or maintained that alms were (p. 400)
neither lawful nor virtuous, unless four conditions were observed in
the distribution of them.

1.--Unless they be given to the honour of God.

2.--Unless they be given from goods justly gotten.

3.--Unless they be given to one whom the donor believed to be in a
state of Christian charity.

4.--Unless they be given to such as in very deed, without dissembling
or pretence, are in need.

That the parts of the book which contained the heretical doctrines
were ever read to Clayton, does not seem to have been elicited at the
examination. The witnesses could only depose to having heard the
Decalogue read in English, but nothing more; and the poor man's own
confession acknowledged only that he had heard about one quarter of
the work read. Still, on this confession and this evidence, and for
this offence, John Clayton was convicted of heresy, was condemned as a
relapsed heretic, and left without mercy to the secular power. Fox,
who quotes no authority, adds only, that he "was by the temporal
magistrates not long after had to Smithfield and burnt."

The ecclesiastical record contains no information after the sentence
passed on Monday the 19th of August, and our historians seem not to
have made any inquiries as to the fate of this man. Recent researches,
however, into original documents have been made by the Author, (p. 401)
with the view of facilitating the present inquiry, and rendering it
more satisfactory; and the successful result of those researches
enables him to throw some additional light on the subject under
investigation. The following facts deserve especial attention. Shortly
after the above sentence was passed by the ecclesiastical authorities,
the Mayor and citizens of London wrote a letter to King Henry,
rehearsing the judgment of the ecclesiastical court on John Clayton,
and expressing their intention to make an example of the convict by
carrying the sentence into execution. But they desired the King to
send them his especial directions on the subject, as they were
desirous to avoid giving offence in this as well as in all other
affairs. The answer of Henry to this request, if it was ever made, is
certainly not recorded. The strong probability is that the execution
took place before there had been time for the King's answer, if he
ever sent one, to reach London. The sheriffs of London state in this
same year that "they had expended 20_s._ about th