+William.+ And I said, "Sir, by the sentence [_opinions_] of divers

Doctors expounding the _Psalms_ of DAVID, the music and minstrelsy that

DAVID and other Saints of the Old Law spake of, owe [_ought_], now,

neither to be taken nor used by the letter; but these instruments with

their music ought to be interpreted ghostly [_spiritually_]: for all

those figures are called Virtues and Grace, with which virtues men

should please GOD and praise His name. For Saint PAUL saith, _All such

things befell to them in figure._ Therefore, Sir, I understand that the

letter of this _Psalm_ of DAVID and of such other _Psalms_ and

sentences, doth slay them that taken them now literally. This sentence,

I understand, Sir, CHRIST approveth himself, putting out the minstrels,

ere that he would quicken the dead damsel."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Lewd losell! is it not

lawful for us to have organs in the church, for to worship therewithal

GOD?"

+William.+ And I said, "Yea, Sir, by man's ordinance; but, by the

ordinance of GOD, a good sermon to the people's understanding, were

mickle more pleasant to GOD!"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said that "organs and good delectable

songs quickened and sharpened more men's wits, than should any sermon!"

+William.+ But I said, "Sir, lusty men and worldly lovers delight and

covet and travail to have all their wits quickened and sharpened with

divers sensible solace: but all the faithful lovers and followers of

CHRIST have all their delight to hear GOD's Word, and to understand it

truly, and to work thereafter faithfully and continually. For, no doubt,

to dread to offend GOD, and to love to please Him in all things,

quickeneth and sharpeneth all the wits of CHRIST's chosen people, and

ableth them so to grace, that they joy greatly to withdraw their ears,

and all their wits and members from all worldly delight, and from all

fleshly solace. For Saint JEROME, as I think, saith, _Nobody may joy

with this world, and reign with CHRIST._"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop, as if he had been displeased with mine

answer, said to his Clerks, "What guess ye this idiot will speak there,

where he hath none dread; since he spaketh thus now, here in my

presence? Well, well, by God! thou shalt be ordained for!"

* * * * *

=THE 4TH CHARGE OF THE SHREWSBURY MEN.=

And then he spake to me, all angerly, "What sayest thou to this fourth

point that is certified against thee, preaching openly and boldly in

Shrewsbury, _That priests have no title to tithes?_"

=CHRIST & HIS APOSTLES TOOK NO TITHES.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I named there no word of tithes in my

preaching. But, more than a month after [? _June_, 1407] that I was

arrested, there in prison [_at Shrewsbury_], a man came to me into the

prison, asking me 'What I said of tithes?'

"And I said to him, 'Sir, in this town, are many Clerks and Priests; of

which some of them are called Religious Men, though many of them be

Seculars. Therefore, ask ye of them this question!'

"And this man said to me, 'Sir, our prelates say that we are also

obliged to pay our tithes of all things that renew to us; and that they

are accursed that withdraw any part wittingly from them of their

tithes.'

"And I said, Sir, to that man, as with my Protestation, I say now here

before you, that 'I had wonder[ed] that any priest dare say _men to be

accursed_, without ground of GOD's Word.'

"And the man said, 'Sir, our priests say that they curse men thus, by

authority of GOD's Law.'

"And I said, 'Sir, I know not where this sentence of cursing is

authorized now in the _Bible_. And therefore, Sir, I pray you that ye

will ask the most cunning Clerk of this town, that ye may know where

this sentence, "cursing them that tythe not now," is written in GOD's

Law: for if it were written there, I would right gladly be learned

[_informed_] where.'

"But, shortly, this man would not go from me, to ask this question of

another body; but required me, there, as I would answer before GOD! if,

in this case, the cursing of priests were lawful and approved of GOD?

"And, shortly, therewith came to my mind the learning of Saint PETER,

teaching priests especially, _to hallow the LORD CHRIST in their hearts,

being evermore ready, as far as in them is, to answer through faith and

hope, to them that ask of them a reason_. And this lesson PETER teacheth

me to use, with a meek spirit, and with dread of the LORD.

"Wherefore, Sir, I said to this man, in this wise, 'In the Old Law,

which ended not fully till the time that CHRIST rose up again from death

to life, GOD commanded tithes to be given to the Levites for the great

business and daily travail that pertained to their office: but Priests,

because their travail was mickle more easy and light than was the office

of the Levites, GOD ordained that Priests should take for their lifelode

[_livelihood_] to do their office, the tenth part of those tithes that

were given to the Levites.

=APOSTLE PAUL WORKED WITH HIS HANDS.=

"'But now,' I said, 'in the New Law, neither CHRIST nor any of his

Apostles took tithes of the people, nor commanded the people to pay

tithes, neither to Priests nor to Deacons. But CHRIST taught the people

to do almesse [_alms_], that is, works of mercy to poor needy men, of

surplus that is superfluouse [_superfluity_] of their temporal goods

which they had more than them needed reasonably to their necessary

livelihood. And thus,' I said, 'not of tithes, but of pure alms of the

people CHRIST lived and his Apostles, when they were so busy in teaching

of the Word of GOD to the people, that they might not travail otherwise

for to get their livelihood. But after CHRIST's Ascension, and when the

Apostles had received the HOLY GHOST, they travailed with their hands

for to get their livelihood when that they might thus do for [_on

account of_] busy preaching. Therefore, by example of himself, St. PAUL

teacheth all the priests of CHRIST for to travail with their hands, when

for busy teaching of the people, they might thus do. And thus all these

priests (whose priesthood GOD accepteth now, or will accept; or did

[accept] in the Apostles' time, and after their decease) will do, to the

world's end.

"'But as _Cisterciensis_ telleth, in the thousand year of our Lord JESUS

CHRIST, two hundred and eleventh year, one Pope, the tenth GREGORY,

ordained new tithes first to be given to priests now in the New Law. But

Saint PAUL in his time (whose trace or example, all priests of GOD

enforce them to follow), seeing the covetousness that was among the

people (desiring to destroy this foul sin, through the grace of GOD, and

true virtuous living and example of himself) wrote and taught all

priests for _to follow him, as he followed CHRIST_, patiently,

willingly, and gladly in high poverty. Wherefore PAUL saith this, _The

LORD hath ordained, that they that preach the Gospel shall live by the

Gospel. But we,_ saith PAUL, _that covet and busy us to be faithful

followers of CHRIST, use not this power._ For, lo, as PAUL witnessed

afterward, when he was full poor and needy, preaching among the people,

he was not chargeous [_chargeable_] unto them, but with his hands he

travailed, not only to get his own living, but also the living of other

poor and needy creatures. And since the people were never so covetous

nor so avarous [_avaricious_], I guess, as they are now; it were good

counsel that all priests took good heed to this heavenly learning of

PAUL: following him here, in wilful poverty, nothing charging the people

for their bodily livelihood.

=PRIESTS SPEND THE PARISH OFFERINGS.=

"'But because that many priests do contrary PAUL in this foresaid

doctrine, PAUL biddeth the people take heed to those priests, that

follow him, as he had given them example: as if PAUL would say thus to

the people, "Accept ye none other priests, than they that live after the

form that I have taught you!" For, certain, in whatsoever dignity or

order that any priest is in, if he conform him not to follow CHRIST and

his Apostles in wilful poverty and in other heavenly virtues, and

specially in true preaching of GOD's Word; though such a one be named a

Priest, yet he is no more but a Priest in name: for the work of a very

Priest such a one wanteth! This sentence [_opinion_] approveth

AUGUSTINE, GREGORY, CHRYSOSTOM, and [GROSSETETE, _Bishop of_] LINCOLN

plainly.'"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Thinkest thou this

wholesome learning for to sow openly, or yet privily among the people!

Certain, this doctrine contrarieth plainly the ordinance of Holy

Fathers: which have ordained, granted, and licensed priests to be in

divers degrees; and to live by tithes and offerings of the people, and

by other duties."

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, if priests were now in measurable measure

and number; and lived virtuously, and taught busily and truly the Word

by the example of CHRIST and of his Apostles, without tithes offerings

and other duties that priests now challenge and take: the people would

give them freely sufficient livelihood."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk said to me, "How wilt thou make this good, that

the people will give freely to priests their livelihood; since that now,

by the law, every priest can scarcely constrain the people to give them

their livelihood?"

=CHRIST LIVED WHOLLY UPON ALMS.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, it is now no wonder, though the people

grudge to give the priests the livelihood that they ask! for mickle

people know, now, how that priests should live; and how that they live

contrary to CHRIST and His Apostles. And therefore the people are full

heavy to pay, as they do, their temporal goods to Parsons and to other

Vicars and Priests; which should be faithful dispensators of the

parish's goods, taking to themselves no more but a scarce living of

tithes nor of offerings by the Ordinance of the Common Law. For

whatsoever priests take of the people, be it tithes or offering, or any

other duty or service, the priests ought not to have thereof no more but

a bare living: and to depart [_give away_] the residue to the poor men

and women, specially of the parish of whom they take this temporal

living. But the most deal [_greater portion_] of priests now waste

their parish's goods, and spendeth them at their own will, after the

world in their vain lusts: so that in few places poor men have duly, as

they should have, their own sustenance, neither of tithes nor of

offerings, nor of other large wages and foundations that priests take of

the people in divers manners, above that they need for needful

sustenance of meat and clothing. But the poor needy people are forsaken

and left of priests, to be sustained of the paroshenis [_parishioners_];

as if the priests took nothing of the parishioners, for to help the poor

people with. And thus, Sir, into over great charges of the parishioners,

they pay their temporal goods twice; where once might suffice, if

priests were true dispensators.

"Also, Sir, the parishioners that pay their temporal goods, be they

tithes or offerings, to priests that do not their office among them

justly, are partners of every sin of those priests: because that they

sustain those priests' folly in their sin, with their temporal goods. If

these things be well considered, what wonder is it then, Sir, if the

parishioners grudge against these dispensators?"

+Archbishop.+ Then the Archbishop said to me, "Thou that shouldest be

judged and ruled by Holy Church, presumptuously, thou deemest Holy

Church to have erred in the ordinance of tithes and other duties to be

paid to priests! It shall be long ere thou thrive, losell! that thou

despisest thy ghostly Mother! How darest thou speak this, losell! among

the people? Are not tithes given to priests for to live by?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, Saint PAUL saith that tithes were given in

the Old Law to Levites and to Priests, that came of the lineage of LEVI.

