Cardinall Wolsey either ignorant or forgetfull of this priviledge or perhaps thinking he might doe any thing without the Kings consent or procuâ—ement procured of and for himselfe the Power legantine from the Pope that then was but though the Cardinall had exercised that authority for the space of divers yeares without the Kings consent or privity yet at the length perceiving his own errour and the danger he was in if the Kings favour which was no inheritance should chance to slâ—ck its sailes and perhaps how merrily the wheâ—le of fortune began to turn about he so wrought formerly with the King that he procured a confiâ—mation thereof under the great Seal of England as well for that which was past as that which was to come which the King full well remembring thought the Cardinall too hard for him howsoever he was resolved he would be too hard for the Cardinâ—ll and knowing that nothing stood between him and the mark he aimed aâ— but the reduction of this Cardinall to the statuquo wherein he had him once safe enough he so deales with a servant then belonging to the Cardinall and in great truth about him that by his meanes he regained the foresaid ratification under the great Seal into his own hands and then to work he went And Accordingly he summoned another Parliament to begâ—n upon the 16. day of February in the year of our Lord God 1530. in which Paâ—liament divers heinous matters were propounded against the â—lergy as a praeludiuÌ„ of the winds to the ensuing tempest then an account was given up in Parliament of 100000 l. charges which the King had been at to obtain so many instâ—uments from forraign Universities concerning the businesse of the Divorce All which expences they said the King had been at through the falshood and dissimulation of the Cardinall and certain others of the chief of the Clergie all which was demanded of the Clergie that they should make all good unto the King but when this business began to be propounded to the Convocation of Divinâ—s it was there opposed especially by the Lord B. of Rocheâ—ster who said uâ—to the Kings Orators that it was not their faults as they were there the body representative of the Clergie that the King had been at any charges at all concerning that businesse for to his knowledge the Clergie were generally against it that any such matter should at all be brought in question and that if any such faulty persons were amongst them it is fit they should be questioned and compelled to give his Majesty satisfaction Whereupon they all slâ—tly denied upon any such score to make any restitution at all Then the King more â—urioâ—sly than ever called the whole Clergie into the Kings Bench and sued the Cardinall together with the whole Clergie in a praemunire for receiving and acknowledging the power Lâ—ganâ—ine of the Cardinal which objection whiles thâ— Card thought with as easie a grace to wâ—sh off of him as the proud Swan to slâ—de so much water off of his back like the bastard Eagle called Haliâ—tâ—â—s he was drowned under the waves because like the true Eagle he poized not his prey before he offered to carry it by catching after a Fish which was heavier than he could carry and so they were all condemned upon the Statute of King Richard the second in a praemunire Thuâ— the K. was put into a capacity of imprisoning whom or as many of them as he pleased or to enter into or upon what goods or possessions of theirs he had a minde unto whereupon the Clergie first fallen under the Kings heavie displeasure and now not being willing to abide the further danger of his displeasure under his justice sued unto him for mercy declaring unto him their willingnesâ— to pay the 100000 l. upon his indemnity which the King promised unto them excepting the Cardinall and some others But The businesse of the Divorce sâ—uck so indigâ—stedly in the Kings stomach that before he woâ—ld either divorce them from their feares or marry them to their former securities he wished them all to repair unto their house of Convocation and there he would propound unto them a businesse which if they would condescend unto then they should finde that he would be unto them a gracious Prince which when they were assembled in the place â—ppointed such a business was propounded to them as never was propounded by men since there was a congregation of mankinde viz. that they should acknowlâ—dge the King to be the Supreme Head of the Church which was propounded chiâ—fly by Mr. Thomas Audelâ—y who after Sir Thomas Moore had given over his place was created Lord Chancâ—lour of England and that with such mixâ—ure of faire promises and threatniâ—gâ— together that many of the Convocation thought themselves in a capacity neither of refusing any thing that shouâ—d be demanded of them by the King nor of consulâ—ing of what was or was not to be granted whereupon divers of the Convocation upon â—canning of the businesse were in a readinesse to promote the Kings designe and few there were that durst open their mouthes to speak their mindâ— freely Wherâ—upon the Athanasius of the Clergie this â—â—out Prelate of whom we treat thus took the busiâ—esse into consideration My Lords it is true we are all under the Kings lash and stanâ— in need of the Kings good favour and clemency yet this argues not that we should therefore doe that which will render us both riâ—iculous and contemptiâ—le to all the Christian world and â—issed out from the society of Gods holy Cathâ—lique Church for what good will that be to us to kâ—â—p the pâ—ssâ—ssion of our Houses Cloysters and Covents to lose the Society of the Christian world to preserve our Goods and lose our Consciences Wherefore my Lords I pray let us consider what we doe and what it is we are to grant the dangers and inconvenienâ—â—s that will ensue thereupon or whether it lies in our powers to grant what the King requireth at our hands or whether the King be an apt person to receive this power that so we may go groundedly to work and not like men that had lost all honesty and wit together with their worldly foâ—tune As conâ—erning the first point vâ—z what the Supremacy of the Church is which we are to give unto the King it is to exercise the spirituall Government of the Church in chief which according to all that ever I have learned both in the Gospel and thâ—ough the whole couâ—se of Divinity mainly consists in these two points 1. In loosing and binding sinners according to that which our Saviour saiâ— unto St. Peter when he ordained him head of his Church viz. to thee will I give the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven Now my Lords can we say unto the King tibi to thee will I give the keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven If you say I where is your waâ—rant if you say no then you have answered your selves that you cannot put
such keyes into his hands Secondly the Supreme Government of the Church consists in feeding Christs Sheep and Lambs according unto that when our Saviour performed that promise unto Peter of making him his universall Sheepherd by such unlimited jurisdiction feed my Lambs and not onely so but feed those that are the feeders of those lambes feed my sheep Now my Lords can any of us say unto the King Pasce oves God hath given unto his Church some to be Apostles some Evangelists some Pastors some Doctors that thâ—y might edifie the body of Christ so that you must make the King one of these before you can set him one over these and when you have made him one of these supreme Heads of the Church he must be such a Head as may be answerable to all the Members of Christs body and it is not the few Ministers of an Island that must constitute a Head over the Vniverse or at least by such example we must allow as many heads over the Church as there are soveraigne Powers within Christs Dominion and then what will become of the Supremacie every Member must have a heaâ— attendite vobis was not said to Kings but Bishops Secondly let us consider the inconveniences that will arise upon this Grant we cannot grant this unto the King but we must renounce our unity with the See of Rome and if there were no further matter in it than a renouncing of Clement the seventh Pope thereof then the matter were not so great but in this we do forsake the first four generall Counsells which none ever forsook we renounce all Canonicall and Ecclesiastical Laws of the Church of Câ—rist we renounce all other Christian Princes we renounce the Vnity of the Christian World and so leap out of Peters ship to be dâ—owned in the wave of all Heresies Sects Schismes and Divisions For The first and generall Counsell of Nice acknowledged Silvâ—ster the Bishop of Rome his authority to be over them by sending their Decrees to be ratified by him The Couâ—sel of Constantinople did acknowledge Pope 〈◊〉 to be their chief by admitting him to give sentence against the Heretiques Mâ—cidonius Sâ—bellinus and Eâ—nomius The Counsell of Ephesus acknowledged Pope Celestin to be their cheif Iudge by admitting his condemnatiâ—n upon the Heretique Neâ—torius The Counsell of Chalcedon acknowledged Pope Leo to be their chief Head and all generall Counsells of the World ever acknowledged the Pope of Rome onely to be the Supreme Head of the Church and now shall we acknowledge another Head or one Head to be in England and another in Rome Thirdly We deny all Canonicall and Ecclesiasticall Lawes which wholy doe depend upon the authority of the Apostolicâ—ll See of Rome Furthly We renounce the judgement of all other Christian Princes whether they be Protestants or Catholiques Iâ—wes or Gentiles for by this argument Herod must have been head of the Church of the Iewes Nero must have been head of the Church of Christ the Emperour must be head of the Protestant Countreys in Germany and the Church of Christ must have had never a head till about 300. yeares after Christ. Fifthly The Kings Majesty is not susâ—â—ptible of this Donation Ozias for medling with the Priests office was resisted by Azâ—rias thrust out of the Temple and told that it belonged not to his oâ—â—ice