Search York

place, where he might do them serviceable plesure, as it

was to be thought grateful to them both, and contented for

his goodnes the best Busshop of Italy.

So that al things considered in matter of the Church, to

entreat -with these Princes, none was thought like : therfore

the Pope bound him to take this journey with me for this

purpose. And this bond, among others, I rehersed unto

him, when I moved him to go vmto the King.
To the which he made answer. If there were none other

bond nor respect in this matter, but of Gods knowing my

matters as he doth ; and seeing what inconveniences might

follow, if they were not at last wel accept, besides the ser-

vice he hath ever owed to the King, and love towards me ;

knowing what comfort it might be to al parts, if my true

and faithful deahng were wel intimate to the King; he

would be content at al time, the way onys found afore, how

with commodity he might come to the Kings presence, to

take this charge upon him.

This, my Lord, you may now perceive, that if I had ony

part that mind, that the King, procuring against me, doth

show to be persuaded I have, it could not be possible I

could have ony confidence to attempt ony meddling with

his Gr. under such maner. But because nor my confidence

222 nor affectionate mind yet is not taken away, therfore this I

do declare unto you by these letters, to the intent you may

intimate the same to his Grace. And now you se by a

great proof what my mind is : you may also se, how al sus-

picion may not alonely be cleared, many things appeared,

that peradventure might turn to greater trouble ; but also

many things be brought to light, to the Kings most assured

honor and wealth, than ony thing is, I think, thought of

RECORDS AND ORIGINALS. 331

hitherto to make for the same. For al this I dare promise

to follow, if the Busshop be heard with that mind, as he is

sent, and content for to go.
Other declarations of ni}^ mind by letters I intend not to

make, than my letters agreing Avith mine actions, sent afore,

do make testimony ; and that the Busshop, which is privy

to al, may declare presently. But this I wil say, if I bear

in ony part that mind the Kings act against me doth show

his Gr. is persuaded I should have, surely I would never

have don as I have don, in al mine acts and processes, [that

is,] by letters made the King and you privy unto them,

(this I did at my first coming to Rome,) and cause of my

legacy now, and the cause of my coming to these parts.

Such advices rebels be not want to give unto those from

whom they rebel. But especially at Rome, (being there

when the time was precious for the King in his realms,) let-

ting them the sending forth of the censures, (which might

have caused more trouble,) and sending at that time my

servant purposely to offer my service, to procure by al

means his honor, wealth, and quietnes : animating besides

those that were chief of my neerest kin to be constant in

his service. This rebels be not wont to do. And I know

at Rome, if ony man had been premiate to do him service,

none could have don more.
In so much that men judged me half a rebel to God and

my country, because I would not assent to divers things,

that had been little to the Kings quietnes. But especially

having in my bond those writings, that, put forth, perad-

venture might a cause most trouble of al : these instantly,

being desired of those, which had in a maner authority to

command, and yet ever finding means, that they never came

into their sight nor bonds ; and to this hour suppressing the

same. Bethink you wcl. But as I say, my purpose is not

to justify my mind by these letters at this time in mo acts

than one, which is of this present time. Nor if it be not

justified of such an one as the Busshop is, that knoweth

them assuredly, I do neither intend hereafter to labor ony

more herein : afore God and al men, that wil be indiflferent

382 APPENDIX OF

judges of the truth, I wil not doubt at al times to justify

my self towards the King. I- would to God I could so wel

justify my self afore God and the Catholic Church, for

negligent service in this behalf, bycause I would not offend

the King.
Now I wil say no more, but pray unto Almighty God to

put that in the Kings mind, that may be most to his honor

and wealth, with grace to follow the same; and to take

from al other such occasion, why they should think, if they

serve the [Church or Pope] according to their conscience,

they should be constrained to offend the King: and so

223 hereby to separate the one from the other. Which surely

to no man should be more grief than to me. But Gods

plesure be fulfilled above al, to whom I now commit you.

Written at Cambray, the second day of May,

Your loving frend,

To my Lord Privy Seal. R. Card. Legatus.

Number LXXXV.

