to have used any indirect or sorcible meanes if such kinde of loyalty had been consistent with their Religion to have impugnâ—d that alteration in Religion then evidently foreseen to ensue how the Catholique Bâ—shops although she was a Princesse of a contrary Religion were so farre from holding their crosirers over that they set the Crown upon her head insomuch that they are commended by Holinsheaa for peaceable and quiet Bâ—shops and the Catholique and temporall Lord there by him recorded to be so farre from opposing themselves against her interest as that they are there said to offer her Majestie in her defence to impugne and resist any forraigne force though it should come from the Pope himself insomuch that they also are there commended by Holinshead himself for Loyalty and Obedience and had seen how the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury himselfe and Chancellour of England a Catholique Bâ—shop how instead of inveighing against her or casting forth Libells against her Authority as Archbishop Cranmer did against Queen Mary her entrance into the Government he made a publique oration in her behalfe to perswade the people to Obedience and acknowledge of her Highnesse just Power and Authority insomuch that the said Archbishops faithfulness was left to the commendation of a Protestant Bishop adverse to him in his Religion how all the Catholique Lords and Catholique Bishops repaired with all speed to London to proclaime her Queene who not long after turned them all out of their severall Offices and Bishopricks And On the contrary how when Qu. Mary was to be invested in her right Protestants would not receive her as their Queen but upon Conditions nor assist her without Indentures nor acknowledge her but upon such and such termes how Warre was waged against her by the Duke of Northumberland a Protestant Duke bills spread abroad and severall treacherous practises contrived against her her Right and Dignity by Archbishop Cranmer a Protestant Archbishop for which he was afterwards arraigned and condemned of high Treason what great commotions and insurrections were made against her by Wiat upon the score of Religion how Townes and Castles were taken and held out against her by Stafford how daggers were thrown at and gunnes shot off at the Priests of her Religion whiles they were preaching at Paul's Cross insomuch that it is notorioslny evident that there were more open Rebellions during the five years of her short government than during the four and forty yeares of her late Majesties after-reigne and yet these and such like men as these are accounted Martyrs whiles we onely suffered Martyrdome Had this good Bishop I say lived to have seen and to have observed all these particulars how much more able would he have been to have answered Master Rich his Objection from his Majesty concerning the inconsistency of the Pope of Rome's spirituall with his temporall Supremacy but now both the Fish and the Fâ—sher himself is caught within the Net that was laid for him for Mr. Rich was no sooner departed from him but immediately after the King commanded a Commission to be drawn and given to Mr. Audely his Lord Chancellour and certaine other persons commissionated under his great Seale to enquire and determine Treasons which Commission was dated the first day of Iune in the 27. yeare of the Kings reigne against which time the Kings learned Councell among the rest had drawn up an Indictment of high Treason against the Bishop of Rochester and three Monks of the Charter-house of London whose names were William Exmew Humphrey Midlemore and Schastian Nudigate This Indictment was not long in finding for on St. Barnaby's day the Apostlâ— being the 11. of Iune it was presented to the Commissioners sitting in the Kings Bench at Westminster whereupon the Carthusians were shortly after arraigned and condemned and having sentence of high Treason pronounced upon them they were all three put to death at Tyburne the 19. day of Iune next following all in their Religious habits But this good Bishop of Rochester now Cardinall if it be lawfull to call him so chanced at that time to be very sick insomuch that he had likely to have saved the Commissioners and divers others a great deale of paines which afterwards they bestowed upon him and it is conceived would willingly have spared wherefore the King sent unto him his owne Physitians to administer unto him to his great charges as I have it in my Record to the value of fifty pounds onely that he might be eâ—served for fuâ—ther â—riall In the mean time lest any conveyance might be made of his good remaining at Rochâ—â—ter or elsewhere in Kent the King sent one Sir Richard Morison of his Privy chamber and one Gostwick together with divers other Commissioners down into that Countrey to make seisure of all his moveable goods that they could finde there who being come unto Rochester according to their Commission entred his house and the first thing which they did they turned out all his Servants then they fell to rifling