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OF ORIGINALS. 391 keep it : which breedeth multitude of bargains, and utter impoverishing of the needy. And for silver, they have it indeed in such a kind, as they neither esteem it for silver, nor can without great los use it for silver.
men think but smal,) it cannot come to light ; because that like as the value of our mony doth daily decay, so doth the gold encrease to such value, that lying stil it amounteth above the revenues of any land. And he that shall live twelve months shal se, that an old angel shal in value and estimation want little of twelve shillings of our current money ; if provision for redress of your Majesties coin be not had the rather.
chiefest desire shal kindle, (if it be not already,) and at length must needs burn. For most commonly they feel not smart or they understand. And the more plague it is a great deal, by reason that 77 not the mean people only, but the middle sort and the great- est do suffer for this ; each man in his kind.
be reformed, and that without delay. Your Majesties most bounden servant, William Thomas. X.
passages in his discourse concerning the amendment of the coin, and in his other discourses, zorit by the King''s commandment.
I do study these discourses, and am right glad to write the best opinions that I can gather, yet I meaned not to be such a director, as were not glad himself to learn. Neither do I c c 4 392 A REPOSITORY trust mine authors so much, as not to mistrust contrary suc- cesses, both to their rules and their examples. Nevertheles since that providence which men may attain in things, is had by study of rules and examples, (for he buyeth it dear that hath it only by experience,) most happy is he in al regi- ments, that knoweth most arguments to choose the best in dovibtful cases. Wherfore I shal most humbly beseech your Highnes to take my study as a pyke or a quarrel to a deeper matter, and with my good wil so to supply my lack, that tho"* I appear sometime too vehement, or too much assured, yet that I be not therfore condemned, since it is not I, but the matter as I take it. And where indeed I was somewhat earnest for the refor- mation of the coins, wherin it pleased your Majesty to com- mand my opinion; truly my zele to my country did so prick me, that I could not forbear to exclaime against the fault ; like as for the redress, I am not yet dissuaded from my device. For tho' I understand there be other argu- ments perchance better than mine, yet I like not his opinion that in this case groundeth himself on mahim bene condUum ne moveas. For malum it is indeed, but conditum it is not, and bene it wil never be. Wherfore ncccsse est moveri. And this I dare stand to in argument, that where I devised an exaction of 12^^. in the pound, if the mony thus continue, your Majesty, by reason of the mints, shal exact above 6sh. of the pound ; and yet be undon your self at length, unles ye purchase land withal.
cannot tcl, but I am sure this coinage, smce the first begin- ning, hath exacted upon your subjects already above 8sh. in the pound. 78 As for their frivolc reasons, that allege three parts of the four through the realm to fare the better for it, I will not say that either they understand little of policy, or els they would be glad to become commoners themselves ; but this I dare avow, there is not one of a hundred, no, not one of a thousand, that is contented with this coine. OF ORIGINALS. 393 Helas ! Can we suffer neither fault nor remedy ? neither war nor peace ? Your Majesties most humble servant, William Thomas. ¦ I g^T wi Y.
Court, to the D like of Somerset, concerning the interim : From Augsburgh. IT may please your Grace to understand, that the 28th Cott. Libr. day of the last month the Bishop of Romes legate, that came last hither, had audience of the Emperors Majesty, with whom he was a long while. And the same day both he and the old legate dined with Grandevela ; where passed much familiarity and friendly entertainment on both parties. On Friday was sevenight the French ambassadors brother came hither in post. What news he bringeth I cannot learn; but the morrow after his coming the ambassador was with the Emperor, and had with his Majesty long con- ference. Of these things had I no perfect knowledg until within these four days ; and therfore could not advertise of them by my last letters.
