THE LIFE & DEATH OF THAT RENOWNED JOHN FISHER Bishop of Rochester: Comprising the highest and hidden Transactions of Church and State, in the reign of King Henry the 8th. with divers Moral Historical, and Political Animadversions upon Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Thomas Moor, Martin Luther, with a full relation of Qu: Katherine's Divorce.  
Carefully selected from several ancient Records, by THO. BAILY, D. D.  
Vivit post funera virtus.  
LONDON, Printed in the year, 1655.   


The Right reverend father in God john Fisher B: of Rochester. 
John Fisher was his name of whom you read  
Like John the Baptist this John lost his head.  
Both the sharp axes, stroke their bodies feels  
Both their heads danced of, by light payrs of heels.  
Read but this book this Fisher through and then  
You'll find a fisher, not of fish, but men.     

THE LIFE & DEATH OF THAT RENOWNED JOHN FISHER Bishop of Rochester: Comprising the highest and hidden Transactions of Church and State, in the reign of King Henry the 8th. with divers Moral Historical, and Political Animadversions upon Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Thomas Moor, Martin Luther, with a full relation of Qu: Katherine's Divorce.  
Carefully selected from several ancient Records, by THO. BAILY, D. D.  
Vivit post funera virtus.  
LONDON, Printed in the year, 1655.   

To my honoured Kinsman Mr. john Questall, Merchant in Antwerp.  
SIR,  
THere are but three reasons inducing an Author to dedicate his Book to any one man, rather than to another: The first is the patronage of his Work, under the shelter of some o'respreading tree, whose arms may happily receive the suppliant under his protection, and defend it from the storms of persecution. The second is a willingness in the Author, to express a Gratitude by Dedication, by reason of some former Courtesies received. And the third is a fitness in the person to whom he dedicates his book, whereby his dedication may become suitable to such a Patronage.  
The first I never affected, as never believing that the estimation of any Patron could be o● sufficient authority to dignify the patronage, if it had not that within itself to make it acceptable, according to that expression of the Father of the English Poets, v●z. I never knew that a General's Oration could make an Army either stand or fall, but look how much habitual valour each man hath in himself, so much in act it shows.  
The Second I always loved, viz. to be grateful to my friends, and where such love and gratitude cannot otherwise go or stand upon their own legs on any ground, they shall both creep on paper; wherefore, most worthy Cousin, having received so great a benefit (at your hands beyond the Seas) as in my low condition, not only at once to relieve the Father in his necessity, but also to add so bountiful a hand in the bringing up of that child, which by you● special charity is now able to live of itself, to you only do I dedicate this book as an acknowledgement of all your loving kindnesses.  
Nor is the dedication of the History (of this renowned Bishop and Cardinal elect) to yourself altogether improper for you, being a Merchant yourself, he being a Merchant's Son, whereby it may appear, that men of your profession do not altogether bring home, together with your Gold, from Ophir, Apes, and Peacock's feathers, but sometimes jewels of Divine verity, and highest estimation. Thus with my prayers to God for you, and your continuance in his Grace and Favour, till you reach his Glory, I take leave to rest,  
Your most faithful Servant, and poor Kinsman, T. B.   

The Life and Death of the most renowned John Fisher, sometimes Bishop of Rochester.  

CHAP. I.  
1. The Time and Place of his Birth. 2. How suitable both his Names were with his Condition. 3. His comparison unto John the Baptist. 4. His temperance in Diet, and retirement of Life. 5. His Education and Preferment. 6. The countess of Richmond (the King's Mother) her great desire of winning him to her service. 7. The great good deeds which she performed by his persuasion.  
AT the time, when as the Stars of Heaven frowned upon the Nation, to behold Innocence, swaying the Sceptre of this Land, so misbecomingly; in the seven and thirtieth year of the Reign of the most Noble (though unfortunate) King Henry the sixth, and in the year, one thousand, 〈◊〉 hundred, fifty and nine, after the time, that a Virgin Daughter had produced her Father, and a Creature, her Creator: (when the blessed Vine, sprang from the same Grape it bore, and the root of jesse shot from the Spring) the Divine Providence brought forth under succour, whose after growth made it soon known unto the world, how worthily he received the two Names (which both his Christendom and his Parents had bestowed upon him, within the Collegiate Church, and town of Beverly, situate within the Province of York, about eight score miles distant (Northwards) from the head City of the Nation) viz. of john, and FISHER: of john, being so like unto john the Baptist, who was twice baptised: First, with Water, Secondly, with Blood: as by the first, he was named john; so by the second, he deserved to be styled john the Baptist: having so fitly sympathized with the forerunner of his Saviour, by his following Christ; that as like unto the others head, became both Fountain, and their senseless Trunks, streamers of Blood, whiles the Spectators eyes, became Rivers of W●●●●.  
The first, his Head was begged of King Herod, at a banquet of Wine, by a Psaltresse, or woman dancer: by the like light pair of heels, the second john (of whom we treat) his head was begged of King Henry, whilst he was banqueting, and making merry at his house of Hanworth.  
The first was beheaded on the Birth day of King Herod, the second was beheaded on the Birth day of King Henry, having that very day, completed the just age, of five and forty years.  
And as the Holy finger of Saint john the Baptist (which pointed to the Lamb, when he said, Ecce Agnus Dei) was miraculously preserved from corruption, for a long space of time, after his martyrdom, so the head of this most blessed martyr, wherewith he so descended (and that so manfully) the holy Catholic Church, and Head of his Mother, was by the like miracle preserved from corruption a long time (after it was stuck up upon the Bridge of London) with a fresh and lively colour, until such time as by commandment from the King, it was taken down, and conveyed away from the sight of Men. The first, made a Wilderness his habitation: The second, turned his Pala●● into a Wilderness, and place of solitude▪ so Austerely curbing his wanton appetite, with the most spare and Lessian diet, as that he made his Refection to be his Locufts: and so cooling his infrequent Pleasures with sighs, and saucing them with so many Tears, as that he made the self same bitter sweetings, his wild Honey, the first wearing only a Girdle, but the second contivally a Shirt of courser hair. Only in this they may seem to differ in their agreement, the one diligently preached the coming of Christ to be at hand, giving notice of Salvation to all that would believe, and be Baptised: the other as diligently (by his continual Preaching and Writings) giving warning to all his Country men of Christ's departure from their coasts, (if like the Gergesites, they preferred their own swine before Salvation.)  
Thus did the two Cherubims over the Mercy-seat, which seemed opposite to one another, yet both of them mutually beholding the same Ark, that stood between them. These two with contrary faces, mutually beheld the same object, to which that was but a perspective.  
Both these died for a cause of Matrimony, the first, for saying to king Herod, It is not lawful for thee to take thy Brother's Wife: The second, for saying to King Henry, it is not lawful for thee to put away thy Brother's Wife.  
Obj. How shall we reconcile these two assertions, and make both them and their assertion good and lawful?  
Sol. Herod, to whom the first so spoke and reprehended, had taken to his Bed, his brother's Wife, his Brother living, which was repugnant to the Law of God: but Henry, to whom the second spoke, as is before rehearsed, only took to Wife his Brother's Wife, his Brother being dead, having neither issue by, nor knowledge of her; which by Moses Law, in such like cases, is not forbidden, and therefore easily dispensed with, according to the rules of Ecclesiastical authority. And  
If this be sufficient to show you how deservedly the name of john, was bestowed upon the subject of our story at his Christendom, the remainder of the History will let you see, how worthily he deserved also to be called Fisher; being indeed (as indeed he was) a true Fisher of Men, as after shall appear.  
His father's name was Robert Fisher, his State sufficient, his Reputation among the best, his Condition a Merchant, the place of his abode, within the foresaid Town of Beverly; a place, where the blessed and glorious Confessor, St. john of Beverley, Archbishop of York, sometimes lived, and Preached the Gospel: These we may suppose to be the cause's why the Father gave unto this Son that name as a Looking glass unto his eye, a Spur unto his Feet & as Copy for his Hand; a consideration too much neglected in these our days, as if our names were only given us for distinction sake, or civil use, and not as obligations unto Christian piety.  
This Robert Fisher, after he had lived many years, in good estimation and credit amongst his neighbours, died, leaving behind him this john Fisher (of whom we treat) and a younger Son (who bore his Father's name) both in their tender age.  
Their Mother's name was Anne, who in process of time, married one Wright by name, by whom she had three Sons, john, Thomas, and Richard, and one Daughter, which was called Elizabeth, which afterwards was a professed Nun in Dartford; and yet these three Sons, together with a Husband that was living, no way stood between her, and the Piety which she owed unto the dead, as that she any way neglected the former two, but gave them the best education (as the expenses of those Legacies, which the deceased Parent had provided for them in that behalf) that could be had; in order whereunto, as soon as ever they were capable of Learning, they were put to School, and committed to the care and custody of a Priest, of the said College Church of Beverly (being a Church which of ancient time hath been richly endowed with Land and possessions) there this john Fisher, among other children, was first taught his letters, and the rudiments of Grammar; where he continued not many years, but the bladeing of the Field, soon informed the labouring Husbandman, of the gratefulness of the Earth, to which he had committed (with so liberal a hand) so great a trust, which appearing daily more and more, the counsel of his friends at last, thought it fitting to humour, so much as in them lay, the Genius of so promising a proficient; insomuch, that like a tender sappling, fitted for transplantation, he was taken from his nursery to be disposed of, in so fair a garden of the muses, as was so ancient and so flourishing an University, as is that Alma mater▪ which is called Cantabrigia, where he was committed to the government of one M●. William Melton, a reverend Priest, and grave Divine, afterwards, Master of the College (called Michael house in Cambridg) and Doctor in Divinity. Under whom, he so profited in few years, that he became Master of all the Arts, before such time as he had received the degree of Bachelor, which he received in the year of our Lord, 1488. and his degree of Master, the third year following: where being suddenly elected Fellow of that house, he was as shortly after chosen Proctor of the University: in which space of time, according to the ancient Laws and Statutes of his College, he took upon him the holy order of Priesthood, and now did the Almond tree begin to bud; all other Arts and Sciences were but his tools, but this his occupation: and no wonder it was, that he that went through with his Philosophy so heavenly, should be so excellent at the heavenly Philosophy; insomuch, that his Disputations in Divinity (according to the order of the Schools) were rather Determinations than Disputes; so that in short space, he grew to such profoundness in those heavenly Mysteries, that Envy herself, left canv●sing for Palms, whiles Virtue (her companion) accounted him the flour of all the University, who in his due time, proceeded to the degrees of Bachelor, and afterwards of Doctor in Divinity: which with no small applause he achieved, in the year of our redemption, 1501.  
In which interim, it happened that Doctor Melton (of whom we before have made some mention) was preferred to the dignity of Chancellor of the Cathedral Church of York; whereby the mastership of Michael House in Cambridge became void: Whereunto, by a most free and willing election of all the Fellows of that house, this man (as the most deserving of all other) was worthily promoted, who by his acceptance, made the proverb good, Magistratus arguit virum, for who more fit to play the Master, than he that knew so well, how to act the Disciple? in which office, he demeaned himself so worthily, that (as a mirror from whence all Governors of other Houses might well take their pattern or resemblance) for his worth's sake, he was soon after chosen Vicechancellor: Which office, as if one year had not graced (sufficiently) so great a worthiness, he was continued in the same office for another year; and had not his Fame (passing the bounds of the University) spread itself so far over the whole Realm, as that (at length) it reached the ears of the most Noble and Virtuous Lady Margaret, Countess of Richmond, Mother to the wife and sage Prince, Hen. 7. (who hearing of his great Virtue and Learning, never ceased till she had wrought him to her service) he might have been (where he was twice together) perpetual dictator: who afterwards, mounted the high capitol of Chancellourship of that University, a dignity, which is able to adorn the brightest Purple.  
But now Vicechancellour-ship, Mastership, and all, must be laid down as at her feet, who with her knees, requites the courtesy, whiles she knelt unto him as her Ghostly Father. Remaining in which office, he behaved himself so temperately, and discreetly, that both the Countess, and her whole Family, were altogether governed and directed, by his high wisdom and discretion. Having by these opportunities lodged much Divinity within his Mistress Soul, and the Divine himself within her heart, he makes it soon known unto the world, what love it was, wherewith he prosecuted so fair an opportunity, viz. to make his Mistress, a most glorious Queen in Heaven, and himself acceptable in doing good, improving all that opportunity, not to the advantaging of himself in worldly honour, but to the inclination of his Mistress mind to works of Mercy; and finding in her own natural disposition; a liberality and bountifulness to all sorts of people, his work was only to advise her, that that bounty should not ruane a course, where it might be sure to lose its due reward; but that it might b●stow itself in deeds of Alms, as to the poor; in redemption of Captives, in marrying poor and distressed Virgins, reparation of Bridges, and Highways; in many such deeds of Charity he implored her (who easily was won thereto) to employ so large a Talon as God had given her, that she might reap plentifully, by sowing much.  
Nor did he suffer her to rest thus satisfied with the distribution of such doles of bread, and worldly food, but at his persuasion also, she erected two noble and goodly Colleges in Cambridge, to the glory of God, and benefie of his Church: The one whereof she dedicated to Christ our Saviour, and called it Christ's College, largely endowing the same with store of maintenance, for all manner of Learning whatsoever; this College, she in her life time beheld built and finished of Stone and Brick, as it now standeth. The other she dedicated to Saint john the Evangelist; endowing it with like proportion of maintenance, to the same intent and purpose, but she lived not to see this College finished; but it was completed after her death, by this good Man, at his own cost and charges, as hereafter shall be declared.  
Also, upon his motion, she ordained a Divinity Lecture in Cambridge, and another in Oxford, to be openly read in the Schools, for the benefit of such, as should be Preachers, to the intent, that the dark and hard places of Scripture, might be opened and expounded; in maintenance whereof, she gave good store of Land, to be disposed, as stipends to the Readers, and that for ever. What good cannot such a Man do, who held such keys within his hand, such a Lady at his feet?   

CHAP. II.  
1. His preferment to the Bishopric of Rochester. 2. His contentedness with that small Diocese. 3. His promotion to the high Chancellorship of Cambridge. 4. His care and vigilance in that office. 5. His opposing of Martin Luther. 6. His excommunicating of Peter de Valence, and his tenderheartedness therein. 7. His election to the Mastership of Queen's College.  
THese proceedings of his, (together with many other performances of deeds of Charity procured from others, whereof not any one was ever performed, whereunto (according to his ability) he did not set his helping hand, together with his daily Preaching to the people with most careful diligence) gained him so much love and reverence from all sorts of people, especially from the Bishops, and all the Clergy in general, that that most worthy and grave Prelate Bishop Fox, Bishop of Winchester (a man in no small authority and estimation with King Henry the 7. of whose Council he was) never left so commending of him to the King upon all occasions (as he saw his time convenient) for his virtuous life, and perfect sanctity, until such time as (by the death of William Barous, Bishop of London, Richard Fitz james, Bishop of Rochester, being translated unto that See, the Bishopric of Rochester, became void) he found his opportunity to present this Doctor Fisher, as a fit and worthy Pastor for that Cure, (nor was it otherwise possible but that so great a glory about the Moon should borrow (though but by reflection) some small lustre from the Sun) whereupon the King directed his Letters to the Chapter of the Church of Rochester, to the intent they should elect the nominate within his letter, for their Bishop; whereunto (without any the least contradiction or negative voice) they all most willingly assented, which act of theirs, was shortly afterwards confirmed by the See Apostolic, by julius the second, Pope at that time, in the Month of October, in the year of our redemption, 1504 and of his age. 45.  
This sudden and unexpected promotion of this holy Man (in regard he never had been formerly advanced to any other dignity of the Church) caused some to suspect, and deem it, as a thing that was purchased (either by his Mistress purse or favour) from the King, her Son, which when it was told unto the King, his Majesty replied, Indeed the modesty of the Man, together with my Mother's silence spoke in his behalf, Solemnly protesting, that his Mother never so much as opened her mouth for him in that particular. And openly affirming, that the pure Devotion, perfect Sanctity, and great Learning, which he had observed, and often heard to be in the Man, were the only advocates that pleaded for him, the truth whereof may be gathered out of the very Statutes of S. John's College in Cambridge, where he took occasion to praise (much to the honour of) the King, at whose hands so frankly and so freely, he received this Donation, The like mention he makes of the King's bounty, and liberality towards him, in his Epistle Dedicatory to Richard Fox, Bishop of Winchester, before the book which he wrote against O●colampadius, where he makes mention of the King, as his chiefest, and best friend and patron.  
So far was this good man from making any means by friends, to be a bishop, that all the friends he had could scarce persuade him to accept the Office, after that it was granted to him: Which modesty of his, was very much confirmed by the sequel of his deeds; for at one time after another, being offered the two great Bishoprics of Lincoln and Ely. he refused both; and from the hands of Hen. 8. but we may behold him in the foresaid Epistle Dedicatory, not only satisfying, but enjoying himself with his little shock, where his words have this beginning. Habeant al●● proventus pinguiores, etc. Others have larger Pastures, but I have lesser charge of Souls, so that when I shall be called to an account for both, I shall be the better able to give an account of either. Not making so high and heavenly an office, a staircase, whereby we climb unto preferment. But so small a Bishopric, a competent height, whereby he might so over● look the plains that were under him, that (in the end) with too large a prospect, he did not lose his own eyes.  
Thus being mounted in the King's favour, there will not be wanting those, who will be ready to say concerning such a one, thus shall it be done to the Man ●●om the King honnours; and accordingly, the University of Ca●bridge (considering with themselves what benefit they had received already, at his hand, and what future benefit they might receive) with a grateful and prudent mind, and forecast, unanimously chose, and ordained him their high Chancellor; a Magistracy that hath no les●e authority and jurisdiction (thereunto belonging) than of an Arch Bishop, in causes Spiritual; and of a high Judge, in causes that are Temporal.  
Hitherto we have traced him to his Bishopric, and high dignity of Chancellorship, of the most renowned University of Cambridge; how he behaved himself in both these places, we shall leave the mentioning of those particulars, to the post fu●era of this History, as most proper for them; only it shall suffice for the present, that his whole life seemed to the world to be no otherwise, than as if he had used the Church, as if it had been his Cloister: and his Study, as his Cell: Governing his Family with such Temperance, Chastity, and Devotion, as if his Palace, for continency, had been a Mo●nastery, and for Learning an University.  
In the year of our Redemption, 1509. it happened that the most wise, and fortunate King, Hen. 7. departed this life, upon the twentieth day of May, being upon a Sunday, whereupon he had the opportunity to perform two acceptable and good Offices, and, both of them deeds of Charity: whereby, he gained unto himself great applause, and commendation: the one, in comforting the sorrowful Mother of the King, his Mistress, who seemed to be overwhelmed with grief, who received great contentment in his consolations. The other, in edifying the people by his Sermon, which he preached at the Funeral solemnity of the King's burial, exhorting them to the imitation of those noble, and virtuous actions, which they saw to have reigned more over his Passions, than himself had exercised authority over his Subjects; pouring into every ●are, an antidote against the fear of Death, and a preservative unto eternal Life.  
About the year, 15●7. at the time when this worthy Bishop of Rochester, had governed his See 12 years, Luther began in Germany, to set up his new found Doctrine, than (as himself reports) unknown to the world. But the Divine Providence, who never suffered an Athanasius, a Lyberius, or an Hillary to be wanting, where there was an Aris risen up to rend, and tear the undesiled spouse of Christ (his Church) in pieces: nor a Damasus, Gregorius, Basilius, or a Nazianzen, where there was a Macedonius. Nor a C●lestin, or a cyril, where there was a Nestorius: nor a Leo, where there was an En●yches. Nor an Irenaus, where there was a Valentine: nor a Tertullian, where there was a Martian: nor an Origen, where there was a Celsus; nor a Cyprian, where there was a Novatus, nor a Jerome, where there were Helvidians, jovinians, Vigilantians, and Luciferians: nor an Austin, where there was a Donatus, or a Pellagius, did not suffer such a Leviathan to roll about, and beat the sides of that Ship, into which Christ entered, out of which he taught; and of which, S. Peter was the only Master, but that there should be still a Fisher, to oppose and wound the Monster with such harping irons, as that this Kingdom never was much troubled with his Doctrines, whiles this good Bishop lived; nor ever could have had its entrance, till the others Exit brought it in. For,  
Hearing how that several of Luther's Books, and Writings, were brought over by Merchants (whose profession, though it deserves to be ranked among the best of Educations, yet, like Solomon's Merchants, they sometimes bring home (together with their Gold from Ophir) Apes, and Peacock's Feathers) and dispersed among the people (too apt to entertain any new fashion, of their Souls, as well as of their Bodies) and how the people swallowed down the novelty, that was so taudred with pretences: like unto some General (who hearing of the approach and march of an enemy) hasts to his army: with no less a cause of vigilancy did so great a Champion of the Church hasten to so great a charge, the University, of which he was their Chancellor, that he might take an account in what condition the main body of all Learning stood, whereby ability might be drawn up in the safest posture to defend the Faith. But,  
No sooner was he come amongst them, but he might perceive t●res to be already sprung in so fair a Seminary, where so much good seed was sown, For  
About the same time, it fell out that Pope Leo the I0. had granted forth a general and free pardon (commonly called indulgences) according to the ancient custom and tradition of the Catholic Church, to all Christian people (that were contrite) through 〈◊〉 the Provinces of Christendom, which is no otherwise than an application (by that Ministry) of the superabundant merits of our blessed Saviour (who shed so many, when the least one drop of his most precious blood was able to have redeemed a thousand worlds) to the soul●s of true Believers. This Luther formerly having written against, and the Bishop, and Chancellor of the University, being careful the Students there as well as others, standing in need of such a remedy, might be partakers of the heavenly bounty, and causing certain copies of those Pardons to be set up in sundry places of the University (one where of was fixed upon the School● gate) A man without a name came secretly in the night time, and wrote over the Pardon, which was there fixed, these word, Beatus vir cu●us est nomen Domi●i spes ●jus, & non resp●xit va●itates & insantas fals●s (istas) thinking the word (istas) which he had added would have brought the Pope and all his Clergy within the praemunire of the Statute of God's Word, for setting up that Pardon, whilst he forgot the several punishments, which are threatened by the same Word, to all those who shall add or diminish to the book of Life.  
In the morning, the school doors being opened, and the Scholars resorting thither according to their wont manner, and beholding this strange spectacle, there needed no Shiboleth to distinguish, Catholics were much offended at so great an abuse of holy Scripture: others approved the fact, and thought it a fine thing, as they were severally addicted.  
The Chancellor having notice hereof, was struck with horror at the no less boldness, than wickedness of the fact, whereupon he endeavoured to find out the party, by the knowledge of his hand, but that in vain; then he called a Convocation, where he declared unto them, for what cause they were convened; lays before them the foulness of the deed, interprets the true meaning of the abused places of Scripture: explicates the true and wholesome meaning of the words, pardons and indulgence, justifies the holy use thereof, acquaints them with the great displeasure that might justly ensue at the hands both of Almighty, and of the Kings, if so wicked a fact should pass unpunished; tells how great a discredit it would be to the University, that never had such a spot upon her breast before; and a● length, moved the Author (though unknown (to ● world ●, and confession of his sin, that he might be forgiven; which if he would perform within a time prefixed, he assured him in God's name; but if the contrary, such remedy should proceed against him, as is (provided in such like cases) in God's holy Church, by Christ himself, viz. to be cut off●like rotten Members) from the Body of Christ's Church, by the censure of Excommunication, which not being performed at the time prefixed (on the delinquents part) he called another Convocation (where there was a great Assembly) and fearing the infection of others, by the obstinacy of one, he betook him to his last remedy, and taking the Bill of Excommunication in his hand, he began to read it; but when the words began to sit heavy upon his tongue (according to the weight of the sentence) the fire of Love (as if within some Limbeck, or beneath a Baln●o Mariae) kindling within his breast, sent such a stream up into his mind, ●s suddenly distilled into his eyes, which like an overflowing● viol reverberates the stream back again to the heart, till the heart surcharged, sends these purer spirits of compassion out at his mouth, which could only say, that he could read no further. Good God into what compassion did the mildness of such a nature strike the beholders, who were all of them by this time mollified into the same affection? insomuch that they all left off without any further proceedings in the Excommunication for that time.  
Nevertheless a third day being appointed for the same purpose, & time having brought on the day, there was a great multitude of people, where the Chancellor with a heavy countenance, declared, how that no tidings could be heard, either of the person, or his Repentance; wherefore now (seeing there was no other remedy) he thought it necessary and expedient to proceed, and so arming himself with a severe gravity, as well as he could, he pronounced the terrible Sentence from the beginning to the end, which being done with a kind of passionate compassion, he threw the Bill unto the ground, and lifting up his eyes to Heaven, sat down and wept. Which gesture, and manner of behaviour, both of his mind and body, struck such a ●ea● into the hearts of all his hearers, and spectators, that many of them were afraid the ground would have opened to have swallowed up the man, but that they hoped he was not there. But did all these tears fall to the ground? were none of them bottled up, whereby they might become the wine of Angels? Certainly men may repent, as well as weep by proxy: Tears have their voices in the Parliament with God; and the same God that washeth us so clean with the Laver of Regeneration, by the Faiths of others, may (by the prerogative of his mercy) call us for the repentance sake of other men. For,  
So it appeared by this Delinquent, who having not the grace as yet bestowed upon him, of repentance, so many repenting for him, he became repentant▪ For  
Not long after, this miserable wretch (it semmes, b●ing taken notice of by the alteration of his countenance, and other changes in the disposition of his mind, whether he was there in presence, or had only heard with what solemnity so terrible a Sentence was pronounced against him to be the man) forsaking the U●ive●s●y, his body carried his mind when it sound no sanctuary (as he supposed) with the superintended of Ely: a man too much taken notice of to be too great a favourer of Luther's Doctrine (Dr. Goodrig by name) where no less the dismal manner of proceeding, than the thing itself, would never out of his mind, where, notwithstanding, he became a domestic servant to the said Dr. Goodrig, and had unfolded his mind unto them concerning the premises, yet they never coul● persuade him otherwise, but that he had most grievously offended Almighty God in that particular; openly detesting the deed, as a thing that was both unadvisedly, and wickedly performed; insomuch that his mind could never be at rest, until such time, as with his own hands, in the selfsame place, where the former sentence was written, he had blotted out his sin, and that together by fixing upon the place thi● other sentence, which carried healing in every word, Delicta juventutis mea & ignorantias ne memineris Domine. Remember not Lord my sins, nor the ignorances' of my youth; subscribing thereunto his name, Peter de Valence (who was a Norman by birth, from whence he came to Cambridge to be a Student, and remained there till he had committed this fact) whereupon he was absolved, and became a Priest.  
There is a great deal of difference in the consideration, which Catholics do use when they pronounce this terrible sentence, over that which the Lay-chancellours had with us, when they excommunicated for every threepenny matter, which was the reason that in the end the people made not a threepenny matter of their Excommunications.  
Thus employing his time, so needfully required, in healing the sore Breast of such a Nurse, it happened, that in the year 1525. The: Wilkinson, Dr. in Divinity (who wasthe second Ma●st●r of Queen's College) departed this life, whereby the Mastership of that College became void, and in regard that the Chancellor of the University had no house belonging to him, as he was Chancellor, the Fellows of that College with unanimous consent, chose him to be their Master, which he thankfully accepted of, whereby he became the third Master of that house, continuing there the space of three years and odd months.   

