VIII. Henry thanksgiving, throughout all congregations without end and ceasing. Amen!! A. D. 1547. And thus much concerning the reign of king Henry the eighth, a prince of worthy fame and memory, under whose time and governance such acts and records, troubles, persecutions, recantations, practices, alterations, as then happened in the church, we have here discoursed, with such statutes, injunctions, and proclamations, as by him were set forth, in causes and matters to the church appertaining; comprehending, although not all things so fully as might be, yet pretermitting as few things as we could in such matters as came to our hands, save that only in the catalogue and number of them who recanted in king Henry's time, certain we have overpassed; whose names I might seem partial, peradventure, in this story for not reciting with the others who, in the like cause, recanted with them. Yet, because they continued not in their recantation with them, but recovered and reverted again to the truth forsaken, therefore I thought it cause sufficient to dissever them from the others, especially seeing they so converted unto the Lord, that they were ready to yield their lives afterwards for the truth; as divers, indeed, so did, whom it pleased the Lord to call thereunto. Yea, in all king Henry's times, how few were they that burned, that did not revoke before, so did Bilney, Garret, Barnes, Jerome, Arther, with divers more. Bishop Latimer who suffered in queen Mary's time, though he bare no faggot, yet he subscribed to their articles. What should we say to Master Beacon, who, although he recanted with others in king Henry's time, yet, in queen Mary's days, how hardly he escaped with his life out of the Tower, had not God's providence blinded Winchester's eyes, in mistaking his name! The like is to be said of Master Wisdome, Doctor Crome, Alexander Seton, Tolwing, Singleton, with the rest; who all recanted in king Henry's time, and yet good soldiers after in the church of Christ. And thus closing up this section with the term of king Henry's life, we will now proceed (God willing) to the flourishing reign of king Edward his son, next after him succeeding, requesting by the way, and desiring the gentle reader, that if any thing besides that which is or hath been by us collected hitherto, do come to thy hands, knowledge, or memory, that thou wilt gently impart the same unto us, whereby it may be published hereafter to further profit of many.* (1) The history of this extraordinary man may well be concluded by the following observation: "Morte sic regnum finiit Henricus Rex, propter prima administrationis tempora illustre, propter victorias crebas et res in bello feliciter gestas gloriosum, propter magnas sub eo mutationes factas memorabile, propter ecclesiæ sub eo cœptam reformationem laudabile: attamen verò (veritatem non occultare) propter uxoriam rem infelicissimum; denique, propter creba tributa reipublicæ nonnihil damnosum, civibusque grave ac onerosum." See Herwologia Anglica, Lond. 1620, page 4. The writings of Henry VIII. were as follows: Ad Leonem pontificem ejus nominis X. Assertio Sacramentorum, lib. i.: Ad Epistolam Lutheri, lib. i.: De Christiani Hominis Institutione, lib.i. : De Instituenda Pube, lib. i. Sententia de Mantuano Concilio, lib.i.: De justo in Scotos bello, lib. i.: Ad duces Saxoniæ, Erasmum Roterodamum, et alios magni nominis viros,epistolæ dissertissimæ.-E. END OF BOOK THE EIGHTH. ACTS AND MONUMENTS. BOOK IX. CONTAINING THE ACTS AND THINGS DONE IN THE REIGN OF KING EDWARD THE SIXTH. VI. *AMONG other rough storms and boisterous persecutions which we Edward have passed through since the beginning of this history, wading also through dangerous tempests of king Henry's time (as being come out A.D. from the rocks and waves of a terrible sea), now we have brought the 1547. course of this story, through the goodness and supportation of Christ our Lord, to the mild and halcyon days of king Edward the Sixth ; as into a haven of fairer and calmer weather. For like as the seas, so also the land, hath ofttimes its rages and also tranquillity. Although it cannot be denied but that king Henry, the noble father of this worthy prince, deserved also praise and renown for his valiant and virtuous beginning, yet, if he had proceeded as hardily, according as happily, he began; and, like as he only cracked the pope's crown, and rased his name, so, if he had clean dispossessed him of all:-or, as he had once got the victory over him, so, if he had pursued his victory gotten, and (as it was preached before him at Greenwich), "like as he had once unhorsed the pope, and put him out of the saddle, so, if he had also taken away his trappers and stirrups, whereby the prelates went about to set him on his horse again:" then had his acts, joining a perfect end to his godly beginning, deserved a firm memory of much commendation, with the saving of many a poor man's life. But that which the father, either could not, or durst not bring to perfection, that the son most worthily did accomplish, or rather the grace of Christ by him; who, succeeding after his father, reigned over the kingdom of England the space of six years in much tranquillity: of whose worthy virtues and prudent sentences, with other ornaments of his singular towardness, hereafter (1) See the Latin Edition, Basle, 1559, p. 200 Ed. 1563, p. 675. Ed. 1570, p. 1483. p. 1257. Ed. 1583, p. 1294. Ed. 1597, p. 1178. Edition 1684. Vol. II. book ix. p. i..