taken as undoubtedly true siâ—cere and perfect which Marriage carrying with it the soveraign imfortunity of all second Marriages being compleated the same Parliament enacted a Statuâ—e which declared the establishment of the Kings succession in the imperiall Crowne to be upon the issue which he was to have by the present Queene Anne ratifying whatsoever the foresaid Archbishop of Canterbury had decreed and disinheriting the issue which the King had by the foresaid Lady Katharine from all title to the foresaid Crowne and Government or that if any person of what state and condition soever shall by writing printing or any exteriour Act or Deed procure or doe any thing to the prejudice slander disturbance or deâ—ogation of the said Matrimony or the issue growing of the same every such person shall be deemed and adjudged as an high Traitour and suffer such punishment as in case of high Treason is provided and for the better keeping of this Act the Kings Majesty together with his Counsellours of their owne authority framed an Oâ—th upon the breaking up of this Parliament which was upon the 30. day of Maâ—ch and tendred it the same day to all the Lords both spirituall and temporall as likewise to all the Commons and was to be tendred to whom the Commissioners for the same purpose should call before them the words of which Oath were these viz. Ye shall swear to beare Faith Truth and all Obedience onely to the Kings Majesty and to his heires of his body and of his most dear and entirely beloved wife Queen Anne begotten and to be begotten and further to the heires of our Soveraigne Lord according to the limitation made in the Statute for surety of his succession in the Crown of this Realm mentioned and contained and not to any other within this Realme nor to any other forraign Authority or Potentate whatsoever and in case any Oath be made or hath been made by you to any person or persons that then ye doe repute the same as vaine and annihilate and that to your cunning wit and utmost endeavours ye shall observe keep maintain and defend the said Act of Succession all the whole effects and intents thereof and all other Acts and Statutes made in confirmation and for exâ—cution of the same or any thing therein contained and this ye shall do against all manner of persons of what estate dignity degree or condition soever they be and in no wise do or attempt nor to your power suffer to be done or attempted directly any thing or things privily or openly to the let hindrance danger or derogation thereof or if any part of the same by any manner of meanes or any manner of pretences So help you God and all his Saints and the holy Evangelist Which Oath all the Lords both spirituall and temporall took except the Bishop of Rochester who absolutely refused it So the Parliament was ended But The said Bishop had not been 4 daies quiet within his Palace of Rochester but a Letter came to him from the Archbishop of Canterbury together with other of the Commissioners willing him personally to appear before them in the said Archbishops house by a certain day expressed within the Letter all excuses set a part And CHAP. XIX 1. The Bishop of Rochester summoned to appear before the Archbishop of Canterbury 2. Sir Thomas Mâ—or and Dr. Wilson committed for refusing the Oath 3. The Bishop of Rochester sent to the Tower for the same cause 4. A Parliament is called wherein the Bishops imprisonment was voted lawfull 5. The Supremacy of the Church conferred upon the King c. by Act of Pâ—â—liament absolutely and wâ—â—â—out the foâ—mer clause 6. An Act 〈◊〉 Parliament making iâ— treason to deny the King to be supreme head of the Church NOw was the thing come to passe which was noâ—hing terrible to him because it was foreseen wherefore he first makes his Will and leaves severall Lâ—gacies to divers persons and uses as to Michael house in Cambridge where he received his Education to St. Iohns Colledge to the Poore to some of his 〈…〉 to all his Servants whom he leaves weeping behinde him whiles the rest followed him lamâ—nting his condition in his journey towards Lambeth Passing thorough the City of Rochester there were a multâ—tude of pâ—ople gathered together both citizens and countreymen to whom he gave his benediction riding by them all the while bâ—â—eheaded some crying that they should never see him again others denouncing woes unto them that were the ocâ—asions of his troubles others crying out against the wickednesse of the times and all of them lamenting and bewailing that whâ—ch was their miserie and his glory Thus he passed on his way till he came to Sutors hill twenty miles from Rochester on the top whereof he rested himself descending from his horse and causing to be brought before him such victuals as he had caused to be brought thither for that purpose he said he would now make use of his time and dine in the open aire while as he might after which dinner he chearfully took his horse and came to London the same night The day of his appearance being come he presented himselfe before the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth the Lord Audely Chancelour of England Thomas Cromwell the Kings Secretary and the rest of the Commissioners authorised under the great Seale of England to call before them whom they pleased and to tender unto them the foresaid Oath then sitting at Lambeth where at the same tune the Bishop met with Sir Thomas Moore who welcomed and saluted the Bishop in these termes Well met my Lord I hope we shall meet in Heaven to which the Bishop replyed This should be the way Sir Thomas for it is a very strait gate we are in There had been Doctor Wilson sometime the Kings Confessor who together with Sir Thomas Moore had both of them refused the Oath a little before the Bâ—shops coming for which the Knight was committed for the present to the custody of the Abbot of Westminster as the Doctor had been formerly committed to the Tower of London at which time also the Clergie of London were warned to appeare about the same businesse who all of them took the Oath at the same time Then was it that the Bâ—shop of Râ—chester was called before the Archbâ—shop c. who putting the Bâ—shâ—p in remembrance of the Act which was made by the late Parliament whâ—ch had provided an Oâ—th to be administred to all persons within this Râ—alm concerning the establâ—shment of the Succession c. how all the Lords both spirituall and temporall had taken the said Oath onely himself excepted how grievoâ—sly his Majesty was offended with him therefore how he had gâ—ven strict charge to himself and the rest of the Commissioners to call him before them and to tender unto him the Oath once more presented unto him the Oath laying it before him and demanded of him what he would say thereto the good man pâ—rusing
