Answer unto a Crafy and Sophistical Cavillation, Biography – Debate

Answer unto a Crafy and Sophistical Cavillation · Biography – Debate

¶The life, state, and story of the Reuerend pastour and Prelate Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Caunterbury Martyr, burned at Oxford for the confession of Christes true doctrine. An. 1556. March. 21.

FOr asmuch as the life and estate of the most Reuerend Father in God and worthy Prelate of godly memory Thomas Crāmer late Archb. of Cant.Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury. together with the originall cause & occasion of his preferment to the dignitie Archiepiscopall, wherunto he was aduaunced immediatly vponupon the death of Byshop Warham Archbyshop of the same, beyond all expectation without support of money or frendes,Doct. Cranmer made Archb. of Cant. by kyng Henry. by the onelyonly well liking of the most renowmed kyng of famous memory Henry the eight, who with a fatherly care mainteyned his countenaunce, and defended his innocent life, vndermined sundry tymes by the manifold attēptes of the horrible Arche enemy of Christ and his Gospell Stephen Gardiner and other his complices,Doct. Cranmer alwayes defended by kyng Henry. with diuers other circumstaunces of his most commendable conuersation, charitable consideration of the poore, constant care in reformation of corrupt Religion, his vndaunted courage in continuall defence of the same, and the perseueraunce therein to the losse of his lyfe, be already described at large in the booke of Actes and Monumentes of Martyrs.Looke for the story at large in the booke of the Actes and Monumentes in the last Edition, pag. 1752. It may séeme néedelesse to make a thorough discourse therof agayne at this present. Neuerthelesse partly to stoppe the mouthes of slaunderous Sycophants, & partly for the ease of such as would happely be desirous vponupon the view of the title of this booke, to be acquainted with the life of the Authour beyng otherwise not able to hauehave recourse to the story at large, as also bicause his vertuous life and glorious death was such, as can neuer be commended sufficiently I hauehave thought it not altogether amisse to renew the remembraunce therof by certaine brief Notes, referring them that bee desirous to know the whole to the story thereof at large.

It is first therfore to be noted and considered, that the same Thomas Cranmer comming of auncient parentage,Thomas Cranmer a Gentleman borne. from the Conquest to be deducted, and continuyng sithens in the name & familie of a Gentleman, was borne in a Uillage called Arselacton in Notynghā shyre. Of whose sayd name and familie there remaineth at these dayes one Manour and mansion house in Lincolne shyre called Cranmer Hall &c. some tymes of heritage of the sayd stocke and familie. Who beyng from his infancie kept at Schoole, and brought vp not without much good ciuilitie, came in processe of tyme vntounto the Uniuersitie of Cambridge,Thom. Crāmer first commyng to Cambridge… and there prospering in right good knowledge amōgest the better sort of Studētes, was chosen fellow of Iesus Colledge in Cambridge.Thomas Cranmer fellow of Iesus colledge. And so beyng Maister of Arte, and fellow of the same Colledge, it chaūced him to mary a Gentlemans daughter: by meanes wherof he lost and gaue ouer his fellowship there, and became the Reader in Buckingham Colledge: and for that he would with more diligence apply that his office of Reading, placed his sayd wife in an Inne called the Dolphin in Cambridge, the wife of the house beyng of affinitie vntounto her. By meanes of whose abode in that Inne, & his often repayre vntounto her, arose a certaine slaūderous report, after he was preferred to be Archbyshop of Caunterbury, bruted abroad by the malicious disdaine of certaine Sycophanticall Papistes that he was but an Hosteler, and altogether deuoyde of learning, which how falsly was forged vpō him, may easely appeare hereby: That the Maisters & Fellowes of Iesus Colledge notyng the vertuous disposition of the man,Thom. Crāmer after y^e decease of his wife, chosen agayne fellow into Iesus Colledge. & the great trauaile he tooke, notwithstādyng his mariage, whiles he cōtinued Reader in Buckinghā Colledge, immediatly vponupon the death of his wife (who not long, after their enter mariage was in Childbed surprised by death) refin…ed him into their Fellowship agayne: where he so behaued him selfe that in few yeares, after he became the Reader of the Diuinitie Lecture in the same Colledge, and in such speciall estimatiō & reputatiō with the whole Uniuersitie, that beyng Doctour of Diuinitie he was commōly appointed one of the heades (which are two or thrée of the chiefest learned men) to examine such as yearely professe in Commencemēt, either Bachelers, or Doctours of Diuinitie, by whose approbation the whole Uniuersitie licēceth them to procéede vntounto their degrée: and agayne by whose disalowaunce the Uniuersitie also reiecteth them for a tyme to procéede vntill they be better furnished with more knowledge.

Doct. Cranmer publike examiner in Cambridge, of them that were to proceede.Now, Doct. Cranmer euer much …auouring the knowledge of the Scripture, would neuer admit any to procéede in Diuinitie, vnlesse they were substātially séene in the story of the Bible: by meanes wherof certaine Friers and other Religious persons, who were principally brought vp in the study of Schoole Authours without regard had to the authoritie of Scriptures, were cōmonly reiected by him, so that he was greatly for that his seuere examination of the Religious sort, much hated and had in great indignation:Friers in hatred with Doct. Cranmer. and yet it came to passe in the end that diuers of them being thus compelled to study the Scriptures, became afterwardes very well learned and well affected, in so much, that when they procéeded Doctours of Diuinitie, could not ouermuch extoll and commende Maister Doct. Cranmers goodnes towardes them, who had for a tyme put them backe, to aspire vntounto better knowledge and perfection. Amongest whom Doct. Barret. a white Frier who afterwardes dwelt at Norwich was after that sort handled,Doct. Barret giuyng him no lesse commēdation for his happy reiecting of him for a better amendement. Thus much I repeate that our Apish and Popish sorte of ignoraunt Priestes may well vnderstand that this his exercise, kynde of life, and vocation was not altogether Hostelerlike.

Doct. Cranmer sollicited to be fellow of the Cardinalles Colledge in Oxford, refused it.I omit here how Cardinall Wolsey after the foundation of his Colledge in Oxford, hearyng the fame of his learnyng vsed all meanes possible to place him in y^e same: which he refused with great daunger of indignation, contētyng him selfe with his former Felowship in Cambridge. Untill vponupon occasion of the plague being in Cambridge he resorted to Walthā Abbey and soiourned with one M. Cressey there, whose wife was Doct. Cranmers niece, and two of her children his pupilles in Cambridge Duryng this tyme the great and weightie cause of kyng Henry the viij. his diuorce,Question of the kynges diuorce with Katherine Dowager. with the Lady Katherine Dowager of Spayne was in questiō. Wherein two Cardinals Campeius & Wolsey were appointed in Commission from the Pope to heare and determine the controuersie betwene the Kyng and the Quéene, who by many dilatories dallying & delaying the whole sommer vntill the monethmonth & of August, taking occasiō to finish their Cōmission, so moued the patience of the kyng, that in all hast he remoued from London to Walthā for a night or twaine, whiles the Dukes of Northfolke and Suffolke dispatched Cardinall Campeius home agayne to Rome.Doct. Stephens and Doct. Foxe chief furtherers of the kynges diuorce. By meanes wherof it chaunced that the kynges herbengers lodged Doct. Stephens Secretary and Doct. Foxe Almosiner (who were the chief furtherers, preferrers & defenders of the foresayd cause in the kyngs behalfe) in the house of the sayd M. Cressey, where Doct. Cranmer was also resiaunt as before. When Supper tyme came, and all thrée Doctours mette together, being of old acquaintaunce, they entertayned eche other familiarly:Doct. Stephens, D. Foxe, Doct. Cranmer cōferryng together of the kynges cause. and the sayd Doct. Stephens and Doct. Foxe takyng occasion of their happy méetyng together, began to conferre with Doct. Cranmer concernyng the kynges cause, requestyng him to declare his opinion therein.

Whereunto Doct. Cranmer aunswered that he could say litle in the matter, for that he had not studied nor looked for it. Notwithstandyng he sayd to them, that in his opiniō they made more adde in prosecutyng the lawes Ecclesiasticall,Doct. Cranmers aunswere in the question of the kynges diuorce. then néeded. It were better as I suppose (quoth Doct. Cranmer) that the question, whether a man may mary his brothers wife or no, were decided and discussed by the Diuines, and by the authoritie of the word of God, whereby the conscience of the Prince might be better satisfied and quieted, then thus from yeare to yeare by frustratory delayes to prolong the tyme, leauing the very truth of the matter vnbu…ted out by the word of God. There is but one truth in it, which the Scripture will soone declare, make open, & manifest beyng by learned men well handled, & that may be aswell done in England in the Uniuersities here, as at Rome or els where in any foreine nation, the authoritie wherof will compell any Iudge soone to come to a diffinitiue sentence: & therfore as I take it, you might this way hauehave made an end of this matter long sithens.Doct. Cranmers deuise well lyked of. When Doct. Cranmer had thus ended his tale, the other two wel liked of his deuise, and wished that they had so procéeded afore tyme, and thereupon conceiued some matter of that deuise to instruct the kyng withall, who then was mynded to send to Rome agayne for a new Commission.

Now the next day when the kyng remoued to Grenewich, like as he tooke him selfe not well handled by the Cardinals in thus differryng his cause, so his mynde beyng vnquieted & desirous of an end of his long & tedious sute,The king troubled about the cause of his diuorce. he called to him this his ij. principall doers of his sayd cause, namely the said Doct. Stephens and D. Foxe, saying vntounto thē: What now my Maisters (quoth the kyng) shall we do in this infinite cause of mine? I sée by it there must be a new Cōmission procured from Rome, and when we shall hauehave an end God knoweth and not I. When the kyng had sayd somewhat his mynde herein, the Almosiner Doct. Foxe sayd vntounto the kyng agayne: we trust that there shalbe better wayes deuised for your Maiestie, then to make trauaile so farre to Rome any more in your highnes cause, which by chaunce was put into our heades this other night beyng at Waltham, and so discouered to the kyng their méetyng and conference with Doct. Cranmer at M. Cresseys house.

Wherupon Doct. Cranmer was sent for in post beyng as then remoued from Waltham towardes his frendes in Lincolne shyre and so brought to the Court to the kyng.Doct. Cranmer sent for to the kyng in post. Whom the noble Prince benignely acceptyng demaūded his name, and sayd vntounto him: Were you not at Waltham such a tyme, in the company of my Secretary and my Almosiner?Talke betwene the kyng and Doct. Cranmer. Doct. Cranmer affirmyng the same, the kyng sayd agayne: had you not conference with them concernyng our matter of diuorce now in question after this sort, repeatyng the maner and order therof? That is right true, if it please your highnes, quoth Doct. Cranmer. Well sayd the kyng, I well perceiue that you hauehave the right scope of this matter. You must vnderstand quoth the kyng, that I hauehave bene long troubled in cō science,The king troubled in cōsciēce. and now I perceiue that by this meanes I might hauehave bene long agoe releaued one way or other, from the same, if we had this way procéeded. And therfore Maister Doctour I pray you, and neuertheles because you are a subiect I charge and commaūde you (all your other busines & affaires set apart) to take some paynes to sée this my cause to be furthered accordyng to your deuise, asmuch as it may lye in you, with many other wordes in commendation of the Quéenes Maiestie.

