|;;^c
FROM THE LIBRARY OF
REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D.
BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO
THE LIBRARY OF
PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Sectioa
^\ ,v-
ORIGINAL LETTERS
RELATIVE TO
THE ENGLISH REFORMATION,
m)( IJavUft ^ocittv.
S^n^titnttn a.©. iH.iiKiiear.xa.
dFor tf)f Uiil^liCiitton of tijr tUt^iloriie of tt)f Jfatfjrrs
anD (Prtrlp asilritcr^ of tl)f WrformrD
^^^.'
Imi^
ORIGINAL LETTERN
lA,-( "4 1932 "'
RELATIVE TO
THE ENGLISH REFORMATION.
WRITTEN DURING THE REIGNS OF
KING HENRY VIII., KING EDWARD VI.,
AND QUEEN MARY:
CHIEFLY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF ZURICH.
TRANSLATED FROM AUTHENTICATED COPIES OF THE AUTOGRAPHS.
AND EDITED FOR
I/'
REV. HASTINGS ROBINSON, D.D. F.A.S
RECTOR OF GREAT WARLEY, ESSEX;
AND FORMERLY FELLOW OF ST JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
THE FIRST PORTION.
CAMBRIDGE:
PRINTED AT
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS,
M.DCCC.XLVI.
ADVERTISEMENT.
In the preface to the Second Series of letters from the
Archives of Zurich and other repositories in Switzerland,
pubhshed by the Parker Society, it was stated that the
Council had procured from the same collections more than
three hundred other letters, written during the reigns of
Henry VIII., Edward VL, and queen Mary, also having
reference to ecclesiastical affairs and the progress of the
Reformation. The translation of these letters wUl form the
present and a subsequent publication : for as the printing
proceeded, it was found that the entire series could not be
conveniently contained in one volume : but as the first portion
is now completed, the Council have issued it as one of the
earliest books in return for the subscriptions of the present
year, various though unavoidable circumstances having de-
layed the publication of another work originally intended to
be issued at this time.
The question respecting the chronological or other ar-
rangement of the letters now published was long and maturely
considered : in the result it appeared best to print those of
each writer together. As the present correspondence does
not, hke the letters written in the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
involve that regular view of the history of the times, which
made the chronological arrangement in that case desirable,
the plan now adopted has been considered, on the whole,
the least liable to objection. A table of contents will how-
ever be given with the succeeding portion, which will em-
brace the entire series of ante-Ehzabethan correspondence,
in the chronological order of the respective letters. The
Indices, and a fuller preface, will also be given with the re-
LZURICH LETTERS, III. J
vi Al>\ i:i{ riSKMKNT.
mainino; portion, which will form another of the volumes of
the present or following year, whichever may be found most
expedient, and according to the progress made with the other
works now in course of publication; the Council not bemg
unmiiulful of tlie general desire of the members, frequently
expressed, that the books should be issued as speedily as
possible in return for the subscriptions of each year. It is
however hardly necessary to state, that the uncertainties
attendant upon all hterary proceedings will often prevent the
adoption of that course which would be most in accordance
with the wishes of those concerned in them. The plan of
publication adopted by the Society, it will also be remembered,
is not that of works printed for ordinary circulation ; and
while its volumes involve fiir more than the usual difficulties
of preparing for and passing through the press, the pre-
cise time of the appearance of any particular book is not a
matter of so much importance as in publications for common
sale.
The greater part of these letters are now printed for
the lii'st time : they will be found to contain many details
of interest, relative to various proceedings of that period,
and occasionally to give much information respecting the
customs and manners of the times, as well as the private
history of the writers and other individuals to whom the}'
refer.
Orfiil^r 1, 1«4(;.
CONTENTS.
LET.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
XVIII.
XIX.
XX.
XXI.
XXII.
XXIII.
XXIV.
XXV.
XXVI.
XXVII.
XXVIII.
XXIX.
XXX.
XXXI.
XXXII.
XXXIII.
XXXIV.
XXXV.
XXXVI.
XXXVII.
PAGE
Edward VI. to the Senate of Zurich. .Westminster, Oct. 20, 1549. 1
Lady Jane Seymour to Bucer and Fagius, Sion, June 12, 1549.... 2
Duke of Suffolk to H. Bullinger London, Dec. 21, 1551 3
Lady Jane Grey
To H. Bullinger .....Bradgate, July 12, 1551. ... 4
To the same Bradgate, July 7, 1552 7
To the same Before June, 1553 9
Archbishop Cranmer
To Joachim Vadian 1537 H
To Wolfgang Capito Without place or date 15
To John a Lasco London, July 4, 1548 16
To Albert Hardenberg Cambridge, July 28, 1548.. 18
To Martin Bucer London, Oct. 2, 1548 19
To Philip Melancthon London, Feb. 10, 1549 21
To H. Bullinger Lambeth, March 20, 1552... 22
To Calvin Lambeth, March 20, 1552... 24
To Melancthon Lambeth, March 27, 1552... 25
To the widow of M. Bucer Lambeth, April 20, 1552 ... 27
To Conrad Hubert and others ...Lambeth, April 20, 1552 ... 28
To Peter Martyr From Prison, 1555 29
Miles Coverdale
To Calvin Frankfort, March 20, 1548.. 31
To Fagius Windsor Castle, Oct. 21,1548 32
John Hooper
To H. Bullinger Strasburgh, Jan. 27, [1546] 33
To the same Without place or date 38
To the same Without place or date 40
To the same After Sept. 10, 1547 43
To M. Bucer Zurich, June 19, 1548 44
To H. Bullinger Basle, March 28, 1549. ... 48
To the same Strasburgh, March 31, 1549 50
To the same Mayence, April 8, 1549 51
To the same Cologne, April 14, 1549. ... 55
To the same Antwerp, April 26, 1549. ... 57
To the same Antwerp, May 3, 1549 62
To the same London, May 31, 1549 64
To the same London, June 25, 1549 65
To John Stumphius London, Aug. 1, 1549 67
To H. Bullinger London, Nov. 7, 1549 69
To the same London, Dec. 27, 1549 71
To the same London, Feb. 5, 1550 74
CONTENTS.
Bishop Hooper
XXXVin. To II. Bullingcr London, March 27, 1550.... 78
XXXIX. To the same London, June 29, 1550 86
XL. To the same Gloucester, Aug. 1, 1551 ... 91
XLI. To the same Gloucester, Oct. 27, 1551 ... 95
XLII. To .John Stumphius Gloucester, Oct. 27, 1551.... 98
XMII. To II. 15ullin{;er London, Feb. 2«, 1553 99
XLI\'. To the same From prison, -Sept. 3, 1553. 100
XL\'. To .John ;i Lasco P'roni prison, Nov. 25, 1553 101
XLVI. To li. BuUinger From prison, May 23, 1554. 102
XL\'II. To the same From prison. May 29, 1554. 103
XIA'III. To the same From prison, Dec. 11, 1554. 104
Anne Hooper
XLIX. To H. Bullingcr London, Apr. 3, 1551 107
L. To the same Gloucester, Oct. 27, 1551 ... 108
LI. To the same Frankfort, April 20, 1554... 110
LH. Tolhesame Frankfort, Sept. 22, 1554 ... Ill
l-III. To the same Frankfort, Nov. 12, 1554... 112
LI\'. To the same Frankfort, April 11, 1555... 114
•John Ponet
LV. To H. Bullinger Strasburgh, April 14, 1556. 115
LVI. To the same Strasburgh, June, 1 556 117
LVII. Maria Ponet to Peter Martyr Strasburgh, July 15, 1557... 118
Richard Cox
LVIII. To II. Bullinger Palace, Westminster, Oct. 22,1549 119
LIX. To the same London, Nov. 1, 1550 120
LX. To the same Westminster, May 5, 1551 . 121
LXI. To the same Windsor, Oct. 5, 1552 123
LXIl. Owen Oglethorp to H. Bullinger Oxford, Oct. 30, 1548 124
Robert Horn
I'XIII. To John Wolfius Frankfort, Feb. 2, 1556 125
L.X l\'. and R. Chambers to Senate of Zurich, Frankfort, Feb. 3, 1556 126
I'X\'. To H. Bullinger Frankfort, Feb. 3, 1556 129
l'X\I. To the same Frankfort, Sept. 19, 1556 .. 131
James Pilkington
LX\II. To R. (iualter Geneva, April 7, 1556 134
LXVIII. To H. Bullinger Cevcnnes, June 27, 1556. ... 136
LXIX. Earl of Bedford to II. Bullinger Venice, April 26, 1557 138
LXX. .<lir A. Cook to P. .'Martyr Strasburgh, Jan. 20, 1558 ... 139
.Sir J. Chcke
i''S.\\. To H. Bullinger Greenwich, June 7, 1553. ... 140
1'>|^>^II- To John Calvin Strasburgh, Oct. 20, 1555... 142
I. XXIII. To II. Bullinger Strasburgh, March 12, 1556 145
i>ir R. Morison
''^^'^'- To Calvin Strasburgh, April 17, 15.")5. 147
''^-"^^'- To H. Bullinger Strasburgh, Aug. 23, 1555... 148
Thomas Lever
LXXVI. To R. Asrham M'ithout place or date l.'jO
LXX\'n. To H. Bullinger Geneva, April 11, l,-).54 153
LXX\III. To the same Geneva, April 23, 1554 155
CONTENTS.
IX
LXXIX.
LXXX.
LXXXI.
LXXXII.
LXXXIII.
LXXXIV.
LXXXV.
LXXXVI.
LXXXVII.
LXXXVIII.
LXXXIX.
XC.
XCI.
XCII.
XCIII.
XCIV.
xcv.
XCVI.
XCVII.
XCVIII.
XCIX.
c.
CI.
CII.
cm.
CIV.
cv.
CVI.
evil.
CVIII.
CIX.
ex.
CXI.
CXII.
CXIII.
CXIV.
CXV.
CXVI.
CXV 1 1.
CXVIII.
CXIX.
cxx.
CXXI.
CXXII.
CXXIII.
CXXIV.
cxxv.
Thomas Lever
To H. Bullinger Geneva, June 28, 1554 156
To the same Geneva, Jan. 17, 1555 157
To the same Frankfort, Feb. 12, 1555. ... 159
To the same Strasburgh, Jan. 4, 155G. ... 160
To the same Berne, May 12, 1556 162
To R. Gualter Basle, May 27, 1556 163
ToH. Bullinger Arau, Sept. 18, 1556 165
To R. Gualter Arau, Aug. 11, 1557 166
and others to H. Bullinger Arau, Oct. 5, 1557 169
T. Sampson
To John Calvin Strasburgh, Feb. 23, 1555... 170
To H. Bullinger Strasburgh, Aug. 6, 1555... 172
To the same Strasburgh, April 6, 1556... 173
To the same Without place or date 175
To the same Lausanne, Aug. 12, 1556... 176
To the same Lausanne, Sept. 13, 1556.... 177
To the same Lausanne, Oct. 13, 1556 — 179
To the same Strasburgh, April 23, 1557. 180
To Peter Martyr Frankfort, April 8, 1558. ... 181
To the same Strasburgh, July 10, 1558.. 182
Christopher Hales
To R. Gualter London, March 4, 1550 184
To the same London, May 24, 1550 186
To H. Bullinger London, June 12, 1550 188
To the same London, Dec. 10, 1550 189
To R. Gualter Before Jan. 26, 1551 191
To the same London, Jan. 26, 1551 195
R. Hilles
To H. Bullinger August, 1540 196
To the same London, 1541 200
To the same Frankfort, Sept. 18, 1541.... 216
To the same Strasburgh, Nov. 23, 1541... 222
To the same Strasburgh, May 10, 1542... 224
To the same Strasburgh. Dec. 18, 1542.. 228
To the same Frankfort, March 24, 1543. 239
To the same Strasburgh, Sept. 26, 1543. 240
To the same Strasburgh, Nov. 15, 1543. 242
To the same Strasburgh, Sept. 26, 1544. 244
To the same Strasburgh, April 15,1545. 246
To the same Strasburgh, Jan. 28, 1546... 250
To the same Strasburgh, April 30, 1546. 252
To the same Strasburgh, Jan. 26, 1547..
To the same Strasburgh, Feb. 25, 1547..
To the same Strasburgh, May 19, 1547..
To the same Strasburgh, June 18, 1548.
To the same London, June 4, 1549
To the same London, Nov. 17, 1549.
255
257
259
261
265
267
To the same London, June 25, 1550 268
To the same London, March 22, 1551 ... 271
To the same London, .Tuly 9, 1553 272
CONTENTS.
CXXVI.
CXXVII.
fXXVIII.
CXXIX.
CXXX.
CXXXI.
CXXXII.
CXXXIII.
CXXXIV.
ex XXV.
CXXX VI.
CXXX VI I.
CXXXVIII.
CXXXIX.
(XL.
CXLI.
ex LI I.
CXLIII.
CXLIV.
CXLV.
cxLvr.
CXLVH.
CXLVIII.
CXLIX.
tL.
CLL
CLII.
CLIH.
CLIV.
CLV.
CLVL
CLVll.
( l,\III.
(I. IX.
(LX.
CLXI.
CLXII.
CLXIII.
< LXIV.
( LXV.
( LX\I.
( LXVII.
< LXVIII.
( LXIX.
.loiin .Vylnicr
To II. Hullingcr Bratlgatc, May 2*1, 1551 . ... 275
To the same London, Dec. 23, 1551 277
•James Iladilon
To II. Hullinger Bradgate, May 29, 1551. ... 279
To the same London, Dec. 28, 1551 280
To the same Richmond, Aug. 1552 281
To the same About October, 1552 288
To the same London, Nov. 30, 1553 290
To the same Strasburgh, July 9, 1554.... 291
To the same Strasburgh, Aug. 31, 1554. . 292
To the same Strasburgh, Dec. 9, 1554.... 294
To the same Strasburgh, Jan. 8, 1555.... 297
To the same Strasburgh, Jan. 15, 1555... 298
To the same Strasburgh, April 24, 1555. 299
To the same Strasburgh, Dec. 7, 1555.... 300
To the same Strasburgh, March 12, 1556 301
John Banks
To H. Bullinger London, March 15, 1554.... 303
To the same Strasburgh, Dec. 9, 1554.... 306
To the same Strasburgh, Jan. 9, 1555 308
Thomas Harding to H. Bullinger ...Oxford, Oct. 19, 1551 309
Henry Sidall to H. Bullinger O.xford, Oct. 4, 1552 311
Ualpli Skinner to H. Bullinger Oxford, Jan. 5. 1550 313
John Willock to H. Bullinger O.xford, May 12, 1552 314
Barthol. Traheron
To II. Bullinger London, Feb. 20, 1540 316
To the same Before Feb. 18, 154G 317
To the same London, Aug. 1, 1548 319
To the same London, Sept. 28, 1548 321
To the same London, Dec. 31, 1548 .322
To the same Oxford, June 12, 1550 .323
To the same London, Sept. 10, 1552 324
To the same London, June 3, 1553 326
To John Calvin Without place or date 328
Peter Alexander to Paul P'agius Lambeth, March 24, 1549... 329
Paul Fagius
To Ulstctter Calais, April 18, 1549 331
To the same Lambeth, April 26, 1549.... 332
To Conrad Hubert Croydon, May 7, 1549 333
Bernardine Ochinus
To ."Musculus London, July 17, 154)!....
To the same London, Dec. 23, 1548 ....
Musculus to H. Bullinger Berne, March 12, 1549....
IVter of Perugia to H. Bullinger Cambridge, Feb. 10, 1550.
Thomas Norton to Calvin London, Nov. 13, 1552....
Hierome Massarius to H. Bullinger. .Basle, Dec. 21', 1553 342
.lohn Byrchman to H. Bullinger Dec. 10, 1549 344
William Salkyns
To II. Bullinger Strasburgli, Nov. 26, 1554.. 345
To the same Strasburgh, Dec. 28, 1554.. 346
334
33(;
336
338
339
CONTENTS,
Francis Dryander
CLXX. To H. Bullinger Cambridge, Marcli 25, 154)>.
CLXXI. To the same Cambridge, June 5, 1549....
CLXXII. To Joachim Vadian Cambridge, June 5, 1549....
CLXXIII. To H. Bullinger Basle, Dec. 3, 1549
CLXXIV. To the same Strasburgh, May 2, 1552. ...
CLXXV. Francis Warner to H. Bullinger Strasburgh, July 8, 1543....
CLXXVI. Thomas Knight to H. Bullinger Venice, Jan. 23, 1547
CLXXVII. Richard Masters to R. Gualter Oxford, June 14, 1551
CLXXVIII. Augustine Bernher to H. Bullinger... Baxterley, May 31, 1552....
CLXXIX. M. Parker and W. Haddon to C. Hubert and Chelius, Camb. 1551
CLXXX. M. Bucer's widow to Abp. Cranmer, Before April 29, 1552
CLXXXI. U. Cl|elii.s^and^ C. Hubert to Parker | gt^^.^urgh, June 20, 1553 .. .
CLXXXII. Julius Terentianus to J. [ab Ulmis], Strasburgh, Nov. 20, 1553.
CLXXXIII. M. Reniger to H. Bullinger Without place or date
PAui;
348
350
352
353
354
355
357
358
360
361
3C3
364
365
374
ERRATA.
p. 25, 1. 11, yi;;' you read your.
p. 80, 1. \T,for the sixth Sunday before Easter, read Good Friday.
p. 113, 1. penult. _/or Jenkins read Tomkins.
LETTER I.
EDWARD VI. TO THE SENATE OF ZURICH.
Dated at Westminster, Oct. 20, 1549.
Edward the sixth, by the grace of God, of England,
France, and Ireland, king, defender of the Faith, and of the
church of England and Ireland supreme head upon earth,
&c. To the honourable and valiant Lords of Zurich, our
right entirely beloved friends, greeting. After we had taken
upon ourselves, by ancient and hereditary right, the govern-
ment of our kingdoms, nothing was more ardently desired by
us than to conciliate, and most firmly retain, the friendship
of those sovereigns who had been especially esteemed by our
most serene father of most happy memory : and as in the
number of these he always regarded, as long as he lived,
your most noble and vahant nation; so we hkewise cannot
but regard you with especial esteem, and exceedingly value
your friendship ; and the rather, because we have understood
by the frequent letters of our faithful and beloved servant,
Christopher Mont, both your favourable disposition towards
us, and ready inchnation to deserve well of us. In addition
to which, there is also a mutual agreement between us con-
cerning the christian religion and true godhness, which ought
to render this friendship of ours, by God's blessing, yet more
intimate. We therefore return you our warmest thanks for
your singular and favourable disposition towards us, which
you shall always find to be reciprocal on our part, whenever
an opportunity shall present itself. We have therefore com-
manded this our servant to salute you most cordially, to
inform you more fully of our affection and good-will, and to
lay before you, in our name, some other things which we
have thought fit should at this time be made known to you.
We therefore earnestly request you to place assured and un-
doubting reliance upon what he shall communicate. So farewell.
From our palace at Westminster, Oct. 20, a.d. 1549, and of
our reign the third.
Your good friend,
EDWARD.
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI.]
LADY JANE SEYMOUR TO BUCER AND FAGIUS. [lET.
LETTER II.
LADY JANE SEYMOURS TO BUCER AND FAGIUS.
Dated at Sion, June 12, 1549.
I HAVE perused your letter, most reverend fathers, which
has not only pleased, but highly delighted me. For I easily
perceived therein your singular good-will towards me, a grace
and eloquence equal to that of Cicero, together with a most
abiding remembrance of me, which, as it is in most persons
of very rare occurrence, I cannot sufficiently admire in you.
But when I consider in what way I can recompense the
sincerity of your friendship, I plainly perceive that this is
quite out of my power ; and that I can only offer you, as I
shall do as long as I Hve, my warmest acknowledgments.
I dare not presume to write to you how very acceptable
were the books that you presented to my sister and myself,
for fear lest my ineloquent commendation of them may appear
impertinent. From your exceeding praise of the addresses
of myself and my sister, which we might more truly be said
to babble than to recite before you, I perceive your incom-
parable benevolence and friendship, abounding in such kind
exaggeration respecting us. For neither my sister nor myself
assume to ourselves a single atom of this commendation,
nor have we any right to do so. My mother, thank God,
is in good health : she desires her best respects to you both,
and also thanks you for your salutations to her grace. Fare-
well, both of you, and may your life long be preserved I
Dated at Sion^ June 12, 1549.
Your attached well wisher,
JANE SEYMOUR.
[1 This lady was the thh-d daughter of the protector Somerset, and
intended by him to become the wife of Edward VI. She afterwards
became one of the maids of honour to queen Elizabeth, and died un-
married in 1561. Strype, Mem. \i. ii. 7, and Ann. i. i. 399.]
[2 Sion House was built on the site of the dissolved monastery of
that name at Isleworth, by the protector Somerset, to whom the site
Ill,] HENRY, DUKE OF SUFFOLK, TO HENRY BULLINGER. 3
LETTER III.
HENRYS DUKE OF SUFFOLK, TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Londok, Dec. 21, 155L
That you have not received, my very dear Bullinger,
any letter from me before now, by which I might testify
towards you that good-will which you have on so many
accounts deserved, and also thank you most heartily for your
exceeding courtesy to me, which I most entirely appreciate,
has been solely attributable to those affairs of state, upon which
I had to bestow all my zeal, labour, and dihgence, unless I
would fail in satisfying my duty to God, my own dignity, and
the expectation of the pubHc. You will therefore, I know,
easily pardon my delay, especially as I would have you
assured that my regard for you can be diminished by no
circumstances, and much less by time. For the book* which
you have published under the auspices of my name, I return
you, not only for my own sake, but for that of the whole
church of Christ, the thanks I ought ; and I acknowledge the
divine goodness towards his church, and, as Paul expresses it,
the love of God to man^, that he has chosen to adorn and
illuminate his church with such lights, as that we who are
less enlightened, may follow those guides in the beaten path
of true rehgion, who may both be able, by reason of the gifts
they have received from God, and wilUng, by reason of their
affection to their brethren, diligently to point out the way in
which we ought to walk. It would indeed have been all
was granted by Edward VI., who, on the duke's execution, bestowed
it upon John Dudley, duke of Northumberland. It was afterwards
given by James I. to Hemy Percy, the ninth eai-1 of Northumberland,
in which family it now remains.]
[3 Henry Grey, third marquis of Dorset, having married Frances,
daughter of Charles first duke of Suffolk, by whom he had lady Jane
Grey, was created duke of Sufiblk, Oct. 10, 1551. He was beheaded
in 1554.]
[4 Bullinger had dedicated a volume of his Decades to the duke of
Suffolk in March, 1551. See Stiype, Mem. n. i. 397.]
[5 (f)ikav6poiTriav. Tit. iii. 4.]
1—2
4 HENRY, DUKE OF SUFFOLK, TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET,
over with us, had not lie provided pillars of this kind to sup-
port his church, which otherwise would beyond all doubt have
been overthrown.
I acknowledge myself also to be much indebted to you
on my daughter's account, for having always exhorted her in
your godly letters to a true faith in Christ, the study of the
scriptm'cs, purity of manners, and innocence of life ; and I
earnestly request you to continue these exhortations as fre-
quently as possible. Farewell, most accomplished Bulhnger,
and may Almighty God prosper your endeavours in the
church, and evermore defend you ! From my house in Lon-
don. Dec. 21, 1551.
HENRY, DUKE OF SUFFOLK.
LETTER IV.
LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Bradgate, July 12, 1551 '.]
I GIVE you, most learned sir, unceasing thanks, and shall
do so as long as I live, for I cannot engage to requite the
obligation; as I seem to myself quite unable to make a suitable
return for such exceeding courtesy, unless indeed you should
be of opinion that I return a favour while I retain it in my
remembrance. Nor are these professions made without reason.
For I have received from you a most weighty and eloquent
epistle, which was indeed very gratifying to me, not only
because, to the neglect of more important engagements, you
have condescended to write from so distant a country, and in
your declining age, to me, who am unworthy of the corre-
spondence of so distinguished a personage ; but also because
your writings are of such a character, as that they contain,
not mere ordinary topics for amusement, but pious and divine
thoughts for instruction, admonition and counsel, on such
points especially, as are suited to my age and sex and the
{} This letter was sent to Zurich inclosed in one bearing the samo
date from John ab Ulinis.]
IV.] LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER. 5
dignity of my family. In this epistle, as in every thing else
that you have published to the great edification of the christian
commonwealth, you have shewn yourself not only a man of
exquisite learning and singular acquirement, but also a skil-
ful, prudent, and godly counsellor ; one who can relish nothing
that is not excellent, think nothing that is not divine, enjoin
nothing that is not profitable, and produce nothing that is not
virtuous, pious, and worthy of so reverend a father. Oh !
happy me, to be possessed of such a friend and so wise a
counsellor ! (for, as Solomon says, "in the multitude of coun-
sellors there is safety^;") and to be connected by the ties of
friendship and intimacy with so learned a man, so pious a
divine, and so intrepid a champion of true rehgion ! On
many accounts I consider myself beholden to Almighty God ;
but especially for having, after I was bereaved of the pious
Bucer^, that most learned man and holy father, who unweari-
edly did not cease, day and night, and to the utmost of his
ability, to supply me with all necessary instructions and direc-
tions for my conduct in life ; and who by his excellent advice
promoted and encouraged my progress and advancement in all
virtue, godhness, and learning ; for having, I say, afforded me
in his place a man so worthy to be reverenced as yourself, and
who, I hope, will continue, as you have begun, to spur me on,
when I loiter and am inclined to delay. For no better fortune
can await me than to be thought worthy of the correspondence
and most wholesome admonitions of men so renowned, whose
virtues cannot be sufiiciently eulogized ; and to experience
the same happiness as was enjoyed by Blesilla*, Paula, and
Eustochium, to whom, as it is recorded, Saint Jerome im-
parted instruction, and brought them by his discourses to the
knowledge of divine truths ; or, the happiness of that vene-
rable matron^, to whom St John addressed an exhortatory
[2 Prov. xi. 14. In the original, written in Latin, Lady Jane quotes
the Hebrew.]
[3 Bucer died at Cambridge, Feb. 27, 1551.]
[4 Blesilla was the eldest, and Eustochium the third, daughter of
Paula, who was descended from the Roman family of that name.
They were instructed in the christian religion by Jerome. Paula
followed him to Bethlehem, where she died, after having lived there
twenty years in a monastery erected by herself.]
[5 Called in the English version the elect lady. 2 John, 1.]
6 LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
and evangelical epistle; or that, lastly, of the mother^ of
Scverus, who profited by the counsels of Origen, and was
obedient to his precepts. All which personages were less
indebted for their renown and celebrity to their beauty of
person, nobility of birth, and large possessions, than to the
glory and happiness they derived from the instructions of
wise men, who, though singularly eminent for erudition and
piety, did not disdain to lead them, as it were, by the hand
to every tiling excellent, and to suggest to them such thoughts
as might especially conduce to their eternal salvation and
happiness in the life to come. And I request again and
again, that as you cannot be deemed inferior to any of these
in understanding, or learning, or godliness, you will condescend
to manifest a like kindness to myself. My unreserved re-
quests may carry with them an appearance of boldness ; but
if you will consider the motive by which I am actuated, namely,
that I may draw forth from the storehouse of your piety
such instruction as may tend both to direct my conduct, and
confirm my faith in Christ my Saviour, your goodness cannot,
and your wisdom will not, allow you to censure them.
From that little volume^ of pure and unsophisticated
rehgion, which you lately sent to my father and myself, I
gather daily, as out of a most beautiful garden, the sweetest
flowers. ]\Iy father also, as far as his weighty engagements
permit, is chligently occupied in the perusal of it : but what-
ever advantage either of us may derive from thence, we
are bound to render thanks to you for it, and to God on
your account ; for we cannot think it right to receive with
ungrateful minds such and so many truly divine benefits,
conferred by Almighty God through the instrumentality of
yourself and those hke you, not a few of whom Germany
is now in this respect so happy as to possess. If it be
customary with mankind, as indeed it ought to be, to return
favour for fiivour, and to shew ourselves mindful of benefits
bestowed; how much rather should we endeavour to embrace
with joy fulness the benefits conferred by divine goodness, and
[1 ]\Ianiiiifca, mother of the cmporor Alexander Severus, caused
Orifren to come from Alexandria to Antioch, that she might hear him
preach, a.d. 229.]
[2 This was a treatise on Christian Perfection, dedicated in 1551
to Henry 11. of France.]
IV.] LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER. 7
at least to acknowledge them with our gratitude, though we
may be unable to make an adequate return !
I now come to that part of your letter which contains a
commendation of myself, which as I cannot claim, so also I
ought not to allow : but whatever the divine goodness may
have bestowed upon me, I ascribe solely to himself, as the
chief and sole author of any thing in me that bears any sem-
blance of what is good; and to whom I entreat you, most
accomplished sir, to offer your constant prayers on my behalf,
that he may so direct me and aU my actions, that I may not
be found unworthy of his so great goodness. My most noble
father would have written to you, to thank you both for the
important labours in which you are engaged, and also for the
singular courtesy you have manifested by inscribing with his
name and pubhshing under his auspices your fifth Decade,
had he not been summoned by most weighty business in his
majesty's service to the remotest parts of Britain ; but as soon
as pubhc affairs shall afford him leisure, he is determined, he
says, to write to you with all dihgence^. To conclude, as I
am now beginning to learn Hebrew, if you will point out some
way and method of pursuing this study to the greatest ad-
vantage, you will confer on me a very great obligation.
Farewell, brightest ornament and support of the whole
church of Christ ; and may Almighty God long preserve you
to us and to his church !
Your most devoted,
JANE GREY.
LETTER V.
LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Bradgate, July 7, 1552.]
I SHOULD seem altogether ungrateful, unmindful of my
duty, and unworthy of your favours, could I do otherwise
than thank you, most accomphshed sir, for yom* many acts of
[3 Sec the preceding Letter written subsequently to this.]
8 I^VDV J.VNE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET,
kindness to myself. I do tliis however with diffidence, inas-
much as the great friendship which you desire to exist between
us, and the many favours you have conferred upon one who
is so entirely undeserving of them, seem to demand sometliing
more than mere thanks ; and I cannot satisfactorily repay by
my poor and worthless correspondence the debt of gratitude
I owe you. The consideration also of my unfitness to address
a letter to a person of your eminence, greatly adds to my
uncomfortable feelings ; nor indeed should I either desire or
presume to disturb your important labours with my trifles and
puerihties, or interrupt your eloquence by my so great rude-
ness of speech, only that I know I have no other means of
testifying my gratitude, and that I have no doubt of your
accustomed and long experienced indulgence.
With respect to the letter I lately received from you,
you must know, that after having read it twice over, (for one
perusal did not satisfy me,) I seemed to have derived as much
benefit from your excellent and truly divine precepts, as I
have scarcely obtained from the daily perusal of the best
authors. You exhort me to embrace a genuine and sincere
faith in Christ my Saviour. I will endeavour to satisfy you
in this respect, as far as God shall enable me to do ; but as
I acknowledge faith to be his gift, I ought therefore only to
promise so far as he may see fit to bestow it upon me. I
shall not however cease to pray, with the apostles, that he
may of his goodness daily increase it in me. And to tliis I
will add, as you exhort me, and with the divine blessing,
such holiness of life, as my (alas !) too feeble powers may
enable me to practise. Do you, meanwliile, with your wonted
kindness, make daily mention of me in yom- prayers. In the
study of Hebrew I shall pursue that method which you so
clearly point out. Farewell, and may God protect you in the
task you have undertaken, and prosper you for evermore !
Your most rehgiously obedient,
JANE GREY.
VI.] LADY JAJSTE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER.
LETTER VI.
LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Before June 1553.
The tardy performance of a duty, most learned sir, ought
not to be censured, especially if it has not been omitted
through neglect. The truth is, I am at a great distance from
you, the couriers are few, and news reaches me slowly : but
as I can now avail myself of the messenger, by whom my
letters to you, and yours to me, have usually been conveyed,
I must not be wanting in my duty of writing to you, but as
diligently as possible, by word and deed, discharge the obli-
gation. For so great is your authority with all men, so
great, as I hear, is the solidity of your preaching, so great
too is the integrity of your conduct, according to the report of
those who know you, that foreign and remote nations, as well
as your own countrymen, are excited not only by your words,
but by your actions, to follow after a good and happy life.
For you are not only, as St James' says, a diligent herald
and preacher of the gospel, and of the holy commands of God,
but also a true observer and doer of them ; and you manifest
in your own life the practice that your precepts enjoin, not
deceiving yourself. Neither, indeed, do you resemble those
who behold their natural face in a glass, and, as soon as they
have gone away, forget the form of it ; but you preach true
and sound doctrine, and by your manner of hfe afford an ex-
ample and pattern for others to follow what you both enjoin
and practise. But why do I thus address your gravity, when
my ignorance is such that I can neither adequately praise your
piety, nor sufficiently eulogise your integrity of life, nor set
forth your profound and admirable learning in a becoming
manner ? Were I indeed to extol you as truth requires, I
should need either the oratorical powers of Demosthenes, or
the eloquence of Cicero ; for your merits are so great, as to
demand not only length of time, but an acuteness of intellect
and elegance of expression far beyond that of my age to set
them forth. For God, it seems, has looked upon you with
[1 See James i. 22—24.]
10 LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
such complacency, as to have fitted you both for liis kingdom
and for this world : for in this earthly prison you pass your
days, as tliough you were dead ; Avhcreas you Uve, and this
not only to Christ in the first place, without whom there can
be no life, and in the next place to yourself; but also to
others without number, whom you strenuously labour and
assiduously endeavour to bring, by God's blessing, to that
immortality which, when you shall have departed tliis Hfe,
you will obtain yourself. And that your piety may accom-
plish what you desire, I will not cease to implore of God, the
supreme ruler of the universe, nor constantly to importune
the divine ears for your long continuance in this life.
In writing to you in this manner I have exliibited more
boldness than prudence : but so great has been your kindness
towards me, in condescending to write to me, a stranger, and
in supplying the necessary instruction for the adornment of
my understanding and the improvement of my mind, that I
should justly appear chargeable with neglect and forgetfulness
of duty, were I not to shew myself mindful of you and of
your descrvings in every possible way. Besides, I entertain
the hope that you will excuse the more than feminine bold-
ness of me, who, girhsh and unlearned as I am, presume to
WTite to a man who is the father of learning ; and that you
wall pardon that rudeness which has made me not hesitate
to interrupt your more important occupations with my vain
trifles and puerile correspondence. Let me but obtain your
indulgence, and I shall consider myself on every account ex-
ceedingly indebted to your kindness. For if I have been to
blame in this matter, you must ascribe it rather to the ex-
cess of my regard for you and for your virtues, than either
to a boldness which ought not at all to exist in our sex, or
a temerity which is for the most part adverse to our better
judgment; inasmuch as the splendour of your endowments is
so dazzhng to my mental perception, whenever I read your
works or mechtatc upon yourself, that I do not consider what
is becoming to my condition, but what is due to your worth
and excellence. My mind, moreover, is fluctuating and im-
dccidcd : for while I consider my age, sex, and mediocrity, or
rather infancy in learning, each of these things, much more
all of them, deter me from writing ; but when I call to mind
the eminence of your virtues, the celebrity of your character,
VI,] LADY JANE GREY TO HENRY BULLINGER. 11
and the magnitude of your favours towards me, the higher con-
sideration yields to the inferior; a sense of what is becoming
me gives way to your worth, and the respect which your
merits demand usually prevails over all other considerations.
It now only remains for me, most illustrious sir, earnestly
to entreat you cordially to salute in my name, though I am
personally unacquainted with him, the excellent Bibliander^,
that pattern of erudition, godliness, and authority. For so
great is the reputation of his learning in our country, and so
renowned his name among all people, by reason of the singular
endowments which God has bestowed upon him, that though
I have acquu-ed but little learning myself, I cannot resist my
inchnation to pay respect to the piety and integrity of such a
man, who, if I am not mistaken, has been sent to us from
heaven. And I pray God that such pillars of the church as
you both are, may long enjoy good health. As long as I
shall be permitted to Hve, I shall not cease to offer you my
good wishes, to thank you for the kindness you have shewed
me, and to pray for your welfare. Farewell, learned sir.
Your piety's most devoted,
JANE GREY.
LETTER VII.2
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOACHIM VADIANl
Dated [1537.]
Having obtained a release, or rather a respite, from public
affairs and deUberations, and beginning, illustrious and most
learned Vadian, at the turn of the year, to reply to you
among my other learned correspondents, to whose letters I
had long been owing an answer, (to you, I say, as having
[1 Theodore Bibliander, or Buchman, was born in 1504, at Bis-
choffzel near St Gall. He was professor of theology at Zurich, where
he died in 1564.]
[2 The original of this letter is published by Colomesius and others:
(see Strype, Cranmer, 94, 740) also in Jenkyns's Remains of Cranmer,
Vol. I. p. 193.]
[3 Joachim Vadian was born at St Gall in Switzerland, in 1484.
He was distinguished as a scholar and mathematician.]
12 AKCHBlSIIOl* CUAXMEU TO JOACHIM VADIAX. [lET.
received your letter last winter, together with a literary
present, which kind of presents I always regard as of the
greatest value,) I first begin to consider with myself, and en-
tertain some apprehension, lest by my so long protracted
silence T may have given occasion in your mind to some
suspicion or opinion not altogether favourable to me. For I
know that it is usual among the generality of mankind, that
when one person sends liis commendations to another, he
anxiously expects an acknowledgment of them by the very
first opportunity : and if this be delayed, he will suspect that
it has been owing to pride, or neglect, or at least forgetfulness;
and will conclude beforehand that the party will continue such
through the whole of his hfe, as he has been found to be upon
a first introduction. Whereas the person who sends a speedy
reply, is judged to have done so from kind and friendly
motives, and is therefore regarded as courteous, accessible,
and grateful ; he on the other hand, who is tardy in his
acknowledgments, is considered hard of access, and a person
of rude and disagreeable manners. So true it is, that what-
ever a man does quickly and without delay, he may be
said to do twice over. But I promise myself a far better
reception from your more than ordinary discretion and cour-
tesy, and am confident that you will take in good part this
my involuntary tardiness or delay, and not ascribe it so
much to my manners as to my engagements. The nature
and importance of these has, I think, long since been made
known to you by report ; and I have written something
respecting them to om* common friend Grynseus, who will, I
doubt not, as the rights of friendsliip require, make you ac-
quainted with every circumstance. To liim therefore I refer
you, in case you are oifcndcd with me in this matter, as to
one who will render me more excusable in your eyes.
1 perceive in your letter, and readily accept and embrace,
your good-Avill towards me, and inclination to cultivate a more
intimate friendship with me. For I consider you as one who,
by reason of your extraordinary erudition, (by which I shall
not scruple to acknowledge that I have myself derived bene-
fit,) and of your probity of morals, confirmed by the testi-
mony of many most excellent persons, is worthy of being
regarded by me with all love, favour, and respect. Never-
theless, if I may candidly express my sentiments, (as ought to
be the case between good men,) the subject you treat of in
VII.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOACHIM VADIAN. 13
those six books ^ which you sent me as a present, is altogether
displeasing to me ; and I could wish you had bestowed your
labours to better purpose, and commenced an agreeable friend-
ship with myself under better, or at least more approved
auspices. For, unless I see stronger evidence brought forward
than I have yet been able to see, I desire neither to be the
patron nor the approver of the opinion maintained by you.
And I am plainly convinced, and from this circumstance espe-
cially, that the cause is not a good one, because you who are
so shrewd, so eloquent, and so perfectly accompUshed in all
arts and learning, do not seem to defend and support it with
sufficient vigour. I have seen almost every thing that has
been written and pubhshed either by Qi^colampadius or Zuin-
glius, and I have come to the conclusion that the writings of
every man must be read with discrimination. And perhaps
one might apply to these men, and not without reason, the
remark of Jerome respecting Origen, that where they wrote
well, nobody wrote better, &c. : you know what follows. As
far indeed as they have endeavoured to point out, confute,
and correct papistical and sophistical errors and abuses, I
commend and approve them. And I wish that they had con-
fined themselves within those limits, and not trodden down
the wheat together with the tares; that is, had not at the
same time done violence to the authority of the ancient doc-
tors and chief writers in the church of Christ. For how
much soever you may exercise your ingenuity, you will cer-
tainly never convince me, nor, I think, any unprejudiced reader,
that those ancient authors are on your side in this controversy.
You have been, in fact, more than enough inquisitive in your
investigation of errors ; and while you are endeavouring to
purify every thing, you have fancied error to lurk in places
where none existed. And this error most certainly, if error
it be, has been handed down to us by the fathers themselves,
[1 Namely, Aphorisms upon the consideration of the Eucharist, in-
tended to disprove the corporal presence, which tenet was held by
Abp. Cranmer up to the year 1546 ; when by more matm'e and calm
deliberation, and considering the point with less prejudice, and the
sense of the fathers more closely, in conference with Dr Ridley, aftei'-
wards bishop of Rochester, and his fellow-martyr, he at last quitted
and freed himself from the fetters of that unsound doctrine. Strype^
Cranmer, 94, 97; see also Cranmer's works on the Lord's supper,
published by the Parker Society.]
14 ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOACHIM VADIAN. [lET.
and men of apostolical character, from the very beginning of
the church. And what godly man could endure to hear this,
much less to beUevc it ? Not to mention in the mean time,
that our gracious Lord would never have left his beloved
spouse in such lamentable bhndness for so long a period.
Wherefore, since this catholic faith which wc hold respecting
the real presence has been declared to the church from the
beginning by such evident and manifest passages of scripture,
and the same has also been subsequently commended to the
ears of the faithful with so much clearness and diligence by
the first ecclesiastical writers; do not, I pray, persist in wish-
ing any longer to carp at or subvert a doctrine so well
grounded and supported. You have sufficiently made the
attempt already. And unless it had been firmly founded
upon a sohd rock, it would long since have fallen with the
crash of a mighty rum. It cannot be told, how greatly this
so bloody controversy has impeded the full course of the gospel
both throughout the whole christian world, and especially
among ourselves. It brings very great danger to yourselves,
and occasions to all others a stumbUng-block greater than I
can express. Wlierefore, if you will hsten to me, I exhort
and advise you, yea, I beg, beseech, and implore and adjure
you m the bowels of Jesus Christ, to agree and unite in a
christian concord, to exert your whole strength in establishing
it, and at length to afford to the churches the peace of God
which passeth all understanding, so that we may, with united
strength, extend as widely as possible one sound, pure, evan-
gelical doctrine, conformable to the discipline of the primitive
church. We should easily convert even the Turks to the
obedience of our gospel, if only we would agree among our-
selves, and unite together in some holy confederacy. But if
■we go on in this way to " bite and devour each other," there
will be reason to fear, lest (what I abhor the mention of),
according to the warning of the apostle, we "be consumed
one of another."
You have, worthy Vadian, my true and genuine opinion
respecting that entire controversy, together with a free and
faithful admonition. To Avhich if you will pay attention, I
shall enrol your name not only among my friends, but among
my best friends. Farewell. [1537.]
T. CANTUAR.
VIII.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO WOLFGANG CAPITO. 15
LETTER VIII.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO WOLFGANG CAPITO.
Without place or date'.
The treatise^, my friend Capito, which you had dedicated
to the king's majesty, I presented to him with my own hand.
He received it, as I thought, with pleasure and satisfaction.
I also hinted to him that he should recompense your labours,
and he promised to see to it. Not long after, when the bishop^
of Hereford and I were together in company with the Lord
Crumwell, the keeper of the privy seal, who is one of the
privy councillors, and who has himself done more than all
others together in whatever has hitherto been effected respect-
ing the reformation of religion and of the clergy ; we united
in requesting him to put his majesty again in mind of you,
which he has done, and a hundred crowns are assigned to you
as a present, which he has ordered the bearer of this letter
to take with him. Do you still desire to know whether your
offering was acceptable ? Well, I wiU state, not what I myself
know to be the fact, but what I have heard from others who
have been at court more recently than myself. The king,
who is a most acute and vigilant observer, is wont to hand
over books of this kind that have been presented to him, and
those especially which he has not the patience to read himself,
to one of his lords in waiting for perusal, from whom he may
afterwards learn their contents. He then takes them back,
and presently gives them to be examined by some one else,
of an entirely opposite way of thinking to the former party.
Wlien he has thus made himself master of their opinions, and
sufficiently ascertained both what they commend and what
they find fault with, he at length openly declares his own
judgment respecting the same points. And this, I understand,
[1 Dr Jenkyns, who has published the Latin original of tliis letter
from the archives of Zurich, assigns the date of 1537.]
[2 This treatise is entitled, Responsum do Missa, Matrimonio, et
jure magistratus in religione, 11 Martii, 1537, Henrico VIII. inscrip-
tum. Jenkyns, Cranmer, i. 192.]
[3 Edward Foxe, bishop of Hereford, 1535, died in 1538.]
IG ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO WOLFGANG CAPITO. [lET.
he has done with respect to your book; and wliile he was
much pleased with many things in it, there were also some
tilings which he could by no means digest or approve. I
suspect they were the statements you made concerning the
mass. You now have every thing respecting that book which
I have been able cither to hear and sec in person, or to
gather and collect, when absent, from the report of others.
As to myself, be assured of this, that I love and reverence
you from my heart, and regard you as one who, by reason
of your remarkable erudition united to an equal integrity of
manners, is deserving of the friendly offices of all good men.
And I wish that my abiUty corresponded with my inchnation
to serve you ; for you should then perceive, my Capito, how
greatly I esteem you. I request you in the mean time to
take in good part from me this trifling present, small indeed,
if your deserts are taken into account, but yet not to be de-
spised, if you duly consider, either the feelings of the giver,
or the necessary and manifold expenses with which I am
burdened almost beyond my strength. In fine, I request
you to favour and assist for my sake, as far as you can, this
my friend Thomas Tybald', who is the bearer of this letter.
Farewell.
T. CAJS^TUAR.
LETTER IX^
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOHN A LASCO.
Dated at LoNDO>f, July 4, 1541J.
I AM sorry that your coming to us has been prevented
by the unlookcd for intervention of some other engagement;
for I have no doubt but that I should easily have satisfied
[1 Cranmer wrote a lotter to Ci-umwell, dated 22d July, [1537],
ospocially to recommend Tybald as " a very honest man, and both
loved and trusted of the learned men in those parties," namely, Ger-
many and Switzerland. See Jenkyns's Crainncr, i. 191.]
[■- The original of this letter is published in Jenkyns's Cranmer,
and also in Gabbcma Epp. Clar. Virorum.]
IX.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOHN A LASCO. 17
you as to your invitation ^, if I had had an opportunity
of conversing with you upon the subject. But as you are
not able to come at present, but write word that you intend
to come at some future time, if you shall have previously
been informed by a letter from me as to the nature of your
vocation amongst us ; I will converse with you by letter, and
briefly explain in writing, what I shall perhaps state some-
what more copiously to you in person. We^ are desirous of
setting forth in our churches the true doctrine of God, and
have no wish to adapt it to all tastes, or to deal in ambigui-
ties ; but, laying aside all carnal considerations, to transmit to
posterity a true and expUcit form of doctrine agreeable to the
rule of the sacred writings ; so that there may not only be
set forth among all nations an illustrious testimony respecting
our doctrine, delivered by the grave authority of learned and
godly men, but that all posterity may have a pattern to imi-
tate. For the purpose of carrying this important design into
execution we have thought it necessary to have the assistance
of learned men, who, having compared their opinions together
with us, may do away with all doctrinal controversies, and
buUd up an entire system of true doctrine. We have there-
fore invited both yourself and some other learned men ; and
as they have come over to us without any reluctance, so
that we scarcely have to regret the absence of any of them,
with the exception of yourself and Melancthon, we earnestly
request you, both to come yourself, and, if possible, to bring
Melancthon along with you. I am now sending a third letter
to Melancthon^, in Avhich I exhort him to come to us ; and
if your exhortation be added to my letter, I have no doubt
but that he will be persuaded to accept an invitation so
often repeated". He need not, I think, be under any fear of
the attacks of enemies, or the dangers of the roads, which, if
[3 Dr Jenkyns is of opinion, from a letter of John a Lasco to
Hardenberg, in Gerdes, Serin. Antiq., that this invitation had been
given in the preceding year. Jenkyns, Cranmer, i. 329.]
[* For an account of Cranmer's design to unite all the protcstant
churches, see Strype, Cranmer, 584.]
[5 See Sti'ype, Cranmer, 574, and Latimer's Sermons, Parker So-
ciety Edition, Vol. i. p. 141.]
[6 John a Lasco, Jenkyns states, (Remains of Cranmer, i. 331)
forwarded Cranmer's letter to Melancthon by ^pinus, as appears from
a letter to Hardenberg, July 28, 1548, given in Gerdes.]
r 1 2
[ZURICH LETTERS, III. J
18 ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOHN A LASCO. [lET.
they exist at all, are however far less than where he now is^.
You may add too, that by undergoing a little inconvenience
for a short time, he will procure to himself ease for many
years, and to the state everlasting benefit. If I anticipated
that his visit to us would be either useless or unpleasant, no
one would dissuade him from it more earnestly than myself.
But now, when I perceive that he can in nowise act more
advantageously either for himself or for the state, than by
coming over to us at tliis juncture, I am the more urgent
upon the subject, and exhort you to exert all your diligence
and consideration to this one end, namely, to make our friend
Philip ours in reality. I explained to you, a short time since,
what will be the situation of you both ; but I so explained it,
as desiring that you should learn to be pleased with England
from your own experience rather than by my commendation
of it. Farewell and happily. London, July 4, 1548.
I am exceedingly desirous of your presence.
T. CANTUAR.
LETTER X^
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO ALBERT HARDENBERG.
Dated at Cambridge, July 28, 1548.
But if our friend Philip will consider for what purpose
he is invited, and also by what persons, those, assuredly, who
are most friendly both to himself and to true rehgion ; and
also with how great anxiety he is both invited and expected ;
truly I know not whether he can neglect this summons, espe-
cially as he must perceive that he has no certain vocation
yonder which he can properly place in opposition to it. If
[1 Cranmcr alludes to the attempt of Charles V. in 1548, to force
the Interim on the German protestants.]
[2 A fragment only of this letter has been preserved, a portion of
which will be found in the preceding one, from tho words " We are
desirous," &c. p. 17, to " my commendation of it," p. 18. Cranraer
then proceeds as is here given. The Latin original is published in
Jenkyns's Cranmer, and in the Parker Society edition of the arch-
bishop's works.]
X.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO ALBERT HARDENBERG. 19
he felt unwilling to refuse the venerable elector of Cologne
upon a like invitation, he cannot certainly dechne the present
one, upon an occasion of much greater importance and neces-
sity. His friends perhaps will be unwilling to let him go,
and he too will be unwilUng to part with his friends at this
particular juncture : but I fear in the mean time that all
parties yonder do not attend to him from such motives as we
could wish ; and even if they do, I know not whether he can
now remain there with as much advantage as can now be
derived from his presence in our England, and which never-
theless ought not to be disregarded by us, inasmuch as we
think it our duty to seek truly and heartily the glory of
Christ our Lord. I wish he would once make up his mind,
and acquaint us with his intention, or that he would come
over to us immediately, and anticipate every messenger. We
will provide for the expense, either through you, or else-
where, as soon as we know to what extent, and in what place,
he wishes provision to be made. Cambridge, July 28, 1548.
LETTER XI ^
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO MARTIN BUCER.
Dated at London, Oct. 2, 1548.
Grace and peace of God in Christ. I have read your
letter to John HalesS in which you relate the miserable con-
dition of Germany, and inform us that you can scarcely
preside in the ministry of the word in your city. With
groanings therefore I call out with the prophet, " Shew thy
marvellous loving-kindness, 0 thou that savest them which
trust in thee from those that rise up against thy right hand."
[3 The original of this letter is printed in Strype, Cranmer, 844 ;
Jenkyns, i. 335, Bucer, Script. Angl. p. 190, and inthe Parker Society
edition of the archbishop's works.]
[4 John Hales was a learned and good man, and clerk of the
hanaper to Edward VI. and queen Elizabeth. In queen Mary^s time
he was an exile at Frankfort. See Strype, Mem. ii. i. 47 ; ni. i. 405 ;
Cranmer, 280.]
2—2
20 ARCHBISHOP cuanmeu to martin biceh. [let.
(Ps. xvii. 7, marg. ver.) Nor do I doubt but that God will
regard both this and the hkc lamentations of godly men ; and
that he will preserve and defend the true doctrine, which has
]iitherto been sincerely set forth in your churches, against all
the rage of the devil and of the world. Those, in the mean
time, who are unable amidst the raging storm to launch out
into the deep, must take refuge in harbour. To you, there-
fore, my Buccr, our kingdom will be a most safe harbour, in
which, by the blessing of God, the seeds of true doctrine
have happily begun to be sown. Come over therefore to us,
and become a labourer with us in the harvest of the Lord.
You will not be of less benefit to the universal church of God
while you are with us, than if you retain your former posi-
tion. In addition to this, you will be better able to heal the
wounds of your distressed country in your absence, than you
are now able to do in person. Laying aside therefore all
delay, come over to us as soon as possible. We will make it
manifest that nothing can be more gratifying or agreeable to
us than the presence of Bucer. But take care that you suffer
no inconvenience from the journey. You are aware of those who
pursue your hfe : do not therefore commit yourself into their
hands. There is an English merchant yonder, Richard Hilles,
a godly and most trustworthy man, with whom I would have
you confer respecting all the arrangements for your journey.
Moreover, I pray God, the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, with my whole heart, that in the midst of wrath he
may remember mercy, and look upon the calamities of his
afflicted church, and kindle the light of true doctrine increas-
ingly among us, and not suffer it to be extinguished, after
having now shone with so much splendour for many years
among yourselves. May he likewise, my Bucer, guide and
preserve you, and bring you over to us in safety. Farewell
and happily. London, Oct. 2, 1548. Most anxious for your
arrival,
TlIOMxVS CRANMER, archbishop of Canterbury.
XII.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO PHILIP MELANCTHON, 21
LETTER XII.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO PHILIP MELANCTHON'.
Dated at London, Feb. 10, 1549.
We are experiencing, most learned Melanctlion, the truth
of all that our Lord Jesus Christ has foretold respecting the
trials of his church. " But God is faithful, who will not suffer
his people to be tempted above that they are able, but will
also with the temptation make a way to escape, that we may
be able to bear it." For though from his hatred to the Son
of God the devil exercises a horrible tyranny over the mem-
bers of Christ, yet God has promised that his church shall
never perish ; nay, of these last times he expressly declares,
'■' To hoar hairs will I carry her ; I will bear, I will deUver
her^." And God has always willed some civil societies to be
the refuge of his churches, and that their rulers should sup-
port the friends of heavenly doctrine ; just as Obadiah be-
friended the hearers of Elias, whom the kings of Israel were
persecuting on every side. Wherefore, eternal Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, I give thee thanks for having rescued our
island from the waves, like the ark of Noah, and for having
granted us such rulers as seek thy glory, and who devote
their houses and possessions to the church and its service, as
in old time the cottage of the widow of Sarepta afforded a
home to Elias. And I pray God to direct us, and to gather
unto himself a perpetual church amongst us, not only out of
our own countrymen, but also from among those of foreign
nations, as accordmg to his infinite mercy he has abeady
begun to do. For many pious and learned men have come
over to us, some from Italy, some from Germany, and we are
daily expecting more ; which society of the church if you will
vouchsafe to increase and adorn with your presence, I know
not by what means you will be able more effectually to set
forth the glory of God.
I am aware that you have often desired that wise and
godly men should take counsel together, and, having com-
[1 The original letter is printed by Jenkyns, and in the Parker
Society edition of Cranmer.]
[2 See Isaiah xlvi. 4.]
22 ARCHBISHOP CItANMER TO PHILIP MELANCTHON. [lET.
pared their opinions, send fortli under the sanction of their
authority some work, that should embrace the chief subjects
of ecclesiastical doctrine, and transmit the truth uncorrupted
to posterity. This object we are anxiously endeavouring to
accomplish to the utmost of our power. We therefore
request you to communicate your counsel and opinions with
us in person, and not so to shut up your mind as to seem
wanting even to your own wishes, or acting in opposition to
so manifest a caUing of God. I could relate many things
upon this subject, wliich would bring you over to our opinion;
but the brevity of a letter will not contain them all. I would
rather, therefore, that you should learn them from the bearer,
John a Lasco, a most excellent man. For he has resided with
me upon the most intimate and friendly terms for some
months past ; and I pray you to give credit to whatever he
may relate to you in my name. May our Lord Jesus Christ,
the guardian of his church, who has said. None shall pluck
my sheep out of my hands, preserve and defend the ministry
of his gospel, and bring you in safety to the harbour of our
church! Farewell. London, Feb. 10, 1549.
Most anxious for your arrival,
THOMAS CANTUAK.
Our German friends who are with us, request you to
bring with you doctor Albert Hardenberg, as Jonas ^ will tell
you in my name.
LETTER XIIL
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO HENRY BULLINGER'.
Dated at Lambeth, March 20, 1552.
*
Much health. That I reply, after a year's interval, to
your letter dated at Zurich on the 24th of February, you
must impute partly to my want of leisure, and partly to a
\} This was Justus Jonas the younger, who came over with letters
commendatory from Mclancthon. Strype, Cranmer, 581.]
[2 The original letter is printed by Jenkyns, and in the Parker
Society edition of Cranmer.]
XIII.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 23
kind of dislike to a duty of this nature, and which I must
candidly admit myself to entertain. But as it is better to
perform a duty tardily than not at all, you shall now receive
a reply to the whole of your letter.
You write to me upon two subjects, one of a public, the
other of a private nature. With respect to that which is
public, namely, that I would advise the king's majesty not to
send any delegate to the council of Trent^ there was no need
of any advice of mine to dissuade him from a measure which
never came into his mind : but I considered it better, foras-
much as our adversaries are now holding their councils at
Trent to confirm their errors, to recommend his majesty to
grant his assistance, that in England, or elsewhere, there
might be convoked a synod of the most learned and excellent
persons, in which provision might be made for the purity of
ecclesiastical doctrine, and especially for an agreement upon
the sacramentarian controv^sy. To which plan (as consider-
ing it most useful to the christian commonwealth) I perceived
that the mind of his majesty was very favourably disposed.
We must not therefore suffer ourselves to be wanting to the
church of God in a matter of such importance. I have written
upon the subject* to masters Philip [Melancthon] and Calvin;
and I pray you to devise the means by which this synod may
be assembled with the greatest convenience, either in England
or elsewhere.
The private affair upon which you wrote to me, was, that
I should put an end to the controversy between the bishop of
London and Hooper, bishop of Gloucester, respecting which
it is now too late to reply. For I am aware that you have
been informed long since ^ that this controversy has been en-
tirely settled. And master Hooper is in such great esteem
among us, that he is now appointed bishop of Worcester'', and
[3 The first session of this year was held on the first of May.
For an account of its proceedings, see Burnet, ii. 299.]
[* See the next and following letters.]
[5 Namely, by Hooper, whose letter to BuUinger, dated Aug. 1,
1551, is given in a subsequent part of this volume. Peter Martyr also
wrote to BuUinger upon the same subject in the April of the same
year. Strype, Cranmer, 309.]
[6 Hooper was appointed to the see of Worcester in October 1551,
and held it in commendam with that of Gloucester, to which he had
been consecrated in the preceding March.]
24 AROIIBISIIOP CRANMER TO HENRY BILLINOER. [lET.
is at tills time living in my house upon the most intimate
terms, dui-ing the sitting of parliament. May the Lord Jesus
guide and defend you by his holy Spirit ! Farewell. Lam-
both, :March 20, 1552.
Your reverence's most attached,
THOMAS CANTUAR.
LETTER XIV.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOHN CALVING
Dated at Lambeth, March 20, 1552.
Much health. As nothing tends more injuriously to the
separation of the churches than heresies and disputes respect-
ing the doctrines of rehgion, so nothing tends more effectually
to unite the churches of God, and more powerfully to defend
the fold of Christ, than the pm^e teaching of the gospel, and
harmony of doctrine. Wherefore I have often wished, and
still continue to do so, that learned and godly men, who are
eminent for erudition and judgment, might meet together in
some place of safety, where by taking counsel together, and
comparing their respective opinions, they might handle all the
heads of ecclesiastical doctrine, and hand down to posterity,
under the weight of their authority, some work not only
upon the subjects themselves, but upon the forms of ex-
pressing them. Our adversaries are now holding their
councils at Trent for the establishment of their errors ; and
shall we neglect to call together a godly synod, for the
refutation of error, and for restoring and propagating the
truth ? They are, as I am informed, making decrees re-
specting the worship of the host": wherefore we ought to
leave no stone unturned, not only that we may guard others
against this idolatry, but also that we may ourselves come to
an agreement upon the doctrine of this sacrament. It cannot
{} The original of this letter is published by Jenkyns, and in the
Parker Society edition of Crannier.]
[2 TTfpt Ti]s upToKarpelas. The decree of the council of Trent on
the Lord's Supper was passed on the 11th of October, 1551. Sleidan,
de Stat. Rel. Lib. xxiii; Jonkyns, Crannier, i. 346.]
XIV.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO JOHN CALVIN. 25
escape your prudence, how exceedingly the church of God has
been injured by dissensions and varieties of opinion respecting
this sacrament of unity ; and though they are now in some
measure removed, yet I could wish for an agreement in this
doctrine, not only as regards the subject itself, but also with
respect to the words and forms of expression. You have now
my wish, about which I have also written to masters Phihp
[Melancthon] and Bulhnger; and I pray you to deliberate
among yourselves as to the means by which this synod can
be assembled with the greatest convenience. Farewell. Lam-
beth, March 20, 1552.
You very dear brother in Christ,
THOMAS CANTUAR^
LETTER XV.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO PHILIP MELANCTHON^
Dated at Lambeth, March 27, 1552.
We read in the Acts of the Apostles, that when a dispute
had arisen, as to whether those who from among the Gentiles
had been turned to God, should be compelled to be circum-
cised, and keep the law of Moses, the apostles and elders
came together to consider of this matter ; and having compared
their opinions, dehvered the judgment of their council in a
written epistle. This example I wish we ourselves could
imitate, in whose churches the doctrine of the gospel has been
restored and purified. But although all controversies cannot
be removed in this world, (because the party which is hostile
to the truth, will not assent to the judgment of the church,)
it is nevertheless to be desired that the members of the true
church should agree among themselves upon the chief heads
of ecclesiastical doctrine. But it cannot escape your notice,
how greatly rehgious dissensions, especially in the matter of
the Lord's supper, have rent the churches asunder : had they
[3 Calvin's reply to the above proposals will be given in the Ap^
pendix.]
[■* The original of this letter is printed by Jenkyns, and in the
Parker Society edition of Cranmer.]
2(5 ARCHBISHOP CRANMEE TO PHILIP MELANCTHON. [lET.
been settled before, the emperor, I think, -would never have
made war against you. And it is truly grievous that the
sacrament of unity is made by the malice of the devil food
for disagreement, and (as it were) the apple of contention. I
could wish therefore, that those who excel others in erudition
and judgment, should be assembled together, after the example
of the apostles, and declare their judgment as well respecting
other subjects of dispute, as likewise especially respecting this
controversy, and attest their agreement by some pubUshed
document. But you will perhaps say, " And I also have often
expressed the same wish ; but this matter cannot be eifected
without the aid of princes." I have therefore [consulted with]'
the king's majesty, who places his kingdom of England at
your disposal, and most graciously promises not only a place
of security and quiet, but also liis aid and assistance towards
these godly endeavours. I have written likewise to masters
Calvin and Bulhnger, and exhorted them not to be wanting
to a work so necessary, and so useful to the commonwealth
of Christendom. You wrote me word in your last letter that
the Areopagites of the council of Trent are making decrees
respecting the worship of the host. Wherefore, since the ad-
versaries of the gospel meet together with so much zeal for
the establishment of error, we must not allow them to be
more diligent in confirming ungodliness, than we are in pro-
pagating and setting forth the doctrine of godUness. Your
commendation of master George Major ^ has greatly increased
that regard for him, which his merits have produced in
me ; and if I can be of service to him in any way, he shall
find my ability will fail sooner than my inclination. Farewell
and happily. Lambeth, March 27, 1552.
Very desirous of seeing you some time,
THOMAS CANTUAR.
[1 One or more words are wanting in the original.]
[2 George Major was a zealous disciple of liuthcr, and minister at
Eisleben. He died in 1574.]
XVI.] ABP. CRANMER TO THE WIDOW OF MARTIN BUCER. 27
LETTER XVI.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO THE WIDOW OF MARTIN
BUCER.
Dated at Lajibeth, April 20, 1552.
Greeting. The especial favour with which I regarded
your husband during his lifetime, is by no means diminished
now that he is no more. His remarkable piety indeed, and pro-
found learning, has produced not a transient but an everlasting
benefit to the church ; whereby he has not only bound all
godly persons, but myself more than all of them, under per-
petual obhgations to him. You must not therefore on any
account allow yourself to be deterred from writing to me,
should there be any thing in which I can be of use to you or
to your affairs. For stuTed up by your letters, I shall not
only recal to myself, and not without satisfaction, the agree-
able remembrance of a very dear friend; but will also most
readily perform to you, his widow, those offices of kindness,
which the word of God commands to be paid, and which
shall be afforded you as occasion shall offer. With respect
to what you have lately informed me, that it is necessary for
the expediting of your affairs that it should be certified and
attested by some formal document that the sum of a hundred
marks which you received as a present from the king's
majesty, when you left this country, belongs especially and
exclusively to yourself, I have written a letter to the guard-
ians^ of Bucer's children, whereby they may clearly ascertain
what was the intention of our most serene king upon the
matter in question. I send you a copy of the letter of the lords
of the council to master John Hales, his majesty's treasurer,
(who is now, I think, at Strasburgh,) or to his deputy in his
absence, written in English, which clearly testifies that a
hundred marks were presented you by his majesty, and that
too, after the death of your husband, inasmuch as that letter
was written on the last day of March, and your husband de-
parted this life at the end of February. May God, who is
[3 These were, Coni-ad Hubert, Quinter Andernach, and Huldric
Chelius, to all of whom Cranmer addressed the following letter.]
28 ABP. CRAXMER TO THE WIDOW OF MARTIN BUCER. [lET*
the fountain and father of all comfort, vouchsafe to comfort
you, and preserve you with all your family! Farewell. Lam-
beth, April 20, 1552.
Yours to the utmost of his power,
THOMAS CANTUAR.
LETTER XVII.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO CONRAD HUBERT,
AND OTHERS.
Dated at Lambeth, April 20, 1552,
Greeting. As I have lately understood, from a letter
written to this place by the widow ' of master Bucer of pious
memory, that for the purpose of dividing the property of her
deceased husband amongst his children, a certain declaration
or certificate is necessary respecting the sum of a hundred
marks, presented by his majesty, as to whether it belongs to
the widow or to the children ; whereby the fact may be
ascertained, and all doubt entirely removed ; I affirm and
attest that the said sum of a hundred marks was especially
bestowed by his most serene majesty upon master Bucer 's
widow, after his death, and intended for her especial use ; as
is clearly manifest from the letter which the lords of the
council wrote to the treasurer, a copy of which I have sent
to master Bucer's widow. May God direct you by his holy
Spirit, and grant you success in the labours of your caUing !
Farewell. Lambeth, April 20, 1552.
Yours heartily,
T. CANT.
[1 The name of Bucer's widow was Wibrand Bucerin. The uni-
versity gave her an hundred crowns on the death of her husband ;
the king an hundred marlcs more, besides her husband's half yearly
pension, thougli ho died before Lady-day, when it became due.
Strype, Cranmer, 358.]
XVIII.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO TETER MARTYR. 29
LETTER XVIII.
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO PETER MARTYR''.
Dated [from prison, 1555.]
After much health in Christ our Saviour. As letters
are then only necessary, when the messenger is either not
sufficiently discreet, or is unacquainted with the circumstances
we wish to communicate, or not thought worthy to be en-
trusted with secrets ; and since by the goodness of God the
bearer of this has fallen in my way, a man, as you know, of
signal discretion, most faithful in all matters entrusted to him,
exceedingly attached to us both, and possessing an entire
acquaintance with the circumstances of our country, from
whose mouth you may learn all that has taken place here ; I
have not thought it needful to write to you more at length,
especially as letters are wont to occasion so much danger and
mischief. Yet I have not deemed it right to pass over this
one thing, which I have learned by experience, namely, that
God never shines forth more brightly, and pours out the
beams of his mercy and consolation, or of strength and firmness
of spirit, more clearly or impressively upon the minds of his
people, than when they are under the most extreme pain and
distress, both of mind and body, that he may then more
especially shew himself to be the God of his people, when he
seems to have altogether forsaken them ; then raising them
up when they think he is bringing them down, and laying
them low ; then glorifying them, when he is thought to be
confounding them; then quickening them, when he is thought
to be destroying them. So that we may say with Paul,
" When I am weak, then am I strong ; and if I must needs
glory, I will glory in my infirmities, in prisons, in revillngs,
in distresses, in persecutions, in sufferings for Christ." I
pray God to grant that I may endure to the end ! Nothing
is at this time more distressing to me, than that no answer
[2 This letter is printed for the first time by the Parker Society.
It was discovered at Zurich by the Rev. Steuart A. Pears, in 1843.
The Latin original is subjoined.]
30 ARCHBISHOP CRAXMER TO PETER MARTYR. [lET.
has as yet been given to M.A.', to whose subtilties, and
jugghng tricks, and ravings, a reply would not have been
■wanting long since, had not books and liberty been wanting
to myself. I have written to no one but you, nor do I wish
any one to know that I have written to you : wherefore
salute no one in my name.
THOMAS CRANMER.
Thomce Cranmeri Epistola ad P. Martyrem.
Post plurimam in Christo Servatore nostro salutem. Quando
turn dcmum necessaria) sunt literse, quum aut non satis prudens est
nuncius, aut rcrum quas significare volumus ignarus, aut non fidus
cui arcana credas ; quumque mihi Dei benignitatc sese obtulisset hie
tabellarius, vir et prudentia (ut nosti) insigni, et qui rebus in cre-
dendis fidissimus sit, et nostrum utriusque amantissimus, et rerum
nostratium scientissimus, e cujus ore qua) hie acta fuerint intelligas
omnia; non necessarium existimavi ut prolixius ad te scriberem,
praisertim quum scriptui'a; tot pcricula damnaque afFerre soleant.
lUud tamon unum prretermittcndum non censui, quod expcrtus didici,
nunquam Deum splendidius illucescere, et dementia; sua;, consola-
tionis, aut roboris ac fortitudinis animi radios suoruiu mentibus clarius
aut pressius infundere, quam in summis animi corporisque angoribus
atque pressuris ; ut turn vel maxime sese declaret suorum esse Deum,
quum illos deseruisse proi-sus videtur; turn erigere quum dejicere
atque prosternere, tum glorificaxe quum confundere, tum denique vivi-
ficare (^uum occidere putetur. Ut cum Paulo dicere liceat, Quando
infirmor tunc fortior sum, et si gloriari oportet, in infirmitatibus meis
gloriabor, in carceribus, in contumeliis, in necessitatibus, in persccuti-
onibus, in augustiis pro Christo. Faxit obsecro Deus, ut in finem
perseveremus. Hodie nihil magis animum angit nieum, quam quod
hactenus M. A. nihil est responsum ; ad cujus astutias, prtestigias, et
insanias jamdudum non defuisset responsum, nisi mihi defuissent et
libri et libertas. Prseterquam tibi scripsi nemini, nee scire velim
[1 M.A. signifies Marcus Antonius, under which name Gardiner,
bishop of Winchester, replied to Cranmer's " Answer to a crafty and
sophistical cavillation, &c." which see in Cranmei-'s writings, published
by the Parker Society. The above letter confirms the statement of
Strype, that the archbishop was very desirous to prepare another book
in confutation of Marcus Antonius, and in vindication of his own
writing. Strype says, " lie lived long enough to finish three parts ;
whereof two unhappily perished in Oxford, and the third fell into
John Foxe's hands, and for ought I know, that by this time is perished
also." Strype, Cranmer, i. 371.]
XVIII.] ARCHBISHOP CRANMER TO PETER MARTYR. 31
quenquam quod ad te scripserim: proinde nomine meo salutabis
neminem.
THOMAS CRAMMERUS2.
Hsec in manu Archiepiscopi Cantuarensis.
Scripsit haec ex carcere ad D. Pet.
Martyrem. M. A. significant Marc.
Antonium, nimirum Wintoniensem.
1555.
LETTER XIX.
MILES COVERDALE TO JOHN CALVIN.
Dated at Frankfort, March 26, 1548.
I CANNOT but avail myself, most illustrious sir, of the
offered opportunity of saluting your worthiness. There was
brought hither three days since, during the time of the fair,
a certain httle book in Enghsh, containing that Order of
Holy Communion which the king's majesty has set forth, as
suitable to the present time^. And as I perceived many
persons were desirous of obtaining it, I forthwith translated
it both into German and Latin. And therefore, when I
understood the godly bearer of this letter to be a townsman
of yours, I thought I should gratify your reverence by send-
ing you tliis trifling present. One of the translations I in-
tended for the Germans ; the other, namely the Latin one, I
am exceedingly anxious should be forwarded to your reve-
rence. And should you feel inchned to make known to
[3 The signatm-e is added by another hand, and the subjoined note
is in that of Bullinger. Cranmer was bui-ned at Oxford, March 21,
1556 : this letter, which appears undoubtedly to be his autograph, was
written only a few months previously.]
[3 The English work, the Order of the Communion, is printed in
the volume containing the Litm-gies of King Edward VI., published
by the Parker Society. The translation into Latin by Coverdale, here
mentioned, does not seem to have been printed ; but there is a Latin
translation extant, printed apparently in 1548, with the initials A. A.
S.D. Th, probably indicating Alexander Alesse, who also translated
into Latin the first Liturgy of King Edward VI. a.d. 1549. It is a
very rare small volume, bearing the title of " Ordo distributionis sacra-
menti altaris sub utraque specie, et formula confessionis fiiciendee in
regno Anglise. Hsec Londini evulgata sunt octavo die Martii Anni
MDXLVIII." See " The ancient Liturgy of the Church of England," by
Rev. W. Maskell, p. xlv; also Burnet ii. 247, and Sti7pe, Mem. ii. i. 96.]
32 MILES COVERDALE TO JOHN CALVIN. [lET.
others this cause for congratulation, and first-fruits of godli-
ness, (according as the Lord now wills his rehgion to revive
in P>no-land,) you will bo able to commit this token of ray-
affection for you to the press more easily than I can, I am
now on my return to England, having been invited thither
after an exile of eight years. Farewell, most excellent master,
and affectionately salute your wife, who deserved so well
from me and mine, when we went up to Strasburgh, Frank-
fort, March 26, 1548.
MICHAEL {alias MILO) COVERDALE, Anglus.
LETTER XX,
MILES COVERDALE TO PAUL FAGIUS.
Dated at Windsor Castle, Oct. 21, 1548.
Peace and joy in the Holy Ghost ! Your letter, most
excellent sir, dated on the 22nd of August, I received from
my wife on the 8th of this present month, with exceeding
compassion for those individuals whom this dreadful tyranny '
so greatly distresses. I also shewed your letter yesterday
to the most reverend the archbishop of Canterbury ; who, as
he has undertaken to educate your dear son (whom he has
just sent away to Canterbury, by reason of the plague that
is raging at this place), both in religion and learning, at his
own expense ; in like manner, reflecting upon the lamentable
condition of your churches, he truly sympathises in your
misfortune : wherefore he desired you most especially to come
over to us, rather than to go away either into Turkey or
Hungary. Oh ! my master, if you should seek a refuge any
•where else than with us, since the faithlessness of mankind is
every where so great, how will that most excellent gift, which
the good and gracious God has bestowed upon you, grow
cool ! If the most reverend archbishop, whose answer I
inclosed in my letter to you, had foreseen so much danger
to the church, truly what I wrote to you would have been
no impediment. You must think therefore that we are both
of us sorry for what we did, although there was nothing
[1 Namely, the persecutions in Germany by Charles V., to enforce
compliance with the Interim.]
XX.] MILES COVERDALE TO PAUL FAGIUS. 33
stated in those letters but what the occasion then called for.
For myself, indeed, my master, I am in no little apprehension
both for yourself and for our churches and schools deprived
of your most happy ministrations. Wherefore, although our
rulers may not invite you by name, eminent as you are
among the best scholars of Germany, and this probably, as I
have before hinted to you, from secret motives ; yet we, who
know you well, entreat you most solemnly to come over to
us, where you need not doubt but that you will be most
acceptable, and therefore treated with the greatest kindness.
Farewell. From the king's castle, which we call Windsor.
Oct. 21, 1548.
Yours from my heart,
M. COVERDALE.
LETTER XXI.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jmi. 27, [probably in 1546].
Not many years since, most honoured master, and much
loved brother in Christ, when I was a courtier, and hving too
much of a court life in the palace of our king^, there most
happily and auspiciously came under my notice certain writings
of master Huldricli Zuinglius^ a most excellent man, of pious
memory ; and also some commentaries upon the epistles of St
Paul, which your reverence had published for the general
benefit, and which will prove a lasting monument of your re-
nown.
These singular gifts of God exhibited by you to the world
[2 Hooper probably refers to the period, when he was retained
as chaplain and steward in the house of Sir Thomas Ai'undel, who
was executed in 1552, as a partisan of the duke of Somerset. See
Strype.]
[3 The collected writings of Zuinglius were published by Rodolph
Gualter, in four volumes, folio, in 1544. He was slain in a battle
between the five Roman Catholic cantons of Switzerland, and those of
Zurich and Berne, Oct. 11, 1531 ; having attended the troops as one
of their ministers.]
3
[zUniCH LETTERS, III. J
34 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
at large, I was unwilling to neglect, especially as I perceived
them seriously to affect the eternal salvation and happiness of
my soul ; so that I thought it well worth my wliile, night
and day, with earnest study, and an almost superstitious
diligence, to devote my entire attention to your writings.
Nor was my labour in this respect ever wearisome to me : for
after I had arrived at manhood, and by the kindness of my
father enjoyed the means of living more unrestrainedly, I
had begun to blaspheme God by impious worship and all
manner of idolatry, following the evil ways of my forefathers,
before I rightly understood what God was. But being at
length delivered by the goodness of God, for which I am
solely indebted to him and to yourselves, nothing now remains
for me in reference to the remainder of my Ufe and my last
hour, but to worship God with a pure heart, and know
my defects while living in this body, since indeed the
tenure of life is deceitful, and every man is altogether as
notliing ; and to serve my godly brethren in Christ, and
the ungodly for Christ : for I do not think that a Chris-
tian is born for himself, or that he ought to hve to himself;
but that, whatever he has or is, he ought altogether to as-
cribe, not to liimself, but to refer it to God as the author, and
regard every thing that he possesses as common to all, ac-
cording as the necessities and wants of his brethren may
require. I am indeed ashamed beyond measure, that I have
not performed these duties heretofore ; but that like a brute
beast, as the greater part of mankind are wont to do, I have
been a slave to my own lusts : but it is better to be wise late,
than not at all.
By reason of my love and respect towards you, I had
often proposed to visit you, though 1 have always been pre-
vented hitherto, partly by my ill-health, and partly because
I am mistrustful of the favour of fortune; for my father, of
whom I am the only son and heir, is so opposed to me on
account of Christ's religion, that should I refuse to act ac-
cording to his wishes, I shall be sure to find him for the
future, not a father, but a cruel tyrant. Shortly however, in
about a month's time, I mean to go down to my native place^
to bid farewell to the honours, pleasures, and friends of this
world ; and I will then endeavour, if possible, by the assist-
[i Hooper was a native of Somersetshire. Godwin de Prsesul. 552.]
XXI.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 35
ance of my friends, to obtain at least some portion of what I
am entitled to, wherewith I may be able to subsist upon my
slender means among you at Zurich : and should God order
it otherwise, and see fit to visit me with poverty and want,
or in any other way, I will bear it with an undisturbed mind,
and choose rather, as an exile, to suffer affliction with the
people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a sea-
son ; esteeming the reproach of Christ (I use the words of
St Paul) greater riches than the treasures m Egypt ; for I
have respect unto the recompence of the reward, and hope for
eternal life, obtamed, not by my merits, but by the blood of
Christ. I entreat you, therefore, 0 man of God, by our
Lord Jesus Christ, that you aid nie in this journey by your
prayers to God for me. For I am in fear, and not without
reason, of those perfidious bishops, to whom nothing is more
acceptable than the spilhng of the blood of the godly, and
whose temper and disposition I have often experienced to the
great peril of my life~. I desire therefore, to defend myself
against their treachery and tyranny with the remedies that
God has given me ; and I seek the aid of your church, that
by the help of her prayers I may derive some comfort, ac-
cording to the promise of God, who is ever present with all
who call upon him in truth, and from whom alone assistance
is to be sought for in every kind of danger. For there can-
not be a more powerful safeguard than believing prayer : by
this Hezekiah overcame the king of the Assyrians, Elijah
called down fire from heaven, and Jehoshaphat obtained a
signal victory. But I will dilate no longer upon this subject,
for fear of offending your pious and learned ears by so rude
and unpohshed a letter.
[2 While Hooper was Sir Thomas Arundel's steward, " his master,
having intelligence of his opinions and religion, which he in no case
did favour, found the means to send him on a message to the bishop
of Winchester [Gardiner], writing his letter privily to the bishop,
by conference of learning to do some good upon him. Winchester,
after long conference with master Hooper four or five days together,
sent him home again, right well commending his learning and wit,
but yet hearing in his breast a grudging stomach against master Hooper
still." See Foxe, Acts and Monuments, vi. 637; and Soames, Hist.
Ref. III. 559. Shortly after this occurrence took place. Hooper fomid
himself obhged to flee for his life, to avoid the operation of the act
of the Six Articles.]
3—2
36 JOHN HOOPEK TO UliNllV BULLINGER. [lET.
Accept, ray very dear master, in few words, the news
from England. As far as true religion is concerned, idolatry
is no whore in greater vigour. Our king has destroyed the
pope, but not popery ; he has expelled all the monks and
nuns, and pulled down their monasteries; he has caused all
their possessions to be transferred into his exchequer, and yet
they are bound, even the frail female sex, by the king's com-
mand, to perpetual chastity. England has at this time at
least ten thousand nuns, not one of whom is allowed to marry.
The impious mass, the most shameful celibacy of the clergy,
the invocation of saints, auricular confession, superstitious
abstinence from meats, and purgatory, were never before
held by the people in greater esteem than at the present
moment.
I have just been informed by letter, that the treaty',
which was concluded two years since between the emperor
and our king, is renewed : may God direct every thing to
the glory of his name ! There is no hope of peace between
France and England, but we are in daily expectation of a
bloody war.
The chief supporters of the gospel in England are dying
every hour : many very illustrious personages have departed
within these two years; the lord chancellor Audley^ the
duke of Suffolk"', [Sir Edward] Baynton, the queen's first
lord of the bedchamber ; Poinings*, the king's deputy at
Boulogne ; Sir Thomas Wyat^, known throughout the whole
world for his noble qualities, and a most zealous defender of
[1 The alliance here referred to was concluded between the
emperor Charles V. and Henry VIII., on Feb. 11, 1543, for an
account of which see Robertson's Charles V., ni. 246, Soamos, ii. 535.]
[2 Thomas Audloy, Lord Chancellor, 1532, created baron Audlcy
of Walden, co. Essex, 29 Nov. 1538, died 1544, Avhen the barony
became extinct.]
[3 Charles Brandon, created duke of Suffolk, Feb. 1, 1514, married
to his third wife, Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VII., and queen
dowager of Franco. He died Aug. 24, 1545, and was buried in St
George's chapel, Windsor. His epitaph, written by Parkhurst, is
printed in Strype, Annals, ii. ii. 41)0.]
[* Sir Thomas l*oinings died in August, 1545. See Ilollingshed,
Chron. ii. 969.]
[5 Sir Thomas Wyat died in 1542, aged 38. He was the first that
put into English verse the " seven penitential Psalms."]
XXI.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 37
yours and Christ's religion ; Dr Butts^, a physician who had
the charge of the king's person : all these were of the privy
council, and real favourers of the gospel, and promoted the
glory of God to the utmost of their power. They all died of
the plague and fever ; so that the country is now left alto-
gether to the bishops, and those who despise God and all
true rehgion.
The bishops of Winchester and Westminster' are now on
an embassy from our king to the emperor in Brabant.
Another bishop, namely, of Durham, who was sent into
Picardy to treat there with the ambassadors of the king of
France respecting a peace between the French and EngHsh,
has lately returned to England without the accomphshment
of that object. The state of affairs between the Scots and
English is still very doubtful and uncertain : the English however
have sacked their principal cities and villages ; but I shudder
to mention the devastation of that country, which was effected
last summer by the earl of Hertford^. The queen of Scot-
land, together with the cardinal [Beaton], is lying in con-
cealment in the mountains, where they possess fortresses
beyond the reach of attack.
The conference at Ratisbon, as far as I understand by a
letter from master Bucer, is suspended : I am more inclined
to believe this, because Philip Melancthon is neither yet come
to them, nor does he intend it. And Bucer, as I hear, is
about to come to us sooner than I expected : but as yet we
have nothing certain ; as soon as this shall be the case, I will
inform your reverence forthwith, and you may expect a more
copious letter whenever any new tidings shall require it. The
count Palatine has lately provided for the preaching of the
gospel throughout his dominions : but as far as relates to the
eucharist he has descended, as the proverb has it, from the
[6 Dr William Butts died Nov. 17, 1545. An interesting letter
"written to him by Sir John Cheke, dm-ing his last illness, is given in
Strype, Cheke, 27.]
[7 Namely, Stephen Gardiner and Thomas Thirlby. The bishop
of Durham here mentioned was Cuthbert Tonstal.]
[8 Edward Seymour, earl of Hertford, landed 10,000 men near
Leith, in May, 1544, which, with Edinbm'gh, was abandoned to pillage,
and then set on fire. See Hall's Chronicles, p. 860, ed. 1809 ; also
Robertson's Hist. Scotland.]
38 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
horse to the ass; for he has fallen from popery into the
doctrine of Luther, who is in that particular more erroneous
than all the papists ; and those who deny the substance of
bread to remain in the sacrament, and substitute the body of
Christ in its place, come more closely to the truth than those
who affirm that the natural body of Christ is with the bread,
in the bread, and under the form of bread, and yet occupies
no place. God I hope will at length give him a better mind.
Master Richard [Hilles] the Enghshman, and his godly
wife, salute you affectionately in Christ. He has now in his
house two sisters of noble family, the younger of whom,
named Anna, is exceedingly favourable to true rehgion. She
prays for your continued happiness, and commends herself,
whom I hope you will see shortly, to the prayers of your
church. Salute affectionately in my name those excellent men
masters Bibliander and Pellican, with the other godly brethren.
Farewell, most learned and godly sir, and suffer me, I pray
you, to be numbered amongst those who truly and from the
heart admire the majesty of your religion. Strasburgh, Jan.
27, [1546].
Yours entirely,
JOHN HOOPER, Anglus.
LETTER XXII.
JOHN HOOPER TO [HENRY BULLINGER.]
Without place or date '.
If your engagements would permit, I should much wish
to ascertain your judgment and opinion. I certainly do not
consider it lawful for a godly man to be present at the mass
and impious observances of the like kind among the papists ;
but yet there are some arguments which in some measure
press my mind, and for a time keep me in suspense. Master
Calvin has written much upon that subject ; but, as it appears
\} This letter is without date or adckcss, but appears from the
subsequent letter to have been written to BuUinger, and probably
from Strasbxu-gh, in 1546.]
XXII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 39
to me, he hardly satisfies the arguments which may be al-
leged against liim, one or two of which I will propose to your
erudition.
Concerning Naaman the Syrian, though it is not allow-
able to bring forward a private individual by way of general
example, yet it very much bears upon the subject before us ;
for the prophet said, " Go in peace." Persons, who are unac-
quainted with the Hebrew, understand this expression as
though the prophet had said, "If you choose to return, it will
be at your peril, but I do not sanction your doing so :" in
my opinion, however, the Hebrew words will not bear this
interpretation ; for ub^b "^bi go in peace, is an expression of
command and confirmation, and therefore the prophet per-
mitted Naaman to worship the true God in the house of
Rimmon, with the hope of gaining over the king of Syria
and others to the true God : and, if I rightly interpret this
passage, as the prophet gave this permission to a godly man,
so we ought also to make the same allowance ourselves.
In the time of Elijah, when he complained before God
that he was the only worshipper of the true religion then
remaining, he was informed by the divine voice that there
were left seven thousand. Now certainly, if this great number
of men had kept themselves aloof from the idolatrous wor-
ship, there must have been at least some few of them known
to the prophet of God ; nor do I see how any one can deny
that though these pious men, by the mention of whom God
comforts his afflicted servant, were often openly and pubhcly
in the idol-temples together with a yet more numerous as-
semblage of the ungodly, they nevertheless retamed in their
hearts a pure and holy reverence for the one true God. No
argument moves me more than this.
In the same way as God forbids idolatry, does he also
prohibit adultery, fornication, and other kinds of wickedness;
nor does he condemn one more than another : but no one is
bound to leave his country, as they say, by reason of either
one or the other.
I do not write these things, my accompHshed friend, merely
for the sake of learning your opinion'^ ; but when I have once
ascertained it, I shall, by God's blessing, most diligently follow
[2 It appears by the following letter that Hooper's objections were
satisfied by the arguments of Bullinger in his reply.]
40 JOHN HOOPIMI TO IlEN'RY BULLINGER. [lET.
it without any deceit or dissimulation : not that I am in any
doubt upon the subject myself; but I desire to satisfy some
godly men who are not yet sufficiently instructed in the faith.
May the Lord Jesus long preserve you in safety ! Salute, I
pray you, your wife in my name, and my English brother
and friend in Christ, master Burcher, who resides with you
at Zurich.
Yours to serve,
JOHN HOOPER, Anglus.
LETTER XXIII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Without place or date'.
Much health. I received, most excellent and revered
friend in Christ, at Strasburgh, almost a year ago, your equally
learned and godly letter, in which you desired altogether to
convince me that the true worship of God could have nothing
in common with outward idolatry : you therefore considered
it more advisable and consistent with godliness, that I should
rather endure the loss of home and fortune for Christ's sake,
than participate in the ungodly worship of the mass. I re-
verence and cherish this advice, and wiUingly come into the
same opinion. I cannot repay to your excellence the thanks you
deserve ; but I pray that he who worketh all in all, and who,
when called upon in true faith through his Son Jesus Christ,
will do far more than we can beUeve, may be, according to his
mercy and loving-kindness, your exceeding great reward and
recompcnce. Of this I have no doubt, that you will be,
when this frail tabernacle is dissolved, the everlasting friend
of God. Meanwhile, as long as you continue in this life,
defend your churches, deUver them from wolves and hirelings,
gather together the people of God, and bring back his flock,
now miserably scattered, to Christ the true and only shep-
\} This letter was probably written from Basle, and shortly after
Dec. 12, 1546. See p. 42, note 1.]
XXIII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 41
herd : fight the good fight ; there is laid up for you a crown
of righteousness, which you shall receive from the righteous
Judge in that day.
I wUl relate to your excellence in person the events of
my long and most dangerous journey to England. I suifered
many things by land; twice I suffered bonds and imprison-
ment; whence being marvellously deHvered by the mercy
of God, though with the heavy loss of my fortune, I was
wretchedly harassed by sea for three months both by
enemies and storms. But the end is not yet; and I
pray God that whatever may yet remain to me of this
wretched life, may be for the glory of his name, and for the
edification of his church. Having been delivered from fire
and water, I came upon war : I see nothing but the death of
all godliness and religion ; the enemy of God will destroy (if
it be possible that the faith of Peter can perish) every mouth
that speaks of Christ, and the mother with her children, that
is, the universal church : but the Lord, I doubt not, will look
down upon his people, and not suffer the tyranny of this cruel
enemy to rage at pleasure. In the mean time let us be
heartily and truly turned unto the Lord, and he will un-
doubtedly look upon our tears. But alas ! gracious Lord, we
are sleeping in the greatest security, while in the greatest
danger ; and it is therefore no wonder if we terribly expe-
rience the wrath of God, and the heavy consequences of our
ungodliness. Let us amend therefore, lest he inflict upon us
yet greater severities, namely, to become after this hfe the
everlasting enemies of God : let us patiently bear, as the time
requires, the chastisement that our sins have deserved; for he
punishes the children of men for their iniquities.
