Acts and Monuments Volume 2 Part 2, Book 11 · Account 22 · Quality 8
¶To cleaue fast vntounto the true worde of doctrine, that he may be able to exhort with wholesome learnyng,To cleaue fast to the worde of doctrine: able to exhorte in holsome learning, & to reproue the gaynsayer. Titus. 1. and to improoue that say agaynst it.
Then concludeth S. Paule with the most excellent vertue of all other to be wished in a Prelate of the church. For if this constancy be not in hym to this ende, that is: To cleaue fast vntounto the true worde of doctrine, that he may bee able to exhort with wholesome learning, and to improoue that say agaynst it: If he be voyde (I say) of these gyfts & graces, he is worthy of no commendation, but shall seeme an Idoll, and a deceyuer of the world. Neyther shall he deserue the name of a Byshop, if eyther for dread or meed, affection or fauor, he do at any tyme or in any point swarue from the truth. As in this behalfe the worthy constancy of this sayd Archbishop neuer, for the most part, shronke for no maner of storme: but was so many wayes tried, that neyther fauour of hys Prince, nor feare of the indignation of the same,Archbishop Cranmer euer constāt in defence of Christes truth and Gospell. nor any other worldly respect coulde alienate or change hys purpose, grounded vponupon that infallible doctrine of the Gospell. Notwithstandyng hys constant defence of Gods truth, was euer ioyned with such meekenes toward the kyng, that he neuer tooke occasion of offence agaynst hym.
At the tyme of settyng forth the sixe Articles, mention was made before in the story of kyng Henry the viij. how aduenturously this Archbishop Tho. Cranmer did oppose hymselfe, standyng as it were, post alone, agaynst the whole Parliament, disputyng and replying three dayes together agaynst the sayd Articles. In so much, that the kyng, when neyther he could mislike his reasons, and yet would needes hauehave these Articles to passe, required hym to absent hymselfe for the tyme out of the chamber, whyle the Acte should passe, & so he did, & how the K. afterward sent all the Lordes of the Parliament, vntounto the Archb. to Lambeth to cheare his mynd agayne, that he might not be discouraged, all whiche appeareth aboue expressed. And this was done during yet the state & time of the L. Cromwels authority. And now yt it may appeare likewise, yt after the decay of the L. Cromwel, yet his constācy in Christes cause did not decay, you shal hear what folowed after.
For after the apprehension of the L. Cromwell, when the aduersaries of the Gospell thought all thynges sure now on their side, it was so appointed amongest thē, that x. or xij. bishops, and other learned men ioyned together in commission, came to the said Archb. of Cant. for the establishing of certaine Articles of our Religion, which the Papists then thought to win to their purpose agaynst the sayd Archb. For hauyng now the L. Cromwell fast and sure, they thought all had bene safe, and sure for euer: as in deed to all mens reasonable consideration, that tyme appeared so dangerous, that there was no maner hope that religion reformed, should any one weeke longer stande, such account was then made of the kyngs vntowardnesse thereunto.… In so much, that of all those Commissioners, there was not one lefte to stay on the Archbishops part, but he alone agaynst them all, stood in defence of the truth, and those that he most trusted to, namely, B. Heath, and B. Skip left hym in the playne field, who then so turned against hym, that they tooke vponupon them to perswade hym to their purpose: and hauyng hym downe from the rest of the Commissioners, into his garden at Lambheth, there by all maner of effectuall perswasions, entreated hym to leaue of his ouermuch constancie, and to encline vntounto the kings entent, who was fully set to hauehave it otherwise then he then had penned, or ment to hauehave set abroad. Whē those two his familiars, with one or two others his friendes, had vsed all their eloquence, and pollicie, he little regardyng their inconstancy and remisnesse in Gods cause or quarell, sayd vntounto them right notably.
