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.

* Matters incident of Robert Rigges, Uicechaun∣cellor of Oxford. Nicholas Herford, and Phil∣lip Repington, with other.

THe vicechauncelor the same time in Oxforde was M. Robert Rigges.* 1.1 The 2. proctors were Iohn Hunt∣man, & Walter Dishe, who then as farre as they durst, fa∣uoured the cause of Iohn Wickliffe and y^t side. In so much y^t the same time and yeare, which was an. 1382. when cer∣taine publicke sermons should be appoynted customably at y^t feast of the Ascention, and of Corpus Christi, to be prea∣ched in the cloyster of S. Frideswyde (now called Christs church) before the people, by the vicechanceller aforesayd & the proctoures (the doinges thereof the vicechauncellor a∣foresaid and proctors had committed to Phillip Reping∣ton, and N. Her. so y^t N. Her.* 1.2 shold preach on y^e Ascention day, and Repington vpō Corpus Christi day) First Her∣ford beginning was noted to defend Iohn Wickliffe, opē∣ly to be a faythful, good, & innocent man: for the which no small adoe with outcries was amongst the Fryers. This Herford, after he had long fauoured & mayntayned Wick∣liffes part, grew first in suspicion amongst the enemies of the truth. For assoone as he began somewhat liberally and freely to pronounce & vtter any thing which tended to the defence of Wickliffe, by and by the Carmelites, and al the orders of religion were in his top, and laid not a few here sies vnto his charge, the which they had strayned here and there out of his sermons, & had cōpyled together in a cer∣taine forme, by the handes of a certayne notaries, through the industry & diligence of one Peter Stokes a Carmelite a kind of people prone & ready to all kinde of mischiefe,* 1.3 vprores, debate, and discention. After this the feast of Cor∣pus Christi drue neare, vppon which day it was looked for that Repington should preach. This man was a Canon of Leicester, & had before taken his first degree vnto Doc∣torship: who preaching the same time at Bradgate for the same Sermon he became first suspected, and hated of the Pharisaicall broode of the Fryers. But through the great amd notable dexteritie of his wit, (which all men did be∣hold and see in him) accompanied with like modesty and honesty: he did so ouercome, or at the least asswage thys cruelty and persecution whiche was towardes him, that shortly after,* 1.4 by the consent of the whole fellowship, he was admitted doctour. Who as soone as he had taken it vpon him, by and by he stepped forth in the schooles, and began immediately to shewe forth and vtter, that whiche he had long hidden and dissembled. Protesting opēly, that in all morall matters, he would defend Wickliffe. But as touching the sacrament he woulde as yet hold his peace, vntill suche time as the Lorde shall otherwise illuminate the hartes and mindes of the clergye.

Nowe the day of Corpus Christi aforesayd approching neare, when the Fryers vnderstood that this man should preach shortly, fearing least that he would rub the galles of their religion, they conuented with the Archb. of Cant. that the same day a little before that Phillip shold preach: Wickliffes conclusions which were priuately condemned, should be openly diffamed in the presence of the whole v∣niuersitie.* 1.5 The doing of which matter, was committed to Peter Stokes Fryer, stonderd bearer and chiefe champi∣on of that side against Wickliffe.

There were also letters sent vnto the commissary, that

he shoulde helpe and ayde him in publishing of the same conclusions, as is before declared.

These thinges thus done and finished, Repingdon at the houre appointed proceeded to his sermon. In y^e which sermon among many other thinges, he was reported to haue vttered these sayinges, or to this effect

* 1.6That the Popes or Byshops ought not to be recom∣mended aboue temporall Lordes.

Also that in morall matters he woulde defend maister Wickliffe as a true Catholicke doctor.

Moreouer that the Duke of Lancaster was very ear∣nestly affected and minded in this matter, and would that all such should be receaued vnder hys protection: Besides many thinges moe which touched the prayse and defence of Wickliffe.

And finally, in concluding his sermon, he dimissed the people with this sentence: I will (sayd he) in the specula∣tiue doctrine, as appertayning to the matter of the sacra∣ment of the au••ter, keep silence and hold my peace, vntill such time as God otherwise shall instruct and illuminate the hartes of the Clergie.

When the sermon was done, Repington entred into Saint Frideswides Church, accompanied with many of his friendes: who, as the enemies surmised, were priuilye weaponed vnder their garmentes, if need had bene. Frier Stokes the Carmelite aforesayd, suspecting all this to be against him, and being afrayd of hurt, kept to himself w^tin the sanctuary of the church, not daring as then to put out his hed. The Vicechauncellor and Repington, friendly sa∣luting one an other in the church porch, sent away the peo∣ple, and so departed euery man home to his owne house. There was not a little ioy thorough the whole vniuersitie for that sermon,* 1.7 but in the meanetime, the vnquiet & busie Carmelite, slept not his matter. For first by his letters he declared the whole order of the matter vnto the archbishop exaggerating the perils and daungers that he was in, re∣quiring and desiring his helpe and ayd, pretermitting no∣thing, wherby to moue & stirre vp the archbishops minde, which of his owne nature was as hote as a toste as they say,* 1.8 and ready inough to prosecute the matter of his owne accord, though no man had prickt him forward thereunto. Besides all this (3. dayes after) with a fierce and bold cou∣rage, the sayd Fryer breathing out threatninges and here∣sies agaynst them, tooke the way vnto the schooles: myn∣ding there to proue, that the Pope and the Bishops ought to be prayed for before the Lordes temporall. Whiles thys Frier was thus occupyed in the schooles, he was mocked and derided of all men, and shortly after he was sent for by the Archbishop to London: whom immediately after, the Vicechauncellor & Brightwell followed vp, to purge and cleare themselues and their adherentes from the accusati∣ons of this Frier Peter. At the length they being exami∣ned vpon Wickliffes conclusions y^t were condemned: they did all consent, that they were worthily condemned. The Vicechauncelor being afterward accused for the contempt of the Archbishops letters, when as he perceaued & sawe, that no excuse would preuayle to auoyd that daunger, hū∣bling himselfe vpon his knees, he desired pardon. The which when he had now againe (as is aforesaid) albeit very hardly obtayned: By the help of the Bishop of Win∣chester, he was sent away agayn with certayne comman∣dementes, and suspencions of heretickes. Then began the hatred on eyther part somewat to appeare and shew, and specially all men were offended,* 1.9 and in the toppes of these Friers and religious men, vpō whom whatsoeuer trou∣ble or mischiefe was raysed vp, they did impute it as to y^e authors and causers of the same. Amongest whome there was one Henry Crompe, a monke Cistertion, a well learned deuine, which afterward was accused by the By∣shops of heresie, He at that time was openly suspected by the Commissary,* 1.10 because in his lectures he called the he∣retickes Lolardes, from his actes (as they terme them) in the schoole. Then he comming by and by vp to London, made his complaynt vnto the Archbish. and to the kinges councell.

