v.

No prince in Europe was possessed of such absolute authority as Henry,
not even the pope himself, in his own capital, where he united both the
civil and ecclesiastical powers; [*] [9] and there was small likelihood,
that any doctrine which lay under the imputation of encouraging sedition
could ever pretend to his favor and countenance.

* See note I, at the end of the volume.

But besides this political jealousy, there was another reason which
inspired this imperious monarch with an aversion to the reformers. He
had early declared his sentiments against Luther; and having entered the
lists in those scholastic quarrels, he had received from his courtiers
and theologians infinite applause for his performance. Elated by this
imaginary success, and blinded by a natural arrogance and obstinacy of
temper, he had entertained the most lofty opinion of his own erudition;
and he received with impatience, mixed with contempt, any contradiction
to his sentiments. Luther also had been so imprudent as to treat in a
very indecent manner his royal antagonist; and though he afterwards made
the most humble submissions to Henry, and apologized for the vehemence
of his former expressions, he never could efface the hatred which the
king had conceived against him and his doctrines. The idea of heresy
still appeared detestable as well as formidable to that prince;
and whilst his resentment against the see of Rome had corrected one
considerable part of his early prejudices, he had made it a point of
honor never to relinquish the remainder. Separate as he stood from the
Catholic church, and from the Roman pontiff, the head of it, he still
valued himself on maintaining the Catholic doctrine, and or guarding, by
fire and sword, the imagined purity of his speculative principles.

Henry's ministers and courtiers were of as motley a character as his
conduct; and seemed to waver, during this whole reign, between the
ancient and the new religion. The queen, engaged by interest as well
as inclination, favored the cause of the reformers: Cromwell, who was
created secretary of state, and who was daily advancing in the king's
confidence, had embraced the same views; and as he was a man of prudence
and abilities, he was able, very effectually, though in a covert manner,
to promote the late innovations: Cranmer, archbishop of Canterbury,
had secretly adopted the Protestant tenets; and he had gained Henry's
friendship by his candor and sincerity;