his goods whereof the chief part of them were taken for the Kings use the rest they took for themselves then they came into his Library which they found so replenished and with such kind of Books as it was thought the like was not to be found againe in the possession of any one private man in Christendom with which they â—russed up and filled 32. great fats or pipes besides those that were imbezel'd away spoyl'd and scatter'd and whereas many yeares before he had made a deed of gift of all these books and other his housholdstuffe to the Colledge of St. Iohne in Cambridge as in the beginning of this History it was mentioned two frauds were committed in this trâ—spasse the Colledge were bereaved of their gifâ— and the Bishop of his purpose yet both found out a way through gratitude to a reception for the Colledge accepted the good will for the deed and the Almighty received the giver for his good-will and whereas a summe of money of 3001. was given by a Predecessor of the Bishop to remaine as a Dâ—positum for ever to the said See of Rochester in the custody of the Bishop for the time being against any occasion that might happen to the Bishoprick to which this good Bâ—shop had added one hundred pounds out of his own purse with this inscription upon a labell which hung out at the bags mouth Tu quoque fac simile and notwithstanding that there was there written in an old character upon the inside of the Chest Let no man offer to lay hands on this for it is the Churches Treasure yet they swept it all away And I cannot omit as a Scaene of mirth in this sad Tragedie to relate unto you one merry passage which hapned in this quaerendum There was a wooden coffer strongly girded about with hoops of iron and double lâ—cked which stood in his Oratory where commonly no man came but himself for
half alive you shall be cut downe and throwne to the ground your bowels to he taken out of your body before you being alive your head to be smitten off and your body to be divided into four quarters and after your head and quarters to be set up where the King shall apoint And God have mercy upon your soule After the pronouncing of this cruell sertence the Lieutenant of the Tower with his band of men stood ready to receive and carry him back again to his prison Beâ—ore his departure he desired audience of the Commissioners for a few words which being granted he said thus in effect My Lords I am here condemned before you of high Treason for deniall of the Kings Supremacy over the Church of England but by what order of Iustice I lâ—ave to God who is the searchâ—r both of the Kings Majesty's conscience and yours Neverthelesse being found guilty as it is termed I am and must be consented with all that God shall send to whose will I wholly referre and submit my self And now to tell you more plainly my minde touching this matter of the Kings Supremacy I think indeed and alwaies have thought and do now lastly affirm that his Grace cannot justly claime any such Supremacy over the Church of God as he now taketh upon him neither hath it ever been seen or heard of that any temporall Prince before his daies hath presumed to that dignity wherefore if the King will now adventure himself in proceeding in this strange and unwonted case no doubt but he shall deeply incurre the griâ—vous displeasure of Almighty God to the great dammage of his owne soule and of many others and to the utter ruine of this Realme committed to his charge whereof will ensuâ— some sharp punishment at his hand wherefore I pray God his Grace may remember himself in time and hearken to good counsell for the preservaâ—ion of himselfe and his Realme and the quietnesse of all Christendome Which words being ended he was conveyed back againe to the Tower of London part on foot and part on horseback with a number of men bearing holberts and other weapons about him as was before at his coming to raignment And when he was come to the Towâ—r 〈◊〉 he turned him back to all his traâ—â—◠〈◊〉 had thus conducted him forward and 〈◊〉 and said unto them My Masterâ— I thank you all for the great labour and paines 〈…〉 with me this day I am not able to give you any thing in recompence for I have nothing left and therefore I pray you accept in good part my hearty thanks And this he 〈◊〉 with so luâ—ty a couragâ— so amiable a countenance and with so fresh and lively a colour as he seemed rather â—o have come from some great feast or banquet than from his arraignment shewing by all his gesture and outward countenance nothing else but joy and gladnesse Thus being after his condemnation the space of three or four daies in his prison he occupiâ—d himselfe in continuall pâ—ayer most fervently and although he looked daily for death yet could ye not have perceived him one whit dismayed thereat neither in word nor countenance but still continued his former trade of constancy and patience and that rather with a more joyfull cheere and free minde than ever he had done before which appeared well by this chance that I will tell you There hapned a false