it awhile requested that he might have some timâ— to considâ—r upon it the Commissioners consulting with themselves awhile granted him five daies to coâ—sider upon it and so dismissing him for the present whence he departed to his owne house in Lambeth Marsh. During which small time of his abode there there came divers of hâ—s friends rather to take their leaves of thâ—n to vâ—sit him among which one Mr. Seton and Mr. Bransby Substitutes of the Masters and Fellows of the two Câ—lâ—edges to which he had shewed himself so much their friend partly to salute him in the name of the two Societies and partly to dâ—sire his confirmation of their Statutes under his Seale which he had drawn long before but the Bishop desired to have some further time to consider of them as he intended alas said the two Gâ—â—tlemen we fear your time is now too short to read them before you go to prison It is no matter said the Bâ—shop then I will read them in prison that will hardly be permitted said the Trustees if you come once there then Gods will be done said the Bishop for I shall hardly be drawn to put my seale to that which I have not well considered of howsoever said he if the worst should happen there is Mr. Cowper a worthy reverend man and a Bachelour in Divinity that hath the copy of the same Statutes which I have if I do not or cannot according to my desire peruse them I will give it you under my Seale that if you like them that shall be unto you a confirmation for I am pâ—rswaded that one time or other those Statutes will take place and accordingly it hapned for when this Master Cowper long after the imprisonment and death of the Bâ—shop of Rochester and the change and alteration of the times which had made Relâ—gion Lords and Lawes all new commiâ—ted this Book of Statutes to the custody of one M. T Watson a man that afterwards came to great honor estimation for his profound learning was afterwards elected to the Mastership oâ— S. Iohn's Colledge and afterwards to the Bishoprick of London who as the Bâ—shop of Rochester foretold restored them to the house who admitted them as their onely Lawes whereby they were wholy governed during the reign of Queen Mary The time being come when the good Bishop was to give an account of the Premises he presenâ—ed himself before the Commâ—ssioners â—cquâ—inting them how that he had perused the Oath with as good deliberation as he could but as they had framed it he could not with any safety to his owne conscience subscribe thereto except they would give him leave to alter it in some particulars whereby his owne conscience might be the better satisfied The King pleased and his actions rather justified and Warranted by Law To this they all made answer that the King would not in any wise permit that the Oath should admit any exceptions or alterations whatsoever and sâ—â—d the Bishop of Canterbury you must answer directly whether you will or you will not subscribe then said the Bishop of Rochester if you will needs have me answer directly my answer is that foasmuch as my own conscience cannot be satisfied I absolutely refuse the Oath Whereupon he was immediately sent to the Tower of London which was upon Tuesday the 26. of April in the year of our Lord God 1534. and upon the 25. year of the Kings reign being the last of his reign for that year Thus the Remora to the Kings proceedings in this kind being removed the Ship went merrily along for all things being fitted for a Parliament there was a Parliament which was â—itted for all things immediately called upon the 26. year of the Kings reign and upon the 23. day of Novemb. which wrought above nine wonders lasting but fifteen daies wherein the Bishop of Rochester's imprisonment was voted lawfull and all other men their imprisonments good and lawfull that should refuse to take the foresaid Oath which authority before was wanting also another Statute was â—nacted whereby the Supremacy of the Church of England was given unto the King his Heires and Successors to have and enjoy the same as a title and stile to his imperiall Crown with all Honours Jurisdictions Authorities and Priviledges thereunto belonging with full power and authority as himselfe listeth to visit represse redresse reforme order correct restraine and amend all Heresies Abuses Errors and Offences whatsoever they were as fully and as amply as the same might or ought to be done or corrected by any spirituall authority or jurisdiction whatsoever and that without the clause or condition of quantum per legem Dei lieet which was as contrary to the Kings promise to the Convocation-house as it was answerable to what the good Bishop forewarned the Clâ—rgie of whiles he 〈◊〉 amongst them And thus whiles the Kâ—ng acted the Pope the Bishop became a Prophet This Act being once passed the King required them to passe another Act viz. That if any manner of Person whatsoever should by word or deed presume to deny the title of Supremacy that then every such person so offending should be reputed and adjudged as an high Traitour and suffer and abide such losses and paines as in â—ases of high Treason is provided CHAP. XX. 1. The King sends divers learned Bishops to perswade with the Bishop of Rochester to take the Oath 2. The Bishop of Rochester answers unto the Bishops 3. Sir Thomas Moore committed to the same prison 4. The comfort which they received in each other 5. Their lettters intercepted and the Bishops man committed to close prison therefore 6. The simple yet mâ—rry question which he â—ade thereupon 7. The Lord Chancelour with divers other great Lords sent by the King to perswade the Bishop BUt when that businesse came to be discussed in the Parliament-house the Commons themselves began to think it a very hard Law anâ— full of rigour for said they a man may chance to say such a thing by way of discourse or such a word may fall from a man negligently or unawares all of them as yet not otherwise able but to think it a strange thing that a man should die for saying the King was not the head of the Church which debate held them many daies at last the King sent them word that except it could be proved that the party spake it malitiously the Statute should not be of any force to condemn So the word MALICIOVSLY was put in and it passed currently which afterwards served to as much purpose as the words Quantum per legem Dei licet And During the Bishops hard and close imprisonment the King as he had at several other times so done sent divers of the Priviâ—-councel as well Bishops as others to perswade the Bâ—shop of Rochester to take the oath of Succâ—ssion after that the Bâ—shop had suffered a great deale of Rhetorique to come from them he thus spake unto them My very good friends and
