Dublin Castle Oct. 28. 1687. Let this Discourse be printed Tho. Sheridan By the Lords Diae Lunae 3. Januarii 1680. ORdered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled That the Thanks of this House be given to Dr. Burnet for the great Service done by him to this Kingdom and the Protestant Religion in writing the History of the Reformation of the Church of England so truly and exactly And that he be desired to proceed in the perfecting what he further intends therein with all convenient speed Jo. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum By the Commons Jovis 23. Die Decemb. 1680. ORdered That the Thanks of This House be given to Dr. Burnet for the Book Intituled The History of the Reformation of the Church of England Will. Goldesbrough Cleric Dom. Com. Mercurii 5. Die Januarii 1680. ORdered that Dr. Burnet be desired to proceed with and compleat that good Work by him begun in Writing and Publishing The History of the Reformation of the Church of England Will. Goldesbrough Cler. Dom. Com. A REFORMED CATECHISM IN TWO DIALOGUES CONCERNING The ENGLISH REFORMATION COLLECTED For the most part Word for Word out of Dr. Burnet John Fox and other Protestant Historians PUBLISHED For the INFORMATION of the PEOPLE IN REPLY to Mas William Kings ANSWER to D. Manby's Considerations c. The FIRST DIALOGUE By Peter Manby D. of Londonderry Memento dierum antiquorum cogita generationes singulas interroga Patrem tuum annunciabit tibi Majores tuos dicent tibi Deut. 32.7 Printed by Nathaniel Thompson in the Old Spring-Garden 1687. TO THE READER Reader HE that would undertake to shew us a new or better way to Heaven then either we or our Forefathers have been acquainted with ought in all reason to recommend himself as the Apostles did by some other Authority then a bare pretence to Scripture which every body claims as well as he unless we would be tossed too and fro as Saint Paul speaks and carried about with every Wind of Doctrine with the various Lights of all Reformers Cranmer was this new undertaker who had neither Mission from Heaven nor consent of the English Bishops to Authorize his Reformation nor yet any great mind to dye a Martyr for the same as will appear in the ensuing History Now I pray observe these words of Mas William King page 21. of his Answer to Mr. Manby viz. We own what he contends for that both true Doctrine and external and lawful Mission are generally necessary to a regular Preacher of the Gospel and if either of these are wanting the Person is not to be received Here if it can be demonstrated that Cranmer had no Orders either as Priest or Bishop but only to celebrate Mass to preach the Doctrine of the Church of Rome to bind and absolve Sinners there is an end of the Controversie If he had no Mission at all to preach the Doctrine of XXXIX Articles then by Mas William King's own Confession he was not to be received And for this Reader be pleased to read from page 81. of this Catechism to page 91. And where he says page 25 of his Answer that Cranmer in all he did had the unanimous vote and consent of the major part of the Convocation the universal submission of the Clergy and approbation of the People c. And a little after but if the Clergy in a National Council and the people in obedience to them or from their own Inclinations did comply in earnest what an idle question is it for Mr. M. to ask by what Authority Cranmer condemned that Church from whom he received his Mission and Holy Orders when she concurred in all he did and approved nay made all the Alterations in her Liturgy Sacraments and Constitutions that were made Now if it appear that all the English Bishops except a very few during the Reign of Henry VIII were utterly against his pretended Reformation and that almost all the Bishops under Edward VI. were turned out of their Sees for dissenting from it and others substituted in their places what shall we think of Mr. Kings Confidence thus imposing upon his Readers What shall become of his Answer to Mr. M. the whole strength whereof depends upon these words that the major Vote of the Convocation concurred in all he did and approved all the Alterations that were made page 25. Read Burnet relating the concerns of the Church upon King Edward's Succession to the Crown and you shall find all affairs dispatch'd by the Privy Council and two Houses of Parliament the Bishops generally dissenting The Convocation says Heylin ad annum 1547. the first year of King Edward was not impowr'd to act in any publick business for ought appearing on Record Hist Reform p. 50. Third Edition And further Note what he says ad annum 1551. the fifth year of King Edward but notwithstanding the remove of so many Bishops there still remained one rub in the way which did much retard the Progress of the Reformation the Princess Mary having been bred up in the Romish Religion could not be won by any Perswasions to change her Mind c. page 102. Burnet says several of the Bishops under King Edward submitted to the Reformation against their Consciences Which only amounts to what I affirm in this Catechism that the Reformation was not the Act and Deed of the old Clergy but impos'd on the Nation by the Power and Interest of a few persons for their own advantage Let us imagine if the late Duke of Monmouth had prospered and then summoned an Assembly of the English Bishops to reform the Church as he and his Party had designed and they generally dissenting should carry all things by strong hand whether such a Reformation passing with the consent of a few Bishops and a few other Clergymen could be reputed the Act aod Deed of the Church of England But if you would see an Instance of Mr. Kings modest way of writing against the Pope and Church of Rome read pag. 35. of his Answer where he tells you of the Popes wicked Management of the Goods of the Church and giving the Patrimony of the Church to Lay-men to useless and idle Monks and Fryars c. And for an Instance of his Loyalty see page 37. where he excuses Cranmer for subscribing to a Letter for Excluding his lawful Sovereign the Princess Mary from Succession to the Crown It was a point of Law saith he in which Cranmer was not singular Mr. M. takes the liberty to question Queen Elizabeths Title and sure it was no greater fault in Cranmer to question Queen Marys after the Opinion of the Judges given against her mark that There is a great difference between Rebellion against the King of undoubted Title and being engaged on a side where the Title is really doubtful c. that is to say Cranmer was engaged on the side of Lady Jane Grey Queen Marys Title being really doubtful And why was it doubtful Mr. King gives you the
it by their own Authority For saith the Doctor a common Concurrence of other Churches was a thing scarce to be expected and therefore this Church must be in a very ill condition if there could be no endeavours for a Reformation till all the rest were brought together ibid. page 7. B. The design of this Catechism is to shew by the Doctors own Confession that the English Reformation was not the Act and Deed of the National Church or Clergy of England neither in the days of Henry VIII nor of his Son Edward VI nor of Queen Elisabeth but impos'd upon the Nation by the Interest and Power of a few Persons for their own advantage viz. the raising their Fortunes out of Church Lands And when I have done this I shall leave you to think what you please of Mr. King's Modesty the Preacher of St. Warbroughs who in a late thing which he calls an Answer to Dean Manby's Considerations affirms very confidently page 25. He viz. Cranmer in all he did had the unanimous Vote and Consent of the major part of the Convocation the universal Submission of the Clergy and Approbation of the People And a little after But if the Clergy in a National Council and the People in Obedience to them or from their own Inclinations did comply in earnest what an idle Question is it to ask by what Authority Cranmer condemned that Church from whom he received his Mission and Holy Orders when she concurred in all he did and approved nay made all the Alterations in her Liturgy Sacraments and Constitutions that were made c. A. But I pray go on in the method which at first you prescribed to your self and tell us in the Doctors words the History of those who promoted the Reformation under Henry VIII and his Son Edward VI. and then what observable passages you have met with touching the Reformation it self I am satisfied that King Henry by the Doctors Account of him had little thoughts of Reformation whilst he had the least hopes of the Popes complyance in the matter of his Divorce from Queen Katherine B. The chief Apostles under Henry VIII were Ann Bolen Cromwell Cranmer Latimer Shaxton Barlow A. What were the extraordinary Vertues of Ann Bolen B. She favoured the Reformers their chief Encouragement was from her who reigned in the King's Heart as absolutely as he did over his Subjects and was a known Favourer of them She took Shaxton and Latimer to be her Chaplains ad soon after promoted them to the Bishopricks of Salisbury and Worcester and in all other things cherished and protected them and used her most effectual endeavours with the King to promote the Reformation page 171 of his first Vol. second Edition A. What more B. Every Body admired Queen Ann's Conduct who had managed such a Kings Spirit so long and had neither surfeited him with great freedom the Doctor speaks of her cunning behaviour before the King married her nor provoked him by the other extream For the King who was extreamly nice in these matters conceived still an higher opinion of her And her being so soon with Child after the Marriage as it made people conclude she had been Chast till then so they hoped for a Blessing upon it since there were such early appearances of Issue Those that favoured the Reformation expected better days under her Protection for they knew she favoured them page 132. 