But _our priest_, he saith, _came not of the lineage of LEVI, but of the

lineage of JUDAH; to which JUDAH, no tithes were promised to be given_.

And therefore PAUL saith, _Since the priesthood is changed from the

generation of LEVI to the generation of JUDAH, it is necessary that

changing also be made of the Law_. So that priests live now without

tithes and other duties that they now claim; following CHRIST and his

Apostles in wilful poverty, as they have given them example. For since

CHRIST lived all the time of His preaching by pure [_the simple_] alms

of the people, and (by example of him) his Apostles lived in the same

wise, or else by the travail of their hands, as it is said above; every

priest, whose priesthood CHRIST approveth, knoweth well, and confesseth

in word and in work that _a disciple oweth_ [ought] _not to be above his

Master, but it sufficeth to a disciple to be as his Master_, simple and

pure, meek and patient: and by example specially of his Master CHRIST,

every priest should rule him in all his living; and so, after his

cunning and power, a priest should busy him to inform and to rule

whomsoever he might charitably."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, with a great spirit, "GOD's

curse have thou and thine for this teaching! for thou wouldest hereby

make the Old Law more free and perfect than the New Law! For thou sayest

it is lawful for Levites and to Priests to take tithes in the Old Law,

and so to enjoy their privileges; but to us priests in the New Law, thou

sayest it is not lawful to take tithes! And thus, thou givest the

Levites of the Old Law more freedom, than to priests of the New Law!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I marvel, that ye understand this plain

text of PAUL thus! Ye wot well, that the Levites and Priests in the Old

Law, that took tithes, were not so free nor so perfect as CHRIST and his

Apostles that took no tithes! And, Sir, there is a Doctor, I think that

it is Saint JEROME, that saith thus, _The priests that challenge now in

the New Law, tithes, say, in effect that CHRIST is not become Man, nor

that he hath yet suffered death for man's love._ Whereupon, this Doctor

saith this sentence, _Since tithes were the hires and wages limited to

Levites and to Priests of the Old Law, for bearing about of the

Tabernacle, and for slaying and flaying of beasts, and for burning of

sacrifice, and for keeping of the Temple, and for trumping of battle

before the host of Israel, and other divers observances that pertained

to their office; those priests, that will challenge or take tithes, deny

that CHRIST is comen in flesh, and do the Priest's office of the Old

Law, for whom tithes were granted: for else_, as the Doctor saith,

_priests take now tithes wrongfully_."

="HEARD YE EVER LOSELL SPEAK THUS!"=

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to his Clerks, "Heard ye ever

losell speak thus! Certain, this is the learning of them all, that

wheresoever they come, and they may be suffered, they enforce them to

expugn the freedom of Holy Church!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, why call you the taking of tithes and of

such other duties that priests challenge now wrongfully 'the freedom of

Holy Church'; since neither CHRIST nor his Apostles challenged nor took

such duties? Herefore these takings of priests now, are not called

justly 'the freedom of Holy Church': but all such giving and taking

ought to be called and holden 'the slanderous covetousness of men of the

Holy Church.'"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Why, losell! wilt not thou

and others that are confedered [_confederated_] with thee, seek out of

Holy Scripture and of the sentence of Doctors, all sharp authorities

against Lords and Knights and Squires, and against other secular men, as

thou dost against priests?"

=_PRIESTS ARE THE STOMACH OF THE PEOPLE!_=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, whatsoever men or women, Lords or Ladies,

or any others that are present in our preaching specially, or in our

communing, after our cunning, we to tell to them their office and their

charges: but, Sir, since CHRYSOSTOM saith _the priests are the stomach

of the people_, it is needful in preaching and also in communing, to be

most busy about this priesthood, since by the viciousness of priests,

both Lords and Commons are most sinfully infected and led into the

worst. And because that the covetousness of priests, and pride and the

boast that they have and make, of their dignity and power, destroyeth

not only the virtues of priesthood in priests themselves: but also, over

this, it stirreth GOD to take great vengeance both upon Lords and

Commons, which suffer these priests charitably."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Thou judgest every priest

proud that will not go arrayed as thou dost! By God! I deem him to be

more meek that goeth every day in a scarlet gown, than thou, in that

threadbare blue gown! Whereby knowest thou a proud man?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, a proud priest may be known when he denieth

to follow CHRIST and his Apostles in wilful poverty and other virtues;

and coveteth worldly worship, and taketh it gladly, and gathereth

together with pleting [? _pleading_] menacing or with flattering, or

with simony, any worldly goods: and most if a priest busy him not

chiefly in himself, and after in all other men and women, after his

cunning and power, to withstand sin."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Though thou knewest a

priest to have all these vices, and though thou sawest a priest, lovely,

lie now by a woman, knowing her fleshly; wouldest thou herefore deem

this priest damnable? I say to thee, that in the turning about of thy

hand, such a sinner may be verily repented!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I will not damn any man for any sin that I

know done or may be done; so that the sinner leaveth his sin! But, by

authority of Holy Scripture, he that sinneth thus openly, as ye shew

here, is damnable for doing of such a sin; and most specially a priest

that should be [an] example to all others for to hate and fly sin: and

in how short time that ever ye say, that such a sinner may be repented,

he oweth [_ought_] not, of him that knoweth his sinning, to be judged

verily repentant, without open evidence of great shame and hearty sorrow

for his sin. For whosoever, and specially a priest, that useth pride,

envy, covetousness, lechery, simony, or any other vices; and sheweth

not, as open evidence of repentance, as he hath given evil example and

occasion of sinning: if he continue in any such sin as long as he may,

it is likely that sin leaveth him and he not sin; and, as I understand,

such a one sinneth unto death, for whom nobody oweth [_ought_] to pay,

as Saint JOHN saith."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk said to the Archbishop, "Sir, the longer that ye

appose him, the worse he is! and the more that ye busy you to amend him,

the waywarder he is! for he is of so shrewd a kind, that he shameth not

only to be himself a foul nest; but, without shame, he busieth him to

make his nest fouler!"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to his Clerk, "Suffer a while, for

I am at an end with him! for there is one other point certified against

him; and I will hear what he saith thereto."

* * * * *

=THE 5TH CHARGE OF THE SHREWSBURY MEN.=

And so then, he said to me, "Lo, it is here certified against thee, that

thou preachedst openly at Shrewsbury _that it is not lawful to swear in

any case_."

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I preached never so openly, nor I have not

taught in this wise, in any place. But, Sir, as I preached in

Shrewsbury, with my Protestation I say to you now here, That by the

authority of the Gospel and of Saint JAMES, and by witness of divers

Saints and Doctors, I have preached openly, in one place or other, that

it is not lawful in any case to swear by any creature. And, over this,

Sir, have also preached and taught, by the foresaid authorities, that

nobody should swear in any case, if that without oath, in any wise, he

that is charged to swear, might excuse him to them that have power to

compel him to swear in leful things and lawful: but if a man may not

excuse him without oath to them that have power to compel him to swear,

then he ought to swear only by GOD, taking Him only, that is

Soothfastness, for to witness the soothfastness."

+A Clerk.+ And then a Clerk asked me, "If it were not leful [_lawful_]

to a subject, at the bidding of his Prelate, for to kneel down and touch

the Holy Gospel book, and kiss it saying, _So help me, GOD! and this

holy doom!_ for he should, after his cunning and power, do all things,

that his Prelate commandeth him?"

+William.+ And I said to them, "Sirs, ye speak here full generally and

largely! What, if a Prelate commanded his subject to do an unlawful

thing, should he obey thereto?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "A subject ought not to

suppose that his Prelate will bid him do an unlawful thing. For a

subject ought to think that his Prelate will bid him do nothing but that

he will answer for before GOD, that it is lefull [_lawful_]: and then,

though the bidding of the Prelate be unlawful, the subject hath no peril

to fulfil it; since that he thinketh and judgeth that whatsoever thing

his Prelate biddeth him do, that is leful to him for to do it."

=A MAN OF LAW AND A MASTER OF DIVINITY.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I trust not hereto! But to our first

purpose! Sir, I tell you that I was once in a gentleman's house, and

there were then two Clerks there, a Master of Divinity and a Man of Law;

which Man of Law was also communing in divinity. And among other things,

these men spake of oaths. And the Man of Law said, 'At the bidding of

his Sovereign which had power to charge him to swear, he would lay his

hand upon a book, and hear his charge; and if his charge, to his

understanding were unlawful, he would hastily withdraw his hand from the

book; and if he perceived his charge to be leful he would hold still his

hand upon the book, taking there only GOD to witness that he would

fulfil that leful charge after his power.' And the Master of Divinity

said then to him thus, 'Certain, he that layeth his hand upon a book in

this wise, and maketh there a promise to do that thing that he is

commanded, is obliged there, by book oath, then, to fulfil his charge.

For, no doubt, he that chargeth him to lay his hand thus upon a book,

touching the book and swearing by it, and kissing it, promising in this

form, to do this thing or that, will say and witness, that he that

toucheth thus a book and kisseth it, hath sworn upon that book; and all

other men that see that men thus do, and also all those that hear

thereof in the same wise, will say and witness that _this man hath sworn

upon a book!_ Wherefore,' the Master of Divinity said, 'it was not

leful, neither to give nor to take any such charge upon a book! for

every book is nothing else but divers creatures [_created things_], of

which it is made of: therefore to swear upon a book, is to swear by

creatures! and this swearing is ever unleful.'

"This sentence witnesseth CHRYSOSTOM, plainly blaming them greatly, that

bring forth a book for to swear upon, charging Clerks that in nowise

they constrain anybody to swear, whether they think a man to swear true

or false."

And the Archbishop and his Clerks scorned me, and blamed me greatly for

this saying. And the Archbishop menaced me with great punishment and

sharp, except I left this opinion of swearing.

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, this is not mine opinion; but it is the

opinion of CHRIST our Saviour! and of Saint JAMES! and of CHRYSOSTOM!

and of other divers Saints and Doctors!"

