Clarks required to haue punishment of certain misorders of the clergy but the Archbishop Thomas Becket would not agrée therevnto the King came to this point to know whether he the rest of the Clergy would consent to the customes set forth in Henry the fift his time he with the rest of the Bishops vpon consultation held they would consent with this exception Saluo ordine suo so all other Bishops being particularly demanded except Christopher who séeing the King angry said for Saluo ordine suo he would bona fide the King told them hee was not well content with that exception which was captious and deceitfull hauing some venome lurking vnder therefore required an absolute grant they answered they would not binde themselues in no other manner at which the King and all the Nobilitie were not a little mooued the King when he could get no other answer departed with gret anger not saluting the Bishops Chester was greatly rebuked of his fellowes for changing the exception the next day the King took from the Archbishop all such Mannors and Honors as he had giuen him before being Lord Chancellor not long after vnknowne to the Bishops he sayled into Normandie not long after the Bishop of London followed after him to craue his fauour and gaue him counsell to ioyne some of the Bishops with him least if all were against him hee might the sooner be ouerthrowne thus by his meanes the greatest number of the Bishops were reconciled vnto the King onely the Archbishop with a few other remained in their stoutnes when the King saw no feare or threats could turne him he assaid him with gentlenesse but it would not serue though many Nobles laboured to exhort him to relent vnto the King Likewise the Arch-bishop of Yorke with diuers other Clergie men Bishoppes and Abbots especially Chester did the same besides his owne house dayly called vpon him no man could perswade him at length vnderstanding what danger might happen by the Kings displeasure not onely to himselfe but to all the Clergy and considering the old kindnesse and loue of the King towards him in times past was content to giue ouer vnto the Kings request came to the King at Oxford and reconciled himselfe wherevpon the King receiued him with a more châ—erefull countenance saying hee would haue his Ordinances confirmed in open sight of his Bishops and all his Nobles after this the King beeing at Clarem Doune called all his Peeres and Prelates before him requiring to haue that performed which hee had promised in consenting to the obseruing his Grandfathers ordinances and proceedings the Archbishop drew back and would not that hee would before yet with great teares intreaties and perswasions of Bishops and of two Templers that desired him on their knees with teares and with threatenings of Imprisonment and other dangers hee did agree onely with a clause of exception bona fide and he and all the Bishops set too their hands and seales Alanus recordeth that the Archbishop in his voyage to Winchester greatly repented that he had done so that he kept himself from al company lamenting with teares and fasting and afflicting himselfe did suspend himselfe from all diuine seruice and would not be comforted before he had sent to the Pope and were assoiled of him the Pope in his Letters not only assoiled him from his trespas but with words of great consolation incouraged him to be stout in the quarrell he tooke in hand Upon this Becket took no small heart consolation The King hearing of him how he denied to set his seal to those sanctions which he condiscended too before took no little displesure against him threatned him of banishment death called him to reckoning and burdned him with paiments the Archb thought to make an escape out of y â— realme attempting to take the Sea with two or thrée priuily Amongst other the kings ordinances This was one that none of the Prelasie or Nobility without the Kings license or his Iustices should depart the Realme So Becket twice attempted the sea to fly to Rome but the weather serued not which being known and noysed abroad the Kings Officers came to seaze vpon his goods to the Kings behalfe but finding Becket at home and returned they did not procéede on their purpose Becket séeing this went to the Court the King taunted him gestingly as though one realm could not hold them both but shewed him no great fauour The Arch-bishop of York did labour to renew peace and loue betwixt the King and him but the King would not be reconciled except the other would subscribe vnto his lawes which Becket would not graunt to but by vertue of his Apostolike authority gaue censure vpon these Lawes of the King condemning some and approuing some as catholike The Pope sent the Arch-bishop of Rotomage to the King to maâ—e peace betwixt the King and Canterbury the King was content so the Pope would ratifie his Ordinances which could not be obtained at the Popes hands The King sent to the Pope to obtaine of him that the same authority of the Apostolike Legacie might be conferred vnto another after his appointment which was the Arch-bishop of Yorke but the Pope denied but he was content so the King would be Legate himselfe at which the King was angry and sent to the Pope againe according to the old practice of popish Prelacy to play on both sides priuily he conspireth with one and openly dissembleth with the other He granteth the Legate should be remoued and the Archbishop of York placed in the office and writ to Becket that he should take no harm thereby for the Kings Ambassadors had promised him and did offer to sweare vnto him that the Letters which they obtained should not be deliuered vnto the Archbishop of Yorke without the Popes consent therein assure your selfe it is not nor neuer shall be our will nor purpose to subdue you or your Church vnto any saue only the Bishop of Rome therefore if you sée the King will deliuer the said Letters giue vs knowledg we will cléerely exempt by our authority Apostolical both your person your Church and your Citty committed vnto you from all iurisdiction of any legacy Upon these letters and such other Becket took all his stoutnesse against the King The King after he had receiued his letters from the Pope was more strong in his purposed procéedings against the Archbishop and procéeded to punish the offences of Cleargy men and there was aboue 100. found that had committed homicide and murder beside other offenders he adiudged them first to be depriued and then committed to the seculer power This séemed to Becket to derogate from liberty of holy Church that seculer power should giue iudgement vpon the crimes of Ecclesiasticall persons they picke this law out of Anacletus and Euaristus who deduce this constitution from the Apostles that all Ecclesiasticall persons shall bee frée from seculer iurisdiction The King daily incensed more more
because he was repentant hee was content to assoile him for the same and the rather because he had suffered so great troubles for the liberties of the Church The next day the Pope and his Cardinals beeing assembled in his secret chamber Becket made an Oration to them to this effect he confessed with griefe the cause of these perturbations was because hee entred into the sould of Christ not by the doore of Christ because the King made him Bishop not the Pope and if I had resigned it to the King againe at his commandement I had left a dangegerous example vnto the Catholique Church therfore now recognising my ingresse not to be Canonicall and my abilitie not sufficient for such a charge therfore I render into your fatherly hands the Archbishoprick heere of Canturbury and putting his Ring from his finger offered it to the Pope and desired a Bishop to be prouided for the Church of Canturbury and so with teares ended This done hee was bid stand a part after consultation they concluded being he had ventred his goods dignity and authoritie and his life for the liberties of the Church if he should now be depriued at the Kings pleasure it would be an examplâ— to others hereafter none to resist his Prince in like case and so weaken the Catholick Church and derogate the Popes authoritie and his cause being maintained it would bee a president to others to doe the like so hee receiued his Pastoraâ—l Office at the Popes hand againe with commendation and much fauour and â—he Pope sent him vnto the Abbey of Pontiuiacke in France with a Monkes habit where he was two yeares thence he remoued to Senon where he was fiue yeares so he was in exile seuen yeares The King beeing certified by his Ambassadors that the Pope inclined more to Becket then vnto him was wrathfull and sayling into Normandie sent ouer certaine iniunctions against the Pope and the Arch-bishop to this effect 1 Whosoeuer brought any interdict or curse from the Pope or Becket so bee apprehended and executed as a Traytor 2 That no Clarke Monke or conuert of any other countrey without the Iustice and Kings Letters to passe ouer or returne into the Realme otherwise to be imprisoned 3 None to appeale to the Arch-bishop or bring any transcript from them 4 No Decrée from them to stand in force or be receiued in England vpon paine of imprisonment 5 If any person shall keep the sentence of their interdict they shall bee exiled with all their kindred and take none of their goods with them and be bound without speciall licence not to resort where the Arch-bishop was 6 All the possessions and goods of such as fauoured the Pope or Arch bishop to be confiscate for the King 7 All such of the Clergy as were out of the Realme to bee warned in euery Sheere within three monethes to repayre home or else their rents and goods to â—eturne to the King 8 That the Peter pence shall be no more paid vnto the Apostolick Sea but to be reserued vnto the Kings Coffers The Arch-bishop writ to a friend of his to write to him with speed what was done touching the Kings Decrees heere set out which are these that all Hauens be diligently kept that no interdict or curse be brought in if the bringer bee a religious man his feet to be cut off if a Priest to loose his prâ—uy members if a lay-man to bee hanged if a Leper to be burned if a Bishop will depart for feare of the Popes Interdict let him haue nothing with him but his Staffe and that aâ—l Schollers and Students beyond the Seas shaâ—l repaire home or loose their Benefices and if they remaine still to loose the libertie of all returning if any Priest for the Popes interdict wil refuse to sing to loose his priuy members In summe al such Priests as shew themselues Rebels to the King to bee depriued of their Benefices Further it was proclaimed that all of the kindred of Thomas Becket should bee exiled with their goods with them and sent to him which was no little vexation to him to behold Moreouer the King writ to the Abbot of Pontiuiack where he lay not to retaine him in his house or else he would driue out of his Realme all the Monkes of his Order wherevpon hee remoued by the French Kings appointment to Senon as aforesaid and found of him fiue yeares In the meane time messengers went daily from the King to the Pope and from the Pope to the King and betwixt the Archbishop and others where I finde onely rehearsals of matters which are declared sufficiently in the History whereof if the Reader be desirous to see let him resort to the booke at large After these Letters sent too and fro in the 15. yéere of Henry the second the King misdoubting that the Archbishop would procéed in excommunication against his own person made his appeale to the presence of the Pope requiring to haue certaine Legates sent from Rome from the Popes side to take vp the matter betwixt the Archbishop and him requiring also that they might be absolued that were interdicted wherevpon two Cardinals sent from the Pope with Letters from the Pope came into Normandie where they appointed the Bishop to meete before the King but the Arch-bishop delayed his comming vntill eight daies after neither would come any further then Grisorsium where the two Cardinals and the Archbishop with other Bishops conuenting together had a treatie of reconciliation which came to no conclusion The two Cardinals writ to the Pope to this effect comming to England we found the controuersie more vehement then we would for the King and the greater part about him said the Arch-bishop stirred vp the French King against him and made the Earle of Flanders his open aduersarie and after the King had receiued your Letters and brought forth other Letters diuers and altering from them receiued of vs be was moued with no little indignation saying that since wee came from you the Archbishop receiued of you other coâ—trarie Letters wherby he was exempted from our Iudgement Moreouer the King and the Bishops there did affirme that the complaint that was made vnto you of the ancient customes of his progenitors for the most paâ—t was false affirming farther to vs that if there were any customes and lawes in his time that seemed prâ—iudiciall to the Statutes of the Church he would willingly reuoke and disanull the same therefore we other Bishops and Abbots of the land hearing the King so reasonable laboured by al meanes that the King should not breake from vs but incline to vs and to haue the matter brought before vs betwixt him and the Archbishop Wherevpon we sent our owne Chaplains with Letters to him appointing him the time and place where safely hee might meete with vs yet he made his dilatories till eight dayes after which â—tirred the Kings heart more then is to be thought thus when hee refused to
any appearance of flesh therefore there is no transubstantiated body of his in the Saâ—rament and on the contrary the forme and condition that you see in the Sacrament pertaineth to bread which cannot be there without the subiect therefore of necessity we must confesse bread to be there Taylor put vp the writing to Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury so hee was forced to defend his cause openly in the Court the Archbishop had not yet sanored the doctrine of the Sacrament which he afterward was an earnest teacher of Lambert was faine to appeale from the Bishop to the King Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester as he was most cruell so hee was most subtile gaping to get occasion to hinder the Gospell Hee priuily admonished the King what great hatred he had gotten of al men for abolishing the Bishop of Romes authoritie and for subuerting the Monasteries and for the diâ—orcement of Queene Katharine and now the time serued if he would take it to remedie all these matters and pacifie their minds that be offended if on this man Lambert he would manifest how stâ—utly he would resist hereticks whereby he shall discharge himselfe of all suspicion of being a fauourer of new Sects whereupon the King appointed a day for argument before him when the time was come the Bishop argued the foresaid points against Lambert which he answered most effectually but the King and the Bishops would not suffer him to conclude his arguments When the King minded to breake vp his counterfeit disputation he said to Lambert What sayest thou now to the reasons and instructions of these learned men Art thou satisfied Wilt thou liue or die thou hast yet free choyse Lambert answered I submit my selfe to the will of your Maiestie the King said submit thy selfe to the handes of GOD not to mine then said Lambert I commit my soule to the handes of GOD but my body I submit to your clemencie Then said the King if you commit your selfe to my clemencie you must die for I will not be a patrâ—n vnâ—o hereticks Then he bade Cromwell reade the sentence of condemnation against hâ—m which he did though he was the chiefe friend of the Gospellers this was by the poâ—icie of Cranmer that if Cromwell should haue refused to do it he might incurre the like danger And in the sentence was contained a decrée that the same should be set vpon the Church porches and be read foure times euery yeare in euery Church throughout the Realmâ— whereby the worshipping of the bread should be the more fixed in the hearts of the people The Answers of IOHN LAMBERT to diuers Articles administred to him VVHere you aske me of frée-will whether a man haue frée-will that he may deserue ioy or paine we deserue nothing by doing the commandements of God as it appeareth by the Parable of the Master which when his seruant is come from worke will make him waite on him vntill he hath eaten and after giue him leaue to eate and yet thanketh him not because he hath done but his duetie so should you say you are vnprofitable seruants when you haue done that which you were bound to doe therefore when we haue done well we should not magnifie our owne free-will but his grace by which we did it And though â—race be promised in many places to the kéepers of Gods precepts yet such reward shall neuâ—r be attained of vs but by the grace and benefit of him which worketh all things in all creatures We should not doe works for loue of reward nor for dread of paine but because they doe please God and if we only ayme at the contenting of his pleasure reward vndoubtedly would insue good déeds as heat inseparably followeth fire Thus wee should serue God for loue as children and not for reward and dread as seruants We haue no frée-will nor abilitie of our selues to doe the will of God but as Esay saith We are subiect and thrald vnto sinne and Paule saith By the grace of God we are set at libertie Touching eareâ— coâ—â—ession it was not ordained of God bâ—t of man in the booke called Historia tripaâ—tita you shall find how it was first instituted and after vndone againe because of a huge vilâ—anie committed by a Minister vpon a woman through conâ—ession And touching their power to forgiue sinnes I say onely Christ looseth a sinner which is contrite by his promise and the Priest can but declare the promise neither doth the declaring of the promise by the Priest benefit any one vnâ—esse he be loosed from his sinne by credence in the promise ministred And Chrysostome in his booke in opere imperfecto affirmeth that the keyes of heauen are the doctrine of the word of God Ministers doe binde and loose after a sort as Christ told Paule Thou shalt open their eyes that they may be conuerted from darknes vnto light Here Paule is said to open the eyes of mens hearâ—s yet to speake properly it is God that doth it therefore Dauid prayeth Reuela oculos meos and it is said of Iohn Baptist That he should turn the harts of the fathers vnto the children and the vnbeleeuers vnto the wisdom of the wise although to turne mens hearts only belongeth to God but so we vse to speake Metonomiâ—â— Touching inioyning of penance I know none that men need to admit neither ought you to iniâ—yne any except casting away the old vice and taking the new vertue which euery â—rue penitent intendeth or ought to intend Touching the question whether grace be giuen only by the Sacraments God sendeth his grace where it pleaseth him either with them or without them and when he pleaseth and many lewd persons receiue the Sacraments that are destitute of grace to their confusion yet in due receit of the Sacraments God giueth grace Where you aske whether all things necessary to saluation are in Scripture S. Chrysostome saith he would haue a true preacher of Gods law not to swerue therefrom neither on the right hand nor the left for hee that should thereunto adde or withdraw should enterprise to be wiser then God And Saint Cyprian in his Epistle ad Cicilium fratrem teacheth how we ought to heare Christ only not regarding traditions of men like as he doth in diuers other places And this agreeth well with Scripture which is called the word of saluation the administration of righteousnesse the word of truth the rodde of direction our spirituall food the spirituall sword that we ought to fight withall against all temptations and assaults of our glostly enemies the seed of God the kingdome of heauen the keyes of the same the power of God the light of the world the law of God his wisedome and Testament euery one of which wordes will giue sufficient matter of argument that following the same doctrine only shal haue sufficient safe-conduct to come vnto the inheritance promised though no other way or meaâ—s were annâ—xed vnto the same In the hundred and eightéene