rumour to rise sodainely among the people that he should bâ— brought to his execution by a certain day whereupon his Cook that was wont to dresâ— his dinner and carry it daily unto him hearing among others of this Exâ—cution dressed him no dinner at all that day wherefore at the â—â—ook's next repaire unto him he demanded the cause why he bâ—ought him not his dinner as he was wont to doe Sir said the Cook it was commonly talked all the towne over that you should have died that day and therefore I thought it but in vaine to dresse any thing for you Well said he merrily unto him againe for all that report thou seest me yet alive and therefore whatsoever newes thou shalt heare of me hereafter let me no more lack my dinner but make it ready as thou art wont to do and if thou see me dead when thou comest then eat it thy selfe but I promise thee if I be alive I minde by Gods grace to eat never a bit the lesse Thus while this blessed Bâ—shop lay daily expecting the houre of hâ—s death the King who no lesse desired his death than himself looked for it caused at last a writ of Execution to be made and brought to Sir Edmond Walsingham Lieutenant of the Tower Buâ— where by his Judgement at Westminster he was condemned as ye have read before to Drawing Hanging and Quartering as Traitors alwaies use to be yet was he spared from that cruell execution wherefore order was taken that he should be led no further than Tower-Hill and there to have his Head struck off After the Lieutenant had received this bloody writ he called unto him certaine persons whose service and presence was to be used in that businesse commanding them to be ready against the next day in the morning and because that was very late in the night and the Prisoner asleep he was loath to disease him of his rest for that time and so in the morning before five of the clock he came to him in his chamber in the Bell tower finding him yet aslâ—ep in his bed and waked him shâ—wing him that he was come to him on a message from the King and after some circumstance used with perswasion that he should remember himself to be an old man and that for age he could not by course of Nature live long he told him at last that he was come to signifie unto him that the Kings pleasure was he should suffer death that forenoone Well quoth this blessed Father if this be your errand you bring me no great newes for I have long time looked for this message I most humbly thank his Majesty that it pleaseth him to rid me from all this worldly businesse and I thank you also for your tidings But I pray you Mr. Liâ—utenant said he when is mine houre that I must go hence your houre said the Lieutenant must be nine of the clock and what houre is it now said he it is now about five said the Lieutenant Well then said he let me by your patience sleep an houre or two for I have slept very little this night And yet to tell you the truth not for any feare of Death I thank God but by reason of my great infirmity and weaknesse The Kings further pleasure is said the Lieutenant that you should use as little speech as may be especially any thing touching his Majâ—sty whereby the people should have any cause to think of him or his proceedings otherwise than well For that said he you shall see me order my self as by Gods grace neither the King
THE LIFE DEATH OF THAT RENOWNED JOHN FISHER Bishop of Rochester Comprising the highest and hidden Transactions of Church and State in the reign of King Henry the 8th with divers Morall Historicall and Politicall Animadversions upon Cardinall Wolsey Sir Thomas Moor Martin Luther with a full relation of Qu Katharines Divorce Carefully selected from severall ancient Records by THO. BAILY D. D. Vivit post funera virtus LONDON Printed in the yeare 1655. The Right reverend father in God Iohn Fisher B of Rochester John Fisher was his name of whom you read Like John the Baptist this John lost his head Both yâ— sharpe axes stroake theyr body's feeles Both theyr heads danc'd of by light payrs of heeles Read but this booke this Fisher through and then You 'l finde a fisher not of fish but men THE LIFE DEATH OF THAT RENOWNED JOHN FISHER Bishop of Rochester Comprising the highest and hidden Transactions of Church and State in the reign of King Henry the 8th with divers Morall Historicall and Politicall Animadversions upon Cardinall Wolsey Sir Thomas Moor Martin Luther with a full relation of Qu Katharines Divorce Carefully selected from severall ancient Records by THO. BAILY D. D. Vivit post funera virtus LONDON Printed in the yeare 1655. To my honoured Kinsman Mr. Iohn Questall Merchant in Antwerp SIR THere are but three reasons inducing an Author to dedicate his Book to any one man rather than to another The first is the patronage of his Work under the shelter of some o're-spreading tree whose armes may happily receive the suppliant under his protection and defend it from the stormes of persecution The second is a willingnesse in the Author to expresse a Gratitude by Dedication by reason of some former Courtesies