Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/74

 to Parliament complaining of Rome's impositions. The complaint was made again that the Sees and livings in England were conferred upon Italians, who never resided in the country. Complaints were made of the payment of first-fruits of vacant benefices to Rome; "A thing never heard of before," they said. Objection was raised to the payment of Peter's pence, which now was treble the original amount. A declaration was drawn up in the House, saying that these "grievances, oppressions, and extortions should no longer be permitted in the king's domains." The clergy, however, were afraid of a repetition of such experience as John had brought upon them through the interdict.

The Papal Power at this time was at its height, and internal divisions were bringing about its fall.

From the years 1309-1377 there were rival Popes, one of them holding his Court at Avignon. But the papists did not, in their troubles, lose sight of England. John XXII. sent further demands for money. Parliament said, in reply, "They neither could nor would tolerate such a state of things any longer." What was the state of things which they would not tolerate? You may gather it from the following facts: Between the years 1317-34 Pope John, more than once, appointed men on his own authority to the English Sees of Worcester, Lichfield, Hereford, and Durham; to Rochester, Lincoln, Winchester, Carlisle, Norwich, Exeter, and Bath and Wells. Besides this he often appointed men to vicarages and rectories.

Such facts helped to lead, in the year 1351, to another great English Act&mdash;The Statute of Provisors. This declared