CHAP. III.  
1. The Recreation of Bishop Fisher. The erection of Colleges. 2. The Lady Margaret dies and leaves him her Executor. 3. The high Encomium which he bestows upon her in his Funeral Sermon, made at the solemnities of her interrement. 4. His faithful behaviour in so great a trust reposed in him. 5. His great love unto that College. 6. The praise-worthinesse of the University of Cambridge.  
THat this good man sojourned in those parts, during the time he made it his recreation to overlook the work of Christ-Colledge, which was then not finished which the Lady Margaret had endowed wi● maintenance for one Master, 12. Scholars, Fellows, and 47. Disciples for ever, to be brought up (as the words of her Will make mention) in Learning, Virtue, and Cunning: the which College she only lived to see finished, and so took sanctuary in the holy of holies, the celestial jerusalem; after the dissolution of so fair a Temple of the holy Ghost (as was the Body of so incomparable a Soul) in the year of our Lord God, 1519. the third of the Calends of july▪ within the Abbey of S. Peter's in Westm. to the great grief and sorrow of all good people but to her own eternal happiness: 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 Funeral Sermon, this most excellent Bishop threw these flowers upon her Grave, etc. As concerning her birth, that she was the daughter of john 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 Virtues, 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 Princess, who by lineage and affinity, had had thirty Kings and Queens (besides Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls) within the fourth degree of marriage supporting her greatness; yet would she often fall so low, as to search and dress the wounds and sores of poor 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 war 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 go along with them and be their Laundress.  
The Funerals of this great Lady being ended, and that other College, which she had willed to be dedicated to S. john the Evangelist, being not yet built, the rest of her Executors, finding how faithful the good man had been in his former trust, by a general consent resigned into his hands (by a public instrument in writing) the whole authority of the disposement of her Legacies: 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 Scholars, with all manner of furniture, and Servants requisite to every Office, in manner and form: This good man did not only 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 Principal; and whereas he observed the price of Victuals began to rise, he gave wherewith (by weekly dividend) 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 householdstuff, whatsoever to him belonging by a deed of gift in his life time, under his own hand, and putting the college into possession of the same by Indentures, only borrowing the same back again to his own use, during his life.  
And for a perpetual memory of his hearty good will, and love towards this College; he caused a little Chapel to be built near unto the high Altar or the great Chapel, where there was a Tomb set of white Marble ●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 Martyr's body was not permitted to be brought among these men, these Fellows brought their bodies to his Martyrdom; for those famous Martyrs, Mr. Greenwood, Richard Reynolds, Doctor in Divinity, a professed Monk in Zion, of the rule of S. Bridget, and Mr. William Exmew, a Carthusian, professed in London: the first whereof, came out of S. John's College, the other two, came forth of Christ's: 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 Lincoln; john Christoferson, also Bishop of Chichester; Thomas Bishop Elect of Gloucester, and before that, Abbot of Leicester, all Catholic 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 Catholic 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, until such time as Regis ad exemplum brought it in; and Luther's Soul, was transmigrated into Henry the eighth; who ev●r after, never spoke at a lesser rate, than Si● volo sic jubeo; who both of them, since their fall from the Catholic Church, pulled down Reason, and set up Will. And  
It is a thing which is most remarkable, that he who gored this University so much (as it is conceived (the more) for this man's sake of whom we treat, and the great love sake which they all bore unto his memory) by his placing and displacing) 〈◊〉 men and laws he pleased, and all to make way for a new Religion, in the end, reconciled himself unto the Catholic Faith; as appears, by his subscribing to the six Articles of the Roman Catholic Religion, which was all the difference that was (then) between the two Churches, in matter of Doctrine, as also by the express words of his last will and Testament.  
So the first unclean beast that ever passed through the Oxens-ford (I mean Wickliff by name) afterwards chewed the cud, and was sufficiently reconciled to the Roman Faith, as appears by his Recantation; Living and Dying conformable to the holy Catholic Church, at his Parsonage of Litterworth (as I take it) in Northamptonshire: constantly saying Mass unto his dying day. So that Reformation as it seems was left unto the time of which it is said, Vae Regn● evipuer dominatur; woe be to the Kingdom over which a ●hild reigns.   

CHAP. IU.  
1. The increase of Luther's Doctrine. 2. 〈◊〉 vigilancy to suppress it. 3. His intention to go 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 trial of his people; and the storm 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 Luther's cup: but when he perceived the better sort of people to be so (like the Nature of Islanders) changeable, and desirous of Novelties, and how Luther's Doctrine was now come from private whisper, to open proclamations: (whereby all authority, either of Pope or Emperor, King, or Bishop, or any superiority whatsoever, was much vilified and debased, a new way of Salvation found out, a nearer, readier, and cheaper way to Heaven propounded; and liberty of conscience promised to all that were Believers in his Gospel, all thinking him a brave fellow, and who but Luther, that cared neither for Pope, nor Emperor) this holy Prelate began to look about, and bestir himself; and questionless had out-rid the storm, had not his hand been taken from the steerage, and the head. Pilot (when the poor fisher's head w●● off) wilfully cast away the Ship. For,  
Hereupon this good Bishop, first acts the part of a good Chancellor, and set all right in that University in general, especially in those Colleges, whereof he had peculiar jurisdiction: where he took an occasion to provide in the Statutes, that the Fellows of those Houses should so order their Studies, as that the fourth part of them might be Preachers: so that as soon as one was gone abroad, another should be ready to succeed in his place, that if it were possible the young Cubbe might be catched at his first arrival.  
Then he returned to his pastoral charge at Rochester; and there, setting his own Diocese in good order, he fell to Writing, and diligent Preaching, procuring others (whose abilities were best known unto him) to do the like; but, perceiving the disease to grew desperate, as it had done in Saxony, and other parts of Germany, and the rest of the Physicians, not so ready to set thereto their helping hands (as the necessity of the cause required) he not only called for help from the King, but by his persuasions, and at his instance, the King himself set upon the head of all those mischiefs, and wrote a book against Luther, entitled, An asser●on of the seven Sacraments against Martin Luther. So learned, and so worthy a piece, as that thereby he worthily deserved the title of Defender of the Faith. Which upon that occasion was given unto him, by Leo the tenth, than Pope of Rome; which book, was supposed by divers to be written by my Lord of Rochester, whereupon he obtained leave from the King, that he might go to Rome, (as it is conceived, to take farther order concerning the settlement of those affairs) and having obtained leave likewise of his Metropolitan, and disposed his household, and ready to set forward in that expedition, all was dashed, by reason of a Synod of Bishop● (together with a Synod of the whole Clergy) which was then called by Cardinal Wolsey, by reason of his power Legantine, lately conferred on him by the Pope, which stop to his design, he bore with less reluctancy, because he hoped that much good to the Church, might happily be wrought thereby; but in the end, perceiving the Synod rather to be made a concourse (whereby to 〈◊〉 unto the world, the great authority, wherein the Cardinal was invested, and that he might be seen sitting in his Pontificality) than for any great good that was intended, he spoke as followeth:  

Bishop Fisher his Speech in the Synod.  
MAY it not seem displeasing to your Eminence, and the rest of these Grave, and Reverend Fashers of the Church, that I speak a few words, which I hope may not be ou● of season. I had thought that when so many learned men, as substitute for the Clergy, had been drawn into this body, that some good matters should have been propounded for the benefit and good of the Church: that the scandals, that lie so heavy upon her men, and the disease, which takes such hold on those advantages, might have been h●reby at once removed, and also remedied; who hath made any the least proposition against the ambition of those men, whose pride is so offensive, whiles their profession is bunnility? or against the incontinency of such, as have vowed Chastity? how are the goods of the Church wasted? the Lands, the Tithes, and other Oblations of the devo●● ancestors of the people (to the great scandal of their posterity) wasted in super sluos, riotous expenses? kew can we exbort our Flocks to fly the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, when we that are Bishops set our minds on nothing more than that which we forbid? if we should teach according to our doing, how absurdly would our doctrines sound in the ears of those that should hear● 〈◊〉? and if we teach 〈◊〉 thing, and do another, who believeth our report? which would seem to them no otherwise than as if we should throw down with one hand, what we built with the other: we prtach Humility, Sobriety, contempt of the world, etc. and the people perceive in the same m●n that preach this Doctrine, Pride, and Haughtiness of wind●, excess in Apparel, and a resignation of ourselves to all worldly pomps and vanities: and what is this otherwise than to set the people in a stand, whether they shall follow the sight of their own eyes, or the belief of what they 〈◊〉. Excuse me reverend Fathers, seeing herein I blame no man more than I do myself, for sundry times when I have settled myself to the care of my Flock● to visit my Diocese, to govern my Church, to answer the enemies of Christ, suddenly there hath come a message to me from the Court, that I mu●● attend such a triumph, receive 〈◊〉 an Ambassador, what have we to do with Prince's Courts? if we are in love with Majesty, is there a greater excellence than whom we serve? if we are in love with stately buildings, are there higher roofs than our Cathedrals? if with Apparel, is there a greater ornament than that of Pristhood? or is there better company than a Communion with the Saints? Truly most reverend Fathers, what this vanity in temporal things may work in ●ou, I know not; but sure I am, that in myself I find it to be a great impediment to Devotion: wherefore I think it necessury (and high time it is) that we, that are the heads, should begin to give example to the inferior Clergy, as to these particulars, whereby we may all the better be conformable to the Image of God, for in this trade of life, which we now lead, neither can there be likelihood of perpetuity (in the same state and condition wherein we now stand) or safety to the Clergy.   
A●te● that he had uttered these and many other such like words to this effect, with such a gravity, as well became him, they all seemed to be astonished, by their silence, and the Cardinal's state to become him not so well, seeingm,   

CHAP. V.  
1. Luther's railing against the King. 2. Fisher writ●th in the King's behalf. 3. The effect of a Sermon which he preached at S. Paul's cross. 4. Occolampadius his Doctrine and beginning. Fisher opposeth him. 5. The King leaveth off all care of Kingly government, gives himself wholly to sensuality, 6. Lays his whole trust in the Cardinal. Wolsey's character. 7. His solicitation for the Bishopric of Toledo, afterwards for the Papacy, is refused both.  
ABout this time it was that Luther an● wered the King's Book, wherein he used such scurrilous railing, against the King, as is not to be mentioned, far beneath the approvement of a sanctified spirit, and the dignity of a sacred person. Whereupon  
This Bishop, (in vindication of the King's honour, and defence of the truth) w●it an Apology, whereby he rebuked the Author's villainy, and abuse of a Prince of so great dignity: the title of which Book was, A defence of the King of England 's assertion of the Catholic Faith against Martin Luther's Book of the Captivity of Babylon; which Book he dedicated to his dear friend, and old acquaintance, Dr. West, Bishop of Ely.  
Shortly afterwards, he writ another book entitled, A defence of the holy order of Priesthood, against Martin Luther.  
Upon the Quinquagesima Sunday (which was in the year of our redemption, 1525.) this holy and most learned Bishop preached a most excellent Sermon at S. Paul's Cross; where Cardinal Wolsey, Legate a latere, with eleven Bishops & great resort of the Nobility and G●ntry, were present, which was performed with such fe●veney of faith, zeal● to the Catholic 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 Cardinal, and all the Bishops etc. wherein he showed himself a most stout and zealous Champion, and Defender of his Faith, ta●ing no l●sse the several curers of souls, with negligence, than the people with levity.  
About this time, ●rose out of Lather's School, one O●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 Scholar) who denied the real preseuce; him this worthy Champion sets upon, and with five books (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 Realm with great wisdom and moderation, whereby he became (as all wise Kings do aim at) beloved at home, and feared abroad; and addicted himself wholly to sensual pleasure and delight, leaving the Ministry of his state wholly to the disposition of the Cardinal, who was a man (though but meanly and obscurely borne) yet of an excellent wit, voluble speech, quickness of memory, haughtiness 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. Alb●ns, and had the Bishoprics of Bath, Woroester, and Hereford, in Farm (at small rents, the Incumbents being Strangers, and continually living in their own countries, whereby he might dispose of all presentations and promotions of those Bishoprics as freely as if they had been his own, and was Legat● à latere (whereby he might convocate the Clergy at his pleasure) besides what he received from Italy, by reason of his dignity of Cardinal) he was also Lord Chancellor of England, whereby, in a manner, he formerly ruled all under the King (also) in matters temporal; and to g●ve him his due, he so beh●ved himself in Government, that he won from all wise men great praise for his indifferency to all sorts of people, whether they were rich or poor, only 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 Archbishopric of Toledo in Spain being void, he made means unto the Emperor, Charles the fifth, and to that purpose procured the King's Letters, whereby that great dignity might be conferred upon him, but the Emperor 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 pains in his behalf, but all was disappointed by the Emperor, who had so wrought with the Conclave of Cardinals, that they elected Cardinal Hadrian (one who formerly had been Tutor to the Emperor) for their Pope, a man of singular and rare Virtue and Learning.   

CHAP. VI  
1. The Revenge which the Cardinal took against the Emperor's for withstanding his ambition's. 2. The Scruple which he put into the King's head concerning Queen Katherine: This Scruple the ruin of the Clergy. 3: The King is fallen in love with Anne Bullein. 4. Her Character. 5. The King resolved to go thoroughstitch with the Divorce. 6. The Kings dealing with Fisher in that behalf. Fisher's answer to the King.  
THis lay boiling in the Cardinal's stomach so hot, that he never rested till he had set variance between the King his Master, and the Emperor, which he performed, by causing the King to enter into a strict league and amity with the King of Fr●nce, whereby the Emperor's occasions were much hindered; and to affronted him the more (together with the fear of a blind Prophecy 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 Emperor, whom he thus purposed to ma●gne, he began to set the straw on fire that was under her bed; by putting a new Scruple into the King's head of marrying his Brother's Wife: wherefore taking his opportunity, when he saw the King best disposed, he fell into discourse with him of the great unhappiness that was befallen the nation, and how great a pity it was, he had not issue M●l● to succeed him in the Crown of England; whereat the King began to stare upon him, but answered him not a word, while the Cardinal proceeds to tell him that there might be a way found out, how with God's blessing he might have plenty, whereat the King began to thrust his thumbs under his girdle, and to cry Hob man, hoh, lawfully begotten Cardinal, lawfully begotten? Yet, lawfully begotten, replied the Card. I speak no more than what I am able to make good, and justly; whereupon he began to tell him in plain terms, that the Marriage between him and his wife (in regard she had been his Brothers) was not lawful, and that it was a thing which was much spoken of, as well in foreign Nations, as in his own Realm, and that therefore he was bound in conscience to tell him of it, to the intent he might consider of it, and inquire further.  
The King looking a long time very earnestly upon the Cardinal, as if he had been greatly dismayed, at last answered him in these mild terme●:  
Why, my Lord, you know this Marriage was sufficiently discussed at the beginning by sundry grave and learned men, and was at last by them concluded to be good & lawful, which was afterwards confirmed and dispensed with by the Pope himself; and therefore good Father take h●ed what you say in this great and weighty matter: whereupon they thus parted (for that time) from one another.  
Having once broke the Ice, he thus intends to pass through the Ford; he sends for one Dr. john Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, Confessor to the King, a very timorous man, and one that was afraid to say or do any thing that might displease the Cardinal, and therefore was there placed as a man wholly for his purpose: him the Cardinal conjures, that when the King should deal with him concerning a Scruple of conscience about the marriage of his wife Queen Katherine, that by any means he should further the same as much as in him lay, and make it a great matter of Conscience to cohabit with her, being not his lawful wife; Longland, as he supposed, having given him his lesson, within two or three days the Cardinal addresseth himself to the King, and after that he had discussed a while with him concerning the invalidity of the Marriage, he adviseth him by all means to resolve on nothing rashly, but to advise with his ghostly Father, which when he had done, his ghostly Father was not altogether the man which the Card▪ took him to be; for when the King advised with him concerning the business, he put it off from himself, and advised his Majesty to consult with some other, that were the most learned Bishops, whereupon the Cardinal had a g●me to play for that, which he thought to have got by slight of hand; for now the King was pleased to send for the most able Bishops and Divines that he could think upon; amongst all which there was not any one in all his kingdom of whom he had a more reverend estimation both for honestly and learning, than he had of Doctor Fisher Bishop of Rochester, wherefore he was one of the nominates within the list of summons to a meeting at the Cardinal's house in Westminster, where after much debatement of the business, and that the Bishop of Roshester had fully answered and refelled all the Arguments and Reasons, which were there made and given concerning the validity of the Marriage (to the satisfaction of most of the Bishops) he concluded that there was no cause at all of any question to be made, seeing the marriage between the King and the Queen was good and lawful from the beginning, and that therefore it was necessary to remove that scruple from the King's breast as soon as possible, and so the Conference was ended.  
While the Clergy were all thus dancing about a scruple, in a lofty room led by the Cardinal, they were not aware of the loose fire which was brought into the powder, room, which was under them ready, and at last blew them all up: for just in this nick of time the King was deeply fall'n in love with a fair young Gentlewoman of the Court, then waiting upon the Queen, called Mrs. A. Bullein (secretly a Lutheran, and the first that ever opened her mouth to advise the K. to all: eration in Religion) Daughter to Sir Thomas Bullein Knight (who afterward for his daughter's sake was promoted to many high honours and dignities.) This Mrs. Anno had formerly been brought up in the Court of France, under the Lady Mary the French Queen, Sister to King Henry, and sometimes wife of Lewis the 12. King of France, wherd she had learned much courtly fashion and behaviour, then strange and dainty in the English Court, whereby she far surpassed all other Lad●es her companions, which so inflamed the King's mind (having conceived within himself a possibility of riddance from his old wife, and probability of having issue Male by this) that inwardly he was resolved to have her nolens volens, whereupon for the present, he showed her great favour, and expressed unto her many signs of the love, which she was yet ignorant of, so that now he was resolved upon a hand gallop in this business.  
Insomuch, that when the Cardinal (inscious of his design) made his address u●to him to give him account of the Conference which was between the Bishops, and had told the King how that all did, and was likely to stick in the Lord of Rochesten, as the only Remora to that proceeding (supposing that if the King could take him off, all the rest would follow his judgement) the King (by this time, desiring nothing more than that the Divorce should take effect) speedily fell into consultation with the Cardinal, how the Bishop might be won to his (now) design; the Cardinal advised his Majesty to send for the Bi●●shop, and to work him to him by fair means and gentle usage; whereupon the King did as he was advised; for the Bishop being sent for, and come into the King's presence, the King treated him with exceeding courtesy and liberality of good language, and at last took him with him into the long gallery, and there walking awhile with him, after that he had bestowed many words of praise and commendation upon him for his great Learning and Virtue, at length (in the presence of the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, and some Bishops that were there) he unfolded his mind unto him concerning the business that was in hand, telling him how sore his Conscience was tormented, and how for that cause he had secretly consulted with his ghostly Father, and divers other men, by whom he was not yet satisfied, & therefore (he said) upon special confidence which he had in his great learning, he had now made choice of him to use his advice above all others, requiring him to declare his opinion therein freely, whereby he might be sufficiently instructed in his conscience, and remain no longer in suspense.  
The Bishop hearing all this, ●ell suddenly upon his knees, and in that posture would have delivered his mind unto him, but the King immediately lifted him up with his own ●ands, and blamed him for so doing, where upon he spoke as followeth.  
I beseech your Grace to be of good cheer, & not to disquiet yourself one whit concerning this matter, nor to be dismayed, or troubled at this business; for there is no heed to be taken of these men, who account themselves so wife, and do arrogate to themselves more knowledge and learning in Divinity, than had all the learned Fathers of the Church, and the Divines of Spain and England (together with the See Apostolic) that were in you● Father's time, by whose authority this Marriage was approved, confirmed and dispens●● with, as good and lawful: Truly Sir, m● Sovereign Lord, you rather ought to make 〈◊〉 a matter of conscience, than to make any such scruple (in so clear and weighty a matter) b● bringing it in question, than to have any the least scruple in your conscience; and therefore my advice is, that your Majesty, with all speed, lay aside those thoughts, and for any peril that may happen to your soul thereby, let the guilt rest on mine. And this is all that can be said by the loyallest of Subjects; and whether I have said well herein, or other wise I shall not refuse to answer any man in you behalf, whether it be privately, or publicly and I doubt not but there are as many worthy and learned men within your ●Kingdome; which are of my opinion; as on the contrary (if they might be permitted to speak with freedom) who hold it a very perilous and unseemly thing, that any such thing as ● Divorce, should be spoken of; to which side I rather advise your Majesty to incline than to the other; whereat the King replied not on● word; for whiles there was so fair a beauty in his eye, his ears must needs be stopped with the blackest wool: So he departed suddenly, and never looked favourably upon the Bishop from that time forward.   

CHAP. VII.  
1: The Cardinal brought into a peck of troubles, by reason of this Soruple. 2. The King declares himself for Anne of Bullein, and declines the Queen's company. 3. The Cardinal's secret complotting to break off the match with Anne Bullein.  
THe King resolving to go through stitch with his work, makes it a public business: And now the Cardinals hic labour was become hoc opus; for the same thing which was hitherto but secretly handled among the Bishops, was now made the common subject of discourse to the whole Kingdom: And a convention hereupon was had not only of the Bishops, but of all the noted and famous Divines of both the Universities, Cathedrals, and Religious houses within the Realm, at the Cardinal's house at We●minster, where the said business was debated, argued, and consulted many days together; but the subject was too knotty for such tools to work upon, and the knot too hard for their untying, wherefore they dissolved of themselves without dissolution; and now the Cardinals hoc opus began to be impossible, and voluntas regis, to 〈◊〉 so high, as if to that nothing were impossible, for now the King begins to puff and blow, and to swear MOTHER of God he will have ●●r, declaring it openly to all the world; whereupon, from more and more, he becomes altogether to decline his Katharine's company, and to delight himself wholly in the Courtships of his new Mistress.  
In the mean time the Cardinal (Wolsey) walks the round within his own Chamber, and with his bitten nails tears ou● these words by piece-meales from his mouth, WE WILL HAVE NONE OF THIS ANNE BULLEIN; for we m●st conceive him wonderfully perplexed, having otherwise designed au allianco for his M●ster with the French King, by this Divorce, if he could have had his will so to have revenged himself upon the Emperor; and we cannot imagine the distressed Queen to be otherwise than implacably, as well as necessitously bend to employ all her engines to work together, with his ruin, her own preservation. O the just and secret workings of the Almighty, who often buries us in the 〈◊〉 pits which we dig for others! Yet most wonderful it is, to consider what countermines he had laid, if it had been possible to have blown up the King's resolution in his new choice, able to have levelled any fortification of a mind that had been but composed either of Honour, Wisdom, Honesty, or Shame, & not of what was altogether wilfulness. For first, hearing a common fame of the incontinency of this Ann of Bullien he sends forth spies in every corner, to learn out, who had, or who could hear of any that had been familiar with her: At last intelligence was brought him, that for a certain, Sir Thomas Wyatt had carnal knowledge of her, whereupon providing himself with sufficient instruction, he sends for Sir Thomas Wyatt, and tells him how thus and thus it appears, that he had been oftentimes familiar with the Lady Anne Bullein, and that for certain, the King was at this time resolved to marry her (assoon as ever the sentence of divorce should be pronounced) and therefore out of the great love which he ever bare unto him, and care which he had of his welfare, he thought good to acquaint him with what danger he was in, whereby he might avoid it by acquainting the King with what was truth, lest afterwards such a thing should come to the King's ear, and then it would not be all the land, nor all the life he had in England, that could give his Majesty satisfaction for concelment of a business of so high concernment.  
The Knight replied, Sir, I thank you for the great love and sound advice which hath been always exercised in my affairs: But reverend Sir, if the King be so in love with her, as you say he is, and the world takes notice of him to be. I think I cannot be in greater danger than in acquainting the King with such a business.  
If you cannot prove it s●id the Cardinal, you say well, it is a hard matter to prove that, said the Kn●. it is a harder matter to answer the concealment, said the Cardinal, of a thing that is so much divulged as this is; and besides, in this case you can hardly suffer, but you must find many friends; in the other you will suffer pitiless, and will will find no man to speak in your behalf: in this you will be but ingenuous, in the other p●ccant; wherefore I advise you of two evils to choose the least.  
Sir Thomas Wyatt, by these persuasions, was resolved to confess all upto the King, which he plainly did; and with great fear, told him, that she was no fit wife for him, if he w●re free: the King commanded him to speak no more upon his life, ●nor to acquaint any else with what he had told him; so blind is fate.  
Nor would the Cardinal attempt to batter so strong a Tower with one Piece, but he procured a Reserve of Engines, which he thought could not fail; for he had notice given him how that (for certain) the said Anne Bullein was really contracted to the Lord Henry Percy, Son and Heir to the Earl of Northumberland (than a servant waiting upon the Cardinal) whom he immediately caused to appear before him, and by his ow● confession, finding the report to be true, and selemnly performed, he sent for the Countess of Wilt shire, mother to the said Anne Bullein; and hearing what she could say to the business, which w●● no less than what the said Percy had said before, he encouraged her in the prosecution, who for some reasons best known unto herself, a● she said to the Cardinal, better liked of the Marriage of her daughter with the said Lord Percy, than if the King should marry her.  
The Cardinal finding a backwardness in this Lady, that her daughter should be wedded to the King; and hearing what fame had formerly spread abro●d concerning the King's former familiarity with her, gu●shed at the cause, and therefore advised her to go unto the King, and deal freely with him in that particular, lest hereafter she might otherwise repent.  
The Lady takes his advice, and addresses herself to the King, who communing with him awhile upon that subject, between jest and earnest, she uttered these words; Sir, For the reverence of god take ●eed what you do, in marrying my daughter, for if you record your conscience well, she is your own daughter as well as mine: The King replied, Whose daughter so●ver she is, she shall be my Wife. But  
When she proceeded to acquaint him with the Contract, and told him how that her daughter and the Lord Percy were already man and wife before God, solemnly contracted in the presence of s●ch and such: the King was exceeding angry, and swore by his wont oath that it was not so, and it should not be so, and sent immediately for the Lady herself to come before him, to whom, as soon as ever she came into the presence, and before ever she had heard of the business, the King, with a frowning countenance said unto her, Is it so Nan, is it so, hoh, what sayest thoss to it? To what, said Anne Bullein? Mother of God, said the King, they say that thou hast promised to marry young Per●y: Mrs. Anne nothing at all abashed, returns him this answer, Sir, When I knew no otherwise but that it was Lawful for me to make such promises, I must confess I made him some such promise; but no good subject makes any promises but with this proviso, that if his Sovereign commands otherwise it shall be lawful for him to obey: Well said my own Girl, said the King, and turniug himself to the Countess, he said, I told you that there was no such thing.  
Thus you see concerning the first particular, the King cared not who he married, so that he might be wedded to his own will; and concerning the second, the King presently after sent for the Cardinal, and him for to undo the former kno● with his own teeth, enjoining him to procure his servant to release his Mistress of her engagement, which he did.   

