Catalogue description GEORGE [BROWN,] ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN, to CROMWELL.

Since my coming over I have been unable, even in the diocese of Dublin, to induce any, either religious or secular, to preach the Word of God, or the King's just title as Supreme Head over the Church. "They that then could and would very often, even till the right Christians were weary of them, preach after the old sort and fashion, will now not once open their lips in any pulpit for the manifestation of the same, but in corners and such company as them liketh, they can full earnestly utter their opinions." The Observants are worse than all others, for I can make them neither swear, nor preach amongst us. This comes "of the extreme handling that my Lord Deputy hath used towards me, what by often imprisonment, and also expelling me mine own house, keeping there no hospitality at all; and so contemptuously he vilipendeth me, that I take God to record I had, but that hope comforteth me, rather forsake all than to abide so many ignominious reproaches." For the love you bear to "the mere and sincere doctrine of God's Word," and the setting forward of our Prince's title, send to Master Treasurer, the Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, or any two of them, "such a straight commandment over me and all other ecclesiastical persons, as I perceive the King's Grace hath sent of late into England to the sheriffs of every shire." "There is never an Archbishop or Bishop but myself made by the King, but he is repelled even now by provision. Again, for all that ever I could do, might I not make them once, but as I send my own servants to do it, to cancel out of the Canon of the Mass or other books the name of the Bishop of Rome." As for lack of dispensations they are compelled to sue to Rome, I think it necessary that we should have dispensations, a vicar general, and a master of the faculties. A pardon is lately come from Rome "much of consonant to a pardon granted by Julius the second in time of the wars between the French King and him; and that was, that they that would enjoy it should fast Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday next after they heard first of it, and on the Sunday consequently ensuing to receive the communion." Many have received it. If such things go unpunished, while the King's High Commissioners are here, "seeing these men so ready and prompt to admit the Bishop of Rome's letters, and so sturdy and flinty against our Prince's power, what will men think ?

Dublin, 8 January. Signed.

Broadsheet. Addressed: Lord Privy Seal. Endorsed.

State Papers II. 539.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. I, document 114.