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VII. The last thing which grieved our consciences was, your demand which you made: What is white? What is black? What is round? What is square? They are, said you, the good creatures of God. But we are sure, that white, black, and square, as you now use them, are not God's creatures, as he created them, but as antichrist hath formed them. From whence you have received both fashion and form. And therefore still the creatures of antichrist. And that in such sort, as all the laws and proclamations that ever have been or shall be in England, cannot make them theirs, as [to] form and fashion, neither God's creatures, nor the princes; no more than the king of France can with a proclamation make acts of another noble king his. As also, for example, if the Turk should decree by laws, statutes, and edicts, that all the ceremonies of Moses law, as offering of calves, incense, oyl, and flower; and all Aaron's attyre should no more be taken for Moses's ceremonies and Aaron's attyre, but for his ceremonies and his attyre: should not Moses's ceremonies continue Moses's ceremonies still? and Aaron's holy garments continue Aaron's garments still? Wee think, yea: and wisdom hath so thought also. Then no proclamation, law, or statute can dispossess antichrist, the pope, from his ceremonies, ordinances, constitutions, and attyre. But look, what ceremonies, ordinances, and constitutions and attyre were his twenty years ago, shall be his ceremonies, ordinances, and constitutions and attyre still, tho' a thousand proclamations should command the contrary.

27 Therefore herein we consent with you, that in respect of substance they are God's good creatures; but in the consideration of the use, form, fashion, and end, whereunto they were and are appointed, we judge them altogether unlawful, proceding from antichrist, that man of sin, and the sworn enemy of God and his truth.

And what estimation shall the minister get by wearing the badge and cognizance of his masters deadly foe, we re

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ferr it to your own wisdom and discretion. And thus, al- BOOK though rudely, yet truly, we have declared the cause of our griefs; wishing them to be satisfied by you or some others, out of God's word: whereupon we may ground and settle our consciences. For bare asseverations are but weak confirmations. Neither may we be carried away with the countenance of any man's calling: but whereunto we must subject both our senses and our selves, is the mighty word of the eternal God. Which if it might bear sway, as of right it ought, O Lord, how many sinners should be extinguished and buried, that now a vain policy doth maintain and strengthen! How many and grievous burthens should then be taken from us, that no Christian's eyes and ears can scarce behold and hear! God grant, that all abuses may be with expedition reformed; and that you and your fellow bishops may labour speedily to reduce our English church as nigh as may be to the form and patern of the apostles church. Amen.

Number XIII.

A true report of the words and confession of Thomas late duke of Norfolk, at his death on the Tower-hill, June the 2. 1572.

THE duke came forth of the Tower to the scaffold on Cott. Library, JuTower-hill, guarded with the sheriff of London and officers; lius, F. 6. and accompanied with sir Owen Hopton, lieutenant of the Tower, sir Henry Lee, Mr. Nouel, dean of St. Pauls, and Mr. Fox, sometime his schoolmaster, with other gentlemen. When he ascended the scaffold, after a little talk that he had with Mr. Nouel, he demanded of the standers by, which way he might best direct his face to speake unto the people. And it was answered him, Toward the east side of the scaffold. Where presently he placed himself, and uncovered his head, with taking view of the people, and especially of such as stood neer him. To whom with a cheerful countenance and bold looks, he uttered these words:

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It is not a rare thing, good people, to se a man come to this place, to take his death: although in our queens gracious and most merciful reign, you have had no experience thereof. And it is my fortune, first to be; I thank God for it, and pray unto God I may be the last. Whereunto a number of the people said, Amen.

I must desire you, good people, to bear with me. For it is not usual with men of my vocation to speak in such an assembly, and surrender to every man that is not bold spirited alike, and especially in such a place and at such a time as this is. Yet if you will give me leave, I trust to speak, as my conscience shall be discharged, and not one of you offended. For I would be loth to offend the least that is here. And that you may the better understand and cary away that which I say, I will divide my speech into three parts; and I pray you take altogether with you, and do not take here and there a piece. For if you will take it together with you, it wil plesure you the better.

