Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Here followeth the processe of Iohn Tresnant Bishop of Herford had against the aforesaid Wil∣liam Swinderby in the cause of here∣ticall prauitie as the popishe heretickes cal it.* 1.1

THe glorious name of the prince of peace, and his coun∣saile (whose counsailour no man is,* 1.2 & whose prouidēce in his disposition is neuer deceaued) being inuocated: To all and singuler beleuers of Christ, which shall see or heare this our processe vnderwritten, Iohn by the sub••erance of God B. of Herford: greeting, and peaceable charitie in the Lord. Forasmuch as God the creator of all things, the ke∣per of iustice, the louer of right, and the hater of malice, be∣holding from the high throne of his prouidence the sonnes of men, now through the fall of their first father, prone and and declining to dishonest and filthy & detestable mischifes and to keep vnder their malice (which wicked transgressiō did first gender) hath appoynted diuers presidentes of the world stablished in sundry degrees, by whome and theyr circumspect prouidence, mans audacitie should be restray∣ned, innocency should be nourished amongst y^e good, & ter∣ror should be striken into y^e wicked not to deceiue: also that their power to hurt, & theyr insolency should be brydled in all places. And whereas amongst many kindes of cares whiche come to our thoughtes, by the duety of the office committed vnto us, we are specially bound to extend our strēgth, chiefly that the catholicke fayth may prosper in our tymes, and hereticall prauity may be rooted from out of y^e borders of the faythfull: we therfore being excited through the information of many credible and faythfull Christians of our dioces,* 1.3 to roote out pestiferous plantes, as sheep di∣seased with an incurable sicknes, going about to infect the whole and sound flocke, are by the care of the shepheard to be remoued from the flock, that is to say, Preachers, or more truely execrable offendours of the new sect, vulgarly called lollardes, which vnder a certayn cloked shew of ho∣lynes, running abroad through diuers places of our dio∣cesse, & endeuoring to cut a sunder the Lords vnsowed coat that is to say, to rent the vnity of the holy Church, & of the Catholicke fayth, and also to teare in peeces with their tē∣pestious blasts y^e power of S. Peter, that is to say, to wea∣ken the strēgth of the ecclesiasticall states and degrees, and the determination of the same holy church, haue wickedly presumed & do presume from day to day to speak, to teach, to mayntayne (and that which is more horrible to be vtte∣red) to preach openly many things hereticall,* 1.4 blasphemies schismes, and sclaunderous diffaminges, euen quite con∣trary to the sacred Canons and decrees of the holy fathers so that they knowe not to direct their pathes in the wayes of righteousnes and trueth, in that, y^t they expounde to the people y^e holy scripture, as the letter soundeth, after a Iu∣diciall sort, otherwise then the holy Ghost will needs haue it: wheras the words wander from their proper significa∣tions, and appeare to bryng in by gessing new meanings: whereas the wordes must not be iudged by the sense that they make but by the sense whereby they be made, where as the constructiōs is not bound to Donates rules: where as fayth is farre placed from the capacitie of reason: But they labour by their pernitious doctrines & teachings pu•• like and priuy,* 1.5 to boyle out the poysō of schismes betwene the clergie and the people. We to encounter agaynst suche kinde of preachers, nay rather deceauers, and horrible se∣ducers amongest the people, aduauncing and rowzing vp ourselues in Gods behalfe, and holy mother Churche, with the spirituall sword, whiche may strike them wisely, and wounde them medicinably, for theyr health and wel∣fare: and namely William Swynderby Priest (so preten∣ding himselfe to be) as a teacher of suche kinde of pernici∣ous doctrine,* 1.6 and an horrible seducer amongst the people: to whom personally appearing before vs on y^e wednesday to wit, the 14. of the month of Iune, in the parishe Church of Kington of our diocesse, in the yeare of our Lord. 1391. he being vehemently diffamed to vs of heresie, schisme and his peruerse doctrines both manifest and priuy: we there∣fore haue caused many cases and articles cōcerning the ca∣tholicke fayth to be ministred vnto him, that he should an∣swere to the same at a day and place for him meet and con∣uenient, of his owne choyse and freewill: that is to say, on the Friday, being the last of the same month of Iune, next following assigned to him, at the Churche of Bodenhame of the same our diocesse. Of whiche cases and articles exhi∣bited vnto vs, by many of Christes faythfull people,* 1.7 ze∣lous

followers of the catholike fayth to make information to our office (which cases and articles also were by vs ad∣ministred, as is before sayd, to the same William Swin∣derby) the tenor therof followeth, and is thus.

¶ Reuerend father and high Lord, Lord Iohn. by gods sufferance bishop of Hereford: It is lamentably declared to your reuerend fatherhood on the behalf of Christs fayth∣ful people your deuout children of your diocesse of Herford that notwithstāding the misbeliefe of very many lollards, which hath to long a time sprong vp here in your diocesse, there is newly come a certayn child of wickednes, named William Swinderby: who by his horrible perswasions & mischieuous endeuours, and also by his open preachings and priuate teachinges, doth peruert as much as in him is the whole ecclesiasticall state, and stirreth vp with all hys possible power, schisme betwene the clergy and the people. And that your reuerend fatherhood may be the more fully informed, who and what maner of man the same William Swinderby is: there be proposed and exhibited herafter to the same your fatherhood on the behalf of the same faithful people of Christ, against the same William Swinderby, ca¦ses and articles. Which if the same William shall deny, thē shall the same cases and articles most euidently be prooued against him by credible witnesse worthy of beliefe, & by o∣ther lawfull proofe and euidences to the end that those be∣ing proued, the same fatherhood of yours, may do and or∣deine therin, as to your pastorall office belongeth.

* 1.8¶ In primis, the same William Swinderby pretending himselfe priest, was opēly and publiquely conuicted of cer∣tayne articles and conclusions being erroneous, schisma∣ticall, and hereticall, preached by him at diuers places and times before a multitude of faythfull christian people. And the same Articles and conclusions did he by force of lawe reuoke and abiure, some as hereticall, and some as errone∣ous and false. Aduouching and beleuing them for such, as that from thenceforth he would neuer preach, teach, or af∣firme openly or priuily any of the same conclusions. And if by preching or aduouching he shoulde presume to doe the contrary: that then he shoulde be subiect to the seuerity of the Canons, accordingly as he did take a corporall oth, iu∣dicially vpon the holy Gospels.

2. Also the conclusions, which by the same William were first openly taught and preached, and afterward abiured & reuoked as is aforesaid: are contained before in the processe of the B. of Lincolne, euen as they be there written worde by worde. And for the cases and articles, they were conse∣quently exhibited by the forenamed faithfull christian peo∣ple against the said William Swinderby together, with y^e conclusions before sayd, & hereafter written: of which cases and articles, the tenour hereof ensu••th.

