Thomas Cranmer 1was first of Jesus College in Cambridge, a Master of Arts and fellow of the College: afterward he married and gave over his fellowship, and became reader in Buckingham College. Whiles he was reader in that College, his wife dyed, & he was received again to be fellow of Jesus College: where he grew in knowledge in such sort, that he became Doctor of Divinity, and was appointed one of the heads, to examine such as yearly were to commence Bachelors, or Doctors of Divinity. Who never would admit any to proceed in Divinity, unless they were substantially seen in the story of the Bible: whereby diverse Fryers and other religious persons were rejected of him. He was greatly solicited by Doctor Capon to be one of the fellows in the foundation of Cardinal Wolsey's College in Oxford, but could not be drawn thereunto. Whiles he continued in Cambridge, the matter of the kings divorce with the Lady Catherine was in question now two or three years among the Canonists: who could not resolve upon the matter. Now by reason the plague was in Cambridge, Doctor Cranmer removed to Waltham cross with two of his pupils to M. Cressey's house, where Doctor Stevens secretary, and Doctor Fox Almoner finding him, conferred with him about that matter of the kings divorce. He gave them counsel rather to cause it to be discussed among the Divines,2 whether by the word of God a man may marry his brothers wife or not, for the satisfying of the Kings conscience: and that done, to refer it to judgement how lawful the divorce might be, &c. This discourse ⟨p. 193⟩they declared unto the king, who caused Cranmer immediately to be sent for:3 and after talk with him concerning the matter, he appointed him to be chief doer in the dispute, and conference: and commanded him to set down his mind fully in the case, and willed the Earle of Wiltshire to give him entertainment in Duresme house, and to furnish him with Books, and necessaries meet for the business: who provided for him accordingly. So doctor Cranmer wrote his mind concerning the kings question, adding to the same, besides the authority of Scripture, of general counsels, and ancient fathers, also his own opinion, that the Pope could not dispense with the word of God. Whereupon the king sent certain learned men abroad to the most part of the Universities in Christendom to dispute the question:4
THomas Cranmer 1was first of Iesus Colledge in Cambridge, a Master of Arts and fellow of the Colledge: afterward he marryed and gaue ouer his fellowship, and became reader in Buckingham Colledge. Whiles he was reader in that Colledge, his wife dyed, & he was receiued againe to be fellow of Iesus Colledge: where he grew in knowledge in such sort, that he became Doctor of Diuinitie, and was appointed one of the heads, to examine such as yearly were to commence Bachelers, or Doctors of Diuinitie. Who neuer would admit any to procéede in Diuinitie, vnlesse they were substancially séene in the story of the Bible: whereby diuerse Fryers and other religious persons were reiected of him. He was greatly sollicited by Doctor Capon to be one of the fellowes in the foundation of Cardinall Wolseys Colledge in Oxford, but could not be drawen thereunto. Whiles he continued in Cambridge, the matter of the kinges diuorce with the Lady Catherin was in question now two or thrée yeares among the Canonistes: who could not resolue vpon the matter. Now by reason the plague was in Cambridge, Doctor Cranmer remoued to Waltham crosse with two of his pupills to M. Cresseys house, where Doctor Steuens secretarie, and Doctor Foxe Almosiner finding him, conferred with him about that matter of the kinges diuorce. Hée gaue them counsaile rather to cause it to be discussed among the Diuines,2 whether by the worde of God a man may marrie his brothers wife or not, for the satisfying of the Kinges conscience: and that done, to referre it to iudgement how lawfull the diuorce might bée, &c. This discourse ⟨p. 193⟩they declared vnto the king, who caused Cranmer immediatly to be sent for:3 and after talke with him concerning the matter, he appointed him to be chiefe doer in the dispute, and conference: and commaunded him to set downe his minde fully in the case, and willed the Earle of Wiltshire to giue him entertainment in Duresme house, and to furnish him with Bookes, and necessaries méete for the busines: who prouided for him accordingly. So doctor Cranmer wrote his minde concerning the kinges question, adding to the same, besydes the authoritie of Scripture, of general counsails, and auncient fathers, also his owne opinion, that the Pope could not dispence with ye word of God. Wherupon ye king sent certaine learned mē abroad to the most part of the Vniuersities in Christendome to dispute the question:4
- 1Thomas Cram mer Archb. of Canterbury.Thomas Crā mer Archb. of Canterburie.
- 2M. Cranmers advice touching the disputation for the K. divorce.M. Cranmers aduice touching the disputation for the K. diuorce.
- 3Cranmer sent for to the king.
- 4Embassage to Rome concerning the kings divorce.Embassage to Rome concerning the kings diuorce.
