BOOK dix. It is, I confess, a copy, yet, I doubt not, a true and II. authentic one, being inscribed on the back-side by the Anno 1564. hand of the Secretary Cecil thus, Supplicatio Tho. Samp

Earl of Lei

cester.

son, et Laurentii Humfrey ad Arch. Cantuar. Episcopos London. Wynton. Eliensem, Lincolniensem. 20 Martii 1564.

164 As they had applied themselves a little before to the ArchAnd to the bishop for leave to go home, so they now address to the Earl of Leicester for the same purpose. And to obtain their request, they composed a letter to him in the softest and most compliant terms: urging divers reasons how needful their departure home was, as well that they might perform their duties to their colleges, as that they might be at more leisure to consult with themselves in reference to the compliance required. They writ him, "That since their being at Lam"beth before their Honours, they had considered the weight "of the advice, honourably and favourably given them, to "be of such importance, as that men, not persuaded in con"science, yet unwilling rashly to reject such advertisements, "they humbly desired further respite, upon deliberation to "resolve. This, they said, they should the better do, if by "his means they might obtain licence to sequester them"selves from that troublesome turmoil, and depart home to "their books. Where they should not only more quietly pre"pare themselves to satisfy their promised service of preach"ing the Easter ensuing, [at St. Paul's Cross,] but have "more leisure to consider what was therein of them to be "done. So they should also be released of their great "charges here, and do their duty by order then required "against that solemn time to their companies at home. "They were not, they said, so unwise or witless, that they "would willingly either incur the displeasure of the Queen's "Majesty, or lightly regard his Honour's counsel, or stubbornly separate themselves from their brethren, or fondly sue to be deprived of their rooms and livings; but rather "they minded with all quietness to confer and consult with "God and learning. Of whom, as they trusted, they had "received their persuasion, and to whom they did and would

66

XXII.

"commend the government of their consciences. Which CHAP. "done, they should be ready to yield themselves conform❝able, or else most humbly submit themselves to her High- Anno 1564. "ness's pleasure and law."

their places.

But they could not prevail to get a release from their at- Peremptoritendance on the Commissioners. For on the 29th of April by the Archly ordered following, (to bring their story together, though it belong to bishop to comply, or the next year,) I find them called again before the Archbi-surrender shop, and after some words of advertisement, he did peremptorily will them to agree with the rest of the Clergy in matters of conformity, or else to depart their places. He shewed them in few words, that these were the orders which they must observe, viz. to wear the cap appointed by injunction, to wear no hats in their long gowns, to wear a surplice with non-regent's hoods in the choirs at their colleges, according to the ancient manner there: and to communicate kneeling, in wafer bread. In fine, they said, their consciences could not agree to these orders: and they required some respite to remove their stuff. The Archbishop answered, that he would signify their determination to the Queen's Majesty; and what time should be granted them to remove, they should be informed. Then Mr. Sampson declared something referring to the college, namely, that by the death of Mr. Bruerne, their receiver, a great sum of money of the college was to be answered at the said Bruerne's hands: which he might haply mention, to hint how ill the college could spare him at that time, he knowing best how those accounts stood. Mr. Humphrey alleged, for that he had divers noblemen's sons, he trusted to have a time, requesting much to be spared of the extremity of losing his living.

the Secre

tary to

Queen's

The next day the Archbishop wrote all this to the Secre- Writes to tary, and desired him to inform the Queen, to understand her pleasure, how they should be dealt with, whether to know the tolerate them, or to provide others: as the deanery which pleasure. was at her Highness's disposition, and the presidentship of Magdalen, at the election of the college. He was in doubt, upon what grounds, and how to proceed. If it were the Queen's pleasure that he should write letters to both col

II.

BOOK leges, signifying, that they might not be reputed nor accepted in their rooms, nor enjoy any commodity, he would Anno 1564. do, he said, her commandment. Resign, he thought they might not. Judicially to be deprived, his jurisdiction after long pleading might serve, he said, against Sampson; yet so it could not against Dr. Humphrey, the Bishop of Winchester being their Visitor. He declared to the Secretary, that he was right sorry they were no more tractable; and as he learned by him the Queen's pleasure, so he would do.

165

The reli

ance on

friends

stand out.

Put up to preach at Paul's Cross.

But they had great friends, and their interest at the Court animated them thus to stand it out. And it was the Archtheir great bishop's thoughts, that if so many delays had not been used makes them towards them, they might have been prevailed with to comply; wishing that they had been peremptorily at first put to their choice, either conformity, or depart. But they abused, he said, their friends' lenity, on whom they trusted. And to manifest the favour they had, about this very time both of them were put up to preach at Paul's Cross; and that at one of the chief times of the year, viz. Easter. This, it seems, the Queen had notice of. Which caused the Secretary to signify as much to the Archbishop, who used to be one of those who nominated the preachers there, and by whose appointment they were to have their turns; ordering him to strike them out, and to put others in their rooms. Preachers at Paul's Cross were in those times the more taken notice of, because the Queen and Court came often thither to church. The Archbishop sent word back, that they were not appointed by him, and by whom he knew not, whether the Bishop of London, or the Lord Mayor. But it was indeed neither of these, but the Earl of Leicester, their private friend, who had secretly put this work upon them, which they promised to perform, as appears in their letter to him a little before mentioned. But as to the appointment of others in their room, the Archbishop made this reply, that if those solemn sermons should stay for want after so short a warning, (as it seems must then be given,) it would raise a marvellous speech. And so prayed him to advertise the Queen. Prudently esteeming it a better course to wink at their preach

ing at that time, rather than to adventure the failure of the CHAP. pulpit by reason of the shortness of the warning.

XXII.

Anno 1564.

CHAP. XXIII.

Queries put by the Archbishop in favour of the apparel: with the answers of Sampson and Humphrey. Replies to those answers. Arguments against the apparel. Answers to them. Arguments against imposing things indifferent: with the Bishop of Rochester's answers. The controversy, as handled by Bucer and Alasco. The Archbishop and Bishops debate this matter among themselves. The Dean of St. Paul's pacification. Humphrey and Sampson's subscription.

about conformity pro

the Archbi

BUT I must not omit to advise the reader, that before Queries these judiciary proceedings, the business of conformity was learnedly and amicably discoursed and scanned between pounded by the Archbishop and these two learned men. For in the shop. month of December 1564, his Grace propounded to them nine questions upon this subject: to each of which they gave With Sampsuccinct answers. Both which questions and answers were Humas follow, as I have extracted them exactly out of a copy phrey's ansent by the Archbishop to the Secretary, digested by him into two columns after this manner.

I. Whether the surplice of the Minister or Clerk be a thing evil, or wicked, or indifferent?

son's and

swers.

BOOK II.