ry with infamy, and consigned both his Works, and his Bones, dug up by their order, to the flames; as stated in the sequel, p. 227.

For WICKLIFFE's incipient efforts in the cause of Reformation, which drew down on himself and on his reputation, persecution and obloquy, he is entitled to the gratitude of an admiring posterity; but more particularly so, for the manliness, with which he exhorted the people to the study of the Scriptures, no less than for the publication of the Version, which he was the first to make of the NEW TESTAMENT, from the Vulgate. Its having been suppressed by an Act of King Richard II., at the instigation of those *"who were for taking away the Key of Knowledge," is no depreciation of its worth. With equal justice have the name and character of this great man, imparted value and importance to the age, which gave him birth.

The Council of Vienne in Dauphiny, was convoked by Pope Clement V., soon after the removal of the Pontifical Chair to Avignon, and ranks in the estimation of the Romish Church as the FIFTEENTH GENERAL COUNCIL. The principal objects, which he had in view in calling it together, were for the double purpose of rooting out heresy, and judging of certain accusations brought against the Order of Knights Templar.

* LEWIS's History of the Translations of the Bible, p. 25.

The result of its deliberations on the latter point, was the publication of a Bull for their suppression, and for the transfer of their property to the Knights Hospitallers. The Feast of Corpus Christi was confirmed, and the famous RULE of St. Francis established, by the same Bull. And no doubt, but the means and the end, were worthy of a Convocation like this, which the Church of Rome has dubbed with the title of GENEral; with but few Bishops in attendance at it, and even those few deprived of the liberty of speaking, judging, or voting. That the number is too insignificant to be spoken of, Bellarmine's silence on the subject incontestably proves.

The Council likewise determined on a Crusade, and formally condemned the errors of the Minorites, another name given to the followers of Peter de Oliva; if errors, they should be called; -to hold in detestation the corruptions of the Church of Rome, and the vices of its Pontiffs; and fearlessly to teach, that that Church was not the Catholic Church of Christ; that Princes were not subject to the Pope in temporals; that the Host ought not to be adored: &c. Their real errors cannot be justified.

Like Innocent III., Clement framed divers Constitutions, which after his name pass under the title of CLEMENTINES. Besides the con

* See page 208.

demnation of the errors spoken of above, the adjustment of the privileges of the * Mendicant Friars, and the approbation of the Inquisition, no other business was transacted in this Council.

The translation of the Pontifical Chair by Clement, from Rome to Avignon, of which notice has been already taken, gave the first shock to papal power, as was experienced by Gregory, XI., in the insults he received at Rome on his bringing it back to that city. After his death, the fatal schism of more than fifty years continuance broke out, during which, there had been at all times two, and sometimes three claimants of the Papal Throne. It had its commencement with Urban VI., who, after a mock election, continued at Rome, (probably the reason, why my late opponent, considered him as the regular successor to Gregory XI. ;) while Clement VII. who had been elected by the majority of the Cardinals went to Avignon. Notwithstanding all that has been written on the subject, it is at this day undetermined, which of the two was the lawful Pope!

Fifty-three Synods assembled in this age, and like most of the preceding ones, were more remarkable for the number of the Canons, which

*DUPIN, vol. ii. p. 545.

+ WHARTON'S APPENDIX to Cave's Hist. Lit. p. 2.

END OF CONTROVERSY, Letter XXXIII. p. 133.

they decreed, than for any thing else. Besides several military Orders, those of St. Saviour, and of the Hieronymites, were instituted at this period.

* WICKLIFFE, the blessed harbinger of the Reformation, immortalized the fourteenth century. In it J. Duns Scotus, Petrarch, &c., attached celebrity to their names by their genius and learning.

INFALLIBILITY. We find Infallibility nodding in the person of either Pope John XXII., or a Successor of his, Gregory XI.; the former at the head of a Council excommunicating, and the latter, at the head of a Council absolving from the Excommunication, the Beghards or Beguines, the disciples of Peter de Oliva. But this divine attribute must have been wrapt up in sound sleep, during the ensuing half century, in which the papal schism raged.

t

*The inhabitants of the town of Lutterworth, of which WICKLIFFE had been Rector, have rendered him tardy justice by erecting a Monument to his fame. This fact, which has been lately announced in the public prints, loudly proclaims, that the germ of genuine Protestant feeling, will for ever exist in England, in its pristine vigour.

THE

SYNODAL AGE, OR FIFTEENTH

CENTURY.

CHAPTER XXIII.

SYNOD OF PISA, A. D. 1409.

AFTER the barbarism of so many ages, that period at length arrived, which had been so often, and so long wished for by many men eminent for their genius and learning. At the commencement of the fifteenth century, the Sun of Science emerged from darkness, and dissipated the clouds of ignorance and error, which lay heavy and thick over the nations of Europe. Such a revolution in the intellectual world could not take place without the most salutary consequences. The change was no less wonderful, than unexpected, as far as concerned the minds and habits of men; since with the study of the languages, and a thirst for learning, sprang up a corresponding desire to culti vate general knowledge.