The History of Englandby the Right Hon. Sir James Mackintosh (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 Excerpt: ... the church, though not prepared for a revolution in her doctrine and constitution. The pure and illustrious name of More seemed to suffice as a pledge for a reformation which should be effectual without being subversive of the rights and interests of the church. To this government was not long after added Thomas Cromwell, a man whose life was a specimen of the variety of adventures and vicissitudes of fortune incident to the leading actors of a revolutionary age. The son of a fuller near London, he had served as a trooper in the wars of Italy, and as a clerk at the desk of a merchant of Venice. On his return to England he studied the law, but was soon taken into the service of Wolsey, whom he defended in adversity, not only with great ability, but with a fidelity still more respectable. His various experience, his shrewdness and boldness, recommended him to Henry, who required a minister more remarkable, for the vigor of his mind than for the delicacy of his scruples. He had, perhaps, heard the preaching of Luther, he might have taken an active part in the sack of Rome. He tempted his master with the spoils of the church: he hinted at the success which had attended the daring policy of the German princes. No practical measure had hitherto been adopted against the Roman see, but the stoppage of the annates, - Herbert, 137,138. a first year's income of vacant bishoprics, from which the revenue of the cardinals resident at Rome was derived. This statute provides every softening compatible with an effective prohibition, and makes ample provision for private adjustment; becoming coercive only on the failure of all spontaneous compromise.f But it touched the connexion with Rome at the critical point of money, and gave it to be understood that still larger s...