3. Item, the sayd William, contrary to the former reuo∣cation & abiuratiō, not conuerting to repentance, but per∣uerted from ill to worse, and geuen vp to a reprobate sense came into your diocesse, where, he running about in sondry places hath presumed to preach or rather to peruert and to teach of his own rashne•• many heretical, erroneous, blas∣phemous, and other slaunderous things contrary and re∣pugnant to the sacred Canons and the determination of y^e holy Catholike Church. What those things were, at what place and what time, it shall hereafter more particularly be declared.

Item, the same William, notwithstanding your com∣maundementes and admonitions sealed with your seale, & to all the Curates of your diocesse directed: contayning a∣mongst other thinges, y^t no person of what state, degree, or condition soeuer he were, shold presume to preach or to teach or els expound the holy scripture to the people, either in hallowed or prophane places, within your diocesse, with out sufficient authoritie, by any maner of pretence y^t could be sought, as in the same your letters monitorie & of inhi∣bition (the tenor wherof hereafter ensueth) is more largely conteined: which letters the same William did receiue into his handes, & did read them word by word in the towne of Monemouth of your diocesse, in y^e yeare of our Lord .1390. so that these your letters and the contentes thereof came to true and vndoubted knowledge of the same William: yet notwithstanding hath the same William presumed in di∣uers places and times to preach within the same your dio∣cesse, after and agaynst your commaundement aforesayd. The tenour of the same letters before mentioned follow∣eth and is this.* 1.9

IOhn by the sufferance of God Bishop of Hereford, to the deane and Chapter of our Church of Hereford, and to all and singu∣ler Abbots, Priors, Prouostes, Deanes rurall, Parsons and Vicares of Monasteries, Priores Churches, Colledges and Parishes, and to other hauing cure of soules within the Citty and diocesse of Her∣ford, and to all and euery other being within the same Citty and diocesse. Greeting, grace, and blessing. Forasmuch as the golden laurell of teaching doctorall, is not from aboue indifferently e∣uery mans gift, neyther is the office of preaching graunted, saue to such as are called, and especially by the Church admitted ther∣unto: we doe admonishe and require you all and singuler Clerkes aforesayd, and do straightly enioyne you all in the vertue of holy obedience, that you nor any of you do admitte any man to preach or to teach the Catholique fayth, sauing such as the same office of preaching shall by the authoritie Apostolicall or els your Byshop be specially committed vnto: but that as much as in you shall lye, you doe by worde and deede, labour to let those that woulde at∣tempte the contrary. And you Lordes, Ladyes, Knightes, Barons, Esquires,* 1.10 and all and singular persons, of what estate, degree, pre∣heminence, or condition soeuer ye be, remayning within the ci∣ty and diocesse of Herford, we doe beseech and exhort in our lord that following the wordes of our sauiour, you beware of the lea∣uen of the Phariseis.

Item according to the saying of the Apostle, be not ye caryed away with diuers and straunge doctrines: and that in the meane while (as sayth the Apostle) you be not remoued from the sense of the holy auncient fathers, least that any man by any meanes shold seduce you, but you agreeing together in one minde see that you honor God with one mouth. But if any man to whom that thing is not specially (as is aforesayd) committed, shall attempte to in∣structe or in this your life to directe you into the Catholicke faith do ye denye to geue them audience, and refuse you to be present at their assembles and shun ye theyr teachinges, because they be wicked and peruerse. And as for vs we will not omitte to pro∣ceede according to the sacred Canons and preceptes of the holye fathers, agaynst such as doe the contrary. Dated at London in the house of our habitation vnder our seale, the last day saue one of December, in the yeare of our Lorde, 1389. and of our consecrati∣on the first.

5. Item, the same William in his preaching to y^e people, on Monday being the first of August, in the yeare of our Lord 1390. in the parishe of Whitney of your diocesse, dyd hold and affirme: That no Prelate of the world of what e∣state, preheminence or degree so euer he were of, hauing cure & charge of soule, he being in deadly sinne, & hearing y^e confession of any vnder his hand in geuing him absolutiō, doth nothing: As who neither doth lose him frō his sinne, nor in correcting or excōmunicating him for his demerites doth bind him by his sentence,* 1.11 except y^• prelate shall be free himself from deadly sinne, as S. Peter was, to whom our Lord gaue power to binde and lose.

6. Item y^• same William in many places said & affirmed in the presence of many faythfull christen people, that after the sacramentall wordes vttered by the priest hauing the purpose to consecrate: there is not made the very bodye of Christ in the sacrament of the aulter.

7. Item, that accidencies cannot be in the sacrament of y^e aulter without a subiect:* 1.12 and that there remayneth materi∣all bread there to such as be partakers communicant wyth the body of Christ, in the same sacrament.

8. Item, that a priest being in deadly sin, cannot be able by the strength of the sacramentall words, to make the bo∣dy of Christ, or bring to perfection any other sacrament of the Church, neither yet to minister it to the members of the Church.

9. Item, that all priestes are of like power in all things, notwithstanding that some of them, in this world•• are of higher and greater honour, degree, or preheminence.

10. Item, that onely contrition putteth away sinne, if so be that a man shal be duely contrite: and that, all auriculer and outward confessiō is superfluous, and not requisite of necessitie to saluation.

11. Item, inferior Curates haue not their power of hyn∣ding and losing immediately from the pope or Bishop, but immediately from Christ. And therfore, neither can y^e pope nor bishop, reuoke to themselues such kind of power, whē they see time and place at their lust and pleasure.

12, Item, that the pope cannot graunt such kinde of an∣nuall & yerely pardons, because there shall not be so many yeares to y^e day of iudgement, as are in y^e Popes bulles or pardons contayned. Wherby it followeth that the pardōs are not of such like value as they speake of, & praysed to be.

13. Item, it is not in the popes power to graunt vnto a∣ny person penitent, forgeuenes of the punishment or of the faulte.

14. Item, that person y^t geueth his almes to any, whiche in his iudgement is not in necessitie, doth sinne in so ge∣uing it.

15. Item, that it stands not in the power of any Prelate,

of what religion soeuer he be of, priuately to geue letters for the benefite of his order, neither doth suche benefite graunted, profite them to the saluation of their soule, to whom they be graunted.

16. Item, that the same William vnmindeful of his own saluation, hath many and oftentimes come into a certayn desert wood, called Derualdwood of your diocesse, & there in a certain chappell not hallowed, or rather in a prophane cottage: hath in contempt of the keyes, presumed of hys own rashnes to celebrate, nay rather to prophanate.

17. Item, the same William hath also presumed to doe such thinges in a certayne prophane Chappell being situ∣ate in the park of Newton nigh to the town of Leintwar∣bin of the same your dioces.

