ul's, and he showed at once that he had lost none
of his zeal. He carried on his lectures in the cathedral and preached
constantly, and another warm friend made now was Sir Thomas More,
who earnestly helped him in his strenuous endeavours to improve the
cathedral statutes, to reform abuses, and to increase the preaching
power. He was a rich man, and in 1509 he employed much of his
wealth--about L40,000 present value--in the foundation of St. Paul's
School. He wrote some simple precepts for the guidance of masters and
scholars, and drew up prayers and an English version of the Creed. He
appointed William Lilly first master, and called on Linacre to write
a Latin grammar. The school became famous; it was burnt down in the
Fire, rebuilt in 1670, and removed to Hammersmith in 1884. It is not
to be wondered at that many of the churchmen of the day regarded Colet
as a most dangerous innovator. Complaints were made to Archbishop
Warham that he was favouring the Lollards, which was absolutely
untrue. He would in all probability, had he lived, have been found
on the same side as More and Fisher, that is, intensely desirous to
preserve the Church and its doctrines, but to cleanse it from the foul
scandals, the sloth, greed, immorality, which were patent to all
the world. There was a meeting of Convocation in February, 1512, to
consider how to extirpate the Lollard heresy which was reviving.
Warham appointed Colet to preach the sermon, which he did with
wonderful energy, denouncing the simony, the self-indulgence, and the
ignorance of the bishops and clergy. The Lollards were there in great
numbers, attentive, silent listeners. He was as plain and honest with
the King himself, who, recognising his goodness of purpose, made him
a Royal Chaplain. In 1514, he went with Erasmus on pilgrimage to
Becket's tomb and ridiculed the accounts which the vergers gave of the
healing power of the relics. When Wolsey was installed as Cardinal,
Colet preached, and warned him against worldly ambition. And all
through his time at St. Paul's the aged Bishop Fitzhugh was in active
hostility to him. He died September 16th, 1519, and, although he had
requested that only his name should be inscribed on his grave, the
Mercers' Company erected a handsome tomb, for which Lilly wrote a long
inscription. Lilly and Linacre were both buried near him.

It will be seen, I think, at once that Colet is a great representative
of the thoughtful and earnest men of his