Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/533

 The Popes and the Councils 497 Such a state of affairs is well-nigh incredible, so that the Marsiglio story or legend ought not to be regarded as probable in claims that reference to the matter in hand, and should be reckoned as apparently apocryphal. We must, however, following Holy Scripture, the first hold that St. Paul was bishop of Rome, and if any one else ^P of was there with him, Paul was nevertheless in charge, and in a special sense bishop of Rome, as is shown by the reasons adduced. Peter would seem to have been bishop of Antioch, as appears in the second chapter of Galatians. I do not deny that Peter was ever in Rome, but hold it as probable that he did not precede Paul, but rather the contrary. III. WYCLIFFE'S ATTACK UPON THE POPE, CLERGY, MONKS, AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC TEACHINGS Wycliffe wrote many treatises, pamphlets, and ser- mons, in both Latin and English. In his sermons, which are generally very brief, he often refers to the evil life and what he regarded as the perverse teachings of the pope and clergy, especially of the mendicant friars, most of whom seemed to him to be the servants of Antichrist. The following extracts illustrate his spirit : 1 [We should put on the armor of Christ, for Antichrist 207. Wye- has turned] hise clerkes to coveitise and worldli love, and liff. e on the so blindid the peple and derkid the lawe of Crist, that hise O f the servantis ben thikke, and fewe ben on Cristis side. And clergy, algatis [= always] thei dispisen that men shulden knowe Cristis liif, for bi his liif and his loore shulde help rise on his side, and prestis shulden shame of her lyves, and speciali thes highe prestis, for thei reversen Crist bothe in word and dede. And herfore oo greet Bishop of Engelond, as men seien, is yvel paied [= pleased] that Goddis lawe is writun in 1 It seemed a pity to modernize the ancient spelling; it, of course, somewhat impedes the inexperienced reader, but does not prevent his coming at the full sense of the passages.