VI. draw people to their faction, were likewise apprehended, committed Edward to ward, lawfully convicted, and lastly, executed at York the 21st of September, A.D. 1549.1 A. D. 1549. ring and of the To these pestiferous commotions, raised up against king Edward by his own subjects in this year aforesaid, within the realm, I might The stiralso adjoin the busy stirring and raging of the French king, against rising our young and innocent prince, without the realm: who, hearing of French these tumults and violent insurrections of the king's subjects in king. divers and sundry quarters of the realm, supposing to take the time for his most advantage, thought, likewise, for his part, not to be unoccupied. Who, after he had by his ambassador made open breach with the king, immediately after the revocation of the said ambassador from hence, intending to annoy the king, and make his first invasion against the isles of Jersey and Guernsey, thought to have surprised our ships and the said isles with a certain number of his ships and galleys; in which his assault he was so hotly saluted by the king's ships and the island, that, by the confession of them that saw it, and by the report written unto the lord protector, the Frenchmen lost at least a thousand men. Their ships and galleys were so spoiled, that being forced to return home, they were not able then to set out again. I Furthermore, out of France credible word was brought to the lord protector (which yet in letters appeareth), that into one town, in one vessel, were brought, at least, three score gentlemen to be buried; and also an inhibition specially given out by the king, not to speak of the success in that journey. This was about the beginning of August, 1549. The like also might be noted of the losses of the said French king at Boulogne, the 8th day of August, the same year, as by the lord Clinton's letters may well appear; but for spending of time pass it over. What the meaning of the French king was in these voyages, or how he intended further to proceed, I have not herein to deal. This is certain and evident, that the mighty arm of God The wonmercifully fought for king Edward his servant, to defend and deliver protection him from so many hard dangers, so dangerous and sundry com- of the motions, stirred up in so many quarters within this realm, and also defending without the realm, and all within the compass of one year; and yet ward. the Lord above, fighting for his true servant, dispatched them all, as in story here ye have heard declared, and is no less worthy of all. posterity to be noted. Matter concerning Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London, WITH DECLARATION OF THE ACTS AND PROCESS ENTERED AGAINST HIM IN KING EDWARD'S TIME.2 derful Lord in king Ed to 1549. And thus much hitherto having discoursed touching the manifold 1547 troubles and tumults raised up on every side against king Edward by his unkind and unnatural subjects, and yet, notwithstanding, the gracious goodness of the Lord ever giving him the victory; now let us return again to Bonner, bishop of London, where we left him. (1) Ex actis judicii publici registro receptis et notatis. (2) The best evidence that can be adduced for the authenticity of Foxe's account of Bishop Bonner, is that it is quoted, very generally, as well by papists as by protestants.-ED. Edward before, that is, in his own house, where he was by the council commanded to remain, as is above signified. VI. A.D. to 1549. the king's Paul's And now, forasmuch as we have to enter into the story of the said 1547 Bonner, for the better understanding of the whole order thereof, it shall be requisite to rip up and declare the matter, with the circumstances and occasions thereof, from the first beginning of king Sitting of Edward's time. Where is to be understood, that king Edward, in commis the first year of his reign, A.D. 1547, the first day of September, for sioners in the order of his visitation, directed out certain commissioners, as sir church. Anthony Cook and sir John Godsalve, knights, John Godsalve and Christopher Nevinson, doctors of the law, and John Madew, doctor of divinity; who, sitting in Paul's church upon their commission, the day and year aforesaid, there being present at the same time, Edmund bishop of London, John Royston, Polydore Virgil, Peter Van, and others of the said cathedral church, after the sermon made, and An oath the commission being read, ministered an oath unto the said bishop of ed to Bon- London, to renounce and deny the bishop of Rome with his usurped Forswear authority, and to swear obedience unto the king, according to the the pope. effect and form of the statute made in the 31st year of king Henry VIII.; also, that he should present and redress all and singular such things as were needful within the said church to be reformed. minister to Bonner requireth to see their commission. Bonner's Whereupon the said bishop humbly and instantly desired them that he might see their commission, only for this purpose and intent (as he said), that he might the better fulfil and put in execution the things wherein he was charged by them or their commission: unto whom the commissioners, answering, said, they would deliberate more upon the matter. And so they called the other ministers of the said church before them, and ministered the like oath unto them, as they did to the bishop before. To whom moreover, there and then, certain interrogatories and articles of inquisition were read by Peter Lilly the public notary. This done, after their oaths taken, the said commissioners delivered unto the bishop aforesaid, certain injunctions, as well in print as written, and homilies set forth by the king; all which things the said bishop received, under the words of this protestation, as followeth : 'I do receive these injunctions and homilies with this protestation, that I protesta- will observe them, if they be not contrary and repugnant to God's law and the statutes and ordinances of the church." tion. And immediately he added, with an oath, that he never read the said homilies and injunctions. This protestation being made in manner and form aforesaid, the said Edmund Bonner bishop of London instantly desired and required Peter Lilly, the registrar aforesaid, there and then to register and enact the same. And so the said commissioners, delivering the injunctions and homilies to Master Bellassere, archdeacon of Colchester, and Gilbert Bourn, archdeacon of London, Essex, and Middlesex; and enjoining them, in most effectuous manner, under pains therein contained, to put the same in speedy exccution, and also reserving other new injunctions to be ministered afterwards, as well to the bishop, as to the archdeacons aforesaid, according as they should see cause, &c., did so continue (1) See Burnet, vol. ii. part 2. quoted Ex libro Conciliorum, fol. 110.'