CHAP: VIII.  
1. The first occasion of the Cardinal's ruin. 2. The King sends divers Orators to the Universities beyond the Seas to procure their ass●ntments to the Divorce. 3. The return with satisfaction, but it proves fruitless. 4. Ambassadors are sent to Rome. 5. The Cardinal aspireth to be Pope. 6. Ho useth strange means to accomplish the same.  
Now it is the Queen bed must be taken down, that her palate may be advanced: but from this time forward, though the Card. was seemingly forward, yet was covertly slow in the prosecution of the Divorce, which afterwards proved to be his ruin.  
Wherefore the King was advised by the Cardinals, and the rest of the bishops (as the only way of dispatch) to send certain Orators to foreign Universities (as well as to those at home) and so without any more ado to rest in their judgements.  
The King having made choice of men fi● for his purpose, gave them instructions, and sent them several ways to the most renowned Universities of Christendom, there to dispute the case, viz. whether it was lawful for a man to marry his brother's wife, or not, without acquainting them with the particulars, either of the former brothers having no carnal knowledge of the said wife, or the Pope's dispensation thereupon, so that by this slight and subtil●y they easily obtained determinations from all the Universities, viz. that it was not lawful; whereupon, not knowing whose case it was, nor the case itself rightly, the Orators procured those determinations under the common S●ales of all the foreign Universities, whereupon they returned with great triumph, to the great contentment of the King, who rewarded them highly for their pains; and it must not be thought that our Universities at home (though they only understood the case) should be wiser than all the Universities of Christendom.  
All these S●ales were all delivered into the Cardinals' hand, with a strict charge speedily to convene all the Bishops before him, and to determine upon the business: but this quick fire could not make this sweet malt; for it was determined (by whose means you may easily guess) that although the Universities had thus determined under th●ir Seales, yet the business was too weighty for them to determine thereupon, as of themselv●s, without the authority of the Sea Apostolic; but they all fell upon this agreement among themselves, that Orators should be sent with these Seals of the Universities to Rome, to treat with the Pope for procuring his confirmation therein: thus the King was shoved off with another wave from the Shore of his desired purpose.  
With much reluctancy, and sensibility of the tediousness of the delay, no other remedy appearing, A mbassadours were dispatched in all haste to Rome, Cl●ment the seventh being Pope at that time: The Ambassador's names were St●phen Gardiner, the King's Secretary▪ Sir Francis Brian Knight, one of the Gentlemen of the King's Pr●vy Chamber; Sir Gregory de Cassalel, an Italian, and Mr. P●ter 〈◊〉 a Venetian, who being arrived at Rome, having propounded the cause of their coming, and rested themselves there awhile, letters were come unto them from the King and the● Cardinal, with further instructions how to deal with the Pope, and to make all possible dispatch that could be made in the business: But the Ambassadors were not half so hasty in demanding, as the Pope was slow in expedition, and that by reason of the Gout, which then afflicted him (and perhaps of an unwillingness of the mind, as well as a debility of the body) the Ambassadors, by the return of their Letters, having made known unto the King the Pope's slowness, by reason of his great infirmity, the Cardinal lays hold upon this occasion, and informs the King, how that if he were Pope, if it should so happen, that the Pope should die, all should go well and speedily on his side: To this purpose Letters were sent thick and threefold to Rome, both from the King and Cardinal, with instructions, that they would the more earnestly and often call upon the Pope for a final determination, hoping that he would the more easily be drawn thereto, that he might (by reason of his pain) be rid of their importunity; as also, that if the Pope should chance to die of this present disease, that (by all means) they should devise some way or other how the Cardinal of York should be elected to succeed in his place: and to promise mountains of Gold, to procure their suffrages in his behalf, and in case they could not prevail, but that the Cardinals were likely to choose some such man, as was not likely to further the King's designs, that they should take up what sums of money they could upon the King's credit, and therewith to raise a presidie (as it is termed both in the King & Cardinal's letters) or power of men (and taking with them such Cardinals as could be brought to favour their purposes) to depart out of the City into some out-place not far off, and there to make a Schism, in the behalf of the Cardinal. But there was no need of that advice, for the Pope recovered health, and lived to finish the business, though contrary to the King's expectation, wherefore.   

CHAP. IX.  
1. Cardinal Camp●ius is sent Legate into England to determine the business of Divorce. 2. The Ambassadors are returned. 3. Cardinal Wolsey joined in Commission with the other Cardinal. 4. The Court sits. 5. Couns●ll is assigned to both the parties. 6. Queen Catharine's speech in her own defence.  
TH. Ambassadors finding the Pope to be the same man, for slowness, as he was, when he was tied by the leg: Requested of his Holiness that he would be pleased to send a Legate into England with full authority to hear and determine the business there, according to right, as he should see cause; which was granted, and accordingly one Laurence Campeius, a well learned man, and of undaunted courage (to whom the King about ten years before, had given the Bishopric of Bath at his being in England upon another occasion) was appointed for that negotiation.  
The Ambassadors thus returning with a conclusion of a new beginning, the King's patience must now rest satisfied with the expectation of the Legates coming, which after long expectation he arrived here in England, who coming to Lond. was lodged in his own Palace, then called B●th-house; but before his arrival, a new Commission from the Pope overtook him at Calais, wherein the Cardinal of York was joined with him in Commission; and this was procured by the King, whereby (as he thought) his business should be ●a●e to meet with the fewer rubber.  
The Cardinals met, Audience was given, the Commission was opened, the Place assigned, the assignment was at the Dominick F●●yers in Lon●on, the King and Queen were to be close by at their lodgings at Bridewell: The learned Counsel on both sides were appointed. The King (b●cause he would seem indifferent) willed the Queen to choose her Cou●sell, the Queen would choose none at all (as suspecting the indifterency of such as were his own subjects.) Wherefore for fashion sake these Counselors were assigned her. john Fisher B●shop of Rochester; Henry Staindish Bishop of St. Alaph: Thomas Abel, Richard Fetherstor, Edward powel, all Doctors in Divinity; and of C●vili●ns, and Canonists, William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury; Cuthbert Tunstall Bishop of London, Nichol●s West Bish▪ of Ely, and john Clerk Bishop of Bath (for at Campeius his arrival he was translated to the Bishopric of Salisbury) on the King's part the like number of profound and learned! Doctors, as well Divines, as Civilians, and Canonists.  
Silence being proclaimed in the Court, and the Commission read, the Bishop of Rochester presented the two Legates with a Book, which he had compiled in defence of the Marriage, making therewith a grave and learned Oration, wherein he desired them to take good heed to what they did in so weighty a business, putting them in mind of the great and manifold dangers, and inconveniences which were ready to ensue thereupon, not only to this Realm, but to the whole state of Christendom.  
After this Oration was ended, the King was called by name, who answered HERE: After that the Queen, who made no answer, but rose immediately out of her chair, and coming about the Court, she kneeled down before ●●he King openly in the sight of both the Legates, and the whole Court, and spoke as followeth.  
Sir, I beseech you do me justice and right, and take some pity upon me, for I am a simple woman, and a stranger born out of your dominions, and have no friend but you, who now b●ing become my adversary, Alas, what friendship or assurance of indifterency in ●●y counsel can I find hope to amongst your subjects? What have I done? Wherein have I offended you? How have I given you any occasion of displeasure? Why will you put me from you in this sort? I take God to my judge I have been a true, humble, & faithful wife unto you; always conformable to your will and pleasure: Wherein did I ever contradict, or gainsay whatever you said? When was I discontented at the thing that pleased you? Whom did I love but those whom you loved, whether I had cause or not? I have been your wife this twenty years; you have had divers Children by me; when you took me first into your B●d, I take God to be my witness I was a Virgin, and whether that be true or no, I put it to your conscience. N●w if there be any just cau●e that you can allege against me, either of dishovesty, or the l●ke, I am contented to depart the Realm, and you, with sh●me and insamy; but if there be no such cause, than I pray you let me have justice at your hands. The King your Father was in his time of such an excellent wit, as that for his wisdoms' sake he was accounted a second Solomon; and Ferdinand my Father was reckoned to be one of the wisest Princes that reigned in Spain, for many years before his days. These being both so wise Princes, it is not to b● doubted but they had gathered unto them as w●se Counselors of both Realms, as they in their wisdoms thought most meet; and as I take it, there were in those days, as wise, and learned men in both kingdoms, as there are now to be found in these our times, who thought the Marriage between you and I to be good and la●full; but for this I may thank you my Lord Cardinal of York (than her best friend, though she knew it not, or perhaps was secretly advised to be thus better against him) who having sought to make this dissension between my Lord the King and me, because have so often f●und f●ule with your pompous; v●nity, and aspring mind; yet I do not think that this your malice proceeds from you merely in respect of myself, but your chief displeasure is against my Nephew the Emperor, because you could not at his hands attain unto the B●th aprick of Toledo, which greedily you desired; and after that was by his means put by the chief and high Bishopric of Rom●, 〈◊〉 you most ambitiously aspired; whereat being sore offended, and yet not able to revenge your quarrel upon him, the heavy burden of your indignation must be laid upon a female weakness, for no other reason but because sh● is his Aunt. And these are the manly ways you take to ease your mind: but God forgive you; wherefore Sir (applying herself to the King) it seems to me to be no justice that I should stand to the order of this court, seeing one of my Judges to be so partial; and if I should agree to stand to the judgement of this Court, what Counsellors h●v● I but such as are your own Subjects, taken from your own Counsel, to which they are privy, and perhaps dare not go against it; wherefore I refuse to stand to their advice or plea, or any judgement that is here, and do appeal unto the Sea 〈◊〉, before our holy Father the Pope, humbly beseeching you by the way of charity, to sp●re me, till I may know what further course my friends in Spain will advise me to; and if this may not be granted, than your pleasure be fulfilled.  
With that, making a low obeisance to the King, she d●parted the Court, leaving behind her many ●●d hearts, and weeping eyes, among the which this good Bishop of Rochester was most compassionate.  
After she was perceived to be quite departed from the Court (for it was supposed that she meant to have returned to her place) the King commanded that she should be called back again, but she would not in any wise return, saying to those that were about her, This is no place for me to expect any indifferency, for they are all agreed what they will do, and the King is resolved what shall be done. So she departed clear away from the Court, and never afterwards did she appear there any more.   

CHAP. X.  
1. The good Character which the King gave his Queen (Katherine.) 2. The King declares his scruple of Conscience. 3. Shows the danger the Kingdom is in for lack of issue Male. 4. His proc●●dings with the Bishops therein.  
THe King peroeiving that she was thus departed, spoke unto the Court as followeth:  
Forasmuch as the Queen is now gone, I will declare, in her absence, before you all, that she hath ever been to me, as true, obedient, and conformable a wife, as I could wish, or any man desire to have, as having al● the virtuous qualities that ought to be in a woman, of her dignity: she is high born (as the quality of her conditions do declare) yet of so meek a spirit, as if her humility had not been acquainted with her birth; so that if I sought all Europe over, I should never find a better wife; and therefore how willing I w●uld (if it were lawful) continue her to be my wife ●●ill Death make the separation) ye● may all guests: but Conscience, Conscience is such a thing, who can endure the sting and prick of Conscience, always stinging and pricking wit●in his breast? Wherefore, my Lords, this woman, this good woman, I say, sometimes b●ing my brothers' wife, as ye all know, or have heard, h●●h bred such a scruple within the secrets of my breast, as daily doth torment, cumber, and disquiet my mind, fearing and mistrusting, that I am in great danger of God's indignation, and the rather, because he hath sent me no issue Male, but such as died incontinently after they were born. Thus my Conscience being tossed to and fro upon these unquiet waves, (almost in despair of having any other issue by her) it behoveth me, I think, to look ● little further, and to consider now the welfare of this Realm, and the great danger that it standeth in, for lack of a Prince to succeed me in this office, and therefore I thought good in respect of the discharging of my conscience, and for the quiet state of this noble Realm, to attempt the Law herein, that is, to know by your good and learned counsel, whether I might lawfully take another wife, by whom God may send me issue Male, in case this my first marriage should appear not warrantable; and this is the only cause for which I have sought thus far unto you, and not for any displeasure, or disliking of the Queen's p●rson, or age, with whom I could be as well contented to live, and continue (if our marriage may stand with the Laws of God) as with any woman living: and in this point consisteth all the doubt, wherein I would be satisfied by the sound Learning, Wisdom, and Judgements of you my Lords, the Prelates and Pastors of this Realm, now here assembled for that purpose; and according to whose determination herein, I am contented to submit myself, with all obedience; and that I meant not to wade in so weighty a matter (of myself) without the opinion and judgement of my Lords spiritual, it may well appear in this, that shortly after the coming of this scruple into my conscience, I moved it to you, my Lord of Lincoln, my ghostly Father; and forasmuch as you yourself, my Lord, were then in some doubt, you advised me to ask the counsel of the rest of the Bishops, whereupon● moved you, my Lord, of Canterbury, fi●st, to have your Licence (inasmuch as you were the Metropolitan) to put this matter in question, as I did to all the rest, the which you all have granted under your Seals, which I have here to show. That is true, and if it please your Grace, said the Bishop of Canterbury, and I doubt not but my brethren here will acknowledge the same. Now you must understand, that the King having won the Archbishop wholly to his design▪ the Archbishop had got as many of the Bishop's hands unto that Deed as he could, and set the rest of the Bishop's hands thereto, of his own accord, they both imagining that none would have been so bold as to contradict, or charge so openly, both the King, and the Archbishop of an untruth: but my Lord of Rochester, being of an undaunted spirit, and one of the Queen's Counsel assigned (whereby he might deliver his mind the better) knowing the clearness of his own conscience, said unto the Archbishop, No my Lord; not so, under your favour, all the Bishops were not so far agreed, for to that instrument you have neither my hand nor my seal: No, 〈◊〉, said the King, and with a ●rowning countenance, said to my Lord of Rochester, Look here, Is not this your hand and seal? showing him the instrument, no forsooth, (said the Bishop) it is none of my hand nor seal, How say you to that (said th● King to my Lord of Canterbury) Sir, said he● it is his hand and his seal; No my Lord (said the B●shop of Rochester) indeed you were in hand with me often for my hand and seal, as others of my Lords have been; but I always told both you and them, I would in no wise consent to any such act, for it was much against my conscience to have any such business called in question, and therefore my h●nd and seal should never be put to any such instrument, God willing, with a great deal more, which I said to that purpose, if you remember.  
Indeed (said my Lord of Canterbury) it is true, you had such words with me; but after our talk ended, you were at last contented that I should subscribe your name, and put your seal thereto, and you would allow the same, as if it had been your act and deed; then my Lord of Rochester seeing himself so unjustly charged, said unto the Archbishop, No, no, my Lord, by your ●avour and licence, that had been all one, and that which you charge me with, is not true: And as he was proceeding in his speech, the King interrupted him saying, Well, well, my Lord of Rochester, it makes no great matter, we will not stand with you in argument, you are but one man amongst the rest, if the worst fall out: but the rest of the Bishops that had been dealt with in like manner, said not a word, so that the fi●st encounter on the Queen side was not so well performed, through want of seconds: And this was all that was done for that day.   

CHAP. XI.  
1. The plead of the Counsel on both sides. 2. The deposition of the several Witness. 3. The honest Plea of Bishop Fisher. 4. The stout Plea of Doctor Ridley. 5. Cardinal Wol●ey takes him up. 6. The Doctors Reply thereto.  
UPon the second meeting there was much matter propounded by the Counsel of the King's part, concerning the invalidity of the foresaid marriage from the beginning▪ by reason of the carnal copulation there vehemently u●ged to have been committed between Prince Arthur the King's brother, and the present Queen; but being again as vehemently denied by the Queen's Counsel▪ the whole matter rested only upon proof: to this purpose divers witnesses were produced. As  
1. Agnes, the old Duchess of Norfolk, 〈◊〉 deposed, that she was present at the marriage of Prince Arthur, at S●. Paul's in London, and that sh● saw them both in bed together the next night after they were married: the Prince being of the age of fifteen years, and the Princess elder.  
2. George, Earl of Shrewsbury, who deposed, as to the celebration of the Marriage, Decimo septimo Henrici 7. 1501. that he was born at Winchester, secundo Hen. 7. that he believed Prince Arthur knew the Queen carnally, and was able so to do, because he knew his wife before she was sixteen.  
3. William Warham, Archbishop of Canterbury, that never liked the marriage, and that he told Hen. 7. as much.  
4. Sir William Thomas Knight, who deposed, as to the age of the parties, and their cohabitation as man and wife five months together, both at London and in L●dlow.  
5. Sir Anthony Poynes as to the age only.  
6. Thomas, marquis of Dorset, as to age, and that he was●of a good sanguine complexion, and able (as he supposed) for the business.  
7. Robert, Viscount Fir●water, as to the age, and that the next day (after they had been ● bed together) he waited on Prince Arthur, whiles he was at breakfast, where Maurice St. john carved, and the Lord Firzwater was Cupbearer, where he heard Prince Arthur (upon the said Maurice hi● ask the Prince how he had done the last night?) Answer, I have been in Spain the last night.  
8. Thomas Lord Darcy, William Lord Montjoy, and Henry Guildford Knights of the Garter, little to any purpose but what they had heard by public fame.  
9 Charles Duke of Suffolk▪ deposed to the ●ame effect with Mau●i●e S. john, and that the Prince soon after beg●n to decay in bodily health; which said he, as the said S. john related, grew by the Prince his lying with the Lady Katherine.  
10. David Owen, as to the age only.  
11. Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Lord Treasurer of England, to the same effect with Maurice S. john, by which words he believed that the Prince carnally knew the Lady; and because he was of a good complexion and age (as he supposed) sufficient, having performed the like himself at the same age.  
12. Anth: Willoughby Kt. that the morrow after the Marriage (in the presence of divers witnesses, being in the Privy chamber) the Prince called to the s●id Willougby, saying, Willoughby, give me a cup of Ale, for I have been in the midst of Spain the last night.  
13. Nicholas B●shop of Ely, that he could say nothing concerning the carnalis copula, but that he very much doubted it, in regard the Queen often (sub testimonio conscientiae suae) said to this Deponent, that she was never carnally k●own by Prince 〈◊〉.  
These things being 〈◊〉, the Bishop of Rochester stood up and spoke in this manner, And all this is no more than what hath formerly been deposed, examined, throughly debated, and scanned by the best and learnedest Divines and Lawyers that could possibly be got; which time I do very well remember, and am not ignoranc of the manner of their proceedings, when and where all the allegations (in respect of what was then produced to the contrary was a ju●lged vain and frivolous; whereupon the Marriage was concluded; which Marriage was afterwards approved, and ratified by the See Apostoa bque, and that in such large an lample ma●ner, as that I think it a very hard matter now again to call the same in question before another judge.  
Then stood up another of the Q●●enes Counsel▪ Doctor 〈…〉 we have heard how the Queen herself, here in the face of the whole Court, 〈…〉 presence and hearing of the King himself, called the great God of heaven and earth to witness, that she was a pure Virgin when she first came into the King's bed, and how she put it to his conscience, speaking unto him face to face; and if it were otherwise, we cannot imagine that either the Queen durst so appeal ●●to him, or the King so spoke unto (if unworthily) would not have contradicted her: besides, we have here the testimony of a most reverend Father, who hath deposed upon his oath how the Queen had often 〈◊〉 testimonio 〈…〉 said unto him, ●ow that she never had any carnal knowledge of Prince Ar●hur. Now, my Lords, that such a ●rolick, or a j●st (as that about a cup of Ale, or the midst o● Spain, which together with all the rest that hath been said) are but mere conjectures and presumptions (should stand in competition with so great a testimony, as a sovereign 〈…〉 attestation of her cause upon the 〈◊〉 conscience, and that conscience 〈…〉 such presumption by its own silence, 〈…〉 to lay aside all reverence which 〈…〉 power and authority, as that all the 〈◊〉, consultations, 〈…〉 of all former powers, even of the See Apostolic itself, should become 〈◊〉, by your calling this matter again into 〈◊〉, is a thing in my conceit ●ost detestable to be rehearsed, and a great sha●e to this honourable Court to hear ●uch stuff ripped up to no other purpose but in contempt of former Power, and c●lling the wisdom of our Ancestors and 〈◊〉, together with our own, into question and derision.  
Whereat Cardinal Wol●ey, that he might not seem to say nothing by saying something, said unto him 〈…〉, D●mine Doctor, magis reverenter: No no, my Lord (said the Doctor) there belongeth no reverence to be given (at all) for an 〈◊〉 matter would be unreverently answered. Whereupon  
Cardinal Campeius called for Doctor Cuthbert Tunstall, Bishop of London, and desired to hear 〈…〉, for he was a man of profound judgement and learning▪ and one in whose wisdom and honesty the Cardinal reposed great confidence's. This Tunstall had w●itten a very learned Treatise in defence of the 〈…〉, which indeed should have 〈…〉 in the Court, but the 〈…〉 abilities, purposely sent h●m upon 〈…〉 into Scotland (at the v●ry 〈◊〉 he should have appeared) about 〈…〉 business, so that he appeared not in Court this second time.  
It was conceieved, that had not the Queen appealed unto 〈…〉 Marriage had been confirmed at this 〈◊〉, as it was afterwards by the Pope 〈◊〉, when it was too late; but being as it was, all matters of question 〈…〉 were clear laid aside, 〈…〉 such things as belonged to Instruction and Information of his Holiness in 〈…〉, were inquired after, and that upon the 〈◊〉 motion of the Bishop of Ely, one of the Queen's Counsel, whereupon both the ●●gates determined to hear no further plead.   

CHAP. XI.  
1. The King commanded the two Cardinals to persuade the Queen to 〈◊〉 her appeal. 2. Their 〈…〉 to his commands. 3. The King grows resolute, and demands sentence; th● Cardinals refuse to give it. 4. The Lor●● of the Counsel begin to storm. 5 The King to conceive great indignation against the 〈◊〉 of Yo●k, 〈…〉 the Country. 6. The passage which happened between the King and Mr. 〈…〉.  
〈…〉 better, and more honourable for both parties, then to stand to a public trial in foreign parts.  
The Cardinal (to satisfy the King's comm●nds) promised the uttermost of his endeavours in that behalf, but all in vain; for the Queen st●o● stoutly to her Appeal, and would not in any wise be brought to retract her former resolution, affording them the same reasons as formerly, and requesting them for Charity sake, to give a simple and helpless woman the best advice they could, what was b●st to be done to the glory of God, the King's satisfaction, and her own honour: Whereupon they both returned to their former persuasions, and the Queen to her former answers. Thus the Cardinal●s returned well pleased, that they could not conquer her, and the Queen unfortunate that she was not overcome.  
The K●●g put off (〈◊〉) from post to pillar grew weary o● these delays, and resolute in having a speedy end, he cared not which way, so it were done, and done it must be, as he would have it: Wherefore he called another Session, and in person urged a final Sentence, abd the pro●●edings to be read in Latin, whereupon the● K●ng Counsel called for judgement; with that Campeius answered again in Latin, Not so, I will give no Sentence before I have made a relation of the whole Transactions of these Affairs unto the Pope, whereunto I am obliged by virtue of the Queens Appeal cozen ring whose 〈◊〉 we are, and by whose authority we here sit. I come not hither for favour, or dread sake to pleasure any person living, be he King or Subject, neither for any such 〈…〉 will I 〈◊〉 my Conscience, or displease my Go●. I am now an old man, both we●k and sickly; and should I now put my soul in 〈◊〉 of Gods 〈…〉 time: So the 〈…〉, and nothing more of this nature was done (in England) ever after.  
The Lords about the K●●g perceiving the miscarriage of the King's 〈◊〉, began to happened; Mr. Cranmer (● Master both of all Arts, and cunning how to 〈…〉 & Fellow of Jesus College in Cambridg) being at the same time retired into that Country with one of his Pupils (by reason of the Sickness then raging in Cambridge) happened to be in an 〈◊〉 thereabouts, where some of the Courtiers were, by reason of the Courts then being at my Lord of Darcy's house, where (hearing some of the Courtiers relating how discontentedly the King behaved himself (by reason of those late accidents which had happened ●o cross to his designs) insomuch that he would hardly suffer any man to come near h●m, much less to speak unto him) he spa●e unto them as followeth.  
〈…〉 and my life against any man living.  
One of the Courtiers (hearing this, and knowing it to be a Spe●ch so justly calculated to the height of that Meridian, and a saying so agreeable to the King's temper, as i● it had taken measure of his mind) said thus unto him, I ●ell the● Scholar, the King shall 〈…〉 what thou hast said; and if 〈…〉 words good, for 〈…〉 and to speak with the King but it was late in the evening before he could ●inde his opportunity, but at the l●st he fou●d it; and when he had related unto the K●ng what such a man had said, and what he would undertake, the King swore by his wont o●th, M●ther of God that man h●th the right Sew by the care; I shall not go to bed until I 〈◊〉 with him, comm●nding the same party forthwith to depart out of his presence, and to bring Cranmer to him with all speed, the M●ssenger makes haste unto the Inn, but Mr. Cranmer was dep●rted to his friend's house two miles off before his return thither, wherefore the messenger gave strict order to the Innkeeper that he should send an Express unto M●. Cranmer to t●ll him that he should not fail to be at the Court betimes on the morrow, for the King would speak with him: Back to the Cou●t the M●ssenger returns with this account, whereat the King was exceeding wroth with the Messenger, and swore that he should find him out this night if he were above ground▪ and bring him to him, for he would not close his eyes until● he had seen h●m; with much ado night brought him unto the K●ng, who brought night upon the Church; for questionless there was the fi●st platform raised for the Church of England's downfall.  
For after much private conference first had between the King and Mr. Cranmer, and afterward with his most private Counsel, the most cunning and able men (as spies) were speedily sent to Rome to pry into the Records, to see in what state and condition the Clergy of England there stood with the Pope of Rome, as also what Oaths the Clergy of England did usually there take, and what Obedience they had promised unto him, etc. and what advantages otherwise might be picked thence against the Clergy here, whereby to draw them into a Paemunire.  
Which things performed, the King returns back again to London with an ocean of displeasure in his bosom, and a temp●st in his countenance.   

