having intelligence that he was to be apprehended was willed by his friends to flee and shift for himself but he would not saying that he had rather that he had never been born then so to doe It was the office of a good shepherd he said not to flee in time of perill but rather to abide the danger least the flock be scartered or least peradventure in so doing hee should leave some scruple in their minds thus to think that he had fed them with dreams and fables contrary to the word of God therefore beseeching them to move him no more therein he told them that he feared not to yeeld up both body and soul in the quarrel of that truth which hee had taught saying with St. Paul that hee was ready not only to be bound for the testimony of Christ in the City of Burdeaux but also to die the Somner came and was in the City three days during which time Aymondus preached three Sermons the people in defence of their Preacher flew upon the Somner to deliver him out of his hands But Aymond desired them not to stop his Martyrdom seeing that it was the will of God that he should suffer for him he would not said he resist Then the Consuls suffered the Somner and so Aymond was carried to Burdeaux there he was accused and false witnâ—sse brought in against him all their accusation was only for denying purgatory after long and miserable imprisonment he is put to death and burnt Frances Bonbard was said to be Secretary of the Cardinall of bellare who being also for the Gospel condemned after his tongue was cut off did with like constancy sustain the sharpnesse of burning The enemies of the Gospel seeing that these that were condemned to die at the place of the Execution moved many with their speech therefore they obtained a decree of the Judges that all which were to be burned unlesse they recanted at the fire should have their tongues cut off which Law diligently afterward was observed Michael Michelot a Taylour being apprehended for the Gospels sake was judged first if he would turn to be beheaded and if he would not turn then to be burned alive who being asked whether of these two he would choose answered that he trusted that he which hath given him grace not to deny the truth would also give him patience to abide the fire He was burned at Warden by Turney Seven men and women of the City of Langres for the Word and Truth of Christ Jesus were committed to the fire wherein they died with much strength and comfort but especially Joan which was Simon Marshall his Wife being reserved to the last place because she was the youngest confirmed her Husband and all the other with words of singular consolation declaring to her Husband that they should the same day be married to the Lord Jesus to live with him for ever Anne Andebert an Apothecaries Wife and Widow going to Geneva was taken and brought to Paris and by the Counsell there judged to be burned at Orleance When the Rope was put about her she called it her Wedding girdle wherewith she should be married to Christ And as she should be burned upon a Saturday upon Michaelmas-even upon a Saturday I said she I was first married and upon a Saturday I shall be married again And seeing the Dung-cart brought wherein she should be carried she rejoyced thereat shewing such constancy in her Martyrdome and made all the beholders to marvell Among many other godly Martyrs that suffered in France a story of a poor Taylour of Paris that dwelt in the Street of St. Antony is not the least and worst to be remembred his name is not expressed he was apprehended of a certain Officer in the Kings house for that upon a certain Holy-day he followed his Occupation and did work for his living before he was had to the Prison the Officers asked him why he did labour and work giving no observation of the Holy-day to whom he answered that he was a poor man living only upon his labour And as for the day he knew no other but the Sunday wherein he might not lawfully work for the necessity of his living he is clapt into Prison word hereof coming to the Kings ears the poor man was sent for to appear that the King might have the hearing of him who being come before the King the King commanded Petrus Castellanus Bishop of Mascon to question with him The Taylour being entred and nothing appalled at the Kings Majesty after his reverence done unto the Prince gave thanks to God that he had so greatly dignified him being such a wretch as to bring him where he might testifie his truth before such a mighty prince Then Castellanus entring talk began to reason with him touching the greatest and chiefest matter of Religion Whereunto the Tailyour without fear or any halting in his speach with present audacity wit and memory so answered for the sincere Doctrine and simple truth of Gods Gospell as was both convenient to the purpose and also to his Questions aptly and fitly correspondent notwithstanding the Nobles there present with cruell taunts and rebukes did what they could to dash him out of countenance yet all this terrified not him but with boldnesse of Heart and