Christs victory over Satan's tyranny Wherein is contained a catalogue of all Christs faithful…Christs victorie ouer Sathans tyrannie Wherin is contained a catalogue of all Christs faithfull…

The Story of STEPHEN GARDNER, Bishop of Winchester.

The Storie of STEPHEN GARDNER, Bishop of Winchester.

Whereas the Kings Majesty made a general visitation, as before is said, and appointed certain injunctions to be generally observed, they ⟨p. 227⟩were obediently received, and reverently executed of all men of all sorts, saving only of the Bishop of Winchester, who by conference with others, by open protestations and Letters also, showed such a wilful disobedience therein as might have bred much trouble: Wherefore he was sent for before the Council, before whom he denied to receive the said Articles, and so misused himself before them▪ that he was sent to the Fleet: but upon promise of conformity, he was set at liberty again, then he set forth such matters as bred more contention in that Shire, then in all the Realm again, and he caused all his Servants to be secretly armed and harnessed, to withstand such as he thought to have been sent by the Council into those parts, and when Preachers were sent into that Country by the Council to preach the Word of GOD, the Bishop to disappoint and disgrace them, and to hinder his Majesties proceedings, did occupy the Pulpit himself, and in his Sermons would warn the people of such new Preachers, and to embrace no other Doctrine then that which he had taught them. Wherefore being sent for again before the Council, yet in the end upon his second promise of conformity, they left him at liberty, willing him to remain at his house at London, yet he began afresh to ruffle and meddle in matters that touched the Kings Majesty.

VVHereas the Kinges Maiestie made a generall visitation, as before is said, and appointed certaine iniunctions to be generally obserued, they ⟨p. 227⟩were obediently receiued, and reuerently executed of all men of all sorts, sauing onely of the Bishop of Winchester, who by conference with others, by open protestations and Letters also, shewed such a wilfull disobedience therein as might haue bred much trouble: Wherefore he was sent for before the Councell, before whom he denied to receiue the said Articles, and so misused himselfe before them that he was sent to the Fléete: but vpon promise of conformity, hee was set at liberty againe, then he set forth such matters as bred more contention in that Shire, then in all the Realme againe, and he caused all his Seruants to bée secretly armed and harnised, to withstand such as he thought to haue béene sent by the Councell into those parts, and when Preachers were sent into that Countrey by the Councell to preach the Word of GOD, the Bishop to disappoint and disgrace them, and to hinder his Maiesties procéedings, did occupy the Pulpit himselfe, and in his Sermons would warne the people of such new Preachers, and to imbrace no other Doctrine then that which he had taught them. Wherefore being sent for againe before the Councell, yet in the end vpon his second promise of conformity, they left him at libertie, willing him to remaine at his house at London, yet he began afresh to ruffle and meddle in matters that touched the Kings Maiesty.