Then the Archbishop bad a Clerk read this _Homily_ of CHRYSOSTOM, which

_Homily_ this Clerk held in his hand written in a roll; which roll the

Archbishop caused to be taken from my fellow at Canterbury: and so then

this Clerk read this roll, till he came to a clause where CHRYSOSTOM

saith that _it is sin, to swear well_.

+A Clerk (? Malveren).+ And then a Clerk, MALVEREN as I guess, said to

the Archbishop, "Sir, I pray you wit of him, how that he understandeth

CHRYSOSTOM here, saying it to be _sin, to swear well_."

+Archbishop.+ And so the Archbishop asked me, "How I understood here

CHRYSOSTOM?

=WILLIAM TO EXPLAIN CHRYSOSTOM'S _HOMILY_.=

+William.+ And, certain, I was somewhat afraid to answer hereto; for I

had not busied me to study about the sense hereof: but lifting up my

mind to GOD, I prayed Him, of grace. And, as fast, as I thought how

CHRIST said to his apostles, _When, for my name, ye shall be brought

before judges, I will give into your mouth, wisdom, that your

adversaries shall not against say_ [gainsay]; and trusting faithfully in

the Word of GOD, I said, "Sir, I know well, that many men and women have

now swearing so in custom, that they know not, nor will not know that

they do evil for to swear as they do: but they think and say, that they

do well for to swear as they do; though they know well that they swear

untruly. For they say, 'They may by their swearing, though it be false,

[a]void blame or temporal harm; which they should have, if they swore

not thus.'

"And, Sir, many men and women maintain strongly that they swear well,

when that thing is sooth that they swear for.

"Also full many men and women say now that 'It is well done to swear by

creatures, when they may not (as they say) otherwise be believed.'

"And also full many men and women now say that 'It is well done to swear

by GOD and by our Lady, and by other Saints; for to have them in mind!'

"But since all these sayings are but excusations [_excuses_] and sin,

methinketh, Sir, that this sentence of CHRYSOSTOM may be alleged well

against all such swearers: witnessing that these sin grievously; though

they think themselves for to swear in this foresaid wise, well. For it

is evil done and great sin for to swear truth, when, in any manner, a

man may excuse him without oath."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said that "CHRYSOSTOM might be thus

understood."

+A Clerk.+ And then a Clerk said to me, "Wilt thou tarry my Lord no

longer! but submit thee here meekly to the ordinance of Holy Church; and

lay thine hand upon a book, touching the Holy Gospel of GOD, promising,

not only with thy mouth but also with thine heart, to stand to my Lord's

ordinance?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, have I not told you here, how that I heard

a Master of Divinity say that, in such a case, it is all one to touch a

book, and to swear by a book?"

=ARCHBP.'S VIEWS ENFORCED BY FORCE.=

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "There is no Master of Divinity

in England so great, that if he hold this opinion before me, but I shall

punish him as I shall do thee, except thou swear as I shall charge

thee!"

=SPECIMEN OF THE ARGUMENTS OF SCHOOLMEN.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, is not CHRYSOSTOM an ententif Doctor?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "If CHRYSOSTOM proveth him worthy great blame

that bringeth forth a book to swear upon, it must needs follow that he

is more to blame that sweareth on that book!"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "If CHRYSOSTOM meant according to

the ordinance of Holy Church, we will accept him!"

+A Clerk.+ And then said a Clerk to me, "Is not the Word of GOD, and GOD

Himself _equipollent_, that is, of one authority?"

+William.+ And I said, "Yea!"

+A Clerk.+ Then he said to me, "Why wilt thou not swear, then, by the

Gospel of GOD, that is, GOD's Word; since it is all one to swear by the

Word of GOD and by GOD Himself?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, since I may not, now, otherwise be believed

but by swearing, I perceive, as AUGUSTINE saith, that it is not speedful

that ye, that should be my brethren, should not believe me: therefore I

am ready, by the Word of GOD (as the LORD commanded me by His Word), to

swear."

+A Clerk.+ Then the Clerk said to me, "Lay, then, thine hand upon the

book, touching the Holy Gospel of GOD; and take thy charge!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I understand that the Holy Gospel of GOD

may not be touched with man's hands!"

+A Clerk.+ And the Clerk said I fonded [_fooled_], and that I said not

truth.

+William.+ And I asked this Clerk, "Whether it were more to read the

Gospel, or to touch the Gospel?"

+A Clerk.+ And he said, "It was more to read the Gospel!"

=GOSPEL HID IN THE LETTER OF SCRIPTURE.=

+William.+ Then I said, "Sir, by authority of Saint JEROME, the Gospel

is not the Gospel for [_through_] reading of the letter, but for the

belief that men have in the Word of GOD; that it is the Gospel that we

believe, and not the letter we read: for because the letter that is

touched with man's hand is not the Gospel, but the sentence that is

verily believed in man's heart is the Gospel. For so Saint JEROME saith,

_The Gospel, that is the virtue of GOD's Word is not in the leaves of

the book, but it is in the root of reason. Neither the Gospel,_ he

saith, _is in the writing above of the letters; but the Gospel is in the

marking of the sentence of Scriptures_.

"This sentence approveth Saint PAUL, saying thus, _The Kingdom of GOD is

not in word, but in virtue._ And DAVID saith, _The voice of the LORD,

that is, His Word, is in virtue._ And, after, David saith, _Through the

Word of GOD, the heavens were formed; and in the Spirit of His mouth is

all the virtue of them._ And I pray you, Sir, understand ye well how

DAVID saith that, _in the Spirit of the mouth of the LORD is all the

virtue of angels and of men_"?

+A Clerk.+ And the Clerk said to me, "Thou wouldst make us to fond with

thee! Say we not that the Gospels are written in the _Mass_ book?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, though men use [_are accustomed_] to say

thus, yet it is unperfect speech. For the principal part of a thing is

properly the whole thing: for, lo, man's soul that may not now be seen

here, nor touched with any sensible thing, is properly Man! And all the

virtue of a tree is in the root thereof, that may not be seen; for do

away with the root, and the tree is destroyed! And, Sir, as ye said to

me, right now, GOD and His Word are of one authority; and, Sir, Saint

JEROME witnesseth that CHRIST, Very GOD and Very Man, is hid in the

letter of his Law; thus also, Sir, the Gospel is hid in the letter!

"For, Sir, as it is full likely many divers men and women here in the

earth touched CHRIST, and saw him, and knew his bodily person; which

neither touched, nor saw, nor knew ghostly his Godhead: right thus, Sir,

many men now touch, and see, and write, and read the Scriptures of GOD's

Law, which neither touch, see, nor read effectually the Gospel. For as

the Godhead of CHRIST, that is, the virtue of GOD, is known by the

virtue through belief; so is the Gospel, that is CHRIST's Word!"

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk said to me, "These be full misty matters and

unsavoury, that thou showest here to us!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, if ye, that are Masters, know not plainly

this sentence, ye may sore dread that the Kingdom of Heaven be taken

from you! as it was from the Princes of Priests and from the Elders of

the Jews."

+A Clerk (? Malveren).+ And then a Clerk, as I guess MALVEREN, said to

me, "Thou knowest not thine equivocations! for the 'Kingdom of Heaven'

hath diverse understandings. What callest thou the 'Kingdom of Heaven'

in this sentence, that thou shewest here?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, by good reason, and sentence of Doctors,

the Realm of Heaven is called here, the understanding of GOD's Word."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk said to me, "From whom, thinkest thou, that this

understanding is taken away?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, by authority of CHRIST himself, the

effectual understanding of CHRIST's word is taken away from all them

chiefly which are great-lettered [_learned_] men, and presume to

understand high things, and will be holden wise men, and desire

mastership and high state and dignity: but they will not conform them to

the living and teaching of CHRIST and of His Apostles."

+Archbishop.+ Then the Archbishop said, "Well, well, thou wilt judge thy

sovereigns! By God! the King [_HENRY IV._] doeth not his duty, but he

suffer thee to be condemned!"

* * * * *

=THEY LAYED WAIT TO ENTRAP WILLIAM.=

+A Clerk.+ And then another Clerk said to me, "Why, on Friday last, that

was [_August 5, 1407_], counselledst thou a man of my Lord's, that he

should not shrive him to Man, but only to GOD?"

And with this asking, I was abashed; and then, by and by, I knew that I

was surely betrayed of a man that came to me in prison [? _at Saltwood

Castle_] on the Friday before, communing with me in this matter of

confession: and, certain, by his words, I thought that this man came

then to me of full fervent and charitable will. But now I know, he came

to tempt me and to accuse me. GOD forgive him, if it be His holy will!

And with all mine heart, when I had thought thus, I said to this Clerk,

"Sir, I pray you that ye would fetch this man hither! and all the words,

as near as I can repeat them, which that I spake to him on Friday in the

prison, I will rehearse now here, before you all, and before him."

+Archbishop.+ And, as I guess, the Archbishop then said to me, "They

that are now here, suffice to repeat them. How saidest thou to him?"

=TALK ON CONFESSION, IN SALTWOOD CASTLE.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, that man came and asked me of divers

things; and after his asking, I answered him, as I understood that good

was. And, as he shewed to me by his words, he was sorry for his living

in Court, and right heavy for his own vicious living, and also for the

viciousness of other men, and specially of priests' evil living; and

herefore, he said to me with a sorrowful heart, as I guessed, that he

purposed fully, within short time, for to leave the Court, and busy him

to know GOD's Law, and to conform all his life hereafter.

"And when he had said to me these words, and others more, which I would

rehearse and [_if_] he were present, he prayed me to hear his

confession.

"And I said to him, 'Sir, wherefore come ye to me, to be confessed of

me? Ye wot well that the Archbishop putteth and holdeth me here, as one

unworthy either to give or to take any Sacrament of Holy Church!'

"And he said to me, 'Brother, I wot well, and so wot many others more,

that you and such others are wrongfully vexed; and herefore I will

common [_commune_] with you the more gladly.'

"And I said to him, 'Certain, I wot well that many men of this Court

[_i.e._, _the Archbishop's_], and specially Priests of this household

[_Chaplains_], would be full evil a paid, both with you and me, if they

wist that ye were confessed of me!'

