CHAPTER NINE.
THE ABDICATION OF CHARLES THE FIFTH.
Bishop Gardiner was not a person to allow his prey to escape him if hecould help it. Notice was brought to him that John Foxe was proceedingto Ipswich, to embark thence for the Continent; he therefore haddespatched Father Overton and another priest on his track, hoping bysome means to entrap him.
Great was the disappointment, therefore, of Father Overton, when hefound that Foxe was in the company of Master Gresham, whom he knew wellto be a prudent man; and still greater when, after all the trouble hehad taken, the whole party got safely on board and proceeded to sea.
His satisfaction may be supposed when he found that they had againlanded. He now felt confident that by some means or other he should beable to get them into his power.
The only farmhouse in the neighbourhood where the voyagers could obtainshelter was inhabited by Romanists. Indeed, a large number of thecountry people were of that faith. Father Overton, guessing that theywould go there, rode off as fast at his steed could carry him, andarrived first at the farmhouse.
Farmer Hadden and his wife were at home.
He speedily explained the object of his visit.
"They are fearful heretics," he remarked, "endeavouring to escape thevengeance of our just laws against such people, and it would be a holyand pious work in you, my friends, if you will follow my directions andendeavour to deliver them into my hands. Feed them well, and treat themwell, and afterwards profess that you are followers of the Church ofRome; but express your desire to be informed of the Protestant tenets,and show an inclination to leave your present Church. Inform me of allthat is said; or, better still, is there not some place in the housewhere you can conceal me, so that I may overhear their words? Thus,without doubt, we shall get these people into our power, and you willhave performed a meritorious act."
Farmer Hadden and his dame listened to what was said. Now, althoughthey had not left the ancient faith, this was owing possibly to theirnever having heard the Gospel preached. The proposal of the priest wasnot, at all events, to their taste, and their hearts revolted at thethought of the treachery they were required to undertake.
Still, they were timid people, and dreaded to offend the priest. Athird person, however, was present. It was their daughter Margery. Shehad on several occasions heard the preachers, in King Edward's time,telling in simple language the truths of the Gospel. She had also, withher savings, purchased a Bible, which she carefully treasured up, andkept in her own room, bringing it down at times to read to her fatherand mother. Thus they, too, also had a knowledge of God's Word. FatherOverton, finding that they did not willingly enter into his views, beganto threaten them, telling them how many people had already been castinto prison, to be given ere long to the flames, and that unless theyshowed their love to the mother Church they too might suffer the samefate. Margery said nothing, but, with her eyes cast on the ground, keptspinning away as if scarcely heeding the words which were spoken.
At length the dame, fearing that the Father would put his threats intoexecution, agreed to follow his wishes. Father Overton, therefore,telling his companion to lead away their horses to a farm at somedistance, desired Farmer Hadden to place him in a cupboard whence hecould overhear all that was said by their guests. Margery well knewthat though he might hear he could not see. As soon, therefore, as hewas shut in, she, placing her spinning-wheel aside, threw her kerchiefover her head and hurried out to meet the voyagers.
She speedily encountered Master Gresham with John Foxe and Ernst. Hervoice trembled with agitation as she told them what had occurred; "Butdo not blame my parents," she exclaimed; "they are forced to act as theyare about to do, and they themselves hate the very notion of betrayingyou, their guests. Only be cautious, therefore, and remember thatwhatever is said will be heard by hostile ears."
"Thank you, maiden; we will be cautious; but nevertheless we will speakfreely from God's Word. The fear of what man can do unto us should notmake us hold our tongues," replied Foxe.
Margery having given her warning, hurried back to the farm.
In a short time Master Gresham, with the preacher and Ernst, arrived,and made arrangements with the farmer and his wife for the accommodationof the whole party. Dame Hadden might have suspected that Margery hadwarned her guests, but she said nothing, busily employing herself inpreparing provisions for them, aided by her daughter and serving-maid.The fire was made up, pots put on to boil, and meat placed to roast,while the farmer drew some flagons of his best beer. He resolved not toshow any lack of hospitality to those persecuted men, albeit theydiffered from the Church to which he belonged. A blessing had beenasked by Master Foxe ere the feast began, and at its conclusion he rosealso to return thanks. He then from his pocket produced a copy of God'sWord, and spoke to all present of the love of God to perishing sinners."Could we but remember that `not a sparrow falls to the ground' but Godknoweth it, while `all the hairs of our heads are numbered,' surely weshould trust Him in all things, and understand how He is our lovingFather and Friend, and thus go to Him, trusting in the completesalvation which Christ has wrought for us. We should go to Him on alloccasions direct for what we need, without any other mediator. Oh!remember these words: `God so loved the world that He gave His onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, buthave everlasting life.' Remember also these words, which Christ Himselfspoke: `Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, andbelieveth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not comeinto condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily,I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hearthe voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.' Yes, mydear friends, many who are now dead in trespasses and sin, who havenever yet been born again, shall listen to the simple truth of theGospel, and gladly accept its life-giving offers."