Whereupon he obtayning the letters of the king, and of his counsaile, by the vertue therof (returning againe to the vniuersity) was released & restored again to his former state: the wordes of whiche letter here followeth vnder written.

* The copy of the kinges letter.

* 2.1THe king to the Vicechauncellour and procuratoure of the Vniuersitie of Oxforde, greeting.

Where as we of late vnder∣standing by the grieuous complaynt of Henry Crompe monke and regent in deuinitie within the sayd vniuersitie, howe that he, being assisted by the reuerend father in God the Archb. of Cant. and by other clerkes and deuines in the Citty of London,* 2.2 to pro∣ceede in thee condemnation of certayne conclusions erroneous and hereticall, hath bene therfore molested by you: And that you through sinister suggestion of some aduersaryes (pretending the peace of the sayd vniuersitie) to haue bene broken by the sayde Henry in his last lecture: did therefore call him before you to ap∣peare and answere: and for his not appearing, did therefore pro∣nounce him as obstinate, and conuicte of peace breaking: also haue suspended the sayd Henry from his lectures, and all schola∣sticall actes. And whereas we, by our writte did call you vp for the same, to appeare and aunswere before our counsayle, vnto the premisses: so that all thinges being well tryed and examined by the sayd counsayle, it was found and determined, that all your processe agaynst the sayd Henry, was voyde and of none effecte: and commaundement geuen, that the sayd Henry shoulde be re∣stored and admitted agayne to his former lectures and scholasti∣call actes. and to his pristine state as you knowe. To the intent therefore that this decree aforesaid shoulde be more duely execu∣ted of your part, we heare by these presentes straightly charge and commaund you: That you speedily reuoking agayne all your processe against the sayd Henry in the vniuersitie aforesayd, with all other that followed thereof: doe admitte and cause to be resto∣red agayne the sayd Henry to his scholasticall actes, his accusto∣med lectures and pristine estate, without all delay according to the forme of the decree and determination aforesayd. Enioyning you moreouer and your commissaries or deputies and your suc∣cessoures, and all other maisters regent and not regent, and other presidentes, officers, ministers, and scholers of the vniuersitie a∣foresayd, vpon your faith and legeance you owe vnto vs that you doe not impeache,* 2.3 molest, or greeue, or cause to be greued (a∣ny maner of way, priuy or apertly) the sayd Frier Henry for the causes premised, or Frier Peter Stokes Carmelite, for the occasi∣on of his absence from the vniuersitie, or Fryer Stephen Packing∣tō Carmelite, or any other religious or secular person fauouring them, vpon the occasion of any eyther word or deed whatsoeuer, concerning the doctrine of maister Iohn Wickliffe, Nicholas Herford and Phillip Repindon, or the reprose and condemnation of their herefies and erroures, or the correction of their fauourers But that you doe procure the peace, vnitie and quiet, within the sayd vniuersitie, and chiefly betweene the religious and secular persons: and that you with all diligence nourishe, encrease, and preserue the same to the vttermost of your strength And that you in no case omitte to doe it accordingly, vppon the forfaytures of all and singular the liberties and priuiledgies of the vniuersi∣tie aforesayd.

Witnesse my selfe at Westminster the 14. day of Iuly.

Mention was made, as you heard a little before, how M. Rigges Vicechancellor of Oxford, comming vp wyth M. Bryghtwell to the archb. of Cant. was there straight∣ly examined of the conclusions of Wickliffe, Where he not∣withstanding through the helpe of the B. of Wint. obtay∣ned pardon, and was sent away agayn with commaunde∣mentes and charges, to seeke out all the fauorers of Iohn Wickliffe. This commaundement being receaued, Ni∣cholas Herford,* 2.4 and Phillip Repington (being priuily warned by the sayd Vicechauncellor) in the meane season cōueied them out of sight, and fled to the Duke, of Lācaster for succour & help, but the Duke whether for feare, or what cause els, I cannot say, in the end forsooke his poore and miserable clientes.* 2.5

In the meane time, while they were fled thus to the Duke, great search and inquisition was made for them to cite and to apprehend them where so euer they might be found. Wherupon, the archb. of W. Courtney directed out his letters first to the Vicechauncellor of Oxford, then to the Bishop of London named Rob. Braybroke•• charging them not onely to excommunicate the sayd Nicholas and Phillip, within their iurisdiction, and the sayd excommu∣nication to be denounced likewise throughout all the dio∣ces of his suffraganes:* 2.6 but also moreouer, that dilligent search and watch should be layd for them, both in Ox••orde and in Londō, that they might be apprehended: requiring moreouer by them to be certified agayne, what they had done in the premisses. And thys was written the 14. day of Iuly. an 1382. Ex Regist.

