History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 1300-1600 · Century 15 · Chapter 4

History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600 · Ecclesiastical epoch 1300-1600 · Century 15 · Chapter 4

p. 556CHAP. IV. Of BRITAIN.

1. WHileſt King Richard was living in priſon, Henry the IV. was Crowned King of England. An. 2. chap. 3. he ordained, that if any perſon ſhould obtain, from the Biſhop of Rome, any proviſion to be exempt from obedience regular or ordinary; or to have any Office perpetual in any houſe of Religion, he ſhould incur the pains of Praemunire. And chap. 15. He gave authority unto Biſhops and their Ordinaries, to impriſon and fine Civil power of coaction g…ven to Bishops, who exerce it cruelly.all Subjects who refuſe the Oath ex Officio. Here by the way I add, that in the Parliament of King James, An. 1610. Stat. 1. it is ſaid, Whereas the Temporal Sword was never in the Prelates power, untill the 2. of Henry the IV. and then uſurped by them without conſent of the Commons (for ſay, They were truly Eccleſiaſtical, yet it is againſt the Laws of God, and of the Land, that they ſhould meddle with civil juriſdiction) therefore is an Act paſt againſt it, and the Oath Ex Officio. In the ſame Parliament of Henry the IV. it was ordained, that all Lollards [that is, who profeſſed the doctriue which Wickliff had taught] ſhould be apprehended; and if they ſhould remain obſtinate, they ſhould be delivered to the Biſhop of the Diocy, and by him unto the correction of the Secular Magiſtrate, to be burnt. This Act was the firſt, in this Iſland, for burning in caſe of Religion, and began to be put in execution the ſame year 1401. and Thomas Arundel, Arch Biſhop of Canterbury, ſwore that he would not leave a ſlip of the Lollards in the Land. At that time did ſuffer William Sawtree, a Prieſt, William Swinderby, Richard White, William Thorp, Reinold Peacock, once Biſhop of Saint A…ph, and then of Chiceſter. Io. Fox in Acts & Mon. Many errours were imputed unto them maliciouſly; but (as Ph. Morn. in Myſter. pag. 495. ſhews ex Walſing. in Hypodeig.) they held no other doctrine but of the Waldenſes. George Abbot, contra Hill, in anſwer to the firſt reaſon, ſec. 25. ſhews, that Pope Gregory the XII. did direct a Bull to Oxford, againſt the Wicleviſts, and there he ſaith, They did follow the doctrine of Marſilius of Padua, and John of Ganduin. There he mentioneth a Provincial Councel held at Oxford, and ſharp inquiry decreed by the above named Thomas, againſt all, even the heads of Colledges and Halls, and others ſuſpected of Lollardy. They might very well ſuppoſe (ſaith he) that the Students of that place were alſo entertainers of the aforeſaid doctrine, ſince about that very time [in the Margine is, Anno 1406. October the 5.] a teſtimonial was given in the Congregation-Houſe, under ſeal, in ſavor of John Wickliff, where theſe words are, God forbid that our Prelates ſhould have condemned a man of ſuch honeſty for an Heretick, &c. By this teſtimonial it appeareth, that the fire could not conſume the truth. In time of the ſame King Henry many propoſitions were publiſhed, (upon occaſion of the ſchiſm between the Antipopes) arguing that the Pope ſhould be ſubject unto Laws, Cenſures and Councels. And the King wrote unto Pope Gregory the XII. An. 1409. thus; Moſt bleſſed Father, if the moſt diſcreet providence of the Apoſtolick See would call to minde, with what perils the univerſal world hath been damnified hitherto under pretence of this preſent ſchiſm, and eſpecially what ſlaughter of Chriſtian people, to the number of 200000. (as ſome ſay) hath been thorow the world, and lately 30000. were ſlain for the Biſhoprick of Leodium, by two Antibiſhops ſet up againſt one another by two Popes, certainly you would lament in ſpirit, and be grieved for the ſame; ſo that with good conſcience you would relinquiſh the honour of the Apoſtolick See, p. 557rather then ſuffer ſo horrible blood-ſhed hereafter to inſue; following the example of the true Mother, who pleading before Solomon for the right of her Childe, would rather part from the Childe, then the Childe ſhould be parted with a ſword, &c.