Chap. XIII.  
1. Both he Queens set against Cardinal Wolsey. 2. Cardinal Campeius departs the Kingdom. 3. A Parliament is called wherein great complaints are made against the Clergy. 4. The Bishop of Rochester his Speech in Parliament. 5. The Commons highly incensed at his Speech, they complain thereof unto the King. 6. The King questioned the Bishop therefore; the Bishops answer thereupon.  
The Cardinal (Wolsey) had the two Ladies, Catharine that was so near her setting, and Anne that was so apparent in her rising (though as different as the two Poles between themselves) both against him; the one discovering, the other aggravating his offences; yet, though sometime he had a better friend; for he proved such a constant enemy to the last, that he became a Martyr for the former, and such a better adversary (sometimes) to the first, as he became (afterwards) the second's footstool to her Throne; yet neither of them gave him thanks, which rendered his venom guilty of the nature of the Spiders thus to be entangled within his own web.  
Cardinal Campe●●●s perceiving the King disposed to discontentment, takes his leave of his Majesty, and suddenly departs the Realm (after that he had made his abode here in this kingdom near upon the space of one year) who was no sooner gone, but a sudden rumour 〈◊〉, how that he had carried with him vast ●ummes of money of the other Cardinals ●ut of the Realm; (for at that time Cardinal Wolsey wa● suspected to 〈◊〉 the Land, by ●eason of the King's displeasure) insomuch that 〈…〉 after, and overtaken at Calais▪ where when they had searched 〈…〉, they scarce found so much money about him as would serve to defray his ordinary charges to Rome: This the Cardinal Campeius took heavily, and thereat was m●rvailously discontented; which search for treasure was but a colour, for the thing which the King aimed at, was the instrument which contained the sentence of Divorce (which Campeius had showed unto the King) in case he had seen cause to put the same in execution, which if the King had sound out, it is supposed he would have made good play therewith: but he was deceive● of his purpose.  
Howsoever, in the 22. year of the Kings reign a Parliament was summoned to begin at London the 3. day of November, and in the year of our Lord 1529. and accordingly Writs were directed to all the Counties, etc. but withal private Letters were sent to the most potent men, directing them whom they should choose; which Letters there were few or none durst disobey, so that there was a Parliament filled to the King's hearts desire. And  
The regulations of all abuses of the Clergy were referred to the house of Commons, where severe complaints against the whole Clergy, as well as against particular Clergymen, were daily presented; whereof some the house of Lord● 〈◊〉 into consideration, and some they 〈◊〉; wh●ch when the Bishop of Rochester perceived, he spoke as followeth.  
My Lords, here are certain Bills exhibited against the Cl●●gy, wherein there are complaints made against the 〈◊〉, id●●nesse, rap●ciry and cruelty of Bishops, Abbots, Priests and their officials: But my Lords, Are all vicious, all idle, all ravenous, and ●ruell Priests, or Bishops? And for such as are such, are there not laws provided already against such? Is there any abuse that we do● not seek to rectify? or can there be such a 〈◊〉, as that there shall be no 〈…〉 their own? and 〈◊〉 where they have no authority to correct? If w● be not 〈◊〉 in our Laws, let each man suffer for his delinquency; or if we have not power, did 〈◊〉 with your assistance, and we shall 〈…〉 much the Good as the Goods of the Church, that is looked after: Truly my Lords, how this may sound in your 〈◊〉 I cannot tell▪ but to me it appears no otherwise, than as if our holy Mother the Church were to become a bondmaid, and new brought into servility and 〈◊〉, and by little & little to be quite banished out of those dwelling places, which the piety and liberality o● our forefathers (as most 〈◊〉 Benefactors) have conferred upon ●er; otherwise to what tendeth these 〈◊〉 and curious Petitions of the Commons? To no other intent or purpose, but to bring the Clergy into contempt with the Laity, that they may seize their Patrimony. But my Lords, beware of yourselves and your 〈…〉 now on fire, teach us to beware our own disasters: wherefore, my Lords, I will tell you plainly what I think, that except ye resist manfully by your authorities, this violent heap of mischiefs offered by the Commons, you shall see all obedience first drawn f●om the Clergy; and secondly from yourselves; 〈◊〉 if you 〈◊〉 into the true causes of all these mischiefs which reign among them, you shall find that they all arise through want of Faith.  
This Speech pleased and displeased divers of the house of Peers, 〈…〉 were severally inclined or addicted to ●orward, or 〈◊〉 the K●ngs design●s; among the which none 〈…〉 thereto, but only the 〈…〉  
B●t when the Commons heard of this Speech, they conceived so great displeasure against the Bishop, that they forthwith sent their Speaker, Mr. Audeley, to complain on him to the King▪ and to let his Highness understand how grievously they thou ●h● themselves injured thereby, so as to be so highly charged for lack of Faith, as if they had been Infidels or Heretics, etc.  
The King therefore, to satisfy the Commons, sent for my Lord of Rochester to come before him; being come, the King demanded of him why he spoke in such sort; the Bishop answered, that being in counsel he spoke his mind in defence of the Church, whom he saw daily injured and oppressed by the common people whose office it was not to judge of her manners, much less to reform them, and therefore (he said) he thought himself in conscience bound to defend her in all that lay within his power; nevertheless the King wished him to use his words more temperately; and that was all, which gave the Commons littl● satisfaction▪   

CHAP. XIV.  
1. The demand of all the small Abbeys within the Land for the King's use. 2. The Bishop of Rochester opposeth the demand in the Convocation house. 3. The minds of the Clergy (before ready to condescend to the propositions altered thereupon. 4. The Bishop of 〈◊〉 escaped very narrowly from being poisoned at his dinner. 5. How he escaped another danger from the shot of a cannon. 6. His departure from the place to Rochester.  
IMmediately hereupon the foresaid demand for all the small Abbeys and Monasteries within the Land (of the value of two hundred pound land and under, to be given to the King) was revived; and the pretence for such demands of the Clergy, was in recompense of the great charges and expenses, which the King was 〈◊〉, concerning the Divorce which he was put upon by the false and double dealing of the Cardinal and his Clergy, and therefore it was said to be all the reason in the world, that the Clergy should satisfy the King again for the great expenses he had been at; and this was urged with such ●impor●unity; as if the business had been called upon by sound of Drums and T●umpets: In conclusion, they all agreed that cert●ine of the King's Counsel should make demands hereof to the Convocation of the Clergy, which was performed with such a terrible show of the King's displeasure 〈◊〉 them, if they yielded not to his 〈◊〉, that divers of the Convocation (sea●●ing the King's indignation, and hoping by a voluntary condescension in these particulars to save the r●st) were of a mind to satisfy the King therein, which the Bishop of Rochester perceiving, spoke as followeth.  
My Lords, and the rest of our Brethren here assembled, I pray you to take good heed to what you do, l●st you do you know not what, and what you cannot do: for indeed the things that are demanded at our hands, are none of ours to grant nor theirs to whom we should bestow them, if we should grant them their desires; but they are the Legacies of those testators, who have given them unto the Church for ever, under the penalty of a heavy ●urse imposed on all those who shall any way go abou● to aliena● their property from the Church: and besides, if we should grant these smaller Abbeys, etc. to the King, what should we do otherwise than show him the way how in time it may be lawful for him to demand the greater? wherefore the manner of these proceedings puts me in mind of a ●able, how the Axe (which wanted a handle) came upon a time unto the Wood, making his m●an to the great Trees, how he wanted a handle to work withal, and ●or that cause he was constrained to sit idle; wherefore he made it his request unto them, that they would be pleased to grant him one of their small saplings within the Wood to make him a Handle, who mistrusting no guile, granted him one of the smaller trees, wherewith he mad● himself a handle▪ so becoming a complete Axe, ●e so fell to work within the same wood that in process of time there was neither great nor small tree to be found in the place where the wood stood. And so my Lord, if you grant the King these smaller Monasteries▪ you do but make him a handle, whereby at his own pleasure he may ●ut down all the Cedars within your 〈◊〉, and then you may thank yourselves after ye have incurred the heavy displeasure of Almighty God.  
This Sp●●ch qu●te changed the minds of all those which were formerly bend to gratify the K●ngs demands herein, so that all was rejected for that time.  
After this the Bishop escaped a very great danger, for one R. Rose came into the Bishops' kitchen (being acquainted with the Cook) at his house in Lamb. M●rsh & having provided a quantity of deadly poison, whiles the C●ok went into the buterie to fetch him some drink, he took his opportunity to throw that poison into a m●ss of Grue●●, which was prepared for the Bishops' dinner; and after he had stayed there awhile, went his way: but so it happened, that when the Bishop was called unto his dinner, he had no appetite to any meat, but wished his servants to fall to, and be of good cheer, and that he would not eat till towards n●ght: the Servants being set to dinner, they that did eat of that poisoned dish were miserably infected, whereof one Gentleman, named Mr. Bennet Carwin, and an old Widow▪ died suddenly, and the rest never recovered their healths till their dying day. The person that did this wicked deed, was afterwards, for the same offence, boiled alive in Smithfield, in the 22. year of K. Henry's reign.  
Shortly after this, there happened another great danger to him in this same house, by reason of a Cannon bullet that was sh●t through his house, close by his study window (where he was used to spend much time in Pr●y●r and holy Meditations) which made such a horrible noise and clutter, as it went thorough, that all the house were suddenly amazed; upon inquiry made from whence this mischief should proceed, it was f●und out how that it came from the other si●e of the River, ●nd out of the E●●le of 〈◊〉 house, Father to the La●dy Anne Bullein, which being told unto the B●shop, he cal●ed all his Se●vants before him, and said u●to th●m, Let a truss up ou● baggage and be gone, this is no place for us to abide in any longer; so he set forwards in his journey towards 〈◊〉.  
〈…〉 Conspiracies w●re contrived by the K●ng● consent, or privity, it is not handsome to determine, being 〈…〉 words against him at his table, & elsewhere; which words experience tel● us how too great 〈◊〉 may often take so large commission from them, as to attempt such things as are beyond the nature of their warrant.  
The Bishop, now come to Rochester, f●ll to his old accustomed manner of frequent preaching, visiting the Sick, converting the Seduced, and for his recreation, he would sometimes go and see his workmen whiles they w●re employed in the reparation of Rochester 〈◊〉: upon which he had bestowed great cost; ●ut 〈◊〉 had not long remained in those pa●ts, but he was robbed almost of all his Plate by Thiefs in the nighttime, who broke into his Manor house of Halling, near Rochester, which being perceived in the morning by his Servants, they were all in great perplexity, and pursued the thiefs as well as they could, and following them through the wood, the thiefs le● fall several pieces of Plate, through the great haste which they had made in flying, so that they brought some of the Plate back ●gain before the Bishop had heard of the loss of any; but the Bp. coming down to his dinner, perceived an unwonted kind of heaviness and sadness in their countenances, insomuch that he asked them what was the matter? they seeming unwilling to relate the story, and looking upon one another who should begin, he commanded them to inform him of the cause of such distraction, assuring them that he was armed for all adventures (deeming it to be some great matter) but when they had given a full relation of the whole business, and how they had recovered some of the▪ Plate back again; the Bishop replied, if this be all, we have more cause to rejoice that God hath restored to us some, than to be discontented that wicked men have taken away any for the least favour of God Almighty is more to be esteemed than all the evil (which the Devil and all his wicked instruments can do unto us) is to be valued, wherefore let us sit down and be merry, thank God it is no worse, and look ye better to the rest.   

CHAP. XV.  
1. The King's Agents are returned from Rome with sufficient matter of vexation to the Clergy. 2. The King calls another Parliament. 3. The whole Clergy are condemned in a praemunire. 4. The King lays hold on that advantage to make himself head of the Church. 5. The Bishop of Rochester his most admirable Speech upon that occasion, whereupon the Proposition was rejected. 6. The King persists in his demand.  
BY this time the King's Agents, which were sent to Rome, were returned with sufficient matter wherewith to ve● the whole Clergy; for they had learned our how that there had been a privilege formerly granted from the See of Rome, no Legate de latere should enter the Realm of England, except he were first sent for by the King; now it happened that Cardinal Wolsey (either ignorant, or forgetful of this privilege, or perhaps thinking he might do any thing without the King's consent, or procurement) procured of, and for himself, the Power legantine from the Pope that then was; but though the Cardinal had exercised that authority for the space of divers years, without the King's consent or privity, yet at the length (perceiving his own error, and the danger he was in (if the King's favour, which was no inheritance, should chance to sl●ck its sails) and perhaps how merrily the whe●le of fortune began to turn about) he so wrought (formerly) with the King, that he procured a confirmation thereof under the great Seal of England, as well for that which was past, as that which was to come, which the King full well remembering, thought the Cardinal too hard for him; howsoever he was resolved he would be too hard for the Cardinal, and knowing that nothing stood between him and the mark he aimed a●, but the reduction of this Cardinal to the statuquo wherein he had him once safe enough, he so deals with a servant then belonging to the Cardinal, and in great truth about him, that by his means he regained the foresaid ratification under the great Seal, into his own hands, and then to work he went. And  
Accordingly he summoned another Parliament to beg●n upon the 16. day of February, in the year of our Lord God 1530. in which Pa●liament divers heinous matters were propounded against the clergy, as a praeludium of the winds to the ensuing tempest; then an account was given up in Parliament of 100000 l. charges which the King had been at to obtain so many instruments from foreign Universities concerning the business of the Divorce: All which expenses they said the King had been at through the falsehood and dissimulation of the Cardinal, and certain others of the chief of the Clergy; all which was demanded of the Clergy, that they should make all good unto the King; but when this business began to be propounded to the Convocation of Divines, it was there opposed, & especially by the Lord B. of Roche●ster, who said u●to the King's Orators, that it was not their faults, as they were there the body representative of the Clergy, that the King had been at any charges at all concerning that business, for to his knowledge the Clergy were generally against it, that any such matter should at all be brought in question, and that if any such faulty persons were amongst them, it is fit they should be questioned, and compelled to give his Majesty, satisfaction; Whereupon they all sl●tly denied upon any such score to make any restitution at all.  
Then the King (more ●urio●sly than ever) called the whole Clergy into the King's Bench, and sued the Cardinal, together with the whole Clergy in a praemunire, for receiving and acknowledging the power L●gan●ine of the Cardinal: which objection, whiles th● Card, thought with as easy a grace to w●sh off of him, as the proud Swan to sl●de so much water off of his back (like the bastard Eagle called Hali●t●●s he was drowned under the waves (because, like the true Eagle, he poized not his prey before he offered to carry it) by catching after a Fish, which was heavier than he could carry; and so they were all condemned upon the Statute of King Richard the second in a praemunire. Thu● the K. was put into a capacity of imprisoning whom, or as many of them as he pleased, or to enter into, or upon what goods or possessions of theirs he had a mind unto: whereupon the Clergy first fallen under the King's heavy displeasure, and now not being willing to abide the further danger of his displeasure under his justice, sued unto him for mercy, declaring unto him their willingness to pay the 100000 l. upon his indemnity, which the King promised unto them, excepting the Cardinal and some others. But  
The business of the Divorce s●uck so indig●stedly in the King's stomach, that before he wo●ld either divorce them from their fears, or marry them to their former securities, he wished them all to repair unto their house of Convocation, and there he would propound unto them a business, which if they would condescend unto, than they should find that he would be unto them a gracious Prince; which when they were assembled in the place appointed, such a business was propounded to them, as never was propounded by men since there was a congregation of mankind, viz. that they should acknowledge the King to be the Supreme Head of the Church which was propounded chief by Mr. Thomas Audel●y, (who after Sir Thomas Moor had given over his place, was created Lord Chancellor of England) and that with such mixture of fair promises, and threatni●g● together, that many of the Convocation thought themselves in a capacity neither of refusing any thing that should be demanded of them by the King, nor of consulting of what was, or was not to be granted; whereupon divers of the Convocation upon scanning of the business, were in a readiness to promote the King's design; and few there were that durst open their mouths to speak their mind● freely: Whereupon the Athanasius of the Clergy, this ●●out Prelate, of whom we treat, thus took the business into consideration.  
My Lords, it is true, we are all under the King's lash and stan● in need of the King's good favour and clemency; yet this argues not that we should therefore do that which will render us both ridiculous and contemptible to all the Christian world, and ●issed out from the society of God's holy Catholic Church; for what good will that be to us to k●●p the possession of our Houses, Cloisters, and Covents & to lose the Society of the Christian world? to preserve our Goods and lose our Consciences? Wherefore, my Lords, I pray let us consider what we do, and what it is we are to grant, the dangers and inconveniences that will ensue thereupon, or whether it lies in our powers to grant what the King requireth at our hands or whether the King be an apt person to receive this power▪ that so we may go groundedly to work and not like men that had lost all honesty and wit, together with their worldly fortune.  
As concerning the first point, v●z. what the Supremacy of the Church is, which we are to give unto the King: it is to exercise the spiritual Government of the Church in chief, which according to all that ever I have learned, both in the Gospel, and through the whole cou●se of Divinity, mainly consists in these two points.  
1. In losing and binding sinners, according to that which our Saviour sai● unto St. Peter, when he ordained him head of his Church, viz. to thee will I give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Now my Lords, can we say unto the King, tibi, to thee will I give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven? If you say I, where is your warrant? if you say no, than you have answered yourselves, that you cannot put such keys into his hands.  
Secondly, the Supreme Government of the Church consists in feeding Christ's Sheep and Lambs, according unto that, when our Saviour performed that promise unto Peter, of making him his universal Shepherd; by such unlimited jurisdiction, feed my Lambs, and not only so, but feed those that are the feeders of those lambs, feed my sheep: Now my Lords, can any of us say unto the King, Pasce oves?  
God hath given unto his Church some to be Apostles, some Evangelists, some Pastors, some Doctors, that th●y might edify the body of Christ, so that you must make the King one of these, before you can set him one over these, and when you have made him one of these supreme Heads of the Church, he must be such a Head as may be answerable to all the Members of Christ's body; and it is not the few Ministers of an Island that must constitute a Head over the Universe, or at least by such example, we must allow as many heads over the Church, as there are sovereign Powers within Christ's Dominion, and then what will become of the Supremacy? every Member must have a hea●; attendite vobis, was not said to Kings, but Bishops.  
Secondly, let us consider the inconveniences that will arise upon this Grant; we cannot grant this unto the King, but we must renounce our unity with the See of Rome; and if there were no further matter in it▪ than a renouncing of Clement the seventh (Pope thereof) then the matter were not so great: but in this we do forsake the first four general Counsels, which none ever forsaken, we renounce all Canonical and Ecclesiastical Laws of the Church of C●rist; we renounce all other Christian Princes; we renounce the Unity of the Christian World, and so leap out of Peter's ship to be drowned in the wave of all Heresies, Sects, Schisms and Divisions. For  
The first and general Counsel of Nice acknowledged Silv●ster (the Bishop of Rome) his authority to be over them, by sending their Decrees to be ratified by him.  
The Counsel of Constantinople did acknowledge Pope 〈◊〉 to be their chief, by admitting him to give sentence against the Heretics, M●cidonius, S●bellinus, and E●nomius.  
The Counsel of Ephesus acknowledged Pope Celestin to be their chief judge, by admitting his condemnation upon the Heretic Ne●torius.  
The Counsel of Chalcedon acknowledged Pope Leo to be their chief Head, and all general Counsels of the World ever acknowledged the Pope of Rome (only) to be the Supreme Head of the Church, and now shall we acknowledge another Head, or one Head to be in England, and another in Rome?  
Thirdly, We deny all Canonical and Ecclesiastical Laws, which wholly do depend upon the authority of the Apostolical See of Rome.  
Furthly, We renounce the judgement of all other Christian Princes, whether they be Protestants, or Catholics, I●wes, or Gentiles, for by this argument Herod must have been head of the Church, of the jews; Nero must have been head of the Church of Christ; the Emperor must be head of the Protestant Countries in Germany, and the Church of Christ must have had never a head till about 300. years after Christ.  
Fifthly, The King's Majesty is not susceptible of this Donation: Ozias for meddling with the Priest's office, was resisted by Az●rias, thrust out of the Temple, and told that it belonged not to his office: now if the Priest spoke truth in this, then is not the King to meddle in this business; if he spoke amiss, why did God plagu● the King with leprosy for this, and not the Priest?  
King David, when the Ark of God was in bringing home, did he place himself in the head of the Priest's Order? did he so much as touch the Ark or execute any the least, properly belonging to the 〈…〉? or did he not rather go be●ore, and abase himself amongst the people, and s●y that he would become yet more vile, so that God might be glorified?  
All goo● christi●n Emperors have evermore refused 〈◊〉 authority; for at the first General counsel of Nice, certain Bills were privily brought unto Constantine, to be ordered by his authority, but he caused them to be burnt, saying, Dominus 〈◊〉 constituit, etc. God hath ordained you (Priest's) and hath given you power to be judges over us, and therefore by right in these things we are to be ju●ged by you, but you are not to be judged by me.  
Valentine, the good Emperor, was required by the Bishops to be but present with them to reform the heresy of the Arians▪ but he answered, Forasmuch as I am one of the Members of 〈◊〉 Lay-people, it is not lawful for me to define such controversies, but let the Priest's, to whom not to separate ourselves from such a one.  
If we answer, th●t the Church of Rome is not of God, but a Malignant Church than it will ●ollow, that we the inhabitants of this land, have not as yet received the true faith of Christ; seeing we have not received any other Gospel, any other Doctrine, any other Sacraments, than what we have received from her, as most evidently appears by all the Ecclesiastical Histories: wherefore if she be a malignant Church, we have been deceived all this while, and if to renounce the common Father of Christendom, all the General Counsels, especially the first four, which none renounce, all the C●untr●ys of Christendom, whether they be 〈…〉 Country's or Protestant, be to forsake the Unity of the Christian world than is the granting of the Supremacy of the Ch●●ch unto the King, a renouncing of the Unity, 〈◊〉 of the Shameless coat of Christ in 〈◊〉 a dividing of the Mystical body of Ch●●st 〈◊〉 Spouse limb 〈…〉, and tail to tail like 〈…〉, to set the field of Christ's holy Church all on 〈◊〉: and this is it which we are about, wherefore let it be said unto you in time an not too late, LOOK YOU TO THAT.  
This Speech so wrought with the whole Convocation that all 〈◊〉 were laid aside, and such an armour of resolution generally put upon the whole body there assembled, that come what come would, all was rejected, and the King's purpose for that time clearly frustrated. But the King desisted not, notwithstanding all this but sent his Orators to the Convocation-house, to put them in mind of the dangers they were in, and to acquaint them with the K●ngs heavy displeasure against them, for denying him so reasonable a demand, both which particulars they aggravated and set forth to the high●st advantage; but it was answered, that they were sensible enough of that which they had said; and for the King's displeasure they were very sorrowful, because they could not help it, wherefore if they must (they said) suffer, they must be contented.  
The King having in vain thus attempted the fury of the wind, in bereaving these Travellers of this upper Garment of the Church: he now makes trial what the policy of the Sun will do. Wherefore  
The King sent for divers of the chief leading men of the Convocation, as well Bishops as others, to come unto him at his Palace of Westminster; at whose first entrance into his presence, he shines upon them such a gracious look, as if all the ra●●s of Majesty had been bestowed upon them by that aspect; and courts them with the softest, mild, and gentlest words, as that possibly he could use, protesting unto them upon the word of a K●ng▪ that if they would acknowledge and 〈◊〉 him for supreme head of the Church of England he would never, by virtue of that G●ant, assume unto himself any more pow●r, ju●isdict on, or authority over them, than all other th'kings of England, his 〈◊〉, had formerly assumed; nei●her wou●d he t●ke upon him to promulge, or 〈◊〉 any new spiritual Law, or ex●rcise any 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction, or interm●ddle himself among them in altering, changing, ordering or judging in any spiritual business whatsoever: wherefore (said he) I having made you th●s frank promise, I expect that you should deal with m● accordingly: and so he dismissed them to consider of this business amongst thems●lv●, and to g●ve his Orators an accou●t thereof in the house the next morning.   

