causes are pleaded in iudgement before an Ecclesiasticall iudge Lay matters brought into the spirituall court for money either for rauishyng of virgins or for children vnlawfully borne out of wedlocke or for seruants wages or any other matters touching widowes the Ecclesiasticall iudges being called vpon by the superiors of the laitie which do contend they will neyther deferre that iudgement or by any meanes wil be intreated to remit them to theyr ordinarie iurisdiction The gaine that riseth to the Clergie by false sclaunders and rumours Scoulding matters brought to the spiritual court for gayne and lucre IT happeneth oftentimes that men and women through sinister and false reports sclanders are brought before the Official or Ecclesiasticall iudge as men gilty and shall not be declared innocēt before they haue cleared thēselues by an othe Whych purgation so made they are restored again to their former estimation And albeit that the damages costes ought to be repaide againe vnto such as be so falsly accused yet notwithstāding the innocents thēselues are forced to pay two gildernes and a quarter for their letters of absolution And this is the cause why that the Officials other Ecclesiastical iudges do so greedely folowe the action of such vnlawful false slanderous accusatiōs chalenging the hearinge thereof onelye vnto them selues which thyng no doubt redoundeth to the great and most singular hurt and detriment of all men For oftentimes it happeneth that women falling together in cōtention thorowe anger hatred or some other affection do speake euill or slaunder one an other and outrage somuch that the one oftentimes accuseth the other either of adoultry or witchery Which thinge being brought before the Officiall shee which throughe her anger had so slaundered the other is forced by an othe to excuse and purge her selfe that whatsoeuer iniurious or slanderous word she had spoken came not of any deliberate purpose or intent but through wrath and displeasure In like maner the other whiche is accused either of adoultrie or sorcerie is commaunded by an othe to declare her innocencie that shee is not guiltie of those factes so that it is euident vnto all men that in such cases whether they be guiltie or not guiltie they must sweare if they will keepe theyr good name and fame Whereby not onely the vnlawfull luker of gaine and money is soughte but also wilful periurie forced and the seculare power and iudges letted from the punishment therof so that contrary to all reason offences do remaine vnpunished Complaint against spirituall iudges taking Seculare causes from the Ciuile Magistrate ALl be it there be many causes so indifferent to both iurisdictions The wrasting of temporall causes vnto the spirituall court for gayne of money that they may be pleaded and punished as wel by the ciuill Magistrate as ecclesiasticall iudge notw tstanding it happeneth oftentimes that when as the ciuill Magistrates would exercise their office and iurisdiction in this behalfe they are forbidden and letted by the Ecclesiastical iudges vnder paine of excōmunication Which thing if it should long continue and be suffred the Ecclesiasticall iudges would shortly take away all maner of causes from the ciuil Magistrate his iurisdiction which is vntolerable and derogatorie both vnto the Emperors maiesty and other states of the Empire And albeit that by the common lawes manifest periuries adulteries withcrafts and such other like may indifferently be punished by Ecclesiastical or ciuil iudges for the time being so that preuention in this behalfe taketh place notw tstanding the Ecclesiasticall iudges goe about to vsurpe vnto themselues and theyr iurisdiction all suche maner of causes which burthen and greuance the ciuill iurisdiction and power ought not to suffer A complaint against Ecclesiastical iudges intermedling with cases of the secular Court but will not suffer their cases once to be touched of the other MOreouer the Ecclesiasticall iudges saye The clergy may deale in ciuill causes but the ciuill magistrate must not deale in theirs that in suche case it is lawful for them to take prophane matters in to their hands if the ciuil magistrate be found negligent in executing of iustice but contrariwise they will not suffer y t the like order shoulde be kept with them neither will they permit that in Ecclesiasticall matters any man may complaine vnto the ciuil Magistrate for lack of iustice and require the administration of iustice at his hand Albeit they do define all lawes generally common determine howe the Canon lawes may help and assist the ciuil and contrariwise the ciuil lawes the Canon Complaint against certaine misorders of the Cathedral Churches for vsing double punishment for one offence against the lawe FOrsomuch as it is forbidden both by gods law mans Certaine orders of Cathedrall churches reproueable y t no man shuld be beaten with 2. rods that is to say be punished with 2. kinds of torments worthely therefore do all wise men detest abhorre the odious statutes of diuers cathedral churches wherby murtherers both men women other as wel light as greuous offenders haue ben hetherto vexed tormented for hetherto it hath bene accustomed y t such as wer gilty of murther such other crimes which they cal cases reserued vnto the bishops after they had made their auricular confession were cōpelled to their great ignominy shame to do penaunce in the sight of all the people which penāce were not so much to be disalowed hearing some semblance of the institution of the primatiue churche if so be it these busie officials being contente therew t wold not extort more and greater summes of money then were right and lawful and so punish those offenders with double punishment wherew tall it is to be marueiled how many be offended and greeued Howe wicked a thynge thys is and howe farre it differeth from Christes instititution we will referre it to euery good conscience to iudge Complaint of Officials for mainteining vnlawfull vsuries Officials taking pensions of priestes for keeping concubines FUrthermore the Officials being allured thoroughe the greedy and vnsatiable desire of money do not only not forbid vnlawful vsuries and gaines of mony but also suffer and maintaine the same Moreouer they taking a yerely stipend and pension do suffer the Clergy and other religious persons vnlawfully to dwel with their concubines and harlots and to beget children by them Bothe whych things howe great pearil offence and detriment they doe bring bothe vnto body and soule euery man may plainely see so that it neede not to be rehearsed except he wil make himselfe as blinde as a mole Complaint of Officials permitting vnlawfull cohabitation with other when the husband or wife are long absent FUurthermore where it so happeneth as it doeth oftentymes that either the good manne or the good wife by meanes of warre or some other vowe hath taken in hande some long iourney and so tarieth longer then serueth the appetite of the other the Officiall
of Peter the one in his first Epistle the other in the latter and so be you contented with this present answer rashed vp in haste Fare ye hartily wel And comfort my William the good aged father by the grace of God which is in you Commende me to Iohn Eggenberge From Zuricke the 1. day of September An. 1527. FRom the first beginning of this whole booke and historie hitherto good reader thou hast hearde of many and sundry troubles much businesse in the church of Christe concerning the reformation of diuers abuses and great errors crept into the same namely in the Churche of Rome as appeareth by the doings of them in diuers and sundry places wherof mention hath bene made heretofore in this said historie For what godly man hath there bene wythin the space of these 500. yeares The corruption of the Sea of Rome continually cryed out against either vertuously disposed or excellently learned which hath not disprooued the misordred doings and corrupt examples of the See and Bishop of Rome from time to time vnto the cōming of this Luther Wherin this appeareth to me may also appeare no lesse to al godly disposed mē to be noted not without great admiration that seeing this foresaid Romish Bishop hath had great ennemies and gainsaiers continually from time to time both speaking working preaching and wryting against him yet notwithstanding neuer any could preuail before the comming of this man The cause whereof although it be secretely knowen vnto God and vnknowen vnto men yet so farre as men by cōiectures may suppose it may thus not vnlikely be thought That whereas other men before him speaking against the pomp pride whoredom and auarice of the Bishop of Rome charged him only or most specially with examples and maners of life Luther went further with hym charging him not wyth life but with his learning not with doings but with his doctrine not picking at the rine but plucking vp the roote not seeking the man but shaking his seate yea charging him with plaine heresie The Pope charged with heresie by Luther as preiudicial and resisting plainly against the bloud of Christ cōtrary to the true sense and direct vnderstanding of the sacred testament of Gods holy woord For whereas the foundation of our faith grounded vpon the holy scripture teacheth leadeth vs to be iustified onely by the worthines of Christ the onely price of his bloud The foundation of the Popes doctrine contrarye to Christen faith the Pope proceeding with a contrary doctrine teacheth vs otherwyse to seeke our saluation not by Christ alone but by the way of mennes meriting and deseruing by works Wherupon rose diuers sorts of orders religious sects amongst men some professing one thing and some an other euery man seeking his owne vnrighteousnes but few seking the righteousnes of him which is set vp of God to be our righteousnes redemption and iustification Martin Luther therefore vrging reducing things to the foundation and touchstone of the Scripture Iustification by faith reuiued by Luther opened the eyes of many which before were drowned in darknes Whereupon it can not be expressed what ioy comforte and consolation came to the hearts of men some lying in darknes and ignoraunce some wallowing in sinne some being in despaire some macerating them selues by woorkes and some presuming vppon their owne righteousnesse to beholde that glorious benefite of the greate libertie and free iustification set vp in Christ Iesus And briefly to speake the more glorious the benefite of this doctrine appeared to the world after long ignoraunce the greater persecution followed vppon the same And where the elect of God tooke most occasion of comfort and of saluation thereof the aduersaries tooke moste matter of vexation disturbance As commonly we see the true woord of God to bring with it euer dissention and perturbation and therefore truely it was sayde of Christ That he came not to send peace on earth but the swoorde Math. 10. And this was the cause why that after the doctrine and preaching of Luther so great troubles and persecutions followed in all quarters of the world Great persecution after the doctrine of Luther wherby rose great disquietnesse among the Prelates and many lawes and decrees were made to ouerthrowe the same by cruell handling of many good and Christian men Thus while authoritie armed wyth lawes and rigour did striue againste simple veritie lamentable it was to heare howe many poore men were troubled and went to wracke some tost from place to place some exiled out of the land for fear some caused to abiure some driuen to caues in woodes some racked wyth torment and some pursued to deathe wyth fagot and fire Of whom we haue nowe Christ willing in this hystorie following to entreat first begynning with certaine that suffered in Germanie then to returne to our owne stories and Martyrs here in England Henry Voes and Iohn Esch Friers Augustines IN the yeare of our Lorde 1523. two young menne were burnt at Bruxelles the one named Henry Uoes Two Fryers burned at Bruxelles being of the age of 24. yeares and the other Iohn Esch whych before had bene of the order of the Augustine Friers They were disgraded the first day of Iulie and spoiled of theyr friers weede at the suite of Egmondanus the Popes Inquisitour and the diuines of Louaine Egmondanus and Hochestratus doctors of Louain persecuters for that they would not retracte and deny their doctrine of the Gospell which the Papistes call Lutheranisme Theyr examiners were Hochestratus and other who demaunded of them what they did beleeue They sayde the bookes of the olde Testament and the newe wherein were contained the Articles of the Creede Then were they asked whether they beleued the decrees of the Councels and of the Fathers They sayde such as were agreeing to the Scripture Their examination they beleeued After thys they proceeded further asking whether they thought it any deadly sinne to transgresse the decrees of the fathers and of the bishop of Rome That said they is to be attributed onely to the precepts of God to binde the conscience of man or to loose it Wherein when they cōstantly persisted and would not turne they were condemned and iudged to be burned Then they beganne to geue thanks to God their heauenly father which had deliuered them through his great goodnes from the false and abhominable priesthoode had made of them priests of his holy order receiuing thē vnto him as a sacrifice of sweete odor Then there was a bill written which was deliuered vnto them to read opēly before the people to declare what faith and doctrine they helde The cause of their accusation Martirdōe The greatest error that they were accused of was that men ought to trust only in God for so much as men are liers and deceitful in all their words and deedes and therefore there ought no trust or
