brethren were as godly as I could wish them, they would think, that in case I did refuse to talk with them, they might have just reason to say, that I were unlearned, and durst not speak with learned men, or else proud, and disdained to speak with them. Therefore, to avoid just suspicion of both, I have, and do daily speak with them when they come, not doubting but that they reported that I am neither proud, nor unlearned. And I would wish all men to do as I do in this point. For I fear not their arguments, neither is death terrible unto me, praying you make true report of the same, as occasion shall serve; and that.I am more confirmed in the truth which I have preached heretofore, by their coming.

"Therefore, ye that may send to the weak brethren, pray that they trouble me not with such reports of recantations as they do. For I have hitherto left all things of the world, and suffered great pains and imprisonment, and I thank God I am as ready to suffer death, as mortal man may be. It were better for them to pray for us, than to credit or report such rumours that be untrue. We have enemies enough of such as know not God truly. But yet the false report of weak brethren is a double cross. I wish you eternal salvation in Jesus Christ, and also require your continual prayers, that He that hath begun in us, may continue it to the end.

"I have taught the truth with my tongue, and with my pen heretofore, and hereafter shortly will confirm the same by God's grace with my blood. Forth of Newgate the 2d of February, anno 1554. "Your brother in Christ,

"JOHN HOOper."

Here followeth the form and manner used in the degrading of Bishop Hooper.

The fourth day of February, the year abovemen

tioned, in the chapel in Newgate, the Bishop of London there sitting with his notary and certain other witnesses, came Alexander Andrew the gaoler, bringing with him Master Hooper and Master Rogers, being condemned before by the Chancellor: where the said Bishop of London at the request of the foresaid Winchester, proceeded to the degradation of the parties above mentioned, Master Hooper and Master Rogers, after this form and manner: first, he put upon them all the vestures and ornaments belonging to a priest, with all other things to the same order appertaining, as though (being revested) they should solemnly execute their office, the Bishop beginning to pluck off, first the uttermost vesture, and so by degrees coming to the lowest vesture. And so being stript and deposed, he deprived them of all order, benefit, and privilege belonging to the clergy; and consequently that being done, pronounced, decreed, and declared, the said parties so degraded to be given personally to the secular power, the Sheriffs being for that year, Master Davy Woodroof, and Master William Chester: who, receiving first the said Master Rogers at the hands of the Bishop, had him away with them, bringing him to the place of execution, where he suffered. The witnesses there present were Master Harpsfield, Archdeacon of London; Robert Cosin, and Robert Willerton, Canons of Paul's; Thomas Montague, George How, Clerks; Tristram Swadock, and Richard Clunney Sumner, &c.

The same Monday at night, being the 4th of February, his keeper gave him an inkling that he should be sent to Glocester to suffer death, whereof he rejoiced very much, lifting up his eyes and hands unto heaven, and praising God that he saw it good to send him amongst the people, over whom he was pastor, there to confirm with his death the truth which he had before taught them; not doubting but

the Lord would give him strength to perform the same to his glory: and immediately he sent to his servant's house for his boots, spurs, and cloak, that he might be in a readiness to ride when he should be called.

The next day following, about four of the clock in the morning before day, the keeper with others came to him and searched him, and the bed wherein he lay, to see if he had written any thing, and then he was led by the Sheriffs of London and other their officers forth of Newgate to a place appointed, not far from St. Dunstan's church in Fleet Street, where six of the Queen's guard were appointed to receive him, and carry him to Glocester, there to be delivered unto the Sheriffs, who with the Lord Shandeys, Master Wikes, and other commissioners, were appointed to see execution done. The which guard brought him to the Angel, where he broke his fast with them, cating his meat at that time more liberally than he had used to do a good while before. About the break of the day he went to the horse, and leapt cheerfully on horseback without help, having a hood upon his head under his hat that he should not be known, and so took his journey joyfully towards Glocester, and always by the way the guard learned of him where he was accustomed to bait or lodge, and ever carried him to another inn.

Upon the Thursday following, he came to a town in his diocese called Cirencester, fifteen miles from Glocester, about eleven o'clock, and there dined at a woman's house which had always hated the truth, and spoken all the evil she could of Master Hooper. This woman, perceiving the cause of his coming, shewed him all the friendship she could, and lamented his case with tears, confessing that she before had often reported, that if he were put to the trial, he would not stand to his doctrine.

After dinner he rode forwards, and came to Glocester about five of the clock, and a mile without the town was much people assembled, which cried and lamented his estate: insomuch that one of the guard. rode post into the town, to require aid of the Mayor and Sheriffs, fearing lest he should have been taken from them. The officers and their retinue repaired to the gate with weapons, and commanded the people to keep their houses, &c. but there was no man that once gave any signification of any such rescue and violence. So was he lodged at one Ingram's house in Glocester, and that night (as he had done all the way) he dideat his meat quietly, and slept his first sleep soundly, as it was reported by them of the guard and others. After his first sleep he continued all that night in prayer until the morning, and then he desired that he might go into the next chamber (for the guard were also in the chamber where he lay), that there being solitary he might pray and talk with God: so that the day, saving a little at meat, and where he talked at any time with such as the guard licensed to speak with him, he bestowed in prayer.

Amongst other that spake with him, Sir Anthony Kingston, Knight, was one, who seeming in times past his very friend, was then appointed by the Queen's letters to be one of the commissioners, to see execution done upon him. Master Kingston being brought into the chamber found him at his prayer: and as soon as he saw Master Hooper, he burst forth in tears. Master Hooper at the first blush knew him not. Then said Master Kingston, "Why, my Lord, do you not know me, an old friend of yours, Anthony Kingston?"

"Yes, Master Kinsgton, I do now know you well, and am glad to see you in health, and do praise God for the same."

"But I am sorry to see you in this case; for, as I

understand, you are come hither to die. But (alas!) consider that life is sweet, and death is bitter. Therefore, seeing life may be had, desire to live; for life hereafter may do good."

"Indeed it is true, Master Kingston, I am come hither to end this life, and to suffer death here, because I will not gainsay the former truth that I have therefore taught amongst you in this diocese, and elsewhere; and I thank you for your friendly counsel, although it be not so friendly as I could have wished it. True it is, Master Kingston, that death is bitter, md life is sweet: but (alas!) consider that death to come is more bitter, and the life to come is more sweet. Therefore for the desire and love I have to the one, and the terror and fear of the other; I do not so much regard this death, nor esteem this life, but have settled myself, through the strength of God's holy Spirit, patiently to pass through the torments and extremities of the fire now prepared for me, rather than to deny the truth of his word, desiring you and others, in the mean time, to commend me to God's mercy in your prayers."

Well, my Lord, then I perceive there is no remedy, and therefore I will take my leave of you: and I thank God that ever I knew you, for God did appoint you to call me, being a lost child: and by your good instructions, where before I was both an adulterer and a fornicator, God hath brought me to the forsaking and detesting of the same."

"If you have had the grace so to do, I do highly praise God for it and if ye have not, I pray God ye may have it, and that you may continually live in his fear."

After these and many other words, the one took leave of the other; Master Kingston with bitter tears, Master Hooper with tears also trickling down his cheeks. At which departure Master Hooper told