in the councel of the earthquake (as Wickleffe called it) it was geuen forthe in commaundement vnto Robert Rigges, that by his meanes the condemnation of the conclusions, should be published thorow out the hole vniuersitie.
Archbishop Courteney's orders to Bishop Braybroke of London, commanding that action be taken against Wiclif and his followers are copied from Lambeth Palace Library, Courteney Register, fos. 25v-26r.
Marginalia Prelates oughte not to be recommended before tēporal Lordes. 1.
Marginalia2.Also that master Wickleffe is a true Catholike doctour.
Marginalia3.That Wickleffe neuer determined or talked otherwise, as touching the matter of the sacrament of the aultar, thē according vnto þe minde and intent of the hole vniuersal church of God.
Marginalia4.That his opinion, as touching the sacramēt of the aultare, is most true.
And finallye in his conclusion, he demysseth the people with this sentence, I wil (said he) in the speculatiue doctrine, as appertainynge to the matter of the Sacrament of the aultare, keepe silence and holde my peace, vntill suche time as God shall haue otherwyse instructed and lightned the heartes of the cleargye. The Archbishop hearinge this, was moued and angred, calling together the hole conuocation, cōmaunded Rigges, the commissary, MarginaliaHuntman and Dash proctors of the vniuersitie. Maister Brightweland the proctours Ihon Huntman, and Water dashe to be sent for, with one master Brightwel, agaynste whome he would attempt, and lay certain suspitions, or rather euidences, to conuicte them for taking of Wickleffes part, they at the first denied, and by excusinge them selues with faire wordes and doubtfull sentences, went aboute to slippe their heades out of the coller. But when that would nothing at all profette, they were at the length compelled, plainly and simply, to declare their hole mindes. But firste making their protestation, wherin they against their wils, confessed that all those conclusions (vnderstanding them litterallye) wer ether heretical or erronious.
[Back to Top]The Commissarye fallynge downe vppon his knees, desired pardon, the whiche thorowe the intercession of the Bishoppe of Winche-ger he obtained, but vnder this condityon, that so sone as he was retourned home, making inquisition thorowe out the vniuersitie, he shuld put to silence, all such as he founde to be the fauourers of Wickleffe, Harforde, Repyngton, Ashton, and Bedman. And that he shoulde also publishe in the head churche of the vniuersitie, all Wickleffes conclusions to be condemned, and that all other whosoeuer he toke or found, to be an adherent vnto Wickleffes secte or faction, that he should either put them to theyr purgation, or cause thē to abiure, vnto whome, when the Commissary aunswered againe, that he durst not do it for feare of death. MarginaliaOxforde slaundred of herisy.What said the Archbishoppe, is Oxford such a nesteler and fauourer of heresies, that the catholicke truthe cannot be published?
[Back to Top]MarginaliaApostrophe to the vniuersitye of Oxford.Hereby it appeareth
These passages extolling Oxford only appear in the 1563 edition (p. 97). They were perhaps dropped in subsequent editions as Foxe became aware of the conservative religious stance of most Oxford colleges in Elizabeth's reign.
And in my minde, not without cause. For, what trouble or busines hath there euer bene, where men of religion, haue ndt bene the ringleaders, both in city, towne, and country. In all places they crepe, in all matters they meddle. And as in Christes time, none was more against him then they, whiche professed most sanctimonye: So now amongst all sortes of men, none more against true religion, then thei who most professed religion. MarginaliaHenrye Crompe fyrst an accuser of other, after accused him self for herisy.Amongst whome there was one Henry Crompe, a moncke Cistercian, a well learned deuyne, whych afterwarde was accused by the Byshops of heresye. He at that tyme was openly suspended by the Commissary, because he called þe heretikes lollardes
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