vnions and tot
quottes. Cf. Obedience K3v; 1 John D2v, D5v, E6, F4v. For the phrase
"pluralities of benefices," cf. Prelates
K2v-K3.
couetousnesse.
Because prelates do not practice what they preach about the sin of
avarice, More does not defend them against Tyndale's accusation of
covetousness. William E. Lunt gives the
essential background in Papal Revenues in the Middle
Ages, 2 vols. (New York: Columbia UP,
1934), while Barbara M. Hallman treats the
abusive practices that lived on through most of the 16c, in Italian Cardinals, Reform, and the Church as
Property (Berkeley: U of California
P, 1985). Luther gave extensive coverage to Roman financial exploitation
of Germany in his reform tract, To the
Christian Nobility, 1520 (WA 6.407/9–411/7; LW
44.142–68), where he mentions the same canonical measures named by
Tyndale [D7] by which high clerics circumvented the
sanctions against pluralism of pastoral benefices and offices.
lecherye. In the
preface to a new edition of Enchiridion, Erasmus
cites a patristic criticism of poor moral judgment on the
clergy : "Augustine complains in his letters that lechery is
the one offence imputed to the clergy in Africa, while the
vices of avarice and drunkenness are almost counted to their credit."
Cf. Ep. 22, Augustine to Bp. Valerius (AD c392) 1.3 (PL 33.91; CSEL
34/1.56-–57; Parsons 1.53), cited by Erasmus, Ep. 858, To Paul Volz,
Basel, 14 August 1518 (Allen 3.372/417–20; CWE 6.85/441–44; also Holborn
15/15–17; CWE 66.18). In his memorial of Colet, Erasmus
praises the better judgment of his friend: "He used to say that avarice
and pride were much more to be abhorred in a priest than
if he had a hundred concubines." From Ep. 1211, To Justus Jonas,
Anderlecht , 13 June 1521 (Allen 4.521/467–68; CWE
8.239/508–10).
bilt . . .
sonde. Cf. Matt. 7.26.