modest to expresse such excessive grief as that love should make her shake off all fear and shame which sad fight piercing the hearts of the beholders how do you think it moved the fathers surely his affection and forcible love had now daunted his courage if that a divine spirit of constancy had not inspired him to behold this most generous woman his most worthy daughter endued with all good gifts of Nature all sparks of Piety which are wont to be most acceptable to a loving father O strange to presse unto him at such a time and place where no man could have accesse hanging about his neck ere he was aware of her holding so fast on him as she could scarce be plucked off uttering no other words but O my Father O my Father surely this could not but be a sword to his heart and then at last being drawn away by force to run upon him again without any regard either of the weapons wherewith he was encompassed or of the modesty becoming her own Sexe What comfort did he want what courage did he then stand in need of and yet he resisted all this most valiantly remitting nothing of his steady gravity speaking only what is before recited and at last of all desiring her to pray for her fathers soul Sir Tho. M. remained in the Tower more then a seven-night after his judgment arming himself with prayer and meditation against the day of his execution walking about he chamber with a sheet about him like a corps ready to be buryed In which time came to him one of the Court whose whole disourse was nothing else but urging Sir Thomas to change his mind who at last being wearied with his importunity answered him that he had changed it whereupon presently he went and told the King and being by him commanded to know wherein hâ—s mind was changed Sir Thomas rebuked him for his leightnesse in that he would tell the King every word that he spoke in jest meaning that whereas he had intended to be shaven that he might appear to the people as befor he was wont now he was fully resolved that his beard should take such part as his head did which made the Courtier blank and the King very angry Now last of all the day before he was to suffer being the fifth of July he wrote a most loving letter with a coal to his daughter Margaret sending his Blessing to all his children in which he writeth very affectionately expressing also the great desire he had to suffer on the morrow after in these words I cumber you good Margaret much but I would be sorry if it should be any longer then to morrow for to morrow is S. Thomas Even and the Uras of S Peter and therefore to morrow long I to go to God it were a day very meet and convenient for mee I never liked your manners better then when you kissed me last For I like when daughterly love and dear charity hath no leisure to look unto worldly courtesie Farewel dâ—ar daughter pray for me and I will pray for you and all your friends that we may meet together in Heaven Commend me when you can to my Son John his towardly carriage towards me pleased me very much God-blesse him and his good wife and their Children With this Letter he sent also his shirt of hair and his whip as one that was unwilling the world should know that he used such Austerity For in his life time he by his mirth had hidden from the eyes of others his severity to himself So upon the next day being Tuesday St. Thomas even and the Vtas of his special Patron St. Peter for whose Supremacy he suffered in the year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred thirty and seven according to his desire expressed in his Letter the day before early in the morning came to him Sir Thomas Pope his singular friend with a message from the King and his Councel that he should before nine of the clock the same morning suffer death and that therefore he should presently prepare himself for it Mr. Pope said he I most heartily thank you for your good tidings I have been much bound to the Kings Highnesse for the benefits of his Honours that he hath most bountifully bestowed upon me yet am I more bound to his Grace I assure you for putting me here where I have had convenient time and space to have remembrance of my end And so help me God most of all I am bound unto him that it hath pleased his Majesty so shortly to rid me out of the miseries of this wretched world The Kings pleasure farther is said Sir Thomas Pope That you use not many words at your execution Mr. Pope said he You do well to give me warning of the Kings pleasure herein for otherwise I had purposed at that time somewhat to have spoken but no matter wherewith his Grace or any other should have cause to be offended howheit whatsoever I intended I am ready obediently to conform my self to his Highnesse Command and I beseech you good Mr. Pope be a means to his Majesty that my daughter Margaret may be at my burial The King is contented already said he that your wife Children and all other should have liberty to be present at it O how much beholding then am I said Sir Thomas to his Grace that unto my poor burial voucheth to have so gracious consideration Then Sir Thomas Pope taking his leave of him could not refrain from weeping which Sir Thomas perceiving comforted him in these words Quiet your self good Mr. Pope and be not discomforted for I trust we shall once see each other full merrily where we shall be sure to live and love together in joyful blisse eternally And further to put him out of his melancholy Sir Thomas took his Urinal in his hand and casting his water said merrily I see no danger but that this man might live longer if it had pleased the King After which words they parted and when he was gone Sir Thomas as one that had been invited to a banquet changed himself into his best apparel The Lieutenant of the Tower seeing him prepare himself to his death advised him for his own benefit to put them off again saying he who was to have them was but a Javel What Mr. Lieutenant said Sir Thomas shall I account him a Javel who will do me this day so singular a benefit Nay I assure you were it cloth of God I would think it well bestowed on him But the Lieutenant so pressed him that at last for his friendship sake being loth to deny him so small a matter he altered his apparel and put on a Gown of Freese but yet of that little money that was left him he sent an Angel in gold to his Executioner in token that he maliced him nothing but rather loved him exceedingly for it And so was he
