But the Popes being little moved with good council, neither of them would give over, to the quiet of the Church, but prosecuted their titles to the uttermost.

Anno 1399. [ 1399] K. Richard was deposed from his crown by common consent: after whom succeeded Henry the 4. who returned out of France, with Thomas Arundell the Archbishop before exiled, and by him was led to the seat royal. This was anno 1399.

The next after an. 1400. [ 1400] followed a parlement holden at Westminster, in which parlement one William Sawtree priest, desiring to be heard for the commodity of the whole realm, and the matter being smelt before of the Bishops, they obtained that the matter should be referred to the convocation house: which it was, and the convocation being deferred till Saturday next the twelfth of February, so was his audience also: where, at the day appointed he appeering, the Archbishop Thomas Arundell objected that he had fallen into certain heretical Articles abjured before the Bishop of Norwich, and caused certain Articles vnabiured to be read, and objected against him by Robert Hall Chancellor to the B. thus: sir William Charles, otherwise called Sawtree, parish priest of the Church of Saint Since the virgin in London, publicly and privily, doth hold these conclusions under written. 1. That he will not worship the cross. 2. That he would sooner worship a temporal King. 3. That he would sooner worship the bodies of Saints. 4. That he would rather worship a man truly contrite. 5. That he is bound rather to worship a man predestinate, then an Angel of God. 6. That a man is not bound to his vow of visiting the monuments of Saints; but that he may distribute the expenses of his vow to the poor. 7. That every Priest, or Deacon, is more bound to preach then to say the Canonical hours. 8. That after the words of consecration, the substance of bread remaineth still.

To which articles, he in the Charterhouse before the bishop, and his Council, exhibited a scroll of answers, maintaining the same: after which answers publicly read by master Robert Hal, the Archbishop inquired of the said William, whether he had abjured these heresies before the Bishop of Norwich, or not, as was alleged against him: whereto he answered no. Then he specially examined him of the sacrament of the altar: who answered, that after the words of consecration, there remained bread: whereupon the Archbishop gave, sentence of heresy against him. The same provincial Council being continued until the 24. day of the same month of February, the Bishop of Norwich presented a certain process unto William Sawtre, wherein he had abjured the articles laid against him: which being declared, it was demanded of William Sawtre, otherwise called Chatris, why he might not be pronounced a man fallen into heresy, and to be disgraded. Whereunto he answered nothing: then the Archbishop, and the whole Council gave sentence, he should be taken for a relapse, and disgraded, & so committed to the secular power. His proceeding in his degradation, after that he had put on the apparel, was in this sort as followeth. In nomine patris, filii, & spiritus sancti, Amen. We Thomas, by God's permission Archbish. of Canterbury, primate of all England, and Legate of the Apostolic Sea, do denounce thee William Sawtry, otherwise called Chawtris, Chaplain feigned, in the habit and apparel of a Priest, as an heretic, and as one refallen into heresy, by this our sentence definitive, by counsel, consent, & authority to be condemned, and by conclusion also of all our fellow brethren, fellow Bishops, Prelates, Council provincial, and of the whole Clergy, do degrade and deprive thee of all thy priestly orders, and in sign of degradation, and actual deposition from thy priestly dignity, for thine incorrigibility, and want of amendment, we take from thee the Patent and Chalice, and do deprive thee of all power of celebrating mass, and also we pull of thy back, the casule, and take from thee the vestiment, and deprive thee of all priestly honor, and so proceeded they in taking away the vestiment, and stool of a Deacon, and and the albe of a subdeacon, and maniple, and candlestick, taper and cruet of an Acolouth, the holy water bucket of an exorcist, the Legend book of a Reader in the Church, the Surplise of a Sexton, the crown of Ecclesiastical dignity to be shaven, and the Priests cap taken away, and a Lay man's cap put on, that they might favorably receive the said William thus unto them committed. This done, by their soliciting, the king directed a terrible decree against him for his speedy execution to the Mayor and sheriffes of London: which was performed accordingly. Anno 1400.

The time of Henry the 4. was full of trouble, blood, & misery. He was the first of the kings of England, that put out his hand to the shedding of the blood of Saints, since the conquest.

After the burning of this godly man, the rest of the company began to hold themselves more close, for fear of the King, who was altogether bent to hold with the Popes prelacy.

Anno 1405. [ 1405] by the Archbish. of York, named Richard Scroop, with the L. Mowbery, marshall of England (which both conspired against the king) ten articles were set upon Churchdoores, against the king: wherein he was charged to be a traitor, perjured, a murderer, a breaker of the orders of the church, a tyrant, a miss-governor of the commonwealth, an oppressor, &c. But they with their adherents were apprehended, and put to death.

Anno 1409. Thomas Badby a taylor and lay man, was by Thomas Arundell archbishop of Canterbury brought to condemnation for the testimony of the truth. His Articles were: 1. That the sacrament of the Altar is not the real body of Christ, and that after consecration it remaineth bread still. 2. That it was impossible, that any priest could make the body of Christ. 3. That he said, Jack Baker of Bristow had as much power to make the like body of Christ, as any priest had. He was pronounced an Heretic, first by the B. of Worcester in the chapel Caluary of S. Thomas martyr, nigh the cathedral Church of Worcester, which was afterward approved by the archbishop of Canterbury, Archb. of York, London, Winchester, Chichester, Norwich, (the prince Edmund, Duke of York being also by) &c. and he condemned in Paul's Church in London, and so was delivered to the secular power to be burned: which when they had done, (like false hypocrites) they desired y ^e temporal Lord's present, very instantly, that they would not put the said John Badby to death, &c. But this being done in the forenoon (the 15. day of March) on the afternoon, y ^e kings writ was not far off: he was brought into Smithfield, and there being put in an emptye barrel, was bound with iron bars fast to a stake, and dry wood put to him, and so burned. At which time, Courtney Chancellor of Oxford, preached and informed him of the faith of holy church. the Prince, the K. eldest son being also present. When the tun was put over his head, and fire put to, he cried mercy, (belike upon the Lord,) whereat the Prince commanded to take away the tun, and to quench the fire, promising him pardon (if he would recant) and a yearly stipende out of the kings treasury.

Which when he denied, and refused to recant, he commanded the tun to be put over him again, and fire put to, and so was he consumed.

The Clergy still persecuted the faithful, and moved the king at the parlement (which yet continued) to enact the Statute Ex officio, which he yielded unto: and to fortify the same, the Archbishop made also a constitution against the professors of the truth: and such was the straitness in those times, that although many did constantly abide, yet some did shrincke back: among whom was one John Puruey that recāted at Paul's cross, John Edward priest, who revoked at the Green yard at Norwich, Richard Herbert, and Emmot Willy of London, also John Becke at London, John Seynons of Lincolnshire, who was caused to revoke at Canterbury. The articles which commonly they did hold were these: First, that y ^e office of the holy cross did contain mere idolatry, and that the cross woorshippers are mere Idolaters: that there is not the bodily presence in the sacrament. That the Eucharist was instituted for a memorial only. That the same Sacrament is a figure of his body. That every Priest ought to preach without license of his ordinary. That it is sin to give anything to the preaching Friers. That we ought not to offer at the burials of the dead. That confession of sins to the priest is unnecessary. That the infant, although he die unbaptized, is saved. That neither the Pope, nor any whosoever, can compel any man to swear by any creature of God, or by the Bible. That no man is bound to give any bodily reverence to any prelates, &c.

Anno 1407. was William Thorpe examined of articles before the Archbishop, Thomas Arundell: which William, set forth his examination, written with his own hand. He was called, and examined the Sunday next after Lammas, having been before imprisoned in the Castle of Saltwood: He was burdened to have preached in Shrewesburie, in Saint Chads Church. 1 That the Sacrament of the Altar was material bread. 2 That Images are in no wise to be worshipped, 3 that men should not go on Pilgrimages. 4 That Priests have no title to tithes. 5 That it is not lawful to swear in any wise.

Which articles he denied that ever he taught, yet being examined of them particularly, he (first declaring that every Priest hath power to preach, and ought so to do,) answered to the first, that Transubstantiation was invented by Friar Thomas Aquinas, since the devil was let loose. To the second, that, as in the Church of the Jews, it was not lawful, nor put in practice, to make the image of the Trinity, or of any of the Saints, or Prophets: so neither, in the time of the Gospel. And so to the rest, he holdeth, and aduoucheth against the Romish Church: saving, concerning the matter of swearing. He said, he preached that it was not lawful to swear by creatures, and so not by a book: and alleged Chrysostom for that purpose, who blameth them greatly, that bring forth a book to swear by.

