Edward's days, in the year 1552, the other concerning the report of the disputation in the convocation house, mention whereof is above expressed. Moreover, he brought forth two letters, and laid them to Mr. Philpot's charge; the one was addressed to him by a friend, complaining of the bishop's ill usage of a young man named Bartlet Green; the other was a consolatory letter from Lady Vane. Beside these, was introduced a memorial drawn up by Mr. Philpot, to the queen and parliament, stating the iregularity of his being brought to bishop Bonner, he not being of his diocess; also complaining of the severity of his treat

ment.

These books letters, supplications, &c. having been read, the bishop demanded of him, if the book entitled, "The true report of the disputation, &c," were of his penning, or not? To this Mr. Philpot answered in the affirmative.

The bishops growing weary, and not being able to convince and overcome him, began with flattering speech to persuade him: promising, if he would revoke his opinions, and return to their Romish church, he would not only be pardoned that which was past, but they would, also, reBut when ceive him again as a true member thereof. Bonner found that it would take no effect, he demanded of Mr. Philpot, whether he had any just cause to allege why he should not condemn him as a heretic. "Well," quoth Mr. Philpot, 66 your idolatrous sacrament, which you have found out, you would fain defend, but you cannot, nor ever shall."

In the end the bishop, seeing his steadfastness in the truth, openly pronounced the sentence of condemnation against him. In the reading whereof, when he came to these words, "and you, an obstinate, pernicious, and impenitent heretic," &c. Mr. Philpot said, "I thank God that I am a heretic out of your cursed church; I am no heretic before God. But God bless you, and give you grace to repent your wicked doings."

When Bonner was about the midst of the sentence, the bishop of Bath pulled him by the sleeve, and said, "My ord, my lord, know of him first whether he will recant or not." "O, let him alone :" said he; and so read forth the

sentence.

When he had concluded, he delivered him to the sheriffs; and so two officers brought him through the bishop's house into Paternoster-row, where his servant met him, and when he saw him, he said, "Ah, dear master!"

"Content thyself," said Mr. Philpot, "I shall do well enough; for thou shalt sec me again.'

The officers then took him to Newgate, where they delivered him to the keeper. Then his man strove to go in after his master, and one of the officers said unto him, "Hence, fellow what wouldst thou have?" And he said, "I would speak with my master." Mr. Philpot then turned about, and said to him, "To-morrow thou shalt speak with me."

When the keeper understood it to be his servant, he gave him leave to go in with him. And Mr. Philpot and his man were turned into a chamber on the right hand, and there remained a short time, when the chief keeper came unto him; who said, "Ah, hast thou not done well to bring thyself hither ?" "Well," said Mr. Philpot, "I must be content, for it is God's appointment; and I shall desire you to let me have your gentle favour, for you and I have been of old acquaintance.

"If you will recant," said the keeper, "I will show you any pleasure I can."-" Nay," said Mr. Philpot, “I will never recant that which I have spoken, while I have life, for it is most certain truth, and in witness thereof, I will seal it with my blood." Then the keeper said, "This is the saying of the whole pack of you heretics." Whereupon he commanded him to be set upon the block, and as many irons to be put upon his legs as he could bear.

Upon Tuesday, the 17th of December, while he was at supper, there came a messenger from the sheriffs, and bade Mr. Philpot make ready, for the next day he should suffer, and be burned at a stake. Mr. Philpot answered, “I am ready; God grant me strength and a joyful resurrection.” And so he went into his chamber, and poured out his spirit unto the Lord God, giving him most hearty thanks, that he had made him worthy to suffer for his truth.

In the morning the sheriffs came according to order, about eight o'clock, and calling for him, he most joyfully came down to them. And there his man met him, and said, “Ah, dear master, farewell." His master answered,

"Serve God, and he will help thee." And so he went with the sheriffs to the place of execution; and when he was entering into Smithfield, the way was foul, and two officers took him up to bear him to the stake. Then he said merrily, "What, will you make me a pope? I am content to go to my journey's end on foot." But on entering into Smithfield, he kneeled down, and said, "I will pay my vows in thee, O Smithfield."

On arriving at the place of suffering, he kissed the stake, and said, "Shall I disdain to suffer at this stake, seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer the most vile death upon the cross for me?" And then with an obedient heart he repeated the 106th, 107th, and 108th Psalms: and when he had made an end of all his prayers, he said to the officers, "What have you done for me?" And when they severally declared what they had done, he gave money to them.

They then bound him to the stake, and lighted the fire, when the blessed martyr soon resigned his soul into the hands of him who gave it.

