XXX. people, instead of promoting love, unity, and solid religion. CHAP. The laity, on the other hand, some of them railed much on the bishops, and spoke contemptibly of the priests, and Anno 1545. taunted the preachers. The Scriptures were much read, but the effect of it appeared too much in their making use of it only for jangling and disputation upon points of religion, and to taunt at the ignorance or error of priests. Others, on the other hand, to be even with the gospellers, made it their business to derogate from the Scripture, to deal with it irreverently, and to rhyme and sing, and make sport with it in alehouses and taverns. These things came to King Henry's ears, which made him very earnestly blame both Vid. Herb. the laity and spirituality for it, in a speech which he made 600. at the dissolution of his parliament this year. A Bishop confirmed. Hist. p. Kitchin. Anthony Kitchin, alias Dunstan, D.D. was elected and Anthony confirmed Bishop of Landaff, May 2. The Archbishop sent his commissional letters, dated the same day, to Thomas Bishop of Westminster for his consecration: but the consecration is not entered in the register. His oath to the 138 King began thus: "I Anthony Kitchin, elect Bishop of 66 Landaff, having now the vail of darkness of the usurped power, authority, and jurisdiction of the see and Bishop of "Rome clearly taken away from mine eyes, do utterly testify and declare in my heart, that neither the see nor the Bishop of Rome, nor any foreign potestate, hath, or ought to have," &c. as before. 62 66 mation Another proclamation was set out the next year, (which Anno 1546. was the last issued out under this King,) prohibiting again A proclaTindal's and Coverdale's English New Testament, or any against the English other than what was permitted by parliament; and also Testament. the English books of Wickliff, Frith, &c., the King being vexed with the contests and clamours of the people one against another, while they disputed so much of what they read, and practised so little. prets a A small matter oftentimes creates great brabblings and He intercontentions in fraternities. Such a small thing now occurred statute of in the Archbishop's church. Two of the prebends were his church. I. The BOOK minded to change houses; but the rest, it seems, made some opposition, as reckoning it contrary to a certain statute of Anno 1546. that church. The Archbishop hearing hereof, seasonably interposed, and interpreted their statute for them. preachers also of this church seem not to have been fairly dealt with by the prebends, both as to their lodgings and benefits but at a late chapter they had obtained an order in their behalf. This the Archbishop now, who favoured preaching, reminded them speedily to make good. Concerning both these affairs, he wrote this letter to them for the preserving quietness, peace, and good order in his church: Ex Regist. 66 "After my hearty commendations: whereas I am in"formed that you be in doubt whether any prebendary of "that my church may exchange his house or garden with "another prebend of the same church-living, and that you "be moved by this statute so to think, which here followeth ; "Statuimus ut canonicus de novo electus, et demissus in de"mortui, aut resignantis, aut quovismodo cedentis ædes suc"cedat. These be to signify unto you, that neither this statute, nor any other reason that I know, maketh any thing against the exchange between two prebends living, but "that they may change house, orchard, or garden during "their life, this statute or any other reason contrary not"withstanding. And whereas you have appointed your "preachers at your last chapter their chambers and commodities, I require you that they may be indelayedly "admitted thereunto, according to that your order. Thus "fare you well. From my manor of Croyden, the 12th of "December, 1546. 66 66 "Th. Cantuariens. "To my loving friends the Vice-dean and 139 This was the last year of King Henry. And the two The Arch- last things the Archbishop was concerned in by the King bishop, by the King's were these. The King commanded him to pen a form for command, the alteration of the mass into a communion. For a peace being concluded between Henry and the French King, while that King's ambassador, Dr. Annebault, was here, a pens a form for a com munion. XXX. notable treaty was in hand by both Kings for the promoting CHAP. that good piece of reformation in the churches of both kingdoms, of abolishing the mass. The Kings seemed to Anno 1546. be firmly resolved thereon, intending to exhort the Emperor to do the same. The work our King committed to the Archbishop, who no question undertook it very gladly: but the death of the King prevented this taking effect. office to the King. The last office the Archbishop did for the King his His last master was to visit him in his last sickness, whom of all his bishops and chaplains he chose to have with him at that needful hour, to receive his last comfort and counsel. But the King was void of speech when he came, though not of sense and apprehension. For when the King took him by the hand, the Archbishop speaking comfortably to him, desired him to give him some token that he put his trust in God through Jesus Christ, according as he had advised him; and thereat the King presently wrung hard the Archbishop's hand, and soon after departed, viz. January the 28th. The end of the first Book. OUR Archbishop, having lost his old master, was not so Anno 1546. sorrowful but the hopefulness of the new one did as much Conceives revive and solace him; because he concluded, that the mat- great hopes ters requisite for the reformation of the Church were like of King Ednow to go on more roundly, and with less impediment. ward. to execute One of the very first things that was done in young King The Archbishop Edward the Sixth's reign, in relation to the Church, was, takes a that the bishops, who had the care of ecclesiastical matters commission and the souls of men, should be made to depend entirely his office. upon the King and his council, and to be subject to suspension from their office, and to have their whole episcopal power taken from them at his pleasure; which might serve as a bridle in case they should oppose the proceedings of a reformation. In this I suppose the Archbishop had his hand for it was his judgment, that the exercie of all episcopal jurisdiction depended upon the Prince: and that, as he gave it, so he might restrain it at his pleasure. And therefore he began this matter with himself, petitioning, “That as he had exercised the authority of an Archbishop 66 during the reign of the former King; so that authority "ending with his life, it. would please the present King "Edward to commit unto him that power again." For it |