The bearer will inform your excellence of the good news
we received yesterday from Strasburgh. There will be a
change of rehgion in England, and the king will take up
the gospel of Christ, in case the emperor should be defeated
in this most destructive war : should the gospel sustain a loss,
he will then retain his impious mass, for which he has this last
summer committed four respectable and godly persons^ to the
[2 These were, Ann Askew, John Lacels, John Adams, and Nicholas
Belenian. They were bm-ned at the stake about the month of June,
1546, according to Foxe's account (v. 550.) or on July 16th, according
to Stowe.]
42 JOHN HOOrER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
flames. Our king has now confined in the tower of London
the duke of Norfollc^ together with his eldest son and heir:
they say that both father and son had conspired the death of
the lung and of our prince, — a horrible deed, if my account is
correct.
My wife most dutifully salutes your excellence, with the
other learned and godly persons among you. We hope td
visit you shortly, God willing. JNIaster de Valys, together
with his wife and all his family, wish for you every happiness.
There is in his house a certain godly and learned youth, whom
I intend to bring down with me to Zurich : I request you, for
Christ's sake, if it be possible, to procure him a teachership in
some class in your school. He is studious and dihgent, and will
not shrink from the severest labours; and if he can but meet
with some moderate means of subsistence, he will be of service
to the church of God : remember him for Christ's sake, and let
your excellence, if possible, write me an answer. Nothing can
come to me more acceptably than a letter from you. JNIay the
Lord Jesus long preserve you in safety, to the glory of his
name, and the benefit of his church ! Amen. Salute in my
name masters Bibliander, Pelhcan, Gualter, and all the rest.
I earnestly commend myself to the prayers of your church.
Excuse, I pray you, my pen running on too fast. I request
your excellence to salute in my name, and that of my wife,
the godly matron Falkner, who came with us to Basle from
Strasburgh, which place she left umnarried, but I have now,
with the consent of her parents, bestowed her in marriage.
Your excellence's most attached,
JOHN HOOPER.
[1 The duke of Norfolk, and his son, the earl of Surrey, were com-
mitted to the Tower of London, Doc. 12, 154G ; the latter was executed
on Tower Hill on the 19th of the January following.]
XXIV.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 43
LETTER XXIV.
JOHN HOOPER TO [HENRY BULLINGER.]
After Sept. 10, 1547.
The order of battle- between the Scots and English in
Scotland on the 10th of September, four miles from Edin-
burgh.
Lord Grey, the king of England's deputy at Boulogne,
and the commander in chief of the English cavalry in this
battle, after the artillery was silenced, made a charge upon
the Scottish front, with a view of throwing them into confusion;
but disappointed of his expectation, he was forced to retreat
with the loss of forty-eight of his cavalry. The earl of War-
wick, who commanded the archers, perceiving the cavalry to
give way, immediately and suddenly advanced with 4000
archers, and attacked that part of the Scottish army where
the artillery and baggage were stationed. He so pressed the
Scots by the discharge of his arrows, that they were unable any
longer to stand to their guns, which having gained possession
of, by his cannon-balls and volleys of arrows he compelled the
whole Scottish army to fall back from their former position into
one where they had not only the enemy both in front and rear,
but also the sun shining full in their eyes. Which when lord
Grey perceived, he made a second attack with his cavalry on
their flank with much noise and clamour, shouting, " The Scots
are running away, the Scots are running away." The Scots,
being inferior in cavalry, were quite unable to keep their
ranks, which being thrown into disorder, they betook them-
selves to flight; in the wliich there fell 15,000 men, and 2,000
were taken prisoners, among whom was lord Huntley, the
chancellor of Scotland. On the same day the English ships
sailed into the various Scottish harbours, and took possession
of all their vessels which were adapted either for trade or
naval warfare ; the rest they burned. The queen, upon the
[2 For a full account of this battle, called the battle of Pinkey, in
which the Scots sustained a signal defeat, see Hollingshed's Chronicles,
Vol. HI. p. 984, &c., or the other histories of the period.]
44 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET-
receipt of tliis unfortunate intelligence, gave herself up to the
protector upon his own terms. Taking with him six of the
nobility as hostages for the fidelity of the queen, and leaving
troops in five places of the kingdom of Scotland, for fear lest
any rebellion should take place during his absence, he re-
turned to London, where parliament is daily expected to meet,
in which, if it please God, this quarrel will be settled. This
is a true statement; for my informant was present at the
battle, and witnessed the close of it.
Your excellence's ever devoted,
JOHN HOOPER.
The number of soldiers belonging to each army were,
of the English seventeen thousand, of the Scots thirty
thousand.
LETTER XXV.
JOHN HOOPER TO MARTIN BUCER.
Dated at Zurich, June 19, 1548.
Much health. The day before I wrote this letter, I met
master Pellican, whom I saluted in your name, and at your
request. He has received into his family the widow of master
Matthias, a godly and upright woman : I understood from
him that you had sent me a letter by her ; and he requested
me that, if I had any thing to write in reply, I would do it by
the morrow, for on that day the widow was about to leave us.
I was unwillins: therefore that she should return to vou with-
out a letter from me, lest you should think me undeserving of
your godly epistle, which I read with the greatest possible
afi'ection and delight. You say well, that in this shall all men
know that we arc Christ's disciples, " if we have love one to
another:" let us love therefore, "not in word, neither in
tonjiue, but in deed and in truth." For love is the most cer-
tain evidence of our justification, and the heavenly seal of our
acceptance in Christ Jesus ; as John saith, " Every one that
XXV.] JOHN HOOPER TO MARTIN BUCER. 45
loveth is born of God, and knoweth God ; he that loveth not,
knoweth not God, for God is love." If indeed we have tasted
that the Lord is gracious, " let us cast off the works of dark-
ness, and let us put on the armour of light, walking honestly,
as in the day, not in strife and envying, but putting on the
Lord Jesus Christ ; " that we may restore the infirmities of
our brethren in the spirit of meekness, or patiently bear with
them. Let all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and en-
vyings be put away, for we are new-born babes, to the end
that we may desire the sincere milk of the word, and grow
thereby.
My master, I pray you in Christ Jesus, not to pay too
much regard to envious and slanderous calumniators. You
are not ignorant that the malevolence of envy is ever wont
to tear most persons in pieces ; that detractors invent many
falsehoods, and that brotherly love is disturbed by envy and
detraction. Away with the persons who would sow dissension
between yourself and those men. This I promise you, that
they very frequently make mention of you in friendly and
honourable terms. And although they may dissent from your
opinion in the matter of the eucharist, as I do myself, yet
they do not make any breach in christian love, much less
regard you with hostihty, but are anxious to aid by their
prayers both yourself and those whom the Lord has en-
trusted to you in his church ; and they earnestly hope that,
on your part, you will do the same for them. For Christ's
sake therefore, who by his own blood hath triumphed on the
cross over all enemies, hell, and sin, be ye not at variance
through strife and emulation, that ye may neither quarrel any
more with your tongue, nor give ear to those persons who are
deficient in nothing but religion and virtue. Let controversy
be settled by the authority of the word. Let no one defend his
opinion with obstinacy ; but let us rather return unto the way
of truth, and humbly acknowledge our errors, than continue
always to go on in error without repentance, lest we should
seem to have been in the wrong. Let us bear in mind that
we were made for friendship and concord, that in this most
miserable age we may, by our mutual kindness, relieve the
distresses of each other, and at last reign together with Christ
in everlasting happiness. For what frenzy is it, what folly
or madness, to pursue with hostility here on earth that in-
46 JOHN HOOPER TO MARTIN BUCER. [lET.
dividual, who, should he die in Christ, will pass from death
unto lite, (whither I also, Christ being my guide, hope to
flee away after this darkness,) and with whom we shall be
united in perpetual love and everlasting joy! I entreat you,
my master, not to say or write any thing against charity or
godhness for the sake of Luther, or burden the consciences of
men with his words on the holy supper. Although I readily
acknowledge with thankfulness the gifts of God in him who
is now no more^ yet he was not without liis faults. I do not
say this by way of reproach of the departed individual, be-
cause I know that no living man is without blame, and that
we all stand in need of the grace of God. After the dispute
with Zuinglius and CEcolampadius respecting the [Lord's]
supper had begun to grow warm, he did violence to many
passages of scripture, such for instance as the following, "He
ascended that he might fill all things^;" "I am with you
alway even unto the end of the world^;" and "we are flesh
of his flesh, and bone of his bones^;" that he might estabhsh
the corporal presence of the body of Christ in the bread ; but
how mistakenly, is declared by the very nature of the pas-
sages. Did we not at tliis present time stand in need of con-
solation rather than of controversy, I could easily prove to the
satisfaction of every one, that these places cannot properly
be brought forward in confirmation of his opinion. Every
one too is aware, Avith what calumnies and reproaches he
attacked even the dead. Christ taught his disciples another
doctrine. He rebuked James and John, who wished that fire
might fall from heaven to consume the people of Samaria.
And he has commanded us to do good to our enemies, and
bless them that curse us. He, my good sir, who knoweth the
secrets of the heart, may judge what spirit occasioned so much
Avrath to be kindled among the ministers of the word of God.
Nevertheless all the ministers of this church^ were grieved at
his death, not as if they had lost an adversary or a detractor,
but rather an ally and partner in their glorious work. These
things are, in my mind, great and real evidences of kindness
and charity. I do not write thus by way of reproach of a
most learned man, but that no one may swear by his opinions,
[1 Luther died Feb. 18, 154G.] p Eph. iv. 10.]
[3 Matt, xxviii. 20.] [•* Ephes. v. 30.]
[5 Namely, of Zurich, whence this letter is dated.]
XXV.] JOHN HOOPER TO MARTIN BUCER. 47
as if whatever he wrote were an oracle of Apollo, or a leaf of
the Sibyl.
You write word, reverend sir, that you cannot believe the
sacraments to be bare signs. Far be such a belief from the
most unlearned Christian ! The holy supper is not a bare sign,
neither in it is the true and natural body of Christ corporally
exhibited to me in any supernatural or heavenly manner :
nevertheless, I religiously and with all honour venerate and
reverence the institution of Christ upon other grounds, be-
cause it is a sign of the good-will of God towards me, and
an outward testimony added to the promise of grace. Not
that this promise is applied to me by means of any sacra-
ment, but because the promise previously applied to me by
faith is thereby confirmed. In like manner the church of
God publicly receives him in baptism, who had been pre-
viously received by grace. Thus Abraham, saith Paul, "re-
ceived the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of
the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised'';" that is, a
testimony by which God bare witness that he was received
into grace, not that he was to be received by the sacrament,
but rather confirmed in it. Thus the holy supper is a testi-
mony of grace, and a mystery of our redemption, in which
God bears witness to the benefits bestowed upon us by Christ:
not that the remission of sins, which in believers ought to pre-
cede all use of sacraments, is there applied ; nor that the true
body of Christ, which is in heaven and not on earth, is ex-
hibited together with the bread ; but that it may confirm that
faith which I have in the death and passion of that body
which was alive, died, and rose again. And the minister
gives what is in his power, namely, the bread and wine, and
not the body of Christ; nor is it exhibited by the minister,
and eaten by the communicant, otherwise than in the word
preached, read, or meditated upon. And to eat the body of
Christ is nothing else than to beUeve, as he himself teaches in
the sixth of John. It is necessary therefore to bring Christ
to the sacraments by faith, and not to look for him there.
And thus the promise of grace is received by faith, as are also
the sacraments, of which faith they are the testimonies and
the seals. There are many other ends, but this is the chief;
and those who thus use the sacraments do not make them
[6 Rom. iv. 11.]
48 JOHN iioori;i; to .martin uucer. [let.
bare signs. Thus John the Baptist said, that he baptized with
water, but that there was one to come after him who should
baptize with the Holy Ghost. He had water in his hand, by
which remission of sins was confirmed in those who beUeved ;
but he had not in his hand the Holy Ghost, that he might
give remission of sins to all that were baptized ; for he bap-
tized many hypocrites. From these sensible objects therefore
faith teaches us to recognise things insensible and invisible.
Regard these things, I pray you, in a godly spirit. I do not
write for the sake of dispute, but that I may testify to you,
that the sacraments with us are not bare signs. For if faith
shme forth in the mind of the recipient, the bridegroom
is thereby joined' to the bride, so that none may put asunder
what God hath joined together.
I do not rightly understand what you write respecting
Calvin. I had never any intention of using my pen either
against him or Farell, although liis commentaries on the first
epistle to the Corinthians displeased me exceedingly. I should
have written my thoughts upon the Interim, had I not been
told for certain that you were about to do so; which I
earnestly entreat you to do, as you possess great and pecuhar
gifts of God, and in a thousand ways are far more fitted for
this undertaking than I am, who have but lately, and as yet
only in a cursory way, studied the Greek language. May the
Lord Jesus ever preserve you both in body and soul, to the
glory of his name ! My wife salutes you. Zurich, June 19,
1548.
Your very loving,
JOHN HOOPER.
LETTER XXVI.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Basle, [March 28,] 1549.
Much health. By the mercy of God, most reverend
master and gossip, we arrived at Basle about 10 o'clock on
[1 The \vo)-d is illegible in the MS.]
XXVI,] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 49
the 27th of March, safe and sound ; and if the sailors are to
be relied upon, we shall sail from hence to-morrow morning.
To spare expense therefore, I send away the driver with the
carriage and horses, and hope your worthy citizen will receive
all his property safe and uninjured by to-morrow evening.
That I have been longer delayed upon my journey than he
expected, to his inconvenience and my great expense, must
be attributed to the roughness of the journey, and not to any
loitering on my part or fatigue of the horses. I entreat you
to offer my warmest thanks to this excellent man ; or else
impose this duty of courtesy in my name and at my request
upon our very loving friend, master Gualter, who, if I mistake
not, is related either by consanguinity or affinity to the owner
of the horses.
Nothing new is as yet reported to us at this place, ex-
cepting only that some persons who have just arrived from
Strasburgh, affirm for certain that the mass is not yet ad-
mitted by the citizens. For this reason the bishop of that
city is not merely angry, but rages as it were with madness
and fury, and has appointed a conference in his own territory
about two [German] miles from Strasburgh"; and all those
who have visited me here in a way of friendship, tell me
that he is bringing forth some horrible monstrosity ; but it
will, I hope, prove abortive.
You will receive from the bearer one sheet, a blanket,
and a pillow, with inany thanks ; all the other things that I
borrowed to make use of upon my journey I shall send back
as far as Basle. In haste. Basle, 1549.
You shall hear more, God willing, in the course of three
days. I send back a flask ; to whom it belongs, I know not.
Inquire, I pray you, of ray landlord, and do not grudge to
undertake this office for my sake, who so boldly presume to
impose all my burdens upon your shoulders.
Your most devoted,
JOHN HOOrER.
P. S. "We salute most respectfully your dear wife with
all your family, masters Theodore [BibUander], PelUcan,
Gualter, Butler, and all the rest^.
[2 Namely at Saverne, about 20 miles W.N. W. of Strasburgh.]
[3 Foxe gives an interesting account of Hooper's parting interview
■with his friends at Ziu-ich. Acts and Mon. vi. 638.]
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI.]
50 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER XXVII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, March 31, 1549.
Much health. Grace and peace from the Lord. I obey
your command, my very dear friend and gossip', that I
should acquaint you Avith the progress of our journey. We
arrived at Strasburgh on the 29th instant, all of us, by the
blessing and favour of God, safe and sound. We think of re-
maining here till the third of April, that we may join some
worthy and excellent companions who are now on their
way to the fair. The fretfulness too of our httle daughter
Rachel in some measure prevents our journey; for she is
cutting her teeth, and exposure to the air aggravates the
painfulness of incipient illness.
I believe there is no truth in the reports respecting
Hedio^ On the 30th of this month I was present at his
lecture, which was upon the 10th chapter of the epistle to
the Romans. He spoke very clearly and openly upon the
excellency of the word of God, and warned his hearers most
carefully to beware of the beguihng snares of the Interim.
What he said however, I think, proceeded rather from ex-
cessive terror and alarm, than from actual dislike. He is
not wanting in godliness, but he has too great a dread of
offending the emperor. On the same day I was present at
his evening sermon, where, among other tilings that he said,
and which I heard with pain, he absurdly inveighed with
great bitterness against the Suvermerians^. May the Lord
forgive liim, and bring him to a better mind !
Paul Fagius left this place before my arrival. Bucer,
I believe, will depart this evening, but I do not yet know
[1 Bullinger was God-father to Hoopex*'s daughter Rachel.]
[2 Caspar Hcdio was professor of theology at Strasburgh, where he
died in 1552, and was succeeded by Hierome Zanchius.]
[3 The Saxon divines were exceeding hot against the Swiss divines,
on account of their rejecting the doctrine of consubstantiation held by
the Lutherans. In their ordinary discoui'ses, Strype says, "they styled
them heretics, false prophets, Suvermeros, Sacramentiperdas." Strype,
Cranmer, 608.]
XXVII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 51
whither he is going. He is invited into England, Poland,
and Saxony. He received me at dinner yesterday, where I
met John Sturmius, Sapidus, and Christopher Mont. They
were very much dehghted at the concord of the people of
Switzerland, which I pray the Lord to continue and confirm.
I myself, my wife, Kachel, and Joanna, diligently commend
to our good and gracious God in our prayers the well being
of yourself and all your family, and that of the other most
godly ministers of your church, all of whom we sincerely and
cordially salute. Farewell, most excellent and ever esteemed
sir. Strasburgh, March 31.
Your most devoted,
JOHN HOOPER.
LETTER XXVIII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Mavence, April 8, 1549,
Much health. I hope, my worthy friend and gossip, that
the letter which I wrote to you on my journey was safely de-
livered ; by which you would ascertain our route and progress
as far as Strasburgh. We sailed from thence on the second
of April, all of us by the goodness and favour of God in good
health. The first day of our voyage from Strasburgh was a
prosperous one, with the wind and stream in our favour : on
the second day also God was not less gracious to us. We
passed the night of this day in a village near Spires, where
on the same day there had been dining sixty-four Spaniards,
all cavalry, who were going up towards the duchy of
Wurtemberg, so sharpened by hunger, that they left the
landlords neither flesh nor fish for us. We fared very spar-
ingly, satisfying ourselves with their broken victuals. There
is no distinction of meat among them, nor any observance
of days, for which such abundance of christian blood is
shed by the madness of the papists. The third day of our
voyage passed most comfortably ; the fourth was somewhat
dangerous. We met with a contrary wind, high waves,
ignorant and careless sailors, so that we were twice exposed
4—2
52 JOllxN IIOOl'KR TO HENUY BL LUNGER. [lET.
to great peril ; and unless wc had reached the land, which we
effected with great difficulty, we should all of us have been
lost. This happened about half a mile from Mayence :
we all entered the city on foot, safe and sound. The other
vessel which accompanied us suffered far more than we did ;
much of the cargo was spoiled by the water, and the master
of the vessel, knocked about by the violence of the storm,
just as he was about to cast anchor, got his leg entangled in
the cable which sustained the whole weight of the anchor, and
was hurt very severely. At Mayence we sojourned at the
Golden Swan, where we found six merchants who had come
from the city of Liege. They told us that the emperor was
now at Brussels with his son Philip in great triumph and
magnificence. They say that the wily and bad landgrave
is detained prisoner near Ghent. I inquired whether the
emperor was preparing a second expedition into upper Ger-
many. They replied that no rumours of that kind had been
spread amongst them. I asked too concerning the people of
the lake territories. They told me that the emperor would
lead all his forces against them this summer. May the
victory be on their side, who most desire the safety of the
church of Christ ! Let us pray God, and he will deliver his
people out of temptations, I have great hope that this will
be the case, provided only they are cemented by a holy
concord, which alone can destroy the power of the emperor.
The affairs of Saxony are fluctuating and uncertain, and, as
it is reported here, are placed in the greatest danger by
reason of intestine discords, by which, if they are not healed,
they Avill mutually destroy each other.
I have nothing to write respecting England, except that
she is miserably and dangerously exposed to a bloody war,
and is safe on no side. The French and Scots are open
enemies ; there is a third in secret, more powerful than
either of them ; and I fear that he will take advantage of
the present juncture. I have often earnestly besought you
and your people to interpose your mediation between France
and England ; and I now again and again suppliantly
entreat and beseech you the same thing, for the sake of
Christ, who is the restorer of peace. Bear in mind that
reward which is promised you by him who cannot lie :
*' Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the
XXVIII,] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 53
children of God." Let not the majesty of the royal name or
the vapouring of any other title deter you. Moreover, the
state and condition of the king and the realm of England is
now very different from what it was formerly : he is your
brother, he worships the same God with yourselves, and, I
hope, in the same manner. But if they will go on as they
are doing, and will admit of no equitable terms, one or the
other of them must necessarily yield before long.
A new gold coinage is now being struck in England
of a purer standard than that which was coined under the
late king ; but what is increased in one way is diminished in
another, for the standard weight of the crowns is diminished
by nearly a fourth part. I will not be unmindful of the
cloth which I promised you, but will send it as soon as I
possibly can.
While I was writing the above, the letter, my most reverend
master and gossip, was delivered to me, which you wrote on
the 26th of March. In truth I receive nothing with greater
pleasure than this evidence of your good health, which may
the Lord, the Almighty Maker of heaven and earth, long
preserve to you safe and sound ! I wish you had written one
word respecting that pious matron, my good friend, the wife
of master Bibliander. I hope in the Lord Jesus that she has
had a happy delivery: were it otherwise, I should be much
concerned. I should now write to. my worthy gossip, master
Bibliander, if there were any subject to supply me with an
occasion for writing. When I have proceeded lower down on
my journey, I will write to you more at length. Meanwhile
farewell, and may our most merciful heavenly Father grant
that you may be always well, through the blood of his Son
Jesus Christ our Saviour : and remember, my dear friend, to
persevere with energy, as you do, in your holy and danger-
ous warfare. If but the least doubt of your perseverance
disturbed my thoughts, I would add spurs to a running
horse. But I know you well and intimately, and doubt not
but that you will in many ways surpass my expectation. This
at least I can assuredly promise myself concerning you, that,
hke a good shepherd, you will lay down your life for your
sheep. And I have the same persuasion respecting our learn-
ed and vigilant brother, master Gualter. Let others talk, and
extenuate, and make what excuses they please, who, when the
wolf is coming, have left their sheep to be torn in pieces by
54 JOHN HOOrEK TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
thieves and robbers : unless they repent, they will wretchedly
suffer the punishment of hirelmgs in that day when the true
Shepherd shall come to separate the sheep from the goats.
According to your singular kindness and benevolence to-
wards me, when my amanuensis shall come to you for the
purpose of writing out for me the heads of your sermons,
urge him, I pray you, carefully to copy out not only your
remarks on the epistle to the Romans, but also those on
Isaiah and the other prophets; that I, though distant, may
benefit others by the gifts of God bestowed upon you. Will
you also make the same request in my name to my masters
and brethren, master Gualter and the most learned Theodore
[Bibliander], men most truly esteemed by me? I left suf-
ficient money at Zurich, and will liberally recompense their
labour if they will but comply with my entreaties. I have
desired them to forward my wishes in this respect, and to
use all dihgence in copying out the sermons and lectures at
my expense. Do you only, my kind friend, exhort them to
this; I do not ask you to do it yourself; sufiicient bui'dens
are imposed upon your shoulders from other quarters.
I shall say nothing as to the civihty of the innkeepers
from Strasburgh to this city ; they are barbarous Scythians,
and harsh and uncivihzed Getae. Once more farewell. My
wife and daughter, Stumphius, Joanna, and Martin, salute
you, as I do myself, Avith your dear wife and all youi' family ;
hkewise masters BibUander, Gualter, PeUican, excellent and
most deserving men, with their families. Moreover, I com-
mend to Almighty God your holy church, and commonwealth,
and most worthy magistrate Lavater, that he may defend
you against the enemies of his name. Mayence. In haste.
April 8, 1549.
Yours in body and soul,
JOHN HOOPER.
P. S. Sleidan' of Strasburgh has written a book of
history for our king. Doctor Andernach too, a physician of
[1 In March 1551, archbishop Cranmer procured for John Sleidan,
from king Edward, an honorary pension of 200 cro\\'Tis a year, as some
aid for the carrying on his commentaries, which he was then busy
about ; and, as it seems, encouraged by Cranmer to take in hand and
prosecute. See Strype, Cranmer, 595.]
XXVIII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 55
Strasburgh, has translated a work upon medicine from the
Greek into Latin, and dedicated it to the archbishop of Can-
terbury. You see how active all persons are in running after
gain. Beyond doubt, if there were no danger hanging over
them, both our king and his kingdom would be without their
favour and support. I hear that Bernardino's wife exhibits
herself in England both in dress and appearance as a French
lady of rank. But I shall soon know more about her, and
so shall you. Respectfully salute, I pray you, the preacher
from Memmingen, and also my host and hostess Zinchia.
LETTER XXIX.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Cologne, April 14, 1549.
Grace and innocency of life from the Lord. If you are
well, my most esteemed master and gossip, with your dear
wife and family, it is well ; and we are all of us by the divine
mercy in good health. I hope you have received all my
letters, which gave you full information respecting the success
of our journey as far as Mayence. We arrived at Cologne
on the 11th of April without any thing untoward in our
voyage, except a contrary wind and rough weather. We had
however a favourable landing. On the 8th of April two other
ships suffered much more than we did, namely, shipwreck,
with the total loss of their respective crews. Two other
vessels here at Cologne sustamed the same misfortune during
the late carnival: in one there were twenty-eight men, and
twelve in the other, not one of whom, with the exception of
two sailors, escaped with life.
I have nothing to write respecting the affairs of England,
except that the gospel of Christ our Lord is daily striking
root more deeply. The admiraP is dead. He was beheaded,
and divided into four quarters ; with how much unwillingness
[2 Lord Seymour was beheaded on Tower Hill, March 20, 1549.
See Latimer's Sermons, Parker Society Edition, p. 161.]
56 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLING ER. [lET.
he suffered death, master John Utenhovius', who is the bearer
of this letter, will fully explain to you by word of mouth.
AVlien he comes to you, receive him with that ancient kind-
ness, which the country of Switzerland has ever manifested
of her own accord towards all strangers. He is a man illus-
trious both by his birth and virtues, most sincere in the true
rehgion, and entirely opposed to all the mischiefs of secta-
rianism : he is very dear both to myself and my wife, and by
long habits of familiarity and intercourse exceedingly attached
to us ; and he is moreover exceedingly intimate with master
John a Lasco. There is no occasion for me to commend him
to you more at length. His noble qualities and remarkable
learning will sufficiently recommend him to all pious and
learned men. He is coming to you on my recommendation,
that he may hear your godly sermons and theological lectures,
and observe the mode of administering the Lord's supper,
which as it is most simple among you, so is it most pure.
He will board with his old friend master Butler, an English-
man. It would be foreign to my present purpose to inform
you how much he has suffered from the emperor for the sake
of the gospel of Christ.
May the Lord preserve you all, your church and com-
monwealth ! My wife, my little daughter, Stumphius, Martin,
and Joanna dutifully salute your excellency, your whole
family, and all the other godly members of your church.
Cologne, April 14, 1549.
Your excellency ""s most attached,
JOHN HOOPER.
P. S. I send you a compendium of the doctrine of the
eucharist, which I know will much please you. See that he
[Utenhovius] be introduced to and form a friendship witli
masters Gualter, Pellican, Gesner and the rest. I would
write a general letter to the whole assembly of the learned
men at Zurich in favour of this good brother, if I had time.
[1 Bullinger thus writes of Utenhovius in a letter to Burcher, dated
June 28, 1549. "The nobleman, Utenhovius, of Ghent, has far ex-
ceeded your commendation of him ; and I thank you, that through
the instrumentality of yourself and Hooper I have contracted a
friendship with a man every way so worthy."]
XXX.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
LETTER XXX.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Antwerp, April 2G, 15J9.]
Much health. Grace and innocency of Ufe from the Lord.
How mercifully God has hitherto been present with us, and
made our journey prosperous, we hope, most honoured friend
and gossip, you have learned from the letters written at
Dietikon, Basle, Strasburgh, Mayence, and Cologne. That
which I wrote from Cologne you will receive by master John
Utenhovius, an excellent and worthy man, born of an honour-
able family at Ghent. We earnestly pray you to receive him
with kindness. Moreover, should there occur any mention of
the holy supper of the Lord, diligently admonish and instruct
him upon the subject ; you will find no one more tractable,
or more ready to learn.
We left Cologne on the 14th of April, and directed our
course through the barren and sandy plains of Brabant to
Antwerp, where we all of us arrived, by God's blessing, safe
and sound, on the 18th of the same month. Compelled by
the entreaties of the commissioner'^ of our king, who is now
attending upon the emperor, I went over to Brussels with
John Stumphius, that he might see the effeminacy and
wretchedness of the court, and also the bondage of the good
citizens of Brussels, who are now forced to endure the im-
periousness of the Spaniards, their depredation and robbery,
the violation of their daughters, the corruption of their wives,
and lastly, threatenings and blows from that most profligate
nation^; to the end that he might more feelingly consider the
state and condition of his own country, pray for it more
ardently, and more earnestly warn his countrymen, and
by letting them know the misfortunes of others render them
more cautious. We did not see the emperor, who very
seldom leaves his chamber, nor yet his son, who was keeping
Easter in some monastery out of the city. John Stumphius
saw the duke of Saxony at a window. I was twice at his
house, and very courteously entertained by his German at-
[2 Namely, Sir Philip Hobby. See Burnet, iir. 289.]
[3 The particulars mentioned in this letter are confirmed by Slei-
dan and Brandt.]
58 JOHN IIOOPEU TO IIENllY JJLLLIXGEU. [lET.
tendants, who arc about thirty in number. The duke wished
two or three times to admit me to an interview, but the
presence of the Spanish general always prevented him. He
abides stcdfast in the faith, and is in a very good state ot
health. There is no hope whatever of his deliverance, unless,
which will not I trust be the case, he should change his re-
ligion : he does not despair of the word of God. The Land-
grave' of Hesse is in confinement at Oudenarde, seven miles
from Ghent : he is a man thoroughly wretched and vacillating ;
at one time he promises all obedience and fidehty to the em-
peror, receives the mass and other impious idolatries with
open arms ; at another time he execrates and abominates the
emperor, with his Interim. May the Lord have compassion
upon him ! he is in a state of great wretchedness, and is
now paying the just penalty of his perfidiousness, "We saw
likewise that traitor Lazarus Schuendi", with whom you are
acquainted. There is no need for me to write about
Brandenburg and the other Germans who are in bondage to
the Spaniards.
The pope's legate has been preaching in his palace
during the whole of Lent, with what impiety I shall not
write. This however I know for certain, that there is not
a friendly feeling between the pope and the emperor, nei-
ther between the king of France and the emperor. Both
of them are greatly afraid of him, and he, in his turn, is in
the greatest fear of the fulminations of the pope. It is now
seriously disputed between them, whether the general council
shall be held at Trent or Bologna. The pope urges, bids,
entreats, commands the emperor to consent to Bologna. He
resists, refuses, opposes in every possible way, and says that
he would rather break off all alliance with the pope, than allow
of that locaUty, namely, Bologna. It is easy to conjecture
what mischief lies hid in this proposal on the part of the
pope. He is in great apprehension for his kingdom ; for I am
informed by our ambassador, that if the emperor's confessor^
[1 The Elector of Saxony and the Landgi-ave of Hesse became
prisoners of the emperor after the battle of Muhlberg in 1547.]
[2 Lazarus Schuondi is mentioned by Sleidan as having been sent
by the emperor with a party of soldiers to raze the castle of Gothen,
and set at liberty marquess Albert of Brandenburg, who was there kept
prisoner.]
[3 Peter de Soto, a Dominican, was confessor to Charles V. He
XXX.] JOHN IIOOrER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 59
were but moderately religious, there would be the greatest
hope of shortly bringing him into the knowledge of Christ ;
for he openly told me that both the emperor and all his
councillors were guided, persuaded, led and dragged about by
their confessor, who acts in every respect at the bidding and
advice of the pope. And I easily beheve this ; for when the
emperor was in upper Germany seven months since, he was
deserted by his confessor, because he would not act with
severity against some godly persons, and restore popery al-
together. The emperor offered him a bishoprick in Spain
worth twenty thousand crowns per annum. He put a slight
upon the liberality of the emperor, and upon the emperor him-
self, in these terms : "I owe myself entirely to the church of
Christ, but neither to you nor to your gifts, unless you choose
to serve the church more zealously than you have done."
And now as to the emperor's views in regard to Switzerland.
All parties agree in this, that he is enviously opposed to your
liberty, and will therefore leave no stone unturned to destroy
your union. Should he not succeed in this way, he will
attempt every thing by promises. Beware therefore, lest he
deceive you with vain expectations. Last of all, he will with-
out doubt attack you with an hostile army, not with a view
of overcoming you in this way, or exposing many of his troops
to danger, but merely to strike terror into you. I pray you
therefore to preserve your mutual regard and unanimity :
fear God, live holily, fight bravely, and expect the victory
from God, who will without doubt stand by and defend you.
People think that you are not in imminent danger at present;
but still you should always be prepared against a feeling of
security, lest he should overwhelm you when you httle think
of it. The emperor is hitherto well aware that he cannot
manage the affairs of Germany as he desires. He has been
more troubled, as I have been informed upon good authority,
that he has made any alteration in religion, than if he had
promised the Germans the utmost liberty in that respect. They
afterwards accompanied Philip into England, where he was cnniloyed
at Oxford to lecture, and as much as possible to undo all that Peter
Mai'tyr had done. He was afterwards accused for heretical opinions
to the Inquisition at Valladolid, but died at Trent in 1563 before the
preliminary proceedings had been completed. See Ziurich Letters, 1st
Series, p. 33, and Llorente Hist. Crit. de I'lnquisition, in. 88.]
CO JOHN HOOPER TO HEXRY BULLINGER. [lET.
say that the emperor will shortly proceed to Ghent, and from
thence return to Brussels, or go up towards Spires. He
has troops stationed near Bremen and the towns upon the
coast, but they arc inactive ; they neither make any progress,
nor are they much feared by the citizens, who are daily
adding to the strength of their cities, and have provisions for
five years, and do not any longer court the favour of the
emperor. You are, I think, aware of the severity of the
exactions the emperor now demands from his subjects : I will
relate, however, an affecting and lamentable statement which
a godly matron, my landlady, made to me in Brabant. " If,"
she said, "I could carry in my arms my large and troublesome
family of children, I would flee away, and obtain my hveli-
hood by begging. For the tax-gatherers of the emperor and
the queen exhaust all the fruit of our labours." The English
too, are now sadly oppressed in this respect. A fifth of all
property has been granted to the king. But I must tell you
one more thing respecting Switzerland. Yesterday, April
25th, I was invited to dinner by a citizen of Antwerp, who is
well acquainted with Switzerland from having frequently ex-
posed his goods to sale in all their cities. He told me that since
the emperor had left upper Germany, he had often seen in
his palace the public officers of the canton of Lucerne ; for he
knew them well by the colour of their dress. It is to be
feared that the secret affairs of that country may be revealed
by this means, or that some yet greater evil may be latent.
On the first of May there will be fresh rejoicings at
Brussels in honour of the prince of Spain. You have, I sup-
pose, heard of the former ones from master John Utenhovius;
but as he did not see the new gates and columns erected
in the city, you must know that at the first gate there is
a column on which is inscribed, " Happy are his subjects !"
Quis genus Austriadum, quis stirpem Ca?saris altam
Herculei vere generis esse uegat?
On the other side is written,
Alcidem jactant nugse et fictitia monstra ;
Caroleos ausus fortia gesta probant.
On the second gate :
Sancta fides nierito coUaudat vosque patresque,
Auxilio quorum fmpit et aucta fides.
XXX.] JOHN HOOPER TO HEXRY BULLINGER. 61
On the other side :
Se ter felicem hoc fausto tempore clamat,
Prole quod Augusta vindice tuta manet.
The third gate bears the representation of Hercules sailing
with his pillars, on each of which is placed a statue of a man.
The first says, " go," the other, " come." The verses are these,
Adsit Caroleo coelestis palma labori,
Et maneat soli gloria prima Deo.
Also,
Fida lacessiti cunctatio restituit rem,
Christicolamque fidem provehat ulterius.
At Antwerp there is represented an eagle with expanded
wings, beneath whose feet is written this impious apphcation
of scripture, " Protect us under the shadow of thy wings."
On the first of May, at the rejoicings at Brussels, the
prince of Spain, and the son of the duke d'Arschot, a native
of Brabant, engaged with spears on horseback. Whether by
chance or carelessness I know not, but the prince's helmet was
badly fastened on, and could not withstand the force of the lance
of d'Arschot's son ; so that the prince was twice wounded in
the face, once in the chin, the second time in the forehead,
but the wounds are not dangerous. The emperor however,
in alarm, put off the tournament till the following week,
I hear that east Friesland has received the Interim. If
this be the case, master k Lasco will soon return into England.
I greatly regret his absence, especially as Peter Martyr and
Bernardino so stoutly defend Lutheranism, and there is now
arrived a third, (I mean Bucer,) who will leave no stone
unturned to obtain a footing. The people of England, as I
hear, all of them entertain right notions upon that subject.
Should not master a Lasco come to us in a short time, I will
send him your letter with the writing. But, if it please God,
I could wish to meet the parties in person. We have re-
mained here a fortnight for the sake of passing over from
hence into England more conveniently, with a well-informed
and skilful English captain who is staying here, and waiting
for a cargo. But I am afraid lest the wind should turn
against us, in which case we shall lose both our time and
money.
[JOHN HOOPER.]
62 JOHN IIOOI'KU TO HENRY BULLINGEK. [lET.
LETTER XXXI.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Antwerp, May .'5, ir)49.
I HAVE desired for some days to take care of the health
of my wife and our Httle girl, who, though they were entirely
exhausted by the fatigue of the journey, have now by resting
tolerably recovered theu' strength. You will receive with this
letter a piece of cloth for hose, of a better quality than that
which you bought of me before, but yet at the same or a
lower price. It contains, I suppose, at least 20 Zurich ells :
should it contain more or less, let me know in your next
letter, which I pray you to send to our old friend Richard
Hillcs. It will then, I hope, be faithfully dehvered to me.
Let this cloth be divided between master Mayor and yom'self :
I would have sent you another piece, could I have met with
any upon sale at this place. As soon as I arrive in London
I will send you some, God willing, not inferior to this, nor more
expensive. All those persons in this place who import cloth
from England, sell it at a profit, and it is with difficulty that
I have met with that which I now send. They have many
thousand [pieces], but they will not sell except to those who
will buy ten or twenty whole pieces together, for fear of
mixing the different quahties of the cloth ; as the best, the
middling, and the inferior, mutually help each other both in
the price and the sale. If you or the Mayor will, either
of you, keep the cloth now sent, I will send a second piece
to the one who shall be without it. I bought this for forty
shillings, that is, six ducats, before it was dyed. A ducat is
equivalent to forty stivers of Brabant, and forty stivers of
Brabant make twenty-four batzen of Constance. I paid for
the dyeing eight shillings of Brabant, which make twenty-
eight batzen of Constance, and a little over : I do not know
what I am to pay for the carriage to Strasburgh, but, exclu-
sive of all expenses, you will have a Zurich ell for ten Zurich
batzen. If there are twenty ells, this will amount to two
hundred batzen, which make eight French solar crowns, which
XXXI.] JOHN HOOPEK TO HENRY BULLINGER, G3
is the price of the entire piece. When I reach London, I may
probably send you some at a less price ; meanwhile take in
good part my services, which I owe and shall owe you, as a
father and a most esteemed master, as long as I live. I wish
this cloth to be divided between master Mayor and yourself,
that when I send you another piece you may be upon an
equal footing both with respect to the quality of the cloth and
the price. And if in future you should wish to wear English
cloth for your coats or hose, (and state this also in my name
to our brother Gualter,) I will always most willingly use my
endeavours in your behalf. And you, as you love me, see
that those who are taking copies at my expense, are most
carefully supplied with the notes of your sermons. If they
are not sparing in their labours, I will not be sparing of my
money. Keep in your possession the money for this cloth,
until I shall let you know by letter to what use I wish it to
be appUed.
My wife and all who are with me salute your reverence,
your wife and all your family ; and you will salute in all our
names masters Gualter, Pellican, the Israelite indeed, and all
the other learned and most loving brethren. Do not more-
over omit to salute with the greatest respect and honour most
dutifully in my name master Mayor, to whom and to the
commonwealth of Zurich I most ardently wish every happi-
ness. May the Lord long preserve you by his Spirit safe,
pious, and sound ; and may you defend the fold of Christ
from wolves and hirelings until the coming of the glory of
God ! Antwerp, May 3, 1549.
Yours always in mind and body,
JOHN HOOPER.
P. S. Take care, I pray you, that the other letters
which I send, may be delivered to those to whom they are
directed. After Easter my wife wrote to her mother, who
lives about fifteen miles from Antwerp. The messenger found
her father dead. Her mother received the letter and gave it
my wife's brother to read, who immediately threw it into the
fire without reading it. You see the words of Christ are
true, that the brother shall persecute the brother for the sake
of the word of God.
t)4 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER XXXII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, May 31, 1549.
Much health. Pardon, most loving master and father,
the shortness of my letter. You will learn from our brother,
master Butler, by what circumstances I am hindered, and with
whom I have to contend within these two days on the subject
of divorce. In the commentaries^ which I lately wrote on
the decalogue, I allowed both to the man and his wife an
equal liberty of divorce on account of adultery, if they are
disposed to use that liberty which Christ has permitted in the
gospel of his church, where the marriage contract is dissolved by
adultery. My opponents allow the husband to divorce his wife
by reason of adultery, and to marry another; but they do not
allow the same liberty to the wife. In your next letter, as you
love me, either confirm my opinion, or correct my error.
We are all well ; I have sent John Stumphius to Ox-
ford, recommended by many honourable men, and especially
by Treherne, who is much attached to you. When I gave
your letter to the archbishop of Canterbury, he did not
vouchsafe a single word respecting either yourself, or your
most godly church. Bucer has very great influence with him,
and the bishop will appoint him to the regius professorship
[of divinity] at Cambridge. Master a Lasco is absent, which
is a great grief to all godly persons. I shall send your letter
to him to-morrow by a good and trusty friend, together with
the book and writing. You may expect, God wilhng, a longer
letter within the next fortnight, with which you will also re-
ceive the cloth. My Avife always makes mention of you in
her prayers; she salutes you with your dear wife and all
your family. Our Uttle daughter Rachel with Martin and
Joanna do the same in spirit. Do you, most esteemed
master, salute in our names masters Gualter, Pelhcan, Gesner,
and all the rest. London, May 31, 1549.
Your ever most affectionate, JOHN HOOPER.
\} See a Declaration of the ten holy Commandments of Almighty
God, in Hooper's early writings, Parker Society edition. The passage
here referred to will be found in pp. 378, 379, where Hooper complains
of the uncharitable construction put upon it. ]
XXXITI.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 65
LETTER XXXIII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Londox, Jurie 25, [1549].
Much health. I cannot express, my much honorn'od
master and gossip, the dehght afforded me by your letter, a
most certain token as it was of your exceeding love to me. I
earnestly entreat you to act always thus; for nothing can be
more agreeable to me than to hear often of your welfare, and
of the safety of your church and commonwealth. You shall
always in return receive every intelUgence from me respecting
my own circumstances and those of our church. Great, great
I say, my beloved master and gossip, is the harvest, but the
labourers are few. May our most indulgent Father send
forth labourers into the harvest ! Such is the mahoiousness
and wickedness of the bishops, that the godly and learned
men who would wiUingly labour in the Lord's harvest are
hindered by them ; and they neither preach themselves, nor
allow the liberty of preaching to others. For this reason
there are some persons here who read and expound the holy
scriptures at a pubhc lectm^e, two of whom read in St Paul's
cathedral four times a week. I myself too, as my slender
abilities will allow me, having compassion upon the ignorance
of my brethren, read a public lecture twice in the day to so
numerous an audience, that the church cannot contain them.
The anabaptists^ flock to the place, and give me much trouble
with their opinions respecting the incarnation of the Lord ; for
they deny altogether that Christ was born of the virgin
Mary according to the flesh. They contend that a man who
is reconciled to God is without sin, and free from all stain of
concupiscence, and that nothing of the old Adam remains in
his nature; and a man, they say, who is thus regenerate
cannot sm. They add that all hope of pardon is taken away
from those who, after having received the Holy Ghost, fall
into sin. They maintain a fatal necessity, and that beyond
and besides that will of his which he has revealed to us in
[2 For an account of the opinions of the anabaptists of this period,
see Strype, Mem. i. i. 552.]
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI.J
G6 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGEK. [lET.
the scriptures, God hath another will by which he altogether
acts under some kind of necessity. Although I am unable to
satisfy their obstinacy, yet the Lord by his word shuts their
mouths, and their heresies are more and more detested by
the people. How dangerously our England is afflicted by
heresies of this Idnd, God only knows ; I am unable indeed
from sorrow of heart to express to your piety. There are
some who deny that man is endued with a soul different from
that of a beast, and subject to decay. Alas ! not only are
those heresies reviving among us which were formerly dead
and bm-ied, but new ones are springing up every day. There
are such libertines and wretches, who are daring enough in
their conventicles not only to deny that Christ is the Messiah
and Saviour of the world, but also to call that blessed Seed a
mischievous fellow and deceiver of the world. On the other
hand, a great portion of the kingdom so adheres to the
popish faction, as altogether to set at nought God and the
lawful authority of the magistrates ; so that I am greatly
afraid of a rebellion and civil discord. May the Lord re-
strain restless spirits, and destroy the counsels of Acliito-
pliel ! Do you, my venerable father, commend our king and
the council of the nation, together with our church, to God in
your prayers.
I have not yet seen my parents, but hope to do so
shortly, if the Lord permit. It has hitherto been out of my
power, both because I am daily expecting my baggage with
books and other necessaries, which were detained at Antwerp
by an unfavourable wind ; and also because through the in-
stigation of the devil and wickedness of man there has lately
arisen in my part of the country^ a commotion of the people
against the government, not unattended with danger, and as
yet hardly composed. Tumults of this kind are taking place
not only in my country, but almost throughout the whole king-
dom. The people are sorely oppressed by the marvellous
tyranny of the nobility. Let us pray that all occasions of
discord may be piously removed, and that the people may be
kept in order to the glory of God's name. The state of
our country is indeed most deplorable : we are however in
expectation of a happy issue, when we shall feel pleasure in
the recollection of what is past. When I visit my friends, I
[1 Namely, Devonsliiro and Somersetshii-e. See Strype,Mem. ii. i. 259.]
XXXm.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 67
will purchase for yourself and master Mayor the other cloth
that I promised, and also another piece for master John
Butler ; I could not buy it here at your price.
Bucer is with the archbishop of Canterbury like another
Scipio, and an inseparable companion. Paulus Fagius too,
and Peter Alexander, formerly chaplain to queen Mary, the
emperor's sister, are also there. Witliin a fortnight, God
willing, you shall know more. Salute very much in all our
names your wife with all your family, masters Gualter and
Pellican with their wives, and all the other members of your
church. I wish you were acquainted with our language, and
that master Gualter also knew it for six months : I doubt not
but that God would convert many hearts to the knowledge
of himself. Farewell. London, June 25.
I send herewith a pattern of the cloth of this kind which
is manufactured either in your neighbourhood or in Suabia.
You will ascertain this from the wife of master Musculus.
Ask master Butler to send me four or five florins worth, and
send word how much it costs per ell. I have often grieved
over my departure from you; for the Lord has opened my
eyes to perceive the sad and dangerous situation of the clergy.
I will endure it however, God willing, as long as I can do so
with a pure conscience.
Yours ever most attached,
JOHN HOOPER.
P. S. My friend Martin, an excellent young man, affec-
tionately salutes your excellency. You will deign to salute
in my name my master, your most worthy Mayor, who is
on every account so respectable. I hope you have received
one piece of cloth. You shall receive the second in a short
time.
LETTER XXXIV.
JOHN HOOPER TO JOHN STUMPHIUS.
Dated at London', Aug. 1, [1549J.
Much health. You will receive, my very dear brother,
by the bearer of this letter all your books, which I doubt
5—2
08 JOHN HOOPER TO JOHN STUMPHIUS. [lET.
not you have been long and anxiously expecting. The
party to whom I gave in charge my luggage at Strasburgli
anwered my expectation in this respect neghgently enough.
You need not be troubled about the carriage, as I have paid
both the waggoners and sailors. Should you be in want of
money, you can let me know by letter every week ; I will
never be wanting to your necessities. I am obhged to remain
here in London and in the family of the lord protector, till
things become more settled : I tell you this, that you may
know for certain where to direct your letters. Since you
left me, I have received two letters from master Bullinger,
from which I learn that the affairs of Switzerland are as safe
and flourishing as ever. A letter, however, has lately reached
me from Germany, which states that five cantons have lately
entered upon a solemn treaty with the king of France against
the English, but that the evangelical states had piously and
boldly rejected it. Do you, my brother, as your love to your
country requires, aid them together with me in your dihgent
and persevering prayers unto the Lord ; and he who has
begun a godly work in the people of Zurich, will perform it
even unto the end. Farewell, and respectfully salute in my
name the wife of Peter Martyr, together with his attendant' ;
and also John ab Ulmis, with the Hessian who lately came
over to you, I would salute my old friend master Garbrand",
only that I have so often done so without any greeting in
return, that I know not whether he can bear with patience
to be saluted by me. London, August 1, In haste.
Yours ever to serve in any way,
JOHN HOOPER.
You will also receive three shirts. The fourth is still
packed up among my baggage, which 1 have not yet unpacked.
I will send it you next week.
[1 This was Julius Santcrcntianus, so often mentioned in the pre-
ceding series.]
[2 One of this name is mentioned by Strype, as a prebendary of
Salisbury, and friend of bishop Jewel. Strype, Ann. ii. i. 14G.]
XXXV.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER, 69
LETTER XXXV.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Nov. 7, 1549.
Much health. The favour and blessing of God be with
you! If you have not yet received my letter, with two entire
pieces of cloth, one for yourself, and the other for master
Butler, you will receive them, my much esteemed master and
father, in a short time. They are detained a longer time at
Antwerp on accoimt of the dyeing ; but by the blessing of
God they will all safely reach you. You must not wonder
at your not having yet received the cloth ; for I have been so
overwhelmed by difficult and constant business since my
arrival in England, that I have not yet been able either to
visit my native place or my parents.
The face of things is now changed, and the state of Eng-
lish affairs in some respects altered. My patron ^ who was
first minister and protector, is now imprisoned with many
others in the Tower of London, as you will better learn from
a letter which is now on the road to you. We are greatly
apprehensive of a change in rehgion; but as yet no alteration
has taken place. Help us in Christ by your prayers. The
young king by the mercy of God is alive and well, and is a
prince of great learning and wisdom. The papists are hoping
and earnestly struggling for their kingdom. The bishop* of
London, the most bitter enemy of the gospel, is now living in
confinement, and deposed from his bishoprick. This was done
when the affairs and fortunes of the duke of Somerset were
more prosperous than they are at present. I had a sharp
and dangerous contest with that bishop, both publicly from the
[3 Namely, the duke of Somerset, who was sent to the Tower, Oct.
14, 1549.]
[4 Bishop Bonner, against whom a commission was issued out
from the king to archbishoiJ Cranmer, bishop Ridley, the secretaries
Petre and Smith, and Dr May, dean of St Paul's. Strype, Cran-
mer, 269. A full account of the proceedings is given in Foxe, Acts
and Mon. v. 741, &c. See also Collier's Ecclcs. Hist, of Great Britain.]
70 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
pulpit, in my turns at Paul's cross, and also before the king's
council. Should ho bo again restored to his office and epis-
copal function, I shall, I doubt not, be restored to my country
and my Father which is in heaven. Fourteen days since
silence was imposed and enjoined upon all lecturers and
preachers. But this only lasted seven days ; and liberty of
teaching is again allowed them. I read in public every day
to a most crowded audience at London, and take John and
Daniel by turns. I lectured upon the Psalms at the king''s
court as long as the situation of the duke permitted me to
do so ; but that lecture is now laid aside.
Will you kindly undertake, most reverend sir, out of
your love to Christ and to myself, to have your notes on
Isaiah copied out and forwarded to me with all fidelity, (for I
am greatly in need of your assistance ;) and also all the other
comments which you have written on the other prophets, or
upon the New Testament ? I know that they are all pure in
doctrine, and learned, and holy. I will satisfy the writer or
copyist for his pains. I make, too, the same request from
master Gualter, and from our gossip, master Bibliander, with
respect to his lectures, which are doubtless holy, pious, and
full of learning. You will receive with the cloth the dispu-
tation^ of Peter Martyr with the papists at Oxford on the
subject of the eucharist.
John Stumphius is well, and conducts himself with much
credit : tell his parents, that should he stand in need of any
assistance in any way, I will never be wanting to him. John
ab Ulmis is also in good health. You will do well if you will
admonish him by letter to pursue his studies with diligence,
and remain at home. I am afraid that by his so frequently
going backwards and forwards between Oxford and London,
he will incur a loss not only of time, but of money. Use
your own discretion in this matter. In haste. Salute all my
good masters and instructors, together with all our friends
and their godly wives in the name of us all.
I entreat you most kindly to salute that excellent man,
master Butler, to whom I am not now able to write a letter ;
and request him to give two florins in my name to the widow
of the deceased Zinkius. You will also tell this afflicted
[1 For an account of this disputation, which was afterwards pub-
lished by Peter Martyr, see Stiype, Cranmer, 283.]
XXXV.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. Vl
widow, that we shall all of us bear in mind, as long as we
live, the kindness with which she treated us.
Your excellence's most attached,
JOHN HOOPER.
LETTER XXXVI.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Dec. 27, 1549.
That you so seldom receive any letter from me, my very
reverend master and gossip, I pray you to ascribe to the
calamity of our time, and the alteration in my circumstances,
rather than to any forgetfulness of your signal courtesy and
kindness, which both reason and affection entirely forbid on
my part.
We were in much alarm, and very great fear possessed
the minds of the godly, as to the success that the religion of
Christ just now budding forth in England would meet with
upon the fall of the duke of Somerset, who is still confined in
the Tower of London. We have as yet no certain information
as to what will become of him. We hope that his life will
be spared. May God grant this for the glory of his name,
and the benefit of his church ! although we see many dangers
hanging over him, yet we hope and expect a favourable issue.
We easily indeed give credit to what we wish.
No change in rehgion has taken place among us, and we
hope that no alteration will be made hereafter. Although
our vessel is dangerously tossed about on all sides, yet God
in his providence holds the helm, and raises up more favourers
of his word in his majesty's councils, who with activity and
courage defend the cause of Christ. The archbishop of
Canterbury entertains right views as to the nature of Christ's
presence in the supper, and is now very friendly towards my-
self. He has some articles of rehgion, to which all preachers
and lecturers in divinity are required to subscribe, or else a
licence for teacliing is not granted them ; and in these his
72 JOHN HOOPER TO HEXllY BULLINGER, [lET.
sentiments respecting the eucharist are pure, and religious,
and similar to yours in Switzerland. We desire nothing more
for him than a firm and manly spirit. Like all the other
bishops in this country, he is too fearful about ■what may
happen to him. There are hero six' or seven bishops who
comprehend the doctrine of Christ as far as relates to the
Lord's supper, with as much clearness and piety as one could
desire ; and it is only the fear for their property that prevents
them from reforming their churches according to the rule of
God's word. The altars are here in many churches changed
into tables. The public celebration of the Lord's supper is
very far from the order and institution of our Lord. Although
it is administered in both kinds, yet in some places the
supper is celebrated three times a day. Where they
used heretofore to celebrate in the morning the mass of
the apostles, they now have the communion of the apostles ;
where they had the mass of the blessed virgin, they now
have the communion which they call the communion of the
virgin ; where they had the principal, or high mass, they
now have, as they call it, the high communion. They still
retain their vestments and the candles before the altars ; in
the churches they always chant the hows and other hymns
relating to the Lord's supper, but in our own language.
And that popery may not be lost, the mass-priests, although
they are compelled to discontinue the use of the Latin lan-
guage, yet most carefully observe the same tone and manner
of chanting to which they were heretofore accustomed in the
papacy. God knows to what perils and anxieties we are
exposed by reason of men of this kind.
You will apologize for me to master Mayor, and also to
master Butler, respecting the pieces of cloth. Three months
have elapsed since I sent them off, but they are detained at
Antwerp ; they will shortly, however, be delivered to you,
God willing, and possibly before the receipt of this letter.
I have just come from my lecture ; I pray you therefore to
interpret with kindness the shortness of my letter. I am
obliged to lecture in public twice a day both to-morrow
and the day following. May it be for the glory of God !
[1 It appears by the following letter that the bishops here referred
to were Cranmer of Canterbury, Ridley of Rochester, Goodrich of Ely,
Farrar of St David's, Holbeach of Lincoln, and Barlow of Bath.]
XXXVI.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLlilGER. 73
I shall finish the sixth chapter of John, and have proceeded
thus far upon that evangelist. For my other lecture I ex-
pound Daniel, as affording a subject well-suited to our times ;
and I am now engaged in considering the third beast in the
seventh chapter, towards the elucidation of which subject your
remarks and annotations upon Daniel have contributed no
small assistance.
I pray you, most reverend sir, by your great regard for
me, to take care that all your annotations, especially those on
Isaiah, be copied out with all speed, and sent to me with the
greatest care. I will pay every expense : you know not
how wonderfully they promote the glory of God. If I am
able to effect anything, and my slender powers are of any
benefit to the church of Christ, I confess, and by the blessing
of God will confess, as long as I live, that I owe it to your-
self and my masters and brethren at Zurich ; whom I pray
the Lord ever to preserve in safety for his name's sake.
Moreover, if you have any thing which you purpose soon to
send to the press, you should dedicate it to our most excellent
sovereign, king Edward the sixth. On this subject I wish
you would advise those, learned men, namely, master Bibli-
ander, our co-sponsor, and master Gualter. If you will com-
ply with my wishes in this respect, you will advance the
glory of God in no small degree. Believe me, all the Eng-
lish, who are free from popish tyranny and Romish craftiness,
entertain correct views respecting the [Lord's] supper.
There are various other reasons which induce me to
make this request to you; but I cannot at present state
them by reason of the danger of the journey. Be alive,
fight with that old serpent. Behold, your reward is great in
heaven.
Salute masters Bibliander, Gualter, Pellican, with their
wives, my most faithful master Butler with his wife, and all
my other Zurich friends so much esteemed by me. Tell my
excellent friend, master Gessner, that there is on the road for
him a Welsh dictionary, and some writings in the language
of Cornubia, commonly called Cornwall.
Yours now and for evermore,
JOHN HOOPER.
P. S. My wife and your little god-daughter, Rachel, to-
74 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
gethcr with Martin and Joanna, salute your excellence with
the good lady our gossip, your wife, and master Bibliander
with his wife, our very dear gossips, and all the rest.
Rachel is endued with a most happy memory, and retains
with the greatest focility every thing that is said to her, and
of all other languages she best understands the Latin.
LETTER XXXVII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Feb. 5, 1550.
Greeting. I much regret, most esteemed master and
gossip, that the two letters which I sent you at the feast of
St John the Baptist, are, as I understand from your letter,
either intercepted or lost. Had they reached your excellency,
you would neither have been ignorant of my present circum-
stances, nor of my affection towards you. I am, however,
entirely persuaded of this, that we are united in such bonds
of friendship as neither the miscarriage, nor even the intermis-
sion, of our correspondence will ever be able to break. But
henceforth, God wiUing, I will make amends for my blameable
silence by my diligence in writing. As far as I know, the
letters of my wife to our very dear gossips, the wives of
yourself and of our gossip master Bibhander, have not been
delivered ; or you would at least have learned from them the
situation both of myself and of this kingdom. But as I now
promise in this respect greater zeal and diligence than I have
hitherto used, I trust to your kindness to forgive me. I will
not now allege the just excuse, that the difficult and dangerous
nature of my labours, very reverend sir, would call for at your
hands ; but proceed at once to comply with your injunctions.
First of all, then, receive in a few words what relates to myself.
Since my return to England, I have neither seen my native
place nor my parents, by reason of the frequent and dangerous
commotions stiiTcd up in those parts on account of religion,
and which indeed are not yet calmly and quietly settled.
May God send a better state of things! My father is yet
XXXVII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 75
living in ignorance of the true religion, but I hope that the
grace of God will at length teach him better. I have been
explaining the holy scriptures here at London, and sometimes
at court, by order of the duke of Somerset. In the city I
have finished the epistle to Titus and about seven chapters of
John. At court I have been lecturing upon the Psalms, and
God knows at what risk I interpreted the sixth chapter
of St John. I am also occupied at this time with the latter
part of the seventh chapter of Daniel. I thought it best
to explain the sixth of John and the seventh of Daniel by
turns, that the people might rightly discern Christ from the
one, and antichrist from the other. Thus much, then, re-
specting myself. My wife always remembers you in her
prayers, that she may repay what she owes to your kindness :
her health is not what it formerly was at Zurich, but is af-
fected by the air of England and the relaxing nature of our
climate. Our little Rachel is making progress both in body
and mind. She understands the English, German, French
and Latin languages very tolerably, and especially the Latin.
While I was writing this, namely on the fifth of February,
on which day I received your last, the archbishop of Canter-
bury sent for me, and ordered me in the name of the king
and council to preach before his majesty (who is now at
London, and will not go anywhere else before Easter) once a
week during the ensuing Lent. May the Lord open my
heart and mouth, that I may think and speak those things
wliich may advance his kingdom! I shall make choice, I
think, of a very suitable subject, namely, the prophet Jonas';
which will enable me freely to touch upon the duties of indi-
viduals". Do you, my reverend friend, write back as soon
as possible, and diligently instruct me as to what you think
may conveniently be said in so crowded an auditory. It
must necessarily be great when before the king ; for even in
the city there is such a concourse of people at my lectures,
that very often the church will not hold them.
[1 These sermons on Jonas, of which there are seven in all, were
preached on the Wednesdays during Lent, in the year 1550, before the
king and council. They are pubhshed among the Early Writings of
Bishop Hooper, edited by the Parker Society, p. 435.]
[2 Additional reasons for making choice of this prophet are given in
the Early Writings of Bishop Hooper, p. 445.]
76 JOHN HOOl'EH TO HENRY BULLIXGEU. [lET,
Now as to what is doing in England. The bishops of
Canterbury, liochester, Ely, St David's, Lincoln, and Bath,
are all favourable to the cause of Christ ; and, as far as I
knoAv, entertain right opinions in the matter of the eucharist
I have freely conversed with all of them upon this subject,
and have discovered nothing but Avhat is pure and holy. The
archbishop of Canterbury, who is at the head of the king's
council, gives to all lecturers and preachers their hccnce to
read and preach : every one of them, however, must previously
subscribe to certain articles, which, if possible, I will send you;
one of which, respecting the eucharist, is plainly the true one,
and that which you maintain in Switzerland. The marquis of
Dorset, the carl of Warwick, and the greater part of the
king''s council favour the cause of Christ as much as they
can. Our king is such an one for his age as the world has
never seen. May the Lord preserve liim ! His sister, the
daughter of the late king by queen Ann, is inflamed with
the same zeal for the religion of Christ. She not only knows
what the true religion is, but has acquired such proficiency
in Greek and Latin, that she is able to defend it by the most
ust arguments and the most happy talent ; so that she en-
counters few adversaries whom she does not overcome. The
people however, that many-headed monster, is still wincing ;
partly through ignorance, and partly fascinated by the in-
veiglements of the bishops, and the malice and impiety of the
mass-priests.
Such then is the present state of things in England.
Receive thus much concerning the affairs of government. On
the sixth of October the king, together with the protector \
fled from the palace, which we commonly call Hampton-court,
to another castle, called in our language AVindsor, for this
reason, that the other members of the council in London had
determined, as it was right they should, to make inquiry into
the protector's conduct. Large numbers were collected by
each party. As to myself, I determined not to interfere, because
I had great enemies on both sides. The king was accompanied
in his flight by his uncle the duke of Somerset, the arch-
[1 For an account of the conspiracy against Somerset, sec Holling-
shed, III. 1014, Tytlei-'s Reign of Edward VI. Vol. i. 204, &c., Tunicr's
Edward VI. i. 281, &c.]
XXXVII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER, 77
bishop of Canterbury, the comptroller^ of the household, and
some of the lords of the bedchamber. All the other nobility
and men of rank had lent their influence to the council, who
conducted this affair in London : however, by the mercy of God,
the business was at length settled without bloodshed. On the
14th of October the duke of Somerset with some others^ was
sent to the Tower of London, from whence he is not yet come
out; but by the blessing of God he will be set at liberty, either
this evening^ or to-morrow. Be not alarmed at Dryander's
returning to you; he consults his own interests, and cares but
little for ours when gain is out of the question. Master Cox
has received with the greatest respect your letter and present :
I suppose you have received an answer from him before this
time.
The archbishop of Canterbury, to say the truth, neither
took much notice of your letter, nor of your learned present.
But now, as I hope, master Bullinger and Canterbury enter-
tain the same opinions. Should it be otherwise, you shall
shortly hear.
With respect to what you write about the marquis of
Dorset, if you have anything suitable in the press, contrive,
I entreat you, to dedicate it to him. He is pious, good, and
brave, and distinguished in the cause of Christ. You will not
a httle advance the glory of God by giving encouragement
to him and others by your writings. Your reputation, be-
lieve me, is most honourably spoken of, as you well deserve,
by all the learned and godly of this country. Take in good
part the unpolished style of my letter. After some days you
shall hear more. London. February 5, 1550.
Yours ever,
JOHN HOOPER.
[2 Namely, Sir William Paget, who was appointed to that office in
1547. The other persons here referred to were Sir William Petrc, Sir
Thomas Smith, and Mr William Cecil, master of Requests, and private
secretary to Somerset. Tytler, i. 206.]
[3 At the same time that Somerset was secured and shut up in
Beauchamp's tower, [Sir Thomas] Smith, Cecil, [Sir John] Thynne,
[Sir Michael] Stanhope, and some others of his servants, were confined
in their own apartments. MS. privy council books, quoted by Tytler,
I. 243.]
[4 The duke was restored to liberty on the 6th of February. Grafton.
HoUingshed. Stow.]
78 .lOIIX IIOOPEK TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
P. S. You will remind masters Gualtcr, Bibliandcr and
my otlicr Zurich friends, that if they arc about to print any
religious work, they should dedicate it either to our king, a
most excellent and learned youth, or to some one or other of
the nobility. I charge and enjoin you, my most learned
gossip, and every way most esteemed master, to send me
something of yom'S in print for our king. I will take care
that the work shall come to his hands, and that the offering
shall not want a commendation from myself.
I entreat you not to mention this letter to any one. I
would Avrite, as I ought to do, to masters Bibliander and
Butler; but God knows I have no time. I wish you all every
happiness. In three days time I will write again. You shall
hear in a few days respecting the Interim and other matters.
The duke of Somerset will now come out of the Tower, and
many other persons will be sent thither, whom I am not now
at liberty to mention.
LETTER XXXVIII.
JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, March 27, 1550.
Grace and innocence of life from the Lord ! That I may
in some measure extenuate, if I cannot entu'ely excuse, my
blameable neglect of correspondence, (touching which, my
much esteemed master and most loving gossip, you so deserv-
edly and severely expostulated with me in your last letter,)
this is the third letter that I have taken care should be sent
you by the post since the end of January. I hope that you
have received the others, and that you will receive this with
all possible speed. I have already informed yom* excellence
both as to my individual circumstances, and the news of this
kingdom ; but lest my letters should have been lost on the
road, as has very often happened heretofore on both sides
through the carelessness, or rather the dishonesty, of the
courier, I think it worth my while to repeat the Icachng par-
ticulars in a few words.
Concerning me and mine, with whom you arc acquainted,
XXXVIII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 79
I wrote that wo are all of us in good health. My wife how-
ever is weak and valetudinarian as usual, but, by the blessing
of God, in no danger of her life. Rachel, by the mercy of
God, is in the enjoyment of excellent health : she grows both
in stature and in talent, and holds out the best promise of a
most happy memory. She understands no language so well
as she does Latin. I have not yet visited my native place ;
being prevented, partly by the danger of the rebellion and
tumult in those quarters, and partly by the command of the
king that I should advance the kingdom of Christ here at
London : nor indeed am I yet able to stir even a single mile
from the city without a numerous attendance. I comfort my-
self however in this, that the employment on which I had
entered mider [un]promising and difficult auspices is blessed by
God every day more and more ; and he has given a suffici-
ently large and glorious increase to the seed sown by Peter
and Paul. We do not water and plant in vain. May the
name of the Lord be for ever blessed ! But there has lately
been appointed a new bishop^ of London, a pious and learned
man, if only liis new dignity do not change his conduct.
He will, I hope, destroy the altars" of Baal, as he did here-
tofore in his church when he was bishop of Rochester. I can
scarcely express to you, my very dear friend, under what
difficulties and dangers we are labouring and struggling, that
the idol of the mass may be thrown out. It is no small
hindrance to our exertions, that the form which our senate
or parhament, as we commonly call it, has prescribed for the
whole realm, is so very defective and of doubtful construction,
and in some respects indeed manifestly impious. I sent it to
our friend, master Butler, about four months since. I am so
much offended with that book, and that not without abundant
reason, that if it be not corrected, I neither can nor will com-
municate with the church in the administration of the [Lord's]
supper. Many altars have been destroyed in this city since I
arrived here. I commenced with the epistle to Titus, having
[1 Namely, Riclley, bishop of Rochester, -who was translated to the
see of London on the deprivation of Bonner.]
[2 On this subject see Ridley's Injunctions to the diocese of Lon-
don, and Reasons why the Lord's board should be in the form of a
table. Parker Society edition of Ridley's works, pp. 319, 321. See
also Soames, Hist. Ref. in, 571, and Burnet, ii. 252.]
80 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
finished wlilch, I lectured on the gospel of St John, and am
now engaged upon the eighth chapter. I freely held forth
upon the sixth chapter to my audience, as God enabled me,
respecting the Lord's supper, for the space of three months,
and lectured once or twice every day ; and it pleased God to
bless my exertions. A wonderful and most numerous con-
course of people attended me, and God was with them ; for
he opened their hearts to understand the things that were
spoken by me. But I incurred great odium and not less
danger from the sixth chapter. The better cause however
prevails ; and during this Lent I have plainly and openly
handled the same subject before the king and the nobihty of
the realm. In this city an individual of the name of Crome',
a man of excellent erudition and holiness of life, a doctor in
divinity, and well known to master Butler, is combating my
opinions in a public discourse.
The bishop of Westchester will preach on the sixth Sun-
day before Easter, and will deliver his sentiments upon the
[Lord's] supper, the invocation of the saints, and the autho-
rity of the scriptures. God grant that he may teach the
truth! We all piously agreed in the same opinion respecting
all the articles, in the presence of the king, this Lent ; I will
let you know the result immediately after Easter.
The bishops of Winchester, London, and Worcester" are
still in confinement, and maintain the popish doctrines with
all their might. The bishop of Winchester, who is a prisoner
in the Tower of London, came forward and challenged me to
a disputation about a month since : he doubtless assured him-
self of a glorious victory ; should he fail in obtaining which, he
would submit himself to the laws and to the king for punish-
ment. The keeper of the prison had at first accepted the
conditions. The day Avas fixed. But when the bishop knew
for certain that I would not shrink from that duty, but that
I would firmly maintain the best of causes even at the peril
of my life, he changed his mind, and said, that if the king-
would set him at liberty, ho would take his part in a dispu-
tation, in full reliance on the help of God, that he should
obtain the victory. What will at length bo done I know not.
[1 Dr Edward Crome was Rector of St Mary's Aldei-manbury. A
full account is given of him in Strype, Mem. iii. i. 157, &c.]
[■- Tlipse were Gardiner, Bonner, and Heath.]
XXXVIII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 81
Meantime let us pray that God may be present with us, and
that we may fearlessly advance his glory.
A book has lately been published here by the bishops,
touching the ordination and consecration of the bishops and
ministers of the church. I have sent it to master Butler, that
you may know their fraud and artifices, by which they pro-
mote the kingdom of antichrist, especially in the form of the
oath^; against which form I brought forward many objections
in my public lecture before the king and the nobility of the
realm : on which account I have incurred no small hostility.
On the fourth day after the lecture an accusation was brought
against me before the council by the archbishop of Canterbury.
I appeared before them. The archbishop spoke against me
with great severity on account of my having censured the
form of the oath. I entreated the judges to hear with impar-
tiality upon what authority I had done so. The question
was long and sharply agitated between the bishops and my-
self; but at length the end and issue was for the glory of
God.
If the ensuing summer should be free from disturbances,
we hope for much good to our church : for peace is arranged
between us and the French, but I am not yet informed upon
what terms. I only pray our great and gracious God, that war
may not lie hid under the name of peace. The day before I
wrote this letter to your excellence, the emperor sent two most
beautiful Spanish horses as a present to our king. On the
same day a German Lutheran sent to [Sir John] Cheke, the
king's tutor, a book which has lately come forth against the
anabaptists and sacramentaries : he gave the book to the
king to read, but it nowise pleased either the king, or his
tutors, namely. Cook and Cheke, both of whom, as well as the
king, have a pious understanding of the doctrine of the eucha-
rist. Master Bucer is now lying dangerously ill at Cambridge.
The subject of his lecture is the epistle to the Ephesians, and
of his sermon, on holy-days, the sixth chapter of St John.
[3 Hooper's objection to the oath was the " swearing by God, the
saints, and the holy gospels," when none but God himself ought to
be appealed to in an oath. This clause was afterwards omitted. See
the Parker Society edition of Hooper's Early Writings, p. 479, and
compare the Liturgies of Edward VI. pp. 169, 339. Also Reeling's
Litui'gise Britannicse, pp. 373, 390, and Burnet, Hist. Ref. il. 246.]
[ZURICH LETTERS, III. J
82 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET,
Master Valerandus' has recommended him by letter not to
raise any controversy on the matter of the eucharist. lie rephed
that he should teach nothing contrary to the opinion of Peter
Martyr, which I sent you in manuscript about the middle of
January.
Toucliing the Interim, (you know wliat I mean) I have
not hitherto been able by any entreaties to obtain permis-
sion for committing it to the press ; but I shall probably in
a few days meet the king upon business, and I will give it
him for his perusal. BeUeve me, my much esteemed friend,
you have never seen in the world for these thousand years so
much erudition united with piety and sweetness of disposition.
Should he live and grow up with these virtues, he will be a terror
to all the sovereio-ns of the earth. He receives with his own
hand a copy of every sermon that he hears, and most diligently
requires an account of them after dinner from those who
study with him. Many of the boys and youths who are his
companions in study are well and faithfully instructed in the
fear of God, and in good learning. Master Cox is no longer
the king's tutor. He still remains almoner, is much attached
to you, and (as I have often told you before) most warmly
thanked you for your present. You know how it was re-
ceived by the archbishop of Canterbury. Now however, as
far as I know, he has become my friend. The marquis of
Dorset sends his best regards to your reverence. I could
wish that you would dedicate either to the king or to him^
the work you are shortly about to publish. Moreover, if
our excellent and most learned friend, master Bibliander, or
that learned and most faithful minister of Christ, master
Gualter, are about to pubhsh any thing, let them also dedicate
it either to the king, or to the duke of Somerset, the king's
uncle, my patron, (who is now living at Sion, eight miles from
London, and in good health, but not at present one of the
king's council, though I doubt not but that he will be
shortly.) or to the marquis of Dorset, or to that most faith-
ful and intrepid soldier of Christ, the earl of Warwick. He
is ill at this time, but I hope in no imminent danger : unless
[1 Valerandus PoUanus was the preacher and superintendent of the
French and Walloon church at Glastonbury.]
[2 Bullingor dedicated the remainder of his Decades to the marquis
of Dorset, in March 1561.]
XXXVIII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 83
he had been on my side in the cause of Christ, it would have
been all over with me five months since, when the duke of
Somerset was in such difficulties. Traheron is well ; I think
you have received a letter from him not long since. Your
dictations on Isaiah, which you gave in charge to Christopher
Hales, have not been delivered to me. I must make allow-
ance for the misfortune of the man ; for when he was sailing
from Calais to England he was in so much danger from the
French, that they threw all the ship's cargo overboard. I
entreat you to have a new copy made with all speed, not
only of [your notes] on Isaiah, but also of those upon the
books of Kings ; and I will satisfy both by prayers and pay-
ment the labours of the copyist. Do not send me any
thing for the cloth, which I hear you have received; but,
as you love me, pay for what I am now asking from
you out of the price of the cloth, and also for what I
may request from you in future, until you shall hear further
from me. But I wish to inform you upon this point, that
when you write to me in future, you may inclose your letter
to me either in the letters of Richard Hilles or John Stum-
phius, or else they will scarcely ever come to my hands ; such
is the envy and hatred of some parties, that if they see a
letter addressed to me they will retain it. Unless therefore
you should meet with a trustworthy courier, it will be neces-
sary to suppress what otherwise ought not to be concealed.
Such is now-a-days the perverseness of men's temper, that
they can interpret nothing with an upright and unprejudiced
mind. Let me know how many letters you have received
from me since the first of January. I do not ask this, as
though there would arise any danger either to your rever-
ence or myself from the loss of the letters. I value it not
a rush, into whosesoever hands they may have fallen ; but I
wish to know, that I may learn to estimate the trustiness of
the bearer in future. If you would sometime, as is befitting
your erudition and piety, send a letter of encouragement to
our king, take care to do so as soon as possible, and also to
the earl of Warwick and the marquis of Dorset : beheve me,
they would receive it most gratefully ; send it to me, and I
will place it in their hands with all fidehty.
Tlie worshipful the Mayor will soon, I hope, receive
another good piece of cloth at the usual price, namely, ten
6—2
84 JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET,
Zurich batzen the ell. Master Butler will also receive one,
partly white, and j^artly black. We thank you very much
for the present which you sent to your [god-daughter]
Rachel. In return, I faithfully promise you in Christ that,
as long as I live, your children shall be to me as my own, if
I can in any respect be of use to them. John Stumphius is
residing very creditably and studiously at Oxford, You may,
if you please, in your letters apply a stimulus by way of
exciting him to persevere honourably in what he has under-
taken. Should he be in need of any thing, I shall always be
ready to assist him. There is no occasion for his parents to
be anxious about him in any way. Salute them in my name
and in that of my wife. John Stumphius is a great favourite
with her. John ab Ulmis is also well, and, as I hear, very
dihgent in his studies. He has been munificently and honour-
ably presented, by the marquis of Dorset, with a yearly stipend
of thirty crowns. Salute most dutifully in all our names the
lady your wife with all your family, and masters Bibhander,
Gualter, Pellican, Otto, Frisius, and Sebastian, with their re-
spective wives, Martin Micronius wishes dutifully to salute
your excellence and all his other friends at Zurich. I heartily
salute master Haller, the most faithful minister of the church
at Berne, and master Musculus. When you write to master
Ambrose Blauer, and master Thomas his brother, salute each
of them in my name. May the Lord Jesus preserve your
church and commonwealth, that you may live in peace, fear,
and hohness all the days of your hfe ! Day and night do I
remember you in my prayers, that God may guide, strengthen,
and defend you by his holy Spirit against the snares of the devil
and of the world. Do you also remember me and my labours
in the Lord's vineyard ; by the help of your prayers I shall
raise a more glorious trophy in the church of God over our
adversaries. With the exception of the church of Zurich, and
those which agree with it in rehgion, the word is in no part
of the world preached more purely than in England.
Write back, I pray you, immediately, if only one or two
lines ; for until I hear from you, I shall think that this letter
also has been lost on the road. If you will always ask master
Burcher to send your letters by the post, I will pay the ex-
pense. I desire to salute master Mayor, who is a man of God,
most dutifully and affectionately in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
XXXVIII.] JOHN HOOPER TO HENRY BOLLINGER. 85
A certain native of Zurich, by name Valentine Wormulus,
is detained here in prison : he is, if I mistake not, related to
master Otho, the minister of the church at Zurich. I do not
yet know for certain the cause of his imprisonment: whether
he offered violence to a woman, or obtained her consent, I am
not informed, but some offence of this sort is alleged against
him ; besides which, he is charged with having stolen a small
sum of money. I shall send to-day to the prison, that I may
learn more by means of master Utenhovius. I wish you
would shortly let me know whether he is a native of Zurich
or not. If the law can be satisfied by a pecuniary penalty,
I will willingly pay it, as soon as your reverence shall
authorise me to do so, provided the money be repaid me
at Zurich. Farewell, most honoured master, and continue
to love me. London, March 27, 1550.
On Wednesday next, God willing, I shall finish my ex-
position of the prophet Jonas before the king.
Yours ever,
JOim HOOPER.
P. S. Master Utenhovius dutifully salutes your worship,
and doubtless aids you all in his dihgent prayers to God.
You would be quite astonished, did you know how many
times he has thanked me for having sent him to Zurich.
There is one request I have to make of you, my most faith-
ful friend, that when you have read this, you will write to
master Coehus the younger, who resides at Basle, and apolo-
gize to him for my not writing to him at present. I wrote
some time since, and gave him intelUgence respecting all the
things that he had entrusted to my confidence ; nor have I
ever been unmindful of him, as he will know from me next
Easter. I have exerted myself in his favour, as you shall
hereafter know. Entreat him to persevere in his purpose, and
not to be afraid. God livetli, from whom he will successfully
obtain what he desires. Salute the widow, my landlady, in
my name ; and should she be in need of any thing, I shall
not be unmindful of the kindness with which she treated me
during my sojourn with you.
86 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER XXXIX.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, June 29, L550.
Greeting, The letter which you wrote on the 13th
of March, I received at London on the last day of April,
by which I fully understood your ancient and fatherly affec-
tion towards me. I rejoiced much [to learn] that you and
your church are regaining your former influence and repu-
tation ; but a.m much grieved to hear that my letters written
so frequently and with so much pains have been lost on the
road. I will in future inquire more carefully as to the trust-
Avorthiness of the messenger. I cannot too sufficiently wonder
that master Butler has so seldom heard from me. I have
frequently written to him respecting his brother-in-law, who
not only holds an honourable employment at court, but most
honourably defends the cause of Christ in the palace ; nor is
there any individual who is more fervent in this cause, or
more ardent in imparting to others the word of God. He
is one of the four stewards of the royal household. His
deceased wife, who was master Butler's sister, went to heaven
a year ago ; and he has now married another pious and
godly virgin, of honourable rank and lineage. He dutifully
salutes master Butler, and promises to exert himself to the
utmost of his power, if he should any way require his services.
Let master Butler know this.
I now return to the course and tenour of your former
letter, that I may reply to each head in its turn. First
of all, receive this intelligence concerning me and mine.
We are all of us in good health. I had an opportunity
of visiting my native place and my parents for a fortnight
at the Whitsun holidays. I found my father still alive, and
though not a friend to the gospel, yet not an enemy to it.
My uncle also I found still living, and a favourer of the
cause of God ; and my native country, considering the ex-
tent of its population, apt and docile. "We must pray God
to send forth labourers into his harvest. Having returned
to London on the fourteenth day, I am going, by the king''s
command, to-morrow or the next day into Kent and Essex, to
XXXIX.] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 87
the lord chancellor of the realm, who is now, for various
reasons, residing in the country. That district is troubled
with the frenzy of the anabaptists more than any other part
of the kingdom. May the Lord assist me, that my efforts
there may be attended with success! At Easter, after the
sermons were ended which master Ponet and myself preached
before the king and council, he on the Friday, and I on the
Wednesday, during Lent, it pleased his majesty and the
council to offer the bishoprick of Rochester to Ponet ^ and that
of Gloucester to myself. On many accounts I declined mine^
both by reason of the shameful and impious form of the oath,
which all who choose to undertake the function of a bishop
are compelled to put up with, and also on account of those
Aaronic habits which they still retain in that calling, and are
used to wear, not only at the administration of the sacra-
ments, but also at public prayers. All these things came to
the ears of the king, and he wished to know the reason of my
having refused to serve God in so pious and holy a calling.
He understood that the causes which I have mentioned above
altogether withdrew me from it. On last Ascension-day I was
summoned before the whole council to state my reasons, that
it might be seen whether I could justly and lawfully decline
the royal favour. The matter was seriously agitated in the
way of interrogatory. At last, for the glory of God, the dis-
cussion ended to the satisfaction of myself and that of all godly
persons, not through my instrumentality alone, but by the
grace of God, and the favourable inclinations of the council,
and their love for God and for the purity and comeliness of the
rising church. But you will say, I do not yet know the result.
It was such as to set me clear from all defilement of super-
stition and from the imposition of the oath^. On these terms
I took upon myself the charge committed to me. Aid wretched
me with your prayers, that I may dihgently and truly seek
the glory of God, lest that little flock should perish, for which
Christ died.
[1 Ponet was declared bishop of Rochester on June 26, 1550.]
[2 For an account of Hooper's troubles on his nomination to a
bishopric, see Strype, Cranmer, i. 302 ; Burnet, ii. 243 ; in. 304 ; and
Soames, iii. 560.]
[3 See a letter from Micronius to Bullinger, dated Aug. 28, 1550,
•which will be given in a subsequent part of this volume.]
88 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
I will not at present write much respecting myself, ex-
cept only to inform your excellence, that I am now occupied
upon the tenth chapter of St John, for my lecture in the
New Testament, and upon the fourth chapter of Zechariah
for my lecture in the Old Testament. I have finished Daniel,
and also Jonah and his interpreter Nahum. I shall proceed as.
I can ; and / can do all things through Clirist who strength-
eneth me. Unless his lovingkindness had assisted me, I should
very often have looked back from the plough, since I begun.
I could not have imagined that the office of preaching was
exposed to so many and such painful anxieties. The agree-
ment of Calvin and yourself toucliing the [Lord's] supper,
and the letter in which the new-year's gift was inclosed for
your httle daughter Rachel, (for I so call her, as your sons
and daughters are mine,) I have received, and rephed to
each. The marquis of Northampton, a man active in the
cause of Christ, laid before the king's majesty, in my presence,
your book that was intended for him, together with your
letter. I should have presented it myself, had it not been
forbidden by our laws for any one to lay before the king
either a letter or anything else brought from foreign parts,
without previously making it known to the council ; and this
law no one may dare to violate, until the king shall have arrived
at the steadiness of mature age. But as far as relates to your
letter and your book, he received them with the greatest
courtesy and kindness, and not without many thanks ; for he
most earnestly inquired both respecting yourself and the
welfare of your church. He moreover ordered the marquis
to send you a royal present in token of his good-will. As
soon as I understood this, I desired the marquis to thank his
majesty in your name, and that you would esteem it a suffi-
cient token of his gratitude, if he would himself actively and
piously bestow his exertions on the vineyard of Christ ; be-
sides, that you were not in the habit of receiving presents
from any one ; and lastly, that it was forbidden by your
municipal laws to receive gifts from princes or any other
persons whatsoever : but if he wished to testify his appro-
bation either by a letter from himself or through me, that
an act of this kind would be most gratifying to you. The
king then ordered me to salute you on every account in his
name, and present his thanks, entreating you to remember him
XXXIX.] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 89
in your prayers, and to commend to God both himself and
his kingdom. Master Cox also, whom, having been engaged
in other matters of importance, I have not been able to call
upon for many weeks, received your present in the same
spirit. I have dutifully saluted all the earls and marquises
in your name. They all salute you in return. The earl of
Warwick has had a long illness, but by the blessing of God
is now recovered, and will be present at the council on Wed-
nesday next. To tell the truth, England cannot do without
him. He is a most holy and fearless instrument of the word
of God. May the Lord strengthen him ! We have many
other excellent councillors, the duke of Somerset, the marquises
of Northampton and Dorset. [The archbishop of] Canter-
bury has relaxed much of his Lutheranism, (whether all of it,
I cannot say ;) he is not so decided as I could wish, and dares
not, I fear, assert his opinion in all respects. As to your
advice in your letter, that I should make friends of the
bishops, I should be much to blame, if I did not endeavour by
all means to do so, provided it can be done with a safe and
pure conscience; and to speak the truth, there are six or
seven who altogether desire and wish to promote the glory of
God. These I venerate and reverence from my heart.
Now I most earnestly entreat you kindly to comply with
the following request. If you can procure from master Fros-
chover at the trade price, that is, the price at which he sells
them to the booksellers in sheets, all the works of Zuinglius,
your own, those of Bibliander, PeUican, Gualter, fficolampa-
dius, Gesner, both his Bibhotheca and the treatise on Birds,
which he is now reported to be writing, you will exceedingly
oblige me ; and as soon as I know that he has agreed to this,
I will take care that he shall have the money at the next
Frankfort fair, nor will I require the books till the amount is
previously paid. I request you also to salute dutifully in my
name master Ccelius Secundus', whom I have constantly borne
in mind since my arrival here, although I have not told him
as much by letter ; and let me know, when you write next,
what are his present circumstances at Basle : I know him to
be a man of profound learning, and one of whose services I
[1 Coelius Secundus Curio was of a noble Piedmontese family. He
abjured popery, and embraced Lutheranism, and was professor at Basle
from 1547 till 1569, in which year he died, aged 67.]
90 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENUY BULLINGER. [lET.
would gladly avail myself, when I come to know the state of
my bishoprick. As primitive antiquity employed the revenues
arising from this office to the edification of the church and
the education of the young, I could wish each of these objects
to be restored by me, which can in no way be eifected unless
I shall be aided by the assistance of pious and learned men.
On this subject I would gladly hear and follow your advice.
Send me therefore by letter, as soon as possible, an answer
to my inquiries. For I know you to be discreet and attached
to me, and besides this, one who is well able to look forward
to the future.
I doubt not but that the cloth sent to master Mayor and
master Butler has reached you long since. I request that
your notes on Isaiah, on the books of Kings, and on the
epistle to the Romans, from the beginning of the thirteenth
chapter to the end, may be copied out for me as soon as
possible. I will recompense the copyist, and will not be un-
mindful of the kindness of master Haller, for his having taken
so much trouble for me before with respect to Isaiah. You
here have the proper form of dedication of your book to the
marquis of Dorset : when I return from the lord chancellor a
fortnight hence, I will send the style of the earl of Warwick
and the marquis of Northampton; you shall then receive farther
and more certain intelhgence. Meanwhile I pray the Lord to
preserve you in prosperity, together with your whole family
and the church ; and I congratulate you and your daughters
on so happy and, I hope, so holy a marriage. My wife and
Rachel pray for you all happiness in Christ. Make my apo-
logies to masters Butler, Bibliander, and Gualter, for not
now writing to them. The trustworthy bearer will assign
weighty reasons for this. Do you, my most honoured master
and most loving friend, take in good part what I have now
written with a hasty pen, I will write more in a few days.
Your most wished for and delightful letter of the seventeenth
of May I received on the 25th of June, and will reply to it
in my next letter. Live and fare well in Christ long and
holily. London, June 29, 1550.
Your reverence's most devoted,
JOHN HOOPER.
XL.] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 91
LETTER XL.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Gloucester, Aug. 1, 1551.
Grace and peace from the Lord ! I am not only
aware, my much honoured gossip, that this long silence
of mine is displeasing to your kindness, but I am also
greatly displeased with myself for that very reason. But
when you are acquainted with the arduous and important
nature of my engagements, you will easily be induced to ex-
cuse me, and I shall free myself from the reproach of in-
gratitude to so dear a friend. But although, as your letter
states, as well as that of my brother and singular good friend,
master John Butler, I have suifered all those who have visited
you from England to quit this country without any letters
from myself, I have, nevertheless, written them to you very
frequently ; but for their having either been intercepted or
lost on the road, I must blame the carelessness of the couriers,
who have not only disappointed my labours, but also deceived
the expectation of my best friend. And yet, if I have written
to you less frequently than your exceeding kindness to me has
deserved, it has not, my most learned gossip, arisen from for-
getfulness of you, but from the difficulty and magnitude of
my engagements. I was occupied during the past year with
constant and important business, as you have doubtless heard
from others. The question respecting the habits, which was
always exceedingly displeasing to me, was gravely discussed
between the bishop of London and myself. For my part, I
very properly, if I am not mistaken, found fault with the use
of them in the church, and contended for their entire removal.