Rome about it The dispensation questioned And supplyed by a new confirmation He foresaw the fal of his Religion in England Sir Thomas More 's Embassie for peace and his happy successe therein Bishop Stokely his quirk in Queen Katharines marriage His conference with Sir Thomas about it Stokely undermines the Cardinal The Cardinals fal Sir Thomas More elected Lord Chancellor The honorable Ceremony with which he was enstald The Duke of Norfolk's Oration in behalf of Sir Thomas More Of his worthiness for so great an employment The first Lay-man that ever was made Lord Chancellor Good reasons why that old custome was now salt red Sir Tho. Mores modest and discrete reply He acknowledgeth his own unworthiness The Dukes love The Kings favour bounty Which he esteems beyond his deserts All which increase in him a resolution to discharge well this so great charge He desireth favourable interpretation of his endeavours A wise consideration of his predecessors example The dangeâ—s of high honours A warning to use them well Sir Thomas Mores behaviour to all suitors especially to the poorer sort No access to Bribery Means how great men may do favours in justice Notable integrity Even against his own kindred * Long delaies in Law the misery of poor Clients remedied by Sir Tho. More A pleasant Tale of a Tub. Sir Thomas More 's humble behaviour towards his Father the antientest Judg of the Kingdome His admirable zeal in the cause of his Religion A liberal reward proffered him nobly by the Bishops of England As nobly and magnanimously refused by him only for Gods caused Sir Thomas More his penances Hair-shirt His merâ—ciful works to his poor neighbours Liberality to his parish Church K. Henry desires Sir Thomas to allow his divorce Sir Thomas Mores refusal for the time accepted by the King A Parliament called for Q. Annes marriage Sir Thomas sues to depose his Office Sir More 's humbleness in the height of his Honours A remarkable Record that no Cause was left undecided in the Chancery The death of Sir John More Sir Tho. never enjoied his Fathers inheritance Rare poverty in a Lord High Chancellor Upon Sir Thomas his suite to resign up his Office the King graciously accepteth his desire Of his Children living with him All his Children hitherto dwelt with him An incomparable resolution after so great an honour to bear chearfully so low an estate Honourable poverty in so great a personage A pleasant jest to divert his wife from sorrow His remote preparations for suffering Continual talking of spiritual matters A good lesson for a Statesman The marriage concluded at St. Albans to be lawfull Sir Thomas More refuseth to be at Q Anns marriag His counfell and prediction to the Bishops his friends A notable story prophetically applyed His resolution rather to be devoured then deflowred The kings displeasure Sir Thomas his more immediate preparation for death A Christian stratagem The first occasion of calling him in question for Q. Anne The Nun of Kent warned by revelation to rebuke K. Henry She conferreth her revelation with Bish Fisher Her talk with Sir Tho. More Accusatians procuredagainst Sir Tho. More That he impugned the Kings marriage â—…rrels picked against his Chancellorship A supposed Bribe pleasantly confuted A courteous refususal of an honest reward Another of like nature Sir Thomas his first examinations The kings Deputies to attach Sir Thomas More Their fair words to win him Fairly answered with a mild and constant refusal The Deputies threats Sir Thomas More accused for Author of the Kings Boâ—k for the Pope His evident refutation Wise and wary counsel of Sir Tho. to the King the King acknowledgeth the obligation of his Crown to Rome His merry heart after his examination A fall given to the Devil The Kings indignation against Sir Tho. More Prudent and politique advine in so bad a Cause Proceeding against Sir Tho. More deferred A gallant answer to a friends fear The Oath of supremacy Sir Tho. cited to take it His preparation before his going His discreet behaviour in that cause He resuseth the Oath for conscience sake All the Clergie but Bish Fisher and D. Wilson did take the Oath Upon what conditions Sir Tho. offered to set down his reasons of refusal Sir More 's offer proceedeth not of uncertainty but because he was sure his reasons were unaswerable All Christendome of more authority then all England The Oath of succession Sir More 's imprisonment first in Westminster Then by Q. Annes importunity in the Tower The upper garment the Porters Fee His mans Oath His discourse with his daughter Margaret Prevented with Prayers The comfort he found in his impriâ—onment Sir Thomas More foretelleth Q Annes death His pleasant answer to his Keepers honest excuse The ignorance of the Oath makers His meditation on death upon the execution of 24 Religious men Secretary Cromwel hiâ— visit A pretty dialogue between Sir Tho. More and his Lady His answer The prisâ—n as neer heaven as his own house Eternity to be preferred before Temporality Another visit Mr. Rich his Case Surely a poor ground for an Inditement of Treason An accident very remarkable if true at the taking away of his Books His merry jest upon it The substance of the inditement The Arraignment of Sir Tho. More His Inditement The Judges charges His resolution Sir Thomas his answer to the inditement 1. How sincerely he had alwaies told the King his mind concerning the marriage The continuation of his imprisonment and afflictions 2. Why he refused to tell his judgment of the law of Supremacy Lay-men not concerned