VPon Friday being the last of the month of Iune, in the yeare abouesayd, about 6 of the clocke, in the sayd parishe Churche of Bodenhone, hath the sayd William Swinderby personally ap∣peared before vs. And he willing to satisfie the terme to him assig∣ned as before specified, hath read out, word by word before all the multitude of faythfull christian people, many answeres made and placed by the same William (in a certayne paper booke of the sheete folded into foure partes) to the sayd Articles, and the same answers for sufficient hath he really to vs exhibited, aduouching them to be agreable to the lawe of Christ. Whiche thing beeing done the same William (without any moe with him) dyd departe from our presence, because that we, at the instaunce of certayne noble personages, had promised to the same William free accesse, that is to wit, on that day for the exhibiting of those aunsweres, and also free departing without prefixing of anye terme, or with∣out citation, or els anye other offence or harme in bodye or in goodes.

¶ As for the tenour of the same answers, exhibited vn∣to thē by the same William, as is before specified: we haue here vnder annexed word for worde, and in the same olde language, vsed at that time, when it was exhibited. And followeth in these wordes.

The protestation of William Swinderby with hys aunsweres to the articles by the promotors, layd agaynst him to the bishop of Herford, taken out of the Registers in the same olde Englishe wherein he wrote it.

* 2.1IN the name of God amen. I William Swinderby priest vnworthy, couenting and purposing wholy with all my hart to be a true christian man, with open confessiō know∣ledging mine owne defaultes and vnwise deedes: making openly this protestation, cleping god to record here before our worshipfull Bishop Iohn, through the sufferaunce of God Bish. of Herford, with witnesse of all this people: y^t it is not mine intent any thing to say or affirme, to mayntain or to defend that is, contrary to holy writte, agaynst the beliefe of holy church, or that should offend the holy deter∣mination of Christes Church, or the true sentences of holy doctors. And if I haue here before through mine vncun∣ning, bene vnordered, or by euill counsaile bene deceiued, or any thing sayd, preached, holden, mayntayned or taught contrary to the law of God: wholly and fully for that tyme for now and euer with ful will I reuoke it and withdraw it, as euerich christen man should: Praying and beseeching ••che christen man, to whom this writing shal come to, that gif I ought erre (as God forbid that I do) or euer erred in any poynt, contrary to holy writ, that it be had and hol∣den of them, as for thing nought sayd. And all the trothes that I haue sayd according with the law of God, that they mayntayne them, and stand by them for life or death to Gods worship, as a true Christen man shoulde, submit∣ting me meekely to the correction of our Byshop that here is, or of any other christen man, after Christes lawes and holy writ: in will euer ready to be amended, and with this protestation I say and aunswere to these conclusions and articles that here followen after, the which bene put to me to aunswere to.

* 2.2The first is this: that I William of Swinderby pre∣tending (he sayth) my selfe a priest, was iudicially conuen∣ted of certain articles, & conclusions of error, false schisma∣tick & heresie, by me in diuers places & tymes preached (he sayth) before multitudes of y^e true christen men: & the s••••e articles and cōclusions by need of law reuoked & for sworn some as heresies, and some as erroures and false: & suche I affirmed and veleued them to be. And that none of them from that time forth I should preach, teach, or affirme, o∣penly or priuily, ne that I should make no sermon to the people, ne preache but by lawfull leaue asked and gotten. And if I would presume in doing or affirming the contra∣ry then to the seueritie of the lawe, I should be buxom, as by nede of the law I swore.

To this I say, witnessing God that is in heauen, to my wit and vnderstanding, that I neuer preached, helde, ne taught these conclusions and articles, the whiche falsely of Friers were put vpon me, and of lecherous priestes to the Bishop of Lincolne. For I was ordayned by processe * 2.3 yet sayd, of theyr law, by the byshop and his commissaryes, so as I graunted them to bring my purgation of 13. priestes of good same. And so I did, with a letter, & 12. scales ther∣by, from the Mayor of Leycester, and from true Burgeses and 30. men to witnes with me, as the Duke of Lanca∣ster knew and heard, the Erle of Darby, and other many great men that were that tyme in the towne, that I neuer sayd them, taught them, ne preached them. But when I should haue made my purgation, there stooden forth fiue friers or moe, that some of them neuer sawe me before, ue heard me,* 2.4 and three lecherous priestes openly knowne, some liuing in their lechery xx. yeare (men sayden) or more as by their childer was openly known. Some of these they clepinden, denounciations, and some weren cleped com∣probations, that weren there falsely forsworne, they suing busily and crying with many an other Frier, with great instaunce to geue the dome, vpō me, to burne me & bough∣ten dry wood before, as men tolden in that towne: & these sleightes, and swearing, and mony geuing, as men faiden, w^t fauor of the bishop (by what law I wor not, but sothly not by Gods law) they sayden they held me as conuicted, and might not haue forth my purgatiō. So as I fully for∣sooke them, and neuer graunted that I sayd them. Ouer this they made me sweare neuer to hold them, teach them, ne preach them, priuily ne apertly: and that I would go to certayne Churches to reuoke the conclusions that I neuer sayd, in sclaunder of my selfe, by great instance of the Fry∣ers. And so for drede of death and for fleshly counsell that I had, I assented, and so I did. And also they maden me to sweare, that I should not preach (by instance of y^e Fry∣ers) within that diocesse, withouten licence asked & gran∣ted, and neuer sithen I did. And now the same conclusions bene rehearsed to me agayne: whether by Fryers counsell I will not deme, God wot, but in slaunder of me it is: and therefore I will answere now (with Gods helpe) to the conclusions. Of the which the first is this.

That men mowen asken theyr debtes by charitie,* 2.5 but in no maner for debt to imprison any man: and that he so emprisoning, is accursed.

So I sayd not: but thus I haue sayd,* 2.6 and yet say with protestation put before: that who so pursues his brother with malice, prisoneth him cruelly for debt without mercy that fayne woulde pay it if he might: he sinneth agaynst Christes teaching, estote misericordes, sicut pater vester miseri∣cors est.

The second conclusion,* 2.7 that false Friers and lecherous priestes putten vppon me was this: that if the parochiens know her Curate to bene a lechour, incontinent, and an euill man: they owen to withdraw from him tithe, and els they bene fautours of his sinnes.

Thus I sayd not but on this wise,* 2.8 and yet I say wyth protestation put before: that if it be knowne openly to the people, that persons or Curates come to her benefice by simonie, and liuen in notory fornicatiō, and done not their office & her dueties to her parochiens by good ensample of holy life, in true preaching, liuing & residence, wendyng a∣way frō his cure, occupied insecular office: he owes nought to haue of the parochiens, tithes, ne offrings, ne hemowes not to hold him for her Curate, ny hemowes not to geuen him tithes, left they bene gyltie to GOD of consent and mayntayning of her open sinne. Nemo militans deo, implicat se negotijs secularibus. 1. q. 1. ca. quisquis per pecuniā, & dist. 8 o. ca. Siquis.

The thirde conclusion was this,* 2.9 that friers and priests putten vpon me, that tithes purely bene almesses: And in case that curates bene euill men, they mowen leefully be geuen to othermen, by temporal Lords, and other tempo∣ralties bene done away from men of the Church, actually and openly trespassing.

