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igo V. THE REFORMATION (A.D. 15201592).
3. THE CHANCELLOR S LETTER TO VADSTENA. NEW
IDEA OF THE CHURCH. THE KING AND HIS
MINISTERS.
The opportunity was taken by Laurentius Andreas to
publish in the king s name a long Latin letter, addressed
to the Convent of Vadstena, from whom he desired a loan,
describing the king s attitude towards the Church. It
rested upon a theory of the meaning of the word.
"
By
the name Church Holy Scripture did not meant the priests
or prelates, or the church buildings, but the whole com
pany of faithful men. Therefore, if we say the Church s
money, do we say anything else except the people s
money? In the oldest times of Christendom the posses
sions of the Church were used for the good of the congrega
tion. So ought it to be now. The superfluity of Church
revenues ought not to go to stately buildings or fine orna
ments, but to supply the needs of the people. Surely God
has not more care for stocks and stones than for men for
whom Christ suffered and died?"
2
As regards the attitude of the king towards the ne\v
teaching, he writes as follows :
"
The king hears with dis
pleasure the report that he allows some new and uncatholic
teaching to be disseminated throughout his kingdom. Fie
wills and requires that you should abstain from such
thoughtlessness yourselves, and not mislead the common
people, remembering what is written,
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