An apologie for Iohn Wickliffe shewing his conformitie with the now Church of England; with answere to such slaunderous obiections, as haue beene lately vrged against him by Father Parsons, the apologists, and others. Collected chiefly out of diuerse works of his in written hand, by Gods especiall providence remaining in the publike library at Oxford, of the honorable foundation of Sr. Thomas Bodley Knight: by Thomas James keeper of the same. James, Thomas, 1573?-1629. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A04328 of text S108215 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 14445). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 177 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 45 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A04328 STC 14445 ESTC S108215 99843887 99843887 8649 2240904711

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A04328) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 8649) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 720:03) An apologie for Iohn Wickliffe shewing his conformitie with the now Church of England; with answere to such slaunderous obiections, as haue beene lately vrged against him by Father Parsons, the apologists, and others. Collected chiefly out of diuerse works of his in written hand, by Gods especiall providence remaining in the publike library at Oxford, of the honorable foundation of Sr. Thomas Bodley Knight: by Thomas James keeper of the same. James, Thomas, 1573?-1629. Wycliffe, John, d. 1384. [8], 75, [5] p. Printed by Joseph Barnes, printer to the Vniversitie, At Oxford : 1608. Most (all?) copies were issued with STC 25589 (STC). Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Wycliffe, John, d. 1384 -- Early works to 1800. Parsons, Robert, 1546-1610 -- Controversial literature. eebo An apologie for Iohn Wickliffe, shewing his conformitie with the now Church of England; with answere to such slaunderous obiections, as haue beene lat James, Thomas, 1608 90 30899 471 0 0 0 0 0 152.43 F The rate of 152.43 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2003-10 Assigned for keying and markup 2003-11 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-12 Sampled and proofread 2003-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

AN APOLOGIE FOR IOHN WICKLIFFE , shewing his conformitie with the now Church of England ; with answere to such slaunderous obiections , as haue beene lately vrged against him by Father Parsons , the Apologists , and others .

COLLECTED CHIEFLY OVT OF diuerse works of his in written hand , by Gods especiall providence remaining in the Publike Library at Oxford , of the Honorable foundation of Sr. THOMAS BODLEY Knight :

BY THOMAS JAMES keeper of the same .

3. Esdras Cap. 4. ver. 38.

Truth doth abide , and is strong for ever , and liveth , and raigneth for ever and ever .

At Oxford , Printed by Ioseph Barnes , printer to the Vniversitie . 1608.

TO THE HONORABLE Sr EDWARD COOKE , Knight , Lord Chiefe Iustice of his Maiesties Court of Common Pleas.

My very good Lord ; it is not long since , It was my happe , to see a Booke published ; quo iure , quáue potius miuria , against your Lordships Fift booke of Reportes : Intituled de Iure Regis Ecclesiastico by one , that if he had not tearmed himselfe a Catholik Deuine , I should haue taken him for any thing els : So far is he in this lying Libel from being a Deuine , much lesse Catholik ( vnlesse it ●●e in the sence vniuersal ) being indeed nothing els but an vniuersal Historian . I haue also read an other book wherin your Lordship is most vniustly produced , or rather traduced for an egregious falsarie , a crime which that Libeller hath made common to others of your ranck , and of higher mark , by imputing the same most scandalously vnto one of the most Honorable and religious Peeres of this land . Farthermore I haue hard of diuerse others , whose fingers doe itch , to be dealing with your Lordship , according to the grounds of your Honorable profession . By al which I perceaue , that your Lordship hath so mortally wounded the hayrie scalp of that man of Rome , which would faine bee accepted for head of this Church , that our aduersaries doe striue with noe smale adoe , whoe shal be most forwarde , to salue this sore , though it be neuer so incurable . But amongst all others , who so aduenturous , as our pretended Catholike , surnaming himselfe the Deuine , which hath spared no cost , no labour , for the effecting thereof in his late aunswere . Seely disputer , that where the question is de Iure , produceth testimonies de facto , and being by profession a Deuine , & the question of law bringeth his proofs out of Hisstorie . Doubtles the Deuine is much beholding vnto your Lordship ( though hee doe craftily dissemble it ) for giuing him so good an occasion both to shew his great reading , and withal to purg so much choller , being of liklyhood of that cholericke & bilious disposition .

Quod si non aliquà nocuisset , mortuus esset .

I gather so much by his writings ; for I am verily perswaded , that this is not the first book , that hath come out of th●s mans forge ; ●here bee diuerse books , I should haue said Pamphletts , cast abroad , which sauour of the same stile and file : so finely smothed and framed for the nonce , that a man maie knowe him to bee his crafts Master , in this black Art , though he transfigure himselfe into an Angel of light , & professe al manner of Candour and Chari●ie in hi● writings ; but the contrary is too too manifest in his lyeing Pamphlets . To saie nothing of his slaunderous reports against the late religious Queene of blessed memorie : against the reuerend Sages and Iudges of the Common law in general , and your Lordship in particular ; because he takes vpon him to be so great a Clearke in the question about the Kings Crowne and dignitie , I haue endeauoured in this Apologie ( which I haue framed in defence of that famous writer and preacher of Gods word Iohn Wickliff ) to oppose against his slaunderous Libel , his answere ; as the answere of a most ancient , Catholike , and learned Deuine . Ancient , for hee liued in the time of K Edward the 3. Catholike , for he maintained the same doctrine then , which the Church of Eng ¹ and now ( being guided by the Holy Ghost and sacred writings of Scripture & Fathers ) doth professe ; learned in al kind of good knowledge , needfull for a Divine : & for the maine question touching the kings Regaltie & the Popes Supremacie , hee delivereth in other termes the very same arguments & reasons , which I finde written in that your said fift Booke of Reports : proving the truth of your assertions , by the Iawes Civill , Canon , & Common . Wherein because I professe little knowledge ( it being not my element ; and as your Lordship hath well obserued , Perito in sua arte credendumest , ) I haue presumed to submit the whole Apologie vnto your iudicious & learned censure , quatenus de Iure . If your Lordship finde him not in this Apologie ( where I haue , as neare as I could , truly related his words ) most iudicious , religious , temperate , learned , & altogether conformable vnto the doctrine and discipline of this present Church ( which this libeller so much impugneth ) and agreeing with the laws of God and of this Realme , let me beare the fault of presumption , and vndergoe your heauiest Censure whom I professe , I doe honour and reuerence , as farr as anie of my profession , and as it becometh me to doe in al Christian dutie ; knowing your Lordship to be a zealous professor of the truth , a worthy maintainer of the Cleargie , a louing Patron of both our Vniuersities , and lastly a great furtherer of al good learning : which that you may liue for to doe , maugre the opposition of our aduersaries , I shal neuer cease to pray vnto the Almighty , long to continue your Lordship in health , wealth and prosperitie , with encrease of spiritual gifts , for the benefit of both Church and Common wealth . From the Library in Oxford Feb. 10. 1608.

Your Lordships in al Christian dutie to be commanded . THO: IAMES .
Faults escaped in the printing of this Apologie .

Pag. 1. l. 15. but , read butte , p. 7. in the marg 1.6 . for Auctorziatio , read Auctorizatio . p. 9. l. 12. impious , read pious , p. 19. marg. l. 36. discipui , read discipuli p. 25. l. 18. ohfarlanot , read of an harlot , p. 34. l. 2. awere , read werep . 37. l. 7. t●e read the , p. 39. marg. l. 34. lucrationes , read lucratiuas . p. 40. l. 21. secundam , read secundum p. 42. marg. l. 33. habe● , read habent p. 44. mar . l. 33. formicator . read fornicator . p. 48. l. II. excommunication , read excommunications p. 53 l ▪ 20. fitest , read fittest . p. 56. l. 12 rained , read raigned . pag. 69. l. 10 ia , read in pag. 71. l 5 should obay , read obay , lb. marg. l. 16. leges , read legis . in his life , for , many , read maine , for to pray macks , read their stomacks .

THE PREFACE VNTO ALL TRVE Catholicks , and Christian Readers .

WHeras among al the writers , which haue since the daies of Antichrist sharpened there pens in defence of the Gospel , and maintained the cause of Christ against Antichrist and his Supposts , by opposing themselues as Arch-pillers , against the Arch-hereticks and Caterpillers of there times : there is none that hath behaued himselfe more religiously , valiantlie , learnedlie , and constantlie , then this stout Champion , reverend Doctor , & worthie preacher of Gods word Iohn Wickliffe , whose very a a Vetus Hypocrita , Angeius Sathanae , Antichristi prae ābulus , non nominandus Io. Wickli● . vel potius Wickebeleefe , haereticus . Wals. p. 256. Organum diabolicum , hostis Ecclesiae , confusio vulgi haereticorum Idolum , Hypocritatum speculum , Schismatis incentor , odij seminator incendij fabrīcator . lb. Pag. 266. o linguā●emper mendacem , male . dicam & blasphemam ! Wald. To. I. pag. 177. Ps. 64. 5. name is therfore become hateful vnto the Adversarie , his parson contemptible , and his doctrine the only marke or but at which those Ps. 64. 5. qui sagittant in occulto which lie priuily lurki●●g in co●ners do especially aime , shooting there arrowes bitter words , euen lewd & lying Pamphlets : some challenging him of Blasphemie towards God , some of Treason towards the king , others of monstrous b b Of Manicheisme . Donatisme , Pelagianisme &c. see Walden Act. Cap. 25. lb. Verl . 7. heresies in Religion , all of sondry errours and grosse absurdities : knowing therefore , that howsoeuer iure soli the Court of Rome maie , yet iure poli Gods law doth not condemne any man before his cause be heard , I haue thought it most conuenient and sit , to bring him forth before you Christian Readers , as before so many * Festusses & Agrippaes to the end that you maie know the truth of those things wherof he is accused . And albeit our Romanists , haue as euilly intreated him as euer the Jewes did * Paul , laying many and grievous complaints against him : yet I doubt not , but you when you shall ( as it becommeth men of profound iudgment & good discretion ) permitte him to answere for him selfe as Act. 26. 1. Act. 25. 7. Agrippa did Paul , wil either finde there complaints with Festus such as they sh●l Act. 25. 8. never bee able to proue : viz: that hee hath nether offended against the law of God , neither against the Temple , nor against Cesar , and finallie pronounce this sentence of absolution with K. Agrippa : Act. 26. 31. This man hath done nothing worthy of death , nor of bondes .

The order and method which I wil , God willing , obserue , shal bee : first to shew his conformitie , with the now Church of England in the chiefest points controversed , thence to descend vnto questions not altogether so material , and last of al to answere al such obiections , as haue beene mooued by our late Popish writers . Whose proofes , because they are of two sorts : drawn either from c c From Foxe , Stow , Osiander , Melancthon , Lu●her , &c. Protestantes which for want of due information , or from d d The Apologists & Father Parsons . Papists which of ill wil , ' which never spake good of anie man , ' haue vttered anie thing preiudicial either vnto his doctrine or to his person : I wil indeuour ( as much as in me lieth , & the truth wil permit ) to informe the one , and reforme the other . The proofes which I shal alleadge shal be cleere , euident , apparent , authentical , for they shal be produced out of his own words and works , as they are extant in sundry good Manuscripts , in our so renowned publike Librarie , as themselues may see or cause to bee seene by others : for therefore to iustifie my proceedings against them , ( knowing there sundrie & malignant e e See the Treatise tending to mitigation written by P. R. with the answere thereto . oppositions against vs ) I haue quoted in the margent , the very wordes of the Auctor , either in f f As the Author himselfe wrot them . Latin or in English noting both Bookes and Pages . And for a final Conclusion , I make this protestation ; his writings shal not be defended by mee farther , then they are agreeable with the Articles of our Religion , and I exhort you as manie as shal happen to read this Apologie , as S. Paul did the I. Thes● . Cap. 5. vers. 21. The ssalon●ans : on●nia probate , quod bonum est tenete . Examine all things , hold fast that which is good .

AN APOLOGIE FOR IOHN Wickliffe , shewing his conformity with the now church of England both in Doctrine & Discipline .

TO proceed them according vnto the first part of our general diuision , J doubt not , but it wil easily be acknowledged of al hands , that the greatest Controuersies betweene the Papists and vs , maie be reduced into these fewe heads .

They concerne .

1 The Scripture . 2 Traditions . 3 The Pope . 4 The Church . 5 Iustification . 6 Merits . 7 The blessed Sacrament of the Lords supper .

For the rest which concerne the other Sacraments , or other pointes of doctrine , that are collateral , they shal be handled with the principal questions ; or else in the second place apart by themselues , according to our former diuision .

The I. Chap. Of the Scripture .

THe questions to be moued about the Scripture are no lesse infinite , then the Scripture it selfe : but the greatest points controuersed betweene vs and the Papists , resteth in these 4. About the number , Sufficiencie , Interpretation , or Communication of the Scripture , or bookes Canonical .

Sect. 1.

The first question about the number of the bookes Canonical . Article 6. TO the 1. point Io. Wickliffe fully agreeing with the 6. Article of the Church of England , and S. Hierons doctrine , maketh but f f Satis est pro sua militia habere 22. libros de veteri Testamento-Authēticos Wiekliff● de ver. Scrip. Pag. 110. 22. books Canonical , excluding the rest which are as he rightly tearmeth them bookes Apocrypha , so called as he writeth ; g g Non quia oportet illis discredere tanquam fa sis sed quia non oportet . Ecclesiam militantem illis libris credere explicatè tanquam authenticis . ld lb. not because they are to be discredited of falshood : but because the Church militant should not beleeue them explicatè , as if they were authenticall , & h h Stultum et vanum circa veritatem aut passiones Scripturae Apocryphae nimis contendere cum habemus plenè Scripturas sensibilitèr nobis authenticas , ld. lb. he thinketh it to sa●or of folly & vaine curiositie , for a man to striue about the truth or proper passions of these bookes Apocrypha , where there are so manie books besides ; which are verie sensibly and plainly authentical . Now if you happen to a●ke Wickliffe how he knoweth these bookes to be losse authentical then the former , The differences betwixt the books Canonical & Apocrypha . he wil informe & shew you that the best meanes of discerning books Canonical from the Apocrypha bookes are . 1. i i Aucto●izatio corum in Nouo , testamento Wickleff . de Ve●r . Scrip. pag 95. & pag. 109 To looke into the newe Testament , and to see what books of the old Testament are therein cited & authenticated by the holy Ghost . 2. If that wil not serue , for k k Credo , quod Ecclesia discre tè examinan● quemcunque librum , quoad totam suam sententiam , dicià Spiritu Sancto in alia Scriptura , lo. pag. 96. the Church of God discreetly examining any booke , to consider whether the like doctrine be deliuered by the Holy Ghost elsewhere in the Scripture . And what else doth the Church of England answere ? So that Wickliffe is wholly for vs in the first point .

Sect. 2.

TO the 2 point the Church of England differing from the Church of Rome professeth that Holy Scripture containeth althings necessarie to Saluation , and that what soeuer is not read therin , The 2. question about the sufficiency of the Scripture . The 6 Article of Religion . nor may be proued thereby , is not to be required of anie man that it should be beleeued as an Article of the faith , or bee thought requisite or necessarie to Saluation .

To this Article also l l Diuersorium Lollardorum . Nih●il inquiunt praeter Scripturas Sacras accipimus : quicquid istis apponitut aut subtrahitur est blaphemum Walden . To. 3. Pag. 3. Io. Wickliffe most willingly subscribeth , in that most excellent booke of his De veritate Scripturae : affirming positiuely , that m m Lex Dei patula in d●s obus Testamentis . Wicklis . in exp●sit Dec●l . Pag. 5. ●criptura ergo est lex Christi — & 〈◊〉 des Ecclesiae . ld. de verit , Script . Pag. 15. Lib de 7. Peccat Mo●●libus Pag. 40. Gods will is plainly reuealed in two Testaments , which he calleth else where Christs law , or the saith of the Church ; that Christs law sufficeth by it selfe to ●rule Christs Church ; that a n n Scriptura secundum sensum suum sacrum , sufficit pro quadam scientia necessaria viatori . De Ver. Scrip. pag. 66. Christian man wel vnderstanding it may thence gather sufficient knowledge during his pilgrimage here vpon earth : that wheras o o ●um in Scriptura S. sit omnis veritas , patet quod omnis disputatio — quae iin Scriptura Sacra non habet originem est prophana lb. p 39 all truth is contained in holy Scripture , that what disputation soeuer is not originally thence to be deduced , is to be accounted prophane . Againe , that p p Non oportet admittere scientiam vel con clusionem quae non habet Testimonium ex Scriptura . lb. pag. 66 we owght to admit of no science , no conclusion , that is not approued by the Scripture , q q Nisi in ordine ad hanc Legem lb. p. 485. no lawe vnless it be ether subordinate vnto this law or r r Nisi de quanto promouet ad hanc Legēld lb. p. 50. helpe to bring vs vnto this law : No Court s s lb. pag 11. citra Calum besides the Court of heauen : no parson , not the Popes holines , which t t Ex Augustino , contrarius Scripturae etiam Dominus Papa , quem aliqui fingunt dispensare contra illam , non est vt sit Christianus lb pag. 128. if he should dispense ( as some faine that hee maie ) with holy Scripture , he shal not any longer be accounted a Christian ; yea , he is so resolued vpon the certaintie and sufficiencie of the Scripture , that he telleth vs elsewhere , that u u Lib. de biasphemia pag. 42. thowgh we had an hundred Popes , and al the Friars in the world were turned into Cardinals : yet should we trow more the law of the Gospel , than we should trow al this multitude . And this was not a bare opinion of his , which might grow vppon dislike , discontent , or be vtte●ed by waie of contradiction : but a ●etled and constant persuasion out of the word of God & therefore uu uu Log●●cos & Grammaticos oportet submittere ●e ad di●cendum in Scriptura , tam nouam G●ammaticam , quam Logicam . De verit . Script pag. 7. he magnifieth and extolleth this heavēlie Logike and Grammar aboue all the Logiks and Grammars of the world willeth x x Finus non debet infringere testamentum Patris lb pag. 72. true sonnes in no wise to goe about to infringe this will and Testament of there heavenly father ; and perswadeth al y y omne genus humanum debet stare pro de●ensione veritati Scripturae ex integro , vsque ad mortem . lb. pag. 161. true subiects to performe al due obedience and subiection thereunto , whether they be of the Laitie , or of the Clergie , saying : that all men ought to defend it vnto the death : Saecularis violentia , Clericus ratio ne lb pag. 161. Secular men by power and strength , Clergie men by reasons and arguments . Professing of him that holdeth the contrarie opinion , z z Non est vt sit Christianus . lib. de verit . Script , p. 128. that he cannot be a Christian , that a a Quicunque non vere fundaue rit , vel vitam suam , vel sententiam in Scriptura S ; sed ad versatur sibi , & suis professoribus , hic ob liquat vt pugil Diaboli , atque haereticus . lb. pag. 189. hee is flatly the Diuels champion and finallie that b b Non est vox Theologi sed Docmonologi lb. pag. 327. he speakes not as a Divine , but as a Divell . I coulde inlarge this point with infinite quotations , so earnest is he euerie where in his writings , to establish this doctrine , which is the ground of al our Protestant opinions . And the reason of this his earnestnes , & impious zeale was this : he saw the grosse ignorance of those times , wherein few sermons were preached , & those for the most part out of c c Lib. de 7. pee cat mort . p. 22 lb. pag. 22. lb. pag. 3. de verit . Script . pag. 332. Chronicles and fables , leasings and traditions d d Expos. Decalogi pag. 69. prophaned with much scurrilitie and emptines , by e e Lib. de 7. peccat mort . pag. 10. lb. pag. 22. laying aside Gods law and Christs Gospel . Yea so farre were they from preaching the word of God , that they went about to f f Contra Fratres mendi● . p. 52 burne the Gospel in English , & to consume with fire or g g They pursue true men for preaching the truth . Lib. de 7 peccat . mort . pag. 102. Like the Byshops of the Temple letten men to preach lb. pag. 19. letten the Gospel & Pistles to be preached , and pursue the true tellers thereof . Lib. Miscell . pag. 34. sword , with banishments or imprisonments , the true and godly Professours thereof : despiting & reviling the Scripture by the name of g g Opinio haere tica quod Scriptura S. sit haeretica et blasphema . Lib. de ver Scrip pag. 196. Multiplicati qui dixer●it Scripturam secundum magnem partem suam esse falsissimam . Ibid. pag. 130. Blasphemous , false , flexible or changeable vnto anie sense that a man would haue it , and lastly that h h Lib. contra Fra●res . mendic . pag. 44. it was neuer well since Lords and Ladies tooke regarde to the Gospell and leften there ancestors manners . When these absurd , infamous blasphemous , Romish or rather Diuelish opinions began to be broached and bo●stred vp by Antichrist and his deerest Minions , the Moonks & Friars ; maruel wee at his positions , doctrine , constancy and resolution , for the auctoritie and maiestie of the Scripture , or that he was as we finde him in this 2. and most materiall point of al , a sound Protestant ?

