as the Diet concerning the said contract was lately held in Flanders, where the queen of Hungary is governatrice, the emperor thought good to do nothing therein without her advice, but to make answer by her, rather than by me. Wherefore it may please your Grace no further to look for answer of me herein, but of the queen, unto whom the whole answer is committed.

"Moreover, when the said Monsieur Grandville inquired of me if I had any answer of the aid, and subsidy, which the emperor desired of your Grace, I reported unto him fully your Grace's answer according to my instructions, sent unto me by your Grace's servant, William Paget. Which answer he desired me to deliver him in writing, that he might refer the same truly unto the emperor; and so I did. Nevertheless the emperor, now at his departing, hath had such importune business, that Monsieur Grandville assigned me to repair unto the emperor again at Lintz; for there, he said, I shall have an 1answer again in writing.

"The French ambassador and I with all diligence do make preparation to furnish ourselves with waggons, horses, ships, tents, and other things necessary to our voyage. But it will be at the least viij. or x. days before we can be ready to depart hence. Yet we trust to be at Lintz before

What answer was given to Cranmer, is not known.

the emperor; for he will tarry by the way at Passau x. or xij. days.

"As for the Turk, he resideth 'still at Hungary, in the same place, environed upon all parties; whereof I wrote unto your Highness in my last letters. And the emperor departed from it back toward Vienna the second day of this month by land, not coming by this town. But the same day the king Ferdinand departed from this town by water;, and at Passau, xiiij. miles hence, they shall meet, and so pass forth unto Lintz, which is the midway from hence into Vienna. And there the emperor will tarry to counsel what he will do; and there all the ambassadours shall know his pleasure, as Monsieur Grandville shewed me.

"I have sent herewith unto your Grace the copy of the emperor's proclamation concerning a General Council, and a Reformation to be had in Germany for the 2 controversies of the faith. Also

1

Solyman commenced his retreat late in September, 1532. By their firmness in adhering to their principles, by the unanimity with which they urged all their claims, and by their dexterity in availing themselves of the emperor's situation, the Protestants obtained terms which amounted almost to a toleration of their religion, [by the treaty agreed upon at Nuremberg, and now ratified at Ratisbon.] All the concessions were made by Charles, none by them; even the favourite point of their approving his brother's election was not mentioned; and the Protestants of Germany, who had hitherto been viewed only as a religious sect, came henceforth to be considered as a political body of no small consequence." Robertson, Charles V.

I have sent the tax of all the states of the empire, how many soldiers every man is limited to for the aid against the Turk; wherein your Grace may perceive, that the greatest prince in Germany (only the Duke of Burgundy and Austria except) is not appointed above 120 horsemen and 554 footmen.

"Thus our Lord evermore have your Highness in His preservation and governance. From Regensberg, the iiij. day of September, [1532.] "Your Grace's most humble subject,

Chaplain, and beadsman,

"THOMAS CRANMER."

per

His residence in Germany was now drawing to its close. There he had diligently watched the progress of that powerful opposition to the Church of Rome, which was then the theme of all Europe. To the new doctrines, ere he returned, he had haps become almost an entire convert. Leading principles in them he had long before approved. But the great sacramental error he as yet retained. The Protestant cause, however, had his heart. To the proofs of this regard we shall henceforward be led, in the objections which he fearlessly advanced against Romanism; in the pains which he bestowed upon forming the services and tenets of our Church; and in the encouragement which he gave to all, both of his own and other countries, who conducted or favoured the Reformation.

Such were his noble labours, as study and reflection by degrees aroused him to lay the foundations of our religious liberties. "It is lawful and commendable for a man," said he, " to learn from time to time; and to go from his ignorance, that he may receive and embrace the truth."

'Defence against Gardiner, 2 edit. p. 71.

CHAPTER III.

1532 to 1533.

Is recalled from Germany-Nominated archbishop of Canterbury-His wish to have declined the appointment— Reasons for declining it—His second marriage considered— Submits to the honour of the primacy, not without interposing his protest against the papal authority, and is consecrated.

THE preceding letter had been written while the see of Canterbury was vacant by the death of Warham; though it could not then be known to Cranmer. The archbishop died on the 23d of August, 1532. But Cranmer was now commanded to leave Germany. Being informed, at the same time, by letters from some of his friends at home, that the king intended to make him archbishop, and that therefore they advised his speedy return; he, feeling 'no inclination to accept the honour, none to relinquish the charms of study and the comforts of a private station, delayed his departure, under the hope that his procrastination might cause another to supply his place. "I protest before you all," said he to

2

1 Foxe. See also bishop Godwin's Annals, ed. 1630, p. 120. 2 Foxe.