There was in Trinity Hall, Cambridge, a young doctor much given to the study of the canon law, of serious turn of mind and bashful disposition, and whose tender conscience strove, although ineffectually, to fulfil the commandments of God. Anxious about his salvation, Thomas Bilney applied to the priests, whom he looked upon as physicians of the soul. Kneeling before his confessor, with humble look and pale face, he told him all his sins, and even those of which he doubted.[297] The priest prescribed at one time fasting, at another prolonged vigils, and then masses and indulgences which cost him dearly.[298] The poor doctor went through all these practices with great devotion, but found no consolation in them. Being weak and slender, his body wasted away by degrees;[299] his understanding grew weaker, his imagination faded, and his purse became empty. "Alas!" said he with anguish, "my last state is worse than the first." From time to time an idea crossed his mind: "May not the priests be seeking their own interest, and not the salvation of my soul."[300] But immediately rejecting the rash doubt, he fell back under the iron hand of the clergy. [297] In ignaros medicos, indoctos confessionum auditores. (Th. Bilnæus Tonstallo Episcopo; Foxe, iv. p. 633.) To ignorant physicians, unlearned confessors. [298] Indicebant enim mihi jejunia, vigilias, indulgentiarum et missarum emptiones. Ibid. [299] Ut parum mihi virium (alioqui natura imbecilli) reliquum fuerit. (Ibid.) So that being naturally weak at any rate, too little strength was left to me. [300] Sua potius quærebant quam salutem animæ meæ languentis. (Ibid.) They were seeking their own interest, rather than the salvation of my fainting soul. [Sidenote: BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION.] One day Bilney heard his friends talking about a new book: it was the Greek Testament printed with a translation which was highly praised for its elegant Latinity.[301] Attracted by the beauty of the style rather than by the divinity of the subject,[302] he stretched out his hand; but just as he was going to take the volume, fear came upon him and he withdrew it hastily. In fact the confessors strictly prohibited Greek and Hebrew books, "the sources of all heresies;" and Erasmus's Testament was particularly forbidden. Yet Bilney regretted so great a sacrifice; was it not the Testament of Jesus Christ? Might not God have placed therein some word which perhaps might heal his soul? He stepped forward, and then again shrank back.... At last he took courage. Urged, said he, by the hand of God, he walked out of the college, slipped into the house where the volume was sold in secret, bought it with fear and trembling, and then hastened back and shut himself up in his room.[303] [301] Cum ab eo latinius redditum accepi. Ibid. [302] Latinitate potius quam verbo Dei, allectus. Ibid.