The English Works of Wyclif Hitherto Unprinted (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ...& not frely comen br-to.' And whanne bischopis & here Capitulum primum. Summe causes meuen sujme pore prestis to resceyue not why poor benefices; pe friste for drede of symonye, pe secunde for take benefices. drede of myspendywge pore menntw goodie, pe jridde for drede of lettynge of bettre occupacion at is more lijt or eisy, more certeyn, & more profitable on euere side, for jif men schulde come to benefices be lift of prelatis ber is drede of Prevalence of 'aimony, symonye; for comynly pei taken the friste fruytis or opere pensions, or holden curatis i olBce in here courtie or chapelis or oJ?ere veyn offices, fer fro prestis lif taujt & ensaumplid of crist & his apostlis; so pat comunly siehe benefices comen not frely, as crist comauwdij?, but raere for worldly wynyge or flaterynge or preisywge & ank of myjtty men & lordis, & not for abilnesse of kunnynge of goddis lawe1 & trewe techynge of e gospel & ensaumple of holy lif. & here-fore comynly Jres prelatis & resceyueris ben foulid wij? symonye, pat is cursed heresie as goddis lawe & lawe techen opynly & many seyntis. & grete merueile it is now )?at, sip seynt gregory aejp in pleyn lawe of pe chirche & opere bokis Gregory. pat siehe men as desiren benefices schulden not haue hem, but men pot fleen hem for drede of vnabilnesse of hemself & grete charge, as dide moyses, ieromye, austyn, gregory & holy seyntis; & now who can faste renne to & bere gold out Benefices bought at Rome. of pe lond & paie it for deed leed & a litil writynge, & stryue & plede & curse...