History of the Catholic Church from 600 to 1600, Ecclesiastical epoch 1300-1600 · Century 16 · Part 1 · Chapter 4
CAP. IV. Of BRITANNE.
1. John Colet had learned humane ſciences at home, and went to France and Italy for love of the ſacred Scriptures. When he returned, he ſet himſelf eſpecially to the meditation of Paul's epiſtles, and expounded them publickly and freely at Oxford. Henry 7 promoted him to the Deanry of Paul's. He profeſſed to diſtaſte many things that he had heard in Sorbone: he called the Scotiſts men without judgement, and the Thomiſts arrogant: he ſaid; he reaped more fruit by the books which the Rabbies called hereticall, than by their books that were full of diviſions and definitions, and weremoſt approved by them. He never marryed, and yet regarded not monks without learning: he ſaid, he found no where leſſe corrupt manners than among married perſons, becauſe the care of a family and other affections ſuffered them not to deboard ſo much as others are wont. He ſpoke zealouſly againſt bishops, who profeſſing religion were greateſt worldlings, and in ſtead of shepheards were wolves. In his Sermons he ſaid, Images should not be worshipped, and clerks should not be covetous. Nor Chriſtians willingly be warriours. Two Friers Bricote and Standice accuſed him for hereſy, unto B. Richard Fiziames: and he unto the archb. firſt, and then unto King Henry VIII. but theſe two knowing the godlineſs of the man, became his Patrones, Eraſm. in epiſt. ad Jod. Jon. dated Andrelac. Idi. Jun. An. 1521. He died of a conſumption An. 1519 in the 53 year of his age: the clergy would have taken his body out of the grave, and burned it, if they had not been hindred by the King. Foxe in acts & mon.
2. Arthur the eldeſt ſon of King Henry I. married Catharine the Infanta of Spain, and died without iſſue: then his father being deſirous to continue the alliance with Spain, and to keep her rich dowry within the realme, deviſed to marry this young widow to his other ſon Henry: and for this end he purchaſed a diſpenſation from the Pope. The King thought to have made his ſecond ſon Archbishop of Canterbury; and for this end was the more ſolicitous to have him well inſtructed: but he was crowned after his fathers death An. 1509.
3. In the beginning of this Century was litle ſtirre in matters of religion in Scotland. After that infortunate battel of Flowdon, where King James 4 and his baſe ſon Alexander Archbishop of Saintandrews were ſlain, fell great ſtrife for that See. Gawin douglas Bishop of Dunkell and brother to the Earle of Anguiſe was preſented by the Queen as Regent: Patrick hepburn Priour of Saintandrews was elected by the Chanons; and Forman Bishop of Murray and Pope Julius his Legate would have it by his power of Eegation. This ſtrife was ſo hot, and continued ſo long a time, that the mouths of many were opened to ſpeak againſt the corruptions in the Church.
4. Hector Boece was borne at Dundy, brought up in learning at Paris; and at this time was profeſſour of philoſophy, and afterward Principall of the Colledge at Aberdien. In his Chronicle of Scotland he cometh not nearer than King Iames 2: but by the by he shewes the eſtate of the Church in his own time: in Lib. 13. c. 11 he ſaith, Now we will make a digreſſion, and ſee how farr the Prelats and Church men in antient times were above the Prelats of our times in vertues and integrity of converſation, of which the Prelats now but have the name, and follow not their manners at all: for the antient fathers were given to the imitation of Chriſt in poverty, piety, humility, and righteouſnes, alluring the people by their fervent charity and continuall preaching in the Service of God with equall affections to rich and poore; not araying themſelves with gold, ſilver or coſtly ornaments; not haunting the Court, nor accompanied with women or ſeen in bordels; not contending to exceed Princes in pleaſure and inſolency; nor doing any thing by deceit, but living in pure conſcience and verity: But the Prelats in our dayes and the Church-men are led with more vices than are ſeen in any other people: ſuch enormities have rung perpetually ſince riches were appriſed by Church-men. So farr he. If the oppoſition be marked (which is his aime) we may underſtand what prelats or clergy were then.