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

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

p. 167Doctor Matthew Parker (afterward Archbiſhop of Canterbury) getting up into the Oak of Reformation, Preached to the Rebels of their Duty and Obedience, where his life was in danger, many Arrows being Shot at him. Conyers ſet the Te Deum, during the ſinging whereof the Doctor withdrew, and went to his own houſe.

William Par Marqueſs of Northampton, with the Lords Sheffield and Wentworth, Sir Anthony Denny, Sir Ralph Sadler and other perſons of Honour, is ſent to quell this Rebellion. But ſucceſs failed them: the Lord Sheffield was barbarouſly butchered, Sir Thomas Cornwallis taken priſoner, and the City fired by the Rebels, but the clouds melting into tears pittying the Cities calamity, quenched the flames, and the Marqueſs quitting the ſervice, returned to London.

Then was John Dudley, Earl of Warwick ſent to undertake the task, and was attended by the Marqueſs of Northampton. Coming to Norwich he eaſily entred the City, and entertained the Rebels with many Sallies with various ſucceſs, but generally the Earl of Warwick came off with the better.

The Rebels deſerted Mouſhold-hill, and came down into Duſſing-dale. p. 168Here their ſuperſtition fancied themſelves ſufficiently fenced by the vertue of an old prophecy.

Hob, Dick, and Hick, with Clubs, and Clouted Shun.

Sall fill uy Duſſindale with blood of ſlaughtred bodies ſoon.

In this place was a bloody battel: two thouſand of the Rebels were ſlain in the fight and chaſe, the Reſidue of them ſcattered all over the Countrey: the Principals of them taken, and Executed: Robert Ket hanged on Norwich-Caſtle, William his brother, on the Top of Wimondham ſteeple, nine of his followers on as many boughs of the Oak where Ket held his Courts. On Auguſt xxix. a ſolemn thankſgiving was made to God for their deliverance, in the City of Norwich, and is Annually obſerved. As for the Rebellion at the ſame time in York-ſhire, it was ſoon quelled on the Execution of Omler and Dale, the chief promoters thereof.

Theſe things quickned the Lords of the Council to a ſharper courſe againſt all thoſe whom they ſuſpected not to advance the publick Liturgy. Among whom none was more diſtruſted than Biſhop Bonner of London, who is commanded to attend the Lords of the Council on Aug. 11. by whom he was told, that by his negligence not only many people within his Dioceſs forgat their duty to God in frequenting the Divine Service than by Law eſtabliſhed, but divers others deſpiſing the ſame, did in ſecret places often frequent the Popiſh Maſs. Therefore he is commanded to Preach againſt the Rebels at Paul's Croſs on Septemb. 1. and there to ſhew the unlawfulneſs of taking Arms on pretence of Religion. But on the Contrary, he ſpent moſt part of his Sermon in maintenance of the Croſs, Carnal and Papiſtical preſence of Chriſt's body and bloud in the Sacrament of the Euchariſt: complaints whereof being made, a Commiſſion is Iſſued out to the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, the Biſhops of Rocheſter and Peterborough, Sir Thomas Smith, and Doctor May, before whom he was convented at Lambeth, where after many ſhifts on his part, and much patience, on theirs, he is taken pro confeſſo, and in the beginning of October deprived of his Biſhoprick. To whom ſucceeded Doctor Nicholas Ridley, Biſhop of Rocheſter.

There paſſed an Act of Parliament in the following Seſſion (which took beginning Novemb. 4.) for taking down of ſuch Images, as were ſtill remaining in the Churches, as alſo for the bringing in of all Antiphonaries, Miſſals, Breviaries, Offices, Horaries, Primars and Proceſſionals, with other Books of falſe and ſuperſtitious worſhip. The Tenour of which Act ſignified to the Subject by the King's Proclamations, and ſeconded by the Miſſives of Archbiſhop Cranmer to the Suffragan Biſhops, requiring them to ſee it diligently put in execution. Alſo the Biſhops were required to puniſh all thoſe that refuſed to give p. 169to the charge of bread and wine for the Communion. Now was there no further oppoſition againſt the Liturgy by the Romiſh party during the reſt of the King's Reign.

But then there ſtarted up another faction, as oppoſite to the publick Liturgy, as were thoſe of Rome. The Archbiſhop and the reſt of Prelates which co-operated with him in the work of Reformation, were reſolved now to go forwards with a Reformation in point of Doctrine. And therefore Letters were directed by Archbiſhop Cramner to Martin Bucer and Peter Martyr, two eminent Divines.Heylin s Hiſt. Edw. vi. Martyr came over in the end of November, and having ſpent ſometime with the Archbiſhop in his houſe at Lambeth, was diſpatched to Oxford, where he was made the King's Profeſſour for Divinity, and about two years after made Canon of Chriſt-Church. His readings were ſo much diſliked by ſome of that Univerſity, that a publick diſputation was ſhortly had betwixt him, and ſome of thoſe that diſliked his doings, about ſome points in the Sacrament. Doctor Cox, Chancellour of the Univerſity, aſſiſted by Mr. Morriſon a right learned man, being Moderators, declared that Martyr had ſufficiently anſwered all Arguments which were brought againſt him by Chadſey the chief of the opponents, and the reſt of thoſe who diſputed with him.

Bucer came not over till June, and, being, here receives letters from Calvin, Mediis conſiliis vel Authorem eſſe vel Approbatorem, Calvin. Epist. ad Bucer.by which he was adviſed to take heed of his old fault (for a fault he thought it) which was to run a moderate courſe in his Reformations. The firſt thing that Bucer did after his coming hither, was to acquaint himſelf with the Engliſh Liturgy, tranſlated for him into Latine by Alexander Aleſius, a Learned Scot, and generally well approved of by him, as to the main Frame and Body of it. Of this he gives an ac…ount to Calvin. Having received a courteous entertainment from the Lord Protector, and being heartily well-commed by Archbiſhop Cranmer, he is ſent to take the Chair at Cambridge. But he had not held that place long, when he left this life, deceaſing on January 19. Anno 1550. to the great loſs and grief of that Univerſity.

Calvin writes to the Protector to this effect, That the Papiſts would grow more inſolent every day than other unleſs the difference were compoſed about the Ceremonies. But how? not by reducing the Opponents to Conformity, but by encouraging them rather in their oppoſition.

John Rogers, Lecturer in S. Paul's, and John Hooper Vicar of S. Sepulchres were founders of Non-conformity.The Founders of Non-conformity. This John Hooper was bred in Oxford, well-skilled in Latine, Greek, and Hebrew, and afterwards travelled over into Switzerland. He was preferred to be Biſhop of Gloceſter by the favour of his Patron, John Earl of Warwick, afterwards Duke of Northumberland.

But when Hooper came to be conſecrated Biſhop of Gloceſter, he p. 170ſcrupled the wearing of certain Epiſcopal Ornaments (Rochet, Chimere, Square Cap, &c.) producing a letter from the Earl of Warwick, that he might be favourably diſpenſed with therein. The King alſo thirteen dayes after wrote to Archbiſhop Cranmer to the ſame effect. All would not do, Reſolute Biſhop Ridley ſtood ſtiffly to his tackling, and here was bandying of the buſineſs betwixt them, and arguments urged on both ſides. The Earl of Warwick deſerted his Chaplain, and Hooper was ſent to priſon, and kept ſometime in durance, till he condeſcended to conform himſelf in his habit, and ſo was conſecrated Biſhop of Gloceſter. After this, Hooper bare a great grudge againſt Ridley, who enforced him thereunto: but God's providence ſanctified their ſufferings afterwards into an agreement. We muſt not forget, that this earneſt conteſt was not about the vocation, but about the veſtments of Biſhops. Thus we have the firſt beginning of that oppoſition, which hath continued ever ſince againſt the Liturgy, &c. and other Rites and Uſages of the Church of England.

