The Project Gutenberg eBook of The last age of the church, by John Wyclyffe This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. Title: The last age of the church Author: John Wyclyffe Editor: James Henthorn Todd Release Date: March 10, 2023 [eBook #70258] Language: English Produced by: Brian Wilson, Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST AGE OF THE CHURCH *** Transcriber’s Note: Sidenotes have been treated as footnotes, with anchors inserted in the text at the appropriate point. Upright text within italic passages is indicated ~like this~. THE LAST AGE OF THE CHURCH. The Last Age of the Church. By JOHN WYCLYFFE. Now first Printed From a Manuscript In the UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, DUBLIN. EDITED WITH NOTES, By JAMES HENTHORN TODD, D.D., Fellow of Trinity College, and Treasurer of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Dublin: AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. M.DCCC.XL. [Illustration] ¶ The Preface. A well known popular Writer on the History of the Christian Church has given it as his Opinion, that whoever will carefully examine the original Records, will soon be convinced that the Merits of _Wyclyffe_, as a Reformer, have been considerably exaggerated.[1] How far this is true or not, the Writer of these Pages will not attempt to determine; but certain it is, that to “examine the original Records,” with a View to discover the real Doctrines and Opinions of _Wyclyffe_, is much more easily said than done; and the Reader who seeks for Satisfaction from the Biographers of the Reformer, or from the Historians of the Period, will soon be convinced that the original Records, and above all, the still remaining Writings of _Wyclyffe_ and his Followers, have never been examined with the Care and Attention necessary for the Purpose of forming a just Estimate of his Opinions, and of the Merit of his Efforts at a Reformation of the Church. The List of _Wyclyffe’s_ Writings published by Bishop _Bale_, in his Work, _Scriptorum Majoris Brytanniæ Catalogus_[2], has been necessarily made the Basis of all that subsequent Writers have collected. It has been reprinted, with many useful additions, by the learned and indefatigable _John Lewis_[3], of whose Labours every Student must speak with Gratitude. Mr. _Baber_[4] also has done much towards assisting future Inquirers, by the very valuable List of the Reformer’s Writings that he has compiled. Here, however, we must stop; Mr. _Vaughan’s_ Compilation[5] has not added much to our Knowledge of the Subject, nor can it be commended either for Accuracy or Learning; and Mr. _Le Bas_[6] does not profess to do more than follow his Predecessors. His humbler Task, however, has been executed with great Elegance and Judgment. The Truth, therefore, is, that until the Works of _Wyclyffe_, real and supposititious, be collected and published, it is vain to talk of determining his Opinions, or fixing his real Merits as a Reformer; and it is with the Hope of directing Attention to this Subject that the following Tract is now printed. The learned _Henry Wharton_[7] was willing to believe that all the Writings of _Wyclyffe_ might in his Time have been recovered: “_omnia ~Wiclefi~ scripta_,” he says, “_in Anglia adhuc delitescere, et ex Bibliothecis nostris qua publicis qua privatis in lucem erui posse, lubenter crederem_.” Perhaps we have still all the MSS. that existed in _Wharton’s_ Time, and it may be still within our Power to rescue them from the Oblivion in which they have so long been suffered to remain. But the Chances of their Destruction are every Day becoming greater, and Delay in such an Enterprize is highly dangerous. It is true that many of these Documents will be found dry, and to the popular Reader uninteresting; buried in the barbarous Latinity of the Schools, or concealed under the perhaps still more obsolete English of the fourteenth Century. But they who would engage in such a Labour as the Publication of the Works of _Wyclyffe_, must be above the narrow Influences of modern Utilitarianism. They must keep in View a higher Field of Learning than comes within the Sphere of Mercantile Speculators in Literature, or Useful Knowledge Societies. They must feel that the Value of these Documents as Compositions, is but a secondary Object in their Publication; the great End must be the Discovery of Truth, and the Preservation of the Remains of an illustrious Character in our History. What nobler, what more imperishable Monument could the Gratitude of England raise to her first Reformer, than a complete and uniform Edition of his extant Writings? The Editor is fully sensible that the Tract which is now for the first Time given to the public, is very far from being a favorable Specimen of the Works of _Wyclyffe_. But it commended itself for Publication on many Grounds: First, its Shortness. Secondly, its early Date; for it bears internal Evidence of having been composed in the Year 1356[8], and must, therefore, (if really by _Wyclyffe_,) have been the earliest of his Writings. Another Motive for publishing this Production is furnished by the Consideration, that, if it be genuine, it reveals to us a Fact not dwelt upon, so far as the Editor knows, by any of the Reformer’s Biographers; namely, the Connexion which existed between the earlier Doctrines of _Wyclyffe_, and the prophetical Speculations of the _Beguins_, circulated under the Name of the famous Abbot _Joachim_. It remains, however, to be proved, that the Tract now printed is really _Wyclyffe’s_; and this, the Editor admits, seemed to him an additional Reason for selecting it for Publication; inasmuch as it served at once to raise the Question, How far we have certain Grounds for attributing to _Wyclyffe_ the Writings that exist under his Name; nor is it perhaps too much to say, that this is a Subject which the learned World has never been in a Condition to consider fully. Yet there is no preliminary Question more deserving of Attention, if we would form a just Estimate of our Reformer’s Merits; for it must be evident to every reflecting Reader, that if we are in any Degree uncertain of the Genuineness of such Writings as are quoted under the Name of _Wyclyffe_, the Conclusions drawn from them, as to the Nature and Character of his Doctrines, must be in the same Degree uncertain, and destitute of Authority. In the present Case, the Grounds upon which the following Treatise has been assigned to _Wyclyffe_, are no more than these:—First, that it is found in a MS. Volume of the fourteenth Century, which contains several other Tracts, that are believed to be _Wyclyffe’s_. Secondly, that it has been ascribed to _Wyclyffe_, by Bishop _Bale_, Mr. _Lewis_, and, after them, by his more modern Biographers. These Remarks are not made with a Design to cast any Doubt on the Genuineness of the following Treatise. It is very probably by _Wyclyffe_, although we have no better Reason than the Authority of _Bale_ for thinking so. But if any Reader should entertain a Doubt on this Subject, deeming the Tract unworthy of our Reformer, (as many will doubtless feel it to be very different from what they would have expected from the Pen of _Wyclyffe_,) the Editor must confess himself unable to satisfy such Scruples; nor is he aware of any Argument by which the Authority of _Bale_ and _Lewis_ can be supported. The Conclusion, however, to which he desires to bring the Reader, and for the Sake of which he has hazarded these Remarks, is simply this, that until the various Treatises attributed to _Wyclyffe_ are collected, and rendered accessible to the Learned, it is vain to think of deciding the Question how far any given Tract is worthy or unworthy of his Pen. One other Particular, concerning the following Work, remains to be considered. Mr. _Vaughan_[9] tells us that “this is one of the Reformer’s Pieces that is to be found only in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin;” and this may, for aught we know, be true, although perhaps it only means that no other Copy of the Tract was elsewhere found by Mr. _Vaughan_. Certain, however, it is, that Bishop _Bale_ has entered the Treatise in two different Places of his Catalogue, and under two different Titles; from which we may infer, that in his Time, or in the Times of those from whom he copied, the Tract was found in two different Collections. In one place he enters it thus[10]:—(See No. 84 of _Lewis’s_ Catalogue.