ness of that man, his gratitude and innocency, all England, I think, hath known long ago. Blessed be God therefore, which in such abundance of iniquity and decay of all godliness, hath given unto us, in his revered old age, such a witness for the truth of his Gospel. Miserable and hard-hearted is he, whom the godliness and constant confession of so worthy, so grave, and innocent a man, will not move to acknowledge and confess the truth of God.

"I do not now, brother, require you to write any thing to me again: for I stand much in fear, lest your letters should be intercepted before they can come to my hands. Nevertheless knowing you, that it shall be to me great joy to hear of your constancy and fortitude in the Lord's quarrel. And albeit I have not hitherto written unto you, yet have I twice, as I could, sent unto you my mind touching the matter which in your letters you required to know. Neither can I yet, brother, be otherwise persuaded: I see, methinks, so many perils, whereby I am earnestly moved to counsel you not to hasten the publishing of your works, especially under the title of your own name. For I fear greatly lest by this occasion both your mouth should be stopped hereafter, and all things taken away from the rest of the prisoners, whereby otherwise, if it so pleased God, they may be able to do good to many. Farewell in the Lord, my dear brother; and if there be any more in prison with you for Christ's cause, I beseech you, as you may, salute them in my name. To whose prayers I do most humbly and heartily commend myself and my fellow-prisoners and captives in the Lord. And yet once again, and for ever in Christ, my most dear brother, farewell.

"N. RIDLEY."

5

Master Hooper, after all these tumults and vexations sustained about his investing and priestly vestures, at length entered into his diocese, did there employ his time, which the Lord lent him under King Edward's reign, with such diligence, as may be a spectacle to all bishops, which shall ever hereafter succeed him, not only in that place, but in whatsoever diocese through the whole realm of England: so careful was he in his cure, that he left neither pains untaken, nor ways unsought, how to train up the flock of Christ in the true word of salvation, continually labouring in the same. Other men commonly are wont, for lucre or promotions, to aspire to bishoprics, some hunting for them, some purchasing or buying of them, as men used to purchase lordships, and when they have them are loth to leave them, and thereupon also loth to commit that thing by worldly laws, whereby to lose them.

To this sort of men Master Hooper was clean contrary, who abhorred nothing more than gain, labouring always to save and preserve the souls of his flock. Who being bishop of two dioceses, so ruled and guided either of them, and both together, as though he had in charge but one family. No father in his household, no gardener in his garden, nor husbandman in his vineyard, was more or better occupied, than he in his diocese amongst his flock, going about his towns and villages in teaching and preaching to the people there.

That time that he had to spare from preaching, he bestowed either in hearing public causes, or else in private study, prayer, and visiting of schools: to which his continual doctrine he adjoined due and discreet correction, not so much severe to any, as to them which for abundance of riches, and wealthy state, thought they might do what they listed. And doubtless he spared no kind of people, but was in

different to all men, as well rich as poor, to the great shame of no small number of men now-a-days. Whereof many we see so addicted to the pleasing of great and rich men, that in the mean time they have no regard to the meaner sort of poor people, whom Christ hath bought as dearly as the other.

But now again we will return our talk to Master Hooper, all whose life in fine was such, that to the church and all churchmen it might be a light and example, to the rest a perpetual lesson and sermon. Finally, how virtuous and good a bishop he was, ye may conceive and know evidently by this; that even as he was hated of none but of them which were evil, so yet the worst of them all could not reprove his life in any one jot.

I have now declared his usage and beliaviour abroad in public affairs of the church: and certainly there appeared in him at home no less example of a worthy prelate's life. For although he bestowed and converted the most part of his care upon the public flock and congregation of Christ, for the which also he spent his blood: yet nevertheless there lacked no provision in him, to bring up his own children in learning and good manners; insomuch that ye could not discern whether he deserved more praise for his fatherly usage at home, or for his bishopric doings abroad. For every where he kept one religion in one uniform doctrine and integrity. So that if you entered into the bishop's palace, you would suppose yourself to have entered into some church or temple. In every corner thereof there was some smell of virtue, good example, honest conversation, and reading of holy Scriptures. There was not to be seen in his house any courtly rioting or idleness: no pomp at all, no dishonest word, no swearing could there be heard.

As for the revenues of both his bishoprics, al

though they did not greatly exceed, as the matter was handled, yet if any thing surmounted thereof, he pursed nothing, but bestowed it in hospitality. Twice I was, as I remember, in his house in Worcester, where in his common hall I saw a table spread with good store of meat, and beset full of beggars and poor folk and I asked his servants what this meant, they told me that every day their lord and master's manner was, to have customary to dinner a certain number of poor folk of the said city by course, who were served by four at a mess, with whole and wholesome meats: and when they were served (before examined by him or his deputies of the Lord's prayer, the articles of their faith, and ten commandments) then he himself sat down to dinner, and not before.

After this sort and manner Master Hooper executed the office of a most careful and vigilant prelate, by the space of two years and more, so long as the state of religion in King Edward's time did safely flourish and take place: and would God that all other bishops would use the like diligence, care, and observance of their function. After this, King Edward being dead, and Mary being crowned Queen of England, religion being subverted and changed, this good Bishop was one of the first that was sent for by a pursuivant to be at Londou, and that for two causes.

First, to answer to Dr. Heath then appointed bishop of that diocese, who was before in King Edward's days deprived thereof for papistry.

Secondarily, to render account to Doctor Bonner Bishop of London, for that he in King Edward's time was one of his accusers, in that he shewed himself not conformable to such ordinances as were prescribed to him by the King and his council, openly at Paul's cross. And although the said Master Hooper was not ignorant of the evils that should happen towards him (for he was admonished of certain of his friends

to get him away, and shift for himself), yet he would not prevent them, but tarried still, saying: "Once I did flee, and took me to my feet, but now, because I am called to this place and vocation, I am throughly persuaded to tarry, and to live and die with my sheep."

And when at the day of his appearance, which was the first of September, he was come to London, before he could come to the aforesaid Doctors Heath and Bonner, he was intercepted, and commanded violently against his will to appear before the Queen and her council, to answer to certain bonds and obligations, wherein they said he was bound unto her. And when he came before them, Winchester by and by received him very opprobriously, and railing and rating of him, accused him of irreligion. He again freely and boldly told his tale, and cleared himself. But in fine it came to this conclusion, that by them he was commanded to prison (it being declared unto him at his departure, that the cause of his imprisonment was only for certain sums of money, for the which he was indebted to the Queen, and not for religion). This how false and untrue it was, shall hereafter in this place more plainly appear.

The next year, being 1554, the 19th of March, he was called again to appear before Winchester and other the Queen's commissioners: where what for the Bishop, and what for the unruly multitude, when he could not be permitted to plead his cause, he was deprived of his bishopric. Which how, and in what order it was done, here now following is to be seen by the testimony and report of one, which being present at the doing, committed the same to writing.

A Letter or Report of a certain godly Man, declaring the Order of Master HOOPER's Deprivation from his Bishopric, Anno 1554, March 19.

Forasmuch as a rumour is spread abroad of the talk