now if the Priest spake truth in this then is not the King to meddle in this businesse if he spoke amisse why did God plaguâ— the King with leprosie for this and not the Priest King David when the Ark of God was in bringing home did he place himself in the head of the Priests Order did he so much as touch the Ark or exâ—cute any the least properly belonging to the 〈…〉 or did he not rather go beâ—ore and abase himselfe amongst the people and sâ—y that he would become yet more vile so that God might be glorified All gooâ— christiâ—n Empâ—rours have evermore refused 〈◊〉 authority for at the first Generall counsel of Nice certaine Bills were privily brought unto Constantine to be ordered by his authority but he caused them to be burnt saying Dominus 〈◊〉 constituit c. God hath ordained you Priestâ— and hath given you power to be Iudges over us and therefore by right in these things we are to be juâ—ged by you but you are not to be judged by me Valentine the good Emperour was required by the Bishops to be but present with them to reform the heresie of the Arians but he answered Forasmuch as I am one of the Mâ—mbers of 〈◊〉 Lay-people it is not lawfull for me to define such controversâ—â—s but let the Priâ—sts to whom not to separate our selves from such a one If we answer thâ—t the Church of Rome is not of God but a Malignant Church then it will â—ollow that we the inhabitants of this land have not as yet received the true faith of Christ seeing we have not recâ—ived any other Gospel any other Doâ—trine any other Sacraments than what we have received from her as most evidently appears by all the Eâ—clâ—siastical Histories wherefore if she be a malignant Church we have been deceived all this while and if to renounce the common Father of Christendome all the Gâ—nerall Counsels â—specially the first four which none renounce all the Câ—untrâ—ys of Christendome whether they be 〈…〉 Countreys or Protestant be to forsake the Vnity of the Christian world then is the granting of the Supremacy of the Châ—â—ch unto the King a renouncing of the Vnity 〈◊〉 of the Sâ—amlesse coat of Christ in 〈◊〉 a dividâ—ng of the Mystical body of Châ—â—st 〈◊〉 Spouse limb 〈…〉 and tayle to tayle lik◠〈…〉 to set the field of Christs holy Church all on 〈◊〉 and this is it which we are about wherefore let it be said unto you in time an not too late LOOK YOV TO THAT This Spâ—ech so wrought with the whole Convocâ—â—â—on that all 〈◊〉 were laid aside and such an aâ—mour of resolution generally put upon the whole body there assembled that come what come would all was rejâ—cted and the Kings purpose for that time clearly frustrated But the King desiâ—ted not notwithstanding all this but sent his Orators to the Convocation-house to put them in mind of the dangers they were in and to acquaint them with the Kâ—ngs heavy displeasure against them for denying him so reasonable a demand both which particulars they aggravated and set forth to the highâ—st advantage but it was answered that they were sensible enough of that which they had said and for the Kings displeasure they were very sorrowfull because they could not help it wherefore if they must they said suffer they must be contented The King having in vain thus attempted the fury of the wind in bereaving these Travellers of this upper Garmâ—nt of the Church he now makes triall what the policy of the Sun will do Wherefore The King sent for divers of the chief leading men of the Convocation as well Bishops as
others to come unto him at his Palace of Westminster at whose first entrance into his presence he shines upon them such a gracious look as if all the raâ—â—s of Majesty had beene bestowed upon them by that aspect and courts them with the sofâ—â—st mild and gentlest words as that pâ—ssibly he could use protesting unto them upon the word of a Kâ—ng that if they would acknowledge and 〈◊〉 him for supâ—â—me head of the Chuâ—ch of England he would never by vertue of that Gâ—ant â—ssume unto himself any more powâ—r juâ—isdict on or â—uthority over them than all other thâ—Kings of England his 〈◊〉 had formeâ—â—y assumed neiâ—her wouâ—d he tâ—ke upon him to pâ—omulgâ— or 〈◊〉 any new spiritual Law or exâ—rcise any 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction or intermâ—ddle himself among them in altering changing ordâ—ring or judging in any spâ—ritual businesse whatsoever wherefore said he I having made you thâ—s frank promise I expâ—ct that you should deale with mâ— accordingâ—y and so he dismissed them to consiâ—er of this businesse amongst themsâ—lvâ— and to gâ—ve his Orators an accouâ—t thereof in the house the next morning CHAP. XVI 1. The Bishops consult what course to take 2. The Bishop of Rochâ—ster proposeth untâ— them a Parable Whereupon they all break off in confusion 3. The Kings Oâ—ators repaire unto the Coâ—â—ocation to know the Clergies finâ— determâ—nation in the businâ—sse 4. The Bishop of Râ—chester's Spâ—ech unto the Kings Orators 5. The Orators Reply unto the Bishops Speech 6. The Headship of the Church graâ—teâ— unto the King upoâ— conditions the conditions rejected at last accepted of THe Bishops c. as soon as they were departed the Kings presence retired themselves to a place of privacy to consider with themselves what were best to be done and what account and advice they should give unto the rest of the Clergie Some of them were apt enough to think the businesse now pretty faire seeing that the King had promised fairly but because my Lord of Rochester was the onely man that most stickled in this businesse they all asked his opinion herein in the first place who soon answered them with this parable Thus stands the case my Maâ—ters the Heart upon a timâ— sâ—id unto the Members of the Body lâ—t me also be your Head and I will promise you that I will neither see nor heare nor smell nor speak but I will close and shuâ— mine eyes and eares and mouth and nostrills and will excecute no other offices than a meere heart should do whereupon all hopes of reconciliation upon that trust and wâ—yes of satisâ—action was soon nipp'd in the bud and they all broke off in confusion with â—â—d hearts The next day the Orators came to the house of Convocation to know the Clergies resoâ—ution in the businesse repeating unto the whole hous the words which the day before his Maj. had spoken unto some of them and that over over and moreover saying unto them that if they should now oppose themselves against his Maj. this businesse it must needs declare a grâ—at mistrâ—stâ—ulnesse which they had in the Kings words sâ—eing he had made unto them so solemne and high an oath which words of theirs pressed so home and followed so close with all the specious arguments and fairest promises that could be imagined stâ—ggered indeed some but silâ—nced all excepting him who is the subject of this History who after that he had earnestly required of the Lords to take good heed what they did and to consider the manifold michiefs and inconveniencies that would â—nâ—ue unto the whole Church of Christ if they should condescend to any such request applying himself unto the Kings Orators he spake thus unto them It is true the King was graciously pleased to protest thus and thus What if the King should alter his minde where is our remedy What if the King will execute the Supremacy must we sue unto the Head to forbeare being Head Againe this dignity is invested in him his Successors will expect the same and the Parliament will questionlesse anneâ— that dignity to the Crowne What if a Woman should succeed to the Crowne must she be Head of the Church What if an Infant should succeed can he be Head This were not only said he to make the Church no Church but the Scripture no Scripture and at last Iesus to be no Christ. To the which sayings the Orators replyed that the King had no such meaning as he doubted repeating againe his royall Protestation and further said that though the Supremacy were granted unto his Mâ—jâ—sty simply and absolutely according to his demand yet it must needs be understood or so takâ—n that he can hâ—ve no farther power or authority thereby than quantum per legem Dei licet and then if a temporall Prince can have no such authority by Gods Lawes as his Lorâ—ship hath declared what needeth the forecasting of so many doubts The Bâ—shop of Rochester perceiving the whole house to be much affâ—cted with their manner of pleading and fearing that they might desert him in the end through â—ear and dread of the Kings displeasure takes hold upon their last words and thus speakes unto his Majestiâ—s Orators Gâ—ntlemen you think that herein we stand too stâ—ff upon our owne legs but it is not so but onâ—ly in the defence of our owne and your Mother the holy Catholique Church in whose bosome you are as well as we and the milk of whose Breasts it is your pâ—rts to suck as well as ours and within whose blâ—ssâ—d Commuâ—ion there is but one Salvation which is common uâ—to all wherefore Gentlemen let it be your care that our tendernesse in this point be not misconstrued to the King and now as to this demand that his Mâ—jesty and you all may plainly see that we shall to please his Majâ—sty do the uâ—termost of whaâ— lieâ— within ouâ— pâ—wer in that 〈◊〉 let all that which his Majesty hath protested and so solemnly taken his oâ—th upon be â—â—cordâ—d and the words quantum per lâ—gâ—m 〈◊〉 be inâ—erted in the Grant which is no otherwâ—â—â— than what the King and you your selves have faithfully promised and protested and for my part it shall be granted Whereupon the Orâ—tors went away as well 〈◊〉 and made a report of all that had happened in the Convocation house unto the King whereat the King was highly offended and said unto them Mother of God you have 〈◊〉 pâ—etty prank I thought to have made fooles of theâ—â— and now you have so ordered the businesse that they are likely to make a foole of me as they have done of you already got unto them again and let me have the businesse pâ—ssed without any quâ—ntum's or tantum'â— I will have no quantum's nor no tantum ' s in the businesse but lâ—t it be done Whereupon immeâ—iâ—tâ—ly they returned to the Convocation house calling and crying ouâ— upon them with open and coâ—tinuall clamour to have the Grant pass absolutely and to credit the Kings honour who had made unto