You make much adoe to hauehave me come to your purpose,… alledgyng that it is the Kinges pleasure to hauehave the Articles in that sort you hauehave deuised them to proceed, and now that you do perceiue his highnes by sinister information, to be bent that way, you thinke it a conuenient thing to apply vntounto his highnes mynd. You be my friends both especially the one of you I did put to his Maiestie as of trust. Beware I say, what you do. There is but one truth in our Articles to be concluded vponupon, which if you do hide from his highnes by consenting vntounto a contrary doctrine, and then after in processe of tyme, when the truth cannot be hidden from hym, his highnes shall perceiue how that you hauehave delt colourably with hym, I know hys graces nature so well (quoth the Archbishop) that he will neuer after trust and credite you, or put any good confidence in you. And as you are both my friends, so therefore I wyll you to beware thereof in time, and discharge your consciences in maintenaunce of the truth. But all this woulde not serue, for they still swarued: and in the end by dischargyng of his conscience, and declaryng the truth vntounto the king, God so wrought with the king, that his highnesse ioyned with hym agaynst the rest, so that the booke of articles passing on his side, he wan the Gole from them all, contrary to all their expectations, when many wagers would hauehave bene laid in London, that he should hauehave ben layd vp with Cromwell at that tyme in the tower for his stiffe standyng to his tackle. After that day there could neither Counsellor, bishop, or papist win hym out of ye kings fauour.
… Papists … the Arc…bishop out of … w…th ….Notwithstanding, not long after that, certayne of the Counsaile, whose names neede not to be repeated, by the entisement and prouocation of his auncient enemye the Byshoppe of Winchester, and other of the same secte, attempted the Kyng agaynst him, declaring plainely, that the Realme was so enfected with heresies and heretickes, that it was daungerous for his highnesse, farther to permit it vnreformed, least peraduenture by long suffering, such contention should arise, & ensue in the realme among his subiectes, that thereby might spring horrible commotions,The Archb. agayne … to the …. and vprores, like as in some partes of Germanie, it did not long agoe: The enormitie whereof they coulde not impute to any so much, as to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who by his owne preaching, and his Chapleins had defiled the whole realme full of diuers pernicious heresies. The Kyng woulde needes knowe his accusers, They aunswered that forasmuch as he was a Counceller no man durst take vponupon him to accuse him: but if it would please his highnesse, to committe him to the Tower for a tyme, there would be accusations, and proofes enough against him, for otherwise iust testimonie, and witnesse against him would not appeare, and therefore your highnesse (sayde they) must needes giuegive vsus the Counsell libertie, and leaue to commit him to duraunce.
…The King perceiuing their importunate sute against the Archbishop (but yet meaning not to hauehave him wronged, and vtterly geuen ouer vntounto their handes) graunted vntounto them that they should the next day, committe him to the Tower for his triall. When night came, ye King sent Sir Anthonie Denie about midnight, to Lambeth to the Archbishop, willing him forthwith to resorte vntounto him at the Court. The message done, the Archbishop spedely addressed himselfe to the Court, and comming into the Galerie where the king walked, and taried for him, his highnesse sayd: Ah my Lord of Caunterburie, I can tell you newes.The kinge… wordes and aduise for the supportation of the Archbishop. For diuers waightie considerations it is determined by me, and the Counsaile, that you to morrowe at nine of the clocke shalbe committed to the Tower, for that you and your Chaplains (as information is geuen vsus) hauehave taught and preached, and thereby sowen within the realme such a number of execrable heresies, that it is feared, the whole realme being infected with them no smale contention, and commotions will rise thereby amongest my subiectes, as of late dayes ye like was in diuers partes of Germanie, and therefore the Counsaile hauehave requested me, for the triall of the matter, to suffer them to commit you to the Tower, or els no man dare come forth, as witnesse in these matters, you being a Counsellour.
When the king had sayde his minde, the Archbishop kneeled downe and sayd:The Archbishops aunswere to the king. I am content if it please your grace, with all my heart, to goe thither at your highnesse commandement, and I most humbly thanke your Maiesty that I may come to my trial, for there be that hauehave many wayes slandered me, and now this way I hope to try my selfe not worthy of such report.