and for his contempt and misdemeanor deposed Gardener Bishop of Winchester with Tunstall Bishop of Durham were cast into the Tower for their disobedience In this time of King Edward vnder this noble Protectoâ— this one commendation is proper vnto them that amongst all the Popish â—ort of whom some priuily stâ—le out of the Realme manie were craftie dissemblers some open aduersaries â— yet there was not one that lost his life during the whole time of the Raigne of this King for any matter of Religion Papist or Protestant except lone of Kentan English woman and one George a Dutchman who died for certaine Articles not necessarie to be rehearsed THOMAS DOBBE THis man in the beginning of King Edwards Raigne comming from S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge to London as he passed through Paules Church there was a Priest at Masse at the South side of the Church being at the eleuation this yong man repleate with godly zeale pittying the ignorance and Idolatry of the people in honouring that which the Priest lifted vp he exhorted the people not to honour that visible bread as God which was neither God nor ordained of God to be honoured wherefore he was apprehended by the Mayor and accused to the Bishop of Canterburie and was committed to the Counter in Bread-stréete where shortly falling sicke he died whose pardon was obtained of the Lord Protector if he had liued IOHN HVNNE IN the first yeare of the Kings raigâ—e one Master Lewnax of Wresell and his wife sent this Iohn Hunne their seruant vnto the Bishop of Canterbury for denying the flesh and bloud of Christ to be really in the Sacrament of the Altar and saying he would neuer vaile his Hatte to it if he should be burned for it and that if he should heare masse he should be damned But because I finde nothing done therein I leaue it When this godly yong Prince was peaceably established in his Kingdome and had a godly wise and zealous Councell about him especially the Duke of Sommerset he earnestly desired the aduancement of the true honour of God and planting of sincere Religion and the sâ—ppressing of all Idolatry Superstition and hypocrisie throughout his Dominions Following the good example of the good King Iosias and being he found most of his Lawes repugnant to his zealous enterprise He by the aduice of his wise and Honorable Councell of his own regall authoritie did prosecute his godly purpose vntill by consent of the whole estate of Parliament he might establish a more free and vniforme order and those certaine wiâ—e learned and discreet personages for Commissioners generally to visit all the Bishopricks of this Realme to vnderstand and redresse the abuses of the same and diuided them into seuerall companies and assigned them seuerall Diocesses to be visited appointing to euery company one or two godly Preachers which should preach to the people at euery Sessions the true Doctrine of the Gospell of Christ and exhort them to all loue and obedience of the same and earnestly dehort them from their old superstition and wonted Idolatry and that they might the more orderly be directed in this their Commission there were deliuered vnto them certaine iniunctions and Ecclestasticall orders drawne out by the Kings learned Councell the which they should both inquire of and also command in his Maiesties behalfe to be thenceforth obserued of euery person to whom they did seuerally appertaine within their seuerall circuits the which Iniunctions if thou beest disposed for to reade I leaue thee for breuitie to the Booke at large Now during the time the Commissioners were in their circuits about diligent execution of their godly and zealous orders of the King and Councell deâ—iring a further reformation as well in Ecclesiasticall as in Ciuill gouernment appointed a Parliament to be summoned on the fourth of Nouember in the first yeare of his raigne which continued vntill the twenty foure day of December then next following Whereby he caused to be enacted that all Acts of Parliaments and Statutes touching menciâ—ning or any wise concerning Religion or opinions to wit the Statute of the first yeare of Richard the second and the statute made in the second yeare of the raign of Henry the fift and the statute madâ— in the fiftéenth yeare of the raigne of Henry the eight concerning the punishments and reformation of Hereticks and Lolards and the sixe Articles made in the thirty one yeare of Henry the eight and the statute made in the thirty thrée year of Henry the eight against the bookes of the old and new Testament in English and the printing and vttering of English or bookes writings and preaching the Scriptures an another Statute in the 35. yeare of Henry the eyght touching the qualification of the Statâ—te of sixe Articles and aâ—l and euery other Act or Acts of Parliament concerning Doctrine or matters of Religion should from thenceforth bee repealed and of none effect by occasion whereof all his godly subiects abiding within the Realme had free liberâ—y to professe the gospell and those beyond Sea wer not onely licensed to retâ—rne home but incouraged bouldly and faithfully to trauell in their calling so that God was much glorified and the people edified And in this Parliament it was enacted that the Sacrament should be ministred in both kinde and letters missiue were sent frâ—m the Councell to the Bishops of the Realme concerning the communion to bee ministred in both kinds and from Bishop to Bishop as thou maist sée in the booke at large Another Parliament was assembled in the second yeare of his Raigne beginning vppon the foorth day of Nouember 1548. continuing vntill the 14. day of March wherein a booke in English intituled the Booke of Common prayer and administration of the Sacraments and other Rightes and Ceremonies of the Church after the vse of the Church of England was concluded vppon by the Clergy which his highnesse receauing with great comfort did exhibiâ—â— it vnto the Lords and Commons of the Parliament who for the honour of God and great quietnesse which by the grace of God should ensue vppon that one vniforme right and order in such Common prayer rites and externe Ceremonies to bee vsed throughout England Wales Calice and the Marches of the same authoriseâ— the sayd Booke by Act of Parliament and set great penalty vpon them that woâ—ld bee disobeâ—ient thereto as is to be seene in the booke at large Aâ—so the mariage of Priests was authorized by the sayd Parliament by these procéedings and the Iniunctions which thou maiest see in the book at large thou maiest well perceaue the great zeale of the King and the Lord Protector in reformation of tâ—ue Religion and also the lingring slacknesse on the other side of others especially of the Bishops and old Popish Curats by whose cloked contempt and wilfull winking the Booke of Common prayers was long after the publishing thereof very irreuerently vsed throughout many places of this Realme which when the King by diuers
made the Emperor Hen. 4. his wife and his child to wait three daies and three nights bare-foot in winter at his gates to sue to him for his fauor and gaue away his Empire in the meane time This prophecie of Antichrists exaltation aboue Princes is verified in none but the Pope Touching the breadth of his kingdom it is not said he shall exalt himselfe aboue one or two but aboue all that are called God w ch are all Christian rulers spiritual temporal to whom God vouchsafeth this name because hee ruleth and instructeth by them and dwelleth in them if they be good this declareth the large limits of his kingdome And as he is said heere to exalt himselfe aboue all Kings so Reu. 17. 3. he is said to haue ten horns and in ver 12. they are interpreted to be ten Kings which shal giue their power and authority vnto the beast that is to say the beastly Pope and fight with the Lambe that is they shal be the Popes Butchers to destroy Gods children and as the prophecies foretell such an Antichrist as shall raigne ouer all Christian Princes so this storie shall shew thee the true fulfilling of this prophesie in the Pope Touching the length of his Kingdome it is prophecied Antichrist shall raigne three yeares and a halfe and in Reuel 12. three times and a halfe these times and these yeares are all one so is the fortie two moneths Reuel 13. 5. for there be so many moneths in three years and a halfe the same likewise is the 1260. dayes in Reuel 12. 6. for there be iust so many daies in three yeares a halfe at 360. daies to the yeare which was the number of the dayes of the Iewes yeare And it is common with the prophets to set downe a day for a year so by these prophecies Antichrist must raign 1260. yeares which is iust so many yeares as Christ preached daies and Gregory the first sheweth that Antichrist began when one Bishop exalted himselfe aboue all others And though there were manie Popes before him which did exalt themselues aboue all other Bishops yet he would not but haue himself called Seruus seruoruÌ„ Dei Wherefore Sabinianus which succeeded him in the popedom was a malitious detractor of his works as thou maist see in this book Antichrist was not at his height vntill Hildebrand had gotten aboue the Emperor for then he was aboue all that was called God yet Antichrist began when the Bishop of Rome being the least of all the foure Patriarchs exalted himselfe aboue all other Bishops which was about the yeare of Christ 400. for then began pride and superstition to creep into the Church and Anno 666. according to the number of the name of the beast in Reu. 13. 18. Latin seruice was set vp in England and all other places and massâ—s ceremonies letanies and other Romish ware which was long before Hildebrands time And if we account the aforesaid 1260. yeares of Antichrists raigne from thence there remaineth but about 46. yeares to come vntil God shal call together the kings of the earth to destroy Rome Touching the fall of his kingdom Mat. 24. 22. If God should not shorten his kingdom none of Gods children could be saued from his cruelty but for the elects sake Reu. 11. 13. God first destroyed the tenth part of his Kingdom thou mayest note in this book when this prophecie was fulfilled and Reu. 8. at the blowing of the foure first Trumpets the third part of all his kingdom is destroyed which prophecie we see fulfilled at this day for the third part of his kingdom are wholly become Protestants yet Reuel 11. 22. the Church of Antichrist is not heerewith moued to repent of her murders sorceries fornications and thefts but Reu. 18. 7. glorieth her selfe that she is a Queene and shall be no widdow that is shee shall neuer lose her Spouse the Pope therfore shall her plagues come at one day death sorrow and famine and shee shall be burned with fire for strong is the Lord God which will condemne her The meanes of her destruction is set forth Reu. 17. 16 the ten kingdomes that first tooke her part against Gods children shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and eate her flesh and burne her with fire for God doth put into their hearts to fulfill his will The manner of the destruction of Rome and the Popedome is declared Reu. 19. 17. as fowles gather together to a dead carkasse so God shall gather all Nations together to warre against Rome and shall take her and the Pope the false Prophet that worketh miracles wherby he deceiued all that receiued his marke and worshipped his Image and they shall not only be destroyed in this world but they shall bee cast aliue into a lake burning with fire and brimstone to wit into eternall damnation and Reu. 18. 20. the Angells and all Gods children are exhorted to reioyce at her destruction and vers 21. Rome shall be destroyed with such violence as a Mill-stone falleth into the Sea and there shall neuer any more Mill grinde any light corne or anie be married in Rome but it shall euer after be a desolate wildernesse as Babylon was They that cannot behold Antichrist in this Glasse 2. Cor. 4. 3. it is a signe the Diuell the God of this world hath blinded their eyes but as Salomon when hee dedicated the Temple prayed God to heare euery one that prayed therein so I beseech God with his holy spirit to illuminate all that shall reade this book that they may plainly see the pope to be Antichrist and to flie from him lest they be partakers of his punishment in this world and in the world to come AN ABSTRACT OF ALL THE HISTORIES OF THE CHVRCH from CHRIST to this day 1614. THE FIRST BOOKE IN describing the whole State of the Primâ—tiue and latter times of the Church First shall be declared the suffering time of the Church 300. yeares after Christ secondly the flourishing time of the Church 300. yeares more then the declining of true Religion 300. yeares more sourthly of the raigne of Antichrist since Sathan was loosed Lastly of the reforming of the Church in this last thrée hundred yeares In the tractation of all which things the Christian Reader may by experience obserue two special points First the Nature of the World Secondly the condition of the Kingdome of Christ By the World is meant all that by ignorance know not Christ and that will not beléeue him or that persecute him The Kingdome of Christ are the beléeuers in Christ and take his part against the World and though they be much fewer then the other and alwaies lightly hatâ—d and molested of the world yet they are they whom the Lord doth blesse and euer will and Christs Subiects which we call the Uiâ—â—bâ—e Church theâ—e are of two sorts first of such as onely outwardly professe Christ secondly of such as by eâ—ection inwardly are ioyned to Christ
hee 〈◊〉 toither and tooke possession thereof and returned and maried Emmalate wife of Egelred by whom he had a sonne called Hardyknight He held a Parliament at Oxford where it was agreed that Englishmen and Danes should hold the Lawes made by King Edgar Then the Danes begun to be Christians and Canutus went to Rome and returned He gouerned the Lâ—nd 20. yeares and left two sonnes Harold and Hardeknight which was made King of Denmarke in his Fathers time Harold called Harefore for his swiftnesse succéeded him hee banished his Stepmother Emma and tooke away her goods and Iewels Hardeknight King of Demmarke succéeded him and when he had raigned two yeares being merry at Lambeth he was suddenly strucke dumbâ— and died being the last king of the Danes that raigned in England In the time of these Danish Kings there was one Godwine an Earle in England when the aforesaid two sâ—nnes of King Egelred Alfred and Edward came from Normandy to England to visit their mother Emma and brought with them a great company of Normaines this Godwine hauing a Daughter named Godith whom he thought to haue maried to Edward and made him king Hee perswaded the king Hardeknight that the Normaines should be slaine and gat authoritie to order the matter himselfe Wherefore hée met them at Guildowne with a company of English Souldiers slewe almost all the Normaines winding their gots out of their bellyes and put out the eyes of Alfred the eldest brother and sent him to the Abby of Elie where hée fed him with bread and water vntill shorty after hée dyed Edward escaped to his mother who fearing Godwine sent him againe into Normandy This cruell fact to the Normaines séemeth to bée the cause why the Iust Iudgement of God shortly after Conquered the English Nation by the Normaines After the death of king Hardeknight last king of the Danes the Lords sent into Normandy for the aforesaid Edward yonger sonne of Quéen Emma to take possession of the Realme who came with a few Normaines and was crowned at Winchester He maried Godith Daughter of Earle Godwine hee ruled with much wisdome and 〈◊〉 24. yeares In his time his mother Emma was accused to be too familier with Alwine Bishopâ—â— Winchester by the councell of Godwine they were committed to prison many of 〈◊〉 Bishops laboured for them to the King but Robert Archbishop of Canterbury stoppâ—â— their suâ—e saying How dare you defend her shée hath defâ—med her sonne the 〈◊〉 and taken her lerâ—erous Lemman the Bishop she is accused to bee consenting to â—he death of her sonne Alfred and procured poyson for her sonne Edward it she will 〈◊〉 bare footed for her selfe foure steps and for the Bishop fiue vpon nine 〈…〉 if she escape harmelesse they shall be afâ—oyled she agreed theris then the â—ing and many Nobles being present she was led blindfold to the place where Irons lay burning hote and passed the nine shares vnhurt when they opened her eyes and she sâ—e her selfe past the paine she kneeled downe and gaue thankes to God then the King asked her forgiuenesse but the Archbishop fâ—ed into Normandy The said cruell 〈◊〉 Godwine tooke bread and eate it in witnesse that he was not guilty of the death of Alfred the Kings brother but as soone as hee had receiâ—ed the bread he was choked at the table before the king at Winsor and he was conueyed to Winchester and buried Harold the second sonne of Godwine succeeded Edward who was the last King of the Sâ—xâ—ns Then the Kings soâ—ne of Denmarke came into England with 300. ships who entred the North and claymed the Land the Lords of the country rose against them but the Danes had the