k with yourselves as touching the
felicity of the world, it is good; but none otherwise than it standeth
with the favour of God; it is to be kept, but yet so far forth as by
keeping it we lose not God. It is good abiding and tarrying still
among our friends here, but yet so that we tarry not therewithal in
God's displeasure, and hereafter dwell with the devils in fire
everlasting. There is nothing under God but may be kept, so that God,
being above all things we have, be not lost. Of adversity judge the
same. Imprisonment is painful, but yet liberty upon evil conditions is
more painful. The prisons stink; but yet not so much as sweet houses,
where the fear and true honour of God lack. I must be alone and
solitary; it is better so to be, and have God with me, than to be in
company with the wicked. Loss of goods is great, but loss of God's
grace and favour is greater. I am a poor simple creature, and cannot
tell how to answer before such a great sort of noble, learned, and
wise men. It is better to make answer before the pomp and pride of
wicked men, than to stand naked, in the sight of all heaven and earth,
before the just God at the latter day. I shall die by the hands of the
cruel men; but he is blessed that loseth this life full of miseries,
and findeth the life of eternal joys. It is pain and grief to depart
from goods and friends; but yet not so much as to depart from grace
and heaven itself. Wherefore there is neither felicity nor adversity
of this world that can appear to be great, if it be weighed with the
joys or pains in the world to come."[447]

[Footnote 447: Hooper to his friends: Foxe, vol.
vi.]

Of five who had been sentenced, four were thus despatched. Bradford,
the fifth, was respited, in the hope that the example might tell upon
him. Six more were waiting their condemnation in Bonner's prisons. The
enemies of the church were to submit or die. So said Gardiner, in the
name of the English priesthood, with the passion of a fierce revenge.
So said the legate and the queen, in the delirious belief that they
were chosen instruments of Providence.

So, however, did not say the English lay statesmen. The {p.197}
first and unexpected effect was to produce a difference of opinion in
the court itself. Philip, to whom Renard had insisted on the necessity
of more moderate measures, found it necessary to clear himself of
responsibility; and the day after Hooper suffered, Alpho