2. In the year 1407. James Resby was burnt at Glaſcow, for ſaying, The Pope is not the Vicar of Chriſt; and, A man of wicked life ſhould not be acknowledged for Pope. About the year 1411. was the beginning of the Univerſity of St. Andrew's, not ſo much for publick or private addoting of revenues, as by voluntary profeſſion of learned men. In the year 1416. the Abbot of Pontiniak was ſent Legate from the Councel of Conſtance into Scotland; and Pope Benedict ſent Henry Hardin, an Engliſh Franciſcan, to perſwade Robert, Governor of Scotland, (in time of the captivity of King James the I. he was taken by the Engliſh when he was ſailing into France) unto their adherence. The Governor conſented unto Benedict; but all the Clergy received Pope Martin, and followed the authority of the Councel. Buchan.

3. In the year 1412. the Commons of England preſented a Bill, petitioning King Henry to take the temporal lands from the ſpiritual men, (ſo were the Monks named) becauſe the temporalities were diſorderly waſted by them; and might ſuffice to entertain unto the King 15. Earls, 1500. Knights, 6200. Eſquires, 100. Alms Houſes for the Poor, and 20000. l. to the King's Exchequer; ſo that every Earl ſhall have 3000. Marks yearly; every Knight have 100. M. and four plow-lands; every Eſquire have 40. M. and two plow-lands; and each Alms-Houſe 100. M. with the overſight of two ſecular men unto each Houſe; all Engliſh money. Unto this Bill no anſwer was made. Tho. Cooper. In the year 1414. Thomas Arundel Biſhop of Canterbury, put to death and martyrdom, in January, theſe perſons; Sir Robert Actoun, Mr. John Brown, John Beverley, with 36. more; and in March following he was ſo plagued in his tongue, that ſome days before his death, he could neither eat nor drink, nor ſpeak: many ſaid, It was juſtly done unto him; becauſe he had tied the truth, that it ſhould not be preached. M. Fox ex Tho. Gaſcoin. Unto him ſucceeded Henry Chiceſley, who ſate 25. years, and was no leſs an adverſary againſt the followers of truth: As the Preachers were increaſed, the ſtricter inquiſition was made; ſome were burnt, ſome fled, and ſome abjured. Among thoſe that were burnt was John Claydon, a Currier in London, and Richard Turning, both in one fire at Smithfield, An. 1415. and 36. at Thickethfield. Here Sir John Oldcaſtle, Lord Cobham, deſerveth peculiar remembrance for his godlineſs and warlike courage; about the year 1413. he was called, The Protector of the Lollords. When he was committed unto the Tower, he gave in writing unto the Arch-Biſhop a confeſſion of his faith; the Arch-Biſhop read it, and ſaid, It contained many good and Catholick points; but he muſt ſatisfie them in other heads; as, concerning Tranſubſtantiation; the Sacrament of Pennance; the worſhip of Images; the power of the Keys; the power of the Pope, and Roman Hierarchy. Sir John was ſo far from giving ſatisfaction in theſe heads, that he ſaid plainly, The Pope is the Antichriſt; the Arch-Biſhop and other Prelates are the members of the Antichriſt; and the Friers are his tail; and the uſual determination of theſe other points is contrary unto Scripture, and was deviſed ſince poiſon was infuſed into the Church; and not before. For theſe anſwers, the Arch-Biſhop condemned him of hereſie, and ordained him to be puniſhed: But the King loved him, and cauſed the execution to be delayed. In the mean time Sir John eſcaped out of the Tower; and then a great multitude joyned with him, truſting to be free of danger; but many, both Prieſts and others, were condemned to p. 558the fire, and would not recant. P. Morn. in Myſter. ex Walſing. and he ſhews ex Io. Copgra. lib. 2. de Nobilib. Henr. that Sir John Oldcaſtle ſaid in a Parliament, England will never be in peace, until the authority of the Pope be ſent over the Sea. He was a learned and eloquent man; and publiſhed ſundry Treatiſes againſt invocation of Saints; auricular confeſſion; the ſingle life of Prieſts; and other errors then waxing: Wherefore he was apprehended, and brought again to London; he was firſt hanged, as