What Wesley Left Out

~119 words

to  Waltham  Abbey,  to  one  master 
1.536.  Cressy's^  house  there,  whose  wife  was  of  kin  to  the  said  master 
Cranmer.  And  for  that  he  had  two  sons  of  the  said  Cressy  with 
him  at  Cambridge  as  his  pupils,  he  rested  at  Waltham  Cross,  at  the 
house  of  the  said  master  Cressy,  with  the  said  two  children,  during 
that  summer-time  while  the  plague  reigned,  a.d.  1529. 

In  this  summer-time  cardinal  Campeius  and  cardinal  Wolsey,^ 
being  in  commission  from  the  pope  to  hear  and  determine  that  great 
cause  in  controversy  between  the  king  and  the  queen,  his  pretended 
wife,  dallied  and  delayed  all  the  summer-time  until  the  month  of 
August  came,  in  hearing  the  said  cause  in  controversy  debated. 
When  August  was  come,  the  said  cardinals  little  minding  to  proceed 
to  sentence  giving,  took  occasion  to  finish  their  commission,  and  not 
further  to  determine  therein,  pretending  that  it  was  not  permitted, 
by  the  laws  to  keep  courts  of  ecclesiastical  matters  in  harvest-time : 
which  sudden  stay  and  giving  over  of  the  said  commission  by  both 
the  cardinals,  being  unknown  to  the  king,  it  so  much  moved  him, 
that  he,  taking  it  as  a  mock  at  the  cardinals'  hands,  commanded  the 
dukes  of  Norfolk  and  Suffolk  to  dispatch  forthwith  cardinal  Campeius 
home  again  to  Rome  ;  and  so  in  haste  removed  himself

~87 words

prince  might  be  better  satisfied  and  quieted,  than 
thus  fi'om  year  to  year  by  frustratory  delays  to  prolong  the  time, 
leaving  the  very  truth  of  the  matter  unbolted  out  b}'  the  word  of 

(1)  "Cressy."  "  A  name,"  says  Fuller,  "  utterly  extinct  in  that  town  (where  God  hath  fixed  my 
present  habitation)  long  before  the  memory  of  any  alive.  But,  consulting  '  Weaver's  Funeral 
Monuments  of  Waltham  Church'  (more  truly  than  neatly  by  him  composed),  I  find  therein  this 
epitaph : 

'  Here  lyeth  Jon  and  Jone  Cres-sy, 
On  whose  soulys  Jesu  hav  mercy.     Amen.' " 
See  Fuller's  Church  History,  book  v.  page  179— Ed. 

(2)  Of  this  Campeius,  and  discourse  of  his  legacy,  read  before,  [vol.  v.  p.  48. — Ed.] 

(3)  Dr.  Stephen  Gardiner  was  secretary  to  king^  Henry  VIH.  at  tliis  time.— Ed. 


THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEU.  7 

God.     There  is  but  one  truth  in  it,  which  the  Scripture  will  soon    Mary. 
declare,  make  open  and  manifest,  beino-  by  learned  men  well  handled

~229 words

kept  themselves 
from  that  idolatry.    Howbeit,  one  thing  is  not  here  to  be  omitted,  as  a 
prognosticate  of  our  separation  from  the  see  of  Rome,  which  then 
chanced  by  a  spaniel  of  the  earl  of  Wiltshire,     For  he,  having  there 
a  great  spaniel  which  came  out  of  England  with  him,  stood  directly 
between  the  earl  and  the  bishop  of  Rome,  when  the  said  bishop  Unman- 
had  advanced  forth  his  foot  to  be  kissed.     Now  whether  the  spaniel  presum-^' 
perceived  the  bishop's  foot  of  another  nature  than  it  ought  to  be,  j.".°^'°^ 
and  so  taking  it  to  be  some  kind  of  repast — or  whether  it  was  the  pope's 
will  of  God  to  show  some  token  by  a  dog  unto  the  bishop  of  his 
inordinate  pride,  that  his  feet  were  more  meet  to  be  bitten  of  dogs, 
than  kissed  of  christian  men — the  spaniel  (I  say),  when  the  bishop 
extended  his  foot  to  be  kissed,  no  man  regarding  the  same,  straight- 
way (as  though  he  had  been  of  purpose  appointed  thereunto)  went 
directly  to  the  pope''s  feet,  and  not  only  kissed  the  same  unmannerly 
Avith  his  mouth,  but,  as  some  plainly  reported  and  affirmed,  took  fast 
with  his  mouth  the  great  toe  of  the  pope,  so  that  in  haste  he  pulled 
in  his  glorious  feet  from  the  spaniel :   whereat  our  men  smiling  in 
their  sleeves,  what  they  thought,  God  knoweth.     But  in  fine,  the 
pontifical  bishop  after  that,  sought  no  more  at  that  present  for  kiss- 
ing his  feet,  but

~1,436 words

immediately  given  to  Dr. 
Cranmer,  as  Avorthy  for  his  traA'ail  of  such  a  promotion.  Thus  much 
touching  the  preferment  of  Dr.  Cranmer  unto  his  dignity,^  and  by 
what  means  he  achieved  unto  the  same  (not  by  flattery,  nor  by 
bribes,  nor  by  any  other  unlawful  means)  ;  Avhich  thing  I  have  more  at 
large  discoursed,  to  stop  the  railing  mouths  of  such,  Avho,  being  them- 
selves obscure  and  unlearned,  shame  not  to  detract  so  learned  a  man 
most  ignominiously  Avith  the  surname  of  an  hosteler,  Avhom  for  his  godly 
zeal  unto  sincere  religion  they  ought  Avith  much  humility  to  have  had 
in  regard  and  reputation. 

*Not'*  long  after,  as  one  occasion  bringeth  in  another ;  so  upon 
this  question  of  the  marriage  riseth  another  question  of  the  pope's 
authority  ;  in  so  much  that  in  the  parliament  it  Avas  doubted  of  the 
primacy  of  the  church  of  Rome.  And  here  the  ncAv  archbishop  was 
not  a  little  helped  by  liis  old  collections  and  notes,  Avhich  he  used  in 
studying :  for  all  the  Aveight  of  the  business  Avas  chiefly  laid  on  his 
shoulders.     He  therefore  alone  received,  and  answered,  and  confuted, 

(1))  Henry  Cornelius  Agrippa,  of  the  family  of  Nettesheira,  was  born  in  H86.  As  he  was  a  m<In 
of  an  inconstant  disposition,  he  was  never  fixed  in  any  settled  employment,  being  occupied 
sometimes  in  the  wars,  and  sometimes  in  delivering  lectures  in  divinity.  His  treatise  "  De  Vani- 
tate  Scientiarum." — a  dissertation  in  which  he  undertakes  to  prove  that  there  is  nothing  more  per- 
nicious to  man's  salvation  than  the  arts  and  sciences — e.xcited  much  enmity  against  him.  After  a 
chequered  and  unsettled  life,  he  died  at  Grenoble  in  153.'5.  See  Dupin,  cent.  16,  b.  iii.  p.  401. 
Bayle  has  noticed  the  facts  which  connect  his  name  with  Cranmer's  liistory  in  his  "  Dictionary," 
article  "Agrippa,"  Note  O.— Ed.  (2)  August  23,  1332— Ed. 

(.3)  March  20,  1530.— Ed.  (-1)  See  the  First  Edition,  1563  ;  pp.  H71  — 1473.— Ed. 


THE    LIFE    AND    STOIIY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEK.  11 

all  the  objections  of  all  the  papists.  And  whereas  the  saying  is,  Mary. 
"  Not  Hercules  against  two/'  he  alone  encountered  with  so  many  .  j^ 
ensigns  and  armies  of  divines  ;    he  alone  sustained  all  the  force  of    1550.' 

all  his  adversaries ;    he  opened  from  the  very  foundations  abundantly 

and  readily  what  was  to  be  judged  and  determined  of  the  bishop  of 
Rome  and  all  his  authority ;  he  showed  that  the  pope''s  lordship  was 
brought  in  by  no  authority  of  the  Scripture,  but  by  affected  and 
ambitious  tyranny  of  men ;  and  that  the  chiefest  power  in  earth 
belonged  to  the  emperor,  to  kings,  and  to  other  potentates,  to  whom 
the  bishops,  priests,  popes,  and  cardinals,  by  God's  commandment, 
were  no  less  subject  than  other  men  of  the  commonwealth  :  and  there- 
fore there  was  no  cause  why  the  bishop  of  Rome  should  excel  other 
bishops  in  authority,  who  should  be  subject  to  their  own  magistrates, 
and  of  them  be  kept  in  order :  and  although  authority  be  granted  ^°d Tu 
him  over  his  own,  yet  so  insolent  and  immoderate  advancing  of  that  ^eprees 

-*  *'  o  01  the 

see,  by  no  right  could  be  borne -withal,  but  rather  it  should  be  made  church 
equal  with  the  rest.    And  therefore  it  were  even  best  that  by  consent  be^uhject 
of  the  king  and  the  other  estates  the  ambitious  lordship  of  this  bishop,  o°.n'ma- 
being  driven  out    of  England,  should  keep  itself  within  his  own  gistrates. 
Italy,  as  a  river  is  kept  within  its  banks. 

These  matters  being  thus  done  and  passed  in  the  parliament,  soon 
after  the  king  and  queen,  by  the  ecclesiastical  law,  were  cited  at  Dun- 
stable before  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury  and  Stephen  Gardiner, 
bishop  of  Winchester,  as  judges,  to  hear  the  sentence  of  God's  word 
concerning  this  matter.  The  king  refused  not  to  appear  at  the  cen- 
sure of  God's  law ;  but  the  queen,  refusing  to  stand  to  their  judg- 
ment, appealed  to  the  bishop  of  Rome.  But  forasmuch  as  the 
pope's  authority  being  banished  out  of  the  realm,  and  by  public  autho- 
rity it  was  enacted  that  no  man  should  appeal  out  of  the  realm  to 
Rome  for  any  matter,  the  judges,  making  no  delay,  out  of  God's 
word  pronounced  the  marriage  to  be  unlawful,  and  so  made  divorce. 

But  Winchester,  although  he  had  openly  sworn  before  all  the  Cran- 
states  in  the  parliament,  and  in  special  words,  against  the  pope's  ^"ce  in'" 
domination,  yet  inwardly  in  his  fox's  heart  he  bare  a  secret  love  to  the  of^™!"^ 
bishop  of  Rome.     But  contrariwise,  the  archbishop  perceiving  (as  it  land, 
was  indeed)  that  there  was  no  hope  to  reform  the  church,  so  long  as 
the  bishop  of  Rome's  laws  and  power  remained,  now  that  his  name 
was  driven  out,  sought  all  occasions  to  bring  his  intent  to  pass.     By 
little  and  little  he  called  home  and  conformed  the  churches  into  a 
more  wholesome  discipline  of  Christ,  and  example  of  the  primitive 
church  :    and  as  the  pope's  name  and  title  Avere  now  abolished,  so  he 
laboured  also  to  banish  out  of  the  realm  his  errors,  heresies,  and  cor- 
ruptions.    And  not  content  therewith,   he   obtained  of  the   king.  The 
partly  by  his  own  suit,  and  partly  by  other  men's  suit,  that  certain  Book  set 
learned  bishops  being  chosen  out,  should  by  their  common  consent  ""'• 
make  a  book  of  ecclesiastical  institutions,  which  shouldbe better  purged 
from  all  popish  superstitions.     In  this  number  were  chosen  Stokesley 
bishop  of  London,  Gardiner  bishop  of  Winchester,  Sampson  bishop 
of  Chester,  Repse  bishop  of  Norwich,  Goodrich  bishop  of  Ely,  Lati- 
mer bishop  of  Worcester,  Shaxton  bishop  of  Salisbury,  and  Barlow 
bishop  of  St.  David's.     AVinchcster  in  this  while  (according  to  the 
love  that  he  bare  to  the  bishop  of  Rome,  M'ith  three  or  four  of  the 


12  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRAKMER. 

Mary,    bishops  as  goocl  as  he)  laboured  diligently  and  subtilely,  that  all  the 
A  T)     laws  and  customs  of  old  idolatry  and  superstition  (as  much  as  could 
1556.    he)  should  be  confirmed  and  established.     Yet  being  overcome  by 
the  authority  of  the  ancient  fathers,  of  the  more  ancient  church,  and 
of  the  most  ancient  word  of  God,  he  gave  place  and  subscribed  to  the 
book,  Avhich,  by  the  title  of  the  authors,  they  called  "  The  Bishops' 
cranmer  Book,"  By  that  book  it  appeareth  that  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury 
Tn^struct-  ■^vas  Hot  thcu  wcll  instructed  in  the  doctrine  of  the  sacrament,  be- 
Ifcra-'*'^  cause  there  is  granted  a  real  presence.     There  was  added  also  con- 
ment.      ccming  worshipping  of  images,  which  article  was  none  of  the  bishop''s, 
but  added  and  written  by  the  king's  hand,  and  (as  it  is  suspected) 
through  the  secret  persuasion  of  the  bishop  of  Winchester.' 
Abbey-         Tlicsc  matters  thus  ordered,  the  abolishing  of  monasteries  beffan  to 
be  talked  of.     The   king's   desire  Avas,    that   all  the   abbey-lands 
should  come  to  his  coffers ;    and  contrariwise  the  archbishop,   and 
other  men  of  the  church,  thought  it  pertained  more  to  christian  reli- 
gion and  duty,  that  all  the  goods  of  monasteries  (which  were  very 
great)  should  be  put  to  the  necessary  use  of  the  poor,  and  erecting  of 
schools.     For  which   cause  the   king's  will    being   somewhat  bent 
against  the  archbishop  and  other  maintainers  of  his  doctrine  (specially 
by  the  instigation  of  Gardiner,  bishop  of  Winchester,  which  sought 
all  occasions  to  let  and  hinder  the  gospel),  he  set  forth  the  Six 
Articles,  more  than  man-quellers,  containing  the  sum  of  popish  reli- 
The  occa-  gion,  and  by  full  consent  of  parliament  established  them.     What  a 
sTxArt/-^  slaughter  by  the  space  of  eight  years  these  Six  Articles  made,  because 
cies.        we  have  showed  in  another  place,  it  were  superfluous  to  repeat  it 
here  again ;  although  the  king  afterward  (foregoing  his  anger,  and 
considering,  as  it  was  indeed,  that  the  archbishop  and  others  of  his 
sort,  did  it  not  for  that  he  was  offended  with  them,  of  stubbornness 
of  mind,  but  rather  of  simplicity  of  conscience)  began  to  be  more 
favourable  to  him  and  them ;    and  thought  (as  it  is  said)  to  have 
mitigated  the  rigour  and  cruelty  of  certain  of  the  said  articles,  and 
minded  to  have  reformed  more  things,  if  he  had  lived.* 

Now  as  concerning  his  behaviour  and  trade  of  life  towards  God 
and  the  world,  being  now  entered  into  his  said  dignity,  and  forso- 
much  as  the  apostle  St.  Paul,  writing  to  two  bishops,  Timothy  and 
Titus,^  setteth  out  unto  us  a  perfect  description  of  a  true  bishop, 
with  all  the  properties  and  conditions  belonging  to  the  same,  unto 
the  which  exemplar  it  shall  be  hard  in  these  strange  days  to  find  the 
image  of  any  bishop  correspondent ;  yet,  for  example'  sake,  let  us  take 
this  archbishop  of  Canterijury  ;  and  try  him  by  the  rule  thereof,  to 
see  either  how  near  he  cometh  to  the  description  of  St.  Paul,  or  else 
how  far  off  he  swerveth  from  the  common  course  of  others  in  his  time, 
of  his  calling.  The  rule  of  St.  Paul  is  to  be  found,  1  Tim.  iii.,  also 
The  rule  in  his  Epistlc  to  Titus,  chap.  i.  in  these  words  :  "  A  bishop  must  be 
bishop

~197 words

becometh  the  minister  of  God.  Not  stubborn,  nor  angry, 
no  drunkard,  no  fighter,  nor  given  to  filthy  lucre  ;  but  barbarous, 
one  that  loveth  goodness,  sober-minded,  righteous,  holy,  temperate, 
and  such  as  cleavcth  unto  the  true  word  and  doctrine,  that  he  may 
be  able  to  exhort,"  etc. 

Unto  this  rule  and  touchstone,  to  lay  now  the  life  and  conversation 

(1)  Here  was  craft  in  liandling.  (2)  1  Tim.  iii.     Titus  i. 


THE    LIFE    AND    STOUV    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER.  13 

of  this  archbishop,  we  will  first  begin  with  that  which  is  thus  written  :    Mary. 
*'  A  bishop  must  he  faultless,  as  bccometh  the    minister  of   God^     a.D. 
Like  as  no  man  is  without  sin,  and  every  man  carrieth  with  him  his    155G. 
especial  vice  and  fault :    so  yet  nevertheless,  the  apostle  meaneth,  a  mini- 
that  the  bishop  and  minister  must  be  faultless,  in  comparison  of  the  ^  fauu-*"' 
common  conversation  of  men  of  the  world,  which  seem  more  licen-  ^®^^- 
tiously  to  live  at  their  own  liberties  and  pleasures,  than  the  bishop  or 
minister  ought  to  do,  having  small  regard  unto  good  example  giving : 
which  a  bishop  and  minister  most  carefully  ought  to  consider,  lest  by 
liis  dissolute  life  the  word  of  God  be  slandered  and  evil  spoken  of. 
Which  thing  to  avoid,  and  the  better

~563 words

disputing  against  the  Six  Articles  of  Gardiner's  device,  can  testify, 
fhe'six  And  though  the  king  would  needs  have  them  upon  some  politic  con- 
Articies.  sideration  to  go  forward,  yet  Cranmer  so  handled  himself  as  well  in 
the  parliament  house,  as  afterwards  by  writing,  so  obediently  and  with 
such  humble  behaviour  in  words  towards  his  prince,  protesting  the 
cause  not  to  be  his,  but  Almighty  God's,  who  Avas  the  Author  of  all 
truth,  that  the  king  did  not  only  well  like  his  defence  (willing  him 
to  depart  out  of  the  parliament  house,  into  the  council  chamber, 
whilst  the  act  should  pass  and  be  granted,  for  safeguard  of  his  con- 
science ;  which  he  with  humble  protestation  refused,  hoping  that  his 
majesty  in  process  of  time  would  revoke  them  again),  but  also,  after 
the  parliament  Avas  finished,  the  king,  perceiving  the  zealous  affection 
that  the  archbishop  bare  towards  the  defence  of  his  cause,  which 
many  ways  by  scriptures  and  manifold  authorities  and  reasons  he  had 
substantially  confirmed  and  defended,  sent  the  lord  Cromwell,  then 
vicegerent,  with  the  two  dukes  of  Norfolk  and  Suffolk,  and  all  the 
lords  of  the  parliament,  to  dine  with  him  at  Lambeth ;  ^  where  it  was 
declared  by  the  vicegerent,  and  the  two  dukes,  that  it  was  the  king's 
pleasure,  that  they  all  should  in  his  highness's  behalf,  cherish,  com- 
fort, and  animate  him,  as  one  that  for  his  travail  in  that  parliament 
had  showed  himself  both  greatly  learned,  and  also  discreet  and  wise  : 
and  therefore  they  willed  him  not  to  be  discouraged  for  any  thing  that 
was  passed  contrary  to  his  allegations.  He  most  humbly  thanked  the 
king's  majesty  of  his  great  goodness  towards  him,  and  them  for  all 
their  pains,  saying,  "  I  hope  in  God,  that  hereafter  my  allegations 
and  authorities  shall  take  place  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  commo- 
dity of  the  realm ;  in  the  mean  time  I  will  satisfy  myself  with  the 
honourable  consent  of  your  honours,  and  the  whole  parliament." 

Here  is  to  be  noted,  that  this  man's  stout  and  godly  defence  of  the 

truth  herein  so  bound  the  prince's  conscience,  that  he  would  not 

permit  the  truth  in  that  man  to  be  clean  overthrown  Avith  authority 

and  power ;  and  therefore  this  way  God  working  in  the  prince's 

mind,  a  plain  token  was  declared  hereby,  that  all  things  were  not  so 

sincerely  handled  in  the  confirmation  of  the  said  Six  Articles  as  they 

ought  to  have  been  ;  for  else  the  prince  might  have  had  a  just  cause 

Example  to  have  borne  his  great  indignation  towards  the  archbishop.     Let  us 

siasucit"  P''^y  ^^^^  ^oih.  the  like  stoutness  may  be  perceived  in  all  ecclesiastical 

pastors,    and  learned  men,  where  the  truth  ought  to  be  defended,  and  also  the 

(1)  Of  this  coming  of  the  lord  Cromwell  and  the  two  dukes  to  the  archbishop  read  before, 
[vol.  V.  p.  265.— Ed.] 


THE    LIFK    AXD    STOHY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER.  15 

like  relenting  and  flexibility  may  take  place  in  princes  and  noblemen,    ^farrj. 
when  they  shall  have  occasion  offered  them  to  maintain  the  same,  so  "aTdT" 
that  they  utterly  overwhelm  not  the  truth  by  self-will,  power,  and    1556. 
authority.     Now  in  the  end  this  archbishop's  constancy  was  such  cranmer 
towards    God's  cause,  that  he    confirmed  all  his  doings  by  bitter  '■?  '^'^" 

O  ./  pi63SUrG 

death  in  the  fire,  without  respect  of  any  worldly  treasure  or  pleasure,  about  the

~487 words

dismissed 
him  from  the  Fleet. 
The  lord        The  lord  Cromwell,  perceiving  within  a  fortnight  after  that  his 
offended    prisoucr  was  sent  home  without  any  open  punishment,  came  to  Lam- 
forg'iwn™  beth  unto  the  archbishop,  and  in  a  great  heat  said  to  him,  "  My  lord, 
"^^^pop'sh  I  understand  that  you  have  despatched  the  northern  priest,  that  I  of 
late  sent  to  the  Fleet,  home  again,  who  unhonestly  railed  of  you,  and 
called  you  an  hosteler."    "Indeed  I  have  so  done,"  said  he  again,  "for 
that  in  his  absence  the  people  of  his  cure  wanted  their  divine  service." 
"  It  is  very  devout  divine  service  that  he  saith,"  quoth  the  lord 
Cromwell.     "  It  were  more  meet  for  him  to  be  an  hosteler  than  a 
curate,  who  sticked  not  to  call  you  an  hosteler.     But  I  thought  so 
much  what  you  would  do,  and  therefore  I  would  not  tell  you  of  his 
crannier  kuavcry  whcu  I  scut  him  to  prison.     Howbeit,  henceforth,  they  shall 
his'^enemy  ^^^  yo^^J"  throat,  before  that  I  say  any  thing  more  to  them  on  your 
foreraued  ^^half"     "  Why,  Avhat  would  you  have  done  with  him  .?"  quoth  the 
uponhira.  aichbishop.    "  There  was  nothing  laid  to  his  charge,  other  than  words 


THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    ORANMER-  19 

spoken  against  me  ;  and  now  the  man  is  repentant  and  well-reconciled,    Afnry. 
and  hath  been  at  great  charges  in  prison  :  it  is  time  therefore  that  he  "XTdT 
were  rid  out  of  his  trouble."     "  Well,"  said  my  lord  Cromwell,  ''  I    1556. 
meant  that  he  should  have  preached  at  Paul's  Cross  a  recantation 
before  he  had  gone  home."     "  That  had  been  well  done,"  quoth 
the  other,  "  for  then  you  would  have  had  all  the  world  as  well  to 
wonder  at  me  as  at  him.'"    "  Well,  well,""  said  the  lord  Cromwell, 
"  we  shall  so  long  bear  with  these  popish  knaves,  that  at  length  they 
will  bring  us  indeed  to  be  wondered  at  of  the  whole  world." 

This  example,  among  others,  serveth  to  declare  that  there  remained  cranmer 
small  desire  of  revenging  in  the  said  archbishop.     But  what  should  I  mce'^^^^ 
say  more  ?  his  quietness  and  mortification  this  way  was  such,  that  it  is  1.'^^"^ .,y 
reported  of  all  that  knew  him,  that  he  never  raged  so  far  with  any  of  of  his 
his  household  servants,  as  once  to  call  the  meanest  of  them  varlet  or  hold  var- 
knave  in  anger,  much  less  to  reprove  a  stranger  with  any  reproachful  j^^^avc. 
words.    Much  unlike,  in  this  part,  to  the  property  (as  it  seemeth)  of 
some  other  inferior  bishops  of  this  realm,  which  have  not  spared  to 
fly  in  the  faces,  to  pluck  off  the  beards,  to  bum  the  hands,  to  beat 
and  scourge  with  rods  the  bodies,  of  both  gentlemen,  married  men  and 
others,  having  almost  nothing  else  in  their  mouth,  but  "  fools"  and 
"  knaves,"  etc. :  and  yet,  after  all  this,  think  themselves  good  perfect 
bishops,  after  the  rule  which  followeth  and  saith,  "  No  striker,  no 
fighter." 

'•  No  striker,  TtofighterT

~186 words

God"'s  truth  was  ever  ioined  with  such  meekness  toward  ofchrist's 

I       1  •  1         1  •  f     rr'  •  1  •  truth  and 

the  kmg,  that  he  never  took  occasion  oi  otience  against  him.  gospel. 

At  the  time  of  setting  forth  the  Six  Articles,  mention  was  made 
before  in  the  story  of  king  Henry  the  eighth,  how  adventurously  this 
archbishop  Thomas  Cranmer  did  oppose  himself,'  standing  as.it  were, 
])ost  alone,  against  the  whole  parliament,  disputing  and  replying  three 
days  together  against  the  said  articles  :  insomuch  that  the  king,  when 
neither  he  could  mislike  his  reasons,  and  yet  would  needs  have  these 
articles  to  pass,  required  him  to  absent  himself  for  the  time  out  of 
the  chamber,  while  the  act  should  pass,  and  so  he  did;  and  how  the 
king  afterward  sent  all  the  lords  of  the  parliament  unto  the  arch- 
bishop to  Lambeth  to  cheer  his  mind  again,  that  he  might  not  be 
discouraged,  all  which  appeareth  above  expressed  :  and  this  was  done 
during  yet  the  state  and  time  of  the  lord  CromwelFs  authority. 

And  now  that  it  may  appear  likewise,  that  after  the  decay  of  the 
lord  Cromwell,  yet  his  constancy  in  Christ's  cause  did  not  decay,  you 
shall  hear  what  followeth  after.      For

~400 words

him  in  the  plain  field,  who  then  so  turned  ^}^'^'    , 
against  him,  that  they  took  upon  them  to  persuade  nun  to  their  pur-  bishop 
pose  ;  and,  having  him  down  from  the  rest  of  the  commissioners  into  by  them 
his  garden  at  Lambeth,  there  by  all  manner  of  effectual  persuasions  oy^r^ihe 
entreated  him  to  leave  off  his  overmuch  constancy,  and  to  incline  defence 
unto  the  king's  intent,  who  was  fully  set  to  have  it  otherwise  than  he  gospel, 
then  had  penned,  or  meant  to  have  set  abroad. 

When  those  two  his  familiars,  Avith  one  or  two  others  his  friends, 
had  used  all  their  eloquence  and  policy,  he,  little  regarding  their  in- 
constancy and  remissness  in  God's  cause  or  quarrel,  said  unto  them 
right  notably,  "  You  make  much  ado  to  have  me  come  to  your  pur-  jjj^ 
pose,  alleging  that  it  is  the  king's  ])leasurc  to  have  the  articles,  in  answer, 
that  sort  you  have  devised  them,  to  proceed  ;  and  now  that  you  do 

(1)  For  a  correction  of  some  modern  misrepresentations  as  to  Cranmer's  behaviour  in  this 
matter,  the  reader  is  referred  to  Mr.  Todd's  Historical  and  Critical  Introduction  to  "  A  Defence  of 
the  true  and  catholic  Doctrine  of  the  Sacrament,"  &c.  by  Thomas  Cranmcr.  (London,  1825.) 
Pp.  76— 82,— Ed. 


'2'4  THE    LlFiC    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEK, 

Mart/,  perceive  his  highness  by  sinister  information  to  be  bent  that  way,  you 
^  J)  think  it  a  convenient  thing  to  apply  unto  his  highnesses  mind.  You 
1556.  be  my  friends  both,  especially  the  one  of  you  I  did  put  to  his  majesty 
as  of  trust.  Beware  (I  say)  what  you  do.  There  is  but  one  truth 
in  our  articles  to  be  concluded  upon,  Avhich  if  you  do  hide  from  his 
highness  by  consenting  unto  a  contrary  doctrine,  and  then  after  in 
process  of  time,  when  the  truth  cannot  be  hidden  from  him,  his  high- 
ness shall  perceive  how  that  you  have  dealt  colourably  with  him,  I 
know  his  grace's  nature  so  well,"  quoth  the  archbishop,  "  that  he  will 
never  after  trust  and  credit  you,  or  put  any  good  confidence  in  you. 
And  as  you  are  both  my  friends,  so  therefore  I  will  you  to  beware 
thereof  in  time,  and  discharge  your  consciences  in  maintenance  of  the 
truth."  But  all  this  would  not  serve,  for  they  still  swerved  ;  and  in 
discharging  of  his  conscience  and  declaring  the  truth  unto  the  king

~311 words

and  make  no  more  ado  "     And  with  that  every  man 

againwith  cauglit  him  by  the  hand,  and  made  fair  weather  of  altogethers,  which 

might  easily  be  done  with  that  man. 

Tiie  king       And  it  was  much  to  be  marvelled,  that  they  would  go  so  far  with 

supporter  him,  thus  to  scclc  his  undoing,  understanding  this  Avell  before,  that 

^cran-    ^j^^  j.jj^g  j^^^j.  gj^^j^giy  jovcd  him,  and  always  would  stand  in  his 

defence,  whosoever  spake  against  him  ;  as  many  other  times  the  king's 

patience  was  by  sinister  informations  against  him  tried.     Insomuch 


THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER.  27 

that  the  lord  Cromwell  was  evermore  wont  to  say  unto  him,  "  My    Mary. 
lord  of  Canterbury,  you  are  most  happy  of  all  men  ;  for  you  may  do    ^  q 
and  speak  what  you  list:  and,  say  what  all  men  can  against  you,  the    1556. 
king  will  never  believe  one  word  to  your  detriment  or  hinderance.  ,p^g  j^^.^ 
I  am  sure  I  take  more  pains  than  all  the  council  doth,  and  spend  crom- 
morc  largely  in  the  king's  affairs,  as  well  beyond  the  seas,  as  on  this  words  to 
side,  yea  I  assure  you,  even  very  spies  in  other  foreign  realms  at  ^'''^"™^''- 
Rome  and  elsewhere,  cost  me  above  one  thousand  marks  a  year  :  and 
do  what  I  can  to  bring  matters  to  knowledge,  for  the  commodity  of 
the  king  and  the  realm,  I  am  every  day  chidden,  and  many  false  tales 
now  and  then  believed  against  me  ;  and  therefore  you  are  most  happy, 
for  in  no  point  can  you  be  discredited  with  the  king."     To  this  the 
archbishop  again  answering,  "  If  the  king's  majesty  were  not  good  to 
me  that  way,  I  were  not  able  to  stand  and  endure  one  whole  week ; 
but  your  wisdom  and  policy  is  such,  that  you  are  able  to  shift  well 
enough  for  yourself." 

Now  when  the  king's  highness  had  thus  benignly  and  mercifully 
despatched  the  said  archbishop  from  this   sore   accusation  by  the 
council  laid  against  him

~3,085 words

against  him  in  his  time. 

And  thus  have  ye  both  the  working  and  disclosing  of  this  popish 
conspiracy  against  this  worthy  archbishop   and  martyr   of  Christ, 
Thomas  Cranmer.     In  the  which  conspiracy,  for  so  much  as  com- 
plaint Avas  also  made  unto  the   king   of  his    chaplains   and  good 
preachers  in  Kent,  it  shall  not  be  out  of  the  story  something  likewise 
to  touch  thereof,  especially  of  Richard  Turner,  then  preacher  the  Turner  a 
same  time  in  this  archbishop's  diocese,  and  curate  to  master  Morice  preacher 
the  archbishop's  secretary,  in  the  town  of  Chatham,  by  whose  diligent  Pa^su' 
preaching  a  great  part  of  this  heart-burning  of  the  papists  took  its  ^l^ . 
first  kindling  against  the  archbishop.     Touching  the  description  of  the  arch- 
M'hich  story,  because  by  me  notliing  shall  be  said  either  more  or  less  oiclsfou'*' 
than  is  the  truth,  ye  shall  hear  the  very  certainty  thereof  truly  com-  ,fg^i'"'" 
piled  in  a  letter  sent  the  same  time  to  Dr.  Buts  and  sir  Anthony  preach- 
Denny,  to  be  showed  vmto  the  king ;  and  so  it  w^as,  written  by  the  "'°" 
foresaid  master  Morice,  secretary  then  to  the  archbishop,  farmer  of 
the  same  benefice  of  Chatham,  and  patron  to  master  Turner,  tliere 
minister  and  preacher  aforesaid. 

A  Letter  or  Apology  of  Master  Morice,  sent  to  Sir  William  Buts, 
and  Sir  Anthony  J3enny,  defending  the  Cause  of  Master  Richard 
Turner,  Preacher,  against  the  Papists,  written  a.  d.  1544. 

[The  letter  first  beginneth  in  these  words,  "  I  am  certain,  right  worshipful, 
that  it  is  not  unknown  to  j'our  discreet  wisdom,"  etc.  And  after  a  few  lines, 
coming  to  the  matter,  thus  the  said  letter  proceedeth  : — ] 

As  your  worships  well  know,  it  was  my  chance  to  be  brought  up  under  my  Tlie  trou- 
lord  of  Canterbury,  my  master,  in  writing  of  the  ecclesiastical  affairs  of  this  jj^fp,"/^^ 
realm,  as  well  toucliing  reformation  of  corrupt  religion,  as  concerning  the  ad-  Turner, 
vancement  of  that  pure  and  sincere  religion  received  by  the  doctrine  of  the  """'z'^'^'' 
gospel ;  which  I  take  to  be  so  substantially  handled  and  builded  upon  the  doc-  ham.'" 
trine  of  the  prophets  and  apostles,  that  hell-gates  shall  never  prevail  against  it. 
The  consideration  whereof  compelled  me,  being  a  farmer  of  the  parsonage  of  ^'^-^'^^^ 
Chatham  in  Kent,   to  retain  with  me  one  named  master  Richard  Turner,   a  p^trou  of 
man  not  only  learned  in  the  Scriptures  of  God,  but  also  in  conversation  of  life  Turner, 
towards  the  world,  irreprehensible,  whom  for  discharging  of  my  conscience  I 
placed  at  Chatham  aforesaid,  to  be  curate  there.      This  man,  because  he  was 
a  stranger  in  the  country  there,  and  so  thereby  void  of  grudge  or  displeasure 
of  any  old  rancour  in  the  country,  I  thought  it  had  been  a  mean  to  have  gotten 
him  the  better  credit  in  his  doctrine ;  but,  where  malice  once  taketh  fire  against 
truth,  no  policy  1  see  is  able  to  quench  it.     Well,  this  man  as  he  knew  what 
appertained  to  his  office,  so  he  spared  not  weekly,  both  Sundays  and  holidays,  to 
open  the  gospel  and  epistle  unto  his  audience  after  such  a  sort  (when  occasion 
served),  that  as  well  by  his  vehement  inveighing  against  the  bisliop  of  Rome's 
usurped  power  and  authority,  as  in  the  earnest  setting  forth  and  advancing  of 
the  king's  majesty's  supremacy,   innumerable   of  the  people  of  the  country 
resorting  unto  his  sermons,  changed  their  opinions,  and  favoured  effectually  the  JJjfpf;^^^^ 
religion  received.     The  confluence  of  the  people  so  daily  increased,  that  the  of  people 
church  being  a  fair,  ample,  and  large  church,  was  not  now  and  then  able  to  to  master 
receive  the  number.     The  fame  of  this  new  instruction  of  the  people  was  so  j^readT-* 
blazed  abroad,  that  the  popish  priests  were  wonderfully  amazed  and  displeased  ing. 
to  see  their  pope  so  to  be  defaced,  and  their  prince  so  highly  advanced. 

Now,  thought  they,  it  is  high  time  for  us  to  work,  or  else  all  will  here  be 
utterly  lost  by  this  man's  preaching :  some  of  them  went  with  capons,  some 


32 


THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 


Mary. 

AD. 

1556. 

Persecu- 
tors of 
God's 
people. 


Sir  Tho- 
mas 
Moile, 
hearing 
Turner, 
could  find 
no  fault 
with  his 
doctrine. 
Turner, 
appearing 
before  tlie 
commis- 
sioners at 
Lambeth, 
was  dis- 
charged 
and  sent 
home. 

The  prac- 
tice of 
papists  to 
hold  up 
their 
kingdom 
with  lies. 


The  king 
deceived 
by  sinis- 
ter in- 
forma- 
tion 


New  mat- 
ter made 
against 
Turner. 


Conspira- 
cy against 
the  arch- 
bishop 
Cranmer 
by  the 
justices 
of  Kent. 


with  hens,  some  with  chickens,  some  with  one  thing,  some  with  anotlier,  unto 
the  justices,  such  as  then  favoured  their  cause  and  faction,  and  such  as  are  no 
small  fools,  as  sir  John  Baker,  sir  Christopher  Hales,  sir  Thomas  Moile,  knights ; 
with  other  justices.  The  prebendai'ies  of  Christ's  church  in  Canterbury  were  made 
privy  hereof,  giving  their  succour  and  aid  thereunto  :  so  that,  in  conclusion, 
poor  Turner,  and  other  preachers,  were  grievously  complained  of  unto  the 
king's  majesty.  Whereupon  my  lord  of  Canterbmy,  and  certain  other  commis- 
sioners, were  appointed  at  Lambeth  to  sit  upon  the  examination  of  these 
seditious  preachers.  Howbeit,  before  Turner  went  up  to  his  examination,  I 
obtained  of  sir  Thomas  Moile,  that  he  in  Easter  week  was  content  to  hear 
Turner  preach  a  rehearsal  sermon  in  his  parish  church  at  Westwell,  of  all  the 
doctrine  of  his  sermons  preached  at  his  cure  in  Chatham  :  which  he  most  gently 
granting,  heard  Turner  both  before  noon  and  after  noon  on  the  Wednesday  in 
Easter  week  last  past,  and  (as  it  seemed)  took  all  things  in  good  part,  remitting 
Turner  home  to  his  said  cure  with  gentle  and  favourable  words.  I  supposed  by 
this  means  to  have  stayed  master  Turner  at  home  from  further  examination, 
hoping  that  sir  Thomas  Moile  would  have  answered  for  him  at  Lambeth  before 
the  commissioners.  Nothwithstanding,  after  master  Moile's  coming  to  London, 
such  information  was  laid  in  against  Turner,  that  he  was  sent  for  to  make 
answer  himself  before  the  said  commissioners  ;  and  there  appearing  before  them, 
he  made  such  an  honest,  perfect,  and  learned  answer  unto  the  articles  objected, 
that  he  was  with  a  good  exhortation  discharged  home  again,  without  any  man- 
ner of  recantation  or  other  injunction. 

Now  when  the  pope-catholic  clergy  of  Kent  understood  of  his  coming  home 
without  controlment,  so  that  he  preached  as  freely  as  he  did  before,  against 
their  blind  and  dumb  ceremonies,  straightway  by  the  help  of  the  bishop  of 
Winchester,  Stephen  Gardiner,  they  found  a  new  means  to  put  him  to  utter 
confusion,  devising  that  he  came  home  from  examination  in  such  glorious  pomp 
by  the  high-way's  side  in  the  woods  adjoining,  that  five  hundred  persons  met 
him  then  with  banqueting  dishes  to  welcome  him  home,  stirring  the  people 
rather  to  an  uproar  and  commotion,  than  to  keep  them  in  any  quiet  obedience  : 
when  in  very  deed,  contrary  to  this  surmise  (as  God  would),  on  this  side 
Rochester  a  mile  or  two,  for  avoiding  all  such  light  and  glorious  talk  with  any 
his  familiars  or  acquaintance,  he  of  purpose  left  the  high-way,  and  came  through 
the  woods  all  alone  above  eighteen  miles  together  on  foot,  so  wearied  and 
meagered  for  want  of  sustenance,  that  when  he  came  into  my  house  at  Chat- 
ham, he  was  not  well  able  to  stand  or  speak  for  faintness  and  thirst. 

This  malicious  tale  being  reported  to  the  king's  highness,  his  majesty  was  so 
sore  aggrieved  therewith,  that  he  sent  for  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  willing 
him  to  cause  Turner  to  be  whipt  out  of  the  country ;  by  means  whereof,  the 
archbishop  of  Canterbury  sent  again  for  Turner.  I,  hearing  thereof,  made  in- 
continently report  by  my  letters,  with  such  vehemency  proving  it  mere  malice, 
that  the  archbishop  understanding  the  truth,  pacified  again  the  king's  majesty's 
wrath.  Home  cometh  Turner  once  again  to  his  cure  without  blot ;  which  so 
■wrung  the  papists,  in  that  they  could  not  prevail,  that  they  thought  it  all  in  vain 
any  further  to  attempt  against  him  concerning  any  accusation  for  matters  in 
Kent,  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury  being  his  ordinary.  Well,  yet  would  they 
not  thus  leave  him  undiscredited.  .  Then  was  there  one  new  matter  devised, 
how  that  he  had  preached  erroneous  doctrine  in  other  countries  before  he  came 
into  Kent,  laying  to  his  charge  that  he  had  both  translated  the  mass  into 
English,  and  said,  or  ministered  the  same,  and  that  he  had  preached  against 
purgatory,  pilgrimages,  and  praying  for  the  dead,  etc. :  by  means  whereof,  he 
was  now  convented  before  the  whole  council  by  the  bishop  of  Winchester,  who 
sent  Syriake  Petite,  gentleman,  for  him,  who  brought  him  up  to  London  bound 
(as  I  heard  say),  and  being  examined  before  the  said  bishop  of  Winchester  and 
others,  he  was  committed  to  ward  for  a  season.  In  the  which  mean  time  (the 
archbishop  of  Canterbury,  being  in  Kent  about  the  trial  of  a  conspiracy  pur- 
posed against  himself  by  the  justices  of  the  shire,  and  the  prebendaries  of  Christ's 
church).  Turner  is  now  sent  down  to  the  archbishop,  to  the  intent  he  should 
recant  that  doctrine  which  long  ago  he  in  other  places  out  of  Kent  had  preached, 
to  the  utter  subversion  and  defacing  of  all  that  he  had  most  godly  and  earnestly 
here  in  Kent  taught  both  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  furtherance  and  setting 
forth  of  the  king's  highness's  proceedings.     If  his  majesty  will  thus  permit 


THE    TROUBLE    OF    RICHARD    TURNER,    PREACHER.  33 

learned  honest  men  thus  daily  to  be  overcrowed  and  trodden  under-foot  with  a    Manj. 

sort  of  tyrannous,  or  rather  traitorous  papists  (who  cannot  abide  to  hear  his 

majesty's  supremacy  advanced,  nor  tlie  sincere  word  of  God  preached),  it  were       ^•^^• 
better  for  men  to  dwell  amongst  the  infidels  and  miscreants  than  in  England.        '^^^Q. 