Doct. Cranmer much disablyng him selfe to medle in so weightie a matter,Doct. Cranmer excusing and disabling himselfe to the kyng. besought the kynges highnes to commit the triall and examinyng of this matter by the word of God, vntounto the best learned mē of both his Uniuersities Cambridge and Oxford. You say well, sayd the kyng, and I am content there with. But yet neuertheles, I will hauehave you specially to write your mynde therein. And so callyng the Earle of Wiltshyre to hym,Doct. Cranmer assigned by the kyng to searche the Scriptures in the cause of his diuorce. sayd: I pray you my Lord, let D. Cranmer hauehave intertaynement in your house at Durham place for a tyme, to the entent he may be there quiet to accomplish my request, & let him lacke neither bookes ne any thing requisite for his study. And thus after the kynges departure, Doct. Cranmer went with my Lord of Wiltshyre vntounto his house, where he incontinent wrote his mynde concernyng the kynges question, addyng to the same besides, the authorities of Scriptures, of generall Councels, and of auncient writers:The kyng first geuen to vnderstand that the Pope hath no authoritie to dispence with the word of God. also his opinion, which was this: that the Byshop of Rome had no such authoritie, as wherby he might dispence with the word of God and the Scriptures. When Doct. Cranmer had made this booke, and committed it to the kyng, the kyng sayd to him: will you abide by this, that you hauehave here written before the Bishop of Rome? That will I do, by Gods grace, quoth Doct. Cranmer, if your Maiestie do send me thether. Mary quoth the kyng, I will send you euen to him in a sure Ambassage.

And thus by meanes of Doct. Cranmers handlyng of this matter with the kyng,The kynges matter remoued from the popes Canon law, to the triall of the Scriptures. not onelyonly certaine learned men were sent abroad to the most part of the Uniuersities in Christendome to dispute the question, but also the same beyng by Commission disputed by the Diuines in both the Uniuersities of Cambridge and Oxford, it was there concluded that no such Matrimony was by the word of God lawfull. Wherupon a solēne Ambassage was prepared and sent to the Byshop of Rome then beyng at Bonony,The kynges Mariage foūde by Gods word vnlawfull. wherein went the Earle of Wiltshyre, Doct. Cranmer, Doct. Stokesly, Doct. Carne, Doct. Bennet, and diuers other learned men and Gentlemen. And when the tyme came that they should come before the Bishop of Rome to declare the cause of their Ambassage,Doct. Cranmer with other s…nt to Rome Ambassadour to the Pope. the Byshop sittyng on high in his cloth of estate, and in his rich apparell, with his sandales on his féete, offeryng, as it were, his foote to be kissed of y^e Ambassadours, the Earle of Wiltshyre with the rest of the Ambassadours disdainyng thereat, stoode still, & made no coūtenaunce thereunto, and so kept them selues from that Idolatry. In fine the Pontificall Byshop seyng their constancie without any farther ceremonie gaue eare to the Ambassadours.

Arguing to the popes face, that contrary to the word of God he had no power to dispense.Who entryng there before the Byshop, offered on the kynges behalfe to be defended, that no man Iure diuine could or ought to mary his brothers wife: and that the Byshop of Rome by no meanes ought to dispence to the contrary. Diuers promises were made, and sundry dayes appointed, wherein the question should hauehave bene disputed, and when our part was ready to aunswere, no mā there appeared to dispute in that behalfe. So in the end the Byshop makyng to our Ambassadours good countenaunce,Doct. Cranmer made the popes Penitentiary. and gratiffyng Doctour Cranmer with the Office of the Penitentiarishyp, dismissed them vndisputed withall.

Doct. Cranmer Ambassadour to the Emperour.Wherupon the Earle of Wiltshyre and other Commissioners, sauyng Doct. Cranmer, returned home agayne into England. And forthwith Doct. Cranmer went to the Emperour beyng in his iourney towardes Vienna in expedition agaynst the Turke, there to aunswere such learned men of the Emperours Coūsaile, as would or could say any thyng to the contrary part. Where, amongest the rest at the same tyme,Conference betwene Byshop Cranmer and Cornelius Agrippa. was Cornelius Agrippa an high Officer in the Emperours Court, who hauyng priuate conference with Doct. Cranmer in the question, was so fully resolued and satisfied in the matter, that afterwardes there was neuer disputation openly offered to Doct. Cranmer in that behalfe. For through the perswasion of Agrippa, all other learned men there were much discouraged.

This matter thus prosperyng on D. Cranmers behalfe, aswell touchyng the kynges questiō, as concernyng the inualiditie of the Byshop of Romes authoritie, Byshop Warrham then Archbyshop of Caunterbury departed this transitorie lyfe,Doct. Cranmer made Archbyshop of Cant. wherby that dignitie then beyng in the kynges gift and disposition, was immediatly giuen to Doct. Crā mer as worthy for his trauaile, of such a promotiō. Thus much touchyng the prefermēt of Doct. Cranmer vntounto his dignitie, and by what meanes he atchiued vntounto the same: not by flattery, nor by bribes, nor by none other vnlawfull meanes: whiche thyng I hauehave more at large discoursed, to stoppe the raylyng mouthes of such, who beyng them selues obscure and vnlearned, shame not so to detract a learned mā most ignominiously with the surname of an Hostler, whom for his godly zeale vntounto sincere Religion, they ought with much humilitie to hauehave had in regard and reputation.

Now as concernyng his behauiour and trade of lyfe towardes God and the world, beyng entered into his sayd dignitie: True it is, that he was so throughly furnished withall properties, qualities, and conditions belongyng to a true Byshop, as that it shalbe very hard in these straunge dayes to finde many,1. Tim. 3. Titus. 1.1 Tim 3Titus 1 that so nearely resemble that liuely exemplar described by S. Paule the Apostle in his seueral Epistles to Titus and Timothée. So farre he swarued from the common course of common Byshops in his tyme. But bicause the same is very well decipbred in the story at large, it shall not be so néedefull to discourse all the partes therof in this place. Yet may not this be forgotten. That notwithstandyng the great charge now cōmitted vntounto him: The worthy Prelate gaue him selfe euermore to continuall study,The order of Doct. Cranmers study. not breakyng the order that he vsed commonly in the Uniuersitie. To wit by v. of the clocke in the mornyng in his study, and so vntill ix. continuyng in prayer and study. From thence vntill dyner tyme to heare suters (if the Princes affaires did not call him away) committyng his temporall affaires aswell of houshold as other foreine busines to his officers. For the most part hee would occupy him selfe in reformatiō of corrupt Religion, and settyng forth true and sincere doctrine, wherein he would associate him selfe alwayes with learned men, for the siftyng & boultyng out one matter or other for the commoditie and profite of the Church of England. After dynner if any suters were, he would diligently heare them and dispatch them: in such sort as eueryevery man commended his lenitie and gentlenes. That done to his ordinary study agayne vntill fiue of the clocke, whiche houre hee bestowed in hearyng common prayer. After Supper he would consume an houre at the least in some godly conference, and then agayne vntill it. of the clocke at one kynde of study or other. So that no houre of the day was spent in vayne, but was bestowed as tended to Gods glory, the seruice of his Prince, or the commoditie of the Church.

As touching his affabilitie & easines to be entreated it was such,The gentle nature of Doctour Cranmer. as that in all honest causes wherin his letter, counsell, or speach might gratifie either nobleman Gentlemā, meane man or poore man, no mā could be more tractable or sooner wonne to yeld. OnelyOnly in causes appertainyng to God and his Prince, no man more stoute, more constant,Doct. Cranmer stoute and constant in Gods cause. or more hard to be wonne: as in that part his earnest defence in the Parlamēt house aboue thrée dayes together in disputyng agaynst the vi. Articles of Gardiners deuise, cā testifie. And though the kyng would néedes hauehave them vponupon some politicke consideration to goe forward, yet he so handled him selfe aswell in the Parlament house as afterwardes by writing, so obediently & with such hūble behauiour in wordes towards his Prince,Doct. Cranmer a stoute enemy agaynst the s… Articles. protesting the cause not to be his but almightie Gods, who was the author of all truth, that the kyng did not onelyonly well like his defence, willyng him to depart out of the Parlamēt house into the Counsaile chāber, whilest the Acte should passe & be graunted, for safegard of his conscience, which he with humble pro…estatiō refused, hopyng that his Maiestie in processe of time would reuoke them agayne: but also after the Parlament was finished, the kyng perceiuyng the zealous affectiō that the Archb. bare towardes the defence of his cause, which many wayes by Scriptures and manifold authorities and reasons he had substauntially confirmed and defended, sent the Lord Cromwell then Uicegerent,Of this commyng of the I. Cromwell, and the two Dukes to the Archbyshop. with the two Dukes of Northfolke and Suffolke & all the Lordes of the Parlament, to dyne with him at Lambeth: Where it was declared by the Uicegerent, and the two Dukes, that it was the kynges pleasure, that they all should in his highnes behalfe, cherish, comfort and animate him, as one that for his trauaile in that Parlament, had shewed him selfe both greatly learned, and also discret and wise, and therfore they willed him not to be discouraged for any thing that was passed contrary to his allegations. He most humbly thanked the kynges Maiestie of his great goodnesse towardes him, and them all for their paynes, saying: I hope in God, that hereafter my allegatiōs & authorities shall take place to the glory of God and the commoditie of the Realme, in the meane tyme I will satisfie my selfe with the honorable consent of your honours and the whole Parlament.