1 vol. A. But how did this Zealous Reformer behave her self after her Marriage B. This being saith the Doctor one of the most memorable passages of King Henry's Reign I was at more then Ordinary pains to learn all I could concerning it She was of a very cheerful temper which was not always limited within the bounds of exact Decency and Discretion She had rallied some of the King's Servants more than became her her Brother the Lord Rochford was her Friend as well as Brother But his spiteful Wife was jealous of him and being a Woman of no sort of Vertue she carried many Stories to the King or some about him to perswade that there was a familiarity between the Queen and her Brother beyond what so near a Relation could justify Henry Norris that was Groom of the Stool Weston and Brereton that were of the King's Privy-Chamber and one Mark Smeton a Musician were all observed to have much of her Favour And their Zeal in serving her was thought too warm and diligent to flow from a less active principle then Love. Many Circumstances were brought to the King which working upon his aversion to the Queen together with his Affection to Mrs Seymeur made him conclude her Guilty Yet somewhat which himself observed or fancied at a Tilting at Greenwich is believed to have given the Crisis to her Ruin. It is said that he spied her let fall her Handkerchief to one of her Gallants to wipe his Face being hot after a course See the rest page 197. 1 vol. A. Did she confess nothing B. She confessed this odd passage between her self and Sir Henry Norris That she once asked him why he did not go on with his Marriage Who answered her that he would yet tarry some time to which she replyed you look for Dead Mens Shoos for if ought come to the King but good you would look to have Me He answered if he had any such thought he would his Head were cut off Upon which she said she could undo him if she pleased and thereupon she fell out with him page 199. As for Mark Smeton who was then laid in Irons she said he was never in her Chamber but when the King was last at Winchester And then he came in to play on the Virginals She said that she never spoke to him after that but on Saturday before May-day when she saw him standing in the Window and then she asked him Why he was so sad he said it was no matter She answered you may not look to have me speak to you as if you were a Noble Man since you are an inferiour person No no Madam said he a Look sufficeth me ibid. page 199. She seemed more apprehensive of Weslon then of any Body For on Whit-Sunday Morning last he said to her that Norris came more to her Chamber upon her account than for any body else that was there She had observed that he loved a Kinswoman of hers and challenged him for it and for not loving his Wife But he answered her that there were Women in the House whom he loved better then them both she asked who is that your self said he upon which she said she desied him ibid. page 197. A. What is the Doctors opinion of this B. It is certain her Carriage had given just cause of some Jealousy page 206. A. How did other people Censure her B. Her Carriage seemed too free and all people thought saith the Doctor that some Freedoms and Levities in her had encouraged those unfortunate Persons to speak such bold things to her
and she had such different Interests that they could not both subsist together resolved upon that course which Nature and Self-preservation seemed to dictate to her but finding that the Pope was too well intrenched to be dislodged upon the sudden it was advised by Cromwell made Master of the Rolls upon her Commendation to begin with taking in the Outworks first meaning the lesser Monasteries to the number of about 376. which being gained it would be no hard matter to beat him out of his Trenches p. 262. Those Houses were dissolved by Act of Parliament anno 1535. to the passing whereof the Bishops and Mitred Abbots which made the prevalent part of the House of Peers contributed their Votes and Suffrages as others did whether it were out of Pusillanimity as not daring to appear in behalf of their Brethren or out of a weak hope that the Rapacity of the Queen mark this and her Ministers would proceed no further it is hard to say Heylin page 263. Certain it is says he that by their improvident assenting to the present Grant they made a Rod for their own Backs as the saying is with which they were sufficiently scourged within sew years after though the new Queen observe for whose sake Cromwell had contrived the Plot did not live to see it Ibid. page 263. NOTE She makes Cromwell Master of the Rolls and he to serve her Interest advises the King to suppress the Religious Houses Heylin remarks further When she thought her self most safe and free from Danger she became most obnoxious to the Ruin prepared for her It had pleased God on the eighth of January 1535. to put an end unto the Calamities of the Vertuous but unfortunate Queen Katherine into whose Bed she had succeeded The News whereof she entertained with such Contentment that she caused her self to be Apparrell'd in lighter colours than was agreeable to the season or the sad occasion Whereas if she had rightly understood her own Condition she could not but have known that the long Life of Katherine was to be her best preservative against all Changes page 263. A. I pray let us hear Doctor Burnet's Character of Queen Katherine B. She was a devout and pious Princess and led a severe and mortify'd Life In her Greatness she wrought much with her own Hands and kept her Women well employed about her as appeared when the two Legates came once to speak with her She came out to them with a Skein of Silk about her Neck and told them she had been within at work with her Women She was most passionately devoted to the Interests of the Court of Rome and in a word she is Represented as a most wonderful good Woman But Queen Ann did not carry her Death so decently for she expressed too much Joy at it both in her Carriage and Dress Burnet page 192. 1 Vol. When Queen Katherine found her Sickness like to prove Mortal she made one about her write a Letter in her name to the King. In the Title she called him her Dear Lord King and Husband She advised him to look to the Health of his Soul She forgave him all the Troubles he had cast her into and concluded I make this Vow that mine Eyes desire you above all things Ibid. page 192. A. Does he relate nothing further of Queen Katherine B. When her Cause was to be heard before the Legates Anno 1529. the King and she came personally into the Court. When the King and Queen were called on the King answered Here. But the Queen left her Seat and went and kneeled down before him and made a Speech She said ' She was a poor Woman and a Stranger in his Dominions where she could neither expect good Council nor indifferent Judges She had been long his Wife and desired to know wherein she had offended him That she had been his Wife twenty years and more and had born him several Children and had ever studied to please him and protested he had found her a true Maid about which she appealed to his Conscience She said her Lawyers who were his Subjects and assigned by him durst not speak freely for her So she desired to be excused till she heard from Spain ' Then she rose up and made the King a low Reverence and went out of the Court and although they called after her she made no Answer but went away and would never again appear in Court. She being gone the King did publickly declare what a true and obedient Wife she had always been and commended her much for her excellent qualities Burnet page 73. 1 Vol. A. Do you find that Ann Bolen ever repented her Carriage in reference to this good and vertuous Princess B. Not a Syllable of that have I met with in Burnet or Heylin After Queen Ann's Death a Parliament was called to Repeal an Act of a former Parliament concerning the Succession of the Grown to the Issue of the King by her In this Parliament saith the Doctor the Attainder of Queen Ann and her Complices is confirmed In the new Act of Succession she is said to have been inflamed with Pride and Carnal desires of her Body and having confederated her self with her complices to have committed divers Treasons to the danger of the King 's Royal Person for which she had justly suffered Death and is now attainted by Act of Parliament Burnet page 210. 1 Vol. A. I pray of what Church did she dye B. The Doctor says nothing of that the Church of England was not then in being Mass being said at that time in all Churches of the Nation and above ten years after The Church of Romes Authority was then excluded by Act of Parliament and that by her interest So that of what Church she dyed I cannot resolve you unless it were King Henry's Church and that was no Protestant Church the Doctrine of the six Articles being then in request However she dyed 2 Saint if you believe her own words And some think 't is no matter of what Church they Live or Dye provided they be no Papists But King Henry's Church was then scarcely three years old A. Enough of your first Reformer Ann Bolen for whose sake King Henry fell out with the Pope and made a Rupture in the Catholick Church She was not the first nor will be the last Female Incendiary of Mischief and Quarrels in the World. Who was the next Reformer under Henry VIII B. Thomas Cromwell A. What Tokens of an extraordinary Mission does Burnet observe in him B. He was a Man of mean Birth but noble Qualities only he made too much haste to be Great and Rich. He joyned himself in a firm Friendship to Cranmer and did promote the Reformation very vigorously Burnet 1 Vol page 172. The Suppression of the Abbies was wholly laid at his door page 276. He was attainted by Act of Parliament Anno â—540 Wherein it is said expressly that the King having raised Thomas Cromwell from a base degree to