The king perceiuyng the mans vprightnesse, ioyned with such simplicitie, sayd: Oh Lorde, what maner a man be you? What simplicitie is in you? I had thought yt you would rather hauehave sued to vsus to hauehave taken the paynes to hauehave heard you, and your accusers together for your trial, without any such indurāce. Do not you know, what state you be in with the whole world, and how many great enemies you hauehave? Do you not consider what an easy thing it is, to procure three or foure false knaues to witnesse agaynst you? Thinke you to hauehave better lucke that way, thē your maister Christ had? I see by it,The kinges fauorable care and consideration toward the Archbishop of Canterbury. you will run hedlong to your vndoyng, if I would suffer you. Your enemies shall not so preuayle against you, for I hauehave otherwyse deuised with my selfe to keepe you out of their handes. Yet notwithstandyng to morrow when the Counsaile shal sit, and send for you, resort vntounto them, and if in chargyng you with this matter, they do commit you to the Tower, require of them, because you are one of them, a Counsailor, that you may hauehave your accusers brought before thē without any further indurance, and vse for your selfe as good perswasions that way as you may deuise, and if no intretie or reasonable request wil serue, then deliuer vntounto them this my ring,The king sendeth his signet in the behalfe of the Archbishop of Canterbury. (which when the king deliuered vntounto the Archbishop) and say vntounto them, if there be no remedy my Lordes, but that I must needes go to the Tower, then I reuoke my cause from you, and appeale to the kings own person by this his token vntounto you all, for (sayd the Kyng then vntounto the Archbishop) so soone as they shall see this my ryng, they know it so well that they shall vnderstande that I hauehave resumed the whole cause into myne owne handes and determination, and that I hauehave discharged them thereof.
The Archbishop perceiuyng the Kinges benignitie so muche to hym wardes, had much adoe to forbeare teares. Well, sayde the Kyng, goe your wayes my Lorde, and doe as I hauehave bidden you. My Lord humblyng himselfe with thankes, tooke hys leaue of the Kynges highnesse for that nyght.
On the morrow about 9. of the clocke before noone,The Archbishop being one of the Counsel, made to stand at the Counsell chamber dore wayting. the Counsaile sent a gentleman Usher for the Archbish. who when he came to the Counsaile chamber dore, could not be let in, but of purpose (as it seemed) was compelled there to waite amonge the Pages, Lackies, and seruyng men all alone. D. Buts the Kings phisition resortyng that way, & espying how my Lord of Cant. was handled, went to the Kings highnesse and sayd: My Lord of Cant. if it please your grace is well promooted:D. Buttes the kings Phisition, a friend of the Archbishops. for nowe hee is become a Lackey or a seruyng man, for yonder he standeth this halfe hower at the Counsaile chamber dore amongest them. It is not so (quoth the Kyng) I trowe, nor the counsail hath not so little discretion as to vse the Metropolitane of the Realme in that sort, specially beyng one of their own nū ber. But let them alone (said the King) and we shal heare more soone.
Anone the Arcchbishop was called into the Counsaile chamber, to whome was alledged, as before is rehearsed.The Archb called before the Counsayle. The Archb. aunswered in lyke sort, as the kyng had aduised hym: and in the ende when he perceiued that no manner of perswasion or intreatie could serue, he deliuered thē the Kings ring, reuoking his cause into the kings hands.The Counsaile being set against the Archb, he sheweth the kinges ring and appealeth from them. The whole Counsaile beyng thereat somewhat amased, the Erle of Bedford with a loude voyce confirmyng hys wordes with a solemne othe, sayde: when you first began the matter my Lordes, I told you what would come of it. Do you thinke that the king will suffer this mans finger to ake? Much more (I warrant you) will hee defend hys ly…e agaynst brabling varlets. You doe but comber your selues to heare tales & fables agaynst hym. And so incontinently vponupon the receipt of the kyngs token, they all rose, and caried to the king his ryng, surrenderyng that matter as the order and vse was, into hys owne hands.