victory then Hâ—rold gaue them a great battell and got the victory and slew the King of Denmarkes sonne After this victory Harold waxed proud and couetous and would not diuide the prâ—y to his Knights but kept it to himselfe Whereas Harold had sworne to William Duke of Normandy after the death of King Edward to take possession of the Kingdome of England to his vse according to the will of King Edward that the Duke of Normandy should succéede him The Duke sent to him admonishing him of the Couenants that were agréed vpon betwixt them Harald answered thus That such a nice foolish promise ought not to be holden concerning the Land of another without the consent of the Lords of the same especially because neede and dread compelled him thereto Whereupon Duke William prepaired his Armie and sent to Pope Alexander concerning his Title and â—oiage the Pope confirmed him in the same and sent him a Banner And they tooke shipping with a great company and landed at Hastings in Sussex the Normans and Harald ioyned battell in the place where afâ—ter was builded the Abby of Battell in Sussex where the Normaines obtained the victory through the Iust Prouidence of God where Harold was wounded in the left eye with an arrowe and incontinently dyed when hee had raigned nine yeares and was buryed at Walâ—ome This Duke William and King Edward were by the Fathers side Cosen Germaynes After this Gregory the first succeeded Siluester the second he sate 4. yeares 〈◊〉 moneth and 8. dayes Pope By the testimony of Stella Benno and Platina and many others he was a Sorceâ—er and was exalâ—ed to the Papacy by the Deuill vpon this condition that after his death he should giue himselfe to the Deuill He demaunded of the Deuill how long he should â—nioy his Popedome Hee answered Untill thou say Masse in Ierusalem thou shalt liue At length the Pope in Lent saying Masse in the Temple of the Holy Crosse which Church vnknowne to him was called Ierusalem then hee knewe hee should dye then repenting hee confessed his fault before all the people â—fâ—er him succeeded Iohn the 19. which brought in the Feast of All-Soules to bee celebrated next after All-Saints day by the meanes of Odilo Abbot of Clâ—nake This Abbot thinking that Purgatory should bee in Mount Eâ—na dreamed vppon a time that hâ—e by his Masâ—es had dâ—liuered diuerse Souâ—es from thence saying that hee heard the voyces and lamentatious of Dâ—uils crying out for that the Soules were taken from them by Masses and Dirges funâ—rall Pope Iohn the 20. succeeded him and after him Sergius the 4 after him Benedictus the 8. then Iohn the 12. who was prâ—moted by Arte Magicke of diuerse Sorcerers He brought in the fast of Saint Iohn Baptist eauen and of Saint Laurence After him followed Pope Benedictus the 9. aspiring to his Papacie by Magicke practising Inchaâ—tments and Conâ—â—rations in words he resisted the Emperour Henricus the third sonne of Conradus and placed in his roome Peâ—â—us King of Hungary After for feare of Henricus he was faine to sell his Seaâ— so Gratianus called Gregorie the sixt for 1500. lib. at which time there was three Popes in Rome together raigning one against another Benedictus the 9. Siluester the 3. Gregorius the 6. for which
gate of Canossus where fasting from morning to night humbly he desired to be absolued and to come in and speake with the Pope Thus he continued and could not be let in in thrée daies the fourth day being brought to the Pope he surrendred his Crowne and princely ornaments vnto him desiring he might be forgiuen and he would neuer doe against him againe He told him he would not absolue him but vpon condition he should doe such penance as hee should enioyne him and appeare at the Councell when he should send for him and answere there all obiections laid against him and stand to his pleasure whether hee should haue his Kingdome restored or loose it and should doe nothing as a King vntill the cause were tryed and vpon his Oath for performance hereof he was absolued For all this the Pope sent to France for their consents that Rodulphus should be Emperor Then there was sent to Rodulphus bâ—ing Duke or Swâ—â—ia a crowne from the pope with this verie Petra dedit Petro Petrus Diadema Rodulpho Then he gaue in commaundement to the Archbishop of Ments and of Cullen to elect Rodulphus emperour and annoint him King and defend him with all their strength Whilst this conspiracie was in hand the Emperour was absent and the Popes Ambassadors with him and vnknowne to him Rodulphus was elected Emperour the Bishop of Stasbrough 〈◊〉 Henry the emperour thereof who seeing the Saxons so bent against him marched forward with his Souldiers to defend his right but first sent to Rome requiring the Pope to excommunicate Rodulphus But he minding nothing lesse sent word that he would not condemne any person without hearing the cause so vnder colour of Lawe disappâ—inted Henry who being forsaken on euery side with his men attempted battell with Rodulphus there was great slaughter on both sides but no victory so yet both chalâ—nged the Empire Then they both sent to Rome for the Popes determination to whether of them the Empire appertained the Pope willed them to breake vp their Aâ—mies promising shortly to call a Councell where this matter should be disputed but before the messengers returned they had another conflict but no victory So both being wearied in warre the Romish beast being the cause therof and the Pope perceiuing these warres would be to the great calamitie not onely of Germany but to other Nations deuised another way to helpe Rodulphus sent a Commission to the Archbishop of Treuers and others giuing them in charge to call a Councell to sit at Almany to determine â—he right promising what they determined he by the auâ—horitie of God omnipotent and of Saint Peter and of Sant Paul would ratifie the same but Henry the Emperour would not permit a Councell to be had in Germany except they would first depriue Rodulphus The Legatâ— perceiuing that was against the Popes drift returned The Pope hearing his purpose disappointed drue another excommunication against Henry the Emperour hereauing him of his Kingdome sending them through all places thinking thereby to further Rodulphus part biginning his excommunication with these words Blessed Saint Peter Prince of the Apostles and thou Paul also teacher of the Gentiles giue eare vnto me a little I beseech you and gently heare me c. I take this matter in hand that my brethren whose saluation I seeke may the more obey me and knowe that I trust vpon your defence next to Christ and his mother and thereby resist the wicked and am ready to helpe the faithfull I entred this Seat against my will with teares thinking my selfe vnworthy to occupy so high a Throne I chose not you but you chose me and â—ayd this great burden vpon Our shoulders Then reciting the whole matter of the Story before concludeth therefore â— trusting in the Iudgement and mercie of God and in the supportation of the blessed Uirgin and bold vpon your authoritie meaning S. Peter S. Paul do lay the sentence of Curse vpon Henry his adherents And againe I take his regall Gouernment from him discharging all Christian men of their Oathes to him and forbidding them hereafter to obey him in any thing but to take Rodulphus for their King c. Therefore O blessed Princes of the Apostles confirme this your authoritie that all may know as you haue power to binde and loose in Heauen you haue also power on earth to giue and take away Empires Kingdomes Principaâ—ities and whatsoeuer belongeth to mortall men on earth For if you haue power to Iudgâ— of matters of God how much more of prophane things and if you can Iudge the Angels which rule proud Princes how much more the princes Let all Kings and princes by this example know your power that they may feare to contemne the commaundement of the holy Church Exercisâ— quickly this Iudgement vpon Henry that all may see him fall from his Kingdom not by chance but by your onely worke notwithstanding this I would craue of you that he being brought to repentance through your intercession yet in the day of Iudgement may finde grace with the Lord. Pope Hildebrand further deposed the Archbishop of Rauenna for taking his part commaunding all priests not to obey him and sent another with full authoritie thither Upon this Henry and Rodulphus tryed the matter with sword with much bloud whereas Henry with Gods fauour against the Iudgement of Hildebrand had the victory Rodulphus greatly wounded was carried to Herbipolis where he commanding the Bishops and doers of this conspiracie to be brought to him and lifting vp his right hand which was deadly wounded said This hand gaue the Oath to Henry my prince and hath so often fought against him by your inâ—â—igation but in vaine goe and performe you Oath and alegiance to him your King for I must go to my Fathers and so dyed Henry after his enemy subdued and warres ceased in Germany remembring the iniuries of Hildebrand by whom he was twise excommunicated expulsed from his Kingdome and making sute thrée daies in sharpe winter and could finde no fauour and by him his enemy was incited and ayded against him assembled a Councell of 1083. Bishops at Brixiencâ— where hee purged himselfe and accused Hildebrand of diuerse câ—imes to be an vsurper periured a Nigromaâ—cer a Sorcerer a sower of discord and that his Father had set in diuerse Popes in Rome by his assignement without other election and now this Bishop contrary to his Oath thrust in himselfe without the will and knowledge of him being their King and Magistrate For in the time of Henry the third his Father this Hildebrand and others had tooke a corporall Oath that during the life of him and this Henry his sonne now king they should noâ— presume themselues norsuffer any other to aspire to the Papall Seat without the approbation of the said Emperours Wherefore the aforesaid Councell with one agréement condemned this Gregory that he should be deposed ¶ The Sentence of the Councell of Brixia against Hildebrand BEcause it
number of Holly daies and the increase of vice thereby whoores say they vantage more in one Holy day then in fiftie other dayes and of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches wherein much time is spent that might better be beâ—towed in other Sciences and learning And of the multitude of begging Fryers and other professed men and women the cause of Idlenesse and vncomely life of promotion of euill Prelates and their negligence in reprouing vice Of the wantonnesse of their seruants and their excesse in apparell Of the excessiue gaines of the prelates and their officers for their Seales giuing them they care not for what so they get money That Prelates bée too slacke in looking to non residents Of giuing benifices not for godlinesse and learning but for fauour friendship or hope of gaine of which commeth the great ignorance in the Church How Prelates wast the Church goods in superfluitie on kinsfolkes or worse wayes and not on the poore How by negligence the Bookes of the olde Coâ—ncels and oâ— the new are not to be found which should be kept in all Cathedral Churches The negligence of Preâ—ates and their voluptuousnesse by example of Storks whose nature is if one leauâ— his mate and ioyne with another all the rest fly on him and plucke his feathers off so and much more should prelates dâ—e to their fellowes that defile so many and stinke in the whole Church And as Eâ—dras in purging Israel from strange women began with the priests so now the purgation ought to begin with them as it is written in Ezechiâ—ll Begin with my Sarctuary c. Againe if the whole Realme of France was interdicted because Phillip the King had but one Concubine which was not his lawfull wife And the King of Portugall sequestred from his Dominion and thought by the Clergie insufficient to rule What shall be said to prelates which abuse mens Wiues Uirgings Nunnes and are insufficient to take charge of Soules About this tiâ—â—e the Order of the Knights of the Rhodes called Iohannits and the Order of the Teâ—â—lers rose vp After Honorius succéeded Pope Innocentius the 2. At euery mutation of new Popes came new troubles sometime two Popes sometimes thrée together The Romaines elected another Pope called Anacletus betwixt whom was great conflicts The Duke of Sicile taking with Anacletus vntill Lotharius the Emperour droue Anacletus 〈◊〉 of Italy This Pope decréed that whose strucke a shauen Priest should be excommunicated and not absolued but onely by the Pope Steuen king of England reserued to himselfe the authoritie of bestowing Spirituall liuings and of inuesting Prelates At which time Lodouicus the Emperoue would haue done the like had not Bernardus giue in him contrary councell At this time came in the manner of cursing with Booke Bell and Candle in a Councell of London holden by William Bishop of Winchester vnder Pope Celestinus successor of Innocentius After Lotharius succeeded in the Emperiall Crowne Conradus Nephew of Henry the fift he raigned 15. yeares There was diuerse Popes in his dayes as Celestinus the 2. Lucius the 2. Eâ—genius the 3. at which times the Romaines endeauored to recouer the old manner of chusing Conâ—uls and Senators but the Popes being in their ruffe would not abide it which caused much ciuill warre insomuch that Pope Lucius sent 〈◊〉 the Emperour for ayde who thought to haue destâ—oyed them in the Senate but they were ware oâ— it and were all in aray the Pope being in the fight was well pelted with stones and blowes that he liued not long after Eugenius cursed the Romaines for that matter with excommunication which when he saw would not serue came vpon them with his Host and compelled them to abolish their Consuls and to take such presidents as the Pope should assigne Then followed Anastatius the 4. after him Adrianus the 4. an English man called Breakespeare belonging once to Saint Albons he likewise kept great slurâ—e with the Citizens of Rome to abolish Consuls with cursing and warres vntill he had brought them vnder In the meane time Fredericus called Barbarossa succeeded Conradus in the Empire marched to Italy to subdue rebels the Pope and his Clergie met him to haue ayde against their enemies the Emperour lighted to receiue him and held his left stirrop where he should the right the Pope displeased he smiling excused himselfe as not vsed to hold stirrops and that it was not of duetie the next day the emperour sent for him receiued him and held his right stirrop and all was well When they came in the Pope told the Emperour that his predecessors left some token of beneuolence for crowning of them as Carolus Magnus subdued the Lumbards Otho the Bexingarians Lotharius the Normans therefore required him to restore the Country of Apâ—lia to the Church of Rome He and his Princes seeing he could not otherwaies â—e crowned promised to doe it and the next day was crowned Whilst the Emperour was prouiding for Apulia the Pope excommunicated William Duke thereof and sent Emanuell Emperour of Constantinople incensing him to warre against the said Duke Thâ— Duke hearing it sent vnto the Pope for peace promising to restore what hee would which the Pope by the Councell of the Cardinals would not grant The Duke put Emanuell the Emperour to flight and besieged the Câ—tie Beneâ—entum where the Pope and Cardinals were looking for victory that they were glad to intreat for the peace they refused the Duke onely granted not to inuade the possessions of Rome and the Pâ—pe made him King of both Sicils The Pope was so troubled with the Senators and Consuls of Rome that when his curses would not auaile he was faine to remoue from Rome to Ariminium The Emperour considering the wrongs the Pope had done to his predecessors required of the Bishops of Germany Homage and Oath of alegiance commaunding if the Popes Legats came thither without sending for they should not be receiued charging his subiects not to appeale to Rome and prefixed his name in his Letters before the Popes name Whereupon the Pope wrote to him that God promiseth long life to thâ—m that honoured their Parents and death to them that cursed them and the word of truth saith He that exalâ—eth himselfe shall be brought lowe He maruelled not a little that he shewed not the reuerence he ought to blessed Saint Peter and the holy Church of Rome 〈◊〉 preferre your name before Ours wherein your incurre the note of insolencie or rather arrogancie How kéepe you the Oath of fidelitie to Saint Peter and vs séeing you require Homage and Alegiance of them that be Gods and all the sonnes of the high God and presume to ioyne their holy hands with yours and exclude from your Churches and Cities our Cardinals Legates from our side amend amend â—hile you goâ— about to obtaine the things you haue not I feare mée your Honour will loose the things which you haue The Emperour wrote againe that Iustice giueth to