-ED. (2) See Edition 1563, p. 675; also the Latin Edition, Basle. 1559, p. 200.-ED. Ed. 1576, VI. Edward shall follow (Christ so permitting), more to be expressed at large, when we come to his death, according as the order of history reA.D. quireth, and as we may be informed thereof by the relation of them 1547. that were about him. After or about the death, therefore, of king Henry, the duke of Norfolk was the same time committed to the Tower, and his son, the earl of Surrey, was shortly after beheaded; for what offence, as it is unknown to me, I commit it unto the Lord, who, as He knoweth all things perfectly, so shall He judge all things righteously. God grant that the doings of all men may be such, that, either they may stand in his judgment through uprightness, or else may obtain mercy through repentance !* Next after the death of king Henry, succeeded king Edward his son, being of the age of nine years. He began his reign the 28th day of January A.D. 1547; and reigned six years, five months, and nine days; and deceased- A.D. 1553, the 6th day of July. Of the excellent virtues and singular graces of king Edward, wrought in him by the gift of God, although nothing can be said enough to his commendation, yet, because the renowned fame of such a worthy prince shall not utterly pass our story without some grateful remembrance, I thought, in few words, to touch some little portion of his praise, taken out of the great heaps of matter, which might be inferred. For, to stand upon all that might be said of him, it would be too long; and yet to say nothing, it were too much unkind. Commen- If kings and princes, who have wisely and virtuously governed, have king Ed found in all ages writers to solemnize and celebrate their acts and memory, such as never knew them, nor were subject unto them, how much then are we Englishmen bound not to forget our duty to king Edward: a prince, although but tender in years, yet for his sage and mature ripeness in wit and all princely ornaments, as I see but few to whom he may not be equal, so, again, I see not many, to whom he may not justly be preferred. dation of ward. son between king Jo king Ed sias and ward. And here, to use the example of Plutarch, in comparing kings and rulers, the Latins with the Greeks together, if I should seek with whom to match this noble Edward, I find not with whom to make Compari- my match more aptly, than with good Josias: for, as the one began his reign at eight years of his age, so the other began at nine. Neither were their acts and zealous proceedings in God's cause much discrepant: for as mild Josias plucked down the hill altars, cut down the groves, and destroyed all monuments of idolatry in the temple, the like corruptions, dross, and deformities of popish idolatry (crept into the church of Christ of long time), this evangelical Josias, king Edward, removed and purged out of the true temple of the Lord. Josias restored the true worship and service of God in Jerusalem, and destroyed the idolatrous priests! King Edward likewise, in England, abolishing idolatrous masses and false invocation, reduced again religion to a right sincerity; and more would have brought to perfection, if life and time had answered to his godly purpose. And though he killed not, as Josias did, the idolatrous sacrificers, yet he put them to silence, and removed them out of their places. Moreover, in king Josias's days the holy Scripture and book of God's Word was utterly neglected and cast aside, which he most VI. differ in graciously repaired and restored again. And did not king Edward Edward the like, with the selfsame book of God's blessed word, and with other wholesome books of christian doctrine, which before were A.D. decayed and extinguished in his father's days, by sharp laws and 1547. severe punishments, here in England? Briefly, in all points and They only respects, between him and this our godly king no odds are to be continufound, but only in length of time and reign; who, if he might have an of reached (by the sufferance of God) to the continuance of Josias's reign; proceeding in those beginnings which in his youth appeared, no doubt but of his acts and doings some great perfection would have ensued to this church and realm. But the manifold iniquities. of Englishmen deserved another plague, as after fell amongst us; as in sequel of the story hereafter (God willing) shall be declared. In the mean time, to proceed in the excellent virtues of this christian young Josias (as we have begun), although neither do we know, nor will leisure serve us to stand upon a full description of, all his acts; yet will we (God willing) give a little taste of the noble nature and princely qualities of this king, whereby the reader may esteem with himself, what is to be thought of the rest of his doings, though they be not here all expressed. reign. ward be jects. nature. And first, to begin with that which is the chiefest property of all King Edother extern things in a prince to be considered, that is, to be loved loved of of his subjects such were the hearts of all English people toward his subthis king inclined, and so toward him still continued, as never came prince in this realm more highly esteemed, more amply magnified, or more dearly and tenderly beloved of all his subjects; but especially of the good and the learned sort: and yet not so