He, on the other hand, most urgently and pertinaciously de-
fended their use^ But as the Lord has put an end to this
controversy, I do not think it worth while to violate the
[1 A copy of bishop Ridley's "Conference by writing with M. Hoper
exhibited up to the council in the time of King Edward the sixth,"
was in the possession of archbishop Whitgift. See his Defence of the
answer to the Admonition, a.d. 1574, p. 25, but its existence was un-
known (see Ridley's life of bishop Ridley) in later years, till a copy,
slightly imperfect, was discovered in 1844, in the extensive collection
of MSS. belonging to sir Thomas Phillips, Bart.]
92 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLIXGER. [lET.
sepulchre of this unhappy tragedy. In future, even if my
engagements should not admit of any cessation, I Avill perform
my duty in writing to you, and will not suffer any person to
go from me to you without a letter. As I now rely upon
the readiness to forgive, which is a part of your character, I
shall desist from offering any further apology for my silence.
My whole family is well, as I hope also that yours is,
and I daily pray God that they may both long continue
so. You must know however, that I have had no addition
to my family since the time that 1 quitted your godly society.
If the Lord will preserve my little daughter Rachel, so that
she may embrace his Son Jesus Christ, and promote his cause,
I shall think my desires abundantly accomplished in my old
age, even though I should have no more family. She very
frequently hears from her mother the great commendation of
the country and place where she was born ; and she is with
great care and dihgence instructed in the promises which she
formerly made to the church by means of your kindness and
that of the wife of master Bibliander. She sorely complains
of my not more frequently saluting by letter so holy a church
and such faithful ministers of Christ. She now sends an
entire piece of cloth as a token of her reverence and respect,
one half to yourself, the other to the wife of master Bibli-
ander ; and she heartily thanks her heavenly Father, that by
you as her sponsors she has been received into the society of
his holy church. Should it seem good to you that your sons
should visit England for their education, you need not feel
much anxiety as to what it would cost them to hve here. I
will take the charge of them upon myself, and that too, faith-
fully and cheerfully.
I have never been able to procure the printmg of those
writings of yours (you know what I mean) which I brought
away with me from Zurich : not that they are unacceptable
to godly and learned men, for they are exceedingly ac-
ceptable to all to whom I have given them for perusal ;
but it has been prevented by the calamity of the time, or
rather by the timidity of men who prefer their own coun-
sels to the glory of God. Many persons of learning and
rank desired to read that book, and I allowed them to do so,
as it was right I should ; and it is now in the hands of master
Cecil, his majesty's principal secretary, a man endowed with
very great learning and piety, and a great favourer of the
XL.] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLING ER. ^P,
gospel. Your other books, which you sent to the khig's
majesty, I dehvered most carefully to the marquis of North-
ampton \ the lord high chamberlain of England, to lay before
the king in your name, which he did carefully and readily,
and the king ordered him to salute you in return with many
thanks ; nor do I doubt but that the king will always re-
member you in future. I request that you will in your turn
commend him for his godly procedure, and always in your
letters exhort him to perseverance in it. For the king reads
your letters with attention, and takes a most lively interest
in the perusal. You must not therefore think your labour
ill-bestowed, although you do not receive an answer. My
lord of Canterbury, who is in truth a great admirer of you,
when I received your last letter in his palace, and acquainted
him with its contents, could hardly refrain from tears, when
he understood your feelings in regard to the king and to
the kingdom, and also the perseverance of your church in
these most lamentable times. He made most honourable
mention both of yourself and of your profound erudition.
You have no one, I am sure, among all your dearest friends,
who is more interested about you, and who loves you in Christ
more ardently than he does. I know of a truth that he loves
you from his heart. In my conversation with him I requested
his kind offices with the kino- on behalf of the Italian of whom
you wrote: he promised to use all his endeavours, and you
need not doubt him. If our gracious and most merciful God
would once deliver us from this harsh and cruel tyranny of
the enemies of Christ, by which we are so dangerously [sur-
rounded^] on all sides, all the godly and learned men will be
as well provided for as our poor circumstances will admit of.
You asked me to settle with master a Lasco about those
eighteen crowns, which you lent to some Italian ; I have done
as you requested, but know not whether you have yet been
repaid. I know that you will not, with your own consent, be
a burden to any one, (although what you may call a burden,
your friends would consider an honour ;) but your most splen-
did gifts, received from God, have so greatly benefited the
commonwealth, and the church of Christ more especially, that
we owe our all to you, and you may make what trial you please.
[1 William Parr, marquis of Northampton, was brother to King
Henry the eighth's last wife.]
[2 A word is wanting in the original Latin.]
94 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENKY BLLLIXGEK. [lET.
After I had begun tliis letter, my wife and five others
of my chaplains and domestics were attacked by a new kind
of sweating sickness, and were in great danger for twenty-
four hours ; I myself have but very recently recovered from
the same disease. Pray the Lord that he may have com-
passion on us, and that we may always be waiting in the
fear of God for the day of death. The infection of this
disease is in England most severe, and, what is a most re-
markable token of divine vengeance, persons are suddenly
taken off by it^. You shall know more fully respecting my
affairs next Michaelmas, when I shall have some little inter-
mission of my engagements. My wife and the other invalids
have, through the favour of God, escaped the danger of the
disease.
1 commend your whole church and commonwealth to
God, and especially the most reverend father, master Pellican.
For master Rodolph Gualter, your two sons-in-law, master
Gesner, with their respective wives; for all others who em-
brace with you the religion of Christ ; for our sister your
wife, and all your family, and master Bibliander, and his wife
and family, we sincerely and heartily wish salvation in Christ.
May the Lord also preserve master Mayor. When you
write to master CoeUus Secundus, salute him, I entreat you,
in my name as much as you can, and you can as much as
you please. Persuade our friend master John Butler to re-
turn to England ; he may be useful in many respects both to
the church and commonwealth. You know that we are born
for our country, and not for ourselves : were it not so, I
should not now be discharging the office of a bishop. At
least ask him to visit us once in England, and he shall learn
from me in what way and by what means he may best pro-
vide for himself and his family. May the Lord Jesus long
preserve you to the glory of his name !
Gloucester, Aug. 1, 1551.
As heretofore and for so long a time,
your most loving brother and gossip,
JOHN HOOPER,
Bishop of the church of Gloucester.
[1 The sweating sickness was very fatal this year, especially in
Loudon, where eight hunth-cd persons died of it within the fii'st week.
Seven householders supped together, six of whom were dead before
morning. Stowe's Annals, a. d. 1551.]
XL,] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENPlY BULLINGER. 95
P. S. I have lent to the student who is the bearer of
this letter to you, and to his companion, both natives of
Zurich, forty-five English crowns. You will obhge me much
by sending me books printed at Zurich, those especially which
contain your works, to an equal amount. If the young men
of Zurich who come over here for the sake of study, should
stand in need of my assistance, I will aid them as far as my
slender means will allow. I return you my warmest thanks
for your books and letter to me. When I shall have emerged
from the waves of danger, most reverend and learned friend,
I will send a messenger of my . own, from whom you shall
learn all my affairs. Do not, I pray you, be surprised, that
I make no mention of your letters, which I very frequently
kiss ; for I can never forget either yourself or your kindness
towards me. You shall hear in a future letter, on what sub-
ject and on what occasion so fierce and quarrelsome a dispute
arose between the bishops and myself. I agree that the con-
test should be set at rest by the arbitration of godly men.
I will explain in a few words the cause and ground of the
dispute. The use of vestments peculiar to popery in the
ministry of the church has been the occasion here of great
disturbance. Master a Lasco alone, of all the foreigners who
have any influence, stood on my side. Farewell. I pray
God that you may live long and happily, and may all the
people of Zurich fare well in Christ. Amen. I have written
what I can ; you know what I mean. Altogether yours, and
deservedly so, if I am my own.
LETTER XLL
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Gloucester, Oct. 27, 1551.
Greeting. If, my much honoured gossip, you had re-
ceived the letters which I wrote to you towards the end of
August and in the month of September, yours dated at Zurich
on the 29th of August, which I received at Gloucester on
the 22nd of October, would not have been so full of com-
plaint. I hope that you are by this time fully aware of the
feelings and spirit which I entertain towards you. I will
90 15ISH01' HooPEn to henry bulllnv^ier. ['-et-
make no answer by way of apology, although 1 have many
weighty and allowable excuses which would avail with you,
yourself being the judge. But you shall learn at another
time, what it is still necessary for me to keep silent. You
and all that belongs to you are not displeasing either to God
or our king, but quite the contrary, and on that account
you are acceptable to both. You say that they are dis-
pleasing to me, but I know you only say so : far be it that
your writings should be hghtly esteemed by me. Of all the
learned men under heaven, I have none more dear to me than
yourself, and deservedly so. In many ways I have received
benefit, as I still do, from you and from your writings.
Should it please God that I can in any respect be of service
to you, you will find me most ready, and mindful, and
grateful, both to you and yours. I return you my warmest
thanks for your kindness in sending to me, together with
your letter, your godly and learned meditations, which you
are preparing by way of popular discourses : since, however,
I left Zurich, I have received no manuscript besides your very
useful and excellent Decades, except your commentary on
Isaiah as far as the 40th chapter, and on the epistle to the
Romans. I much wish for your other writings, and will
amply recompense the copyist. I have not yet seen the
remainder of your commentary on Isaiah ; and I mourn over
the faithlessness of the men to whom I from time to time en-
trust grave and honourable duties. But I would have you to
be especially assured, that should I from henceforth fail to
write to you every month, either sickness or death will be the
occasion of my silence. You are altogether unconscious how
deeply your complaints aflfect my mind. You have, I am
sure, no one who loves you more in Christ than myself.
Moreover, when I go to London, I will undertake, as I may
be able, that a letter shall be sent you from the king, by
which he may testify his good-will towards you ; and I will
endeavour too to reheve, if I can, by means of his royal
majesty, the distress of that godly Italian, who is now suffer-
ing under the painful necessity of exile : I without doubt am
entirely his debtor to serve him. You need not be anxious
about the expense of sending letters from Strasburgh ; I will
willingly bear it. I wish that all the letters would reach me
which you have sent already or shall send in future. I am
greatlv grieved at mv letters havins; been lost on the road. But
XLI.J BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLTNGER. 97
they always regarded, as they ought, both God and man,
and therefore make me somewhat less anxious.
The report concerning the death of Peter Martyr, I thank
God, was false and groundless ; he is alive and well, and boldly
stands forth as a brave and godly soldier in the army of the
Lord. If he has any thing which he intends to print, I am
sure that he will send it you. He has not yet determined to
publish his annotations on Genesis; he is meditating something
upon the epistle to the Komans. I will take care, to the
utmost of my power, that none of his writings shall be lost.
Meanwhile, do you always act, as you now do, for the glory of
God. Your writings are exceedingly dehghtful to me, and to
all who have the true worship of God at heart. I doubt not
but that, while you are actively labouring in these endeavours,
you incur the hatred and envy of the accomplices of the devil
and of antichrist; but happy are those dangers, which are so
much connected with the glory of God. You will receive an
account of my labours, which are but small and slight in the
vineyard of Christ, through John Rodolph, a worthy and
godly youth, whom I entreat you to receive on his return
with paternal kindness, and honour him, thus recommended
to you by me, with your favour : he has conducted himself
here modestly, piously, and studiously, as you will afterwards
learn, if you please, from the letters of all the learned and
godly students at Oxford ; and, to tell the truth, I do not
easily bear his going away. Let him return to us, if it
please the Zurich authorities and yourself, for a year or two,
and I will take a portion of his expenses upon myself. When
the two young men from Zurich left this country, I gave
them forty-five Enghsh crowns ; if they will repay me in
books printed at Zurich, I shall be quite satisfied. Among
other books I wish for the Bible in one large volume.
You will learn from the messenger who is travelling
between us and Zurich, by what important and perpetual
engagements I am overwhelmed. Excuse, I pray you, my
unpolished and too hasty pen. Salute the lady your wife,
Avith all your family, masters Bibliander, Gualter, Pellican,
w ith their wives ; my countryman master Butler with his
Avife, and pray tell him from me, that he is not born for him-
self and his friends alone, but that his country also has a
claim upon him. I Avish he would at least come over to us
r 1 '7
[ZURICH LETTERS, III. J
98 UISIIOP lUXM'EK TO IIENUY iil LMNGEI!. [lET.
once, and perhaps he would not repent the journey. May
the Lord Jesus be always present with the Mayor, your whole
senate and commonwealth, and protect his church ! In haste,
as you see, at Gloucester, Oct. 27, 3551.
Your ever most attached, as I ought to be,
JOHN HOOPER, bishop of Gloucester.
P. S, I request you will salute in ray name those most
excellent and learned men, masters Gesner and Otto, whom I
dearly love in Christ. And should master Gesner wish at
any time to come over to us, I will provide him with suitable
companions who will shew him the rivers, and fishes, and ani-
mals of this country. I defer, for the present, any further
communication. Again farewell, and pray that I may long
fare well in Christ.
LETTER XLIl.
BISHOP HOOPER TO JOHN STUMPHIUS.
Dated at Gloucester, Oct. 27, 1551.
Greeting. Your son ^ will, I hope, return from his tra-
vels as safe and prosperous as you sent him forth. Receive
him on his return, I pray you, as a father should do. I have
been endeavouring to prevent his going away, by reason of
the lateness of the season; but he has altogether made up
his mind to undertake the journey in company with some
other Germans, who flock over to us for the sake of study.
He has conducted liimself soberly, piously, and studiously ;
and should he happen to return, he will find me his friend.
[1 John Stumphius the younger, afterwards Antistes, studied at
Oxford with John al) TJhnis. In his letters to BuUinger he mentions
evil reports which had been spread about him, and his lather's anger
in consequence. Hence Hooper's request that he would receive his
son paterne. His father did not wish liim to be a pensioner on royal
bounty at Oxford. Note by Rev. S. A. Pears.]
XLIl] bishop hooper to JOHN STUMPHIUS. 99
Make him evermore to fear God, to whom I commend you ;
and salute your wife in my name. Gloucester, Oct. 27,
1551.
Of yourself, and all the people of Zurich,
I am the most loving friend,
JOHN HOOPER, bishop of Gloucester.
LETTER XLIII.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Londox, Feb. 28, 1553.
Greeting. The Englishman, Richard Hilles, promised
me a month since that he would faithfully forward you my
letter. If you have received it, it is well : if not, I hope that
you will receive it. I request you not to imnute the inter-
mission of my letters either to ingratitude or forgetfulness,
but to the weighty and important engagements by which I am
continually distracted, and to other reasons which I suppress,
until the time shall arrive, when I may be able to correspond
with you more freely. I know that you are expectmg an
answer to the petitions which you have chiefly preferred by
letter : wait a little ; you will obtain your wish soon enough, if
it is only well enough. If you have any of the Decads, which
many godly persons are expecting from you every fair, al-
ready prepared, I would have you dedicate them to the duke
of Northumberland. He is exceedingly partial to you, and is
a diligent promoter of the glory of God. I left master Mar-
tyr on the 20th of this February, at Oxford, sick of a fever.
May the Lord be with him, and restore him to health! His
wife departed to the Lord on the 16th of this month. My
wife and all my family salute your excellence. Salute your
wife in my name and theirs ; we wish your sons and daughters
every happiness. Salute the Mayor, masters Bibhander,
7—2
100 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
Oualtcr, and Pcllican, with their -wives, and master Butler
and liis wife. London. Feb. 28, 1553.
Your ever most devoted,
JOHN HOOPEPv, bishop of
Worcester and Gloucester.
LETTER XLIV.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated from prison', Sept. 3, ir)53.
Greeting. You have been accustomed, my very dear
gossip, heavily to complain of mc, and very properly, for
having so seldom written to you. But I have now written
you many letters during the past year, without having re-
ceived a single one in reply. I know that you are not unac-
quainted with the state of our kingdom. Our king has been
removed from us by reason of our sins, to the very great peril
of our church. His sister Mary has succeeded, whom I pray
God always to aid by his Holy Spirit, that she may reign
and govern in all respects to the glory of his name. The altars
are again set up throughout the kingdom ; private masses are
frequently celebrated in many quarters ; the true worship of
God, true invocation, the right use of the sacraments, are all
done away with ; divine things are trodden under foot, and
human things have the pre-eminence. May God be present
with his church, for the sake of his only Son Jesus Christ !
All godly preachers are placed in the greatest danger : those
who have not yet known by experience the tilthiness of a
prison, are hourly looking for it. Meanwhile they are all of
them forbidden to preach by public authority. The enemies
of the gospel are appointed in their places, and proclaim to
the people from the pulpit human doctrines instead of divine
truths. We now place our confidence in God alone, and ear-
nestly entreat him to comfort and strengthen us to endure any
sufferings whatever for the glory of his name. In haste, from
[1 Iloopor was committed unto the Fleet from Richmond, Sept. 1,
1553. Letters of the Martyi-s, p. 97, Ed. 1844.]
XLIV.] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 101
prison, at London. Sept. 3, 1553. Salute your very dear
wife, masters Bibliander, Pellican, and Gualter, with their
Avives, and all the other godly brethren ; likewise my country-
man master Butler with his wife.
Yours wholly,
JOHN HOOPER, bishop of
Worcester and Gloucester.
LETTER XLV.
BISHOP HOOPER TO JOHN A LASCO.
Dated from prison, Nov. 25, 1553.
There is no need for me to commend this noble person
to your excellency in many words ; for I think that he is
known both to yourself and all the other godly persons who
have lately left England. I only request that he may not
be deprived of your good offices, should he have any occa-
sion for them. You will learn from him every thing con-
cerning myself, and also the present condition of the church.
It is indeed a wretched and miserable one. May the Lord
mercifully look upon us with complacency, and weaken the
power of our adversaries ! They are becoming more furious
and insolent every day. But he, who now seems to us to
sleep, Avill at length make his appearance, and cast down his
enemies. Should the Father of mercy grant this favour to us
in this life, his holy name be praised; if otherwise, his will
be done. He himself commands us to die for the glory of
his name. May he grant what he commands, and then com-
mand things yet more painful, if it seemeth him good ! I
am now writing in haste and by stealth from prison, being
now kept in more close and severe confinement- than when
your excellency left us. But, by God's help, I am prepared,
both to endm^e these tilings, and the yet more painful trials
that are about to come. Salute my old and godly friend,
[2 For an account of bishop Hooper's harsh treatment from Ba-
bington, the warden of the Fleet, see Foxe, Acts and Mon. vi. 647 j
Strype, Mem. m. i. 284, and Letters of the Martyi-s, p. 96.]
102 BISHOP HOOPER TO JOHN A T.ASCO. [lET.
master Martin, the noble personage Utenbovius, and all the
rest of our brethren ; and I entreat you to commend both
myself and my fellow-prisoners in Christ Jesus to our Al-
mighty Father which is in heaven, that by means of our
death his glory may shine forth more and more upon this
most polluted world. From prison, Nov. 25, 1553.
Your excellency's much remembered before God,
JOHN HOOPER, bishop of Gloucester.
LETTER XLVI.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated from prison, May 23, 1554.
Health. It is now, my most honoured gossip, the ninth
month since I have endured the filthiness ' of a prison. Mean-
while, however, I have sent you many letters by the hands
of godly persons, to the end that by their means I might
excite your reverence, with all the other learned ministers of
your church, to shew yourselves kindly affectioned and mer-
ciful to those wretched and unfortunate individuals who have
fled from hence for the sake of the christian religion. I wrote
very briefly, as I was able, because I was not allowed, neither
am I at present, to write as I wish ; and I write by stealth,
which, as you know, is the miserable condition of those in
prison. Yet, as far as I know, you have not sent mo even
the shortest answer in return. I am much distressed at this ;
for, if I am not mistaken, you are aware how greatly I
esteem you. I have always looked upon you as a most
revered father and master. Of all those who are attached
to you, you have never found any one dearer than myself ;
\} "Havhig nothing appointed to me for my bed, but a little pad
of straw, a rotten covering, with a tick and a few featliers therein, the
chamber being vile and stinking, until, by God's means, good people
sent me bedding to lie in: of tlie one side of which prison is the sink
and filth of all the house, and on the other side the town ditch; so
that the stench of the house hath infected me with divers diseases."
Hooper's report of his imprisonment, in the Letters of the Martyrs,
p. 97.]
XLVI,] BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULTJNOER. 103
nor have I, to say the truth, ever met Avith a more sincere
friend. Those who have brought you letters from me, since
the death of our most godly king until the present time, were
very dear friends and brethren ; but the bearer of this is
master James Haddon, not only a friend and very dear bro-
ther in Christ, but one whom I have always esteemed on
every account, by reason of his singular erudition and virtue.
And I do not think that I have ever been acquainted with
any one in England, who is endued either with more sincere
piety towards God, or more removed from all desire of those
perishing objects which foolish mortals admire. I commend
him most earnestly to your good offices. Salute your very
dear wife in my name, your children, and all your family,
masters Gualter and Pellican, and all the ministers of your
church, master Lavater the mayor, and your whole city. I
would write more openly, if I dared ; but I have often been
deceived by my friends. From prison. May 23, 1554.
In a short time, unless the Lord should restrain the
tyranny of our enemies, I shall go in the blood of Christ to
heaven.
As heretofore and at all times, your most attached,
JOHN HOOPER.
LETTER XLVII.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated from Prison, May 29, 15o4.
Much health. I hope, my very dear gossip, that you
have received my former letters, which I have hitherto written
from prison, to be delivered to you by those godly men who
have gone over from hence to you. As in those letters I
entreated your accustomed kindness towards my fellow-coun-
trymen, so by this I entreat the same on behalf of the bearer,
my friend Guide, my most faithful associate in the labours of
the gospel. I have had no one with me who is so devoted
to the flock of Christ, or who has undergone continual
labours with greater equanimity : I commend him, from whom
you will learn all the circumstances of my present condition.
104 BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY HULLINGER. [lET.
to your kindness, and to all the godly members of your
church, as the companion of all my labours in the vineyard
of Christ. I Avould write in his favour to the other godly
men, who are now, like yourselves, soldiers of Christ, but
the keeper of the prison will not allow me to do so. It is
with difficulty that I have been able to write thus briefly
from prison, whence you may understand that my life is in
very great danger. Aid me in your prayers to God. I am
not unmindful of you. I salute the lady your wife, all your
family, and all the rest whom you know. From prison,
May 29th, 1554.
Yours, as I ought to be, most lovingly,
JOHN HOOPER.
LETTER XLVIII.
BISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BOLLINGER.
Dated from prison, Dec. 11, 1554.
Grace and peace from the Lord! Your letter \ my
beloved brother, dated at Zurich on the tenth of October,
I received on the eleventh of December. It was very de-
lightful to me, because it was full of comfort. I readily
perceived therein your ancient feelings of love and affection
towards me, and am most thankful to you that in these most
dangerous times you have not forgotten me. I have always
entertained an especial love for you on account of your pre-
eminent good qualities, and the excellent gifts of God in you.
And if, as you write, you have not received any letters from
me for a whole year, this has not been occasioned by my not
having written, but by my having confided my letters to
careless and dishonest persons. Nor have I received all that
you have sent to me, but they have been either lost by the
carelessness of the postman, or intercepted by the malice
of the evil-disposed. The same thing has happened both to
the letters and the book of master Theodore : for I never
[1 The letter here referred to is printed in Foxe, Acts and Mon.
VI. 675, and Covordale's Letters of the Martyrs, p. 126, Ed. 1844.]
XLVIII.] EISHOP HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 105
heard of [his book respecting] our Lord's sermon on the
mount, which he sent me, till some days after the death of
our most holy king Edward ; and then [I saw it] on the
borders of Wales, in the library of a certain godly man whom
I had appointed dean over some churches there. But what
you have now written, I will take care shall be sent to all
my brethren and fellow-prisoners for their perusal.
I congratulate you all upon the safety and stedfastness of
your church, and I pray to God for his Son Jesus Christ's
sake evermore to fortify and defend it against the tyranny of
antichrist. In this country the wound which he received is
entirely healed, and he is once more regarded as the head
of the church, who is not even a member of the church of
Christ. You will learn from others both my own situation
and the state of public affairs. We are still involved in
the greatest dangers, as we have been for almost the last
eighteen months. The enemies of the gospel are every day
giving us more and more annoyance ; we are imprisoned
apart from each other, and treated with every degree of igno-
miny. They arc daily threatening us with death, which we
are quite indiflercnt about ; in Christ Jesus we boldly despise
the sword and the flames. We know in whom we have
believed, and we are sure that we shall lay down our hves in
a good cause. Meanwhile aid us Avith your prayers, that he
who hath begun a good work in us will perform it even unto
the end. We are the Lord's; let him do what seemeth good
in his eyes.
I entreat you to comfort occasionally by your letters that
most exemplary and godly woman, my wife, and exhort her
to bring up our children carefully, Rachel your little god-
daughter, an exceedingly well-disposed girl, and my son
Daniel, and piously to educate them in the knowledge and
fear of God. I moreover send your reverence two little
books for your perusal, consideration, and correction, if they
contain any thing not agreeable to the word of God. I have
entitled the one, An Hyperaspismus touching the true doc-
trine and use of the Lord's Supper; and I have dedicated it
to the parliament of England, that we may pubhcly reply to
our adversaries in the court of parliament. The title of the
other is, A Tractate upon discerning and avoiding false
religion. And I beg that you will cause them to be printed
100 BISHOI' IIOOl'KU TO IIENUY IJlIJJXCj Ell, [l,ET.
as soon as possible. Both the books ^ are approved by all the
godly and learned in this country. I have moreover written
many other letters to the bishops, that they should bring
forward tlic books in parliament ; and I wish these also to be
printed, that all may perceive how unfairly and unjustly
Ave arc dealt with. But I need not write to you at length
upon this subject ; you will understand my wishes from the
books and letters themselves. And if your friend Froschover
should be prevented from printing them by more important
engagements, I wish he would send them to Basle to master
Oporinus, who prints very correctly, and sends out all his
publications in a superior manner. I know he will do this,
if only the books are sent to him with a recommendation
from you, and which I earnestly entreat you to supply.
There is no occasion for you to fear for me, as though the
enemies of the gospel would rage more fiercely and with
greater cruelty on account of these books. I have a most
faithful guardian and defender of my salvation in our
heavenly Father through Jesus Christ, to whom I have
wholly committed myself. To his faithfulness and protection
I commend myself: if he shall prolong my days, may he
cause it to be for the glory of his name ; but if he wills that
my short and evil life should be ended, I can say with equal
complacency. His will be done! I am writing by stealth, and
therefore my letter to your excellence is shorter and more
confused [than I could wish] ; take it, I pray you, in good
part. In haste, from prison, Dec. 11, 1554.
Salute for me dutifully your excellent wife and all your
family at home and elsewhere; and all others, as you know.
Your excellence's most affectionate,
as I ought to be,
JOHN HOOPER.
[^ Neither of these books appears to have been printod. Search
has been made for the manuscript copies here mentioned, but without
success. The epistle dedicatory to the latter is given in Strype, Mem.
ni. i. 283. ii. 267. Bale mentions among Hoopei-'s works wi-itten in
Latin from prison, Pro doctrina coence Dominica} Liber, and De pseudo-
doctrina fugienda, Lib. i. and quotes the commencing sentence of
each of them. Bale, Script. lUustr. Basil, 1559.]
XLIX.] ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 107
LETTER XLIX.
ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London^, April 3, [1551.]
I HAVE received your letter, most christian sir, in which,
as in a glass, I perceive how greatly you are interested for
us. But though I acknowledge myself quite incapable of re-
turning you the thanks I ought for your especial friendship
towards us, I will not cease from offering them ; and I heartily
pray God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he
may abundantly recompense you, as I am unable to do so
myself. I will not acquaint you with the reason of master
Hooper's imprisonment '^j until I have communicated to him
your letter, which at present is quite out of my power ; for
he went down to his see as soon as he was discharged. I doubt
not but that he will satisfy your desire as soon as he is in-
formed of it; and this seems to me far more convenient, than
for me to make the attempt without consulting him. But as
you inquire how my daughter Rachel is going on, I consider
it my duty to give you some information concerning her. First
then, you must know that she is well acquainted with English,
and that she has learned by heart within these three months
the form of giving thanks, the ten commandments, the Lord's
prayer, the apostles' creed, together with the first and second
psalms of David. And now, as she knows almost all her
letters, she is instructed in the catechism. If I could write
in German, I should more frequently take pen in hand.
But if your son should happen to come to England, I shall
have a better opportunity both of writing, and also in some
measure of repaying your paternal affection for us, and which
I value more than the richest treasures of gold or silver.
I have no news to communicate respecting Ireland, except
that the French king is reported to have prepared a fleet
for the purpose of invading and taking possession of it, but
his design was discovered by the activity of some faithful
Frenchman.
[2 Hooper was committed to the Fleet for objecting to the prescribed
vestments, (see p. 9l) by order of the privy council, Jan. 27, 1551.
He was consecrated at Lambeth on the 8th of March. See Soames,
Hist. Ref. HI. 566 : Burner, in. 305.]
108 ANNE IlOOl'LU TO IIENIIY BOLLINGER. [lET.
I send you a small gold coin, in which the effigy of the king
of England is very well expressed, as a return for the token
you sent to llachel, for which she thanks you in her childish
prattle, and sends her best love. I entreat you to recommend
master Hooper to be more moderate in his labour : for he
preaches four, or at least three times every day ; and I am
afraid lest these overabundant exertions should occasion a
premature decay, by which very many souls now hungering
after the word of God, and whose hunger is well known from
the frequent anxiety to hear him, will be deprived both of
their teacher and his doctrine. We are much disturbed by the
apprehension of riots; for there is great danger of them very
shortly by reason of the dearness of provisions and other
things, although there is great plenty of wheat and other
grain : but on whom the blame is to be laid you know better
than I do. I have forwarded your letter to master Hooper,
and will take care to send you his reply. Farewell. Salute
master Bibliander and his wife, masters Gualter and Pellican
and their wives, master Zuinghus and his wife, to whom also
1 send a golden coin stamped with the king's effigy. London,
April 3, [1551].
Your most dutiful,
ANNE DE TSERCLAS, now HOOPER.
My maid Joanna salutes you, as does her husband, the
servant of the French church. When you write to master
Hooper or myself, take care that your letters are carefully
sealed; for there are certain busy-bodies who are in the
habit of opening and reading them, if by any means they
can do it.
LETTER L.
ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Gloucester, Ocl. 27, 1551 '.
Greeting. AVhcn the bearer of this was with us, there
were two reasons which prevented my answering your letter;
[1 This letter was probably sent together with that of bishop
Hooper's of the same date, given above, p. 95.]
L.] ANNE IIOOPEU TO HENRY BULLINGEU. 109
the one, because I am unable to express my sentiments in
German ; the other, because I was overwhehned by so many
and urgent engagements that scarce any leisure was allowed
me. Yet the regard I bear you drew me aside a little while
from my employments, and compelled me altogether to put
them off to another time. At length then I have prepared
myself with much satisfaction for a diligent though hasty cor-
respondence, that by this effort I might, in some measure at
least, gratify your mind with my most insignificant letter.
For I love, and esteem, and reverence you most especially,
and I return you my best thanks for having condescended
to write me a most elegant and kind letter, though I have
hitherto been very negligent and remiss in writing. But the
receipt of your letter divested me of all sloth, though indeed
at this time my engagements will not admit of its indulgence :
everything however that I intended to write to you I have
turned over to this Mercury ; and I pray you to give him
credit for what he may tell you, as time forbids my entering
more into the subject. I justly lament your absence, who
have stood forth as my most excellent friend, nay, rather I
may say, my patron ; and who have so obliged me by your
favours, that were 1 even to pledge my life, much less my
property, I should be unable to return your kindness. Where-
fore since ray life and property are not sufficient to repay my
obligations, I must still remain in debt. Oh! I wish that
the distance of place did not separate us at so long an interval,
that we might enjoy the same intimacy as heretofore. But I
hope that you will shortly visit England, which if you will
accomplish, I shall then consider myself most fortunate in be-
ing again permitted to enjoy your long wished for society. I
pray you, my father, to salute your wife, my mother, affection-
ately in my name, as also all my ether friends. Gloucester,
Oct. 27, 1551. Farewell.
Rachel, thank God, is in excellent health, and salutes
you and your wife, and begs your blessing, and prays that
in your blessing God may deign to bless her also.
Ever your entire and obliged friend,
ANNE HOOPER.
110 ANNE HOOPEIl TO HENllY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER LI.
ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Frankfort, April 20, 1554.
Much health. I recognised, my venerable friend, in the
letter you lately •wrote me, your wonted kindness : you shew
yourself so anxious about me, that I could not expect more
even if you Avere my father. And indeed that letter was
doubly acceptable, both because I perceived that I was not
neglected by you, and also, because God had at that time
visited me with a calamity in which I was forced not only to
lament the common condition of the church at large, but also
my own individual affliction. My woman's mind being bat-
tered with these two engines, what wonder if it seemed
immediately about to give way ? But the Spirit of the
Lord was with me, and raised up liis ministers to give me
comfort ; among whom you were one, by whose letter I was
especially refreshed. May the Lord Jesus repay you with
his blessins: ! For after I had received and read it over, I
began by God's assistance to bear myself up against such a
weight of calamity ; and I am hitherto supporting myself, as
far as I am able, by the word of God, often reading over
again your letter, to add spurs to this dull flesh. You will
perform an act therefore worthy of your kindness, if you will
continue in this manner, by more frequent letters, to uphold
one whom you have in some degree already raised up.
I thank you for expressing your wish that I were with
you yonder, nor is there any other place I should prefer. But
since the Lord, by my husband's bidding and the advice of
my friends, has at length driven me from England, and con-
ducted rac safe to Antwerp, I availed myself of an opportunity
of accompanying a party every way suitable, and joined my
female relative at Frankfort, where now, by the mercy of God,
the senate has granted liberty to the foreign church for their
whole ecclesiastical ministry both of the word and sacraments.
On this account I shall prefer remaining here in my own
hired house, until I see how the Lord shall deal with my
husband, concerning whom, as I have not yet received any
LI.] ANNE lIOOPKll TO HENllY BULLINGER. Ill
intelligence, I am not a little anxious. But yet 1 know that
he is under God's care ; and I therefore acquiesce in the
providence of my God : and although this burden of widow-
hood is very painful, yet I comfort myself as far as I am
able by prayer and the word of God. I entreat you for
Christ's sake, to aid me both with your prayers and corre-
spondence. Salute, I pray you, most dutifully, my very dear
gossip your wife, with all your family. I salute masters
Bibliander, PelUcan, Gualter, Sebastian the schoolmaster, and
all the brethren. I pray Almighty God continually to afford
you an increase of his Spirit. Farewell, my much esteemed
and revered friend in Christ. Frankfort, April 20, the day
after the opening of the church of the white virgins to us, when
master Valerandus Pollanus, the husband of my relative, and
the chief pastor of the church, preached a sermon, and bap-
tized his young son in the Rhine. May God grant to this
church a due increase, and worthy of his name ! Do you
pray for it. The pastor himself, my kinsman, earnestly
entreated me to salute you in his name, and to commend his
ministry to your prayers and those of your colleagues.
Again farewell in Christ. 1554.
Your god-daughter Rachel salutes you and your wife.
Daniel is still in England, and I shall send a certain most
respectable matron, who has hitherto been living with me,
to bring him hither. I commend my honoured husband to
your prayers.
Your very loving friend,
ANNE HOOPER.
LETTER LII.
ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Frankfoiit, Sept. 22, 1554.
Greeting. Your letter, my loving friend, was very
gratifying to me, and I thank you for continuing to be so
anxious about me. I thank you too very much for your
anxiety about master Hooper. By the grace of God he
112 AXNE IIOOPEK TO HENUY BULLIXGER. [r.ET.
bears every thing, even his threatened death, with constancy
and fortitude. Your letter I know will be very acceptable to
him, as he has already told me more than once. I entreat
vou for Christ's sake, deny him not this comfort. If I re-
ceive your letter, I will easily take care that it shall bo
delivered. For hitherto, by the goodness of God, he has
always been allowed to write to me, and to receive my
letters: only take care that your letters are delivered at
Strasburgh, either to master Burchcr, or to master John
Garner, the minister of the French church. I have been
hitherto tolerably well, and bear this calamity as firmly as I
can. The Lord will aid and succour my weakness. I have
need of the prayers and sweet consolations of my good
friends : wherefore I earnestly entreat you not to neglect me.
As to news, there is not any that I know of but what you
may learn from the merchants who return to you from this
place. Salute, I entreat you, in my name my excellent
gossip, your most honourable wife, masters Gualter, Bibli-
ander, Pellican, and their wives. Master Cechelles salutes
you, as does Valerandus Pollanus, who also sends you this
httle book, from which you may know the constitution and
general order of our little church: in which should there be
any thing which you think requires correction, you will ex-
ceedingly oblige him by letting him know ; and I entreat you
to do so, for Christ's sake. I commend myself and my
children to your piety and most devout prayers. Farewell.
Frankfort, Sept. 22, "1554.
Your very loving gossip,
ANNE HOOPER.
LETTER LIII.
ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Fkankfort, Nov. 12, 1554.
I RETURN you everlasting thanks, very dear and honoured
friend, for your delightful letter, which has afforded me mucli
comfort. I acknowledge, and experience in myself, and per-
nil.] ANNE HOOPEIl TO HENRY BULLINGEK. 113
ceive also in many others, what the Lord Christ foretold ;
and I often soothe my mind, when wounded by anxiety, with
the sweet reflection, that our God is faithful. I earnestly
entreat you therefore, not to cease pleading for me with the
Lord in your prayers, and by a letter from time to time to
arouse my spirit, which, to say the truth, I very often feel to
be all but dead through grief. And I now require the aid of
all godly persons, although I am never entirely forsaken of
the Lord, who sometimes refreshes me with the anticipation
of a better life. But you yourself know how suitable to a
diseased mind is the conversation of a sincere friend. I trust
in the Lord, that the letter which you are writing to my
dear husband, will afford him no less consolation than the one
to myself; and in his name I thank you for that service.
He is indeed worthy of the kind attention of all godly
persons. I wish indeed I may some time have it in my power
worthily to repay your kindness ; my very readiness to do so
would shew that I am not wanting in gratitude. But you
know me well.
There is no news much worth your notice. For there
has not been of a long time any certain intelligence from
England ; except that those persons who arrived from
thence on the 10th instant, assert that a meeting of parlia-
ment had taken place respecting the coronation of the
Spaniard ; and that the hand of an individual' had been
burnt off, because he refused to hear mass, and chose rather
to be brought to the stake ; also that some godly persons had
lately been thrown into prison for the sake of religion. If
this be the case, I am more than commonly anxious about my
husband. May the Lord Jesus preserve us both ! The
lesser assembly of the states of Germany commenced here
on the fourteenth of October ; but this has no concern with
religion, about which they have not yet said a single word.
They are labouring for the tranquillity of Germany, that it
may be safe from the attacks of the marquis of Brandcn-
burgh. I cannot say what is proposed respecting the French
(king), for I have not heard. I wish the people of Germany
•would not so rashly trust in foreign princes who are of a
[1 This, probably, was Thomas Jenkins, a weaver of Shoreditch;
for an account of whose martyrdom see Foxe, vi. 717. Ed. 1838.]
1_ZURICH LETTERS, III. J
114 ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
different religion to themselves : but you will hear more from
the very respectable man who will deliver this letter.
I salute my very dear gossip your wife, and all friends.
My Daniel and Rachel also salute you. Masters Valerandus
Pollanus and Secelles, whom you desired me to salute, salute
you in return. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you ! I commend myself to your prayers. Frankfort,
Nov. 12, 1554.
Your very loving gossip and sister in Christ,
ANNE HOOPER.
LETTER LIV
ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Frankfort, April 11, 1555.
Much health. When I received, most loving gossip, the
book of my dear husband, I desired, as he bade me by his
letter, that it should be pubhshed before this fair. For
which reason I sent it to master Peter Martyr, that he might
get it done at Strasburgh. He excused himself on account
of the doctrine of the eucharist, which is not received there.
It might be printed here by permission of the senate; but it
is better that you should first of all revise the book, and pro-
cure it to be printed yonder. But as I am well aware that
his memory is most precious to you, I do not doubt but that
you will be equally ready to oblige him in this matter, as if
he were now alive : indeed, he is aUve with all the holy
martyrs, and with liis Christ the head of the martyrs ; and I
am dead here till God shall again unite me to liim. I thank
you for your most godly letter. I certainly stand much in
need of such consolations, and of your prayers. I pray you
therefore by the holy friendship of the most holy martyr my
husband, of whom being now deprived I consider this life to
be death, do not forsake me. I am not one who is able to
return your kindness; but you will do an acceptable service
to God, who especially commends widows to your protection.
[' The original Latin of tliis letter will be found in the Appendix.]
LIV.] ANNE HOOPER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 115
I and my Rachel return our thanks for the elegant new-
year's gift you sent us. Salute your excellent wife, my very
dear gossip, and all friends. Farewell. Frankfort, April 11,
1555.
Your very loving gossip and sister in Christ,
ANNE HOOPER.
Your [god-daughter] Rachel sends you an Enghsh coin,
on which are the effigies of Ahab and JezebeP.
LETTER LV.
JOHN PONET TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, April 14, 1556.
Many thanks, most excellent master BuUinger, are due
from us exiles to our Lord God, for having placed over his
church in this calamitous age such a teacher as yourself.
For we perceive you to be one who is willing to afford every
consolation, and who is able to afford very much, to the
afflicted servants of Christ yonder. But how greatly your
kind offices towards them have bound the rest of the Eng-Hsh
to you, I had rather imagine than express, lest, in attempt-
ing to declare your acts of kindness towards them, extensive as
they have been, I should seem either to obscure theu' great-
ness by recounting them, or, by treating of them too lightly,
to diminish their importance. But in speaking of myself,
namely, an exile, and weighed down with various crosses from
the Lord, I can neither refrain from speaking of the great
consolation you have afforded me, nor can I adequately ex-
press my thanks. Master Burcher, and others, have often told
me of your friendly greetings. My friend Cheke also has
repeated to me your salutations in your letters to him, and so
likewise has Sampson in his ; in which I have perused from
your pen many things most gratifying to me. For I have
perceived therein your distress and vehement sorrow of
[2 The English money of this period bore the effigies of king Philip
and queen Mary.]
IK) JOHN FONET TO HENRY BULLINGEK. [lET.
mind for the universal flock of Christ. I have perceived
also, at the same time, a signal manifestation of your benevo-
lence and regard towards me. The Lord God, I acknow-
ledge, has taken from me all that I had, which indeed was
most ample. But why should he not? He who gave
has taken away. But what? worldly, earthly, perish-
able things; while he is intending, I hope, yea, I do not
doubt, to bestow upon me things heavenly and imperishable.
What is exile? A thing which, provided you have where-
withal to subsist, is painful only in imagination. I know
that it is the scourge of the Lord ; but with what mildness
and fatherly affection he deals with me, I can readily learn
even from this, that he has afforded me for my comforters
BulUnger, Melancthon, Martyr, and other most shining lights
of his church. Happy was the widow of Sarepta in expe-
riencing the mercy of God, and the consolation imparted by
Elijah ; wretched and most unworthy were those lepers who
rejected Christ their only comfort. But since it has seemed
good to my God to raise up in you such an Elijah as can
support me in my affliction; I write these things to you, not
so much to express my thanks for your so great and truly
christian care bestowed upon me, (although those are espe-
cially due to you from me,) as to acquaint you at the same
time that I have both derived the greatest pleasure from those
letters of yours to your friends respecting me, and that I
acknowledge myself exceedingly indebted to you for them.
My friend Cheke bade me, on his departure for Antwerp,
to salute you in his name : he told me also, that he had heard
that Ignatius, in Greek, had been sent over to some printer
at Zurich to be printed ; if tliis be the case, will you allow
me to trouble you so far as to procure me a transcript of
that passage from the epistle to the Philadelphians respecting
the marriage of Paul and the other apostles ? I have now a
controversy about this matter with a most impudent papist \
I am ashamed to say more about this request ; but you must
know that I am of necessity compelled to make it, for I have
no other means of obtaining what I wish. But as often as I
consider the character that Bulhnger bears in the general
opinion, my mind tolls me before-hand that this little trouble
[1 For an account of this controversy with Dr Thomas Martin, see
Strypo, Mem. ii. ii. 64, and ni. i. 524, &c.]
LV.] JOHN PONET TO HENRY BULLINGER. 117
will not be displeasing to you. Excuse, I pray you, this
liberty. Excuse also my hasty pen. Farewell, and count
me, I pray you, in the number of your friends. Strasburgh,
April 14, 1556.
Yours wholly,
JOHN PONET, Anglus,
formerly bishop of Winchester.
LETTER LVL
JOHN PONET TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Strasburgh, June, 1556.]-
Do not, I pray you, most excellent master BuUinger, take
it ill that I have not sooner replied to your last letter. The
long delay of master Martyr, who wished to be the bearer of
my letter, has been the cause. His departure from hence to
you is a proof of the exceeding favour of God to your church.
I wish ray affairs had been so circumstanced as to allow
of my accompanying him ; as much indeed for the sake of
hearing him as yourself. I return you ray best thanks for
having procured the transcript of that passage of Ignatius by
master Gessner. The name of that individual is of so much
authority with me, that the very paper, which from your
testimony I know to have been written upon by his hand, I
lay up among my choicest treasures : for I am willingly
superstitious in preserving the raemorials of such men.
Nothuig affords me greater pleasure than to hear from your
letter, that you will take care that our friendship confirmed in
Christ shall be a durable one; for I seem thereby to be alto-
gether united to you. I wish that what you wrote to me
concerning sir John Cheke^ may not prove prophetic. I
doubt not but that he will seal his testimony to the gospel
[2 A note annexed to this letter, in BuUinger's hand, states this to
have been Ponet's last letter to him, and adds, that he died at Stras-
burgh, in August 1556.]
[3 For an account of Cheke's recantation and subsequent repent-
ance and death, see Strype, Cheke, 113, 130.]
118 JOHN PONET TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
with his blood. AVhat will not Pharaoh attempt against Israel,
especially on his return from exile? I acknowledge myself
very much indebted both to yourself and your church, on the
behalf of the Enghshman, master Parkliurst. ]\Iy services,
although my power is altogether nothing, yet such as they
are, arc entirely at your command, if I can be of use to you
in any thing. Salute, I pray you, in my name master Gessner.
to whom I certainly would have written, had not my modesty
overcome my courage. But if I am wrong in this respect, I
pray you forgive me. But I hope that he will shortly take
care that Ignatius be pruited in Greek. May our great and
good God long preserve you both in safety to his church !
Yours wholly,
JOHN PONET, Winton.
LETTER LVII.
MARIA PONET TO PETER MARTYR.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jul?/ 15, 1557.
It is not from any fault of mine, most accomplished sir, that
you have been so long without your books. My dear husband
has died and left me a wretched widow, and entirely unac-
quainted with these things : he left also I know not how many
or what kind of books, all of which, as I thought they be-
longed to me, I sold to that excellent person, and my very
good friend, master Cook ; which when I had done, master
Jewel informed me by letter, that some of them belonged to
your excellency, and that you were making inquiry after
them. As soon as I understood this to be the case, I ad-
dressed myself with all dihgence, and frequently too, to
master Cook, that I might be permitted to re-purchase, at
whatever cost, those books of yours, which I had before
sold him by mistake for my own. But from some cause or
other I could not obtain my request. Since therefore I was
exceedingly anxious to restore you your books, and could
find no other way of doing so, I have purchased new ones
LVII.] MARIA PONET TO PETER MARTYR, 119
at the booksellers, which I have destined for your reverence,
and caused to be forwarded to you by my worthy friend John
Abel. For although I am but a poor widow, I had rather
die than do an injury to any one, or than not pay every one
their due, as far as lies in my power. It truly grieves me
very much, that I have put off this business till the present
time : but your kindness will excuse me, for I should have
accomplished it sooner, if I could any where have met with
the books on sale before. Farewell, very learned and dear
sir : I request you too of your kindness not to forget me in
your prayers, and I will always pray for you. Strasburgh,
July 15, 1557.
Your reverence"'s most devoted,
MARIA PONET.
LETTER LVIII.
RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at the Palace, Westminster, Oct. 22, 1549'.
There are many things, my very dear friend in Christ,
which ought justly to inspire me with veneration for your-
self; namely, your singular erudition and piety, so renowned
throughout all Christendom. Many and splendid are the
monuments of your talent, which have everywhere most
clearly set forth the glory of God. These things however,
important as they are, being of general interest, are not
so likely to affect individuals : but the instance of your kind-
ness with which you have lately favoured me, has more inti-
mately and powerfully impressed my mind ; I mean, your
having done me the honour of presenting me with your most
learned letter, and jewel of a book. For there shine therein
the jewels, not of earth, but heaven ; not those which
attract the sight, but which wonderfully dehght the mind.
I thank you therefore most heartily, and I implore the
[1 See the letter of John ab Ulmis, dated Oct. 20, 1549, in a sub-
sequent part of this volume.]
120 RirilAItD cox TO HEXIIY BULLINGER. [lET.
great and good God very long to preserve both yourself
and those like you, as the most solid pillars of his church.
FarcAvell. From the king's palace at Westminster, Oct.
22, 1549.
Your most devoted,
RICHARD COX.
LETTER LIX.
RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, JVov. 1, 1550.
I SEEM very much indebted, very dear brother in
Christ, to the divine goodness, for having requited my short
and barren letter with such an exuberant and copious trea-
sure of your writings. This is the manner of the Lord our
God, who is wont to bestow all things in rich abundance upon
those who dihgently seek him. You have followed his ex-
ample, and, in imitation of his fruitful fields, which return
more than they receive, you have repaid my letter with
abundant interest.
Your letter ought, on these accounts, to be most gratify-
ing to me ; first, because it is full of all kindness and aifec-
tion towards me, and a most certain evidence of it ; secondly,
because it exhibits a heart gloAving with all the ardour of
piety and divine love ; lastly, because it declares that not
only the queen dowager, but likewise others of the more
pious nobility of this kingdom, regard their Bullinger
with so much love and affection. Your little work presented
to the queen dowager was received by her most kindly, and
read with the greatest interest and attention. Nothing can
be more gratifying to her than studious labours executed by
godly men. I return you my best thanks for having again
favoured me with another present, and that not so much a
paper one, as one that breathes heavenly ambrosia on every
side. Moreover you have no reason to fear any exception
being taken to your books, as long as the divine mercy
shall preserve to us our king ; in whom, believe me, there
LIX.] RICHARD OOX TO HENRY BULLINGER. 121
already shines forth an incredible measure of learnino-, ^ith
a zeal for religion, and a judgment all but mature.
I have carefully saluted in your own words the most re-
verend the archbishop of Canterbury, the earl of Warwick,
and the marquis of Dorset, all of whom desired me to salute
you most courteously in return. We are anxiously expectino-
those other works which you promised shortly to publish^
that you may never cease to deserve well of us, and receive a
most abundant recompence, not from us, but from him in
whose service you are especially enlisted. Farewell.
After I had written the above, my letter being lono-
detained either through my own negligence, or by reason
of the infrequency of the post, it was reported to me that
certain other of your works had been published ; which
diligence of yours I congratulate both on your account and
our own. Again farewell, my very dear brother in Christ.
London, Nov. 1, 1550.
Your much attached,
RICHARD COX.
LETTER LX
RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Westminster, May 5, 1551.
Your having deigned, most esteemed brother in Christ,
to honour and distinguish me with such abundant favours, has
added very considerably to my former obligations to you.
You have requited my laconic and barren letter with almost
an entire volume, and that too a most learned one, and most
gratifying to me in the perusal. You proceed, moreover, to
make me happy with a double present, namely, the treatise
of master Calvin concerning that most christian concord
established between you in the matter of the eucharist^ and
the fifth Decade of your sermons, which John ab Ulmis
brought me yesterday night. For these presents I return
\} The original of this letter is given in Strype, Mem. ii. i. 532.]
[2 This refers to the Consensus Tigurinus in 1549, when Calvin
came to an agreement with Bullinger and other divines of Zurich
respecting the doctrine of the Lord's supper.]
122 RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
you the best thanks in my power. I am exceedingly delighted
with them both. Oh that the most merciful God would grant,
some time or other, that in treating of the holy supper the
universal church of Christ would aim at the same mark of
truth !
In reading your books, especially when any passage shall
occur which may pecuharly affect me by its piety, I will not
cease to bear you in my remembrance, and to importune God
in my prayers, that he may very long preserve you to his
church, and more and more endue you with his holy Spirit.
And when in so candid and christian a manner you remind
me of my duty, and so seriously excite and so solemnly
engage me to the right performance of my office; I con-
sider this as done by the most holy Spirit of the Lord, that
I may not be inactive or negligent in his work. For I daily
feel how supine we are in the Lord's business, and how dili-
gent and earnest in our own.
Moreover, I embrace your sound and wholesome counsel
respecting the reformation of the church of God, with the
greater readiness, inasmuch as you so entirely coincide
with me in that belief wliich a merciful God has given me
in these things. For I am of opinion that all things in the
church should be pure, simple, and removed as far as possible
from the elements and pomps of this world. But in this
our church what can I do, who am so deficient both in
learning and authority ? I can only endeavour to persuade
our bishops to be of the same mind and opinion with my-
self, and in the mean time commit to God the care and
conduct of his own work.
You are most worthy, my Bullinger, of receiving the
greatest favours, since you so gratefully accept those which
are either of no value, or at least, of very little importance.
Those two youths, who resided some time with me, are from
their piety, and ardent desire of learning, worthy of the
favour and good-will of pious persons. The other two, who
have lately arrived, and whom you so greatly recommended
to me, I will treat, were it only for your sake, with the
greatest kindness in my power. I will not fail to salute in
your name those two noble personages, and your great ad-
mirers. May the Lord Jesus very long preserve you in
safety, and give you both strength and courage for the re-
LX.] RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGEK. 123
storation of his church ! Farewell. Westminster, May 5,
1551.
Your much attached and
very loving brother in Christ,
EICHARD COX.
LETTER LXI.
RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGER.
[Dated at Windsor, Oct. 6, 1552.]
Although I have nothing of any consequence at this time
to write to you, very dear brother in Christ, yet I am loth to
dismiss our friend John [ab Ulmis] altogether without a letter
from me ; and he himself would be much grieved at my doing
so. As to what concerns the true religion, blessed be the
Lord God, a ray of whose glory is wonderfully shining upon
us from day to day, we have now for the second time altered
the administration of the public prayers and even of the sa-
craments themselves, and have framed them according to the
rule of God's word ; but the severe institutions of christian
discipline we most utterly abominate. We would be sons,
and heirs also, but we tremble at the rod. Do pray stir us
up, and our nobility too, by the Spirit which is given to you,
to a regard for discipline ; without which, I grieve to say it,
the kingdom will be taken away from us, and given to a na-
tion bringing forth the fruit thereof.
But there is one thing, my Bullinger, respecting which I
most anxiously desire to be thoroughly instructed. I read in
the place where you treat of the Lord's suj^per, in your fifth
Decade ^, these words : " Since it is not a public or general
assembly when four or five communicate with a sick person,
those who affirm that the supper may be administered to the
sick at home, if others also receive it at the same time, say
nothing to the purpose." What if, when the congregation is
[1 See Fiftie godlie and learned Sermons, divided into five Decades,
conteyning the chiefe and prlncipall jjointes of Christian reh'gion, writ-
ten'in tliree severall tomes or sections, by Hem-ie Bullinger, &c. London,
1577. Tom. iii. p. 1080.]
124 RICHARD COX TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
duly called together, three, four, or five only, out of many
hundreds, are willing to receive the sacrament of the eucharist,
all the rest refusing to do so, is it not allowable for them to
receive it either in the presence of the others, or after they
have left the church ? Why then should a sick person be
deprived of this benefit? I much wish for fuller information
upon this point, as soon as you shall have leisure to afford it.
May the Lord Jesus very long preserve you to us in safety,
to the glory of Christ and the edification of his church !
Windsor in England, Oct. 5, 1552.
Your brother in Christ,
RICHARD COX.
LETTER LXII.
OWEN OGLETHORPE TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Magdalene College, Oxford, Oct. 30, [1548].
Grace and comfort of the Holy Ghost ! Your illustrious
reputation and singular learning, most accomplished sir, have
for many years past excited in my mind a great regard for
you ; so that it has for a long time been my most earnest
desire that a fitting opportunity might sometime be afi'orded
me, if not of personal communication with you, at least of
addressing you by letter, that a mutual regard might be
established between us. And this ardent desire of mine was
in a measure accomplished, when about ten years since
Nicolas Partridge, a person most dear to me upon many ac-
counts, being overtaken with sickness on his way into Italy,
was entertained by you at your house, and having recovered
his health by means of your liberality, on his return to
England together with your friend Rodolph', was the bearer
of a letter to me from you ; which as I preserve by me no
less willingly than carefully as a signal token of your regard
to me, so I most earnestly embrace and reverence your
courtesy, who, easily excelling as you do all persons in learn-
ing, have nevertheless condescended to write to an individual
[1 Rodolph Gualter accompanied Nicolas Partridge of Lenhaui,
Kent, on his return to England from Zurich in 153 7. J
LXIl] OWEN OGLETHORPE TO HENRY BULLINGER. 125
like myself, and, as you have most politely said, to court my
friendship. And availing myself at that time of the favour-
able opportunity of writing, I sent your excellency by that
same attendant of yours my unpolished letter, with the in-
tention of writing more frequently, had a suitable means of
communication been afforded me. But I am now once more
addressing your reverence in this letter with the greater
freedom, because John ab Ulmis, a young man of good hopes,
has lately brought me a salutation from you, with the ex-
pression of your desire (as he informed me) in your letter to
him, that John Rodolph Stumphius, a youth no less amiable
than studious, who has most courteously offered me his ser-
vices, might not return to you without a letter from me. I
willingly commend him to you; and if you will assist him in
his studies, according to your exceeding kindness, there is no
doubt but that he will some time or other be of great benefit
to the state. Farewell, most illustrious sir, and may the Lord
Jesus long preserve you, and prosper your studies! Oxford,
from Magdalene College, Oct. 30.
Your excellency's most attached,
OWEN OGLETHORPE.
LETTER LXIII.
ROBERT HORN TO JOHN WOLFIUS.
Dated at Frankfort, Feb. 2, 1556.
Since, my dearest Wolfius, nothing is more becoming a
christian man, than to have a mind full of love towards all,
and feelings of compassion and kindness towards those who
are miserable exiles for the sake of the true religion, (feehngs
which all the English who heretofore sojourned at Zurich
ought to recognise in yourself, and which I myself experienced
beyond the rest ;) so nothing is more unbecoming him who
professes even the least regard to what is right, than to shew
himself unmindful of, or ungrateful for, a benefit received.
The slightest possible suspicion of such conduct I earnestly
desire may be removed from me as far as possible. And I
have therefore thought it better to let you know this by a
126 ROBERT HORN TO JOHN WOLFIUS. [lET.
letter, however brief, than by my silence to afford you any
occasion of suspecting evil of me. Receive then this short
letter, as a testimony of a mind ready and prepared to return
your kindness, had not fortune denied me the abiUty cor-
responding to the readiness of my inchnation. My dear
brother Richard [Chambers] salutes you, and acknowledges
himself bound to you by an equal obhgation with myself.
Salute, I pray you, in our name our very dear friends in
Christ, masters Pellican, Gualter, Bibhander, Simler, Zuing-
lius, Lavater, Haller, Frisius, John ab Ulmis, and both the
elder and younger Froschover. And especially salute most
affectionately in my name one who deserves so well of me,
Peter Stainer, with his most amiable wife : nor would I desire
to pass over our landlady, who, as she wrote word to master
Richard, sold, by your assistance, the two beds for fourteen
florins, and I know not what other articles besides ; which
amount we desire to be transmitted by Froschover, or some
other confidential person, to Frankfort at the next fau% toge-
ther with a small portmanteau which we also left to be
forwarded by your kindness, and that of John ab Ulmis.
Farewell, most excellent sir. Frankfort, Feb. 2, 1556.
Yours wholly, in Christ,
ROBERT HORN.
P.S. Out of the money which our landlady has in charge,
please to give her one florin for her trouble, and send the
balance to us.
LETTER LXIV.
ROBERT HORN AND RICHARD CHAMBERS TO THE
SENATE OF ZURICH.
Dated at [Fkankfort,] Feb. 3, 1556.
Hospitality indeed is always commendable in every
one; and in you, most grave and potent lords, it has been
truly admirable : for that those whom nature, or rather God,
has rendered brave and powerful in war, for the purpose, as it
should seem, of fighting the Lord's battles, — that you, I say,
should become so compassionate, as to be the entertainers of
LXIV.] ROBERT HORN, &C. TO THE SENATE OF ZURICH. 127
the humble, wandering, dispersed and wretched members of
the church, cannot indeed be passed over without great ad-
miration ; and chiefly for this reason, inasmuch as not having
been disturbed in your own persons by any storms of misfor-
tune and calamity, your not having hitherto been under any
necessity of requiring assistance, your not having had recourse
to any one for support, in a word, your not having been in
the way of experiencing the benevolence of others in this
respect, proves that this your hospitable feeling cannot arise
from the desire to return a kindness, or from your having
been subjected to the like calamities yourselves. Many per-
sons indeed are led by the feelings of commiseration to relieve
those who have suffered the like misfortunes with themselves ;
and all persons, those at least who have any regard to prin-
ciple, consider themselves so obliged, as it were, by the law of
requital, as that, having been in circumstances of trouble and
distress themselves, and having therein experienced the hbe-
rahty of others, they are unwilling, through an instinctive
sense of natural justice, to refuse to persons labouring under
the like afflictions that assistance, which the more fortunate
are always able to afford to those in need without any detri-
ment to themselves.
I will not, however, any longer praise you, but rather
acknowledge in you the efficacy of the word, or the power
of God in his word, which was mighty in you also who
believed unto salvation. " The voice of the Lord is powerful,
the voice of the Lord is full of majesty," as the Psalmist
says; and it has certainly the power of renewing and
transforming us into other men. That frequent exclamation
of master Zuinglius has also reached my ears, where he is
wont to affirm, speaking from experience, that evangehcal
doctrine (though it has done much beside), yet, if it had
effected nothing else, has however produced this advantage,
that by the preaching of it men are rendered much more
civilized in their manners, and altogether much more humane
in their feelings. If that most excellent man, so worthy of
everlasting and pious remembrance, were now living, I should
address him in the same language that formerly in the gospel
the citizens of Samaria addressed to the woman of that city,
" Now we believe, not because of thy saying, for wo have
heard and know ourselves ;" yea, we have experienced, we
have felt it. For with what entire liberty, as far as our re-
128 UOBERT HORN AND RICHARD CHAMBERS [lET.
ligion was concerned, did we exercise freedom of conscience
among you ! how exempted were we from all tributary ex-
actions, which you might justly have demanded for the
public necessities even from your own citizens! Nay, how
favoured were we by the liberality of your townsmen as well
as your own ! Why should I mention the advice, the conso-
lations of your ministers ; the lamentations of the citizens
sympathising with us on our condition ; the gratuitous ser-
vices of the apothecaries and physicians? So that we were
evidently not regarded and considered by you as guests, but
as citizens, and, if possible, yet more. What pains you took
to examine into our wants, our deficiencies, that out of your
plenty and abundance you might provide for their supply !
Lastly, how did you spontaneously offer us, on our departure,
in case we should have occasion to return, the same kindness,
the same quiet habitations, the same liberty of permission to
reside among you ; so that you have, as it were, your gates
always open to ourselves and our countrymen ! Truly this
your affection towards us was more than paternal. We never
indeed experienced in our own country greater compassion,
kindness, and munificence ; so that we all of us regarded
almost as a proverb the saying, " It is good to be here." We
should never have suffered ourselves to be torn from you, had
we not been invited, and almost compelled as it were, by the
two importunate letters of our countrymen, to relieve the
extreme necessity of the now almost ruined church of our
exiles at Frankfort'. Forgive us therefore that we could no
longer be onerous to those to whom we desire to do honour.
And since we can in no way gratify you more than by
a grateful commemoration of the benefits we have received
from you, we will not cease, in returning thanks for them, to
have a continual remembrance of you in our petitions to God,
that since we ourselves are unable to repay or discharge our
debt, he may repay and discharge it [for us] in his Christ.
Moreover, taking fresh occasion from our late experience of
your hospitality, we earnestly desire that you should be en-
\} Horn was "in the election" to succeed Whitehead in the pasto-
ral office at Frankfort, -where he "entered the churche the fii-st off
Marche, Anno Domini 155G, &c." See a Bricff discours aboute the
troubles begonne at Franckfort in Germany, Anno Domini 1654,
aboute the Booke off common prayer and ceremonies, &c. p. Ixii.
London reprint, 1845.]
LXIV,] TO THE SENATE OF ZURICH. 129
treated and prevailed upon, that, in case any reason of im-
portance should arise to drive us from our present abode, we
may still meet with some place among you sufficient for our
necessities. In the mean while may the eternal Lord God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the giver of the Holy
Ghost, bless you with all spiritual benediction, make you
fearers of God, and feared and dreaded by your enemies ;
may he furnish you, as the constant patrons of gospel truth,
with unflinching boldness, courage, and power, to the edifica-
tion of his whole church, and the glory and power of his holy
name! Amen. Feb. 3, 1556.
Your most attached,
ROBERT HORN, Ayiglus.
RICHARD CHAMBERS, Anglus.
LETTER LXV.
ROBERT HORN AND RICHARD CHAMBERS TO
HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated Feb. 3, 1556.
Though I had long since intended to write to your
reverence, I have been prevented by continued and almost
endless engagements, as you know is usual with persons who
are constantly changing their place of abode : but thus it has
pleased God to try us, and the necessity of our church required
this very thing, that we, who of late enjoyed among you the
most entire liberty, together with no small degree of literary
repose, are now on the contrary, through the magnitude of
our affairs, scarcely able to obtain leisure for writing a single
letter. We will not therefore entertain a doubt but that you
will kindly bear with this our tardiness in writing, when you
have considered the extent of our necessities, and understood
the affection, love, and esteem of our hearts towards you ac-
cording to our power. And since we have no other method
of expressing it, we think it better to do so late than never
by a letter addressed to yourself. But if we should here
. , 0
[ZURICH LETTERS, 111. J
130 ROBERT HORN AND RICHARD CHAMBERS [lET.
attempt to enumerate all the benefits you have conferred upon
us, it would probably be too disagreeable to yourself, ^110
prefer rather to be active in doing good, than to have the
reputation of it ; and it "would be also too troublesome a task
for ourselves. For how much should we have to record of your
counsel, sympathy, and protection! You it was, who conciliated
to us the good-will of yom* townsmen, and who procured the
munificence of the government to be extended towards us. Nor
did you content yourself merely with obtaining for us the good
ofiices both of your family and your country ; but in addition
to this, by letters to those at a distance, you occasioned the
liberality of other and unknown mdividuals to be poured out
upon us from all quarters. By your writings also you sought
to reach even those our friends at home, by whose kindness
we have been supported ; and this, that you might not be be-
hind-hand in exciting them to so godly a purpose, and in aid-
ing us that we should not be deprived of their assistance. It
is indeed far more easy for us to relate these benefits than in
any measure to requite them. We therefore commend you and
your ministry to God, who will repay you in that day.
Meanwhile we entreat you to do us this kindness, namely,
to take upon yourself the charge of returning, to the whole
senate, more suitable and abundant acknowledgments than
such as we could include in our scanty and short epistle ;
and (forasmuch as we cannot look forward to so long and
continued a peace as to effect any change in our condition,
before a free permission is granted us to return into our
country,) most earnestly to entreat them in our behalf, that if
there should, by any possibility, arise such a change, as to
expel us from our present abode, we may nevertheless once
more freely return to, and obtain a quiet sojourn among you.
But we have no fear, either concerning yourself or those ex-
cellent men, but that you will grant us this favour. In the
meantime salute in the name of us all your most amiable
wife, and at the same time all the ministers of the word
among you, our reverend masters Pellican, Bibliander, Gualter,
Lavater, Simler, Zuinghus, Ilaller, Frisius, John ab Ulmis,
Stumphius, and others, as your occupations will allow. We
think master Gessncr, whose kind offices to us were innumerable,
must by no means be passed over ; neither must the two
Froschovers and their wives, whose extreme kindness to-
LXV.] ' TO HENRY BULLINGER. 131
wards us demands rather our letters than our salutations : we
have at this time however contented ourselves with the latter,
because on account of so many engagements we are unable to
write more. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you all ! Amen. Feb. 3, 1556.
Tour very affectionate,
ROBERT HORN,
RICHARD CHAMBERS
LETTER LXVI.
}Angli.
ROBERT HORN AND RICHARD CHAMBERS TO
HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Frankfort,] Sept. 19, 1556.
Grace and peace from God our Father and our Lord
Jesus Christ !
We have received, most excellent master BuUinger, your
letter, in which we easily perceive how much you esteem
us, and that you are not forgetful of us. JN'ot indeed
that we should have had any doubt upon this point, if
you had not written to us at all. But now, on the perusal
of this most dehghtful letter that you have sent to us,
we consider it as most evident, that your regard, fear, and
sohcitude extends not only to ourselves, but to the whole of
our country ; by which feelings we hope you will be more
effectually stirred up to offer also more fervent prayers to
God on our behalf, for the reformation of our church, respect-
ing which we certainly conceive better hopes, in that you, and
other men of God like you, are earnest in your prayers for
this very thing ; whose supphcations, for the sake of Jesus
Christ our only mediator, cannot be in vain, but acceptable to
God, as being sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and inspired
(as it were) with the breathings of the Holy Spirit. We
acknowledge your good offices, your labours, your exertions ;
and we pray the Lord to direct, establish, and confirm all
things for the good of the church, the honour of God, and
your own comfort.
The much esteemed master a Lasco still remains at
9 — 2
132 ROBERT HORN AND RICHARD CHAMBERS [lET
Frankfort, in daily expectation of a summons to bring him
back into his own country. Wc communicated to him your
letter. As to the matter of Brentius, we only pray that
the Lord may compose the dissensions of the church, and
multiply its peace. Nor arc there every day wanting those,
who, desirous of novelty, by their novel errors impugn the
truth. It is indeed wonderful with how much loquacity, with
what proud bombastic philosophy, certainly not " scientific
demonstrations" (as he calls them,) but with the sweUing
blasts of Pclagius, and vain conceits of human wisdom, a
certain Justus Yelsius^ has filled the schools, conceded to us
by the kindness of the magistracy who preside over this state,
with doctrines opposed to the eternal predestination of God.
We send you his conceits : his blasphemies against God, his
railings and invectives against master Calvin, (and indeed
they are quite severe enough,) Ave would rather omit mention
of than defile our paper with such foul abuse.
We expect no good news from England : all things seem
to be growing worse and worse. So great is the number of
the martyrs, who in their cheerful profession of the word
of God are most cruelly dragged to the flames and to tor-
ments, that those godly men who, on former occasions,
made it theu' business to inquire into this matter, are now
unable to ascertain cither the number or the names of the
sufferers. Nor can the ferocity of the queen, and of
Bonner the pseudo-bishop of London, and of the other
papists, restrain itself, satiated with domestic blood, with-
out moreover crossing the sea, and raging so furiously, that
no godly person can now remain at Antwerp in security
and free from danger. Sir [.John] Cheke- and Sir Peter
[1 For an account of Justus Velsius and his opinions, seo Strype,
Grindal, 135.]
P Sir John Chekc, in the spring of 1556, on his return from Brus-
sels towards Antwerp, was, with Sir Peter Carew his companion, by-
king Philip's secret commandment, suddenly apprehended in the way
by the provost marshal, bound, and thrown into a cai't, Avith his legs,
arms, and body tied to it, and so conveyed on shipboard, brought a
prisoner into England, and clapped up, as some great malefactor, in
the Tower of London ; and at length was forced to acknowledge and
subscribe to the popish doctrines, and recant publicly his former good
profession of the gospel, there being no other way to save himself from
burning. He fell into exceeding melancholy and trouble of mind.
LXVI.] TO HENRY BULLING ER. 133
Carew^, both taken by treachery, and carried before the queen,
were thrown into prison, but are now, it is said, set at hberty,
or are shortly to be so. But, alas ! it is stated, (yet we hope
the report is untrue,) that most iniquitous conditions of their
restoration to, and enjoyment of, liberty, have been proposed
to and accepted by tliem both. However it be, we may learn
this, that it is vain to place our confidence in man.
Charles, not yet enough broken by disease, and his
sister*, together with his son Philip, being about to visit
England, I know not for what reason, are recalled Avhile on
their very journey. Neither the nobility nor the people will
patiently endure the arrival of these princes, nor do they
in the mean time dissemble their impatience in this respect ;
notwithstanding that the queen with some of the nobles of
her party are using all their influence and endeavours to
aggrandize Philip with the hereditary right of government,
tlie royal crown, and other distinctions ; and this, with
consent of parliament, as they call it. In Sufi'olk, they are
proclaiming the lady Elizabeth queen, and they associate lord
Courteney^ as her supporter ; by which bold attempt has been
occasioned the execution of at least sixty or eighty persons
by an ignominious death on the charge of treason. Respect-
ing the number, however, nothing is known for certain. It is
more certain, that on this account not only the lady Ehzabeth,
but also the lord Courteney^, are brought into suspicion of
treason, and in no small peril of their lives : but may God
change all things for the better ! Thus much concerning the
affairs of our country.
StUl, however, not yet satisfied with these things,
we are keeping secret a thing which is rather to be de-
and in great repentances ended his miserable life within less than a
year after. See Strype, Mem. m. i. 515; Cheke, 106, &c. Soamcs'
Hist. Ref IV. 565.]
[3 Sir Peter Carew had fled abroad on account of having been
concerned in Wyatt's rebellion. He was sent to the Tower at the
same time with Sir John Chcke. See Strype, Mem. in. ii. 7.]
[4 Mary, queen of Hungaiy and governess of the Low Countries.]
[5 The real lord Courteney, earl of Devon, was personated by a
young man of the name of Cleobury, who was afterwards executed at
Bm-y in Suffolk. Lingard's Hist, of England, v. 112. 4to Edition.]
[6 Lord Courteney died of an ague at Padua a few months after
the discovery of the plot here mentioned.]
134 ROBERT HORN, &C. TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
sired than expected. We will however communicate it to
you. We are in fact desirous of a conference about the
affairs of religion ; but we are not yet able to affirm for
certain whether it will take place. Should there occur any
thing of the kind, we are in hopes that master Calvin will
come back again, and that he will hav§ both yourself and
other learned men as his companions not only of his journey,
but of his labours in this business. May the eternal Lord
God grant this through Christ, that you may, some time or
other, being assembled in the fear of God, (with Christ pre-
siding in your council,) set forth at length a pure confession
without any stain of error, to the confusion of the adver-
saries, the peace of the church, and the glory of God; to
whose protection we commend you, your wife, family, and all
your friends. Farewell. Sept. 19, 1556.
Your reverence's most devoted,
ROBERT HORN, and
RICHARD CHAMBERS.
LETTER LXVII.
JAMES PILKINGTON TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at Geneva, April 7, 1556.
Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly ! Health and peace in
Christ Jesus !
Since Paul in all his epistles is so earnest in the saluta-
tion of those brethren, whom he perceived to love Christ in
sincerity, though many persons think lightly, or rather not at
all, of this duty, because it consists only in a few bare words ;
yet for my part, most illustrious sir, induced by so weighty
an example, I can by no means consider it as of no import-
ance. This being the case, Avhom can we English salute with
greater reason than you, our good masters at Zurich, by whom
we have been regarded as brethren? and to whom else can I
LXVII.] JAMES PILKINGTON TO RODOLPH GUALTER. 135
especially, whom you have so liberally entertained far beyond
my other friends, wish grace and life in my frequent and
affectionate letters, rather than to yourself? Your prudence
knows how to estimate things according to the intention of
the giver, and not according to the value of the gift; and
you are able likewise so to compare the power of shewing
kindness with the opportunities of doing so, as not so much
to regard what each may have given : but if you could have
been enriched by kind words, I should long since have made
you happy ; for I am unable to gratify you in any other way.
You will be much surprised at my departure from you, and
not indeed without reason, for I was surprised at it myself;
but when I had considered with myself what a people we are,
and what we proverbially say of ourselves, I then ceased to
wonder. For we commonly say of ourselves, that the English
will never let well alone. Allow us, therefore, to be English-
men, that, when we have learned wisdom to our cost, we may
perceive the constant evil of being inconstant. I do not say
this because we have been in need of any thing, or suffered
any ill-treatment, but that you may know that we had
learned by experience the happiness of living at Zurich;
and though we have met with many persons who are willing
to do us a service, we have found but few who have shewn
us the same kind attention as yourselves. And though it
is a great alleviation of sorrow for those who are afflicted
to pour out their griefs into the bosom of a faithful friend,
who may be able by wholesome counsel and soothing words
to relieve their distress, and who will entreat the Lord for
them with earnest prayers ; I had rather that you should
commune with yourself upon the unhappy aspect of our
church, (both that portion of it which is oppressed by wolves
at home, as well as that which is dispersed abroad,) than that
I should attempt to relate what cannot be described. You
have formerly acted a part in this tragedy yourselves, but
the Lord has granted you a happy issue : we are now brought
upon the stage, that, being humbled by adversity, we may
discover him, whom in our prosperity we did not acknowledge
as we ought, to be a kind and merciful father.
Let this my letter, I pray you, salute as affectionately as
possible that common father of the afflicted, master Bullinger,
to whom, as he so richly deserves, I wish every happiness ; and
136 JAMES riLKlXGTON TO KODOLPII GUALTEU. [lET.
since the Lord has made you witnesses of my affliction, go
on, as you have begun, to love rac, to help me by your
counsel, and entreat the Lord for mo in your prayers, that I
may again be restored to you, when it shall seem him good.
I thank also master Gessncr for all his exertions on my be-
half, and for the letter full of good advice, which I lately
received from him ; for by his means, next to the Lord who
Avorketh all things, the pains in my stomach are daily so
decreasing, that I cherish good hopes of regaining my former
hcaltli. I have not yet tried any of the remedies which he
last prescribed ; but should I be compelled to adopt them, I
will write to him that he may know their eifects. I commend
to you master Parkhurst and his wife, my friends Spenser and
Frenshara, and would especially desire to be commended to
the venerable PelUcan, the most learned Bibhander, masters
Wolfius, John ab Ulmis, and all the other ministers. If I
can do any thing for you, I am at your service. May the
Lord keep you pure from this world unto his day! Amen.
Farewell. Geneva, 7 April, 1556.
Yours, as you so well deserve,
JAMES riLKINGTON.
LETTER LXVIII.
JAMES riLKINGTON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Cevennes, June 27, IWe.
Come, Lord Jesus, quickly ! Since nothing is more fo-
reign to a human being than inhumanity, and humanity adorns
a human being more especially from the connection between
its name and nature ; that you may not with reason think me
inhuman because I, whom you have often treated with so
much humanity, have not written to you, your humanity has
induced me to address you by my letter. For since the
Lord always abhors the ungrateful, who do not acknowledge
benefits received, and the ungrateful are odious to mankind
themselves ; lest I should fall into that fault of my own accord
which I had always condemned in others, my duty has
LXVIIl] JAMES PILKINGTON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 137
required, your dignity demanded, and both together have
impelled me to write, that in words at least I might acknow-
ledge an obligation, which in deed I am unable adequately
to discharge. May you live then, I pray, with all your
friends, long and happily ; and for the hospitality with which
you have so kindly received all the exiles, and with the
agreeable recollection of which I delight myself, may the
Lord, according to his kindness, for ever bless you. Continue,
moreover, as you have begun, and do honour to yourself and
all your friends by your kindness to the exiles: for the Lord
is pleased by such offerings, he has them in everlasting remem-
brance, and can never forget your beneficence towards his
proscribed people. But though your numerous noble actions
are quoted by many with much grateful acknowledgment,
there is not any thing in which they really rejoice more, than
in that you are endeavouring to draw over to you Peter
Martyr'. Many persons remark how unbefitting it is, and
especially in these times, that the mouth of such a man should
be stopped ; and many persons are promising themselves great
things concerning him, when they perceive how great an
accession he will be to the cause of truth in your most free
city. And though it is agreeable and almost necessary to our
exiles, that all we English should meet together in the same
church, and by our united complaints and ardent prayers im-
portune, supplicate, entreat the Lord on behalf of our ruined
church ; yet both my inclination leads me to return to you as
soon as I hear that he has arrived, and a light occasion will
bring me. Whatever you may wish to know respecting mo,
the good bearer of this letter is willing and able to give you
faithful intelligence in every respect. Salute for me my dear
master Gualter, with the rest of your fellow-ministers, and
especially master Gessner, through whose means, by the
blessing of God, I am still living, and daily somewhat im-
proving in health. May the Lord Jesus continue to preserve
you and your church, and in his mercy restore our fallen
one! Amen. Cevennes. 27th June, 1556.
Yours most deservedly,
J. PILKINGTON, Anglus.
\} Peter Mavtyr was invited to Zui-ich by the magistrates of that
city in 155G.]
EARL OF BEDFORD TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER LXIX.
EARL OF BEDFORD TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Venice, April 26, [1557.]
My singular regard for you, and the constant esteem I
have ever entertained towards you for the sake of rehgion, as
•well as your incredible kindness, experienced by me in many
■ways when I was at Zurich, have occasioned me, most learned
Bullinger, to give this young man this letter to you, as a
most assured token of my affection towards you, and as it
were a sealed evidence, which I was anxious to afford, of my
continued love to you. And herein I thank you in such
wise for your kindness, that I promise to repay it, if I ever
have it in my power to obhge you in any respect. And I
would have you regard this as said by me, not as men do,
who now-a-days make a certain outward shew of words, and
a mere parade of serving you, and this, rather that they may
seem to be what they assert themselves, than be such in
reahty ; but rather that you may persuade yourself, that it
proceeds from a mind altogether sincere and entirely devoted
to yourself. Wherefore, should I ever have it in my power
to do you any service, (I am aware how trifling it will be,)
yet, trifling as it is, it shall be altogether yours. But enough
of this, and perhaps too much ; especially since it is my in-
tention, should not other circumstances intervene to call me
elsewhere, to visit you on my return to England, when I shall
confirm in person what I can only express now by bare words.
The young man who bears this letter, has informed me of
the death of Conrad Pelhcan^ (of whom I make honourable
mention ;) which when I heard, I grieved exceedingly as I
ought to do, not so much for his sake as for that of the whole
church. For he has most gloriously finished his course in
labours, watchings, constant studies, and encouragement of
learned men ; and at length, by dying as he hved, he is
translated to a better life in heaven. But the church will
long regret a man who was every way so perfect; so that
while I rejoice on his account, I cannot but grieve most
[1 Conrad Pellican died Sept. 14, 1556. J
LXIX.] EARL OF BEDFORD TO HENRY BULLINGER. 139
exceedingly for lier sake. But your presence, as I hope and
■wish, will easily mitigate the occasion of this sorrow ; and
may Almighty God in his mercy long preserve you safe to
his church and to all good men ! Venice, April 26, [1557].
Your most attached,
F. BEDFORD.
P. S. Diligently salute, I pray you, my dear friends
masters Gessner and Gualter.
LETTER LXX.
SIR ANTONY COOK TO PETER MARTYR.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jan. 20, 1558.
Unless our friendship, my worthy sir, had been too
firmly established to be affected by any hght matter, I should
probably have been charged with neglect for not having
hitherto replied to the most gratifying and courteous letter
you sent me by master -; by the admonition of
which, however, I am the more reminded of my duty, and
by the repeated perusal of it, from time to time, I console
myself in this winter of our calamity. But I well know
your candour, and silence does not always imply forgetfulness.
For what the comic writer asserts with respect to asking
advice, that shame forbids it in one quarter, dignity in ano-
ther, the same may also take place in respect to letter- writing.
For if I were not ashamed to write to you as often as I
desire to address you, to hear you, to enjoy your society, not
a day would be without its letter. Besides, since (as you
state) more painful and severe trials are daily arising to us,
it not only distresses our minds to relate them, but even to
think about them. Such an one is that which we have lately
heard concerning Calais ^ that the town is either taken by the
[2 The name is illegible in the original MS.]
[3 The duke of Guise encamped before Calais on Jan. 1, 1558, and
four days after, it was surrendered by lord Wentworth the governor,
after it had been in the possession of the English above 200 years.
See Stowe, 632. Godwin Ann. 331.]
140 sill ANTONY COOK TO PETER MAllTYK, [lET.
French, or in the greatest danger. Should we have lost it, I
do not choose to conjecture, though it is not difficult to
foresee, what mischiefs will ensue, and which, if we would
only have been quiet, might so easily have been avoided. But
alas ! for our carelessnesss, or (shall I say ?) our blindness ;
who, though we have treacherously forsaken the Lord, are
yet without fear of the punishment due to our wickedness, and
denounced against us by the voice of God.
I wish it were in my power to converse with you at
large upon these and other matters, that in the abundance of
my grief and tears your learned and godly discourse might
afford me comfort. Frequently indeed have I intended to
come and see you, and I may probably pass a month with
you during this next Lent. But do not mention a word of
this to any one ; for I am not yet sufficiently able to form my
plans, and if I should undertake this journey, it will be known
to very few persons beforehand. I pray our Lord Jesus to
be pleased to shew compassion upon England, in many ways
so afflicted, and to aid his troubled church according to the
working of that mighty power, whereby he is able to subdue
all things to himself. May God long preserve you in safety
to all godly persons ! Strasburgh, Jan. 20, 1558.
Yours wholly,
ANTONY COOK.
LETTER LXXL
SIR JOHN CHEKE TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Greenwich, June 7, 1553.
Will you then, my Bullinger, strive to be received into
my friendship, which I ought rather to have oifcred, and not
wait till it was solicited ? But that Avhich is to be commended
in you, I think is blameable in me ; for those persons who
cultivate real friendships, resemble good husbandmen, and
those who receive them, good land. I therefore, being anti-
cipated by yourself, and also more tardy in cultivating friend-
ships, have the inferior position : for in proportion as the
LXXI.] SIR JOHN CHEKE TO HENRY BULLINGER. 141
husbandman is superior to the soil ho cultivates, in that same
proportion am I excelled by yourself. To bestow a benefit
is a virtuous act, to recompense it is a duty ; and it is far
more blessed to confer a favour than to receive one, yea
indeed, than either to be grateful for it, to remember it, or to
requite it. But as your learning, your zeal for true religion,
and your published works are universally known, and the
affection which I had long since conceived for you had nowise
shewn itself ; you must still bear in mind, that even if my
regard had been unknown to you, I have notwithstanding been
for a long time your admirer.
The books which you have written to the king's
majesty, have been as acceptable to him as they deserved
to be. A large portion of them I delivered to him myself,
and am able therefore to infoi'm you how kindly and
courteously he received them, and how greatly he esteems
them ; and I can offer you my congratulations upon the
subject. But since the king's majesty, debilitated by long
illness, is scarcely yet restored to health, I cannot venture
to make you any promise of obtaining a letter from him to
yourself. But should a longer life be allowed him, (and I
hope that he may very long enjoy it,) I prophesy indeed, that,
with the Lord's blessing, he will prove such a king, as neither
to yield to Josiah in the maintenance of true rehgion, nor to
Solomon in the management of the state, nor to David in the
encouragement of godhness. And whatever may be effected
by nature or grace, or rather by God the source of both,
whose providence is not even contained within the Umits of the
universe, it is probable that he will not only contribute very
greatly to the preservation of the church, but also that ho
will distinguish learned men by every kind of encouragement.
He has long since given evidence of these things, and has
accomplished at this early period of his hfe' more numerous
and important objects, than others have been able to do when
their age was more settled and matured. He has repealed
the act of the six articles ; he has removed images from the
churches ; he has overthrown idolatry ; he has abolished the
mass, and destroyed almost every kind of superstition. He
has put forth by his authority an excellent form of common
prayer ; he has published good and pious homilies to lessen
the ignorance of uneducated ministers. He has invited the
142 SIR JOHN CHEKB TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
most learned men to teach at the universities, and has done
many other things of the same kind, every one of which
would be considered as a great action in other men, but as
nothing in him, by reason of the magnitude of what he has
accomplished. Besides this, he has lately recommended to
the schools by his authority the catechism of John', bishop
of Winchester, and has pubUshed the articles of the synod at
London, which if you will compare with those of Trent, you
will understand how the spirit of the one exceeds that of the
other. Why should I say more? I send you the book itself
as a token of my regard, and believe me yours in Christ.
Fare thee well. Greenwich, June 7, 1553. 7 Ed. VI.
Yours in the Lord,
JOHN CHEKE.
Salute, I pray you, masters Rodolph Gualter, and Conrad
Gessner, to whom I am shortly about to write".
LETTER LXXII\
SIR JOHN CHEKE TO JOHN CALVIN.
Dated at Strasburgh, Ocl. 20, 1555.
At one and the same instant I have been informed of the
arrival of master de Sancto Andrea and of his departure. I
am anxious, however, to address a few words to you. As far
as I can perceive, I shall pass the winter in this place, enjoy-
ing in this my exile the society of my old friends, from whose
kindly intercourse I shall not wilUngly withdraw myself. I
rejoice that the Lord has delivered you not only from the
[1 This catechism set forth by bishop Ponet, with the articles
appended, is printed in the volume of Liturgies, &c. of Edward VI.
published by the Parker Society.]
[2 A note added to this letter in Bullinger's hand, states it to have
been Sir John Cheke's last letter to him a little before the death of
the king, and his subsequent imprisonment. He was committed to
the Tower as a traitor, July the 28th, together with the duke of
Suffolk. See above, p. 132. n. 2.]
[3 The original of this letter is presciTed at Geneva.]
LXXIl] sir JOHN CHEKE TO JOHN CALVIN. 143
violent illness with which you were afflicted, but also from a
calamity^ which would have been utterly fatal both to your
church and state. Though these events are now of long
standing, yet they are new to me, who now hear of them for
the first time. I therefore heartily thank God for having
afforded these extraordinary and remarkable manifestations of
his providence to others, that he may call forth their faith and
veneration of himself. Nothing is more effectual in bringing
over the minds of our enemies to entertain correct thoughts
respecting God, than when godly persons are defended by his
protection against the snares and machinations of the wicked.
And I pray that in this general confusion and overthrow
the Lord may afford some aid and assistance to wretched
England, wherein there are very many manifestations of his
most heavy displeasure, and but very few of his goodness
and mercy. For good men, and, what is yet more distressing,
those who take the lead in learning and authority, by whose
counsels and prudence many and important measures have
been effected in the church, are not only brought in danger of
their lives, but are actually under condemnation, and are daily
expecting a death, which though desirable to themselves, will
yet be lamentable and disastrous to the church. These
ought by their example and constancy not only to give en-
couragement to those of the present age, but to afford an
eminent example to future generations. Among whom, Cran-
mer, Ridley, and Latimer, the bishops of Canterbury, London,
and formerly of Worcester, having firmly and boldly perse-
vered in the christian doctrine they had embraced, and not
allowing themselves to be led away from it by the terror of
punishment, death, and the flames, are now condemned, and
degraded, as they call it ; and are either, I understand,
already burned^, or are shortly to experience the power of
the flames and the cruelty of their tyrants. It is most
painful and distressing to us to be deprived of those, whom,
if God should be pleased to effect any alteration of affairs in
our wretched and now greatly ruined England, we should not
be able, or at least should hardly be able, to dispense with.
[4 This may refer to the conspiracy formed against the ministers
of Geneva in 1555.]