if he had been a Traitor, and then burnt as an Heretick, An. 1417. Io. Fox hath his ſtory at great length, in Act. & Mon. If we will believe Walſingham, at that time were in England 100000. perſons profeſſing the ſame doctrine. King Henry the V. writ to Pope Martin An. 1422. there were ſo many infected with the Hereſies of Wickliff, that without the force of an Army they could not be ſuppreſſed. Neither yet left he off to make ſtrict Acts againſt them, under the name of Lollards, that they ſhould be puniſhed as Felons and Traitors; and ſo were they purſued: Nevertheleſs, many endured the heat of the fire for worſhipping God alone; for denying the Pope's uſurped power; for maintaining the lawfulneſs of communicating in both elements, &c. Among theſe are numbred Laurence Redman Maſter of Arts, John Aſchwarby Vicar of St. Maries in Oxford, William James, (who is called an excellently well learned young man) Thomas Brightwel, William Haulam a Civilian, Ralph Greenhurſt, &c. Among thoſe which fled, was Peter Pain, who had been a hearer of Wickliff, and then went into Bohemia, and was ſent unto the Councel of Baſil; where he argued for partaking of both elements; and againſt the Civil Power of the Clergy. William White being examined before William Biſhop of Norwich, An. 1428. did hold, (as he had alſo written) that by Law Marriage was granted unto all perſons of the militant Church; but the Pope (who is the Antichriſt) and his Counſellors (which are the Clarks of Lucifer) have aboliſhed this Law, to the undoing of the Prieſthood, after the looſing of Satan, that is, after the 1000. years from the incarnation. Anno 3. of Henry the V. the Act was renewed againſt preſentations unto Benefices, to be purchaſed from the Pope; but under colour of prejudice to the Incumbents in going ſo far for them; but by this Act all preſentations from the Pope were annulled. An. 1439. under King Henry the VI. Richard Wiche was burnt; the next year Eleanora Cobham Dutcheſs of Gloceſter, was condemned to perpetual impriſonment in the Iſle of Man; and Robert only a Prieſt, was condemned to death. Philip Morice was excommunicated by Pope Eugenius, and he appealed unto the General Councel.

4. Richard King of England, had made Truce with France for 30. years; Troubles between France and England.theſe being expired, Henry the V. ſent unto Charls the VII. King of France, An. 1415. claiming the Crown of France. So Wars began. Henry conquered a great part of France. In the year 1419. Charls did dis-inherit his ſon Lewis; and then the Kingdom was divided, ſome cleaving unto Lewis, who, at that time, was called King of Vierron, becauſe he lived there in Berry. Charls agreed with Henry, that Henry ſhould take to wife the daughter of Charls, and be proclaimed Regent of France, and both ſhould keep what they have; and after the death of Charls, the Crown of France ſhall remain with Henry and his heirs; and that Henry, with the Duke of Burgundy, ſhould purſue Lewis the Dolphin, as an enemy of the Common-Wealth. Theſe two Kings died in one year: Charls died firſt; and Henry (becauſe his ſon was but eight moneths old) ordained his brother Humphrey, Duke of Gloceſter, to be Protector of England; and the Dukes of Bedford and Burgundy Protectors of France. Theſe two had continual Wars with Lewis. Henry p. 559the VI. was Crowned King of England, in the eighth year of his age; and at Paris he was Crowned King of France, in the tenth year of his age, An. 1431. Five years thereafter the Duke of Bedford died, and the Duke of Burgundy became an enemy to England; then all things in France, went backward from England; but no ceſſation of wars untill the year 1475. when King Edward the IV. invaded France, and then Truce was made for ſeven years; at that time Lewis gave unto Edward 75000. crowns, and 50000. crowns yearly during the Truce. Henry the VII. renewed the old claim, An. 1487. Peace was made An. 1492. on condition, that Charls ſhould pay preſently a great ſum of money, and then yearly 25000. crowns, in the name of Tribute. Tho. Cooper.

