A. D. 1555. Mary. yourself thereunto more effectually hereafter, than you have heretofore, be you well assured thereof, I shall so detect you to all the friends that I have in England, both high and low, as well his crabbedness and frowardness, as your colourable supportation of the same; that I trust I shall be able thereby either to bring you both to some goodness, or at least way I shall so warn my friends and all honest hearts to beware of your illness, that they shall take either no hurt at all, or at least way less harm by you through mine advertisement; in that, knowing you perfectly, they may the better avoid and shun your company. You shall not stay me, master N., no though you would give me all the lands and goods you have, as rich as you are noted to be. I will not forsake such a just cause, neither will I communicate with other men's sins. For whether it be by detestable pride:2 whether by abominable avarice,3 or by both two linked together, it is no small iniquity to keep any poor man so long from his right and duty so stiff-neckedly and obstinately, or, whether ye will, crabbedly and frowardly. And what is it then any manner of ways to consent to the same? You know, I trow, master N., what theft is; that is, to take or detain by any manner of way another man's good against his will that is the owner, as some define it. If he be a thief that so doth openly, what shall he be that approveth him which is the doer, defendeth, maintaineth, and supporteth him by any manner of colour? Consider with yourself, good master N., what it is to oppress, and to defraud your brother in his business; and what followeth thereof. It is truly said, "The sin is not forgiven, except the thing be restored again that is taken away." No restitution, no salvation; which is as well to be understood, of things gotten by fraud, guile, and deceit, as of things gotten by open theft and robbery. Wherefore let not your brother, master Ñ., by cavillation continue in the devil's possession. I will do the best I can, and travail with the devil, omnibus viribus, to deliver you both from him. I will threats of leave no one stone unmoved to have both you and your brother saved. There Latimer is neither archbishop nor bishop, nor yet any learned man neither in univerthe soul sities or elsewhere, that I am acquainted withal, that shall not write unto you, Godly to save of his friend. and in their writing by their learning confute you. There is no godly man of law in this realm that I am acquainted withal, as maister Goodrick, maister Gosnal, maister Chamber, and as I should saye fyrste Sergeaunt Hales, and such lyke, but they shall write unto you, and confute you by the law. There is neither lord nor lady, nor yet any noble personage in this realm, that I am acquainted withal, but they shall write unto you, and godly threaten you with their authority. I will do all this; yea, and kneel upon both my knees before the king's majesty, and all his honourable council, with most humble petition for your reformation, rather than the devil shall possess you still, to your final damnation. So that I do not despair, but verily trust, one way or other, to pluck both you and also your crabbed brother (as crabbed as you say he is) out of the devil's claws, maugre the devil's heart. These premises well considered, look upon it, good master N., that we have no further ado: God's plague is presently upon us; therefore let us now diligently look about us, and in no wise defend, but willingly acknowledge and amend whatsoever hath been amiss. These were the capital points of your talk, as I was informed, after you had perused that my nipping and unpleasant letter; and I thought good to make you some answer to them, if perchance I might so move you, the rather to call yourself to some better remembrance, and so more earnestly apply yourself to accomplish and perform what you have begun and promised to do, namely, the thing itself; being of such sort as apparently tendeth both to your own worship, and also to God's high pleasure. Thus, lo, with a mad head, but yet a good will, after long scribbling, I wot not well what (but I know you can read it, and comprehend it well enough), I bid you most heartily well to fare in the Lord, with good health, and long life to God's pleasure. Amen.-From Baxterley, the 15th of July. Yours to do you good, to his power, Hugh Latimer. (1) Ego nolo tamjustam causam derelinquere, ego nolo peccatis alienis in hac parte communicare. (4) Furtum quid sit, nempe, quovis modo auferre vel retinere alieram rem invito demino, ut quidam definiunt. Si fur sit qui sic palam facit, quis erit qui facientem probat, tutatur, propugnat, vel quibuscunque ambagibus suffulcit? (5) Quid sit opprimere et fraudare in negotio fratrem. (6) "Non tollitur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum." (7) De rebus per fraudes, technas, et dolos, ut de rebus per manifestum furtum et latrocinium partis. During the time that the said master Latimer was prisoner in Ox- Mary. ford, we read not of much that he did write, besides his conference A.D. with Dr. Ridley, and his protestation at the time of his disputation. 