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EDwin Sands was born of an ancient and worthy Family about the year 1528. and being train∣ed up in Learning, he so profited therein both in the Countrey and University, that he was cho∣sen Master of Katharine Hall in Cambridge, and having Commenced Doctor, he was made Vice-Chancellor of that University; at which time that blessed King Edward the sixth dying, and the Lady Jane Grey being proclaimed Queen, as we have heard before, the Duke of Northumberland was sent with an Army to apprehend the Lady Mary. And when he came to Cambridge he sent for Dr Sands the then Vicechancellor, and some other Doctors to sup with him; and at supper required Dr Sands to preach on the morrow. The warning was short for such an occasion and Auditory, yet he refused it not, but went home and so to bed: The next morning he arose at three a clock, and having prayed a good while, rose up, took his Bible in his hand, and closing his eyes earnestly prayed to God that it might fall open at a fit Text for the present occasion, and accordingly it opened, and the first Text that he cast his eye upon was Joshua 1.16, 17, 18. And they answered Joshua saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whi∣thersoever thou sendest us we will go; according as we hearkened to Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee; only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy com∣mandment, and will not hearken to thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death, only be strong and of a good courage.
This Text he prosecuted with such prudence and affection, as drew many tears from the eyes of his Auditors. After Sermon the Duke and other Nobles desired him to Print his Sermon, and he only re∣quired a day and an halfs time for the writing of it, at the end where∣of he delivered it to Mr Leaver, who was presently to carry it to Lon∣don to the Presse: But just at that instant came one of the Beadles to him weeping, and bad him shift for himself; for, said he, the Duke is retired, and Queen Mary is proclaimed. Dr Sands was nothing trou∣bled herewith, but delivered his Sermon to Mr Leaver, and so went to dinner to Mr Moores one of the Beadles, his great Friend: At dinner be∣ing of an undaunted courage, and cheerfull disposition, he was very merry, Mistress Moore drinking to him said, Mr Vicechancellor, I drink to you, this being the last time that ever I shall see you:* 1.1 which accordingly proved true.
That night the Duke sent for him to joyn with him in proclaiming Queen Mary, and then told him that the Queen was mercifull, and that he hoped for a generall pardon; to which Dr. Sands answered, My life is not dear unto me, neither have I done or said any thing that troubleth my conscience. For what I spake of the State I have instructions signed by sixteen Counsellors to warrant me therein, neither can speeches be treason; nor yet have I spoken any thing but what the Word of God and the Lawes of the Land will bear me out in, therefore the will of the Lord be done. But be you assured my Lord, you shall never escape death; for if the Queen should spare you, they that now shall rule, will kill you.
That night the Duke was apprehended, and some were as busie about Dr. Sands, but Sir John Gates that lay in the Doctors house, drave them away. The next day Dr. Sands was walked into the fields, when the University in an irregular manner meeting together, ordered Dr. Mouse and Dr. Hatcher to go to Dr. Sands his house to fetch away the Univer∣sity Statutes, the Keyes, and such other things as were in his custody, which accordingly they did;* 1.2 and Dr. Mouse, who the day before was an earnest Protestant, was now turned a zealous Papist, and a great ene∣my to Dr. Sands, from whom he had received great curtesies.
That afternoon a Congregation was appointed by them, and the bell rang to it; when Dr. Sands coming out of the fields, sent for the Beadles, asking what the matter meant, requiring them to wait upon him to the Schools according to their duty, which they did, and Dr. Sands took the Chair.
Mr. Mitch and a rable of unlearned Papists seeing this, withdrew, and conspired amongst themselves to pull him out of the Chair. In the mean time Dr. Sands began his Oration,* 1.3 expostulating with the University about their dealings, and charging them with great ingra∣titude towards him, affirming that he had said nothing in his Sermon but what he was ready to justifie, and that if he were faulty, they were as deeply guilty in concealing and consenting to that which he had spoken. In the midst of his speech in came Mitch with his associates, some laid hands on him to pull him out of the Chair, telling him it was not his place, others called him traytor, &c. Dr. Sands seeing that they used violence, being of a great courage, felt for his dagger to have dispatched some of them, as Gods enemies; but Dr. Bell and Dr. Blith prayed him for Gods sake to hold his hands, and patiently to bear that great wrong; to which he assented, and so the tumult ending, he went on, and finished his Oration, and having some money of the Universities in his hand, he delivered it up, together with all other things belonging to the University, and then resigned his Office, praying to God to sub∣stitute a better in his room, and to give them better and more thankfull hearts, and so he repaired to his own Colledge.
