taken as undoubtedly true siâ—cere and perfect which Marriage carrying with it the soveraign imfortunity of all second Marriages being compleated the same Parliament enacted a Statuâ—e which declared the establishment of the Kings succession in the imperiall Crowne to be upon the issue which he was to have by the present Queene Anne ratifying whatsoever the foresaid Archbishop of Canterbury had decreed and disinheriting the issue which the King had by the foresaid Lady Katharine from all title to the foresaid Crowne and Government or that if any person of what state and condition soever shall by writing printing or any exteriour Act or Deed procure or doe any thing to the prejudice slander disturbance or deâ—ogation of the said Matrimony or the issue growing of the same every such person shall be deemed and adjudged as an high Traitour and suffer such punishment as in case of high Treason is provided and for the better keeping of this Act the Kings Majesty together with his Counsellours of their owne authority framed an Oâ—th upon the breaking up of this Parliament which was upon the 30. day of Maâ—ch and tendred it the same day to all the Lords both spirituall and temporall as likewise to all the Commons and was to be tendred to whom the Commissioners for the same purpose should call before them the words of which Oath were these viz. Ye shall swear to beare Faith Truth and all Obedience onely to the Kings Majesty and to his heires of his body and of his most dear and entirely beloved wife Queen Anne begotten and to be begotten and further to the heires of our Soveraigne Lord according to the limitation made in the Statute for surety of his succession in the Crown of this Realm mentioned and contained and not to any other within this Realme nor to any other forraign Authority or Potentate whatsoever and in case any Oath be made or hath been made by you to any person or persons that then ye doe repute the same as vaine and annihilate and that to your cunning wit and utmost endeavours ye shall observe keep maintain and defend the said Act of Succession all the whole effects and intents thereof and all other Acts and Statutes made in confirmation and for exâ—cution of the same or any thing therein contained and this ye shall do against all manner of persons of what estate dignity degree or condition soever they be and in no wise do or attempt nor to your power suffer to be done or attempted directly any thing or things privily or openly to the let hindrance danger or derogation thereof or if any part of the same by any manner of meanes or any manner of pretences So help you God and all his Saints and the holy Evangelist Which Oath all the Lords both spirituall and temporall took except the Bishop of Rochester who absolutely refused it So the Parliament was ended But The said Bishop had not been 4 daies quiet within his Palace of Rochester but a Letter came to him from the Archbishop of Canterbury together with other of the Commissioners willing him personally to appear before them in the said Archbishops house by a certain day expressed within the Letter all excuses set a part And CHAP. XIX 1. The Bishop of Rochester summoned to appear before the Archbishop of Canterbury 2. Sir Thomas Mâ—or and Dr. Wilson committed for refusing the Oath 3. The Bishop of Rochester sent to the Tower for the same cause 4. A Parliament is called wherein the Bishops imprisonment was voted lawfull 5. The Supremacy of the Church conferred upon the King c. by Act of Pâ—â—liament absolutely and wâ—â—â—out the foâ—mer clause 6. An Act 〈◊〉 Parliament making iâ— treason to deny the King to be supreme head of the Church NOw was the thing come to passe which was noâ—hing terrible to him because it was foreseen wherefore he first makes his Will and leaves severall Lâ—gacies to divers persons and uses as to Michael house in Cambridge where he received his Education to St. Iohns Colledge to the Poore to some of his 〈…〉 to all his Servants whom he leaves weeping behinde him whiles the rest followed him lamâ—nting his condition in his journey towards Lambeth Passing thorough the City of Rochester there were a multâ—tude of pâ—ople gathered together both citizens and countreymen to whom he gave his benediction riding by them all the while bâ—â—eheaded some crying that they should never see him again others denouncing woes unto them that were the ocâ—asions of his troubles others crying out against the wickednesse of the times and all of them lamenting and bewailing that whâ—ch was their miserie and his