said a few prayers which were not long but fervent and devout which being ended he laid his head down on the middle of a little block where the Executioner being ready with a sharp and heavy Ax cut asunder his slender neck at one blow which bled so abundantly that many wondred to see so much blood issuâ— out of so slender and leane a body As concerning the Head the Executioner put it into a bag and carried it away with him meaning to have set it on the Bridge that night as he was commanded The Lady Anne Bullein who was the chief cause of this holy mans death had a certain desire to see the head before it was set up whereupon being brought unto her she beheld it a space and at last contemptuously said these or the like words Is this the head that so often exclaimed against me I trust it shall never do no more harm with that striking it upon the mouth with the back of her hand hurt one of her fingers upon a tooth that stuck somewhat more out than the rest did which finger after grew sore and putting her to pain many dayes after was nevertheless cured at last with much difficulty But after it was healed the mark of the hurt place remained to be seen when her own head was not to be seen upon her shoulders This may seem strange as a rare example of cruell boldness in that sex which by nature is fearfull and cannot behold such spectacles and therefore argueth no doubt a wonderfull malice which she by likelihood bare to the holy man living that could thus cruelly use his head being dead Then the Executioner stripping the body of his shirt and all his clothes he departed thence leaving the headless carkasse naked upon the Scaffold where it remained after that sort for the most part of that day saving that one for pity and humanity sake cast a little straw over his privities about eight of the clock in the evening commandment came from the Kings Commissioners to such as watched about the dead body for it was still watched with many halberds weapons that they should cause it to be buried Whereupon two of the watchers took it upon a holbert between them and so carried it to a Church-yard there hard by called Alh Barkin where on the Northside of the Church hard by the wall they digged a grave with their halberds and therein without any reverence tumbled the body of this holy Prelate all naked and flat upon his belly without either shirt or other accustomed thing belonging to a christian mans buriall and so covered quickly with earth And this was done on the day of St. Albane the Proâ—omartyr of England being Tuesday the 22. of Iune in the year of ouâ— redemption 1535. and in the 27. year of the Kings reigne after he had lived full threescore and sixteen years nine moneths and odde daies The next day after his burying the head being parboyled was pricked upon a pole and set on high upon London Bridge among the rest of the holy Carthusians heads that suffered death lately before him And here I cannot omit to declare unto you the miraculous sight of this head which after it had stood up the space of fourteen dayes upon the bridge could not be perceived to wast nor consume neither for the weather which then was very hot neither for the parboyling in hot water but grew daily fresher and fresher so that in his life-time he never looked so well for his cheeks being beautified with a comely red the face looked as though it had beholden the people passing by and would have spoken to them which many took for a miracle that Almighty God was pleased to shew above the course of nature in this preserving the fresh and lively colour in his face surpâ—ssing the colour he had being alive whereby was noted to the world the innocence and holinesse of this blessed Father that thus innocently was content to lose his head in defence of his Mother the holy Catholique Church of Christ wherefore the people coming daily to see this strange sight the passage over the bridge was so stopped with their going and coming that almost neither cart nor horse could passe and therfore at the end of fourteen daies this Executioner was commanded to throw downe the head in the night-time into the Râ—ver of Thames and in the place thereof was set the head of the most blessed and constant Martyr Sir Thomas Moore his Companion and fellow in all his troubles who suffered his passion the 6. day of Iuly next following And touching the place of his buriall in Barkin Church yard it was well observed at that time by divers worthy persons of the nations of Italy Spain and France that were then abiding in the Realme and more diligently noted and wrote the course of things and with lesse fear and suspition then any of the Kings subjects might or durst doe that for the space of seaven yeares after his buriall there grew neither leaf nor grasse upon his grave but the earth still remained as bare as though it had been continually occupied and trodden When by common fame this bloudy Execution was blown and spread abroad straight way the name of King Henry begun to grow odious among all good people not onely in his own Realm at home but also among all forreign Princes and Nations abroad through Christendome insomuch that Paul the third then Pope of Rome with great grief signified these doings by severall Letters to all the Christian Princes openly detesting the outrage of King Henry in committing such a wicked and manifest injury not onely against the freedome and priviledge of the Church of Rome but also against the whole state of Christs universall Church for the which in short space after he pronounced the terrible sentence of Excommunication against him Likewise the most noble and christian Emperour Charles the fifth at such time as Sir Thomas Moore was beheaded and word thâ—â—eof brought to him sent speedily for Sir Thomas Eliot the Kings Embassadour there 〈◊〉 with him and asked him whether he heard any such newes or no who answered him that he heard no such thing yes said the Emperour it is true and too true that Sir Thomas Moore is now executed to death as a good Bishop hath lately been before and with that giving a sigh said alas what meant the K. to kill two such man for said he the Bishop was such a one as for all purposes I think the King had not the like agaiâ—â—â— in all his Râ—alm neither yet was to be matched through Christendome so that said he the King your Master hath in killing that Bishop killed at one blow all the Bishops in England And Sir Thomas Moore said he was well known for a man of such profound wisdome cunning and vertue that if he had been towards me as he was towards the King your Master I had rather have lost the best City in all
