VIII.

yet gone, &c. And now that the devil perceiveth that it can no longer be Henry borne to buy and sell heaven by the friars, he hath excogitated to offer heaven, without works for it, so freely, that men shall not need for heaven to work at all, whatsoever opportunity they have to work: marry! if they will have any higher place in heaven, God will leave no work unrewarded; but as to be in heaven needs no works at all, but only belief, only, only,' and nothing else,' &c.

A.D.

1540.

mon of

to Gardi

This sermon of Stephen Gardiner finished, Dr. Barnes, who was The serput off from that Sunday, had his day appointed, which was the Barnes third Sunday next following, to make his sermon; who, taking the replying same text of the gospel which Gardiner had done before, was, on the ner. contrary side, no less vehement in setting forward the true doctrine of christian religion, than Winchester had been before in plucking men backward from truth to lies, from sincerity to hypocrisy, from religion to superstition, from Christ to Antichrist. In the process of which sermon he proceeding, and calling out Stephen Gardiner by name to answer him, alluding in a pleasant allegory to a cock-fight; terming the said Gardiner to be a fighting cock, and himself to be another but the garden cock (he said) lacketh good spurs: objecting moreover to the said Gardiner, and opposing him in his grammar rules; thus saying, that if he had answered him in the schools, so as he had there preached at the Cross, he would have given him six stripes declaring furthermore what evil herbs this Gardiner had set in the garden of God's Scripture, &c.

Finally, with this sermon Gardiner was so tickled in the spleen, that he immediately went to the king to complain, showing how he, being a bishop and prelate of the realm, was handled and reviled at Paul's cross.

displeas

Hereupon the king, giving too much ear to Gardiner's grief, was The king earnestly incensed against Barnes, and with many high words rebuked ed against his doings in his privy closet; having with him the earl of South- Barnes. ampton, who was the lord Wriothesley, and the master of the horse, who was Anthony Brown; also Dr. Cox, and Dr. Robinson. Unto whom when Barnes had submitted himself, "Nay," said the king, "yield thee not to me; I am a mortal man ;" and therewith rising up and turning to the sacrament, and putting off his bonnet, said, "Yonder is the Master of us all, the author of truth: yield in truth to him, and that truth will I defend; and otherwise yield thee not unto me." Much ado there was, and great matter laid against Barnes. In conclusion this order was taken, that Barnes should go apart with Winchester, to confer and commune together of their doctrine, certain witnesses being thereunto appointed, to be as indifferent hearers, of whom one was Dr. Cox, the other was Dr. Robinson, with two others also to them assigned, who should be reporters to the king of Robinson the disputation; at the first entry of which talk, Gardiner, forgiving between him (as he saith) all that was past, offered him the choice, whether Barnes he would answer or oppose; which was the Friday after that Barnes Gardiner. had preached.

The question between them propounded, by Gardiner's narration, was this: "Whether a man could do any thing good or acceptable before the grace of justification, or not ?" This question arose upon

(1) Stephen Gardiner cannot abide 'only, only.'

Cox and

arbiters

and

The

between

and

God for

forgive

our

neighbour. Gardiner's report.

Henry a certain contention which had been between them before: for VIII. Barnes had affirmed, that albeit God requireth of us to forgive our A. D. neighbour, to obtain forgiveness of him; yet, he said, that God 1540. must forgive us first, before we forgive our neighbour; for else, to forgive our neighbour were sin, by the text which saith: "All that is question not of faith, is of sin," &c. Thus the matter being propounded, Barnes Gardiner, to prove the contrary, came forth with his arguments two Gardiner. or three: to the which arguments (saith Gardiner) Barnes could not giveth us, answer, but desired to be spared that night, and the next morning before we he would answer his arguments. In the morning, Gardiner with the hearers being again assembled, Dr. Barnes, according to the appointment, was present, who then went about to assoil his arguments. To his solutions Gardiner again replied: and thus continued they in this altercation by the space of two hours. In the end of this cockfight, Winchester thus concludeth this glorious tale, and croweth up the triumph; declaring how Barnes besought him to have pity and on him, to forgive him, and to take him to be his scholar whom then the said Winchester (as he himself confesseth) receiving, not as his scholar, but as his companion, offered to him a portion out of Gardiner his living, to the sum of forty pounds a year, which if it be true (as offereth Stephen Gardiner himself reporteth), why then doth this glorious forty cockatrice crow so much against Barnes afterwards, and cast him in the teeth, bearing all the world in hand that Barnes was his scholar? whereas he himself here refuseth Barnes to be his scholar, and receiveth him as his companion, fellow-like: but to the story.