Vnto these letters receaued from the archbishop, dilli∣gent certificat was geuen accordingly, as well of the By∣shop of London his part, as also of the Vicechauncello••, the tenour whereof was this.

* The letter certificatorie of the Vicechaun∣cellor to the Archbishop.

* 3.1TO the reuerend father in Christ, Lord William Archbishop o Caunterbury Primate of all England, and Legate of the A∣postolique

see, Rob. Rigges professour of diuinitie, and Vicechan∣cellor of the vniuersitie of Oxforde, greeting with due honour.

Your letters bearing the date of the 14. of Iuly I haue receaued: By the authoritie wherof, I haue denounced and caused to be de∣nounced effectually, the foresayd Nicholas and Phillip, to haue bene and to be excommunicate publikely and solemnly in the Church of S. Mary: and in the schooles, and to be cited also per∣sonally, if by any meanes they might be apprehended, according as you commaunded. But after dilligent search layd for them of my part to haue them personally cited and apprehended, I coulde not finde neyther the sayd M. Nicholas, not M. Phillip: who haue hyd or conuayed themselues, vnknowing to me, as here is well knowne. Whereof I thought here to geue signification to your Fatherhoode.* 3.2

Sealed and testified with the seale of mine office.

From Oxford the 25. of Iuly.

In y^• meane time Nicholas Herford, and Repington being repulsed of the Duke, and destitute (as was sayde) of his supportation, whether they were sent, or of theyr owne accorde went to the archbish. it is vncertayne. This I finde in a letter of the foresayd archbishop, contayned in his register:* 3.3 that Repington the the 23. day of October the same yeare 1382. was reconciled agayne to the Archbishop and also by his generall letter was released and admitted to his scholasticall actes in the vniuersitie. And so was also Iohn Ashton, of whom (Christ willing) more shall follow hereafter. Of Nicholas Herford all this while I finde no speciall relation.

In the meane time, about the 23. of the month of Sep∣tember the sayd yeare,* 3.4 the king sent his mandate to the Archbishop for collecting of a subsidie and to haue a con∣uocation of the clergie sommoned, against the next parlia∣ment, which should begin the 18. day of Nouember. The Archb. likewise on the 15. day of October, directed his let∣ters monitorie (as the maner is) to Robert Braybroke bi∣shop of London, to geue the same admonition to al his suf∣fraganes and other of the Clergie within his prouince for the assembling of the conuocatiō aforesayd. All which done and executed, the parliamēt begon being holden at Oxford the 18. day of Nouember,* 3.5 where the conuocation was kept in the Monastery of Frideswide in Oxforde. In the which conuocation, the Archbishop with the other bishops there sitting in their Pontificalibus, declared two causes of that their present assembly, whereby (sayth he) to represse he∣resies, which began newly in the realme to spring, and for correcting other excesses in the Churche. The other cause (sayd he) was to ayde and support the king with some ne∣cessary subsidie of mony to be gathered, whiche thus decla∣red, the conuocation was continued till the day following which was the 19. of Nouember.

* 3.6At the sayd day and place, the Archbishop with the o∣ther Prelates assembling themselues as before: The arch∣bishop after the vsed solemnitie, willed the procuratoures of the clergy appoynted for euery dioces, to consult within themselues, in some conuenient seuerall place, what they thought for theyr partes touching y^e redresse of thinges, to be notified and declared to him and to his brethren. &c.

Furthermore, forsomuch (sayth he) as it is so noysed through all the realme, that there were certayn in the vni∣uersitie of Oxford, which did hold and mayntayne conclu∣sions (as he called them) heretical and erroneous condem∣ned by him,* 3.7 and by other lawyers and doctours of Diui∣nitie. He therfore assigned the bishops of Saram, Herford and Rochester, with William Rugge then Vicechauncel∣lour of the Vniuersitie of Oxford (for belike Robert Rigge was then displaced) as also William Berton, and Iohn Midleton Doctors:* 3.8 geuing them hys full authoritie wyth cursing and banning, to compell them to search and to en∣quire with all diligence and wayes possible, ouer all & sin∣gular whatsoeuer, eyther Doctors, Bachellers, or schol∣lers of the sayd vniuersitie, which did hold, teache, mayn∣taine and defend, in schooles or out of schooles, the sayd cō∣clusions heretical (as he called them) or erroneous, and af∣terward to geue certificat truely and playnly touching the premisses.* 3.9 And thus for that day the assembly brake vp to the next, and so to the next, and the third being monday, the 24. day of Nouember. Ex. Regist. W. Courtney.

On the which day, in the presence of the Prelates and the clergy in the chapter house of Saint F••ideswide, came in Phillip Repington (otherwise called of the brethren afterward Rampington) who their abiured the conclusi∣ons and assertions aforesayd, in this forme of wordes as followeth.

* 3.10In Dei nomine Amen. I Phillip Repington, Canon of the house of Leicester, acknowledging one catholique and Apostolick sayth do curse and also abiure all heresie, name∣ly these heresies and errours vnder written, condemned & reproued by the decrees canonicall, and by you most reue∣rend father, touching which hitherto I haue ben•• dissamed: condemning moreouer & reprouing both them and the au¦thors of them, & doe confesse the same to be catholically cō∣demned: And sweare also by these holy Euangelics, which here I hold in my hand, and do promise, neuer by any per∣swasions of men, nor by anye way hereafter, to defend or hold as true, anye of the sayd conclusions vnder written: but do & will stand and adhere in all thinges, to the deter∣mination of the holy Catholicke Church, and to yours, in this behalfe. Ouer and besides, all suche as stand contrary to this fayth, I doe pronounce them with their doctrine & followers worthy of euerlasting curse. And if I my selfe shall presume at any time to hold or preach any thinge con∣trary to the premisses.* 3.11 I shall be content to abide the seue∣ritie of the Canons. Subscribed with mine owne hand, & with mine own accord. Phillip Repington. And thus the sayd Rampington was discharged, who afterward was made Byshop of Lincolne, and became at length the most bitter and extreme persecutor of this side, of al the other bi∣shops w^tin the realm, as in proces hereafter may appeare.