free Liberty of Speech he defended his cause or rather the cause of Christ the Lord neither flattering with their persons or fearing their threats which was to them all a singular admiration to behold the simple poor Artificer to stand so firm and bold answering before the King to these Questions propounded against him Whereat when the King seemed to muse with himself as one somewhat amazed and which might soon have been induced at that present to further knowledge the egregious Bishop and other Courtiours seeing the King in such a muse said he was an obstinate and a stubborn person obfirmed in his own opinion and therefore was not to be marvelled at but to be sent to the judges and punished and therefore least he should trouble the eares of the said King Henry he was commanded again to the hands of the Officers that his cause might be informed and so within few dayes after he was condemned by the high Steward of the Kings house to be burned alive And least any deep consideration of that excellent fortitude of the poor man might further peradventure pierce the Kings mind the Cardinalls and Bishops were ever in the Kings ear telling him that these Lutherans were nothing else but such as carried vain smoak in their mouths which being put to the fire would soon vanish Wherefore the King was appointed himself to be present at his excution which was sharp and cruel before the Church of Marie the Virgin where it pleased God to give such strength and courage to his servant in suffering his Martyrdome that the beholding thereof did more astonish the King then all the other did before Thomas Sanpaulinus a Young Man of the Age of
the either his divorce with the Lady Kathren Dâ—wager of Spain came into qâ—estion which being many wayes by the space of two or three years amongst the Canonists Civilians and other learned men diversly disputed and debated at what time Cardinal Campeius and Cardinal Volsey being in commission from the Pope to hear and determine that great cause in controversity between the King and the Queen his pretended wife dalied and delayed all the Summer time hearing the said cause in controversie debated and the little minding to pâ—oceed to sentence giving took occasion to finish their commission and not further to determine therein So on a night two Doctors of the kings side and Doctor Cranmer being lodged in one house and as they were at supper they conferred with Doctor Cranmer concerning the Kings cause and asking his judgement he answered that in his opinion they made more adoe in prosecuting she law ecclesiasticall then needed It were better I suppose quoth Doctor Cranmer that the question whether a man may many his brothers wife or no were decided and discurssâ—d by the Divines and by the authority of the word of God whereby the conscience of the Prince may be better satisfied and qâ—ieted then thus from year to year by frustretory delayes to prolong the einâ— leaving the very trâ—th of the matter unâ—oulted o it by the wâ—rd of God and this may be done as well in England in the Universities here as at Rome or else where in any foâ—raign nation When Doctor Cranmer had thus endâ—d his Tale the other two well liked of his devise The King hearing of this advise of â—ranmers caused in all haste to send for him I perceive said the King I peâ—ceive that that man hath the Sow by the right ear And if I had known of this devise two years ago it had been in my way a great peece of money and had also red me out of much disquietnesse he comes to the King and after conference between the King and him he layes a charge upon him to search the Scripture in the cause of his divorce and to write his mind therein so he went about the businesse and incontinent wrote his mind concerning the Kings question adding to the same besides the authority of the Scriptures of General Counsels and of ancient writers also his opinion which was this that the Bishop of Rome had no such authority as whereby he might dispense with the word of God and the Scriptue When Doctor Cranmer had made this book and committed it to the King the King said to him will ye abide by this that yee have here written before the B. of Rome that will I do by Gods grace quoth Doctor Cranmer if your Majesty do send me thither Marie quoth the King I will send you even to him in a sure Ambassage And this by means of Doctor Cranmers handling of this matter with the King not only certain learned men were sent abroad to the most part of the Universities in Christendom to dispute the question but also the same being by commission disputed by the Divines in both the Universities in Cambrige and Oxford It was there concluded that no such Matrimony was by the word of God lawfull Whereupon a solemn Ambassage was then prepared and sent to the Bishop of Rome wherein went the Earle of Wiltshire Doctor Cranmer and other Doctors And when the time came that they should come before the Bishop of Rome to declare the cause of their Ambassage the Bishop sitting on high in his cloath of state and in his rich