glory Thus he passed on his way till he came to Sutors hill twenty miles from Rochester on the top whereof he rested himself descending from his horse and causing to be brought before him such victuals as he had caused to be brought thither for that purpose he said he would now make use of his time and dine in the open aire while as he might after which dinner he chearfully took his horse and came to London the same night The day of his appearance being come he presented himselfe before the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth the Lord Audely Chancelour of England Thomas Cromwell the Kings Secretary and the rest of the Commissioners authorised under the great Seale of England to call before them whom they pleased and to tender unto them the foresaid Oath then sitting at Lambeth where at the same tune the Bishop met with Sir Thomas Moore who welcomed and saluted the Bishop in these termes Well met my Lord I hope we shall meet in Heaven to which the Bishop replyed This should be the way Sir Thomas for it is a very strait gate we are in There had been Doctor Wilson sometime the Kings Confessor who together with Sir Thomas Moore had both of them refused the Oath a little before the Bâ—shops coming for which the Knight was committed for the present to the custody of the Abbot of Westminster as the Doctor had been formerly committed to the Tower of London at which time also the Clergie of London were warned to appeare about the same businesse who all of them took the Oath at the same time Then was it that the Bâ—shop of Râ—chester was called before the Archbâ—shop c. who putting the Bâ—shâ—p in remembrance of the Act which was made by the late Parliament whâ—ch had provided an Oâ—th to be administred to all persons within this Râ—alm concerning the establâ—shment of the Succession c. how all the Lords both spirituall and temporall had taken the said Oath onely himself excepted how grievoâ—sly his Majesty was offended with him therefore how he had gâ—ven strict charge to himself and the rest of the Commissioners to call him before them and to tender unto him the Oath once more presented unto him the Oath laying it before him and demanded of him what he would say thereto the good man pâ—rusing
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
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
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
rising though as different as the two Poles between themselves both against him the one discovering the other aggravating his offences yet though sometime he had a better friend for he proved such a constant enemy to the last that he became a Martyr for the former and such a bâ—tter adversary sometimes to the first as he became afterwards the second 's footstoole to her Throne yet neither of them gave him thanks which rendred his venome guilty of the nature of the Spiders thus to be intangled within his own web Cardinall Campeâ—â—â—s perceiving the King disposed to discontentment takes his leave of his Majeâ—â—y and suddenly departs the Realme after that he had made his abode here in this kingdome neere upon the space of one yeare who was no sooner gone but a sodaine rumour 〈◊〉 how that he had carried with him vast â—ummes of money of the other Cardinalls â—ut of the Realme for at that time Cardinall Wolsey waâ— suspected to 〈◊〉 the Land by â—eason of the Kings displeasure insomuch that 〈…〉 after and overtaken at Callis where when they had searched 〈…〉 they scarce found so much money about him as would serve to defray his ordinary charges to Rome This the Cardinall Campeius took heavily and thereat was mâ—rvailously discontented which search for treasâ—â—e was but a colour for the thing which the King aimed at was the instrument which contained the sentence of Divorce which Campeius had shewed unto the King in case he had seen cause to put the same in exâ—cution which if the King had sound out it is supposed he would have made good play therewith but he was deceiveâ— of his purpose Howsoever in the 22. yeare of the Kings reigne a Parliament was summoned to begin at London the 3. day of November and in the year of our Lord 1529. and accordingly Writs were directed to all the Counties c. but withall private Letters were sent to the most potent men directing them whom they should choose which Letters there were few or none durst disobey so that there was a Parliament filled to the Kings hearts desire And The regulations of all abuses of the Clergy were referred to the house of Commons where sâ—vere complaints