in this Law No law can punish silence that is without malice Whether his silence were malicious Obedience first to God then to man 3. That he never counselled or induced B. Fisher The contents of his letters to the said Bishop 4. The law of Supremacy like a two-edged sword Mr. Rich his Oath against Sir Tho. More Disproved by Sir Th. Oath to the contrary His exception against the witnesse as unworthy of credit If it had been true there had been no Malice Malice in Law The improbability of Mr. Rich's deposition Mr. Rich his witnesses do fail him The Jury verdict guilty Excepted against by Sir Tho. The Act of Parliament against Gods Law No Lay-man may be head of the Church Against the Laws of the Kingdom Against the Kings own Oath Against the peculiar Obligation of England to Rome The Lord Chancellors reply The condemnation of Sir Th. More The Sentence Mitigated by the King Sir More 's charity to his Judges The manner of Sir Th. his return to the Tower Great constancy courtesie and chariâ—y A great experiment of love in the only son of Sir Th. More The great passion of his daughter Margaret A consideration of this mutuall passion of father daughter How devoutly and cheerfully he attended his execution His pleasant comceit upon a Courtier His last letter to his daughter Margaret His blessing to his heir His hair-shirt and Discipline Notice given him from the King of of the day of his death Most welcome unto him He must use but few words at his execution His wife and children permitted to be at his burial His comfortable courage He puts on his best apparell that day His liberality to his executioner The manner of his death His words at his death His prayers Words to the Executioner He covereth his eyes himself His death The K. sadnesse at the news of his execution The imprisonment of his daughter Margaret The favour and physiognomy of Sir Thomas More The judgment of Charles the fifth Emperour and King of Spain concerning Sir Th. More 's death Circumstances worthy some consideration in his death A witty reprehension An unmannerly reprehension mannerlyreturned on the reprehender A bold debter handsomly told his own A pleasant arbitrament between his Lady and a begger A witty censure of a witlesse writing A merry mistake Sinners distasted Why few fear death No man sure of long life Worlds vanity Worldly losses hurt not The folly of old misers How fond it is to love this world Affliction more profitable then pleasure Against deferring of amendment Pusillanimity a dangerous temptation Danger of prosperity Of riches and honours All riches of this world none of our own Covetousnesse Bad Merchants Riches are not goods The worst affection Almes-deeds The world a prison To suffer for God Prayer Detraction Ingratitude Faith the mistresseâ— of reason Better prevent then redresse Desire of heaven Bad life no miracle School Divinity An Apologie for Sir Tho. M pleasantnesse of wit
Dr. Stapleton AN Apologie for Sir More 's pleasantnesse of Wit THE HISTORY OF Sr. THO. MORE CHAP. I. 1 Sir Thomas Mores Parentage 2 The place and year of his birth 3 His education first studies and employments of youth SIR Thomas More was the only son of Sir John More Knight and one of the Justices of the Kings Bench a man singular for his many rare perfections which are set down by his son in his Epitaph extant extant among his Latin Works Cambden reports of him for proof of his pleasantnesse of wit that he would compare the great number of women to be chosen for wives unto a bag full of Snakes having amongst them but onâ— Eel now if a man puts his hand into this bag he may chance to light on the Eel but 't is 2 hundred to one if he be not stung with a Snake Many such witty similitudes he used both in his private discourses and publiquâ— auditory by which and many other his perfections of wit and grace one might guess that thiâ— child was likely to prove singular having so worthy a father Sir Thomas More was born at London in Milkstreet where his father for the most part dwel in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and eighty and in the twentieth year of Edward the fourth Shortly after whose birth was there this presage of his future eminency His Nurse riding with him over a water the Horse stept aside into a deep place and put both her and the child in great danger of their lives but she endevouring suddenly to prevent the harm of the Infant threw it over a hedge into a field near adjoyning and afterward by Gods assistance escaped safe herself When she came to take him up again to her amazement she found him to have no hurt at all but the Babe sweetly smiled upon her Wherefore his father as supposing him sent into the world for some great end was much the more careful of his education and so put him to the Free-school of London called St. Anthonies where after he had been brought up in the Latine tongue his father shortly after procured him to be recived into the house of the Right Reverend Prelate Cardinal Moorton Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord High Chancellor of England where though he was young of years yet would he in the Christmas time suddenly sometimes step in among the Players and never studying for the matter make a part of his own there presently amongst them which was so witty and full of Jests that he alone made the lookers on more sport then all the Players beside in whose wit and towardnesse the Cardinal much delighting would often say of him to the Nobles that several times dined with him This child here waiting at the Table whosoever shall live to see it will prove a marvellous man Whereupon for his furtherance in learning he placed him in Canterbury Colledge in Oxford now called Christ Church where when he was both in the Greek and Latine tongue sufficiently instructed he was then for the study of the Law put to an Inne of Chancery called New-Inne where for his time he very well prospered And from thence was admitted to Lincolns-Inne with very small