BEING AN ADDITION OF SOME FEW MORE ORIGINAL PAPERS, RELATING TO THE FOREGOING HISTORY.

A. Articles for government and order in the church, exhibited to be admitted by authority; but not allowed.

I. THE bishop of the diocess to have jurisdiction in the scites of the late monasteries, and to appoint them to several parish churches, if they be of no parish already.

II. Concerning appeals in cases of correction. The penalty to be fourty shillings, and double expenses layd upon him that should appeal, and the appeal be found unjust.

III. Of purgation.

IV. No ecclesiastical judge to be molested in a temporal court for proceedings in matters ecclesiastical.

V. Negligence in churchwardens and sidemen in not detecting faults, punishable ten shillings.

VI. Concerning advocates and proctors, to be suspended for three years, if they shall further with their counsil any detected by the churchwardens; which detected person shal not theftore trouble the churchwarden before any judge.

VII. For reparation of chancells.

VIII. Concerning serving of process De excommunicato capiendo. Fugitive persons to be bound in recognizance.

IX. Purgation of clarks convict.

X. None to meddle with benefices in the time of vacation.

XI. Against marriage without banes. Against marriage in other churches.

XII. Against fairs or markets upon Sundays.

XIII. Against disturbers of divine service.

XIV. Touching buyers and sellers, or other breakers of the holy-days.

XV. Of keeping the holy-days.

XVI. Reformation of chapels annexed, and chapels of ease. To take them down where they stood two miles dis tant, or more, from the parish church; and the people to repair to the parish church; and the soils to remain as glebe to the ministers.

XVII. For personal tiths. That bishops should be empowered to give any man a corporal oath, and to examine him therupon concerning the true payment of his personal tiths.

XVIII. For avoiding the farming of benefices.

XIX. Concerning advousons. That patrons shal not bestow them before they are actually void.

XX. Examination of the clergy. The bishop and some others appointed by him to examine the clergy of their proficiency in learning, and the study of the scripture.

XXI. Exercise for such as do not preach. To be enjoyned by the archdeacon or bishop, the studying of some part of the scripture; and to render account therof.

XXII. Against the dissolute and idle living of ministers.

XXIII. Orders for cathedral churches. And first, for a lecture there.

XXIV. Sermons to be made by proprietaries; yearly to find four sermons in their respective churches, or to be punished for every sermon omitted thirteen shillings and four pence.

XXV. For the standing of the communion table. That it shall stand no more altarwise, but in such place decently as is appointed by the Book of Common Prayer.

XXVI. Of the bread appointed for the communion. Such bread henceforth to be used as is appointed by the Common Prayer Book.

XXVII. No communions to be used at burials.

XXVIII. Chalices to be altered to decent cups.

XXIX. Against dispensations to marry. No dispensations to be granted before the banes be asked. And it may be lawful to marry at any time of the year without dispensations.

XXX. A public and solemn fast to be used. Four days in every year to be appointed for fasts; the Tuesday next before Easter; the Tuesday in Whitsun week; the Tuesday seven-night next before St. Michael’s day; and the Tuesday seven-night next before the birth of our Lord. The exercise to begin at eight in the summer and nine in the winter. The time to be spent, first, with some general confession; then in reading some special chapters of the scripture, singing or saying the litany: whereunto certain special collects may be added, and a sermon made to exhort to repentance; or a homily read. Which sermon or homily to be divided into three parts; and at the end of every part some prayers to be made by the minister, containing the sum of the part read. Then shall a space be given for private prayer. After which a psalm shall be read or sung. And so the minister to procede to the other parts. This being don, the communion to be celebrated and received by al; and so making an end with a psalm of thanksgiving. That every ordinary in his diocess, upon any sudden calamity, shal appoint and cal a common fast. The Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the Ember-weeks shalbe no otherwise used than other days in the year. That the queens injunction concerning music in churches be put in execution. That the superfluous ringing of bels, and the superstitious ringing of bels at Alhallowntide and at Al-souls day, with the two nights next before and after, be prohibited. That there be no solemn peal rung after the death of any person, but one bel; and that not passing three quarters of an hour at the most.

XXXI. Concerning archdeacons. That the archdeacon shal visit every year in his own person, or depute another meet man; and shal preach in every session of his visitation, or procure at his charge some to preach. And that he may cal any deanry, or any two deanries, to some market-town within the deanry, and there keep his visitation or synod XXXII. Against patents of registership. That there be no patents for the reversion of any registership, for term of life or years, to be granted to any maner of person, nor to any that is not able to occupy the place himself.