[11]) “_De simonia sacerdotum_, lib. 1. _Heu magni sacerdotes in tenebris._” In another place[12] he gives it the Title under which it is now published, and describes it thus[13]:— “_De ultimâ ætate Ecclesiæ_, lib. 1, _Sacerdotes, proh dolor! versantes in vitiis._” It is by no means improbable, therefore, that a second Copy of the Tract may still exist, under some Disguise, in our public or private Libraries. The Volume from which the Treatise is now printed, is preserved among the MSS. of Archbishop _Ussher_, in the Library of the University of _Dublin_. It appears to have been once the Property of Sir _Robert Cotton_, whose Autograph is found on the lower Margin of the first Page, in his usual Form of Signature[14]: “_Robert Cotton Bruceus._” On the upper Margin of the same Page, in a Hand of the early Part of the sixteenth Century, now nearly obliterated, may be traced the Words, “_Wiclefe roas a thousand thre hūderyd thre schorr and uiij._” Over which Sir _Robert Cotton_ has written, “_Anno 1368. Wicklif workes to the Duk of Lancaster._” Nothing appears in the Volume to indicate the exact Year in which it was transcribed, but the Hand-writing would lead us to assign it to the latter End of the fourteenth or Beginning of the fifteenth Century. It is imperfect in some places, but contains a very valuable Collection of the Tracts of _Wyclyffe_, for a complete List of which the Reader is referred to some Papers that were published in the Year 1835, in the _British Magazine_[15]; where he will also find an Account of the Treatise, now for the first time printed, “On the last Age of the Chirche,” with an Exposure of certain Mistakes that have been committed respecting it. Several of the Remarks contained in those Papers have been transferred to the Notes, which will be found at the End of the present Volume. [Illustration] ¶ The last Age of the Chirche. By John Wyclyffe, S. Th. P. M.ccc.luj. [Illustration] The last age of the Chirche. Alas forsorwe grete prestis sittinge in derkenessis[16] & in schadewe of deeþ/ noȝt hauynge him þat openly crieþ/ al þis I wille ȝeue ȝif þou auaunce me. Þei make reseruaciouns/ þe whiche ben clepid dymes/ ffirst fruytis/ oþer penciouns/ aftir þe opynioun of hem þat trete þis matir. For no more schulde fatte beneficis be reserued þāne smale/ ȝif no pryuy cause of symonye were tretide/ þe whiche I seie noȝt at þis tyme. But Joachur[17]/ in his book of þe seedis of profetis & of þe seyingis of popes & of þe chargis of profetis/ tretynge þis matir/ & spekynge of þe rente of dymes/ seiþ þus[18]/ foure tribulaciouns Dauiþ þe profete haþ bifore seid/ þe seuynty & nyne chapitre/ to entre into þe Chirche of God/ & Bernard[19] acordiþ þere wiþ/ vpon cantica/ þe þre & pritty sermon/ þat ben/ a nyȝtly drede/ an arwe fleynge in day/ chaffare walkynge in derkenessis/ & myddais deuylrie/ þat is to seye/ antecrist. Nyȝtly drede was whanne alle þat slowen seyntis demyd hem silf do seruyse to God/ & þis was þe firste tribulacioun þat ontrede þe Chirche of God. Þe arwe fleynge in day was desceyt of heretikis/ & þat was þe secunde tribulacioun þat entred þe Chirche of Crist. Þat is put of bi wisdom of seyntis/ as þe firste was cast out bi stedfastenesse of martiris. Chaffare walkynge in derkenessis is þe pryui heresie of symonyans/ bi resoun of whiche þe þridde tribulacioun schal entre into Cristis Chirche/ þe whiche tribulacioun or angusch schal entre þe Chirche of Crist in þe tyme of þe hundrid ȝeer of .x. lettre/ whos ende we ben/ as I wele preue/ & þis myscheif schal be so heuy þat wel schal be to þat man of holy Chirche þat þāne schal noȝt be on lyue. And þat I preue þus bi Joachrin[20] in his book of þe deedis of profetis. Men of ebreu tunge haueþ xxii lettris/ and byngȳn̄ge fro þe first of ebrew lettris/ & ȝeuynge to euery lettre an hundrid ȝeer/ þe oolde Testament was endid whāne þe noumbre ȝeuen to þe lettris was fulfillid. So fro þe bygynnynge of ebrew lettris in to Crist/ in þe whiche þe oolde Testament was endid/ weren two and twenty hundriddis of ȝeeris. Þis also schewiþ openly bi discripcioun of tyme/ of Eusebi[21]/ Bede[22]/ & Haymound[23]/ most preued of acounteris/ or talkeris. So Cristen men hauen xxi lettris/ & bygynnynge fro þe first of Latyn lettris/ & ȝeuynge to eche .c./ þe newe Testament was endid whanne þe noumbre of þes assingned lettris was fulfillid. And þis is as soþ as in þe bigynnynge God made heuene & erþe/ for þe oolde Testament is figur of þe newe. But aftir Joachim[24] & Bede[25]/ fro þe bygynnynge of Latyn lettris to þe comynge of Crist weren seuene hundrid ȝeere/ so þat Crist cam in þe hondrid of .h’. lettre/ Crist steye to heuene/ and aftir þat/ undir .k’. lettre/ Crist delyuered his Chirche fro nyȝtly drede/ þe whiche was þe firste drede þat Goddis Chirche was inne. Aftir þat/ vndir .m. lettir/ Crist delyuered his Chirche fro þe arwe fleynge in day/ þat was þe secunde tribulacioun of þe Chirche/ & þat was demynge by Joachim[26] & oþere þat vndir .m. lettre schewede þe multitude of heretikis contraryinge þe birþe of Crist his pascioun & his assencioun/ in þat þat .m. lettre most figured Crist. Euery lettre in þe abece may be sounded wiþ opyn mouþ saue .m. lettre one/ þe whiche may noȝt be souned but wiþ clos mouþ. So Crist myȝte noȝt come out of þe maydenes wombe/ but sche hadde be clos. And þes ben uerse of .m. lettre/ College claustris exire solent patefactis/ Una sed ex istis nō egreditur nisi clausis. Aftir þat/ vnder .x. lettre/ was þe þridde tribulacioun in Goddis Chirche/ þe whiche .x. lettre is last of Latyn lettris/ & þe þridde tribulacioun schal be schewid in þe hondrid ȝeere of .x. lettre. I preue it bi two resouns/ þe firste is þis. Petir þe Apostle þe whiche was in þe tyme of .I. lettre/ myȝte not vttirly distrie Symoun Magus/ but bi helpe of Poul[27]/ þe whiche was þe þritteneþ Apostil. So/ ȝif .x. lettre be þe þritteneþe fro .I. lettre/ in þe tyme of .x. lettre Crist schal clanse his Chirche fro marchaundise walkygnge in derkenessis. Þe secunde resoun is suche. Ȝit cam noȝt þat tribulacioun þat schal be in Goddis Chirche bi cause of chaffare walkynge in derkenesses/ & þat þat is prophesied schal come. Siþþe þanne þat we ben in .x. lettre/ as it is schewid/ þis tribulacioun schal come in .x. lettre oþere aftir/ but aftir .x. lettre/ þat is þe last of Latyn lettris/ schal be no tribulacioun in Goddis Chirche bote þe fourþe & þe laste/ þe whiche schal be bi þe deuel of mydday/ þat is Antecrist[28]/ þe whiche tribulacioun bi no Latyn lettre may be certefied/ as þes þre bifore. Ffor his comynge oonly to God is knowen/ & knowleche of him to God oonly reserued. Whefore it folwiþ þat vndir .x. lettre schal be schewid þilke tribulacioun þat schal be in Goddis Chirche/ by resoun of chaffare walkynge in derkenessis. Þat we ben vndir þe hundrid ȝeere of .x. lettre/ I schewe schortly by Bede[29] vpon þe profetis of Sibille/ and by Joachim[30] in þe book of þe seedis of profetis/ & oþere writeris of stories. Ffro þe bygynnynge of Latyn lettris to Crist Ihū/ were seuene hundrid ȝeer/ and fro Crist til now/ þrittene hundrid ȝeer and sixe & fyfty[31]/ so þat þere ben to come of our abece but foure & fourty ȝeer/ & bi þis of þe hundrid ȝeere of .x. beþ passid sixe & fifty ȝeere. Þe synnes bi cause of whiche suche persecucioun schal be in Goddis Chirche our tyme ben þes/ for Goddis Chirche is foundid in kynrade of prelatis. Þis same rekened Joachim[32] in þe bookis bifore. Also for goodis of holy Chirche þat prelatis wiþ holdeþ to hem/ as pensiouns/ firste frutis/ fermes/ prouendris/ þe whiche may wel be clepid collibiste/ þes synnes and oþere suche ben marchaundise walkynge in derkenessis. Þe manere of tribulacioun schal be such as Joachim[33] seiþ in þe book of þe charge of profetis. Men of holy Chirche schal be seyd in a manere of careyne/ þei schal be cast out as dogge in myddis placis. Her wiþ acordiþ Carnosencis/ in a book þat he clepiþ pollicraticon[34]/ þe seuenþe book/ þe tenþe chapitre/ & he aleyeþ Gregor seiynge þus/ pestilencis/ smyttingis to gidere of folkis/ & hurtlynge to gidere of rewmes/ & oþir harmes schal come to þe erþe/ for þat worschipis of holy Chirche beþ ȝeue to vnworþi men. And in þe eiȝteþe book[35]/ defaute of prestis among Goddis folk bryngiþ in tirnauntis. Þat þis tribulacioun is nyȝe/ and whanne it schal come/ bi hem þat tretiþ þis matir is/ whanne men schulle wante teeþ/ and comynly alle children/ boren siþþen þe first pestylence/ ben such þat wanten eiȝte grete teeþ. Herwiþ acordiþ Merlyn Ambrose[36]/ þat such angusche is nyȝe/ for as by hem/ in þe tyme of þe myscheif of þe kok/ þat we clepe fraunce/ þat schal be distroyed by þe sixte of irlond/ þe witt is our kyng wiþ his children. Sibille[37] acordiþ herto/ þat suche tribulacioun is nyȝe/ in þes verse: Gallus succuutus aquile victricia signa/ Mundus adorabit/ est vrbs vix presule digna/ Papa cito moritur/ Sesar regnabit vbique/ Sub quo tunc vana cessabit gloria cleri. Þei þat treten þes verse of Sibille/ alle þat I haue seen/ acorden in þis/ þat seculer power of þe Hooly Goost elispirid/ & þat deþ/ veniaunce of swerd/ myscheifs vnknowe bifore/ bi whiche men þes daies schule be ponyschid/ schulen falle for synne of prestis. Men schal falle on hem/ & caste hem out of her fatte beneficis/ and þei schule seye/ he cam in to his benefice by his kynrede/ þes bi couenant maad bifore/ he for his seruyse/ & þes for moneye/ cam into Goddis Chirche. Þanne schal eche suche prest crye/ Alas/ Alas/ þat no good spiryt dwellid wiþ me at my comynge into Goddis Chirche. Þe wordis of Josue 2. cᵒ. þe þridde. I seide þat Crist entrede into hooly þingis/ þat is holy Chirche/ by holy lyuynge & holy techinge/ preynge þe Fadir for vs. Þe Mayster of Scholys[38] rehersiþ/ þe þridde book of Kyngis/ þe v. cᵒ./ aftir þe talis of iewis of Salamon/ þere was a stork hadde a berd/ & his berd was sperid vndir a vessel of glas/ and whanne þis stork sau his brid/ &. þat he myȝte noȝt come to hym/ he brouȝt a litil reed worme out of wildirnesse/ & wiþ his blood he anoyntide þe glas. Þe glass to barst/ & þe brid fleye his wey. So oure Lord þe Fadir of heuene hadde mankynde in helle/ þat was glasyne/ þat is to seye britil as glas. To breke it be brouȝt suche a litil reed worme/ þat was our Lord Ihū Crist/ as Dauiþ seiþ/ þe on & twenty Salme. 