About this time John a Laſco, free Baron of Laſco in Poland, with his Congregation of Germans and other ſtrangers, took Sanctuary this year in England, hoping that here they might enjoy that liberty of conſcience, and ſafety for their goods and perſons, which their own Countrey had denyed them. The King gratiouſly vouchſafed to give them both entertainment and protection: aſſigned them the weſt part of the Church, belonging to the late diſſolved houſe of Auguſtine-friars for the exerciſe of Religious Worſhip, made them a Corporation, conſiſting of a Superintendent, and four other Miniſters, with power to fill the vacant places by a new Succeſſion, whenſoever any of them ſhould be voyd by death or otherwiſe, the parties by them choſen to be approved by the King and Council. He commanded the Lord Mayor of London, the Aldermen and Sheriff; thereof, as alſo the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and all other Biſhops of this Realm not to diſtrub them in the free exerciſe of their Religion and Eccleſiaſtical Government, although they differed from the government and forms of Worſhip eſtabliſhed in the Church of England. All which he granted by his Letters Patents. This John a Laſco quickly publiſheth a book, Entitled, Forma & Ratio totius Eccleſiaſtici Miniſterii, wherein he maintains the uſe of ſitting at the Holy Communion, contrary to the cuſtom of the Church of England, to the encouragement of thoſe who impugned her Orders. A controverſie moved by Biſhop Hooper touching the Epiſcopal Habit, was preſently propagated among the reſt of the Clergy touching Caps and Surplices. And in this quarrel John a Laſco engageth, countenancing thoſe that refuſed to wear them,Heylin's Hiſt. Edw. vi. and Writing to Martin Bucer, to declare againſt them. But that Moderate and Learned Man ſeverely reprehended him, and ſolidly anſwered all his Objections. Which being ſent to him in the way of letter, was afterward Printed and diſperſed p. 171for keeping down that oppoſite humour. This controverſie was countenanced by Peter Martyr, for beſides his judgement which he gives of theſe things in ſome of his Epiſtles about things of this nature, he hath told us of his own practice in one of his Epiſtles, Dated at Zurick, Novemb. 4. 1559. being more than five years after he had left this Kingdom. That he had never uſed the Surplice, when he lived in Oxford, though he were then a Canon of Chriſt-church, and frequently preſent in the Quire. While this controverſie was on foot between the Biſhops and the Clergy, John Rogers (one of the Prebends of S. Paul's, and Divinity Reader of that Church then newly return'd from beyond the Seas) could never be perſwaded to wear any other than the round cap when he went abroad. And being further preſſed unto it, he thus declared himſelf: That he would never agree to that point of Conformity, but on this condition, that if the Biſhops did require the Cap and Tippet, &c. then it ſhould alſo be declared, that all Popiſh Prieſts (for a diſtinction between them and others) ſhould be conſtrained to wear upon their ſleeves a Chalice with an Hoſt upon it. Nay, ſuch peccancy of humour began then to break out, that it was Preached at Paul's Croſs by one Steven, Curate of Katherine Cree-Church, That it was fit the names of Churches ſhould be altered, and the names of the dayes in the Week changed; that Fiſh-dayes ſhould be altered, and the Lent kept at any other time, except onelyonly between Shrovetide and Eaſter. John Stow Stow's Chro. Edw. vi.ſaith, that he had ſeen the ſaid Steven to leave the Pulpit, and Preach to the People out of an high Elm, which ſtood in the midſt of the Church-yard, and that being done, to return into the Church again.

The wings of Epiſcopal Authority had been ſo clipped, that it was ſcarce able to fly abroad: the ſentence of Excommunication had not been in uſe ſince the firſt year of this King; which occaſioned not onelyonly theſe diſorders among the Miniſters of the Church but alſo tended to the great encreaſe of vitiouſneſs in all ſorts of men. So that it was not without cauſe that it was called for ſo earneſtly by Biſhop Latimer in a Sermon Preached before the King. Bring into the Church of England (ſaith he) the open Diſcipline of Excommunication, that open ſinners may be ſtricken withal.

Then upon the Complaint of Calvin to Archbiſhop Cranmer, and Peter Martyr's bemoaning the miſerable condition of the Church for want of Preachers, it was ordained by the advice of the Lords of the Council, that of the King's ſix Chaplains, which attended in Ordinary, two of them ſhould be always about the Court, and the other four ſhould travel in Preaching abroad. About this time Sermons at Court were encreaſed alſo.

Then followed the taking down of Altars by publick Authority. This being reſolved on, a Letter cometh to Biſhop Ridley in the name p. 172of the King, ſubſcribed by Sommerſet, and other of the Lords of the Council, concerning the taking down of Altars, and ſetting up Tables in the ſtead thereof. He appointed the form of a right Table to be uſed in his Dioceſs, and cauſed the wall ſtanding on the back-ſide of the Altar in the Church of S. Paul's to be broken down for an example to the reſt. No univerſal change of Altars was there into Tables in all parts of the Realm, till the repealing of the firſt Liturgy, in which the Prieſt is appointed to ſtand before the midſt of the Altar in the Celebration; and the eſtabliſhing of the ſecond, (in which it is required, that the Prieſt ſhall ſtand on the North-ſide of the Table) had put an end to the Diſpute.

About this time David's Pſalms were Tranſlated into Engliſh metre, by Thomas Sternhold, Eſq and of the Privy Chamber to King Edward the ſixth, John Hopkins, Robert Wiſdom, &c. and generally permitted to be Sung in all Churches.

Biſhop Gardiner having been a Priſoner in the Tower almoſt two years, the Lord Treaſurer, the Earl of Warwick, and ſome others are ſent with certain Articles Signed by the King and Lords of the Council unto him. According to the tenour hereof; he is not only to teſtifie his conſent to the eſtabliſhing the Holy-dayes and Faſting-days by the King's Authority, the allowance of the publick Liturgy, and the abrogating of the Statute for the ſix Articles, but to ſubſcribe the confeſſion of his fault in his former obſtinacy, after ſuch form and manner as was there required. To which Articles he ſubſcribed, but refuſed to put his hand to the ſaid Confeſſion.

Then a Book of Articles is drawn up, containing all the alteration made by the King and his Father, as well by Act of Parliament as their own injunctions, of all which doings he is required to ſignifie his approbation, to make Confeſſion of his fault with an acknowledgment that he had deſerved the puniſhment which was laid upon upon him: but no ſuch ſubmiſſion and acknowledgment being made as was required, on Feb. 14. 1550. he was deprived, and ſo remitted to the Tower.

Notwithſtanding this ſeverity, yet ſome of the Biſhops were ſo ſtiff in their old opinions, that neither terrour nor perſwaſions could prevail upon them, either to approve of the King's proceedings, or otherwiſe to advance the King's commands. And ſome complyed ſo coldly with the King's commands, as that they were laid open to the ſpoil, though not to the loſs of their Biſhopricks: of which laſt ſort were Kitching Biſhop of Landaff, Salcot Biſhop of Salisbury, and Sampſon of Coventry and Lichfield, Heylin. Hiſt. Edw. vi.Heath of Worceſter, Voyſie of Exeter, Day of Chicheſter, and Tonſtal of Durham would not any way comply. Voiſy made ſuch havock of his Lands, before he was brought under a deprivation, that he left but ſeven or eight of the worſt mannours, and thoſe let out into long Leaſes and thoſe charged with penſions, and not above p. 173two houſes, both bare and naked. He was deprived a few moneths after Gardiner, but lived to be reſtored again (as Gardiner alſo was) in the time of Queen Mary. Day and Heath were both deprived, October 10. and were both reſtored in Queen Maries Reign. Tunſtal was caſt into the Tower, December 20. and was there kept until the diſſolution of his Biſhoprick by Act of Parliament.

To Gardiner, in the See of Wincheſter, ſucceeded Doctor John Poynet, Biſhop of Rocheſter. To Voiſy, in the See of Exeter, ſucceeded Doctor Miles Coverdale, one who had formerly aſſiſted Tyndal in tranſlating the Bible into Engliſh, and for the moſt part lived at Tubing, an Univerſity belonging to the Duke of Saxony, where he received the degree of Doctor. Scory being Conſecrated Biſhop of Rochester, in the place of Poynet, on the thirtieth of Auguſt, in the next year following, ſucceeded Day of Chichester. Of which Biſhoprick he was deprived in the time of Queen Mary, and afterwards preferred by Queen Elizabeth to the See of Hereford, in which place he died. The Biſhoprick of Worceſter was given in Commendam to Biſhop Hooper.

The Princeſs Mary, having been bred up in the Romiſh Religion, would not change her mind. And although the King and the Lords of his Council, wrote many Letters to her, to take off thoſe affections which ſhe bear to the Church of Rome, yet ſhe keeps up her Maſs, with all the Rites and Ceremonies belonging to it, and ſuffers divers perſons (beſides her own domeſtick Servants) to be preſent at it. By the Emperor's mediation, her Chaplains were permitted to celebrate the Maſs, but with this Reſtriction, that they ſhould do it in her preſence only. For the tranſgreſſion of which bounds, Mallet and Barkley, her two Chaplains were impriſoned.

Then a Plot is laid to convey the Princeſs Mary out of the Realm by ſtealth; but the King being ſecretly advertiſed of the deſign, puts a ſtop thereunto. She is brought to the King, and appointed to remain with him, but none of her Chaplains permitted to have any acceſs unto her.

And notwithſtanding the mediation of the Emperor in her behalf, and his threatening War, in caſe ſhe were not permitted the free exerciſe of her Religion, and although the Lords of the Council generally ſeemed very inclinable thereunto, yet the King would not be perſwaded thereunto. And when the Archbiſhop of Canterbury, and the Biſhop of London, ſent by the Lords to the King, uſed divers Arguments to perſwade him, he declared a Reſolution rather to venture life, and all things elſe that were dear unto him, than to give way to any thing, which he knew to be againſt the Truth. Then the King burſt forth into a flood of tears, and the Biſhops, on ſight thereof, wept as faſt as He.

The Biſhops thereupon withdrew, admiring at ſuch great Abilities in ſo young a King, and bleſſed God for giving them a Prince of ſuch eminent piety.

p. 174Then the reviewing the Liturgy, and the compoſing of a Book of Articles, were brought under conſideration: This laſt for the avoiding diverſities of Opinions, and for the eſtabliſhing conſent touching true Religion, the other for removing ſuch offences as had been taken by Calvin, and his followers, at ſome parts thereof. The Liturgy, ſo reviewed, was ratified by Act of Parliament in the year following. By the learned Writings of Eraſmus and Melancthon, together with the Auguſtan Confeſſion (a Book of Articles being thought neceſſary to be compoſed) the Compoſers of thoſe Articles were much directed, uſing them as ſubſervient Helps to promote the ſervice.

