Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 25

"And I said to him, 'Certain, I wot well that many men of this Court [_i.e._, _the Archbishop's_], and specially Priests of this household [_Chaplains_], would be full evil a paid, both with you and me, if they wist that ye were confessed of me!'

"And he said that he cared not therefore, for he had full little affection in them! and, as methought, he spake these words and many others of so good will and of so high desire for to have known and done the pleasant Will of G.o.d.

"And I said then to him, as with my foresaid Protestation, I say to you now here, 'Sir, I counsel you for to absent you from all evil company, and to draw you to them that love and busy them to know and to keep the precepts of G.o.d; and then the good Spirit of G.o.d will move you for to occupy busily all your wits in gathering together of all your sins, as far as ye can bethink you; shaming greatly of them, and sorrowing heartily for them. Yea, Sir, the HOLY GHOST will then put in your heart a good will and a fervent desire for to take and to hold a good purpose, to hate ever and to fly, after your cunning and power, all occasion of sin: and so then wisdom shall come to you from above, lightening with divers beams of grace and of heavenly desire all your wits, informing you how ye shall trust stedfastly in the mercy of the LORD, [ac]knowledging to Him only all your vicious living, praying to Him ever devoutly of charitable counsel and continuance, hoping without doubt that if ye continue thus busying you faithfully to know and keep his biddings, that He will, for He only may, forgive you all your sins!'

"And this man said then to me, 'Though G.o.d forgive men their sins, yet it behoveth men to be a.s.soiled [_absolved_] of priests, and to do the penance that they enjoin them!'

=G.o.d ALONE CAN FORGIVE SINS!=

"And I said to him, 'Sir, it is all one to a.s.soil men of their sins, and to forgive men their sins: wherefore since it pertaineth only to G.o.d to forgive sin, it sufficeth in this case, to counsel men and women for to leave their sin, and to comfort them that busy them thus to do, for to hope stedfastly in the mercy of G.o.d. And againward, priests ought to tell sharply to customable sinners, that if they will not make an end of their sin, but continue in divers sins while that they may sin, all such deserve pain without end. And herefore priests should ever busy them to live well and holily, and to teach the people busily and truly the Word of G.o.d; shewing to all folk, in open preaching and in privy counselling, that the LORD G.o.d only forgiveth sin. And therefore those priests that take upon them to a.s.soil men of their sins, blaspheme G.o.d; since that it pertaineth only to the LORD to a.s.soil men of all their sins. For, no doubt, a thousand years after that CHRIST was man, no priest of CHRIST durst take upon him to teach the people, neither privily nor apertly, that they behoved needs to come to be a.s.soiled of them; as priests do now. But by authority of CHRIST's word, priests bound indured [_hardened_] customable sinners to everlasting pains, [those] which, in no time of their living, would busy them faithfully to know the biddings of G.o.d, nor to keep them. And, again, all they that would occupy all their wits to hate and to flee all occasion of sin, dreading over all things to offend G.o.d, and loving for to please Him continually; to these men and women, priests shewed how the LORD a.s.soileth them of their sins.

And thus CHRIST promised to confirm in heaven, all the binding and loosing that priests, by authority of his Word, bind men in sin that are indured therein; or loose them out of sin here upon earth that are verily repentant.'

"And this man hearing these words, said that he 'might well in conscience consent to this sentence. But,' he said, 'is it not needful to the lay people that cannot thus do, to go shrive them to priests?'

=THE MONK OF FAVERSHAM'S SERMON.=

"And I said, 'If a man feel himself so distroubled with any sin, that he cannot by his own wit, avoid this sin without counsel of them that are herein wiser than he; in such a case, the counsel of a good priest is full necessary. And if a good priest fail, as they do now commonly, in such a case; Saint AUGUSTINE saith that a man may lefully comon [_lawfully commune_] and take counsel of a virtuous secular man. But, certain, that man or woman is overladen and too beastly, which cannot bring their own sins into their mind, busying them night and day for to hate and for to forsake all their sins, doing a sigh for them, after their cunning and power. And, Sir, full accordingly to this sentence, upon mid-Lenton Sunday, two years [_March 29, 1405_], as I guess, now agone, I heard a Monk of Feversham, that men called MOREDOM, preach at Canterbury, at the Cross within Christchurch Abbey, saying thus of Confession: _As through the suggestion of the Fiend, without counsel of any other body than of themselves, many men and women can imagine and find means and ways enough to come to pride, to theft, to lechery, and to other divers vices: in contrary wise_, this Monk said, _since the LORD G.o.d is more ready to forgive sin than the Fiend is or may be of power to move anybody to sin, then whoever will shame and sorrow heartily for their sins, [ac]knowledging them faithfully to G.o.d, amending them after their power and cunning, without counsel of any other body than of G.o.d and himself, through the grace of G.o.d, all such men and women may find sufficient means to come to G.o.d's mercy, and so to be clean a.s.soiled of all their sins._' This sentence I said, Sir, to this man of yours, and the self words, as near as I can guess."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Holy Church approveth not this learning."