Besides these articles, it was also objected to him, what he thought of auricular confession: which he auswered to be unnecessary, but only a contrite, and penitent heart unto God. And if any man feel the burthē of his sins grievous, and his conscience disquieted, then were it not amiss, to resort to a good priest: and if he failed, that a man might lawfully take council, and comfort at a Lay man's hand. The discourse was long betwixt the archb. and him, and very excellently, and courageously did Thorp maintain the truth, against the archbishop. Who, among many arguments of no weight, alleged the examples of P. Rampington (who now persecuted the brethren, although he had before professed the truth,) the B. of Hereford, and Puruey, &c. that had relapsed from the truth which they once maintained: but nothing could discourage, or alter the constant heart of the godly mā. Which the Archb. perceiving, after many threatenings, and contumelious words, he called a Clearke, and rounded him in the ear, who went forth, and straightway fette the Constable of Saltwood Castle, whom the Archb. commanded to carry William away: who led him into a foul and filthy prison: where notwithstanding, he felt the exceeding comfort of God's spirit most plentifully. Besides his examination written w ^t his own hand, there is also extant a treatise, under the title of his will, containing a complaint against vicious priests: their pride; pleasure of this life; neglecting of their duties; &c. What became of him is not in stories specified: but it is most likely (being committed to most straight prison) he was closely made away, or died by sickness.

T. Walden writeth thus of I. Puruey before mentioned, in his second tome. I. Puruey (saith he) was the library of the lollards, and glosser upon Wic. He said that the worshipping of Abraham was but a salutatiō. And tom. 3. he saith: This I. Puruey, with Herford, a doctor of divinity, were greeuouslie tormented, and punished, in the castle of Saltwood: and at last recanted at Paul's cross in London, T. Arundel then being Archb. of Cant. Afterward again he was imprisoned under H. Chicheslie. archb. of Cāt. 1421. [ 1421] The works of this man which he wrote, were gathered by R. Lauingam, his adversary. First, as touching the sacrament of the last supper, the sacrament of penance, the sacrament of orders, the power of the keys, the preaching of the gospel, of marriages, of vows, of possessions, of correcting of the Clergy, of the decrees of the church, of the state of the P. and Clergy: of all these generally, he left diverse monuments, grauelie, and exactly written.

The articles which he taught, and afterward was forced to recant at Paul's cross, were these. 1 No transubstantiation. 2 No auricular confession. 3 Every godly Lay man, is a priest unto God. 4 That the wicked prelates have not the keys, and that the cursing of the Pope should do good, and no hurt: for that they which are so cursed, are dismissed, and freed from his cursed laws. 5 Against vows of perpetual chastity. 6 That priests ought to preach the Gospel freely. 7 That Innocentius 3. with 600. bishops, and 1000. other prelates, which set down in a council, transub. and real presence, were fools, blockheads, heretics, &c. in so doing: and therefore no man ought to obey their constitutions, except they be grounded upon the Scriptures, or upon some reason which cannot be impugned.

Besides these, Richard Lauingam collected other articles, out of y ^e books of Puruey, as against the chapter of penance, and committing of sins, Omnis vtriusque sexus. Item that Innocētius the third was the head of Antichrist: against the Sacrament of Orders. And if there were no Pope, yet all the bishops might govern the Church by common consent, as once they did before, such worldly pride crept in among the Bishops, &c. As touching the authority of the keys no man ought to esteem Satan (whom men call the Pope) and his unjust censures, more then the hissing of a serpent, or the blast of Lucifer. Concerning the Sacrament of matrimony, that gossipry ought to be no let. That no vow ought to be made, but in such things as a man may and ought lawfully to perform.

Touching the possessions of the Church, he declareth that the king, and the Lord's, and commons, may without any charge at all, keep 15. garrisons, & find 15000. soldiers, having sufficient lands and revenues to live upon) out of the temporalties, gotten into the hands of the Clergy, & feigned religious men, which neither do that which belongeth to the office of Curates to do, nor yet to secular lords. And moreover, the king may have 20000 pound, to come freely every yere to his cofers, and above: also, may find, and sustain, fifteen Colleges more, and 15000. Priests and Clerks, with sufficient living, and an hundred hospitals for the sick, and every house to have one hundred marks in lands: and all this to be taken out of the tēporalties of the clergy, w ^t out any charge to the realm, &c. That the law of Sylvester the P. which is declared in 2. q. 5. ca. praesul. & cap. Nullam, is contrary to the law of Christ, and either Testament. And y ^t those decretals of accusations, cap. quando, & qual. which do prohibit any clarks to be brought before a secular judge, to receive judgment, do contain blasphemy, heresy, and error, and brings great gains to Antichrists cofers. That punishment of adultery belongeth to secular persons: and furthermore he maketh an exhortation to the Princes, to judge the Church of Rome, which he calleth the great and cursed strumpet, of whom S. John writeth Apocalypse. 17. Touching the laws, & determinations of the popes church, the Christians ought to repeal such of them as are against the word of God: and that the Canon laws are full of heresies. This was written of him, anno 1396. [ 1396] which seemeth to be before his recanttatiō at Saltwood, before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury.

Now all this time, the schism continued betwixt the popes: and so endured, til the Council of Constance, which was in whole, the space of 29. years: the original whereof, began at Urbanus the fifth, who dying ann. 1389. [ 1389] next followed Boniface 9. who sat 14. years: he in selling his pardons, was so impudent, that he brought the keys of S. Peter (as saith Platina ) in contempt.

After him succeeded Innocentius 7, and sat two years: who being dead, the Cardinals consulted together, and seeing the inconvenience that grew of the schism, minded to provide some remedy for the same: and took order, being assembled in their conclaue, for the election of a new Pope: and promised among themselves, with a solemn vow made to God, Marie the blessed virgin, to Peter, and Paul, and all the company of holy Saints, that if any of them within the College, or without the same, should be called to that high place of the Apostolical preeminence, he should effectually renounce the jurisdiction, and title of his Popedom, if, or whensoever, the contrary Pope for the time being, would in like manner renounce his place, and title: and his Cardinals in like manner condescended to the cardinals of Rome. So that these two Colleges of Cardinals agreeing together, that one chief B. might be chosen, and taken out of thē both, to be made y ^e true pope: Provided moreover, that none should seek absolution or releasement from the said vow and bond once passed among them. Unto all which things everyone subscribed with his hand, and so they proceeded and chose Gregory 12. who in the same day of his election, in the presence of all the Cardinals, confirmed the vow, subscribing the same with his hand, in form as followeth: And I Gregory this day being the last of November, anno 1407. [ 1407] chosen and elected Bishop of Rome, do vow, promise, and confirm all the premises, &c. This being done, shortly after he was crowned, being of the age of 80. years: but the holy Father perjured himself, and therefore diverse did forsake him, and sent to Kings and Princes of other lands for their assistance, to appease the Schism: and amongst the rest, Cardinal Bituriensis was sent to the King of England, who publishing diverse conclusions (which remain in the registers of Thomas Arundel ) disputeth that the pope ought to be subject to the Laws and Counsels: by whose motion the King directeth his letters unto Gregory the Pope, Anno 1409. [ 1409] persuading him to perform his oth, and to give over, for the quiet of the Church, and the quieting of the Schism: under pretence whereof he shown that 200000. Christians had been slain, and that of late thirty thousand thorough the dissention about the Bishopric of Leodium, between two set up: the one by the authority of the one Pope, and the other by the authority of the other, and further moved him to give over, as the natural mother did her son before Solomon, rather then it should be parted & divided, according as y ^e harlot would it should be. He wrote also to the college of Cardinals, requiring them that if according to their desire and request, Gregory would at the Council of Pise give over his Popedom, they would take order for the state of the Church

This being done, an. 1409. the year next following 1410. [ 1410] The Cardinals of both popes, Gregorius, and Benedictus, by common advise assembled at Pise, and chose a new pope Alexander the 5. But to this election neither Pope Gregorius nor Benedictus did agree: whereby there were three Popes together in the Romish Church. This Pope scarcesly had warmed his triple crown, but he giveth full remission of all manner of sins, whatsoever to all them that would bestow anything to the Monastery of S. Bartholomew by Smithfield, resorting to the said Church any of these days following: On maundy thursday, goodfriday, the feast of the Annunciation, from the first ensuing to the latter. But within the same year he died: and after him succeeded John 23.

In the time of Alexander, great trouble grew in Bohemia, by reason of the books of John Wycliffe, which were embraced of diverse, but specially of John Hus, by whose means the people began to grow to great knowledge: whereof complaint was made to Alexander 5. that caused by & by John Hus to be cited up to Rome: & when he came not, directed his letters to y ^e archb. Swinco, charging him to forbid that way, & condemn such as he should apprehend, for heretics, except they would recant. Against which Bull, Hus objected many things, & shown how it stood against y ^e word of God: and therefore (saith he) from this mandate of pope Alexander, I do appeal to the said Alexander being better advised. And so as he was prosecuting his appeal, immediately Alexander died. Then Swinco, when he saw that John Hus contemned the bull, and had no hope in Vinceslaus the king, of redress: he went to complain to Sigismund king of Hungary, and brother to Vinceslaus, with whom after he had spoken, immediately he died for sorrow. By reason of whose death the Gospel took root among the Bohemians, which held not long, for John the 23. bent all his might against the Bohemians.