received And the third is a fitnesse in the person to whom he dedicates his book whereby his dedication may become suitable to such a Patronage The first I never affected as never believing that the estimation of any Patron could be oâ— sufficient authority to dignifie the patronage if it had not that within it selfe to make it acceptable according to that expression of the Father of the English Poets vâ—z I never knew that a Generalls Oration could make an Army either stand or fall but look how much habituall valour each man hath in himself so much in act it shews The Second I alwaies loved viz. to be gratefull to my friends and where such love and gratitude cannot otherwise goe or stand upon their owne legs on any ground they shall both creep on paper wherefore most worthy Cousin having received so great a benefit at your hands beyond the Seas as in my low condition not onely at once to relieve the Father in his necessity but also to adde so bountifull a hand in the bringing up of that child which by youâ— speciall charity is now able to live of it selfe to you onely do I dedicate this book as an acknowledgement of all your loving kindnesses Nor is the dedication of the History of this renowned Bishop and Cardinall elect to your selfe altogether improper for you being a Merchant your selfe he being a Merchants Son whereby it may appeare that men of your profession do not altogether bring home together with your Gold from Ophir Apes and Peacocks feathers but sometimes Iewels of Divine verity and highest estimation Thus with my prayers to God for you and your continuance in his Grace and Favour till you reach his Glory I take leave to rest Your most faithfull Servant and poore Kinsman T. B. The Life and Death of the most renowned John Fisher sometimes Bishop of Rochester CHAP. I. 1. The Time and Place of his Birth 2. How suitable both his Names were with his Condition 3. His comparison unto John the Baptist. 4. His temperance in Dyet and retirement of Life 5. His Education and Preferment 6. The countesse of Richmond the Kings Mother her great desire of winning him to her service 7. The great good deeds which she performed by his perswasion AT the time when as the Starres of Heaven frowned upon the Nation to behold Innocence swaying the Scepter of this Land so misbecomingly in the seven and thirtieth year of the Reign of the most Noble though unfortunate King Henry the sixt and in the year one thousand 〈◊〉 hundred fifty and nine after the time that a Virgin Daughter had produced her Father and a Creature her Creator when the blessed Vine sprang from the same Grape it bare and the root of Iesse shot from the Spring the Divine Providence brought forth under succour whose after growth made it soon known unto the world how worthily he received the two Names which both his Christendome and his Parents had bestowed upon him within the Collegiâ—t Church and town of Beverly scituate within the Province of York about eight score miles distant Northwards from the head City of the Nation viz. of Iohn and FISHER of Iohn being so like unto Iohn the Baptist who was twice baptized First with Water Secondly with Blood as by the first he was named Iohn so by the second he deserved to be stiled Iohn the Baptist having so fitly sympathized with the fore-runner of his Saviour by his following Christ that as like unto the others head became both Fountaine and their senselesse Trunkes streamers of Blood whiles the Spectators eyes became Rivers of Wâ—â—â—â— The first his Head was beg'd of King Herod at a banquet of Wine by a Psaltresse or woman dancer by the like light paire of heels the second Iohn of whom we treat his head was beg'd of King Henry whilst he was banquetting and making merry at his house of Hanworth The first was beheaded on the Birth day of King Herod the second was beheaded on the Birth day of King Henry having that very day compleated the just age of five and forty yeares And as the Holy finger of Saint Iohn the Baptist which pointed to the Lambe when he said Ecce Agnus Dei was miraculously preserved from corruption for a long space of time after his martyrdome so the head of this most blessed martyr wherewith he so deâ—cended and that so manfully the holy Catholick Church and Head of his Mother was by the like miracle preserved from corruption a long time after it was stuck up upon the Bridge of London with a fresh and lively colour untill such time as by commandement from the King it was taken downe and conveyed away from the sight of Men. The first made a Wildernesse his habitation The second turned his Palaâ—â— into a Wildernesse and place of solitude so Austerely curbing his wanton appetite with the most spare and Lessian dyet as that he made his Refection to be his Locufts and so cooling his infrequent Pleasures with sighs and saâ—cing them with so many Tears as that he made the selfe same bitter sweetings his wilde Honey the first wearing only a Girdle but the second contiually a Shirt of courser haire Only in this