to her service he might have been where he was twice together perpetuall dictator who afterwards mounted the high capitoll of Chancellourship of that University a dignity which is able to adorne the brightest Purple But now Vicechancellour-ship Mastership and all must be laid downe as at her feet who with her knees requites the courtesie whiles she kneels unto him as her Ghostly Father Remaining in which office he behaved himselfe so temperately and discreâ—tly that both the Countesse and her whole Family were altogether governed and directed by his high wisdome and discretion Having by these opportunities lodg'd much Divinity within his Mistris Soule and the Divine himselfe within her heart he makes it soon known unto the world what love it was wherewith he pâ—osecuted so faire an opportunity viz. to make his Mistresse a most glorious Queen in Heaven and himselfe acceptable in doing good improving all that opportunity not to the advantaging of himselfe in worldly honour but to the inclination of his Mistresse minde to workes of Mercy and finding in her owne naturall disposition a liberality and bountifulnesse to all sorts of people his worke was onely to advise her that that bounty should not ruâ—ne a course where it might be sure to lose its due reward but that it might bâ—stow it selfe in deeds of Almes as to the poor in redemption of Captives in marrying poor and distressed Virgins reparation of Bridges and High-wayes in many such deeds of Charity he implored her who easily was won thereto to imploy so large a Talent as God had given her that she might reap plentifully by sowing much Nor did he suffer her to rest thus satisfied with the distribution of such doles of bread and worldly food but at his perswasion also she erected two noble and goodly Colledges in Cambridge to the glory of God and benefie of his Church The one whereof she dedicated to Christ our Saviour and called it Christs Colledge largely endowing the same with store of maintenance for all manner of Learning whatsoever this Colledge she in her life time beheld built and finished of Stone and Brick as it now standeth The other she dedicated to Saint Iohn the Evangelist endowing it with like proportion of maintenance to the same intent and purpose but she lived not to see this Colledge finished but it was compleated after her death by this good Man at his owne cost and charges as hereafter shall bee declared Also upon his motion she ordained a Divinity Lecture in Cambridge and another in Oxford to be openly read in the Schools for the benefit of such as should be Preachers to the intent that the darke and hard places of Scripture might be opened and expounded in maintenance whereof she gave good store of Land to be disposed as stipends to the Readers and that for ever What good cannot such a Man doe who held such keyes within his hand such a Lady at his feet CHAP. II. 1. His preferment to the Bishoprick of Rochester 2. His contentednesse with that small Diocesse 3. His promotion to the high Chancellorship of Cambridge 4. His care and vigilance in that office 5. His opposing of Martin Luther 6. His excommunicating of Peter de Valence and his tender-heartednesse therein 7. His election to the Master-ship of Queens Colledge THese proceedings of his together with many other performances of deeds of Charity procured from others whereof not any one was ever performed whereunto according to his ability he did not set his helping hand together with his daily Preaching to the people with most carefull diligence gained him so much love and reverence from all sorts of people especially from the Bishops and all the Clergy in generall that that most worthy and grave Prelate Bishop Fox Bishop of Winchester a man in no small authority and estimation with King Henry the 7. of whose Councell he was never left so commending of him to the King upon all occasions as he saw his time convenient for his virtuous life and perfect sanctity untill such time as by the death of William Barous Bishop of London Richard Fitz Iames Bishop of Rochester being translated unto that See the Bâ—shoprick of Rochester became void he found his opportunity to present this Doctor Fisher as a fit and worthy Pastor for that Cure nor was it otherwise possible but that so great a glory about the Moon should borrow though but by reflection some small lustre from the Sun whereupon the King directed his Letters to the Chapiter of the Church of Rochester to the intent they should elect the nominate within his letter for their Bishop whereunto without any the least contradiction or negative voice they all most willingly assented which act of theirs was shortly afterwards confirmed by the See Apostolick by Iulius the second Pope at that time in the Month of October in the year of our redemption 1504. and of his age 45. This sodainâ— and unexpected promotion of this holy Man in regard he never had been formerly advanced to any other dignity of the Church caused some to suspect and deem it as a thing that was purchased either by his Mistresse purse or favour from the King her Sonne which when it was told