Freston Tower; A Tale of the Times of Cardinal Wolsey

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856. Excerpt: ... should struggle with uncompromising and unconquerable determination. 'You cannot be a stranger to my love of truth. You know me well, and that I have entertained Bilney, Bale, and others, whom I account worthy of honor; men of learned and enlightened minds, instruments of spreading the truth. 'For these things I became distasteful to some nobles, and was accounted a disaffected member of the church, and even accused of being a heretic.. Lord Wentworth, acting under the orders of the Bishops of London and Norwich, and by your mandate, has seized my person and brought me hither; but I have not offended my conscience, and, therefore, hope to be acquitted.' I have seen and known many abuses in the church,' replied Wolsey, 'from very early days; and had I been elected Pope of Borne, I should have endeavored to restore the Church of Rome to her ancient purity, and have raised her to what she truly is--the successor of St. Peter; but that cannot be. I have now no hopes thereof, but I am still desirous of reforming many corruptions prevalent in that portion of the Romish Church which abides in England. I have punished many priests, I have issued my mandates against all irregularities, and will yet hope to see a great improvement in the church. 'But, at the same time, I shall not conceal from thee that I do not approve of those heretical tenets which upstart preachers are now everywhere disseminating. I love the truth, and am glad to find that yesterday thy friend Bilney recanted his bold heresies, and has returned to the body of the church a penitent.' 'Bilney recanted!' was the involuntary exclamation of all. 'Bilney recanted!' 'Yes, I am informed he did penance, and stood at Paul's Cross weeping.' 'Weep he will do,' replied De Freston,' weep he will do, bitterl...