Disputation between Barnes

Gardiner.

to Barnes

pounds a

year.

This done, the king being advertised of the conclusion of this matter between Barnes and Winchester, was content that Barnes should repair to the bishop's house at London the Monday following: which he did, with a certain other companion joined unto him. Who he was, Winchester there doth not express, only he saith that it was neither Jerome nor Garret. In this next meeting between Barnes and the bishop, upon the aforesaid Monday, the said bishop studying to instruct Barnes, uttered to him certain articles or conclusions, to the number of ten, the effect whereof here followeth.

Winchester's Articles against Barnes.

I. The effect of Christ's passion hath a condition. The fulfilling of the condition diminisheth nothing the effect of Christ's passion.

II. They that will enjoy the effect of Christ's passion must fulfil the condition.

III. The fulfilling of the condition requireth first knowledge of the condition; which knowledge we have by faith.

IV. Faith cometh of God, and this faith is a good gift; it is good and profitable to me; it is profitable to me to do well, and to exercise this faith: ergo, by the gift of God, I may do well before I am justified.

V. Therefore I may do well by the gift of God before I am justified, towards the attainment of justification.

VI. There is ever as much charity towards God as faith: and as faith increaseth, so doth charity increase.

VII. To the attainment of justification are required faith and charity. VIII. Every thing is to be called freely done, whereof the beginning is free and set at liberty, without any cause of provocation.

IX. Faith must be to me the assurance of the promises of God made in

1) Rom. xiv. 23.

(2) Stephen Gardiner, in his preface to George Joye.

Christ (if I fulfil the condition), and love must accomplish the condition: whereupon followeth the attainment of the promise according to God's truth. X. A man being in deadly sin, may have grace to do the works of penance, whereby he may attain to his justification.

Henry

VIII.

A. D.

1540.

and re

These articles, forasmuch as they be sufficiently answered and Answer replied unto by George Joye, in his joinder' and rejoinder2 against joinder of Winchester, I shall not need to cumber this work with any new ado Joye. therewith, but only refer the reader to the books aforesaid, where he may see matter enough to answer to these popish articles.

Barnes

I told you before, how the king was contented that Barnes should resort to the house of the bishop of Winchester, to be trained and directed by the bishop: which Barnes then hearing the talk of the people, and having also conference with certain learned men, within will only two days after his coming to the bishop's house, waxed weary thereof, come to and so coming to the bishop signified unto him, that if he would take to confer him as one that came to confer, he would come still, but else he him. would come no more; and so clean gave over the bishop.

This being known unto the king, through sinister complaints of popish sycophants, Barnes again was sent for, and convented before the king; who, being grievously incensed against him, enjoined both him, Jerome, and Garret, at the solemn Easter sermons at St. Mary Spittal, openly in writing to revoke the doctrine which they before had taught; at which sermon Stephen Gardiner also himself was present, to hear their recantation.

with

desired

sermon,

First Dr. Barnes, according to his promise made to the king, Barnes solemnly and formally began to make his recantation; which done, Wincheshe, with much circumstance and obtestation, called upon the bishop ter, at his (as is above touched), and, asking of him forgiveness, required him, to hold up in token of a grant, to hold up his hand, to the intent that he there his hand, openly declaring his charity before the world, the bishop also would declare his charity in like manner Which when the bishop at first refused to do as he was required, Barnes again called for it, desiring him to show his charity, and to hold up his hand; which when he had done with much ado, wagging his finger a little, then Barnes, entering into his sermon, after his prayer made, beginneth the process of a matter, preaching contrary to that which before he had recanted; insomuch that the mayor, when the sermon was finished, sitting with the bishop of Winchester, asked him whether he should ready to from the pulpit send him to ward, to be forthcoming for that his Barnes bold preaching, contrary to his recantation. The like also did Jerome, sermon. and Garret after him.