About the year 1412. [ 1412] Thomas Arūdell brought into England the tolling of Auies in honor of our lady: with certain Auies to be said, and days of pardon to be given for the same: and for the ratifying hereof, he directeth his mandate to the B. of London. He granted to everyone that should say the Lord's prayer, and salutation of the Angel, five times at the morning peal, with a devout mind totiens quotiens, (how oft soever) 40. days of pardon.

This Archb. was so proud, that because the bells of London did not ring at his coming to the city: he suspended both belles, steeple, and organs, til the ministers of such churches might attain to the benefit of grace and mercy. For this cause of ringing belles, debate also fell between the B. of Worcester, and Pryor of the town, insomuch that the Archb. was saine to take up the matter betwixt them: such was the pomp and pride of Prelates in those days. Not unlike was the dealing of William Courtney, Predecessour to Arundell: who, because certain poor men did not bring litter for his horse in cartes, but in sacks; did call and cite them before him, sitting in his tribunal seat Pro littera, that is, for litter, after his own Latin: and after their submission, enjoined them penance, that they going leisurely, before procession, everyone of them should carry openly his sack, or bag stuffed with hay, and straw: so that the hay and straw might appear, hanging out of the mouths of the sacks being open: the names of the poor men were, Hugh Pennie, John Forestall, John Boy, John Wanderton, William Hayward, and John White, tenaunts to the Lord of Wingham.

In this kings time, diverse acts were established against the authority of the Pope, and excess of his Clergy.

In the first year, it was objected against Richard 2. that he procured letters Apostolical from the Pope, to confirm certain statutes of his, which seemed to the Parlement to tend to the disgrace of the crown and dignity, and against the liberties of the land.

In the 2. year, it was required in the Parlement, that all such persons as should be arrested by force of the statute, made against the Lollards in the 2. year of king Henry the the fourth may be bayled, and freely make their purgation. In the eight year it was propounded, that none should sue to the Church of Rome for any Benefice, collation, or presentation of the same, under pain of the statute of Prouisoes, made in the 13. year of Richard the 2. whereunto the king granted,

Item, in the same parlement, it was put up in petition, that the King might enjoy half of the profits of any Parsons benefice, not resident thereon: whereunto the king answered, that Ordinaries should do their duties therein, or else he would provide further remedy, or stay their pluralities.

The 9. year of the kings reign, the commons required the king, that none presented be received by any ordinary, to have any benefice, of any incumbent, for any cause of privation, or inhabitation, whereof the process is not founded upon Citation, made within the realm: and also that such incumbents may remain in all their benefices, until it be proved by due inquest in the court of the K, that the citations whereupon such privations, & inhabitations are granted, were made within the realm, & if such ordinaries do, or have presented, or others do present to the contrary: that thē they and their procurators &c. incur the pain contained in the statute made against prouisoes, ann. 13. Richard. 2.

Also, that no Popes collectour should from thenceforth leuie any money within the realm, for first fruits of any ecclesiastical dignity, under pain of incurring the statute of prouisoes.

Besides, in the same parlement, the commons of the land put up a bill unto the king, to take the temporalties out of y ^e spiritual men's hand. The effect of the bill, was that the temporalties disorderly wasted by men of the Church, might suffice to find the king fifteen Earls, fifteen hundred knights, six thousand two hundred Squires, and an hundred houses of alms, more then were in those days in the land. And over all these charges, the K. might put yerelie in his Cofers, 20000. l.

Provided, that every Earl should have of yerelie rent, 3000. marks, every knight 100 marks, and four Plow land, every Squire 40. marks by the yere, with two plow land, and every alms house, with oversight of two true Seculars to every house: and also with provision, that every Township should keep all poor people, Town-dwellers, which might not labor for their living: with condition, that if mo fell in a town, than it was able to maintain, the said alms houses to relieve such towns.

And to bear these charges, they alleged by their bill, that the Temporalties being in the possession of Spiritual men, amounted to three hundred and two and twenty thousand marks by the yere: whereof, they affirmed to be in the sea of Canterbury, with the Abbey of Christ's-church, of saint Augustine's, Shrewesburie, Coggeshall, and Saint Osiris, 20000. marks by the yere. In the Sea of Durham, and other abbeyes there, 20000. marks. In the Sea of York, and other abbeyes there, as much. In the Sea of Winchester, and abbeyes there as much. In the Sea of London, and abbeyes there, and other houses, as much. In the Sea of Lincoln, with the abbeies of Peterborow, Ramsey, and other, as much. In the Sea of Norwich, and abbey of Burie, & other, as much. In the Sea of Eli, & Spalding, as much. In the sea of Bath, with the abbey of Okinburn & other, as much. In the sea of Worcester, with the abbey of Euesam, Abingdon, and others, as much. In the sea of Chester, w ^t the precinct of the same, and the seas of S David, Salisbury, & Exceter, with their precincts, as much: with many other abbeyes, bishopricks, &c. Moreover, they alleged, that diverse in England possessed so many temporalties, as might suffice to find yearly 15000. priests & clerks, every priest to be allowed vii. marks by the yere. To this bill no answer was made, but y ^t the K. would take some aduisemēt, & deliberatiō.

Anno 1413 [ 1413] Henry the 4. died in a chamber at Westminster, called Jerusalem, and was buried at Canterbury, by the tomb of Thomas Becket. After him succeeded his son Henry the fifth, and not long after his coronation a Parlement was holden after Easter, at Westminster, an. 1413. At which time, Tho. Arundel, Archbishop of Canterbury, collected in Paul's church at London, an universal Sinode of all the bishops, and clergy in England.

In which Sinode, among other matters, it was determined, that the day of S. George, and of saint Dunstan, should be double feast. Now, the Popish feasts are thus divided: either they be double feasts, or simple. The double feast is subdiuided into principal double; greater double; lesser double; and inferior, or lower double. To the principal double feast belonged eight days in the yere: so the greater double had given unto him in this Conuocation, the day of Saint George, and of S. Dunstan. And albeit it was so decreed, yet by custom it was not so used. The principal double, and the greater double, were known from all other by 4. notes. By service in the kitchen; by service in y ^e church, both the which were double; by ringing in the steeple, with double peal; by copes in the quire, and censing of the altar. For in these two great and principal double feasts, the vii. the viii and ix. lessons must be read with silken copes: and at the said feasts, in the time of the Lessons, the altars must be censed: & likewise, the lesser double, and inferior double, had their peculiar service to them belonging. And thus much of their double feasts. The simple is also divided into ether triple inuitorie or double inuitorie, or else single. Of the which moreover some have three lessons, some have 9. &c. And thus much of popish feasts.

The chief cause of the Synod was to oppress the Gospel (as recordeth the chronicle of S. Albōs.) And to withstand the Noble and worthy Lord Cobham, who principally maintained and received the preachers, and set them up to preach, whom the Bishop had not licensed: which was against a constitution principal of theirs. In the mean time as they were talking and conspiring against the Lord Cobham, there resorted unto them 12. Inquisitors for heresy, whom they appointed at Oxford the year before, to search out for Heretics, with all Wycliffe's books: who brought 246. conclusions, which they had collected as heresies out of the said books.

The names of the Inquisitors were these: John Witnā, a master in new college, John Langdom monk of Christ church in Canterb. William Vfford regent of y ^e Carmelits, Thomas Clayton regēt of the Dominicks, Robert Gilbert, Richard Enthisdale, John Luck, Richard Sindishame, Richard Fleming, Thomas Rotborn, Robert Rowberry, Richard Grafdale: who all concluded that the chief favorers were first to be dealt against: & there present, y ^e noble knight sir John Oldcastle, L. Cobham, was complained of by the general proctors, to be the chief, principal, and a mighty mainteiner of suspected preachers, in the diocese of London, Rochester, and Hereford, contrary to the mind of the ordinaries: and to have assisted them by force of arms.