[5 Ridley and Latimer were burned at the stake Oct. 16, 1555, and
Cranmer on the 21st of March following.]
144 SIR JOHN CIIEKE TO JOHN CALVIN. [lET.
But why should I mention these things to you, who aro
well aware that this example of constancy and fortitude will
tend to strengthen the universal church, scattered as it is far and
wide, and that the living cannot be so useful by their teach-
ing, as the dead can by their example ? But I must confess,
and, humanly speaking, I am confirmed in my opinion, that
what Paul said respecting his own life, I think may be
applied to them, if this divine chastisement were to have a
respite and cessation in England, and to bring us away from
ungodly worship to true Christianity'. But what must we
expect from God in this slaughter of godly men? It may
be that our people, like the Amorites, must fill up the
measure of their impiety, that the more heavy severity of
divine justice may be exercised upon them. But whatever be
the Lord's purpose, whom I ought to obey and not prescribe
to, I know and believe that he will effect it in such a way as
that all things may tend to the good of his elect, whose
support and protection he undertakes. So that I feel less
anxious about whatever may happen, and think it my duty so
to judge of the Lord's purpose, as to consider it replete with
wisdom and goodness, and that it neither can, nor ought to
be, either amended or found fault with, by our opinions or
powers.
You see how, when I am writing to a friend, I write
every thing that comes into my mind. But while you
are wearied by my prolixity, pardon my freedom, who am
less careful in writing to those who love me, as not fearing
reproof where the offence is rather Avorthy of pardon than
censure. May the Lord preserve you for yourself, and
for me, and his church ! Salute, I pray you, master Staf-
ford, and his Avife and family, and also his host of St
Jerome's with whom he sojourns ; and your friend the mar-
quis, if he has yet returned to you, Normandy, masters
Budajus, Parr, and your brother. Strasburgh, Oct. 20, 1555.
Your most devoted,
JOHN CHEKE.
[1 The meaning of this and some other passages in this letter is
difficult to be made out, from the circumstance of some words being
rendered illegible by the binding of the MS. — The allusion seems to
be to Phil, i.]
LXXIII.] Silt JOHN CHEKE TO HENRY BULLINGER. 145
LETTER LXXIII.
SIR JOHN CHEKE TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasbukgh, March 12, 1556.
Our people frequently converse respecting the kindness
not of yourself alone, but also that of men of all classes, and
of your whole commonwealth, towards the English who came
to reside among you by reason of the change of rehgion in
their own country. I consider this not kindness merely, but
hospitality, to be especially acceptable to God, and approved
of men ; and that it will never perish from the memory of
any of our countrymen. As to me, should I ever have it
in my power to render any service to yourself, or your godly
friends, or your commonwealth, I pledge myself to be so
ready to perform it, as that the anxiety of a grateful mind
and the desire of returning an obligation may evidently
appear. I ought also upon other grounds to shew both to
yourself, and to masters Bibliander and Bernardino, as much
respect as is due to learned, pious, and friendly persons, who
have deserved well of the church of Christ. This your hos-
pitality, therefore, is not only praise-worthy in itself, but is
yet more so by comparison with the ill-treatment of others.
For I suppose you are not ignorant, that those parties who
maintain the body of Christ to be every where" can nowise
endure the members of Christ to be any where, and have
harassed them with all kinds of cruelty and atrocity, in order
that with the absurdity of the opinions they have imbibed
they may also join a savageness of disposition, and a brutal
ferocity towards the meek children of God. But if the truth
of opinions is to be judged of by their fruits, and there is as
Avide a difference between men's sentiments as there is in the
christian life, truly they ought to have been long since con-
vinced, and to have given up so stubborn an opinion. But of
the stupidity of these parties at another time. May God en-
lighten their blinded mind with the light of his Spirit, and bring
them out from this thick darkness of error to a better percep-
tion of the truth, and a more harmonious consent of feelings.
[^ This refers to the Ubiquitarian controversy. See Zurich Letters,
first series, p. 92, n. 1, and second series, p. 245, n. H.]
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI. J
146 SIR .lOHN CHEKE TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
I hear that Ignatius has been sent to you to be trans-
lated and printed, a measure which I suppose has been adopt-
ed for certain reasons. I had seen the book at Augsburgh,
and had copied out some passages where the name of the
mass was mentioned, and where he speaks of the. wives of the
apostles^. I request you, my Bulhnger, and implore you
again and again, to take care that the Greek be printed toge-
ther with the translation. For it is of very great importance
to scholars to read the author himself in his own language,
and especially where grave and controverted matters are to
be considered. I never read a translation without requiring
the author liimself as an interpreter of it. And I wish this
had been done, not only in this author, but in all others, and
in Procopius. It would have removed suspicion in regard to
many passages, which appear to have been introduced by the
translator, where the meaning of certain Hebrew and Latin
words is discussed by a Greek unacquainted with those lan-
guages. But now translations are so obtruded upon us, to
the depreciation of the authors themselves, that there must of
necessity arise that inconvenience which the papists object to
us in the eucharist, namely, that we use the antitypes instead
of the prototypes. Wherefore, if you will take care that good
authors, when put in print, shall either be printed with the
translations, as master Gesner has properly done in Stobgeus
and others ; or even separately, if that should be thought more
expedient, lest the translations only should be cried up, and
the authors themselves perish; you will confer many and im-
portant benefits both on the present and succeeding generation.
You see with what familiarity I address you : forgive me,
I was only intending to salute you, and to thank you for your
kindness towards our people; but when Ignatius and the
other authors of whom we are deprived came into my mind,
I could not but commend to you the cause of those authors,
and entreat you, as it were, in their name not to suft'cr them
to speak only through interpreters, when they might readily
[1 The following passages, from the interpolated Epistles of Igna-
tius, seem to bo referred to : Ovk i^6v ta-ri x^^pi-s tov ima-KOTvov ovre
^aTTTi^eiv ovre 7rpo(r(f)epeiv ovre dvcriav TrpotrKOfii^eip ovre So;^?)i/ imreXfiv,
whore the last words in the Latin translation arc, neqiw missas celehrare.
Ad Smyrn. p. 197. Ed. Voss. Lond. 1680. u>s Herpov Kal TlavXov kqI tcov
aXXcoi/ dnoa-ToXcoi', twv yapoi? npoaopiX-qcrdvToov. Ad Philadclpli. p. 178.]
LXXIII.] SIR JOHN CHEKE TO HENRY BULLINGER. 147
be seen and heard by many in their own language, and be
rescued from the danger of destruction which usually attends
the Greek writers. Should there be any thing in which I
can be of use to you, pray command me : and I beg you to
say the same from me to masters BibHander and Bernardino.
I wish an opportunity were afforded me of performing these
my promises. Salute, I pray you, the good old man, master
Pellican, masters Rodolph Gualter, Conrad Gesner, and espe-
cially your wife. May the Lord preserve you! Strasburgh.
March 12, 1556.
Your friend and brother in Christ,
JOHN CHEKE ^
LETTER LXXIV\
SIR RICHARD MORISON TO JOHN CALVIN.
Dated at Strasburgh, Ajjril 17, 1555.
If Cheke has sinned against your kindness, so I cannot
but confess, most learned Calvin, that I have now for many
months acted in the same manner. He can aggravate my fault,
but can nowise acquit me, nor I him, from the charge of neg-
lect. Nay, there is rather reason to fear that you should
withdraw the hospitality you have so kindly afforded to the
English. Is it for this that you have given up to us your
house, and become a mere tenant in your own home, that in
so many months from that time you should receive from mc
not a single atom of gratitude ? I am writing to the marquis ;
and if there is nothing in that quarter to clear me in your eyes,
I know with whom I have to do, and had rather acknowledge
my fault, than offer you a new injury while I in vam attempt
to palliate the old one. And yet you must know that I have
written to him nothing but what is true, namely, that I and
mine are at this very time exposed to the greatest danger,
and that there are not wanting those who wish me cither to
[2 A note in the Simlcr collection states this to have been sir John
Choke's last letter before his capture, iTspecting Avhich see above,
p. 132, n. 2.]
P The original of this letter is preserved at Geneva.]
10—2
148 SIR IMCHAKD MOKLSON TO JOHN CALVIN. [lET.
return home, or, like an outcast, to pass the hfc of an exile in
a foreign country. And as I am not wanting in friends, who
make other promises, so I am afraid that my bitter enemies
will do more to injure me, than my lukewarm friends will do
towards the restoration of my affairs. As to what is going
on at home, since every one knows it, I suppose that you
cannot be ignorant. This our friend Luke will easily tell
you all that I know. I must tell you in the last place, that
I had rather requite your deeds by corresponding deeds on
my part, than seem to wish to recompense your exceeding
kindness by a verbal acknowledgement. Luke will tell you the
rest. Farewell, most courteous Calvin, and forgive me, I
know not whether to say my silence, or my tedious letter.
Strasburgh, April 17, 1555.
Yours heartily,
RICHARD MORISON.
LETTER LXXV.
SIR RICHARD MORISON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Aug. 23, 1555.
I HAD been informed, most learned Bullinger, before the
arrival of your letter, that it had been decreed, both by the
authority of the chief magistrate, and the order of the senate,
that no foreigners newly come should be admitted within
your city : not indeed that foreigners are not most kindly
received by you, and Avhen received, treated with the greatest
hospitality. But the necessity of this enactment has been
solely occasioned by the influx among you at this time of
Italians from Lugarno being so great, as hardly to leave
room in your city for any new guest. When these things
were related to me, as my friend Bernardino had not then
written an answer to our friends here, the winter too
threatening a true German frost, I considered it to be my
next best plan, not to decline the house voluntarily offered
here, and which by reason of the garden adjoining is very
convenient. For it seemed to be quite time to procure wood,
LXXV.] SIR RICHARD MORISON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 149
and hay, and other things necessary either for the support of
a family, or for guarding against the cold : for among the
people of Strasburgh, when the cold regulates the price of
wood, scarcely an ounce is offered for sale ; and when it is
sold, you would scarcely be able to procure it at the most
exorbitant price. I would ask you therefore, again and
again, that if I have been at all to blame in this matter, you
would pardon me for having caused you to wait upon the
most illustrious chief magistrate to no purpose ; unless I
knew for certain that you would easily pardon me both this
and far greater faults : although what is not done at this
time can easily be arranged at the beginning of spring,
should not our affairs induce us to return to Eno;land. Do
you, meanwhile, only let the chief magistrate understand, as
regards myself, that I have not changed my purpose through
any want of decision, but that I was of great necessity com-
pelled to put it off to another time. This, indeed, is some
part of the inconvenience, which men who are compelled to
undergo a voluntary exile are wont to suffer, that when they
desire above all thin2;s to arrange their affairs with some
degree of certainty, they are seldom or never rightly able to
effect this. Unforeseen events are so apt to disarrange all
our purposes and designs with the greatest ease.
This anti-Paul', Paul of the apostasy, the servant of the
devil, this antichrist ncAvly created at Pome, thinks it but a
very small plunder that is offered to him, that he is again
permitted in England to tyrannise over our consciences, unless
the revenues be restored to the monasteries, that is, the pig-
sties ; the patrimony, as he calls it, of the souls which are now
serving in the filth of purgatory. Our ambassadors, who went
to Rome for the purpose of bringing back the wolf upon the
sheep of Christ, are now with the emperor, and bring us
these demands of the chief pontiff: God grant that he
may urge them in every possible way ! Perhaps tliose who
have suffered the gospel of Christ, that is, the sceptre by
which Christ both governs his kingdom and extends its
borders, to be taken from them by threats, will not allow
[1 Cardinal CarafFa was elected pope. May 23, 1555, and took the
name of Paul IV. He published his bull Rescissio Alienationum, in
which he annulled without exception all alienations of the old eccle-
siastical possessions. See Ranke's Hist, of the Popes.]
150 SIR KK'HAUD MORISON TO HENRY UULLINGER. [lET.
their revenues, the life and blood of mankind, to be taken
away, even by force. At all events, that will come to pass
which Almighty God knows to be best for his people. If
Socrates was accustomed to make no definite request from the
gods, shall it be a great thing for us to depend altogether
upon the good pleasure of God our Father ? Since he is our
Father, he cannot for ever be angry with his children. Nay
rather, when he has an assurance of our improvement, he will
then certainly think of punishing both his enemies, and ours
for his sake. Saul sought to destroy David, but did no
more than attempt so great a crime. Among us, how many
living members of Christ are thrown into the flames ! Saul,
who was his own murderer, saw his three sons slain in one
day ; and shall Winchester always live ? Shall he live to in-
crease, and not to lay aside his boldness ? God liveth, and is
no less a hater of wickedness now than he has ever been here-
tofore. But I must conclude. Farewell, excellent Bullinger,
and love me. Strasburgh, Aug. 23, 1555.
Yours as you so well deserve,
RICHARD MORISON.
LETTER LXXVI\
THOMAS LEVER TO ROGER ASCHAM.
Without place or date.
Your friends, masters Nevinson, Alen, Butts ^ the king's
jjliysician, and Redman '^ have departed this Hfe since I last
•wi'otc to you. Dr Bill*, the master of our college, has by his
[^ The oi'iginal of this letter is preseiTCil at Geneva. The writer's
name is not mentioned ; but it appears, from internal evidence, to have
been written by Lever in 1552.]
[- See above, p. 37, note 6.]
[3 Dr John Redman was originally of St John's college, but was
appointed master of Trinity in 1546. An account of his opinions,
confirmatoiy of the statement made in this letter, is given in Strype,
Cheke, G7 ; Mem. ii. i. 527, &c. He died in November, 1551.]
[' A grant of the mastership of Trinity college to Wm. Bill, D.D.,
for life, void by the death of John Redman, was dated in November,
1551.]
LXXVI.] THOMAS LEVER TO ROGER ASCHAM. 151
majesty's favour succeeded Redman in Trinity college, and
I have succeeded Bill in St John's college^. Dr Redman
died of consumption after a long illness, in constant expecta-
tion of death, and in continual discom'se respecting God and
true religion, as one who ardently desired to be delivered
from the prison of this body, and to be with Christ.
I will communicate to you, my Ascham, a part of the
communication'^ which John Yong (who, as you heard at
Cambridge last year, was the most violent opponent of Bucer^
in the pubhc schools) received in person from the mouth ofDr
Redman immediately before his death. First, Redman was
requested, as Yong himself informed me, by himself and the
other learned men standing by, to deliver his opinion upon
certain points of rehgion ; whereupon he forthwith under-
took to answer as in the presence of God his judge, according
to his real sentiments, upon any subject that they might
think proper to propose. Being asked what he thought of
the see of Rome, he answered, that it was a sink of wicked-
ness, whence was derived the stream of filthiness which had
burst forth like a torrent upon the church of God. Being-
asked his opinion respecting purgatory, he said that there was
not any such purgatory as the one imagined by the school-
men ; but that when Christ shall come, surrounded by fire,
all who meet him will be purified, as I believe, said he, my-
self, and as many of the ancient doctors are of opinion.
Being questioned respecting the mass, he said, that those who
regard the mass as a sacrifice for the dead, are opposed to
Christ himself, and to the benefit of his death. As to the pro-
position concerning justification by faith only, he declared it to
be a delightful doctrine, and certainly full of comfort, provided
it were understood of a true and living faith; and that no
works were deserving of eternal life, not even works of grace
in the person justified. When he was asked his opinion re-
specting transubstantiation, he repUed that he had for the last
[5 Thomas Lever was appointed master of St John's, by royal
mandate, in November, 1551, and ejected in 1553.]
[0 For a full account of the communication between Dr Redman,
on his death-bed, Yong, and others, together with a letter from
Yong to su- John Cheke on the same subject, see Foxe, Acts and
Mon. VI. 267—274.]
[7 For an account of the controversy between Yong and Bucer,
see Zurich Letters, second series, p. 18, and Strype, Mem. ii. i. 327.]
152 THOMAS LEVER TO RO(iER ASCHAM. [lET.
twelve years directed all his studies and attention to that
subject, and had remarked that the writings of TertuUian,
Irena^us, and Origcn were openly opposed to that doctrine,
and that it was neither maintained nor delivered in other
ancient writers : and when he had long and vainly expected
to find some certain and undoubted statement upon that sub-
ject in the writings of the schoolmen, he discovered in them
nothing whatever sound and solid, but only deceit and gross
error. With respect to the presence, he said (as Yong re-
lated the conversation), that Christ was really and corporally
present in the sacrament : but when he was asked whether
that was the body of Christ, which we see the priest lift up,
he affirmed, that the body of Christ was now incapable of
being lifted up or let down by any human hands ; and it is,
he added, a very corrupt custom to carry about the sacra-
ment to be adored. He affirmed also that the wicked do not
receive the body of Christ, but the sacrament of it. He
earnestly exhorted Yong diligently to read the bible itself,
and to beware of the doctrine of men. He added, moreover,
that it was an excellent book^ which the most reverend arch-
bishop of Canterbury had lately written upon the eucharist,
and he recommended Yong to read it with much attention.
Yong told me himself, "As heretofore," saith he, "I myself
would have encountered death with willingness and alacrity,
in defence of transubstantiation, and that too more readily
than in defence of the doctrine of the incarnation of Christ
himself; so it shall be my endeavour for the future that all
my studies and opinions may rest upon a more solid founda-
tion than that common agreement of individuals, wliich they
have erroneously denominated the church."
I hope, my Ascham, that not Yong only, but many per-
sons will be led away from the doctrine of men to the true
religion of Christ, by means of this divine discourse of Red-
man just before his death.
[1 The original edition of Cranmer's Defence of the true and
catholic doctrine of the Sacrament was published in 1550; his answer
to Gardiner, in 1551.]
LXXVII.] THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 153
LETTER LXXVII.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Geneva, April 11, [1554].
Much health in Christ Jesus. On the first nio-ht of our
journey we arrived at Lentzburg, when father Gervase, having
read your letter to him, seemed to me to pour out upon us,
as though we were his dearest friends, the admirable benevo-
lence of a pious mind. For he brought us in the evening
from the public inn, and took us to the delightful quiet of his
own house ; and early the next morning he accompanied us
for two hours on our way, and so exactly pointed out to us
the description of the road, and the names of godly persons
(in our route), that profiting by their advice, and by the
marks previously pointed out to us, we arrived at Berne
without any difficulty. We were there informed that
Musculus, Haller, and other learned men were exceedingly
well disposed, and, in consequence of your letter to Haller,
were ready to aff'ord us any assistance : for many of them
being assembled in the same house invited us to a good
supper. Haller too, in addition to supplying us liberally
with a gratuitous lodging for three days, took us every day
to whatever we wished to see or hear. At Lausanne also
Beza^ and Viret proved both by word and deed, that we were
recommended and made welcome in consequence of your letter
to them. At last, however, on the seventh of April, we
reached Geneva, where, in the absence of Calvin, to whom I
stated that you had given me a letter, we were immediately
received as guests by a pious and worthy man, who is ex-
pecting Calvin to return within these few days. I perceive,
therefore, and acknowledge, that your fatherly care for me
not only provided for myself and my companion a most
delightful lodging in your own house, but has also procured
for us in other places and with other persons favour and
kindness far beyond our expectation. And for this cause,
which next to God I attribute to yourself, I have long since
begun to consider myself not so much a traveller exiled
[2 Beza was appointed professor of Greek at Lausanne in 1549,
and continued in that office ten years.]
154 THOMAS LEVEIl TO IIENMIY IJULLINGEK. [lET.
from my country, as a fellow-citizen of the saints now so-
journing in the household of God.
I now therefore feel no anxiety respecting myself, but an
almost incurable solicitude for those whom I suspect to be
overwhelmed by most grievous perils at home. For a certain
Englishman, passing through Berne, wrote to his countrymen
at Geneva, that the Bernese government had been informed
by a letter sent to them from the court of the king of France,
that the queen of England had been slain by a mob, exaspe-
rated by her perfidious cruelty. Another person, however,
who left London on the 13th of March, has to-day informed
me that no priests were executed in the rebellion raised by
Wyatt, and that very few were put to death after his appre-
hension. He said that only the duke of Suffolk^ and liis
daughter lady Jane, with her husband, were beheaded, and
that they all continued stedfast in the profession of the true
religion. He affirmed too, that he had heard it for a certain
fact, that Cranmer", archbishop of Canterbury, Ridley, bishop
of London, Latimer, a very celebrated preacher, and [sir
James] Hales ^, a pious lawyer, had all been removed together
from London to Oxford, to be burnt at the stake, after
having been condemned for heresy by the doctors of that
university. From all these circumstances I can only conclude,
that cither, if the queen is alive, there is a most grievous
persecution of the church; or if a turbulent mob have the
upper hand, the kingly government in England will be irre-
coverably lost. But the hardness of my heart, which ever
prevents my melting into tears, either of commiseration for
these calamities, or of repentance for my own misdoings, is
often wont to disturb my mind, to blunt my temper, and to
confuse my memory. Wherefore I pray you, my father, in the
bowels of Jesus Christ, to invoke with me my heavenly Father
in my behalf, that regarding our miseries, the merits of Christ,
and his own mercies, he may pardon me my neglect and
wickedness, take away my hardness of heart, and bestow upon
me the Spirit of repentance and sanctification. Give, I pray
n The duke of Suffolk was oxocutetl on the 28r(l of February.]
[2 Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, were sent down to Oxford about
the 10th of April.]
[^ A full account of .Tudt',0 Ilalcs is given in Foxe, Acts and Mon.
VI. 710.]
LXXVii.] THOMAS LEVEIl TO HENRY BULT.INGEK. 155
you, from myself and Hugo my companion, our salutations
and very many thanks to your wife and all your family. And
I again request you to salute in my name the venerable old
men, Pellican and Bibliander, and the other learned and pious
men, Gualter, Gesner, Lewis [Lavater], Zuingler and Zuing-
lius. May Christ long preserve you for the benefit of his
church ! Farewell. Geneva, April 11.
Your son,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXVIII.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Geneva, April 23, [1554].
Much health in Christ. As I told you before, so I now
also acknowledge myself very much indebted to your fatherly
foresight, through which, by means of your letter, I received
from many persons to whom I was unknown the greatest
kindness on my travels. No fresh tidings have reached me
from England, except the contradiction of those rumours by
which it was stated here for some days that the queen had
been murdered. For she is still alive, persevering and in-
creasing in wickedness.
I hear that some Englishmen have come to you at Zurich,
together with that very godly man, Richard Chambers^ : I am
sorry that they have reached you sooner than my letter could
reach them. For Richard Chambers is the person who has
actively devoted himself and all his property to provide for
the safety of the ministers during this persecution ; and,
though my journey ought to have diminished his labours, yet
the vain expectation of a letter from me has increased both his
toil and anxiety. But Christ, through whom all things work
[4 Richard Chambers is represented by Strype as a great friend of
learning and favom-er of the oppressed. He allowed Jewel 61. a-year
for the purchase of books in divinity. Ho was one of the exiles ac
Frankfort, and was agent with Grindal to the Sti'asburgh exiles to
treat about the English service-book. Strype, INIem. in. i. 225.
Grindal, 14.]
15G THOMAS LEVUR TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
together for good to them tliat love God, -will turn this also
to the honour of God, and the comfort of those who seek the
glory of Christ with all their heart. I hope therefore that
the opportunity now afforded you by God of manifesting
your kindness towards true Christians, faithful ministers, and
wretched exiles, will not prove unacceptable, and that the
contemplation of your church worshipping God with such
holiness and purity will not be without benefit to them. Take
care, I pray you, that the letter addressed to the above-
named Richard Chambers, Englishman, may speedily be de-
livered to him. Forget me not, I entreat you, in your prayers
to God. Master Calvin, like many others, was more favour-
ably disposed towards me for your sake ; whence you may
understand that you are now much indebted to many for my
sake. I will always do what alone is in my power, namely,
entreat God long to preserve you for the benefit of his
church. Farewell. Geneva, April 23.
Your most devoted son in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXIX.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Geneva, June 28, [1554J.
Much health in Christ Jesus. The fatherly benevolence
and kindness which you have manifested towards me since
my arrival in these parts, as an exile from my native land
for the sake of religion, has mitigated my distress at leaving
my country, and enabled me with cheerfulness to bear the
cross of Christ. It has also been of great service to others
of my countrymen ; and I cannot doubt of its continuance to-
wards us, because I seem to myself to perceive, not our
merits, but your kindness, in your continual favours conferred
upon us. When indeed I received a Httle book and letter
from you not long since, in both which I may daily hear, by
the perusal of them, the words and voice of my most esteemed
father in Christ; I considered it as an admonition and en-
couragement to me, to proceed and advance with the diligence
LXXIX.] THOxMAS LEVER TO HENRY BU LUNGER. 157
of a son in the path of your paternal piety and instruction.
And in truth that book seems, not only to myself, but to very
many other pious and learned persons, to be worthy of being
translated into many languages. Peter Tonvillanus, the bearer
of this letter, has translated it into French, and left it here
to be printed, as he was called from this place to advance the
cause of the gospel in Poland. And since in my familiar in-
tercourse with him I have found him to be a learned, godly,
and honourable man, I have willingly entrusted him with this
letter to you, by which he hopes likewise to become better
acquainted with you, and on a more intimate footing. Your
kindness towards all persons of this character will not allow
him to be disappointed of his hope. Should my friend Spen-
ser not return, master John ab Ulmis will, I hope, take care
that your annotations on the lesser prophets, or any other
that you may have entrusted him with for me, may be copied
out. For as I desire nothing more fervently than such
writings of yours, I earnestly requested master John ab
Ulmis, by letter, to lend me his assistance in this matter ; with
which request I hope he will faithfully comply.
We have had of late no news from England, except that
persecution still continues, or rather increases. May God
have pity upon us, and sending power from above may he
put forth such labourers into his harvest, who may thrust out
the foxes from his vineyard, England!
Salute, I pray you, in my name, your wife and the rest
of your family, to all of whom I always wish the choicest
blessings in Christ. May the Lord long preserve you to us
and to the church of Christ ! Farewell. Geneva, June 28.
Your most devoted son in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXX.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Geneva, Jan. 17, [1555].
Much health in Christ Jesus. For that true fatherly
affection and beneficence, which you have manifested both to-
158 THOMAS LEVEU TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
•wards the other Enghshmen avIio are in exile for the cause of
religion, and also to myself, as though I -were your own son,
I cannot sufficiently return due and adequate thanks ; but
as far as is in our power, we will earnestly and prayerfully
entreat God for yourself, for the church committed to your
charge, for your family, and for all your friends. May God
grant that we may sometime prove by our actions, that we
have learned from you to treat wdth affection, and courtesy,
and benevolence, those who are wandering about for the
cause of Christ !
Since you have conducted yourself as a father to me, re-
ceive, I pray you, from me as from your son an account of
my manner of living and of my studies. I am residing here
free and unfettered by any public employment. I attend all
the sermons and lectures of Calvin, and some of those of
other persons, and have hitherto emj)loyed the remainder of
my time in the publication of a little book^ in our vernacular
English ; it is now in the press, and, God willing, will shortly
be sent to England. After I shall have sent forth this book,
I have determined to bestow as much time and attention as I
can upon the study of the prophets. I should certainly pro-
ceed in that study with greater alacrity and advantage, if I
were able sometimes by any means to consult you. Where-
fore, my reverend father, who have never refused me any
thing hitherto, I pray you now to impart to my friend, master
Spenser, some of your writings which may conduce to the
understanding of the prophets, and which are not yet printed ;
so that he may get them copied out for me, in the same
manner as he is now procuring me what you are writing upon
the Revelation of St John.
I have not at this time any thing new or important to
write to you about : whatever reports there may be, you
may, if you choose, hear more easily from the relation of this
messenger, than from my letter. For he is a pious and worthy
man, by name Eichard Harvel ; and having left England, his
country, for the sake of religion and learning, he is anxious
[1 Entitled, " The right way from danger of sin and vengeance in
this wicked world unto godly wealth and salvation in Christ." Written
at Geneva, and published in the time of queen IMary; afterwards
reprinted in London 1571, 1575. Tanner, Bibl. p. 479; Herbert's
Ames, n. 976.]
LXXX.J THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 159
to see and converse with you. Such has been my intimacy
with him here at Geneva, as to make me wish that this re-
commendation of mine may be of use to him.
Salute, I pray you, your very dear wife, as my own
mother, and that worthy matron who ministered to us Eng-
hsh, hke the mother of a family, when we were all together
under the same roof. ]\Iay God long preserve you to us for
the benefit of the church of Christ! Farewell. Geneva, Jan. 17.
Your attached in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXXI.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Frankfort, Feb. 12, [1555].
Everlasting health in Christ Jesus ! As I always found
in you, when I was at Zurich, godly counsel, learning, and
example, to my exceeding comfort and advantage, so now,
most revered father in Christ, I hope that I shall obtain the
benefit of your pious prayers for the edification of the church
of Christ of the English at Frankfort. And as many others
of my countrymen regard you as their patron, so do I
acknowledge you to have been a father to myself, as I hope
and desire that you will continue to be. And since I perceive
that I am destitute of all power and opportunity of returning
my obhgations, I write this, that you may understand me to
be neither unmindfid nor ung-rateful.
There is no certain intelligence from England ; but I have
heard from uncertain rumours, that the queen has never been
pregnant, and that the council, which they call the parliament,
was suddenly dissolved ; and this, because the king not only
rejected, but treated with contempt, three petitions preferred
by the magistrates ; one of which was, that he should restore
the true rehgion, the second, that he should make peace with
France, and the third, that ho should not admit into his
councils any one born out of England. I understand that
more persons are seeking comfort from empty reports than
100 THOMAS LEVEi; TO HDNKY HL'LL1N(;1:;K. [lET.
from true repentance. Do not think it a trouble to salute
my mother your wife in my name, together with the rest of
your family, to all of whom I shall ever wish every blessing.
May the Lord Jesus long preserve you for the welfare of
his church! Farewell. Frankfort, Feb. 12.
Your most devoted son in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXXII.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jan. A, [1556].
Much health in Christ Jesus ! While I was so engaged at
Geneva, both in my private studies, and in hearing the dis-
courses of the preachers in the public congregation, as that
nothing at that time seemed to be more desirable both for my
own individual improvement and the edifying of the church ;
some of my fellow-countrymen, who were banished from
England on account of religion, and had settled at Wesel,
sent a letter to me, wherein it was stated that by the majo-
rity of their votes, and the common and united consent of
them all, in a free election, I had been chosen as their pastor.
They therefore earnestly entreated me by letter, and im-
plored me in Christ, that I would neither decline the charge
which God (in answer to their prayers, and overruling their
votes) had imposed upon me, nor delay my journey to them,
who were anxiously expecting me. For since their late
pastor had already left them of his own accord, and the
magistrates had forbidden them the use of the sacraments,
they hoped to be enabled by my arrival both to have a
minister, and re-obtain the permission of the magistrates for
the free use of the sacraments, or at least that they should
receive some useful and necessary counsel. Having therefore
perused their letter to this eifect, and with prayer to God,
after consulting master Calvin and my pious and learned
brother-ministers of the church of England, I am now on
my road from Geneva to Wesel ; entertaining such a view
both of their state and condition, and of my own slender
r^XXXII.] THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 161
abilities, as that I am persuaded that I ought neither to un-
dertake the office of their minister, nor yet to refuse any
dihgence or labour of instructing them. For the ministerial
office neither seems to myself, nor to others whom I have
consulted, to be capable of being exercised either with or
among those to whom the ministry of the sacraments is for-
bidden : and indeed I do not as yet find in myself those
qualities which the word of God declares should exist in a
minister. Whatever gifts of God I may discover in myself, I
shall never refuse, by God's help, to impart all of them
freely and diligently to my brethren in Christ at their
request. In accordance therefore with your fatherly good-
will towards me (which I have so often experienced from our
first acquaintance unto this present moment) I entreat you,
my reverend father, in the bowels of Christ, to continue
always mindful of me in your prayers to God ; and some-
times too by your letters to me to advise and instruct me,
as your son, how I may better learn to serve Christ and his
church with humility, alacrity, and fidelity. And as I have
no means of repaying you, I will diligently endeavour in my
daily prayers to obtain for you and yours every blessing
from God.
I pray you likewise to salute in my name masters Peter
Martyr, Bernardino Ochinus, Gualter, and the other ministers
of your church ; to all of whom, for your kindness to myself
and to my countrymen, I acknowledge myself your debtor to
the utmost extent of my power. Salute too, I pray you,
from me in the Lord your wife and all your family, and
lastly, that worthy matron who attended upon us Engligh,
or rather, supported us in the same house. May God long-
preserve you to the edifying of the church of Christ, and the
overthrow of the kingdom of antichrist! Farewell. Stras-
burgh, on my journey, Jan, 4.
Yours faithfully in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
1 ZURIf'H LETTERS. HI. j
1G2 THOMAS LEVKU TO HEXRY BULLINGEH. [lET.
LETTER LXXXIII.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Berne, May 12, [1556].
Much health in Christ Jesus, with my warmest thanks
for your constant fatherly kindness and good-will towards
me. And though you have often bestowed many favours
upon me, yet nothing could have ever happened to me more
acceptably, or agreeably, than that by my reliance on your
advice, and by making use of your letter, I have at length
met with an asylum Avhere my very dear countrymen and
brethren in Christ, who are exiled from their country
for their avowed and faithful profession of Christ, may by
reason of the same profession be kindly and wilhngly re-
ceived. For master Haller, upon the receipt of your letter,
so advocated our cause, first, with many of the senators of
Berne collectively and individually, and at last in a full
assembly in the senate itself, that there is now permitted us
the liberty of sojourning in any part of the Bernese territory.
And master Haller requires or rather recommends us, that
after we have examined a number of localities, we should
return to Berne to make known to them what place within
their territory will best suit us, that we may receive from
the magistrates of Berne themselves especial letters of com-
mendation to the mayor and inhabitants of that place. With
reo-ard too to the free use of the word of God, and of the
sacraments, and also with respect to the manufacture of English
cloth, when the subject was mentioned, the Bernese seemed
candidly to acknowledge, that this was the very art which
they Avished us to exercise among them, and that there would
be no difficulty in our obtaining permission from them. I am
expecting therefore to-day a general letter from the magis-
trates of that state to all who are under their authority ; on
the receipt of which I have resolved to set out to-morrow on
a journey to the English at Basle, that I may consult to-
gether with them upon the hastening all the rest who are
still loitering on their road towards Basle, and upon survey-
ing the district around liorne, with the view of discovering
and providing the most suitable place of residence. I pray
I-XXXIII.] THOMAS I.EVER TO IIEXRY CULIJNGER. 1 G3
you therefore and bcscecli you in Christ, that, as you have
hitherto done, so you will always continue (whenever God
may give you an opportunity) to pour out abundantly upon
me your paternal kindness. I should wish indeed to have
placed myself with my friends under your wings, had it been
possible, in the territory of Zurich. But not what I will,
but what our heavenly Father willeth, will be done : to him be
all honour and glory, and to us mercy and salvation in Christ
Jesus ! Do not, I pray you, be displeased at my asking you to
salute your wife as my own mother, and all the rest of your
family as most dear to me in Christ in domestic love. I do
not so much ask, as I wish and hope, that you will always
be ready to give me advice upon such matters as you think
may tend to the glory of God, and to the comfort and edifi-
cation of me and mine in Christ Jesus, Farewell. Berne,
May 12.
Let us pray for each other.
Your son faithfully in Christ Jesus,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXXIV.
THOMAS LEVER TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at Basi.e, May 2/, 15fl(l.
Jesus Christ God with us ! ]\Iuch health in Christ
Jesus. Your great kindness, and the very prudent advice
you gave me in your house at Zurich, was an exceeding com-
fort to me ; and your letter to master Steiger for the magis-
trates and senate of Berne has been of great service to our
cause. That you may not be wanting in an opportunity of
persevering in your godly commiseration and dihgent atten-
tion to us, behold ! we are daily coming into greater difficulties
and tribulations. For we English, after our banishment from
England, our removal from WeseP, and wanderings over
[1 At Wesel the English wero under some trouble ; and the senate
were about to command them to depart thence, because of their
different sentiments from the Augustan confession in some points.
Strvpe, Cranmer, 507.]
11—2
1G4 THOMAS i.EVER TO lionoi.i'ii (.i"Ai.ri:n. [i.v.r .
almost all Germany, haye suffered a repulse in Basle', and
are at length compelled to have recourse to the hospitality
of the people of Berne. For the councillors of king Ferdi-
nand, who are at Emsen, will not allow any Englishmen,
who are exiles for the sake of religion, liberty of passage
through that territory of Ferdinand Avhich lies between Stras-
burgh and Basle. Whence you may easily perceive the
length, fatigue, expense, difficulty and danger of our journey,
and how greatly we are in need of protection, advice, libe-
rality and assistance. Remember us, therefore, I entreat
you, in your prayers to God, and in your correspondence
and conversation with such individuals as you may know to
be both able and willing to aid us in the cause of Ghrist.
Farewell. Salute, I pray you, master Parkhurst and his
wife. The bearer is in haste. Again farewell. Basle, iMay 27.
Yours faithfully in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
[1 The follo'vvinc account of this repulse is given by John Young,
in a letter to Bullinger, dated May 17,1557. " Measures had been
taken by the bretlu-en for receiving the English exiles, before I had
returned from Constance ; but they suffered a repulse from our magis-
trates, to the great sorrow and lamentation of the brethren, and of all
godly persons. On my return, by the advice of the brethren, I again
endeavoured to obtain from the senate that a residence might at least
be afforded to those who were already on their journey ; for that it
would be a most cruel procedure, and an offence to all christian
people, to cast them out. But this appeal also was made in vain ; for
they would not allow them any greater indulgence than what is
granted to the veriest mob that flock into the town, namely, the
liberty of using the public houses. Alas! my brother, how blind and
impious must those persons be, Avho so rashly, so irreligiously, to say
no more, repel from themselves and their families, to the groat scandal
of the churches of God, so great a blessing offered them from the
Lord ! Which indeed as it has now returned to the people of Berne,
•we congratulate both them and the exiles, as much as wo justly deplore
our own misfortunes. Pray God for us ; for unless he support us in
our distresses, I perceive that entire destruction will ensue."]
LXXXV.J TIIUMAS LliVEK TO IIENllY DULLLVGEI!. 165
LETTER LXXXV.
THOMAS LEVER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Arau, Sept. 18, [1556].
Jesus Christ God with us! Much health in Christ
Jesus. I have lately received two letters from your reve-
rence, and your truly useful and dehghtful book for the use
of the English church in this place. We plainly perceive
therein your true fatherly affection towards us, and must
candidly acknowledge, that while we promise you as muck
as will ever be in our power, we are utterly unable adequately
to return our thanks. And as it is a father's nature to re-
joice when he beholds his children profiting by his instruction
and kindness, and eagerly and successfully making progress
towards piety and happiness ; so shall it be our earnest endea-
vour both to derive this advantage from your writings, and to
afford you the happiness of observing our improvement.
And now to discourse with you somewhat familiarly respect-
ing myself, I would have you assured that your advice with
respect to not contending about things indifferent was exceed-
ingly gratifying to me. For I had previously come to the
same determination myself, and, being now supported by your
authority, shall persevere with much greater firmness and
alacrity in taking care to avoid offences and useless contro-
versies ; so that every thing may be more easily and effectu-
ally accommodated to the peace, and concord, and edification
of the church. For when I sent my friend master Richard
Burcher to Borne, to consult master John Haller with respect
to the use of ceremonies here in our church, I pointed out
the reasons which induced me to wish that leavened bread
jiiight be used in the administration of the Lord's supper ;
but in the mean time I was unwilling either to prefer any
petition to the government, or to act in all respects as I was
empowered to do, but only in reference to such things as
seemed in his judgment both lawful' and expedient. And
indeed he wrote back the very same advice that I received
from you in your letter ; so that I shall readily follo^v your
suggestion not on this subject only, but also upon any thing
1G(» THOMAS LEVER TO IlENllY BLLEINGEU. [lET.
else which with your wonted piety and discretion you may
recommend or advise to be done or to be abstained from :
and I pray you to Avrite me word at the very first moment
you have to spare, what you think I ought to do. If a man
wislics to marry the sister of his deceased wife, or if he has
already done so, ought he to retain her or send her away ? I
request also that you will peruse this little book upon the
church discipline of the English at Geneva, and let me know
your candid opinion of it. You see how boldly, relying upon
your clemency and kindness, I address your reverence, whom
I know to be always engaged in numerous and important
affairs. You must therefore defer compliance with my re-
([ucst until a suitable opportunity of leisure shall occur. All
the English who are here most cordially salute your reverence
in Christ, and we all of us beg to offer our best acknowledg-
ments for your letter and the book.
Salute, I pray you, in my name, the ministers of your
church and all your family, for all of whom I shall always
remember to pray to God, and for you especially, that you
may enjoy long life, and abihty to adorn the church of Christ,
to the confusion of antichrist, and to our comfort. Farewell.
Aran, Sept. 18.
Your most devoted in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
LETTER LXXXVI.
THOMAS LEVER TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at Arau, Aug. 11, 1557.
Jesus Christ God with us! Much health in Christ
Jesus. After a long and wearisome tossing about' I at
[^ On the English congregation leaving Wescl, they passed by
Frankfort, and "perceiving the contention to be among them so
boiling hot, that it ran over on both sides, and yet no fire quenched,
many had small pleasure to tarry there, but went to Basle and other
places; while M. Lever made suit to the lords of Berne for a church
within their dominions, whose letters he obtained with great favoiu* to
LXXXVL] THOMAS LEVER TO UODOLPH GUALTER. 167
length seem to myself to have arrived with some of mj
friends at Aran, as at a harbour of refuge. For we have
explored the whole Bernese territory, both in Germany and
Savoy, and found in each country one place especially, namely,
Arau in Germany, or rather in Switzerland, and Vevay in
Savoy, that was both able and willing to afford a comfortable
home to the English exiles for the sake of religion. And in
these two towns we found the inhabitants favourable to us
beyond all expectation. But the people of Arau^, by reason
of their confined situation, are unable at present to supply
and accommodate us with more than seven houses. And the
people of Vevay, though in a short time they will be able
and willing to receive the whole twenty-five families, are yet
a great way off, and difficult of access. Wherefore we have
judged it far better and more practicable, that some few per-
sons here in this neighbourhood, commencing with a small
number, should gradually advance from small beginnings, and
daily increase by fresh additions, than that all of them should
all their subjects for the friendly entertainment of the British nation.
These letters obtained, M. Lever, M. Boyes, M. Wilford, M. Pownall,
and T. TJpcher, came to Geneva to have the advice of that church,
what was best to be done touching the erection of a new church. They
of Geneva gave God thanks for that it had pleased him so to incline
the hearts of the lords of Berne towards them, and gave encourage-
ment that they should not let slip so good an occasion. Passing
through many parts of the lords of Berne's dominions in Savoy and
Switzerland, they found such favour in all places where they came,
as verily may be to the great condemnation of all such Englishmen as
use the godly stranger so uncourteously. M. Lever and the company
at length chose Arau for their resting-place, where the congregation
lived together in godly quietness among themselves, with great favour
of the people among whom for a time they were planted." Brief
discourse of the troubles begun at Frankfort, p. 185. reprint, 1845.]
[2 A letter from Young to BuUinger, dated Basle, Aug. 5, 1557,
states that " a large portion of the English are remaining here. The rest
will go to Arau, unless more eligible terms arc offered them at Vevay.
I went up to Arau with them last week, and easily obtained leave of
residence for them among the citizens themselves, but we could not
meet with suitable houses and apartments for more than seven
families. The church of St Ursula is appropriated to them, and
licence to engage in the manufacture of avooI, in spite of the oppo-
sition of some of the more wealthy of the inhabitants. God be
praised !"]
1G8 THOMAS LEVER TO KODOLPH GUAT.TEI5. [lET.
contend at once with great expense, and labour, and peril, for
the attainment of their object. As many persons therefore
as the seven houses which Arau supplies us with can contain,
are now established there with their Avives and children. The
remainder, Avishing rather to join us here than to remove as
far as Vevay, are lingering in other places, hoping and
desiring an opportunity of coming hither. ^ And thus wo
English, driven from our country by popery, and from Wesel
by Lutheranism, are now, most of us, by our mutual wishes,
counsels, and assistance, tending to one spot, where it is still
permitted us freely, sincerely, and openly to acknowledge and
worship Christ. And we shall all at length come together
to such a place, if God see lit : if otherwise, his will, and not
ours, be done ! But certainly, whatever may happen to us
in future, we shall all acknowledge ourselves exceedingly
indebted to master BuUinger and yourself, by means of
whose advice and commendatory letters I found and obtained
for our countrymen from the people of Berne far more and
better accommodation than I could have previously believed.
Wherefore I entreat you both to continue to assist me by
your letters, counsels, and admonitions, that 1 may retain and
improve the favour, kindness, and all other comforts necessary
for the gathering together, and consolation, and edifying of
those, who, having quitted their country for the cause of
Christ, are still looking out for a place where they may best
be able to worship God in sincerity, and by mutual kind
offices to supply each other with the necessary means of sub-
sistence. Salute, I pray you, in my name, with many thanks,
masters Henry Bullinger, P. Martyr, B. Ochinus, and the
other godly men ; also master Parkhurst and his wife. Fare-
well.
Yours faithfully in Christ,
THOMAS LEVER.
LXXXVli.] T. LEVER AKD OTHEKS TO HENllY BULLINGEll. 1G9
LETTER LXXXVIL
THOMAS LEVER AND OTHERS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Arau, Ocl. 5, 1557.
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus. While others are
wont to dedicate their writings to princes and great men,
Avith the view either to popularity or reward, you alone, most
illustrious sir, have made choice of us poor exiles to whom to
address your midnight studies and lucubrations, to commend
us in your discourses, and to render our condition (miserable as
regards this world, but glorious if we regard him to whom we
have consecrated ourselves, namely, Christ crucified,) memo-
rable to all posterity. Your motives for having thus acted
we can admire as well as account for. For Ave are almost
all of us unknown to you, and have no means of returning
the obligation. But herein appears your zeal for the Lord's
household, in that you not only diligently feed the flock over
Avhich the Lord has placed you, and instruct all other churches
by your learned commentaries ; but also this our exile, in
which we are deserted by our friends, laughed to scorn by
many, spurned by others, assailed by reproaches and revilings
by the most, you alleviate by your learned discourses, that we
may not sink under the pressure of these evils ; and, like a
good shepherd, you tend, strengthen, and cheer us all in our
dispersion. We accept therefore your princely gift, and em-
brace it with the feeling we ought ; and in return send you
Avhat alone we can do, namely, our thanks, our affectionate
regard, and a frec^uent mention of you our master in our
prayers. For your divine and honour-giving present, Avhick
no time shall ever bury in oblivion, receive this perishable
paper filled with lasting thanks ; and as often as we shall
take your book into our hands, so often shall Ave seem to
ourselves to hear you preaching, or rather the Lord himself
revealing his mysteries to us by your ministry.
Farewell, very dear father and much esteemed master in
Christ, and always regard us poor exiles Avith the love you
are Avont to do : for by your kindness is it that we this day
experience, (nor are we alone in this feeling,) how true that
170 T. LEVEM AND OTHEllS TO IIENIIY BULLINGEU. [lET.
is, which so many histories bear witness to, that the Swiss
have been at all times remarkable for hospitality. Continue
therefore to edify the church of the Lord by your unwearied
labours and studies, to commend us to your countrymen, and
to let pass no opportunity of befriending the distressed. May
the Lord Jesus long preserve you for the good of his church ! •
Amen. Arau. Oct. 5, 1557.
The exiled congregation of the English at Arau, most
devoted to you in the Lord, has commissioned the following
persons to subscribe their names in the name of all the rest:
THOMAS LEVER,
RICHARD L.iNGHERN^
ROBERT POWNALL,
WALTER KELLY,
JOHN PRETIE,
THOMAS TURPIN,
THOMAS ATTYN-.
LETTER LXXXVIIL
THOMAS SAMPSON TO JOHN CALVIN.
Dated at Strasbuiigii, Feb. 23, 1555.
I DO not cease from doing here, as I did at Lausanne,
that is, I am expecting a reply from your kindness. And
indeed I am more anxiously expecting it, in proportion as I
perceive the flame is lighted up with increased vehemence
amongst us English. For a strong controversy has arisen,
while some desire the book of reformation of the church
of England to be set aside altogether, others only deem
some things in it objectionable, such as kneehng at the
Lord's supper, the linen surplice, and other matters of this
kind; but the rest of it, namely, the prayers, scripture les-
sons, and the form of the administration of baptism and the
Lord's supper they wish to be retained. Some contend for
\} Richard Langhem, Robert Pownall, Walter Kelly, and Thomas
Turpin, afterwards received ordination from bishop Grindal, in 1560.]
[■•^ Probably an error for Alljn, but it is thus in the JNIS.]
LXXXVIII.] THOMAS SAMPSON TO JOHN CALVIN. 171
retaining the form, both because the archbishop of Canter-
bury defends the doctrine as sound, and also because the op-
posite party can assign no just reason why the form should be
changed. They exclaim on the other hand, that the sole object
of these persons is the establishment of ceremonies. You see,
most excellent Calvin, how Satan is permitted both at home
and abroad to rage against the English. May God have
compassion upon us ! and I entreat you by Christ our com-
mon Saviour, to give your best consideration to these dis-
turbances of ours, and shew me how we may best remedy
this present evil. I well know how much weight the autho-
rity of your letters will have with both parties in the settle-
ment of this dispute.
I have few things, and those far from pleasant, to tell
you about the affairs of England. On the dissolution^ of
parliament the bishop of Winchester summoned before him
all those who were in prison in London for the word of the
Lord, in number eighty*, and he urged them by promises,
rewards, and threatenings, to sign their recantation. All
persevered most stedfastly, these two only excepted, Barlow^,
formerly bishop of Bath and Wells, and Cardmaker", arch-
deacon, I believe, of the same church : for these submitted
to him. Five of them, after a few days, were again brouo-ht
to trial, condemned as heretics, and, as we say, delivered up
to the secular authority to be burned. Whether the execution
has taken place, I know not; but all the Enghsh are of
opinion that they will most assuredly suffer. Their names
are Hooper, Rogers, Taylor, Bradford, Saunders ; all of them
formerly celebrated as ministers of the word. The three
bishops are still alive, and it is thought that a conference will
be held between them and Pole. Philip has not got possession
of the crown. The bishops are authorised to seize at pleasure
upon all suspected of heresy. You see, excellent sir, the
[3 This parliament was dissolved on Wednesday, Jan. 16,1555. See
Foxe, Acts and Mon. vi. 584, last edition.]
[* The preachers were summoned to the bishop's house at St Mary
Overy's, on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Foxe, at. 687.]
[5 Bishop Barlow got free, and escaped into Germany, where ho
" did by exile constantly bear witness to the truth of Christ's gospel."
Strype, Mem. in. i. 431. Foxe, vn. 78.]
[6 John Cardmalcer, prebendary ofWells, was burned in Smithfield,
iMay 30, 1555. See Foxe and Strype as above, and Soames, iv. 416.]
172 THOMAS SAMl'SON TO JOHN t'ALVIX, [i.ET.
state of Englund ; I commend it to your prayers iind those
of your church. Farewell, and write to mc in return. Jn
haste. Strasburgh, Feb. 23, 1555.
Yours,
TIIOMxVS SAMPSON.
LETTER LXXXIX.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Auff. 6, 1555.
Greeting. There are two motives which now induce mc
to write ; one, that I may not be so neglectful of my duty,
as, after having received from you so many friendly saluta-
tions in the letters of others, not to salute you, most learned
sir, in return. I both express and desire for you, and that
from my heart, eternal blessings. The other reason is, be-
cause I wished to make use of your name, under which I
might transmit to master Chambers these letters and the
parcel which I send along with them. If I have taken too
great a liberty in this respect, your courtesy towards the
English has given me this licence. But I know that you
will undertake this trouble with the same kindness that you
are always wont to exhibit towards the English who are in
exile for Christ's sake. Merciful indeed and faithful is our
God, who, though we have left our natural parents, does not
withdraw from us parental kindness. I wish I could sometimes
seriously bear this in mind, and both shew myself not
wholly ungrateful to God, and in some measure also grateful
to yourself and those patrons who are like-minded with you.
And because, as I hope, my brethren at Zurich far excel mc
in this respect, so I am bold more freely to interest you in
their affairs than in any private business of my own. Fare-
well. Master Martyr, who is in good health, salutes you.
You will hear the English news, which is but little, from
master Chambers. Once more farewell, my father and most
revered master. Strasburgh, Aug. 6, 1555.
Yours,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
XC] THOMAS SAMPSON TO IIENilY BULLINGEn. 173
LETTER XC.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, April 6, 1550.
I HAVE received your letter, most reverend sir, in whicli
you state that you have received a packet of letters from
me. I am glad that those letters were so faithfully delivered.
The kind messages which you sent to the English, I dis-
tributed, and especially to our bishop. [Sir Richard] Morison
was already dead. Sir J. Cheke has left this place. I have
thus acquainted you with these things as my duty required.
Dr Cranmer was burned at Oxford on the 21st of March.
A certain absurd recantation', forged by the papists, beo-an
to be spread abroad during his life-time, as if he had made
that recantation : but the authors of it themselves recalled
it while he was yet living, and he firmly and vehemently
[1 See Soames's Hist. Reform, iv. 515, for a full account of the
recantations attributed to Cranmer; also Todd, Life of Cranmer, ii.
476. Sam])son seems to refer to the fifth of the papers afterwards
published by Bonner as a part of "AH the submyssions and recanta-
tions of Thomas Cranmer, &c.," printed by Cawood, 1556. Dr Todd
says : " To these artifices Cranmer yielded, and to the words on the
'little leaf of paper,' which they brought, subscribed, as it should
seem, in their presence. 'This recantation,' says Foxe, 'was not so
soon conceived, but the doctors and prelates without delay caused the
same to be imprinted and set abroad in all men's hands. Whcreunto,
for better credit, first was added the name of Thomas Cranmer with
a solemn subscription ; then followed the witnesses, Henry Sydall and
John de Villa Garcina.' The privy council were displeased at the
hasty publication of this paper, and the two printers of it were com-
manded to deliver all the copies to be burned." See also Foxe, viii.
82, and Burnet, in. 375. Soames, p. 525, notices and answers Dr
Lingard's theory, that the paper thus printed alone, by Rydall and
Copeland, was destroyed as an infringement on Cawood's copy-
right, and thinks it was suppressed lest it should be disavowed by the
prisoner or his friends. It is to be noticed also, that the continuator
of Faltian's Chronicles, speaking of the burning of the archbishop in
1556, says, " after he had recanted his supposed recantation."' The
original words of Sampson in the letter here translated are, " Recanta-
tio quondam absurda et a papistis conficta cfepit eo vivente spargi,
quasi ille earn palinodiam cecinisset ; sed auctores ipsi eam, eo vivo,
revocarunt, et ille fortiter reclamabat vivens pernegabatque." They
are worthy of notice in connexion with the circumstances already
recited. The whole of the '"' submyssions and recantations," as printed
by Cawood in a pamphlet of six leaves (see Herbert's Ames. ii. 794), are
reprinted by Dr Jenkyns in his Remains of Cranmer, iv. Ap]>. p. 398.]
174 THOMAS SAMPSON' TO HENRY BL'LLIXGER. [lET.
denied it. The enemies of God arc plotting dreadful and
most cruel schemes against England. jMay Almighty God
turn away his anger from us ! Mary declares that her
husband l^hilip shall be crowned in spite of every one.
She is so bold as to say this, even contrary to the advice
of her council. She is making great preparations both of
money and arms. You see whither these things tend ; en-
treat therefore the Lord for us.
As to what I had written in my last letter respecting the
"Antichrist" of master Gualter, the matter now stands thus :
while I was preparing to translate it into our language, I was
informed that some other Englishman had not only undertaken
the same task, but had also completed it. I think therefore
that it is now either in the press, or already printed. Satan
is here trying in many ways to disturb the peace of the
churches ; nor does he stir up only the turbulent Westphalians
and those who are like them, but he is scattering his seed also
among us exiles. The French church at Frankfort is now
suffering under this disease : for there is a great contention
between the pastor and some of his flock, if indeed they are
true sheep. Do you, excellent father, since these devices of
Satan cannot escape your notice, oppose your prayers against
his subtle attacks. I Avish we did this Avith the earnestness
that the occasion demands.
I ask but one thing more. When I was at Zurich, it was
permitted me (such was your singular kindness towards me)
to hear and learn from you by conversation and conference
those things in which I had need of advice and instruction.
You will do me the greatest kindness if you will allow me,
since I am now absent, to experience the same favour by
correspondence. I promise you that I will not be too trouble-
some, neither will I expect from you such speedy replies, as
not to be wilhng always to Avait patiently for the immense
pressure of your engagements. I dare not however make
the experiment before I have obtained your consent, lest I
should be a hindrance to one who is so diligently labouring
in the Lord's vineyard. May the Lord, whose servant you
are, and in Avhose affixirs you are engaged, preserve you long
in life and health to his church! In haste. Strasburgh,
April G, 155G.
Yours,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
XCI.] THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 175
LETTER XCI.
THOMAS SAIMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
AVithout place or date ^
Greeting. Although, most learned sir, you have no
time to waste upon reading my trifles, yet since the letters
which I have received from our brethren at Frankfort must
be wrapped in paper, I should wish even the blank paper to
salute you for me, as my duty requires. Your sermon has
long been circulated in English, and, as I am informed, is by
no means unacceptable to the English. The afflicted flock of
Christ is still suffering the misery of persecution ; for on the
27th of January there were seven ^ burned at London, and
on the same day five^ at Canterbury. This is the power of
darkness. Heath, archbishop of York, obtains the ofiice of
chancellor* ; White of Lincoln is now made bishop of Win-
chester^ : our languishing Penelope^ is waiting the return of
her Ulysses, who is celebrating bacchanalian orgies at Antwerp
on account of his happy attainment of the dukedom. Uncer-
tain tidings are reported about a truce between Philip and
the king of France ; but most disgusting accounts are given
of their dancing, nightly buffooneries, and ravishing of virgins,
to which things he has now entirely given himself up at
Antwerp. God will at length appear as an avenging judge :
to him do you stretch forth your suppliant hands, even to
weariness, as Moses did, on behalf of England,
[1 This letter seems, from internal evidence, to have been written
from Strasburgh, and probably in June or July, 1556.]
[2 These were, Thomas Whittle, priest ; Bartlett Green, gentleman;
John Tudson, artificer ; John Went, artificer ; Thomas Brown ; Isabel
Foster, wife; Joan Wame, alias Lasliford, maid; in 1556. See Foxe,
Acts and Mon. vir. 715, &c., and Strype, Mem. in. i. 470.]
[3 These were, John Lomas, Ann Albright, Joan Catmer, Agnes
Snoth, and Joan Sole. See Foxe, vii. 750, &c. who says the martyr-
dom took place Jan. 31st.]
[^ He was appointed Jan. 1. 1556. Strype, Mem. iii. i. 469.]
[5 This appointment took place, April 15. Strype, Mem. in. i. 487.]
[^5 One Mr Kemp came from king Philip about the 19 th or 20th of
June, with the news that ho had deferred his coming for two months
longer ; whereat the queen was much cast down, and for several days
after Kemp's coming she was not in case to hear any suitors. See
Strype, Mem. iii. i. 495.]
170 Tn().\rAS SAMPSON TO IIEXRY BULLINGEU. [l,ET.
Farewell, most excellent fiither. Salute, I pray you, that
excellent man, and great patron of the English, master Gnaltei-,
May Almighty God requite you all ! I am now employed
upon liis " Antichrist," that the English may see an epitome
of that book saluting the pope in English. Again, farewell ;
live most happily in Christ.
Yours,
THOMAS SAMPSOX
Should master Gualtor have any thing else, which, inserted
in [my translation of] his work on antichrist, may be a means
of improving it, he will do a service most acceptable to myself
and profitable to the church, if he will please to send it me.
If not, I shall publish his Antichrist, by God's blessing, just as
it is, only a little abridged. IS^ow, for the third time, farewell.
In haste.
LETTER XCII.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BOLLINGER.
Dated at Lausanne, Aug. 12, 1556.
Greeting. The letter, most excellent Bulhnger, that
you gave me to be delivered to master Haller, has been of
considerable service to me. For when I came to Berne, and
found none of my friends there, he arranged matters for me
most admirably, not only by entertaining me with the greatest
hospitality as his guest, but most diligently procuring me a
fellow-traveller to accompany me to Lausanne. And all this
he has done, because you had made mention of me in your
letter to him. I have therefore to express my thanks to you
for having so kindly designed to commend me to so kind a
friend ; and I entreat you to convey to him my thanks for the
courtesy he manifested towards me. I acknowledge myself
indeed most exceedingly obliged to you both. May our great
and good God long preserve you as an useful minister of his
church ! Salute, I pray you, in my name, my most obliging
host, master John James AVickius. Farewell. In haste.
Lausanne, Aug. 12, 1556.
Yours in Christ,
THOMAS SAMFSOX.
XCIII.] THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 177
LETTER XCIII.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Lausanne, Sept. 13, 1556.
I WROTE to you, my excellent Bullinger, as soon as I had
arrived at Lausanne, but am in doubt whether you ever re-
ceived my letter ; so that I think it well now to repeat what
I had also written before, namely, that I am by no means
unmindful of my duty towards you, and that I both know
and acknowledge myself to be on many accounts much in-
debted to you. This acknowledgment is due both to your
kindness, and to that of Haller, afforded me for your sake.
Enrol me therefore, most reverend father, among the number
of your friends. Oh ! how much am I indebted to Almighty
God, who has so provided for me the privilege of possessing
such patrons, while my beloved England is in such miserable
bondage. I have received from doctor P. Martyr the follow-
ing account of her servitude, — that Philip is now arrived in
London, where he was received with the general applause of
the people. Thomas a Becket is publicly set up as a saints
Inquiry is made after all those who refuse to go to mass.
Some Friars minor have arrived, and are residing at Winches-
ter. So far concerning public calamities. Respecting those of
individuals, he adds, that judge Hales threw himself into the
river ~, and so was miserably drowned: such is the punishment
of his apostasy. But to return to England : you see how she
is compelled to be in bondage to the Spaniards, the worst of
all nations, pretended saints, most degraded children of anti-
christ, and of the worst kmd of idolatry. But it is not only
this bondage that is to be lamented, and to which we are
involuntarily subject ; but that also by which we are willing
slaves to our impenitence. This slavery it is that so miserably
oppresses us ; this it is that keeps us in bondage within the
stone walls of our hearts, and compels us to be in slave-hke
\} The image of Thomas a Becket was set up in stone in 1555 over
the gate of Mercer's chapeL Strype, Mem. in. i. 333.]
[2 See Strype, who says "it was a sliallow pond, near his own house,
which is sliewn to tliis day." Mem. in. i. 276. A long account of
judge Hales is also given in Foxe, Acts and Mon, vi. 710, &c.]
12
[ZURICH LETTERS, III.]
178 THOMAS SAMPSON TO I1P:NKY BULLINGEK. [lET.
subjection to most filthy swine ; yea, it almost turns us into
swine and do^s ourselves, and yet there is in us no desire of
returniug to our Father : and albeit this is the only way for
our recovery, to obtain from our offended Father reconciliation
for Christ's sake, with tears; this only way we disregard,
althouo-h we are desirous of beino; thought over careful in
every thing else. Hence proceeds apostasy, hence despond-
ency, or desperate recklessness in impiety.
I am complaining to you of these things, my excellent
friend, that you may the more earnestly entreat God on our
behalf, in proportion to our own neglect ; and also, that I may
be allowed more freely to beseech you, if you have leisure,
to give some exhortation and advice to the English, (among
whom your influence is very great,) by which they may be
instructed how best to conduct themselves at this critical period.
If you will do this in Latin, there will be those who will
translate your discourse into English, Master Bucer, of pious
memory, published a congratulatory epistle' to the English,
when England first received the gospel : and let BuUingcr
publish something now, by which the godly may be comforted,
and the wicked admonished. Should I seem too urgent in
this request, I am ready to bear the charge of importunity,
provided only you will confer this benefit upon our church.
I call it a benefit, because I am most fully persuaded that
very many of our people will hence be led to a solid re-
pentance. And as soon as the Lord shall have found this to
be the case among us, he will then shew liimself a compas-
sionate Father, and will freely restore to us both the gospel
and our country likewise ; and how great a blessing this will
be, any godly person may easily determine. Come then, my
excellent Bullinger, if your other engagements, so useful to
the church, will allow you leisure, come, and direct your
attention to what you consider will most profit our afflicted
church. May our eternal God, and the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, evermore guide you by his Spirit into all truth I
Tour most devoted,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
[1 This was published in ir>48, and entitled, Gratulatio Buceri ad
ecclesiam Anglicanam dc religionis Christi restitutione. Strype, Mem.
II. i. 229.]
XCIII.] THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 179
Salute, I pray you, in my name, master Gualter, to whom
also I commend the care of our church. I know indeed that
he has an exceeding regard for her : may he always retain
this, and earnestly entreat God on her behalf; and may ho
also stretch out his hand to her in her state of lano-uishins: !
Salute also master Wickius my host, and our English friends.
Give this letter, I pray you, to one of your boys, to take to
my brother. May the Lord Jesus bless you and all yours !
If you will do me the favour to reply, master Beza can always
forward me your letters.
Lausanne, Sept. 13, 1556.
LETTER XCIV.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Lausanne, Oct. 13, 1556.
Greeting. Such is your favourable inclination towards
England, most learned Bullinger, that I can easily persuade
myself that your kindness will pay the same attention to what
I requested of you in my intercessory letter, as if I had
addressed you more fully and frequently upon the same
subject. I therefore commend to you my petition for my
country England, the state of which is deserving of commise-
ration in proportion to its wretchedness. Our affairs are
indeed getting worse every day. For I have just heard from
England, that the earl of Sussex^ has been sent with some
troops into Norfolk and Suffolk, to compel the gospellers to
attend mass. What tyranny is this ! Do you not think that
the truly pious now stand in need of comfort, and the weak
of exhortation? Come then, if you have leisure, most ex-
cellent father, and address our friends by your letters. Philip
has demanded of the council to be inaugurated, that is, as we
[2 Henry RatclifFe, carl of Sussex, was appointed by queen Mary
commander-in-chief of the teraporaiy army raised in the beginning of
her reign, and justice of the forests south of Trent. She also entrusted
him with the direction of the numerous spies and informers, who were
distributed in his counties for the piu-posc of detecting the protestants.
See Lodge's lUustrations, &c. i. 263.]
12—2
180 THOMAS SA.MrSON TO HENllY BULLINGEII. [lET.
commonly say, to be crowned king of England ; he has also
required ten thousand English troops to be sent to serve under
the emperor in the French war. Both requests, however,
were denied him. From hence most deadly evils will arise to
Eno-land, unless Almighty God of his great mercy shall avert
them; which that he may do, do you earnestly implore him
for Christ's sake, and make some mention of me, if only at the
end of your prayer.
Yours,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
Lausanne, Oct. 13, 1556.
LETTER XCV.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jpril 23, 1557.
I HAVE received your letter, my learned friend, together
■with the sermon concerning the confession and denial of Christ
our Lord. But, as I was about the next day to go to Frank-
fort, I was neither able to answer your letter, nor to satisfy
myself even up to this present time with respect to the object
I had in view. Having now returned, and obtained some
leisure, I have no other answer to make, save to express my
thanks for your kindness, and this not in my own name only,
but in that of England. For you have not only performed
a most agreeable service to myself, but a most useful one to
England, unless we stand in the way of our own advantage.
I have already determined with myself to translate that
sermon of yours into our vulgar tongue as soon as possible,
and thus present it to the perusal of Englishmen. That I did
not undertake to have it jmnted in Latin, is owing partly to
the terms of my request, in which I only pleaded for the
English ; and partly because I was unacquainted with your
wishes on the subject. I leave the Latin therefore to your
discretion ; respecting wliich, however, if I may be allowed to
give an opinion, I should say that it is very necessary in this
dcclininir ao;e. However, I will execute as foithfiillv as I can
what I have willingly taken u] on myself. England owes you
XCV.] THOMAS SAMPSON TO HENKY BULLINGER. 181
thanks, and, I hope, will pay them. May God of his mercy
long preserve you in life and health to his church ! Beheve
me exceedingly attached to you ; for I am yours,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
We all commend to your kindness our brethren, who will
give you every information respecting our affairs.
Strasburgh, Apr. 23, 1557.
LETTER XCVI.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO PETER MARTYR.
Dated at Frankfort, April 8, 1558.
Much greeting. Though I have had no letter from you
since my reply respecting the Hebrew books, and though no-
thing has arisen since that time about which it was necessary
to write to you ; yet I have now thought it proper to address
you, lest I should seem to be wanting in my duty. For
the friendship of such a man must not be buried in silence ;
and I feel it to be for my advantage to retain your friendship
for me by all possible means. I am writing therefore, in fact,
from self-love ; for my little writing-desk, so empty of all
erudition and knowledge, desires to be replenished with the
crumbs which fall from your table : on which account I have,
God willing, decidedly resolved upon visiting you towards the
end of May, and will then have some conversation with you
respecting my intentions. Meanwhile I must request (I dare
not say, Peter Martyr to receive me into his house : this is
denied me ; yet I should be very glad if that sentence could
any wise be recalled ; but if not, I must request) Julius to look
out a lodging for me. I wish to have a bed-chamber to
myself. I do not intend staying there beyond three months
at farthest. Should Julius find any difficulty in meeting with
such a lodging, let him call upon master White in my name,
who was my landlord when I was there last ; and if he can
procure a separate bed-chamber at his house, I will willingly
engage it, if I can obtain one no where else. I requested also
our friend Jewel to receive a parcel from the bearer of this
182 THOMAS SAMPSON TO PETER MARTYR. [lET.
letter, and take charge of it till I come. You see what trouble
I am giving both to you and yours by my proposed visit ;
but you always pardon my importunity, and therefore I treat
you with greater freedom. I will only add, that, should it be
convenient, I shall be glad to hear respecting the receipt of
the parcel, and also what is done about the lodging ; and this
before the middle of May, namely, before I leave Strasburgh.
I have requested Julius to write ; do you also charge him to
do so.
We have no news from England, except that the queen
is Avholly occupied in raising money and troops, it may be,
possibly, to make war against herself. However this be, a
war is threatened. You have, I suppose, heard of the ex-
tinction of the most splendid of all the masses throughout
Europe. I was present at its funeral, and saw the emperor
crowned' without the mass. I have here met with Beza, who
obtained from the princes, while they were here, a letter to
the French king for the liberation of the prisoners of Christ.
What has been done by us besides, I will tell you when we
meet. Salute your friend Julius, and all your friends in my
name. In haste. Frankfort, Apr. 8, 1558.
Yours,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
Peter Perne has my things, and will send them to you ;
I will pay the carriage when I come.
LETTER XCVII.
THOMAS SAMPSON TO PETER MARTYR.
Dated at Strasburgh, July 10, 1558.
By the blessing of God I have returned in safety to
Strasburgh, and find all my friends well ; and I am glad to
hear that you are well also. I venerate and embrace that
holy and inviolable friendship, which you promise me in the
\} The college of electors assembled at Frankfort, Feb. 24, 1558,
and declared Ferdinand of Austria the lawful successor to Charles V.
See Robertson, iv. 267.]
XCVII.] THOMAS SAMPSON TO PETER MARTYR. 183
cause of Christ. Besides, I regard with the greatest delight
this most useful kind of study, though I am now, through the
fault of certain individuals, compelled to put off till another
time that which, for the sake of my studies, I had intended
to accomplish immediately after the fair : and that is my
journey to you ; at the thought of which, as I often turned it
over in my mind, and rejoiced exceedingly, so I am now
obliged, not without much regret, both to witness and to desire
its postponement. I shall come however, I hope, shortly : in
the mean time, I entreat you for Christ's sake, let there exist
between us that inviolable friendship which you promise ; let
there always be in you the same mind, the same desire of
assisting me in my little studies, and, aided by the divine
blessing, I will not neglect the opportunity afforded me. But
I will give you notice of my coming. Your promise about
the Hebrew books is most gratifying ; and I beg that you will
act altogether in this matter just as if it were your own con-
cern, and you shall neither find me dissatisfied nor ungrateful.
When you have agreed with Perne or others, whom you may
think quahfied for this business, about the means of obtaining
the books, and will let me know, I will send you the money,
together with a hst of the books that I wish to purchase. I
only add, what you do, do quickly. Master Heton and his
wife salute you. He hopes to visit you at Zurich before the
end of September. Master Chambers salutes you. All our
friends are well. My wife and our Joanna salute you. The
people of Frankfort (I mean the English there) are in a per-
petual motion, more perverse than useful. Phihp is still in
England. Almost all are making preparation for a war with
England. But your countrymen on their return from the fair
will be full of news ; so I will make an end of writing. Fare-
well, and live most happy in Christ. Affectionately salute for
me master Bullinger. Strasburgh, July 10, 1558.
Your most devoted,
THOMAS SAMPSON.
184 CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH (iUALTER. [lET.
LETTER XCVIII.
CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at London, March 4, [1550.]
Although I promised, most learned Gualter, to wi'ite to
you from Antwerp, and tell you all the occurrences of so
long a journey ; yet, to tell the truth, I was so fatigued with
riding, that scarce any part of my body, much less my hand,
could perform its office. But now, lest I should seem alto-
gether forgetful of our friendship and mutual promise of cor-
respondence, I write at length, not, as I had intended, from
Antwerp, but from London, where I arrived from Calais with
greater difficulty and danger than I had met with through
the whole of my previous journey. For thus far I had brought
all my property in safety, with the exception of a dog, which
in the open plain of Brabant, on this side Bruges, refused to
follow me any farther : but on our passage over we fell in
with a French pirate, (for the truce of fifteen days was on land
only, and did not extend to the sea,) by whom our vessel was
very near being captured. And had not the tide, as God so
willed it, failed the privateer which was in pursuit of us, we
should without doubt every one of us have been taken prisoners.
But the matter did not end thus. For after we had waited
on the shore seven hours in expectation of the flow of the
tide, we did not get ofi" without the greatest danger, and some
damage to our property. We were compelled, unless we pre-
ferred learning French, to run our vessel on shore, saiUng and
rowing as expeditiously as we could ; in Avhicli flight the sailors,
as usual in the greatest extremity, that they might more
quickly reach the shore, threw overboard whatever first came
to hand, without any regard to its value. Among these was
my trunk, in which, as you know, were contained my books,
and the letters of my excellent friends. I care very little about
the destruction of my own property ; but the loss of the letters
of those worthy men, to whose kindness I am so deeply
indebted, grieves me most exceedingly. But I hope, when
they know of my escape, (such is their friendliness and
good-will towards me,) that they will not so much regret the
XCVIII.] CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. 185
loss of their letters, and feel angry with me, as praise the
Lord with me, who has delivered me from such great and
imminent danger.
Thus much then of myself ; I now come to other matters.
Throughout my whole journey I could have no suspicion what-
ever of the emperor being at war, as all things were as quiet
as possible ; but when I reached home, I heard that a large
fleet was in preparation by him, though what he is intending,
or in what direction, I have no certain information. This
only I know, and I am very glad of it, that no injury can be
done you by sea. I found all my friends and property safe
and well at home, to my great pleasure and delight. The facts
were true which I had related to you concerning my brother ;
but God, the just judge, and best defender of innocence, de-
livered him from prison almost at the very time I left you.
Hooper is daily setting forth with all boldness the heavenly
doctrine of our heavenly Father : he is to-morrow to preach
before the king ^ The bishop of Rochester, by name Ridley 2,
a worthy minister of Christ, succeeds the bishop of London,
who is deprived. Another post is allotted to the bishop of
Westminster^, where he will do less mischief. Salute in my
name all the brethren in the Lord, and especially that ex-
cellent soldier of Christ, and chief minister of your church,
master Bullinger, to whom, I pray, make my excuses for
having lost his annotations ; and request him at the same time
to procure me another copy, when I will satisfy the copyist
for his trouble. Salute the reverend presbyter, master Pellican,
Theodore [Bibliander] learned in the Lord, Otto, Zuinglius,
Wolfius, and the witty Frisius, with all the rest ; as also each
of my fellow-countrymen, whose letters I have lost, which
you will mention to them, that they may write them over
again. Salute your very dear wife in my name, to whom I
would have now sent a small present, if I had any means of
forwarding it. When an opportunity is afforded me, I will
certainly send it. Meanwhile, I request you, my dear Rodolph,
to procure your Apelles to paint for me the following portraits,
[1 This was on Wednesday, March 5, 1550. See above, p. 75, n. I.]
[2 Ridley was translated to the see of London, in April 1550, by
the king's letters patent. Strype, Mem. 11. 1, 338. See above, p. 79.]
[3 Bishop Thirlby, who, on the dissolution of the see of West-
minster in 1550, was preferred to Norwich. Strype, Cranmer, 129.]
186 CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. [lET.
those namely of Zuinglius, Pellican, Theodore, master Bul-
hnger, and yourself, holding books in then* hands ; of the same
size as that oval one of yours which you shewed me, and on
wood, not canvass ; and I request you to see that four verses,
the subject of which I leave to your discretion, be written
underneath. Make an agreement with the painter that the
colours be good and carefully set off, even though the expense
be increased. AVhen finished, let them be packed up in a
wooden box, and sent to Burcher, who will pay for them.
The sooner they are done, the more acceptable will they be.
And if you think the artist can paint a good likeness of
Q^colampadius', I would have it in addition to the other five.
Do not take it ill of me, my worthy host, that I impose
upon you this trouble : for did I not love you, and think
myself loved by you, I should not do so. If life be granted
me, you shall not find me an ungrateful guest. Take care
that you be well in the Lord. Send an answer, I pray you,
as soon as possible, but take care that the painter put his
hand to the work as speedily as he can. I leave the whole
matter to your fidehty and discretion. London, March 4.
Your most attached,
CHRISTOPHER HALES.
LETTER XCIX.
CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at London, May 24, 1550.
I HAVE received your letter, my excellent Rodolph, by
"which I learn with very great regret how little honour there
is among men, and how few persons there are in whom any
confidence can be placed. But I hope that such is the courtesy
of your senate, united Avith the greatest discretion, that they
will endeavour to arrange this whole business, whatever it
be, to the glory of God's great name ; and I have no doubt
[1 (Ecolampadius died Dec. 1, If),^!.]
XCIX,] CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER, 187
but that the Author of peace will grant them a happy issue.
Let us diligently pray in the mean time that he may he
pleased to do this as soon as possible. For godhness has no
voice in the midst of arms, the truth of which saying we, alas !
as you well know, have lately experienced in our grievous
intestine discords. And I could wish that others, being warned
by our example, would lay aside their arms, and learn to lead
a peaceable life in all godhness, a thing we have but lately
begun to understand. But now at length, thank God, we are
in the enjoyment of great tranquilhty : may our good and
gracious God grant that we may employ it to his honour, and
the benefit of our neighbours ! John a Lasco^ came back to
us ten days since, in consequence of things in Poland not
turning out according to his godly desires. His king would
not grant him an audience, for fear of the bishops. As soon
as I have heard from him how your friend Florian is going
on, I will let you know in my next letter. Hooper was made
bishop of Gloucester two days since, but under godly con-
ditions : for he will not allow himself to be called Rabbi, or
my lord, as we are wont to say ; he refuses to receive the
tonsure, he refuses to become a pie, and to be consecrated and
anointed in the usual way, with many other things, which you
shall hear at another time: from this bishoprick he has two
thousand crowns per annum. God grant that he may so pre-
side over his flock as to afford a godly example to the other
shepherds ; and I would desire you, my Rodolph, and the
other learned ministers of that church to labour earnestly in
his behalf. Your friend Oglethorpe, as I hear, is imprisoned
for superstition, and is about to lose, it is said, the presidency
of Magdalene college. The new bishop of London is now
employed in his visitation^, and threatens to eject those who
[2 John a Lasco arrived in England for the first time in Septemher,
1548, upon the invitation of Cranmer, with whom he resided at Lam-
beth for six months. He returned to Embden in the spring of 1549;
but the introduction of tlie Interim into Friesland accelerated his
departure from that country, which he quitted in October, and having
resided for some time at Bremen and Hamburgh, he embarked from the
last named town, and reached England in the spring of 1550, where
on July 24th he was appointed the superintendent of the foreign pro-
testant congregation established in London. See Burnet and Strype.]
[3 For the injmictions given in this visitation see Ridley's works,
Parker Society edition, p. 319.]
188 CHRISTOl'HEU HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. [lET.
shall not heave come to their senses before his next visitation ;
and if I know the man, he will be as good as his word,
I wrote to you in my last letter about some portraits;
and I now repeat my request, that you will be mindful of me
in this matter. Salute in my name your excellent wife Eachel,
to whom I send two candlesticks, and twenty dishes, some of
them of pewter, and some of Avood. I wish indeed that they had
all been silver; for the kindness of you both has deserved that
from me and a great deal more. Salute moreover in my
name all the ministers of your church, and especially masters
Bullinger, Pellican, Theodore [Bibliander], Otto, Wolfius, and
ZuingUus, my friend Butler too, and John, if he is over yonder,
and your merry friend Frisius, and all the rest. Farewell,
master Rodolph, and command my services. London, May
24, 1550.
Your friend and brother in Christ,
CHRISTOPHER HALES.
LETTER C.
CHRISTOPHER HALES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, June 12, [1550.]
I WAS exceedingly rejoiced, my most excellent Bullinger,
at hearing from our worthy friend Abel, that you were alive
and well : but when he delivered me your letter, I then knew
for a certainty that this was the case ; and that you have not
yet laid aside from your remembrance our friendship con-
tracted in the intercourse of a few months, which circumstance
I am inclined to attribute to your singular kindness. But I
wish that an opportunity may sometime be afforded me of
being serviceable in any way cither to yourself or any of
your friends. I would certainly take care that mutual fidehty,
faith, and good-Avill, should nowise be wanting in myself. As
to the pictures, 1 will endeavour that no offence be occasioned
by that matter. And not only in this, but also in every thing
else, I will defend, as far as lies in my power, the fame and
C] CHRISTOPHER HALES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 180
reputation of you all ; which I know to be entirely pure from
any of those things which can in any way impair the glory
and praise of God. I think that my elder brother, John Hales,
who was the cause of my quick and sudden departure from you,
will come over to you this summer from Augsburg. Should
he wish to make use of your most prudent counsel in any
matter, let him perceive that my recommendation has been
of some use towards the attainment of that object. And any
kindness you may shew to him will be much more gratifying
and acceptable to me than if you had shewn it to myself:
which though it may appear to you a bold assertion, yet
such is my love towards him, that when I have said every
thing, I seem to myself to have said but little. Farewell,
most excellent sir, and believe that I am yours. Salute in my
name all the most worthy ministers of your church and school,
to whom I wish every happiness in the Lord. Farewell.
London, June 12.
Yours heartily,
CHRISTOPHER HALES.
LETTER CL
CHRISTOPHER HALES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Dec. 10, 1550.
Much health, most excellent sir. Your letter has been
brought to me, wherein I perceive the candour of your mind,
and your more than common kindness towards me. Your
candour appears, in that you have borne the loss^ I occasioned
you with so much courtesy and good temper : although I
was entirely free from blame, since it arose not from any
fault of mine, but from, I know not whether to call it, the
wilfulness or bad faith of the sailors. But however it be,
you have afforded me no common pleasure by so kindly inter-
preting the whole matter. Your exceeding kindness appears
in this, that you have both sympathised in my misfortune,
and so courteously congratulated me on the favourable state
of my affairs. What you say, that I have you in my rcmem-
[1 Namely, of the letters mentioned above, p. 184.]
190 CHRISTOPHER HALES TO HENRY BULLIXGER, [lET.
brance, is Indeed true; and not one year only, nor all the
years of my future life, will be able to efface that remem-
brance ; as you shall certainly find to be the case, as soon as
I shall meet with any opportunity of shewing it.
I have delayed to write respecting the study of medicine
at Oxford, and the expenses there, until I could give you a
correct statement. I have however learned from a friend, who
is resident there, that the university of Oxford is not to be
compared with that of Paris or the schools of Italy ; but still
it is one in which a studious youth may be occupied with great
advantage. The same is to be said of Cambridge, but I
rather recommend Oxford on account of the greater salubrity
of the air. Cambridge, by reason of the neighbouring fen, is
much exposed to fever, as I have experienced more frequently
than I could wish. With respect to expense, my friend
informed me, that thirty French crowns would suffice tolerably
well for a year ; to which if other ten could be added, a man
might expect to live very comfortably. In my time, ten
years since, twenty crowns were a sufficient allowance ; but in
these latter days, when avarice is every where increasing, and
charity growing cold, and this by a divine scourge, every
thino- has become almost twice as dear as it was. And this I
attribute to no other cause than our proud and Pharaoh-like
rejection of the spiritual food of our souls so liberally and
abundantly offered. May God have mercy on us, and give
us better minds, that we may at length truly and heartily
repent ; lest, abusing the singular mercy of God, we should
call down upon ourselves a more grievous retribution !
I have written to master Gualter to procure six portraits
to be painted for me, which he writes word that he has done,
but has retained four of them for two reasons ; first, because
there is some danger lest a door shall hereafter be opened to
idolatry ; and next, lest it should be imputed to you as a
ftiult, as though it were done by you from a desire of empty
glory. But the case is far otherwise. For I desired to
have them on this account, both for an ornament to my
library, and that your effigies might be beheld in the picture,
as in a mirror, by those who by reason of distance are pre-
vented from beholding you in person. This is not done,
excellent sir, with the view of making idols of you ; they are
desired for the reasons I have mentioned, and not for the
CI.] CHRISTOPHER HALES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 191
sake of honour or veneration. For except myself, who always
desire your reputation and honour in all respects unimpaired,
there is no one who knows for what reason these pictures are
coming to me. I request therefore, most excellent sir, that
I may be allowed to obtain from you this favour. Do not,
I pray you, shew yourself obdurate in this matter, which is
both trifling in itself, and not capable of occasioning injury
to any one. Farewell, most accomplished sir. London, Dec.
10, 1550.
Your most devoted,
CHRISTOPHER HALES.
LETTER CII.
CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Between June 12, l/jfjO, and Jan. 26, 1551.
Much health, my excellent Rodolph. I have received
two letters from you, by which I clearly understand your
aftection for me, and that the commission wliich I too freely
imposed upon you, has been executed by you with the greatest
fidehty and diligence. And this I do not so much gather
from the result itself, as from the favourable disposition of
your mind towards me. I know that every thing was most
dihgently undertaken by you, and rather choose to lay the
blame upon my own fate than to entertain the slightest suspi-
cion of any fault on your part ; so that there was no occa-
sion for making me any apology. You have indeed admi-
rably discharged your office, and I certainly consider myself
undeserving of so much kindness. You must not therefore
suppose that I view the matter in any other light than if the
whole affair had succeeded according to my wish. I am
greatly surprised that Burcher should persist in thinking that
portraits can nowise be painted with a safe conscience and a
due regard to godhness; since there is not a single letter in the
holy scriptures which appears really to sanction that opinion.
For, if I understand aright, images were forbidden in the
192 ClIRISTOPIIEU HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. [lET.
sacred books for no other reason, than that the people of God
miglit not be drawn aside from the true worship of one true God
to the vain worship of many false gods. And if there be no
danger of this, I do not see why pictures may not be painted
and possessed, especially when they are not kept in any place
where there can be the least suspicion of idolatry. Who
worships the monkey that is placed in your fish-market ?
Who worships a cock fixed on the church-steeple, as your
father-in-law actually has, who is so determined an enemy
of idolatry ? Who bows himself before your Charles^ placed
on the top of the tower ? Who is so senseless, as to wor-
ship a painting or picture deposited in the library? Sup-
posing that there are those who honour them when hung up
in churches and sacred places, which I by no means approve;
yet where is the man so devoid of all religion, godhness,
fear of the most high and Almighty God, and so entirely
forgetful of himself, as to regard with veneration a little por-
trait reposited in some ordinary place in a museum ?
But it is said that times may occur, when there will be
danger lest encouragement be given to idolatry by then' means.
Well then, it may in the same manner be argued, that no
image or likeness ought to be made of any thing whatever !
But I am so far from suspecting you of an opinion of this
kind, that I do not suppose it is entertained by any man
upon earth. Indeed, my worthy friend, if I thought it pos-
sible that the worship of idols could be re-established by such
means, believe me, that if I had the pictures, I would tear
them into a thousand pieces with my own hands.
Another reason is next alleged, which if I had considered
a true one, I certainly, my llodolph, should never have made
this request. I know your disposition, and that of the rest
of you. It is impossible that you should ever suppose me
capable of thinking so unfavourably of yourself and of the
other ministers of your church, whom I consider to be as far
removed from all anxiety for display as any persons living.
But you have no occasion to fear what others may think of
you, as there is no one, or at least very few, with the excep-
tion of our two selves, who know from what source these pic-
[1 The south tower of the Gross-munstcr or cathedral at Zurich is
called Charles's tower, from a statue jilaced thei'C, which is supposed
to be that of Charlemagne.]
CII.] CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. 193
tures will be brought to me. Who lays it to the charge of
the Romans of old, that we have their resemblances engraved
upon numerous medals ? Who blames Luther, Bucer, Philip
[Melancthon], GEcolampadius, and very many others noAv
living, because their likenesses are every where to be met
with? This is nothing extraordinary, but a thing of very
frequent occurrence among all nations, for men fond of learn-
ing to adorn their studies with the memorials and images of
literary characters ; and this I think no one would say is
done with a view to the establishment of idolatry. These
things are done in general for the sake of ornament, not to
do honour to individuals ; so that you need not imagine that
you will ever become the instruments of some impious and
ungodly purpose.
As to your tolling me that each of you has retained his
own portrait for himself, I have no right to find fault, since
you seem to have done this under the excitement of godly
zeal. I know that you are prudent and well-judging men,
and that you have not rashly changed your purpose, which
I certainly wish you had not done without being influenced
and supported by grave reasons ; and if they had known me
well, they would not have thought they had any thing to
fear from such a circumstance. For I am not one who would
have the true worship of God adulterated in any, even the
least, matter ; much less would I wish the reintroduction of
gross idolatry, so hateful to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Wherefore I request you, my beloved brother in Christ,
to explain to them these my sentiments on this subject, and
to ask, in my name, permission for me to obtain from their
kindness this single request, namely, that the remaining four
portraits may be sent me. And if you cannot obtain this,
(though I hope otherwise,) I at least beg and indeed insist
upon this, that your Zeuxis shall be paid at my expense.
For I by no means consider it fair, that those worthy men
should pay the penalty of my offence, if offence it be : I
have been in fault, and I must bear the blame. In the
next place, I entreat you, my worthy friend, that should I
not be able to obtain all the portraits, I may at least obtain
the two others, namely, that of Theodore, which you tell me
was taken without his knowledge, and as it were by stealth,
and also your own ; for I am well assured that you are of
r 1 13
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI. J
194 CHRISTOPHEK HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. [lET.
quite the contrary opinion, unless you have lately very much
changed it, or else you would never have had the portraits
taken of your wife and little girl. I am now dealing with
you upon what you have set your own seal to, as they say;
see what reply you have to make. But I know that not
only yourself, but that the most excellent master Bullinger
is of the same way of thinking, and this too from your own
statement. For you tell me that the portrait of (Ecolam-
padius is taken from the copy which he has in his possession;
which if he had considered to be unlawful, I am sure that a
man of so much piety and godliness would never have allowed
so impious an act. But enough of this. Excuse me if I have
dwelt somewhat too long upon the subject.
And now respecting the expenses and studies at Oxford ;
I have been more diligent in my inquiry, because the youth
was a connexion of yours, and the son of that excellent man,
the senator Cellarius. You must know then, that I have
ascertained from an Oxford friend, who has himself tried
it, that medicine is so studied there, as that a man may
devote himself to literature with great advantage. In the
next place, that the expense of living is such, as that thirty
crowns a year will be amply sufficient; but if ten more be
added, there will be no deficiency of means for every
proper purpose. And if I may interpose my opinion, I
would rather that such allowance should be provided, as
that there should be ten pounds too much, rather than one
too little. Should he come hither, I shall most willingly
shew him every kindness for your sake. Lastly, with respect
to the pewter and the cloth, I cannot send them at present,
but, God wiUing, you shall certainly receive them at the next
Frankfort fair. Christopher Froschover is now at Oxford ; I
have received a letter from him, but have not yet chanced to
see him. Your Zurich courtesy Avill not allow me to refuse
any service that he may require. I hear that your wife is
in the family-way ; wish her from me a happy delivery.
