the church, were such, that some of them much doubted of Augustine's authority in that behalf: insomuch that it was reported by them who were nigh and about the Archbishop of Canterbury, that when they had finished their examination, the Archbishop, conferring with Dr. Heath, privately between themselves, said: 'This man hath wonderfully labored in this matter, and yet in mine opinion he taketh the doctors amiss.'-' Well, my Lord,' saith Dr. Heath, 'there is no man who can do away his authorities from Augustine.' He then began to repeat them again, inferring and applying them so strongly, that my Lord said: 'I see that you, with a little more study, will easily be brought to Frith's opinion.'

"This learned young man being thus thoroughly sifted at Croydon, to understand what he could say and do in his cause, there was no man willing to prefer him to answer in open disputation."

Here ended the trial; but Cranmer still retained him several days, laboring most earnestly in private to convince him of his errors. Finding this out of the question, he transferred him at length to Stokesly, Bishop of London, for final examination. This took place in St. Paul's, in presence also of the Bishops of Lincoln and Winchester, and was marked by the same unwavering constancy and calmness on the part of Frith. "When the question was finally put whether he would subscribe his answers, he took up the pen, and with his own hand wrote these words:

6

Ego Frithus ita sentio, et quemadmodum sentio, ita dixi, scripsi, asservi et affirmavi,' &c.: I, Frith, thus do think; and as I think, so have I said, written, defended, and affirmed, and in my books have published."

He was thereupon condemned to death as an obstinate heretic, and delivered over to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London for execution. Being then committed to Newgate, he was immured in a dungeon under the gate, loaded with as many irons as he could sustain, and his neck bound to a post with an iron collar, so that he could neither sit down nor stand upright. Yet even here his Christian cheerfulness and energy did not forsake him; and fettered

as he was, he was constantly employed in writing, by the light of a candle, (no other ever penetrated to his prison,) words of pious comfort and encouragement to his sorrowing brethren.

After a few days of this torturing imprisonment, he was taken (July 4th, 1533) to Smithfield for execution. With him was a faithful companion-a tailor's apprentice, Andrew Hewet by name-a guileless, affectionate, simplehearted being, who deemed no other answer necessary to the learned doctors who examined him, than that he believed "even as John Frith doth." When told that then he must burn with him, he replied: "Truly, I am content withal!" Being bound to the same stake, the wind blew the flames away from Frith, thus protracting his cruel agonies; but the young martyr rejoiced at the circumstance, as abridging the sufferings of his humble friend. One Dr. Cooke standing by, berated them, and bade the people not pray for them more than they would for a dog; at which Frith smiled, and prayed the Lord to forgive him!

Thus died-not yet thirty years old-one of the most brilliant, accomplished, and virtuous of English youths. It was an end glorious to himself and to the cause for which he died; but an eternal disgrace to the government and the church who joined hands to shed his blood. As Tyndale's chief helper in translating the ENGLISH BIBLE, so much notice was due to him in this volume. What particular part he had in that noble work, is not known; but it is pleasant, while enjoying the fruit of Tyndale's piety and learning, to reflect that we may likewise be enjoying that of his younger, but no less worthy and devoted colaborer.

* His accuser was the same base wretch who had betrayed Frith to his enemies.

CHAPTER X.

ANNE BOLEYN: THE ROYAL PATRONESS.

WE turn now to those counter influences in the English court, referred to at the close of chapter VIII, which began at this time to affect sensibly the interests of the Popish party. To understand their character we must glance back to their origin in the reign of Henry VII.

In the year 1501, a marriage had been concluded between Arthur, Prince of Wales, and Katherine, third daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. The Prince dying a few months after, his avaricious father, Henry VII, who could not make up his mind to restore the young widow's splendid dowry, projected a union between her and his sccond son Henry, now become, by his brother's death, heir to the throne. But as marriage with a brother's wife came within the degrees of affinity prohibited by the church, a dispensation was solicited and obtained without difficulty from Pope Julius, who thought by this means to secure the future king of England and his posterity as the grateful and submissive vassals of Rome. Accordingly in 1503, Prince Henry being then in his twelfth year and Katherine already twenty, they were betrothed with the understanding that the marriage was to take place when Henry should

have attained the age of manhood. But whether such a result was ever intended by his father is extremely doubtful; since it was by his direction that the prince, on reaching his fourteenth year, recorded his formal protest against the connexion; and it was his solemn dying injunction, that his son should not incumber himself with a marriage liable to so many objections.

On Henry's accession to the throne, in his eighteenth year, this important question, the decison of which could be deferred no longer, gave rise to warm debates among the royal advisers. Warham, then Chancellor and Primate, threw the whole weight of his influence against the union, which he condemned "as incestuous and contrary to the laws of God, with which," he averred," the pope could not dispense." But Fox, Bishop of Winchester, Secretary and Lord Privy Seal, and a large majority of the council, urged such strong political and prudential arguments, that the young king yielded, though, it is said, not without reluctance. The marriage, so strangely brought about, was solemnized June 7th, 1509.†

These facts are of importance, as showing that neither the legality nor the morality of this union were by any means admitted as unquestionable, either before or at the date of its consummation; and that there existed grounds which might, at any time, become the basis of political or ecclesiastical intrigues.

For many years no such occasion arose; and Katherine, by her personal charms and virtues, acquired and long retained the affections of her husband. The repeated loss of children was, indeed, a great drawback to the happiness of their union, the princess Mary being the only one of their

* Henry's History, Vol. XI, p. 80. † Ib.

numerous family who survived the age of infancy; but it does not appear that Henry entertained any serious doubts of the lawfulness of his marriage before the year 1524. Such is the date mentioned by himself, in a letter to the learned Grynæus, as the time when his scruples commenced; as also that they originated wholly in his own mind, and were not, as had been asserted, suggested by his confessor at the instigation of Wolsey. So he may have thought. But it is noteworthy, that this date follows close upon Wolsey's first great disappointment, of being raised by the Emperor's aid to the papal chair; and taking this fact in connexion with his subsequent management, we cannot but suspect that had Charles befriended the Cardinal, Henry's conscience would have slumbered a while longer in regard to his marriage with Charles' aunt. However that may be, it was from this time Wolsey's great aim to unite his master in a league with the King of France against the Emperor; and as one important link in the intrigue, to sunder his marriage with Katherine.

Circumstances favored his scheme. Katherine was now long past her bloom, while Henry was still a young man ; and sickness and the loss of children had given her a disgust with pomp and splendor, and a sombreness if not austerity of temper, very uncongenial to his gay and magnificent spirit. A large part of each day was spent in melancholy devotions upon her bare knees; while she counted. every moment lost which was given to the decoration of the perishing body. When to these things is added Henry's disappointment of a male heir, in whom the succession might be settled past question, it is obvious how easily a designing man might insinuate doubts, whether he had not incurred.