What  reason  is  this,  that  Turner  should  recant  here  in  Kent  the  doctrine 
which  in  other  countries  he  hath  taught,  to  the  wounding  and  overthrowing 
most  desperately  of  five  hundred  men's  consciences  and  above  (I  dare  say),  who 
lately,  by  his  sincere  preaching,  have  embi-aced  a  right  good  opinion  both  of  the 
king's  supremacy,  and  also  of  the  reformed  religion  received?  All  good  sub- 
jects may  well  lament  the  king's  majesty's  estate  in  this  belialf,  that  no  man  may 
dare  to  be  so  bold  to  advance  his  highness's  title,  but  that  every  ignorant  and 
malicious  papist  shall  spurn  against  him,  seeking  his  utter  undoing,  and  that  by 
the  aid  of  papistical  justices  set  in  authority.  I  beseech  your  worships  to  pardon 
me  of  my  rude  and  homely  terms.  They  herein  deserve  worse,  if  worse  may  be 
devised :  for  what  honest  man  can  bear  with  this,  that  so  noble  a  prince's  ears 
shall  be  thus  impudently  abused  with  manifest  lies  and  fables  as  this  one  is,  of 
Turner's  coming  home  in  such  a  triumph  as  they  craftily  and  falsely  had 
devised  ?  It  is  easily  to  be  spied  what  they  mean  and  go  about,  that  (the  prince 
being  alive)  dare  take  in  hand  so  uncourteously  to  abuse  both  the  gentle  nature 
of  tlie  prince,  and  his  godly  preacher*  the  advancer  and  extoller  of  his  just 
authority.  _  . 

What  think  your  worships  they  would  attempt,  if  his  majesty  were  at  God's 
mercy  (as  God  forefend  that  ever  any  of  us  should  see  that  day,  without  better 
reformation),  that  can  thus  daily  with  his  highness,  blinding  his  eyes  with  mists, 
whilst  he  liveth  and  reigneth  amongst  us  in  most  prosperity  ?  As  for  my  lord  of 
Canterbury  he  dare  nothing  do  for  the  poor  man's  delivery,  he  hath  done  so 
much  for  him  already.  And  his  grace  hath  told  me  plainly,  that  it  is  put  into 
the  king's  head,  that  he  is  the  maintainer  and  supporter  of  all  the  heretics 
within  the  realm ;  nor  will  he  permit  me  or  my  neighbours  to  resort  unto  the 
council  for  his  purgation  while  he  was  at  Chatham  ;  saving  only  I  have  obtained 
this  at  his  hand,  that  I  may  become  a  suitor  in  writing  to  my  friends  and  good 
masters  in  the  court,  for  his  delivery.  And  therefore  it  is,  right  worshipful, 
that  I  have  now  taken  pen  in  hand,  thus  to  discourse  and  open  our  misery  unto 
you  concerning  the  extreme  handling  of  this  honest  poor  man,  master  Turner; 
that,  if  it  may  possibly  be  brought  to  pass  by  your  godly  wisdom,  the  poor 
man  may  be  released  and  discharged  of  his  recantation.  You  cannot  do  to  God 
and  yom-  prince  a  more  acceptable  service  in  my  poor  opinion ;  for  otherwise, 
if  he  should  be  driven  to  recant  (as  I  am  sure  he  Avill  sooner  die),  both  God's 
cause  and  the  king's  shall  suffer  no  small  detriment  amongst  his  poor  loving  sub- 
jects here.  For  if  there  be  no  better  stay  for  the  maintenance  of  these  godly 
preachers,  the  king's  authority  concerning  his  supremacy  shall  lie  post  alone, 
hidden  in  the  act  of  parliament,  and  not  in  the  hearts  of  his  subjects.^ 

If  they  can  bring  to  pass  that  Turner  may  recant,  to  the  defacing  of  his 
good  doctrine  preached  here,  then  have  they  that  for  which  they  have  thus  long 
travailed  :  and  yet  in  effect  shall  not  Turner  recant,  but  king  Henry  the  eighth, 
in  Turner's  person,  shall  most  odiously  recant,  to  the  wounding  of  all  men's 
consciences  here.  If  the  king's  majesty  do  not  esteem  his  authority  given  to 
his  highness  by  God's  word  and  his  parliament,  it  were  well  done,  that  the 
preachers  had  good  warning  to  talk  no  more  to  the  people  thereof,  rather  than 
thus  to  be  tossed  and  turmoiled  for  doing  their  duties,  by  the  members  of 
antichrist. 

And  now  to  the  intent  that  they  might  effectually  for  ever  slander  Turner's  Sanders 
doctrine  here,  they  have  indicted  him  for  offending  against  the  Six  Articles,  ^"'„^,.„_ 
this  last  sessions,  by  the  witness  of  two  papists  of  the  parish  of  Chatham  his  twoperse- 
utter  enemies,  Sanders  and  Brown  by  name,  for  a  sermon  preached  at  Chatham  '^^^^^^^ 
on  Passion  Sunday,  which  chanced  on   St.  Gregory's  even,  they  both  being  I*  P'" 
absent  that  day  at  Wye  Fair,  as  it  is  well  proved,  namely,  for  that  he  preached 
against  the  mass  :  saying,  that  our  Saviour  Christ  was  the   only  sole  priest 
which  sung  mass  on  the  altar  of  the  cross,  there  sacrificing  for  the  sins  of  the 
world  once  for  ever ;    and  that  all  other  masses  were  but  remembrances  and 
thanksgiving  for  that  one  sacrifice ;  or  such  words  in  effect. 

Wherefore,  to  conclude,  right  worshipful,  knowing  yom-  godly  zeals,  as  well 
towards  the  preferment  of  sincere  religion,  as  your  no  less  affection  towards  the 
VOL.   VIII.  •  D 


34  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CEANMER. 

Mary,     king's  majesty's  person  and  his  godly  proceedings,  I  most  humbly  beseech  you, 
in  the  bowels  of  our  Saviour  Christ,  so  to  ponder  the  weighty  consideration  of 


A.  D.  the  premises,  as  by  your  travails  unto  the  king's  majesty  or  to  the  honourable 
1556.  council,  we  here  in  Kent  that  have  now  of  late  our  hearts  bent  towards  the 
observation  of  the  law  of  God  and  the  prince  through  Turner's  godly  persua- 
sions, may  receive  from  your  worships  some  comfortable  words  of  his  deliver- 
ance, or  else  certainly  many  an  honest  and  simple  man,  lately  embracing  the 
truth,  Vnay  pei'haps  fall  away  desperately  from  the  same,  not  without  danger  of 
their  souls.  In  accomplishing  whereof  your  worships  shall  not  only  do  unto 
Almio-hty  God  and  the  prince  most  true  and  acceptable  service,  but  also  bind 
the  said  master  Turner,  with  all  others  to  whom  this  cause  doth  appertain,  both 
daily  to  pray  for  your  prosperities ;  and  also  to  be  at  your  commandments 
during  their  lives. — From  Canterbury  the  2d  day  of  November. 

Your  Avorships'  evermore  at  commandment,  R.  Morice. 

And  thus  much  containeth  the  letter  sent  (as  is  said)  by  master 
Morice  to  Dr.  Buts  and  sir  Anthony  Denny.     Now,  what  success 
and  speed  this  letter  had,  it  followeth  to  be  declared.     For  Dr.  Buts 
the  king's  physician  aforesaid,  after  the  receipt  of  these  letters,  con- 
sidering the  weighty  contents  of  the  same,  as  he  was  ever  a  forward 
friend  in  the  gospeFs  cause,  so  he  thought  not  to  foreslack  this  matter 
to  the  uttermost  of  his  diligence ;  and  so  spying  his  time,  when  the 
king  was  in  trimming  and  in  washing  (as  his  manner  was  at  certain 
times  to  call  for  his  barber).  Dr.  Buts  (whose  manner  was  at  such 
times  ever  to  be  present,  and  with  some  pleasant  conceits  to  refresh 
and  solace  the  king's  mind)  brought  with  him  in  his  hand  this  letter. 
The         The  king  asking  what  news,  Dr.  Buts  pleasantly  and  merrily  begin- 
vou?  re^'  neth  to  insinuate  unto  the  king  the  effect  of  the  matter,  and  so,  at 
condied    (^]^g  liinfr'g  commandment,  read  out  the  letter ;  which  when  the  kinff 
master     had  heard,  and  paused  a  little  with  himseli  upon  the  same,  he  com- 
^^'^"'    manded  again  the  letter  to  be  read  unto  him :  the  hearing  and  con- 
sideration Avhereof  so  altered  the  king's  mind,  that  whereas  before  he 
commanded  the  said  Turner  to  be  whipped  out  of  the  country,  he 
now  commanded  him  to  be  retained  as  a  faithful  subject.     And  here 
of  that  matter  an  end. 

Let  us  now  return  to  the  archbishop  again  ;  who  although  he  was 
compassed  about  (as  is  said)  with  mighty  enemies  and  by  many  crafty 
trains  impugned,  yet,  through  God's  more  mighty  providence  work- 
ing in  the  king's  heart  so  to  favour  him,  he  rubbed  out  all  king 
Henry's  time  without  blemish  or  foil,  by  means  of  the  king's  suppor- 
tation ;  who  not  only  defended  the  said  archbishop  against  all  his 
conspired  adversaries,  but  also  extended  such  special  favour  unto  him 
in  such  sort,  that  he  being  not  ignorant  of  his  wife,  whom  he  had 
married  before  at  Nuremburg^  (being  niece  to  the  wife  of  Osiander), 
keeping  her  all  the  Six  Articles'  time  contrary  to  the  law,  notwith- 
standing he  both  permitted  the  same,  and  kept  his  counsel. 

Then  after  the  death  of  king  Henry,  immediately  succeeded  his 
son  king  Edward,  under  whose  government  and  protection  the  state 
of  this  archbishop,  being  his  godfather,  was  nothing  impaired,  but 
rather  more  advanced. 

During  all  this  mean  time  of  king  Henry  aforesaid,  until  the  enter- 
ing of  king  Edward

~204 words

by  conference  with  bishop  Ridley,    ^  q 
in  process  of  time  did  so  profit  in  more  ripe  knowledge,   that  at    1556! 
last  he  took  upon  him  the  defence  of  that  whole  doctrine,  that  is,  to  ^^^j^.^^^- 
refute  and  throw  down  first  the  corporal  presence ;  secondly,  the  phan-  and  godiy 
tastical  transubstantiation;  thirdly,  the  idolatrous  adoration;  fourthly,  oftne'sl- 
the  false  error  of  the  papists,  that  wicked  men  do  eat  the  natural  j"Xt"^ 
body  of  Christ ;  and  lastly,  the  blasphemous  sacrifice  of  the  mass.  ^°"^^'  set 
Whereupon  in  conclusion  he  wrote  five  books  for  the  public  instruc-  arch-  ^ 
tion  of  the  church  of  England,  which  instruction  yet  to  this  day  cranmer. 
standeth,  and  is  received  in  this  church  of  England. 

Against  these  five  books  of  the  archbishop,  Stephen  Gardiner,  the 
arch-enemy  to  Christ  and  his  gospel,  being  then  in  the  Tower,  slub- 
bered up  a  certain  answer,  such  as  it  was,  which  he  in  open  court 
exhibited  up  at  Lambeth,  being  there  examined  by  the  archbishop  An  expii- 
aforesaid,  and  other  the  king's  commissioners  in  king  Edward's  days,  steXn^ 
which  book  was  intituled,  "  An  Explication  and  Assertion  of  the  true  Gardiner 
Catholic  Faith,  touching  the  blessed  Sacrament  of  the  Altar,  with  a  cfanmer. 
Confutation  of  a  Book  written  against  the  same." 

Against  this  explication,  or  rather  a  cavilling  sophistication  of  Ste-  The  an- 
phen  Gardiner,  doctor  of  law

~335 words

the  archbishop  of  Canterbury  learnedly  cwnmer 
and  copiously  replying  again,  maketh  answer,  which  also  he  published  against 
abroad  to  the  eyes  and  judgments  of  all  men  in  print.     All  which  Gardiner, 
writings  and  books  as  well  of  the  one  part  as  of  the  other,  our  pre- 
sent story  would  require  here  to  be  inferred,  but  because  to  prosecute 
the  whole  matter  at  length  will  not  be  comprehended  in  a  small 
room,  and  may  make  too  long  taiTiance  in  our  story,  it  shall  therefore 
be  best  to  put  off  the  same  unto  the  place  of  the  appendix  following, 
wherein  (the  Lord  willing)  we  intend  to  close  up  both  these  and 
divers  other  treatises  of  these  learned  martyrs,  as  to  this  our  story 
shall  appertain. 

The  unquiet  spirit  of  Stephen  Gardiner  being  not  yet  contented,  Marcus 
after  all  this  thrusteth  out  another  book  in  Latin  of  the  like  popish  ^riuenby 
argument,  but  after  another  title,  named  "  Marcus  Antonius  Con-  Stephen 
stantinus,"  whcreunto  first  the  archbishop  again  intending  a  full  con-  cranmer 
futation,  had  already  absolved  tliree  parts  of  his  answer  lying  in  *^°"' '° 

,  •'  *■  •'       o  tinswer  to 

prison,  of  the  which  parts  two  perished  in  Oxford ;  the  other  yet  re-  Marcus 
maineth  in  my  hands  ready  to  be  seen  and  set  forth,  as  the  Lord  shall  nius! 
see  good.     Also  bishop  Ridley,  lying  likewise  the  same  time  in  Nptes  of 
prison,  having  there  the  said  book  of  Marcus  Antonius,  for  lack  of  against 
pen  and  paper,  with  a  lead  of  a  window,  in  the  margin  of  the  book  ^X"' 
wrote  annotations,  as  straitness  of  time  would  serve  him,  in  refutation  "'"s. 
of  the  same  book.     And  finally,  because  these  worthy  martyrs  had  Peter 
neither  liberty  nor  leisure  to  go  through  with  that  travail,  that  which  book  0" 
lacked  in  them,  for  accomplishment  of  that  behalf,  was   supplied  f^a^J^gf 
shortly  after  by  Peter  Martyr,  who  abundantly  and  substantially  hath  Marcus 
overthrown  that  book  in  his  learned  defension  of  the  right  truth,  nius°" 
against  the  false  sophistication  of  Marcus  Antonius  aforesaid. 

Besides  these  books  above  cited  of  this  archbishop

~553 words

king,  with  much  ado  he 
ment.       subscribed. 

Well,  not  long  after  this  king  Edward  died,  a.d.  1558,  being 
almost  sixteen  years  old,  to  the  great  sorrow,  but  greater  calamity,  of 
the  Avhole  realm,  *for'  he  was  marvellously  beloved  of  his  subjects, 
but  especially  of  all  good  and  learned  men ;  and  not  so  beloved  as 
had  in  admiration  for  the  rare  commendation  of  his  singular  virtue 
and  learning,  which  his  noble  disposition,  above  the  capacity  of  his 
age,  did  show  forth  and  testify ;  and  also  because  he  did  exceedingly 
love  his  subjects.  He  was  by  nature  meek  and  gentle.  He  spared 
always  the  life  of  men,  being  readier  to  save  them  than  to  condemn, 

(1)  See  the  First  Edition  (1563),  p.  1473.— Ed. 


THE    LIFE    AND     STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER.  3? 

■which  appeared  by  the  disputation  that  he  had  of  pardoning  heretics  Mary. 
that  erred,  although  he  favoured  not  their  error ;  and  therefore  he  ~a~d~ 
deserved  longer  life,  but  the  unworthincss  of  our  life  deserved  not  to  1556. 
have  such  a  prince.  The  capacity  of  his  mind  and  wit  was  verv 
good,  whatsoever  he  took  in  liand ;  his  (juickness  to  conceive  sin- 
gular ;  the  ripeness  of  his  judgment  marvellous.  The  love  of  Christ 
and  his  religion  was  grafted  in  him  from  his  childhood  :  a  necessary 
and  fit  instrument  for  the  church  of  England,  if  the  church  of  Eng- 
land had  been  worthy  to  have  enjoyed  him.  Besides  this,  he  had  so 
many  and  so  great  ornaments,  as  the  like  have  been  scarcely  found  in 
any  prince  in  our  time.  Like  knowledge  he  had  of  tongues  and  of 
learning,  unto  which  he  seemed  rather  born  than  brought  up  :  although 
he  wanted  not  the  institution  of  most  learned  teachers  also,  agreeable 
to  that  his  princely  nature.  What  need  many  words  .''  To  this  king, 
adorned  with  so  many  kingly  qualities,  nothing  wanted  but  a  com- 
monwealth that  might  be  correspondent  to  the  goodness  of  such  a 
prince.  But  in  so  great  dissimilitude  of  the  king  and  the  common- 
wealth, there  could  be  no  continuance ;  neither  was  indeed  the  ven- 
geance of  God  far  off,  which  justly  rewarded  them  according  to  their 
demerits.*  After  his  decease  immediately  it  was  commanded  that  the 
lady  Jane,  which  was  unwilling  thereunto,  should  be  proclaimed 
queen :  which  thing  much  misliked  the  common  people,  not  that  they 
did  so  much  favour  Mary,  before  whom  they  saw  the  lady  Jane  pre- 
ferred, as  for  the  hatred  conceived  against  some,  whom  they  could  not 
favour. 

Besides  this,  other  causes  there  happened  also  of  discord  between 
the  nobles  and  the  connnons  the  same  time  :  for  what  injuries  of 
commons  and  enclosures  wrongfully  holden,  with  other  inordinate 
pollings  and  uncharitable  dealing  between  the  landlords  and  tenants, 
I  cannot  tell.  But  in  fine,  thus  the  matter  fell  out,  that  Mary, 
hearing  of  the  death  of  her  brother,  and  shifting  for  herself,  was  so 
assisted  by  the  commons,  that  eftsoons  she  prevailed  ;  who,  being 
established  in  the  possession  of  the  realm,  not  long  after  came  to 
London ;  and  after  she  had  caused  first  the  two  fathers,  the  duke  of 
Northumberland  and  the  duke  of  Suffolk,  to  be  executed  (as  is 
above  remembered),  likewise  she  caused  the  lady  Jane,  being  both  in 
age  tender,  and  innocent  from  this  crime,  after  she  could  by  no  means 
be  turned  from  the  constancy  of  her  faith,  together  with  her  husband, 
to  be  beheaded

~875 words

there  to  dispute  with  the    1.556* 
doctors  and  divines.     And  privily  word  Avas  sent  before  to  them  of  ^7^^^^^ 
Oxford,  to  prepare  themselves,  and  make  them  ready  to  dispute.  And  had  to 
although  the  queen  and  the  bishops  had  concluded  before,  what  should 
become  of  him,  yet  it  pleased  tliem  that  the  matter  should  be  debated 
with  arguments,  that  under  some  honest  show  of  disputation,  the 
murder  of  the  man  might  be  covered :  neither  could  their  hasty  speed 
of  revengement  abide  any  long  delay ;  and  therefore  in  all  haste  he 
was  carried  to  Oxford. 

What  this  disputation  was,  and  how  it  was  handled,  what  were  the 
questions  and  reasons  on  both  sides,  and  also  touching  his  condem- 
nation by  the  university  and  the  prolocutor,  because  sufficiently  it  hath 
been  declared,  we  mind  now  therefore  to  proceed  to  his  final  judgment 
and  order  of  condemnation,  Avhicli  was  the  12th  day  of  September, 
Annol555,  and  seven  days'  before  the  condemnation  of  bishop  Ridley 
and  master  Latimer,  as  is  above  foretouched.  The  story  whereof  here 
followeth,  faithfully  corrected  by  the  report  and  narration  (coming  by 
chance  to  our  hands)  of  one  who,  being  both  present  thereat,  and  also 
a  devout  favourer  of  the  see  and  faction  of  Rome,  can  lack  no  credit, 
I  trow,  with  such  which  seek  what  they  can  to  discredit  whatsoever 
maketh  not  with  their  phantasied  religion  of  Rome. 

*This  ^  one  thing  by  the  way  let  us  consider :  how  unjustly  these 
three  poor  prisoned  bishops  were  handled,  which  when  they  were 
compelled  to  dispute,  yet  were  not  suffered  to  speak,  but  at  their 
adversary's  appointment.  And  if  they  began  to  make  any  preface, 
or  to  speak  somewhat  largely  for  themselves,  by  and  by  Avere  com- 
manded from  the  high  chair  of  master  prolocutor,  to  go  to  the 
matter.  If  they  prosecuted  their  arguments  anything  narrowly, 
straightway  they  heard,  "  Short  arguments,  master  doctor !  short 
arguments,  master  doctor  !"  In  fine,  Avhat  the  equity  of  theologians 
was,  and  what  was  the  end  of  the  disputation,  it  needeth  not  now  to 
be  repeated,  being  already  set  forth  at  large.  To  conclude,  whereas 
three  questions  were  appointed  to  be  disputed  upon,  and  the  divines 
had  scarce  disputed  with  the  archbishop  of  one  of  them,  by  and  by 
they  condemned  him  as  convicted  in  all  three  ;  and,  so  condemned, 
they  carried  him  to  prison  Avitli  a  great  number  of  spearmen  and  bill- 
men.     And  thus  was  Cranmer  vanquished,  convicted,  and  condemned. 

What  remainetli  now,  but  that  in  praise  of  these  divines,  these 
noble  conquerors  with  their  prolocutor,  we  must  sing  this  noble 
anthem  of  victory,  "  Vicit  Veritas," — "  The  truth  hath  the  upper  vicit 
hand  i"  for  so  the  prolocutor,  Avhen  the  disputation  was  ended,  com-  '*'^"'^^- 
manded  all  men  to  cry.  O  victorious  and  triumphant  conquerors  ! 
Well,  if  these  glorious  champions  cannot  come  down  from  the  stage 
without  a  triumph  of  their  victory,  I  will  tell  them  (if  they  will  give 
me  leave)  ichat  had  there  the  upper  hand  :  Vicit  insania.  Vis 
vicit  et  tumultus.  Madness,  fury,  tumult,  with  flattery  and  violence, 
won  the  field :  and  to  speak  most  modestly,  not  the  truth,  but  the 
time  had  the  victory.     For  else,  if  they  had  gotten  this  conquest  not 

(1)  Rather  eighteen  days  :  see  vol.  vii.  p.  518. — Ed. 

(2)  See  the  First  Edition  (1563),  pp.  H75,  1478.— Ed. 


40  THE    LIFE    AND    STOKY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEB, 

Mary,  by  tlic  time,  but  by  their  own  puissance,  in  the  time  of  king  Edward, 
"^  J)  when  liberty  was  given  to  all  men  to  show  learning  and  truth,  Avhere 
155G.  did  this  marvellous  learning  of  these  divines  then  appear  ?  where 
- — — -  was  this  triumphant  chariot  of  their  glory,  and  this  conquering  verity? 
phe  ad  Why  did  none  of  you  come  forth  in  those  times,  which  would  take 
shoiffl"^^  the  weapon  in  hand  ?  Where  was  this  ruffling  prolocutor,  with  his 
theoio-     juor  at  his  elbow  ? 

cran-  Morcovcr  there  is  extant  yet,  and  was  then  abroad  in  men"'s  hands, 

boo'k  Cranmer"'s  book  of  the  Sacrament,  against  Winchester,  wherein  the 
against  matter  itself  doth  plainly  cry,  and  always  will  cry,  "  The  truth  hath 
ttr.  won."  Why  do  you  not  here,  you  worthy  warriors  !  fight  hand  to 
hand  in  open  field,  and  prove  in  the  face  of  the  whole  world,  that 
your  truth  hath  got  the  upper  hand  ?  The  truth,  as  you  say,  doth 
overcome  :  but  error  doth  more  often  times  overcome  ;  and  more 
often  the  greater  part  overcometh  the  lesser ;  but  this  way  that  you 
use,  is  not  to  win  but  to  oppress.  And  yet  truth  doth  win  some- 
times, but  by  favouring  and  suffering  ;  not  by  drinking,  by  indifferent 
reasons,  nor  by  exclamations  :  it  winneth  by  virtue  and  time  ;  not 
by  violence  and  improbity.  Finally  truth  so  winneth,  that  she 
trumpeth  forth  no  praise  of  her  victory,  neither  setteth  up  her  comb ; 
but  is  always  merciful  and  joined  with  gentleness ;  and  never  more 
gentle,  than  when  she  winneth  most.  Contrariwise,  nothing  is  more 
cruel,  nothing  more  intolerable,  than  error  and  violence.  So  did  the 
high-priests  and  pharisees  overcome  Christ  and  crucify  him  ;  contrari- 
wise, Christ,  rising  again  into  eternal  victory,  overcometh,  and  freely 
offereth  salvation  to  his  enemies.  The  same  example  the  persecutions 
of  the  apostles  and  martyrs  of  all  times  do  follow.  So  many  years 
was  Christianity  oppressed  under  the  Jews  and  heathen  men  ;  but 
when  the  truth  of  the  gospel  had  the  upper  hand,  whoever  heard  that 
the  Jews  and  heathen  were  slain  of  them  ?  For  this  is  the  nature  and 
disposition  of  God's  truth,  that  Avhen  it  overcometh,  the  victory  is 
healthful  to  all  men,  hurtful  to  none  ;  and  not  very  grievous  to  theni 
that  are  overcome. 

And  thus  much  concerning  this  matter,  as  touching  Dr.  Cranraer. 
And  because  this  story  presently  concerneth  him,  let  us  prosecute  the 
same,  of  whom  we  have  hitherto  discoursed  already  ;  first  his  parent- 
age, his  bringing  up  and  education  in  learning  ;  also  his  laborious 
and  diligent  study  at  the  university ;  his  travail  in  the  cause  of  the 
king's  divorce ;  and  after

~1,249 words

how  he  was  promoted  by  the  said  king  to 
be  archbishop.  Then,  after  the  decease  of  king  Edward,  of  his  im- 
prisonment, and  sending  to  Oxford,  and  of  his  disputations  there. 

Now,    atter  these  things  thus  declared,    concerning  his  outward 

doings,  it  shall  seem  no  less  requisite  likewise  to  consider  somewhat 

touching  those  things  which  nature  inwardly  ingrafted  in  the  manners 

and  disposition  of  that  man,  of  whom  many  domestical  examples  of 

virtue  may  be  taken  ;  as  first,  of  the  meekness  and  mildness  of  his 

nature,  which  in  such  a  dignity  the  more  rare  it  is  among  many,  the 

cranmer  more  Commendable  it  may  seem  in  him.     But  especially  from  greedy 

Hberar^  avarice  he  was  so  far,  that  as  money  never  mastered  him,  so  he  never 

and  con-  lacked  that  which  was  necessary:    and  as  he  was  never  greedy,  so  he 

was  never  needy  ;  m  adversity  constant,  m  prosperity  again  no  less 

liberal,  as  by  examples  in  him  may  well  be  testified — as   when   at 


THE    LIFE    AND    STOIIY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEU.  41 

Canterbury  liis  house  was  on  fire,  the  great  adversity  did  no  little  dis-    ^^"'•y- 
courage  him,   that  -when  he  had  great  riches  and  much  substance    a.  D. 
consumed,  he  was  nothing  therewith  dismayed,  but  when  others  ran    1556. 
about  amazedly,  he  did  but  quietly,  without  sign  of  grief,  go  up  and 
down  advising  men  to  beware  of  taking  any  harm.   Neither  appeared 
any  less  constancy  in  him  when  his  second  and  last  house  was  on  fire, 
the  house  of  his  own  body,  where  he  lost  not  only  his  goods,  but  life 
and  all  ! 

And  as  in  his  adversity  he  ever  showed  himself  constant  and  like 
himself,  so  in  prosperity  he  was  no  less  free  and  bountiful,  which 
virtue  so  flowed  in  him  toward  all  men,  especially  towards  the 
maintenance  of  learned  men  and  of  schools,  that  when  after  the 
receipt  of  his  rents,  there  came  to  him  certain  good  men  to  receive 
his  reward  for  poor  scholars,  he  used  to  deliver  the  first  bag  that  came 
to  his  hand  without  choosing  or  counting,  etc. ;  well  observing 
therein  the  rule  of  God's  law,  E.vodus  xxii.,  and  the  prophet  Malachi, 
chap,  iii.,  where  we  are  willed  willingly  to  tithe  unto  the  poor  of  all 
that  which  we  receive  at  the  hands  of  God,  whose  example  after  the 
rule  of  God's  commandment,  if  men  now  a  days  would  follow,  not 
only  the  poor  should  better  be  provided  for,  but  also  the  wealth  of 
the  rich  should  many  times  both  increase  the  rather,  and  continue 
the  longer.  For,  as  all  increase  of  things  dependeth  upon  God's 
blessing  above,  so  many  times  it  happeneth  that  St.  Augustine  saith  : 
that  he  oftentimes  looseth  nine  parts,  which  refuseth  to  give  the  tenth. 
And  how  can  he  require  much  to  be  given  him  of  God,  who  for  God 
grudgeth  to  give  again  a  little  ? 

Again,  as  he  Avas  no  niggard  abroad,  so  he  w'as  no  less  liberal  in 
his  housekeeping  at  home.  Besides  these  and  other  virtues  in  him, 
Avhat  should  T  speak  of  his  painful  and  indefatigable  study  at  his 
book,  who,  rising  many  times  at  two  or  three  of  the  clock  in  the 
morning,  parted  almost  no  less  part  of  the  night  to  his  study  than  to 
his  sleep.  In  judging  of  causes  circumspect,  and  such  as  no  bribes 
could  corrupt  in  ministering  justice  :  or  if  he  were  at  any  time  more 
sharp  and  rigorous  to  any,  it  was  more  by  other  men's  setting  on, 
than  by  himself. 

One  thing  here  by  occasion  cometh,  not  unworthy  to  be  noted,  the 
story  whereof,  because  the  party  is  yet  alive,  the  better  I  dare  avouch. 

In  the  time  of  king  Edward  the  sixth,  about  a.d.  1552,  there  was  directed  a 
commission  to  tlie  archbishop  of  Canterbury  then  being,  and  others  of  tlie 
worshipful  of  Kent,  to  inquire  and  examine  certain  honest  men  and  women 
who  favoured  religion,  and  yet  suspected  to  hold  sundry  heresies.  Which  said 
commission  was  chiefly  procured  by  divers  rank  papists  in  that  country,  of  very 
malice  against  the  truth,  and  the  professors  of  the  same.  And  some  of  tlieni 
were  joined  in  commission  with  the  said  good  archbishop,  dissembling  to  be  in- 
different in  the  principles  of  religion,  when  it  was  nothing  so.  But  as  the  time 
came  they  should  sit,  the  place  was  appointed  at  a  town  in  the  same  shire  called 
Ashford ;  and  there  among  many  things  happened  one  special  act  of  true  justice 
in  the  said  archbishop,  which  the  like  hath  rai'ely  been  heard  of  or  seen  in  any 
age  before  or  since;  unless  it  were  the  story  of  Susannah.  For  as  the  said 
archbishop  and  others  sat  in  commission,  there  were  accused  before  them,  by 
certain  papists,  two  honest  persons,  a  man  and  a  woman,  to  be  found  together 
committing  whoredom,  and  had  long  frequented  (as  they  said)  each  otlier's 
company  after  such  sort,  whereby  th(!y  were  moved  of  conscience  earnestly  to 
require  punishment  for  the  same,   and  that  the  matter  might  be  examined. 


4^ 


THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 


Martj.     Whereupon  the  witnesses  came  in,  and  were  examined  severally,  as  hereafter 

4   y^      followeth : 

t  ,,*-„'         First,  it  was  demanded,  by  the  said  archbishop,  where  it  should  be  done  ;  at 

L  whose  house,  and  in  what  place  of  the  house ;  what  time  of  the  night,  what  month, 

and  what  day,  etc.  Unto  which  they  severally  answered  all  in  a  tale,  that  the 
house  was  where  the  woman  dwelt ;  the  place  should  be  an  entry  next  the 
street ;  the  time  of  the  night  was  about  eleven  of  the  clock ;  and  so  forth  of  the 
month  and  day  accordingly.  Then  was  demanded  what  moved  them  to  be 
abroad  so  late ;  whether  they  had  light  with  them,  or  the  others  had  light  in 
the  entry ;  or  how  they  could  discern  them.  Answer  was  made,  their  going 
abroad  was,  suspecting  such  a  thing ;  and  coming  by  the  house,  the  door  stand- 
ing ashove  ;  and  being  the  moon  shining  into  the  entry,  it  gave  such  liglit,  that 
they  could  as  well  see  them  as  if  there  had  been  a  candle.  Then  was  required, 
what  time  the  moon  rose :  and  they  answei'ed,  that  it  shined  all  night.  Then 
was  there  asked  whether  any  displeasure  had  been  between  them  at  any  time. 
And  they  answered,  no.  Then  was  it  demanded  which  side  of  the  house  the 
moon  did  shine  ;  why  they  took  them  not,  and  led  them  to  some  officer,  where 
her  husband  was ;  and  wherefore  they  concealed  it  all  that  time — for  the  time 
of  his  deed  should  be  done  long  before.  Answer  was  made,  the  moon  shined 
on  the  street-side ;  her  husband  was  at  home ;  and  so  forth  of  the  rest  accord- 
ingly, and  varied  not  one  from  another  any  thing  at  all. 

Then,  after  examining  of  the  witnesses,  they  (as  I  said)  agreeing  wholly  in 
one  tale,  the  favourers  of  the  plaintiffs'  causes,  many  of  them  desired  the  arch- 
bishop to  appoint  sharp  punishment  for  them,  and  that  it  might  be  done  with 
all  expedition,  to  the  terror  and  example  of  others  :  "  for,"  said  they,  "  the 
country  is  full  of  such  persons,  which  work  many  follies  under  pretence  of 
scripture  people,"  etc.  At  which  words  the  archbishop  suddenly  fell  in  a  stand, 
and  began  to  muse  with  himself,  what  people  they  were  that  did  accuse  them  ; 
what  were  the  witnesses  of  the  cause,  the  favourers  of  the  mattei',  and  the 
callers  on  for  judgment  importunately,  so  swiftly  and  so  sharply.  And  suddenly, 
in  considering  hereof,  how  they  were  enemies  to  the  truth,  impugners  of  the 
same,  and  no  further  to  favour  it  than  sharpness  of  law  did  compel  them : 
beginning  on  the  other  side  to  bethink  also  what  honest  report  of  some  he  had 
heard  of  the  man  and  woman :  how  they  should  be  honestly  disposed  to  the 
reading  of  Scrijiture,  etc.,  [the  archbishop]  would  not  proceed,  but  stayed 
judgment  for  that  time,  and  asked  a  knight  sitting  by  him  (which  hasted  the 
punishment  of  the  cause),  whether  in  going  to  dinner  he  should  pass  by  the 
house  where  the  deed  was  done  ;  yea  or  no.     Answer  was  made,  yea. 

Then  after  many  other  matters  ended  which  they  had  in  hand,  and  time 
came  they  should  rise,  they  (committing  the  man  and  woman  to  be  kept  seve- 
rally under  safe  custody  until  the  afternoon)  went  to  dinner. '  And  in  passing 
through  the  street  he  willed  that  some  should  show  him  the  house,  when  he 
came  against  it ;  which  the  knight  did,  telling  him  where  it  stood,  and  pointing 
Avith  his  finger  to  the  same. 

Then  the  archbishop,  staying  thereat,  viewing  the  situation  thereof,  calling  to 
remembrance  the  month  and  day  in  which  this  act  should  be  done ;  and  straitly 
beholding  the  door  and  entry,  held  up  his  head  awhile,  and  said,  "  Surely  they 
be  false  harlots,  I  see  very  well  now  :  for  I  perfectly  imderstand  the  matter." 
"  Yea,  marry  my  lord,"  quoth  the  knight,  "  I  told  you  what  you  should  find 
them."  "  Nay,"  said  the  archbishop,  "  the  man  and  woman  are  good  honest 
folks :  but  their  adversaries  and  accusers  are  false  harlots ;  which  they  shall 
surely  find,  if  the  law  will  let  me.  For  look  ye,"  said  he,  "  the  moon  at  that 
hour  of  the  night  rose  against  the  other  corner  of  the  house"  [pointing  with 
his  finger  to  a  corner  of  the  same],  "  quite  contrary  from  the  door  and  entry, 
and  was  at  that  time  scarce  up,  if  ye  consider  it  well :  for  mark !  "  said  he. 
And  so  he  told  him  which  way  he  should  understand  the  truth  thereof:  whereby 
the  knight,  being  sore  ashamed,  hung  down  his  head,  passing  forward  with  the 
said  good  archbishop  forth  to  dinner,  and  answered  little  or  nothing  to  the 
purpose  again. 

But  it  happened  after  this,  long,  and  yet  the  same  year,  that  the  same  man 
came  again  before  the  said  archbishop  at  his  house  in  Lambeth,  by  London,  to 
be  examined  for  other  causes  touching  religion  :  and  by  occasion  (but  by  whose 
means  I  know  not)  this  foresaid  matter  was  spoken  of,  and  the  woman  named. 


THE    LIFE    AKD    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER.  43 

A  lord  sitting  by  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  hearing  them  name  a  woman,     ^farlJ. 

and  seeing  none  there,  leaned  to  the  arclibishop,  and  asked  him  what  she  was,  

of  whom  they  spake.  "  Marry,"  quoth  the  archbishop,  "  it  is  one  who  is,  I  A.  U. 
believe,  an  honest  woman  ;  and  I  assure  you,  wise,  as  I  have  heard  any  ^^oG- 
lightly." 

Now,  after  this,  when  the  Lord,  for  our  sins,  had  taken  away  our  good  king 
Edward  the  sixth,  and  placed  his  sister  Mary  in  his  room,  immediately  this 
good  bishop  was  apprehended  for  religion,  and,  after  long  time,  sent  prisoner  to 
Oxford,  from  whence  he  sent  a  token  to  the  said  woman  by  one  W.  P.,  who 
was  tlie  penner  hereof,  and  unto  whom  he  told  this  matter,  desiring  him  to  pray 
her  to  forgive  him  his  straitness  towards  her,  which  she  suffered  in  the  time  of 
her  trouble,  and  in  the  prosperity  of  the  said  good  archbishop.  The  woman 
being  yet  alive,  of  honest  and  good  report,  can  witness  her  trouble,  and  some 
part  of  this  story. 

Among  many  things  which  we  have  spoken  of  concerning  that 
man,  this  is  moreover  to  be  added,  that  in  king  Henry's  time,  at  the 
oppression  of  the  good  lord  Cromwell,  it  was  also  appointed  and  fully 
determined,  that  Cranmer  the  same  time  should  be  committed  to 
prison  ;  which  thing  indeed  had  so  happened,  had  he  not  in  time 
prevented  the  fraudulent  circumvention  of  his  enemies,  Avhich  stood 
waiting  for  him  at  the  common  stairs  or  court-gate  :  but  he,  pre- 
venting the  matter,  suddenly  shot  into  the  privy  stair,  and  so  entered 
to  the  king's  speech,  and  there  upon  his  knees  lamentably  declared 
his  innocency  in  the  matter,  desiring  the  king  that  he  might  not  be 
condemned  before  he  were  suffered  to  purge  himself  according  as  he 
was  promised  by  the  king  at  his  first  entering  to  his  office.  Where- 
upon the  king  granted  his  request,  and  delivered  him  his  signet  cranmer 
from  off  his  finger,  commanding  him  notwithstanding  to  make  his  by^^he^^* 
appearance  before  the  council,  and  to  hear  all  such  matter  as  they  ^}"s's 
charged  him  withal :  which  being  done,  if  they  would  needs  commit 
him,  then  to  show  the  said  signet,  in  certifying  them  of  the  king's 
pleasure  to  the  contrary.    And  thus  escaped  he  that  present  danger.^ 

The  saying  is  constantly  affirmed  of  divers,  that  the  said  arch- 
bishop, with  the  lord  Wriothesley,  kneeling  and  weeping  at  the  king's 
bed-side,  saved  the  life  of  queen  Mary,  daughter 'to  the  princess 
dowager,  divorced  as  is  aforesaid  from  the  king,  whose  detemiination 
then  was  to  have  off  her  head,  for  certain  causes  of  stubbornness, 
had  not  the  intercession  and  great  persuasion  of  this  arclibishop  come 
betwixt :  whereupon  the  king  afterward,  speaking  of  the  said  arch- 
bishop (whom  commonly  he  called  his  priest),  said  that  he  made 
intercession  for  her,  Avhich  would  his  destruction,  and  would  trouble 
them  all.  What  recompense  the  queen  rendered  again  for  that 
benefit  received,  let  the  world  consider  and  judge  ! 

He  was  of  stature  mean  ;  of  complexion  he  was  pure  and  some- 
what sanguine,  having  no  hair  upon  his  head,  at  the  time  of  his  death ; 
but  a  long  beard,  Avliite  and  thick.     He  was  of  the  age  of  sixty-five 
Avhen  he  was  burnt ;  and  yet,  being  a  man  sore  broken  in  studies,  in 
all  his  time  never  used  any  spectacles.     He  was  married  at  Nurem-  cranmer 
berg,  being  there  at  that  time  ambassador  for  the  king's  majesty  of  i,is  wKe 
famous  memory,   king  Henry  the  eighth,  being  Avitli  Charles  the  remi^frp. 
emperor.     His  wife  was  a  Dutchwoman,  kin  to  the  wife  of  Osiander, 
of  whom  he  had  a  son  and  a  daughter,  both  yet  alive ;  the  daughter 

(1)  The  words  of  the  king,  when  Cranmer  departed  with  the  king's  signet:  "Go  thy  ways!  if 
thou  deceive  ine,  I  wiU  never  trust  bald-pate  again  while  I  live." 


44  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 

Mary,    being  married  ;  the  son  being  yet  but  young.    After  his  ambassaclor- 

^  j)~  ship,  being  made  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  notwithstanding  the  law 

1556.    of  the  Six  Articles  to  the  contrary,  yet,  having  the  secret  consent  of 

the  king''s  majesty  thereunto,  he  Avas  permitted  and  suffered  withal, 

in  those  dangerous  and  perilous  days. 

