The History of the Church of Great Britain, Century 16 (1 of 2)

The History of the Church of Great Britain · Century 16 (1 of 2)

p. 139CENT. XVI.

HEnry Dean ſucceded in the place of Archbiſhop Morton deceaſed, and ſate but two years in that See. His Pall was ſent unto him by Hadrian de Caſtello the Pope's Secretary, and delivered by the Biſhop of Coventry in theſe words: Ad honorem Dei omnipotentis, & B. Mariae Virginis, ac Bb. Petri, & Pauli Apoſtolorum, & D. N. Alexandri P. VI. & S. Romanae Eccleſiae, necnon & Cantuarienſis Eccleſiae tibi Commiſſae, tradimus pallium de corpore B. Petri ſumptum, plenitudinem viz. Pontificalis officii; ut utaris eo infra Eccleſiam tuam certis diebus qui exprimuntur in privilegiis ei ab Apostolica ſede conceſſis. Having received his Pall, he was to take his Oath unto the Pope, which I will ſet down once for all.

Ego Henricus Archiep, Godwins Catal. of Biſhop.Cantuar ab hac hora in antea fidelis & obediens ero B. Petro Sanctaeque Apostolicae Romanae Eccleſiae, & Domino meo Alexandro P. VI ſuiſque ſucceſſioribus canonice intrantibus. Non ero in Conſilio aut conſenſu, vel facto, ut vitam perdant vel membrum, ſeu capiantur mala captione, Concilium vero quod mihi credituri ſunt, per ſe aut nuntios ad eorum damnum me ſciente nemini pandam Papatum Rom. & Regalia S. Petri, adjutor ero eis ad retinendum & defendendum, ſalvo ordine meo, contra omnem hominem Legatum ſedis Apoſtolicae ineundo & redeundo honorifice tractabo, & in ſuis neceſſitatibus adjuvabo. Vocatus ad Synodum veniam, niſi praepeditus fuero Canonica praepeditione. Apoſtolorum limina Rom. Curiae exiſtente citra Alpes ſingulis annis, ultra vero montes ſingulis Bienniis viſitabo, aut per me, aut per meum Nuntium, niſi Apoſtolica abſolvar licentia. Poſſeſſiones vero ad menſam mei Archiepiſcopatus pertinentes non vendam neque donabo, neque impignerabo, neque de novo infeudabo, vel aliquo modo alienabo inconſulto Romano Pontifice, ſicut me Deus adjuvet, &c. he enjoyed his honour but two years, and left it to William Warham. Archbiſhop Dean bequeathed to his Church a Silver Image of fifty one ounces weight, and appointed five hundred pounds to be beſtowed on his funerals. He built the moſt part of Oxford-houſe, and made the Iron-work upon the coping of Rocheſter-bridge.

Buckinghamſhire a ſmall County, had more Martyrs in it before Luther's time, than all the Kingdom beſides. William Tylſworth was burnt at Amerſham (the Rendezvous of God's children in thoſe dayes) and Joan his only daughter, and a faithful woman was compelled with her own hand to ſet fire to her dear Father. At the ſame time more than ſixty Profeſſors did bear Faggots for their penance, and were enjoyned to wear on their right ſleeves for ſome years after, a ſquare piece of cloth, as a badge of diſgrace to themſelves, and difference from p. 140others. And a new puniſhment was found out of branding them in the cheek. The manner thus, Their necks were tyed faſt to a poſt with towels, and their hands holden that they might not ſtir, and ſo the hot Iron was put to their cheeks whether branded with L. for Lollard or H. for Heretick, I am not certain; but this is ſure, they bare in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jeſus. Father Reive, though branded at that time, did afterwards ſuffer at a ſtake. One Father Roberts was burned at Buckingham. Father Rogers was in the Biſhop's priſon fourteen weeks together, and was ſo pinched with cold, hunger, and Iron, that after his coming out of priſon he was ſo lame in his back, that he could never go upright, as long as he lived.

A…. 1506. Thomas Chaſe of Amerſham, (was after other ſore afflictions) ſtrangled in the priſon at Wooburn, who to cover their cruelty gave it out that he had hanged himſelf, and in colour thereof cauſed his body to be buried by the High-way's ſide, with a ſtake knockt into his grave. One Thomas Novice was burnt at Norwich, Anno 1507. and Laurence Gleft at Sarum, at whoſe burning William Ruſſel was burnt in the Cheek.

After this a Godly-woman was burnt at Sadbury by the Chancellor of Gloceſter, Doctor Whittington, after ſhe was burned, as the people were returning homeward, a Bull brake looſe from a Butcher that was in hand to have killed him, and ſingled out Doctor Whittington from all the Company; and (hurting neither old nor young) took him alone, gored him thorough and thorough, carrying his guts upon his horns all the ſtreets over, to the great amazement of the people.

All the Arrears of mony due to the Pope for pardons in the year of Jubilee, five years ſince were fully collected, and ſafely returned to Rome by the Popes Officers: the money which was ſent laſt thither, came ſoon enough to be received there. This payment was the laſt in this kind which Rome did generally receive out of England. Meantime the King did ſhare with the Pope, to connive at the reſt, he had a part allowed to him.

Sir Rich. Baker's Chron.King Henry VII. died of a Conſumption at his palace of Richmond, April 22. 1508. Of our own Country there lived in his time, George Ripley. a Carmelite Friar of Boſton, who wrote divers Treatiſes in the Mathematiques. John Rouſe, born in Warwick-ſhire, a diligent ſearcher of Antiquities.

Thomas Scroop entred into diverſe Orders of Religion, and after withdrew himſelf to his houſe, where for twenty years he lived the life of an Anchoret; and after coming abroad again was made a Biſhop in Ireland, and went to Rhodes in Ambaſſage; from whence being returned he went barefooted up and down in Norfolk teaching the ten Commandments, and lived till near an hundred years old. Now alſo lived Robert p. 141Fabian, a Sheriff of London, and Hiſtoriographer. Edmond Dudley, who wrote a book Entitled, Arbor Reipublicae. John Bockingham, an Excellent School-man. And William Blackney D.D. a Carmelite Friar, and a Necromancer.

Henry VIII. ſucceeded his Father. On June 3. He was Married to the Lady Katherine Dowager, formerly wife to his brother Prince Arthur deceaſed. Pope Julius by his diſpenſation, removed all obſtructions, againſt the Laws of God or man, hindering or oppoſing the ſaid Match.

Cruelty ſtill increaſed on the poor Lollards (as they were called) after abjuration forced to wear the faſhion of a Faggot wrought in thread, or painted on their ſleeves as long as they lived, it being death to put on their clothes without that cognizance. Their caſe was ſad, if they put it off, they muſt be burned, if they put it on, they muſt be ſtarved; for none generally would ſet them on work that wore that badge. On this account were William Sweeting, and James Brewſter re-impriſoned. In vain did Brewſter plead, that he was commanded to leave off his badge, by the Controller of the Earl of Oxford's houſe. And as little did Sweeting's plea prevail, that the Parſon of Mary Magdalen's in Colcheſter, cauſed him to lay his faggot aſide. Soon after they were both burnt together in Smithfield, Anno 1511.

One John Brown, who had born a faggot before in the days of King Henry the Seventh, was burned at Aſhford in Kent for the Profeſſion of the Truth, condemned by Archbiſhop Warham, firſt having had his Feet burned to the Bones, to compel him to deny the Truth.

Richard Hunn, a wealthy Citizen of London, impriſoned in Lollards Tower, for adhering to Wickliff's Doctrine, had his neck therein ſecretly broken. To cover their cruelty, they gave it out, that he hanged himſelf on December 20. 1514. the dead Body of the ſaid Richard Hunn was burnt in Smithfield Sixteen days after he was murdered. But the matter having been fully examined by the Council and Judges, and Juſtices of the Realm, it was evidently proved, that Dr. Horſey the Chancellor, Charles Joſeph the Sumner, and John Spalding the Bel-ringer had committed the Murder.

Thomas Man and John Stileman, were alſo burned in Smithfield. Thomas Man confeſſed, he had converted Seven hundred from Popery to the Truth. Robert Coſin was alſo condemned, and burned at Buckingham, for holding againſt Pilgrimages, Confeſſion to Prieſts, and Worſhipping of Image. Chriſtopher Shoomaker was burned at Newbery upon the like account.

Cardinal Bainbrigg, Archbiſhop of York, being then at Rome, was ſo highly offended with Rivaldus de Modena, an Italian, his Steward, that he cudgelled him: but being ſoon after poiſoned, his Body was buried in the Engliſh Hoſpital at Rome.

p. 142Fuller. Church Hiſt.Richard Fox, Biſhop of Wincheſter, Founded and Endowed Corpus Chriſti-Colledge in Oxford, beſtowing thereon Lands to the yearly value of Four hundred and one pounds, eight ſhillings and two pence. There are maintained in it a Preſident, Twenty Fellows, Twenty Scholars, Two Chaplains, Two Clerks, and Two Choriſters, beſides Officers and Servants of the Foundation, with other Students. Hugh Oldham, Biſhop of Exeter, was a great Benefactor to this Colledge.

