!

and I praise God who hath called me, by his image was borrowed from the Gray-friars, mercy, to seal the truth with my life; which, with which they set forward: and after the as I received it from him, so I willingly offer queen had accompanied them a considerable it up to his glory. Therefore, as you would way, she withdrew into the castle, where escape eternal death, be no longer seduced she was to dine. But no sooner was she by the lies of the seat of antichrist; but de- gone, than some persons, who had been purpend solely on Jesus Christ, and his mercy, posely appointed, tore the picture from off that you may be delivered from condemna- the shoulders of those who carried it, threw tion." He then added, "That he trusted he it into the dirt, and totally destroyed it. should be the last who would suffer death in This gave such universal satisfaction to Scotland, upon a religious account."

Thus did this pious Christian cheerfully give up his life, in defence of the truth of Christ's gospel, not doubting, but he should be made a partaker of his heavenly kingdom.

the people, that a general shout ensued, and a riot continued in the street during some hours; which was at length suppressed by the vigilance of the magistrates.

About the same time a great disturbance happened at Perth, the circumstances atThe people were so grieved at the death tending which were as follow: a celebrated of this good man, that, as a monument of it reformist minister having preached to a nuto future ages, they raised a pile of stones on merous congregation, after sermon was over, the spot where he suffered. This, however, some godly persons remained in the church, was removed by order of the popish clergy, when a priest was so imprudent as to open but replaced again by the people several a case, in which were curiously engraved the times, till at length a guard was appointed figures of many saints; after which he made to apprehend all persons who should carry preparations for saying mass. A young man stones to that place. observing this, said aloud, "This is intole It is remarkable that from the universal rable! As God plainly condemns, in scrip esteem in which this man was held by the ture, idolatry, shall we stand and see such people, a cord could not be found to tie him an insult?" The priest was so offended at with after his condemnation; and on that this, that he struck the youth a violent blow very account his execution was postponed on the head, on which he broke one of the till the next morning, when they were re-figures in the case, when immediately al duced to the necessity of using the cords be- the people fell on the priest, and destroyer longing to the archbishop's pavilion. every thing in the church that tended t The death of Walter Mille proved the idolatry. This being soon known abroad overthrow of popery in Scotland. The clergy the people assembled in large bodies, an were so sensible that their affairs were fall- proceeded to the monasteries of the Gray ing to decay, that they, from that time, and Black Friars, both of which they strip never dared to proceed to a capital punish- ped; and then pulled down the house of to ment, on account of religion; insomuch, Carthusians; so that in the space of tw that, in the synod held in Edinburgh, in July this year, 1558, some persons who had been impeached of heresy were only condemned, upon their non-appearance, to make a public recantation at the market-cross of that city, At this time there were many persons wh on the 1st of September following, being made it their business to solicit subscription St. Giles's Day, the tutelar saint of that in order to carry on the work of reformatio place.

days, nothing remained of those noble buil ings but the bare walls. The like kind o outrages were committed in many othe towns in the kingdom.

and to abolish popery. Among these we several of the nobility, particularly the e of Argyle, the lord James Stewart, the ea of Glencairn, &c.

It was usual, at the feast of this saint, which now nearly approached, to carry his image in procession through the town, and the queen-regent was to honor the solemnity The endeavors of these noble reforms with her presence. But when the time was were attended with such success that the come, the image was missing: it having been at length effected a complete reformation stolen from its station, by some who were too the kingdom; though they met with ma wise to pray to it. obstacles from their inveterate enemies, t

This caused a halt to be made, till another Papists.

BOOK X.