Thus in the same strain he continued for some time, showing forth God'slove to man, man's need of a Saviour, the perfect and complete salvationwrought by that Saviour for all who accept it, even though, like thethief on the cross, they are deeply sunk in sin, and have not, till thelast hour of their lives, heard the sound of the Gospel. Even Margerywas surprised to hear Master Foxe speak thus, knowing that he was awarewho was listening to his words.
The day closed, and the visitors were shown to such sleeping chambers asthe house afforded. When all was quiet the farmer went to the cupboardand released the priest. He came forth.
"I pray you, sir, that you will not betray these good people. Surelynothing that was said deserves death or punishment of any sort. But hiethee away from hence, and let me entreat you to forget what thou hastheard," whispered Farmer Hadden, in an imploring tone.
"No, no," answered the priest; "I would not for much forget those wordsspoken by Master Foxe. I knew not that such words were to be found inthe Scriptures. That they are there I am sure, or so learned a man ashe is would not have spoken them. Christ tells us that if we believe inHim we have eternal life, and that is, I opine, glory and happinessunspeakable. Not that we shall have, but that we have it; that we havepassed from death unto life. Christ Himself spoke those words. He doesnot say that we have any works to do, any penances to perform, butsimply that we are to put faith in Him. The Church, I know, saysdifferently; but there is a sweet and gracious meaning in those wordswhich struck deep into my heart. I will stay and have more conversationwith Master Foxe."
"I will summon him then," said the farmer; "I too would fain hear moreof these things from his lips."
Most willingly the preacher rose from his couch, and sat himself downwith the farmer and Father Overton. The lamps were lighted, so thatGod's Word might be read; and thus they sat till the grey light ofmorning broke into the room: the minister explaining the simple plan ofsalvation, drawing all his words from the fountain source. The sun rosein a clear sky, and scarcely was the morning meal concluded, before oneof the shipmen came up to announce that the wind was fair,
the sea calm,and that they might all return quickly on board. Another passenger wasadded to them. Father Overton desired to accompany the party abroad."My house, and all I possess, I will leave behind me," he observed; "andno small amount of wealth, to gather which I was imperilling my soul.If I went back, the fate I was designing for others would assuredly bemine; and I would rather learn more of God's Word, and have my faithincreased, than go back yet ignorant, and perchance relapse again intothe fearful errors of Rome."
In God's good providence the vessel arrived in two days at Newport inFlanders, whence the party travelled to Antwerp. There, among theProtestants of that city, most of the voyagers found refuge; Master Foxeand his family being entertained by Master Gresham. After some time,the preacher, finding that he had many enemies in Antwerp who mightdeliver him up to the secular power as a heretic, proceeded with hisfamily to Frankfort. Thence he continued on up the Rhine till hereached Basle in Switzerland, where were found great numbers ofEnglishmen who had been driven from their homes by persecution. Thatcity was already famous for printing, and here Foxe began hisinestimable work, giving an account of the martyrs who had suffered forthe faith from the earliest times; but these matters Ernst Verner didnot hear for some time afterwards.
With much sorrow Ernst Verner saw that true and faithful servant ofChrist take his departure from Master Gresham's house. He won thehearts of all who knew him, and no one esteemed him more than did MasterGresham and Lady Anne. Yet the lessons of wisdom he had given weregreatly interrupted by the life which the young lad was now called on tolive. A great and important ceremony was about to be performed atBrussels; and Master Gresham, desiring to go there in proper state, tookErnst with him to attend on him as his page. The sober citizen's gownwhich the merchant generally wore was now exchanged for one of richermaterials, and cut according to the Spanish fashion of the times. Ernsttoo was habited in a richer dress than he had ever before worn.
All arrangements being made, Ernst and several servants set off inattendance on Master Gresham for the capital city of the Netherlands.It had been for some time known that the Emperor--Charles the Fifth--purposed to abdicate the throne in favour of his son Philip the Second,now titular King of England, as well as of several small kingdoms andprovinces. The day fixed was the 25th of October of the year 1555. Inthe magnificent hall of the residence of the Dukes of Brabant, the greatceremony was to take place. At one end a spacious platform had beenerected, below which was a range of benches for the deputies of theseventeen provinces, while upon the stage were rows of seats coveredwith tapestry for the knights and guests of high distinction. In thecentre of the stage was a splendid canopy, decorated with the arms ofBurgundy, beneath which were placed three gilded armchairs.