acknowledge that there was a signal Providence of God in raising up a King of his Temper for clearing the way to that blessed Work that followed and that could hardly have been done but by a man of his Humour So that I may very fit'y apply to him the witty simile of a Writer who compares Luther to a Postilion in his waxed Boots and oiled Coat lashing his Horses through thick and thin and bespattering all about him This Character befits King Henry better saving the Reverence due to his Crown who as the Postilion of Reformation made way for it through a great deal of mire and filth Pref. pag. 6. A. What more B. Whatever Reproaches those of the Church of Rome cast on the Reformation upon the account of this Kings Faults may may be easily turned back on their own Popes Pref. pag. 8. Gregory 7. Boniface 8. Julius 2. Leo 10. Clement 7. Paul 3. and if the Lives of those Popes who have made the greatest advances in their Jurisdiction be examined particularly Gregory 7. Boniface 8. Vices more eminent than any can be charged on Henry 8. will be found in them ibid. p. 8. A. So that all he has to answer for Henry 8. amounts to this that others were as bad as he this is a sort of Apology which we call Recrimination Does that excuse any mans Crimes B. No the blemishing them viz. the Popes will not I confess excuse our Reformers therefore other things are to be considered for their Vindication saith the Doctor pag. 10. Pref. to his first vol. A. What are those other things B. Why may not saith he an ill King do so good a work as to set a Reformation forward Gods ways are a great deep who has often shewed his Power and Wisdom in raising up unpromising instruments to do great Services in the world not always employing the best men in them Jehu did an acceptable Service to God in destroying the Idolatry of Baal though neither the way of doing it is to be imitated being grossly insincere nor was the Reformation compleat since the Worship of the two Calves was still kept up And it is very like his chief design in it was to destroy all the party that favoured Ahabs Family yet the thing was good and was rewarded by God. So whatever this Kings other Faults were and how defective soever the Change he made was and upon what ill motives soever it may seem to have proceeded yet the things themselves being good we ought not to think the worse of them because of the Instrument or manner by which they were wrought Pref. pag. 9. Thus the Doctor thinks he has sufficiently justified the English Reformation against the Objections that may arise from the Impieties or Vices of Henry 8. NOTE Let the Reader observe here how the Doctor takes that for granted which is the matter in question namely that the English Reformation was a good work and that God raised up Henry 8. to set it forward Nay the Doctor knows it is utterly deny'd by the most considerable part of Christendom both Greeks and Latins that God raised him up otherwise than he is said to have hardned Pharaoh's heart when he only gave him up to the Lusts and Cruelties of his own Heart If the Doctors meaning be that Henry 8. was raised up by an impulse or inspiration of Gods Spirit to reform the Church let him make that appear by some other Evidence than this further Character and we will believe him A. What is that further Character B. It will surprise some saith the Doctor concerning his first Volumn to see a Book of this bigness written of the History of our Reformation under the Reign of Henry VIII since the true beginnings of it viz. Reformation are to be reckoned from the Reign of Edward 6. mark the Antiquity of the Protestant Church in which the Articles of our Church and the Forms of our Worship were first compiled and set forth by Authority by what Authority shall appear anon and indeed in King Henrys time the Reformation was rather conceived than brought forth and two Parties were in the last eighteen years of his Reign struggling in the Womb having now and then advantages on either side as the inconstant humour of that King changed and as his Interests and often as his Passions swayed him For being boisterous and impatient naturally which was much heightned by his most extravagant Vanity and high Conceit of his own Learning strange Evidence of a Divine Mission he was one of the most uncounsellable Persons in the World. Pref. pag 5 and 6. A. What was King Henry's Religion to his dying day B. Indeed in the whole Progress of those Changes saith our Historian the King's design seemed to have been to terrifie the Court of Rome and cudgel the Pope into a complyance with what he desired For in his Heart he continued addicted to some of the most extravagant opinions of that Church such as Transubstantiation and the other Corruptions of the Mass so that he was to his Lives end more Papist than Protestant page 7. Preface to 1 Vol. NOTE Reader King Henry went to Mass to his dying day So did all these three Kingdoms to the first or second year of Edward VI. Here is yet no Evidence of God's having raised him up by any Impulse or Inspiration of his Holy Spirit to Reform the Church if that were the Doctors meaning only that God permitted him as he does other Sinners to Act those things for which they shall one day pay dearly That some Popes have been no Saints I shall not dispute it with the Doctor But let him shew if he can that any of the first Reformers Henry VIII Ann Bolen Cranmer Cromwell Somerset Northumberland Ridly c. were sent or raised up by God to reform the Faith or Manners of the Church and there is an end of the Controversie The Doctor instances in David Solomon Jchu who all had their failings but how does that recommend or excuse our Reformers who without any Comission or Inspiration from God presumed to reform that is to say subvert the Church wherein they were Baptized and set up another after their own Fancies who said let us take to our selves the Houses of God in Possession Psal 83.12 Never any Pope had the Wickedness to do such things And therefore to affirm that God raised up such Persons to Plunder the Church under pretence of Reforming it what is it better or worse then to make God the Author of their Sacriledge and Hypocrisy A. But what say you to the Doctors words Pref. page 7. that every National Church is a compleat Body within it self so that the Church of England with the Authority and Concurrence of their Head and King may examine and reform all Errors whether in Doctrine or Worship c. If this be true what needs any special Commission or Inspiration from God to Reform the Church Why may not every National Church do
great Dignities and high Truâ—…s yet he had now by a great number of Witnesses persons of Honour found him to be the most corrupt Traitor and Deceiver of the King and the Crown that had ever been known in his whole Reign That he had received several Bribes and for them granted Licenses to carry Mony Corn Horses and other things out of the Kingdom contrary to the King's Proclamations that he being also an Heretick had dispersed many Erroneous Books among the King's Subjects particularly some that were contrary to the belief of the Sacrament and when some had informed him of this and had shewed him these Heresies in Books printed in England he said they were good and that he found no fault in them and said it was as lawful for every Christian Man to be a Minister of the Sacrament as a Priest And whereas the King had constituted him Vice Gerent for the spiritual affairs of the Church he had under the Seal of that Office Licensed many that were suspected of Heresie to Preach over the Kingdom And had both by Word and Writing suggested to several Sheriffs that it was the King's pleasure they should discharge many Prisoners of whom some were indicted others apprehended for Heresie And when many particular Complaints were brought to him of detestable Heresies with the names of the Offenders he not onely defended the Hereticks but severely checkt the Informers And vexed some of them by Imprisonment and otherways And he having entertained many of the King's Subjects about himself whom he had infected with Heresie and imagining he was by force able to defend his Treasons and Heresies on the last of March in the 30th year of the King's Reign in the Parish of St. Peters in London when some of them complained to him of the new Preachers such as Barnes and others he said their Preaching was good and said also among other things that if the King would turn from it yet he would not turn And if the King did turn and all his People with him he would fight in the field in his own Person with his Sword in his Hand against him and all others And then he pulled out his Dagger and held it up and said or else this Dagger thrust Me to the Heart if I would not dye in that quarrel against them all And I trust if I live one year or two it shall not be in the King's power to resist or let it if he would And Swearing a great Oath said I would do so Indeed He had also by Oppression and Bribery made a great Estate to himself and extorted much Money from the King's Subjects and being greatly enriched had treated the Nobility with much Contempt For all which Treasons and Heresies he was attainted to suffer the pains of Death as should please the King and to forfeit all his Estate and Goods to the King's use These are the Words of the Act. Burnet page 278. 