Kings nose at the comming of his Sonne giuing a monstration that he was Author of his death His Children after his death worthily rewarded for their vnnaturalnesse lost all they had beyond the Sea which their Father had gotten Alexander Pope decréed that no Arch-bishop should receiue the Pall vnlessâ— hée first sware obedience to the Pope These be the words in Englâ—sh of the giuing of the Pall. To the honour of Almighty God and of blessed Mary the Uirgin and of blessed S. Peter and S. Paul and of our Lord Pope and of the holy Church of Rome and of the Church committed to your charge we giue you the Pall taken from the body of Saint Peter as a fulnesse of the Pontificall Office which you may weare within your own Church vpon certain daies expressed in the priuiledgeâ— of the said Church granted by the Sea Apostolike This Pall ought to bee asked with great instance and within thrée moneths without which Pall he is not Arch-bishop but may be deposed The same Pall must be burned with him when hee dyeth and when it is giuen some priuiledge must be giuen with it or the old renewed the Arch bishops pay swéetly for it Euery Bishop must sweare to be obedient to Saint Peter the Apostolike Church of Rome and to the Pope to doe nothing whereby either of them or any member of them may be impaired nor helpe counsell or consent vnto any so doing not to vtter their councell any way sent to them to any body to their hurt to retaâ—ne and maintaine the Papacy and the Regalities of S. Peter against all men honorably to intreat the Popes Legats going and comming and helpe them in all necessities to be ready to come to a Sinod being called without any lawfull let to visite the Pallace of the Apostles euery third yeare by himselfe or a Messenger except otherwise licensed by the Pope not to sell giue or lease out any the possessions of his Church without the Popes license So God helpe him and the Holy Ghost By this Oath the Byshop could do nothing but what the Pope would in generall councels which was the corruption of them Besides this it was decreed in the said councell of Rome by 310. Byshops by Pope Alexander that none should haue spirituall promotion except he were of full age and borne in wedlocke that no Parish-Church should be voyd aboue sixe moneths that none within orders should meddle with temporal businesses that priests shall haue but one Benefice that Bishops be charged to find the Priest a liuing vntill he be promoted That open Usurers shall not communicate at Easter nor be buried within the Church yard That nothing shall be taken for ministring Sacraments or burying Item that euery Cathedrall Church should haue a Maister to teach Children fréely without taking any thing for the same In this Councell the vow of Chastity was laid vpon Priests Thomas Becket and Bernard were canonized for Saints In this yeare Richard the eldest Sonne of Henry the second succeeded his Father at which time Clement sat Pope succéeding Gregory who died a little before for sorrow for losse of the Holy Crosse by the Popes meanes He and Fredericke the Emperor and Phillip the French King went with their Armies to Palestina atchieuing the recouery of the Holy Land Richard in this iourney gat Cyprus Acon Ptolemayda Surrah For preparation for this iourney hee sold Lordships Castles Offices Liberties Priuiledges Byshopprickes c. He said he would sell London if he could finde one able to buy it Many Bishops purchased to their Bishopprickes diuers Lordships The Bishop of Winchâ—ster purchased Werregraue Meues The Bishop of Duresme Hadberge with all their appurtenances for 500. markes and purchased the whole Prouince of the King for his owne and himselfe to be made Earle of the same In this Kings daies there fell a great dissention in the Church of Yorke betwixt the Arch-bishop of Yorke and the Deane because euening Song was begunne before the Arch-bishoppe came his Grace comming into the Quire was angry because they tarryed not for him and commaunded the Quire to stay the Deanâ— and Treasurer willed them to fing on the Quire left and recanted and begun againe The Treasurer not to take the foyle caused the lights to be put out so the euening Song ceased for the Popish euening Song is blind without light though the Sunne shine neuer so bright His Grace suspended the whole Church from Diuine seruice vntill the parties had made him amends The next day being Ascention day the Deane and Treasurer would make no sarâ—sfaction the people would haue fallen vpon them if his Grace had not let them The Deane was faine to flye to his House and the Treasurour to Saint Williams Tombe for succour The Byshop excommunicated them and the Church was suspended from Seruice that day Thus much of the Heroicall câ—mbat betwixt these Ecclesiasticall persons King Richard in his iourney aforesaid talked with Abbot Ioachim of his Uisions and Prophesies especially of Antichrist hee expounded vnto him the place in the Reuâ—lation There be seuen Kings fiue are fallen one is now another not yet com He said they were seuen Persecutors of the Church Herod Nero Domitianus Maxentius Mahomet Turka the last which is not yet come was Antichrist which is already borne at Rome and should bee there exalted into the Apostolike Sea as the Apostle faith He is an Aduersary and exhalteth himselfe aboue all that is called GOD then the wicked man shall bee reuealed and the Lord shall consume him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him with the brightnesse of his comming Why said the King I thought Antichrist should haue béene borne in Antiâ—ch or Babylon and of the Tribe of Dan and ruled in Ierusalem thrée yeares and a halfe and disputed against Enoch and Elias and put them to death and then died himselfe and that sixty daies of repentance should be giuen to them that were seduced by his preaching When King Richard went his iourney he committed the Custody of his Realme principally to the Byshop of Duresme and the Bishop of Ely and to two Lay men The two Byshops fell at variance for superiority at length this order was taken by the King that Duresme should haue vâ—der his custody from Humber is the Scottish Seas Ely was ordained Chancellor hauing vnder his gouernment from the said stood of Humber all the South parts besides but Ely beeing more ambitious so practised with the King and his Ambassadors sending his Letters to the Pope obtained the authority Legatiue vpon the whole Realm of England and became so ambitious and proud that all the Realme cryed out of him he beeing intollerable vnto the Cleargy and Layty He assembled a generall Councell at London in colour for Religion but it was for his owne pompe and oppression of the Clergy and Layty wonderfully oppressing the Commons Hee vsed â—o ride with thousand Horses Noble-mens Sonnes were glad to be his
preaching sundry things wherevpon the said Ierome was condemned and deliuered to the seculer power to be burned In the seuentéenth and eighteenth Sessions there was great proces giuen out against Duke Frederick accusing him for sacriledge and excommunicating him for not obaying the admonition of the Councell concerning the vsurpation of the possessions of the Bishop of Austridge as aforesaid In the one and thirtieth Session Letters were directed to a certaine Earle in Italy for laying violent hands vpon the Bishop of Asce and imprisoning him commanding him to set him at liberty vnder paine of interdiction and excommunication and an other Decree was set forth for the restoring of the Liberties of the Church of Baron In the nine and thirtith Session it was ordered that euery Pope should sweare to beleeue and hold the Catholick Faith after the traditions of the Apostles generall Councels and holy Fathers namely of the eight generall Counsels Ephisme Calcedone two of Nice and foure of Constantinople also the Councels of Lateran Lyons and Uiâ—nna to obserue preach and defend him to death and by all meanes to prosecute the right of the Sacraments canonically deliuered to the Catholick Church and writing his Oath he should offer it before witnesses vpon some Altar On Saint Martins Euen a new Pope was chosen therefore they called him Martin and hee was brought to the Emperour and Councell into the Church of Constance and there authorized for Pope and was brought thence most honorably with sumptuous procession vnto the Monasterie of Saint Augustine to bee crowned The Emperour on foote leading his horse on the right hand and the Marquesse of Brandenburge Prince Elector leading his Horse on the left hand When this Councell should be ended the Pope sent a Cardinall with proclamation to dismisse the Councell and to giue euery man leaue to depart and to shew the Popes indulgence which he had granted to all and euery person present at that Councell that they should haue full absolution during his life so that hee procured his absolution in writing within two monethes also an other iudulgence was granted of plenarie remission of sinnes at the houre of death and was not onely for their Maisters but for their houshould vpon condition that from notification thereof they should fast euery Friday one whole yeare for the absolution of their life time and for their absolution at the houre of death to fast the same Friday one other yeere if they had no lawfull impediment and after the second yeere they should fast to their liues end euery Friday or else doe some other good worke There were at this Councell three hundred forty and six Arch-bishops and Bishops fiue hundred threescore and foure Abbots and Doctors sixteene thousand seculer Princes Dukes Earles Knights Esquires foure hundred and fifty common women six hundred Barbers three hundred and twenty Minstrels Cookes and Iesters there was 60500. forrenners at that Councell from Easter to Whitsontide the chiefe thing to be noted in this Councell was that the Popes authority is vnder the Councell The History of IOHN HVS IOhn Hus being a preacher at Prage in the temple of Bethelem those rather to teach the Gospell of Christ then the humane traditions of Bishops their sprung vp certaine which accused him as an heretick to the Bishop of Rome the Pope committed the matter to the Cardinall of Columna who appointed a day hee should appeare at Rome The King and Nobilitie of Boheme sent to the Pope to acquit him from his appearance and if they suspected the Kingdome to be infected with any heresie they should send an Ambassadour to correct the heresie and the King would beare the charge and likewise assist the Legate with all his authoritie to punish such as shall bee sound with erronoous Doctrine and Iohn Hus sent his meete procurators vnto the Court of Rome and with firme and strong reasons did prooue his Innocencie but when the Cardinall would admit no defence his procurators appealed to the Pope notwithstanding the Cardinall excommunicated him as an obstinate heretick because he came not at his day and the matter was referred to two other Cardinals who after they had delayed the matter a yeere and a halfe confirmed the Iudgement of the first Cardinall and some of his procurators were committed and grecuously punished for being so earnest for him But the generall Councell being assembled as aforesaid The Emperour sent certaine of his Gentlemen to bring Iohn Hus Bacheler of Diuinitie vnto the Councell to purge himselfe of the blame which was laid against him and granted him a safe conduct that hee might come freely to Constance and returne home without fraud or interruption he seeing so many faire promises and his safe conduct sent vnto the Emperour that he would come vnto the Councell but before he went hee caused certaine writings to bee set vpon the gates of the Cathedrall Churches Parish Churches Cloister and Abbies signifying hee would goâ— to the Councell and that if any that haue suspition of his Doctrine that hee should declare it before the Lord Conrade or the Bishop of Prage or if hee had rather at the generall Councell for there he would render an account of his Faith before them all the Bishop of Nazareth the inquisitor for heresie made his certificate vnder his hand and Seale with a testimoniall vnto Maister Iohn Hus that hee had oftentimes beene before him and had conferred with him and yet could neuer finde any heresie in him and so did the Bishop of Prage set vp Letters in euery Citie as he passed to Constance that hee was going to the Councell to descud his faâ—th and if any could lay any thing to him as touching his Faith let him come thither many resorted vnto him all the way as hee went and hee was gently â—â—reateâ— especially of the Citizans and Burgesses and sometimes of the Curates and if there were noise of his comming the streets were euer full to see him In Norrenberge many Curats came to him desiring talk with him secretly hee said he had rather shew his opinion openly before all men so after dinner vntill night he spake before the Priests and Senators and Citizens that all had him in great reuerence saue one Doctor which was a Charter-house Monke who impraued all that hâ—â— had said then after he was come to Constance Master Clum and M. Latzembodge which came with him went to the Pope and certified him Iohn Hus was come to Constance that he had the Emperors safe conduct desiring him to grant him libertie likewise to remaine there without trouble which the Pope promised hee would in the meane time Maister Pallets Iohn Hus his great Aduersarie was come to Constance but his Companion Zuoyma Husses other Aduersarie died of an impostume by the way then this Pallets associated himselfe with one Causis a Bohâ—mian which afore-time had vndertooke to finde a Mine of gold for the King and hauing receiued much money of the King towards the
whereof whosoeuer shall drinke shall not thirst euerlastingly That the Bohemians haue done as they ought in that they haue sought the Fountaines of this water at the Councell and now at length giuen eare to their Mother now ought hatred to cease Armor be laid aside and warre reiected the Fathers would louingly heare them in their owne cause requiring them that they would willingly receiue the Councels of the sacred Synod whereunto all faithfull Christians ought to consent and agree if they will be partakers of eternall life This Oration was commended of the Fathers The Bohemians answered they had neither contemned the Church nor Councels and that they are come to manifest their innocency before the whole Church and required open audience where the Laity may bee present their request was graunted them and being demanded in what points they did differ from the Church of Rome they propounded foure Articles 1 First all such as would be saued ought of necessity to receiue Communion vnder both kinds of Bread and Wine 2 All ciuill rule and dominion to be forbidden to the Cleargy by the Law of God 3 That the preaching of the Word of God is free for all men and in all places 4 Open crimes are in no wise to bee suffered for the auoiding of greater euill One affirmed hee heard sundry things of the Bohemians offensiue to Chrstian eares one of them was that they should preach that the inuention of begging Friers was diabolicall Then Procopius said it is not vntrue for if neither Moses nor the Partriarcks before him nor after him the Prophets nor in the new Lawe Christ nor his Apostles did institute the orders of begging Friers who doubteth but the Diuels inuented them and that they are the worke of darknesse all the Councell derided him and Cardinall Iulianus laboured to prooue that not onely the Decrees of the Patriarcks Prophets Christ and his Apostles but also the Decrees which the Church should ordaine to be the workes of God yet the order of begging Fryers may seeme to be taken out of some part of the Gospell the Bohemians chose foure Ministers to dispute for them and the Councell chose foure the disputation continued fifty daies many things were alledged on both parts which we will discourse more at large when we come to the Councell of Basill The History of the most valiant and worthy Martyr of Christ S r Iohn Old-Castle Knight Lord Cobham AFter the true seruant of Christ Iohn Wickliffe six and twenty yeares most valiantly had battelled with the great Antichrist of Europe and his disguised hosts of annointed hypocrites to restore the Church againe to the puritie of the Gospell and was departed hence in Christ Anno 1387. he left a number of godly Disciples against whom Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury was as fierce as euer Pharaoh Antiochus Herod and Cayphas and hauing called a Councell about the matter they concluded it was not possible for them to make whole Christs coate without seame meaning thereby their patched Popish Synagoue vnlesse certaine great men were wrought out of the way which were chiefe maintainers of the Disciples of Wickliffe amongst whom the Lord Cobham was complained of for a mighty maintainer of suspected preachers in London Rochester Hereford that he not onely sent them thither but maintained them with force and armes and that hee beleeued otherwise of the Sacrament of the Altar of penance of pilgrimages of Image worshipping and of Ecclesiasticall power then the Church of Rome taught and it was concluded that proces should goe against him but first they would know the Kings minde wherevpon the Archbishop with his Bishops and a great part of the Clergy went to the King and gréeuously complained against the Lord Cobham the king desired them in respect of his Noble stock they should fauorably deale with him and that if it were possible they should reduce him to the vnity of the Church without rigour and promised he would seriously common the matter with him Anon the King sent for the Lord Cobham and secretly admonished him to submit himselfe to his mother the holy Church he answered I am ready to obey to you most worthy Prince for I know you an appointed minister of God but touching the Pope and spiritualtie I owe them neither sute nor seruice for I knowe by the Scripture he is great Antichrist the sonne of perdition the aduersary of God the abhomination standing in the Holy Place when the King heard this he would talk no more with him and when the Archbishop resorted to him againe he gauâ— him full authoritie to cite him examine him and punish him then the Arch-bishop sent his chiefe somner to his house with citation when he came thither he durst not enter his gates without licence but returned without doing his message then the Archbishop got one Iohn Butler doore kâ—eper of the Kings Priuy Chamber to go with his Somner who went to the Lord Cobham shewing him it was the Kings pleasure that he should obey the said citation he answered that in no case he would consent to those most diuelish practises of the Priests after hee sent another citation to bee hanged vpon the Cathedrall Church doore of Rochester and because hee appeared not excommunicated him and when he heard that he derided his proceedings hee threatned the seculer power with curses and interdictions if they did not assist him against that seditious Apostata Scismatick and Heretick troubler of a publike peace enemy of the Realme and aduersarie of holy Church then he writ a Christian profession of his Faith and signed sealed it wherin he answered foure of the chiefest articleâ— that the Archbishop laid against him then he took a copy thereof and went to the King it agréed in all points with the Apostles Créede and moreouer that Christ is the onely head of the Church and that all that haue béen or shall be saued are members of his holy Church that it is seuered into thrée estates Priesthood Knight-hood and Commons and that it is Gods will that one should ayde and not destroy the other the priests secluded from all worldlinesse should conforme their liues vnto the example of Christ and his Apostles euermore occupied in teaching and preaching the Scriptures purely in giuing wholesome Councell of good liuing vnto the other two degrees of men more modest also more louing and lowly in spirit should they be then any other sort of people in Knight-hood are all they that beare sword by Law of office these should defend Gods lawes so that the Gospel were purely taught reforming their liues according to the same and secluding all false preachers they ought rather to hazard their liues then suffer wicked decrees to blemish the word of God and let the frée passage thereof whereof heresies and scismes sprung for they spring of nothing else as I suppose which Constitutions craftily creepe in by hypocriticall lies for aduantage they ought also to preserue Gods people from oppressors