Here is to be noted, that this mans stoute and godly defence of the truth herein, so bound the Princes cōscience, that he would not permit the truth in that man to be cleane ouerthrowen with authoritie and power, and therfore this way God workyng in the Princes mynde, a playne token was declared hereby that all thyngs were not so sincerely handled in the confirmation of the sayd vi. Articles, as it ought to hauehave bene, for els the Prince might hauehave had iust cause to hauehave borne his great indignation towardes the Archbyshop.Exāple for Ecclesiasticall Pastours. Let vsus pray that both the like stoutnes may be perceiued in all Ecclesiasticall and learned men where the truth ought to be defended, and also the like relentyng and flexibilitie may take place in Princes and Noble men, when they shall hauehave occasion offered them to maintaine the same, so that they vtterly ouerwhelme not the truth by selfe will, power, and authoritie. Now in the end this Archbyshops constancie was such towardes Gods cause, that he confirmed all his doynges by bitter death in the fire, with out respect of any worldly treasure or pleasure. And as touchyng his stoutnesse in his Princes cause, the contrary resistaunce of the Duke of Northumberland agaynst him proued right well his good minde that way:Archb. Crāmer in displeasure about the imployng of Chauntrey landes. which chaunced by reason that he would not consent to the dissoluyng of Chauntreys vntill the kyng came of age, to the intent that they might then better serue to furnish his royall estate, then to hauehave so great treasure consumed in his noneage. Which his stoutnes ioyned with such simplicitie, surely was thought to diuers of the Counsaile, a thyng incredible, specially in such sort to contend with him who was so accounted in this Realme, as few or none would or durst gaynstand hym.

So deare was to him the cause of God, and of his Prince, that for the one he would not kéepe his conscience clogged, nor for the other lurke or hide his head. Otherwise (as it is sayd) his very enemies might easely intreate him in any cause reasonable: and such thyngs as he graunted, he did without any suspition of rebraidyng or méede therfore: So that he was altogethers voyde of the vice of the stubb…rnes, and rather culpable of ouer much facilitie and gentlenes. Surely if ouermuch patience may be a vice, this mā may séeme peraduenture to offend rather on this part then on the contrary. Albeit for all his doynges I can not say: for the most part,The singular patience of this Archbyshop. such was his mortification that way, that few we shall finde in whō the saying of our Sauiour Christ so much preuailed as with him, who would not onelyonly hauehave a man to forgiue his enemies, but also to pray for them: that lesson neuer went out of his memory. For it was knowen that he had many cruell enemies, not for his owne desertes, but onelyonly for his Religion sake: and yet what soeuer he was that either sought his hinderaunce, either in goodes, estimation, or life, and vponupon cō ference would séeme neuer so slenderly any thyng to relent or excuse him selfe, he would both forget the offence committed, and also euermore afterwardes frendly entertayne him, and shew such pleasure to him, as by any meanes possible he might performe or declare: In somuch that it came into a common Prouerbe: Do vntounto my Lord of Canterbury displeasure or a shrewed turne, and then you may be sure to hauehave him your frend whiles he liueth. Of which his gentle disposition in absteinyng from reuengement, amongest many examples therof I will repeate here one.

A story betwen the Archb. of Caunterbury & a popish Priest his enemy.It chaūced an ignoraūt Priest & Parson in the North parts, the Towne is not now in remēbraunce, but he was a kinsman of one Chersey a Grocer dwellyng within Londō (beyng one of those Priests that vse more to study at the Alchouse thē in his chāber or in his study) to sit on a time with his honest neighbours at the Alchouse within his own Parish, where was cōmunicatiō ministred in cōmendation of my Lord Crāmer Archb. of Cant. This sayd Parson enuying his name onelyonly for Religiō sake, sayd to his neighbours: what make you of him (quoth he) he was but an Hostler, and hath no more learnyng thē the goslyngs that goeth yonder on the gréene, with such like sclaunderous & vncomely wordes. These honest neighbours of his not well bearyng those his vnséemely words,The rayling of a popish Priest agaynst Doct. Cranmer. Articled against him, & sent their cōplaynt vntounto the Lord Cromwell, thē Uicegerent in causes Ecclesiasticall, who sent for the Priest and committed him to the Fléete, mindyng to hauehave had him recant those his sclaunderous wordes at Paules Crosse. Howbeit the Lord Cromwell hauing great affaires of the Prince then in hand, forgat his prisoner in the Fléete: So that this Chersey the Grosser vnderstandyng that his kinsman was in duraunce in the Fléete, onelyonly for speakyng wordes agaynst my Lord of Canterbury consulted with the Priest, and betwene them deuised to make sute rather vntounto the Archbyshop for his deliueraunce, then to the Lord Cromwell, before whom he was accused: vnderstandyng right well that there was great diuersitie of natures betwene those two estates, the one gētle and full of clemency, and the other seuere and somewhat intractable, namely agaynst a Papist: So that Chersey tooke vponupon him first to try my Lord of Cāterburies benignitie, namely for that his cousins accusatiō touched onelyonly the offence agaynst him and none other. Whereupon the sayd Chersey came to one of the Archbyshops Gentlemē whose father bought yearely all his spices and frute of the sayd Chersey, and so thereby of familiar acquaintaunce with the Gentleman) who openyng to him the trouble wherein his kinsman was, requested that he would be a meanes to my Lord his Maister to heare his sute in the behalfe of his kinsman.

The matter was moued. The Archbyshop like as he was of nature gentle, and of much clemencie, so would he neuer shew him selfe straunge vntounto suters, but incontinently sent for the said Chersey. When he came before him, Chersey declared, that there was a kinsman of his in the Fléete, a Priest of the North countrey, & as I may tell your grace the truth (quoth Chersey) a man of small ciuilitie and of lesse learnyng.Chersey …yng for his kynse…, to the Archb. And yet he hath a personage there, which now (by reason that my Lord Cromwell hath layd him in prison beyng in his cure) is vnserued, and hee hath continued in duraunce aboue two monethes, and is called to no aunswere, and knoweth not when hee shall come to any end, so that this his imprisonment consumeth his substaunce, will vtterly vndoe him, vnlesse your Grace be his good Lord. I know not the mā (sayd the Archbyshop) nor what he hath done why he should be thus in trouble.

Sayd Chersey agayne, he onelyonly hath offended agaynst your Grace, and agaynst no man els, as may well be perceiued by the Articles obiected agaynst him: the Copy wherof the sayd Chersey then exhibited vntounto the sayd Archbyshop of Caunterbury. Who well perusing the sayd Articles, sayd: This is the common talke of all the ignoraunt Papisticall Priestes in England agaynst me. Surely, sayd he, I was neuer made priuy vntounto this accusation, nor of his induraunce I neuer heard before this tyme. Notwithstandyng if there be nothing els to charge him withal, against the Prince or any of the Coū saile, I will at your request take order with him, and send him home againe to his Cure to do his duetie: and so therupō sent his ryng to the Warden of the Fleete,The Priest sent for, to the Archbyshop. willyng him to send the prisoner vntounto him with his kéeper at after noone.

When the kéeper had brought the prisoner at the houre appointed, and Chersey had well instructed his Cosin in any wise to submit him selfe vntounto the Archbishop, confessing his fault, whereby that way he should most easely hauehave an end and winne his fauour: thus the Parson beyng brought into the garden at Lambeth, and there sittyng vnderunder the vyne, the Archbyshop demaunded of the Parson what was the cause of his induraunce, and who committed him to the Fléete: The Parson aunswered and sayd: that the Lord Cromwell sent him thether, for that certaine malicious Parishioners of his Parish, had wrongfully accused him of wordes whiche he neuer spake nor ment… Chersey hearyng his foolish Cosin so farre out of the way from his former instruction, sayd: Thou dasterdly …olt and varlet, is this thy promise that thou madest to me? Is there not a great number of thy honest neighbours hādes agaynst thée to proue thée a lyer? Surely my Lord (quoth Chersey) it is pitie to doe him good. I am sory that I hauehave troubled your Grace thus farre with him.

Well, sayd the Archbyshop vntounto the Parson, if you hauehave not offended me,The Archbyshops wordes vntounto the Parson. I cā do you no good, for I am intreated to helpe one out of trouble that hath offended agaynst me. If my Lord Cromwell hath committed you to prison wrongfully, that lyeth in him selfe to amend and not in me. If your offence onelyonly touche me, I will be bold to doe somewhat for your frendes sake here. If you hauehave not offended agaynst me, thē hauehave I nothyng to do with you, but that you may go & remaine from whence you came. Lord what a… his kinsman Chersey made with him, callyng him all kynde of opprobrious names. In the end my Lord of Cāterbury séemyng to rise and go his wayes, the fond Priest fell downe on his knées, and sayd: I beséech your Grace to forgiue me this offence:The Priest cō fesseth his fault to the Archb. assuryng your Grace that I spake those wordes beyng dronke and not well aduised. Ah, sayd my Lord, this is somewhat, and yet it is no good excuse, for dronkennesse euermore vttereth that whiche lyeth hid in the hart of man when hee is sober, alledgyng a te…t or twayne out of the Scriptures concernyng the vyce of dronkennesse, whiche commeth not now to remembraunce.

Now therfore (sayd the Archbyshop) that you acknowledge somewhat your fault, I am content to common with you, hopyng that you are at this present of an indifferēt sobrietie. Tell me then, quoth he, did you euer sée me, or were you euer acquainted with me before this day? The Priest aunswered and sayd, that neuer in his life, he saw his Grace. Why then (sayd the Archbyshop) what occasion had you to call me an Hostler:The ra…he t…nge… of men sclaunderously speakyng …uill by mē whō they neuer knew, nor saw before. and that I had not so much learning as the goslinges which then went on the gréene before your face? If I hauehave no learnyng, you may now try it, and be out of doubt thereof: therfore I pray you appose me, either in Grammer or in other liberall sciences, for I hauehave at one tyme or other tasted partly of them. Or elles if you are a Diuine, say some what that way.

The Priest beyng amased at my Lordes familiar talke, made aunswere and sayd:The Priestest aunswere. I beséeth your Grace to pardon me. I am altogethers vnlearned, and vnderstand not the Latin toung but very simply. My onelyonly study hath bene to say my seruice and Masse fayre and deliberate, which I can do aswell as any Priest in the countrey where I dwel, I thanke God. Well, sayd the other, if you will not appose me, I will be so bold to appose you, & yet as easly as I can deuise, & that onelyonly in the story of the Bible now in English, in which I suppose that you are dayly exercised.The Masse Priest ignoraunt in the Scripture. Tell me therfore who was kyng Dauids father, sayd my Lord? The Priest stoode still pausing a white and sayd: In good sayth my Lord, I hauehave forgotten his name. Then sayd the other agayne to him: if you can not tell that, I pray you tell me then who was Salomons Father? The fond foolish Priest without all consideration what was demaunded of him before, made aunswere: Good my Lord beare with me, I am not further séene in the Bible, then is dayly read in our seruice in the Church.