Take care of your health, Rodolph, my very dear brother in
the Lord. Salute from me all our godly brethren sojourning
among you. Though Butler is named last, let him know
that he has not the last place in my friendship. Salute him
therefore, and his wife, when you have an opportunity.
Although the church of God be oppressed, it cannot be
CII.] CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER, 195
destroyed. Our godly bishops are planning, for the second
time, a more complete reformation of our church. God
grant that all things may turn out to the glory of his name I
Amen, Amen. Farewell, my beloved Rodolph.
Yours heartily,
C. HALES.
LETTER cm.
CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at London, Jan. 26, 1551.
Much health, most excellent Rodolph. You desired me,
in your last letter, to send you some of the pewter ware of
this country, and some cloth suited for hose. This commis-
sion I have executed as faithfully and dihgently as I could,
and I hope that it will meet your approval. I have delivered
the articles to our friend Richard Hilles, who has promised
to take care that they shall be handed over to Froschover at
Frankfort at the next fair. And that you may know more
certainly what you are to receive from him, you must know
that I have inclosed in the package six dishes of a larger
size, and as many smaller, to which I have added six saucers.
There are also twelve plates, which, if I am not mistaken,
are of the kind you wished for. They cost six and twenty
shilUngs and seven pence of our money : if this price ap-
pear to you too great, I assure you, that not only ware
of this kind, but also every thing else, is twice as dear as
usual. As to the cloth, I purchased it for seven shillings of
our money, which, at the present rate of exchange, amounts
to one French crown and two batzen. As you gave me no
positive direction in your letter, I have sent as much cloth
as will make one pair of hose. Should I understand that
this expensive kind of cloth meets your approbation, I can
easily contrive for you to have at any time as much as you
may require.
And now as to the pictures and the labour of the artist.
I must again entreat and implore you that, if it be possible,
you will let me have them. But if I cannot obtain this, at
least let the work of the artist be paid for at my expense.
13—2
196 CHRISTOPHER HALES TO RODOLPH GUALTER. [lET.
For I do not think it right for me to impose such a burden
upon those excellent men. Farewell, my worthy llodolph,
and number me among your friends. Salute in my name
all the worthy ministers of your church, together with your
excellent wife and our friend Butler. Entreat the Lord con-
tinually for us in your prayers; for his church was never
placed in greater danger. The affair of the bishop of Win-
chester^ is now going on, and he will probably ere long be
deprived of his office, together with some other not godly
bishops. May Christ grant, (for the whole cause is his,) that
other godly men may be appointed in their stead ! London,
Jan. 26, 1551.
Yours heartily,
CHRISTOPHER HALES.
The whole cost of the pewter and cloth together amounts
to five French crowns and one or two batzen.
LETTER CIV.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated [in August, 1540.]
Patience, that when you have performed the work of
God, you may obtain the promise ! God knows, my most
honoured master, how greatly I have always desired to write
to you, and how slenderly I am furnished with materials for
writing in Latin. Ho who dealeth to every man the measure
of faith, and gifts according to his will, has bestowed upon me
some little knowledge of Latin, but not the abihty of express-
ing myself at all clearly in that language, so that I have never
yet ventured to write in Latin to any one. But as you have
so often challenged me with your hortatory and truly com-
forting letters, and, so to speak, have compelled me to write
you something in reply ; and especially as I am persuaded
that with your Avonted courtesy and kindness you will take
every thing in good part that will anywise admit of a right
[1 For an account of the proceedings against bishop Gardiner, see
Foxe, VI. 64, &c. Soames, iii. 607.]
CIV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 197
interpretation ; I have now sent you this ill-composed letter,
which however I certainly should not have sent at present,
had I not previously lost all hope of seeing you this year. I
certainly intended to have gone into Switzerland with my
wife this present August, chiefly for the sake of paying you
a visit; but my brother Butler, who is now busily engaged
in courting a widow of Strasburgh, has been away with
her relatives the whole of this month ; so that unless we
choose to travel by ourselves, we are at present obliged
to remain here, though I do not expect to have so much
leisure time again for a whole year. Do not, I pray you,
mention this to any one ; but he is at present uncertain
whether she will marry any body, and I am afraid she will
hardly become his wife, by reason of a disorder under which
she has long been suffering, even during her late husband's
lifetime. It has often come into my mind to write you the
news from England, and the changes that are continually
taking place ; but I have been prevented by a becoming
modesty from persevering in my intention ; for I not onl}''
write Latin as barbarously and ungrammatically as I speak
it, but even the words themselves fail me. Relying, how-
ever, upon your wisdom and good nature, by which you know
how to be unlearned among the unlearned, that you may
unite them to Christ, I send you herewith a summary of those
matters respecting the state of our kingdom last year, which I
have gathered from the letters of brethren worthy of credit,
and which I had intended to communicate to you in person.
I only request you to receive in good part what has been
written, though in a rude and barbarous style, with a friendly
disposition towards you.
As to the state of our commonwealth before the feast of
Easter last passed (namely in the year 1540), I hope you
have been sufficiently informed by our aforesaid brother
Butler. For in my letters to him I described very care-
fully, as far as my abilities would allow me, all the events
that had occurred, and this that he might afterwards com-
municate them to the learned and godly men yonder, and
especially to yourself. I received your letter dated on the
sixth of this month, and also the one you had previously
forwarded by that Frenchman, at the same time, and heartily
thank you for them both ; and especially because you thought
198 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET,
fit therein to afford me such true and godly consolation from
the holy scriptures, and so diligently to exhort me to patience
and longsuffering, in which graces I am greatly deficient. In
the next place I have received from your letter, by God's
blessing, this great benefit, namely, that I have considered
and deliberated much more carefully and discreetly than
before, what it is to leave one's first love, and how unbe-
coming it is for a Christian to return to his vomit ; and how
fearful a thing it is for any one to fall into the hands of
the living God! Blessed be God, even the Father of our
Lord Jesus Clirist, the Father of mercies, and the God of
all comfort, who has doubtless oftentimes comforted you in
your tribulation and distress, that you may thereby be more
able to comfort them which are in any trouble !
Meanwhile however, that you may know the state of my
affairs, it is as follows. When I perceived that there was no
place left for me in England, unless, as Ustazades^ replied to
the king of Persia, I chose to become a traitor both to God
and man ; I forthwith left the country, but on the pretext
of carrying on my trade in this place. This motive how-
ever is known by all my godly acquaintance to be a false
one, and also suspected to be such by my ungodly adver-
saries. But as I have not been indicted for heresy, or
summoned before the courts of law, all my property yonder
is at present tolerably safe ; so that I remit to England at
every fair, for the purpose of importing a fresh supply of
cloth, the money that I receive both here and at Frankfort.
I have mentioned this with the view of making you acquainted
with my affairs, lest, in case you should hear any report of
my voluntary exile in these parts, the account of my troubles
in England should fail of being noticed. JMeanwhile, I freely
confess to you, (though it would not be safe for me to make the
same acknowledgment to every one,) that I have determined
not to return thither, unless it should first please God to effect
such a change, as that we may serve him there without hinder-
ance, and without being forced to sanction what is evil. My
wife, thank God, makes provision for our comfort here quite
as well, or indeed better than myself. Although, by God's help,
[1 See Historia Tripartita, Lib. in. cap. ii. p. 325-6. of Auctores
HistoricB Ecclesiasticce, Basil. 1533. Also, Pilkington's Works, Park
Soc. Ed. p. 637.]
CIV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 199
I do not doubt of my perseverance even unto the end, I
entreat you to pray the Lord for us, that he which hath
begun a good work in us may perform it until the day of
Christ. Our brother Butler returned to England after the
last Frankfort fair ; but so miserable was the state of things
in that country, that he did not remain there more than
eighteen days.
Furthermore, I entreat you for God's sake not to mention
to any one what I am now writing, except to masters Theo-
dore Bibliander, Pellican, Leo Judse, and other godly and
learned men of the same stamp ; and above all, let it not
be loiown as coming from any Englishman. And I implore
you not to let them read my letter, for fear they should
ridicule, as it deserves, my rash and foohsh presumption in
writing in this unpolished and unconnected manner. I should
have given my letter to Butler, if he had been at home, or to
some other Englishman in this place, to be put into better
Latin, only that I am not willing for them to know (though I
do not distrust them) that I have communicated so many
things to all of you together ; lest probably, when they are
writing to England, they may, with a good intention, acquaint
some godly person or other, who, without sufficient caution,
as frequently happens, will^
I thank you much for the information you give me
respecting Falckner ; and I request that if there are any other
pious and God-fearing men yonder, who are in the habit of
purchasing English cloth, you will let me know their names,
that, should they at any time wish to obtain some cloth from
me upon credit, I may let them have it. For I do not feel
disposed to credit any persons with any large sum, except the
people of Zurich, and a few, it may be, at Schaffhausen :
wherefore, if you will do me this favour, I shall be much
obliged. I will pray Christ to requite you in return, for
whose sake I know that you love me ; just as you hate the
ungodly for the deviPs sake, and for his image in them, as did
the prophet David, and all holy men besides. How well do Ave
learn by daily experience the truth of that verse of Solomon,
The righteous abhor the wicked, and those who are in the right
way are abominable to the ungodly. Farewell, honoured pas-
tor, most happily in the Lord, and may Christ, the chief
[2 The remainder of this sentence is altogether unintelhgible.]
200 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
Shepherd, grant you so to fulfil your ministry, that when he
shall appear, you may not be ashamed, but have confidence,
and obtain the incorruptible crown of glory promised to those
who are like you. Amen. My wife dutifully salutes you,
and especially your wife. We both of us very much desire
to visit you. You have no need to Avish for us, for we cannot
in any Avay be of comfort or service to you, but in many ways
a hinderance and impediment to your studies. Again farewell
in Christ, my very dear master, and do not, I pray you, for-
get to salute in my name your godly wife, and joint heir with
yourself of the kingdom of heaven.
Yours heartily,
R. H.
LETTER CV.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [London, 1541].
Before Whitsuntide three persons were burned in the
suburbs of London, in that part of the city belonging to the
diocese of Winchester, because they denied transubstantiation,
and had not received the sacrament at Easter. And as these
things took place in the diocese of Winchester, it was re-
marked by many persons that these men were brought to the
stake by the procurement of the bishop ; just as he burned,
shortly after, a crazed man of the name of Collins 2. This
man had previously been kept in prison for two or three
years, but I do not exactly know for what reason. Once, as
he was passing by a crucifix, to which processions had some-
times been made, (principally by the Spanish sailors on their
arriving safe in harbour,) he aimed an arrow at the idol, and
[1 This letter is quoted by Burnet, in. 215, &c. "It is writ," he
says, (226) " with much good sense and i)iety, but in very bad Latin ;"
which indeed in some places renders it very difficult to find out the
meaning.]
[2 Collins became insane through the evil conduct of his wife, who
deserted hiui for another. He was bui-ned in 1538. See Foxe,
V. 251.]
CV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 201
striking its foot, called out to it to defend itself, and punish
him if it were able. Many persons, however, say that this
was not the cause of his imprisonment ; but rather, because he
was wont to exclaim against the nobility and great men of
the kingdom, and rashly to bring forward against them many
passages of holy scripture, especially the prophets, wherein
there was any mention made of unrighteous judgments, or the
cruel treatment of neighbours and dependents. Meanwhile,
I know this for a fact, that when Lambert was confined with
him in the same prison, (that Lambert^, namely, who was
condemned by the king himself for his opinions respecting the
eucharist, a short time before Burcher fled from England,)
four or five days before he was brought to the stake, this
ColUns vras not so crazy or ignorant but that he was able to
bring forward and apply very expeditiously and aptly on
Lambert's behalf, against the bishops and other ungodly per-
sons who appeared against him before the royal tribunal'*,
various passages from the New Testament, and from the
Psalms, such as these, " Blessed are they which are persecuted
for righteousness' sake, &c." " The Lord knoweth the days
of the upright, and their inheritance shall be for ever." [Ps.
xxxvii. 18.] " The wicked shall not dwell with thee, neither
shall the unrighteous stand in thy sight." " Thou hatest all
workers of iniquity, thou shalt destroy all that speak leasing."
[Ps. V. 5, &c. vulgate.] " The Lord abhorreth the bloody
and deceitful man ; they shall not live out half their days,"
&c. [Ps. Iv. 23.] Now to other matters.
Before the feast of John the Baptist it began to be
whispered about that the king intended to divorce his queen,
Anne, the sister of the duke of Gelderland, though he had
married her publicly with great pomp, in the face of the
church, on the feast of Epiphany, after last Christmas. This
was first of all whispered by the courtiers, who observed the
king to be much taken with another young lady^ of very
[3 For a full account of the proceedings against John Lambert,
see Foxe, v. 181, and Soames, ii. 324. He was burned in Smithfield
in 1538.]
[1 The king determined to hear the cause in person, and West-
minster Hall Avas prepared for the pui-pose. Soames, ii. 327.]
[5 This was Catharine, daughter to Lord Edmund Howard, and
niece to the duke of Norfolk.]
202 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
diminutive stature, whom he now has. It is a certain fact,
that about the same time many citizens of London saw the
king very frequently in the day-time, and sometimes at mid-
night, pass over to her on the river Thames in a httle boat.
The bishop of Winchester also very often provided feastings
and entertainments for them in his palace ; but the citizens
regarded all this not as a sign of divorcing the queen, but of
adultery. After a few days, Cromwell ^ the king's vicegerent
in causes ecclesiastical (for such was his official designation)
fell from the king's favour, and at the beginning of June was
sent to the Tower of London, from whence he never went
forth till the twenty-eighth of July, when he was beheaded,
together with another nobleman, the lord Hungerford^, whom
they charged with having attempted to calculate the day
when the king should die. I know nothing for certain as to
the cause of CromwelFs execution, because he was not brought
for examination before the tribunal, as had always been the
case heretofore with all noblemen, and especially when accused
of treason against the king. But it was commonly said by
most persons, and with great probabiUty, that the real cause of
his execution was, that he did not support the king, as AYin-
chester and the other courtiers did, in his project of a divorce,
but rather asserted that it would neither be for the king's
honour, nor for the good of the kingdom. Not long before
the death of Cromwell, the king advanced him, and granted
him large houses and riches, and more public offices, together
with very extensive and lucrative domains ; (and in the same
way he also endowed queen Anne, a short time before he
beheaded her.) But some persons now suspect that this was
all an artifice, to make people conclude that he must have
been a most wicked traitor, and guilty of treason in every
possible way ; or else the king would never have executed
one who was so dear to him, as was made manifest by the
presents he had bestowed upon him. It was from a like
artifice, as some think, that the king conferred upon Crom-
[1 For an account of Cromwell's fall, see Foxe, v. 398, and Soames,
n. 40f).J
[- Walter, lord Ilungerford, was accused, among other crimes, of
ordering Sir Hugh Wood, one of his chaplains, and one doctor Maud-
lin, to use conjuring, that they might know how long the king should
live. See Burnet, i. 580.]
CV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 203
well's son Gregory ^ who was almost a fool, his father's title,
and many of his domains, while he was yet living in prison ;
that he might more readily confess his offences against the
king, at the time of execution, and that his majesty might not
be provoked to take back the presents and estates that he had
bestowed. There are, moreover, other parties who assert, with
what truth God knows, that Cromwell was threatened to be
burned at the stake, and not to die by the axe, unless at the
time of execution he would acknowledge his crimes against
the king ; and that he then said, "I am altogether a miserable
sinner. I have sinned against my good and gracious God,
and have offended the king." But what he said respecting the
king was carelessly and coldly pronounced by him.
Our sins have doubtless deserved this change in our affairs,
because, when God sent forth his word amongst us, it was
not regarded by us as the word of God, nor were we suffi-
ciently thankful to its author ; but we have been dreaming that
it was understood by our own strength and ability, and have
constantly ascribed its success to the conduct of some, and the
learning of others, while we fancied that God was allthe while
asleep and inactive. Wherefore the Lord, purposing gradually,
but not all at once, to manifest his mercy towards us, a» well as
his power in the general course of his providence, has taken
away, together with purity of doctrine, those individuals also
upon whose wisdom we so much depended for support ; willing
that his providence should herein be shewn forth, by frustrat-
ing and destroying our expectations from men, and our boasting
that interfered with his glory ; and manifesting too his mercy,
by permitting these things to be gradually taken away, together
with those persons in whom we trusted ; and this, that, being so
often deceived in our expectations from the creature, we might
place all our confidence in him alone, and acknowledge him as
the continual agent, as well as the original source, of all grace
and goodness. This long-suffering of God, so tempered with
instruction, ought to have worked repentance in us, unless we
had been a stiff-necked people. But such was the wretched-
ness of our condition, that we did not consider it was the
Lord's teaching : but as soon as he had destroyed the hopes
[3 Gregory Cromwell was summoned to parliament 2Sth April,
1539, and created, by patent, Baron Cromwell, 18tli Dec. 1540. Ob.
1551.]
204 lUCIIAllD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGEK. [lET.
wc had reposed in one individual, we raised up to ourselves
another in -whom we placed our confidence ; until at last God
has taken tlicm all away from us, and has intiicted upon us
such a Avant of sincere ministers of the word, that a man may
now travel from the east of England to the west, and from the
north to the south, without being able to discover a single
preacher, who out of a pure heart and faith unfeigned is
seeking the glory of our God. He has taken them all away.
(And here I mean queen Anne, who was beheaded, together
with her brother ; also the Lord Cromwell, with Latimer ' and
the other bishops.) Oh the great wrath and indignation of
God ! yea, rather the far greater mass of our sins, by reason
of which the tender severity of God could not but inflict upon
us this punishment ! But whither am I wandering ? It is as
thouirh a swine should endeavour to instruct Minerva. I will
therefore return to the subject.
At the time when the lord Cromwell was imprisoned, the
king held a public assembly of the nobihty, bishops, and cer-
tain of the citizens, according to the custom of this country,
and which our people call a parliament ; in which were pub-
lished more than forty-eight new statutes, (and the king in-
tends tliem to be of perpetual obligation,) of wliich I here only
mention a few, but not all, of those which concern rehgion.
The following is the title of one statute, thus set forth by the
king and parliament : A bilP for moderating the penalties
inflicted upon priests for incontinence. You have heard, I
know, my honoured master, of the statute that was put forth
a,mong us in the year 1539, against six articles^ of the chris-
tian religion. One clause of it, if you remember, provided that
priests were to put away their wives, upon pain of being con-
demned as felons, upon the first conviction. But by the same
statute it was allowed priests to commit fornication once or
twice; but if they were detected a third time, they were to
[1 Latimer resigned his bishoprick July 1st, 1539, in consequence
of his opposition to the statute of the Six Ai'ticles.]
[2 This bill was brought in on the IGth July, for moderating the
statute of the Six articles in the clauses that related to the marriage of
the priests, or their incontinency with other women. By it the pains
of death were tm'ned to forfeitures of their goods and chattels, and
•the rents of their ecclesiastical promotions, to the king. Burnet, i. 453 ]
[3 These articles are given in Burnet, i. 41G ; Soames, ii. 368 ;
Foxe, V. 262 J Strype, Mem. i. i. 542.]
CV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 205
be hung as they do thieves in this country. Felony has from
olden time been punished among us with the gallows, if the
thing stolen exceeded the value of six batzen. The king has
considered the punishment provided by the statute, namely,
that aforesaid, the title of which you have heard, of hanging
upon a third conviction, to be too severe, or, as we say, ex-
treme. And it is therefore the king's pleasure for parliament
to enact, that priests should for the first offence be punished
by fine ; then, upon a second conviction, by the loss of one
benefice, if the priest should have more than one ; and for
the third time, by the forfeiture of all their temporal goods,
together with all their preferment whatever, and perpetual
imprisonment during life. And yet meanwhile it does not
appear to the king at all " extreme " still to hang those cler-
gymen who marry, or who retain those wives whom they had
married previously to the former statute.
Another bill bears the following title, "An Act to dissolve
the king's pretended marriage with the lady Anne of Cleves."
I will procure this that you may have it translated into Latin,
word for word. And yet, what is pretended shortly after the
preamble, that the commonalty of the realm have had many
doubts and perplexities respecting that marriage, is altoo-ether
false. For not a man would have dared to open his mouth
to mention such doubts and perplexities, even if they had
existed, which was not the case. What a termination will the
godly expect to this bill, which is thus founded upon falsehood !
It is false too, what the statute declares, that the nobility
and members of parliament petitioned the king to refer the
whole matter concerning this marriage to the consideration of
his clergy : whereas it is certain, that no nobleman or citizen
would have dared to utter a single word about that business,
either openly or in secret, until they had perceived that the
king's affections were alienated from the lady Anne to that
young girl Catharine, the cousin of the duke of Norfolk,
whom he married immediately upon Anne's divorce. As to the
reply of the archbishop of Canterbury and the other bishops
to the king's letter, requiring them to examine and decide
upon the case, "that they had found Anne of Cleves was still
a maid, and had never been carnally known by the king 4/'
[■1 The answer which the council wrote to the English ambassador
at Paris was, that the queen herself affirmed that her person had not
206 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
this is a likely thing forsooth! Who, judging of the king
by his fruits, would ever believe him to be so chaste a
character ? Especially when he was in such a hurry as to
send for her before Christmas, and to have her alone with him
every day in his chamber, and in public, as a queen, during
five or six months. This single pretended fact was, as far as
I can conjecture, that which these five courtiers, the bishops^,
with their episcopal brethren so gravely considered, and
weighed, and sifted, as you find in their reply above men-
tioned. Our preachers, in all their sermons, used to pray for
her in these terms, " The most noble queen Anne, the right
lawful wife of our sovereign Henry VIII." &c.
This bill, moreover, gives indemnity to all those persons
who had spoken, or taken any measures, against the king's
maiTiage with queen Anne. But this was done with a view to
deceive, as though there were any such persons to be pardoned.
Let all England stand forth and produce even a single in-
dividual of this stamp, if it can. And those parties who
endeavoured to promote the dissolution of the same marriage,
have no need of a pardon from parliament, since it is most
certain that they would never have made the attempt without
the sanction and approval of the king.
By the authority, too, of the same parliament, the king
has imposed many burdens upon his subjects. For there
was granted him a fifth of all the yearly revenues of the
bishops, and the benefices of the clergy, in addition to the
tenths which he annually receives from them. From the laity,
as well the nobility, as citizens and peasantry, there was
granted him the tenth of all their yearly income, patrimony,
and lands ; and from those who have not any patrimony or
yearly revenue, there was granted the king a twentieth of
their monies, goods, cattle, fruit, and all kind of property what-
been touched by king Henry ; that a learned convocation had judged
the matter ; that the bisho^js of Durham, Winchester, and Bath, were
known to be great and learned clerks, who would do nothing but upon
just and good grounds ; so that all persons ought to be satisfied with
these proceedings, as she herself was ; and here the matter ended.
Burnet, m. 223.]
[1 The case was referred by convocation to a committee, consisting
of the two archbishops, the bishops of London, Durham, Winchester,
and Worcester, and six others, doctors of divinity and law. Strype,
Mem. I. i. 558.]
CV.] RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 207
ever. The north of England, however, where the rebelHon
took place immediately after the execution of queen Anne,
was now excused these payments by the favour of the king.
Moreover, this business was so artfully managed, that the
archbishop of Canterbury and the other lords spiritual (as
these carnal persons are called) offered the king, of their own
accord, the payment of this money, in the name of all the
clergy, because the king had dehvered them from the yoke
and bondage of the Roman pontiff. As though they had
ever been, when subject to the pope, under such a yoke as
they now are ; when all their property, and life itself, are at
the king's disposal ! In like manner too, the laity made the
king a voluntary grant of this money, which they are bound
by parliament to pay under a heavy penalty. But every
thing is given freely and voluntarily in this country !
In the same parliament, too, the king published a general,
or, so to speak, an universal pardon, by which he forgave the-
nobility and others of his subjects all heresies, treasons, felo-
nies, with many other offences against the laws and statutes
of the realm, committed before the first of July, 1540, (with
the exception of such crimes as might fairly be interpreted as
having been committed by word or deed against the royal
person;) and also voluntary homicides, robbing churches, and
many crimes of the like nature. It was however provided
that this act of indemnity was not to extend to the lord
Cromwell; nor to doctor Barnes^, Thomas Garrard, William
Jerome, three preachers who were then in prison for the
sake of the gospel ; nor to the two sons of a certain marquis
(who had been beheaded,) and of the lord Montague^, the
brother of Pole, an Englishman, a cardinal of Home, The
name of him [who was beheaded] was marquis of Exeter :
he would have been the heir^ to the throne, had the king
P For a full account of these martyrs, who were burned in Smith-
field in July 1540, see Foxe, v. 414 — 438. Soames, ii. 430, &c. See
below, p. 209.]
[3 Dr Lingard observes that our historians are ignorant of the
attainder, and even of the existence of the son of lord Montague. He
is mentioned however in Cardinal Pole's Epistles, ii. 197, as well as in
the text. Lingard, iv. 284.]
[* Henry Courtenay, 17th earl of Devon, and marquis of Exeter,
was son of Catharine, youngest daughter of Edward IV., and con-
sequently first cousin to Henry VIII.]
208 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
been without Lawful issue. Many other also of, the nobility'
were excepted from this pardon ; among whom was the popish
bishop of Chichester, and a man of the name of AVilson (who
had, on a former occasion, been pardoned by the king, and
set at liberty after two years' imprisonment for his support of
the pope), together with some other priests, -who, as they
maintained the supremacy of the pope, would not admit the
king's title, wherein he styles himself " supreme head of the
church of England." All anabaptists too were excepted, and
sacramcntarics, as they are called, and all those who do not
admit transubstantiation ; and those, likewise, who affirm that
every kind of death, together with the time and hour of the
same, is so certainly appointed, foreordained, and determined,
that neither the king can change it by the sword, nor any
one prevent it by his own rashness. These are the very
words of the statute.
A little before the aforesaid pardon was granted, very
many persons, especially the preachers of the gospel, were
imprisoned in every part of England ; and at London four or
five of the principal of them. They made search too after
Doctor Crome', a man of great gravity and wisdom, (who, to-
gether with Latimer, was the first who in our times sowed
the pure doctrine of the gospel ;) he, when he heard from
a certain Nicodemean individual that he was denounced, went
privately to the palace, and falling on his knees before the
king, (after he had first informed him of the cruel treatment
of some preachers and citizens at London,) prayed him for
God's sake to put a stop to these severities, and of his
wisdom and godliness to apply a remedy. The king forth-
with gave order, that no further persecution should take place
on account of religion, and that those who were then in
prison should be set at liberty, upon their friends giving
security for their appearance whenever they should be called
for. The king, probably, as you have heard, was partly in-
duced to grant this indulgence, in the hope that when these
things were once set at rest, and the old errors (as he con-
sidered them) forgiven, the people would be more quiet and
obedient in future. I am aware, nevertheless, that it is
usual for his clemency to bestow pardon upon his subjects in
[1 A full account of Dr Crome is given in Strype, Mem. in. i. 157.
Burnet, lu. 223.]
CV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BUI.LINGER. 209
this way (some particular crimes, as in the present case, always
excepted), after they had allowed him by their liberality (as
they have now done) to scrape together a large sum of
money ; or when, by authority of parhament, they have
entirely released him from the payment of every penny
that he had borrowed from them.
Soon after the dissolution of parliament, namely, on the
thirtieth of July last year, were executed six of those men
who had been excepted from the general pardon. Three of
them were popish priests, whose names were Abel, Powell,
and Fetherston^, and who refused to acknowledge the king's
new title, and his authority over the clergy. They were
dealt with in the usual manner, first hung, then cut down
from the gallows while yet alive, then drawn, beheaded, and
quartered, and their limbs fixed over the gates of the city ;
but the heads, in general, of as many priests or monks as are
executed in this city, are fixed on the top of a long pole, and
placed upon London bridge, as a terror to others. The re-
maining three were preachers of the gospel, and of no mean
order ; their names were Barnes^, Gerrard, and Jerome.
They were first brought from the Tower of London, and
drawn on a sledge through the middle of the city to a
place called Smithfield, where they were tied to one stake,
and burned at the same place where the others were executed.
This place had never been used before, as fixr as I remember,
for the execution of any persons excepting heretics. They
remained in the fire without crying out, but were as quiet and
patient as though they had felt no pain ; and thus they com-
mended their spirits to God the Father by Jesus Christ. I
could never ascertain, though I have made diligent inquiry,
the true reason why these three gospellers were excepted
from the general pardon ; so that I can conjecture none more
[2 For an account of these persons, see Foxe, v. 438. Burnet,
I. 477. Soames *ays that " Powell and Abel were two political pam-
phleteers, on the queen's side, during the feraient occasioned by
Catharine of Aragon's case, who, together with another Romish
partizan, named Featherstone, were notorious for their opposition to
the royal supremacy." Hist. Ref. ii. 439.]
[3 Dr Robert Barnes had been prior of the Austin friars at Cam-
bridge ; Thomas Gerrard (or Garrett) was curate of All-Hallows, in
Honey-lane; and William Jerome was vicar of Stepney. See the
authorities quoted above, p. 207, n. 2.]
14
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI.]
210 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
likely, than that the king, desiring to gratify the clergy and
the ignorant and rude mob, together with the obstinate part
of his nobility and citizens, appointed those three victims, as
he probably considered them, as it were for a holocaust, to
appease those parties, or to acquire fresh popularity with
them. I think however, that they Avould not have had more
than one, or at most two of them in the same year, only that
the clergy and the greater part of the nobility and common-
alty might pay more readily the money granted to his majesty
by parhamcnt. If any one should assert that these three per-
sons were burned on account of their preaching and doctrine, it
then appears strange that they were not brought before the
judges, and condemned by due course of law, as had always
been the practice in such cases before this instance. Then
again, in my opinion, the parliament did not deal justly, if it
condemned them for their doctrine. For I know this for a
fact, that from the twelfth of July, 1539, (on which day the
bilP by which the truth was condemned began to take effect,)
until the day when they were apprehended, they never once
opened their mouths expressly against that statute, either in
their public preaching or private conversation, except when
they found that they were with honest and godly men, and
sufficiently safe from their enemies. They were committed to
prison in Easter-week of the following year, 1540, even after
they had in many things submitted to the king in their sermons
at Easter". Thus we see that neither the king nor his parlia-
ment could justly condemn them to death for their doctrine,
unless they chose to assert that all those opinions, which in
the statute aforesaid they condemned as heresy, were not par-
doned before that appointed day, the twelfth of July. And if
this were the case, it was then only an artifice and a snare to
entangle men, thus to fix and appoint a stated day when the
act was to begin to take effect. I am here more brief, by
[1 Namely, the Act of the Six Articles.]
[2 By certain complaints made to the king of them they were
enjoined to preach three sermons the next Easter following, at the
Spital; at which seniious, besides other reporters who were thither
sent, Stephen Gardiner also was there present, sitting with the
mayor, either to bear record of their recantation, or else, as the Pha-
risees came to Christ, to trip them in their talk, if they had spoken
any thing awry. Foxe, v. 420.]
CV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 211
reason of a little book printed in German, concerning the pro-
test of the said Robert Barnes at the stake, where he acknow-
ledged that he did not know for what reason he was brought
thither to be burned. In the week following the burning of
these preachers, were executed many others of those who had
been excepted from the general pardon. The reason of their
execution is unknown to me ; but it was reported to have
been for treason against the king. However, to confess the
truth, people were not so active in inquiry, or in investi-
gating matters, as they were wont to have been, because
it is now no novelty among us to see men slain, hung,
quartered, or beheaded ; some for trifling expressions, which
were explained or interpreted as having been spoken against
the king ; others for the pope's supremacy ; some for one
thing, and some for another. The bishop of Chichester,
however, and doctor Wilson, such a papist as Eckius^, were
set at large by the king, notwithstanding they had been ex-
empted out of the general pardon. The crime of treason, as I
hear, which they had committed against the king, was the send-
ing some alms to the papist Abel*, when reduced to the great-
est distress from having been long kept in a most filthy prison,
and, as the papists here afiirm, almost eaten up by vermin.
And now I am about to say somewhat of that learned
and godly man, doctor Crome. At this time (as had always
been his practice, whenever any storm arose that seemed to
do injury to the truth) feeling the necessity of the case, he
preached with more zeal than ordinary, until the approach of
Christmas. And on that day those who were his enemies on
account of the gospel, brought together against him some
articles which they alleged to be heretical. Meanwhile the
clergy set up their champion AVilson, to oppose the purer
doctrine of Crome, and to affirm the falsehood of whatever
truths he had preached. This those wise children of this
world did with the greater readiness, that they might have a
better handle for accusing Crome (as though it was through
his preaching that such a controversy had arisen in the city
[3 John Ecldus was professor in the uiiivei-sity of Ingoldstadt,
where he died in 1543. He is memorable for his opposition to the
reformation, and his controversial writings against Luther, Melanc-
thon, &c.]
[4 See above, p. 209, n. 2.]
14—2
212 RK'IIARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLING ER. [lET.
of London), and so for bringing him forth to answer for
himself cither before the king or his council. Which object
they effected after a few days. For after Christmas-day they
■were both of them forbidden to preach, until either the king
or his councillors should hear the case and determine it ac-
cording to their pleasure. After Christmas-day, 1540, (for
our people begin to reckon the new year from the feast of the
annunciation of Mary), a day having been appointed for the
appearance of both parties, namely, Crome and Wilson, the
enemies of Crome produced against him, as impious and
heretical, nearly thirty passages from his late sermons ; the
sum of which, as far as I am able to judge, is as follows :
"No works can justify in the same manner as Christ
does, nor do they so satisfy as he satisfied by suffering for us.
For he is the only oblation, and price of redemption, &c.
" No truth is necessary to be believed or obeyed by us
under the penalty of sin or eternal death, unless it be some-
Avhere expressly revealed to us in the holy scriptures, or can
truly, piously, and justly be collected and deduced from them.
" To offer masses for the dead is plainly contrary to holy
scripture, and is a superstition. And it Avas first," he says,
"introduced into the church by means of a vision, yea, rather
a delusion of Satan, in the time of pope Gregory."
"The king himself confesses, with his bishops, in his
Institution' of a Christian Man, that the masses scalce call,
ordained by the pope, are altogether unprofitable to the dead.
But this is the principal kind of mass for the departed, by
reason of the prayers, &c. Wherefore, if these masses profit
not, much less do others. Again, if the mass were profitable
to the dead, the king and parliament have done wrong in
destroying the monasteries, where so many masses were en-
dowed and celebrated for the dead.
[1 The passage referreil to is this : " Wherefore it is much neces-
sary that such abuses be clearly put away, which undci- the name of
purgatory hath been advanced ; as to make men believe that througli
the bishop of Rome's pardons souls might clearly be delivei'ed out of
purgatory, and all the pains of it ; or the masses said at Scala Coeli, or
other where, in any place, or before any image, might likewise deliver
them from all their pain, and send them straight to heaven; and other
like abuses." The Institution of a Christian Man. Lond. 1537. Ed.
Oxford, 1825, p. 211.]
CV.] RICHAUD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 213
" Those who teach men to pray to the saints, if only that
they may pray for us in the same way as here we pray for
each other, inculcate a practice neither necessary nor useful.
" The church of Christ is the spouse of Christ. But she
must certainly be an imperious and pert wife, who should
speak and exercise authority above her husband. You call us
seditious preachers, and say that we introduce new doctrine ;
but you speak falsely. For you are the seditious parties, who
defend superstition and human traditions, and refuse to obey
with us the word of God, and to listen to the voice of Christ.
" Men wonder that we preachers cannot agree together.
But this is not to be wondered at. For they teach the com-
mandments of men ; we, on the contrary, those of God alone.
And yet, if they Avould give over preaching their dreams,
falsehoods, human traditions, and puerilities, and Avould preach,
as we do, the word of God only, we should forthwith come to
an agreement.
" The church of Christ is suffering, and ever will suffer,
persecution, as some parties have suffered of late among our-
selves. And though the world tried to persuade them, it was
by no means able to overcome them. Neither, I hope, shall
you conquer us, notwithstanding your persecution of us. For
you would be able to say that you had conquered us, if you
could prevail with us to speak as you do. But we should then
be liars like yourselves, and chaplains of the devil, as you
are."
When the kino- and his council had received these and
other like articles, of which Crome Avas accused, they allowed
him a certain time wherein to answer them. Which when he
had done, (as appears from the royal injunction which he was
ordered to recite to the people,) his reply was beyond doubt a
manifest confirmation of the articles alleged against him ; for
he persisted in affirming that they were true and orthodox.
The king, however, whether from a secret horror, or fear of
the people, (or from the working of God, in I know not what
other manner,) Avere he to condemn to death so eminent a
man, who was, as it Avere, a father in religion, Avould not
deliver him to the flames to be sacrificed as a burnt- offering,
like Barnes and the others ; but sent him a certain paper,
with which he Avas to Comply in all respects, as you shall noAV
hear ; for the folloAving is a copy of it :
214 richard hilles to henry bullinger. [l,et.
" The judgment of the king respecting ])r Crome,
ON the 18th January, in the year of our Lord 1540.
The kinc's majesty, having received the answer of Edward
Crome, doctor in divinity, to certain articles about which he
■was examined by chosen commissioners appointed by his ma-
jesty on that behalf; the king's excellency, too, being advised
that the said doctor Crome was so manifestly persuaded in
his heart, as he confessed in his answer subscribed with his
own hand, and laid before his majesty ; the king, out of
his most godly benignity, and accustomed goodness and mercy,
is content for this time to relax the rigour and severity of the
laws which his majesty might justly execute against the said
Crome. Moreover, his royal majesty, being desirous of
establishing a christian peaceableness and tranquillity among
his subjects, by an uniform agreement in the office of preach-
ing, has determined as follows, &c."
The king then enjoined Dr Crome to preach on a certain
day in Lent, at London, in St Paul's church-yard, (namely,
that of our principal church,) and there recant all the pre-
ceding articles. Then at the end of this royal document there
was added the following, which Crome was to repeat, after
he had read his recantation : " Moreover, his majesty makes
this known to all his subjects, that if the said Crome shall
hereafter be accused of these or the like articles, the se-
verity of the law shall be executed upon him without any
favour." Against Crome's assertion, that masses did not be-
nefit the dead, it was objected at the trial, that he had preach-
ed in that article expressly against the royal statutes, which
enacted that private masses had been properly retained in the
church of England, by reason of the many advantages that
Christians receive from them. But the statute does not specify
those advantages ; so that Crome answered, that he under-
stood them to be, the commemoration of the death of Christ
by the ceremonies of the mass, and also prayers for the living ;
especially as the king had abolished so many monasteries.
This evasion did not avail him, for the king enjoined him in
his instructions to read his recantation of that article in these
terms : " Public and private masses are a profitable sacrifice
as well for the living as for the dead. And although masses
and other prayers and helps profit the departed, yet the king's
majesty and the parliament have piously and justly abolished
CV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 215
the monasteries in his realm." For what reason, it was not
added.
You have here the sum of the king's judgment respecting
Dr Crome in this matter. Now when the Sunday came, on
which he was to recant, he preached a godly discourse, and
at the end of it told the people, that he had received a written
document from the king's majesty which he was ordered to read
to them. And after he had read it, he committed the congre-
gation to God in a short prayer, and so went away : whereas
the king certainly intended him to receive that writing as a
specimen of the doctrine which he was to follow in his sermon;
and also to extol to the skies his wisdom, learning, and mercy,
as doctor Barnes and the two others had done, when they
preached at Easter, and yet were burned notwithstanding.
It certainly was not the king''s intention that Crome should
read his judgment so carelessly, and then go away as he did :
wherefore I am afraid that the clergy will not let him off
thus. For immediately after he was forbidden by the king to
preach any more, as he had before forbidden Latimer, bishop
of Worcester, and Shaxton, bishop of Salisbury ; who by the
providence of God, as I think, (and as also is evident from
their having been so long preserved by him in this dangerous
world,) were delivered from death by the general pardon.
Those two bishops were a long time under restraint, because
they would never give their sanction to the statute published
against the truth in the year 1539, as the other Ecebolian
bishops did at once. But how favourable to them the king
now is, and how much he appreciates their sound and j)ure
doctrine, is evident even from this, that he has not only pro-
hibited them from preaching, but also from coming within two
or three German miles of our two universities, the city of
London, or their own dioceses ! O atrocious deed, thus to
drive away faithful shepherds from their flocks, and intrude
ravenous wolves in their stead ! God will not, I hope, allow
this tyranny much longer. Meanwhile, you perceive hoAv much
iniquity abounds among us, and therefore that in many respects
charity is growing cold. Farewell in the Lord ! May our
good and gracious God long preserve you in safety to us, and
for the edification and comfort of his church ! Amen, Amen.
216 RICHARD HILLES TO HENIIY BULLlNGEn. [lET.
LETTER CVI.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Frankfort, Sept. 18, ir»U.
Grace and perseverance in the truth from the Lord, &c.
I received, my revered master, three days since, your pious
and consolatory letter, dated on the 31st of August ; on
account of which I consider myself exceedingly indebted to
your kindness, for having so condescended to correspond with
me, a worm, and not a man, (as the world accounts me,)
and also so frequently and in such comforting terms.
Falckner wrote to me for the black and red cloth, which
I send you by Conrad Eblie, that it may be for you to fix and
determine whether Falckner shall have it upon credit. For
he oAves me already about a hundred florins, to be paid
here at Frankfort at the next fair, besides forty-five which
(as he writes me word) Christopher Froschover ought now to
pay me, but which I doubt whether I shall ever receive : for
he says in reply, that he is willing to pay these same forty-
five florins for Falckner, should he have a good sale at the
fair, but not otherwise. The black cloth contains fifty-five
Frankfort ells; the red fifty and a half. The black cloth is
tolerably good and strong, but 1 had sold all my best before
Falckner's letter was delivered to me. I inquired after it of
the above-named Christopher at the beginning of the fair ; but
he denied that he had any letters for me, because he hardly
knew who I was. I met him afterwards, and he found Falck-
ner's letter for me. The price of forty ells of that cloth is
twenty-two florins. I have sent you also another piece, of a
better sort, which I have left at this fair, and which contains
forty-five ells. Should it seem adviseable to you, I wisli
Falckner to have this, in case he declines the black. But this
cloth bears a higher price, namely, twenty-eight florins for
forty ells, reckoning sixteen batzen to a florin. Falckner knows
that we are accustomed to receive this value for evei'y florin.
I pray you to dispose of whatever cloth he may leave to some
one else, and lay out the amount this year for the benefit of
the poor, (if you have among you any who are exiles for the
gospel's sake). If you decline doing this, by reason of not
having among you exiles of this description, (and I admit no
CVI.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 217
other claim,) I then wish you to make over the same sum to
master Calvin for the same object. I am thinking moreover
of sending you, by the Conrad above-mentioned, a fifth piece of
cloth, of another colour, which a great number of my country-
men are accustomed to wear. I have much pleasure in
making you a present of this, as being the stoutest. If you
decline accepting it (which I hope you will not), you shall
pay the money for it when I come. The price is thirty-two
florins. Both here and at Strasburgh I am beginning to sell
some cloth of the same colour, which has hitherto been very
little in use.
I cannot, by reason of my engagements, write this letter
over again, either in a better or a larger hand. For I am
here alone. At Strasburgh likewise I have no domestics,
except one female servant. I have left them all but one in
England ; for I have still an establishment in that country,
such as it is. I only brought one servant with me from
England, who at that time appeared to every one to be
most zealous ; and certainly, as long as he lived with me
there, he was truly pious : but after he had seen the simpli-
city of the rehgious worship in this country, and especially not
having his friends with him, and abundance of provisions and
meat in the larder, as with us, he seemed to me very much
to wish to return home. When I discovered this, I discharged
him, after having given him a letter, by which he might
obtain a situation with another master in the same line of
business. I previously, however, set before him, as well as I
was able, the wickedness of falling away from the truth on
any ground of superstition. He left me notwithstanding ; but
I hope that he still continues to savour of Christ in some
measure. He is now living with a certain merchant, who in
the time of hberty, three years since, professed the gospel
among us after his way. But what indeed am I saying ? I
scarcely know any one (with the exception of learned teachers,)
who had a greater knowledge of rehgion than our friend
Peterson. My late servant requests you to send his letters
to Clare : I have inclosed them in my own letter, which in
addition to this I have already sent you by Froschover.
^Vfter he returned home from Strasburgh, from which place
he fled with the greatest danger, he could not be compelled
by the severest threatcnings of his master; but said that
things were optional, and indlff"erent, and 1 know not what.
218 RK'IIAUI) IIILI.ES TO IIENKY BULLIXGEK. [lET.
By AYhat means or by -what persons he has been thus in-
fatuated, I knoiv not ; but tliis I know, that before my
departure he vohmtarily attended masses for the departed,
and now docs so on every feast-day through almost the
whole autumn, as is the custom here. His wife indeed had
a tolerable fortune ; he had with her, as I think, above three
or four hundred golden angels of our money.
My wife requests you to be kind enough to ask Falckner
to send hither to Strasburgh, as soon as possible, a hundred,
or at the least eighty pounds of the best butter. If he cannot
contrive to send so large a vessel to my house, T wish him to
send it to my friend, John Burcher, (who lodges either with
master Myconius or master Isengrinius,) that he may send
it to Basle for me, and I will pay whatever expense he may
have incurred. I gave Christopher Froschover for you an
English cheese with this mark +, wrapped in a linen cloth.
My wife wished me to send one of the same kind to you and
your wife, that you might make trial of our cheese as we do
of your butter. But I would not have you return any thanks
for this. I would not indeed on any account that you should
trouble yourself to write your thanks for things of such little
value as the trifling presents of my wife. I will chligently
salute brother B. in your name. I do not understand the
other matter about which you wrote. I shall therefore say
nothing about it, lest I should still more cast down the mind
of him who is sufficiently cast down already. Should he
happen to be summoned and sent for home, and should refuse
to come, he will lose all that he now has. He is now anxious
upon this subject, but more especially because, if that event
should take place, it is not likely that he will obtain the
lady ^ he wishes to marry ; one who is truly pious, but, as I
hear, from some constant disorder unsuited to the married
state. Farewell.
Yours,
RICHARD IIILLES.
P.S. I am not a citizen of Strasburgh, for fear of losing
the privileges I already enjoy in England and Brabant. The
senate of Sti'asburgh is very well disposed towards me. I
pay them ten florins every year. I have not taken any oath.
It has happened, honoured sir, that before this my letter
[1 See above, Lett. CIV. p. 197.]
CVI.] RICHAUU IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 219
was sealed, Christopher Froschover has paid me the forty-five
florins owing to me by Falckner, and which were to be paid
at this fair. He offered also to be answerable for whatever
cloth I mio'ht choose to send to the aforesaid Falckner : so
that there is no occasion for you to keep by you the cloth
which I have above stated I would send you by Conrad Eblie ;
excepting only that black cloth at twenty-eight florins, to-
gether with those eight ells of yours, at thirty-two florins, as
I above stated. I request you also to be kind enough to tell
Falckner, that it has just come into my mind how often he
used to speak to me about the yellow cloth; and that I have
therefore sent him thirty-one ells by the aforesaid Conrad,
together with thirty-one ells and a half of white cloth, and
twenty ells of green. The price of these is the same as that
of the two entire pieces above-mentioned, namely, twenty-two
florins for forty Frankfort ells. I request you, in case he should
refuse any of these pieces of cloth, kindly to take them under
your care, till I send you word by letter to whom you may
deliver them ; unless you should happen to know any friend
of yours who will take them at the same price, and send me
the amount without fail by master Christopher Froschover,
at the next Frankfort fair. For he has given me a bill in
Falckner's name for one hundred and three florins and six
batzen, which is the exact price of the two entire pieces, with
these last half pieces that I mentioned above. All these
cloths, of which I have made mention in this letter, with the
exception of your eight ells (which I have not cut from the
same cloth that Conrad Eblie bought of me, lest you should
perhaps wish to have another ell), are stamped upon their
leaden seal with this my mark in the margin (x).
You will receive, together with this letter, the opinion of
our friend Capito on original sin. I have no news from
England this fair, except that the king has not yet returned
to London from the northern parts of the kingdom ; whither
he proceeded with one thousand soldiers, after a new fashion,
and a great number of tents, after the French fashion, to
reduce a rebelHous and very superstitious people. About
twenty persons (of whom about twelve had formerly been
monks) had endeavoured, five" months since, secretly to raise
[2 The northern countries broke out in open rebellion in April,
1541. Sir John Neville was their leader, but, with several of his ac-
complices, perished by the hand of the executioner. Soames, ii. 475.] .
220 KK'HAIU) IIILLES TO HENRY BULLIXGER. [lET.
a new disturbance in those parts : tlicy were beheaded,
Lung, and drawn, after our custom, the June following, at
London and York, which are the two principal cities in the
kingdom. Tlic king, before his setting out, beheaded also
the mother' of our countryman the cardinal, with two" others
of our oldest nobility. 1 do not hear that any of the royal
race are left, except the nephew of the cardinal^ and another
boyS the son of the marquis of Exeter. They arc both
children, and in prison, and condemned, I know not why,
except that it is said that their fathers had sent letters to
Kome to the pope, and to their kinsman, the cardinal. The
king's son by the third wife is still alive, but I do not speak
about him. There is also llvino; a natural son of kins; Ed-
ward, whose daughter Henry VII., the father of our pre-
sent king, married after the death of Eichard the second
[third]. But shortly before I left England he was sent from
Calais (where he had formerly been the king's lieutenant,
and, as you know, too near upon France,) to the Tower of
London, the receptacle for such persons, Avhere he was im-
prisoned by parliament at the same time as lord Cromwell
Avas condemned, and still remains there waiting for the king's
pardon. This illegitimate old man, when at Calais, was a
most grievous persecutor of the gospel. (Edward left two
sons, heirs of his kingdom, under the protection of the afore-
said llichard, their uncle. This Richard privately put to
death these two amiable youths, liis nephews, and for nearly
[1 Margaret, countess of Salisbury, the mother of Cardinal Pole,
had been kept in close confinement in the Tower since 1539, on sus-
picion of having carried on a secret correspondence with her son, by
means of the rector of Warblington, a parish on the Hampshire coast,
•within a few miles of her scat at Cowdray, in Sussex. She was be-
headed on the green within the Tower, on May 27, 15-11, on the rising
of the new disturbances in Yorkshire. See Soames, n. 359, 475.]
[2 One of these was lord Leonard Gray, deputy of Ireland, who
was beheaded for suiFering his nephew, proclaimed an enemy to the
state, to make his escape. The other was Thomas Fynes, lord Dacre
of the south, for having murdered a poor man who resisted him in an
attempt to steal deer. He was hanged on the 25th of June. Soames,
II. 477.]
[3 Cardinal Pole was a younger son of sir Kichard Polo, earl
Montague, and had several brothers.]
[* This was Edward Courtenay, who was restored in blood and
honours by parliament, Oct. 10, 1553. He died in 155G, s. v., when
all ills honours became c.\tinct.]
CVI.] niCIIARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 221
three years held forcible possession of the kingdom.) Another
of the chief nobility, a most cruel tyrant, not long after, fell
from his horse, who was galloping of his own accord ; but he
never afterwards spoke a word, for he miserably broke his
neck. This was the earl of Essex ^ whose property and
lands, with his great manors and riches, Cromwell immediately
obtained, but not for any length of time, as I know you have
heard before now, if you have received the former letter sent
by Froschover*^.
Strasburgh, Sept. 25. The king has appointed Thomas,
archbishop of Canterbury, and the chancellor of the king-
dom, (both of Avhom are now considered as our friends,) to
be his deputies in the south of England, But immediately
on the king's departure they burnt at the stake in London,
for fear, (as our English gospellers think,) a young man"
eighteen years of age, on account of his entertaining the
Lutheran opinion touching the eucharist. He did not alto-
gether deny a corporal presence, but asserted, as our Wycliffe*
did, that the accident of bread did not remain there without
the substance. Again farewell. The son of that great light
of the world, master Zuinglius, is dead here, or rather has
fallen asleep ; as have also many others, of whom there were
the greatest hopes, in the college of Strasburgh. Once
more farewell, and live happily in the fear of the Lord !
p Henry Bourchicr, earl of Essex, was killed by a fall from his
horse in 1539. Thomas Cromwell was raised to the earldom 17th of
April of the same year, and obtained all the property that fell to the
crown on the decease of his predecessor, but Avas beheaded and at-
tainted the year following. See Soames, ii. 402. Burnet, in. 216.]
p See the preceding letter, p. 217.]
[7 This was Richard Mekins, a boy according to all accounts not
above fifteen years of age, and both illiterate and very ignorant, who
had said somewhat against the corporal presence of Christ's body in
the sacrament, and in commendation of Dr Barnes. See Burnet, i.
4S1. Foxe, V. 441.]
[8 " Of all the heresies that have ever grown up in the holy church
of God, none is more abominable than that which makes this vener-
able sacrament an accident without a subject.''' Wyclifte's Trialogus,
B. IV.]
222 IIICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CVII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasbursh, Nov. 23, 1541.
The consolation of the Holy Ghost in your studies, at-
tended as they sometimes are with so much anxiety !
I received, most learned sir, your very gratifying
letter on the twentieth of November. For your loving me
as a brother (as I have frequently perceived to be the case
from your former letters) I return you my warmest thanks.
I now repent of having sent Falckner the cloth, because he
is annoyed at my having sent him so much. I should not
have sent him the black undipped cloth, of which he com-
plains, had not his letter been delivered to me so late at
Frankfort. Nevertheless, I cannot let him have that cloth
for eighteen florins ; for it cost me more than twenty florins in
England. Still, however, as it is now yonder, and especially
as the texture is so thick, and the wool coarse, I will be con-
tent with twenty florins, if he chooses to keep it. If he
does not like to do so, I pray you to receive back the cloth
from him, and keep it by you until I Avrite you word about
it after next fair, or sooner. For I may probably think fit,
if Falckner should decline it, to devote it to another purpose.
I did not reckon the fine cloth at more than twenty-eight
florins. I sold Falckner some of the same quality, and at
the same price, at the last Strasburgh fair. And yet I
hardly know what to say about that cloth, as your merchants
think it so dear, except that you advise master Falckner to
return it to me next Lent, by some carrier of his ac-
quaintance, who will pass through this place on his way to
Frankfort. For I have no doubt but that I can sell it
here at the same, or perhaps a greater price. If Falckner
sends back the cloth, he will very much oblige me by sending
at the same time three reams of the best paper that is
manufactered by master Froschover. A ream contains twenty
quires, and is called in German ein Riecks. I am greatly
in Avant of paper of that sort. I have written this letter
on a sheet of such paper as I require ; but should he have
any of a better quality, I wish he would send one or two
evil.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 223
reams more, for Miles Coverdale, and the other English
who are here. I will pay Froschover or Falckner for this
paper, God willing, at the next fair. I request, moreover,
master Froschover to pay you yonder on my account fifteen
florins and twelve batzen for half the entire piece of fine
black cloth, intended for the use you know of, (if Falckner
will forward it to me here,) and I will faithfully repay the
amount to Froschover at Frankfort. I am satisfied with
your proposal respecting the other half pieces of cloth,
namely, that Falckner may retain them, on condition that,
if he is able to dispose of them, he shall pay me the money
at the next fair ; if not. Tie is to deliver them afterwards to
some one at Frankfort, whom I will point out to him.
I have sent some maxims to your excellency, not that you
may write back your opinion respecting them, for I cannot
desire such an interruption to your studies on my account; but
I shall be greatly obliged to you, if, when I come, you will
condescend to tell me what you think about them. Salute,
I pray you, my dear brother Falckner, and thank him in
my name for the butter, which has been of great use to my
family this winter. Request him too to remember the paper
above-mentioned. He wishes me to let him know whether
I have yet received your letter from the Frenchman, Von
Homberg. In my last letter, if you remember, I informed
your excellency of my having received it. I purpose send-
ing you by the bearer a quart of fenugreek \ if he does not
refuse to take it with him. My wife salutes yours, and do
you also salute her in my name. May the God of all might
preserve you from the baneful pestilence, and protect you
under his wing, that his kingdom may be more widely ex-
tended by you on earth, and your reward be so much
greater in heaven ! Amen.
Yours in the Lord,
RICHARD HILLES.
P. S. I have sent the fenugreek to Basle, to John
Burcher, an Englishman, who lodges at the house of master
Myconius or Isengrinius.
[1 Fenugreek was considered to possess many medicinal qualities:
a decoction of it was recommended for diseases of the chest. John-
son's Gerarde's Herbal, Lond. 1636, p. 1197.]
224 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET
LETTER CVIII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, May 10, 1542.
Health and perseverance in the truth of Christ ! After
I returned home safe from Venice, I received your letter
written on the 31st of March, and was affected on the perusal
of it with no small delight, that you were engaged about a
work so pious and so useful to the church, as to have it in
contemplation to publish some books of commentaries upon
Matthew. May our great and good God prosper your in-
tention, and give it a happy issue !
Nothing has yet been done Avith H. Falckner at Frank-
fort respecting the fine cloth, and there is no reason why he
should expect that I either will or can abate him a single
batz. If, however, there should be left any of the same
quality, I am content that he should send it me here to our
fair ; and I shall be as willing to receive the remainder of
the cloth as the money itself; for I am well aware what kind
of cloth it was. I scarcely charged eleven batzen and a
kreutzer for a Frankfort ell. And if I had the same cloth
here, I could soon sell it by the piece at twelve batzen for a
Strasburgh ell. I entreat you, ray master, that we no longer
defer the appropriation of that money, which I have destined
out of the produce of this same cloth for the use of the
poor exiles, namely, half the price of the same, or, if you
choose, the whole of it. For I have already given master
Calvin some money for the like purpose, although I mentioned
not a word to him about you or that cloth, and never intend
to do. Distribute therefore, Avhat I have desired of my own
free-will to be applied to the poor by your instrumentality ;
whether you choose to retain either the price of half the
cloth, or, if need so require, of the whole. For the more I
devote to them through you, so much the less do I leave
to be applied to the like object by myself. AVliatevcr I do
in this matter, I do it voluntarily and cheerfully, and without
a murmur. I therefore pray you, that, whether you deter-
mine to retain half the sum, if you prefer it, or the whole
CVm.] KICHAllD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 225
sum, as I prefer myself, you will let me know by letter at
our next fair. For I desire that, immediately on the receipt
of this letter, you receive from H. Falckner thirty-one florins
and a half (reckoning sixteen batzen to a florin) on account
of that cloth ; so that when Falckner shall come, there may
be no occasion for any farther reckoning between him and
mo respecting it. Should he object, that he does not choose
to purchase the cloth at that price, I pray you in that case
to receive from him what is left, and sell it there, if you can,
to your friends, or (which I would prefer for fear of inter-
rupting your studies) take care that it may be forwarded by
some merchant to me here, and I will in return faithfully
send you the amount in money to Zurich,
I am glad that you have commended to me by letter
Peter Hurtzel, and especially Andrew Rappenstein ; and if
my wife had known as much at the last fair, she would not
have required C. Froschover to be surety for them. I beg
however that they will not bo offended at what my wife did
in this business ; for she had never seen them before, nor,
as I remember, had ever heard them commended by me as
they deserve. Those two honest men dealt honourably with
mo at Frankfort at the preceding fair ; for they owed mo
at that time about one hundred and thirty-three florins, all of
which, save three, they sent me by master Conrad Eblie. But
Henry did not act by me with so much good faith : for he
owed me at the last fair (besides the fine cloth above-men-
tioned) near two hundred florins; out of which' he has
only paid forty-six florins and fourteen batzen for a friend of
mine at Basle ; and these he paid so long after they were
due, that my friend was obliged to send his servant from
Strasburgh to Basle, during Lent, with twenty out of those
forty-six florins, because Falckner, even in so small a matter,
had not performed what he had promised.
My brother Butler, as I hear by letter, sold his whole
patrimony in England last Lent; but he had not then re-
ceived the whole amount. And I am in fear for him, lest,
when what he has done shall have come to the king's ears
by means of his sister's husband, who belongs to the court,
he may be forbidden again to leave the kingdom. Elliot is
studying the civil law, or, to speak more properly, the laws
[1 A word is here uniutcUigible in the MS.]
r 1 1^
LZURICH LETTERS, III. J
226 RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
of our realm, in wliicli he has made such proficiency, that he
is now liolding an office, from -whence lie derives an annual
income of nearly two hundred florins. But Bartholomew
Trahcron has, with much difficulty, retired from court into
the country, where he is about to marry the daughter of a
gentleman who favours godly doctrine ; and Avith this young
lady he will have a yearly income, as I hear, of one hundred
and twenty florins, for sixty years, out of some estate which
is leased to him for that time by his father-in-law for a
certain sum. He intends, moreover, to teach grammar, and
to keep a school for little boys, in some small town in that
district.
Respecting the state of the kingdom at large I have
nothing certain to communicate, except what I imagine you
must have heard these three months, namely, that the king-
has beheaded his wife, Catherine Howard, whom he married
immediately after his divorce from Anne of Cleves. This
Catherine was condemned upon a great suspicion of adultery
(as is universally reported by the English) with two gentle-
men, who had also intercourse with her before the king
married her. The lady Rochford too, the widow of that
nobleman who was capitally punished, as you know, for incest
with his sister, queen Anne, was beheaded at the same time.
This widow, as they say, was privy to the licentiousness of
that Catherine who was lately beheaded : for she used oft^n
to sleep with the queen ; and when she knew her once to
have been a long time absent from her bed-chamber in a
private place, at the same time, as they say, that one of those
gentlemen who were beheaded was there, she nevertheless
refrained from mentioning the circumstance to the king.
The old duchess dowager of Norfolk is also condemned
to perpetual imprisonment in the Tower of London, and like-
wise lord WiUiam Howard, a brother of the duke of Norfolk,
because they were cognizant of the vicious life of queen
Catherine, when the king first fell in love with her, and did
not acquaint him with it before that hasty marriage had
taken place. One of the parties \ who was first hanged,
and afterwards beheaded and quartered, for adultery with the
queen, was one of the king's chamberlains ; and two years
[1 This, probably, was Culpepper, who was a gentleman of the
privy chamber. See Ilolinshcd, ni. 823. Ed. ISOS.]
CVIII.] RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 227
before, or less, had violated the Avife of a certain park-keeper
in a woody thicket, while, horrid to relate ! three or four of
his most profligate attendants were holding her at his bid-
ding. For this act of wickedness he was, notwithstanding,
pardoned bj the king, after he had been delivered into
custody by the villagers on account of this crime, and like-
wise a murder which he had committed in his resistance to
them, when they first endeavoured to apprehend him. God,
who is just, will not always suffer wickedness, either here
or elsewhere, to go unpunished.
You cannot, without danger to my affairs, write me any-
thing concerning the christian religion : besides, if you could,
I am not worthy of such honour. I have therefore to return
many thanks to your benevolence for your flivourable incli-
nation towards me ; and I pray you to confer this honour
upon some one else, who may be worthy of it. I received
your cheese before sealing this letter, and I am very sorry
that you have spent so much money on my account ; and
most of all, that you arc ill of a fever. But all the works
of the Lord are just judgments, who chastiseth those whom
he loveth, and scourgcth every son whom he receivcth. I
pray you to accept, as a present from me, those eight ells of
cloth, and not to send the money ; for I heartily wish you
to keep it, and to make use of the cloth, if you please, as a
token, such as it is, that I love you in the Lord, and have a
real affection for you. xVfter having read over again this
barbarous letter of mine, I was so ashamed of it, that I was
almost determined to tear it, and not to write to you at all ;
and I certainly should have done so, had you not invited me
to write to you upon the state of all our affairs.
And now, my most esteemed master, farewell in Christ :
for in future I have no intention of writing to you again,
except, perhaps, by some amanuensis when necessity obliges
me. My wife salutes you, and your most amiable lady.
Deign also to salute your wife in my name. Once more,
farewell in God, who is our portion in the land of the living,
and our hope in eternity ! Amen.
Yours, you know who,
RICHARD HILLES.
15—2
228 RICHARD IlILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CIX.
RICHARD IlILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Dec. 18, 1542.
I RECEIVED your books, most esteemed master, together
with the letter ; and I feel more gratitude for them in my
heart than I can express with my pen. And yet, had I
known that you were about to present me with those books,
1 should certainly have bought a copy for myself at Frank-
fort, and not have said a word to you about them. For why
should I lay an additional burden upon your kindness, after
the great expense you have already incurred there on my
account? I wish, sir, I had consulted you sooner about
reading authors and studying liistories. For first I read
Bernard Justiniani^ on the affairs of the Venetians, the
Tripartite History^, and the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius,
together with liis Evangelical Preparation, and Demonstra-
tion. I do not so much regret having read them, only that I
now perceive from your letter, that I could have employed
the time I spent in perusing them to better purpose.
The Demonstration of Eusebius was rather wearisome to
mo, because the holy scriptures are every where explained
so absurdly, if I may use such an expression, especially with
respect to the word^ and against the Jews'*. He seems,
\} Bernard Justiniani or Giustiani was nephew of the patriarch of
Venice of that name. He went many times to Rome as ambassador
from the republic, and died in 1481), leaving several works, the princi-
pal of which is, a History of Venice, printed in 1492.]
[2 The Tripartite History is a compilation by Cassiodorus fi'om the
Latin translations of the ecclesiastical histories of Socrates, Sozomen,
and Theodoret.]
[3 Hillcs probably refers to the third chapter of the fourth book
of the Evangelical Demonstration of Eusebius, in which he discusses
the nature of Christ, the Logos ; which, he says, God produced from
himself, as the sun i:»roduccs his light, or the flower its scent, &c.
The passage is too long to quote.]
[* The object of the second book of the Evangelical Demonstration
is to prove the vocation of the gentiles, and the rejection of the un-
believing Jews.]
CIX.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 229
moreover, to entertain wrong notions about free-wilP, the
marriage of the clergy^, and the fifth chapter of Matthew.
I found some things, however, in that work which pleased
me exceedingly; for instance, his opinion respecting the new
testament, and about Daniel's seventy weeks'. I ran through
these books before I came to Zurich ; and also Tertullian,
whom I found to be such as you had commended him to m.e.
I was not so much displeased with the difficulty of his style,
as I was delighted and profited by his remarkable piety,
simplicity, and right judgment respecting the eucharist, as
well as on many other points. I collected many things from
him, (as also from the ecclesiastical histories,) by which I shall
be able to stop the mouths of many of my countrymen, who
are always telHng us, that to the pure all things are pure ;
that God is a spirit ; that he only requires of us our heart,
and a mind well imbued with knowledge, — and the like epicu-
rean sentiments.
I happened to light upon that author on sale here in the
market, on which occasion (not, as I think, without the pro-
vidence of God) I bought and read him over. But as he
was scarcely known to me by name before, he procured me
this advantage, namely, of aftording the first handle for my
pouring forth my questions to you when I was with you.
Not however, thank God, that I am ignorant of what has
been observed by many, and as you well know, that the
opinions of this writer are frequently to be rejected; and that
in other places he must be read Avith judgment, even in the
treatise De jjrcescriptioue Hcereticoriim : as when he says,
that one must not dispute with heretics^ nor must they be
[5 The following passage may perhaps be referred to. Tovtou yap
diraar) ^vxij (pvcriKov voiiov ^orjdov avTji /cat crvjHx.a-)(ov en \ twv TrpaKreav 6
tS)v oXcoi/ drjfxiovpyos vnea-Tija-aro, k. t. X. Preep. Evang. VI. p. 250. Ed.
Viger. 1688.]
[fi MaXLo-Ta S' ovu tovtois (sc. StSao-zcaXot? Kol Krjpv^L rov ttjs Beoae-
^eias \6yov) avayKaicos ra vvv 8ta rt]v Trept to. Kpeirrco (txoX^v jJ tcov
ydpoiv dvaxcoprjais (TTTovbdCeTai, are Trepl ttjv evdfov kol liaapKov TratSo-
TToitav daxoXovpevois, ovx evos ov8e 8ve2p iraihav, dXX' a^pow? pvpiov
■jvkrjQovs n)v Traiborpofpiav, Koi ti)v Kara Geov Traidevaiv, Trjs re aXXrjs
dy(oy?]S tov j3iov Tf]v eTrt/neXfiav ai/aSeSe-y/xeVois. Dem. Ev. I. p. 32.J
[7 The passages here referred to are in the Dem. Ev. Book i. ch.
5, 6, and Book viii. ch. 2, but are too long to quote.]
[8 Hunc igitur potissimum gradum obstruimus, non admittendos
eos ad ullam de scripturis disputationem. De Pra^scr. Ha^r. Cap.
XV. p. 207. Ed. Rigalt. 1695 See also cap. xxxvii.]
230 inciIAUD IIILLES TO IIEXIIY BULUNGEII. [lET.
permitted to have or compare holy scripture Avith cathohcs :
likewise, that Avhat the apostles preached ought not other-
•\vise to he proved than hy means of the very same churches
■which they themselves founded', &c. Although indeed he is
speaking of real heretics, and of the church in his age ; whose
doctrine Avas the same as that of holy scripture, and Avhich
invented nothing of its own to remedy by omission, addition,
or change any contrariety supposed to be discovered in the
scriptures"'.
After I returned from you, I read, first, Cyprian, and
then Lactantius, the reading of which authors I do not alto-
gether regret. I regard the one as the defender of my
cause, yea, as I think, the cause of God, against the adver-
saries ; and the other I have become acquainted with (as you
told me I should do) not without abundant fruits of godliness.
From the death of queen Anne, who was beheaded, until
my departure, some of my neighbours in London grievously
detracted from my character, because I refused to give a
small piece of money (for the honour of God, as it is com-
monly said), according to the annual custom of the parish, for
placing large wax candles in the church before the crucifix
and the sepulchre. They first of all acted kindly with me,
through my parents and friends, (whoso opinions they knew
would have great weight with me in this matter,) and brought
forward a custom of I know not how many five hundred
years, when a custom of only one hundred years' continuance
had with them the force of law. I replied, that I knew of
no custom that could prevail in opposition to Christ, who
saith, that " God is a Spirit, &c." Joh. iv. They immediately
objected, having been taught by the minister of the parish,
" Do you then deny that God is worshipped by external
" observances ?" No. For Christ, who is not " custom," but
the truth, saith : " Let your light so shine, &c." And for
this reason I think he added in John iv. [24], " and in
truth." AVhich clause I thus explained to them: "In truth,
that is, truly, and according to the word of God ; that is to
say, in innocence, piety, mercy, and holiness of life, without
[1 Quid autem prcedicaycrint, id est, quid illis Christus revelaverit,
ct hie prBCScribam non aliter probari debere, nisi per easdem ecclesias
quas ipsi apostoli condiderunt, ipsi eis pncdicando, tarn viva ((juod
aiunt) voce, (piam per opistolas postca. Ibid. ]). 209. cap. xxi.]
[- The concluding part of this sentence is confused in the original.]
CIX.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 231
which no one shall see God. But the divine Majesty is by
no means worshipped by external observances, which are
merely invented or devised by men for worship ; for he need-
eth not any thing, neither is he pleased with these vain and
corruptible things." Then, after some months' time, when
they began to have some hope of a change of affairs, they
often returned to me with menaces ; and threatened that, in
case of my not coming to my senses, they would lay an in-
formation against me before the bishop^ of our diocese. This
they did, as I continued firm in my non-compliance. But the
bishop ordered them to be quiet for a short time, (at least so
it was told me,) and that all things would at last turn out as
they could wish. For he was in expectation that the happy day
would shortly arrive, but he did not live to see it ; for being
much harassed by Cromwell and others on a frivolous suspi-
cion of not having aided the king's attempts in abolishing the
pope's supremacy, and the destruction of the monasteries, he
died miserably, being, as it appeared, almost worn out with
grief. But to return to my subject. The year but one be-
fore I left England, the public orders^ of the king were sent
to the bishops and to the principal laity in every parish, that
by reason of the superstition of the common people they were
not to permit any wax candles to be burned or placed before
images in the churches, except only before the crucifix, and
at the festival of Easter before the sepulchre of Christ. The
churchwardens immediately sent for me, and inquired of me
in the church, whether I still continued obstinate in my pur-
pose against the king's majesty's injunctions. I replied that
those orders did not concern me, respecting which they
appeared to me to triumph before they had gained the
victory. For I am neither, I told them, a bishop nor a
churchwarden ; nor, supposing I held any ofiicc of the kind,
do these orders enjoin me to maintain your lights, but only
not to remove them from the church, which I do not attempt
to do. Moreover, I said, from this letter, coming from the
king, I have great hopes that after no long interval you will
P This was probably John Stokesley, who preceded Bonner in the
see of London. He died in 1539.]
[•1 These injunctions were issued by Cromwell in 1538, for the
direction of the parochial clergy. They are printed in Burnet, iv. 101.
See also Strype, Mem. i. i. 496, and Soames, Hist. Ref. ir. 30G.]
232 KiniAUl) HILLES TO IIENKY BULLINGEK. [lET,
not be at liberty to burn those candles of yours any longer,
either before the crucifix or at the sepulchre. For the same
result is to be expected from this tradition as from other
superstitions, when it is manifest to every one, that the same
planting is the work of an earthly high-priest, and Avill be
plucked up by our heavenly Father, just as that is, which is
now extirpated by the king's commandment. They then
dismissed me, saying, "You tell us that you do not attempt to
remove the holy lights from our churches, when yet you en-
deavour by your example to draw, if they dared, all men
after you, (especially foolish boys, and young men hkc your-
self;) refusing to do what your own and your wife's parents,
grave and prudent persons, and what all your honest neigh-
bours, do not disdain to do." Which is certainly true ; for
ray mother, as I have just heard, has paid the sum for me
for one or two years, that she might appease the fury of the
dogs, and that I might not fall into worse peril, as she much
feared would be the case.
After this I heard no more about this affair, except that
the day after I left London for this place, or at least for
Antwerp, [the bishop of] Winchester, who had just been
appointed the king''s lieutenant in ecclesiastical matters, to
whom I had probably been known by name, (for his diocese
extends to the middle of London bridge,) being openly about
to examine some of my neighbours who were apprehended
before my departure, endeavoured to fish out of them some-
thing about me. And he said to one of them, in the presence
of them all as they were standing in his palace, " And you,
you foolish man, for what purpose did you daily receive so
many persons into your house, seeing you are a poor and
needy mechanic ?" The man replied " There was no such
assembly of persons at my house, especially of suspected
ones."" "What," said the bishop, "you are lame with those
who halt," (or he used some proverbial expression of the kind :)
" was not liichard Ililles every day at your house, teaching
you, and others like you ?" The accused denied this altoge-
ther ; and my most bitter enemies, who were men of wealth,
were unwilling openly to inform against me of their own accord,
in compliance with the last injunction of the king, and to be
regarded in the sight of all as guilty of treachery against
their neighbours. The bishop too, not perhaps being aware
CIX.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 233
of my absence, made open inquiry respecting me, and said
that I should take myself off, and no longer continue to
poison his flock.
You now see, my most reverend master, what I meant by
saying that Lactantius was the advocate of my cause, and that
I was glad, or at least did not regret, that I had read him
through. I wondered, however, what he meant by his discourse
about the pollution of diemons, and of their intercourse with
women ^; about the virtue of almsgiving^; on the passion of
anger, which he ascribes even to God himself^; on the ab-
staining from the use of flowers and perfumes, which he calls
the allurements of pleasure, and the weapons of the enemy
of mankind'* : also, about the comparing and weighing good
works with evil ones^ ; about the life of the just upon earth
after the day of judgment, with Christ reigning a thousand
years'' ; who, during those years, shall give all nations in
[1 The passage is as follows : lUos (scilicet angelos) cum liomini-
bus commorantes dominator ille terrse fallacissimus consuetudine ipsa
paulatim ad vitia pellexit, et mulierum congressibus inquinavit. — Instit.
Div. II. 15.]
[2 Quod si mortalis conditio non patitur esse hominem ab omni
macula purum, debent ergo largitione perpetua peccata carnis aboleri.
—Ibid. VI. 13.]
[3 Quidam putant ne irasci quidem Deum omnino . . . quae persuasio
veritatem atque religionem funditus toUit. — Ibid. ii. IS.
Et gratia et ira ct miseratio liabent in Deo materiam, recteque
illis utitur summa ilia et singularis potestas ad rerum conservationem.
— De Ira Dei. sv.
In some cases, he says, non cohibenda ira, sed etiam, si jacet,
excitanda est. Quod autem de homino dicimus, id etiam de Deo, qui
hominem similem sui fecit. — Ibid, xviii.
Ubi ira non fuerit, imperium quoque non erit. Deus autem habet
imperium; ergo et iram, qua constat imperium, habeat necesse est.
— Ibid, xxiii.]
[^ niecebrte istaj voluptatum arma sunt illius cujus opus unum est
expugnare virtutem. — Div. Instit. vi. 32.]
[5 Judicabimtur ergo qui Deum scierunt, et facinora eorum, id est,
mala opera cum bonis collata ponderabuntur ; ut si plura et gravia
fuerint bona justaque, dentur ad vitam beatam ; si autem mala supe-
raverint, condemnentur ad poenam. — Ibid. vii. 20.]
[^ Ille (scil. Christus) cum deleverit injustitiam judiciumque maxi-
mum fecerit, ac justos qui a principio fuerunt ad vitam restauraverit,
mille annis inter homines versabitur, eosque justissimo imjierio reget.
—Ibid. VII. 24.]
234 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER, [lET.
bondage to the elect, who nevertheless shall again lie con-
cealed a short time under the earth, through fear of the
prince of the dannons' then unbound, who shall attack them,
and of the multitude of the nations who shall rebel against
them ; with other things of the same kind, in his epitome.
Cyprian likewise in many places seems to be too severe ;
especially in the 2nd Epistle of the 4th Book, where he treats
of those who come to a late repentance. He also prates most
wonderfully about the purging of sins by alms-giving^, and
about the trial of the good by firel Besides, it may be doubted,
in my judgment at least, whether the various passages about
satisfaction can be so reconciled, as that he may appear to
have a godly and correct notion of the righteousness of Christ,
especially in Book i. Ep. 7, and Book iii. Ep. 14, and on the
merits of the martyrs and righteous, Discourse v. Moreover,
what he writes about free-will, in the Epistle to Quirinus;
about the same subject, and the primacy of Peter ^; and on
the meaning of the word water, which every where, with
him, signifies in holy scripture baptism^ ; also respecting the
admixture of the holy cup with water, which he affirms Christ
to have appointed at the supper*^.
[1 Idem (scil. princeps Dsemonum) cum mille anni regni, hoc est
septem inillia cceperint terminari, solvetm' denuo, et custodia emissus
exibit ; atque omnes gentes quae tunc erunt sub ditione justorum eon-
citabit, ut inferant bcUum sancta3 civitati ; et colligetur ex omni orbe
terra) innumerabilis populus nationum, et obsidebit, et circumdabit
civitatem . . . Populus autem Dei tribus illis diebus sub concavis terrse
occultabitur. — Ibid. vii. 27.]
[2 The following passage may perhaps be referred to among others.
Nee liaberet, quid fragilitatis humante infirmitas atque imbecillitas
faceret, nisi iterum pietas divina subveniens, justitia3 et misericordiio
operibus ostensis, viam quandam tuenda? salutis aperiret ; ut sordos
postmodum quascunque contrahimus, elecmosynis abluamus. — De
Oper. et Eleemos. See the second part of the Homily of Alms-deeds,
■where Cyprian's doctrine is explained.]
[3 Aliud pro peccatis longo dolore cruciatum emundai-i, et purgari
diu igne, aliud peccata omnia jjassione purgassc. Lib. iv. Ep. 2. Erasm.]
[' See the treatise De Unit. Ecclcs. pp. 106, &c. Oxon. 1G82. with
Fell's notes upon the passage.]
p Quotienscunque autem aqua sola in scriptm-is Sanctis nomina-
tur, baptisma prajdicatur. Lib. ii. Ep. 3.]
[^ Calix Domini non est aqua sola, aut vinum solum, nisi utnimque
sibi misceatm-. — Ibid. The remaining references iu this paragraph are
too long for quotation.]
CIX.] RICHAllD HILLES TO HENRY BULLTNGER. 235
I determined with myself, as soon as I should have
leisure, to read Origen for the sake of his antiquity ; but I
have now changed my mind, because you have made no
mention of liim in your letter to me. Wherefore I shall sub-
stitute in his place some work of Augustine, or perhaps
Jerome upon the prophets, only that this is contrary to your
judgment. I once heard master Capito, in a lecture on Isaiah,
severely censure him, and say that Jerome was good for no-
thing except as a rhetorician. I had not behoved this before,
but he seemed to have his reasons for thus finding fault with
him.
If at any time you deign to write to me again, advise
me, I pray, as to the best means of retaining in memory
what I have once read. Hitherto I have been accustomed to
collect into one book the heads of many common-places and
sentences ; but this is troublesome to me, as I am a very slow
writer. Moreover, sir, I want your books on the authority
of scripture, on the office of bishops, and on the origin of
error ; and all of them, if it shall seem good to you, bound
together. I pray you also to send at the same time with
these books the bible of Leo Judse''', if it is yet completed, or
as soon after as you may meet with a fit opportunity. But
first of all fix the price, and receive it from Henry Falckner,
or else I will not on any account receive the books from any
one. Lastly, I earnestly entreat you to salute the same H.
Falckner and Peter Hurtzel in my name, and tell them, that
such is the state of lower Germany, that I scarcely think any
Enghsh cloth will arrive at Frankfort at the next fair, by
reason of the war between the emperor and the duke of
Guelderland. Wherefore, I pray both of them to pay the
money that they owe me (although it is but a small sum)
either to myself, or my wife (in case of my absence), here at
Strasburgh ; or else to provide for the payment of it through
some citizen of Zurich. For I am now in great want of it,
especially during Lent, because I have neither cloth nor
["! Leo Judse was minister of Zurich, where he undertook the trans-
lation of the old Testament, but died June 9th, 1542, before the com-
pletion of the work, leaving unfinished Job, the last forty Psalms,
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles, and the last eight chapters of
Ezekiel, which were translated by Theodore Bibliander. The entire
work was edited by Conrad Pellican.]
236 RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLIXGER. [lET.
money with mc. For all the money which I could scrape
together from my friends in every quarter, I have sent to my
friends in England to lay out in cloth, and send it to Ant-
werp, where it now is ; and they dare not transmit it into
upper Germany on account of the cruel war, which may God
soon deign to put an end to, for the sake of Christ our Lord
and our hope ! Amen.
My wife salutes you most respectfully, and also your most
amiable wife, to whom I desire my best thanks for her great
favours conferred upon us, when we lived with you in those
parts. Either your wife, or the Avife of Megander, wrote to
mv wife about something or other ; but really we cannot make
out what it is. I therefore request that they will let us know
what they wish for, and it shall be diligently attended to at
the next fair. I was aware that the black cloth they wanted
may be bought here, only that it may be had, every one says,
with you at a much cheaper rate.
I commend myself most dutifully to masters Megander,
Theodore Bibliander, and Pellican, and pray you to salute
their wives in my name. I desire also my most respectful
salutations to master Erasmus and his wife. And if, my very
dear master, 1 can serve you in any way whatever, only com-
mand me, and you shall find me most ready to do your
bidding. But I had not intended, as your reverence knows,
to write to you any more, and you know the reason ; but
on account of your excellent presents I am now compelled
to write, and I must entreat you to take in good part my
barbarous and vain prattling. But I implore you for the
Lord's sake, to promote in your senate, as far as you may
be able, the cause of my brother and fellow-countryman, John
Burcher ' ; respecting which my brother Butler, who is, as I
well know, beloved by and dear to you, has lately written to
you from Basle.
I have received no news from England since the Frank-
fort fair : but then (as I requested Peter Ilurtzel to inform
you) my friends wrote mc word that a war had suddenly
arisen between the Scots and our countrymen, and that it was
reported to have begun in the northern borders of England
and the south of Scotland ; whether by the Scots or ourselves,
[1 John Burcher wished to obtain permission from the magis-
trates of Zurich to export wood for making bows.]
CIX.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGEK. 237
is not certainly known ; they so accuse each other and excuse
themselves on both sides. This however is certain, that on
account of an inroad made by the Scots, in which some of our
men were slain ^, our king threatened that he would shortly
declare war with Scotland. The Scot was not much pleased at
hearing this, but sent ambassadors into England for the main-
tenance of peace. The king, as our people tell the story, pro-
mised peace upon these conditions ; namely, that the king of
Scotland should, at every parliament, do homage to our king
and his successors, as to his superior and a potentate of more
exalted rank, (as was formerly done by some of his predeces-
sors ;) that he should promise to depose the Roman pontiff
with his monks, as soon as might possibly lie in his power ;
and admit our religion in other respects (which you are well
acquainted with) into his country ; that he should engage in
the next place to make satisfaction to our king for damages
sustained in the north, and for the great expenses which he
has incurred in fitting out an army by land and a fleet by
sea. For while these matters were in treaty between these
sovereigns in August and September, all necessary prepara-
tions for war were making on both sides. The Scotsman
briefly refuses almost all these conditions, except the payment
of a certain sum of money which he granted to the king
of England for renewing the peace, and for the expenses he
had incurred. Then the king, trusting, as I fear, in chariots
and horses, and in the multitude of men, rather than in the
name of God, sent into Scotland^ more than a hundred and
twenty thousand men, who, as I have just learned from
England by a letter of the 30th of November, have again
[2 Sir Walter Lindsay led the van of the Scottish army, com-
manded in chief by the earl of Huntley, at a place called Ilaldanrig ;
where two hundred of the English were killed, and six hundred taken
prisoners.]
[3 Lord Erskine and others proceeded to York, where the duke of
Norfolk, the lord privy seal, and the bishop of Durham were ordered
to treat with them. The conference was unsuccessful ; wherefore the
duke advanced to Scotland, which he entered on Oct. 21, with forty
thousand men, according to the Scottish historians ; but only twenty
thousand, according to the English. As soon as he had passed the
Tweed, he was so harassed by the foraging parties of the earl of
Huntley, that he thought it adviseable to retreat, and recross the river
at Kelso. See Holinshed, in. 828]
238 KiniAKD HILLES TO IIENIIY 15ULL1XGE15. [lET.
returned from Scotland. Jiut the reason of their return was
so closely confined to the leaders, that it was not generally
known among us. Meanwhile, it is here stated by those who
exercise their traffic in France, that our people have suffered
a loss of fourteen thousand men in Scotland. How true this
statement may be, I am at present unable to say, although
I suspect something of the kind has taken place. I know
that you have already heard almost all these things from
our friend John Burcher, for I acquainted liim with them
as they occurred. But that you may not think that I have
consigned your wish to forgetfulness or neglect, I thought
it worth while to repeat the same account to you, who de-
serve so well of me in many respects.
God has lately taken away from me, by two or three
debtors who (as I hear from England) have become bankrupts,
and by other casualties, about two hundred florins, perhaps
so much the sooner because I am not there myself to manage
my affiiirs. But let this be told to a stone wall. Besides, I
have promised, within this month, to afford yearly (if God
do not take every thing away from me) a certain sum of
money to some strangers, who, having been lately banished
from their country for Christ's sake, have come hither ; so that
I cannot now afford you so much for the poor exiles as I would
have done most cordially, had you desired me. Neverthe-
less, cease not, I pray you, to remind me of my duty, and
you shall find me ready according to my power. For I
know that you will not ask me to aid the poor out of my
necessity, but of my abundance. And I know what Paul
requires of the rich in 1 Tim. vi. and what Christ requires
every where. But the flesh, forgetful of divine and heavenly
things, and covetous and tenacious of earthly things, can-
not be too often reminded of its duty. Write to me there-
fore freely, whatever you will, because it may be profitable
also to others. And I hope that I shall bear your exhorta-
tion and warning as it becomes me to do. Farewell in
Christ Jesus, and live happily in God; and love your
Richard as you are wont to do.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES, An<jlus.
ex.] RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 239
LETTER ex.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Frankfout, March 24, 1543.
Praise to God ! I most humbly commend myself to your
piety, my revered master. I have lately received your letter
by Falckner, in which you apologize for not having been able
to answer me at that time as fully, as you say, as I might
probably expect. But I must reply in my turn, that I did not
require an answer of such length, though really useful and
most gratifying to me, lest I should be, as I no doubt was, too
troublesome to you. I am exceedingly obliged to you on
account of John Burcher, for having served him the more
readily, as you say, upon my recommendation of him.
I wrote to John Butler a httle after Christmas, respecting
the king of Scotland, that he was certainly dead, and that it
was reported by some persons at Antwerp that he had died
of his wounds. This was not indeed mentioned for certain in
my letter, but it is allowed by the Scots themselves, that
their king died immediately after some of his nobles^ had been
taken prisoners by the Enghsh. From that time I have re-
ceived no positive intelligence from England, except that our
king, without delay, sent those nobles back to Scotland, to in-
tercede with the Scots on his behalf, and to exert themselves
to the utmost of their power that the kingdom should be given
or offered to him by the Scots. But, as I have just learned
from an English nobleman at this place, they obtained hardly
any thing from the Scots, but returned back to the king, who
was completely disappointed in the result of their endeavour.
Others however of our countrymen at Antwerp boasted that
the estates of Scotland, upon the entreaties or by the con-
trivance of these noblemen, had sent into England the Scottish
[1 Namely, the earls of Cassilis and Glencaim, the lords Maxwell,
Fleming, Somerville, Oliphant, and Gray, with above two hundred
gentlemen. James V. is generally supposed to have died of grief at
the event of this expedition, which is to this day called the Raid of
Solway Moss. His death took place Dec. 14, 1542.]
240 RlCIIAItn IIILLKS TO HENRY BULLINGEl!. [lET.
cardinal [Beaton]. But my English informant above-mentioned
told mc just the contrary, namely, that the Scots had chosen
a new king from among themselves, had implored the aid of
the French king, and determined with all their power to drive
back our king. I do not hear that the king of England is in
alliance with the emperor, or that he has renounced the French
alhance ; although it is very probable that, should the latter
assist the Scots, he will shortly do so. Nevertheless, news is
brought me at this fair, that the Scots, who have taken some
ships from us, are forbidden by the estates of Scotland to sell
their cargo, till they have ascertained the pleasure of our king
respecting it. Some artifice may however lie concealed in this
matter, for fear that the king of England may adopt stronger
means of defence, and sooner prepare for war.
Farewell, and commend me most diligently to your very
dear wife, and to all those godly and learned persons with
whom I have there, by your means, been made acquamted.
May God preserve you, and those like you, and do you pray
for me ! Amen. — I am now setting off to Nuremberg (whence
I shall return, God willing, in about a month) to sell my cloth,
which those friends of mine, who manage my concerns at
Antwerp, did not dare to send hither this fair, on account of the
duke of Juliers\ They have therefore sent them to Nurem-
berg, for the fair now approaching. Again farewell, and live
happy ! Amen.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
LETTER CXI.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Sept. 2(5, 1543.
Praise to God ! Health in the Lord, my most esteemed
master and brother in Christ, our hope. I send herewith to
[1 William, duke of Cleves and Juliers, had at this time some
differences with the emperor Charles the fifth, on account of the
succession to Guclderland. See above, page 235.]
CXI.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 241
your piety ten Italian crowns, which I desire to be laid out
according to your pleasure, as occasion may offer, upon the
poor exiles, (rich however in Christ,) and those especially, if
such there be, who are in distress among you.
My wife is expecting shortly, that is, in three weeks, her
time of confinement, and earnestly entreats both you and your
wife to commend her in your prayers to the Lord, whose
strength is made perfect in weakness.