against the whole Clergy as well as against particular Clergie-men were daily presented whereof some the house of Lord◠〈◊〉 into consideration and some they 〈◊〉 whâ—ch when the Bishop of Rochester perceived he spake as followeth My Lords here are certaine Bills exhibited against the Clâ—â—gy wherein there are complaints made against the 〈◊〉 idâ—â—nesse rapâ—ciry and cruelty of Bishops Abbots Priests and their Officialls But my Lords Are all vitious all idle all ravenous and â—ruell Priests or Bishops And for such as are such are there not laws provided alreaâ—y against such Is there any abuse that we doâ— not seek to rectifiâ— or can there be such a 〈◊〉 as that there shall be no 〈…〉 their owne and 〈◊〉 where they have no aâ—â—hority to correcâ— If wâ— be not 〈◊〉 in our Lawes let each man suffer for his dâ—linquency or if we have not power did 〈◊〉 with your assistance and we shall 〈…〉 much the Good as the Goods of the Church that is lookâ—d after Truly my Lords how this may sound in your 〈◊〉 I cannot tell but to me it appeares no otherwise than as if our holy Mother the Church were to become a bondmaid and new brought into servility and 〈◊〉 and by little little to be quite banished out of those dwelling places which the piety and liberality oâ— our forefathers as most 〈◊〉 Benefactoâ—s have conferred upon â—er otherwise to what tendeth these 〈◊〉 and curious Petitions of the Commons To no other intent or purpose but to bring the Clergie into contempt with the Laity that they may sâ—ize their Patrimony But my Lords beware of your selves and your 〈…〉 now on fire teach us to beware our own disasters whereâ—ore my Lords I will tell you plainly what I think that except ye resist manfully by your authoritâ—â—â— this violent heap of mischiefs offered by the Commons you shall see all obedience first drawn fâ—om the Cleâ—gie and secondly from your selves 〈◊〉 if you 〈◊〉 into the true causes of all these mischiefs which reign among them you shall finde that they all arise through want of Faith This Speech pâ—eased and displeased divers of the house of Peeres 〈…〉 were severally inclined or adicted to â—orward or 〈◊〉 the Kâ—ngs designâ—s among the which none 〈…〉 thereto but onely the 〈…〉 Bâ—t when the Commons heard of this Speech they conceived so great displeasure against the Bishop that they forthwith sent their Speaker Mr. Audeley to complaine on him to the King and to let his Highnesse understand how grievously they thou â—hâ— themselves injured therâ—by so as to be so highly charged for lack of Faith as if they had been Infidells or Hereticks c. The King therefore to satisfie the Commons sent for my Lord of Rochester to come before him being come the King demanded of him why he spake in such sort the Bishop answered that being in counsel he spake his minde in defence of the Church whom he saw daily injured and oppressed by the common people whose office it was not to judge of her manners much lesse to reform them and therefore he said he thought himself in conscience bound to defend her in all that lay within his power neverthelesse the King wished him to use his words more temperately and that was all which gave the Commons littlâ— satisfaction CHAP. XIV 1. The demand of all the small Abbies within the Land for the Kings use 2. The Bishop of Rochester opposeth the demand in the Convocation house 3. The mindes of the Clergie before ready to condescend to the propositionâ— altered thereupon 4. The Bishop of 〈◊〉 escaped very narrowly from being poysoned at his dinner 5. How he escaped another danger from the shot of a cannon 6. His departure from the place to Rochester IMmediately hereupon the foresaid demand for all the small Abbeys and Monasteries within the Land of the value of two hundred pound land and under to be given to the King was revived and the pretence for such demands of the Clergie was in recompence of the great charges and expences which the King was 〈◊〉 concerning the Divorce which he was put upon by the false and double dealing of the Cardinall and his Clergie and therefore it was said to be all the reason in the world that the Clergie should satisfie the King againe for the great expences he had been at and this was urged with such â—imporâ—unity as if the businesse had been called upon by sound of Drummes and Tâ—umpets In conclusion they all agreed that certâ—ine of the Kings Counsell should make demands hereof to the Coâ—vocation of the Clâ—rgy which was performed with such a terrible shew of the Kings displeasure 〈◊〉 them if they yâ—ilded not to his 〈◊〉 that divers of the Convocation seaâ—â—ing the Kiâ—gs indignâ—tion and
