Lichfield Volume 15 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ...the important character of these early Reformers. " My father and mother," he told Arundel, " spent mickle money in divers places about my learning, for the intent to have made me a priest of God: but I had no will to be a priest. And when they perceived this in me, for that they might make me consent to be a priest, they spake to me full oftentimes very grievous words: but at the last.... I prayed them to give me licence for to go to them that were named wise priests to have their counsel." Such were Wycliffe and Philip of Rampington, then canon of Leicester. " The third Sunday after Easter, 1407," ran his accusation, from the worshipful communality of Shrewsbury, 'William Thorpe came into the town; and, through leave granted unto him to preach, he said openly in St. Chad's Church in his sermon, that the sacrament of the altar after the consecration was material bread; and that images should in no wise be worshipped; and that men should not go on pilgrimages; and that priests have no title to tithes; and that it is not lawful for to swear in any wise." Asked if this were wholesome learning, Thorpe said, " I never preached nor taught thus, privily nor apertly." Then follows an interesting dialogue between the Archbishop and Thorpe, in which the Archbishop occasionally swears profanely. The Lollard shows that he desires to be a faithful son of holy Church, and ST. CHADS, SHREWSBURY. 151 to obey ecclesiastical superiors in all that was not contrary to the law of Christ. He preaches, he says, because he is a priest. All the Lollards would gladly ask for the bishop's licence if there was any hope of getting it. What happened at Shrewsbury was this: --" As I stood there in the pulpit, busying me to teach the commandment of God, there knelled a sacring...