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
the Body of so incomparable a Soule in the yeare of our Lord God 1519. the third of the Calends of Iuly within the Abbey of S. Peters in Westm. to the great grief and sorrow of all good people but to her own eternal happinesse who before her departure made her last Will and Testament wherein together with other Personages of great quality she made this holy Bishop as one in whom she reposed her chiefest trust one of her Executors She was buried with all solemnity according to the dignity of so great a person in the Abbey church at Westminster at whose Fuâ—erall Sermon this most excellent Bishop threw these flowers upon her Grave c. As concerning her birth that she was the daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset lineally descended from the most noble Prince Edward the third King of England As for Quality that she was a second Martha both for her Hospitality and Nobility where together with many other of her great Vertues and incomparable deeds of Charity all which he there related at large as so many proofs of sanctity he had these remarkable passages concerning her viz. that notwithstanding she was Princesse who by lineage and affinity had had thirty Kings and Queens besides Dukes Marquesses and Earles within the fourth degree of marriage supporting her greatnesse yet would she often fall so low as to search and dresse the wounds and sores of poore and distressed people with her own fingers performing all this for his sake who for ours received so many wounds as also when there was an offerture made by divers Princes to warre against the common enemy of our Faith she encouraged them thereunto by often telling them that upon condition that they would got she would also goe along with them and be their Laundresse The Funeralls of this great Lady being ended and that other Colledge which she had willed to be dedicated to S. Iohn the Evangelist being not yet built the rest of her Executors finding how faithfull the good man had been in his former trust by a generall consent resigned into his hands by a publick instrument in writing the whole authority of the disposement of her Legâ—cies but behold how worthily the dispensation was conferred upon him for whereas the Lady Margaret out of her great bounty and liberality had given to so pious a use a portion of Land for the maintenance of one Master and fifty Schollers with all manner of furniture and Servants requisite to every Office in manner and forme This good man did not onely bear a portion in the charge of the same Building but much augmented the Revenue thereof with possession of Land whereby four Fellowships were founded upon his own account and one Reader of an Hebrew Lecture and another of Greek together with four examining Readers and four under-Readers to help the Principall and whereas he observed the price of Victuals began to rise he gave wherewith by weekly divident the Fellows commons might be augmented bequeathing thereunto his Library of Books thought to be the best that ever was in Europe after his death together with all his Plate Hangings and other Housholdstuffe whatsoever to him belonging by a deed of gift in his life time under his own hand and putting the colledge into possession of the same by Indentures onely borrowing the same back again to his owne use during his life And for a perpetuall memory of his hearty good will and love towards this Colledge he caused a little Chappell to be built neere unto the high Altar or the great Chappell where there was a Tombe set of white Marble â—inely wrought where he intended to have laid his bones if God had not so disposed of him otherwise but he was otherwise disposed of and as if because this Martyrs body was not permitted to be brought â—mong these men these Fellowes brought their bodies to his Martyrdome for those famous Martyrs Mr. Greenwood Richard Reynolds Doctor in Divinity a professed Monke in Sion of the rule of S. Bridget and Mr. William Exmew a Carthusian professed in London the first whereof came out of S. Iohn's Colledge the other two came forth of Christs all three suffering death under King Hen. 8. in the cause of Supremacy that they might still be of his foundation though not of Stone and Mortar yet of Blood and Fire Out of the first of these two Colleges proceeded likewise Ralph Bayn Bishop of Lichfield Thomas Walson Bishop of Lincolne Iohn Christoferson also Bishop of Chichester Thomas Bishop Elect of Glocester and before that Abbot of Leicester all Catholique Bishops Out of the second also sprang that most Reverend and Grave Doctor Nicholas Heath Archb shop of York together with divers other Grave and Learned Preachers of the Catholick Faith And this is to be noted to the honour of that University that during the space of so many hundred years as is between the laying of the first Stone in this our Bethel Cambridge was never infected with any unsound Doctrine untill such time as Regis ad exemplum brought it in and Luther's Soul was transmigrated into Henry the eighth