and taking of farmes that it putteth hys minde from all goodnesse By whych wordes it appeared sayd they that hee was a Knowen man Item that Robert Bartlet speaking to Hardings wife sayd he had thought to haue called William Tilseworth false heretique but now hee was better aduised Item that they vsed the lectures and readings of that companie ¶ Thys Ro. Bartlet Richarde his brother first being sworne and yet confessing nothing before the Byshop at last were conuicted by witnes as aboue appeareth and noted therefore of periurie Wherfore incurring into greater daunger they were constrained at their nexte examination to vtter them selues and confesse what they had both done and sayde that is For reading scripture in Englishē that the sayde Robert had red vnto Richarde hys brother a parcel of scripture beginning thus Iames the seruaunt of God to the xij kindes c. Item for that he hard Williā Tilseworth say that Images of saintes were but stocks and stones and dead things and that he taught the same to his brother Richarde and concealed the wordes of William Tilsewoorthe Item for that he partly beleeued Thomas Mastall teaching him that the true presence of Christ was not in the Sacrament and likewise of Images and Pilgrimage Item for receyuing the Communion at Easter without shrift c. Robert Bartlet was brought to examinatiō caused by his othe to detect Rich. Bartlet his brother The crime wherein Roberte Bartlet appeached hys brother Rich. was this because he said hys brother Rich. had beene muche conuersant wyth Thurstane Litlepage The Brother detecteth the Brother had learned of hym the counsailes and secreates of those men Also that hee had learned of hym some of the Epistle of S. Iames thus beginning Iames the seruaunte of God to the twelue kindes c.  Isabel Bartlet his wife The cause wherein Roberte Bartlet did detecte his wife was thys The husband detecteth the wife that when the Byshops seruaunte was come for her husband she vttered these wordes saying Alas he was now an vndone man and she but a dead woman The brother accuseth the sister Furthermore y e said R. being demanded of y e Bishop whether he knewe Isabell hys wyfe to bee of the secte of heretiques before hee marryed her sayde yea Beeing asked againe if shee hadde not ben of that sect whether then he would haue maried her he graunted the same likewise The foresaid Ro Bartlet was broght to examination caused by hys othe to detect Agnes Wellis his sister Furthermore y e said R. Bart. detected his owne sister in that hee hadde twise instructed her not to worshyppe Images and also hadde taughte her in the Epistle of S. Iames. Elizabeth Deane wife of Richarde Deane of Westwicam Emme Tilseworth wife of Wil-Tilseworth William Grinder his wife Iohn Scriuener Alexandera Mastal w. Tilsworth Thurstane Litlepage Iohn Bartlet his brother The sayde Roberte Bart. detected also these to bee of the number of Knowen men for that they resorted many times together reading and conferringe amonge themselues talking againste worshippinge of Images Pilgrimage And if any came in amongste them whiche was not of theyr side thē they wold saye no more but keepe all silence c. Rich. Bartlet by hys oth was cōstrained to detect Agnes wellys wife of Iohn Wellys his sister This Agnes was detected of her brother in 3. poyntes The brother accuseth his sister Firste for learning the Epistle of Saint Iames in English of Thurstan Litlepage Secondly for not beleeuing the bodily presence in the Sacrament Thirdly for speakyng against worshippyng of Images and goyng on Pilgrimages  Olde father Bartlet his father This Richarde Bertlet also in hys confessyon sayde of his Father that he was a better manne then hee was taken for For the other daye there came a manne to him as hee was threashing and sayde God speede father Bertlet yee worke sore yea sayde hee The Popes God almightie threshed out of the strawe I threshe God almighty out of the strawe ¶ Against thys Agnes Wellys brought and examined before the Bishop were ministred these interrogatories which for certaine causes I thought here to inserte for our posteritie to note and consider and they are these as foloweth * Articles ministred to Agnes Wellys 1 WHether shee knewe that certaine of the Paryshe of Amersham were conuented before William Smith late Byshoppe of Lincolne for heresie Articles ministred against Agnes Wellys 2 Item whether she knew that certaine of them so conuented before the Bishop for heresie did erre in the Sacrament of the altar or in other Sacraments and what errours they were and wherein 3 Item whether she knewe anye other to be susspect of the same heresie or sect beside them of Amersham so conuented who they were and how many 4 Item whether shee had bene of the same company or sect or opinion with them which were conuented before the Bishop for heresie and if she were what company she vsed and whose 5 Whether she was at any time conuersant with Thurstane Litlepage and if shee were how ofte she had bene in his company howe what time in what place who else were present for what causes and whether she knew him to be suspected for heresie 6 Item whether shee knewe and had beene conuersant wyth Alexander Mastall and if shee were howe when in what place who were present for what causes and whether shee knewe him suspected for heresie 7 Item whether she was euer detected to the office of Willi. Smith late Bishop of Lincolne at what time or since the time that Litlepage and Mastall were conuented before the Byshop for heresie and whether shee was then called and conuented before the Bishop for heresie or not 8. Item whether she had bene present or is now noted had holden or reputed or diffamed to be of the same sect with Thurstan Litlepage or other conuicted of heresie and whether she be or hath bene nominated for a Knowen woman among them 9 Item whether she hath ben present at any time at the readings or conferrings betweene Thurstane Litlepage and other conuicts 10 Item whether Thurstane Litlepage did euer teache her the Epistle of Sainte Iames For readyng the scripture in Englishe or the Epistles of Saint Peter or Paule in English and whether shee hath repeated oft times the sayde Epistle of saint Iames vnto the sayde Thurstane in the presence of Richard Bartlet her brother 11 Item whether Richarde Bartlet her brother dyd teache her at any time the Epistle of S. Iames and if he did howe oft and in what place 12 Item whether shee hadde beene instructed by Thurstane Litlepage or by any other in the foresayde secte that in the Sacrament of the aultare was not the true body of Christe but onely the substaunce of bread 13 Item whether shee hadde bene instructed by Thurstane Litlepage or any other that Pilgrimage was not to be vsed nor the Images
tooke away the sinns of the world euen so Luther shining in the church of a bright starre after a long cloudy and obscure skye Luther taught Iesus Christ. expresly shewed that sinnes are freely remitted for the loue of the sonne of God and that we ought faythfully to embrace this bountifull gift These happy beginninges of so good matters got him great authoritie especially seeing his lyfe also was correspondent to his profession The consideration whereof allured to him meruailously the hartes of his auditors and also many notable personages All this while Luther yet altered nothing in the ceremonyes Erasmus openeth the way before Luther but precisely obserued his rule amoÌ„g his felowes he medled in no doubtfull opinions but taught this onely doctrine as most principall of al other to all men opening declaring the doctrine of repentance of remission of sins of fayth of true comfort in times of aduersitie Euery man receaued good taste of this sweet doctrine and the learned conceiued high pleasure to behold Iesus Christ the Prophets Apostles to come forth into light out of darcknes wherby they began to vnderstand the difference betwixt y e law and the Gospell betwixt the promises of the law and the promise of the Gospell betwixt spiritual iustice ciuil things which certainly could not haue bene fouÌ„d in Thomas Aquine Scotus nor such like schoole clerkes It happened moreouer about this time that manye were prouoked by Erasmus learned workes to study the Greek Latine tongues who perceiuing a more gentle ready order of teaching then before began to haue in contempt the Monkes barbarous and sophisticall doctrine specially such as were of liberall nature and good disposition Luther began to study the Greeke and Hebrue tonge to this end that after he had learned the phrase and proprietic of the tongues and drawne the doctrine of the very fountaynes he might geue more sound iudgement As Luther was thus occupyed in Germany whiche was the yeare of our Lord 1516. â—x Christia Massaeo Lib. 20. Chronic. Leo y e x. of that name succeeding after Iulius 2. was Pope of Rome Who vnder pretence of warre against the Turke sent a Iubile wyth his pardons abroad through all Christen Realmes dominions whereby he gathered together innumerable riches and treasure The gatherers and collecters whereof perswaded the people that whosoeuer would geue x. shillings shuld at his pleasure deliuer one soule from y e payns of Purgatory For this they held as a generall rule that God would do 10 shilling pardons whatsoeuer they woulde haue him according to the saying Quicquid solueritis super terram erit solutum in coelis c. Whatsoeuer you loose vpon earth the same shal be loosed in heauen But if it were but one iotte lesse then x. shillinges they preached that it would profite theÌ„ nothing Ex Christia Messeo lib. 20. Chro. This filthy kind of the popes marchandise as it spread through all quarters of Christian regions Cecollus preacher of the popes pardons so it came also to Germany through the meanes of certayne Dominicke Fryers named Tecellius who most impudently caused y e Popes indulgences or pardons to be caryed sold about the country Whereupon Luther muche moued with the blasphemous sermoÌ„s of this shameles Fryer and hauing his hart earnestly bent with ardent desire to mayntayne true religion published certayne propositions concerning indulgences which are to be read in the first Tome of hys works Luthers propositions of pardons and set them openly on the temple that ioyneth to the Castle of Wittenberge the morrow after the feastes of all Saintes the yeare .1517 This beggerly Fryer hoping to obtaine y e popes blessing The first occasion why Luther wrote against pardons assembled certayne Monkes sophisticall diuines of his couent fortwith commanded theÌ„ to write something against Luther And whilest he would not himselfe seeme to be dumme he began not onely to enuey in his sermons but to thunder against Luther crying Luther is an hereticke The slaunder of Tecellus the Fryer and worthy to be persecuted with fire and besides this he burned openly Luthers propositions and the sermon whiche he wrote of indulgences This rage and fumish fury of this Frier enforced Luther to treat more amply of the cause and to mayntayne his matter And thus rose the beginninges of this controuersie wherein Luther neyther suspecting ne dreaming of anye chaunge that might happen in the ceremonies did not vtterly reiect the indulgences but required a moderation in them and therfore they falsely accuse him which blase that he began w t plausible matter wherby he might get prayse to the end that in processe of time he might change the state of the common weale and purchase authoritie eyther for himselfe or other And certes he was not suborned or styrred vp by them of the courte as the Duke of Brumwike wrote The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Duke of Saxonie in so much that the Duke Frederick was sore offended that such contention and controuersie should arise hauing regarde to the sequele thereof And as this good Duke Frederick was one of al y e princes of our time that loued best quietnes and common tranquilitie neither was auaricious but willingly bent to referre al his counsels to the common vtilitie of all the world as it is easy to be coniectured diuers waies so he neither encouraged nor supported Luther but often represented semblaunce of heauines and sorrow which he bare in hys hart fearing greater dissentions But being a wise prince and following the Counsaile of Gods rule and well deliberating therupon he thought with himselfe that the glory of God was to be preferred aboue all thinges Neyther was he ignoraunt what blasphemy it was horribly condemned of God obstinately to repugne y e truth Wherfore he did as a godly Prince should do he obeyed God coÌ„mitting himselfe to his holy grace and omnipotent protectioÌ„ And although Maximilianus the Emperor Carolus K. of Spaine Pope Iulius had geuen commmaundement to the sayd Duke Fridericke that he should inhibite Luther from all place and libertie of preaching yet the Duke considering with himselfe the preaching and writing of Luther and weighing dilligently the testimonies and places of the Scripture by him alledged would not withstaÌ„d the thing which he iudged sincere And yet neyther did he this trusting to his own iudgemeÌ„t but was very anxious inquisitiue to heare y e iudgements of other whiche were both aged learned In the number of whom was Erasmus whoÌ„ the Duke desired to declare to him his opinion touching y e matter of Martine Luther saying protesting that he would rather the ground shuld open and swallow him then he would beare w t any opinions which he knew to be coÌ„trary to manifest truth therfore he desired him to declare his iudgement in y e matter to him freely frendly Erasmus thus being entreated of the Duke began thus