his whole study to the setting forth of the interim ; which it is said he is earnestly bent to cause these people in- violably to observe. He useth to bring his purpose to pas sundry ways ; and attempteth first by fair means to allure them to follow his wil. But if this way shal take no place, it is thought, as partly hath been already experienced, he wil not fail to use extremity. The fear wherof hath caused many to relent, that els would have hardly been brought to grant to the interim. The three townes, Constance, Ar- gentine, and Lynda, as in my last letters I wrot unto your Grace, have not yet granted unto the interim. And, namely, Lynda ; which having first (as by my letters of the 26 of the last month I adverted your Grace) utterly refused to 394 A REPOSITORY grant thereto ; being then by the Emperors Council, after they had wel laiighM at them, willed, under the pretence of pity, to take better advice, and to consult together again, and make some wiser answer, have now, on Wednesday last, sent their secretary hither ; who on the behalf of the whole town hath declared unto the Emperors Council, that ac- 79 cording to their commandment they have eftsones assem- bled their whole commonalty, and generally al their whole town together. Where they have ripely considered the ef- fects of the interim^ and taken advice and opinion of sun- dry wel learned and godly men therin : and finally have perceived, that it is far disagreable from the word of God, whose law and comjnandments they are bound upon pain of damnation to observe. Which having a special regard unto, and fearing more the threatnings of God, and his just indig- nation towards the neglecters of his wil and Scripture, than the los of goods, life, or any other temporal thing; they have resolved, in conclusion, not to accept or agree in any condition therunto: which is their resolute answer. But to the end the Emperors Majesty shal not think this to pro- cede of any obstinacy or disobedience towards him, (whom they do acknowledg to be their prince and superior,) they wil not, they say, refuse or resist whatsoever it shal please him to dispose of them. Their gates shal not be shut to any of his soldiers or men, either Spanyards or Italians, (with whom they have been oftentimes threatned,) nor any other that it shal like him to send ; they wil not withstand, nor againsay his pleasure therin. Yea they are content he take, if he list, their goods and lives from them : which he shal not need by strong hand to go about ; it shal suffice him to command them, and they wil, they say, gladly offer their heads to the block. This answer of so smal a corner was not a little wondred at of the hearers, and their holdnes and constancy had in much admiration. Grandevela threatned the utter desola- tion of them and their town : but yet I cannot hear of any thing hath been don to them. Constance is not yet recon- ciled, and therfore, as enemy to the Emperor, have not hi- OF ORIGINALS. 395 therto been required to answer. And Argentine, being now lately commanded to declare their mind, have not yet brought in their resolution.
Emperor the interim, with commandment to se it take place, and to be observed throughout his country, it is reported he did not then make any countenance to disobey the Em- perors wil herein ; but received his commission very reve- rently. And shortly after suifering the interim to go abroad, and the Emperors commissioners appointed for that purpose to set it forth, as it liked them ; suddenly, without any men- tion made of the interim, or as tho' he thought nothing therof, (as I hear say he is a man somewhat aged, and merry- conceited, when he list,) he caused proclamation to be made in his country, that each person, for every time they heard mas, should pay unto him eight duckats of gold. He for- bad not the mas to be said, but would have the hearers pay him his tribute. This thing, tho' it be commonly reported, I do not greatly credit : yet to the intent your Grace may perceive the imaginations and fantazies of men here, I have thought good among the rest to place this report. On Friday last Grandevela dined with the old Duke of Saxony : unto whom, after dinner, he remembred the Em- perors clemency towards him ; how gently he had been, since his coming to the Emperors power, ordered : which his Majesty, he said, did nothing forethink, but thought the 80 same right wel bestowed, and would continue his goodnes towards him, and do more for him than he was ware of, if he would now satisfy his request. And here Grandevela declared unto him the effect of the interim, which, he said, the Emperor had, upon grounded considerations, and for the quietnes of al Germany, set forth ; and the same for the like respects, he said, was of al the princes, and most of the commonalty, embraced and willingly received. He desired and willed him therfore, on his Majesties behalf, that he also would shew himself conformable and grant therto ; which should, he said, be right acceptable to his Majesty, and not unprofitable to him. To this the Duke answered, that he
396 A REPOSITORY was now in the Emperors power, his Majesty might do with him, and use his carcas as it hked him : he neither could nor would resist his pleasure therin ; but humbly be- sought his Majesty, he would not press him to grant to this thing, which, he said, being as it is against the word and law of God, he would not agree unto, tho"* he wist to dy for it.