2i.[39] Ego sum vermis/ & non homo/ I am a worme & no man/ & wiþ his blood he delyuered mannes kynde. Zacarie[40] writiþ/ þe nynþe chapitre/ þou forsoþe wiþ blood of witnesse/ or þi testament/ hast ledde out hem þat were bounde in þe pyt. So whanne we weren synful/ & children of wraþþe/ Goddis sone cam out of heuene/ & preyying his fadir for his enemyes/ & he deyed for vs þanne/ myche raþere now we ben maad riȝtful bi his blood schule be saued. Poul writiþ to þe romayns. v. cᵒ.[41] He schal preye for vs. Ihūs wente into heuene to apere to þe semlant of God for vs. Poul to þe hebrees.[42] Þe whiche semlant he graunte vs to see/ þat lyueþ & regneþ wiþout eende/ Amen. NOTES. [Illustration] Notes. How far the foregoing Tract has suffered from the Carelessness or Ignorance of the Transcriber, it will not be possible to determine, until another Copy shall be discovered. It is the Object of the following Notes to correct some of the more obvious Mistakes, as well as to trace the Historical Origin of the Tract, and to explain its References and Allusions. The Editor has not thought it necessary to preserve in every Instance the Contractions of the original Manuscript; but he has carefully retained the Spelling, even in some Cases where an Error of the Transcriber is evident. The Anglo-Saxon Letters, þ and ȝ, are used throughout the MS., and are preserved, as being characteristic of the Orthography of the Period. PAGE xxiii. line 3. Noȝt hauynge him þat openly crieþ. There seems some Error or Omission of the Transcriber here; but the Allusion is probably to St. Matt. iv. 9. A learned Friend has ingeniously suggested to the Editor, that “nought-having” may mean disregarding, _pro nihilo habentes_, not fearing, abhorring, or thinking any Harm of him that openly crieth, “all these Things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me;” i. e. not fearing the Demon of Simony. “Avaunce” is perhaps substituted for _adoraveris_, in order to render the Passage more applicable to Clerical Simony, or Purchase of Preferment. Ibid. line 6. Þei make reseruaciouns. The Exactions of the Court of _Rome_ had been made the Subject of Legislation in _England_, from the 35 of _Edw._ I., in which Year (A.D. 1306-7) Petitions were presented to the King from the Nobility and Commonalty of the Realm against the intolerable Exactions of the Pope[43]; (_Super variis novis et intollerabilibus gravaminibus, oppressionibus, injuriis, et extorsionibus ... auctoritate et mandato Domini Papæ_;) and these Petitions were the Occasion of a Statute[44], passed at a Parliament held at _Carlisle_ in that Year, whereby the Papal Taxation of Abbeys and Religious Houses was restrained, and in certain Cases prohibited. In the Year 1350-1, however, (25 _Edw._ III.) only Six Years before the Date of the Tract before us, the Statute _against Papal Provisions of Benefices_ was passed[45], in which the Pope’s Power of presenting to Benefices in _England_, in Violation of the Rights of the natural Patrons, was restrained, and the Provisors attached. The Word _Reservation_ seems to be used in the Text to denote the _Provisions_ prohibited by these Acts of Parliament;—it is thus defined by _Du Cange_[46]: “_Rescriptum seu mandatum summi Pontificis, quo certorum beneficiorum, cum vacaverint, collationem sibi reservat faciendam cui voluerit, aliis legitimis collatoribus exclusis._” This is exactly what the Statutes referred to term _Provision_. The Word _Reservation_, however, is used by our modern Law-Authorities[47] in a more general Sense, to denote a Rent or Profit reserved by the Owner of an Estate or Tenement for his own Use: and in this Sense the First Fruits or Annates, Tenths, and Pensions, claimed by the Court of _Rome_ are rightly termed _Reservations_, and in their Origin are clearly Simoniacal: such Pensions, First Fruits, and Tenths being in fact the Price paid to the Court of _Rome_ for Collation, as appears from the Statute 13 _Ric._ II.[48] _Stat._ 2, c. 2, (A.D. 1389-90,) where after reciting the Statutes 25 _Edw._ III. and 35 _Edw._ I. the Act goes on to complain: _Et ja monstre soit a n̄r. sʳ. le Roi &c._ “And now it is shewed to our Lord the King, in this present Parliament holden at _Westminster_, at the Utas of the Purification of our Lady, ... by the grievous Complaints of all the Commons of his Realm, that the Grievances and Mischiefs aforesaid do daily abound, to the great Damage and Destruction of all this Realm, more than ever were before, viz. that now of late our Holy Father the Pope, by Procurement of Clerks and otherwise, hath reserved, and doth daily reserve to his Collation, generally and especially, as well Archbishopricks, Bishopricks, Abbeys, and Priories, as all other Dignities, and other Benefices of _England_, which be of the Advowry of People of Holy Church, and doth give the same as well to Aliens as to Denizens, and taketh of all such Benefices, the First Fruits, and many other Profits, and a great Part of the Treasure of the said Realm is carried away and dispended out of the said Realm by the Purchasers of such Graces; and also by such privy Reservations many Clerks advanced in this Realm by their true Patrons, which have peaceably holden their Advancements by long Time, be suddenly put out: Whereupon, the said Commons have prayed our said Lord the King, &c.” And again, in Statute 6 _Hen._ IV.[49] (A.D. 1404) cap. 1. _Sur la grevouse compleint_, &c. “For the grievous Complaints made to our Sovereign Lord the King by his Commons of this Parliament, holden at _Coventry_, the vj. Day of October, the vj. Year of his Reign, of the horrible Mischiefs and damnable Custom which is introduct of new in the Court of _Rome_, that no Parson, Abbot, nor other, should have Provision of any Archbishoprick or Bishoprick, which shall be void, till he hath compounded with the Pope’s Chamber, to pay great and excessive Sums of Money, as well for the First Fruits of the same Archbishoprick or Bishoprick, as for other less Services in the same Court, and that the same Sums, or the greater part thereof, be paid beforehand, &c.” Thus it appears that the Exactions of the Papal Court were attracting great Attention in _England_, at the Period when this Tract was written. The Parliament, viewing the Matter as Politicians, denounced the Papal Claims on the Grounds that large Sums of Money were annually sent out of _England_, and Aliens advanced to spiritual Livings in the Church; _Wyclyffe_ taking up the Question as a Theologian, censures these Exactions as Simoniacal, and refers to them as symptomatic of the Approach of _Antichrist_. The _Dismes_ mentioned in the Text are the _Decimæ Decimarum_, or Tenths of all Livings, which, with the First Fruits, were originally claimed by the Pope, although subsequently annexed to the Crown; and which now form the Foundation of the Fund called _Queen Anne’s Bounty_.[50] The _Pensions_ exacted by the Court of _Rome_ were still more directly Simoniacal: they are thus alluded to in the Preamble of an Act[51] passed in the Reign of King _Henry_ VIII., where the Commons, addressing the King, say: “That where your Subjects of this your Realm, and of other Countries and Dominions being under your Obeysance, by many Years past have been, and yet be greatly decayed and impoverished by such intolerable Exactions of great Sums of Money as have been claimed and taken, and yet continually be claimed to be taken out of this your Realm, and other your said Countries and Dominions, by the Bishop of _Rome_, called the Pope, and the See of _Rome_, as well in Pensions, Censes, Peter-pence, Procurations, Fruits, Suits for Provisions, and Expeditions of Bulls for Archbishopricks and Bishopricks, &c.... It may, therefore, please your most noble Majesty, for the Honor of Almighty God, &c.... That no Person or Persons of this your Realm, or of any other your Dominions, shall from henceforth pay any Pensions, Censes, Portions, Peter-pence, or any other Impositions to the Use of the said Bishop, or of the See of _Rome_.” PAGE xxiv. line 2. smale. This Word in the MS. is written apparently “samle,” which must be an Error. The Editor has ventured to adopt a conjectural Emendation, and print it “smale,” i. e. _small_. This, at least, will make Sense; for, the Author’s Argument is, that if there were nothing of a Simoniacal Nature in the Reservation of Benefices, the small Benefices would be as often made the Subjects of the Papal Provisions and Reservations, as the “fatte” or more valuable Livings; but the contrary being the Case, it follows that the Income of the Benefice is the real Object, and, therefore, that all these Exactions of the Court of _Rome_ are Simoniacal in their Origin. Ibid. line 4. Joachur. An evident mistake of the Scribe for _Joachim_. In another Place, by a different Error, we find the