allowance continuing his study there until he was made and accounted a worthy Utter Barrister And then to his commendation he for some time read a publique Lecture of S. Austin De Civitate Dei in the Church of S. Laurence in the Old Jury whereunto there resorted Dr. Groyein an excellent man and others of the most learned of the City of London Then was he made Reader of Furnivals-Inne so remaining by the space of three years and more after which time he gave himself to devotion and prayer in the Charter-house of London religiously living there without vow about four year CHAP. II. 1 Sir Thomas Mores marriage 2 His first preferments 3 His danger in King Henry the sevenths Reign NOw about this time there lived a pleasant Gentleman and of an ancient Family of New-hall in Essex by name M. John Colt who several times invited him to his house being much delighted in his company and proffered him the choice of any of his daughters three young Gentlewomen of very good carriage and complexion whose honest conversation and vertuous education enclined him there especially to set his affection and although he most desired the second daughter for that he thought her the fairest and most handsome yet when he considered that it would be both a great grief and some blemish also to the eldest to see her younger sister preferred before her â—he then of a kind compassion framed his fancie toward her and soon after married her never the more discontinuing his study of the Law at Lincolns-Inne but still plying the same until he was called to the Bench and had read twice which is as often as any Judge of the Law doth read and to which few but rare and singular Lawyers do ever attain Before which time he had placed himself and his wife in Bucklersbury in London where he had by her one son and three daughters in vertue and learning brought up from their youth whom he would often exhort to take vertue and learning for their meat and play but for their sauce In the latter end of King Henry the sevenths Reign a Parliament was called wherein Sir Thomas More ere ever he had read in the Court was chosen Burgesse there was then demanded by the King one Subsidie and three Fifteens for the marriage of his eldest daughter the Lady Margaret that then should be as indeeed she was shortly after the Queen of Scots when the consent of the Lower House was demanded to these impositions most of the rest either holding their peace or not daring to speak against them though very unwilling to grant them Sr Thomas making a grave speech argued so strongly why these exactions were not to be granted that thereby the Kings demands were cleer overthrown and his request denyed so that one Mr. Tyler of the Kings Privy Chamber being present thereat went immediately from the House and told his Majesty that a beardless boy had frustrated all his expectations whereupon the King being very much incensed at him would not be satisfied until he had some way revenged it Now forasmuch as he nothing having nothing could lose the King devised a causeless quarrel against Sir John More his father keeping him in the Tower until he had made him pay to him a hundred pounds fine hereupon it sell out that Sir Thomas More coming in a suit to Doctor Fox Bishop of Winchester one of the Kings privie Councel the Bishop called him aside and pretending great favour to him promised him that if he would be ruled by him he would not fail to restore him again into the Kings favour meaning as it was afterward conjectured
with Sir Thomas More that had not in this Parliament in all things satisfied his desires suddenly arose and departed and afterwards in his Gallery at White-hall in Westminster uttered unto him all his grief saying Would to God Mr. More you had been at Rome when I made you Speaker Your Grace not offended so would I too my Lord said Sir Thomas and to put it out of the Cardinalls head he began to talk of that Gallery of his saying I like this Gallery of yours my Lord better then your other at Hampton-Court With which so wise digression he broke off the Cardinals displeasant talk so that at that time he said no more to him But yet afterwards in revenge of his displeasure he counselled the King to send him Embassador Lieger into Spain commending unto his Highnesse his wisdome learning and fitnesse for that employment and the difficulty of the Cause considered he said there was none better able to serve his Grace therein which when the King had broken to Sir Tho. More and he had declared unto his Majesty how unfit a journey it was for him to undertake the nature of the Countrey and disposition of his complexion so disagreeing that he was never likely to do his Grace acceptable service therein knowing for certain that if his Grace sent him thither he should send him to his grave yet neverthelesse shewing in himself a readinesse according to his duty although with the peril of his life to fulfill his Majesties pleasure therein the King allowing well his answer said unto him It is not our meaning Mr. More to do you hurt but to do you good we would be glad we therefore will think of some other and imploy your service otherwise And such entire favour did the King bear him that he made him Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster upon the death of Sir Richard Wingfield who had that office before King Henry took so great pleasure in Sir Thomas his company that he would suddenly sometimes come to his house at Chelsey to be merry with him whither on a time unlooked for he came and dined with him and after dinner in a fair garden of his walked about an hour holding his arm about his neck As soon as his Grace was gone his son-in-law Mr. Rooper rejoycing thereat told him how happy he was whom the King had so familiarly entertained as he had never seen him do to any before except Cardinall Wolsey whom he saw his Majesty once walk with arm in arm I thank our Lord son Rooper said he I finde his Grace my very good Lord indeed and I beleeve he