the Body of so incomparable a Soule in the yeare of our Lord God 1519. the third of the Calends of Iuly within the Abbey of S. Peters in Westm. to the great grief and sorrow of all good people but to her own eternal happinesse who before her departure made her last Will and Testament wherein together with other Personages of great quality she made this holy Bishop as one in whom she reposed her chiefest trust one of her Executors She was buried with all solemnity according to the dignity of so great a person in the Abbey church at Westminster at whose Fuâ—erall Sermon this most excellent Bishop threw these flowers upon her Grave c. As concerning her birth that she was the daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset lineally descended from the most noble Prince Edward the third King of England As for Quality that she was a second Martha both for her Hospitality and Nobility where together with many other of her great Vertues and incomparable deeds of Charity all which he there related at large as so many proofs of sanctity he had these remarkable passages concerning her viz. that notwithstanding she was Princesse who by lineage and affinity had had thirty Kings and Queens besides Dukes Marquesses and Earles within the fourth degree of marriage supporting her greatnesse yet would she often fall so low as to search and dresse the wounds and sores of poore and distressed people with her own fingers performing all this for his sake who for ours received so many wounds as also when there was an offerture made by divers Princes to warre against the common enemy of our Faith she encouraged them thereunto by often telling them that upon condition that they would got she would also goe along with them and be their Laundresse The Funeralls of this great Lady being ended and that other Colledge which she had willed to be dedicated to S. Iohn the Evangelist being not yet built the rest of her Executors finding how faithfull the good man had been in his former trust by a generall consent resigned into his hands by a publick instrument in writing the whole authority of the disposement of her Legâ—cies but behold how worthily the dispensation was conferred upon him for whereas the Lady Margaret out of her great bounty and liberality had given to so pious a use a portion of Land for the maintenance of one Master and fifty Schollers with all manner of furniture and Servants requisite to every Office in manner and forme This good man did not onely bear a portion in the charge of the same Building but much augmented the Revenue thereof with possession of Land whereby four Fellowships were founded upon his own account and one Reader of an Hebrew Lecture and another of Greek together with four examining Readers and four under-Readers to help the Principall and whereas he observed the price of Victuals began to rise he gave wherewith by weekly divident the Fellows commons might be augmented bequeathing thereunto his Library of Books thought to be the best that ever was in Europe after his death together with all his Plate Hangings and other Housholdstuffe whatsoever to him belonging by a deed of gift in his life time under his own hand and putting the colledge into possession of the same by Indentures onely borrowing the same back again to his owne use during his life And for a perpetuall memory of his hearty good will and love towards this Colledge he caused a little Chappell to be built neere unto the high Altar or the great Chappell where there was a Tombe set of white Marble â—inely wrought where he intended to have laid his bones if God had not so disposed of him otherwise but he was otherwise disposed of and as if because this Martyrs body was not permitted to be brought â—mong these men these Fellowes brought their bodies to his Martyrdome for those famous Martyrs Mr. Greenwood Richard Reynolds Doctor in Divinity a professed Monke in Sion of the rule of S. Bridget and Mr. William Exmew a Carthusian professed in London the first whereof came out of S. Iohn's Colledge the other two came forth of Christs all three suffering death under King Hen. 8. in the cause of Supremacy that they might still be of his foundation though not of Stone and Mortar yet of Blood and Fire Out of the first of these two Colleges proceeded likewise Ralph Bayn Bishop of Lichfield Thomas Walson Bishop of Lincolne Iohn Christoferson also Bishop of Chichester Thomas Bishop Elect of Glocester and before that Abbot of Leicester all Catholique Bishops Out of the second also sprang that most Reverend and Grave Doctor Nicholas Heath Archb shop of York together with divers other Grave and Learned Preachers of the Catholick Faith And this is to be noted to the honour of that University that during the space of so many hundred years as is between the laying of the first Stone in this our Bethel Cambridge was never infected with any unsound Doctrine untill such time as Regis ad exemplum brought it in and Luther's Soul was transmigrated into Henry the eighth who evâ—r after never spake at a lesser rate than Siâ— volo sic jubeo who both of them since their fall from the Catholick Church pulled down Reason and set up Will And It is a thing which is most remarkable that he who goard this University so much as it is conceived the more for this mans sake of whom we treat and the great love sake which they all bore unto his memory by his placing and displacing 〈◊〉 men and lawes he pleased and all to make way for a new Religion in the end reconcâ—led himselfâ— unto the Catholick Faith as appeares by his subscribing to the six Articles of the Roman Catholick Religion which was all the difference that was then between the two Churches in matter of Doctrine as also by the expresse words of his last will and Testament So the first uncleane beast that ever passed through the Oxens-ford I meane Wickliffe by name afterwards chewed the cud and was sufficiently reconciled to the Roman Faith as appeares by his Recantation Living and Dying conformable to the holy Catholick Church at his Parsonage of Litterworth as I take it in Northampton-shire constantly saying Masse unto his dying day So that Reformation as it seems was left unto the time of which it is said Vae Regnâ— euipuer dominatur woe be to the Kingdome over which a â—hild reignes CHAP. IV. 1. The encrease of Luthers Doctrine 2. 〈◊〉 vigilancy to suppresse it 3. His intention to goe to Rome 4. The occasion of his stay 5. His brave and worthy Speech in the Synod of Bishops NOw was the time come wherein God was determined to make triall of his people and the storme was not altogether unseen to ensue by this good man for by this time the people of this Nation had well drank of the intoxications of Prince Luthers cup but when he perceived the better