"And he said that he cared not therefore, for he had full little

affection in them! and, as methought, he spake these words and many

others of so good will and of so high desire for to have known and done

the pleasant Will of GOD.

"And I said then to him, as with my foresaid Protestation, I say to you

now here, 'Sir, I counsel you for to absent you from all evil company,

and to draw you to them that love and busy them to know and to keep the

precepts of GOD; and then the good Spirit of GOD will move you for to

occupy busily all your wits in gathering together of all your sins, as

far as ye can bethink you; shaming greatly of them, and sorrowing

heartily for them. Yea, Sir, the HOLY GHOST will then put in your heart

a good will and a fervent desire for to take and to hold a good purpose,

to hate ever and to fly, after your cunning and power, all occasion of

sin: and so then wisdom shall come to you from above, lightening with

divers beams of grace and of heavenly desire all your wits, informing

you how ye shall trust stedfastly in the mercy of the LORD,

[ac]knowledging to Him only all your vicious living, praying to Him ever

devoutly of charitable counsel and continuance, hoping without doubt

that if ye continue thus busying you faithfully to know and keep his

biddings, that He will, for He only may, forgive you all your sins!'

"And this man said then to me, 'Though GOD forgive men their sins, yet

it behoveth men to be assoiled [_absolved_] of priests, and to do the

penance that they enjoin them!'

=GOD ALONE CAN FORGIVE SINS!=

"And I said to him, 'Sir, it is all one to assoil men of their sins, and

to forgive men their sins: wherefore since it pertaineth only to GOD to

forgive sin, it sufficeth in this case, to counsel men and women for to

leave their sin, and to comfort them that busy them thus to do, for to

hope stedfastly in the mercy of GOD. And againward, priests ought to

tell sharply to customable sinners, that if they will not make an end of

their sin, but continue in divers sins while that they may sin, all such

deserve pain without end. And herefore priests should ever busy them to

live well and holily, and to teach the people busily and truly the Word

of GOD; shewing to all folk, in open preaching and in privy counselling,

that the LORD GOD only forgiveth sin. And therefore those priests that

take upon them to assoil men of their sins, blaspheme GOD; since that it

pertaineth only to the LORD to assoil men of all their sins. For, no

doubt, a thousand years after that CHRIST was man, no priest of CHRIST

durst take upon him to teach the people, neither privily nor apertly,

that they behoved needs to come to be assoiled of them; as priests do

now. But by authority of CHRIST's word, priests bound indured

[_hardened_] customable sinners to everlasting pains, [those] which, in

no time of their living, would busy them faithfully to know the biddings

of GOD, nor to keep them. And, again, all they that would occupy all

their wits to hate and to flee all occasion of sin, dreading over all

things to offend GOD, and loving for to please Him continually; to these

men and women, priests shewed how the LORD assoileth them of their sins.

And thus CHRIST promised to confirm in heaven, all the binding and

loosing that priests, by authority of his Word, bind men in sin that are

indured therein; or loose them out of sin here upon earth that are

verily repentant.'

"And this man hearing these words, said that he 'might well in

conscience consent to this sentence. But,' he said, 'is it not needful

to the lay people that cannot thus do, to go shrive them to priests?'

=THE MONK OF FAVERSHAM'S SERMON.=

"And I said, 'If a man feel himself so distroubled with any sin, that he

cannot by his own wit, avoid this sin without counsel of them that are

herein wiser than he; in such a case, the counsel of a good priest is

full necessary. And if a good priest fail, as they do now commonly, in

such a case; Saint AUGUSTINE saith that a man may lefully comon

[_lawfully commune_] and take counsel of a virtuous secular man. But,

certain, that man or woman is overladen and too beastly, which cannot

bring their own sins into their mind, busying them night and day for to

hate and for to forsake all their sins, doing a sigh for them, after

their cunning and power. And, Sir, full accordingly to this sentence,

upon mid-Lenton Sunday, two years [_March 29, 1405_], as I guess, now

agone, I heard a Monk of Feversham, that men called MOREDOM, preach at

Canterbury, at the Cross within Christchurch Abbey, saying thus of

Confession: _As through the suggestion of the Fiend, without counsel of

any other body than of themselves, many men and women can imagine and

find means and ways enough to come to pride, to theft, to lechery, and

to other divers vices: in contrary wise_, this Monk said, _since the

LORD GOD is more ready to forgive sin than the Fiend is or may be of

power to move anybody to sin, then whoever will shame and sorrow

heartily for their sins, [ac]knowledging them faithfully to GOD,

amending them after their power and cunning, without counsel of any

other body than of GOD and himself, through the grace of GOD, all such

men and women may find sufficient means to come to GOD's mercy, and so

to be clean assoiled of all their sins._' This sentence I said, Sir, to

this man of yours, and the self words, as near as I can guess."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Holy Church approveth not this

learning."

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, Holy Church, of which CHRIST is head in

heaven and in earth, must needs approve this sentence. For, lo, hereby

all men and women may, if they will, be sufficiently taught to know and

to keep the commandments of GOD, and to hate and to fly continually all

occasion of sin, and to love and to seek virtues busily, and to believe

in GOD stably, and to trust in His mercy stedfastly, and so to come to

perfect charity and continue therein perseverantly: and more, the LORD

asketh not of any man here now in this life. And, certain, since JESUS

CHRIST died upon the cross wilfully to make men free; Men of the Church

are too bold and too busy to make men thrall! binding them 'under the

pains of endless curse,' as they say, to do many observances and

ordinances, which neither the living nor the teaching of CHRIST, nor of

his Apostles approveth."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk said then to me, "Thou shewest plainly here thy

deceit, which thou hast learned of them that travail to sow popil

[_tares_] among wheat! But I counsel thee to go away clean from this

learning, and submit thee lowly to my Lord, and thou shalt find him yet

to be gracious to thee!"

+Another Clerk.+ And as fast, another Clerk said to me, "How wast thou

so bold at Paul's Cross in London, to stand there hard, with thy tippet

[_cape_] bounden about thine head, and to reprove in his sermon, the

worthy Clerk ALKERTON, drawing away all, that thou mightest! Yea, and

the same day at afternoon, thou meeting that worthy Doctor in Watling

street, calledst him, 'False flatterer, and hypocrite!'"

=WILLIAM CALLS ALKERTON, _FLATTERER_!=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I think certainly, that there was no man

nor woman that hated verily sin and loved virtues, hearing the sermon of

the Clerk of Oxford, and also ALKERTON's sermon, but they said, and

might justly say, that ALKERTON reproved the Clerk untruly, and

slandered him wrongfully and uncharitably. For, no doubt, if the living

and teaching of CHRIST chiefly and his Apostles be true, nobody that

loveth GOD and His Law will blame any sentence that the Clerk then

preached there; since, by authority of GOD's Word, and by approved

Saints and Doctors, and by open reason, this Clerk approved all things

clearly that he preached there."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk of the Archbishop said to me, "His sermon was

false, and that he sheweth openly, since he dare not stand forth and

defend his preaching, that he then preached there."

=THE CLERK AT OXFORD, A LOLLARD.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I think that he purposeth to stand

stedfastly thereby, or else he slandereth foully himself and many others

that have great trust that he will stand by the truth of the Gospel. For

I wot well his sermon is written both in Latin and in English; and many

men have it, and they set great price thereby. And, Sir, if ye were

present with the Archbishop [_i.e._, _of CANTERBURY, in whose presence

he was then standing_] at Lambeth, when this Clerk appeared; and were at

his Answer before the Archbishop: ye wot well that this Clerk denied not

there his sermon; but, two days, he maintained it before the Archbishop

and his Clerks."

+Archbishop or a Clerk.+ And then the Archbishop, or one of his Clerks

said (I wot not which of them!), "That harlot [_at this time applied to

men also_] shall be met with, for that sermon. For no man but he, and

thou, and such other false harlots, praiseth any such preaching."

+Archbishop.+ And then the Archbishop said, "Your cursed sect is busy,

and it joyeth right greatly to contrary and to destroy the privilege and

freedom of Holy Church."

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I know no men travail so busily as this

sect doth, which you reprove, to make rest and peace in Holy Church. For

pride, covetousness, and simony which distrouble most Holy Church, this

sect hateth and flyeth, and travaileth busily to move all other men in

like manner unto meekness and wilful poverty and charity, and free

ministring of the sacraments: this sect loveth, and useth, and is full

busy to move all other folks, thus to do. For these virtues owe all

members of Holy Church to their head, CHRIST."

+A Clerk.+ Then a Clerk said to the Archbishop, "Sir, it is far day, and

ye have far to ride to-night; therefore make an end with him, for he

will none make! But the more, Sir, that ye busy you for to draw him

towards you, the more contumax [_contumacious_] he is made, and the

further from you."

+Malveren.+ And then MALVEREN said to me, "WILLIAM! kneel down, and pray

my Lord, of grace! and leave all thy fantasies, and become a child of

Holy Church!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I have prayed the Archbishop oft, and yet I

pray him, for the love of CHRIST! that he will leave his indignation

that he hath against me; and that he will suffer me, after my cunning

and power, for to do mine office of priesthood, as I am charged of GOD

to do it. For I covet nought else, but to serve my GOD to His pleasing,

in the state that I stand in, and have taken me to."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "If, of good heart, thou

wilt submit thee now, here, meekly to be ruled, from this time forth by

my counsel, obeying meekly and wilfully to mine ordinance, thou shalt

find it most profitable and best to thee for to do thus. Therefore,

tarry thou me no longer! Grant to do this, that I have said to thee now,

here, shortly; or deny it utterly!"

=WILLIAM QUESTIONS THE ARCHBISHOP.=

+William.+ And I said to the Archbishop, "Sir, owe [_ought_] we to

believe that JESUS CHRIST was and is Very GOD and Very Man?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, owe we to believe that all CHRIST's living

and his teaching is true in every point?"

+Archbishop.+ And he said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, owe we to believe that the living of the

Apostles and the teaching of CHRIST and of all Prophets are true, which

are written in the _Bible_ for the health and salvation of GOD's

people?"