In  the  small  time  of  respite  between  king  Edward's  death  and  his 
own  imprisonment,  he  sold  his  plate,  and  paid  all  his  debts,  so  that 
no  man  could  ask  him  a  groat ;  although  thereby,  and  by  the  spoil  of 
his  goods,  after  his  attainder,  he  left  his  wife  and  children  unprovided.* 
After   the    disputations    done  and   finished  in    Oxford   between 
the  doctors   of  both   universities,   and

~163 words

king  and  queen''s  behalf,  for  the 
1",";'"^"    execution  of  the  same.     Of  the  which  three  commissioners  above 
secution,  named,  as  touching  Dr.  Martin,  this  by  the  way  is  to  be  understood, 
commu-   that  although  he  was  used  for  an  instrument  of  the  pope's  side,  to 
werT^     serve  a  turn  (whose  book  also  is  extant  against  the  lawful  marriage  of 
priests)  yet  notwithstanding  neither  was  he  so  bitter  an  enemy  in  this 
persecution,  as  other  commissioners  Avere  ;  and  also  in  this  time  of 
queen  Elizabeth,  whereas  divers  other  doctors  of  the  arches  refused 
to  be  SAvorn  against  the  pope,  he  denied  not  the  oath  ;  and  yet  not- 
Avithstanding  not  altogether  here  to  be  excused.    But  to  the  purpose 
of  this  story  ;  Avhereof  first  it  shall  be  requisite  to  declare  the  circum- 
stance, and  the  Avhole  state  of  the  matter,  as  in  a  general  description, 
before  Ave  come  to  their  orations,  according  as  in  a  parcel  of  a  certain 
letter  touching  the  same,  it  came  to  our  hands. 

Imprimis,  here  is  to  be  understood,  that  at  the  coming  doAvn  of  the 
foresaid  commissioners,  Avhich  Avas  upon  Thursday,  the  12th  of  Sep- 
tember, anno  1555,  in  the  church  of  St.  Mary,  and

~4,492 words

move  his  bonnet,  the  bishop  proceeded  with 
studied  eloquence  and  painted  art,  in  these  Avords  following : 

The  Oration  of  Dr.  Brooks  Bishop  of  Gloucester,  unto  Dr.  Cranmer 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  in  the  Church  of  !St.  Mary  at  Oxi'ord, 
anno  1556,  March  12. 

My  lord,  at  this  present  we  are  come  to  you  as  commissioners,  and  for  you,  The  ora- 
not  intruding  ourselves  by  our  own  authority,  but  sent  by  commission,  partly  J'.""  °^ 
from  the  pope's  holiness,  partly  from  the  king  and  queen's  most  excellent  ma-  Brooks, 
jesties,  not  to  your  utter  discomfort,  but  to  your  comfort,  if  you  will  yourself. 
We  come  not  to  judge  you,  but  to  put  you  in  remembrance  of  that  you  have 
been,  and  shall  be.     Neither  come  we  to  dispute  with  you,  but  to  examine  you 
in  certain  matters ;  which  being  done,  to  make  relation  thereof  to  him  that 
hath  power  to  judge  you.    The  first  being  well  taken,  shall  make  the  second  to 


46  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEK. 


1556. 


Mary,  be  well  taken  :  for  if  you,  of  your  part  be  moved  to  come  to  a  conformity,  then 
.  .. —  shall  not  only  we  of  our  side  take  joy  of  our  examination,  but  also  they  that 
have  sent  us. 

And  first,  as  charity  doth  move  us,  I  would  think  good  somewhat  to  exhort 
you,  and  that  by  St.  John  in  the  Apocalypse,  "  Remember  from  whence  thou 
art  fallen,  and  do  the  first  works  ;  or  if  not :  i" — and  so  as  ye  know  what  fol- 
loweth.     Remember  yourself  from  whence  you  have  fallen.     You  have  fallen 
from  the  universal  and  catholic  church  of  Christ,  from  the  very  true  and  received 
Heresy,     faith  of  all  Christendom;  and  that  by  open  heresy.     You  have  fallen  from  your 
and  trea-  Promise  to  God,  from  your  fidelity  and  allegiance ;  and  that  by  open  preaching, 
son  laid     marriage,  and  adultery.    You  have  fallen  from  your  sovereign  prince  and  queen 
to  Dr.        |jy  open  treason.     Remember  therefore  from  whence  you  have  fallen.     Your 
fall  is  great,  the  danger  cannot  be  seen.     Wherefore  when  I  say,  remember 
from  whence  you  are  fallen,  I  put  you  in  mind,  not  only  of  your  fall,  but  also  of 
the  state  you  were  in  before  your  fall.     You  were  sometime,  as  I  and  other 
poor  men,  in  a  mean  estate,  God  I  take  to  witness,  I  speak  it  to  no  reproach 
The  high  or  abasement  of  you,  but  to  put  you  in  memory,  how  God  hath  called  you  from 
estate  of    ^  jg^  ^^  ^  high  degree,  from  one  degree  to  another,  from  better  to  better ;  and 
mer,  never  gave  you  over,  till  he  had  appointed  you  legatum  natum,  metropolitanum 

sometime  Angliae,  pastorem  gregis  sui.  Such  great  trust  did  he  put  you  in,  in  his  church  : 
bisliop  of  what  could  he  do  more  ?  For  even  as  he  ordained  Moses  to  be  a  ruler  over 
Canter-  his  church  of  Israel,  and  gave  him  full  authority  upon  the  same,  so  did  he 
make  you  over  his  church  of  England.  And  when  did  he  this  for  you  ?  For- 
sooth when  you  gave  no  occasion  or  cause  of  mistrust  either  to  him,  or  to  his 
mkgistrates.  For  although  it  be  conjectured,  that  in  all  your  time  ye  were  not 
upright  in  the  honour  and  faith  of  Christ,  but  rather  set  up  of  purpose  as  a  fit 
instrument  whereby  the  church  might  be  spoiled  and  brought  into  ruin ;  yet 
may  it  appear  by  many  your  doings  otherwise,  and  I,  for  my  part,  as  it  be- 
hoveth  each  one  of  us,  shall  think  the  best.  For  who  was  thought  as  then  more 
devout  ?  who  was  more  religious  in  the  face  of  the  world  ?  who  was  thought  to 
have  more  conscience  of  a  vow-making,  and  observing  the  order  of  the  church, 
more  earnest  in  the  defence  of  the  real  presence  of  Christ's  body  and  blood  in 
the  sacrament  of  the  altar,  than  ye  were  ?  And  then  all  things  prospered  with 
you  ;  your  prince  favoured  you  ;  yea,  God  himself  favoured  you.  Your  can- 
dlestick was  set  up  in  the  highest  place  of  the  church,  and  the  light  of  your 
candle  was  over  all  the  church :  I  would  God  it  had  so  continued  still ! 

But  after  ye  began  to  fall  by  schism,  and  would  not  acknowledge  the  pope's 
holiness  as  supreme  head,  but  would  stoutly  uphold  the  unlawful  requests  of 
king  Henry  the  eighth,  and  would  bear  with  what  should  not  be  borne  withal, 
then  began  you  to  fancy  unlawful  liberty ;  and  when  you  had  exiled  a  good 
conscience,  then  ensued  great  shipwreck  in  the  sea,  which  was  out  of  the  true 
and  catholic  church  cast  into  the  sea  of  desperation  ;  for  as  he  saith,  "  Without 
the  church  there  is  no  salvation."  ^  When  ye  had  forsaken  God,  God  forsook 
you,  and  gave  you  over  to  your  own  will,  and  suffered  you  to  fall  from  schism 
to  apostasy,  from  apostasy  to  heresy,  and  from  heresy  to  perjury,  from  perjury 
to  treason,  and  so  in  conclusion,  into  the  full  indignation  of  your  sovereign 
pi'ince  ;  which  you  may  think  a  just  punishment  of  God,  for  your  other  abomi- 
nable opinions. 

After  that,  ye  fell  lower  and  lower,  and  now  to  the  lowest  degree  of  all,  to 
the  end  of  honour  and  life.  For  if  the  light  of  your  candle  be,  as  it  hath  been 
hitherto,  dusky,  your  candlestick  is  like  to  be  removed,  and  have  a  great  fall,  so 
low,  and  so  far  out  of  knowledge,  that  it  be  quite  out  of  God's  favour,  and  past 
all  hope  of  recovery :  "  For  in  hell  there  is  no  redemption."*  The  danger 
whereof  being  so  great,  very  pity  causeth  me  to  say,  "  Remember  from  whence 
thou  hast  fallen."*     I  add  also,  and  whither  you  fall ! 

But  here,  peradventure,  you  will  say  to  me,  "  What,  sir?  my  fall  is  not  so 
great  as  you  make  it.  I  have  not  yet  fallen  from  the  catholic  church  ;  for  that 
is  not  the  catholic  church  that  the  pope  is  head  of:  there  is  another  church." 
But  as  touching  that,  I  answer,  you  are  sure  of  that  as  the  Donatists  were,  for 
they  said  they  had  the  true  claurch,  and  that  the  name  of  true  Christians 

(1)  "  Memor  esto  unde  excideris,  et  age  pcBnitentiam,  et  prima  opera  fac.   Sin  minus."   Rev.  iL 

(2)  "  Extra  ecclesiam  non  est  salus."  (3)  "  Quia  in  inferno  nulla  est  redemptio." 
(4)  "  Memor  esto  unde  excideris." 


THE    ORATION    OF    BISHOP    BROOKS    AGAINST    HIM.  47 

remained  only  in  Africa,  where  only  their  seditious  sect  was  preached  :  and  as    ifary. 
you  think,  so  thought  Novatus,  that  all  they  that  did  acknowledge  their  supreme  '  ■ 

head  at  the   see  of  Rome,  were  out  of  the  church  of  Christ.     But  here  St.     fl'il* 
Cyprian,!  defending  Cornelius  against  Novatus,  saith  on  this  wise,  "  Ecclesia  ' 

una  est,  qu£e  cum  sit  una,  intus  et  foris  esse  non  potest."  So  that  if  Novatus 
were  in  the  church,  then  was  not  Cornelius,  who  indeed  by  lawful  succession 
succeeded  pope  Fabian.  Here  St.  Cyprian  intendeth  by  the  whole  process  to 
prove,  and  concludeth  thereupon,  that  the  true  church  was  only  Rome.  Gather 
3'ou  then  what  will  follow  of  your  fall.  But  you  will  say  peradventure,  that 
you  fell  not  by  heresy,  and  so  said  the  Arians,  alleging  for  themselves  that  they 
had  scripture,  and  going  about  to  persuade  their  schism  by  scripture :  for  in- 
deed they  had  more  places  by  two  and  forty,  which  by  their  torture  seemed  to 
depend  upon  scripture,  than  the  Catholics  had.  So  did  the  Martians  provoke  Provok- 
their  heresy  to  scripture.  But  those  are  no  scriptures ;  for  they  are  not  truly  serip"  ^  ^ 
alleged,  nor  truly  interpreted,  but  untruly  wrested  and  wrong,  according  to  ture. 
their  own  fantasies.  And  therefore  were  they  all  justly  condemned  for  their 
wrong  taking  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the  church  repheth  against  them,^  saying, 
"Qui  estis  vos?  quando?  quid  agitis  in  meo,  non  mei?"  The  church  saith, 
*'  What  make  you  here  in  my  heritage  ?  From  whence  came  you  ?  The  Scrip- 
ture is  mine  inheritance.  I  am  right  heir  thereof:  I  hold  it  by  true  succession 
of  the  apostles  ;  for  as  the  apostles  required  me  to  hold,  so  do  I  hold  it.  The 
apostles  have  received  me,  and  put  me  in  my  right,  and  have  rejected  you  as 
bastards,  having  no  title  thereunto." 

Also  ye  will  deny  that  ye  have  fallen  by  apostasy  by  breaking  your  vow ;  Breaking 
and  so  Vigilantius  said,  insomuch  that  he  would  admit  none  to  his  ministry,  but  °^'^°'^^' 
those  that  had  their  w\ves  bagged  with  children.  What  now  ?  Siiall  we  say 
that  Vigilantius  did  not  fall  therefore  1  Did  not  Donatus  and  Novatus  fall,  be- 
cause they  said  so,  and  brought  scripture  for  their  defence  ?  Then  let  us  believe 
as  we  list,  pretending  well,  and  say  so  :  nay,  there  is  no  man  so  blind  that  will 
say  so ;  for  except  the  church,  which  condemneth  them  for  their  say  so,  do  ap- 
prove us  for  to  do  so,  then  will  she  condemn  you  also.  So  that  your  denial  will 
not  stand.  And  therefore  I  tell  you,  remember  from  whence  ye  are  fallen,  and 
how  low  ye  shall  fall,  if  you  hold  on  as  you  do  begin.  But  I  trust  you  will 
not  continue,  but  revoke  yourself  in  time,  and  the  remedy  followeth  :  "  Age 
poenitentiam,  et  prima  opera  fac ;"  ^  for  by  such  means  as  ye  have  fallen,  ye  must 
rise  again.  First  your  heart  hath  fallen,  then  your  tongue  and  your  pen ;  and 
besides  your  own  damage,  have  caused  many  more  to  fall.  Therefore,  first 
your  heart  must  turn,  and  then  shall  the  tongue  and  the  pen  be  quickly  turned : 
"  Sin  minus,  veniam  tibi  cito,  et  movebo  candelabrum, tuum  de  loco  suo." 

I  need  not  to  teach  you  a  method  to  turn  :  you  know  the  ready  way  yourself. 
But  I  would  God  I  could  but  exhort  you  to  the  right  and  truth :  then  the  way 
should  soon  be  found  out.  For  if  ye  remember  how  many  ye  have  brought  by 
abominable  heresy  into  the  way  of  perdition,  I  doubt  not  but  very  conscience 
would  move  you,  as  much  for  them  as  for  yourself,  to  come  again ;  and  so 
wo)ild  you  spare  neither  tongue  nor  pen,  if  heart  were  once  reformed.  For  as 
touching  that  point,  the  Holy  Ghost  toucheth  their  hearts  very  near  by  the 
mouth  of  his  holy  prophet  Ezekiel,"*  when  he  requireth  the  blood  of  his  flock  at 
the  priest's  hands,  for  lack  of  good  and  wholesome  food.  How  much  more 
should  this  touch  your  guilty  heart,  having  over  much  diligence  to  teach  them 
the  way  of  perdition,  and  feeding  them  with  baggage  and  corrupt  food,  which 
is  heresy.  "  He  that  shall  convert  a  sinner  from  his  wicked  life,  shall  save  his 
soul  from  death,  and  shall  cover  the  multitude  of  sins. "^  So  that  if  it  be  true 
that  he  who  converteth  a  sinner,  saveth  a  soid ;  then  the  contrary  must  needs 
be  true,  that  he  that  perverteth  a  soul,  and  teacheth  him  the  way  of  perdition, 
must  needs  be  damned. 

Origen,  on  the  Epistle  of  Paul  to  the  Romans,  said,  "  The  damnation  of 
those  that  preach  heresy,  doth  increase  to  the  day  of  judgment.     The  more 
that  perish  by  heretical  doctrine,  the  more  grievous  shall  their  torment  be,  that 
minister  such  doctrine."    Berengarius,who  seemed  to  fear  that  danger,  provided  Beren- 
for  it  in  his  lifetime,  but  not  without  a  troubled  and  disquiet  conscience.     He  garius. 

(1)  Cypr.  lib.  ii.  Epist.  vi.  (2)  Apud  Tertul.  de  Praescript.  cap.  37. — Ed. 

(3)  That  is,  "  Repent,  and  do  thy  first  works."   (4)  Ezck.  xxxiii. 

(5)  "  Qui  convertere  fecerit  peccatorem  ah  errore  vitrc  sua,  salvam  faciei  animam  suam  k  morte, 
et  operiet  multitudinem  peccatorum  suorum." 


48 


THE    LIFE    AND    STOKY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 


Mary. 

A.D. 

I5r)6. 


A  good 
con- 
science. 


JIark  of 
an  evil 
con- 
science. 


did  not  only  repent,  but  recant,  and  not  so  much  for  himself,  as  for  them  whom 
he  had  with  most  pestilent  heresies  infected.  For  as  he  lay  in  his  death-bed 
upon  Epiphany-day,  he  demanded  of  them  that  were  present,  "  Is  this,"  quoth 
he,  "the  day  of  Epiphany,  and  appearing  of  the  Lord?"  They  answered  him, 
"Yea."  "Then,"  quoth  he,  "  this  day  shall  the  Lord  appear  to  me,  either  to 
my  comfort,  or  to  my  discomfort."  This  remorse  argueth,  that  he  feared  the 
danger  of  them  whom  he  had  taught,  and  led  out  of  the  faith  of  Christ.  Origen, 
upon  St.  Paul,  saith  in  this  wise,  "  Although  his  own  blood  was  not  upon  his  head, 
for  that  he  did  repent,  and  was  sorry  for  his  former  errors,  yet,  being  converted, 
he  feai-ed  the  blood  of  them  whom  he  had  infected,  and  who  received  his 
doctrine." 

Let  this  move  you  even  at  the  last  point.  Insomuch  as  your  case  is  not 
unlike  to  Berengarius,  let  your  repentance  be  like  also.  And  what  should  stay 
you  (tell  me)  from  this  godly  retui'U?  Fear  that  ye  have  gone  so  far,  ye  may 
not  return?  Nay,  then  1  may  say  as  David  said,  "  Ye  fear  where  ye  have  no 
cause  to  fear."'  For  if  ye  repent  and  be  heartily  sorry  for  your  former  heresy 
and  apostasy,  ye  need  not  to  fear :  foi-,  as  God  of  his  part  is  merciful  and  gracious 
to  the  repentant  sinner,  so  is  the  king,  so  is  the  queen  merciful ;  which  ye  may 
well  perceive  by  your  own  case,  since  ye  might  have  suffered  a  great  while  ago 
for  treason  committed  against  her  highness,  but  that  ye  have  been  spared  and 
reserved  upon  hope  of  amendment,  which  she  conceived  very  good  of  you  :  but 
now  (as  it  seemeth)  it  is  but  a  very  desperate  hope.  And  what  do  you  thereby  1 
"  According  to  the  hardness  of  your  heart,  ye  treasure  up  to  yourself  anger  in 
the  day  of  wrath."  2 

Well,  what  is  it  then,  if  fear  do  not  hinder  you  ?  Shame,  to  unsay  that  you 
have  said?  Nay,  it  is  no  shame,  unless  you  think  it  shame  to  agree  with  the 
ti"ue  and  the  catholic  church  of  Christ.  And  if  that  be  shame,  then  blame 
St.  Paul,  who  persecuted  the  disciples  of  Christ  with  the  sword ;  then  blame 
St.  Peter,  who  denied  his  master  Christ  with  an  oath,  that  he  never  knew  him. 
St.  Cyprian  before  his  return  being  a  witch  ;  St.  Austin  being  nine  years  out  of 
the  church :  they  thought  it  no  shame  after  their  return,  of  that  they  had 
returned.  Shall  it  then  be  shame  for  you  to  convert  and  consent  with  the 
church  of  Christ?  No,  no. 

What  is  it  then  that  doth  let  you?  Gloiy  of  the  world?  Nay,  as  for  the 
vanity  of  the  world,  I  for  my  part  judge  not  in  you,  being  a  man  of  learning, 
and  knowing  your  estate. 

And  as  for  the  loss  of  your  estimation,  it  is  ten  to  one  that  whereas  you  were 
archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  metropolitan  of  England,  it  is  ten  to  one  (I  say), 
that  ye  shall  be  as  well  still,  yea,  and  rather  better. 

And  as  for  the  winning  of  good  men,  there  is  no  doubt  but  all  that  be  here 
present,  and  the  whole  congregation  of  Christ's  church  also,  will  more  rejoice  of 
your  return,  than  they  were  sorry  for  your  fall.  And  as  for  the  others,  ye  need 
not  to  doubt,  for  they  shall  all  come  after ;  and,  to  say  the  truth,  if  you  should 
lose  them  for  ever,  it  were  no  force :  ye  should  have  no  less  thereby  at  all.  I 
do  not  here  touch  them  which  should  confirm  your  estimation  :  for  as  St.  Paul, 
after  his  conversion,  was  received  into  the  church  of  Christ,  with  wonderful  joy 
to  the  whole  congregation,  even  so  shall  you  be.  The  fame  of  your  return 
shall  be  spread  abroad  throughout  all  Christendom,  where  your  face  was  never 
known. 

But  you  will  say  perhaps,  your  conscience  will  not  suffer  you.  My  lord, 
there  is  a  good  conscience ;  and  there  is  a  bad  conscience.  The  good  con- 
science have  not  they,  as  St.  Paul  declareth  to  Timothy  concerning  Hymeneus 
and  Alexander.  The  evil  and  bad  conscience  is  (saith  St.  Cyprian)  well  to  be 
known  by  its  mark.  What  mark?  This  conscience  is  marked  with  the  print 
of  heresy:  this  conscience  is  a  naughty,  filthy,  and  a  branded  conscience,  which, 
I  trust,  is  not  in  you.  I  have  conceived  a  better  hope  of  you  than  so,  or  else 
would  I  never  go  about  to  persuade  or  exhort  you.  But  what  conscience  should 
stay  you  to  return  to  the  catholic  faith  and  universal  church  of  Christ?  What 
conscience  doth  separate  you  to  that  devilish  and  several  church,  to  a  liberty 
which  never  had  ground  in  the  holy  Scriptures  ?  If  you  judge  your  liberty  to 
be  good,  then  judge  you  all  Christendom  to  do  evil  besides  you. 


(I)  "  Illie  trepidaverunt  ubi  non  erat  timor." 

(.2)  "  Secundum  duritiam  cordis  thesaurizas  libi  iram  in  die  iree.' 


AN    ORATIOX    OF    BISHOP    BROOKS    AGAINST    HIM.  49 

Oh  what  a  presumptuous  persuasion  is  this,  upon  this  utterly  to  forsake  tlie    Mary. 
church  of  Christ !    Under  what  colour  or  pretence  do  you  this  ?  for  the  abuses  ? 


as  though  in  your  church  were  no  abuses  :  yes,  that  there  were.     And  if  you     ^j  ^^ 
forsake  the  iniiversal  church  for  the  abuses,  whj'  do  you  not  then  forsake  your     ''^•^"' 
particular  church,  and  so  be  flitting  from  one  to  another?    That  is  not  the  next  Abnses 
way,  to  slip  from  the  church  for  the  abuses ;  for  if  )'0U  had  seen  abuses,  you  '"  t'"-" 
should  rather  have  endeavoured  for  a  reformation,  than  for  a  defection.     He  is  squire  a 
a  good  chirurgeon,  who  for  a  little  pain  in  the  toe  will  cut  off  the  whole  leg  !  reforma- 
He  lielpeth  well  the  tooth-ache,  which  cutteth  away  the  head  by  the  shoulders !  "°"|  ^"'^ 
It  is  mere  folly  to  amend  abuses  by  abuses.  Ye  are  like  Diogenes  ;  for  Diogenes  fection. " 
on  a  time,  envying  the  cleanliness  of  Plato,  said  on  this  wise,  "  Ecce  calco 
fastum  Platonis:"  Plato  answered,  "  Sed  alio  fastu."    So  that  Diogenes  seemed 
more  faulty  of  the  two. 

But  when  we  have  said  all  that  we  can,  peradventure  you  will  say,  "  I  will 
not  return."     And  to  that  I  say,  I  will  not  answer.     Nevertheless,  hear  what 
Christ  sailh  to  such  obstinate  and  stifliiecked  people  in  the  parable  of  the  supper. 
When  he  had  sent  out  his  men  to  call  them  in  that  were  appointed,  and  they 
would  not  come,  he  bade  his  servants  go  into  the  ways  and  streets,  to  compel 
men  to  come  in,  "  Cogite  intrare."     If  then  the  church  will  not  lose  any  mem-  "Cofrite 
her  that  may  be  compelled  to  come  iir,  ye  must  think  it  good  to  take  the  com-  "/^"^tr' ' 
pulsion,  lest  you  lose  your  part  of  the  supper  which  the  Lord  hath  prepared  for  expound- 
you,  and  this  compulsion  standeth  well  with  charity.  ed. 

But  it  may  be  perhaps,  that  some  have  animated  you  to  stick  to  your  tackle, 
and  not  to  give  over,  bearing  you  in  hand  that  your  opinion  is  good,  and  that 
ye  shall  die  in  a  good  quarrel,  and  God  shall  accept  your  oblation.  But  hear 
what  Christ  saith  of  a  meaner  gift:  "  If  thou  come  to  the  altar  to  offer  thy 
oblation,  and  knowest  that  thy  brother  hath  somewhat  to  lay  against  thee,  leave 
there  thy  gift,  and  go  and  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then  come  and 
offer  up  thy  gift ;  or  else  thy  brother  will  make  thy  offering  unsavoury  before 
God."^  This  he  said  unto  all  the  world,  to  the  end  they  should  know  how 
their  offerings  should  be  received,  if  they  were  not  according. 

Remember  you  therefore  before  you  offer  up  your  offering,  whether  your  gift 
be  qualified  or  no.  Remember  the  church  of  Rome,  and  also  of  England, 
where  not  one  only  brother,  but  a  number  have  matter  against  you,  so  just,  that 
they  will  make  your  burnt  offering  to  stink  before  God,  except  you  be  recon- 
ciled. If  you  must  needs  appoint  upon  a  sacrifice,  make  yet  a  mean  first  to 
them  that  have  to  lay  against  you.  I  say  no  more  than  the  church  hath  allowed 
me  to  say  ;  for  the  sacrifice  that  is  offered  without  the  church  is  not  profitable. 
The  premises  therefore  considered,  for  God's  sake,  1  say,  "  Memor  esto  unde 
excideris,  et  age  pcenitentiam,  et  prima  opera  fac.  Sin  minus,"  etc.  Cast  not 
j'ourself  away,  spare  your  body,  spare  your  soul,  spare  them  also  whom  you 
have  seduced,  spare  the  shedding  of  Christ's  blood  for  you  in  vain.  Harden 
not  your  heart,  acknowledge  the  truth,  yield  to  the  prescript  word  of  God,  to 
the  catholic  church  of  Rome,  to  the  received  verity  of  all  Christendom.  Wed  Mellelita 
not  yourself  to  your  own  self-will.  Stand  not  too  much  in  your  own  conceit,  pemicies. 
think  not  yourself  wiser  than  all  Christendom  is  besides  you.  Leave  off  this 
unjust  cavil.  How?  leave  what?  Leave  reason,  leave  wonder,  and  believe 
as  the  catholic  church  doth  believe  and  teach  you.  Persuade  with  yourself, 
that  "  without  the  church  there  is  no  salvation."  ^  And  thus  much  have  I  said 
of  charity.  If  this  poor  simple  exhortation  of  mine  may  sink  into  your  head, 
and  take  effect  with  you,  then  have  I  said  as  I  would  have  said ;  otherwise  not 
as  I  would,  but  as  I  could  for  this  present. 

And  thus  bishop  Brooks  finishing  his  oration,  sat  down.  After 
whom  Dr.  Martin,  taking  the  matter  in  hand,  bcginneth  thus. 

The  Oration  of  Dr.  Martin  to  Cranmer. 

Albeit  there  be  two  governments,  the  one  spiritual,  and  the  other  temporal, 
the  one  having  the  keys,  the  other  the  sword,  yet  in  all  ages  we  read  that  for 
the  honour  and  glory  of  God  both  these  powers  have  been  adjoined  together. 

(1)  Matt.  vii.  (2)  '■  Extra  ecclesiara  non  est  salus." 

VOL.   VIII.  E 


50  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 

Mary.    For  if  we  read  the  Old  Testament,  we  shall  find  that  so  did  Josias  and  Heze- 
"  kiah.     So  did  the  king  of  tlie  Ninevites  compel  a  general  fast  through  all  the 

A.  D.    ^vhole  city :  so  did  Darius  in  breaking  the  great  idol,  Bel,  and  delivering  godly 
^^^"'    Daniel  out  of  the  den  of  lions  :  so  did  Nebuchadnezzar  make  and  institute  laws 
against  the  blaspemers  of  God.     But  to  let  pass  these  examples,  with  a  great 
number  more,  and  to  come  to  Christ's  time,  it  is  not  unknown  what  a  great 
travail  they  took  to  set  forth  God's  honour :  and  although  the  rule  and  govern- 
ment of  the  church  did  only  appertain  to  the  spiritualty,  yet  for  the  suppression 
Temporal  of  heresies  and  schisms,  kings  were  admitted  as  aiders  thereunto.     First,  Con- 
"J^S'-       stantine  the  Great  called  a  council  at  Nice  for  the  suppression  of  the  Arians' 
aiders,       ^^ct,  where  the  same  time  was  raised  a  great  contention  among  them.     And 
not  rulers,  after  long  disputation  had,  when  the  fathers  could  not  agree  upon  the  putting 
tuaT'"      down  the  Arians,  they  referred  their  judgment  to  Constantine.     "  God  forbid," 
causes.      quoth  Constantine;  "  you  ought  to  rule  me,  and  not  I  you."     And  as  Constan- 
tine did,  so  did  Theodosius  against  the  Nestorians ;  so  did  Marcian  against 
Manicheus.     Jovinian  made  a  law,  that  no  man  should  marry  with  a  nun,  that 
had  wedded  herself  to  the  church. 

So  had  king  Henry  the  eighth  the  title  of  defender  of  the  faith,  because  he 
wrote  against  Luther  and  his  complices.  So  these  nine  hundred  years'  the  king 
of  Spain  had  that  title  of  catholic,  for  the  expulsion  of  the  Arians ;  and  to  say 
the  truth,  the  king  and  queen's  majesties  do  nothing  degenerate  from  their 
ancestry,  taking  upon  them  to  restore  again  the  title  to  be  Defender  of  the 
Faith,  to  the  right  heir  thereof,  the  pope's  holiness. 

Therefore  these  two  princes,  perceiving  this  noble  realm,  how  it  hath  been 
brought  from  the  unity  of  the  true  and  catholic  church,  the

Cut continues beyond the first 4,000 words shown here — about 492 more in the scan at the link above.

~285 words

sort  besides  the  pope,  then,  in  the  mean 
time,  let  him  be  antichrist." 

Stonj : — "  Pleaseth  it  you  to  make  an  end?" 

Cranmer . — "  For  he  will  be  the  vicar  of  Christ,  he  will  dispense  with  the 
Old  and  New  Testament  also,  yea  and  with  apostasy. 

"  Now  1  have  declared  why  I  cannot  with  my  conscience  obey  the  pope.  I 
speak  not  this  for  hatred  I  bear  to  him  that  now  supplieth  the  room,  for  I  know 
him  not.  I  pray  God  give  him  grace  not  to  follow  his  ancestors.  Neither  say 
I  this  for  my  defence,  but  to  declare  my  conscience,  for  the  zeal  that  I  bear  to 
God's  word  trodden  underfoot  by  the  bishop  of  Rome.  I  cast  fear  apart,  for 
Christ  said  to  his  apostles,  that  in  the  latter  days  they  should  suffer  much  sor- 
row, and  be  put  to  death  for  his  name's  sake  :  "  Fear  them  not,"  saith  he,  "  but 
fear  him  which  when  he  hath  killed  the  body,  hath  power  to  cast  the  soul  into 
fire  everlasting." 2  Also  Christ  saith,  "  He  that  will  live  shall  die,  and  he  that 
loseth  his  life  for  my  name's  sake,  he  shall  find  it  again."  Moreover  he  said, 
"  Confess  me  before  men,  and  be  not  afraid;  for  if  you  do  so,  I  will  stand  with 
you  :  if  you  shrink  from  me  I  will  shrink  from  you."^  This  is  a  comfortable 
and  terrible  saying ;  this  maketh  me  to  set  all  fear  apart.  I  say  therefore,  the 
bishop  of  Rome  treadeth  underfoot  God's  laws  and  the  king's. 

"  The  pope  woidd  give  bishoprics :  so  would  the  king.  But  at  the  last  the 
king  got  the  upper  hand ;  and  so  are  all  bishops  perjured,  first  to  the  pope,  and 
then  to  the  king. 

"  The  crown  hath  nothing  to  do

~4,144 words

for  that  day,  about  two  of  the  clock  at  afternoon. 

And  thus  much  hitherto  concerning  the  summary  effect  of  this 
action  or  session,  with  the  orations,  discourses,  and  articles  commenced 
against  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  also  with  the  reasons  and  an- 
swers of  the  said  archbishop  to  their  objections  and  interrogatories. 
Touching  which  his  answers,  forsomuch  as  they,  being  recited  by  The  an- 
report  of  a  papist  (as  is  aforesaid)  seem  to  be  not  indifferently  handled,  cTanmer 
it  shall  therefore  not  greatly  be  out  of  our  matter,  as  ye  have  heard  ftrentiy'" 
the  orations  of  bishop  Brooks,  with  the  reasons  and  talk  of  the  other  reported. 
commissioners,  amplified  and  set  forth  at  large  on  the  one  side  ;  so 
now  in  repeating  the  words  and  answers  of  the  other  part,  to  declare 
and  set  forth  somewhat  more  amply  and  effectually,  what  speech  the 
said  archbishop  used  for  himself  in  the  same  action,  by  the  faithful 
relation  and  testimony  of  certain  others,  who  were  likewise  there  pre- 
sent, and  do  thus  report  the  effect  of  the  archbishop's  words,  answering 
to  the  first  oration  of  bishop  Brooks  in  manner  as  followeth  : 

A    MORE    FULL    ANSWER    OF    THE    ARCHBISHOP     OF     CANTERBURY 
TO    THE    FIRST    ORATION    OF    BISHOP    BROOKS. 

My  lord,  you  have  very  learnedly  and  eloquently  in  your  oration  put  me  in 
remembrance  of  many  things  touching  myself,  wherein  I  do  not  mean  to  spend 
the  time  in  answering  of  them.    I  acknowledge  God's  goodness  to  me  in  all  his 
gifts,  and  thank  him  as  heartily  for  this  state  wherein  I  find  myself  now,  as  q^^^j^ 
ever  I  did  for  the  time  of  my  prosperity ;  and  it  is  not  the  loss  of  my  promo-  Mao'  ac- 
tions that  grieveth  me.    The  greatest  grief  I  have  at  this  time  is,  and  one  of  the  cyseth 
greatest  that  ever  I  had  in  all  my  life,  to  see  the  king  and  queen's  majesties  by  for^trufn" 
their  proctors  here  to  become  my  accusers  ;  and  that  in  their  own  realm  and  her  own  ° 
country,  before  a  foreign  power.     If  I  have  transgressed  the  laws  of  the  land,  P^"'    ^ 
their  majesties  have  sufficient  authority  and  power,  both  from  God,  and  by  the  f<fre^n  * 
ordinance  of  the  realm,  to  pvmish  me ;    whereunto  I  both  have,  and  at  all  power, 
times  shall  be  content  to  submit  myself. 

Alas  !  what  hath  the  pope  to  do  in  England  ?  whose  jurisdiction  is  so  far  dif-  The  laws 
ferent  from  the  jurisdiction  of  this  realm,  that  it  is  impossible  to  be  true  to  the  realmand 
one,  and  true  to  the  other.    The  laws  also  are  so  diverse,  that  whosoever  sweareth  of  the 
to  both,  must  needs  incur  perjury  to  the  one  :  which  as  oft  as  I  remember,  P"!"^  ^^^ 
even  for  the  love  that  I  bear  to  her  grace,  I  cannot  but  be  heartily  sorry  to  ™"  ^"^' 
think  upon  it,  how  that  her  highness  the  day  of  her  coronation,  at  which  time 


64  THE    LIFE    AND    STOUY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRAMMER. 

Mary,     she  took  a  solemn  oath  to  observe  all  the  laws  and  liberties  of  this  realm  of 

England,  at  the  same  time  also  took  an  oath  to  the  bishop  of  Rome,  and  pro- 

A.  D.    mised  to  maintain  that  see.      The  state  of  England  being  so  repugnant  to  the 

1556.     supremacy  of  the  pope,  it  was  impossible  but  she  must  needs  be  forsworn  in  the 

one.     Wherein  if  her  grace  had  been  faithfully  advertised  by  her  council,  then 

surely  she  would  never  have  done  it. 

The  con-        The  laws  of  this  realm  are,  that  the  king  of  England  is  the  supreme  and  sole 

trariety      governor  of  all  his  countries  and  dominions ;  and  that  he  holdeth  his  crown  and 

theTaws    sceptre  of  himself,  by  the  ancient  laws,  customs,  and  descents  of  tlie  kings  of 

of  this       the  realm,  and  of  none  other.     The  pope  saith,  that  all  emperors  and  kings 

^'^'d"fti     ^^^^'^  their  crowns  and  regalities  of  him,  and  that  he  may  depose  them  when  he 

pope  de-    list ;  which  is  high  treason  for  any  man  to  affirm  and  think,  being  boi'n  within 

scribed,     the  king's  dominions. 

Kings  The  laws  of  England  are,  that  all  bishops  and  priests  offending  in  cases  of 

^"•^  felony  or  treason,  are  to  be  judged  and  tried  by  the  laws  and  customs  of  the 

cannot  realm.  The  pope's  laws  are,  that  the  secular  power  cannot  judge  the  spix'itual 
use  their  power,  and  that  they  are  not  under  their  jurisdiction  ;  which  robbeth  the  king 
"nTheir  of  the  one  part  of  his  people. 

(iomi-  The  laws  also  of  England  are,  that  whosoever  hindereth  the  execution  or 

nions  for  proceeding  of  the  laws  of  England  for  any  other  foreign  laws  ecclesiastical  or 
temporal,  incurreth  the  danger  of  a  prfemunire.  The  pope's  laws  are,  that  who- 
soever hindereth  the  proceedings  or  executions  of  his  laws,  for  any  other  laws, 
of  any  other  king  or  country,  both  the  prince  himself,  his  council,  all  his  offi- 
cers, scribes,  clei^ks,  and  whosoever  give  consent  or  aid  to  the  making  or  exe- 
cuting of  any  such  laws,  stand  accursed.  A  heavy  case  (if  his  curse  were  any 
thing  worth),  that  the  king  and  queen  cannot  use  their  own  laws,  but  they  and 
^,^"^°       all  theirs  must  stand  accursed. 

Cranmer  These  things  and  many  more  examples  he  alleged,  which  (he  said)  stirred 
would  not  ]^;,^^  (.{jj^j-  ]^g  could  not  give  his  consent  to  the  receiving  of  such  an  enemy  into 

QlilTlit  tll6  .     ~  .  .  ...  '' 

pope.         the  realm,  so  subverting  the  dignity  and  ancient  liberties  of  the  same. 

The  And  as  for  the  matter  of  heresy  and  schism,  wherewith  he  was  charged,  he 

pope's       protested  and  called  God  to  witness,  that  he  knew  none  that  he  maintained. 

liioft'er-    ^^^^  ^^  t^^^*-  were  an  heresj^  to  deny  the  pope's  authority,  and  the  religion  which 

roiieous.    the  see  of  Rome  hath  published  to  the  world  these  latter  years,  then  all  the 

ancient  fathers  of  the  primitive  church,  the  apostles  and  Christ  himself,  taught 

heresy.     And  he  desired  all  then  present  to  bear  him  witness,  that  he  took  the 

All  marks  traditions  and  religion  of  that  usurping  prelate  to  be  most  erroneous,  false,  and 

ofAnti-     against  the  doctrine  of  the  whole  Scripture;    which  he  had  oftentimes  well 

musVcon-  P^o^'^*i  ^Y  writing,  and  the  author  of  the  same  to  be  very  Antichrist,  so  often 

cur  in  the  preached  of  by  the  apostles  and  prophets,  in  whom  did  most  evidently  concur 

pope.         all  signs  and  tokens  whereby  he  was  painted  out  to  the  world  to  be  known.    For 

it  was  most  evident  that  he  had  advanced  himself  above  all  emperors  and  kings 

The  of  the  world,  whom  he  affirmeth  to  hold  their  estates  and  empires  of  him,  as  of 

pope's        their  chief,  and  to  be  at  his  commandment  to  depose  and  erect  at  his  good  will 

t'mnny"    '^'^'^  pleasure ;  and  that  stories  make  mention  of  his  intolerable  and  insolent 

marks  of   pride  and  tyranny,  used  over  them  in  such  sort,  as  no  king  would  have  used 

■'^"'.'"        to  his  christian  subjects,  nor  yet  a  good  n>aster  to  his  servants,  setting  his  feet 

on  the  emperor's  neck ;  affirming  that  to  be  verified  in  him,  which  was  spoken 

only  of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  in  these  words,  "  Super  aspidem  et  basiliscum 

ambulabis,  et  conculcabis  leonem  et  draconem."  ^     Other  some  had  he  made  to 

hold  his  stirrup,^  others  he  had  displaced  and  removed  from  their  empires  and 

seats  royal :  and  not  content  herewithal,  more  insolent  than  Lucifer,  he  hath 

occupied  not  only  the  highest  place  in  this  world,  above  kings  and  princes, 

but  hath  fuilher  presumed  to  sit  in  the  seat  of  almighty  God,  which  only  he 

reserved  to  himself,  which  is  the  conscience  of  man  ;  and  to  keep  the  possession 

thereof,  he  hath  promised  forgiveness  of  sins  toties  quoties.^ 

(1)  See  vol.  ii.  p.  196.— Ed. 

(2)  "  Notum  est  illud,  quod  alibi  ex  Helmoldi  Chronico  Slavorum,  lib.  i.  cap.  SI,  citavimus,  quod 
Friderico  Imperatori  contigit,  cui  obviam  eunti  Hadriano  Papas  IV.,  strepamque  de  equo  descen- 
deuti  tenenti,  non  solum  succensuit  Pontifex,  sed  etiam,  ad  tempus,  imperialem  coronam  dene- 
gavit,  quod  sinisiram  ietiuernl  slapedem,  cum  dextram  debutsset.  Quem  errorem  excusavit 
imperator,  quod  talibus  ministeriis  non  esset  assuetus."  Rivet.  "  Jesuita  Vap."  cap.  28,  §  2. 
The  other  citation,  to  which  Rivet  alludes,  is  in  paragraph  29  of  this  same  chapter,  from  which 
we  learn  that  the  pope's  temporary  groom  was — the  emperor  Frederic  Barbarossa.  Helmoldus 
died  in  1170.  His  Chronicle  was  first  published  at  Francfort,  in  1.556.  See  also  "  Jewel's  Defence 
of  the  Apology,"  pt.  iv.  chap.  7,  div.  3.— Ed.  (3)  See  Note  (2)  vol.  vii.  p.  T)"!.— Ed. 