himselfe wholly to sensuality 6. Laies his whole trust in the Câ—rdinall Wolsey's character 7. His solicitation for the Bishoprick of Toledo afterwards for the Papacy is râ—fused both ABout this time it was that Luther anâ— wered the Kings Book wherein he used such scurâ—ilouâ— railing against the King as is not to be mâ—ntioned far beneath the approâ—ement of a sanctified spirit and the dignity of a sacred person Whereupon This Bishop in vindication of the Kings honour and defence of the truth wâ—it an Apologie whereby he rebuked the Authors vilany and abuse of a Pâ—ince of so great dignity the title of which Book was A defence of the King of England 's assertion of the Catholique Faith against Martin Luther's Book of the Captivity of Babylon which Book he dedicated to his deare friend and old acquâ—intance Dr. West Bishop of Ely Shortly afterwards he writ another book intituled A defence of the holy order of Priesthood against Martin Luther Upon the Quinquagesima Sunday which was in the yeare of our redemption 1525. this holy and most learned Bishop preached a most excellent Sermon at S. Paul's Crosse where Cardinall Wolsey Legate a latere with eleven Bishops great resort of the Nobility and Gâ—ntry were present which was performed with such feâ—veney of faith zealâ— to the Catholique Church and force of arguments grounded upon Scripture that one Robert Barnes an Augustin Friar and five more infected with Lutheranism were thereby converted and abjured their Errors and for their Penance stood openly at St. Paul's Crosse. Upon the Octaves of the Ascension he preached also another most admirable Sermon in the presence of the Cardinall and all the Bishops c. wherein he shewed himself a most stout and zealous Champion and Defender of his Faith taâ—ing no lâ—sse the severall curers of soules with nâ—gligâ—nce than the people with levity About this time â—rose out of Lather's Schoole one Oâ—colampadius like a mighty and fierce Giant who as his Master had gone beyond the Church went beyond his Master or else it had been impossible he could have been reputed the better Scholler who denied the reall preseuce him this worthy Champion sets upon and with five bookes like so many smooth stones taken out of the River that doth always run with living water slays the Philistine which five books were written in the year of our Lord 1526. at which time he had governed the See of Rochester twenty years which books of his nor any other of his books that he ever writ were ever answered About this time it was that the King left off the Kingly Occupation as they called it wherein he had governed this Realme with great wisdome and moderation whereby he became as all wise Kings doe aim at beloved at home and feared abroad and addicted himself wholy to sensuall pleasure and delight leaving the Ministry of his state wholy to the disposition of the Cardinall who was a man though but meanly and obsâ—urely borne yet of an excellent wit voluble speech quicknesse of memory haughâ—inesse of courage well bred sufficiently learned and one that knew how to behave himself among persons of the greatest rank and quality and that in businesses of greatest weight and importance who besides that he was Arch bishop of York and Bishop of Winchester at the same time and Abbot of S. Albâ—ns and had the Bâ—shopricks of Bath Woroester and Hereford in Farm at small rents the Incumbents being Strangers and continually living in their owne countries whereby he might dispose of all presentations and promotions of those Bishopricks as freely as if they had been his own and was Legatâ— Ã latere whereby he might convocate the Clergy at his pleasure besides what he received from Italy by reason of his dignity of Cardinall he was also Lord Chancelour of England whereby in a manner he formerly ruled all under the King also in matters temporall and to gâ—ve him his due he so behâ—ved himselfe in Government that he won from all wise men great praise for his indifferency to all sorts of people whether they were rich or poore onely his fault was that he governed himself the worst of all for all this was not sufficient except he was more and more was nothing except he was most of all For The Arch-bishoprick of Toledo in Spaine being void he made meanes unto the Emperour Charles the fifth and to that purpose procured the Kings Letters whereby that great dignity might be conferred upon him but the Emperour noting his ambition would in no wise condescend thereto That failing it happened that Pope Leo the tenth died whereby the Papacy became void then he bestirred himself exceedingly together with all his friends and besides his own Master the King of England he made means unto the King of France who upon certain grounds moving him thereto took great paines in his behalfe but all was disappointed by the Emperor who had so wrought with the Conclave of Cardinalls that they elected Cardinall Hadrian one who formerly had been Tutor to the Emperour for their Pope a man of singular and rare Vertue and Learning CHAP. VI. 1. The Revenge which the Cardinall took againâ—â— the Emperoâ—â— for withstanding his ambitionâ— 2. The Scruple which he put into the Kings head concerning Queen Katherine This Scruple the ruine of the Clergie 3 The King is fallen in love with Anne Bullein 4. Her Character 5. The King resolved to go thorough-stitch with the Divâ—rce 6. The Kings dealing with Fisher in that behalfe Fisher's answer to the King THis lay boyling in the Cardinals stomach so hot that he never rested till he had set variance between the King his Master and the Emperour which he performed by causing the King to enter into a strict league and amity with the King of Frâ—nce whereby the Emperours occasions were much hindred and to affâ—ont him the more together with the feare of a blind Prophesie which was told him viz. that a woman should be the confusion of him and fearing it might be the Queen Katherine in regard she was Aunt unto the Emperour whom he thus purposed to maâ—gne he began to set the straw on fire that was under her bed by putting a new Scruple into the Kings head of marrying his Brothers Wife wherefore taking his opportunity when he saw the King best disposed he fell into discourse with him of the great unhappinesse that was befalne the nation and how great a pity it was he had not issue Mâ—lâ— to succeed him in the Crown of England whereat the King began to stare upon him but answered him not a word while the Cardinall proceeds to tell him that there might be a way found out how with Gods blessing he might have plenty whereat the King began to thrust his thumbs under his girdle and to cry Hob man hoh lawfully begotten Cardinall lawfully begotten Yet lawfully begotten replied the Card. I speak no more than what I am able to make good and justly whereupon he