Abbot called _Joachrin_. See p. xxvi. Ibid. In his book of þe seedis of profetis, &c. Whether one Book or more be here referred to seems doubtful. The Editor is disposed to think that three different Works are intended;—the first, _Of the Seedis of Profetis_; the second, _Of the Seyingis of Popes_; and the third, _Of the Chargis of Profetis_. In another Place (p. xxvi) we find _Joachim_ quoted “in his Book _of the Deedis of Profetis_;” and (p. xxix) “_Joachim_ in the Book _of the Seedis of Prophetis_.” Again (p. xxx) “the _Bookis_” of _Joachim_ are spoken of in the plural Number, and “the Book _Of the Charge of Prophetis_” is quoted, as distinct from the rest. It is probable that the Book _of the Seedis of Profetis_, and the Book _of the Deedis of Profetis_, may be the same; the Word _Deedis_ or _Seedis_ being one or other of them a Mistake of the Transcriber. If the Word _Seedis_ be correct, the Title of the Work was probably _De seminibus prophetarum_; unless we take _Seedis_, as derived from the Verb _to say_, for _dicta_; for which there seems no Authority, especially as we find _Seyingis_ used to express _dicta_, in the very Passage before us. From the other Reading, the Title of the Book would be _De gestis prophetarum_. The Book _Of the Seyingis of Popes_ may, perhaps, be meant for the _Liber de Flore_ of the Abbot _Joachim_, which the Author of his Life[52] tells us was also called _De summis pontificibus_. It is quite obvious, however, that if these Books contained the Doctrine for which they are quoted by _Wycliffe_, (viz. that the Year 1400 was to be the Date of the Revelation of _Antichrist_,) they could not have been genuine Productions of the Abbot _Joachim_. The Opinion of _Joachim_ was, that the Year 1256 would be the Era of the total Extinction of the Christian Church, and that the Triumph of _Antichrist_ was then to commence, and to continue for three Years and a half, counting from the Middle of the Year 1256, to the End of the year 1260. As in the Lines:— _Hoc ~Cistercienni Joachim~ prædixit in anno_ _Quo ~Saladinus~ sanctum sibi subdidit Urbem,_ _Cum fuerint anni completi mille ducenti,_ _Et seni decies a partu ~Virginis~ almæ,_ _Tunc ~Antichristus~ nascetur demone plenus._[53] This Theory was derived from the famous 1260 Days of Prophecy[54], taking Days for Years, and computing from the Commencement of the common Christian Era. But when the Year 1260 passed away and the Prophecy was not fulfilled, the Followers of _Joachim_ attempted to correct the Hypothesis of their Master, and many of them (as for Example the _Beguins_[55], who adopted the Speculations of _Peter John de Oliva_,) took hold of the 1335 Days of _Daniel_, and from them fixed upon the Year 1335, as the Date of _Antichrist’s_ Destruction. The Editor has not had Access to any of the Remains of _Peter John’s_ Writings, but he is informed by a learned Friend, in whose Accuracy he has the fullest Confidence, that _Peter John_, in his _Tractatus de Antichristo_[56], has fixed upon the Year 1356, as the Year of the Revelation, not the Destruction, of _Antichrist_, by adding 96, the supposed Date of the _Apocalypse_, to 1260. _Joachim_, however, in greater Conformity with Scripture, made the Termination of the 1260 Days, (or Years, as he considered them,) the Period of the End, not of the Beginning of _Antichrist_. Our Author’s Theory[57], supported by a Cabbalistic Computation from the Letters of the Alphabet, which the Editor has not been able to discover elsewhere, makes the Year 1400 the Era of the Revelation of _Antichrist_; and _Walter Brute_[58], in 1390, appears to have put forward a Conclusion not very dissimilar, although maintained on different Grounds. His Argument was drawn from the _Joachitic_ Theory of the prophetic Days taken for Years, and from the Supposition that the 1335 Days of _Daniel_ commenced at the Desolation of the Temple under _Adrian_. On the whole then it is unquestionable, that _Wycliffe_ had before him some spurious Productions of _Beguinism_, circulated under the Name of the Abbot _Joachim_, but which could not possibly have been derived from the genuine Writings of that Enthusiast. None of these spurious Books, so far as the Editor’s limited Means of Research have enabled him to ascertain, have been preserved in our Libraries, or are noticed by the Authors who treat of the Doctrines of _Joachim_ and his Successors. It is evident from p. xxxi, that the Tract before us was composed in or after the Year 1356, the fatal Year of the Revelation of _Antichrist_, according to the Followers of _Peter John_. Ibid. line 9. þe seuynty & nyne chapitre. The Passage quoted is taken from the ninetieth _Psalm_, as it is numbered in the _Latin_ Vulgate, (ninety-first in our _English_ Version.) The Editor is not aware of any Reason why this _Psalm_ should be referred to as “the seventy and ninth Chapter,” and he is, therefore, constrained to assume, that there is here a Mistake of the Transcriber, who, perhaps, had before him numeral Letters or Figures, which he read erroneously. The Words referred to are to be found in Verses 5 and 6. _Non timebis a timore nocturno. A sagitta volante in die, a negotio perambulante in tenebris: ab incursu, et dæmonio meridiano._ Ibid. line 11. And Bernard acordiþ þere wiþ. The Passage here referred to will be found in St. _Bernard’s_ Works[59], Serm. xxxiii. _in Cantica_, num. 14, et seq. _Adhuc nisi tædio fuerit longitudo sermonis, has quatuor tentationes tentabo suo ordine assignare ipsi corpori Christi, quod est Ecclesia. Et ecce quam brevius possum percurro. Videte primitivam Ecclesiam, si non primo pervasa est acriter nimis ~a timore nocturno~. Erat enim nox, quando omnis qui interficeret sanctos, arbitrabatur obsequium se præstare Deo. Hac autem tentatione devicta, et sedata tempestate, inclyta facta est, et juxta promissionem ad se factam, in brevi posita in superbiam sæculorum. Et dolens inimicus quod frustratus esset, a ~timore nocturno~ convertit se callide ad sagittam ~volantem in die~, et vulneravit in ea quosdam de ecclesia. Et surrexerunt homines vani, cupidi gloriæ, et voluerunt sibi facere nomen: et exeuntes de ecclesia, diu eamdem matrem suam afflixerunt in diversis et perversis dogmatibus. Sed hæc quoque pestis depulsa est in sapientia sanctorum, sicut et prima in patientia martyrum._ PAGE 25. line 7. chaffare walkynge in derkenessis is þe pryui heresie of symonyans. Here our Author abandons St. _Bernard’s_ Interpretation, which expounds _negotium perambulans in tenebris_, not of Simony, but of Hypocrisy, and Avarice. _Serpit hodie putida tabes per omne corpus Ecclesiæ, et quo latius, eo desperatius: eoque periculosius, quo interius ... omnes quæ sua sunt quærunt. Ministri Christi sunt, et serviunt Antichristo. Honorati incedunt de bonis Domini, qui Domino honorem non deferunt. Inde is quem quotidie vides meretricius nitor, histrionicus habitus, regius apparatus.... Inde dolia pigmentaria, inde referta marsupia. Pro hujusmodi volunt esse et sunt ecclesiarum præpositi, decani, archidiaconi, episcopi, archiepiscopi. Nec enim hæc merito cedunt, sed negotio illi, quod perambulat in tenebris._[60] Ibid. last line. on lyue. As _Chaucer_. And here-againes no Creature on live Of no degree availleth for to strive.[61] _On live_ is now contracted or corrupted into _alive_. Thus we say, _a-coming_, _a-saying_, _a-board_, _a-purpose_, _a-sleep_, _a-way_, &c., for _on_ coming, _on_ saying, _on_ board, _on_ purpose, &c. By which it appears that Dr. _Wallis_[62] is mistaken in supposing this Class of Words to be compounded with the Preposition _at_. _John Hopkins_, in his Version of Psalm lxxvii. 16, has retained the old Form, _on trembling_, for _a-trembling_; “The Waters, Lord, perceived thee, The Waters saw thee well, And they for Feare away did flee The Depths on trembling fell.” Numerous instances will be found in _Chaucer_[63], as, “On hunting ben they ridden really.” and again,[64] “He could hunt as the wilde dere, And ride on hauking for the rivere.” PAGE xxvi. line 2. haueþ. This Word should probably be _haven_; but it is _haveth_ in the MS. In the next Line, “byngȳn̄ge,” for “bygynnynge,” is an obvious Mistake of the MS. Ibid. line 9. weren two and twenty hundriddis of ȝeeris. By this Date the Writer probably intended the Interval from the Birth of _Heber_, to the Birth of CHRIST: which by the Computation of _Bede_ in his _Chronicon sive de sex ætatibus mundi_, wanted but five Years of 2200, a mere Trifle with such Expounders of Prophecy as our Author. Ibid. line 12. Eusebi, Bede, & Haymound. The Works here referred to are, probably, the _Chronicon_ of _Eusebius_, translated and preserved by St. _Jerome_[65]; the venerable _Bede’s Chronicon, sive de sex ætatibus mundi_; and the _Historiæ Ecclesiasticæ Breviarium, sive de Christianarum rerum memoria_, _Libb. X._ of _Haymo_, Bishop of _Halberstadt_, who died A.D. 853. PAGE xxvii. line 5. fro þe bygynnynge of Latyn lettris. That is to say, from the Foundation of _Rome_. The Writer speaks in round Numbers. Ibid. line 15. demynge. This Word is perhaps a Mistake of the Transcriber for _demed_, i. e. _deemed_, _considered_. PAGE xxviii. line 8. and þes ben uerse