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would move its head and limbs; - this was broken in pieces, and the springs and wires, by which the trick had been played, exposed to the derision of the multitude.

The discovery of these and other like impositions practised by some of the Monks, opened the eyes of many, and caused them to look with indifference upon their present discomfiture. To increase this feeling, and to gratify still further his own dislike to the popish priesthood, Henry determined not to let even the dead rest.

In the reign of Henry II. Thomas à Becket was made Chancellor. He was a prelate of a fearless and arrogant temper, untiring in his exertions to increase the power of the clergy, and gave his sovereign much trouble by the little respect he paid to his authority. Among other bold acts, he, at one time, excommunicated several of the clergy, who opposed his ambitious schemes, and refused to obey a command to restore them again to favor. The king was then in France. When the news of Becket's disobedience reached him, he exclaimed ; "What an unhappy prince am I, who have not about me one man of spirit enough to rid me of a single insolent prelate, the perpetual trouble of my life.” These angry words induced four noblemen to resolve to relieve him of his plague. They went over to England, and appearing before the Chan

cellor while he was engaged at public worship, in the Cathedral of Canterbury, bade him, on pain of instant death, obey the command of the king. Becket, unmoved by fear, replied, that he was ready to die for the good of the Church. The confederates then endeavoured to drag him out of the Cathedral, but not being able to do this, they slew him on the spot.

The Pope took care to make the most of this deed of violence. Becket was canonized. In the reign of Henry III., his body was taken up and placed in a magnificent shrine at Canterbury. His bones and other remains worked, it was pretended, numberless miracles, and plenary indulgence was granted to all who visited his tomb; and so great was the popularity of the Saint, that many hundred thousands of persons made a pilgrimage to the place of his burial.

Henry VIII. resolved now to avenge the insulted authority of his ancestors, and to destroy the reputation of Becket. He ordered him, although dead, to be tried and condemned as a traitor; his name to be erased from the catalogue of the Saints, his bones to be burnt, and his shrine, the gold taken from which filled two chests, to be broken in pieces.

These attacks upon the dignity and prosperity of the Church caused great indignation at Rome; and when the Pope heard of the contempt shown

to the remains of Becket, he no longer delayed the expression of his anger.

bull,

66

He sent forth a

requiring the king of England and his accomplices to appear at

account of their conduct; Pope deprived him of his

Rome and give an

if they did not, the crown and them of

their estates, and both of Christian burial.'" Henry's subjects were absolved from their oath of allegiance, and his kingdom given to the king of Scotland, -if he would go and take it.

In former days such an act of the Pontiff would have been followed by dreadful consequences to any monarch; but now its impotency only served to show how weak the foundations of the papal throne had become.

CHAPTER XVII.

--

ANNE OF

LAMBERT LAW OF SIX ARTICLES
CLEVES CATHERINE HOWARD PERSECUTION
DEATH OF CATHERINE HOWARD-CATHERINE PARR
-ANNE ASKEW -DEATH OF HENRY VIII. 1538-1547.

ALTHOUGH Henry, to gratify his passions, had treated the Pope with so little respect, and had shown so little fear of his vengeance, yet he by no means wished to be ranked among heretics. He was still vain of his reputation as a Theologian, and, although many of his measures had helped their cause, had little sympathy with the opinions of the Reformers. There were those in the royal council, quick to perceive and ready to take advantage of this inconsistency between the creed and the conduct of the king. Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, in particular, being anxious to advance the plans of the popish party, ventured to suggest to his master a method by which he might restore himself to favor with the Roman Pontiff.

Many of the English Protestants had ceased to believe in the real presence of the body of Christ in the bread used at the celebration of the Supper; and for this reason they were called Sacramentaries. Gardiner advised Henry, who

still held to the doctrine of transubstantiation, to punish these heretics; and an opportunity for putting his advice in practice soon occurred. John Lambert, a schoolmaster in London, having heard a clergyman by the name of Tailor, advocate, in a sermon, the doctrine of the real presence, went to him in private and objected to his arguments. Tailor requested Lambert to state his views in writing, which he did. The paper thus obtained was shown to several persons, and its author was brought to trial on the charge of heresy. In an evil hour Lambert appealed to the king.

Henry was fond of theological controversy and was also anxious, at this time, to show his detestation of the new opinions; he therefore determined, in person, to sit in judgment upon Lambert. The Court was held in Westminster Hall. The king, attended by the principal clergy and nobility of the realm, was present in great state. When the prisoner was brought before them, Henry and ten of the most learned prelates endeavoured to make him recant. Lambert argued till he was wearied out and confounded by the number of his antagonists. Being then asked if he would confess his error, he refused, and said that "he commended his soul to God and his body to the mercy of his sovereign." He was condemned and burnt at

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