it awhile requested that he might have some timâ— to considâ—r upon it the Commissioners consulting with themselves awhile granted him five daies to coâ—sider upon it and so dismissing him for the present whence he departed to his owne house in Lambeth Marsh. During which small time of his abode there there came divers of hâ—s friends rather to take their leaves of thâ—n to vâ—sit him among which one Mr. Seton and Mr. Bransby Substitutes of the Masters and Fellows of the two Câ—lâ—edges to which he had shewed himself so much their friend partly to salute him in the name of the two Societies and partly to dâ—sire his confirmation of their Statutes under his Seale which he had drawn long before but the Bishop desired to have some further time to consider of them as he intended alas said the two Gâ—â—tlemen we fear your time is now too short to read them before you go to prison It is no matter said the Bâ—shop then I will read them in prison that will hardly be permitted said the Trustees if you come once there then Gods will be done said the Bishop for I shall hardly be drawn to put my seale to that which I have not well considered of howsoever said he if the worst should happen there is Mr. Cowper a worthy reverend man and a Bachelour in Divinity that hath the copy of the same Statutes which I have if I do not or cannot according to my desire peruse them I will give it you under my Seale that if you like them that shall be unto you a confirmation for I am pâ—rswaded that one time or other those Statutes will take place and accordingly it hapned for when this Master Cowper long after the imprisonment and death of the Bâ—shop of Rochester and the change and alteration of the times which had made Relâ—gion Lords and Lawes all new commiâ—ted this Book of Statutes to the custody of one M. T Watson a man that afterwards came to great honor estimation for his profound learning was afterwards elected to the Mastership oâ— S. Iohn's Colledge and afterwards to the Bishoprick of London who as the Bâ—shop of Rochester foretold restored them to the house who admitted them as their onely Lawes whereby they were wholy governed during the reign of Queen Mary The time being come when the good Bishop was to give an account of the Premises he presenâ—ed himself before the Commâ—ssioners â—cquâ—inting them how that he had perused the Oath with as good deliberation as he could but as they had framed it he could not with any safety to his owne conscience subscribe thereto except they would give him leave to alter it in some particulars whereby his owne conscience might be the better satisfied The King pleased and his actions rather justified and Warranted by Law To this they all made answer that the King would not in any wise permit that the Oath should admit any exceptions or alterations whatsoever and sâ—â—d the Bishop of Canterbury you must answer directly whether you will or you will not subscribe then said the Bishop of Rochester if you will needs have me answer directly my answer is that foasmuch as my own conscience cannot be satisfied I absolutely refuse the Oath Whereupon he was immediately sent to the Tower of London which was upon Tuesday the 26. of April in the year of our Lord God 1534. and upon the 25. year of the Kings reign being the last of his reign for that year Thus the Remora to the Kings proceedings in this kind being removed the Ship went merrily along for all things being fitted for a Parliament there was a Parliament which was â—itted for all things immediately called upon the 26. year of the Kings reign and upon the 23. day of Novemb. which wrought above nine wonders lasting but fifteen daies wherein the Bishop of Rochester's imprisonment was voted lawfull and all other men their imprisonments good and lawfull that should refuse to take the foresaid Oath which authority before was wanting also another Statute was â—nacted whereby the Supremacy of the Church of England was given unto the King his Heires and Successors to have and enjoy the same as a title and stile to his imperiall Crown with all Honours Jurisdictions Authorities and Priviledges thereunto belonging with full power and authority as himselfe listeth to visit represse redresse reforme order correct restraine and amend all Heresies Abuses Errors and Offences whatsoever they were as fully and as amply as the same might or ought to be done or corrected by any spirituall authority or jurisdiction whatsoever and that without the clause or condition of quantum per legem Dei lieet which was as contrary to the Kings promise to the Convocation-house as it was answerable to what the good Bishop forewarned the Clâ—rgie of whiles he 〈◊〉 amongst them And thus whiles the Kâ—ng acted the Pope the Bishop became a Prophet This Act being once passed the King required them to passe another Act viz. That if any manner of Person whatsoever should by word or deed presume to deny the title of Supremacy that then every such person so offending should be reputed and adjudged as an high Traitour and suffer and abide such losses and paines as in â—ases of high Treason is provided CHAP. XX. 1. The King sends divers learned Bishops to perswade with the Bishop of Rochester to take the Oath 2. The Bishop of Rochester answers unto the Bishops 3. Sir Thomas Moore committed to the same prison 4. The comfort which they received in each other 5. Their lettters intercepted and the Bishops man committed to close prison therefore 6. The simple yet mâ—rry question which he â—ade thereupon 7. The Lord Chancelour with divers other great Lords sent by the King to perswade the Bishop BUt when that businesse came to be discussed in the Parliament-house the Commons themselves began to think it a very hard Law anâ— full of rigour for said they a man may chance to say such a thing by way of discourse or such a word may fall from a man negligently or unawares all of them as yet not otherwise able but to think it a strange thing that a man should die for saying the King was not the head of the Church which debate held them many daies at last the King sent them word that except it could be proved that the party spake it malitiously the Statute should not be of any force to condemn So the word MALICIOVSLY was put in and it passed currently which afterwards served to as much purpose as the words Quantum per legem Dei licet And During the Bishops hard and close imprisonment the King as he had at several other times so done sent divers of the Priviâ—-councel as well Bishops as others to perswade the Bâ—shop of Rochester to take the oath of Succâ—ssion after that the Bâ—shop had suffered a great deale of Rhetorique to come from them he thus spake unto them My very good friends and