of .m. lettre. The Editor has not been able to find these Verses elsewhere. The Letters of the Alphabet are represented as _Collegæ_, or Members of a College, all the rest of whom go forth when the Gates are open; one only, viz. _m_, when they are shut. _College_ is for _Collegæ_. PAGE xxix. line 3. but bi helpe of Poul. This alludes to the well-known Story, told by a great Number of the Antients, of the Destruction of _Simon Magus_, by the Prayers of Saints _Peter_ and _Paul_. _Sulpitius Severus_[66] relates this Event in the following Words: _Etenim tum illustris illa adversus Simonem, Petri ac Pauli congressio fuit. Qui cum magicis artibus, ut se Deum probaret, duobus suffultus dæmoniis evolasset, orationibus Apostolorum fugatis dæmonibus, delapsus in terram, populo inspectante disruptus est._ The same Account is given by St. _Cyrill_ of _Jerusalem_[67]; after stating that _Simon_ had so far succeeded in deceiving the _Romans_, that the Emperor _Claudius_ had erected a Statue to him with the Inscription ΣΙΜΩΝΙ ΘΕΩ ἉΓΙΩ, he adds[68]: “The Error spreading, that goodly Pair, Peter and Paul, the Rulers of the Church, being present, set Matters right again; and on Simon, the supposed God, attempting a Display, they straightway laid him dead. Simon, that is, promised that he should be raised aloft towards Heaven, and accordingly was borne through the Air on a Chariot of Dæmons; on which, the Servants of God falling on their Knees, gave an Instance of that Agreement, of which JESUS said[69], _If two of you shall agree as touching any Thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them_: and reaching the Sorcerer with this Unanimity of their Prayer, they precipitated him to the Earth.” For other Authorities, see the Note of the _Benedictine_ Editor of St. _Cyrill_, on this Passage,[70] and _Tillemont_, _Memoires pour servir a l’Histoire Ecclesiastique_; _Saint Pierre_, Art. 34.[71] Ibid. line 6. Crist schal clanse his Chirche. In the Original this is, “Chirche schal clanse his Chirche;” the Editor has not hesitated to correct so obvious a Mistake. PAGE xxx. line 1. þe deuel of mydday. _Demonium meridianum_, alluding to Ps. xc. 6, in the Vulgate. Ibid. line 6. whefore. A Mistake of the MS. for _Wherefore_. Ibid. line 10. in derkenessis. The Word _in_ was omitted by the Original Scribe; but is added in the MS. by a more recent Hand. Ibid. line 12. Bede vpon þe profetis of Sibille. This Reference is to some spurious Work attributed to _Bede_, and which is probably not the same as the Tract _De Sybillis_[72], published among _Bede’s_ Works, and also by _Joh. Opsopæus Brettanus_, at the End of his Edition of the Sybilline Oracles; for that Tract does not contain any thing like the Computation from the Latin Letters, for which _Bede_ is here referred to by our Author. PAGE xxxi. line 8. Goddis Chirche is foundid in kynrade of prelatis. This Expression is illustrated by the Preamble of the _Statute of Provisors_, (25 Edw. III.)[73]: “Whereas late in the Parliament of good Memory of _Edward_ King of _England_, Grandfather to our Lord the King that now is, the xxv. [_leg._ xxxv.] Year of his Reign, holden at _Carlisle_, the Petition heard, put before the said Grandfather and his Council, in his said Parliament, by the Communalty of the said Realm, containing: That whereas the Holy Church of _England_ was founden in the Estate of Prelacy, within the Realm of _England_, &c.”[74] Ibid. line 13. þe whiche may wel be clepid collibiste. _Collybiste_, from the Greek Word κολλύβιστης, which is used St. _Matt._ xxi. 12, where St. _Jerome_ remarks: _Sed quia erat lege præceptum, ut nemo usuras acciperet, et prodesse non poterat pecunia fœnerata, quæ commodi nihil haberet, et interdum sortem perderet, excogitaverunt et aliam technam, ut pro nummulariis, ~Collybistas~ facerent, cujus verbi proprietatem Latina lingua non exprimit. ~Collyba~ dicuntur apud eos, quæ nos appellamus ~tragemata~, vel vilia munuscula. Verbi gratia, frixi ciceris, uvarumque passarum, et poma diversi generis._[75] See also _Du Cange_, Glossarium, vv. _Collibium_, _Collybista_. PAGE xxxii. line 1. schal be seyd in a manere of careyne. _Careyne_, from the old French, _carogne_, _carrion_; “seyd in a manere of careyne,” perhaps may mean, “they shall be spoken of as a Sort of Carrion,” unless there be here some Mistake of the Transcriber, which is not improbable. The next Clause, “thei schal be cast out as dogge in myddis places,” is possibly an Allusion to _Is._ v. 25. _Et facta sunt morticinia eorum, quasi stercus in medio platearum_; the Word _dogge_ being a Mistake for _donge_; and, “in myddis places” the Author’s Version of _in medio platearum_; although it is highly probable that _myddis_ is corrupt. Ibid. line 3. her wiþ acordiþ Carnosencis. _John of Salisbury_, called _Carnotensis_, because he was Bishop of _Chartres_. The Passage referred to occurs in his _Polycraticus, sive De Nugis Curialium_, _Lib._ vii. _cap._ 20.[76] _Si dicas quia ignis per septuaginta annos ~Babylonicæ~ captivitatis sub aqua vixerat, demum extinctus est, ~Antiocho~ vendente ~Jasoni~ sacerdotium; aut quod Beatus ~Gregorius~ testatur, quia pestilentia et fames, concussiones gentium, collisiones regnorum, et quamplurima adversa terris proveniunt, ex eo quod honores ecclesiastici ad pretium vel humanam gratiam conferuntur personis non meritis._ The other Reference (Line 11) is to _Lib._ viii. _cap._ 18.[77] _Nam et peccata populi faciunt regnare hypocritam, et sicut Regum testatur historia, defectus sacerdotum, in populo Dei, tyrannos induxit._ Ibid. line 10. beþ ȝeue. A Mistake probably for _ben geve_, i. e. _been given_. Ibid. line 16. alle children boren siþþen þe first pestylence, &c. The Year 1348 and two following Years are recorded in all our Chronicles, as remarkable for a most formidable Pestilence which devastated Europe[78], and is said to have been attended with this singular Circumstance, that the Children born after the Pestilence had begun, were found to be deficient in the usual Number of Teeth. It may be enough to quote from our English Annalists, the Chronicle of _Caxton_. Speaking of the 23rd Year of King _Edward_ the Third, the Historian says[79]: “¶ And in the xxiij Yere of his Regne, in yᵉ East Partyes of the Worlde, there began a Pestylence and Deth of Sarasyns and Paynyms, that so grete a Deth was never herde of afore, and that wasted away the People, so that unneth the tenth Persone was left alive. ¶ And in the same Yere, about yᵉ South Countrees there fell so moche Rayne, and so grete Waters, that from Chrystmasse unto Mydsomer there was unnethes no Daye nor Nyght but that rayned somewhat, through which Waters yᵉ Pestilence was so enfected, and so haboundant in all Countrees, and namely, about yᵉ Court of Rome, and other Places, and See Costes, that unneth there were lefte lyuyng Folke for to bury them honestly yᵗ were deed. But made grete Diches and Pyttes yᵗ were wonders brode and depe, and therin buryed them, and made a Renge of deed Bodyes, and cast a lytell Erth to couer them aboue, and than cast in another Renge of deed Bodyes, and another Renge aboue them. And thus were they buryed, and none other wyse, but yf it were so yᵗ they were Men of grete Estate, so that they were buryed as honestly as they myght.” And again[80], “And in this same Yere,” [24 _Edw._ III.] “and in the Yere afore, and in the Yere nexte folowynge, was so grete a Pestylence of Men from the Eest in to the West, and namely through Botches, yᵗ they that sekened, as on this Daye, dyed on the thyrde Daye after, to yᵉ whiche Men yᵗ so dyed in this Pestylence had but lytell Respyte of theyr Lyggynge. Than Pope _Clement_ of his Goodnes and Grace, gave them full Remyssyon and Forgyuenes of all theyr Synnes that they were shryuen of, and this Pestylence lasted in _London_ fro Mighelmasse vnto August nexte followynge, almost an hole Yere. And in these Dayes was Deth without Sorowe, Weddynges without Frendshyp, wylful Penaunce, and Derth without Scarsete, and Fleynge wᵗout Refute or Sucour, for many fledde from Place to Place bycause of the Pestylence, but they were infected, and might not escape yᵉ Deth, after yᵗ yᵉ Prophete _Isaie_ sayth, Who that fleeth fro the Face of Drede, he shall fall into the Dyche. And he yᵗ wyndeth him out of yᵉ Dyche, he shall be holden and tyed with a Grenne. But whan this Pestylence was cesed, as God wolde, unnethes yᵉ tenth Parte of the People was left on lyue. ¶ And in yᵉ same Yere began a wonders thynge, that all yᵗ were borne after yᵉ Pestylence had two Cheketethe in ther Heed lesse than they had afore.” _Hollinshed_ records[81] in like Manner the Fact of the Pestilence, and the Desolation caused by it throughout _Europe_. Of _London_ he says that the Death “had bin so great and vehement within that Citie, that over and beside the Bodies buried in other accustomed burieng Places, (which for their infinit Number cannot be reduced into Account), there were buried that Yeare” [viz. 1350] “dailie, from Candlemasse till Easter, in the Charterhouse Yard of _London_, more than two hundred dead Corpses.” He also notices the Fact of the Children wanting Teeth, but he makes the Defect to be