[322] _Id._ 163, 166 _et alibi_; Birch's _Memoirs_, i. 62. There was said to be a scheme on foot, about 1590, to make all persons in office subscribe a declaration that episcopacy was lawful by the word of God, which Burleigh prevented. [323] Neal, 325, 385. [324] _Id._ 290; Strype's _Life of Aylmer_, p. 59, etc. His biographer is here, as in all his writings, too partial to condemn, but too honest to conceal. [325] Neal, 294. [326] Strype's _Aylmer_, 71. When he grew old, and reflected that a large sum of money would be due from his family, for dilapidations of the palace at Fulham, etc., he literally proposed to sell his bishopric to Bancroft. _Id._ 169. The other, however, waited for his death, and had above £4000 awarded to him; but the crafty old man having laid out his money in land, this sum was never paid. Bancroft tried to get an act of parliament in order to render the real estate liable, but without success. P. 194. [327] _Somers' Tracts_, i. 166. [328] Bacon's Works, i. 532. [329] Birch's _Memoirs_, ii. 146, [330] _Id. ibid._ Burleigh does not shine much in these memoirs; but most of the letters they contain are from the two Bacons, then engaged in the Essex faction, though nephews of the treasurer. [331] The first of Martin Mar-prelate's libels were published in 1588. In the month of November of that year the archbishop is directed by a letter from the council to search for and commit to prison the authors and printers. Strype's _Whitgift_, 288. These pamphlets are scarce; but a few extracts from them may be found in Strype, and other authors. The abusive language of the puritan pamphleteers had begun several years before. Strype's _Annals_, ii. 193. See the trial of Sir Richard Knightley of Northamptonshire for dispersing puritanical libels. _State Trials_, i. 1263. [332] 23 Eliz. c. 2. [333] Penry's protestation at his death is in a style of the most affecting and simple eloquence. _Life of Whitgift_, 409, and Appendix 176. It is a striking contrast to the coarse abuse for which he suffered. The authors of Martin Mar-prelate were never fully discovered; but Penry seems not to deny his concern in it.