[Sidenote:  To the Reader]

In this relation concerning these Three doubtful books of Mr. Hooker’s, my purpose was to enquire, then set down what I observed and know; which I have done, not as an engaged person, but indifferently; and now leave my Reader to give sentence, for their legitimation, as to himself; but so as to leave others the same liberty of believing or disbelieving them to be Mr. Hooker’s:  and ’tis observable, that as Mr. Hooker advised with Dr. Spencer, in the design and manage of these books; so also, and chiefly with his dear pupil, George Cranmer,—­whose sister was the wife of Dr. Spencer,—­of which this following letter may be a testimony, and doth also give authority to some things mentioned both in this Appendix and in the Life of Mr. Hooker, and is therefore added.  I.W.

[Footnote 1:  A Barrister of eminence, particularly noted for his loyalty, born at Prestbury, in Gloucestershire, in 1601.  He died in 1690; and was the Author of several excellent Law Tracts, as well as one asserting that Charles I. was a martyr for his people.]

GEORGE CRANMER’S LETTER
UNTO
MR. RICHARD HOOKER,

February, 1598.[1]

[Sidenote:  New Church Discipline]

[Sidenote:  Change in opinion]

What posterity is likely to judge of these matters concerning Church-discipline, we may the better conjecture, if we call to mind what our own age, within few years, upon better experience, hath already judged concerning the same.  It may be remembered, that at first, the greatest part of the learned in the land were either eagerly affected, or favourably inclined that way.  The books then written for the most part savoured of the disciplinary style; it sounded every where in pulpits, and in common phrase of men’s speech.  The contrary part began to fear they had taken a wrong course; many which impugned the discipline, yet so impugned it, not as not being the better form of government, but as not being so convenient for our state, in regard of dangerous innovations thereby likely to grow:  one man [John Whitgift, the Archbishop] alone there was to speak of,—­whom let no suspicion of flattery deprive of his deserved commendation,—­who, in the defiance of the one part, and courage of the other, stood in the gap and gave others respite to prepare themselves to the defence, which, by the sudden eagerness and violence of their adversaries, had otherwise been prevented, wherein God hath made good unto him his own impress, Vincit qui patitur: for what contumelious indignities he hath at their hands sustained, the world is witness; and what reward of honour above his adversaries God hath bestowed upon him, themselves,—­though nothing glad thereof,—­must needs confess.  Now of late years the heat of men towards the discipline is greatly decayed; their judgments begin to sway on the other side; the learned have weighed it, and found it light; wise men conceive some fear, lest it prove