On the morrow came to him Mr. Germingham and Mr. Tho. Mildmay; Mr. Germingham told him that it was the Queens pleasure that by two of the guard he should be conveyed to the Tower, together with the Duke; Mr. Mildmay told him that he wondered that so learned a man
as he, should speak so unadvisedly against so good a Prince. Dr. Sands answered, I shall not be ashamed of bonds,* 1.4 but if I could do as Mr. Mild∣may can, I need not to fear them: for you came down in armes against the Queen, and now you are in arms for her; I cannot thus blow hot and cold with one mouth.
Presently Dr. Sands his stable was robbed of four excellent Geldings, and an Inventory was taken of all his goods, and he was set upon a lame jade that halted to the ground; whereupon a friend of his desired that he might lend him a Nagg to ride upon. As he went out at the end of the Town some Papists assembled to jeer, and some of his Friends to mourn for him. He was carried through London in scorn, and as he en∣tred in at Bishops-gate a base woman threw a stone at him, and hit him so full on the breast that he was near falling from his Horse. To whom he mildly said, Woman, I pray God forgive thee.* 1.5 As he went through Tower street, a woman in her door said to him, Fie on thee thou Knave, thou Knave, thou Traytor, thou Heretick. At this he smiled, where∣upon she said, Look, the desperate Heretick laughs at it. Another wo∣man on the other side of the street, said, Fie neighbour, thou art not worthy to be called a woman, railing thus upon this Gentleman whom thou knowest not, nor yet the cause why he is thus used: and turning to the Doctor, she said, Good Gentleman, God be thy comfort, and give thee strength to stand in Gods cause even to the death: and thus he was carried Prisoner to the Tower,* 1.6 where the Yeoman of the Guard took from him his borrowed Nagg, and whatsoever else he had: and whereas his man brought some linen after him, that also was taken from him.
The first three weeks he was in a very bad prison, at the end where∣of he was removed to another, where was put to him Mr. John Bradford.
On the day of the Queens Coronation his prison door was left open, and there came to him one Mr. Mitchell, a special friend of his, and said, Dr. Sands, there is such a stir in the Tower that neither gates, doors, nor Prisoners are looked after this day; therefore take my cloak, hat and rapier, and get you gon, save your self and let me do as I may.* 1.7 The Doctor refused his offer, saying, I know no just cause of my imprison∣ment, and if I should do this I should make my self guilty, I will expect Gods good will; yet am I much bound to you for your love. Mr. Mitchell not prevailing departed.
Dr. Sands and Mr. Bradford continued in prison twenty nine weeks, one Bowler, a perverse Papist being their Keeper; yet by their affable and loving carriage and converse, he began to mislike Popery,* 1.8 and to favour the Gospel; yea he was so far at last wrought upon, that on a Sabbath, when others went to Masse, he carried up to them a Service-Book, a manchet and some wine; at which time Dr. Sands administred the Sacra∣ment to Mr. Bradford and him, and so Bowler became their son begotten in their bonds.
When Wyat was up in Arms, that room might be made for him and his in the Tower, Dr. Cranmer, Dr. Ridley, and Mr. Bradford were
put into one prison; and Dr. Sands with nine other godly Ministers were removed to the Marshalsey.
As they went, the people every where prayed God to comfort them, and to strengthen them in his truth, whereupon the Keeper of the Marshalsey said to Dr. Sands,* 1.9 I perceive that the vain people would set you forward to the fire, but I hope you will not prefer your own know∣ledg before the judgment of so many worthy and learned Prelates; if so, you shall find me as strait a Keeper as one that utterly mislikes your Religion. Dr. Sands answered, I know my self young, and my learning small, its enough to know Christ crucified; and he hath learn∣ed nothing that sees not the great blasphemy that is in Popery. I have read in Scripture of some godly and courteous Keepers, God may make you one; if not, I trust he will give me strength and patience to bear your hard dealing with me. The Keeper replied, Do you then minde to stand to your Religion? Yea, said the Doctor, by Gods grace I do. Truly, said the Keeper, I love you the better for it; I did but try you before, and what favour I can shew you, you shall be sure of it, and I shall think my self happy if I may die at the stake with you, and ever after he shewed the Doctor much favour, suffering him to walk into the fields alone, where sometimes he met with Mr. Bradford, who being removed to the Kings Bench, found the like favour with his Keeper. He also lodged him in the best Chamber, and would not suffer irons to be put on him, as other Prisoners had, and suffered his Wife, a beautifull Gen∣tlewoman, both in body and soul, to resort to him. He lodged also Mr. Sanders with him.