Petrits Chur. Hiſt.Anno 1519. died John Colet at Shene in Surrey, he had learned humane Sciences at home, and travelled into France and Italy: when he returned, be ſtudied the Scriptures, and expounded St. Paul's Epiſtles publickly at Oxford. Henry the Seventh promoted him to the Deanry of Pauls: He profeſſed to diſtaſt many things that he had heard in Sorbon. He called the Scotiſts men without judgement, and the Thomiſts arrogant. He ſaid, He reaped more fruit by the Books which the Doctors of Sorbon called Heretical, than by their Books that were full of diviſions and definitions, and were moſt approved of them He never married, and yet regarded not Monks without Learning. In his Sermons he ſaid, Images ſhould not be Worſhipped, and Clerks ſhould not be Covetous. Two Friars, viz. Bricot and Standiſh accuſed him for Hereſie unto Richard Fitz-James Biſhop of London; and He unto the Archbiſhop firſt, and then unto King Henry the Eighth. But both the King and the Archbiſhop became his Patrons. He was the eldeſt, and ſole ſurviving child of Sir Henry Collet Mercer, twice Lord Mayor of London; who with his ten Sons and as many Daughters,Stow's Survay, p. 265. were depicted in a Glaſs-window on the Northſide of St. Anthonie's (corruptly St. Antlin's) to which Church he was a great Benefactor. His Son John Founded the Free-ſchool of St. Pauls; in it are One hundred fifty and three Scholars, whereof every year ſome appearing moſt pregnant, have ſalaries allowed them for Seven years, or untill they get better preferment in the Univerſity, or in the Church. William Lily was the firſt School-maſter thereof, by Colet's own appointment. An excellent Scholar, born at Odiam in Hamp-ſhire, and afterward he went on Pilgrimage to Jeruſalem. In his return through Italy, he applyed himſelf to his Studies. His Teachers and Inſtructers were John Sulpitius, and Pomponius Sabinus, two eminent Criticks. Returning home into his native Countrey well accompliſhed with Latin, Greek, and all Arts and Sciences, he ſet forth a Grammar, which ſtill goes under his Name, and is generally taught over all England.

Anno 1517. Luther wrote againſt Popiſh Indulgences, ſhewing the abuſes of them.

King Henry the Eighth, ſet forth a Book againſt Luther, endeavouring the Confutation of his Opinions, as novel and unſound. To require his pains, the Pope honoured him and his Succeſſors with a ſpecious Title, Defender of the Faith. Luther ſharply anſwered that Book.

p. 143Cardinal Wolſey was now the Pope's Legat de latere, by vertue whereof he viſited all Churches and Religious houſes, even the Friars obſervants themſelves, notwithſtanding their ſtoutneſs and ſtubbornneſs that firſt oppoſed him. Papal and Royal power met in him, being the Chancellor of the Land; and keeping ſo many Biſhopricks in Commendam, his yearly income is ſaid to equal, if not exceed the Revenues of the Crown.

Being to found two Colledges, he ſeized on forty ſmall Monaſteries, turning their Inhabitants out of Houſe and home, and converting their means principally to a Colledge in Oxford. This alienation was confirmed by Pope Clement the Seventh, ſo that in ſome ſort the Pope may thank himſelf for the demoliſhing of Religious houſes in England.

His Colledge in Oxford did thrice change it's name in ſeven years, firſt called Cardinals Colledge, then King's Colledge; and at laſt Chriſt-church, which it retaineth at this day.

King Henry took juſt offence that the Cardinal ſet his own Arms above the King's on thy Gate-houſe, at the entrance into the Colledge. There have been maintained in this Colledge, one Dean, eight Canons, three publick Profeſſors of Divinity, Hebrew, and Greek, ſixty Students, eight Chaplains, eight Singing-men, an Organiſt, eight Choriſters, twenty four Almes-men: at this preſent Students of all ſorts, with Officers and Servants of the Foundation, to the number of two hundred twenty three.

John Higdon, firſt Dean of this Colledge, was a great Perſecutor of Proteſtants, viz.

John Clark,

John Frith,

Henry Sumner,

Baley,

† John Fryer,

Goodman,

† Nicholas Harmar,

† Michael Drumme,

William Betts,Such whoſe names are noted with a Croſs, did afterwards turn zealous Papiſts.

Lawney,

Richard Cox,

Richard Taverner.

All theſe were for their Religion impriſoned in a deep Cave under ground, where the Salt-fiſh of the Colledge was kept. Some of them died ſoon after with the ſtench thereof, and others eſcaped with great difficulty. Taverner was well-skilled in Muſick, on which account he eſcaped, though vehemently accuſed, the Cardinal pleading for him, that he was but a Muſitian, though afterward he repented to have ſet Tunes to ſo many Popiſh ditties.

The example of Wolſey's haughtineſs,Martin's Chr. in Henry 8. made the Engliſh Clergy ſo proud and inſolent, that their labours formerly applyed to the ſtudies of moral vertues, and of Divinity, were now employed to deviſe curious faſhions in their behaviour, in their apparrel, and in their diet.

p. 144In the fifteenth, ſixteenth, and ſeventeenth year of King Henries Reign, this proud Cardinal (under colour of the King's partaking with the Emperor in his Wars againſt the French King) of his own authority, and wi…hout the King's commandement, granted forth Commiſſions, under the Great Seal of England, into every Shire and Province of the Kingdome, and directed them unto the chiefeſt men. And therein every man was required to depoſe the true value of their Eſtates; and then of every fifty pounds there was demanded four ſhillings in the pound. And in London he made himſelf the chief Commiſſioner, The like Commiſſions he granted forth againſt all the Clergy of the Land, of whom he demanded four ſhillings in the pound of all their livings.

Theſe things grieved the Clergy and Common People at the heart. The Cardinal perceiving this, recalled thoſe Commiſſions, and ſent forth others, which alſo being not endured, the King by his Letters directed into every County, commanded a preſent ceſſation of all executions of the ſaid Commiſſions, and proteſted they were granted forth without his knowledge or conſent. But, if they would by way of a Benevolence, of their own accord, enlarge themſelves towards him, he would take it as an infallible proof of their love toward him.

The Cardinal now reſolved to revenge himſelf on the Emperor Charles the Fifth, for not doing him right, and improving his power in preferring him to the Papacy, according to his promiſes, and intends to ſmite Charles through the ſides of his Aunt, Katharine, Queen of England, endeavouring to alienate the King's affections from her. Wolſey now put this ſcruple into the head of Biſhop Longlands, the King's Confeſſor, and he inſinuated the ſame into the King's Conſcience. King Henry greedily reſented the motion; and principles of pure Conſcience puts him upon endeavours of a divorce.

The buſineſs is brought into the Court of Rome, there to be decided by Pope Clement the Seventh. But the Pope at this time was a priſoner to the Emperor, who conſtantly kept a guard about him: Yet after ſome delay, the Pope diſpatched a Commiſſion to two Cardinals, Wolſey and Campegius, an Italian, to hear and determine the matter at London. The Pope draws back the cauſe unto himſelf, and the King being impatient, having the conſent of both Univerſities, as alſo of that of Paris, he forſaketh Katharine, and Marrieth Anna Bolen, Anno 1533.

And in the year 1534. he denieth obedience to the Pope, and chargeth all his Subjects, that they ſend no Money unto Rome, nor pay Peter-pence unto any of the Collectors, which vexeth the Roman Court.

Then he publiſhed an Edict, whereby he declares himſelf under Chriſt, The ſupreme Head of the Church of England, and chargeth upon pain of Death, that no man aſcribe any Power to the Pope within p. 145England, and commandeth all the Collectors of Peter-pence to be gone. Theſe things were confirmed by the Parliament, who alſo enacted, That the Archbiſhop of Canterbury ſhould inveſt all the Biſhops of England, and that the Church-men ſhall pay to the King yearly one hundred and fifty thouſand pounds for defence of the Kingdom.

Wolſey was accuſed in Parliament for exerciſing his power Legantine without leave, to the prejudice of the King's Crown and dignity. Mr. Cromwel, Servant to the Cardinal, being a Burgeſs, defendeth his Maſter: yet were all his goods of ineſtimable value confiſcated to the King, and he outed of moſt of his Eccleſiaſtical promotions. His enemies get the King to command him away to York, leaving him the whole revenues of York-Archbiſhoprick (then worth little leſs than four thouſand pounds yearly) beſides a large penſion paid him out of the Biſhoprick of Wincheſter.

As he was preparing there in a Princely Equipage for his Inſtallation, he is Arreſted by the Earl of Northumberland, by Commiſſion from the King, in his own Chamber at Cawood.

By ſlow and ſhort Journeys he ſetteth forward toward London, and coming to Leiceſter he died, where he was obſcurely buried.

Then John Fiſher, Biſhop of Rocheſter, was impriſoned for refuſing the Oath of Supremacy. The Clergy in the Province of York did a long time deny the King's Supremacy. Edward Lee, Archbiſhop of York, fomented this difference. He was a virulent Papiſt, one that wrote againſt Eraſmus, and a perſecutor of Proteſtants, witneſs John Bale, Convented before him for ſuſpition of Hereſie, who in vain pleaded Scripture, in his own defence, till at laſt he caſually made uſe of a diſtinction out of Scotus, which the Archbiſhop more valued, than all which he had before more pertinently alledged out the Old and New Teſtament.

The King wrote a fair and large Letter to the Convocation of York, claiming nothing more than what Chriſtian Princes in the Primitive times aſſumed to themſelves in their own Dominions, ſo that it ſeems he wrought ſo far on their affections, that at laſt they conſented thereunto.

Soon after the Clergy in the Convocation ſo ſubmitted themſelves to the King, that each one ſeverally promiſed, in verbo Sacerdotis, never henceforth to preſume to Alledge, Claim, or put in ure any new Canons, unleſs the King's moſt Royal aſſent might be had unto them; and ſoon after the ſame was ratified by Act of Parliament.

After the Statute of Praemunire was made (which did much reſtrain the Papal power, and ſubject it to the Laws of the Land) Archbiſhops called no more Convocations by their ſole and abſolute command, but p. 146at the pleaſure of the King, as oft as his neceſſities and occaſions with the diſtreſſes of the Church did require it. Yea now their meetings were by vertue of a Writ or Precept from the King.

