The English works of Wyclif hitherto unprinted.Edited by F. D. Matthew.

Also prelatis distroien þe ordre & lif of crist & his apostlis bi here worldly lif & array & bost & pride, & bryngen þe peple in-to heresie of cristis pore lif; for þei leuen not as pore prestis aftir crist & his apostlis, but as lordis, ȝee kyngis or emperours, in shynynge vessel & delicat metis & wynes, [page 93] in fatte hors & precious pellure & ryche cloþis & proude & leccherous squyeris & meyne, & þes vanytes wasten pore mennus goodis & suffren hem goo dailes whanne þei han nedis to pursue. & wiþ alle þis þei seyn þat þei lyuen in þe staat of cristis apostlis & ben here vikeris & successouris, & maken þe comune peple bileue þat crist & his apostlis lyueden þus; & siþ þe lif of prelatis is book & in ensaumple to oþere sugetis, as lyncolne seiþ, þes prelates ben heretikes & maistris of heresie, þat þei techen to þe comunes bi here owen wickid lif þat is a bok to here sugetis, & þus for cristis pore lif & meke & traueilous is tauȝt a lordly lif, proud & veyn occupacion of worldlynesse & vanyte of þis world.

Prelatis ouere þis robben oure lond of mochil tresour, & senden it to aliens & enemys of oure rewme & bryngen aȝen goddis curs & heresie; for þei don not here spiritual offis aftir goddis lawe, & ȝit gredely gedren dymes & offryngis & procurasies, & senden moche gold coine [senden moche gold to Rome AA.] for þe firste fruytis, & to purchase & apropre to hem moo benefices, preuylegies & indulgences; & þis is þefte & symonye ȝif goddis lawe & mannus & reson be souȝt, & þe sillere of benefices & spiritual þingis & þe ȝeuere of gold for hem ben cursed of god & man & ben foule heretikis. & sumtyme þe court of rome his worldly aduersarie to oure lond, & namely in fauour of oure enemys; but more harme is of gostly ennemyte, whanne þei enuenymen oure peple wiþ cursed symonye and meyn|tenynge & consent of synne bi blynde obedience. for ȝif