5. At Saint Andrews, Paul Craw was accuſed, An. 1431. for following John Wickliff and Huſs; namely, for denying that the ſubſtance of the Bread and Wine is changed; or that confeſſion is neceſſary to be made unto Prieſts; or praiers unto Saints departed. When he was condemned, they did put a Bull of Braſs in his mouth; to the end he ſhould not ſpeak unto the people, or they ſhould not know for what he was burnt. King James the I. then did ſet himſelf to reform the abuſes that had crept into the Realm, under the Reign of Robert the III. and his own captivity in England; he made Laws againſt the diſturbers of the common peace, and againſt them who ride with more men then their yearly Revenues may ſuſtain; he puniſhed Robbers and Rebels. He conſidered the Clergy, and ſaw that Benefices were not beſtowed on learned men; but as rewards done unto the Pope or a Biſhop: And he ſaw Monks abounding in wealth, and more mindfull of their bellies than of books; and the Churches ſerved by ſome begging Friers, which were hired by the Titulars to preach now and then; and the Beneficed men did never ſee their Pariſhes, unleſs it were to crave their Tithes. When the King did publickly rebuke ſuch enormities, the Biſhops anſwered, and the Friers preached, Church-men ſhould be left unto the Pope, and to God, neither are they obliged to anſwer unto any prophane Magiſtrate. When he could A glimpſ… of Reformation.not amend the preſent poſſeſſours, he would provide for the time to come: At Saint Andrews he founded ſome Schools, to be Seminaries of all Eſtates; and to the end the Schools ſhould be had in the greater eſtimation, he honoured the Maſters with competent maintenance, and their meetings and diſputes with his Royal preſence. He gave ſtrict command; that the Maſters ſhould recommend unto him the moſt diligent and worthieſt Diſciples, on whom he might beſtow the vaking Benefices; and he had alwaies by him a role of the recommended Students. Likewiſe he turbed the Monaſteries; and ſaid, King David (who erected ſo many Monaſteries) was a good Saint to the Church, but an ill Saint to the Crown, Buchan. lib. 10. With conſent of all the Eſtates he made an Act, that all the Subjects ſhould be ruled by the King's Laws only: In Parliam. 3. and if any did fly or appeal from the King's judgment, he ſhould be accounted a Rebel, and puniſhed accordingly. In Parliam 8. James Kennedy, Biſhop of Saint Andrews, was then exemplary; he cauſed all Parſons and Vicars to dwell at their Pariſh Churches, for preaching the Word of God unto their people, and to viſit them eſpecially in time of ſickneſs. He indeavoured to viſit all the Pariſhes within his Diocy four times in the year; and inquired in every Pariſh, if they were duly inſtructed by their Parſon or Vicar, and if the Sacraments were duly adminiſtred; if the poor were helped, and the young ones inſtructed in the grounds of Religion. Where he found not this order obſerved, he puniſhed the Delinquents ſeverely; to the end God's glory might ſhine throughout his Diocy. Ex M. S. hiſtor. in Biblioth. Edimb.