XXXIII. For beneficed men beyond seas. That they shal return home within one year, or be deprived: unles they be employed in the queens majesties service, or shal obtain some licence to continue beyond sea.

XXXIV. Order and exercise for beneficed men. And first, that none be admitted to certain benefices but Latinists; that is, benefices exceeding the yearly value of thirteen pounds six and eight pence, or vicarages exceeding the value of twenty pounds: unles it be some special person, that the ordinary shal find to have singular knowledge in the scripture, and special gift of utterance.

XXXV. Priests only to have spiritual promotions. But that al such as have any deanry, provostship, archdeaconry, or other dignity in any cathedral, or any parsonage or vicarage, not being priest, shall not retain them any longer than one year, except they be made ministers; unles it be any prebend, which by the original foundation may be conferred on students not being priests. None hereafter under the age of three and twenty years shal receive any deanry, provostship, &c. provided it shalbe lawful for any student in the universitie, being above eighteen years of age, to receive one prebend in a cathedral church, where the local statuts be not repugnant to the same, so there be no more annexed; and to retain the said prebend, so that he be made minister when he cometh to four and twenty years of age; and if not, thenceforth the prebend to be made void ipsp facto. Doctors and bachelours of law, that act under any bishop, may enjoy one prebend.

XXXVI. Preachers only to have benefices above thirty pounds per annum.

XXXVII. Preachers only to have two benefices.

XXXVIII. Consent of bishops for pluralities. And that no spiritual person whatsoever shall retain more than two benefices with cure of souls.

XXXIX. Order for noblemens chaplains. That it were to be wished they would retain such as should preach in their houses, and have an ordinary sermon every Sunday. And the same preacher might have one benefice, if it were not past twelve miles off, beside a prebend, and to be nonresident.

XL. Place of penance. That whosoever shal offend in gros fanlt, as apostacy, obstinate forbearing to receive the holy communion above one year, incest, adultery, fornication, falsewitnes-bearing, blasphemy, abhominable swearing, drunkennes, murder, manslaughter, theft, when they shal chance to be pardoned, for these a convenient place in cathedrals and other churches be appointed by the ordinary, which shalbe called the place of penitents, where the offendor shal sit, stand, or kneel, at the time of divine service, (except the time of the holy communion, when he shal depart out of the church,) for so long time as the ordinary shall limit, until he shew unfeigned signs of true repentance; and then shalbe released of that place, and be restored to his old place again; and to be restored to the holy communion. And if he refuse to stand in that place, to be excommunicate. And if he remain excommunicate for six months, and refuse to submit himself to the censures of the church, then to be used as in case of heresy.

XLI. Inquisition to be made for books and images. Bishops and their officers by oath to enquire for all books, images, beads, and superstitious ornaments used in time of papistry; and to compel the parties, in whose possession they be, to deface the same.

XLII. Against sayers and hearers of mas. Such as say mas, or procure it to be said, to be judged in law as felons, and suffer the pains of death. And whosoever shall hear mas, to forfeit an hundred mark for every time; or, being not worth so much, to forfeit all their goods and chattels, and the offender to stand in loco poenitentis.

XLIII. Against swearing. The swearer to be admonished by the parson or vicar before the churchwarden; and if he leave it not, to be put from the communion, and notice given to the ordinary of him, who shall adjudge the offender to pay two shillings and six pence for every offence, to be levyed by the churchwarden, and to stand in the place of penitents one whole month, or so long as he or they shal not shew themselves truly repentant.

XLIV. Rayling against the ministers of the church, or jesting upon them, or laying violent hands upon them; such to be excommunicate. That they that ask counsel at witches be punished.

XLV. For the better payment of tiths, and maintaining the reparation of parish churches. Al foreigners that occupy lands in one dioces, or exempt jurisdiction, and dwel in another diocess or parish, shalbe taxable to the reparation. And upon refusal of any such, the bishop of the dioces shal. have power to cite him to answer for the necessary reparation, and charges of the parish church, where his lands ly, and to pay the tiths due to the parson or vicar.

XLVI. For calling of any person out of any other diocess or exempt jurisdiction, where he or they dwel, in certain cases; as, to bear witness in matters ordinarily depending before the ecclesiastical judge, and to cite administrators, executors, or sequestrators.

