Page:Readings in European History Vol 1.djvu/546

 5io Readings in European History 213. How corruption spread from the prelates to the lower clergy. (From Diet- rich Vrie.) Who does not know how many abbots and other prelates, when they come to die, are, if they prove obnoxious to the papal camera on account of their poverty, refused a dignified funeral, and even denied burial, except perchance in some field or garden, or other profane spot, where they are secretly disposed of. Priests, as we all can see, are forced, by reason of their scanty, means of support, to desert their parishes and their benefices and, in their hunger, seek bread where they may, performing profane services for laymen. Some rich and hitherto prosperous churches have, indeed, been able to support this burden, but all are now exhausted and can no longer bear to be cheated of their revenue. A German writer of the early fifteenth century in his History of the Council of Constance shows the inevitable manner in which the corruption spread from the prelates downward to the simple priests, who were tempted to indemnify themselves for the outlay they had been obliged to make in obtaining their offices. The supreme pontiffs, as I know, are elected through avarice and simony, and likewise the other bishops are ordained for gold. These in turn will not ordain those below them the priests, deacons, subdeacons, and acolytes except a strict agreement be first drawn up. Of the mammon of unrighteousness the bishops, the real rulers, and the chapters each receives a part. The once accepted maxim, " Freely give, for freely ye have received," is now most vilely perverted: " Freely I have not received, nor will I freely give, for I^bought my bishopric for a great price and must indemnify myself impiously for my untoward outlay. I will not ordain you as a priest except for money. I purchased the sacrament of ordination when I became a bishop, and I propose to sell you the same sign and seal of ordination. By beseeching and for gold I obtained my office, and for beseeching and for gold do I sell you your place. Refuse the amount I demand and you shall not become a priest."