PROGRESS OF THE REFORMATION IN THE REIGN OF EDWARD VL

EDWARD was the only son of king Henry, othesley, the chancellor, who thought the by his beloved wife Jane Seymour, who died precedence fell to him by his office, since the day after his birth, which took place on the twelfth of October, 1537, so that, when be came to the throne in 1547, he was but ten years old.

the archbishop did not meddle much in secular affairs, opposed this much, and said, "It was a change of the king's will; who had made them all equal in power and dignity; At six years of age, he was put into the and if any were raised above the rest in title, hands of Dr. Cox and Mr. Cheke; the one it would not be possible to keep him within was to form his mind, and teach him philoso- due bounds, since great titles make way for phy and divinity; the other to teach him high power." Notwithstanding this, the earl languages and mathematics: other masters of Hertford was declared governor of the were also appointed for the various parts of king's person, and protector of the kingdom; his education. He discovered very early a with this restriction, that he should do nogood disposition to religion and virtue, and thing but by the advice and consent of the a particular reverence for the scriptures; rest. Upon this advancement, and the opand was once greatly offended with a per- position made to it, two parties were formed, on, who, in order to reach something has the one headed by the protector, and the tily, laid a great Bible on the floor, and stood other by the chancellor: the favorers of the pon it. He made great progress in learn-reformation were of the former, and those ng, and at the age of eight years, wrote that opposed it of the latter. Latin letters frequently both to the king, to The chancellor was ordered to renew the een Catherine Parre, to the archbishop of commissions of the judges and justices of Canterbury, and his uncle the earl of Hert- peace, and king Henry's great seal was to brd.

Upon his father's decease, the earl of Hertford and Sir Anthony Brown were sent bring him to the Tower of London: and When Henry's death was published, he was oclaimed king.

be made use of, till a new one should be made. The day after this, all the executors took oaths to execute their trust faithfully: the privy counsellors were also brought into the king's presence, who all expressed their satisfaction in the choice of the protector: At his coming to the Tower, his father's and it was ordered that all dispatches to ill was opened, by which it was found that he foreign princes should be signed only by him. id named sixteen noblemen and gentlemen All that held offices were required to come the the governors of the kingdom, and of and renew their commissions, and to swear son's person till he should be eighteen allegiance to the king; among the rest ars of age. These were, the archbishop came the bishops, and took out such comCanterbury; lords Wriothesley, St. John, missions as were granted in the former. esel, Hertford, and Lisle; Tonstall, bishop reign, by which they were to hold their bishDurham; Sir Anthony Brown, Sir Wil-oprics only during the king's pleasure. CranPaget, Sir Edward North, Sir Edward mer set an example to the rest in taking out ontague, lord chief justice of the common one of these. This check upon the bishops ; judge Bromley, Sir Anthony Denny, was judged expedient in case they should William Herbert, Sir Edward Wotton, oppose the reformation; but the ill conse Dr. Wotton, dean of Canterbury and quences of such an unlimited power, being rk. They were also to give the king's foreseen, the bishops, who were afterwards ers in marriage; who, if they married promoted, were not so fettered, but were to ithout their consent, were to forfeit their hold their bishoprics during life. ght of succession. A privy council was An accident soon occurred, which made named to be their assistants in the gov- way for great changes in the church. The curate and church-wardens of St. Martin's, As might have been expected, dissensions in London, were brought before the council in arose among so numerous a party; and, for removing the crucifix, and other images, Lits being proposed that one should be cho- and putting some texts of scripture on the out of the sixteen to whom ambassadors walls of their church, in the places where toid address themselves, and who should they stood; they answered, that in repairing te the chief direction of affairs; lord Wri- their church, they had removed the images

timent.