+Archbishop.+ And he said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, owe all Christian men and women, after

their cunning and power, for to conform their living to the teaching

specially of CHRIST; and also to the teaching and living of his Apostles

and of Prophets, in all things that are pleasant to GOD, and edification

to His Church?"

+Archbishop.+ And he said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, ought the doctrine, the bidding, or the

counsel of anybody to be accepted or obeyed unto, except this counsel,

these biddings, or this counsel may be granted and affirmed by CHRIST's

living and his teaching, or by the living and teaching of his Apostles

and Prophets?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Other doctrine ought not

to be accepted, nor we owe not to obey to any man's bidding or counsel;

except we can perceive that this bidding or counsel accordeth with the

bidding and teaching of CHRIST and of his Apostles and Prophets?"

=WILLIAM VERY FIRM; ABP. IN A PASSION.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, are not all the learning and biddings and

counsels of Holy Church means and healthful remedies to know, and to

withstand the privy suggestions and the apert temptations of the Fiend;

and also ways and healthful remedies to slay pride and all other deadly

sins and the branches of them; and sovereign means to purchase grace,

for to withstand and overcome all fleshly lusts and movings?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, whatsoever thing ye or any other body bid

or counsel me to do; according to this foresaid learning, after my

cunning and power, through the help of GOD, I will meekly, with all mine

heart, obey thereto!"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Submit thee then, now,

here, meekly and wilfully to the ordinance of Holy Church, which I shall

shew to thee!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, according as I have here, now before you,

rehearsed, I will now be ready to obey full gladly to CHRIST, the Head

of all Holy Church, and to the learning and biddings and counsels of

every pleasing member of Him."

+Archbishop.+ Then the Archbishop striking with his hand fiercely upon a

cupboard, spake to me, with a great spirit, saying, "By Jesu! but if

thou leave such additions, obliging thee now here without any exception

to mine ordinance, ere that I go out of this place, I shall make thee as

sure as any thief that is in the prison of Lantern. Advise thee now,

what thou wilt do!" And then, as if he had been angered, he went from

the cupboard where he stood, to a window.

And then MALVEREN and another Clerk came nearer me, and they spake to me

many words full pleasantly, and another while they menaced me and

counselled full busily to submit me, or else they said I should not

escape punishing over measure; for they said I should be degraded,

cursed, and burned, and so then damned!

+Malveren and a Clerk.+ "But now," they said, "thou mayest eschew all

these mischiefs, if thou will submit thee wilfully and meekly to this

worthy Prelate, that hath cure of thy soul! And for the pity of CHRIST!"

said they, "bethink thee, how great clerks [PHILIP DE REPINGTON] the

Bishop of LINCOLN, HEREFORD, and PURVEY were, and yet are; and also

B[OWTON] that is a well understanding man: which also have forsaken and

revoked all the learning and opinions that thou and such others hold!

Wherefore, since each of them is mickle wiser than thou art; we counsel

thee for the best, that, by the example of these four Clerks, thou

follow them, submitting thee as they did!"

=THE CHAPLAINS TRY THEIR HANDS ON HIM.=

+A Clerk.+ And one of the [Arch]bishop's Clerks said, then, there, that

"he heard NICHOLAS HEREFORD say, that 'since he forsook and revoked all

the learning and opinions of the Lollards, he hath had mickle greater

favour and more delight to hold against them; than ever he had to hold

with them, while he held with them.'"

+Malveren.+ And therefore MALVEREN said to me, "I understand and [_if_]

thou wilt take thee to a priest, and shrive thee clean, forsake all such

opinions, and take thy penance of my Lord here, for the holding and

teaching of them, within short time thou shalt be greatly comforted in

this doing!"

+William.+ And I said to the Clerks, that thus busily counselled me to

follow these foresaid men, "Sirs, if these men, of whom ye counsel me to

take example, had forsaken benefices of temporal profit and of worldly

worship, so that they had absented them and eschewed from all occasions

of covetousness and of fleshly lusts; and had taken them to simple

living and wilful poverty: they had herein given good example to me and

many others to have followed them. But now, since all these four men

have slanderously and shamefully done the contrary, consenting to

receive and to have and to hold temporal benefices, living now more

worldly and more fleshly than they did before, conforming them to the

manners of this world; I forsake them herein, and in all their foresaid

slanderous doing!

=WILLIAM REJECTS THE LOLLARD TURNCOATS.=

"For I purpose, with the help of GOD into remission of all my sins and

of my foul cursed living, to hate and to fly privily and apertly, to

follow these men! teaching and counselling whomsoever that I may, for to

fly and eschew the way that they have chosen to go in, which will lead

them to the worst end, if, in convenient time, they repent them not,

verily forsaking and revoking openly the slander that they have put, and

every day yet put to CHRIST's Church. For, certain, so open blasphemy

and slander, as they have spoken and done in their revoking and

forsaking of the Truth, ought not, nor may not, privily be amended duly.

Wherefore, Sirs, I pray you that ye busy you not for to move me to

follow these men in revoking and forsaking of the Truth and

Soothfastness! as they have done, and yet do; wherein by open evidence,

they stir GOD to great wroth, and not only against themselves, but also

against all them that favour them or consent to them herein, or that

comoneth [_communeth_] with them, except it be for their amendment. For

whereas these men first were pursued of enemies, now they have obliged

them by oath for to slander and pursue CHRIST in his members! Wherefore,

as I trust stedfastly in the goodness of GOD, the worldly covetousness,

and the lusty living, and the sliding from the truth of these runagates

[_renegades_] shall be to me, and to many other men and women, an

example and an evidence to stand the more stiffly by the Truth of

CHRIST.

"For, certain, right many men and women do mark and abhor the foulness

and cowardice of these aforesaid untrue men, how that they are overcome,

and stopped with benefices, and withdrawn from the truth of GOD's Word,

forsaking utterly to suffer therefore bodily persecution. For by this

unfaithful doing and apostasy, of them specially that are great lettered

men, and have [ac]knowledged openly the truth; and now either for

pleasure or displeasure of tyrants have taken hire and temporal wages,

to forsake the Truth and to hold against it, slandering and pursuing

them that covet to follow CHRIST in the way of righteousness: many men

and women therefore are now moved. But many more, through the grace of

GOD, shall be moved hereby, for to learn the Truth of GOD, and to do

thereafter, and to stand boldly thereby."

=ABP. SAYS, "HE SHALL CONFORM IN 8 DAYS!"=

+Archbishop.+ Then the Archbishop said to his Clerks, "Busy you no

longer about him! for he, and others such as he is, are confeder[at]ed

so together, that they will not swear to be obedient, and to submit them

to Prelates of Holy Church. For now, since I stood here, his fellow sent

me word that _he will not swear, and that he_ [WILLIAM of Thorpe]

_counselled him that he should not swear to me_ But, losell! in that

thing that in thee is, thou hast busied thee to lose this young man;

but, blessed be GOD! thou shalt not have thy purpose of him! For he hath

forsaken all thy learning, submitting him to be buxom [_submissive_] and

obedient to the ordinance of Holy Church; and weepeth full bitterly, and

curseth thee full heartily for the venomous teaching which thou hast

shewed to him, counselling him to do thereafter. And for thy false

counselling of many others and him, thou hast great cause to be right

sorry! For, long time, thou hast busied thee to pervert whomsoever thou

mightest! Therefore as many deaths thou art worthy of, as thou hast

given evil counsels. And therefore, by Jesu! thou shalt go thither

where NICHOLAS HEREFORD and JOHN PURVEY were harboured! and I undertake,

ere this day eight days, thou shalt be right glad for to do what thing

that ever I bid thee do!

"And, losell! I shall assay if can make thee there, as sorrowful as, it

was told me, thou wast glad of my last going out of England [_in_ 1397].

By St. Thomas! I shall turn thy joy into sorrow!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, there can nobody prove lawfully that I

joyed ever of the manner of your going out of this land [_the Archbishop

had been banished_]. But, Sir, to say the sooth, I was joyful when ye

were gone! for [ROBERT DE BRAYBROOKE] the Bishop of LONDON (in whose

prison ye left me!) found in me no cause for to hold me longer in his

prison; but, at the request of my friends, he delivered me to them,

asking of me no manner of submitting."

+Archbishop.+ Then the Archbishop said to me, "Wherefore that I yede

[_went_] out of England is unknown to thee! But be this thing well known

to thee! that GOD, as I wot well, hath called me again and brought me

into this land, for to destroy thee and the false sect that thou art of!

as, by God! I shall pursue you so narrowly that I shall not leave a step

of you in this land!"

+William.+ And I said to the Archbishop, "Sir, the holy prophet JEREMY

said to the false prophet HANANIAH, _When the word_, that is, the

prophecy, _of a prophet is known or fulfilled; then it shall be known

that the LORD sent the prophet in truth_!"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop, as if he had not been pleased with my

saying, turned him away-ward, hither and thither, and said, "By God! I

shall set on thy shins a pair of perlis [? _pearls_], that thou shalt be

glad to change thy voice!"

These and many more wondrous and convicious [_railing_] words were

spoken to me; menacing me and all others of the same sect, for to be

punished and destroyed to the uttermost.

And the Archbishop called then to him, a Clerk; and rounded with him

[_whispered in his ear_], and that Clerk went forth: and soon he brought

in the Constable of Saltwood Castle, and the Archbishop rounded a good

while with him.

=THE CONSTABLE PLACES HIM IN A DEN.=

And then the Constable went forth, and then came in divers secular

[_laymen_]; and they scorned me on every side, and menaced me greatly.

And some counselled the Archbishop to burn me by and by [_at once_]: and

some others counselled him to drown me in the sea, for it is near [at]

hand there.

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk standing besides me there, kneeled down to the

Archbishop, praying him that he would deliver me to him for to say

_Matins_ with him; and he would undertake that, within three days, I

should not resist anything that was commanded me to do, of my Prelate.

And the Archbishop said that he would ordain for me himself.

And then, after, came in again the Constable and spake privily to the

Archbishop.

And then the Archbishop commanded the Constable to lead me forth thence,

with him: and so he did.

And when we were gone forth thence, we were sent after again.

