Page:The Acts and Monuments of John Foxe Volume 3.djvu/118

 make more account of the history which I had taken in hand, than of the common utility whereunto I had chief respect.

There were besides these, certain other articles whereupon the said John Huss had very wisely and learnedly disputed; but these shall suffice us for the present. And for the residue, we will pass them over to the intent we may the more speedily return to where our story left off, declaring what cruelty they used not only against the books and articles of John Wickliff, but also in burning his body and bones, commanding them to be taken up forty-one years after he was buried; as appeareth by the decree of the said synod, the form whereof we thought hereunto to annex.

"Forasmuch as by the authority of the sentence and decree of the council of Rome, and by the commandment of the church and the apostolic see, after due delays being given, they proceeded unto the condemnation of the said John Wickliff and his memory, having first made proclamation, and given commandment to call forth whosoever would defend the said WicklifF or his memory, if there were any such (but there did none appear, who would either defend him or his memory): and, moreover, witnesses being examined, by commissioners appointed by pope John and his council, upon the impenitency and final obstinacy and stubbornness of the said John Wickliff (reserving that which is to be reserved, as in such business the order of the law requireth), and his impenitency and obstinacy, even unto his end, being sufficiently proved by evident signs and tokens, and also by lawful witnesses, of credit lawfully given thereunto: wherefore, at the instance of the steward of the treasury, proclamation being made to hear and understand the sentence against this day, the sacred synod declareth, determineth, and giveth sentence, that the said John Wickliff was a notorious obstinate heretic, and that he died in his heresy: cursing and condemning both him and his memory.

"This synod also decreeth and ordaineth, that the body and bones of the said John Wickliff, if it might be discerned and known from the bodies of other faithful people, should be taken out of the ground, and thrown away far from the burial of any church, according to the canon laws and decrees. Which determination and sentence definitive being read and pronounced, and it being demanded and asked of the lord president, and the aforesaid presidents of the four nations, whether it did please them or no, they all answered, and first, Hostiensis, the president, and after him the other presidents of the nations, that it pleased them very well: and so they allowed and confirmed all the premises." $🞼$This wicked and malicious sentence of the bishop, would require here a diligent apology, but that it is so foolish and vain, and no less barbarous, that it seemeth more worthy of derision and disdain, than by any argument, to be confuted. For what will it prevail to talk with reasons and arguments, against him