-ED. the said visitation till three of the clock the same day in the Edward afternoon. VI. 1547 to At the which hour and place assigned, the commissioners being A.D. set, and the canons and priests of the said church appearing before them, and being examined upon virtue of their oath, for their doc- 1549. trine and conversation of life, first one John Painter, one of the canons of the said cathedral church, there and then openly confessed, that he, viciously and carnally, had often the company of a certain married man's wife, whose name he denied to declare: in the which crime divers other canons and priests of the aforesaid church, confessed in like manner, and could not deny themselves to be culpable. And after the commissioners aforesaid, had delivered to Master Royston prebendary, and to the proctor of the dean and of the chapter of the said cathedral church of St. Paul, the king's injunctions, and the book of homilies, enjoining them to see the execution thereof, under pain therein specified, they prorogued their said visitation until seven of the clock the next day following. this visi By this visitation, above specified, it appears, gentle reader, first how Things in Bonner made his protestation after the receiving of the king's injunc- tation to tions, and also how he required the same to be put in public record. be noted. Furthermore, thou hast to note the unchaste life and conversation of these popish votaries and priests of Paul's. Now, what followed after this protestation of the bishop made, remaineth further, in the sequel of the story, to be declared; wherein, first thou shalt understand that the said bishop, shortly after his protestation, whether for fear, or for conscience, repenting himself, went unto the king, where Bonner he submitted himself, and recanting his former protestation, craved his evil pardon of the king for his inordinate demeanour toward his grace's commissioners, in the former visitation: which pardon, notwithstanding it was granted unto him by the king for the acknowledging of his fault, yet for the evil example of the fact, it was thought good that he should be committed to the Fleet, as by the tenor of the Is sent to council's letter sent to the commissioners may appear; which, together with the form also of the bishop's protestation and of his recantation, here under followeth. The King's Letter to the Commissioners concerning the Recantation and Pardoning of Bonner. To our very loving friends, sir Anthony Cook, knight, and the rest of the commissioners for the visitation at London, in haste. repenteth demea nour. the Fleet. After our hearty commendation: This shall be to signify unto you, that we have received your letters, and in the same enclosed the copy of the protestation made by the bishop of London in the time of your visitation at Paul's: your wise proceedings wherein, and advertisements from you, we take in very thankful part towards us. And because the said bishop, who, being here before us, hath acknowledged his indiscreet demeanour, did at that time, at Paul's, require the registrar of your visitation, to make record and entry of his protes- Bonner tation, and now, upon better consideration of his duty, maketh means to have the recanteth same revoked, as shall appear unto you by the true copy of his writings enclosed, the original whereof, remaining with us, he hath subscribed; we pray you to cause the registrar to make entry of this his revocation, according to the tenor (1) Note the corrupt life of these unmarried priests and popish votaries. his pro testation. VI. A. D. 1547 Edward of this his said writing: further signifying unto you, that in respect of his offence, and the evil ensample that might thereupon ensue, we have thought meet to send him to the prison of the Fleet, whither he hath been conveyed by Master Vice-chamberlain. And whereas sundry things for the king's majesty's service do now occur here, which require the present attendance of you, sir John Godsalve, as well for your office of the signet, as of the prothonotoryship, we pray you that, leaving the execution of the visitation to the rest of your colleagues, you make your repair hither with convenient diligence. Thus fare you right heartily well. to 1549. September, 1547. From Hampton Court, the 12th of Thomas Canterbury, William Peter, Anthony Dennie, Anthony Brown, Edward North. Bonner requireth tered. The Form of Bonner's Recantation. Whereas I, Edmund bishop of London, at such time as I received the his recan- king's majesty's injunctions and homilies of my most dread sovereign lord, at tation to the hands of his highness's visitors, did unadvisedly make such protestation as be regis- now, upon better consideration of my duty of obedience, and of the evil example that might ensue unto others thereof, appeareth to me neither reasonable, nor such as might well stand with the duty of an humble subject: forasmuch as the same protestation, at my request, was then, by the registrar of that visitation, enacted and put in record, I have thought it my duty not only to declare before your lordships, that I do now, upon better consideration of my duty, renounce and revoke my said protestation; but also