The King now before us, though he kept a journal of all material occurrences, does not, however, once hint that he touched for the Evil, as probably his natural piety would have led him to have done, had it ever taken place; but, if there be any truth in the immediate prevalence of prayer on the ears of Heaven, an instance is recorded wherein the King obtained his request, in a more notable instance than any cure he might have performed by the operation of his Touch. Sir John Cheke, his Tutor for the Greek language, lay very dangerously ill, to the great disquiet and concern of the King, who, after frequent and daily inquiries, learned from the Physicians at last that there was not the least hope of life. "No," said the King, "he will not die now; for this morning I begged his life from God in my prayers, and obtained it." This accordingly came to pass; and Sir John recovered speedily, contrary to all medical expectations. The truth was ascertained by an ear-witness, the Earl of Huntingdon, who related it to the grandson of Sir John Cheke (Sir Thomas Cheke, of Pirgo, Essex), by whom it was mentioned to my Author[202]. [202] Fuller's Church History of Britain, book vii. p. 425. "Nec Deus intersit nisi dignus vindice Nodus;" and, if ever necessary, it was on this occasion; though the King lived but one year afterwards; and Cheke survived, to disgrace the Protestant Religion by his revolt. QUEEN ELIZABETH. That the Queen touched, is acknowledged; but it is as evident that she had no high opinion of the efficacy of such operation; for she once threw out an expression tending much to disparage the validity of it. Being on a Progress in Gloucestershire, her Majesty was so pestered with applications from diseased people, who pressed about her person in hopes of obtaining the Royal Touch, that she unguardedly, and in an ill-humour, exclaimed, "Alas, poor people, _I_ cannot, _I_ cannot cure you; it is God alone who can do it." This was interpreted by some, as a renunciation of the Gift; but, nevertheless, the Queen afterwards admitted a general resort to her for the purpose of being touched, and one in particular was healed[203]. On this, or some other occasion, a rigid Papist was under a necessity of applying for the Queen's Touch, after having tried every other means in vain; and was, says my Author, perfectly healed. This happening soon after the Pope had denounced the sentence of Excommunication against her Majesty, raised the reputation of this Gift in the Royal Line of England; seeing that the Pope had no power to divest the Queen of it[204]. [203] Browne, book iii. p. 124. [204] Browne in eod.; and Tooker's "Charisma," ch. 6. The Queen, at another time, A. D. 1575, being on a Progress in Warwickshire, where she was entertained by the Earl of Leicester at Kenilworth Castle, during her abode there, "touched nine for the King's Evil[205]." [205] Strype's Annals, iv. p. 394. JAMES I.