apperteineth to the charge of a good Bishop lawful heire of S. Peter And though all errors corruptions and abuses be not straight wayes amended by vs men ought not therat to maruell The sore is great and farre growen You proceede so by litle litle that nothing at all is seene Sodeine mutations be not for the Popes purpose but the Lord promiseth to come sodenly when he is not looked for and is not single but of manifolde maladies together compacted therefore to the curing therof we must proceede by litle and litle first beginning to cure the greater and the most dangerous least while we intend to amend all we destroy all All sodaine mutations sayth Aristotle in a common wealth are perilous And he that wringeth too hard straineth out bloud Prou. 30 And whereas in your last letters you wryte that the Princes complaine howe this See hath bene and is preiudiciall to their ordinaunces and agreements heereunto you shall thus aunswere That suche excesses which haue bene done before our time ought not to be imputed to vs who alwayes haue misliked these derogations and therefore bidde them so assure them selues that though they had required no such matter we of our owne accorde woulde haue refrained the same partly for that it is good right reason that euery one haue that which is due vnto hym and partly also that the sayd noble natioÌ„ of Germany shal haue by vs no hinderance but furtherance rather so much as in vs shall lie to do for them And as touching the processes whyche they desire to haue remoued away a Rota and to be referred down to the parties Rota is some office in the court or ChauÌ„cery of Rome you shall signifie vnto them that we will gratifie them herein asmuch as honestly we may But because our auditors are now presently absent from the citie by reason of the Plague wee can not be infourmed as yet touching the qualitie of those processes Assoone as they shall returne which we hope will be shortly we shal do in the Princes fauour what reasonably we may Further wheras we vnderstande that there be many fresh florishing wits in Germanie and many well learned men which are not seene vnto but be reiected and vnlooked to while in the meane time throughe the Apostolicall prouisions dignities The Pope flattereth for aduauntage and promotions are bestowed vpon tapsters and daunsers and vnfitte persons we wil therefore that you inquire out what those learned men are and what be their names to the intent that when any such vacation of benefices in Germany do fal we of our voluntary motioÌ„ may prouide for them accordingly For why we consider howe much it is against Gods glory And why then haue you abusâ—â— the church so long with theâ—â— Apostolical prâ—uisions and yet doe not redresâ—â— the same and against the health and the edification of soules that benefices and dignities of the church haue now so long time bene bestowed vpon vnworthy and vnable persons As touching the subsidie for the Hungarians we send no other information to you but that which we gaue you at your departure saue onely that we will you to extende your diligence therein as we also will do the like in soliciting the matter with the princes and cities of Italie that euery one may helpe after his abilitie Ex Orth. Gratio These popish suggestions and instructions of the Pope himselfe against Luther I thought Christen reader to set before thine eyes to the intent thou maiest see here as in a paterne and go no further all the crimes obiectioÌ„s exclamations suspitions accusations slaÌ„ders offensions contumelies rebukes vntruths cauillations railings Luther cried out of without any iust cause what soeuer they haue deuised or can deuise inuent articulate denounce infer or surmise against Luth. and his teaching They crie heresy heresy but they prooue no heresy They cry Councels Councels and yet none traÌ„sgresseth Councels more then themselues If Councels go alwaies with Scripture then Luther goethe with them If Councells doe iarre sometime from the Scripture what heresie is in Luth. in standing with Scripture against those councels And yet neither hath he hitherto spoken against any councels saue onely the Councell of Constance They inflame kings and princes against Luth and yet they haue no iust cause wherefore They accuse him for teaching libertie Liberty of flesh Liberty of spirite If they meane the libertye of fleshe they accuse him falsely if they meane the liberty of spirit they teach wickedly which teach contrary and yet when they haue all sayde none liue so licentiously as themselues They preteÌ„de the zeale of the Churche but vnder that churche lieth their owne priuate welfare and belly cheare They charge Luth. with disobedience and none are so disobedient to Magistrates and ciuile lawes as they They lay to his charge oppression and spoiling of lay mens goods and who spoileth the lay meÌ„s liuings so much as the Pope For probation whereof let the Popes accountes be cast Turne onely the names of the persons and all the accusations of the Papistes against the Lutherians agree chiefly vpon theÌ„ selues what hee raketh out of euery Christian realme Briefly turne only the names of the persons and in steede of Luthers name place the name of the Pope and the effect of this letter aboue prefixed shal agree vpon none more aptly then vpon the Pope him selfe and his owne sectaries Now to proceede further in the proces of this foresaide matter let vs see what the Princes againe for their partes answere to these foresaide suggestions and instructions of Pope Adrian sent vnto them in their diete of Norenberg in the cause of Luther the answer of whom here foloweth vnder wrytten The answere of the noble and reuerend princes and states of the sacred Romane Empire exhibited to the Popes ambassador THe noble renowmed Prince Lord Ferdinandus The answere of the Princes of Germany to the Popes letter instructions Lieutenant to the Emperors maiesty with other reuerend pieres in Christ and mighty princes Electors and other states and orders of this present assemble of the Romane Empire in Norenberge conuented haue gratefully receiued and diligently perused the letters sent in forme of a Brief with the instructions also of that most holy father in Christ and L.L. Adrian the hie Bishop of the holy and vniuersall Church of Rome presented vnto them in the cause of Luthers faction By the which foresaid letters and wrytings first where as they vnderstande his holinesse to haue bene borne and to haue had his natiue origine and parentage out of this noble nation of Germanie they doe not a little reioyce Pope Adrian a Germane borne Of whose egregious vertues and ornaments both of minde and body they haue heard great fame and commendation euen from his tender yeares by reason wherof they are so muche the more ioyous of his aduauncement and preferment by such consent of election to
can say of this iustice Nowe it is aboute two of the clocke in the afternoone Shortly we shall heare what some of them sayde when they went to execution There be certaine of them so obstinate that they will not looke vppon the crucifixe nor be confessed to the priest and they shall be burned aliue The heretickes that be apprehended and condemned are to the number of 1600· but as yet no more but these foresayd 88. are already executed This people haue theyr originall of the valley named Angronia neare to Subaudia and in Calabria are called Vltramontani In the kingdome of Neaples there are 4. other places of the same people of whome whether they liue well or no as yet wee knowe not For they are but simple people ignoraunt wythout learning woode gatherers and husbandmen but as I heare much deuout and religious geuing themselues to die for religions sake From Montealto the 11. of Iune And thus much wryteth this Romanist ☞ Here moreouer is to be noted that the foresaid Marques Buccianus aboue specified hadde a sonne or brother vnto whome the sayde new Pope Pius the fourth belike is reported to haue promised a Cardinalshippe at Rome if all the Lutherans were extirped and roted out in that prouince And like inough that the same was the cause of thys butcherly persecution and effusion of Christen bloud in the said countrey of Calabria beyond Neaples in Italy Besides these godly Italian Martyrs in thys Table aboue contained many other also haue suffred in the same countrey of Italie of whome some before haue bene specified some peraduenture omitted But many moe there be whose names we know not wherof assoone as knowledge may be geueÌ„ vnto vs we purpose God willing to impart the same louing reader vnto thee ☞ Now in the meane time it foloweth according to my promise made before next after this lameÌ„table slaughter of Calabria here to insert also the tragical persecution horrible murder of the faithfull flocke of Christe inhabiting in Merindole in Fraunce and in other townes adiaceÌ„t neere vnto the same in the time of Franciscus .1 the french king The furious crueltie of whiche miserable persecution although it can not be set foorth too muth at large yet because we wil not weary too much the reader with the ful length therof we haue so contracted the same especially the principal effect therof we haue comprehended in such sorte that as we on the one part haue auoided prolixitie so on the other we haue omitted nothing which might seme vnworthy to be forgotten The story here foloweth A notable historie of the persecution and destruction of the people of Merindol and Cabriers the countrey of Prouince where not a fewe persons but whole Villages and Towneships with the most part of all the foresayde countrey both men women and children were put to all kind of cruelty suffered martyrdome for the profession of the gospell THey that write of the beginning of this people say that about CC. yeres ago The lamentable story of Merindoll· they came out of the Country of Piedmont to inhabite in Prouince in certaine Uillages destroyed by warres and other desert places Wherin they vsed such labour and diligence that they had abundance of corne wine oyles hony almons with other fruits commodities of the earth and muche cattell Before they came thether Merindol was a barren desert and not inhabited But these good people in whome God alwaies had reserued some litle seede of pietie being dispersed and separated from the societie of men were compelled to dwell with beasts in that waste and wilde desert which notwithstanding through the blessing of God and their great laboure and trauel became exceeding frutefull Notwithstanding the world in the meane time so detested abhorred them and with all shamefull rebukes and contumelies railed against them in such despiteful maner y t it semed they were not worthy that the earth should beare them For they of a long continuance and custome had refused the Byshop of Romes authoritie and obserued euer a more perfect kinde of doctrine then others deliuered to them from the father to the sonne euer since the yere of our Lord. 1200. For this cause they were often accused complained of to the king as contemners despisers of the magistrates and rebels Wherefore they were called by diuers names according to the countreis and places where they dwelte For in the country about Lyons they were called the pore people of Lyons Paupeâ—es de Lugduno WaldeÌ„sâ—â— Tuâ—â—elupini Chagnardi In the borders of Sarmatia Liuonia and other countreis towards the North they were called Lolards In Flanders and Artoys Turrelupius of a desert where wolues did haunte In Dolphine with great despite they were named Chagnardes because they liued in places open to the Sunne and without house or harborough But most commonly they were called Waldoys of Waldo Of Waldo read before pag. 230. who first instructed them in y e word of God which name continued vntill the name of Lutheranes came vp which aboue all other was most hated and abhorred Notwithstanding in all these most spitefull contumelies ond sclaunders the people dwelling at the foote of the Alpes and also in Merindol Cabriers and the quarters thereabout alwaies liued so godly so vprightly and iustly y t in al their life conuersation there appeared to be in theÌ„ a great feare of God That little light of true knowledge whiche God had giuen them they laboured by al meanes to kindle encrease daily more more sparing no charges whether it were to procure bookes of the holy Scripture or to instructe such as were of the best and moste towardly wits in learning godlinesse or els to send theÌ„ into other countreis yea euen to y e farthest partes of the earth where they had heard that any light of the gospel began to shine For in the yere 1530. vnderstanding that the gospel was preached in certaine townes of Germany Switzerland they sent thether 2. learned men that is Georgius Maurellus borne in Dolphine a godly preacher of their owne and whome they had of their owne charges brought vp in learning Petrus Latomus a Burgundian to conferre with the wise learned ministers of the Churches there in the doctrine of the gospel and to know the whole forme and manner which those Churches vsed in the seruice and worshipping of God and particularly to haue their aduise also vppon certaine poynts which they were not resolued in These 2. after great conference had w t the chiefest in the Churche of God namely with Oecolampadius at Basill at Strausburgh with Bucer and Capito and at Berne w t Bartholdus Hallerus as they were returning thorow Burgundie homewarde Petrus Latomus was taken at Dyion and caste into prison Maurellus escaped returned alone to Merindol with the bookes and letters whych he brought with him from the churches of Germanie and declared