Sect. 3.

The 3. question of the Interpretation of the Scripture . THe 3. point wherein we differ , is about the interpretation of this Holy and sacred Scripture . The Papists , as they make the Pope alone iudge of al controuersies : so they make him sole interpreter of all dark and obscure places of holie writ . Other men as the ancient Doctors and writers maie write , comment , vnfold a●d explane the darke sentences therein contained , but there writings are humane , there iudgements not alwaies certaine , and solide , finallie they want that vnerting kay , which the Pope hath , to search , trie , examine and determine the truth thereof . Heare we therefore what is Wickliffes opinion , concerning the interpretation of the Scripture . He affirmeth euerie where in his writings , that the l l

sensus literalis Scripturae sensus quem Spiritus S. in didit . De verit Script pag. 27 Omnia necessaria in Scriptura continentur in sensu historico vel lite rali , Wickliff . ex relat. Gu. Wodeford in lib. ML .

Nulla conclusio authentica tur ex Scriptura Sacra , nisi in quantum allegatur ad sensum Auctoris Ib. pag. 201.

true literal sense and sentence of the Scripture , which the Holie Ghost doth principally intend , is that which we are chieflie to regards that it is nothing for a manto cite Scripture , vnlesse it be * pertinent to the meaning of the Auctor ; which being of it self hard to be found out , ( because a carnall man doth not easilie conceiue the things of God ) therefore by Gods providence , which k k Ordinauit Deus communem Scripturam sensibilem , ad cuius sensum Catholicum capiendum deus , non po●est deficere ; quoniam semper quosdam irradiat , ad quam irradiationem confert sanctitas vitae et continuare istam irradiationem in matre Ecclesia est Theologotum officium , quos oporter stare in suis limitibus , vnde non licet Theologis fingere alien●● praeter fidem Script , Catholicae lb p. 205. neuer faileth his Church in things necessarie to Salvation , some are illuminated & enlightened from aboue , for the finding out of the true and Catholike sense of the Scripture , which illumination & irradiation of theirs ( as he cals it ) is much confirmed and warranted vnto vs , by their holy lines and conuersations , and to continue it in the mother Church , is the dutie and function of Diuines . Who neuerthelesse , because they are men , and maie easily erre , by making false Postilles or b●nging vntrue glosses , therefore he willeth them to obserue certaine meanes , and prescribeth them certaine bounds and limits , quos vltra citrag , nequit consi stere rectum . within the which they are to containe them selues . And first for the meanes of expounding and explaining of holie Scripture , they are in his iudgment and account l l Quintuplex medium dispo nens ad suae veritat is notitiam . fiue .

1 m m Codicum Scripturae correctio . To looke that the books of Scripture be not corrupted , for the Editions . 2 n n Logicae Scripturae instructīo . To haue the knowledge of the Scripture logick , that is the Phrase , & manner of speaking vsual in the Bible . 3 o o Partium Scripturae iugis collatio . A continual collation and comparing of Scripture , with Scripture , is required , 4 p p Sui deuoti student is virtuosa dispositio A vertuous and deuout disposition in the Student . 5 q q Ptimi Magistri interna instructio . De verit . Script . pag. 75. An inward instruction and information of the chiefe Master Christ Jesus .

These are the best meanes , which he could find for the explanation of doubtful places in Scripture , the fourth whereof being somwhat obscure , he expoundeth thus . The virtuous disposition of a scholler or student in Diuinitie , consisteth in these 3. points . 1. r r Primo in auctoritatis Scripturae humili● acceptatione● in an humble acceptation of the ●auctoritie● of the Scripture 2. r r 20. In sui & rationis conformatione . in a conformation of himselfe and his reason therevnto . 3. 30. in SS. Doctorum testificatione . De Verit ▪ Script . pag. 78 In admitting the testification of the holy Doctors . What could be said more plaine for vs , concerning the two former points , as for the latter , obseruing the bounds & limits which Wickliffe prescribes there can be nothing more consonant and agreeable , with the Protestant doctrine here in England at this day professed . For first of al he proues that the best , Interpreters doe somtimes t t Causa vari●●tatis interpretum , vt cognoscomus vniuer●alo doi donum — in paenam superbie Ib. pag. 8● . The diuersi●y of opinions as S. Aug. saith may standwel enowgh with the vnitie of faith , so long● as their opinions doe varie , but not contrarie one another , that they are diuerse but not aduerse . varie : the cause of which varietie springeth , ether from Gods vniuersal goodnesse , g●uing guifts vnto mēdiuersely according to his good wil and pleasure : or else from mans wickednes & pride , which is hereby iustly punished . . Secondly for the Theologi debent completius cognosce●e Doctores , prop●er videnda completa eorum originalia & radices rationum quas eliciunt ex Scriptura De Verit. Script . pag. 456. holy Doctors and Fathers of the Church ( whom we are to reuerence & esteeme in the next un un Non oportet plus credere homini quam mandato quod docet : ex hoc principio , propter quod est vnum quodque●ipsum est magis . De , Ver. , Script . pag. 205. place to the Scripture ) we are to vnderstand , that x x A●legando . alios extra auctores , Scripturae , non allegamus eos vt auctores dantes probationem per locum a ●ide ; sed per locum I opicum à Testimonio humano ; vt tale Testimonium viz. arguendo ad hominem , allegando sibitestem quem ipse acceptat ta●quam authenticum , vt arguendo contra infideles , allegamus eis proprios auctores ▪ De Verit. Script . pag. 107. there testimonies & auctorities , being ●o Topick places in Diuinitie , other then hum●ne prosies , not inducing beleef per locum a fide are to be all eadged in this manner only : whereas y y lb. pag. 108. they speak somthings assertiue , by waie of assertion ; somthings recitatiue , or interrogatiue , b● waie of narration or interrogation ; and somthings by waie of iest or merriment Ironice : we are to admit or accept of no proofs , no auctorities , but such as are definitiuely vttred by waie of assertion , or asseueration . Wherein also in his iudgment , we are warilie to heed and attend this Caueat , that because they speak somthings z z Ib. pag. 108. opinando by thinking them to be so , somthings ratione probando , by prouing them to be so , by humane reasons & arguments thirdly and lastly vt sententiam Dei praeconizando , by citing Scripture for the farther proofe of them : wee must note , that in this last sence only , there words are chieflie to be regarded : because this is his final resolution and conclusion of al ; that a a Nulli creden dum est per locum &c. lb. 109. Homini creditur non vt sibi , ●ed vt promulganti divinam sententiam . De Ver. Scrip. pag. 205 , Non debet credi creaturae , nisi de quanto Ioquitur confōrmiter ad Scripturam De Verit. Scrip pag. 206. Non sunt de capitulo eorum , de quibus sequitur , Ipsi sic aslerunt ig●tur verum . lb. pag. 151. no man liuing is to bee credited , per locum ab auctoritate , for his auctorities sake , nisi in quantum praconizat verbum Domini , vnlesse he vrge Scripture for the maintenance of his opinion . And thus , we see Wickl●ffe in this third point also , an absolute Conformitan vnto our Church .

Sect. 4.

THe 4. point determinable is , The 4. question whether the Scripture should be translated into the vulgar tonge . whether it be behoueful and necessarie , that the Scripture should be translated & communicated in English , to edifie the simple people . Wherein it shal suffice out of S. b b Lib de verit . Scrip. p. 331. Gregory , to note his earnestnes in this point , in writing against c c Lib. Miscel pag. 24. this wicked sin , which would that the Gospell slept , d d lb pag. 34. & did let it to be preached . e e lb. pag. 24. The truth of God ( saith he ) standeth not in one language , mor̄e them other . f f lb. pag. 25. Christ taught the Pater noster in a language vnderstood , and therfore g g lb. pag. 24. why maie not men write in English the Gospell , and other things ? For h h lb. pag. 26. Clarks should ioy that the people knew Gods law , and certainely i i lb. pag. 24. this Heresie and Blasphemie should men cast out from there harts , for it springeth vp of the Fiend , & k k lb pag. 24. who is cursed of God but he that letteth this meane . And this moued this worthie instrument & chosen vessel of Gods glorie , to carrie his name before the Gentiles , to translate the whole l l extant in his Maiesties Librarie at White-hall . Bible , to comment vpon some part● therof , & chiefly those parts of Holy Scripture , which are most in vse ; as the m m Extant in the publike librarie verie faierly bound of the guift of M. Doct. Bond the worthie president of Magd. Col. in Oxford , a true favourer & furtherer of al good learning . Psalmes of David , the Te Deum , Nunc dimittis , the Magnificat , and other Hymnes now read and retained to this day , in the vsage and Liturgie of the Church of England . And so we see , that in this point as wel as in the three former , nothing letteth vs to pronounce him to be an absolute Protestant .

The 2. Chapt. Of Traditions .

THe next question followeth about Traditions , wherin although he hath sufficiently manifested his iudgment of them positiuely ; by teaching vs that n n Habemus — completam notitiam necessariorum ad salutem ex fide Scripturae . De Veritate Scrip. pag. 108. Though there be not a particular decision of al questions that maie be moued in Diuinity touching doctrine or discipline ; yet , sententia dati iudicij est inuenibilis in Scriptura-vnde'pateat quomodo esset in casibus particularibus indicandum . In Expos. Decal . pag 6. Status , statu●a , et . ritus a diecti secundum traditiones humanas , omnes inseparabiliter peccant , cum difficultant legem Dei , & impediunt cursum Sermonis sui . Art. 41. Oxon. condemnatus Regist , Acad. we haue a compleat & ●ure knowledge of things necessarie to salvation out of the faith of the Scripture ; yet exclusiuelie , By remouing the contrarie opinion , he farther manifesteth his detestation of al Popish or humane traditions , such as are contrarie to the word of God , which are of diuerse natures and conditions ; some inuented o o De verit ate script p. 487. pro questu , for gaine ; some profastu , of pride ; a thirde sorte p p Traditiones humanae com mixtae cum ve ritate Eu angelica lb. pag 330. mixed , partly humane and partly divine , partly good , and partly bad , ( the which came in with the q q Tempore Christi coepit calumnia● tempore Mahometi am plius dissipata est et a tempore editionis Decretalium decreuit honor et ponderatio Legis Scripturae continuè quae videtur — esse via praeparatoria Antichristo . lb p. 207. Canon Lawe : ) you must obserue , that hee doth not blame , or reprehend al rites and Ceremonies in the Church : ( for some are lawful , some expedient● ) but willeth vs to obserue these few precepts only , in the obseruation , or establishing of them .

1 That our rites and Ceremonies , be surely r r Obseruantie — fundabiles in Scriptura . lb. 529. Sunt Deo & Ecclesia sua o dibiles nisi de quanto sundātur in Script . p. lb. 411. founded and grounded on the word of God . 2 s s Cauendum est Principibus Ecclesiae , ne onerent ●ubditos rituum multitudine ●b . 529. That the chiefe Prelates of the Church , doe not surcharge or lade them with too many Ceremonies . 3 t t Videtur probabile , qu●d nuliae constitutionez Pra positorum Ecclesiae sunt licitae , vel Turrian populo obligare admittendae , nisi de quanto sunt media facilitantia ad obse●uantiam Legi● Christ● Expos● Decal . pag 18. That we admit of none , but such as are meanes facilitating the observation of Christs law .

Lastly , that in obseruing them , we prefer not u u Conquirimus non manda●a saluatoris led Caesaris non pra●cepta Capitis Ecclesiae qui est Chris●us , sed Temporalis Pontificis De Verit Scrip. Pag 68.2 . Our Lord Iesu Christ , very God and very man , is head and P●elat of this Religion . In supplicat . ad Parl. pag. 1 anie Caesar' before our Saviour ' , or any Pope before Christ , which is Supreame head of the Church , and chiefest Prelate of our religion : and hence it was , that hee reiected there popish superstitions & traditions , of salt , x x Artic. 43. in syn . Const● damnatus . spittle , chreame , oile and ●uch like : y y Artic Var. damnat . there 5. Sacraments , and 5. Orders , and the like , which were z z Propriae adinuentiones plus pecuniae lucratiuae . De Verit. script . pag. 333. omnes sonant — ad lucrum Ecclesiae lb. plus pecuniae lucratiuae , established more for mony , then for religion , & rather propriae adinuentiones commanded by men , then commended by God . Such as he blameth euerie where in his writings , a a Optarem quod omnes ritus nostri forent à Deo confirmati De Ver. Scrip. p. 581. wishing that no Rite or Ceremonie might be received in the Church , but such as are confirmed by God . Which opinion of his , I am sure , wil be receiued for currant amongst al the true professors of the Gospel , throughout al Protestant Churches .

The 3. Chapt. Of the Pope .

THis controuersie about the Supremacie , or Primacie of the Pope , being the verie soule and life of Poperie , may be resolued into sundrie questions . 1. It maie be questioned , whether the Pope bee supreme Iudge here vpon earth , in al causes , & ouer al persons . 2. Admit he were so , whether he may intermedle with the Temporal affaires of Kings and Princes . Thirdly supposing that also , whether he be of that temper and making , that he cannot erre in his finall Conclusions . Fourthly and lastly , whether he be Antichrist or no.

Sect. 1.

Touching the 1. point , it cannot be denied but that Iohn Wickliffe supposing the Donation of Constantine ( which afterwards proued but a counterfeit ) did for a while hold , that the Pope was to bee consulted in the greatest points of Religion , and that he had b b De Verit. Scrip. p. 122. plenam & solam potestatem , plenarie and ful power of himselfe , and c c Peccatum paganitatis incurrit , quisquis dum ●e Christianum a●●erit sed i. Apostolicae ob edi re ; contemnit De Verit. Scr. pag 426. that he did incurre peccatum paganitatis , the crime of Paganisme , which did not obay his mandats . But what of all this ? Was Wickliffe a Papist ? No , verely . For first his plenarie power , was built vpon a rotten d d Tempore Constantini translatio● Sacerdotij . nec fuit decretum quod● Episcop: illius Ecclesiae haberet necessario primatum in alios , vt hic supponitur De Ver. Scrip. pag. 565. foundation , which afterwards fel to the ground of it selfe . 2. It was giuen him only , e e Habet plenam & solam potestatem ad ae● dificandum Ecclesiam . De Ver. Scrip. pag. 122. ad aedificandum Ecclesiam , for to edifie , not to destroy or demolish the Church . 3. It was so limited , that he could doe nothing f f lb. pag. 455. contra Deum , or contrarationem against the Law of God , or against the law of reason . Lastly , if his lawes g g Certum est ex fide Scripturae quod quicunque Secularis vel Clericus maxime obuiat Christi legibus , hic est potissimus Antichristus De Verit. Scrip. pag. 590. did obviare Christi legibus , an h h Oportet inferiorem nomine tenus Superiorem ●uum corrippete lb. p. 524. Inferiour might , and in conscience ought , not only to disobey him , but to reprooue , correct , and contradict him ; as i i lb. pag. 524. Paule did withstande Peter vnto the face : and wil our Papists grant this ? Farthermore , he grants the Pope no greater auctoritie or superiority over his fellow-brethren , k k Pe●●●s ipse & Apollo exclusi à Dominatu suorum conuer●●rum : imo ipsos esse quasi nihil & abiectos seruos D ●esu cui omnis scientia , omnis amor vel honor Christiani debet attribui ; cum nullum creatum debet sciri amarivel honorari ▪ nisi Christus , vel in habitu diuino ad ipsum De Verit Script . pag. 494. then Peter and Apollo had , over there new Converts : whom he excludeth and debarreth flatly from any such Soveraintie , taking away all honour from them , and giving it vnto Christ Iesu , to whom all knowledge , all loue , all duty , from al Christians is to be ascribed , so far : that no Creature is to be acknowledged , loued , or honored , but Christ , or in respect of Christ . l l Nec credo quenquam Catholicum ad ●antum desipere quod credat quod vbi Christi● vicatius sc●ibit Fiat & ipse qui dixit & facta sunt non approbat ad quiritur ius aliquod impetranti cum de isto solo verificatur hoc metricum-sic volo sic iubeo , sit pro ratione voluntas . in Expos. Decal . p. ● . Nether is it possible ( as he thinketh ) for any Catholike , to be so vnadvised or inconsiderate , as to follow the Popes fiat , Let it be done , when he that spake , and it was done , shall say no. Because this verse can be true of no earthly man , but of our blessed Saviour Christ Iesus : Sic volo , sic iubeo , sit pro ratione voluntas . This is my will this I commande , My will for reason good shall stand .

Finally , to conclude this point , he was m m Quod Papa sit summus Pontifex est ridiculum , & Christus nee in Petro ne● in alio talem approbauit dignitatem Art. 17. damnat . in Syn. Const. condemned as an heretike , for denying the Popes Supremacy , and therfore cannot verie wel be accounted of the Romish Church .

Sect. 2.

