Memorials of the Most Reverend Father in God, Thomas Cranmer sometime Lord Archbishop of Canterbury wherein the history of the Church, and the reformation of it, during the primacy of the said archbishop, are greatly illustrated : and many singular matters relating thereunto : now first published in three books : collected chiefly from records, registers, authentick letters, and other original manuscripts / by John Strype ...

CHAP. XXIX. Occasional Prayers and Suffrages.

OCcasional Prayers and Suffrages, to be used throughout all Churches, began now to be more usual than formerly. For these common Devotions were twice this Year appointed by Autho∣rity, as they had been once the last; which I look upon the Arch-bishop to be the great Instrument in procuring: That he might by this means, by little and little, bring into use Prayer in the English Tongue, which he so much desired: and that the People, by under∣standing part of their Prayers, might be the more desirous to have their whole Service rendred intelligible; whereby God might be ser∣ved with the more Seriousness and true Devotion.

The last Year there was a plentiful Crop upon the Ground: But when the Time of Harvest drew near, there happened a great Plague of Rain. So in August Letters were issued out from the King to the Arch-bishop, that he should appoint cert••in Prayers to be used for the ceasing of the Wet-weather; and to write to the rest of the Province to do the like. But hear the King's Letter.

MOST Reverend Father in God, right Trusty, and right in∣tirely Beloved, We greet you well. And forasmuch as there hath been now a late, and still continueth, much Rain, and other unseasonable Weather, whereby is like to ensue great Hurt and Damage to the Corn and Fruits now ripe upon the Ground, unless it shall please God, of his infinite Goodness, to stretch forth his holy Hand over us: Considering, by sundry Ex∣amples heretofore, that God at the Contemplation of earnest and devout Prayers, oftentimes extended his Mercy and Grace; and hath also assuredly promised, that whensoever we call upon him for Things meet for us, he will grant unto us the same: We, having the Governance and Charge of his People committed unto Us, have thought good to cause the same to be exhorted by You, and other the Prelats of this our Realm, with an earnest repentant Heart for their Iniquities, to call unto God for Mercy; and with devout and humble Prayer and Supplication, every Person, both by himself apart, and also by Common-Prayer, to beseech him to send unto us such seasonable and temperate Weather, to have in those Fruits, and Corn on the Ground, which hitherto he hath caused so plenteously to grow.

For the which purpose we require you, and nevertheless com∣mand you, to send unto all your Brethren, the Bishops within your Province, to cause such general Rogations and Processions to be made incontinently within their Diocesses, as in case like here∣tofore hath been accustomed in this behalf accordingly.

Yevon under our Signet, at our Manor of the Moor, the 20th Day of August, the XXXV Year of our Reign.

The Arch-bishop accordingly sent his Order, dated August 23. 1543. to Edmond Bishop of London, that there might be Prayers and Sup∣plications in his Diocess every Fourth and Sixth Days of the Week. And the like Order was dispatched to all the other Bishops in his Pro∣vince;

By their Prayers, as was accustomed, to implore God's Mercy to avert his Wrath, that the People had justly deserved. And not to cease their Prayers and Suffrages till further Order from him.

It is not so evident, that these Prayers were in the English Tongue. But in the Year following, viz. 1544. there were, without Contro∣versy, certain Suffrages drawn up in our Mother-Tongue by the Arch-bishop's means; which he intended to be universally observed every where. Upon the Arch-bishop's pious Motions, as it seems, the King issued out his Letters to him, dated in Iune, for the publi∣cation of these Prayers in English, to be from thenceforth continually used in the Church; together with setting forth the King's Injuncti∣ons, by Preaching and good Exhortation, that the People, who be∣fore did but slackly observe their Devotions, for want of understand∣ing the Divine Service, might henceforth more frequently and more fervently resort to religious Worship.