At an early hour the larger portion of the hall was filled with personswhose magnificent dresses and general bearing showed that they belongedto the upper orders. Vast as was the hall, only such as they could findroom.
As the clock struck three, the Emperor entered--a decrepit man who,although numbering only thirty-five years, looked much older. With onearm he leaned on the shoulder of a tall and graceful youth, while hisother rested on a crutch. His hair was white, close-cropped, andbristly, his beard grey and shaggy, his eye dark blue, his foreheadspacious, and his nose aquiline, but crooked; while his under lip washeavy and hanging, the lower jaw projecting so far beyond the upper,that he could with difficulty bring his shattered teeth together, so asto speak with clearness. Behind him came his son Philip, and Queen Maryof Hungary, the Archduke Maximilian, and other great personagesfollowing, accompanied by a glittering throng of warriors, councillors,lords and Knights of the Fleece. There was no lack of priests. TheBishop of Arras was among them, serene and smiling, whatever might havebeen passing in his heart. There, too, Ernst recognised one whom he hadseen in London--the Count of Egmont. His tall figure, delicatefeatures, and dark flowing hair, were not easily forgotten. His costumewas magnificent, unsurpassed by any. Near him stood the Count of Horn,a brave admiral, but bold and quarrelsome--an unpopular man. Little didthey think that ere long they were to be betrayed by pretended friends,and doomed to death by the sovereign whom they had faithfully served.On the same platform were two other gallant men, the Marquis Berghen andthe Lord of Montigny--also doomed to suffer a cruel fate by theirtreacherous master. Near Philip stood his favourite companion--a manwith a pallid face, coal-black hair, a slender and handsome figure--thefamous Ruy Gomez. Such were some of the many noted characters who hadassembled at the call of the Emperor.
As that man of hideous countenance and tottering steps entered the hall,all present rose to their feet. At a sign from him they again tooktheir seats. He then seated himself in the centre of three chairs--oneoccupied by Queen Mary of Hungary, the other by his son. A long orationwas now delivered by Philibert de Bruxelles, setting forth the Emperor'sreasons for abdicating the throne, his boundless love for his subjects,and the imperative necessity he felt of maintaining the Catholicreligion in its purity. The deed of cession was then read, by whichPhilip received all the Emperor's Burgundian property, including theseventeen Netherlands.
Cries of admiration burst from the assembly as the address wasconcluded. The Emperor then rose, and beckoning the Prince of Orange,he leant as before on his shoulder, resting his other hand on hiscrutch. The Prince had but recently returned from the camp on thefrontier, where, notwithstanding his youth, he had been appointed by theEmperor to command his army against Admiral Coligny and the Duc deNevers. The Emperor spoke of his numerous expeditions and campaigns, asalso of eleven voyages by sea, his plans for the security of the RomanCatholic religion, and his desire that his magnificent empire should begoverned by his son in a worthy manner, entreating the nation to renderobedience to their new sovereign, and above all things to preserve theCatholic faith. Humbly he begged them also to pardon him for all errorsand offences he might have committed during his reign. The greatEmperor, sinking into his chair, wept like a child, while sobs wereheard throughout every portion of the hall.
Even Philip appeared touched. Dropping on his knee, he kissed hisfather's hand. Charles, placing his hands on his son's head, thenblessed him, and raising him, embraced him affectionately, while Philiputtered a few words expressive of his duty to his father, and hisaffection for his people. He expressed his regret that he could notaddress them in either French or Flemish, deputing the Bishop of Arrasto act as his interpreter. This duty was performed by the prelate insmooth, fluent, and well-turned common-places, being replied to by JacobMass, member of the Council of Brabant, much in the same style. QueenMary of Hungary, who had long been acting as Regent of the Netherlands,imitating her brother in language, also rose and resigned her office.
After a few more orations the ceremony terminated, and the Emperorslowly left the hall as he had entered. A stranger might have supposedfrom what he had heard that the country had ever been happily and wellgoverned, and that there was every prospect of peace and prosperity forthe subjects of the new monarch. Alas! how different was the truth.Ernst Verner, in spite of all that was said, could not forget the numberof innocent persons who had already been sacrificed on the altar ofbigotry and tyranny. Young as he then was, he knew full well themeaning of those exhortations of the Emperor as to the necessity ofmaintaining the Catholic religion in all its purity. It meant burn,slay, destroy, or drive out of the realm, all who oppose the religion ofthe priests of Rome--crush out with an iron heel every spark of libertyof conscience, of freedom of thought, of Protestant principles. Ernstfound afterwards that Master Gresham's thoughts had agreed with his, andthat he anticipated fearful evils for the people of the Netherlands.
The Golden Grasshopper: A story of the days of Sir Thomas Gresham Page 9