The Archbyshop then aunsweryng sayd: this my question may be found well aunswered in your seruice. But I now well perceiue, howsoeuer you hauehave iudged heretofore of my learnyng,The gi…e of popish Priests when they fauour not the Religion of a man: they sclaū der his person. sure I am that you hauehave none at all. But this is the common practise of all you, which are ignoraunt and superstitious Priestes… to sclaunder, backbite, and hate all such as are learned and well affected towardes Gods word and sincere Religion. Common reason might hauehave taught you, what an vnlikely thyng it was, and contrary to all maner of reason, that a Prince hauyng two Uniuersities within his realme of well learned men, and desirous to be resolued of as doubtfull a questiō as in these many yeares, was not moued the like within Christēdome, should be driuen to that necessitie for the defence of his cause, to send out of his Realme an Hostler, beyng a man of no better knowledge then is a goslyng, in an Ambassade to aunswere all learned men, both in the Court of Rome, and in the Emperours Court, in so difficult a question as toucheth the kynges Matrimony, and the diuorce therof. I say, if you were men of any reasonable consideration, you might thinke it both vnséemely and vncomely for a Prince so to.Euill will neuer sayd well. But looke where malice raigneth in men, there reason can take no place: and therfore I sée by it, that you all are at a point with me, that no reason or authoritie can perswade you to fauour my name, who neuer ment euill to you, but your both commoditie and profite. Howbeit God amend you all, forgeue you, and send you better myndes.

With these wordes the Priest séemed to wéepe, and desired his Grace to pardon his fault and frayltie, so that by his meanes he might returne to his Cure agayne, and he would sure recant those his foolishe wordes before his Parishioners so soone as he came home, and would become a new man. Well, sayd the Archbyshop, so had you néede. And geuyng him a godly admonition to refuse the hauntyng of the Al…house,The Archbyshop forg…eth and dismisseth the Priest. and to bestow his tyme better in the continuall readyng of the Scriptures, hee dismissed him from the Fléete.

How litle this Prelate we speake of, was infected with filthy desire of lucre, and how he was no niggard,The liberall doynges of this Archbyshop. all kynde of people that knew him, aswell learned beyond the Seas and on this side, to whom yearely he gaue in exhibition no small summes of money, as other, both Gentlemen, meane men, and poore men, who had in their necessitie that which he could conueniently spare, lende, or make, can well testifie. And albeit such was his liberalitie to all sortes of men, that no man did lacke whom he could do for, either in giuyng or lendyng: yet neuertheles such was agayne his circumspection, that when he was apprehended & committed by Quéene Mary to the Tower, he ought no mā liuyng a peny that could or would demaunde any duetie of him, but satisfied eueryevery man to the vttermost: where els no small summes of money were …wyng to him of diuers persons, which by breakyng their billes and obligations hee fréely forgaue and suppressed before his attainter:The Archbyshop clearyng all his debtes before his attainder. In somuch that when he perceiued the fatall end of kyng Edward should worke to him no good successe touchyng his body and goodes, he incontinently called his Officers, his Steward and other, commaundyng them in any wise to pay, where any peny was owyng, which was out of hand dispatched.

In which Archbyshop this moreouer is to be noted, with a memorandum, touchyng the reliefe of the poore, impotent, sicke, and such as then came from the warres at Bullein, and other partes beyond the seas, lame, wounded, and destitute, for whom he prouided, besides his mansion house at Beckisborne in Kent, the Personage barne well furnished with certaine lodgynges for the sicke and maymed Souloiours. To whom were also appointed the Almosiner, a Phisicion, and Surgion, to attend vponupon them, and to dresse and cure such as were not able to resort to their countreys, hauyng dayly from the Byshops kitchin hoate broth and meate, for otherwise the common Almes of the houshold was bestowed vponupon the poore neighbours of the shyre. And when any of the impotent did recouer, and were able to trauaile, they had conuēient money deliuered to beare their charges, accordyng to the number of myles from that place distant. And this good example of mercy and liberall benignitie, I thought here good not in silence to bee suppressed, wherby other may be moued, accordyng to their vocation, to walke in the steps of no lesse liberalitie, then in him in this behal…e appeared.

Amongest all other his vertues his constancy, in Christes cause and settyng forth the Gospell purely and sincerely was such that he would neither for dread or méede, affection or fauour to swar…e at any tyme or in any poynt from the truth, as appeared by his sundry trials: wherein neither fauonr of his Prince, nor feare of the indignatiō of the same,The Archb. Cranmer euer constant in defence of Christs truth and Gospell. nor any other worldly respect could alienate or chaunge his purpose grounded vppon that infallible doctrine of the Gospell. Notwithstandyng, his constant defence of Gods truth was euer ioyned with such méekenesse toward the kyng, that he neuer tooke occasion of offence agaynst him.

At the setting forth of the vi. Articles, mention was made before in the story of kyng Henries tyme, how aduenturously this Archbyshop Thomas Cranmer did oppose him selfe, standyng, as it were, post alone agaynst the whole Parlament, disputyng and replyng thrée dayes together agaynst the sayd Articles: in somuch that the kyng, when neither he could mislike his reasons, and yet would néedes hauehave these Articles to passe, required him to absent him selfe for the tyme out of the chamber, while the Acte should passe, as is already declared before. And this was done duryng yet the state and tyme of the Lord Cromwels authoritie. And now that it may appeare likewise that after the decay of the Lord Cromwell, yet his constancie in Christes cause did not decay, you shall heare what followed after.

For after the apprehension of the Lord Cromwell, when the aduersaries of the Gospell thought all thynges sure now on their side, it was so appointed amongest them, that x. or xij. Byshops and other learned men ioyned together in Commission, came to the said Archb. of Canterbury for the establishyng of certaine Articles of our Religion, whiche the Papistes then thought to winne to their purpose agaynst the sayd Archbyshop. For hauyng now the Lord Cromwell fast and sure, they thought all had bene safe and sure for euer: As in déede to all mens reasonable consideration, that tyme appeared so daungerous, that there was no maner hope that Religion reformed should any one wéeke lō ger stand, such accompt was then made of the kings vntowardnes thereunto:The Archb. alone standeth in defence of the truth. in somuch that of all those Commissioners, there was not one left to stay on the Archbyshops part, but he alone agaynst them all stoode in defēce of the truth: & those that he most trusted to, namely Byshop Heath, and Byshop Skippe left him in the playne field:Bishop Heath, and Byshop Skippe forsake the Archb. in the playne field. The Archb. incensed by B. Heath and B. Skippe to geue ouer the defence of the Gospell. who then so turned agaynst him, that they tooke vponupon them to perswade him to their purpose: and hauyng him downe from the rest of the Commissioners into his garden at Lambeth, there by all maner of effe…uall perswasions entreated him to leaue of his ouermuch constancie, and to encline vntounto the kinges intent, who was fully set to hauehave it otherwise then he then had penned or ment to hauehave set abroad. When those two his familiars, with one or two others his frendes, had vsed all their eloquence & policie, he litle regardyng their inconstancie and remisnes in Gods cause or quarell, sayd vntounto them right notably:

You make much adoe to hauehave me come to your purpose,The aunswere of the Archb. to Doct. Heath, & Skippe. alledging that it is the kyngs pleasure to hauehave the Articles in that sort you hauehave deuised them to procéede, & now that you doe perceiue his highnesse by sinister information to be bent that way, you thinke it a conuenient thyng to apply vntounto his highnesse mynde. You be my frendes both, especially the one of you I did put to his Maiestie as of trust. Beware I say, what you doe. There is but one truth in our Articles to be concluded vponupon, which if you doe hide from his highnes by consentyng vntounto a contrary doctrine, and then after in processe of tyme when the truth cā not be hidden from him, his highnes shall perceiue how that you hauehave dealt colourably with him, I know his Graces nature so well (quoth the Archbyshop) that he will neuer after trust and credite you, or put any good confidence in you. And as you are both my frendes, so therfore I will you to beware therof in tyme, and discharge your consciences in mainteinaunce of the truth. But all this would not serue, for they still swarued: and in the end by dischargyng of his conscience, and declaryng the truth vntounto the kyng, God so wrought with the kyng, that his highnesse ioyned with him agaynst the rest, so that the booke of Articles passing on his side, he wanne the gole from them all, contrary to all their expectations, when many wagers would hauehave bene layd in Lōdon, that he should hauehave bene layd vp with Cromwell at that tyme in the Tower, for his stiffe stādyng to his tackle. After that day there could neither Coūse…ler, Byshop, or Papist winne him out of the kynges fauour.

The Papistes busie to bryng the Archb. out of credit with the kyng.Notwithstandyng not long after that, certaine of the Counsaile, whose names néede not to be repeated, by the entisement and prouocation of his auncient enemy the Bishop of Winchester and other of the same sect, attempted the kyng agaynst him, declaryng playnly, that the Realme was so infected with heresies and heretickes, that it was daū gerous for his highnes farther to permit it vnreformed,The Archbyshop agayne accused to the kyng. lest peraduenture by long sufferyng, such contention should arise & ensue in the Realme among his subiectes, that therby might spryng horrible commotions and vprores, like as in some partes of Germany it did not long ago: the enormitie wherof they could not impute to any so much, as to the Archbyshop of Canterbury, who by his owne preachyng and his Chapleines, had filled the whole Realme full of diuers pernitious heresies. The kyng would néedes know his accusers. They aunswered, that for asmuch as he was a Counseller, no man durst take vponupon him to accuse him: but if it please his highnes to cōmit him to the Tower for a tyme, there would be accusations & proufes inough agaynst him, for otherwise iust testimonie and witnes agaynst him would not appeare, and therefore your highnes (sayd they) must néedes geue vsus the Counsaile libertie and leaue to commit him to duraunce.

The kyng perceiuyng their importune sute agaynst the Archbyshop (but yet meanyng not to hauehave him wronged and vtterly geuen ouer vntounto their handes) graunted to them, that they should the next day cōmit him to the Tower for his triall.The kyng sent Syr Antony Deny at midnight for the Archb. When night came, the kyng sent Syr Antony Deny about midnight to Lambeth to the Archbyshop, willyng him forth with to resort vntounto him at the Court. The message done, the Archbyshop speedely addressed him selfe to the Court, and commyng into the Gallery where the kyng walked and taryed for him, his highnes sayd: Ah my Lord of Canterbury, I can tell you newes.The kynges wordes and aduise for the supportation of the Archbyshop. For diuers waightie considerations it is determined by me and the Counsaile, that you to morrow at ix. of the clocke shall be committed to the Tower, for that you and your Chaplaines (as information is geuen vsus) hauehave taught and Preached, and thereby sowen within the Realme, such a number of execrable heresies, that it is feared, the whole Realme beyng infected with them, no small contentions and commotions wil rise thereby amōgest my subiectes, as of late dayes the like was in diuers parts of Germany: and therfore the Counsaile hauehave requested me for the triall of this matter, to suffer them to commit you to the Tower, or els no man dare come forth as witnes in these matters, you beyng a Counsellour.