doth as singularly favour me as any subject within this Kingdome yet sonne Rooper I may tell thee I have no cause to be proud of it for if my Head would winne him a Castle in France for then there was war between us it would not fail to go off By which words he evidently shewed how little he joyed either in the Kings favour or in his worldly honour who knew well King Henrie's nature that what shew of friendship soever he made to any yet he loved none but for his own ends Sir Thomas More though in great honour and favour with his Prince was not therefore puft up with pride disdain or arrogancy but was of such a milde behaviour and excellent temper that he could never be moved to any passion or anger as his son-in-law witnesseth who affirms that in sixteen years time and more that he dwelt in his house and was continually conversant with him he could never perceive him so much as once in a passion and one Margaret Gigs who was brought up with Sir Thomas his children and used no otherwise then one of them being a singular learned woman saith that sometimes she would commit a fault for the nonce to hear Sir Thomas chide her he did it with such gravity such moderation such love and compassion His meeknesse also was very perspicuous in this if it had fortuned him with any learned men resorting to him from Oxford Cambridge or elsewhere as there did divers come for desire of his acquaintance some for the famous report of his wisdome and learning and some for suits of the Universities to have entred into disputation wherein few were comparable to him and so far to have discoursed with him therein that he might perceive they could not without some inconvenience hold out much further argument against him then lest lie should discourage them as he that sought not his own glory ever shewing himself more desirous to learn then to teach he would by some witty invention break off into some other matter and give over Upon a time the Water-bailiffe of London sometime his servant hearing where he had been at dinner certain Merchants liberally to rail against his old Master was so discontented at it that he hastily came to him and told him what he had heard and Were I said he in such favour and authority with my Prince as you are such men surely should not be suffered so villainously and falsely to misreport and slander me wherefore I could wish you would call them before you and to their shame for their malice punish them who smiling on him said Why Mr. Water bailiffe would you have me punish those by whom I receive more benefit then by you all that be my friends let them a Gods name speak as basely as they please of me and shoot never so many arrowes at me so long as they do not hit me what am I the worse but if they should once hit me then indeed would it not a little trouble me yet I trust by Gods help there shall none of them all be able to touch me I have more cause I assure thee Mr. Water-bailiffe to pity them then to be angry with them Such height of perfection had he now attained that he was neither allured by hopefull gains nor deterr'd one whit from his duty by evil tongues still carrying one and the same alacrity in all crosses and adversities as in the following discourse it will more appear CHAP. V. 1. Sir Thomas Mores prompt and ready wit 2. His charity to his neighbours 3. His friendship with learned men at home and abroad SIR Thomas More was a man of such readinesse of Wit that at such time as he attended upon his Highnesse in his progresse either to Oxford or Cambridge where he was received with very eloquent Orations his Majesty alwayes appointed him to answer them extempore as he that was most prompt and ready for it Sir Thomas being Chancellour of the Dutchy was made Embassador twice joyned in commission with Cardinall Wolsey once to the Emperour Charls into Flanders the other time to the French King into France whose manner was whensoever he had occasion to be in any University not only to be present at their Readings and Disputations but also learnedly to dispute himself amongst them to the great
admiration of all the Auditory for his knowledge in all sciences who being once at Burgesse in Flanders an arrogant fellow had set up a Thesis that he would answer any question could be propounded unto him in what Art soever Sir Thomas made this question to be put up for him to answer whether Averia capta in Withernamia sunt irreplegebilia adding that there was one of the English Embassadors retinue that would dispute with him thereof This. Thraso or Braggadochio not so much as understanding those terms of our common Law knew not what to answer to it and so he became ridiculous to the whole City for his presumptuous bragging On a time whilest the divorce was so hotly pursued by the King as you shall understand hereafter he walking with his son-in-law Mr. Rooper along the Thames side neer Chelsey among other discourse said unto him Now would to our Lord sonne Rooper upon condition that three things were well established in Christendome I were put into a sack and here presently cast into the Thames What great things be those Sir said he that should move you so to wish Wouldst thou know what they be son Rooper said he in saith they be these The first is That where most part of Christian Princes be now at mortall warre they were at an universal peace The second That where the Church of Christ is at this time sore afflicted with many errors and Heresies it were setled in a perfect uniformity of Religion The third is That whereas the Kings marriage is now brought in question it were to the glory of God and quietnesse of all parties well concluded whereby as this Mr. Rooper thought he judged that otherwise it would be a disturbance to a great part of Christendome Thus did it by his doings throughout the whole course of his life appear that all his labour and pains without respect of earthly profit either to himself or any of his were onely and wholly bestowed and employed to the