And last of all, they accused him to be far otherwise in belief of the sacrament of the altar, of penance, of pilgrimage, of image worshipping, and of the ecclesiastical power, then the holy Church of Rome had taught many years before. Upon this it was concluded among them, that without any further delay, process should be awarded out against him, as against a most pernicious heretic, and because they considered his great birth, and the favor he was in with the K. counsel was given, & they were advised, first to know his pleasure who thē remained at Keningstone: which they did. Who although he too much yielded to them, yet required thē in respect of his Noble stock, and Knighthood, that they would (if it were possible) without rigor reduce him again to the unity of the Church, and promised them also, that in case they were not contented to take some deliberation, himself would seriously common the matter with him, which he anon after accordingly did, and sent for the L. Cobham, & whē he was come, he called him secretly, admonishing him betwixt him & himself, to submit himself to his mother the holy church, & as an obedient child to acknowledge himself culpable: unto whom the Christiā knight made this answer. You most, worthy prince (saith he) I am always prompt & ready to obey, for as much as I know you a Christian prince, & the minister of God, bearing the sword to the punishment of evil doers, & safeguard of them that are virtuous: unto you next unto my eternal God, owe I most reverence, & submit thereunto (as I have done ever) all y ^t I have either of fortune or nature, ready at all times to fulfil whatsoever you in that Lord command me, But as touching the pope & his spiritualty, I owe them neither suit nor service, for so much as I know him by the scriptures to be the great Antichrist, the son of perdition, the open adversary of God, and the abomination standing in the holy place. When the King had heard this, with such like sentences more, he would talk no longer with him, but left him utterly, and the archbishop resorting again unto him, he gave him full authority to cite him, examine him, & punish him, according to their devilish decrees: whereupon after a private citatiō by one John Butler, & the archbishops somner, at the castle of Cowling, about the wednesday before the Natiuitie of our lady in September, he commanded letters citatory to be set upon the great gates of the Cathedral Church of Rochester, but three miles from thence, charging him to appear personally before him at Ledes the eleventh day of the same month and year, all hindrances set aside: & these being pulled down, new letters were set up, on the Natiuitie day of our Lady, which also were rent down and consumed.

Then forasmuch as he did not appear at the day appointed, at Ledes, where he sat in his consistory, as cruel as ever was Caiaphas, with his court of hypocrites about him: he judged him, denounced him, and condemned him of most deep contumacy. And afterward it being reported unto him, y ^t he laughed and scorned his censure, without just proof thereof, he excommunicated him, and commanded him to be cited afresh, to appear before him the saturday before the feast of Matthew, threatening that if he did not then appear before him, he would more extremely handle him: & compelled the lay power by most terrible curses to assist him against that seditious apostata, schismatic, heretic, the troubler of the public peace, that enemy of the realm and great adversary of the holy Church: for all these hateful names did he give him. The Lord Oldcastell hearing this, and perceiving in what danger he stood, took pen and paper in hand, and made a draught of the confession of his faith, and sealed it with his own hand: which confession was nothing else but the Apostles Creed, with a brief declaration upon the same. In which he answered the 4. chiefest articles, that the Archb. laid against him: and that done, he took the copy with him, and went therewith to the king, trusting to find mercy with him, and offered it to him, who would in no case receive it, but commanded it to be delivered unto those that should be his judges. Then he desired in the K. presence, that an hundred knights & esquiers might be suffered to come, as upon his purgation, which he knew would clear him of all heresies.

Moreover, he offered himself, after the law of arms to fight for life or death, with any man living, Christian, or heathen, in the quarrel of his faith, the kings majesty, and the Lord's of his Council, excepted: and furthermore protested, that he would obey all manner of laws agreeable to y ^e word of God. Yet notwithstanding all this, the K. suffered him to be summoned personally in his own privy chamber. Then said the Lord Cobham to the king, that he had appealed from the Archb. to the Pope of Rome, and therefore he ought in no case (said he) to be my judge: & having his appeal there, ready written, he shown it with all reverence to the king: whereat the king was much more displeased, and said unto him, that he should not pursue his appeal: and so was he there arrested at the kings commandment, and led forth to the tower of London, to keep his day (as was then said) which the Archbishop had appointed him before, in the kings chamber.

Now the day of examination being come, which was the 23. of September, the saterday before the feast of S. Matthew, Tho. Arundell the Archb. sitting in Caiaphas room, in the Chapter house of Paul's, with Richard Clifford, Bish. of London, and Henry Bullinbrook Bishop of Winchester: Sir Robert Morley knight, and Lieutenant of the tower, brought personally before him, the said L. Cobhā, and there left him for the time: unto whom the Archb. (after that he had exhibited unto them the confession of his faith, which they did not altogether mislike) required his belief on the Sacrament of the Altar: & whether there be a transubstantiating or not? Whether (as concerning the Sacrament of penance) every man be necessarily bound to confess himself to a Priest ordained by the Church? but he would answer no otherwise then he had exhibited in his bill, which was, that he believed all the Sacraments that ever God ordained in his Church: he believed the blessed Sacrament of the altar to be Christ's body in form of bread: That it is necessary for every man to do penance for sin, with true confession & due satisfactiō, as God's law teacheth: That who so doth y ^e worship to dead images, y ^t is due to god, he doth therein commit y ^e sin of Mahumetry. That every mā is a pilgrim in this world, & he that knoweth the holy commandments of God, & keepeth them shall be saved, although he never in his life go on pilgrimage, as men do to Rome, to Canterbury, &c. None other answer could they get of him: which troubled them greatly, and the archb. bad him take deliberation till the Monday next following, which was the 25. of September, and then justly to answer: especially whether there remained material bread in the Sacrament of the Altar, after the words of consecration or not? and promised to send him the matters clearly determined: which the next day he did, even a blasphemous and foolish writing, made by him and his unlearned clergy.

Now, when the 25. of September was come, which was the Monday before Michaelmas Anno 1413. [ 1413] The archb. commanded his judicial seat to be removed from the chapterhouse of Paul's, to y ^e Dominic friers within Ludgate in London, with diverse Bish. Doct. Friers, monks, priests, chanons, parish clearks, belringers, & pardoners: which rabble all disdained the L. Cobham,, with innumerable mocks, and scorns. reckoning him to be an horrible heretic, and a man accursed afore God: and after the day spending in reasoning to, & fro; of y ^e sacrament of the altar, of shriuing, of the authority of the Pope, of pilgrimages, and worshipping of Images, because he did not believe in these pointes as the holy Romish Church did teach; the Archbishop stood up, and read a byll of condemnation against him: after which bill read, the L. Cobham said with a most cheerful countenance. Though you judge my body, which is but a wretched thing, yet am I certain, and sure, that ye can do no harm to my soul, no more than Satan could do to the soul of Job. And as concerning these articles, I will stand to them to the very death, by y ^e grace of my eternal god. And after a short instructiō to the people, he fell there upon his knees, holding up his hands, and eyes to heaven, & prayed for his enemies: O lord God eternal, I beseech thee for thy great mercies, to forgive my pursuers, if it be thy blessed will. And then he was delivered to sir R. Morley, and so led again to the tower. This being done, the B. and priests feigned an abjuration in the name of the L. Cob. to y ^e end to blear y ^e eyes of y ^e unlearned multitude for a time; neither did it ever come to the hands of the L. Cobham.

The L. Cobham, after he had a certain space remained in the Tower (sentence of death being given upon him) he escaped (it is not known by what means) and fled into Wales: where he continued by the space of four years.

Anno 1413. [ 1413] After the common computation of our English counting the year from the Annuntiation: but after the Latin writers from Christ's Natiuitie, 1414. in the month of January, sir Roger Acton knight, Master John Brown, and John Beuerley the preacher suffered martyrdom (as some say) in the field of S. Giles, with other more to the number of 36. (if the stories be true) they suffered before the Lord Cobham three years. They were hanged and burnt. Some say, Sir Roger Acton was hanged naked at Tyborne, saving that certain partes of him were covered, and after certain days, a Trumpeter of the kings called Thomas Cliffe gate grant of the King, to take him down, and to bury him.

After the decease and martyrdom of these above mentioned, in the next month following, in the same year the 20. day of February, God took away the great enemy of his word, and rebel to the king, Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury, who was so stricken in his tongue, that he could neither swallow, nor speak for a certain space before his death. He continued Archb. eighteen years. After him succeeded H. Chichesley, an. 1414. and sat 25. years, a great enemy to the gospel.

About the same yere, the king began the foundation of ii. Monasteries: one, of the Friers obseruants on the one side of Thames: and theother on the other side of the same river, called Shene: [ 1414] and Zion, dedicated unto the Charterhouse Monks: with certain Brigette Nuns, or Recluses, to the number of 60. dwelling within the same precinct. So that the whole number of these, with priests, monks, deacons, and nunnes, should equal the number of 13. apostles, and 72. disciples.

The order of these was according to the description of the Apostle, Coloss. 1. Eate not, taste not, touche not, &c. To eat no flesh, to touch no money, to wear no linen, and so forth.

About Michaelmas the same yere, the king began his parlement at Leicester: in which, the Commons put up their bill again, which they had put up before, anno 11. Hen. 4. that the Temporalties wasted so disorderly by the Clergy, might be converted to the use of the king, and of his Earls, and knights, &c.

In fear of which bill, least the king should give thereunto his comfortable audience, (as testifieth Robert Fabian, and others,) certain of the Prelates, and other of the head Churchmen, put the king in mind, to claim his right in France. Wherupon, Hen. Chichesley made a long, and solemn Oration to the king, to persuade him thereunto: offering to him (in behalf of the Clergy) great, and notable sums: by reason whereof, the bill was again put of.