The 2. question whether the Pope may intermedle with the Temporal affaiers of Princes . NOw we come to the 2. question , where we consider his civile dominion , or right in Temporall estates : which question Wickliffe doth n n In ciuili dominio non possunt esse duo dominantes aequo , oportet quod vnus sit capitalis Dominus & alter subdominans-Regem , nostrum nolumus . in hac parte sibi ●ubijcere cum donans quicquid ad manum mor tuam sibi reseruat capital e dominium Wickliff de Ciu. Dom. p 67. euerie where determine against the Pope , for the king , & his regalty , and that of set purpose in an especiall Treatise of his o o Extant in the publike Librarie . De Civili Dominio ▪ strengthning his opinion verie plainly out of the p p The contrary opinion ( a● he saieth ) videtur impugnare iura & consuetudines Regni de Ciuili Dominio pag. 66. Tenendo quod iura Angliae in hac parte sunt nullo modo Iuri contraria lb. I knowe the particular and approued custome of euerie na●ion is the most vsual binding & assured Law . my L. Cook in his 5. l. of Reports in praes: Fundamental laws of this land , with great iudgement and knowledge , of the common law , which I speake in fide aliena , being not able to iudge of that which is beyond my profession : but I do verily beleeue it to bee so , becauseth he seemeth vnto me , to vrge the verie same reasons , lawes , and arguments , which that thrise . q q My L. Cook Chiefe Iustice of the Common pleas in his 5. booke of Reports . Wickliffe maintaineth it as an old Custome , the which our King , Lords & Prelats beene sworen to sustaine & maintaine-as pertaining to the Kings Regalty and of Common Law . In supplicat . por recta ad Parliam . pag 9. The kinglie head of this politique body , is instituted and furnished with p'enarie and entire power , prerogatiue , and iurisdiction , to render iustice and right , to euerie part and member of this bodie , of what estate degree , or calling soeuer , in al causes , Ecclesiastical , or Temporal , otherwise hee should not be head of the whole bodie . My L● Cook . in his 5. book . of Reports pag. 9. The verie same reason is vrged by Wickliffe , in sundrie places : else he were not King of al England but of a little part thereof In supplicat . ad● Parliam . pag. 10. Non haberet plenae pacis . custodiam . De Verit. Script . pag. 453. Non ●oret ' Rex totius Angliae sed Regulus paruae partis . De Verit. Script . pag. 424. [ ] The Title of his book is this : Controuersiarum Rob. Bel larmini Defensio Auctore Iac. Gretsero Soc. Iesu S , S. Theol. Doct. et in Academia Ingolstadiensi Professore . Ingol . Anno. 1607. in fol. Reverend and learned Iudge , doth faithfully mention , in his fift booke of Reports , against the truth of which doctrine , no Parson , nor Parsons , I suppose , shal euer be able to preuaile ; raile they may , and brag they do , which are the two ordinary meanes of late daies found out , to answere al obiections ; as that vpstart Goliah , or Rabsache of Rome , Iames Gretser , which is newlie come forth to reuile the whole host of Protestant writers , hath abundantly testified , & declared in his late [ ] voluminous book , written in a supposed defence of Bellarmine : but to giue the Divell his right , hee hath farre exceeded , not only his Equals Jesuits , but surpassed all other writers whatsoeuer , in this supereminent art of railing , or scolding rather : so that to vse r r Similes sunt-authori discipui omnes equorum libris , si iactationes , mendacia , scommata , maledicta , conuitia tollerentur ex maximis voluminibus vix libelli perexigui effici possent Bell cont. 4. To 1. pag 328. in 8º iustly to be retorted vpon the Iesuits . He railes against D. Rainolds , D. Whitaker , D. Mo●ton . Iunius , Polanus , Hunnius , Lubbert , &c al which he doth befoole , & depresse , both lewdly and foolishly : as because D. Rainolds was sicke of the● gout , therefore forsooth , nihil ●olidum nihil ne●uosum ab isto sperandum , his head was not sound enough to deliuer anie solide matter against them , and that he did forbeare to inuaie more sharply against him Ne sorte exasparatis articulorum doloribus acrius discrutietur , & ad rabi●̄ vel desperationem adigatur . The paine of the gout and of reading his books withal , might driue him into despaire . Gretser . defens , Bell. pag. 1058 , & 1070. his M. Bellarmines words ; if a man should take out al his braggings ▪ scoffings , reproches , raylings , reuilings and lewd speeches vttered against the cheifest writers of our age , ex maximo volumine , minimus libellus efficeretur , it would proue not only a poore booke but a lewd and lying booke . In this booke hee hath taken vpon himself such libertie of giueing euerie man the lie that he cannot keepe from putting a lie vpon his Master Cardinal Bellarmiue , where he writeth thus speaking of the Jesuits , s s Bellarmine the Iesuits the meekest men aliue . non est nostrum , reddere malum promal● , it is not the manner of the Iesuits , to render euil for euill . Though I cannot saie of him as t t Vide Praefationem ante Biblia Interlinearia . Arias Montanus doth of his Erostratus , that nostrum pro alijs , but nostrum cum alijs nomenproscindendum suscepit ; that he hath traduced me for others ; yet because he hath traduced my name with others , I thought good to mention him only at this present , because I intend ere long be , to u u In two books of his , the one in quarto de Iu●e & ●m odo libros prohibendi , abolendi & expurgan di●the other in folio writte in defense of the 1 part . of of Bellarmins Controuersie he hath gone about to reuerse two Positions of mine : the 1. That the workes of the ●Anciēt Fathers are verie much corrupted by the Papists : the 2. that their Bibles authorized are diuerse , contrarious , & contradictorious , the one vnto the other , Both these God willing shal be proued m●st cleerely in my Apologie . God open the ●ies of our hetherto blinded and hoodwinct Papists , that they maie see , and seeing maie knowe , and knoweinge maie abhorre their soule corruptions and open contradictions . salute him in his owne language , & to send him to schoole vnto the Jesuits , 'to learne better manners , then being but a young Jesuit in comparison , not only to abuse al Lutherans , Calvinists , and Protestants ; but to write professedly and purposely , I may say , malitiouslie and spitefully , against the most aged , and uu uu An t Posseuine wounded thorowgh my sides , For my Collation of Cyprian which Grerser cheifly impugneth i● translated verbatim into Possevins Apparatus , Changing the word Protestant into Catholike , and by affirming the booke that was printed at Geneua , to be printed at Paris , that men might thinke it was his worke : sic nos non nobis mellificamus apes , hereby you maie note his exceeding great iudgment ; and yet he taketh vpon him to be , Censor censorum , and Criticus Criticorum . iudicious Jesuit at this day in al Christendome : but leaving him vnto his Superiours to be punished for a notable wrangler , & Wickliffe in this point a sound Protestant , we are now by Gods grace come to examine the most material point of al others .

Sect. 3.

IF it be doubted whether the Pope maie erre , or no : according vnto Wickliffes doctrine , The 3 question whether the Pope may err . it is shewed openly and plainly , thoroughout all his works , where he proueth that the Pope is , x x Papa est pec cabilis . sicur caput Ecclesiae . De Verit. Script . pag. 456. est naturae peccabilis , habens supra se capitalem Dominum in . Expos Decal . pag 123. natura peccabilis , of that nature that he may erre . y y De blasphem pag. 40. That one , that men callen Pope , may erre : not only in manner and z z Non dubium quin error posset in ●lectione contingere , & magis in conuersatione sequenti De Ver , Script . pag. 457. conuersation of life , but also in doctrine and a a Hee maie erre — in seeding of his Churches or Articles of the faith . De blasp pag. 40. Multi papae deprau●ti haeretica dep●auitate , De. Ver. Scrip. pag. 181. hodie inualescit opinio Legistarum dicentium , quod si quis sit Papa , est impeccabilis , & per con●equens si quid arbitratur , vel ordinat , tune est iustum , ●um Epistolae suae vel parificantur vei superant auctoritatem Scripturae . lb. pag. 47. Non habet a Deo Chartas talis officij lb pag. 92. Vtinam talis Antichristus non destruat Regna Borealia , occidentalia , or●entalia , s●cut infecit Af●am , Ap●iricā , & Europam . lb. pag 589. Articles of the Creed . b b Lib. De 7. Pecc , Mort. pag. 16. He may sin , c c De blasphem . pag. 40. and no man in the world lightlier or grievouslier , and de facto erraverunt in deed they haue ●rred and been infected with foule heresies . Yea he thinketh it to be d d De blasphem pag. 55. likely , that all the Bishops of Rome , for 300. yeares and more before his time , were fullie hereticks : & therefore I nothing doubt , but he shal be accounted of them an Arch hereticke , of vs ( as the truth is ) a sound Catholike , and an Arch Protestant .

Sect. 4.

The 4. question whether the Pope be Antichrist . THe l●st point controuersed is , whether the Pope be Antichrist . Which point he proueth verie largely , by comparing his doctrine & manners , with Christs , in sundrie places of his works : but chiefly in his Lib. de 7. Pe●cati● Mortal . pag. 16. Booke of the 7. deadly sinnes ; telling vs , that forasmuch as thorough his Decrees , * * Contra Frat. Mend. pag. 26 Gods Hests , by his maundements Christs commandements , by his Decretals Paules Epistles , by his e e Nihil est Canonicum quod Regula 1. non approbat De Ver. Script . pag. 457. Canon law , the Canonical Scripture was vilified , nullified , vtterly defased and debased ( a fault for which he is bolde to taxe him , in sundrie passages of his works ) he pronounceth of him absolutely , that he is f f De verit . ser. pag. 590. potissimus Antichristus , that verie Antichrist .

The 4. Chap. Of the Church .

NOw it remaineth , that we see his iudgement concerning the Church , marking how farre his opinions do concurre with ours . Here we wil enquire his definitiue sentence in these questions following . 1. Whether the Church of Rome be the Catholike Church . 2. Whether it hath the priviledge of not erring . 3. Whether the Church be visible , or not . Fourthly and lastly , whether the wicked , be true members of the Church .

Sect. 1.

THe 1. question is thus determined by him , The 1. question whether the Church of Rome be the Catholike Church ? g g Protestor publicè , quod amando , & venerando Romanam Ecclesiam , matrem meam , desidero & procuro defensionem o●●isi Privilegiorum suorum . De ve rit scr●pt . Pag 196. he acknowledged the Romane Church to bee his mother Church , and he professeth that he will to his power defend all the Priviledges thereof . Here Wickliffe may seeme to depart from vs for a time , ( and so in words he doth : ) but in the ende or vpshot of all you shal see him come backe againe vnto vs , and fight vnder our Standard . He cals the Romane Church his mother Church he might do so , for those worthy beginnings which she made in open profession of the Gospel , in S. Pauls daies and this is apparent , by those true priuiledges , which hee se●teth downe , as belonging vnto the Romane Church , which to omit al other stand chiefly h h Scio quidem ex fide Scripturae tanquam infrāgibiliter verum , quod omne ●uum privilegist est ex Deo , & de quanto secuta fuerit Ch●istum cōfor●nius , de tanto amplioribus privilegijs insignitur , De verit . Scr. Pag. 196. in conforming her selfe vnto Christ and his lawes : so that the neerer shee came vnto him , the greater priviledges shee had . But it is not hereby to be so much as imagined , that the Church of Rome was endowed with any such priuiledges , as they dreame of ; as if Peter had therfore chosen this place aboue all other to rule in , and Christ had giuen him that priuiledge and his Successours not to erre in it : hee that hath this opinion of Wickliffe deceiueth himselfe : for he giueth an Absit , to that opinion . i i Absi● Ecclesiam credere , quod fides cuiuscunque alieni membri Ecclesiae dependeat ab isto Petro Iohanne vel Gregorio . De verit scr. Pag. 92. God forbid that the Church , or that any man shoulde thinke , that the faith of other members of the Church , doth depend vpon this Peter , that Iohn , or that Gregory . k k Fie●i potestquod Dominus Papa fo●et igna●us Legis Scripturae , & quod Ecclesia Anglicana foret longè praestā●ior in iudicio veritatis Cathol●●ae , quam tota ista Romana Ecclesia collecta de istis Papa & Cardina●ibus . lb , P. 182. Yea it may so happen , that our Lord the Pope may be ignorant of the Laws , of the Scripture , & that the Church of England , may be far better and quicker sighted in finding out the Catholike truth then al this Romane Church of Pope and Cardinals , being all thrust together . So that the issue , or vltima resolutio , the Conclusion , is like that of the Apostles , 1. Cor. Chap. 11. vers. 1. to follow this Church , I say , aboue all others , in as much as it follows Christ , & no otherwise , which Conclusion , if it should be granted by vs , it will neither greatly steed them , nor hurt vs .

Sect. 2.

THe 2. question is almost answered by the first : fier● potest , the Church of Rome may erre , l l Necesse estS . matrem Ecclesiam per The. ologos regulari : oportete nim quod reguletur secundum vitam Christi , & Scripturae Sacrae sed hoc propter euitandas haereses De Ver. Script . pag. 510. if it keepe not her first faith , which is called by him , m m De Ver. Scr. pag 72. fides Ecclesiae , or m m lb pag. 108. fides Scripturae , the faith of the Church , or the faith of the Scripture ; or if you will needes haue it so , Peters ●aith , which is so certainly grounded on the true rocke Christ Jesus , that Math , Chap 24. v. 24 , 25. though the raine fall and the flouds come , & the winds blow , & beat vpon this Church , yet it fals not , for it is founded ( as I haue said ) on a rocke , and the Math. Chap 16. v. 18. rocke is Christ , against whom 1 Cor. 10.4 . Luc. 18.8 . Hell-gates could not heretofore prevaile . But because this doubt may herehence arise ; if the Church of Rome , and the Church of England , and so other particular Churches may erre , as you say , then true faith may be vtterly extinguished here on earth , and so we may easily a●●oile that doubt in the Gospel ; when the Sonne of man commeth . shall he finde faith vpon earth ? Therefore , to prevent this obiection , he setteth this down , for a maxime . o o De Verit. Script p. 105. Nec esse est in tota matre Ecclesia esse fidem Catholicam . Jt cannot otherwise be ; God hath hitherto providently and wil mercifully so prouide , that true faith shal be entirely professed in his Church , in some one place or other , and the true professors thereof shal be preserued , though it be miraculously , as Elias , and as our Iohn Wickliffe was , to continue the preaching of the Gospel , and to shew forth the sauing health thereof vnto all nations , to see the Sacraments duly and rightly administred , which are the only true notes of Wickliffes Church .

Sect. 3.

BY that which hath beene spoken , The 3. question about the visibilitie of the Church . not only the second question , but also the third doubt concerning the visibilitie of the Church , like 1. Sam. 5.3 Dagon before the Arke , fals downe to the ground , and Wickliffe remaines in this point , as in al the former , a resolued true , Cathotholike , English Protestant .

Sect. 4.

FOurthly where the p p Contra Fratres mendicantes . Cap. 39. pag. 54. They ●eachen that tho men that shal be damned bee members of holy Church , & thus they wedden Christ and the diuel together Ib. Church of Rome takes the members o Hfarl an ot , and giues them to Christ , coupling Christ and Antichrist togither , by affirming the wicked to be true members of the Church , hee denies the assertion most flatlie and peremptorilie informing vs , that there are but two Churches ; q q Ecclesia Christi & Ecclesia malignantium , De Ver. Scr. p. 490. Christs Church , and the malignant Church ; r r Duo capita Christus & Diabolus lb. two Captaines , or Chieftaines , Christ , and the Devill or Beliall , s s There is no commining , ne consent to Christ and to Belial . Contra F●atr . Mend. pag. 54. betwixt whom there is no communitie . And therefore , I conclude this point with Wickliffes words : these wicked miscreants & vngodlie men t t Comment in Psal. pag. 2. in Praef. a●e in the holy Church but not of the holy Church , and in the Church by body , not by thought , by name , not by deed , in nomber , not by merit .

The 5. Chapt. Of Iustification .

THe fift maine controuersie concernes iustification : wherein Wickliffe according to his vsuall manner , accordeth fully with the Church of England ; ' teaching vs , that u u Decreuerunt Apostoli sufficere ad saluationem Christianismi●fidē Domini Iesu Christi De Ver. Scr. pag. 494. faith in our Lord Iesus Christ is sufficient for saluation , uu uu Est — fides — summe vtilis quia sine illa fide impossibile est fidelem alterius Testa menti placere Deo - cum includit in se diuinitatem humanitatis saluationem tam causalitèr quam efficientèr quam finalitèr De Ver. Scríp , pag. 496. and that without that faith , it is vnpossible for any man to please God : that x x Meri●um Christi per se sufficit omnem hominem redimere Turrian Gehenna . Ib. pag. 552. the merit of Christ , is able by it selfe , to redeeme all mankinde from Hell ; that y y D● per se sufficientia intelligitur sine alia causa concurrente . Ib. pag. 553. this sufficiencie is to be vnderstood , without any other cause concurring , perswading men therefore to trust wholy to Christ , to rely altogether vpon his sufferings , z z Omnes sequentes Christum Iustificati ex sua Iustitia , tanquam ●ua generatio saluabuntur De Ver. Scrip. pag. 550. not to seeke to be iustified but ex sua iustitia , by his iustice ; that a a In genere iustorum est dare vnum iustum , cuius participatione cuncta alia erunt iusta in Expos. Decal . pag. 1. by participation of his righteousnes , all men are righteous ; that b b Infideles non viuunt vi● tuosè ; licet de propinquo faciant bona de genere . De Ver. Scrip. pag. 468. the works of Infidels , licet de propinquo faciat bona de genere , though they doe good workes , which are good for there kinde ; yet they are not to be accoūtedrighteous men . And thus it may appeare , that Wickliffe did fully vnderstand the point of c c Walden To. 3. pag. 24. chargeth him with Pelagianisme in the highest degree how truly let the reader iudge by comparing Wickliff with Walden ; truth with falshood . Wicleuistae destruunt liberum Arbitrium Ib. To. 1. pag. 68. Justification , or else he would neuer haue relied so much vpon Gods mercie , and so little , vpon merits , as in truth he did , as is declared vnto you in the words following .

The 6. Chapt. Of Merites .