who evâ—r after never spake at a lesser rate than Siâ— volo sic jubeo who both of them since their fall from the Catholick Church pulled down Reason and set up Will And It is a thing which is most remarkable that he who goard this University so much as it is conceived the more for this mans sake of whom we treat and the great love sake which they all bore unto his memory by his placing and displacing 〈◊〉 men and lawes he pleased and all to make way for a new Religion in the end reconcâ—led himselfâ— unto the Catholick Faith as appeares by his subscribing to the six Articles of the Roman Catholick Religion which was all the difference that was then between the two Churches in matter of Doctrine as also by the expresse words of his last will and Testament So the first uncleane beast that ever passed through the Oxens-ford I meane Wickliffe by name afterwards chewed the cud and was sufficiently reconciled to the Roman Faith as appeares by his Recantation Living and Dying conformable to the holy Catholick Church at his Parsonage of Litterworth as I take it in Northampton-shire constantly saying Masse unto his dying day So that Reformation as it seems was left unto the time of which it is said Vae Regnâ— euipuer dominatur woe be to the Kingdome over which a â—hild reignes CHAP. IV. 1. The encrease of Luthers Doctrine 2. 〈◊〉 vigilancy to suppresse it 3. His intention to goe to Rome 4. The occasion of his stay 5. His brave and worthy Speech in the Synod of Bishops NOw was the time come wherein God was determined to make triall of his people and the storme was not altogether unseen to ensue by this good man for by this time the people of this Nation had well drank of the intoxications of Prince Luthers cup but when he perceived the better
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
said a few prayers which were not long but fervent and devout which being ended he laid his head down on the middle of a little block where the Executioner being ready with a sharp and heavy Ax cut asunder his slender neck at one blow which bled so abundantly that many wondred to see so much blood issuâ— out of so slender and leane a body As concerning the Head the Executioner put it into a bag and carried it away with him meaning to have set it on the Bridge that night as he was commanded The Lady Anne Bullein who was the chief cause of this holy mans death had a certain desire to see the head before it was set up whereupon being brought unto her she beheld it a space and at last contemptuously said these or the like words Is this the head that so often exclaimed against me I trust it shall never do no more harm with that striking it upon the mouth with the back of her hand hurt one of her fingers upon a tooth that stuck somewhat more out than the rest did which finger after grew sore and putting her to pain many dayes after was nevertheless cured at last with much difficulty But after it was healed the mark of the hurt place remained to be seen when her own head was not to be seen upon her shoulders This may seem strange as a rare example of cruell boldness in that sex which by nature is fearfull and cannot behold such spectacles and therefore argueth no doubt a wonderfull malice which she by likelihood bare to the holy man living that could thus cruelly use his head being dead Then the Executioner stripping the body of his shirt and all his clothes he departed thence leaving the headless carkasse naked upon the Scaffold where it remained after that sort for the most part of that day saving that one for pity and humanity sake cast a little straw over his privities about eight of the clock in the evening commandment came from the Kings Commissioners to such as watched about the dead body for it was still watched with many halberds weapons that they should cause it to be buried Whereupon two of the watchers took it upon a holbert between them and so carried it to a Church-yard there hard by called Alh Barkin where on the Northside of the Church hard by the wall they digged a grave with their halberds and therein without any reverence tumbled the body of this holy Prelate all naked and flat upon his belly without either shirt or other accustomed thing belonging to a christian mans buriall and so covered quickly with earth And this was done on the day of St. Albane the Proâ—omartyr of England being Tuesday the 22. of Iune in the year of ouâ— redemption 1535. and in the 27. year of the Kings reigne after he had lived full threescore and sixteen years nine moneths and odde daies The next day after his burying the head being parboyled was pricked upon a pole and set on high upon London Bridge among the rest of the holy Carthusians heads that suffered death lately before him And here I cannot omit to declare unto you the miraculous sight of this head which after it had stood up the space of fourteen dayes upon the bridge could not be perceived to wast nor consume neither for the weather which then was very hot neither for the parboyling in hot water but grew daily fresher