much beloved, as also admirable, by reason of his rare towardness and hope both of virtue and learning, which in him appeared above the capacity of his years. And as he was entirely of his subjects beloved, so with no less goodwill he loved them again; of nature and disposition meek, His meek and much inclined to clemency. He always spared and favoured the life of man; as once appeared in a certain dissertation of his had with Master Cheek, in favouring the life of heretics; insomuch that when Joan Butcher' should be burned, all the council could not move him to put to his hand, but were fain to get Dr. Cranmer to persuade with him, and yet neither could he, with much labour, induce the king so to do; saying, "What, my lord? will ye have me to send her quick to the devil in her error?" So that Dr. Cranmer himself confessed, that he had never so much to do in all his life, as to cause the king to put to his hand, saying, that he would lay all the charge thereof upon Cranmer before God. There wanted in him no promptness of wit, gravity of sentence, ripeness of judgment. Favour and love of religion was in him from his childhood. Such an organ, given of God to the church of England, he was, as England had never better. Over and besides these notable excellencies and other great virtues in him, add, moreover, skill and knowledge of skilled tongues, and other sciences, whereunto he seemed rather born, than tongues. brought up. (1) She was burnt on the 2d of May, for the horrible heresy that Christ took no flesh of the Virgin Mary and at her death did preach John Scorie, a preacher of Canterbury, showing to the people her abominable opinions, and warning all men to beware of them and such like.' Fabyan's Chronicles. Lond. 1811. p. 510. Burnet, vol. i, part 2. pp. 180-186. See also her sentence, vol. ii. part 2. p. 229, and Wilkins, Coacilia. Lond. 1737. vol. iv. p. 13.-ED. Well in the Edward ness of ward to Moreover, there wanted not in him, to this felicity of wit and dexterity of nature, like happiness of institution of good instructors; A. D. neither did there lack again in him any diligence to receive that 1547. which they would teach him; insomuch that in the midst of all his Readi- play and recreation, he would always observe and keep his hour king Ed- appointed to his study, using the same with much attention, till time his book. called him again from his book to pastime. In this his study and keeping of his hours, he did so profit, that Dr. Cranmer, the archbishop then of Canterbury, beholding his towardness, his readiness in both tongues, in translating from Greek to Latin, from Latin to Greek again; in declaiming with his school-fellows without help of Dr. Cox, his teachers, and that ex tempore; would weep for joy, declaring to Dr. Cox, his schoolmaster, that he would never have thought that to have been in him, except he had seen it himself. king Ed ward's schoolmaster. King Edward names and reli To recite here his witty sentences, his grave reasons, which many times did proceed from him, and how he would sometimes, in a matter discoursed by his council, add thereunto, of his own, more reasons and causes, touching the said matter, than they themselves had or could devise, it was almost incredible in that age to see, and tedious here to prosecute. This in him may seem notorious and admirable, that he, in these immature years, could tell and recite all the ports, havens, and creeks, not within his own realm only, but also in Scotland, and likewise in France; what coming in there was; how the tide served in every haven or creek; moreover, what burden, and what wind, served the coming into the haven. Also, of all his justices, magistrates, gentlemen that bare any knew the authority within his realm, he knew their names, their housekeeping, their religion, and conversation, what it was. Few sermons, or none, in his court, especially in the lord protector's time, but he gistrates. would be at them. Again, never was he present at any commonly, but he would excerp them, or note them with his own hand. gion of all his ma constancy in main true re Besides and above all other notes and examples of his commendation, as touching the chiefest point which ought most to touch all men, for the maintaining, promoting, preferring, embracing, zealing, and defending the true cause and quarrel of Christ's holy gospel, what was his study, his zealous fervency, his admirable constancy therein, by this one example following, amongst many others, may notably appear. Singular In the days of this king Edward VI., Charles the emperor made of king request to the said king and his council, to permit lady Mary (who Edward after succeeded in the crown) to have mass in her house without taining prejudice of the law. And the council, on a time, sitting upon ligion. matters of policy, having that in question, sent Cranmer, then archbishop of Canterbury, and Ridley, then bishop of London, to entreat the king for the same; who, coming to his grace, alleged their reasons, and persuasions for the accomplishing thereof. So the king, hearing what they could say, replied his answer again out of the Scriptures so groundedly, gravely, and fully, that they were enforced to give place to his replication, and grant the same to be true. Then they, after long debating in this manner with his majesty, laboured politicly in another sort, and alleged what dangers the denying thereof |