service of God the Prince and the Kingdome who as this Mr. Rooper hath heard him in his latter time to say never asked of the King for himself the value of one penny Now as he did not regard proud and vain men so was he an intire and speciall good friend to all the learned men in Christendome with whom almost he had continuall intercourse of Letters but of all strangers Erasmus challengeth unto himself his love most especially which had long continued between them by mutual letters expressing great affection it encreased so much that he took a journey on purpose into England to see and enjoy his personall acquaintance at which time it is reported how that he who conducted him in his passage procured that Sir Thomas More and he should first meet together in London at the Lord Maiors Table neither of them knowing each other where in the dinner time they chanced to fall into disputation Erasmus still endeavouring to defend the worser part but he was so sharply set upon and opposed by Sir Thomas More that perceiving he was now to argue with a readier wit then ever before he had met withall he broke forth into these words not without some choler Autâ—tues Morus aut nullus whereto Sir Thomas readily replyed Aut tu es Erasmus aut Diabolus because at that time he was strangely disguised and had endeavoured to defend impious propositions for although he was a singular Humanist and one that could utter his minde in most eloquent phrase yet had he alwayes a delight to scoffe at religious matters and finde fault with all sorts of Clergy-men which is the reason that he is called by some Errans-mus CHAP. VI. 1 Sir More 's home-entertainments and devotions 2 His behaviour to his Wife and Children 3 His miraculous cure upon his daughter Margaret by prayer NOw although Sir Thomas More lived a Courtier yet when he came home as his daily custome was besides his private prayers with his Wife and Children to say the seven Psalms and the Letany so was he wont also every night to go to his Chappell with his wife children and houshold and there upon his knees ordinarily to say certain Psalms and Collects with them And because he was desirous for godly purposes to be solitary and sequester himselfe from worldly affairs he builded a good distance from his mansion house a place which he called the New-building wherein there was a Chappell a Library and a Gallery in which as his custome was upon other dayes to busie himselfe in prayer and meditation so on Fridayes he used to continue there from morning till evening spending his time only in devout prayers and spirituall exercises He would not suffer any of his servants either to be idle or to give themselves to games but some of them he appointed to look to the Garden assigning to every man his severall plat some he set to sing and some to play on the Organs the men abode on one side of the house and the women on the other seldome conversing together Erasmus saith that there was a fatall felicity fallen on the servants of that house that none lived but in better estate after Sir Thomas Mores death then before and none of them touched with the least aspersion of any evil fame He used to have one read every day at his table which being ended he would ask some of them how they understood such and such a place whereupon proceeded friendly communication recreating all men that were present with some jest or other When he observed any of his to spend much time in dressing themselves to be fine in their apparell he would tell them That if God gave them not Hell he should do them much wrong for they took more pains to please the world and the Devill then many even vertuous men did to cleanse their souls and please God And to stir up his Wife and Children to the desire of heavenly things he would sometimes use these words unto them It is now no mastery for you Children to goe to heaven for every body giveth you good counsell and good example you see vertue rewarded and vice punished so that you are carryed up to heaven as it were by the Chins but if you live the time that no man will give you good counsell nor good example when you shall see vertue punished and vice rewarded if you will then stand fast and firmly stick to God upon pain of my life though you be but half good God will allow you for whole good If his Wife or any of his Children had been diseased or troubled he would say unto them We may not look at our pleasure to goe to heaven in feather-beds that is not the way for our Lord himself went thither through great pain and by many tribulations and the servant may not look to be in better condition then his Master And as
seemeth to make it then do I my Lord see little cause why that thing in my conscience should make any change for I do not doubt but of the learned and vertuous men that are yet alive I speak not only of this Realm but of all Christendome about there aâ—e ten to one that are of my mind in this matter But if I should speak of those learned Doctors and vertuous Fathers that are already dead of whom many are Saints in Heaven I am sure that there are far more who all the while they lived thought in this Case as I think now And therefore my Lord I think my self not bound to conform my conscience to the Councell of one Realm against the generall consent of all Christendome Now when Sir Thomas had taken as many exceptions as he thought fit for the avoiding of this Inditement the Lord Chancellor having bethought himself being unwilling now to have the whole burthen of his condemnation to lye upon himself asked openly there the advice of the Lord Chief Justice of England Sir John Fitz James whether this Inditement were sufficient or no who answered thus My Lords all by S. Gillian that was ever his Oath I must needs confesse that if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then in my Conscience the inditement is not insufficient Whereupon the Lord Chancellor said to the rest of the Lords Loe my Lords loe You hear what my Lord Chief