The Archbyshops aūswere to the kyng.When the kyng had sayd his mynde, the Archbyshop knéeled downe, and sayd: I am content if it please your Grace, with all may hart, to goe thether at your highnes commaundement, and I most humbly thanke your Maiestie, that I may come to my triall, for there be that hauehave many wayes sclaundered me, and now this way I hope to try my selfe not worthy of such a report.

The kyng perceiuyng the mans vprightnesse, ioyned with such simplicitie, sayd: Oh Lord, what maner a man be you? what simplicity is in you? I had thought that you would rather hauehave sued to vsus to hauehave taken the paynes to hauehave heard you and your accusers together for your triall without any such indurance. Doe not you know what state you be in with the whole world, and how many great enemyes you hauehave? Doe you not consider what an easie thyng it is to procure thrée or foure false knaues to witnesse agaynst you? Thinke you to hauehave better lucke that way, then your maister Christ had? I sée it, you will runne headlong to your vndoyng, if I would suffer you.The kyngs fauourable care & consideration towarde the Archb. of Cant. Your enemyes shall not so preuaile agaynst you, for I hauehave otherwise deuised with my selfe to kéepe you out of their handes. Yet notwithstandyng, to morrow when the Counsaile shall sit and send for you, resort vntounto them, and if in chargyng you with this matter, they do commit you to the Tower: require of them, because you are one of them, a Counseller, that you may hauehave your accusers brought before them, and that you may aunswere their accusations before them, without any further induraunce, and vse for you selfe as good perswasions that way as you may deuise,The kyng sendeth his …gnet in the behalfe of the Archb. of Canterbury. and if no intreatie or reasonable request will serue, then deliuer vntounto them this my ryng (whiche then the kyng deliuered vntounto the Archbyshop) and say vntounto them, if there be no remedie my Lordes, but that I must néedes goe to the Tower, then I reuoke my cause from you and appeale to the kynges owne person by this his token vntounto you all, for (sayd the kyng then vntounto the Archbyshop) so soone as they shall sée this my ryng, they know it so well, that they shall vnderstand, that I hauehave resumed the whole cause into myne owne handes and determination, and that I hauehave discharged them therof.

The Archbishop perceiuyng the kyngs benignitie somuch to him wardes, had much a…o to forbeare teares. Well, sayd the king, goe your wayes my Lord, and doe as I hauehave bydden you. My Lord humblyng him selfe with thankes, tooke his leaue of the kynges highnesse for that night.

On the morow about ix. of the clocke before noone:The Archbyshop beyng one of the Counsell, made to stād at the Counsell chamber doore waityng. Doct. Buttes the kings Phisition, a frend of the Archb. the Counsaile sent a Gentleman busher for the Archbishop, who when he came to the Counsaile chamber doore, could not be let in, but of purpose (as it séemed) was compelled there to waite among the pages, lackeys, and seruyngmen all alone. Doct. Buttes the kynges Phisition resortyng that way, and espying how my Lord of Canterbury was handled, went to the kynges highnes and sayd: My Lord of Canterbury if it please your Grace, is well promoted: for now he is become a lackey or a seruyngman, for yonder he standeth this halfe houre without the Counsaile chamber doore amongest them. It is not so, quoth the kyng, I trow, nor the Counsaile hath not so litle discretion as to vse the Metropolitane of the Realme in that sorte, specially beyng one of their owne number: but let them alone (sayd the kyng) and we shall here more soone.

Anone the Archbishop was called into the Counsaile Chamber: to whom was alledged, as before is rehearsed.The Archbyshop called before the Counsell. The Archbyshop aunswered in like sort as the kyng had aduised him: and in the ende when he perceiued that no maner of perswasion or intreatie could serue, he deliuered to them the kyngs ryng, reuokyng his cause into the kynges handes. The whole Counsaile beyng thereat somewhat amased:The Coūsel beyng set agaynst the Archb. hee sheweth the kyngs Kyng & appealeth from them. the Earle of Bedford with a loude voyce confirmyng his wordes with a solemne oth, sayd: When you first began this matter my Lordes, I told you what would come of it. Do you thinke that the kyng will suffer this mans finger to ake? much more (I warrant you) will he defend his life agaynst brablyng varlets. You do but comber your selues to heare tales and fables agaynst him. And so incontinently vponupon the recept of the kynges token, they all rose and caryed to the kyng his ryng, surrenderyng that matter as the order and vse was, into his owne handes.

When they were all come to the kynges presence, his highnesse with a seuere countenaunce,The kynges wordes to the Counsell in defence of the Archbyshop. sayd vntounto thē: Ah my Lordes, I thought I had had wiser men of my Counsaile then now I finde you. What discretion was this in you, thus to make the Primate of the Realme & one of you in office, to waite at the Counsaile Chamber doore amongest seruyngmen? You might hauehave considered that he was a Counseller as well as you, and you had no such Cōmission of me so to handle him. I was cōtent that you should try him as a Counseller, & not as a meane subiect. But now I well perceiue that things be done agaynst him malitiously, & if some of you might hauehave had your myndes, you would hauehave tried him to the vttermost. But I doe you all to witte, & protest, that if a Prince may be beholdyng vntounto his subiect (and so solemly laying his hād vponupon his brest) sayd: by the fayth I owe to God, I take this man here my Lord of Caunterbury, to bee of all other a most faythfull subiect vntounto vsus, and one to whom we are much beholdyng, giuyng him great commendations otherwise. And with that one or two of the chiefest of the Counsaile, makyng their excuse, declared, that in requestyng his induraunce, it was rather ment for his triall and his purgation agaynst the common fame and sclaunder of the world, then for any malice conceiued agaynst him. Well, well my Lordes,The Lordes of the Counsell glad to be frēds againe with the Archbysh…p. quoth the king, take him and well vse him, as he is worthy to be, and make no more ado. And with that eueryevery man caught him by the hand, and made fayre wether of altogethers, whiche might easely be done with that man.

And it was much to bee marueiled that they would goe so farre with him, thus to séeke his vndoyng, this well vnderstandyng before,The kyng a great supporter of Cranmer. that the kyng most entirely loued him, and alwayes would stand in his defence who soeuer spake agaynst him: as many other tymes the kynges patience was by sinister informations, agaynst him tryed: In so much that the Lord Cromwell was euermore wont to say vntounto him: My Lord of Canterbury, you are most happy of all men:The Lord Crō wels wordes to the Archbyshop. for you may do and speake what you lifte, and say what all men can agaynst you, the kyng will neuer beleue one word, to your detriment or hinderaunce.

After the death of kyng Henry, immediatly succéeded his sonne kyng Edward, vnderunder whose gouernement and protection the state of this Archbyshop, beyng his Godfather, was nothyng appaired, but rather more aduaunced.

Duryng all this meane tyme of kyng Henry aforesayd, vntill the entryng of kyng Edward, it séemeth that Cranmer was scarsely yet throughly perswaded in the right knowledge of the Sacrament, or at least, was not yet fully rypened in the same: wherein shortly after he beyng more groundly confirmed by conference with Byshop Ridley, in processe of tyme did so profite in more ryper knowledge, that at last he tooke vponupon him the defence of that whole doctrine, that is, to refute and throw downe first the corporall presence: secondly the phantasticall transubstantiation: thirdly the Idolatrous adoration: fourthly the false errour of the Papistes, that wicked men do eate the naturall body of Christ:The true and go…ly doctrine of the Sacrament in fiue bookes set forth by the Archb. of Canterbury. and lastly the blasphemous sacrifice of the Masse. Whereupon in conclusion he wrote fiue bookes, for the publicke instructiō of the Church of England, which instruction yet to this day standeth and is receaued in this Church of England.

Agaynst these fiue bookes of the Archbyshop, Stephen Gardiner, the Archenemy to Christ and his Gospell, beyng then in the Tower, slubbereth vp a certaine aunswere such as it was, which he in open Court exhibited vp at Lambeth, beyng there examined by the Archbyshop aforesayd, and other the kynges Commissioners in kyng Edwardes dayes, whiche booke was intitled: An Explication and assertion of the true Catholicke fayth, touchyng the blessed Sacrament of the aultar, with a confutation of a booke written agaynst the same.

An explication of Stephē Gardiner agaynst Cranmer Archbyshop of Cāt.Agaynst this Explication, or rather a ca…illyng Sophistication of Stephens Gardiner Doctour of Law, the sayd Archbyshop of Canterbury learnedly and copiously replying agayne, maketh aunswere, as by the discourse therof renewed in Print, is euident to be sene to all such as with indifferent eye will Read and peruse the same.

Besides these bookes aboue recited, of this Archbishop diuers other things there were also of his doing, as the booke of Reformation, with the booke of Homelies, whereof part was by him contriued, part by his procurement approued and published. Wherunto also may be adioyned an other writing or confutation of his agaynst 88. Articles by the Cō uocation deuised and propounded, but yet not ratified nor receaued, in the reigne and time of king Henry.

And thus much hetherto concernyng the deynges and trauailes of this Archbyshop of Caunterbury duryng the lines both of kyng Henry, and of kyng Edward his sonne. Which two kynges so long as they continued, this Archbyshop lacked no stay of maintenaunce agaynst all his maligners.

After the death of king Edward, Quéene Mary comming now to the Crowne, and being established in the possession of the Realme, not long after came to London, and after she had caused first the two Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolke, and their two children, the Lady Iane, and the Lord Guilford, both in age tender and innocent of that crime to be executed: She put the rest of the Nobilitie to their lines, and forgaue them the Archbishop of Canterbury onelyonly except. Who though he desired pardon by meane of frendes, could obtaine none: in so much that the Quéene would not once …ouchsafe to sée hym:Man…taltamēte repostum Iudicium paridis, spraetaeque inniria matris. Virg. AEneid. 1. For as yet the old grudges agaynst the Archbyshop for the diuorcement of her mother, remained hid in the bottome of her hart. Besides this diuorce, she remembred the state of Religion chaunged: all which was reputed to the Archbishop, as the chief cause therof.

While these thinges were in doing, a rumor was in all mens mouthes, that the Archbishop, to curry fauour with the Quéene, had promised to say a Dirige Masse after the old custome,This Doctour Thornton was after the Byshop of Douer, a cruell & wicked persecuter. for the funerall of king Edward her brother. Neither wanted there some, which reported that he had already said Masse at Caunterbury: whiche Masse in déede was sayd by Doct. Thornton. This rumor Cranmer thinkyng spéedely to stay, gaue forth a writing in his purgation: the tenour whereof being set out at large in the booke of Actes and Monumentes. I néede not here againe to recite.