Lee, Archbishop of VorJc, to Crumwel, Lord Privy Seal;

cwicerning Friars, preachers in his diocese.

c leopatia, RIGHT Honorable, after my heartiest commendation :

¦ ^' I have received the Kings most honorable letters and

yours, by the Kings messenger, named Adams, the xxiii. of

this month : by which I perceive, that his Highnes ple-

sure and yours is, that I shal do my best endeavour, first to

avoid, that no contrariety be here suffered in preaching

against the new novelties : by which, I suppose, you mean,

no opinions be pronounced or taught, without wise and dis-

crete qualification. And thirdly, to repress the temerity of

al those, that odre privily or apertly, directly or indirectly,

would advaunce the pretended authority of the Bishop of

Rome.
Wherin Ueke it you to understand, that surely in my

conscience I know no man here, that in any maner goeth

about to avaunce the said authority ; and what I have done

RECORDS AND ORIGINALS. 333

to set forth the contrary, you partly know. And if I shal

hereafter know of any such thing, I shal with al diligence

put him to silence.
Contrariety in preaching I have not suffered ; ne have

heard of any, saving that one Friar in York preached of

purgatory, whom because he did it, the Kings plesure not

known, I forthwith discharged of preaching. Wherof a [I]

wrote to you by my brodre. Treasurer of York ; and one

oodre contention betwixt the Vicar of Doncastre and a light

Friar there : wherupon I charged the said Vicar, that he in

no wise should preach of any article mentioned in the ordre

taken by the Kings Highnes. And because I was credibly

informed, that the said Friar preached some of the said ar-

ticles, and that after such sort as the people were much of-

fended, I commanded the Vicar that he should not suffer

him to preach. And forsomuch as the said Vicar and oodre

layd certain articles against the said Friar, which he had

preached, I sent for him first by a gentle letter, but he

would not come, but answered me plainly, he would ask

counsil ; and so went to London. Afterward, at his return,

I caused him to be cited, but he would not appear. And

now I have given commission down to examine his articles ;

and if he hath preached much slanderously to the offence

of the people, I shal discharge him of preaching. There is

also another Friar of the Gray sort, of whom I am now

informed, whom I shal also discharge. For he preacheth

new things, and that very slanderously to the offence of the 224

people : and whether he hath commission of me or not, I

do not yet know. I admitted some at the request of Dr.

Brown, pretending to me, that they were discrete and wel

learned, and should do the King good service. Odre

preachers of novelties here be none, that I know of, ne

hath been, saving two or three that pretended to have the

Kings authority. With one of whom I spake. Of whom

afterwards I heard no great complaint; and he shortly

after departed. The toodre hath preached since at Polls

Cross, as we hear, and there declared his learning, which is

334 APPENDIX OF

liek his life : both nought, as the common clamour of this

country is.

Al the Kings matters the people hear reverently and

obediently : but at such novelties, especially handled with-

out charity or discretion, the people grudge much : wherof

heretofore I have advertised you by my letters. I trust

there shal be no default found in me, but that I shal se the

Kings commandment fulfilled to the uttermost of my

power. And if hereafter [any] shal come with the Kings

licence or yours, I trust you wol be content that I shal put

them to silence, as wel as oodre, if they preach any such no-

velties. I sue stil to you for my commission, in which I

trust I shal do good service for the Kings discharge and

yours, if you give it me. Truly we have and shal have

great need therof for many causes. And thus in my

heartiest maner I commend you to the keeping of our

Lord. From Cawod, the xxiiii. January.
Your own ever assured,
Edowarde Ebor.

Number LXXXVI.

The University of Cambridge, their congratulatory letter
to the King.
Cleopatra, OCTAVIUS Augustus, Priuceps invictissime, cum ve-
^"^•''¦^'^^teranus quidam illi pro tribunali sedenti libellum timidius
porrigeret, Quid, inquit, trepidas, commilito, tanquam si
stipem elephanto dares? Mgrh nimirum tulit modestissi-
• mus imperator, quod quam lenitatem et animi modera-
tionem toto orbe notam illustremque esse voluit, eam ejus
miles ita timide reformidaret. At nos immensa dementia, me-
ritorumque magnitudo tuorum, et ardens ilia, atque inflam-
matus in pietatem amor, quem in tua Maj estate cernimus, ita
consolatur, et ad se invitat, ut quod alioqui ne optare qui-
dem aut sperare fuissemus ausi, id, tuae Majestatis in vir-
tutem ac religionem animi impetu et ardore abusi, etiam
petere audeamus. Acceptis enim duobus a tua Majestate

RECORDS AND ORIGINALS. S35

bcneficiis, quibiis nihil majus aut populus acciperc, aut me-

lius Princeps dare, aut omnino uberius homo homini con-

ferre praestai-eve potest : pace nimirum et pura purgataquc

rehgione. Nova quidem et aha petere, cum quae dedisti

sint maxima, nee volumus, nee debemus. Quae autem ad 225

haec defendenda, et sarta tecta conscrvanda pertinent, si

postulaverimus, et velle illud tuam M. et jubere speramus.

