English literature -- Middle English, 1100-1500; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 1066-1485 -- Sources
"For, no doubt, every priest should purpose first in his soul and covet
to take the order of priesthood chiefly for to make known to the people
the Word of GOD, after his cunning and power, approving his words ever
to be true by his virtuous works; and for this intent we suppose that
Bishops and other prelates of Holy Church should chiefly take and use
their prelacy. And for the same cause, Bishops should give to priests
their orders. For Bishops should accept no man to priesthood, except
that he had good will and full purpose, and were well disposed and well
learned to preach. Wherefore, Sir, by the bidding of CHRIST, and by
example of His most holy living, and also by the witnessing of His holy
apostles and prophets, we are bound under full great pain to exercise us
after our cunning and power (as every priest is likewise charged of
GOD), to fulfil duly the office of priesthood. We presume not hereof,
ourselves, for to be esteemed, neither in our own reputation nor in none
other man's, faithful disciples and special followers of CHRIST: but,
Sir, as I said to you before, we deem this, by authority chiefly of
GOD's Word, that it is the chief duty of every priest to busy him
faithfully to make the law of GOD known to His people; and so to comune
[_communicate_] the commandment of GOD charitably, how that we best,
where, when, and to whom that ever we may, is our very duty. And for the
will and business that we owe of due debt to do justly our office,
through the stirring and special help, as we trust, of GOD, hoping
stedfastly in His mercy, we desire to be the faithful disciples of
CHRIST: and we pray this gracious LORD, for His holy name! that He make
us able for to please Him with devout prayers and charitable priestly
works, that we may obtain of Him to follow Him thankfully."
+Archbishop.+ And the Archbishop said to me, "Lewd losell! whereto
makest thou such vain reasons to me? Asketh not Saint PAUL, _How should
priests preach, except they be sent?_ But I sent thee never to preach!
For thy venomous doctrine is so known throughout England, that no Bishop
will admit thee for to preach, by witnessing of their Letters! Why then,
lewd idiot! willst thou presume to preach, since thou art not sent nor
licensed of thy Sovereign to preach? Saith not Saint PAUL that _Subjects
owe_ [ought] _to obey their Sovereigns; and not only good and virtuous,
but also tyrants that are vicious!_"
=GOD WILL BE A LETTER OF LICENSE!=
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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