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, Holy Church, of which CHRIST is head in heaven and in earth, must needs approve this sentence. For, lo, hereby all men and women may, if they will, be sufficiently taught to know and to keep the commandments of G.o.d, and to hate and to fly continually all occasion of sin, and to love and to seek virtues busily, and to believe in G.o.d stably, and to trust in His mercy stedfastly, and so to come to perfect charity and continue therein perseverantly: and more, the LORD asketh not of any man here now in this life. And, certain, since JESUS CHRIST died upon the cross wilfully to make men free; Men of the Church are too bold and too busy to make men thrall! binding them 'under the pains of endless curse,' as they say, to do many observances and ordinances, which neither the living nor the teaching of CHRIST, nor of his Apostles approveth."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk said then to me, "Thou shewest plainly here thy deceit, which thou hast learned of them that travail to sow popil [_tares_] among wheat! But I counsel thee to go away clean from this learning, and submit thee lowly to my Lord, and thou shalt find him yet to be gracious to thee!"

+Another Clerk.+ And as fast, another Clerk said to me, "How wast thou so bold at Paul's Cross in London, to stand there hard, with thy tippet [_cape_] bounden about thine head, and to reprove in his sermon, the worthy Clerk ALKERTON, drawing away all, that thou mightest! Yea, and the same day at afternoon, thou meeting that worthy Doctor in Watling street, calledst him, 'False flatterer, and hypocrite!'"

=WILLIAM CALLS ALKERTON, _FLATTERER_!=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I think certainly, that there was no man nor woman that hated verily sin and loved virtues, hearing the sermon of the Clerk of Oxford, and also ALKERTON's sermon, but they said, and might justly say, that ALKERTON reproved the Clerk untruly, and slandered him wrongfully and uncharitably. For, no doubt, if the living and teaching of CHRIST chiefly and his Apostles be true, n.o.body that loveth G.o.d and His Law will blame any sentence that the Clerk then preached there; since, by authority of G.o.d's Word, and by approved Saints and Doctors, and by open reason, this Clerk approved all things clearly that he preached there."

+A Clerk.+ And a Clerk of the Archbishop said to me, "His sermon was false, and that he sheweth openly, since he dare not stand forth and defend his preaching, that he then preached there."

=THE CLERK AT OXFORD, A LOLLARD.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I think that he purposeth to stand stedfastly thereby, or else he slandereth foully himself and many others that have great trust that he will stand by the truth of the Gospel. For I wot well his sermon is written both in Latin and in English; and many men have it, and they set great price thereby. And, Sir, if ye were present with the Archbishop [_i.e._, _of CANTERBURY, in whose presence he was then standing_] at Lambeth, when this Clerk appeared; and were at his Answer before the Archbishop: ye wot well that this Clerk denied not there his sermon; but, two days, he maintained it before the Archbishop and his Clerks."

+Archbishop or a Clerk.+ And then the Archbishop, or one of his Clerks said (I wot not which of them!), "That harlot [_at this time applied to men also_] shall be met with, for that sermon. For no man but he, and thou, and such other false harlots, praiseth any such preaching."

+Archbishop.+ And then the Archbishop said, "Your cursed sect is busy, and it joyeth right greatly to contrary and to destroy the privilege and freedom of Holy Church."

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I know no men travail so busily as this sect doth, which you reprove, to make rest and peace in Holy Church. For pride, covetousness, and simony which distrouble most Holy Church, this sect hateth and flyeth, and travaileth busily to move all other men in like manner unto meekness and wilful poverty and charity, and free ministring of the sacraments: this sect loveth, and useth, and is full busy to move all other folks, thus to do. For these virtues owe all members of Holy Church to their head, CHRIST."

+A Clerk.+ Then a Clerk said to the Archbishop, "Sir, it is far day, and ye have far to ride to-night; therefore make an end with him, for he will none make! But the more, Sir, that ye busy you for to draw him towards you, the more contumax [_contumacious_] he is made, and the further from you."

+Malveren.+ And then MALVEREN said to me, "WILLIAM! kneel down, and pray my Lord, of grace! and leave all thy fantasies, and become a child of Holy Church!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, I have prayed the Archbishop oft, and yet I pray him, for the love of CHRIST! that he will leave his indignation that he hath against me; and that he will suffer me, after my cunning and power, for to do mine office of priesthood, as I am charged of G.o.d to do it. For I covet nought else, but to serve my G.o.d to His pleasing, in the state that I stand in, and have taken me to."