Now, about this time, Io. Hus, preaching at his church of Bethlehem, was accused therefore by some, to P. John the xxiij. for an heretic. The Pope committed the whole matter to Cardinal Columna, who having heard the accusation, appointed a day for John Hus to appear in y ^e court of Rome. But the king Vinceslaus sent his Ambassadors to Rome, to desire the bishop to quitte, and clear deliver John Hus from that sentence, and judgment.

In the mean season, John Hus also sent before the day appointed, his lawful procurations to the Court of Rome: who with strong reasons did prove his innocence, till Columna would accept no reasons: and so his Procurators appealed unto the high Bishop. But the appeal prevailed not, but that he would excommunicate John Hus, as an obstinate heretic, because he came not at his day appointed, to Rome: notwithstanding, by reason of the appeal, they had other Judges appointed unto them: as, Cardinal Aquildianus, and Cardinal Venetus, &c. Which Judges, after they had deferred the matter a yere and a half, they confirmed the sentence of Cardinal Columna: and because his Procurators (being commanded) would not yield to give over their suite, certain of them were cast into prison, and greeuouslie punished: the other (leaving their business undone) returned again into Boheme.

The Bohemians (notwithstanding) little cared for this: but increased more and more in knowledge, and less regarded the Pope.

Now, after the death of Swinco, the pope placed one Cōradus chief general: who with the doctors, and divines of the University of Prague, greatly conspired, and labored against the truth; and drew out articles, whereunto they would have John Hus to consent. Whereof when I. Hus, and his adherents had word, they also drew out articles in his purgation.

Now, in the mean time of this altercation between them: Pope John raised war against Ladislaus, king of Naples, (who had besieged the Popes towns, and territories) and gave full remission of sins to all that would war on his side, to defend the church. Which Bul, when it came into Boheme, the king (that favored the Pope) gave commandment, that none should attempt anything against those Indulgences. But certain of the faithful could not abstain, but called the Pope Antichrist, and spake against him. Wherefore, they were taken, and beheaded. Their names were, John, Martin, and Stascon. The people (after their death) took their bodies, and with great solemnity, brought them unto the Church of Bethlehem: at whose funerals, diverse priests (favoring that side) song on this wise: These be the saints, which for the testament of God gave their bodies, &c. And so they were sumptuously buried in the church of Bethlehem. I. Hus preaching at the funerals, and much commending them for their constancy.

Thus the city of Prague was divided: the Prelates with the greatest part of the clergy, & most of the Barons which had anything to loose, held with the Pope, especially Stephen Paletz, being the chief doer of that side: on the contrary part the commons with part of the clergy, and students of the university, went with John Hus. Vinceslaus the K. fearing the matter would grow to a tumult, caused I. Hus to be removed out of the city: and assented to the Popish Clergy, in the 18. articles against John Hus for the maintenance of the sea of Rome. I. Hus now departing out of the city, went to his country, where being protected by the Lord of the soil, he continued preaching: neither yet was he so expelled Prague, but that sometimes he resorted to y ^e church of Bethlehem, and there also preached to the people.

Moreover, against the decree of the Doctors, John Hus, with his fellows, replied again: answering their articles, with contrary articles, and objections: whereto the Catholic Doctors answered again with a long and tedious process: the scope whereof principally tended to the defense of the principality of the pope.

Thus then, master John. Hus being drivē out of Prague, and moreover, being excommunicated, that no mass might be said, where he was present: the people began mightily to grudge, and cry out against the Prelates: laying great, and horrible vices to their charges.

The K. seeing the inclination of the people, being also not ignorant of the vices of the clergy; began to require great exactions of such as were known to be wicked livers.

Whereupon, such as favored John Hus, begā to accuse many. In so much, that by this means, Hus began to take unto him more liberty, and to preach in his church at Bethlehem, and none to control him.

Now, Stephen Paletz, and Andreas de Broda, chief doers against Hus, wrote unto him sharp and cruel letters The Pope also writeth letters to Vinceslaus the King, for suppressing of John Hus and his doctrine: which was in the last year of his Popedom, An. 1414.

This year Sigismund the Emperor and Pope John 23. called a sinod for the pacifying of the Schism at Constance, which was between the three popes. The first whereof was John, whom the Italians set up: the second Gregory, whom the Frenchmen set up: the third Benedict, whom the Spaniards placed. This council endured four years, and had in it 45. Sessions. In this council all the matters were decided, chiefly by four nations, English, German, French and Italian: out of which four nations were appointed and chosen four presidents, to judge and determine all matters of the Councelles: the names of which four, were these: John the patriarch of Antioch, for France, Anthony, Archb, of Rygen, for Italy, Nicholas, Archb. of Genesuensis, for Germany, and Nicholas, Bishop of Bath, for England.

In this Council nothing was decreed worthy of memory, but this only, that the Popes authority is under the Council, and that the council ought to judge the Pope, and as touching the Communion in both kinds, although the Council did not deny it, yet by the same Counsel it was decreed to the contrary.

In this Council John did resign his Papacie, for the quiet of the schism: and the Emperor (giving him thanks) kissed his feet. Afterward, the same John, repenting him y ^t he had so done sought means to fly: whereunto, Frederike Duke of Austrich, did assist him: and when he was now coming to Schafezonse, to go into Italy, the Emperor pursuing, took him and proclaimed Frederike traitor, and for that cause took away Cities from him, but was at last reconciled again.

The Pope being thus deposed, was committed unto the County Palantine, and by him carried to the castle of Manheim, where he was kept prisoner by the space of 3. years, and afterward he was again by Pope Martin admitted to the number of the Cardinals.

This pope John was deposed by the decree of the council: more then 40. most grievous crimes proved against him, as that he had hired Marsilius Parmensis a physicion, to poison Alexander his predecessor: that he was an heretic, a simoniake, a liar, an hypocrite, a murderer, an enchanter, a dice-player, an adulterer, a sodomite: & finally, what crime was it wherewith he was not infected, &c.

In the 14. Session came in y ^e resignatiō of P. Gregory 12.

The 37. Session did publish definitive sentence against the 3. pope Benedict: & in the 39. they proceeded to elect a new pope, & on S. Martins eeuen they chose one, & therefore named him Martin: who according to the custom was honorably brought by the Council, and the Emper. into the church of Constance, unto the monastery of S. Augustine, to be crowned: the Emp. on foot, leading his horse by the bridle on the right hand: the marques of Brandēburgh prince elector, also leading his horse on the left hand: the P. himself riding in the midst on his palfrey. The Council being dissolved, a cardinal was sent by the P. named Anthony, to declare his Indulgēce unto them: who granted to every point in that council, full absolution once in their life, so that everyone within 2. months after the hearing of this Indulgence should procure the same in form of writing. Also another Indulgēce was granted of full remission at the hour of death: & that was as well understood of the household, as the Masters thenselves; but under this condition that from the time of notification of the same, they should fast every Friday for the space of one whole year, for absolutiō in their life time. And for absolution in the hour of death, that they should fast another year in like sort, except some lawful impediment: so that after the second year, they should fast out their lives end, or else do some other good work. This being proclaimed, the Synod brake up, and every man departed.

The mumber of prelates at this council, was 3940. whereof the number of B. & Archb. was 346. Abbots & doctors 564. Secular mē, princes, dukes, erles, knights, esquires 16000. Common women belonging to the council, 450. Barbers, 600. Minstrels, cookes, & jesters, 329. So that y ^e whole multitude which were viewed to be in the town of Constance, between Easter & Whitsuntide, where numbered to be 60500.

Now although this council was thought principally to be called to appease the schism, yet a great part of the cause was the Bohemians, and especially for John Hus. For before the Council began, the Emperor Sigismund sent certain gentlemen Bohemians, which were of his own household, giving them in charge to bring John Hus bacheler of Divinity to the Council, and that under his safeconduct, to the intent he should purge himself of that which they had to lay against him. John Hus trusting upon the Emperors safecōduct, sent word to the Emperor that he would come to the Council, and with all, caused certain bills to be written in Latin, Bohemian, and Almaine language, that if any one had to object ought against him, he should come to the council, and there he would answer him. The same time also John Hus sent his Procurators to the lord Bishop of Nazareth, ordained by the Apostolic sea, inquisitour of heresy in the cities and diocese of Prague, requiring that if he found any error in him, he would declare it openly. But the Bishop gave good testimony of John Hus, and signified the same by his letters. John Hus also required of the Archbishop of Prague, that if he knew any error by him, he would signify the same unto him: who cleared him before all the Barons of Boheme, that were assembled in the Abbey of S. James, for the affairs of the land. Of which testimony the Barons made report by their letters to the Emperor Sigismund, in the town of Constance. Moreover, John Hus required for his further purgatiō before he went to the Council, that he might make profession of his faith before the Archb. and clergy of Prague, which might not be granted him, but by excuse was put of.