p. 5606. James the III. King of Scotland, ordained by Act of Parliament, An. 1466. that no Commenda, old or new, ſhould have place within the Realm; and that none ſhall purchaſe nor accept any Commenda, under pain of rebellion, otherwiſe then for the ſpace of ſix moneths: And that no Penſion, new or old, of any Benefice, Secular or Religious, be ſought nor accepted from any perſon without or within the Realm, under the ſame pain. James the III. Parlia. 1. Hence we may gueſs at the abuſes of Commendaes, and Penſions out of Benefices, as certainly complaints have been made at that time againſt them. Here, by the way, the Reader may inquire what a Of Commenda.Commenda is? and how it began? This we may learn from P. Soave in Hiſt. Concil. Trident. lib. 2 & 5. In ancient times, by frequent incurſion of enemies, or in time of Peſtilence, it came to paſs, that when the Teachers died, Succeſſors could not be had in a ſhort ſpace; and leſt the People ſhould be deſtitute of a Spiritual Ruler, the chief Prelates of the Province, or ſome neighbour Biſhop, did commend that Church unto ſome Miniſter, until theſe lets were removed, and a qualified Miniſter might be had; that beſides the charge of his own flock, he would alſo help the other, as he might; and in the mean time he had no power of the Benefice, but only to preſerve it: But afterwards, theſe Commendataries, pretending neceſſity and difficulty, had power to meddle with the Benefice; and then being delighted with the Benefice, they would pretend ſome lets why another Miniſter was not needful; and ſo they retained both Benefices, to the prejudice of both flocks. For remedy of this malady it was provided, that a Commenda ſhould not continue above ſix moneths: But the Pope, by the fulneſs of his power, would grant it for a larger time; yea, during the Commendatarie's life; eſpecially when Acts were made againſt plurality of Benefices. So they would keep the words of the Act, but do contrary unto the ſenſe thereof; ſince a Commenda during life is all one with a title. Yea, not only would the Pope give one Commenda, but more, at his pleaſure, and then the ſtyle was changed: For whereas at firſt the words were, That the Church, in the mean time, may be rightly and orderly admonished, we do commend it unto thee; then they ſaid, That thou mayeſt adminiſtrate thy eſtate and condition the more decently, we commend this Church unto thee. And, which is yet worſe, the Pope would give unto the Commendatary a power to diſpoſe the Benefice after his death; yea, and ſuch Commendataries were exempted from ſubjection unto the Biſhop, and he had no power over them; whereby it came to paſs, that the Roman Courtiers were deſirous of no Benefices, but by way of Commenda, and not by way of Title; becauſe upon this account they were ſubject, and upon the other they were abſolute; without any tie of looking after the flock, nor edifices belonging thereunto, but only unto their own benefit and will. And the number of ſuch Commendaes turned to ſuch abuſe, (ſaith the ſame Author) that when all men were calling for a Reformation, Pope Clemens the VII. in the year 1534. was not aſhamed to give unto his Nephew Hippolitus Medices, a Cardinal, a Commenda of all the Benefices throughout the World, both Secular and Regular, both Dignities and Rectories, for the ſpace of ſix moneths after the day of his poſſeſſion, with power to diſpoſe of all their fruits at his pleaſure. By which irregularity, as wickedneſs may be thought to have come to the higheſt pinacle, ſo in former ages (ſaith he) ſuch a number of Commendaes was not known, when the Church of Rome durſt not ſeem ſo ſhameleſs. And yet even then, to cover the plurality of Benefices, they had another trick, which in ancient time was deviſed for the good of the Church, The union of Benefices. At firſt, if any Church was any way robbed of its p. 561Benefice, what was left, was beſtowed, with the care of ſouls, on a neighbor, and both the Pariſhes were accounted one: But by the craft of Courtiers it came to paſs, that without reſpect of ſouls, many rich Benefices were united; and by this means plurality of Benefices were covered, if in favors of a Cardinal 30. or 40. Benefices were united, even though in divers Nations. Whence aroſe