XLVII. Of curats removing from one dioces to another. Who shal bring a testimonial from the next licenced preacher where he served, unto the bishop of the diocess, of his honest behaviour and conversation. And the bishop shal give him his testimonial under seal, before he attempt to serve in any other dioces.

XLVIII. A time for the examining of the parishoners. Every person of age and discretion, sufficient to communicate, being fourteen years old and upward, shal once a year, between the first of December and the last of February, otter himself to be examined by the parson, vicar, or curate, whether he can say by heart the Articles of his Faith, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer, upon pain of excommunication. And for this purpose every minister shal give his attendance, to hear his parishoners, every Wednesday and Friday afore morning prayer. At which time the said parsons shal take occasion to give to their parishoners a godly admonition, if they know any fault or negligence in them.

XLIX. A book of the parishoners. The churchwarden and parson to present every year unto the archdeacon or commissary, next after Easter, a book of the names of the parishoners, both men and women, of the age of fourteen years and upwards, who refuse to come to be examined, and who can say, and who cannot say the Articles of the Faith, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer, and who have not received the communion thrice that year; and such to be punished with excommunication and open penance. And such who have not received the communion in two years before to be in the case of heresy. Which pain they shal also incurr, who disobeying orders in religion, remain one whole year excommunicate.

L. For them that cannot say the Lord’s Prayer and Ten Commandments by heart, they shall not be admitted to the communion, nor to be marryed, nor stand godfather or godmother. Some consideration yet to be had of those that are very aged.

LI. A punishment for such as cannot say the catechism. He whose child at ten years old and upward is not able to say the catechism, to pay ten shillings to the poor’s box. The like penalty to be inflicted upon masters and mistresses, who have servants of fourteen years and upwards, that cannot say the catechism by heart.

B. Theodore Beza to secretary Cecyl, shewing the present ill condition of the protestants in France. Monsieur, IL me seroit impossible de vous rendre la pareille, ayant receu de vous tant de faveur, que de me daigner escrire. Dequoy j’esperoys vous remercier en presence; mais mon voyage estant desja tout prest a este rompu a l’occasion que vous pourrez trop mieux entendre de monsieur de Trocmarton, que de moy, avec mon tres grand regret, voiant bien que si Dieu n’a pitie de ceste paoure nation, elle s’en va precipiter d’elle mesmes, et sans occasion, en plus grands troubles que jamais. J’espere toutefoys, que Dieu nous trouvera tousjours quelque refuge pour passer la tempeste.

Et, monsieur, je ne vous doy dissimuler, que toutes gens de bien ont plus conceu d’esperance de sa majeste, que de tous aultres quels qu’ils soyent au jourduy; la royant d’elle mesmes si affectionee a maintenir les paoures affligez, et davantage assister de tels personages, que vous, monsieur, qui jusques icy l’avez maintenus en ceste bonne volonte, et maintiendrez jusques au bout, ainsy que nous esperons. Et mesmes en mon particulier, me voyant assailly de Satan de tous costes par nouvelles calumnies, j’ay conceu ceste esperance de vous en particulier pour la faveur qu’il vous a pleu me monstrer en vos lettres que cas advenant que la tempeste fist si grande sur moy, que je ne pense subsister ny en ma patrie, pour laquelle toutefoys j’ay faict ce que j’ay peu, ny es pays circunvoisins, je trouveray tousjours quelque petit coing de retraicte pardela pour user mes jours en quelque peu de repos, dequoy j’ay supplie monsieur de Trocmarton vous faire quelque propos: vous priant me faire ce bien de m’estimer de voz plus affectionnez serviteurs.

Monsieur, je prie nostre bon Dieu et pour vous benir en toutes graces de plus en plus, et vous maintenir en sa saincte et digne garde. De Caen ce xvi. de Mars 1562.

Vostre tres humble serviteur, A Monsieur, Monsieur Cecile, secretaire T. DE BELZE. d’estat en Angleterre.