About the Ides of October, ann. 1414. John Hus being accompanied with 2. noble gentlemen, Wencelat de Duba, & John de Clum, parted from Prague toward Constance, and in every market town, as he passed, he set up writings: in which he required, that if any could lay heresy to his charge, they should prepare to meet at the Council: there he would be ready, to satisfy thē. When he was passed out of Boheme into Almaigne, he was greatly entertained of the Citizens, and Burgesses, and of the people, and found much favor, especially at Norimberge.

In this mean time, the greatest adversary that John. Hus had, Stephen Palletz a Bohemian, was come to the council: but his companiō, Stanislaus znoma was not yet passed the borders of Boheme, when he was stricken with an Impostume, whereof he died. As soon as Palletz was come to Cōstāce, he did associate unto him, one Michael de Causis, who was sometime Curate of Prague, and (having cozened the King Vinceslaus of a great sum of money, to renew the mines of gold in Gilorroy, fled from thence to Rome) he and Palletz sometime of Husses acquaintance. These 2. promised the adversaries of Hus to deal against him: which they did, & drew articles against him, especially out of his book de Ecclesia, & offered them unto the cardinals, monks, &c. and did so incense them, that they determined to cause John Hus to be laid hands on.

The 26. day, after John Hus was come to Constance, the Cardinals, through the instigation of Palletz and de Causis, sent the Bishop of August, and the Bishoppe of Trident, and with them the Archborough of Constance, and a certain knight to John Husses lodging, which should make report, that the Pope and Cardinals willed him to come and make account of his doctrine before them, as he had oft times desired: and that they were ready to hear him. John Hus understanding of their mind, went out to the Popes court, and being come before them, they required him to declare unto them the pointes which were reported of him to be taught erroneous, and against the Church, which John Hus was willing to do, and protested that he never (by God's assistance) would maintain or teach any doctrine that were not sound. The Cardinals said, they liked that answer well, and so went their way and left him, and master John Clum, under the custody of armed men, till four of the clock at after noon: at which time the Cardinals assembled again in the Popes court to take counsel what they might do with John Hus. And a little before night, they sent the prouost of the Romaine court, to show master John de Clum, that he might return to his lodging, for as for John Hus they had other wise provided for him. And after this, John Hus was led by the officers of the Chapter house of the great Church of Constance, where he was kept prisoner by the space of eight days. From thence he was carried to the Iacobins, hard by the Rhine, and was shut up in the prison of the abbey, which was hard by the Bogardes; where he fell sore sick of an ague, by reason of the stench of the place: where he became so weak that they dispayred of his life: and for fear he should die in prison, the Pope sent his physicians to cure him. In the time of his sickness, his accusers made importunate suit to the principals of the Council, that he might be condemned: and presented unto the Pope articles. 1. That he held against transubstantiation. That Priests cannot consecrate being in deadly sin. That he doth not allow that the church signifieth, Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, &c. That he saith, all Priests have like power. That the Church being in sin hath no power of keys. That he feareth not excommunication. That he keepeth not the inuesstures and institutions of the church. That he holdeth, if a man be once ordained a Priest or Deacon, he cannot be holden or kept back from the office of Preaching, &c. With diverse other matters which they maliciously objected against him. Upon this occasion they appointed three Judges: The Patriarch of Constantinople: the B. of Castel: and the B. of Libusse, who recited the accusation unto John Hus, at which time his ague was fervent and extremely upon him: and required he might have an advocate to answer for him: but that was plainly and utterly denied him, because the matter was of heresy, for which he was called in question.

Afterward, when John Hus had gathered a little strength, there were (by the commandment of the three commissioners) certain articles gathered, some by Palletz, and some by them selves.

Thus, John Hus remained in y ^e prison of the convent of Franciscans, until the Wednesday before Palmesonday, and certain appointed to keep him.

The same day, John the 23 changed his apparel, and conveyed himself secretly out of the town of Constance. Whereupon John Hus (because the Popes men, who kept him, delivered up their charge, and followed their master) was put into the hands of the B. of Constance, who sent him to the castle on the other side of the river of Rhine, not far from Constance, whereas he was shut up in a tower with fetters on his legs, that he could not walk in the day time: and in the night time he was fastened up to a rack on a wall hard by his bed side. In the mean time certain noblemen of Pole and Boheme put up a supplication to the four nations, Almaine, Italy, France and England, for the delivery of John Hus. 14. of Maye 1415. [ 1415] to which supplication the B. of Luthoms did answer, with further accusation against John Hus. Which answer of his the nobles of Boheme confuted again. And when they by long time could receive no answer of this Supplication, which they had already put up, they determined the last day of May following, (by another Supplication, put up to the Principals of the Council) to entreat that I. Hus might be delivered out of prison, and defend his own cause openly,

They also put up the testimonial of the B. of Nazareth, touching I. Hus: to which Supplication they answered, that although there might be a thousand sureties put in, yet they were not to be taken in this man's case, unto whom, there is no faith, nor credit to be given. How be it, this they will, upon the fifth day of June next, John Hus shall be brought again to Constance, and there have free liberty to speak his mind freely before the Council, and that they would lovingly hear him: but in the end, the matter fell out far contrary to this promise. The same day, the barons, & Lord's, presented a supplication to the Emp. requiring him to further the supplication put up to the council: to which, what answer the Emp. made, it is not certain: but likely it was, by process of the matter, that the Emp. was fain to break his promise, touching the safeconduct which he promised Hus: by reason (as they pretended) that no defense of safeconduct might be given unto him, that was suspected, or judged to be an heretic.

The fifth day of June, the Cardinals, &c. in the Convent of the Franciscans in Constance, purposed, in the absence of I. Hus, to have condemned him in those articles which they had drawn against him, but for a Notarie, named I. Meadoniewitz, who loved John Hus, and went to M. Vencelat de Duba, and John de Clum, and told them the matter: who went and made report thereof to the Emperor.

The Emp. understanding their intent, sent Louis, y ^e county Palatine of Heydelberge, and the L. Frederike, Burgraue of Noremberg, to signify unto them which ruled the council, that nothing should be done in y ^e cause of I. H. before it were hard w ^t equity: & y ^t they would send him all such articles as were laid against the said Hus, which were either false or Heretical, and he would do so much that the said Articles should be examined, by good and learned men. Then according to the Emperors will, the judgment of the principals of the council was suspended, unto such time as the said Hus himself were present. Now John Hus being brought forth, & beginning to answer, scarce had he opened his mouth, but they all began to cry out against him, y ^t he had not leisure to speak one word: besides some did outrage in words against him, & other some spitefully mocked him: so y ^t he seeing himself overwhelmed, with this rude & barbarous noise, & that it profited nothing to speak, he determined finally to hold his peace & keep silence. After that time, they cried, he is dumb, he is dumb (thinking they had won the field) this is a sign he consenteth to these his errors. But some more moderate then the rest, misliking the dealing, departed from the council for that present, and appointed to meet there again the morrow, to proceed in judgment.

The next day, which was the 7. of June (in which the Sun was almost wholly eclipsed) somewhat after about 7. of the clock, the same flock assembled again in the cloister of the Friers minorites, and by their appointment John Hus was brought before them, accompanied with a great number of armed men: thither went also the Emp. whom M. De Duba, and Clum, and the notarie named Peter, did follow, to see what the end might be. When they were come thither, they heard the accusation of Michael de Causis, who first objected against him, the matter of real presence, that he should maintain, after the words of consecration, there remained material bread: which article John Hus denied that ever he maintained. Upon that matter there grew dispute among them.

Then was there read an article, wherein was objected y ^t he maintained Wicklifs errors, which he also denied. Besides, diverse false accusations were brought against him: which done, and Palletz having endeavored as much against him as malice would serve: John Hus was committed to the custody of the Bishop of Rigen, under whom Jerome of Prague was also prisoner: but before he was led away, the Cardinal of Cambray exhorted him to submit himself unto the Council; and so did also the Emperor: which if he refused to do, he said, he would sooner make the fire with his own hands to burn him, then he would suffer him to hold such opinions, &c. And so having thanked the Emperor for the safeconduit, and proceeding farther to make answer, he was cut of, and led away with the sergeants.