Justice saith and so immediately he pronounced this Sentence THat he should be brought back to the Tower of London by the help of Will. Bingston Sheriffe and from thence drawn on a hurdle through the City of London to Tiburn there to be hanged till he be half dead after that cut down yet alive his privie parts cut off his belly ripped his bowels burnt and his four quarters set up over four Gates of the City his head upon London bridge This Sentence was by the Kings pardon changed afterwards into only beheading because he had born the highest Office in the Kingdome Of which mercy of the Kings word being brought to Sir Thomas he answered merrily God forbid the King should use any more such to any of my friends and God blesse all my posterity from such pardons After his Sentence pronounced the Judges courteously offered him that if he had any thing else to alleadge in his defence they would grant him favourable audience who answered I have nothing to say my Lords butthat Like as the Blessed Apostle St. Paul as we read of in the Acts of the Apostles was present and consented to the death of S. Stephen and kept their cloaths that stoned him to death yet be they now both twain holy Saints in Heaven and shal continue there friends for ever So I verily trust shal therefore right heartily pray that though your Lordships have been now judges on Earth to my condemnation we may yet hereafter all meet together in Heaven merrily to our everlasting salvation And so I pray God preserve you all and especially my Soveraign Lord the King and send him faithful Counsellors CHAP. XV. 1 The manner how Sir THOMAS MORE was led back to the Tower 2 His daughter Margarets great expression of love to him now condemned 3 How devoutly and resolutely Sir T. expected his execution 4 Notice of the time of his death sent him by the King 5 The manner and form of his death 6 The Kings sadnesse there pon 7 Physiognomy of Sir THOMAS MORE NOW after his condemnation he was conducted from the Bar to the Tower again an Axe being carried before with the edge towards him and was led by Sir William Kingston who was then Constable of the Tower and his very dear friend who when he had brought him from Westminster to the old Swan on his way to the Tower he there with a sad heart the tears running down his cheeks took his leave of him Sir Thomas M. seeing him so sorrowful with a cheerful countenance began to comfort him saying Good Mr. Kingstone trouble not your self but be of good chear for I will pray for you and my good Lady your Wife that we may meet in Heaven together where we shall be merry for ever and ever A little after this Sir William talking with Mr. Rooper thereof said In good faith Mr. Rooper I was ashamed of my self that at parting with your Father I found my heart so weak and his so stout that he was fain to comfort me who should rather at that time have comforted him But a conscience clear and at ease is a comfort which no earthly power can either give or take away the which by his demeanour and expressions it doth plainly appear he had Now that I may not omit what before I should have spoken of I will here mention a great experiment of love in the only Son of Sir Thomas More who upon his fathers landing at the old Swan like a most dutifull child did cast himself down at his feet humbly craving his blessing not without tears whom he therefore blessed and kissed most lovingly When Sir Thomas More was now come to the Tower wharf his best beloved daughter Margaret wife to Mr. Rooper being very desirous to see her father whom she thought she should never see in this world more diligently attended his comming at the Tower-wharf where she was certain he must pass by whom as soon as she had espied after she had on her knees received his fatherly blessing she ran hastily unto him and without consideration or care of her self passing through the midst of the throng and guard who with Bils and Halberts compassed him about there openly in the sight of them all embraced him took him about the neck and kissed him not able to expresse any words but these My Father O my Father He liking well this most naturall and dear affection of hers towards him gave her his blessing and told her That whatsoever he should suffer though he were innocent yet it was not without the will of God and that she knew well enough all the secrets of his heart counselling her to conform her will to Gods blessed pleasure and bad her be patient for her losse From whom after she was departed she not satisfied with the former Farewell like one who had forgotten her self ravished with the entire love of so worthy a father having neither respect to her self nor the presse of people about him suddenly ran to him took him about the neck and many times together most lovingly kissed him whereat he spake not one word but carrying still his gravity tears also fell from his eyes nay they were but sew in all the throng who at the sight of this could refrain from weeping no not the guard themselves yet at last with a most sorrowful heart she was forced to depart from him O what singular act of affection was this for a woman of nature bashful by education