Now followed the fatal Tragedy of the Duke of Sommerſet, and we muſt recoyl a little to fetch forward the cauſe thereof. Thomas Seymour, Baron of Sudely, and Lord Admiral, the Protector's younger Brother, had married the Lady Katherine Par, the Relict of King Henry the Eighth. A conteſt aroſe between their Wives about place. The Women's diſcords derived themſelves into their Husbands hearts: whereupon, not long after, followed the death of the Lord Thomas Seymour, arraigned for deſigning to tranſlate the Crown to himſelf.

Soon after the Lords of the Council accuſe the Protector of many high offences; his greateſt Enemy and Accuſer was John Dudley, Earl of Warwick. Hereupon he was impriſoned at Windſor, yet he was acquitted, though outed his Protectorſhip, reſtored, and continued Privy Counſellor. But after two years and two months his Enemies aſſault him afreſh. He was indicted of Treaſon and Felony: he was condemned for Felony, by a new made Statute, for plotting the death of a Privy Counſellor, namely, the Earl of Warwick. Here a ſtrange overſight was committed, that he craved not the benefit of the Clergy, which could not legally be denied him. Not long after he was beheaded on Tower-hill, with no leſs praiſe for his piety and patience, than pity and grief of the beholders.

In the beginning of the year 1551. happened a terrible Earthquake at Croydon, and ſome other Villages thereabouts, in the County of Surrey. Afterwards ſix Dolphins were taken up in the Thames, three at Queenborough, and three near Greenwich, the leaſt as big as any Horſe. Their coming up ſo far, beheld by Stateſ-men, as a preſage of thoſe ſtorms and Tempeſts, which afterwards befel this Nation in the death of King Edward, and the tempeſtuous Reign of Queen Mary. But the ſaddeſt preſage of all was, the breaking out of a Diſeaſe, called the Sweating-ſickneſs, appearing firſt at Shrewsbury, on April 15. and afterwards ſpreading by degrees over the Kingdom; wherewith, if any man were attacqued, he died, or eſcaped, within nine or ten hours: if he ſlept (as moſt perſons deſired to do) he died within ſix hours: if he took cold, he died within three hours.

p. 175Sir Michael Stanhop, Sir Thomas Arundel, Sir Ralph Vane, and Sir Miles Partridge, were arraigned, and condemned to dye. The two firſt were beheaded, and the two laſt hanged, at what time they ſolemnly proteſted, (taking God to witneſs) that they never practiſed Treaſon againſt the King, &c. Vane adding, after all the reſt, that his Blood would make the pillow of the Earl of Warwick (lately made Duke of Northumberland) uneaſie to him.

Then fifty ſix Articles are drawn up againſt Robert Farrars, Biſhop of St. Davids, and a Commiſſion iſſued March 9. to enquire into the merit of thoſe Articles charged againſt him: on the return whereof he is indicted of a Praemunire at the Aſſizes at Carmarthen, committed thereupon to priſon, where he remained all the reſt of King Edward's time; never reſtored to liberty till he came to the Stake in Queen Maries Reign.

On the twenty ninth of January, 1552. The Biſhoprick of Weſtminſter was diſſolved by the King's Letters Patents, by which the County of Middleſex, which had before been laid unto it, was reſtored unto the See of London.

The Book of Articles made in the Synod at London, may be truly ſaid to be the work of that Convocation, though many Members of it never ſaw the ſame till the Book was publiſhed: in regard (as Mr. Philpot ſaith) that they had a Synodical Authority, to make ſuch ſpiritual Laws, Fox Acts and Monuments. fol. 1282.as to them ſeemed to be neceſſary or convenient, for the uſe of the Church. Moreover the Church of England, for the firſt five years of Queen Elizabeth, retained theſe Articles and no other, as the publick Tenents of the Church in point of Doctrine; which ſhe had not done, had they been commended to her by a leſs Authority than a Convocation. Theſe Articles were confirmed and publiſhed for ſuch, by the King's Authority,Regiâ authoritate in lucem editi. as appears further by the Title in due form of Law. And ſo it is reſolved by Philpot, in behalf of the Catechiſm which came out, Anno 1553. with the approbation of the ſaid Biſhops and learned Men.

The Liturgy being ſetled and confirmed in Parliament, was by the King's command tranſlated into French, for the uſe of the Iſles of Guernſey and Jerſey, and ſuch as lived within the Marches and command of Calais. But no ſuch care was taken for Wales, till the fifth year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, nor of the Realm of Ireland from that time to this, as Doctor Heylin obſerveth.

Then that which concerns as well the nature, as the number of ſuch Feaſts and Faſts, as were thought fit to be retained, were determined and concluded on by an Act of Parliament. Which Statute (though repealed in the firſt of Queen Mary, and not revived till the firſt year of the Reign of King James, yet) in effect it ſtood in force, and was more punctually obſerved in the time of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, than after the reviving of it.

p. 176The next care was, that Conſecrated places ſhould not be profaned by fighting and quarrelling, as they had been lately ſince the Epiſcopal Juriſdiction, and the ancient Cenſures of the Church were leſſened in Authority and reputation.

This Parliament ending on April 15. the Book of Common-prayer was printed and publiſhed, which had been therein authorized. And the time being come which was ſet for the officiating it, there appeared much alteration in the outward ſolemnities of Divine ſervice, to which the people had formerly been ſo long accuſtomed. For by the Rubrick of that Book, no Copes, or other Veſtures were required, but the Surplice only, whereby the Biſhops muſt forbear their Croſſes, and the Prebends of St. Paul's leave off their Hoods. To give a beginning hereunto, Biſhop Ridley, then Biſhop of London, did the ſame day officiate the Divine ſervice of the Morning in his Rochet only, without Cope or Veſtment: he preached alſo at St. Paul's in the afternoon, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Companies in their beſt Liveries in their Companies being preſent at it, the Sermon tending (for the moſt part) to the ſetting forth the ſaid Book of Common-prayer, and to acquaint them with the Reaſons of ſuch alterations as were made therein. On the ſame day the new Liturgy was executed alſo in all the Churches of London. Not long after, the upper Quire in St. Paul's Church, where the high Altar ſtood was broken down, and all the Quire thereabout, and the Communion-table was placed in the lower part of the Quire, where the Miniſter ſang the daily Service.

Then publick care was had for the founding and eſtabliſhing of the new Hoſpital in the late diſſolved Houſe of Gray-Friers near Newgate in London, and that of St. Thomas in the Borough of Southwark: of which ye are to know, that the Church belonging to the ſaid Houſe, together with the Cloyſters, and almoſt all the publick building which ſtood within the liberties and precincts thereof, had the good hap to eſcape that ruine, which generally befell all other Houſes of that nature. And ſtanding undemoliſhed till the laſt times of King Henry, it was given by him, not many dayes before his death, to the City of London, together with the late diſſolved Priory, called Little St. Bartholomews. In which Donation there was reference had to a double end: The one for the relieving the poor out of the Rents of ſuch Meſſuages and Tenements, as in the Grants thereof are contained and ſpecified. The other for conſtituting a Pariſh-church in the Church of the ſaid diſſolved Grey-friers, not only for the uſe of ſuch as lived within the precincts of the ſaid two Houſes, but for the Inhabitants of the Pariſh of St. Nicholas in the Shambles, and of St. Edwin's, ſituate in Warwick-lane, near Newgate-market. Which Churches, with all the Rents and profits belonging to them, were given to the City at the ſame time alſo, and for advancing the ſame ends, together with five hundred Marks per annum for ever: The Church of p. 177the Gray-friers to be from thence-forth called Christ-church, founded by King Henry the Eight. All which was ſignified to the City, in a Sermon Preached at Paul's Croſs, by the Biſhop of Rocheſter, on January 13. being but a fortnight before his death: Maſs was ſaid in this Church by the Pariſhoners that reſorted to it according to the King's donation. After which (in the firſt year of King Edward) followed the taking down of the ſaid two Churches, and building ſeveral Tenements on the ground of the Churches and Church-yards, the Rents thereof to be employed about the further maintenance and relief of the Poor, Living and Loytering, in and about the City.

But theſe things being not ſufficient to carry on the work to the end deſired, it hapned that Biſhop Rialey, Preaching before King Edward, inſiſted much upon ſome conſtant courſe for relief of the poor: which Sermon wrought ſo far upon him, that having ſent for the Biſhop, he gave him great thanks for his good Exhortation, whoſe advice was, that Letters ſhould be written to the Lord Mayor and Alderman. By whom it was agreed, that ageneral contribution ſhould be made by all rich and well-affected Citizens, toward the advancement of a work ſo neceſſary for the publick good. Every man ſubſcribed according to his ability, and Books were drawn in every ward of the City, containing the ſum of that Relief which they had contributed: Which being delivered to Sir Richard Dobbs, Lord Mayor of London, were by him tendred to the King's Commiſſioners, February 17. The buildings in the Gray-friers were forthwith repaired: The like reparation was alſo made of the ruinous buildings belonging to the late diſſolved Priory of St. Thomas in Southwark, which the Citizens had then newly bought of the King, to ſerve for an Hoſpital for ſuch Sick, Wounded, and Impotent perſons, as were not fit to be intermingled with the ſound: on November 23. the Sick and Maimed people were taken into the Hoſpital of St. Thomas; and into Chriſt-church Hoſpital, to the number of four hundred Children; all of them to have Meat, Drink, Lodging and Clothes, at the charge of the City; till other means could be provided for their maintenance.