279. A. How does the Doctor excuse him B. Most of these things relate to Orders and Directions he had given for which it is very probable he had the King's Warrant And for the matter of Heresie it has appeared how far the King had proceeded towards a Reformation so that what he did that way was most likely done by the King's Orders But the King now falling from these things it was thought they intended to stifle him by such an Attainder that he might not discover the secret Orders or Directions given him for his own justification page 279. NOTE It is very probable it was most likely it was thought is all the Defence which the Doctor makes for him Who having seen all his Papers found it seems none of those Orders or Directions How far the King had proceeded towards a Reformation was then apparent by the Statute of Six Articles made purposely against the insolence of the new Preachers anno 1539. And the King's aversion to Heresie no Man understood better than Cromwell For in his Heart he continued as is confessed by the Doctor addicted to some of the most extravagant Opinions of the Roman Church as Transubstantiation c. so that he was to his Lives end more Papist than Protestant so the Doctor is pleased to express himself Pref. to 1 Vol. A. What Religion did Cromwell dye of B. When he was brought to the Scaffold he acknowledged his Sins against God and his Offences against his Prince who had raised him from a base degree he declared that he dyed in the Catholick Faith not doubting of any Article of Faith or of any Sacrament of the Church he denyed that he had been a Supporter of those who delivered ill Opinions He confessed he had been seduced mark this but now dyed in the Catholick Faith. Burnet page 284. By what he spoke at his Death he lest it much doubted of what Religion he dyed But it is certain he was a Lutheran says Burnet page 285. The term Catholick Faith used by him in his last Speech seemed to make it doubtful but that was then used in England in its true Sence in opposition to the Novelties of the See of Rome page 285. ibid. So that his Profession of the Catholick Faith was strangely perverted says Burnet when some from thence concluded that he dyed in the Communion of the Church of Rome ibid. NOTE He dyed a Lutheran equivocating with the words Catholique Faith he knew Lutheranism was not allowed for Catholique Faith in England King Henry and his Bishops being more Papists than Lutherans He promoted the Reformation vigorously saith the Doctor so that if the truth were known he dyed of Ann Bolens Church and that was a Church yet unborn for in King Henrys time as Burnet observes the English Reformation was rather conceived than brought forth Verily the Reformation seems to me a Riddle from first to last If Cromwell was a Lutheran he was at the same time both Vicar General and Heretique to King Henrys Church as you may find in the Act of Attainder compared with the Statute of Six Articles A. Did he at his Death express any Remorse for destroying the Religious Houses and alienating the Estates of the Church B. Not a word of that I verily believe he thought he did God good Service and perhaps had done himself some Service out of those Estates A What reason have you for that B. It is not unlike says the Doctor that some Presents to the Commissioners or to Cromwell made those Houses outlive this ruin he means some few Houses which K Henry had restor'd to the Monks for I find great trading in Bribes at this time which is not to be wondred at when there was so much to be shared p 224. 1. vol. And the Act of Attainder says that he had by Oppression and Bribery made a great Estate to himself and extorted much Mony from the Kings Subjects and being greatly enriched had treated the Nobility with much Contempt But the Doctor excuses him pag. 279. For
his Consecration what was the first Service he did for the King B. The Parliament then sitting anno 1533. he came and sat in the upper House of Convocation Burnet p. 129. and there says Heylin he propounds two Questions to be disputed and considered by the Bishops and Clergy concerning the Kings Marriage with Queen Katherine both which Questions were answer'd as the King would have have it though not without some opposition in either House especially the upper It was concluded thereupon in the Convocation and not long after in the Parliament also that the King might lawfully proceed to another Marriage But NOTE The King was then privately married to Ann Bolen Heylin proceeds These Preparations being made and the Marriage with Queen Katherine precondemned by Convocation The new Archbishop upon his own desire and motion contained in his Letters of the 11th of April is authorized by the King under his Sign Manual to proceed definitively in the Cause mark the Authority upon which Cranmer proceeds to divorce Queen Katherine who thereupon accompanied by the Bishops of London Winchester Wells and Lincoln and divers other persons to serve as Officers in that Court repaired to Dunstable in the beginning of May and having a convenient place prepared in form of a Consistory they sent a Citation to the Princess Dowager meaning Q Katherine who was then at Ampthill a Mannor House of the Kings about six miles off requiring her to appear before them at the day appointed which day being come and no appearance by her made either in person or by proxy as they knew there would not she is called peremptorily every day fifteen days together and every day there was great posting betwixt them and the Court to certifie the King and Cromwell a principal Stickler in this business how all matters went in one of which from the new Archbishop extant in the Cottonian Library a resolution is signified to Cromwell for coming to a final Sentence on Friday the 18th of that Month but with a vehement Conjuration both to him and the King not to divulge so great a Secret for fear Queen Katherine on the hearing of it either before or on the day of passing Sentence should make her appearance in the Court. For saith he if the Noble Lady Katherine should upon the bruit of this matter either in the mouths of the inhabitants of the Country or by her Friends or Council hearing of it be counselled or perswaded to appear before me at the time or before the time of Sentence I should be thereby greatly staid let in the Process and the Kings Graces Council there present shall be much uncertain what to do therein For a great bruit and voice of the people in this behall might perchance move her to do the thing which peradventure she would not if she hear little of it and therefore I pray you to speak as little of this matter as you may and to move the Kings Highness so to do for consideration above recited Heylin Histor Reform pag. 177 178. NOTE Burnet commends Cranmer for his native Simplicity joyned with Prudence but what sort of Prudence this was let any man judge Thus Heylin sets down the naked truth of this matter which Burnet colours with all his Art not mentioning this Letter to Cromwell p. 130. 1. vol. He proceeds ibid. But so it happened to their wish that the Queen persisting constant in her resolution of standing to the Judgment of no other Court than that of Rome vouchsafed not to take any notice of their proceeding in the Cause and thereupon she was pronounced to be Contumax for defect of Appearance and by the general Consent of all the learned men then present the Sentence of Divorce was passed and her Marriage with the King declared void and of no effect Heylin page 178. Of this more anon A. But if you please I would know of what Church or Religion was Cranmer at the time of his Consecration and afterwards and likewise what were the Words of his Mission and Consecration both as Bishop and Priest B. First as to his Religion I will tell you my own opinion A Papist he could not be at that time because he denied the Popes Supremacy and other Doctrines of the Church of Rome Of the present Church of England he could not be because he went to Mass then and 14 years after so that he must be of King Henry's Church or of none at all In the year 1538. he was says Burnet of Luthers Opinion which he had drunk in from his Friend Osiander pag. 252. 1. vol. And sate upon the Tryal and Condemnation of John Lambert one of the new Preachers for denying the Corporal Presence of Christ in the Sacrament After the Death of K. Henry of whom he stood in aw he tackt about with the next wind of Doctrine which was Zuinglianism and joyning with King Edwards privy Counsellors he reformed that is subverted the established Religion of the Nation Yet in the first year of King Edward Heylin tells you that he with eight other Bishops all in their rich Mitres and other Pontificals sang a Mass of Requiem for the Soul of Francis the French King then lately deceased History Reform page 40. Notwithstanding that he with the rest of the Privy-Council had a good while before sent out their Injunctions and Commissioners into all parts of the Nation and Preachers to attend them which Preachers were particularly instructed to disswade the people from praying for the Dead from Diriges and Masses c. Heylin p. 34. yet Burnet would perswade you he was a Person of a native simplicity and not for Court Policies vide p. 302. A. And besides all this did he not hold some strange Opinions B. Yes Doctor Burnet says he had some particular Conceits of his own or singular Opinions which he delivered with all possible Modesty page 289. 1 Vol. A. What were those Opinions B. You shall hear them together with the excuse which the Doctor makes for him First That Bishops and Priests were at one time and were not two things but one Office in the beginning of Christs Religion In which Opinion all the Bishops and Clergy of England except two Bishops and two Doctors were against him Burnet Collection Records page 223. 2. A Bishop may make a Priest and so may Princes and Governours also and that by the Authority of God committed to them and the People by their Election For as we read that Bishops have done it so Christian Emperors and Princes usually have done it and the People before Christian Princes were commonly did Elect their Bishops and Priests But all the rest of the Bishops and Clergy except the Bishop of Saint Davids and two or three Doctors said positively that they found no example either in Scripture or the ancient Doctors that any Man beside a Bishop hath Authority to make Priests 3. In the New Testament he that is appointed to be a Bishop or a Priest