I shall not here set down the King's Letter, as I transcribed it out of Arch-bishop Cranmer's Register, because Bishop Burnet hath prin∣ted it already in his first Volume, among the Collections, pag. 264. It runs in such a pious strain, as tho none but the Arch-bishop had been the Suggestor thereof.

That since at that time Christendom was plagued with Wars, Hatred and Dissensions, and in no Place was Peace and Agreement: and since it was out of the Power of Man to redress these Miseries, God alone being able to restore Peace, and unite Mens Hearts; Therefore the King was resolved to have general Processions used in all Churches, with all Reverence and Devotion of the People. And because the not understanding the Prayers and Suffrages formerly used, caused that the People came but slackly to the Processions; therefore the King now had pub∣lished certain Prayers in our Native Tongue. Which he, with his present Letter, had sent to the Arch-bishop, for the special Trust and Confidence he had of his Godly Mind, and the earnest desire that was in him for the setting forth of God's Glory, and the true worshipping of his Name. And that these Prayers should not be observed for a Month or two, as his other Injunctions had been, but that they, together with the Injunctions, should be ear∣nestly set forth by Preaching, good Exhortation, and otherwise; in such sort as they might feel the Godly Taste thereof, and godly and joyously with Thanks receive, embrace, and frequent the same. Commanding the Arch-bishop, that he should not only cause the same Suffrages to be used in his own Diocess, but signify the King's Pleasure in this regard to all other Bishops of his Pro∣vince. And that he should have a special respect hereunto; and make report, if any did not with good dexterity accomplish the same. It was given under the King's Signet, at his Manor of S. Iames's, Iune 11. in the 36th of his Reign.

I have not met with these Suffrages; which if I had, I should have been enclined to

publish them here; and the rather, because I believe they were of Cranmer's own composing.

According to this Letter, the Arch-bishop dispersed his Letters to Edmund Bishop of London, and the other Bishops, with a Copy of the Suffrages to be used: urging withal, the observation of all the King's Injunctions heretofore promulgated, for the confirming and establishing of Sacred Religion.

About August this Year, the King was upon going himself in Per∣son to invade France, against which Nation he was now in Hostili∣ty; and had prepared a mighty Army by Land and Sea for that pur∣pose. Now the Arch-bishop was again called upon by the Privy-Counsellors, to appoint Processions in the English Tongue through the Realm, for the King's good Success in this great Expedition. The Councils Letter ran in this Tenor.

AFTER our right-hearty Commendations to your good Lord∣ship: These shall be to signify to the same, That the King's Highness having so provided for the Safety of his Grace's Realm, as the great Malice of his Enemies shall, by the Grace of God, take small effect: For the repulsing of which, his Highness hath in a readiness to set abroad, at the furthest on Wednesday next, such a puissant Navy, as hath not been seen assembled in the re∣membrance of Man: Considering nevertheless, that all Victories and good Successes come only at the Direction and Appointment of God, following herein that Trade of such a Christian Prince, as he is, hath devised to have Processions throughout the Realm, in such sort as in like Cases hath heretofore laudably been accustomed. Requiring your Lordship therefore, to take Order incontinently, that from henceforth, through your Province, the said Processions be kept continually upon the accustomed Days, and none other∣wise; and sung or said, as the number of the Quoire shall serve for the same, in the English Tongue; to the intent, that there may be an Uniformity in every Place. Whereby it may please God at all times to prosper his Majesty in all his Affairs: And the rather, to have regard at this time unto the Uprightness of his Grace's Quarrel, and to send his Highness victorious Success of the same. And thus we bid your Lordship most heartily well to fare. From Petworth, the 10th Day of August.

Your Lordship's assured loving Friends, W. Essex, St. Wynton, Ant. Brown. Will. Paget.