After the abiuration of this Repington,* 3.12 immediately was brought in Iohn Ayshton, student of Diuinitie: who being examined of those conclusions, and willed to say hys mynde, aunswered: that he was to simple and ignoraunt, and therefore would not, and could not answere any thing clearely or distincktly to those conclusions. Wherupon, the Archb, assigned to him Doctor W. Rugge the Vicechaun∣cellour, and other deuines such as he required himselfe to be instructed in the mistery of those conclusions against the after no one: who then appearing again after dinner before the archbishop and the Prelates, did in like sort and forme of wordes abiure as did Repington before.

Of this Iohn Ayshton we read, that afterwarde by Tho. Arundell Archb. of Cant. he was cited and condem∣ned,* 3.13 but whether he dyed in prisō, or was burned, we haue yet no certainty to shewe. This is certayne by the playne wordes of the chronicle of S. Albans, that when the arch. with his doctors and fryers ••ate in examination vpon this sayd Iohn Ashton, in London: the Londiners brake open the dore of the conclaue, ipsum{que} Archiepiscopum in ciuitate sedentem impediuerunt, cum processum fecissit contra Iohannē Ashton. &c. That is and did let the Archbishop himselfe sit∣ting in the Citty of London, when he woulde haue made processe agaynst Iohn Asheton. an. 1382. And thus muche of Iohn Asheton.* 3.14

As touching Nicholas Herford during the time of this conuocation, he did not appeare: and therefore had the sen∣tence of excommunication. Agaynst which he put hys ap∣peale from the archb. to the king and his Counsaile. The Archb. would not admit it, but finding stayes and stoppes caused him to be apprehended and enclosed in prison. Not∣withstanding through the will of God, and good meanes he escaped out of the prison returning agayn to his former exercise, and preaching as he did before, albeit in as couert and secret maner as he could. Whereupon the Archbishop thundring out his boltes of excōmunication agaynst him, sendeth to al pastors and ministers, willing thē in al chur∣ches, and all festiuall dayes, to diuulge the sayd his excom∣munication against him, to al men. Writeth moreouer and sendeth speciall charge to al and singular of the laity, to be∣ware that theyr simplicity be not deceaued by his doctrine, but that they like Catholicke children will auoyd him, and cause him of all other to be auoyded.

Furthermore, not contented with this, addresseth also his letters vnto the king, requiring also the ayde of his tē∣porall sword to chop of hys neck, whō he had already cast down. See and note reader, the seraphicall charitie of these priestly prelates towardes y^e poore redemed flock of Christ And yet these be they whiche washing theyr handes wyth Pylate, say and pretend: Nobis non licet interficere quenquā. It is not our partes to kill any man. The copye of the let∣ter written to the king, is this.

The letter of the Archbishop to the king.

* 4.1TO the most excellent prince in Christ, &c. William &c. gree∣ting in him by whom kinges do reigne, & princes beare rule.

Vnto your kingly celsitude by the tenour of these presentes we intimate, that one M Nich. Herford D. of diuinitie, for his mani∣fest contumacie and offēce in not appearing before vs being cal∣led at the day and place assigned, therefore is inwrapped in the sentence of the greater curse, publiquely by our ordinary autho∣ritie. And in the same sentence hath continued nowe forty dayes, & yet still continueth with indurate hart, wickedly contemning

the keyes of the Church, to the great perill both of his soule, and to the pernitious example of other. For so much therefore, as the holy mother the church hath not to do or to proceed any further in this matter: we humblye desire your kingly maiestye, to direct out your letters for the apprehending of the sayd excommunicat according to the custome of this realme of England,* 4.2 wholsome∣ly obserued and kept hetherto: to the intent, that such whome the feare of God doth not restrayne from euill, the discipline of the secular arme may bridle and plucke backe from offending. Your princely celsitude the Lord long continue.

From Lambeth the 15. of Ianuary.

To this letter of the Archb, might not the king (gentle reader) thus aunswere agayne, and aunswere well?

