praise and liberality and so God wil accept his will in stead of the deed it self or else he would have wasted them wickedly and then he hath cause to rejoyce that the matter of sinning is taken away To express lilvely the folly of an old covetous man he writeth thus A thief that is to dye to morrow stealeth to day being asked why he did so he answered that it was great pleasure to him to be master of that money but one night So an old miser never ceaseth to increase his heap of coin though he be never so aged He said also that those which give themselves to pleasure and idlenesse in the time of their pilgrimage are like to him who travelling to his own house where there is abundance of all things would yet be an hostler in an Inne by the way for to get an Inne-keepers favour and to end his life there in a stable Pleasure saith he doth not only withdraw wicked men from prayer but also affliction sometimes yet this is the difference that affliction doth sometime wrest some short prayer from the wicked'st men alive but pleasure calleth away even one that is indifferent good from all prayer Against impenitent persons and such as defer the amending of their lives till the latter end of their daies he saith thus A lewd fellow that had spent all his lise in wickednesse was wont to brag that he could be saved if he spoke but three words at the hour of his death Riding over a bridge that was broken his horse stumbling and not being able to keep himself from falling into the water when he saw himself past recovery casting away the bridle he said The Devill take all and so with his three words he perished in the river Even as he that passeth over a narrow bridg by reason of his fear often falleth especially if others say unto him you fall which otherwise he would safely passe over even so he that is fearful by nature and full of pusillanimity often falleth into desperation the Devill cryiag unto him thou art damned thou art damned which he would never hearken to nor be in any danger of if he should take unto him a good heart and by wholsom counsell nothing fear the Devils outcry The prosperity of this world is like the shortest winters day and we are lifted up in it as an arrow shot up on high where a hot breath doth delight us but from thence we fal suddenly to the earth and there we stick fast either bemired with the dirt of infamy or starving with cold being pluckt out of our feathers It is a hard thing to touch pitch and not be defiled therewith a dry stick to be put into the fire and not to burn to nourish a Snake in our bosome and not be stung with it so a most hard thing it is to be rich and honoured in this world and not to be struck with the dart of pride and vain glory Let there be two beggars who a long time begged together one of whom some rich man hath entertained in his house put him in silk given him money in his purse but with this condition as he tels him within a short space he will thrust him out of his doorâ— and take all that away from him again if he in the mean while being thus gallant should chance to meet with his fellow begger would he be so foolish as for alâ— this not to acknowledge him foâ— his companion or would he foâ— these few daies happinesse holâ— himself better then he Applyinâ— this to every mans case who coâ—meth naked into this world and 〈◊〉 to return naked again He compareth Covetousnesse tâ— a fire which by how much thâ— more wood there is laid on it tâ—â— burn so much apter it is to burâ— more still That there are many in this liâ—â— that buy hell with more toil thâ— heaven might be wonne with 〈◊〉 half If he be called stout that hath fortitude he hot who hath heat wise that hath Wisdome yet he who hath riches cannot be said presently to be good therefore riches cannot be numbred among good things Twenty yea a hundred bare heads standing by a Noble man do not defend his head from cold so much as his own hat doth alone which yet he is enforced to put off in the presence of his Prince That is the worst affection of the mind which doth delight us in that thing which cannot be gotten but by offending God He that doth get or keep worldly wealth by offending God let him fully perswade himself that those things will never do him good either God will quickly take away ill-gotten goods or will suffer them to be kept for a greater mischief Even as he that knoweth certainly he is to be banisht into a strange Countrey never to return into his own again and will not that his goods be transported thither being loth to want them for that little while rather then ever to enjoy them after may well be thought a mad man so are they out of their wits who inticed with vain affections to keep their goods alwaies about them and neglective to give almes for sear of wanting cannot endure to have their goods sâ—nt before them to Heaven when as they know most assuredly that they shall enjoy them alwaies there with all plenty and with a double reward To ease his thoughts when he was in prison he imagined that all the world was but a prison out of which every day some one or other was called to execution He said it was an easie matter in some cases for a man to lose his head and yet to have no harmat all He prayed thus O Lord God grant that I endeavour to get those things for which I am to pray unto Thee When he heard any at his Table speaking detraction he would interrupt them thus Let any man think as he pleaseth I like this room very well for it is well contrived and fairly built Of an ungrateful person he would say that they wrote good turns done unto them in the dust but even the least injuries in marble He compared reason to a handmaid which if she be well taught will obey and Faith to the Mistresse which is to keep her in awe Captivans intellectum in obsequium Fidei He saith that he were a mad man that would drink poyson to take a preservative after it but he 's a wise man that spilling the poison leaveth the Antidote for him that hath need thereof He was wont to say that he may well be admitted to Heaven who was very desirous to see God but on he contrary side he that doth not desire earnestly shall never be admitted thither That people should fal into bad life and lust is as great a miracle he saith as stones to fall downwards Whereas he saith you inveigh