CHAP. XVI.  
1. The Bishops consult what course to take. 2. The Bishop of Roch●ster proposeth unt● them a Parable, Whereupon they all break off in confusion. 3. The King's Orator's repair unto the Co●●ocation to know the Clergies fin● determination in the business. 4. The Bishop of R●chester's Speech unto the King's Orators. 5. The Orators Reply unto the Bishop's Speech. 6. The Headship of the Church gra●te● unto the King upo● conditions, the conditions rejected, at last accepted of.  
THe Bishops, etc. as soon as they were departed the King's presence, retired themselves to a place of privacy, to consider with themselves what were best to be done, and what account and advice they should give unto the rest of the Clergy: Some of them were apt enough to think the business now pretty fair, seeing that the King had promised fairly; but because my Lord of Rochester was the only man that most stickled in this business, they all asked his opinion herein, in the first place; who soon answered them with this parable, Thus stands the case my Ma●ters, the Heart upon a tim● s●id unto the Members of the Body, l●t me also be your Head, and I will promise you that I will neither see, nor hear, nor smell, nor speak, but I will close, and shu● mine eyes and ears, and mouth, and nostrils, and will excecute no other offices than a mere heart should do; whereupon all hopes of reconciliation upon that trust and w●yes of satisfaction was soon nipped in the bud, and they all broke off in confusion with ●●d hearts.  
The next day the Orators came to the house of Convocation, to know the Clergies resolution in the business repeating unto the whole house the words which the day before his Maj. had spoken unto some of them, and that over & over: and moreover, saying unto them, that if they should now oppose themselves against his Maj. this business, it must needs declare a gr●at mistr●st●ulnesse which they had in the King's words, s●eing he had made unto them so solemn and high an oath; which words of theirs pressed so home, and followed so close, with all the specious arguments, and fairest promises that could be imagined, staggered indeed some, but silenced all, excepting him who is the subject of this History, who (after that he had earnestly required of the Lords to take good heed what they did, and to consider the manifold michiefs and inconveniencies that would ●n●ue unto the whole Church of Christ (if they should condescend to any such request) applying himself unto the King's Orators, he spoke thus unto them.  
It is true, the King was graciously pleased to protest thus and thus: What if the King should alter his mind, where is our remedy? What if the King will execute the Supremacy, must we sue unto the Head to forbear being Head? Again, this dignity is invested in him, his Successors will expect the same, and the Parliament will (questionless) anne● that dignity to the Crown: What if a Woman should succeed to the Crown, must she be Head of the Church? What if an Infant should succeed, can he be Head? This were not only (said he) to make the Church no Church, but the Scripture no Scripture, and at last jesus to be no Christ.  
To the which sayings, the Orators replied, that the King had no such meaning▪ as he doubted (repeating again his royal Protestation) and further said, that though the Supremacy were granted unto his Majesty simply, and absolutely, according to his demand; yet it must needs be understood, or so tak●n, that he can h●ve no farther power or authority thereby, than quantum per legem Dei licet; and than if a temporal Prince can have no such authority by God's Laws (as his Lordship hath declared) what needeth the forecasting of so many doubts?  
The B●shop of Rochester (perceiving the whole house to be much affected with their manner of pleading, and fearing that they might desert him in the end, through ●ear and dread of the King's displeasure) takes hold upon their last words, and thus speaks unto his Majesty's Orators.  
Gentlemen, you think that herein we stand too st●ff upon our own legs, but it is not so, but only in the defence of our own, and your Mother, the holy Catholic Church, in whose bosom you are, as well as we; and the milk of whose Breasts it is your p●rts to suck as well as ours, and within whose bl●ss●d Communion there is but one Salvation, which is common u●to all; wherefore, Gentlemen, let it be your care that our tenderness in this point be not misconstrued to the King: and now, as to this demand, that his Majesty, and you all, may plainly see, that we shall (to please his Majesty) do the uttermost of wha● lie● within ou● pour in that 〈◊〉; let all that which his Majesty hath protested, and so solemnly taken his o●th upon, be ●●cord●d, and the words quantum per l●g●m 〈◊〉 be in●erted in the Grant (which is no otherw●●● than what the King and you yourselves have faithfully promised and protested) and for my part it shall be granted. Whereupon the Orator's went away as well 〈◊〉, and made a report of all that had happened in the Convocation house unto the King▪ whereat the King was highly offended, and said unto them. Mother of God, you have 〈◊〉 pretty prank, I thought to have made fools of the●●, and now you have so ordered the business, that they are likely to make a fool of me, as they have done of you already: got unto them again, and let me have the business p●ssed without any qu●ntum's, or tantum'●; I will have no quantums nor no tantum' s in the business, but l●t it be done. Whereupon, immediately they returned to the Convocation house, call and crying ou● upon them with open and co●tinuall clamour, to have the Grant pass absolutely, and to credit the King's honour, who had made unto them so solemn an oath and protestation, falling into disputation with the Bishops, how far a temporal Prince's power was over the Clergy; but the Bishops soon disputed them into having nothing else to say, but whosoever would refuse to condescend to the King's demands herein, was not worthy to be accounted a true and loving subject, nor to have the benefit of such a one. After which, nothing could prevail, for then the Clergy answered with unanimous consent, and full resolution, that they neither could, nor would, grant unto the King the Supremacy of the Church, without those conditional words quantem per legem Dei licet, and so the Orators departed, relating unto the King all that had passed, who seeing no other remedy, accepted it with that condition, granting unto the Clergy a pardon for their bodies and goods, paying him ●00000 l. which was paid every penny.   

CHAP. XVII.  
1. How Campeius related the whole business of the Divorce unto the Pope, and was blamed for the same. 2. The King send● two Doctors of the Civil law with private C●mmissions to treat with the Pope about the Divorce. 3▪ The Pope solemnly ratifies the Marriage. 4. The Sentence itself.  
BUt we cannot well go on with our History, except we fi●st arrive our discourse within the gates of Rome, to observe what account Cardinal Campeius had given unto the Pope of all these proceedings, which was no otherwise than what had passed directly here in England, which being related to his Holiness by the Cardinal, the Pope blamed him exceedingly, for that he had not overruled Queen Katherine, to have waved her Appeal, whereby the business might have been determined within the Kings own Dominious; for which cause-●ake he sent him thither. So slippery is the ground whereon Minister's of state do set their feet in any business, that his business would do right well, to make a separation between them by his definitive sentence: the Pope demanded to see their Commission and Authority which they had to treat with him; they answered, that the King was by this time grown somewhat unruly, and that therefore what they did▪ they did it upon their own score, and for the love-sake which they bore unto the common good of the 〈◊〉 Church, and for the peace and unity-●ake thereof. Then the Pope demanded of them to see the Certificate under the Bishops' 〈◊〉, whereby it might appear that they had so consented: to which they answered, that they had no such certificate for the present, but that they expected such a certificate daily to come unto them, together with a Commission to treat with his Holiness. Whereupon his Holiness bade them expe●t.  
All this while the King was framing a new Model of a Church, and sent these men over on purpose, if it were p●ssible, to retard all proceeding at Rome, until such time, as by a new court of Judicature, under a new Supremacy, the Marriage should have been adjudged 〈◊〉, b●fore the Pope's 〈◊〉 of Ratification (which was feared) should have made it good.  
All which policies and workings here in England, you must not imagine them of Rome to be ignorant of.  
Wherefore the Pope takes the best and most substantial advise that could be given him, and calls unto him, not only his Cardinals, etc. but the most able Canonists and Divines that could be heard of, and consults with the most famous Universities, procuring the censures of the most famous men that had written of this case; among the rest, the two books of the beforementioned D●. Tunstall Bishop of London, and this out Dr. Fisher Bishop of Rochester; (of which ●ast book (if you will believe that reverend and famous Clerk, Alphonso de castro) it is said of him to be the most excellent and learned of all other works) and at last, after diligent examination of the business, 〈◊〉 himself in his Tribunal seat, and open consistory, by assent and counsel of his 〈◊〉, the Card●●al●, pronounced this definitive 〈◊〉 in the cause: The words begin as followeth▪  

Clemens papa septimus.  
Christi nomine invocato, in throno justitiae pro tribunali sedentes, etc. which in English is thus.   

Pope Clement the seventh.  
We invocating the name of Christ, and having for our Tribunal the Throne of justice, and the glory of the Almighty God only before our eyes; by this our definitive Sentence (which by the counsel and assent of our venerable Brethren, the Cardinals of the holy Church of Rome, assembled before us in consistory) we do in these Writings pronounce, decree, and declare, in the cause and causes, lawfully devolved upon us, and the See Apostolic, by an Appeal (brought before us) of our well-beloved Daughter in Christ, Catharine, Queen of England, from the judgements of the Legates, deputed by, and sent from us, and the see Apostolic, between the foresaid Queen Catharine, and our well-beloved Son in Christ, Henry the eight, the most illustrious King of England, upon the validity and invalidity of the Matrimony between them, contracted and consummated, and upon other matters more largely deduced in the acts of such like cause or causes, and committed to our Son Paulus Capissuchus, then Dean of the Causes of our h●ly Palace▪ and in his absence to our reverend Father Symoneta B●shop of Pausa●ia, supplying the place of one of our Auditor's of 〈◊〉 said Palace, to be heard, entrusted and in our Consistory to be reported▪ and by them to us; and the said 〈…〉, and maturely discussed du●●ng the time of the matter 〈…〉, that the Matrimony co●tract●● 〈◊〉 the sa●d Queen Catharin● and K. Henry of England, with all 〈…〉 of the same, was, and is, Canonical, and of good force, and that they may and aught to enjoy to them their due effects, and that the ●ss●e between them heretofore born, or hereafter to be born, was, and shall be, legitimate, and that the ●oresa●d King Henry, aught is, and shall be ●ound and obliged, to cohabit▪ and dwell with the said Queen Catharine his lawful wife▪ and to entreat her with all Husbandly affection, and Kingly honour; and that the said King Henry is condemned, and by all remedies of Law is to be restrained, and compelled as we do condemn constrain, and compel him, to accomplish and fulfil all, and singular the premises ●ff●ctually; and that the molestat●o●s and refusals by the foresaid King Henry, by any manner of ways made to the said Queen Catharine touching the invalidity of the s●id Matrimony, and always from the beginning were unlawful, and 〈◊〉; and that perpetual silence 〈◊〉 all the foresaid matters, and 〈…〉 of the said Matrimony 〈…〉 unto the said Henry, and 〈…〉 it; and that the said King Henry of England be condemned, and we do condemn him, in the expenses lawfully made before us and our said Brethren, in such case, on the behalf of the said Queen Catharine; the Taxation of which Expenses we reserve to our self till another time: So we have pronounced.  
This was published in the Palace of Rome, in open consistory, the 23. of March in the year of our Lord God, 1534.   
Two men must be thanked for this (Wolsey and Fisher) and these two men must be met withal, whereby they may receive their payment: for the first, we leave him to his own story, or some others on his behalf: The second is the subject of my pen, and how they found out him, the following Chapter must relate.   

CHAP. XVIII.  
1. The various rumour of the people concerning the Divorce. 2. The History of the Holy maid of Kent. 3. Div●rs persons of quality executed as traitors concerning her and the Bishop of Rochester, etc. convicted of misprision of Treason for the same cause. 4. A new Parliament called. 5. The Marriage between the King and Queen Katherine pronounced null by Archbishop Cranmer. 6. A new Oath made and tendered to both houses of Parliament, etc. all take it excepting the Bishop of Rochester.  
AT the time when the Kingdom began to be divided (when the King was about to make the Divorce between him and his wife, as the first act of his Supremacy) and to talk too busi●●, some in favour of the King, but most of the Queen: it happened, that one Elizabeth Barton, a young maiden borne in Kent, at a plac● called Court, at Street, declared unto sundry persons that she had lately received certain Visi●ns and Revelations, concerning the Kings proceedings in this matter of D●vorce; and as sh● thought, they came from God, and often falling into a trance▪ she would declare, how that the K●ngs 〈◊〉 away his wife would be a m●anes to bring in 〈…〉 Land, and that 〈…〉 〈…〉 his wife, should never have co●fo●t in any other; that whatsoever he did, yet the daughter of this Queen should reign; and because he deprived 〈◊〉 mother▪ the 〈◊〉 Cathol que Church, of so many children▪ all his child●●n should die 〈◊〉, and himself comfortless, leaving an ignominious name and fame 〈◊〉 him to the world's end. To this and the like 〈◊〉 she would ●tter words, which were too wonderful to proceed ordinarily from so simple a reputed woman.  
First, she communicated these V●sions, etc. to one M▪ Richard Master Parson of Aldington in Kent, whose Penitent she was. This Al●ington advised her to go to Mr. Edward Bocking Dr. of Divinity, and a Monk of Christ-church in Canterbury; a man that was ●amous, both for Learning and Devotion, who sent for one Mr. john Deering, another Monk of the same house; all these advised her to go● to the Archbishop of Canterbu●y Doctor Warham, and to take his adv●se therein, and to follow his direction; who (as it was conceived, being conscious of the great ill-will of the people which he had drawn upon h●mself, by being so great a furtherer of the D●vorce, and of the inevitable changes and alterations in Religion, which he then saw evidently to ensue ●●rough his so much compliance with the King) shortly after discoursed with this Maid, died of grief.  
After whose departure from this life, the King (by virtue of his Supremacy) appointed ●ranmer to be Archbishop of Canterbury. This woman's fame did so spread itself abroad over the whole Kingdom, as that she was resorted unto by multitudes of people, and called by them the holy Maid of K●nt, whose virtues were exceedingly extolled by the preachings of Mr. Henry Gold Bachelor in Divinity, and a learned man; Father Hugh Rich Warden of the ●riars Observants in Canterbu●y, and Richard Risby of the same house; and having gone her Perambulation to the Charter-house of London, and Sheane, thence to the Nunnery of Zion, and thence to the Friars of Richmond, Canterbury, and Greenwich, at last she came to the King himself and before him declared her mind fully and plainly (with whom, as she had quiet audience, so she had peaceable departure) at last she came unto the Bishop of Rochester, Dr: john Adeson his Chaplain, and Dr. Thomas Bell, sometimes the Queen's Chaplain, who, as a rarity, admitted her to come before them to hear what she would say, as all men else had done; and now (and not till now) was this business looked upon as a matter of dangerous consequence: the King's Counsel were called together to consult about it, who were divided amongst themselves concerning her; some were for letting her alone, as knowing not what to make of her; others were for rigour and cruelty to be showed against her: in the end forbearance was laid aside, and severity was to take its place, which sentenced it to be a traitorous conspiracy between the Maid and some that were chief of the Clergy, to bring the King and his Government into contempt, and hatred with his people, whereby to encourage them to tumults and insurrections: wherefore the King sent for his Judges, and certain others which were servient to the Law, and propounded the case unto them, acquainting them with that which every one had done, desiring to know their opinions therein: who sitting in long consultation, at last they made result, that Elizabeth Barton, Edward Bockings, john Deering Monks. Richard Masters, Henry Gold Priests. Hugh Rich, and Richard Risby Friars Minors, where all by the Law in case of high Treason, that my Lord of Rochester, Dr. Adeston, Dr. Abel, etc. b●cause they were not the fi●st contrivers of the Matter, but concealers of the Thing, were only in the case of misprision of Treason, viz. loss of Goods, and imprisonment of their Bodies, during the King's pleasure: and thus the King got the opinion of the Judges, but not so home (it was conceived) as he expected.  
This being done, all the forementioned persons, opined to be within the case of high Treason, were attached and carried to Lambeth before the new Archbishop (Cranmer) where, after they had been examined by him, & others of the Commissioners, and charged with Treason, Fiction, and Hypocrisy, Falsehood, Dissimulation, and Conspiracy, Tumults, Rebellion, and Insurrection: they were all sent to the Tower. Thus the King got the parties into prison. Which being done,  
The King called a Parliament in the 25▪ year of his reign, to be held at Westminster upon the 15. day of january, where they were all attainted of high Treason, the Maid judged to b● hanged and headed at Tyburn, the rest to be hanged and quartered alive; the Bishop of Rochester, Dr. Ad●son, Dr. Abel Thomas, Register to the Archdeacon of Cant. and E●ward Thwaites Gent. convicted of misprision of Treason; of which conviction (being it was no more) the Bishop of Rochester for that time, got himself cleared, paying unto the King three hundred pounds.  
A little before this Parliament sat, the Archbishop of Canterbury (Cranmer) had decreed (which decree was made at Dunstable) that the foresaid marriage solemnised between the King and the Lady Katherine, was clearly and absolutely against the Laws of Almighty God, and that it ought to be accepted, reputed, and taken as of no value or effect, but utterly void to all intents and purposes; and that the Marriage which was to be had and solemnised between the King and the Lady Anne Bullein, aught to be taken as undoubtedly true, sincere, and perfect; which Marriage (carrying with it the sovereign imfortunity of all second Marriages) being completed, the same Parliament enacted a Statu●e, which declared the establishment of the King's succession in the imperial Crown, to be upon the issue which he was to have by the present Queen Anne, ratifying whatsoever the foresaid Archbishop of Canterbury had decreed, and disinheriting the issue which the King had by the foresaid Lady Katherine, from all title to the foresaid Crown and Government; or that if any person of what state and condition soever, shall, by writing, printing, or any exterior Act or Deed, procure, or do any thing to the prejudice, slander, disturbance, or derogation of the said Matrimony, or the issue growing of the same, every such person shall be deemed and adjudged as an high Traitor, and suffer such punishment as in case of high Treason is provided; and for the better keeping of this Act, the King's Majesty, together with his Counselors, of their own authority, framed an O●th upon the breaking up of this Parliament (which was upon the 30. day of Ma●ch) and tendered it the same day to all the Lords, both spiritual and temporal, as likewise to all the Commons, and was to be tendered to whom the Commissioners (for the same purpose) should call before them, the words of which Oath were these, viz.  
Ye shall swear to bear Faith, Truth, and all Obedience, only to the King's Majesty, and to his heirs of his body, and of his most dear and entirely beloved wife Queen Anne, begotten, and to be begotten, and further to the heirs of our Sovereign 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 Realm, nor to any other foreign 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 do repute the same as vain, 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 execution 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 means, or any manner of pretences: So help you God, and all his Saints, and the holy Evangelist.  
Which Oath, all the Lords, both spiritual and temporal, took, except the Bishop of Rochester, who absolutely refused it: So the Parliament was ended. But  
The said Bishop had not been 4 days 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 Archbishop's 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 M●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 Bishop's imprisonment was voted lawful. 5. The Supremacy of the Church conferred upon the King, etc. by Act of P●●liament, absolutely▪ and w●●●out the fo●mer clause. 6. An Act 〈◊〉 Parliament making i● treason to deny the King to be supreme head of the Church.  
NOw was the thing come to pass, which was nothing terrible to him, because it was foreseen: wherefore he first makes his Will, and leaves several Legacies to divers persons and uses, as to Michael house in Cambridge, where he received his Education, to St. john's College, to the Poor, to some of his 〈…〉 to all his Servants, whom he leaves weeping behind him, whiles the rest followed him (lamenting his condition) in his journey towards Lambeth. Passing through the City of Rochester, there were a multitude of people gathered together, both citizens and countrymen, to whom he gave his benediction, riding by them all the while bareheaded: some crying, that they should never see him again; others denouncing woes unto them that were the occasions of his troubles; others crying out against the wickedness of the times, and all of them lamenting and bewailing that wh●ch was their misery, and his glory: Thus he passed on his way till he came to Suitors 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 air while as he might: after which dinner he cheerfully took his horse, and came to London the same night.  
The day of his appearance being come, he presented himself before the Archbishop of Canterbury (at Lambeth) the Lord Audely Chancellor of England, Thomas Cromwell the King's Secretary, and the rest of the Commissioners, authorised under the great Seal 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 Moor, who welcomed and saluted the Bishop in these terms, Well met my Lord, I hope we shall meet in Heaven: to which the Bishop replied, This should be the way, Sir Thomas, for it is a very straight gate we are in. There had been Doctor Wilson, sometime the King's Confessor, who, together with Sir Thomas Moor, had both of them refused the Oath a little before the Bishops 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 Clergy of London were warned to appear about the same business, who all of them took the Oath at the same time: Then was it that the B●shop of R●chester was called before the Archbishop, etc. who (putting the B●sh●p in remembrance of the Act which was made by the late Parliament (wh●ch had provided an O●th to be administered to all persons within this Realm, concerning the establishment of the Succession, etc.) how all the Lords, both spiritual and temporal, had taken the said Oath, only himself excepted, how grievously his Majesty was offended with him therefore, how he had given 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 perusing it awhile requested that he might have some tim● to consider upon it; the Commissioners consulting with themselves awhile, granted him five days to consider upon it, and so dismissing him for the present: whence he departed to his own house in Lambeth Marsh.  
During which small time of his abode there, there came divers of h●s friends, rather to take their leaves of, th●n to v●sit him: among which, one Mr. Seton, and Mr. Bransby, Substitutes of the Masters and Fellows of the two Colleges, to which he had showed himself so much their friend, partly to salute him in the name of the two Societies, and partly to desire his confirmation of their Statutes under his Seal 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 Gentlemen, we fear your time is now too short to read them before you go to prison; It is no matter, said the B●shop, than I will read them in prison: that will hardly be permitted (said the trusties) if you come once there; then Gods will be done (said the Bishop) for I shall hardly be drawn to put my seal 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 Bachelor 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 Seal, that if you like them that shall be unto you a confirmation; for I am persuaded, that one time or other, those Statutes will take place; and accordingly it happened, for when this Master Cowper (long after the imprisonment and death of the B●shop of Rochester, and the change and alteration of the times, which had made Religion, Lords, and Laws, all new) committed this Book of Statutes to the custody of one M. T: Watson (a man that afterwards came to great honour & estimation for his profound learning, & was afterwards elected to the Mastership o● S. John's College, and afterwards to the Bishopric of London who (as the B●shop of Rochester foretold) restored them to the house, who admitted them as their only Laws whereby they were wholly governed, during the reign of Queen Mary.  
The time being come when the good Bishop was to give an account of the Premises, he presented himself before the Commissioners, acquainting 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 own conscience) subscribe thereto, except they would give him leave to alter it in some particulars, whereby his own 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 (s●●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 King's 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 ●itted for all things immediately called, upon the 26. year of the King's reign, and upon the 23. day of Novemb. which wrought above nine wonders, lasting but fifteen days, wherein the Bishop of Rochester's imprisonment was voted lawful, and all other men their imprisonments good and lawful, that should refuse to take the foresaid Oath (which authority before was wanting) also another Statute was ●nacted, whereby the Supremacy of the Church of England was given unto the King▪ his Heirs and Successors, to have and enjoy the same, as a title and stile to his imperial Crown, with all Honours, Jurisdictions, Authorities, and Privileges thereunto belonging, with full power and authority, as himself listeth, to visit, repress, redress, reform, order, correct, restrain, and amend all Heresies, Abuses, Errors, and Offences, whatsoever they were, as fully and as amply as the same might, or aught to be, done, or corrected, by any spiritual authority or jurisdiction whatsoever, and that without the clause or condition of quantum per legem Dei lieet, which was as contrary to the King's promise to the Convocation-house, as it was answerable to what the good Bishop forewarned the Clergy of, whiles he 〈◊〉 amongst them. And thus whiles the K●ng acted the Pope, the Bishop became a Prophet.  
This Act being once passed, the King required them to pass 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 Traitor, and suffer and abide such losses and pains, as in ●ases of high Treason is provided.   

CHAP. XX.  
1. The King sends divers learned Bishops to persuade with the Bishop of Rochester to take the Oath. 2. The Bishop of Rochester answers unto the Bishops. 3. Sir Thomas Moor committed to the same prison. 4. The comfort which they received in each other. 5. Their letters intercepted, and the Bishop's man committed to close prison therefore. 6. The simple, yet m●rry question, which he ●ade thereupon. 7. The Lord Chancellor with divers other great Lords sent by the King to persuade the Bishop.  
BUt when that business came to be discussed in the Parliament-house, the Commons themselves began to think it a very hard Law, an● 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 days; at last the King sent them word, that except it could be proved that the party spoke it maliciously, the Statute should not be of any force to condemn: So the word MALICIOUSLY 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 Bishop's hard and close imprisonment, the King (as he had at several other times so done) sent divers of the Privi●-councel (as well Bishops as others) to persuade the B●shop of Rochester to take the oath of Succ●ssion: after that the B●shop had suffered a great deal of Rhetoric to come from them▪ he thus spoke unto them:  
My very good friends, and some of you my old acquaintance, I know you wish me no hurt, but a great deal of good; and I do believe, that upon the terms you speak of, might have the King's favour as much as ever. Wherefore, If you can answer me to one question, I will perform all your desires. What's that my Lord, said one, and all of them? It is this, said the Bishop, What will it gain a man to win the whole world, and to lose his own soul? Whereupon, after some little talk, to no purpose, they all left him; some of them wishing (for their own security) that either they had him in the same danger that they were in, or else that they were endued with the same constancy of mind that he was of: Now the same God which refused him comfort in his Visitants, sent him the consolation of a fellow Sufferer, which was Sir Thomas Moor, the fame of the world, who was now sent to the same prison where he was, and for the same cause; whereat he seemed to conceive no small joy; to whom, as soon as opportunity would give leave, he sent (by his man) his most loving and heart'ly commendations, and received the like from him: between whom (to their comforts) there passed sundry Letters for a while▪ until such time that there was notice taken thereof, and one of their Letters intercepted, and carried to the K●ng● Council; which being read, although there was not in any part of 〈◊〉 lest part of evil, yet was it taken in ●vil part; and a great charge was given unto their Keepers to restrain them from that liberty.  
The Bishops' man being clapped up ● close prisoner, and threatened to be hanged (for carrying Letter's to Sir Thomas Moor) asked the Keeper if there were another Act of Parliament come forth, whereby a man should be hanged for serving his Master? Which coming from a man that was so noted for simplicity, set them into such ● laughter, that after a little examination, as how many Letters he had carried, etc. he was set at liberty, with a strict charge given him, that he should carry no more Letters.  
After the King had tried all other ways, he sent the Lord Chancellor Audely, together with the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Wiltshire, Secretary Cromwell, and divers others of the Council, to the B●shop of Roch●ster, to certify him of the new Law that was lately made concerning the King's Supremacy, and the penalty thereof to them that should gainsay it, or withstand it; and to know, in his Majesty's name, whether he would acknowledge it (as the rest of the Lords, both spiritual and temporal, had done) or not: to which the B●shop, after some pause, replied unto them, My Lords, you present b●fore me a two-edged sword for if I should answer you with a disacknowledgement of the King's Supremacy, that would be my death; and if I should acknowledge the same▪ perhaps contrary to my own conscience, that would be assuredly unto me worse than death; wherefore I make it my humble request unto you, that you would bear with my silence, for I shall not make any direct answer to it at all. Whereupon the Commissioners were nothing satisfied, but urged him more and more to answer one way or other, directly telling him how displeasing such kind of shift will appear unto his Majesty, how much the King was formerly displeased with his correspondence with S●r Thomas Moor; wherefore, said the Lord Chancellor, if you should now thus use him, you would exasperate his grievous indignation against you more and more, and give him just cause to think that ye deal more stubbornly with him, than well becomes the duty of a good Subject.  
To which the Bishop replied, That as concerning the Letters which had passed between him and Sir Thomas Moor, he wished with all his heart they were now to be read; which if they were (said he) t●ey would declare more innocence than hurt on our behalf, most of them being only friendly salutations, and encouragements to patience. Indeed I was a little curious (knowing the great learning and profound w●t that is in the man) to know what answer he had made to the questions which were asked him concerning the Statute, which answers he sent unto me, as I had sent unto him mine: And this is all the conspiracy that was between us, upon that conscience which I suffer for, and will suffer ● thousand deaths, before ever it shall be called upon by me to justify the least untruth: And whereas you tell me, that his Majesty will be much displeased with me for this doubtful kind of answer: truly, my Lords, no man shall be more sorry for the King's displeasure, than he that tells you he is s●rry to displease the King: but when the case so stands, that (in speaking) I cannot please him, except I displease Almighty God, I hope his Majesty will be well satisfied with my silence.  
Then said Mr. Cromwell, Wherein do you (more than other men, who have satisfied the King's desires herein) think you sh●ll displease Almighty God? B●cause (said the B●sh●op) I know how my own conscience dictates to me but do not how another's may inform him. If your conscience be so settled, said my Lord Chancellor, I doubt not but you can give us some good reasons for it. Ind●e● my Lord (said the B●shop) I think I am able to give your Lordship's reasons that perhaps may seem sufficient why my conscience stands affected as it doth and could be well contented that you hear them, could I declare my mind with safety, and without offence unto his Majesty, and his Laws. After which not a word more was spoken for that time; but calling for the Lieutenant, they re-delivered him unto his custody, giving the Lieutenant a strict charge that no further conference, or messages, should pass between him and Sir Thomas Moor, or any other▪  
All which being related to the King upon their return to Court, the King swore they were all fools, and asked them if there wer● not more ways to the wood than one: they told his Majesty that they had tried all the wai●s that they could find or think upon, advising his Majo to send some of his own Coat unto him, to persuade him further, as thinking it more proper for them: but the King swore Mother of God, both Moor and he should take the Oath, or he would know why they should not, and they should make them do it, or he would see better reasons why they could not; wishing them to see his face no more, until it were done.   