against all or any the least encroachment offered or attempted to be made even by the Bishop of Rome himself as you shall find in the Statute Lawes of King Richard the second where you shall finde in many businesses wherein the Pope of Rome himself was interessed the Roman Catholiques flatly denying the Crown of England which they averred stoutly immediately to be subject unto none but God and to other in all things touching the regality of the said Crowne to be subject to the Pope of Rome and yet the very same Parliament said the Bishop at the same time acknowledged the Bishop of Rome in respect of his spirituall jurisdiction to be their most holy Father And This the Author assures the Reader to be taken notice of by Bâ—shop Bilsoâ— where he brings in this Parliament consisting then altogether of Roman Catholicks thus expressing their loyaltiâ—â— to their Soveraigne Prince viz. We will be with our said Soveraigne Lord the King and his said Crown and his Râ—gality in cases aforesaid and in all other cases attempted against him his Crowne and Dignity in all points to live and diâ— Nor will I onely bring in your Protestant Bishops but also your Protestant Chronologies of latest Editions averring the same viz. Holinshead where you may finde how in the reign of King Edward the first all the Lords then Catholiques assembled aâ— Lincoln in Parliament in the name of all the Estates did answer the Pope's right to judge c. viz. that they would not consent that their King should do any thing that should tend to the disinhâ—riting of the right of the Crown of England and that it was never known wherefore never practised that the King of this Land had answered or ought to answer for their Rights in the same Realme before any Judge Ecclesiasticall or Secular And Yet notwithstanding all this in their speciall Letter writ to the same Pope Boniface at the same time they thus wrote unto him Boniface by Gods providence high Bishop of the holy Roman and universall Church styling themselves his devout Sons where notwithstanding all this it consisted with their Devotion further to affirme that the King of England ought not to answer for any of their Rights in the said Realme or for any of their Temporalties before any Judge Ecclesiastical by reason of the free preheminence of the Estate of the Royall Dignity and Custome kept without breach at all times and after full treaty and deliberation it was consistent likewise with their devotion to make it their common argument and unanimous consent which agreement they said should be without faile in time to come that their foresaid Lord the King ought not by any meanes to answer in judgement nor send any Proctors to the Popes presence especially seeing that the premises tended manifestly to the disinheriting of the Crown of England and also to the hurting of the Liberties and Lawes of their Fathers and the duties of their Oath made which said they we will maintaine with all our power and defend with all our strength and will not suffer our foresaid Lord the King to do or attempt the premises being so unaccustomed and before not heard of Nor will we onely bring you your owne Chronicles but our owne Annotations upon our own Testaments where you shall finde Catholiques acknowleging themselves bound in conscience to obey their Emperours and Governors though they were Heathens and Persecutors Our greatest Champions where you shall finde Bellarmine himself maintaining how that the Lawes of Magistrates do binde even the consciences of Christians Our strictâ—st Casuists where you shall finde them averring how that Faith is not necessary to Iurisdiction and that Authority cannot be lost by the losse of Faith Your own Protestant Apology for the Church of Rome though writ by us yet made by you where you shall finde the Roman Catholicks acknowledging themselves indissolubly bound by all Lawes Humane and Divine in the highest degree of all earthly Allegeance to the present temporall Government notwithstanding at the same time the Magistracy was adverse unto them in matters of Religion and heavy upon them by reason of the same Our owne submissions and protestations in the vindication of our Loyalty to the temporall Magistrate as the declared will of God in that behalf where you shall finde us quoting all these severall texts of Scripture out of the Word of God to the same purpose how that we ought not to speak evil of our Governours though they should perscecute us nor so much as to think amiss of them but to be subject to them and that not onely for necessity but for conscience sake lest otherwise we should be damned Where should a man finde better Subjects and yet these are the men who have been traduced all along as inconsistent with politique Government And why should the same Loyalty be suspected at any time still to remaine within the same breasts since that their Religion Lawes both Civil and Ecclesiasticall Custome Provision for the future present Practise Oathes and Protestations all along evermore obliging them to such Obedience especially whereas at this present all other sorts and sects of christian Religion excepting those who are for all sorts and sects appeare against the present Government like Aries Scorpio Leo Sagitarius c. as if they would all and every one of them wound each part and member of this body politique the Roman Catholiques like Pisces the Emblem of the Fisherman are contented to remaine quiet under foot And this digression from the Subject we have in hand I have presum'd to make whereby the courteous Reader may be more courâ—eous if he please to Roman Catholiques seeing they have no such ugly features in their faces as their adversaries would have them have when the vizards are taken off which they have clapt upon their faces and therefore let not hereafter a few discoloured powder-spiâ—ited and inconsiderate men among so many thousands of the same Religion and better quality that were then ignorant of and afterwards detesting the designe as diabolicall blow up a whole cause so universall or contract any tragicall or immoderate application for some few's sake against the whole any more than equity her selfe shall think it reason that one Devil shall be able to prejudice the dignity of the twelve Apostles since that there hath not been all along which way soever the Government was adicted to one or other Religion more faithfull peaceable and loyall Subjects than were the Roman Catholiques excepting an exception which makes but never marres a generall rule What if this good Bâ—shop had lived to see how in the daies of Queen Elizabeth when she first took â—upon her the government of this Land although that Catholiques were then the chiefest Ministers both in Church and State and had at that time the government of both setled in that course and therefore questionlesse were sufficient