For, it was Enacted in the Parliament of the twenty fifth, of Henry the Eight,L. Herbert's Hiſt. of Hen. 8. That all Convocations ſhall be thenceforth called by the King's Writ, and that in them nothing ſhall be promulged or executed without his Highneſs Licence, under pain of impriſonment of the Authors, and Mulct at the King's will. And that his Highneſs ſhall, at his pleaſure, appoint thirty two men, to ſurvay the ſaid Canons or Conſtitutions, for the Confirmation or Abolition of the ſame.

And as concerning Appeals, they ſhall be made from inferiour Courts to the Archbiſhop's, and for lack of Juſtice there, to the King's Majeſty in his Court of Chancery.

Biſhop Fiſher was Arraigned of high Treaſon, I will inſert the Sting of the indictment out of the Original.

Diverſis Domini Regis veris ſubditis, falſe, malitioſe, & proditorie loquebatur, & propalabat, viz. The King owre Sovereign Lord is not Supreme Hed yn erthe of the Cherche of England. In dicti Domini Regis immund. deſpect. & vilipendium manifeſt.

Of this he was found Guilty, had Judgement, and was remanded to the Tower.

The King by the advice and conſent of the Clergy, in Convocation, and Great Council in Parliament, reſolved to reform the Church, under his inſpection from groſs abuſes crept into it.

Thomas Hitten, a Preacher at Maidſtone, for the Teſtimony of the Truth, after long Torments and ſundry impriſonments, by William Warham Biſhop of Canterbury, and John Fiſher, Biſhop of Rocheſter, was burned at Maidſtone for the Teſtimony of the Truth, Anno 1530.

In the year 1531. Thomas Bilney of Cambridge, Profeſſor of both Laws, converted Thomas Arthur, and Mr. Hugh Latimer, then Croſsbearer at Cambridge, on proceſſion days. Afterwards Bilney recanted, but for the ſpace of two years after his abjuration, Bilney lived in great anguiſh of mind: and repenting, Preached publickly the Doctrine which he before abjured. He was afterwards taken, condemned, and burned without Biſhops-gate, in a low Valley, called the Lollards pit, under St. Leonard's Hill.

Going to Execution, one of his friends wiſhed him to ſtand ſure and conſtant: to whom he anſwered, That whatſoever ſtorms he paſſed in this venture, yet ſhortly after, my Ship, ſaith he, ſhall be in the Haven.

p. 147There came forth in print a Book called, The Supplication of Beggars, made by Simon Fiſh, which Book, the Lady Anna Bolen delivered to the King, who gave him his protection. Sir Thomas Moor wrote an Anſwer to that Book, under the Title of, Poor ſilly Souls pewling out of Purgatory; to which John Frith made a pithy and effectual Reply.

Tindal's Tranſlation of the New Teſtament came forth in Engliſh.

Richard Bayfield ſuffered for the truth, and was burned in Smithfield. He was ſometime a Monk of Surrey, and converted by Doctor Barnes.

After him John Tewksbury was burned in Smithfield.

Valentine Freeſe, and his Wife, gave their Lives at one Stake for the teſtimony of the Truth.

Afterwards, the Biſhops, which had burned Tindal's Teſtaments, were enjoyned by the King to cauſe a new Tranſlation to be made, but they did nothing at all. And on the contrary, the Biſhop of London cauſed all the tranſlations of Tindal, and many other Books which he had bought, to be burnt in Paul's Church-yard.

James Bainham, a Gentleman of the Middle-Temple, was put in a Priſon in Sir Thomas Moore's Houſe, and whipped at a Tree in his Garden, called The tree of Truth, and was by him afterward ſent to the Tower to be racked: by racking he was lamed, becauſe he would not accuſe the Gentlemen of the Temple of his acquaintance, nor ſhew where his Books lay. He abjured, had his liberty, but he asked God and the world forgiveneſs, before the Congregation in thoſe dayes, in a Warehouſe in Bow-lane. And immediately the next Sunday after, he came to St. Austin's, with the New Teſtament in his hand in Engliſh; and the obedience of a Chriſtian-man in his boſom, and there with tears declared before the people, that he had denied God, and prayed the people to forgive and beware of his weakneſs. He was ſhortly after apprehended,Fox Acts and Monuments. and committed to the Tower of London, and after three appearances, he was condemned, and burnt in Smithfield.

About this time John Benet, a Tailor, was burnt at the Devizes in Wilt-ſhire, for denying the Sacrament of the Altar.

In the year 1532. Robert King, Nicholas Marſh, and Robert Gardiner, men of Dedham, and one Robert Debnam, had overthrown and burned the Rood of Dover-court, ten miles from Dedham: for which fact, half a year after, they were hanged in Chains. King at Burchet in Dedham, Debnam at Cattaway-cauſey, Marſh at Dover-court. Gardiner eſcaped and fled.

Many Images were caſt down, and deſtroyed in many places. As the Crucifix by Coggeſhal in the High-way. St. Petronel in the Church of Great Horksleigh; St. Chriſtopher by Sudbury; St. Petronel in a Chappel by Ipſwich: Alſo John Seward, of Dedham, overthrew a Croſs in Stokepark, and took two Images out of a Chappel in the ſame Park, and caſt them into the water.

p. 148John Frith, who was firſt a Student in Cambridge, and afteward one of thoſe whom Cardinal Wolſey gathered together to furniſh his new Colledge, was condemned by the Biſhop of London, and was burnt in Smithfield. Great was his learning, gravity and conſtancy, though but ſix and twenty years of age. With Frith was Andrew Hewet burned, after he had given teſtimony to the truth.

Thomas Benet, a Schoolmaſter, of fifty years of age, born in Cambridge, was burned at Exeter. Divers others were condemned to perpetual priſon.

During the time of Queen Anne, no great perſecution, nor abjuration was in the Church of England.

Sir Thomas Moore, Doctor Nicholas Wilſon, and Biſhop Fiſher, refuſed the Oath to the Act of Succeſſion, made Anno 1534. and Sir Thomas Moor, and Doctor Wilſon, were alſo ſent to the Tower. The Doctor diſſembled the matter, and ſo eſcaped, but the other two remained obſtinate.

On November the third this Parliament was again aſſembled, in which the Pope and Cardinals with his Pardons and Indulgences, were wholly aboliſhed: to the abolition of which, and to the ratifying of the King's Title of Supreme Head, Stephen Gardiner gave his Oath; ſo did John Stokeſley, Biſhop of London, Edward Lee, Archbiſhop of York, Cuthbert, Biſhop of Durham, and all the reſt of the Biſhops in like ſort: to this Title alſo agreed the ſentence of the Univerſity of Cambridge. Edmond Bonner, then Archdeacon of Leiceſter, was alſo of the ſame judgment.

To this alſo agreed the whole Clergy of the Church of England, and ſubſcribed with the hands of the Biſhops, and other learned Men, to the number of forty ſix Doctors of Divinity, and of both Laws.

Polydor Virgil, who being ſent into England, had been the Pope's Collector General of the Peter-pence, exacting them in the notion of a Rent and Tribute due to the Pope his Maſter, was made Archdeacon of Taunton, and Dignitary of the Cathedral Church of Wells, on the Quire whereof he beſtowed Hangings flouriſhed with the Lawrel-tree, and wrote upon them.

Sunt Polydori munera Virgilii.

He wrote a Latin Hiſtory of Britain, until the year of our Lord 1533. out of many rare Manuſcripts which he had collected together.

Anno 1535.John Fiſher, Biſhop of Rocheſter, was beheaded, ſoon after the Pope had made him Cardinal of St. Vitalis. He was Chaplain and Confeſſor to the Lady Margaret, Counteſs of Richmond, at whoſe Inſtance, and by whoſe advice, ſhe founded, and endowed Chriſt's and St. John's Colledge in Cambridge. He died in the ſeventy ſeventh year of his Age, on June 22.

p. 149Sir Thomas Moor was beheaded the next month after Biſhop Fiſher, and was buried at Chelſey. He was a great Enemy to the Proteſtants.

On June the eighth began a Parliament, which was diſſolved on July the eighteenth following. A parallel Convocation began the day after, wherein the Lord Cromwel, Prime Secretary, ſate in State above all the Biſhops, as the King's Vicar, or Vicegerent General in all Spiritual matters. Deformi ſatis ſpectaculo (ſaith Biſhop Godwin Godwin … Annals. Anno 1536.) indocto Laico caetui Praeſidente Sacratorum Antiſtitum, omnium, quos ante haec tempora Anglia unquam habuiſſet, doctiſſimorum. But the Lord Cromwel had in Power and Policy what he wanted in Learning. In that Convocation the ſaid Lord tendered unto them an Inſtrument to be publickly ſigned by all the Convocation, concerning the nullity of the King's Marriage with the Lady Anna Bolen. Some ten dayes before Archbiſhop Cranmer had pronounced it invalid, fruſtrate, and of none effect at Lambeth. No particular cauſe is ſpecified in that ſentence. Sure I am! there is no daſhing on the credit of the Lady, nor any the leaſt inſinuation of unchaſtity in that Inſtrument. Praeclara Domina, & Sereniſſima Regina, being the worſt Titles that are given her therein. King Henry got her Divorce confirmed both by Convocation and Parliament. She was beheaded May 19. 1536. The King on the next day was married to the Lady Iane Seymour.

Soon after by little and little began the ruine of the Abbeys and Religious Houſes, for all Religious Houſes, whoſe poſſeſſions in yearly revenue exceeded not the ſum of two hundred pounds, were ſuppreſſed and diſſolved, and all their Sites and Poſſeſſions whatſoever were given for ever to the King. The Clergy alſo at the ſame time, of their own accord, and to inſinuate themſelves into grace and favour with the King, compoſed and publiſhed in printed Books, certain Articles, for the ordering and governing of the Church, in which mention was made of three Sacraments only, and the reſt of them (which former times did ſuperſtitiouſly receive and maintain) were left out of the ſaid Books.