Ills    ANSWKIl    TO    BISHOP    BllOOKS.  65 

He  hath  brought  in  gods  of  his  own  framing,  and  invented  a  new  reh'gion,     Mary. 

full  of  gain  and  lucre,  quite  contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  the  holy  Scripture,  only  ;j — 

for  the  maintaining  of  his  kingdom,  displacing  Christ  from  his  glory,  and  holding    y',; 
his  people  in  a  miserable  servitude  of  blindness  to  the  loss  of  a  great  number  of    ^^^"• 


souls,  which  God  at  the  latter  day  shall  exact  at  his  hand ;  boasting  many  times  The  pope 
in  his  canons  and  decrees,  that  he  can  dispense  "  against  Peter,  against  Paul,  dispt"- 
against  the  Old  and  New  Testament :"  and  "  of  the  fulness  of  power  may  do  as  ajjaiust 
much  as  God."  >     O  Lord,  whoever  heard  such  blasphemy?     If  there  be  any  the  New 
man  that  can  advance  bimself  above  him,  let  him  be  judged  Antichrist!  Testa-*^ 

This  enemy  of  God  and  of  our  redemption,  is  so  evidently  painted  out  in  the  ment. 
Scriptures  by  such  manifest  signs  and  tokens,  which  all  so  clearly  appear  in 
him,  that  except  a  man  will  shut  up  his  eyes  and  heart  against  the  light,  he 
cannot  but  know  him  :  and  therefore,  for  my  part,  I  will  never  give  my  consent 
to  the  receiving  of  him  into  this  church  of  England.  And  you,  my  lord,  and 
the  rest  that  sit  here  in  commission  consider  well  and  examine  your  own  con- 
sciences ;  you  have  sworn  against  him,  you  are  learned,  and  can  judge  of  the 
truth.  I  pray  God  you  be  not  wilfully  blind.  As  for  me,  I  have  herein  dis- 
charged mine  own  conscience  toward  the  world,  and  I  will  write  also  my  mind 
to  her  grace,  touching  this  matter. 

The  copy  of  wliicli  letter  sent  to  the  queen,  ye  shall  find  after  in 
the  end  of  his  story.  While  he  in  this  sort  made  his  answer,  ye  heard 
before  how  Drs.  Story  and  Martin  divers  times  interrupted  him  with 
blasphemous  talk,  and  would  fain  have  had  the  bishop  of  Gloucester 
to  put  him  to  silence  ;  who  notwithstanding  did  not,  but  suffered  him 
to  end  his  tale  at  full.  After  this  ye  heard  also  how  they  proceeded 
to  examine  him  of  divers  articles,  whereof  the  chief  was,  that  at  the 
time  of  his  creating  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  he  was  sworn  to  the 
pope,  and  had  his  institution  and  induction  from  him,  and  promised 
to  maintain  then  the  authority  of  that  see  ;  and  therefore  was  per- 
jured :  wherefore  he  should  rather  stick  to  his  first  oath,  and  retiirn 
to  his  old  fold  again,  than  to  continue  obstinately  in  an  oath  forced 
in  the  time  of  schism. 

To  that  he  answ^ered,  saving  his  protestation  (which  term  he  used  His  an- 
before  all  his  answers),  that  at  such  time  archbishop  Warham  died,  their  a°rtu 
he  was  ambassador  in  Germany  for  the  king,  who  sent  for  him  there-  cr'!f;,"°7 
upon  home  ;  and  having  intelligence  by  some  of  his  friends  who  Avcre  was  made 
near  about  the  king,  how  he  meant  to  bestow  the  same  bishopric  bishop 
upon  him,  and  therefore  counselled  him  in  that  case  to  make  haste  ^fs","-*], 
home,  he,  feeling  in  himself  a  great  inability  to  such  a  promotion, 
and  very  sorry  to  leave  his  study,  and  especially  considering  by  what 
means  he  must  have  it,  which  was  clean  against  his  conscience,  which 
he  could  not  utter  without  great  peril  and  danger,  devised  an  excuse 
to  the  king  of  matter  of  great  importance,  for  the  which  his  longer 
abode  there  should  be  most  necessary,  thinking  by  that  means  in  his 
absence,  that  the  king  would  have  bestowed  it  upon  some  other,  and 
so  remained  there,  by  that  device,  one  half  year  after  the  king  had 
written  for  him  to  come  home.     But  after  that  no  such  matter  fell 
out,  as  he  seemed  to  make  suspicion  of,  the  king  sent  for  him  again  ; 
who,   after  his  return,  understanding  still  the  archbishopric  to  be 
reserved  for  him,  made  means  by  divers  of  his  best  friends  to  shift  it 
off,  desiring  rather  some  smaller  living,  that  he  might  more  quietly 
follow  his  book. 

(1)  "  Contra  Petrum,  contra  Faulum,  contra  Vetus  et  Novum  Testamentum,"  and  that  he, 
"  plenitudine  potestatis,  tantum  potest  quantum  Deus."  [Abundance  of  quotations  confirmatory 
of  this  assertion  will  be  found  in  bishop  Jewel's  "  Defence  of  the  Apology,"  pt.  iii.  chap.  i.  div.  2, 
p.  313,  Edition  IGll.— Ed] 

VOL.  VIII.  f 


66  THE    LIFE    AND    STOKY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CKANMER. 

Mary.         To  be  brief,  Avlien  the  king  himself  spake  with  him,   declaring 

A  T^     that  his  full  intention,    for   his   service''   sake,    and  for   the   good 

1556*    opinion  he  conceived  of  him,  was  to  bestow  that  dignity  upon  him, 

after  long  disabling  of  himself,  perceiving  he  could  by  no  persuasions 

alter  the  king''s  determination,  he  brake  frankly  his  conscience  with 

him,  most  humbly  craving  first  his  grace's  pardon,  for  that  he  should 

cran-       declare  unto  his  highness.     ^Vhich  obtained,  he  declared,  that  if  he 

^vJV"   ^("ceptcd  the  office,  then  he  must  receive  it  at  the  pope's  hand,  which  he 

king        neither  would  nor  could  do,  for  that  his  highness  was  only  the  supreme 

refulhis   governor  of  this  church  in  England,  as  well  in  causes  ecclesiastical  as 

Ms'ho^p'^'^  temporal ;    and  that  the  full  right  and  donation  of  all  manner  of 

First    ^  bishoprics  and  benefices,  as  well  as  of  any  other  temporal  dignities 

of  the  "  and  ])romotions,  appertained  to  his  grace,  and  not  to  any  other  foreign 

the'pope's  authority,  Avhatsoever  it  Avas  ;   and  therefore,  if  he  might  in  that 

supre-      vocation  serve  God,  him,  and  his  country,  seeing  it  was  his  pleasure 

king        so  to  have  it,  he  would  accept  it,  and  receive  it  of  his  majesty,  and  of 

'^'"^'     none  other  stranger,  who  had  no  authority  within  this  realm,  neither 

in  any  such  gift,  nor  in  any  other  thing.     "  Whereat  the  king,"  said 

he,  "  staying  a  while  and  musing,  asked  me  how  I  was  able  to  prove 

it.     At  which  time  I  alleged  many  texts  out  of  the  Scriptures,  and 

the  fathers  also,  approving  the  supreme  and  highest  authority  of  kings 

in  their  realms  and  dominions,  disclosing  therewithal  the  intolerable 

cranmer   Usurpation  of  the  pope  of  Rome.  Afterwards  it  pleased  his  highness," 

ingTo'^the  ^l^oth  the  archbisliop,  "  many  and  sundry  times  to  talk  with  me  of 

pope  did  it  and  perceiving  that  I  could  not  be  brought  to  acknowledge  the 

without    authority  of  the  bishop  of  Rome,  the  king  himself  called  Dr.  Oliver, 

fhe  best^  ^11  tl  other  civil  lawyers,  and  devised  Avith  them  how  he  might  bestow  it 

thts"'^'^'"  ^ipo^'^  ^^i^>  enforcing  me  nothing  against  my  conscience:  who  thereupon 

realm,      informed  him,  that  I  might  do  it  by  the  way  of  protestation,  and  so 

one  to  be  sent  to  Rome,  who  might  take  the  oath,  and  do  every  thing 

in  my  name.     Which  when  I  understood,  I  said,  he  should  do  it, 

Cranmer   "  supcr  animaui  suam  :"  and  I  indeed  bond  fide  made  my  protesta- 

under '     tiou,  that  I  did  not  acknowledge  his  authority  any  further  than  as 

uonf^'^"  ^t  agreed  with  the  express  Avord  of  God,  and  that  it  might  be  lawful 

for  me  at  all  times  to  speak  against  him,  and  so  to  impugn  his 

errors,  when  time   and  occasion    should  serve  me.     And  this  my 

protestation  did  I   cause  to  be  enrolled,  and  there  I  think  it  re- 

maineth." 

*Tlien'  both  the  doctors  professed  it  to  be  true  that  his  protesta- 
tion was  enrolled,  but  said,  it  Avas  a  mere  fraud  of  him.  Then  the 
archbishop  Cranmer  asked  them  what  he  could  do  more  in  the 
case,  Avho  thereunto  made  him  no  ansAver  at  all.  Many  marvelled  at 
this  declaration  of  his,  that  so  long  ago,  in  so  perilous  a  time,  he  had 
so  sincerely  proceeded;  and  that,  even  then,  Avhen  he  most  might  have 
adA'anced  himself  to  honour  and  rule,  Avhich  things  chiefly  men  most 
desire  in  this  world,  he  chose  rather  to  venture  the  loss  of  his  life, 
and  all  this  glorious  pomp,  than  to  do  any  thing,  for  ambition's  sake, 
that  might  once  spot  and  stain  his  conscience.  They  charged  him 
further  that  he  had  conspired  with  the  duke  of  Northumberland  for 

(1)  See  Edition  1563,  p.  1483 ;  from  -whence  also  the  following  letter  of  Cranmer's  to  queen  Mary, 
is  introduced,  and  is  headed,  "  Never  before  in  Print."  A  copy  is  however  given  in  "  Coverdale's 
Letters  of  the  MartjTs,"  printed  originally  in  1562.  See  the  reprint  of  this  latter  work,  p.  1. 
London.  1837.— Kd. 


HIS    LETTER    TO    (illEEN    MAUY.  67 

the  disinheriting  of  the  queen  ;  whereunto  he  made  answer  as  is  con-  Mary. 
tained  in  his  letter  written  to  the  queen,  the  copy  and  tenor  of  which  ^  j^ 
here  followeth.  1"j5G. 

A  Letter  of  Dr.  Cranmer  to  Queen  Mary. 

Most  lamentably  mourning  and  moaning  himself  unto  your  highness,  Thomas 
Cranmer,  although  unworthy  either  to  write  or  speak  unto  your  highness,  yet, 
having  no  person  that  I  know  to  be  mediator  for  me,  and  knowing  that  your 
pitiful  ears  are  ready  to  hear  all  pitiful  complaints, — and  seeing  so  many  before 
to  have  felt  your  abundant  clemency  in  like  case, — I  am  now  constrained  most 
lamentably,  and  with  most  penitent  and  sorrowful  heart,  to  ask  mercy  and  pardon 
for  my  heinous  folly  and  offence,  in  consenting  to  and  following  the  testament 
and  last  will  of  our  late  sovereign  lord  king  Edward  the  sixth,  your  gracious 
brother ;  which  will  God  knoweth,  God  He  knoweth,  I  never  hked,  nor  ever 
any  thing  grieved  me  so  much,  that  your  grace's  brother  did ;  and  if  by  any 
means  it  had  been  in  me  to  have  letted  the  making  of  that  will,  I  would  have 
done  it.  And  what  I  said  therein,  as  well  to  his  council  as  to  himself,  divers  of 
your  majesty's  council  can  report ;  but  not  so  well  as  the  marquis  of  Northamp- 
ton and  the  lord  Darcy,  then  lord  chatnberlain  to  the  king's  majest)^,  which  two 
were  present  at  the  communication  between  the  king's  majesty  and  me. 

I  desired  to  talk  with  the  king's  majesty  alone,  but  I  covdd  not  be  suffered  : 
and  so  I  failed  of  my  purpose.  For  if  I  might  have  communed  v/ith  the  king 
alone,  and  at  good  leisure,  my  trust  was  that  I  should  have  altered  him  from 
that  purpose ;  but,  they  being  present,  my  pain  was  in  vain.  Tlien,  when  I 
could  not  dissuade  him  from  the  said  will,  and  both  he  and  his  privy  council 
informed  me  that  the  judges  and  his  learned  council  said,  that,  notwithstanding 
the  act  of  entailing  of  the  crown,  made  by  his  father,  yet  that  act  could  not  be 
prejudicial  to  him,  but  that  he,  being  in  possession  of  the  crown,  might  make 
his  will  thereof:  this  seemed  very  strange  to  me,  but,  it  being  the  sentence  of 
the  judges  and  other  his  learned  counsel  in  the  laws  of  this  realm,  as 
both  he  and  his  counsel  informed  me,  methought  it  became  not  me,  being 
unlearned  in  the  law,  to  stand  against  my  prince  therein.  And  so  at  length 
being  required,  by  the  king's  majesty  himself,  to  set  to  my  hand  to  his  will, 
saying,  that  he  trusted  that  I  alone  would  not  be  more  repugnant  to  his 
will  than  the  rest  of  the  council  were  ;  which  words  surely  grieved  my  heart 
very  sore,  and  so  I  granted  him  to  subscribe  his  will  and  to  follow  the  same  ; 
which  when  I  had  set  my  hand  unto,  I  did  it  unfeignedly,  without  dissimulation. 
For  the  which  T  submit  myself  most  humbly  unto  your  majesty,  acknowledging 
mine  offence  with  most  grievous  and  sorrowful  heart,  and  beseeching  your  mercy 
and  pardon ;  which,  my  heart  giveth  me,  shall  not  be  denied  unto  me,  being 
granted  before  to  so  many  who  travailed  not  so  much  to  dissuade  both  the  king 
and  his  council  as  I  did. 

And  whereas  it  is  contained  in  two  acts  of  parliament,  as  I  understand,  that 
I,  with  the  duke  of  Northumberland,  should  devise  and  compass  the  deprivation 
of  your  majesty  from  your  royal  crown,  surely  it  is  untrue :  for,  the  duke  never 
opened  his  mouth  to  me,  to  move  me  to  any  such  matter,  nor  I  him,  nor  was 
his  heart  such  towards  me  (seeking  long  time  my  destruction),  that  he  would 
either  trust  me  in  any  such  matter,  or  think  that  I  would  be  persuaded  by  him. 
It  was  others  of  the  council  moved  me,  and  the  king  himself,  the  duke  of 
Northumberlaiul  not  being  present.  Neither  before,  neither  after,  had  I  ever 
any  privy  communication  with  the  duke  of  that  matter,  saving  that  openly  at 
the  council-table,  the  duke  said  unto  me,  that  it  became  not  me  to  say  to  the 
king  as  I  did ;  when  I  went  about  to  dissuade  him  fi'om  the  said  will. 

Nov/,  as  concerning  the  state  of  religion  as  it  is  used  in  this  realm  of  England 
at  this  present,  if  it  please  your  highness  to  license  me,  I  would  gladly  write  my 
mind  unto  your  majesty.  I  will  never,  God  willing,  be  author  of  sedition,  to 
move  subjects  from  the  obedience  of  their  heads  and  rulers,  which  is  an  offence 
most  detestable.  If  I  have  uttered  my  mind  unto  your  majesty,  being  a  chris- 
tian queen  and  governor  of  this  realm  (of  whom  I  am  most  assuredly  persuaded 
that  your  gracious  intent  is,  above  all  things,  to  prefer  God's  true  word,  his 
honour  and  glory),  if  I  have  uttered,  I  say,  my  mind  unto  your  majesty,  then  I 
shall  think  myself  discharged.  For  it  lieth  not  in  me,  but  in  your  grace  only,  to 
see  the  reformation  of  things  that  be  amiss.   To  private  subjects  it  appertaineth 


68  THE    LIFE    AND    STOllY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMEK. 

Mary,     iiot  to  reform  things,  but  quietly  to  suffer  what  they  cannot  amend ;  yet,  never- 

theless,  to  show  your  majesty  my  mind  in  things  appertaining  unto  God,  me- 

■^'  ^-  thinks  it  my  duty,  knowing  what  I  do,  and  considering  the  place  which  in  times 
1^56.  pjjst;  J  have  occupied :  yet  will  1  not  presume  thereunto  without  your  grace's 
pleasure  first  known,  and  your  license  obtained,  whereof  I,  most  humbly  pro- 
strate to  the  ground,  do  beseech  your  majesty.  And  I  shall  not  cease  daily  to 
pray  to  Almighty  God  for  the  good  preservation  of  your  majesty  from  all 
enemies,  bodily  and  ghostly,  and  for  the  increase  of  all  goodness,  heavenly  and 
earthly,  during  my  life,  as  I  do  and  will  do,  whatsoever  come  of  me. 

And  thus  much  concerning  this  letter  sent  to  the  queen  :  now  to 
return  to  the  story  of  the  examination  again.* 

cranmer       They  objcctcd  to  him  also  that  he  was  married,  which  lie  confessed. 
ethforhis  Whcrcupou  Dr.  Martiu  said,  that  his  children  were  bondmen  to  the 
Children,   sce  of  Canterbury.    At  which  saying  the  archbishop  smiled,  and  asked 
him  if  a  priest  at  his  benefice  kept  a  concubine,  and  had  by  her  bas- 
tards, whether  they  were  bondmen  to  the  benefice  or  no,  saying,  "  I 
trust  you  will  make  my  childrcn''s  causes  no  worse.*" 

After  this  Dr.  Martin  demanded  of  him,  who  was  supreme  head  of 

the  church  of  England  ?     "  Marry,"  quoth  my  lord  of  Canterbury, 

"  Christ  is  head  of  this  member,  as  he  is   of  the

Cut continues beyond the first 4,000 words shown here — about 144 more in the scan at the link above.

~301 words

rejoiced  to  see  this  day  wherein  he 
might  triumph  over  him,  and  take  his  pleasure  at  full,  began  to  stretch 
out  his  eloquence,  making  his  oration  to  the  assembly  after  this  man- 
ner of  sort. 

"  This  is  the  man  that  hath  ever  despised  the  pope's  holiness,  and 


HIS    APPEAL    TO    A    GENERAL    COUNCIL.  73 

now  is  to  be  judged  by  liim  :  this  is  tlic  man  that  hath  pulled  down    Mary. 
so  many  churches,  and  now  is  come  to  be  judged  in  a  church  :  this  is    ^ ^ 
the  man  that  contemned  the  blessed  sacrament  of  the  altar,  and  now    1556. 
is  come  to  be  condemned  before  that  blessed  sacrament  hanging  over  j^^j^j^^ 
the  altar  :  this  is  the  man  that  like  Lucifer  sat  in  the  place  of  Christ  eloquent 

•11  1  •  ini  1       oration 

upon  an  altar  to  judge  others,  and  now  is  come  betore  an  altar  to  be  against 

1        1  1  •  ii«  •>•)  Cranmer. 

udgcd  lumselt. 

Whereunto  the  archbishop  interrupting  him  said,  that  in  that  he  Bonner 
belied  him,  as  he  did  in  many  other  things ;  for  that  Avhich  he  would  ^^ith"an 
now  seem  to  charge  him  withal,  Avas  his  own  fault,  if  it  was  any,  and  untruth, 
none  of  his :   "■  for  the  thing  you  mean  was  in  PauFs  Church,"  said 
he,  "  where  I  came  to  sit  in  commission,  and  there  was  a  scaffold  pre- 
pared for  me  and  others,  by  you  and  your  officers.     And  whether 
there  were  any  altar  under  it  or  not,  I  could  not  perceive  it,  nor  once 
suspected  it,  wherefore  you  do  wittingly  evil,  to  charge  me  with  it."" 

But  Bonner  Avent  on  still  in,  his  rhetorical  repetition,  lying  and  unman- 
railing  against  the  archbishop,  beginning  every  sentence  with,  "  This  "f  Bomier 
is  the  man,  tliis  is  the  man,"  till  at  length  there  Avas  never  a  man  but  \°  "Jif  . 

',.  ,  0  ^  ■         •         ^  ■  11  brother  in 

Avas  Aveary  of  his  unmannerly  usage  01  him  m  that  time  and  place :  time  of 
insomuch

~2,499 words

to  be  witnesses,  and 
especially  master  Curtop,  to  Avhom  he  spake  tAvice,  etc. 

The  Copy  of  Avhich  his  appellation,  because  it  Avas  not  printed 
before,  I  thought  here  to  exhibit,  ad  rei  memoriam,  as  in  form  here 
folloAveth. 

The  Tenor  of  the  Appeal  of  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  from  the 
Pope,  to  the  next  General  Council. 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

First,  my  plain  protestation  made,  that  I  intend  to  speak  notliing  against  one 
holy  catholic  and  apostolical  church,  or  the  authority  thereof  (the  which  autho- 
rity I  have  in  great  reverence,  and  to  whom  my  mind  is  in  all  things  to  obey) ; 
and  if  any  thing  peradventure,  either  by  slipperiness  of  tongue,  or  by  indigna- 
tion of  abuses,  or  else  by  the  provocation  of  mine  adversaries,  be  spoken  or  done 
otherwise  than  well,  or  not  with  such  reverence  as  becometh  me,  I  am  most 
ready  to  amend  it. 

Although  the  bishop  of  Rome  (whom  they  call  pope)  beareth  tlie  room  of  xhe  pope 
Christ  in  earth,  and  hath  authority  of  God,  yet  by  that  power  or  authority  he  is  ".<"  ""- 
not  become  unsinnable,  neither  hath  he  received  that  power  to  destroy,  but  to  j'""^   ^' 
edify  the  congregation.     Therefore  if  he  shall  command  any  thing  that  is  not  power'to 
right  to  be  done,  he  ought  to  take  it  patiently  and  in  good  part,  in  case  he  be  destruc- 
not  therein  obeyed.     And  he  must  not  be  obeyed,  if  he  command  any  thing  [J,""^;^"' 
against  the  precepts  of  God :  no,  rather  he  may  lawfully  be  resisted,  even  as 
Paul  withstood  Peter.     And  if  he,  being  aided  by  help  of  princes,  deceived 


74  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 

Mary,    perchance  by  false  suggestion  or  with  evil  counsel,  cannot  be  resisted,  but  the 

remedies  of  withstanding  him  be  taken  away,  there  is  nevertheless  one  remedy 

■^*  ^'     of  appealing  (which  no  prince  can  take  away)  uttered  by  the  very  law  of  nature  : 
^^^"'    forsomuch  as  it  is  a  certain  defence,  which  is  meet  for  every  body  by  the  law  of 
The  infe-  God,  of  nature,  and  of  man. 

riorcari-         And  whereas  the  laws  do  permit  a  man  to  appeal,  not  only  from  the  griefs 
to'appeaf  ^"^  injuries  done,  but  also  from  such  as  shall  be  done  hereafter,  or  threatened 
to  the        to  be  done,  insomuch  that  the  inferior  cannot  make  laws  of  not  appealing  to  a 
superior,    superior  power ;  and  since  it  is  openly  enough  confessed,  that  a  holy  general 
A  general  council,  lawfully  gathered  together  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  representing  the 
superior     holy  catholic  church,  is  above  the  pope,  especially  in  matters  concerning  faith  ; 
to  the        that  he  cannot  make  decrees  that  men  shall  not  appeal  from  him  to  a  general 
Pop^-         council :  therefore  I,  Thomas  Cranmer,  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  or  in  time 
past  ruler  of  the  metropolitan  church  of  Canterbury,  doctor  in  divinity,  do  say 
and  publish  before  you  the  public  notary,  and  winesses  here  present,  with  mind 
and  intent  to  challenge  and  appeal  from  the  persons  and  griefs  underneath 
written,  and  to  proffer  myself,  in  place  and  time  convenient  and  meet,  to  prove 
the  articles  that  follow.     And  I  openly  confess,  that  I  would  lawfully  have  pub- 
lished them  before  this  day,  if  I  might  have  had  either  liberty  to  come  abroad 
myself,  or  license  of  a  notary  and  witnesses.     But  further  than  I  am  able  to  do, 
I  know  well  is  not  required  of  the  laws. 
The  first        First.    I  say  and  publish,  that  James,  by  the  mercy  of  God  priest,  called  car- 
h^^d^tl*^^  dinal  of  the  Pit,  and  of  the  title  of  our  Lady  in  the  way  of  the  church  of  Rome, 
appeal,     judge  and  commissary  specially  deputed  of  our  most  holy  lord  the  pope  (as  he 
affirmed),  caused  me  to  be  cited  to  Rome,  there  to  appear  fourscore  days  after 
Cranmer    the  citation  served  on  me,  to  make  answer  to  certain  articles  touching  the  peril 
apDear''at  "^  "^^  siaiQ  and  life :  and  whereas  I  was  kept  in  prison  with  most  strait  ward, 
Rome,       so  that  I  could  in  no  wise  be  suffered  to  go  to  Rome,  nor  to  come  out  of  prison 
^^^"^'^    (and  in  so  grievous  causes  concerning  state  and  life,  no  man  is  bound  to  send  a 
in  prison   proctor),  and  though  I  would  never  so  fain  send  my  proctor,  yet  by  reason  of 
that  he      poverty  I  am  not  able  (for  all  that  ever  I  had,  wherewith  I  should  bear  my  proc- 
come  "°*  ^^^'^  costs  and  charges,  is  quite  taken  from  me),  nevertheless  the  most  reverend 
cardinal  aforesaid  doth  sore  threaten  me,  that  whether  I  shall  appear  or  not,  he 
will  nevertheless  yet  proceed  in  judgment  against  me.^    Wherein  1  feel  myself 
so  grieved,  that  nothing  can  be  imagined  more  mischievous  or  further  from  reason. 
The  Secondly.    The  reverend  father,  James  Brooks,  by  the  mercy  of  God  bishop  of 

second      Gloucester,  iudge  and  under-deputv   (as  he  affirmeth)  of  the  most  reverend 

C3.US6  ■..""  X^«/v  ' 

Cranmer    ^^''"i'^^1)  caused  me  to  be  cited  at  Oxford  (where  I  was  then  kept  in  prison),  to 
denied  to  answer  to  certain  articles,  concerning  the  danger  of  my  state  and  life.     And 
have         when  I,  being  unlearned  and  ignorant  in  the  laws,  desired  counsel  of  the  learned 
the  law.     ^^  ^^^  \a.V!,  that  thing  was  most  unrighteously  denied  me,  contrary  to  the  equity  of 
all  laws  both  of  God  and  man.    Wherein  again  I  feel  me  most  wrongfully  grieved. 
The  third      Thirdly.    And  when  I  refused  the  said  bishop  of  Gloucester  to  be  my  judge, 
cause.       for  most  just  causes,  which  I  then  declared,  he  nevertheless  went  on  still,  and 
Darfists      ^^^^^  process  against  me,  contrary  to  the  rule  of  the  laws  of  appealing,  which 
proceed     Say,  "  A  judge  that  is  refused  ought  not  to  proceed  in  the  cause,  but  to  leave 
contrary    off."    And  when  he  had  required  of  me  answers  to  certain  articles,  I  refused  to 
'°  ^^^'      make  him  any  answer:  I  said,   I  would  yet  gladly  make  answer  to  the  most 
renowned  king  and  queen's  deputies  or  attorneys  then  present,  with  this  con- 
dition notwithstanding,  that  mine  answer  should  be  extra-judicial ;  and  that  was 
permitted  me.     And  with  this  my  protestation  made  and  admitted,   I  made 
answer.     But  mine  answer  was  sudden  and  unprovided  for ;  and  therefore  I 
desired  to  have  a  copy  of  mine  answers,  that  I  might  put  to,  take  away,  change 
And  to      and  amend  them  ;  and  this  was  also  permitted  me.     Nevertheless,  contrary  to 
promise.    ^^^  promise  made  unto  me,  no  respect  had  to  my  protestation,  nor  license  given 
to  amend  mine  answer,  the  said  reverend  father  bishop  of  Gloucester  (as  I  hear) 
commanded  mine  answers  to  be  enacted,  contrary  to  the  equity  of  the  law.     In 
which  thing  again  I  feel  me  much  grieved. 
The  Fourthly.    Furthermore,  I  could  not  for  many  causes  admit  the  bishop  of 

""''  Rome's  usurped  authority  in  this  realm,  nor  consent  to  it,  for  my  solemn  oath 

letting  me,  which  I  made  in  the  time  of  king  Henry  the  eighth,  of  most  famous 
memory,  according  to  the  laws  of  England  :   secondly,   because  I  knew  the 

(1)  Note  with  what  justice  and  sincerity  this  catholic  church  doth  proceed. 


cause. 


HIS    APPEAL    TO    A    GENERAL    COUNCIL.  75 

authoiity  of  the  bishop  of  Rome  which  he  usurpeth,  to  be  against  the  crown,     Mary. 
customs,  and  laws  of  this  realm  of  England,  insomuch  that  neither  the  king  -       — 
can  be  crowned  in  this  realm,  without  the  most  grievous  crime  of  perjury:  nor    v^',. 
may  bishops  enjoy  their  bishoprics,  nor  judgments  to  be  used  according  to  the       '^'^"' 
laws  and  customs  of  this  realm  ;  except,  by  the  bishop  of  Rome's  authority,  be 
accursed  both  the  king  and  queen,  the  judges,  writers,  and  executors  of  the 
laws  and  customs,  with  all  that  consent  to  them.     Finally,  the  whole  realm 
shall  be  accursed. 

Fifthly.  Moreover,  that  heinous  and  usurped  authority  of  the  bishop  of  Rome,  The  fifth 
through  reservations  of  the  bishoprics,  provisions,  annuates,  dispensations,  par-  ca^se. 
dons,  appellations,  bulls,  and  other  cursed  merchandise  of  Rome,  was  wont  ^""^Tr^fo 
exceedingly  to  spoil  and  consume  the  I'iches  and  substance  of  this  realm ;  all  tins  realm 
which  things  should  follow  again  by  recognising  and  receiving  of  that  usurped  j"  receiv- 
authority  unto  the  unmeasurable  loss  of  this  realm.  '"^ ' ' 

Sixthly.     Finally,  it  is  most  evident  by  that  usurped  authority,  not  only  the  The  sixth 
crown  of  England  to  be  under  yoke,  the  laws  and  customs  of  this  realm  to  be  <=ause. 
thrown  down  and  trodden  underfoot,  but  also  the  most  holy  decrees  of  councils, 
together  with  the  precepts  both  of  the  gospel  and  of  God. 

When  in  times  past  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  being  risen  in  the  Avorld, 
christian  religion  by  the  preaching  of~the  apostles  began  to  be  spread  very  far 
abroad,  and  to  flourish,  insomuch  that  their  sound  went  out  into  all  the  world; 
innumerable  people  which  walked  in  darkness,  saw  a  great  light;  God's  glory 
everywhere  published  did  flourish ;  the  only  cark  and  care  of  the  ministers  of 
the  church  was  purely  and  sincerely  to  preach  Christ ;   the  people  to  embrace 
and  follow  Christ's  doctrine.     Then  the  church  of  Rome,  as  it  were  lady  of  the  The  pri- 
world,  both  was,  and  also  was  counted  worthily,  the  mother  of  other  churches,  ™y'^f    c 
forasmuch  as  then  she  first  begat  to  Christ,  nourished  with  the  food  of  pure  Rome, 
doctrine,  did  help  them  with  their  riches,  succoured  the  oppressed,  and  was  a  sincere 
sanctuary  for  the  miserable ;  she  rejoiced  with  them  that  rejoiced,  and  wept  with  ^"    ^""^' 
them  that  wept.     Then  by  the  examples  of  the  bishops  of  Rome,  riches  were 
despised,  worldly  glory  and  pomp  were  trodden  underfoot,  pleasures  and  riot 
nothing  regarded.     Then  this  frail  and  uncertain  life,  being  full  of  all  miseries.  How  and 
was  laughed  to  scorn,  while  through  the  example  of  Romish  martyrs,  men  did  be^ut  to 
everywhere  press  forward  to  the  life  to  come.     But  afterwards,  when  the  un-  alter. 
graciousness  of  damnable  ambition,   never-satisfied  avarice,  and  the  horrible  Its  de- 
enormity  of  vices,  had  corrupted  and  taken  the  see  of  Rome ;  there  followed  ["""(g^^ 
everywhere  almost,  the  deformities  of  all  churches,  growing  out  of  kind  into  other 
the  manners  of  the  church  their  mother,  leaving  their  former  innocency  and  churches, 
purity,  and  slipping  into  foul  and  heinous  usages. 

For  the  aforesaid  and  many  other  griefs  and  abuses  (which  I  intend  to  prove.  The 
and  do  proff'er  myself  in  time  convenient  to  prove  hereafter),  since  reformation  5^p',J°J',°' 
of  the  above-mentioned  abuses  is  not  to  be  looked  for  of  the  bishop  of  Rome,  equal 
neither  can  I  hope  by  reason  of  his  wicked  abuses  and  usurped  authority,  to  have  Ju^'gi^  i"^ 
him  an  equal  judge  in  his  own  cause  :  therefore  I  do  challenge  and  appeal  in  ^^^1,.. 
these  writings  from  the  pope,  having  no  good  counsel,  and  from  the  above-named  Appella- 
pretences,  commissions,  and  judges,  from  their  citations,  processes,  and  from  all  tion  from 
other  things  that  have  or  shall  follow  thereupon,  and  from  every  one  of  them  ;  [Jj  ^''^''Jjfe. 
and  from  all  their  sentences,  censures,  pains,  and  punishments  of  cursing,  sus-  ral  coun- 
pension,  and  interdicting,  and  from  all  others  whatsoever  their  denouncings  and  i^''- 
declarations  (as  they  pretend)  of  schism,  of  heresy,  adultery,  deprivation,  de- 
grading by  them  or  by  any  of  them,  in  any  manner-wise  attempted,  done  and  set 
forward  and  to  be  attempted  to  be  done  and  to  be  set  forward  hereafter  (saving 
always  their  honours  and  reverences),  as  unequal  and  unrighteous,  most  tyran- 
nical and  violent,  and  from  every  grief  to  come,  which  shall  happen  to  me,  as 
well  for  myself  as  for  all  and  every  one  that  cleaveth  to  me,  or  will  hereafter  be 
on  my  side — unto  a  free  general  council,  that  shall  hereafter  lawfully  be,  and  in 
a  sure  place,  to  the  which  place  I,  or  a  proctor  deputed  by  me,  may  freely  and 
with  safety  come,  and  to  him  or  them,  to  whom  a  man  may,  by  the  law,  privi- 
lege, custom,  or  otherwise,  challenge  and  appeal. 

And  I  desire  the  first,  the  second,  and  third  time,  instantly,  more  instantly, 
and  most  instantly,  that  I  may  have  messengers,^  if  there  be  any  man  that  will 
and  can  give  me  them.     And  I  jnake  open  promise  of  prosecuting  this  mine 

(1)  Letters  of  protection  and  defence. 


76  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 


appellation,  by  the  way  of  disannulling  abuse,  inequality,  and  unrighteousness, 
or  otherwise  as  I  shall  be  better  able  :  choice  and  liberty  reserved  to  me,  to  put 
-^-  ^'    to,  diminish,  cliange,  correct,  and  interpret  my  sayings,  and  to  reform  all  things 
^556.    after  a  better  fashion,  saving  always  to  me  every  other  benefit  of  the  law,  and 
to  them  that  either  be,  or  will  be,  on  my  part. 
Defence         And  touching  my  doctrine  of  the  sacrament,  and  other  my  doctrine,  of  what 
of  his        kind  soever  it  be,  I  protest  that  it  was  never  my  mind  to  write,  speak,  or  under- 
doctrine.    gj^nd  any  thing  contrary  to  the  most  holy  word  of  God,  or  else  against  the  holy 
catholic  church  of  Christ,  but  purely  and  simply  to  imitate  and  teach  those 
things  only,  which   I   had  learned  of  the  sacred  Scripture,   and  of  the  holy 
catholic  church  of  Christ  from  the  beginning,  and  also  according  to  the  expo- 
sition of  the  most  holy  and  learned  fathers  and  martyrs  of  the  church. 
Craniner        And  if  any  thing  hath  peradventure  chanced  otherwise  than  I  thought ;  I 
no  here-     ^nay  err,  but  heretic  I  cannot  be,  forasmuch  as  I  am  readjf  in  all  things  to 
why^"       follow  the  judgment  of  the  most  sacred  word  of  God,  and  of  the  holy  catholic 
church  ;  desiring  none  other  thing  than  meekly  and  gently  to  be  taught,  if  any 
where  (which  God  forbid)  I  have  swerved  from  the  truth. 
He  pro-  And  I  protest  and  openly  confess,  that  in  all  my  doctrine  and  preaching,  both 

fesseth  of  {[^q  sacrament,  and  of  other  my  doctrine  whatsoever  it  be,  not  only  I  mean  and 
tobe'^ca-  j^i'^gc  those  things,  as  the  catholic  church,  and  the  most  holy  fathers  of  old 
tholic.  with  one  accord  have  meant  and  judged ;  but  also  I  would  gladly  use  the  same 
New  words  that  they  used,  and  not  use  any  other  words,  but  to  set  my  hand  to  all 

the"sacra-  ^^^  singular  their  speeches,  phrases,  ways,  and  forms  of  speech,  which  they  do 
ment  use  in  their  treatises  upon  the  sacrament,  and  to  keep  still  their  interpretation, 
brouglitin  g^j|.  j,^  ^^■^[^  thing  I  only  am  accused  for  a  heretic,  because  I  allow  not  the  doc- 
pope,  un-  trine  lately  brought  in  of  the  sacrament,  and  because  I  consent  not  to  words 
known  in  not  accustomed  in  Scripture,  and  unknown  to  the  ancient  fathers,  but  newly 
ture  and  invented  and  brought  in  by  men,  and  belonging  to  the  destruction  of  souls,  and 
doctors,     overthrowing  of  the  pure  and  old  religion. — Given,  &c. 

This  appeal  being  put  up  to  Thirleby  the  bisliop

~179 words

standard-bearer,  should  be 
overthrown.  By  reason  whereof  the  Avily  papists  flocked  about  him, 
with  threatening,  flattering,  entreating,  and  promising,  and  all  other 
means ;  specially  Henry  Sydal,  and  friar  John,  a  Spaniard  de  Villa 
Garcia,^  to  the  end  to  drive  him,  to  the  uttermost  of  their  possibilitv, 
from  his  former  sentence  to  recantation. 

(1)  It  is  happy  this  bishop  had  so  much  manners  yet,  to  call  him  gentlenian. 

(2)  This  Farmer  had  lost  all  his  lands  for  receiving  a  priest  in  the  Tower  in  king  Henry's  time. 

(3)  John  de  Villa  Garcia  was  a  Dominican,  a  pupil  of  Carranza,  and  his  companion  during  his 
travels  in  Germany,  England,  and  Flanders.  He  was  one  of  the  greatest  theologians  of  his  age, 
according  to  Llorente  ;  and  so  remarkable  were  his  powers,  and  the  successful  exercise  of  them  in 
the  confutation  of  heresy,  during  his  stay  in  England,  that,  according  to  another  authority,  the 
Protestants,  "  ad  incitas  redacti,  insidias  ejus  vitse  SEepius  struxerint,  et  ne  in  apertam  vim  pro- 
lumperent,  nonnisi  stipatoribus  regiis  comitatus  prodibat  in  lucem,"— a  very  likely  circumstanca 


CAUSES    MOVING    HIM    TO    RECANT.  81 

First,  tliey

~370 words

in  whatsoever 
place  he  listed,  without  all  public  ministry,  only  that  he  would  set  his 
name  in  two  words  to  a  little  leaf  of  paper.     But  if  he  refused,  therej 
was  no  hope  of  health  and  pardon  ;  for  the  queen  was  so  purposed,! 
that  she  would  have  Cranmer  a  catholic,  or  else  no  Cranmer  at  all. 
Therefore  he  should  choose  whether  he  thought  it  better  to  end  his  life 
shortly  in  the  flames  and  fire-brands  now  ready  to  be  kindled,  than 
with  much  honour  to  prolong  his  life,  until  the  course  of  nature  did 
call  him  ;  for  there  was  no  middle  way. 

Moreover,  they  exhorted  him  that  he  would  look  to  his  wealth,  his 
estimation  and  quietness,  saying,  that  he  was  not  so  old,  but  that  many 
years  yet  remained  in  this  his  so  lusty  age ;  and  if  he  would  not  do 
it  in  respect  of  the  queen,  yet  he  should  do  it  for  respect  of  his  life, 
and  not  suffer  that  other  men  should  be  more  careful  for  his  health, 
than  he  was  himself;  saying,  that  this  was  agreeable  to  his  notable 
learning  and  virtues,  which,  being  adjoined  with  his  life,  would  be 
profitable  both  to  himself  and  to  many  others  ;  but,  being  extinct  by 
death,  should  be  fruitful  to  no  man  :  that  he  should  take  good  heed 
that  he  went  not  too  far  ;  yet  there  was  time  enough  to  restore  all 
things  safe,  and  nothing  wanted,  if  he  wanted  not  to  himself  There- 
fore they  would  him  to  lay  hold  upon  the  occasion  of  his  health,  while 
it  was  offered,  lest  if  he  would  now  refuse  it  while  it  was  offered,  he 
might  hereafter  seek  it,  when  he  could  not  have  it. 

Finally,  If  the  desire  of  life  did  nothing  move  him,  yet  he  should 
remember  that  to  die  is  grievous  in  all  ages,  and  especially  in  these 
his  years  and  flower  of  dignity  it  were  more  grievous  ;  but  to  die  in 
the  fire  and  such  toniients,  is  most  grievous  of  all.     With  these  and 
like  provocations,  these  fair  flatterers  ceased  not  to  solicit  and  urge 
him,  using  all  means  they  could  to  draw  him  to  their  side  ;  whose 
force  his  manly  constancy  did  a  great  while  resist.     But  at  last,  when  The  rrch

~735 words

crying  upon  him,  the  archbishop,  c,',^'J",',',  t„ 
being  overcome,  whether  through  their  importunity,  or  by  his  own  recant, 
imbecility,  or  of  what  mind  I  cannot  tell,  at  length  gave  his  hand. 

It  might  be  supposed  that  it  was  done  for  the  hope  of  life,  and  Causes 
better  days  to  come:  but,  as  we  may  since  perceive  by  the  letter  of  him'tif 
his  sent  to  a  lawyer,  the  most  cause  why  he  desired  his  time  to  be  fj^g""^ 
delayed,  was  that  he  would  make  an  end  of  Marcus  Antonius,  which 
he  had  already  begun.     But  howsoever  it  was,  ]ilain  it  was,  to  be 
against  his  conscience.    *But'  so  it  plcaseth  God,  that  so  great  virtues 

of  course,  to  occur  in  the  days  of  queen  Mary  !  Villa  Garcia  was  however,  notwithslanding  this 
his  eminent  catholicity,  ])laced  in  the  Inquisition,  after  his  return  from  En{?laiul,  in  1559,  upon  sus- 
picion of  holding  heretical  sentiments,  and  his  intimacy  with  Carrauza.  Heing  at  leuffth  released, 
he  resumed  the  office  of  teaching  in  Valladolid,  and  died  there  in  l.j(!4. — '•  Scriptores  Ordines 
Pr.-edicat."  (Lutet.  Paris,  1721.)  torn.  ii.  p.  1S7  ;  see  also  Llorente's  "Hist,  of  the  Inquisition  iu 
Spain."  (Lond.  1S26,)  p.  316.— Ed.  (I)  See  Kditiou  1503,  p.  Hi*?.— Ed. 

VOT,.   VIII.  G 


82  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRA-NTMER. 