it was his secret place of Prayer This Coffer thus fenced about and in so private a place and close unto him every man beleived verily that some great Treasure had been stored up in that same Coffer wherefore because no indirect dealing might be used in defrauding the King in a matter of so great consâ—quence aâ— this was thought to be wherefore witnesses were solemnly called to be present so the Coffer was broken up before them and much paines was taken in â—breaking up thâ— Coffer but when it was open they found within it instead of gold and silver which they looked for a shirt of haire and two or three whips wherwith he used full often to punish himself as some of his Chaplaineâ— and Servants have often reported that were neere about him and curiously marked his doings and other treasure than that found they none at all But when report was made to him in his prison of the opening of that coffâ—r he was very sorry for it and said that if hast had not made him forget that and many things else â—â—ose things had not been to be found there at that time After this good Bâ—shop was recovered to some better strength by the help of his Physitians and that he was more able to be carried abroad he was on Thursday the 17. of Iune brought to the Kings Bench at Westminster from the Tower with a huge number of Holberts Bills and other weapons about him and the Ax of the Tower born before him with the edge from him as the manner is and because he was not yet so well recovered that he was able to walk by land all the way on foot he rode part of the way on horseback in a black cloth gown the rest he was carried by water for that he was not well able to ride thorough for weaknesse As soon as he was come to Westminster he was there presâ—nted at the Barre before the said Commissioners being all set ready in their places against his coming whose names were these Sir Thomas Audely Knight Lord Chancellor of England Charles Duke of Suffolk Hâ—nry Earle of Comberland Thomas Earle of Wiltshire Thomas Cromwell Secretary Sir Iohn Fitz. Iames Chief Iustice of England Sir Iohn Baldwin Chief Justice of the Common-pleas Sir William Pawlet Sir Richard Lyster Chief Baron of the Exchequer Sir Iohn Port Sir Iohn Spilman and Sir Walter late Justices of the Kings Bench and Sir Anthony Fitzherbert one of the Justices of the Common-pleas Being thus presented before these Commissiâ—ners he was commanded by the name of Iohn Fisher late of Rochester Clerk otherwise called Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester to hold up his hand which he did with a most cheerfull countenance and rare constancy then was his Indictment read which was very long and full of words but the effect of it was thus that he maliciously treacherously falsâ—ly had said these words The King our soveraigne Lord is not Supreme head in the earth of the Church of England and bâ—ing read to the end it was asked him whether he was guilty of this Treason or no whereunto he pleaded Not guilty Then was a Jury of twelve men being Free-holders of Middlesex called to try this Issue whose names were these Sir Hugh Vaughan Knight Sir Walter Langford Knight Thomas Burbage Iohn Nudygate William Browne Iohn Hewes Iasper Leak Iohn Palmer Richard Henry Young Henry Lodisman Iohn Elrington and George Heveningham Esquires These twelve men being sworne to trie whether the prisoner were guilty of this Treason or no at last came forth to gâ—ve evidence against him Mr Rich the secret and close Messenger that passed between the King and him as ye have read before who openly in the presence of the Judges and all the people there assembled deposed and swore that he heard the Prisoner say in plaine words within the Tower of London that he believed in his conscience and by his learning he assuredly knew that the King neither was nor by right could be Supreme head in earth of the Church of Engl. When this blessed Father heard the accusations of this most wretched false person contrary to his former oath promise he was not a little astonied thereat wherefore he said to him in this menner Mr. Râ—ch I cannot but mervaile to hear you come in and beare witnesse against me of these words knowing in what secret manner you came to me but suppose I so said unto you yet in that saying I commited no Treason for upon what occasion and for what cause it might be said your self doth know right well and therefore being now urged said he by this occasion to open somewhat of this matter I shall desire my Lords and others here to take a little patience in hearing what I shall say for my self This man meaning Mr. Rich came to me from the King as he said on a secret message with commendations from his Grace declaring at large what a good opinion his Majesty had of me and how sorry he was of my trouble with many more words than are here needfull to be recited because they tended so much to my praise as I was not onely ashamed to hear them but also knew right well that I could no way deserve them at last he broke with me of the matter of the Kings Supremacy lately granted unto him by Act of Parliament to the which he said although all the Bishops in the Realme have consented except your selfe alone and also the whole Court of Parliament both spirituall and temporall except a very few yet he told me that the King for better satisfaction of his owne conscience had sent him unto me in this sâ—cret manner to know my full opinion in the matter for the great affâ—â—nce he had in me more than any other he adâ—ed further that if I would herein frankly and freely advertise his Maj. my knowledge that upon certificate of my misliking he was very like to retract much of his former doings and make satisfaction for the same in case I should so advertise him when I had heard all his message and considered a little upon his words I put him in minde of the new Act of Parliament which standing in force as it doth against all them that shall diâ—â—ctly say or do any thing that is against it might thereby â—ndanger me very much in case I should utter unto him any thing that were offensive against the Law to that he told me that the King willed him to assure me on his honour and in the word of a King that whatever I should say unto him by this his secret messenger I should abide no danger no perill for it neither that any advntage should be taken against me for the same no although my words were never so directly against the Statutes seeing it was but a declaration of my minde secretly to him as to his owne person and for the messenger himselfe he gave me his faithfull promise that he would never utter