unto the King his Majesty replyed Indeed the modesty of the Man together with my Mothers silence spake in his behalfe Solemnly protesting that his Mother never so much as opened her mouth for him in that particular And openly affirming that the pure Devotion perfect Sanctity and great Learning which he had observed and often heard to be in the Man were the onely advocates that pleaded for him the truth whereof may be gathered out of the very Statutes of S. Iohn's Colledge in Cambridge where he took occasion to praise much to the honour of the King at whose hands so frankly and so freely he received this Donation The like mention he makes of the Kings bounty and liberality towards him in his Epistle Dedicatory to Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester before the book which he wrote against Oâ—colampadius where he makes mention of the King as his chiefest and best friend and patron So farre was this good man from making any meanes by friends to be a â—ishop that all the friends he had could scarce perswade him to accept the Office after that it was granted to him Which modesty of his was very much confirmed by the sequell of his deeds for at one time after another being offered the two great Bishopricks of Lincolne and Ely he refused both and from the hands of Hen. 8. but we may behold him in the foresaid Epistle Dedicatory not only satisfying but enjoying himselfe with his little shock where his words have this beginning Habeant alâ—â— proventus pinguiores c. Others have larger Paâ—tures but I have lesser charge of Soules so that when I shall be called to an account for both I shall be the better able to give an account of either Not making so high and heavenly an office a
stair-case whereby we climb unto preâ—erment But so small a Bâ—shoprick a competent height whereby he might so overâ— look the plaines that were under him that in the end with too large a prospect he did not lose his owne eyes Thus being mounted in the Kings favour there will not be wanting those who will be ready to say concerning such a one thus shall it be done to the Man â—â—om the King honnour 's and accordingly the University of Caâ—bridge considering with themselves what beneâ—it they had received already at his hand and what future benefit they might receive with a greatefull and prudent minde and forecast unanimously chose and ordained him their high Chancellour a Magistracy that hath no lesâ—e authority and jurisdiction thereunto belonging than of an Arch Bishop in causes Spirituall and of a high Judge in causes that are Temporall Hitherto we have traced him to his Bishoprick and high dignity of Chancellorship of the most renowned University of Cambridge how he behaved himselfe in both these places we shall leave the mentioning of those particulars to the post fuâ—era of this History as most proper for them onely it shall suffice for the present that his whole life seemed to the world to be no otherwise than as if he had used the Church as if it had been his Cloister and his Study as his Cell Governing his Family with such Temperance Chastity and Devotion as if his Palace for continency had been a Moâ—nastery and for Learning an University In the yeare of our Redemption 1509. it happened that the most wise and fortunate King Hen. 7. departed this life upon the twentieth day of May being upon a Sunday whereupon he had the opportunity to performe two acceptable and good Offices and both of them deeds of Charity whereby he gained unto himselfe great applause and commendation the one in comforting the sorrowfull Mother of the King his Mistresse who seemed to be overwhelmed with griefe who received great contentment in his consolations The other in edifying the people by his Sermon which he preached at the Funerall solemnity of the Kings buriall exhorting them to the imitation of those noble and virtuous actions which they saw to have raigned more over his Passions than himselfe had exercised authority over his Subjects powring into every â—are an antidote against the feare of Death and a preservative unto eternall Life About the yeare 15â—7 at the time when this worthy Bishop of Rochester had governed his See 12 yeares Luther began in Germany to set up his new found Doctrine then as himselfe reports unknown to the world But the Divine Providence who never suffered an Athanasius a Lyberius or an Hillary to be wanting where there was an Aris risen up to rend and teare the undesiled spouse of Christ his Church in pieces nor a Damasus Gregorius Basilius or a Nazianzen where there was a Macedonius Nor a Câ—lestin or a Cyrill where there was a Nestorius nor a Leo where there was an Enâ—yches Nor an Irenaus where there was a Valentine nor a Tertullian where there was a Martian nor an Origen where there was a Celsus nor a Cyprian where there was a Novatus nor a Ierome where there were Helvidians Iovinians Vigilantians and Luciferians nor an Austin where there was a Donatus or a Pellagius did not suffer such a Leviathan to roule about and beat the sides of that Ship into which Christ entred out of which he taught and of which S. Peter was the onely Master but that there should be still a Fisher to oppose and wound the Monster with such harping irons as that this Kingdome never was much troubled with his Doctrines whiles this good Bishop lived nor ever could have had its entrance till the others Exit brought it in For Hearing how that severall of Luther's Bookes and Writings were brought over by Merchants whose profession though it deserves to be ranked among the best of Educations yet like Solomons Merchants they sometimes bring home together with their Gold from Ophir Apes and Peacocks Feathers and dispersed among the people too apt to entertaine any new fashion of their Soules as well as of their Bodies and how the people swallowed downe the novelty that was so taudred with pretences like unto some Generall who hearing of