it was his secret place of Prayer This Coffer thus fenced about and in so private a place and close unto him every man beleived verily that some great Treasure had been stored up in that same Coffer wherefore because no indirect dealing might be used in defrauding the King in a matter of so great consâ—quence aâ— this was thought to be wherefore witnesses were solemnly called to be present so the Coffer was broken up before them and much paines was taken in â—breaking up thâ— Coffer but when it was open they found within it instead of gold and silver which they looked for a shirt of haire and two or three whips wherwith he used full often to punish himself as some of his Chaplaineâ— and Servants have often reported that were neere about him and curiously marked his doings and other treasure than that found they none at all But when report was made to him in his prison of the opening of that coffâ—r he was very sorry for it and said that if hast had not made him forget that and many things else â—â—ose things had not been to be found there at that time After this good Bâ—shop was recovered to some better strength by the help of his Physitians and that he was more able to be carried abroad he was on Thursday the 17. of Iune brought to the Kings Bench at Westminster from the Tower with a huge number of Holberts Bills and other weapons about him and the Ax of the Tower born before him with the edge from him as the manner is and because he was not yet so well recovered that he was able to walk by land all the way on foot he rode part of the way on horseback in a black cloth gown the rest he was carried by water for that he was not well able to ride thorough for weaknesse As soon as he was come to Westminster he was there presâ—nted at the Barre before the said Commissioners being all set ready in their places against his coming whose names were these Sir Thomas Audely Knight Lord Chancellor of England Charles Duke of Suffolk Hâ—nry Earle of Comberland Thomas Earle of Wiltshire Thomas Cromwell Secretary Sir Iohn Fitz. Iames Chief Iustice of England Sir Iohn Baldwin Chief Justice of the Common-pleas Sir William Pawlet Sir Richard Lyster Chief Baron of the Exchequer Sir Iohn Port Sir Iohn Spilman and Sir Walter late Justices of the Kings Bench and Sir Anthony Fitzherbert one of the Justices of the Common-pleas Being thus presented before these Commissiâ—ners he was commanded by the name of Iohn Fisher late of Rochester Clerk otherwise called Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester to hold up his hand which he did with a most cheerfull countenance and rare constancy then was his Indictment read which was very long and full of words but the effect of it was thus that he maliciously treacherously falsâ—ly had said these words The King our soveraigne Lord is not Supreme head in the earth of the Church of England and bâ—ing read to the end it was asked him whether he was guilty of this Treason or no whereunto he pleaded Not guilty Then was a Jury of twelve men being Free-holders of Middlesex called to try this Issue whose names were these Sir Hugh Vaughan Knight Sir Walter Langford Knight Thomas Burbage Iohn Nudygate William Browne Iohn Hewes Iasper Leak Iohn Palmer Richard Henry Young Henry Lodisman Iohn Elrington and George Heveningham Esquires These twelve men being sworne to trie whether the prisoner were guilty of this Treason or no at last came forth to gâ—ve evidence against him Mr Rich the secret and close Messenger that passed between the King and him as ye have read before who openly in the presence of the Judges and all the people there assembled deposed and swore that he heard the Prisoner say in plaine words within the Tower of London that he believed in his conscience and by his learning he assuredly knew that the King neither was nor by right could be Supreme head in earth of the Church of Engl. When this blessed Father heard the accusations of this most wretched false person contrary to his former oath promise he was not a little astonied thereat wherefore he said to him in this menner Mr. Râ—ch I cannot but mervaile to hear you come in and beare witnesse against me of these words knowing in what secret manner you came to me but suppose I so said unto you yet in that saying I commited no Treason for upon what occasion and for what cause it might be said your self doth know right well and therefore being now urged said he by this occasion to open somewhat of this matter I shall desire my Lords and others here to take a little patience in hearing what I shall say for my self This man meaning Mr. Rich came to me from the King as he said on a secret message with commendations from his Grace declaring at large what a good opinion his Majesty had of me and how sorry he was of my trouble with many more words than are here needfull to be recited because they tended so much to my praise as I was not onely ashamed to hear them but also knew right well that I could no way deserve them at last he broke with me of the matter of the Kings Supremacy lately granted unto him by Act of Parliament to the which he said although all the Bishops in the Realme have consented except your selfe alone and also the whole Court of Parliament both spirituall and temporall except a very few yet he told me that the King for better satisfaction of his owne conscience had sent him unto me in this sâ—cret manner to know my full opinion in the matter for the great affâ—â—nce he had in me more than any other he adâ—ed further that if I would herein frankly and freely advertise his Maj. my knowledge that upon certificate of my misliking he was very like to retract much of his former doings and make satisfaction for the same in case I should so advertise him when I had heard all his message and considered a little upon his words I put him in minde of the new Act of Parliament which standing in force as it doth against all them that shall diâ—â—ctly say or do any thing that is against it might thereby â—ndanger me very much in case I should utter unto him any thing that were offensive against the Law to that he told me that the King willed him to assure me on his honour and in the word of a King that whatever I should say unto him by this his secret messenger I should abide no danger no perill for it neither that any advntage should be taken against me for the same no although my words were never so directly against the Statutes seeing it was but a declaration of my minde secretly to him as to his owne person and for the messenger himselfe he gave me his faithfull promise that he would never utter
the Body of so incomparable a Soule in the yeare of our Lord God 1519. the third of the Calends of Iuly within the Abbey of S. Peters in Westm. to the great grief and sorrow of all good people but to her own eternal happinesse who before her departure made her last Will and Testament wherein together with other Personages of great quality she made this holy Bishop as one in whom she reposed her chiefest trust one of her Executors She was buried with all solemnity according to the dignity of so great a person in the Abbey church at Westminster at whose Fuâ—erall Sermon this most excellent Bishop threw these flowers upon her Grave c. As concerning her birth that she was the daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset lineally descended from the most noble Prince Edward the third King of England As for Quality that she was a second Martha both for her Hospitality and Nobility where together with many other of her great Vertues and incomparable deeds of Charity all which he there related at large as so many proofs of sanctity he had these remarkable passages concerning her viz. that notwithstanding she was Princesse who by lineage and affinity had had thirty Kings and Queens besides Dukes Marquesses and Earles within the fourth degree of marriage supporting her greatnesse yet would she often fall so low as to search and dresse the wounds and sores of poore and distressed people with her own fingers performing all this for his sake who for ours received so many wounds as also when there was an offerture made by divers Princes to warre against the common enemy of our Faith she encouraged them thereunto by often telling them that upon condition that they would got she would also goe along with them and be their Laundresse The Funeralls of this great Lady being ended and that other Colledge which she had willed to be dedicated to S. Iohn the Evangelist being not yet built the rest of her Executors finding how faithfull the good man had been in his former trust by a generall consent resigned into his hands by a publick instrument in writing the whole authority of the disposement of her Legâ—cies but behold how worthily the dispensation was conferred upon him for whereas the Lady Margaret out of her great bounty and liberality had given to so pious a use a portion of Land for the maintenance of one Master and fifty Schollers with all manner of furniture and Servants requisite to every Office in manner and forme This good man did not onely bear a portion in the charge of the same Building but much augmented the Revenue thereof with possession of Land whereby four Fellowships were founded upon his own account and one Reader of an Hebrew Lecture and another of Greek together with four examining Readers and four under-Readers to help the Principall and whereas he observed the price of Victuals began to rise he gave wherewith by weekly divident the Fellows commons might be augmented bequeathing thereunto his Library of Books thought to be the best that ever was in Europe after his death together with all his Plate Hangings and other Housholdstuffe whatsoever to him belonging by a deed of gift in his life time under his own hand and putting the colledge into possession of the same