Light he cannot but know him He is like the Devil in his doings for the Devil said to Christ if thou wilt fall down and worship me I will give thee all the Kingdoms of the World even so the Bishop of Rome giveth Princes their Crowns being none of his own Christ saith that Antichrist shall be and who shall he be Forsooth he that advanceth himself above all other Creatures Now if there be none other that hath advanced himself after such manner besides the Pope he forgot Mahomet then in the mean time let him be Antichrist I say the Bishop of Rome treadeth under Foot God's Laws and the Kings c. Fox 3 Vol. page 653 and 661. A. This was strange stuff coming from the Metropolitan of a Nation B. But Fox admires it and adds this marginal Note the Pope proved Antichrist NOTE Cranmer little thought that in less then one Century after his Death his Protestant Successors in the See of Canterbury should be turn'd out of doors as the Limbs and Feet of that great Antichrist the Pope and that by vertue of his own dear Principle of Reformation the Scripture interpreted according to every Man's Judgment of Discretion I have seen a Book entituled The Souldiers Catechism composed for the Parliaments Army published in the year 1644 where this among other Questions being put What is it that you chiefly aim at in this War against the King The Answer is 1. At the pulling down of Babylon and rewarding her as she hath served us Psal 137.8 2. At the suppression of an Antichristian Prelacy consisting of Archbishops Bishops Deans c. 3. At the Reformation of a most corrupt lazy infamous superstitious soul-murdering Clergy 4. At the advancement of Christ's Kingdom and the purity of his Ordinances 5. At the bringing to Justice the Enemies of our Church and State. 6. At the preservation and continuance of the Gospel to our Posterity And to this Question Is it not a lamentable thing that Christians of the same Nation should thus imbrue their Hands in one anothers Blood The Answer is I confess it is but as the case now stands there is an inevitable and absolute necessity of fighting laid upon the good People of the Land. 2. The whole Church of God calls upon us to come into the help of the Lord and his People against the Mighty 3. We are not now to look at our enemies as Country Men or Kinsmen or fellow Protestants but as the Enemies of God and our Religion and Siders with Antichrist and so our eye is not to pity them nor our Sword to spare them Jerem. 48.10 And to this Question who do you think are the Authors and Occasioners of this unnatural War The Answer is the Jesuites those Fire-brands of mischief with all the Popish Party 2. The Bishops and the rotten Clergy with all the Prelatical Party c. This Book was printed in the year 1644. and licensed by James Cranford a Presbyterian Ringleader of those times In the Title page whereof you shall find these words viz. Written for the Instruction and Encouragement of all that have taken up Arms in the Cause of God and his People c. In which Book the Reader shall find them driving the Nail to the Head and expounding the Scripture against the Protestant Hierarchy just as Cranmer had done against the Pope and Church of Rome For you must know the time when Cranmer answered thus invectively against the Pope was the year 1556. the Parliament the National Church and Clergy of England being then actually reconciled to the Church of Rome as you may find both in Burnet and Fox so that his Authority for saying the Pope had brought in Gods of his own framing was then the very same with that of the Presbyterians anno 1644. for calling the English Bishops Antichrists namely the Scripture inter preted by himself A. It seems Cranmer was then a Schismatique as well from the established Church of England as Rome namely in the year 1556. B. Yes for Catholique Religion was then restored by Act of Parliament with all the Catholique Bishops who had been ejected by the Privy Council of Edward 6. So that I think it no easie matter to resolve you of what Church was Cranmer at that time a Lutheran he was not not yet a Calvinist nor of the Church of England then established by Law. A. His Church was then in Vtopia Go on to the rest of his Story B. Thus you shall find him answering to the Charge of Dr. Martyn viz. I will never consent to the Bishop of Rome so he would never consent to the Disinheriting of King Henrys Children for then should I give my self to the Devil I have made an Oath to the King and must obey the King by Gods Laws By the Scripture the King is Chief and no Foreign person in his own Realm above him There is no Subject but to a King. I am a Subject I ow my Fidelity to the Crown to the Lady Jane Grey the Pope is contrary the Crown I cannot obey both for no man can serve two Masters at once as you in the beginning of your Oration declared by the Sword and the Keys artributing the Sword to the King and the Keys to the Pope but I say the King hath both Therefore he that is subject to Rome and the Laws of Rome he is perjured c. Fox pag. 653. NOTE In his Opinion the King has both the Power of the Sword and of the Keys This must needs be a man after King Henrys own heart but if this Doctrine be true then Queen Mary had the Power of the Keys and our present Sovereign King James II. must have the same Power also He proceeds Now as concerning the Sacrament I have taught no false Doctrine of the Sacrament of the Altar For if it can be proved by any Doctor above a thousand years after Christ that Christs Body is there really I will give over My Book was made seven years ago and no man hath brought any Authors against it I believe that who so eateth and drinketh that Sacrament Christ is within them whole Christ his Nativity Passion Resurrection and Ascension but not that corporally that sitteth in Heaven Fox ibid. Here Dr. Story another of the Queens Proctors interrupted him saying Pleaseth it you to make an end To which he replyed Now I have declared why I cannot with my Conscience obey the Pope neither say I this for my Defence but to declare my Conscience for the Zeal that I bear to Gods Word trodden under foot by the Bishop of Rome See the rest in Fox pag. 654. Then Doctor Story stood up and said addressing himself to the Bishop of Glocester Pleaseth it your good Lordship because it hath pleased the King and Queens Majesty to appoint my Companion and me to hear the Examination of this man to give me leave somewhat to talk in that behalf although I know that in talk with Hereticks there
Head of the Church of England under Christ as well in all spiritual things or causes as temporal what better Answers in brief could be returned to the Questions of Dr. Martin Cranmer having sworn that the King was Supream Head of the Church of England under Christ as well in all spiritual things or causes as temporal A. But how did he interpret those words as well in all spiriritual things or causes as temporal B. Fox tells you p. 662. viz. After this Dr. Martyn demanded of him who was Supream Head of the Church of England Marry quoth my Lord of Canterbury Christ is Head of this Member as he is of the whole Body of the Universal Church Why quoth Dr. Martyn you made King Henry the 8th Supream Head of the Church Yea said the Archbishop of all the people of England as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal And not of the Church said Martyn No said he for Christ is only Head of his Church and of the Faith and Religion of the same the King is Head and Governour of his People which are the visible Church What quoth Martyn you never durst tell the King so Yes that I durst quoth he and did in the publication of his Stile wherein he was named Supream Head of the Church there was never other thing meant page 662. This is Foxes account of the Dialogue received as he says from a better hand A. Did he answer any thing further concerning the Perjury objected to him B. Fox tells you Others who were present at his Tryal do thus report the effect of Cranmers words viz. while he in this sort made his Answer ye heard before how Dr. Story and Martyn divers times interrupted him with blasphemous Talk and would sain have had the Bishop of Glocester to put him to silence who notwithstanding did not but suffered him to end his Tale at full After this ye heard also how they proceeded to examine him of divers Articles whereof the chief was that at the time of his creating Archbishop of Canterbury he was sworn to the Pope and had his Institution and Induction from him and promised then to maintain the Authority of that See and therefore was perjured wherefore he should rather stick to his first Oath and return to his old fold again than continue obstinately in an Oath forced in the time of Schism To that he answered says Fox saving his Protestation which term he used before all his Answers that at such time as Archbishop Warham dyed he was Ambassador in Germany for the King who thereupon sent for him home and having intelligence by some of his Friends near about the King how he meant to bestow the same Bishoprick upon him and therefore counselled him in that case to make haste home he feeling in himself a great inability to such a Promotion and very sorry to leave his Study and especially considering by what means he must have it which was clean against his Conscience which he could not utter without great peril and danger devised an Excuse to the King of matter of great importance for the which his longer abode there should be most necessary thinking by that means in his absence the King would bestow it upon some other and so remained there by that device one half year after the King had written for him to come but after that no such matter fell out as he seemed to make suspicion