Theſe proceedings of the King and Clergy againſt the Pope and Holy Church, were ſo generally diſliked by the rude and ignorant people, that they openly affirmed, that the King's Council irreligiouſly directed him amiſs, and that the temporizing Clergy of the Land practiſed by all means poſſible, to extinguiſh all Devotion, and utterly to ſubvert all the ancient Rites, Ceremonies, and commendable Government of the Church. And the unruly people in Lincoln-ſhire, to the number of twenty thouſand, aſſembled themſelves in Arms, taking upon themſelves to frame better Orders for the governing of the Church and Commonwealth. But the King approaching near them with an Army, they ran away, and Doctor Mackarel, their Ring-leader, with ſome others, were ſhortly after apprehended and executed.

p. 150Then there aroſe another Inſurrection in the No…, and the number of thoſe Rebels exceeded the number of forty thouſand men, who termed themſelves, The holy Pilgrims, who intended nothing, but the eſtabliſhing of true Religion, and the reformation of great abuſes, which defaced the Government of the Church. The King's Army drawing near (upon the faithful promiſe of the Dukes of Norfolk, and Suffolk, that commanded his Army, that the King ſhould pardon them) the Rebels left the field, and quietly departed to their own houſes.

Now the King waxed more abſolute in his Government, eſpecially concerning his Clergy, and the ordering of the Church.

William Tindal, who tranſlated the New Teſtament in Engliſh, and the five Books of Moſes, with many other godly Works, was burned at the Town of Filford in Flaunders, by vertue of the Emperors Decree, made in the Aſſembly at Ausburgh. He was firſt ſtrangled, and after conſumed with fire. At the Stake he cried with a loud voice, Lord open the King of England's eyes.

The King began with a little Book of Articles, for the inſtruction of the people, bearing this Title, Articles, deviſed by the King's Highneſs, to eſtabliſh Chriſtian quiet and unity among the people. It contained the Creed, three Sacramen…s, Baptiſm, the Euchariſt, and Penance, how Images might ſafely be worſhipped, and how Saints departed ought to be reverenced; that the Parſons ſhould teach their people, that Chriſt is their only Mediator, and how the Ceremonies of holy Water, holy Bread, Candles, &c. ſhould without ſuperſtition be uſed. It took away alſo the abuſes which aroſe upon the imagination of Purgatory, as Maſſes for Souls departed, Pardons, &c. Not long after theſe Articles, certain other Injunctions were alſo given out about the ſame year: whereby a number of Holy-dayes were abrogated, eſpecially ſuch as fell in Harveſt-time. Other Injunctions were alſo given out by the King concerning Images, Relicks, and blind Miracles: for abrogating of Pilgrimages. Alſo for the Lord's Prayer, Creed, and ten Commandements, and the Bible to be done into Engliſh.

Anno 1538, the Parſons of Churches, and the Pariſhes together, were bound to provide in every Pariſh Church a Bible in Engliſh. Alſo for every Pariſhioner to be taught by the Miniſter, to underſtand and ſay the Lord's Prayer and Creed in their own vulgar tongue, with other neceſſary Injunctions, as for the free preaching of the Word of God, againſt Images, Pilgrimages, Avies, Suffrages of Saints, &c. and for a Regiſter-book to be kept in every Church.

This year was Friar Forreſt burned quick, hanging in Chains in Smithfield, for denying the King's Supremacy: with this Forreſt was Darvel Gatheren, an abominable Idol of Wales, burned.

Great was the King's profit at this time from the Office for the receipt of Tenths and Firſt-fruits,The Firſt-fruits Office firſt ſet up in London. which was now firſt ſet up in London. Such p. 151moneys were formerly paid to the Pope, who had his Collectors in every Dioceſs, which ſometimes by Bills of Exchange, but generally in ſpecie (to the great impoveriſhing of the Land) yearly returned the Tenths and Firſt-fruits of the Engliſh Clergy to Rome.

The Pope being now dead in England, the King was found his Heir at Common Law, as to moſt of the power and profit the other had uſurped. But now as the Clergy had changed their Landlord, ſo their Rents were new rated, Commiſſioners being employed in all Counties (the Biſhop of the Dioceſs being alwayes one of them) to value their yearly Revenue, that ſo their Tenths and Firſt-fruits may be proportioned accordingly. Theſe Raters were the chiefeſt in all Counties under the degrees of Barons.

Theſe Commiſſioners were impowred by the King, to ſend for the Scribes and Notaries of all Biſhops and Archdeacons, to ſwear the Receivers, and Auditors of Incumbents, to view their Regiſter-books,Fuller. Church hiſtory. Eaſter-books, and all other Writings, and to uſe all other wayes to know the full value of Eccleſiaſtical preferments, with the number and names of perſons enjoying the ſame. They were to divide themſelves by Three and Three, allotting to every number ſo many Deaneries, and to enquire the number and names of all Abbies, Monaſteries, Priories, Brotherſhips, Siſterſhips, Fellowſhips, &c. Houſes Religious and Conventual, as well CHARTER-HOƲSE as others (theſe Carthuſians being ſpecified by name, becauſe pretending priviledge of Papal exemption) and meeting together to certifie into the Exchequer (at the time limited in their Commiſſion) the true value of ſuch places or preferments.

This work took up ſome years in the effecting thereof; Devon-ſhire and Sommerſet were done in the twenty ſeventh; Stafford-ſhire, and many other Counties, in the thirty fourth year of King Henry the Eighth, and moſt of Wales not till the Reign of King Edward the Sixth. In Ireland the Commiſſioners found the work ſo troubleſome, that they never came into the County of Kerrey, the South-Weſt extremity of that Iſland, ſo that the Clergy thereof are put into their Benefices without any payments. But in England all were unpartially rated, and Vicaridges valued very high, according to their preſent Revenue, by perſonal Requiſites.Idem ibid. In that Age he generally was the richeſt Shepherd that had the greateſt Flock, where Oblations from the living, and Obits for the dead (as certainly paid as predial Tithes) much advanced their Income. In conſideration whereof Vicaridges (moſtly lyinig in Market-Towns and populous Pariſhes) were ſet very high, though ſoon after thoſe obventions ſunk with ſuperſtition. And the Vicars, in vain, deſired a proportionable abatement in the King's Books; which once drawn up, were no more to be altered.

Now Queen Mary did by Act of Parliament, exonerate, acquit, and diſcharge the Clergy from all Firſt-fruits.

p. 152As for Tenths, the ſame Statute ordered them to be paid to Cardinal Pool, who from the ſame was to pay the Penſions allowed to Monks and Nuns by her Father at the diſſolution of Abbeys: yet ſo, that when ſuch perſons, who were but few and aged, (all named in a Deed indented) ſhould deceaſe, all ſuch payments of the Clergy, reſerved Nomine Decimae, ſhould ceaſe, and be extinct for ever.

But her Siſter, Queen Elizabeth, Vide Statut. 1 Eliz. cap. 4.ſucceeding her, was exact to have her Dues from the Clergy. Sir Chriſtopher Hatton, who was Maſter of this Firſt-fruits Office, was much indebted to her for Moneys received. All which Arrears her Majeſty required ſo ſeverely and ſuddenly from him, that the grief thereof coſt him his life. I ſay, this Queen, in the firſt of her Reign, reſumed Firſt-fruits and Tenths, only with this caſe, to Parſonages not exceeding ten Marks, and Vicaridges ten pounds, that they ſhould be freed from Firſt-fruits.

In the months of October and November, Anno 1538. the Abbeys and Monaſteries in England were diſſolved. Cromwel being made General Viſitor, employed Richard Layton, Thomas Lee, William Detre, Doctors of the Law, Doctor John London, Dean of Wallingford, with others, giving them inſtruction, in eighty ſix Articles, for viſiting Monaſteries every where, by which they were to enquire into the government, behaviour, and education of the perſons of both Sexes: to find out all their offences, and to this purpoſe give them encouragements, to accuſe both their Governors, and each other. To command them to exhibit their Mortmains, Lord Herbert in vit. Henr. 8.Evidences, and Conveyances of their Lands: to produce their Plate and Money, and give an Inventory thereof.

The King alſo gave forth Injunctions to be obſerved, ſome tending to the eſtabliſhing of his Supremacy: Some touching the good Government of the Houſes.

As that no Brother go out of the Precinct.

That there be but one entrance.

That no Woman frequent the Monks, nor any Man the Nuns, &c.

And ſome for Education:

As that a Divinity-lecture be every where read and frequented.

That the Abbot daily expound ſome part of the Rule of their Order, ſhewing yet, that theſe Ceremonies are but Introductions to Religion, which conſiſteth not in Apparel, ſhaven Heads, &c. but in purity of mind.

That none ſhall profeſs, or wear the Habit, till twenty four years of age.

That no feigned Relicks, or Miracles be ſhewed: no Offerings to Images, &c.

Lee, and the reſt at their return, gave that account of their feigned Miracles and Relicks, as well as ſinful and ſluggiſh life of the Religious Orders, as not only Cromwel ſaid, their Houſes ſhould be thrown down p. 153to the foundation; but the whole Body of the Kingdom, when it was publiſhed to them, became ſo ſcandalized thereat, as they reſolve, if the King ever put it into their hands, to give remedy thereunto. Yet were not all alike criminal, for ſome Societies behaved themſelves ſo well, as their life being not only exempt from notorious faults, but their ſpare times beſtowed in writing Books, Painting, Carving, Graving, and the like Exerciſes, their Viſitors became Interceſſors for them. But theſe being not many, were at laſt involved in the common fate.

Not long after this, the King cauſed all Colledges, Chantries, and Hoſpitals, to be viſited, not omitting to take a particular ſurvey of all the Revenues and Dignities Eccleſiaſtical within his Kingdom; which was returned to him in a Book, to be kept in the Exchequer.