hoping by a voluntary condescention in these particulars to save the râ—st were of a minde to satisfie the Kiâ—g therâ—in which the Bishop of Rochester perceiviâ—g spake as followeth My Lords and the rest of our Brethren here assembled I pray you to take good heed to what you doe lâ—st you do you know not what and what you cannot do for indeed the things that are demanded at our hands are none of ours to grant nor theirs to whom we should bestow them if we should grant them their desires but they are the Legacies of those testators who have given them unto the Church for ever under the penalty of a heavy â—urse imposed on all those who shall any way go abouâ— to alienaâ— their property from the Church and besides if we should grant these smaller Abbeys c. to the King what should we do otherwise than shew him the way how in time it may be lawfull for him to demand the greater wherefore the manner of these proceedings puts me in minde of a â—able how the Ax which wanted a handle came upon a time unto the Wood making his mâ—an to the great Trees how he wanted a handle to work withall and â—or that cause he was constrained to sit idle wherefore he made it his request unto them that they would be pleased to grant him one of their small saplings within the Wood to make him a Handle who mistrusting no guile granted him one of the smaller trees wherewith he madâ— himself a handle so becoming a compleat Ax â—e so fell to work within the same wood that in processe of time there was neither great nor small tree to be found in the place where the wood stood And so my Lord if you grant the King these smaller Monasteries you do but make him a handle whereby at his owne pleasure he may â—ut downe all the Cedars within your 〈◊〉 and then you may thank your selves after ye have incurred the heavy displeasure of Almighty God This Spâ—â—ch quâ—te changed the mindes of all those which were formerly bent to gratifie the Kâ—ngs dâ—mands herein so that all was rejected for that time After this the Bishop escaped a very great danger for one R. Rose came into the Bâ—shops kitchin being acquainted with the Cook at his house in Lamb. Mâ—rsh having proviâ—ed a quantity of deâ—dly poyson whiles the Câ—ok went into the buterie to fetch him some drink he took his opportunity to throw that poyson into a mâ—ss of Grueâ—â— which was prepared for the Bâ—shops dinner and after he had stayed there awhile went his way but so it happened that when the Bishop was called unto his dinner he had no appâ—tite to any meat but wished his servants to fall to and be of good chear and that he would not eat till towards nâ—ght the Servants being set to dinner they that did eat of that poysoned dish were miserably infected whereof one Gentleman namâ—d Mr. Bennet Carwin and an old Widow died sodainly and the rest never recovered their healths till their dying day The person that did this wicked deed was afterwards for the same offence boyled alive in Smithfield in the 22. yeare of K. Henry's reign Shortly after this there happened another great danger to him in this same house by reason of a Cannon bullet that was shâ—t thorough his house close by his study window where he was used to spend much time in Prâ—yâ—r and holy Meditations which made such a horrible noyse and clutter as it went thorough that all the house were suddenly amazed upon enquâ—ry made from whence this mischief shouâ—d proceed it was fâ—und out how that it came from the other siâ—e of the River â—nd out of the Eâ—â—le of 〈◊〉 house Father to the Laâ—dy Anne Bullein which being told unto the Bâ—shop he calâ—ed all his Seâ—vants before him and said uâ—to thâ—m Let a trusse up ouâ— baggage and be gone this is no place for us to abide in any longer so he set forwards in his jâ—urnâ—y towards 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Coâ—spiracies wâ—re contrived by the Kâ—ngâ— consent or pâ—ivity it is not handsome to determine being 〈…〉 words against him at his table elsâ—where which words â—xperience telâ— us how too great 〈◊〉 may often take so large commission from them as to attempâ— such things as are beyond the nature of their warrant The Bishop now come to Rochester fâ—ll to his old accustomed manner of frequent preaching visiting the Sick converting the Seduced and for his recreation he would sometimes go and see his workmen whiles they wâ—re employed in the reparation of Rochester 〈◊〉 upon which he had bestowed great cost â—ut 〈◊〉 had not long remained in those paâ—ts