four, not two “cheke Teeth,” as _Caxton’s_ Chronicle stated[82]: “¶ This Yeare in August died _Philip de Valois_ the French King. Here is to be noted, that all those that were borne after the Beginning of that great Mortalitie whereof ye have heard, wanted foure cheke Teeth (when they came to the time of Growth) of those 32 which the People before that Time commonlie vsed to have, so that they had but 28.” Our Author, it will be observed, differs from _Hollinshed_ in making the Defect “eight grete Teeth,” and in this he has the Authority of the second Continuator of the Chronicle of _William de Nangis_, published by _D’Achery_ in his _Spicilegium_[83]; a Narrative which apparently has been the Source from which many of our English Chroniclers have borrowed. It contains a very minute History of this memorable Pestilence, with several curious Particulars not mentioned by other Writers. The Author endeavours to account for the Plague by supposing the Explosion of a Comet, whose sudden Evaporation, he suggests, may have disseminated in the Atmosphere pestilential Vapours. He tells us also that the Jews were suspected of having poisoned the Fountains, and that many of them were in consequence put to Death, and burnt, in various Places. The circumstance of the Children born with a smaller Number of Teeth is thus recorded[84]:— _Cessante autem dictâ epidemiâ, pestilentiâ, et mortalitate, nupserunt viri qui remanserunt et mulieres ad invicem, conceperunt uxores residuæ per mundum ultrà modum, nulla sterilis efficiebatur, sed prægnantes hinc inde videbantur, et plures geminos pariebant, et aliquæ tres infantes insimul vivos emittebant; sed quod ultra modum admirationem facit, est quod dicti pueri nati post tempus illud mortalitatis supradictæ, et deinceps, dum ad ætatem dentium devenerunt, non nisi viginti dentes vel viginti duos in ore communiter habuerunt, cum ante dicta tempora homines de communi cursu triginta duos dentes, sub et supra, simul in mandibulis habuissent. Quid autem numerus iste dentium in post natis significet, multum miror, nisi dicatur, quod per talem et tantam mortalitatem hominum infinitorum et successionem aliorum et reliquorum qui remanserant, mundus est quodammodo renovatus et seculum, ut sic sit quædam nova ætas; sed proh dolor! ex hujus renovatione seculi non est mundus propter hoc in melius commutatus. Nam homines fuerunt postea magis avari et tenaces, cum multo plura bona quam antea possiderent; magis etiam cupidi, et per lites brigas et rixas atque per placita seipsos conturbantes, nec per hujusmodi terribilem mortis pestem a Deo inflictam fuit pax inter Reges et dominos reformata, quinimo inimici Regis Franciæ ac etiam guerræ Ecclesiæ fortiores et pejores quam ante per mare et per terram suscitaverunt, et mala ampliora ubique pullularunt. Et quod iterum mirabile fuit; nam cum omnis abundantia omnium bonorum esset, cuncta tamen cariora in duplo fuerunt, tam de rebus utensilibus, quam de victualibus, ac etiam de mercimoniis et mercenariis et agricolis et servis, exceptis aliquibus hereditatibus et domibus quæ superflue remanserant his diebus. Charitas etiam ab illo tempore refrigescere cœpit valde, et iniquitas abundavit cum ignorantiis et peccatis: nam pauci inveniebantur qui scirent aut vellent in domibus, villis, et castris, informare pueros in grammaticalibus rudimentis._ The Allusion contained in the Tract before us to the Circumstance of the Children wanting Teeth, may possibly be urged as an Objection to the early Date of 1350, which it claims for itself. For if this Circumstance of the Want of Teeth be a Fable, it is not probable that it could so soon have become current; and if on the other hand it be true, it seems hardly possible that the Fact could have been ascertained in 1350, respecting all Children born _since_ the first Pestilence, i. e. since 1348. However, it is possible that by the _first_ Pestilence our Author may have alluded, not to that of 1348, but to that of 1340, which is thus described by Knighton[85], under that Year: “_In æstate scilicet anno gratiæ M.CCC.XL., accidit quædam execrabilis et enormis infirmitas in ~Anglia~ quasi communis, et præcipue in comitatu ~Leicestriæ~, adeo quod durante passione homines emiserunt vocem latrabilem ac si esset latratus canum; et fuit quasi intolerabilis pœna durante passione. Exinde fuit magna pestilentia hominum._” It is no Doubt a Difficulty that the Continuator of _William de Nangis_ and other Chroniclers, represent the Phenomenon of the Want of Teeth as the Consequence of the Pestilence of 1348, but the Story may have originated at the former Period, although later Writers recorded it in Connexion with the more recent and more formidable Pestilence. The Editor, however, leaves this Question to be decided by future Research, and by Judges more competent than himself. It is not impossible that the whole Passage[86] in which the Date of “thrittene hundrid yere and sixe and fifty” has been given, may prove to be a Quotation from the Book referred to under the Title of “_Joachim_ in the Book of the Seedis of Profetis,” and if so, the Tract before us must of course be the Production of a later Period. PAGE xxxiii. line 1. Merlyn Ambrose. For the History of _Merlyn_, see _Geoffrey_ of _Monmouth’s_ _Historia Regum Britanniæ_, Lib. vi. c. 17, 18. The famous Prophecy of _Merlyn_ will be found in Lib. vii. c. 3, 4. It has also been repeatedly published in a separate Form, with the Commentaries in seven Books of _Alanus de Insulis._ Ibid. line 3. of þe myscheif. In the original MS. these Words are repeated, “_in the tyme of the myscheif of the myscheif of the Kok_;” the Editor did not deem it necessary to retain so obvious a Mistake of the Transcriber. Ibid. line 5. þe sixte of irlond. This Personage is mentioned in numerous Prophecies circulated under the Names of _Merlyn_, _Gildas_, _Robert of Bridlington_, _Sybill_, and others, in the fourteenth and fifteenth Centuries, many of which appear to have had their Origin in the Prophecy of _Merlyn_, preserved by _Geoffrey_ of _Monmouth_, already referred to, where we find “the sixte of _Irlond_” thus noticed:— _~Sextus Hiberniæ~ mœnia subvertet, et nemora in planitiem mutabit: Diversas portiones in unum reducet, et capite leonis coronabitur._[87] The following Collection of Prophecies relating to _Sextus_ of _Ireland_, is from a MS. written about the Middle of the Fourteenth Century, and preserved in the Library of _Trinity College, Dublin_. _Iste sunt prophetie diuerse a diuersis prophetate de ~Sexto Hibernie~[88], qui vocatur Dominus ~[here there is an erasure in the MS.]~ Rex ~Anglie~ et ~Francie~ et ~Sextus~ Dominus ~Hibernie~, de quo Prophetie sunt notate. ~Hermerus~ Dominus sapientum. Anno a Creatione mundi sex M.CCC et IIII.ˣˣ[89] ~Lilium~ regnans in nobiliore mundi mouebit se contra senem leonem, et veniet in terram eius inter spinas regni sui, et circumdabit filium leonis illo anno ferens feras in brachio suo. Cuius regnum erit in terra lune timendus per vniuersum mundum potestate agentis principalis, cum magno exercitu suo transiet aquas et gradietur in terram leonis carentis auxilio, quia bestie regionis sue iam dentibus suis eius pellem dilaceraverint. Illo anno veniet Aquila a parte orientali, alis extensis super solem, cum multitudine pullorum suorum, in adiutorium Filii hominis. Illo anno Aquila destruetur. Amor magnus erit in mundo. Una die in quadam parte leonis erit bellum inter plures reges crudeles, quod usque ad diem illum non viderunt homines; illa die erit sanguinis diluvium, et perdet Lilium coronam solis, quam accepit Aquila, de qua Filius hominis postmodum coronabitur. Per quatuor annos sequentes fient multa in mundo prelia inter omnes homines fidem tenentes, quia illo tempore credenda sunt. Omnia tunc erint communia. Maior pars mundi destruetur, caput mundi erit ad terram declinatum. Filius hominis et Aquila relevabunt ille ~[sic]~, et tunc erit pax in toto orbe terrarum, et copia fructuum, et filius hominis mare transiet, et portabit signum mirabile ad terram promissionis, sed prima causa sibi permissa remanebit._ _Item versus illius sompniatoris viri religiosi, per quos versus cognoscitur ~Sextus Hiberniæ~._ _Illius imperium gens barbara senciet illum,_ _~Roma~ volet tanto principe digna dici,_ _Conferet hic ~Rome~ plus laudis quam sibi ~Roma~,_ _Plus dabit hic orbi quam dabit orbis ei._ _Versus vaticinales de ~Normannia~, de eodem ~Sexto~._ _~Anglia~ transmittet Leopardum lilia Galli,_ _Qui pede calcabit Cancrum cum fratre superbo,_ _Ungues diripient Leopardi Gallica regna,_ _Circulus inuictus circumdabit unde peribunt._ _~Anglia~ regnabit, ~Vasconia~ porta redibit_ _Ad iuga consueta Leopardi ~Flandria~ magna_ _Flumina concipient que confundent genetricem._ _Lilia marcescent, Leopardi posse vigebit,_ _Ecclesie sub quo libertas prima redibit._ _Huic ~Babilon~ veniet truces aras non teret omnes,_ _~Acon Ierusalem~ Leopardi posse redempte,_ _Ad cultum fidei gaudebunt se redituras,_ _Imperium mundi sub quo dabit hic heremita._ _Versus cuiusdem nomine ~Gildas~, per quantum tempus regnabit idem ~Sextus~._ _Ter tria lustra tenent cum semi tempora ~Sexti~,_ _En vagus in prima perdet, sub fine resumet,_ _Multa rapit medio volitans sub fine secundi,_ _Orbem submittet reliquo, clerumque reducet_ _Ad statum primum, post hoc renouat loca sancta_ _Hinc terram spernens secundo ethere scandit._ In another MS.