And when I came in again before the Archbishop, a Clerk bade me kneel

down, and ask grace, and submit me lowly, and I should find it for the

best.

+William.+ And I said then to the Archbishop, "Sir, as I have said to

you, divers times, to-day, I will wilfully and lowly obey and submit me

to be ordained ever, after my cunning and power, to GOD and His Law, and

to every member of Holy Church; as far forth as I can perceive that

these members accord with their head, CHRIST, and will teach me, rule

me, or chastise me by authority specially of GOD's Law."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "I wist well, he would not,

without such additions, submit him!"

And then, I was rebuked, scorned, and menaced on every side; and yet,

after this, divers persons cried upon me to kneel down and submit me:

but I stood still, and spake no word.

And then there was spoken of me and to me many great words; and I stood,

and heard them menace, curse, and scorn me: but I said nothing.

+Archbishop.+ Then a while after, the Archbishop said to me, "Wilt thou

not submit thee to the ordinance of Holy Church?"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I will full gladly submit me, as I have

shewed you before."

And then, the Archbishop bade the Constable to have me forth thence in

haste.

=HE THANKS GOD, HE IS, AT LAST, ALONE.=

And so then I was led forth, and brought into a foul unhonest prison,

where I came never before. But, thanked be GOD! when all men were gone

forth then from me, and had sparred [_barred_] fast the prison door

after them, by and by [_immediately_] after, I therein by myself busied

me to think on GOD, and to thank Him of His goodness.

And I was then greatly comforted in all my wits, not only for that I was

then delivered, for a time, from the sight, from the hearing, from the

presence, from the scorning, and from the menacing of my enemies: but

much more I rejoiced in the LORD, because that through His grace, He

kept me so, both among the flattering specially, and among the menacing

of mine adversaries, that without heaviness and anguish of my

conscience, I passed away from them. For as a tree laid upon another

tree overthwart or on cross wise, so was the Archbishop and his three

Clerks always contrary to me, and I to them.

Now, good GOD! (for Thine holy name and for the praising of Thy most

blessed name, make us one together), if it be Thy will, by authority of

thy Word that is true perfect charity: and else not! And that it may

thus be, all that this writing read or hear, pray heartily to the LORD

GOD! that He (for His great goodness that cannot be with tongue

expressed) grant to us and to all others, that in the same

wise and for the same cause specially, or for any other

cause be at [a] distance, to be knit and made

One in true Faith, in stedfast Hope, and

in perfect Charity.

Amen.

+¶ Thus endeth the Examination of Master William Thorpe.+

+And hereafter followeth his Testament.+

=19 Sept. 1460.=

=WILLIAM OF THORPE'S _TESTAMENT_.=

_MATTHEW, an Apostle of CHRIST and his gospeller, witnesseth truly in

the Holy Gospel, the most holy living and the most wholesome teaching of

CHRIST. He rehearseth how that CHRIST likeneth them that hear his words

and keep them, to_ a wise man that buildeth his house upon a stone,

_that is a stable and a sad_ [firm] _ground_.

_This_ house _is man's soul, in whom CHRIST delighteth to dwell, if it

be grounded, that is, stablished, faithfully in his living, and in his

true teaching, adorned or made fair with divers virtues, which CHRIST

used and taught without any meddling of any error, as are chiefly the

conditions of charity._

_This foresaid_ stone _is CHRIST, upon which every faithful soul must be

builded, since upon none other ground than upon CHRIST's living and his

teaching, nobody may make any building or houseing wherein CHRIST will

come and dwell. This sentence witnesseth PAUL_ to the Corinthians,

_shewing them that nobody may set any other ground than is set, that is,

CHRIST's living and his teaching._

_And because that all men and women should give all their business here

in this life to build them virtuously upon this sure foundation, Saint

PAUL [ac]knowledging the fervent desire and the good will of the people

of Ephesus, wrote to them comfortably, saying_, Now ye are not

strangers, guests, nor yet comelings, but ye are the citizens and of the

household of GOD, builded above upon the foundament of the Apostles and

Prophets. In which foundament, every building that is builded and made

through the grace of GOD, it increaseth or groweth into a holy temple;

_that is, everybody that is grounded and builded faithfully in the

teaching and living of CHRIST is therethrough made the holy temple of

GOD._

_This is the stable ground and stedfast_ stone, _CHRIST! which is the

sure corner-stone fast joining and holding mightily together two walls.

For through CHRIST JESU, mean or middle Person of the Trinity, the

Father of Heaven is piteous or mercifully joined and made one together

to Mankind: and through dread to offend GOD, and fervent love to please

him, men be unseparably made one to GOD, and defended surely under His

protection._

_Also this foresaid_ stone _CHRIST was figured by the square stones of

which the Temple of GOD was made. For as a square stone, wheresoever it

is cast or laid, it abideth and lieth stably; so CHRIST and every

faithful member of his Church, by example of him, abideth and dwelleth

stably in true faith and in all other heavenly virtues, in all

adversities that they suffer in this Valley of Tears. For, lo, when

these foresaid square stones were hewen and wrought for to be laid in

the walls or pillars of GOD's Temple, none noise or stroke of the

workmen was heard. Certain, this silence in working of this stone

figureth CHRIST chiefly, and his faithful members, which by example of

him have been, and yet are, and ever to the world's end shall be, so

meek and patient in every adversity, that no sound nor yet any grudging

shall any time be perceived in them._

_Nevertheless this chief and most worshipful corner-stone, which only is

ground of all virtues, proud beggars reproved! but this despite and

reproof CHRIST suffered most meekly in his own person, for to give

example of all meekness and patience to all his faithful followers.

Certain, this world is now so full of proud beggars which are named

priests; but the very office of working of priesthood which CHRIST

approveth true, and accepteth, is far from the multitude of priests that

now reign in this world._

_For, from the highest priest to the lowest, all (as who say) study,

that is, they imagine and travail busily how they may please this world

and their flesh. This sentence and many such others dependeth upon them,

if it be well considered; either GOD the Father of heaven hath deceived

all mankind by the living specially and teaching of JESUS CHRIST, and

by the living and teaching of his Apostles and Prophets; all else all

the Popes that have been since I had any knowledge or discretion, with

all the College of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops, Monks, Canons,

and Friars, with all the contagious flock of the comminalty of

priesthood, which have, all my life-time and mickle longer, reigned and

yet reign and increase damnably from sin into sin, have been and yet be

proud obstinate heretics, covetous simoners_ [trafficers in

ecclesiastical preferments], _and defouled adulterers in the ministering

of the Sacraments, and especially in the ministering of the Sacrament of

the Altar._

_For, as their works shew (whereto CHRIST biddeth us take heed!) the

highest priests and Prelates of this priesthood challenge and occupy_

[hold] _unlawfully temporal lordships. And for temporal favour and mede,

they sell and give benefices to unworthy and unable persons; yea, these

simoners sell sin! suffering men and women in every degree and estate,

to lie and continue, from year to year, in divers vices slanderously.

And thus, by evil example of high priests in the Church, lower priests

under them are not only suffered, but they are maintained to sell full

dear to the people for temporal mede, all the Sacraments. And thus all

this foresaid priesthood is blown so high, and borne up in pride and

vainglory of their estate and dignity, and so blinded with worldly

covetousness, that they disdain to follow CHRIST in very meekness and

wilful poverty, living holily, and preaching GOD's Word truly, freely,

and continually; taking their livelihood at the free will of the people,

of their pure almose_ [alms], _where and when, they suffice not (for

their true and busy preaching) to get their sustenance with their

hands._

_To this true sentence, grounded on CHRIST's own living and teaching of

his Apostles; these foresaid worldly and fleshly priests will not

consent effectually. But, as their works and also their words shew,

boldly and unshamefastly these foresaid named priests and Prelates

covet, and enforce them mightily and busily, that all Holy Scripture

were expounded and drawn according to_ their _manners, and to_ their

_ungrounded_ [unwarranted] _usages and findings. For they will not

(since they hold it but folly and madness!) conform their manners to the

pure and simple living of CHRIST and his Apostles, nor they will not

follow freely their learning. Wherefore all the Emperors and Kings, and

all other lords and ladies, and all the common people in every degree

and state, which have before time known or might have known; and also

all they that now yet know or might know this foresaid witness of

priesthood; and would not, nor yet will enforce them, after their

cunning and power, to withstand charitably the foresaid enemies and

traitors of CHRIST and his Church; all these strive, with ANTICHRIST,

against JESU! And they shall bear the indignation of GOD Almighty

without end, if in convenient time they amend them not, and repent them

verily; doing therefore due mourning and sorrow, after their cunning and

power._

_For through presumptions and negligence of priests and Prelates (not of

the Church of CHRIST, but occupying their prelacy, unduly in the Church,

and also by flattering and false covetousness of other divers named

priests), lousengers, and lounderers are wrongfully made and called

Hermits; and have leave to defraud poor and needy creatures of their

livelihood, and to live by their false winning and begging in sloth and

other divers vices. And also of these Prelates, these cokir noses_ [?]

_are suffered to live in pride and hypocrisy, and to defoul themselves

both bodily and ghostly._

_Also by the suffering and counsel of these foresaid Prelates and of

other priests, are made vain, both Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods, full of

pride and envy; which are full contrary to the Brotherhood of CHRIST,

since they are cause of mickle dissension: and they multiply and

sustained it uncharitably, for in lusty eating, and drinking

unmeasurably and out of time, they exercise themselves. Also this vain

confederacy of Brotherhoods is permitted to be of one clothing, and to

hold together. And in all these ungrounded and unlawful doings, priests

are partners and great meddlers and counsellors._

_And over this viciousness, hermits and pardoners, ankers_ [anchorites],

_and strange beggars are licensed and admitted of Prelates and priests

for to beguile the people with flatterings and leasings_ [falsehoods]

_slanderously, against all good reason and true belief; and so to

increase divers vices in themselves, and also among all them that accept

them or consent to them._

_And thus, the viciousness of these forenamed priests and Prelates, has

been long time, and yet is, and shall be cause of wars, both within the

realm and without._

_And, in the same wise, these unable_ [useless] _priests have been, and

yet are, and shall be, the chief cause of pestilence of men, and murrain

of beasts, and of bareness of the earth, and of all other mischiefs, to

the time that Lords and Commons able them through grace for to know and

to keep the Commandments of GOD, enforcing them then faithfully and

charitably by one assent, for to redress and make one, this foresaid

priesthood to the wilful poor, meek, and innocent living and teaching,

specially of CHRIST and his Apostles._

_Therefore all they that know, or might know the viciousness that

reigneth now cursedly in these priests and in their learning, if they

suffice not to withstand this contagious viciousness: let them pray to

the LORD heartily for the health of his Church! abstaining them

prudently from these endured_ [hardened] _enemies of CHRIST and his

people, and from all their Sacraments! since to them all that know them,

or may know, they are but fleshly deeds and false: as Saint CYPRIAN

witnesseth in the first Question of_ Decrees _and in the first_ Cause.