was Schoolemaster to one Master Welch and for translating certain religious books into English and for arguing with a certain Priest that often vsed to his Masters house and confounding diuers points of their religion by the word of God he was pursued glad to go out of the Realme into Germany and there translated the Bible into English compiled diuers other books sâ—nt them into England wherby the dore and light vnto the Scriptures was daily more and more opened which before was many years closed in darknesse from thence he went to Aâ—twarp and had his abiding there and was lodged about a yeare in the house of one Thomas Poynets an English man which kept a house of English Merchants then came thither one Henry Philips hauing a seruant waiting on him M. Tindall became acquainted with him and had great confidence in him and had him often to dinner and supper with him and got him a lodging in M. Poynets house At length Philips wâ—nt to the high Court of Bruxelles to betray M. Tindall and procured to bring from thence with him the Procurator generall with othâ—r Officers which was not done with small charges from whom soeuer it came After Philips returning would haue M. Tindall to dine with him then hee desired M. Tindall to lend him fortie shillings which he did he told Philips he could not diâ—e with him for he was bid forth to dinner and he should goe with him And going forth to dâ—nner Philips hauing appointed the officers in the way he gaue them a signe that this was he they should apprehend then they took him and brought him to the Procurator generall who sent him to the Casâ—le of Filford and the Procurator generall went to Poynets house and sent away all that was there of M. Tindals The said Poynets and certain Merchants went ouer into England and got letters from the Coâ—ncell for M. Tindals deliuery vpon the deliuery wherof to the Councel of Bruxelles M. Tindall should haue bin deliuered vnto him which when Philips vnderstood he accused Poynets â—o be an heretick and a receiuer of such caused him to be apprehended kept 13. or 14. wéeks in prison but he escaped by night and got into England but M. Tindall was condemned and the same morning as he was had to the fire he deliuered a letter to the chiefe Kéeper of the Castle which the Kéeper himselfe brought to Poynets house who compared him to be fellow to the Apostles being in prison both for his conuersation and conuerting and preaching to the peoâ—le M. Tindall hearing by certaine Merchants what wonderfull feats a Iugler did he desired thâ—m that he might be present also at supper to see him play his parts accordingly the supper was appointed and the Merchants with Tindall were there present The Iugler being desired to vttâ—r his cunning shâ—wed all that he could do but all was in vaine at last with his labour sweating and toyle he saw nothing would go forward he confessed there was some man present at supper which disâ—urbed his doings For his letters that he wrote I refer thée to the book at large if thou dispose to sée them The Lord Cromwell keeper of the Kings priuie Seale Uicegerent of all the Kings iurisdiction ecclâ—siasticall sent out certaâ—n iniuncâ—ions by the Kâ—ngs authoritâ— for the preaching thâ— word of God for the bâ—tter publishing of the kings supremaâ—â—â— against idols 〈◊〉 on pilgrimage trusâ—ing in saints and to abrogate diuers holy-daies and for reformation to be had in diuers othâ—r ecclesiastical matters In the begiâ—â—g of this year the most noble and worthy Lady Queen Anne of Bullen after she had liued Qâ—â—â—ne three â—ears was cast into the Tower together with her brother the Lord Rochford and diuers others which shortly after were executed The words of the Queene at the time of her death Good Christian people I ame come hither to die I am iudged therto by the law therefore I will not speake against it I pray God preserue the King for there was neuer a gentler Prince and to me he was euer a good soueraigne and I râ—quire euery one to iudge the best of my cause so â— take my leaue of the world and of you all desiring you to praâ—â—or me Then she kneeled down and said Into thy hands I commend my soule Iesus receiue my soule diuers times vntill her head was striken off Fiue burned in Scotland SEauen years after Patrick Hamelton aforesaid there were fiue burned in Edenborough the chief Citie in Scotland two were Dominican Friers one Priest one Cannon and one Gentleman adiudged by the Archbishop of S. Andrewes Petrus Chappeâ—anus and the Franciscan Friers whose labour is neuer wanting in such matters The murther of ROBERT PACKINGTON HEe was a rich Mercer dwelling in Cheap side and was one of the â—urgesses of the Parliament for the Citie of London and had spoken against the couetousnesse and cruelty of the Clergie wherefore he was had in contempt with them therfore one Doctor Vincent Deane of Paules hired a stranger for sixtie crownes to kill him which he did in this manner this Packington vsed by foure of the clocke euery morning to go to a Church neare Cheap-side and in a mistie morning tâ—e hyred stranger shot him and killed him with a gunne as he crossed the street This could not be knowne vntill the death of the Deane then he repented the fact at his death and confessed it to his ghostly father In this yeare the Kings Maiestie by his Uicegerent the L. Cromwell sent out againe certaine Iniunctions vnto the Spiritualty for the reformation of religion for the maintenance of reading the Bible in English and for taking downe of Images with such other like The history of Iohn Lambert alias Nicolson BEing beyond Sea by reason of the persecution here he returned hoping the time had bin amended by the means of Quéen Anne and Cromwell and the abolishing of the Pope he became a Schoolemaster and being present at a Sermon preached by Doctor Taylor one that was a Bishop in K. Edwards time and died in the Tower in Queen Maries time after the Sermon hee vttered diuers arguments to the Preachers and desired to be resolued Taylor alledged businesse and desired him to write his minde which he did The first was vpon The cup is the new Testament and if these words doe not change neither the cup nor the wine into the new Testament by like reason the words spoken of the bread should not turn it corporally into the body of Christ. The second it is not agreeable to a naturall body to be in â—wo or more places ot one time therfore Christ hauing a naturall bodie cannot be in heauen on the right hand of his father and in the Sacrament Thirdly a naturall body cannot be without his forme and conditions as he cannot be without substance iâ— the Sacrament there is no forme and condition of the body of Christ no not
martyrdom We will passe ouer the Priest which was hanged in the Porters lodge of Gardener Bishop of Winchester and one Henrie his seruant burnt at Colchester and one Kerby a Taylor burnt at London because we haue no certainty of the time Doctor London Prebend of Windsor and one William Simonds which were the accusers of the foresaid fiue of Windsor they went about to trouble foure Gentlemen of the Kings priuie Chamber that they forced theÌ„ to plead their cause in open Court they declared to the King what danger they were in wherupon they themselues were called in question being conuicted of manifest periurie they were adiudged to weare papers signifying their periuries in the open market of Windsor then they were cast in prison at London where the said Doctor London died About this time was one Rogers a Lay-man of Northfolk burned by the Duke of Northfolke for the true affirmation of the Sacrament halfe a yeare after the Duke lost his eldest sonne and himselfe was committed to prison who then acknowledging his errour became more méeke to such kind of men Iohn Athee was indicted for saying He would not beleeue that which the knaue Priest made and Longs wife sold meaning the Host. And when it was told him God could make it flesh and bloud he said He might put into it a Chicks legge This yeare Iohn Heywood was attached for treason for denying the Kings supremacy but he recanted and confessed to the people that the Pope had no more authority then other Bishops and that the King was supreame head by the Law of God The destruction of Merindall and Cabriers IN the yeare 1218. as is aforesaid God raised vp one Waldo a rich Merchant of Lyons in France which hauing attained perfect knowledge by the word of God discouered the naughtines of the Ecclesiastical Ministers many ioyned themselues vnto them which were called Waldenses and being by persecution dispersed into diâ—ers Countries there were two towns remaining of their Religion in France to wit Merindall and Gabriers Certaine of the cheefe of Merindall were commanded to appeare at the Parliament of Prouence they would haue retained Aduocates to answere for them who told them it was not lawfull for them to giue councell to them because they were but Lutherans but one told them secretly That they should not appeare before the said Court except they were fully determined to be burned by a little fire made of Chaffe without any further iudgement for the Court had already determined the matter against them whereupon and because they had séene many good men serued so hauing no other cause of condemnation but that they were reported to be Lutherans for these causes they did not appeare at the day appointed wherevpon the Parliament gaue out an arrest whereby not onely they of Merindal that were appointed to appeare were condemned to be burned as attainted of heresie and high Treason and their goods confiscate vnto the King but also all the inhabitants of Merindall wherein was fourescore houses to be burned men women and children the towne to be rased and the trées cut vp 500. paces round about A little after there was a great banquet at Ayx at which was the president Cassane and many Counsellors and Nobles and the Archbishop of Arles and the Bishop of Aiâ— with their Ladies and Gentlewomen One that was the Bishop of Aixis Concubine said My Lord president will you not execute the arrest that is giuen out against the Lutherans of Merindall And she recited the manner of it forgetting nothing the Lord Alenson said Gentlewoman you haue learned this of them that would haue it so or else it was giuen out by a Parliament of women Then the L. of Senas said it is true you do not well to call the parliament a Parliament of women he answered he did not beléeue it for it is a thing that the â—ueliest tyrants of the world would iudge most inhumane detestable many of Merindal which séem to me to be very honest men theÌ„ the gentlâ—woman lifting vp her eyes with a great chafe said O that it pleased God that all Lutherans had hornes growing on their foreheads Then said my Lord Bewieu I would all Priests harlots chattered like Pies she said My L. you ought not to spâ—ak against our holy mother the Church for there was neuer any dogge that barâ—ed against the crosse but he waxed mad the Bishop of Aix laughed and clapt her on the back saying By my holy orders my minion you haue don me great pleasure remember me the lesson she hath taught you The Lord answered I will not learn of her nor of thée neither honesty nor honour for the most part of the Bishops and Priests are Adulterers Deceiuers Theeues Seducers I should not speake against the holy Church but I speake against a flocke of Wolues Dogges and abominable Swine Then said the Archbishop My L. you must giue account of these words in time and place he answered I would it were now for I wil be bound to proue more naughtines in Priests then I haue spoken When Christ called the Priests deceiuing Hypocrits blinde Seducers and robbers did he them any wrong They answered no for the most part of them were so Then said my Lord Bewieu Euen so is it with the Bishops and Priests for they are such kinde of men and worse Then he said Aâ—ant thou Herodias thou vnshamefac't and dishonest harlot is it thy part to speak in this coÌ„pany thou shouldst not desire the innocent bloud to be shed then she sayd if I were a man I would offer you combat to proue that I desire not to shed innocent bloud do you call the bloud of these wicked men of Merendoll innocent bloud I do desire and offer with my whoâ—e power that such as they should bee destroyed from the greatest to the least and to sée the beginning of this worke I haue not beene wanting to imploy all my credit and frienâ—â— and doe not spare neither body nor goods to make the vtter ruine and destruction of them and to deface their memory from amongst men I had rather méet ten diâ—els then one Lutheran After the Bishops and Clergy met againe to consult about the executing of the sayd Arest and they had a banket at the Bishops house of Ruda to this banket the â—ayrest and best Ladies of Aâ—inion were inuited to solace these good Prelates after they had dined danced and vsed their pastime they walked vntill supper and as they passed the stréets leading euery one a Gentlewoman vpon his arme they saw a man that sould dishonest Images to stirre vp the people to whoredome and knauery and all these pictures the Bishops bought which were as many as a Mule could carry a little further a Booke-binder had set out Bibles of lattin and french to seâ—l then the Bishops sayd who hath made thée so hardy to set forth these Marchandise to sell dost not thou know these Bookes
the same and there ended The principall doers thereof were William Ombler Thomas Dale with one Steuenson They intended to stirre in two places at one instant seuen miles from the other and at the first rush to destroy such Gentlemen and men of substance as fauoured the Kings proceedings and to set the Beacons on fire to bring the people together and hauing the ignorant people assembled then to poure out their poyson beginning with such as they thought were pinched with pouerty and vnwilling to labour therefore the more readie to follow the spoyle of rich mens goods blowing in their eares that Gods seruice was now quite laide aside and new inuentions neither good nor godly put in their stead feeding them with faire promises to reduce into the Church againe their olde ignorance and abominable Idolatrie Putting this practise in execution they took one M. White and one Clopton and one Sauage a Marchant of Yorke and one Bery and cruelly murdred them and tookâ— away all that was about them then they ranged from Towne to Town and inlarged their â—and leauing in no towne any men aboue the age of 16. yeares vntill they had gathered about 3000. Then came the Kingâ— pardon to them which Ombler conâ—umelioâ—sly refused and perswaded others so to dâ—e and some excepted thereof but shortly after Ombler as he was riding from towne to towne to charge all the Constables and Inhabitants in the Kings Namo to resort to Humumby hee was taken and imprisoned at â—orke After him Thomas Dale and Henry Barton Iohn Dale Robert Wright William Peacocke Wetherell and Edmund Buttry busie stirrers in this sedition as they trauelled from place to place to draw people vnto their faction were likewise apprehended and committed to Ward and after executed at Yorke The King of France bearing of the Insurrections of the Kings Subiects in diuers places supposing to take the time he made inuasion against the Iles of Iersey and Gernesey and thought to haue surprised the Kings Ships in the said Iles with his shippâ—s and Gallies but he was so hotly saluted with the Kings Ships in the Iland that the French-men lost at least a thousand men and their Shippes and Gallies were so spoyled as they were forced to returne home and not able to come out againe and they brought into one Towne in one vessell at least sixty Gentlemen to be burned and the King gaue out a speciall inhibition that none should speake of the successe of that iourney so the arme of God mercifully fought for King Edward his Seruant to defend and deliuer him from so many hard dangers all in one yeare which is worthy of all posterity to be noted The examination of Bonner THE King sent forth his Commission vnder his broad Seale to the Byshop of Canterbury and the Bishoppe of Rochester and other trusty personages and Councelors appointing and authorising them to examinine the Bishoppe of London and to procéed against him according to law and Iustice either to suspention excommunication committing to prison or depriuation if the qualitie of the offence so required At Bonners first entring into the place within the Arch-bishops house at Lambeth where the Arch-bishop and the other Commissioners sat to be examined hée kept his hat on his head making as though he saw them not vntill one bad him reuerence the Commissioners then laughingly he said What my Lords are you there by my troth I saw you not No said the Archbishop you would not sée well quoth he you sent for me haue you any thing to say to me Yea said the Commissioners we haue authority to call you to account for your Sermon you made lately at Pauls Crosse because you did not preach to the people the Articles you were commanded to preach vpon Then said Bonner In good Faith my Lord I would one thing were had in meâ—ereuerence then it is What is that said the Archbishop The blessed Masse quoth he you haue written well of the Sacrament I maruell you doe no more honour it The Arch-bishoppe said If you thinke I haue wrote well of it it is because you vnderstand it not Bonner said I thinke I vnderstand it better then you that wrote it The Archbishop replyed he would easily make a Childe of ten yeares old vnderstand therein as much as you And when they had called forth Maister Latimer and Iohn Hooper Preachers to propound such matter as they had to say against him he hearing them speake fell to scorning and taunting them calling one Goose and the other Woodcocke and denying their accusation to be true Whereupon the Arch-Byshop asked him whether hee would credit the people there present and because many of them that were there were at his Sermon The Arch-Bishoppe stood vp and read the Article of the Kinges authority during his young age saying vnto them How say you my Maisters did my Lord of London preach this Article they answered No no Then Bonner deridingly said Will you beléeue this fond people Then was shewed forth a â—ill of Complaint exhibited vnto the King by the said Maister Latimer and Iohn Hooper which was read Then Bonner prayed that the Bill of Complaint should be deliuered vnto him which when he had pervsed he said it was so generall as hee could not directly answere vnto it The Arch-bishop said the speciall cause was because he had transgressed the Kinges commaundement in not setting forth in his last Sermon at Paules Crosse the Kinges Hignesse Royall power in his minority and for the proofe thereof hee called Maister LATIMER and IOHN HOOPER to whom BONNER saide As for this Merchant Latimer I haue wincked at his euill doings a great while but I haue â—ore to say to him héereafter But as touching this Merchant Hooper I haue not séene him before howbeit I haue heard much of his naughtie preaching Then he said Ah my Lord now I sée the cause of my trouble is not for the matter you pretend but because I did preach in my late Sermon the true presence of the most blessed body and blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ to bée in the Sacrament of the Altar And as for these my accusers they are notorious euill persons and notable Hereticks and Seducers especially touching the Sacrament of the Altar and most of all this Hooper for whereas I preached that after consecration of the Sacrament there is the selfe same body and blood of Christ in substance that was hanged vpon the Crosse hee in the afternoone hauing a great rabblement with him of his damnable Sect did preach to the people erroniouslie against it and vntruely expounded my wordes for whereas I said the same substance that was hanged vpon the Crosse hee like an Asse as he is an Asse indéede turned the word That into As saying That I said as it hanged vpon the Crosse Then the Arch-Bishoppe demaunded of him whether Christ were in the Sacrament Face Nose Mouth Eyes Armes and Lips with other lineaments of the bodie whereat Bonner shooke