CHAP. XXI.  
1. The notable slights which the Council used to procure the two Prisoners (Fisher and Moor) to take the Oath. 2. The King sends the most grave and learnedst Bishops unto him. 3. How the Bishop's Man set upon his Master to persuade him, after such time as the Bishops were gone, and could not prevail with him. 4. Bishop Fisher is created Cardinal by Paul the third, Pope of Rome. 5. The Cardinal's Hat was sent as far as Calais. 6. The King sends to stop it from coming any further.  
THe Lords were by this time put to their trump●, and to use their wits, how they might bring this thing to pass: wherefore the next morning they sent for Sir Thomas Moor to come to Court, and after they had kept them there three houred waiting upon them, they admitted him into their presence, and causing the Door to be close shut, they discoursed with him about half an hour, the main subject of the discourse being to persuade him to conformity, and compliance with the King in these demands, and to assure him how graciously (thereupon) he should be received into the King's favour, and accustomed good opinion of him: but all being in vain, he was detained in s●fe custody within the Court, and a strict charge was given that he should not speak with any man and that none should be permitted to speak to him. This being done, it was given out, that Sir Thomas Moor had taken the O●th, so that all men believed it. This done, they sent for the B●shop of Rochester the same day, and urged him very sor●ly to take the Oath of Supremacy, saying, that he (resting himself wholly upon Sir Thomas Moor, by whose persuasion he stood out so stiffly against the King) had now no reason but to do as he had done, who showing him now the way, they all expected him to do no otherwise than to fo●low the good example which he had given him, and be received unto the like grace and favour with the King, as his fellow-prisoner was at that time received: the good B●shop hearing as much befor●, and now those Lords justifying as much as he had heard, believed no less, an● seemed to be much troubled thereat, and sorrowful for his sake; ●ut in the end, he thus spoke unto the Lords, My Lords, I confess I am a little perplexed at that which you now tell me, which is no more than what I have heard already am exceeding sorrowful that that courage should row be wanting to him which I once thought never would have failed him and th●t constancy had not been an addition to all his other great and singular virtues: But I am not a fit man to blame him, in regard I was never assaulted with those strong temptation's 〈◊〉 of and childr●●n) the which, it 〈…〉 lodgings; and it was likewise given out, that the Bishop had subscribed to, and taken the oath of Supremacy, and that he was then conducted to the King to kiss his hand.  
In this interim, it happened that Mrs. Margaret Roper, (the darling daughter to Sir Thomas Moor, one that had much access unto the Lords by reason of her great friends and manifold perfections) was at the same time at the Council door, with a Petition in her hand, thinking to deliver it unto the Lords in the behalf of her Father, to procure him more enlargement within the Tower, than what he formerly had enjoyed; and hearing of her Fathers being there, was resolved to inform herself of the event of that day's Conference; which the Lord Chancellor Audely perceiving, and knowing her business, went out unto her, and thus thought to persuade how the daughter's thimble might prick a needle into the father's conscience, viz. Mrs. Roper, I am sorry I can do you no more service, in that which you so earnestly solicit in your father's behalf: truly Mrs. Roper your father is to blame to be so obstinate, and self-willed, in a business wherein no man in the whole Realm stands out but only he, and a blind Bishop, and yet that bishop was not so blind, but at the la●●, with much ado, we have brought him to see his own error; with that Mrs. Margaret gave a spring for joy, and asked him, Are you sure that my Lord of Rochester hath taken the Oath? Yes, said the Lord Chancellor; and more than that, he is now with the King, and you will see him at liberty, and in great favour with the King; then I will warrant you, said the poor Gentlewoman, that my Father will not hold out: Go, said the Lord Chancellor, and persuade your Father (that he do not) before he be brought before us; for I wish him well, and it is a great pity that such a man as he should be cast away. Away goes Mrs. Margaret to her father, but could not be admitted to speak with him; back she comes to the L. Chan. and procures his warrant of admittance: in she comes unto her father, & tells him all that she heard with a great deal of confidence; when her father had heard all that she would say, he only answered her with a soft voice, peace daughter, my L. of Rochester hath not taken the Oath: yes indeed father, it is so, said his daughtter, for my L. Chancellor told me as much with his own mouth, who wisheth you well, and my L. of Rochest. is at liberty, and is now with the K. and in great favour: Away, away, you fool, said Sir Tho: Moor, thou are not used to these s●●ights, I know the tricks of them all, they think to take me in a Poppet snatch, but they are deceived; and I tell thee more, if the Bishop had taken the Oath, yet it should never be taken by me: A Bishop is a correcter of Vice, but no precedent for Sin. After they had had much talk to this, and no purpose, Sir Thomas Moor was sent for to appear before the Lords, where he was no sooner entered the Room, but they all called upon him to do as my Lord of Rochester had done before him; all of them using no other arguments, but my Lord of Rochester, my Lord of Rochester, as my Lord of Rochester had showed him a good example; Sir Thomas Moor asked them where my Lord of Rochester was? saying, that if he could but speak with my Lord of Rochester, it may be his motives might induce him to take the Oath; they told him that my L. of Roch. was where he might also be, viz. with the King, if that he would do but as he hath done: May I not speak with him, said Sir Thomas Moor, before I take this Oath? They answered, that he should speak with him as soon as ever he had taken it, but to speak with him before, was not so proper, because than it would be said he pinned his judgement upon another's sleeve, neither would they wish him to desire it, in regard that the King would then have cause to thank the Bishop, and not him, for such his condescension; and besides, that would be too great a slighting of us that are here, in that you will not take our words for such a business: I pray you then, said Sir Thomas Moor, let me see his hand, if he have subscribed: That said the Chancellor, is carried also with him to the King: Then let me tell you, said Sir Thomas Moor, that I do not believe that my Lord of Rochester hath either subscribed his hand, or taken the Oath; and if he had done both, I could do neither. Whereupon they were both sent back to the Tower.  
The King (seeing these engines would not hold) betook himself to the advice which the Lords had formerly given him, and he refused to take, viz. of sending unto him men of his own Coat, to persuade with him in this business; wherefore he sent for Dr. Stokesly Bishop of London; St●phen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester; Dr. Tunstall B●shop of Durham, and commanded them to repair immediately unto their Brother of Rochester, and see what they could do, and see they did it; for he would have it done. These men (knowing there was no mercy to be had, if they did not do their uttermost endeavour, at the least to give the King all manner of satisfaction herein) went to the Tower and dealt heartily with the Bishop in that business.  
But before I will tell you what answer the Bishop made unto their importunities therein (that you may the better know the miseries of those times) you shall first understand that these very men (after that this good man was dead and rotten) perceiving this Supremacy to exercise its authority more and more, until at last it came to alteration of their Religion in point of Doctrine) would often weep most bitterly, and careless of themselves, w●sh ●hat they had stuck to their Brother Fisher, and not to have left him wholly to ●●mself, as wickedly they did, and not only so, bu● they would preach the same openly in their Pulpits, and upon all other occasions, and times of meeting, and that b●fore the Lords of the 〈◊〉, and sometimes in the Kings hearing, which d●●w great commiseration from their hearers, and at last the K●ng himself to serious animadversions of what he had 〈◊〉, and at last to a rectification of what he 〈◊〉 he had done amiss, by his 〈◊〉 enjoying of the six main Articles of 〈◊〉 Religion (which these Bishops 〈…〉) to be propounded unto al● his Subjects & to be subscribed unto, in which Religion the K. died, and in the reign of K. E●w. 6. (when 〈◊〉 Supremacy was held in a 〈…〉 over a child's head, being then 〈◊〉 before the King's Commissioners, and 〈◊〉 urged to proceed according to the fruits of those times) they did not only recant their former doings, but suffered themselves to be deprived of so great dignities, and to endure the same prison, where, for the space of five years, they had no other comfort but the expectation of that Martyrdom, which might be an expiation to them of those errors, which fear and worldly vanity, had caused them to run into; which resignation of themselves so willingly into the hands of Almighty God, was answered with a me●cy, which restored th●m unto their former liberties, dignities, and honours, in the beginning of the reign of Qu. Mary. But to return to my former story.  
When the●e men had persuaded the good B●shop all they could, to do what their own conscience tol● th●m should not hav● been done, the good B●sh●p made them this reply.  
My Lords, 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 me so much to be urged so sorely ●n a 〈◊〉 of this nature▪ as it doth wound me grievously that I should be urged by you, whom it concerns as much as 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 but defend your cause, whiles you so plead against yourselves; it would 〈◊〉 become us all to stick together in repressing the violences and injuries, which daily are obtruded upon our holy mother the Catholic Church, whom we have all in common, than thus divided amongst ourselves to help on the mischief: but I see judgement is begun at the house of God; and I see no hope, if we fall, that the rest will stand; you see we are besieged on every side, and the fort is betrayed by those who should defend it: and since We have made no better resistance. We are not the men that shall see an end of these calamities: wherefore I pray leave me to Almighty god, in whom only there is comfort, which no man can deprive me of; and for that you have so often told me of the King's heavy displeasure agasnst me, I pray remember my duty to his Grace, and tell him, I had rather exercise the duty that I owe unto his Grace, in praying for him, than in pleasing him in this kind. So they departed from him with heavy hearts, and sad countenances, and never came unto him any more.  
Within a while after, that the Bishops were thus gone, the poor fellow (his man) that waited upon him, being somewhat simple, and hearing all the discourse, began to take his Master in hand, thinking he had not got reason enough to speak thus unto his Lord and Master, Alas my Lord, why should you stick (said he) with the King, more than the rest of the Bishops, which are learned and godly men? Doubt ye not he requireth no more of you, but only that you would say he is Head of the Church; and methinks that is no great matter; for your Lordship may still think as you please: whereat the Bishop fell into such a fit of laughter, that he little thought he sh●●ld have laughed so much so long as he had a day to live: but the man taking courage at this, began to prosecute his begun discourse in a manner which he thought more serious, which the Bishop cut short with this composure of jest and earnest, Tush, tush, thou art but a fool, and knows but little what belongs to this business; but hereafter thou mayst know more. Alas poor fellow, I know thou lovest me, and speakest this out of simplicity and love together; but I tell thee, it is not only for the Supremacy that I am thus tossed and tumbled▪ but also for another Oath (meaning the Oath of Succession) which if I would have sworn unto, I believe I should never have been much questioned for the Supremacy; nor is it for these two that I stand out, but for the ensuing evils, that must necessarily follow hereupon: And this thou mayst say another day thou hast heard me speak. when I am dead and gone.  
Upon the 21. of May, and in the year of our Lord 1535: Paul the third, Pope of Rome (hearing the fame of this good Bishops' constancy, and sufferings, in defence of the Catholic Church) at the solemn creation of Cardinals in Rome, in the first year of his consec●ation (among divers other worthy and famous men) he nominated this good Bishop Fisher for one that should be made a Cardinal, where, upon the same day before specified, he also was entitled, Sanct. Ro. Ecclesiae tituli Sancti vit. pretriter Cardinalis. This the Pope did for his great worth, and merits sake, thinking that by reason of the dignity and advancement of so high a degree of eminence, that either the King would use him with more clemency for his dignity sake, or else that he might thereby heap further trouble and danger upon the King, if notwithstanding that dignity, he continued such his displeasure against him: and this was it that clean threw him over the perch, and brought him a fiery chariot to his journey's end, whirled by all the furious winds of rage and madness; for upon the sending of the Cardinal's Hat to him from Rome, which was intended to have been performed with the greatest ceremony that ever any Hat was sent from thence (taking no notice of the condition he was in) whereby it was conceived, that the King would reflect within himself, and take some heed how he offended so great a body as had the Universe for its Dimension: but it fell out otherwise, for Harry the 8. (for all the other Kings were called Henries) with his dagger, was resolved to go thorough● stitch with what he had begun; wherefore, as soon as ever he had intelligence hereof, he sent immediately to Calais to stop the favour of the Pope, from coming any further into his Dominions, until his pleasure therein was further known, which was done accordingly.   