the approach and march of an enemy hasts to his army with no lesse a cause of vigilancy did so great a Champion of the Chuâ—ch hasten to so great a charge the University of which he was their Chancelour that he might take an account in what condition the main body of all Learning stood whereby ability might be drawn up in the safâ—st posture to defend the Faith But No sooner was he come amongst them but he might perceive tâ—res to be already sprung in so faire a Seminary where so much good seed was sown For About the same time it fell out that Pope Leo the I0 had granted forth a generall and free pardon commonly called indulgences according to the ancient custome and tradition of the Catholique Church to all Christian people that were contrite through 〈◊〉 the Provinces of Christendome which is no otherwise than an application by that Ministry of the superabundant merits of our blessed Saviour who shed so many when the least one drop of his most precious blood was able to have redeemed a thousand worlds to the soulâ—s of true Believers This Luther formerly having written against and the Bishop and Chancelour of the University being carefull the Students there as well as others standing in need of such a remedy might be partakers of the heavenly bounty and causing certain copies of those Pardons to be set up in sundry places of the University one where of was fixed upon the Schoolâ— gate A man without a name came secretly in the night time and wrote over the Pardon which was there fixed these word Beatus vir cuâ—us est nomen Domiâ—i spes â—jus non respâ—xit vaâ—itates insantas falsâ—s istas thinking the word istas which he had added would have brought the Pope and all his Clergy within the premunire of the Statute of Gods Word for setting up that Pardon whilest he forgot the severall punâ—shments which are threatned by the same Word to all those who shall adde or diminish to the book of Life In the morning the schoole doores being opened and the Schollers resorting thither according to their wonted manner and beholding this strange spectacle there needed no Shiboleth to distinguish Câ—tholiques were much offended at so great an abuse of holy Scripture others approved the fact and thought it a fine thing as they were severally addicted The Chancellour having notice hereof was struck with horrour at the no lesse boldnesse than wickednesse of the fact whereupon he endeavoured to finde out the party by the knowledge of his hand but that in vaine then he call'd a Convocation where he declared unto them for what cause they were conven'd layes before them the foulenesse of
rising though as different as the two Poles between themselves both against him the one discovering the other aggravating his offences yet though sometime he had a better friend for he proved such a constant enemy to the last that he became a Martyr for the former and such a bâ—tter adversary sometimes to the first as he became afterwards the second 's footstoole to her Throne yet neither of them gave him thanks which rendred his venome guilty of the nature of the Spiders thus to be intangled within his own web Cardinall Campeâ—â—â—s perceiving the King disposed to discontentment takes his leave of his Majeâ—â—y and suddenly departs the Realme after that he had made his abode here in this kingdome neere upon the space of one yeare who was no sooner gone but a sodaine rumour 〈◊〉 how that he had carried with him vast â—ummes of money of the other Cardinalls â—ut of the Realme for at that time Cardinall Wolsey waâ— suspected to 〈◊〉 the Land by â—eason of the Kings displeasure insomuch that 〈…〉 after and overtaken at Callis where when they had searched 〈…〉 they scarce found so much money about him as would serve to defray his ordinary charges to Rome This the Cardinall Campeius took heavily and thereat was mâ—rvailously discontented which search for treasâ—â—e was but a colour for the thing which the King aimed at was the instrument which contained the sentence of Divorce which Campeius had shewed unto the King in case he had seen cause to put the same in exâ—cution which if the King had sound out it is supposed he would have made good play therewith but he was deceiveâ— of his purpose Howsoever in the 22. yeare of the Kings reigne a Parliament was summoned to begin at London the 3. day of November and in the year of our Lord 1529. and accordingly Writs were directed to all the Counties c. but withall private Letters were sent to the most potent men directing them whom they should choose which Letters there were few or none durst disobey so that there was a Parliament filled to the Kings hearts desire And The regulations of all abuses of the Clergy were referred to the house of Commons where sâ—vere complaints against the whole Clergy as well as against particular Clergie-men were daily presented whereof some the house of Lord◠〈◊〉 into consideration and some they 〈◊〉 whâ—ch when the Bishop of Rochester perceived he spake as followeth My Lords here are certaine Bills exhibited against the Clâ—â—gy wherein there are complaints made against the 〈◊〉 idâ—â—nesse rapâ—ciry and cruelty of Bishops Abbots Priests and their Officialls But my Lords Are all vitious all idle all ravenous and â—ruell Priests or Bishops And for such as are such are there not laws provided alreaâ—y against such Is there any abuse that we doâ— not seek to rectifiâ— or can there be such a 〈◊〉 as that there shall be no 〈…〉 their owne and 〈◊〉 where they have no aâ—â—hority to correcâ— If wâ— be not 〈◊〉 in our Lawes let each man suffer for his dâ—linquency or if we have not power did 〈◊〉 with your assistance and we shall 〈…〉 much the Good as the Goods of the Church that is lookâ—d after Truly my Lords how this may sound in your 〈◊〉 I cannot tell but to me it appeares no otherwise than as if our holy Mother the Church were to become a bondmaid and new brought into servility and 〈◊〉 and by