This I sayd not in these termes,* 2.10 but thus I saye with protestation made before: that it were medefull and leeful to secular Lordes by way of charitie, and power geuen to him of God, in default of prelates that amend not by gods law, cursed curates that openly misusen the goods of holy church, that ben poore mēs goods and customably agaynst the law of God: the which poore men, Lordes ben holden to maintaine and defend, to take away & withdrawe from such curates, poore mens goods, the which they wrongful∣ly holden in helpe of the poore, and their owne wilful offe∣ringes, and their bodely almes deedes, and geue them to

such that duely serue God in the Churche, and bene needy in vpbearing of the charge that prelates shoulden doe, and done it not. Alter alterius onera portate & sic adimplebitis le∣gem Christi. And as anenste taking away of temporalties I say thus with protestation made before: that it is leefull to Kynges, Princes, Dukes, and Lordes of the worlde to take away fro popes, Cardinals, fro Bishops and pre∣lates, possessions in the Churche, theyr temporalties, and theyr almes that they haue geuen them, vppon condition they shoulden serue God the better, when they verely sene that their geuing and their taking bene cōtrary to the lawe of God, to Christes liuing and his Apostles: and namely in that, that they taken vpon them (that shoulden be next followers of Christ and his Apostles in poorenes & meek∣nes) to be secular Lords: against the teaching of Christ and Sainct Peter, Luc. xxii. Reges gentium. Et. 1. Pet. 5. Ne{que} do∣minantes in clero. And namely when such temporalties ma∣ken them the more proud, both in hart and in araye, then they shoulden bene els, more in strife and debate agaynst peace and charitie, and in euill ensample to the world more to be occupied in worldly busines. Omnem solicitudinem proiicientes in eum. And drawes them from the seruice of God, from edifying of Christes Church, in empouerishing and making lesse the state and the power of kings, princes Dukes, and Lordes that God hath set them in: in wrong∣full oppression of commons for vnmightfulnes of realms. For Paule sayth to men of the Church (whose lore, Pre∣lates shoulden souerainly followen) Habentes victum, & ve∣stitum, hiis contenti simus.

* 2.11The fourth conclusion is this, that Friers and priests putten vppon me falsely: that an euill Curate cursing hys

Soget for withholding of tithes, is naught els, but to take with extortion wickedly and vnduely mony from thē.

Thus said I not, but thus I said, and yet do with pro testation made before:* 2.12 that an euil Curate cursing his pa∣rochiens, vnmighty to pay their tithing, with vengeance without pitty, for his singuler worldly winning agaynst charitie, and not for heed of their soules, there he is holde by his power reasonably to helpe his needy parochiens, and doth nought of the goodes of the Churche: wickedly and vnduely he withholdes from them, that which is due to them by the law of God. Dimittite & dimittetur vobis: da∣te, & dabitur vobis: verùm mihi vindictam, & ego retribuam, dicit dominus.

* 2.13The fift conclusion is this, that Friers and Priestes falsely putten vpon me: that no man may curse anye man, but if he were were him cursed of God, ne the commers w^t him rennen not into sentence of cursing in any maner.

Thus sayd I not, but thus I sayd, and say with prote∣station put before:* 2.14 that no man ought to curse any man, but for charitie and with charitie. Omnia vestra cum charitate fi∣ant. And sikerly I say, that no wrongfull cursing of Pope or any Prelate in earth, bindes * 2.15 anenst God, but when they wrongfully and wittingly cursen men, for that men will not do their singular wil, vnreasonable bidding, with highnes of hart and cruelty (standing pacience and charity in them that they cursen wrongfully) he is blessed of al∣mighty God, and they themselfe bene cursed. Math. 5. Bea∣ti eritis cum maledixerint homines. &c. Et in Psalmo: Maledicent illi, et tu benedices Et Augustinus. xi. q. iij chap. illud.

* 2.16The sixt conclusion is this, that Fryers and Priestes putten vppon me falsely: that each Priest may assoyle hym that sinneth, contrition had: and notwithstanding forbid∣dinges of the Bishop, is * 2.17 holden to preach to the people the Gospell.

Thus I sayd not, but thus I sayd, and yet say with protestation made before: that each true Priest may coun∣saile sinfull men, that shewen to him her sinnes, after the witte and cunning that God had geuen him, to turne fro sinne to vertuous life. And as touching preaching of the Gospell, I say that no B. owes to let a true priest, that god had geuen grace, witte, and cunning to doe that office: for both Priestes and Deacons, that God had ordeyned Dea∣cons and Priestes, ben holden by power geuē hem of God to preach to the people the Gospell, and namely & somely, popes, bishops, prelates, and curates: For this is due to the people and parochiens, for to haue and aske of hem, and they duely and freely owen to done it: Math. 5. Luke. 5. Ite, ecce ego mitto vos Et Math. 16. Euntes in mundum vniuersum. Et Math 5. Euntes autem praedicate. Et dist. 21. ca. In nouo testa∣mento. Et Ysidor. de summo bono. 44. Et Chrisost. distinct, 34 ca. Nolite. Et August. distinct. 34 ca. Quisquis. Et Greg in suo pa∣storali ca 38. Et in Tollitano. ca. ignorantia Et Ierom. distinct. 95. ca. Ecce Ego.

* 2.18The 7. conclusion is this, that Fryers and Priests false∣ly putten vpō me, that a Priest taking any thing for annu∣ell, through couenaunt: in that, he is schismaticke & cursed.

This sayd I,* 2.19 neuer in these termes: But thus I sayde, & yet say with protestation put before: that no Priest owes to sell by bargaining and couenaunt, his ghostlye trauaile, ne his masses, ne his prayers, ne Gods worde, ne hallo∣winges, baptisme, ne confirming, order geuing, for a co∣dinges, for Christ, for housell, or for ennoynting, any world∣ly mens reward to aske or take for these or for any of there, or for any ghostly thing, he erres and doth simony. Vt patet 1. q. 2. ca. Nullus. Et ex consilio Triburenti. capit. Dictum est. Et Christus in euangelio vendentes, et ementes eiecit de templo. Math. 22.

The viii.* 2.20 conclusion is this, that Fryers and Priestes putten vnto me falsely, saying that I beleeue sadly as my tell sayes: that yche priest being in deadly sinne, yet he put him to make Christes body, rather he dos idolatrye then makes it.

Thus sayd I not,* 2.21 but thus I sayd, and yet saye wyth a protestation put before: that what Priest that puts him∣selfe presumptuously and vnworthily in deadly sinne, wit∣tingly to minister and to receaue that holy sacramēt, and so records hit cursedly and damnably, he receaues his dome. Qui manducat et bibit indignè, iudicium sibi manducat & bibit 1. Corin. 11.