The

mayor

trouble

for his

The king had before appointed certain to make report of the sermons. Besides them, there was one, who, writing to a friend of his in the court, in the favour of these preachers, declared how gaily they had all handled the matter, both to satisfy the recantation, and also in the same sermons to utter out the truth, that it might spread without let of the world. Wherefore, partly by these reporters, and partly by the negligent looking to this letter, which came to the lord Cromwell's hands, saith Gardiner, Barnes with his other fellows, were apprehended, and committed to the Tower. Stephen Gardiner, in commithis aforesaid book against George Joye, would needs clear himself, Tower.

(1) Printed in 1543. 16mo.-ED.

VOL. V.

F F

(2) Printed in 1546. 18mo.-ED.

Barnes,

Garret,

and

Jerome

ted to the

VIII.

had no

council a

year and more

before

Henry that he was no party to, nor cause of their casting into the Tower; and giveth this reason for him, for that he had then no access, nor A. D. had after, so long as Cromwell's time lasted, to the king's secret 1540. counsel: yet, notwithstanding, the said Gardiner cannot persuade us Gardiner to the contrary, but that his privy complaining to the king, and his access to secret whisperings in his friend's ears, and his other workings by his the king's factors about the king, was a great sparkle to set their faggots afire. Thus then Barnes, Jerome, and Garret, being committed to the Tower after Easter, there remained till the thirtieth day of July, the lord which was two days after the death of the lord Cromwell. Then ensued process against them, by the king's council in the parliament, Process to which process Gardiner confesseth himself that he was privy, Barnes, amongst the rest. Whereupon all those three good saints of God, Jerome, the thirtieth day of July, not coming to any answer, nor yet knowGarret. ing any cause of their condemnation, without any public hearing were brought together from the Tower to Smithfield, where they, preparing themselves to the fire, had there at the stake divers and sundry exhortations; among whom Dr. Barnes first began with this protestation following:

Crom

well's fall.

against

and

Barnes falsely slander.

ed.

Barnes

confession.

The Protestation of Doctor Barnes at the Stake.

I am come hither to be burned as a heretic, and you shall hear my belief, whereby you shall perceive what erroneous opinions I hold. God I take to record, I never (to my knowledge) taught any erroneous doctrine, but only those things which Scripture led me unto; and that in my sermons I never maintained any error, neither moved nor gave occasion of any insurrection, although I have been slandered to preach that our Lady was but a saffron-bag, which I utterly protest before God that I never meant, nor preached it; but all my study and diligence hath been utterly to confound and confute all men of that doctrine, as are the anabaptists, who deny that our Saviour Christ did take any flesh of the blessed Virgin Mary; which sects I detest and abhor. And in this place there have been burned some of them, whom I never favoured nor maintained; but with all diligence evermore did I study to set forth the glory of God, the obedience to our sovereign lord the king, and the true and sincere religion of Christ and now hearken to my faith.

'I believe in the holy and blessed Trinity, three Persons and one God, that created and made all the world: and that this blessed Trinity sent down the second person, Jesu Christ, into the womb of the most blessed and purest Virgin Mary. And here, bear me record, that I do utterly condemn that abominable and detestable opinion of the Anabaptists, who say that Christ took no flesh of the Virgin. For I believe, that without man's will or power he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and took flesh of her, and that he suffered hunger, thirst, cold, and other passions of our body, sin excepted, according to the saying of St. Peter, He was made in all things like to his brethren, except sin. And I believe that this his death and passion was the sufficient ransom for the sin of all the world. And I believe that through his death he overcame sin, death, and hell; and that there is none other satisfaction unto the Father, but this his death and passion only; and that no work of man did deserve any thing of God, but only his passion, as touching our justification: for I know All men's the best work that ever I did is impure and unperfect.' [And with this he cast abroad his hands, and desired God to forgive him his trespasses.] For although perchance,' said he, you know nothing by me, yet do I confess, that my thoughts and cogitations be innumerable: wherefore I beseech thee, O Lord! not to enter into judgment with me, according to the saying of the prophet David, Non intres in judicium cum servo tuo, Domine, Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord:1 and in another place, Si iniquitates observaveris Domine, quis sustinebit? Lord, if thou straitly mark our iniquities, who

