cution was ever begun with a more determined resolution of going through with it: upon this subject there was no vacillation in the Queen's counsels. But in the case of Cranmer, the object of persecution had been obtained, and the plainest policy was disregarded, for the sake of gratifying a vindictive temper. Never did malice more signally confound itself.

It appears that Cranmer was not informed of the determination concerning him, even on the morning when he was to suffer; but many circumstances made him apprehend that his death was intended, and he had prepared accordingly. About nine in the morning he was taken from Bocardo to St. Mary's church, where the sermon, which would otherwise have been preached at the place of execution, was to be delivered, because it was a day of heavy rain. The Mayor and Aldermen went first, then Cranmer between two Friars, who chanted psalms as they went, till they came to the church door; there they began the Nunc Dimittis, and then brought him to a stage in front of the pulpit, raised at such a height from the ground that all the assembly might sce him. The Lord Williams, and the other persons of authority who had been ordered to attend the execution, were present with their armed retinue, and the church was crowded, . . . the Romanists coming in the hope that Cranmer would proclaim his own conversion to their doctrines; they who were Protestants at heart, in the better belief, that "he who, by continual study and labour for so many years, had set forth the doctrine of the Gospel, would not, in the last act of his life, forsake his post." A Romanist, who was present, and who thought that his former life and wretched end deserved a greater misery, if greater had been possible, was yet, in spite of his heart-hardening opinions, touched with compassion at beholding him in a bare and ragged gown, and ill-favouredly clothed with an old square cap, exposed to the contempt of all men. "I think," said he, "there was none that pitied not his case, and bewailed not his fortune, and feared not his own chance, to see so noble a prelate, so grave a counsellor, of so long-continued honour, after so many dignities, in his old years to be deprived of his estate, adjudged to die, and in so painful a death to end his life." When he had ascended the stage, he knelt and prayed, weeping so profusely, that many, even of the Papists, were moved to tears.

Cole, who preached the sermon, began by dwelling upon the mercy of God, and from that theme, with the preposterous logic of his Church, proceeded to show how necessary it was, for that justice by which the Almighty's mercy is tempered, that Cranmer should be burnt alive. The Queen and Council had thus determined, notwithstanding pardon and reconciliation were due to him according to the canons, for three especial reasons; first, for the part he had taken in the divorce; secondly, because he had been the author and only fountain of those heretical doctrines which had so long prevailed; and thirdly, because "it seemed meet, that as the death of Northumberland made even with Sir Thomas More, so there should be one that should make even with Fisher of Rochester; and because Ridley, Hooper, and Farrer, were not sufficient, it seemed that Cranmer should be joined to them to fill up this part of equality." He exhorted the auditors to note by this example, that the Queen would spare no man in this cause, whatever might be his rank or character. Finally, he comforted Cranmer, exhorted him to take his death patiently, and promised him, in the name of all the clergy present, that, immediately after his death, dirges, masses, and funeral service, should be performed in all the churches of Oxford, for the succour of his soul.

"Cranmer in all this meantime," (they are the words of good John Fox,)" with what great grief of mind he stood hearing this sermon, the outward shows of his body and countenance did better express, than any man can declare: one while lifting up his hands and eyes unto heaven, and then again for shame letting them down to the earth. A man might have seen the very image and shape of perfect sorrow lively in him expressed. More than twenty several times the tears gushed out abundantly, dropping down from his fatherly face. Those which were present testify that they never saw, in any child, more tears than brast out from him at that time. It is marvellous what commiseration and pity moved all men's hearts that beheld so heavy a countenance, and such abundance of tears, in an old man of so reverend dignity." Withal he ever retained "a quiet and grave behaviour." In this hour of utter humiliation and severe repentance, he possessed his soul in patience. Never had his mind been more clear and collected, never had his heart been so strong.

When the sermon was ended, the preacher desired all the people to pray for the sufferer. They knelt accordingly, and Cranmer knelt with them, praying fervently for himself. "I think," says the Catholic spectator," there was never such a number so earnestly praying together. For they that hated him before, now loved him for his conversion and hope of continuance. They that loved him before, could not suddenly hate him, having hope of his confession again of his fall. So love and hope increased devotion on every side." Cole then addressed them, saying, "Brethren, lest any one should doubt of this man's earnest conversion and repentance, you shall hear him speak before you; and therefore I pray you, Master Cranmer, that you will now perform that you promised not long ago; namely, that you would openly express the true and undoubted profession of your faith, that you may take away all suspicion from men, and that all men may understand you are a Catholic indeed." "I will do it," replied Cranmer, " and that with a good will."