[90] in the Library of _Trinity College, Dublin_, there is preserved a Prophecy in which _Sextus_ of _Ireland_ is also mentioned, and which, as the Editor is informed by his learned Friend _John Holmes_, Esq., of the _British Museum_, occurs also in the _Arundel_ MS. 57, fol. 4, b., where it is entitled, “_Versus Gylde de Prophetia Aquile_.” It will suffice to quote from this Prophecy the Lines where _Sextus_ is mentioned. _~Sextus Hybernensis~ milleno milite cinctus,_ _Hostibus expulsis castra relicta petet,_ _Menia subversa vix antrix apta ferarum_ _Pinget et eiectus bubo necabit apem._ Ibid. þe witt is our kyng wiþ his children. “_The witt_,” i. e. the Meaning; alluding probably to the Interpretation given of this part of the Prophecy by _Alanus de Insulis_, who supposes the then reigning King Henry II. and his Sons to be intended; his Words are[91]:— _~Henricus~ qui nunc in ~Anglia~ regnat, quinque filios suscepit ex Regina conjuge sua, quorum unus mortuus est, quatuor vero supersunt. Habuit et sextum ex concubina, qui clericus est, magnæ, ut aiunt, juxta ætatem, probitatis. Hic itaque vel sextus dicetur Henrici Regis filius, si mortuus ille quem habuit ex Regina inter alios computetur, vel quintus, si soli superstites a propheta numerantur, et alius adhuc expectandus, quem hic ~Sextum~ appellat. Possumus tamen sextum istum intelligere, qui in ~Anglia~ regnaturus sit post quatuor istos, et alium quintum quicunque ille sit, hoc est sive istorum frater, sive non, de quo dicitur quod ~Hyberniæ~ sit mænia subversurus, excisurus nemora, et in planitiem mutaturus diversas portiones, id est regna diversa, non est enim unum regnum, sed plura, ad unum regnum reducturus, ejusque coronam, assumpta feritate et fortitudine leonina, suo capite impositurus._ Ibid. line 9. Sibille acordiþ herto. The Verses of “Sibille” here quoted are to be found in a large Collection of other Prophecies of the same character, in a Manuscript[92] of the fourteenth Century, preserved in the Library of _Trinity College, Dublin_. The Editor is also enabled, through the Kindness of Mr. _Holmes_, to give here a complete Copy of them from the _Cotton MS. Claud._ B. vii., collated with the _Arundel_ MS. 57, fol. In this latter MS. which is written, as Mr. _Holmes_ conjectures, in a Hand of about the Year 1350, and also in the _Dublin_ MS. the Line _Terræ motus, &c._ comes immediately before the Line _Millenis ducentenis_. The other various Readings are given in the Margin; A. denoting the _Arundel_, and D. the _Dublin_ Manuscript. “_SYBILLA de eventibus regnorum et eorum Regum ante finem mundi._”[93] _~Gallorum~ lenitas ~Germanos~ iustificabit,_ _~Italiæ~ gravitas ~Gallos~ confusa necabit._ _Succumbet ~Gallus~[94], ~Aquilæ~ victricia[95] signa_ _Mundus adorabit,[96] erit urbs sub[97] presule digna._ _Millenis ducentenis nonaginta sub annis,_ _Et tribus[98] adiunctis, consurget aquila grandis._ _Terræ motus erunt, quos[99] non procul[100] auguror esse._ _~Constantine~ cades, et equi de marmore facti,_ _Et lapis erectus, et multa palatia ~Rome~._ _Papa cito moritur, ~Cesar~ regnabit ubique,_ _Sub quo tunc vana cessabit gloria[101] cleri._ _Anno millesimo C.ter vicesimo v. dabit ether_ _Blada vina fractus fiet pro principe luctus;_ _Una columpna cadet, quæ terram schismate tradet,_ _Gens periet subito, ~Petro~ testante perito._ The last four Verses occur only in the _Dublin_ MS., and seem to contain an Allusion to the Prophetical Doctrines of _Peter John_, or rather of his Followers. The Date intended is probably 1325, taking “_C.ter_” for CCC; and that this Year was one of the Eras fixed by the _Beguins_ for the Revelation of Antichrist, appears from the _Liber Sententiarum Inquisitionis Tholosanæ_, published by Limborch[102]; for Example _Petrus Moresii_, a Beguin, _receptus ad tercium ordinem Sancti Francisci conjugatus_, was examined by the Inquisitors on the 8th of April, 1322, and declares, _Credidit et credebat firmiter, tempore quo captus fuit, quod Antichristus esset venturus, et consumpmaturus cursum suum, infra annum quo computabitur incarnacio Domini M.CCC.XXV._ The Verses, as quoted by our Author, are very corrupt in the Original MS. The Editor has therefore ventured to alter “_viccus_” into “_victricia_;” “_urbis_” into “_urbs_,” and “_tessabit_” into “_cessabit_.” Ibid. last line. elispirid. This Word is very probably corrupt, although _Lewis_, who appears to have received from _Dublin_ a Transcript of this Tract, or copious Extracts, does not seem to have considered it so, for he has inserted the Word in his _Glossary_, and quotes for it only the Authority of the Passage before us; he says[103], “_Elispired_, perhaps for _expired_. _Secular power of the Hooly Goost expired_, alluding to the secular Power the Popes have. For having quoted four Verses of _Sibille_, one of which is: _Papa cito moritur, Cæsar regnabit ubique_, _Wiclif_ adds, _thei that treten this Verse of ~Sibille~, alle that I have seen, accorden in this, that secular power of the Hooly Goost elispired._” PAGE xxxiv. line 13. þe wordis of Josue 2. cᵒ. þe þridde. The Editor is unable to explain this Reference. Ibid. line 17. þe Mayster of Scholys rehersiþ. _Peter Comestor_, Chancellor of the Cathedral of Paris in 1164, and Author of the _Historia Scholastica_, is the Person here called _Master of Schools_. The Passage referred to occurs in the _Hist. Schol._ on the third Book of Kings, _cap. viii._ (not _cap. v._ as quoted by our Author), and is as follows[104]:— _Fabulantur ~Iudei~ ad eruderandos lapidei celerius habuisse ~Salomonem~ sanguinem vermiculi qui ~Tamir~ dicitur: quo aspersa marmora facile secabantur, quem invenit hoc modo. ¶ Erat ~Salomoni~ strutio habens pullum, et inclusus est pullus sub vase vitreo. Quem cum videret strutio, sed habere nequiret: de deserto tulit vermiculum: cuius sanguine liniuit vitrum, et fractum est._ The same Story with the very same mystical Application of it which is made by our Author, is given by _Peter Berchorius_ in his _Reductorium morale_, who quotes from _Gervase_ of _Tilbury_. This latter Writer, as we learn from _Berchorius_, took the Story from _Peter Comestor_, and being an Englishman, was most probably the immediate Source from which the Author of the Tract before us derived it, especially as _Gervase_ wrote upwards of a Century before _Berchorius_, who died in 1362. The Editor has not had an Opportunity of consulting the Work of _Gervase_ of _Tilbury_, but it is probable that _Berchorius_ has done little more than extract his Words.[105] _De struthione mirabile quid ponit ~Geruasius~, et videtur accipere de Historia Scholastica. Dicunt ~Iudæi~ (ut ait) quod cum ~Salomon~ templum ædificaret, ut lapides citius sculperentur, inclusit pullum struthionis in vase vitreo, quem cum struthio habere nequiret, ad desertum iuit, et exinde vermem qui ~Thamus~ dicitur, apportauit, cuius sanguine vitrum liniuit; fractoque statim vitro, pullum recuperauit. Quo agnito ~Salomon~ de sanguine illorum vermium lapides templi fecit liniri, et sic faciliter potuerunt imprimi vel sculpi. Idem verò ~Geruasius~ dicit ~Romæ~ in quodam antiquo palatio fialam liquore lacteo plenam, esse inuentam, quo liniti lapides facillimè sculpebantur. Talis vermis videtur fuisse ~Christus~. Pullus enim Struthionis, i. homo (qui erat per creationem pullus, et filius Dei Patris) fuerat incarceratus, et carceri culpæ et pœnæ, a mundi principio destinatus. Struthio ergo, i. Deus Pater, a deserto paradisi, vermem, i. Christum hominem factum, adduxit, et ipsum per passionem occidit, vel occidi permisit, et sic cum isto sanguine portas carceris infernalis fregit, et pullum suum hominem liberavit._ Zac. 9. _Tu autem in sanguine testamenti tui eduxisti vinctos tuos de lacu. Igitur quicunque voluerit lapidem, quicunque cor suum durum et lapideum, per contritionem scindere, et per conversationem sculpere decreuerit, adhibeat sanguinem huius vermis, i. dominicæ passionis memoriam, et liquorem lacteum memoriæ suæ benedictæ, et sic nunquam erit ita durum aut obstinatum, quin recipiat contritionis scissuram, et correctionis sculpturam._ Ezech. 36. _Auferam cor lapideum de carne vestra, et dabo vobis cor carneum._ The same Story occurs in some Copies of the _Gesta Romanorum_[106], where the Artifice by which the Worm “_thumare_,” (as it is there called,) was detected, is ascribed to the Emperor _Diocletian_ of _Rome_. See _Swan’s_ Translation of the _Gesta Romanorum_, vol. 1. Introd. p. lxiv. The Name of the Worm, to which the marvellous Property of breaking Stones is ascribed, is corruptly given by the foregoing Authorities. It is called by the Jews, not _tamir_, or _thamus_, but _schamir_ (שמיר), and frequent Allusions to it occur in the Rabbinical Writers. The original Story is to be found in the _Talmud_, and seems intended to explain what we read 1 Kings, vi. 7, that _neither Hammer nor Axe nor any Tool of Iron_ was heard in the Temple of _Solomon_ while it was in building. The following[107] is an abridged Account of the original Legend: _Solomon_, when about to build the Temple, perceived by his Wisdom, that it would be more acceptable to GOD, if built of Stones upon which no Tool of Iron had ever been raised. Whereupon he inquired of the Rabbis how this was to be effected.