The History of England, from the First Invasion by the Romans Volume 7 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ...By the new canon of the law metropolitan, to believe in transubstantiation, to admit the papal supremacy, and to deny justification by faith only, were severally made heresy: and it was ordained that individuals accused of holding heretical opinions should be arraigned before the spiritual courts; should be excommunicated on conviction; and after a respite of sixteen days should, if they continued obstinate, be delivered to the civil magistrate, to suffer the punishment provided by law. Fortunately for the professors of the ancient faith, Edward died before this code had obtained the sanction of the legislature: by the accession of Mary the power of the sword passed from the hands of one religious party to those of the other; and within ashort time Cranmer and his associates perished in the flames which they had CHAP. prepared to kindle for the destruction of their v_.' opponents.2 With whom the persecution under Mary ori-r'gin of ginated, is a matter of uncertainty. By the re cutio" formed writers the infamy of the measure is usually allotted to Gardiner, more, as far as I can judge, from conjecture and prejudice, than from real information. The charge is not supported by any authentic document: it is weakened by the general tenor of the chancellor's conduct.3 All that we know with certainty is, that after the queen's marriage this question If the reader be inclined to dispute the accuracy of this statement, let him consult the work in question (Reformatio legum ecclesiasticarum) under the title de Haeresibus, c. 1.7.19. 21, and the title de Judiciis contra hasr. c. 1, 2, 3, 4. 3 The only instance in which Gardiner was known to take any part in the persecution, will be mentioned later: and then he acted in virtue of his office as...