THE doctrine of merits , that you may know that Wickliffe was nether d d Ecce si non sit inter Wickliffe & Pelagium germana societas ? Walden To. 3 pag. 14. Pelagianitae & Wilclevistae gratiam Dei tacent vel abnegant , & in meritis hominum omnino confidunt Ib. pag 25. Ib. Wickliffe diuinae gratiae nihil tribuendum docet . Ib. Walden must needs be very true in al the rest that is so notoriously false in this . Pelagian , nor Papist , is plentifullie in al his bookes refuted , but chiefly in his Commentaries vpon the Psalmes . Where hee beateth downe these prowde Pharisees , e e Comment. in Psalm . pag. 474. which saie , that God did not al for them , but thinketh , that there Wickliff . dixisset non , sic , sed propter memetipsum Deus , & propter opera meritoria mea me audi Walden To. 3. pag. 28. very like vnto himselfe merites helpeth . f f Ib. pag. 182. Heale vs Lord for nought ; that is , no merit of ours ; but for thy mercie . g g Ib. pag. 368. Lorde not to our merits , but to thy mercie , giue thy ioy . h h Ib. pag. 368. Giue vs grace , to ' knowe , that all thy gifts beeth of thy goodnes : i i Ib. pag. 126. our flesh though it seeme holy ; yet it is not holy . We all k k Omnes homines originaliter peccatores sunt quodāmo do Adam . De Ver. Scr. pag. 489. Tota natura humana inimica Deo . In Expos. Decal . pag. 77. Concupiscentia peccatum mortale . Ib. pag. 144. are originallie sinners , as Adam , and in Adam , his leaprosie cleauing faster to vs , then Naamans did to Gehezay . ' For according to his teaching , wee all are sinners , not only from k k Infans ' ex peccato originali est haereticus quia à numero fidelium diuisus ex caeca electio ne priorum parentum a qua contrahit maculam originalem . De Ver. Scr pag. 607. our mothers wombes , but l l Infantes peccant in matris vtero . in Expos. Decal pag. 77. in our mothers wombes ▪ so that we cannot so much as thinke a m m Comment. in Psal pag. 109. good thought vnlesse Iesu the Angell of great councel send it , performe a n n Ib. pag. 423. good work , vnlesse it be properly his good worke ; o o Ib. pag 79. his mercy comes before vs , that we receiue grace , and followeth vs helping and keeping vs in grace . So then , it is not good for vs to trust in our merits , in our vertues , in our righteousnes : but to conclude this point , good - p p Comment. in Psal pag. 374. it is , — only to trust in God , as the Church of England teacheth .

The 7. Chapt. Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper .

THis is the seauenth and last maine question , concerning which wee haue Wickliffes confession , both in q q Haec est confessio Mag. Io. Wickliff . de Sacramento Altaris in Festo Sanctorum . Gordiani , & Epimachi . Oxon. Anno Domini . 1381 : extant Ibidem . Latin and in r r Wickliffes beleue of the Sacrament in English in the Publike Librar●e . This was published after that Concilium Terrae motus at London . English . For he was not ashamed to yeeld an account of his faith , 1 , Pet. 3.15 . omni poscenti , to anie man that would demand it : so farre was he from retracting his former opinion as some shamefully write : but without any ground in the world , for this there coniecture . For s s Wickl : de Verit Scr. pag. 183. Non sum suspectus de formidine istarum conclusionum , cum transmisi eas per magnam partem Angliae , & Chr●stianismi — vnde quia volui materiam communicatan● Clericis & Laicis , col●êgi & communicaui 33. conclusi●nes illius materiae in lingua duplici . lb. he sent his opinion touching his beliefe of the Sacrament , and all other points wherein he dissented from their Apostata Church into al Christendome , to be censured by the learned Diuines , according vnto t t Sentential mea est Catholica , Reip. directiua , a fide Scripturae secundum postillationes Sanctorum , concorditer eliquata pag. 187. Scripture and Fathers ; whereas on the contrary , the Friars u u De blasphpag . 38 Friars re●usen to deliuer their opinion of the Host. De blasp . pag. 51. durst not put out there faithes vnto the people . His opinion of the Sacrament , was the same with the Church of England ; uu uu Confess . de Sacramento Euchar p. 58. Isle panis est bene , v●●è , & real●ter spiritualiter , virtualiter , & Sacra mentaliter cor pus Christi Ib. that the body of Christ was really and truely in the Sacrament , in his kind , that is , sacramentalitèr : and figuralitèr , by way of Sacrament , and figuratiuely ; y y Sicut Io. Bap tista figura●iter fuit Helias & non per●onaliter . A●t. 4. in Syn. Const. damna● . so Iohn Baptist figuratiuely was Helias , & not person●lly ; and as y y Sicut Christus est simul Deus , & homo : sic hostia consecrata est si●ul corpus Ch●ist● & verus panis , qui● est co●pus Domini ad minimum in figura , & verus panis in natura ; vel quod idem sonat , est verus Panis naturaliter , & co●pus Christi figuraliter . Art 49. Oxon damnatus . Christ was together God and man so the z z Posuit panem in corpus & vinum in ●anguinem mystica consecratione conuerti●on rea●iter ita intelligenda sunt verba Wicklefi ex sent . Will . Woodford vide Lib. Ms. pag. 107. consecrated host ( for so he calleth it ) was at the same time Christs very body , and very bread : not by waie of Consubstantiation , as the Lutherans teach , for it was Christes body in figure , and true bread in nature ; or which is all one , true breade naturallie , and Christs body figuratiuely . Moreouer , hee affirmed Vae generationi adulterae quae plus credit Testimonio Innocentijvel Ray mundi , quam sen●u● Euangelij - , c●e●o quod finaliter veritas vincet eos in Confes● de sacramento altaris p. 59. constantly , without wauering , that this true Catholike & Apostolical doctrine , f f De blasphem . pag 4● . lasted in the Church , for a 1000. yeares , till Sathanas was vnbound ; and g g De blasphem . pag. 37. the people blinded by Friars , with the Heresie of accidents without subiects ; which opinion they durst not maintaine ; wheras h h I 'am certaine for the third part of the Clergie that defends this sentence . that they wil defend it on paine of loosing their liues . Confess . de Sacram. Anglice pag. 64. Wickliffe , and the third part of the Cleargie that defended the contrary , were readie to defende it , on paine of loosing of their liues , cum non fu●rit materia martyrij plus laudanda ; Art . Oxon: damnat . 52. there being no better cause of martyrdome . For i i De blasph . pag. 63. he could speake it boldlie , beeing certaine of the truth thereof , that al the Friars of this land , or other Blasphemers , could not disproue that faith which he told : and thus , it appeareth , that Wickliffe was wholly for vs and our Church , in the 7. principall pointes of controuersie , containing 16. questions in the whole , strongly maintained and defended by him , against the Papists of his time .

Of other questions , wherein also Wickliffe holdeth with vs , against them ; which are collateral , or accidental to the former , after a more briefe manner .

HAuing sounded these 7. greater controuersies , as it were so many Ios. Chapt. 6. v 20. Trumpets , see how the wals of this spirituall Hiericho doe fall flat vnto the ground as they did , in the time of Iosua Iudge of Israel ; and as he spake vnto the Jewes , so I say vnto al good & perfect Christians : Ib. v. 26. Cursed be the man before the Lord , that riseth vp and buildeth this Citty Hiericho .

The 8. Chapt.

FAther Parsons that worthy Jesuit in his k k Part. 2. c. 9. p. 489. Then belike Friar Walden wil proue a notable liar , whichmaketh Wickliffe to hold almost al the opinions that wee doe thowgh hee charg him besides with many vntruths . booke of the three conversions , or rather as he hath made than , perversions of England , woulde faine make vs to beleeue ; that the points wherin Wickliffe agreeth with the Papists , against vs , are many , and farre more than the former , wherein he ioineth with the Protestants against them . And our Apologists say , that l l Tract . 2. Cap 2. Sect. 4. pag. 108. after his revolte , hee retained stil sundry Catholike points . I knowe not how ●ur Apologists wil be able to iustifie their saying , sure I am , it wil pinch on the Parsons side .

Sect. 1. Of the Nomber of the Sacraments .

FOr the nomber of the Sacraments , he held that there were but two . True it was , I note the same of Wickliffe , which M. Wotton obserues of Luther , that hauing beene a long time kept in thedarknes of Poperie , he could not by & by discern the truth in al points Wott . pag. 29. that some time after his Conuersion , when he began to see and know the truth , being not fully instructed in all points at the fi●st ( for his conuersion was wrought by degrees the elder he grew the more he loathed , and detested there abhominable heresies ) he names 7. Sacraments : but. posteriores cogitationes sunt sapientiores his after opinions , were better than his former , els why did their m m Art 45.46 . 47.48 . Damnper Oxon & Syn. Const. Church condemne him for an Hereticke in this point .

Sect. 2. Of holie Orders .

n n Videtut SS. Doctoribus quod superfluit in sacramento ordinis ponere plures quam duos gradus , scilicet Diaconos , vel Leuitas , & Presbyteros , siue Episcopos , cum nec dignitas ministerij TOuching holy orders , he held that there were but two ; viz: of o o Nec auctoritas facit euidentiam , quod in statu Cleri debent isti●●es gradus ; scilicet Clericus 1. tonsurae . Acolytus & Subdiaconus approbari , ●mo irrationabile & infundabile videtur , quod Ecclesia militans s● cum istis tribus Ordinibus onerata . Artic. 55. Oxon. damnat● vide Walden To. 2. p. 200 Deacons and Priests , so doe we .

Sect. 3. Of the Chrisme in B●ptisme .

Articul. 43. in Synodo Const. damnat . He held against the Chrisme in Baptisme , saying ; that Christ contented himselfe with pure water , so doe we .

Sect. 4. Of the Sacrament of extreme Vnction .

p p Si corporalis vnctio foret Sacramentum vt modo fingitur : Christus & sui Apostoli eius promulgationem non tacuissent . Art. 58. Oxon. damnat . vide Wald. To. 2. pag. 268. HE held , that corporal Vnction , or the last anointing , or anealing , was no Sacrament , so do we .

Sect. 5. Of Popish Confirmation .

q q Quantum adoleum quo Episcopi vngunt pueros , & poplum lineum quod complexum est capiti , Videtur quod sit ritus leuis , infundabilis ex Scriptura , & quod ista confirmatio introducta super Apostolos , blasphem , in Deum . Artic. 8. In Synod . Const. damnat . HE held that Popish Confirmation , with oile & vaile , and I know not what fooleries , was a Relique of the Diuels , but r r Walden , To. 3. pag. 105. such Confirmation as was agreeable with reason he allowed .

Sect. 6. Of Images .

HE preached against the f f Praedicandum est contra pretiositatē speciositatem . & alias sophisticationes quibus illudimus peregrinos potius propter pecunias exhauriendas quam propter religionem Christiin proprijs agendam In Expos. Decal pag. 48. Diabolus actione infidelitatis illud it plures , putantes quandoque esse miraculum , vbi est purê deceptio . lb. pag. 48. pretiosity , speciosity , and miraculositie , and sundry other sophistications about images , being of opinion , that it were better to banish them t t And according to his doctrine not long after Will , Neuil , Lewys Clifford , Io. Clanwow , Ric. Styry , Tho. Latymer . and Ioh. Montagu turned out the Images out of a certaine Chappel . Wals pag. 3●8 . cleane out their of Churches , alleadging that noted saying of Epiphanius : and where as the Papists say , they commit no Idolatry , u u Adorò illam nomine Sancti : Si● dixerunt infideles In Expos Decal . pag. 48. for they worship not the Image , but that , which the Image represents : first he shewes , that the Idolatrous heathen men were wont to make this apologie for themselues ; but howsoeuer they dissembled the matter , sure he was , that uu uu In mora imaginandi latet venenum Idololatriae lb pag. 48. betweene there gazing vpon the Image & thinking vpon that , that was thereby represented , it was an easie matter for some kinde of Idolatrie to creepe in . And of the same opinion are we .

Sect. 7. Of the Distinction of sinnes .

HE holdes the Distinction of sinnes thus ; x x Lib Miscel. pag. 182. some sinnes are called little sinnes , in comparison of greater , and y y Lib de 7. peccat Mor● . pag. 1. Wald. To. 2. p. 254. venial , because Gods sonne forgiues them , so doe we .

Sect. 8. Of Auricular Confession .

HE held z z Confessio vocalis facta Sacerdoti , introducta per Innocentium non est tam necessaria Artic. 9. con deninat . in Synodo Const vocal Confession to a Priest , not to be necessarie in a a Si h●mo fuerit debite contritus , omnis confessio exterior est sibi superflua & inutilis . Arti● . 9. Lond damnat . case a man a were truly contrite and sorrowful for his sinne , with ful b b Two manners of perfit Penance , Shrift and amendment . Com. in Psal. pag. 129. Shrift that is hallowing in our harts , lb. pag. 367. Shrift , that is forsaking of sinne . lb. pag. 363. Graue & infundabile est , Presbyterum audire Confessiones , Populi modo quo Latini vtuntur , Wickliffe . 3 Ser. Dom. in monte . Wald. pag. 223. purpose of amendment : vnlesse the party offending , do finde himselfe verie much grieued , in which case he counselleth him , to repaire c c Lib. Miscell . pag. 247. vnto a Priest that hath cunning and good living ; & so farre this doctrine is iustly ratified , by the Canons of our Church and pittie it is , that it is not oftner vsed .

Sect. 9. Of Satisfaction .

HE wrote against their , Papa modernus erube seere debet de ist a moder na penitentia sine fundatione posita , cum non licet mortalibus & Apostolis difficultare legem Dei , vltra hoe quod ip●emet limitauit . Artic. Oxon. damn . 47. Though a man liue neuer so long he might not . &c. Lib. Miscell . pag. 163. new found penance , and penall Satisfactions ; assuring vs , that a man might not doe sufficient penance for one deadly sin , so do we .

Sect. 10. Of Pardons and Indulgences .

SHar●ly he inveied against their b b Li. Mis. p. 28. vaine sellers , or distributers of Pardons and Indulgences , and other Ghostly deeds ; shewing that this treasure , c c Li. Mis. p. 26. was not in earthly mans power to deale ; but d d De Thesauris Ecclesiae dispositio Christi De Ver. Scr. p. 471 wholie in Christes disposition ; and that the e e De blas. p. 51 parting of this blisse , was proper to God only : and the●efore f f lb. pag. 53. we should not trust to the Pope , but to God ; g g Fatuum est credere Indulgentijs Papae & Episcoporum . Art. 42. Lond. Cond. not to beleeue his Buls , but the h h Lib Com. in Psal. p. 173. Bul of everlasting pardon , which is our Lord Iesu Christ , so do we .

Sect. 11. Of Fasting .

FOr fasting , he held as we do ; that i i Li. de 7. Pece Mort pag. 28. abstinence with prudence was needeful , that is , ( as he expoundeth himselfe ) k k Lib. Miscell . pag. 247. measureable fasting , both of bodie and soule ; of the body from meates , of the l l Debemus ieiunare a peccato Lib de Ver. Scrip. p. 8 soule from sins , was requisite ; but neuerthelesse he held absolutelie , against there m m Foole-fasting is gluttonie Lib de 7. Peccat , Mort. pag. 28. foole-fasting , that is , fasting from flesh , to glut themselues with fish ; or n n lb. p. 29. excesse of fasting , that is , to goe about to fast more then mans nature would permit , by seeking too much to euen Christ or o o In operibus humanitatis debemus sequi Christum faciendo operibus suis proportionalia -- debemus ie iuna●e a peccato 40. diebus et iuxta possibilitatem naturae , a superfluo corporali cibo . De Verit. Scr. pag. 8. Elias , by so doing .

Sect. 12. Of Vowes .

HE speake against there forced vowes , of Chasti●e , Pouerty , and Obedience : shewing , how there Chastity was turned Lib. Miscelli : 64 lb. p. 63 , into Lecherie , and sin against kinde ; there q q Friars studien to be rich Vita Sacerd. pag 59. They robb men by beging . Touch a great Cup of Gold or Syluer , but not a peny or farthing Reg. S. Franc. pag. 76. The King● garment for goodnes not better then theirs . lb p 77. haue chambers for Dukes or Earles -- with lewels -- and mikel hid treasure lb. 77 They magnifie more obedience to sinful men then to Christ . Reg. S. Franc , pag. 77. Pouertie into riches ; there " Obedience , into disobedience , and flat rebellion against Christ , and his Lawes .

Sect. 13. Of Priests Mariage .

TOuching Matrimonie , thus stood the case in his time , the Priests were vnmarried : but neuerthelesse , he held that the r r In Primitiua Ecclesia ordinati sunt coniugati Episcopi . De Ver. Ser. pag. 370. Orietales Sacerdotes vxorati . lb p. 406 , et in Expos. Decal . p. 116. Oftendit quo modo Sacerdotes possint effe vxorati . De Ver. Scrip. pag 407. & lb. Miscell . pag. 63. Bishops and Priests of both the Primitiue and East-Churches were married , & that he saw no cause , why the Priestes of the Latin Church f f lb. pag. 63. should be forbidden marriage ; that the forbidding of it , caused many t t Lib. Miscell . pag. 63. to liue lust full life and easie , and fall into sin against kind● ; that who so forbids it , u u lb. p. 63. is enemie of God , Saints in Heaven , and al mankinde : because uu uu lb. pag. 65. true chastitie , is as wel to be found in wedlock , as otherwise ; and this is our verie tenet .

Sect. 14. Of Divorces .

1 1 Lib. Miscell . pag. 54. Quo ad diuortium divulgandum cautelae innumerabiles adinuentae . In Expos. Decal . pag. 117. HE held against vnlawfull divorces , so doe we .

Sect. 15. Of Dispensations .

HE helde likewise against y y Eiusmodi dis , pensationes creditur Ecclesiam nimium perturbare De Ver. Scrip. pag. 399. false and vnnatural z z Dispensations for marriages in case of neerenes of bloud gainful . Lib. de 7. Pecc . Mort. pag. 33. dispensations for mariage , in case of neerenes of bloud .

Sect. 16. Of Acquivocation .

HE held against damnable a a Vide Capitu lum 15. de Ve rit. Scrip. vbi rem prolixe tractat . Aequiuocation and lying , & that the Pope nor no man else could absolue them from lying , or wilful periurie , or breach of their b b lb. p. 207. oaths of allegeance .

Sect. 17. Of the kings Supremacie .

HE held that the Kings Maiestie , hath power within his Realmes , -- to whom the Chiefe gouernment of all Estates of this Realme , c c Aliternon haberent Reges in Regnis ●uis plenae pacis custodiam De Ver. Scrip. pag. 453. 37. Article of Religion . whether they be Ecclesiastical , or Ciuil , in al causes doth appertaine , and is not , nor ought to be subiect to any forraine Jurisdiction , according to the 37. Article of Religion ; not intending hereby , ( as slaunderous Jesuits doe giue out ) to giue the Prince , the ministring of Gods word or Sacraments , or to make and establish what Religion he list , as if we Englishmen d d Iac. Gretserus . Angli & corpora & animas suas Capiti suo Saeculari prostituerunt in defē● . Bel p. 1261 had prostituted ( so the lewd Jesuit speaketh ) both our souls , and bodies vnto the King .

Sect. 18. Of Christian mens goods .

AGaine , he held the riches and goods of Christians not to be common , as touching the right , title , and possession ( as the Anabaptists now , & a certaine e e Io. Balle . see Froissard . Bald Priest in his time did hold ) notwithstanding , by f f Omnes homines debent charitatiue habereomnia in communi De Vet. Scrip. pag. 449. a See the 38. Article of Religion Christian charitie , they were to be made common , as he teacheth .

Sect. 19. Of Oathes .