* 4.3YOur letters with your complaynt and requestes in the same conteyned, we haue receiued and well considered. For the accomplishing wherof, ye shall vnderstand that as we are readely bent to gratify and satisfy your minde in this behalfe on the one side: so we must beware agayne on the other, that our authoritye be not abused either to oppresse before we know, or to iudge be∣fore we haue tryed. Wherfore for so much as you in your letters do excite and sharpen the seuere discipline of our seculer sword, agaynst one Nich. Herford, for his not appearing before you: and yet shewing in the sayd your letters no certaine cause to vs what you haue to charge him withall: we therfore following the exā∣ple of Alexander Magnus, or rather the rule of equity in opening both our eares indifferently, to heare as well the one part, as the other do assigne both to him, when as he may be found, & to you whē you shal be called a terme to appeare before vs. To the intēt that the controuersy betwene you and him, stāding vpon points of religiō, being tried by the true touchstone of Gods holy word due correction indifferently may be ministred according as the offence shall be founde. In the meane time, this we cannot but something maruell at in your sayde Letters: First, to see you mē of the Church and Aungels of peace to be so desirous of bloud. Se∣condly, to consider you again so fierce in prosecuting the breach of your lawe: and yet so colde in pursuing the breache of the ex∣presse law of God and his commaundementes. Thirdly, to behold the vnstable doublenesse in your proceedings, who pretending in your publick sentence, to become as intreaters for them to vs in the bowels of Iesus Christ, that we will withdraw from them the rigour of our seuerity, and yet in your letters you be they which most set vs on. If not appearing before you▪ be such a matter of contumacy in case of your lawe, that is in no case to bee spared: what shoulde then our Princely discipline haue done to men of your calling: Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich, being at Cant. was sent for by our speciall commaundement to come to our speach, denyed to come, and yet we spared him. Iohn Stratforde Archbyshop your predecessour, being required of our progeni∣tour king Edward the third to come to him at Yorke, would not appeare: by the occasion whereof, Scotland the same time was lost, •• yet was he suffered. The like might be sayd of Robert Win∣chelsey in the dayes of king Edwarde the first, and of Edmunde Archb. of Cant in the daies of K. Henry 3. Stephen Langhton was sent for by K. Iohn to come,* 4.4 he came not. The like cōtumacy was in Becket toward K. Henry. 2. Also in Anselme toward K. Henry. 1 All these for theyr not appearing before their princes, ye do ex∣cuse, who notwithstanding might haue appeared without daun∣ger of life. This one man for not appearing before you, you think worthy of death: whose life you would haue cōdemned notwith∣standing, if he had appeared. It is no reason if the Squirill climing to the tree from the Lyons clawes, would not appeare, being sēt for to be deuoured: that the Eagle therfore should seise vpon him without any iust cause, declared agaynst the party. Wherfore ac∣cording to this, and to that aforesayde when he shall appeare, and you be called, and the cause iustly wayed, due execution shall be ministred.

And thus farre concerning Nicholas Herforde, & the other aforesayd, but all this meane while what became of Iohn Wickliffe it is not certaynly known. Albeit so farre as may be gathered out of Waldē, it appereth that he was banished, and driuen to exile. In the meane time it is not to be doubted, but he was aliue during all this whyle, wheresoeuer he was as by his letter may appeare, which he about this time wrote to Pope Vrbane the 6. In the which letter he doth purge himselfe, that being commaū∣ded to appeare before the Pope at Rome, he came not: de∣claring also in the same a brie•••• confessiō of his fayth. The copy of which Epistle here followeth.

¶ The Epistle of Iohn Wickliffe sent vnto Pope Vrbane the 6. An. 1382.

* 5.1VErely I do reioyce to open and declare the fayth which I do holde vnto euery man. And specially vnto the Bish. of Rome, the which for so much as I doe suppose to be sound and true, he will most willingly confirme my sayd fayth, or if it be erroneous amend the same.

First I suppose, that the Gospell of Christ, is the whole bodye of Gods law, and that Christ which did geue that same law hym∣selfe, I beleue him to be a very man, and in that poynt, to exceed the law of the Gospell, and all other partes of the Scripture. A∣gayne I do geue and holde, the Bishop of Rome, for so much as he is the Vicare of Christ here in earth, to be bound most of all other men vnto that law of the Gospell. For the greatnesse amongest Christes Disciples, did not consist in worldly dignity or honours but in the neare and exact following of Christ, in his life and ma∣ners: wherupon I do gather out of the hart of the law of the Lord, that Christ for the time of his pilgrimage here, was a most poore man, abiecting and casting of all worldly rule and honour, as ap∣peareth by the Gospell of Math. the 8. and the 2.. Corinthians. 8. chapter.

Hereby I do fully gather, that no faythfull man ought to fol∣low,* 5.2 neither the Pope himselfe, neither any of the holy men, but in such poynts, as he hath folowed the Lord Iesus Christ. For Pe∣ter and the sonnes of Zebede by desiring worldly honour, contra∣ry to the folowing of Christes steppes did offend, and therfore in those errors, they are not to be folowed.

Hereof I do gather, as a Coūcell, that the Pope ought to leaue vnto the secular power, all temporall dominion and rule, & ther∣unto effectually to moue and exhort his whole Clergy: for so did Christ, and specially by his Apostles. Wherfore, if I haue erred in any of these poyntes, I will most humbly submitte my selfe vnto correction euen by death if necessitye so require: And if I coulde labor according to my will or desire in my owne person, I would surely present my selfe before the Bishop of Rome: but the Lorde hath otherwise visited me to the cōtrary, and hath taught me ra∣ther to obey God then men. Fo•• so much then, as God hath geuē vnto our Pope, iust and true Euangelicall instinctions, we ought to pray, that those motions be not extinguished by any subtle or crafty deuise.

And that the Pope and Cardinals, be not moued to doe anye thing, contrary vnto the law of the Lord. Wherefore let vs praye vnto our God, that he will so stirre vp our Pope Vrbane the sixt as he began, that he with his Clergye may folow the Lorde Iesus Christ, in life and maners: and that they may teach the people ef∣fectually, and that they likewise may faithfully folow them in the same. And let vs specially pray, that our Pope may bee preserued from all maligne and euill counsell, as which do know that euill and enuious men of his householde would geue him. And seing the Lord will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power, much lesse then will he require of any creature to do that thing which they are not able, forsomuch, as that is the playne condition and maner of Antichrist.