When they were all come to the kynges presence, hys highnes with a seuere countenaunce,The kinges wordes to the Counsaile in defence o… the Archbishop. sayd vntounto them: Ah my Lordes, I thought I had had wiser men of my counsaile then now I finde you. What discretion was this in you, thus to make the Primate of the realme, & one of you in office, to waite at the counsaile chamber dore amongest seruyng men? You might hauehave considered that hee was a counsellor as well as you, and you had no such commission of me so to handle hym. I was content that you should try hym as a Counseller, and not as a meane subiect. But now I well perceiue that thynges bee done agaynst him maliciously, & if some of you might hauehave had your minds, you would hauehave tried him to the vttermost. But I do you all to wit, and protest, that if a Prince may bee beholdyng vntounto hys subiect (and so solemnly laying his hand vppon his brest) sayde: by the fayth I owe to God. I take this man here my L. of Canterbury, to bee of all other a most faythfull subiect vntounto vsus, and one to whom we are much beholding, geuyng him great commendations otherwise. And with that one or two of the chiefest of the Counsaile, makyng their excuse, declared, that in requesting his induraunce, it was rather ment for hys triall, and his purgation agaynst the common fame, and slaunder of the world, then for any malice conceyued agaynst hym. Well, well my Lordes,The Lordes of the Counsaile glad to be friendes agayne with the Arrhbishop. quoth the kyng, take hym and well vse hym, as he is worthy to be, and make no more adoe. And with that eueryevery man caught hym by the hand, and made fayre weather of altogethers, which might easily bee done with that man.
And it was much to be meruailed, that they would go so far with hym, thus to seeke his vndoyng, this well vnderstandyng before,The king a great supporter of Cranmer. that the kyng most entirely loued him and always would stand in hys defence whosoeuer spake against hym: as many other tymes the Kynges pacience was by sinister informations agaynst hym tried. In so much that the Lorde Cromwell was euermore woont to say vntounto hym:The L Cromwells wordes to the Archbishop. My Lord of Caunterbury, you are most happy of all men: for you may doe and speake what you list, and say what all men can agaynst you, the kyng wyll neuer beleeue one worde to your detriment or hinderance. I am sure I take more paynes then all the counsaile doth, and spend more largely in the Kings affayres, as well beyond the seas as on this side: yea I assure you, euen very spies in other forreine Realmes, and at Rome else where, costeth me aboue one 1000. markes a yeare: and doe what I can to bryng matters to knowledge, for the commoditie of the King and the Realme, I am eueryevery day chidden, and many false tales now and then beleeued agaynst me: and therefore you are most happy, for in no poynt can you be discredited with the kyng. To this the Archbishop agayne aunsweryng, If the kyngs Maiestie were not good to me that way, I were not able to stande and endure one whole weeke, but your wisedome and pollicy is such, that you are able to shift well enough for your selfe.
Now when the kyngs highnes had thus benignly & mercifully dispatched the sayd Archbishop from this sore accusation by the Counsaile layd agaynst hym, all wise mē would hauehave thought that it had bene meere follye afterwards to hauehave attēpted any matter agaynst hym: but yet looke where malice raigneth, there neither reason nor honesty can take place. Such therfore as had conceiued deep rancor and displeasure agaynst hym, ceased not to persecute hym by all possible meanes. Then brought they against him a new kynde of accusation,An other accusation brought into the Parlament house by Sir Iohn Gostwicke agaynst the Archb. and caused sir Iohn Gostwike knight, a man of a contrary religion, to accuse the Archb. openly in the Parliament house, laying to hys charge his sermons preched at Sandwich, & his Lectures red at Canterbury, wherein should be conteined manifest heresies agaynst the Sacrament of the aultar, &c. Whiche accusation came to the kyngs eare. Why (quoth the kyng) where dwelleth Gostwike? As I take it, eyther in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire, and hath he so opē an eare that he can heare my L. of Cant. preachyng out of Kent? This is very like sayde the kyng. If hee had bene a Kentishman, there had bene some thyng worthy of consideration: but as for Gostwike, I know him well enough, and what good religion he is of.Gostwicke check…e of the king for accusing the Archbishop. Go to hym and tell hym, sayd the king to one of his priuy chamber, if he go not to my L. of Cant. and so reconcile hymselfe to hym that he may become hys good Lord, I will pull the Goslings fethers so, that hereafter he shall hauehave little lust to slaunder the Metropolitane, or any other learned man.Gostw… glad to … in agay… with th… … When sir I. Gostwike heard these words, it was no neede to bid hym hast hymselfe to Lambheth vntounto the Metropolitane makyng to hym as many friends as possible he myght. When hee came to the Archb. he was fayne to disclose vntounto hym, by what meanes he was procured to doe that he did, requestyng hys clemency to be his good lord, or els he tooke him selfe vtterly vndone, beyng so in the kyngs indignation, as he vnderstood he was by that afore declared, which sute was soone wonne at hys hand: and so the Archb. castyng into the satchell behynd him all those sir Iohn Gostwikes ingratitudes, went to the king, and wan to sir Iohn hys princes fauour agayne. And thus the kyng made a short end of this accusation.