This Bill being thus written, and lying openly a window in his chamber, cōmeth in by chaunce Maister Scory, Bishop then of Rochester, who after he had read and perused the same, required of the Archbishop to hauehave a Copie of the Bill. The Archbishop when he had graunted and permitted the same to Maister Scory, by the occasion therof M. Scory lending it to some frend of his, there were diuers Copies takē out therof, & the thing published abroad among the common people: in so much that eueryevery Scriueners shop almost, was occupied in writing and copying out the same, and so at length some of those Copies comming to the Bishops handes, & so brought to the Counsell, & they sending it to the Commissioners, the matter was knowen, & so he commaūded to appeare.

Whereupon Doct. Cranmer at his day prefixed,This Byshop was Doctour Heath, Byshop after of York…. appeared before the sayd Commissioners, bringing a true Inuentorie, as he was commaūded, of all his goodes. That done, a Bishop of the Quéenes priuie Counsell, being one of the sayd Commissioners, after the Inuentorie was receaued, bringing in mention of the Bill: My Lord (said he) there is a Bill put forth in your name, wherein you séeme to be agréeued with setting vp the Masse againe: we doubt not but you are sorie that it is gone abroad.

To whom the Archbishop aunswering againe, saying: as I doe not deny my selfe to be the very Authour of that Bill or Letter, so must I confesse here vntounto you, concerning the same Bill, that I am sorie that the sayd Bill went from me in such sort as it did. For when I had written it, M. Scory got the Copie of me, and is now come abroad, and as I vnderstand, the Citie is full of it. For whiche I am sorie, that it so passed my handes: for I had intended otherwise to hauehave made it in a more large and ample maner, & mynded to hauehave set it on Paules Church doore, and on the doores of all the Churches in London, with mine owne feele ioyned thereto.

At whiche wordes when they saw the constantnesse of the man, they dismissed him, affirming they had no more at that present to say vntounto him, but that shortly hee should heare further. The said Bishop declared afterward to one of Doct. Cranmers frendes, that notwithstāding his attainder of treason, the Quéenes determination at that time was, that Cranmer should onelyonly hauehave bene depriued of his Archbishopricke, and hauehave had a sufficient liuing assigned him, vponupon his exhibiting of a true Inuentorie, with commaundement to kéepe his house without medlyng in matters of Religion. But how that was true, I hauehave not to say. This is certaine, that not long after this, he was sent vntounto the Tower, and soone after condemned of treason.Cranmer condemned of treason. Notwithstanding, the Quéene whē she could not honestly denie him his pardon, seing all the rest were discharged, and specially seing he last of all other subscribed to king Edwardes request, & that against his owne will, released to him his action of treason, and accused him onelyonly of heresie:Cranmer released of treason, and accused of heresie. which liked the Archbishop right well, and came to passe as he wished, because the cause was not now his owne, but Christes, not the Quéenes, but the Churches. Thus stoode the cause of Cranmer, till at length it was determined by the Quéene and the Counsel, that he should be remoned from the Tower where he was prisoner, to Oxford, there to dispute with the Doctours and Diuines. And priuely word was sent before to them of Oxford to prepare them selues, and make them ready to dispute. And although the Quéene and the Bishops had cōcluded before what should become of him, yet it pleased them that the matter should be debated with Argumentes, that vnderunder some honest shew of disputation, the murther of the man might be couered.Cranmer had to Oxford. Neither could their hastie spéede of reuengement abide any long delay: and therfore in all hast he was caried to Oxford.

What this disputation was, and how it was handled, what were the questions, and reasons on both sides, and also touching his condemnation by the Uniuersitie & the Prolocutor, because sufficiently it hath bene declared in the storie at large, we mynde now therefore to procéede to his finall iudgement and order of condemnation, whiche was the xii. day of September. an. 1556. and seuen dayes before the condemnation of Bishop Ridley and Maister Latimer.

After the disputations done and finished in Oxford betwene the Doctours of both Uniuersities and the thrée worthy Bishops,Of this condē nation, read in the last …, pag. 1554. Doct. Cranmer, Ridley, and Larymer, sentēce condemnatory immediatly vpō the same was ministred against them by Doct. Weston and other of the Uniuersitie: whereby they were iudged to be heretickes, and so committed to the Maior and Sheriffes of Oxford, by whom hee was caried to Bocardo their cō mon Gaile in Oxford.

In this meane tyme, while the Archbishop was thus remainyng in duraunce (whō they had kept now in prisō almost the space of thrée yeares) the Doctours and Diuines of Oxford, busied them selues all that euer they could about Maister Cranmer, to hauehave him recant, assaying by all craftie practises and allurementes they might deuise, how to bring their purpose to passe. And to the intent they might winne him easely, they had him to the Deanes house of Christes Church in the sayd Uniuersitie, where he lacked no delicate fare, played at the bowles, had his pleasure for walking, and all other thinges that might bring him from Christ. Ouer and besides all this, secretly and sleightly, they suborned certaine men, whiche when they could not expugne him by argumentes and disputation, should by entreatie and fayre promises, or any other meanes allure him to recantation: perceiuyng otherwise what a great wound they should receiue, if the Archbishop had stoode stedfast in his sentence: and againe on the other side, how great profite they should get, if he as the principall standerd bearer, should be ouerthrowen. By reason wherof the wylie Papistes flocked about him, with threatning, flattering, intreating and promising, and all other meanes: especially Henry Sydall, and Frier Iohn a Spaniard, De villa Garcina, to the end to driue him to the vttermost of their possibilitie, from his former sentence,The Archbyshop contented to recant. to recantation: whose force his manly constancie did a great while resist: but at last when they made no end of calling and crying vponupon him, the Archbishop being ouercome, whether through their importunitie, or by his owne imbecillitie, or of what mynde I can not tell, at length gaue his hand.

Causes mouyng the Archbyshop to geue with the tyme.It might be supposed that it was done for the hope of life, and better dayes to come. But as we may since perceaue by a Letter of his sent to a Lawyer, the most cause why he desired his tyme to be delayed, was that he would make an end of Marcus Antonius, which he had already begon; but howsoeuer it was he recanted, though playne agaynst his conscience.

The Queen…s hart set agaynst Cranmer.Mary the Quéene hauing now gotten a time to reuenge her old grief, receaued his recantation very gladly: but of her purpose to put him to death, she would nothing relent. But taking secret Counsell, how to dispatch Cranmer out of the way (who as yet knew nothyng of her secret hate, & looked for nothyng lesse then death) appointed Doct. Cole, & secretly gaue him in commaundement, that agaynst the 21. of March, he should prepare a funerall Sermon for Cranmers burning,The Queene conferreth with Doct. Cole about Cranmers burnyng. and so instructing him orderly and diligently of her will and pleasure in that behalfe, sendeth him away.

L. William of Thame, L. Shā doys, Syr Thomas Bridges, Syr Iohn Browne, appourted to be at Cranmers execution.Some after, the Lord Williams of Tame, and the Lord Shādoys Sir Thomas Bridges, and Sir Iohn Browne were sent for, with other worshipfull men and Iustices, cō maunded in the Quéenes name, to be at Oxford at the same day, with their seruauntes and retinue, lest Cranmers death should rayse there any tumult.

Cole the Doctour hauing his lesson geuen him before, and charged by her commaū dement, returned to Oxford ready to play his part, who as the day of execution drew neare, euē the day before came into the prison to Crāmer, to try whether he abode in the Catholicke fayth, wherin before he had left him. To whom whē Cranmer had aunswered, that by Gods grace, he would dayly be more cōfirmed in the Catholicke fayth: Cole departing for that tyme, the next day folowing repayred to the Archbishop agayne, geuing no signification as yet of his death that was prepared: And therefore in the mornyng, which was the 21. day of March appointed for Cranmers execution, the sayd Cole commyng to him asked, if he had any money. To whom when he aunswered that he had none, he deliuered him 1…. Crownes to geue the poore to whō he would: and so exhorting him so much as he could to constancie in fayth, departed thence about his businesse, as to his Sermon appertained.

By this partly, and other like argumentes, the Archbishop began more and more to surmise what they went about. Thē, because the day was not farre past, and the Lordes and Knightes that were looked for, were not yet come, there came to him the Spanish Frier, witnesse of his recantation, bringyng a paper with Articles, whiche Cranmer should openly professe in his recantation before the people, earnestly desiring that hee would write the sayd instrument with the Articles with his owne hand,Cranmer writteth & subscribeth the Articles with his owne handes. & signe it with his name: which when he had done, the sayd Frier desired that hee would write an other Copie therof, which should remaine with him, and that he did also. But yet the Archbishop beyng not ignoraunt whereunto their secret deuises tended, and thinking that the tyme was at hand, in which he could no longer dissemble the profession of his fayth with Christes people, he put secretly in his bosome his Prayer with his exhortation, written in an other paper, which he mynded to recite to the people, before he should make the last profession of his sayth, fearyng lest if they had heard the Confession of his fayth first, they would not afterward hauehave suffered him to exhort the people.

Some after, about ix. of the clocke, the Lord Williams, Sir Thomas Bridges, Syr Iohn Browne, and the other Iustices with certaine other Noble men, that were sent of the Quéenes Counsell, came to Oxford with a great trayne of wayting men. Also of the other multitude on eueryevery side (as is wont in such a matter) was made a great concourse and greater expectation.

In this so great frequence and expectation, Cranmer at length commeth from the prison Bocardo, Doct. Cranmer brought to D. Coles Serinō.vntounto S. Maries Churche (because it was a foule and a raynie day) the chief Church in the Uniuersitie, in this order. The Maior went before, next him the Aldermen in their place and degree: after them was Cranmer brought, betwene two Friers, which mombling to and fro certaine Psalmes in the stréetes, aunswered one an other vntil they came to the Church doore, and there they began the song of Simeon, Nunc dimittis: and entring into the Churche, the Psalme saying Friers brought him to his standyng, and there left him. There was a stage set vp ouer agaynst the Pulpit,Doct. Cranmer set vpō a stage, of a meane height from the ground, Cranmer had his standyng, waytyng vntill Cole made him ready to his Sermon.

The lamentable case and sight of that man gaue a sorowfull spectacle to all Christē eyes that beheld him. He that late was Archbishop, Metropolitane, and Primate of England, and the kynges priuie Counsellour, beyng now in a bare and ragged gowne, and ill fauoredly clothed, with an old square cap, exposed to the contempt of all men, did admonish mē not onelyonly of his owne calamitie, but also of their state and fortune. For who would not pitie his case, and bewayle his fortune, and might not feare his own chaunce, to sée such a Prelate, so graue a Counsellour, and of so long continued honour, after so many dignities, in his old yeares to be depriued of his estate, adiudged to dye, and in so paynfull a death to end his life, and now presently from such fresh ornamentes, to descēd to such vyle and ragged apparell?