but he was robbed almost of all his Plate by Thieves in the night-time who brake into his Manour house of Halling nâ—are Rochester which being perceived in the morning by his Servants they were all in great perplexity and pursued the thieves as well as they could and following them thorough the wood the thieves leâ— fall severall pieces of Plate through the great hast which they had made in flying so that they brought some of the Plate back â—gain before the Bishop had heard of the losse of any but the Bp. coming downe to his dinner perceived an unwonted kinde of heavinesse and sadnesse in their countenances insomuch that he asked them what was the matter they seeming unwilling to relate the story and looking upon one another who should begin he commanded them to inform him of the cause of such dâ—straction assuring them that he was armd for all adventures deeming it to be some great matter but when they had given a full relation of the whole businesse and how they had recovered some of the Plate back again the Bish. replyed if this be all we have more cause to rejoice that God hath restored to us some than to be discontented that wicked men have taken away any for the least favour of God Almighty is more to be esteemed than all the evill which the Devil and all his wicked instruments can doe unto us is to be valued wherefore let us sit down and be merry thank God it is no worse and look ye better to the rest CHAP. XV. 1. The Kings Agents are returned from Rome with sufficient matter of vexation to the Clergie 2. The King calls another Parliament 3. The whole Clergie are condemned in a praemunire 4. The King laies hold on that advantage to make himself head of the Church 5. The Bishop of Rochester his most admirable Speech upon that occasion whereupon the Proposition was rejected 6. The King persists in his demand BY this time the Kings Agents which were sent to Rome were returned with sufficient matter wherewith to veâ— the whole Clergie for they had learned our how that there had been a priviledge formerly granted from the See of Rome no Legate de latere should enter the Realme of England except he were first sent for by the King now it happened that
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
the year of our Lord God 1534. Two men must be thanked for this Wolsey and Fisher and these two men must be met withall whereby they may receive their payment for the first we leave him to his owne story or some others on his behalf The second is the subject of my pen and how they found out him the following Chapter must relate CHAP. XVIII 1. The various rumour of the people concerning the Divorce 2. The History of the Holy maid of Kent 3. Divâ—rs persons of quality executed as traitors concerning her and the Bishop of Rochester c. convicted of misprision of Treason for the same cause 4. A new Parliament called 5. The Marriage between the King and Queen Katharine pronounced null by Archbishop Cranmer 6. A new Oath made and tendred to both houses of Parliament c. all take it excepting the Bishop of Rochester AT the time when the Kingdome began to be divided when the King was about to make the Divorce between him and his wife as the first act of his Supremacy and to talk too busiâ—â— some in favour of the King but most of the Queen it happened that one Elizabeth Barton a young maiden borne in Kent at a placâ— called Court at Street declared unto sundry persons that she had lately received certain Visiâ—ns and Revelations concerning the Kings proceedings in this matter of Dâ—vorce and as shâ— thought they came from God and often falling into a trance she would declare how that the Kâ—ngs 〈◊〉 away his wife would be a mâ—anes to bring in 〈…〉 Land and that 〈…〉 〈…〉 his wife should never have coâ—foâ—t in any other that whatsoever he did yet the daughter of this Qâ—een should reign and becâ—use he deprived 〈◊〉 mother the 〈◊〉 Cathol que Church of so many chiâ—dren all his childâ—â—n should die 〈◊〉 and himselfe comfortlesse leaving an â—â—nominious name and fame 〈◊〉 him to the wâ—rlds end To this and the like 〈◊〉 she would â—tter words which were too wonderfull to proceed ordinarily from so simple a reputed woman First she communicated these Vâ—sions c. to one M Richard Mayster Parson of Aldington in Kent whose Penitent she was This Alâ—ington advised her to go to Mr. Edward Bocking Dr. of Dâ—vinity and a Monk of Christ-church in Canterbury a man that was â—amous both for Learning and Devotion who sent for one Mr. Iohn Deering another Monk of the same house all these advised