The ix.* 2.22 conclusion is this, that Friers & Priestes false∣ly putten vpon me: that no Priestes entres into any house but euill for to treat the wife, the daughter, or the wenche: and therfore they saydē, that I prayed the people that their husbandes should beware, that they suffer no priest to en∣ter into her house.

And if I had sayd thus,* 2.23 then I had prayed agaynst my selfe, for I come oft into mens houses: But thus I sayde, and yet I do, praying christen men to beware y^t they nou∣rish nor mayntayne no lecherous Priestes in their sinnes: for there be where (as men well knowne) they ben mayn∣tained in many places, continuing homely w^t her women And ich man there sayne they payne therefore a certaine to the B. almes. Et ideo ait Ysido. 11. q. 4. Qui consentit peccan∣tibus & defendit alium delinquentem, maledictus erit apud deū & homines.

The x.* 2.24 conclusion is this, that Friers and priestes put∣ten vpon me falsely: that a childe is not verely baptised, if the priest that baptiseth, the godfather, or the godmother, ben in deadly sinne.

God wot in heauen they sayd full false:* 2.25 but thus I said and yet I say: that the prayers that an euill Priest prayes (liuing in lechery or other deadly sinne) ouer y^• child when it shalbe holowed, ben not acceptable to God as ben the prayers of a good priest. And the better & clenner the priest is, the Godfather, and the godmother: the more graciously God will heare him, if all they bene not greatest nor most rich in this worlde. Vnde gg. xiij. q. vij. cap. in grauibus. Cum is qui displicet ad intercedendum peccator admittitur, irati animus proculdubio ad deteriora prouocatur.

The xi.* 2.26 conclusion is this, that Friers and priests put∣ten vpon me falsely: that no man, liuing against the law of God is a priest, how euer he were ordayned Priest of any Byshop.

Certes this is false, for I sayd neuer thus in these ter∣mes: but thus I sayd,* 2.27 and thus I say with a protestation put before, that what euery pope, or Cardinall, Byshop or Priest, or any Prelate of the Churche comes to his state or dignitie by Simony, & in simony occupies that office, & holy churches goodes: I say that he is a theefe, and that by the dome of God, and comes but to steale and kill. Iob. 10. Fur non venit nisi vt furetur, & mactet, & pardat. And further∣more I say, that what Pope, Cardinall, Byshop, prelate, or priest, in maner of liuing, or teaching, or lawes making contrary to Christes liuing and hys lawes, or anye other ground put in ruling of the church of Christ, but by Christ & his lawes:* 2.28 is very Antichrist, aduersary to Iesus Christ and his Apostles. Aliud fundamentum nemo potest ponere, praeter id quod positum est, quod est Christus. Et patet 1. q. 3. c. Si quis Et 1. q. 6. c. Ego autem. Quicun{que}.

But this worshipfull father B. of Hereford, that here is, sayes thus in hys writing: that I William of Swin∣derby, notwithstanding the foresayd reuocation and abiu∣ration (not setting at hart, but from euill to worse he sayes peruerted so his dioces) he sayes I come running about by diuers places: and by mine own folly he sayes that I haue presinner to preach manye heresies, errours, blasphemies, schismes, and other diffauies, and to holy canons and de∣terminatiō of holy church contrary and repugnant, which where & when within forth more specially it shalbe shew∣ed, that ye be false enformed that I haue presumed in di∣uers places in your dioces to preach heresies, errors, blas∣phemies, schismes and other diffames. And syr, all the coū∣try knowes whether this be sooth or not: for sire I presum

not, sithen it is the office of a priest, by the law of Christ to preach the Gospell? ne nought I did it for presūption, but for the charge y^t I haue of God by priesthood (if al I be vn∣worthy) & to y^e worship of God, & helpe of christen soules, freely without gathering of her goods for my preaching. If I erred in this, I will be amended. And sir touching your maundement that ye sendē to me, there was sēt none. And sir I made neuer yet disobediēce vnto you, ne to your mi∣nisters: & yef all I had, me owes more to obeyche to God thou to you, in that that ye bidden contrary to Christes bid ding. And sir as ye sayne, that I had no minde of my hele, it is to lightly demet: for God forbid, but yef there lye hele more then in your bidding. For God w••t for hele I did it, of mine and of the people, and that was in any minde. But sir it semes me that ye charge not by euidence of the puni∣shing so greatly the breaking of Gods hests, as ye done of your own. And sir if it be your wil, in default that the peo∣ple wanted, you to teache hem (and her curates did not) by the desire of the people that weren hungry and thirsty after gods word, ichone to beare vp others charge as gods law bids: I preached, not for disobedience to you, but sir in ful∣filling of y^c obediēce that Gods law bids me do in excusing of my selfe to you of that ye blame me of, in opē shewing to holy Church, with y^p protestation that I first made, I aun∣swere thus to the Articles that ye haue put to me.

* 2.29The first is this, that I William of Swinderby, the Monday the first of August, the yeare of our Lorde. 1390.* 2.30 preaching to the people in the Church of Whitney of your Dioces, held and affirmed (as ye sayne) that no Prelate of the world, of what state or degree that he be, hauing cure of soules, being in deadly sinne, and hearing confession of his suget,* 2.31 does nought in assoyling him, ne he assoiles him not of his sinne: and also in amending his suget opēly sinning and him for his desertes cursing, his sentence byndes nor, but if that Prelate be as cleane out of deadly sinne as was S. Peter, to whom our Lord gaue power of binding and vnbinding.

* 2.32I neuer thought this ne spake this, ne heard it to the time that I saw it written in our booke, and that will wit∣nes the Lord of the towne that has the same sermon writ∣ten, and many gentiles and other that heardē me that day: But thus I said, and thus I say with protestation put be∣fore: that there is no man,* 2.33 Pope, ne bishop, prelate ne Cu∣rate, that bindes soothly, verily and ghostly, but in as much as his binding or vnbinding accordes with the keyes of heauen that God gaue to Peter. And as S. Gregory saies that power han they only, that hold together the ensample of the apostles with heere teaching. Illi soli in hac carne po∣sitiligandi atque soluendi potestatem habent,* 2.34 sicut sancti Apo∣stoli qui eorum exempla simul cum doctrina tenent: gg. li. quarto sententiarum.

* 2.35The second article that is put vpon me, is this, that I should haue sayd, preached, & affirmed in many places be∣fore many true men of Christ:* 2.36 that after the Sacramentall wordes sayd of the priest, hauing entention of consecratiō: That in the Sacrament of Gods body, is not very Gods body.

* 2.37This sayd I neuer God wote, and true men that haue heard me.

* 2.38The third article is this, that our bishop puts vpō me, that I should haue sayd in many places, and affirmed, that accidents mow not be in the sacrament of the aultar with∣out subiect, and y^t material bread leues not therwith Gods body in the sacrament.