Mary,    in  this  arclibisliop  should  not  be  had  in  too  much  admiration  of  us 

^  Yf    without  some  blemish,  or  else  that  the  falsehood  of  the  popish  gcne- 

155g!    ration,  by  this  means,  might  be  made  more  evident,  or  else  tominish 

~  the  confidence  of  our  own  strength,  that  in  him  should  appear  an 

example  of  man's  weak  imbecility.*     The  form  of  which  recantation 

made  by  the  friars  and  doctors,  whereto  he  subscribed,  was  this  : 

The  Copy  and  Words  of  Cranmer's  Recantation,'  sent  abroad 
by  the  Papists. 

I,  Thomas  Cranmer,  late  archbishop  of  Canterbury,  do  renounce,  abhor,  and 
detest  all  manner  of  heresies  and  errors  of  Luther  and  Zuinglius,  and  all  other 
teachings  which  be  contrary  to  sound  and  true  doctrine.  And  I  believe  most 
constantly  in  my  heart,  and  with  m)'  mouth  I  confess,  one  holy  and  catholic 
church  visible,  without  the  which  there  is  no  salvation ;  and  thereof  I  acknow- 
ledge the  bishop  of  Rome  to  be  supreme  head  in  earth,  whom  I  acknowledge  to 
be  the  highest  bishop  and  pope,  and  Christ's  vicar,  unto  whom  all  christian  people 
ought  to  be  subject. 

And  as  concerning  the  sacraments,  I  believe  and  worship  in  the  sacrament  of 
the  altar  the  very  body  and  blood  of  Christ,  being  contained  most  truly  under 
the  forms  of  bread  and  wine ;  the  bread  through  the  mighty  power  of  God  being 
turned  into  the  body  of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  wine  into  his  blood. 

And  in  the  other  six  sacraments  also,  like  as  in  this,  I  believe  and  hold  as  the 
universal  church  holdeth,  and  the  church  of  Rome  judgeth  and  determineth. 

Furthermore,  I  believe  that  there  is  a  place  of  purgatory,  where  souls  departed 
be  punished  for  a  time,  for  whom  the  church  doth  godly  and  wholesomely  pray, 
like  as  it  doth  honour  saints  and  make  prayers  to  them. 

Finally,  in  all  things  I  profess,  that  I  do  not  otherwise  believe,  than  the 
catholic  church  and  church  of  Rome  holdeth  and  teacheth  :  I  am  sorry  that  ever 
I  held  or  thought  otherwise.  And  I  beseech  Almighty  God,  that  of  his  mercy  he 
will  vouchsafe  to  forgive  me,  whatsoever  I  have  offended  against  God  or  his 
church ;  and  also  I  desire  and  beseech  all  christian  people  to  pray  for  me.  And 
all  such  as  have  been  deceived  either  by  mine  example  or  doctrine,  I  require 
them  by  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  they  will  return  to  the  unity  of  the 
church,  that  we  may  be  all  of  one  mind,  without  schism  or  division. 

And  to  conclude,  as  I  submit  myself  to  the  catholic  church  of  Christ,  and  to 
the  supreme  head  thereof,  so  I  submit  myself  unto  the  most  excellent  majesties  of 
Philip  and  Mary,  king  and  queen  of  this  realm  of  England,  etc.,  and  to  all  other 
their  laws  and  ordinances,  being  ready  always  as  a  faithftil  subject  ever  to  obey 
them.  And  God  is  my  witness,  that  I  have  not  done  this  for  favour  or  fear  of 
any  person,  but  willingly,  and  of  mine  own  mind,  as  well  to  the  discharge  of 
mine  own  conscience,  as  to  the  instruction  of  others. 

This  recantation  of  the  archbishop  was  not  so  soon  conceived,  but

~243 words

this  while  Cranmer  was  in 

(1)  Strype  observes,  "  There  were  several  recanting  writings,  to  which  Cranmer  subscribed  one 
after  another:  for  after  the  unhappy  bishop,  by  over-persuasion,  Wrote  one  paper  with  his  subscrip- 
tion set  to  it,"  etc.  "  that  would  not  serve,  but  another  was  required  as  explanatory  of  that."  "  Nor 
could  he  escape  so,  but  still  a  fourth  and  a  fifth  paper  of  recantation  was  demanded," — "  and  lastly 
a  sixth,"  etc.  On  the  morning  of  Cranmer's  martyrdom,  the  friars  brought  him  yet  a  sevent/t 
declaration  to  subscribe,  which  he  rejected  with  firmness,  and  made  that  declaration  and  prayer 
given  at  pages  87  and  88.  Notwithstanding  which,  Bonner  had  the  audacity  to  print  this  last 
recantation,  with  the  other  six,  as  though  the  archbishop  had  really  subscribed  to  it  also.  They 
bore  this  title:  "All  the  Subscriptions  and  Recantations  of  Thomas  Cranmer,  late  Archbishop  of 
Canterbury,  truly  set  forth  in  Latin  and  English,  agreeable  to  (he  Originals,  and  subscribed  with 
his  own  hand.  Visum  et  examinatum  per  reverendum  patrum  et  dominum,  D.  Edmundum 
Episcop.  Londinensum."  See  Strype's  Memorials  under  Mary.  chap.  xxx.  See  more  in  the  Re\.  H. 
Soames,  upon  Cranmer's  Recantation.  Mr.  Southcy  differs  from  Strype,  and  says,  in  his  "  Book  of 
the  Church,"  vol.  ii.  p.  220,  "  The  probability  is  that  Cranmer  signed  an  equivocal  Recantation,  and 
that  the  other  papers, /t'e  in  number,"  etc.  "  were  fabricated  by  Bonner's  direction." — Ed. 


HIS    MISERABLE    CASE    AFTER    HIS    RECANTATION.  88 

uncertain  assurance  of  his  life,  although  the  same  was  faithfully  pro-    Mary. 
mised

~918 words

God  once  or  twice,  till  at  the  length  Dr.  Cole    •"^"'•y- 
coming  into  the  pulpit,  and  beginning  liis  sermon,  entered  first  into    a.D. 
mention  of  Tobias  and  Zachary.     Whom  after  he  had  praised  in  the    1536. 
beginning  of  his  sermon  for  their  perseverance  in  the  true  worshipping  coie's 
of  God,  he  then  divided  his  whole  sermon  into  three  parts  (according  %""°"^ 
to  the  solemn  custom  of  the  schools),  intending  to  speak,  first,  of  the  into  three 
mercy  of  God  :  secondly,  of  his  justice  to  be  showed  :  and  last  of  all,  ^^"^  ^' 
how  the  prince**s  secrets  are  not  to  be  opened.     And  proceeding  a 
little  from  the  beginning,  he  took  occasion  by  and  by  to  turn  his  tale 
to  Cranrner,  and  with  many  hot  words  reproved  him,  that  once  he, 
being  indued  with  the  favour  and  feeling  of  wholesome  and  catholic 
doctrine,  fell  into  the  contrary  opinion  of  pernicious  error ;  which  he 
had  not  only  defended  by  writings,  and  all  his  power,  but  also  allured 
other  men  to  do  the  like,  with  great  liberality  of  gifts,  as  it  were  ap- 
pointing rew\irds  for  error ;  and  after  he  had  allured  them,  by  all 
means  did  cherish  them. 

The  Sum  and  Effect  of  Dr.  Cole's  Sermon  at  Oxford. 

It  were  too  long  to  repeat  all  things,  that  in  long  order  were  pronounced. 
The  sum  of  his  tripartite  declamation  was,  that  he  said  God's  mercy  was  so 
tempered  with  his  justice,  that  he  did  not  altogether  require  punishment  accord- 
ing to  the  merits  of  offenders,  nor  yet  sometimes  suffered  the  same  altogether  to 
go  impunished,  yea  though  they  had  repented.  As  in  David,  who  when  he  was 
bidden  choose  of  three  kinds  of  punishment  which  he  would,  and  he  had  chosen 
pestilence  for  three  days  ;  the  Lord  forgave  him  half  the  time,  but  did  not 
release  all :  and  that  the  same  thing  came  to  pass  in  him  also,  to  whom  although 
pardon  and  reconciliation  was  due  according  to  the  canons,  seeing  he  repented 
him  of  his  errors, >  yet  there  were  causes  why  the  queen  and  the  council  at  this 
time  judged  him  to  death  :  of  which,  lest  he  should  marvel  too  much,  he  should 
liear  some.  First,  that  being  a  traitor,  he  had  dissolved  the  lawful  matrimony 
between  the  king  her  father,  and  [her]  mother;  besides  the  driving  out  of  the 
pope's  authority,  while  he  was  metropolitan.  Secondly,  that  he  had  been  a 
heretic,^  from  whom,  as  from  an  author  and  only  fountain,  all  heretical  doctrine 
and  schismatical  opinions  that  so  many  years  have  prevailed  in  England  did  first 
rise  and  spring ;  of  which  he  had  not  been  a  secret  favourer  only,  but  also  a 
most  earnest  defender  even  to  the  end  of  his  life,  sowing  them  abroad  by  writ- 
ings and  arguments,  privately  and  openly,  not  without  great  ruin  and  decay  of 
the  catholic  church.  And  lurtlier,  it  seemed  meet,  according  to  the  law  of 
equality,  that  as  the  death  of  the  duke  of  Northumberland  of  late,  made  even 
with  Thomas  More  chancellor,  that  died  for  the  church,  so  there  should  be  one 
that  should  make  even  with  Fisher  of  Rochester;  and  because  that  Ridley, 
Hooper,  Ferrar,  were  not  able  to  make  even  with  that  man,  it  seemed  meet 
that  Cranrner  should  be  joined  to  them  to  fill  up  their  part  of  equality.^ 

Besides  these  there  were  other  just  and  weighty  causes,  which  seemed  to  the 
queen  and  council,  which  were  not  meet  at  that  time  to  be  opened  to  the  com- 
mon people. 

After  this,  turning  his  tale  to  the  hearers,  he  bade  all  men  beware  by  this  No  state 
man's  example,  that  among  men  nothing  is  so  high,  that  can  promise  itself '"  ''"jq 
safety  on  the  earth,  and  that  Cod's  vengeance  is  equally  stretched  against  all  i,ij,i,  nor 
men,  and  spareth  none  :  therefore  they  shoidd  beware  and  learn  to  fear  their  so  sure, 
prince.     And  seeing  the  queen's  majesty  would  not  spare  so  notable  a  man  as  ^       f^jj 
this,  much  less  in  tlie  like  cause  she  would  spare  other  men ;  that  no  man 
should  think  to  make  thereby  any  defence  of  his  error,  either  in  riches  or  any 
kind  of  authority.     They  had  now  an  example  to  teach  them  all,  by  whose 
calamity  every  man  might  consider  his  own  fortune  ;  who,  from  the   top  of 

(1)  If  Cole  gave  this  judgment  upon  Cranmer  when  he  had  repented,  what  judgment  is  tlien  to 
be  given  of  Cole,  who  always  perdured  in  error,  and  never  yet  repented. 

(2)  If  all  heretics  in  England  should  be  burned,  where  should  Dr.  Cole  have  been  ere  now? 

(3)  Lex  non  aequalitatis  sed  iniquitatis. 


86  THE    LIFE    AND    STORY    OF    ARCHBISHOP    CRANMER. 

Mary,    dignity,  none  being  more  honourable  than  he  in  the  whole  realm,  and  next  the 
— ~~~ —  king,  was  fallen  into  so  great  misery,  as  they  might  now  see,  being  a  man  of  so 
A.  u.    ]^jg}j  degree,  sometime  one  of  the  chiefest  prelates  in  the  church,  and  an  arch- 
^'^'^"'    bishop,  the  chief  of  the  council,  the  second  person  in  the  realm  of  long  time, 
a  man  thought  in  greatest  assurance,  having  a  king  on  his  side ;  notwithstand- 
ing all  his  authority  and  defence,  to  be  debased  from  high  estate  to  a  low  degree, 
of  a  councillor  to  become  a  caitiff,  and  to  be  set  in  so  wretched  a  state,  that  the 
poorest  wretch  would  not  change  condition  with  him :  briefly,  so  heaped  with 
misery  on  all  sides,  that  neither  was  left  in  him  any  hope  of  better  fortune,  nor 
place  for  worse. 
Colo  en

~250 words

to  take  his  death  well,  by  many  places  of  Scripture,  as 
W^hop  to  ^^'^''^  these  and  such  like  ;  bidding  him  not  to  mistrust,  but  he  should  iiicon- 
take  his     tinently  receive  that  the  thief  did,  to  whom  Christ  said,  "  This  day  thou  shalt 
death  pa-  \^q  ^ith  me  in  paradise  :"  '  and  out  of  St.  Paul  he  armed  him  against  the  terror 
y.      ^^  j.j^^  ^^^^  ^y  ^l^jg^  ((  rpj^g  Lord  is  faithful,  which  will  not  suffer  you  to  be 
tempted  above  your  strength  :"  ^  by  the  example  of  the  three  children,  to  whom 
God  made  the  flame  to  seem  like  a  pleasant  dew ;  adding  also  the  rejoicing  of 
St.  Andrew  in  his  cross,  the  patience  of  St.  Laurence  on  the  fire  ;  assuring  him, 
that  God,  if  he  called  on  him,  and  to  such  as  die  in  his  faith,  either  would  abate 
the  fury  of  the  flame,  or  give  liim  strength  to  abide  it. 
Rejoiceth      He  glorified  ^  God  much  in  his  conversion,  because  it  appeared  to  be  only 
in  the       \^\^  work,  declaring  what  travail  and  conference  had  been  with  him  to  convert 
bishop's    liini)  ^"d  all  prevailed  not,  till  that  it  pleased  God  of  his  mercy  to  reclaim  him, 
conver-     and  call  him  home.    In  discoursing  of  which  place,  he  much  commended  Cran- 
*'""•         mer,  and  qualified  his  former  doings,  thus  tempering  his  judgment  and  talk  of 
him,  that  all  the  time  (said  he)  he  flowed  in  riches  and  honour,  he  was  unworthy 
and^^^      of  his  life  ;  and  now  that  he  might  not  live,  he  was  unworthy  of  death.     But 
masses

~22,155 words

know  what  I  have  to 

atui^pM-  ^^•"     ^^^  ^°  '^^  proceeded  forth  in  reading  my  condemnation.     And  there 

tual  law.    was  another  gentleman  which  began  to  snap  and  snatch  at  me  :  and  then  said 

I,  "  I  would  God  I  had  known  this,  ere  ever  I  had  come  from  home ;   I  would 

surely  have  put  on  my  breech,  and  not  had  my  skin  thus  torn."     And  all  this 

while  the  bishop  read  forth  still. 

Gratwick       At  last  his  chaplains  cried,  "  Stop,  stop,  my  lord:  for  now  he  will  recant." 

constant     ,^j^^  ihew  the  bishop  asked  me  again.      And  I  answered  and  said,  "  Mv  lord, 

in  Christ  p   ..i     .  i     V  ,         ^r      ,t       l^  .  ^  ■  '.■'.' 

and  in  his  '^y  laitli  IS  grounded  more  steautastly  than  to  change  in  a  moment;  it  is  no 
death.       process  of  time  can  alter  me,  unless  my  faith  were  as  the  waves  of  the  sea." 

And  so  the  bishop  made  an  end,  and  delivered  me  into  the  hands  of  the  sheriff, 

to  be  carried  prisoner  to  the  Marshalsea  again. 
Gratwick       And  when  I  was  condemned,  I  desired  God  with  a  loud  voice,  that  he  would 
after  his    j^qj-  \^y  j-,-,y  bJood  to  their  charge,  if  it  were  his  good  will ;  and  so  then  they 
nation       I'efused  my  prayer,  and  sent  me  away.     Then  I  began  to  talk  as  I  went,  and 
prayeth     they  cried,  "  Cut  out  his  tongue,  or  stop  his  mouth  ;"  and  so  I  was  brought  to  the 

Marshalsea,  and  lapped  in  iron  bands.     Therefore  I  pray  unto  God  that  they 

unto  whom  this  present  writing  shall  come,  may  take  example  by  my  death 

and  soldier-fare.     So  be  it. 

By  me  Stephen  Gratwick,  condemned  for  God's  everlasting  truth. 

Stephen  Gratwick  to  the  Reader. 

Here,  for  want  of  time,  I  have  left  out  many  matters,  because  the  Lord  hath 
hastened  the  time,  so  that  I  have  written  but  the  briefness  of  the  matter  in  pro- 
bation of  faith,  and  the  reward  of  faith,  the  which  the  bishop  of  Rochester  and 
I  debated  upon ;  the  which  matter  I  would  have  been  very  glad  to  have  set 
down  in  writing. 
Winches-       Also  much  more  talk  there  was,  that  the  bishop  of  Winchester  and  I  had 
T"^  ^\'  ti    concerning  my  worldly  friends  and  personal  estate  ;  for  he  played  Satan  with 
Gratwick  nie.     He  carried  me  up  to  the  mountains,  and  there  told  me,  my  learning  was 
with  flat-  good,  and  my  eloquence,  and  also  my  knowledge ;  save  that  I  did  abuse  it,  said 
praisfifg!    ^^^-     ^^^  i\\en  he  fell  to  praising  of  my  person,  that  it  was  comely,  and  worthy 
to  serve  a  prince.    Thus  Satan  flattered  with  me,  to  make  me  answer  unto  such 
objections  as  he  would  lay  against  me,  that  I  might  fall  into  his  diocese. 

Thus  Stephen  Gratwick,  this  christian  martyr,  being  wrongfully 
condemned  by  the  bishop  of  Winchester  (as  ye  have  heard),  was 
burned  with  William  Morant,  and  one  King,  in  St.  George's-fields, 
about  the  latter  end  of  May. 

^eben  gadl?  JEartpr^,  ^tat  l©omen  anD  Ctuo  men,  Ijucneb  at 

jaaiD^tone, 

FOR    THE    WORD    OF    TRUTH,  AND    PROFESSING    THE    SINCERE 
RELIGION    OF    CHRIST,    JUNE    18. 

I  showed  a  little  before,  how  after  the  universal  proclamation  was 
sent  and  set  forth  by  the  king  and  queen  in  the  month  of  February 
last,  the  storm  of  persecution  began  in  all  places  to  rise  (whereof 
some  part  also  is  declared  before)  :  but  yet  in  no  place  more  than  in 


THE    STORY    OF    EDMUND    ALLIX.  321 

the  country  and  diocese  of  Canterbury,  by  reason  of  certain  tlie  afore-    ^f">-y. 
said  inquisitors,  being  now  armed  witli  authority,  but  especially  by    ^  j)_ 
reason  of  Richard  Thornton  suffragan  of  Dover,  and  Harpsfield  arch-    15.57. 
deacon  of  Canterbury,  who  of  tlicir  own  nature  were  so  furious  and  xhomtoii 
fiery  affiiiust  the  harndess  flock  of  Ciirist,  that  there  Avas  no  need  of  and 

1  •  •  1  1  (•     1      •      1  •  11        Harps- 

any  proclamation  to  stu-  up  tlic  coals  oi  then*  burnnig  cruelty,  by  field  per- 
reason  whereof  many  a  godly  saint  lyctli  slain  under  the  altar  ;  as  in  ^'^'^"''"■="- 
divers  places  of  this  book  well  may  appear. 

And  now  to  return  to  tlic  said  diocese  of  Canterbury  again,  in  the 
next  month  following,  being  tiic  month  of  June,  the  18th  day  of  the 
same,  were  seven  christian  and  true  faithful  martyrs  of  Christ  burned 
at  Maidstone,  whose  names  here  follow:  Joan  Bradbridge'  of  Sta- ^he 
plehurst,  Walter  Appleby  of  Maidstone,  Petronil  his  wife,  Edmund  J'^ames  of 
Allin  of  Frittendcn,  Katherinc  his  wife,  Jolm   Manning's  wife  of  tyrs. 
Maidstone,  and  Elizabeth  a  blind  maiden. 

As  concerning  the  general  articles  commonly  objected  to  them  in 
the  public  consistory,  and  the  order  of  their  condemnation,  it  differeth 
not  much  from  the  usual  manner  expressed  before,  neither  did  their 
answers  in  eflfect  much  differ  from  the  others  that  suffered  under  the 
same  ordinary  in  the  foresaid  diocese  of  Canterbury. 

Now  as  touching  their  accusers  and  manner  of  apprehension,  and 
their  private  conflicts  with  the  adversaries,  I  find  no  great  matter 
coming  to  my  hands,  save  only  of  Edmund  Allin  some  intimation  is 
given  me,  how  his'troubles  came,  and  what  was  his  cause  and  answers 
before  the  justices,  as  here  consequently  ye  shall  understand. 

3rije  ^tocp  Of  €CimunD  Min, 

This  Allin  was  a  miller,  of  the  parish  of  Frittenden  in  Kent,   and  Edmund 
in  a  dear  year,  when  many  poor  people  were  like  to  starve,  he  fed  witlTiiis 
them,  and  sold  his  corn  better  cheap  by  half  than  others  did ;  and  ^"^'''J'^^. 
did  not  that  only,  but  also  fed  them  with  the  food  of  life,  reading  to  mination 
them  the  Scriptures,  and  interpreting  them.     This  being  known  to  johT  ^' 
the  popish  priests  thereabout  dwelling,  by  the  procurement  of  them,  ^^'^"• 
namely,  of  John  Tailor  parson  of  Frittenden,  and  Thomas  Henden 
parson  of  Staplehurst,  he  was  eftsoons  complained  of  to  the  justices, 
and  brought  before  sir  John  Baker  knight ;  who,  first  sending  for 
them,  cotumitted  both  him  and  his  wife  to  ward,  but  not  long  after 
they  were  let  out,  I  know  not  how,  and  so  went  over  unto  Calais,  ^^','J]^''' 
■where,  after  that  he  had  continued  a  certain  space,  he  began  to  be 
troubled  in  conscience  ;  and  there  meeting  with  one  John  Webbe,  of 
the  same  parish  of  Frittenden  (who  was  likewise  fled  from  the  tyranny 
of  sir  John  Baker,  and  parson  Tailor),  said  unto  him,  that  he  could 
not  be  in  quiet  there,  whatsoever  the  cause  was ;   "  for  God,"  said  he,  Aiiin  re- 
"  had  something  to  do  for  him  in  England."     And  thus  shortly  he  ^'^'^^^^ 
returned  home  again  to  the  parish  of  P'rittcnden,  where  was  a  cruel  Calais, 
priest,  there  parson,  called  John  Tailor. 

This  parson  Tailor,  being  informed  by  his  brother  sexton,  that  Aiun  ap- 
Edmund  Allin  the  miller,  and  his  wife,  were  returned,  and  were  not  p^^'"^"''" 
at  mass-time  in  the  church ;  as  he  was  the  same  time  in  the  midst  of 

(1)  In,  the  Harleian  jrSS.  No.  41C,  art.  7,'i,  is  Roger  Hall's  original  information  to  Mr.  Foxe,  relat- 
ing to  circumstances  touching  Joan  Uradbridije,  Edmunti  Allin,  and  Thomas  Rede  [or  Read].— Eo, 

voi,.  VIII.  y 


322  DIOCESE    OF    CANTERBURr. 

Manj.    his  mass,  upon  a  Sunday,  a  little  before  the  elevation  (as  they  term 
^  J)    it),  even  almost  at  the  lifting  up  of  his  Romish  god,  he  turned  him 
1557.    to  the  people  in  a  great  rage,  and  commanded  them  with  all  speed  to 
go  unto  their  house,  and  apprehend  them,  and  he  would  come  to 
them  with  as  much  haste  as  might  be  possible.     Which  promise  he 
well  performed ;  for  he  had  not  so  soon  made  an  end  of  "  Ite,  missa 
est,"  '  and  the  vestments  off  his  back,  but  by  and  by  he  was  at  the 
house ;  and  there  laying  hand  of  the  said  Allin,  caused  him  again  to 
be  brought  to  sir  John  Baker,  with  a  grievous  complaint  of  his  ex- 
horting and  reading  the  Scriptures  to  the  people  :  and  so  were  he  and 
^n"the  ^^s  wife  sent  to  Maidstone  prison. — Witnessed  by  Richard  Fletcher 
story.       vicar  of  Cranbrooke,  and  John  Webbe  of  Frittenden, 
Names  of      They  Were  not  so  soon  in  prison,  but  master  Baker  immediately 
tors!*'*^""   sent  vinto  their  house  certain  of  his  men,  John  Dove,  Thomas  Best, 
Thomas  Linley,   Percival  Barber,  with   the  aforesaid  John  Tailor, 
parson  of  Frittenden,  and  Thomas  Henden,  parson  of  Staplehurst, 
to  take  an  inventory  of  all  the  goods  that  were  in  the  house,  where 
they  found,  in  the  bedstraw,  a  casket  locked  with  a  padlock ;  and  so, 
cutting  the  wist  thereof,  opened  it,  and  found  therein  a  sackcloth  bag 
of  money,  containing  the  sum  of  thirteen  or  fourteen  pounds,  partly 
in  gold  and  partly  in  silver ;  which  money  after  they  had  told,  and 
put  in  the  bag  again,  like  good  carvers  for  themselves,  they  carried 
it  away  with  them. 
Thomas        Bcsidcs  also  they  found  there  certain  books,  as  Psalters,  Bibles, 
piiest,      and  other  Avri tings  ;  all  which  books  with  the  money,  were  delivered 
to  the  foresaid  priest  Thomas  Henden,  parson  of  Staplehurst ;  and 
after,  in  the  reign  of  this  queen,^  were  by  right  law  recovered  from  him 
again,  as  in  records  remaineth  to  be  seen. 

Thus  good  Edmund  Allin  and  his  wife,  being  maliciously  accused, 
wrongfully  imprisoned,  and  cruelly  spoiled  and  robbed  of  all  their 
goods,  were  brought  (as  is  aforesaid)  before  sir  John  Baker  the  justice, 
to  be  examined  ;  who,  taunting  and  reviling  him  without  all  mercy 
and  pity,  asked  him  if  those  were  the  fruits  of  his  gospel,  to  have 
conventicles  to  gather  people  together,  to  make  conspiracies  to  sow 
sedition  and  rebellion.     And  thus  he  began  with  him  to  reason. 

The  Talk  or  Reasoning  between  Sir  John  Baker,  Collins,  his  Chap- 
lain, and  Edmund  Allin. 
Baker: — "  Who  gave  thee  authority  to  preach  and  interpret?     Art  thoix  a 
priest?     Art  thou  admitted  thereunto?     Let  me  see  thy  license." 

Martin  Collins,  sir  John  Baker's  schoolmaster,  said,  "  Surely  he  is  an  arrant 
heretic,  and  worthy  to  be  burned." 
Private  AlUn  : — "  And  it  may  please  your  honour  to  give  me  leave  to  answer  in  the 

exm)und-'^  cause  of  my  faith  ;  I  am  persuaded  that  God  hath  given  me  this  authority,  as 
ingofthe  he  hath  given  to  all  other  Christians.     Why  are  we  called  Christians,  if  we  do 
Scrip-        j^ot  follow  Christ,  if  we  do  not  read  his  law,  if  we  do  not  intei-pret  it  to  others 
bidden  to  ^^'^'^  have  not  so  much  understanding  ?     Is  not  Christ  our  Father  ?     Shall  not 
110  man.    the  son  follow  the  Father's  steps  ?     Is  not  Christ  our  Master,  and  shall  the 
scholar  be  inhibited  to  learn  and  preach  his  precepts?     Ts  not  Christ  our  Re- 
deemer, and  shall  not  we  praise  his  name,  and  serve  him  that  hath  redeemed  us 
from  sin  and  damnation  ?     Did  not  Christ,  being  but  twelve  years  of  age,  dis- 
pute with  the  doctors,  and  interpret  the  projihet  Isaiah  ?•*  and  yet  notwithstand- 
ing he  was  neither  of  the  tribe  of  Levi,  which  were  priests,  but  of  the  royal 

(1 )  Mark,  -what  a  lioly  mass-saying  was  here ;  and  wliat  a  charitable  religion  is  this  ! 

(2)  Anno  5.  Reg.  Elizab.  '  (3)'Lukc  iv. 


persecu 
tor, 


THE    STORY    OF    EDMUND    ALLIN.  823 

tribe  of  Judah ;  neither  had  taken  any  ontward  priesthood :  wherefore,  if  we     Mart/. 

be  Christians,  we  must  do  tlie  same."  

Collins: — "And  it  shall  hke  yoiu-  honour,  what  a  knave  is  this,  that  com-     A.D. 
pareth  himself  with  Christ!"  1557. 

Baker : — "  Let  him  alone,  he  will  pump  out  anon  an  infinite  heap  of  heresies. 
Hast  thou  any  more  to  say  for  thyself?" 

ylllifi.—  "'  Yea  that  I  have,     Adam  was  licensed  of  God,  and  Abraham  was  Preacii- 
commanded  to  teach  his  children  and  posterity.     And  so  David  teacheth  in  "'Rwith- 
divers  Psalms,     And  Solomon  also  preaclud  to  the  people,  as  the  book  of  the  cense  in 
Preacher  proveth  very  well,  where  he  teacheth  that  there  is  no  immortal  felicity  t'l-'  Old 
in  this  Hfe,  but  in  the  next.     And  Noah  taught  them  that  were  disobedient  in  '^lent 
his  days,  and  therefore  is  called  'the  eighth  preacher  of  righteousness,'  in  the 
second  Epistle  of  Peter.  Also  in  Numbers  xi.,  where  Moses  had  chosen  seventy 
elders  to  help  him  to  teacli  and  rule  the  rest,  Eldad  and  Medad  preached  in  the 
tents;  wherefore  Joshua,  being  offended,  complained  to  Moses  that  Eldad  and 
Medad  did  preach  without  license.     To  whom  Moses  answered,  and  wished 
that  all  the  people  could  do  the  like.  Why  should  I  be  long?  Most  of  the  priests 
were  not  of  the  tribe  of  Levi  and  Aaron." 

Collins: — "  These  are  authorities  of  the  Old  Testament,  and  therefore  abro- 
gated ;  but  thou  art  a  fool,  and  knowest  no  school-points.  Is  not  the  law  divided 
into  the  law  ceremonial,  moral,  and  judicial  ?" 

Allin  : — "  I  grant  that  the  ceremonies  ceased  when  Christ  came,  as  St.  Paul 
proveth  to  the  Hebrews ;  and  to  the  Colossians,  where  he  saith,  '  Let  no  man 
judge  you  in  any  part  of  the  Sabbath-day,  new  moon,  or  other  ceremonies, 
which  are  figures  of  things  to  come  ;  for"  Christ  is  the  body.'  "  ' 

Collins  :■ — ^"  And  are  not  the  judicials  abrogated  by  Christ?" 

Allin : — "  They  are  confirmed  both  by  Christ  in  Matthew  v.  and  by  Paul  in 
1  Tim.  iv.  '  The  law,'  saith  he,  '  is  not  set  forth  for  the  virtuous  and  godly  ;  but 
for  men-slayers,  perjured,  adulterers,  and  such  like.'  " 

Collins : — "  Thou  art  a  heretic.  Wilt  thou  call  the  judicials  of  Moses  again  ? 
Wilt  thou  have  adultery  punished  with  death  ?  disobedient  children  to  their 
parents  to  be  stoned  ?  Wilt  thou  have  '  legem  talionis  ?'  But  thou  art  an  ass. 
Why  should  I  speak  Latin  to  thee,  thou  erroneous  rebel?  Shall  we  now  smite 
out  eye  for  eye,  tooth  for  tooth  ?  Thou  art  worthy  to  have  thy  teeth  and  tongue 
plucked  out."  ^ 

ylllin  : — "  If  we  had  that  law,  we  should  neither  have  disobedient  children, 
neither  adulterers,  neither  false  witness-bearers,  neither  ruffians." 

BaJcei- : — "  Master  Collins,  let  us  return  to  our  first  matter.  Why  didst  thou 
teach  the  people,  whom  thou  saidst  [thou]  didst  feed  both  bodily  and  spiritually, 
being  no  priest  ?" 

Allin : — "  Because  that  we  are  all  kings  to  rule  our  affections,  priests  to  preach 
out  the  virtues  and  word  of  God,  as  Peter  writeth,  and  lively  stones  to  give 
light  to  others.    For  as  out  of  flint  stones  cometh  forth  that  which  is  able  to  set 
all  the  world  on  fire,  so  out  of  Christians  should  spring  the  beams  of  the  gospel, 
which  should  inflame  all  the  woi'ld.     If  we  must  give  a  reckoning  of  our  faith 
to  every  man,  and  now  to  you  demanding  it,  then  must  we  study  the  Scriptures, 
and  practise  them.     What  availeth  it  a  man  to  have  meat,  and  will  eat  none; 
and  apparel,  and  will. wear  none ;  or  to  have  an  occupation,  and  to  teach  none; 
or  to  be  a  lawyer,  and  utter  none  ?     Shall  every  artificer  be  sufl'ered,  yea  and 
conrmended,  to  practise  his  faculty  and  science,  and  the  Christian  forbidden  to 
exercise  his?^    Doth  not  every  lawyer  practise  his  law?    Is  not  every  Christian 
a  follower  of  Christ  ?     Shall  ignorance,  which  is  condemned  in  all  sciences,  be  Pope 
practised  of  Christians?     Doth  not   St.  Paul  forbid   any  man's  Spirit  to  be  {^|fjj^"^5^ 
quenched  ?     Doth  he  prohibit  any  man  that  hath  any  of  these  gifts,  which  he  strained 
repeateth  (1  Cor.  xiv.),  to  practise  the  same?     Only  he  forbiddeth  women,  but  laymen  to 
no  man.     The  Jews  never  forbade  any.     Read  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles.     And  serip- 
the  restraint  was  made  by  Gregory,  the  ninth  pope  of  that  name,  as  I  heard  one,  tares, 
a  learned  man,  preach  in  king  Edward's  days." 

(1)  Col.  i! 

(2)  Albeit  the  positive  law  of  Moses's  judicials  do  ni>t  bind  the  Gentiles  with  the  same  necessity 
absolutely  to  every  condition,  as  it  did  tlie  Jews,  to  whom  it  was  peculiarly  given  :  yet  may  the 
Gentiles  borrow  out  of  the  same  law  such  tilings  that  shall  be  expedient  for  their  regimen,  neither 
can  they  borrow  any  laws  better  than  otit  of  Moses. 

(3)  In  time  of  pul)lic  corruption,  and  in  want  of  true  teachers,  it  is  not  forbidden  to  any  man  to 
teach. 

Y    2 


324 


DIOCESE    OF    CANTERBURY. 


Mary. 

A.D. 
1557. 

How  man 
remitteth 
sin,  or  re- 
taineth. 


The 
pope's 
keys  be 
the  keys 
of  error. 


Talk  of 
the  sacra- 
ment. 


This 
papist 
granteth 
that 
Christ 
had  a 
glorified 
body  at 
his  sup- 
per. 


The 

papists 
make 
four  per- 
sons in 
one  Tri- 
nity. 


Collins : — "  This  villain  (and  it  like  you  honour)  is  mad.  By  my  priest- 
hood, I  believe  that  he  will  say,  that  a  priest  hath  no  more  authority  than 
another  man.     Doth  not  a  priest  bind  and  loose?" 

Allm  : — "  No,  my  sin  bindeth  me,  and  my  repentance  looseth.  God  for- 
glveth  sin  only,  and  no  priest :  for  every  Christian  when  he  sinneth,  bindeth 
himself,  and  when  he  repenteth,  looseth  himself.  And  if  any  other  be  loosed 
from  his  sin  by  my  exliortation,  I  am  said  to  loose  him  ;  and  if  he  persevere  in 
sin,  notwithstanding  my  exhortation,  I  am  said  to  bind  him,  although  it  is  God 
that  bindeth  and  looseth,  and  giveth  the  increase.  Therefore  saith  Christ,' 
'  Wheresoever  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in 
the  midst  of  them;  and  whosesoever  sins  they  forgive,  they  are  forgiven;  and 
whosesoever  they  retain,  they  are  retained.'  Neither  hath  the  pope  any 
keys  save  the  keys  of  error ;  for  the  key  that  opetieth  the  lock  to  God's  mys- 
teries and  to  salvation,  is  the  key  of  faith  and  repentance.  And  as  I  have  heard 
learned  men  reason,  St.  Augustine  and  Origen,  with  others,  are  of  this  opinion." 

Then  they  reviled  him,  and  laid  him  in  the  stocks  all  the  night ;  wherewith 
certain  that  were  better  minded,  being  offended  with  such  extremity,  willed 
Allin  to  keep  his  conscience  to  himself,  and  to  follow  Baruch's  counsel  in  the 
sixth  chapter  :  "  Wherefore  when  ye  see  the  multitude  of  people  worshipping 
them  behind  and  before,  say  ye  in  your  hearts,  O  Lord,  it  is  thou  that  ought 
only  to  be  worshipped."  Wherewith  he  was  persuaded  to  go  to  hear  mass  the 
next  day  ;  and  suddenly,  before  the  sacring,  went  out ;  and  considered  in  the 
churcli-yard  with  himself,  that  such  a  little  cake  between  the  priest's  fingers 
could  not  be  Christ,  nor  a  material  body,  neither  to  have  soul,  life,  sinews, 
bones,  flesh,  legs,  head,  arms,  nor  breast ;  and  lamented  that  he  was  seduced 
by  the  place  of  Baruch,  which  his  conscience  gave  him  to  be  no  Scripture,  or 
else  to  have  another  meaning.  And  after  this  he  was  brought  again  before  sir 
John  Baker,  who  asked  why  he  did  refuse  to  worship  the  blessed  sacrament  of 
the  altar. 

Allin  : — "  It  is  an  idol." 

Collins: — "  It  is  God's  body." 

Allin  : — "  It  is  not." 

Collins : — "  By  the  mass  it  is." 

Allin  : — "  It  is  bread." 

Collins: — "How  provest  thou  that?" 

Allin: — "  When  Christ  sat  at  his  supper,  and  gave  them  bread  to  eat." 

Collins: — "  Bread,  knave?" 

Alli7i : — *'  Yea  bread,  which  you  call  Christ's  body.  Sat  he  still  at  the  table, 
or  was  he  both  in  their  mouths,  and  at  the  table  ?  If  he  were  in  their  mouths, 
and  at  the  table,  then  had  he  two  bodies,  or  else  had  a  phantastical  body ;  which 
is  an  absurdity  to  say  it." 

Baker: — "  Christ's  body  was  glorified,  and  might  be  in  more  places  than 
one." 

Allin  : — "  Then  had  he  more  bodies  than  one,  by  your  own  placing  of  him." 

Collins : — "  Thou  ignorant  ass !  the  schoolmen  say,  that  a  glorified  body  may 
be  everywhere." 

Allin  : — "  If  his  body  was  not  glorified  till  it  rose  again,  then  was  it  not  glori- 
fied at  his  last  supper ;  and  therefore  was  not  at  the  table,  and  in  their  mouths 
by  your  own  reason." 

Collins  : — "  A  glorified  body  occupieth  no  place." 

Allin : — "  That  which  occupieth  no  place,  is  neither  God,  nor  any  thing  else. 
But  Christ's  body,  say  you,  occupieth  no  place ;  therefore  it  is  neither  God,  nor 
any  thing  else.  If  it  be  nothing,  then  is  your  religion  nothing.  If  it  be  God, 
then  have  we  four  in  one  Trinity,  which  is  the  person  of  the  Father,  the  person  of 
the  Son,  the  person  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  human  nature  of  Christ.  If  Christ 
be  nothing,  which  you  must  needs  confess,  if  he  occupieth  no  place,  then  is  our 
study  in  vain,  our  faith  frustrate,  and  our  hope  without  reward." 

Collins : — "  This  rebel  will  believe  nothing  but  Scripture.  How  knowest 
thou  that  it  is  the  Scripture  but  by  the  church?  and  so  saith  St.  Augustine."^ 

(1)  Matt,  xviii. 

(2)  Not  by  any  means,  in  the  exclusive  sense  here  intended  : — "  Insignis  est  Augustini  super 
ea  re  confessio  (lib.  vi.  §  5.  '  Confess.'),  qua  sic  Deo  gratias  agit  :  '  Persuasisti  mihi,  [O  Domine 
Deus],  non  eos  qui  crederent  libris  tuis  quos  tanta  in  omnibus  fere  gentibus  authoritate  fundasti 
sed  [eos]  qui  non  crederent,  esse  culpandos ;  nee  audiendos  esse,  si  qui  forte  milii  dicerent,  illos 
Jibros  unius  veri  et  veracissimi  Dei  spiratu  esse  humane  unde  scis  generi  ministratos  ?     Idipsum 


SEVEN    MARTYRS    BURNT    AT    CANTERBURY.  325 

All'm : — "  I  cannot  tell  what  St.  Augustine  saith,  but  I  am  persuaded,  that  it    Mary. 

is  scripture  by  divers  arguments ;  first,  that  the  law  worketh  in  me  my  con-  

demnation.       The    law    telleth    me   that  of  myself  I  am  damned ;    and  this    A.  D. 
damnation,  master  Collins,  you  must  find  in  yourself,  or  else  you  shall  never     ^557. 
come  to  repentance.     For  as  this  grief  and  sorrow  of  conscience,  without  faith,  y^^^^  ,i^e 
is  desperation ;  so  is  a  glorious  and  Romish  faith,  without  the  lamentation  of  a  Scripture 
man's  sins,  presumption.     The  second  is  the  gospel,  which  is  the  power  and  J^  ]^"°^^" 
spirit  of  God.     '  This  Spirit,'  saith  St.  Paul,  '  certifietli  my  spirit,  that  I  am  the  Scripture, 
son  of  God,'  and  that  these  are  the  Scriptures.     The  third  arc  the  wonderful 
works  of  God,  which  cause  me  to  believe  that  there  is  a  God,  though  we  glorify 
him  not  as  God.'     The  sun,  the  moon,  the  stars,  and  otlier  liis  works  (as  David 
discourseth  in  Psalm  xix.),  declare  that  there  is  a  God,  and  that  tliese  are  the 
Scriptures  because  that  they  teach  nothing  else  but  God,  and  his  power,  majesty, 
and  might ;  and  because  the  Scripture  teacheth  nothing  dissonant  from  this 
prescription  of  nature.      And  fourthly,   because   that  the  word  of  God  gave 
authority  to  the  church  in  paradise,  saying,  that  the  seed  of  the  woman  should 
break  down  the  serpent's  head.     This  seed  is  the  gospel ;  this  is  all  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  by  this  we  are  assured  of  eternal  life ;  and  these  words,  '  The  seed 
of  the  woman  shall  break  the  serpent's  head,'  gave  authority  to  the  church, 
and  not  the  church  to  the  word." 

Baker : — "  I  heard  say,  that  you  spake  against  priests  and  bishops." 

Allin  : — "  I  spake  for  them  ;  for  now  they  have  so  much  living,  and  espe-  "^'"^  ''eve 
cially  bishops,  archdeacons,   and  deans,  that  they  neither  can  nor  will  teach  bishops 
God's  word.      If  they  had  a  hundred  pounds  a  piece,  then  would  they  apply  and  pre- 
their  study  :  now  they  cannot  for  other~aflairs."  Ei*"i '"d 

Collins: — "  Who  will  then  set  his  children  to  school?" 