In this habite when hee had stoode a good space vponupon the stage, turnyng to a piller neare adioyning thereunto, he lifted vp his handes to heauen, and prayed to God once or twise: till at the length Doct. Cole commyng into the Pulpit, and begynnyng his Sermon, entred first into mention of Tobias and Zachary. Whom after that he had praysed in the begynnyng of his Sermon, for their perseueraunce in the true worshyppyng of God, he then deuided his whole Sermon into thrée partes (accordyng to the solemne custome of the Schooles) entendyng to speake first of the mercy of God,Doct. Coles Sermon deuided into three partes. secondly of his Iustice to be shewed: and last of all, how the Princes secretes are not to be opened. And procéedyng a litle from the begynnyng, hee tooke occasion by and by to turne his tale to Cranmer, The summe & effect of Doct. Coles Sermon at Oxford.and with many ho…e wordes reproued him, that once he beyng endued with the fauour and féelyng of holesome and Catholicke doctrine, fell into the contrary opiniō of pernitious errour, which he had onelyonly defended by writynges, and all his power: but also allured other men to the like, with great liberalitie of giftes, as it were, appointyng rewardes for errour: and after he had allured them, by all meanes did cherish them.

It were to long to repeate all thyngs, that in long order were then pronounced. The summe of this tripartite declamation was,If Cole gaue this iudgement vponupon Cranmer whē hee had repented, what iudgement is then to be geuē of Cole whiche alwayes hath p…dured in errour, and neuer yet repented. that hee sayd Gods mercy was so tempered with his Iustice, that he did not altogether require punishment according to the merites of offenders, nor yet sometymes suffered the same altogether to goe vnpunished, yea though they had repēted. As in Dauid, who whē he was bidden chuse of thrée kyndes of punishments which he would, & he had chosen Pestilence for thrée dayes: the Lord forgaue gaue him halfe the tyme, but didnt release all: And that the same thyng came to passe in hym also, to whom although pardon and reconciliation was due accordyng to the Canons, seyng hee repented from his errours: yet there were causes, why the Quéene and the Counsell at this tyme iudged hym to death: of whiche, lest hee should maruell to much, he should heare some.

First, that beyng a traytour, he had dissolued the lawfull Matrimonie betwene the kyng her father and mother: besides the driuyng out of the Popes authoritie, while he was Metropolitane.

If all heretickes in England should be burned, where should Doct. Cole hauehave bene ere now.Secondly, that he had bene an hereticke, from whom as from an Authour and onelyonly fountaine, all hereticall doctrine and schismaticall opinions, that so many yeares hauehave preuailed in England, did first rise and spryng: of which he had not bene a secret fauourer onelyonly, but also a most earnest defender euen to the end of his life, sowyng them abroad by writynges and Argumentes, priuately and openly, not without great ruine and decay of the Catholicke Church.

Lex non aequalitatis, sed i…iquitatis.And further, it séemed méete, accordyng to the law of equalitie, that as the death of the Duke of Northumberland of late, made euen with Thomas More Chauncellour that dyed for the Churche, so there should be one that should make euen with Fisher of Rochester: and because that Ridley, Hoper, Farrar, were not able to make euen with that man, it séemed méete, that Cranmer should be ioyned to them to fill vp this part of equalitie.

Beside these, there were other iust & weightie causes, which séemed to the Quéene & the Counsell, whiche was not méete at that tyme to be opened to the common people.

After this, turnyng his tale to the hearers, he bad all men beware by this mans example, that among men nothyng is so high, that can promise it selfe safetie on the earth, and that Gods vengeaūce is equally stretched agaynst all men, & spareth none: therfore they should beware and learne to feare their Prince.No state in this earth so hye nor so sure, but it may fall. And seyng the Quéenes Maiestie would not spare so notable a man as this, much lesse in the like cause she would spare other men, that no man should thinke to make thereby any defence of his errour, either in riches or any kynde of authoritie. They had now an example to teach them all, by whose calamitie eueryevery man might consider his owne fortune: who from the top of dignitie, none being more honorable then he in the whole Realme, and next the kyng, was fallen into so great miserie, as they might now sée, beyng a man of so high degrée, sometyme one of the chiefest Prelates in the Church and an Archbishop, the chief of the Coū sell, the second person in the Realme of long tyme, a man thought in greatest assuraūce, hauyng a kyng on his side: notwithstandyng all his authoritie and defence to be debased from high estate, to a low degrée, of a Counsellour to become a caitiffe, and to be set in so wretched a state, that the poorest wretch would not chaunge condition with him: briefly so heaped with miserie on all sides, that neither was left in him any hope of better fortune, nor place for worse.

Doct. Cole encourageth the Archb. to take his death patiently.The latter part of his Sermon he conuerted to the Archbishop: whom he comforted and encouraged to take his death well, by many places of Scripture, as with these and such like: hiddyng him not mistrust, but he should incontinently receiue that the théefe did, to whom Christ sayd: Hodie mecum eris in Paradiso, that is, This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise. And out of S. Paule he armed him agaynst the terrour of the fire, by this:1. Cor. 10.1 Cor 10 Dominus fidelis est, non sinet vos tentari vltra quàm ferre potestis, that is, The Lord is faythful which will not suffer you to be tempted aboue your strength, by the example of the thrée children, to whom God made the flame to séeme like a pleasaunt dew, addyng also the reioysing of S. Andrew in his Crosse, the patience of S. Laurence on the fire, assuryng him, that God, if he called on him, and to such as dye in his fayth, either would abate the furie of the flame, or geue him strength to abide it.

Doct. Cole reioyseth in the Archbyshops conuersion, b…t that reioysing lasted not long.He glorified God much in his conuersion, because it appeared to be onelyonly his worke, declaryng what trauell and conference had bene with him to conuert him, and all preuayled not till that it pleased God of his mercy to reclayme him, and call him home. In discoursing of which place, he much commended Cranmer, and qualified his former doynges, thus temperyng his iudgement and talke of him, that while the tyme (sayd he) he flowed in riches and honour, he was vnworthy of his lyfe: and now that he might not liue,Dir…ges and Masses promised for Cranmers soule. he was vnworthy of death. But lest he should cary with him no comfort, he would diligently labour (hee sayd) and also hee did promise in the name of all the Priestes that were present, immediately after his death, there should be Diriges, Masses, and funerals executed for him in all the Churches of Oxford for the succour of his soule.

Cranmer in all this meane tyme with what great grief of mynde he stoode hearyng this Sermon, the outward shewes of his body and countenaunce did better expresse, thē any man can declare: one while liftyng vp his handes and eyes vntounto heauen, and then agayne for shame lettyng thē downe to the earth. A mā might hauehave sene the very image and shape of perfite sorrow liuely in him expressed. More then twentie seuerall tymes the teares gushed out aboundantly,The teares of the Archb. dropped downe marueilously from his fatherly face. They which were present doe testifie, that they neuer saw in any child more teares, thē brast out from him at that tyme, all the Sermon while: but specially when hee recited his Prayer before the people. It it is marueilous what commiseration and pitie moued all mens hartes, that beheld so heauie a countenaunce and such aboundaunce of teares in an old man of so reuerend dignitie.

Cole after he had ended his Sermon, called backe the people that were ready to depart, to Prayers. Brethren (sayd hee) lest any man should doubt of this mans earnest conuersion and repentaunce, you shall heare him speake before you, and therfore I pray you Maister Cranmer, Cranmer required to declare his fayth.that you will now performe that you promised not long agoe, namely that you would openly expresse the true and vndoubted profession of your fayth, that you may take away all suspition from men, and that all men may vnderstand that you are a Catholicke in déede.Crāmer willing to declare his fayth. I will do it (sayd the Archbyshop) and with a good will: who by and by rising vp, and putting of his cap, began to speake thus vntounto the people.

I desire you well beloued brethren in the Lord, that you will pray to God for me, to forgeue me my sinnes,The wordes of the Archb. to the people. which aboue all men both in number and greatnes, I hauehave committed: but among all the rest, there is one offence whiche of all at this tyme doth vexe and trouble me, wherof in processe of my talke you shall heare more in his proper place, and then puttyng his hand into his bosome, he drew forth his Prayer, whiche he recited to the people in this sense.

¶ The Prayer of Doct. Cranmer Archb. of Cant. at his death.

GOod Christen people,The Prayer of the Archb. my dearely beloued brethren and sisters in Christ, I beséech you most hartely to pray for me to almightie God, that he will forgeue me all my sinnes and offēces, which be many, without number, and great aboue measure. But yet one thyng gréeueth my conscience more then all the rest, wherof God willyng, I entend to speake more hereafter. But how great and how many soeuer my sinnes be, I beséech you to pray God of his mercy to pardon and forgeue them all. And here knéelyng downe, he sayd: O Father of heauen: O Sonne of God redeemer of the world: O holy Ghost three persons and one God, hauehave mercy vponupon me most wretched caitiffe and miserable sinner. I hauehave offended both against heauen and earth more then my toung can expresse. Whether then may I goe, or whether should I flye? To heauen I may be ashamed to lift vp myne eyes, and in earth I finde no place of refuge or succour. To thee therfore (O Lord) do Irunne: to thee do I humble my selfe, saying: O Lord my God, my sinnes be great, but yet hauehave mercy vponupon me for thy great mercy. The great mistery that God became mā, was not wrought for litle or few offēces. Thou diddest nor geue thy sonne (O heauenly Father) vntounto death for small sinnes onelyonly, but for all the greatest sinnes of the world, so that the sinner returne to thee with his whole hart, as I do here at this present. Wherfore hauehave mercy on me O God, whose property is alwayes to hauehave mercy: hauehave mercy vponupon me O Lord, for thy great mercy. I craue nothyng O Lord, for myne owne merites, but for thy names sake, that it may be halowed thereby, and for thy deare sonne Iesus Christ sake: And now therfore, our Father of heauen, halowed by thy name. &c.

And then he rising, sayd:

EueryEvery man (good people) desireth at that tyme of their death to geue some good exhortation, that other may remember the same before their death,The last words of exhortatiō of the Archb. to the people. and be the better thereby: so I beseech God graunt me grace, that I may speake some thyng at this my departyng, whereby God may bee glorified, and you edified.

First, it is an heauie case to see that so many folke be so much doted vponupon the louelove of this false world, and so carefull for it, that of the louelove of God, or the world to come, they seeme to care very litle or nothyng. Therefore this shalbe my first exhortation,Exhortation to contempt of the world. that you set not your myndes ouer much vponupon this glosing world, but vponupon God and vponupon the world to come: and to learne to know what this lesson meaneth, whiche S. Iohn teacheth, That the louelove of this world is hatred agaynst God.

Exhortation to obedience.The second exhortation is, that next vnderunder God you obey your Kyng and Queene willingly and gladly, without murmuryng or grudgyng: not for feare of them onelyonly, but much more for the feare of God: knowyng that they be Gods Ministers, appointed by God to rule and gouerne you: and therefore who soeuer resisteth them, resisteth the ordinaunce of GOD.