Ca. Si quis inquit.

_For as this Saint, and great Doctors witness there, that not only

vicious priests, but also all they that favour them or consent to them

in their viciousness, shall together perish with them, if they amend

them not duly: as all they perished that consented to DATHAN and ABIRAM.

For nothing were more confusion to these foresaid vicious priests, than

to eschew them prudently in all their unlawful Sacraments, while they

continue in their sinful living slanderously, as they have long time

done and yet do. And nobody need to be afraid, though death did follow

by any wise or other, for to die out of this world without taking of any

Sacrament of these foresaid CHRIST's enemies: since CHRIST will not fail

for to minister himself all lawful and heal-ful sacraments, and

necessary at all time; and especially at the end, to all them that are

in true faith, in steadfast hope, and in perfect charity._

_But yet some mad fools say, for to eschew slander they will be shriven

once a year and comuned_ [receive the Sacrament] _of their proper

priests; though they know them defouled with slanderous vices. No doubt,

but all they that thus do or consent, privily or apertly, to such doing,

are culpable of great sin; since St. PAUL witnesseth that not only they

that do evil are worthy of death and damnation, but also they that

consent to evil doers. Also, as their slanderous works witness, these

foresaid vicious priests despise and cast from them heavenly cunning

that is given of the HOLY GHOST. Wherefore the LORD throweth all such

despisers from Him, that they use nor do any priesthood to Him. No doubt

then, all they that wittingly or wilfully take, or consent that any

other body should take any Sacrament of any such named priest, sinneth

openly and damnably against all the Trinity, and are unable to any

Sacrament of health._

_And that this foresaid sentence_ [opinion] _is altogether true unto

remission of all my sinful living, trusting steadfastly in the mercy of

GOD, I offer to Him my soul!_

_And to prove also this foresaid sentence true, with the help of GOD, I

purpose fully to suffer meekly and gladly my most wretched body to be

tormented, where GOD will! and of whom He will! how He will and when He

will! and as long as He will! and what temporal pain He will! and death!

to the praising of His name, and to the edification of His Church. And

I, that am most unworthy and wretched caitiff, shall now, through the

special grace of GOD, make to Him pleasant sacrifice of my most sinful

and unworthy body._

* * * * *

_I beseech heartily all folk that read or hear this end of my purposed_

Testament, _that, through the grace of GOD, they dispose verily and

virtuously all their wits, and able, in like manner, all their members

for to understand truly and to keep faithfully, charitably, and continually

all the commandments of GOD, and so then to pray devoutly to all the

blessed Trinity, that I may have grace with wisdom and prudence from above,

to end my life here, in this foresaid Truth and for this_

_Cause in true faith_

_and steadfast hope_

_and in perfect_

_charity,_

_AMEN._

* * * * *

Here endeth, sir [_the Reverend_] WILLIAM THORPE's _Testament_ on the

Friday after the Rood Day [_Holy Rood-day, or Exaltation of the Holy

Cross_, falls on Sept. 14th], and the twenty [? _nineteenth_] day of

September, in the year of our Lord a thousand four hundred and sixty.

And on the Sunday [_August 7th_] next after the feast of Saint PETER

that we called Lammas Day [_August 1st_] in the year of our Lord a

thousand four hundred and seven, the said sir WILLIAM THORPE was accused

of these points, before written in this book, before THOMAS ARUNDELL,

Archbishop of CANTERBURY, as it is said before.

And so was it then betwixt the Day of his Accusing, and

the Day that this was written three and fifty years;

and as mickle more as from the Lammas

[_August 1st_] to the Woodmas

[_September 19th_].

Behold the end!

¶ The strength of a tale is in its end.

+Here followeth

The Examination of the

Lord Cobham.+

[The following is but an abridgement of the Story of Sir JOHN OLDCASTLE:

respecting which, Miss L. TOULMIN SMITH has recently published, in the

_Anglia_ for April 1882, THOMAS OCCLEVE's Ballad against Lord COBHAM and

the Lollards, in 1415.]

+¶ The Belief of the Lord Cobham.+

Be it known to all men! that in the year of our LORD a thousand four

hundred and thirteen, in the first year of King HENRY the FIFTH; the

King gave to [THOMAS ARUNDELL] the Bishop of CANTERBURY, leave to

correct the Lord COBHAM.

And because no man durst summon him personally, the Archbishop set up a

Citation on his Cathedral Church door on the Wednesday [_September 6,

1413_] next before the nativity of our Lady [_September 8th_] in the

foresaid year: and that Citation was taken down by the friends of the

Lord COBHAM.

And, after that, the Bishop set up another on our Lady Day [_September

8, 1413_]; which also was rent down.

And because he came not to answer on the day assigned in the Citation,

the Bishop cursed him for contumacy.

And the Lord COBHAM seeing all this malice purposed against him, wrote

this _Belief_ that followeth, with his own hand; and noted [_signed_] it

himself; and also answered to Four Points put against him by the Bishop:

and he went to the King, supposing to get of him good favour and

lordship.

* * * * *

+¶ The Belief.+

=THE _BELIEF_ OF SIR JOHN OLDCASTLE.=

=Sept. 1413.=

_I believe in GOD the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in

JESU CHRIST His only Son our Lord, which was conceived of the HOLY

GHOST, born of the Virgin MARY, and suffered death under PONTIUS PILATE,

crucified, dead, and buried. He went down to hells. The third day He

rose again from death. He ascended up into heavens. He sitteth on the

right hand of GOD, the Father Almighty. From thence, He is to come to

judge the quick and dead._

_I believe in the HOLY GHOST, all Holy Church, the Communion of Saints,

forgiveness of sins, uprising of flesh, and everlasting life. Amen._

* * * * *

_And for to declare more plainly my soothfastness in the belief of Holy

Church, I believe faithfully and verily, that there is but one GOD

Almighty; and in this Godhead and of this Godhead be Three Persons, the

Father, the Son, and the HOLY GHOST; and these Three Persons be the same

GOD Almighty._

_Furthermore, I believe that the Second Person of this most blessed

Trinity, in most convenient time before ordained, took flesh and blood

of the most blessed Virgin, our Lady Saint MARY, for the redemption and

salvation of mankind; that was lost before, for ADAM's sin._

_And I believe that JESU CHRIST our Lord, which is both GOD and Man, is

head of all Holy Church; and that all those that be, and shall be saved,

be members of this most Holy Church. Which Holy Church is departed_

[divided] _in three parts. Of the which, one part is now in Heaven; that

is to say, the saints that in this life live accordingly with the most

blessed Law of CHRIST and his living, despising and forsaking the Devil

and his works, the prosperities of this world, and the foul lust of the

flesh._

_The second part is in Purgatory, abiding the mercy of GOD, and purging

them there of their sins; of the which they have been truly confessed in

deed, or else in will to have been._

_The third part of this Church is here in Earth, the which is called the

Fighting Church; for it fighteth, every day and night, against the

temptation of the Devil, the prosperity of this false failing world, and

the proud rebellion of the flesh against the soul. This Church is

departed_ [divided] _by the most blessed ordinance of GOD into three

Estates; that is to say, Priesthood, Knighthood, and Commons: to every

Estate of the which, GOD gave charge that one should help another, and

none destroy other._

_As to Priests, they should be most holy and least worldly; and truly

living as near as they could, after the example of CHRIST and his

Apostles. And all their business should be, day and night, in holy

example of living, and true preaching and teaching of GOD's Law to both

the other parts. And also they should be most meek, most serviceable,

and most lovely in spirit, both to GOD and man._

_In the second part of this Church, that is Knighthood, be contained all

that bear the sword by the law of Office: which should maintain GOD's

Law to be preached and taught to the people; and principally the Gospel

of CHRIST; and truly to live thereafter. The which part should rather

put themselves to peril of death, than to suffer any Law or

Constitution_ [referring to the Constitutions of ARUNDEL in 1408] _to be

made of man, wherethrough the freedom of GOD's Law might be letted to be

preached and taught to the people, or whereof any error or heresy might

grow in the Church. For I suppose fully that there may come none heresy

nor error among the people, but by false Laws, Constitutions, or

teachings contrary to CHRIST's Law, or by false leasings_ [lies].

_Also the second part should defend the common people from tyrants,

oppressors, and extortioners: and maintain the Clergy, doing truly their

office, in preaching, teaching, praying, and freely ministering the

Sacraments of Holy Church. And if this Clergy be negligent in doing this

office, this second part of the Church ought, by their office that they

have taken of GOD, to constrain the Clergy in due wise, to do their

office in the form that GOD hath ordained to be done._

_The third part of this Fighting Church oweth_ [ought] _to bear good

will to Lords and Priests, truly to do their bodily labour in tilling

the earth, and with their true merchandise doing their duties that they

owe both to Knighthood and to Priesthood, as GOD's Law limiteth; keeping

faithfully the commandments of GOD._

_Moreover, I believe all the Sacraments of Holy Church for to be

meedful and profitable to all that shall be saved; taking them after the

intent that GOD and Holy Church have ordained._

_And for as mickle as I am slandered falsely in my Belief in the

Sacrament of the Altar, I do all Christian men to wit, that I believe

verily that the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar is very CHRIST's

body in form of bread; the same body that was born of the blessed Virgin

our Lady Saint MARY, done on the cross, dead, buried, and on the third

day rose from death to life, the which body is now glorified in heaven._

_Also I believe that all GOD's Law is true; and who that liveth contrary

to this blessed Law, and so continueth to his life's end, and dieth so

breaking the holy commandments of GOD, that he shall be damned into

everlasting pains. And he that will learn this most blessed Law, and

live thereafter, keeping these holy commandments of GOD, and endeth in

charity shall have everlasting bliss._

_Also I understand that this followeth of Belief, that our Lord JESU

CHRIST (that is both GOD and Man) asketh no more here in earth, but that

he obey to him after the form of his Law, in truly keeping of it. And if

any Prelate of the Church ask more obedience than this, of any man

living; he exalteth himself, in that, above CHRIST: and so he is an open

Antichrist._

_Also these points I hold as of Belief in especial._

_And in general, I believe all that GOD wills that I believe, praying,

at the reverence of Almighty GOD, to you my liege Lord_ [HENRY V.] _that

this Belief might be examined by the wisest and truest Clerks of your

realm: and if it be truth, that it might be confirmed, and I to be

holden for a true Christian man; and if it be false, that it might be

damned_ [condemned], _and I taught a better Belief by GOD's Law; and I

will gladly obey thereto_.