Allin: — "Where  there  is  now  one  set  to  school  for  that  end,  there  would  be 
forty,  because  that  one  bishop's  Hving,  divided  into  thirty  or  forty  parts,  would 
find  so  many  as  well  learned  men  as  the  bishops  be  now,  who  have  all  this 
living,  neither  had  Peter  or  Paul  any  such  revenue." 

Baker  : — "  Let  us  despatch  him ;  he  will  mar  all." 

Collins : — "  If  every  man  had  a  hundred  pounds,  as  he  saith,  it  would  make 
more  learned  men." 

Baker  : — "  But  our  bishops  would  be  angry,  if  that  they  knew  it." 

Allin  : — "  It  were  for  a  commonwealth  to  have  such  bishoprics  divided,  for

Cut continues beyond the first 4,000 words shown here — about 18,155 more in the scan at the link above.

~77,102 words

for  any  of  you  all,  I  tell  you  plainly." 

Chichester: — "  Where  find  you,  that  you  are  commanded  to  reprove  me." 
Woodman : — "  '  If  thou  see  thy  brother  sin,  reprove  him :  if  he  repent,  thou 
hast  won  thy  brother.'  But  you  repent  it  not,  methinketh,  but  rather  go  about 
to  maintain  the  same.  Christ  saith,  '  He  that  breaketh  one  of  the  least  of  my 
commandments,  and  teacheth  men  so,  shall  be  called  least  in  the  kingdoui  of 
heaven;'    and  you  go  about  to  teach  men  so,  so  far  as  I  see." 


HIS    SECOND    EXAMINATION. 


347 


Priest: — "  Why,  my  lord,  this  man  is  past  cm"e.     I  see  no  hope  in  him.'         Mary. 

Chichester : — "  No,  so  methinketh.     I  will  never  talk  with  him  more.     Go  — 

call  master  Story  :  let  him  do  with  him  what  he  will.  He  hath  been  with  his  ^-  ^• 
fellows  in  the  Marshalsea,  and  now  he  is  worse  than  he  was  before.  I  had  some  155/. 
hope  in  him  the  other  day;   but  now  I  see  none."  Christo- 

fVoodman  : — "  No,  I  praise  God,  my  faith  hangeth  upon  no  men,  but  upon  pherson, 

God."  hewafre 

Priest : — "  Nay,  my  lord,  I  think  he  is  not  the  worse  for  them;   but  I  fear  proved  for 
me  they  be  the  worse  for  him.     I  know  this  man  of  old,  before  mine  old  lord."  swearing, 

Woodman  : — "  Well,  my  lord,  look  well  to  it:  will  you  deliver  me  to  other  fvoodmau 
men  to  shed  my  blood,  and  so  think  to  wash  your  hands  of  me,  as  Pilate  did  over  to 
by  Christ?     Nay,  you  cannot  be  so  discharged."  Story. 

Chichester: — "  I  have  nothing  to  do  with  you ;  but  of  my  gentleness  I  have 
sent  for  you,  because  you  said,  you  would  declare  vour  mind  in  any  particular 
matter  I  would  demand  of  you." 

Woodman : — "  Why,  I  do  not  deny  but  I  will  do  so,  if  you  do  demand  it 
of  me.  But  you  go  about  to  deliver  me  to  others  to  kill  me ;  and  I  know  that 
there  is  none  that  hath  to  do  with  me  but  you." 

Chichester : — "  I  am  not  consecrated  yet :  wherefore  my  lord  cardinal  may  Christo- 
examine  you,  and  condemn  you,  or  my  lord  of  London :  for  you  are  now  in  ^orvet"' 
his  diocese."  conse- 

Woodman  : — "  Yea,  my  lord,  is  the  matter  even  so  ?     Then   I  perceive  crated, 
whereabout  you  go.     Nay,  I  will  talk  no  more  with  you  then,  if  you  be  at  that  to  take 
point.     Ask  me  what  you  will,  but  I  will  show  you  nothing  of  my  mind.     I  the  exa- 
promise  you  I  will  not  answer  in  particular  matters,  and  so  you  to  accuse  me  ^"voJ,'^" 
to  others,  and  they  to  kill  me."  man. 

Chichester  : — "  I  go  not  about  to  kill  you,  but  would  be  glad  to  hear  your 
mind  in  the  sacraments  ;  and  if  you  understand  them  not  aright,  I  would  be 
glad  with  all  my  heart  to  show  you  my  mind,  how  I  understand  them.  For  I 
would  you  should  do  as  well  as  mine  oAvn  self." 

Woodman  : — "  If  you  would  talk  with  me  to  do  me  good,  I  would  be  content 
to  hear  you,  and  show  you  my  mind  ;  otherwise  I  would  be  loth." 

Chichester : — "  Nay,  I  will  promise  you,  if  I  can  do  you  no  good,  I  will  do  Whether 
you  no  harm ;    for  if  I  meant  to  do  you  harm,  I  could  lay  your  own  hand-  "jf^j"™" 
writing  against  you;  but  I  will  not :  wherefore  be  in  no  doubt  of  me.     How  sacra- 
say  you  to  the  sacrament  of  matrimony  ?  is  it  a  sacrament  or  no  ?     How  think  '"^"*- 
you  by  it  ?" 

Woodman  : — "  I  think  it  is  a  holy  institution,  ordained  of  God  in  paradise, 
and  so  to  continue  to  the  world's  end." 

Chichester  : — "  Lo,  now  you  shall  see  how  you  be  deceived  in  that,  as  you 
you  be  in  all  the  rest.     Come  hither.     You  can  read  Latin,  I  am  sure." 

Woodman : — "  Yea,  I  can  read  Latin,  but  I  understand  vei-y  little." 

Chichester  : — "  Come  to  me  ;  you  shall  see  that  Paul  calleth  it  a  holy  sacra- 
ment :  for  these  be  the  words,  '  For  this  cause  shall  a  man  leave  father  and 
mother,  and  shall  be  joined  to  his  wife ;  and  two  shall  be  made  one  flesh. 
This  is  a  great  sacrament.'  "  ' 

Woodman  : — "  I  remember  such  a  saying,  but  St.  Paul  calleth  it  not  a  sacra-  St.  Paul's 
ment;  but  he  saith,  '  It  is  a  great  mystery.'  "  these^: 

Chichester  : — "  Where  saith  he  so  1 "  "  This 

Woodman  : — "  I  am  not  sure  in  what  text  it  is,  but  I  am  sure  these  be  St.  P^'^^^j^., 
Paul's  words  ;  and  that  he  caUeth  it  not  a  sacrament  in  all  his  writings."  l^tc^**  ' 

Chichester  : — "  What !  the  last  day  ye  were  full  of  Scriptures ;  '  here  it  is 
written,'  and  '  there  it  is  written.'  What !  we  can  rehearse  the  Scriptures  as 
well  as  you.  Wherefore,  if  we  be  sure  it  is  written,  it  is  no  great  matter  for 
the  place.     Come  hither ;  I  will  show  you  the  place,  I  think,  that  you  mean." 

I  looked,  and  it  was  Avritten  "  Sacramentum  :"  "  I  know,"  said  I,  "  it  is  '  a 
great  mystery,'  in  the  English  translation."^  A  mys^-^^^ 

Chichester  : — "  I  permit  it  to  be  '  a  mystery.      What  is  a  mystery  ?  the  difler- 

Wooclman  : — "  A  mystery  is  (I  take  it)  unseen;  for  he  saith,  he  speaketh  ence  be- 

betwixt  Christ  and  the  congregation.     So  the  great  mysterj-  that  he  speaketh  ^"Jt"j^. 

of,  I  take  to  be  the  faith  of  them  that  be  married,  which  is  hid  in  Christ ;   the  and^  a  sa- 

which  we  see  not,  but  Christ.     But  the  deed  which  is  in  the  congi-egation,  crament. 

(1)  Eph.  V.  (2)  In  the  Greek  text  St.  Paul  calleth  it  "  mysteriuni." 


3  is 


THE    STOllV    OF    IIICHARD    WOODMAN,    MARTYR. 


Alary. 

A.D. 

1557. 


Chiches- 
ter prov- 
eth  ma- 
trimony 
to  be  a 
sacra- 
ment by 
a  pair  of 
hose. 


wliich  is  the  outward  marriage,  we  see ;  but  the  inward  marriage  of  the  heart 
we  see  not.  Wlierefore  Paul  calletli  it  a  mystery.  And  therefore  if  it  be  a 
sacrament,  it  is  invisible  to  us  :  it  is  not  seen,  as  other  sacraments  be." 

Chichester : — "  Nay,  I  tell  you  it  is  a  visible  sacrament,  seen  as  the  others 
be  :  for  is  not  the  marriage  seen  ?  is  not  the  man  and  woman  seen  ?  " 

Woodman  : — "  My  lord,  I  pray  you,  what  is  a  sacrament?" 

Chichester : — "  It  is  the  sign  of  a  holy  thing." 

Woodman : — "  Methinks  you  have  certified  me  very  well.  There  need  not 
be  a  sign  of  a  holy  thing,  where  the  holy  thing  is,  itself."  Then  his  chaplains 
would  have  interrupted  me,  but  I  desired  my  lord  I  might  say  out  my  mind  in 
the  matter.     So,  with  much  ado,  he  bade  me  say  what  1  could. 

"  There  need  not  to  be  a  sign  of  a  thing,  where  the  thing  is  itself.  Matri- 
mony is  a  holy  thing  itself,  and  is  ended  outwardly,  and  such  need  no  more  signs 
but  themselves:  wherefore  it  cannot  be  a  sacrament,  as  others  be."' 

Chichester  : — "  Lo,  how  much  you  speak  against  yourself.  And  for  an 
example,  I  come  by  a  hosier,  and  there  hangeth  a  pair  of  hose,  the  which  be 
hose,  and  be  a  sign  of  hose  that  be  to  sell  within."* 

Priest: — "  How  say  you  to  this?    Now  my  lord  hath  hit  you  home  indeed." 

Woodman : — "  He  hath  hit  me  perilously,  I  tell  you,  with  sophistry,  to  blind 
mine  eyes  withal.  I  marvel  you  be  not  all  ashamed  of  it.  I  can  answer  that 
to  all  your  shames,  if  I  might  be  justly  heard,  I  tell  you  plainly." 

Priest : — "  What,  you  be  angry  methinks." 

Woodman  : — "  I  am  not  angry ;  but  I  am  earnest,  I  tell  you,  to  see  your 
blindness  and  folly.  J  talked  of  the  scriptures  that  be  written,  and  it  is  God's 
word,  to  prove  my  matter  true  by ;  and  you  will  prove  your  matter  true  by  a 
pair  of  hose.     And  as  well  can  you  prove  it  by  that,  as  by  God's  woi'd?" 

Priest : — "  Why,  is  there  nothing  true,  but  that  is  wi-itten  in  the  Bible?" 

Woodman  : — "  St.  Paul  saitli  to  the  Galatians,^  '  If  an  angel  come  from 
heaven,  and  preach  any  other  doctrine  than  may  be  proved  by  God's  word,  hold 
him  accursed  :'  and  so  do  I,  I  tell  you  plainly." 

Priest : — "  Here  is  a  Testament  in  my  hand :  if  I  hurl  him  in  the  fire  and 
burn  him,  have  I  burned  God's  word,  or  not?  I  will  buy  a  new  one  for 
sixteen-pence." 

Woodman : — "  I  say,  you  have  burned  God's  word,*  and  I  believe,  he  that 
will  burn  a  Testament  wilUngly,  would  burn  God  himself,  if  he  were  here,  if 
he  could  :  for  he  and  his  word  are  all  one." 

Then  they  made  a  great  laughing  at  it. 

Woodman: — "  Laugh  on,"  quoth  I.  "Your  laughing  will  be  turned  to 
weeping,  and  all  such  joy  will  be  turned  to  mourning,  if  you  repent  it  not  with 
speed." 

Then  the  bishop  began  to  cloak  the  priest's  folly,  saying,  "  Why,  if  my 
counting-house  were  full  of  books,  and  if  my  house  should  be  on  fire  by  chance, 
and  be  so  burned,  were  God's  word  burned  ? " 

Woodman : — "  No,  my  lord,  because  they  were  burned  against  your  will ; 
but  yet  if  you  should  burn  them  willingly,  or  think  it  well,  and  not  be  sorry  for 
it,  you  burn  God's  word,  as  well  as  he.  For  he  that  is  not  sorry  for  a  shrewd 
turn,  doth  allow  it  to  be  good." 

Chichester  : — "  Follow  your  vocation  ;  you  have  a  little  learning.  '  We 
have  an  altar,  whereof  you  may  not  eat.'^     What  meaneth  St.  Paul  thereby?" 

Woodman  : — "  There  is  no  man  so  foolish  to  eat  stones,  I  trow." 

Chichester : — "  What  mockers  and  scorners  be  you,  to  say  no  man  will  be  so 
foolish  to  eat  stones !  it  is  a  plain  mock." 

Woodman  : — "  Why,  my  lord,  you  said  I  had  no  learning,  nor  knowledge, 
nor  understanding.     Wherefore  it  becometh  you  to  make  things  more  plain  to 

(1)  Argumenlum.—A  thing  signified,  and  a  thing  signifying,  cannot  be  at  one  time,  in  respect  of 
itself,  in  one  subject. 

Matrimony  is  a  holy  thing  itself,  signified  : 

Ergo,  Matrimony  cannot  be  a  sacrament  signifying  a  holy  thing. 

(2)  The  hose  in  a  hosier!s  stall  may  be  a  sign,  signifying  more  hose  to  be  within  ;  but  it  is  not 
a  signifying  sign  of  itself.     Neither  again  is  every  sign  of  another  thing  to  be  called  a  sacrament. 

(3)  Gal.  i. 

(4)  Letters  written  in  the  book,  speaking  properly,  be  one  thing  :  the  Testament  and  word  of 
God  is  another  thing.  And  yet,  by  use  of  speech,  the  book  of  the  Testament  is  called  the  Testa- 
ment, as  bread  and  wine  be  called  the  body  and  blood  of  the  Lord. 

{.■))  Hcb.  xiii. 


HIS    SECOND    KXAMIXATION.  349 

nie,  and  not  to  ask  me  sncii  dark  questions,  and  yet  blame  me  too  ;  methinks     Mary. 
it  is  too  much," 


Chichester : — "  I  dare  say,  you  know  what  it  meaneth  well  enough.  The  a-^- 
most  fool  in  my  house  will  understand  my  meaning  better  than  you  do."  iooi. 

There  stood  some  of  his  men  not  far  off,  talking  together  beside  a  window. 
He  called  one  of  them  by  his  name. 

Chichester  : — "  Come  hither.    I  say  to  thee,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  this  table. 
What  do  I  mean  thereby?" 

The  Man  : — "  Forsooth,  my  lord,  you  would  not  have  me  eat  of  this  table  ;"  chiches- 
laying  his  hand  thereupon.  ter  rightly 

With  this  answer  he  made  all  them  in  the  house  to  fall  on  laughing ;  and  I  of  Ws^"^*^ 
could  not  hold  it  in,  but  burst  out  with  laughter,  and  said,  "  He  hath  expounded  man,  ac- 
the  matter  almost  as  well  as  I."  to'hi"" 

Chichester  : — "  He  meaneth  well  enough,  if  you  would  understand  him. —  question. 
Answer  me  again,  to  make  it  more  plain.     I  say  to  thee.  Thou  shalt  not  eat  of 
this  table.     What  mean  I  thereby?" 

The  Alan  : — "  Forsooth  you  would  not  have  me  eat  this  table." 
These  words  made  them  all  laugh  :  wherewith  the  bishop  was  almost  angry, 
because  the  answer  proved  no  better,"  and  said,  "  He  meaneth  that  I  would  not 
have  him  eat  any  of  the  meat  that  is  set  upon  this  table.      How  sayest  thou  ? 
dost  thou  not  mean  so  ?  " 

27ie  Man : — "  Yes  forsooth,  my  lord,  that  was  my  meaning  indeed." 
Woodman  : — "  Yea,  my  lord,  now  you  have  told  him  what  you  mean,  he  can  Ait,  aio! 
say  so  too ;  and  so  could  I  have  done  (as  little  wit  as  I  have),  if  you  had  said, 
Paul  meant  that  no  man  might  eat  of  that  which  was  offered  upon  the  altar, 
but  the  priests." 

Chichester : — "  Yea,  I  perceive  you  understand  the  meaning  of  Paid  well 
enough,  but  that  you  list  to  cavil  with  me." 

Woodman : — "  Why  my  lord,  do  you  think  I  understand  such  dark  places  of 
the  Scripture,  without  learning  ?  You  said  even  now,  I  had  no  knowledge  nor 
learning  ;  wherefore  I  answered  you,  as  you  judged  of  me." 

Chidiester : — "  Well,  let  this  matter  pass,  and  let  us  turn  to  the  principal  Sacra- 
again.     How  say  you  by  the  sacrament  of  the  altar?"  ti'*^"\t^'^ 

Woodman  : — "You  mean  the  sacrament  of  the  body  and  blood  of  Jesus  Christ." 
Chichester : — "  I  mean  the  sacrament  of  the  altar,  and  so  I  say." 
Woodman: — "  You  mean  Christ  to  be  the  altar,  do  you  not?" 
Chichester : — "  I  mean  the  sacrament  of  the  altar  in  the  church.     What !  is 
it  so  strange  to  you  ?" 

Woodman: — "  It  is  strange  to  me  indeed,  if  you  mean  the  altar  of  stone."      The  altar 
Chichester :—"  It  is  that  altar  that  I  mean."  1'°^^^''  '^ 

WoodwMn: — "  I  understand  not  the  altar  so."  taken, 

Chichester  : — "  No,   I  think  so  indeed ;  and  that  is  the  cause  that  you  be  and 
deceived.     I  pray  you,  how  do  you  understand  the  altar  then?"  J^ 

Woodman : — "  If  you  will  give  me  leave  till  I  have  done,  I  will  show  you 
how  I  understand  the  altar,  and  where  it  is." 

Chichester : — "  Yes,  you  shall  have  leave  to  say  your  mind,  as  much  as  you 
will." 

Woodman: — "It  is  written  in  Matthew  xviii.  "That  wheresoever  two  or 
three  be  gathered  together  in  Christ's  name,  there  is  he  in  the  midst  among 
them  :  and  whatsoever  they  ask  the  Father  upon  earth,  it  shall  be  granted  them 
in  heaven.'  Agi'eeing  to  the  fifth  of  Matthew,  saying,  '  When  thou  comest  to 
offer  thy  gift  at  the  altar,  and  there  rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  aught 
against  thee,  leave  there  thy  offering,  and  go  first  and  be  reconciled  to  thy 
brother,  and  then  offer  thy  gift.'  "  The  priests  would  have  inteiTupted  me,  but 
the  bishop  bade  them  let  me  alone. 

Chichester : — "  You  shall  hear  a  pretty  conclusion  anon." 

Woodman  : — "  I  pray  you  let  me  make  an  end,  and  then  find  fault  with  me,  Christ 
if  you  can.     Now  to  the  matter.     In  these  two  places  of  Scripture,  I  prove  that  the  true 
Christ  is  the  true  altar,  whereon  every  christian  man  and  woman  ought  to  come  altar. 
and  offer  their  gifts.     First,  wheresoever  the  people  are  gathered  together  in  The  place 
Christ's  name,  there  is  he  in  the  midst;  and  where  he  is,  there  is  the  altar:  so  ofMatt.v. 
that  we  may  be  bold  to  come  and  offer  our  gift,  if  we  be  in  love  and  charity.    If  pj'"*"" 
we  be  not,  we  must  leave  there  our  offering,  and  go  first  and  be  reconciled  to 


S50  THE    STORY    OF    RICHARD    WOODMAN,    MARTYR. 


A.D. 

1557. 


Mary,  our  brother,  and  agree  with  him  quickly,  and  so  forth  ;  and  tlien  come  and  offer 
the  gift.  Some  will  say,  How  shall  I  agree  with  my  adversary,  when  he  is  not 
nigh  by  a  hundred  miles  1  may  I  not  pray  till  I  have  spoken  with  him  ?  To  all 
such  I  answered,  If  thou  presume  to  pray  among  the  faithful,  wishing  any  evil 
to  any  man,  woman,  or  child,  thou  askest  vengeance  upon  thyself;  for  no  such 
asketh  any  thing  else  of  the  Lord  in  his  prayer.  Wherefore  agree  with  thy 
adversary,  that  is,  make  thy  life  agreeable  to  God's  word.  Say  in  thy  heart 
without  dissimulation,  that  thou  askest  God  and  all  the  world  forgiveness  from 
the  bottom  of  thy  heart,  intending  never  to  offend  them  any  more.  Then  all 
such  may  be  bold  to  come  and  offer  their  gift,  their  prayer  on  the  altar,  where 
the  people  of  God  be  gathered  together.  Thus  have  I  showed  you  my  mind, 
both  of  the  altar,  and  of  the  offering,  as  I  understand  it." 

Chichester: — "  Do  you  understand  the  offering  and  the  altar  so?  I  never 
heard  any  man  understand  it  so ;  no  not  Luther  the  great  heretic,  that  was  con- 
demned by  a  general  council,  and  his  picture  burned." 

Woodman: — "  If  he  were  a  heretic,  I  think  he  understood  it  not  so  indeed  ; 
but  I  am  sure  all  Christians  ought  to  understand  it  so." 

Chichester: — "  Oh  !  what  vain  glory  is  in  you,  as  though  you  understood  all 
things,  and  other  men  nothing.  Hear  me :  I  will  show  you  the  true  under- 
standing, both  of  the  altar,  and  the  offering  on  the  altar.  '  We  have  an  altar,' 
said  Paul,  '  that  ye  may  not  eat  of:'  >  meaning  thereby,  that  no  man  might  eat 
of  that  which  was  offered  on  the  altar,  but  the  priest.  For  in  Paul's  time,  all 
the  living  that  the  priest  had,  the  people  came  and  offered  it  on  the  altar,  money, 
or  other  things  :  and  when  the  people  came  to  offer  it,  and  then  remembered 
tliat  they  had  any  thing  against  their  brother,  then  they  left  their  offering  upon 
the  altar,  and  went  and  were  reconciled  to  their  brother  ;  and  they  came  again 
and  offered  their  gift,  and  the  priest  had  it.  This  is  the  true  understanding  of 
the  place  that  you  have  rehearsed  :  wherefore  you  be  deceived." 

Woodman  : — "  My  lord,  that  was  the  use  in  the  old  law.     Christ  was  the  end 
of  that.     But  indeed  I  perceive  by  Paul's  words,  the  sacrifice  was  offered  in 
Paul's  time ;  yet  that  maketh  not  that  it  was  well  done,  but  he  rebuked  it. 
Wherefore  it  seemeth  to  me,  that  you  be  deceived." 
The  ca-  Chichester: — "  Who  shall  be  judges  betwixt  us  in  this  matter?" 

w^ii'ifot         Woodman: — "  The  twelfth  of  John  declareth  who  shall  be  judge  in  the  last 
have  the    day." 

word  to  Chichester: — "  You  mean  the  word  shall  judge  the  word.  How  can  that  be  ?" 

judge.  Woodman : — "  St.  Peter  saith,    '  The   scripture  hath  no  private  interpreta- 

tion:' but  one  scripture  must  be  understood  by  another." 

Chichester: — "  You  will  understand  it  one  way,  and  I  will  understand  it 
another  way  ;  and  who  shall  be  judges  betwixt  us  then  ?" 
Woodman       Wood?nan : — "  The  true  church  of  God  is  able  to  discuss  all  doubts ;  to  whom 

himsdfto  I  ^'^^^^  i^-" 

the  true         Chichester: — "  I  am  glad  you  say  so,  if  you  will  say  so  indeed." 

church.  Woodman : — "  My  lord,  I  never  meant  otherwise." 

Chichester : — "  The  church  of  God  doth  allow  the  sacrament  of  the  altar." 
Woodman : — "  What  do  you  offer  now  upon  the  altar  ?" 

Chichester : — "  We  offer  up,  in  the  blessed  sacrament  of  the  altar,  the  body  of 
Christ,  to  pacify  the  wrath  of  God  the  Father  ;"  2  and  therewith  they  all  put  off 
their  caps  to  the  abominable  idol. 

Woodman : — "  St.  Paul  saith  to  the  Hebrews,  '  We  are  sanctified  by  offering 
of  the  body  of  Jesus  Christ  upon  the  cross  once  for  all  :'^  and  every  priest  is 
daily  ministering,  and  oftentimes  offereth  one  manner  of  offering,  which  can 
makT  never  take  away  sins  ;'  and  that  is  the  offering  that  you  use  to  offer.  As  far  as 
them-  I  can  see,  you  be  priests  after  the  order  of  Aaron,  that  offered  up  sacrifice  for 
priest's,      ^^"iexx  own  sins,  and  the  sins  of  the  people." 

not  after  Chichester : — "  Nay,  Aaron's  sacrifice  was  with  blood,  which  signifieth  the 
of  Aaro"  death  of  Christ,  the  which  was  ended  upon  the  cross  by  his  bloodshedding  :  but 
but  of  '  we  are  priests  after  the  order  of  Melchizedech,  the  which  offereth  bread  to  the 
^^y^^y  '^i.^g  i»  remembrance,  and  signifieth  the  giving  of  Christ's  body  in  bread  and 
wine  at  the  last  Supper,  the  which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  and  commanded  it 

(1)  Heb.  xiii. 

(2)  Here  is  a  doctrine  prejudicial  to  Christ's  passion  to  say,  that  the  sacrament  of  the  altar  doth 
pacify  the  wrath  of  God. 

(3)  Heb.  X. 


The  ca- 
tholics 


HIS    SECOND    EXAMINATION.  351 

to  be  used  to  the  end  of  the  world.     This  is  the  sacrifice  that  we  offer,  accord-    Mary, 
ms  to  his  word." 


Woodman : — "  Methinketh  you  have  made  the  matter  very  plain  to  me,  that  y^ri' 
as  Christ  was  the  end  of  all  sacrifices,  so  was  he  the  beginning  of  the  sacra-  ^•^^'- 
ments,  willing  them  to  be  used  in  the  remembrance  of  him,  to  the  world's  end." 

Chichester : — "  What,  in  remembrance  of  him,  and  not  himself,  as  his  word 
saith,  '  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  body  !'  It  is  not  the  sign  only,  but  the  thing  itself. 
How  say  you  ?  Is  it  not  his  body,  after  the  words  be  spoken  by  the  priest  ? 
How  say  you?     Go  briefly  to  work,  for  I  cannot  long  tarry  with  you."' 

Woodman : — "  My  lord,  if  you  will  answer  me  to  one  sacrament,  I  will 
answer  you  to  another." 

Chichester: — "  Yes,  I  am  very  well  contented  with  that." 

Woodman  : — "  If  you  say  the  words  of  baptism  over  the  water,  and  there  be  whether 
no  child  there,  is  there  true  baptism?"  ^^^  words 

Chichester : — "  No,  there  must  be  the  water,  the  word,  and  the  child ;  and  ^ake  the 
then  it  is  baptism."  sacra- 

Woodfnan  : — "  Very  well.  Then  if  a  child  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  ^p"is°j 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  it  is  not  truly  baptized."  without' 

Chichester : — "  No  :  the  child  must  be  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  tj^*^  '^l"''^ 
and  of  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost;  or  else  it  is  not  truly  baptized."  bebap- 

Woodman : — "  Then  there  may  be  nothing  added  nor  taken  away  from  the  tized. 
sacraments  :  may  there  ?" 

Chichester: — "  No,"  said  the  bishop. 

Woodman: — "  Now,  my  lord,  I  will  answer  to  you,  if  it  please  you," 

Chichester: — "  Well,  how  say  you,  'Take,  eat;  this  is  my  body:'  is  it  not 
Christ's  body,  as  soon  as  the  words  be  said?" 

Woodman: — "My  lord,   I  will  answer  you  by  your  own  words,  that  you  xhe word, 
answered  me,  which  is  true :   the  water,  the  word,   and  the  child,  all  these  water.and 
together  make  baptism;  the  bread,  wine,  and  the  word  make  the  sacrament;  n,akebap- 
and  the  eater,  eating  in  true  faith,  maketh  it  his  body.     Here  I  prove  it  is  not  tism :  so 
Christ's  body,  but  to  the  faithful  receiver :  for  he  said,  '  Take,  eat,  this  is  my  {^'j^j^J'"^''' 
body.'  He  called  it  not  his  body  before  eating,  but  after  eating.  And  St.  Angus-  and  the 
tine  saith,  '  Believe,  and  thou  hast  eaten.'-  And  St.  John  saith,  '  He  that  believeth  receiver, 
in  God,  dwelleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him  :'  wherefore  it  is  impossible  to  dwell  "gra-''^*^ 
in  God,  and  to  eat  his  body,  without  a  true  faith."  ment  of 

Priest : — "  Then  the  faith  of  the  receiver  maketh  it  his  body,  and  not  his  the  Lord's 
word,  by  your  saying.     I  pray  you  what  did  Judas  eat  ?"  ,^^^  j^j^j^ 

Woodman  : — "  Judas  did  eat  the  sacrament  of  Christ,  and  the  devil  withal."   of  the  re- 

Priest .— "  He  eat  the  body  of  Christ  unworthily,  as  St.  Paul  saith."  '^'"'I^h  i 

Woodman  : — "  Nay,  St.  Paul  saith  no  such  thing.  He  speaketh  not  of  eating  J^,ebodV. 
of  his  body  unworthily,  but  of  the  sacrament  unworthily.  For  he  saith,  'Who-  if  judas 
soever  eateth  of  this  bread,  and  drinketh  of  this  cup  imworthily,  eateth  and  did  eat  ^ 
drinketh  his  own  damnation,  because  he  maketh  no  difference  of  the

Cut continues beyond the first 4,000 words shown here — about 73,102 more in the scan at the link above.

~775 words

be  done,  and  not  mine.""* 

Bailed  Not  loug  after  this  (most  happily)  followed  the  death  of  queen 

sureties  Mary,  after  whom  succeeded  our  queen  that  now  is ;  at  which  time 
this  Elizabeth  Lawson  remained  yet  still  in  Bury  prison,  till  at  last 
she  was  bailed  upon  sureties,  or  else  she  could  not  be  delivered.  For 
she  being  a  condemned  person,  neither  the  temporalty,  nor  yet 
spiritual  authority,  would  discharge  her  without  sureties. 

Now,  she  being  abroad,  and  her  sureties  made  afraid  by  wicked 
men,  they  said,  they  would  cast  her  again  in  prison,  except  she  would 
see  them  discharged. 

Then  she  got  a  supplication  to  go  unto  the  queen"'s  majesty,  and 
came  to  a  friend  of  hers,  to  have  his  counsel  therein ;  who  willed  her 
to  stay  a  while,  because  she  was  old,  the  days  short,  and  the  expenses 
great,  and  winter  foul  (for  it  was  a  little  before  Christmas),  and  to 
tarry  until  summer.     In  the  mean  time  God  brake  the  bond,   and 


FROM    BURNING,    IN    QUEEN    MARY's    DAYS.  549 

shortened  her  journey  ;  for  he  took  her  home  to  hhnself  out  of  this    Mary. 
hfe  in  peace.  ^  j) 

This  good  old  woman,  long  before  she  went  to  prison,  had  the  1558. 
falling-sickness,  and  told  a  friend  of  hers,  one  Simon  Harlston,  after  Lawson, 
she  was  apprehended,  that  she  never  had  it  more,  but  lived  in  good  ^^°t'{f[^g 
health  and  joy  of  heart,  through  our  Lord  Christ.  failing 

She  had  a  very  unkind  man  to  her  husband,  who  while  she  was  in  but  "fteV 
prison,  sold  away  her  raiment,  and  would  not  help  her;  and  after  ^^[jJJ"*^" 
she  was  out  of  prison,   she  returned  home  unto  him,  yet  would  he  pever  feit 
show  her  no  kindness,  nor  help  her  neither ;  and  yet  the  house  and  ' 
land  that  he  dwelt  in,  he  had  by  her :  wherefore  as  long  as  she  lived, 
she  was  found  of  the  conffregation. 

The  said  Elizabeth  Lawson  also  had  a  sister,  wife  to  one  Robert 
Hollon  in  Mickfield  in  the  same  county  of  Suffolk,  which  likewise 
was  persecuted  and  driven  out  from  house  to  house,  and  a  young 
man  her  son  with  her,  because  they  would  not  go  to  the  church  to 
hear  mass,  and  receive  the  sacrament  of  the  altar. 

THOMAS    CHRISTENMASS    AND    WILLIAM    WATS. 

In  this  perilous  rage  of  queen  Mary''s  reign  were  two  men  perse- 
cuted, one  called  Thomas  Christenmass,  the  oth^r  William  Wats,  of 
Tunbridge  in  Kent.      As  these  travelled  from  place  to  place,  not 
resting  two  nights  together  in  one  place,  it  happened  them  on  a  time 
to  come  to  Rochester  in  Kent,  where,  as  they  [were]  entering  into 
the  town,  even  at  the  town''s  end,  [they]  met  with  a  little  damsel  of 
eight  years  of  age ;  but  whither  she  went,  they  knew  not.     It  was 
then  night,  and  they  weary  ;  and  fain  therefore  would  have  lien  in 
the  same  town,  but  could  not  tell  where,  they  feared  so  the  bloody 
catholics.      At  last  they  devised  to  ask  the  damsel,  whether  there 
were  any  heretics  in  the  town,  or  no  ?  and  she  said.  Yea.     They 
asked  her,  Where?     She  answered  them.  At  such  an  inn:  telling  God's  pro- 
them  the  name,  and  where  the  inn  was.      Shortly  after,  as  they  upon"*^'' 
were  gone  from  her,  they  bethought  themselves  better,  and  God  so  christen- 
moving  their  hearts,  they  went  to  the  child  again,  and  asked  her  how  mass  and 

o         '  Williani 

she  knew  that  the  innkeeper  (of  whom  she  spake  before)  was  a  wats. 
heretic.  "  Marry,"  quoth  she,  "  well  enough,  and  his  wife  also." 
"  How  knowest  thou,  pretty  maiden?"  said  they  :  "  I  pray  thee  tell 
us."  "  How  know  I  ?'"'  said  she  ;  "  marry,  because  they  go  to  the 
church  ;  and  those  that  will  not  hold  up  their  hands  there,  they  will 
present  them.  And  he  himself  goeth  from  house  to  house,  to  compel 
them  to  come  to  church."  When  these  two  men  heard  this,  they 
gave  God  praise,  and  avoided  that  house,  taking  the  warning  of  that 
maid  (of  good  bringing-up,  as  it  should  seem),  to  be  God's  marvellous 
providence  towards  them. 

ANOTHER    ESCAPE    OF    WILLIAM    WATS. 

The  foresaid  William  Wats,  dwelling  in  queen  Marys  days  at  wniiam 
Seal  in  Kent,  the  last  year  of  her  reign  save  one,  was  apprehended  prehlnS- 
by  his  enemies,  and  brought  by  the  constables  before  the  bishop  and  troJ'g'ift 
justices  at  Tunbridge,  where  the   bishop  and  justices   would  have  before  the 
persuaded  him  all  they  could,  to  turn  from  the  truth ;  howbcit  in   '^  "^ 


550  DIVERS  SAVED  BY  GOD"s  PEOVIDEXCE 

Marg.    vain,  for  tliev  could  not  remove  him,  although  thev  spent  all  the 
forenoon   thereabout,  ynih  manv  flatterms:  -w-ords :  so  merciful  was 


looS.    the  Lord  unto  him. 

Xow  when  dinner-time  was  come,  as  they  should  rise,  they  com- 
mitted the  prisoner  to  the  constables  again,  and  so  rose  up  to  go  to 
dinner.     The  constables  took  Wats,  and  led  him  to  a  A-ictualling- 
house.  where,  after  they  had  well  filled  themselves,  they  fell  asleep, 
supposing  their  prisoner  to  be  sure  enough  imder  their  hands.  Wats's 
wife  being  then  in  the  house  with  her  husband,  and  very  careful  for 
his  well  doing,   seeing  the  constables  thus  fast  asleep,  desired  her 
husband  to  depart  and  go  thence,  forsomuch  as  the  Lord  had  made 
such  a  wav  for  him  ;  unto  which  her  words  he  would  not  consent, 
although  she  persuaded  him  all  that  she  could. 
Another       At  the  last  (they  replying  one  against  another),  a  stranger  heard 
eSmpJe   them,  and  asked  her  what  the  matter  was,  that  she  was  so  earnest 
of  the      vrith  her  husband.    The  wife  told  him.    Then  said  the  stranger  unto 
proTi-      Wats  these  words.  '"  Father  I

~260 words

himself  in  a  holly-bush,  immediately  came  the 
said  constables  with  thirty  persons  into  the  said  house  to  search  for 
him,  where  they  pierced  the  featherbeds,  broke  up  his  chests,  and 
made  such  havoc,  that  it  was  wonderful.      And  ever  anon  as  they 
Sought     'were  searching,  the  constable  cried,  "  I  will  have  Wats,  I  will  have 
for  again,  w^ats  ;    I  tell  thec,   I  will  have  Wats.**      But  (God  be  thanked) 
Wats  cotild  not  be  found.      And  when  they  saw  it  booted  not  to 
ms  wife  search  for  him,  in  the  end  they  took  his  wife,  and  set  her  in  a  pair 
setm^the  ^p  stocks,  where  she  remained  two  days ;  and  she  was  very  bold  in 
the  truth,  and  at  the  last  delivered,  through  the  providence  of  God ; 
whose  name  be  glorified  in  all  his  works,  Amen. 

JOHN    GLOVEE    OF    MAXCHESTEB,    GEXTLEMAX. 

Of  God's  "What  a  fatherly  and  manifest  providence  of  the  Lord  likewise  did 
dSre"  appear  in  the  preserving  of  master  John  Glover  of  the  diocese  of 
^er^g  Coventry  and  Lichfield,  in  the  town  of  Manchester,  first,  at  the  taking 
^^^  of  Robert  his  brother  :  at  which  time,  although  the  commission  came 
Glover,  down  for  him,  yet  so  God  ordered  the  matter,  that  his  brother  being 
fore.^  sick  was  apprehended,  and  yet  he,  being  whole,  escaped,  whereof 
mention  is  made  before. 

And  again,  another  time  how  miraculously  the  merciful  providence 
of  the  Lord  wrought  his  escape  out  of  his  enemies*  hands,  they  being 
at  his  chamber-door,  and  drawing  the  latch  to  search  for  him  ;  and 
how  his  wife  the  same  time  was  taken  and  sent  to  Lichfield,  read 
before.* 

(1)  See  vol.  vu.  p.  384.— En. 


FROM    BL'RXING,    IX    QCEEX    MARy's    DAYS.  Ool 

Mary. 
OXE    DABXEY,    A    PAINTER.  .    ^ 

There  was  at  London  a  certain  honest  godly  person,  a  painter.  _2f£^ 
named  Dabney,  -whom  John  Avales,  in  the  time  of  queen  Mary,  had 
brought  before  Bonner,  to  be  examined  for  his  faith.  It  happened 
the  same  time,  as  the  said  Dabney  -was  there,  that  the  bbhop  was 
occupied  with  the  examination  of  others,  so  that  he  was  bid  to  stand 
by,  and  to  wait  the  bishop's  leisure.  Upon  the  same,  or  not  long 
after,  suddenly  cometh  word  to  tlie  bishop  to  prepare  him  in  all 
speed

~324 words

will  let  me  out.''     "  With  all  my  heart,"  quoth  the 
porter,  "  and  I  pray  you  so  do." 

And  thus  the  said  Dabney,  taking  the  occasion  offered  of  God,  being 
let  out  by  the  porter,  escaped  out  of  the  wolfs  mouth.  The  proces- 
sion being  done,  when  the  bishop  returned  home,  Dabney  was  gone, 
and  could  not  be  found :  whereupon  search  was  made.  But  espe- 
cially John  Avales  laid  much  pri^y  wait  for  him ;  who.  after  long 
searching,  when  he  could  not  get  him,  at  length  received  fifteen  crowns 
of  liis  wife,  to  let  him  alone  when  he  should  see  him  :  and  so  that 
good  man  escaped. 

ALEXANDER    WIMSHURST,    MINISTER. 

A  like  example  of  God  Almighty's  goodness  towards  his  afflicted  ^lei- 
servants  in  that  dangerous  time  of  persecution,   mav  also  appear  wims- 
endently  in  one  Alexander  Wimshurst,  a  priest  sometime  ol  Magdalen  {j^^by 
college  in  Oxford,  and  then  the  pope's  own  knight,  but  since,  an  G<><ispro- 
earnest  enemy  to  antichrist,  and  a  man  better  instructed  m  the  true  from  his 
fear  of  God.    It  happened  that  one  had  promoted  him  to  Bonner  for  ^°^°"^- 
religion,  upon  what  occasion  I  do  not  understand.     According  to  the 
old  manner  in  such  cases  provided,  he  sent  forth  Robin  Caly,  other- 
wise called  Robin  Papist,  one  of  his  whelps,  to  bring  in  the  game, 
and  to  cause  this  silly  poor  man  to  appear  before  him.  Little  Robin,  wims- 
like  a  proper  man,  bestirreth  him  in  his  business,  and  smelleth  him  \^\^  ^y 
out ;  and  when  he  had  gotten  liim,  bringeth  him  along  by  Cheapside,  ^*''° 
not  suffering  him  to  talk  with  any  of  his  acquaintance  by  the  way, 
though  there  were  of  his  old  friends  of  Oxford  that  offered  to  speak 
unto  him. 

When  they  came  into  Paul's,  it  happened  this  Alexander  to  cspv 


552  DIVERS    SAVED    BY    GOD  S    PKOVIDENCE 

Mary.  Dr.  Clicclscy,  tlicrc  walking  up  and  down ;  to  whom,  because  he  was 
~AA)7  able  in  such  a  case  to  do  pleasure,  and  for  that  he  had  been  of  his  old 
1558.  acquaintance  in  Oxford,  he  was  very  desirous  to  speak  to  him  ere  he 
went  through.  Chedsey,  perceiving  that  Robin  Caly  did  attend  upon 
him,  said  that  he  durst  not  meddle  in  the  matter.  "  Yes,"  saith  little 
Robin,  "  you  may  talk  with  him  if  it  please  you,  master  doctor  !"  To 
be  short,  Alexander  openeth  his  case,  and  in  the  end  desireth,  for  old 
acquaintance"'  sake,  that  he  would  find  means  he  might  be  rather 
brought  before  Dr.  Martin  to  be  examined,  than  any  other.  "  Nay," 
saith  he  (alleging  the  words  of  Christ  unto  Peter  in  the  last  chapter 
of  St.  John),  "  you  remember,  brother,  what  is  written  in  the  gospel : 
'  When  thou  wast  young,  thou  didst  gird  thyself,  and  wentest  whither 
thou  wouldest

~439 words

escape  the  fury  of  his 
escape,  adversaries,  and  be  preserved  from  all  dangers  of  death  and  imprison- 
ment. 


