The history of the reformation of the Church of England. The first part of the progess made in it during the reign of K. Henry the VIII / by Gilbert Burnet.

PLease it your Grace to understand, That immediately upon the re∣ceipt of your Graces Letters, severally directed unto Mr. Gregory and me; he and I resorted unto the Pope his Holiness, making congra∣••ulation of his restitution unto liberty on yours and his behalf, to his singular comfort and consolation; and so much the more, because that I was the first that made like salutation in any great Princes Name; He being well assured that I spake the same on the behalf of his two chief, sincere, & unfeigned Friends: Wherefore with great high thanks, and long

discourse, with rehearsal of the King's and your Merits and Acts, in most vertuous and Catholick manner, employed for his restitution, and your continual and effectual study how the See Apostolique might recover the pristine Reputation and Dignity; He confirmed as much as I had spoken. After this Mr. Gregory and I entred into our Charge, shewing at length the high deserts of the Princes and Realm of England, the de∣votion of the same towards the Church; how expedient it was, as well for the See Apostolique, as for the said Realm, to foresee and provide that all occasions of Dissension and War were extinct and put away; which for lack of Heir Male of our Sovereign's Line, and Stem, should undoubtedly follow, with other considerations at length contained in our Instructions. We desired his Holiness to commit the knowledg of the Dispensation that was obtained in time of Iulius, of famous memo∣ry, for Matrimony to be had between the King and the Widow, Relict late of Prince Arthur; and that we might have it in form as that was that your Grace sent hither. His Holiness answered, That our sayings had great likelihood of truth, for lacking of Issue Male of the King's Stem, considering the nature of Men being prone unto Novelties, and disposed unto Parties and Factions. The Realm of England would not only enter into their accustomed Divisions, but also would owe or do small devotion unto the Church; Wherefore his Holiness was right well content and ready to adhibit all Remedy that in him was possible as this time would serve. And because he was not expert in making of Commissions, he would consult with the Cardinal Sanctorum Quatuor, and use his advice, which we should shortly know.

We perceiving that the obtaining of our Charges after the King's and your Graces pleasure, depended much upon the Advice of Sanctorum Quatuor, did prevent his going unto the Pope and delivering your Grace's Letters with Recommendations accordingly, we desired him to be good and favourable unto our Requests in the King's behalf; and for the better obtaining of our desires, we promised to see unto him with a competent reward. And this communication had, we shewed unto him the Commission, which he said could not pass without perpe∣tual dishonour unto the Pope, the King, and your Grace; and a great part of such Clauses as be omitted, he hath touched and laid reason for the same in a Writing, which I do send unto your Grace with this. Considering his great Experience, Wisdom, Learning, and the entire affection that he beareth unto the King and your Grace; and that it was far from the King's desire, and nothing for your purposes, that I should first have sent the said Cardinal's Sayings unto your Grace, and abide answer, and eft-soons prevent to do the same: Considering also that the said King desireth a Commission convenient and sufficient, we desired him to make the minute of one, which he gladly did: When it was made, the Pope said, That at his being in the Castle of St. Angelo, the General of the Observants in Spain, required his Holiness, in the Emperor's Name, not to grant unto any Act that might be preparative, or otherwise, to Divorce to be made between the King and the Queen: and moreover desired an Inhibition, that the said Cause should not come in knowledg before any Judg within the King's Dominions. The Pope answered that Inhibitio non datur nisi post litem motam. And as unto the first his Holiness was content, if any like thing were demand∣ed,

to advertise the Emperor before, that he did let it pass; and this was in a manner for his Holiness being in Captivity. But his Holiness being yet in Captivity, as your Grace reports, and esteemeth him to be as long as the Almaines and Spaniards continueth in Italy; he thought if he should grant this Commission, that he should have the Emperor his perpetual Enemy, without any hope of reconciliation: Notwithstand∣ing he was content rather to put himself in evident ruine, and utter undoing, then the King, or your Grace, should suspect any point of ingratitude in him, heartily desiring cum suspiriis & lachrimis, that the King and your Grace, which have always been fast and good unto him, will not now suddenly precipitate him for ever; which should be done, if immediately upon delivering of the Commission your Grace should begin Process. He intendeth to save all upright thus: If Monsieur de Lautrech would set forwards, which he saith daily that he will do, but yet he doth not, at his coming the Pope's Holiness may have good colour to say, He was required by the Ambassadour of England of a like Com∣mission. And denying the same, because of his promise unto the Ge∣neral, he was eft-soons by Monsieur de Lautrech, to grant the said Com∣mission, inasmuch as it was but a Letter of Justice. And by this co∣lour he would cover the Matter, so that it might appear unto the Em∣peror, That the Pope did it not as he that would gladly do displeasure unto the Emperor, but as an indifferent Prince that could not nor might deny Justice, specially being required by such Personages; and imme∣diately he would dispatch a Commission, bearing date after the time that Monsieur Lautrech had been with him or nigh unto him. The Pope most instantly beseecheth your Grace, to be a mean that the King's High∣ness may accept this in a good part, and that he will take patience for this little time, which as it is supposed will be but short, and (in omnem eventum) I do bring a Commission with me, and a Dispensation, which I trust the King and your Grace will like well.

We have given unto my Lord Cardinal Sanctorum Quatuor 4000 Crowns, and unto the Secretary 30 Crowns.

With this Your Grace shall receive a Letter from the Pope's Holiness, Item, a Counsel of Oldrand. that giveth light unto the King's Cause. I shall make the most diligence homeward that I can. Our Lord Jesus preserve Your Grace.

At Orvieto, this first day of Ianuary.

Your most humble Servant and Chaplain, W. Knight.

Notes

• Cotton Libr. Vitell. B. 10▪