At our last fair I gave the four florins for your books to
Henry Falckner, to whom I pray you to commend me, and to
tell him, that although he most solemnly promised me that he
would take care that I should be paid all the money that he
owed me at this Frankfort fair, (amounting to about one hun-
dred and twenty-four crowns,) in golden ducats, yet that I
have not received above four from master Christopher, but in
other money as usual, which he most honestly paid me. But
the case was this. Henry Falckner at first agreed to give
me one hundred and seventy-five florins at our Strasburgh
fair. He then requested me to extend the time of pay-
ment till the Frankfort fair, when he would pay the whole in
golden ducats, as appears from his note, written with his own
hand. I agreed to this, on condition that he would keep his
promise, as a merchant ought to do. He told me that he
could get a large profit with those one hundred and seventy-
five florins by the purchase of arraas^ and merchandise of
that kind. But I am sustaining this inconvenience from this
business, that had I sent those ducats from the Strasburgh
fair, together with the rest of the money I then had, fresh
cloth would have been bought in England with that money
before this time ; whereas, too, in this city of Strasburgh I
could soon have bought among my friends, with those one
hundred and seventy-five florins which Falckner ought to
have paid me in ready cash, golden crowns for twenty-three
batzen, I was obhged at Frankfort to give a Jew twenty-three
batzen and a quarter : so that I lost two florins, besides the
interest of the money. But I hope that another time he will
perform what he has promised.
I have no leisure to write more, except that our king has
within these two months, as I wrote to John Burcher, burnt
[2 It is thus in the MS. Arras is probably intended.]
r 1 16
[ZURICH LETTERS, III.J
242 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.,
three* gof^ly nicn in one day. For in the month of July he
married the widow ^ of a certain nobleman, of the name of
Latimer ; and he is always wont to celebrate his nuptials
by some wickedness of this kind. Farewell in Christ !
Yours, Rych. H.
[RICHARD HILLES.]
P. S. I pray you to give, together with these letters
addressed to Germans, ten other French crowns and my
other letter, to John Burcher.
LETTER CXII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Noiu 15, 1543.
Health and peace from Christ our hope! You must
know, reverend sir, that, according to what you told me in
your letter of the 13th of October, Henry Falckner wrote to
me shortly after, to inquire about the price of my cloth. I
send you my answer to him inclosed in this letter, and request
you will kindly explain it to him at your leisure. You will
thereby do me an acceptable service : for, as you are aware,
I cannot write Latin sufficiently; and as to German, I am still
more ignorant, for I cannot yet master the idiom of your
language. But to return to my subject. If master Falckner
(after you have explained my mind to him from my letter, or
procured some one else to do so) should return my cloth to
vou, I pray you, my master, to take charge of it, and keep
it in your house till the arrival of John Biu*cher, to whom I
will write my mind respecting it, as to what he should do
[1 These were Antony Person, Robert Testwood, and Henry Fil-
mer, who were bui-nt at "Windsor, July 27, 1542. For an account of
their trial and martyrdom, see Burnet, i. 623 ; Soames, i. 638, and
Foxc, V. 486.]
['•i Katherinc Parr had been formerly married to Neville, Lord
Latimer, and was married to Henry VIII., at Hampton Court, July 12,
1542.]
/
CXII.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 243
with it. For in good truth I cannot part with it for a less
sum, as times now are, than what I stated to Falckner. If I
were solely intent upon gain, I could make more money by a
thousand florins employed upon other wares, especially in tlys
time of war, than I can by two thousand florins laid out
upon cloth. But I always have in mind what the apostle
says, 1 Tim. vi. 17, respecting those who desire to be rich in
this world. I was never very anxious about those four florins
which I sent you by Falckner from the fair ; but I wrote
about them, merely to know whether the letter of the young
man who is in my house, and which I sent by Falckner at
the same time with the money, had been dehvered. That
letter treated of some ungodly laws enacted about that time
by our parliament : if you have received that letter, it is
well. For this young man, whose name is Francis Warner,
has often inquired of me whether it had arrived safe : I
rephed that I had no doubt of it, because we gave it in
charge to Falckner. My wife heartily wishes for you and
your wife every happiness ; and says she has no doubt but
that God helped her the sooner in her confinement by reason
of your good prayers. On the second of this month she
brought forth to the church of Christ a son, who, as the
women say, is quite large enough for a mother of tall
stature, and whom I immediately named Gershom. I am
in daily expectation of a letter from England, but not of
any news. My wife very affectionately salutes above all
others your most godly wife, and says that she wishes, I
know not what, but that as she has already so many fine
children herself, she would pray for the wife of master
Megander, that she also may have a family. Salute, I pray
you, in my name all those learned men among you, to whom
the church of Christ is so much indebted ; and may our Lord
Jesus, the chief Shepherd, recompense them all in that day,
and especially yourself! Amen.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
16—2
244 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLING ER. [lET.
LETTER CXIII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BOLLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Sept. 26, 1544.
Praise to God ! Health and peace from the Lord ! Your
letter, ray reverend and very dear friend in Christ, dated in
the month of June, I received by Falckner at this our fair ;
and I offer my warmest thanks for your answer to Cochlgeus's^
book, of which you have made mo a present : for I read it in
the month of August, and it has confirmed me not a httle in
the true rehgion of our Lord and Saviour. I think myself
too exceedingly obhgcd to your piety for having condescended
to exhort me a second time in your last letter by Froschover,
that I should so use the world, as not to lose heaven ; that I
should love the Lord God before and above all things, and
not be too much immersed in perishable concerns, business,
and money. I now know that the love of Christ abideth in
you, because you keep his commandment, as it becomes a
good shepherd. " If thy brother," saith the Lord, "sin against
thee," &c. Doubt not, beloved master, but that the more
you admonish me of my duty, or reprove me for neglect,
the more I shall value and love you from my heart. I con-
fess that I am engaged in various, and perhaps too many,
occupations ; but, except at the Frankfort fairs, I am seldom
absent from home. And hence it is, that I apply myself
to the reading of scripture less frequently than I could wish ;
because, having no servant, I transact almost all my business
myself, especially here in Strasburgh, and I am almost always
engaged in correspondence, setthng my accounts, and things
of the like nature. Yet last winter, by God's blessing, I
read the Avhole of the holy Bible which you gave mo, besides
the new Testament, with as much attention as I was able.
From this sacred reading, if I have derived no other advant-
age, I have at least learned this, that when the prophets,
[1 John Cochlasus, the well known antagonist of Luther, was a
canon of Breslau, where he died in 1552, aged 72 years.]
CXIII.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 245
according to this your translation, intended to describe a
knave or impostor, they called him a merchant^. I learn
from hence, as you also say, what a dangerous and slippery
thing is trade, in which occupation I may fall very soon, and
I wish I may not have fallen very frequently. Moreover,
from that reading I learned repentance. Do you, my master,
aid me by your prayers as well as by your very godly and
frequent and seasonable advice, by which you are truly, as
you write, performing the part of a friend and brother, and
are watching over my welfare : may God reward you for this
in that day ! Amen.
Furthermore, I received here from my wife, after my
return, that book of yours which you lately sent me by
Froschover ; and as soon as I have any leisure, God willing,
I will read it. For it is much commended by those of our
countrymen who favour the gospel, as our MichaeP (I mean
Miles Coverdale) immediately after my arrival from England
in these parts clothed it in an English dress ; but I am
more pleased with reading it in Latin. For the same book I
also return you many thanks ; but am sorry that you should
be always sending me presents, when I have here nothing
worth sending to your kindness in return. My wife also
desires her thanks (as I doubt not but that you heard from
Falckner) for that old medal representing concord. If there
is any news from England, our friend John, the bearer of this
letter, will tell it you much better than I can describe it in
this most barbarous and, as I fear, incongruous style. The
same person will bring you with him, inclosed in this my
letter, twelve Italian crowns for the poor exiles. I request
you will distribute them, as you may have opportunity, at
the beginning of the year ; and pray the Lord for me, that
he may mercifully regard this little offering, and have mercy
on us all. Amen ! Deign to salute in my name Theodore,
Pelhcan, Megander, and your other pious and learned men.
My wife salutes you and your most amiable wife, whom I also
beg you to salute in my name. And may the Lord Jesus,
our hope, grant you to make full proof of your ministry
even to the end; that when the chief Shepherd shall ap-
[2 See Hosea xii. 7.]
[3 Coverdale was known during his exile by the namo of Michael
Anglus.]
246 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
pear, you may receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away ! Amen.
Yours in the Lord,
RICHARD HILLES.
LETTER CXIV.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, April 15, 1545.
Praise to God ! Health in our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ ! Although I never doubted of your love to every
member of Christ, and have often experienced your especial
kindness to myself, you nevertheless do not cease to make it
every day more apparent by your presents ; which indeed are
so far most gratifying to me, inasmuch as they are the mani-
festations of that regard towards me, which it has ever been
my earnest desire that you should entertain : they have how-
ever been less acceptable, because I would wish rather to
spare you any expense in this respect, and especially since
I know of no way of returning the obligation ; and if I did,
your kindness would not allow me to do so. But of these
things at another time ; it seems best now to come to the
chief subject of this letter.
My countryman, John Burcher, has lately informed me
by letter, that he is exceedingly desirous of obtaining the
freedom of your canton ; which however, according to the
laudable custom and law of your city, he is prevented from
obtaining, until he can produce a testimonial signed by some
persons worthy of credit, to shew that he was born in lawful
wedlock, and that he has not fled from his country by reason
of any crime against the state; but rather for having em-
braced the pure and christian doctrine, and freely made a
profession of it. But now, since it would be too great an
expense to send to England for a testimonial of this kind,
and since also John Burcher feels quite confident that the
CXIV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 247
testimonials of any persons of approved credit and probity,
resident in these quarters, respecting him will be favourably
received by the magistracy of Zurich, (according to the kind-
ness by which they are distinguished ;) he has requested me
to obtain for him the testimonials of at least two Englishmen
of sufficiently known reputation and piety. One of them is
named William Swerder ^, a gentleman, in whom with zeal for
learning are united piety and sobriety of hfo. The other I
think is somewhat known to you, both by my commendation,
and also by his own letters sent to you some time since. He is
called Miles Coverdale, and is truly one who is very dear to
and honourably esteemed by all the ministers of the word,
and other learned men in these parts. He is the master of
a grammar school at Bergzabern, a town not far from Weis-
semburg, where, by translating in his leisure hours, for the
sake of the more extensive advancement of the kingdom of
Christ, various religious works into our language, partly yours,
and partly those of other learned men, he is of very great
service in promoting the scriptural benefit of those persons in
the lower ranks of life, who are anxious for the truth, and in-
flamed with zeal and desire of obeying the will of God. He
is one of those who, after the example of Moses, rather choose
to be banished, and suffer affliction with the people of God,
than with a wounded conscience to enjoy the pleasures of sin
in their native Egypt. But that I may dismiss this subject in
few words, and reduce it into a narrow compass ; since, I say,
this John Burcher has not very long since written to me, and
not only that, but another Enghshman also, of approved
character, has borne testimony to the above named William
and Miles, that they can, if they choose, bring sufficient evi-
dence that it was only for the sake of true religion, and for
no other reason, that John was compelled to abandon the
excellent prospects which he had in England before he came
into Switzerland, where, as is not altogether unknown to you,
he has been seeking to maintain himself by manual labour ; I
called upon William Swerder, who is now on business at
Strasburgh, to ask him that, as it is well known to him that
John Burcher is a man of spotless character, and suffering, as
[^ William Swerder was at one time master of the ancient hospital
of St Thomas, of Eastbridgo, in Canterbury, from which he afterwards
had an annuity of ten pounds out of the i-ents. Strypc, Parker, i. 566.]
248 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
I before stated, for the sake of the gospel, he would not refuse
to confirm that testimony respecting John with liis signature,
which you perceive he has done.
But since the same Burcher has likewise entreated me,
that in my journey either to or from Frankfort I would pro-
cure a similar testimony from Miles Coverdale at Bergzabern,
(and indeed a more ample one, as I am told by the bearer of
this letter, that he is the best acquainted Avith him of all the
English who are sojourning in Germany,) I could not in any
way do this without great inconvenience. For although I
will not deny that Bergzabern is not much out of the high
road from Strasburgh to Frankfort ; yet, because on that side
of the Rhine the journey is not so safe, to those especially
who are supposed to have money about them, as through the
territory of the Margrave of Baden, I have neglected to pro-
cure the testimonial of my brother Miles ; and the less reluct-
antly, because I hope that you, by reason of your piety and
benevolence to the afflicted people of Christ, will so commend
to the mayor and most worshipful senate of your city the tes-
timonial which I send with this letter, that they may consider
it as sufficient, and receive Burcher into the number of their
citizens.
But now, as far as regards my testimony, I must confess
that this person was entirely unknown to me before his de-
parture from England ; for the place where he was born is
very far distant from my native place, that is to say, by an
interval of seven or eight German miles. This report however
prevailed there concerning him, among those who are counted
gospellers, and it also came to my ears when I was still re-
siding in England, that he had not left the country for any
other reason than because he was discovered to maintain the
orthodox opinion concerning the eucharist ; but that in other
respects he always conducted himself with piety and sobriety,
wherever he resided. And indeed as he has never, since he
has been personally known to me, given mo any reason to
think otherwise of him, so, in truth, it has never been my lot to
hear from any person any thing in opposition to this character ;
although both in England, and also after I came to reside
here, I have frequently heard him spoken of, and at times too,
wlien, if there had been any thing to find fault with in him,
a fit opportunity offered of doing so. Moreover, I may be
CXIV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 249
allowed to bear this additional testimony respecting him, that
I have seen a long letter of his to the lord Cromwell, the
king's chief councillor, and one who at that time possessed
the greatest authority with the king in England ; in which
letter ho explained the whole cause of his banishment, and
how unjustly he was treated by the sanguinary bishops and
the ecclesiastical order : from which Avriting no other sus-
picion could possibly arise either to myself or any one else,
than that he had suffered persecution only for the sake of the
gospel, and not for any thing else, either a criminal offence,
or the maintenance of any erroneous doctrine. In fact, as
I perfectly remember to be the case, the principal, and indeed
the only scope of his appeal was to this effect, that since he
had been in many ways so unjustly dealt with, as that the
impious bishops were within a very little of passing sentence
of death upon him, he [Cromwell] would deign to obtain
for him, through his influence with the king, that without
denying the truth (for that he constantly declared he would
not do) permission might be granted to him to return to
England in safety from the fury of his enemies. Hence
therefore it is easy to conclude (and when I read it, it re-
moved all doubt whatever from my mind), that he would never
have employed so much dihgence and pains, as it is evident
he did, in the composition of that letter, in endeavouring to
explain therein to a man placed in such a post of dignity
and authority, as Cromwell was at that time, the entire cause
of his banishment, if that persecution which he then endured
for the profession of the truth, had not been the chief, nay,
the only reason of his seeking refuge in your canton.
Wherefore, my very dear master Bullinger, I entreat you
by Christ, for whose sake doubtless he is now an exile,
not only to aid him in this object of obtaining the free-
dom of your city, but to shew yourself easy of access and
kind to him in Avhatever other matters he may chance to
need your assistance and faithful counsel. And God, who,
as you well know, and most truly teach, leaves no act of
piety without recompence, will bestow upon you abundant
mercy in the world to come. x\nd if in my turn I shall be
able to oblige you by a service of this kind towards any of
your friends, I hope that you will not find me less willing and
ready on my part, as our Lord Jesus Christ knows, who is
250 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
our life and hope, and in Avliom I wish you all safety and
every happiness, to the glory of his name and the welfare of
your neighbours ! Amen.
I kno\v of no news from our country, except what the
bearer of this letter can inform you of. My Avifc most duti-
fully commends herself to you and to your most faithful wife;
and she also thanks you for that godly prayer whicli in your
late letter to me you poured forth to God on behalf of our
little son Barnabas, and also for the Swiss shoes given to my
Gershom.
Salute, I pray you, in my name Theodore Bibliandor,
Pellican, Gaspar Megander, Erasmus Schmidt, and especially
your friend Gualter, and the other learned men who have
deserved so well of the church of God. May almighty God
very long preserve you all in safety to the glory of his
name ! Amen.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
LETTER CXV.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jan. 28, 1546.
Praise to God ! Health and peace in the Lord ! As it
is a long time since I have written to your piety, it is not
right for me longer to abstain from writing. And first of all,
I am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, for having deigned to
send for my perusal, although not as a present, the books
you last forwarded to me. But since this is your pleasure,
I receive them gratefully, and, the Lord Avilling, will soon
finish reading what yet remains in them to be perused. May
God grant that I may be able to read them with great ad-
vantage, as you have published them with groat labour, to
the glory of God''s name, and the edification of his church !
Lewis Lavater (I know not through what circumstance)
did not remain with master Matthew Zollc, but, as lie told
CXV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 251
me, is now with one master Marbach, whom I understand
from your letter, dated in October, not to be one with whom
the father of Lewis would hke his son to have any inter-
course. You mention, as a reason, that Marbach is altogether
a Lutheran : but this is no new thing among us, that any
preacher should savour of Lutheranism, because almost all
the preachers and lecturers here are chiefly imbibing and in-
culcating Lutheranism : so that either Luther has drawn
them over into his error, or else, fascinated by the world, they
pretend themselves to be Lutherans. So that if we consider
this, there is no occasion for your friend Lewis again to
change his lodging ; since he will have just such another, if
he should lodge with any learned man in this place. And as
for myself, sir, there is indeed scarcely any one here, with
whom I am acquainted, who takes boarders, with whom I
should think him better placed than with master Matthew
Zolle. For I have not only heard him well spoken of by
Gerard Frisius and others, but also by the scholars who
board with him ; among whom, however, I have known very
few since I came to reside here. I am prepared, and I made
him the offer, that if Lewis should desire it of me, I would
lay out money on your account for the youth's tabhng, either
for a quarter or half a year. Yet, as his father is a man of
property, I think it will be no loss to him to pay down the
sum beforehand to John Burcher, that I may be able to pay
for him the same amount here afterwards. For in truth I
scarcely ever keep any money by me for a week together,
but lay it out forthwith in merchandise. Do not, I pray, be
offended at my writing to you with such freedom ; for I am
only pointing out to your reverence the state of my affairs,
as to the employment of money. Meanwhile, however, I
will by no means refuse to lay down the sum here, before I
receive it from you by John Burcher, although the amount
should be three times as much as I think it will be.
If there is any news here, or from England, you will
learn it by the letter of a certain countryman of mine who
is studying here, whose name is John Hoper, formerly in the
court ^ of our king, but now a disciple of Christ, the King of
kings, and glowing with zeal and piety, and most attached
to your name among those of all other divines. He was
[1 Sec above, Lett. XXT. p. 33.]
252 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGEK. [lET.
sick at my liousc, almost unto death ; and when, to all appear-
ance he was on the point of departure, he uttered the language
and profession of a most godly christian breast respecting
the matter of the eucharist, and all the articles of the christian
faith, before many by-standers. May the great and good
God give him grace to persevere unto the end, that he may
be saved ! Amen.
When I first read your letter, I was grieved at the death
of Megander ; but now, when I look upon the condition of
this world, and the happiness of those who die in Christ, I
begin to praise God for him. Meanwhile, however, may God
repair the loss, which, as you write, the church of Zurich
suffers by his departure. John Burchcr lately wrote me
word, that either you or your pious wife had intended to
send us a cheese against Christmas. But I am glad you did
not, for we have received more gifts and favours from you
than we shall ever be able to return. Wherefore be sparing,
I pray you, sir, of your presents, and notwithstanding enter-
tain no doubt of our regard towards you. For we love you,
as we have been wont to do, in the iLord. My wife salutes
you and your Avife, as I also do, and likewise the widoAv, if
she is still a widow, of Megander, and especially Pellican,
Theodore Bibliander, and your beloved Gualter, as he de-
serves. Farewell in Christ Jesus our Lord and hope, in
whom live happily ! Amen.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
P. S. Lewis tells me that he has agreed with master
Marbach for board at thirty florins a year. But he has
doubtless himself informed you of this by letter long since.
LETTER CXVI.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasbuugii, April 30, 154C.
Praise to God! Health, and the peace of God which
passeth all understanding ! Your letter, my master, beloved
CXVI.] RICHAilD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 253
in the Lord, dated on the first of this month, I have to-dav
received from your friend Lewis, who kept it for me until
my return from Frankfort. I cannot altogether acquit my-
self either of ingratitude or indolence, for not having as yet
repUed to your letter of February the sixth. For that letter
of yours was not, as you write with your accustomed kind-
ness to plead my excuse, of such a nature as to require no
answer ; for I must confess that it was so full of godly and
pious admonitions, and so necessary to me who am employed
in so dangerous a calhng (if indeed trade can be so called, as
the world now conducts it), that if there were nothing else
that might seem to require an answer, I ought at least to
have returned you long since, on account of that letter, the
thanks due to your kindness and christian love. But O
imhappy me! who am so overwhelmed with worldly business,
as thus to neglect my duty to my father, and spiritual and
godly physician. I therefore entreat you, my master, ho-
noured in the Lord, that you will deign to persevere in
praying for me (as I collect from all your later letters that
you do) to the Lord Jesus Christ, that the thorns of riches
may not so pierce me, as to call aAvay my attention from the
study of godliness, and meditation upon heavenly things: our
life is indeed, as you say, short upon earth, and we die daily.
These things I have always before my eyes, whether at leisure
or engaged in business, eating and drinking, yea, even in my
dreams when I am asleep. May the great and good God
grant (and I hope he will grant it the sooner for your
prayers), that I may not bear these things in mind, or in a
manner desire death, because it is said to put an end to the
cares and anxieties of this life, (by which we are continually
harassed in heaping up and preserving riches,) rather than
because I desire with the apostle to be dissolved and to be
with Christ. Thus in me the flesh oftentimes seeketh its
own, and not only the glory and life of Christ. But I have
not now leisure to write to you upon this subject as fully as
I could wish.
You will obtain information, as to the state of England,
from the bearer of this letter, more fully and conveniently
than I can write it. Meanwhile, however, I would have you
to know, that while those are alive who now hold the reins
of government and authority, it is not probable that the
254 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lETj
gospel will be purely and seriously received there. For the
king, the leading men, and almost all the bishops of that
nation, arc altogether intent upon war. They desire to retain
the good-will of the emperor by every means in their power,
and regard the simphcity of the protestants for the most part
as idle folly, and court their friendship (provided only they
may not be compelled to admit religion in the first place,)
not, as I think, because they love them, but that they may
have them partakers in the wars, and in the hatred with
which they are regarded by the French. As for an alliance
with them, I believe they revolt from it on account of the
free confession that they make of the truth. But God, who
knows all things, knows whether I am deceived in this opinion,
or not. I wish I may be. Moreover, the bishop of Win-
chester^ has very lately repubhshed a book against Bucer,
altogether full of bitterness and invective, in which he pro-
fesses his contempt of him on every account, attacks his
learning, and considers yours as the most impious of all.
What kind of a book this is, the bearer of this letter can
inform you at length ; for he has read it through at my
house.
Nothing else, but what you write, is to be expected from
those unclean bu-ds now assembled at Trent. May God there-
fore grant, according to your prayer thereupon, that the
antichrist, who is now wounded by the sword of the Spirit of
the wrath of God, may be entirely destroyed by the coming
of our Lord ! Amen.
Meanwhile, I pray you, do not cease to admonish me as
you are wont, as frequently as your necessary engagements
will admit, and (as you thinlv me to deserve it) to reprove
and rebuke me, that by the grace of God I may continue
sound in the faith even to the end, and have my confidence
stedfast in that glorious and awful advent.
I have not as yet advanced any money for our brother
Lewis, but am at all times ready to obey your wishes or
those of his father m this matter. Your attached friend,
master Hoper, is now in England, but will shortly return to
us, God willing, and afterwards to you. Let us pray our
[1 Bishop Gardiner wrote two letters in condemnation of a work
of Bucer against the celibacy of the clergy. See Strype, Mem. li. i.
103.]
CXVI.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 255
God to bring him back with success ; for he desires, and in-
deed it is the only object^ of his present absence from us, to
procure, if he can, some money, with which he may be able
always to reside either here, or with you, in holiness and
with a good conscience, far from the impurity of Babylon.
My wife prays for all happiness to your wife, and tells mo
that she has sent, by master Froschover, I know not what
trifle for her acceptance. We both of us thank you as much
for the cheese about which you wrote, as if you had really
sent it us. Salute, I pray you, masters Bibliander, Pellican,
Gualter, and all the rest of you who are very dear to me in
the Lord. And I regret, had not God so willed it, that I
can no longer send any introductions or recommendations to
master Erasmus; for Froschover tells me that he is dead.
Farewell in Christ, our only hope, and live always most
happy in him ! Amen.
Yours,
R. HILLES.
LETTEK CXVII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jan. 26, 1547.
Praise to God! Health and perseverance in the Lord
Jesus Christ, our hope ! I now at last reply to your letters
dated Oct. 28th and Dec. 4th. And first of all, I owe you
infinite thanks, my most esteemed master, for your conde-
scension in presenting me with your Commentaries upon Luke,
as you had before presented me with those upon the other
evangehsts and apostles. I pray almighty God that I may
be able continually to meditate upon them, and, as you ex-
hort me, to devote the best part of my life iminterruptedly
to the study of godliness and to good works. And I en-
treat you to pray the Lord for me, that I may do this, and
cleave to the Lord, even to the end.
[2 Sec above, p. 34.]
256 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
I told our brother Lavater what you commanded, or at
least wished ; and I doubt not but that he will always well
employ his time here, and be dihgent in learning ; and my
constant exhortation shall not be wanting to that effect. I
fear, lest, as you write, the time be at hand, when the Lord
will visit our iniquities by a cruel war, and will give us over
into the hands of our enemies for correction and punishment.
For I hear (though I hope it is not the case) that master de
Buiren is now attempting to set up the mass at Frankfort in
some of the churches, though in the mean time ho permits
those who wish to hear the gospel and follow the truth, to
do so without hinderance.
There has lately been, as I thinlc John Burchcr wrote
you word, some change in England, and there will doubtless
be one yet greater. For England has now had for some years
only one^ duke, namely, of Norfolk, whom, together with his
son, the king committed to prison, for having, as they say,
when he was in a declining state, endeavoured to restore the
pope's supremacy ; and I have lately heard (but I have not
yet received a letter from that quarter), that both father and
son have been beheaded, and that that spirit of godliness or
rather of popery, the bishop of Winchester, has succeeded
into their place, I mean the Tower of London. God grant
that all these things may be subservient to the glory of his
name and the propagation of evangelical doctrine, as many of
our friends think it will be! And this may be the case, after
God shall have visited the sins of this kingdom. For the
new queen and the carl of Hertford, who is the uncle of the
prince, the king's son, are well disposed to pious doctrine, and
abominate the fond inventions of the papists.
Salute Bibliander, Pcllican, Gualter, and the rest who are
known to mo there, and especially your most pious wife, to
whom also my wife desires to be commended.
Farewell, and live always happy I
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
[1 This letter was written Jan. 26, 1547. Shortly after the acces-
sion of king Edward VI. the carl of Hertford was created duko of
Somerset.]
CXVIII,] ' RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 257
LETTER CXVIII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated [at Strasburgh], Feb. 25, 1547.
I HAVE no later news to tell you of, than that it is
certain that our king in England died on the twenty-eighth
of January-; and that on the following Monday his only
son was publicly proclaimed^ king, according to custom,
throughout the country ; and on last Sunday he was publicly
crowned'* ; which they write me word from England is all
true. The young king aforesaid is called Edward, the sixth
of this name.
About one or two weeks before the death of the afore-
mentioned king Henry, he commanded, as some say, by his
will, that the duke, who in this country is called the duke
of Norfolk, together with his only son, who in England is
called the earl of Surrey, should both of them be beheaded^.
The government of England, according to the king's will,
which is also confirmed by the parliament or diet, is placed in
the hands of sixteen persons, eight of whom, it is said, are
bishops'', until the young king be grown up'. The most
[2 Hem-y VIII., departed at Westminster on Friday, Jan. 28, about
two of the clock in the morning. Sti-ype, Mem. n. i. IS.]
[3 For the ceremonies and circumstances that attended the pro-
claiming of the king, see Strype, Mem. ii. i. 19.]
\} King Edward was crowned by archbishop Cranmer on Feb. 20th,
being Shrove Sunday. For an account of the form and solemnity
attending it, see Strype, Cranmer, 202.]
[5 The earl of Surrey was arraigned at Guildhall on Jan. 13, on a
charge of having quartered on his shield the arms of Edward the
confessor ; and perished on the scaffold six days after. The duke of
Norfolk was attainted and condemned ; but his execution was pre-
vented by the death of the king. He remained, however, a prisoner
in the Tower till the accession of queen Mary. See Burnet, i. 554, &c.]
[<> Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury, and Tonstal, bishop of
Durham, were the only prelates nominated in the king's will. A list
of his executors is given in Burnet, ii. 5; and Strype, Mem. ii. i. 19.]
[7 Namely, till he should arrive at eighteen years of ago.]
r " 1 ^^
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI.]
258 RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [l^ET.
distinguished of tliein, however, is not a bishop, but the king''s
uncle, or his mother's brother. He is also appointed lord
protector or governor of the king his nephew, and of the
whole realm. This said guardian of the king is called the
earl of Hertford : he is not very favourable to the priests',
and a great enemy to the pope of Rome.
jSTow if I thought that you did not know it already, I
would also tell you the news that was sent me on the
fifteenth of this month from Erfurt ; namely, that the elector
of Saxony, after having laid siege to Leipsic^ for three
weeks, with an army of thirty thousand men, composed both
of cavalry and infantry, was unable to take the town, al-
though he had bombarded it very severely, and had done
much damage to the houses. He was forced to retreat with
his army, and is now five miles from Leipsic ; at about
four miles from which duke Maurice is encamped with his
troops, with king Ferdinand and the Margrave of Colbach.
But on the duke of Saxony's side are the king of Denmark,
and the Saxon towns, Bremen, Hamburgh, Brunswick, with
some others, so that both parties are considered equally
strong ; and if they do not shortly make peace, (as some
hope they will,) a battle must ensue. I have likewise re-
ceived intelligence from Erfurt, that the kings of England
and France sent ambassadors to Hamburgh, who have been
there together ever since Christmas, with the elector of
Saxony, and the diet of the Saxon towns above-mentioned.
The king of Denmark has also been with them ; but what
they have done or determined amongst themselves, time will
shew. May Almighty God sometime bless us with a long and
lasting peace !
Your servant to command,
RICHAED HILLES.
[1 The nation being then divided between those who loved the old
superstition, and those who desired a more complete reformation, the
protector set himself at the head of the one, and the lord chancellor
at the head of the other party. Burnet, ii. 7.]
[2 This siege began on January 13th, and was raised about the end
of the month. Nevertheless the to^vn Avas miserably shattered and
defaced by the batteries of great guns that continually played upon it.
Sleidan, B. xviii.]
CXVIII.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 259
P.S. Health in the Lord Jesus, our Saviour and hope ! I
\WOuld have informed you, my revered master, of the most
certain intelhgence which I have lately received from England,
by an express letter from myself, unless, as is frequently the
case, I had been so much engaged upon other business.
Meanwhile, however, that you may not be without any in-
formation from me, though upon matters which I think you
must have heard from others some days since, I forward to
your reverence this copy of a letter which I lately sent from
Strasburgh^ to a fellow-countryman of mine now resident at
Basle. Commend me most affectionately to all your brother
colleagues in the Lord, and to your godly wife, and also to the
wife of John Burcher'*; and tell her that I have lately re-
ceived a letter from Cologne, by which I learn that he
arrived there safe with all his wares, with which he happily
set sail for Dort in Holland about ten days since. Fare-
well in the Lord. Dated February 25, 1547, by yours,
R. H.
LETTER CXIX.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, May 19, 1547-
Praise to God ! Health and peace in the Lord Jesus our
Saviour ! I would have you know, my most honoured
master, that I have received your most acceptable letter,
dated two months since; and I owe infinite obhgations to
your piety for thus keeping me in your remembrance, and
so constantly exhorting me to an innocent and upright con-
duct, and the continual study of the holy scriptures. But as I
[3 The original of the preceding letter is written in German, the
postscript alone is in Latin.]
[4 John Burcher was at this time a partner with Hilles as a cloth
merchant.]
17—2
260 RICHARD HILLES TO HEXRY BULLINGER. [lET.
do not perceive any thing in this your letter which of necessity
requires an answer, except that I ought to return you my
thanks for that German book which I received together with
it, and also for your having condescended to write to me
concerning what the French king's ambassador required of
your townsmen, I have till now deferred my reply. And I
pray you not to be displeased at this ; for I have scarce
leisure to reply forthwith to the letters of all my corre-
spondents without great inconvenience to myself.
They state here as a certain fact, that the duke elector of
Saxony has been taken prisoner ^ by the emperor's troops ;
and the various statements of those Avho bring this news, are
so consistent, that it seems highly probable, and is univer-
sally believed to be the case. I have lately, however, re-
ceived intelligence from Cologne, (but I do not altogether
believe it,) that this news was circulated in all quarters by a
courier from Hesse, and in Hesse itself; but that the land-
grave had discovered that the report was false respecting
the capture of the duke, and had in consequence severely
punished at Marpurg, as he deserved, the messenger who
first spread the report, and who declared himself to have
been present at the battle, when the elector was taken pri-
soner. But in the same letter it was stated that a letter
had been written from Erfurt, on the first of May, to an in-
habitant of Cologne, by name John Pelmke zum Rynberch,
to the following effect :
"As to our own affairs, very dear friend, I have to inform
you that the emperor's troops made an unexpected attack,
as it were by forced marches, upon the army of the duke of
Saxony, on the 24th of April ; and that there fell on the
duke's side two thousand infantry, and one hundred and fifty
cavalry ; and that the son of the elector was severely wounded,
but escaped with his life. It was also generally reported at
that time that the duke himself was slain ; but he was found
upon the ground unhurt^, to the great joy of the whole army.
[1 This took place April 24, 1547, at the battle of Muhlberg, for
an account of which see Sleidan, B. xviii, and Robertson, Charles V.,
B. ix.]
[2 This was not the case. Having received a wound in his left
cheek, he was taken, and brought to the duke of Alva first, and then
to the emperor. Sleidan.]
CXIX.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 261
Moreover, it is stated that on the 25th of April a certain
gentleman, named WiUiam Thunsern, fell upon the forces of
the emperor with some thousand men from Bohemia, and
took from them fifteen pieces of artillery, together with some
wagons laden with silver, which had before been taken from
the troops of the duke of Saxony ; and that on the emperor's
side there fell five thousand men ; so that he himself was
forced to retire towards Egra," &c.
But I look upon all these things as fabulous. I have
no news from England, except what I Avrote to John Burcher
about a month since. Farewell, and commend us to all your
godly colleagues, and also to your faithful wife.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
LETTER CXX.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, June 18, 1548.
Praise to God ! Much health. You must know, my very
dear friend and master, that I have at last received a third
letter from you since my return from my native land; one
too, which, besides many other things contained in it, abounds
in holy exhortations to patience and perseverance, and every
kind of virtue. I return you for it my warmest thanks, and
pray our good and gracious God to enable me to practise
what you have so properly recommended.
In the first of the letters above-mentioned, you speak
much of Josiah Simler, for whom at his baptism you under-
took the office of sponsor. I will most readily do for him,
for your sake, what you request. But I do not think it will
answer to me to advance him in future any money, which is
to be repaid yonder, after our friend John Burcher has left
262 KICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
you ; nor will there then remain any hope of procuring the
bows. If, however, you will receive from his father those
fifteen florins which I was to send you for this year, for the
purposes you know of, I will hand them over to his son here,
and am ready to pay them whenever he thinks fit. Should,
however, the young man be in want of money, I will supply
him, upon the condition that it shall be remitted hither from
you by a trustAvorthy person.
In your second letter you desire to knoAv the circumstances
of the most learned John a Lasco. All that I know about
his condition I have learned from a citizen of tliis place, to
whom he wrote last autumn. For he was then at Embden
in Fricsland, and in good health ; but very much grieved and
dejected on account of the present state of Germany.
And now to come to your third and last letter. The
book which you have sent to the archbishop of Canterbury,
I will undertake, shall ere long be safely delivered ; but this
can hardly be done before our fair in July, except by means
of a courier on purpose, which would be very expensive : for
I must give five kreutzers for every half-ounce, as far as
Antwerp, in addition to the carriage from thence to the arch-
bishop. If it had been brought but an hour sooner, I could
have sent it by a native of Antwerp, who was then at my
house.
It is most certain, God willing, that I intend to return to
England with my wife and children at the next Frankfort
autumn fair. I thank you for your friendly prayers, that God
may prosper our journey. You desire, moreover, to know by
what means, and through what persons you may be able to
write to my countrymen during my absence. Our common
friend, John Burcher, will most readily forward my letters.
For we have agreed to carry on our business in partnership
for two or three years, or even longer, should it seem ex-
pedient ; and on this account he has purchased a convenient
residence in this town, which he will begin to occupy as soon
as he shall have returned from the next Frankfort fair.
You may also most readily obtain information respecting
the affairs of England through master John Hoper^ as long
[1 It appears by Letter XXV, that llopcr was now resident at
Zurich.]
CXX.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 263
as he shall remain with you. To whom, and to his pious
wife, I pray you commend me ; as also to that most learned
man, master Theodore, master Pellican, doctor Gesner, and
the pious widow of Megander, together with your wife. My
wife heartily salutes all the above-named, but especially your-
self and your wife.
The last news I have received from England is to this
effect ; namely, that some persons had presumed to marry a
second wife while the first was living, but divorced, and even
to have two wives at once. This liberty has been prohibited,
as it ought to be, by a public proclamation^ of the king and
council. The chancellor too, as they call him, of the kingdom,
in a speech delivered in the king's name before the judges^
of the whole realm, warned them to take serious cognizance
of the like offenders. There are also papists who, by their
false rumours, endeavour to excite the people against the
king and nobles of the realm. Their lies are to the effect
that the king is intending to oppress the people by a new and
unheard of kind of tax ; namely, that when any person marries,
he must pay half a crown to the king ; and so in like manner
for baptizing an infant, or burying the dead ; with various
lying surmises of the same kind*. Against these also he [the
chancellor] inveighed most severely, warning the judges to put
a stop to these falsehoods as soon as possible, and to punish
the authors of these wicked errors.
I received this speech, together with the proclamation,
about the end of May, and sent it long since to my friend
[2 This proclamation was dated April 24. The king charged all
archbishops and bishops, and others that had spiritual jurisdiction, to
proceed against such as had or should hereafter have two wives, or
any that should put away his wife and marry another ; and to punish
such offenders according to the ecclesiastical laws, that others might
be afraid to fall into such insolent and unlawful acts. Strype, Memor.
II. i. 142.]
[3 The judges and justices of the peace were required by procla-
mation, dated at Westminster, April 30, to appear before the king's
council in the star-chamber, where the lord chancellor Eich gave
them a charge. See Strype, Memor. n. i. 143.]
[4 See Strype, Mem. ii. i. 141, who says that " hereby many were
seduced and brought into such disorder of late, and in some parts in a
manner to insurrection and rebellion."]
264 RICHARD HILLES TO IIENllY BLLLINGER. [lET.
John Butler, that when he had read them both he might send
them to master John Iloper, who might interpret them to
you in Latin, as they arc printed in Enghsh.
]5cforc seaUng this letter, I have heard from England
that the bishop of Winchester, doctor Edmund Redman ^ and
another, named Robinson, have been summoned to London by
the king's council, I know not for what reason. All the women
and children are sent away from Boulogne; for there is some
apprehension that the French are about to attack it. The
lord Cobham^, however, the king of England's deputy at
Calais, has written to me within this month, that he does not
think it at all probable that the French will feel disposed to
contend with us this present year. Besides, our people have
a great deal of work upon their hands in Scotland. They
have lately taken there a certain town named Haddington^,
distant only about twelve English miles from Edinburgh, and
the English are daily fortifying it, as also very many other
fortresses in Scotland. I commend you, your wife and children,
to our only Saviour and Redeemer. Farewell, and long live
happily in the Lord ! Amen.
Yours from my heart,
RICHARD HILLES.
[1 Dr John Redman is probably intended ; for an account of whom
see above, note 1, p. 160. He was concerned in drawing up the first
Liturgy of king Edward, as was Thomas Robertson or Robinson,
archdeacon of Leicester, also mentioned in the text, and who, as well
as Dr Redman, was supposed to be favourably inclined to popery.]
[2 George Brook, lord Cobham, was summoned to parliament in
1529, and died in 1558.]
[3 Haddington was surprised by the English under William lord
Grey of Wilton, in April 1548.]
GXXl] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 265
LETTER CXXI.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, June 4, 1549.
Praise to God ! Much health in the Lord ! You are
surprised, as you write me word in your last letter, dated
March 24th, that I have been able to refrain from writing to
you since the day I left Germany, and especially since you
have now written me a second letter. But you will receive,
you tell me, whatever excuse I may patch up for the discon-
tinuance of our correspondence ; if I do not write, that no
excuse, however ingenious, will avail with you, &c. I reply,
my master and most honoured friend, that I have not written
to you all this time, because I have scarcely had leisure,
since my return, to arrange and write about such affairs as I
was necessarily obUged to complete. For Germany did not
very well agree with me, as the air was unfavourable, nay,
even most inimical to my constitution, and the mode of living
and wine of that country, and especially the stoves in winter,
suited me but little better ; so that now, since my return to
England, especially from the month of February, my strength
seems to be so exhausted, as that I have hardly any energy
left me. Wherefore, unless God should restore my health,
of which there is no sign, I shall from henceforth write to
you much less frequently than I have done these two years,
and principally, because I am not in the habit of writing Latin
(which is a most troublesome business to me) to any but
yourself. And I hope you will not take it ill, because you
may as readily be informed respecting the state of the realm
of England, the war in Scotland, and my own affairs,
through masters John Butler and John Burcher, as by letters
from myself. In the mean time I admire your truly pious
admonitions, and will diligently attend to what you so abun-
dantly bring forward in your letter from holy scripture, as
well the examples of the godly, as the threatenings of the
Lord against the impious despisers of the divine word ; and
I will daily implore the great and good God in my prayers,
not to lead mo into temptation on account of my grievous
past sins, but to deliver me from all evil.
266 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
I return you many thanks for the two decades of your
sermons, which I beheve master John Hoper wnll here present
mc with in your name. I much wish to send you some good
thing from hence in return ; but theological books are rarely
printed in this country except in our vulgar tongue. When I
iind any book of this kind worthy of perusal, I will send it to
one of my countrymen in Germany for master John Butler,
that he may interpret to you the substance of the work in
Latin. I have saluted in your name master Bartholomew
Traheron ; besides which you desired me moreover to exhort
him to be faithful to the Lord, and to continue constant in
the truth. And he most certainly does so ; for he is a truly
pious man, and one who fears God. He endeavoured as far as
he could, (for he was one of the burgesses in the last parlia-
ment,) that there should be no ambiguity in the reformation of
the Lord's supper ; but it was not in his power to bring over
his old fellow-citizens to his views. Therefore, as master John
Butler will more fully inform your reverence from my letter,
■we have an uniform celebration of the Eucharist throughout
the whole kingdom, but after the manner of the Nuremberg
churches and some of those in Saxony ; for they do not yet
feel inclined to adopt your rites respecting the administration
of the sacraments. Nor do I doubt but that master M. B.
[Martin Bucer] and the other learned men from Germany
and Italy, (who are here with the most reverend the arch-
bishop of Canterbury, and are lecturing in the universities of
this country,) teach, nay, exhort and persuade that there is no
occasion for it, and perhaps even, that it is not becoming.
Thus our bishops and governors seem, for the present at
least, to be acting rightly ; while, for the preservation of the
public peace, they afford no cause of offence to the Lutherans,
pay attention to your very learned German divines, submit
their judgment to them, and also retain some popish ceremonies.
I can make no answer to your letter written Nov. 9, 1548,
because you therein desire me to let you know, if possible,
how the archbishop of Canterbury received your letter and
your book. For I have no such familiarity or intercourse
veith him, or with persons of his rank and authority, as to be
acquainted with such matters ; and I therefore pray you not
to take it ill that I have not, during this whole year, given
you any information on the subject. Be kind enough to
CXXI.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 267
salute in my name all your fellow-ministers, and especially
your wife and all your family. My wife also salutes you
much, as likewise your most chaste partner. May the Lord
Jesus preserve you for ever ! Amen.
Yours,
RICHARD HILLES.
LETTER CXXII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at LoNDOJf, Nov. 17, 1549.
Praise to God ! Much health in the Lord ! It is only
two days, my honoured master, since I received your most
courteous letter, dated August 31, together with a packet of
letters for master John Hoper and certain other brethren
and friends of yours, which I immediately delivered to those
to whom they were directed by you. To write a few words
respecting my own letter, I owe in the first place many
thanks to your kindness in continuing to exhort me to the
duties of religion, and to caution me against the too great cares
of this world. And I must confess, that we ought to admo-
nish each other in turn by mutual letters and discourses of
this kind. I hear with pleasure of the agreement between
you and master John Calvin respecting the sacrament ^ and
doubt not but that master Hoper will shortly allow me to
read it. I will deliver your salutations to master Bartholo-
mew Traheron and master Bernardino with much pleasure
at the earHest opportunity, and will pray them, as you desire,
in your name, that although you had not at this time leisure
for writing to them, they Avill not, on that account, omit their
office of writing to you. I gave your very kind salutation to
my wife, who salutes your piety in return, and most cordially
desires your advancement in sacred learning, to the glory of
God and the edification of the church. She has been afflicted
with severe illness ever since the month of August, so that
for a long time we all of us despaired of her life. But the
Lord liveth, who bringeth down and raiseth up ; and he has
\} See above, p. 121, note 2.]
268 RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
now afforded her a little respite, so that Ave have begun to
cherish some hopes of her, that she will shortly be better,
and at length be restored to health. To this end I pray you,
and all your fellow-ministers and brethren yonder, earnestly
to entreat the Lord. She was first afilicted for a long time
by a suffocatio matricis, and then by fainting fits, which lasted
occasionally for a whole week ; and lastly, she is severely
suffering with a quartan fever up to this very day.
You will, I know, be informed as to the existing state of
our kingdom by the letter of our very dear brother, John
Burcher. On the whole, we are hoping that Christ may yet
remain with us, though but a month since it seemed to many
that he was inclined to depart from us, even beyond sea.
But the strength of the Lord is perfected in weakness.
Salute Pellican, Bibhander, and your other friends Avith
whom I am acquainted, and especially master Butler together
with his wife, and your most pious partner. And give, if you
please, to master Butler the printed paper inclosed in this
letter, that he may read it, and interpret it to you. Fare-
well. May the Lord Jesus long preserve you to us ! Amen.
Yom's,
RICHARD HILLES.
LETTER CXXIII.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, June 25, 1550.
Praise to God ! Much health ! This day, my very dear
master, I have delivered some letters of yours addressed to
master John Hoper ; and I doubt not but that, if there is
occasion, he will shortly reply to them. I have received the
letter Avhich was inclosed in one of John Burcher's, addressed
to me in this present month ; for I have for a long time
occasionally received most of your other letters through
Burcher, and have taken care that they should be delivered,
as soon as I conveniently could, to the persons to whom they
were addressed : and you will always find me most ready to
do the like, whenever occasion shall require.
CXXIII.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 269
In the month of May last I received your letter, dated
March 13th, together with a copy of the third decade, which
you therein mention ; and I feel exceedingly obliged to your
piety for having thought fit thus to bear me in your remem-
brance. I have not yet read the book itself ; but the subjects
which you therein promise to treat of, please me very much,
and I am especially anxious to read what you have written
respecting trade. As I know you rejoice in the prosperity
of England, 1 can assure you, that never before in our time
has there been such hope of the advancement of the pure
doctrine of the gospel, and of the complete subversion and
rooting up of antichristian ceremonies and traditions ; so that
we are daily expecting some Balaams to preach the truth,
and bless the people of God. And it is reported that the
bishop of Winchester will shortly be discharged from the
Tower of London, where he has been detained for his obsti-
nacy these two or three years, and will publicly assert the
pure doctrine of Christ ; with what mind, God knows, pro-
bably an unwilling one. But, however this may be, we are
all of us, who favour the gospel, rejoicing in the mean time,
that Christ Jesus will be plainly preached. But of these
matters I have lately written more at length to master John
Butler, whom I entreat you to salute in my name, together
with his pious wife.
As to what relates to your letters to others, or those of
others to you, I will most willingly perform what you desire;
and I have long since carefully cautioned the aforenamed
Burcher respecting them. And I doubt not but that he will
willingly do as you desire, provided only that he can receive
at Strasburgh the money which he Avill have to pay for the
postage of such letters.
My wife, who by the blessing of God is now recovered
from a most severe illness, desires heartily to be commended
to you and your most pious wife, and likewise to her, who
was formerly the wife of master Megander, and to her other
acquaintance yonder. I doubt not but that the Lord, our
heavenly Father, hath heard the pious prayers of yourself
and others on her behalf ; for she was all but expiring on
two or three alternate nights in the month of December last,
when you wrote to me and others at this place.
You write, that you are deprived of some pleasure, so long
270 UICIIARD IIILLES TO HEXRY IJULMN'GER. [lET.
as I do not writo to you, and that you are delighted with
my letters. Wherefore I noTV at last answer your letter,
thouo-h I do not perceive any grounds from whence you
could derive such gratification, excepting only that I occa-
sionally write in haste concerning the hope which all godly
persons entertain in this country respecting the advancement
of the kingdom of God and of Christ.
The reason of your letters having been sometimes so de-
layed in their delivery, and loitering so long on the road, is,
that .John Burcher hands them over, as occasion offers, to the
seamen at Strasburgh, and also to the wagoners and carriers
who convey merchandise by the Rhine to Antwerp. And
this he especially does, when the packets of letters are of any
great size ; otherwise he Avould be obliged to pay for every
ounce weight ten kreutzers to Spires, and not much less to
Antwerp and London, if they were sent thither by the post.
For at Antwerp the post receives for the conveyance of a
sheet of paper to London two stivers of Brabant, besides as
much at London ; that is, four stivers for a single sheet of
paper. But when we give our letters in charge to the mer-
chants, we make them no payment whatever, either at the
one place or the other.
Masters Bernardino and Bartholomew Traheron salute
you very much in return. And I pray you, my master, to
commend me to all yonder who wish me well, namely, to
masters Gualter, Bibliander, Pellican, Zuinglius, Lewis Lava-
ter, and the rest. In what state are the affairs of master
Hoper, who two months since was nominated by |the king's
majesty to the bishoprick of Gloucester, you will doubtless
learn from his own letters. He perseveres, by the grace of
God, to be a most constant asserter of the gospel ; and he
preaches every where with the greatest freedom agreeably to
your orthodox doctrine in the matter of the eucharist. He
exhorts, yea, he persuades all. For our people, as many as
sincerely love the truth, have been always inchncd to that
opinion respecting the eucharist. Your most amiable wife,
I pray you, salute for me, in the Lord Jesus, whom I pray
evermore to lead us in the way of truth ! Amen ! Farewell.
Yours from my heart,
R. H. Anglus.
CXXIV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 271
LETTEK CXXIV.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London'', March 22, ISf)].
Praise to God ! Much health ! I have received to-day,
my most honom^ed master, together with your letter dated
the twenty-fourth of last February, one from you to the wife
of master John Hoper, to whom I forthwith delivered the
same. As you so much desire me, in the letter aforesaid, to
write you a full statement of his, namely, master John
Hoper's condition, I reply, that I have nothing to make
known to your piety respecting his troubles, beyond what I
wrote on the first of last February to our common friend,
master John Butler, and which I have no doubt but that he
has before now made you acquainted with. But now, thanks
to God! this same master Hoper is discharged from custody,
and restored to his former condition. Previously, however,
he yielded up his opinion and judgment upon certain points
which are here regarded by us as matters of indifference.
And this Lent, habited in the scarlet episcopal gown \ after he
had been initiated or consecrated after the manner of our
bishops, he preached before the king's majesty ; many of the
[bystanders] either approving or condemning his dress, just
as they were guided by their feelings. Master Hoper is
now gone to Gloucester, which is the seat of his bishoprick ;
but, as I hear, he will shortly return. I grieve that the
Germans have, in great part, gone over to the council of
Trent. But I think our countrymen, by the grace of God,
are so firm and rooted in the truth, and especially in those
articles which make against the primacy of the bishop of
[1 " His upper garment was a long scarlet chimera down to the
foot, and under that a white linen rochet that covered all his shoulders.
Upon his head he had a geometrical, that is, a four-squared cap, albeit
that his head was round. Wliat cause of shame the strangeness hereof
was that day to that good preacher, every man may easily judge."
Foxe, Acts and Mon. vi. 641.]
272 RICHARD HITXES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
Rome, that they will never, at least in our time, give in their
adhesion to this same Tridentine council.
In your letter to me of the twentieth of August you re-
late good news from Italy, that she is beginning to receive
the gospel. May God increase in those who live there faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ, and may he perfect unto the day
of Christ the good work that he has begun in some of
them ! Amen.
I have to thank you very much for your present of the
decades of your sermons. I cannot easily recompense this
kindness. But I will certainly requite you in some measure,
when opportmiity shall offer, both for those three or four
decades, as also for the many other books which you have
long since presented me with. Salute, I pray you, in my
name, your most excellent wife, together with my other
friends yonder. My wife salutes you, and all yours, especially
your wife. Fare well in the Lord our Saviour Jesus Christ !
Yours,
R. H.
LETTER CXXV.
RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, July 9, 1553.
Praise to God ! Much health ! Yesterday, my faithful
and very dear friend, the lord mayor ^ with some of the
aldermen and merchants, citizens of London, were summoned
to the king's palace at Greenwich, on the banks of the river
Thames, and about a German mile from the city. When they
arrived there, in the presence of the king's most honourable
\} " The 8tli of July the lord mayor of London was sent for to the
court then at Greenwich, to bring with him six aldermen, as many
merchants of the staple, and as many merchants advcntm-ers, unto
whom by the council was secretly disclosed the death of K. Edward,
and also how he had ordained for the succession of the crown by his
letters patent, to the which they were sworn, and charged to keep it
secret." Stowe's Annals, p. 1058. King Edward died on the Cth of
July.]
CXXV,] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 273
councillors, the lord treasurer, the president of the same
council, addressed them to this eifect, namely, that our very-
pious and holy king Edward VI. (who has now departed from
this world and valley of tears, and, his earthly tabernacle
being dissolved, is now, I doubt not, in the enjoyment of his
eternal mansion in heaven,) bearing in mind that, mighty
sovereign as he was, he was nevertheless subject to death, and
the rather, because he had lately been weak and in bad health ;
studying too, not a little, that this Enghsh nation might be
ruled and governed after his departure in tranquillity and
peace ; and considering that both his sisters (of whom the
elder, Mary, is ill-disposed to the pure doctrine of the gospel)
have been, by certain statutes enacted by authority of par-
liament in the reign of his father, declared illegitimate, as
born of an unlawful marriage; earnestly required his honour-
able councillors to agree among themselves, in case the Lord
should take his majesty from them, to admit, and account for
his lawful heir and successor, the son of the lady Frances,
now duchess of Suffolk, (provided she have a son during the
king's life-time,) who is the daughter of the lady Mary, the
aunt of his majesty, and formerly queen of France ; and after-
wards the lady Jane, a truly learned and pious lady, who
has this very year married the lord Guilford, youngest son of
the duke of Northumberland, provided the said lady Frances
have no lawful male issue during the life-time of king Edward.
He stated, moreover, that all the king's honourable councillors,
together with nearly all the chief nobihty of the realm, had
faithfully promised and bound themselves by oath and manual
subscription to a writing to the same effect, that they would
accomplish and perfect this arrangement, conceived by the
king's majesty during his illness. Wherefore they desired
the lord mayor and aldermen of London to be in like manner
conformable, and to sign this document, which they readily
did. So that, though Almighty God, in punishment of our
heinous sins, has taken away from us the most holy prince
Edward our sovereign, concerning whom all persons who have
ever known his majesty state, that they never saw a more
excellent or more godly mind in any mortal body ; yet we
are not altogether Avithout his mercy, since he has now
ordained such a successor to so pious a king, under whom we
have great hopes (for, praised be the Lord, we do not see any
r 1 18
[ZURICH LETTERS, III.J
274 RICHARD IIILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
thing to prevent it) that we, her subjects, shall nevertheless
be able to live a godly, quiet, and tranquil life, in all peace,
virtue, and righteousness ; and that the pure word of God
will always be sincerely preached in this realm, and the true
doctrine of the gospel maintained to the great comfort of all
believers who dwell here, which may the Lord Almighty
grant ! Amen.
When I had written thus far, my honoured friend in the
Lord, the 10th of July arrives, when it is pubhcly proclaimed
here, in the name of the aforesaid lady Jane, now queen of
England, that the aforesaid king Edward is dead, that the
lady Frances aforesaid, the queen's mother, had no son, and
therefore, as I understand, that the government of this realm
has devolved upon this queen Jane, to which event may our
good and gracious God grant his blessing ! Amen.
I thank you very much for the little book you presented
me with, and which I received together with your letter dated
March the 10th, and I pray our good and gracious God, that,
as you pray for me in that letter, I may stedfastly persevere
in faith and charity, and all good works, the unjust gains and
sinful pleasures of this world being trodden under foot. And
if I can be of any service to you in forwarding your letters
to your friends, I will faithfully and willingly use my best
exertions to that effect. You kindly consider it a great
service, as I understand from what you have written, that
I have caused your letters to be delivered to the parties to
whom they were addressed. But I do not consider myself as
having any claims upon your acknowledgements for any ser-
vice that I can render you, much less for one so trifling.
My wife heartily salutes you and your wife, and wishes
every happiness to you and to all your children. Salute affec-
tionately in my name master Pcllican, and your son-in-law
Lewis Lavatcr ; and especially master Theodore Bibliander,
and be pleased to tell him that I have delivered his two little
books to master Cheke and master Hooper, as in his letter
written in JMarch he desired me to do. And I return him my
best thanks for having deigned to oblige me by such a present.
Salute too, I pray you, my very dear brother in Christ, master
Butler, and let him know that I received in the month of
June his letter dated May 18th, but have not now time to
write an answer; nor indeed is there much occasion for me to
CXXV.] RICHARD HILLES TO HENRY BULLINGER. 275
do SO, because I wrote very fully respecting all that required
an answer, in my former letter. Farewell and happily !
Yours wholly,
RICHAPtD HILLES.
LETTER CXXVI.
JOHN AYLMER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Bradgate'J, May 29, [1551J.
Since we are accustomed, most accomplished sir, to regard
any favours conferred upon our friends as extending also to
ourselves, I must consider myself on many accounts exceed-
ingly indebted to your kindness; and first of all, for your
having so studiously and diligently exerted yourself to instruct
the family of our most noble marquis^ by your very learned
works, and by your excellent advice to retain them in the
true religion. For, believe me, the letters of that holy man
Bucer, whom when alive we reverenced as a father, and the
remembrance of whom, now that he is no more, we most con-
stantly retain as of a messenger of God ; and also your own
letters, which you sent to my most noble patron, were of great
use both to confirm his stedfastness in the religion we had
embraced, and also to rouse and stir up the minds of those
who had begun to be either inactive through length of time,
or fastidious through weariness of the subject in which we
profess an interest, or careless through levity and fickleness
of disposition. For they always thought it right to submit
to your authority, and to follow your important admonitions.
And as to myself, whenever my lord placed in my hands
[1 Bradgate, near Leicester, was the residence of the Suffolk family.
See NichoUs's Hist. Leicestershire, Vol. iii. p. 667.]
[2 Becon thus speaks of Aylmer, in The Jewel of Joy, Parker
Society's Edition, p. 424. " In Leicestershire I had familiarity only
with one learned man, a countryman of ours [viz. in Norfolk], called
John Aylmer, a. master of arts of the university of Cambridge, a
young man singularly well learned both in the Latin and Greek
tongue, teacher to my lord marquis Dorset his children."]
18—2
276 JOHN AYLMER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
cither liuccr's letters, or your own, (and he always received
them from both of you with the greatest satisfaction,) I used
to consider myself as highly favoured in being the guardian
of such valued treasures. For as often as I read them over,
I seemed to myself to hold converse with the two most
precious lights of the church of Christ. In the next place,
the singular regard you entertain towards my pupil', compels
me to declare my respect for you, if in no other way, at least
by letter. For what favour more useful to herself, or gratify-
ing to the marquis, or acceptable to me, can possibly be
atforded her, not only by you, but also by any other person
of equal learning and piety, than that she, whom her father
loves as a daughter, and whom I look upon with affection as
a pupil, may derive such maxims of conduct from your godly
breast, as may assist her towards living well and happily ?
And you are well able to determine, in your wisdom, how
useful are the counsels of the aged to guide and direct young
persons at her time of life, which is just fourteen. For at
that age, as the comic poet tells us, all people are inclined
to follow their own ways, and by the attractiveness of the
objects, and the corruption of nature, are more easily carried
headlong unto pleasure, which Plato calls the bait of mischief,
than induced to follow those studies which arc attended with
the praise of virtue. In proportion therefore as the present
age teems with many disorders, must more careful and dis-
creet physicians be sought for ; that the diligence, and labour,
and exertion of excellent men may either remove or correct
such evils as are implanted by the corruption of nature, and
the infirmity of youth : for as we feed off the too luxuriant
crops, and provide bridles for restive horses, so to these
tender minds there should neither be wanting the counsel of
the aged, nor the authority of men of grave and influential
character. You have acted therefore with much kindness in
administering to the improvement of this young lady ; and if
you will proceed in the same course, you will afford great
benefit to herself, and gratification to her father.
Your singular regard for my pupil, as well as the impor-
tunity of that excellent and talented youth, John ab Ulmis,
has induced me to Avrite thus much to your reverence. I was
indeed afraid to interrupt so learned an individual, and one
[1 Lady Jane Grey. Sec Letter IV., p. 4.]
CXXVI.] JOHN AYLMER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 277
SO diligently employed in the vineyard of Christ ; but as he
pertinaciously urged me, and assured me of your incredible
kindness, I have banished all shame and fear from my mind.
Receive this, therefore, I pray you, with kindness and com-
placency; and if I have erred in any way, impute it to my
affection for you, and to the importunity of my friend. Fare-
well, most reverend sir, and pardon this extempore effusion.
May God, for the sake of the church, extend your years to
those of Nestor!
Your excellence's most devoted,
J. AYLMER.
LETTER CXXVII.
JOHN AYLMER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Dec. 23, [1551].
Grace and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour,
and a life of blessedness in him, &c.
I have received, most worthy sir, your letter, aboundino*
not only in affection and kindness, but also in true godliness
and piety, wherein you describe me as highly favoured in
two respects ; both in having such a pupil whom God has
thought fit to adorn with so many excellent gifts, and because
her family is one that is both well disposed to good learning,
and sincerely favourable to rehgion. In this respect, excellent
sir, I agree with you, that for these reasons I may be ac-
counted to have attained such happiness as falls to the lot of
man ; but I consider myself far more favoured in having
formed a friendship with you, and which God, who searcheth
all hearts, knows how greatly I value. It has always indeed
been my disposition not only to set the highest esteem upon
all kinds of learning, but to regard with the greatest affection
those who cultivate and profess it. For I well know how
brutish this hfe of ours would be, were not the understanding
of mankind cultivated by useful learning and liberal pursuits.
And while I have much delight in all these, I am yet ravished
by my fondness for theology, and am often lost in admi-
278 JOHN AYLMER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [li:T.
ration of it ; so that I give more honour to its professors
than to any other class of mankind soever. For there flows
forth from such persons, as from the purest fountains, all
godliness, knowledge of religion, and innocency of hfe. All
good men confide in the teaching of such, and approve their
sayings as the most holy oracles of God. Hence faith towards
God is acquired, charity is imparted, hope is increased, and in
fine, all things that appertain to Christianity have their origin.
Since then the Lord has so abundantly heaped his riches
upon you, as that you are in a position not only to inform
your own mind, but to be a teacher and guide in the church
to those who would otherwise err ; it is our duty to love and
reverence and look up to you, both for his sake who has been
so gracious to you, and also for your own. For thus does
St Paul exhort us in these words, " Let a man so account of
us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries
of God," &c. [1 Cor. iv. 1.] ; and in another place, " Let the
elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour :"
[1 Tim. Y. 17.] whence we are taught to pay no less honour
and respect to the ministers of Christ, than to those who,
previously taught of God themselves, treat of, deliver, and
explain, the most sacred mysteries of faith and salvation.
It now remains for me to request that, with the kindness
we have so long experienced, you will instruct my pupil in
your next letter as to what embellishment and adornment of
person is becoming in young women professing godliness. In
treating upon this subject, you may bring forward the ex-
ample of our king's sister, the princess Elizabeth \ who goes
clad in every respect as becomes a young maiden ; and yet
no one is induced by the example of so illustrious a lady, and
in so much gospel hght^ to lay aside, much less look down
[1 Aylmer, in bis Harbour for faitbful subjects, speaking of the
princess Elizabeth, says : " I am sure that her maidenly apparel which
she used in king Edward's time made the noblemen's wives and
daughters ashamed to be dressed and painted like peacocks, being
more moved with her most virtuous example, than with all that ever
Paul or Peter wrote touching that matter. Her plainness of dress,"
he continues, "was especially noticed on the occasion of the visit of the
queen dowager of Scotland, Mary of Lorraine, to the court of Ed-
ward VI., in October 1551, two months before the date of this letter."]
[2 When lady Jane Grey was m-ged to wear a costly dress, pre-
sented to her by Mary, she replied, " Nay, that were a shame to follow
CXXVII.] JOHN AYLMER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 279
upon, gold, jewels, and braidings of the hair. Thej hear
preachers declaim against these things, but yet no one amends
her life. Moreover, I wish you would prescribe to her the
length of time she may properly devote to the study of music.
For in this respect also people err beyond measure in this
country, while their whole labour is undertaken, and exertions
made, for the sake of ostentation. If you will handle these
points at some length, there will probably, through your in-
fluence, be some accession to the ranks of virtue.
Farewell, most illustrious sir, and may the supremely
great and good God grant you a long hfe ! London. From
the house of the duke of Suffolk, late marquis [of Dorset].
Dec. 23.
Your reverence's most devoted,
JOHN AYLMER.
LETTER CXXVIIL
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Bradgate, near Leicester, May 29, lo5L
Heartily wishing you health from the Lord ! Though
no correspondence, most illustrious sir, has ever taken place
between us, nor have I even seen you in person; yet I seem
to myself to be acquainted with you, both from your pub-
lished writings, and also from your letters to my patron the
marquis of Dorset ; and especially too, from the conversation
and discourse had concerning you with John ab Ulmis, a
godly youth, and one much attached to you, who has at
length almost compelled me after long delay, and at first
almost reluctant, to write somewhat to you. If therefore I
have been to blame by this freedom and extemporaneous ef-
fusion, and, to speak plainly, this trifling address, I beg you to
lay the fault upon him; though I must candidly confess that,
from a desire of a more intimate acquaintance with you, I am
my lady Mary, who leaveth God's word, and leave my lady Elizabeth,
who foUoweth God's word." Aylmcr, as above]
280 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGEn. [lET.
in some measure implicated therein myself. ]\Iay the Lord
Jesus evermore bless your ministry, and every way defend
and guide you by his Spirit ! I hope that you remember me
in your prayers to the Lord, Bradgate, near Leicester, May
29, 1551.
Your piety's devoted,
JAMES IIADDON.
LETTER CXXIX.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Dec. 28, 1551.
Much health in the Lord ! Your letter, I perceive,
breathes the same spirit of benevolence that you are 'univer-
sally reported to possess. Wherefore, although at this time
no certain intelligence of any great importance presents itself,
yet as I have met with a person by whom I can send a letter,
I am unwilling to let him depart without one. Your having
received my former letter with so much kindness, I consider
as an evidence of your regard for me; and you have now
given me such encouragement, that if I write nothing of an
important or serious character, I will at least write for the
sake of establishing the correspondence we have now begun.
I conveyed your respects (as you desired me to do) to my
patron, who is now duke of Suffolk, in such a way, that he
has sent you a letter ^ You can indeed confer no greater
obligation upon his grace than by continuing (as you have
once done already) to impart godly instruction to his daugh-
ter. For, although she is so brought up, that there is the
greatest hope of her advancement in godliness, yet your ex-
liortations afford her encouragement, and at the same time
have their due weight with her, either as proceeding from a
stranger, or from so eminent a person as yourself. You com-
mend to me John ab Ulmis, with the rest of the Helvetians :
I wish I could be of as much use to them as I desire. But
\} This letter is given above, p. 3.]
CXXIX.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 281
though God does not see fit to give me any power in this way
at present, yet they shall always find my labour, diligence,
and zeal ready to servo them, as far as I can, and especially
John ab Ulmis, with whom I am acquainted, and whom I
believe to be a young man of integrity and pure morals.
Farewell. May Christ every way preserve you, and ever-
more bless your ministry ! Remember me, I pray you, in
your prayers. London, Dec. 28, 1551.
Your attached,
JAMES HADDON.
LETTEIl CXXX.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Richmond, near London, August, 1552.
Health in the Lord, most honoured father ! While I was
thinking what I should best write to your reverence, in comes
John ab Ulmis, and tells me that it would much gratify you
to be informed either of the progress and establishment of
religion among us, or respecting the management of the house-
hold of my patron the duke of Suffolk. As to religion however,
after the demolition and overtlirow of the idols, and the weak-
ening and downfal of idolatry, and after our approach to the
true hght of the gospel, by the blessing of God now restored, I
think that you are not ignorant of the path we have entered,
the measures we have adopted, and the order we have main-
tained for these four years past. At this moment, however,
it is reported, that the book, called the king's book 2, in which
is contained and explained the manner of divine worship and
the mode of prayer to God, commonly set forth among us,
(and to be used of all persons in public) is about to be amended
in certain places; in what, however, and in how many, doth
not yet appear. There were certain prayers for the dead-^,
which did not seem very convenient. Moreover, in the cele-
[2 See Liturgies of Edward VI., Parker Society's Edition.]
[3 Sec Liturgies, &c., as above, p. 88.]
282 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
bration of the Lord's supper there is somctlimg either to bo
altered or entirely expunged. The book too, which is set
forth concerning the election and ordination, as they call it,
of ministers, seemed to contain some things which were partly
absurd, and partly impious. We are in the expectation,
by God's help, of their being amended, at least in some
measure, if they do not reach the entire perfection they
ought and should do, and which, however we may desire it,
we cannot perhaps as yet fully hope for. But, thank God,
we are in great hopes that ungodly superstition will be en-
tirely abolished.
As to the regulations of the duke's household, you are
rather to be entreated of me again and again to point out the
method that you think best yourself, than that I should explain
to you our family arrangements, of which John ab Ulmis can
give you a better account than I can. There is one thing
however, respecting which I will lay before you my sentiments
and intentions, and on which too I shall request of you your
own opinion and advice. You are aware, that in the houses
of our men of rank there are practised not only such recre-
ations as refresh both the body and mind after a moderate
and godly manner, but such also as occasion sloth, and beget
idleness and ungodliness : of this kind are games of cards and
dice. The duke has forbidden all his domestics to risk any
money upon amusements of this sort ; but yet he himself
and his most honourable lady with their friends, not only
claim permission to play in their private apartment, but also
to play for money. As to myself, however, I am of opinion
that I can nowise admit it to be allowable for a Christian so
to risk his money at any game whatsoever, as to leave oif as
a winner, with some pecuniary advantage, or else as a loser, to
his pecuniary loss. And the matter is frequently discussed in
this way. Those who are on their side bring forward for the
most part these principal arguments, that they do not wish for
another person's money, but that it is the same thing to them
whether they win or lose ; that the game loses all its interest
without a stake, so that its sleepy character, as it were, must
be awakened ; that no one feels any excitement, unless there
be a stake laid down ; that in many other things there are
superfluous and unnecessary expenses, as in diet, and clothes,
ike. Wherefore, in this respect also, Ave must yield somewhat
CXXX.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 283
to fashion, and not act with so much strictness, or bring every
thing to the test of conscience and of duty, since no one can
live entirely without faults of some kind ; with much more to
the same effect. It is therefore lawful to hazard a small
amount, only the risk must not be excessive. I tell them, on
the other hand, that I cannot be brought to believe that the
human mind is so equable and indifferent in matters of chance,
as not to regard gain more than loss, or to avoid loss rather
than gain. Were it not so, gaming would not be a risking of
money, but rather a constant inclination to be generous. Be-
sides, if any one possesses so even a temper, he will then act
very hlameably in endeavouring to destroy this equanimity and
to expose himself to the inconsistency, by introducing a stake,
of incurring the danger of exciting the calm and heretofore
settled and quiet affections (if indeed they can be such, which
I do not believe), whence there forthwith arises the coveting
of another's property, anger, envying, strife, &:c. Let the
game then be cold and lifeless, and (lest it should become
worse) let the act of playing itself, which is, or ought to be,
the chief motive, be a sufficient reward in any kind of game,
and the prize, if it seems fit, be as it were a garland of
praise. If a person cannot be sufficiently induced and ex-
cited by these motives, it cometh of evil, which is an
additional argument. But the case is different in public
games, which have their certain appointed prizes for the sake
of exercise, and of a contest in other respects laudable and
necessary, and for the good of the state. As to what may be
superfluous in food or clothing, if one's table be too exquisite
and redundant, and one's dress too gaudy and expensive, or
in any other respect beyond what is necessary, this is a
voluntary superfluity and a self-sought sin. Besides too,
there is a great difference between money risked without any
necessity, and an expense of this kind, which is in some measure
necessary, because the ends are different. For clothes and
other ornaments are made and wrought for the very end and
purpose of being used and worn out by some persons or other.
The fault consists only in their being over abundant, and
superfluous beyond what is proper, and when their cost is
disproportioned to the rank of the wearer. The same judg-
ment must be given too with respect to diet, except only that
its use is more necessary. But money is intended for use,
284 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
and by the sanction of law, as a standard of value for the
property of mankind, as Aristotle has admirably shewn both
in his Ethics and Politics. Moreover, we must of necessity
have some clothing or other : to risk money at play is not
necessary, because games are of themselves an exercise with-
out any stakes being produced. And though moderation ought
to be observed both in dress and diet, according to the dis-
tinctions of rank, yet it is not so in gaming. For it is
equally an offence towards God in all persons, inasmuch as
by all persons the money might be applied to better and
more necessary uses. And because, by reason of our innate
corruption, we are always prone to evil, and even when we
purpose rightly, unless God assist us by his grace, our very
purpose ends in sin ; yet, though notwithstanding the greatest
possible diligence no one lives without sin, we must not seek
after premeditated opportunities of committing sin or of acting
wrong, and allow ourselves in them ; and it is very inconsistent
with christian piety to do so. It is not therefore allowable to
risk the smallest sum for the purpose of gain, and in such a
way as that loss may hence accrue to any one ; for, however
small may be the amount, if it be only a penny, it may be
employed to better purposes. And there is no reason why
money should be introduced, if not for the sake of covetous-
ncss, or at least of gain, since play is play of itself, without a
single farthing being played for, &c. In this manner and to
this effect the dispute is often carried on.
I am much influenced too by the fact, that I perceive
gain of this kind is not approved in any well-ordered form of
government. That it is allowed by some of the schoolmen
seems to me too trivial, not to say, absurd; though indeed all
the sounder writers altogether condemn it, if it is for the
sake of lucre, or exceeds the expense of a dinner, or some-
thing of the kind, whence no harm can arise, but rather much
advantage from the mutual good will and kind feeling which
accompanies such entertainments; and when both parties have
agreed beforehand as to the expense, so that a stated sum
may be laid out. But the expense attendant upon gaming is
by no means necessary, and depends upon the mere fickleness
of fortune. And you know far better than I can tell you,
how much the civil laws forbid things of this kind, and how
the right of recovery becomes void. AVith us, however, a
CXXX.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 285
wager won at archery may be recovered by law, and an
action may be brought by the winner against the loser, just
as in the case of those contracts which are sanctioned both by
the civil law, and our common law and acts of parliament.
You now perceive my boldness, in that, for fear of writ-
ing nothing at all, I have troubled your reverence with
these trifles. But however, these light matters, and as some
may think them, ridiculous, sometimes occasion great and
serious mischief by the losses caused and sustained, to say
nothing of other evils that have occurred. Indeed, I always
consider them as matters of serious importance. For whatever
is wasted in this way, (for I must call it by that term,) how-
ever trifling in amount, might nevertheless be applied to far
better and more useful purposes. I daily see many evils arise
from this practice, and not one advantage. And although
these evils are not necessarily connected with the thing itself,
because all persons do not thus abuse it ; yet I perceive that
games of hazard are almost always attended with this mis-
chief, that the shadow follows the substance. And so much
for my opinion.
As to my purpose, it is this. I bear with it for the pre-
sent, but in such a manner as to reprove it as often as a good
opportunity presents itself; but this I do in private, or in
conversation with a few, and not by openly preaching against
it. Once indeed I publicly denounced it from the pulpit, last
Christmas, because at the very time, as you know, when we
ought most of all others to sing praises to our most merciful
Father, and rejoice in the Lord, people more especially amuse
themselves by indulging in mummeries and wickedness of
every kind ; and rejoice together with the wicked, and are
especially serving the devil, in imitation, as it seems, of the
ancient Saturnalia, as you know better than I do. I am not
now speaking of the family in which I reside, for the case is
not so with them ; and I am quite ignorant how the case is
with you, or in other places. But with us, in general, through-
out the whole country, (although not separately in the house
of every individual,) at this time more especially, and at these
holiday s^ we abound in examples of the worst and most aban-
doned character, and most inconsistent with our profession.
[1 The statute 33 Hen. VIII. c. 9. prohibits to all but gentlemen
the games of cards, dice, &c. except in the time of Christmas. See
also Latimer's Sermons on the Card, p. 8. Park. Soc. ed.]
280 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
And the evil practice has become so prevalent, that unless
people will make merry (as they call it) at these holidays,
and merry too, in the worst possible way, or one at least of
which they will be ashamed at the season of Lent, as they
say, they not only consider them stupid and unfit for any
thing, but it is almost a part of their religion to act in some
measure in this way ; and they fancy that they are merry
after this fashion on account of the birth of our Lord.
This still prevails among the vulgar and the country folk,
Avho are not yet instructed. In our family, however, there
is nothing of the kind, nor anything so greatly unbecoming,
concerning which I shall say more presently. But I have
described to you the general practice through almost all
England, except in a few particular places ; and I explain it
to you more fully, because John [ab Ulmis] told me that you
would be gratified by my doing so. If therefore I seem too
verbose, you must lay the blame upon him, and excuse me.
To proceed therefore. Although the nobility and greater
part of the commonalty (now by the grace of God better in-
structed) plainly understand that it is not their duty so to
conduct themselves, yet partly from the force of habit, and a
desire not to appear stupid, and not good fellows, as they call it,
but partly and principally, as I think, from their not having yet
so far advanced as to be able perfectly to hate the garment
spotted by the flesh, or to feel as yet the genuine fear of God
implanted in their mind, they have no settled intention, much
less any desire, to conquer and crucify themselves.
But to return from this digression, and explain the rea-
son why I once reproved my flock in my sermon, and what
followed thereupon. It is as follows. When I had openly
reproved the whole thing altogether, and those too, though
in common and general terms, who played for money, I saw
that it was taken in bad part, because in the household of
the duke, my master, the domestics do not play, or at all
events in no wise play for money, so as to be found out. But
since the duke himself and his lady have secretly played with
their friends in their private apartment, they thought it was
my duty merely to have admonished them in private. But
you must hear the reason of my acting as I did. For this
open rebuke was not immediately administered by me at first,
but long after ; and in the manner, and with the consideration
and caution that I shall now state. When I had frequently
CXXX,] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 287
done this, and, as I perceived, without any effect, although
they had nothing to say against it with any shew of reason ;
and having forewarned them that I would at length sometime
or other plainly and openly reprove them, if they should
repeat the practice of playing in their apartments, provided
they played for money, (for that otherwise I had no fault to
find with their playing, as an exercise both of mind and body ;
but that I could no longer put up with that kind of game,
when they played for money, because I saw no sufficient
reason adduced by them for that very unnecessary expense,)
and having said very much to the same effect, they left off
for a time : upon which I was very glad, and began to en-
tertain great hopes. Afterwards, however, on the Christmas
following, when I perceived they were beginning to return to
their old habits, I publicly reproved, as opportunity offered,
both the thing itself, and those who practised it, but in the
way that I have above stated, that is, in general terms, with-
out naming or describing any individual. Understanding how-
ever that offence was taken at this, I was from thenceforth
silent, contenting myself with a private and individual reproof,
whenever the subject was brought forward in conversation.
And so far I put up with and allow the practice, that I
do not reprove it publicly and in my sermons. But since
they consider me too strict, and under this pretence choose
to be their own interpreters in other matters, contrary to
what they have been accustomed ; and say, " In this or that
point Haddon cannot agree with us, though they are just as
much matters of indifference as the play which hardly any
one finds fault with but himself;" and they are thus advancing
to what is really evil: lest, I say, they should err in that way,
and go on by degrees into intolerable evil, I bear with this,
as I have above explained, against my will. I bear with it
of compulsion, that I may gain them over in other things of
greater importance; I bear with it, just as a man who is hold-
ing a wolf by the ears. But I perceive some good arising
from this concession, which in fact is no concession at all, but
in some measure a remission of duty, or rather of strictness in
the performance of it ; because I do not find fault in pubhc,
although individually and in conversation I always reprove in
the same way as heretofore. But because they see that I in
some measure yield to them, even against my own opinion,
and consider that I deal tenderly with this infirmity of theirs.
288 JAMES IIADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
tlicy are willing to hear and attend to me more readily in
other respects.
I liave now explained, more fully perhaps than is con-
sistent with your engagements, both my own opinion upon
this subject, as also my purpose and manner of tolerating
it. I request that you will plainly write to me upon this
matter, and fully state your own opinion respecting it, and
how vou think I ought to act : state what you approve, and
what you disapprove, as far as it may seem good to you ; and
o-ive me your advice as to how far you think I may concede
in matters of this sort, and to what extent I may connive
at them. But do this at your leisure ; for I should be
unwilling to interrupt you when occupied in things of greater
moment. Unless I judged of you in some measure by myself,
(as far as is allowable for so slender a scholar, and one who
is but just beginning to learn,) to be a most accomplished and
learned man, and one who is perfect in every kind of know-
ledge, I should not have dared to interrupt you in this Avay,
whom I have scarcely saluted in these three letters. But be
this as it may, you are yourself to blame for having wished
me to write. 1 will carry my boldness a little furtlicr, and
pray you to salute for me that most honoured man master
Bibliander, whom I seem to myself to be well acquainted with
from his published works. Farewell, ye two lights of the
church. ]\Iay Christ protect you, and by his Spirit aid both
you and your ministry ! Ptichraond, near London, August,
1552.
Your attached and most devoted,
JAMES IIADDON.
LETTER CXXXI.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Without place or date. [About October, IfioL'.]
Greeting. I have heretofore written you tolerably long
letters; I now send you a short one, and the rather, as you
tell me you arc in a weak state of health. I shall pass over
tbe formal and almost courtier-like custom of returning you
my thanks for having written to me, notwithstanding you
CXXXI.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 289
were either actually indisposed, or at least a valetudinarian.
Your very short letter, most courteous and honoured sir, was,
you may be assured, exceedingly gratifying to me, not only
because you seem entirely to agree with me, but also for the
description of the beginning and progress, and the order now
observed among you ; all of which things I had a wonderful
desire to know. I have conferred with the duke, my master,
respecting your friend Schmutz ; and he promises, for your
sake, to be exceedingly kind to him, and to bestow upon him
the same pension as he formerly did on John ab Ulmis. It
will be necessary for you some time to recal this to his
grace's memory, as I am shortly about to leave his roof,
having been summoned by the king's majesty to undertake a
certain office ^ in the state, in which, though it is not very lucra-
tive as to my individual benefit and emolument, I purpose to
the utmost of my power to promote the gospel. I am tehing
you this, that when you write about Alexander Schmutz, you
may not address the duke as if I were with him, but as
though I were absent, as I intend to be. For though I shall
not be able to be altogether and entirely separated from his
grace, yet I shall be for the most part, as soon as I shall be
able to discharge the debt already contracted, and yet to be
contracted, for the payment of the first-fruits. But it has pleased
God to render his grace so much attached to me, and me too
in my turn so devoted and attached to his grace, that I cannot
entirely separate from him, but must occasionally visit him.
You can however yourself write more fully about Schmutz, or
any one of the like sort whom you may wish to recommend to
his grace, as supposing that I am not with him ; and there is
no doubt but that his excellency (such is his kindness towards
yourself and those who are like you) will take it in good part.
I commend your health and your whole self to God. I would
wiUingly exhort you to preserve it as you can, and as you
know you ought. I earnestly pray you to salute master
Bibliander in my name. May God be with you by his Spirit,
and with your ministry !
Your attached,
JAMES HADDON.
[1 A gift to James Iladdon, B.A., of the prebend of Westminster,
void by the death of Antony Bellows, LL.D., and master in chancery,
Avas dated in August 1552. He was appointed in October, this year,
to the deanery of Exeter. Strype, Mem. ii. ii. 272, 274.]
19
[ZURICH LETTERS, HI.]
290 JAMES HADDOX TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CXXXII.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Nov. 30, 1553.
I SHOULD have to write very much to your reverence, if
I could indulge the feelings of my mind. But by reason of
the manifold engagements with, which I am at present over-
whelmed, I can scarcely write to you at all. Indeed all
that I have to say could not well be committed to writing,
and the bearer John Schmutz will give you far better in-
formation in words. Alas ! what a severe loss have we sus-
tained ! Alas ! how true religion is banished ! Alas ! how
justly is the wrath of God stirred up against us ! I dare not
write more; you must understand the rest. We were not so
much in the hope of restoring true religion, as we are now
in fear of recalling impious and abominable idolatry. Pour
forth your prayers, I entreat you, for me and those like me.
A few individuals of this sort are compelled to afford their
testimony to real godliness and religion. All our leading men,
I mean the bishops and persons of that sort, are overwhelmed
by this calamity, and thrown into prison. May God help us !
We also are speaking to no purpose, for unless God order
it otherwise, it is already determined what is to be done :
only that we may profess in whom we believe, and what
religion we hold, we accepted an offer made us of encounter-
ing our enemies. What will be the result, God knows, and
whether this may not be the last letter that I shall be able
to write to you. I very much regret that I was unable so
fully to provide for your friend Schmutz by means of the
duke of Suffolk, as I hoped and expected, had not this event
taken place, which I cannot relate without tears. Pardon me
therefore, if I do not write more upon the subject. I doubt
not but that the order, as it were, of the whole tragedy will
be related to you. The duke^ himself holds to the true God,
and I hope by God's help will fully retain his opinions about
true religion, in opposition to the devil, whose agents are
[1 The duke of Suffolk was committed to the Tower, Feb. 6, 1554,
and beheaded on Tower-hill on the 23rd of the same month.]
CXXXII.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULUNGER. 291
striving with all their might to lead liis lordship astray : that
he may do this more effectually, I commend his lordship to
your prayers, and I commend too myself, and those like-
minded. Salute for me, I pray, master Bibliander. May
God be with you by his holy Spirit unto the end, and ever
glorify his name by you, as he hath hitherto done I London,
:n^ov. 30, 1553.
Your most attached,
JAMES HADDON^
LETTER CXXXIII.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, July 9, 1554.
I HAD intended to see your excellence, and deliver to you
in person this letter written to you by master Hooper. But
having met with some godly persons and brethren in the Lord,
I cannot leave this place at present. I have thought it there-
fore my duty not to retain by me any longer the letter of
one who is so much attached to you. I entrust it to Park-
hurst, that brother in the Lord, Avho is able to give you as
much information about our friend Hooper as almost any one
else. For they were most intimately united, as well by dis-
position as by vicinity of residence^. As for myself, I intend,
by God's assistance, to visit some time or other both yourself
and the other distinguished men in your church. Among
whom salute, I pray you, for me the reverend father in
Christ, master Pellican, I am now writing to the worthy
and excellent Bibliander to the same effect as I have written
[2 Next to this letter, in the Archives, comes a Latin version of the
dying speech of the duke of Northumberland. " Joannis nuper ducis
Northumbrise in Anglia, quum ad supplicium productus esset, oratio.
Viennse, ex oflBicina Mich. Zimmermanni. 1553." See Soames, iv. 44.]
[3 Parkhurst was rector of Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham, when
Hooper was bishop of Gloucester.]
19—2
292 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
to you. ^lay God every way be ^Yith you, and presei've you
for the benefit of his church ! Strasburgh, July 9, 1554.
Your attached,
JAMES HADDON.
LETTER CXXXIV.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Aug. 31, 1554.
Much health. I perceive in your letter to me, most
honoured sir, that of which I never doubted, namely, your
grief for the downfall of the church of England, and your
kindness and good-will towards me. Of the former I will
say nothing, lest the wound should break out afresh. Of the
latter, however, I can rather conceive in thought, than ex-
press in words, what I ought to say, because I know that
you will not wilhngly hear it. Passing over these things
therefore, as to your wish that I should inform you respecting
your friend Hooper, whether or not any letter of yours
written to him will be safely conveyed, and delivered into
his hands, I have not yet obtained any certain information
upon this point ; nor am I able to do so, for he writes word
that he is now thrust down to the very lowest dungeon, and
that his servant^ has been taken away Irom him. Still there
have been, as I hear, many ways and means devised, by
which good men have communication with him, and he in
turn with them. AVherefore I have conferred here with one of
his friends, who has promised to take care that your letter
shall be sent to London, and given in charge to some godly
person who, if he can deliver it safely, will do so ; if not, it will
remain in his keeping. You will act therefore as you think
best. But your letter to him will doubtless aiford him great
comfort. For this it is that he complains of, respecting many
[1 William Dounton, whom Babington, warden of the Fleet, im-
prisoned, and stripped him out of his clothes to search for letters.
See Foxe, vi. 648, Letters of the Martyrs, p. 97, and above, p. 102,
n. 1.]
CXXXIV.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 293
persons, that he cannot hear from them ; and he almost thinks
himself deserted by his friends, which (as you yourself know)
is the greatest grief to persons in distress, and especially to those
who arc of a naturally benevolent and well-ordered mind.
And the word well I refer to teaching in general. For we
do not here lay aside our natural feelings, but seek for con-
solation in adversity elsewhere than from God alone. But
to seek it from those more especially, who approach nearest
to God, that is, the godly, is not so remote from godhness,
(since means are not to be rejected, especially when of a
kindred character,) although we ought to depend upon God
and his Spirit exclusively. I need say no more to one of
your wisdom and piety. Whatever you may determine upon,
if you wish for my assistance, you will find me entirely at
your service. Farewell very heartily in the Lord. Stras-
burgh, Aug. 31, 1554.
Your most attached,
JAMES HADDON.
P.S. There is one Banks^ who has written to you about
the lady Jane. He has shewn me your letter in answer
to his, from which I infer that he wrote something to you
which you did not deem it prudent to publish. It is well
that you came to this determination, and I beg of you by no
means to make it public, or suffer many persons to copy it.
For although he wrote it without my knowledge, yet I know
for certain that it will occasion the greatest danger to me, if
it be published or appear in his name, because I brought him
over from England, and he is with me as my friend. If it
were evident that all the statements were certainly true and
proved, and that their publication would tend to the glory of
God, I would then prepare myself to meet the danger. But
I am rather afraid that all the facts are not as described by
him, but that he has gathered them from common report, and
being himself too in some measure biassed by his zeal. Were
the statement published, it would probably do more harm to
the truth, and to our cause, than it would do them good ; to
say nothing of the certain risk and peril which would hang
over others. Nor could the whole account be defended with
[^ Sec below. Lett. OXLI.J
294 JAMES HADDON TO HEXKY BULLINGER, [lET.
a sufficiently safe conscience, since, probably, some tilings have
been stated as facts, which may not be found to be such.
But as to what regards the lady Jane herself, and what is
said in her name, (as for instance, her exhortations to a certain
apostate, and her discourse with Feckenham,) I believe, and
partly know, that it is true, and did really proceed from
herself. It will now be sufficient for mc to have pointed
out to your prudence, what you have already perceived of
yourself, that is, that these things should not be published,
and especially the other matters under any circumstances
whatever, and I pray you again and again not to allow it.