which being rotten they did not renew them, | wrote in several letters, the protector an but put the words of scripture in their room: swered, that the bishops had formerly argued they had also removed others, which they much in another strain, namely, that because found had been abused to idolatry. Great the scriptures were abused by the vulgar pains were taken by the popish party to readers, therefore they were not to be trust punish them severely, in order to strike a ed to them; and so made a pretended abuse terror into others; but Cranmer was for the the ground of taking away that which, by removing of all images set up in churches, God's special appointment, was to be deliv as being expressly contrary both to the ered to all Christians. This held much second commandment, and the practice of stronger against images forbidden by God. the purest Christians for many ages and The brazen serpent set up by Moses, by though, in compliance with the gross abuses God's own direction, was broken when abused of paganism, much of the pomp of their wor- to idolatry; for that was the greatest corrup ship was very early brought into the Chris- tion of religion possible: but yet the pro tian church, yet it was long before images tector acknowledged there was reason t were introduced. At first all images were complain of the forwardness of the people condemned by the fathers; then they allowed who broke down images without authority: the use, but condemned the worshipping of to prevent which, in future, orders were sent them; and afterwards, in the eighth and to the justices of peace to look well to the ninth centuries, the worshipping of them peace and government of the nation. was, after a long contest, both in the East The funeral of the deceased king was per and West, at last generally received. Some, formed, with the usual ceremonies, at Wind in particular, were believed to be more won- sor. He had left six hundred pounds a yea derfully endowed, and this was much im- to the church of Windsor, for priests to sa proved by the cheats of the monks, who had mass for his soul every day, and for fo enriched themselves by such means. And obits* a year, and sermons, and distributio this abuse had now grown to such a height, of alms at every one of them, and for a set that heathenism itself had not been guilty mon every Sunday, and a maintenance fo of greater absurdities towards its idols. Since thirteen poor knights, which was settled upo all these abuses had risen out of the use of that church by his executors in due form them, and the setting them up being contrary law. to the command of God, and the nature of The pomp of this endowment led peopl the Christian religion, which is simple and to examine into the usefulness of soul-mass spiritual; it seemed most reasonable to cure and obits. Christ appointed the sacrame the disease in its root, and to clear the for a commemoration of his death among churches of images, that the people might be preserved from idolatry.

living, but it was not easy to conceive he that was to be applied to departed souls; These reasons prevailed so far, that the it was evidently a project for drawing t curate and church-wardens were dismissed wealth of the world into their hands. In t with a reprimand; they were ordered to be- primitive church there was a commemar ware of such rashness for the future, and to tion of the dead, or an honorable remet provide a crucifix, and, till that could be had, brance of them made in the daily offer were ordered to cause one to be painted on But even this custom grew into abuse, the wall. Upon this, Dr. Ridley, in a ser- some inferred from it, that departed sou mon preached before the king, inveighed unless they were signally pure, pass against the superstition towards images and through a purgation in the next life, bet holy-water, and spread over the whole nation they were admitted to heaven; of which a general disposition to pull them down; Austin, in whose time the opinion began which soon after commenced in Portsmouth. be received, says, that it was taken up wi Upon this, Gardiner made great com- out any sure ground in scripture. But wh plaints; he said, the Lutherans themselves was wanting in scripture-proof was went not so far, for he had seen images in plied by visions, dreams,, and tales, till their churches. He distinguished between was generally received. King Henry b image and idol, as if the one, which, he said, acted like one who did not much believe only was condemned, was the representation for he had deprived innumerable souls of t of a false God, and the other of the true; masses that were said for them in monas and he thought, that as words conveyed by ries, by destroying those foundations. 1 the ear begat devotion, so images, by the he seems to have intended, that if mas conveyance of the eye, might have the same could avail the departed souls, he would hi effect on the mind. He also thought a virtue self be secure; and as he gratified the pr might be both in them and in holy-water, as by this part of his endowment, so he pl well as there was in Christ's garments, Pe- the people by appointing sermons and al ter's shadow, or Elisha's staff: and there

*Obit was the anniversary of a person's de

might be a virtue in holy water, as well as and to observe such a day with prayers, als in the water of baptism. other commemoration, was termed keeping of

To these arguments, which Gardiner obit.

to be given on such days. Thus he died as carried on with great vigor, both those he had lived, wavering between both per- princes died; Henry in January, and Fransuasions. cis in March following. Many of their con

But now the ceremony of the coronation federates began to capitulate and forsake took off the attention of the multitude from them; and the divisions among their own more serious thoughts. The protector was commanders very much hindered their sucmade duke of Somerset; the earl of Essex, cess.