many inconveniencies, becauſe the number of Benefices was diminiſhed; and what favor was beſtowed upon one perſon, was alſo communicated unto his Succeſſor, though not ſo deſerving nor craving it; ſo that the Court and Chancellary was damnified: Therefore it was provided, that the Pope may unite ſo many Benefices as he thinketh expedient; yet ſo, that after the death of him in whoſe favor theſe are united, the union ſhall be null, and the Benefices ſhall be in their former condition; and ſo the Chancellary did retain their gain of diſpoſing many Benefices. That Author ſpeaketh thus of theſe Commendaes and Unions generally in all parts, whereby it appeareth, that the care of ſouls was altogether neglected. But our Hiſtory ſheweth yet more abuſes; for ſome did obtain at Rome an Abbocy Reſtraint of the Pope's power in diſpenſing Benefices.and other Benefices; and had power to exact Taxes or Penſions from Prelates and Clarks; and Parſonages were annexed unto Biſhopricks, or unto Abbocies: Therefore in the year 1471. an Act of Parliament was made by King James the III. that becauſe innumerable riches were carried out of the Realm by ſuch means, the purchaſe of Abbocies and other Benefices ſhould be null, if they were never at the Court of Rome before; but ſuch places ſhould have free election. And that no Subject, ſpiritual or temporal, take upon him to be Collector unto the See of Rome of any higher or greater taxation, but as the uſe and cuſtom of old was before, in the old taxation of Bagimont. And that there be no union nor annexion made in time to come to Biſhopricks, Abbocies, nor Priories of any Benefice; nor that any ſuch union made lately, nor ſince the preſent King received the Crown, be of any ſtrength or effect, nor be ſuffered, but the ſaid Benefices ſhall return to the firſt foundation; all under pain of Treaſon. And in the year 1481. it was provided by the ſame King and Eſtates, that no perſon ſhould purchaſe Commiſſion from the See of Rome to be preferred unto any Benefice vaking, even though the See of the Benefice be vacant for the time. Theſe Acts were renewed by King James the IV. in the year 1488. with this addition; If any perſon, ſpiritual or temporal, ſhall maintain or defend ſuch purchaſers of Benefices, after it is declared to be of the King's patronage, ſhall alſo be guilty of Treaſon. But in the year 1493. it was ordained, that all Prelacies, Abbocies, Priories, and other Benefices, ſhould be diſpoſed as they were in the time of King James the I. and that no perſon attempt to purchaſe any Benefice from the Court of Rome, under pain of proſcription and baniſhment. The next year an Act was made, that becauſe ſtill ſome did go to Rome for purchaſing of Benefices, which may be preferred and given within the Realm, and alſo brought novelties and innovations into the Church, without advice of the King; for remedy hereof, no Subject ſhall go out of the Countrey, until the ſpiritual perſons intimate the cauſe of their paſſing unto their Ordinary; and that ſpiritual and temporal perſons ſhall ſhew unto the King, or his Chancellor, the cauſe of their paſſing, and obtain licence, under the pain of Treaſon. Conformable to this practice, Richard Cawdray Proctor, in the name of King Henry the VI. King of England, proteſted by publick inſtrument, that whereas the King and his Progenitors, time out of minde, have been poſſeſſed with ſpecial priviledges, and cuſtom obſerved from time to time, that no Legate from the Apoſtolick See ſhould enter into the Land, or any of the King's Dominions, without calling, petition or deſire of the p. 562King; and for as much as Richard Biſhop of Wincheſter, and Cardinal of S. Euſebie, hath preſumed to enter as Legate, not being called nor deſired by the King: Therefore the ſaid Proctor, in preſence of the Council of England (then in the houſe of the Duke of Gloceſter, Lord Protector in the King's minority) did proteſt, that it ſtandeth not with the King's minde, by advice of his Council, to admit or approve the coming of the ſaid Legate in any way, or to aſſent to the exerciſe of this his Legantin Authority, either attempted or to be attempted, in this reſpect contrary to the foreſaid Laws, and cuſtom, &c. By theſe Acts it is manifeſt, that the