Well, here you may perceyue that malicious inuention, went not the wisest way to worke, to procure a stranger dwellyng a farre of,New … the … Iustice… … Kent agaynst the Archb. to accuse the Archbishoppe of hys doctrine preached in his Diocesse: and therfore hath blind malice learned some more wisedome nowe, to accuse the Archbishop in such sort as he shall neuer be able to auoyd it. And therfore it was procured by hys ancient enemies, that not onelyonly the Prebendaries of his Cathedral Church in Caunterbury, but also the moste famous Iustices of Peace in the Shire should accuse hym, and Article against hym: which in very deed was most substantially brought to passe, and the Articles both well written and subscribed, were deliuered to the kyngs highnesse, as a thyng of such effect, that there must needes follow to the said Archbishop both indignation of the prince, and condigne punishment for hys grieuous offence committed by him and his chaplaines, in preachyng such erroneous doctrine, as they did within his Diocesse of Cant. whereof they beyng such witnesse of credite, no man had cause to doubt of their circumspect doyngs. This accusation articularly sent out, was deliuered to the Kyng by some of the Counsailes meanes. When the kyng had perused the booke,Articles put to the King agaynst D. Cranmer. he wrapt it vp, and put it into hys sleeue: and findyng occasion to solace hymselfe vponupon the Thames, came with hys Barge furnished with hys Musitions, a long by Lambeth bridge towards Chelsey. The noyse of the Musitions prouoked the Archb. to resort to the bridge to do his duety, and to salute hys prince. Whome when the kyng had perceyued to stand at the bridge, eftsoones he commaunded the Watermen to draw towards the shore, and so came straite to the Bridge.
Ah my Chaplaine, sayd the kyng to the Archb. Come into the barge to me. The Archb. declared to his highnes,The king maketh the Archbishop priuy of the articles. that he would take his owne barge and waite vppon hys maiestie. No sayd the kyng, you must come into my barge for I hauehave to talke with you. When the kyng & the Archbishop all alone in the barge were set together, sayde the kyng to the Archb. I hauehave newes out of Kent for you my Lord. The Archb. answered, Good I hope if it please your highnes. Marry sayd the king they be so good, that I now know the greatest heretike in Kent, and with that pulled out of hys sleeue the booke of Articles agaynst both the said Archb. and his preachers, and gaue the booke to hym, willyng hym to peruse the same. When the Archb. had red the Articles, and saw hymselfe so vncurteously handled of his owne church, whereof he was head, I meane of the Prebendaries of his Cathedral Church, and of such his neighbours as he had many wayes gratified,Commissiō appointed to be sent into Kent, for tryall of the articles. I meane the Iustices of the Peace, it much grieued hym. Notwithstāding he kneeled downe to the kyng, and besought hys Maiesty to graunt out a Commission to whomsoeuer it plesed his highnesse, for them to try out the truth of this accusation. In very deede (sayde the kyng) I doe so meane, and you yourselfe shall be chiefe Commissioner, to adioyne to you such two or three more as you shall thinke good your self. Then it will bee thought (quoth the Archb. to the kyng) that it is not indifferent if it please your grace) yt I should be myne owne iudge, and my Chaplains also. Well,Commissioners appointed to Cranmer, Doct. Bellowes D. Coxe Chime. M. Husley Register. sayde the kyng, I will hauehave none other but your selfe, & suche as you will appoynt. For I am sure that you will not halt wt me in any thyng, although you bee driuen to accuse your selfe, and I know partly how this geare proceedeth, and if you handle the matter wisely, you shall find a prety conspiracy deuised agaynst you. Whome will you hauehave wyth you sayde the kyng? Whome it shall please your grace to name (quoth the Archb.) I will appoynt Doc. Belhouse for one, name you the other, said the kyng, meete for that purpose. My Chancellor D. Coxe, and Hussey my Register sayd the Archb. are men expert to examine such troublesome matters. Well, sayd the kyng, let there be a Commission made forth, and out of hand get you into Kent, & aduertise me of your doyngs.