to make it appeare by the word of God and so being conuict to make them abiure and renounce the sayd heresies Whereupon the said Counceller Durandus certified the day that he would be present at Merindoll to the end purpose that none of the inhabitaunts should be absent At the day appointed the said Counseller Durandus the Byshop of Cauaillon Durandus the commissioner commeth to Merindoll a Doctour of Diuinitie a Secretary came vnto Merindoll where as was also present diuers Gentlemen and men of vnderstanding of all sorts to see this commission executed Then they of Merindoll were aduertised that they should not appeare all at once but y t they should keepe themselues apart and appeare as they should be called in such order number as should be appointed vnto them After that Durandus the Byshop of Cauaillon the Doctour of Diuinitie and the Secretary were set in place where iustice was accustomed to be kept there was called forth Andrew Maynard the baylife of Merindoll Ienon Romane and Michelin Maynard * Syndiâ—â— is a Greeke word and signifieth as much as an aduocate oâ— patrone oâ— deputy sent to plead our cause The wordes of DuraÌ„duâ— to the Merindolianâ— Syndiques Iohn Cabrie and Iohn Palene auncients of Merindoll and Iohn Bruneroll vnderbaylife After they had presented themselues with all due reuerence the Counseller Durandus spake thus vnto them You are not ignoraunt that by the Arrest geuen out by the high Court of Prouince you were all condemned to be burned both men women and children your houses also to be beaten downe and your towne to be rased and made desolate c. as is more largely conteined in the said arrest Notwithstanding it hath pleased the King our most gracious Prince to send his letters vnto the said Court commanding that the sayd arrest should not so rigorously proceede against you but if it could by sufficient information be proued that you or any of you had swarued froÌ„ the true Religion demonstratioÌ„ should be made thereof vnto you by the word of God wherby you might be reduced againe to the flocke of Christ. Wherefore it was determined in the saide Court of Parlament that the Bishop of Cauaillon with a Doctour of Diuinitie should in my presence declare vnto you the errours and heresies wherewith they say you are infected and after good demonstration made by the word of God you should publikely and solemnely renounce and abiure the sayde heresies and in so doyng shoulde obteine the grace and pardon conteined in the Kings letters Wherefore shew your selues this day that you be obedient vnto God the King and y e Magistrates When he had thus spoken what aunswere you sayd he to that which I haue propounded Then Andrew Maynard the Baylife desired that they would graunt them an Aduocate to answere according to the instructioÌ„s which they would giue him The Merindolians denied to geue answere by counsaile or writing for so much as they were men vnlearned and knew not how to answere as in such a case was requisite The Counseller aunswered that he would heare their aunswere neither by Aduocate nor by writing but woulde heare them aunswere in their owne persons Notwithstanding he woulde giue them leaue to go apart and talke together but not to aske any counsell but onely amongst themselues and then to aunswere one after another Upon this determination the Bayliffe and the two Syndiques with other two ancient men talked together a while and determined that the two Syndiques should speake first and after them the Baylife then the two auncient men euery man accordyng as God should geue them grace and by and by presented themselues Whereat the Counseller Durandus was greatly abashed The answer of the MerindoliaÌ„s to Durandus to see that they had agreed and determined so speedely Then Michelin Maynard began to aunswere desiring the Counseller and the Byshop with the other assistance to pardon him if that he aunswered ouerrudely hauing regard that they were poore rude and ignoraunt men His aunswere heere followeth We are greatly bound sayth he to geue God thankes that besides other his benefites bestowed vpoÌ„ vs The Baylife of 〈◊〉 answereth he hath now deliuered vs froÌ„ these great assaultes and that it hath pleased him to touch the hart of our noble King that our cause might be intreated with iustice and not by violence In like maner are we also bounde to pray for our noble King which following y e example of Samuell Daniell hath not disdeined to looke vpon the cause of his poore subiects Also we render thankes vnto the Lords of the Parlament in that it hath pleased them to minister iustice according to the Kings commandemeÌ„t Finally we thanke you my Lord Durandus Commissioner in this present cause that it hath pleased you in so few wordes to declare vnto vs the maner and order how we ought to proceede And for my part I greatly desire to vnderstand and know the heresies and errours wherof I am accused and where as they shall make it appeare vnto me that I haue holden any errours or heresies I am contented to amende the same as it shall be ordeined and prouided by you After him aunswered Ienon Romane the other Syndique a very auncient father approuing all that which his fellow before had sayde geuing God thankes that in hys time euen in his latter daies he had seene and heard so good newes that the cause of Religion shoulde be decided and debated by the holy Scriptures and that he had often heard auncient men say that they could neuer obteine of the Iudges in all their persecution to haue their cause debated in such sort Then Andrew Maynard the Baylife aunswered sayeng that God had geueÌ„ to those two Syndiques the grace to answere so well that it was not necessary for him to say or adde any more thereunto Notwithstanding it seemed good that their answeres were put in writing which was not done by the Secretary that had done nothing else but mocke and gyre at all that had bin sayd wherfore he required the Commissioner to looke vnto the matter Then the Commissioner was very angry and sharpely rebuked his Secretary commaunding him to sit nearer and to write their answeres word for word and he himselfe with a singular memory repeated their answeres and ofteÌ„times asked if it were not so The sayd aunsweres being thus put in writing the CoÌ„missioner asked the baylife if he had any more to answere sayeng that he had done him great pleasure to shewe him his Secretaries faulte willing him to speake boldly what he thought good for the defence of their cause Then the Baylife said for somuch as it hath pleased you to geue me audience liberty to speake my mind freely I say moreouer that it semeth vnto me that there is no due forme of processe in this iudgemeÌ„t for there is no partie heere that doth accuse vs. The proceeding with the MerindoliaÌ„s
first commyng out of his countrey with 3. companiōs to seek godly learnyng The story of M. Patricke Hamelton in Scotland went to the Uniuersitie of Marpurge in Germany which vniuersitie was thē newly erected by Phillip Lātgraue of Hesse Of this Phillip Lantgraue of Hesse read before where he vsing conference and familiaritie w t learned men namely with Franciscus Lambertus so profited in knowledge and mature iudgement in matters of Religion Of the vniuersitye of Mapurge reade pefore that he through the incitation of the sayde Lambert was the first in all y e Uniuersitie of Marpurge which publickely did set vp cōclusions there to be disputed of concerning fayth and workes arguing also no lesse learnedly then feruently vpon the same What these propositions and conclusions were partly in his treatise heereafter following called Patrike places may appeare Thus the ingenious witte of this learned Patricke increasing daylye more and more in knowledge and inflamed wyth godlinesse at length began to reuolue with himselfe touching his returne into his countrey being desirous to import vnto hys countreymen some fruite of the vnderstāding which he had receaued abroade Whereupon persisting in his godly purpose he tooke one of the three whome he brought out of Scotland so returned home without anye longer delaye Where he not susteyning the miserable ignoraunce and blindnes of that people after he had valiantly taught and preached the truth and refelled their abuses was first accused of heresie and afterwarde constantly and stoutly susteyning y e quarel of Gods Gospell against the hygh Priest and Archbishop of Saint Andrewe named Iames Beton was cited to appeare before him and his Colledge of Priestes the firste daye of March 1527. But he beeing not onely forwarde in knowledge but also ardente in spirit not tarieng for the houre appoynted preuented the time and came very early in the morning before he was looked for and there mightely disputing against them when he could not by the Scriptures be conuicted The Martyrdom and suffering of M. Patricke Hamelton by force he was oppressed and so the sentence of cōdemnation being geuen against him the same daye after dinner in all the hoate haste he was had away to the fire and there burned the King being yet but a childe whych thing made the Byshops more bold And thus was thys noble Hamelton the blessed seruaunt of God without all iust cause made away by cruell aduersaries yet not without great fruite to the Church of Christ for the graue testimonie of his bloud left the veritie and truth of God more fixed and confirmed in the harts of many then euer could after be pluckt away in so much that diuers afterwarde standing in his quarell susteined also the lyke Martyrdome as hereafter Christ willing shall appeare as place and time shall require In the meane season we thinke good to expresse here his Articles and order of his processe as we receaued them from Scotland out of the registers ¶ The Articles and opinions obiected against Maister Patrike Hamelton by Iames Beton Archbyshop of S. Andrewes THat man hath no free will That there is no Purgatory That the holy Patriarkes were in heauen Articles out of the Registers before Christes passion That the Pope hath no power to loose and binde neyther any Pope had that power after S. Peter That the Pope is Antichrist and that euery Priest hath the power that the Pope hath That Mayster Patrike Hamelton was a Byshop That it is not necessary to obteyne any Bulles from any Byshop That the vow of the Popes religion is a vow of wickednes That the Popes lawes be of no strength That all Christians worthy to be called Christians doo know that they be in the state of grace That none be saued but they are before predestinate Whosoeuer is in deadly sinne is vnfaithfull That God is the cause of sinne in this sence that is that he withdraweth hys grace from men whereby they sinne That it is diuelish doctrine to enioyne to any sinner actuall penaunce for sinne That the sayde M. Patrike himselfe doubteth whether all children departing incontinent after their Baptisme are saued or condemned That auricular confession is not necessary to saluation These Articles aboue written were geuen in and laid agaynst M. Hamelton and inserted in their registers for the which also he was cōdemned by thē whiche hated him to death But other learned men which commoned reasoned with him do testifie that these Articles followyng were the very Articles for the which he suffered 1. Man hath no free will 2. A man is onely iustified by fayth in Christ. His articles otherwise more truely collected 3. A man so long as he liueth is not without sinne 4. He is not worthy to be called a Christian which beleeueth not that he is in grace 5. A good man doth good workes good workes doo not make a good man 6. An euill man bringeth forth euill works euill works being faithfully repented do not make an euill man 7. Faith hope and charitie be so linked together that one of thē can not be without an other in one mā in this life ¶ And as touching the other Articles whereupon the Doctours gaue their iudgements as diuers do report he was not accused of them before the Byshop Albeit in priuate disputation he affirmed and defended the most of thē Heere followeth the sentence pronounced agaynst hym CHristi nomine Inuocato We Iames by the mercy of God Archbyshop of Saint Andrew primate of Scotland The sentēce against M. Patricke Hamelton with the counsayle decree and authoritie of the most reuerend fathers in God and Lordes Abbots Doctours of Theologie professors of the holy Scripture and maysters of the Vniuersitie assisting vs for the time sitting in iudgement within oure Metropolitane Church of S. Andrew in the cause of hereticall prauitie agaynste Mayster Patrike Hamelton Abbot or pensionarie of Ferme being summoned to appeare before vs to aunswere to certeine Articles affirmed taught and preached by him and so appearing before vs and accused the merites of the cause being ripely weyed discussed and vnderstanded by faithfull inquisition made in Lent last passed we haue found the same M. Patrike many wayes infamed with heresie disputing holding and mayntayning diuers heresies of Martin Luther and his followers repugnant to our faith and which is already * Condemned by coūcells and Vniuersities but here is no mentyon of the Scripture condemned by generall Councels and most famous Vniuersities And he being vnder the same infamie wee decerning before him to be summoned and accused vpon the premisses he of euill mind as may be presumed passed to other partes foorth of the Realme suspected and noted of heresie And being lately returned not being admitted but of his owne head without licence or priuiledge hath presumed to preache wicked heresie Note here that these articles agree not with the articles in the Register before mentioned We haue found also