—They told him that he must procure the Worm _Schamir_, by the Help of which _Moses_ had cut the Stones of the High Priest’s Breastplate. _Solomon_ then inquired where this Worm was to be found. The Rabbis confessed their Ignorance, but advised him to summon certain Devils, and compel them, by Torments, to make the Discovery; this was done, and the Devils answered, that _Aschmedai_, the King of the Devils, alone, could tell where the Worm _Schamir_ was to be found. Accordingly, _Benaiah_, Son of _Jehoiada_, was sent with a Chain on which the Name of GOD was inscribed, to bind _Aschmedai_, and bring him before _Solomon_. It took some Time to capture _Aschmedai_, and a long Account is given of the Difficulties of the Undertaking. At Length, on the third Day, he is brought to _Solomon_, who asks him for the _Schamir_. _Aschmedai_ answers, It is not in my Keeping; but _Sara-Dima_ (the Angel that presides over the Sea) has it, and he will entrust it only to the Wild-Hen (תרנגולא), from whom he exacts an Oath for its safe Return. _Solomon_ asked what the Wild-Hen did with the _Schamir_; the Dæmon answered, She brings the Worm to the Rocky Mountains, destitute of Grass and Verdure, and by its means she breaks down their Rocks; she then carries up the Seeds of Trees, and thus the Mountains, once Barren, become covered with Woods. Having obtained this Information, _Solomon_ sought out the Nest of the Wild-Hen, and enclosed it, with her Young Ones, in a Covering of transparent Crystal. The Wild-Hen, on her Return, seeing her Nest and Young Ones, but finding herself unable to enter it, flew away, and soon after returned with the Worm _Schamir_; whereupon _Solomon’s_ Servants, who had been lying in Wait for her, set up a great Shout, which so terrified her, that she dropped the Worm, and thus _Solomon_ obtained Possession of it. The Wild-Hen, however, flew away, and hanged herself, for having lost the Worm, and broken her Oath. See _Eisenmenger_, _Entdecktes Judenthum_ Theil, I. p. 350. _Johan. Christoph. Wagenseilii Sota_, p. 1072, and _Buxtorfii Lexicon Chald. et Talmud._ _in voce_ שמיר. PAGE xxxv. line 1. aftir þe talis of iewis of Salamon. That is, “reherseth, after, or according to, the Tales or Legends of the _Jews_, concerning _Solomon_.” Ibid. line 8. Þe glass to barst. _To_, perhaps for “al to,” _statim_, _penitus_. Thus in our _English_ Version of the Bible, (Judg. ix. 53.) “And a certain Woman cast a Piece of a Millstone upon _Abimelech’s_ Head, and al to brake his Skull.” Ibid. line 14. þe on & twenty Salme. 2i. The Editor is not sure that he has rightly deciphered the Letters represented by “2i;” he once thought they were “xi,” but this seemed inexplicable, and he now believes them to be an Attempt of a very ignorant Transcriber to represent in _Arabic_ Numerals the Number of the Psalm referred to. PAGE xxxvi. line 15. Poul writiþ to þe romayns. This Reference belongs to what goes before, not to what follows. _Mr. Vaughan_, in his _Life of Wycliffe_[108], not perceiving this, has altered the Text to make the Sense perfect, and quotes the Passage thus: “So, when we were sinful, and the Children of Wrath, God’s Son came out of Heaven, and praying His Father for His Enemies, He died for us. Then much rather shall we be saved, now we are made righteous through His Blood. St. Paul writeth to the _Romans_, that _Jesus_ should pray for us, and that He went into Heaven to appear in the Presence of God for us. The same also he writeth to the _Hebrews_, the which Presence may He grant us to behold, who liveth and reigneth without End.—Amen.” Mr. _Vaughan_, however, does not tell his Readers what Passage of the Epistle to the _Romans_, occurring, also, in the Epistle to the _Hebrews_, he supposes our Author to have quoted. There exists, in Fact, no such Passage; nor does the Text stand in Need of any Emendation. The References, in both Cases, come after the Passages quoted; and this removes all the Difficulty which Mr. _Vaughan_ appears to have found in the Reading of the original Manuscript. FINIS. [Illustration] FOOTNOTES [1] Milner, Hist. of the Church, vol. iv. p. 121. Lond. 1819. [2] Cent. vi. p. 450. [3] The Hist. of the Life of _John Wiclif_, D.D. By _John Lewis_, M.A. Oxf. 1820. [4] Memoirs of _Wiclif_. By the Rev. _H. H. Baber_, M.A. 4to. Lond. 1810. [5] The Life of _John de Wycliffe_, D.D. By _Robert Vaughan_. Lond. 1831. [6] The Life of _Wiclif_. By _Chas. W. Le Bas_, M.A. Lond. 1832. [7] Appendix ad Histor. Litterar. Cl. V. _Gul. Cave._ vol. ii. p. 63. Fol. Oxon. 1743. [8] See _Page_ xxxi. [9] _Vaughan’s_ Life of _Wycliffe_. Vol. i. p. 255. Note. _2nd Edit._ [10] _Balæus_, De Script. Brytanniæ. _Cent._ vi. p. 453. [11] _Lewis_, Life of _Wiclif_, p. 195. [12] _Bale_, _U.S._ p. 454. [13] _Lewis_, p. 205. No. 148. [14] See _Nichols’_ Autographs, _Plate 44_. No. 5. [15] British Magazine, _vol._ vii. p. 532, and p. 690. _Vol._ viii. p. 267, and p. 402. [16] Ps. 106. [17] Joachim. [18] Psal. 90. [19] Bernard. [20] Joachim. [21] Eusebi. [22] Bede. [23] Haymound. [24] Joachim. [25] Bede. [26] Joachim. [27] Act. 8. [28] Antecrist. [29] Bede. [30] Joachim. [31] Nota. [32] Joachim. [33] Joachim. [34] Carnotensis, in Polycratico. [35] In lib. 8ᵒ. [36] Merlyn Ambrose. [37] Sibille. [38] Mayster of Scholys. [39] Psal. 21. [40] Zach. 9. [41] Rom. v. [42] Heb. 9. [43] _Ryley_, Placita Parliam. p. 379. [44] _Statutes of the Realm_, Vol. i. _Lond._ 1810, p. 150. [45] _Ibid._ p. 316. _Gibson’s_ Codex, p. 65. _2nd Edit._ [46] _Glossarium_, in voc. [47] _Coke_: Part i. lib. ii. c. 12, sect. 215. [48] _Statutes of the Realm_, vol. ii. p. 70, 71. _Lond._ 1816. [49] _Ibid._ p. 48. [50] See _Gibson_, Codex, Tit. xxxv. p. 824. _Godolphin_, Repertorium, c. xxx. _Ayliffe_, Parergon, p. 63. [51] Stat. 25, _Hen._ VIII. c. 21. _Gibson’s_ Codex, p. 87. [52] Vit. _Joach._ c. v. _Acta Sanctorum, Maii_ tom. vii. p. 103. [53] MS. _Harleian_. Num. 1280. 8. fol. 227. [54] _Rev._ xi. 3, xii. 6. [55] See the _Beguin_ Confessions in the _Liber Sententiar. Inquis. Tolos._ pp. 298, 303, published by _Limborch. Hist. Inquisit._ [56] _Tract. de Antichristo_, fol. 48, b. [57] See p. xxvii, _et seq._ [58] _Fox’s_ Acts and Monuments, vol. i. p. 545. _Lond._ fol. 1684. [59] _Opp. S. Bernardi._ Ed. Bened. p. 1396. C. tom. iv. [60] In Cant. Serm. xxxiii. s. 15. [61] Cant. Tales. v. 3041. [62] _Wallisii_ Gram. Anglic. p. 86. _Lond._ 8vo. 1765. [63] Cant. Tales, v. 1689. [64] _Ibid._ v. 13666, 7. [65] Opp. B. _Hieronymi_. tom. viii. Ed. _Vallarsii_. [66] Sacræ Hist. lib. ii. p. 95, 12mo. Amstel. 1695. [67] Catech. vi. 14. [68] _Library of the Fathers_, (vol. ii. Transl.) 8vo. _Oxford_, 1838, p. 68. [69] Matt. xviii. 19. [70] Opp. B. Cyril. fol. Par. 1720, p. 96. [71] Tom. i. p. 176. [72] Sibyllina Oracula ex vett. Codd. Aucta, &c. a Joh. Ops. Brettanno, 8vo. Paris, 1607, p. 515. [73] _Statutes of the Realm_, vol. i. p. 316. [74] _Gibson’s_ Codex, p. 65. [75] B. _Hieron._ in Matt. xxi. 12, 13, tom. vii. Ed. _Vallarsii_, 4to. _Venet._ 1769, Col. 162. [76] _Polycrat._ p. 491. _Lugd. Bat._ 1639, 8vo. [77] _Ibid._ p. 635. [78] See _Boccacio_ Decameron, _Giorn_, 1ᵐᵃ. [79] _Caxton’s Chronicle_, fol. Lond. 1528, fol. c.xxiii.a. [80] Fol. cxxiii. d. [81] Chron. _sub._ _an._ 1348, vol. ii. p. 378-9. Lond. 1587. [82] _Ibid._ p. 379. [83] _D’Achery_, Spicileg. tom. iii. p. 109, sq. [84] _Ibid._ p. 110. [85] De event. _Angliæ_. (Apud x. Script.) Col. 2580. [86] See p. xxxi. [87] _Galf. Monmuthen_. lib. vii. c. 3, ap. _Rer. Brittan. Scriptores._ p. 50. _Heidelb._ 1587. [88] _Cod._ MS. _in Bibl._ Coll. SS. Trin. Dubl. _Cl._ B. _Tab._ 2, _No._ 7, fol. 209. [89] Vid. _Contin. altera Chronici_ Gul. de Nangis, _ap._ Dacherii _Spicil._ t. iii. 104, _where this Prophecy is attributed to_ Johannes de Muis. [90] _Cod._ MS. _in Bibl._ Coll. SS. Trin. Dubl. _Class._ E. _Tab._ 5, _No._ 10, fol. xliii. [91] _Prophetia Anglicana_ vii. Libris explanationum _Alani de Insulis_. Francof. 1603. 12ᵐᵒ. lib. iii. p. 91. [92] _Cod. MS. in Biblioth._ Coll. SS. Trin. Dublin. Class. E. Tab. 5, No. 10. [93] _Deest titul. in Cod. Dublin._ [94] _Gallus_ succumbet. A. D. [95] Victoria. D. [96] Abhorrebit. D. [97] Vox. D. [98] Aliis. D. [99] Erit, quem. A. [100] Plus. A. [101] Cessabunt gaudia. D. [102] Limborch. _Hist. Inquisit._ ad fin. p. 303. [103] Hist. of the Life of _Wiclif._ Oxf. 1820. (_Table of obsolete Words_; in voc.) [104] _Petri Comestoris_ Hist. Schol. 8ᵒ. Florent. 1526. _fol._ cxvii. [105] Berchorii _Red. Mor._ lib. xiv. c. 60. n. 4. p. 658. fol. Venet. 1683. [106] _Gesta Romanorum_, &c. translated from the Latin by the Rev. _Charles Swan_. 2 vols. 12ᵒ. _London_, 1824. [107] _Talmud Babyl._ Tract. _Gittin._ fol. 68. col. 1, 2. [108] _Vol._ i. p. 259. 2nd Edit. *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAST AGE OF THE CHURCH *** Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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