On April 10. this King gave for ever to the City his Palace of Bridewel (erected by King Henry the Eighth) to be employed for ſuch Vagabonds and thriftleſs poor, as ſhould be ſent thither to receive chaſtiſement, and be forced to labour. He cauſed the Maſter and Brethren of the Hoſpital in the Savoy, founded by King Henry the Seventh, to reſign the ſame into his hands, with all the Lands and Goods thereunto belonging: out of which he preſently beſtowed the yearly rent of ſeven hundred Marks, with all the Beds, Bedding, and other Furniture found therein toward the maintenance of the ſaid Work-houſe, and the Hoſpital of St. Thomas in Southwark; The Grant whereof he confirmed by his Letters Patents, adding thereunto a Mortmain for enabling the City to p. 178purchaſe Lands to the value of four thouſand Marks per annum, for the better maintenance of thoſe and the other Hoſpitals. Thus he was entitled to the Foundation of Bridewel, St. Bartholomews, and St. Thomas, without any charge to himſelf.

Nothing elſe memorable about this time, but the coming of Cardan, the death of Leland, and the preferment of Doctor John Tailor to the See of Lincoln.

Then for raiſing Money, a Commiſſion was ſpeeded into all parts of the Kingdom, under pretence of ſelling ſuch of the Lands and Goods of Chanteries as remained unſould, but in plain truth (ſaith Dr. Heylin) to ſeize upon all Hangings, Altar-clothes, Fronts, Parafronts, Copes of all ſorrs, with all manner of Plate, which was to be found in any Cathedral or Parochial Church. Certain Inſtructions were likewiſe given to the Commiſſioners, by which they were to regulate themſelves in their proceedings. This was done generally in all parts of the Realm, into which the Commiſſioners began their Circuits in the monethmonth of April; which general ſeizure being made, they were to leave one Chalice, with certain Table-clothes for the uſe of the Communion-table, as the ſaid Commiſſioners ſhould think fit; the Jewels, Plate, and ready Money, to be delivered to the Maſter of the King's Jewels, in the Tower of London; the Copes of cloth of Gold, and Tiſſue to be brought into the King's Wardrobe; the reſt to be turned into ready Money, and that Money to be paid to Sir William Peckham the King's Cofferer, for the defraying the charges of his Majeſties houſhold.

But ſome there were, who were as much before hand with the Kings Commiſſioners in embezeling the Plate, Jewels, and other Furnitures, as the Commiſſioners did intend to be with the King, in keeping all or moſt part to themſelves.

The King grew Sick, and weak in B…y, in which Eſtate Duke Dudley ſo prevailed upon him, that he conſented to a tranſpoſition of the Crown, from his natural Siſters, to the Children of the Dutcheſs of Suffolk.

His dying Prayer, as is was taken from his mouth, was in theſe words following.

Lord God, deliver me out of the miſeries of this wretched and ſinful life, and take me among thy choſen. Howbeit, not my will, but thy will be done, Lord, I commit my Spirit to Thee. O Lord, thou knoweſt, how happy it were for me to be with Thee; yet for thy choſens ſake ſend me life and health, that I may truly ſerve Thee. O my Lord God, bleſs thy people, and ſave thine inheritance. O Lord God, ſave thy choſen people of England. O my Lo…d God, defend this Realm from Papiſtry, and maintain thy true Religion, that I p. 179and my people may truly praiſe thy Name for Jeſus Christ his ſake.

Thus endeth the Reign of that good King Edward the Sixth, ſufficiently remarkable for the progreſs of Reformation, but ſo diſtracted unto Sides and Factions, that in the end the King himſelf became a prey to the ſtrongeſt party, which (ſaith Dr. Heylin) could not otherwiſe be ſafe but in his deſtruction, contrived on purpoſe (as it was generally ſuppoſed) to ſmooth the way to the advancement of the Lady Jane Gray (newly married to Guilford Dudley, fourth Son to Duke Dudley) to the Royal Throne.

King Edward being dead, the Princeſs Mary hearing of her Brothers death, and knowing her own right, writeth to the Lords of the Council, …nd challengeth them for their doing, making her claim to the Crown. To whom the Council writeth again, as to a Subject, requiring her to reſt ſo contented: The Lady Jane was on the ſame day that theſe Letters were diſpatched, brought by Water to the Tower, attended by a Noble Train of both Sexes, from Durham-houſe in the Strand, where ſhe had been entertained, as part of Dudley's Family, ever ſince her Marriage: When ſhe came into the preſence of the two Dukes, her Father and Father in Law, it was ſignified to Her by the Duke of Northumberland, that the King was dead, and that he had declared her for his next Succeſſor in the Crown. After a pithy ſpeech, the poor Lady found her ſelf in a great perplexity. But being wearied at laſt with their importunities, and overcome by the entreaties of her Husband whom ſhe dearly loved, ſhe ſubmitted unto that neceſſity which ſhe could not vanquiſh.

Hereupon the two Dukes, with all the reſt of the Lords of the Council, ſwore Allegiance to he…. And on the ſame day about five a Clock in the afternoon, they ſolemnly cauſed her to be Proclaimed Queen of England, France and Ireland, &c. in many of the principal Streets of London; and after by degrees, in moſt of the chief Cities, Towns, and places of greateſt concourſe. In which Proclamation it was ſignified, That by the Letters Patents of the late King Edward, the Lady Jane Gray, eldeſt Daughter to the Dutcheſs of Suffolk, had been declared, to be his true and lawful Succeſſor to the Crown of England, the ſame to be enjoyed after her deceaſe by the heirs of her Body, &c. Which Proclamation, though it was publiſhed in the City with all due ſolemnities, and that the concourſe of the people was great, yet their acclamations were few.

The next day the Lords were advertiſed, that many perſons of quality were drawn together at Kenning-hall Caſtle in Norfolk, to offer their ſervice and aſſiſtance to the Princeſs Mary; as the Earl of Bath, Sir Thomas p. 180Wharton, Son of the Lord Wharton, Sir John Mordant, Son of the Lord Mordant, Sir William Drury, Sir John Shelton, Sir Henry Beddingfield, Sir Henry Jerningham, Sir John Sulierd, Mr. Richard Higham of Lincolns-Inne. It was advertiſed alſo, that the Earl of Suſſex, and his Son, were coming towards her with their Forces. Therefore they perſwade Duke Dudley to take the conduct of ſome Forces, that might ſcatter thoſe ſmall companies before they grew unto an Head. Swelled with vain-glory, he ſuffered himſelf to be entreated to an action of ſuch fame and merit as that which they preſented to him. So the Duke with the Marqueſs of Northampton, the Lord Gray, and divers others of note, on July 14. 1553. ſet forward with eighth thouſand Foot, and two thouſand Horſe. The Duke's March was ſlow. In the mean time, Edward Haſtings, the Earl of Huntingdon's Brother, having an Army of four thouſand Foot, committed to him by the Duke of Northumberland, left his party, and went to the Lady Mary. And ſix great …hips which lay before Yarmouth to intercept her, if ſhe ſhould attempt to fly, now at the perſwaſion of Mr Jerningham, came to her aid. Upon news hereof, the Lords themſelves aſſembled at Baynards Caſtle: firſt the Earl of Arundel, then the Earl of Pembrook, fell to Invectives againſt Northumberland, and then all the Lords conſenting with them, they called for the Lord Mayor, and in London Proclaimed the Lady Mary Queen. She was alſo Proclaimed by divers other Lords and Knights in divers other Counties; which the Duke (being then at Bury) hearing of, he returneth to Cambridge, and there himſelf Proclaimeth the Lady Mary Queen: but the next morning he was arreſted by Henry Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel, by Order from Queen Mary.

Together with the Duke, his three Sons, John, Ambroſe, and Henry, the Earl of Huntingdon, Sir Andrew Dudley, the two Gates, Sir Thomas Palmer, and Doctor Sands, were committed to the Tower: and the next day the Marqueſs of Northampton, the Lord Robert Dudley, and Sir Robert Corbet. Before which time, the Duke of Suffolk, entring his Daughter the Lady Janes Chamber, told her, ſhe muſt now put off her Royal robes, which ſhe willingly did.

Doctor Nicholas Ridley, Biſhop of London, was alſo ſent to the Tower, on July 27. Sir Roger Cholmley, Chief Juſtice of the King's Bench; and Sir Edward Mountague, Chief Juſtice of the Common Pleas; the Duke of Suffolk, were ſent alſo to the Tower; Sir John Cheek, on the morrow after, bringing up the Reer: But the Duke of Suffolk (Father to the Lady Jane) was releaſed within three days after.

The Duke of Northumberland, together with John Earl of Warwick, his eldeſt Son, and William, Marqueſs of Northampton, were brought to their Trial, on Auguſt 8. before Thomas Duke of Norfolk, then ſitting as Lord High Steward in Weſtminſter Hall: they all confeſſed the p. 181Indictment, and received Judgment in the uſual form. The like Judgement paſſed on the morrow after, on Sir John Gates, Sir Henry Gates, Sir Andrew Dudley, and Sir Thomas Palmer. The Duke was on Auguſt 22. beheaded, and profeſſed himſelf a Papiſt at his death, whoſe Recantation the Papiſts publiſhed abroad with great rejoycing, with him died alſo Sir John Gates, and Sir Thomas Palmer: which Palmer confeſſed the Faith he learned in the Goſpel, and lamented that he had not lived more as became the Goſpel.