* 2.39This conclusion I haue not holdē, ne taught, ne prea∣ched: for I haue not medled me of that matter, my wit suf∣fiseth not thereto. But here I tell my beliefe with protesta∣tion put before: that the Sacrament of the aultar made by vertue of heauenly wordes,* 2.40 that Christ himselfe sayd in the Cene, when he made this sacrament, that it is bread & chri∣stes bodye, so as Christ himselfe sayes in the Gospell, & S. Paul sayes, and as Doctors in the common law haue de∣termined to this sentēce. Math. 26. Mar. 14. Lu. 22. Pa. 1. Cor. 10. & 11. de con. distinct. 2. panis: & de consecra. dist. 2. Corpus. Iohn. 6 verus panis.

* 2.41The 4. article is this, that our Bishop accuseth me of, that I should haue preached about and sayd: that a Priest being in deadly sinne, may not by the strength of the Sa∣cramentall words make gods body, or none other Sacra∣ment of the Churche, either performe to minister them to members of the same.

* 2.42Thus I neuer said, thought it, preached it, ne taught it for well I wot, the wickednesse of a Priest may appaire no very sacrament: but the wickednes of the Priest appayres himselfen, and all that boldnes & example of his sinne cau∣sen the people to liuen the worse agaynst Gods law. Vnde Greg. Et si sacerdos in peccatis fuerit, totus populus ad peccan∣dum conuertitur.

The 5.* 2.43 article is this, that our bishop puts vnto me: y^t all priestes ben of euē power in all things, not withstāding that some of this world bene of higher dignity or more pas∣sing in highnes of degree.

Certes no man would say thus as I suppose,* 2.44 no more did I, ne neuer heard it that I wot of: But this I say with protestation made before, that what Priest liues most holi∣ly next following the law of God, he is most louer of God, and most profitable to the Church. If men speakē of world ly power and Lordships and worships, with other vices that raignen therin, what Priest that desires and has most hereof (in what degree so he be) he is most Antichrist of all the priestes that ben in earth.* 2.45 Vnde Augustinus ad Valerium scribens ait. Nihil est in hac vita, & maximè hoc tempore facilius & leuius, & hominibus acceptabilius, Episcopi, praēsbiteri aut de∣cani officijs: sed si profunctoriè aut adulatoriè, nihil apud Deum miserabilius aut tristius & damnabilius.

The sixt Article is this,* 2.46 that onely contrition does a∣way sinne, if a man be duely contrite: and all outward cō∣fession by word is superfluous and not requiret of need of health.

This conclusiō said I neuer that I know of.* 2.47 But thus I say with protestation put before, that veray contrition of hart,* 2.48 that is neuer without charity and grace: dos away al sinnes before done of that man that is verely contrite. And all true confessiō made by mouth outward to a wise priest, and a good, profiteth much to man, and it is needfull & hel∣ping that men shew their life to such,* 2.49 trusting full to gods mercy, and that he forgeues thy sinne. Vnde August. de con∣se. distict. 4. Nemo tollit peccata mundi nisi solus Christus qui est agnus, tollens peccata mundi.

The 7. article is this,* 2.50 that I should say that lower cu∣rates haue not here power of binding & assoiling, by mean of pope and bishop, but of Christ without mony. And ther fore neither pope ne bishop may reuoke such maner power for time and place at her will.* 2.51

Thus sayd I not, but * 2.52 not for thy it seemes me thus, that no man should graunt any thing after his owne will, ghostly, ne bodily. But euerich man should be wel aduiser, that he graunt nothing but if it be the will of God that he so graunt it. And it is no doubt that ne God grauntes* 2.53 by meane persons, as does Antichrist to torment Christes people. Vnde & Ioh. 19. ait Pilatus Nessis quia potestatem habeo dimittere te Et Christus. Non haberes potestatem aduersum me vllam, nisi esset tibi datum desuper.

The 8. article that our bishop puts me to,* 2.54 is this: that I should say that the pope may not graūt such maner indul∣gence of yeares, for there shall not be so many yeres vnto y^• day of doome, as hene conteined in his buls, or in y^e Popes indulgences: wherof it folowes that indulgences bene not so much worth as they semen and bene preached.

This article I sayd not thus:* 2.55 but I say that the Pope may graunt indulgences written in his letter of yeres, all so farre forth that he may graunt him in Gods law, so farre to graunt, and farther not: yeares may he graunt no moe then God hath set.* 2.56 Yf indulgence ben forgeuenes of sinne, I wot wel all onely God forgeues sinne. Yf it be releasing of paines in Purgatory ordeiner of God, if God haue bid∣den him release so many, or ordeined that be should release so many, he may then release him: if it be in his own dispo∣sing to release whom him likes, & how much, then he may destroy Purgatory and let none come there and release his owne payne, as charity wottes. So it semes he may be li∣ker to be saued, if himselfe list. If any go to Purgatory, thē it semes he full fayles charitye. If Bulles bene the indul∣gence that men bringen from the Court, then ben they not so much worth, as they costen there: for lightly they might be lost, drenched, or brend, or a rat might eatē them: his in∣dulgence then were lost. Therefore sir haue me excuser, I know not these termes: teach me these termes by Goddes law, and truely I will learne hem.

The 9. Article is this that I should haue sayde:* 2.57 that it is not in the popes power to graūt to any man (doing pe∣naunce) remission from payne, ne from blame.

Leude I am, but this Article sayd I not thus leudly: But thus I say,* 2.58 that sithen it is onely due to God to geue and to graunt plenary remission from paines & frō blame: that what euer he be, Pope or other, that presumptuously mistakes vpō him that power that is onely due to God: in that (in as much as in him is) he makes himselfe Christ, & blasphemeth in God, as Lucifer did, when he sayd: Ascen∣dam & ero similis altissimo. Farther I say, if the Pope holde men of armes, in mainteining his temporalties & Lord∣ship to venge him on hem that gilten & offenden him, and

geues remissiō to fight & to slay hem that contraryen hem,* 2.59 as men sayden he did by the bishop of Norwich, not put∣ting his swerd into his sheath, as God commaunded Pe∣ter. Mitte. &c. he is Antichristus, for he dos contrary to the commaundements of Iesus, that bad Peter forgeue to his brother seuēty sithe seuen sithe. Si peccauerit in me frater me∣us, quotiens demittam ei? Septies? &c. Et Christus: non dico tibi septies, sed septuagesies septies.

* 2.60The 10. Article is this, that our Bishoppe puts to me that I should haue sayd: that a man geuing his almes to any man after his dome (not hauing neede) sinnes, in so geuing,

* 2.61This article sothly I sayd not in these termes: But of this matter I haue spoken, & will with protestation made before on this wise: that it is medefull to geue almes to ich man that asketh it bodely or ghostly,* 2.62 but not to geue to ich shameles begger, strong & mighty of body, to get his life∣loode leuefull & will not, in what degree so he be, men owē not to geue it to such a one, that he vnreasonably asketh, for if he geue it to him wittingly, he sins as fautor of his idle∣nes. Vnde Sap. 12. Si benefeceris, scito cui benefeceris, & erit gloria in bonis tuis multa.