Quanquam alteram ita tua Serenitate tutatam fuisse cerni-

mus, niiiil ut quisquam amplius exoptare possit : alteram

tanto studio inchoatam vidimus, ut omnia jam sperare

queamus. Nam cum initio faustissimi tui regni, subactis

Scotis, Gallos ad conditiones pacis adegisti, ilia turn fuerunt

fundamenta pacis et quietis jacta, tot ut jam annos ad hunc

usque diem non nemo fortasse cupiit, nemo tamen ausus

est earn convellere.
Ad religionem vero corrigendam, quae longe a prima pu-

ritate recesserat, sero animum adegisti ; non profecto sero,

si quanta; res, quam parvo spacio, in ilia emendanda et cor-

rigenda, transactae confectaequc sunt reputemus. Sed ni-

mirinn certe sero, si quanto desiderio veraj religionis T.

Majcstas, quanto amore jam agnitae pietatis populus flagret,

velimus considerare. Ilia quoque quae ingenti labore mag-

noque studio in vinea Domini repastinandA refodiendaque

peregeris, non solum paranda, sed etiam fruenda fuerant.

Utque tanquam excellens artifex, non modo speciosum prae-

clarumque opus ederes, et ad exitum perduceres, sed opens

etiam tui pulchritudine diu multumque oblectatus anteac-

torum laborum fructus jucund^ factorum memori^ reti-

neres. Quanquam Sublimitatis tuae labores et defixas in

Evangelium propagandum cogitationes respiciens Deus; ut

resipiscentem populum, et ad suas leges conversum, aliquo

magno bono afficeret, tandem, tandem, inquam, aliquando

pignus illud amoris erga nos sui, Principcm Edoardum

infantem, tali parente dignum, ad nos demisit; ut esset, cui

non solum florentissimi regni, sed etiam sincerae tuae fidei,

germanaeque religionis, haereditatem relinqueres. Hujus te

caus^ noctes ac dies studere intelligimus, omnemque ope-

ram tuam ac solicitudinem eo conferre, ut quod in religione

336 APPENDIX OF

purganda, feliciter fortunatissimeqiie sit inchoatum, quod-

que adhuc relinqui videtur, id, Christo bene secundante,

perficias quam primum et absolvas.
Quid igitur inchoatum dicimus, quid relictum ? Annon

Romanus Pontifex rejectus est? Ejicitur. Annon ejus di-

plomata, condonationes, indulgentiae, caeteraeque bullae et

nugae sunt explosae ? Exploduntur. Annon bona monacho-

rum pars, quorum vita superstitiosa, religio vana, ritus

monstrosi fuerant, sublata est? ToUuntur. Annon indig-

nus cultus imaginum, et sanctorum prohibitus est ? Prohi-

betur. Annon fraterculorum gens, natio ex fraudibus et

mendaciis concreta, Romani Pontificis idolum, Papisticae

vanitatis seminarium, et veterum pharisaeorum et philoso-

phorum reliquiae, exactae sunt? Exiguntur. Intelligimus

nos jamdiu abuti tua patientia, clenientissime Princeps, nisi

quod liEec recordatio pulcherrimorum factorum tuorum,

quag nobis est jucunda, est, ut speramus, et tuae M. non in-

grata. Quid igitur desideramus ? Quid petimus ? Quae

hactenus facta sunt, ea sunt omnia summo consilio, summa-

que prudentia gesta. Quicquid enim fuit errorum, et nebu-

larum, id omne Serenitatis tuse vigilantia pepulit, distur-

bavit, dissipavit, evertit.
Et erat hoc quidem primum. Sed tamen intelligit ilia

tua M. non semper satis esse adversam aciem profligare et

fundere, nisi tuam quoque diligenter munias et conserves.

