so kill one another, fight not under the banner of Christ, but the devil: shewing withal, how hard a thing it is to die like a Christian, how few go forth to battel free from hatred and covetousness, and how difficult for such to be in charity (without which no man shall see God) who sheathe their swords in their brethren's bowels. Adding, that they should rather imitate their king Christ, than Pagan Cæsars and Alexanders. And he had so many other smart passages to this purpose, that his majesty was somewhat afraid lest this sermon would dishearten his soldiers that were listed. : 30. Hereupon all the birds of prey flocked about Colet like an owl, hoping the king would be incensed against him. His majesty commands Colet to come before him at Greenwich. He goes into the garden of the monastry of the Franciscans which was near, and presently dismisseth his attendants. When they two were alone, the king bid Colet cover his head, and speak his mind freely and then his highness began thus, "Dean, be not surprised with needless fear; I did not send for you hither to disturb your most holy labours (which I resolve to cherish as much as I can) but to unload my conscience of some scruples, and to desire your advice concerning my duty." The conference lasted almost an hour and a half, and I must not relate it all. In the mean while Bricot (the Franciscan bishop') was in the court stark wild, hoping that Colet had been in great danger; whereas the king and he agreed in every particular very well. Only his majesty wished that what Colet spoke truly, he would 8 Franciscans.] In 1486 this convent was founded by Henry VII. for a warden and twelve brethren. Katherine of Arragon, Henry the VIIIth's first queen, was a great favourer of the Franciscans, and of this convent in particular. "She appointed one of the monks of Greenwich, Father John Forrest, to be her confessor; and used, whilst resident at this place, to rise at midnight and join the monks in their devotions."-Lysons's Environs of London, vol. iv. p. 464. • The Franciscan bishop.] Erasmus's words are, "Ex Franciscano episcopus,” but of what see does not appear. It is probable, that instead of Bricot, Henry Standish was meant, who was a Franciscan of the same convent, a bitter enemy of Colet (see Knight's Life of Colet, p. 201), and was consecrated bishop of St. Asaph on the 18th of July, 1518. Bricot, if ever he was a bishop, certainly never filled an English see. There was a Thomas Bricot, a commentator on Aristotle and writer on logic, whom Erasmus elsewhere mentions with contempt-" ut vix Holcot et Bricot solæcisset crassius," but I cannot find that he was either a Franciscan or a bishop. speak (sometime or other) more plainly, lest the rude soldiers should misunderstand it, as if he had said, "That no war1 is lawful among Christians." And thus Colet (by his singular prudence and moderation) not only satisfied the king, but got farther into his favour. 31. When they returned from the garden to the court, the king being about to dismiss Colet, called for a cup, and drank to him, embraced him most kindly; and promising him all the favours that could be expected from a most loving prince, dismissed him. And now the courtiers, standing round the king, expected to know the issue of this long conference; and the king, in the hearing of them all, said, "Well, let other men chuse what doctors they please, and make much of them, this man shall be my doctor." Whereupon Bricot, with the rest of the gaping wolves, departed, and from that day forward never dared trouble Colet any more; a person that in an high fortune and plenty was led and governed not by his nature, but by Christ; in a word, whom I shall not doubt to reckon in the catalogue of my saints, though he be never canonised by any pope. This Colet died the year of our Lord, 1519. 1 That no war.] See Art. XXXVII. of the Church of England. “It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.” |