her to goâ— to the Archbishop of Canterbuâ—y Doctor Warham and to take his advâ—se therein and to follow his direction who as it was conceived being conscious of the great ill-wâ—ll of the people which he had drawn upon hâ—mself by being so great a furtherer of the Dâ—vorce and of the inevitable changes and alterations in Râ—ligion which he then saw evidently to ensue â—â—rough his so much compliance with the King shortly after discoursed with this Maid died of grief After whose departure from this life the King by vertue of his Supremacy appointed â—ranmer to be Archbâ—shop of Canterbury This womans fame did so spread it self abroad over the whole Kingdome as that she was resorted unto by multitudes of pâ—ople and called by them the holy Maid of Kâ—nt whose vertues were exceedingly exâ—olled by the preachings of Mr. Henry Gold Bachelour in Divinity and a learned man Father Hugh Rich Warden of the â—riars Observants in Canterbuâ—y and Richard Risby of the same house and having gone her Perambulation to the Charter-house of London and Sheane thence to the Nunnery of Sion and thence to the Friars of Richmond Canterbury and Greenwich at last she came to the King himself and before him declared her minde fully and plainly with whom as she had quiet audience so she had peaceable departure at last she came unto the Bishop of Rochester Dr Iohn Adeson his Chaplain and Dr. Thomas Bell sometimes the Queenes Chaplaine who as a rarity admitted her to come before them to heare what she would say as all men else had done and now and not till now was this businesse looked upon as a matter of dangerous consequence the Kings Counsel were call'd together to consult about it who were divided amongst themselves concerning her some were for letting her alone as knowing not what to make of her others were for rigour and cruelty to be shewed against her in the end forbearance was laid aside and severity was to take its place which sentenced it to be a traiterous conspiracy between the Maid and some that were chief of the Clergie to bring the King and his Government into contempt and hatred with his people whereby to encourage them to tumults and insurrections wherefore the King sent for his Judges and certain others which were servient to the Law and propounded the case unto them acquainting them with that which every one had done desiring to know their opinions therein who sitting in long consultation at last they made result that Elizabeth Barton Edward Bockings Iohn Deering Monks Richard Maysters Henry Gold Priests Hugh Rich and Richard Risby Friars Minors where all by the Law in case of high Treason that my Lord of Rochester Dr. Adeston Dr. Abel c. bâ—cause they were not the fiâ—st contrivers of the Matter but concealers of the Thing were onâ—ly in the case of misprision of Treason viz. losse of Goods and imprisonment of their Bodies during the Kings pleasure and thus the King got the opinion of the Judges but not so home it was conceived as he expected This being done all the forementioned persons opin'd to be within the case of high Treason were attached and carried to Lambeth before the new Arch-bishop Cranmer where after they had been examined by him others of the Commissioners and charged with Treason Fiction and Hypocrisie Faâ—sehood Dissimulation and Conspiracy Tumults Rebellion and Insurrection they were all sent to the Tower Thus the King got the parties into prison Which being done The King called a Parliament in the 25 year of his reigne to be held at Westminster upon the 15. day of Ianuary where they were all attainted of high Treason the Maid judged to bâ— hanged and headâ—d at Tyburne the rest to be hanged and quâ—rtered alive the Bishop of Rochester Dr. Adâ—son Dr. Abel Thomas Register to the Archdeacon of Cant. and Eâ—ward Thwaites Gent. convicted of misprision of Treason of which conviction being it was no more the Bishop of Rochester for that time got himself cleared paying unto the King three hundred pounds A little before this Parliament sate the Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer had decreed which decree was made at Dunstable that the foresaid marriage solemnized between the King and the Lady Katharine was clearly and absolutely against the Lawes of Almighty God and that it ought to be accepted reputed and taken as of no value or effect but utterly void to all intents and purposes and that the Marriage which was to be had and solemnizâ—d between the King and the Lady Anne Bullein ought to be
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