of the King sent for him again Who after his return understanding still the Archbishoprick to be reserved for him made means by divers of his best Friends to shift it off desiring rather some smaller Living that he might more quietly follow his Book To be brief when the King himself spake with him declaring that his full intention was for his Service sake note this and for the good opinion he conceived of him to bestow that Dignity upon him Fox proceeds After long disabling of himself perceiving he could by no perswasions alter the Kings determination he brake frankly his Conscience with him most humbly craving first his Graces Pardon for what he should declare unto his Highness Which obtained he said that if he accepted the Office he must receive it at the Popes hand which he neither would nor could do His Highness being the only Supream Governour of this Church of England as well in causes Ecclesiastical as Temporal this was a Chaplain after King Henry's own Heart And therefore if he might in that Vocation serve God the King and his Country seeing it was his pleasure so to have it he would accept that Dignity and receive it of his Majesty and of no Stranger who had no Authority within this Realm Whereat the King said he staying a while and musing asked me How I was able to prove that At which time I alledged many Texts out of Scripture and the Fathers also approving the Supream and highest Authority of Kings within their own Realms shewing withall the intolerable usurpation of the Pope of Rome Afterwards it pleased his Highness quoth the Archbishop many and sundry times to talk with me about it and perceiving that I could not be brought to acknowledge the Authority of the Bishop of Rome the King himself called Doctor Oliver and other Civil Lawyers to advise with them how he might bestow the Archbishoprick upon me inforcing me nothing against my Conscience who thereupon informed him that I might do it by the way of Protestation and so one to be sent to Rome who might take the Oath and do every thing in my name which when I understood I said he should do it super Animam suam And I indeed bona fide made by Protestation that I did not acknowledge his Authority any further then as it agreed with the express Word of God And that it might be lawful for me at all times to speak against him and to impugn his Errors when time and occasion should serve me And this my Protestation I did cause to be inrolled and there I think it remains This says Fox is the faithful Relation and Testimony of certain Persons that were present at his Tryal before the Bishop of Glocester See page 661 662. Reader Remember what Doctor Martyn observes page 60. Hearken good People to what this man saith he makes a Protestation one day to keep never a tittle of that which he intended to swear next day See the Tenour of his Oath to the Pope page 28. of this Catechism A. What did he answer to the particular of Incontinency or breach of his Sacerdotal Vow B. Dr. Martyn objected that being in holy Orders after the Death of his first Wife he married a second named Ann and kept her secretly in the days of King Henry 8. Whereunto he answered that it was better for him to have his own Wife than to do like other Priests holding and keeping other mens wives But the Question is whether other mens vices could be any excuse for him he seems to suppose here every man to be
inflicted on those that denied the Queens Supremacy ann 1559. but the loss of their Goods and such as refused to take the Oath did only lose their Imployments Whereas to refuse the Oath in King Henrys time brought them into a Premunire and to deny the Supremacy was Treason But against this Bill of Queen Elizabeths first Parliament the Bishops made Speeches in the House of Lords the rest of the Bishops opposed it the rather because they had lately declared so high for the Pope that it had been very indecent for them to have revoked so soon pag. 386 387. 2. vol. The Bishop of Chester said in Parliament that the Bill was against both Faith and Charity meaning the Bill for the new Service that Acts of Parliament were no Foundations for a Churches Belief that it was an insolent thing to pretend that all our Fathers lived in Ignorance That the Prophets oftentimes directed the Israelites to enquire of their Fathers Matters of Religion could not be understood by the Laiety Jeroboam made Israel to sin when he set up a new way of Worship Gallie by the Light of Nature knew that a Civil Judge ought not to meddle with matters of Religion In the Service-Book that was then before them there was no Sacrifice for Sin c. and for these reasons says Burnet he could not agree to it But if any thought he spoke this because of his own concern or pitied him for what he might suffer by it he would answer in the words of our Saviour Weep not for me weep for your selves p. 393. After him spake Fecknam Abbot of Westminster he said There had been great Order and Obedience in Queen Marys Reign but now every where great Insolencies were committed by the people with some very indecent Prophanations of the most holy things He recommended to them in St. Austins words the adhering to the Catholique Church the very name Catholique which Heretiques had not the confidence to assume shewed their Authority The Consent of the whole Church in all Ages with the perpetual Succession of Pastors in St. Peters Chair ought to weigh more with them than a few new Preachers who had of late distracted both Gemany and England Burnet pag. 393. 2. vol. Then see his Appendix to 2. vol. p. 408. where setting down these words of Nicholas Sanders That the Laws concerning Queen Elisabeths Supremacy passed the House of Lords with great difficulty all the Bishops opposing them Burnet answers It is true all the Bishops did oppose them c. But to all the Changes that were made in King Edwards time they submitted c. Why then were they turned out by King Edward and Protestants substituted in their places Thus Reader it appears by Burnets own Confession that the Reformation was not the Act and Deed of the old Clergy or Convocation of England or the major part thereof but impos'd on the Nation by the Power and Interest of a few persons And so I leave you to think what you please of Mas William Kings Confidence the Preacher of St. Warbroughs affirming as you have heard that Cranmer in all he did had the unanimous Consent and Vote of the major part of the Convocation the universal Submission of the Clergy c. Answ p. 25. A. But supposing he had the major Vote of his side as he had not could that have justified his Reformation B. Not at all for being all made Priests after that Form Accipe Potestatem offerre Sacrificium Deo missasque celebrare tam pro vivis quam pro defunctis c. they had no more Authority to abrogate the Mass than the present Archbishop of Canterbury with the major Vote of the Protestant Bishops to abolish the Common Prayer By their Protestant Orders they cannot do it A So much for his Priesthood You said he was consecrated Bishop in the year 1533. what were the Words of his Consecration B. You may find them in the Roman Pontifical First he was interrogated Vis Traditiones orthodoxorum Patrum Decretales sanctae Apostolicae sedis constitutiones veneranter suscipere docere ac servare R. Volo Vis beato Petro Apostolo cui à Deo data est Potestas ligandi ac solvendi ejúsque Vicario Domino nostro N. Papae suisque Successoribus Romanis Pontificibus fidem subjectionem obedientiam secundum Canonicam Auctoritatem per omnia exhibere R. Volo Credis sanctam catholicam Apostolicam unam esse veram Ecclesiam in qua unum datur verum Baptisam vera peccatorum omnium Remissio R. Credo That is Will you reverently receive teach and keep the Traditions of the orthodox Fathers the Decrees and Constitutions of the holy and Apostolique See He answered I will. Will you shew Fidelity Subjection and Obedience to St. Peter the Apostle and his Successors the Bishops of Rome in all things according to the Canons He answered I will. Do you believe one holy Catholique and Apostolique Church in which there is true Baptism and true Remission of Sins He answered I believe After which the Bishop consecrating authorizes him in these Words viz. Accipe Evangelium vade praedica populo tibi commisso Receive thou the Gospel go and preach to the people committed to thy charge R. Amen A. Why by this Consecration he had no more Authority to preach the Doctrine of 39 Articles than the present Archbishop of Canterbury to preach the Doctrine of the Council of Trent B. No more You see how he obliged himself to pay Fidelity Subjection and Obedience to the Bishops of Rome in all things according to the Canons then in force And reverently to receive teach and keep the Constitutions of the holy and Apostolique See. And upon these terms he receiv'd his Commission to go and preach the Gospel A. The matter is plain All his Changes were unwarrantable and his Reformation but a Castle in the air without a Foundation if you set aside Acts of Parliament B. And besides all this he swore that Oath to the Pope which you have heard page 28. of this Catechism Then what if all the Bishops had consented with him they had but violated their Engagements and Vows as he did being all sent and ordained after that Form. Reader I pray look into the Form and Manner appointed by the Church of England for consecrating of Bishops and Archbishops and there observe how Protestant Bishops do oblige themselves to preach Gods Word according to the Authority committed unto them by the Ordinance of this Realm and no otherwise that is to say according to the Doctrine of Thirty nine Articles Then enquire a little further what Commission had Cranmer or Matthew Parker to impose or preach the said Articles A. Enough of Cranmer What is Burnets Character of those few Bishops that were of his Party B. Those were Latimer Shaxton Barlow who were rather Cloggs than Helps to Cranmer says Burnet Latimers Simplicity and Weakness made him be despised Shaxtons proud and litigious