cuse my

First, as concerning my offence, I come not hither to exself and my fault. For I must needs confess, that I have had dealing with the queen of Scots, more than either my duty or allegiance doth permit me. And after my first coming to the Tower, I made my submission to the queen's majesty; which troubled me most of all; though 28 not by solemne [vow] or receiving the communion, never to deal in it again, as I have been charged. But I promised her grace in writing, that I would never deal with the Scottish queen. And this notwithstanding, I must needs confess, that after my delivery out of the Tower I had secret conference with divers concerning the aforesaid queen. The which yet sticketh in my stomac. But what moved me to do it, God knoweth. Some may think, for fear of my life. But a man should never fear death. Furthermore, I must needs confess, that I conferred with divers suspected persons. Of which some have been found faulty. As namely, Rodulpho for one, being a stranger. Whom I never dealt with, but only except for a recognizance, wherin I stood bound; which all the world knoweth. And then, I confess,

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I found him apt to attempt any treason that could be de- BOOK vised, and [having] an envy to this commonwealth. Whereof I cannot excuse my self. For although I did not condescend to their request, I did not bewray and disclose it, as a good and dutiful subject ought to do.

Further, I did see two letters from the pope; the which my men deciphered; but I did never consent unto them. And for the depriving of the queen's majesty, and the invasion of the realm, and the destroying of the city of London; it was never my intent.

Here the sheriff interrupted him, and said, the time now served to make manifest his faults, and not excuse them, by the impeaching of the good name of his peers: who justly have found him guilty. Whereunto he answered, and said, Good Mr. Sheriff, I come not hither to justify my self: but my meaning is to clear my peers. And therefore I desire you, masters, to` bear me all witness: and so report of me afterwards. Then proceding a little further in such like terms, Christopher, one of the secondaries of the Counter, interrupted him the second time, and said, That he was condemned and judged to dy by the order of the law and his peers, and that he had as princely a tryal as any man had. And now the writ was come to execute him. And therefore wished him, either to surcease from such protestations, or else to hold his peace, Whereunto he answered, I pray you, good gentleman, give me leave to speak, and you shall well perceive, that my coming [meaning] is not to excuse my self of my fault at all. And turning himself to the people he said:

You se how I am interrupted. And therefore I think that I shall hardly make an evil tale. Well, I will come to my second particular, which is my conscience and religion. And as touching my religion, I have been suspected to be a papist. I must confess, that divers of my familiar friends, and divers of my servants and officers under me, were papists. But what meaning I had in it, God, who seeth above, knoweth it. For my self, God is my witness, I have always been a protestant, and never did allow of their blind and

BOOK fond ceremonies. And now, before God and you all, I utI. terly renounce the pope, and all popedome. Which thing I

have always don, and will do to my life's end. And to that which is the chiefest point of our belief, I believe and trust to be saved by faith in Jesus Christ only, and by none other means. For if I did, I should be greatly deceived at

this instant.

Lastly, I do crave pardon most humbly of the queen's majesty for all mine offences; whose gentle clemency I have abundantly tasted, as well in forgiving me my faults, as also granting me so long a time of repentance of my bypast life. And furthermore, I thank her gracious majesty, that it hath pleased her to promise to be good and gracious lady to my poor and orphant children; which was my only request. And I beseech Almighty God to grant her a long, prosperous, and quiet reign over you.

I could use a similitude, although the place and state of the speakers are far unlike; yet not unmeet for this time and place. I did once hear in king Edward's time, Mr. Latymer, a good old and blessed martyr, preach, that he feared great plagues were to come upon the people for their exactions, and contentions, and disobedience. But contrary, I hope verily, that this realm shall be blessed, and the state of it most prosperous, by reason of your dutiful obedience to your prince and her laws. Which by my death I pray God you may take example to do. Most earnestly, I be29 seech you to continue true, good, and faithful subjects to your prince. And before all things beware of factions, conspiracies, and disobedience, as whereof men cannot be good, as daily experience doth teach us. And I fear me divers of you, if you might have your wishes, full little do wishes, full little do you know in what safety you should live afterwards. Wherefore, for God's sake, beware of it.

Thus I beseech God to grant the queen's majesty long life, to reign over you in peace: and, if it be God's plesure, even to the end of the world, the which I think is not long thither. And thus I desire all to you pray for me.

Then turning about, he kneeled down, and read with a