apparâ—el with his Sandals one his feet offering as it were his foot to be kissed of the Ambassadours the Earie of Wiltshire disdaining thereat stood still and made no countenance thereunto so that all the rest keeped them from that idolatry howbeit one thing is not here to be omitted as a Prognosticat of our separation from the seat of Rome which then chanced by a Spaniel of the Earle of Wiltshire for he having there a great Spaniel which came out of England with him stood directly between the Earle and the Bishop of Rome when the said Bishop had advanced forth his foot to be kissed now whether the Spaniel perceived the Bishop foot of another matter than it ought to be and so taking it to be some kind of repast or whether it was the will of God to shew some token by the Dog unto the Bishop of his inoâ—dinate pride that his foot were moâ—e meet to be bitten of dogs then kissed of Christian men the Spaniel I say when the Bishop extended his foot to be kissed no man regarding the fame straight waies as though he had been of purpose appointed thereunto went directly to the Popes foot and not only kissed the same unmannerly but as some plainly reported and affirmed took fast with his mouth the great toe of the Pope so that in hast he pulled in his glorious feet from the Spaniel whereat one man smileing in their sleeves what they thought God knoweth But in fine the Pontificall B. after that sought no more at that present for kissing his feet but without any ceremony gave ear to the Ambassadors what they had to say Who entring there before the Bishop offered on the Kings behalf to be defended that no man Jure Divino could or ought to Marrie his Brothers wife and that the Bishop of Rome by no means ought to dispense to the contrary Diverse promises were made and sundry dayes appointed wherein the question should have been disputed and when one part was ready to answer no man there appeared to dispute in that behalf So in the end the B. making to our Ambassadors good countenance and gratifying Doctor Cranmer with the office of the penitentiariship dismissed them undisputed withal the Ambassadors retuâ—ned but Cranmer went forward in his Ambassage to the Emperor and there to answer such learned men of the Emperors Counsell as would or could say any thing to the contrary part c. At this time B. Warhame then Archbishop of Canterbury departed this transitoâ—y life whereby that dignity then being in the gift and diâ—position of the King was given unto Cranmer as worthy for his travel of such a promotion He proved a notable B. being indued with all these qualities that the Apostle requires in a Bishop He had many enemies in King Henries time but the King held him up In Queen Maries time he is put to great trouble for his Religion he is imprisoned and keeped long in prison and brought out to his examination and tryall sundrie times he is degraded from his office and condemned The Doctors and Divines of Oxford busied themselves all that ever they could about Mr. Cranmer to have him recant assaying by all crafty practices and allurements they might devise to bring their purpose to passe he at last overcome with their perswasions whether through their importunity or by his own imbecillity or of what mind I cannot tell the recantation
Town called Patrick Lermond refused to be his temporall Judge to whom it appertained if the cause had been just Also the B. Chamberlane beeing therewith charged would in no wayes take upon him so ungodly an office yea the whole Town were so offended with his unjust condemnation that the B. servants could not get for their money so much as one cord to tye him to the Stake or Tar-barrel to burn him but were constrained to cut the cords of their own masters Pavilion to serve their turn Neverthelesse one servants of the B. more ignorant and cruel then the rest called Allexander Somervel interprysing the office of atemporal judge in that part conveyed him to the fire While he was exhorting the people there was gâ—eat mourning and lamentation of the multitude for they perceiving his patience stournesse and boldnesse constancy and hardinesse were greatly moved and stirred up and their hearts mightily inflammed for him This Walter Mill was the last Martyr that died in Scotland for Religion and his death the every death of Popry in this Realm John Knox returns again from Geneva to Scotland and joynes himself to the congregation for the Reformers of Religon at this time were called the congregation he preached to them at Perth where the Reformation began The people having heard how odious idolatry was in Gods presence what commandment he had given for the destruction of the Monuments thereof and what idolatry and what abomination was in the Masse they were so inflammed that neither could the exhortation of the Preachers nor the commandment of the Magistrat stay them from destroying the place of idolatry So the Monastry at Perth was demolished the Charterhouse a building of exceeding cost and largnesse was not only ruined but the stones and timber