His not to speak the words of love and mercy from the gospel, but to curse and {358} thunder against "those dumb dogs, the poisoned and pestilent papists" in the style of the Old Testament prophet or psalmist.

But while the harshness of his character has repelled many, his fundamental consistency and his courage have won admiration.

As a great preacher, "or he had done with his sermon he was so active and vigorous that he was like to ding the pulpit in blads and fly out of it." His style was direct, vigorous, plain, full of pungent wit and biting sarcasm.
Even the year of his birth is in dispute.

The traditional date is 1505; but it has been shown with much reason that the more likely date is 1513 or 1514.

That he had a university education and that he was ordained priest is all that is known of him until about 1540.