The Queen had diſſolved her Camp at Farmingham, conſiſting of fourteen thouſand men, and prepared for her journey toward London. Being met on the way by the Princeſs Elizabeth, her Siſter, attended with a thouſand Horſe, ſhe entred London on the third of Auguſt. Taking poſſeſſion of the Tower, ſhe was firſt welcommed thither by Thomas, the old Duke of Norfolk, Anne Dutcheſs of Sommerſet, Edward Lord Courtney, eldeſt Son to the late Marqueſs of Exceter, and Dr. Stephen Gardiner, Biſhop of Wincheſter, all which ſhe lifted from the ground, called them her Priſoners, gratiouſly kiſſing them, and reſtoring them ſhortly after to their former liberty. Taking the Great Seal from Dr. Goodrick, Biſhop of Ely, within two days after ſhe gave it for the preſent to Sir Nicholas Hare, whom ſhe made Maſter of the Rolls, and afterwards committed it together with the Title of Lord Chancellor to the ſaid Biſhop of Wincheſter, then actually reſtored to that See.

Having performed the obſequies of her Brother, on the ninth and tenth, ſhe removes her Court to Whitehal; on September ſhe paſſeth thence to the Tower by Water, attended by her Siſter, and a great Train of Noble Ladies, and made her return through the principal Streets of the ſame City, on the laſt of the ſame monethmonth, in a moſt ſtately manner: and the next day proceeded in like pomp to the Abbey-Church at Weſtminſter, where ſhe was met by the Silver Croſſes,Dr. P. Heylins Hiſtory of Queen Mary. and eighty Singing-men, all in rich Coaps (ſo ſudden a recruit was made of theſe ſacred Veſtments) among whom went the new Dean of Weſtminſter, Dr. Weſton, and diverſe Chaplains of her own, each of them bearing in their hand ſome enſign or other. After them marched ten Biſhops (which were all as remained of her perſwaſion) with their Miters, rich Coaps, and Croſier-ſtaves. The Sermon was preached by Doctor Day, whom ſhe had reſtored to the See of Chicheſter. The ſolemnity of the Coronation was performed by the Biſhop of Wincheſter, the new Lord Chancellor. Cranmer, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, being then committed to the Tower. Till this time none was more dear to her than her Siſter, the Lady Elizabeth, but after her Coronation ſhe eſtranged her ſelf from her.

She preferred Henry Ratcliff, Earl of Suſſex, to the ſociety of the Garter, which honour ſhe conferred on his Son Thomas after his deceaſe, p. 182and to be covered in her preſence at all times and places, according to the cuſtom of the Grandees in the Realm of Spain. She alſo advanced the Earl of Arundel, to the Office of Lord Steward. She made Sir Edward Haſtings Maſter of the Horſe, and Knight of the Carter, and afterwards Lord Chamberlain of the Houſhold, and Lord Haſtings of Loughborough. She honoured Sir John Williams, with the Title of Lord Williams of Thame. She preferred Sir Henry Jerningham, to be Captain of her Guard: and afterwards Sir Thomas Treſham was created Lord Prior of the Order of St. John of Jeruſalem. She preferred her old Servants, Hopton, her old Chaplain, to the See of Norwich, Rocheſter, to be Comptroller of her Houſhold, Inglefield to be Maſter of the Wards, and Walgrave to be Maſter of the Wardrobe.

Sir John Gage (a zealous Papiſt) was made Lord Chamberlain of her Houſhold, when ſhe came firſt to the Tower. Biſhop Bonner was diſcharged of the Marſhalſey, and Biſhop Tunſtal from the King's Bench, within two days after. Bonner is reſtored to his See of London, and Tunſtal to Durham, and an Act of Parliament procured for the reſtoring of the Church of Durham to all its Lands, and Juriſdictions, of which it ſtood diveſted by the late Act of Diſſolution, made in the laſt year of the deceaſed King.

Coverdale was diſplaced from the See of Exeter, Scory from that of Chicheſter, and Hooper from the Commendatory of the See of Worceſter: to which Sees Voiſy, Day, and Heath, were again reſtored. The like courſe alſo followed for the depriving of all Deans, Dignitaries, and Parochial Miniſters, who had ſucceeded into any of thoſe preferments, during the Reign of the two laſt Kings.

Doctor Cox was on August 5. brought to the Marſhalſey, and ſpoiled of his Deaneries of Chriſt-church and Weſtminſter, to make room for Doctor Richard Marſhal in the one, and Doctor Hugh Weſton in the other.

Peter Martyr coming from Oxford to London, where for a time he was commanded to keep his Houſe, but was ſoon after ſuffered to return into his own Countrey.

A Letter was ſent at the ſame time to the Mayor of Coventry, to ſet at liberty Hugh Simons, if he would recant his Sermon, or elſe to ſtay him.

A little before Mr. Bradford, Mr. Vernon, and Mr. Beacon, Preachers were committed to the Tower: A Letter was ſent to the Sheriffs of Buckingham and Bedford, for the apprehending Mr. Fiſher, Parſon of Amerſham: Another Letter was ſent to the Biſhop of Norwich, not to ſuffer any to Preach or Expound openly the Scriptures, without ſpecial Licenſe from the Queen. Mr. John Rogers, Preacher, was confined to his own houſe.

p. 183Hooper and Coverdale being cited to appear before the Lords of the Council, did appear. Hooper was committed to the Fleet, and Coverdale commanded to attend the pleaſure of the Lords.

Fiſher of Amerſham, and Hugh Sanders, Vicar of St. Michaels in Coventry, appeared alſo before the Council.

Hugh Latimer appeared alſo, and was committed to the Tower.

Doctor Bourn, Archdeacon of London, Preaching at Pauls Croſs, in favour of Biſhop Bonner (there preſent at the Sermon) inveighed againſt ſome proceedings in the time of the late King Edward,: which ſo incenſed the people, that a great tumult aroſe upon it, ſome pelting with Stones, others crying aloud, Pull him down; and one (who could never be known) flinging a Dagger at his Head, which after was found ſticking in a poſt of the Pulpit. The Preacher with difficulty was ſecured in a School adjoyning: By reaſon of which tumult the Lords of the Council with the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, took order, that every Houſholder ſhould cauſe their Children and Apprentices to keep their own Pariſh-churches upon Holidays: order was taken for preventing the like Tumult on the Sunday following. A Sermon was Preached at the Croſs by Doctor Watſon, who (afterwards was Biſhop of Lincoln) for whoſe ſecurity many Lords of the Council were there preſent, and Jerningham, Captain of the Guard with two hundred of his Yeomen, ſtanding round about the Pulpit with their Halberts.

Then care was taken, that nothing ſhould be Preached in private Churches, contrary to the Doctrine which was, and ſhould be Taught at the Croſs, by them which were appointed to it. It was further ordered, that every Alderman in his Ward ſhould ſend for the Curates of every Church within their Liberties, and warn them not onelyonly to forbear Preaching themſelves, but alſo not to ſuffer any other to Preach, or make any open reading of Scripture in their Churches, unleſs the ſaid Preachers were ſeverally Licenſed by the Queen.

For eight weeks after the Proclaiming of Mary Queen, Proteſtantiſm and Popery were together ſet on foot, the former hoping to be continued, the latter labouring to be reſtored. Seeing by the fidelity of the Norfolk and Suffolk Proteſtant Gentry, the Queen was much advantaged for the ſpeedy recovering of her Right, they conceived, that as ſhe by them had regained the Crown, ſo they under her ſhould enjoy their Conſciences. The Papiſts put their Ceremonies in execution, preſuming on the Queens private practice, and publick countenance.

The Queen on Auguſt 18. puts forth a Proclamation, declaring her ſelf for the Popiſh Religion, which ſhe reſolves to obſerve for her ſelf, wiſhing her Subjects to follow her example, yet that ſhe mindeth not to compel any thereunto, until ſuch time as further order by common Aſſent may be taken therein: forbidding all her Subjects to move Seditions p. 184at their perils; and the Printing of any Book, Rhyme, Enterlude, or Treatiſe, without her ſpecial Licenſe for the ſame: and likewiſe to Preach, or by way of reading in Churches, or other publick or private places (except in Schools of the Univerſities) to Interpret or Teach any Scripture, or any points of Doctrine concerning Religion.

Hereupon many of the people in divers places, received their old Religion, erected again their Altars, and uſed the Maſs, and Latin Service, as was wont to be in King Henrie's time.

In Cambridge the Vice-chancellor chalenged one Peirſon, on Octob. 3. for officiating the Communion, in his own Pariſh Church, in the Engliſh Tongue: and on the 26. diſplaced Doctor Madew, Maſter of Clarehall, for being Married. In like manner, ſome of the Popiſh party in King's Colledge, on the 28th of the ſame monethmonth, officiated the Divine Service in the Latin Tongue.

At Oxford, John Jewel was choſen to pen the firſt gratulatory Letter to the Queen, in the name of the Univerſity, an Office impoſed on him by his Enemies. Doctor Treſham, a Van-currier, before authority, repaired the great Bell in Christ-church and named it Mary.

Harley, Biſhop of Hereford, and Taylor of Lincoln (two of the laſt of King Edward's Biſhops) were preſent at the opening of the Parliament, Octob. 10. But no ſooner was the Maſs begun (though not then reſtored by any Law) than they left the Church. For which the Biſhop of Lincoln, being firſt examined, and making profeſſion of his Faith, prevented the malice of his enemies by a timely Death. And Harley (upon information of his Marriage) was preſently excluded from the Parliament-houſe, and not long after from his Biſhoprick alſo.