THE    STORY    OF    ONE    BOSOME  S    WIFE. 

As  the  works  of  the  Lord  are  not  to  be  kept  secret,  whatsoever  the 
persons  be  in  whom  it  pleascth  him  to  work ;  so  cometh  to  remem- 
brance the  story  of  one  Bosome's  Avife,  not  unworthy  to  be  considered. 
This  good  woman,  being  at  Richmond  with  her  mother,  was  greatly 
called  upon,  and  urged  to  come   to  church.     At  length,   through 


FROM    BURNING,    IN    QUEEN    MARY's    DAYS.  553 

importunate  crying  and  calling  upon,  she  granted  unto  tlieni,and  came.  _Mary. 
Being  in  the  church,  and  sitting  with  her  mother  in  the  pew,  contrary    aTdT 
in  all  things  to  the  doings  of  the  papists,  she  behaved  herself:  to  Avit,    1558. 
when  they  kneeled  she  stood  ;  when  they  turned  forward  she  turned  ' 
backward,  etc. 

This  being  notorious  in  the  church,  at  length  the  constable,  and  Bosome's 
churchwarden  named  Sanders,  attached  her  in  the  queen's  name,  moned  tV 
charging  her  with  her  mother,  the  next  day  to  appear  at  Kingston,  King^tol?. 
who,  at  their  command,  so  did. 

The  next  day,  according  as  they  were   assigned,  they  came  to  Bosome's 
Kingston   to  appear  before  the  foresaid  officers,  who,  at  the  same  through 
time  (as  it  chanced),  were  going  over  the  ferry,  and  meeting  them  by  fscapilhJ' 
the  way,  saluted  them  by  their  names  ;  but  at  that  time  had  no  fur- 
ther power  to  speak  unto  them.    Afterward,  as  they  were  in  the  boat 
going  over,  they  knocked  their  hands,  stamped  and  stared,  lamenting 
that  they  had  let  them  so  pass  their  hands.  This  the  ferry-man  declared 
unto  them,  and  what  they  said  in  the  boat.     Whereupon  the  good 
woman,  taking  her  journey  to  London,  escaped  their  cruelty,  through 
the  secret  working  (no  doubt)  of  the  Lord,  who  in  all  his  works,  and 
evermore,  be  praised ;  Amen. 

THE    LADY    KNEVET,    OF    WYMONDHAM    IN    NORFOLK. 

Among  the  number  of  the  godly,  that  were  kept  under  the  provi- 
dence of  the  Lord  in  those  perilous  days,  I  may  not  forget  an  ancient 
good  lady  of  much  worship,  called  lady  Anne  Knevet,  who,  till  her 
death,  dwelt  in  Norfolk,  in  a  town  named  Wymondham,  six  miles  from 
Norwich  ;  Avhich  said  good  lady,  in  queen  Mary''s  days,  being  judged 
by  the  common  people  to  be  more  than  a  hundred  years  of  age,  and 
by  her  own  estimation  well  toward  a  hundred,  kept  herself  from  their 
popish  church,  or  having  any  papistical  trash  ministered  in  her  house, 
but  only  the  service  that  was  used  in  the  latter  days  of  king  Edward 
the  sixth,  which  daily  she  had  said  before  her,  either  by  one  master 
Toll  in,  who  was  then  by  God's  providence  preserved  in  her  house,  or 
else  by  one  of  her  gentlewomen  or  household  servants,  that  could  serve 
the  place  in  the  said  master  Tollin's  absence. 

Now  this  worshipful  lady  continuing  in  this  manner  of  true  serving  The  lady 
of  God

~4,187 words

no  power  to  trouble  her  there-for. 

This  good  lady,  gentle  reader,  kept  good  hospitality,  as  any  in  that 
country,  of  her  living.     She  also  succoured  many  persecuted,  that 
came  to  her  house  in  the  said  queen  Mary's  days.     Were  they  never 
so  simple,  they  were  esteemed  of  her  as  the  friends  of  the  gospel,  and  „,j 
departed  not  from  her  without  money  and  meat.     Born  she  was  long  age  of  the 
before  king  Edward  the  fourth  died,  and  ended  her  life  in  the  Lord  l^el^ ''""''' 


554  DIVERS  SAVED  BY  GOD's  PROVIDENCE 

Mary.  Jesus\<3  pcacc,  about  the  beginning  of  the  second  year  of  our  most 
.  jp  sovereign  lady  queen  Elizabeth's  reign,  as  one  in  blessed  peace,  falling 
1558.  into  a  most  sweet  sleep.^  Unto  whom  not  unworthily  may  be  com- 
The  lady  pared  the  lady  Elizabeth  Vane,  who  likewise,  being  a  great  harbourer 
Elizabeth  ^^^  supporter  of  the  afflicted  martyrs  and  confessors  of  Christ,  was 
great  re-  in  great  hazards  and  dangers  of  the  enemies,  and  yet  notwithstanding, 
God's  °^  through  the  merciful  providence  of  the  Lord,  remained  still  untouched. 
people,     -g^i^  ^f  ^i^jg  jj^jy  Yane  thou  hast  read  before. 

JOHN    DAVIS,    A    CHILD    UNDER    TAVELVE    YEARS    OF    AGE. 

John  Da-      Anno  Domini  1546,  and  the  last  year  of  king  Henry  the  eighth, 
chiid^un-  Jol^J^  Davis,  a  child  of  twelve  years  and  under,  who,  dwelling  in  the 
der  the     housc  of  master  Johnson,  apothecary,  in  the  town  of  Worcester,  his 
twelve     uncle  (using  sometimes  to  read  of  the  Testament  and  other  good 
yeare,cast  gj^g|-gj^  books),  was  complaiued  of  by  Alice  Johnson  his  mistress ; 
th"s'^"  which  Alice,  being  an  obstinate  person,  consulted  with  one  Thomas 
Articles,    Partou,  and  one  Alice,  wife  to  Nicholas  Brooke,  organ-maker,  with 
by'ood's  certain  of  the  canons,  and  master  Johnson,  chancellor  to  Dr.  Heath, 
dence       t^^^ir  bishop.     The  means  -whereby  he  was  entrapped  were  wrought 
preser'v-    by  the  foresaid  Alice  Brooke,  who  procured  Oliver  her  son,  school- 
fellow with  the  said  John  Davis,  to  feign  friendship  with  him,  and, 
under  pretence  to  be  instructed,  to  see  his  English  books,  and  espe- 
cially to  get  something  of  his  writing  against  the  Six  Articles  ;  which 
being  had,  was  soon  brought  to  the  canons  of  the  church,  and  the 
chancellor.     Whereupon  Thomas  Parton,  whether  being  sent,  or  of 
his  own  mind,  came  to  apprehend  him,  and  his  uncle  was  forced 
against  his  will,  to  bind  the  poor  boy's  arms  behind  him ;  and  so  he 
was  brought  to  the  officers  of  the  town,  where  he  lay  from  the  14th 
of  August,  till  the  last  of  September.     Then  was  he  commanded  to 
the  freeman's  prison,  where  one  Richard  Hawborough,  coming  to 
persuade  him  from  burning,  willed  him  to  prove  first  with  a  candle  ; 
who  then  holding  his  finger,  and  the  other  a  candle  under  it,  a  good 
space,  yet  (as  the  party  himself  to  me  assureth)  felt  no  burning 
thereof;  neither  would  the  other  that  held  the  candle  believe  him  a 
great  while,  till  he  had  looked,  and  saw  no  scorching  of  the  candle  at 
all  appeared. 

Then  was  the  child  removed  from  thence  to  an  inner  prison,  called 
Peephole,  where  the  low  bailiff,  called  Robert  Yould,  laid  upon  him 
a  pair  of  bolts,  so  that  he  could  not  lift  up  his  small  legs,  but  leaning 
on  a  staff,  slipt  them  forward  upon  the  ground;  the  coldness  of 
which  irons  he  feeleth  yet  in  his  ancles,  and  shall  so  long  as  he  livcth : 
with  these  bolts  his  lying  was  upon  the  cold  ground,  having  not  one 
lock  of  straw  nor  cloth  to  cover  him,  save  only  two  sheep-skins ; 
neither  durst  father  or  mother,  or  any  of  his  friends  come  at  him. 
Besides  this,  and  many  great  threats  of  the  papists,  there  was  a  mad- 
man put  to  him  in  the  prison,  with  a  knife  about  him,  wherewith  he 
ofttimes,  in  his  frantic  rage,  proffered  to  thrust  him  in. 

After  this  came  to  him  one  JoylifF  and  N.  Yewer,  two  canons, 
which  had  his  writings  against  the  Six  Articles,  and  his  ballad,  called, 
"•  Come  doAvn,  for  all  your  shaven  crown,"  to  see  whether  he  would 

(I)  Thus  she  saw  eight  monarchs,  exclusive  of  the  lady  Jsine,  in  about  ninety  years.— Ed. 


FROM  BURNING,  IN  QUEEN  MARy's  DAYS.  555 

stand  to  that  he  had  written.  Which  done,  with  many  great  raging  Mary. 
words,  not  long  after  sat  master  Johnson,  the  chancellor,  in  the  Guild-  "aTdT 
hall,  upon  the  poor  lad ;  where  first  were  brought  in  his  accusers,  and  1558. 
sworn.  Then  were  sworn  also  twenty-four  men  which  went  on  his 
quest,  and  found  him  guilty ;  but  he  never  came  before  the  chan- 
cellor. Upon  this  he  was  sent  to  the  common  gaol  among  thieves  and 
murderers,  there  to  tarry  the  coming  of  the  judges,  and  so  to  be  had 
straight  to  execution.  But  the  mighty  mercy  of  the  Lord,  who  helpeth 
the  desolate  and  miserable  when  all  other  help  is  past,  so  provided  for 
this  silly  condemned  lad,  that  the  purpose  of  all  his  hard-hearted 
enemies  was  disappointed;  for  before  the  judges  came,  God  took 
away  Henry  the  eighth  out  of  this  life,  by  reason  whereof  the  force 
of  the  law  was  then  stayed.  Howbeit  he  was  nevertheless  arraigned, 
being  holden  up  in  a  man's  arms  at  the  bar  before  the  judges,  who 
were  Portman  and  Marven ;  who,  when  they  perceived  that  they 
could  not  burn  him,  would  have  him  presently  whipped  ;  but  master 
John  Bourne,  esquire,  declared  to  the  judges,  how  he  had  whipping 
enough.  After  that  he  had  lain  a  week  more  in  prison,  he  had  him 
home  to  his  house,  his  wife  anointed  his  legs  herself  with  ointment, 
which  then  were  stiff  and  numbed  with  irons,  till  at  length,  when 
master  Bourne  and  his  wife  saw  they  could  not  win  him  to  the  belief 
of  their  sacrament,  they  put  him  away,  lest  he  should  infect  their 
son  Anthony,  as  they  thought,  with  heresy. 

Thus  John  Davis,  of  the  age  aforesaid,  in  what  damage  he  Avas  for 
the  gospel  ye  see,  and  how  the  Lord  preserved  him,  ye  understand. 
He  endured  in  prison  from  the  14th  day  of  August,  till  within  seven 
days  of  Easter,  who  is  yet  alive,  and  a  profitable  minister  this  day  in 
the  church  of  England :  blessed  be  the  Lord,  "  qui  facit  mirabilia 
solus." 

MISTRESS    ROBERTS,    OF    HAWKHURST,    IN    SUSSEX. 

Furthermore,  to  both  these  may  be  also  associate  another  gentle-  The  mi- 
Avoman,  to  make  the  third,  named  Mrs.  Roberts,*  yet  living  and  deTver-* 
dwelling  (as  I  understand)  in  the  town  of  Hawkhurst,  in  Sussex.  ^gtreL 
She,  being  earnestly  addicted  to  the  truth  of  Christ's  gospel,  and  no  Roberts, 
less  constant  in  that  which  she  had  learned  therein,  so  kept  herself 
during  all  the  brunt  of  queen  Mary's  time,  that  she  never  came  to 
their  popish  service,  nor  would  pollute  her  conscience  with  hearing 
their  idolatrous  mass.     There   dwelt  the  same  time  not  far  off  a  sir  John 
justice,  called  sir  John  Guilford,  who  being  as  fervent  on  the  contrary  troubier^ 
side  to  set  forward  the  proceedings  of  queen  Mary,  thought  to  prove  Jfg^'^i^o. 
masteries  with  this  gentlewoman,  in  forcing  her  into  the  church.  And  berts. 
first,  sending  his  wife,  he  attempted  her  by  fair  words  and  gentle 
persuasions  to  conform  herself  to  the  prince's  laws,  and  to  come,  as 
other  christian  people  did,  to  the  church.     Notwithstanding  she,  con- 
stantly persisting  in  the  sincerity  of  the  truth,  would  by  no  persua- 
sions be  won  to  do  therein  against  her  conscience ;  and  so  kept  at 
home  a  certain  space,  till  again,  the  second  time,  master  Guilford, 
thinking  not  to  give  her  over  so,  sent  his  officers  and  servants  to  her, 
by  force  and  power  to  hale  her  out  of  her  house  to  the  church ;  and 

(1)  This  gentlewoman  was  a  great  succourer  of  the  persecuted  that  came  to  her  house,  and  spe- 
cially of  good  Woodman,  whom  ye  heard  of  before;  and  to  her  he  wrote  a  letter.    [Seep.  347. — Ed.] 


556  DIVERS    SAVED    BY    GOD's    PROVIDENCE 

Mary.  SO  did  :  wlicrc,  by  the  way,  she  for  grief  of  conscience  swooned,  and 
^  J)  so  of  necessity  was  brought  home  again,  and  falling  into  an  ague,  was 
1558.    for  that  time  dispensed  withal. 

The  third  time,  yet  the  unquiet  spirit  of  master  Guilford  being  not 

content,  after  the  time  that  she  recovered  health  again,  he  would 

needs  come  in  his  own  person  to  compel  her,  wil'd  she,  nil'd  she,  to 

Sir  John   the  church.     But,  as  the  proverb  goeth,   "  Who  can  let  that,  God 

^oppedU)f  would  have  done  ?"  for  when  master  Guilford  had  purposed  as  pleased 

'^ise  by    ^™'  ^^^^  Lord  SO  disposcd  for  his  servant,  that  as  the  said  master  Guil- 

God's       ford  was  coming  up  the  stairs  toward  her  chamber,  suddenly  his  old 

wor  ing.  jjgpg^gg  ^^  gout  SO  took  him,  and  terribly  tormented  him,  that  he 

could  go  no  further.     And  so  he,  that  purposed  to  carry  her  to  the 

church  against  her  will,  was  fain  himself  to  be  carried  home  to  his 

house  to  his  pain ;  protesting  and  swearing  that  he  would  never  from 

henceforth  trouble  that  gentlewoman  more ;  and  no  more  he  did. 

MISTRESS    ANNE    LACY,    A    WIDOW    IN    NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. 

Mistress  I^  ^.his  number  of  good  gentlewomen  being  in  trouble  and  danger 
Anne  for  God's  word,  is  not  to  be  omitted  the  memory  of  one  mistress 
Anne  Lacy,  widow  in  Nottinghamshire,  who  was  in  great  danger  in 
queen  Mary's  time,  insomuch  that  the  process  was  forth  against  her, 
and  she  ready  to  have  been  apprehended,  being  so  nearly  pursued,  that 
she  was  driven  to  hide  her  Bible  and  other  books  in  a  dunghill. 
Master  Lacy  her  brother  was  then  justice  of  peace  ;  but  to  Avhom  (as 
I  have  heard)  she  was  but  smally  beholden.  Nevertheless,  where 
kindred  faileth,  yet  God's  grace  never  faileth  such  as  stick  to  him  ; 
for  in  this  mean  time,  as  the  process  came  out  against  her,  queen 
Mary  died,  and  so  she  escaped. 

CROSMAn's    wife,    of    TIBENHAM,    in    NORFOLK. 

Ravber  of  One  Crosmau's  wife,  of  Tibcnham  Long-row  in  Norfolk,  in  queen 
ham?  Mary's  time,  for  not  going  to  church,  was  sought  for  at  her  house  by 
consta-     Qj^g  Barber  of  the  said  town,  then  constable  of  the  hundred,  who  when 

Die,  per-  '  ,  ,  ,  ' ,         . 

secutor.  he  Came  to  her  house,  she  being  at  home,  with  a  child  sucking  in  her 
Example  arms,  stepped  into  a  corner  on  the  one  side  of  the  chimney ;  and  they 
of  God's^  seeking  the  chambers,  the  child  never  cried  (although  before  they  came 
provi-      it  did)  as  long  as  they  were  there :  and  so  by  this  means  the  Lord 

dence.  11 

preserved  her. 


THE    CONGREGATION    AT    STOKE    IN    SUFFOLK. 

The  story  Thcrc  wcrc  some  likewise  which  avoided  the  violent  rage  of  the 
H'retatiin  advcrsarics  by  means  only  of  their  number,  and  mutual  concord  in 
^'^^'"^P,    ffodliness,  wherein  they  did  so  hold  toQfcther,  that  without  much  ado, 

inSuttolk.  o  '  J  ts  '  _  _' 

none  well  could  be  troubled  :  whereof  we  have  example  in  a  certain 
town  of  Suffolk  called  Stoke.  After  the  three  sharp  years  of  queen 
Mary's  persecution  being  past,  yet  notwithstanding,  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town  aforesaid,  especially  the  women,  came  not  to  their  church 
to  receive,  after  the  popish  manner,  the  sacrament ;  who,  if  they  had 
been  but  few,  they  could  by  no  means  have  escaped  imprisonment, 
l)ut  because  thcrc  were  so  many,  the  papists  thought  it  best  not  to  lay 


FROM  BURNING,  IN  QUEEN  MARy's  DAYS.  557 

hands  upon  them :  only  they  appointed  them  sixteen  days'  respite    Mary. 
after  Easter,  wherein  as  many  as  woukl,  should  receive  the  sacrament ;  "aTdT 
those  that  would  not,  should  stand  to  the  peril  that  Avould  follow.  Of    i^ss. 
this  company,  which  were  many,  giving  then-  hands  together,  the  ' 

chiefest  doers  were  these  :  Eve,  an  old  woman  of  sixty  years ;  Alice 
Coker,  her  daughter ;  Elizabeth  Foxe,  Agnes  Cutting,  Alice  Spencer, 
Henry  Cauker,  Joan  Fouke,  Agnes  Spaulding,  John  Steyre  and  his 
brother,  and  John  Foxe,  confessors. 

These,  after  the  order  was  taken  for  their  not  coming  to  the  church, 
took  advisement  among  themselves  what  was  best  to  be  done,  and  at 
length  concluded  by  promise  one  to  another,  that  they  would  not 
receive  at  all.  Yet  some  of  them  afterward,  being  persuaded  with  fair 
promises  that  the  communion  should  be  ministered  unto  them  accord- 
ing to  king  Edward's  book,  gat  them  unto  the  parish  priest  (whose 
name  was  Cotes),  and  asked  him  after  Avliich  sort  he  would  minister  cotes, 
the  sacrament.     He  answered  to  such  as  he  favoured,  that  he  would  p^esfat 
give  it  after  the  right  sort ;  the  rest  should  have  it  after  the  papistical  stoke. 
manner. 

To  be  short,  none  did  communicate  so,  but  only  John  Steyre  and  joim 
John  Foxe  ;  of  whom  the  one  gave  his  wife  leave  to  do  as  she  thought  an^joim 
best,  the  other  went  about  with  threats  to  compel  his  wife,  saying,  that  ^o'ce  re- 
otherwise  he  would  divorce  himself  from  her.     As  for  the  rest,  they 
did  withdraw  themselves  from  church,  resorting  to  their  wonted  com- 
pany.    Only  Foxe's  wife  tarried  still  at  home,  all  in  her  dumps  and 
heaviness,  whose  husband  practised  with  the  curate  in  the  mean  time, 
that,  the  next  day  after,  he  should  give  her  the  sacrament,  which  was 
the  17th  day  after  Easter.  But  the  very  same  day,  unknown  unto  her  The 
husband,  she  gat  herself  secretly  to  her   company,  and  with  tears  constancy 
declared,  how  violently  her  husband  had  dealt  with  her.     The  other  p^xe'^' 
women  bade  her  notwithstanding  to  be  of  a  good  cheer,  and  said,  that 
they  would  make  their  earnest  prayers  imto  the  Lord,  both  for  her  The  effect 
and  her  husband.     And  indeed  when  they  had  so  done,  the  matter  of  ciiris- 
took  very  good  success  ;  for  the  next  day  after,  goodman  Foxe  came  prayer. 
of  his  own  accord  unto  them,  a  far  other  man  than  he  was  before,  and  j°^o"i^°e^ 
bewailed  his  own  headiness  and  rashness,  praying  them  that  they  would  agam  to 
forgive  him,  promising  ever  after  to  be  more  strong  in  faith,  to  the  typrayer. 
great  rejoicing  both  of  them  and  his  wife. 

About  half  a  year  after  this,  the  bishop  of  Norwich  sendeth  forth  The 
certain  of  his  officers  or  apparitors  thither,  which  gave  them  warning  sto™!" " 
every  one  to  come  to  the  church  the  next  Sunday  following.   If  they  ^^"^""g" 
would  not  come,  they  should  appear  before  the  commissary  out  of  Wsiiop. 
hand,  to  render  account  of  their  absence.     But  the  women,  having  how  tiie 
secret  knowledge  of  this  before,  kept  themselves  out  of  the  way  for  ^t^T  °^ 
the  nonce,  to  avoid  the  summons  or  warning.     Therefore,  when  they  escaped. 
Avere  not  at  the  church  at  the  day  appointed,  the  commissary  did  first 
suspend  them,  according  to  the  bishop  of  Rome's  law,  and  within 
three  weeks  after,  did  excommunicate  them.     Therefore,  when  they 
perceived  that  an  officer  of  the  town  was  set  to  take  some  of  them, 
they,  conveying   themselves  privily  out   of  the  town,  escaped  all 
danger. 


558  DIVERS    SAVED    BY    GOD  S    PROVIDENCE 

Mary. 


A.D. 

1558. 


THE    PRESERVATION    OF    THE    CONGREGATION    AT    LONDON. 

No  less  marvellous  was  the  preservation  of  the  congregation  in 

London,  which  from  the  first  beginning  of  queen  Mary,  to  the  latter 

end  thereof,  continued,  notwithstanding  whatsoever  the  malice,  device, 

searchino",  and  inquisition  of  men,  or  strictness  of  laws,  could  work  to 

the  contrary.     Such  was  the  merciful  hand  of  the  Lord,  according  to 

his  accustomed  goodness,  ever  working  with  his  people.  Of  this  great 

bountiful  goodness  of  the  Lord,  many  and  great  examples  appeared 

in  the  congregation  which  now  I  speak  of.     How  oft,  and  in  what 

great  danger  did  he  deliver  them  ! 

The  con-       First,  at  the  Black-friars,  when  they  should  have  resorted  to  sir 

armaster  Thoiuas  Garden's  house,  privy  watch  was  laid  for  them  ;    but  yet. 

Garden's  through  the  Lord's  vigilant  providence,  the  mischief  was  prevented, 

and  they  delivered. 
The  con-       Again,  how  narrowly  did  they  escape  about  Aldgate,  where  spies 
l^lfn^de"^  were  laid  for  them ;  and  had  not  Thomas  Simson  the  deacon  espied 
livered.    ]^q^^  ^ud  bid  them  disperse  themselves  away,  they  had  been  taken. 
For  within  two  hours  the  constable  coming  to  the  house  after  they 
were  gone,  demanded  of  the  wife  what  company  had  been  there.    To 
whom  she,  to  excuse  the  matter,  made  answer  again,  saying,  that  half 
a  dozen  good  fellows  had  been  there  at  breakfast,  as  they  went  a 
Maying. 
Again  de-      Another  time  also,  about  the  great  Conduit,  they,  passing  there 
hvered.    ^j^^Q^g}!  g,  very  strait  alley  into  a  clothworker's  loft,  were  espied,  and 
the  sheriffs  sent  for  :  but  before  they  came,  they,  having  privy  know- 
ledge thereof,  immediately  shifted  away  out  of  the  alley,  John  Avales 
standing  alone  in  the  mercer's  chapel  staring  at  them. 
In  a  ship       Another  like  escape  they  made  in  a  ship  at  Billingsgate,  belonging 
Hngsgate  '^  ^  Certain  good  man  of  Leigh,  where  in  the  open  sight  of  the  people 
they  were  congregated  together,  and  yet,  through  God's  mighty  power, 
escaped. 
In  a  ship       Betwixt  RatclifFc  and  Rotherhithe,  in  a  ship  called  Jesus  ship,  twice 
^Irifffe   or  thrice  they  assembled,  having  there  closely,  after  then-  accustomed 
and  Ro-    manner,  both  sermon,  prayer,  and  communion ;  and  yet,  through  the 
'  protection  of  the  Lord,  they  returned,  although  not  unespied,  yet 
untaken. 
In  a  Moreover,  in  a  cooper's  house  in  Pudding-lane,  so  near  they  were 

S"in   ^o  perils  and  dangers,  that  John  Avales,  coming  into  the  house  where 
Pudding-  they  were,  talked  with  the  goodman  of  the  house,  and  after  he  had 
asked  a  question  or  two,  departed ;  God  so  working,  that  either  he  had 
no  knowledge  of  them,  or  no  power  to  apprehend  them, 
jn  a  But  they  never  escaped  more  hardly,  than  once  in  Thames-street 

house  in  \^  the  niffht-timc,  where  the  house  being  beset  with  enemies,  yet,  as 

Thames-  .  n  -i 

street,  the  Lord  would,  they  were  delivered  by  the  means  of  a  marmer,  who 
being  at  that  present  in  the  same  company,  and  seeing  no  other  way 
to  avoid,  plucked  off  his  slops  and  swam  to  the  next  boat,  and  so 
rowed  the  company  over,  using  his  shoes  instead  of  oars ;  and  so  the 
jeopardy  was  despatched. 

I  have  heard  of  one,  who  being  sent  to  them  to  take  their  names, 
and  to  espy  their  doings,  yet,  in  being  amongst  them,  was  converted, 
and  cried  them  all  mercv. 


FROM    BURNING,     [N    UUEEN    MARy's    DAYS.  559 

What  should  I  speak  of  the  extreme  and  present  danger  which  tliat    Marr,. 
godly  company  was  in  at  the  taking  of  master  Rough  their  minister,  ~ajD~ 
and  Cutbert  Symson  their  deacon,  had  not  the  Lord's  providence  given    1553. 
knowledge  before  to  master  Rough  in  his  sleep,  that  Cutbert  Symson  Xi^^ith^ 
should  leave  behind  him  at  home  the  book  of  all  their  names,  which  "otabie 
he  was  wont  to  carry  about  with  him  ;  whereof  mention  is  made  before,  of  God's 


In  this  chm'ch  or  congregation  there  were  sometimes  forty,  some- 


merciful 
provi- 

times  a  hundred,  sometimes  two  hundred,  sometimes  more  and  some-  *^^"'=^- 
times  less.    About  the  latter  time  of  queen  Mary  it  greatly  increased. 
From  the  first  beginning,  wliich  was  about  the  first  entry  at  queen 
Mary's  reign,  they  had  divers  ministers  ;  first,  master  Seamier,  then  The  mi- 
Thomas  Foule,  after  him  master  Rough,   then  master  Augustine  "his'cra°- 
Bernher,  and  last  master  Bentham ;  concerning  the  deliverance  of  ^^^^^a- 
which  master  Bentham  (being  now  bishop  of  Coventry  and  Lichfield), 
God's  mighty  providence  most  notably  is  to  be  considered.     For 
how  is  it  possible,  by  man's  estimation,  for  the  said  master  Bentham  a  story  of 
to  have  escaped,  had  not  the  present  power  of  the  Lord,  passing  all  Bratham. 
men's  expectation,  been  pressed  and  ready  to  help  his  servant  in  such 
a  strait !   The  story  and  case  is  this : 

At  what  time  the  seven  last  burnt  in  Smithfield,  mentioned  in  this  The 
book  before,  were  condemned  and  brought  to  the  stake  to  suffer,  p"odama- 
came  down  in  the  name  of  the  king  and  queen  a  proclamation,  being  n°^an  to 
twice  pronounced  openly  to  the  people  (first  at  Newgate,  then  at  the  pray  for 
stake  where  they  should  suffer),  straitly  charging  and  commanding,  tyrs,  nor 
that  no  man  should  either  pray  for  them,  or  speak  to  them,  or  once  untr^ 
say,  God  help  them.  tiiem. 

It  was  appointed  before,  of  the  godly  there  standing  together, 
which  was  a  great  multitude,  that  so  soon  as  the  prisoners  should  be 
brought,  they  should  go  to  them  to  embrace  and  to  comfort  them ;  and 
so  they  did.     For  as  the  said  martyrs  were  coming  towards  the  place  The  con- 
in  the  people's  sight,  being  brought  with  bills  and  glaves  (as  the  embra-°° 
custom  is),  the  godly  multitude  and  congregation  with  a  general  martyr^, 
sway  made  toward  the  prisoners,  in  such  manner  that  the  bill-men  contrary 
and  the  other  officers,  being  all  thrust  back,  could  nothing  do,  nor  prociama- 
anything  come  nigh.   So  the  godly  people  meeting  and  embracing,  and  "°°' 
kissing  them,  brought  them  in  their  arms  (which  might  as  easily  have 
conveyed  them  clean  away)  unto  the  place  where  they  should  suffer. 

This  done,  and  the  people  giving  place  to  the  officers,  the  procla- 
mation with  a  loud  voice  was  read  to  the  people,  containing  (as  is  before 
said)  in  the  king  and  queen's  name,  that  no  man  should  pray  for 
them,  or  once  speak  a  word  unto  them,  etc.     Master  Bentham,  the  Master 
minister  then  of  the  congregation,  not  sparing  for  that,  but  as  zeal  miniate" 
and  christian  charity  moved  him,  and  seeing  the  fire  set  to  them,  of  the 
turning  his  eyes  to  the  people,  cried  and  said,  "  We  know  they  arc  the  gation. 
people  of  God,  and  therefore  we  cannot  choose  but  wish  w^ell  to  them,  gtj^^fn^'^" 
and  say,  God  strengthen  them :"  and  so  boldly  he  said,  "  Almighty  prayeth 
God,  for  Christ's  sake,  strengthen  them  !"    With  that  all  the  people,  mLtyrs 
with  a  whole  consent  and  one  voice,  followed  and  said,  "  Amen,  danger! 
Amen  !"     The  noise  whereof  Avas  so  great,  and  the  cries  thereof  so 
many,  that  the  officers  could  not  tell  what  to  say,  or  whom  to  accuse. 
And  thus  much  concerning  the  congregation  of  the  faithful  assem- 
bling together  at  London,  in  the  time  of  queen  Mary. 


560  DIVERS    SAVED    BY    GOD's    PROVIDENCE 

Manj.         The  said  master  Bentham  another  time,  as  he  passed  through 
■      j^     St.  Kathcrinc's,  intending  to  walk  and  take  the  air  abroad,  was  en- 
1558.    forced  by  two  or  three  men,  approaching  upon  him,  needs  to  go  with 
^^^^^^^    them  to  a  place  whither  they  would  lead  him.     Master  Bentham, 
delivery    astouicd  at  the  suddenness  of  the  matter,  and  marvelling  what  the 
Bentham  thing  should  be,  required  what  their  purpose  was,  or  whither  they 
greaf      would  liavc  him.     They  answered,  that  by  the  occasion  of  a  man 
P^"'-       there  found  drowned,  the  coroner's  quest  was  called,  and  charged  to 
sit  upon  him,  of  the  which  quest  he  must  of  necessity  be  one,  etc. 
He  again,  loth  to  meddle  in  the  matter,  excused  himself,  alleging 
that  in  such  kind  of  matters  he  had  no  skill,  and  less  experience  :  if 
it  would  please  them  to  let  him   go,  they  should  meet  with  others 
Master     morc  meet  for  their  purpose.      But  when  with  this  they  would  not 
forced^""  be  satisfied,  he  alleged  further,  that  he  was  a  scholar  of  Oxford,  and 
hfs^wm  to  thereby  was  privileged  from  being  of  any  inquest.     The   coroner 
sit  in  the  demanded  the  sight  of  his  privilege.     He  said,  if  he  would  give  him 
offier"^"  leave,  he

Cut continues beyond the first 4,000 words shown here — about 187 more in the scan at the link above.

~255 words

I  will  help  thee  out.  Come,"  said  he  to  the  keeper, 
"  turn  him  out,  I  will  help  him  :"  and  so  took  Benet  with  him,  and 
brought  him  to  Cluney  in  Paternoster-row,  and  bade  him  bring  him 
to  the  coalhouse,  and  there  he  was  in  the  stocks,  a  week. 

Then  the  bishop  sent  for  him  to  talk  with  him,  and  first  asked  Benet 
him  if  he  were  shriven  ?     "  No,"  said  Benet.     He  asked  him  if  he  toBoli^ner, 
would  be  shriven  ?    "  No,"  said  he.   Then  he  asked  him  if  the  priest  ^ine.f'''" 
could  take  away  his  sins  ?    "  No,"  said  Benet,  "  I  do  not  so  believe." 
Then  he  and  Harpsfield  laughed  at  him,  and  mocked  him,  asking 
him  if  he  did  not  believe  that  whatsoever  the  priest  here  bound  in 
earth,  should  be  bound  in  heaven, .and  whatsoever  he  looseth  in  earth, 
should  be  loosed  in  heaven.     "  No,"  quoth  Benet,  "  but  I  believe 
that  the  minister  of  God,  preaching  God"'s  word  truly,  and  ministering 
the  sacraments  according  to  the  same,  whatsoever  he  bindeth  in  earth, 
should  be  bound  in  heaven,  and  whatsoever  he  looseth,"  etc.     Then 
the  bishop,  putting  him  aside,  said,  he  should  go  to  Fulliam  and  be 
whipped. 

Then  came  to  him  master  Buswell  a  priest,  lying  in  the  coalhouse.  How  he 
in  the  stocks,  and  brought  Cranmer^s  recantation,  saying  that  he  had  ouTof  his 
recanted.     "  My  faith,"  saith  the  other,  "  lieth  in  no  man's  book,  but  ''""=''• 
in  him  which  hath  redeemed  me."     The  next  Saturday,  Benet  with 
five  others,  was  called  for  to  come  to  mass  in  the  chapel.     The  mass 
being  done,  and  they  coming  out,  five  of  them  went  to  prison,  and 
were  after  burnt.     Benet  being  behind,  and  coming  toward  the  gate, 

{ 1 )  He  afterwards  died  in  prison,  and  was  buried  on  a  dunghill. 
VOL.   VIII.  O    O 


DIVERS    SAVED    BY    GOD  S    PROVIDENCE 

Mary.    tliG  portcr,  opeiiiiig  to  a  company  goino'  out,  asked  if  there  were  no 

"TTi~  prisoners  there.     "  No,"  said  they.     Benet,  standing  in  open  sight 

1558.*    before  him,  with  other  serving-men  which  were  there  by  reason  that 

Bonner  made  many  priests  that  day  (having  one  of  his  sleeves  and 

half  the  forepart  of  his  coat  burnt  off  in  the  prison,  being  more  like  a 

prisoner  than  any  of  the  others),  when  the  gates  were  opened,  went 

out  amongst  them,  and  so  escaped. 

Another       Again,  in  the  last  year  of  queen  Mary,  the  same  Benet  being  taken 

Bonett"    again  with  the   twenty-four  beyond  Islington,  and  brought  to  sir 

^'sht      Roo-er  Cholmley''s,  the  people  coming  very  thick  did  cut  off  some  of 

twenty-    them,  to  the  number  of  eight,  which  were  behind,  among  whom  was 

taken  at   Bcnct.     Then  he  knocking

~2,571 words

way."     And  so,  he  taking  the 

warning  as  sent  of  God,  with  a  quiet  conscience  eschewed  burning. 

JEFFERY  HURST,  BllOTHER-lN-LAW  TO  GEORGE  MARSH  THE 
MARTYR. 

In  the  town  of  Shakerley  in  Lancashire  dwelled  one  Jeffery  Hurst, 
the  son  of  an  honest  yeoman,  who  had,  besides  him,  eleven  children, 
the  said  Jeffery  being  the  twelfth  and  eldest  of  the  rest :  and  for  that 
their  father  was  willing  to  bring  them  up,  so  that  they  should  be 
able  another  day  to  help  themselves,  he  did  bind  this  Jeffery  prentice 
unto  the  craft  of  nailing,  to  make  all  kind  of  nails,  which  occupation 
he  learned,  and  served  out  the  time  of  seven  years  ;  the  which  years 
being  expired,  he  gave  himself  at  times  to  learn  of  his  other  brethren 
which  went  to  school ;    and  as  he  was  very  Avilling  to  the  same,  so 
God  sent  him  knowledge,  wherein  he  did  persevere  and  go  forwards 
in  such  sort,  that  he  could  write  and  read  indifferently ;  and  in  longer 
continuance  came  by  more  knowledge;  and  so,  having  the  Bible  and 
divers  other  books  in  his  house,  did  come  by  pretty  knowledge  in 
JefiVry     the  Scripturc.     After  this  he  took  unto  him  a  wife,  being  the  sister 
brother  to  of  mastcr  Gcorge  Marsh,  of  whose  martyrdom  mention  is  made  before; 
^°l^l     and  being  much  familiar  with  him,  did  mend  his  knowledge  not  a 
ti»e         little.       Now  Avhen  queen  Mary  was  entered  the  first  year   of  her 
^^^  '^'    reign,  he  kept  himself  away  from  their  doings,  and  came  not  at  the 
church  ;  whereupon  he  was  laid  in  wait  for,  and  called  heretic,  and 
Lollard  :  and  so,  for  fear  of  further  danger,  he  was  compelled  to  leave 
H^"t^     his  wife  and  child,  and  all,  and  fled  into  Yorkshire  ;  and  there,  being 
leaveth    ^ot  kuown,  did  lead  his  life,  returning  sometimes  by  night  to  his 
child,  and  housc,  to  comfort  his  wife,  and  bringing  with  him  some  preacher  or 
other,  who  used  to  preach  unto  them  so  long  as  the  time  would 
serve  ;  and  so  departed  by  night  again.     The  names  of  the  preachers 
were  master  Reneses,  master  Best,  master  Brodbanke,  master  Russel : 
nnrlt's    ^^^  every  time  they  came  thither  they  were  about  twenty  or  twenty- 
house,      four  sometimes,  but  sixteen  at  least,  who  had  there  also  sometimes  a 
communion.     And  thus  in  much  fear  did  he  with  others  lead  his  life, 
till  the  last  year  of  the  reign  of  queen  Mary.     Then  it  chanced  that 
the  said  Jeffery  Hurst,  after  the  death  of  his  father,  came  home,  and 
kept  himself  close  for  seven  or  eight  weeks. 


house  for 
persecu- 
tion. 
Preach- 
ers using 


FKOM    BURNING    IN    QUEEN    MAllY^S    DAYS.  5G3 

There  dwelt  not  far  off,  at  Morless,  a  certain  justice  of  peace,  and    Mnry. 
of  the  quorum,  named  master  Thomas  Lelond,  who,  hearing  of  him,    ^  yj 
appointed  a  time  to  come  to  his  lather's  house,  where  he  then  dwelt,    155s. 
to  rifle  the  house  for  books,  and  to  search  for  him  also ;    and  so  did.  ^^^^^^^^ 
JefFery  and  his  company,  having  knowledge  of  his  coming,  took  the  T.Leiond 
books  which  Avere  in  the  house,  as  the  Bible,  the  communion-book,  ^"acTat 
and  the  New  Testament  of  Tyndale''s  translation,  and  divers  others,  i^°Lanca. 
and  threw  them  all  underneath  a  tub  or  fat,  conveying  also  the  said  ^lure,  a 
JefFery  under  the  same,  with  a  great  deal  of  straw  underneath  him ;  secutor. 
for,  as  it  chanced,  they  had  the  more  time,   because  that  when  the  ^^^'^'J 
justice  came  almost  to  the  door,  he  staid  and  would  not  enter  the  conveyed 
house  till  he  had  sent  for  Hurst''s  mother''s  landlady,  mistress  Sha-  dryiat 
kerley  :  and  then,  with  her  consent,  intended  to  go  forwards.   In  the  Mrs. 

.  '  ,  ,  .      Shaker- 

mean  time,  JefFery,  by  such  as  were  with  him,  was  willed  to  lay  in  ley, 

his  window  the  Testament  of  Tyndale's  translation,  and  a  little  book  i^andiady. 

containing  the  third  part  of  the  Bible,  with  the  Book  of  Ecclcsias- 

ticus,  to  try  what  they  would  say  unto  them. 

This  done,  mistfSss  Shakerley  came ;    unto  whom  eftsoons   the 

justice  declared  the  cause  of  his  coming,  and  how  he  Avas  sorry  to 

attempt  any  such  thing  against  aiiy  of  her  tenants  for  her  sake,  but, 

notwithstanding,  he  must  needs  execute  his  office.    "  And  again  you 

must,"  said  he,  "  note  this,  that  a  scabbed  sheep  is  able  to  infect  a 

great  number  ;    and  especially  having,  as  he  hath,  so  many  brethren 

and  sisters,  he  is  able  to  mar  them  all,  if  he  be  not  looked  unto  in 

time."      And  thus  concluding,    master  Lelond    entered  into    the  Master 

house  ;  and  being  coine  in,  set  himself  in  a  chair  in  tne  middle  of  the  entereth 

house ;  and,  sending  sir  Ralph  Parkinson  his  priest,  and  one  of  his  nurTt's^ 

men,  and  one  of  mistress  Shakerley's  men  about  the  house,  to  search  ^'^use. 

and  rifle  the  chests  for  books  (who  so  did),  in  the  mean  time  he  talked  pa^rkin- 

with  Hurst's  mother,  being  of  the  age  almost  of  sixty  years :  and  ^°"- 

chiding  with  her  that  she  would  suffer  her  son  so  to  order  and  behave  phede^sof 

himseff  like  a  heretic,  said,  "  Thou  old  fool,  I  know  myself  that  this  I'^'eomf' 

new  learnino'  shall  come  again:  but  for  how  long.'' — even  for  three  again 

.  for  four 

months  or  four  months,  and  no  longer.    But  I  will  lay  thee,  old  fool,  months. 
in  Lancaster  dungeon,  for  this  gear  ;  and  well  worthy." 

Now  as  concerning  the  searchers,  they  found  nothing  but  Latin  Tyndale's 
books,  as  grammar,  and  such  like.  "  These  be  not  they  that  we 
look  for,"  said  they,  "  we  must  see  further  :"  and  so  looked  into  Hurst's  "''"'.'1^^ 
chamber,  where  they  found  the  foresaid  books.  Then  sir  Ralph, 
taking  up  the  Testament,  looked  on  it,  and  smiled.  His  master 
seeing  that,  said,  "Now,  sir  Ralph,  what  have  we  here?"  "For- 
sooth," saith  he,  "  a  Testament  of  Tyndale's  translation,  plain  heresy, 
and  none  worse  than  it."  "  Then  are  all  their  goods,"  saith  he,  ""  lost 
to  the  queen,  and  their  bodies  to  prison  :"  and  Avas  wonderfully  hasty ; 
notwithstanding,  through  mistress  Shakerley,  for  a  space,  he  was 
content  to  see  farther. 