C. Literae illustriss. Domini Marci Antonii Amulii cardinalis, ad illustrissimos legatos concilii Tridentini, super professionem fodei patriarchae Assyriorum orientalium. ILLUSTRISSIMI Domini et Domini colendissimi; reverendus Dominus Abdisn Assyriorum orientalium patriarcha electus a clero, et eorum populorum consensu, qui finitima Tigri fluvio incolunt, Turcarum et Persatum imperio subjecti, anno superiori, ut confirmaretur a Romano pontifice maximo, ad urbem se contulit, cum literis et testibus fide dignis; quibus cognita ejus electio et probitas esset: ac cum per multos non solum dies, verum etiam menses absolutam nostrorum rituum cognitionem, a quibus antea in nonnullis, non quidem gravibus dissenserat, a catholicis et eruditis hominibus accepisset, tandem, proponente me, a sanctiss, dno. nostro, sequente consistorio, patriarcha et pastor illorum populorum declaratus est; cum prius se nunquam a sanctissimis sedis apostolicae decretis dissensurum aut decessurum, solenniter de more, confessione et jurejurando pollicitus esset. Quarum rerum memoria literis diligenter consignata in archivo custoditur. Qui, nisi senio jam confectus redire ad suos, impetrata primum a sanctiss, dno. nostro licentia, properasset, ut eos ecclesiastica doctrina plenius instrueret, ad sacrum concilium profectus esset, ut isthic fidem catholicam, suumque erga sedem apostolicam singulare studium et obedientiam profiteretur. Abeuntem summus pontifex ipsum suosque presbyteros et diaconos vestimentis et rebus omnibus ad ejus sacerdotium pertinentibus, et viatico, est prosequutus. Hujus viri eximiam in Deum pietatem, optimum de vera fide sensum, cum in multis aliis, tum in eo prospeximus, qui cum discederet petiit studiosissime, ut istius sacri concilii canones et decreta ad eum perferenda curemus. Se enim quicquid in concilio statutum erit omnino servaturum promisit, daturumque operam, ut et omnes sui servent, et chirographo suo Chaldaica lingua confecto, quod Latine explanatum cum his literis mittimus, confirmavit. Nos autem libenter fecimus, ut ejus probitatis, prudentiae, eruditionis et nobilitatis testimonium his literis daremus. Nam ex celeberrima ortum familia, opibus etiam pro loci ratione abundantem, jam sexagenarium, nec aliam ob causam tam longum, tam difficile ac periculosum iter suscepisse, nisi ut visitaret apostolorum limina, et pontificis maximi pedibus osculum ferret, optimamque erga hanc sedem voluntatem ostenderet, perspicue cognovimus.

In itinere semel a Gurdis populis, bis a Turcis male acceptum, ac fustibus percussum esse satis constat. Hic saepe de sacris literis interrogatus, graviter admodum et copiose respondit magna omnium admiratione, qui sententiam ejus verborum ab interprete audiebant. Nominabat, eosque se habere dixit, libros omnes Veteris ac Novi Testamenti, etiam, quos Hebraei aut haeretici non probant; aliquos etiam doctores Graecos et Latinos, eosdem fere quibus nos utimur, Chaldaice, Syriace, aut Arabice versos, diligenter legisse; nonnullos etiam, quorum nomina a nobis ignorentur.

Addebat, hos in Caira, Turcarum civitate, libros ab ipsa fere apostolorum setate conscriptos, qui nunc in quadam bibliotheca custodiuntur.

Summare profecto Dei benevolentiam licet agnoscere, quod in tam longinquis regionibus, quae nobis vix fama notae sunt, verae fidei cultus adhuc vigeat, et Christiana religio non minore fortasse quam apud nos pietare excolatur; conservata doctrina, quae per ea loca beatorum apostolorum Thoroae et Thaddei piis sermonibus disseminata est; et Marci eorum discipuli praedicationibus confirmata. Haec patriarcha, ita asserebat, ut id se scriptis probaturum promitteret.

Sacramentis aiebat uti se et populos illos eisdem fere quibus nos, confessione auriculari, precatione pro salute mortuorum, canone eisdem fere verbis in celebranda missa, consecratione prorsus eadem. Imagines quoque piis precibus venerantur. Fideles autem huic patriarchae subjectos dicunt esse usque ad ducenta millia. Quo argumento etiam, praeter sexcenta alia, inania haereticorum commenta refelluntur, cum per annos mille quingentos ecclesiae dignitas ac doctrina salutaris, apud gentes a nobis tot terrarum intervallo disjunctas, in tanta rerum, regum et regnorum mutatione, religionis varietate, sub infidelium gravi jugo, per injurias et contumelias, vexationesque in medio Barbariae, eadem tamen ad hunc usque diem permanserit, quae nunc a gentibus nobis propinquis opponatur.

