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The Life of the Learned Sir John Cheke, Kt., First Instructor, Afterwards

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The Life of the Learned Sir John Cheke, Kt., First Instructor, Afterwards WA ^ir>i^~- Ss*.3i^>^-'^ u^* J^^Sskr^ Lf^i m*: A* \ A ^.r^- ' \Ni -;. .^'' \. ^'/^T^r .i. '-'-.'^h >KW ^r ^ ' --^tn i >f^ ^^ ^^^..^K .4 \ ^^-e ' ^l^Mjfeik in . Yr<rm c'runnuZ I'ictiire Xn^aved Iry James Titder: ^./l.^.afhrr a Dnavijur ir W. Skehcn ^Utkai an theicfses- sum. of -the Dtma^er IMm cfii>yn&fse7''Di^Ymsture , at Omterslev CctaT , Wbrccrtershire. Sim Johm vChe.ke,KT Born June i6, ifit4. Died Sept. t-i. ififip THE LIFE OF THE LEARNED SIR JOHN CHEKE, RT. FIRST INSTRUCTOR, AFTERWARDS SECRETARY OF STATE, TO KING EDWARD VI. ONE OF THE GREAT RESTORERS OF GOOD LEARNING AND TRUE RELIGION IN THIS KINGDOM. A Work wherein many remarkable Points of History, relating to the State of Learning and Religion in the Times of King Henry VIII. King Edward VI. and Queen Mary I. are brought to light. TO WHICH IS ADDED, A TREATISE OF SUPERSTITION, Writ by the said learned Knight. BY JOHN STRYPE, M. A, A NEW EDITION, CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR, OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. MDCCCXXI. A HIS edition of Strype's Life of Sir John Cheke, as well as that lately pubh'shed of Sir Thomas Smith, is printed verbatim from a copy corrected by the Author, which is the property of Mr. Watson Tay- lor, and with the use of which he was pleased to oblige the Delegates of the Clarendon Press. Feb, 1821. a2 TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL EDWARD CHEEK OF PYRGO, ESQ. SIR, this Life of the XjE pleased to accept book of the Sir right worthy and ever memorable John Cheke, your great great grandfather, who derives an ho- nour upon you that are sprung in a direct line from him. To you therefore it most properly belongs. And further, it may be of this use to you, that by reading and knowing his extraordinary accomplish- ments, they may be your continual mementos, not to degenerate from, but to imitate, as much as may be, such a forefather. The cause that moved me to write this Life, was the notable figure Cheke made in this island in his time been a rare instrument of ; having doing good to his country, (the effects whereof remain to this day,) not only in the wise and happy modelling of an excellent Prince to govern the State, but also in furthering most successfully solid and useful learn- ing in the University, and the pure religion of the Gospel in Court and kingdom : though it raised him up implacable enemies of the Popish faction, brought him into extreme troubles, and shortened his life. And therefore it is highly becoming, nay, I his and may say, a public debt, to preserve name memory. a3 vi THE DEDICATION. It is true, Sir, I do not pretend to be either the first or only writer of his Life. For Gerard Lang- bain, D. D. in the time of the civil wars, and David Lloyd since, and Holland before them both, have done something that way. But their writings are so slight, superficial, and deficient, and so full of errors and impositions upon the readers credulity, that something more full and correct was necessary, to give a better representation of this gentleman to the world : which I have endeavoured to do ; and perhaps I have had greater advantages than others to do it. have carried My inclinations (I know not how) me now for many years to search more curiously into the affairs of that age. And in my pursuits I have conversed with many records, manuscripts, ori- ginal letters, as well as other old thrown-by printed books, and some of them rare ones too. And from the multifarious collections and transcripts taken thence, I have been furnished with materials for the composing this tract. Which (whatever it be) I have done with all care, faithfulness, and integrity. For as I love not to be imposed upon myself, so neither to impose upon others. The opportunities I have had (I will not say, the pains I have taken) in making myself acquainted with Cheke's life and actions, may appear by that catalogue of books and papers set down afterwards, which I have made use of. There was. Sir, another reason excited me to this undertaking. It was not long ago I printed the Life of Sir Thomas Smith, his dear friend and contemporary in the same University; both joint- THE DEDICATION. vii promoters of true religion and good literature; both Scholars both raised and to King Henry's ; brought Court by the fame of their learning; and both at length Privy Counsellors and Secretaries of State, sufferers for so that I and both religion ; reckoned my work but half done, while Cheke's