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
he would thus animate and incourage them to bear their afflictions patiently so would he also perswade them to withstand the Devil and his temptations valiantly comparing that our ghostly enemy to an Ape for as the Ape not well looked to will be busie and bold to do shrewd turns and contrarily being spyed and checkt for them will suddenly leap back and adventure no further so the Devill finding a man idle and slothfull and without resistance ready to receive his temptations groweth so hardy that he will not fail to follow him untill he hath throughly brought him to his purpose but on the other side if he see man with diligence persevere to prevent and withstand his temptations he groweth so weary that in conclusion he utterly forsaketh him for as the Devil in his disposition is a spirit of so high a pride that he cannot endure to be mocked so is he of nature so envious that he is more afraid any should assault him lest he should thereby not onely be shamefully foiled himself but also procure more matter of merit to his opposer Many such words tending to devotion and care of their souls had he every day at dinner and supper after the aforesaid reading was done and without all doubt waving their principles such a family as this might be a fit pattern of imitation for the most religious Protestant where every one was busied about somewhat or other no carding no dicing no wanton company keeping but as it were some in religious house all chaste all courteous all devout Their recreations was either musick of voices or Viols for which cause he procured his Wife to play thereon to draw her minde from the world to which by nature he perceived her to be much addicted Thus delighted he evermore not only in vertuous exercise to be employed himself but also to exhort his Wife and Children to follow the same On a time his daughter Margaret Wife to Mr. William Rooper fell sick of the sweating sicknesse of which many that year dyed who lying in so great extremity of that disease as by no inventions or devises of Physitians of whom she had divers both expert wise and well learned continually attendant about her she could be kept from sleep so that both Physitians and every one about her despaired of her recovery and gave her utterly over her father as he that most intirely tendred her being in no small heavinesse for her sought to get her remedy from God by Prayer whereupon going up as his custome was into hit foresaid New-building he there in his Chappel upon his knees most devoutly and with many tears besought Almighty God that it would please him of his goodnesse unto whom nothing was impossible if it were his blessed will at his mediation to vouchsafe graciously to hear his petition where presently it came into his minde that a Glyster was her only remedy which when he told the Physitians they by and by confessed if there were any hope of health that that was the very best help indeed much wondring that of themselves they had not before remembred it Then was it immediately applyed unto her sleeping which she by no means could have been brought unto waking and although after she was thereby throughly awaked Gods marks and evident undoubted tokens of death plainly appeared upon her yet she contrary to all their expectations miraculously recovered and shortly after was restored to perfect health again whom if it had pleased God at that time to have taken to his mercy her father solemnly protested that he would never have medled with worldly affairs more CHAP. VII 1 The Ambition of Cardinall Wolsey 2 King Henrie's scruple about his marriage communicated to Sir Thomas More 3 Sir More 's Prediction of the alteration of Religion in England 4 His Embassie for peace and happy successe therein WHile Sir Thomas More was Chancellor of the Dutchy the Sea of Rome chanced to be void which was cause of much trouble for Cardinall Wolsey a man of unsatiable ambition having crept up in favour of Charles the first hoped now by his means to aspire to that dignity but perceiving himself disappointed of his expectations by means of the Emperor Charles so highly commending one Cardinal Adrian sometime his Schoolmaster to the Cardinals of Rome in the time of their Election for his vertue and worthinesse that thereupon he was chosen Pope who from Spain where he was then resident coming on foot to Rome before his entry into the City did put off his hose and shooes barefooted and bareleg'd passing through the streets towards his Palace with such humblenesse that all the people had him in great reverence But Cardinall Wolsey was so inraged at it and so stomach'd the Emperor for ever after that he studied all wayes how he might possibly revenge himself against him which as it was the beginning of a lamentable Tragedy so some part thereof as not impertinent to my present purpose I suppose requisite here to insert This Cardinal therefore not ignorant of the Kings unconstant and fickle disposition upon every light occasion soon inclined to withdraw his devotion from his own wife Queen Katherine to fixit upon others who either in nobility wisdome vertue favour or beauty were nothing comparable unto her intending this fickleness of his an instrument to bring about his ungodly designe endevoured all he could to allure the King to fansie one of the French Kings sisters the King being already though unknown to the Cardinall fallen in love with the Lady Anne Bullen which thing because of the enmity and war that was at that time between the French King and the Emperor whom for the cause afore mentioned he mortally maligned he was desirous to procure And for the better accomplishing thereof he requested Longland Bishop of London and ghostly father to the King to put a scruple into the Kings head thâ— it was not lawfull for him to marry his brothers wife which thâ— King not sorry to hear of openeâ— it first to Sir Thomas More whosâ— counsel he required therein shewing certain places of Scripture thaâ— somewhat seemed to serve hiâ— turn which when he had seriouslâ— perused and thereupon excuseâ— himself as one that never hâ—â— profest the study of Divinity tâ— be many wayes unfit to meddle iâ— such matters The King not satâ—â—fied with this answer still presseâ— upon him so sore for it that iâ— conclusion he condescended to hâ—â— Graces request And further because the businesse was of sucâ— weight and importance as required good advisement and deliberation he besought his Grace thaâ— he would give him sufficient tiâ—â— serioâ—â—ly to consider it where with the Kng very well contented told him that Tunstall anâ— Clark Bishops of Durham and Bath with other the most learned of his privy Councell should also confer with him therein So Sir Thomas More departing compared those places of Scripture with the expositions of divers of
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