Sed haec quanti sint, atque adeo quantum sunt, dominationes vestrae (reverendissimi) ponderabunt. Ego vero de sanctissimi domini nostri mandato, confessionem ipsius patriarchae de obedientia sacro consilio praestanda, cum his literis mitto, eisque me humillime commendo. Romae, xxix. Augusti, anno Dom. MDLXII.

Dominationum vestrarum illustriss, et reverendiss, humillimus servus, Marcus Anthonius Amulius, cardinalis.

D. The emperor Ferdinand’s letter to queen Elizabeth; to allow papists one church in every city. Ferdinandus imperator Elizabethae serenissimae reginae Angliae.

JUCUNDISSIMUM nobis accidit, quod intelleximus magnum pondus habuisse apud serenitatem vestram literas nostras superioribus mensibus ad serenitatem vestram datas. Quibus scil. serenitatem vestram benevole adhortati sumus, ne quid inclementius statueret in episcopos incarceratos, et alios istius regni subditos catholicam religionem nostram profitentes, si nollent aut non possent, salva conscientia, acceptare vel profiteri, quod serenitas vestra, una cum ordinibus et statibus inclyti istius regni, lege quadam noviter promulgata, constituisset. Etenim perspeximus non modo praeclaram serenitatis vestrae erga nos voluntatem et gratificandi studium, rerum etiam eximiam ejus modestiam, mansuetudinem et clementiam, virtutes regina et principe vere dignas. Qua quidem re intellecta, non potuimus neque debuimus intermittere, quin serenitati vestrae hoc nomine magnas gratias egeremus. Eique liberius etiam, ut imperator et princeps catholicus, salutem et incolumitatem illorum qui religionem nobis communem habent, iterum atque iterum commendamus; existimantes magis futurum ex dignitate et usu serenitatis vestrae, si subditos suos catholicos (etiamsi ipsa serenitas vestra diversam religionem sequatur) reginali sua benignirate fovendos potius et tuendos, quam persequendos et exagitandos, exterminandos et opprimendos duxerit.

Ideoque serenitatem vestram benevole rogamus, ut malit animos eorum clementia et benignitate sibi conciliare, quam persecutionibus et affiictionibus alienlores reddere. Adeoque ne gravetur serenitas vestra illis in singulls civitatibus unum saltem templum concedere, ubi libere, tuto et sine molestia vel impedimento, ex vetere sanctissimorum patrum ac ecclesiae instituto, Deum colere, officia divina celebrare, ac sacramentis salutaribus, animarum medicina, recreari possint. Qua quidem ratione serenitas vestra, non tam subditorum, quam aliorum regum et principum catholicorum studia, plurimum sibi devinciet, magnatoque clementiae et mansuetudinis laudem sibi comparabit. Nobis vero factura est rem adeo gratam, ut omnem simus daturi operam, quo possumus eam rem serenitati vestrae mutuis benevolentiae ac fraterni animi studiis cumulatissime compensare. Cui diuturnam incolumitatem et felicitatem conjunctam ex animo optamus, Datum Possovoniae in Hungaria, 24. Septembr. 1563.

E. The queen’s answer to the emperor. Elizabetha Dei gratia, Angliae, Franciae, et Hiberniae regina, fidei defens. &c. sereniss, ac potentiss. D. Ferdinando electo Romanorum imperatori, &c. LITERAE vestrae majestatis Possonii 24. Septembr. dat. magnam nobis voluptatem attulerunt, quod ex illis cognovimus gratum vestrae majestati studium nostrum fuisse, quo commotae sumus ut tantam superioris nostrae potestatis rationem haberemus quantam natura rei ferebat, quam a nobis eo tempore majestas vestra postulavit. Ex quo facto nostro vestra majestas intelligere potest quam propensa voluntate sumus ad concedenda omnia ea vestrae majestati quae ulla ratione a nobis concedi possunt. Permagni enim erat res momenti, tam benigne agere cum illis hominibus, qui tam insolenter palam contra leges nostras, contra quietem amantium et fidorum nostrorum subditorum reluctantes, sese, intentaverunt. Inter quos etiam fuerunt hii praecipui, qui, regnantibus patre et fratre nostro nobilissimis principibus, mente et manu, publice concionibus et scriptis, cum ipsi essent non privati homines, sed publici magistratus, eandem ipsam doctrinam aliis ultro afferebant, quam nunc tam obstinate rejiciunt. His tamen hominibus nos, ad respectum postulati vestrae majestatis, nostra quidem gratia, sed cum nostrorum sane non levi offensa, pepercimus.