by Indentures onely borrowing the same back again to his owne use during his life And for a perpetuall memory of his hearty good will and love towards this Colledge he caused a little Chappell to be built neere unto the high Altar or the great Chappell where there was a Tombe set of white Marble â—inely wrought where he intended to have laid his bones if God had not so disposed of him otherwise but he was otherwise disposed of and as if because this Martyrs body was not permitted to be brought â—mong these men these Fellowes brought their bodies to his Martyrdome for those famous Martyrs Mr. Greenwood Richard Reynolds Doctor in Divinity a professed Monke in Sion of the rule of S. Bridget and Mr. William Exmew a Carthusian professed in London the first whereof came out of S. Iohn's Colledge the other two came forth of Christs all three suffering death under King Hen. 8. in the cause of Supremacy that they might still be of his foundation though not of Stone and Mortar yet of Blood and Fire Out of the first of these two Colleges proceeded likewise Ralph Bayn Bishop of Lichfield Thomas Walson Bishop of Lincolne Iohn Christoferson also Bishop of Chichester Thomas Bishop Elect of Glocester and before that Abbot of Leicester all Catholique Bishops Out of the second also sprang that most Reverend and Grave Doctor Nicholas Heath Archb shop of York together with divers other Grave and Learned Preachers of the Catholick Faith And this is to be noted to the honour of that University that during the space of so many hundred years as is between the laying of the first Stone in this our Bethel Cambridge was never infected with any unsound Doctrine untill such time as Regis ad exemplum brought it in and Luther's Soul was transmigrated into Henry the eighth who evâ—r after never spake at a lesser rate than Siâ— volo sic jubeo who both of them since their fall from the Catholick Church pulled down Reason and set up Will And It is a thing which is most remarkable that he who goard this University so much as it is conceived the more for this mans sake of whom we treat and the great love sake which they all bore unto his memory by his placing and displacing 〈◊〉 men and lawes he pleased and all to make way for a new Religion in the end reconcâ—led himselfâ— unto the Catholick Faith as appeares by his subscribing to the six Articles of the Roman Catholick Religion which was all the difference that was then between the two Churches in matter of Doctrine as also by the expresse words of his last will and Testament So the first uncleane beast that ever passed through the Oxens-ford I meane Wickliffe by name afterwards chewed the cud and was sufficiently reconciled to the Roman Faith as appeares by his Recantation Living and Dying conformable to the holy Catholick Church at his Parsonage of Litterworth as I take it in Northampton-shire constantly saying Masse unto his dying day So that Reformation as it seems was left unto the time of which it is said Vae Regnâ— euipuer dominatur woe be to the Kingdome over which a â—hild reignes CHAP. IV. 1. The encrease of Luthers Doctrine 2. 〈◊〉 vigilancy to suppresse it 3. His intention to goe to Rome 4. The occasion of his stay 5. His brave and worthy Speech in the Synod of Bishops NOw was the time come wherein God was determined to make triall of his people and the storme was not altogether unseen to ensue by this good man for by this time the people of this Nation had well drank of the intoxications of Prince Luthers cup but when he perceived the better
Divinity than had all the learned Fathers of the Church and the Divines of Spaine and England together with the See Apostolick that were in youâ— Fathers time by whose authority this Marriage was approved confirmed and dispensâ—â— with as good and lawfull Truly Sir mâ— Soveraign Lord you rather ought to make 〈◊〉 a matter of conscience than to make any such scruple in so clear and weighty a matter bâ— bringing it in question than to have any the least scruple in your conscience and thereâ—fore my advise is that your Majesty with all speed lay aside those thoughts and for any perill that may happen to your soule thereby let the guilt rest on mine And this is all that can be said by the loyallest of Subjects and whether I have said well herein or other wise I shall not refuse to answer any man in you behalf whether it be privately or publickly and I doubt not but there are as many worthy and learned men within your â—Kingdome which are of my opinion as on the contrary if they might be permitted to speak with freedome who hold it a very pâ—rilous and unseemly thing that any such thing as â— Divorce should be spoken of to which side I rather advise your Majesty to incline than to the other whereat the King replied not onâ— word for whiles there was so faire a beauty in his eye his eares must needs be stopped with the blackest wool So he departed suddenly and never looked favourably upon the Bishop from that time forward CHAP. VII 1 The Cardinal brought into a peck of troubles by reason of this Soruple 2. The King declares himself for Anne of Bullein and declines the Queens company 3. The Cardinalls sâ—cret complotting to break off the match with Anne Bullein THe King resolving to go thorough stitch with his work makes it a publique businesse And now the Cardinals hic labor was become hoc opus for the same thing which was hitherto but secretly handled among the Bishops was now made the common subject of discourse to the whole Kingdome And a convention hereupon was had not onely of the Bishops but of all the noted and famous Divines of both the Universities Cathedrals and Religious houses within the Realme at the Cardinals house at Weâ—minster where the said businesse was debated argued and consulted many daies together but the subject was too knotty for such tooles to work upon and the knot too hard for their untying wherefore they dissolved of themselves without dissolution and now the Cardinals hoc opus began to be impossible and voluntas regis to 〈◊〉 so high as if to that nothing were impossible for now the King begins to puff and blow and to sweare MOTHER of God he will have â—â—r declaring it openly to all the world whereupon from more and more he becomes altogether to decline his Katharine's company and to delight himself wholy in the Courtships of his new Mistress In the mean time the Cardinall Wolsey walks the round within his owne Chamber and with his bitten nailes teares ouâ— these words by piece-meales from his mouth WE WILL HAVE NONE OF THIS ANNE BULLEIN for we mâ—st conceive him wonderfully perplexed having otherwise designed au allianco for his Mâ—ster with the French King by this Divorce if he could have had his will so to have revenged himself upon the Emperour and we cannot imagine the distressed Queen to be otherwise than implacably as well as necessitously bent to employ all her engines to work together with his ruine her owne preservation O the just and secret workings of the Almighty who often buries us in the 〈◊〉 pits which we dig for others Yet most wonderfull it is to consider what countermines he had laid if it had been possiâ—le to have blown up the Kings resolution in his new choice able to have level'd any fortification of a minde that had been but compos'd either of Honour Wisdome Honesty or Shame not of what was altogether wilfullnesse For first hearing a common fame of the incontinency of this Ann of Bullien he sends forth spies in every corner to learne out who had or who could hear of any that had bin familiar with her At last intelligence was brought him that for a certeine Sir Thomas Wiat had carnall knowledge of her whereupon providing himself with sufficient instâ—uction he sends for Sir Thomas Wiat and tells him how thus and thus it appeares that he had bin oftentimes familiar with the Lady Anne Bullein and that for ceâ—teine the King was at this time resolv'd to marry her assoone as ever the sentence of divorce should be pronounced and therefore out of the great love which he ever bare unto him and care which he had of his welfare he thought good to acquaint him with what danger he was in whereby he might avoid it by acquainting the King with what was truth lest afterwards such a thing should come to the Kings eare and then it would not be all the land nor all the life he had in England that could give his Majesty satisfaction for concelment of a businesse of so high concernment The Knight replied Sir I thank you for the great love and sound advice which hath been alwaies exercised in my affairs But reverend Sir if the King be so in love with her as you say he is and the world takes notice of him to be I think I cannot be in greater danger than in acquainting the King with such a business If you cannot prove it sâ—id the Cardinall you say well it is a hard matter to prove that said the Knâ— it is a harder matter to answer the concealment said the Cardinall of a thing that is so much divulged as this is and besides in this case you can hardly suffer but you must finde many friends in the other you will suffer pitilesse and will will finde no man to speak in your behalf in this you will be but ingenuous in the other pâ—ccant wherefore I advise you of two evils to choose the least Sir Thomas Wiat by these perswasions was resolved to confesse all upto the King which he plainly did and with great feare told him that she was no fit wife for him if he wâ—re free the King commanded him to speak no more upon his life â—nor to acquaint any else with what he had told him so blinde is fate Nor would the Cardinall attempt to batter so strong a Tower with one Piece but he procured a Reserve of Engines which he thought could not faile for he had notice given him how that for certain the said Anne Bullein was really contracted to the Lord Henry Percy Son and Heire to the Earl of Northumberland then a servant waiting upon the Cardinall whom he immediately caused to appear before him and by his owâ— confession finding the report to be true and selemnly performed he sent for the Countesse of Wilt shire mother to the said Anne Bullein and hearing what she could say to the
