"Of Purgatory.

"For as much as due order of charity requireth, and the book of Maccabees and divers ancient doctors plainly shew, that it is a very good and charitable deed to pray for souls departed; and for as much also, as such usage hath continued in the Church so many years, even from the beginning, we woll that all bishopps and preachers shall instruct and teach our people committed by us unto their spiritual charge, that no man ought to be grieved with the continuance of the same. And that it standeth with the very due order of charity, for a Christian man to pray for souls departed, and to commit them in our prayers to God's mercy; and also to cause other to pray for them in masses and exequies, and to give almes to other to pray for them; whereby they may the sooner obtain the mercy of God, and the fruition of his glory: but for as much as the place where they be, the name thereof, and kind of paines there also, be to us uncertain by Scripture; therefore this with all other such things we remit to God Almighty, unto whose mercy it is meet and convenient for us to commend them, trusting that God accepteth our prayers for them, referring the rest wholly to God, to whom is known their estate and condition.

"Wherefore it is much necessary that such abuses be clearly put away, which under the name of purgatory hath been advanced as to make men believe that through the bishop of Rome's pardons, souls might be clearly delivered out of purgatory, and all the pains of it; or that masses said at Scala Cæli, or otherwise in any place, or before any image, might likewise deliver them from all their pains, and send them strait to heaven and other like abuses.

:

HENRY
VIII.

There is a larger list of subscriptions in an instrument in the Cotton library, engrossed in vellum; and which carries the face of an original.

This instrument, which it is probable was drawn up by the convocation, recites the members who subscribed in the upper house. It stands thus,

Ricard. Cicest.

Willielmus Norwicens.

Willielmus Meneven.

Robert Assaphen.

Robertus Sti Albani Abbas.
Willielmus Westmonaster. Ab-
bas.

Johannes Buriens. Abbas.
Richardus Glastonia Abbas.
Hugo Abbas de Redyng.
Robertus Malmesber. Abbas.
Clemens Evishamens. Abbas.
Johannes de Bello Abbas.
Willielmus Sti Petri Glocestr.
Abbas.

VIII.

Antonius de Eynsham Abbas. HENRY
Robertus Prior Elten.
Hugo Prior de Huntingdon.
Robertus Prior sive Magister
Ordinis Sempringham.
Ricardus de Notley Abbas.
Willielmus de Stratford Abbas.
Gabriel Abbas de Bucfestria.
Henricus Abbas de Wordona.
Johannes Prior de Merton.
Ricardus Prior de Walshing-
ham.

Thomas Abbas de Gerendon.
Thomas de Stanly Abbas.
Ricardus de Bitlesden Abbas.

Ricardus Winchellcombens. Ab- Ricardus Prior de Lanthony.

bas.

Johannes de Croyland Abbas.
Robertus de Thorney Abbas.
Robertus de Waltham Abbas.
Johannes Cirencestr. Abbas.
Johannes Teoxber. Abbas.
Thomas Prior Covent.
Johannes de Osney Abbas.
Henricus de Gratiis Abbas.

Robertus Abbas de Thame.
Johannes Prior de Newhenham.
Radulphus Prior de Kyme.
Ricardus de Bruera Abbas.
Robertus de Welhoe Abbas.
Bartholomeus de Overrey Prior.
Willielmus de Bergaveny Prior.
Thomas de Abindon Abbas."

By this larger list of the bishops, it appears that some of the northern prelates concurred in the articles with those of Canterbury. Whereas the instrument in the paper-office was drawn up only to show the agreement of this latter province.

To proceed the Cotton library affords a list of subscriptions of the lower house of convocation; but this only relates to the clergy of the province of Canterbury. The order stands thus::

Gulielmus Knight Archid. Ces- Hugo Coren. Proc. Cleri Here

Petrus Lighman Proc. Cleri Johannes Nase Proc. Cleri
Cant.
Edmundus Steward Proc. Cleri Georgius Wyndham Archid.

VIII.

128.

In this list of subscriptions in the Cotton library there are HENRY eighteen bishops, forty abbots and priors. And in the lower house of convocation the articles are subscribed by fifty; of these there are four deans of cathedrals, twenty-five archdeacons, three deans of collegiate churches, seventeen proctors for the clergy, or convocation men for the diocesses as they are called, and one master of a college.

By perusing these articles, the reader may perceive several Some of the doctrines of of the most shocking doctrines of the Roman communion were the Church of Rome softened and explained to a more inoffensive sense, and several reformed in superstitious usages discharged. And being come thus forward the articles. towards an accommodation, the lord Herbert seems to wonder they could not agree. He complains of the heat and obstinacy of both parties, thinks they contended more for victory than truth; and that some of the preachers and schoolmen would rather have embroiled the whole world than risk their reputation with their audience by retracting in the least circumstance. He takes notice, farther, that the reformers being the weaker side, suffered most by their stiffness, and were several of them burnt in the controversy. Amongst these, William Tyndal lost his life at the stake near Brussels in the Low Countries. He lived regularly, and had no slender share of parts and learning; but he did not always manage a dispute with decency and temper. However, these barbarities against the gospellers, as they were called, inflamed the difference, and drew an odium upon the Roman Catholics.

Lord Her

The king and clergy having proceeded thus far in the reform- bert, p. 406. ation of the Church, endeavoured to guard against foreign opposition. His highness had reason to believe the approaching council at Mantua would censure our late proceedings in religion. To weaken the authority of this council therefore, and make it more inoffensive, it was thought proper the bishops and clergy should come to a resolution concerning the force of such an assembly, and by whom it ought to be convened. The instrument drawn up and signed upon this occasion runs thus:

the convoca

"As concerning general councils, like as we (taught by long The sense of experience) do perfectly know that there never was, ne is any tion with thing devised, invented, or instituted by our forefathers more respect to the expedient, or more necessary for the establishment of our faith, councils.

general