cum Argentinensi ecclesia et omnibus aliis in Christo fratribus sentiam.

NUMBER XLVII.

BISHOP HOPER TO THE CLERGY OF HIS DIOCESE OF

GLOUCESTER.

To the glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

FORASMUCH as of all charges and vocations, the charge E MSto of such as be appointed to the ministry and function of privato. the church is the greatest; it is to be provided and foreseen, that such as be called and appointed to such vocation and office be such as can satisfy the said office, which may be done, as St. Paul saith, two manner of ways. The one if they be of sound doctrine, apt to teach, and to exhort after knowledge, and able to withstand and confute the evil sayers. The other, if their life and manners be unculpable, and cannot justly be blamed: which consisteth in this; if the minister be sober, modest, keeping hospitality, honest, religious, chaste; not dissolute, angry, nor given to much wine, no fighter, no covetous man, such as governeth well his own house, and giveth an example of virtue and honesty unto others. For as the godly life and conversation of the parson, or doctor, doth no less avail in the reformation of others than the doctrine itself; so likewise they, who have no respect nor regard what evil, mischievous, and devilish example of life outwardly appeareth to be in them, cannot have in them any just authority to reform or correct the faults of others. For by what just means canst thou reprehend 134 and blame any other in that fault wherein thou thyself art to be blamed? Or by what occasion canst thou preach chastity, or desire to have the same in another man, when CRANMER, VOL. II.

SS

as thou thyself, despising both God and holy matrimony, dost either nourish or keep a whore, or concubine at home in thy house, or else must defile other men's beds? Neither is he any thing less to be ashamed that will persuade others to live in sobriety, he himself being drunk. Wherefore what authority shall he obtain or get unto himself and his ministry, which is daily seen and marked of men to be a common haunter of alehouses and taverns, of whores, cards, dice, and such-like.

:

Hereby shall you perceive and know, how that the old priests and pastors of Christ's church did by their truth and gravity subjugate and bring under the hardnecked and stiff, stubborn Ethnics, and caused them to have the same in fear insomuch that the wicked emperor Julian caused the priests of the pagans to order their lives according to the lives of the others. But look what authority and reverence the old severity and graveness of the pastors and priests did bring unto them at that time, even as much shame and contempt, (or else a great deal more, as I fear), doth the lechery, covetousness, ambition, simony, and such other corrupt manners, bring unto most priests, pastors, and ministers, that be now in our days, of all men. Wherefore, I being not forgetful of my office, and duty towards God, my prince, and you, do desire and beseech all you, for Christ's sake, who commanded that your light should so shine before men, that they seeing and perceiving the same, might glorify the Father which is in heaven.

Give your diligence, well-beloved brethren, together with me, so that the dignity and majesty of the order of priests, being fallen in decay, may not only be restored again, but that first and principally the true and pure worshipping of God may be restored; and that so many souls being committed to my faith and yours, may, by our wholesome doctrine

and cleanness of conversation, be moved unto the true study of perfect charity, and called back from all error and ignorance; and finally, to be reduced and brought unto the high bishop and pastor of souls, Jesus Christ, and to the intent ye may the more easily perform the same, I have, according to the talent and gift given me of the Lord, collected and gathered out of God's holy word a few articles, which I trust shall much profit and do ye good. And if that any thing shall be now wanting or lacking, I trust, by the help of your prayers and good counsel, they shall be shortly hereafter performed. Let every one of you therefore take good heed to approve yourselves faithful and wise ministers of Christ; so that when I shall come to visit the parishioners committed to my cure, and come from God and the king's majesty, ye be able not only to make answer unto me in that behalf, but also unto our Lord Jesus Christ, judge both of the quick and the dead, and a very strait revenger of his church. Thus fare you well unto the day of my coming unto you.

NUMBER XLVIII.

HOPER, BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER, TO SIR WILLLAM CECYL

SECRETARY OF STATE.

135

THE grace of God be with you, Amen. Since my coming sir W. down, I have been at Worcester, gentle Mr. Secretary, Ms. H[icke's] and thought not to have departed thence till I had set things in a good order, as near as I could. But the negligence and ungodly behaviour of the ministers in Gloucestershire compelled me to return, except I should leave them behind as far out of order as I should find the other, to whom I am going unto. I have spoken with the greatest part of the ministers, and I trust within these six days

to end for this time with them all. For the love of God cause the Articles, that the king's majesty spake of, when we took our oaths, to be set forth by his authority. I doubt not but they shall do much good. For I will cause every minister to confess them openly before their parishioners. For subscribing privately in the paper, I perceive, little availeth. For, notwithstanding that, they speak as evil of good faith, as ever they did before they subscribed. I left not the ministers of Gloucestershire so far forward when I went to London, but I found the greatest part of them as far backward at my coming home. I have a great hope of the people. God send good justices, and faithful ministers in the church, and all will be well.

For lack of heed corn so passeth from hence by water, that I fear much we shall have great scarcity this year. Doubtless men that be put in trust do not their duties.

The statute of regrators is so used that in many quarters of these parts it will do little good: and in some parts, whereas license by the justices will not be granted, the people are much offended, that they should not, as well as other, bag as they were wont to do.

God be praised, yet all things be quiet, and I trust so will continue. Thus desiring God to continue you long in health to his pleasure, fare ye well: and for God's sake do one year, as ye may be able to do another. Your health is not the surest: favour it as ye may; and charge it not far. Ye be wise and comfortable for others; be so for yourself also. I pray you let God be the end whereunto ye mark in all your doings; and if they for lack of knowledge then happen otherwise than ye would, the thing ye sought shall partly excuse your ignorance, that may happen to miss men in weighty affairs. If ye see the means good, and yet evil follow of them, content yourself with patience for the second cause, when God will, be it

never so like to bring forth the effect, misseth her purpose: as ye know by wise men's counsels, that ruled in commonwealths before you. God give his grace to look always upon him, and then with mercy let him do his holy will. Glouc. 6 July, 1552.

Yours with my daily prayer,

JOHN HOPER,

Bishop of Worcester.

To the right honourable my singular friend, sir William Cecyl, knight, one of the king's majesty's chiefest secretaries.

Another of the same Bishop to the same Person.

136

THE grace of God be with you for ever, Amen. I have Sir W. H[icke's] written herewith long letters to the council; yet not so MSS. long as the matter contained in them doth require. I trust it will be your chance to read them, that the matter may be the better understood. You know I am but an evil secretary, do the best you can they may be well taken. It is truth that I write, and God's cause. Let God do as his blessed pleasure is with it. I have sent the matters, that these two canons, Johnson and Jolliffe, dislike, in writing, whereby ye may understand what is said of both parties. The disputation Mr. Harley can make true relation of, and how unreverently and proudly Jolliffe used both him and me.

Forasmuch as my jurisdiction ceaseth until the letters patent be past for both churches, these shall be to pray you to obtain the king's majesty's letters for my warrant in the mean time. For in case I do not at this time take account of the clergy in Worcester and Gloucestershire, how they have profited since my last examining of them, it will not be well. Also such as I have made superintend