in this waightie cause The next day the three estates sitting in the Parlament-house all on their knees exhibited a Supplication to their Highnesses the King and Queene that their humble sute by their Graces intercession and meane might be exhibited vnto the Cardinall declaring themselues sorie and repentant for the Schisme committed in this Realme against the Apostolike Sea promising in token of their repentance to be readie vnto the vttermost of their power to doe their endeauour for the repealing of the said lawes and we desire that your Maiesties will so set forth this our humble sute that we may obtayne from the Sea Apostolike by the sayd most Reuerend Father as well particular as vniuersall absolution and that we may be receiued into the bosome of Christs Church so that this whole Realme may in perfect obedience vnto the Sea Apostolike serue God and your Maiesties to the furtherance of his honour and glorie The king and Queene deliuered it vnto the Cardinall who perceauing the effect thereof to answere his expectation hee receiued it most gladly and after he had thanked Almighty God for the prosperous successe of his comming from Rome by the Popes authoritie he gaue them full absolution Then they went to the Chappell sung te Deum with great ioy of the reconciliation the report of this was sent to Rome with great speed as well by the King and Cardinals Letters which thou maist see in the Booke of Martyrs Wherevpon the Pope caused Processions to bee made with great ioy for the conuersion of England and praising the Cardinals deligence and the deuotion of the King and Queene on Christmas Euen by his Bulles hee set forth a generall pardon to all such as did truely reioyce for the same The Sonday following the second of December Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor preached at Paules Crosse Upon the third to the Romans It is time that we should awake out of sleepe for our saluation is neerer then when we beleeued First he shewed how the saying of Saint Paul was verified vpon the Gentils which had long time slept in ignorance therefore to stir vp their dulnes he desired them to wake out of sleepe then hee compared our time to theirs As the sacraments of Christ did declare Christ to come our Sacraments declare that he is come now that hee is come the Iewes sacrifices bee done away aâ—d ours only remaine they had him as a signe but we haue his very body in our Sacrament wherefore it is time that we now also awake who haue slept rather dreamed this twenty yeares as shall bee declared by the properties of sléepe or dreame As we going to sléepe separate our selues from company so we haue separated our selues from the Sea of Rome no Realme in Christendome like vs and as Shepheards dreame sometimes of killing mayning or drowning and sometimes of beastlinesse so we haue not onely dreamed of beastlinesse but also done it and as in sléepe all ones senses is stopped that hee cannot see not smell nor heare so the Ceremonies of the Church being to mooue our senses are taken away whereby our senses are stopped and further when a man would sleepe he wil put out the Candle least it wake him So lately all such Writers as did hold with the Apostolike Sea are forbidden to be read and Images which were Lay mens Books were cast downe and burned Wee haue beene this twenty yeares without a head for when King Henry first tooke vpon him the head of the Church it was then no Church at all After whom King Edward could not be head but was onely a shaddow of a head and in our Queenes time we had no head for she alone could not be head and her two Arch-bishoppes were both conuicted of one crime and deposed in Henry the eights time when the tumult was in the North the King would haue giuen the supremasie againe to the Pope but the houre was not then come least it had beene said he did it for feare After Master Kneuet and I were sent Ambassadors to the Emperor to be a means to reconcile the King to the Pope but the time was not come for it might be said it was done for policy the matter was likewise moued in the beginning of King Edwards raigne hut the time was not yet come for it might haue been said the King was bought sold in his infancy neither was the houre come in the beginning of the Queens raign for it would haue bin said it was done in weaknes and if it had been done when the King first came it might haue been said it had beene done by violence but now hora est when nothing can be obiected but that it is the prouidence of God Now Pope Iulius the hath sent vnto vs this most reuerend Father the Cardinall not to reuenge iniuries done but to giue his benediction to those which defamed and perscâ—uted him And that they may be the meeter to receiue it let vs acknowledge our selues ofâ—enders against his Holinesse I doe not exclude my selfe of the number I will wéepe with them that wéepe and reioyce with them that reioyce The King and Quéenes Maiesties haue restored the Pope to his supremacy and the thrée Estates of Parliament haue also submitted themselues to his Holinesse and his successors for euer therefore let vs no longer stay And as S. Paul saith to the Corinthians He was their Father so may the Pope say he is â—ur Father for we receiued our doctrine first from Rome therefore he may challenge vs as his owne he hath preuented vs before we sought him he hath sent one of our Brethren to speake vnto vs not as vnto strangers and now let vs awake which so long haue slept and in our sléep don so much naughtinesse against the Sacraments and pulling downe the Altars which thing Luther would not do but reproued them which did In his prayer he prayed for the Pope and Cardinals and for the soules departed liuing in paines of Purgatory Upon Newyeares day at night thirty Men and Women and one Maister Rose a Minister were taken in a house in Bow Church-yard at the Communion and committed to prison and Maister Rose was examined before Cranmer and committed vnto the Tower Néere Lancaster in Lankishire at Cockram the Church-wardens and Parishoners made bargaine with one for the framing of their Roode who made them one and set it vp in their Church but they misliked his workemanship and refused to pay him the matter was brought before the Mayor of Doucaster thâ—y shewed the Mayor that the Rood they had before was a welfauoured man and he promised to make vs such another but this is the worst fauored thing that euer was séene gaping and grinning that none of our Children dare looke on him and come néere him the Mayor concluded the poore man must bee paid for if it will not serue for a God put a paire of Hornes on his head and it will
that she should not be purified before she did suffer thinking she should be damned if she died vnpurified Master Bilney and Master Latimer told her that the law was made for the Iewes and not for vs and how women be as well in the fauour of God before purification as after And when they had brought her into a good way they shewed her the Kings pardon and let her goe Many moe like good matters were wrought by him but the more his vertues and good doings began to be knowne the more his aduersaries began to spurn against him One Doctor Redman of great authoritie in Cambridge séeing the boldnesse of Master Latimer in setting abroad the Gospell he wrote to him earnestly requiring him for charities sake not to stand so much in his owne conceit nor to preferre his singular iudgement in matters of religion and controuersies before so many learned men and the whole Catholike Church hauing neither the word of God nor the testimony of any authentike writer to make for you consider you are but a man therfore lying and vanity may quickly bleare your eyes which doth somtime transforme it selfe into an Angell of light suffer not the Church to take offence by the hardnes of your heart let not the vnitie of Christs coat without seame be torne asunder trust not in your owne wisdome To which he answered it is enough for me that Christs sheepe heare no mans voyce but Christs you haue no voyce of Christ against me for my part I haue a heart that is readie to hearken to any voyce of Christs that you can bring me so fare you well and trouble me not any more from the talking with the Lord my God At length M. Latimer was called before the Cardinall for heresie by the procurement of his aduersaries where he was content to subscribe to such articles as were propounded vnto him After he was appointed for one of them that laboured for the Kings supremacie and remaining at Court he preached often in London after at the sute of the Lord Cromwell he was benefâ—â—ed at West-Kingston in Wilshire where he was very diligent in teaching his diligence extended also to all the countrey round about but there also he could not escape without enemies It so chanced that hee preaching vpon the Uirgin Marie he proued that Christ was her Sauiour Certaine Popish Priests being therewith offended drew Articles against him concerning the matter of our Ladie of praying vnto Saints and of Purgatorie to which Articles he answered in effect as followeth 1 To reproue certaine Priests and beneficed men which giue so much to our Lady as though she had not bin saued by Christ which is the sauiour of her and of all that be or shall be saued I did reason that either she was a sinner or no sinner if a sinner then she was deliuered from sinne by Christ or if she were no sinner she was preserued from sinne by him so he was her Sauiour which way soeuer you take it 2 Images of Saints are called Saints to pray to these Saints is Idolatrie Saints in heauen doe of Charity pray for vs but we are not commanded to pray to them for Christ only is a holy Mediator for them and vs. 3 The scurfe must be taken away from pilgrimage before it be good to wit superstition Idolatrie false faith and trust in the Image debts must be paide restitutions made wife and children prouided for duety to our poore neighbours discharged and when it is at best beâ—fore it be vowed it néed not be done for God commandeth it not 4 I said the Aue maria was a greeting which the Angel brought from God to the Uirâ— in Marie but I said it was not a prayer as the Pater noster which our Sauior Christ made and bade vs say for a prayer not adding that we should say ten or twenty Aue Mariaes with it 5 The torment of hell is not a materiall fire no more then it is a materiall stinging of a worme or snake but a metaphor signifying the paine torment anguish griefe miserie sorrow and heauines inexplicable and intollerable whose nature and condition none can tell 6 That the soules that are not in hell are in as great ioy as soules can be and cannot be put from eternall ioy and suffer no paine of charitie they pray for vs and haue no need that we should pray for them and besides this there is no other Purgatorie I had rather be there then in the Bishop of Londons prison though they call the fire thereof neuer so hote yet if the Bishop with his two fingers can put away some of the fire and a Friers Cowle the fourth part thereof and Scala Coeli altogether I will neuer found Abbey Colledge or Chauntery for that purpose Prouision for Purgatorie hath brought thousands to hell debts haue not beene paide nor lands and goods euill gotten restored poore people are suffered to perish for want and all to builde religious houses to deliuer out of Purgatorie and to pay for Dirges Masses and ringing of Bells to carrie vs to hell withall who can purge pilgrimage from Idolatrie and Purgatorie from robberie but he shall be in suspition of heresie As for Pilgrimage you would wonder what iugling there is to get Money withall I dwell by the way and you would admire how they come by flockes out of the West Countrey to many Images but cheefâ—ly to the blood of Hayles and they beléeue verily it is the blood of Christs body shed vpon Mount Caluarie for our saluation and that the sight of it doth certifie them out of doubt that their sinnes are forgiuen and they are in state of saluation If you should common with them comming and going what faiths they haue you would wonder they cannot away with forgiuing their enemies and reconciling themselues vnto their Brethren for the sight of that blood doth quite them for the time they that did violently and miraculously plucke the blood out of Christs body by whipping and wounding him saw his blood and yet were not thereby in cléere life Christ doth suffer the Diuell to vse his craftie fashion for our probation it were very little thanke to beléeue well if nothing should mooue vs to beléeue superstitiously it was not in vaine when Christ had taught vs truly that he had vs beware of false Prophets These points following his Aduersaries preached y â— Christs blood is not sufficient without the blood of Martyrs Magdalene did not know Christ to be God before his Resurrection there can be now no Idolatry Rome cannot be destroyed the Pope is Lord of all the World whatsoeuer he doth is well done Pater noster is to be said vnto Saint Peter Pater noster is but a beggerly prayer Aue Maria is infinitly better there must be twentie Aue Mariaes for one Pater noster Aue Maria was before Pater noster and shall bee after it was not necessary that the scriptures should be written Christ
that he was commended by the Ambassadors to the king for his singular wisedome grauitie and learning that he wonne such great credit that he was alone sent Ambassador to the Emperour to debate this businesse but the Emperour refused to determine the matter but remitted the whole question to the Popes court after he was sent to Rome Ambassadour to the Pope where he behaued himselfe with â—o lesse diligence that he compelled the Popes chiefe diuines by arguments to grant the mariage to be against the law but yet by the dispensation of the Pope it might be made lawfull Warram Archbishop of Canterbury dying he was sent for by king Henrie and made Archbishop of Canterbury then came in the question of the Popes supremacy and all the weight of the businesse was chiefly laid vpon Cranmers shoulders he therefore alone receiued answered and confuted all the obiections of the Papists he proued that the Popes Lordship was not brought in by any authoritie of Scriptures but by ambitious tyranny and that the chiefest power on earth belonged to the Emperor to kings and Potentates to whom the Pope Cardinals Bishops Priests by Gods commandement were no lesse subiect then other men and therefore it were best by the consent of the king and other estates the ambitious Lordship of the Pope being driuen out of England should keepe it selfe within his owne Italy as a riuer is kept within his bankes which was performed by act of Parliament then by little and little he reformed the Church into a more wholesome discipline of Christ and laboured to banish the Popes errours heresies and corruptions and he obtained of the king that certaine learned men should make a booke of Ecclesiasticall institutions which was called the Bishops Booke then the abolishing of Monasteries began to be talked of the kings desire was that all the Abbey lands should come vnto his coffers the Archbishop and others would haue them imployed to other good vses whereby the king being bent against Cranmer especially by the instigation of Gardiner Bishop of Winchester which sought all occasions to hinder the Gospel he set forth the 6. Articles by full consent of Parliament which contained the summe of Popish religion What slaughter by the space of 8. yeares these Articles made is already declared but after he forgoing his anger with the Archbishop séeing he stood against him in conscience not in stubburnesse he began to fauour him and thought to haue taken away the 6. Articles and reformed other matters if he had liued but Cranmer and the Lord protector brought it to passe in king Edwards dayes his story how he was vsed in Quéene Maries reign is mentioned before and his disputations at Oxeford and how he was condemned there and left in prison vntill this time And because the sentence was voyde in law because it was giuen by persons excommunicated for they were not then absolued by the Pope nor his authoritie receiued in the realme therefore there was a new commission sent from the Pope for the conuiction of Cranmer Latimer and Ridley and the Bishop of Glocester was appointed the Popes delegate and after they had condemned Latimer and Ridley as before is said The said Legate and his company being set in Saint Maries Church apparelled in his Pontificalibus as if the Pope in person had bene there the Bishop of Canterbury was brought before them putting off his cappe he did obeysance to the king and quéenes proctors then looking in the Legats face he put on his bonnet againe making no obedience toward him wherefore the Bishop sayd vnto him that it might beséeme him well waying the authoritie which he did represent to doe his duety to him he answered hee had sworne neuer to admit the Pope into this Realme and therefore he would commit nothing by signe or token which might argue his consent to the reâ—eiuing of him and that he did it not to any contempt of his person Then the Legate made an eloquent oration to put him in remembrance that from a meane gentleman he was raised to bee a Princes Ambassadour and further to be Archbishop and Primate of the Realmealmost 30 yeares and sâ— farre in trust with the king that he made him president of his councel and after left him in speciall trust for the gouernement of the young Prince during his minoritie such blessing God had giuen him whilest he continued in the Catholicke faith He exhorted him on the other side to consider how he was now fallen from his dignities and officices and in high displeasure of the King and Quéene iudged to die for high treason and all these things to haue happened vnto him only because he had seuered himself from the Sea of Rome and was become a father of new deuised religion and although your estate is so miserable that the meanest in this assembly will not change his condition and calling with you yet further he was like to fall by the iust iudgement of God into hell and euerlasting damnation if he did not repent of his errours and schismes whilest he had time of repentance whereunto he exhorted him earnestly repeating many places of Christs mercies to them that repent and shewed that to returne to the Church was the oâ—ely way to saue both body and soule and I doubt not but the King and Quéene will perdon your condemnation of treason if you will returne vnto the Church and forsake your opinions which I desire you to do Then Cranmer desired license to speake which was gently granted him first he made protestation that hee did not answere to him as to a lawfull Iudge because he was deputed for the Pope but to giue a reason of his faith which God hath commanded him to doe to euery one that shall demand a reason thereof Then he said My Lord you haue learnedly put me in remembrance of many things touching my selfe which I will not answere I acknowledge Gods goodnesse vnto me and thanke him as heartily for this estate that now I am in as euer I did for the time of my prosperity shewing that his greatest griefe was to sée the Popes Iurisdiction restored to England againe Alas what hath the Pope to do in England whose lawes are so farre different from the Lawes of this realme that whosoeuer sweareth to both must néedes incurre periury in the one And I am heartily sorry to thinke that her grace the day before her Coronation tooke an oath to obserue the lawes of this realme and also tooke an oath to the Bishop of Rome promising to maintaine that Sea which was impossible but shee must néeds be forsworne in the one And as for the matter of Heresie wherewith you charge mee I call God to witnesse I know none which I maintaine but if it be heresie to deny the Popes authority and the religion which the sea of Rome hath published vnto the world these latter yeares then all the ancient Fathers of the primitiue Church the Apostles and Christ himselfe