AGaine hee helde against g g Lib. Miscell . p. 124. the perilous custome of swearing , against fallacious , blasphemous & h h lb p. 125. & De Ver. Scrip p. 252 , 253 , & 284. In Expos in Decal pag. 63 The 39. Artic of Religion . Acguivocall Oathes ; not against swearing : the contrarie is most euident throughout al his bookes , and as cleere as the Sunshine in a faire Sommers day , & this is an Article of our Religion .

Sect. 20. Of Excommunications .

For Excommunications he held the same with our l l De Ver. Ser. pag. 614 Art. 33. of Rel Church ; that the partie excommunicated , being deliuered vp once vnto Sathan , by the Church , ought to be taken of the whole multitude of faithfull , as an Heathen and Publican , vntil he were openly reconciled by Penance , and receiued into the Church , and this made him write , against the abuses of Excommunication : viz: that those greater k k Scribit contra leuiter ex communican tes De Verit. Scr. pag. 368. Contra excommunicati . ones iniustas In Expos. Dec pag. 124. dānantes alios fine debito ex a mine , De Ver. Scrìp . pag. 612. Excommunicatio non inuenta propter decimas . , lb. pag. 437 ad tertendum homines Laicos In Expos. Decal . pag 123. Excommunications were thundred forth too often , too suddainly , vpon no dew information , and for no good end .

Sect. 21. Of the Discipline of the Church .

HE held a reuerend opinion of the bookes l l

Quos decreu●t Ecclesia nec damnare nec explicite canonizare cum satis sit pro sua militia habere 22. Libros de vet Testamento . De Ver. Scrip pag. 110.

He writesagainst those that wil not honor their Prelats Lib. Miscell . p. 260 shewes howe we should honour them In Expos. Decal . pag. 93.

Apocrypha . For the government of the Church by Archbishops , Bishops , Archdeacons and Officials , he was ( to my seeming ) a plaine conformitan . There were noe doubt of it , some Reuerend , learned , and vncorrupt Prelats in his time : and therefore he obserued this rule in all his sharpe Treatises against the Cleargie : parcere personis , dicere de vitijs , to note the abuses in general , without He names not any one of his aduersaries , Monk or Friarthrough out al these books that I haue seene of his . naming anie man in particular to his disgrace . & for Rites and m m That which he blamed was that plus appretiabantur Tradi● . quam Scripturam sacram De Ver. Scrip. p. 96. That they did Traditiones Lucrationes preponderare legi dei . lb. pag. 359. pe Ceremonies , such as were laudable and approueable by the Church , he himselfe obserued , and wished others so to do ▪ Lastly , though Hee were soule and bodie , for n n Shewing that to preach Gods word is highest Seruice Lib. de 7. Pecc , Mor● . pag. 19. quod praedicatio sit praecipuum opus Episcopi Lib. De Ver. Scrip. p , 331. Maior quam Eucharistia , lb. 345. Necessario in Archi●● iscopo & Episcopo lb. 347. Audacter assero quod non sit Episcopus nisi praedicet aliquo tempore lb. 392. lo , 21. 15. 16. preaching and teaching the people , yet he held it a matter of no necessitie , but of indifferencie , for the Priest to preach vnto the Lay-people by weekes , or months , or otherwise in their discretions ; so the people were wel taught : likewise he was not so seuere and sharpe an inueier against Non-Residents , as to allow them no time of absence , or recreation , by inculcating and thundering in there eares Christs pasce , pasce , pasce , feed , feed , feed : for he sheweth , that a man may be absent vpon occasion , from his liuing , either at the o o Licet Rectoriad tempis collige●e semen fidei in scholis Theologi● is extra parochiam De Ver. s●r . pag. 437. Vniuersities , or elsewhere , for the encrease of his knowledge , p p Pascat eos continue in sancta sacerdotal● conuersatione in sub . fritu●i●donca preparatione & opportuna pro horis . congruis absentiae rectificatione Ib. deputing a sufficient man in his place , and liuing wheresoeuer , a godly , and vertuous life : and for q q Cum-pastus spiritualis non debet este tam continuus , sed maioris effica ciae ac permanentiae quam pastus corporeus , sufficit quod horis congruis in anno pascat subditos lb. continual feeding , he shewes the difference betweene corporal food and spiritual food , the one a man of a strong bodie and complexion cannot wel want twise a day , the other a man may want manie daies and weekes ; yet hee thinketh it not convenient that they should so do , if it might be otherwise . Finally , he was not for hedge Priests , such as our Familists , which refuse the Church , as prophane , and chuse the open fields , or there houses , for their disordered con. venticles and meetings : he loued preaching & r r Necesse , & vtile est orare . In Expos. Decalogi . est spiritualis Tyriaca contra Diabolum lb. 8● . oftendit locum , tempus , & formam orandi lb. praying well , and stood firme for the Liturgy of a reformed Church , but yet he thought the f f Orandum est in Templis -- non ex dedicatione Ecclesiae ibi oratio facta Deo acceptior sed ex merito obedientiae prae●eptis Ecclesiae & ex elongatione a curis Seculi ●b . 79. Church , to be the fittest place for Gods seruice , for manie reasons which he recounteth : so that as he was no superstitious Papist , so he was no fond Novellist , but an indifferent , sober , discreet , learned and iudicious Protestant .

Sect. 22. Of Implicite faith .

HE held that euerie good & perfect Christian should beleeue not onlie implicitè , by relying on the Church ; but t t De Ver. Ser. pag. 111. secundam fidem formatam explicitè in particulari plus , vel minus , secundum quod obligantur plus Deo , ex donis suis & opportunitate temporis so doe we .

Sect. 23. Of the certainety of salvation .

THat a u u De Ver. Ser. pag. 176. It. de blas. p. 55. vertuous and godly man should be certaine of his saluation , though hee neede not to sweare it .

Sect. 24.25 : Of Purgatory and Praier to Saintes .

LAstly , for Purgatorie and praier to Saints , & for the dead . It cannot be denied , but that in some places of his works , he speaketh of the uu uu Illi sunt in statu pae nae acerbissimae , quo nequeunt se i●vare . In Expos. Decal . pag. 102. dreadful paines of Purgatorie , and x x De reddendo pro corpo rali eleemosy na spirituale suffragium . De Ver. Scrip pag. 447. praying for the dead , and y y Lib● . Diuers . Trat. pag. 121 It●● confess . ● Euchar. Angl. edita . vnto Saints : but it seemeth that either hee was not z z If they bee dead parents I pray not for them . Lib. Diuer . Trac . p. 3. For now is time of mercy and time of grace lb. 325 Eche man shal be deemed of God ; such as hee founden is in the ending of his life . lb. p. 459. fully grounded in this opinion , whereat some of the graue Doctors of the Church haue stumbled ; or rather , that howsoeuer he had maintained it , yet vpon better aduise he changed his opinion : which I gather by these two Circumstances . First he writes a a Onnia dicta de Purgatorio , dicuntur solumm odo comminatorie tanquam pia mendacia De Ver. Scrip. pag. 267. that all the sayings of Purgatorie , were spoken , by way of commination , as it were so many religious lies to scarre the people from comming thither . Secondly , he diuides the Church into 3. parts : The b b Expos. in te Deum pag. 478. highest beth the Angels of heaven , the 2. beth Saints , c c De Vent . Scrip pag. 479 Beati in purgatorio , velut in vmbra pau . In Expos. Decal . p. 128. Sabbathum prefigurat quietem dormientium in purgatorio . De Verit. Scrip. pag. 479. dormientes , or pausantes , sleeping or resting in Purgatorie , the third is folke , that shal be saved , here fighting in earth : of these three ( saith he ) and of none other , is made holy Church : and surely by this diuision , Popish Purgatorie is thrust cleane out of Dores . For there is little rest , and lesse sleeping there , if we beleeue them that haue come from thence , and told vs so . And by this reason , if the fier of Purgatorie be cleane put out , the smoke of it , that is praiers for the dead , must needs , in a verie short time vanish awaie . And as for praiers vnto Saints , most true it is , that in these Popular works of his , he mentioneth a praier , of d d Diuers . Trac pag 207. It in confessio ne de Eucharist . Anglice edita S. Cycily , vnto Saints and himselfe praied to the blessed Virgin Marie but I am e e This perswasion of mine is farther increased by these words of Wald. To , ● pag. 204. Hostis omnium Sancto●um Wickliffe suffragia viuorum despiciens , au su nimio debacchatur in Sanctos , eos orare prohibens , festiuita tes corum et honores quos libet interdicens . But he , is ordinarilie so falle a reporter of his words that I knowe not how hee may be wel credited when hee speaketh the truth . perswaded , that he retracted these opinions in his latter & more learned works . If ever it be Gods pleasure , that his works which were cut and mangled , and scattered worse then Absyrtus limbes were in the Poet , may be brought forth and set togither againe , that we may haue the whole bodie of his learned & religious works , & be able to distinguish of the time , and order wherein he writ : then I say we should receaue due satisfaction in this point , sure I am that f f Quis rogo faceret scurtam mediatotem suum , vt Regis paratioris & Clementioris collequio potiretur ? ●anctiigitur in , Coelo licet non s●●● scurrae , sed incorporati Christo per gratiam Saluatoris tamen minus se habet in comparatione ad illum , quam scurra ad Regem terrenum . Hec Wickliffe , c. 30 , Tertij Trial. Wald. To. 3. p , 213. Fryar Walden , maks him to speake verie irreverently against Saints , & g g Die S. Thomae Can●uariensis Archiepiscopi lo de Wickliffe dum in S Thomam ( vt dicitur ) eodem die in sua predicatione quam dicere preparauerat actiones & blasphemias vellet euomere , ●epente iudicio dei percusius ●ensit paralysim omnia m●mbra●sua generaliter in vasiss● . Os nempe quod contra Deum & lanctos eius locurum fuerat , a loco●suo miserabiliter distortum , horrendum cerne●tibus spectaculum exhibebat , lingua effecta muta , confitendi vel restandi copiam denegabat . Wals. pag. 338. Walsingham the Monke saies , it was the death of him : though I beleeue neither of both for the circumstance of there Relations , yet for the substance of the speech , it may be true , that he was not so earnest for praier to Saints , as formerly he had been . Thus having run ouer allmost all the noted controversies , either in Doctrine or Discipline , by comparing them with the Articles of Religion , & Canons of our church , and shewed his vniformitie , and conformitie with vs , almost in al points fully concurring ( h h Which in Waldens iudg ment are stourly maintained by Wickliffe as hath been before proued . some few excepted● ) for which , considering the times wherein , and the persons with whom , he liued , he may easily obtaine pardon of any indifferent reader . We come now , by Gods grace , vnto the third and last part of our first generall Division , to answere such obiections , as either Father Parsons , or the Apologists haue made , in the same order as they are propounded by them , and first I beginne with Father Parsons ; His obiections are in nomber . 6.

The 9. Chapt.
The 1. Obiection of Father Parsons .

IF a Bishop or Priest , should giue holy orders , or consecrate the Sacrament of the Altar , or minister Baptisme , whiles he is in mortal sinne , Pag. 487. it were nothing availeable .

The Answere .

IF it were not for reuerence vnto Father Parsons yeares and learning , which are to be honoured in a mans professed enemie , ( though it be contrarie to their rules ) I should surely thinke , that this were an errant lie , sophistically and malitiouslie inforced , not arising naturally out of his wordes . For his wordes are plaine , admonishing Priests of their sacred functions , and holy liues he writeth thus : i i Nisi Christia , nus fuerit Christo vni tus per gratiam n●n habet Christum saluato●em , nee sine falsitate dicit verba Sacramentalia licet prosint capacibus : oportet enim Sacerdotem conficientem , ●sse membrum Christi & vt Sancti loquuntur quodammodo ipsum Christum , De Ver. Ser. pag. 138. V●lesse the Christian Priest be vnited vnto Christ by grace , Christ cannot be his Sauiour , nee sine fa●sit ate dicit verba Sacramentalia , nether can he speake the Sacrament all words without ly●ng , licet prosint capacibus though the worthy receiuer be hereby nothing hindered from grace . Then which words , what can be said more plaine ? Here is there Sophistry ; Wickliffe after his vsuall manner , noting the foule abuses of the Church , & Church men , k k Accusantes p●eudo — . Sacerdotes statim censentur hostes Ecclesi● De Ver Scrip. p. 460. inueies against notorious and scandalous offenders , whether Bishops or Priests ; as notable l l Priests Sin●en much in avoutry Lib de 7. Peccat . 33. Praelati male viuentes ●unt Haeresiar●h●e vel Archi●haeretici . De Ver Scrip. p. 602. & 605. Peccata Cleri causa ruinae regni . Ib. 473. Vehementer Eccle: siam . Christi destruit me●iores esse Laicos quam Clericos . Ib pag. 423. adulterers , or Fornicators , and guilty of any such crimes , as wherehence offence and scandale might grow vnto the Church of God ; wishing that such , continuing m m For Rectores Ecclesiae non sunt statim iudicandi lb. pag. 430. such , and hauing n n Proposito quod sit form cator , vel alio notorio crimine irretitus De Verit. Scr. 413. thrise beene warned thereof , by order & due forme of Law , might be remoued , and better put in the place : because they were o o De Verit. Scr. pag. 368. percussores fratrum , that living so in open sin did consecrate , or minister , willing the people , not to partake with their sins , lest they should bee p p ●f they did anie manner of waies seeme to countenance or conceale the faults of so notorious offenders in the Clergie . partakers of there punishments ; and in some such case , it might be , that God might abhor the peoples Sacrifices , for the wicked Priests sakes , as he threatned the Jews he wold do , and this is a very dangerous opinion , is it not ?

The 2. Obiection .

Parsons in his 3. C●uers . pag. 488. It is against Scripture , for any Ecclesiasticall Ministers , to haue any temporal possessions at all .

The Answere .

THis accusation is without all peraduc̄tu●es false . For what were the landes and goods of Bishops , Cathedrall Churches , or otherwise belonging to Religious houses , which were giuen , Deo q q Regum & Regno●um est rimari radi●itus vtrum eleemosynae quas contulerunt pauperibus secundum formam legis diuinae Legis Ecclesiae sint expensae . De Verit. Script ▪ pag. 466. Interest Regum & aliorumrectificare eleemosynas progenitorum suorum lb. 466. Da● , Ecclesia talem legem fi●ijs vel Nepotibus , ac honestioribus propinquis eius qui construxit vel dotauit Ecclesiam lb. pag. 455. & Ecclesiae , were they not r r The law of the Realme beholdeth the thing that is giuen and pretended , that is i● the thing , that is giuen , be of lands or goods , the determination thereof , of right belongeth in this Realme to the Kings lawes , whether it be in spiritual men or temporal , to the Church or to other , De fundamentis Legum Angliae l. 1. c. 32. It. The goods of spiritual men be Temporal in what manner soeuer they come to them , & must be ordered after the Temporal law , as the goods of ●ēporal● men must be lb. Temporal , Possessions ? And yet are rightfully held , according to Wickliffs tenure , by Ecclesiasticall Ministers ; and long might they and peaceably enioy them for him , in as ample manner as euer they did , so long as they did see them well imployed , according vnto the will and purpose of the Donours , willing nothing contrarie to Gods wordes . I speake of Bishops lands , or lands of Cathedrall Churches ▪ For as for the lands belonging to so r r Non credo , quod grandis constructio Monasteriorum , & a dificiorum , velcumulatio Temporalium , vnigeneri , alio nobiliori depauperato fortifi● at Rempublicam ; sed infirmat - Quia ( si non fallor ) omnis tales dotationes generis Clericorum , omnes tales impe●ta●●nes Caenobiorum-fiūt ex turpi luc●o & questu illicito , Reipublicae infectio . lb. alias dixi , quod minus malum fore t Vt ex propriata forent omnia temporalia quibus Ecclesia Anglicana est dotata , vt exeis darentur stipendia Lai●is l●teratis , necessari● is ad officium Regis & Secula●ium dominorum . De Verit. Scrip. pag 465. many Chauntries , Colledges , Abbayes , Friaries , Priories , Monasteries , and other Religious Houses , he was absolutely of opinion , that it were great pietie , for Religious kings to dispossesse them wholly of them , ● and giue them gentifacienti iustitiam , to good and godly vses , ● and ● woulde to God , this had beene in K. Henry the eighths minde , when he pulled downe the Monasteries , either to haue turned them into Colledges , & nurseries for learning and religion , into Hospitals , Almeshouses , Spittels , & such like religious Maisons de Dieu , or which , though I mention last , yet considering the state of the Church and the Policie of our aduersaries , I should thinke fit with the first to be recommended vnto a Religious king , and vertuous Nobilitie , to the maintenance of a Colledge of writers , Collators , Comparers , and in briefe such a Colledge , as might in short time , with good orders , be able to match & perhaps overtop , al that rabble of Jesuited Colledges thoroughout Christendome . Because I haue euer beene of Wicliffes minde , in this point , that s s Si quis laborat in negotijs communibus . S Matris Ecclesiae , viuat de communi stipendio . De Verit , Scrip. pag. 436. those which are employed in common affaires of the Church should haue publike maintenance & allowance . But the children of this world , are wiser then we , Vt iugulent homines , surgunt de nocte Latrones , vt te●psum serues , Horatius ● Cur Patres Londini haud edidistis ? Posseuinus in Append . ad Apparatum . non expergiscere ? If the Diuel be so readie to sow tares in our bookes , shal not we bee as readie to purge them out of our writings ? should not we , be as diligent , to restore , as they are to take away , from the the workes of the ancient Fathers ? I speake this , to awaken my selfe and others , that we may stirre vp these godly motions in the hearts of the people , if by anie meanes it may be brought to passe . Of the Cleargies promptnes & zeale to set forwarde so publike and profitable a busines , which the necessities of the times , & importunitie of our aduersaries doe in a manner ● call for at our hands , I doubt not ; but alas , they that should u u The liuings of Byshops , & other Clergie men , are so greatly impaired or pared rather , by I knowe not whose default . helpe others , are scarcely able to mainetaine themselues and the outwarde state and face of the Church ( which vnlesse it bee maintained with some Maiestie , and reuerence of the people will soone decay , and be disfigured ) is so cleane changed , vt non cognoscas eandem esse : yet well fare the Papists for mainetaining the outward discipline of their Church , though corrupted with much impietie and blasphemie . They know , that it fareth not with vs , as it did with the Christians , in the Primitiue Church : we of the Cleargie want the gifte of miracles , to draw the people vnto vs , and the people haue not the gift of charitie , to draw vs vnto them : but this shal be my comfort , non simale nunc , & olim sic erit .

The 3. Obiection .

NO Prelate , ought to excommunicate anie person , Parsonsin his 3. Conuers . p. 488. Part. 2. except he knowe him first to be excommunicated by God .

The answere .