works imperfect.

(1) Psalm cxliii. 2.

VIII.

is able to abide thy judgment? Wherefore I trust in no good work that ever Henry I did, but only in the death of Christ. I do not doubt but through him to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Take me not here that I speak against good works, for they are to be done; and verily they that do them not, shall never come into the kingdom of God. We must do them, because they are commanded us of God, to show and set forth our profession, not to deserve or merit; for that is only the death of Christ.

'I believe that there is a holy church, and a company of all them that do profess Christ; and that all that have suffered for and confessed his name be saints; and that all they do praise and laud God in heaven, more than I or any man's tongue can express: and that always I have spoken reverently, and praised them as much as Scripture willed me to do. And that our Lady, I say, was a virgin immaculate and undefiled, and that she is the most pure virgin that ever God created, and a vessel elect of God, of whom Christ should be born.'

A. D. 1540.

Then said Master Sheriff, "You have said well of her before." Barnes And, being afraid that Master Sheriff had been or should be aggrieved with any thing that he should say, he said,

Master Sheriff, if I speak any thing that you will me not, do no more but beckon me with your hand, and I will straightway hold my peace; for I will not be disobedient in any thing, but will obey.'

Then there was one that asked him his opinion of praying to saints. Then said he,

obedient to magistrates.

'Now of saints you shall hear my opinion. I have said before somewhat that Pray not I think of them: how that I believe they are in heaven with God, and that they to saints. are worthy of all the honour that Scripture willeth them to have. But, I say, throughout all Scripture we are not commanded to pray to any saints. Therefore I neither can nor will preach to you that saints ought to be prayed unto; for then should I preach unto you a doctrine of mine own head. Notwithstanding, whether they pray for us or no, that I refer to God. And if saints do pray for us, then I trust to pray for you within this half hour, Master Sheriff, and for every christian man living in the faith of Christ, and dying in the same as a saint. Wherefore, if the dead may pray for the quick, I will surely pray for you.'

66

showed

died.

'Well, have you any thing more to say?" Then spake he to No cause Master Sheriff, and said, "Have ye any articles against me for the why which I am condemned ?" And the sheriff answered, "No." Then Barnes said he, "Is there here any man else that knoweth wherefore I die, or that by my preaching hath taken any error? Let them now speak, and I will make them answer." And no man answered. Then said he,

for his

'Well! I am condemned by the law to die, and as I understand by an act of Barnes parliament; but wherefore, I cannot tell, but belike for heresy, for we are like praying to burn. But they that have been the occasion of it, I pray God forgive them, enemies. as I would be forgiven myself. And Dr. Stephen, bishop of Winchester that now is, if he have sought or wrought this my death either by word or deed, I pray God forgive him, as heartily, as freely, as charitably, and without feigning, as ever Christ forgave them that put him to death. And if any of the council, or any others have sought or wrought it through malice or ignorance, I pray God forgive their ignorance, and illuminate their eyes that they may see, and ask mercy for it. I beseech you all, to pray for the king's grace, as I have done ever since I was in prison, and do now, that God may give him prosperity, and that he may long reign among you; and after him that godly prince Edward may so reign, that he may finish those things that his Father hath begun. I have been reported a preacher of sedition and disobedience unto the king's majesty; but here I say to you, that you are all bound by the commandment of God to obey your prince with all humility, and with all your heart, yea, not

(1) Psalm exxx. 3.