An English Reformer: Archbishop Edwin Sandys of York--Part One

The Sermons of Edwin Sandys, D.D., Successively Bishop of Worcester and London, and Archbishop of York; to which are added Some Miscellaneous Pieces, ed. Parker Society (Cambridge Press, 1842).

“For the Publication of the Works of the Fathers and Early Writers of the Reformed English Church.” Each volume in this important and much neglected series contains this statement in the frontispiece. The word “Reformed” is present.

This work is free and downloadable at:

http://books.google.com/books?id=8z0tAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP9&dq=sermons+edwin+sandys&ei=fEVZStm8EoWEzgS8lumkBw

This 523-page work contains: A Biographical Notice, Epistle to the Reader, Order and Matter of the Sermons, Sermons, Advice concerning Rites and Ceremonies in the Synod 1562, Orders for Bishops and Clergy, Advertisement to the translation of Luther’s Commentary on Galatians, and other lesser documents, e.g. Preamble to the Archbishop’s will.

Edwin Sandys was born in 1519 near Hawkshead, Lancashire. He was the third son of William Sandys, Esq., and Margaret, his wife, a descendant of ancient barons. Easthwaite Hall was the principle residence and the likely site of his birth.

It is believed that Sandys entered St. John’s, Cambridge in 1532 or 1533, “a house deeply tinctured with the principles of the Reformation; and here doubtless the religious views of Sandys were, if not implanted, at least confirmed.” He became Master of Catharine Hall in 1547.

At this time, he was said to have been the vicar of Haversham in Buckinghamshire, his first considerable preferment. In 1549, he was made the prebendary of Peterborough and, by 1552, the second stall at Carlisle, both upon the presentation of the Crown.

A large section follows that describes Sandy’s life and work. It comes from John Fox.

While Edwin Sandys was the vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, king Edward died in 1553. The trouble that ensued is taken from the words of Fox.

“King Edward died, the world being unworthy of him: the duke of Northumberland came down to Cambridge with an army of men having commission to proclaim lady Jane queen, and by power to suppress lady Mary, who took upon her that dignity, and was proclaimed queen in Norfolk. The duke sent for Doctor Sandys, being vice-chancellor, for Doctor Parker, for Doctor Bill, and Master Leaver to sup with him. Amongst other speeches he said, Masters, pray for us, that we speed well: if not, you shall be made bishops and we deacons. And even so it came to pass: Doctor Parker and Doctor Sandys were made bishops; and he, and Sir John Gates who was then at the table, were made deacons ere it was long after, on the Tower-hill. Doctor Sandys being vice-chancellor was required to preach on the morrow. The warning was short for such an auditory, and to speak of such a matter: yet he refused not the thing, but went into his chamber, and so to bed. He rose at three of the clock in the morning, took his bible in his hand, and after that the had prayed a good space, he shut his eyes, and, holding his bible before him, earnestly prayed to God that it might fall open where a most fit text should be for him to entreat of. The bible, as God would have it, fell open upon the first chapter of Josua [sic], where he found so convenient a piece of scripture for that time, that the like he could not have chosen in all the bible. His text was thus: Responderutque ad Josue atque dixerunt, Omnia quae paeceptisti nobis faicemus, et quocunque miseris animus: scot obedivimus in cunctis Mosi, ita obediemus et tibi; tantum sit Dominus Deus tuus tecum sicuet fuit cum Mose: qui contradixerit ori tuo, et non obedierit cunctis et viriliter age. Who shall consider what was concluded by such as named themselves by the state, and withal the auditory, the time, and other circumstances, he shall easily see that this text most fitly served for the purpose. And as God gave the text, so gave he such order and utterance, as pulled many tears out of the eye of the biggest of them.”