Then King Henry ſent Fox, Biſhop of Hereford, to the Proteſtant Princes in Germany, aſſembled at Smalcald, to exhort them to an unity in Doctrine, wherein he offered his aſſiſtance by conference with their Divines.

Immediately after the ruine of Monaſteries, in the Month of November followed the condemnation of John Lambert, that faithful Servant of Chriſt. On a ſet day Lambert was brought forth, where he had not only the King's fierce countenance againſt him, but alſo ten Diſputers againſt him, from twelve of the clock till five at night, among which were the Archbiſhop, Stephen Gardiner, C. Tunſtal, Biſhop of Durham, and J. Stokeſley, Biſhop of London. Through Wincheſter's perſwaſion, to gratifie the people, the King himſelf condemned Lambert, and commanded Cromwel to read the Sentence. He was burned in Smithfield, where he ſuffered moſt horrible torments before he expired.

The King, after the burning of many Images, cauſed the bones of Thomas Becket, Archbiſhop in the time of Henry the Second, to be burned. He alſo ſeized on that immenſe Treaſure and Jewels that were offered to his Shrine; there being few, ſince the time of Henry the Second, that paſſed to Canterbury, that did not both viſit his Tomb, and bring rich Preſents to it. Among which there being one Stone eminent, which, it was ſaid, Lewis the Seventh, coming hither on Pilgrimage from France, Anno Dom. 1179. beſtowed: Our King wore it in a Ring afterwards.

The number of Monaſteries, firſt and laſt, ſuppreſſed in England and Wales, were (as Mr. Camden Camd. Erit.accounts them) ſix hundred forty five; whereof theſe had voices among the Peers. The Abbot of St. Albans, declared the firſt Abbey of England: St Peters in Weſtminſter, St. Bennet of Holm, Berdſey, Shrewsbury, Crowland, Abingdon, Eveſham, Gloceſter, Ramſey, St. Maries in York, Tewksbury, Reading, Battel, Winchcomb, Hide by Wincheſter, Cirenceſter, Waltham, Malmesbury, Thorney, St. Auguſtine in Canterbury, Selby, Peterborough, St John's in Colchester, Coventry, Taveſtock.

p. 154Of Colledges were demoliſhed, in divers Shires, ninety. Of Chauntries, and Fire-chappels, two thouſand three hundred ſeventy four; and Hoſpitals one hundred and ten; the yearly value of all which were, one hundred ſixty one thouſand, one hundred pounds, being above a third part of all our ſpiritual Revenues, beſides the money made of the preſent ſtock of Cattle and Corn, of the Timber, Lead, Bells, &c. and laſtly, but chiefly of the Plate and Ornaments, which was not valued, but may be conjectured by that one Monaſtery of St. Edmond's-bury, whence was taken five thouſand Marks of Gold and Silver, beſides Stones of great value.

But the King not only augmented the number of the Colledges and Profeſſors in his Univerſities,L. Herbert's Hiſt. of Hen. 8. but erected, out of the Revenues gotten hereby, divers new Biſhopricks, whereof one at Weſtminſter, one at Oxford, one at Peterborough, one at Briſtol, one at Cheſter, and one at Gloceſter; all remaining at this day, ſave that at Weſtminſter: which being revoked to its firſt Inſtitution, by Queen Mary, and Benedictines placed in it, was, by Queen Elizabeth afterward, converted to a Collegiate-church, and a School for the teaching and maintenance of young Scholars. Beſides many of the ancient Cathedral-churches, formerly poſſeſſed by Monks only, were now ſupplied with Canons, and ſome new ones erected and endowed; the Revenues allotted by the King to thoſe new Biſhopricks, and Cathedrals, amounting to about eight thouſand pounds per Annum. Beſides, the King in demoliſhing the Abbies, did not only prefer divers Learned men which he found there, but took ſpecial care to preſerve the choiceſt Books of their well-furniſhed Libraries, wherein John Leland, a curious ſearcher of Antiquities, was employed.

Martin's Chronic. in Hen. 8.Theſe Houſes, Sites, Poſſeſſions, were by the Parliament ſetled on the King, who (to prevent the future reſtoring of them back again to their former uſes) exchanged them liberally for other Lands with the Nobles and Gentry of his Realm, many of whoſe Eſtates at this day do wholly conſiſt of Poſſeſſions of that nature, or elſe are greatly advanced by thoſe Lands.

A Match being made up betwixt King Henry, and the Lady Anne of Cleeve, by the Lord Cromwel's contrivance, many Dutch-men flocked into England, whoſe heads were buſied about points of Divinity, whilſt their hands were buſied about their Manufactures. Soon after they broached their ſtrange Opinions, being branded with the general name of Anabaptiſts.

This year 1539. their name firſt appears in our Engliſh Chronicles:Stow's Chron. p. 576. for I read, that four Anabaptiſts, three Men, and one Woman, all Dutch, bear Faggots at Paul's Croſs, and three dayes after a Man and Woman, of their Sect, were burnt in Smithfield.

p. 155The King liked not Anne of Cleeve, who was a very vertuous Lady, but in her countenance not well compoſed, fair, nor lovely. Some feminine impotency was objected againſt her, though only her precontract with the Son of the Duke of Lorrain was publickly inſiſted on, for which, by Act of Parliament now ſitting, ſhe was ſolemnly divorced. And the Biſhops and Clergy of this Land, in their ſolemn Convocation, publiſhed an authentical Inſtrument in writing, under the Seals of the two Archbiſhops, That the King's Marriage with the ſaid Lady Anne of Cleve was void, and of none effect.

From thenc forth the King frowneth upon the Lord Cromwel.

Then the ſix Articles, called by ſome, The bloody Statute, by others, The Whip with ſix ſtrings, by the perſwaſion of Biſhop Gardiner (in defiance of Archbiſhop Cranmer, and the Lord Cromwel, oppoſing it) was enacted, being

I. That in the Sacrament of the Altar, after Conſecration, no ſubſtance of Bread or Wine remaineth, but the natural Body and Blood of Chriſt.

II. That the Communion in both kinds is not neceſſary, ad ſalutem, by the Law of God to all perſons.

III. That Priests, after Orders received, may not marry by the Law of God.

IV. That Vows of Caſtity ought to be obſerved.

V. That it is meet and neceſſary, that private Maſſes be admitted and continued in Churches.

VI. That Auricular confeſſion muſt be frequented by people, as neceſſary to Salvation.

The Lord Cromwel was ſoon after arreſted, and ten dayes after his Arreſt, he was attainted of High-treaſon in Parliament, and he, with the Lord Hongerford, the next week after, was beheaded on Tower-hill.

After the execution of the Lord Cromwel, the Parliament ſtill ſitting, a motly Execution happened in Smithfield: three Papiſts hanged by the Statute, for denying the King's Supremacy, viz.

Edward Powel.

Thomas Abley.

Richard Fetherſton.

And as many Proteſtants burned at the ſame time and place, by vertue of the ſix Articles, viz.

Robert Barnes, Doctor of Divinity.

Thomas Gerard, Batchelors of Divinity.

William Jerom, Batchelors of Divinity.

p. 156This was cauſed by the difference of Religions in the King's Privy Council, wherein the Popiſh party called for the execution of theſe Proteſtants, whilſt the Proteſtant Lords in the Council, cried as faſt, that the Laws might take effect upon the Papiſts.

In the Parliament a Statute was made,A Statute made for the recovery of Tithes. 32 Hen. 8. c. 7. commanding every man, Fully, truly, and effectually to divide, ſet out, yield, or pay all and ſingular Tithes and Offerings, according to the lawful cuſtoms and uſages of the Pariſhes and places where ſuch Tithes, or Duties, ſhall grow, ariſe, come, or be due. And remedy is given for Eccleſiaſtick perſons before the Ordinary; and for Lay-men, that claimed appropriated Tithes by grant from the Crown, in the ſecular Courts, by ſuch Actions, as uſually Lay-poſſeſſions had been ſubject to. This Statute, in favour of Lay impropriators, was beneficial to the Clergy, to recover their Predial Tithes at Common Law.

A Statute alſo was made, That it was lawful for all perſons to contract marriage, who are not prohibited by the Law of God: for after the time of Pope Gregory, other Popes did not only forbid the marriage of Couſin-Germans, but other degrees farther off, thereby to get money for Diſpenſations.

This Law came ſeaſonably to comply with King Henry's occaſions, who had the firſt-fruits thereof, and preſently after married Katherine Howard, Couſin-german to Anna Bolen, his ſecond Wife, which by the Canon-law formerly was forbidden, without a ſpecial Diſpenſation firſt obtained.

In the third Seſſion of the Convocation at St. Paul's ſeveral Biſhops were aſſigned to peruſe ſeveral Books of the Tranſlation of the new Teſtament. Cranmer ſtickleth for the Univerſities approbation.

The Parliament, Anno 1544. mitigated the ſix Articles; for it was required, that all Offenders ſhould firſt be found guilty by a Jury of twelve men, before they ſhould ſuffer.

Anno 1545. began the laſt Parliament in this King's Reign, wherein many things of conſequence were enacted.

1. Againſt Uſury.

2. For Tithes in London.

3. For an exchange of Lands betwixt the King's Majeſty, and Thomas Cranmer, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, Robert Holgate, Archbiſhop of York, and Edmond Bonner, Biſhop of London; which the King annexed to the Dutchy of Lancaſter.

4. An Act for union of Churches, not exceeding the value of ſix pounds.

5. That Doctors of the Civil Law might exerciſe Eccleſiaſtical juriſdiction.

At this time alſo, by the King's command, were the Stews ſuppreſſed.

p. 157The Favourers of the truth among the Noblemen were,Fox. Acts and Monuments. the Earl of Suffolk, Viſcount Beauchamp, Viſcount Liſle, Lord Ruſſel Treaſurer, Lord Awdley Chancellor, Lord Paget, and Sadler, and Thomas Cranmar Archbiſhop of Canterhury.