Exhortation to brotherly louelove.The third exhortation is, that you louelove altogether lyke brethren and sisters. For alas, pitie it is to see what cōtention and hatred one Christen man beareth to an other, not takyng ech other as brother and sister, but rather as straungers and mortall enemyes. But I pray you learne and beare well away this one lesson, to doe good vntounto all men, asmuch as in you lyeth, & to hurt no man, no more then you would hurt your owne naturall louyng brother or sister. For this you may be sure of, that who soeuer hateth any person and goeth about maliciously to hinder or hurt him, surely and without all doubt, God is not with that mā, although he thinke him selfe neuer so much in Gods fauour.

Exhortation to rich mē of this world, mouyng them to charitable almes.The fourth exhortation shalbe to them that hauehave great substaunce and riches of this world, that they will well consider and wey three sayinges of the Scripture.

Luke. 18.Luke 18One is of our Sauiour Christ him selfe, who sayth: It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen. A sore saying, and yet spoken of him that knoweth the truth.

1. Iohn. 3.1 John 3The second is of S. Iohn, whose saying is this: He that hath the substaunce of this world, and seeth his brother in necessitie, and shutteth vp his mercy from him, how can he say that he loueth God?

The thyrd is of S. Iames, who speaketh to the couetous rich mā after this maner: Weepe you and howle for the miserie that shall come vppon you: your riches doe rotte, your clothes be moth eaten, your gold and siluer doth canker and rust, and their rust shall beare witnesse agaynst you, and consume you like fire: you gather a horde or treasure of Gods indignation agaynst the last day. Let them that be rich, ponder well these three sentences: for if euer they had occasion to shew their charitie, they hauehave it now at this present, the poore people beyng so many, and victuals so deare.

And now, for as much as I am come to the last end of my life, whereupon hangeth all my life past, and all my life to come, either to liue with my Maister Christ for euer in ioye, or els to bee in payne for euer with wicked deuils in hell, and sée before myne eyes presently either heauen ready to receiue me, or els hell ready to swallow me vp: I shall therefore declare vntounto you my very fayth how I beleue, without any colour or duplicate page

The description of Doct. Cranmer, how he was plucked downe from the stage by Friers and Papistes, for the true Confession of his Fayth.

dissimulation: for now is no tyme to dissemble, what soeuer I hauehave sayd or written in tyme past.

First, I beleue in God the Father almightie, maker of heauen and earth. &c.The Archb. declareth the true cōfession of his fayth without all colour or dissemblyng. And I beleue eueryevery Article of the Catholicke fayth, eueryevery word and sentence taught by our Sauiour Iesus Christ, his Apostles and Prophetes, in the new and old Testament.

And now I come to the great thyng that so much troubleth my conscience more thē any thyng that euer I did or sayd in my whole life, and that is the settyng abroad of a writyng contrary to the truth:The Archb. reuoketh his former recantation and repenteth the same. which now here I renounce and refuse as thynges written with my hand, contrary to the truth which I thought in my hart, & written for feare of death, and to saue my life if it might be, and that is, all such Billes and papers, which I hauehave written or signed with my hand since my degradation: wherein I hauehave written many thynges vntrue. And for as much as my hand offended, written contrary to my hart, my hand shall first bee punished therefore: for may I come to the fire, it shalbe first burned.

And as for the Pope,The Archb. refuseth the Pope as Christes enemy, and Antichrist. I refuse him as Christes enemy and Antichrist, with all his false doctrine.

And as for the Sacrament, I beleue as I hauehave taught in my booke agaynst the Byshop of Winchester, the whiche my booke teacheth so true a doctrine of the Sacrament, that it shal stand at the last day before the Iudgement of God,The Archb. standeth to his booke written agaynst Wincester. where the Papisticall doctrine contrary thereto, shalbe ashamed to shew her face.

Here the standers by were all astonyed, maruailed, were amased, did looke one vponupon an other, whose expectation he had so notably deceiued. Some began to admonish him of his recantation, and to accuse him of falshode.The expectation of the Papistes deceaued.

Briefly, it was a world to sée the Doctours beguiled of so great an hope. I thinke there was neuer crueltie more notably or better in tyme deluded and deceiued. For it is not to bee doubted but they looked for a glorious victorie and a perpetuall triumph by this mans retractation. Who as soone as they heard these thynges, began to let downe their eares,The Popistes in a great chaffe agaynst the Archbyshop. to rage, fret, and fume: and so much the more, because they could not reuenge their grief: for they could now no longer threaten or hurt him. For the most miserable man in the world can dye but once: & where as of necessitie he must néedes dye that day, though the Papistes had bene neuer so well pleased: now beyng neuer so much offended with him, yet could he not be twise killed of them. And so whē they could do nothing els vntounto him, yet lest they should say nothyng, they ceassed not to obiect vntounto him his falsehode and dissimulation.

Unto which accusation he aunswered:Cranmers aunswere to the Papistes. Ah my Maisters (quoth he) do not you take it so. Alwayes since I liued hetherto, I hauehave bene a hater of falsehode, and a louer of simplicitie, and neuer before this tyme hauehave I dissembled: and in saying this, all the teares that remained in his body, appeared in his eyes. And when hee began to speake more of the Sacrament and of the Papacie, some of them began to cry out, yalpe, and baule, and and specially Cole cried out vponupon him: stop the heretickes mouth, and take him away.

And then Cranmer beyng pulled downe from the stage,Cranmer pulled downe from the stage. was led to the fire, accompanied with those Friers, vexyng, troublyng, and threatnyng him most cruellie. What madnes (say they) hath brought thée agayne into this errour, by which thou wilt draw innumerable soules with thée into hell?Cranmer led to the fire. To whom he aunswered nothyng, but directed all his talke to the people, sauyng that to one troublyng him in the way, he spake and exhorted him to get him home to his study, and apply his booke diligently, saying if he did diligently call vponupon God, by reading more he should get knowledge. But the other Spanish barker, ragyng and fomyng was almost out of his wittes, alwayes hauyng this in his mouth: Non fecisti? diddest thou it not?

But when he came to the place where the holy Byshops and Martyrs of God,The Archb. brought to the place of execution. Hugh Latymer & Ridley, were burnt before him for the confessiō of the truth: knéeling down, he prayed to God, and not long tarying in Prayers, puttyng of his garmentes to his shirt, hee prepared him selfe to death. His shirt was made long downe to his féete. His féete were bare. Likewise his head, when both his cappes were of, was so bare, that not one heare could bee sene vponupon it. His beard was long and thicke, coueryng his face with marueilous grauitie. Such a countenaunce of grauitie moued the hartes, both of his frendes and of his enemies.

Then the Spanish Friers, Iohn and Richard, of whom mention was made before, began to exhort him and play their partes with him a fresh, but with vayne and lost labour, Cranmer with stedfast purpose abidyng in the profession of his doctrine, gaue his hand to certaine old men, and other that stoode by, biddyng them farewell. And when he had thought to hauehave done so likewise to Ely, the sayd Ely drew backe his hand and refused,M. Ely refuseth to geue his hād to the Archb. saying: it was not lawfull to salute heretickes, and specially such a one as falsely returned vntounto the opinions that he had foresworne. And if hee had knowen before that he would hauehave done so, he would neuer hauehave vsed his companie so familiarly, and chid those Sergeauntes and Citizens, which had not refused to geue him their handes. This Ely was a Priest lately made, and Student in Diuinitie, beyng then one of the Fellowes of Brasennose.

The Archb. tyed to tht …ke.Then was an yron chayne tyed about Cranmer, whom when they perceiued to be more stedfast then that he could be moued from his sentence, they commaunded the fire to be set vntounto him. And when the wood was kindled, and the fire began to burne neare him,Cranmer putteth his right hād which subscribed first into the …r…. stretchyng out his arme, he put his right hand into the flame: whiche he held so stedfast and immouable (sauyng that once with the same hand he wiped his face) that all men might sée his hand burned before his body was touched. His body did so abide the burnyng of the flame, with such constancie and stedfastnesse, that standyng alwayes in one place without mouyng of his body, hee séemed to moue no more then the stake to whiche he was bound: his eyes were lifted vp into heauen, and often tymes he repeated, his vnworthy right hand,The last word… of Cranmer at his death. so long as his voyce would suffer him: and vsing often the wordes of Stephen, Lord Iesus receiue my spirite, in the greatnesse of the flame, he gaue vp the Ghost.

This fortitude of mynde, whiche perchaunce is rare and not vsed among the Spaniardes, when Frier Iohn saw, thinkyng it came not of fortitude but of desperation (although such maner examples whiche are of the like constancie hauehave bene common here in England) ran to the Lord Williams of Lame,The Friers lying report of Cranmer. crying that the Archbyshop was vexed in mynde, and dyed in great desperation. But he whiche was not ignoraunt of the Archbyshops constancie, beyng vnknowen to the Spaniardes, smiled onelyonly, and (as it were) by silence rebuked the Friers tollie. And this was the end of this learned Archbyshop, whom, lest by euill subscribyng he should hauehave perished, by well recantyng God preserued: and lest he should hauehave liued longer with shame and reproofe, it pleased God rather to take him away, to the glory of his name and profite of his Churche. So good was the Lord both to his Church in fortifying the same, with the testimonie & bloud of such a Martyr: and so good also to the man, with this Crosse of tribulation to purge his offences in his world, not onelyonly of his recantatiō, but also of his standyng agaynst Iohn Lambert, and M. Allen, or if there were any other with whose burnyng and bloud his handes had bene before any thyng polluted. But especially he had to reioyce, that dying in such a cause, hee was to be numbred amongest Christes Martyrs, much more worthy the name of S. Thomas of Caunterbury then he whom the Pope falsely before did Canonise.

The end of Cranmers lyfe Archb. of Cant.

The burnyng of the Archbyshop of Canterbury Doct. Cranmer, in the Townedich at Oxford, thrustyng his hand first into the fire flame, wherewith he had subscribed.

A craftie and Sophisticall cauillation deuised by M. Steuen Gardiner Doctor of Law, late Bishop of Winchester, against the true and godly doctrine of the most holy sacrament of the body and bloud of our sauiour Christ (called by him An explication & assertion therof) with an aunswer vntounto the same, made by the most reuerend father in God, Thomas Archbishop of Caunterbury, Primate of all England and Metropolitane. The title of the booke of Steuen Gardiner late Bishop of Winchester. ¶ An Explication and assertion of the true catholike fayth, touching the most blessed Sacrament of the aulter, with confutation of a booke written against the same. ¶ The aunswer of Thomas Archbishop of Caunterbury, &c.