and fresher so that in his life-time he never looked so well for his cheeks being beautified with a comely red the face looked as though it had beholden the people passing by and would have spoken to them which many took for a miracle that Almighty God was pleased to shew above the course of nature in this preserving the fresh and lively colour in his face surpâ—ssing the colour he had being alive whereby was noted to the world the innocence and holinesse of this blessed Father that thus innocently was content to lose his head in defence of his Mother the holy Catholique Church of Christ wherefore the people coming daily to see this strange sight the passage over the bridge was so stopped with their going and coming that almost neither cart nor horse could passe and therfore at the end of fourteen daies this Executioner was commanded to throw downe the head in the night-time into the Râ—ver of Thames and in the place thereof was set the head of the most blessed and constant Martyr Sir Thomas Moore his Companion and fellow in all his troubles who suffered his passion the 6. day of Iuly next following And touching the place of his buriall in Barkin Church yard it was well observed at that time by divers worthy persons of the nations of Italy Spain and France that were then abiding in the Realme and more diligently noted and wrote the course of things and with lesse fear and suspition then any of the Kings subjects might or durst doe that for the space of seaven yeares after his buriall there grew neither leaf nor grasse upon his grave but the earth still remained as bare as though it had been continually occupied and trodden When by common fame this bloudy Execution was blown and spread abroad straight way the name of King Henry begun to grow odious among all good people not onely in his own Realm at home but also among all forreign Princes and Nations abroad through Christendome insomuch that Paul the third then Pope of Rome with great grief signified these doings by severall Letters to all the Christian Princes openly detesting the outrage of King Henry in committing such a wicked and manifest injury not onely against the freedome and priviledge of the Church of Rome but also against the whole state of Christs universall Church for the which in short space after he pronounced the terrible sentence of Excommunication against him Likewise the most noble and christian Emperour Charles the fifth at such time as Sir Thomas Moore was beheaded and word thâ—â—eof brought to him sent speedily for Sir Thomas Eliot the Kings Embassadour there 〈◊〉 with him and asked him whether he heard any such newes or no who answered him that he heard no such thing yes said the Emperour it is true and too true that Sir Thomas Moore is now executed to death as a good Bishop hath lately been before and with that giving a sigh said alas what meant the K. to kill two such man for said he the Bishop was such a one as for all purposes I think the King had not the like agaiâ—â—â— in all his Râ—alm neither yet was to be matched through Christendome so that said he the King your Master hath in killing that Bishop killed at one blow all the Bishops in England And Sir Thomas Moore said he was well known for a man of such profound wisdome cunning and vertue that if he had been towards me as he was towards the King your Master I had rather have lost the best City in all
my Dominion than such a man And in like manner King Francis the French King though in some respects a man to be wished otherwise than he was yet talking on a time with Sir Iohn Wallop the Kings Embassadour of those two blessed men told him plainly that either the King his master had a very hard heart that could put to death two such worthy men as the like 〈…〉 within his Realm whereof K. 〈…〉 advertised took it very ill at the 〈…〉 King Francis for 〈…〉 of him saying that he had donâ— nothing but that himself was first made privy to it In statute of his body he was tall and comely exceeding the common and middle sort of men for he was to the quantity of fix foot in height and being therewith very slender and lean was neverthelesse upright and well formed straight back'd big joynâ—ed and strongly sinewed his haire by 〈◊〉 black though in his later time througâ— age and imprisonment turned to hoarinesse or rather to whitenesse his eye large and round neither full black nor full gray but of a mixt colour between both his forehead smooth and large his nose of a good and even proportion somewhat wide mouth'd and big jaw'd as one ordained to uttâ—r much speech wherein was notwithstanding a certaine comâ—linesse his skin somewhat tawny mixed with many blew veinâ— his face hands all his body so bare of flesh as is almost ineredible which came rather as may be thought by the great abstinence and penance he used upon himself many yeares together even from his youth In his countenance he bare such a revâ—rend gravity and therewith in his doings exercised such discreâ—t severity that not onely of his equalls but even of his Superiours