[460] See Fuller, Vol. III. p. 411.
[461] 31 Henry VIII. cap. 9
[462] In some instances, if not in all, this was actually the case.—See the Correspondence between Cromwell and the Prior of Christ Church at Canterbury: MS. State Paper Office, second series.
[463] Oxford, Peterborough, Bristol, Gloucester, Chester, and Westminster.
[464] Canterbury, Winchester, Ely, Norwich, Worcester, Rochester, Durham, and Carlisle.
[465] “Per Dominum cancellarium declaratum est quod cum non solum proceres spirituales verum etiam regia majestas ad unionem in precedentibus articulis conficiendam multipliciter studuerunt et laboraverunt ita ut nunc unio in eisdem confecta sit regia igitur voluntatis esse ut penale aliquod statutum efficeretur ad coercendum suos subditos, ne contra determinationem in eisdem articulis confectam contradicerent, aut dissentirent, verum ejus majestatem proceribus formam hujusmodi malefactorum hujusmodi committere. Itaque ex eorum communi consensu concordatum est quod Archiepiscopus Cant., Episcopus Elien., Episcopus Menevensis et Doctor Peter, unam formam cujusdam actus, concernentem Punitionem hujusmodi malefactorum dictarent et componerent similiterque quod Archiepisc. Ebor., Episc. Dunelm., Episc. Winton et Doctor Tregonwell alteram ejusmodi effectus dictitarent et componerent formam.”—Lords Journals, 31 Henry VIII.
[466] Foxe’s rhetoric might be suspected, but a letter of Melancthon to Henry VIII. is a more trustworthy evidence: “Oh, cursed bishops!” he exclaims; “oh, wicked Winchester!”—Melancthon to Henry VIII.: printed in Foxe, Vol. V.
[467] “The judge shall be bounden, if it be demanded of him, to deliver in writing to the party called before him, the copy of the matter objected, and the names and depositions of the witnesses ... and in such case, as the party called answereth and denyeth that that is objected, and that no proof can be brought against him but the deposition of one witness only, then and in that case, be that witness never of so great honesty and credit, the same party so called shall be without longer delay absolved and discharged by the judge’s sentence freely without further cost or molestation.”—The Six Articles Bill as drawn by the King: Wilkins’s Consilia, Vol. III. p. 848.
[468] Act for Abolishing Diversity of Opinions: 31 Henry VIII. cap. 14.
[469] Printed in Strype’s Cranmer, Vol. II. p. 743.