1555. Otherwise of letters we find very few or none that he did write to his friends abroad, save only these few lines, which he wrote to one Mrs. Wilkinson of London, a godly matron, and an exile afterward for the gospel's sake; who so long as she remained in England, was a singular patroness to the good saints of God, and learned bishops, as to master Hooper, to the bishop of Hereford, to master Coverdale, master Latimer, doctor Cranmer, with many others. The copy and effect of which his letter to Mrs. Wilkinson here followeth. A Letter sent to Mrs. Wilkinson' of London, Widow, from Master prisoner for the testimony of Christ, An. 1555. If the gift of a pot of cold water shall not be in oblivion with God, how can God forget your manifold and bountiful gifts, when he shall say to you, "I was in prison, and you visited me?" God grant us all to do and suffer, while we be here, as may be to his will and pleasure. Amen. Yours, in Bocardo, Hugh Latimer. sent to Touching the memorable acts and doings of this worthy man, among many others this is not to be neglected, what a bold enterprise he attempted, in sending to king Henry a present, the manner whereof is this. There was then, and remaineth still, an ancient custom received from the old Romans, that upon New-year's day, being the first day Newof January, every bishop with some handsome New-year's gift should year's gift gratify the king; and so they did, some with gold, some with silver, king some with a purse full of money, and some one thing, some another. But master Latimer, being bishop of Worcester then, among the rest, presented a New Testament for his New-year's gift, with a napkin having this posy about it, "Fornicatores et adulteros judicabit Dominus.' Henry. timer to exami And thus hast thou, gentle reader, the whole life, both of master Ridley Ridley and of master Latimer, two worthy doers in the church of and LaChrist, severally and by themselves set forth and described, withal brought their doings, writings, disputations, sufferings, their painful travails, nation. faithful preachings, studious service in Christ's church, their patient imprisonment, and constant fortitude in that which they had taught, with all other their proceedings from time to time, since their first springing years, to this present time and month of queen Mary, being the month of October, A.D. 1555; in the which month they October. were brought forth together, to their final examination and execu Lincoln, tion. Wherefore, as we have heretofore declared both their lives. severally and distinctly one from the other; so now jointly to white couple them both together, as they were together both joined in bishop of one society of cause and martyrdom, we will, by the grace of Christ, Brooks prosecute the rest that remaineth concerning their latter examina- bishop of tion, degrading, and constant suffering, with the order and manner ter, the also of the commissioners, which were, Dr. White bishop of Lincoln, puties. (1) "Mrs. Wilkinson, of Soper-lane, in London, widow, she being at the maner of Englysh in Oxforde shere." See Edition 1563, p. 1356.-ED. Glouces pope's de Mary. Dr. Brooks' bishop of Gloucester, with others, and what were their A.D. words, their objections, their orations there used; and what again were 1555. the answers of these men to the same, as in the process here followeth to be seen. of the Oxford. THE ORDER AND MANNER OF THE EXAMINATION OF DOCTOR RIDLEY AND MASTER LATIMER, HAD THE 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1555, BEFORE THE QUEEN'S COMMISSIONERS. First, after the appearing of Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, before the pope's delegate and the queen's commissioners, in St. Mary's church at Oxford, about the 12th day of September, whereof more shall be said (by the Lord's grace) when we come to the death of the said archbishop; shortly after, upon the 28th of the said month of September, was sent down to Oxford another commisThe effect sion from cardinal Pole, legate à latere, to John White bishop of cardinal's Lincoln, to Dr. Brooks bishop of Gloucester, and to Dr. Holyman commis- bishop of Bristol. The contents and virtue of which commission were, sion sent that the said John of Lincoln, James of Gloucester, and John of Bristol, they, or two of them, should have full power and authority, to ascite, examine, and judge master Hugh Latimer, and master Dr. Ridley, pretensed bishops of Worcester and London, for divers and sundry erroneous opinions, which the said Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley did hold and maintain in open disputations had in Oxford, in the months of May, June, and July, in the year of our Lord 1554, as long before, in the time of perdition, and since. The which opinions if the named persons would now recant, giving and yielding themselves to the determination of the universal and catholic church, planted by Peter in the blessed see of Rome, that then they the deputed judges, by the said authority of their commission, should have power to receive the said penitent persons, and forthwith minister unto them the reconciliation of the holy father the pope. But if the said Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley would stoutly and stubbornly defend and maintain these their erroneous opinions and assertions; that then the said lords by their commission should proceed in form of judgment, according to the law of heretics, that is, degrading them from their promotion and dignity of bishops, priests, and