Thus muche wrote Iohn Wickliffe vnto Pope Vr∣bane:* 5.3 but this pope Vrbane otherwise termed ••urbanus was so hote in his warres against Clement the Frenche Pope his aduersary, that he had no leasure, and lesse lyst, to attend vnto Wickliffes matters. By the occasion of which schisme, God so prouided for poore Wickliffe, that he was in some more rest & quietnes. Cōcerning which schismati∣call wars of these popes, for as much as we haue here en∣tred into y^e mention therof, it shall not be unpertinent frō the order of our story, disgressyng a litle from the matter of Iohn Wickliffe, to touch something of the tragical doings of these two holy popes striuing for the triple crowne: to the intent that the Christian reader (iudging by their fruits and proceedings) may see and vnderstand what difference is betweene these popes, and Christ and his Apostles. For though in the story of the Gospel it is read,* 5.4 that certaine of the disciples did striue which shuld be the greater, yet nei∣ther do we read that one of them tooke euer weapō against the other: and moreouer in the sayd story of the Gospell it doeth appeare, that they in so striuing as they did, were therefore sharpely rebuked of our Sauiour Christ, & were taught by him an other lesson.

About the beginning of the next yeare folowing, which was an. 1383. Pope Vrbane settyng all his study howe to represse and cōquere the contrary Pope his aduersary, be∣ing then at Auinion (seing al his other means to sayle, and that his crosse keyes coulde doe no good) tooke to hym the sword of Romulus, & set vpō him with open warre. And first deuising w^t himselfe whom he might best chuse for hys chief champion: thought none meeter for such affaires thē Henry Spenser beyng then Bishop of Norwich, a young and a stout Prelate, more fitter for the camping cure, then for the peaceable church of Christ, as partly also might ap∣peare before by his acts done at Lēuam in striuing for the Mayres Mace, mētioned before, pag. 428. Vnto this by∣shop of Norwich, the Pope had sent his bulles about this

tune, to Cro••sy whosoeuer would go w^t him into Fraūce, to destroy the Antipope which named himselfe Clemēt, & to make warre agaynst all those that took his part. Which Bulles, for that they gaue vnto him such great authority, he caused to be published in the Parliamēt house, & caused the copyes of the same to be sent all about, & to be set vp & fastened vpon all the church dores & monastery gates that al men might read thē. In the which Buls these priuiled∣ges were graunted, the copy whereof here foloweth.

• 1. In primis,* 5.5 that the sayd Bishop of Norwich may vse his sword against the Antipope, & all his adherents, fauo∣rers, and cou••ellers, and with violence put them to death.
• 2. Item, that he hath full power to inquire of all & singu∣lar such schismatikes, and to put them in prison: & to con∣fiscate all their goods moueable and immoueable.
• 3. Item, that he hath power and authority to depriue all lay men that are such schismatikes of all maner secular of∣fices whatsoeuer, and to geue theyr offices to other fit and conuenient persons.
• 4. Item, that he may depriue all such clerks, and declare them to be schismatickes, and in this behalfe to geue & be∣stow their benifices either with cure or without cure, their dignities personages or offices, to other persōs more meet for the same.
• 5. Item, he hath power & authority ouer lay persōs that are exempt, and Clerkes both secular and regular, yea al∣though they be Friers mendicantes, or maisters & profes∣sors or other houses or hospitals of S. Iohns of Ierusa∣lem, or S. Mary of Flaunders, or professours of what or∣ders soeuer els.
• 6. Item, he hath power to dispense with what secular Clerkes soeuer▪ being beneficed either with cure or with∣out cure; and also with such as haue dignities, personages or offices, being regulars either exēpt or not exempt, that euery one of them may be absent with him from their dig∣nities & benefices, &c. vnder the stāderd of the crosse, with∣out licence of any of thier Prelats required, and yet to re∣ceiue and take the intire cōmodities of their benefices, as though they had bene personally resident vpon the same.
• 7. Itē, there is graunted to all that passe the seas in this quarel, either at their own expenses or at the expēses of a∣ny other, full remission of their sins: & as large priuileges are graūted to all those that go ouer the sea with him, as to any that pay their mony, or go to fight for the holy land.
• 8. Also, all such as with their proper goods & substaunce shall geue sufficient s••ipend to able souldiors, at the discre∣tiō of the foresayd Lord Bishop mustered, or by any other his deputy, although he himselfe be not personally at this busines aforesaid: yet shall he haue like remission, & indul∣gēce, as they which haue bene personally with him in this expedition.
• 9. Itē, all they are pertakers of this remissiō, which shal geue any part of theyr goods to the sayd Bishop to fight a∣gaynst the sayd schismatikes.
• 10. Item, if any shall chaūce to dye in the iourny, that are souldiors vnder the sayd standard of y^• crosse, or els before the quarell by some meanes be finished: shall fully & who∣ly receiue the sayd grace, and shalbe partakers of the fore∣sayd remission and indulgence.
• 11. Item, he hath power to excommunicate, suspend, and interdict what persons soeuer be rebellious or disturbers of him in y^e execution of his power & authority committed vnto him: of what dignity, state, degree, preheminēce, or∣der, place, or cōditiō soeuer they shalbe: whether they shall be either of regal, queenly, or imperial dignity, or of what dignity els soeuer either ecclesiasticall or mundane.
• 12. Item, he hath power and authority to compell and in∣force what religious persons soeuer, to appoynt them and send them ouer Sea, if it seeme good to him: yea although they be professors of the Friers mendicants, for the execu∣tion of the premisses.

¶ The Popes absolution by the Bishop pronounced.

BY the authority Apostolicall to me in this behalfe com∣mitted, we absolue the A.B. from all thy sinnes confes∣sed with thy mouth, and being contrite with thy hart, and wherof thou wouldst be cōfessed if they came vnto the me∣mory: & we graunt vnto thee, plenary remission of all ma∣ner of sinnes,* 6.1 and we promise vnto thee thy part of the re∣ward of all iust men, and of euerlasting saluation. And as many priuileges as are graunted to them that go to fight for the holy land, we graunt vnto thee: & of all the prayers & benefites of the church the vniuersall Synode, as also of the holy Catholicke Church, we make thee partaker of.