any worldly affairs he used to say with her among other discourse he said unto her I believe Meg that they which have put me here think they have done me a high displeasure But I assure you on my Faith mine own good daughter that if it had not been for my wife and you my children whom I account the chief part of my charge I would not have failed long ere this to have closed my self in as straight a room as this and straighter too But since I am come hither without my own desert I trust that God of his goodnesse will discharge me of my care and by his gratious help supply the want of my presence among you I find no cause I thank God Meg to reckon my self in worse case here then in mine own house For me thinketh God maketh me a wanton and setteth me on his lap and dandleth me Thus by his gracious demeanour in his troubles it evidently appeared that al the calamities that ever befell him by his patient sufferance of them were to him no painfull punishments but rather profitable exercises of his patience And at another time when he had fiâ—st enquired of his daughter concerning the order of his wife and children and state of his family in his absence he asked her how Queen Anne did In faith father said she never better there is nothing else in the Court but dancing and sporting Never better Meg said he Alas Meg Alas it pittiâ—th me to remember into what misery poor soul she shall shortly come but in the mean time these dances of hers will prove such dances that they will spurn our heads off like foothals After this Mr. Lieutenant coming into his Chamber to visit him related unto him the many favours and friendships he had often received at his hands and therefore how ‑ much bound he was friendly and nobly to entertain him which since the Case standing â—s it did he could not do without the Kings displeasure he trusted he said he would accept of his good will and such poor fare as he had Master Lieutenant said Sir Thomas More again I verily believe as you may so are you my good friend indeed and would as you say with your best cheer entertain me for which I most heartily thank you and assure your self Master Lieutenant I do not mislike my cheer but whensoever I do then thrust me out of your doors Now whereas the Oath of Supremacy and Matrimony was in the first statute comprised in few words the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary did of theâ—r own heads adde more words unto it to make it appear unto the Kings ears more pleasant and plausible and that Oath so amplyfied they then caused to be tendred to Sir Thomas More and others throughout the Kingdome which Sir Thomas perceiving said unto his daughter I may tell thee Meg they that have committed me hither for refusing of this Oath not agreeable with the Statute are not able by their own law to justifie my imprisonment and surely daughter it is great pitty that any Christian Prince should by a flexible Councel ready to follow his affections with flattery so shamefully be abused But at length the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary espying their oversight in that business were fain afterwards to cause another Statute to be enacted for the confirmation of the Oath so amplyfied with their additions As Sir Thomas looking out of his window chanced to see one Mr. Raynolds a Father of Sion and three Monks of the Charter-house for the businesse of the Matrimony and Supremacy going out of the Tower to their execution he as longing to accompany them in that journey said unto his daughter then standing by him Loe dost thou not see Meg that these reverend Fathers are as chearfully going to their deaths as bridgrooms to their marriage wherefore hereby maist thou see mine own good daughter what a great difference there is between such as have in effect spent all their daies in a straight hard painful and penitential life religiously and such as have in the world like worldly wretches as thy poor father consumed all their time in pleasure and ease licentiously for God considering their long continued life in most sore and grievous pain will no longer suffer them to remain here in this vale of misery and iniquity but speedily taketh them hence to the fruition of his everlasting Deity whereas thy silly Father Meg that like a most wicked Caitiffe hath passed forth the whole course of his life most sinfully God thinking him not worthy to come so soon to that eternal felicity leaveth him here yet still in the world further to be prolonged and turmoiled with misery A while after Mr. Secretary coming to him into the Tower from the King pretended much friendship towards him and for his comfort told him That the King was his good and gracious Lord and intended not any more to trouble his conscience with any thing wherein he should have cause of scruple As soon as Mr. Secretary was gone to expresse how much comforted he was by his words he wrote with a coal for then he had no inke these verses following Eye flattering fortune look thou ne're so fair Nor ne're so pleasantly begin to smile As though thou wouldst my ruine all repair During my life thou shall not me beguile Trust I shall God to enter in a while Thy haven of Heaven sure and uniform Ever after thy Calm look I for no storm When Sir Thomas More had continued a good while in the Tower his Lady obtained leave to see him who at her first coming thus bluntly saluted him What the good year Master More said she I marvel that you that have been alwaies taken for so wise a man will now so play the fool as to lye here in this close filthy prison and be content thus to be shut up amongst mice and rats and too when you might be abroad at your liberty and with the favour and good will both of the King and his Councell if you would but do as all the Bishops and best learned of the Realm have done and seeing you have at Chelsey a right fair House your Library your Gallery your Garden your Orchard and all other necessaries so handsome about you where you might in the company of me your Wife your Children and houshold bee merry I muse what a Gods name you mean here still thus fondly to tarry After he had a while quietly heard her with a very chearful countenance he said unto her Good Mrs. Alice tell me one thing What is that said she Is not this house as nigh heaven as mine own To whom she as not liking these words answered after her manner Tille valle Tille valle How say you Mrs. Alice said he is it not so Bone Deus Bone Deus man Will this gear never be left said she Well then Mrs. Alice if it be so it is very
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