so quickly taken away as in lesse then two dayes space a vestige thereof was scarce remaining to be seen the Images were publled down at Cowper in Eyfe which the Curat took so heavily as the night following he put violent hands in himself And so the Images Altars and Monasteries were demolished throughout the Country and by the just judgement of God in the same place where Walter Mill was burnt the Images of the great Church of the Abbey which passed both in number and costlinesse were burnt as the rest were When Q. Regent heard what was done at Perth she was so inraged that she did vow utterly to destroy St. Johnston Man Woman and Child and to consume the same by fire and the reafter to salt it in sign of a perpetuall desolation The congregation labours to pacifie the Q. Regents rage by their Letters directed unto her but her rage and the Priests could not be stayed but forward they move against these who then were in St. Johnston a very few and mean number of Gentlemen who perceiving the extremity to approach did write to all their brethren to repair toward them for their relief to the which they found all men so ready bent that the work of God was evidently to be espied for the Earle of Glencarn and the brethren of the West came with all haste for the relief of St. Johnston by whose presence the tyranny of the enemy was bridled There is an appointment concluded between Q. Regent and them and so the Lords departed out of the Town but before their departure they make a new Covenant to concur and assist one another for the mentinance of Religion The Q. entered into the Town the Duke Monsieur Dosel and the Frenchmen who in discharging their volley of Harquebuts killed a Son of Patrick Murray about ten or twelve years of age who being brought to the Q. presence and understanding whose Son he was said It is pity it chanced on the Son and not on the Father but seeing it is so chanced we cannot be against fortime She erects idolatry against the appointment The Q. began to rage against all godly and honest men their houses were oppressed by the French the lawful Magistrats as well Provest and Bâ—illies were unjustly and without all order deposed from their Authority She left four colours of the Souldiers to abide in the Town to mantain idolatry and to ressist the congregation and so she left the Town in extream bondage but shortly after from this bondage was the Town delivered by the Congregation and the French forced to leave the Town and made parent to all the Kings subjects When the Nobility and Gentry and others of the Congregation saw that their just petitions was rejected of Queen Regent for Reformation of Religion and strangers brought in to suppresse them their commonwealth and posterity Idolatry mantained and Christ Jesus his true Religion despised while idle bellies and bloody tyrants the Bishops maintained and Christs true Messengers persecuted while finally vertue contemned vice extolled and while that a great part of the Nobility and Commonallity are most unjustly persecuted after consultation and good advice they deprive her from all regiment and authority amongst them and this was divulgaâ— by sound of Trumpet at the Mercat crosse of Edinburgh and proclamed by officers of Arms in head Burrows within the Realme of Scotland The day following all the Souldiers in Leith French and Scots are summoned by sound of Trumpet to depart out of Leith within the space of 12. hours defyance is given whereupon there was Skirmishing without great slaughter and preparation of Scalls and Ladders was made for the assault which was concluded by common consent of the Nobility and Barrons The French Souldiers issued many a time out of Leith and did great harm through the Country the Congregation not able to suppresse them Queen Regent her faction they were constrained to implore the Q. of England her aid and support which she most willingly granted upon certain conditions specified in a Treaty past at Barwick betwixt the Duke of Norfolk Lievtenant to her Majesty on the one part and certain of our Commissioners on the other part The Army she sent by Land was esteemed ten thousand men the Town is assaulted The Queen Regent sate all the time of the assault which was both terrible and long upon the fore-wall of the Castle of Edinburgh and when she perceived the overthrow of us and that the Ensignes of the French were again displayed upon the walls she did laugh heartily and said now I will go to the Masse and praise God for that mine eyes have seen The French proud of the victory stripped naked all the slain laid their dead carcasses before the Sun along the wall where they suffered them to ly more dayes then one And here we may see the inhumanity of the mercilesse French The siedge is continued and 2000. fresh men sent for that purpose which the Camp greatly comforted began to forget the former discomfiture and to sustain the daily Skirmishing as they did before In the which the French after the day of the assault did ever receive the hurt and the repulse At this