The morrow after, which was the 8. of June, the same company assembled again at the Franciscans: & in this assembly was John Hus, De Duba, & De Clum, and Peter the, notary his friends. In which assembly there were read against Hus 39. articles, the which they said were drawn out of his books. Hus acknowledged all those that were faithfully collected (of which sort there were but a few) as, That their is but one universal Church, the company of the predestinate. That Paul, nor Peter were ever menbers of the Devil, although some their acts did resemble the malignant Church. That no true member of the Church doth at any time fall away from the body. That the Predestinate is always a member of the Church, although not in present justice. That there is no sensible sign that cā make a man the member of the Universal Church. That a reprobate man never is a member of the Universal church. That Judas was never a true Disciple. That the congregation of the Predestinate, whether they be in the state of grace, or not according, unto present Justice, is the holy universal Church. That Peter never was, neither is the head of the universal church. That if he that is called the vicar of Christ, do not walk according to Christ, he is the messenger of Antichrist. That all those that use simony do not know the duties of the keys and censures of the church. That the papal dignity is sprong from the Emperors authority. That no man would reasonably affirm, that any man is the head of any particular Church. That it ought not to be believed, that the Pope may be the head of any particular Church, unless he be predestinate or ordained of God. That the Popes power of Vicarship, is but vain, if he do not conform his life according to Jesus Christ. That the Pope is most holy, only if he do follow Christ in humility, gentleness, patience, &c. That the Cardinals are not the true successors of the apostles of Christ, except they fashion themselves to y ^e keeping of Christ's commandments. That ecclesiastical censure ought not to proceed to execution of death. That the nobles of the world ought to compel the ministers of the church, to keep the law of Jesus Christ. That the Cleargies ecclesiastical obedience is invented without warrant of the scriptures. That he appealed from the Pope to Christ, and did not esteem the Popes curses. That a vicious man liveth vitioustly, and a godly man godlily. That if a minister be wrongfully forbidden to preach, he ought not to obey, for any commandment of power to the contrary, because it is a work not of indifferency, but of express commandment. The next article was almost one with this. That the ecclesiastical censures are antichristiā: which Hus denied to be uttered in that form. That there ought no interditement, or curse to be appointed unto the people. And these were the articles both alleged out of his book of the Church, and by himself avouched before them. Besides these, there were other articles brought against him: among which were 19. y ^t brought him into prison. That Paul according to present justice, was a blasphemer, but the child of God by predestination. That Christ more loveth a predestinate man, being sinful, then a reprobate, in what grace soever he be for the time. That all sinful, according to present justice, are not faithful. That y ^e words of Christ touching binding and losing, except they be well understood, bring much fear, or much presumption That the binding and loosing by God is simply and plainly the principal. That priests do only heap up those things out of the scriptures, which serve for their bellies. That the Popes power, when he doth wickedly, is not to be feared. That an evil Pope is not the successor of Peter, but of Judas. That the Pope is the beast spoken of in the Apocalypse. This he denied to have been uttered by him. That it is lawful to preach, notwithstanding the Popes inhibition. That the Popes commandment being not agreeable to the Gospel, is not to be obeyed. That the Clergy and Laity may judge of the works of prelates. That God himself doth suspend every wicked priest from his ministry. That the Clergy supplanteth the Laye people, &c.

To these Articles above mentioned, were other also annexed, which the Parisiens had set down against him, to the number of 19. The chief author whereof, was one Gerson Chancellor of the University of Paris, whereunto he had no time to answer.

Now when the foresaid articles were read, with their testimonies, the cardinal of Cambray, with the rest, exhorted John. Hus to submit himself to the council, & to suffer patiently y ^t they would determine, which was, that he should confess himself to have erred in the articles, & promise by oath, neither to teach nor maintain them: & moreover, openly recant all of them. To this, the Emp. moved him also with the rest to whom he answered, that whatsoever were repugnant to the scriptures, being so proved unto him: he would recant & renounce, otherwise durst he not do against his conscience, & after much debating, & many false accusations, John Hus was carried to prison again, John. de Clum following & comforting him, who after he was carried away, the Emp. mightily inueyed against him, & incited the Council against him, and his scholar, Jerome of Prague, to all severity, as also against his friends and favorers: and so they departed out of the cloister, and brake up the assembly for that time.

The day before his condemnation, which was the sixth of July, the Emperor Sigismund sent unto him four Bishops, with M. Vincelat de Duba, and John de Clum, to understand of him what he would do, and when he was brought out to them, and his mind demanded, he delivered his resolution, that he was ready to be reformed if it could be proved by the scriptures, that he had erred. Which the Bishops counted an arrogant answer, and commanded him to be carried to prison again.

The next day the Emperor with all the spiritual and temporal Lord's, held a general Session in the head church of the city of Constance: in which John Hus was disgraded, condemned, & delivered to the civil power. When John. Hus was brought thither, he fell down upon his knees, & prayed a long time. In the mean while, the B. of Lundy went up and made a sermon: when his sermon was ended, the Procurer of the Council rising up, named Henricus de Pyro, required that the process of the cause of John Hus, might be continued, & so proceed unto the definitive sentence: then they alleged other articles against him. And last of all, that he should say, there should be a fourth person in the divinity: whereto John Hus said, O miserable and wretched man, which am forced, and compelled to fear such blasphemy, & slander. Afterward the article was read, how he appealed to Christ, and that by name was called heretical. Whereunto John Hus answered: O Lord Jesus Christ, whose word is openly condemned in this Council, unto thee again I make my appeal: who, when y ^u wast evil entreated of thine enemies, diddest make thine appeal unto God thy father, committing thy cause to a most just Judge: that by thy example, we also (being oppressed w ^t manifold wrongs, & injuries) should fly unto thee. Last of all, was read y ^e article touching the contempt of his excommunicatiō: whereto (after he had yielded a reasonable & lawful answer) one of the judges read the definitive sentence against him.

When the sentence and judgment against him was ended, kneeling down upon his knees, he said: O Lord Jesus Christ forgive mine enemies, by whom thou knowest that I am falsely accused, and that they have used false witness and slanders against me, forgive them, I say, for thy great mercies sake. This his prayer, the greater part, especially of the Priests derided.

At the last the 7. bishops disgraded him, everyone taking a piece from him, & when they came to the rasing of his shaven crown, before the Bishops would go in hand with it, there fell a great contentiō among them, with what instrument it should be done, with a razor, or a pair of shieres.

In the mean season, John Hus turning toward y ^e Emperor, said, I marvel much that they being all of like cruel mind, and stomach, yet they cannot agree of their kind of cruelty. Notwithstanding at the last, they agreed to cut of the skin of his head, with a pair of shieres: which being done, they caused to be made a certain crown of paper, almost a cubit high: in the which were painted 3. ugly devils of a wonderful ugly shape, and this title set over their heads. Heresiarcha.

The which when he saw, he said, My Lord Jesus Christ for my sake did wear a crown of thorns, why should not I then for his sake again, wear this light crown, be it never so ignominious? Truly I will do it, and that willingly. When it was set upon his head, the Bishops said, now we committee thy soul to the devil. But I (said John. Hus, lifting his eyes toward the heavens) do committee my spirit unto thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ: to thee I commond my soul, which thou hast redeemed. So (after he was committed to the Secular power,) the Emperor commanded Ludouicus Duke of Bavaria, that he should take Hus of the Bishops hands, and deliver him to those that should do the execution.

The place appointed for his execution, was before the gate Gothebian between the gardens, and gates of the suburbs. When John Hus was come thither, kneeling upon his knees, and lifting his eyes up to heaven, he prayed, and said certain Psalms, and specially the 51. and 31. psalms: and they which stood by, heard him oftentimes in his prayer, with a merry countenance, repeat this verse: Unto thy hands O Lord, I commend my spirit, &c. Which thing when the Lay people beheld, which stood next unto him, they said: what he hath done before we know not, but now we see, and hear, that he prayeth very devoutly, and godly.

When as by the commandment of the tormentors he was risen up from the place of his prayer, with a loud voice he said: Lord Jesus Christ, assist and help me, that with a constant and patient mind, by thy most gracious help, I may bear and suffer this cruel and ignominious death, whereunto I am condemned, for the preaching of thy most precious word, and holy Gospel.

So he was tied to a stake, toward the West, because (said they) he was not worthy to look toward the East: and straw, and fagots being put to him, Ludouicus Duke of Bavaria (before fire was put unto the wood, with another with him, the son of Clement ) came, and exhorted him, that he would yet be mindful of his safety, and renounce his errors. To whom he said, what errors should I renounce, when as I know myself guilty of none. This was the principal ende, and purpose of my doctrine, that I might teach all men penance, and remission of sins, according to the verity of the gospel of Christ, and the exposition of holy Doctors. Wherefore, with a cheerful mind and courage, I am here ready to suffer death.

When he had spoken these words, they left him, and having shaken hands, they departed. Then was the fire kindled, and John Hus began to sing with a loud voice: Jesus Christ, the son of the living God, have mercy upon me: and when he began to say the same the third time, the wind drove the flame so upon his face, that it choked him: yet notwithstanding, he moved a while after, by the space that a man might say almost three times, the Lord's prayer.

The body being burned to ashes, with great diligence they gathered them together, and cast them into the river of Rhine, that not so much as any memory, or remnant of him might be left. Cocleus in his second book contra Hussitas, thinketh, that the author that writ this history of I. Hus, was called Johannes Prizibram, a Bohemian, who after succeeding in the place of John Hus, at Prague, at last is thought to have relented unto the Papists.