little little to be quite banished out of those dwelling places which the piety and liberality oâ— our forefathers as most 〈◊〉 Benefactoâ—s have conferred upon â—er otherwise to what tendeth these 〈◊〉 and curious Petitions of the Commons To no other intent or purpose but to bring the Clergie into contempt with the Laity that they may sâ—ize their Patrimony But my Lords beware of your selves and your 〈…〉 now on fire teach us to beware our own disasters whereâ—ore my Lords I will tell you plainly what I think that except ye resist manfully by your authoritâ—â—â— this violent heap of mischiefs offered by the Commons you shall see all obedience first drawn fâ—om the Cleâ—gie and secondly from your selves 〈◊〉 if you 〈◊〉 into the true causes of all these mischiefs which reign among them you shall finde that they all arise through want of Faith This Speech pâ—eased and displeased divers of the house of Peeres 〈…〉 were severally inclined or adicted to â—orward or 〈◊〉 the Kâ—ngs designâ—s among the which none 〈…〉 thereto but onely the 〈…〉 Bâ—t when the Commons heard of this Speech they conceived so great displeasure against the Bishop that they forthwith sent their Speaker Mr. Audeley to complaine on him to the King and to let his Highnesse understand how grievously they thou â—hâ— themselves injured therâ—by so as to be so highly charged for lack of Faith as if they had been Infidells or Hereticks c. The King therefore to satisfie the Commons sent for my Lord of Rochester to come before him being come the King demanded of him why he spake in such sort the Bishop answered that being in counsel he spake his minde in defence of the Church whom he saw daily injured and oppressed by the common people whose office it was not to judge of her manners much lesse to reform them and therefore he said he thought himself in conscience bound to defend her in all that lay within his power neverthelesse the King wished him to use his words more temperately and that was all which gave the Commons littlâ— satisfaction CHAP. XIV 1. The demand of all the small Abbies within the Land for the Kings use 2. The Bishop of Rochester opposeth the demand in the Convocation house 3. The mindes of the Clergie before ready to condescend to the propositionâ— altered thereupon 4. The Bishop of 〈◊〉 escaped very narrowly from being poysoned at his dinner 5. How he escaped another danger from the shot of a cannon 6. His departure from the place to Rochester IMmediately hereupon the foresaid demand for all the small Abbeys and Monasteries within the Land of the value of two hundred pound land and under to be given to the King was revived and the pretence for such demands of the Clergie was in recompence of the great charges and expences which the King was 〈◊〉 concerning the Divorce which he was put upon by the false and double dealing of the Cardinall and his Clergie and therefore it was said to be all the reason in the world that the Clergie should satisfie the King againe for the great expences he had been at and this was urged with such â—imporâ—unity as if the businesse had been called upon by sound of Drummes and Tâ—umpets In conclusion they all agreed that certâ—ine of the Kings Counsell should make demands hereof to the Coâ—vocation of the Clâ—rgy which was performed with such a terrible shew of the Kings displeasure 〈◊〉 them if they yâ—ilded not to his 〈◊〉 that divers of the Convocation seaâ—â—ing the Kiâ—gs indignâ—tion and
such keyes into his hands Secondly the Supreme Government of the Church consists in feeding Christs Sheep and Lambs according unto that when our Saviour performed that promise unto Peter of making him his universall Sheepherd by such unlimited jurisdiction feed my Lambs and not onely so but feed those that are the feeders of those lambes feed my sheep Now my Lords can any of us say unto the King Pasce oves God hath given unto his Church some to be Apostles some Evangelists some Pastors some Doctors that thâ—y might edifie the body of Christ so that you must make the King one of these before you can set him one over these and when you have made him one of these supreme Heads of the Church he must be such a Head as may be answerable to all the Members of Christs body and it is not the few Ministers of an Island that must constitute a Head over the Vniverse or at least by such example we must allow as many heads over the Church as there are soveraigne Powers within Christs Dominion and then what will become of the Supremacie every Member must have a heaâ— attendite vobis was not said to Kings but Bishops Secondly let us consider the inconveniences that will arise upon this Grant we cannot grant this unto the King but we must renounce our unity with the See of Rome and if there were no further matter in it than a renouncing of Clement the seventh Pope thereof then the matter were not so great but in this we do forsake the first four generall Counsells which none ever forsook we renounce all Canonicall and Ecclesiastical Laws of the Church of Câ—rist we renounce all other Christian Princes we renounce the Vnity of the Christian World and so leap out of Peters ship to be dâ—owned in the wave of all Heresies Sects Schismes and Divisions For The first and generall Counsell of Nice acknowledged Silvâ—ster the Bishop of Rome his authority to be over them by sending their Decrees to be ratified by him The Couâ—sel of Constantinople did acknowledge Pope 〈◊〉 to be their chief by admitting him to give sentence against the Heretiques Mâ—cidonius Sâ—bellinus and Eâ—nomius The Counsell of Ephesus acknowledged Pope Celestin to be their cheif Iudge by admitting his condemnatiâ—n upon the Heretique Neâ—torius The Counsell of Chalcedon acknowledged Pope Leo to be their chief Head and all generall Counsells of the World ever acknowledged the Pope of Rome onely to be the Supreme Head of the Church and now shall we acknowledge another Head or one