which in
their consciences they believed to be just; how could they retain their
allegiance to Henry, when their convictions must be with the invading army?

What ought to have been done let those say who disapprove of what was
actually done. The high character of the prisoners, while it increased the
desire, increased the difficulty of sparing them; and to have given way
would have been a confession of a doubtful cause, which at such a time
would not have been dangerous, but would have been fatal. Anne Boleyn is
said to have urged the king to remain peremptory;[719] but the following
letter of Cromwell's explains the ultimate resolution of the council in a
very reasonable manner. It was written to Cranmer in reply to his
arguments for concession.

"My Lord, after mine humble commendation, it may please your Grace to be
advertised that I have received your letter, and showed the same to the
King's Highness; who, perceiving that your mind and opinion is, that it
were good that the Bishop of Rochester and Master More should be sworn to
the act of the king's succession, and not to the preamble of the same,
thinketh that if their oaths should be taken, it were an occasion to all
men to refuse the whole, or at least the like. For, in case they be sworn
to the succession, and not to the preamble, it is to be thought that it
might be taken not only as a confirmation of the Bishop of Rome's
authority, but also as a reprobation of the king's second marriage.
Wherefore, to the intent that no such things should be brought into the
heads of the people, by the example of the said Bishop of Rochester and
Master More, the King's Highness in no wise willeth but that they shall be
sworn as well to the preamble as to the act. Wherefore his Grace specially
trusteth that ye will in no wise attempt to move him to the contrary; for
as his Grace supposeth, that manner of swearing, if it shall be suffered,
may be an utter destruction to his whole cause, and also to the effect of
the law made for the same."[720]

Thus, therefore, with much regret the council decided--and, in fact, why
should they have decided otherwise? They were satisfied that they were
right in requiring the oath; and their duty to the English nation obliged
them to persevere. They must go their way; and those who thought them wrong
must go theirs; and the great God would judge between them. It was a hard
thing to suffer for an opinion; but there are times when opinions are