Hereupon Biſhop Barlow of Wells, and Scory of Chicheſter, paſſed beyond the Seas, followed not long after by Biſhop Poinet of Wincheſter.

On November 3. Archbiſhop Cranmer was arraigned at the Guildhall in London, with the Lord Guilford Dudley, the late Queen Jane, his Wife, and others, all of them being attainted and condemned of Treaſon.

After Peter Martyr had quit the Realm, his Wive's Body having been buried in the Church of St. Frideſwid, was afterward by publick order taken out of the Grave, and buried in a common dunghill.

John a Laſco, was forced to diſſolve his Congregation, and He with his Strangers to quit the Countrey: The like haſt made the French Proteſtants alſo. At which time many of the Engliſh (as well Students as others) departed alſo. The principal of thoſe were Katherine, p. 185the laſt Wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, Robert Berty Eſq Husband to the Dutcheſs, the Biſhops of Wincheſter and Wells (as before was ſaid) Sir Richard Moriſon, Sir Anthany Cook, and Sir John Cheek, Doctor Cox, Doctor Sands, and Doctor Grindal.

The News of Queen Maries ſucceeding her Brother to the Crown of England, poſted to Rome, and was very welcome to Pope Julius the Third, becauſe it gave him ſome aſſurance of his re-admiſſion into the Power and Juriſdiction of his Predeceſſors in the Realm of England; in purſuance of which hopes, it was reſolved, that Cardinal Pool ſhould be ſent Legate into England, who being of the Blood-royl, and a man of eminent Learning and of exemplary life, was looked on as the fitteſt Inſtrument to reduce that Kingdom.

The Parliaments firſt Act was to take away all Statutes paſſed by the two laſt Kings, wherein certain Offences had been made High Treaſon, and others brought within the compaſs of a Pramunire. This was done eſpecially for Pool's ſecurity; that neither He by exerciſing his authority, nor the Clergy by ſubmitting to it, might be entangled in the like ſnares, as Cardinal Wolſey, and the whole Clergy of his time had before been caught.

Then an Act was paſſed for repealing certain Statutes of King Edward: thereby they took away all former Statutes for adminiſtring the Sacraments in both kinds, for eſtabliſhing the firſt and ſecond Liturgy, &c. In a word! by this one blow the Queen cut down all that had been done in the Reformation in ſeven years before. And then for want of Canonical Ordination on the one ſide, and under colour of Uncanonical Marriages on the other, there was preſently ſuch a remove among the Biſhops and Clergy, as it is not any where to be paralelled in ſo ſhort a time.

An Act was paſſed likewiſe, Entitled, An Act against offenders of Preachers, &c which two Acts were ſeconded by the Queen, with two Proclamations, December 5. By one of which it was declared, that all Statutes made in the time of the late King Edward, which concerned Religion, were repealed by Parliament: and therefore that the Maſs ſhould be ſaid as formerly, to begin on the twentieth of that monethmonth. And by the other it was commanded, that no perſon ſhould dare from thenceforth to diſturb any Prieſts in ſaying Maſs, or executing any other Divine Office. Accordingly the Maſs was publickly officiated in all parts of the Kingdom, and ſo continued during the Reign of the Queen without interruption.

Another Act was paſſed, wherein it was Enacted, That the Marriage between King Henry the Eighth, and Queen Katherine, his first Wife, was lawful, and to ſtand with God's Laws and his Holy Word, &c. That the Decree of Divorce heretofore paſſed between the ſaid King Henry, and the ſaid Queen, by Thomas Cranmer, Archbiſhop of Canterbury, p. 186ſhould be reputed to be void and null, with a Repeal of all ſuch Statutes, wherein the Queen had been declared to be Illegitimate.

There alſo paſt another Act, in which there was a clauſe for the invalidating of all ſuch Commiſſions as had been granted in the time of the late Queen Jane, and one in confirming the Attainders of the late Duke of Northumberland, Thomas Archbiſhop of Canterbury, &c.

Together with this Parliament the Queen ſummoned a Convocation, that all matters of Religion might firſt be debated and concluded in a Synodical way, before they were offered to the Parliament. In the Writs of which Summons,Heylin. Hiſt. of Q. Mary. ſhe retained the Title of Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of England, &c. the want whereof in thoſe of the preſent Parliament occaſioned diſpute among ſome of the Members; Whether they might lawfully proceed, or not, in ſuch publick buſineſs as were to be propounded to them in that Seſſion. The Preſidentſhip of the Convocetion was transferred upon Biſhop Bonner, priviledged in reſpect of his See to preſide in all ſuch Provincial Synods, which were either held during the vacancy of the See of Canterbury, or in the neceſſary abſence of the Metropolitan.

The lower Houſe of the Clergy alſo was fitted with a Prolocutor of the ſame affections, Doctor Hugh Weſton, Dean of Weſtminſter, in the place of Doctor Cox. So partially had the elections been returned from the ſeveral Dioceſſes, that we find none of King Edward's Clergy among the Clerks; and but ſix of the Deans and Dignitaries to have ſuffrage in the Convocation, viz. James Haddon, Dean of Exeter; Walter Philips, Dean of Rocheſter; John Philpot, Archdeacon of Wincheſter; John Elmer, Archdeacon of Stow, in the Dioceſs of Lincoln; Richard Cheiney, Archdeacon of Hereford; one more mentioned by Mr. Fox, without a name, joyned himſelf to the other five in the diſputation.

The Prolocutor would admit of no more, though deſired by Philpot, that ſome of the Divines which had the paſſing of the Book of Articles, in King Edward's time, might be aſſembled with them in the defence thereof.

The main point in debate, concernded the manner of Chriſt's preſence in the Sacrament: It was not denied by Philpot, and his Brethren, That Chriſt was preſent in the Sacrament rightly adminiſtred, according to his Inſtitution, but onelyonly that He was not preſent in the groſs and carnal manner, which They of the Popiſh party had before ſubſcribed unto. Six dys the diſputation laſted, but to little effect At length Weſton put an end to the diſpute, ſaying, It is not the Queen's pleaſure, that we ſhould ſpend any longer time in theſe debates, and yet are well enough already: For you (ſaith He) have the Word, and we have the Sword.

p. 187After the end of the Evenſong on St. Katherine's day, Bonner cauſed the Quire of St. Paul's to go about the Steeple, ſinging with lights after the old cuſtom. And on St. Andrew's day, next following, he began the Proceſſion in Latin himſelf, with many Parſons and Curates, and the whole Quire, together with the Lord Mayor and divers of the Aldermen, the Prebendaries of the Church, attired in their old gray Amiſes (as they uſed to call them) in which manner they continued it for three days after: on January 14. he reſtored the ſolemn Sunday's proceſſion about the Church, with the Mayor and Aldermen, the Preacher taking his Benediction in the midſt of the Church, according to the antient cuſtom; likewiſe he ſent out his Mandates to all Parſons and Curates within his Dioceſe; for taking the names of all ſuch as would not come the Lent following to Auricular Confeſſion, and receive at Eaſter: he likewiſe enjoyned the blotting out of all ſuch paintings, and ſentences of holy Scripture, as had been penſiled on the Church-walls in King Edward's days.

Mr. Jewel continued ſome weeks in Broad-gates Hall, whither his Scholars repaired unto him, whom he inſtructed in Learning and Religion: He had not long lived there,Fuller. Church Hiſtory of Q. Mary. but being perſwaded by the Popiſh Inquiſitors to ſubſcribe, he took a pen in his Hand, and ſmiling ſaid, Have you a mind to ſee how well I can write? and thereupon under-writ their Opinions.

The Papiſts truſted him not any whit the more for this his ſubſcription. His life being way-laid for, with great difficulty he eſcaped into Germany. But on a Sunday after his Forenoon-ſermon (by the advice of Dr. Edwin Sandys, afterwards Archbiſhop of York, Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Sampſon, his boſom Friends) in the Congregation of Franckfort, he bitterly bewailed his fall, and heartily requeſted pardon from God and his people, whom thereby he he had offended.

On November 20. the Mayor of Coventry ſent up to the Lords of the Council, one Baldwin Cleark, John Careleſs, Thomas Wilcocks, and Richard Eſtlin; Careleſs and Wilcocks were committed to the Gate-houſe, and Cleark and Eſtlin to the Marſhalſey.

In the monethmonth of December the Parliament broke up, in which there was a Communication of Marriage betwixt the Emperor's Son Philip, and the Queen. In th mean-while Cardinal Pool haſteneth toward England. The Emperor invites him to come into Germany by his way, and entertains him with great ſhew of Honour,Petri. Church Hiſt. Cent. 16. untill by his Ambaſſador he had finiſhed a Contract of Marriage between his Son Philip and Queen Mary.

This match was generally diſtaſted. To hinder it Sir Thomas Wyat, a Kentiſh Knight, took Armes with a great party aſſiſting him. But albeit he wanted neither, Wit, Wealth, Learning, yet all were ill-employed p. 188about him. Wyat demandeth the Perſon of the Queen, the Tower of London to be committed unto him, with power to diſplace evil Counſellors; his demands were refuſed with ſcorn. Queen Mary came to Guildhall, and there made a long Oration, which ſecured the affections of the Citizens unto her.

Wyat came up to London. He was taken at Temple-bar, carried thence be examined, and thence to the Tower to be committed. Some days after, he ſuffered penitently and patiently on the Scaffold, condemning his own Act.