most humbly beseech your lordships, that this my revocation of the same may be likewise put in the same records, for a perpetual memory of the truth; most humbly beseeching your good lordships, both to take order that it may take effect, and also that my former and unadvised doings may be, by your good mediations, pardoned by the king's majesty. Edmund London. The order of Bonner's doings in the be of this The registers of these affairs of Bonner's, remain in the hands of Peter Lilly, then being registrar to the aforesaid commissioners.1 Thus far thou hast heard, loving reader, first the popish protestation of Bonner; then how he, calling himself home again, solemnly recanted the same, requiring further the said his revocation to be comginning mitted to public record, for a perpetual remembrance. Also, how he, upon his humble submission, received his pardon of the king, and yet, for example' sake, was commanded to the Fleet; where he nevertheless did not long continue, but, according to the effect of the king's pardon before granted, was restored both to house and living again; which was in the first year of the king, A.D. 1547. reign. After this ye have heard also, in the story above, in the second year, and a great part of the third year of the king, how he demeaned himself, although not most forward in advancing the king's proceedings, yet in such sort, as no great advantage by any law could be taken against him, both in swearing his obedience to the king, and in receiving his injunctions; also in confessing his assent and consent touching the state of religion then; and, furthermore, in directing out his letters, according to the archbishop of Canterbury's precepts, to Cloney his sumner, to the bishop of Westminster, and to other bishops, for abolishing of images, for abrogation of the mass, for bibles to be set up, and for ministering in both kinds, with such (1) Burnet gives two documents of Bonner's respecting the question of the Injunctions: the one, addressed to sir John Godsalve, (copied from MS. col. CC. Cantab.); the other, part of a letter to the protector (Cotton Libr. Vesp. D. 18). See Burnet, Hist. Ref. Lond. 1820. vol. ii. part 2, pp. 157-161.-ED. VI. beginneth his dili other like matters of reformation; till at length he, hearing of the Edward death of the lord admiral, the lord protector's brother, and after that of the stirring and rising of the king's subjects in sundry tumults A.D. against the king, began somewhat, as he durst, to draw back and slack 1549. his pastoral diligence, so that in many places of his diocese, and in Bonner London, the people not only were negligent in resorting to divine to slack service, but also did frequent and haunt foreign rites of masses, and gence. other orders than in this realm were appointed; and he also himself, contrary to his wonted manner, upon principal feasts refused in his own person to execute. Whereupon he, being suspected and complained of, and convented before the king's council (as ye heard before), after sharp admonitions and reproofs, had certain private injunctions to him enjoined. Matters put to Bonner to redress. 1. That he should personally preach within three weeks after at Paul's Cross. 2. That according as his predecessors were wont to celebrate mass, he at such wonted times should execute and administer the communion. 3. That he should call before him and correct more diligently such transgressors as absented themselves from the order of service, and ministration of the Lord's board, appointed then in churches by the king's ordinance. 4. That he should see more carefully and vigilantly to the punishment of adulterers and fornicators. 5. That he, in the meanwhile, should be resident within his own house during the time while he should make his sermon at Paul's above mentioned, which was A.D. 1549. In this sermon certain special points were prefixed unto him, whereupon he should treat; which here in order follow, and are these: Special Points and Articles to be treated of by Bonner, Bishop of 1. That all such as rebel against their prince, get unto them damnation, and those that resist the higher power, resist the ordinances of God; and he that dieth therefore in rebellion, by the word of God is utterly damned, and so loseth both body and soul. And therefore those rebels in Devonshire and Cornwall, in Norfolk, or elsewhere, who take upon them to assemble a power and force against their king and prince, against the laws and statutes of the realm, and go about to subvert the state and order of the commonwealth, not only do deserve therefore death as traitors and rebels, but do accumulate to themselves eternal damnation, even to be in the burning fire of hell with Lucifer, the father and first author of pride, disobedience, and rebellion, what pretences soever they have, and what masses or holy water soever they pretend, or go about to make among themselves; as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, for rebellion against Moses, were swallowed down alive into hell, although they pretended to sacrifice unto God. to be all God's 2. Likewise, in the order of the church, and extern rites and ceremonies of What divine service, forasmuch as God requireth humility of heart, innocency of things be living, knowledge of him, charity and love towards our neighbours, and obedience necessary to his word and to his ministers and superior powers, these we must bring to joined in all our prayers, to all our service; and this is that sacrifice which Christ re- service. quireth, and these be those that make all things pleasant unto God. The extern rites and ceremonies be but exercises of our religion, and appointable by Extern superior powers; in choosing whereof we must obey the magistrates; which rites and things also we do see ever have been and shall be (as the time and place is) nies, how diverse, and yet all hath pleased God so long as these before spoken inward far they things be there. If any man shall use the old rites, and thereby disobey the serve. ceremo |