The Copy of this Letter the Arch-bishop dispatched to the Bishop of London; and in a Letter of his own, he first stirred him up to take care of making due Provisions for the religious Performance of these Prayers in his Diocess, upon consideration of the King's great Wars by Land and Sea, and his Wars in France, in Scotland, and in the Parts about Bulloign. Then he enjoined him, and all the Bishops in his Province, every Fourth and Sixth Day, to retire to Prayer and Supplication to God; and that the People should, as he wrote, Con∣cinna

modulatione & una voce cunctipotentem Deum Sabaoth, omnis Victoriae largitorem unicum, sanctè & piè, non labiis sed corde puro a∣dorent:

In becoming Harmony, and with one Voice, holily and piously, not with the Lips, but with a pure Heart, adore the Al∣mighty God of Sabaoth, the only giver of all Victory.

And in these smaller Matters our Arch-bishop was fain now to be contented to busy himself, since about this Juncture Winton or his Party had the Ascendent, and did all at Court. Concerning these latter Times of King Henry, when the Popish Bishops carried all be∣fore them again; and the Acts of Parliament that were made, whereby the Bishops were empowred to call Sessions as oft as they would, to try those that gave not due Obedience to the Superstitions of the Church, and that upon pain of Treason: Thus Iohn Bale complains, whose Words may give us some light into the sad Condi∣tion of these Times.

Still remaineth there Soul-Masses, of all Abominations the principal; their prodigious Sacrifices, their Censings of Idols, their boyish Processions, their uncommanded Worshippings, and their Confessions in the Ear, of all Traitery the Fountain; with many other strange Observations, which the Scripture of God knoweth not. Nothing is brought as yet to Christ's clear Institution, and sincere Ordinance, but all remaineth still as the Antichrists left it. Nothing is tried by God's Word, but by the ancient Authority of Fathers. Now passeth all under their Title. Though the old Bishops of Rome were of late Years proved Antichrists, and their Names razed out of our Books; yet must they thus properly, for old Acquaintance, be called still Our Fathers. If it were naught afore, I think it is now much worse; for now are they become laudable Ceremonies, whereas before-time they were but Ceremonies alone. Now are they become necessary Rites, godly Constitutions, seemly Vsages, and civil Or∣dinances, whereas afore they had no such Names. And he that disobeyeth them, shall not only be judged a Felon, and worthy to be hanged, by their new-forged Laws, but also condemned for a Traitor against the King, though he never in his Life hindred, but rather to his Power hath forwarded the Common-Wealth. To put this with such-like in Execution, th•• Bishops have Autho∣rity, every Month in the Year if they list, to call a Session, to Hang and Burn at their pleasure. And this is ratified and confirmed by Act of Parliament, to stand the more in Effect.

Gardiner Bishop of Winchester, had by his Policy and Interest, brought things thus backward again, and exalted the Power of the Bishops, that of late Years had been much eclipsed. And so he plainly told one Seton, a Man of Eminency in these Times, both for Piety and Learning in London; who met with Troubles there, about the Year 1541, for a Sermon preached at S. Anthonies, against Justi∣fication by Works. This Seton being now it seems fallen into new Troubles, and brought before the aforesaid Bishop; when he was able no longer to withstand the manifest Truth, said to him,

Mr. Seton, we know ye are Learned, and plenteously endued with Knowledg in the Scriptures, yet think not that ye shall over∣come us. No, no, set your Heart at rest, and look never to

have it said, that ye have overcome the Bishops. For it shall not be so.

Robert Holgate Bishop of Landaff, was this Year preferred to the See of York. His Confirmation is mentioned in the Arch-bishop of Canterbury's Register: Wherein is set down an Oath which he then took, of Renunciation of the Pope, and Acknowledgment of the King's Supremacy, very full and large. Afterwards I find the same Oath administred to Kitchin Elect of Landaff, and Ridley Elect of Rochester, and Farrar of S. Davids. But I think it not unworthy to be here set down as I find it, seeming to be a new Form drawn up, to be henceforth taken by all Bishops. And this Arch-bishop of York the first that took it.