Head to be in England and another in Rome Thirdly We deny all Canonicall and Ecclesiasticall Lawes which wholy doe depend upon the authority of the Apostolicâ—ll See of Rome Furthly We renounce the judgement of all other Christian Princes whether they be Protestants or Catholiques Iâ—wes or Gentiles for by this argument Herod must have been head of the Church of the Iewes Nero must have been head of the Church of Christ the Emperour must be head of the Protestant Countreys in Germany and the Church of Christ must have had never a head till about 300. yeares after Christ. Fifthly The Kings Majesty is not susâ—â—ptible of this Donation Ozias for medling with the Priests office was resisted by Azâ—rias thrust out of the Temple and told that it belonged not to his oâ—â—ice now if the Priest spake truth in this then is not the King to meddle in this businesse if he spoke amisse why did God plaguâ— the King with leprosie for this and not the Priest King David when the Ark of God was in bringing home did he place himself in the head of the Priests Order did he so much as touch the Ark or exâ—cute any the least properly belonging to the 〈…〉 or did he not rather go beâ—ore and abase himselfe amongst the people and sâ—y that he would become yet more vile so that God might be glorified All gooâ— christiâ—n Empâ—rours have evermore refused 〈◊〉 authority for at the first Generall counsel of Nice certaine Bills were privily brought unto Constantine to be ordered by his authority but he caused them to be burnt saying Dominus 〈◊〉 constituit c. God hath ordained you Priestâ— and hath given you power to be Iudges over us and therefore by right in these things we are to be juâ—ged by you but you are not to be judged by me Valentine the good Emperour was required by the Bishops to be but present with them to reform the heresie of the Arians but he answered Forasmuch as I am one of the Mâ—mbers of 〈◊〉 Lay-people it is not lawfull for me to define such controversâ—â—s but let the Priâ—sts to whom not to separate our selves from such a one If we answer thâ—t the Church of Rome is not of God but a Malignant Church then it will â—ollow that we the inhabitants of this land have not as yet received the true faith of Christ seeing we have not recâ—ived any other Gospel any other Doâ—trine any other Sacraments than what we have received from her as most evidently appears by all the Eâ—clâ—siastical Histories wherefore if she be a malignant Church we have been deceived all this while and if to renounce the common Father of Christendome all the Gâ—nerall Counsels â—specially the first four which none renounce all the Câ—untrâ—ys of Christendome whether they be 〈…〉 Countreys or Protestant be to forsake the Vnity of the Christian world then is the granting of the Supremacy of the Châ—â—ch unto the King a renouncing of the Vnity 〈◊〉 of the Sâ—amlesse coat of Christ in 〈◊〉 a dividâ—ng of the Mystical body of Châ—â—st 〈◊〉 Spouse limb 〈…〉 and tayle to tayle lik◠〈…〉 to set the field of Christs holy Church all on 〈◊〉 and this is it which we are about wherefore let it be said unto you in time an not too late LOOK YOV TO THAT This Spâ—ech so wrought with the whole Convocâ—â—â—on that all 〈◊〉 were laid aside and such an aâ—mour of resolution generally put upon the whole body there assembled that come what come would all was rejâ—cted and the Kings purpose for that time clearly frustrated But the King desiâ—ted not notwithstanding all this but sent his Orators to the Convocation-house to put them in mind of the dangers they were in and to acquaint them with the Kâ—ngs heavy displeasure against them for denying him so reasonable a demand both which particulars they aggravated and set forth to the highâ—st advantage but it was answered that they were sensible enough of that which they had said and for the Kings displeasure they were very sorrowfull because they could not help it wherefore if they must they said suffer they must be contented The King having in vain thus attempted the fury of the wind in bereaving these Travellers of this upper Garmâ—nt of the Church he now makes triall what the policy of the Sun will do Wherefore The King sent for divers of the chief leading men of the Convocation as well Bishops as
others to come unto him at his Palace of Westminster at whose first entrance into his presence he shines upon them such a gracious look as if all the raâ—â—s of Majesty had beene bestowed upon them by that aspect and courts them with the sofâ—â—st mild and gentlest words as that pâ—ssibly he could use protesting unto them upon the word of a Kâ—ng that if they would acknowledge and 〈◊〉 him for supâ—â—me head of the Chuâ—ch of England he would never by vertue of that Gâ—ant â—ssume unto himself any more powâ—r juâ—isdict on or â—uthority over them than all other thâ—Kings of England his 〈◊〉 had formeâ—â—y assumed neiâ—her wouâ—d he tâ—ke upon him to pâ—omulgâ— or 〈◊〉 any new spiritual Law or exâ—rcise any 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction or intermâ—ddle himself among them in altering changing ordâ—ring or judging in any spâ—ritual businesse whatsoever wherefore said he I having made you thâ—s frank promise I expâ—ct that you should deale with mâ— accordingâ—y and so he dismissed them to consiâ—er of this businesse amongst themsâ—lvâ— and to gâ—ve his Orators an accouâ—t thereof in the house the next morning CHAP. XVI 1. The Bishops consult what course to take 2. The Bishop of Rochâ—ster proposeth untâ— them a Parable Whereupon they all break off in confusion 3. The Kings Oâ—ators repaire unto the Coâ—â—ocation to know the Clergies finâ— determâ—nation in the businâ—sse 4. The Bishop of Râ—chester's Spâ—ech unto the Kings Orators 5. The Orators Reply unto the Bishops Speech 6. The Headship of the Church graâ—teâ— unto the King upoâ— conditions the conditions rejected at last accepted of THe Bishops c. as soon as they