HEre I suppose the u u Read the answere of the. Venetians against Paul the 5. his excommunication ● Venetians , wil step forth , & and iustifie Wickliffes assertions : for ( if I be not deceaued ) they write the very same words . who knowes not , that excommunications as wel as other Ecclesiasticall ordinances , maie be x x Patet quia saepe excommunicantur multiimprouide Wickliffe referent Tho. Wals. pag. 302. He spakechiefly against those excommunications which were thundred forth ad impediendum homines audire verbum Dei. lb pag. 303. abused by inferiour officers ; as Archdeacons , Officials , Chauncellors , and Commissaries , yea and sometimes by Superiours , as Bishops , Archbishops , or the Popes holynes . Some there are , and euer wil be , that will corrupt the integritie of the Church Discipline ; with a varice , by y y ●lli tanquam pontifices , Scribae & Pha risaei ne dum carnes sed ossa comedunt ; non arida irrigant verbo dei ; sed secare & frangere sa tagunt medul losa . In Expos Decal . p , 130. praying not only vpon the flesh of there vnderlings , but even by breaking and crushing the bones , by the thunder of there Excommunications : some by rashnes , proceeding , sine z z De Ver Scr. pag. 612. debito examine , without due examination : some of a a Ad terrendum homines Laicos In Expos. Decal . p. 123. pride , to be feared of the people ; whereas the greater Excommunication ( for of such I speake ) should begin in Gods name , and end in his feare .

The 4. Obiection .

Parsons in his 3. Conners . pag. 488. SO long as a man is in deadly sin , he is nether Bishop , nor Prelate .

The Answere .

STill our aduersaries plaie the notable Sophisters , First wee wil see the occasion ministred vnto him . of speaking these or the like words , then wee wil consider the manner of speaking of them , & lastly consider the words themselues , and the consequence or illation . The occasion giuen vnto him , of inueying so sharply and eagerly against the manifest and manifold abuses of the wicked Prelates of the Church , was this . He liued in a very corrupt time , when the tares had so far ouer-growne the good corne , that he stood doubtfull where to begin his reformation : whether with the head , or with the taile , with the inferiour sort of Clergie men , or with the Superiours : but he resolued with himselfe in the end , that it was best to begin with the Prelats and Heads of the Church , whom he saw as al ●he world besides , positos in maligno altogether for the most part , set vpon wickednes , admonishing them every where of their duties , which they had so cleane forgotten , that whereas the Holy Ghost had made them overseers ouer the flocke , they did as it were so manie woolues , or mastie curs , woorie them , or els fleese them , nothing caring for to feed them , by leading them into the pleasant pastures of Gods word ; yea , as it maie appeare by his writings ) they did altogither b b They held that a Byshop needed notto preach see Lib. de Verit. Scr●pt p. 331. refuse to preach vnto them , c c They pursue t●ue men for preaching Christs Gospel . Lib. Misc. pag. 35. persecuting & prosecuting the true Preachers of Gods word , and they did not only offende them selues , but incouraged others of the inferior sort , to do the like , by their wicked examples : d d De Verit. Scrip. p. 351 & in Expos. Decal p. 34. giving Holy orders , vnto men of vnholy life , & vnable for their skill and knowledge to governe the people , committed to their charge , in peace and godlines ; bestowing their benefices for e e Ab ista sententia nimis coecatur : Ecclesia , & Praela●i conferetes beneficia . De Verit. Scr. pag. carnal respects , not for mens worthines , or merits , defrauding the poore of their almes . When he saw ( ● saie ) this Canker or spiritual Gangrene , fretting and festring the soundest parts of the Church , what could he do lesse then he did ? to exhort them , to t●ke awaie these scandals , our of church , to reforme these abuses . His words of exhortation ( which is the 2. point , that we are to obserue ) are these , mistaken by the aduersarie , for they are no other , then such as are frequent in the works of the Holy Fathers ; that f f Nomen non facit Episcopum sed vita . De Verit. Scr. pag. 443. it is not the name , but the life that makes a Bishop ; that g g Quicunque nomine tenus Sacerdos , vel Episcopus qui non compensat illi nomin●ipsius nominis rationem non est ve●e Episcopus , vel Sacerdos . De Verit Script . pag. 443. if a man haue the name of a Prelat , and do not answere the reason thereof in sinceritie of doctrine , and integritie of life ; but liue scandalously and in mortal sin , that he is but a nomine-tenus Sacerdos a Bishop or Priest in'name , not in truth ; but that hereby wee should inferre a contempt of the Cleargy in general , and condemne al Bishops & Prelats , is not the meaning ( I am sure ) of Iohn Wickliffe , if his h h He writeth against them that wil not honour their Prelats . Lib. Mi●cel p. 260. writings may be credited against their false surmises , and improbable coniectures : Reformation is that which he sought , which God ( evermore blessed be his name ) did afterwardes so establish in this kingdome , that the like againe , is not to bee shewed for discipline and doctrine , throughout all the reformed Churches in Christendome ; by taking awaie , not the things themselues ( i i Abusus non tollit rei v●um for that were to cut downe al the vines , for some few dro●ken men sakes ) or as the wise man speaketh , to wring the nose of the Church too hard , till the bloud come againe ; but by taking away the abuses from the things ▪ or from the persons , which is the happiest kinde of Reformation .

The 5. obiection .

Parsons in his 3. Conuers . part 2. p. 488. TEmporal Lords maie according to their owne wils and discretions , take awaie the goods from any Church me● , whensoeuer they offend .

The answere .

WHo saith so Father Parsons ? Wicklyff , no , if you meane that the King , and the 3. estates of this land , should take awaie the lands of Religious houses , so generally offending , by misconuerting them to the maintenance of their vnnecessarie orders , and wicked liues ; J graunt the proposition to be true , and k k Hi traditores populi , militant cum hoste humani generis & proditoriè i n vestimè tis ovium tra● dunt exercitui Diaboli pop. Christianum : ideo tota communitas in surgeret contra illos . In Expos. Decal . pag. 79. according vnto his meaning , vrged in more then in one , or two places . The Colleges of Moonks , were the Colleges that hee speakes against , and the Vniuersities of Friers the Vniuersities which he impugned . For otherwise hee himselfe passed thorough out all degrees in this famous Vniuersitie , not without manifest and open proofe of his learning , and reward of his industrie : ( for hee was both l l Scholler and fellow in Merton Colledge-Master of Balliol Coll. Vide Registrum sociorum Coll. Merton & Chartam quandam Coll. Ball. Scholler , Fellow , and Master in diuerse Colledges , here in Oxford . Now as for the p●blike revenues of Bishops , and the lands of Cathedral Churches ; he thought it might stand with equitie , reason and lawe , Common , Ciuile , and Canon , that wheras Christian Princes and Temporal Lords , were the Donours of those large possessions , which they did giue and assigne to such Bishopricks , or such Cathedral Churches , for the honour of God , the saluation of there own soules ; and the reliefe of the poorer sorte , especially of the Cleargie , they should haue m m Interest Regum & aliorum rect ficare eleemo`ynas p ogenitorū suo●um De Ve●it . Script . pag 466. some interest in them to see them well bestowed . And who knows not , that the king receiues vnto him selfe an n n For the chiefe Lordship in this land of al Ten poraltiesboth of Secular men and Religious pertaine to the King of his general goue●ning . In Suppl . porrecta Parl pag. 10. Homage in the one , and a right of Visitation in the other ; if they offend o o Triplex monitio debet praecedere , & post obstinatu● , non occupabit primatum . De Ver. Scrip. pag. 431. notoriously and scandalouslie , and after p p In defectu spiritualis praepositi quodindubie non obu●at vlli legi . tb ᵗ 461. lawful admonition wil not redresse the abuses of their lands , or reforme the wickednes of their manners , the King may by his Regaltie ( as he proueth verie strongly ) punish the offendors , & take away their q q Men of the Church had . free licē to trespasse if the King might not be reaue their temporalties when they sinneden greeuously-when lawful cause exciteth in Supplicad parl. pag. to . Temporalties , by his Archbishops , or other Ministers , r r This Iurisdiction is vnited to this imperial Crowne , and which lawfully had beene , or might be exercised within the Realme . My L. Cook in his 5. booke of Reports pag. 8. and this is all that can be saide against Wickliffe , in this point , all which ( as you see ) is nothing , s s By the old custome of this Realme , al men great and smal , shal receaue Iustice in the Kings Court , and this custome is confirmed by the Statut of Marleb . c. 1. De Fundam . legum Angliae . l. 1. c. 7. but that which is most reasonable , iust and conformeable vnto the ᶠ Lawes and c●stomes of this land .

The 6. Obiection .

Parsons in his 3. Conuers . pag. 488. TYthes are meere almes , and may be detained by the Parishioners , and bestowed where they wil at their pleasures .

The Answere .

THat Tythes are meere t t Tithes giu●n by Title of spiritual alms Lib. de 7. pec . Mort. pag. 25. De Verit. Scr p124 , 196 , 413 almes , hee holdeth euerie where , it was his errour : but that they may be detained by the Parishioners , and bestowed where they wil at their pleasures , is ●o vnt●ue , as nothing in the worlde can be more . That Tythes are meere almes , I say , it was his errour . He trusted too much vnto the Common Lawyers , whose iudgment hee seemes to follow in many things verie commendably , as namely in See before defense of the Kings Ecclesiastical and Temporal power & Regalty . They hold ( u u See M. Carletons booke of Tithes . if I be not deceiued ) x x These opinions of theirs I finde in the booke de fund legum Angliae That in the new law the paying of the tenth part is by a law , that is made by the Church● That Tithes are due by the law of nature — that spiritual men which minister vnto the people spiritual things ought for their ministration to haue by the law of reason a competent liuing of them they minister vnto lb. p. 165 that Tythes were not due vnto any particular Church , before the Councel of Lateran ; but that men might bestowe them , where they would , & so Wickliffe following them , said that within few yeares before his time , men paide their Tythes & Offerings at their own free will , to good men & able , to great worship of God , to profit & fairenes of Holy Church fighting on earth . but , ( with reuerence be it spoken vnto that honorable Profession , & vnder reformation , of my opinion , if J thinke a misse ) I am of the same opini●n , that Master z z In Lib. de decimis . Charlton a country man of ours and a a Hospinianus in Lib. de origine bonorum Ecclesiasticorum . Cap. 3. pag 123. Etsi leuiticum Sacerdotium abolitum sit , & sacra legalia cessarint , manet tamen ministerium Euangelij , quod absq● ministris ordinarijs non poterit consistere . Hospinian a learned German doth out of Antiquitie maintaine , as most consonant vnto the Analogie and proportion of Scripture ; to wit●that● Tithes , that is to saie the Tenth part , is , was , and euer more shal be due , vnto the Priests and Ministers of the Gospel , ante legem , in lege & post legem , before in , and since the law , as the fitest ordinarie meanes , for the maintenance of the Clergie ; else parishes being so vnequally diuided at the first , and Impropriation● founded in Poperie , and continued in Protestancie , growing so fast vppon vs , if the Minister should haue noe more , but a tenth part ( which is his ordinarie maintenance ) the b b At Stratford of the Auen the Minister ( as I am informed ) payeth wel nigh as much , if not more then he receaueth by reason of a Chauntrie annexed vnto the Church . minister maie reach vnto them , the bread of life , & meane while starue himselfe , for want of materialbread But to returne vnto Iohn Wickliffe , & to examine his opinion more strictly about Tythes or Almes , call them by what name you please , for my particular I account them duties , and liuelode , and as the Common Lawe cals them the Ministers free-hold ; to the great confusion of Parsons , and al that wrangling Sect , I doubt not , but to demonstrate this point very cleerely vnto you , that Wickliffe was as earnest , for the maintenance of the Cleargie , and as bitter an inveigher against al c c Scribit contra auferentes predia Ecclesijssiue Reges , siue alios ; excipiuntur tamen pie auferentes a malis . De Ver Scrip p. 445. Simoniacal Lay-Patrons , or Temporall Lords detaining the right of the Church as anie of them : d d Ad Parochianos pertinet in salu●em animae Decimas ac oblationes idoneo ministrare . De Vet. Scrip. pag 435. that hee tels then in expresse wordes , that it is in Salutem anim● , it is as much as their soule is worth to paye their Tithes duly and truely , vnto the Parson ; and that in case the people , standing , ( as they doe to this day , in many places , too ill affected vnto the Ministery ) should either at their pleasure , or vpon displeasure● , with d●aw there e e Oportet Sacerdot●s Chri sti subtrahere verbum Dei ab indispositis 2. si populus fuerit sic obstinatus & inobediens S. matriEccle siae quod prohibeat vel non ministret vitae necessaria suo Euangelistae . De. Ver. Scr. pag. 435. temporal almes , he may with draw his spiritual alms from them . But perhaps you will replie & say , Tythes are indeede to be paide vnto good Ministers and preachers , but what shal we pay them vnto one , that wee know to be a lewd companion , a verie varlet , an open drunkard , adulterer or Fornicator , or a murderer of mens soules , aswel as of their bodies ? Yes verily , in Wickl●ffes iudgement , f f Proposito qnod sit fornicator vel alio noto●io crimine irretitus . De Ver. Scrip. p. 413. vnlesse the fact be very notorious indeed , such g g lb. pag. 420. as the people know per iudic●um operationis , by their liues and manners ( h h Laici non debent iudicare de vita vel opere praelatorum & hoc praelatorum est . lb. pag. 420. for it is not for them otherwise to iudge their Minister ) they haue not iudicium Iurisdictionis ; and although they may iudge their liues , yet they ma●e not in any sort take away the Tythes quite and clea●e from the Church ; but i i It is lawful to parishioners to withhold their Tithes for open for . nication of their Curate and turne them into better vse . In suppl . ad parl. p. 14. His meaning is this as hee interprete●h him self in the same place ; that if the Priest be reproued of God for his sinnes ( that is for great and open sinnes ) he should be put out of his office , & the Sacrifices shoulden not be youen to him , but taken fro him , as God commandeth fro the high Priests Hely , & a nother true man walking in Gods waies , as did Samuel , should be ordained to receaue●such Sacrifices . lb p. 12. sequester them , as it were for the next Incumbent in this wise . The partie delinquent is either so vitious a man of life or doctrine , as that there is no hope of his amendment ; or els hee hath committed some such fact , as wilful murder , or Treason , whereby he is ip so facto depriuable in Law ; or finallie he is one that seemes to bee corrigible : the two former are to be remoued or degraded the ministerie , the later sort of offenders , are thus to bee proceeded against : k k Laici — tenentur Praela●o prodere Clericum taliter criminosum De Verit. Scrip. pag. 428. complaint must be made vnto the Ordinarie , ( after he hath been l l Rect●tes Ecclesiae non sunt statim iudicandi lb. pag. 430. three times charitably informed , and admonished of his fault by the Parishioners , and m m Deficiente correctione Praelati . ●b . pag. 430. there followes no amendment ) if the Ordinarie refuse to punish , or winke at his offences , so scandalous vnto the Church of God , the n n Mandentu● Episcopo castig andi lb. pag. 453. Bishoppe of the Diocesse , must be informed thereof : or if he refuse to giue satisfaction vnto the Parishioners , the Archbishop must be interested in the cause ; and if o o Nusquam foret necesse Laicos Clerum corripere , si praelati plenè corriperent se & suos secundum regulam Scripturae De Verit. Scrip. pag. 456. neither Ordinarie , Bishop , nor Archbishop will right them , then maie the p p Ad sustinendum istam legem Ecclefiae ordinantur Reges & potentes in Sa●culo , vt deficiente Clero ab eius completione , suppleatur per-brachium saeculare . lb. p. 4●9 . king by his royall auctoritie , either in person , or by his Temporal Officers and Ministers , heare q q Examination of abilitie and not abilitie being not taken from the ordinarie . -It shal be iudged by the Kings Lawe , when a benefice shal be said void and when not — The King is Patron Paramont of al the benefices within the Realme , & he is bound to see his subiects haue right in that behalfe within the Realme and that in that case from him lieth no appeale . De fundam Legum Angliae 1. c. 36. & determine the offence ( though the offence be of that nature , that it properly belong vnto their conusance , by r r Reges nedum habcnt capitale dominium super bona Pseudocler . sed & super corpus quia aliter non foret talis eius homo ligeus lb. pag. 453. Debent punire tales notorios tanquam laicos , vel amplius-aliter non haberent Reges in Regnis suis plenae pacis custodiam lb. pag. 453. els the King should not be able to doe right to his subiects De fundam . leg pag 125. punishing the offender either in bodie or goods . But as Wickliffe saith , the s s Au●erre a Clerico bo na fortunae est paena mitissima — punire per charitatem , per ablationem temporalium , vel dignitatis officij est puni●e misericor diter citra dignum . De Ver. Scr. pag. 430. mildest course is by taking awaie the tithes from him , not from the Church , ( for that were against his owne rule ) because t t ●b pag. 415. Decimae praed●ales non debent subtrahi , cum ad Ecclesiam pertineant , in cuius damnum , factum praepositi non redundat , lest many good Ministers should be punished for one lewd Clergie mans fault . And this the u u The Kings Regaltie askes by old statute , that the King may in many in case take Temporalties fro Clarkscontra Frat mend . pag. 49. King may doe , ashe proueth very stronglie , out of all the uu uu Patet in Sciptura quomodo Domini Temporales habent potestatem ad rectifican dum Sacerdotium-quia sapiens Salomon cum Sacerdote a Deo constitu●o ad regni sui stabilimentum laudabili●er ita fecit multo magis in Nouo Testamento de Sacerdotibus Caesareis Quo● Reges & Principes ad cause Regnorum gubernacula ditauerūt — quia principum est curare v● omnes Sacerdotes sua ●fficia exequantur-secundum Leges Regni , Iuris Ciuilis & Canonici alias rei De Ver Scrip. pag. 469. lawes that are , and by the example of the wisest king that euer rained . Now because there can be no smoke , without some fire , I wil in a word or two informe you of the ground of this their accusation , & how they were misled , or Wickliffe mistaken in this point , and so dismisse our aged Father Parsons with his threefolde , or rather manifold peruersions . Wickliffe in all his bookes and treatises , doth euerie where commend a kind of x x Ad hoc vadit tota mea ●entētia quam impugnant , vt viz. Cle●ici sint pauperes in facto , v●lin animo , vel vtrinque● & omnino quod cauea● ab auaritia , & fastu seculi , cum alijs malitijs quae sequuntur De Ver. Scrip pag. 570. Qui perfecte linquunt omnia iudicabunt mundum . lb. pag. 512. De. mundi contemptu & pauper tate Euangelica lb. p 196. Evangelicall pouertie , perswading Cleargie men to renounce the vaine pompe , and glorie of the world , and to lead ( if it were possible ) an Apostolical or Evangelical life , to be content or y y Contra frat . mend . pag. paide if we han lif elode & to be hiled with , that is , with food and raiment , this estate to Priest ( in those daies vnmarried ) he z z Status pauperiei ●st status perfectissimus viatori InExpos . Decal . pag● 50. Creuit Ecclesia magis secundum pauperem statum De Verit. Script . pag. 465. commendeth as the better ; yet he approued wel enough of vsing the things of this world , and he himselfe enioied Tythes , went a a De Verit. Scrip. p 192. Inter alia peccata de quibus time● , hoc est vnum prae●puum , quod consumendo in excessiuo victu & vestitu bona pauperum , deficio , dandum exemplum alijs . lb. Quod aut con munem vitam viuendo frequenter auide & lau●e manduco dolenter profiteor , cum si illud hypoc●itice simulate volue●e , testarentur contra me socij commensales lb. well apparelled , and kept a good table , of that which was his owne . For I read not of anie great gifts that he had giuen him , of anie man Temporal , Lord , State or Potentate . Perhaps being so wel acquainted with the Common Lawyers , he was the likelier to keepe his own . So that to conclude this point , he did not b b Amor temporalium remouendus De Ver Scr. p. 462. Omnia mala introduct● in Ecclesiam per affectionem inordinatam temporalium . ●n Expos. Decal . pag. 150. Omnes homines , debent praecise secundum mensuram illam vti bonis temporalibus secundum quam promouent ad aeterna . De Ver Scrip. pag. 450. actually debar Ministers from hauing , but from ouer much affecting the things of this world , which were to be renounced per cogitationem & affectum , in minde and affection : and so forsooth for vrging this doctrine and taxing there abuses , he was c c Accusantes pseudo Sacerdotes statim censen●ur hostes EcclesiaeDe Verit. Scrip. pag. 460. thought to bee a sore enemie to all the Cleargie , and a sharpe inuaier against Tithes . And thus much shall suffice for an answere vnto all indifferent Parsons , concerning Father Parsons lewd and frivolous obiections : it remaineth that we proceede to discusse and examine our Apologists reasons , which may seeme to some men more forcible , because there proofes are fetched from our own writers for the most part : for that which is alleadged as out of Wickliffes works , I do shrewdly suspect to be verbatim taken out of Walden , d d See both their Prefaces and Protestations , & you shal finde them alike true which is as true in his reports of Wickliffe as Niceph●rus Callistus is in his Ecclesiasticall stories , both of them professe great sinceritie in words , & yet in deed haue neither truth nor honestie in their words .