having heard the Dukes mind, was much moved therewith, and sent Grandevela back again to him. Who, by the Em- perors order, first commanded three hundred Spanyards, more than the accustomed band, to be ready, and ward the Dukes lodging. And then went he to the Duke, and shewed him the Emperors pleasure, seing he so obstinately refused to grant to his request, that the order, which was prescribed at his taking, should now be straitly observed, and no more gentlenes and courtesy shewed unto him, seing it could so little prevail. And forthwith he caused al the daggs and other weapons, that the Dukes servants had there in the house, to be sought ovit and brought unto him ; which he immediately sent away. And wheras the Duke had then about him above seventy servants, he sent them al away, saving twenty seven ; which is the number allowed him by the order appointed at his first taking. He also sent from him his preacher, whom he threatned with fire, if he hasted not forth of this country. His cooks and other officers were also commanded, upon pain of burning, they should not from thenceforth prepare or dress for him any flesh upon the Fridays or Saturdays, or on other fasting days com- manded by the Romish churcli. In this straitness remain- eth the Duke now : wherewith he seemeth to be so little moved, as there can be no alteration perceived in him, either by word or countenance ; but is even now as merry, and as content to the utter shew, as he was at any time of his most prosperity. Grandevela's son, called Monsieur de Shantonny, who wjts sent to Spain to carry the news, and pi'esent the con- clusion of the spousals between the Arch Duke of Austriche,
OF ORIGINALS. 397 son to the King of the Romans, and the Emperors daughter, is now four days past returned to this Court, with the answer of the said ladies conformity, and consent of the estates of Spain herein. He was immediately dispatched in post by the Emperor, to cary these news to the King of the Romans; who, as by my last letters I wrote unto your Grace, de- parted hence on Monday last.
assistance there, which I warrant you is bragged out to the uttermost : wherunto I am not able to make any direct answer, for want of advertisement from thence. My hope is, your Grace wil consider this my grief, and help to relieve it. Herewith it may please your Grace to receive the order of the publication and conclusion of this last diet, and the articles agreed upon in the same, which John Bernardine hath gotten. Thus Almighty God preserve your Grace, and send you most happy succes in al your affaires. From Auspurge, the 9th day of July, anno 1548.
z.
frauds in coining the King's money.
and confess, that I have offended the King his Majestic and ™^- his laws. First, in that, contrary to the prohibition sent unto me, and without warraunt, I coyned testons in the moneths of May, June, and July, in the yere of our Lord 1547, to a great sum ; but the certenty therof I know not. And also in the clyppings or shearings of the mony, I defrawded his Highnes veary moche, but how moche I can- not be certen; but I am sure it was above iiii m. li. Wher- by, upon a desire of my own gayne, I made the money too light out of the remedy.
398 A REPOSITORY I do also confess, that when the monethly doings or books were brought unto me, I did use every moneth to strike out as moch as I thought good : and to th'entent I might the better do so, I falsified th''endentures of the coynage, and burned al such bokes, indentures, and writings, as might justly have charged me. But to what sum I deceyved his Majesty by this meane, I am not able to express; but sure I am it amounteth to a notable sum, moch more than al that I have will be able to pay.
my self wholly to his Highnes mercy, and acknowledg my self most worthy death and heynous punishment ; and only trust of his Highnes mercy and perdon, by the goodnes of my L. Protector his Grace, who hath hitherto ben most merciful to al men. Humbly, of my knees, and with a most woful hert, a man most ashamed of my deads of any man ly ving ; re- quiring not justice to be executed towards me, but mercy. And what fortune or lyf God shal put into the King's Ma- 82jesty, my L. Protector his Grace, and the counsayles minds to geve me, that must nedes be better then my deserts. And I shal take that thankfully, as of the benefit oonly, and dayly prey for ther estate, with most lierty prayer and request to Almighty God.
T. Smith. zz.
in short ejaculations snited to her condition.
i\r d! "' '^i''iy alway work in me, and persevere with mc unto the end. Grant me, that I may ever desire and wil that which is most pleasant and most acceptable unto thee. Thy wil be my wil, and my wil be to follow always thy ^viU.