To these two holy men there was much resort, and much Money was profered to them, but they would receive none. Three or four times they celebrated the Sacrament, and had many Communicants, at which times Dr. Sands gave such exhortations as drew many teares from his Auditours, and wrought in them an utter abhorrency of the Masse and all Popery.
* 1.10When Sir Tho. Wyat with his Army came into Southwark, he sent to Dr. Sands in prison, desiring his company and advice, telling him that the prison doors should be set open for him and the other Prisoners: Dr. Sands bad the Messengers tell him,* 1.11 that if his rising were of God he should stand, otherwise he should fall: and that for his own part he was committed by order, and that he would never depart thence ex∣cept he were discharged by the like order; the like answer made Mr. Sanders, and the other godly Ministers that were prisoners there.
Dr. Sands having thus lain there nine weeks, at last by the mediation of Sr Tho. Holcraft, then Knight Marshall, he was set at liberty; the manner of it was thus:* 1.12 Sir Tho. Holcraft made great suit to the Bishop of Winchester in the behalf of Dr. Sands, yet could get no grant from him except he would turn to their Religion, which if he would do, he should have great preferment; yet at last by importunity he extorted from him, that if the Queen would grant him his liberty he would not op∣pose it. Then did Sir Thomas, by two Ladies of Honour, prevail with
the Queen that he should have his liberty if Winchester liked of it: Sir Thomas having this grant, watched the Bishops next going to the Queen, and then again moving the businesse, he at last prevailed with them, and gat a Warrant signed by them for his deliverance; yet Winchester after∣wards commanded him not to release him, till two Gentlemen should give a thousand pound bond for him not to depart the Kingdom with∣out License. Sir Thomas seeing this, procured two Gentlemen to be willing thus to be bound with him; and then sending for Dr. Sands he imparted all the businesse to him; to whom Dr. Sands said, I give God thanks who hath moved your heart to be so carefull of me; I think my self much bound to you for your love, which God will requite, and I will never prove ungratefull. But as I came a free man into Prison, so I will not go out a bond-man; for as I cannot benefit my friends, so nei∣ther will I hurt them; and if I be set at liberty I will not stay six dayes in the Realm, if I can get out. Therefore if I may not go free, send me back to prison, where you shall be sure of me. Sir Tho. Holcraft was much troubled at this answer, yet seeing the Doctor immoveable in his reso∣lution, he said to him, Since I cannot change you, I will change my own mind, and am resolved to set you at liberty come of it whatever will come, therefore get you gone quickly over-sea, and never write any thing back hither, for so you may undo me; and so friendly kissing him, he bad him farewell, and commanded his Keeper to take no fees of him.
Dr. Sands returning to the Marshalsey tarried all night, and on the morrow gave his prison-fellows a dinner; bad his bed-fellow, and sworn stake-fellow, if it had so pleased God [Mr. Sanders] farewell, they kis∣sing each other with many teares. Then went he to the Kings bench to Mr. Bradford, and Mr. Ferrar, comforting them, and they praising God for his happy deliverance; and so he went into London to a private friend, and the next night changed his lodging, hearing that search was made after him.* 1.13 For Dr. Watson and Christopherson went to the Bishop of Winchester, and told him that he had set at liberty the greatest Here∣tick in England, and one who had most corrupted the University; whereupon the Bishop sent for all the Constables in London, command∣ing them to make diligent search for him, and promising five pound to him that could apprehend him. Dr. Sands suspecting the matter shifted from place to place, and appointed his man to provide him two Gel∣dings, purposing the next day to go into Essex to his Father-in-law Mr. Sands, with whom his Wife was: But that night having a pair of Hose too long for him,* 1.14 which were made without measure whilst he was Prisoner in the Tower, he then lodging in Cornhill, requested the good Wife of the house to send them to the next Taylor to be cut shorter; and it so fell out, by Gods providence, that the next Taylor was a Protestant, and the man that made them; he knowing the Hose, went at midnight to the Doctors lodging, and being admit∣ted into his Chamber, wished him not to be troubled at their un∣seasonable coming in: to which he answered, Nothing can be amisse,
what God will, that shall come to passe: then the Taylor told him of the Bishops sending for the Constables, whereof he was one, and of their hopes to find him; for, saith he, it's known, that you have pro∣vided Geldings, and that to morrow you are to go through Algate, where you will certainly be taken: therefore let your man walk boot∣ed and spurr'd to morrow neer where your horses stand; and in the mean time they shall be conveyed privately to Bednal-green, and at a fit season I will come and convey you thither also: as you go along the streets look wildly, and if you meet your Brother in the mouth, know him not, &c.