he of his own Accord without any Addresses from Cranmer designed to raise him to that Dignity and gave him notice of it that he might make haste and come home to enjoy that reward which the King had appointed for him But Cranmer having received this News did all he could to excuse himself from the Burden which was coming upon him and therefore he returned very slowly to England hoping that the Kings thoughts cooling some other Person might step in between him and a Dignity of which having a just and primitive Sense he did look on it with Fear and Apprehension rather than Joy and Desire This was so far from setting him back that the King was thereby confirmed in his high Opinion of him and neither the delays of his Journey nor his Intreaties to be delivered from a Burden which his humility made him imagine himself unable to bear could divert the King and good reason why because amongst all the Bishops he found no Man else for his purpose So that tho six months elapsed before the thing was settled yet the King persisted in his Opinion and the other was forced to yield Burnet page 127. Now let the Reader observe Doctor Heylin's account of Cranmer's backwardness to accept that Preferment viz. Warham Archbishop of Canterbury dying Cranmer is designed for his Successor in that eminent Dignity which he unwillingly accepts of partly in regard that he was Married at that time and partly in reference to an Oath which he was to take to the Pope at his Consecration But the King was willing for his own ends to wink at the one viz his Marriage and the Pope was not in a Condition as the Case then stood to be too peremptory in the other Heylin Hist Reform page 177. Burnet says further though Cranmer was a Man of too great Candour and Simplicity to be refined in the Arts of Policy yet he managed his Affairs with great Prudence that is to say respect to his interest which did so much recommend him to the King that no ill Offices were ever able to hurt him page 172. 1 Vol. In the end of January 1533. the King sent to the Pope for the Bulls for Cranmer's Promotion and though the Statutes were passed against procuring more Bulls from Rome yet the King says Burnet resolved not to begin the Breach till he was forced to it by the Pope that is whilst there were any hopes of the Popes consenting to his Marriage with Ann Bolen On the other hand the Pope had no mind to precipitate a Rupture with England therefore consented to Cranmer's Promotion page 128. A. I pray let us hear Doctor Burnet's account of his Consecration and taking the Oath to the Pope B. Cranmers Bulls being sent into England he was on the 13th of March Anno 1533. consecrated by the Bishops of London Exeter and Saint Asaph But here a great Scruple was moved by him concerning the Oath that he was to Swear to the Pope which he had no mind to take And Writers near that time say the dislike of that Oath observe this was one of the Motives that made him so unwillingly accept of that Dignity He declared that the Obligation which that Oath brought upon him would bind him up from his Duty to God the King and the Church page 128 129. 1 Vol. A. I would fain hear the words of that Oath before you go any further B. Ego T. Electus Ecclesiae C. Episcopus ab hac hera fidelis obediens ero beato Petro Apostolo Sanctaeque Romanae Ecclesiae c. I T. Bishop of C. from this hour forward shall be faithful and obedient to Saint Peter and to the Holy Church of Rome and to my Lord the Pope and his Successors Canonically entring I shall not be of Council nor Consent that they shall lose either Life or Member or shall be taken or suffer any violence or wrong by any means Their Councel to me credited their Messengers or Letters I shall not willingly discover to any Person The Papâ—cy of Rome the Rules of the Holy Fathers and the Regality of Saint Peter I shall help and maintain and defend against all Men The Legate of the See Apostolick going and coming I shall honorably intreat The Rights Honours Priviledges Authority's of the Church of Rome and of the Pope and his Successors I shall cause to be conserved defended augmented and promoted I shall not be in Council Treaty or any Act in the which any thing shall be imagined against Him or the Church of Rome their Rights Seats Honours or Powers And if I know any such to be moved or compassed I stall resist it to my power and as soon as I can I shall advertise him or such as may give him Knowledge The Rules of the Holy Fathers the Decrees Ordinances Sentences Dispositions Reservations Provisions and Commandments Apostolick to my Power I shall keep and cause to be kept of others Hereticks Schismaticks and Rebels to our Holy Father and his Successors I shall resist and prosecute to my Power I shall come to the Synod when I am called except I be letted by a Canonical Impediment The Thresholds of the Apostles I shall visit yearly Personally or by my Deputy I shall not alienate or sell my Possessions without the Popes Counsel So God help Me and the Holy Evangelists p. 123. A. Did he take this Oath in Terminis B. Yes and you shall hear how His Scruple being communicated to some of the Canonists and Casuists saith Burnet they found a Temper that agreed better with their Maxims then Cranmers Sincerity which was that before he should take the Oath he should make a good and formal Protestation that he did not intend thereby to restrain himself from any thing that he was bound to either by his Duty to God or the King or the Countrey and that he renounced every thing in it that was contrary to any of these This Protestation he made in Saint Stephens Chappel at Westminster in presence of some Doctors of the Canon Law before he was censecrated and he afterwards repeated it when he took the Oath to the Pope by which if he did not wholly save his Integrity note this yet it was plain he intended no Cheat but to act fairly and above board page 129. NOTE Vpon the like Protestation he might have taken another Oath to be true to Mahomet The Dr. is here at his wits end for an Excuse but confesses he did not swear like a sincere Christian He intended no Cheat but to act fairly and above board viz. He would take the Oath but so God help him and the holy Evangelists if ever he meant to observe one syllable of it Reader in all ages those that have been sent by God for the Reformation of the World and Restoration of ancient Piety have appeared to be Persons of extraordinary Sanctity at least if not recommended by Miracles in this Reformer there is yet no appearance of either A. After
finding that nothing went so near the King's Heart Edward VI as the ruin of Religion which he apprehended would follow upon his Death when his Sister Mary should come to the Crown upon that he and his party took advantage to propose to him to settle the Crown by his Letters Patents on the Lady Jane Grey then newly married to Guilford Dudley Northumberlands fourth Son how they prevailed with him to pass by his Sister Elisabeth who had been always much in his Favour I do not so well understand But the King being wrought over to this on the 11th of June Mountague Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Baker and Bromly two Judges with the King's Attorney and Solicitor were commanded to come to Council There they found the King with some Privy-Councellors about him The King told them he did now apprehend the danger the Kingdom might be in by the Succession of his Sister Mary So he ordered some Articles to be read to them of the way in which he would have the Crown to descend They objected that an Act of Parliament could not be taken away by any such Device yet the King required them to take the Articles and draw a Book according to them They asked a little time to consider of it So having examined the Statute of the first year of his Reign they found that it was Treason not only after the King's Death but in his life time to change the Succession Secretary Petre in the mean time pressed them to make haste When they came again to the Council they declared they could not do any such thing for it was Treason And all the Lords should be Guilty of Treason if they went on in it Upon which the Duke of Northumberland who was not then in the Council Chamber being advertised of this came in great Fury calling Mountague a Traitor But the Judges stood to their Opinion They were again sent for and came on the 15th of June The King was present and somewhat sharply asked them why they had not prepared the Book as he had ordered them They answered that whatever they did would be of no force without a Parliament But the King said he would have it first done and then ratified in Parliament and therefore required them on their Allegiance to go about it and some Councellors told them if they refused to Obey that they were Traytors This put them in a great Consternation and Old Mountague thinking it could not be Treason whatever they did in this matter while the King lived and at worst that a Pardon under the great Seal would secure him consented to set about it if he might have a Commission requiring him to do it and a Pardon when it was done both these being granted him he was satisfyed The other Judges being asked if they would concur did all agree being overcome with fear except Hales But Cranmer still refused to do it after they had all signed it and said he would never consent to the Disinheriting of the Daughters of his late Master Many Consultations were had to perswade him to it but he could not be prevailed on till the King himself set on him who used many Arguments from the danger Religion would otherwise be in together with other Perswasions so that by his Reasons or rather Importunities at last he brought him to it NOTE The