OF ORIGINALS. S99
thee, and that I have no desire to wil or not to wil, but as thou wilt.
most expedient for me. Give me therfore what thou wilt, as much as thou wilt, and when thou wilt. Do with me what thou wilt, as it shal please thee, and as shal be most to thine honor. Put me where thou wilt, and freely do with me in all things after thy vnW. Thy creature I am, and in thy hands ; lead me and turn me where thou wilt. Lo ! I am thy servant, ready to al things that thou com- mandest : for I desire not to live to my self, but to thee. Lord Jesu ! I pray thee grant me grace, that I never set my heart on the things of this world, but that al carnal and worldly affections may utterly dy and be mortified in me.
fully quiet and pacify my heart in thee. For thou. Lord, art the very true peace of heart, and the perfect rest of the soul ; and without thee al things be griev- ous and unquiet.
and at al times ; and let it be to me a special solace, gladly for to love to lack all worldly solace.
keep me, O Lord, from separation, [desperation,] and make me patiently to abide thy will and ordinance.
vldence is much better for me than al that I can imagin or devise.
wilt that I be in darknes, be thou also blessed. If thou vouchsafe to comfort me, be thou highly blessed; 400 A REPOSITORY and if thou wilt I ly in trouble, and without comfort, be thou likewise ever blessed. Lord, give me grace gladly to suffer whatsoever thou wilt shal fal upon me, and patiently to take at thy hand good and bad, bitter and sweet, joy and sorrow : and for al things that shal befal unto me heartily to thank thee. Keep me. Lord, from sin, and I shal then dread neither death nor hell. O ! what thanks ought I to give unto thee, which hast suffered the grievous death of the cross to deliver me from my sins, and to obtain everlasting life for me ?
filling and obeying the wil of thy Father, even unto death. Make me, \vretched sinner, obediently to use my self after thy wil in al things, and patiently to bear the burthen of this corrupt life.
soul, yet nevertheles through thy grace and by example of thee, it is now made much more easy and comfortable, than it was before thy incarnation and passion. Thy holy life is our way to thee, and by follo^ving of that we walk to thee that art our head and Saviour. And except thou hadst gon before, and shewed us the way to everlasting life, who would endeavour himself to follow thee, seeing we be yet so slow and dul,4iaving the light of thy blessed ex- ample and holy doctrin to lead and direct us ? O Lord Jesu, make that possible by grace that is to me impossible by nature. Thou knowest wel, that I may little suffer, and that I am soon cast down and overthrown with a little adversity. Wherfore I beseech thee, O Lord, to strengthen me with thy Spirit, that I may willingly suffer for thy sake al maner of troubles and afflictions.
and I wil confes to thee al the unstablencss of my heart. Oftentimes a very little thing troubleth me sore, and maketh nic dul and slow to serve thee. OF ORIGINALS. 401 And sometimes I purpose to stand strongly ; but when a little trouble cometh, it is to me great anguish and grief; and of a right little thing riseth a grievous temptation to me.
seemeth I have the upper hand, suddenly I feel my self ready to fal with a little blast of temptation.
my frailnes, best known to thee. Have mercy on me, and deliver me from al iniquity and sin, that I be not intangled therewith. Oftentimes it grieveth me sore, and in a maner confound- eth me, that I am so unstable, so weak, and so frail in resist- ing sinful motions.
theless their assaults be very grievous unto me. And it is tedious to me to live in such battail, albeit I per- ceive that such battail is not unprofitable for me : for therby I know the better my self and mine own infirmities, and that I must seek help only at thy hands, &c. It is to me an unpleasant burthen, what pleasure soever the world ofFereth me here. I desire to have inward fruition in thee, but I cannot at- tain therto, &c. And to a great length are these pious breathings of the soul of this excellent Queen extended.
VOL. II. PART IT. D d 402
A REPOSITORY
85 ZZZ.
the second year of his reign.
K. Edw.
Book of Sales.
Chantry, college, hospital. Yearly value, guild, 6;c. The chantry iipou the 21 ob. bridge of great Totneys in the county of Devon, and other lauds. Yüklə 12,09 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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