This couragious or rather outragious bishop armed thus with the Popes authority, and prompt with his pri∣uilegies, in the yeare aforesayd. 1283. about the time of lēt, came to the Parliament, where great consultation & con∣tention, & almost no lesse schisme was about the voiage of this Popish Bishop in the Parliament, thē was betwene the Popes themselues. In the which Parliament many there were, which thought it not safe to commit the kings people & subiectes, vnto a rude and vnskilfull Priest. So great was the diuersity of iudgements in that behalfe, that the voiage of the sayd Bishop was protracted vnto the sa∣terday a••ore Passion Sonday. In the which Sonday was song the solemne Antheme Ecce crucem Domini, fugite par∣tes aduersae. That is, Beholde the crosse of the Lord: Flye away all you aduersaries. After which Sonday, the par∣tyes so agreed amongest themselues by common decree, that the Bishop should set forward in his voiage, hauing to him geuen the fiften which was graunted to the king in the Parliament before. Which thinges thus concluded in the Parliament, this warlike Bishop preparing before all thinges in a readinesse set forwarde in his Pope holye iourney. Who about the moneth of May, being come to Canterbury, and there tarying for the winde, in the Mo∣nastery of S. Augustin, receiued a writ from the king that he should returne to the king, and to know further of hys pleasure. The Bishop fearing that if he turned agayne to the king, his iourny should be stayd, and so all his labor & preparance lost with great derision and shame vnto him: thought better to commit himselfe to fortune with that li∣tle army he had, then by tarying to be made a ridicle to his aduersaryes. Wherfore, he sent word backe agayne, to the king, that he was now ready prepared, well forward on his iourny. And that it was not expedient now to protract the time for any kinde of talke which peraduenture should be to no maner of purpose: and that it was more conueni∣ent for him to hasten in his iournay to Gods glory, & also to the honor of the king. And thus he calling his men vn∣to him, entred forthwith the seas, & went to Calis: where he wayting a few dayes for the rest of his army, after the receipt of them, tooke his iourny first to the towne of Gra∣uenidge which he besieged, so desparatly without any pre∣paraunce of engines of warre or counsell, or of politicke men skilfull in such affayres: that he seemed rather to flye vpon them, then to inuade them. At lenth through the su∣perstition of our men, trusting vpon the Popes absoluti∣on, he so harishly approched the walles and inuaded the e∣nemies, that a great number of them were pitiously slayn with shot & wild fire: till at the end (the inhabiters being oppressed and vanquished) our men entred the town with their Bishop, where they at his commaundement destroi∣yng both man, woman and childe, left not one aliue of all them,* 6.2 which remayned in the whole town. Sic{que} crucis be∣neficio factum, vt crucis hostes ita delerentur, quòd v••us ex eis non remansit: That is. And so it came to passe by the vertue of the crosse, that our men croysed so preuayled against the enemies of the crosse,* 6.3 that not one of them remained aliue. Ex Chron. Mon. D. Albani.

From Grauenidg this warlike Bishop set forward to Dunkyrke, where not long after the Frenchmen meeting with him, ioyned with them in battell: in which battell (if the story be true) 12. thousand of the Frenchmen were slain in the chase, and of our men but seuen onely missing. It would require a long tractatiō here to discourse all thing done in these popish warres. Also it would be no lesse ridi∣culous to view & behold the glorious temerity of this new vpstart captain. But certes, lamētable it is to see the piti∣full slaughter & murther of Christs people, by y^e meanes of th••se pitilesse Popes, during these warres in Fraūce: As when the Bishop comming frō Dunkirke to the siege of Ypres a great number of Englishmen there were lost, and much mony consumed, and yet nothing done effect, to the great shame and ignominy of the Bishop. Agayne, after, the siege of Ypres (thus with shame broke vp) the sayd bi∣shop proceeding with a small power, to fight with y^e frēch kinges ca••••e, contrary to the counsell of his captaynes, which counted him rash & vnskilfull in his attempt, was fayne to breake company with them, whereby part of the army wēt vnto Burburgh, & the bishop with his part re∣turned to Grauenidg, which both townes shortly after were besieged by the french army, to the great losse both of the English and French men. In fine, when the Byshop could keepe Grauenidg no longer, the sayd Bishop with his croysies, crossing the seas, came home agayne as wise as he wēt, & thus making an end of this Pontificall war, we will returne agayne from whence we digressed, to the story and matter of Iohn Wickliffe.

Which Iohn Wickliffe returning againe within short space, either frō his banishment, or from some other place

where he was secretly kept, repayred to his parish of lut∣terworth, where he was parson, there quietly departing this mortall life, slept in peace in the Lord, in the begyn∣ning of the yeare 1384. vpon Siluesters day.

Here is to be noted the great prouidēce of the Lord in this man, as in diuers other: whom the Lord so long pre∣serued in such rages of so many enemies, frō all their han∣des, euen to his olde age. For so it appeareth by Thomas Walden, writing agaynst him in his tomes entituled: De Sacramentis contra Wicleuum,* 6.4 that he was well aged before he departed: by that which the foresayd Walden writeth of him in the Epiloge speaking of Wickliffe, in these wor∣des: Ita vt cano placeret, quod iuueni complacebat. &c. That is: so y^t the same thing plesed him in his old age, which dyd please him being young. Whereby seemeth that Wickliffe liued, till he was an olde man, by this report. Such a Lord is God, that whom he will haue kept, nothing can hurt.