The 1. Obiection of the Apologists .

Apol. Tr. 2. Cap. 2. p. 106. HE seemed to contemne all Temporal goods , for the loue of eternal riches , adioined himselfe to the Begging Fryars , approuing their pouertie , and extolling their perfection .

The Answere .

HE did not only seeme , but in effect as farre forth , a● became a sanctified and regenerate man , did e e Certus sum si vixero in confessione ●orum vsque ad mortem & habeam con summatā conuersationem correspondētem quod relinquam mun dum vel temporalia , per carnis & mum di crucifixionem . De Ver. Scrip. p. 188. contemne all Temporall goods , and that for the only loue of eternal riches . This is a grieuous imputation , or rather commendation , if you consider the duty of f f Nemo excusatur ab hac paupertate De Ver. Scrip. pag. 516. everie good Christian , and the holy profession which he makes in Baptisme . For saie , Wickliffe perswaded al other men to be as himselfe was , that did neither g g He is most to praise that least setteth by this worlde and perfectliest , loueth heauen . De. Ver. Scrip. pag. 346. set , nor settle his affections vpon ' the world , which preached against Couetousnes because he had heard S. Paul call it Idolatrie ; against an inordinate and preposterous affection of the temporal things of this life , because the Fathers and Scripture are against it , & what of al this ? How many Sermons , Epistles , ' and Postels of Jesuites and Friars are extant , which doe commend the same doctrine vnto vs● , with exquisite and emphaticall perswasions , allusions , and amplifications . So that hitherto we see , there is no harme done . That which follows out of Stow the old , that he adioined himselfe to the Begging Fryars , is taken out of Walsingham which was Stowes Auctour , and Wickliffes too great enemie to be beleeued . Master Stow , not to defraud him of his iust praise , was a paineful Citizen , by trade a Taylour , by his industrie a Chronicler , so well minded to the publike good , that for fault of better writers , he tooke vpon him at the first to record such things as happened in that Metropolis and chiefe Cittie , and being somewhat encouraged in his labour , hee tooke vpon him to deduce the Historie of the whole Island , from the first beginning , and to contract al our stories into one smal volume . But here his learning failed him : for being not able h h M. Io. Stow a paineful writer , but not so iudicious , for want of the knowledge of the Latine tong , wherof he was vtterly ignorant as himselfe ingenuously professed vntome and therfore was compeled to haue his latine bookes translated for him , to his exceeding great cost and charges the greater was his commendations to vnderstand his Auctors , how should he iudge them ? And not iudging them , how could he write or cite anie thing out of them , iudicioussie , pertinentlie , and as became an Historian ? I spare to speake , what I know , concerning his books ; his reuerend old age , and incredible zeale to the common good , shal be to me insteed of so many garments , to couer his historicall imperfections . But to come to the point , thus our Apologists do reason ; Master Stow out of his translated Walsingham saies that Wickliffe was of the order of the Begging Friars , and Walsingham was a Lyar , ergo Answere Cuius contrarium verum est , we wil beleeue Walsingham an other time for this tricke . For he was so far from euer being of that order , that neuer was East more distant from West , or blacke opposite to white , then he was to their disordered orders . If you please not to beleeue me , take your eies in your hands , and read these two i i Viz. His complaint to the Parliament , & his Treatise a gainst the orders of the begging F●i●rs . Treatises , and then saie who is the Lyar.

2. Obiection .

Apol Tr. 2. Cap. 2. p. 106. HE held that Ecclesiasticall Ministers should begge .

The Answere .

ANswere as before Cuius contrarium verum est , he held that Ministers should not beg . Sith k k Io. Wickliffe against the orders of Friars Chap 5. p. ●24 . begging is damned by God , both in the Old and in the New Testament . Read againe the l l Printed wi●h this Apologie 5. Chapter of his booke , against the orders of Friars .

The 3. Obiection .

HE condemned lawful oathes , savouring therin saith Osiander of Anabaptisme .

The Answere .

I now see it verified of Lutherans and Protestants , & of all other writers , m m Canus obserues this out of Vopiscus . which Vopiscus obserued of Historians , nullum non Historicorum mentitum , that the best historians by trusting other writers or reportets , may deliuer an n n Against their wills It is an other thinge menti●i to lye and mendacium dicere to report a lye after another man the first al good men should obhor●e from the second , the best cannot be fice vntruth now and then . Os●ander was a good Historian , but hee neuer read Wickliffes works ; or if he had seene some of them , he saw not all . For in his Latin Exposition vpon the o o It is the 2. c●mmandement in his account . third commandement , and his p p Scribit contra propositionem incompletam & pen dulam , intelligendam cum sensu suo sinistro De Verit. Scrip. p. 282. booke of the Truth of the Scripture , he doth plainly shew the contrary● , condemning only al Equiuocall , amphibological , q q Vagae & per consequens falsae propositiones . ●b . pag. 282. mixt , & wandring propositions , whether with oath , or without oath , willing men not for a r r Nemo menti●etur quocunque leu● mendacio ▪ pro saluatione vitae propriae , vitae proximi , vel pro saluatione infinitotum mundo●um , vel alicuius boni possibilis . De Ver. Scrip. pag. 242. world of world● , or for the s s Non est mentiendum prosaluatione proximi . lb. pag 264. saluation of infinite soules to lie , that is to equiuocate ( as he interpreteth it ) much lesse to sweare an vntruth , that is to fortweare . His treatise against t t De aequiuocis iuramentis & fallacibus vitandis . lb pag. 284 God teaches to sware by him in need and not by his creatures . Contra Fra●rmend . pag. 55. Equivocation , is a most profound , learned , and iudicious worke ; and worthy to be put in print , if it were an entire discourse of it selfe , where u u If he be the Auctor of the Treatise tending to mit●ga●●●n de●guised by these Letters P.R. which goe as al his writings doe the cleane contrarie waie . Parsons may see , that hee hath not so much as a smal starting hole left , to put his head in vnsought or vnstopt .

The 4. Obiection .

HE taught , that all things come to passe by absolute necessitie .

The Answere .

I hope our Apologists neede not to bee sent backe againe to schoole , or to their Schoolemen , to learne this distinction , that al things that shall be , bee in respect of God and his decree necessarie , though in respect of vs they be not so , from whom the knowledge of Gods will , in this behalfe , is purposely hidden , because we should not disesteeme or neglect praier , and other ordinarie meanes for our Saluation . He telleth vs , that Gods promises and threatnings are x x Deus nemini promittit poenam vel premium , nisi sub conditione tacita , vel expressa De Ver Scrip. p. 383. conditionall , & that as God hath appointed the end , so he hath appointed the meanes of our Saluation but notwithstanding this necessitie , these are his very words , y y In Expos. Decal . pag. 81. quamvis omnia futura de necessitate eveniant ; Deus tamen vult quod bona servis suis eveniant , per medium guo oratur .

The 5. Obiection .

HE defended humaine merits , as the damnable Pelagian held them , in so much that Melanchthon saith accordingly of him . Verily he did not vnderstand , nor hold the iustice of faith .

The Answere .

THis obiection is taken for the former part out of Walden , for the later out of Melanchthon , though I haue cleerely ᶻ demonstrated the negatiue out of his owne words : yet because the later part of the obiection hath more edge in it then ordinarie , because he seemed to haue read some of Wickliffes works , for answer to him , I say , that ether he read some of his works which he made when hee was but a a Wickliffe wrot n●t two or three hundred volunes at one time , he bettered himselfe by writing , as S. Austine confesseth of him selfe scribendo discens f●r bere . And therfore noe maruel if writing so much because as th● same Father saith in multi loquio non deest falsiloquium , there be somthings that at the first seeme improper and exorbitant whi●h are ●uspiciously set downe in the iudgment of our writers , and are malitiously construed by the aduersarie newly conuerted , which might peraduenture sauour of follie , or of a bad spirit ; or els that hee was cosened by some spurious and bastard Treatises , which were broached in his name , and laid to his charge , an imputation , b b I could f●ll a huge vo●ume with instances , in this point declaratorie of their old and wonted impostures : but for the present , I wil alleadg only the Treatise de Cardinalibus Christi operibus , imputed to Cyprian , or one of his time , wheras in the publike Librarie at All-soules it is euident that Arnaldus Bonauillacensis writ it who liued Anno Dom. 1160. not proper to Wickliffe alone but common to him with many of the ancient Fathers and Doctors of the Church .

The 6. Obiection .

HEe taught a seditious doctrine , Apol. Tract , 2. Cap. 2. p. 107. and mother of all rebellion , teaching that there is no ciuill Magistrate , while he is in mortall sinne , and that the people may at there pleasure correct Princes , when they doe offend .

The Answere .

IF Wickliffe doe teach any such doctrine , he is vtterly to be condemned by our Church , and to be reformed in that point : but if they belie not his words , he admonisheth the king & all other inferiour officers & Magistrates , as he did Bishops earst while , that he beareth not the sworde in vaine , or hath his office for nought , but to doe the c c Damna●i sunt de iure polisi potestatem datam e●s a Domino non exercent . De Verit. Scrip. pag. 456. office of a king , wel and truly , to see his Lawes executed , and iustice d d Kings are bound to see their Subiects haue right De fundam Legum Anglioe l. c. 36 sincerely administred ; and if he happen to be defectiue in his duty , by suffering the sword of iustice to rust in the scabbard , and his people to perish for want of gouernment ; then he telleth him , that he is not properly and truly a king , that is e e Perdens nomen officij & ordinis in effectu . lb. pag. 513. in effect and operation , which words are spoken by way of exhortation : but so farre was he , from f f This crime of rebellion and treason , was obiected vnto him in his life time De Ver. Scrip pag. 179. & p. 570. which he answereth very fully lb. mutinie himselfe , or perswading others to rebellion , that I dare bee bolde to speake it , that neuer any man of his ranke , for the times wherein he liued , did more stoutly and valiantly g g His maine argument is out of the common Law of this land , quia a liter non haberent Reges in Regnis suis plenae pacis custodiam . maintaine the kings Supremacie , in all causes , as wel as ouer al parsons Ecclesiastical and ciuil , against al vsurped Primacie , and forraine Iurisdictions , and his maine reason was this , ( to omit al others ) else h h The King should ●ot be able to doe right to his subiects . De fundam legum , Angliae l. c. 36. He writes directly and plainly against those th at saie Rex Angliae non est Rex totius Angliae sed Regulus paruae partis super residuum vero mortificatum est Papa Dominus - veruntamen non disputandum ( inquiunt ) de ista materia , quousque●uerit in effectu potentius stabilita sed tole●●ndae sunt iniuriae Dominorum Secularium , quovsque arisent opportunitas temporis . ●b . pag. 424. This he takes to be treason and against this he writes . he should not be King ouer al England , but regulus parua partis a pettie gouernour of some small parts of the Realme . And as touching his i i He noted them of Treason in many points for giuing our gold to Al●ens , and ●omtimes our enimies for enabling the Pope to fight with the King , with his owne● money , di●abling the King by ●eseruations , prouisions , dispensations , Collations , & presentations of so many barbarous ●ud e'& vnlettered straingers , who neuer saw ne came to see their parishioners . finally by threatning the King , that if they might not haue what they would they would goe out of the land & come againe with bright heads And ( as he'saies ) looke whether this be treason or no ? Contra Frat. mend . Cap. 27. pag. 45. pag 358. rebellious followers , & mutinous k k He that set the writing vpon the d●re at Paules was one walter Disse a Friar Carmelite : therin he shewed the abhominable liues of Sodomittie treason a●d murders of the Friars ; he had preached the same before in London and was readie to iusti●ie his accusation and therfore I see little reason whie it should be caled a Libel . Wa●sg pag. 358. Libellers ( if euer there were any such as the Apologists recite out of Stowes Walsingham ) I trust it is not imagined or looked for , that he should be better attended on them Christ was , which had followers of al sorts ; some which followed him for bread ; some to see the miracles that he did , some to take him in his words and so it might fare with Wickliffe and his schollers . But ( if I be not deceiued ) the matter of rebellion & sedition is wholly mistaken , and wrongfully imputed to l l Walsingham recitans opiniones haere●icas lo. Ball do● uit , inquit , & peruer●a d●gmata pe●fidi lo. Wickl●ffe pag 292. See the Catholike diu●ne in his pretended answere to S Ed. Cook pag. 308. Iohn Wickliffe , out of whose works ( I speake of as many , as haue yet come vnto my hands ) though you rack them to the worst there is not so much as the least suspition to be drawne of words tending to disloialty : but I read in m m Froissard vol. 2 pag. 80 Y estoit vngfol prestre de la Conte de kent , qu●● appelloit tehan ●alle , & pour les folles parolles ●l auo●● este mys en p●●'on devers l' larceu●●que de Cantorbie p●r ●rois fois lb. estoient bien soixante m●lle , & avoientvng Souuerain Capitaine , qui● appelloit Watre T●llier : auecques luy estoient & de sa compaignie Iaques Straw , & Iehan Balle , lb. p. 80. Fraissard of one Iohn Ball , one of Bals Priests for ought that I know , who drew multitudes of people after him , & was the chiefe cause of that great rebellion of the Commons , vnder the conduct of Wat Tyler ; and Iacke Straw , which n n Il-preschoit & leur disoit Bonnes gens les choses ne peuuent pas bien aler ● n Angleterre , ne yront iusques a tant , que biens yront tout d● commun , & quil ne sera ne villains ne gentil● hommes , & que nous soio●s tous vniz & que les . Seigneurs ne soient plus grans maistres , que nous &c. lb. Lan ●il trois cens quatre xx & sept. lb. taught this doctrine to condemne al Laws , despise the Cleargie , and to rebell against there Soveraigne , because there was an equalitie of al men , and communion of al things , which is pure Anabaptisme , or Diabolisme rather ; and because he liued about the time of Wickliffe , therefore this foule and monstrous heresie is by a malitious kinde of o o Vide Tho. Walsingham pag 29● . mistaking , laid to Wickliffes charge , which was as p p lo Ball seditionem excitat , ad wickliffianorum inuidiam , ex illa secta & proditione prodijsse quidam fingunt , falso equidem & ignoranter-Tunc sparsa Wicklefi doctrina-sed vt in omni nouitate ac mutatione fierisolet , atque ho●iernis temporibus factitatum est , nunciata luce Euangelij , & libertate Christiana , insana plebs scelerum impunitatem & omnium in Ecclesia atque Rep , ordinum per●urbationem sperat . Auctor Antiq Britannicarum pag. 2●9 . far from preaching anie such doctrine , as they ● are from any truth , sincerity or ingenuity , that affirme it , as hath beene obserued by one very iudicious in collecting the Antiquities of our Land .

The 7. Obiection .

Apol. Tract . 2. Cap. 2. p. 108. He was more giuen to scoffing , and prating , then became a sober Diuine .

The Answere .

This fault was obiected vnto him in his life time , whervnto heshapeth this modest& most Christian answere . q q Testis sit mihi Deus ego principaliter . intendo honorem Dei & vtilitatem Ecclesiae , ex veneratione Scripturae & ex obseruantia Legis Christi ; quod si surrepserit cum ista intentione sinistra intentiovan●e gloriae , questus seculi , et zeli vindict●e , ego de h●c d●leo & per dei gratiam praecauebo . De Ver. Scr. p. 145. God is my witnesse , that I principally intende his glory , and the weale of the Church , by seeking to honor the Scripture , and obserue Christs Law : & if it hath , or shall so happen at any time , that with this good intent of mine , there creepe in , any sinister intent of vaine glorie , covetousnes of the world , or desire of revenge , I am sorry for it , & will hereafter by Gods grace amende that fault . What could be spoken more ingenuouslie , soberly or Christianly ? But were it true , that they saie , yet were it not as true , that Clodius accusat machos , Catilina Cethegum ? they were r r Proprium est haereticis alios no●are huius criminis cum deficiant argumentis lb. pag. 188. guilty of the same , or worse crimes , for did he not s s Plus attendit hodiernus dispu●ants vt adquisito ●ubtilitatis nomine videatur concludi respondenti quam vt ad Dei gloriam et v●ilitatem Ecclesiae Dei gloria declaretur non sic ●ancti Doctores De Ver Scrip pag. 15. note the Diuines of his time , for giving themselues to much to t t Ib. pag. 188 railing and scolding , more mevetricum ●orsethen Cot-queanes , & u u Verbalis contentio est in doctrina Scripturae invtilis In Expos. Decal pag. 17. to such brawlings of words as doe ingender nothing but strife , not tending to edification , or if it x x Contentiones verbo●um non aedificant nisi in Gehennam Ib. pag. 135. were it was but to edifie men to Hell ?

The 8. Obiection .

IT appeareth by Master Foxe , that Wickliffe was an vsuall dissembler of his faith , Apol. Tract . 2. Cap. 2. p. 18. and that to preuent danger of trouble , he did vsually practize the same .

The Answere .