hee was apprehended and put in prysonne by Iames Beton Archbyshop of Saint Andrews Who shortlye after caused a certaine Fryer named Walter Laing to heare hys confession To whom when Henry Forest in secreate confession had declared hys conscience howe hee thoughte maister Patrike to bee a good man and wrongfully to be put to deathe that his articles were true and not hereticall the Frier came and vttered to the Byshoppe the confession that hee hadde heard The Fryer vttereth the cōfessiō of Henry Forest. which before was not throughly knowne Whereupon it followed that his confession being brought as sufficiēt probation againste hym hee was therfore conuented before the Councel of the clergy and Doctors and there concluded to be an heretick equal in iniquitie with maister Patrick Hameltō there decreed to be geuen to the seculare Iudges to suffer death When the daye came of his death and that hee should first be degraded and was brought before the Cleargye in a greene place being betwene the castle of S. Andrewes and another place called Monymaill assoone as he entred in at the doore and sawe the face of the clergy perceiuing wherunto they tended he cryed wyth a loude voyce saying Fie on falshoode Fie on false Friers Phie on false Fryers reuealers of confession after this day let no man euer trust any false Friers contemners of Gods woorde and deceiuers of men And so they proceeding to degrade him of hys small orders of Benet and Collet he sayd wyth a loud voyce take from me not onely your owne orders but also youre owne baptisme meaning thereby whatsoeuer is besides that which Christ himselfe instituted whereof there is a great rablement in Baptisme Then after his degradation they condemned him as an heretike equall wyth M. Patrike aforesayd and so he suffered death for his faithful testimony of the truth of Christ and of his Gospell at the Northchurche stile of the Abbey Church of S. Andrewe to the entent that all y e people of Anguishe might see the fire and so might be the more feared from falling into the like doctrin whych they terme by the name of heresie Ex Scripto testimonio Scotorum Iames Hay bishop of Rose and commissioner of Iames Beton Archbishop of S. Andrews M. Iohn Spens Lawyer Iames Hamelton brother to M. Patrike Katherine Hamelton A wife of Lieth Dauid Straton M Norman Gurlay Wythin a yeere after the martyrdome of Henry Forest or there about Iames Hamelton Katherine Hamelton his sister A wife of Leith persecuted Dauid Stratō Norman Gurley Martyrs was called Iames Hamelton of Kynclitgowe his sister Katherine Hamelton the spouse of the captaine of Dunbar also an other honest woman of Lieth Dauid Straton of the house of Lawristonne and M. Norman Gurlay These were called to the Abbey Church of Halyrowdhouse in Edenburghe by Iames Hay Bishoppe of Rose commissioner to Iames Beton Archbyshoppe in presence of King Iames the fift of that name who vppon the daye of theyr accusation was altogether clad in red apparell Iames Hamelton was accused as one that maintained the opynions of M. Patrick hys brother To whome the Kynge gaue counsaile to depart and not to appeare for in case hee appeared hee coulde not helpe him because the Byshops hadde perswaded hym that the cause of heresie dyd in no wise appertain vnto him and so Iames fledde and was condemned as an heretike all hys goodes and lands confiscate and disposed vnto others Catherine Hamelton his Sister appeared vpon the scaffolde and being accused of an horrible heresie to witte that her owne woorkes coulde not saue her shee graunted the same and after long reasoning betweene her and M. Iohn Spens the Lawyer shee concluded in this manner worke here worke there what kinde of working is all this A great heresie in the Popes church that no workes can saue vs but the workes of Christ. I knowe perfectly that no kinde of workes can saue me but only the workes of Christ my Lord and Sauiour The kyng hearing these words turned hym about and laught and called her vnto him and caused her to recant because shee was his aunt and shee escaped The woman of Leith was detected heereof that when the midwife in time of her labour bad her saye our Ladye helpe mee Shee cried Christe helpe mee Christe helpe mee in whose helpe I truste A great heresie to say◠Christ helpe 〈◊〉 our Ladye Shee also was caused to recant and so escaped without confiscation of her goods because she was maried Maister Norman Gurley for that he fayde there was no such thing as Purgatory and that the Pope was not a Byshop but Antichriste Agaynst Purgatorye and had no iurisdiction in Scotland Also Dauid Straton for that hee sayde there was no Purgatorie but the Passion of Christe and the tribulations of thys worlde and because that when M. Robert Lowson Uicare of Eglesgrig asked hys tieth fishe of hym hee did caste them to him out of the boate so that some of them fel into the Sea therefore he accused hym as one that shoulde haue sayde that no tithes should be payed These two because after great sollicitation made by the kynge they refused to abiure and recant were therefore condemned by the Byshop of Rose as heretickes and were burned vpon the greene side betweene Leith and Edenburgh to the entent that the inhabitants of Fiffe seeing the fire might be stricken with terrour and feare not to fall into the lyke Ex eodem Scripto ¶ And thus muche touching those Martyrs of Scotland which suffered vnder Iames Beton Archbishop of S. Andrewes After whom succeeded Dauid Beton in the same Archbyshoprike vnder whom diuers other were also martired as hereafter God willing in their order shall appeare Iohn Lōgland Byshop of Lincolne Rowland Vicare of great Wickam the Byshops Chaplen Thomas Harding an aged father dwelling at Chesham in Buckinghamshire At Chessham in Buckingham An. 1532. Thom. Harding dwelling at Chesham in the Countie of Buckingham with Alice his wife was firste abiured by William Smith Byshop of Lincolne an 1506. with dyuers other moe which the same time for speaking agaynst Idolatrie and superstition were taken and compelled some to beare fagots some were burned in the cheeke with hote irons some condemned to perpetuall prison some thrust into Monasteries and spoyled cleane of all theyr goodes some compelled to make pilgrimage to the great blocke otherwise called our Lady of Lincolne some to Walsingam some to Saint Romuld of Buckingham some to the roode of Wendouer some to S. Iohn Shorne c. of whōe mention is made in the Table before beginning pag 821. Of this Thomas Harding much rehearsall hath bene made before Tho. Harding martir as in the pages 821.822.823 First this Thomas Harding with Alice his wife being abiured and enioyned penance with diuers other moe by William Smith Bishop of Lincolne afterward by the sayd Byshop was released againe in the yeare of our
of the age of lx yeares and aboue Ex testimonio scripto ciuium Amershamensium ¶ I finde in the recordes of Lincolne about the same time and in the same Countrey of Buckynghamshyre in the which the foresayd Thomas Hardyng did suffer that diuers other for the lyke doctrine were molested and troubled whose names with there causes here vnder folow Elizabeth Wighthill Doctour London Mistres Alice Doly Elizabeth Wighthill being brought before Doctor London in the personage at Staunton Harecourt and there put to her othe deposed against Maistres Alice Doly her maistres that the sayde Maistres Doly speaking of Iohn Hacker of Colmanstreete in London Waterbearer Alyce Doly accused saide that he was very expert in the Gospels and all other things beloÌ„ging to diuine seruice and could expresse and declare it and the Pater noster in English as well as any Priest and it woulde doo one good to heare him sayeng moreouer that she woulde in no case y t this were knowne for hurting the poore man commaunding moreouer the said Elizabeth that she should tell no man hereof affirming at y e same time that the foresayde Hacker coulde tell of diuers prophesies what should happen in the Realme Ouer and besides the forenamed Elizabeth deposed that the sayde Mistresse Doly her Mistresse shewed vnto her that she had a booke which held against Pilgrimages and after that she caused Sir Iohn Boothe Parson of Britwell to reade vpon a booke which she called Legenda aurea one Saints life he read whiche did speake against Pilgrimages Agaynst Pilgrimage And after that was read her Mistresse sayde vnto her Loe daughter now yee may heare as I tolde you that this booke speaketh against Pilgrimages Furthermore it was deposed against Maistres Doly by the sayde Elizabeth that she beeing at Syr William Barentens place and seeing there in y e closet Images new gilded sayd to the sayd Elizabeth looke Against Images heere be my Lady Barentens Gods To whome the saide Elizabeth aunswered againe that they were set for remembraunce of good Saintes Then sayd she if I were in an house where no Images were I could remeÌ„ber to pray vnto Saints as well as if I did see the Images Nay sayd the other Images do prouoke deuotion Then sayd her Maistresse ye shoulde not worship that thyng that hath cares and can not heare and hath eyes and can not see and hath mouth and can not speake and hath hands and can not feele Item the sayd M. Doly was reported by the sayd partie to haue a booke conteining the xij Articles of the Creede couered with boordes and red couering Also another blacke booke whiche she set most price by which booke she kept euer in her chamber or in her coffer with diuers other bookes And this was about y e yeare of our Lord 1520. Ex Registro Lincolne ¶ Note heere good reader in this tyme which was aboue 46. yeares ago what good matter heere was to accuse and molest good women for William Smith of Northstoke in Oxfordshire Thomas Ferrar. Roger Hachman At Northstoke in Oxfordshire An. 1525. Agaynste thys Roger Hachman it was layd by depositions brought in Rog. Hatchman accused that he sitting at the church Ale at Northstoke sayde these words I will neuer looke to be saued for no good deede that euer I did neither for any that euer I will doo without I may haue my saluation by petition as an outlawe shall haue his pardon of the King and said that if hee might not haue his saluation so he thought he shuld be lost Ex Regist. Lin. Doctour Wharton Chauncellor to Tonstall Bishop of London Roberte West priest of Saint Andrew vndershaft At London An. 1529. Agaynste this Roberte West Priest it was obiected that he had commended Martin Luther and thought that he had done well in many things Rob. West accused as in hauing wife and children c. Item for sayeng that where as the Doctors of the Church haue commanded Priestes to saye Mattens and Euensong they had no authoritie so to do for the whiche he was abiured and was enioyned penance Ex Regist. Lincol. Doctor Morgan Iohn Ryburne At Roshborough An. 1530. It was testified against Iohn Ryburne by his sister Elisabeth Ryburne being put to her othe that she comming to him vpon the Assumption euen fouÌ„d him at Supper with butter and egges Iohn Ryburne accused and beeyng bid to sit downe and eate with him she aunswered that it was no conuenient time theÌ„ to eate To whom he saide agayne that God neuer made suche fasting dayes but you quoth he are so farre in Limbo patrum that you can neuer turne agayne And in further communication wheÌ„ she sayd that she would go on pilgrimage to the holy crosse at Wendouer he said again that she did nought For there is neuer a step saide hee that you set in going on Pilgrimage but you go to the Diuell and you go to the Churche to woorship that the Prieste doth hold aboue his head which is but bread and if you cast it to the Mouse he will eate it and sayd that hee woulde neuer beleeue that the Priest hath power to make his Lord. Item it was testified by another sister named Alice Ryburne that she beyng with her brother in a close called Brimmers close heard him say these wordes That a time shall come that no eleuation shall be made A prophesy Whereunto she answering againe asked and what seruice shall wee haue then He sayd that seruice that we haue now Furthermore the sayd Iohn Ryburne was accused vpon these wordes saying that the seruice of the Church was nought because it was not in English Forsayde hee if wee had our Pater noster in English we would say it nine times against once now c. Ex Regist. Lincol. fol. 300. ¶ Note heere out of the records of the register that in this examination of Iohn Ryburne first his two sisters then his owne wife and at last hys owne father were called before Iohn Longland Byshop of Lincolne and compelled by his othe to depose against him Iohn Longland Bishop of Lincolne Richard Ryburne Iohn Eaton Cicilie his wyfe At Rosheborough An. 1530. Iohn Eaton and Cicilie hys wife of the parish of Spine Sister against brother wife agaâ—nst husband Iohn Eaton and Cicilie his wife were detected by Richarde Ryburne that they were marked of certayne in the parish on the sonday then last past in the sacring tyme to holde downe their heads and would not looke vpon the Sacrament Item in the feast of exaltation of the holy crosse when the bels did ring solemnely betweene Mattens and high Masse for saieng in a butchers house what a clampering of bels is heere Item the sayde Iohn Ryburne was detected of Richard his father for saieng these wordes The priests do naught for they shoulde say their seruice in Englishe that euery man may knowe it Item for these wordes speaking to one of hys