Life re- mained unwritten. Which therefore I have now done and do shew to own satisfac- ; (somewhat my tion) this incomparable pair to the English world. And, Sir, methinks it is not to be passed over without a remark, how the parallel between these still continues that the heirs two great men ; of both flourish to this day, in two noble seats in the same county, mounted upon two pleasant hills, in prospect one of another, viz, Hillhall and your Pyr- remembrances of the go ; remaining lasting names of Smith and Cheke. But as God hath blessed each of you with an hopeful heir male, so may they prove the best monuments of their blessed ances- tors : and may they become excellent patterns of and usefulness the best to wisdom, sobriety, ; way entail God's blessing upon both your houses and families, and to perpetuate them in wealth and ho- nour. Which is the prayer of. Sir, Your most humble Servant, JOHN STRYPE. a 4 ADVERTISEMENT. At the end of this Life is added a Discourse made by Sir John Cheke concerning Superstition; which he set before his Latin translation of a tract of Plutarch upon the same subject, by way of dedication to King Henry VIIL It hath lien, for ought I know, this hundred and fifty years more in but discovered in the and obscurity ; lately library of University college, Oxon, by the Reverend Mr.W. Elstob, then a Fellow of that house : who did not only courteously transcribe it for me, but hath now voluntarily taken the pains to translate it out of Cheke's elegant Latin into English, for the more common benefit. It is indeed im- perfect, and defective of some pages, which is great pity; but the greatest part is remaining, and worthy to be pre- served, to shew the learning of the writer, and likewise his good intention and desire of forwarding a reformation of the Church of England in those times, and of exciting King Henry, as far as he durst, to cast off the supersti- tions and corruptions mixed with the public worship of God then used. And as we have retrieved this piece of this learned man, so it is heartily to be wished that other of his works and writings might come to light. J. S. CHAPTERS AND CONTENTS CHAP. I. A VIEW of Sir John Cheke, from his birth to his leaving the University, and advancement at Court. P. 1 Sect. 1. Cbeke's birth and vindicated. His 1 family j nativity. Ann. 514, Parents. Sect. 2. His usefuhiess at St. education, proficiency:^ ' ' J^^^' 1540, John's college. Sect. 3. Made the King's Greek Professor. Re- 1542, ^^^^' forms the pronunciation of Greek. Sect. 4. Letters pass between Cheke and the Chancellor of the University about it. Sect. 5* What and how Cheke read. Sect. 6. Cheke^ University Orator. CHAP. n. From Cheke's coming to Court, to his advancement to the Provostship of King's college in Cambridge. P. 22 Sect. 1. Cheke removed to Court. Instructs the Prince. The Ann. 1544, ^^^^ loss of him at Cambridge. Made Canon of Christ's Church, 1547, Oxon. His usefulness. Sect. 2. His offices to bis friends. Sect. 3. 1548. His private studies. Sect. 4. Cheke's interest under King Edward. Applied to. Marries. Sect. 5. His preferments and benefits ob- tained from King Edward. Made Provost of King's college. CHAP. m. From Cheke's retirement to Cambridge, to his receiving the honour of knighthood. P. 39 Sect. 1. Goes to Cambridge. Visits the University by com- Ann. 1549, ^^^^' mission from the King. Resides there. Writes a book against the rebels. Sect. 2. Cheke's Book, viz. The true Subject to the Rebel. Sect, 3. Returns to the Court. His troubles there. His X CHAPTERS wife offends the Duchess of Somerset. Sect. 4. Prefetred at and does offices Court, good for men of religion and learning. Sect. 5. Procures Ascham to go Secretary in an Embassy to the Emperor. Sect. 6. Cheke translates the Communion Book. His friendship with Martyr and Bucer. Hath a son. Sect. 7. Reads Aristotle's Ethics in Greek to the King. Instructs him for government. Sect. 8. Concerned about the death of Bucer, the Professor at King's Divinity Cambridge. Sect. g. Writes piously to Dr. Haddon, being sick. CHAP. IV. From the time of Cheke's knighthood, to his being made a Privy Counsellor and Secretary, of State. P. 66 Ann. 1551, Sect. 1. Cheke is knighted. Sect. 2. Inquisitive after Dr. Red- man's declaration concerning religion at his death. Sect. 3. His disputations concerning the Sacrament. Sect. 4. Resigns his Greek Professorship. Gets Leland's MSS. Falls sick. Sect. 5. Cheke at Cambridge. Departs thence to the King. Places con- ferred on him, CHAP. V. Sir Cheke's to his exile From John highest advancements ; and from thence to his surprise, imprisonment, recanta- tion, repentance, and death.
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