* 2.63The 11. Article is this, that is put to me, that I shoulde haue sayd, that it is not in y^e power of any prelate of what euer priuate Religion, to graunt letters of the good deeds of her order, ne such benefices grauntet profits not to hele of soules to hem that they ben grauntet to.* 2.64

I said neuer thus i•• ••hese termes: but thus I say with protestation, that prelates of priuate religion mowē graūt letters of the good deedes of her order: But the gostly mede that comes of good deedes,* 2.65 they mow not graunt, for that is onely propriet to God. And if they blinde, the people in misbeliefe for her worldlye winning, wittingly behetting hem of her owne graūt gostly medes in heauen by her let∣ters and her seale (vncertaine, who shall be damned) but make the people bolder to sinne by trust of her praiers: hit is none heal to the soules, but harmes to that one & to that other. For God shall yeld to echone after here werkes. Ipse reddet vnicuique secundum opera sua••

* 2.66The 12. Article is this: that our Bishops puts to me, that I mony times and oft haue come (he sayes) to a desert woode, cleped Derwaldswode of his dioces: and there in a Chappell not hallowed,* 2.67 but accurset*shepherds hulke, by mine own folly he sayes haue presumed to sing (but rather to curse) in contempt of the keyes.* 2.68

Hereto I say, that this is falsly put vpō me of hem that told you this.* 2.69 For it is a chappell where a priest sings cer∣taine dayes in the yeare, with great solemnity: and certes I neuer song therein seth I was borne into this world.

* 2.70The 13. Article is this, that I should also presume to sing in an vnhallowet Chappell, that stondes in the parke of Newton,* 2.71 besides the town of Leyntwardy of this same Dioces.

Truely I wot not where the place stondes.

* 2.72The 14. Article is this, that I should say that no man owes to sweare for any thing, but simply withoutē oth to affirme or to deny, and if he sweare he sinnes.

* 2.73This article sayd I not that I haue minde of, in thys maner: But oft I haue sayd and yet will, that men should not sweare by any creature by the law of God, and that no man should sweare in idel,* 2.74 as wel nigh al the people vseth, & therfore me thinkes it is no neede to comfort the people in swearing. For from the olde vnto the young, & namely men of holy Church, breken his hest, and few Bishoppes pursuen hem therfore.

* 2.75The 15. Article is this, that I shoulde haue taught to true men of Christ, that on no maner they should worship the Image of him that was done on the crosse, or the I∣mage of the blessed mayd his mother, or of other Sayntes into honor and worship of the same ordeinet in the minde of them. And oft sithes, the worshipper of such Image, he has reprouet, saying and strongly affirming, that Church men sinnen and done Idolatry.

This conclusion haue I not sayd in these termes. But this I say with protestation.* 2.76 that God commaūdes in his law in diuers places. Exod. 20. Leuit. 19. & 26. Deut. 5. & 7. To∣biae 1. Baruc. 6.2. ad Corin. 10. Esay. 45. Iere. 2.6.8. & 10.22. & vlti∣mo,* 2.77 Sapient. 13. & 14. & 15. Mac. 5. & Threnorum 4. & postremo: that men should not worshippē grauen Images that ben werkes of mens handes: And also he bids that mē should not make to hem grauen Images in likenesse of the thin∣ges that bene in heauen, to that end to worshippen hem: sethen neither God ne Christ by his manhood gaue neuer commaundement to make thes Images, ne expresse coun∣sell, ne his Apostles in all his law, ne to worship such that bene made. But wel I wote, that by mens owne relation that haue misbeleuet in hem, that many mē sinnen in man∣metry worshipping such dead Images:* 2.78 Notforthy, to tho men bene Images good to whom they bene but kalēdars, and through the sight of hem they knowen the better and worshippen oft God and his Saints. And to such mē they done harme that settē her hope and trust in hem or done a∣ny worship to hem agaynst Gods law & his hest. Vnde ait Gregorius in Registro libro. 10. in Epistola ad Serenum Episco∣pum. Si quis imagines facere voluerit,* 2.79 minimè prohibe: adorare omnino prohibe. Sed hoc solicitè fraternitas tua admoneat, vt ex visione rei gestae, ardorem compunctionis percipiant, vt in adora∣tione totius trinitatis prosternantur.

These conclusions, poyntes, and articles that I haue vnder protestation, in this booke affirmed: I will stand by hem, and maintayne hem (with the grace of almighty god) to the time that the cōtrary be prouet dewly by Gods law: And this protestation I make for my fayth and my beliefe as I did the beginning: that whensoeuer this worship∣full or any other Christē man shewes me verayly by gods law the contrary of this, I will holy forsake hem, and take me to the veray trouth and better vnderstanding of wiser men, redy to be amended by the law of Iesu Christ, and be a true Christen man & faythfull sonne of holy church: And of these I beseech you all bere witnes where ye commen.

Subsequenter vero,* 2.80 quia fide dignorum relatione recepimus, quod idem Gulielmus Swinderby latitabat, quo minus posset in propria person a citari, ipsum Gulielmum vijs & modis per Edi∣ctum publicum ad instar albi praetoris in Ecclesia nostra cathe∣drali Herfordensi & parochialibus ecclesijs de Kington Croste, & Whitney nostrae diocesis: vbi idem Gulielmus solebat commorari citari fecimus, prout & quemadmodum in modo citatorio conti∣netur, cuius tenor sequitur in haec verba.

¶ The Citation.

IOhn by Gods permission Byshop of Hereford, to his deare sons our Deane of Leamster,* 3.1 to the persons of Croft, Almaly, and Whitney, and also to the Vicars of Kingston, Iardersley, Wigge∣more, and Monmouth Clifford, and of S. Iohns aultar in our cathe¦drall Church of Hereford, and to the rest of the Deanes, Parsons, Vicars, Chapleines, parish Priestes, and to other, whosoeuer in a∣ny place are appoynted through our city and dioces of Hereford: sendeth greeting, grace, and benediction.

We bid and commaund, charging you straitly, in the vertue of holy obedience, that you cite or cause to be cited peremptori∣ly (and vnder the payne of excommunication) William Swinder∣by, pretending himselfe to be a Priest: That he appeare before vs, or our Commissaryes the 20. day of this present moneth of Iuly, at North Lodebury, within our dioces, which the continuance of the dayes following in other places also to be assigned vnto him if it be expedient, till such thinges as haue bene and shall be layde agaynst him be fully discussed, to aunswere more at large to cer∣tayne positions and articles, touching the Catholicke fayth, and the holy mother Churches determination, that haue bene exhibi∣ted and ministred vnto the sayd William. And to see and heare al∣so many thinges that haue openly in indgement before vs and a great number of faythfull Christians by him bene euen in writing confessed, to be condemned as hereticall, false, schismaticall and erroneous. And to see and heare positions and Articles denied by the sayd William, to be proued by faythfull witnesses and other lawfull trials against the sayd William. And to receiue for his false hereticall, erroneous and schismaticall doctrine that iustice shall appoynt, or els to shew causes why the premisses shoulde not bee done.