Accordingly Doctor Sands attired like a Gentleman, and looking wildly, went with the Taylor the next day, who conveyed him through back lanes to Moore-gate, and from thence to Bednal-green; where ha∣ving his horses ready, he kissed the honest Taylor, and would have gi∣ven him the greatest part of that little which he had, which yet he would not receive, and so with teares they parted: yet afterwards Doctor Sands requited him thankfully. That night he rode to his Father-in-law, and within two hours after his coming, his Father was inform∣ed that that night two of the Guard would seek to apprehend him there; whereupon he was presently conveyed to an honest Farmers house neer the Sea-side, where he was locked up two dayes and two nights in a chamber all alone, and then removed to one Mower a Ma∣ster of a Ships house at Milton shore, attending a wind for his depar∣ture: and while he was there, Mower brought forty or fifty mariners to him, to whom he gave such an exhortation, that they being taken with it, resolved all of them to die rather then he should be appre∣hended.
May the sixth the wind served, and he took his leave of his Host and Hostesse, who had been married eight years and had no child, and when he took his leave of the woman, he thanked her kindly for his entertainment, and gave her his handkerchief with an old royall of gold in it,* 1.15 saying, Ere a year be past, be of good comfort, God will give you a Sonne; and accordingly it came to passe; for when there lacked but one day of a twelvemoneth, she was brought to bed of a fair Son.
* 1.16Doctor Sands and Doctor Coxe were both in the same Ship, and ere it was out of ken, two of the Guard were upon the shore to have apprehended Doctor Sands: but God gave them a good passage; so that they arrived safely at Antwerp, and were invited to dinner to Master Locks house; and as they were at dinner Master George Gilpin, Secreta∣ry to the English house, came to them, and whispering to Doctor Sands,* 1.17 said, King Philip hath sent to make search for you, and to ap∣prehend you: hereupon he immediately rose from dinner, and though it rained very fast, yet he went out at the gate that leads towards Cleveland, where meeting with a Wagon, he hasted away, and came safely to Ausburg in Cleveland, where he tarried fourteen daies, and then travelled to Strasbourgh; where after he had continued one year, his Wife came to him. There he fell sick of a great Flux, which
held him nine moneths, and brought him to deaths door:* 1.18 He had a child also that fell sick of the Plague, and died. * 1.19His godly, and ver∣tuous Wife also fell sick of a Consumption, and died in his armes.
Whil'st he remained there, he was chiefly maintained by one Ma∣ster Isaac, an English Gentleman of Kent, and one that suffered exile for the same cause of Christ: he so entirely loved him,* 1.20 that he was al∣waies more ready to give, then Doctor Sands was ready to receive; so that he gave him above a hundred marks, which Doctor Sands after∣wards thankfully repayed again.
After the death of his Wife, he travelled to Zurick in Switzerland, and there sojourned in the house of Peter Martyr for five weeks space, at the end whereof as they sate at dinner, news was brought them of Queen Maries death, and Doctor Sands by his friends was sent for back to Strasbourgh. This news occasioned joy to all but Doctor Sands, who was stricken to the heart to think that he was called back to new sorrows.
Master Bullinger, and the other Ministers feasted him before his de∣parture from Zurick, and so he returned back to Strasbourgh, where he preached, and so in the company of Master Grindall,* 1.21 he came for England, arriving at London upon the Coronation-day of Queen Eli∣zabeth.
By her, for his singular piety and learning, he was advanced to the Bi∣shoprick of Worcester An. Christi 1559. and afterwards he was removed to the Bishoprick of London, An. Christi 1570. And lastly,* 1.22 he succeeded Doctor Grindall in the Archbishoprick of York, Anno Christi 1576. In all which places he governed the Church with singular prudence, and modesty; and having finished his course on earth, he went to receive his Crown in Heaven, August the eighth,* 1.23 Anno Christi 1588. being about the age of sixty, and lies buried in the Collegiate Church of Southwell in Nottingham-shire. He was a man of whom it is hard to say, whether he were more famous for his admirable vertues, or great learning, as his Sermons yet extant in print do manifest. He left many children, of which three were Knights, excellently qualified both in mind, and body, especially Sir Edwin Sands, who deserved so well of his Coun∣trey.
A Prediction.
Dr Mouses in∣constancy and ingratitude.
Dr Sands his Oration.
His courage.
Meeknesse.
He is impri∣soned in the Tower.
Flight refused·
A Jailor con∣verted.
His Name was Thomas Wyat.
Sr Tho. Wyat profers him his liberty.
His prudent answer.
His release from prison.
He is again sought for.
A special pro∣vidence.
A Prophecy.
He flies be∣yond sea.
A special pro∣vidence.
His sicknesse.
His Wife died.
Charity.
His return to England.
He is a Bishop.
His death.