Should it be thought expedient that they should come forth
some time hence, this can be done whenever you may think
fit ; but the present time is most unsuitable for such a
measure, even if it were certain that the whole statement is
correct. For we have too many matters of fact to make it
necessary to collect mere rumours, and those perhaps alto-
gether invented. Our adversaries already partly lay this
calumniously to our charge : what will they do if they have
sufficient grounds of accusation ? Let me soon hear from
you, that I may know you have received this, and that I may
be assured that the letter neither is nor will be published.
LETTER CXXXV.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasbuugh, Dec. 9, 1554.
Much health. As the letters of the absent are a kind of
substitute for personal intercourse, I therefore write to you,
most honoured and kind sir, with much pleasure ; and the
rather, because I not only perceive your kindness towards
me in your letter to me, but am also informed of your regard
for me from the report of others ; and not that merely,
which you entertain towards all the members of Christ our
Saviour, but an especial regard arising from the leaning of
your mind towards me, and which, I am told, you manifest
CXXXV.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 295
by your frequent inquiries about me. God be thanked, who
has implanted in you this kind feehng ! I would give you
news from England, if any good tidings were to arrive.
As to bad, there is nothing certainly known at present,
and the bearer of this can inform you of what is reported
better than I can. In short, every thing seems to be de-
chning, and getting worse and worse. I could tell you a
great deal about myself and my present condition, but I am
unwilling to trouble your kindness with unnecessary details.
As to that Banks, however, about whom I wrote to you
before, I have an earnest request to make of you on his
behalf. I have hitherto relieved his necessities out of my
own slender means. But now, owing to the calamities of the
times and the fury of my enemies, I am stripped of almost
all my property. And they are so violent against me and
those like me, that God only knows what else will follow.
To his will and providence I resign myself, as to that of a
most kind and merciful Father ; and I earnestly implore you
to entreat the same with me and for me, that I may continue
to do so even unto the end. The reason of this rage of my
adversaries is, I hear, the testimony openly given by me to
the truth in that convocation held at London^ last year.
But in the mean time they have been seeking with the
greatest possible diligence some other plausible pretext; and
not being able to find one, they at length denounce me as
a heretic on account of my freely declared opinion'" against
their abominable doctrine of transubstantiation, &c. I call it
a freely declared opinion, not only because it was freely set
forth by me, but also because that assembly ought to have
been most free, as likewise the opinions which were therein
[1 This convocation was opened Oct. 16th, 1553, by a Latin sermon
by Harpsfield. For an account of the proceedings, written by Phil-
pot, archdeacon of Winchester, and who bore a principal part therein,
see Foxe, Acts and Mon. vi. 395. Burnet, ii. 407. Soames, iv. 103.]
[2 Haddon's argument is thus given in Foxe, vi. 405, and Phil-
pot's writings, Parker Soc. Ed. p. 200. It was to prove the substance
of bread and wine to remain after the consecration of the eucharist.
The same thing, saith Theodoret, that the bread and wine were before
they were symbols, the same they remain still in natm'e and substance,
after they are symbols. But bread and wine they were before;
therefore bread and wine they are after.]
296 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
advanced. Concerning which the bearer of this, Chambers',
my very dear brother in the Lord, can give you fuller infor-
mation, as well as in what manner our adversaries, lilled
with the greatest hatred against the truth, acted in entire
opposition to what is just and good, and against all laws,
human and divine.
But to return to Banks, he will think himself very well
dealt with, if he can obtain a situation with some respectable
and pious printer, as a reviser or corrector of the press. And
he hopes that this may be accomplished by your recommen-
dation. There is no need of commending him to your kindness
with many eulogies, or of enlarging upon the ability which
he possesses for such an employment. He is well acquainted
with Latin, as you can judge for yourself, and not un-
skilled in Greek; of peaceable disposition, glowing with true
religion, and exceedingly devoted to literary pursuits. In my
opinion you will confer a benefit upon any one with whom
you may be able to place him. And yet, for Banks's sake, I
shall consider the favour in some measure conferred upon
myself, because, as it appears, I can no longer support him at
my exj)ense, as I should wish, unless things turn out other-
wise than they seem to be, and really are, at present. I
might have wi'itten these matters Avith less plainness, but I
did not think it right to do so, but rather to explain nakedly
and clearly to your kindness the whole state of the case.
May God every way be with you, and preserve you to the
glorifying of his name, and the benefit of his church ! Stras-
burgh, Dec. 9, 1554.
Your most attached,
JAMES HADDON.
P.S. I have the greatest regard for that most excellent
man, master Bibhander, and for the most honoured father,
master Pellican. I request your kindness to salute them both
from me.
[1 Chambers and Grindal were sent with a letter from the congre-
gation of Frankfort to that of Strasburgh, Dec. 3.]
CXXXVI.] JAMES IIADDON TO HENRY BULLINGEK. 297
LETTER CXXXVI.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgii, Jan. 8, 1555.
Greeting. Your letter, most honoured sir, was raost
gratifying to me, both on account of the sympathy which you
manifest in my misfortunes, and of the regard and truly
paternal affection towards me Avhich I now perceive you to
entertain. A fortnight after I had written my last letter to
you, one was delivered to me from England, informing me that
I have been entirely stripped of all my property, as I before
explained to you, but that there was now some hope from
other quarters. I thought it my duty therefore to inform
you of this by the very tirst opportunity, that as you were
heretofore distressed on my account, so you may now with
me return thanks to God our Father, to whom I doubt not
but that you have prayed together with me, and commended
me and my cause to him.
I have also to thank you very much on behalf of Banks.
For my very dear brother Lever has informed me, that
master Sultzer" has arranged for me to send Banks to Basle
at the Frankfort fair ; for he has met with one Parkes,
a printer, I believe, with whom he will place Banks. I
would say more, but am suddenly interrupted by the bearer,
who Avill convey this letter early to-morrow morning. I
pray you therefore to take this, as you do every thing of
inine, in good part. For I thought it my duty to send you
this by the present opportunity, rather than nothing at all,
lest I should occasion you greater concern and anxiety than
would become me ; because I have not only perceived from
your letter, but have gathered from others, the anxious
inquiries you had determined to make on behalf of Banks, if
tliis had not succeeded. May God long preserve you for the
benefit of his church and the comfort of many ! Strasburgh,
Jan. 8, 1555.
Your most attached,
JAMES HADDON.
[2 Simon Sultzcr was a divine at Basic]
298 JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CXXXVIL
.JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Jan. 15, 155o.
Greeting. Most honourable and my very good friend,
I send you herewith certain heads of a discourse held by
him^ Avhom the inscription points out. It is possible that he
embraced many more topics at that time, but most likely
they were all to the same effect. I have translated them
from the English, just as they were brought here, word for
word as nearly as I could. Shall we wonder at the unheard
of boldness of the man in inventing, or his singular shame-
lessness in lying, or his subtle and versatile talent, and (so to
speak) most godless mind, for that, having so long stored up
in his remembrance so many slaughters and such heavy
charo;es of treason, he could cherish and foster them with
such hypocrisy and dissimulation ? I think there was never
heard tell of such a turncoat and monster of a man, and pest
of the state, if the book" he published many years since in a
quite contrary sense, and written too with such emphasis and
asseveration as that nothing apparently can exceed it, be
compared with his present assertions. But we have justly
deserved portents of this kind, for having almost despised the
godly and those who told us the truth. May God now take
compassion on us, and hear the prayers of his own people, as
in his mercy he is wont to do ; and may he succour our not
only distressed but deplorable, and, as far as human aid is
concerned, desperate condition ! Many signal examples shew
that he has done so; nor do I doubt but that he will again do
[1 On Sunday, Dec. 2, 1554, Gardiner, bishop of Winchester,
preached at Paul's Cross before king Philip and cardinal Pole, upon
Rom. xiii. 11. An account of his sermon is given in Strype, Mem. iii.
i. 259, and more fully by Foxe, Acts and Mon. vi. 577, whose statement
is so nearly identical with the Latin heads here referred to, as to
render it unnecessary to retranslate them.]
[2 Haddon refers to Gardiner's book De vera Obedientia, published
in 1534, to justify the parliament in giving the king the title of
supreme head of the church. An account of this book is given in
Strype, Mem. i. i. 264. See also Foxe, vii. 694.]
CXXXVII.] JAMBS HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 299
it in his own time. In the mean time, all things are working
together for good to his people. He who keepeth Israel will
neither slumber nor sleep. And that noble act related by
Moses in Exodus, and mentioned by you, and so often re-
corded in the Judges and Prophets, aifords abundant con-
solation. I will not at this time trespass any longer upon
your kindness. I hope that my last letter has been dehvered
to you ere now, bearing testimony to the good result of your
letter to master Sultzer on behalf of Banks, and for which I
again thank you in his name. May God every way be with
you ! Strasburgh, Jan. 15, 1555.
Your most attached,
JAMES HADDON.
P. S. My countryman and friend, Abel the merchant,
warmly salutes you. He was with me at the beginning of
the winter, and it is from him that I have the copy of the
writing Avhich I send you.
LETTER CXXXVIII.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, April'lA, 1555.
Greeting. Your letter, most honoured sir, testifying
your affection and exceeding love towards me, was delivered
to me on my return from Frankfort. You tell me that you
write to me in all the hurry of business, whereat I partly
rejoice, and am partly sorry : for your letter, short as it is,
contains singular consolation drawn from the examples of
Joshua and Jehoiada ; but I am sorry that I was an hinder-
ance to you when so well and so actively employed. For I
am aware that the charge of many and most weighty concerns
is laid upon you, and that you are almost continually distract-
ed by matters of the greatest importance. I must therefore
beg of you not to withdraw yourself in future, even a single
moment, on my account from any business whatever, unless
300 JAMES HADDON TO IIENllY BL'LLINGER. [lET.
•when a brcathing-timc and leisure shall be afforded you. For
although, being not now engaged in any public labour or
employment, I am able frequently to write to your reverence^
the case is not the same with you. Wherefore, although 1
liear from you most gladly and with the greatest eagerness,
yet I shall be content if you do not answer my letters, except
at the times and on the terms above stated. On which subject
the bearer also will communicate with you by message from
me. I have learned also by the information of our friend
Chambers the exertions made by your kindness in respect to
Banks. He is not yet recovered, but is better. He will
always acknowledge himself very greatly indebted to you,
and I offer you my best thanks on his behalf, AVe commit
the repayment of this favour to God, who alone can accom-
plish it effectually, and whom I pray to preserve and direct
you for the advantage and benefit of his church. In whom
farewell. Strasburgh, April 24, 1555.
Your reverence's most devoted,
JAMES HADDON.
P.S. I have saluted our friend Sampson and the others
in your name.
LETTER CXXXIX.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Dec. 7, 1555.
Much health. My very dear friend in Christ, I have
been often thinking of writing to you for some months past;
but nothing has occurred which seemed worthy of being com-
mitted to paper, especially as reports Avere spread abroad with
various degrees of uncertainty. But it is now certain that
that bitter scourge' of divine justice, the most cruel of all men
[1 Stephen Gardiner, bishop of Winchester. See Foxe, vii. 585.
Strypc, Mem. ni. i. 405, and Phiipot's writings, Parker Society's
edition, p. liGO.]
CXXXrX.] JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 301
within our memory, and who most eagerly thirsted for the
blood of the saints, has been removed from this life. But
though our sins had richly deserved so great an evil, and
even a punishment yet more severe, on account of the listless-
ness and ingratitude which for the most part pervaded our
country when the free course of the gospel was allowed us,
yet our heavenly Father and Almighty God has manifested
his usual kindness and power. That illustrious pair, masters
Ridley and Latimer, offered themselves to God a short time
before 2, an admirable and noble sacrifice ; and their ashes
(together with those of others who had gone before them,
and who now live in the presence of our Lord and Saviour)
have, methinks, called down the judgment of God upon the
above-mentioned scourge of heaven. We have no other certain
or confirmed intelligence, as far as I am at present aware,
worthy of being communicated to you. Besides, I think that
you have been made acquainted either previously or more
fully from others with the facts I have above stated, though
I considered it also my duty to write to you to the same
effect ; for it seems very long since I had any intercourse
with you. Salute for me, I pray you, master Gesner. Please
to remember me, and the condition of our country, in your
prayers, as I doubt not but you will. May God be with you
and your ministry, and preserve you for the benefit of his
church ! Strasburgh, Dec. 7, 1555.
Yours,
JAMES HADDON.
LETTER CXL.
JAMES HADDON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, March 12, 1550.
Health in the Lord. I have written to you before, but
I now doubt whether my letter was delivered to you ; not
[2 Gardiner died in the next month after the burning of Ridley
and Latimer, which took place, Oct. 10, 1555.]
302 JAMES HADDOX TO IIEXRY BULUXGER. [lET.
that 1 wish to interrupt you, occupied as you are in most
weighty affairs, much less to draw you away from them for a
moment by replying to my letter ; nor indeed were the matters
upon Avhich I wrote to you of such consequence as to require
an answer. They informed you of the tidings which we
had then received from f]ngland. AVhat I have now to
write is much less worth your notice; but I nevertheless send
you this letter, because it seems to me a long time since I
have corresponded Avith your reverence, or have heard from
yourself. Our friend Burcher, when on his return from you,
repHed to my inquiries concerning you, that you were not in
good health. But as I have not yet received any further
account, I very much desire to hear from yourself, how you
do. I ask nothing more, and not even this, except at your
leisure. There are many reasons why I am anxious to hear
of your health. Nor is it to be wondered at that I am ex-
ceedingly anxious about you as an individual, since I have
discovered your regard for me to be such as it has been
declared to be by the report of some of our friends. I doubt
not but that these times occasion much grief to yourself, as
to all godly persons, and cause many and deep sighs to be
breathed forth. But what can you do ? He who sitteth
in the highest heavens looks down upon lowly things in
heaven and earth. He wills his people to be tried, but vfill
not suffer his church to be left altogether destitute; but as
that man of sin has already been partly detected by yourself
and those like you, so he will at last be destroyed by the
breath of the mouth of the Lord. Amen, amen ! May the
Lord be with you by his Spirit, and preserve you for the good
of his church ! Strasburgh, March 15, 1556.
Your most devoted,
JAMES HADDON.
P.S. I wish every happiness, according to the will of
God, to masters Bibliander, Fellican, and Gesner.
CXLI.] JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER. 303
LETTER CXLI.
JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, March 15, 1554.
You will probably be surprised, most excellent sir, at my
writing to you in these turbulent times, which I have never
done before ; and the rather, because I had no personal
acquaintance with her^ [of whom I write], and am about to
address you upon those subjects which would occasion the
greatest danger to myself, in case my letter should be inter-
cepted before the bearer of it leaves England. But I have
not thought this consideration of sufficient consequence to
retard my purpose, since it was both godly in itself, and
truly deserving of being known by every one, and especially
by your reverence, by reason of that kindness and good-will
which you entertain towards the very noble family of Grey in
this country, and which you have not hesitated to illustrate
by your own recorded testimony. But though this family is
now overthrown and almost extinct, on account of their saving
profession of our Saviour, and the cause of the gospel ; yet
all godly and truly christian persons have not so much reason
to mourn over the ruin of a family so illustrious, as to rejoice
that the latest action of her life was terminated in bearing
testimony to the name of Jesus; and the rather, because
those who rest with Christ the Lord in the kingdom of his
Father, will not have to behold with their own eyes the
wretched and lamentable overthrow of our nation. It is we,
we who are wretched, who are not only hearing every day
the name of the Saviour loaded with reproach, but witnessing
the most horrible slaughter of those who have endeavoured to
promote his glory, and extend his kingdom.
But to return to the Greys, about whom I purposed to
commune with you in this letter, both on account of your
pecuhar regard for them, as evinced by your godly writings ;
and by reason of my own affection towards those now dead,
to whom I diligently endeavoured, during their life-time, to
prove my respect.
Jane then, the daughter of the duke, was truly admirable,
[1 Namely, lady Jane Grey.]
o04 .lOIlN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
not so much hy reason of her incredible attainments in htera-
ture, by whicli in the seventeenth year of her age she excelled
all other ladies, as by reason of the remarkable firmness with
■which, though a young girl, she surpassed men in maintaining
the cause of Christ ; insomuch that she could neither be
defeated by any contrivances which the papists imagined
ao^ainst her, nor be deceived by any of their artifices, as your
reverence will understand from a discourse of hers which I
now send you.
This conference was held by her with master Feckenham',
a clever and crafty papist, upon some controverted points of
our rehgion, upon which she explained her opinion with much
learning and ingenuity. And that she persevered in this
confession of faith even to the last, is sufficiently evident
from the statement ^ she made a httle before her execution.
This I have thought fit to send together with the other,
because they seemed to me worthy of being universally
known. Moreover, it may be seen how her truly admirable
mind was illuminated by the hght of God's word, by two
letters, one of which she herself wrote to the lady Catharine ^
her sister, a most noble virgin, to inspire her with a love of
the sacred writings, and the other to a certain apostate^, to
bring him back to Christ the Lord. I have taken the pains
to translate both of these letters from our vernacular^ lan-
guage into Latin, that your excellence may perceive that the
pains which you have taken to enlighten that family and
[1 See this discom-se gh'en in Foxe, vi. 415.]
[2 See Foxe, vi. 424.]
[3 Tiiis letter is also given in Foxe, vi. 422. The lady Catherine
was afterwards married to Henry, son of William, earl of Pembroke,
by whom she was divorced. She was committed to the Tower by
queen Elizabeth in 1562, for her clandestine mai-riage with the earl of
Hertford. See Zurich Letters, first series, p. 103, n. 7.]
[•* This was Thomas Harding, afterwards known as the antagonist
of bishoj) Jewel. Foxe, who gives the letter, in his first edition,
refrains from naming him, "partly reverencing the worthy learning of
the person, and partly, again, trusting and hoping again of some better
towardness of the party hereafter." See Foxe, vi. 418.]
[5 It is interesting to find that lady Jane Grey wrote to Harding
in English, as some expressions in the Latin version, printed in her
Remains, have given occasion for reflections, which, from this letter of
, Banks it appears, rather apply to him as the translator than to her as
tlie writer.]
CXLI.] JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER. 305
incite them to the love of godHness have not been ill bestowed.
For I can bear testimony, vrhich, if not very abundant, is at
least that of an eye-witness, that the whole family of the
Greys, and Jane especially, derived incredible benefit from
your writings. She indeed had not only diligently perused,
but also committed to memory, almost all the heads of your
sixth Decade.
The duke also himself devoted as much time as he could
steal from the affairs of the nation, in which he was engaged,
to the reading of scripture, and especially to your writings,
with the milky eloquence of which he used to say that he
was wonderfully delighted. From the reading of which too
he derived the greatest benefit, when certain wicked wretches
endeavoured to draw him away, while in prison, from the
faith and confession of the true Christ. But they were in
no wise able to move him ; for he confessed the Lord Christ
even to his latest breath^. And at the time he was led to
execution, though the papists brought forward one of the
council, a swine out of the herd, who defended the catholic
church, the mass, the fathers, and customs established by
length of time, yet he would not acknowledge any other
atonement than that which was perfected by the death of
Christ : by this faith he supported himself, and m this faith
he at length ended his life. I would speak of the entire
overthrow of religion in England, and the fury of antichrist,
only that those who are continually coming over from
England to Zurich, that most wealthy mart of all good learn-
ing, will make you acquainted with it. It now remains for
me earnestly to entreat your reverence again and again to
take this my service in good part, and to enrol me among
the number of your friends ; and to beseech the Lord that
our England may at length be delivered from that tyranny
of the papists by which she is now oppressed. Farewell,
most excellent BuUinger, and continue, as you do, to set
forth the kingdom of Christ in your writings ! London,
March 15, 1554.
[ij This statement is confirmed by the account given in Foxe, Acts
and Mon. vi. 545, where Dr Hugh Weston is stated to have attended
the duke of Suffolk at his execution.]
r 1 20
[ZURICH LETTERS, in.J
306 JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLtNGER. [lET.
LETTER CXLII.
JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Sthasburgu, Dec. 9, 1554.
No circumstance has ever afforded me greater pleasure
than the condescension of your reverence in not only admit-
ting me among the number of your friends, but in so courte-
ously declaring this by your written letter ; in which, when-
ever I peruse it, as I do very frequently, I seem to observe
two things especially worthy of commendation. In the first
place your singular kmdness appears from this circumstance,
that a person like yourself, so justly admired by every one,
should condescend, in the midst of so many and important
engagements, to write to an obscure individual like myself.
Your rare judgment in the next place is shewn by your dis-
approving of the publication^ of what possibly may be inju-
rious to many individuals ; a circumstance which I had not
before considered. I now, however, perceive that our adver-
saries in England are most mightily disturbed by certain
pamphlets, and that they are endeavouring to exclude us
from the liberality of those from whom we were expecting
the necessary means of subsistence. Nothing indeed now
seems to be left for us, but either that we English, who are in
exile from our country for the sake of God's word, must
support ourselves by the labour of our hands, or else implore
the assistance of godly individuals to enable us to continue
our studies ; whereby, should it please God to restore us to
our country, we may be able to refute the doctrines of the
papists, and to explain to our people and nation the artifices
by which they have been circumvented and deceived by
them. The godly men, by whom we have hitherto been
aided and supported, are cither all of them cast into prison
[1 Sec above, Letter CXXXIV. p. 293. It seems that together
with the preceding letter. Banks had sent to BuUinger the conference
of lady Jane Grey with Feckcnham, her letters to Harding and to her
sister, with a view to their b(;ing published, but to which Bullinger
made some objections from a fear of injuring the cause of the reform-
ation in England.]
CXLII,] JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER. 307
on our account, or, if any are still at liberty, they are so
carefully watched by the papists, that they can afford us no
assistance without the greatest danger. Whence it is, that
we are at this time placed in great difficulty; and it is come
to this, that each individual must look out how he can best
provide for himself. For my own part, I have no hope of
being able to continue in the course of studies I had deter-
mined to pursue; for he who has maintained" me hitherto, is
now reduced to the like straits as the rest of the EngUsh,
being spoiled of all his property, and (such is the malice of
his enemies) without any hope. I speak of master James
Haddon, a man who deserved to be rich for his liberality to
the poor. Since, therefore, my condition is such, that I am
enable, through want of means, to pursue the course of study
I had proposed, I would wilhngly follow that which seems
desirable in the next place, and engage in that kind of life
which is most nearly allied to literary pursuits ; in which
object, as I understand your excellence has it in your power
greatly to benefit me by your recommendation, relying upon
that kindness which you have so manifestly expressed in your
letter, I make bold to implore your aid and co-operation.
There is a printer in your town, of the name of Froschover,
of whose integrity and diligence in his art the bearer of this
letter speaks most highly, and has advised me to use my
endeavours to induce him by any means to employ me as a
corrector and reviser of such books as are printed at his
press. Your recommendation, I believe, will go far to effect
this object. Wherefore, should your excellence grant me
this favour, I shall consider myself to have received an
especial benefit, and will use my best endeavours that you
may not seem to have recommended an unworthy person.
Farewell, most excellent sir, and most esteemed by me in the
Lord. Strasburgh, Dec. 9, 1554.
Your piety's most devoted,
JOHN BANKS, Anglus.
[2 See Letter CXXXV. p. 295.]
20—2
308 JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CXLIII.
JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at [Strasburgh], Jan. 9, [1555].
I HAVE perceived by the letter of your reverence, not
indeed written to me, but to my singular good patron and
much esteemed master in Christ, master IIaddon\ about me,
that you have no less exerted yourself on my behalf, than if
I had been your own son, and not a stranger, and only known
to you by letter. I cannot therefore express the thanks due
to your reverence for the pains you have taken on my behalf.
But when I reflect that you were born for this very purpose,
to succour the brethren, and to shew yourself a true Christian,
namely, one who devotes his talents to the good of all, not
only the men of this present age, but of posterity also ; I
consider you in no respect inferior to the greatest characters,
and that in your brotherly affection and incredible diligence
you easily excel them all. There are indeed some very
learned and truly pious persons, but who will not readily
allow themselves to be withdrawn from their studies, even
thouo-h from such interruption great advantage might arise
to their brethren. But you on the contrary, seem to regard
nothing as of more importance, than in the midst of your
ministerial labours to allow of an interruption in those studies
so necessary and beneficial to the church of Christ, and this
too for no small interval, for the sake of affording aid to
a poor wretch like myself, when placed in circumstances of
some difficulty. Most gladly therefore would I express by
some grateful attestation, how much I value your good will
towards me; but this your more than paternal kindness
towards me exceeds all power of expression or even of
thought. I will diligently endeavour therefore, and it is all
I can do, that you may not seem to have recommended an
unworthy person. But as to your excusing yourself to me, who
indeed am I, that one like yourself, so justly and universally
respected, should think it necessary to excuse yourself in the
[J See above, Letter CXXXVL p. 207.]
CXLIII.] JOHN BANKS TO HENRY BULLINGER, 309
midst of your important engagements, for not replying to
such an insignificant individual as I am, and who is moreover
so greatly indebted to your kindness, and had rather undergo
any thing than be in any way a hinderance to your studies ?
Wherefore I return my best possible thanks to your piety,
and since I can do nothing else, I will always bear your
goodness in mind in my prayers ; and I pray our great and
good God, through Christ our Saviour, very long to preserve
you to his church. January 9, [1555].
Your piety's most devoted,
JOHN BANKS.
LETTER CXLIV.
THOMAS HARDING^ TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at New College, Oxford, Oct. 19, 1551.
If, as it has been observed of ^ old, friendships have often
been dissolved by neglected intercourse, what is there, most
learned Bullinger, to preclude the hope that the friendship of
good men may be obtained and cemented by their being
addressed with courtesy and respect? and especially when
this is done upon just grounds, and without any suspicion of
flattery or self-interest.
For my own part, a regard to my duty, as well as the
very reasonable request of these young men to be introduced
to your notice, has aiforded me a sufficient occasion of writing
to you. For who can be so insensible to every courteous
feeling, as not to be compelled to write and return you thanks
[2 Thomas Harding was elected fellow of New college in 1536, and
afterwards appointed Hebrew professor by Henry VIH. He became
a papist in the reign of queen Mary, by whom he was preferred to a
prebend of Winchester, and the treasurership of Sarum. He is best
known by his controversy with bishop Jewel ; for an account of which,
see the Zurich Letters, first series, Letter LXVIL]
[3 rioXXas brj (f)ikias aTrpoa-rjyopia BifXvcrep. Arist. Ethic. VIII. 5.]
310 THOMAS HARDINO TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
for those kind offices you did me when I was with you about
the first of May three years since, on my way into Italy,
whither I was then proceeding for the purpose of study? Nor
can I ever forget with what kindness you received me, and
with what hberahty you entertained me ; not to mention in
the mean time, with what learned and grave discourse you
detained me, who was exceedingly desirous of an interview
with you, for some hours in your house ; and, to speak plainly,
satisfied my mind, when, inquiring and hesitating about some
matters, as they appeared to mo, of no small importance, you
relieved me entirely from all doubt and perplexity. To this
I must add that other token of no common regard and esteem,
(for such I ought to consider it,) in that you then inquired my
name, just as if I were a person of consequence, and inscribed
it among your papers.
As often indeed as these acts of kindness recur to my
mind, as they do very frequently, I think of what Timotheus'
said respecting a supper of Plato, to which he was invited by
him, when he met him the next day, namely, that the suppers
of Plato were not only agreeable for the present moment, but
for the day following. The same thing may be afiirmed in a
larger sense respecting your kindness, that it was not only gra-
tifying for the moment, but has now been so for many months,
and will be, I hope, for many years. And indeed, had not
my circumstances ordered it otherwise, and drawn me away at
that time to other places, almost against my will, I should on
no account have suffered myself to have been so soon separated
and disunited from your most learned society, of which I had
then first begun to taste the enjoyment. Cut as the state of
my affairs has, contrary to my inclination, continually precluded
me from this happiness, it only remained for me to propose
to myself the occasional enjoyment of your society and in-
tercourse by epistolary correspondence. And just as I had
returned to England, and was seeking how to carry this into
effect, and was purposing to write to you, John ab Ulmis,
who was (as he says) formerly your pupil, paid me a most
opportune visit. He prays me to commend these young men
to you by a written letter ; which indeed I have promised very
readily, both for his own sake, with whom I have had some
[1 See Cic. Tusc. Disp. v. 35. Athenseus, x. p. 419. Ed. Lugtl.
and .Elian, V. II. ii. 18.]
CXLIV.] THOMAS HARDING TO HENRY BULLINGER. 311
acquaintance, and also for their sakes, as perceiving them to
be such, as for their pecuhar modesty, probity, and erudition,
are most entirely deserving of the warmest commendation.
You will not therefore, I entreat you, according to your most
kind disposition, think lightly of this my commendation, but
will receive into your kindness and good-will these youths,
Andrew Croariensis and Stumphius, on their return to you.
I dare assure you in the mean time from their very honour-
able and gentlemanly conduct, that however great may be
the advantage that may accrue to you from the regard of the
most worthy characters, no less will accrue to you from the
attachment of the persons in question ; and that you will
acknowledge them to be young men of tried probity, courtesy,
and honourable feeling, as well as of unvaried good temper.
You will certainly confer upon me the greatest obligation, if
you will so conduct yourself towards them, as to make them
know that this my recommendation has had some weight with
you. Farewell. Oxford, New College, Oct. 19, 1551.
Salute very affectionately from me our friend Butler 2.
LETTER CXLV.
HENRY SIDALL TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Christ Church, Oxford, Oct 4, [1552J.
Much health. Last year, most honoured sir, I received
a letter from your excellence in favour of this youth ab Ulmis,
which was on many accounts very gratifying to me, but, if
I must speak the truth, altogether superfluous. For his piety,
integrity, and zeal for learning had already so interested me
[^ John Butler, of a noblo family, having travelled about Germany,
and thence into France, and afterwards into Italy, seated himself at
last in Zurich, where ho became greatly acquainted with John Wol-
phius, the learned printer, who dedicated to him, in the year 1552, the
second edition of P. Martyr's tract of the sacrament. See Strype,
Mem. I. i. 545.]
312 HENRY SIDAl.L TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
in Lis fovour, that I sliould consider myself to have received
a benefit by having it in my power to confer one upon him.
For any individual, in Avhom I discover such good qualities,
cannot but bo very dear to me, to whatever country he may
belong ; for I heartily detest all respect of persons. In this
large college my trifling exertions cannot have been of much
advantage to him ; but my mind has at all times been well-
disposed towards him, which I can promise will always be the
case, provided only, Avhicli I hope will not take place, he shall
not change his conduct. But since he has now gone back to
you, and is, it seems, somewhat doubtful of returning to
England, I do not see how 1 can be of any service to him in
future, except perhaps by imploring your clemency to regard
him with greater kindness and aifection than hitherto, which
I most ardently entreat your piety to do. For his conduct
in this numerous society of learned men has always been so
amiable and unpolluted, and so obedient to all our statutes
and domestic regulations, that it has most justly earned for
him the greatest commendation from all persons, and a more
than paternal regard from myself. JMoreover, his discretion
has always been exceedingly approved by me, inasmuch as
he has so accommodated himself to our habits, that he never
could justly be reproached by any one as a foreigner, but
has deserved universal commendation as one conversant with
our laws and country. I have thought it my duty to acquaint
yom' excellence in good faith with these matters, lest any
suspicion should arise on your part that he has conducted
himself otherwise in this place than would become a youth of
the most excellent character. I should have written to you at
this time concerning our university of Oxford, and the resto-
ration of religion, and the number of the godly among us,
only that this youth will be able to relate all these things to
you better at your leisure. Your piety may know this for
an undoubted truth, that many among us are exceedingly
united to you in spirit, although personally separated by sea
and land ; among whom I wish to be counted the chief. For
althougli I am far inferior in many other respects, in this
1 will yield to no one. Farewell in the Lord. Oxford,
Christ Church, Oct. 4, [1552].
[II. SIDALL.]
OXLVI.] RALPH SKINNER TO HENRY BULIJNGER. 313
LETTER CXLVI.
RALPH SKINNER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Oxford, Jan 5, [1550J.
Health and peace in the Lord. John ab Ulmis has
frequently requested me long since, most excellent Bullinger,
to send you a letter ; but latterly he has left no stone un-
turned to extort from me these few lines, and I must candidly
confess that he has not without difficulty induced me to write
now. Not that I entertained any doubt of your kindness, or
that the ingenuousness of your disposition has not been well
known long since both by your own writings and the report
of others ; but partly from my having forgotten how to write
Latin by reason of long disuse, and partly because I am too
modest to presume to trouble, with my unpolished letter, you
who are occupied in so many and important affairs of the
church. I readily admit, most learned sir, that I owe you
this duty; and I acknowledge also, that I owe you many and
great thanks for the honourable mention which you made of
me in your letter to my patron, the marquis of Dorset.
I have certainly long regarded you with the greatest love
and veneration, for the sake of the true religion, and con-
sidered myself much indebted to you in the name of all
christian people. But latterly, my Bullinger, you have so
bound me to you for my own sake and that of my country,
that you cannot in future attach me more. For you seem to
be aifected with as it were a father's feeling, and no ordinary
regard towards our England. You have every where pub-
licly eulogised that country in many ways by your excellent
lucubrations and most learned writings. And on this account
you have obtained true and just praise with all good and
learned men, of whom, thank God, a great number is at this
time found among us. And you may learn from this, that
you have not laboured among us in the Lord's vineyard to
no purpose ; and how much honour and gratitude is owing to
our excellent king, and how much we owe to our rulers, who
not only are favourers of the truth themselves, but are also
good and firm patrons of all who embrace it. And vou have
314 RALPH SKINNER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
certainly bestowed upon them in these your -writings no un-
deserved or unworthy commendation. For they justly deserve
it, and are to be praised on every account ; and we very
properly rejoice, whenever it has happened that you have
dedicated your lucubrations to men of this character. For an
xiseful stimulus is hence afforded to them in their progress,
and encouragement given, that they may not be weary of
completing in the best way what they have well begun. And
this I hope Avill very soon be the case. For they have lately
assembled a convocation, and appointed certain persons to
purify our church from the filth of antichrist, and to abolish
those impious laws of the Roman pontiff, by which the spouse
of Christ has for so long a time been wretchedly and
shamefully defiled ; and to substitute new ones, better and
more holy, in their place. It will be our duty meanwhile,
diligently to implore God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ, that true, pure, and undcfiled religion may at length
begin to flourish, not here only, but throughout the whole
earth. I have written, excellent BuUinger, at greater length
than I at first intended, and yet there remain many things, with
which I could wish you to be acquainted, did time suflSce for
that purpose. But I will defer them for the present. I shall
in my next letter possibly impart all my grievances. Mean-
while, excellent sir, farewell, and I pray God that he may
long preserve you to us for the manifestation of his glory!
Oxford, Jan. 5.
Yours heartily,
RALPH SKINNER.
LETTER CXLVII.
JOHN WILLOCK TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Oxford, Maij 12, 1552.
Health in Christ. I came over to Oxford on the 11th
of May, which as soon as John ab Ulmis knew, he has never
ceased asking me, most excellent sir, to send you a letter. I
CXLVII.] JOHN WILLOCK TO HENRY BULLING ER. 315
could not therefore refuse him, as he requested what is proper,
and rightly reminded me of my duty. I wrote you a letter
soon after Christmas, but know not whether it ever reached
you. I will therefore only at present briefly touch upon
the heads of what I then wrote. First of all, I return ever-
lasting thanks for the kindness by which you were induced
to make such aifectionate mention of me in your dedicatory
preface to our prince. I have ever admired your universally
acknowledged learning and erudition ; but I now embrace
again and again, and most readily recognise, your exceeding
kindness and incredible regard to myself. The prince cer-
tainly received that little present of yours with a most grate-
ful and well-disposed mind ; and you must know that you
have not acted more honourably, than usefully and piously ;
for, as Socrates says, the exhortations of great men are as a
whip and spur to happy perseverance in a praiseworthy course
of life. Every night, when we were employed on the Scottish
borders, after the book had been received there from John
ab Ulmis, with great difficulty on his part, his highness was
not satisfied with having a large portion of your book merely
read to him, but would have it diligently examined ; by which
I perceived him, endued as he was with a most excellent
disposition, greatly to improve; and indeed he very often
expressed himself greatly obliged to you for it.
You will truly learn the state of my affairs from the bearer
of this letter. I had intended at first to have written more, but
business and my journey itself necessarily call me elsewhere.
I will however add a few things to which you will exceedingly
oblige me by sending a reply. First then, I ask, whether
that be a legitimate and true marriage which is contracted
without the knowledge or consent of parents; and whether
those persons can be said to live piously and lawfully in holy
matrimony, who being so married, continue in the same ; or
whether they may be allowed to separate themselves again at
the desire of their parents. I ask, secondly, whether a
woman leaving her own husband, and attaching herself to
another during his life-time, may be allowed to marry him
after the death of her own husband, to whom during that
husband's life-time she had attached herself. I inquire,
thirdly, whether those arc to be considered as living piously
in holy wedlock, who through fear of death in time of perse-
316 JOHN WILLOCK TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
cution have mutually betrothed themselves without witnesses,
but have nevertheless declared before many persons that
they were married, and have lived together for the space of
twenty years. I entreat you again and again briefly to
explain your sentiments upon these points. I have vn'itten
hastily and in confusion : take it in good part, as I doubt not
but that you will do. Farewell, most excellent and very
dear master Bullinger, and always commend my ministry in
your prayers. Oxford, May 12, 1552.
Your honour's most devoted,
JOHN WILLOCK.
LETTER CXLVIIT.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Loxdon, Feb. 20, [1540J.
I SHOULD indeed be uncourteous, most learned Bullinger,
not to address you by letter, who, when I was among you^
treated me with so much kindness. You can however guess
the reason of my not having written last fair. And though
the same reason may possibly still exist, I have thought it
right to break my silence, lest my delay should seem not so
much to arise from the state of the time, as from forgetfulness
and neglect. But this, believe me, is not at all agreeable to
my disposition. For my mind is by no means insensible
to mutual friendship, and I am of all persons least unmindful
of any kindness that has been shewn me. I have nothing
to relate at present, except that all the monks in tliis country
have lost the appellation, that some of the principal monas-
teries are turned into schools of studious men, and that three
[1 Bartholomew Traheron was a favourer of the reformation, and
had been much persecuted when at Oxford by Dr Loudon, warden of
New college, in 1527, or 1528. Strype, Mem. i. i. 581.]
CXLVIII.] BARTHOLOMEW TllAHERON TO H. BULLINGER. 317
of the most wealthy abbots ^ were led to execution a little
before Christmas, for having joined in a conspiracy to restore
the pope. I must not omit to tell you that the bishop of Win-
chester preached a very popish sermon, to the great discon-
tent of the people, on the first Sunday in Lent, and that ho
was ably answered by Dr Barnes on the following Lord's
day with the most gratifying, and all but universal, applause.
The points which the bishop principally handled I have
related to John Butler, from whom you may learn them.
You will Iicar other news from other correspondents. The
Lord Audley-^, an excellent man, and in the king"'s service,
has conceived a great regard for you from my commendation,
and has bidden me not only to salute you respectfully in his
name, but to tell you, that if you send over your son to this
country, he will treat him with the attention due to the
offspring of a very dear and honoured man. I salute much
your mother, wife, brothers, children, and the whole family.
Salute likewise in my name those worthy and excellent men
masters Pellican, [Leo] Jud^e, Rlielican"^, and Megander.
Farewell. London, Feb. 20.
[B. TRAHERON.]
LETTER CXLIX.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
[Before Feb. 18, 1546.]
Health in the Lord. I wrote to you many weeks
since, and gave the letter to our most loving friend, master
[2 These were Richard Whiting of Glastonbury, Hugh Faringdon
of Reading, and John Beach of Colchester. The abbots of Glaston-
bury and Reading had been found to have aided the northern in-
surgents by large supplies of money and plate. See Soames, ir. 278,
and Burnet, i. 384.]
[3 Thomas Audley, lord chancellor, was created baron Audley of
Walden, in 1538. He died in 1544, when the barony became extinct.]
\} This is probably an error, but it is so in the copy.]
318 BARTHOLOMEW TRAHEllON TO H. BULLINGER. [lET.
Calvin, who was going to Berne, that it might be forwarded
to you from thence. But as far as I can judge by the letter
which you sent by master Butler's messenger, mine has not
yet reached you ; and as I make no doubt but that you
would have made some mention of it, this circumstance annoys
and vexes me not a little. For as the rest of my country-
men have written to you, and as I myself too have addressed
others in your city by letter, you might well charge me with
ingratitude for having neglected you, to whom I owe so
much. Had I really done so, I doubt not but that some time
or other I should have suffered the just vengeance of Jupiter
the protector of strangers. But believe me, I thought of
nothing less, and therefore sent off my letter to you before
my singular good friend and very dear brother, master Butler,
had procured this messenger. But, as I perceive, the matter
turned out unfortunately. It has indeed vexed me most
exceedingly, not that there was any thing in the letter which
I considered worth your reading, but from the fear that I may
possibly be regarded by you as either undervaluing your friend-
ship towards me, or being unmindful of your kindness. And
I hardly know which of these two I should choose the least.
It is a proof of your singular courtesy that you have joined me
in your letter to master Butler. Whence also I have good
hope that you will not unwillingly accept this my vindication,
although I call heaven to witness that I have not in any way
offended against our friendship, unless perhaps this may be
called an offence, that I did not write you another letter
when a regular messenger was at hand ; and in this I
acknowledge myself to be somewhat to blame. But who
would have thought that the letter would not reach you
which I gave to master Calvin, and he again to master
Megandcr? If I ever allow from henceforth any messenger
to come over to you from us without a letter from me, you
are at liberty to esteem me among the number of the ungrate-
ful, or even of those who hate their friends; which however, of
all deeds of wickedness, I would least wish to attach to myself.
For I am, if any one is, so disposed to mutual affection, that
sometimes I do every thing but doat even upon those who wish
no good to myself. At all events, I have such an affection
for all learned men who have deserved well of me, that
nothing affords me more pleasure, or is more deeply rooted
CXLIX.] BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO H. BULLINGER. ol9
in my mind. How then can I forget you, whose erudi-
tion has always been most dehghtful and profitable to me, and
whose acts of kindness to me are so numerous? There is no
reason, therefore, why you should suppose that it arose from
forgetfulness of you, that my letter has not yet reached you ;
but there is a reason why you should make inquiry of master
Megander, who has neglected to forward it. You perceive, I
hope, that I am not at all to blame, excepting that I did not
write to you twice. I heartily congratulate you on the acces-
sion of a Httlc son, and one too, who was christened on the
day of his birth ; and I no less rejoice that the very ex-
cellent lady, your wife, is deUvered from this danger. We
are very anxious to know what Luther and his party are
doing about the eucharist. There is I know not what report
here, that the minds of the Bernese are somewhat inclined to
Bucer's opinions. Here, as far as we have been able to
judge hitherto, all things are properly set forth.
To yourself, all your children, your excellent wife, grand-
mother, and Rodolph, I wish all happiness and prosperity,
and true joy in Christ. Farewell, my very dear friend
master BuUinger, with all belonging to you.
[B. TRAHERON.]
LETTER CL.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Londok, Aug. 1, [1548].
What more delightful gratification could possibly be
afforded me, than to receive a letter from so great a distance,
from one who is on many accounts so dear to me, and whom,
by reason of his singular piety and erudition, I can never
sufficiently admire ? You have also, my excellent Bullinger,
anticipated me in deserving the commendation of courtesy :
but as there is perhaps no occasion for me to state the reason
320 BARTHOLOMEW TItAHERON TO II. 13LLLIXGER. [lET.
of my so long silence, nor indeed can I do so without much
pain, I shall let it pass, and express my tlianks to you for
your most agreeable letter, which has indeed cheered me
more than I am able to express. For I am thus led to con-
sider that the pure form of religion is now set forth among
you, and that your own exertions in this cause have been
such as to render the remembrance of you at all times most
delightful to mc.
As to our own affairs, and the extent to which we
have made progress in matters of religion, I do not think
you can be ignorant. You must know that all our country-
men, who are sincerely favourable to the restoration of
truth, entertain in all respects like opinions with you ; and
not only such as are placed at the summit of honour, but
those who are ranked in the number of men of learning. I
except the archbishop of Canterbury and Latimer, and a very
few learned men besides ; for from among the nobihty I know
not one whose opinions are otherwise than what they ought
to be. As to Canterbury, he conducts himself in such a way,
I know not how, as that the people do not think much of
him, and the nobility regard him as lukewarm. In other
respects he is a kind and good-natured man. As to Latimer,
though he does not clearly understand the true doctrine of
the eucharist, he is nevertheless more favourable than either
Luther or even Bucer. I am quite sure that he will never
be a hinderance to this cause. For, being a man of admirable
talent, he sees more clearly into the subject than the others,
and is desirous to come into our sentiments, but is slow to
decide, and cannot without much difficulty and even timidity
renounce an opinion which he has once imbibed. But there
is good hope that he will some time or other come over to
our side altogether. For he is so far from avoiding any of
our friends, that he rather seeks their company, and most
anxiously listens to them while discoursing upon this subject,
as one who is beyond measure desirous that the whole truth
may be laid open to him, and even that he may be thoroughly
convinced. But more upon this subject when I have more
time.
Salute, I pray you in my name, those excellent and
most learned men, masters Theodore Bibliander, the ornament
not only of Switzerland, but of all Germany; Gualtcr, and the
CL.] BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 321
rest, together with the most courteous mayor, my host, and
your amiable wife. Farewell. London, Aug. 1.
Yours,
BARTHO. TRAHERON.
I have not yet been able to see the young man whom
you commended to me, because I was absent from London
when he arrived. If I can be of service to him in any way,
I shall most readily exert myself for your sake. I hear that
he is now at Oxford. Again farewell.
LETTER CLL
BARTHOLOMEV^^ TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Sept. 28, [lo48J.
How greatly am I indebted to you, most excellent
Bullinger, who have thought proper not only to address me
in a most courteous letter, but to present me also with your
learned and pious lucubrations. I feel myself unable to ex-
press by words the pleasure which this your regard to me
has afforded. I should most gladly have addressed you by
letter long since, but such painful events have occurred among
us during this year, and altogether so unheard of, that I could
not apply my mind to write ; indeed, I scarcely wished to
live. I doubt not but that you will have heard the whole
history. All things, through the wonderful goodness of God,
seem now settled. The religion of Christ, which appeared to
be giving way, stands firm; and this we attribute solely to
the providence of God. We fear, however, lest Flanders
should occasion some disturbance. We have a king who is
firm, learned, and pious beyond his age. If there has ever
existed a Josiah since the first of that name, this is certainly
he. And do you also be pleased to implore our common
Father in your public prayers to preserve him to us in safety.
Believe me, my BulUnger, a more holy disposition has no
where existed in our time. He alone seems to sustain the
gospel by his incredible piety, most holy manners, prudence
altogether that of an old man, with a firmness at this age
altogether unheard of. So great a work of God ought not to
[ZURICH LETTERS, IILJ
322 BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
be unknown to the godly. But that you may add yet more
to the praises of God, you must know that Latimer^ has come
over to our opinion respecting the true doctrine of the eucha-
rist, together with the archbishop of Canterbury ^ and the
other bishops, who heretofore seemed to be Lutherans. Let
us implore God with our united prayers, to complete a work
so favourably begun; and may he long preserve you and
yours ! Salute very much my dear brethren masters PeUican,
Bibliander, and Gualter. Farewell. London, Sept. 28.
Yours,
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON.
LETTER CLII.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London^, Dec 31, 1548.
I CANNOT refrain, my excellent BulHnger, from acquaint-
ing you Avith circumstances that have lately given us the
greatest pleasure, that you and yom' fellow-ministers may
participate in our enjoyment. On the 14th of December, if
I mistake not, a disputation was held at London^ concerning
\} "It was but seven years before his burning that he relinquished
that old error," namely, his opmion for a corporal presence, "that is,
about the year 1547, as he confessed to Dr Weston." Strype, Cranm.
97.]
[2 See above, p. 13, n. 1. For a full account of Cranmer's sur-
render of the Lutheran tenets, see Jenkyns, Pref. to Cranmer, lxxvi.
LXXVII.]
[■'5 This seems to be the disputation mentioned in K. Edward's
journal, as given in Burnet, iv. 204. " A parliament was called, where
an uniform order of prayer was institute, before made by a number of
bishops and learned men gathered together in Windsor. There was
granted a subsidy, and there was a notable disputation of the Sacrament
ill the parliament house." This parliament sac Nov. 24th — March 15th.
It appears from the journals of both houses, that K. Edward's First
Litm-gy was read the first time in the Commons on Wednesday,
Dec. 19 (not 9, as Bm-net says, ii. 148), and in the Lords on the day
following. This disputation therefore was probably held to give in-
formation to parliament upon the subject to which it referred, and
to teach them how to deal with the new Book of Common Prayer
about to be placed before them by the committee of bishops.]
CLII.] BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 323
the eucharist, in the presence of almost all the nobihty of
England. The argument was sharply contested by the bishops.
The archbishop of Canterbury, contrary to general expectation,
most openly, firmly, and learnedly maintained your opinion
upon this subject. His arguments were as follows. The body
of Christ was taken up from us into heaven. Christ has left
the world. "Ye have the poor always with you, but me ye
have not always," &c. Next followed the bishop of Rochester ^
who handled the subject with so much eloquence, perspicuity,
erudition, and power, as to stop the mouth of that most
zealous papist, the bishop of Worcester^. The truth never
obtained a more brilliant victory among us. I perceive that
it is all over with Lutheranism, now that those who were
considered its principal and almost only supporters, have alto-
gether come over to our side. We are much indebted to the
Lord who provides for us also in this particular. I was un-
willing, my dear friend, to defraud you of so great a pleasure,
and which I pray God you may long enjoy. Cordially salute
master Bibliander and the other dear brethren. I heartily
wish every blessing to your wife and children. Farewell.
Dec. 31, 1548.
[Postscript, added by John ab Ulmis.]
Lo ! just as master Traheron was about to send his letter,
I happened to come into his room, and can do no otherwise
than send you this brief salutation ; for, owing to the great
impatience of the messenger, I am unable to write more. I
will tell you every thing in a few days. In haste. London.
The foolish bishops have made a marvellous recantation.
LETTER CLIIL
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Oxford, June 12, 1550.
How greatly am I indebted to you, most excellent Bul-
hnger, who not only condescend to greet me with a letter,
couched in the most friendly terms, but also to instruct me
by your very learned treatise ; while I, for my part, have
[■< Bp. Ridlov.] [-^ Bp. Heath.]
21—2
o24 BAUTIIOLOMEVV TRAHEUON TO HENRY liULLINGER. [lET.
nothing wherewith to repay you, but a heart much attached
to you, and which, bcUeve me, I shall retain such as long as
I live. And should any thing else at any time be in my
power, 1 will not forget how much I owe you. Do you
meanwhile continue to advance the christian religion by your
erudite Avritings ; you have all of us in this country favouring
and applauding you. If you desire to know the state of
our affairs, rehgion is indeed prospering, but the wickedness
of those who profess the gospel is wonderfully on the in-
crease. The people have made no disturbance this year, but
there is reason to fear, lest roused partly by their own unquiet
temper, and partly by the avarice of the higher orders, they
should occasion some confusion, unless the Lord himself
should think fit to avert it for the sake of our sovereign,
who is making wonderful progress in learning, piety, and
judgment. Be pleased to commend to God in your prayers
this prince of the greatest hope, who is even now a de-
fender of the christian religion almost to a miracle. For
unless God, offended by our sins, should take him away
from us before he is grown up to manhood, we doubt not
but that England will produce another Constantine, or a
character yet more excellent. I entreat you therefore, for
Christ's sake, that you supplicate for him every happiness.
For, although you are so far distant, even you may henco
derive some advantage. For he both loves you, and acknow-
ledges the religion of Christ to be exceedingly well established
among you, and would have it ever to remain sound and un-
impaired. Farewell, my most honoured brother. Oxford,
June 12, 1550.
Yours,
BARTHO. TRAHERON.
LETTER CLIV.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, Sept. 10, 1552.
You have conferred a great obhgation upon me, most
learned Bullinger, who have both dciffncd to address me in
CUV.] BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER. 325
your most delightful letter, and moreover to present me with
one of your productions. For nothing can proceed from you
but what is, and ever will be, most agreeable. It occasions
me, meanwhile, no shght vexation that my circumstances
have not hitherto permitted, and do not yet permit me, to
declare how much I both love you, and acknowledge myself
your debtor. But should my affairs ever take a better turn,
I will certainly endeavour to make you understand, that I
both regard your singular kindness as I ought to do, and that
I bear in mind the especial courtesy which you shewed me
at Zurich. But I am now compelled to ask of you a new
favour, even while I can find nothing wherewith to oblige you
in return. I am exceedingly desirous to know what vou and
the other very learned men, who live at Zurich, think respect-
ing the predestination and providence of God. If you ask
the reason, there are certain individuals here who lived
among you some time, and who assert that you lean too
much to Melancthon's views \ But the greater number
among us, of whom I own myself to be one, embrace the
opinion of John Calvin as being perspicuous, and most agree-
able to holy scripture. And we truly thank God, that that
excellent treatise of the very learned and excellent John
Calvin- against Pighius and one Georglus Siculus should
have come forth at the very time when the question began to
be agitated among us. For we confess that he has thrown
much light upon the subject, or rather so handled it, as
that we have never before seen any thing more learned or
more plain. We are anxious however, to know what are
your opinions, to which we justly allow much weight. We
certainly hope that you differ in no respect from his excellent
and most learned opinion. At least you will please to point
out what you approve in that treatise, or think defective, or
reject altogether, if indeed you do reject any part of it,
[1 For a statement of Melancthon's early doctrine, and subsequent
change of views on the subject of predestination, see Scott's Contin.
of Milner, ii. 191, 207, &c. See also two letters from Calvin to Me-
lancthon, dated Nov. 28, 1552, and Aug. 27, 1554, in Calv. Ep. Ed.
Genev. 1575, pp. 107, 133.]
[2 Calvin's Treatise, " De jEterna Dei Prsedestinatione," is here re-
ferred to. It is printed in the eighth volume of his works, Amsterdam,
1667, and in the dedication and commencement is express mention of
its being an answer to Albert Pighius and George Siculus.]
32(5 15AIITIK)L()MEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
Avhicli wc shall not easily believe. And now enough of this
subject. That worthy young man, John ab Ulmis, who is
recalled home by a letter from his family, will better inform
you of the situation of our affairs. Religion remains pure.
Our most excellent king is in the best health, and makes
daily progress in learning and piety. But, as I said, John
ab Ulmis will give you a far more full and able account
of these things. Farewell, my very dear sir, and love
me much. Respectfully salute in my name master mayor
my host, together with the other worthy and most learned
brethren. London, Sept. 10, 1552.
Yours heartily,
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON.
LETTER CLV.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at London, June 3, [1553].
I ACKNOWLEDGE, my excellent Bullinger, your especial
kindness, who for the sake of satisfying my earnest request
have thought it no trouble to write to me so fully and accu-
rately respecting the providence and predestination of God.
But though I admire both your exceeding learning and mode-
ration in this writing of yours, nevertheless, to say the truth,
I cannot altogether think as you do. For you so state
that God permits certain things, that you seem to take away
from him the power of acting. We say that God permits
many things, when he does not renew men by his Spirit, but
gives them up to the dominion of their own lusts. And
though God docs not himself create in us evil desires, which
are born with us; we maintain nevertheless, that he deter-
mines the place, the time, and mode [of bringing them into
action], so that nothing can happen otherwise than as he has
before determined that it should happen. For, as Augustine
has it, he ordains even darkness. To be brief, we ascribe all
actions to God, but leave to men whatever sin there is in
them ; which Augustine has, I think, stated in these words :
" To sin is in the power of men, but to produce this or that
cftcct by sinning belongs not to them, but to God, who ordains
CLV.] BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLTNGER. 327
darkness ^" Again, "God fulfils his own good purposes by the
evil purposes of evil men~." And to this belongs that saying,
that in some wonderful and ineffable manner that does not take
place without his will, which is done even against his will.
But I am actuig very indiscreetly in reminding you of
these things, to whom all the writings of Augustine are so
well known. You do not approve of Calvin, when he states
that God not only foresaw the fall of the first man, and in him
the ruin of his posterity, but that he also at his own pleasure
arranged it^. And unless we allow this, we shall certainly take
away both the providence and the wisdom of God altogether.
I do not indeed perceive how this sentence of Solomon contains
any thing less than this : " The Lord hath made all things
for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." [Pro v.
xvi. 4.] And that of Paul : " Of him, and through him, and
to him, are all things." [Rom. xi. 36.] I pass over other
expressions which the most learned Calvin employs, because
they occur every where in the holy scriptures. But I cannot
think it either foolish or dangerous to follow that mode of
speaking which the Holy Ghost useth. And did it not seem
superfluous, I would entreat you again and again, to beware
lest any disagreement be occasioned between you by reason
of these things. For it will retard the course of the gospel not
a little ; and unless I am altogether mistaken, you will not
be long able to support a cause that is tottering of itself.
If you will send your children hither, they shall be re-
garded by me as my beloved brothers. I have spoken with
ray dear friend master Cheke respecting Coelius Secundus,
[1 Est ergo in malorum potestate peccare : ut autem peccando hoc
vel hoc ilia malitia faciant, rion est in eorum potestate, secl Dei divi-
dentis tenebras et ordinantis eas. — August. Op. Par. 1679-1700. De
Prasdest. Sanct. cap. xvi. 33. Tom. X. cols. 811, 2.]
[2 Nam Deus quasdam voluntates suas, utique bonas, implet per
malorum hominum voluntates malas. — Id. Enchir. de Fid. Spe ct
Carit. cap. ci. 26. Tom. VI. col. 234.]
[3 See Calvin. Instit. iii. xxiii. § 7. In Bullinger's reply to the
preceding letter, which is much too long for insertion, after quoting
the above passage, he says : " Ego certe sic loqui non ausim, utpote qui
oxistimem gratise sinceritatem defendi posse, utcunque non dicamus
Peum homines crearc in exitium, et in ilium finem ipsos deducere aut
impellere indm-ando et excoecando." He adds, " Quis autem inficias
ierit, Calvinum magnis a Deo ornatum esse muneribus ?"]
328 BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO HENRY BULLIXGER. [lET.
■svlio lias, I think, informed you by letter either what he has
done or is about to do. Farewell, very dear Bullinger, and
salute all the brethren in my name, especially my most
worthy host the mayor, master Gualter, my countryman
master Butler, &c. Once more farewell. London, June 3,
1553.
Your most loving
BARTHOL. TRAHERON.
LETTER CLVI.
BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON TO JOHN CALVIN.
AV^ithout place or date.
I AM now learning by experience, most accomphshed
Calvin, that whatever men may have proposed or determined,
nevertheless every event is dependent upon the will of God ;
and that it often happens, that what we have purposed to do
immediately, is accomplished either not at all, or after a long
interval. For whereas 1 had fully resolved in my mind soon
to visit you, it has now so happened that I really cannot tell
when I shall be able to do so. For I have received a letter
from home of such a nature, that I must go to England forth-
with, whether I like it or not. I know not whether any event
more painful could have occurred to me, certainly none more
disagreeable ; for I was desirous of passing at least a year
with you, as with one whose society appeared to me most
delightful and profitable. But, as I perceive, I must follow
where fortune leads me. I pray you therefore, that, though
we are far separated in person, we may yet be united in
spirit. For you have deserved of me far otherwise than to
make it possible for me ever to forget you ; and I can no
otherwise repay your favours to me than by the faithful re-
membrance of our friendship, which I shall most dihgently
and everlastingly retain. As to the rest, with respect to the
ten crowns I placed in your hands, I would not ask for them,
were I not afraid of wanting money for my journey. But
take care that you do not put yourself to any inconvenience.
Salute for me the worthy master Farell, with all our other
friends by name. Farewell, my dear friend, long and happily!
[BARTHOLOMEW TRAHERON.]
CLVII.] PETER ALEXANDER TO PAUL FAGIUS. 329
LETTER CLVir.
PETER ALEXANDER TO PAUL FAGIUS.
Dated at Lambeth, March 24, 1549.
That I have not yet written to you, my dear friend,
you must attribute to no other cause but that I considered
the letter which I wrote to that illustrious man, master Bucer,
as intended also for yourself. But now, since I am commis-
sioned by the most reverend the archbishop to address you
in his name, I cannot forbear sending you at least a short
letter, to inform you of his exceeding good-will and most
favourable inclination towards you and your affairs. That I
may not, therefore, detain you by any longer preamble, you
must learn in few words the friendly feeling of our most
reverend [archbishop], and his singular anxiety for the ad-
vancement of all the ministers of Christ. This excellent
personage, who is the principal instrument in replacing the
church of Christ in this kingdom, and restoring it to its
purity, has been informed of your having been dismissed by
the senate of your city^; and as, from his great anxiety for
all godly ministers of the churches, he has taken a very
lively interest in you and your affairs, he said it would be a
very grievous thing both to you and your family, to be so
unexpectedly deprived of a regular means of subsistence. And
since these churches of ours are in great want of learned
men, and as he supposes that you will not any longer be
able to obtain an honourable livelihood in your own country,
he desires to see you in this kingdom as soon as possible,
and has commissioned me to invite you by this my letter in
his name. I pray you, therefore, to come as soon as you
possibly can, and cheer the most reverend archbishop, your
attached friend, by your very early arrival. There is no
doubt, excellent sir, of your obtaining some honourable situa-
tion in this country ; for I know for certain that you will
be appointed to a most distinguished office m the university,
\} The original of this letter is preserved in the archives of St
Thomas at Strasburgh. The letter of Alexander to Bucer of the same
date and to the same effect is printed in Buceri Scripta Anglicana.]
[2 Both Fagius and Bucer were forced to leave Germany, upon the
business of the Interim. See Burnet ii. 140, Strype, Cranm. 281.]
330 PETER ALEXANDER TO PAUL FAGIUS. [lET.
cither at Oxford or Cambridge, where you will derive a
greater salary from your lectures than you ever received in
your own country from your most important duties as a
preacher. Do not therefore, I pray you, any longer put off
your journey, but come over to us immediately. AVc have
here the most reverend the lord archbishop of Canterbury,
the most faithful son of the church, together with the most
illustrious prince the lord protector, who, like another Joseph,
next in rank to the king, is able to accomplish whatever he
will, if only for the sake of Christ and the advancement of
his glory. And this he does most admirably, for he is in no
wise wanting in his exertions and endeavours for the church
of Christ and its faithful members in this kingdom ; as what-
ever we see likely to turn out to the praise of God, and the
advantage of the church, he endeavours with all the powers
of his mind to effect as speedily as possible. There is, more-
over, that aged bishop master Latimer \ who is most desirous
of seeing you both, and who, since he has no Httle influence
with the king, offers you his assistance in every possible way.
Come over, therefore, sir, without delay -. Salute your wife
in my name, together with your [daughter] Charity. Fare-
well. Dated at Lambeth, March 24, 1549.
Yours, and your host that is to be,
PETER ALEXANDER.
[^ Bishop Latimer was probably at this time nearly seventy years
of age. He had for some time taken up his residence at Lambeth with
his friend arclibishop Cranmer, and refused to dispossess Heath, who
had succeeded him in the see of Worcester, which he had resigned in
consequence of the " six articles' act." See his sermons, Parker So-
cictj^'s Edition, p. 127.]
[2 Bucer and Fagius arrived safely in England in the end of April,
and abode with the archbishop above a quarter of a year, until to-
wards the end of the long vacation, the archbishop intending they
should be at Cambridge, when the term should begin, Bucer being no-
minated professor of divinity, and Fagius of Hebrew. Strype, Cranm.
281. Soames, Hist. Rcf. III. 499.]
CLVIII.] PAUL FAGIUS TO JOHN ULSTETTEK. 331
LETTER CLVIII.
PAUL FAGIUS TO JOHN ULSTETTER.
Dated at Calais, April 18, 1549.
I GREET you mncli, my beloved son-in-law. Master
Bucer and I quitted Strasburgh on the sixth of April, and
having passed through Lorraine, Champagne, Picardy, Flan-
ders and Artois, we arrived at Calais, the frontier city of
England, without any difficulty whatever, on the eighteenth of
the same month. We were no where better accommodated
than in the dominions of the emperor, from whom we were
only distant two days' journey. We were most kindly re-
ceived at Calais by the city authorities, all of whom were
most anxiously expecting us : we found also master Peter
Alexander, who had been sent thither by the archbishop to
await our arrival. Most desirable appointments are in store
for us : only may the Lord enable us to accomplish somewhat
that may tend to his glory, and the edification of his church,
and then all will be well. Do you also, with your wife, my
very dear daughter, render hearty thanks to the Lord for
having with such fatherly care conducted us through all
our enemies ; and who we doubt not will mercifully protect
us for the time to come. We shall have to remain at Calais
for one or two days on account of the high winds. When
we have crossed the sea, with Christ our guide, and have
arrived in England, I will endeavour to acquaint you with
my affairs at the earliest opportunity. Do you also endea-
vour to let me know, as soon as possible, the situation of your
own affairs. Send your letter to Strasburgh to master Conrad
Hubert, who will always be able to forward it to me without
any difficulty. My son Paul"' is at Canterbury, and, as mas-
ter Peter tells me, in good health. I hope to see him on
Easter Monday, if not before. Fare you well and happily,
my very dear son-in-law*, with your spouse, my very dear
daughter ; and salute for me most dutifully all my brethren,
especially Erbius and Scriba. In haste, from Calais, April
18, 1549. I hope also my son Timothy is in good health :
[3 See above, Letter XX. p. 32.]
[■* John Ulstetter married Fagius's daughter Sarah, Nov. 11, 1547.]
332 PAUL FAGIUS TO JOHN ULSTETTER. [lET.
if lie continues to improve his morals, as you have led me to
hope, he will in future be not less dear to me than heretofore.
Be sure and let me see his letter by the first courier.
Your father-in-law,
PAUL FAGIUS, the elder.
LETTER CLIX.
PAUL FAGIUS TO JOHN ULSTETTER.
Dated at the Palace, Lambeth, April 26, 1549.
Much health, my dearest son-in-law. I doubt not but
that you are very anxious to learn how and when we arrived
in England. You must know therefore, that on the eighteenth
of April, under God's guidance, we happily reached Calais
the frontier sea-port of England, where we were obliged to
remain till the twenty-third of the same month owing to the
roughness of the sea. On that day we crossed the channel,
and reached London on the twenty-fifth. We thence proceeded
by water to Lambeth, the palace of the archbishop of Canter-
bury, who received us with the greatest kindness. He wishes
to send me to the university of Oxford, over which master
Peter Martyr presides, for it is the most celebrated ; and
master Bucer to Cambridge. But we are urgent with his
grace not to separate us, but to allow us to remain together
for some time, which will be a great comfort to us both. We
are however, still ignorant of our destination; for every thing
is done by the king's order. May the Lord grant that,
wherever we may be, we may approve ourselves unto him ;
which I request you to implore with us from him by fervent
prayer. I cannot at present give you any certain information
about English affairs. This however we have observed, that
the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are very few. Let
us therefore entreat the Lord to send forth suitable labourers.
We found my son Paul at Canterbury in good health. He
has become well acquainted with the English language, and
has a tolerable understanding of French ; so that he now acts
as my interpreter. He has so conducted himself, as to gain
CLIX.] PAUL FAGIUS TO JOHN ULSTETTER, 333
the favourable opinion of all good and learned men, which
has cheered me exceedingly. We are still remaining with the
archbishop at Lambeth, in daily expectation of being sent to
the post assigned us. I request you again and again to
acquaint me with the state of your affairs. I hope we may
shortly meet. Farewell, together with my very dear pledges,
Sarah and Timothy. Salute all my brother-ministers most
dutifully from me, especially masters Erbius and Scriba. In
haste, from Lambeth, the palace of the archbishop, April 28,
in the year of salvation 1549.
Your father-in-law,
PAUL FAGIUS, the elder.
Master Bucer, with Negelin^ and my son Paul desire
their dutiful respects.
LETTER CLX.
PAUL FAGIUS TO CONRAD HUBERT.
Dated at Croydon, May 7, 1549.
May the only-begotten Son of God preserve you, your
wife, and all your family unto life eternal, my very dear
brother in the Lord ! You will abundantly learn the present
state of our affairs both from the letter of master Bucer, and
the one I wrote to my wife, which I am very anxious for you
to read. On the first of May we removed from Lambeth to
Croydon, where the archbishop generally passes the summer.
On the fifth of the same month we were taken to court, where
access to the king's majesty was granted us immediately after
dinner. I cannot express with what kindness we were re-
ceived by him, as well as by the lord protector, and others of
the nobility, and how he congratulated us upon our arrival.
This, indeed, exhilarated us beyond measure. Though he is
still very young, and very handsome, he gives for his ao-e
\} Matthew Negelin, afterwards a minister of Strasburgh, accom-
panied Bucer and Fagius into England, and was then with them at the
archbishop's house at Lambeth. See Strype, Cranmer, 279.]
334 PAIL FAGirS TO CONRAD HUBERT. [lET.
such wonderful proofs of his piety, as that the whole kingdom
and all godly persons entertain the greatest hopes of him.
May our good and gracious God preserve him in safety many
years, that he may be able to govern his kingdom long and
happily, and at the same time to advance in various ways the
kingdom of Christ, which we ought all of us to entreat for
him from God with fervent prayers. We hoped that we
should very soon have gone to Cambridge, but the plan is
altered. For it seemed good to his majesty, the lord protector,
and the archbishop, that we should translate the holy scrip-
tures^ from the original sources into Latin, with some brief
explanations of the difficult passages in each chapter, and the
addition of summaries and parallel places. All of which they
wish afterwards to be translated into Enghsh, for the use of
the preachers and people. It is certainly a work of much
labour ; may God grant us strength !
These things, my excellent brother, I wish briefly to
acquaint you with : I pray you communicate them to my wife.
Every thing else you will learn, from other letters. Farewell,
with all your household, and all our brethren in the ministry,
especially masters Marbach, Lenglin, Christopher, Martin, and
Udalric, and also master Andernach, together with their dear
wives. In haste, from the archbishop's house at Croydon,
May 7, 1549.
Yours wholly,
PAUL FAGIUS, the elder.
LETTER CLXI.
BERNARDINE OCHINUS- TO WOLFGANG MUSCULUS.
Dated at London, Jnhj 17, 1548.
Greeting. A letter has been brought me from Augsburg,
in which are contained sad tidings respecting the state of the
[1 Fagius was to have taken the old testament, and Bucer the
new, for their several parts. But theh' death put an end to the
design.]
[2 See first Series, Letter XXIV. p. 58. For a further account of
him sec Mosheim, Eccles. Hist. cent. xvi. Part ii. cliap. ii. vj 42.]
CLXI.] BERNARDINE OCHINUS TO WOLFGANG MUSCULUS. 335
church and commonwealth. For I am informed that the
impious doctrine set forth by the emperor Charles has been
received in many cities of Germany, some of whom influenced
by fear, and others by foul superstition, had not courage to
resist the ungodly edict. And, indeed, this most heavy
chastisement from God, Avhich leads men's minds into a denial
of the truth, and into extreme destruction, is much more
hurtful and calamitous than an internal and civil war could
be to their bodies. But among the other states which have
arrived at this wretchedness, is mentioned that of Augsburg^,
which, impelled by the menaces of the emperor, is forced to
receive that abominable Interim*. They write too respecting
yourself, that as you were unable to maintain with integrity
and fidelity the office to which you had been called, you had
abandoned the city^, and sought refuge in a place of greater
security. When therefore I made mention of your virtue
and learning, and present misfortunes, to the most reverend
the archbishop of Canterbury, he replied, that if you thought
fit to come over into this country, he would provide you with
some honourable means of subsistence. I considered that I
owed this service to our long friendship ; and I recommend
and exhort you, by my love for you, not to despise the voca-
tion oifered you, in which you will probably be employed with
much greater usefulness than, under existing circumstances,
in any part of Germany. Farewell. I could not but com-
mend you to him, and point out of what great use you would
be, if you would come hither ; and he said that he would
provide for you and for your family. London, July 17, 1548.
BERNARDINE OCHINUS.
P In Augsburg the emperor disjilaced the magistrates, substituting
for them creatures of his own, eacli of whom was sworn to observe
the Interim. See Sleidan, 469, 470.]
[^ Interimendum illud Interim. Orig.]
[5 Wolfgang Musculus was minister of the churcli of Augsbm'g
till 1548, when, on the entry of Charles V. into the city, and the
consequent re-establishment of popery, he retired to Berne, where he
was elected professor of divinity, and where he died in 1563.]
336 BERNARDINE OCHINUS TO WOLFGANG MUSCULUS. [lET.
LETTER CLXII.
BERNARDLNE OCHINUS TO WOLFGANG MUSCULUS.
Dated at London, Dec. '2'i, 1548.
Greeting. I gave your letter to the most reverend the
archbishop of Canterbury, having read Avhich, he declared
himself exceedingly desirous that you should come hither :
he said moreover, that there was but little hope of Upper
Germany, and repeated his promise of providing every thing
necessary for yourself and family. He has commissioned a
certain merchant, by name Richard Hilles, to supply you by
his order with the money required for your journey, in case
you should come. You will receive, I think, the letter of this
merchant together with mine. I will add, that there are in
London more than five thousand Germans, to whom you may
preach and administer the sacraments ; and if you wish to
lecture at Cambridge, you will be able to do so. All things,
I hope, will be reformed. I have now done my part ; may
Christ direct you ! My wife and daughter are well, and salute
you with your wife and children. Farewell, and remember
me in Christ. London, Dec. 23, 1548.
BERNARDINE OCHINUS.
LETTER CLXIIL
WOLFGANG MUSCULUS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Berne, March 12, 1549.
(extract.)
Bernardine (Ochinus) is inviting me to England by
his letters, two of which I have now received dated on the
23rd and 31st December, to this effect : "I have shewn your
letter to the most reverend the archbishop of Canterbury,
which when he had read, he most decidedly manifested his
great desire that you should come to England, and he again
confirmed what he had before promised. But as you wrote
CLXIII.] WOLFGANG MUSCULUS TO HENRY BULLINGER. 337
that you had still some expectation in - Germany, he imme-
diately subjoined that such hopes were of a very slender
nature ; but that as you stated that you had a large family,
and feared the expense would be greater than you could
afford, he had been speaking to a certain merchant to supply
you with every necessary. He will send, I think, a hundred
crowns for your journey. Now if you require my sincere
opinion, I recommend and exhort you to come. A lectureship
will be provided for you at Cambridge ; and should not that
situation meet your wishes, you might preach publicly in
London, where a numerous auditory would not be wanting.
For there are more than five thousand Germans^ here, to whom
you would doubtless be most acceptable. I am therefore very
desirous that, if you can do so without great inconvenience,
you should come over as soon as possible. I have nothing
more to write about the archbishop, except that he is daily
becoming more favourable to evangehcal truth. And though
some reports of a contrary character have hitherto prevailed
respecting him, he is now really shewing himself to be a most
godly person, and that he has nothing more at heart than
that Christ should flourish and be triumphant. We arc there-
fore upon the most harmonious and friendly terms."
Thus far he. As to myself, I have no thoughts of this
invitation, unless (as I before wrote to Bernardino) there should
not be afforded me an opportunity of serving Christ in Ger-
many. I am however very much pleased that the pure form
of Christianity is daily more and more prevailing in that
kingdom, which will doubtless receive many exiles flying
thither for refuge. Wherefore we must unceasingly pray God
to put an end at length to that perilous war with Scotland,
whence evils of no ordinary kind may arise to that kingdom,
unless the mercy of God avert them. Farewell, most illus-
trious sir. Berne, March 12, 1549.
Yours in the Lord,
W. MUSCULUS.
[1 The king's letters patent to John a Lasco and the German con-
gregation are given in Burnet, iv. 308. They are dated July 24, 1550.
Among the ministers is mentioned Ricardus Gallus, of wliom see be-
low, p. 339. n. 1.]
22
[ZURICH LETTERS. HL]
338 PETER OF PERUGIA TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CLXIV.
PETER OF PERUGIA^ TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Cambridge, Feb. 10, 1550.
Greeting. Although I am personally unknown to you,
most learned and accomplished Bullinger, this circumstance
need not prevent me from addressing you with every feeling
of affection and respect, and desiring to gratify you to the
utmost of my power. For I am not so ignorant as not to
perceive the extent of those obligations which all those who,
hke myself, embrace the pure doctrines of the gospel, owe to
you and others of the like character, by reason of those
admirable exertions and services by which you have again
purified the church of Christ itself, which had been miserably
defiled by antichrist. I pray you therefore, most godly
Bullinger, to assure yourself of every service from me which
a grateful pupil can render to his instructor, and which I
would desire to prove to you rather from the active per-
formance of them than from a mere verbal declaration.
The state of England is at this time entirely tranquil,
compared with what it was during the last year. The duke
of Somerset, who had been the king's governor, and who was
so ignominiously committed to the Tower of London, is now
at length delivered by the divine blessing, and most honour-
ably set at hberty. And although he is deprived of his former
office, he will nevertheless be able to live with honour and
magnificence upon the revenues that they have left liim. You
see therefore the wonderful mercy of God towards his elect :
for from the beginning it was the general opinion that he
would suffer death ; but it has turned out far otherwise. The
gospel in this country is rather extending itself more widely
than suffering any change. Masters Bucer, Bcrnardine, and
Peter Martyr, are most actively labouring in their ministry,
and are indeed most useful.
\} Pietro Bizarro of Perugia is mentioned in a letter of Languet
to Sir Philip Sidney, with high commendations of his eloquence, and
remarks on the want of wisdom in the English in not "earning the
good- will of such a man." See the Correspondence of Sidney and
Languet, collected by Rev. Stouart A. Pears, p. 2. He was entertained
•livers years with the earl of Bedford; and expecting preferment here,
failing of it, he departed and lived abroad. Strype, Ann. ni. i. 660.]
CLXIV.] PETER OF PERUGIA TO HENRY BULLINGER. 339
We have great hopes of a peace with France, although we
do not yet know upon what terms it will be effected. May our
most gracious God grant that all things may turn out happily :
and I earnestly pray him long to preserve yourself, together
with masters PeUican, Bibliander, Gualter, Vergerius, and the
whole church, to the glory of his name. Master Bucer, who
is now at the university of Cambridge, where he is lecturing
with the greatest eloquence and godliness upon Paul's Epistle
to the Ephesians, most affectionately salutes you and your
church. Cambridge, February 10, 1550.
Your most attached and devoted,
PETER of Perugia,
an exile from Italy, his native country, by reason of
his confession of the doctrine of the gospel.
LETTER CLXV.
THOMAS NORTON TO JOHN CALVIN.
Dated at London, Nov. 13, 1552.
Having understood from your letter to master Plchard^
the preacher of the word here in the French church, that
you were desirous to know what had become of the children
of my late master, the duke of Somerset, the consideration of
your kindness affected me with exceeding delight and satis-
faction ; and I seemed to recognise the kindly feeling of an
excellent and truly christian pastor, who do not account as
unworthy of your remembrance and regard, in their present
fallen state, those individuals who have been cast down from
the pinnacle of prosperity on which they had formerly been
placed. Wherefore, although it may hardly seem to be within
my province to answer for another, yet induced by the re-
quest of master Richard, partly because no one can give you
[2 A memorandum written about the end of the 16th century,
speaks of Richard Vauville as "a man sound and perfect in christian
piety," the minister of a church at London, in wliich "French was
spoken," on the authority of the preface of a work written by Poulain,
printed in 1552. See Burns, Hist, of Foreign Protestant Refugees,
Lond. 1846, p. 24. Beza says, " Vauville est mort, ministre en I'eglise
rran9oise de Frankfort, apres la dissipation d'Angleterre, ou il avoit
long temps servi heureusement." Hist. Eccles. Anvers, 1580, i. 67. He
also bore the name of Richard Fran9ois.]
oo 2
340 THOMAS NORTON TO JOHN CALVIN. [lET.
more certain information upon this subject than myself, who
am still attached to them, and partly because, from your most
courteous reply to my last, I perceive that a letter of mine
■will not be unacceptable to you, I have thought fit to acquaint
you in writing with their present circumstances. After God
had taken away from us the duke himself by the hand of the
executioner, because, alarmed for his own life, he was reported
to have plotted the destruction of certain others of the royal
council; it was enacted in the collective assembly of the realm,
(which from a French word wc call a parliament, from the
freedom of speech there allowed,) that himself and his sons
by Anne^ his wife, who cannot be unknown to you, though
you have never seen her, and whom he married upon the
decease of his former wife Catharine ^ should be deprived of
the dukedom, earldom, and barony, as it is called, and also of
any other titles of honour bestowed by reason of services
rendered to the state ; and that they should be reduced to
the lowest rank of nobility. With respect to their main-
tenance, the following provision was made. The eldest
daughter Anne^, with whom you have corresponded, has been
married nearly three years to the earl of Warwick, son and
heir of the duke of Northumberland, and is happily and
honourably settled. The other four, Margaret*, Jane, Maria,
and Catharine, are unmarried, and committed by the council
to the care of their aunt^ the widow of the lord Cromwell, to
whom four hundred marks are yearly paid by the king for
[1 The duke of Somerset married for his second wife, Anne,
daughter of sir Edward Stanhope of Sudbury, co. Suflfolk. She died
in 1587, aged 90.]
[2 This lady was daughter and coheir of sir "William Fillol.]
[3 This lady was afterwards married to sir Edward Ampton, knight
of the bath. Strype, Mem. ii. ii. 8.]
[■* Margaret was sought in marriage by the lord Strange in 1551,
and with the approval of the king. But that match did not take
effect, and she died unmarried, as did her sisters Catharine and Jane,
the latter of whom it was said the duke secretly endeavoured to
match with the king. Sti-j'pe, as above.]
[•'» Elizabeth, second daughter of sir John Seymour, and sister of
queen Jane Seymom* and the duke of Somerset, married successively
sir Anthony Oughtred, and Gregory, lord Cromwell, son of the carl of
Essex. He died in 1551. His widow was originally to receive 300
marks, or £50. for each of these four ladies per annum, which salary
was, November 1, increased to 100 marks a year apiece. Strype,
Mom. n. ii. "•]
CLXV.] THOMAS NORTON TO JOHN CALVIN. 341
their maintenance, according to the act of parhament. Each
mark is worth thirteen shillings and fourpence. The youngest
daughter, EUzabeth, who is now in her second year, is with
her aunt Smith**, who lost her husband about four months
since, and to whom in like manner a hundred marks are
yearly assigned for her support. To Edward'', his son and
heir, thirteen years old, and as it were the living image of
his father, out of the estates which yielded annually to his
father [ ] ^ thousand pounds of our money, each of
which is equivalent to four golden crowns, as they call them,
there is reserved, by the same act of parliament, about two
thousand four hundred pounds, more or less. The surplus,
with all the personalty, was paid, as is wont, into the exche-
quer. He, with his two brothers, Henry and Edward^, the
latter five years old, and the other twelve, is with the lord
treasurer of England. They are wards of the king, to whom,
so long as they are under age, belongs the guardianship of
noble orphans, and also the use, enjoyment, and management
of their estates. They are liberally educated, and have no
other attendants or governors but those to whom they were
entrusted by their father in his life-time. Phihp Gilgate, a
worthy gentleman, is their governor, and I retain my old
office of instructing them. But you may perhaps feel uncom-
fortable at their residing in the house of that individual, the
marquis of Winchester^**, of whose rehgion you may have been
[*5 Dorothy, youngest daughter of the above sir John Seymour,
married sir Clement Smith, knight, a gentleman of Essex, who died
August 26, 1552. In February, 1552, there was a warrant to the
exchequer to pay this lady an annuity of 100 marks towards the
finding the lady Elizabeth during her abode with her. This Elizabeth
afterwards married sir Richard Knightly of Fawsley, and died in 1602.]
[7 A patent was gi-anted in the fifth and sixth years of Edw. VI.,
to the duke's eldest son, to be restored to as many of the lands as
were his mother's, and sold away by the duke without her consent ; and
that this should be made good to him out of the lands that the heirs
begotten of the body of the lady Anne, his second wife, should have.
Strype, Mem. ii. i. 543.]
[s Fere millia, MS. Probably a mistake of the copyist for decern.]
[9 Edward, the duke's eldest son by his second marriage, having
been dispossessed of all his titles by act of parliament, as above re-
lated, continued without estate or title, until created by queen Eliza-
beth, before her coronation, baron Beauchamp, and earl of Hertford.
He died in 1621.]
[1** See his character in Stiype, Mem. in. i. 141.]
342 THOMAS NORTON TO JOHN CALVIN. [lET.
led, from the reports of others, to entertain a doubt. This
doubt, however, I am able to remove. As far as I can per-
ceive, he is a -worthy and rehgious man, nor do I see in what
respect he differs from us : so that, even supposing he were
to think differently, which I do not believe to bo the case,
yet as he docs not draw us aside, but even goes before us in
rehgion by his own example, there is no danger ; and still
less so, because their minds arc both strengthened by education,
and fortified against popery by the presence of us who reside
with them. Their mother^ still remains in the prison, which
we call the Tower of London. As she is guarded there with
great care, we are ignorant as to what she is doing, or for
what offence she is suffering. We hope, however, that she
will shortly be set at liberty, because some parties are of
opinion that she was not imprisoned for having committed a
crime, but to prevent her from committing one ; so that when
they perceive that the government has no cause for alarm,
they will doubtless restore her to her friends. I now think
that 1 have satisfied your inquiries. Wherefore, if I can
only obtain this from you, that you will gratify me by
writing again, I will cease to give you any further trouble.
Farewell. London, Nov. 13.
Your much attached,
THOMAS NORTON.
LETTER CLXVI.
HIEROME MASSARIUS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Basle, Dec. 21, 1553.
I WAS lately at Strasburgh, where I saw and spoke to
your son : I incjuired after his health, and what company he
kept. He frequently visits master Zanchy, from whom I
had an excellent account of the youth ; and when I took my
leave, I told him that I was about to go to Zurich, and that
I would convey thither any letters he might have to send.
[1 The duchess of Somei*set remained in the Tower during the
•whole of king Edward's reign. In 1553, £100. was assigned her out
of the profits of the late duke's lands, to bo paid to the lieutenant of
the Tower for lier use. And bishop Ilopcr, formerly the duke's cliap-
lain, was allowed to visit her. Strype, Mom. ii. ii. 8.]
CLXVI.] HIEROME MASSARIUS TO HENRY BULLINGER. 343
He gave me the inclosed, and at the same time requested me,
should I meet with a courier at Basle, to forward them by
him, as I told him that I intended to go to Berne previously
to my visiting Zurich. I therefore send them, I shall leave
this place for Berne in about four days, and after staying
there two or three days, I shall proceed straight to Zurich,
that I may enjoy the delightful society of you all for some
little time. But enough of this. Masters Peter Martyr and
Zanchy affectionately salute you.
There is no good news from England. We have heard
by letter that the most godly archbishop of Canterbury is
condemned, first of all to be hung, and then quartered as a
traitor^ to the queen"'s majesty. All the sons of the duke of
Northumberland have also been condemned, and those too of
the duke of Suffolk, together with that same Jane who was
proclaimed queen; but whether any of them have yet suffered,
we do not certainly know. The day before I left Strasburgh,
all the baggage of Peter Martyr arrived there by the favour of
God, and I hope that he will again obtain a most honourable
appointment from the magistrates. He had hired a house,
which he was daily supplying with various furniture, in
expectation of the aid and calhng of the Lord. Pubhc
prayers have been had every day for the English church;
and it is ascertained that queen Mary^, the sister of the em-
peror, is on her way to Calais, whither also that most ungodly
Jezebel of England is about to come. It is the general as-
sertion that a marriage has taken place between the king of
Spain and Jezebel ; and though this was not allowed by the
papal laws, it is said that the pope has consented to it upon
this condition, that he himself be again recognised as the
supreme head of the church in England. We must therefore
use diligent prayer on behalf of that miserable and almost
ruined church. Farewell, and love me, and salute, I pray you,
master Gualter in my name. Basle, December 21, 1553.
Yours heartily,
HIEROME MASSARIUS.
[2 Abp. Cranraer pleaded guilty of high treason on Nov. 13, 1553.
The queen, however, pardoned his treason that he might be burned as
a heretic, which he was adjudged to be on the 3rd of May following.
See Strype, Cranmer, 458. Bui-net, iii. 341. Soames, iv. 91.]
[3 Queen Mary was the widow of Lewis II., king ot Hungary.
She was appointed regent of the Low Countries, and died in 1558.]
344 JOHN BYRCHMAN TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
LETTER CLXVII.
JOHN BYRCHMAN TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated Dec. 10, 1549.
Most accomplished master BuUinger, I have received
your letter which was very gratifying to me : I should have
answered it by my corrector [of the press] whom I sent to
master Froschover, if I had received it sooner. If master
Froschover needed any exhortation, I could wish for your
assistance in printing the English bible : my good friends in
England are very importunate, and desirous of its completion.
For the emperor had strongly urged upon the English am-
bassadors the settling a form of religion agreeable to the
Interimistic doctrine. But upon due consideration they con-
firmed by public decrees throughout the kingdom the form
established by master Bucer. He had been attacked with
very severe illness, but is now recovered, and in the enjoy-
ment of great authority and estimation among the people of
London. I have not heard any thing of the Pole, Florian.
The maritime cities are urgent with those of Hamburgh,
Lubeck, and Luneburgh, respecting an accommodation with
the cities of Bremen and Magdeburgh ; but nothing will be
done, unless they come to an agreement about rehgion. If
your reverence has any thing to tell me about the newly
elected pope\ do not refuse me the information. All persons
here seem to be in doubt about him. The emperor has
changed his intention, and means to celebrate his birthday at
Brussels. He is preparing for a journey into Italy. We
are expecting your letter to our archbishop, and also your
book, and that of Calvin. Peter Martyr has pubhshed in
forty-three pages his disputation^ concerning the sacrament
of the eucharist, held at the university of Oxford in England.
I would have sent it, had I a messenger who was goinir to
Basle. I have given this letter to master Froschover, that he
\} Namely, pope Julius IH., who was elected Feb. 7, 1550. His
predecessor, Paul IH., died Nov. 10, 1549.]
[2 Foi- an account of this disputation sec Foxc, vi. 298. Strype,
Cranmcr, 283.]
CLXVII,] JOHN BYRCHMAN TO HENRY BULLINGER. 345
may arrange the finishing of the bible as soon as possible.
Salute all our friends.
Yours heartily,
JO. BYRCHMAN.
LETTER CLXVIII.
WILLIAM SALKYNS^ TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Nov. 26, [1554.]
Having met with so opportune a messenger, most reve-
rend father, to whom I might very conveniently entrust a
letter for your reverence, I cannot by any means neglect so
favourable an occasion of writing ; but will Avrite by him ac-
cording to my capacity, and detain your prudence, for the
time you are reading this, from those matters of far greater
importance, in which you are always occupied. And herein
I must pray you to excuse my freedom ; for I can neither
consign to oblivion the extreme kindness with which you en-
tertained me when I was at Zurich, nor anywise refrain from
speaking about my master in whose service I now am. The
former topic indeed demands a grateful recollection and re-
membrance, which I hope never to lay aside. And of the
latter my duty requu-es me to say somewhat at this time, and
to endeavour now to obtain from your piety, by letter, what I
could not so readily accomplish in words when I was with you.
For your telUng me that from the long intimacy that formerly
existed between you and my master, Richard Hilles, you felt
inchned to write to him, has very often come into my mind
since I left you. For I thus thought with myself : if master
BulUnger, who has so much influence, and is so famous for
learning, would insert in the letter, which he intends to write
to my master, a few words upon fleeing from the abomination
of the mass, (by the frequenting of which in England my
master is now placing his soul in jeopardy*,) the result would
[3 William Salkyns was the servant of Richard Hilles.]