he was honoured and feared in speech he was very mild temperate and modest saving in matters of God and his Charge which then began to trouble the world and therein he would be earnest above his accustomed order but vainly or without cause he would never speak neither was his ordinary talk of common worldly matters but rather of Divinity and high power of God of the Joyes of Heaven and the Paines of Hell of the glorious death of Martyrs and strait I fe of Confessors with such like vertuous and proâ—itable talk which he alwaies uttered with such a heavenly grace that his words were alwaies a great edifying to his hearers he had such a continuall impression of death in his heart that his mouth never ceased to utter the inward thoughts of his minde not onely in all times of his exercise but also at his meales for he would alwayes say that the remembrance of Death came never out of season and of his own end he would now and then as occasion of speech was given cast out such words as though he had some fore-knowledge of the manner of his death for divers of his Chaplaines and houshold servants have reported that long before his death they have heard him say that he should not die in his bed but alwaies in speaking thereof he would utter his words with such a cheerefull countenance as they might easily perceive him rather to conceive joy than sorrow thereat in study he was very laborious and painfull in preaching assiduous ever beating down heresies and vice in prayer most fervent and devout in fasting abstinence and punâ—shing of his lean body rigorous without measure And generally in all things belonging to the care and charge of a true Bishop he was to all the Bâ—shops of England living in his daies the very mirrour and lantherne of light One that was Dean of Rochester many years together named Mr. Philips in the daies of King Edward the sixth when certaine Commissioners wâ—re coming towards him to search his house for books he for â—eare burned a large volume which this holy Bishop had compiled containing in it the whole story and matter of Dâ—vorce which volume he gave him with his owne hand a little before his trouble for the losse whereof the Deane would many times after lament and wish the book whole againe upon condition he had not one groat to live on Pope Paul the third writing as before is said to the Princes of Christendome of the dealings of Kâ—ng Henry against this goodly man wrote among others one Letter to Ferdinando King of Romans which I my self have seen and read In this Letter after great complaint made of King Henry for killing of such a man whom be before for his great sanctity and vertue had inrolled in the number and society of the Cardinall hoping thereby that all should have turned to his better safety and deliverance because that dignity in all places hath ever been acounted sacred yet now falling ou otherwise he taketh occasion to compare the doingâ— of King Henry the eight to the doing of his Progenitors K. Hen. 2. and this holy Father he compareth or rather preferreth to the holy Martyr St. Thomas of Canterbury saying that his Kâ—ng Henry did not onely 〈◊〉 the impâ—ety of that Kâ—ng but also went farre beyond him for where he slew one this slâ—w many St. Thomas defended the right of one particular Church this of the Universall that King killed an Archbishop but this King hath put to death a Cardinall of the holy Church of Româ— that King exiled St. Thomas by long banishment but this King tormented this holy man by long hard imprisonment he sent unto S. Thomas certain hired men to kill him to this was â—ssigâ—ed onely a hungman he caused St. Thomas to be slâ—in by a forcible death but this by a shameful torment hath killed the holy man of God he in concâ—usion sought to purge himself before Alexander the third and laying the fault upon others did with humility take upon him such 〈◊〉 as was to him enjoyned by the Bâ—shop of Rome but this with a most obstinate â—inde defended his own horrible fact shewing himsâ—lf not onely unwilling to do penance but also bâ—cometh a stubborne and rebellious enemy against the Church of Rome Then consider what that man of happy memory Cardinall Poole wrâ—teth of him in sundry places of his works who in his lifeâ— time both knew him and was familiarly acquainted with him but specially in that book which he wrote to King Henry the eight intituled Pro Ecclesiasticae Vnitatis defâ—â—sione wherein he extolleth the name of this blessed Prelate with words according to his great worthinesse saying to the King that if an Abassadour had beeâ— to be sent from earth to heaven there could not among all the Bishops and Clergy so sit a man be chosen as he for what other man saith he have ye presently or of many yeares past had comparably with him in sanctity learning wisdome and carefull diligence in the office and duty of a Bishop of whom ye may justly above all other Nâ—tions glory and rejoice that if all the corners of Christendome were narrowly sought there could not be found out any one man that in