that he stood alwayes in one place without mouing of his members with his eyes vpward he off repeated his vnworthy right hand saying Lord Iesus receiue my spirit and so gaue vp the Ghost Agnes Potten and another woman ONe was the wife of Robert Potten of Ipswich in Suffolke the other the wife of Michael Trouchfield of the same towne shoemaker they were burned at Ipswich the 16. of February for denying the sacrament of the Altar their constancy in burning was wonderfull they earnestly exhorted the people to credit and lay hold vpon the word of God and to dispise the institutions of the Romish route with all their superstitions and rotten religion Robert Spicer William Coberley Maundrel THese three were burned at one stake in Salisbury what their confessions were and by whom they were condemned it appeareth not Robert Draks Minister William Tims Ioyner Richard Spurge Fuller Iohn Cauell Weauer George Ambrose Fuller and Thomas Spurge Fuller THese sixe were burned at one fire in Smithfield the foure and twentieth day of Aprill they were all of Essex and sent at diuers times by the Lord Rich to Gardner who sent them to prison where they remained a yeare almost and then they were sent to Bonner to whom they all denied the reall presence in the Sacrament of the Altar after they were all sent for vnto the Consistorie first Tims was sent for and exhorted to conformity he answered we haue béene brought hither this day for Gods word which we haue beene taught by the Apostolike Preachers in King Edwards time whom you haue murthered because they preached the truth and they haue sealed their doctrine with their bloud whom I will follow Then Bonner perswaded them not to stand to the litterall sense of the Scriptures but to vse the interpretation of the Fathers Then Tims said what haue you to maintaine the reall presence of Christ in the Sacrament but only the bare letter We haue quoth Bonner the Catholike Church no said he the Popish Church of Rome for which you be periured and the Sea of Rome is the Sea of Antichrist therefore to that Church I will neuer consent I confesse Christ is present with his Sacraments but with your Sacrament of the Altar he is neither present corporally nor spiritually for as you vse it it is a detestable Idoll Then the Bishop séeing his constant boldnes condemned him Then Robert Draks was called and being exhorted to returne to the Church of Rome he said he vtterly defied it and all the workes thereof euen as I defie the diuell and all his workes then was he likewise condâ—mned Then Thomas Spurge was demaunded if he would returne to the Catholike Church and then he called the rest and vpon the like demands he receiued the like answers so they had all their iudgements and deliuered vnto the Sherife and after burned as before Iohn Hullier Minister HEe was burâ—ed at Cambridge vpon the second day of Aprill for the professing of Christs Gospell vnder Thurlby Bishop of Ely and his Chancellor only a Praâ—er and a Letter of his are recorded his Letter is to proue the Romish Church Antichrist and exhorteth from dissembling with God and the world in comming to masse Christopher Lister Minister Iohn Mace Iohn Spencer Simon Ioyne Richard Nicoll and Iohn Hamond THese six were burned together at Colchester in Essex where the most part of them did inhabite the eight and twentieth day of Aprill Bonner now waxing wearie made a very quicke dispatch with these for as soone as they were deliuered by the Earle of Oxford and other Commissioners vnto Iohn Kingstone the Bishops Register Bonner caused them to be brought vnto his house at Fulham where in the open Church he ministred vnto them articles to which they answered alike as followeth That the Church of Rome is the malignant Church and no part of the Cathotholike Church and that they beleeue not the doctrine thereof and that they beléeue there be no mo but two Sacraments in the Church of Christ to wit Baptisme and the Lords Supper that they learned the truth of their profession by the doctrine set forth in King Edwards time and therein they would continue as long as they liued they refused to be partakers of the Sacrament of the Altar because it was vsed contrary to Gods word and glorie they said the Popes authoritie was vsurped and that he was an oppressor of Christs Church and Gospell and that he ought not to haue any authoritie in England and that they vtterly abhorred the Sea of Rome for putting downe the booke of God and setting vp the Babylonicall Masse with all the rest of Antichrists merchandise and that after consecration there remaineth in the Sacrament Bread and Wine as well as before and that the reall flesh and bloud of Christ is not in it and that the Masse is not propitiatorie neither for the quick nor for the dead but méere Idolatry and abomination And in the afternoone when they would not recant they were condemned and burned as before Margaret Ellice Hugh Lauerock an old lame man and Iohn Apprice a blind man SHe was of great Bursteed in Essex and was sent to Bonner by Sir Iohn Mordant Knight and Edmund Tyrrell Esquire she died in Newgate the thirtéenth of May being condemned to be burned before Hugh Lauerocke an old lame man and Iohn Apprice a blinde man when they were examined answered in effect as Christopher Lister Iohn Mace and others before mentioned had done after they were brought to the Consistoriâ— and being perswaded to recant their opinions of the Sacrament Hugh Lauerock said I will stand to my answere I cannot finde in the Scriptures that the Priests should lift vp ouer their heads a cake of bread then Bonner asked Iohn Apprice what he would say he answered your doctrine that you set forth is so agreeable with the world and imbraced of the world that it cannot be agreeable with the Scriptures and ye are not of the Catholike Church for ye make lawes to kill men and make the Queene your executioner whereupon they were condemned and sent to Stratford the Bow and there burned the â—ifteenth of May at their deaths Hugh Lauerock comforting Iohn Apprice said be of good comfort my brother for my Lord of London is our good Physitian he will heale thée of thy blindnes and me of my lamenesse Katharine Hutte widdow Elizabeth Tharnell and Ioane Hornes IN the yeare 1556. these were burned in Smithfield were sent to Bonner with Margaret Ellice and the blinde and lame man for denying the reall presence in the Sacrament of the Altar and for calling the Masse an Idoll Katharine Hutte being required to recant and say her minde of the Sacrament said I denie it to be a God because it is a dumbe God and made with mens handes Ione Hornes said if you can make your God to shedde bloud or to shew any condition of a liuely body then will I beleeue you but it is
say his prayers in English and when he had said them in Latine he died Luke Kirbie William Filbie Thomas Cottom and Lawrence Richardson THese were executed at Tyburne vpon the thirtéenth day of May they were brought from the Tower of London vnto the place of execution first William Filbie was brought vp into the Cart being asked whether he would acknowledge the Quéen supreme head of the Church of England no quoth he I will acknowledge no other head of the Church then the Pope onely He prayed that God wold incline the Quéens heart to be mercifull towards the Catholikes of which societiâ— he was one They opening his bosome â—ound two crosses in it which were holden vp and shewed vnto the people and besides that his crown was shauen so after a few Latin prayers the Cart was drawne away The next was Luke Kirbie one charged him that when he was at Rome he deliuered him certaine silke pictures which he said were hallowed by the Pope and you told me what indulgences were allowed by thâ—mâ— one of them which was a Crucifix you gaue mee the other you willed mee to deliuer vnto your friends at Reimes and in England and you gaue me two Iulios to goe into the Citie to buy more and when I had bought them you tooke thrée or foure of the fairest from me promising to get them hallowed at the next benediction which he confessed to be true he affirmed that the Pope had power to depose any Prince from his Kingdome if he fall by infidelitie He would not repent and aske the Quéene pardon though vpon that condition he might haue bin discharged he would not pray in English the preacher desired him to say a prayer after him and if he could find any fault therein he should be resolued O quoth he you and I be not of one faith therefore I should offend God if I should pray with you so saying his Pater noster in Latin he ended his life Then Lawrence Richardson was brought vp to be executed he confessed himselfe a Catholike and that he would beléeue in all things as the Catholike Church of Rome did and he allowed the only supremaâ—ie vnto the Pope and after certain Latin prayers said he died Then was Cottom brought vp he looking vpon the bodie of Lawrence Richardson lift vp his eyes and hands and said O blessed Lawrence pray for me thy blessed soule Lawrence pray for me The Preachers and people rebuked him saying that he ought to pray vnto none but God he answered he was assured that Lawrence will pray for him he denied to repent and aske pardon of the Quéen When he had said his Pater noster and an Aue Maria he ended his life As before is declared the rebellions in England by the seducing of wicked spirits so not long after followed an open rebellion in Ireland they tooke armes and came into the field against her Maiesâ—ie and her Lieutenants with their forces vnder banners displayed inducing many simple people to follow them in their trayterous actions being bent to haue deposed the Quéens Maiestie from her crowne and to haue trayterously set into her place some other whom they liked yet by Gods power giuen vnto her Maiesty they were quickly vanquished some few of them suffered by order of the law but the greateâ—t part vpon confession of their faâ—lts were pardoned some of the principall escaped into forreine countries These notable Traytors and Rebels informed many Kings Princes and States especially the Pope from whom they all had first secretly their comfort to rebell that the cause of the flying was for the religion of Rome and maintenance of the Popes authoritie whereas the most of them before they rebellâ—d liued notoriously euill out of England fled Charles Neuill Earle of Westmerland who was vtterly wasted by loosenes of life and how afterward his body was eaten with vlcers of lewd causes all his companions did see Out of Ireland ran Thomas Stukely a defamed person thorough out all Christendome he fled out of England for Pâ—racies and out of Ireland for treason these two were the first ring-leaders to the rest of the rebells the one for England the other for Ireland yet it liked the Pope to fauour their treasons and to animate them to continue their wicked purposes to wit to inuade Queen Elizabeths Realme with forren forces hee thundred out Bâ—lls excommunications other publike writings denouncing her not to be the Queene of the Realme commanding her subiects vnder paine of excommunication to depart from their alleageanâ—es authorizing and prouoking all persons within both her realmes to rebell and vpon this vnâ—hristian warrant all those that were fled and such as had forsaken their natiue countrey haue many yeares runne vp and downe from countrey to countrey to gather forces and money for forces and to 〈◊〉 Princes to make warre vpon their natiue countrey some practising secretly to murther the Quéene and very many with publike infamous Libels full of poysoned lyes did séeke to vphold that Antichristian warrant of the Popes Buls And for better furtherance of these intentions they deuised to erect certaine schooles which they called Seminaries to nourish persons disposed to sedition that they might become séedmen in the â—illagâ— of sedition and to send them secretly into England and Ireland vnder secret maskes some of priesthood some of other inferior orders of the meaner sort being called Seminaries and the â—ancor sort Iesâ—ites bringing with them hallowed Wax their Agnus Dei many kind of beades and such like labouring secretly to perswade the people to allow of the popes foresaid Buls and of his absolute authoritie ouer all Princes Countreyes And if this trayterous and crafty course had not by Gods goodnes been espied and stayed there had followed horrible vprores in the Realmes for as many as should be perswaded to obey the Popes warrant must needs bâ—e secret traytors there should haue wanted nothing but power and opportâ—nitie to be open traytors but God of his gooâ—nes discouered some of these seditious seedmen of rebellions and when they could not be moued to repent of their trayterous determinations they were iustly condemned for adhering vnto the capitall enemy of her Maiestie and her crowne The Pope who hath not only been the cause of two rebellions already in England and Ireland but in Ireland did manifestly maintaine his owne people Captaines and souldiers vnder the banner of Rome against her Maiestie And further those Traytors prouoke newly other seditious persons secrâ—tâ—y to enter into the Realme to reuiue the execution of the Popes Bulles pretending when they are apprehended that they came into the Realme onely by the commaundement of their Superiors the heads of the Ieâ—uits to whom they are bound by Ooth against either King or Country and that their comming is to informe and reforme mens conscience from errors in some points of Religion as they shall thinke meete but it is manifestly prooued that their labour is secretly to win