Non sufficit quantum libet procul eff'ugasse hostem, nisi

dispositis praesidiis, et per stationes idoneas collocato milite,

quam longissime a tuis muris eundem coerceas. Magna res

226 est quam es exorsus. Divinum est, et non humanum in-

coeptum, religiosissime Princeps. Christus ipse primus haec

jecit fundamenta: secuti Apostoli. Et tamen quam brevi

tempore zizanium succrevit, adolevit superstitio, pontificia

tyrannis imposita est ? Etenim umbra quamvis longe abi-

gatur, nisi accensis identidem luminibus assidue repulsa

fuerit, quam mox revertitur ? Et hominum fere genus ma-

gis tenebris delectatur, quam luce. Quamobrem enitendum

est sedulo, et omni ope in id incumbendum, non solum ut

ea quae nunc tua Serenitas habet totius orbis lumina, puros

RECORDS AND ORIGINALS. 337

ac sinperos radios emittant; sed ut siquid illis humanitus

. contingat ; novae ut lampades, novique faces possint ac-

cendi : qui quanto sint copiosiores et densi magis, tanto ma-

jorem vcrae lucis proventum, lanto debiliores fore tenebras,

oportet sperare. Neque vero committendum est, ut ex agro

dominico malae tantum herbae, vitiosaeque stirpes evellantur,

sed adhibenda est opera, ut ctiam bona? magno numero fo-

veantur, et conserantur.

Quid igitur anticipamus consilia tua, et quid faciendum

sit, ipsi praeibimus ? Minime vero : neque enim ignoramus

ista tuam Sublimitatem agitare, et tota mente revolvere;

quomodo de pietate vera quam optime merearis, et Chris-

tianam religionem quam latissime exaugeas, neque id parca

et malign^, sed liberali ac magnified, vereque regi^ manu.

Sed siquid tale tua M. cogitarit, aut animo destinaverit,

nostri fuit officii submovere, suppliciterque petere, ut hue

ad nostram Academiam flectas oculos. Quae cum semper

sinceriori religioni maxime faverit, talem Principem, qui in

succernenda, depurandaque doctrina Christi tantum labo-

rem collocaverit, non potuit non eximie praeter caeterorum

subditorum conditionem amare. Movet nos fraterculorum

nostrorum ruina: non quidem quod eos exertos dolemus,

quos non solum mutiles, sed etiam perniciosos Christianas

religioni fuisse duximus : sed ut exoptemus, et vehementer

cupiamus, quae domicilia superstition! olim, et vanae reli-

gioni dedicata fuerunt, ut eadem doctrinse Christi, bonisque

literis edocendis aliquando inserviant. Atque illud quidem

supremis pi-ecibus a Deo O. M. tuaque Majestate petimus :

id in summis votis, atque optatis nostris habemus ; quibus

ex aedibus quum Coenobia dicebantur, ignavus fucorum

gi'ex, et magnus impostorum numerus, evolare solebat, ut

eadem collegia facta, vel juvenum praeclaras indoles ad dis-

cendum, vel seniorum eruditam turbam ad concionandum,

videamus emittere.

Quibus nostris precibus, si tua M. annuat, cum omnia fe-

ceris, quae non solum ad conservandam, sed etiam ornan-

dam tuam remp. pertinent, tamen ad innumerabilia tua in

religionem Christianam beneficia, quod fieri jam posse non

VOL. I. PART II. z

338 APPENDIX OF

videbatur, maximus hoc tuo facto cumulus accedet. Jesus

Christus serenissimam M. tuam diu servet ac tueatur.

Cantabrigiae. E Senatu nostro, duodecimo die Octob.
M. T.

Deditissimi Servi ac Scholastici,

Vicecancellarius et Academia Cantabrigien.

227 Number LXXXVII.

The University of Oxford, their congratulatory letter to
the King.

Serenissimo Principi, Henrico ejus nominis Octavo, AnglicB

ct FrancicB Regi, Dno. HibcrnicB, Fidei Defensori, nec-

no7iEcclesicje Anglicance immediate post Christum in terris

Capiti Supremo, Cancellarius et universus Oxoniensium

ccetus, salutem.