all other ecclesiastical orders, should pronounce them as heretics; and therefore clean cut them off from the church, and so yield them to receive punishment due to all such heresy and schism. Ridley and Lati Wherefore, the last of September, the said two persons, Nicholas mer cited Ridley and Hugh Latimer, were ascited to appear before the said to appear. lords, in the divinity school at Oxford, at eight of the clock. At what time thither repaired the lords, placing themselves in the high seat, made for public lectures and disputations, according to the usage of that school, being then fair set, and trimmed with cloth of tissue, and cushions of velvet. And after the said lords were placed and set, the said Latimer and Ridley were sent for; and first appeared (1) Brooks is highly spoken of in a small volume (to be referred to more fully hereafter), entitled "Historia de Vitâ, etc. Buceri et Fagii" (fol. 197), which makes us regret his present situation: "Erat in Broko literatura non vulgaris, eloquentia non contemnenda, ingenium acutum, morum felicitas satis amabilis, si illorum temporum iniquitas, et malorum hominum consuetudo, naturam ejus non immutassent."-ED. A. D. master Dr. Ridley, and anon master Latimer. But because it seemed Mary. good severally to examine them, master Latimer was kept back until Dr. Ridley was throughly examined. Therefore, soon after the 1555. coming of Dr. Ridley into the school, the commission was published by an appointed notary, and openly read. But Dr. Ridley, standing bareheaded, humbly expecting the cause of that his appearance, eftsoons as he had heard the cardinal named, and the pope's holiness, put on his cap. Wherefore, after the commission was published in form and sense above specified, the bishop of Lincoln spake in sense following: the bishop Lincoln:-" :-"Master Ridley, although neither I, neither my lords here, in respect of our own persons do look for cap or knee, yet because we bear and represent such persons as we do, that is my lord cardinal's grace, legate à latere to the pope's holiness, as well in that he is of a noble parentage [and therewith The master Ridley moved his cap with lowly obeisance] descending from the regal words of blood, as in that he is a man worthy to be reverenced with all humility, for his of Lincoln great knowledge and learning, noble virtues, and godly life, and especially in to him, that he is here in England deputy to the pope's holiness, it should have becomed for not putting you at this name to have discovered your head. Wherefore, except you will of off his your ownself take the pains to put your hand to your head, and at the nomina- cap. tion, as well of the said cardinal, as of the pope's holiness, uncover the same, lest that this your contumacy, exhibited now before us, should be prejudicial to the said most reverend persons (which thing we may in no case suffer), you shall cause us to take the pain, to cause some man to pluck off your cap from you." him. eth the person of not his To whom master Ridley making his petition for licence, answered: Ridley:-"As touching that you said, my lord, that you of your own persons Answer of desire ne cap ne knee, but only require the same, in consideration that you Ridley to represent the cardinal grace's person, I do you to wit, and thereupon make my protestation, that I did put on my cap at the naming of the cardinal's grace, neither for any contumacy that I bear towards your own persons, neither for any derogation of honour to the lord cardinal's grace: for I know him to be a man Ridley worthy of all humility, reverence, and honour, in that he came of the most regal reverencblood, and in that he is a man endued with manifold graces of learning and virtue. And as touching these virtues and points, I, with all humility [therewith he put the caroff his cap, and bowed his knee] and obeisance that I may, will reverence and dinal, but honour his grace: but, in that he is legate to the bishop of Rome [and there- legacy. with put on his cap] whose usurped supremacy, and abused authority, I utterly refuse and renounce, I may in no wise give any obeisance or honour unto him, lest that my so doing and behaviour might be prejudicial to mine oath, and a derogation to the verity of God's word. And therefore, that I might not only Ridley by confession profess the verity in not reverencing the renounced authority, doeth not contrary to God's word, but also in gesture, in behaviour, and all my doings, ex- reverence press the same, I have put on my cap; and for this consideration only, and not for any contumacy to your lordships, neither contempt of this worshipful audience, neither derogation of any honour due to the cardinal his grace, both for his noble parentage, and also his excellent qualities, I have kept on my cap." Lincoln:-" Master Ridley, you excuse yourself of that with the which we white pressed you not, in that you protest you keep on your cap, neither for any con- bishop of tumacy towards us (which look for no such honour of you), neither for any contempt of this audience, which, although justly they may, yet (as I suppose) in this case do not require any such obeisance of you; neither in derogation of any honour due to my lord cardinal's grace, for his regal descent [at which word master Ridley moved his cap] and excellent