The Patrons of Popery were, the Biſhop of Wincheſter and Durham, the Duke of Norfolk, and Earl of Southampton, Anthony Brown, William Pawlet, John Baker, Richard Chancellor of the Augmentation, Winckfield Vice-chancellor.

Four and twenty were Executed for Traitors, in the time of King Henry, for the cauſe of Supremacy.

Adam Damlip, who before had eſcaped, and lay hid in the Weſt-countrey, teaching a School about a year or two, by the miſerable Inquiſition of the ſix Articles, was again taken and brought up to London, where he was by Stephen Gardiner commanded to the Marſhal-ſea, and after two years ſpace he was Condemned and Executed for Treaſon. One Henry was burnt at Colcheſter, and one Kerby at Ipſwich, for the Teſtimony of the Truth.

In the year 1546. in June, Anne Aſhcough, aliàs Kyme, Daughter of Sir William Aſhcough of Kelſey in Lincoln-ſhire, of the age of 25. years, whoſe Wit, Beauty, Learning and Religion, procured her much eſteem on the Queens ſide of the Court, and as much hatred from the Popiſh Biſhops, was burned for the profeſſion of the Truth, in Smithfield, with three men, Nicholas Belevian, Prieſt of Shrop-ſhire, John Lacels, Gentleman of the houſhold of King Henry the Eighth, and John Adams a poor Tailor of London. Her ſeveral examinations penned by her ſelf are extant in Mr. Fox.

Then began the troubles of Queen Katherine Parr, whom the King had married ſome two years ſince. She was one of great piety, beauty, and diſcretion: next to the Bible, ſhe ſtudied the King's diſpoſition, obſerving him to her utmoſt: yet ſometimes ſhe would preſume to diſcourſe with the King about points of Religion, defending the Proteſtant Tenets by Scripture, and ſometimes would hold up the King very cloſe hard at it. This diſpleaſed him, who loved looſeneſs and liberty in his Clothes, Arguments, and Actions, and was quickly obſerved by Gardiner, and others, the Queen's enemies.

Hereupon Gardiner drew up Articles againſt her, and got them ſubſcribed with the King's own hand, to ſend her to the Tower. But Chancellor Wriotheſley put the paper of thoſe Articles in his own boſom, which caſually fell out, was taken up by one of the Queen's Servants, and brought to the Queen, who on her ſickneſs and ſubmiſſion to the King, obtained his Pardon, Signed and Sealed unto her with many kiſſes and embraces. And her enemies that came to attach her, were ſent back with the Taunts and Threats of the enraged King againſt them. King Henry made his Will, and died a monethmonth after, and was buried at Windſor.

p. 158After the Death of King Henry, ſucceeded King Edward Sir John Hayward's Hiſt. of K. Edw. 6.his Son, being ſcarce ten years old, full of as much Worth as the model of his Age could hold. He attained not onelyonly commendable Knowledge, but ſpeech in the Greek, Spaniſh, and Italian Languages, having always great Judgment in meaſuring his Words by his Matter; his Speech being alike, both fluent and weighty, ſuch as beſt beſeemed a Prince. As for Natural Philoſophy, Logick, Muſick, Aſtronomy, and other Liberal Sciences; his perfections were ſuch, that the great Italian Philoſopher Cardan, having taſted him by many Conferences, ſeemed to be aſtoniſhed between admiration and delight, and divulged his abilities to be miraculous.

Theſe his acquirements, by induſtry, were very much enriched and enlarged by many excellent Endowments of nature; for in diſpoſition he was mild, gratious, and pleaſant, of an heavenly wit; in Body beautiful, but eſpecially in his Eyes, which ſeemed to have a Starry livelineſs and luſtre in them. Generally he ſeemed to be, as Cardan reported of him. A Miracle of Nature.

Becauſe he was young, he was committed to ſixteen Governours, the Lord Edward Seimour, Duke of Sommerſet, his Unckle, was aſſigned unto him Protector, by whoſe endeavour the ſix bloody Articles forementioned were aboliſhed.

This King reſtored the holy Scriptures in the Engliſh Tongue, he aboliſhed Maſſes, and ſuch as were baniſhed were received home, as John Hooper, Miles Coverdale, &c. He changed moſt part of the Biſhops of Dioceſſes, and compelled dumb Prieſts to give place to thoſe that would Preach: he ſuppreſſed Idolatry, reſtored the Goſpel and worſhip of God, encouraged Godly Preachers, ſent for Eminent Men, both for Learning and Piety, from beyond the Seas, to Teach in both Univerſities, viz. Peter Martyr in Oxford, and Martin Bucer, and Paulus Fagius in Cambridge, and was a Refuge to all the Godly that fled for Religion out of other Countries; and therefore is called by Melchior Adam, Melch. Adam. in vit. Germ. Theolog.Summae ſpei Princeps, qui omnibus piis & doctis, Polanis, Germanis, Gallis, Scotis, Italis, Hispanis, hospitium & patrocinium dederat: A Prince of ſingular hope, who gave protection and entertainment to all Godly and Learned Men, Polonians, Germans, French, Scots, Italians, Spaniards. In conſideration whereof an eminent Martyr in Queen Maries days, in an effectionate Speech of His, before a Popiſh Perſecutor, cried out, Bleſſed be God for King Edward.

This King was much enclined to Clemency, eſpecially in matters of Blood, and moſt eſpecially if it were for Religion, inſomuch, that albeit he was greatly affected to that Religion wherein he had been brought up, yet none were executed in his time for other Religion, but onelyonly two blaſphemous Hereticks, Joan Butcher, and George a Dutch-man. And p. 159when Joan Butcher was to be burned, all the Council could not procure him to ſet his hand to the Warrant: wherefore they employed Thomas Cranmer, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, to deal privately with him for his ſubſcription. But the King remained firm in reſolution, affirming, That he would not drive her headlong to the Devil. The Archbiſhop was violent both by perſwaſions and entreaties: and when with meer importunity he had prevaled, the King in ſubſcribing his name ſaid, That he would lay all the charge thereof upon the Archbiſhop before God.

Then the Profeſſors of the Goſpel were in all places relieved, and many Priſoners appointed to die, were enlarged and preſerved: OnelyOnly Thomas Dobby, Fellow of St. John's in Cambridge, committed to the Counter in Bred-ſtreet, and condemned for ſpeaking againſt the Maſſe, died of a natural death in Priſon; his ſpeedy death prevented the pardon which the Lord Protector intended to ſend him.

The Lord Protector ordered all in Church and State. The King in his protection, took ſpeedy order for Reformation of Religion, and having choſen Wiſe, and Learned, Men to be his Commiſſioners in that behalf, divided them into ſeveral Dioceſſes, to be viſited, appointing likewiſe unto every company one or two Godly Learned Preachers, to inſtruct the people at every Seſſion in the true Doctrine of the Goſpel. To thoſe Commiſſioners were delivered thirty ſix Injunctions, and Eccleſiaſtical Laws, which they ſhould enquire of, and alſo command in his Majeſties name and behalf, all tending to the aboliſhing of Popiſh ſuperſtition, and eſtabliſhing the Truth of the Goſpel.

Beſides which general Injunctions, for the eſtate of the whole Realm, there were alſo certain others particularly appointed for the Biſhops onelyonly; whereby they were enjoyned to ſee the other put in Execution; beſides others which did more particulary confirm them. Theſe Injunctions may be ſeen at large in the firſt Edition of the Acts and Monuments (fol. 684.Fuller. Church Hiſtory, p. 372 373.) and you may read them in a ſmoother Abſtract in Fuller's Church Hiſtory. Some Homiles were left with the Pariſh-Prieſts, which the Archbiſhop had compoſed, not onelyonly for the help of unpreaching Miniſters,Dr. P. Helyns Hiſtory of K. Edw. 6. but for the regulating and inſtructing even of the Learned Preachers. Beſides the points contained in the ſaid Injunctions, the Preachers, above mentioned, were more particulary inſtructed to perſwade the people from Praying to the Saints, from making Prayer for the Dead, from Adoring of Images, from the uſe of Beads, Aſhes and Proceſſions, from Maſs, Diriges, Praying in unknown Languages, and from other ſuch like things, whereunto long cuſtom had brought a Religious obſervation.

All which was done to this intent, That the people in all places being prepared by little and little, might with more eaſe and leſs oppoſition, admit the total alteration in the face of the Church, which was intended in due time to be introduced.

p. 160While theſe Commiſſioners were occupied abroad, the King deſirng a Reformation, appointed a Parliament, Novemb. 4. in the firſt year of his Reign, Anno 1547. wherein all Acts made before againſt the Profeſſors of the Truth were Abrogated. In the ſame Parliament alſo it was Decreed, That the Sacrament ſhould be miniſtred to all under both kinds. Then alſo were Candles on Candlemas-day forbidden, and Aſhes on Aſh-wedneſday, according to the Popiſh cuſtom.

About the ſa… e time alſo all Images were taken away in moſt places of the Kingdom.

The firſt who declared his averſneſs to the King's proceedings, was Dr. Stephen Gardiner, Biſhop of Wincheſter, who ſtomaching his being left out of the liſt of the Council, appeared more Croſs to all their doings than others of his Order: for which being brought before their Lordſhips, they ſent him Priſoner to the Fleet.

Albeit Edmond Bonner, Biſhop of London, at firſt ſeemed to comply, yet at length he bewraied himſelf, by ſuffring daily to be Sung the Apoſtles Maſs, and our Ladies Maſs, &c. in diverſe of his Chappels in Pauls, cloaking them with the name of the Apoſtles, and our Ladies Communions, whereof the Council being informed, cauſed him to reform the abuſe.