* * * * *

This foresaid Belief, the Lord COBHAM wrote; and took it with him, and

offered it to the King [_HENRY V._], for to see: and the King would not

receive it, but bade him take it to them that should be his judges.

And then the Lord of COBHAM offered to bring before the King, to purge

him of all error and heresy, that they would put against him, a hundred

Knights and Squires.

And also he offered to fight with any man, Christian or heathen, that

would say he were false in his belief; except the King and his brethren.

And after, he said "He would submit him to all manner [of] correction,

that any man would correct him, after GOD's Law."

And notwithstanding all this, the King suffered him to be summoned

personally, in his own [_the King's_] chamber.

And the Lord of COBHAM said to the King, that he had appealed to the

Pope from the Archbishop; and therefore, he said, "he ought not to take

him for his judge": and so he had there his Appeal ready written, and

shewed to the King.

And therewith the King was more angry, and said, "He should not pursue

his appeal: but rather he should be in ward till his appeal were

admitted, and then (would he or not!) he should be his judge!"

And thus nothing of all this was allowed; but, because he would not

swear to submit him to the Church, and take what penance the Archbishop

would enjoin him, he was arrested, and sent to the Tower of London to

keep his day that the [arch]bishop assigned him in the King's Chamber.

And then he made the _Belief_ aforesaid, with the _Answer_ to _Four

Points_ that now follow, to be written in two parts of an Indenture.

And when he came to answer; he gave that one part to the [arch]bishop,

and that other part he kept to himself.

* * * * *

+The Indenture of the Lord Cobham.+

=HIS _ANSWER_ TO THE _FOUR POINTS_.=

_I, JOHN OLDCASTLE Knight, and Lord of COBHAM, will that all Christian

men wit, how that THOMAS of ARUNDELL, Archbishop of CANTERBURY hath not

only laid it to my charge maliciously, but also very untruly, by his

Letter and his Seal written against me in most slanderous wise, that I

should otherwise feel and teach of the Sacraments of the Holy Church;

assigning in special the Sacrament of the Altar, the Sacrament of

Penance, and also in Worshipping of Images, and in Going on Pilgrimages,

otherwise than feeleth and teacheth the universal Holy Church. I take

Almighty GOD to witness, that it hath been, and now is, and ever, with

the help of GOD, shall be, mine intent and my will to believe faithfully

and truly in all the Sacraments that ever GOD ordained to be done in

Holy Church._

_And, moreover, for to declare me in these points aforesaid._

_I believe that the most worshipful Sacrament of the Altar is very

CHRIST's body in form of bread: the same body that was born of the

blessed Virgin our Lady Saint MARY, done on the cross, dead and buried,

and the third day rose from death to life; the which body is now

glorified in heaven._

_Also as for the Sacrament of Penance, I believe that it is needful to

every man that shall be saved, to forsake sin, and to do due penance for

sin before done, with true confession, very contrition, and, due

satisfaction, as GOD's Law limiteth and teacheth; and else, may he not

be saved; which penance I desire all men to do._

_And as for Images, I understand that they be not of Belief, but they

were ordained (since Belief was given of CHRIST) by sufferance of the

Church for to be Kalenders to laymen, to represent and bring to mind the

Passion of our Lord JESU CHRIST, and_ [the] _martyrdom and good living

of other Saints. And that who so it be, that doeth the worship to dead

images that is due to GOD; or putteth hope, faith, or trust in help of

them as he should do to GOD; or hath affection in one more than in

another: he doth in that, the great sin of Idolatry._

_Also I suppose this fully, that every man in this earth is a Pilgrim

towards Bliss or towards Pains. And he that knoweth not, nor will not

know, nor keep the holy commandments of GOD in his living (albeit that

he goeth on pilgrimage in all parts of the world), and he die so, he

shall be damned. And he that knoweth the holy commandments of GOD and

keepeth them to his end, he shall be saved; though he never in his life,

go on pilgrimage as men use_ [are accustomed] _now to Canterbury, or to

Rome, or to any other place._

* * * * *

=LORD COBHAM'S FINAL EXAMINATION.=

This _Belief_ indented, containing the foresaid _Belief_ with these

foresaid _Answers_, he took to the Bishops when he came to answer [_in

the Chapter House of St. Paul's_] on the Saturday next before Michaelmas

in the year beforesaid [_September 23, 1413_].

And whatsoever the Bishops asked him, he bade them look what his Bill

said thereto; and thereby he would stand to the death. Other answer gave

he not that day: but the Bishops were not quieted herewith.

And the Archbishop bade him take avisement [_counsel_] till Monday

[_September 25th_] next following, to answer to this point:

_If there remained material bread in the Sacrament of the Altar, after

the words of consecration?_

And in the meantime, he perceived that the uttermost malice was purposed

against him, howsoever he answered: therefore he put his life in GOD's

hand, and answered thus, as followeth.

_This is the judgement and sentence given upon Sir JOHN OLDCASTLE

Knight and Lord of COBHAM, the Monday_ [September 25th] _next

before Michaelmas Day, at the Friar Preachers's_ [the Dominican

Friary within Ludgate] _in London, in the year of our Lord, a

thousand, four hundred and thirteen._

[THOMAS ARUNDELL] the Archbishop of CANTERBURY, [RICHARD CLIFFORD] the

Bishop of LONDON, [HENRY BEAUFORT] the Bishop of WINCHESTER, [BENEDICT

NICOLLS] the Bishop of BANGOR; Master JOHN WITNAM, Master JOHN WHITEHEAD

[_both of New College, Oxford_], Doctors of Divinity; Master PHILIP

MORGAN, Master HENRY WARE, Master JOHN KEMP, Doctors of [Canon] Law; and

sir [_Rev._] ROBERT WOMBEWELL, Vicar of St. Lawrence in the Jewry;

Master JOHN STEVENS, Master JAMES COLE, Notaries: with the Four Orders

of Friars, and many other Clerks, deeming and convicting him for an

heretic and a cursed man.

The Archbishop made all these Clerks, both Religious and Secular, to

swear upon a book, that they should not, for love or favour of the one

party, nor for any envy or hatred of the other party, say, nor witness

but the truth.

And the two foresaid Notaries were sworn also to write and to witness

the words and process that were to be said on both the parties, and to

say the sooth if it otherwise were.

After this, the Lord of COBHAM came, and was brought before them all, to

his Examination, and to his Answer.

* * * * *

=THE ABP. AGAIN OFFERS TO ABSOLVE HIM.=

Then the Archbishop said to him, "Lord of COBHAM, ye be advised well

enough of the words and Process that were said to you, upon Saturday

last past, in the Chapter House of Paul's: the which Process were now

too long to rehearse. Then I proffered to have assoiled [_absolve_] you

(for ye were accursed!) of your contumacy and disobedience to Holy

Church."

Then said the Lord COBHAM forthwith, "GOD saith, _Maledicam

benedictionibus vestris_, that is to say, 'I shall curse your

blessings!'"

Then said the Archbishop, "Sir, then I proffered to have assoiled you,

if ye would have asked it; and yet I do the same!"

Then said the Lord of COBHAM, "Nay, forsooth, I trespassed never against

you! and therefore will I not do it."

And with that, he kneeled down on the pavement, and held up his hands

and said, "I shrive me to GOD! and to you all, Sirs! that, in my youth,

I have sinned greatly and grievously in lechery and in pride, and hurt

many men, and done many other horrible sins; Good Lord! I cry Thee,

mercy!"

And therewith weepingly, he stood up again and said, "Here, for the

breaking of GOD's Law and His commandments, ye cursed me not! but for

your own laws and traditions, above GOD's Law: and therefore it shall be

destroyed."

Then the Archbishop examined the Lord of his _Belief_. And the Lord of

COBHAM said, "I believe fully in all GOD's Law, and I believe that it is

all true! and I believe all that GOD wills that I believe."

Then the Archbishop examined him of the Sacrament of the Altar, how he

believed therein?

The Lord of COBHAM said, "CHRIST upon Shere [_or Shrive or Maunday_]

Thursday [_the day before Good Friday_] at night, sitting with his

disciples at the Supper, after that he had supped, he took bread and

giving thanks to the Father, he blessed it and brake it, and gave it to

his disciples saying, _Take, and eat ye of this, all! This is my body

that shall be betrayed for you! Do you this, in the remembrance of me._

This I believe!" said he.

Then the Archbishop asked him, "If it were bread after the consecration,

and the sacramental words said?"

The Lord of COBHAM said, "I believe that the Sacrament of the Altar is

very CHRIST's body in form of bread; the same body that was born of the

Virgin MARY, done on the cross, dead and buried, and the third day rose

from death to life: which body is now glorified in heaven."

Then said one of the Doctors of the Law, "After the sacramental words

said, there remaineth no bread but the body of CHRIST!"

Then the Lord of COBHAM said to one, Master JOHN WHITEHEAD, "You said to

me in the Castle of Cowling [_Lord COBHAM's home_], that the host sacred

was not CHRIST's body: but I said, 'It was CHRIST's body!' though

Seculars and Friars hold each one against other in this opinion."