CHAPTER VII.

Martyrdom of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was burnt at Oxford, March 21st, 1556.

THIS eminent prelate was born at Aslacton, in Notting hamshire, on the 2d of July, 1459. His family was ancient, and came in with William the Conqueror. He was early deprived of his father, and, after a common school education, was sent by his mother to Cambridge, at the age of fourteen, according to the custom of those times.

Having completed his studies at the university, he took the usual degrees, and was chosen fellow of Jesus college. In 1521 he married, by which he forfeited his fellowship: but his wife dying within a year after his marriage, he was re-clected. This favour he gratefully acknowledged, and declined an offer of a more valuable fellowship in cardinal Wolsey's new seminary at Oxford, rather than relinquish friends who had treated him with such respect.

In 1523 he commenced doctor of divinity; and being

in great esteem for theological learning, he was chosen divinity lecturer in his own college, and appointed, by the university, one of the examiners in that science. In this office he inculcated the study of the scriptures, then greatly neglected, as being indispensable for the professors of that divine knowledge.

The plague breaking out at Cambridge, Mr. Cranmer, with some of his pupils, removed to Waltham-abbey, where, meeting with Gardiner and Fox, one the secretary, the other almoner of Henry VIII. that monarch's intended divorce of Catharine, the common subject of discourse in those days, was mentioned: when Cranmer advising an application to the universities, for their opinion in the case, they introduced him to the king, who was so pleased with him, that he ordered him to write his thoughts on the subject, made him his chaplain, and admitted him into that favour and esteem, which he never afterward forfeited.

In 1530 he was sent by the king to dispute on the subject of the divorce, at Paris, Rome, and other foreign parts. At Rome he delivered his book, which he had written in defence of the divorce, to the pope, and offered to justify it in a public disputation: but after various appointments none appeared to oppose him; while, in private conferences, he forced them to confess that the marriage was contrary to the law of God. The pope constituted him penitentiarygeneral of England, and dismissed him.

During the time he was abroad, archbishop Warham died Henry, convinced of Cranmer's merit, determined that he should succeed him: and commanded him to return for that purpose. He was desirous, by all means, to decline this high station, for he had a true and primitive sense of the office, but a spirit so different from that of the churchmen of his times, stimulated the king's resolution; and the more reluctance Cranmer showed, the greater resolution Henry exerted. He was consecrated on March 30th, 1533, to the office; and though he received the usual bulls from the pope, he protested, at his consecration, against the oath of allegiance, &c. to him.

The first service he did the king in his archiepiscopal character, was pronouncing the sentence of his divorce from Catharine and the next was joining his hand with Anne Boleyn, the consequence of which marriage was the

birth of the glorious Elizabeth, to whom he stood godfather.

As the queen was greatly interested in the reformation, the friends to that good work began to conceive high hopes; and, indeed, it went on with desirable success. But the fickle disposition of the king, and the fatal end of the unhappy Anne, for awhile alarmed their fears; though, by God's providence, without any ill effects. The pope's supremacy was universally exploded; monasteries, &c. destroyed, upon the fullest detection of the most abominable vices existing in them; that valuable book of the "Erudition of a Christian Man," was set forth by our great archbishop, with public authority; and the sacred scriptures, at length, to the infinite joy of Cranmer, and of lord Cromwell, his constant friend and associate, were not only translated, but introduced into every parish. The translation was received with inexpressible joy: every one that was able, purchased it, and the poor flocked greedily to hear it read, some persons in years learned to read on purpose that they might peruse it, and even little children crowded with eagerness to hear it!

A short time after this, he gave a shining proof of his disinterested constancy, by his opposition to Henry's "Six Articles," described in a former part of this volume. However, he weathered the storm, and published, with an incomparable preface, written by himself, the larger Bible; six of which, even Bonner, then newly consecrated bishop of London, caused to be fixed, for the perusal of the people, in his cathedral of St. Paul's.

The enemies of the reformation, however, were restless, and Henry, alas! was no protestant in his heart. Cromwell fell a sacrifice to them; and they aimed their malignant shafts at Cranmer. Gardiner, in particular, was indefatigable: he caused him to be accused in parliament, and several lords of the privy council moved the king to commit the archbishop to the tower. The king perceived their malice; and one evening, on pretence of diverting himself on the water, ordered his barge to be rowed to Lambeth. The archbishop, being informed of it, came down to pay his respects, and was ordered, by the king, to come into the barge, and sit close by him. Henry made him acquainted with the accusations which were laid against