Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 4.djvu/297

1547.] and listen to him as a friend. He implored him not 'to trouble the realm with novelties' in religion, so long as the King was a child. The political position of things was embarrassing enough to task all his energies; and the country was full of speculations, not merely on points of difference between Catholics and Protestants, but on the Divinity of Christ himself. The late King had introduced reforms, but cautious and moderate reforms, which had given quiet and satisfaction; and for himself he 'would rather be wrong with Plato than right with others.' It was said that Henry VIII. 'had but one eye,' and 'saw not God's truth perfectly:' 'Gardiner said he had rather go to heaven with one eye after him, than travel for another eye with danger to lose both.'

The remonstrance was not recommended by the maker of it, but it was none the less wise in itself. To Ridley also Gardiner wrote in a similar strain. He might say what he pleased of the Papacy of Home and Roman pardons, but the objects against which he was now declaiming were in use in the earliest ages of the Church; and he would be using his talents better if he had shown how things like holy water and images might continue to be used without offence, than by railing at them with 'light rash eloquence,' which, after all, was easy.