Continuing with Fox:

“In the time of his sermon one of the guard lift up to him into the pulpit a mass book and a graile, which Sir George Haward with certain of the guard had taken that night in Master Hurleston’s house, where Lady Mary had been a little before, and there had mass. The duke with the rest of the nobility required Doctor Sandys to put his sermon in writing, and appointed Master Leaver to go to London with it, and to put it in print. Doctor Sandys required one day and a half for writing of it. At the same time appointed he had made it ready; and Master Leaver was ready booted to receive it at his hands and carry it to London. As he was delivering it, one of the beadles, named Master Adams, came weeping to him, and prayed him to shift for himself, for the duke was retired and Queen Mary proclaimed.

“Doctor Sandys was not troubled herewithal, but gave the sermon written to Master Layfield. Master Leaver departed home; and he went to dinner to one Master Moore’s, a beadle, his great friend. At the dinner Mistress Moore, seeing him merry and pleasant (for he had ever a man’s courage, and could not be terrified), drank unto him, saying, Master, vice-chancellor, I drink unto you; for this is the last time that I ever shall see you. [PV, there are no quotes for the direct discourse.] And so it was; for she was dead before Doctor Sandys returned out of Germany. The duke that night retired to Cambridge, and sent of Doctor Sandys to go with him to the market-place to proclaim Queen Mary. The duke cast up his cap with others, and so laughed, that the tears ran down his cheeks for grief. He told Doctor Sandys that queen Mary was a merciful woman, and that he doubted not thereof; declaring that he had sent unto her to know her pleasure, and looked for a general pardon. Doctor Sandys answered, My life is not dear unto me, neither have I done or said any thing that urgeth my conscience. For that which I speak of the state, I have instructions warranted by the subscription of sixteen counselors; neither can speech be treason, neither yet have I spoken further than the word of God and the laws of the realm doth warrant me, come of me what God will. But b you assured, you shall never escape death: for if she would save you, those that now shall rule will kill you.

“That night the guard apprehended the duke; and certain grooms of the stable were as busy with Doctor Sandys as if they would take a prisoner. But Sir John Gates, who lay then in Doctor Sandys his house, sharply rebuked them, and drave them away. Doctor Sandys, by the advice of Sir John Gates, walked into the fields. In the mean time the university, contrary to all order, had met together in consultation, and ordered, that Doctor Mouse and Doctor Hatcher should repair to Doctor Sandys’ lodging, and fet [PV, fet = fetch] away the statute book of the university, the keys and such other things that were in his keeping: and so they did; for Doctor Mouse being an earnest protestant the day before, and one whom Doctor Sandys had done much for, now was he become a papist, and his great enemy. Certain of the University had appointed a congregation at afternoon. As the bell rang to it, Doctor Sandys cometh out of the fields; and sending for the beadles, asketh what the matter meaneth, and required them to wait upon him to the schools, according to their duty. So they did. And so soon as Doctor Sandys, the beadles going before him, came into the regent-house and took his chair, one Master Mitch with a rabble of unlearned papists went into a bye school, and conspired together to pull him out of his chair, and to use violence unto him. Doctor Sandys began his oration, expostulating with the university, charging them with great ingratitude, declaring that he had said nothing in his sermon but that he was ready to justify, and that their cases was all one with his; for they had not only concealed, but consent to that which he had spoken.

“And thus while he remembered unto them how beneficial he had been to the university, and their unthankfulness to him again, in cometh Master Mitch with his conspirators about twenty in number. One layeth hand upon the chair, to pull it from him; another told him that that was not his place; and another called him traitor. Whereat he perceiving how they used violence, and being of great courage, groped to his dagger, and had dispatched some of them as God’s enemies, if Doctor Bill and Doctor Blith had not fallen upon him, and prayed for God’s sake to hold his hands and be quiet, and patiently to bear that great offered wrong. He was persuaded by them; and after that tumult was ceased, he ended his oration, and, having some money of the university’s in his hand, he there delivered the same every farthing. He gave up the books, reckonings, and keys, pertaining to the university and withal yield up his office, praying God to give the university a better officer, and to give them better and more thankful hearts; and so repaired home to his own college.”

We’ll see what happens with Doctor Sandys later; the Engish Reformers gave and left us with an inheritance; the West has squandered their inheritance.

Part One finished. Part Two to follow. 18