PERSECUTIONS IN ENGLAND UNDER HENRY IV. 139

he had been murdered some time before, and undoubtedly soon after his imprisonment.

The followers of Wickliffe, then called Lollards, were become extremely numerous, and the clergy were vexed to see them increase. Whatever power or influence they might have to molest them in an underhand manner, they had no authority by law to put them to death. However, the clergy embraced the favorable opportunity, and prevailed upon the king to suffer a bill to be brought into parliament, by which all Lollards who remained obstinate, should be delivered over to the civil power and burnt as heretics. This act was the first in this island for the burning of people for their religious sentiments; it passed in the year 1401, and was soon after put into execution.

The first person who suffered in consequence of this cruel act was William Santree or Sawtree (for he is called by both names), formerly parish priest of the church of St. Margaret, in the parish of Lynn, in Norfolk, but afterward of St. Osyth, in London. It appears from Dr. Fuller's church history, that he had formerly abjured those articles (for which he suffered death) before the bishop of Norwich. Therefore he was adjudged to be degraded and deprived, which was done in the following manner :

First, from the order of priest, by taking from him the paten, chalice, and plucking the chasule from his back;

Secondly, deacon, by taking from him the New Testament, and the stole ;

Thirdly, subdeacon, by taking from him the alb and maniple; Fourthly, acolyte, by taking from him the candlestick and taper; Fifthly, exorcist, by taking from him the book of constitutions; Sixthly, sexton, by taking from him the key of the church-door and surplice.

To all these indignities the pious man submitted with patience, and sealed his testimony with his blood, at a stake erected for that purpose in Smithfield, where he was burnt to death with circumstances of cruelty, to the no small pleasure of corrupted clergy.

Soon after the bloody statute already mentioned had passed, Thomas Arundal, archbishop of Canterbury, convened a general assembly of the clergy in the church of St. Paul, in London, to consult of matters relating to the church, and more equally how to suppress the Lollards, who followed the doctrines of Wickliffe ;

and their opinions and books of Wickliffe were, by this synod, said to contain heresy. The persons who made any use of them were denominated heretics, or Lollards, a term we have already explained. The bishops and dignified clergy looked upon the doctrines and practices of the Lollards as destructive of church power, and therefore they found themselves under the necessity of doing all they could to suppress them.

In order thereto there were twelve priests chosen out of the university of Oxford, who were to make diligent search after, and apprehend all such heretics as they could lay hold of.

It is impossible, in a proper manner, to form any just idea of the corrupt state of the clergy at this time. There were three popes together, which occasioned the calling the council of Constance, to consider of these abuses. Happy would it have been, had this council confined themselves to those duties that became their characters, but this was not to take place. It would have been meritorious in them to have deposed all the three popes, and appointed a new one but what laughing-stocks would they then have made themselves to the people!

About this time thirty-six persons, denominated Lollards, suffered death in St. Giles's, for no other reason than professing their attachment to the doctrines of Wickliffe. They were hung on gibbets, and fagots being placed under them, as soon as they were suspended, fire was set to them, so that they were burnt while hanging.

MARRIAGE. In reading a Roman paper our attention has been drawn to an extract in Latin from the acts of the council of Trent, avowedly published to frighten papists in reference to their marriages. For this adulterous bull proclaims "all marriages not celebrated by a Romish priest invalid, and that the parties are perfectly free!" This popish canon is declared to be of "the utmost consequence to the officiating priests, and important to the families of emigrants!" That the authenticity and obligation of this beastly document may not be disputed, it is attested by Peter Kenny, superior of the Jesuits, in the United States of America. As many persons according to custom will deny the truth of this statement, we refer them to the Charleston Catholic Miscellany, in which this extraordinary canon is dated July 22, 1831.

INCREASE OF POPERY.

141

INCREASE OF POPERY.

MIGRATION of papists, and the frequent allusions made to it in the secular papers, appear to have excited a vague and undefined anxiety in the minds of the reflecting and religious portion of the community; and unfortunately, these allusions, being themselves vague and unsatisfactory, could lead to no other and practical result. A sufficient amount of facts has not been brought forward-suspicions and rumors have been substituted for themconsequently many, who on the discovery of real danger would be prepared to unite in strenuous efforts to avert it, refrain from all exertions, believing the time of peril still far distant. It is to such persons we desire to speak, with a view of calmly and temperately stating the true position and prospects of that great semi-political power, which in former ages enthralled all the nations of Europe.

Our object is to present proof, that popery is in the possession of immense strength, and is marching forward with rapid strides to supremacy in this country, and thus to arouse all true protestants, and all the friends of our republican institutions, to united and vigorous efforts in the cause which involves the continuance of our civil and religious liberties. To facts, and to facts alone, we appeal for a confirmation of our statements.

It is only about 56 years since the first papal see was created by the pope in these United States. There is now 1 archbishop; 30 bishops; 21 sees; 1,000 priests; 750 churches and cathedrals; 437 missionary stations; 63 female seminaries; 21 theological seminaries; 25 colleges and literary institutions; 36 female

convents.

It is now estimated that there are in the United States 2,500,000 papists under the government of the pope of Rome, all of whom are sworn enemies to this republic, and that the annual increase is about 150,000.

An Irish paper lately says: "We never recollect to have seen such preparations as are making among us to emigrate to America." A correspondent in Germany says, that "hundreds of thou