mory should be never more, except to his contumely and reproach,
remembered; but perpetually be suppressed and obscured."[723]

Nor were these mere idle sounds, like the bellow of unshotted cannon; but
words with a sharp, prompt meaning, which the king intended to be obeyed.
He had addressed his orders to the clergy, because the clergy were the
officials who had possession of the pulpits from which the people were to
be taught; but he knew their nature too well to trust them. They were too
well schooled in the tricks of reservation; and, for the nonce, it was
necessary to reverse the posture of the priest and of his flock, and to set
the honest laymen to overlook their pastors.

With the instructions to the bishops circulars went round to the sheriffs
of the counties, containing a full account of these instructions, and an
appeal to their loyalty to see that the royal orders were obeyed. "We," the
king wrote to them, "seeing, esteeming, and reputing you to be of such
singular and vehement zeal and affection towards the glory of Almighty God,
and of so faithful, loving, and obedient heart towards us, as you will
accomplish, with all power, diligence, and labour, whatsoever shall be to
the preferment and setting forth of God's word, have thought good, not only
to signify unto you by these our letters, the particulars of the charge
given by us to the bishops, but also to require and straitly charge you,
upon pain of your allegiance, and as ye shall avoid our high indignation
and displeasure, [that] at your uttermost peril, laying aside all vain
affections, respects, and other carnal considerations, and setting only
before your eyes the mirrour of the truth, the glory of God, the dignity of
your Sovereign Lord and King, and the great concord and unity, and
inestimable profit and utility, that shall by the due execution of the
premises ensue to yourselves and to all other faithful and loving subjects,
ye make or cause to be made diligent search and wait, whether the said
bishops do truly and sincerely, without all manner of cloke, colour, or
dissimulation, execute and accomplish our will and commandment, as is
aforesaid. And in case ye shall hear that the said bishops, or any other
ecclesiastical person, do omit and leave undone any part or parcel of the
premises, or else in the execution and setting forth of the same, do coldly
and feignedly use any manner of sinister addition, wrong interpretation, or
painted colour, then w