This Wickliffe, had written diuers and sundry wor∣kes, the which in the yeare of our Lord 1410. were burnt at Oxford, the Abbot of Shrewsbury being then Commis∣sary, and sent to ouersee that matter. And not onelye in England, but in Boheme, likewise the bookes of the sayde Wickliffe were set on fire, by one Subincus Archbishop of Prage, who made diligent inquisition for the same, and burned them: The number of the volumes, whiche he is sayd to haue burned most excellently written, and richly adorned with bosses of golde,* 6.5 and rich coueringes (as E∣neas Siluius writeth) were aboue the number of two hundreth.

Ioannes Cocleus in his booke De historia Hussitarū, spea∣king of the bookes of Wickliffe, testifyeth: that he wrot ve∣ry many bookes, sermons and tractations. Moreouer the said Cocleus speaking of himselfe, recordeth also: that there was a certaine Bishop in England which wrot vnto him declaring, that he had yet remayning in his custodye two huge and mighty volumes of Iohn Wickliffes workes, which for the quantity therof might seme to be equal with the workes of S. Augustine. Haec Cocleus.

Amongest other of his Treatises I my selfe also haue found out certayne, as de censu & veritate scripturae. Item, De Ecclesia. Item, De Eucharistia confessio Wickleui, whiche I entend hereafter: the Lord so graunting; to publish a∣broad.

As concerning certayne aunsweres of Iohn Wickliffe which he wrote to king Richard the 2. touching the right and title of the king, and of the Pope: because they are but short, I thought here to annexe them. The effect whereof here foloweth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rob. Rigs Uicechaun∣cellour of Oxford.
• * 1.2

  Ni. Herford preaching on the As∣cension day, defended Wickliffe.
• * 1.3

  Repington first Chanō of Leicester, after B. of Lincolne.
• * 1.4

  Repington commensed Doctor.
• * 1.5

  Peter Stokes standerd bearer to the papists.
• * 1.6

  Notes of the Sermon of Repington.
• * 1.7

  The vniuer∣••••e reioy∣••••th.
• * 1.8

  Whether the Lordes temporall were to be prayed for before the P. and By∣shops. The Fryer derided and mocked in the scholes.
• * 1.9

  Religious ••en first causers of this trouble.
• * 1.10

  H. Crompe first an accu∣ser of other, after accu∣sed himselfe for heresie.
• * 2.1

  The kynges letter to the Vicechaun∣celor and proctors of Oxford.
• * 2.2

  Henry Crompe complayneth to the kings coun∣sell of the most secular maisters of Oxford.
• * 2.3

  Henry Crompe, Peter Stokes, Carm. Steuen Packington Carm. restored by the King to their scholasti∣call actes.
• * 2.4

  Herford & Re∣pington fled to the Duke of Lancaster.
• * 2.5

  Letters of the Archb. to the Vicechancelor. Letters of the Archb. to the B. of London. Rob. Braybroke B. of London.
• * 2.6

  The 14. day of Iuly. an. 1382.
• * 3.1

  The letter of Rob. Rigges Vicechauncelor to the Archb.
• * 3.2

  The 25. day of Iuly. an. 1382. Herford & Re∣pington repul∣sed from the Duke of Lanca∣ster.
• * 3.3

  The 23. day of October. Repington re∣leased by the Archb. I. Aisheton re∣conciled by the Archbishop.
• * 3.4

  A parliament summoned. The 15. of Oc∣tober. 1382.
• * 3.5

  The conuocati∣on of S. Fride∣••••••de in Ox∣ford. The 18. day of Nouemb.
• * 3.6

  The 19 day of Nouemb. anno. 1382.
• * 3.7

  Rob. Rigge di∣splaced from Vicechauncel∣lorship.
• * 3.8

  Inquisitiō made at Oxford.
• * 3.9

  The 24. day of Nouēb. an. 1382
• * 3.10

  The abiuration of Philip Re∣pington.
• * 3.11

  Philip ••••∣pington a••∣ter hi•• •••• iuration ••••∣ca•••• a t••••∣rible per••••∣cutor.
• * 3.12

  A short time my Lord, •••••• a mā in o••e for en••o••e to learne a faith aga•••••• his cōscience The abiu••a∣tion of I••h•• Aisheton. Ex chron. Monast. D. Albans. I. A••••heton.
• * 3.13

  The Londi∣ners open the dore where the Archb. ••ate against Ioh. Aisheton.
• * 3.14

  Ni. Herford would not appeare. N. Herforde appealed from the Archb. Ni. Herford cast in pri∣son. Herford es∣capeth out of prison.
• * 4.1

  The cruell letter of the Archb. a∣gainst Nic. Herford to the kyng.
• * 4.2

  This ••s not to seeke a∣gaine that which is lost by the rule of Ezechiel.
• * 4.3

  Prosopopo∣ia. What the kyng might haue aun∣swered a∣gayne.
• * 4.4

  Bishops of Cant, ap∣peared not before theyr kyngs, and yet they were not persecuted.
• * 5.1

  The Epistle of I. Wick∣liffe to pope Vrbane.
• * 5.2

  The true disci∣ples of Christ seeke no honor.
• * 5.3

  The Pope occu∣pied so in schis∣maticall warres that he had no leysure to other matters.
• * 5.4

  Difference be∣tweene the A∣postles and the Popes in stri∣uing for pree∣minence. Ann. 1383. The Pope set to warre.
• * 5.5

  The very fruites of Antichrist.
• * 6.1

  Christes passion hath here no place.
• * 6.2

  O blo••••i∣nes of An∣tichrist.
• * 6.3

  Ex Chron. Mon. D. Albani in vita Ru••▪ ••.
• * 6.4

  Waldenus ••. tomo de Sacramen∣tis.
• * 6.5

  The number of Wicliffes bokes came to 200. vo∣lumes. Eneas Syl∣••ius.