Cleopatra, QUUM alia sunt permulta, Henrice regum clarissime,

' '^' " quae sacrae Majestatis tuae nomen orbi commeudaut, illud

tamen communi omnium sententi^ cum primis illustrat, quod

nihil jamdiu tibi sit antiquius, vel magis quicquam in votis

habeas, quam Angliam tuam, non multis ante seculis barba-

ram prorsus ac incultam, a foeda barbarie, resuscitatis ubi-

que meliorum literarum studiis, vindicare, ac ab umbratili

ac falsa quadam religione, quae paulatim Romanorum Pon-

tificum imposturis irrepsit, ad pietatem ac verum numinis

cultum reducere. Nam quum non aliud constet esse munus,

quod magis Christianum principem deceat, quam in hunc

totis nervis scopum incumbere, hue labores omnes omniaque

consilia referre, ut subditi fiant non tam claris Uteris, quam

pietate insignes, quis jure negarit te optimi regis officio

abunde perfunctum esse; cujus potissimum opera tanti^s

ubique bonorum pariter ac hteratorum proventus per omnes

regni tui partes exoriatur, ut Britannia, in qua, patrum no-

strorum memoria, omnium fere bonarum artium studia frige-

bant, sic, te Principe, sinceriores disciplinas colat, ut in ea

non parum multi sint, qui cum veteribus ipsis literarum

proceribus jure optimo queant de eruditionis pahna concer-

RECORDS AND ORIGINALS. 339

Yare : sic pietatis studium amplectatur, ut uusquam omnino

magis ad Christi regulam, ac pura? religionis praescriptum

hodie vivatur.
Nee mirum sane in regno tuo virtutis ac literarum segetem

passim renasci, quum a te, penes quem rerum summa est,

hasc imprimis colantur: sic ut subditis tuis vel calcar esse

possis, quo hisce rebus acrius insistant. Quodque facile

maximum est, quum harum rerum studiosis, ita ex animo

faveas, ut non alios libentius ad summos provehas honores,

quam quos vitae integritas, vel eximia literainim peritia, vel

utrumque horum, tibi commendant. Accedit etiam, quod

Academias, quae sunt veluti fontes virtutis et literarum sc-

minaria, sic regia authoritate tuei'is, sic inaudita liberalitate

foves, sic denique melioris literatura? professoribus ornas, ut

unus ipse multorum beneficia regum, qui easdem, primitus

in publicam utilitatem instituere, tua penitus miuiificentia

obscuraris.

Quare ne singvila persequamvu*, vel unum illud argumento

est sane qutim luculento, te virtuti ac Uteris promovendis

esse natum, quod tam bcnigne nuper decimarum pariter ac

primitiarum solutionem tua ac senatus authoritate, eisdem

condonaras. Quod sane tam benignum facinus, ita sacra- 228

tissimae M. tuae nomen immortalitati commendatum conse-

crarit, ut nunquam, salvis Uteris, ulla vel aetatis vel oblivio-

nis injuria intercidere poterit.

Quod vero nostrarum est partium, sedulo quidem ac pro

virili connitemur omnes, ut tanta demum beneficentia digni

judicemur: hoc est, ut pro tuis maxime votis Uteris simus

juxta ac morum probitate, insigniter conspicui. Atqui in

tales poterimus viros rainori cum negotio cvaderc, si tua

nunc tandem Celsitudo non gravabitur, simul et litigiis istis,

quae nobis jamdiu cum vicinis nostris intercesserint, finem

imponere, simul et privilegia nobis restituere, quae ab illus-

trissimis olim majoribus tuis nostra*, in publicam studiorum

utilitatem, Academiae sunt concessa. Qua; ut propediem

restituas, tuam Sublimitatem tam vehementer obsecramus,

quam iis ad communem studiosorum tranquillitatem maxime

indigemus. Quod si sacratissima M. tua nostris annuere

z 2

340 APPENDIX OF
precibus, vei querelis potius justissimis, pro sua bon tate

dignabitur, quod ununi praestare possumus, Deum Opt.

Max. pro tua salute jierpetuis interpellare precibus non ces-

sabimus. In quo valeat tua Celsitudo quam diutissime.

Oxoniae, pridie Idus Novcmbris.

Number LXXXVIII.

The judgments of divers Bishops and Doctors in commis-

sion^ concerning Confirmation, under these three questions;

First, Whether this sacrament he a, sacrament of the

New Testament instituted by Christ, or not ?

Secondly, What is the oiitward sign, and invisible grace,

that is conferred in the same ?

Thirdly, What promises be made, that the said graces

shal be received by this sacrament ?

The judgment of Edward Lee, Archbishop of York.

Cleopatra, THAT the sacrameut of Confirmation was institute by

E. 5. Christ, we be induced to think, for so mvich as the Apostles
used the same, and that Avith dihgence, as appeareth in the

Acts, the 8th and the 19th chapters, and gave the same by