CHAP. XXII.  
1. The K. sends his Secretary to the Bp. to know of him, that in case the Pope should send unto him a Cardinal's Hat, whether he would accept of it, or not. 2. The Bishop's answer thereunto. 3. The King highly offended with his answer. 4. A notable, but most wicked policy, to entrap the Bishop within Delinquency. 5. A Commission to inquire and determine Treasons. 6. Three Monks of the Charter-house executed.  
IMmediately hereupon, the King sent Mr: Thomas Cromwell his Secretary, to this good Father, thus in prison, to advertise him what was done, and to hear what he would say thereto; who (being come into the Prisoner's chamber) after some other conference had passed between them, concerning divers other businesses, he said unto him, My Lord of Rochester, what would you say if the Pope should send you a Cardialls Hat, would you accept of it? whereat the Bishop of Roch●ster replied, Sir I know myself to be so far unworthy of any such dignity, that I think of nothing less; but if any such thing should happen, assure yourself I should improve that favour to the best advantage that I could, in assisting the holy Catholic Church of Christ, and in that respect I would receive it upon my knees.  
Mr. Cromwell making a report of this answer (afterwards) to the King, the King said with great indignation, Yea, Is he yet so lusty? Well, let the Pope send him a Hat when he will, Mother of God he shall wear it on his shoulders then, for I will leave him never a head to set it on.  
And now was this impregnable piece of Constancy, and strong so ● of Innocence's, surrounded on every side, by the most watchful eyes, and diligent enquiry, how a breach may be made into it by the battery of the new Law, for prejudice to enter. In order to which Machination it was resolved upon (after that the blessed man had continued a prisoner (within the Tower) the space of a whole year, and somewhat more) that one Mr. Richard Rich (than Solicitor general, and a man in great trust about the King) should be sent unto the B●shop, as from the King, upon some secret message, to be imparted to him on his Majesty's behalf; which Message was to this effect, viz. that he had a great secret to impart unto him from the King, which was a case of Conscience; for, said he, the truth is, my Lord, that though you are looked upon (as you now look upon yourself) as a man utterly forlorn, yet I must tell you, and not as from myself, but as a thing uttered to you by the Kings express commands, that there is no man within the King's dominions, that he looks upon, as a more able man, or a man upon whose honesty and upright dealings he will more rely, than on yourself, and what you shall be pleased to say in that behalf; wherefore he bids me tell you, that you should speak your mind boldly and freely unto me, as to himself, concerning the business of Supremacy, protesting upon his royal word, and the dignity of a King, that if he should tell him plainly it were unlawful, he would never undertake it: And one thing more (said he) he wished me to acquaint you with, which is, that you may see how far his royal heart, and pious inclination, is from the exercise of any unjust or illegal jurisdiction thereby, that if you will but acknowledge his Supremacy, you yourself shall be his Vicar general over his whole Dominions, to see that nothing shall be put in execution, but what shall be agreeable both to the 〈◊〉 of God, and good men's liking: 〈◊〉 (saith he) the K. thinks that while 〈◊〉 people acknowledge any other Head besides himselve, his Crown ●its not safe nor rightly upon his own: Wherefore I pray, my Lord, since the King hath been so 〈◊〉 pleased to open his breast unto you in these particulars, that you will answer the respect with an ingenuity that shall be 〈◊〉 to such high favour, and that without any the least suspicion of any ●raud or guile intended to your good Lordship, either by him or me.  
The poor Bishop thinking he had assurance enough in conscience, when for Conscience-sake his opinion was required in such and such matters, answered thus freely.  
Worthy Sir, As to those high Commendations which his MAJESTY (by your own mouth) is pleased to give me, I think them higher than what deservedly can stoop so low to take into due consideration; so mean worth as that which every one must look to find, that makes true search into me; however, according to the ability and faithfulness which is resident in this poor piece of earth, I shall answer freely, and without fear of any other intentions towards me, than what is just and honourable.  
As to the business of Supremacy I must needs tell his Majesty, as I have often told him heretofore, and would so tell him, if I were to die this present hour, that it is utterly unlawful; and therefore I would not wish his Majesty to take any such power or title upon him, as he loves his own soul, and the good of his posterity; for it will be such a precedent as none will follow, whiles all will wonder at it, and will never leave this Land till it lies bu●ied with the first power that first assumed it: And to what purpose were it to make me his Vicar general of his whole Dominions, to see that nothing were done contrary to the Laws of God, when nothing is more contrary to God's Law, than that I should be so?  
And as to his Majesty's conception of his Crown, not sitting rightly upon his head, whiles his people (as so many half Subjects) own any other head besi●e himself; I must tell you, my Lord, that such a kind of headship is no more prejudicial to the temporal Supremacy, than judgement (which is the top of the soul) is inconvenient to the intellects: for I must tell you (my Lord) there were never any greater stays, or supporters to any Crown, than were your English Catholics all along unto the Crown of England, and that even against all, or any the least encroachment offered or attempted to be made, even by the Bishop of Rome himself, 
Stat. King Rich. 2.  as you shall find in the Statute Laws of King Richard the second, where you shall find (in many businesses wherein the Pope of Rome himself was interessed) the Roman Catholics 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 Crown) 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 spiritual jurisdiction) to be their most holy Father. And  
This the Author assures the Reader to be taken notice of by B●shop Bilso●, 
●. Bills. in his true difference between Christian & Antichristian Rebellion. part 3. pag. 243. 244.  where he brings in this Parliament (consisting then altogether of Roman Catholics) thus expressing their loyalti●● to their Sovereign Prince, viz. We will be with our said Sovereign Lord the King, and his said Crown, and his Regality in cases aforesaid, and in all other cases attempted against him, his Crown and Dignity, in all points to live and di●.  
Nor will I only bring in your Protestant Bishops, but also your Protestant Chronologies of latest Editions averring the same, viz. Holinshead, 
Hol. in his second volume of the last edition, p● 309. b. line 66.  where you may find how in the reign of King Edward the first, all the Lords (then Catholics, assembled a● Lincoln in Parliament, in the name of all the Estates) did answer the Pope's right to judge etc. viz. that they would not consent that their King should do any thing that should tend to the disinheriting of the right of the Crown of England, 
Holins. ib. pag. 310. line 2.  and that it was never known (wherefore never practised) that the King of this Land had answered, or aught to answer, for their Rights in the same Realm, before any Judge, Ecclesiastical, or Secular. And  
Yet notwithstanding all this, in their special Letter writ to the same Pope (Boniface) at the same time they thus wrote unto him.  
Boniface, 
Ibid. p. 30. a. line 11.  by God's providence, high Bishop of the holy Roman, and universal Church, styling themselves his devout Sons, where (notwithstanding all this) it consisted with their Devotion, further, to affirm, that the King of England ought not to answer for any of their Rights in the said Realm, or for any of their Temporalties before any Judge Ecclesiastical, by reason of the free pre-eminence of the Estate of the Royal Dignity, and Custom kept without breach at all times, and after full treaty and deliberation, 
Ibid. pag. 310. a. l. 11.  it was consistent likewise with their devotion, to make it their common argument and unanimous consent 
Ibid. pag. 310. a. l. 14.  (which agreement they said should be without fail in time to come) that their foresaid Lord the King, 
Ibid. pag. 311. a. l. 2.  ought not by any means, to answer in judgement, nor send any Proctors to the Pope's presence; 
Ibid. pag. 311. a. l. 9  especially seeing that the premises tended manifestly to the disinheriting of the Crown of England, and also to the hurting of the Liberties and Laws of their Fathers, and the duties of their Oath made, which (said they) we will maintain 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 only bring you your own Chronicles, 
Annotations upon the R●●m. 〈◊〉. cap. 13. 2. An. in 1 Pet. cap. 2. 13.  but our own Annotations upon our own Testaments, where you shall find Catholics acknowleging themselves bound in conscience to obey their Emperors and Governors, though they were Heathens and Persecutors.  
Our greatest Champions, 
Bell. li. de ●aic●s. c. 10. & 11.  where you shall find Bellarmine himself maintaining how that the Laws of Magistrates do bind even the consciences of Christians.  
Our strictest Casuists, 
of Dr. Keilison in his Survey printed 1603. p. 480.  where you shall find them averring how that Faith is not necessary to jurisdiction, and that Authority cannot be lost by the loss of Faith.  
Your own Protestant Apology for the Church of Rome, 
Tract. 3. sect. 5. written by I. Brer●ly An. 1608.  though writ by us, yet made by you, where you shall find the Roman Catholics acknowledging themselves indissolubly bound by all Laws (Humane and Divine) in the highest degree of all earthly Allegiance, to the present temporal 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 own submissions and protestations (in the vindication of our Loyalty to the temporal Magistrate) as the declared will of God in that behalf, where you shall find us quoting all these several texts of Scripture out of the Word of God, to the same purpose, 
Exo. 22, 28  how that we ought not to speak evil of our Governors, 
Act. 23. 5.  though they should perscecute us, 
Eccl. 10. 20  nor so much as to think amiss of them, 
Rom. 13. 2.  but to be subject to them, 
Rom. 13. 5.  and that not only for necessity, but for conscience sake, lest otherwise we should be damned.  
Where should a man find better Subjects? and yet these are the men who have been traduced all along, as inconsistent with politic Government. And why should the same Loyalty be suspected at any time, still to remain within the same breasts, since that their Religion, Laws, (both Civil and Ecclesiastical) Custom, Provision for the future, present Practice, Oaths 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) appear against the present Government, like Aries, Scorpio, Leo, Sagitarius, etc. as if they would all, and every one of them, wound each part and member of this body politic; the Roman Catholics, like Pisces (the Emblem of the Fisherman) are contented to remain quiet under foot.  
And this digression from the Subject we have in hand, I have presumed to make, whereby the courteous Reader may be more courteous, if he please, to Roman Catholics, 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 clapped upon their faces; and therefore let not (hereafter) a few discoloured, powder-spi●ited, and inconsiderate men (among so many thousands (of the same Religion, and better quality) that were then ignorant of, and afterwards detesting the design as diabolical) blow up a whole cause, so universal, or contract any tragical, or immoderate application, for some few's sake, against the whole, any more than equity herself 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 addicted to one or other Religion) more faithful, peaceable, and loyal Subjects, than were the Roman Catholics excepting an exception which makes, but never mars a general rule.  
What if this good B●shop had lived to see how in the days of Queen Elizabeth, when she first took ●upon her the government of this Land (although that Catholics were then the chiefest Ministers, both in Church and State, and had (at that time) the government of both settled in that course, and therefore questionless were sufficient to have used any indirect, or sorcible means, if such kind of loyalty had been consistent with their Religion, to have impugned that alteration in Religion, then evidently foreseen to ensue) how the Catholic Bishops (although she was a Princess of a contrary Religion) were so far from holding their crosirers over, 
Hol. vol 3. An. Eliz. 26. p. 1358 Ib. p. 1360. b. line 26. Ib l. 26. Ib. l. 35. Ib. l. 40.  that they set the Crown upon her head (insomuch) that they are commended by Holinsheaa for peaceable and quiet Bishops) and the Catholic and temporal Lord there by him recorded to be so far from opposing themselves against her interest, 
Ib. l. 53. 54. etc.  as that they are there said to offer her Majesty in her defence to impugn and resist any foreign force, though it should come from the Pope himself, insomuch that they (also) are there commended by Holinshead himself for Loyalty and Obedience, and had seen how the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, himself, 
Holi●s. ubi supra, p. 1170. 2. l. 35. 36.  and Chancellor of England (a Catholic B●shop) how instead of inveighing against her, or casting forth Libels against her Authority (as Archbishop Cranmer did against Queen Mary, her entrance into the Government) he made a public oration in her behalf, to persuade the people to Obedience, and acknowledge of her Highness' just Power and Authority, insomuch that the said Archbishop's faithfulness was left to the commendation of a Protestant Bishop, 
Goodwin in his Catalogue of Bishops.  adverse to him in his Religion, how all the Catholic Lords, and Catholic Bishops, repaired with all speed to London, to proclaim her Queen, 
Hol. ubi supra, p. 1170. l. 15▪  who not long after, turned them all out of their several Offices and Bishoprics. And  
On the contrary, how when Qu. Mary was to be invested in her right, 
As the Suffolk people, S●ow in his Annals. p. ● 1046.  Protestants would not receive her as their Queen, but upon Conditions; nor assist her without Indentures; nor acknowledge her but upon such and such terms; 
S●ow An▪ printed 1592. p. 1039. and 1045.  how War was waged against her by the Duke of Northumberland, a Protestant Duke; bills spread abroad, and several treacherous practices contrived against her, & her Right and Dignity, 
Stow. An. p. 1046.  by Archbishop Cranmer, a Protestant Archbishop (for which he was afterwards arraigned and condemned of high Treason) what great commotions and insurrections were made against her by Wyatt upon the score of Religion; 
Stow. An. p. 1047.  how Towns and Castles were taken and held out against her by Stafford; 
Stow. ubi supra, pag. 1039. p. 1058.  how daggers were thrown at, and guns shot off, at the Priests of her Religion, whiles they were preaching at Paul's Cross, insomuch that it is notorioslny evident, that there were more open Rebellions during the five years of her short government, than during the four and forty years of her late Majesty's after-reigne, and yet these, and such like men as these, are accounted Martyrs, whiles we only suffered Martyrdom.  
Had this good Bishop, I say, lived to have seen, and to have observed all these particulars, how much more able would he have been to have answered Master Rich his Objection (from his Majesty) concerning the inconsistency of the Pope of Rome's spiritual, with his temporal Supremacy; but now both the Fish and the F●sher himself, is caught within the Net that was laid for him; for Mr. Richardo was no sooner departed from him, but immediately after the King commanded a Commission to be drawn, and given to Mr. Audely his Lord Chancellor, and certain other persons commissionated under his great Seal, to inquire and determine Treasons; which Commission was dated the first day of june, in the 27. year of the King's reign, against which time the King's learned Council, among the rest, had drawn up an Indictment of high Treason against the Bishop of Rochester, and three Monks of the Charter-house of London, whose names were William Exmew, Humphrey Midlemore, and Schastian Nudigate. This Indictment was not long in finding; for on St. Barnaby's day (the Apostle) being the 11. of june; it was presented to the Commissioners sitting in the King's Bench at Westminster: whereupon the Carthusians were shortly after arraigned, and condemned; and having sentence of high Treason pronounced upon them, they were all three put to death at Tyburn, the 19 day of june next following, all in their Religious habits.  
But this good Bishop of Rochester (now Cardinal, if it be lawful to call him so) chanced at that time to be very sick, insomuch that he had likely to have saved the Commissioners, and divers others a great deal of pains, which afterwards they bestowed upon him, and it is conceived would willingly have spared, wherefore the King sent unto him his own Physicians to administer unto him, to his great charges (as I have it in my Record) to the value of fifty pounds, only that he might be e●served for further trial. In the mean time, lest any conveyance might be made of his good remaining at Roch●●ter, or elsewhere in Kent, the King sent one Sir Richard Morison of his Privy chamber, and one Gostwick together with divers other Commissioners, down into that Country, to make seizure of all his movable goods that they could find there; who being come unto Rochester, according to their Commission entered his house, and the first thing which they did, they turned out all his Servants, than they fell to rifling his goods, whereof the chief part of them were taken for the King's use, the rest they took for themselves; then they came into his Library, which they found so replenished, and with such kind of Books, as it was thought the like was not to be found again in the possession of any one private man in Christendom; with which they ●russed up, and filled 32. great fats, or pipes, besides those that were imbezel'd away, spoiled, and scattered; and whereas many years before he had made a deed of gift of all these books, and other his householdstuff, to the College of St. johne in Cambridge (as in the beginning of this History it was mentioned) two frauds were committed in this trespass; the College were bereft of their gif●, and the Bishop of his purpose, yet both found out a way, through gratitude, to a reception; for the College accepted the good will for the deed, and the Almighty received the giver for his goodwill: and whereas a sum of money of 3001. was given by a Predecessor of the Bishop, to remain as a D●positum for ever to the said See of Rochester, in the custody of the Bishop for the time being, against any occasion that might happen to the Bishopric; to which this good B●shop had added one hundred pounds out of his own purse, with this inscription upon a label which hung out at the bags mouth, Tu quoque fac simile, and notwithstanding▪ that there was there written, in an old character upon the inside of the Chest, Let no man offer to lay hands on this, for it is the Church's Treasure: yet they swept it all away. And  
I cannot omit (as a Scene of mirth in this sad Tragedy) to relate unto you one merry passage, which happened in this quaerendum, There was a wooden coffer strongly girded about with hoops of iron, and double l●cked, which stood in his Oratory, where commonly no man came but himself, for it was his secret place of Prayer. This Coffer thus fenced about, and in so private a place, and close unto him, every man believed 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 consequence a● this was thought to be, wherefore witnesses were solemnly called to be present, so the Coffer was broken up before them, and much pains was taken in ●breaking up th● Coffer; but when it was open, they found within it, instead of gold and silver, which they looked for, a shirt of hair, and two or three whips, wherewith he used full often to punish himself, as some of his Chaplains and Servants have often reported, that were near 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 coffer, he was very sorry for it, and said, that if hast had not made him forget that, and many things else, ●●ose things had not been to be found there at that time.  
After this good B●shop was recovered to some better strength, by the help of his Physicians, and that he was more able to be carried abroad, he was on Thursday the 17. of june, brought to the King's Bench at Westminster, from the Tower, with a huge number of Holberts, Bills, and other weapons, about him, and the Axe 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 road 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 weakness. As soon as he was come to Westminster, he was there presented at the Bar 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, H●nry Earl of Comberland, Thomas Earl of Wiltshire, Thomas Cromwell Secretary, Sir john Fitz. james Chief justice of England, Sir john Baldwin Chief Justice of the Common-pleas, Sir William Pawlet, Sir Richard Lyster Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Sir john Port, Sir john Spilman, and Sir Walter late Justices of the King's Bench, and Sir Anthony Fitzherbert one of the Justices of the Common-pleas. Being thus presented before these Commissioners, he was commanded, by the name of john Fisher late of Rochester, Clerk, otherwise called john Fisher Bishop of Rochester, to hold up his hand, which he did, with a most cheerful 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, & falsely, had said these words, The King our sovereign Lord, is not Supreme head in the earth, of the Church of England: and b●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 Freeholders' of Middlesex) called to try this Issue, whose names were these, Sir Hugh Vaughan Knight, Sir Walter Langford Knight, Thomas Burbage, john Nudygate, William Browne, john Hewes, jasper Leak, john Palmer, Richard Henry Young, Henry Lodisman, john Elrington, and George Heveningham, Esquires, These twelve men being sworn to try whether the prisoner were guilty of this Treason or no, at last came forth to g●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 plain 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 astonished thereat; wherefore he said to him in this menner: Mr. R●ch, I cannot but marvel to hear you come in, and bear witness 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 committed no Treason; for upon what occasion, and for what cause it might be said, yourself 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 myself.  
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 needful to be recited, because they tended so much to my praise, as I was not only 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 King's Supremacy, lately granted unto him by Act of Parliament, to the which he said, although all the Bishops in the Realm have consented, except yourself alone, and also the whole Court of Parliament, both spiritual and temporal, except a very few; yet he told me, that the King, for better satisfaction of his own conscience, had sent him unto me in this secret manner, to know my full opinion in the matter: for the great affiance he had in me more than any other: he ad●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 mind of the new Act of Parliament, which standing in force as it doth against all them that shall directly say, or do any thing that is against it, might thereby ●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 peril for it, neither that any aduntage 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 mind secretly to him, as to his own person: and for the messenger himself, he gave me his faithful promise that he would never utter my words in this matter to any man living, but to the King alone: Now therefore, my Lords, quoth he, seeing it pleased the King's Majesty to send to me thus secretly, under the pretence of plain and true meaning, to know my poor advice and opinion in these his weighty and great affairs, which I most gladly w●● and ever will be, willing to send him in; methinks it is very hard in justice to hear the messenger's Accusation, and to allow the same as a sufficient testimony against me in case f Treason. ●o this the messenger made no direct answer; but (neither denying his words as false, nor confessing them as true) said, that whatever he had said unto him on the K●●gs behalf, he said no more than his Maj●ty commanded; and, said he, if I had said to you in such sor● as you have declared, I would gladly know what discharge this is to you in Law against his Majesty, for so directly speaking against the Statute; whereat some of the Judges taking quick hold one after another, said, that this message, or promise from the King to him, ne●ther could, nor did, by rigour of the Law, discharge him; but in 〈…〉 claring of his mind and conscience against the Supremacy, yea, though it were at the Kings own commandment or request, he committed Treason by the Statute, and nothing can discharge him from death but the King's pardon.  
This good Father perceiving the small account made of his words, and the favourable credit given to his accuser, might then easily ●inde in which door the wind blew, wherefore directing his speeches to the Lords his Judges, he said, yet I pray you my Lords consider, that by all equity, justice, worldly honesty, and courteous dealing, I cannot (as the ●ase standeth) be directly charged therewith, as with Treason, though I had spoken the words indeed, the same being not spoken maliciously but in the way of advice and counsel, when it was requested of me by the King himself, and that favour the very words of the Statute do give me, being made only against such as shall maliciously gainsay the King's Supremacy, and none other: wherefore, although by rigour of Law, you may take occasion thus to condemn me, yet I hope you cannot find Law, except you add rigour to th●● law to cast me down, which herein I hope I have not deserved. To which it was answered by some of the Judges, that the word maliciously is but a supe●●●●ous and void wo●d, for if a man speak against the King's Supremacy by any manner of means, t●a● speakingly to be understood, and taken in Law, as 〈◊〉.  
My Lords, said he, if the Law be so understood, than it is a hard exposition, and (as I take it) contrary to the meaning of the● that made the Law. But then l●t me demand this question, whether a single testimony of one man may be admitted as sufficient to prove me guilty of treason for speaking these words, or no? and whether my answer, Negatively, may not be accepted against his Affirmative to my avail and benefit, or no? To that the Judges and Lawyers answered (that being the King's case) it rested much in conscience and di●ecretion of the Jury, and as they, upon the evidence given before them, shall find it, you are either to be acquitted, or else by judgement to be condemned. The Jury having heard all this s●●ple Evidence, d●parted (according to the order) into a secret place, there to agree upon the Verdict; 〈◊〉 ●ore they w●nt from the place, the case was so aggravated to them by my Lord 〈◊〉, making it so heinous and dangerous a treason, that they easily perceived what verdict they must return; others heap such danger upon their own heads, as none of them were willing to undergo; some other of the Commissioners charged this most reverend man with obstinacy and singularity, alleging, that he being but one man, did presumptuously stand against that which was in the gre●t Cou●cell of Parliament ag●●d upon, and finally was consented unto by all the Bishops of this Realm, saving himself alone. But to that he answered, that indeed he might well be accounted singular, if he alone should stand in this matter (as they said) but having on his part the rest of the Bishops in Chr●ttendorme far surmounting the number of the Bishops of Engl. he, said they, could not justly account him singular. And having on his part all the Catholics and Bishops of the world from Christ's Ascension, till now, joined with the whole consent of Christ's universal Church, I must needs, said he, account mine own part far the surer: and as for Obstinacy, which is likewise obje●●●● 〈◊〉 me, I have no way to clear myself thereof, but my own solemn word and promise to the contrary, if ye please to believe, it, or 〈◊〉, if that will not serve, I am 〈…〉 the same by my oath. Thus in effect he answered their objections, though with many 〈◊〉 words, both wisely and profoundly uttered, and that with a marvelous, courageous, and rare constancy, insomuch as many of his hearers, yea some of his Judges, lamented so grievously, that their inward sorrow in all sides, was expressed by the outward ●eares in their eyes, to perceive such a famous and reverend man in danger to be condemned to cruel death, upon so weak evidence given by such an accuser, contrary to all faith and promise of the King himself. But all pity, mercy, ●nd righ●, being set aside, ugour, cruelty, and malice, took place; for the twelve men being shortly returned from their consultation, Verdict was given that he was 〈◊〉 of the ●reason, which although they thus did, upon the menacing & threatening words of the Commissioners, the King's learned Council, yet was it (no 〈◊〉) 〈◊〉 ●ore against their conscience, as some o● them would after report, to their dying days, only for safety of their goods and lives▪ which they were we●l assured to lose, in case they had acquitted him. After the Verdict thus given by the twelve m●n, the Lord Chancellor commanding 〈◊〉 to be kept▪ said unto the Prisoner in this ●ort, My Lord of Roch●ster, you have been here arraigned of high ●reason, and putting yourself to the trial of twelv●men you have pleaded not guilty, an● 〈◊〉 notwithstanding have found you guilty in their 〈◊〉; wherefore, if you have any more to say for yourself, you are now to be 〈…〉 judgement according to the 〈◊〉 and course of Law. Then said this blessed Father again, Truly my Lord, if that which I have before spoken be not sufficient, I have no more to say, but only to desire Almighty God to forgive them that have thus condemned me, for I think they know not what they have done. Then my L Chancellor framing himself to a solemnity in countenance, proclaimed sentence of death upon him, in manner and form following; You shall be led to the place from whence you came, and from thence shall be drawn through the city to the place of execution at Tyburn, where your body shall be hanged by the neck, half alive you shall be cut down and thrown to the ground, your bowels to he taken out of your body before you, being alive, your head to be smitten off, and your body to be divided into four quarters, and after your head and quarters to be set up, where the King shall appoint; And God have mercy upon your soul.  
After the pronouncing of this cruel sertence, the Lieutenant of the Tower, with his band of men, stood ready to receive and carry him back again to his prison. Be●ore his departure he desired audience of the Commissioners for a few words, which being granted, he said thus in effect, My Lords, I am here condemned before you of high Treason, for denial of the King's Supremacy over the Church of England, but by what order of justice I l●ave to God, who is the searcher both of the King's Majesty's conscience and yours. Nevertheless, being found guilty (as it is termed) I am▪ and must be, consented with all that God shall send▪ to whose will I wholly refer and submit myself. And now to tell you more plainly my mind, touching this matter of the King's Supremacy, I think indeed, and always have thought, and do now lastly affirm, that his Grace cannot justly claim any such Supremacy over the Church of God, as he now taketh upon him, neither hath it ever been seen or heard of, that any temporal Prince, before his days, hath presumed to that dignity: wherefore if the King will now adventure himself in proceeding in this strange and unwonted case, no doubt but he shall deeply incur the grievous displeasure of Almighty God, to the great damage of his own soul, and of many others, and to the utter ruin of this Realm, committed to his charge, whereof will ensue some sharp punishment at his hand: wherefore I pray God his Grace may remember himself in time, and hearken to good counsel, for the preservation of himself and his Realm, and the quietness of all Christendom. Which words being ended, he was conveyed back again to the Tower of London, part on foot, and part on horseback, with a number of men, bearing halberts and other weapons about him, as was before at his coming to raignment: And when he was come to the Tow●r 〈◊〉 he turned him back to all his tra●●● 〈◊〉 had thus conducted him forward and 〈◊〉 and said unto them, My Master●, I thank you all for the great labour and pains 〈…〉 with me this day, I am not able to give you any thing in recompense, for I have nothing left; and therefore I pray you accept in good part my hearty thanks. And this he 〈◊〉 with so lusty a courage, so amiable a countenance, and with so fresh and lively a colour, as he seemed rather ●o have come from some great feast, or banquet, than from his arraignment, showing by all his gesture, and outward countenance, nothing else but joy and gladness.  
Thus being after his condemnation, the space of three or four days, in his prison, he occupied himself in continual p●ayer most fervently; and although he looked daily for death, yet could ye not have perceived him one whit dismayed thereat, neither in word nor countenance, but still continued his former trade of constancy and patience, and that rather with a more joyful, cheer, and free mind than ever he had done before, which appeared well, by this chance that I will tell you: There happened a false rumour to rise suddenly among the people, that he should b● brought to his execution by a certain day▪ whereupon his Cook, that was wont to dres● his dinner, and carry it daily unto him, hearing, among others, of this Execution, dressed him no dinner at all that day, wherefore at the ●●ook's next repair unto him▪ he demanded the cause why he b●ought him not his dinner as he was wont to do: Sir, said the Cook, it was commonly talked all the town over, that you should have died that day, and therefore I thought it but in vain to dress any thing for you. Well said he, merrily unto him again, for all that report thou seest me yet alive; and therefore whatsoever news thou shalt hear of me, hereafter let me no more lack my dinner, but make it ready as thou art wont to do; and if thou see me dead when thou comest, then eat it thyself: but I promise thee, if I be alive, I mind, by God's grace, to eat never a bit the less.  
Thus while this blessed B●shop lay daily expecting the hour of h●s death, the King (who no less desired his death than himself looked for it) caused at last a writ of Execution to be made, and brought to Sir Edmond Walsingham Lieutenant of the Tower. Bu● where by his Judgement at Westminster he was condemned (as ye have read before) to Drawing, Hanging, and Quartering, as Traitors always use to be, yet was he spared from that cruel execution, wherefore order was taken that he should be led no further than Tower-Hill, and there to have his Head struck off.  
After the Lieutenant had received this bloody writ, he called unto him certain persons, whose service and presence was to be used in that business, commanding them to be ready against the next day in the morning: and because that was very late in the night, and the Prisoner asleep, he was loath to disease him of his rest for that time; and so in the morning before five of the clock, he came to him in his chamber in the Bell tower, finding him yet asl●ep in his bed, and waked him, showing him that he was come to him on a message from the King, and after some circumstance used with persuasion, that he should remember himself to be an old man, and that for age he could not, by course of Nature, live long; he told him at last, that he was come to signify unto him, that the King's pleasure was he should suffer death that forenoon. Well (quoth this blessed Father) if this be your errand, you bring me no great news, for I have long time looked for this message; ay most humbly thank his Majesty, that it pleaseth him to rid me from all this worldly business, and I thank you also for your tidings. But I pray you Mr. Lieutenant (said he) when is mine hour that I must go hence? your hour (said the Lieutenant) must be nine of the clock: and what hour is it now (said he?) it is now about five (said the Lieutenant.) Well then (said he) let me, by your patience, sleep an hour or two, for I have slept very little this night. And yet to tell you the truth, not for any fear of Death (I thank God) but by reason of my great infirmity and weakness. The Kings further pleasure is (said the Lieutenant) that you should use as little speech as may be, especially any thing touching his Majesty, whereby the people should have any cause to think of him or his proceedings, otherwise than well: For that (said he) you shall see me order myself, as by God's grace, neither the King nor any man else, shall have occasion to mistake of my words. With which answer the Lieutenant departed from him, and so the Prisoner falling again to rest, sl●p● sound two hours and more. And after h● was waked, he called to his man to help him up: but first of all he commanded him to take away the shirt of hair (which accustomably he wore on his back) and to convey it priully out of the house, and instead thereof to lay him forth a clean white sh●●●, and all the best apparel he had, as cleanly brushed as may be: and as he was in arraying 〈…〉  
Abou● nine of the Clock the Lieutenant came again to his prisoner and finding him almost 〈◊〉, said that he was come now for him. I will wait upon you strait (said he) as fast as this thin body of mine will give me leave. Then said he to his man, reach me my 〈◊〉 ●ppet to put about my neck. O my Lord, said the Lieutenant, what need you be so careful for your health for this little t●me, being (as yourself knoweth) not much above an hour? I think no otherwise (said this blessed Father) but yet in the mean time I will keep myself as well as I can, till the very time of my execution: for I tell you truth, though I have (I thank our Lord) a very good desire, and a w●lling mind, to die at this present, an● so trust of his infinite mercy and goodness, he will continue it, yet will I not willingly hinder my health, in the mean●t me▪ one minute of an hour, but still prolong the same as long as I can by such reasonable ways and means as Almighty God hath provided f●r me. With that taking a little book in his hand, which was a N. Test. lying by h●m, he made a Cross on his forehead, and went out of 〈…〉 door with the 〈◊〉, being to weak that he was scarce able to go down stairs: wherefore at the 〈◊〉 foo● he was taken up in a chair between two of the 〈…〉 and carried to the Tower gate, with a great number of weapons about him to be delivered to the Sheriff's of London for execution. And as they were come to the uttermost pr●cinct of the liberty of the Tower, they rested there with him a space, till such time as one was sent before to know in what readiness the Sheriffs were to receive him: during which space he rose out of his chair, and standing on his feet leaded his shoulder to the wall, and lifting his eyes towards 〈◊〉, opened his little book in his hand, and said, O Lord, this is the last time that ●ver I shall open this book, let some comfortable place now chance unto me, whereby I thy poor servant may glorify thee in this my last house; and with that, looking into the book, the first thing that came to his sight were these words, Haec est ●utem vita aeterna▪ ut cognoscant 〈◊〉, solum verum Deum, & quem 〈◊〉 jesum Christum. Ego te glorificavi sup●r terram, opi●us consummavi quod dedists mihi ut faciam: Et nunc clarific●tu me, 〈◊〉 apud 〈◊〉 〈…〉 etc. and with that he shut the book together, and said, Here is even learning enough for me to my lives end. And so the Sheriff. being ready for him, he was taken up again among certain of the Sheriff's men, with a new▪ and much greater company of weapons than was before, and carried to the Scaffold on the Tower-hill, otherwise called East-●smith●●●lt himself praying all the way, and recording upon the words which he before had read; and when he was come to the foot of the Scaffold, they that carried him offered to help him up the stairs. But then (said he) nay Masters, seeing I am come so far lee me alone, and ye shall see me shift for myself well enough, and so went up the stairs without any help, so lively, that it was marvel to them th●● knew before of his debility and weakness; but as he was mounting up the stairs, the Southeast Sun shined very bright in his face, whereupon he said to himself these words, lifting up his hands: Accedite ad eum, & illuminamini, & facies vestrae non consundentur. By that time he was upon the Scaffold it was about ten of the clock, where the Executioner being ready to do his office, kneeled down to him (as the fashion is) and asked him forgiveness: I forgive thee (said he) with all my heart, and I trust thou shalt see me overcome thi● storm lustily. Then was his Gown and Tippet taken from him, and he stood in his Doublet and Hose, in sight of all the people, whereof was no small number assembled to see this Execution: there was to be seen a long▪ lean, and slender body, having on it little other substance besides skin and bones, insomuch as most part of the beholders mervailed much to see a living man so far consumed, for he seemed a very Image of Death, and as it were Death in a man's shape, using a man's voice; and therefore it was thought the King was something cruel to put such a man to death, being so near his end, and to kill that which was dying already, except it were for pity sake to rid him of his pain.  
When the innocent and holy Man was come upon the Scaffold, he spoke to the people in effect as followeth:  
Christian people, I am come hither to die for the faith of Christ's holy Catholic Church, and I thank God hitherto my stomach hath served me very well thereunto▪ so that yet I have not feared death; wherefore I desire you all to help and assist with your prayers, that at the very point and instant of death's stroke▪ I may in that very moment stand steadfast, without fainting in any one point of the Cathol. Faith●free from any fear. And I beseech Almighty God of his infinite goodness, to save the King and this Realm and that it may please him to bold his hand over it, and s●nd the King good Council.  
These, or the like words he spoke, with such a cheerful countenance, such a stou● and constant courage, and such a reverend gravity, that he appeared to all men, not only void of Fear, but also glad of Death. Besides this, he uttered his words so distinctly, and with so loud and clear a voice, that the people were astonished thereat, and noted it for a miraculous thing, to hear so plain and audible a voice come from so weak and sickly an old body, for the youngest man in that presence, being in good and perfect health, could not have spoken to be better heard and perceived, than he was. Then after these few words by him uttered, he kneeled down on both, his knees and said certain Prayers, among which one was the Hymn of Te Deum Laudamus, to the end, and the Psalm In te Domine Speravi. Then came the Executioner, and bound a handkerchief about his eyes; and so this holy Father lifting up his hands and heart towards heaven, 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 Axe cut asunder his slender neck at one blow, which bled so abundantly, that many wondered to see so much blood issue out of so slender and lean 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 man's 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 days 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 cruel boldness in that sex, which by nature is fearful, and cannot behold such spectacles, and therefore argueth (no doubt) a wonderful 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 carcase 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 King's 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 Churchyard 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 man's burial, and so covered quickly with earth. And this was done on the day of St. Alban the Protomartyr of England, being Tuesday the 22. of june in the year of ou● redemption 1535. and in the 27. year of the King's reign, after he had lived full threescore and sixteen years, nine months and odd days.  
The next day after his burying, the head being parboiled, 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 days upon the bridge, could not be perceived to waste 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 show above the course of nature, in this preserving the fresh and lively colour in his face, surpassing the colour he had being alive, whereby was noted to the world the innocence and holiness of this blessed Father, that thus innocently was content to lose his head in defence of his Mother, the holy Catholic 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 pass: and therefore at the end of fourteen days this Executioner was commanded to throw down the head in the nighttime into the R●ver of Thames, and in the place thereof was set the head of the most blessed and constant Martyr, Sir Thomas Moor, his Companion and fellow in all his troubles, who suffered his passion the 6. day of july next following.  
And touching the place of his burial 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 Realm, and more diligently noted and wrote the course of things, and with less fear and suspicion than any of the King's subjects might or durst do, that for the space of seven years after his burial, there grew neither leaf nor grass upon his grave, but the earth still remained as bare as though it had been continually occupied and trodden.  
When by common fame this bloody Execution was blown and spread abroad, strait way the name of King Henry begun to grow odious among all good people, not only in his own Realm at home, but also among all foreign Princes and Nations abroad through Christendom, insomuch that Paul the third, than Pope of Rome, with great grief signified these doings by several Letters to all the Christian Princes, openly detesting the outrage of King Henry, in committing such a wicked and manifest injury, not only against the freedom and privilege of the Church of Rome, but also against the whole state of Christ's universal Church, for the which, in short space after, he pronounced the terrible sentence of Excommunication against him.  
Likewise the most noble and christian Emperor Charles the fifth, at such time as Sir Thomas Moor was beheaded, and word thereof brought to him, sent speedily for Sir Thomas Eliot the King's Ambassador, there 〈◊〉 with him, and asked him whether he heard any such news, or no; who answered him that he heard no such thing: yes, said the Emperor, it is true, and too true, that Sir Thomas Moor 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 against in all his Realm, neither yet was to be matched through Christendom, 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 Moor (said he) was well known for a man of such profound wisdom, cunning, and virtue, that if he had been towards me, as he was towards the King your Master, I had rather have lost the best City in all my Dominion than such a man.  
And in like manner King Francis the French King (though in some respects a man to be wished otherwise than he was, yet) talking on a time with Sir john Wallop the King's Ambassador, 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 don● 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 nevertheless upright and well form, strait backed, big jointed, and strongly sinewed, his hair by 〈◊〉 black, though in his later time, through age and imprisonment, turned to hoariness, or rather to whiteness, his eye large and round, neither full black nor full grey, but of a mixed colour between both, his forehead smooth and large, his nose of a good and even proportion, somewhat wide mouthed and big jawed, as one ordained to utter much speech, wherein was, notwithstanding, a certain comeliness, his skin somewhat tawny, mixed with many blue vein●, 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 years together, even from his youth. In his countenance he bore such a rev●rend gravity, and therewith in his doings exercised such discreet severity, that not only of his equals, but even of his Superiors 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 Joys of Heaven, and the Pains of Hell, of the glorious death of Martyrs, and straight I fe of Confessors, with such like virtuous and profitable talk, which he always uttered with such a heavenly grace, that his words were always a great edifying to his hearers; he had such a continual impression of death in his heart, that his mouth never ceased to utter the inward thoughts of his mind, not only in all times of his exercise, but also at his meals; for he would always 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 foreknowledge of the manner of his death; for divers of his Chaplains and household servants have reported, that long before his death they have heard him say, that he should not die in his bed; but always in speaking thereof, he would utter his words with such a cheerful countenance, as they might easily perceive him rather to conceive joy, than sorrow thereat: in study he was very laborious and painful; in preaching assiduous, ever beating down heresies and vice; in prayer most fervent and devout; in fasting, abstinence, and punishing 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 Bishops of England, living in his days, the very mirror and lantherne of light.  
One that was Dean of Rochester many years together, named Mr. Philip's, in the days of King Edward the sixth, when certain Commissioners w●re coming towards him to search his house for books, he, for ●eare, burned a large volume, which this holy Bishop had compiled, containing in it the whole story and matter of D●vorce, which volume he gave him with his own hand a little before his trouble; for the loss whereof the Dean would many times after lament, and wish the book whole again, upon condition he had not one groat to live on.  
Pope Paul the third writing (as before is said) to the Princes of Christendom of the dealings of K●ng Henry against this goodly man, wrote, among others, one Letter to Ferdinando King of Romans, which I myself 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 virtue, had enrolled in the number and society of the Cardinal, hoping thereby that all should have turned to his better safety and deliverance, because that dignity in all places hath ever been accounted sacred, yet now falling ou: otherwise, he taketh occasion to compare the doings 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 K●ng Henry did not only 〈◊〉 the impiety of that K●ng, but also went far beyond him, for where he slew one, this sl●w many. St. Thomas defended the right of one particular Church, this of the Universal; that King killed an Archbishop, but this King hath put to death a Cardinal of the holy Church of Rom●; 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 assigned only a hungman; he caused St. Thomas to be slain by a forcible death, but this by a shameful torment hath killed the holy man of God; he (in conclusion) 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 enjoined by the B●shop of Rome; but this with a most obstinate ●inde, defended his own horrible fact, showing himself not only unwilling to do penance, but also becometh a stubborn and rebellious enemy against the Church of Rome.  
Then consider what that man of happy memory (Cardinal Poole) wr●teth of him in sundry places of his works, who in his life● time both knew him, and was familiarly acquainted with him, but specially in that book which he wrote to King Henry the eight, entitled Pro Ecclesiasticae Vnitatis defension, wherein he extolleth the name of this blessed Prelate, with words according to his great worthiness, saying to the King, that if an Abassadour had bee● 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 years past had comparably with him in sanctity, learning, wisdom, and careful diligence in the office and duty of a Bishop? of whom ye may justly, above all other N●tions, glory and rejoice, that if all the corners of Christendom were narrowly sought, there could not be found out any one man that in all things did accomplish the parts and degrees of a Bishop equal with him. Further in the same place he laudeth him highly for his great travail and care in the education of youth, especially of the young Students in the University of Cambr. for that by his only mean and motion, that noble and right virtuous L●dy Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby, sometimes his Mistress, erected two famous Colleges in that University (as before in this History hath been declared) wherein young Scholars receive great comfort toward their instruction in Learning unto which number himself became also a very 〈◊〉 and Father, and being after chosen by the whole consent of the University to the room of their high Chancellor, he b●●ame no less careful over them than over the flock of his Diocese. All which, with many other high praises, this most virtuous, learned, and high-born Cardinal set down very bountifully of him.  
Likewise blessed Sir T. Moor, his companion and fellow in adversity and trouble, upon occasion of talk, ministered unto him by his daughter Mrs. Roper, about refusing the oath by my L. of Roch. & himself, saith in a certain Epistle to his ●●id daughter, that he hath had him in such a reverend estimation, as for his wisdom, learning, & long approved virtue together, he reckoneth in this Realm no one man to be matched or compared with him.  
Furthermore, the renowned B. of Nuceria, and most eloquent Historiographer of our time, P. jovius, although he lacketh no commendation of him throughout all his whole History, yet in one place specially he saith, that upon the acceptance of his great charge of a Bishopric, he became so vigilant over his stock the space of many years together, that he was to be wondered at, not only of his own country people at home, but also of all other outward nations: then he greatly reverenceth him for his constant piety, in defending the Marriage between K. Hen. and his lawful wife Q. ●ath, and for withstanding the King's wilful mind in taking upon him so absurdly the name & title of supreme head of the Church, for the which he did not refuse even in his old age, to suffer the loss of liberty, livings, life, and all.  
Then weigh what is said of him by that most eloquent and learned Father Stanstau● Hosmes, B●shop of Warima in Poland, and Cardinal of Rome, in his book of Confutation against Brentius the Heretic, his words being thus, Fatemur & nos Br●nti, etc. wherein he showeth very notably, how, although in all ages Heretics have lift up themselves against the Church of God, yet hath he not forsaken or left her destitute at any time.  
Neither hath God in these our unfortunate days, failed his Church; for whereas you Lutherans are broken forth, and from you are sprung Zuinglius, Munserans, or Patimontans, and a number of Heretics more God hath produced against you into the battle, many worthy men endued with singular wit, and excellent learning, by whom your raging madness might be suppressed and put down. Among whom especially, and by name, was that famous holy man john, Bishop of Rochester, who, in defence of the Faith, and Catholic Church of Christ, never stuck for the loss of his life, and the shedding of his blood.  
Finally, whosoever shall read of Cocleus, Wycelleas, Eckius, and others learned writings of Ger●any, of the worthy Bishop and eloquent Writer, Osorius, of Alphonsus' d● Castro, and others of Spain and Portugal, besides a number of such other learned Fathers of many Nations, whereof some lived in his own days, and some since, shall easily perceive that he was a man for his profound learning, and rare virtue, highly reverenced and esteemed throughout all Christendom.  
And no doubt but if his writings and doings be well compared, ye shall find him most like those holy Fathers and Doctors, that in the Primitive Church laid the very first ground and foundation of our belief, upon the which we have since rested and stayed ourselves, whom to describe wholly and fully unto you, according to his worthiness, I will not take upon me, neither am able to do ●, yea were I as eloquent as Cic●ro, or as witty and subtle as Aristotle, as copious as Demosthenes, or as profound in Philosophy as Plato, such, and so innumerable were his singular virtues.  
But herein I will content myself with the general commendation, which all the famous Universities of Divinity in Europe do give this learned man, by calling him blessed Martyr, and alleging his works for great authority. Thus much I may also say, that unto justus his predecessor, the first Bishop of Rochester, he was a just and true Successor; the place of his birth he doth greatly beautify with the glorious Bishop St. john of Beverly; to the Country of Kent, where he was Bishop, he is an ornament with St. Thomas of Canterbury; in gravity of his writing he is to be reverenced with St. Bede; for stout defending the right and liberty of the holy Church, against the power of Princes, he is not inferior to the blessed Bishop St. Ambrose, and St. C●rysostome; in praying for his enemies and persecutors he resembleth holy St. Stephen; in constancy and stoutness of his Martyrdom he was a second Cyprian, and in the manner of his death to john the Baptist.  
And now we shall observe the wonderful working of Almighty God, whose judgements are secret and strange in our sight, much to be marked and noted in him and his adherents; for as God of his own nature is patient and long suffering, because he expectth the amendment of our sinful lives: so is he also just in his doings, and punisheth grievously, when no amendment is endeavoured, as now may well be perceived by those perceive by those persons that were persecuters of this blessed man; for they escaped not the danger of his heavy hand, as shall be declared unto you.  
As first, to begin with the King himself, In quo quis peccat in ●o punitur, the Almighty (commonly) makes rods for our own sins, wherewith he often punisheth those that offend him, as here most notably it is to be observed in the three fold manner of his displeasure, which accused him to be so cru●●l to this good man, that nothing but the punes of Death could satisfy his ireful indignation: As first for resisting his so inord 〈…〉 of changing wives. Secondly for his refusal to take the Oath of Succession, and his constant disapprovement of the unlawful cou●ses which he took to procure unto himself 〈◊〉 male. Thirdly for withstanding his Supremacy in causes E●clesisticall. These were the three causes of his displeasure, which like a Trident he st●uck into the breast of Innocence▪ whiles the three● pointed Sceptre made their several entries within his own bo●ome; for the first, he that robbed so many breasts of the possession of so great joy and happiness in being his through his desire of change, found change a robbery to his own hearts contentment in so many wives, which lawfully were none of his, for of the six bells whereon he rung this change, two of them were repudiate, two beheaded, one wittingly killed, and the last so displeasing to him, as he had determined to have sent her to the Tower so far onward in her way to her Predecessors fates, had not his approaching death caused her to survive.  
As to the second, viz. the unlawful means which he took to have succession by his issue male, those females who he illegitimated, succeeded, and his issue male deceased, that they might succeed.  
As to the third, viz. his assuming (and taken upon him) the Supremacy of the Church (whose doings herein were neither approved by the Roman party (as monstrous in their opinions) nor by the Lutherans and Zwinglians as different from theirs) but what the holy Martyrs conjectured; thereupon it came to pass, for, said he in the Convocation-house, (when this business was in scanning) the King desires that we would make him head of the Church; his successors will expect to be the like: what if his Successor should chance to be a child, or a woman, how shall we be governed by such? and accordingly the Almighty, to show us the ridiculousness of the usurpation, left him none but women and a child to succeed him in that office; women that could not speak, and a child that knew not how in the Church of God, till at the length he had neither male nor female to sit any more upon the Throne than in the Chair, Death having made all their hands (issueless) as unapt to sway the Sceptre, as improper for the Keys.  
Lastly, I shall produce before your eyes, his last will and Testan●ent, with some observations upon the same.  