Of his complices were hanged fifty perſons, and four hundred more led through the City with halters about their necks to Weſtminſter, where they were all pardoned in the Tilt-yard by the Queen.

Doctor Crome, for his Preaching without Licenſe on Chriſtmas day, was committed to the Fleet; Thomas Wotton Eſquire, was for matters of Religion committed alſo to the Fleet.

The Duke of Suffolk, Father to the Lady Jane, but lately pardoned of life in the midſt of the Kentiſh tumult, ſecretly departeth into Leiceſter and Warwick-ſhires, inſtigating the people to withſtand the Queen's Marriage agreed upon with Philip. Speeds Chron. in Q. Mary.The Duke was betrayed by one Ʋnderwood, his Servant, in Aſhley-park, with his Brother John Lord Gray, unto the Earl of Huntington, whence they were by him convayed priſoners to the Tower of London. This ſeemed to haſten the death of the Lady Jane and the Lord Guilford her Husband, who were both beheaded, February 12. 1554. he was beheaded on a Scaffold on Tower-hill, and ſhe upon the Green within the Tower. Two days before her death Mr. Fecknam was ſent unto her, by the Queen, to reduce her to the Popiſh Religion, whom ſhe conſtantly, and with great power of God's Spirit, reſiſted. Eleven days after, her death, her Father the Duke of Suffolk, was beheaded on Tower-hill.

And on April 23. his Brother, the Lord Thomas Gray ſuffered death in the ſame place.

Now for putting the Affairs of the Church into a poſture, Articles are ſent into every Dioceſe, and Letters writ unto their ſeveral and reſpective Biſhops on the third of March, to ſee them carefully put in execution: the ſubſtance whereof were,

1. That the Eccleſiaſtical Laws of King Henry the Eighth, ſhould be put in practice, being not directly againſt the Laws and Statutes of the Realm.

2. That no Biſhop do uſe the Clauſe (in any of their Eccleſiaſtical writings) Regia authoritate fulcitus.

3. That no Sacramentary be admitted to Benefice.

p. 1894. That all Biſhops do labour to ſuppreſs Hereſies, eſpecially in the Clergy.

5. That they ſhould ſuppreſs all unlawfull Books and writings.

6. The next Article was againſt Prieſts Marriages, and that ſuch as would depart from their Wives, ſhould be admitted to the ſame function.

7. That for want of Prieſts, one Prieſt ſhould ſerve two places.

8. That Proceſſions be uſed.

9. That Holy-days and Faſts be frequented.

10. That the Ceremonies be uſed, and Confirmation of Children be put in practice.

In the ſame monethmonth of March the Lord Courtney (whom the Queen at her firſt entry delivered out of the Tower) and the Lady Elizabeth alſo, the Queen's Siſter, were both (by the ſuggeſtion of Stephen Gardiner, Biſhop of Wincheſter) ſuſpected to have been of Wyat's Conſpiracy, and for the ſame were apprehended and ſent to the Tower, although Wyat at his death cleared them both, as unacquainted with the matter. Many trains were laid to enſnare the Lady Elizabeth; And being on a time asked, what ſhe thought of the ſwords of Chriſt, This is my Body; whether ſhe thought, it is the true Body of Chriſt? it is ſaid, that after ſome pauſing, ſhe thus Anſwered.

Christ was the Word that ſpake it,Sir Richard Bakers Chron.

He took the Bread, and brake it:

And what the Word did make it,

That I Believe, and take it.

One Elizabeth Crofts, about eighteen years old, was by practice put into a Wall (and therefore called, The Spirit in the Wall) who with a whiſtle made for that purpoſe, whiſtled out many Seditious words againſt the Queen, the Prince of Spain, the Maſs, Confeſſion, &c. for which ſhe did Penance, ſtanding upon a Scaffold at Pauls Croſs, all the Sermon-time, where ſhe made open Confeſſion of her fault.

Queen Mary altereth her ſtile, leaving out the latter part of her Title, which is, Supreme Head of the Church of England and Ireland, becauſe in this Parliament holden at Weſtminſter in April, the Supremacy being given away from the Crown of England to the Pope, thereupon this Parcel of the Title was alſo taken away.

Then followed a communication between Biſhop Ridley, and Secretary Bourn, Mr. Fecknam and others at the Lieutenants Table in the Tower, (deſcribed at large by Mr. Fox) touching the Sacrament. p. 190On April 10. Archbiſhop Cranmer, Biſhop Ridley, and Latimer were ſent down to Oxford by the Lord Williams of Thame, there to diſpute with the Divines of both Univerſities, about the preſence, ſubſtance, and ſacrifice of the Sacrament. Of Oxford, Dr. Weſton prolocutor, Dr. Treſham, Dr. Cole, Dr. Oglethorp, Doctor Pie, Doctor Harpsfield, Mr. Fecknam. Of Cambridge, Dr. Young Vice-Chancellor, Doctor Glyn, Dr. Seaton, Dr. Watſon, Dr. Sedgwick, Dr. Atkinſon. The Queſtions whereon they ſhould Diſpute, were theſe, 1. Whether the natural body of Chriſt be really in the Sacrament after the words of Conſecration be ſpoken by the Prieſt? 2. Whither any ſubſtance do remain after the words, ſaving the body and blood? 3. Whither the maſs be a ſacrifice propitiatory? The order and manner of the diſputation againſt theſe three worthy Martyrs, the diſordered uſage of the Univerſity men, the rude tumult of the multitude, the fierceneſs and interruption of the Doctors, the full pith and ground of all their Arguments the Cenſure of the Judges, the railing Language of the Prolocutor, with his blaſt of triumph in the latter end, is ſet forth fully by Mr. Fox

The diſputation being ended, on April 20. they were again brought upon the ſtage, and then demanded, whether they would perſiſt in their opinion, or elſe recant? And affirming that they would perſiſt, they were all Three adjudged Hereticks, and condemned to the fire, but their execution was reſpited to a longer time.

May 19. the Lady Elizabeth was brought out of the Tower, and committed to the cuſtody of the Lord of Thame, who gently entreated her: afterwards ſhe was had to Woodſtock, and there committed to the keeping of Sir Henry Bennefield, who dealt hardly with her.

Prince Philip arriveth at Southampton, July 20. 1554. and on the twenty third came to Wincheſter, where the Queen met him, and on the twenty fifth day the marriage between them there was openly Solemnized. At which time the Emperour's Ambaſſadour preſented to the King a donation of the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, which the Emperour, his Father had reſigned unto him. Which preſently was ſignified, and the Titles of the King and Queen Proclaimed by ſound of Trumpet in this following Style. Philip and Mary by the Grace of God, King and Queen of England, France, Naples, Jeruſalem, Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, Princes of Spain and Sicily, Archdukes of Auſtria, Dukes of Milan, Burgundy and Brabant, Counts of Auſpurg, Flanders, and Tirrol, &c. At the Proclaiming of which Style (which was performed in French, Latine and Engliſh) the King and Queen ſhewed themſelves hand in hand with two Swords born before them for the greater State, or in regard of their diſtinct capacity in the Publick Government. From Wincheſter they removed to Baſing, p. 191and ſo to Windſor, where Philip on Auguſt the fifth was Inſtalled Knight of the Garter: On the eleventh of the ſame MonethMonth they made a Magnificent Paſſage through the Principal Streets of the City of London. The King prevailed with the Queen for diſcharge of ſuch Priſoners as ſtood committed in the Tower, either for matter of Religion, or on the account of Wyat's Rebellion, or for engaging in the practice of the Duke of Northumberland: which was done accordingly, among which were the Arcbiſhop of York, ten Knights, and many other perſons of name and quality. He alſo procured the enlargement of the Lady Elizabeth, and of the Earl of Devonſhire, who travelled through France into Italy, and died at Padua, Anno 1556. the eleventh and laſt Earl of Devonſhire of that Noble Family of the Courtneys.

Marriage and Hereſie were the crimes of Holgate, Archbiſhop of York, for which being deprived during his impriſonment in the Tower, Dr. Nicholas Heath ſucceeded him in the See of York, and leaves the Biſhoprick of Worceſter to Doctor Richard Pates, who had been nominated by King Henry VIII. Anno 1534. and having ſpent the intervening twenty years in the Court of Rome, returned a true ſervant to the Pope. Goodrick of Ely died April. 10. leaving that Biſhoprick to Dr. Thomas Thurlby, Biſhop of Norwich. And Dr. John Hopton is made Biſhop of Norwich, Doctor Gilbert Bourn, Heylin's Hiſt. of Q. Mary.Archdeacon of London, is made Biſhop of Wells, Harley of Hereford is ſucceeded by Purefay of S. Aſaph; Old Buſh of Briſtol, and Bird of Cheſter (the two firſt Biſhops of thoſe Sees) were deprived alſo. The firſt ſucceeded to by Holiman, once a Monk of Reading: the laſt by Coles, Maſter of Baliol Colledge in Oxford. Dr. Randolph Bayn, who had been Hebrew Reader in Paris in the time of King Francis, was Conſecrated Biſhop of Coventry and Litchfield.