Quod autem porro vestra majestas amplius adhuc pro illis intercedit, ut certa templa separatim singulis in civitatibus designentur, in quibus tuto et sine impedimento divina sua seorsim officia celebrent, haec quidem postulatio hujusmodi est, et cum tot implicita difficultatibus, ut illa, salva nostra republica, illaeso nostro honore, atque conscientia, concedere non queamus. Nos enim et nostri (Deo sint gratiae) non novas ullas, non alienas sectamur religiones, sed eam ipsam quam probat illustrissimorum patrum mens consentiens, et vox. Concedere vero templum diversis ritibus, praeterquam quod aperte pugnat cum nostri parliamenti [legibus] nihil aliud esset, quam serere religionem ex religione, distrahere mentes bonorum, alere studia factiosorum, religionem et rempub, perturbare in hoc jam quieto statu nostro: id quod esset re malum, exemplo pessimum, perniciosum plane, [nullo modo] tutum. Et propterea quemadmodum nos antea, partim ex insita quadam naturae nostrae clementia atque commiseratione, potissimum vero ad gratiam vestri postulati, paucorum hominum privatam insolentiam nonnihil connivendo, condonavimus, ita eorundem hominum praefractas mentes, et consimilium vel pares vel projectiores animos, nimium indulgendo, favere atque alere nullo modo possumus.

Non dubitamus quin vestra majestas hanc animi nostri sententiam atque responsionem recte sit acceptura. Et dolemus quidem vehementer rogatum vestrum hujusmodi fuisse, cui satisfacere non possumus; cum in quavis alia re, quae cum regni nostri salute ad vestrae, majestatis voluntatem propensas nos et faciles ad quidquid libenter concedendum nos ipsae exhibebimus. Deus conservet majestatem vestram. Vindsoriae, anno Domini, 1563. regni vero nostri quinto.

F. A discourse upon a motion in parliament for the queens declaring of the succession after her; viz. that the limitation of the succession of t he crown should be to the queens majesties service. “ 1. The encrease of fervent love to her majesty in al her subjectss, for so great a benefit of their assurance; which must needs be a great means of her highness surety. “2. That duty of good will and thankfulnes in him or her, that should by her majesties benefit be declared heir apparent. Whereby he should be highly bound to love her grace and care for her safety. “3. Such is a successor, as it were by adoption certainly limited, as is a child by nature. And children to a prince are in common presumption a defence and mean of safty; though some have proved unnatural, “4. The heir apparent certainly declared wil not hazzard his possibility certain, for any treacherous attempt. Where he that nourisheth uncertain hope is more likely to praetise her majesties danger. “5. If any other should attempt,against her majesties crown, she must needs be the stronger by the known successor, for safeguard of his own remainder. “6. The revenge likely to be sharper, and the escape harder, if any attempt against her majestyes safty, when her highness issue, or a declared successor, bound to her by such benefit, shalbe to revenge it; than if one unknown, and not so bound to her should succede.