were departed the Kings presence retired themselves to a place of privacy to consider with themselves what were best to be done and what account and advice they should give unto the rest of the Clergie Some of them were apt enough to think the businesse now pretty faire seeing that the King had promised fairly but because my Lord of Rochester was the onely man that most stickled in this businesse they all asked his opinion herein in the first place who soon answered them with this parable Thus stands the case my Maâ—ters the Heart upon a timâ— sâ—id unto the Members of the Body lâ—t me also be your Head and I will promise you that I will neither see nor heare nor smell nor speak but I will close and shuâ— mine eyes and eares and mouth and nostrills and will excecute no other offices than a meere heart should do whereupon all hopes of reconciliation upon that trust and wâ—yes of satisâ—action was soon nipp'd in the bud and they all broke off in confusion with â—â—d hearts The next day the Orators came to the house of Convocation to know the Clergies resoâ—ution in the businesse repeating unto the whole hous the words which the day before his Maj. had spoken unto some of them and that over over and moreover saying unto them that if they should now oppose themselves against his Maj. this businesse it must needs declare a grâ—at mistrâ—stâ—ulnesse which they had in the Kings words sâ—eing he had made unto them so solemne and high an oath which words of theirs pressed so home and followed so close with all the specious arguments and fairest promises that could be imagined stâ—ggered indeed some but silâ—nced all excepting him who is the subject of this History who after that he had earnestly required of the Lords to take good heed what they did and to consider the manifold michiefs and inconveniencies that would â—nâ—ue unto the whole Church of Christ if they should condescend to any such request applying himself unto the Kings Orators he spake thus unto them It is true the King was graciously pleased to protest thus and thus What if the King should alter his minde where is our remedy What if the King will execute the Supremacy must we sue unto the Head to forbeare being Head Againe this dignity is invested in him his Successors will expect the same and the Parliament will questionlesse anneâ— that dignity to the Crowne What if a Woman should succeed to the Crowne must she be Head of the Church What if an Infant should succeed can he be Head This were not only said he to make the Church no Church but the Scripture no Scripture and at last Iesus to be no Christ. To the which sayings the Orators replyed that the King had no such meaning as he doubted repeating againe his royall Protestation and further said that though the Supremacy were granted unto his Mâ—jâ—sty simply and absolutely according to his demand yet it must needs be understood or so takâ—n that he can hâ—ve no farther power or authority thereby than quantum per legem Dei licet and then if a temporall Prince can have no such authority by Gods Lawes as his Lorâ—ship hath declared what needeth the forecasting of so many doubts The Bâ—shop of Rochester perceiving the whole house to be much affâ—cted with their manner of pleading and fearing that they might desert him in the end through â—ear and dread of the Kings displeasure takes hold upon their last words and thus speakes unto his Majestiâ—s Orators Gâ—ntlemen you think that herein we stand too stâ—ff upon our owne legs but it is not so but onâ—ly in the defence of our owne and your Mother the holy Catholique Church in whose bosome you are as well as we and the milk of whose Breasts it is your pâ—rts to suck as well as ours and within whose blâ—ssâ—d Commuâ—ion there is but one Salvation which is common uâ—to all wherefore Gentlemen let it be your care that our tendernesse in this point be not misconstrued to the King and now as to this demand that his Mâ—jesty and you all may plainly see that we shall to please his Majâ—sty do the uâ—termost of whaâ— lieâ— within ouâ— pâ—wer in that 〈◊〉 let all that which his Majesty hath protested and so solemnly taken his oâ—th upon be â—â—cordâ—d and the words quantum per lâ—gâ—m 〈◊〉 be inâ—erted in the Grant which is no otherwâ—â—â— than what the King and you your selves have faithfully promised and protested and for my part it shall be granted Whereupon the Orâ—tors went away as well 〈◊〉 and made a report of all that had happened in the Convocation house unto the King whereat the King was highly offended and said unto them Mother of God you have 〈◊〉 pâ—etty prank I thought to have made fooles of theâ—â— and now you have so ordered the businesse that they are likely to make a foole of me as they have done of you already got unto them again and let me have the businesse pâ—ssed without any quâ—ntum's or tantum'â— I will have no quantum's nor no tantum ' s in the businesse but lâ—t it be done Whereupon immeâ—iâ—tâ—ly they returned to the Convocation house calling and crying ouâ— upon them with open and coâ—tinuall clamour to have the Grant pass absolutely and to credit the Kings honour who had made unto