uſurpation of the Popes was odious unto the Nations; and that their avarice and innovations were reſtrained; but the Kings did not exclude them, eſpecially in England; the perſecution that was begun in the latter days of Edward the III. continued all the time of King Richard the II. and Henry the IV. and V. though not always with a like cruelty. But in Scotland their Acts had more ſtrength; for when James Kennedy, Arch-Biſhop of Saint Andrews, (who founded and perfected the moſt famous Colledge of Scotland, now called the Old Colledge of Saint Andrew's) died An. 1466: his Brother (of the ſame Mother) Patrick Graham, was elected by the Canons to ſucceed; but he could not obtain the King's conſent; for the Courtiers perſwaded him, that he ſhould not admit ſuch elections; becauſe by ſuch means, the greateſt honors were in the power of the baſeſt men; to wit, Canons gave Biſhopricks, and Monks made Abbots and Priors; whereas (ſaid they) all ſhould depend on the King, that he may reward, puniſh and forgive, according to the ſervice done unto him. Wherefore that Patrick went to Rome, and eaſily obtained The firſt Arch-Bishop of Saint Andrews.from Pope Sixtus the IV. not only confirmation of the election, but likewiſe the Title of Arch-Biſhop of Saint Andrew's; and that all the other Biſhops ſhould be ſubordinate unto that See; and power to be Legate for three years for preventing the dangers inſuing unto the Church. Notwithſtanding all this his authority, he durſt not return into Scotland for fiye years, but abode at Rome; for he knew that the people were exclaiming againſt the contempt of the Laws. In the year 1472. he would adventure to return; but ſent before him the Bull of his Legation. They which were advanced, or hoped for advancement by the King, did fear that this Legation would be to their prejudice; and they ceaſed not to ſhew the King, that his authority was contemned by that Bull, his Acts were annulled, and the liberties of the Realm were turned into the hands of the Romans. Then, by Act of Council, an Herauld was ſent unto Patrick at his landing, before he entred into any houſe to inhabit him, from attempting any thing in any of theſe Offices, untill ſuch things as were to be laid unto his charge were examined before the King. Thereafter he was reconciled unto the King; but with expreſs charge, that he attempt nothing beyond the cuſtom of his Predeceſſors: Nor had any in that place ſo little authority; for he was excommunicated by the Rector; and then again accurſed by Huſman the Pope's Inquiſitor; and the Arch-Deacon Sevez was placed in his Chair; and Patrick was hurried from place to place, as to a ſtronger priſon; whether juſtly or unjuſtly, it is not certain, ſince the cauſe nor proceſs is not made known, except that he paid not the money for his Bull of priviledges. Others were ſo affraid at his miſeries, that they attempted not to recover that priviledge of election from the power of the King; and whom the King did recommend unto the Pope, were all accepted. Hence it came to paſs, that Benefices were beſtowed upon unqualified men, at the pleaſure and ſuit of Courtiers; ſo great corruptions followed. Buchan. lib. 12.

p. 5637. About the year 1465. a Carmelite preached at Paul's Croſs, that Chriſt on earth was poor and begged. The Provincial of that Order, and others, held the ſame opinion. But others did inveigh bitterly againſt them, as teachers of peſtiferous errours. The fame of this controverſie went over the Alps; and Pope Paul the II. writ his Bull into England, informing his Prelates, that it is a peſtiferous hereſie, to affirm that Chriſt had publickly begged; and it was of old condemned by Popes and Councels, therefore it ſhould now be declared as a condemned Hereſie. In the year 1473. John Gooſe, or (as ſome write) John Huſs was burnt on the Tower-hill, for the doctrine of the above-named Martyrs. The next year an old Matron about 90. years of age, Johan Boughton was burnt at Smith-field; and her daughter the Lady Young was in danger. An. 1498. a godly man at Babram in Norfolk was burnt; and in the ſame year and place, a Prieſt was burnt, whom all the Clarks of Canterbury could not remove from his faith: The next year another was burnt at Smithfield. Io. Fox in Acts & Mon.