Sir Anthony Cook, and Sir John Goodſale, Knights; John Goodſal, and Chriſtopher Nevinſon, Doctors of the Laws, and John Madew, Doctor of Divinity, the King's Commiſſioners, called before them the ſaid Edmond Bonner, John Royſton, Polydor Virgil, and many others of the Dignitaries of the ſaid Cathedral, to whom the Sermon being done, and their Commiſſion openly read, they miniſtred the Oath of the King's Supremacy, according to the Statute of thirty one of King Henry the eighth, requiring them withal to preſent ſuch things as needed to be reformed. Which done, they delivered to Biſhop Bonner a Copy of the Injunctions forementioned, together with the Homilies ſet forth by the King's authority, received by him with proteſtation, That he would obſerve them, if they were not contrary to the Law of God, and the Ordinances of the Church. But afterwards he revoked his proteſtation, and humbly ſubmitted himſelf to his Majeſties pleaſure. Yet for a Terror to others, Biſhop Bonner was committed to the Fleet.

During the ſhort time of his reſtraint (viz. Septemb. 18.) the Litany was Sung in the Engliſh Tongue in St. Paul's Church, between the Quire and the High Altar, the Singers kneeling half on the one ſide, and half on the other. And the ſame day the Epiſtle and Goſpel was alſo read at the High Maſs in the Engliſh Tongue. And in November next following (Biſhop Bonner being then reſtored to his former liberty) the Image of Chriſt, then called the Rood, and all other Images in that Church, as alſo in all the other Churches of London were taken down. And in ſpeeding of this work, as Biſhop Bonner, together with p. 161the Dean and Chapter, did perform their part in the Cathedral of St. Paul; ſo Bellaſſere, Archdeacon of Colcheſter, and Doctor Gilbert Bourn (being at that time Archdeacon both of London and Eſſex) were no leſs diligent in doing the like in all the Churches of their reſpective Juriſdictions, according to the charge impoſed upon them by his Majeſtie's Viſitors.

The firſt Tranſlation of the Bible was ſet forth in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, Anno 1541. with a Grave and Pious preface of Archbiſhop Cranmer, and Authorized by the King's Proclamation, Dated May 6. Seconded alſo with Inſtructions from the King. It was called the Bible of the greater Volume. Few Countrey-pariſhes could go to the coſt of them, though Biſhop Bonner cauſed ſix of them to be chained in the Church of St. Pauls in convenient places.

The ſecond Tranſlation of the Bible was ſet forth in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth, and not onelyonly ſuffered to be read by particular perſons, but ordered to be read over yearly in the Congregation, as a principal part of Divine Service. Two Editions there were thereof, one ſet forth 1549. the other 1541. but neither of them divided into verſes.

The third Tranſlation of the Bible was ſet forth in the ſecond year of Queen Elizabeth. Extant in Sir Tho. Colton. Library.The laſt Tranſlation was again reviewed by ſome of the moſt Learned Biſhops (appointed thereunto by the Queen's Commiſſion) whence it took the name of the Biſhops Bible, and by the Queens ſole commandment Reprinted.

Then diverſe Proclamations were iſſued out in the King's name, relating to Eccleſiaſtical matters, in the four firſt years of his Reign, among which there was a Proclamation inhibiting Preachers, Anno ſecundo, Edwardi ſexti, whereof this was the occaſion. Certain Popiſh Preachers, diſaffected to the King's Government, in their Sermons declared, That the King intended to lay ſtrange exactions upon the people. To prevent further miſchief, the King ordered by Proclamation, That none ſhould Preach except Licenſed under the Seals of the Lord Protector, or Archbiſhop of Canterbury. At this time many Popiſh Pulpits founded the Alarum to Kets Rebellion, and the Devon-ſhire Commotion.

There was alſo a Proclamation for the payment of the late Incumbents of Colledges, and Chanteries lately diſſolved.

Anno 3. Edwardi ſexti, A Proclamation alſo for the Inhibition of Players, Aug. 6.

The Parliament not long before, paſſed an Act for Election of Biſhops, and what Seals and ſtyles ſhould be uſed by Spiritual perſons: in which it was Ordained.

That Biſhops ſhould be made by the King's Letters Patents, and not by the election of the Deans and Chapters.

p. 162That all their Proceſſes and Writings ſhould be made in the King's name onelyonly, with the Biſhops Teſte added to it, and ſealed with no other Seal but the King's, or ſuch as ſhould be authorized and appointed by him.

The Intent of the Contrivers of this Act (ſaith Dr. Heylin H…ylin Hiſt. Edw. 6.) was to weaken the authority of the Epiſcopal Order, by forcing them from their ſtrong-hold of Divine Inſtitution, and making them no other than the King's Miniſters onelyonly. And of this Act ſuch uſe was made, that the Biſhops of thoſe times were not in a capacity of conferring Orders, but as they were thereunto impowered by ſpecial Licenſe. The Tenour whereof was (if Sanders may be believed) in theſe words following, viz.

The King to ſuch a Biſhop, Greeting. Where as all and all manner of Juriſdiction, as well Eccleſiaſtical as Civil, flows from the King, as from the Supreme Head of all the Body, &c. We therefore give and grant to Thee full Power and Licenſe, to continue during our good pleaſure, for holding Ordination within thy Dioceſs of N. and for promoting fit perſons unto holy Orders, even to that of the Prieſthood.

Queen Mary cauſed this Act to be repealed in the firſt year of her Reign, leaving the Biſhops to depend on their former Claim, and to Act all things which belonged to their Juriſdiction in their own Names, and under their own Seals, as in former times. In which eſtate they have continued without any legal interruption from that time to this.

Doctor Nicholas Ridley was promoted to the See of Rocheſter, to which he had been nominated by King Henry the Eighth, a man of great Learning, and well-ſtudied in the Fathers, and an excellent Preacher. Doctor Barlow was preferred to the Biſhoprick of Bath and Wells.

The Commiſſioners authorized to take away Images out of Churches, were in many places entertained with contempt and railing, and the farther they went from London the worſe they were handled: one of them called Body, as he was pulling down Images in Cornwal, was ſtabbed in the body by a Prieſt.

Many there were that then cried down all the obſervations of Days and Times, and particularly of keeping Lent: complaint whereof being made by Biſhop Gardiner in a Letter to the Lord Protector, a Proclamation was ſent out commanding all people to abſtain from Fleſh in the time of Lent, and the King's Lenten dyet was ſet out, and ſerved as in former times.

Hugh Latimer having by the power of Cromwel, and his favour with the King, been made Biſhop of Worceſter, Anno 1535. continued in that See, till on the firſt of July 1539. he choſe rather to reſign the ſame, p. 163than to have any hand in paſſing the ſix Articles, then agitated in the Convocation, and confirmed by Parliament: full eight years he betook himſelf to the retiredneſs of a private life. On New-years day he Preached his firſt Sermon at Pauls Croſs (the firſt I mean after his re-admiſſion to his former Miniſtry) and two Lords-days after again in the ſame place, and on January 25. ſuch multitudes flocked to hear his Sermon, that being to Preach before the King the firſt Friday in Lent, a pulpit was placed in the King's privy Garden, where he might be heard of four times as many Auditors, as could have thronged into the Chappel. Which as it was the firſt Sermon that was Preached in that place, ſo afterward a fixed and ſtanding Pulpit was erected for the like occaſions, eſpecially for Lent-ſermons on the Sundays in the Afternoon, and hath ſo continued ever ſince till theſe latter times.

At the return of the King's Commiſſioners, diſpatched throughout the Realm, to take a Survay of all Colledges, Free-chappels, Chanteries, and Brotherhoods, in the firſt place (as lying neareſt) came in the free Chappel of St. Stephen, originally founded in the Palace at Weſtminſter, and reckoned for the Chappel Royal of the Court of England. The whole Foundation conſiſted of thirty eight perſons, viz. one Dean, twelve Canons, thirteen Vicars, four Clerks, ſix Choriſters, beſides a Verger, and one that had the charge of the Chappel. This Chappel hath been ſince fitted, and employed for an houſe of Commons in all times of Parliament.

At the ſame time alſo fell the Colledge, commonly called St. Martins le Grand, near Alderſgate in London: the King gave the ſame, with the Liberties and precincts thereof to the Church of Weſtminſter. Theſe two, St. Stephen's and St. Martin's, were the richeſt of all the reſt.

Then the Lord Protector being unfurniſhed of a Palace proportionable to his Greatneſs, doubted not to find room enough upon the diſſolution of the Biſhoprick of Weſtminſter lately erected, to raiſe a Palace equal to his vaſt deſigns. Which coming to the ears of Benſon, the laſt Abbot, and firſt Dean of Weſtminſter, he was willing to preſerve the whole, by parting for the preſent with more than half of the eſtate belonging to it. And thereupon a Leaſe is made of ſeventeen Mannors, and good Farmes, lying almoſt altogether in the County of Gloceſter, for the Term of ninety nine years, which was preſented to the Lord Thomas Seymor, to ſerve as an addition to his Mannor of Sudley. Another preſent of almoſt as many Mannors, lying in the Counties of Gloceſter, Worceſter, and Hereford, was made for the like Term to Sir John Maſon, for the uſe of the Lord Protector, which after the Duke's fall came to Sir John Bourn, principal Secretary of Eſtate, in the time of Queen Mary. The Mannor of Iſlip was alſo put into the ſ…ale, conferred upon that Church by King Edward the Confeſſor, to which two hundred Tenants owed their ſoile and ſervice, and being one of the beſt wooded things in thoſe parts of the Realm: p. 164was to be granted alſo without impeachment of waſte, as it was accordingly. Thus Benſon ſaved the Deanery, but fell into great diſquiet of mind, and died a few moneths after. To whom ſucceeded Doctor Cox, being then Almoner to the King, Chancellor of the Univerſity of Oxford, and Dean of Christ-Church.