Cardinall Campeius called for Doctour Cuthbert Tunstall Bishâ—p of London and desired to heare 〈…〉 for he was a man of profound judgement and learning and one in whose wisdome and honesty the Cardinall repâ—sed great confiâ—ence This Tunstall had wâ—itten a very lâ—arned Treatise in defence of the 〈…〉 which indeed should have 〈…〉 in the Court but the 〈…〉 â—bilities purposely sent hâ—m upon 〈…〉 into Scotland at the vâ—ry 〈◊〉 he should have appeared about 〈…〉 businesse so that he appeared not in Court this second time It was conceieved that had not the Queen appealed unto 〈…〉 Marriage had been confirmed at this 〈◊〉 as it was afterwards by the Pope 〈◊〉 when it was too late but being as it was all matters of question 〈…〉 were cleare laid aside 〈…〉 such things as belonged to Instruction and Information of his Holinesse in 〈…〉 were inquired after and that upon the 〈◊〉 motion of the Bishop of Ely one of the Queenes Counsell whereupon both the â—â—gates determined to hear no further pleadings CHAP. XI 1. The King commanded the two Cardinalls to perswade the Queen to 〈◊〉 her appeale 2. Their 〈…〉 to his commands 3. The King growes resolute and demands sentence thâ— Cardinalls refuse to give it 4. The Lorâ—â— of the Counsell begin to stoâ—me 5 The King to conceive great indignation against the 〈◊〉 of Yoâ—k 〈…〉 the Countrey 6. The pâ—ssage which happened between the King and Mr. 〈…〉 〈…〉 better and more honourable for both parties then to stand to a publique triall in forreigne parts The Cardinall to satisfie the Kings commâ—nds proâ—ised the uttermost of his endeavouâ—s in that behalf but all in vain for the Queen stâ—oâ— stoutly to her Appeale and would not in any wise be brought to retract her former resolution affording them the same reasons as formerly and requesting them for Charity sake to give a simple and heâ—plesse woman the best advise they could what was bâ—st to be done to the glory of God the Kings satisfaction and her owne honour Whereupon they both returned to their formâ—r perswasions and the Queen to her formâ—r answers Thus the Cardinalâ—s returned well pleasâ—d that they could not conquer her and the Queen unfortunate that she was not overcome The Kâ—â—g put off 〈◊〉 from post to pillar grew weary oâ— these delayes and resolute in having a speedy end he cared not which way so it were done and done it must be as he would have it Whâ—refore he called another Session and in person urged a finall Sentence abd the proâ—â—edings to be read in Latin wheâ—eupon theâ— Kâ—ng Counsel called for judgement with that Campeius answered again in Latin Not so I will give no Sentence before I have made a relation of the whole Transactions of these Affaires unto the Pope whereunto I am obliged by vertue of the Queens Appeale consiâ— ring whose 〈◊〉 we are and by whose authority we here sit I come not hither for favour or dread sake to pleasure any person living be he King or Subjâ—ct neither for any such 〈…〉 will I 〈◊〉 my Conscience or displeâ—se my Goâ— I am now an old man both weâ—k and sickly and should I now put my soule in 〈◊〉 of Gods 〈…〉 time So the 〈…〉 and nothing more of this nature was done in England ever after The Lords about the Kâ—â—g perceiving the miscarriage of the Kings 〈◊〉 began to happened Mr. Cranmer â— Master both of all Arts and cunning how to 〈…〉 Fellow of Jesus Colledge in Cambridg being at the same time retired into that Countrey with one of his Pupils by reason of the Sicknesse then raging in Cambridge happened to be in an 〈◊〉 thereabouts where some of the Courtiers were by reason of the Courts then being at my Lord of Darcy's house where hearing some of the Courtiers relating how discontentedly the King behaved himself by reason of those late accidents which had happâ—ned â—o crosse to his designes insomuch that he would hardly suffer any man to come neere hâ—m much lesse to speak unto him he spaâ—e unto them as followeth 〈…〉 and my life against any man living One of the Courtiers hearing this and knowing it to be a Speâ—ch so justly calculated to the height of that Meridian and a saying so agreeable to the Kings temper as iâ— it had taken measure of his minde said thus unto him I â—ell theâ— Scholler the King shall 〈…〉 what thou hast said and if 〈…〉 words good for 〈…〉 and to speak with the King but it was late in the evening before he could â—inde his opportunity but at the lâ—st he fouâ—d it and when he had related unto the Kâ—ng what such a man had said and what he would undertake the King swore by his wonted oâ—th Mâ—ther of God that man hâ—th the right Sew by the care I shall not goe to bed untill I 〈◊〉 with him commâ—nding the same party forthwiâ—h to depart out of his presenâ—e and to bring Cranmer to him with all speed the Mâ—ssenger makes hast unto the Inne but Mr. Cranmer was depâ—rted to his friends house two miles off before his return thither wherefore the messenger gave strict order to the Inne-keeper that he should send an Expresse unto Mâ— Cranmer to tâ—ll him that he should not faile to be at the Court betimes on the morrow for the King would speak with him Back to the Couâ—t the Mâ—ssenger râ—turnes with this account whereat the King was exceeding wroth with the Messenger and swore that he should finde him out this night if he were above ground and bring him to him for he would not close his eyes untilâ— he had seen hâ—m with much ado night brought him unto the Kâ—ng who brought night upon the Chuâ—ch for questionlesse there was the fiâ—st platform raised for the Church of Englands downfall For after much private conference first had between the King and Mr. Cranmer and afterward with his most private Counsell the most cunning and abâ—e men as spies were speedily sent to Rome to prie into the Records to see in what state and condition the Clergy of England there stood with the Pope of Rome as also what Oaths the Clergy of England did usually there take and what Obedience they had promised unto him c. and what advantages otherwise might be pickt thence against the Clergie here whereby to draw them into a Paemunire Which things peâ—formed the King returns back again to London with an ocean of displeasure in his bosome and a tempâ—st in his countenance Chap. XIII 1. Both he Queenes set against Cardinall Wolsey 2. Cardinall Campeius departs the Kingdom 3. A Parliament is called wherein great complaints are made against the Clergy 4. The Bishop of Rochester his Speech in Parliament 5. The Commons highly incensed at his Speech they complaine thereof unto the King 6. The King questioned the Bishop therefore the Bishops answer thereupon The Cardinall Wolsey had the two Ladies Catharine that was so neere her setting and Anne that was so apparent in her
them so solemne an oath and protestation falling into disputation with the Bishops how farre a temporall Princes power was over the Clergie but the Bishops soon disputed them into having nothing else to say but whosoever would refuse to condescend to the Kings demands herein was not worthy to be accounted a true and loving subject nor to have the benefit of such a one After which nothing could prevaile for then the Clergie answered with unanimous consent and full resolution that they neither could nor would grant unto the King the Supremâ—cy of the Church without those conditionall words quantem per legem Dei licet and so the Orators departed relating unto the King all that had passed who seeing no other remedy accepted it with that condition granting unto the Clergie a pardon for their bodies and goods paying him â—00000 l. which was paid every penny CHAP. XVII 1. How Campeius related the whole businesse of the Divorce unto the Pope and was blamed for the same 2. The King sendâ— two Doctors of the Civil law with private Câ—mmissions to treat with the Pope about the Divorce 3 The Pope solemnly ratifies the Marriage 4. The Sentence it self BUt we cannot well go on with our History except we fiâ—st arive our discourse within the gates of Rome to observe what account Cardinall Campeius had given unto the Pope of all these proceedings which was no otherwise than what had passed directly here in England which being related to his Holinesse by the Cardinall the Pope blamed him exceedingly for that he had not over-ruled Queen Katharine to have waved her Appeale whereby the businesse might have been determined within the Kings own Dominious for which cause-â—ake he sent him thither So slâ—ppery is the gâ—ound whereon Mâ—nisters of state do set their feet in any businâ—ssâ— that his businesse would doe right well to make a separation between them by his definitive sentence the Pope demanded to see their Commission and Authority which they had to treat with him they answered that the Kiâ—g was by this time grown somewhat unruly and that therefore what they did they did it upon their own score and for the love-sake which they bare unto the common good of the 〈◊〉 Church and for the peace and unity-â—ake thereof Then the Pope demanded of them to see the Certificate under the Bâ—shâ—ps 〈◊〉 whereby it might appeare that they had so consented to which they answered that they had no such certificate for the present but that they expected such a certificâ—te daily to come unto them together with a Commission to treat with his Holinesse Whereupon his Holinesse bad them expeâ—t All this while the King was framing a new Model of a Church and sent these men over on purpose if it were pâ—ssible to retard all proceeding at Rome untill such time as by a new court of Judicature under a new Supremacy the Marriage should have been adjudged 〈◊〉 bâ—fore the Popes 〈◊〉 of Ratification which was feared should have made it good All which policies and workings here in England you must not imagine them of Rome to be ignorant of Wherefore the Pope takes the best and most substantiall advise that could be given him and calls unto him not onely his Cardinalls c. but the most able Canonists and Divines that could be heard of and consults with the most famous