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "If, of good heart, thou wilt submit thee now, here, meekly to be ruled, from this time forth by my counsel, obeying meekly and wilfully to mine ordinance, thou shalt find it most profitable and best to thee for to do thus. Therefore, tarry thou me no longer! Grant to do this, that I have said to thee now, here, shortly; or deny it utterly!"

=WILLIAM QUESTIONS THE ARCHBISHOP.=

+William.+ And I said to the Archbishop, "Sir, owe [_ought_] we to believe that JESUS CHRIST was and is Very G.o.d and Very Man?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, owe we to believe that all CHRIST's living and his teaching is true in every point?"

+Archbishop.+ And he said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, owe we to believe that the living of the Apostles and the teaching of CHRIST and of all Prophets are true, which are written in the _Bible_ for the health and salvation of G.o.d's people?"

+Archbishop.+ And he said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, owe all Christian men and women, after their cunning and power, for to conform their living to the teaching specially of CHRIST; and also to the teaching and living of his Apostles and of Prophets, in all things that are pleasant to G.o.d, and edification to His Church?"

+Archbishop.+ And he said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, ought the doctrine, the bidding, or the counsel of anybody to be accepted or obeyed unto, except this counsel, these biddings, or this counsel may be granted and affirmed by CHRIST's living and his teaching, or by the living and teaching of his Apostles and Prophets?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Other doctrine ought not to be accepted, nor we owe not to obey to any man's bidding or counsel; except we can perceive that this bidding or counsel accordeth with the bidding and teaching of CHRIST and of his Apostles and Prophets?"

=WILLIAM VERY FIRM; ABP. IN A Pa.s.sION.=

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, are not all the learning and biddings and counsels of Holy Church means and healthful remedies to know, and to withstand the privy suggestions and the apert temptations of the Fiend; and also ways and healthful remedies to slay pride and all other deadly sins and the branches of them; and sovereign means to purchase grace, for to withstand and overcome all fleshly l.u.s.ts and movings?"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said, "Yea!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, whatsoever thing ye or any other body bid or counsel me to do; according to this foresaid learning, after my cunning and power, through the help of G.o.d, I will meekly, with all mine heart, obey thereto!"

+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Submit thee then, now, here, meekly and wilfully to the ordinance of Holy Church, which I shall shew to thee!"

+William.+ And I said, "Sir, according as I have here, now before you, rehea.r.s.ed, I will now be ready to obey full gladly to CHRIST, the Head of all Holy Church, and to the learning and biddings and counsels of every pleasing member of Him."

+Archbishop.+ Then the Archbishop striking with his hand fiercely upon a cupboard, spake to me, with a great spirit, saying, "By Jesu! but if thou leave such additions, obliging thee now here without any exception to mine ordinance, ere that I go out of this place, I shall make thee as sure as any thief that is in the prison of Lantern. Advise thee now, what thou wilt do!" And then, as if he had been angered, he went from the cupboard where he stood, to a window.

And then MALVEREN and another Clerk came nearer me, and they spake to me many words full pleasantly, and another while they menaced me and counselled full busily to submit me, or else they said I should not escape punis.h.i.+ng over measure; for they said I should be degraded, cursed, and burned, and so then d.a.m.ned!

+Malveren and a Clerk.+ "But now," they said, "thou mayest eschew all these mischiefs, if thou will submit thee wilfully and meekly to this worthy Prelate, that hath cure of thy soul! And for the pity of CHRIST!"

said they, "bethink thee, how great clerks [PHILIP DE REPINGTON] the Bishop of LINCOLN, HEREFORD, and PURVEY were, and yet are; and also B[OWTON] that is a well understanding man: which also have forsaken and revoked all the learning and opinions that thou and such others hold!

Wherefore, since each of them is mickle wiser than thou art; we counsel thee for the best, that, by the example of these four Clerks, thou follow them, submitting thee as they did!"

=THE CHAPLAINS TRY THEIR HANDS ON HIM.=

+A Clerk.+ And one of the [Arch]bishop's Clerks said, then, there, that "he heard NICHOLAS HEREFORD say, that 'since he forsook and revoked all the learning and opinions of the Lollards, he hath had mickle greater favour and more delight to hold against them; than ever he had to hold with them, while he held with them.'"

+Malveren.+ And therefore MALVEREN said to me, "I understand and [_if_]

thou wilt take thee to a priest, and shrive thee clean, forsake all such opinions, and take thy penance of my Lord here, for the holding and teaching of them, within short time thou shalt be greatly comforted in this doing!"