of Wickliff; some by William Woodford, and some by Walden, friar Tissington, and others, whom they, in their liooks, have impugned rather than confuted; in the number of which writers William Woodford especially findeth out these articles, and writeth against the same, to the number of eighteen, as hereunder follow.
Articles against Wickliff collected by William Woodford.
2. As John was figuratively Elias, and not personally; so the bread is figuratively the body of Christ, and not naturally. And, without all doubt, this is a figurative speech, to say, “This is my body;” as to say, “This John is Ehas.”
3. In the decree, “Ergo Berengarius,” the court of Rome hath determined, that the sacrament of the holy Eucharist is naturally true bread.
4. They who do affirm that the infants of the faithful, departing without the sacrament of baptism, are not saved, be presumptuous and fools in so affirming.
5. The administration of the sacrament of confirmation is not only reserved to the bishops.
6. In the time of St. Paul, only two orders of clerks did suffice in the church, priests and deacons. Neither was there in the time of the apostles any distinction of popes, patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops ; but these the emperor’s pride did find out.
7. Such as in times past, either for covetousness of temporal lucre, or in hope of mutual succour by kindred, or for cause to excuse their lust (although they despaired of issue), were married, were coupled together not by true matrimony.
8. The causes of divorcement, either for spiritual consanguinity, or for affinity, be not founded on Scripture, but are only ordinances of men.
9. These words, “I will take thee to wife,” are rather to be taken in contract of matrimony, than these words, “I do take thee to wife.” And the contract with any party, by the words of the future tense, ought not to be frustrated for the contract with any party afterwards made by the words of the present time.
10. There be twelve disciples of Antichrist: popes, cardinals, patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, archdeacons, officials, deans, monks, canons, friars, and pardoners.
11. In the Book of Numbers, chap, xviii., and in Ezekiel, chap, xliv., it is commanded simply, that neither the priests of Aaron, nor the Levites should have any part of inheritance with other tribes, but should live merely by tithes and oblations.
12. There is no greater heretic or Antichrist than that clerk who teacheth that it is lawful for priests and Levites, by the law of grace, to be endued with temporal possessions. And if there be any heretics, apostates, or blasphemers, these clerks be such.
13. It is not only lawful for the lords temporal to take away goods of fortune from the churchmen, sinning usually, but also they are bound so to do, under pain of eternal damnation.
14. He that is the more humble and more serviceable to the church, and more enamoured with the love of Christ, is, in the church militant, the greater, and, then, nearest vicar of Christ.
15. If corporal unction or anoyling were a sacrament, as now it is feigned to be, Christ and his apostles would not have left the ordinance thereof untouched.
16. Unto the true dominion secular, is required virtuous life of him that ruleth.
17. All things that happen do come absolutely of necessity.
18. Whatsoever the pope or his cardinals can deduce clearly out of the Scripture, that only is to be believed, or to be done at their monition; and whatsoever otherwise they do command, is to be condemned as heretical.