[200] Complaints of iniquities arising from confession were laid before Parliament as early as 1394.

“Auricularis confessio quae dicitur tam necessaria ad salvationem hominis, cum ficta potestate absolutionis exaltat superbiam sacerdotum, et dat illis opportunitatem secretarum sermocinationum quas nos nolumus dicere, quia domini et dominae attestantur quod pro timore confessorum suorum non audent dicere veritatem; et in tempore confessionis est opportunum tempus procationis id est of wowing et aliarum secretarum conventionum ad peccata mortalia.  Ipsi dicunt quod sunt commissarii Dei ad judicandum de omni peccato perdonandum et mundandum quemcunque eis placuerint.  Dicunt quod habent claves coeli et inferni et possunt excommunicare et benedicere ligare et solvere in voluntatem eorum; in tantum quod pro bussello vel 12 denariis volunt vendere benedictionem coeli per chartam et clausulam de warrantia sigillita sigillo communi.  Ista conclusio sic est in usu quod non eget probatione aliqua.”—­Extract from a Petition presented to Parliament:  WILKINS, vol. iii. p. 221.

This remarkable paper ends with the following lines:—­

  “Plangunt Anglorum gentes crimen Sodomorum
  Paulus fert horum sunt idola causa malorum
  Surgunt ingrati Giezitae Simone nati
  Nomine praelati hoc defensare parati
  Qui reges estis populis quicunque praestis
  Qualiter his gestis gladios prohibere potestis.”

See also HALE, p. 42, where an abominable instance is mentioned, and a still worse in the Suppression of the Monasteries, pp. 45-50.

[201] HALE, p. 12.

[202] Ibid. pp. 75, 83; Suppression of the Monasteries, p. 47.

[203] Ibid. p. 80.

[204] Ibid. p. 83.

[205] I have been taunted with my inability to produce more evidence.  For the present I will mention two additional instances only, and perhaps I shall not be invited to swell the list further.

1.  In the State Paper Office is a report to Cromwell by Adam Bekenshaw, one of his diocesan visitors, in which I find this passage:—­

“There be knights and divers gentlemen in the diocese of Chester who do keep concubines and do yearly compound with the officials for a small sum without monition to leave their naughty living.”

2.  In another report I find also the following:—­

“The names of such persons as be permitted to live in adultery and fornication for money:—­

  “The Vicar of Ledbury. 
  The Vicar of Brasmyll. 
  The Vicar of Stow. 
  The Vicar of Cloune. 
  The Parson of Wentnor. 
  The Parson of Rusbury. 
  The Parson of Plowden. 
  The Dean of Pountsbury. 
  The Parson of Stratton. 
  Sir Matthew of Montgomery. 
  Sir ——­ of Lauvange. 
  Sir John Brayle. 
  Sir Morris of Clone. 
  Sir Adam of Clone. 
  Sir Pierce of Norbury. 
  Sir Gryffon ap Egmond. 
  Sir John Orkeley. 
  Sir John of Mynton. 
  Sir John Reynolds. 
  Sir Morris of Knighton, priest. 
  Hugh Davis. 
  Cadwallader ap Gern. 
  Edward ap Meyrick. 
  With many others of the diocese of Hereford.”