crucifix alone was not sufficient for the expiation of his sins
and offences.

* Erasm. Epist. lib. ii. epist. i.; lib. xvi. epist. 3.

** Polyd. Virg. lib. xxvii. Stowe, p, 501. Hollingshed, p.
847.

*** Polyd. Virg. lib. xxvii.

Warham, chancellor and archbishop of Canterbury, a man of a moderate
temper, averse to all disputes, chose rather to retire from public
employment, than maintain an unequal contest with the haughty cardinal.
He resigned his office of chancellor; and the great seal was immediately
delivered to Wolsey. If this new accumulation of dignity increased his
enemies, it also served to exalt his personal character, and prove the
extent of his capacity. A strict administration of justice took
place during his enjoyment of this high office and no chancellor ever
discovered greater impartiality in his decisions, deeper penetration of
judgment, or more enlarged knowledge of law and equity.[*]

The duke of Norfolk, finding the king's money almost entirely exhausted
by projects and pleasures, while his inclination for expense still
continued, was glad to resign his office of treasurer and retire from
court. His rival, Fox, bishop of Winchester reaped no advantage from his
absence; but partly overcome by years and infirmities, partly disgusted
at the ascendant acquired by Wolsey, withdrew himself wholly to the care
of his diocese. The duke of Suffolk had also taken offence, that the
king, by the cardinal's persuasion, had refused to pay a debt which
he had contracted during his residence in France; and he thenceforth
affected to live in privacy. These incidents left Wolsey to enjoy
without a rival the whole power and favor of the king; and they put
into his hands every kind of authority. In vain did Fox, before his
retirement, warn the king "not to suffer the servant to be greater than
his master." Henry replied, "that he well knew how to retain all his
subjects in obedience;" but he continued still an unlimited deference in
every thing to the directions and counsels of the cardinal.

The public tranquillity was so well established in England, the
obedience of the people so entire, the general administration of
justice, by the cardinal's means,[**] so exact, that no domestic
occurrence happened considerable enough to disturb the repose of the
king and his minister: they might even have dispensed with giving any
strict attention to foreign affairs, were it possible for men to enjoy
a