They came into Kent, and there they sate aboue three weekes to bult out who was the first occasion of this accusation, for thereof the kyng would chiefly be aduertised. Now the Inquisition beyng begunne by the Commissioners, eueryevery man shronke in his hornes, and no mā would confesse any thyng to the purpose. For D. Coxe and Hussey,… being friendly vntounto the Papistes, handled the matter so, that they would permit nothyng materiall to come to sight. This thyng beyng well perceyued by one of the Archbishops seruants his Secretary, he wrote incontinently vntounto Doct. Buttes and Master Deny, declaring that if the Kynges Maiestie did not send some other to assist my Lord, then those that then were there with him, it were not possible that any thing should come to light: and therefore wished that Doct. Lee or some other stoute man that had beene exercised in the Kings Ecclesiasticall affaires in his visitations, might be sent to the Archbishop.… Upon these letters Doct. Lee was sent for to yorke by the King, and hauing the kings farther mind declared vntounto him, when he came to the Court, he resorted incontinently into Kent, so that on Alhallow euen, he deliuered to the Archbishop the kings Ring, with a declaration of his highnes farther pleasure: and by and by vponupon his message done, he appointed the Archbishop aforesaid to name him a dosen or xvi. of his Officers and gentlemen, such as had both discretion, wit, and audacitie: to whom he gaue in Commission from the King, to search both the purses, Chestes, and chambers, of all those that were deemed or suspected to be of this confederacie both within the Cathedrall church and without, and such letters or writinges as they could find about them, to bring them to the Archbishop and him.
These men thus appointed, went in one houre and instant,… to the persons, houses, and places, that they were appointed vntounto: and within foure houres afterwardes the whole conspiracie was disclosed by finding of letters, some from the Bishop of Winchester, some from D. London at Oxford, and from Iustices of the Shiere, with other: so that the first beginning, the proceeding, and what should hauehave beene the ende of their conspiracie, was now made manifest. Certaine chambers and Chests of Gentlemen of the shiere were also searched, where also were found letters seruing to this purpose. Amongst all other, came to my Lords hands two letters, one of the Suffragan of Douer, and an other of Doct. Barbar a Ciuilian, whom continually the Archbishop reteined with him in housholde for expedition of matters in sute before him, as a counsellour in the Law when need required. These two men being well promoted by the Archbishop, he vsed euer in such familiarity, that when the Suffragan being a prebend of Caunterbury, came to him, he alwaies set him at his owne messe,… and the other neuer from his table, as men in whom he had much delight and comfort, when time of care and pensiuenes chaunced. But that which they did, was altogither counterfait, and the Deuill was turned into the Aungell of light, for they both were of this confederacy.
