&hip: for truly thou shalt depart from the one of them. If thou wilt have both, thou shalt lose both, or else think thyself to be of that number, of whom God doth so greatly complain, saying, They have reigned, but not through me; they are become princes, and I have not known it.” Now if it doth suffice thee to rule with the Lord, thou hast thy glory, but not with God. But if we will keep that which is forbidden us, let us hear what is said: He that is the greatest amongst you (saith Christ) shall be made as the least; and he which is the highest, shall be as the minister;” and for example, he set a child in the midst of them. So this then is the true form and institution of the apostles’ trade: lordship and rule is forbidden, ministration and service commanded.
[The reply of Wycliffe extends thus far, and does not end, as the use of a different type in Fox]
[might lead one to suppose, with the preceding paragraph. Nor does the MS. end here. It is much]
[more extended. Bodleian M88. Fasciculus Zizanlorum.]
Letter of Wycliffe [4 in Excuse to Pope Urban
I BAVE joyfully to tell all true men the belief that I hold, and algaes to the pope. For I suppose, that if any faith be rightful and given of God, the pope will gladly conserve it; and if my faith be error, the pope will wisely amend it. I suppose over this, that the Gospe] of Christ be part of the corps of God’s law. For I believe that Jesus Christ, that gave in his own person this Gospel, is very God and very man, and by this it passes all other laws. I suppose over this, that the pope be most oblishid to the keeping of the Gospel among all men that live here. For the pope is highest vicar that Christ hath here in earth. For moreness4 of Christ’s vicars is not measured by worldly moreness but by this, —that this vicar sues more Christ by virtuous living, for this teaches the Gospel. That this the sentence of Christ and of his Gospel I take as belief; that Christ for time that he walked here was most poor man of all, both in spirit and in haveing;/ for Christ says that he had no thing for to rest his head on. And over this I take as belief, that no man schulde sue the pope, nor no saint that now is in heaven, but in alsmychef as he sued^ Christ: for James and John erred, and Peter and Paul sinned. Of this I take as wholesome counsel, that the pope leave his worldly lordship to worldly lords, as Christ gave him, and more speedily all his clerks to do so, for thus did Christ, and taught thus his disciples, till the fiend had blinded this world. And if I err in this sentenee, I will meekly be amended, if by the death, it be skilful, for that I hope were good to me. And if I might travel in my own person, I would with God’s will go to the pope. But Christ has needed Lewis, Apc No. 23. Fox, Acts ard Monuments, i. 581.
always. body. greatneNs. follows.
f possessions. 4 inasmuch. followed emm
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