Extract from the decree of the Council of Constance against John Wyckcliffe and his works. AD 1415.

And this holy synod caused the aforesaid forty-five article, to be examined and oftentimes perused by many most reverend fathers of the church of Rome, cardinals, bishops, abbots, masters of divinity, and doctors of both laws, besides a great number of other learned men; which articles being so examined, it was found (as in truth it is no less) that some, yea and many of them, were and are notoriously heretical, and for such long ago condemned by the holy fathers; other some not catholic, but erroneous; other some scandalous and blasphemous; certain of them offensive unto godly ears; and many of them rash and seditious. It is found, also, that his books do contain many other articles of like quality, and that they do induce into the church of God unsound and unwholesome doctrine, inimical both to faith and morals. Wherefore, in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, this synod, ratifying and approving the sentences and judgments of the aforesaid archbishops and council of Rome, do by this decree for evermore reprove and condemn the aforesaid article, and every one of them, his book, which he entituled ‘Dialogue “ and “Trialogue,’’ and all other books, volumes, treatises, and works, of the same author, by what namesoever they be entituled, which we will to be here sufficiently expressed and named. Also, we forbid unto all faithful Christians the reading, learning, exposition, and alleging of the said books or any of them, but for the reprobation of the same; and we forbid all and singular, under pain of curse, that they never from henceforth presume openly to preach, teach, or hold, or by any means allege the said articles or any of them, except, as is aforesaid, for the reprobation of them ; commanding all (hose books, treatises, volumes, and works aforesaid, to be openly burned, as was decreed is, the synod at Rome and as is before expressed. The execution and observance whereof the aforesaid sacred synod doth charge the ordinaries of the places vigilantly to intend, according as it appertaineth to every mans duty, by the laws and holy canons.