Then   the  priest  looked  on  the  other  book  :  "  What  say  ye  to  search 
that,  sir  Ralph  ;  is  that  as  evil  as  the  other  ?"    "  No,"  said  he,  "  but  ^'f/^^/"^ 
it  is  not  good  that  they  should  have  such  English  books  to  look  on ;  a.'"i  ^is 

c>  J  o  ^   sister 

for  this  and  such  others  may  do  much  harm."     Then  he  asked  his  AUce. 
mother  Avhcre  her  eldest  son  Avas,  and  lier  daughter  Alice.      She 
ansAvered,  she  could  not  tell :  they  were  not  Avith  her  of  long  time 


New  Tes- 
tament 


564  DIVERS    SAVED    BY    GOD  S    PROVIDENCE 

Mary,  before.  And  he  swore  by  God's  body,  lie  would  make  her  tell  where 
■      „     they  Averc,  or  he  would  lay  her  in  Lancaster  dungeon  ;  and  yet  he 

1558*    would  have  them  notwithstanding  too.     To  be  short,  for  fear,  he  had 

his  brother  John  Hurst  and  his  mother  bound  in  a  hundred  pounds, 

to  bring  the  parties  before  him  within  fourteen  days.  And  so 
The  departed  he ;  and  the  priest  put  both  the  books  in  his  bosom,  and 
threat-  carried  them  away  with  him.  Then  John  Hurst  went  after  them, 
bound  for  desiring  that  he  might  have  the  book  which  the  priest  found  no  fault 
Hurst's    ^yjt^jj .  l3^(^  i^e  gai(J  they  should  answer  to  them  both  ;  and  which- 

forth-  11  1 

coming,    socvcr  was  the  better,  was  not  good. 

Master  As  tliis  passcd  ou,  whcn  the  time  was  come  that  JefFery  Hurst  and 
makef.^  his  sistcr  should  be  examined,  the  justice  sent  for  them  betimes  in  the 
Talk  morning,  and  had  prepared  a  mass  to  begin  withal,  asking  JefFery 
jeffery  Hurst  if  hc  would  first  go  and  see  his  maker,  and  then  he  would  talk 
anTthe  further  with  him.  To  whom  when  JefFery  answered  and  said  ;  "  Sir, 
HursT'  ™y  Maker  is  in  heaven,  and  I  am  assured  in  going  to  your  mass  I  shall 
denieth  find  no  cdification  thereby  ;  and  therefore  I  pray  you  hold  me 
to  mass,    excused.''''     "  Well,  well,''''  said  he,  "  I  perceive  I  shall  find  you  a 

heretic,  by  God !     But  I  will  go  to  mass,  and  I  will  not  lose  it,  for 

all  your  prattling.'''' 
Exami-         Then  into  his  chapel  he  went ;  and  when  mass  was  done  he  sent 
3ftg°"     for  them,  and  caused  his  priest  to  read  a  scroll  unto  them,  as  con- 
mass,       cerning  the  seven  sacraments.     And  ever  as  he  spake  of  the  body  and 

blood  of  Christ,  he  put  off  his  cap,  and  said,  "  Lo  !  ye  may  see,  you 

will  deny  these  things,  and  care  not  for  your  prince  ;  but  you  shall 
Jeffery  fccl  it  erc  I  havc  done  with  you,  and  all  the  faculty  of  you  C  with 
and^his  othcr  talk  more  between  them,  I  know  not  what.  But  in  the  end  they 
sister  let  were  liceuscd  to  depart  under  sureties  to  appear  again  before  him 
sureties,  withiu  thrcc  weeks,  and  then  to  go  to  Lancaster.  Howbeit,  in  the 
Released  mean  whilc  it  so  pleased  God,  that  within  four  days  of  the  day 
deauf  of  fippointcd,  it  was  noised  that  the  queen  was  dead,  and  within  fourteen 
queen      davs  after,  the  said  JefFery  Hurst  had  his  two  books  sent  home,  and 

Mary.  n  •  -j         i.     i  • 

nothmg  was  said  unto  him. 
Jeffery  It  followcd  after  this,  that  God's  word  began  to  take  place,  and  the 

qu"een'  "  quccu's  visitors  camc  down  into  that  country,  who  did  choose  four 
^gj^t"  men  in  the  parish,  to  wit,  Simon  Smith,  JefFery  Hurst,  Henry  BroAvn, 
time  put  George  Eccersly,  which  four  were  protestants,  to  see  the  queen's  pro- 
rity  to  see  cccdiugs  to  take  placc  ;  who,  according  to  their  power,  did  the  same, 
ceedlng  Notwithstanding  it  did  little  prevail ;  and  therefore  the  said  JefFery, 
of  reii-      being  sore  grieved  with  the  office,  fell  sick  ;  in  which  sickness  it 

pleased  God  to  call  him,  making  a  very  godly  end — God  have  the 

praise  for  it! 
The  Now  to  return  to  the  foresaid  Thomas  Lelond  again,  he,  conti- 

Sce  rtuing  in  his  office  still,  did  very  few  times  come  to  the  church,  but 
would  not  said  he  was  aged,  and  might  not  labour  :  and  there  kept  with  him 
toThe  sir  Ralph  Parkinson  his  priest,  which  could  (as  it  was  said)  minister 
an^yet  ^^^  communion  unto  the  people,  and  sing  mass  unto  his  master  :  yes, 
continued  and  (as  faiiic  reported)  did  a  prettier  feat  than  all  that ;  for  he  begat 
A  catholic  two  children  by  a  servant  in  a  house,  his  master  knowing  it,  and 
the^"  Ish  ^^y^^S  nothing,  for  that  he  would  not  lose  his  good  mass-priest, 
church.         Furthermore,  this  was  noted  in  the  same  justice  Lelond's  behaviour 

at  service-time,  that  he  had  a  little  dog  which  he  would  play  with  all 


FROM    BURNING    IN    QUEEN    MARy's    DAYS,  565 

service-time,  and  the  same  clog  had  a  collar  full  of  bells,  so  that  the  Jiiary. 
noise  of  them  did  molest  and  trouble  others,  as  well  as  himself,  from  a.D. 
hearing  the  service.  Also,  in  the  same  justice  it  was  noted  and  1558. 
observed,  that  as  he  sat  in  his  chapel  at  service-time,  his  manner  was  j^g^^a 
on  a  willow-bark  to  knit  knots,  for  that  he  could  not  be  suffered  to  l^^^°l'lf. 
have  his  beads,  and  to  put  the  same  upon  a  string  also. — Witness  a  popish 
hereof  Edward  Hurst,  with  others.  justice. 

Furthermore,  as  concerning  Henry  Brown,  one  of  the  four  chosen  Thetrou- 
men  above  mentioned,  this  is  also  to  be  added,  that  the  said  Henry  j!scap"e'^of 
Brown,  dwelling  in  the  town  of  Pennington   in  the  same  parish,  "^nry 
A,D.  1564,  had  a  little  boy,  who,  as  he  was  playing  in  the  town,  one  out  of  his 
Glave*'s  wife  gave  unto  the  boy  a  pair  of  beads  made  of  wood,  for  han^sf^ 
him  to  play  withal.     The  little  boy,  being  glad  thereof  to  have  such 
a  trim  thing,  went  home  and  showed  his  father  of  them.     His  father, 
seeing  the  beads,  took  them  and  burnt  them ;  and  when  he  had  so 
done,  went  forth  and  asked  who  had  given  unto  his  little  boy  that 
pair  of  beads. 

"  That  did  I,"  said  Glave's  wife.  "  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  have  burnt  ciave's 
them."  "  Hast  thou  so  ?"  said  sh^,  and  thrust  him  from  her.  "  They  maintain- 
shall  be  the  dearest  beads  that  ever  thou  sawest ;"  and  incontinent  ^1°^^^'^ 
went  and  complained  unto  the  said  justice,  how  Brown  had  burnt  her  a  perse- 
beads. 

This  matter  the  justice  took  sore  to  snuff,  and  was  very  angry,  and  Leiond 
did  direct  his  letter  unto  the  constables  of  the  same  town,  by  his  own  Tppre- 
hand  subscribed ;  the  title  of  which  superscription  on  the  back  side  g^^^. 
was  this ;  "  To  the  Constables  of  Pennington  give  this." 

This  done,  the  constables,  according  to  this  their  charge,  did  bring  Brown 
him  afore  the  justice  at  the  time  appointed ;  and  when  the  justice  fo°"burn- 
came  to  talk  with  him,  he  was  in  such  a  heat,  that  he  called  him  "H?^. 
"  thief ;"  and  said,  that  he  had  robbed  his  neighbour  in  burning  of  queen 
her  beads,  and  that  there  were  rings  and  other  jewels  on  them,  and  beth^s 
that  he  might  as  well  have  picked  her  purse  ;  "  wherefore,"  said  he,  ""'^• 
"  I  will  lay  thee  in  Lancaster  dungeon,  for  this  gear." 

Whilst  they  were  thus  talking,  there  came  all  his  servants  about  Likemas- 
them  from  their  work,  saying,  "  Is  this  master  Dr.  BroAvn,  that  will  [^^^^^ 
burn  beads  ?     I  pray  you,  sir,  let  us  have  him  here  and  preach." 
"  I  will  give  you  a  quarter's  wages,"  saith  one  :  "  and  I  will  give 
money,"  saith  another :  "  and  he  shall  be  master  doctor ;"  with  much 
derision  and  scoffing  at  this  poor  man. 

He,  hearing  this,  spake  again  boldly,  and  said  ;   "  Did  you  send  a  lament- 
for  me  to  make  a  laughing-stock  of  me  ?  You  be  in  office,  and  ought  thing, 
rather  to  come  to  the  church,  and  see  such  papistry  abolished  yourself,  ^'i"'j„s. 
than  thus  to  trouble  me  for  doing  my  duty :  but,  I  tell  you  plainly,  tices  bear 
that  you  do  not  come  to  church  as  you  ought  to  do,  and  therefore  christian 
(with  more  things  that  I  have  to  charge  you  Avithal)  I  say,  you  do  tion^'*"^^' 
not  well."     When  all  this  misdemeanour  of  the  justice  laid  to  his 
charge,  would  not  prevail,  and  also  witness  came  in  of  the  papists, 
which  did  know  the  beads,  and  testified  that  they  were  plain,  and  cost 
but  a  halfpenny,  he  then  went  into  his  parlour  in  a  chafe,  and  one 
master  Exberston  a  papist  with  him  ;  which  Exberston  turned  back, 
and  said,  "  Is  it  you,  Henry  Brown,  that  keepeth  this  stir.'*  You  are 
one  of  them  that  pulled  down  crosses  in  the  church,  and  pulled  down 


odG  DIVEKS    SAVED    BY    GOd'^S    PROVIDENCE 

Mary,    the  roocl-sollor,^  and  all  the  saints ;  you  were  best  now  to  go  paint  a 

\D     black  devil,  and  set  him  up  and  worship  him,  for  that  will  serve  well 

1558.    for  your  religion.'"'     And  thus,  under  suretiship,   he  did  depart  till 

July  following,  and  then  he  said  he  should  go  to  Lancaster  prison ; 

and  so  came  he  away. 

God's  The  time  drew  on  that  he  should  appear,  but  God  stayed  the  matter, 

upon  an    and  iu  July,  as  the  foresaid  Thomas  Lelond  sat  in  his  chair  talking 

persecu-'^  with  his  fricnds,  he  fell  down  suddenly  dead,  not  much  moving  any 

t<"^-         joint.     And  thus  was  his  end :  from  such  God  us  defend  ! 

EXAMINATION    OF    WILLIAM    WOOD    OF    KENT. 

Examina-      The  examination  of  William  Wood  baker,  dwelling  in  the  parish 

wmam    of  Stroud,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  before  Dr.  Kenall  chancellor  of  the 

Wood.      (Jiocese  of  Rochester,  Dr.  Chedsey,   the  mayor  of  Rochester,  and 

master  Robinson  the  scribe,  the  19th  day  of  October,  and  in  the 

second  year  of  queen  Mary,  in  St.  Nicholas'  church  in  Rochester. 

Wood  Robinson  : — "  William  Wood !  you  are  presented,  because  you  will  not  come 

diarsed     ^^  ^^^  church,  nor  receive  tlie  blessed  sacrament  of  the  altar.     How  say  you? 
coming  to  have  vou  received,  or  have  you  not?" 

church.  Wood  : — "  I  have  not  received  it,  nor  dare  I  receive  it,  as  you  now  mini- 

ster it." 

Kenall: — "  Thou  heretic  !  what  is  the  cause  that  thou  hast  not

~156 words

Christ,  '  This  is  my  body,'  is  not  to  be  Thenatu- 
understood,  that  Christ's  carnal,  natural,  and  real  body  is  in  the  same,  in  quantity  r?'  quan- 
and  quality,  as  it  was  born  of  tlie  Virgin  Mary,  and  as  he  was  crucified  upon  Christ  not 
the  cross,  is  present  or  enclosed  in  the  sacrament :  but  it  doth  signify  Christ's  in  tlie  sa- 
body,  as  St.  Paul  saith,  '  So  oft  as  ye  do  eat  of  this  bread  and  drink  of  this  cup,  "a™^"'- 
ye  shall  show  forth  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come.'     What  should  the  apostle 
mean  by  this  word,  'till  he  come,'  if  he  were  here  cai'nally,  naturally,  corporally, 
and  really,  in  the  same  quantity  and  quality  as  he  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
and  as  he  did  hang  on  the  cross,  as  you  say  ?     But  St.  Paul  saith,  '  You  shall 
show  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come.'     This  doth  argue,  that  he  is  not  here,  as 
you  would  have  us  to  believe." 

Cliedsey

~5,999 words

have  us  to  believe,  that  Christ  is 
naturally,  really,  in  quantity  and  quality,  present  in  the  sacrament ;  and  yet  they 
cannot  tell  themselves,  nor  agree  within  themselves,  how  he  is  there!" 

At  these  words  the  people  made  a  great  shout,  and  the  mayor  stood  up,  and 

commanded  the  people  to  be  quiet,  and  to  keep  silence.     And  the  God  that  did  jjvered  as 

deliver  St.  Paul  out  of  the  hands  of  the  high  priests,  by  the  contention  that  was  was  St. 

between  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees,  did  even  so  deliver  me  at  that  time  out  ^^"'  ^y 

■  tnc  con- 

of  the  mouths  of  the  bloody  papists,  by  the  means  of  the  contention  of  these  two  tention  of 

doctors.     Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,  which  hath  promised  to  lay  no  the  Pha- 

more  upon  his,  than  he  will  make  them  able  to  bear,  and  in  the  midst  of  tempta-  §1^!''^'' 

tion  ho  can  make  way  for  his  (how,  and  when  it  pleaseth  him),  to  escape  out  ducees. 

of  all  dangers. 

Many  other  like  examples  of  God's  helping  hand  have  been 
declared  upon  his  elect  saints  and  children,  in  delivering  them  out  of 
danger  by  wonderful  and  miraculous  ways,  some  by  one  means,  some 
by  another.  What  a  notable  Avork  of  God's  mighty  hand  was  seen 
in  Simon  Grina3us,  mentioned  in  the  commentary  of  Melancthon 
upon  Daniel ;  who,  having  a  sudden  warning  by  a  certain  old  man, 
who  was  not  seen  after,  nor  known  then  of  any  what  he  was,  avoided 

il)  Ezck.  V. 


568  DIVERS    SAVED    FROM    BURNING. 

Mary,  tlic  peril  of  taking  and  burning,  as  by  the  relation  of  Melancthon, 

.  J.  writing  and  witnessing  the  same,  may  appear  in  the  words  of  his  own 

1558'.  story  here  following. 


THE   HISTORY  OF   SIMON    GRIN;EUS,  COLLECTED   OUT   OF    MELANC- 

THON's    COMMENTARIES    UPON    THE    TENTH    CHAPTER    OF 

DANIEL.* 

John  Fa-       When  I  was,  saith  he,  at  the  assembly  holden  at  Spire,  in  the  year  of  our 

beriiishop  Lq^^  1539,  by  chance  Simon  Grinseus  came  thither  unto  me  from  the  univer- 

persec'u-'^  sity  of  Heidelberg,  where  he  heard  Faber,  the  bishop  of  Vienna,  in  a  sermon, 

""■•  defend  and  maintain  certain  detestable  errors.    When  the  sermon  was  done,  he 

followed  Faber  going  out  of  the  church,  and  saluted  him  reverently,  declaring 

unto  him  that  he  was  moved  of  a  goodly  zeal  and  intent,  somewhat  to  say  unto 

him.     Faber  was  contented  to  talk  with  him.^ 

Then  Grinaeus  said  unto  him,  that  he  was  very  soi-ry  that  a  man  of  such 
learning  and  authority  should  openly  maintain  such  errors  as  were  both  con- 
tumelious against  God,  and  also  might  be  refuted  by  the  manifest  testimonies  of 
the  Scriptures.  "  Ireneus  writeth,"  said  he,  "  that  Polycarp  was  wont  to  stop 
his  ears,  whensoever  he  heard  any  eiToneous  and  wicked  doctrine.  With  what 
mind  then  (think  you)  would  Polycarp  have  heard  you  argue  and  reason  what 
it  is  that  the  mouse  eateth,  when  he  gnaweth  the  consecrated  host  ?  Who  would 
not  bewail  such  ignorance  and  blindness  of  the  church?"  With  this  Faber 
brake  oft"  his  talk,  as  he  was  about  to  say  more,  and  asked  his  name.  This 
man,  dissembling  nothing,  gently  told  him  that  his  name  was  Grinseus. 
Faber  This  Faber,  as  many  well  know,  was  also  timorous  and  fearful  in  the  com- 

gently  ad-  pany  of  learned  men.     Wherefore  he,  fearing  the  learning,   eloquence,  and 
oTgH-^'^'^  fervent  zeal  of  Grinaeus,  specially  in  such  a  matter  as  this  was,  feigned  as  though 
naus  for   he  had  been  sent  for  by  the  king,  and  that  he  had  no  leisure  now  to  reason  upon 
hisser-     ^.^^jg  jYiatter.     He  pretended  that  he  was  very  desirous  of  acquaintance  and 
"°""        longer  talk  with  Grinaeus,  entreating  him,  that  both  for  his  own  private  cause, 
and  also  for  the  commonwealth,  he  would  come  again  the  next  day  unto  him  ; 
and  so  showed  him  his  lodging,  and  appointed  him  an  hour  when  he  should 
come.     Grineeus,  thinking  that  he  had  spoken  unfeignedly,  promised  so  to  do. 
Godly  When  he  was  departed  from  Faber,  he  came  straightway  unto  us,  and  was 

warning    scarcely  set  at  the  table  (for  it  was  supper  time),  reciting  a  part  of  his  talk  with 
^n"oid^      Faber  unto  me  and  others  there  present,  when  I,  sitting  with  my  company,  was 
man  to      suddenly  called  out  of  the  parlour  by  a  certain  ancient  fatherly  man,  who, 
Grinseus.  showing  a  singular  gravity  in  his  countenance,  words,  and  behaviour,  spake 
unto  me,  and  said,  that  the  sergeants  would  by  and  by  come  unto  our  lodging, 
being  sent  by  the  king's  commandment,  to  cany  Grinaeus  to  prison,  whom 
GrincEus    Faber  had  accused  to  the  king  :  commanding  that  Grinseus  should  straightways 
accused     depart  out  of  the  town ;  and  exhorted  me,  that  we  should  in  .no  case  delay  the 
sued'""^'   time.     And  so,  bidding  me  farewell,  departed.     But  what  old  man  this  was, 
neither  did  I  know  then,  nor  afterward  could  I  understand.    I,  returning  again 
unto  my  company,  bade  them  rise,  and  told  them  what  the  old  man  had  said 
unto  me. 
Warned         By  and  by,  we,  taking  Grinaeus  in  the  midst  of  us,  carried  him  through  the 
t°  fly-       street  to  the  river  Rhine,  where  after  we  had  staid  upon  the  hither  bank 
escape    .  g^^j^jjg^  until  Grinseus  with  his  companion  were  carried  over  in  a  small  boat, 
returning  again  to  our  lodging,  we  understood  that  the  sergeants  had  been 
there,  when  we  were  but  a  little  way  gone  out  of  the  house.     Now  in  what 
merciful    great  danger  Grinaeus  should  have  been,  if  he  had  been  carried  to  prison  by 
provi-       ^jjis  cruelty  of  Faber,  every  man  easily  may  conjecture  :  wherefoi-e  we  judged, 
defeating  that  that  most  cruel  intent  and  purpose  of  him,  was  disappointed  by  God's  mer- 
tiie  cruel   ciful  providence.     And  as  I  cannot  say  what  old  man  it  was,  that  gave  me  that 
purpose     earning,  even  so  likewise  the  sergeants  made  such  quick  speed,  that  except 
eutors!      GrinjEUS  had  been  covered  and  defended  by  the  angels,  through  the  marvellous 
providence  of  God,  he  could  never  have  escaped. 

(1)  See  Melancthon's  Works,  folio,  Witebergie,  IGOl.  vol.  ii.  p.  477. — Ed. 

(2)  "  Obsequium  aniicos,  Veritas  odium  parit." 


KATHERINE,    DUCHESS    OF    SUFFOLK.  569 

Concerning  the  truth  of  this  matter,  there  be  many  good  men  yet  alive,  which  Mary. 
know  hotli  the  same,  and  also  were  present  at  the  doing  thereof.  Therefore  let  .  ^ 
us  give  thanks  unto  God,  which  hath  given  us  his  angels  to  be  our  keepers  and    ,  S' 

defenders,  whereby  with  more  quiet  minds  we  may  fulfil  and  do  the  office  of L 

our  vocation. 

With  such  like  examples  of  God's  mighty  and  merciful  custody, 
the  church  of  Christ  in  all  ages  doth  abound,  as  by  manifold  expe- 
riences may  appear  as  well  among  the  Germans,  as  also  in  other  places 
and  ages  ;  but  in  no  place  more,  nor  in  any  time  more  plentiful,  than 
in  this  persecuting  time  of  queen  Mary,  in  this  our  realm  of  England, 
as  partly  hath  been  already  historied,  and  part  yet  remaineth  (the 
Lord  willing),  moreover,  hereunto  to  be  added. 

THE    LADY    KATHERINE,    DUCHESS    OF    SUFFOLK. 

Stephen   Gardiner   bishop    of   Winchester,    surmising   the    lady  The  ow 
Katherine,  baroness  of  Willoughby  and  Eresby,  and  duchess  dowager  sfep^,^"*^ 
of  Suffolk,  to  be  one  of  his  ancient  enemies,  because  he  knew  he  had  Gardiner, 
deserved  no  better  of  her,  devised,  in  the  holy  time  of  the  first  Lent  winches- 
in  queen  Mary's  reign,   a  holy  practice   of  revenge,  first   touching  against 
her  in  the  person  of  her  husband,  master  Richard  Berty  esquire,  for  ^^'^  '^"<^^- 
whom  he  sent  an  attachment  (having  the  great  seal  at  his  devotion)  to  Suffolk. 
the  sheriff  of  Lincolnshire,  with  a  special  letter  commanding  most  Jilf^j^"/ " 
straitly  the  same  sheriff  to  attach  the  said  Richard  immediately,  and  theduch- 
without  bail  to  bring  him  up  to   London,  to  his  great  lordship,  taciied  by 
Master  Berty  her  husband,  being  clear  in  conscience,  and  free  from  tJr."'^'^^^" 
offence  toward  the  queen,  could  not  conjecture  any  cause  of  this 
strange  process,  unless  it  were  some  quarrel  for  religion,  which  he 
thought  could  not  be  so  sore  as  the  process  pretended. 

The  sheriff,  notmthstanding  the  commandment,  adventured  only  Berty  ap- 
to  take  the  bond  of  Master  Berty,  with  two  sureties  in  a  thousand  {JefJre'* 
pounds,   for  his  appearance  to  be  made  before  the  bishop  on  Good  Gardiner. 
Friday  following,  at  which  day  master  Berty  appeared,  the  bishop 
then  lying  at  his  house  by  St.  Mary  Overy's.     Of  whose  presence 
when  the  bishop  understood  by  a  gentleman  of  his  chamber,  in  a  great 
rage  he  came  out  of  his  gallery  into  his  dining-ehamber,  where  he 
found  a  press  of  suitors,  saying  he  would  not  that  day  hear  any,  but 
came  forth  only  to  know  of  master  Berty,  how  he,   being  a  subject, 
durst  so  aiTOgantly  set  at  light  two  former  processes  of  the  queen. 

Master  Berty  answered,  that  albeit  my  lord's  words  might  seem  to  the  rest  Talk 
somewhat  sharp  toward  him,  yet  he  conceived  great  comfort  of  them.     For  between 
whereas  he,  before,  thought  it  extremity  to  be  attached,  having  used  no  obsti-  f,^^'^""^'^ 
nacy  or  contumacy,  now  he  gathered  of  those  words,  that  my  lord  meant  not  Berty. 
otherwise  but  to  have  used  some  ordinary  process ;  albeit  indeed  none  came  to 
his  hands. 

"  Yea  marry,"  quoth  the  bishop,  "  I  have  sent  you  two  subpoenas,  to  appear 
immediately  :  and  I  am  sure  you  received  them,  for  I  committed  the  trust  of 
them  to  no  worse  man  but  to  master  solicitor.  And  I  shall  make  you  an 
example  to  all  Lincolnshire,  for  your  obstinacy  !" 

Master  Berty  denying  the  receipt  of  any,  humbly  prayed  his  lordship  to 
suspend  his  displeasure  and  the  punishment  till  he  had  good  trial  thereof;  and 
then,  if  it  please  him,  to  double  the  pain  for  the  fault,  if  any  were.  Devotion 

"  Well,"  quoth  the  bishop,  "  I  have  appointed  myself  this  day  (according  to  of  Gardi- 
the  hohness  of  the  same)  for  devotion,  and  I  will  not  further  trouble  me  with  Good" 
you  :  but  I  enjoin  you  in  a  thousand  pounds  not  to  depart  without  leave,  and  Friday. 
to  be  here  aaahi  to-morrow  at  seven  of  the  clock." 


570  KATHERINE,    DUCHESS    OF    SUFFOLK, 

Mary.  Mastcr  Bcrty  well  observed  the  hour,  and  no  jot  failed  ;  at  which 
"aTdT  time  the  bishop  had  with  him  master  sergeant  Stampford,  to  whom 
1558.  he  moved  certain  questions  of  the  said  master  Berty,  because  master 
sero-eant  was  towards  the  lord  Wriothesley,  late  carl  of  Southampton 
and  chancellor  of  England,  with  whom  the  said  master  Berty  was 
brought  up.  Master  sergeant  made  very  friendly  rej^ort  of  master 
Berty,  of  his  own  knowledge,  for  the  time  of  their  conversation 
together.  Whereupon  the  bishop  caused  master  Berty  to  be  brought 
in,  and  first  making  a  false  train  (as  God  would,  without  fire)  before 
he  would  descend  to  the  quarrel  of  religion,  he  assaulted  him  in  this 
manner : 

Berty  at-  "The  queeti's  pleasure  is,"  quoth  the  bishop,  "that  you  shall  make  present 
tached  for  payment  of  four  thousand  pounds,  due  to  her  father  by  duke  Charles,  late  hus- 
adebt.      \^^^^  ^q  ^\^q  duchess  your  wife,  whose  executor  she  was." 

"  Pleaseth  it  your  lordship,"  quoth  master  Berty,  "  that  debt  is  estalled,  and 
is  according  to  that  estallment  truly  answered." 
Kett  cap-      "  Tush !"  quoth  the  bishop,  "  the  queen  will  not  be  bound  to  estallments  in 
tainofthe  tj,g  ti,„e  of  Rett's  government:  for  so  I  esteem  the  late  government." 
rebds  in        ,,  ^j^^  estallment,"  quoth  master  Berty,  "  was  appointed  by  king  Henry  the 
Edward's  eighth :    besides,  the  same  was  by  special  commissioners  confirmed  in   king 
tune.         Edward's  time ;    and  the  lord  treasurer,  being  an  executor  also  to  the  duke 
Charles  solely  and  wholly,  took  upon  him,  before  the  said  commissioners,  to 
discharge  the  same." 

"  If  it  be  true  that  you  say,"  quoth  the  bishop,  "  I  will  show  you  favour. 

But  of  another  thing,  master  Berty,  I  will  admonish  you,  as  meaning  you  well. 

I  hear  evil  of  your  religion ;  yet  I  hardly  can  think  evil  of  you,  whose  mother 

I  know  to  be  as  godly  and  catholic  as  any  within  this  land ;    yourself  brought 

up  with  a  master,  whose  education  if  I  should  disallow,  I  might  be  charged  as 

author  of  his  eiTor.     Besides,  partly  I  know  you  myself,  and  understand  of  my 

friends  enough  to  make  me  your  friend :  wherefore  I  will  not  doubt  of  you. 

A  dog       But,  I  pray  you,  if  I  may  ask  the  question  of  my  lady  your  wife,  is  she  now  as 

clothed  in  ^eady  to  set  up  the  mass,  as  she  was  lately  to  pidl  it  down,  when  she  caused  in 

under  tile  her  progress,  a  dog  in  a  rochet  to  be  carried,  and  called  by  my  name  ?  or  doth 

ii.inie  of    she  think  her  lambs  now  safe  enough,  which  said  to  me,  when  I  veiled  my 

u  irdiner.  ]joj^j^g(-  jq  ]^gj.  Qyt  of  j^^y  chamber- window  in  the  Tower,  that  it  was  merry  with 

It  is  the  lambs,  now  the  wolf  was  shut  up?     Another  time,  my  lord  her  husband, 

wit7^       having  invited  me,  and  divers  ladies  to  dinner,  desired  every  lady  to  choose 

Jambs        him  whom  she  loved  best,  and  so  place  themselves.    My  lady  your  wife,  taking 

when        ij^g  ijy  thg  \\QXiA,  for  that  my  lord  would  not  have  her  to  take  himself,  said,  that 

be' tied      forasnmch  as  she  could  not  sit  down  with  my  lord  whom  she  loved  best,  she 

up.  had  chosen  him  whom  she  loved  worst." 

"  Of  the  device  of  the  dog,"  quoth  master  Berty,  "she   was  neither  the 
author,  nor  the  allower.     The  words,  though  in  that  season  they  sounded  bitter 
to  your  lordship,  yet  if  it  would  please  you  without  offence  to  know  the  cause. 
Purgation  I  am  sure  the  one  will  purge  the  other.    As  touching  setting  up  of  mass,  which 
riudfe'ss'^  she  learned  not  only  by  strong  persuasions  of  divers  excellent  learned  men,  but 
for  not  '    by  universal  consent  and  order  whole  six  years  past,  inwardly  to  abhor,  if  she 
coming  to  should  outwardly  allow,  she  should  both  to  Christ  show  herself  a  false  Christian, 
and  to  her  prince  a  masking  subject.     You  know,  my  lord,  one  by  judgment 
reformed,  is  more  worth  than  a  thousand  transformed  temporizers.     To  force  a 
confession  of  religion  by  mouth,  contraiy  to  that  in  the  heart,  worketh  damna- 
tion, where  salvation  is  pretended." 

"  Yea  marry,"  quoth  the  bishop,  "  that  deliberation  would  do  well,  if  she 
were  required  to  come  from  an  old  religion  to  a  new.    But  now,  she  is  to  return 
from  a  new  to  an  ancient  religion :  wherein,  when  she  made  me  her  gossip,  she 
was  as  earnest  as  any." 
Religion        "  For  that,  my  lord,"  said  master  Berty,  "not  long  since,  she  answered  a 
by^ge,      friend  of  hers,  using  your  lordship's  speech,  that  religion  went  not  by  age,  but 
but  by       by  truth  :  and  therefore  she  was  to  be  turned  by  persuasion,  and  not  by  corn- 
truth,        mandmcnt." 


PRESERVED    IN    QUEEN    MARy's    DAYS.  571 

"  I  pray  you,"  quoth  the  hishop,  "  think  you  it  possible  to  persuade  her?"  Mary. 

"  Yea  verily,"  said  master  Berty,   "  with  tlie  truth :  for   she  is  reasonable  — — — 
enough."  A.D. 

The  bishop  thereunto  replying,  said,  "  It  will  be  a  marvellous  grief  to  the      '^^°- 
prince  of  Spain,  and  to  all  the  nobility  that  shall  come  with  him,  when  they 
shall  find  but  two  noble  personages  of  the  Spanish  race  within  this  land,  the 
queen,  and  my  lady  your  wife ;  and  one  of  them  gone  from  the  faith." 

Master  Berty  answered,  that  he  trusted  they  should  find  no  fruits  of  infidelity 
in  her. 

So  the  bishop  persuaded  master  Berty  to  travail  earnestly  for  the  Berty 
reformation  of  lier  opinion ;  and,  offering  large  friendship,  released  from"p- 
him  of  his  bond  from  further  appearance.  pearing. 

The  duchess  and  her  husband,  daily  more  and  more  by  their  Ways 
friends  understanding  that  the  bishop  meant  to  call  her  to  an  account  how'tr*^ 
of  her  fiiith,  Avhereby  extremity  might  folloAv,  devised  ways  how,  by  '^"^^ 
the  queen's  license,  they  might  pass  the  seas.     Master  Berty  had  a  chess  over 
ready  mean ;  for  there  rested  great  sums  of  money  due  to  the  old  "uhuTe ' 
duke  of  Suffolk   (one  of  whose  executors  the  duchess  was),  beyond  |i."eeu's 
the  seas,  the  emperor  himself  being  one  of  those  debtors.     Master 
Berty  communicated  this  his  purposed  suit  for  license  to  pass  the 
seas,  and  the  cause,  to  the  bishop,  adding,  that  he  took  this  time  most 
meet  to  deal  with  the  emperor,  by  reason  of  likelihood  of  marriage 
between  the  queen  and  his  son. 

"  I  like  your  device  well,"  quoth  the  bishop ;  "  but  I  think  it  better  that  you 
tarry  the  prince's  coming,  and  I  will  procure  you  his  letters  also  to  his  father." 

"  Nay,"  quoth  master  Berty,  "  under  your  lordship's  correction  and  pardon 
of  so  liberal  speech,  I  suppose  the  time  will  then  be  less  convenient:  for  when 
the  marriage  is  consummate,  the  emperor  hath  his  desire ;  but,  till  then,  he  will 
refuse  nothing,  to  win  credit  with  us." 

"  By  St.  Maiy,"  quoth  the  bishop,  smiling,  "you  guess  shrewdly.  Well, 
proceed  in  your  suit  to  the  queen,  and  it  shall  not  lack  my  helping  hand." 

]\Iaster  Berty  found  so  good  success,  that  he  in  few  days  obtained  Berty  li- 
the queen^s  license,  not  only  to  pass  the  seas,  but  to  pass  and  repass  pass'^tue" 
them  so  often  as  to  him  seemed  good,  till  he  had  finished  all  his  ^'^='s- 
business  and  causes  beyond  the  seas.      So  he  passed  the  seas  at  prepara- 
Dover  about  the  beginning  of  June,  in  the  first  year  of  her  reign,  {o^conve^ 
leaving  the  duchess  behind,  who,  by  agreement  and  consent  betwixt  the 
her  and  her  husband,  followed,  taking  barge  at  Lion-quay,  very  early  away!*^ 
in  the  morning,  on  the  first  day  of  January  next  ensuing,  not  without 
some  peril. 

There  were  none  of  those  that  went  with  her,  made  privy  to  her  Master 
going  till  the  instant,  but  an  old  gentleman,  called  master  Robert  a^rulty^ 
Cranwell,  whom  master  Berty  had  specially  provided  for  that  purpose.  f"end  to 
She  took  with  her  her  daughter  (an  infant  of  one  year),  and  the  meanest  Berty. 
of  her  servants,  for  she  doubted  the  best  would  not  adventure  that  ducliess, 
fortune  with  her.      They  were  in  number  four  men,  one  a  Greek  ^^'"^  ^'"' 

•ifi  1  •    •  ^  1-1  company, 

born,  which  was  a  rider  of  horses,  another   a  joiner,  the  third  a  (iepartctu 
brewer,  the  fourth  a  fool,  one  of  the  kitchen,  one  gentlewoman,  and 
a  laundress. 

As  she  departed  her  house  called  the  Barbican,  betwixt  four  and  The 
five  of  the  clock  in  the  morning,  with  her  company  and  baggage,  one  ™eTiiiy"" 
Atkinson  a  herald,  keeper  of  her  house,  hearing  noise  about  the  house,  '"*='• 
rose,  and  came  out  with  a  torch  in  his  hands  as  she  was  yet  issuing  out 


572  KATHERINE,    DUCHESS    OF    SUFFOLK, 

Mary,    of  tlic  fatc  :  wlierewith  being  amazed,  she  was  forced  to  leave  a  mail' 

"aTdT  with  necessaries  for  her  young  daughter,  and  a  milk-pot  with  milk  in 

15*58]    the  same  gatehouse,   commanding  all  her  servants  to  speed  them 

away  before,  to  Lion-quay.  And  taking  with  her  only  the  two  women 

and  her  child,  so  soon  as  she  was  forth  of  her  own  house,  perceiving 

the  herald  to  follow,  slept  in  at  Charter-house  hard  by.     The  herald, 

coming  out  of  the  duchess's  house,  and  seeing  nobody  stirring,  nor 

assured    (though  by  the  mail  suspecting)   that   she  was  departed, 

returned  in  ;  and  Avhile  he  stayed  ransacking  parcels  left  in  the  mail, 

the  duchess  issued  into  the  streets,  and  proceeded  in  her  journey,  she 

knowing  the  place  only  by  name,  where  she  should  take  her  boat,  but 

not  the  way  thither,  nor  any  with  her.     Likewise  her  servants  having 

divided  themselves,  none  but  one  knew  the  way  to  the  said  quay. 

The  So  she  appeared  like  a  mean  merchant's  wife,  and  the  rest  like  mean 

'vitiihM  servants,  walking  in  the  streets  unknown.    She  took  the  way  that  led 

lakith"^  to  Finsbury-field,  and  the  others  walked  the  city  streets  as  they  lay 

barge.      opcu  bcforc  them,  till  by  chance,  more  than  discretion,  they  met  all 

suddenly  together  a  little  within  Moorgate,  from  whence  they  passed 

directly  to  Lion-quay,  and  there  took  barge  in  a  morning  so  misty,  that 

the  steerman  was  loth  to  launch  out,  but  that  they  urged  him.     So 

soon  as  the  day  permitted,  the  council  was  informed  of  her  departure  ; 

Pursuit    and  some  of  them  came  forthwith  to  her  house,  to  inquire  of  the 

duchess,   manner  thereof,  and  took  an  inventory  of  her  goods,  besides  further 

order  devised  for  search  and  watch  to  apprehend  and  stay  her. 
The  The  fame  of  her  departure  reached  to  Leigh,  a  town  at  the  land's 

reTahied  cud,^  bcforc  her  approaching  thither.  By  Leigh  dwelt  one  Gosling, 
in  master  g,  merchant  of  London,  an  old  acquaintance  of  Cranwell's,  whither 
house  at  tlic  Said  Cranwcll  brought  the  duchess,  naming  her  mistress  White, 
und'er'the  the  daughter  of  master  Gosling  ;  for  such  a  daughter  he  had, 
hfs"'^  °^  which  never  was  in  that  country.  There  she  reposed  her,  and  made 
daughter,  new  garments  for  her  daughter,  having  lost  her  own  in  the  mail  at 

Barbican. 
The  hard       When  the  time  came  that  she  should  take  ship,  being  constrained 
^ur7o"the  that  uight  to  lie  at  an  inn  in  Leigh  (where  she  was  again  almost 
'^'"^'^'^t^    bewrayed),  yet  notwithstanding,  by  God's  good  working  she  escaped 
seas.        that  hazard.     At  length,  as  the  tide  and  wind  did  serve,  they  went 
abroad,  and  being  carried  twice  into  the  seas,  almost  into  the  coast  of 
Zealand,  by  contrary  wind  were  driven  to  the  place  from  whence  they 
came ;  and,  at  the  last  recoil,  certain  persons  came  to  the  shore,  sus- 
pecting she  was  within  that  ship  ;  yet  having  examined  one  of  her 
company  that  was  a-land  for  fresh  achates,'  and  finding,  by  the  sim- 
plicity of  his  tale,  only  the  appearance  of  a  mean  merchant's  wife  to 
be  a-shipboard,  he  ceased  any  further  search. 
The  To  be  short,  so  soon  as  the  duchess  had  landed  in  Brabant,  she  and 

huiVe'ifln  licr  women  were  apparelled  like  the  women  of  the  Netherlands  with 
Brabant,   liooks  ;    and    so   she   and  her  husband  took  their  journey  towards 
Cleveland,  and  being  arrived  at  a  town  therein  called  Santon,  took  a 
house  there,  until  they  might  further  devise  of  some  sure  place,  where 
to  settle  themselves. 

About  five  miles  from  Santon,  is  a  free  tov.'u  called  Wesell,  under 

(1)  "  Mail,"  a  kind  of  portmanteau. — Ed. 

(2)  "  The  land's  end,"  i.  c.  the  Essex  shore.— Eu.  (o)  "  Achates,''  I'.rovision.— Ed. 


PRESERVED    IN    QUEEN    RIARy's    DAYS.  573 

the  said  duke  of  Cleve's  dominion,  and  one  of  the  Hans  towns,  privi-    Mary. 
leged  Avitli  the  company  of  the  Steelyard  in  London,  whitlier  divers  ~a~U~ 
Walloons  were  fled  for  religion,  and  had  for  their  minister  one    1558. 
Francis  Perusell,   then  called  Francis  de  Rivers,  who  had  received  J~^^^ 
some  courtesy  in  England  at  the  duchess''s  hands.     Master  Berty,  t'on  pro- 
being  yet  at  San  ton,  practised  with  him  to  obtain  a  protection  from  fo/the 
the  magistrates  for  his  abode  and  his  wife's  at  Wesell ;  which  was  the  o" thT^' 
sooner  procured,  because  the  state  of  the  duchess  was  not  discovered,  ™agi- 
but  only  to  the  chief  magistrate,  earnestly  bent  to  show  them  plea-  weseii! 
sure,  while  this  protection  was  in  seeking. 

In  the  mean  while,  at  the  town  of  Santon  was  a  muttering  that  the 
duchess  and  her  husband  were  greater  personages  than  they  gave 
themselves  forth  ;  and  the  magistrates  not  very  well  inclined  to  reli- 
gion, the  bishop  of  Arras  also  being  dean  of  the  great  minster,  order 
was  taken,  that  the

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