Henrici Octavi Testamentum.  
IN nomine Dei, gloriosaeque & benedictae virginis Mariae dominae nostrae, totiusque sanctae societatis caelictum, nos Henricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Franciae & Hiberniae, defensor fidei; & in terris immediate sub Deo supremum caput Ecclesiae Anglicanae & Hiberniae, ejus nominis octavus: revocantes in memoriam magna dona & beneficia omnipotentis Dei nobis collata in hac vita transitoria, ipsi submisse himilimas reddimus gratias, agnoscentes nos ipsos protinus insufficientes ex ulla parte ad eadem beneficia promerenda aut compensenda: quin potius metuentes ne illa non digna receperimus: perpendentes ulterius apud nos ipsos, esse nos (ut & totum genus humanum) mortales, in peccato natos; cernentes nihilominus & sperantes, omnem Christianam creaturam in hoc transitorio miseroque mundo viventem sub Deo, (dummodo in fide stabilita conetu● & exerceat in hac vita si tempus habuerit, talia charitatis & pietatis opera quae scriptura injungit, quaeque ad Dei honorem & beneplacitum faciunt) ordinatam esse ut per Christi passionem salvetur, & ad ae●srnam vitam pertingat, de quorum numero veraciter, confidimus nos ipsos per Dei gratiam existere: Considerantes etiam unamquamque creaturam quanto fuerit sublimior statu, honore, & auctoritate in hoc saeculo, tanto esse obstrict orem, aut amer Deum, eique serviat, & gratias agat, tantoque diligentius conari deberi ut bona opera charitatis faciat, ad laudē, honorem & gloriam omnipotentis Dei; memoria etiam repetentes, dignitatem, honorem, regnum, & gubernationem, ad quae nos vocavit omnipotens Deus in hoc mundo▪ quoque haec, nos ipsi nec ulla alia mortalis creatura noverit tempus aut locum quando vel ubi placebit omnipotenti Deo nos ex hoc transitorio saeculo evocare: Idcirco volentes & meditantes per Dei gratiam, ante nostrum ex eodum mundo transitum, disponere & ordinare nostram ultimam mentem, voluntatem & testamentum, eo modo quo confidimus gratum fore omnipotenti Deo, unico salvatori nostro Jesu Christo, & toti societati coeli ad satisfactionem etiam omnium piorum fratrum in terra, adhuc integra perfectaque ment adhaerentes totaliter rectae fidei Christi ejusque doctrinae, poenirentes de veteri detestabilique vita, habentes perfectam voluntatem & mentem per ejus gratiam nunquam ab ea deflectere, quamdiu ulla memoria, spiritus aut interior cognitio fuerit in hoc nostro mortali corpore, humilime & cordialissime commendamus & legamus animam nostram omnipotenti Deo, qui eam in su● persona redemit pretioso corpore & sanguine suo in tempore passionis suae, & in pleniorem ejus rei memoriam relequit hic nobiscum in ecclesia sua militante consecrationem, & administratonem pretiosi corporis & sanguinis sui, ad consolationem nostram non mediocrem, si nos etiam ita gratanter accipimus, sicut ille gratanter, & quantum ex hominum parte est, immerenter, ad nostrum, non secu● bonum illam ordinavit.  
Instanter e●iam rogamus & obsecramus beatam virginem Mariam, Dei matrem, totamque sanctam societatem coeli, ut continuo p●o nobis & nobiscum precentur quam diu in hoc mundo vivimus & in nostro transitu de illo, ut citius pertingamus ad vitam aeternam quam & speramus & vendicamus ex Christi passione, & verbo, quantum ad corpus meum, quod quando inde anima discesserit, manebit eadaver, atque ita ad vilem materiam unde factum fuerat, redibit: nisi locus & dignitas ad quam nos vocavit Deus, impediret; & ● ne notemur quasi violatores humanitatis, & bonarum consuetudinum, quando legi Dei non contrariantur: contenti sane essemus ut quovis in loco ●●peliretur Christianae sepulturae con su●●o, quantumvis v●lis foret: cinis enim est duntaxat, & in cinerem reverretur: Nihilominus, quia non libenter volumus populo nostro videri injuriam facere dignitati, ad quam Deus immeritos nos vocavit, contenti sumus & per hanc nostram ultimam voluntatem ac testamentum volumus & ordinamus, quod hocce corpus nostrum terrae mandetur, & scpeliatur in choro collegii nostri de Windesor, in medio spatio inter stalla, & summum altare, quodque fiat & collocetur, quam primum commodè possit post decessum nostrum per executores nostros, & nostris sumptibus & expensis (si tamen per nos ipsos, in vita nostra non fiat) honorabile monumentum in quo ossa nostra requiescant guod monumentum jam pene consummatum est, cum cancellis seu cratibus pulchris circumpositis: in quo etiam monumento, volumus ossa, & corpus fidelis, & dilectae, conjugis nost●●● reginae Janae simul poni: utque projudeatur, ordinetur & fiat expensis sumptibusque nostris, aut executorum nostrorum si tamen in nostra vita non fiat) conveniens altare reverenter ornatum & instructum omnibus requesitis & necessariis ad missas quotidianas ibidem decendas perpetuo, donec mundus perseverat. Volumus insuper ut sepulchra & altaria regis Henrici sexti & Regis Edwardi quarti, abavunculi & avi nostri fiant forma augustiori magisque principali & regali risdem in locis in quibus nunc sunt, idque nostris sumptibus & expensis, & insuper voluntas nostra & specialiter desideramus atque requitimus, ut ubi & quandocunque placuerit Deo nos vocare ex hoc mundo transitorio ad infinitam misericordiam, & gratiam suam, sive ultra Maria aut in quocunque loco extra nostrum Angliae Regnum vel intra ipsum executores nostri quam primum commode poterunt curent omne genus servitii divini, quod pro defunctis fieri solet pro nobis etiam celebrari idque in proximo maximeque commodo loco, respectu illius in quo nos ex hac vita caduca decedere contigerit. Volumus praeterea ut quandocunque & ubicunque placuerit Deo nos vocare ex misera vita ista ad infinitam misericordiam & gratiam suam, sive intra regnum sive extra ipsum, executores nostri quam poterunt pio, convenienti et celeri modo ordinent & procurent, corpus nostrum transferri & portari atque convehi ad praedictum collegium nostrum Windesorae, quoque servicium Placebo & Dirige, cum concione, & missa postero mane, nostris sumptibus & expensis devote celebretur, & solemniter observetur▪ ut ibi terra mandetur & sepuliatur in loco disignato pro sepulchro seu monumento, ad eum finem faciendo: & haec omnia ut fiant devotissimo, quo fieri poterunt modo.  
Volumus & injungimus executoribus nostris, quatenus disponant & per viam eleemosinae distribuant pauperimis maximeque indigentibus personis quae inveniri poterunt (exclusis tamen, quantum ratio postulat, mendicis ordinariis) idque quam brevissimo intervallo post nostrum de hac vita transitoria discessum, summam mille marcarum legalis monetae Angliae, partim quidem eodem ipso in loco, in quo placuerit Deo nos ad suam misericordiam evocare; partim in itinere, partim in loco ipso sepulturae nostiae secundum quod ipsi discretius judicaverint ut populum cui hec nostrae elemosinae tribuentur, moneant, ut Deum ex corde precentur propeccatis nostris & salute animae nostrae.  
Item volumus, ut quanta commode fieri poterit celeritate post nostrum ex hoc mundo transitum si in vita nostra id non fiat) Decanus & canonici liberae capellae nost●ae intra castrum Windesorae habeant in maneriis, terris tenementis & spiritualibus promotinibus ad annum valorem lexcentarum librarum, ultra omnes alias expensas, iisdem assecuratum, successoribus eorum in perpetuum, sub his conditionibus sequentibus & pro debita ad impletionem omnium conditionum inibi contentarum, per formam indentaturae chirographo nostro subsignatae, quae transigetur per viam pacti & contractus in eundem sinem inter nos & praedictos decanum & canonicos in vita nostra, viz. praed●cti D●canus & canonici ●orumque succ●ssores in perpetuum habebunt paratos duos presbi●eros qui Missas dicunt ad prae●atum Altare in loco superius designato collocandum: & post decesrum nostrum celebrabunt quatuor solemnes obitus, pro nobis in praedicto Collegio Windeso●ae, curabuntque solemnem concionem haberi: & in unoquoque praedictorum obituum pauperibus donent decem libras (i. centum francos) quotannis in perpetuum, donent tredecim pauperibus, qui vocabuntur equites pauperes unicuique duod●cim donarios (hoc est decem asses per diem, & semel per singulos annos unicuique togam talarem panni albi, habentem in pectore acupictam periscelidem seu garteriā cum cruce D. Georgii in scuto inclusam intra periscelidem & mantellam panni rubei: ut uni ex●llis tredecim, qui constituetur caput & rector aliorum, tres libras fex solidos & octo denarios (i 33. Froncos & sex asses) ultra supraque predictos unicujusque diei duodecim denarios: u●que omni dominica totius anni in perpetuum curent haberi concionem in castro Windesorae, sicut in praefata indentatura, & contractu pleniùs & particularius exprimetur. Volentes & onerantes & requirentes filium nostrum principem Edvardum, omnesque Ex●quutor●s nostros & consulati●s postea nominandos, omnesque haeredes nostios & successores, qui hujus regni reges 〈◊〉 sunt, sicut se noverint responsuros coram Deo in tremendo judici● die, quat●nus ipsi, & unusquisq●●psorum p●ovideant, ut praed●cta indentatura & assecuratio, inter nos & predictos decanum & canonicos transigenda & omnia in e●s contenta, debite mandentur executioni. Observentur, & custodiantur in perpetuum, juxta ha●d extremam voluntatem nostram atque testamentum, etc.  
Reliquam testamenti partem in qua de successione disponebatur summatim recitat Sanderus in hunc modum: ut Edvardus filius ex jana Seimera, noven natus annos primas omnium regnandi vices acciperit, secundas Maria●x ●x Catharina, tertias Elizabetha, ex Anna Bulleina postea his deficientibus ad illos transire successio ad quos jure communi pertineret. Deinde impuberi filio sedecim constituit tutores & curatores pari potestate, cosque magna ex parte Catholicos, velut aristocratia quadam monarchiam temperans. Demum valde mandavit ut filius in fide catholica educaretur, excepto primatus titulo, quem ei reliquit & ut regnum ab haeresibus purgatum teneretur.   
HE that had made void so many men's wills, had his own made void in every particular. All those sixteen Counsellors which he had appointed to governt the Kingdom in his Son● minority, either by threatening, exclusion, or imprisonment, were all of them forced to give way to one, who wholly took upon him the government of the whole Kingdom; and he that took such care that his Son should have none to be of his Council but such as should be Catholics, had his will so performed, that there was one who took care that no Catholic should come 〈◊〉 him; and when the heads of these gainsayers of his will were cut off, his Son was l●ft in tuition of such hands, as it was verily believed, made his Son away, that they might set up one upon his thron●, in opposition to his own Daughter; the Religion wherein his Son was bred and commanded to be brought up in, was changed, his Law's abrogated; and he that took so many unlawful courses to obtain issue, had so many children, who all of them died issueless.  
Next to the King I shall observe the punishment of Almighty God, which lighted neavily upon the Q●. (Anne Bullein) the chief and principal cause of all this woeful Tragedy, who in a short space was suddenly thrown down from the top of all her high Dignity and Honour (whose Glory was exalted upon this man's ruin) and for a most vil● and abominable Incest committed with her own brother, condemned and accused to be worthy of death by her own father, together with divers others of her own kindred, and the Nobility then sitting in judgement, who, not long before, were her Idolaters, and she their Idol; whereupon she was executed at Tower hill, her head being stricken off▪ of whose loss the King himself took such sorrow, that the very next day after she was dead, he mourned for her in a Wedding garment.  
Next to the Queen we will call to mind M. Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, who of his own power, without any other warrant or authority, pronounced the sentence of Divorce between the King and Queen (being calculated to the height of that Meridian) and afterwards called this holy man before him, and cast him into prison for refusing the two new Oaths, the one of the King's new Marriage▪ the other of the new Supremacy, from whence he was never delivered, till death rid him of all worldly 〈◊〉.  
This Archbishop lived till he was condemned for a traitor, because he spread certain seditious Libels amongst the people, and assisted the Duke of Nort●umberland in his Rebellion (in the behalf of the Lady jane) against his lawful Sovereign. But forasmuch as this was done in Qu●en Mary her days, and the Clergy had somewhat else to say to him, they burned him as a Heretic.  
As for Mr. Rich, the King's Solicitor, and the Dequoy to this good man, who gave such strange and injurious testimony against him at his arraignment, he lived to be deposed from all his high places and preferments, and fell into deep disgrace, not only with the King his Master, but with those who afterwards sat at the stern in the young King's time, insomuch that affliction brought him to understand, and the knowledge of himself to true repentance, so that it is to be believed that he escaped without any further punishment than the clipping of his wings whilst he was alive, and the singing of his qody when he was dead: for his dead body being laid into a coffi●, seared & imbalmed, c●rtain candles that were set upon the hearse, through the watchers negligence, or absence, fell down, and took hold first on the clothes, and then upon the coffin, till at length came unto the cerecloths, that before any man could come unto the rescue, the fire was pre●●y onward in his way, to have deceived the worms.  
Lastly, we shall conclude with Mr. Cromwell, a shrewd enemy to this good man, and a great Agent in this business; a man in whose behalf the Archbishop of Canterbury thus writ in his behalf in his Letter to the King, after his troubles had beginning. viz.— A man that was so advanced by your Majesty, whose surety was only by your Majesty, who loved your Majesty no less than God, who studied always to set forward whatsoever was your Majesty's will and pleasure, who cared for no man's displeasure to serve your Majesties, who was such a servant, in my judgement, in wisdom, diligenc●, faithfulness, and experience, as no Prince in this Realm ever had the like, who was so vigilant to preserve your Majesty from all treasons, that few could be so secretly conceived but he detected the same in the beginning; such a man, that if the noble Princes of memory, King John, Henry the second, Richard the second, had had such a Counsellor about them, I suppose they should never have been so treacherously abandoned and overthrown, as those good Princes were. Who shall your Grace trust hereafter, if you mistrust him? Alas, I bewail and lament your Grace's chance herein▪ I wot not whom your Grace may trust, etc.  
And for this fidelity, ability, and good service, advanced successively to the dignities of the Master of the Rolls, Byron, Lord Privy Seal, Knight of the G●rter, Earl of Essex Lord high Chamberlain of England, and higher than all this, Vicar general of the Church of ENGLAND, by virtue of which Office he took place above them, who were metropolitans of all England, and yet notwithstanding he was arrested at the Council ●●ble of high Treason by the Duke of Norfolk, when he least suspected any such design, committed to the Tower, brought ●hence unto the Hill, and (without being permitted to plead for himself) there beheaded without any more ado. But the strangest thing of all, is, that he that was the King's Vicegerent in spiritual causes should be accused for an Heretic, and that made one of the causes of his death, and that that was such a great enemy to the Catholics (kicking down all the Religious houses of the L●nd, and grinded the Religious together with the rubbish under his feet) should at his death openly profess that he would die in the Catholic faith.  
Thus we see God's justice in the destruction of the Church's enemies; who knows but that he may help her to such friends, though not such as may restore her her own Jewels, yet such as may heal her of her Wounds? And who knows but that it may be affected by the same name, since the Almighty hath communicated so great a secret unto mortals, as that there should be such a salve made known to them, whereby the same weapon that made the Wound, should work the Cure?  
Oliva Vera is not so hard to be construed; Oliv●rus, as that it may not be believed, that a Prophet, rather than a Herald, gave the Common F●ther of Christendom●, the now Pope of Rome (Innocent the tenth) such Ensigns of his Nobility (viz. ● dove holding an Olive branch in her mouth) since it falls short in nothing of being both a Prophecy, and fulfilled, but only his Highness running into her arms, whose Emblem of innocence bears him already in her mouth.  
FINIS.