out of Wales was brought to the gallowes and there also with the foresayd Frier as is sayde was set on fire Whome the Wealshmen muche worshipped and had a Prophecye amongest them that this Image shoulde set a whole forrest on fyre Which prophecy tooke effect for he set this Fryer Forest on fire and consumed hym to nothing The Fryer when he saw the fire come and that present death was at hand he caught hold vpon the lader and would not let it go but so vnpaciently took his death as neuer any man that put his trust in God at any time so vngodly or vnquietly ended his life In the month of October Nouember the same yere shortly after the ouerthrow of these images and pilgrimages folowed also the ruine of the Abbeis religious houses which by the speciall motion of the Lord Cromwel or rather and principally by the singuler blessing of almighty God were suppressed being geuen a litle before by acte of Parliament into the kinges hand wherupoÌ„ not onely the houses were rased but theyr possessions also disparcled among the nobility in such sort The ruyne dissolutioÌ„ of Abbeyes â—onasteryes in England as all friers monkes Chanons Nunnes and other sectes of religion were then so rooted out of this Realme from the very foundation that there semeth by Gods grace no possibility hereafter left for the generation of those straunge weedes to grow here any more according to the true verdict of our Lord and Sauior Christ in his Gospell saying Euery plantation being not planted of my father Math. 15. shal be plucked vp by the rootes c. ¶ The history of the worthy Martir of God Iohn Lambert otherwise named Nicolson with his troubles examinations and aunsweres as well before the Archbishop of Caunterbury Warham and other Bishops as also before K. Henry 8. by whom at length he was condemned to death burned in Smithfielde Ann. 1538. IMmediatly vpon the ruine and destruction of the monasteries Anno 1538. the same yeare in the month of Nouember followed the trouble and condemnation of Iohn Lambert y e faythfull seruaunt of Iesus Christ and Martyr of blessed memory This Lambert being borne and brought vp in Northfolke was first conuerted by Bilney and studied in the Uniuersity of Cambridge Where after that he had sufficiently profited both in Latin and Greeke and had translated out of both tongues sondry things into the English tongue being forced at last by violence of the time he departed from thence to the partes beyond the seas to Tyndall and Frith Lambert â—â—eacher to the Englysh 〈◊〉 at Antwerpe and there remained the space of a yeare and more being preacher and Chapleine to the Englishe house at Antwerpe till he was disturbed by sir Thomas More and by the accusation of one Barlow was caried froÌ„ Antwerpe to London Lambert brought froÌ„ Antwerpe to London where he was brought to examination first at Lambeth then at the Bishops house at Oxford before Warham y e Archb. of Cant. and other aduersaries hading 45. articles ministred agaynst him wherunto he rendred answere agayne by writing The which answeres for as much as they conteine great learning may geue some light to the better vnderstanding of the common causes of religion now in controuersy I thought here to exemplify the same Lambert accused by one Baâ—â—ow as they came right happely to our handes The copy both of the articles and also of his aunsweres here in order foloweth ¶ Articles to the number of 45. layd to Lambert IN primis whether thou wast suspecte or infamed of heresy Articles agaynst Iohn Lambert 2. Whether euer thou hadst any of Luthers bookes and namely sith they were condemned how long thou kepst them and whether thou hast spent any study on them 3. Whether thou wast constitute priest and in what Dioces and of what bishop 4. Whether it be lawfull for a Priest to mary a wife and whether a priest in some case be bouÌ„d by the law of God to mary a wife 5. Whether thou beleuest that whatsoeuer is done of man whether it be good or ill commeth of necessity 6. Whether the sacrament of the aulter be a sacrament necessary vnto saluation and whether after the consecration of the bread and wine done by the priest as by the minister of God there is the very body and bloud of Christ in likenes of bread and wine 7. Item what opinion thou holdest touching the Sacrament of Baptisme whether thou doest beleue that it is a sacrament of the Church and a necessary sacrament vnto saluation and that a Priest may baptise and that the order of baptising ordeined by the church is necessary and wholsome 8. Item whether you beleue that matrimony be a sacrament of the church necessary to be obserued in the church that the order appointed by the Church for the solemnising therof is allowable and to be holden 9. Item whether thou doest beleue orders to be a sacrameÌ„t of the church Sacrament of orders and that saying of masse ordeined by the Church is to be obserued of Priestes whether it be deadly sinne or not if it be omitted or contemned and whether the order of Priesthoode were inuented by mans imagination or ordeined by God 10. Item whether penaunce be a sacrament of the Church and necessary vnto saluation Sacrament of penance and whether auricular confession is to be made vnto the priest or is necessary vnto saluation and whether thou beleuest that a ChristiaÌ„ is bouÌ„d besides contrition of hart hauing the free vse of an apte or meet priest vnder necessity of saluation to be confessed vnto a Priest and not vnto any lay man be he neuer so good and deuout whether thou beleuest that a Priest in cases permitted vnto him may absolue a sinner beyng contrite and confessed from his sinnes and enioine him wholsome penaunce 11. Item whether thou doest beleue and holde Sacrament of confession that the sacrament of confirmation extreme vnction be sacrameÌ„ts of the church and whether that they doe profite the soules of them which receiue them and whether thou beleuest the foresayde seuen sacramentes to geue grace vnto them that do duly receiue them 12. Whether all thinges necessary vnto saluation are put in holy Scripture Vnwritten verities and whether things onely there put be sufficient and whether some thinges vpon necessity of saluation are to be beleued and obserued which are not expressed in Scripture 13. Whether thou beleuest that Purgatory is and whether that soules departed be therin tormented and purged Purgatory 14 Whether holy martyrs apostles and confessors departed from this world ought to be honored and called vpon Praying to Saintes and prayed vnto 15. Whether the Sayntes in heauen as Mediatours pray for vs 16. Whether thou beleuest that oblations pilgrimages may be deuoutly and meritoriously done to the sepulchres and reliques of sayntes Pilgrimage 17. Whether
Antichrist the other not Idols were worshipped of both nations y e profauatyng of the Supper and Baptisme was lyke vnto them both wicked superstition raigned on both partes and true worship was deformed and defaced with detestable hipocrisie Truely it is most false that they do affirme and say that I had subscribed vnto such kynde of heresies as though they had bene conformable vnto the law of God when as nothyng is more aduerse or repugnaunt therevnto for euen now of late God of hys goodnesse and mercy had opened my daâ—elyng eyes and hath drawen me out of the filthy slow of Idolatry and superstition in the which amongest others I haue so long tyme wallowed and tumbled Neither is it any lesse absurde that they affirme me to haue allured many to embrace the same except peraduenture they do vnderstand that I haue oftentymes wished that the yoke of Antichrist should be shaken and cast off from the neckes of the Scottes as it is from the Englishe men whiche thyng with a sincere and vpright heart and with an earnest mynd I do now also wish and desire The 5. Article That the Scottish nation and their Clergy be altogether blynded 5. Article whome he did also say and affirme that they had not the true Catholike fayth And this he dyd openly teach and preached also that hys fayth was much better more excellent then the faith of all the clergy in the realme of Scotland Borthwike No man will deny that people to be blynded which neyther heareth Christ nor his Apostles Such is the people of Scotland I speake of those vnto whom the veritie and truth of Christ hath not yet opened or manifested it selfe There is no cause therefore why they should accuse me of heresy Furthermore how farre of the nation and people of Scotland be from the hearyng of Christ albeit the premisses do sufficiently declare in that they do chalenge vnto the Romishe Antichrist the autoritie which Christ and hys Apostles do declare Antithesis oâ— comparison betweene the religioÌ„ of Scotâ—â—â—h men and the religion of Christ. Christ himselfe to be endued with all and that contrary to the worde of GOD they forbid priests to marry I will adde some thing more unto it where by the matter may be more euident Christ calleth himselfe the dore whereby all men ought to enter in at Iohn the x. chapter Contrariwise the Scottes doe say and affirme that we must enter in by the virgine Mary and Saint Peter Christ in the fourth of Iohn sayth The tyme shall come when as the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and truth the Scottes builde themselues hye temples and chappels for Idols in the which euen as Israell in tymes past they commit fornication Paule in his Epistle to the Hebrews and x. chapter sayth That Christ by one onely oblation hath made perfect all those for euermore which are sanctified which saying confirmeth also the wordes of Christ hangyng vppon the Crosse saying it is finished signifieng that by hys death there was a finall ende set vnto all sacrifices which are offered vp for sinnes But the Scottish church men as they are blasphemers in deede so do they bragge and boast that they daily offer vp Christ for the sinnes both of the quicke and of the dead God commaundeth vs that we shall not worship any grauen Image The Scottes do not onely fall downe flatte before Images but also offer vp incense vnto them Saint Paule teacheth vs that Christ is made our wisedome righteousnesse satisfaction and redemption The Scottes beyng wyse men in theyr owne conceites preferre and embrace traditions fayned inuented out by mans head before the lawe of God they stablish righteousnesse in their owne workes sanctification in holy water and other externall things redemption in pieces of lead which they doe buy of their great Antichrist who then will quarell with me that I doe lye that the people of Scotland are blind and that my faith which doth onely behold the word of God to be much more better and excellent then theirs The 6. Article Agreeably to the ancient errors of Iohn Wickliffe and Iohn Hus Archheretikes condempned in the Councell of Constance 6. Article he hath affirmed and preached that the clergy ought not to possesse or haue any temporall possessions neyther to haue any iurisdiction or authoritie in temporalties euen ouer theyr owne subiectes but that all these things ought to be taken from them as it is at this present in England Borthwike The Lord in the xviij chapter of the booke of Numbers sayd thus vnto Aaron The Leuiticall law is no necessary rule now binding But he meaneth here of excessiue landes possessions of Abbeyes and religious he uses addict to them but the princes may diminish or conuert theÌ„ otherwise vpon considerations thou shalt possesse nothyng in theyr land neyther shalt thou haue any portion amongest them I am thy portion and inheritage amongst the children of Israell for vnto the sonnes of Leuy I haue geuen all the tithes of Israel that they should possesse them for their ministery which they do execute in the tent of ordinaries Albeit I do not doubt but that the order of the Leuites and of our clergy is farre different and variable For the administration of theyr sacred and holy thyngs after theyr death passed vnto their posterity as it were by right of inheritaunce which happeneth not vnto the posteritie of our clergy in these dayes Furthermore if any heritage be prouided or gotten for them I doe not gaynesay but that they shall possesse it But still I doe affirme that all temporall iurisdiction should bee taken from them for when as twise there rose a contention amongst the Disciples which of them should be thought the greatest Christ aunswered The kyngs of nations haue dominion ouer them and such which haue power ouer them are called beneficiall you shall not do so For he which is greatest amongst you shall be made equall vnto the yongest or lest and he which is the prince or ruler amongst you shall be made equall vnto hym which both minister mynding thereby and willyng vtterly to debarre the ministers of hys word from all terrene and ciuill dominion and Empire For by these poyntes he doth not onely declare that the office of a pastor is distinct and deuided from the office of a prince and ruler Ciuill dominion â—â—fering from Ecclesiasticall but that they are in effect so muche different and seperate that they cannot agree or ioyne together in one man Neither is it to be thought that Christ did set or ordaine an harder law then he himself before did take vpon hym Forsomuch as in the 12. of Luke certayne of the company sayd vnto hym Maister commaund my brother that he deuide his inheritaunce with me He aunswered Man who made me a Iudge or deuider amongest you We see therefore that Christ euen simply did reiect and refuse the office of a Iudge