When my Lord had gotten these their letters into his hands, he on a day, when it chanced the Suffragan to come to him to his house at Bekisburne, called to him into his studie the said Suffragan of Douer and D. Barbar, saieng: come your waies with me, for I must hauehave your aduise in a matter. When they were with him in his study all togethers, he said to them, you twaine be men in whom I hauehave had much confidence and trust: you must now giuegive me some good counsaile, for I am shamfully abused with one or twaine to whom I hauehave shewed all my secretes from time to time,… and did trust them as my selfe. The matter is so nowe fallen out that they not onelie hauehave disclosed my secretes, but also hauehave taken vponupon them to accuse me of heresie and are become witnes against me. I require you therfore of your good aduice how I shall behaue my selfe towards them. You are both my frends, and such as I alwaies hauehave vsed when I needed counsell. What say you to the matter, quoth the Archbishop?
Mary, quoth Doct. Barbar, such vilens and knaues, (sauing your honour) were worthy to be hanged out of hand without any other law.… Hanging were to good, quoth the Suffragan, and if there lacked one to do execution. I would be hangman my selfe.
…At these words, the Archbishop cast vp hys handes to heauen, and sayd: Oh Lord most mercifull God, whome may a man trust now adayes? It is most true whiche is sayde: Maledictus qui confidit in homine, & ponit carnem brachium suum. There was neuer man handled as I am: but oh Lord thou hast euermore defended me, and lent me one great friend and maister (meanyng the kyng) wythout whose protection I wer not able to stand vpright one day vnouerthrowen, I prayse thy holy name therfore: and with that he pulled out of his bosome their two letters, & sayd: Know ye these letters my maisters? With that they fell downe vponupon their knees, and desired forgiuenesse,The false Suffragan, and Barbar the Ciuilian, aske the Archbishop forgiuenes. The Archbishop forgiueth his enemyes. declaring how they a yeare before were attempted to do the same, and so verye lamentably weeping and bewailyng their doynges, besought hys grace to pardon and forgeue them. Well, sayde the gentle Archbishop, God make you both good men. I neuer deserued this at your hands: but aske God forgeuenesse, agaynst whom you hauehave highly offended. If suche men as you are not to be trusted, what should I doe alyue? I perceyue now that there is no fidelitie or truth amongest men. I am brought to this point now, that I feare my left hand will accuse my right hand. I neede not much meruaile hereat, for our Sauior Christ truly prophesied of such a world to come in the latter dais. I beseech him of his great mercy to finish that time shortly, and so departyng, he dismissed them both with gentle and comfortable wordes, in such sort that neuer after appeared in hys countenaunce or wordes any remembrance thereof.
Nowe, when all those letters and accusations were found, they were put into a chest, the kings Maiesty minding to hauehave perused some of them, and to hauehave partly punished the principals of it. The chest and writynges were brought to Lambeth. At what tyme began the Parliamēt, Lord what ado there was to procure the kyng a subsidie,Practise to get pardon for malefactors. to the intent that thereupon might ensue a pardon, which in deed followed, and so nothyng was done, other then their falsshood known. This was the last push of the pike that was inferred agaynst the sayd Archb. in king Henry the 8. his dayes: for neuer after durst any man moue matter agaynst hym in hys tyme.
And thus hauehave ye both the working and disclosing of this popish conspiracy against this worthy Archbishop & Martyr of Christ Thomas Cranmer. In the which conspiracie, for so much as complaint was also made vntounto the kyng of his chaplaines and good preachers in Kent, it shal not be out of the story somethyng likewyse to touch thereof,Richard Turner a faithfull preacher in Kent. Papistes set against the Archbishop, by occasion of Turners Preaching. especially of Richard Turner then preacher the same time in this Archbishops Diocesse, and Curate to maister Morice the Archbishops Secretary, in the towne of Chartham, by whose diligent preaching a great part of this hartburning of the Papists toke his first kindling against the Archbishop. Touching the description of which storie, because by me nothing shalbe said either more or lesse, then is the truth, ye shall heare the very certeinty thereof truely compiled in a letter sent the same time to Doct. Buttes and Sir Anth. Deny, to be shewed vntounto the kyng, and so it was, written by the foresaid M. Moryce Secretary then to the Archbishop farmour of the same benefice of Chartham, and patrone to M. Turner there minister and Preacher aforesaid.