marquis of Northampton; the lords Lisle and The pope wished to engage the emperor Wriothesley, earls of Warwick and South- in a war in Germany, that so Italy might be ampton; Seymour, Rich, Willoughby, and at peace: and in order to accomplish this obSheffield, were made barons. In order to ject, he published the treaty which had been the king's coronation, the office for that cere-made between them, that so it might appear mony was reviewed, and much shortened; that the design of the war was to extirpate one remarkable alteration was, that formerly heresy, though the emperor was making the king used to be presented to the people great protestations to the contrary in Gerat the corners of the scaffold, and they were many. He also opened the council of Trent, asked if they would have him to be their which Charles had long desired in vain; but king? Which looked like an election, rather it was now brought upon him when he least than a ceremony of investing one that was wished for it; for the Protestants all dealready king. This was now changed, and clared, that they could not look upon it as a the people were desired only to give their free general council, since it was so entirely assent and good-will to his coronation, as by at the pope's devotion, that not so much as a the duty of allegiance they were bound to reformation of the grossest abuses was likely do. On the twentieth of February, 1547, to be obtained. Nor could the emperor prehe was crowned, and a general pardon was vail with the council not to condemn the proclaimed, out of which the duke of Nor-" new doctrines" as heresy; but the more he folk, cardinal Pole, and some others, were attempted to obstruct its proceedings, the excepted.

The chancellor, who was looked on as the head of the popish party, now lost his place, by granting a commission to the master of the rolls, and three masters of chancery, of whom two were civilians, to execute his of fice in the court of chancery, as if he were present, only their decrees were to be brought to him to be signed before they should be enrolled.

more did the pope urge it on, to open the eyes of the Germans, and engage them all vigorously against the emperor; who, on his part, gave them such secret assurances of tolerating the Augsburgh confession, that the marquis of Brandenburgh declared for him, and his example was followed by several other princes. This was the state of affairs in Germany; which rendered it very difficult to determine what answer the proThe first business of consequence that re-tector should give the duke of Saxony's quired great consideration was the Smalcal-chancellor, whom he had sent over to obtain die war, then begun between the emperor money for carrying on the war. It was, on and the princes of the Protestant league: the one hand, of great importance to the the effects of which, if the emperor prevailed, safety of England to preserve the German were like to be, not only the extirpating of princes, and yet it was very dangerous to Latheranism, but his becoming the absolute begin a war of such consequence under an master of Germany: which he chiefly wished, infant king. At present the government the first step to a universal monarchy, only promised, within three months, to send ut disguised it to other princes: to the pope 50,000 crowns to Hamburgh, and would do pretended that his design was only to no more till new emergencies should lead stirpate heresy; to other sovereigns he pre- them to new councils.

nded it was to repress a rebellion, and de- The nation was in an ill condition for a all design of suppressing the new doc- war with such a mighty prince;-laboring mes; which he managed so artfully, that under great distractions at home; the people divided Germany against itself, and got generally crying out for a reformation, dese Lutheran princes to declare for him, pising the clergy, and loving the new preachothers to be neutrals; and having ob- ers. The priests were, for the most part, ed a very liberal supply for his wars very ignorant, and scandalous in their lives: France and the Turks, for which he many of them had been monks, and those ated an edict for liberty of conscience, he who were to pay them the pensions which le peace with both these princes, and re- were reserved to them at the destruction of ed to employ that treasure which the the monasteries, till they should be provided, mans had given him, against themselves. took care to get them into some small benethe might deprive them of their chief fice. The greatest part of the parsonages he used means to engage king Henry were impropriated, for they belonged to the Francis the First in a war; but that monasteries, and the abbots had only granted chiefly by their interposition, composed. the incumbents, either the vicarage, or some now, when the war was likely to be small donative, and left them the perquisites

raised by masses and other offices. At the greatest difficulty the reformers found, was suppression of those houses there was no in the want of able and prudent men; most care taken to make provision for the incum- of the reformed preachers being too hot and bents; so that they were in some measure indiscreet, and the few who were otherwise, compelled to continue in their idolatrous were required in London and the universi. practices for subsistence. ties.

