[July 1539.]
MEntion was made before how King Henry, in the 31st year [1539-1540] of The Archbishop Cranmer disputeth three days in Parliament against the Six Articles. his reign, caused the Six Articles [31. Hen. VIII., c. 14. An Act abolishing diversity in opinions] to pass [in June 1539]; much against the mind, and contrary to the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer: who had disputed three days against the same in the Parliament House, with great reasons and authorities. Which Articles, after they were granted and passed by the Parliament, the King, for the singular favour which he ever bare to Cranmer and reverence to his learning (being desirous to know what he had said and objected in the Parliament against these Articles; or what could be alleged by Learning against the same) required a Note of the Archbishop's doings, what he had said and opposed in the Parliament touching that matter. And this word was sent to him from the King by Cromwell and other Lords of the Parliament, whom the King then sent to dine with him at Lambeth: somewhat to comfort again his grieved mind and troubled spirits: as hath been above recited at page 1,298.
[The passage referred to runs thus:
After the Parliament was finished and that matter concluded; the King (considering the constant zeal of the Archbishop in defence of his cause; and partly also weighing the many authorities and reasons whereby he had substantially confirmed the same) sent [in July 1539] the Lord Cromwell (which within a few days after [or rather on 10th June 1540] was apprehended), the two Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk, and all the Lords of the Parliament, to dine with him at Lambeth: where they signified to him, That it was the King's pleasure that they all should, in His Highness's behalf, cherish comfort and animate him as one that, for his travail in that Parliament, had declared himself both greatly learned, and also a man discreet and wise: and therefore they willed him not to be discouraged in anything that was passed in that Parliament contrary to his allegations.
He most humbly thanked, first the King's Highness of his singular good affection towards him; and them, for all their pains: adding moreover that he so hoped in GOD that hereafter his allegations and authorities should take place, to the glory of GOD and commodity of the realm.]
Whereupon, when this dinner was finished [in July 1539], the next day after the Archbishop (collecting both his arguments, authorities of Scripture, and Doctors [i.e. the Fathers of the Church] together) The name of this Secretary was Master Ralph Morice, being yet alive [i.e., in 1570]. caused his Secretary to write a fair Book thereof for the King, after this order:
First, the Scriptures were alleged.
Then, the Doctors.
Thirdly, followed the arguments deduced from those Authorities.