[■* It is a cui-ious circumstance that Richard Hilles brings precisely
the same charge against one of his servants, above, p. 218.]
346 WILLIAM SALKYNS TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
be, that either convinced by his argument, or moved by ancient
friendship, (which I know has very great weight with him,)
he will yield to his exhortation above all others, and consider
how he can flee away from such abominable idolatry. I
tliouglit too, that your piety would perhaps effect this object
without any hint from myself; but on account of my duty and
obligation to my master, the love I bear him, and the great
anxiety I shall labour under, until I see him extricated and
delivered from these defilements, I could not but especially
bear the matter in mind, and now, most reverend sir, recall
it to your remembrance. To which end I implore and entreat
you by Almighty God, that when you write to him, you will
not forget this ; and I would wish you so to write, that no
suspicion may fall upon myself as having persuaded you to
do so. But when you have finished what you have to say, I
will take care that the letter shall be safely conveyed to him
with all diligence. Farewell. May the great and gracious
God long preserve your piety to his glory and the good of
his church ! Strasburgh. From the house of Peter Martyr,
Nov. 26, [1554.]
Your most devoted,
WILLIAM SALKYNS,
Servant of master Eichard Hilles.
LETTER CLXIX.
WILLIAM SALKYNS TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, Dec. 29, 1554.
Your two letters, reverend father, written both to my
master and to myself, I received, as the saying is, in the very
nick of time ; for to-morrow, God willing, I purpose to go to
Antwerp, whence I will take care that your letters, which
otherwise must have been given in charge to some one else,
shall be conveniently and safely forwarded. Your letters
then were most gratifying to me on two accounts, both by
reason of the opportuneness of their arrival, as also of the
great and abundant advantage which I certainly hope will be
CLXIX.] WILLIAM SALKYNS TO HENRY BULLINGER. 347
the result. And while I acknowledge this as a singular token
of your kindness, so I doubt not but that the great and good
God will abundantly recompense you, as it is far beyond my
power. But your wishes will be quite satisfied when your
letter has answered the end for which you wrote it, and has
produced that effect which we both of us so much desired,
and which will be salutary to him^ In future, however, if
you should kindly think fit to write to him, you can send it
most conveniently to Christopher Goodman, at the house of
master doctor Peter Martyr ; and he will take care to for-
ward it, whatever it be, to me at Antwerp. I shall henceforth
make use of his assistance, in communicating such news as
may occur there, and which it may be desirable for you to
know.
Your reverence asks me for news from England : many
events have occurred, though of a very painful and distressing
character, yet such as the wisdom of God may make use of
both for the setting forth of his glory, and the greater conso-
lation of the godly in time to come. Cardinal Pole 2, the legate
of antichrist, was some time since received in England, after
the popish fashion, with great pomp and solemnity, in the
presence of PhiHp the Anglo-Spanish king, with his queen
Mary, at Paul's cross, a most celebrated place in the middle
of London ; where Gardiner, bishop of Winchester, preached
a sermon^ before a great concourse of people of all ranks, in
which with an impudent and shameless forehead he maintained
the supremacy of the pope which he had formerly impugned"*,
and asked forgiveness (as he said) for his previous error. But
when the cardinal addressed the queen, and no human lan-
guage occurred to him worthy of such a woman, he did not
scruple to pervert the holy language of scripture ; but ad-
dressed the queen on his first interview in the same words
[1 Namely, Richard Hilles. See the preceding letter.]
[2 For an account of the proceedings on cardinal Pole's arrival as
legate, and the subsequent submission of England to the pope's au-
thority, see Foxe, vi. 567, &c. Strype, Mem. iii. i. 246. Burnet, 11.
453. Soames, iv. 256.]
[3 A full account of this sennon is given in Foxe, vi. 577.]
[■* Namely, in his book, De vera Obedientia, published in 1534, to
justify the parliament in giving the king the title of supreme head of
the church. See Strype, Mem. i. i. 264. Foxe, vi. 139, vn. 594.]
348 WILLIAM SALKYNS TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
Avitli which the angel saluted the mother of God, and thus the
monstrous Hattorer begun : " Hail, Mary, full of grace, &c."
Shortly after they introduced the primacy of the pope, and
proclaimed Pole archbishop of Canterbury, chief primate of
J^mgland, and introduced him into the senate, or, as we say,
the parliament, where the aforesaid bishop of Winchester de-
manded, with fox-hke cunning, the pope's pardon and indul-
gence for all the peers, who were then disgracefully prostrated
at the feet of the cardinal, of which however he said they
were wholly undeserving. The queen is said for certain to
be pregnant. Philip is not yet crowned, nor is it thought
that he will be during this parUament, which will shortly
be dissolved, and a new one appointed in due time, in
which the papists are in great confidence of obtaining the
accomplishment of all that remains for them to wish for.
Many individuals are daily committed to prison, and the
bishops are still confined in the same place. I have heard
from persons worthy of credit, and who have received the
information by letter, that the emperor is about to go to
Spain, and there wait for the last extremity; but that Philip
will come to Flanders, and remain there. This is what I
now have to communicate. Should I hear any thing more
favourable, I will not fail to let you know. Farewell, most
reverend sir, and take in good part this my writuag. Stras-
burgh, Dec. 28.
W. S.
LETTER CLXX.
FRANCIS DRYANDERi TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Cambridge, March 25, 1549.
Shortly before I left Strasburgh, I acquainted you with
my intended journey. I have not written in the mean while,
\} Francis Enzinas, known also by the names of Dryander and
Duchesne, was born at Burgos about 1515. He became a scholar of
Melancthon, and translated the Now Testament into Spanish in 1542;
for which ho was imprisoned, but after fifteen months made his es-
cape, and fled to Calvin at Geneva. He came to England in 1548, to
avoid the persecution occasioned by the Interim, and brought with
CLXX.] FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 349
as I had no opportunity of sending a letter ; and I employed
the greatest part of my time in traveUing, a thing which was
indeed very irksome to me, till at length, after being long
tossed about, I have fixed my abode in this university, where
I am Greek professor, in which situation I endeavour to
bestow tolerable diligence and fidelity. As I have now
therefore some breathing-time, and an opportunity is afforded
me of sending a letter by persons going to the Frankfort
fair, I have resolved to write to you, that I may renew our
ancient friendship, and give you a motive for writing in
return. I am indeed personally separated from you by a
long distance, but in mind, in studies, in religious opinion, I
am truly most united. For to pass over the rehgious teach-
ing, in which you excel, I have always ascribed to you the
praise of integrity and faithfulness ; and wherever I am, I do
not fail to set them forth, as virtues which I find wanting in
many other nations. But I am of opinion that I am placed
in this corner by the especial counsel of God, that I may be
preserved for some space of time safe from those snares
which tyrants laid for me, even when I was at Basle. But I
am in the hand of God, who can every where preserve his
own ; and I ought to render him this obedience, that I may
always be ready to depart from hence, whenever I shall be
summoned by our Captain. With respect to the public state
of this kingdom, you must know, that the parhament is just
ended, in which I understand that, by the common act of
both houses, the lord admiral, the brother of the lord pro-
tector, who was said to have been in various ways guilty of
treason, was condemned, and he is also beheaded. I hear also
that a praiseworthy reformation has taken place in matters of
rehgion : it has not yet seen the light, but its promulgation
is daily expected. It is generally reported that the mass is
abohshed, and liberty of marriage allowed to the clergy :
which two I consider to be the principal heads of the entire
reformation, the object of which, as I think, is not to form
an entire body of christian doctrine, and to deliver a fixed
and positive opinion without any ambiguity upon each article,
him letters of commendation from Melancthon to king Edward, and
Cranmer, by whom, as Stryjie says, (but which seems to be contra-
dicted by this letter,) he was placed at Oxford. See Strype, Cranmer,
580, Mem. II. i. 188.]
350 FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
but is entirely directed to the right institution of pubhc wor-
ship in churches. I hear that there Avas a great dispute
among the bishops about transubstantiation; all which things
were managed in secret, like the mysteries of Eleusis, as it
would have been impious to communicate such great mysteries
to lay-men. I think however that, by a resolution not to be
blamed, some puerilities have been still suffered to remain,
lest the people should be offended by too great an innovation.
These however, trifling as they are, may shortly be amended.
But I can say nothing for certain, until I am better informed
of the facts. As soon as the act shall be published, I will
send it you, if it be in Latin; if not, I will give you an
account of every article. You can relate these things to
master Hooper, to whom I will now write, if time permit.
But I wish he would perform the duty he owes to his country,
which is sadly distressed at this time for want of good
preachers. And in a calling the most honourable of all
others, to lend one's aid to the churches is the duty of a
man not only of eminent talent, but of heroic courage; and I
think he would do this with dignity. Salute in my name
master Pellican and the rest of the brethren, in whose
prayers I desire the whole course of my life to be commended
to God. Farewell. Cambridge, March 25, 1549.
Yours heartily,
FRANCIS DRYANDER.
LETTER CLXXI.
FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER,
Dated at Cambhidge, June 5, 1549.
I WROTE to you lately, before the reformation of the
churches was publicly known. A book^ has now been published,
a month or two back, which the English churches received
with the greatest satisfaction. A compendium of this book
written in Latin I send to master Vadian, on the condition of
\} Namely, the first book of Common Prayer. See Litui'gies of
Edward VI. Parker Society's Edit.]
CLXXI.] FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 351
his communicating it to you. You will see that the summary
of doctrine cannot be found fault with, although certain
ceremonies are retained in that book which may appear use-
less, and perhaps hurtful, unless a candid interpretation be
put upon them. But in the cause of religion, which is the
most important of all in the whole world, I think that every
kind of deception either by ambiguity or trickery of language
is altogether unwarrantable. You will also find something to
blame in the matter of the Lord's supper ; for the book
speaks very obscurely, and however you may try to explain
it with candour, you cannot avoid great absurdity. The
reason is, that the bishops could not of a long time agree
among themselves respecting this article, and it was a long
and earnest dispute among them whether transubstantiation
should be estabhshed or rejected. You perceive therefore by
this certain proof, that there are no true and solid principles
of doctrine in these men, who take a great deal of pains
about the most minute and even absurd matters, and neglect
those points on which they ought chiefly to have bestowed
their attention. But this is the fate of the church, that the
majority overpower the better part ; and though many things
may be improved, there are nevertheless some causes of
offence still remaining. Meanwhile this reformation must not
be counted hghtly of; in this kingdom especially, where
there existed heretofore in the public formularies of doctrine
true popery without the name. Anabaptists, and other
fanatical spirits, are now beginning to shew themselves, and
will occasion much trouble to the church ; so that we shall
ever be in this hfe under the cross and in a state of most
painful disquiet. Bucer and Paul Fagius have arrived here
in safety. They are at this present time in the palace of
the archbishop of Canterbury, and will come hither within two
months to give lectures in divinity. I lately wrote to masters
Bibliander and Gesner, whom salute diligently in my name,
together with masters Pellican and Frisius. Farewell. Cam-
bridge, June 5, 1549.
Yours heartily,
FRANCIS DRYANDER.
352 FRANCIS DRYANDER TO JOACHIM VADIAN. [lET.
LETTER CLXXII.
FRANCIS DRYANDER TO JOACHIiAI VADIAN.
Dated at Cambridge, June 5, lo4'J.
Greeting. As no possession in life is more valuable
than the friendship of good men, it should be preserved and
strengthened with great diligence ; and no distance of place
ought either to prevent the intercourse and connexion of the
good, or to diminish their mutual good-will. For my own
part, indeed, most learned Vadian, I retain in mind the most
entire and perfect remembrance of you, although you are
absent, nor will the most dehghtful recollection of so dear a
friend ever perish from my memory. The same I ask from
you, and by the right of kindness and friendship, which you
cannot neglect without deserved reproof. You have long
since, I suppose, learned the state of things in this country
from master Hierome : I now send you the public reformation
of religious doctrine which has been effected in this kingdom ;
in which though you may desire a more judicious and atten-
tive consideration of some important matters, you will never-
theless be tolerably satisfied with the true setting forth of the
principal articles of religion. I wish this letter to be com-
municated also to master Bullinger, that he too may under-
stand, not from general report, but from the truth itself, the
alteration that has taken place in England in respect to
religion. Should there be any more news, I will send you
word. The Germans are allowed to have their own church
and preachers in London, where there are said to be four
thousand of that nation. Musculus could most ably undertake
this ecclesiastical charge, to the great advantage both of
himself and of the state. I know what he replied to Ber-
nardino's letter, when he invited him to England in the
name of the archbishop of Canterbury ; and in my opinion
he replied very prudently. But I do not consider that the
office of preaching and administration of the sacraments to
his fellow countrymen would be attended with any incon-
venience. If he feels inclined to a situation of this kind,
upon being informed of it 1 will point out the most eligible
way. But I write this for no other reason than because I
CLXXII.] FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 353
■wish well both to him and to the community. Farewell, with
all our godly friends, and let me have from your letters some
certain information respecting the state of Switzerland. Cam-
bridge, June 5, 1549.
Yours heartily,
FRANCIS DRYANDER.
LETTER CLXXIII.
FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Basle, Dec. 3, 1549.
As I hear many reports are here circulated no less painful
than groundless, both respecting the realm of England itself,
and also our own countrymen, who are professors of learning
and religion in that country; I have thought it my duty to
deliver you from all anxiety, as I have already done to the
people at Basle. It was the persuasion of many persons here,
that Bernardino and Bucer had been apprehended together
with the lord protector of the kingdom, and that with him
the entire form of religion which they had established a short
time before, had fallen to the ground. But this is not the
fact. I was a spectator of the whole calamity, and not only
I saw the external and wretched appearance of the change;
but the purposes of the leaders are well known to me, and I
will, by God's blessing, acquaint you with them in person,
when the times shall be more quiet. I affirm this, meanwhile,
of Bernardino and Bucer, that in my opinion they never lived
more happily or usefully than at this tiine. For Bernardino
employs his whole time in writing, and this too with a force
and rapidity, as he tells me, beyond what he ever did before ;
and he has a son lately born, in vf^hom he takes great de-
light. Bucer is created regius professor of divinity, and,
as he is now nearly restored to his former health, was to
go to Cambridge a day or two after my departure. I say
too, that religion is now in a better condition than it was
before the imprisonment of the protector. For I have seen a
public edict proclaimed by royal authority, and printed, in
which is not only confirmed the reformation of which I sent
you an account, but it declares that some other matters, yet
r T 23
[ZURICH LETTERS, III.]
354 FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
untouched, sluall be reformed according to the tenor of the
gospel This is the truth; and on the fifth of November I
Tras at Lambctli with the archbishop of Canterbury and
Bucer, on which day both our public and private affairs
were in the same state as I now describe. What has taken
place since I know not, nor do I think that cither the people
of Basle or Zurich can know. For I came as quickly as
any one could do, and for no other reason, but that I might
pubUsh here this winter what I had written in England,
having meanwhile left my family at Cambridge; to whom, by
God's blessing, I shall return at the beginning of spring. I
wished you to know these things, as being the true state of
the case. I would write yet more, if time permitted, or I
did not think it better to defer them till my arrival. For I
long to see you, whom I have always acknowledged, and in
many places openly declared, to be true ministers of God; and
to be refreshed with you by the mutual communication of our
faith. Salute all the brethren and the chm'ch at large in my
name. Farewell. Basle, Dec. 3, 1549.
Yours heartily,
FRANCIS DRYANDER.
LETTER CLXXIV.
FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgii, May 2, 1552.
Although I do not often write to you, I can truly
declare that my regard for you is the same as ever. And
if I thought there were any occasion, I could prove this by
a variety of reasons. For both your eminent virtues and
admirable doctrine deserve the perpetual favour of all good
men, and teach honourable persons to make a prudent choice
of characters whom they may love, and to retain their friend-
ship. And had not these troubles of war kept me at home,
it was my intention to have visited you, and to have refreshed
my mind, languishing as it is after long continued exertion,
by communion with you. But I must remain at my post, and
together with the commonwealth encounter the danger that
CLXXIV.] FRANCIS DRYANDER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 355
seems to be impending, unless it be by God's mercy averted
from us. Since therefore the young Paul Fagius, the son
of that most learned man of most honourable memory, is in-
tending to go to Zurich, I determined to write you a short
letter, to renew our ancient friendship, and to commend the
youth to your friendly notice. He has within these few days
arrived from England, in which country he devoted himself
to learning; and you may learn from him some particulars
respecting the state of that kingdom, which would not per-
haps be mentioned in your other correspondence. And since
schools here are not very numerous, he intends, by the advice
of his friends, to enter himself at your school, to be there
instructed in hterature and rehgion. You will provide there-
fore, with your usual kindness, that he may be placed in
some good situation, where he may be able to make much
progress both in learning and godliness. He would wish
to lodge with master Gualter, who would willingly, I think,
afford him room in his house. You will learn from the young
man what is going on here ; and if God shall grant us some
tranquillity, I will either come to you, or write more copiously.
Meanwhile, I only say that the prediction which you wrote
me at Basle respecting Frisius, has turned out most true.
But I was deceived by the appearance of piety which I
thought was in the man, since experience has taught me that
nothing could be more impious than he was. Salute in my
name masters Pellican, Bibliander, Gesner, Lelius, and our
other friends. Farewell. Strasburgh, May 2, 1552.
Yours heartily,
FRANCIS DRYANDER.
LETTER CLXXV.
FRANCIS WARNER TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Strasburgh, July 8, [1543].
Grace and peace in the Lord! When I heard from
master Richard Hilles the great desire that you sometimes
feel, most accomplished sir, to be informed of what is going
on in foreign parts, and among our English more especially ;
and when he urged me to acquaint you by letter with the
23—2
356 FRANCIS WARNER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
disgraceful events that have very lately taken place among
my countrymen; I much hesitated to do so at first, as being
well aware of the rashness of the undertaking in a man like
me, of no learning or talent, presuming to address by letter
you who have long been placed on so high a pinnacle of
learning and popular reputation. But after he had fully as-
sured me of your easy access and courtesy of manners, exhibited
towards persons even of the lowest station and condition of
life ; and when you had also yourself (in your last letter to
him, wherein you so kindly salute me) afforded a sufficient
evidence of your kindness; I am at length overpowered, and
impelled both by his request and the state of existing circum-
stances to take upon myself this office. For the fact itself
seemed to both of us not unworthy of notice, and I considered
it too very greatly to the interest of my countrymen and the
church at large, that you, and those like you, should be
acquainted with it. For inasmuch as, with the Lord's bless-
ing, the most excellent means of protection are afforded to
us by Almighty God against all storms of all times, one of
which is your good opinion, the other, the imploring of
divine aid; the relation of this tragedy may perhaps conduce
in no ordinary degree to our obtaining both of these with
more advantag-e and effect : inasmuch as when the enemies of
the gospel are pointed out, and the devices, and weapons, and
mode of attack of our adversaries are altogether laid open, it
will be more easy to determine, upon due consideration, how
to oppose them ; ' and we shall also be more ardently excited
to the conflict, when we know that such bitter and shameless
opponents are yet remaining ; and again, when we see before
us the recent calamity of the church, we shall be greatly
stirred up to implore from Christ in its behalf, a deliverance
from these evils and anxieties ; which may God of his good
pleasure grant to it in due time! Amen.
But now to come to the thing itself: you will receive
herewith inclosed a certain proclamation^ fixed up in public,
in which the reading of holy scripture is forbidden to men
[1 In the " Act for the advancement of true religion, and the abolish-
ment of the contrary," it was provided that every nobleman and gentle-
man might have the bible read in their houses ; and that noble ladies,
and gentlewomen, and merchants, might read it themselves ; but no
men or women under those degrees. Strype. Cranm. 142.]
CLXXV.] FRANCIS WARNER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 357
of a certain rank. I had intended to have translated this
decree verbatim into Latin, and have done so, with the omis-
sion of some adulatory matter, as far as the thirteenth sec-
tion ; but when I had proceeded thus far, I perceived that
for want of time, and by reason of my slowness in matters
of business, I was unable to pursue my design as I had
intended ; (for the printed copy did not reach me till Thurs-
day, when I was so engaged in other matters by reason of
the fair, that I had hardly leisure to transcribe it ;) so that
I am obliged only to give you the sum and substance of the
remaining sections. It is now your place, with your wonted
courtesy, to take these things in good part ; and should there
be any thing unpolished, obscure, or savouring of a solecism,
(as there probably will be,) to excuse it. Farewell. You
are saluted, together with your wife, by master Richard
Hilles and his wife, from whom you will receive a pair of
knives for your wife, which master Henry Falkner will de-
liver to you. In haste. Strasburgh, July 8, [1543.]
Yours,
FRANCIS WARNER, Anglus.
LETTER CLXXVI.
THOMAS KNIGHT TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Venice, Jan. 23, 1547.
Health in Christ. As I know, reverend and godly
father, that you are not an ordinary acquaintance, but a
most especial friend, of master Richard Hilles the English-
man ; I have thought it right, in case the Englishman John
Burcher, an inhabitant of your city, has not yet returned
from his journey to England, to commit to your care this
small portmanteau, that it may reach the aforesaid Richard
with greater safety and dispatch. Should you have paid any
thing for the carriage, John Burcher will repay it upon his
return.
The gospel is daily preached here with greater purity
than in any other places in Italy; and it is ordained by a
decree of the senate, that a sermon shall be preached every
day in the Palazzo maggiore, during the approaching Lent,
358 THOMAS KNIGHT TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET.
a thins: that has never been seen since the foundation of the
city. The number of the faithful is daily increasing more
and more. Your commentaries are daily becoming more
esteemed by the Itahans ; and, were they not so bulky and
expensive, no books would meet with a better sale. It will
be therefore an act of kindness on your part to continue
writing, and to bring forth out of the treasures of your
abundance those rare spiritual gifts for that little flock, hungry
and thirsting as it is. Should there be any news, you will
obtain it from the bearer of this letter. May the Lord, who
has chosen you as our pious and faithful pastor, long happily
preserve you to us, and grant that we may at length reach
together the promised land! Commend me, I earnestly pray
you, to Christ, with your other friends. Venice, Jan. 23,
1547.
Your humble son, and servant to command,
THOMAS KNIGHT, Anglus, Bookseller.
P.S. You will receive together with this parcel a cask
marked with the name of Eichard. You will have the kind-
ness to endeavour that it may be forwarded to him by means
of some of your friends. You will not receive the jar of figs
at this present time, because there was not room for it in the
carrier's chest ; so I only send you by him a small parcel
marked with the two letters R. H.
LETTER CLXXVII.
RICHARD MASTERS TO RODOLPH GUALTER.
Dated at Oxford, June 14, 1551.
Though I have not replied, my dear friend, to your so
frequent appeals as well by your friendly letters, as by your
repeated salutations, I cannot plead my occupations as an
excuse for my not having performed that duty ; but you must
rather impute it to my being unaccustomed, not to say un-
skilled in writing, and not to any forgctfulncss of you. For
I was afraid, unlearned as I am, to intrude upon a man so
learned and accomplished as yourself with my unpolished
letters. At length, however, I have divested myself of this
CLXXVIl] RICHARD MASTERS TO RODOLPH GUALTER. 359
rustic shamefacedness, as I esteem your sincerity and candour
more than I fear my own rudeness of style. You request,
and from your kindness towards me readily obtain, that I
should inform you of my state and condition. You must
know then that, after the lapse of a year or two from your
departure hence ^ to your friends at home, a very lucra-
tive benefice was procured for me, which, to speak plainly,
because I was not well qualified for the function of a good
clergyman, both from my want of sufficient acquaintance with
the word of God, and of the duties connected therewith,
and also because popery, however it was abolished in name,
still flourished among us in reahty, I decidedly refused, and
resigned into the hands of the patron. Since that time I
have devoted myself for ten successive years to the study of
medicine, and am now maintaining myself by the practice of it,
having become, from a bad divine, a tolerably good physician,
like the person mentioned by Augustine, as having become
from a bad monk a good divine. But I have not so entirely
taken leave of theology, as not to welcome from my heart,
value, and delight in, whatever the most godly Bullinger and
his like-minded disciple, Gualter, may write.
I had intended to have written to you long ago, but have
been unable to do so from having been detained in my native
place, and at a distance from Oxford, by a quartan ague of
three months continuance; in addition to which, after I had
recovered my usual health, my worthy father fell into the
like disease, and at length died at the age of sixty ^. John
ab Ulmis, having lately met with an opportune messenger, at
the same time that he informed me of him, has also reminded
me of my promise, or rather of my duty ; so that I could not
allow him to come to you empty, and without a letter, which
I doubt not will be gratifying to you, inasmuch as it has pro-
ceeded from a heart full of kindness, and which prays for you
every happiness. I was eagerly expecting the arrival of your
relative, and hoping that from this circumstance some oppor-
tunity would arise of doing you a service : but as he is now
travelling elsewhere, there is no means by which you can make
experiment of my love towards you. Your countrymen are in
excellent health, and highly esteemed by all good men for
[1 R. Gualtev visited England in 1537.]
[2 A few words are here illogi])le in the MS.]
3G0 RICHARD MASTERS TO RODOLPH GUALTER. [lET.
their probity of life and conduct : among whom John ab Ulmis,
who is as it were their leader, is removed from our society
into the king's college, and distinguished by the degree of
bachelor in arts ; and, I behave, will shortly take his master's
degree, so that he may now be called an incepting master.
This individual is a most active defender of the true rehgion,
and a vaUant opponent of that which is false; and is not only
known to be such in college, but also at court, where he is
placed in so honourable a situation by the marquis of Dorset,
that it is easier to imagine than express, how greatly he
values him for the sake of religion. But now, as I am called
away elsewhere, I must bid you farewell, and pray God long
to preserve you in safety to his church. Oxford, June 14,
1551.
Yours heartily,
MASTERS.
LETTER CLXXVIII.
AUGUSTINE BERNHERi TO HENRY BULLINGER.
Dated at Baxterlet, May^\, 1552.
Health in the Son of God ! Our friend John ab Ulmis
being about to return to his native country, earnestly entreats
me to write to you ; and he is so urgent, that without being
considered as regardless of my duty, or as wanting in grati-
tude, I am altogether unable to refuse compliance. Your
kindness to me, as long as I Hved at Zurich with my most
revered preceptor, master Wolfius, was exceeding great, and
[1 Augustin Bernher was in the household of bishop Latimer,
whoso sermons ho published with a preface. He was greatly sen-ico-
ablo to the martyrs in queen Mary's reign, in the letters of whom he
is often mentioned. Robert Glover in his last letter to his wife and
children, before his martyrdom, wrote : "As Christ committed his mo-
ther to John, so I commit you in this world to the angel of God,
Augustine Bernher." He was instrumental in saving the life of
bishop Jewel in the Marian persecution; during which period he,
together with Seamier, afterwards bishop of Peterborough, Bentham,
afterwards bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, John Rough, a martyr,
and some others, acted as pastor of a congregation in London. In the
reign of Elizabeth he obtained a living in the country, called Sutton,
[Southam,] and died in peace. Strypo, Mem. in. i. 227, &c. ii. 132.]
CLXXVIII.] AUGUSTINE BERNHER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 361
I am fully sensible of tlie obligation. But I am now indebted
to you more than ever, for your having so diligently and so
lovingly commended my sister's son Alexander ^ to some noble
personages. I would have you, most learned sir, be entirely
persuaded, that without any exception of time or place I
shall never cease, as long as I live, my endeavours to promote
your interests. I should make this promise more at length,
if I thought you could entertain any doubt of my sincerity
and gratitude, or if I did not choose to prove it by deeds
rather than by a bare assertion. You will fully learn from
my friend John my circumstances in life, and the nature of
my studies. My master, doctor Latimer, had intended to
write to you, but he has to-morrow to undertake a long and
arduous journey, so that the excellent old man, and your
most loving friend, is unable to send you a letter at this time ;
but he especially commands me to salute you in his name as
honourably and lovingly as possible. Lastly, farewell, and
continue your regard for us, namely, Alexander and myself.
May God the Father of mercy and loving-kindness faithfully
reward you in the last day ; and I heartily pray and beseech
him long to preserve you in health and safety. Again and
again farewell. Dated at Baxterley in England, May 21,
1552.
Your most attached,
AUGUSTINE BERNHER. Helvetus.
LETTER CLXXIX.
MATTHEW PARKER AND WALTER HADDON TO THE
GUARDIANS OF MARTIN BUCER'S CHILDREN.
Dated at Cambridge, 1551.
Forasmuch as master Martin Bucer, of happy memory,
when he was dying, committed to our fidelity some particulars
of his last will, and appointed us his executors ; we, having
had due regard to every thing, as far as time and cir-
cumstances allowed, have made so much progress in that
business, as that we doubt not but that we have satisfied our
duties and our consciences. And should your worships desire
[2 This was probably Alexander Schmutz, of whom see Strype,
Mom. n. i. 534.]
362 MATTHEW PARKER AND WALTER HADDON, &C. [lET.
any farther information upon the case, you will easily ascer-
tain the facts by an inspection of the respective portions into
which the property has been divided. But now, since the
widow is about to be with you, we have transferred our
authority to her; and we have no doubt but that as a mother
she will love her children, and that as a wife she will observe
inviolate the last will of her husband. We therefore present
her to you, together with all the property, and authority to
administer the will; that, as we have applied all our diligence
to the utmost, yours may follow, and guard this entire will of
that worthy and most excellent man, master Bucer, perfect
and inviolate in all its parts : this we ourselves have done to
the extent of our power, and we feel persuaded that you will
do the same. If any other points require a separate con-
sideration, they will appear in the minute accounts which we
have made out for this purpose, that, as far as the hurry of
Bucer's wife's departure has permitted us, we might leave the
whole affair as clear as possible. Farewell, our worthy masters
in Christ. In England, Cambridge, a.d. 1551.
Your worships' loving friends,
MATTHEW PARKER,
WALTER HADDON.
THE EXECUTORS' ACCOUNT OF BUCER'S PROPERTY.
The total amount, exclusive of the things not sold or
valued, as on the other side, is £380.
Various items^ are stated from whence this sum luas
obtained, as stipend, sale of library, ^c. Then tvjo or three
small legacies are set against this. The account then
proceeds as follows :
Account of goods which were not sold, but taken home.
Two green cai*pets. Two long bolsters full of feathers. A red
counterpane. All the vessels of tin, weighing xxiv lb. Five brazen
pots. A large brass kettle. Eight copper covers. A mortar. Three
copper shaving-pots. Two pans of copper. Four upper coverlets,
■with feathers. Three large, and six smaller pillows. Four bolsters.
Five counterpanes, two red, the others green. Two green cloths for
covering benches. Twenty-six pairs of sheets. Twenty napkins.
Twenty-one towels. Thirty table-cloths. Two black tmnks, adapted
for journeys. Three long gowns. Two shorter vests, one trimmed
with fur. Two pair of hose. Three doublets. A cloke.
[1 The particulars of these sums are not given in the transcript.]
CLXXX.] THE WIDOW OF BUCER TO ARCHBISHOP CRANMER. 363
LETTER CLXXX.
THE WIDOW OF BUCER TO ARCHBISHOP CRANMER".
[Before April 20, 1552.]
I HEARTILY implore for your reverence the grace and
favour of God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Although the rank and dignity of your reverence would
greatly deter me from writing, yet the exceeding benefits
bestowed by your reverence both upon my husband in his
life-time, and on myself since his decease, prevent the pos-
sibiHty of my being silent, unless I would be branded with
ingratitude. But though I am unable to recount them as
they deserve, or worthily to praise them, I nevertheless
thank God, and daily implore him on behalf of your
reverence, that he who is most rich and most powerful,
may regard you with his unexhausted goodness and in-
finite beneficence. I remember, most reverend prelate, that
when I was yet in England, your reverence promised me
some document in writing, whereby the gift of his most
serene majesty would be confirmed to myself alone, and
remain undivided : which indeed seems just and proper, foras-
much as the civil law and statutes allow of the division only of
such property as is proved to have been in the possession of
the testator previous to his decease ; while that which is
given after his death, ought of right to remain entire and in-
violate to the party on whom it is bestowed. Since therefore
your reverence has promised me this document, and I am in
hopes that by its authority and efiicacy I may be able to
obtain for myself and my little daughter, who very greatly
needs it, the donation of his most serene majesty ; I beg and
implore your reverence to send it me either by Kichard
Hilles, or in any other way. For if I can procure it, I am
in hopes of retaining this donation for mine own use and that
of my little girl, which otherwise cannot be effected as being
contrary to the laws of our government. But I would not
have your reverence suspect that I am seeking this from any
motives of avarice, or of envy towards the other heirs, but
solely for this reason, that I may be able to aid and supply
the slender means and wants of my little girl, who inherits
the smallest portion of her father's property, and who has
[2 For Abp. Cranmer's reply to this letter, see above, Letter XVI.
and also Letter CCXCIX. in Cranmer's Works, Vol. ii. p. 434. Park.
Soe. Ed.]
3G4 THE WIDOW of bucer to archbishop cranmer. [let.
scarcely sufficient to provide her with a decent education
and the necessaries of hfe. For the other children have
mostly arrived at such an age, that (to say nothing of their
having inherited a far greater patrimony than my little
daughter) they may easily gain a livelihood for themselves.
Wherefore 1 again entreat your reverence, that you will take
up this cause, and forward me the required document as soon
as possible ; for which favour, as for all others, you shall
always find me grateful, and constantly praying God on your
behalf. May the Lord God deign to defend your reverence
from all evil, and enrich you with all good things ! Amen.
LETTER CLXXXI.
ULRIC CHELIUS AND CONRAD HUBERT TO MATTHEW
PARIvER AND WALTER HADDON.
Dated at Strasburgh, June 20, 1553.
We have to inform you, that after the return to us from
England of the honourable matron Wibrandis, widow of the
late excellent Martin Bucer, a careful account was taken of all
the property that he left behind him ; after which, according
to the municipal law and custom of the state of Strasburgh, a
division was made in favour of those parties to whom the
inheritance belonged. For which reason both of us having
been nominated, I, Ulric Chehus, as guardian to Ehzabeth,
daughter of the said Martin Bucer, and I, Conrad Hubert,
guardian of Nathanael, son of the said Martin Bucer, we ac-
knowledge by this letter to have received that portion which
is due to our wards, and to be divided between them by
right of inheritance, and that we are therewith well satisfied.
Wherefore, reverend sirs, who are appointed executors by
Martin Bucer, of happy memory, as far as we are concerned,
we release you and others of your trust by this present
acquittance, which we have sealed with our seals. Moreover,
both of us guardians, together with Windelicius Kichehus, the
trustee of the widow, most earnestly request your kindness to
endeavour, with the same diligence that you have hitherto
employed, that the remainder of the debt, which has duly
been ascertained by us, may be discharged and forwarded to
us at the earliest opportunity : by which you will do us a
most acceptable service, and one which shall be requited in
due time. Farewell. Strasburgh, June 20, 1553.
CLXXXII.] JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] S65
LETTER CLXXXIP.
JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [AB ULMIS.]
Dated at Strasburgh, Nov. 20, 1553.
To your very kind letter, my worthy John, which I re-
ceived on the 18th of September, I now make a brief reply,
as I am occupied by various engagements. And first of all,
as you desire, I will touch upon the state of England.
The most godly Josiah, our earthly hope, died on the 6th of
July ; of consumption, as the physicians assert ; by poison,
according to common report, for this is rumoured by the
papists for the purpose of exciting a general hatred against
Northumberland : nor, to tell the truth, were there wanting
many and strong suspicions : but still, if I may say what I
think, I beheve the papists ^ themselves to have been the
authors of so great wickedness ; for they have expressed no
signs of sorrow, and no inquiry has been made respecting so
great a crime. This death, and the other evils which now
oppress England, were apparently portended by a dreadful
storm, to which I do not remember any equal : it was accom-
panied by the most extreme darkness, most violent wind,
innumerable flashes of lightning, terrible claps of thunder,
and an immense body of water, so that our kitchen was
entirely flooded. The walnut-tree, planted in the corner at
our house, was torn up by the roots, and another tree also
was blown down in our garden.
A few days before his death the king made a will at the
instigation of Northumberland, by which he disinherited both
his sisters, and appointed the lady Frances, wife of the duke
of Suffolk, to be his heir. She declined it, and the kingdom
was made over to her daughter Jane, who had been married
two months before to the lord Guilford, the third son of the
dulce of Northumberland. Almost the whole of the nobility
subscribed to this testament, some of them, as it was after
[1 The original of this letter is printed in Fueslin, Lett. LXXVI.]
[2 Osorius, bishop of Sylva in Portugal, affirmed expressly, in a
letter wrote to queen Elizabeth, that king Edward was poisoned in his
childhood. But Walter Haddon, who replied to that letter, esteemed
this report to be but a fable, raised by idle people, and carried about
by such as favoured popery. See Strypc, Mem. ii. ii. 118.]
366 JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] [lET.
wards discovered, with the view of more easily deceiving
Northumberland, by whoso advice all those things appeared
to be done, and of concealing the plot they were preparing
in favour of Mary, who is now in possession of the crown :
others added their names from fear of Northumberland, for
you know the character of the man ; and some of the better
of them, with the hope of protecting rehgion, which they per-
ceived would be altogether overthrown, should Mary obtain
the crown ; and Northumberland himself excited great expec-
tations that he would favour religion. In addition to this,
the king himself in his will alleged as a reason for disin-
heriting Mary, besides her illegitimacy, the cause of rehgion.
In fine, he had the assent of almost the whole of the nobihty:
Jane is brought down to take possession of the Tower, and on
the same day is proclaimed queen at London, and in the same
week in many parts of the kingdom. Mary, who had most
faithful councillors, by their advice went, as though defence-
less, into Norfolk, where she is received and hailed as queen
with general applause. She forthwith procm^es herself to be
proclaimed queen in as many places as possible, in all of
which it was stated that the kingdom was being wrested from
her by the treachery of Northumberland ; wherefore she
enjoins all her subjects to preserve it to her. Almost the
entire nation rise to her assistance ; first of all the people of
Norfolk and Suffolk, and then those of Oxfordshire, Buck-
inghamshire, Berkshire, and Essex. A portion too of the
nobility, who had given in their adhesion to Jane, merely for
the purpose of deceiving her, revolt from her forthwith, and
exert all their energies in behalf of Mary. As to the Lon-
doners, some of them through fear, and others through
treachery, urge upon Northumberland the protection of the
state, and the necessity of seizing upon Mary''s person before
her forces can be assembled. He therefore exerts himself
like one whose fortunes are involved in the result, offers
large pay, and engages a soldiery partly unwilling, and
partly treacherous ; for they consisted in great measure of
the dependants of those noblemen who secretly espoused the
cause of Mary. Northumberland sets forth, avcII supplied
with cavalry and artillery, which however were to be turned
against him. Those who remained at London, as though
for the purpose of protecting Jane and retaining the city
CLXXXII.] JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] 367
in its allegiance, begin forthwith to consult about deserting
her; for which they plausibly allege, partly their fear of the
people, all of whom are flocking to Mary, and partly the
well-being of the kingdom, lest it should suffer from intestine
war. Why should I say more? They immediately pro-
claim queen Mary, with general applause, and threaten with
death the duke of Suffolk, in case he refuses to leave the
Tower. The good duke yields. They write to Northumber-
land to dismiss his troops ; and being now forsaken by the
people, and betrayed by others, not knowing what to do, with
his soldiers deserting every day, he proclaims queen Mary at
Cambridge, and three days after is carried prisoner in her
name by the earl of Arundel, together with all his sons and
many otlier noble and influential personages, to London,
where he was received with unbounded abuse on his way
to the Tower.
Thus Jane was queen for only nine days, and those most
turbulent ones. After some days Mary made her entry with
great triumph into the city, to take possession of the Tower ;
on entering which she immediately set at liberty the bishop
of Winchester, , the duke of Norfolk, lord Courtney, and the
widow of the duke of Somerset. She enrolled the bishop of
Winchester and the duke of Norfolk among her councillors.
The case of Northumberland and the other prisoners was
then brought forward. But after five days the queen removed
to Richmond, during which time Northumberland and two
others' were executed. You have heard of the ungodly and
shameful end of Northumberland^. The most godly king is
buried; the good archbishop of Canterbury performs the
funeral service at Westminster^ according to the estabhshed
[1 These were sir John Gates, captain of the guards to king Ed-
ward, and sir Thomas Palmer, the first accuser of the duke of Somer-
set. They were executed on Tower Hill, on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Strype, Mem. in. i. 41. Burnet, ni. 335.]
[2 The duke was attended by Heath, bishop of "Worcester, whom
he called to bear witness that he was a stedfast believer in the old
religion. See Burnet, ii. 376, ni. 334.]
[3 Dr Lingard states that it was in compliance with the wish of the
emperor Charles V., who advised her to proceed with temper and
caution, that she suffered the archbishop to proceed according to the
established fonn at the funeral of her brother. Hist, of England, 4to.
Ed. v. 25.]
368 JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] [lET.
form, that is, in English, or in a christian way, with many
tears ; but before the queen Winchester * himself performs
the obsequies after the popish fashion. Our preachers, who
now perceive the gospel is threatened with imminent destruc-
tion, exhort the people to repentance, admonishing them to
persevere in sound doctrine. Winchester, in conjunction with
other parties who had together meditated the overthrow of
the gospel, appoints a most thorough papist, of the name of
Uourn^, as preacher at Paul's cross. A great multitude is
assembled to hear what he intends to say. As soon as they
hear his blasphemies and falsehoods, they begin to raise a
tumult ; some of them demanding capital punishment for the
man, and others calling out for silence. The lord mayor and
some of the aldermen endeavour to quiet the people, but
without any effect. Courtney interposes his authority, but
is disregarded. Bradford himself comes forth in alarm; but
the mob immediately cheer him, and promise silence, because
he is a faithful preacher of the word. Some one in the mean
time hurls a dagger at that popish preacher, when the mob
becomes again excited ; and it would have been all over with
that wicked knave, had not God by Bradford's instrumen-
tality reserved him to a worse fate. But what thanks do you
suppose were given to Bradford for so noble an action?
[1 Within the Tower was a mass of requiem sung for him [Edward
VI.] the same day; at which the queen was present, and the bishop of
Winchester, with his mitre on, performed it after the old popish form.
Strype, Mem. m. i. 31.]
[2 On Sunday, Aug. 13, 1553, Gilbert Bourn, who had been ap-
pointed by Bonner a canon of St Paul's, delivered an inflammatory
discourse at Paul's cross in praise of Bonner, against the late monarch,
and in favour of popeiy, which so excited the populace that they were
ready to drag him out of the pulpit. Bradford, who stood in the
pulpit behind him, came forward and addressed the people, and ex-
horted them to submission and obedience to so good eff'ect, that the
nuiltitudc, after hailing him with aftcctionate expression, dispersed
quietly. lie besought Bradford not to quit him till he was in a
situation of safety ; and whilst the lord mayor and sheriff's preceded
Bourn to the grammar-school house, Bradford and Rogers (another
martyr) kept close to him behind, concealing him with their gowns,
and thus conducted him safe through the mob. Ho was afterwards
made bishop of Bath and Wells in the room of Wm. Barlow, who had
lied ou the accession of Mary. Sec Stevens's Memoirs of Bradford,
p. 32. Strype, Mem. in. i. 32.]
CLXXXII.] JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] 369
Truly such as might have been expected from monsters of this
kind. On the next day he was thrown into the Tower, upon
no other charge but that, as he could so easily disperse the
mob, he must have had some hand in exciting it. Some other
preachers are also thrown into the same prison ; all preaching
is forbidden, and the place is wholly left to papists, who are
surrounded by the queen's guard, that they may safely pour
forth their poison ; and all persons are prohibited ^ from
coming near Paul's cross, for fear of raising a fresh disturb-
ance. And because in London there seemed to be some
likelihood of a tumult, word was sent by the queen to the
lord mayor, that he must either keep the city quiet himself,
or that they must look for a guard of soldiers and the depri-
vation of all their privileges. Then every family, especially
of the gospellers, was in great distress. The queen, partly
with a view of ascertaining the popular feeling, and partly
for the encouragement for her partizans, sets forth a procla-
mation, in which she declares her adherence to, and protection
and support of, popery, and exhorts all persons to conform
to it ; but nevertheless at that time she would compel no one
to embrace it.
The -papists, who had been always longing for this most
wished for day, dig out as it were from their graves their vest-
ments, chalices, and portasses, and begin mass with all speed.
In these things our Oxford folk lead the van ; and respecting
them I must tell you a little farther. At the proclamation of
Jane they displayed nothing but grief. At the proclamation
of Mary, even before she was proclaimed at London, and when
the event was still doubtful, they gave such demonstrations of
joy, as to spare nothing. They first of all made so much
noise all the day long with clapping their hands, that it seems
still to hnger in my ears ; they then, even the poorest of
them, made voluntary subscriptions, and mutually exhorted
each other to maintain the cause of Mary ; lastly, at night
they had a public festival, and threatened flames, hanging,
the gallows and drowning, to all the gospellers.
Master Peter Martyr is forbidden to leave his house ;
and Sidall'*, a truly excellent man, is ordered to guard against
his running away ; and thus master Peter has had his own
[3 Part of this sentence is unintelligible in the original.]
[* See a letter from him to Bullinger, above, p. 311.]
r 1 24
[ZURICH LETTERS, III.J
370 .u;lius Ti:nKNTiANUS to joiin [ab ulmis.J [let.
liousc made a prison of these six weeks. But I, perceiving
that the danger was manifest, Avent to London to seek assist-
ance from my friends. They were now reduced to a very
small number, and were so far from being able to assist
us, tliat they were exposed to the greatest peril themselves.
Whittingham and I conceive the project of presenting a peti-
tion to the queen and council, in which we embrace the entire
circumstances of master Peter ; how he had been invited over
from Strasburgh by the deceased king, and had been recalled
by the magistrates of Strasburgh during the last year, but
that the king would not give him licence to depart ; that the
correspondence relative to all these facts was in the royal
archives, and that, moreover, many of the council could bear
abundant testimony to their truth. We added, that master
Peter had committed no offence either against the queen or
the laws of the realm ; that if his enemies chose to bring
any charge against him, he was prepared to meet it ; that he
now perceived that the queen had no longer occasion for his
services, and therefore he petitioned her for a licence to enable
him to leave the kingdom. Whittingham and I proceed to
llichmond ; he presents the petition respecting Peter to the
secretary, who, as is customary, lays it on the council table,
and bids us wait. On that day nothing was done, we are
ordered to come again on the morrow ; we are there at the
hour appointed, but still nothing is done. We feel at last
that we are imposed upon. We agree therefore among our-
selves, that Whittingham should return to Oxford and remain
with master Peter ; for he was now almost entirely by himself,
since every one, except only Sidall and master Haddon, had
withdrawn from his society. As to me, I remain in London
to make what interest I can. At length Whittingham re-
turns after some days : we both of us wait upon [sir John]
Mason, Avho at first declined interposing in so disagreeable a
case, and said that he was altogether out of favour ; after-
wards however he was uro;ent that master Peter mio-ht be
allowed to come to London, and plead his cause before the
council. He obtains his request, and we have moreover per-
mission to remove all our goods. Master Peter comes to
London, lie calls upon the archbishop of Canterbury, his
ancient and most revered host. Who can express how welcome
he was? lie had so earnestly wished for his coming, that
CLXXXII.] JULIUS TERENTIAXUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] 371
he had often importuned the council to that effect, and
offered to give all his property as a security, if they had
any fear of master Peter's running away. When master
Peter arrives, [the archbishop of] Canterbury tells him how
he had caused bills' to be posted all over London, in which
he offers to prove that the doctrine, which was received in
the time of Edward the sixth, is sound, agreeable to scripture,
the same with that of the primitive church, and approved
by the authority of the ancient fathers, if only they will
allow Peter Martyr, and one or two others, to be his col-
leagues. Master Peter commends this act, and says that had
it not been done, he had intended to propose it to him. They
prepare themselves for the disputations. But you should
know, that the popish preachers, when they perceived that
many of our priests were already cast into prison, and that
others had consulted their safety by flight, made a great
boast about disputing with us. But when the placards of the
archbishop were posted up, they began to change their note,
and said that no disputation ought to take place ; that they
would abide by the received doctrine ; that this was a matter
in which faith, and not reason, was concerned. But those
placards of the archbishop so strengthened the spirits of the
gospellers, that they no longer hesitated to lay down their lives
for the truth ; but their enemies were so exasperated by them,
that they instantly brought forward a new charge of treason
against the archbishop, and cited him into courts on what
day of September I do not recollect, but I know it happened
on a Thursday. Master Peter then dined with the archbishop,
who after dinner came into his chamber, and informed him
that he himself must of necessity abide a trial ; and that it
[1 For the declaration here referred to see Burnet, iv. 331, and
II. 385. lie says that the archbishop had drawn up this writing with
a resolution to have made a pubhc use of it ; but Scory, who had been
bishop of Chichester, coming to him, he shewed him the paper, and
bid him consider of it. Scory indiscreetly gave copies of it ; and one
of these was publicly read in Cheapside, on the 5th of September.
See also Cranmer's works on the Lord's supper, Parker Society Edi-
tion, p. 428, where the declaration is printed with the variations of
diflfei-ent copyists.]
[2 On Sept. 13, both Cranmer and Latimer were called before the
council : Latimer was that day committed, and Cranmer was sent to
the Tower the day following. See Burnet; n. 387.]
372 JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] [lET.
was certain that he should never see him again : he recom-
mended JMartyr to be urgent for his passports, on obtaining
■which he should depart ; but should he fail in obtaining
them, he must consult his safety by flight, for that no justice
was to bo expected from his adversaries. But, 0 God ! who
can explore the depth of thy counsels ? About five days
after the archbishop of Canterbury had been committed to
the Tower, a safe conduct, and a most honourable one, was
given by the queen to master Peter ; who therefore, on the
pubUc guarantee, at the persuasion of his other friends, and
also bearing in mind the words of the archbishop, commits
himself to sea, spreading a report that he was going to Ham-
burg, when in reality he was proceeding to Antwerp. This
he did, to escape the snares of the papists in the dominions
of the emperor ; and to deceive them more effectually, he
wished me to remain some days in London. Meanwhile, after
a fortnight's time, having obtained a wind, I set sail towards
Antwerp ; and on the same day both master Peter and my-
self arrived at Antwerp in diflcrent ships, each of us being
ignorant of the other's arrival ; which was indeed remarkable,
for I thought that he had by this time almost reached Stras-
burgh. But I think that God intended to relieve us from our
mutual anxiety, and moreover, to provide for my expenses.
I will not however mention what perils we escaped of the
pestilence, of the troops, and of the Khine ; and also what
mild weather we had in our journey as far as Strasburgh,
whereby any one might conclude that God had certamly re-
called us thither. But just as we entered the city, James
Sturmius', who was waiting for nothing else than the arrival
of master Peter, departed this life, and thus we were disap-
pointed of our hope.
But to return to England. During this disturbed state
of the kingdom, these persons, namely, lords spiritual, were
thrown into the Tower ; the archbishops of Canterbury and
York, the bishop of London, Latimer, Hooper, Coverdale,
and the bishop of Bath. Ponet, bishop of Winchester, and
Scory, bishop of Chichester, are also deprived of their bishop-
ricks. The bishops of Ely, Lincoln, and Hereford are re-
moved from parhament; and all the married clergy must
[1 James Sturmius died at Strasburgh, Oct. 30, 1553, after lan-
guishing of a fever for two mouths.]
CLXXXII.] JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] 373
either relinquish their wives, or be deprived of their benefices.
Master Cox is stripped of all his preferment ; Marshal has
succeeded him at Oxford, and Weston at Westminster. What
must we not expect when such men are promoted ? More-
over, all the papists, whether bishops or others, are restored.
As many as are really godly students at Oxford, have all
bidden jfarewell to that place, and some have already been
ejected from our college. The fire of purgatory is now really
kindled in England, and the nature of every one's faith is
now made manifest. Curtop ^ has wonderfully fallen away ;
and so has Harding, with numberless others. But the bare
mention of this is too painful. The queen was crowned on
the twenty-eighth of September^. They began parUament on
the first "* of October : transubstantiation was revived ; but
where is the wonder? no room is left for truth. The deans ^
made a strenuous resistance : their names do not occur to me.
Moreover it was enacted in parliament, that on the twentieth
of October** the popish mass should every where be publicly
[2 James Ciu'top was a canon of Christ Church, and had been a
hearer and friend of Peter Martyr, He recanted in queen Mary^s
days, and was sworn a witness against Cranmer at his trial. See
Strype, Cranm. 285, 536. Respecting Harding, see above, p. 309.]
[3 On the 28th of September, the queen, in order to her corona-
tion, removed from St James's to Whitehall, and from thence to the
Tower. The coronation itself took place on Sunday, October 1. For
an account of the ceremony see Strj'pe, Mem. iii. i. 55. Burnet, in.
390. Soames, iv. 78.]
[4 Parliament was opened Oct. 5. See Strype, Mem. ni. i. 57.
Bm-net, ii. 391. Soames, iv. 82.]
[5 Decani, MS. "Among the assembled clergy (in the convocation
of 1553) no individuals were present, as it seems, favourable to the
Reformation, who were not either deans or archdeacons, dignitaries
entitled to seats in the lower house. The members who discovered
this feeling were Walter Philips, dean of Rochester ; James Haddon,
dean of Exeter ; John Philpot, archdeacon of Winchester ; John Ayl-
mer, archdeacon of Stow ; Richard Cheney, archdeacon of Hereford,
and another, said to be Thomas Young, precentor of St David's."
Soames, Hist. Ref. iv. 103.]
[c The bill for repealing king Edward's laws about religion was
sent from the lords on Oct. 31, and argued six days in the house of
commons. It passed Nov. 8, and provided, that from the 20th of
December next there should be no other form of divine service but
what had been used in the last year of king Henry VHI. Bm-net, ii.
395.]
374 JULIUS TERENTIANUS TO JOHN [aB ULMIS.] [lET.
restored. On November the fourteenth Jane, formerly queen,
together with the archbishop of Canterbury and all the sons'
of the duke of Northumberland, was arraigned before the
judges at Whitehall^ : you know the place at London, Sen-
tence of death was pronounced upon them all : but a peculiar
punishment is intended for the archbishop of Canterbury,
namely, hanging, and afterwards the dividing of his body into
four parts ^. But we must expect things yet more atrocious,
unless God in his mercy look upon that church, on behalf of
which I do not think I have any need to request your
prayers; for you know from your own experience, how ex-
cellent are the members of Christ in that country. Farewell.
Nov. 20, 1553. Strasburgh.
Yours in the Lord,
JULIUS TERENTIANUS.
LETTER CLXXXIIL
MICHAEL RENIGER^ TO HENRY BULLINGER.
[Without place or date.]
Notwithstanding, honoured sir, such is the perplexity
and pressure of your engagements, that you can scarcely
obtain any relaxation from your most important avoca-
tions ; yet since your kindness and indulgence towards us
all is such, that you consider the management and arrange-
ment of our affairs to bo a part of your own duty, I have
made bold, both from the necessity of the case, and the
persuasion of your good-will towards us, to address you by
[1 The lords Guilford and Ambrose Dudley.]
[2 These four individuals were arraigned in Guildhall, on the 13th
of November, when they pleaded guilty.]
[3 Cranmer was originally arraigned and condemned for high
treason. See above, p. 343, note 2.]
[4 Michael Reniger was on the foundation of ISIagdalene College,
Oxford, whence he was expelled by bishop Gardiner in 1553, and
became an exile. lie was afterwards made chaplain to queen Eliza-
beth, and prebendary of Winchester. This letter was probably
writtcTi at Zurich in ir>."G.]
CLXXXIII.] MICHAEL RENIGER TO HENRY BULLINGER. 375
letter. And lest it should occasion you any surprise, that
when our houses are so near as almost to be united, I prefer
addressing you through the intervention of a letter, rather
than by a personal conference, you must account for it in
this manner ; that I have still about me a kind of foohsli
shamefacedness, which shrinks from any discourse and conver-
sation concerning my private affairs ; and also, that the
person who is the bearer of this letter is able to explain all
the feelings of my mind just as if I were present myself.
Your kindness will thus briefly understand the whole matter.
Master Burcher, at the persuasion of one of my friends, pre-
sented me with twenty florins a year. This assistance I did
not think proper to decline, though I still continued to live
together with the English [exiles ;] first, because a necessity
was imposed upon me to receive it : for a certain agreement
and regulation was established among us, that each individual
should exert himself among his relatives and friends to pro-
cure for himself such a livelihood and means of support, that
admission might be afforded in their room to the more
indigent English who might be at Strasburgh; on which
account these means of support were not to be rejected by
me, both by reason of the force of that obhgation, and from a
regard to others. Added to this, the offer was such, and so
exceedingly liberal, that it was not consistent with my can-
dour or gratitude to refuse it : and in the third place it
affords great assistance to the advancement and convenience
of my studies. In a word, I ajaphed to master Richard
[Hilles,] that, since this allowance was scarcely sufiicient for
ray maintenance, he would make some addition from the
general fund : he replied, in my opinion reasonably enough,
that the doing so would introduce a most dangerous precedent
to the whole society, and that other persons, from any quarter,
would claim a like addition for themselves. I then asked
him, whether I might be allowed to write to some of my
friends and connexions, who are merchants, respecting their
affording such increase of allowance as might be necessary ;
but he thought also that I could not do this without injury
to the society. Being shut out from these means of support,
I had communication with that most friendly man, master
ab Ulmis, by reason of the intimacy which has so long ex-
isted between us : the result of which, most accomplished
376 MICHAEL RENIGER TO HENRY BULLINGER. [lET. CLXXXHI.]
sir, is, that having tried and explored all possible methods,
we have discovered this last resource ; for it would savour of
too much want of moderation, and intolerable importunity, to
expect any increase of allowance from master Burcher, who
has, besides, written very doubtfully respecting his own affairs,
and that he would continue this pension some time hence,
should his circumstances admit. It has occurred to us, that
master Vcr2;erius has addressed us with so much affection
and sincerity of heart, as to manifest that he was ready not
only to do every service in his power to all in general,
but also individually to such as may be willing to make
trial of his kindness. When we had thought this over toge-
ther, it occurred to us that we should derive little benefit
without the interposition of a letter from you : which I men-
tion on this account, because master ab Ulmis with his usual
kindness and good-will towards every one, and especially to
myself, is not satisfied with regarding liimself as the guardian
of my affairs, but is also ready (if only you think it will
be of any use) to undergo with me both the trouble of the
journey, and the soliciting and management of the business.
The matter now rests with yourself, to whom, as the patron
of the miserable men now exiled from England, application
has often been made before now, and is now made by myself
under like circumstances ; and to whom also any thing, what-
ever it may be, which may procure any alleviation to our
misfortunes, is not wont to appear troublesome ; that your
prudence may ascertain, first, whether it is expedient to try
this plan, and in the next place, may aid me, as far as you
conveniently can do, with your advice and assistance. This
is a short statement. I know how foolish it is to use pro-
lixity with one who is more moved by his own kind feeling
and desire to do good than by any private partiality or cir-
cumlocution. May the Lord Jesus preserve you to his church,
and repay to you out of his riches that kindness with which
you daily refresh the bowels of the saints !
Your most attached in Christ,
MICHAEL RENIGER. Anglus.
THE
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
[for the year 1845:]
ffic Jlari^er ^otitt^,
4pBV t|c publication of t^c SMorfis of if\t jFati^crs antr
(SSariters of t^e iJefoimelr ©nglis^ (Sfjurcti.
SNsocsaccgiB a.u. imiBCCdrxii.
STije lEngliBib Mcformaticu.
In One large Volume, Svo. well bound in extra cloth,
Price Ten Shillings and Sixpence.
THE SECOND EDITION, CHRONOLOGICALLY AUnANGED IN ONE SEEIES,
OF
THE ZURICH LETTERS;
OR
THE CORRESPONDENCE OF SEVERAL ENGLISH BISHOPS AND OTHERS, WITH
SOME OF THE HELVETIAN REFORMERS,
DURING THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH,
CHIEFLY FROM
THE ARCHIVES OF ZURICH.
Travslated fhom authentic Copiks of the Autographs, and edited jor thh
Parker Society, by the Rev. Hastings Robinson, D.D.
(ffamtrtUgc :
PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, for the PAREER SOCIETY.
AND SOLD BY'
C. J. STEWART, 11, King William Street, West Strand; also, by
Pickering, Dalton, Nisbet, Petheram, London; W. Curry, jun.
and CO. Dublin; Ritchie, Edinburgh; Vincent, Oxford; Mac-
MILLAN AND BARCLAY, CAMBRIDGE; AlLOM, YoRK ; WiGHT AND BaILEY,
Cheltenham; Godwin, Bath; and all other Booksellers.
JS?"This Volume contains the Enplish Translations of both Series of "The Zurich
Letters," excluding a few h'tters of no interest. Part of a limited iinpres.sion of the Work
is now offered to the PubliR, to meet the general demand for it ; but the Parker Society will
not again re-print this correspondence. Subscribers to the Parker Society may apply for
copies of this Vohime at tne Office, 33, Southampton Street, Strand — Per them ONtY the
Vtvse will be Seven ShiUiugs.
Cfte l^artter SoctctB
Correspondence of Archbishop Parker. The Parker Society being
about to publish a collection of the Letters of Archbishop Parker, it is
earnestly desired that it should be rendered as complete as possible. Any
communication upon the subject, and especially references to letters
of the Archbisliop preserved in any public, or private repository, or
in any Work not likely to be referred to for such a purpose, will be esteemed
a favor. Communications may be addressed to the Editor, John Bruce,
Esij., Hyde House, neai- Stroud, Gloucestershire.
PROCEEDINGS
AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF
HELD AT
THE FREEMASONS' TAVERN,
GREAT aUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, LONDON,
ON THURSDAY, THE 14th OF MAY, 1846.
THE RIGHT HON. LORD ASHLEY, M.P. in the Chair.
Collects suitable to the occasion were read by the Rev. M. M. Preston,
Vicar of Cheshunt.
The Report of the Council, and the Statement of the Receipts and Expen-
diture having been read,
The following Resolutions were moved, seconded, and agreed to.
Resolved,
That the Report and Statement of the Receipts and Expenditure, which have
been read by the Honorary Librarian and Secretary for General Business, be
approved, and that they be received and adopted, and printed for the information
of the Members ; and also, that the thanks of the Society be given to the
President, Treasurer, Council, and Auditors, for their care in preparing the
Report and Statement, and their other valuable services during the past year.
Resolved,
That the following persons be the Council and Officers for the year ensuing,
with power to fill up vacancies : —
The Right Honourable Lord Ashley, MP.,
was elected President.
Sir Walter R. Farquhar, Bart.,
was elected Honorary Treasurer.
' George Stokes, Esq.,
was elected Honorary Librarian.
The Rev. R. G. Baker.
Rev. C. Benson, Canon of Worcester,
Rev. E. Bickersteth,
John Bridges, Esq.,
John Bruce, Esq.,
Rev. Guy Bryan,
Rev. Richard Burgessi
4 PROCEEDINGS AT THE GEXERAL MEETING.
Rev, T. Townsox Churton, Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford.
Hon. William Cowpbr,
Rev. W. n. Cox, Vice-Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford.
Rev. J. W, Cunningham,
Rev, Thomas Dale, Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's.
The Venerable Archdeacon Dealtry,
Rev. W. Goode,
Rev. John Harding,
Rev. Edward Hoare,
Rev. T. H. Horne, Canon of St. Paul's.
Joseph Hoare, Esq.,
Honourable Arthur Kinnaird,
Hon. and Rev. B. W. Noel,
Henry Pownall, Esq.
Rev. Josiah Pratt,
Rev. M. M. Preston,
Rev. Daniel Wilson,
With the Rev. James Scholefield, Regius Professor of Greek in the
University of Cambridge,
Were elected as the Council, with power to fill up all vacancies occurring
during the year ; and
The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird,
Henry Pownall, Esq..
Rev. R. E. Hankinson, and
Francis Lowe, Esq., were elected Auditors.
Resolved,
That the best thanks of the Meeting, and of the whole of the raeaibers of.
the Parker Society, are due to the Right Honourable Lord Ashley, far his
invariable attention to the interests of the Institution, and for his kindly
presiding on the present occasion, under the pressure of many important public
engagements.
Resolved,
That a special vote of thanks is due to George Stokes, Esq., the
Honorary Lil)raiian, for his continued zeal and activity on behalf of the Insti-
tution, and for his unceasing attention to its interests.
Resolved,
That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the Local Correspondents and
other friends of tlie Society, who have assisted the objects of the Institution
during the past year.
THE FIFTH REPOUT OF THE COUNCIL. 3
THE
FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF
^^e Ji^aiiiei* ^octets,
INSTITUTED A.D. 1840.
FOR THE PUBLICATION OF
THE WORKS OF THE FATHERS AND EARLY WRITERS OF THE
REFORMED ENGLISH CHURCH.
PRESENTED TO THE GENERAL MEETING, MAY THE 14th, 1846.
" He {Archbhliop Parker) was a great collector of ancient anil modern writings, and took especial
■care of the safe preservation of tliem for all succeediiiji; times ; as foreseeing, undoubtedly, what use
KiiRht be made of them by posterity : that, by having recourse to such originals and precedents, the
true knowledge of things might the better appear."
" As he was a great patron and promoter of good learning, so he took care of giving encourage-
ment to printing — a great instrument of the increase thereof."
Strype's Life of Archbishop Parker.
The Council of the Parker Society, in presenting to tlie members,
at tlie General Meeting, a full Report of the proceedings of the past year,
are happy to be able to state that the delivery of the books for the year
1845 has been completed, and the cash account closed. The particulars
•wHl be printed in the edition of the Report annexed to the first book for
1846. The amount received was ^66966 10s. lid. and the expenditure
^'6852 15s. 9d. A balance of ^113 15s. 2d. remains, which has been
brought forward to the present year.
The volumes for 1845 were five in number. 1. The remaining
portion of Bishop Latimer, which contains some interesting letters from
the State Paper Office, never before printed. 2. Another volume of letters
from the Archives of Zurich, and other repositories in Switzerland, written
during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. These are a portion of the docu-
ments procured by the Rev. Steuart X. Pears, and supply many chasms in
the former series. Upon the value and importance of these communi-
cations it is unnecessary to enlarge. 3. and 4. Select Poetry, chiefly
devotional, of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This work was announced
in the original prospectus of the Society, but various circumstances pre-
vented it from being given at an earlier period. It is an important
publication, shewing how thoroughly the principles of the Reformation
imbued the general literature of that age, a fact not apparent in former
literary reprints, from which works of a religious nature usually have been
6 THE FIFTH REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.
omitted. The original intention was to have given only one volume ; but
the researches of the editor discovered so many authors whose poetry had
remained unnoticed, even by bibliographers, that it was found needful to
extend the selection, though only giving specimens, to two volumes. The
work is also interesting and valuable, by furnishing literal reprints,
exhibiting the spclhng then usual, thereby shewing how necessary it was
to adopt an uniform system of orthography in the other publications of
the Society. 5. A portion of the works of Bishop Jewel. This has been
called for by the members from the first commencement of the Society,
and has never been lost sight of by the Council, who have been unre-
mitting in their endeavours to expedite the publication. Those who are
competent to express an opinion, need not to be reminded of the peculiar
difficulties to be overcome in properly editing the works of this valuable
writer, and the time and application necessary to attain the requisite
degree of acquaintance with the numerous authors quoted by him, in
some cases existing only in manuscript. The Council have therefore much
pleasure in sending forth such an important volume, edited in a manner
which they believe will be found satisfactory. If the health of the
indefatigable editor be spared, they confidently hope to deliver a further
portion in the early part of each of the three next years ; and thus they
expect to be enabled to publish, what has been in vain desired by the
members of our National Church during the last two hundred years — a
new and corrected edition of the most important EngUsh theological
author of the sixteenth century. If the Parker Society completes tliis
publication, its originators and promoters may look with satisfaction on
the result of their efibrts, even if nothing else were accompUshed by their
instrumentality.
The Council would briefly allude to the difficulties which must ever
attend the editorial proceedings of an effort hke that of the Parker
Society. Few persons are aware of the very great and peculiar hindrances
and difficulties attendant on these labours, and how small was the number
of individuals who, at the commencement of the Society, were fully com-
petent to all that is now required in editing such works. Those who
possessed the requisite ability and experience were so engaged in other
duties, that scarcely any could be found to undertake the work ; while, of
those few, several have been compelkd to relinquish what they had begun,
by new appointments of various descriptions engaging all their attention.
Each year, however, has added to the number and ability of the editors ;
while, as in the case of Jewel, more time has been devoted to preparation ;
so that the Council can now state that their exertions in procuring com-
petent editorial assistance have been far more successful than at first could
have been hoped. They have always discharged their trust to the best of
their power, and it is hardly necessary to add, that the responsibility for
each book must in all cases rest with its editor. They would, however,
remark, that in an undertaking of this nature, especially under th«
peculiar difficulties of this class of WTiters, the publications should be
taken as a whole, when any estimate is formed of the proceedings of the
Society. It would be invidious to refer to other proceedings, whether of
THE FIFTH REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. /
public bodies or of individual publishers ; but the Council feel that it is
due to the members, as well as to the editors, and to themselves, to state
their full conviction that no similar effort has accomplished so much, and
with fewer imperfections. Still they wish that more could have been
effected, though they are aware that all literary undertakings will be found
imperfect in a greater or less degree, so that objections may easily be
raised against any book that ever has been printed.
It may be well here to explain what has been stated respecting the
text of the volumes reprinted. The spelling and punctuation have been
brought to an uniform standard ; but in all other respects they are Hteral
reprints, given as correctly as possible, and, it is believed, far more
correctly than is usual in similar publications, with the advantage in many
cases of exhibiting a collation of the different editions, and the correction
of typographical errors.
As to future proceedings, the Council have learned from experience
the impossibility of stating precisely what is to be expected. Another
painful instance has occurred in the last year, by the death of an editor
who had already devoted some time to the works of Archbishop Wliitgift.
It is desirable, therefore, only to state, that at the present time fourteen
authors are in preparation. Among them is a volume of Archbishop
Parker's correspondence, which it is expected will contain many letters
that have never been published.
The Council are glad to observe that a continued demand exists for
the early publications of the Society, notwithstanding the very large
number of 7000 copies actually issued of each book. The two volumes
of Zurich Letters in particular have been purchased at high prices when
offered for sale, which shews how desirable it was they should be re-
printed, to meet the wish of the members, as stated in the last Keport, in
one volume, and in regular chronological arrangement. This book is now
ready, and may be had by subscribers and booksellers for seven shillings,
or by the public in general for ten shillings and sixpence. The number
printed is limited, and the Council are decidedly of opinion that no other
edition should be printed by the Society ; nor should any other re-print
be undertaken, unless, as in this instance, under very peculiar circum-
stances, not likely to arise with reference to the books in general.
The researches at the State Paper Office, the Rolls, and some other
repositories, both public and private, are in progress, and incur con-
siderable expense ; but the results promise fully to justify and repay the
proceedings. The Council have much pleasure in reporting the kind
willingness with which every application hitherto made by them, for per-
mission to examine such repositories, has been acceded to.
At the commencement of the Society many subscriptions were paid,
the names and addresses for which were imperfectly sent, or incorrectly
recorded by the booksellers or bankers through whom they were trans-
mitted. Most of these have been traced and the books delivered ; but
about thirty sets of the publications of the year 1 84 1 remain, the owners
of which cannot be found. As nearly five years have now elapsed since
8 THE FIFTH REPORT aF THE COUNCIL.
these books have been ready, it is considered unnecessary to retain them
longer than until the close of the present year. The Council therefore
propose, after tlie first of January next, to place these books in various
pubhc libraries destitute of funds for purchase, and that the like course
shoukl be adopted -with the few sets Avhich may be similarly circumstanced
in future years. The books will bear the names in which the subscriptions
were paid, and be subject to be reclaimed by the subscribers, or their
representatives, if applied for hereafter, and the list of names may be
seen at the office.
The Society has more than seven thousand names on its list of sub-
scribers, but many of the subscriptions now due are still unpaid. It is
therefore proposed to continue the usual course of subjecting all
subscriptions uot sent by the first of June, to an additional payment of
five shillings, and to allow fresh applicants to have the unclaimed books
of 181G, so far as they will go, for the like amount in addition to the
original subscription. This proceeding has been approved in former
years. It may be well to mention, that several applications for the books
of 1844 have lately been nuide by parties who neglected to pay the
subscription of that year, but the books had been previously issued to
other applicants, after the notice duly given. And it is requisite now, as
in fornu'r years, to impress upon the members the importance of paying
the subscriptions immediately after the first of January in every year ;
for the Council cannot otherwise continue to send the volumes to press
without considerable and injurious delay. In answer to some inquiries it
may here be stated, that the books of the past years now to be obtained
at the office, are a few sets of those of 1843 and 1845 — with the surplus
volumes of the Liturgy of Edward VI. printed for extra applications, and
the reprint of the Zurich Letters just completed at the Press. The other
back volumes will, however, be found on sale among the booksellers ;
and in special cases the Secretai-y will assist the applicant, by pointing
out where it is probable they may be obtained.
The objects of the Parker Society have been so fully explained in the
Plan and the previous Reports, that nothing need be said respecting them
in the present document. The return of twenty-two valuable books for
an annual subscription of one pound, paid during five years, also has
afforded to the members an assurance of the value and efficiency of the
proceedings, so long as adequate support is given.
The main desire of the Parker Society may be briefly summed up in
these words of Bishop Jewel : " God give thee the spirit of understanding,
that thou mayest bo able to judge uprightly : God give thee eyes to see,
that thou mayest behold the comfortable and glorious face of God's
truth ; that thou mayest know the good, and merciful, and perfit will of
God ; that thou mayest grow into a full perfit man :u Christ, and no
longer be blown away with every blast of vain doctrine ; but mayest be
able to knoM- the only, the true, and the living God, and his only-begotten
Son, Jesus Christ : To whom both, with the Holy Ghost, be all honour
and glory, for ever and ever. Amen."
THE LAWS OF THE SOCIETY.
LAWS OF THE PARKER SOCIETY.
I. — That the Society shall be called The Parker Society, and that its
objects shall be — first, the reprinting, without abridgment, alteration, or
omission, of the best Works of the Fathers and early Writers of the
Reformed English Church, published in the period between the accession of
King Edward VI. and the death of Queen Ehzabeth ; secondly, the printing of
such remains of other Writers of the Sixteenth Century as may appear desirable
(including, under both classes, some of the early English Translations of the
Foreign Reformers) ; and thirdly, the printing of some manuscripts of the same
authors, hitherto unpublished.
II. — That the Society shall consist of such a number of members, being sub-
scribers of at least One Pound each annually, as the Council may determine :
the subscription to be considered due on the First day of January in each year,
in advance, and to be ])aid on or before such a day as the Council may fix;
sufficient notice being given of the day appointed.
III. — That the Management of the Society shall be vested in a President, a
Treasurer, and Honorary Librarian, and a Council of twenty -four other subscri-
bers, being Members of the Established Church, and of whom not less than six-
teen shall be Clergymen. The Council and Officers to be elected annually by the
subscribers, at a General Meeting to be held in the month of May ; and no per-
sons shall then be proposed who are not already members of the Council, or Offi-
cers, unless their names shall have been transmitted to the Secretaries on or
before the 15th of April in the current year, by nominations in writing, signed by
at least five subscribers. And that there be two Secretaries appointed by the
Council ; also, that the Council have power to fill all vacancies during the year.
IV. — That the accounts of the receipt and expenditure of the Society shall
be examined every year, previously to the General Meeting, by four Auditors,
two of them selected from the Council, and two appointed by the preceding
General Meeting.
v.— That the funds shall be expended in payment of the expenses incurred
in producing the works published by the Society, so that every member not in
arrear of his or her annual subscription shall receive a copy of every work published
by the Society during the year, for each sum of One Pound subscribed, without
any charge for the same ; and that the number of copies printed in each
year, shall be limited to the quantity required for the number actually
subscribed for.
VI. — That every member of the Society who shall intimate to the Council a
desire to withdraw, or who shall not ])ay the subscription by the time aj^i^ointed,
shall cease to be a member of the Society ; and no member shall, at any time,
incur any liability beyond the annual subscription.
VII. — That, after the commencement of the proceedings, no rule shall be
made or altered excepting at a General Meeting, and after notice of the
same has been communicated to the Members by circulars, or by adver-
tisement in two Loudon daily Newspapers, at least fourteen days before the
General Meeting.
VIII. — Donations and Legacies will be thankfully received ; the amount of
which shall be expended by the Council in supplying copies of the publications
to clerical, or other public libraries, destitute of fuuds to purchase the same,
and for such other purposes, couuected with the objects of the Society, as the
Council may determine.
10 ABSTRACT OF TUE CASH ACCOUNT.
AN ABSTRACT OF THE RECEIPTS AND OF
FOR THE
Received. jS s. d.
Balance brought from 1844 Account 15 12 5
Amount Received for the Subscriptions of Members > /.oq. q q
for the Year 1845, and previous Years *
Amount Received for Subscriptions for future years. ... 800
Dividend on Stock 24 10 5
From Exchequer Bill Account for 1845, being Balance ) o 3 1 1
of Premium and Interest *
Second Donation from Rev. Martin S. Wall 10 0 0
Total ^6958 16 6
ABSTRACT OF THE CASH ACCOUNT. H
THE EXPENDITURE OF THE PARKER SOCIETY,
YEAR 1845.
Paid. £. s. d.
Paid for Printing and Paper of the books published 1
by the Society for 1845 J ^^^^ ^ ^^
For Binding and Delivery 1618 2 7
For Volumes purchased to complete sets 21 15 6
For Editorial Expenses 631 13 8
For Insurance from Fire 5 12 6
For Books purchased, for the Library, Copy for I
Printing and use of Editors J
For Transcripts, and Examining Libraries and Public )
Offices i 1^' ^1 ^
For Printing Plans, Reports and Circulars, and for) ^^7 13 (j
Advertisements j
For Rent of Office, Salary of Secretary, and Wages] ^gy jq ^
of Clerks and Porters )
For Furnitm-e and Fittings 38 14 4
For Stationery and Account Books 1. . . . 25 16 5
For Incidentals, including postage, carriage, coals, and"l
various petty expenses (deducting re- payment of > 96 3 3
£7 14s. 5d. from T. Champion) J
Balance carried to 1846 113 15 2
Total ^^6958 16 6
HENRY POWNALL, 1 . ,.,
I Auditors.
FRANCIS LOWE. f
12 MEMBERS OF THE PATIKER SOCIETY.
THE FOLLOWING NAMES, WITH OTHERS, IN THE WHOLE
SEVEN THOUSAND,
ARE IN THE LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO
HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY ADELAIDE, QUEEN DOWAGER.
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE ALBERT.
HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF PRUSSIA.
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF KENT.
His Grace the Duke of Devonshire. — His Grace the Duke of Manchester — His
Grace the Duke of Sutherland — His Grace the Duke of Roxburghe.
The Most Hi)iiourable tiie ]\Lu-quesscs of Bute, Chohnondelej', Couyngham,
Dowushire, Northampton, Ormonde, and SaUsbury.
The Right Honourable the Earls of Cavan, Chichester, Clancarty, De Grey,
Essex, Galloway, Howe, Jeruiyn, Nelson, Rosse, and Spencer.
The Right Honourable and Rev. Lord Wriothesley Russell.
The Right Honourable Lord Viscounts Adare, Alford, Aibuthnott, Campden,
De Vesci, Fordwich, Hill, and Lorton,
The Right Honourable the Lords Ashley (President), and Lindsay.
The Right Honourable and Very Reverend Lord Edward Chichester. — The
Right Honourable Lord Henry Cholmondeley — The Right Honourable
and Reverend Lords Charles Thynne, John Thynne, Arthur Hervey, and
George A. Hill.
The Right Honourable and Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of London. — The
Right Reverend the Lords Bishops of Durham, Winchester, Chester,
Chichester. Hereford, Lichfield, Lincoln, Llanch.ff, Peterborough, Ripon,
Rochester, AVorcester, Oxford, and of Sodor and Man.
The Right Honourable and Right Reverend the Lords Bishops of Clogher and of
Meath.— The Honourable and Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Killaloe
and Clonfert. — The Right Reverend the Lords Bishops of Down and Connor,
of Ossory and Ferns, and of (Dashel and Waterford.
The Right Reverend the Lords Bishojjs of Calcutta, Bombay, Colombo, Toronto,
Guiana, Australia, and of Tasmania.
The Right Reverend the Bishops of Ohio, New Jersey, South Carolina,
Virguiia, Maryland, Georgia, and of Delaware.
The Right Honourable the Lords Bolton, Calthorpe, Farnham, Littleton, Ray-
leigh, and Teignmouth.
Her (irace the Duchess of Argyle. — Right Honourable the Countess of Annosley.
Right Honourable Viscountess Valcutia, — Right Honourable Lady Ward, &c.
MEMBERS OP THE PAllKEE SOCIETY. 13
The Right Honourable the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland— The Right Honour-
able Lord Justice Clerk, Scotland. — The Honourable Mr. Justice Jackson.
The Chevalier Bunsen. — The Right Honourable Henry Goulburn, Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer, M.P. for the University of Cambridge. — The Right
Honourable W. E. Gladstone, M.P.
The Honourable and Very Reverend the Deans of Norwich, Windsor and "Wolver-
hampton, and Manchester. — The Very Reverend the Deans of Chester,
Durham, Gloucester, Peterborough, Salisbury, and Winchester. — The Deans
and Chapters of Lichfield, Worcester, &c.
The Right Honourable and Very Reverend the Dean of Raphoe. — The Honour-
able and Very Reverend the Dean of Clogher. — The Very Reverend the Deans
of Cloyne, Connor, Cork, Derry, Cashel, Emly, St. Patrick, Ossory, Kildare,
Kilmacduagh, and Limerick.
The Honourable and Worshipful T. W. Law, Chancellor of Bath and Wells.
—The Worshipful H. Raikes, Chancellor of Chester; John N. Wood-
rufFe, Chancellor of Cork; E. T, M. Phillips, Chancellor of Gloucester;
F. R. Sandys, Chancellor of Ossory; Marsham Argles, Chancellor of-
Peterborough.
The Venerable Archdeacons Bather, Berners, Bevan, Browne, Buckle, Davys,
Dealtry, Hare, Hodson, Hoare, LaAv, Lyall, Mac Donald, Philpot, Shirley
Spooner, C. Thorp, and J. R. Wilberforce.
The Venerable Archdeacons Bell, Beresford, Creery, Digby, Mant, Monsell,
Oldfield, Power, Stuart, Verschoyle and St. George.
Reverend Dr. Symons, Warden of Wadham Coll. Oxford, and Vice Chancellor
of the University. — -Reverend Dr. Phelps, Master of Sidney Sussex Coll.
CambridgCj and Vice Chancellor of the University.— Reverend Dr. Graham,
Master of Christ Coll. Cambridge. — Reverend Dr. Archdall, Master of Em-
manuel Coll. Cambridge. — Reverend Dr. Tatham, Master of St. John's Coll.
Cambridge. — Reverend Dr. Plumtre, Master of University Coll. Oxford. — •
Reverend Dr. Fox, Provost of Queen's Coll. Oxford. — Reverend Dr. Cotton,
Provost of Worcester Coll. Oxford. — Reverend Dr. Jeune, Master of Pem-
broke Coll. Oxford. — Reverend Dr. Thackeray, Provost of King's Coll. Cam-
bridge.— Reverend Dr. Amslie, Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. — ■
Reverend Dr. French, Master of Jesus Coll. Cambridge. — Joshua King,
Esq. D C.L. President of Queen's Coll. Cambridge. — I'everend Dr. Procter,
Master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge,— Reverend Dr. Webb, Master of Clare
Hall, Cambridge. — Reverend Dr. Hampden, Principal of St. Mary's Hall,
and Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford. — Reverend Dr. Cramer, Prin-
cipal of New Inn Hall, Oxford. — Reverend E. Cardwell, Principal of St.
Alban's Hall, Oxford.
The Reverend Dr. Sadleir, Provost of Trinity Coll. Dublin. — The Venerable
Archdeacon Thorp, Warden of the University of Durham. — The Very
Reverend Dr. Lee, Principal of the University of Edinburgh. — Reverend
J. Wheeler, President of the University of Vermont, U. S. — Rev. R. P.
Buddicom, Principal of St. Bees College. — Reverend Dr. Williamson, Head
Master of Westminster School. — Reverend Dr. Tait, Head Master of Rugby
School, &c. &c.
Libraries. — The Royal Library, Berlin. — Balliol Coll. Oxford. — Gonville and
Caius, Pembroke, and Queen's Coll. Cambridge. — Wadham and Worcester
Coll. Oxford.— Trinity Coll. Dublin. — University of Edinburgh. — King's Coll.
London. — Advocates' Library, and Library of the Writers to the Signet,
Edinburgh. — St. Bees Coll.— Cathedrals of Chester and Cashel. — The London
Institution. — The London Library. — The Chetham Library, Manchester ;
and many other Collegiate, Public, and School Libraries, &c. &c.
14 THE COUNCIL AND OFFICERS.
THE COUNCIL AND OFFICERS FOR 1845-6.
President.
The Right Honourable Lord Ashley, M.P.
Treasurer.
Sir Walter R. Farouhar, Bart.
Council.
Rev. R. G. Baker. — Rev. C. Benson, Canon of Worcester. — Rev. E.
Bickersteth.^ — John Bridges, Esa. — John Bruce, Esq. — Rev. Guy
Bryan. — 'Rev. Richard Burgess. — Rev. T. Tovpnson Churton, Fellow of
Brasenose College, Oxford. — Hon, William Cowper. — Rev.W. H. Cox, Vice
Principal, St. Mary Hall, Oxford. — Rev. J. W. Cunningham. — Rev Thomas
Dale, Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's. — Ven. Dr. Dealtry, Archdeacon of
Surrey. — Rev. W. Goode. — Rev. John Harding. — -Rev. Edward Hoare.
— Joskph Hoare, Esq. — Rkv. T. H. Horne, Canon of St. Paul's — Hon.
Arthur Kinnaird. — Hon. and Rkv. B. W. Noel. — Henry Pownall, Esq.
— Rev. Josiah Pratt. — Rev. M. M. Preston. — Rev. Daniel Wilson.
Honorary Librarian.
George Stokes, Esq., Cheltenham.
Editorial Secretary.
Rev. James Scholefield, Regius Professor of Greek in the University of
Cambridge
Secretary for General Business.
Wilmam Thomas, Esq. at the Office of the Parker Society, 33, Southampton
Street, Strand, London.
Auditors.
Hon. A. Kinnaird, Rev. R.E Hankinson, H. Pownall, Esq.& F.Lowe,Esq.
Bankers.
Messrs. Herries, Farquhar, and Co., No. 16, St. James's Street.
REGULATIONS FOR DELIVERY OF THE WORKS PUBLISHED BY
THE SOCIETY.
I. They will be delivered, free of expense, at the Office, or within three miles of
the General Post Office, London.
II. They will be sent to any place in England beyond the distance of three miles from
the General Post Office, by any conveyance a Member may point out. In this
case the parcels will be booked at the expense of the Society, but the carriage
must be paid by the Members to whom they are sent.
III. They will be delivered, free of expense, at any place in London which a Member,
resident in the country, may name.
IV. They may remain at the Office of the Society until the Members apply for them,
but, in that case, the Society will not be responsible for any damage which may
happen from fire, or other accident.
V. They will be sent to any of the Correspondents, or Agents of the Society, each
Member paying the Correspondent or Agent a share of the Carriage of the
parcel in which the books were included. Arrangements are made for the
delivery on this plan, in many of the cities and large towns where a sufficient
number of members reside ; and it will he enteemed a favour if gentlemen who
are willing to further the objects of the Parker Society, by taking charge of the
books for the Members in their respective neighbourhoods, will write to the Office
on the subject.
VI. They will be delivered in Edinburgh and Dublin as in London, and forwarded
from thence to Members in other parts of Scotland and Ireland, in the same
manner as is mentioned above with respect to England,
15
^ iLtst of f^t Wiovii^
ALREADY PUBLISHED BY THE PARKER SOCIETY.
For the Year 184L
The Works of Bishop Ridley.
The Sermons and other Pieces of Archbishop Sandys.
The Works of Bishop Pilkington,
The Works of Roger Hutchinson.
For the Year 1842.
The Examinations and Writings of Archdeacon Philpot.
Christian Prayers and Meditations.
Letters of Bishop Jewell, and others, translated from the Originals in the
Archives of Zurich, (1st Series).
The Writings of Archbishop Grindal.
Early Writings of the Rev. T. Becon, Chaplain to Archbishop Cranmer, and
Prebendary of Canterbury.
For the Year 1843.
Fulke's Defence of the English Translation of the Bible.
Early Writings of Bishop Hooper.
Writings of Archbishop Cranmer on the Lord's Supper.
The Catechism and other pieces of Becon.
For the Year 1844.
The Liturgies, Primer and Catechism of the Reign of Edward VI.
Writings of Bishop Coverdale.
Sermons of Bishop Latimer.
The Flower of Godly Prayers, and other Pieces of Becon.
For the Year. 1845.
Second Series of Letters from the Archives of Zurich.
Writings of Bishop Jewel.
Remains of Bishop Latimer.
Devotional Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.
Preparing for publication in the Year 1846, and following Year, as the
subscriptions allow, and the volumes can be completed.
A. further portion of Bishop Jewel.
Another portion of Bishop Coverdale.
Calfhill's Answer to Martiall's Treatise on the Cross.
Writings of John Bradford.
The Remains of Archbishop Cranmer.
Liturgies and Occasional Services of Queen Elizabeth.
Original Letters relative to the English Reformation.
16
Hist of a£torfe»
ALREADY PURLISIIED AND UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE
PARKER SOCIETY'.
In Royal Octavo. — Becon* — Cranmer* — Jewel* — Whitgift — Parker — Bullin-
ger's Decades — Alley — Whitaker.
In Demy Octavo. — R itlley* — Pilkington* — Philpot* — Fulke* — Nowell — Cover-
^alii* — Curtis — Bale — Tyndale — Fryth — Barnes — Sandys* — Hutchinson* —
Grindal* — Hooper* — Latimer* — Bradford — Cooper — Fox — Tavcrner — ■
Calf hill, and others; Royal Authors, Documents of the Reign of Edward
YI* — Documents relative to the Reign of Queen Mary — Documents of the
Reign of Queen Elizabeth — Letters from the Archives of Zurich* (three
series) — Letters and Documents from Archbishop Parker's MSS. in C,C.
C^C. — Occasional Services of Queen Elizabeth's Reign — The Homilies —
Some volumes of Sermons preached before King Edward VI. and Queen
Elizabeth, at St. Paul's Cross, in the Universities, and on various occasions
— Several volumes of Tracts and small Pieces — Various Letters and Docu-
ments—Reformatio Legum Ecclesiasticarum — Queen Elizabeth's Pra3^er
Book — Devotional Poetry of the Sixteenth Century* — Christian Meditations
and Prayers, and some other Devotional Manuals.*
It is calculated that the Works above stated may be included in about
18 or 20 volumes royal octavo, and 50 volumes demy, and that the whole may
be completed in sixteen years from the commencement. A few pieces of peculiar
interest may probably be printed as fac similes. The list, however, is not to be
considered as definitely settled. It is not possible to state the order in which
the volumes will appear, but each will be complete in iUeli. The whole series
(fully equal to a hundred volumes of demy octavo), when completed, will have
cost the original subscribers only about sixteen pounds, paid in as many years,
and in proportion for parts of the series.
The Parker Society is also engaged in a complete examination of the State
Paper Office, and is uniler engagement to print the Letters and Documents from
that Repository in a separate form, by the express desire of Her Majesty's
Government.
The Works of the Authors to whose names this mark (*) is appended, have been
already printed, in whole or in part, and delivered to the Subscribers.
All correspondence respecting subscriptions, or the delivery of the Books, is to
be addressed to
William Thomas, Esa., Secretary for General Business,
To whom all Bank and Post Office Orders are to be made payable,
AT THE OFFICE OF THE PARKER SOCIETY, 33, SOUTHAMPTON
STREET, STRAND, LONDON.
Printed at the Milton Press,
comer of Charing Cross Hospital, Strand.
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