Now these persons saw that a reformation The only thing by which the people could of those abuses would deprive them of their be universally instructed, was a book of homimeans of existence; and, therefore, they lies: therefore, the twelve first homilies, in were at first zealous against all changes; the book still known by that name, were but the same principle made them comply compiled; in framing which, the chief dewith every change which was made, rather sign was to acquaint the people rightly with than lose their benefices. The clergy were the nature of the gospel-covenant. Orders encouraged in their opposition to the re- were also given, that a Bible should be in formation by the protection they expected every church, which, though it had been from Gardiner, Bonner, and Tonstall, men commanded by Henry, yet had not been of great reputation, and in power; and, above generally obeyed; and for understanding all, the lady Mary, the next heir to the the New Testament, Erasmus's paraphrase crown, openly declared against all changes was translated into English, and appointed . till the king should be of age. to be placed with it. His great reputation On the other hand, Cranmer resolved to and learning, and his dying in the commuproceed more vigorously: the protector was nion of the Roman church, made this book firmly united to him, as were the young preferable to any other of the kind. · king's tutors, and Edward himself was as The injunctions made by Cromwell in the much engaged as could be expected from so former reign, for instructing the people, for young a person; for both his knowledge and removing images, and putting down all other zeal for true religion were above his age. customs abused to superstition; for reading Several of the bishops also declared for a the scriptures, saying the litany in English, reformation, but Ridley, bishop of Rochester, for frequent sermons and catechising, for the was the person on whom Cranmer most de- exemplary lives of the clergy, their labors pended. Latimer remained with him at in visiting the sick, reconciling differences, Lambeth, and did great service by his ser- and exhorting the people to charity, &c. mons, which were very popular; but he were now renewed; and all who gave livwould not return to his bishopric, choosing ings by simoniacal bargains, were declared rather to serve the church in a more disen- to have forfeited their right of patronage to gaged manner. Assisted by these persons, the king. A great charge was also given Cranmer resolved to proceed by degrees, for the strict observation of the Lord's day, and to give the reasons of every advance so which was appointed to be spent wholly in fully, that he hoped, by the blessing of God, the service of God, it not being enough to to convince the nation of the fitness of what-hear mass or matins in the morning, and soever should be done, and thereby prevent spend the rest of the day in drunkenness the dangerous opposition that might other- and quarrelling, as was commonly practised wise be apprehended.

A VISITATION OF ALL THE CHURCHES.

but it ought to be all employed, either in the duties of religion, or in acts of charity Direction was also given for the saying o The power of the privy council had been prayers, in which the king, as suprem much exalted in the last reign, by act of head, the queen, and the king's sisters, th parliament; and one proviso made was, that protector and council, and all orders of per the king's council should have the same au- sons in the kingdom, were to be mentione thority when he was under age that he him- Injunctions were also given for the bishop self had at full age: it was, therefore, re- to preach four times a year in all their di solved to begin with a general visitation of ceses, once in their cathedral, and thrice i all England, which was divided into six pre- any other church, unless they had a goo cincts: and two gentlemen, a civilian, a di-excuse to the contrary: that their chaplair vine, and a register, were appointed for should preach often: and that they shoul each of these. But before they were sent give orders to none; but to such as we out, a letter was written to all the bishops, duly qualified.

giving them notice of it, suspending their The visitors at length ended the visitatio jurisdiction while it lasted, and requiring and in London and every part of Englan then to preach nowhere but in their cathe- the images, for refusing to bow down drals, and that the other clergy should not which many a saint had been burnt, we preach but in their own churches, without now committed to the flames. Bonner license; by which it was intended to restrain first protested that he would obey the injun such as were not acceptable, to their own tions, if they were not contrary to the lav parishes, and to grant the others licenses to of God and the ordinances of the chure) preach in any church of England. The but being called before the council, her