And thus much concerning the death of I. Hus, who was burned at Constance, an. 1415. about the month of July. Being in prison, he wrote diverse treatises: of the commandments of the Lord, of prayer, of mortal sin, of matrimony, of the knowledge and love of God, of three enemies of mankind, the flesh, the world, and the devil, of repentance, of the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, of the sufficiency of the law of God to rule the church, &c. He had also many prophetical visions.

An. 1415. [ 1415] April iv. M. Jerome of Prague, grievously sorowing for the slanderous reproach, and defamation of his country of Boheme: & also, hearing tell of the manifest injuries done unto y ^e man of worthy memory: I. Hus, freely, and of his own accord, came to Constance, & there perceiving that I. Hus was denied to be heard: and y ^t watch and ward was laid for him on every side, he departed to Iberlinge, a City of the Empire, until the next day, which City was a mile from Constance. From thence he wrote his Letters to Sigismund king of Hungary, and his barons, requyring him of safeconduct: which being denied him, y ^e next day he wrote certain intimations, which he sent to Constance, to be set upon the gates of the city, & of the churches, & monasteries, and houses of Cardinals, and other Nobles, and prelates, requiring that if any had ought to charge him with of Heresy, they would repair thither, where he should be ready to satisfy them, requiring also in the same, safeconduct and free access: which when it would not be granted, the Nobles, Lord's, Knights, &c. especially of Boheme present in Constance, gave unto Master Jerome their letters patentes, confirmed with their seals, for a witness and testimony of the premisses: wherewith Jerome returning again into Boheme, was by treason of his enemies taken in Hirssaw, by the officers of Duke John, and was brought back again to the presence of the Duke.

In the mean time, Palletz and de Causis, & such as were enemies to John Hus, required that Jerome might be cited before the Council, which was accordingly performed, & master Jerome cited, by reason of his intimation: and the Duke brought him bound unto Constance, with a great and long chain: to whom, after they had objected certain frivolous matters, they delivered him (being bound) unto the officers of the city of Constance, to be carried to prison, for that night: where he was comforted of Peter the Notary, and one Vitus. Which being known, when it drew towards evening, y ^e Archb. of Rygen sent certain of his servants, which led away Jerome, being strongly bound with chains, both by the hands, and by the neck: and kept him so for certain hours. When night drew on, they carried him unto a certain tower of the city, in S. Paul's Churchyard, where they (tying him fast unto a great block, and his feet in the stocks, his hands also being made fast upon them) left him. The block was so high, that he could by no means sit there upon, but that his head must hang downward: where he lay, (none of his friends knowing of his conueyāce away) two days, & ii. nights, relieved only with bread & water: whereof M. Peter having knowledge by one of his keepers, desired y ^t he might have leave to provide him meat: which was granted.

Within 11. days after so hanging by the heels, he used so small repast, that he fell sore sick even unto death: whereupon he desired to have a confessor, which was hardly and with great importunity granted him. Now he had been in prison one year lacking but seven days.

After they had put John Hus to death, about the feast of the Natiuitie of Mary the virgin, they brought forth M. Jerome (whom they had kept so long in chains) unto the church of S. Paul, and wrought so with fear of death with him, that he abjured in the cathedral Church in open Session, and gave assent that John Hus was justly condemned and put to death: after which they caused him to be carried again to the same prison, but not so straightly chained as he was before. Now Palletz and de Causis hearing of this and understanding that he made this abjuration, only to escape their hands, together with certain Friers of Prague, put up new accusations against master Jerome: whose malice did appear so much against him, that the Cardinal of Cambray, and the Cardinal de Vrscons, the Cardinal of Aquilegia and of Florence, with his judges also: considering the great injury done unto him, labored before the whole Council for his delivery. Which when they were about, his enemies, & among them, one Doctor Naso greatly urged the matter against M. Jerome, insomuch that he said unto thē, I greatly fear, least that you have received some rewards either of the K. of Boheme, or of these heretics.

The Cardinals thus rebuked, gave over Master Jerome's cause, and his enemies obtained to have other Judges appointed: as, the Patriarch of Constantinople, who had condemned M. John Hus, and was a great enemy to M. Jerome, and another Germane Doctor. But Jerome refused those private Judges, and required open audience: which in hope he would confirm his recantation before them, was granted unto them.

Anno 1416. [ 1416] May 25. M. Jerome was brought into open audience in the cathedral church of Constance, where the commissioners, in the behalf of his adversaries, objected against him 107. new articles: and because the time would not suffer to answer, they appointed him the third day after: the residew of the articles, he answered most learnedly, and eloquently, and put to silence his adversaries. At length came in false witnesses that testified against him: whom he again most pithily, and eloquently confuted.

All this while the popes council did wait whē he should make recantation, and crave pardon. But he persisting still in his constant Oration, did acknowledge no error, neither gave any signification of recantation. And at last entered into the praise of M. I. Hus, and finally concluded, that all such articles, as I. Wycliffe, & I. Hus, had written, and set forth against the enormities, pomp, & disorder of the prelates, he would firmly and constantly defend unto the death: greatly condemning his fact, in that he did consent unto the condemnation of M. I. Hus, & Wycliffe. The council whispered together, & said: by these his words, it appeareth, he is at a point with himself. Then was he carried again into prison (having been in prison before 340. days) & grievously fettered, by the hands, arms, & feet, with great chains, & fetters, of iron.

The saturday next before the Ascension day, early in the morning, he was brought with armed men into y ^e church to have judgment: where they persuaded him to revoke the testimony, and praise he gave of I. Hus, & Wycliffe: which he would not in any sort do: then a certain B. named the B. of Landy, made a certain sermon exhortatory, against Master Jerome, persuading to his condemnation.

After the Sermon ended, M. Jerome again said unto them, you will condemn me wickedly, & unjustly: but I after my death, will leave a remorse in your conscience, and a nail in your harts. Et cito vos omnes, vt respondeatis mihi, coram altissimo & iustissimo Iudice, post centum annos. That is: Here I cite you all, to answer unto me before the most high and just Judge, within an hundredth years.

Finally, when no persuasions would move him to recant, they gave sentence of condemnation against him: which sentence being givē, a great miter of paper was brought, painted about with red Devils: the which when he beheld and saw (throwing his hood upon the ground) he took the miter, and put it on his head: saying, my Lord Jesus Christ, when he suffered for me most wretched sinner, did wear a crown of thorn upon his head, and I for his sake, in steed of that crown, will were this miter & crown. And afterward he was laid hold on by the secular power: and when he was led out of the church, with a cheerful countenance and loud voice, lifting up his eyes to heaven, he began to sing, Credo in vnum Deum: as it is accustomed to be song in the church: after that, other certain Canticles of the Church.

At length coming to the place of execution, where as M. John Hus before had suffered death innocently, kneeling down by the picture of Master John Hus, which was there prepared to burn him, he made a certain devout prayer. Whiles he was a praying, they took him up, and stripped him, and bound him to the Image: and when they begun to lay wood about him, he began to sing: Salue festa dies: and the Hymn being ended, he song again with a loud voice, Credo in vnum Deum, unto the end: that being done, he said unto the people, in the Germane tongue, to this effect: Deerely beloved brethren, even as I have now song, so do I beeleue, and no otherwise, and this Creed is my whole faith: notwithstanding now I die for this cause, for that I would not consent and agree to the Council, and with them affirm & hold, that M. John Hus was by them justly condemned: for I do know well that he was a true preacher of the gospel of Christ.

When the wood was begun to be set on fire, he song, In manus tuas Domine, commendo spiritum meum. When that was ended, and he began vehemently to burn: he said in the Bohemian tongue: O Lord God, father almighty, have mercy upon me, and be merciful to mine offenses, for thou knowest, how that sincerely I have loved thy truth. He was by reason of the stoutness of his nature, long in burning. After he was dead, they brought his bedding, books, hood, &c. & burned them all to ashes in the same fire: which after they did diligently gather, & cast into the river of Rhine. Thus much, touching John Hus, and Jerome of Prague: whose history was written by a Bohemian, who was present, and a beholder of the action.

In the mean time, while Jerome was in trouble, and brought before the council, the nobles of Boheme, and Morania, (grieved with their dealings) directed letters unto this barbarous Council of popish murderers, greatly blaming them for their fact, and defending both master John Hus, and master Jerome, ending their letters in this sort: the premisses notwithstanding, we (setting apart all fear & men's ordinances provided to the contrary,) will maintain & defend the law of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the devout, humble, and constant preachers thereof, even to the shedding of our blood: dated at Sternberg, ann. 1415. [ 1415] &c.

Round about the same letters, were 54 seals hanging, and the names of them, whose seals they were, subscribed.

An. 1414. [ 1414] by Henry Chichley Archb. of Canterbury, much was the affliction and trouble of good men here in England: which cruelty, John Claydon currier of London, & Richard Turming first tasted of.

The 17. day of August, an. 1415. John Claydon did personally appear, arrested by the mayor of London, for suspicion of heresy, before Henry Chichley Archbishop of Canterbury, in Paul's Church: who being demanded,