Universities procuring the censures of the most famous men that had written of this case among the rest the two books of the before-mentioned Dâ— Tunstall Bishop of London and this out Dr. Fisher Bishop of Rochester of which â—ast book if you will believe that reverend and famous Clerk Alphonso de castro it is said of him to be the most excellent and learned of all other works and at last after diligent examination of the businesse 〈◊〉 himself in his Tribunall seat and open consistory by assent and counsel of his 〈◊〉 the Cardâ—â—alâ— pronounced this definitive 〈◊〉 in the cause The words begin as followeth Clemens papa septimus Christi nomine invocato in throno justitiae pro tribunali sedentes c. which in English is thus Pope Clement the seventh We invocating the name of Christ and having for our Tribunall the Throne of Iustice and the glory of the Almighty God onely before our eyes by this our definitive Sentence which by the counsell and assent of our venerable Brethren the Cardinalls of the holy Church of Rome assembled before us in consistory we doe in these Writings pronounce decree and declare in the cause and causes lawfully devolved upon us and the See Apostolique by an Appeal brought before us of our welbeloved Daughter in Christ Catharine Queen of England from the judgements of the Legates deputed by and sent from us and the see Apostolique between the foresaid Queen Catharine and our welbeloved Sonne in Christ Henry the eight the most illustrious King of England upon the validity and invalidity of the Matrimony between them contracted and consummated and upon other matters more largely deduced in the acts of such like cause or causes and committed to our Son Paulus Capissuchus then Dean of the Causes of our hâ—ly Palace and in his absence to our reverend Father Symoneta Bâ—shop of Pausaâ—ia supplying the place of one of our Audâ—tors of 〈◊〉 said Palace to be heard intrustâ—d and in our Consistory to be reporâ—ed and by them to us and the said 〈…〉 and maturely discussâ—d duâ—â—ng the time of the matter 〈…〉 that the Matrimony coâ—tractâ—◠〈◊〉 the saâ—d Queen Catharinâ— and K. Henry of England with all 〈…〉 of the same was and is Canoâ—â—call and of good force and that they may and ought to enjoy to them their due effects and that the â—ssâ—e between them heretofore born or hereafter to be born was and shall be lâ—gitimate and that the â—oresaâ—d King Henry ought is and shall be â—ound and obliged to cohabit and dwell with the said Queen Catharine his lawfull wife and to entreat her with all Husbandly affâ—ction and Kingly honour and that the said King Henry is condemned and by all remedies of Law is to be restrained and câ—mpelled as we do condemn constraine and compell him to accomplâ—sh and â—ulfill all and singular the premises â—ffâ—ctually and that the molestatâ—oâ—s and râ—fusalls by the foresaid King Henry by any manner of wayes made to the said Queene Catharine touching the inâ—alidâ—ty of the sâ—id Matrimony and alwaies from the beginning were unlawfull and 〈◊〉 and that perpetuall silence 〈◊〉 all the foresaid matters and 〈…〉 of the said Matrimony 〈…〉 unto the said Henry and 〈…〉 it and that the said King Henry of England be condemned and we doe condemn him in the expences lawfully made before us and our said Brethren in such case on the behalf of the said Queen Catharine the Taxation of which Expences we reserve to our selve till another time So we have pronounced This was published in the Palace of Rome in open consistory the 23. of March in
it awhile requested that he might have some timâ— to considâ—r upon it the Commissioners consulting with themselves awhile granted him five daies to coâ—sider upon it and so dismissing him for the present whence he departed to his owne house in Lambeth Marsh. During which small time of his abode there there came divers of hâ—s friends rather to take their leaves of thâ—n to vâ—sit him among which one Mr. Seton and Mr. Bransby Substitutes of the Masters and Fellows of the two Câ—lâ—edges to which he had shewed himself so much their friend partly to salute him in the name of the two Societies and partly to dâ—sire his confirmation of their Statutes under his Seale which he had drawn long before but the Bishop desired to have some further time to consider of them as he intended alas said the two Gâ—â—tlemen we fear your time is now too short to read them before you go to prison It is no matter said the Bâ—shop then I will read them in prison that will hardly be permitted said the Trustees if you come once there then Gods will be done said the Bishop for I shall hardly be drawn to put my seale to that which I have not well considered of howsoever said he if the worst should happen there is Mr. Cowper a worthy reverend man and a Bachelour in Divinity that hath the copy of the same Statutes which I have if I do not or cannot according to my desire peruse them I will give it you under my Seale that if you like them that shall be unto you a confirmation for I am pâ—rswaded that one time or other those Statutes will take place and accordingly it hapned for when this Master Cowper long after the imprisonment and death of the Bâ—shop of Rochester and the change and alteration of the times which had made Relâ—gion Lords and Lawes all new commiâ—ted this Book of Statutes to the custody of one M. T Watson a man that afterwards came to great honor estimation for his profound learning was afterwards elected to the Mastership oâ— S. Iohn's Colledge and afterwards to the Bishoprick of London who as the Bâ—shop of Rochester foretold restored them to the house who admitted them as their onely Lawes whereby they were wholy governed during the reign of Queen Mary The time being come when the good Bishop was to give an account of the Premises he presenâ—ed himself before the Commâ—ssioners â—cquâ—inting them how that he had perused the Oath with as good deliberation as he could but as they had framed it he could not with any safety to his owne conscience subscribe thereto except they would give him leave to alter it in some particulars whereby his owne conscience might be the better satisfied The King pleased and his actions rather justified and Warranted by Law To this they all made answer that the King would not in any wise permit that the Oath should admit any exceptions or alterations whatsoever and sâ—â—d the Bishop of Canterbury you must answer directly whether you will or you will not subscribe then said the Bishop of Rochester if you will needs have me answer directly my answer is that foasmuch as my own conscience cannot be satisfied I absolutely refuse the Oath Whereupon he was immediately sent to the Tower of London which was upon Tuesday the 26. of April in the year of our Lord God 1534. and upon the 25. year of the Kings reign being the last of his reign for that year Thus the Remora to the Kings proceedings in this kind being removed the Ship went merrily along for all things being fitted for a Parliament there was a Parliament which was â—itted for all things immediately called upon the 26. year of the Kings reign and upon the 23. day of Novemb. which wrought above nine wonders lasting but fifteen daies wherein the Bishop of Rochester's imprisonment was voted lawfull and all other men their imprisonments good and lawfull that should refuse to take the foresaid Oath which authority before was wanting also another Statute was â—nacted whereby the Supremacy of the Church of England was given unto the King his Heires and Successors to have and enjoy the same as a title and stile to his imperiall Crown with all Honours Jurisdictions Authorities and Priviledges thereunto belonging with full power and authority as himselfe listeth to visit represse redresse reforme order correct restraine and amend all Heresies Abuses Errors and Offences whatsoever they were as fully and as amply as the same might or ought to be done or corrected by any spirituall authority or jurisdiction whatsoever and that without the clause or condition of quantum per legem Dei lieet which was as contrary to the Kings promise to the Convocation-house as it was answerable to what the good Bishop forewarned the Clâ—rgie of whiles he 〈◊〉 amongst them And thus whiles the Kâ—ng acted the Pope the Bishop became a Prophet This Act being once passed the King required them to passe another Act viz. That if any manner of Person whatsoever should by word or deed presume to deny the title of Supremacy that then every such person so offending should be reputed and adjudged as an high Traitour and suffer and abide such losses and paines as in â—ases of high Treason is provided CHAP. XX. 1. The King sends divers learned Bishops to perswade with the Bishop of Rochester to take the Oath 2. The Bishop of Rochester answers unto the Bishops 3. Sir Thomas Moore committed to the same prison 4. The comfort which they received in each other 5. Their lettters intercepted and the Bishops man committed to close prison therefore 6. The simple yet mâ—rry question which he â—ade thereupon 7. The Lord Chancelour with divers other great Lords sent by the King to perswade the Bishop BUt when that businesse came to be discussed in the Parliament-house the Commons themselves began to think it a very hard Law anâ— full of rigour for said they a man may chance to say such a thing by way of discourse or such a word may fall from a man negligently or unawares all of them as yet not otherwise able but to think it a strange thing that a man should die for saying the King was not the head of the Church which debate held them many daies at last the King sent them word that except it could be proved that the party spake it malitiously the Statute should not be of any force to condemn So the word MALICIOVSLY was put in and it passed currently which afterwards served to as much purpose as the words Quantum per legem Dei licet And During the Bishops hard and close imprisonment the King as he had at several other times so done sent divers of the Priviâ—-councel as well Bishops as others to perswade the Bâ—shop of Rochester to take the oath of Succâ—ssion after that the Bâ—shop had suffered a great deale of Rhetorique to come from them he thus spake unto them My very good friends and