Whereby the limitation of a successor must needs be a more discouragement to such attempts; and so for her greater security. “7. Such as maligne her salty, or were to advance their hope by end of her majesties life; having now nothing to withstand their desire, but her life only, should yet, by limitation of succession, have mo stays set betwixt her; and their hopes loose such opportunities. And so be withdrawn from doing any thing to her majesties danger. “8. The heir apparent stil remaineth a subject; and punishable for treason. “ 9. The known certainty of an heir apparent shal make him so open, that al his attempts shalbe seen and watched with al mens eyes. And so much less to be feared, than now, when we know not who, nor how many. “10. If no remainders be declared, each shal have a watchful ey to the others doings. And so the more for her majesties sake. “11. The dangerous encouragement of such as may take occasion of the uncertainty of succession, to frame to themselves a hope to obtain the crown. “12. The animating of such as may conceive such hope, to some secret enterprize against her majesties safty. Which is now most dangerous in persons unknown, both in title, force, and number. And so harder to be provided against. “13. The experience of attempts, practices, and conspiracies likely to have hazzarded her majestyes estate, being partly grounded upon advancing a successor, for want of a certain heir declared by law. “14. The perillous encouragement of foreign princes to attempt against her majesties safty; upon consideration, that if her highness should so be taken away, then for want of a certain successor, they might make their prey with certain resistance. “15. The greater terror that is brought to the enemy by strengthening her majesty with known successors, so much more salty must needs be to her royal person. “16. The experience of the antlent policy of the wise Roman emperors, upon mere respect of their own salty, to strengthen themselves with elected Caesars. “17. The experience of the kings of Romans in the estate of the German empire. “18. The experience of the crownes of France and Scotland; where the succession is certain to noble families. And every of them no danger; but surety to the present possessors of the crown. Upon whom their own remainders depend. “19. The experience of king Henry VIII. with al the remainders by him declared. Where neither king Edward to his father by any his attempts; nor queen Mary to king Edward by any her attempts; nor the queens majesty to king Edward, nor to queen Mary, by any her attempts; did ever bring danger or lack of surety; but rather the contrary. Neither that wise king Henry and his grave council, limiting those remainders, seem to imagine any danger, but surety therby to himself and to those in remainder after him. “20. The safty and quiet of her majesties soul and conscience against the burthen of such harmes as may fal for want of such provision; wherewith God may be displeased, to her majesties peril in this life.

Against whom no policy can defend. “21. The exact provisions that may, and, her majesties assent being had, are by the whole parliament intended to be made for her majesties preservation and her issue; and for good and jealous watch to be had upon the successor. But for the attendants, council, places of abiding, governance, company, consultations, and al other things and doings; and also for such severe punishments, with al extremity upon al attempts, yea concelements that might tend to her danger, as her most excellent majesty shal have good cause upon such limitation of succession to conceive certain trust of her surety, and undoubted comfortable assurance, in the watchfulnes of al her subjects; and in the exquisite provisions of law, and orders against al the attempts that might by any conjecture be feared; and to repose her self joyfully under the chearful prolonging of her happy days; upon this evident knowledg, that her majesty is the dearest jewel that this realm can have. For saving wherof they are and shalbe, by our most earnest care, heed, endeavour, and prayer. This reason and promise to be principally and most affectionatly urged and faithfully performed. “Note, that al that is said. of preservation of her majesty is also meant and spoken of her issue and successors, no otherwise meant, but in lack of issue of her highness body.”

G. Lady Anne Boleyn to Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury; for his grant of the benefice of Sundridge to Mr. Barlow.

MY lord, in my most humble wise I thank your grace for the gift of this benefice for Mr. Barlo. Howbeit this standeth to none effect. For it is made for Tonbridge. And I would have it (if your pleasure were so) for Sondridg. For Tonbridge is in my lord my fathers gift by avouson that he hath; and it is not yet void. And I do trust your grace do graunt him Sondrig. And considering the pains that he hath taken, I do think that it shal be very wel bestowed. And in so doing I rekyn my self moch bound to your grace for al those that hath takyn pain in the kings matter.

It shalbe my daily study to immagyn al the ways that I can devyse to do them service and pleasure. And thus I make an end: sending you again the letter that you sent me, thanking your grace most hartily for the payn that you take for to write to me: assuring you, that next the kings letter, there is nothing that can rejoyce me so much: with the hand of her that is most bound to be Your most humble and obedient servant, Anne Boleyn.

Then by a postscript she added; My lord, I beseech your grace to remember the parson of Honelayn for my sake shortly. This parson of Honylane was Tho. Garrard, who was an active man, and a great spreader of Luther’s books; and burnt afterwards at a stake for his religion anno 1540.

H. Cox, bishop of Eld, to Bullinger; upon occasion of his answer to the pope’s bull against the queen.

Colendissimo in Christo fratri, mihique dilectissimo, D. Henrico Bullingero, Tigurinae ecclesiae ministro meritissimo, Tiguri. VEHEMENTER me delectarunt tuae literae, frater in Christo charissime; eas vero recepi non ante mensem Junii fere expletum. Recepi etiam una duos libellos: alterum contra Jo. Brentii testamentum, hominis multiplici errore dementati. Huic ejus errori subinde serpenti viam tempestive obstruxisti.