He rose then from his knees, and, putting off his cap, said, "Good Christian people, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters in Christ, I beseech you most heartily to pray for me to Almighty God, that he will forgive me my sins and offences, which be many without number, and great above measure. But among all the rest, there is one which grieveth my conscience most of all, whereof you shall hear more in its proper place." Then, drawing forth from his bosom a prayer which he had prepared for this occasion, he knelt and said, "O Father of Heaven! O Son of God, Redeemer of the world! O Holy Ghost, three Persons in one God! have mercy upon me, most wretched caitiff and miserable sinner! I have offended both against heaven and earth, more than my tongue can express; whither then may go, or whither shall I flee? To heaven I may be ashamed to lift upmine eyes; and in earth I find no place of refuge or succour. To Thee, therefore, O Lord, do I run; to Thee do I humble myself, saying, O Lord my God, my sins be great, but yet have mercy upon me for thy great mercy! The great mystery that God became man, was not wrought for little or few offences. Thou didst not give thy Son, O heavenly Father, unto death for small sins only, but for all the greatest sins of the world, so that the sinner return to thee with his whole heart, as I do here at

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this present. Wherefore have mercy on me, O God, whose property is always to have mercy! have mercy upon me, O Lord, for thy great mercy! I crave nothing for mine own merits, but for thy name-sake, that it may be hallowed thereby, and for thy dear Son Jesus Christ's sake. And now, therefore, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name!"

No prayer had ever been composed and uttered in deeper misery, nor with more earnest and devout contrition. Rising then, he addressed the spectators, not hurrying impatiently to his purpose, but calmly and deliberately. "Every man, good people," said he, " desireth at the time of his death, to give some good exhortation, that others may remember the same, and be the better thereby so I beseech God grant me grace that I may speak something at this my departing, whereby God may be glorified, and you edified." He exhorted them not to set their minds overmuch upon this glozing world, but upon the world to come; and to obey the King and Queen willingly and gladly, not for fear of men only, but much more for the fear of God, knowing that they be God's ministers, appointed to rule and govern, and therefore whosoever resisteth them, resisteth the ordinance of God. And he entreated them to love one another. "Bear well away," said he, "this one lesson, to do good unto all men as much as in you lieth; and to hurt no man, no more than you would hurt your own natural loving brother or sister. For this you may be sure of, that whosoever hateth any person, and goeth about maliciously to hinder or hurt him, . . . surely, and without all doubt, God is not with that man, although he think himself never so much in God's favour." Lastly, he exhorted the rich to make a proper use of the wealth with which they were intrusted.

Well aware how little he should be allowed to speak when he came to the point, he still proceeded with a caution which it would have been impossible to have observed thus to the last, if he had not attained to the most perfect self-possession in this trying hour. "And now," he pursued, "forasmuch as I am come to the last end of my life, whereupon hangeth all my life past, and all my life to come, either to live with my Master Christ for ever in joy, or else to be in pain for ever with wicked devils in hell; (and I see before mine eyes presently either

heaven ready to receive me, or else hell ready to swallow me up!) I shall therefore declare unto you my very faith, how I believe, without any colour of dissimulation; for now is no time. to dissemble, whatsoever I have said or written in times past." He then repeated the Apostles' creed, and declared his belief in every article of the Catholic faith, every word and sentence taught by our Saviour, his Apostles, and Prophets, and in the New and Old Testament.

"And now," he continued, "I come to the great thing which troubleth my conscience more than any thing that ever I said or did in my whole life, and that is, the setting abroad of writings contrary to the truth; which now here I renounce and refuse as things written with my hand, contrary to the truth which I thought in my heart, and written for fear of death, and to save my life, if it might be: and that is, all such bills and papers as I have written or signed with my hand since my degradation, wherein I have written many things untrue. And forasmuch as my hand offended, writing contrary to my heart, my hand shall first be punished therefore; for may I come to the fire, it shall be first burnt!" He had time to add, "As for the Pope, I refuse him as Antichrist; and as for the Sacrament, I believe as I have taught in my book against the Bishop of Winchester, the which my book teacheth so true a doctrine of the Sacrament, that it shall stand at the last day before the judgement of God, when the papistical doctrine, contrary thereto, shall be ashamed to show her face." The Papists were at first too much astonished to interrupt him. Lord Williams bade him remember himself, and play the Christian man; he answered, that he did so, for now he spake truth: and when he was reproached for falsehood and dissimulation, the meek martyr made answer, Ah, my masters, do not you take it so! Always hitherto I have been a hater of falsehood, and a lover of simplicity, and never before this time have I dissembled!" and with that he wept again. But when he would have spoken more, the Romanists made an uproar, and Cole cried from the pulpit, "Stop the heretic's mouth, and take him away!"

Cranmer was now pulled down from the stage, and carried to the stake, surrounded by Priests and Friars, who, with promises of heaven and threats of everlasting torments, called upon him