against all or any the least encroachment offered or attempted to be made even by the Bishop of Rome himself as you shall find in the Statute Lawes of King Richard the second where you shall finde in many businesses wherein the Pope of Rome himself was interessed the Roman Catholiques flatly denying the Crown of England which they averred stoutly immediately to be subject unto none but God and to other in all things touching the regality of the said Crowne to be subject to the Pope of Rome and yet the very same Parliament said the Bishop at the same time acknowledged the Bishop of Rome in respect of his spirituall jurisdiction to be their most holy Father And This the Author assures the Reader to be taken notice of by Bâ—shop Bilsoâ— where he brings in this Parliament consisting then altogether of Roman Catholicks thus expressing their loyaltiâ—â— to their Soveraigne Prince viz. We will be with our said Soveraigne Lord the King and his said Crown and his Râ—gality in cases aforesaid and in all other cases attempted against him his Crowne and Dignity in all points to live and diâ— Nor will I onely bring in your Protestant Bishops but also your Protestant Chronologies of latest Editions averring the same viz. Holinshead where you may finde how in the reign of King Edward the first all the Lords then Catholiques assembled aâ— Lincoln in Parliament in the name of all the Estates did answer the Pope's right to judge c. viz. that they would not consent that their King should do any thing that should tend to the disinhâ—riting of the right of the Crown of England and that it was never known wherefore never practised that the King of this Land had answered or ought to answer for their Rights in the same Realme before any Judge Ecclesiasticall or Secular And Yet notwithstanding all this in their speciall Letter writ to the same Pope Boniface at the same time they thus wrote unto him Boniface by Gods providence high Bishop of the holy Roman and universall Church styling themselves his devout Sons where notwithstanding all this it consisted with their Devotion further to affirme that the King of England ought not to answer for any of their Rights in the said Realme or for any of their Temporalties before any Judge Ecclesiastical by reason of the free preheminence of the Estate of the Royall Dignity and Custome kept without breach at all times and after full treaty and deliberation it was consistent likewise with their devotion to make it their common argument and unanimous consent which agreement they said should be without faile in time to come that their foresaid Lord the King ought not by any meanes to answer in judgement nor send any Proctors to the Popes presence especially seeing that the premises tended manifestly to the disinheriting of the Crown of England and also to the hurting of the Liberties and Lawes of their Fathers and the duties of their Oath made which said they we will maintaine with all our power and defend with all our strength and will not suffer our foresaid Lord the King to do or attempt the premises being so unaccustomed and before not heard of Nor will we onely bring you your owne Chronicles but our owne Annotations upon our own Testaments where you shall finde Catholiques acknowleging themselves bound in conscience to obey their Emperours and Governors though they were Heathens and Persecutors Our greatest Champions where you shall finde Bellarmine himself maintaining how that the Lawes of Magistrates do binde even the consciences of Christians Our strictâ—st Casuists where you shall finde them averring how that Faith is not necessary to Iurisdiction and that Authority cannot be lost by the losse of Faith Your own Protestant Apology for the Church of Rome though writ by us yet made by you where you shall finde the Roman Catholicks acknowledging themselves indissolubly bound by all Lawes Humane and Divine in the highest degree of all earthly Allegeance to the present temporall Government notwithstanding at the same time the Magistracy was adverse unto them in matters of Religion and heavy upon them by reason of the same Our owne submissions and protestations in the vindication of our Loyalty to the temporall Magistrate as the declared will of God in that behalf where you shall finde us quoting all these severall texts of Scripture out of the Word of God to the same purpose how that we ought not to speak evil of our Governours though they should perscecute us nor so much as to think amiss of them but to be subject to them and that not onely for necessity but for conscience sake lest otherwise we should be damned Where should a man finde better Subjects and yet these are the men who have been traduced all along as inconsistent with politique Government And why should the same Loyalty be suspected at any time still to remaine within the same breasts since that their Religion Lawes both Civil and Ecclesiasticall Custome Provision for the future present Practise Oathes and Protestations all along evermore obliging them to such Obedience especially whereas at this present all other sorts and sects of christian Religion excepting those who are for all sorts and sects appeare against the present Government like Aries Scorpio Leo Sagitarius c. as if they would all and every one of them wound each part and member of this body politique the Roman Catholiques like Pisces the Emblem of the Fisherman are contented to remaine quiet under foot And this digression from the Subject we have in hand I have presum'd to make whereby the courteous Reader may be more courâ—eous if he please to Roman Catholiques seeing they have no such ugly features in their faces as their adversaries would have them have when the vizards are taken off which they have clapt upon their faces and therefore let not hereafter a few discoloured powder-spiâ—ited and inconsiderate men among so many thousands of the same Religion and better quality that were then ignorant of and afterwards detesting the designe as diabolicall blow up a whole cause so universall or contract any tragicall or immoderate application for some few's sake against the whole any more than equity her selfe shall think it reason that one Devil shall be able to prejudice the dignity of the twelve Apostles since that there hath not been all along which way soever the Government was adicted to one or other Religion more faithfull peaceable and loyall Subjects than were the Roman Catholiques excepting an exception which makes but never marres a generall rule What if this good Bâ—shop had lived to see how in the daies of Queen Elizabeth when she first took â—upon her the government of this Land although that Catholiques were then the chiefest Ministers both in Church and State and had at that time the government of both setled in that course and therefore questionlesse were sufficient
half alive you shall be cut downe and throwne to the ground your bowels to he taken out of your body before you being alive your head to be smitten off and your body to be divided into four quarters and after your head and quarters to be set up where the King shall apoint And God have mercy upon your soule After the pronouncing of this cruell sertence the Lieutenant of the Tower with his band of men stood ready to receive and carry him back again to his prison Beâ—ore his departure he desired audience of the Commissioners for a few words which being granted he said thus in effect My Lords I am here condemned before you of high Treason for deniall of the Kings Supremacy over the Church of England but by what order of Iustice I lâ—ave to God who is the searchâ—r both of the Kings Majesty's conscience and yours Neverthelesse being found guilty as it is termed I am and must be consented with all that God shall send to whose will I wholly referre and submit my self And now to tell you more plainly my minde touching this matter of the Kings Supremacy I think indeed and alwaies have thought and do now lastly affirm that his Grace cannot justly claime any such Supremacy over the Church of God as he now taketh upon him neither hath it ever been seen or heard of that any temporall Prince before his daies hath presumed to that dignity wherefore if the King will now adventure himself in proceeding in this strange and unwonted case no doubt but he shall deeply incurre the griâ—vous displeasure of Almighty God to the great dammage of his owne soule and of many others and to the utter ruine of this Realme committed to his charge whereof will ensuâ— some sharp punishment at his hand wherefore I pray God his Grace may remember himself in time and hearken to good counsell for the preservaâ—ion of himselfe and his Realme and the quietnesse of all Christendome Which words being ended he was conveyed back againe to the Tower of London part on foot and part on horseback with a number of men bearing holberts and other weapons about him as was before at his coming to raignment And when he was come to the Towâ—r 〈◊〉 he turned him back to all his traâ—â—◠〈◊〉 had thus conducted him forward and 〈◊〉 and said unto them My Masterâ— I thank you all for the great labour and paines 〈…〉 with me this day I am not able to give you any thing in recompence for I have nothing left and therefore I pray you accept in good part my hearty thanks And this he 〈◊〉 with so luâ—ty a couragâ— so amiable a countenance and with so fresh and lively a colour as he seemed rather â—o have come from some great feast or banquet than from his arraignment shewing by all his gesture and outward countenance nothing else but joy and gladnesse Thus being after his condemnation the space of three or four daies in his prison he occupiâ—d himselfe in continuall pâ—ayer most fervently and although he looked daily for death yet could ye not have perceived him one whit dismayed thereat neither in word nor countenance but still continued his former