I could do neither Whereupon they were both sent back to the Tower The King seeing these engines would not hold betook himself to the advice which the Lords had formerly given him and he reâ—used to take viz. of sending unto him men of his owne Coat to perswade with him in this businesse wherefore he sent for Dr. Stokesly Bishop of London Stâ—phen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Dr. Tunstall Bâ—shop of Durham and commanded them to repaire immediately unto their Brother of Rochester and see what they could do and see they did it for he would have it done These men knowing there was no mercy to be had if they did not do their uttermost endeavour at the least to give the King all manner of satisfaction herein went to the Tower and dealt heartily with the Bishop in that businesse But before I will tell you what answer the Bishop made unto their importunities therein that you may the better know the miseries of those times you shall first understand that these very men after that this good man was dead and rotten perceiving this Supremacy to exercise its authority more and more untill at last it came to alteration of their Religion in point of Doctrine would often weep most bitterly and carelesse of themselves wâ—sh â—hat they had stuck to their Brother Fisher and not to have left him wholly to â—â—mself as wickedly they did and not onely so buâ— they would preach the same openly in their Pulpits and upon all other occasions and times of meeting and that bâ—fore the Lords of the 〈◊〉 and sometimes in the Kings hearing which dâ—â—w great commiseration from their hearers and at last the Kâ—ng himsâ—lfe to serious animadversions of what he had 〈◊〉 and at last to a rectification of what he 〈◊〉 he had done amisse by his 〈◊〉 enjoyâ—â—g of the six maine Articlâ—s of 〈◊〉 Râ—ligâ—on which these Bishops 〈…〉 to be propounded unto alâ— his Subjâ—cts to be subscribed unto in which Religion the K. died and in the reign of K. Eâ—w 6. when 〈◊〉 Supremacy was held in a 〈…〉 over a childs head being then 〈◊〉 before the Kings Commissioners and 〈◊〉 urged to proceed according to the fruits of those times they did not onely recant their former doings but suffered themsâ—lves to be dâ—prived of so great dignities and to endure the same prison where for the space of five years they had no other comfort but the expectation of that Martyrdome which might be an expiation to them of those errors which fear and worldly vanity had causâ—d them to run into which resignation of themselves so willingly into the hands of Almighty God was answered with a meâ—cy which restored thâ—m unto their former liberties dignities and honours in the beginning of the reign of Qu. Mary But to return to my former story When theâ—e men had perswaded the good Bâ—shop all they could to do what their owne conscience tolâ— thâ—m should not havâ— been done the good Bâ—shâ—p made them this reply My Lords 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 me so much to be urged so sorely â—n a 〈◊〉 of this nature as it doth wound me grievously that I should be urged by you whom it concerns as much as 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 but defend your cause whiles you so plead against your selves it would 〈◊〉 become us all to stick together in repressing the violences and injuries which daily are obtruded upon our holy mother the Catholique Church whom we have all in common than thus divided amongst our selves to help on the mischief but I see judgement is begun at the house of God and I see no hope if we fall that the rest will stand you see we are besieged on every side and the fort is betrayed by those who should defend it and since We have made no better resistance We are not the men that shall see an end of these calamities wherefore I pray leave me to Almighty god in whom onely there is comfort which no man can deprive me of and for that you have so often told me of the Kings heavy displeasure agasnst me I pray remember my duty to his Grace and tell him I had rather exercise the duty that I owe unto his Grace in praying for him than in pleasing him in this kinde So they departed from him with heavy hearts and fad countenances and never came unto him any more Within a while after that the Bishops were thus gone the poore fellow his man that waited upon him being somewhat simple and hearing all the discourse began to take his Master in hand thinking he had not got reason enough to speak thus unto his Lord and Master Alas my Lord why should you stick said he with the King more than the rest of the Bâ—shops which are learned and godly men Doubt ye not he requireth no more of you but onely that you would say he is Head of the Church and methinks that is no great matter for your Lordship may still think as you please whereat the Bishop fell into such a fit of laughter that he little thought he shâ—â—ld have laughed so much so long as he had a day to live but the man taking courage at this began to prosecute his begun discourse in a manner which he thought more serious which the Bishop cut short with this composure of jest and eâ—rnest Tush tush thou art but a foole and knows but little what belongs to this businesse but hereafter thou maist know more Alas poore fellow I know thou lovest me and speakest this out of simplicity and love together but I tell thee it is not onely for the Supremacy that I am thus tossed and tumbled but also for another Oath meaning the Oath of Succession which if I would have sworn unto I believe I should never have been much questioned for the Supremacy nor is it for these two that I stand out but for the ensuing evills that must necessarily follow hereupon And this thou maist say another day thou hast heard me speak when I am dead and gone Upon the 21. of May and in the yeare of our Lord 1535 Paul the third Pope of Rome hearing the fame of this good Bâ—shops constancy and sufferings in defence of the Catholique Church at the solemn creation of Cardinalls in Rome in the first yeare of his consecâ—ation among divers other worthy and famous men he nominated this good Bishop Fisher for one that should be made a Cardinall where upon the same day before specified he also was intituled Sanct. Ro. Ecclesiae tituli Sancti vit pretriter Cardinalis This the Pope did for his great worth and merits sake thinking that by reason of the dignity and advancement of so high a degree of eminence that either the King would use him with more clemency for his dignity sake or else that he might thereby heap further trouble and danger upon the King if notwithstanding that dignity he continued such his displeasure against him and this was it that clean threw him over the perch and brought