qualities; for although in all the premises honour be due, yet in these respects we require none of you, but only in that my lord cardinal's grace is, here in England, deputy of the pope's holiness [at which word the lords and others put off their caps, and master Putting Ridley put on his]; and therefore we say unto you the second time, that except off caps at you take the pains yourself to put your hand to your head, and put off your cap, ing of the you shall put us to the pain, to cause some man to take it from you, except you pope. to the pope. Lincoln replieth the nam Mary allege some infirmity and sickness, or other more reasonable cause, upon the consideration whereof we may do as we think good." A. D. 1555. Ridley :-"The premises I said only for this end, that it might as well appear to your lordships, as to this worshipful audience, why and for what consideration I used such kind of behaviour, in not humbling myself to your lordships with cap and knee and as for my sickness, I thank my Lord God, that I am as well at ease, as I was this long season; and therefore I do not pretend that usurped which is not, but only this, that it might appear by this my behaviour, that I acknowledge in no point that usurped supremacy of Rome, and therefore conRome de- temn and utterly despise all authority coming from him. In taking off my cap, do as it shall please your lordships, and I shall be content." The supre macy of fied. Ridley's cappluck force. Then the bishop of Lincoln, after the third admonition, commanded ed off by one of the beadles (that is an officer of the University) to pluck his cap from his head. Master Ridley, bowing his head to the officer, gently permitted him to take away his cap. After this the bishop of Lincoln in a long oration exhorted master Ridley to recant, and submit himself to the universal faith of Christ in this manner: Though try of Rome be not strange, yet the doctrine Lincoln:-"Master Ridley, I am sure you have sufficiently pondered with yourself the effect of this our commission with good advisement, considering both points thereof, how that authority is given to us, if you shall receive the true doctrine of the church (which first was founded by Peter' at Rome immediately after the death of Christ, and from him by lineal succession hath been brought to this our time), if you will be content to renounce your former errors, recant your heretical and seditious opinions, content to yield yourself to the undoubted faith and truth of the gospel, received and always taught of the catholic and apostolic church, the which the king and queen, all the nobles of this realm, and commons of the same, all christian people have and do confess, you only standing alone by yourself: you understand and perceive, I am sure, that authority is given us to receive you, to reconcile you, and upon due penance to adjoin and associate you again into the number of the catholics and Christ's church, from the which you have so long strayed, without the which no man can be saved, the which thing I and my lords here, yea and all, as well nobles as commons of this realm, most heartily desire, and I for my part [where with he put off his cap] most earnestly exhort you to do." "Remember, master Ridley, it is no strange country whither I exhort you the coun- to return. You were once one of us; you have taken degrees in the school. You were made a priest, and became a preacher, setting forth the same doctrine which we do now. You were made bishop according to our laws; and, to be short, it is not so long agone, since you separated yourself from us, and in the time of heresy became a setter-forth of that devilish and seditious doctrine which of Rome in these latter days was preached amongst us. For at what time the new docis strange. trine of only faith began to spring, the council willing to win my lord chancellor, sent you to him (I then being in my lord's house, unknown as I suppose to you), and after you had talked with my lord secretly, and were departed, immediately my lord declared certain points of your talk, and means of your persuasion; and amongst others this was one, that you should say, "Tush, my lord, this matter of justification is but a trifle, let us not stick to condescend herein to them; but for God's love, my lord, stand stoutly in the verity of the sacrament: for I see they will assault that also." If this be true (as my lord is a man credible enough in such a matter), hereby it is declared of what mind you were then, as touching the truth of the most blessed sacrament. The Lincoln "Also in a sermon of yours at Paul's Cross, you as effectually and as cathobishop of licly spake of that blessed sacrament, as any man might have done; whereby it appeareth that it is no strange thing, nor unknown place, whereunto I exhort eth Rid- you. I wish you to return thither from whence you came; that is, together with us to acknowledge the church of God, wherein no man may err, to acknowthe pope's ledge the supremacy of our most reverend father in God the pope's holiness, which (as I said) lineally taketh his descent from Peter, upon whom Christ persuadley to return to church. (1) Nay the faith of Christ may be proved to have been at Rome in Tiberius's time, before Peter came there. (2) Another untruth in bishop White, for "only faith" is no new doctrine. |