Alter est defensio munitissima contra terrificam illam bullam, quavis bulla vaniorem. In qua ita authorem jugulasti, ut nullus supersit libere spiranti halitus. Multum tibi debemus omnes, quod nostra omnium causa adeo sit tibi cordi. Ego de hoc argumento jejune atque dilute ad te scripsi: at alter ex fratribus meis plenius et copiosius egit, quiet ipsius bullae copiam tibi fecit. Extorsi a tua pietate hanc bullae impugnationem, et nostri amor, et rei indignatio, et veritatis zelus ardentissimus. Hactenus vixisti in sanctissimis sacratissimisque divini verbi studiis, ut illud modis omnibus coleres et promoveres; huc ab ineunte aetate vocatus fuisti; hanc tuam vocationem strenue ornasti, in eaque usque ad terminure vitee dabit Dominus ut perseveres, ad conscientiae tranquillitatem, et piorum omnium expectationem avidissimam. Hinc est quod occasionem captes undecunque de religione Christiana benemerendi, et in pietatis hostes acriter animadvertendi. Hinc est quod tam tempestive Brentii morbo mederis, et bullae furorem compescis. Equidem diligentissime curabo, ut regina nostra et Graece et Latine doctissima, intelligat tuum erga ipsam studtum et benevolentism; efficiamque ut tui libelli gustum captat suavissimum. Quod autem commendas nobis rationem tractandi libellum tuum, cogitamus, ut quamprimum typis excudatur, et sub H. Bullingeri noraine prodeat; mittamque ad te quamprimum potero aliquod exemplaria. Henricus ille Buclerius, quo de scribis, nondum me invisit. Dabo operam, ut cum ad me accesserit, mea opera non indigeat. Server te Deus Opt. Max. frater in Christo dilectissime, idque multos annos ad ecclesiae utilitatem.

Precamurque ut precibus tuis nos Domino commendes; maxime qui in ipsius vinea laboremus. Nova nulls tibi impertio; nam frater meus D.

Hornus id praestiturum esse promittit.

Tuus in Domino, frater charissime, Richardus episc. Eliensis.

I. A libellous letter out of Scotland of certain English papists; against some counsellots of queen Elizabeth.

To their loving friends sir John Littleton and sir Tho. Russel, the queen’s majesties lieutenants in the county of Worcester, with al speed possible. AFTER our harty commendations; foreseeing by mature advice and consideration the present perils and imminent danger, wherinto the realm is like to fal, and that even at hand, if wisdom prevent not the same; and having a natural care and faithful affection towards our country, as beseemeth al true Englishmen; we have thought good, as well to prevent the peril, as also to take care for the continual prosperous and peaceable government of this state, to signify unto you, what we, as wel by credible report of strangers, as also by the universal speech of our countrymen at home, understand to be the causes of these so sudden dangers like to ensue. The commonalty of this realm is thorowly persuaded, that the lord keeper, master secretary, Mr. Mildmay, and Mr. Sadler should so misgovern the state, and abuse our sovereign, that al or the most part of these dangers should arise from them, as procurers of the same: and that by them, and the paganical pretended bishops, now usurping in this realm, we should be thus stil drawn and continued in a religion of their devising, much worse than Turkerie.

Wherfore the commons, not alonely wishing to advertise the queen’s majesty hereof, but also with speed to return to the catholic Christian faith, before they shalbe compelled to do the same, have sent us two books; the one, of their humble submission, and desire to return to the catholic faith; the other termed, A detection of certain practises, &c. the copy wherof we send you enclosed; the former we stay upon some considerations partly moving.

And forasmuch as we certainly find, that their doings herein carieth great reason, besides a necessity, and that they think not so much as evil towards the queen our sovereign Elizabeth; but only upon the Christian intent to come home and avoid danger, uniting themselves to the church of God, and to al Christian princes; we think it our duties to be aiding in these enterprizes, carying both vertue and necessity, nothing against laws lawfully constituted. Yet forasmuch as no assembly can be made without danger of bloud and great wast, we have made stay of until such time as we shal have certain knowledge what effect wil first ensue upon publication hereof. For which cause we have determined to send into al shires of this realm. And forasmuch as we understand you are the queen’s majesties lieutenants in her graces county of Worcester, we send you this, praying you to grant publication, and to have the continual care that every true Englishman ought to have. So shal you greatly please God, and faithfully serve the queen’s majesty and your country. At Edenburgh, the xxxth of May.