Doctors excuse for this unjust Act of Cranmers importunity the same that naughty Women are said to pretend for their Incontinency If he did this only as submitting to his Princes importunity how came he after King Edward 's Death to Subscribe the aforesaid Letter And to do both after he had said he he would never consent to the disinheriting of King Henry 's Children The Reader may now understand the reason why he answered little or nothing to the Treason objected to him by the Bishop of Glocester because there was too much Truth in it And methinks this excuse which Burnet makes for him does him no service namely that he stood off a good while but at last with much a do was perswaded into this Conspiracy against K. Henry 's Children How does this answer the Character which Fox gives of him in causes pertaining to God and his Prince no Man more stout no Man more constant then he But whether he was in reality so unwilling to this Action is a question which the indifferent Reader may easily resolve Since he could not but apprehend that Queen Mary would call him to an account for the troubles he had brought upon her Mother and indeed upon the whole Church and Kingdom of England For amongst all the English Bishops anno 1533. King Henry could not find such another Person as Burnet confesses to serve him in the See of Canterbury Now as for Mountague Chief Justice of the Common Plea's and the rest of the Judges who at last consented to the advancement of Lady Jane Grey you may observe them scrupling the matter not out of Conscience but apprehension of the Law. All that they desired was to be indemnified from the danger of Law. A. Now go on to relate how he acquitted himself of the other particulars laid to his Charge Heresie Perjury Incontinency B. Although he answered nothing to the Bishop of Glocester concerning the point of Treason yet I remember somewhat in Fox which he reply'd to Doctor Martyn the Queen's Proctor viz. I protest before God I was no Traytor but indeed I confessed more at my Arraignment than was true Martyn returns that is not to be reasoned at this present you know you were condemned for a Traytor Fox page 653. 3 Vol. A. Is there no more in Fox as to that point B. Not a word more that I can find A. Then proceed as to the particular of Heresie B. John Foxes words are these As for the matter of Heresie and Schism wherewith he was charged he protested and called God to witness that he knew none that he maintained But if that were an Heresie to deny the Popes Authority and the Religion which the See of Rome hath published to the World these later years then the Apostles and Christ himself taught Heresie and he desired all then present to bear him witness that he took the Traditions and Religion of that usurping Prelate to be most false erroneous and against the Doctrine of the whole Scripture That he is the very Antichrist so often preached of by the Apostles and Prophets For it was most evident that he had advanced himself above all Emperors and Kings of the World whom he affirmeth to hold their Estates and Empires of him as their Chief and to be deposed at his good Will and Pleasure That he hath brought in Gods of his own Framing and invented a new Religion full of Gain and Lucre. This Enemy of God and of our Redemption is so evidently painted out in the Scriptures by such manifest Signs and Tokens that except a man will shut up his Eyes and Heart against the
his Disciples Feet saying Si ego lavi pedes vestrâ—s c. If I being your Lord and Master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash the feet of one another This was a Precept yet hath the Church altered it lest the simple people should think a Re-baptization in it Why do not Protestants observe Christs Institution of washing one anothers feet before they receive the Sacrament So because the Apostle saith Accepi a Domino quod tradidi vobis c. I have received of the Lord the same which I delivered unto you that our Lord the same night that he was betrayed c. notwithstanding Christs Precept that the Sacrament should be administred after Supper the Church hath commanded it to be received fasting and Protestants do receive it before dinner And where Christ did break the Bread we receive the whole Host Christ ministred sitting at the Table we standing at the Altar Likewise it is commanded in the Acts that Christians should abstain à suffocato sanguine from things strangled and from blood but the Church hath altered it nor do Protestants observe it God commanded the Sabbath or Seventh day to be kept holy the Church hath altered it to the Sunday If then the Church may change things so expresly appointed in Scripture she may also change the form of the Laitys receiving under both kinds and that for divers reasons First That in carrying it to the Sick the Blood may not be shed lost or misused Next That no occasion might be given to Heretiques to think that there is not so much under one kind as under both But why would you have it under both kinds only to pervert and contradict the Practice of the Church For when you have it under both kinds ye believed in neither meaning a real presence in neither Now Sir as concerning the Sacrament of the Altar where you say you have a number of Doctors on your side and we none of ours indeed one to stop your mouth I think it not possible to find Nevertheless whereas your desire is to have one shewed you and then you will recant I will shew you two Ferebatur manibus suis saith St. Austin super Psal 33. I find not how this is true in David saith he literally that he was born in his own hands but in Christ I find it true literally when he gave his Body to his Apostles at his last Supper Again St. Cyprian de Coena Domini saith Panis quem Dominus Discipulis porrigebat non effigie sed natura mutatus Omnipotentia Verbi factus est Caro. What can be more plain than this yet to you it is not plain enough But give me your figurative significative and such other like terms and I will defend that Christ hath not yet ascended no nor yet that he was incarnate Wherefore I can only put you in the number of those whom S. Chrysostom speaks of Audi homo fidelis qui contra Haereticum contendis c. Hear O thou Christian canst thou hope to do more than Christ Christ confuted the Pharesees yet could not put them to silence Et tu fortior es Christo Wilt thou go about to silence him that will receive no Answer Thus much have I said not for you Mr. Cranmer for my hope that I conceived of you is now past and gone but somewhat to satisfie the rude unlearned people that they perceiving your Arrogancy may the better eschew your detestable and abominable Schism Fox pag. 658 659. Thus spake the Bishop of Glocester like a Catholique understanding Prelate After whom Dr. Story saith Fox thus inferred in words Master Cranmer you have made a goodly Process concerning your Heretical Oath made to the King but you forget your Oath made to the See Apostolique As concerning your Oath to the King if you made it to him only it took an end by his Death and so it is released if to his Successors well Sir the true Successors have the Empire now and they will have you to dissolve the same and become a member of Christs Church again it was no Oath for it lacked the three points of an Oath that is to say Justiciam Judicium Veritatem Thus Dr Story ibid. p. 659. Protestants will needs swear the King to be Supream in all Spiritual things or causes whether the King will or no and when they have sworn it they will obey him in such matters so far as they think good when he happens to be a Papist A. What followed after this B. After all this Cranmer made that Recantation which you have heard and retracted it again when he saw no hopes of his Pardon He had this reason to rejoyce says Fox that dying in such a Cause he was to be numbered amongst Christs Martyrs although he had no mind to be a Martyr much more worthy the Name of Saint Thomas of Canterbury than he whom the Pope had falsly canoniz'd meaning Thomas Becker p. 672. A. Of what Church dyed he a Member B. I cannot tell the Church of England being then abolished and Catholique Religion restored by Act of Parliament A. One Question you have not answered what were the Words of his Mission and Consecration both as Priest and Bishop B. That you shall hear by and by Give me leave to observe one or two passages more out of Dr. Burnet A. As to what Point B. As to that Candour and Simplicity which Burnet admires in him page 172. 1. vol. The Story is thus Burnet p. 172. second volume viz. In the year 1551. the fifth year of Edward the Sixth the business of the Lady Mary was taken up with more heat than formerly The Emperors earnest Suit that she might have Mass said in her House was long rejected Yet the State of England making his Friendship at that time necessary to the King and he refusing to continue in his League unless his Kinswoman obtained that Favour it was promised that for some time in hope she would reform there should be a Forbearance granted The Emperors Ambassador pressed to have a License for it under the great Seal it was answered that being against Law it could not be done The two grounds she went upon were that she would follow the ancient and universal way of Worship and not a new Invention that lay within the Four Seas these were her words and that she would continue in that Religion in which her Father King Henry had instructed her To this the King sent an Answer he was then scarce 14 years of age telling her that she was a part of this Church and Nation and so must conform her self to the Laws of it the Laws made by Cranmer Sommerset Dudley c. and that the way of Worship now set up was no other than what was clearly consonant to the pure Word of God that was King Edwards first Common Prayer Book which expresly commanded Prayers for the dead After this she was sent for to Court and