HE was so farre resolued in the cause of Religion , that hee was readie to y y Non sum suspect●s de formidine istarum conclusionum patebit per Dei gratiam quod non timeo responde re sibi & suis complicibus , vel in facie , vel , in scholis De Ver Scrip pag. 183. It quod si deus dederit mihi cor docile , perseuerantem constantiam , & ●ha●i●atem ad Christum , ●d eius Ecclesiam , & ad membra Diaboli Ecclesiam Christi lani antia , & vt p●ra charitate ipsos corripiam , quam gloriosa causa foret mihi presentem miseriam finiendi ? Ib. pag. 380 die almost for euerie Article of Religion , that he maintained against them , and so constant and professed an enemie to al disfēblets & Equivocators , that therefore he professeth of himself , that he treated that point more largely , because he took● himselfe to be wronged in the highest degree , to haue this z z Vide Walsingham pag. 206. imputation laid vnto him , as to be called a a De Ver. Scrip. Cap. 13. Magister Aequivocorum Aequivocatorum & Aequiuocorū Aequivocātiū . And he did not only thinke himself happy ( if it should so haue pleased God to b b Volo in Scriptis dare sententiam ex qua imp●titus sum quam volo vsque ad mortem defendere , sicut credo omnes Christianos debere Wals. pag. 206. lb. pag. 518. He was so constant in the defense of the truth which he taught ita vt cano placeret quod iuu●ni complacebat Walden To. 2. pag. 270 die for religion ) but he perswaded others to the like martyrdome , shewing , that in the cause of faith , there is no dissimulation to be allowed . Finallie , the words I confesse are in Fox , but not Foxes . For he had them from Lyar c c Hoc eodem modo , idem versipellis I. Wickliffe delusit suos examinatores , viz ponen do inte lectum in suis nesandis propositionibus wals . p. 209. Memo●atus hypocrita . lb. Vide Martyrol . Fox . pag. 433. Walsingham , he is but the reporter , & you might haue had his iudgment of al such writers , that he thought they did him d d The said Articles of his are nether in number so many , nor yet in nature so grosse , as those Cardinal enimies of Christ perchance doe giue them out to be : if his books whom they abolished or rather thought they had abolished were remaining to be conferred with those blemishes which hey haue wrasted to the worse , a● euil wil neuer said the best . lb. pag 424. much wrong , by such imputations , as would easilie haue appeared , if his works were at this day extant ( as thankes be to God many of them are , and more may happen to be discouered in good time ) to conuince his coniectures ) to be more then probably true , and there assertions to be more then coniecturatiuely false .

The 9. Obiection .

HE invaied against the Church , for that he had been depriued by the Archbishop of Canterburie , Apol. Tract . ● . Cap. 2. p. 105. from a certaine benefice .

The Answere .

WHere was that benefice ? say in Oxford , and because hee was depriued of that benefice , hee wrote against the Church : by the like reason , because he was preferred to an other benefice ia Lecester-shire , where he died , therefore hee shoulde not haue inuaied against the Church , the argument is Topical . But our Apologists haue not framed their accusation aright , they shal doe wel to mende their bill , and to say , that he inuaied against the Church , because he was depriued of a a Ex Chron. D. Albani vide Fox pag. 425. his benefice , against Colleges because himself could not get to be b b Mat. Parkerus Arch : lib. Antiquitat . Britann . pag. 258. ex alijs . head of a Colledge , against c c Creditur Wickliff dixisse contra Episcopo● , quia vt dixit Rob. Saresburiensis Episcopus in Magna Synodo Cantuar Cleri , Vigor niensis Episco patum non a●●ecutus suerat quem optauit . Walden . To. 1. pag 326. Bishops because he could not get the Bishopricke of Worcester : Here are three crimes obiected against one man , and verily I thinke one as true as the other : for though he euer helde a reuerend opiuion of Bishops & Prelats , as there was reason why he should , touching only the d d The greatest fault which he found with the Clergie , was for admitting or instituting vnsufficient men in liuings , such as were rudes and barbari Transmarini , the number wher of vppon Certificate made was many . Episcopus propter nullum bonum p●ssibile , obediret etiam papae , preficiendo ineptum Ecclesiae , vel minus idoneum De Ver. Scr. pag. 342. faultes of the diseased Cleargie , which were then as sicke as euer Rome was , neither able any longer to endure the maladie , nor the remedy● yet I would gladly haue the proofe of these things confirmed vnto me , by anie Auctor , saue a Moonke or a Friar , and then it maie be I shal beleeue it ; though if ever a Religious Clarks Protestation , were to be credited , hee protesteth that hee did , as neere as euer hee could , both write , and speake and do al things c c De Verit. Scrip. p. 145. & pag 15. ad honorem Dei & vtilitatem Ecclesiae , for the glory of God and the benefit of his Church , which wordes hee oft repeateth , speaking them as became a professed Diuine with f f Farre from that vniust imputation of Walden , that he did simplici duplicitate and duplici simplicitate , animos hominum trā● formare . To 3 pag. 14. singlenes of hart , and simplicity of minde , far from al damnable hypocrisie and dissimulation .

The 10. & 11. Obiections .

MOst blasphemously , he affirmed that euerie Creature was God , & againe that ●od could not choose , but obey the Diuel .

The Answere .

Bellar. in Praefat. Gretser . in defens . pag. 8. THese obiections are taken from Bellarmine & some other Jesuits , & it was wonder they did escape both our Apologists and Father Parsons ; but belike they did not thinke them to bee true , els doubtles they woulde haue vrged them : For answere wherevnto , it seemeth vnto mee , that the former obiection doth assoile the latter , for holding that euerie Creature was God , belike he distinguished the tearme God , into God absolutely spoken , and God cum signo , or adiectione g g Dei acceptio duplex — absolute . Dominus Dominorum ; quando contrahiturvel specifi●atur , per signum detrah●ns , sig nificat quodcunque bonum quod quis plus diligit . In. Ex. p of Dec. p. 46. with a signe or addition , & so in truth he doth ; & in this sence it might bee true , that such a made God , might of its owne nature , being ( as all reasonable Creatures are ) sin●ul , should obay the Diuel : but I wil not play the Sophister . He had a more deepe , profound , Theologicall or h h Omnes veritates leges in essentia diuina , sicutomnīa sunt Deus . lb. pag. 21. Deus est mandatum quod praecipit lb 4 Omnis res secundum esse intelligibile est Deus . Me●aphysicalspeculatiō about this matter , which was plainly de●iuered in his booke de Ideis , which book is not yet come vnto my hands , and therfore I cannot answere the obiection , otherwise then he doth himself , by i i vt d●ctum est in materia de Ideis lb 21. referring you vnto that k k Materiae de vniuersalibus sunt tam necessa riae quod sine earum notitia nemo fit sapiens lb pag. 29. learned book of his . The doctrine I am perswaded in his vnderstanding is found & true , though not fit to be vttered before the people , and though I do rather admire then conceiue it , & do therefore choose rather wholy● to omit it● for a season , then vnperfectly to deliuer it : yet I cannot omit to giue him this ●estimony , that about the nature , persons , & properties of God , about the matter of Predestination , Prescience , or Prouidence , he is most religiously & piouslie affected , quo magis miror & therfore I cannot but wonder , that he should run into so l l Asthey charg him with . monstrous & soule absurdities . But to leaue this , and to answere that alike monstrous , but more blasphemous obiection , that God must needes obey the Divell , which scarce any Diuel of Hel would dare to vtter , I know not whence they haue taken this obiection , which hath no colour nor ground in the world in it , vnlesse it be out of these words of his , which I professe are his , and wel they maie be , that because hee saith , that m m Com in Psal pag 155. God is a great king aboue all his Creatures , that n n lb. pag. 48. all Creatures are made by God to serue him , that the o o lb pag. 112. Devil is clepid Gods Angel , for hee maie doe nothing but at Gods suffering , that he serueth God in tormenting of sinfullmen ; that Ib. pag. 468. Christ is Victor of the Divell , & q q lb. pag. 93. helpeth vs against the ●iend : thence belike our Jesuits r r Of this inference a man maie saie as Walden did somtimes of an illation of Wickliffes si deductio ista scintillam habet ingenij , quid sit ingenium hominis non noui To. 3. p. 56. infer , that God must needs obay the Divel . A good wit I confesse , may go far , and such haue our Jesuits , or els they greatly belie one another , but I doubt whether euer they shal be able to infer so foule and irreligious a Conclusion : out of so faire and religious premises .

The Conclusion .

THus hauing shewed and proued vnto you , that this same Iohn Wickliffe , a man so much spoken against by al sorts of men is so innocent and free from al there foule heresies and monstrons absurdities , that he hath rather declared himselfe , to be a Cōformitan vnto the doctrine , and discipline of the Church of England : or rather , that the Church of England at this day , sincerelie professing the Gospel , doth teach & preach no new Doctrin , as our Apologists would haue you to beleeue ; but then very same doctrine , which was many hundred yeares ago retained and maintained here in England , by sundrie learned Diuines , and embraced gladly by al a a Fuerunt eo tempore & plures alij huius nefandae doctrinae sequaces & discipuli non in quibuscunque villis aut Ciuitatibus sed in ipsa Vniuersitate Oxoniae Wal● pag. 305 Hee might haue added and in the Vniuersity not the meanest but the Chancellour and Proctors and sundry others as appeareth by records . Longelatque per●patrias populum maculando suam predi●ationem dilatauit , ita ut poenema iores prouinciarum corum sequerentur errorem , Wals. pag 281. In fide & fide● articulis plurimi claudicabant ●b Visus est absorbere ●ordanem & omnes Christianos mergere in Abyssum . lb. pag. 256 Dixit publice et ptaedicauit . Rectoribus Ecclesiarum non valentibus prohibere cum ob fauorem popalarem qui libentissimè cum audiebant , & le peri●ulo mallebant exponere , antequa●●vel prohiberetur praedicare . Wals. pag. 304. of al sorts , Noblemen , Gentlemen , Cleargie men , Lay men , men , and women : which though it were then challenged for a new doctrine , as was somtimes Christ & his Apostles ; yet both it was the very same doctrine , which was from the beginning , and shal be vnto the end of the world , as he himselfe sometimes b b Si in hoe sim Catholicus sum cerius — quod sententia quam tenco per organa Dei vel ante aduentum Antichrist● , vel postea defendetur , quia super omnia vincit veritas verbi Deivt dicitur 3. ●●drae De Ver. Scrip. p. 200. prophecied , & the Popish doctrine to bee convicted of plaine nouelty , and newnes , by almost the very same reasons and arguments which our Protestant writers do now inforce against them , and therfore no maruell , though the Papists now a daies , notwithstanding there pretenced and vsurped notes of Antiquitie , Vniuersality and Iknow not what els , do begin to thinke vpon a course , how either to abolish all ancient written books out of o ur Libraries , or els to banish al ancient truth out of their books , by their new inuented Purgatory of books , which I may be bold to speake it , hath done farre more paine to Christendome within these 40. or 50. yeares , then their fire of Purgatorie hath done since the time of its first being : a verie lewd and damned course , and which if it should not please God , and that speedely to stirre vp the harts of Godly Princes , Religious Clarks , and rich Seculars to emploie some learned and paineful students , in discouerie the misteries of this their damnable art of corrupting al manner of good writers , either profane , or diuine , vnder colour of correcting thē● in processe of time , the Jesuits sole Actors of al lewde parts , by printing and reprinting the Fathers workes , so oft as they are like to doe , in goodly paper , faire letters , and glorious annotations , whereby they haue bewitched the whole world , wil in al likelihoods , by their , more than Syrenical enchantments , Circean sorceries and Diabolical charmes , make al writers both new and old to speake whollie for them ; and when they haue so filed and framed them vnto their purposes , and made them speake nothing , but the language of Ashdad , them be assured , ●ura , ●eriura , secretum prodere noli , that they wil sweare , and forsweare their Index Expurgatoriusses , deny there Colledge of Censors , and make the world beleeue , there was neuer any such thing , for feare least they should rise vp in iudgement against them , to convince them of so many wilful forgeries , treacheries , & foule corruptions , by waie of addition , detraction , opposition ; and that you may know them to bee cunning Arithmetitians , by their so often v●ed Rule of falshood . But my hope and trust is in the good grace of the Almightie , that the learned & iudicious Cleargie of this land , which are most interested in this business , will amidst their sondry and waighty affaires of the Church , in that there Reuerend assembly in Convocation , take some speedy course , against this damned crew , and execrable Colledge of Censors , for preuenting of farther mischiefes , which are likely to ensue . There is no country in al Christendome , where the Gospell is sincerelie professed , which hath the like opportunity of effecting this busines ; such and so manie are our written copies , commended as God would haue it , by the mouthes of our aduersaries , so great the number of iudicious and paineful students , that would account themselues happy , if they might be imploied in transcribing , or comparing the bookes of the ancient writers . In fine God hath put the occasion into our hands , the daies are hitherto peaceable , and quiet , and long may they so continue , the king Religious and learned , the c c Noble men & Diuerse gentlemen of good marke , haue offered large summes to the effecting hereof . Nobility & gentrie willing and forward , our enemies audacious & bold , the d d The charges would not con● to 200● per annum . charges not great , scarce to be spoken of , the time not long , within the which it might be e e It may be fully finished within 4. or 5● yeares ; if this were once done our controuersies would haue an easier end . fully finished , the Glorie Gods , the benefit his Church , both which I haue , doe , and wil for euer seeke vnfainedly , according vnto my place , dutie , and profession .

Deo soli sit gloria .
Iohn Wickliffe life collected out of diuerse Auctors .

THis Iohn Wickliffe was borne in the North , where vnto this day , some of his name and family ( as I vnderstand by others ) doe yet remaine : brought vp in Oxford in that a a Merton Coll. Colledge which hath iustly had the preheminence aboue all the Colledges , & most of the Vniversities in Christendome , for the nomber , and excellency of men learned in all faculties , qualified with extraordinary gifts , both for Church and Common-wealth : such as were , ( to omit other Faculties ) in Divinitie , Bacon , Burley , Scotus , Occham , Peccham , Bradwardine , with diuerse others● and by example of these , aswel as by the strict Discipline of that House , this Io. Wickliffe , nothing inferiour vnto any of the former , either in quicknes of apprehension , sharpnes of wit , shortnes of deliuery , greatnes of industrie , stoutnes of courage , and variety of all kinde of good learning ; and aboue them all in a full knowledge of the truth of the Gospel , and constant defense of the same , vnto the ende : amidst so many troubles , vexations , accusations , imputations and c●lumniations so many denunciations , excommunications , Anathemaes and Curses solemnly pronounced against him , at London , and at Oxford , by Archbishops , Bishops , and Popes ; so that he was neuer free from their curses , which God ( evermore blessed be his name ) turned into blessings , as may appeare , by the sequeale of his life and doctrine . He was beloued of all good men for his good life , and greatly admired of his greatest aduersaries , for his learning and knowledge , both in Diuinity & humanity . He writ so many large volumes in both , as it is almost incredible , He seemed to follow , in the whole course of his studies the methode of the Schoole men : and amongst them hee was a professed follower of Occham ; by reading of whose learned bookes , and sundry others which liued about the same time , or not long before ; such as were Bradwardine , Marsilius , Guide S. Amore , Abelardus , Armachanus , and that true great Clearke Rob. Grosthead . God gaue him grace , to see the trueth of his Gospel , and by seeing of it , to loth all superstition and Poperie . Of Occham , & Marsilius , he was informed of the Popes intrusions & vsurpations vpon kings , their Crownes & dignities : of Gu. de S. Amore , and Armachanus , hee learned the sundry abuses of Moonkes and Friars , in vpholding this vsurped power : by Abelard and others he was grounded in the right faith of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper , by Bradwardine , in the nature of a true sole-iustifying faith , against merit-mongers and Pardoners , Pelagians , and Papists . Finally by reading Grostheads workes , in whom he seemed to be most conversant he descried the Pope to be open Antichrist , by letting the Gospell to be preached , and by placing vnable & vnfit men in the Church of God . He passed thorough al degrees in this famous Vniversity very commendably , writing and speaking many things against the then corrupted doctrine of the Church of Rome . His many Positions were chiefly directed against the Orders of the Begging Friars , which were his professed enemies , and all forraine and v●urped Iurisdiction of the Pope . By which meanes he purchased vnto himselfe the favour of all good men . The reason was this ; he li●ed in a time , when the Friars orders , by their manifold disorders were become exceeding odious , and the Popes Iurisdiction by Provisions , Reservations , and Collations very intolerable . This made way vnto those excellent Statutes Lawes and Acts of Parliament of Praemunire , against Pr●visors , and the Abuses of Begging Friars , which so bridled and restrained the Popes auctority that he could but litle prevaile here in England during the raigne of K. Edw. the 3. & Rich. the 2. In making of these lawes Wickliffe had a great stroke , maintaining verie learnedly and stoutly the Kings Iurisdiction , Crowne , and dignitie , by the lawes Ciuil Canon and Common . And for this reason he was by one King sent Embassadour into forraine parts , & by an other consulted here at home . He vrged the Common law most of al other lawes for maintenance of his opinion , wherein hee tooke great delight , and had good directions from time to time from the reuerend Iudges and Sages of the law . He was not so much hated of the Clergie , but hee was as much fauoured by the State Temporal . He was openly defended by King Edward and that noble Duke of Lane aster , and secretly abetted and maintained by King Richard whose Chaplaine he appeared to haue beene , notwithstanding hee shewed him but little countenance outwardly during his minoritie . Twise was he conuented before the By shops , and thrise summoned to appeare . The first time hee escaped by the Duke , the second time by meanes of a messenger that came from the Queene . The third time he voluntarily abse●ted himselfe , because he knewe the Byshops had plotted his death by the waie , deuising the meanes and encouraging men thervnto . Notwithstanding al their deuises and plotts , he liued a longe time without death , bonds , banishment or imprisonment , both writing , teaching , and preaching , openly in their Schooles & Synagogues , drawing both Prince and people , Schollers & others , and al the world almost after him . He begun to defend his opinions when hee was verie yong , and continued tel he was verie old , constantly retaining and maintaining the same , some few excepted which he reformed ; and refined more and more , as he grew in yeares and knowledge . He was Doctor of Diuinitie almost 30. yeares , and for some fewe yeares Parson of Lutterworth in L●cester-she●re . He had sometimes before beene fellow of Marton , and Master of Ballioll Colledge & ( as some write ) beneficed in Oxford . He began to be famous , about the yeare of our Lord 1360. & died in the yeare of grace 1387. in high fauour both with God & men . In his life time . ● finde but of one or two that wrot against him , which also demeaned themselues very respectfully , & as became Diuines . But after his death manie , I may saie , the whole host and ●ost of Moonks and Friars beganne to praie most cowardly vpon his dead corps , disgo●ging to praie macks and the verie gaule of bitternes agaînst his parson & doctrine . But amongst al others , Frear Walden , hath both shamfully and wrongfully belied him in sundry passages of his workes ; as partly doth appeare by my Apologie , and farther ( God willing ) shal be manifested , against all such as shall avouch the conrarie .

FINIS .