more painefull manner then I which fell out accordingly for Laurence hauing distributed the goods of the poore by the charge of the bishop the Emperour hearing thereof commaunded him to render the Treasure to him but after thrée daies respite in sleede thereof hee presented vnto him a sort of poore Christians as the Treasure of the Church whereupon hee commaunded Laurence to bee broyled on a gridyron where after hee had suffered a great space hee said this side is rosted enough turne vp Tyrant try whether rosted or raw be bettermeate A Souldier of Rome was conuerted to the Faith by the constant proâ—â—â—â—ion of this Laurence and desired to be baptized of him but the Iudge called him and scourged and be headed him At this time suffered Dionisius Bishop of Alexandria he was banished and scourged then remoued to a more strait place one Gaius one Petrus and one Paulus were afflicted with him notwithstanding Maximus Dioscorus Demetrius and Lucius visited the brethren also Eusebius suffered affliction for the truth who after was Bishop of â—aodicia Faustus long after being an oldman was beheaded but Dionisius suruiued all these troubles and in great age departed in peace after he had gouerned the Church of Alexandria 17. yeares and taught Schoole there 16. yeares and Maximus succeeded him In the same time Priscus Marcus and Alexander who stepyed to the Iudge and declared themselues Christians with a woman were giuen to wilde beasts In Carthage were 300. martyred in a Lime kill for refusing because they would not Sacrifice to lupiter Maxima Donatilla and Secunda three Uirgins after cruell torments were giuen to beasts which refused to touch them then they were beheaded also one Pontius after diuerse torments was giuen to beasts who refusing to touch him he was burned at which time Claudius his Iudge with Anabius his assistant were taken with wicked Spirits and bit off their owne tongues and died The same time Zeno Bishop of Uerona was Martyred one Phillippus President of Alexandria came downe with his Wife two Sons and his Daughter Eugenia she with two Eâ—nuches Prothus and Hiacintus were conuerted to Christianitie she put on the apparell of a man to aâ—â—ide trouble and to heare Helenus Bishop and named herselfe Eugenius Malena a Marton of Alexandria fell in louâ— with her end séeing that by no meanes she could obtaine her sute she made an outcry saying that Eugenius went about to deâ—lowre her and accused her to Phillippus so shee was forced to manifest her selfe to her Father after she wonne him and other of her kindred to the Faith her Father was after Martyred after shee returned to Rome with her Eunuches and conuerted Basilla who was beheaded after sundry torments In the sixt yeare of Valerianus Victor and Victorinus with Claudianus and Bossa his wife after thrée yeares imprisonment and diuerse torments were put to death Fructuosus Bishop of Tarraconia with his two Deacons Augurius and Eulogius at their execution their hands bound behinde them vnloosed and the fire flewe from them vntill they had prayed at which time a certaine Souldier did sée the Heauens open and the Martyres entred in which sight he shewed to the Daughter of Emilianus the President This Emperour Valerianus after he had raigned with his Sonne about sixe yeares and afflicted the Christians two yeares was taken of Sapres King of the Persians who made him alwaies his footstoole to get vppon his horse till hee dyed At the same time amongst the Romaines there happenned 30. Earthquakes together whereupon the Persecution was moderated yet some â—uffered as Marinus a Noble-man he was accused to be a Christian of him that should succeede him the Iudge gaue him three dayes to aduise himselfe but being incouraged by Theodiâ—tus Bishop of Cesaria hee presented himselfe to the Iudge by whose Sentence he was beheaded Galienus succeeded Valerianus and Claudius succeeded him Vincentius maketh mention of 262. Martyres that suffered vnder him Quintilianus succeeded him after Aurelianus vnder whom was moued the ninth Persecution ¶ The ninth Persecution AS Aurelianus was subscribing the Edict against Christians he was terrified with â—â—ghtning and about the 6. yeare of his raigne was slaine yet Vincentius and Orosius reckon vp a great number of Martyres which suffered vnder him in Fraunce and Italy Publius Annins Tacitus succeeded Aurelianus and raigned 6. moneths his brother Florianus succéeded him 60. daies Marcus Aurelius succéeded him surnamed Probus he moued no Persecution after he had raigned 6 yeares 4. Moneths because by reason of Peace he had no worke for his Souldiers therefore he was slaine Carus with his two Sonnes Carinus and Numerianus succéeded him 3. yeares Numerianus kilâ—â— Cerillus for not suffering him to enter into the congregation of the Christians he being their Bishop he was slaine of his Father Dioclesian succeeded vntill the 19. yeare of his raigne the Church was quiet which quietâ—â—sse had indured 44. yeares the Church grew mightily and the chiefe of them in fauour with the Emperour were Derotheus and Gorgotheus and diuerse moe The Church began to were wanton with Peace and to build large Churches but their desolutenes broght on them the tenth persecution ¶ The tenth Persecution VVHilst Dioclesian abstained from Persecuting he obtained diuerse victories and being proud thereof he would be worshipped as a God calling himselfe brother of the Sunne and Moone inioyned the people to kisse his feete and in the 19. yeare of his raigne he moued Persecution he commaunded the Churches of Christians to be destroyed and the Scriptures to be burned put Christians from Magistracie and constrained them with torments to offer to Idols After the Proclamation of the Edict a Noble-man a Christian openly rent it in pieces for which act he was put to most bitter death Dioclesian began with his Campe willed the Christians to lay away their weapons and giue ouer their charges which they did willingly At Tyre there were Christians giuen to cruell beasts preserued miraculâ—usly though they were kept hungry of purpose they raged against those that brought the Christians and deuoured them they could catch therefore they were beheaded and cast into the Sea At that time was Martyred the Bishop of Sidon but Siluanus Bishop of Gazenâ—â—s with 39. others were slaine in the Mettie-mines thon Pamphilius an Elder and the glory of the Church of Cesaria whom Eusebius writeth of was Martyred All the Bishops and Teachers in Syria were imprisoned Tyrannion throwne to fishes Arnobius a Physition slaine with brickbats some drowned themselues rather then they would worship Idols Siluanus Bishop of Emissa with others were throwne to wilde beasts In Mesopotamia the Christians were hanged by the feete and choked with smoke in Cappadocia their legs were broken in Cilicia Taragus Probus and Andronious Martyred the Persecution was so outragious that they refrained not from the slaughter of the Emperours children the chiefest Princes of his Court amongst whom was one Peter of the Houshold whom the King did loue as his owne
childe after cruell torments he was whipped to the bones powdered with salt and vineger and â—ofled with a fire Dorotheus and Gorgonius séeing it reproued the Emperour and confessed they were Christians wherefore though they were in great authoritie they were almost tormented as he and strangled Anthonius Bishop of Nicomedia and Lucianus and a great company of â—artyrs were beheaded Dioclesian beheaded his owne wife Serena Elampia Agapen Irenea Cronia and Anastachia were burned 2000. Christians were burned in one Temple In Arabia many Martyres were slaine with â—xes Iâ— Phrigia a whole Citie of Christians compassed set on fire and burned In Melitina the Bishop and Elders were cast into prison A Sheriffe in doing execution vpon the Christians was conuerted and confessed himselfe a Christian and after diuerse strange torments was burned Eugenius Auxentius Marderius were Martyred In Egypt Pelus and Nilus Bishops were Martyred the rage was great in Alexandria the Bishop thereof and Elders Faustus Didius Ammonius Phildas Hefichius and Theodorus with many other were Martyred 6660. Souldiers being Christians vnder the Christian Captaine Mauritius lying at 〈◊〉 in Egypt refusing to worship Images died altogether constant in the Faith Ascla Phremon Apolinius with diuerse Christians were martyred at Anteno in Scilia were 79. put to death in Calcedon Euphenea was martired in Rome Iohn Crispus Priests at Babemâ— Agricola and Vitalis at Aquilia the Emperour commaunded 〈◊〉 man to kil the Christians where Felices and Fortunatus was killed Victor suffered at 〈…〉 Beluaâ—ns Lucian suffered In Spaine was great persecution as at Emerita Eulalia Adula Vincensia Sabina and Christiana suffered Leucadia virgin Augusta and 18. besides were martyred Where was such Persecution at â—reâ—â—rs by the riuer Mosella that â—he blood of Christians 〈◊〉 like a little Brooke and coloured by Riuer Horsâ—men 〈…〉 to kill the Christians Agripina and Augusta were 〈…〉 In 〈◊〉 all the Christians were destroyed no tongue 〈…〉 the deathe and 〈◊〉 that this Tyrant vsed hanging them by one hand 〈…〉 them and 〈…〉 but not to death but euery day Eusebius saith he saw the the 〈◊〉 of the pesecutors blunt with often slaughter themselues for wearinesse sit downe and 〈◊〉 but the Martyres nothing 〈◊〉 were patient for Chrâ—sts sake Miletus Bishop of 〈◊〉 gaue backe wherefore Peter Bishop of 〈…〉 so did Marcellus Bishop of Rome whâ—refore he was 〈…〉 and was Martyard In 30. dayes were 〈◊〉 17000 Martyres besides many that 〈…〉 There were Mariyâ—â—d at Alexandria 300. 〈…〉 120. more Martyres This Persecution endured vntill about the 7. yeare of Constantius at length being out of hope to exâ—inguish them the slaughter ceased yet they 〈◊〉 many and put 360. Regmus 〈◊〉 the eyes of 〈◊〉 and condemned many to the 〈◊〉 After Dioclesian and Maximiâ—anus had raigned about 〈◊〉 yeares thâ—yâ—â—â— vp the Empier and the Empire remained with Constantius and Galâ—â—ius Maxeminus Maxeminus presecuted the Persecution about 7. yeares vntâ— the years 318. but Constantius â—ather â—auoured the Christians â—and to try 〈◊〉 Courâ—iers he â—eigned in Sacrifice to 〈◊〉 and commaunced his Houshold so to dâ—e and finding a number that constantly refused â—e cherished them and 〈◊〉 them to great places and refused the backâ—â—ders Maximinus vsed great cruceltie in the East Churches 〈◊〉 God stayed his rage by sending him 〈◊〉 a bothe as puâ—â—â—fied his â—â—trals from whence came inumerable multitudes whereupon he published Edicts of Peace to the Christians and desired them to pray for him but 6. monethes after he set out conâ—rary of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 them to be◠〈…〉 so Persecution rose againe as great as before Siluanus Lucianus Petrus Bishop Querinus Bishop Marcellus Tâ—mothe Victorianus Symphocrianus Castorius Castâ—us Cesarius Meâ—â—â—ous Nobilis Dorotheus Gorgamus Petâ—us vnto inumerable Martyris Iuliana Cosmus Damanus Basileus with â—eauen others Dorathca Theophilus Theodosia Vitaâ— is Agricola â—â—cha Philemon Hireneus Januarius Festus Diâ—iderius Grigorius Spolitanus Agapâ—â—s Croâ—ia Hirenea â—â—heodora with 270. others Florianus Prinius Feliciaâ—â—â— Vitus Modestus Crescentia Aâ—binus Rogatianus Donatianus 〈◊〉 Catharina Margareta Lucia 〈◊〉 Aâ—theus the King with 3700. Simplicius Faustâ—â—â—s Beatrix Panthaleon Grigorâ—ns Iustus Leocandia Anthonia with infirâ—â— Felix Victor with his parents Lucia widdowe Germinianus with 79. others Anastacia Câ—â—â—ogonus Felix Audactus Adrianus Nathalia Agnes of 13. yeares olde these 〈◊〉 many other were then Martyred The Emperour in his Edict declared what plently they enioyed when they adored their 〈◊〉 As 〈◊〉 as that Persecution began there was a miserable Fâ—mine aâ—d Pestilence wherein the Christians to their power reâ—â—ued the Gentiles whereby grewe some yeare 〈…〉 a Christian woman whose husband they had killed to satisfie the filthy desire of the Emperour shee killed her selfe rather then she would so doe He banished a Noble woman of Rome because she gaue her goods to the Church The people of Rome wearied with the vilâ—any of Maxentius â—â—quired aydâ— Constantine he gathered an Armie in Fraunce and Britaâ—ne and being in 〈◊〉 looking vp to Heauen about the going downe of the Sunne he sawe a brightnesse like acrosse with Starres of equall bignesse with this inscription In hoc vince Eusebius Pamphilus reporteth he heard Constaâ—tine often affirme it In the 〈…〉 Christ appeared vnto him with the signe of the same Crosse bâ—â—ding â—im make the figure thereof and carry it before him in his warres and he should hauâ— vâ—ctory whereupon he 〈◊〉 towards Maxâ—ntius who not being able to sustaine Constantines â—orce and 〈◊〉 â—o the Câ—tie was ouerthrowne of his horse in the floud and â—â—owned and so ended thâ— last Persecution he gaue liâ—ertie by Proclâ—mation to Christians â—o prolesse their Religion Diâ—clesian heaâ—ing herâ—of dyed for sorrâ—w some say he poysoned 〈…〉 Licinius first â—oyned with Constanâ—â—ne and â—onquâ—red Maximinus a great 〈◊〉 in the West who killed his Charmâ—rs that 〈◊〉 him â—o warre and 〈…〉 with a disease he glorified the God of the Christians and made a Lawe for their 〈◊〉 Licinius called Learning the poyson of the common wealth and said it was a 〈◊〉 for a Prince to be learned he said the Christians prayed for Constantâ—â—◠〈◊〉 and not for him therefore he persecuted them first in his owne Court them in the 〈◊〉 he rased many Churches to the ground he hanged Theodorus on a Crosse thrâ—st nayles into his aâ—me pits then strucke off his head He put to death Basilius Bishop Niclâ—olaus Bishop Grigâ—râ—us of Armenia the great Paul of 〈◊〉 whose â—ands were 〈◊〉 off â—ith a â—earing Iron in Sebastâ—a he drowned 40. Souldiers in a horse Pond the wiues of these 40. with Ammones a Deacon after inumerable torments were slaâ—â—e with thâ— sword Diuerse bâ—tâ—els were sought betwéene Licinius and Constantine first in Hungary where he was ouâ—r throwne in Macedonia where he fled and â—epâ—yred his Armâ—â— and being vanquished by Sea and Land he yeelded to Costantine and was commâ—â—â—â—dâ—â— liue a priuate life but he was killed by the Souldiers in the yeare 324. Constantius â—he father of Constantine dyed in the
al people with whom they dare deale so to allow the Popes Buls and Authority and be discharged of their Allegeance and to be well warranted to take armes against her Maiesty when they shall bee thereunto called and to be ready secretly to ioyne with any Forraine force that can be procured to inuade the Realme whereof they giue great comfort of successe And because most euident perils would follow if these virmine were suffered to creepe by stealth into the Realme and spread their poyson therein therefore doe they most iustly sufâ—er death as Traitors One of their compaine Doctor Sanâ—ders a lewd Scholler and subiect of England a fugitiue a principall conspirator with the traytors and rebells at Rome was the Popes Legat and commander and treasorer for those warres aforesaid passing into Ireland openly by writing he gloriously auowed the Popes Bull as is before declared but God plagued him with a strange death who wandring in the monâ—ntaines in Ireland without succour died rauing in a frensie The miserable Earle of Desmond being a principall doer in the rebellion in Ireland secretly wandring without succour as a miserable beggar was taken by one of the Irishrie in his Cabbin and his head cut off from his body an eâ—d due to such an arch-rebell Iames Fitz Morrice the first traytor in Ireland next vnto Stukeley was slaine by an Irish yong Gentleman as he went to burne his fathers countrey Desmount brother vnto the Earle a blondie faithlesse traytor and a notable murtherer of his familier friends who likewise wandring to séeke some prey like a Welâ—e in the woods he was taken and beheaded as he had vsed others being as he thought sufficiently armed with the Popes Bulls and an Agnus Dei and a notable ring hanging about his neck sent from the Popes â—â—â—ger Iohn Someruile a furious yong man of Warwick shire of late he was discouered and taken in his way comming with a full intent to haue killed the Quéen he confessed his attempt and that he was moued thereunto in his wicked spirit by inticements of certaine seditious and trayterous persons his kinsemen and allies and by often reading of sundry seditious vile bookes lately published against the Quéenes Maiestie William Parry his treasons against Queene ELIZABETH HEe had committed a great outrage against a Gentlemâ—n one M. Hare of the Inner Temple meaning to haue murdered him in his owne chamber for which he was iustly conuicted wherefore he went beyond Sea and subiected himselfe vnto the Pope and vpon conference with certaine Iesuits he conceiued his detestable treason to kill the Quéene which he vowed himselfe by promise letters and vowes to performe it and so returned vnto England in Ianuary 1583. and put in practise diuers times to execute his diuellish purpose Pretending that he had matter of great importance to reueale vnto the Quéen he obtained secret accesse vnto her Maiestie she hauing then but one Councellor with her who was so farre distant as he could not heare his spéech he shewed her Maiestie his procéedings with the â—esuits and one Thomas Morgan a fugitiue at Parris who perswaded him to kill her Maiestie saying that his only intent of procéeding so farre with â—hem was but only to this end to discouer the dangerous practises deuised and attempted against her Maiestie by her diâ—loyal subiects and other malicious persons in forren parts but afterward it appeared most manifestly by his owne confession and by his dealing with one Edmund Neuill Esquire that his intent in discouering the same in such sort as he did was but to make the way the easier vnto his most diuellish purpose The Quéen suffred him diuers times to haue priuate conference with her â— offered him a most liberal pension yet notwithstanding he did vehemently importunat the said Neuill to be an associate vnto his wicked enterprise as to an action lawfull and meritorious but the Almighty God that was protector of her Maiesty euen from her cradle so wrought in Neuils heart as he was moued to reueale the same vnto her Maiesty whereupon the examination of the matter was committed vnto the Earle of Leicester and Sir Christopher Hatton vpon the examination whereof when Parrie saw the said Neuill so to declare the truth and so constantly affirme the same he confessed all saying that comming vnto the chamber of Thomas Morgan aforesaid one greatly beloued and trusted in the Papists side he broke with me that I should vndertake to kill the Quéen I told him it would be easily done if it were lawfully done and warranted in the opinion of som learned Deuines then I was resolued by Deuines and I went so farre by Letters and conferences in Italie that I could not goe backe but promised faithfully to performe the enterprise if his holinesse would allow it and grant me remission of my sinnes then I confessed my selfe vnto a Iesuite and tooke his aduice in the matter who most louingly imbraced and commended me then I wrote a Letter vnto the Pope to require of him absolution of my sinnes in consideration of so great an enterprise vndertaken without promise or reward then I went vnto the Popes Nuntio and read the letter vnto him and inclosed and sealed it he promised me to procure answer from the Pope and louingly imbraced me wished me good spéede and promised me that I should be remembred at the Altar Then he said he comming to England hee got accesse vnto the Quéene as before then came Letters into England vnto me from Cardinall Como whereby I found the enterprise commended and allowed and my selfe absolued in the Popes name of all my sinnes and willed to go forward in the name of God That Letter I shewed vnto some in Court who imparted it to the Quéene notwithstanding it confirmed my resolution to kill her and made it cleere in my conscience that it was lawfull and meritorious When I looked vpon her Maiestie and remembred her many excellencies I was greatly troubled yet I saw no remedie for my vowes were in heauen and my letters and promises in earth after Doctor Collens book was sent me out of France it redoubled my former conceits euery word in it was a warrant to a prepared minde it taught that Kings may he excommunicated depriued and violently handled it proueth that all wars ciuill or forren vndertaken for religion are honourable whereupon hee was condemned of treason and drawne vpon a Hurdle from the Tower vnto the Pallace of Westminster where he was executed Francis Throgmorton HIs confession was to this effect When I was at Spaw in the Countrey of Liege I entred into conference with one Ienney a notorious traytor touching the altering of the State of the Realme here and how the same might be attempted by forreign inuasion and to the like effect I had sundry conferences with Sir Francis Englefield in the Low Countries who daily solicited the K. of Spaine to inuade the Realme and I continued practising against her Maiestie and the State by