of succession in all its parts,
and he desired to see the statute itself. He read it through, and at once
replied that others might do as they pleased; he would blame no one for
taking the oath; but for himself it was impossible. He would swear
willingly to the part of it which secured the succession to the children of
Queen Anne.[716] That was a matter on which parliament was competent to
decide, and he had no right to make objections. If he might be allowed to
take an oath to this portion of the statute in language of his own, he
would do it; but as the words stood, he would "peril his soul" by using
them. The Lord Chancellor desired him to re-consider his answer. He retired
to the garden, and in his absence others were called in; among them the
Bishop of Rochester, who refused in the same terms. More was then recalled.
He was asked if he persisted in his resolution; and when he replied that he
did, he was requested to state his reasons. He said that he was afraid of
increasing the king's displeasure, but if he could be assured that he might
explain himself safely he was ready to do so. If his objection could then
be answered to his satisfaction, he would swear; in the meantime, he
repeated, very explicitly, that he judged no one--he spoke only for
himself.

An opening seemed to be offered in these expressions which was caught at by
Cranmer's kind-hearted casuistry. If Sir Thomas More could not condemn
others for taking the oath, the archbishop said, Sir Thomas More could not
be sure that it was sin to take it; while his duty to his king and to the
parliament was open and unquestioned.

More hesitated for an instant, but he speedily recovered his firmness. He
had considered what he ought to do, he said; his conscience was clear about
it, and he could say no more than he had said already. They continued to
argue with him, but without effect; he had made up his mind; the victory,
as he said, had been won.

Cromwell was deeply affected. In his passionate regret, he exclaimed, that
he had rather his only son had lost his head than that More should have
refused the oath. No one knew better than Cromwell that intercession would
be of no further use; that he could not himself advise the king to give
way. The parliament, after grave consideration, had passed a law which they
held necessary to secure the peace of the country; and two persons of high
rank refused obedience to it, whose example would tell in every English
hou