I Robert Arch-bishop of York Elect, having now the Vail of Darkness of the Usurped Power, Authority and Jurisdiction of the See and Bishop of Rome, clearly taken away from mine Eyes, do utterly testify and declare in my Conscience, that neither the See, nor the Bishop of Rome, nor any Foreign Potestate hath, nor ought to have, any Jurisdiction, Power or Authority within this Realm, neither by God's Law, nor by any just Law or Means. And though by Sufferance and Abusions in Time past, they afore∣said have usurped and vindicated a feigned and unlawful Power and Jurisdiction within this Realm, which hath been supported till few Years past; Therefore because it might be deemed, and thought thereby, that I took or take it for Just and Good, I there∣fore do now clearly and frankly renounce, forsake, refuse and re∣linquish that pretended Authority, Power and Jurisdiction, both of the See and Bishop of Rome, and of all other Foreign Powers: And that I shall never consent or agree, that the foresaid See or Bp of Rome, or any of their Successors, shall practise, exercise, or have any manner of Authority, Jurisdiction or Power within this Realm, or any other the King's Realms or Dominions; nor any Foreign Potestate, of what State, Degree, or Condition he be; but that I shall resist the same to the uttermost of my Power; and that I shall bear Faith, Troth, and true Allegiance to the King's Majesty, and to his Heirs and Successors declared, or hereafter to be declared, by the Authority of the Act, made in the Sessions of his Parliament holden at Westminster, the 14th day of Ianuary, in the 35th Year, and in the Act made in the 28th Year of the King's Majesty's Reign. And that I shall accept, repute, and take the King's Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, when they, or any of them shall enjoy his Place, to be the only Supream Head in Earth, under God, of the Church of England and Ireland, and all other his Highness Dominions. And that with my Body, Cunning, Wit, and uttermost of my Power, without Guile, Fraud, or other un∣due Means, I shall observe, keep, maintain and defend all the King's Majesty's Stiles, Titles and Rights, with the whole Effects and Contents of the Acts provided for the same, and all other Acts and Statutes made and to be made within the Realm, in and for that purpose, and the Derogation, Extirpation and Extinguish∣ment of the usurped and pretended Authority, Power and Juris∣diction

of the See and Bishop of Rome, and all other Foreign Po∣testates as afore. And also as well his Statute made in the said 28th Year, as his Statute made in the Parliament holden in the 35th Year of the King's Majesty's Reign, for Establish∣ment and Declaration of his Highness Succession, and all Acts and Statutes made and to be made in Confirmation and Corro∣boration of the King's Majesty's Power and Supremacy in Earth, of his Church of England and of Ireland, and all other his Grace's Dominions. I shall also defend and maintain, with my Body and Goods, with all my Wit and Power. And thus I shall do a∣gainst all manner of Persons, of what State, Dignity, Degree or Con∣dition soever they be; and in no wise do nor attempt, nor to my Power suffer, or know to be done or attempted, directly or indi∣rectly, any thing or things privily or apertly, to the let, hindrance, damage or derogation of any of the said Statutes, or any part thereof, by any manner of Means, or for or by any manner of Pre∣tence. And in case any Oath hath been made by me to any Per∣son or Persons, in Maintenance, Defence or Favour of the Bishop of Rome, or his Authority, Jurisdiction or Power, or against any the Statutes aforesaid, I repute the same as vain and adnichilate. I shall wholly observe and keep this Oath. So help me God, and all Saints, and the Holy Evangeles.

And then after this Oath, followed the Prayers before the Benedi∣ction of the Pall, and the Ceremonies of delivering it.

Notes

• Prayers to be made against immoderate Rain.
• Cranm. Regist.
• English Suffra∣ges command∣ed to be used.
• The Contents of the King's Letter to that intent. Cranm. Regist. Fol. 48.
• A Procession for the King's Expedition.
• The Councils Letter to the ABp.

  Reg. Cranm.
• Popery pre∣vails.
• Image of both Churches.
• Gardiner and the Bishops now carry all.
• Bp of Landaff removed to York.
• The ABp's Oath. Cranm. Regist.