Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 5 · Part 13
¶The rest of the Story of the Bohemians.
THe Story of the Bohemians, being in this Treatise before set forth, vntill it was agreed that the Bohemians chose foure Ministers to dispute vponupon the foure Articles, and the Councell chose foure to dispute against them, at the day appointed, Rochezantus, one of the foure Ministers chosen by the Bohemians, propounded the first Article, touching the Communion to be ministred in both kindes, and desputed thereof three dayes in the forenoones. Then Venceslaus disputed vponupon the second Article touching the punishment of sinne, two dayes; after whom Vlda…icus propounded and disputed vponupon the third Article two dayes, touching the free preaching of the word of God Last of all, Peter Paine an Englishman, disputed three daies vponupon the fourth Article, touching ciuill Dominion of the Clergie, and after, gaue Copies of their di…putations vntounto the Councell, with heartie thankes that they were …eard. The three last somewhat inueyed against the Councell, commending Iohn Hus, and Iohn Wickliffe, for their Doctrine.
One Ragusio answered the first point, and … puted eight dayes thereon. Egidius Carlerius answered the second point, by the space of foure dayes. One Henricus answered the third Article three daies. One Iohn Pollomarius answered the fourth Articles, three daies▪ the Bohemians stil stood to their Articles.
At length the Councel and the Bohemians were agreed, and receiuing the Communion in both kinds was permitted vntounto the Bohemians, and Articles drawne vnderunder the hands and Seales of the Councel of one part, and the Bohemians on the other, concerning the other Articles.
After all this,1428. the Bohemians put vp these petitions following vntounto the Councell.
First, for the extirpation of diuerse discentions, which will follow, amongst our people, vponupon the … of the Communion, that you would grant an vniforme order of Communion vntounto all men vnderunder both kinds vntounto our Bishops, hauing charge of Soules, and to their Uicars, and flocks: for this done by your benefite, the whole Kingdome shall bee comforted without measure, and established in brotherly louelove, whereby an vniforme obedience shall bee perpetually attributed to holy Church.
2 That to auoid the doubtfulnesse of many, which suppose that the Councell doth suffer the said Communion vnderunder both kinds vntounto vsus, but for a time, as neither profitable nor wholsome, we desire that you would confirme and continue it by th… buls of your Letters.
3 Wee beseech you for the finall defence, and obse…uation of all things compounded, and for the good order in the Spiritualties, you would prouide for vsus a good and lawfull Pastor▪ which shall seeme to vsus most meete for our Kingdome.
4 Wee desire you, for the worthy … of our Realme, that you will direct Letters of the sacred Councell, declaring to all Princes Seculer and Spirituall, Cities and Communalties▪ according to the compositions.
5 Wee desire you▪ that in the discussing of the matter of the Communion vnderunder both kinds, that you will proceede no otherwise then according to the Lawe of God, the Order of Christ and his Apostles, the generall Councell and minds of holy Doctors, truely grounded vponupon the Lawe of God.
6 We… d…sire, that for the great affection of our people, you will giuegive vsus the libertie to communicate to …oung children the Sacrame…t of the Supper; for if thi… vse of Communicating be taken away, which our Kingdome, being godly mooued by the wr…tings of most great and holy Doctors, and brought in by examples, hath receiued as Catholicke, and exercised now a long time, it would rise vp to an intollerable offence amongst the people, and their mindes would bée grieuously v…xed and troubled.
7 Wee require you, that you would permit, at least, the Gospels, Epistles, and Crede, to bee read in the Church, in our vulger tongue, to moue the people to deuotion, for it hath beene so vsed of olde time in the Church, and in our ….
8 Wee desire, that Prebends, and collacions of certaine benefices o… Cathedral … Churches, may bee annexed and incorporated vntounto the Uniuersitie of Prage, that it may be increased and pre…erred.
9 Wee r…quire▪ that with all…are and studie, you will watch and séeke for that long desired, and most necessarie reformation of the Church, and Christian Religion, and effectually labour f…r the rooting out of all publike e…ils, as well in the head as in the members, as you hauehave often promised, in our Kingdome in the Compositio…s, and as our fourth Article, touching the auoiding all publicke euils, doth exact and require.
In this Councell was ordained the feast of the Conce…tion of our Lady, and the feast of the Uisitation of our Lady.
In this Councell there was diligent ca…e about reformation of the Church, that through eueryevery Church apt and méete Ministers might bee app…inted, which may shine in vertue and knowledge, to the glory of Christ, and the healthfull edifying of the Christian people, whereunto the multitude of expectatiue gifts hauehave béene a great impediment; hereby often times, vnméete Ministers are appointed for the Churches, and they giuegive occasion to desire anothers death, and many contentions are mo…ed a…ongst the seruants of God, and the ambition and gréedie desire of pluralities maintained, and the substance of Kingdomes consumed, poore men suffer vexations, by running to Rome▪ they are often by the way robbed, murdered, afflicted with diuerse plagues, and hauing spent their pa…rimony, left them by their parents, are constrained …o liue in extreame pouertie. Many craue benefices which hauehave no iust title, and get the same, and such as hauehave most craft and subtiltie to deceiue, and greatest substa… to contend in the Lawe, doo great wrongs: the Eccle…asticall order is confounded, whiles eueryevery mans Iudgement is not preserued; and the Pope, by chalenging and taking vponupon him too much, the Office of Superiours is drowned from more waightie and fruitfull matters, and intends not to the guiding and correction of the inferiours, as publicke vtilitie requireth, all which things bring a great confusion vntounto the Clergie, to the great preiudice of Gods true worship, and the publike saluation.