And if the sayd William lieth priuely, or els cannot be so ci∣ted in his proper person: we will that in your Churches when most people shall then come together to diuine seruice, you opē∣ly with a loud voyce, and that may be vnderstanded, cause the said William peremptorely to be cited vnto the premisses: certifying the same William, that whether he shall appeare the day and place appointed or no, we notwithstanding will proceed vnto the pre∣misses agaynst the sayd William according to the canonicall de∣crees by forme of law, in the absence or contumacy of the sayde William notwitstanding. We will moreouer if the sayd William shall appeare at the sayd day and place as is aforesayde before vs, frendly heare him, and honestly, and fauorably, as farre as we may with Gods leaue, deale with him: graunting free licence to come and to go for his naturall liberty without any hurt either in body or goods. And see that you fully certify vs of the thinges that you or any of you shall do about the execution of this our commaun∣dement, and that by your letters patentes signed with your seale autenticall: geuing also faythsully to the sayde William or to his lawfull Proctor, if he require it, a copye of this our present com∣maundement.

Geuen at our house of Whit∣burne vnder our seale the fift day of the moneth of Iuly, in the yeare of our Lord. 1391.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The proces of the B. of Here∣ford against W. Swinderby.
• * 1.2

  The florishing inuocation of of Gods name.
• * 1.3

  Lollards by the popes interpre∣tation, is a word deriued of Lol∣lium.
• * 1.4

  They counter∣fait in the pro∣phetes wordes as Apes do in princes apparel. Who expoun∣deth the scrip∣ture more after the letter, let the reader iudge by Hoc est cor∣pus ineum.
• * 1.5

  If such medi∣cines should bee ministred to you, ye would can your Phisi∣tion litle thank.
• * 1.6

  Anno. 1391.
• * 1.7

  Such as were in Queene Ma∣ries dayes, as Iohn Beard, Iohn Auales, Robin Papist, and other lyke murtherers. Lord, Lord, a la∣rine worde of their owne ma∣king. The denunciati∣on of the pro∣moters to the B. of Hereford.
• * 1.8

  Matter articula∣ted agaynst W. Swinderby.
• * 1.9

  The letter mo∣nitory of the B. of Hereford in∣hibiting to preach without his licence.
• * 1.10

  Would God both th•••• and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did bew•••• of that ••••∣uen.
• * 1.11

  That is one of Wiclifes blemishes.
• * 1.12

  Bread he•• m••aneth a•• substance.
• * 2.1

  To•• prote∣station of W. Swin∣derby with his answers.
• * 2.2

  1. Obiectiō.
• * 2.3

  Yet sayd, that is, before sayd. Witnesses with W. Swinderby. 13. priests, & 30. other with the letter of the ma∣yor of Leicester, and Burgeses with 12. scales.
• * 2.4

  The chastitie of Votaries to be noted.
• * 2.5

  1. Conclusion.
• * 2.6

  Aunswere. How debt is to be pursued.
• * 2.7

  2. Conclusion.
• * 2.8

  Aunswere.
• * 2.9

  3. Conclusion.
• * 2.10

  Aunswere.
• * 2.11

  4. Conclusion.
• * 2.12

  Aunswere. Here may you see the falshood of the papistes gathering arti∣cles agaynst good mē, which they neuer sayd nor meant.
• * 2.13

  5. Conclusion.
• * 2.14

  Aunswere.
• * 2.15

  Agaynst.
• * 2.16

  6. Conclusion.
• * 2.17

  Holden, that is, bounde. Aunswere.
• * 2.18

  7. Conclusion.
• * 2.19

  Auns••re.
• * 2.20

  8. Conclu∣sion.
• * 2.21

  Aunswere.
• * 2.22

  9. Conclu∣sion.
• * 2.23

  Aunswere.
• * 2.24

  10. Conclu∣sion.
• * 2.25

  Aunswere
• * 2.26

  11. Conclu∣sion.
• * 2.27

  Aunswere
• * 2.28

  The true de∣scription who was Antichrist.
• * 2.29

  1. Article.
• * 2.30

  Anno. 1390.
• * 2.31

  Note here how the pa∣pistes vse falsely to wrastlegood nes sayings and articles
• * 2.32

  Aunswere.
• * 2.33

  The popes binding how far it extendeth.
• * 2.34

  Greg. lib. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 2.35

  Article.
• * 2.36

  And what if he had said it?
• * 2.37

  Aunswere.
• * 2.38

  3. Article.
• * 2.39

  Aunswere.
• * 2.40

  Bread and Christes body in the sacrament.
• * 2.41

  4. article.
• * 2.42

  Aunswere. The wicked nes of the priest im∣pavreth no sacrament.
• * 2.43

  5. Article.
• * 2.44

  Aunswere. Equalitye of priestes.
• * 2.45

  Aug ad Valeriū.
• * 2.46

  6. Article.
• * 2.47

  Aunswere.
• * 2.48

  Confession.
• * 2.49

  God forgeueth sinne. Aug. de conse. dist. 4.
• * 2.50

  7. Article.
• * 2.51

  Aunswere.
• * 2.52

  Not for ••hy, that is, notwith∣standing.
• * 2.53

  Some thing here lacket in the copy.
• * 2.54

  8. Article.
• * 2.55

  Aunswere.
• * 2.56

  Agaynst pardons
• * 2.57

  9. Article.
• * 2.58

  The pope pro∣ued a blasphe∣mer.
• * 2.59

  Of this Henry Spenser B. of Norwich see the pag 428.
• * 2.60

  10 Article.
• * 2.61

  Aunswer.
• * 2.62

  He meaneth of begging friers.
• * 2.63

  11. Article.
• * 2.64

  Aunswere.
• * 2.65

  Good deedes of the order profite nothing.
• * 2.66

  12. Article.
• * 2.67

  Or shepcotte.
• * 2.68

  Aunswer.
• * 2.69

  The accusers proued with a lie.
• * 2.70

  13. Article.
• * 2.71

  An other lye.
• * 2.72

  Aunswere. 14. Article.
• * 2.73

  Aunswere.
• * 2.74

  To sweare by no creature.
• * 2.75

  15. Article.
• * 2.76

  Aunswere.
• * 2.77

  Images not to be worshipped.
• * 2.78

  Not for •• thy, that i••, notwith∣standing.
• * 2.79

  Greg. Re∣gist. lib. 10.
• * 2.80

  W. Swin∣derby kee∣ping himself from the B. was cited as foloweth.
• * 3.1

  The teno•• of the cita∣tion.