their mother helde taught and communed of the sayd errours within their house diuers times by the space of those three yeares past as well on holy dayes as working dayes affirming and teaching that the saide opinions were good and lawfull and to be holden and maintained and agreemente was made amongst them that none of them should discouer or bewray eyther of these beliefes in any wise Finally that they neuer heard their sayd father and mother holding nor reaching any other opinions then be the said errours against the Sacrament of the altar and pilgrimages offerings worshipping of Saints and Images as farre as they could remember c. Ex verbis Regist. Heere hast thou Christian reader before thine eyes an horrible spectacle of a singular yea of a double impietie first of an vnnaturall husband Example of an vnnaturall husband and of vnnaturall children witnessing against his own wife and of as vnnaturall children accusing and witnessing against their owne naturall mother Which although they had so done the cause being of it selfe iust and true as it was not yet had they done more then nature woulde haue led them to do Now the case being such as which by Gods word standeth firme sound and perfect what impietie were it for men to accuse a poore innocent in case of heresie which is no heresie Now besides all this the husband to come in against his owne wife and the children to bring in the knife wherewith to cut the throate of theyr owne naturall mother that bare them that nourished theÌ„ that brought them vp what is this but impietie vpon impietie Great impiety of the husband toward the wife prodigious and horrible for all Christian eares to heare And yet the greatest impietie of all resteth in these pretensed Catholickes and Clergiemen which weare the authors and causers of all this mischiefe The cause why this good woman so stood as she dyd in the deniall of these foresaid articles obiected Greater impiety in the children against the mother was thys for that she neuer thought that her husband and her owne children who onely were priuie of her Religion would testifie agaynst her Whom notwithstanding after she perceaued to come in and to depose this agaynst her denying stil as she did before that she did euer hold such maner of errours Greatest impiety of all in the Clergy men the authors hereof and being now destitute of all frends and comfort brast out in these woordes openly as the register reporteth that she repented the time that euer she bare those children of her body And thus the Archb. with his Doctours hauing now the thing that they sought for albeit she was ready to deny all errours Ex Regist. W. Warrham Fol. 177. and to conforme her selfe to theyr religion yet notwithstanding they refusing her readines and conformitie proceeded to theyr sentence and so condemned her to death Agnes Grebell condemned by the sentence of the Archb. Robert Harrison examined W. Carder Agnes Grebyll Robert Harison Martyrs After whose condemnation next was brought to examination Rob. Harrison whom in like maner because he stoode in his deniall contrary witnesses agaynst him were produced to wit Christofer Grebyll W. Rich W. Olberd Agnes Iue who a litle before had bene abiured and therfore were so much the more apt and appliable to serue the Bishops humour for daunger of relapse After the deposition conuiction of which witnesses although he submitted himselfe to repentaunce and conformitie yet notwythstanding it would not be receaued but sentence was read he condemned with the other two aforesayd vnto y e fire And thus these three were condemned and burned certificate geuen vp of them together to the king froÌ„ Warrham the Archbishop vpon the same An. 1511. Maij. 2. Ex Regist. Cant. Ouer and besides these three godly martyrs aboue recited I finde in the foresayd Registers of W. Warrham Io. Browâ—â— Edward Walker Martyrs ij other godly like martirs also in the same yeare and for the same xij articles aboue specified to be condemned vpon y e depositions of certayne witnesses brought in agaynst theÌ„ to wyt Tho. Harwod Phillip Harwod Witnesses agaynst these two Martyrs Stephen Castelyn W. Baker Rob. Reynold Ioh. BaÌ„pton Rob. Bright W. Rich. c. whereupon they were adiudged likewise for heretickes to be burned the yeare aforesayd 1511. y e names of which two martyrs were Iohn Brown and Edward Walker Ex Regist. W. Warrh fol. 179. Nowe as you haue heard the names of these blessed Martyrs with their articles recited let vs also heare the tenor of the Bishops sentence by the which they were condemned one after an other Their sentence contayneth one vniforme maner of wordes in forme as followeth * The tenour of the sentence IN nomine Dei Amen Nos Willielmus permissione diuina Cantuariensis Archiepis totius Angliae primas Apostolicae sedis Legatus The 〈◊〉 nation of these 〈◊〉 aforesayd martyrs in quodam negotio hereticae prauitatis contra te Willielmum Carder de Tenterden nostrae Cant. Dioceseos laicum ac nostro imperio notoriè subditum subiectum coram nobis in iudicio personaliter comparentem nobis super heretica prauitate huiusmodi detectum delatum ac per nostram Diocesim Cantuariae antedictae notoriè publicè in ea parte apud bonos graues diffamatum ex officio mero ritè canonicè precedentes auditis intellectis visis cognitis rimatisque ac matura deliberatione discussis ponderatis dicti negotij meritis seruatisque in omnibus per omnia in eodem negotio de iure seruandis ac quomodo libet requisitis pro tribunali sedentes Christi nomine inuocato solum Deum prae oculis habentes Quia per acta actitata deducta probata exhibita coram nobis in eodem negocio inuenimus te per probationes legitimas coram nobis in hac parte iudicialiter factas nonnullos varios errores haereses damnatas opiniones iuri diuino ecclesiastico obuiantes contrarios repugnantes contra fidem orthodoxam determinatam obseruatam tenuisse credidisse affirmasse predicasse dogmatizasse presertim contra Sacramenta altaris seu eucharistiae poenitentiae ordinis alia Sacramenta sanctae matris Ecclesiae dogmata Et quamuis nos Christi vestigijs inhaerendo qui non vult mortem peccatoris sed magis vt conuertatur viuat sepenumero conati fuimus te corrigere ac vijs modis licitis canonicis quibus potuimus aut sciuimus ad fidem orthodoxam per vniuersalem Catholicam Apostolicam Ecclesiam determinatam obseruatam ac ad vnitatem eiusdem sanctae matris Ecclesiae reducere tamen inuenimus te adeo durae ceruicis quòd tuos errores haereses huiusmodi nolueris sponte incontinenti confiteri nec ad fidem Catholicam vnitatem sanctae matris Ecclesiae antedictas debitè reuerti
rehearsed Besides these two there was none els in all king Edwardes raigne Tho. Dobbe inprisoned and in prison dyed that dyed in any maner cause of religion but that one Thom. Dobbe who in the beginning of this kinges raigne was apprehended for speaking agaynst the idolatry of the masse and in the same prison died as in story here ensueth to be sene This Thomas Dobbe being a studeÌ„t and a maister of Arte in Cambridge was brought vp in the colledge called S. Iohns Colledge and felowe of the same where he increased in the studye of good letters among his equals very forward of nature and disposition simple and modest of zeale toward God ferueÌ„t pacient in iniuries Doues as Philosophers naturally do write haue no gall iniurious to no man of much like sort condition as in Doues which without all bitternes of gal are more apt to receiue iniury then to worke wrong to any At length this godly man intending with himselfe and addicting hys mynde to the Christian state of Matrimony resorted to a certayn mayden not farre of where he dwelt For the whiche cause he was greatly molested and wickedly abused by iij. of that Colledge whose names were Hutchinson Pindare and Tailer who with theyr malicious handlyng scornful dealing opprobries rebukes and coÌ„tumelies so much vexed the vertuous simplicity of y e man that they neuer left him till at length they weryed him out of the Colledge Who there hauing no rest nor quietnes by reasoÌ„ of the vnreasonable and viruleÌ„t handling of his aduersaries was compelled to seek some other place wherin to settle himself Up on the occasion wherof comming vp to LoÌ„don it chauÌ„ced him to passe through Paules Church wheras it happned that at the Southside of the Churche at the same tyme there was a Priest at Masse more busy then wel occupied being at the eleuation as he passed by The yong man repleat with godly zeale pitying the ignorance and idolatry of the people in honoring that so deuoutly which the priest lifted vp was not able to forbeare but opening his mouth turning to the people he exhorted them not to honor the visible bread as God which neither was God nor yet ordeined of God to be honored c. with such other wordes mo of christian information For which cause straight way he was apprehended by the Maior and after accused to the Bishop of CauÌ„terbury was committed to the CouÌ„ter theÌ„ in Bredstreete where he not long continued but fallyng into a sicknes how or wherupon I can not tell shortly vp on the same chauÌ„ged this mortall life Whose pardoÌ„ notw tstanding was obteined of the Lord Protector and shoulde haue bene brought him if he had coÌ„tinued And thus much concerning Thomas Dobbe and other Ouer and besides I finde that in the first yeare of the raygne of King Edward which was an 1547. there was one Iohn Hume seruaunt to Maister Lewnax of Wresell apprehended accused and sent vp to the Archbish. of CauÌ„terbury by the sayd M. Lewnax his Mayster Margaret Lewnax his mistres for these Articles 1 First for denying the Sacrament as it was then called of the aultar to be the reall flesh and bloud of Christ. 2 For saying that he would neuer vale his bonet vnto it to be burned therefore 3 For saying that if he shoulde heare Masse he shoulde be damned For this was he sent vp by his maister and mistres aforesayd with speciall letters vnto the Archbishop requiring him seuerally to be punished by the law for the same But because I finde no execution folowing thereupon I therfore passe ouer this story of him These thinges premissed when this vertuous godly yong prince endued as you haue heard with speciall graces from God was now peaceably stablished in his kingdome and had a couÌ„sell about him graue wise and zelous in Gods cause especially his vncle y e duke of Somerset he then most earnestly likewise desired as well the aduauncement of the true honor of almighty God and the planting of his sincere religion as also the vtter suppressioÌ„ and extirpation of all idolatry superstition hipocrisy and other enormities and abuses throughout his realmes and dominions therefore folowing as is afore expressed the good example of king Iosias he determined forthwith to enter into some reformation of Religion in the Church of England And forasmuch as at his first entry notwithstanding his fathers good beginning in abolishing the vsurped power of Antichrist he yet fouÌ„d most of his lawes greatly repugning agaynst this his zealous enterprise he therefore purposed by the aduise of his sayd wise honorable Counsell of his owne regall power and authority somewhat to prosecute his godly purpose vntill such time as by consent of the whole estate of parliameÌ„t he might establish a more free perfect and vniforme order therin Wherupon intending first a generall visitation ouer al the bishopricks within his realm therby as wel to vnderstaÌ„d Order 〈◊〉 by K. 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 â—â—â—ligion as also to redresse the abuses in the same he chose out certayn wise learned discrete and worshipful personages to be his Commissioners in that behalfe and so deuiding them into seuerall companies Learneâ— preacheâ— appoynâ—â—â— by King Edwarâ— assigned vnto them seueral Diocesses to be visited appoynting likewise vnto euery company one or two godly learned preachers which at euery Session shoulde in theyr preaching both instruct the people in the true doctrine of the Gospell of Christ in all loue and obedience to the same and also earnestly dehorâ—e them from theyr olde superstition and wonted Idolatrye And that they might be more orderly directed in this their Commission there were deliuered vnto them certayn Iniunctions ecclesiasticall orders drawne out by the kings learned counsell the which they should both enquyre of also commaund in his maiesties behalfe to be thenceforth obserued of euery person to whoÌ„ they did seuerally appertayne within theyr sondry circuites In the which amongst other things it was first enioined that all Ecclesiasticall persons should themselues obserue and cause to be obserued of other Ecclesiaâ—â—â—â—call 〈◊〉 must 〈◊〉 against 〈◊〉 Popes 〈…〉 all such Statutes as were made for the abolishing of the Bishop of Romes vsurped power and establishing of the kings supreme authority and that they should euery one foure times in the yeare at the least in theyr publick sermons declare vnto y e people that the one being most arrogaÌ„tly vsurped against the word of God was now iustly taken away and the other according to y e very true meaning of the same worde was of most loyall duety onely to be obeyed of all his graces subiectes And agayne that euery the aforesayd ecclesiastical person hauing cure shoulde preach Sermonâ— quarterâ—â— be made or cause to be preached w t in theyr seueral cures one sermon euery quarter of y e yere In the which they should sincerely set forth the woorde of God exhort the people vnto