8. About the year 1492. Robert Blaketer went to Rome for his confirmation The firſt Arch Bishop of Glaſcow, a perſocuter.in the Biſhoprick of Glaſcow; he obtained from Pope Alexander the VI. the Title of Arch-Biſhop, and that three other Diocies ſhould be ſubject unto him. Sevez Arch-Biſhop of Saint Andrews, would not acknowledge him nor his Title, becauſe it was in prejudice of his former Title. Upon this occaſion both Clergy and Nobility went into factions; at laſt they were reconciled, ſo that they both ſhould be called Arch-Biſhops; but Saint Andrews ſhould precede. In the year 1494. by this Robert, was ſummoned, before the King and Councel. thirty perſons from Kyle and Cunningham; among theſe George Campbel of Ceſnok, Adam Reed of Barskyning, John Campbel of Newmills, Andrew Shaw of Polkennet, &c. The Articles laied unto their charge were: 1. Images ſhould not be worſhipped. 2. Nor Reliques of Saints. 3. Chriſt gave power unto Peter, and not to the Pope, to bind and looſe. 4. The Pope is not the Succeſſour of Peter; but where it was ſaid unto him, Go behind me Satan. 5. After the Conſecration bread remains, and the natural body of Chriſt is not there. 6. The Pope deceives the people by his Bulls and Indulgences. 7. The Maſs profiteth not the ſouls which are ſaid to be in Purgatory. 8. The Pope exalts himſelf againſt God, and above God. 9. Prieſts may have wives. 10. True Chriſtians receive the body of Chriſt, every day, by faith. 10. Faith ſhould not be given unto miracles now. 11. We ſhould pray unto God only. 12. We are not bound to beleeve all that Doctours have written. 13. The Pope, who is called the head of the Church, is the Antichriſt. They were accuſed upon other Articles, but ſuch as may be thought to have been venemous accuſations (for the practice of theſe enemies, was ever to make truth odious) or uttered obſcurely, or of not ſo great importance. The Biſhop ſaid to Adam Reed, Reed beleeveſt thou that God is in Heaven? Adam anſwered, Not as I do the Sacraments ſeven. The Biſhop ſaid unto the King, Sir, Io, he denieth that God is in Heaven. The King ſaid, Adam what ſaieſt thou? He anſwered, If it pleaſe your Majeſty, hear the end between the churl and me. Then turning to the Biſhop, he ſaid, I neither think nor beleeve as thou thinkeſt; but I am moſt aſſured that God is not only in Heaven, but alſo on Earth; but thou and thy faction declare, by your works, that either God is not at all, or that he is ſo ſet up in Heaven, that he regards not what is done upon the Earth; for if thou didſt beleeve firmly that God is in Heaven, thou wouldeſt not make thy ſelf check-mate to the King, and altogether forget the charge that Jeſus Chriſt gave unto his Apoſtles, To preach his Goſpel; and not to play the proud Prelates, as all the rabble of you do now. And then he ſaid p. 564unto the King, Sir, judge now whether the Biſhop, or I, do beleeve beſt that God is in Heaven. The Biſhop could not revenge himſelf as he would, and other taunts were given him: But the King, willing to put an end, ſaid unto Adam, Wilt thou burn thy bill? He anſwered, Sir, The Biſhop's if you will. With theſe and the like ſcoffs, the Biſhop and his party were ſo daſhed, that the greateſt part of the accuſations was turned into laughter, and the King would not condemn them. After that time, none was accuſed for religion in the ſpace of 30. years.