Biſhop Latimer Latimer. Ser. p. 38. 71, 91, 114.in his printed Sermons complaineth, That the Gentry at that time invaded the profits of the Church, leaving the Title onelyonly to the Incumbent; and that Chantery Prieſts were put by them into ſeveral Cures, to ſave their penſions; that many Benefices were laid out in Fee-farmes, and for making of Gardens: and finally, that the poor Clergy being kept to ſome ſorry pittances, were forced to put themſelves into Gentlemens houſes, and there to ſerve as Clerks of the Kitchin, Surveyours, Receivers, &c. All which Enormities, were generally connived at by the Lords and others, who onelyonly had the power to reform the ſame, becauſe they could not queſtion thoſe who had ſo miſerably invaded the Churches patrimony, without condemning of themſelves.

Stephen Gardiner, Biſhop of Wincheſter, having long lain Priſoner in the Fleet was enlarged, and permitted to return to his Dioceſs, where contrary to the promiſe made at his enlargement, he ſhewed himſelf croſs to the King's proceedings in caſe of Images and other things, that he was ſent Priſoner to the Tower, where he abode till he was ſet at liberty by Queen Mary.

Notwithſtanding the King's great care to ſet forth one uniform order of Adminiſtring the holy Communion in both kinds, yet among the inferior Prieſts and Miniſters of Cathedral and other Churches in this Realm, there aroſe variety of Factions in Celebrating the Communion Service, and Adminiſtra…ion of the Sacraments, and other Rites of the Church. Some followed the Order of the King's proceedings: others patchingly uſed ſome part of them onelyonly: but many cauſeleſly contemning them all, would ſtill continue in their former Popery. Moreover, many of thoſe who had been licenſed, appeared as active in Preaching againſt the King's proceedings, as any of the unlicenſed Preachers had been found to be. Which being made known to the King, and the Lords of the Council, it was adviſed, that a publick Liturgy ſhould be drawn, and confirmed by Parliament, which was done, An. 1548. and in the next year a penalty was impoſed by Act of Parliament on ſuch who ſhould deprave, or neglect the uſe thereof.

The King cauſed thoſe Godly Biſhops, and other Learned Divines (whom he had formerly imployed in drawing up the order for the holy Communion) to frame a publick Liturgy, containing the order of Morning and Evening Prayer, together with a Form of Miniſtring the Sacraments, and for the celebrating of all publick Offices in the Churches.

This was done acccordingly: Some exception being taken at it by Mr. Calvin abroad, and ſome zealots at home, the Book was brought p. 165under a review, and by Statute in Parliament, it was appointed, it ſhould be faithfully peruſed, explained, and made fully perfect.

And here take notice, that thoſe who had the chief ſtroke in this Affair, were before-hand reſolved, that none but Engliſh Heads or hands ſhould be uſed therein. Calvin offered his aſſiſtance to Archbiſhop Cranmer, as himſelf confeſſeth, but he refuſed the offer. And though it was thought neceſſary, for the better ſeaſoning of both Univerſities in the Proteſtant Reformed Religion, that Martin Bucer, and Peter Martyr, two eminent Divines of Forreign Churches, ſhould be invited to come over, yet had the Liturgy paſſed the approbation of the King and Council, if not both Houſes of Parliament before their coming. Which being finiſhed, they all ſubſcribed it, except Doctor Day, Biſhop of Chicheſter.

Then in Parliament it was enacted, that all ſuch poſitive Lawes and Ordinances, as prohibited the marriages of Prieſts, and pains and forfeitures therein contained, ſhould be repealed.

In this Parliament alſo it was enacted, that no perſon ſhould from thence-forth take, or carry away any Tithe or Tithes which had been received or paid within the ſpace of fourty years next before the date thereof, &c. under the pain or forfeiture of the Treble value of the Tithes ſo taken or carried away. To which a clauſe was alſo added, enabling the ſaid Parſons, Vicars, &c. to enter upon any man's Land for the due ſetting out of his Tithes, and carrying away the ſame without moleſtation.

There alſo paſſed another Act for Abſtinence from fleſh upon all ſuch days, as had been formerly taken and reputed for faſting-dayes, viz. fall Fridays and Saturdays in the year, the time of Lent, the Emberdays, the Eves or Vigils of ſuch Saints, as had been anciently uſed for Faſts by the Rules of the Church. On Septemb. 5. 1548. Doctor Farrar's was conſecrated Biſhop of S. Davids, as Doctor Heylin noteth, and not in the year 1547. as Mr. Fox makes it, nor in 1549. as Biſhop Godwin ſaith.

The Lord Protector pulled down two Churches, two Chappels, and three Epiſcopal Houſes for the materials of the building of his new intended Palace, called Sommerſet-houſe.

About this time there aroſe a ſort of men, who were termed Goſpellers, againſt whom Biſhop Hooper inveigheth, in the Preface to his Expoſition on the ten Commandments. Some Anabaptiſts alſo diſcovered themſelves. Some of the Chiefs of them were convented before the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and the Biſhop of Weſtminſter, Doctor Cox Almoner to the King and others: and being convicted of their errours, ſome of them were diſmiſſed only with an Admonition, ſome ſentenced p. 166to a Recantation, and others (among which I find one Champney's) condemned to bear their Faggots at S. Paul's Croſs.

Then brake forth two dangerous Rebellions, one in Devonſhire, the other in Norfolk. That of Devonſhire was found to be chiefly raiſed in maintenance of their old Religion. On Whitſun Munday, being next day after the firſt exerciſing of the publick Liturgy, ſome few of the Pariſhioners of the Pariſh of Sampford-Courtney, compelled their Pariſh-Prieſt, who is ſuppoſed to have invited them to that compulſion, to let them have the Latine Maſs as in former-times. Theſe being ſeconded with many others, Henry Arundel Eſquire, Governour of the Mount in Cornwal, Winſlade and Coffin, Gentlemen, headed them. The ſeditious exceeding the number of ten thouſand, march in a full body to Exeter. They ſend their demands to the King, among which one more ſpecially concerned the Liturgy. It was demanded by the Rebels, That foraſmuch as we conſtantly believe, that after the words of Conſecration ſpoken by the Prieſt being at Maſs, there is very really the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt God and man, and that no ſubſtance of Bread and Wine remaineth after, but the very ſelf-ſame body that was born of the Virgin Mary, and was given upon the Croſs for our Redemption; Therefore we will have Maſs-Celebrated as it was in times paſt without any man Communicating with the Prieſts, foraſmuch as many preſuming unworthily to receive the ſame, put no difference between the Lord's body, and other kind of meat, &c.

To which demand of theirs the King thus anſwered, viz. that for the Maſs I aſſure you, no ſmall ſtudy nor Travel hath been ſpent, by all the Learned Clergy therein: and to avoyd all contention, it is brought even to the uſe that Chriſt left it, as the Apoſtles uſed it, as the Holy Fathers delivered it: indeed ſomewhat altered from that to which the Popes of Rome, for their lucre, had brought it. And although (ſaith he) you may hear the contrary from ſome Popiſh evil men; Yet we on our Honour aſſure you, that they deceive, abuſe you, and blow theſe opinions into your Heads to finiſh their own purpoſes. But this anſwer ſatisfying not, they marched with all their forces to the ſiege of Exeter, carrying before them in their march the Pix or Conſecrated Hoſt under a Canopy, with Croſſes, Banners, Candleſticks, Holy-bread, and Holy-water, &c. But the Lord Gray and the Lord Ruſſel with forces conjoyned, ſo ſtrongly charged the Rebels, that they beat them out of their works, and then forced them with great ſlaughter to raiſe their ſiege. After the like ſucceſs in ſome following fights, the Lord Ruſſel enters that City on Auguſt 6. where he was joyfully received by the half-ſtarved Citizens. Miles Coverdale gave publick thanks to God for the Victory in the view of Exeter, and ſoon after was made the Biſhop thereof.

p. 167Arundel, Berry, Winſlade, and Coffin were ſent to London, and there executed. Six Popiſh Prieſts were hanged, and the Vicar of S. Thomas (one of the Grand Incendiaries) hanged on the top of his own Steeple, apparrelled in his Popiſh Weeds, with his Beads at his Girdle.

The Norfolk Rebellion brake forth on June 20. and that eſpecially for a grievance about Encloſures. The Rebels had gotten one Robert Ket, a rich Tanner of Wimondham for their Leader, and were grown to a Body of twenty thouſand, ſeating themſelves at Mouſhold near Mount Surrey, where they carried a face (as it were) of Juſtice and Religion, for they had one Coniers, an idle fellow, to be their Chaplain, who read ſolemn Prayers to them Morning and Evening, Sermons alſo they had often. And as for Juſtice, they had a bench under a Tree (which Tree was called by them, and ſo hath ever ſince been called, the Tree of Reformation) where Ket uſually ſate, and with him two Companies of every Hundred, whence their Companies had been raiſed, to hear complaints, and give judgement. They ſent certain complaints to the King, requiring he would ſend a Herrald to them to give them ſatisfaction. The King returned this anſwer, that in October following he would call a Parliament, wherein their complaints ſhould be heard, and their grievances ſhould be redreſſed, requiring them in the mean time to lay down Arms, and return to their houſes, and thereupon granting them a general pardon. But this not ſatisfying the ſeditious, hereupon they firſt aſſaulted the City of Norwich, took it, and made Thomas Cod the Mayor of Norwich attend them as their ſervant. At length He and others of the Gentry detained Priſoners in Ket's Camp, were admitted to the Counſels of the Rebels for the better credit thereof.