against School Divinity because truth is there called in doubt not without danger we inveigh against you because false matters are held by you undoubtedly for truth it self NOw because there is an English Chronologer that terms him a scoffing man because his writings and doings were full of witty jests calling him a wise foolish man or a foolish wise man I think it very fit to set down in this place the reason out of his own writings why he hath used so many pleasant passages in his books it is this Even as some sick men saith he will take no medecines unlesse some pleasant thing be put among their potions although perhaps it be somewhat hurtful yet the Physitian suffereth them to have it So because many will not willingly hearken to serious and grave documents except they be mingled with some fable or jest therefore reason willeth us to do the like And in his great volume page 1048 he saith that jests are as it were sawce whereby we are recreated that we may eat with more appetite but as that were an absurd Banquet in which there were few dishes of meat and much variety of sawces and that an unpleasant one where there were no sawce at all even so that life were spent idly where nothing were but mirth and jollity and again that tedious and uncomfortable wherein no pleasure or mirth were to be expected Which mirth as it may well become all men so most especially did it become such a one as Sir Thomas M. being a marryed man nay a Courtier and companion to his Prince of whom I suppose that may worthily be spoken which Titus Livius recounteth of Cato thus In this man there was such excellency of wit and wisdome that he seemeth to have been able to make his fortune in what place soever he had been born he wanted no 〈…〉 for the managing of private or publique businesses he was experienced both in Countrey and City affairs some are raised to honour either because they are excellent Lawyers singularly eloquent or of admirable vertues but the towardlinesse of this mans understanding framed him so to all employments that you would suppose him for to be born for one alone In the practise of vertues you would judg him rather a Monk then a Courtier in learning a most famous writer if you would ask his counsell in the Law he was most ready to advise you the best if he were to make an Oration he would shew wonderfull eloquence he was admirable in all kind of Learning Latine Greek Prophane Divine if there were an Embassie to be undertook none more expert to finish it in giving solid and sound counsell in doubtful Cases none more prudent to tel the truth without fear none more free as farre from all flattery as he was open and pleasant full of grace in delivering his judgment and that which Cato had not he was most happy in For Livie saith that he had a sowre behaviour and a tongue immoderately free and full of taunting but Sir Thomas was mild and of an humble heart neither sad nor turbulent and besides of a pleasant conversation never stern but out of zeal for his Religion a great contemner either of unlawful pleasures or of inordinate riches anâ— glory And as Cato had much enmity with divers Senators so many of them on the other side did exercise his patience that one can hardly discern whether the nobility did presse him more or he the nobility but on the contrary Sir Thomas More never had any private or publique grudge with any man nay surely no man can suppose any to have been his enemy being born wholly to friendship and affability and as he was nothing inferiour to Cato for gravity integrity and innocency being as exact a hater of all vice and as stern to all wicked men as he so did he fâ—rre excell him in meeknesse sweetnesse of behaviour and pleasantnesse of wit nay I fear I do him too much injury to compare him with any the best of morall Philosophers who was indued with such supernaturall perfections and no doubt notwithstanding his judgment high in the favour of God FINIS S. Thomas Mores parentage The place and time of his birth An evident danger strangly escaped in his infancy His first studies employment In S. Anthonies School in London In Cardinal Moortons house His towardliness in the Cardinals retinue The Cadinal sendeth him to Oxford He is sent to New-Inne To Lincolus-Inne His publique Lectures upon S. Austin De Civitate Dei Sir Thomas More his marriage and first wife Chosen out of a charitable compassion against his own inclination His rare knowledge in the law His children by her K. Henry the 7. offended with Sir Tho. More He crosseth the K. in Parliament in an unjust imposition Sir John More the father imprisoned to be revenged on the son Bad counsel given by a politique Bishop Avoided by counsell of the Bishops Chaplain He retires to his quieter studies He is made one of the Under-Sheriffs of London His plentifull but honest gains His integrity in his profession of the Law The beginning of Sir Tho. More 's favour with K. Henry the 8. Warily ae the first declined by S. Tho. More By pleading for the Pope against the King he makes him one of his Privy Councell Sir Thomas More knighted The familiarity of K. Henry with Sir Thomas Discreetly lessened by Sir Thomas himself Sir Thomas made Treasurer of the Exchequer He is by the K. chosen Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament Who was then Cardinal wolsey His first request to the King His second request Cardinal Wolsey's entry into the Parliament His motion to the lower House Frustrated by Sir Th. More Who pleasantly and wittily diverteth the Cardinals displeasure He obtaineth against him not to be sent Lieger Embassador into Spain He is made Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster Sir More 's judgement of K Henrie's extraordinary favour His courteous behaviour in the midst of his honours His meeknesse in reprehending Patience joyned to perfection His readinesse of wit upon all occasions His charity to his neighbours His three wishes for the good of Christendome Unity in Peace Unity in Religion An end of the Kings controversie He never asked any thing of the King His friendship with learned men Sir More 's acquaintance with Dr. Erasmus Roterodamus Sir More 's home entertainments and devotions His servants discipline His table talk Against too much curiosity in dressing His counsell given to his wife and Children To desire heavenly things To bear afflictions patiently To resist the temptations of the Devil A happy houshold Their ordinary recreations His miraculous cure upon his daughter Margaret Cardinal Wolsey his ambition Pope Adrian's humility Longland B. of Wolsy's instrument K. Henry communicateth with Sit Thomas More his scruple concerning his first marriage The beginning of K. Henrie's separation from the Church of Rome Scruple of his marriage with Queen Katharine Commissioners from