trade of constancy and patience and that rather with a more joyfull cheere and free minde than ever he had done before which appeared well by this chance that I will tell you There hapned a false rumour to rise sodainely among the people that he should bâ— brought to his execution by a certain day whereupon his Cook that was wont to dresâ— his dinner and carry it daily unto him hearing among others of this Exâ—cution dressed him no dinner at all that day wherefore at the â—â—ook's next repaire unto him he demanded the cause why he bâ—ought him not his dinner as he was wont to doe Sir said the Cook it was commonly talked all the towne over that you should have died that day and therefore I thought it but in vaine to dresse any thing for you Well said he merrily unto him againe for all that report thou seest me yet alive and therefore whatsoever newes thou shalt heare of me hereafter let me no more lack my dinner but make it ready as thou art wont to do and if thou see me dead when thou comest then eat it thy selfe but I promise thee if I be alive I minde by Gods grace to eat never a bit the lesse Thus while this blessed Bâ—shop lay daily expecting the houre of hâ—s death the King who no lesse desired his death than himself looked for it caused at last a writ of Execution to be made and brought to Sir Edmond Walsingham Lieutenant of the Tower Buâ— where by his Judgement at Westminster he was condemned as ye have read before to Drawing Hanging and Quartering as Traitors alwaies use to be yet was he spared from that cruell execution wherefore order was taken that he should be led no further than Tower-Hill and there to have his Head struck off After the Lieutenant had received this bloody writ he called unto him certaine persons whose service and presence was to be used in that businesse commanding them to be ready against the next day in the morning and because that was very late in the night and the Prisoner asleep he was loath to disease him of his rest for that time and so in the morning before five of the clock he came to him in his chamber in the Bell tower finding him yet aslâ—ep in his bed and waked him shâ—wing him that he was come to him on a message from the King and after some circumstance used with perswasion that he should remember himself to be an old man and that for age he could not by course of Nature live long he told him at last that he was come to signifie unto him that the Kings pleasure was he should suffer death that forenoone Well quoth this blessed Father if this be your errand you bring me no great newes for I have long time looked for this message I most humbly thank his Majesty that it pleaseth him to rid me from all this worldly businesse and I thank you also for your tidings But I pray you Mr. Liâ—utenant said he when is mine houre that I must go hence your houre said the Lieutenant must be nine of the clock and what houre is it now said he it is now about five said the Lieutenant Well then said he let me by your patience sleep an houre or two for I have slept very little this night And yet to tell you the truth not for any feare of Death I thank God but by reason of my great infirmity and weaknesse The Kings further pleasure is said the Lieutenant that you should use as little speech as may be especially any thing touching his Majâ—sty whereby the people should have any cause to think of him or his proceedings otherwise than well For that said he you shall see me order my self as by Gods grace neither the King
mans ruine and for a most vilâ— and abominable Incest committed with her owne brother condemn'd and accused to be worthy of death by her owne fathâ—r together with divers others of her own kindred and the Nobility then sitting in judgement who not long before were her Idolaters and she their Idoll whereupon she was executed at Tower hill her head being stricken off of whose losse the King himself took such sorrow that the very next day after she was dead he mourned for her in a Wedding garment Next to the Queen we will call to minde M. Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who of his own power without any other warrant or authority pronounced the sentence of Divorce between the King and Queene being calculated to the height of that Meridian and afterwards called this holy man before him and cast him into prison for refusing the two new Oaths the one of the Kings new Marriage the other of the new Supremacy from whence he was never delivered till death rid him of all worldly 〈◊〉 This Archbishop lived till he was condemned for a traitour because he spred certain seditious Libels amongst the people and assisted the Duke of Nortâ—umberland in his Rebellion in the behalf of the Lady Iane against his lawfull Soveraigne But forasmuch as this was done in Quâ—en Mary her daies and the Clergie had somewhat else to say to him they burned him as a Heretique As for Mr. Rich the Kings Soliciter and the Dequoy to this good man who gave such strange and injurious testimony against him at his arrâ—ignment he lived to be deposed from all his high places and preferments and fell into deep disgrace not onely with the King his Master but with those who afterwards sate at the stern in the young Kings time insomuch that affiction brought him to understand and the knowledge of himself to true repentance so that it is to be believed that he escaped without any further punishment than the clipping of his wings whilest he was alive and the singing of his qody when he was dead for his dead body being laid into a coffiâ— seared imbalmed câ—rtain candles that were set upon the hearse through the watchers negligence or absence fell downe and took hold first on the cloaths and then upon the coffin till at length came unto the seâ—rcloaths that before any man could come unto the rescue the fire was preâ—â—y onward in his way to have deceived the worms Lastly we shall conclude with Mr. Cromwell a shrewd enemy to this good man and a great Agent in this businesse a man in whose behalf the Archbâ—shop of Canterbury thus writ in his behalf in his Letter to the King after his troubles had beginning viz. A man that was so advanced by your Majesty whose surety was onely by your Majesty who loved your Majesty no lesse than God who studied alwaies to set forward whatsoever was your Majâ—sties will and pleasure who cared for no mans displeasure to serve your Maiesties who was such a servant in my judgement in wisdome diligencâ— faithfulnesse and experience as no Prince in this Realm ever had the like who was so vigilant to preserve your Maiesty from all treasons that few could be so secretly conceived but he detected the same in the beginning such a man that if the noble Princes of memory King John Henry the second Richard the second had had such a Councellour about them I suppose they should never have been so treacherously abandoned and overthrowne as those good Princes were Who shall your Grace trust hereafter if you mistrust him Alas I bewaile and lameâ—t your Grace's chance herein I wot not whom your Grace may trust c. And for this fidelity ability and good service advanced successively to the dâ—gnities of the Master of the Rolls Biron Lord Privy Seale Knight of the Gâ—rter Earle of Essex Lord high Chamberlaine of England and higher than all this Vâ—car generall of the Church of ENGLAND by vertue of which Office he took place above them who were Metropolitanes of all England and yet notwâ—thstanding he was arrested at the Councell â—â—ble of high Treason by the Duke of Norfolke when he least suspected any such desigâ—e committed to the Tower brought â—hence unto the Hill and without being permitted to plead for himselfe there beheaded without any more adoe But the strangest thing of all is that he that was the Kingâ— Vicegerent in spirituall causes should be accused for an Heretique and that made one of the causes of his death and that that was such a great enemy to the Catholiquâ—s kicking downe all the Religious houses of the Lâ—nd and grinded the Religious together with the rubbâ—sh under his feet should at his death openly professâ— that he would die in the Catholick faith Thus we see Gods justice in the dâ—struction of the Churches enemies who knowes but that he may help her to such friends though not such as may restore her her own Jewells yet such as may heale her of her Wounds And who knowes but that it may be affâ—cted by the same name sithencâ— the Almighty hath communicated so great a secret unto mortalls as that there should be such a salve made known to them whereby the same weapon that made the Wound shouâ—d work the Cure Oliva Vera is not so hard to be construed Olivâ—rus as that it may not be believed that a Prophet rather than a Herâ—uld gave the Common Fâ—ther of Christendomâ— the now Pope of Rome Innocent the tenth such Ensignes of his Nobility viz. â— dove holding an Olive branch in her mouth since it falls short in nothing of being both a Prophesie and fulfilled but onely his Highnesse running into her armes whose Emblem of innocence beares him already in her mouth FINIS Stat. King Rich. 2. â— Bils in his true difference between Christian Antichriâ—â—ian Rebellion part 3. pag. 243. 244. Hol. in his second volume of the last edition pâ— 309. b. line 66. Holins ib. pag. 310. line 2. Ibid. p. 30. a. line 11. Ibid. pag. 310. a. l. 11. Ibid. pag. 310. a. l. 14. Ibid. pag. 311. a. l. 2. Ibid. pag. 311. a. l. 9. Annotations upon the Râ—â—m 〈◊〉 cap. 13. 2. An. in 1 Pet. cap. 2. 13. Bell. li. de â—aicâ—s c. 10. 11. of Dr. Keilison in his Survey printed 1603. p. 480. Tract 3. sect 5. written by I. Brerâ—ly An. 1608. Exo. 22 28 Act. 23. 5. Eccl. 10. 20 Rom. 13. 2. Rom. 13. 5. Hol. vol 3. An. Eliz. 26. p. 1358 Ib. p. 1360. b. line 26. Ib l. 26. Ib. l. 35. Ib. l. 40. Ib. l. 53. 54. c. Holiâ—s ubi supra p. 1170. 2. l. 35. 36. Goodwin in his Catalogue of Bishops Hol. ubi supra p. 1170. l. 15 As the Suffolk people Sâ—ow in his Annals p. â— 1046. Sâ—ow An printed 1592. p. 1039. and 1045. Stow. An. p. 1046. Stow. An. p. 1047. Stow. ubi supra pag. 1039. p. 1058.