The Parliament began Novemb. 12. where a way was opened for Cardinal Poole's Reception by preparing a Bill, whereby he was to be diſcharged of the Attainder which had paſſed upon him, Anno 1539. reſtored in Blood, and rendred Capable of all thoſe Rights and Priviledges, of which he had ſtood poſſeſſed in this Kingdom. This Bill was quickly paſſed into an Act, and on Novemb. 24. the Cardinal came firſt to London. Then it was concluded, by both Houſes of Parliament, that a petition ſhould be made in the name of the Kingdom, wherein ſhould be declared, how ſorry they were, that they had withdrawn their obedience from the Apoſtolick See, and conſenting to the Statutes made againſt it, promiſing to endeavour hereafter, that the ſaid Lawes and Statutes ſhould be repealed, beſeeching the King and Queen to intercede with his Holineſs for their Abſolution. Then the Cardinal having read his Authority given him from the Pope, they all kneeled upon their knees, and imploring the mercy of God, received p. 192Abſolution for themſelves and the reſt of the Kingdom; Which Abſolution was pronounced in theſe words Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, which with his moſt pretious blood hath redeemed us from all our ſins, &c. and whom the Father hath appointed Head over all his Church, abſolve you. And we by Apoſtolick Authority given unto us (by the moſt holy Lord Pope Julius the third, His Vicegerent here on earth) do abſolve and deliver you, and every of you, with the whole Realm and the Dominions thereof, from all hereſie and ſchiſm, and from every judgement, cenſure, and pain, for that cauſe incurred. And alſo we do reſtore you again unto the unity of Our Mother the Holy Church. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghoſt.

Which words of His being ſeconded with a loud Amen, by ſuch as were preſent, he concluded the dayes work with a ſolemn Proceſſion to the Chappel, for rendring thanks to God. Then did the Cardinal diſpence with much irregularity in ſeveral perſons, confirming the Inſtitution of Clergy-men in their Benefices, legitimating the Chi…dren of forbidden Marriages, ratifying the proceſſes and ſentences in matters Eccleſiaſtical: and his diſpenſations were confirmed by Acts of Parliament. Then was Anthony Brown, Viſcount Montacute, Thursby Biſhop of Ely, and Sir Edward Carn, ſent on a gratulatory Embaſſie to Pope Paul IV. to tender England's thanks for the favours conferr'd thereon.

The Convocation that then was held, knew that the Cardinal was to be entreated, not to inſiſt upon the reſtoring of Church-lands, rather to confirm the Lords and Gentry in their preſent poſſeſſions. And to that end a Petition is preſented to both their Majeſties,Heylin. Hiſt. of Q. Mary. that they would be pleaſed to intercede with the Cardinal concerning it: Which Petition was offered to the Legate in the name of the whole Convocation by the Lord Chancellor, the Prolocutor, and ſix others of the Lower Houſe. Concerning which the Legate was not ignorant, that a Meſſage had been ſent to the Pope in the name of the Parliament, to deſire a confirmation of the Sale of all the Lands belonging to Abbies, Chanteries, &c. or otherwiſe to let him know, that nothing could be granted on his behalf. And it is likely, they received ſome fair promiſes to that effect, in regard that on New-years day next following, the Act for reſtoring the Pope's Supremacy was paſſed in both Houſes of Parliament. The whole matter being tranſacted to the content of all parties (the poor Proteſtants excepted only) on January 25. there was a ſolemn proceſſion throughout London, to praiſe God for their Converſion to the Catholick Church: wherein were ninety Croſſes, an hundred and Sixty Prieſts and Clerks, each of them attired in his Cope, and after them p. 193eight Biſhops in their Pontificalibus, followed by Bonner carrying the Popiſh Pix under a Canopy, and attended by the Lord Mayor and Companies in their ſeveral Liveries. Which Proceſſion being ended, they all returned to S. Paul's Church, where the King and Cardinal, together with all the reſt, heard Maſs, and the next day the Parliament and Convocation were diſſolved.

The Engliſh Ambaſſadours came to Rome on the firſt day of the Papacy of Pope Paul IV. and in the firſt conſiſtory after his Inauguration they were brought before him, who granted the pardon deſired, and lovingly embraced the Ambaſſadours, and as an over plus, the Pope conferred the Title of King's of Ireland on their Majeſties. In his private diſcourſes with the Ambaſſadours, he ſaid that the Church-goods ought to be wholly reſtored, ſaying alſo that his Authority was not ſuch, as to profane things dedicated unto God. He alſo told them, that the Peterpence ought to be paid as ſoon as might be, and that according to the cuſtom, he would ſend a collector for that purpoſe. He cloſed his diſcourſe with this, that they could not hope, that S. Peter would open to them the Gates of Heaven, as long as they uſurped his goods on earth.

A rumour was ſpread of the Queen's being with Child, and that ſhe was quick, and thereupon Letters were ſent from the Lords of the Council to Bonner Biſhop of London, that prayers and thankſgivings ſhould be made in all Churches. The Parliament alſo while it was ſitting, paſſed an Act, deſiring the King that if the Queen ſhould fail, he would be pleaſed to take upon him the Education of the Child. Set forms of prayer were alſo made for her ſafe delivery. Great preparations were alſo made of all things neceſſary againſt the time of her delivery. And upon a ſudden rumour of her being delivered, the Bells were rung, and Bonfires made in moſt parts of London. But it proved in fine that the Queen neither was with Childe for the preſent, nor had any hopes of being ſo for the time to come.

A Gun was ſhot at one Doctor Pendleton, as He Preached at Paul's Croſs, June 10. 1554, the pellet whereof went very neer him, but the Gunner was not to be heard of. Upon which the Queen publiſhed a Proclamation prohibiting the ſhooting with hand-guns, and the bearing of weapons. A little before this, ſome had cauſed a Cat to be hanged upon the Gallows, near the Croſs in Cheapſide, with her head ſhorn, the likeneſs of a veſtment caſt upon her, and her two feet tyed together, holding between them a piece of Paper, in form of a Wafer, tending to the diſgrace of the Popiſh Religion. Then were ſome Antient Statutes revived that were made in the time of King Richard the ſecond, Henry the fourth, and Henry the fifth, for the ſevere puniſhment of obſtinate Hereticks, even to death it ſelf, and an Act was paſſed for that purpoſe.

p. 194Hereupon followed, that Inquiſition for Blood, which raged in London, and more or leſs was exerciſed in moſt parts of the Kingdom. Mr. John Rogers, a Learned man, and a great companion of that Tyndal, by whom the Bible was tranſlated into Engliſh in the time of King Henry, after whoſe Martyrdom, he retired to Wittenberg in the Dukedome of Saxony, where he abode till King Edward's coming to the Crown, and was by Biſhop Ridley preſented to the Lecture of S. Paul's, and made one of the Prebendaries. He was convented, and condemned, and publickly burnt in Smithfield on Feb. 4 He was the firſt Martyr in Queen Mary's dayes: On the nineth day of which monethmonth John Hooper late Biſhop of Gloceſter, was burnt in that City. The like courſe was taken with Biſhop Farrar, Biſhop of S. David's, but that I do not find him reſtrained from ſpeaking his mind unto the people as the other was. He was caſt into priſon by the Proteſtants in King Edward's days. Being continued in priſon in Queen Mary's dayes, and called before Biſhop Gardiner, he gave ſuch offence, that he was ſent back again to priſon, and being ſent back into his own Dioceſs, he there received the ſentence of condemnation at the hand of Morgan, who had ſupplanted and ſucceeded him in the See of S. David's. He deſiſted not till he had brought him to the Stake.

On Feb. 8. Laurence Saunders, an excellent preacher, was burnt at Coventry, where he had ſpent the greateſt part of his Miniſtry. On Feb. 9. Anno 1555. Doctor Rowland Tailor was burned at Hadley, the Town whereof he was Paſtor, where calling on the name of God, he endured the Torment, till one Soice with an Halbert ſtruck him on the Head, that the brains fell out; and the dead Corpſe fell into the fire. Thomas Tomkins on March 16. ſuffered in Smithfield. William Hunter an Apprentice of nineteen years of age was burnt at Burntwood in Eſſex.

Speeds Chron. of Q. Mary.Within the compaſs of leſs than four years there died for the teſtimonial of their conſcience for the truth, no leſs than two hundred ſeventy and ſeven perſons.

In the heat of the fire were conſumed five Biſhops, one and twenty Divines, eight Gentlemen, eighty four Artificers, one hundred Huſband-men and Labourers; twenty ſix Married-women, twenty widows, nine Virgins, two Boys, and two Infants, one of them whipped to death by Biſhop Bonner, and the other ſpringing out of his mother's womb from the ſtake as ſhe burned, was by the Serjeants thrown again into the fire.

Ridley and Latimer were both degraded on Octob. 15. and brought unto the ſtake in the Town-ditch in Oxford, over againſt Baliol-colledge on the morrow after, where with great courage and conſtancy they endured that death, to which they had been precondemned before they were heard. Cranmer was a priſoner at that time in the North-gate of p. 195the City, called Bocardo, from the top whereof he beheld that moſt doleful Spectacle, and caſting himſelf down on his Knees, he humbly entreated the Lord to give them ſtrength of faith and hope, which he alſo deſired for himſelf, whenſoever he ſhould Act his part on that bloody Theater.

When Ridley underſtood Hooper (before his Execution) to have been marked out for the ſlaughter, he remembred that controverſie which had been between them in the time of King Edward about the Epiſcopal Habit, and thought it not enough if he left not to the world ſome teſtimony of their mutual Charity, as well as their conſent in Doctrine. Concerning which he wrote to him in this manner following.