much vnlike so in matters of religion and in discerning truth from falshood their zeale seemed not much discrepant Although the light of the Gospell did not so fully then shine out as in the time of this latter Duke the Lord be praysed therfore yet the wisedome and towardnes of y e other Duke also touching the same was not vtterly vnworthy of his commendation A false miracle detected by Duke Humfrey of Glocester For the more manifest declaration whereof amongest many other his godly doinges we may take for example the prudent and famous acte of that noble Duke in descerning and trying out the false lying miracle and popish hipocrisie of the blinde begger at S. Albons mentioned in his story before pag. 679. For the whiche cause and for his dilligent studye in reforming that and such other blinde abuses of fayned Religion he was the more hated of the spiritualtie and suche as Winchester then was Finally as thys Lorde Protector Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle by certayne of the Counsayle was then accused arraigned cōdemned for the trespasse as it was geuen forth of felonie although I neuer heard he murdered or robbed any so the other vncle of king Henry the 6. was made away The testimonye of M. William Tindall of good Duke Humfrey The happy successe of the Duke of Somerset in his victoryes Of whose decease thus writeth Mayster W. Tindall in his practise of Prelaets At y e last they found the meanes to contriue a drift to bring their matters to passe made a Parliamēt far from the Citizens of Londō where was slayne the sayd good Duke the onely wealth of the Realme and y e mighty shield which so long had kept it from sorowe which shortly after his death fell vpon thē by heapes But the Chronicles sayth he cannot tel wherfore he dyed nor by what meanes Neuertheles this they testifie that he was a vertuous man godly and good to the common wealth But to leaue Duke Humfrey and to return to the maners and vertues of the Duke of Somerset whiche before we were about to describe as he was a gentle and courteous Duke at home so was he no lesse fortunate a Captain in warfare abroad Gods chastisement vpon the Duke of Somerset Under whose gouernment guidyng not onely diuers rebellious commotions were happily suppressed here at home but also abroad in the expedition of Scotland such a victory was geuen him of God that w t the losse scarse of sixe hundred of his own men there were of the enemies as good or little lesse then x. thousand slayn and put to flight and euen the very same day and tyme in the which all the Idolatrous Images were here burnt at London And yet al these warres notwithstanding wherunto he was agaynst his will compelled he was a man of nature singularly geuen to peace as may be seene by the sweete and peaceable exhortation by him set forth in print before and sent to the realme of Scotland But as there is nothing in this worlde so perfect in all respectes which is not blotted or darckned with some spot of vice adioyned withal so amongst the manifold commēdations of this Duke one thinge there was too whiche both desteyned his honour and estimation much and also more empayred and hindered his owne life safety which was that he in condescending to the death of his brother followed too rashly the perswasion of certayne whosoeuer they were for that matter lacked not perchaunce some singular fetche and pollicie of some more craftely then godly disposed persons as many good men haue supposed But what soeuer of that matter is to be deemed credible it is that the said Duke in suffering or procuring this death of his brother not only endamaged himselfe weakened his own power but also prouoked the chastisement of Gods scourge and rod which did so light vpon him Furthermore as touching the death and decay of the Lord Henry Earle of Surrey who suffered also at the Tower next before the Lord Admirall the Lorde Protectours brother because the casting of him was so neare to the death of King Henry The beheading of the Earle of Surrey as I know not vpon whome or what cause the same did proceede so I passe it ouer and leaue it to the Lord. Notwithstanding as for the Duke of Somerset whatsoeuer his other vices and vertues were this is certayne that his ende the Lord so working wyth him was constant in Christes truth as his life was before a great maintenance of the same Moreouer on the xxvj day of February in the same yeare was sir Rafe Uane Syr Rafe Vane Syr Myles Partrige Syr Michael Stanhop and Syr Thomas Arundell suffered at Tower hyll sir Miles Partrige both hāged at the Tower hill And sir Michaell Stanhop sir Thomas Arundell beheaded vppon the scaffold all which four were condemned by the saide Acte of vnlawfull assemblie and as accessaries vnto the Duke of Somerset Not long after the death of the Duke of Somerset in the next yeare folowing deceassed the King himselfe about the moneth of Iune whereof more shall be said the Lord graunting in his due order and course heereafter In the meane season before we come to close vp the latter end and story of this good King the place heere present seemeth not vnfitte to intermixt by the way a few other things before Religion hindered by discorde hapning within the time of his reigne namely concerning matters incident of the Church of Religiō Which state of Religion begā wel to grow to come happely forward during this Kings daies had not the vnhappy troubles of the outward state amongst the Lords not agreeing within themselues disquieted the good towardnes of things begon But the malice of the diuell how subtilly worketh it if men could see it So long as the Lordes agreed in concord among themselues Winchester and Boner with all that faction was cut short and began to condescend to good cōformitie But afterward perceauing the states and nobles of the Realme to be amōg themselues diuided and y e Lord Protectour the Kings vncle displaced and his brother the Admirall before beheaded and the yong King now left in that case they begā vpon some hope to take more hart vnto them Discorde what decay it worketh in a common wealth till at last it came to passe as they themselues desired And thus though nothing else will leade vs yet experience may teach vs what discorde worketh in publicke weales and contrary what a necessary thing concord is to the aduancemēt especially of Gods matters apperteining to his Church Examples whereof in this Kings daies be not farre to seeke For as touching the successe of the Gospell of peace D. Smyth Chadsey Standish Younge Oglethorpe reclaymed from their errours while publicke peace and the Gospel did ioine together marueilous it was how errour Popery were in themselues confounded and ashamed
in that they make it so necessary a thyng and a worshippyng of God it cannot but be agaynst Christ and the freedome of hys Gospell and the same thyng teacheth vs that it is agaynst the commoditie of our brethren which eyther be weake eyther be strong eyther be ignorant either be obstinate If they be weake by your resortyng to it they be made more weake If they be strong you do what you can to infirme their strength If they be ignorant therein you helpe to keepe them by your facte If they bee obstinate your resortyng to it cannot but rocke them a sleepe in their obstinate errour of the necessitie of this rite and ceremony These causes recited doe shew you what I thinke in this but my thinkyng must no further bynd you then a mans thought should do except the same be grounded vpon Gods worde which byndeth in deede as I thinke they doe I doubt not but you waying these causes and especially two of the first and the last if you pray to God for his spirite to direct you and thereto aske the aduise of this my good brother and other godly learned men I doubt not I say but you should be guided to do that which is best in gods sight although in the sight of the world perhaps you should bee counted foolish and precise But bee at a poynt with your selues as the disciples of Christ which had forsaken themselues to follow not your will but Gods will as you daily pray in the Lordes prayer The crosse of Christ bee willyng to cary least you cary the crosse of the world the flesh or the deuill 4. Crosâ—â—â— whereof 〈◊〉 bringeth 〈◊〉 hell One of these 4. crosses you must cary Three of them bringeth to hell and therefore the more part goeth that way which is a broad way Only the fourth bringeth to heauen but few go that way as wel because the way is straite as also because few walke in it Howbeit Why thâ— more 〈◊〉 go that 〈◊〉 that lâ—â—â—deth to â—â—â—dition though it bee straite it is but short and the few are many if you consider the godly as the Patriarkes Prophets Apostles Martyrs Confessors and Christ Iesus with all his gard and trayne Thinke not scorne to come after them which are gone before you and after them which now go before you in whose number I trust I am apointed to be one and I beseech you pray for me that God would vouch me worthy that honour Our sinnes deserue plagues prison and the losse of all that euer wee haue therefore if God remooue our sinnes out of sight and sende vs prison or losse of goods and liuyng for his names sake Oh how happy are we My deare hearts in the Lord consider this geare and bee assured that he which looseth any thyng for Christes sake the same in his posteritie shall finde it here and in heauen elsewhere As for vnablenes to aunswer for your fayth it shall be enough to will them to dispute with your teachers Faith standeth not in disputyng I thinke few if it came to disputing could defend the godhead of Christ and many other articles I speake it for the simple sorte Pray for me Lacke of paper maketh this end Commend me to my good brother R. B. and my good sister his wyfe I pray them to pray for me I trust by this bearer to heare how you do Iohn Bradford ¶ Another letter to N. and his wyfe GOds mercy in Christ I wish you to feele An other letter of Bradford a dearâ— friend 〈◊〉 his wyâ—â— my dere brother with my faithfull sister your wyfe now and for euer Amen Hauing this occasion I could not but write something as wel to put my selfe in remembrance of my duty to godwards for you both in thankefulnes and praier as to put you in remembrance of me and your duety towards God for me in praying for me for I dare not say in thankfulnes for me nor that I would haue you to geue no thaÌ„ks to God for his wonderfull great and sweete mercies towards me and vpon me in Christ his sonne but because I haue not deserued it at either of your hands For ye both know right wel at least my coÌ„science doth accuse me how that I haue not onely not exhorted taught you as both my vocation and your deserts required to walke worthy of that vocation which god hath made you worthy of and with treÌ„bling and feare to woorke out your saluation that is in the feare of God to geue your selues to great vigilaÌ„cie in praier for the encrease of faith and to a wary circumspection in all your conuersation not onely in works and woords but also in thoughts because God is a searcher of the heart and out of the heart it commeth that defileth vs in Gods sight I haue I say not onely not done thys but also haue geuen you example of negligence in praier watching fasting talking and doing so that woe to me for geuing suche offence Partly for this cause deare brother and sister God hath cast me heere that I might repent me and turne to him and that ye might also by this correction vpon me be more diligent to redresse these things and others if they in your conscience doe accuse you My dearly beloued heauy is Gods anger fallen vpon vs all doulefull is this day Nowe hath Antichrist all his power again Now is Christes gospel troden vnder fote Now is Gods people a derision and pray for the wicked Now is the greatest plague of al plagues fallen the want of Gods word and al these we haue yea I alone haue iustly deserued Oh that as I wryte I alone I could w t Dauid 1. Par. 21. and with Ionas in heart say so But I doe not I do not I see not howe greeuously I haue sinned howe great a misery is fallen for mine vnthankefulnes for Gods worde for mine hypocrisie in professing preaching hearing and speaking of Gods word for my not praying to God for the coÌ„tinuance of it for my not louing of it thoroughly as it requireth c. I will speake nothing of my manifest euils for they are knowen to you wel enough Deare brother and sister wyth me say yee the lyke for your owne partes and with me ioyne your hearts and let vs go to our heauenly father and for his Christes sake beseeche him to be mercifull vnto vs and to pardon vs Oh good father it is we that haue deserued the taking away of thy woorde it is we that haue deserued these thy iust plagues fallen vpon vs we haue done amisse we haue dealt vniustly wyth thy Gospell we haue procured thy wrathe and therfore iust art thou in punishing vs iust art thou in plaging vs for we are very miserable But good Lord and deare father of mercy whose iustice is such that thou wilt not punish the poore soules of thys realme which yet haue not thus sinned against thee as wee