my Dominion than such a man And in like manner King Francis the French King though in some respects a man to be wished otherwise than he was yet talking on a time with Sir Iohn Wallop the Kings Embassadour of those two blessed men told him plainly that either the King his master had a very hard heart that could put to death two such worthy men as the like 〈…〉 within his Realm whereof K. 〈…〉 advertised took it very ill at the 〈…〉 King Francis for 〈…〉 of him saying that he had donâ— nothing but that himself was first made privy to it In statute of his body he was tall and comely exceeding the common and middle sort of men for he was to the quantity of fix foot in height and being therewith very slender and lean was neverthelesse upright and well formed straight back'd big joynâ—ed and strongly sinewed his haire by 〈◊〉 black though in his later time througâ— age and imprisonment turned to hoarinesse or rather to whitenesse his eye large and round neither full black nor full gray but of a mixt colour between both his forehead smooth and large his nose of a good and even proportion somewhat wide mouth'd and big jaw'd as one ordained to uttâ—r much speech wherein was notwithstanding a certaine comâ—linesse his skin somewhat tawny mixed with many blew veinâ— his face hands all his body so bare of flesh as is almost ineredible which came rather as may be thought by the great abstinence and penance he used upon himself many yeares together even from his youth In his countenance he bare such a revâ—rend gravity and therewith in his doings exercised such discreâ—t severity that not onely of his equalls but even of his Superiours he was honoured and feared in speech he was very mild temperate and modest saving in matters of God and his Charge which then began to trouble the world and therein he would be earnest above his accustomed order but vainly or without cause he would never speak neither was his ordinary talk of common worldly matters but rather of Divinity and high power of God of the Joyes of Heaven and the Paines of Hell of the glorious death of Martyrs and strait I fe of Confessors with such like vertuous and proâ—itable talk which he alwaies uttered with such a heavenly grace that his words were alwaies a great edifying to his hearers he had such a continuall impression of death in his heart that his mouth never ceased to utter the inward thoughts of his minde not onely in all times of his exercise but also at his meales for he would alwayes say that the remembrance of Death came never out of season and of his own end he would now and then as occasion of speech was given cast out such words as though he had some fore-knowledge of the manner of his death for divers of his Chaplaines and houshold servants have reported that long before his death they have heard him say that he should not die in his bed but alwaies in speaking thereof he would utter his words with such a cheerefull countenance as they might easily perceive him rather to conceive joy than sorrow thereat in study he was very laborious and painfull in preaching assiduous ever beating down heresies and vice in prayer most fervent and devout in fasting abstinence and punâ—shing of his lean body rigorous without measure And generally in all things belonging to the care and charge of a true Bishop he was to all the Bâ—shops of England living in his daies the very mirrour and lantherne of light One that was Dean of Rochester many years together named Mr. Philips in the daies of King Edward the sixth when certaine Commissioners wâ—re coming towards him to search his house for books he for â—eare burned a large volume which this holy Bishop had compiled containing in it the whole story and matter of Dâ—vorce which volume he gave him with his owne hand a little before his trouble for the losse whereof the Deane would many times after lament and wish the book whole againe upon condition he had not one groat to live on Pope Paul the third writing as before is said to the Princes of Christendome of the dealings of Kâ—ng Henry against this goodly man wrote among others one Letter to Ferdinando King of Romans which I my self have seen and read In this Letter after great complaint made of King Henry for killing of such a man whom be before for his great sanctity and vertue had inrolled in the number and society of the Cardinall hoping thereby that all should have turned to his better safety and deliverance because that dignity in all places hath ever been acounted sacred yet now falling ou otherwise he taketh occasion to compare the doingâ— of King Henry the eight to the doing of his Progenitors K. Hen. 2. and this holy Father he compareth or rather preferreth to the holy Martyr St. Thomas of Canterbury saying that his Kâ—ng Henry did not onely 〈◊〉 the impâ—ety of that Kâ—ng but also went farre beyond him for where he slew one this slâ—w many St. Thomas defended the right of one particular Church this of the Universall that King killed an Archbishop but this King hath put to death a Cardinall of the holy Church of Româ— that King exiled St. Thomas by long banishment but this King tormented this holy man by long hard imprisonment he sent unto S. Thomas certain hired men to kill him to this was â—ssigâ—ed onely a hungman he caused St. Thomas to be slâ—in by a forcible death but this by a shameful torment hath killed the holy man of God he in concâ—usion sought to purge himself before Alexander the third and laying the fault upon others did with humility take upon him such 〈◊〉 as was to him enjoyned by the Bâ—shop of Rome but this with a most obstinate â—inde defended his own horrible fact shewing himsâ—lf not onely unwilling to do penance but also bâ—cometh a stubborne and rebellious enemy against the Church of Rome Then consider what that man of happy memory Cardinall Poole wrâ—teth of him in sundry places of his works who in his lifeâ— time both knew him and was familiarly acquainted with him but specially in that book which he wrote to King Henry the eight intituled Pro Ecclesiasticae Vnitatis defâ—â—sione wherein he extolleth the name of this blessed Prelate with words according to his great worthinesse saying to the King that if an Abassadour had beeâ— to be sent from earth to heaven there could not among all the Bishops and Clergy so sit a man be chosen as he for what other man saith he have ye presently or of many yeares past had comparably with him in sanctity learning wisdome and carefull diligence in the office and duty of a Bishop of whom ye may justly above all other Nâ—tions glory and rejoice that if all the corners of Christendome were narrowly sought there could not be found out any one man that in