was well done but he rebuked it therefore you are deceiued Chich. Who shall iudge betwixt vs in the matter I said the word as it is in the 12. of Iohn And S. Peter saith the Scriptures haue no priuate interpretation but one scripture must be vnderstood by another then he said if you vnderstand it one way I another who shal be Iudge the true Church of God is able to discusse all doubts He said the Church of God doth allow the sacrament of the Altar VVood. What doe you offer now vpon the Altar Chich. We offer vp the body of Christ to pacific the wrath of God in the blessed Sacrament and there withall all put off their caps vnto the abhominable Idoll Wood. S. Paul saith in the tenth to the Hebrewes wee are sanctified by the offering of the body of Christ vpon the Crosse once for all and euery Priest is dayly ministring and offering one manner of sacrifice which can neuer take away sins and that it is the offering that you vse to offer as farre as I can see you be Priests after the order of Aaron that offer vp sacrifice for their owne sinnes and the sinnes of the people Chich. Aarons sacrifice was with bloud which signified the death of Christ but we are Priests after the order of Melchisedech which offered bread to the King in remembrance and signified the giuing of Christs body in bâ—ead Wine at his last supper which Christ gaue vnto his Disciples and commanded to be vsed vnto the end of the world VVood. Me thinke you haue made the matter very plaine that as Christ was the end of the sacrifices so he was the beginning of the Sacraments willing them to be vsed in remembrance of him vnto the end of the world Chich. The word saith Take eate this is my body it is not the signe onely but the thing it selfe how say you it is not his body after the words be spoken by the Priest VVood. If you say the words ouer the water if there be no child is there true Baptisme He said there must be the Water the Word the Child Then I said if the Child be baptized in the name of â—he Father the Sonne Is it true Baptisme He said it must be baptized in the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost Then I said there may be nothing added or diminished Chich. How say you Take eate this is my body is not this Christs body as soone as it is said VVood. As the water the word and the Child altogether make Baptisme so the bread the wine the word make the sacrament the eater eating it in true faith maketh it his body so it is not Christs body but by the faithfull receiuer For hee said Take eat this is my body He calleth it not his body before before eating And S. Augustine saith crede manducasti beleeue and thou hast eaten And S. Iohn saith he that beleeueth in God dwelleth in God and God in him Wherefore it is impossible to please God and to eat his body without true Faith Priest If the Faith of the receiuer maketh it his body and not his word what did Iudas eat VVood. He eat the Sacrament of Christ and the Diuell with all Priest He eate the body of Christ vnworthily as S. Paul saith Wood. S. Paul speaketh not of eating his body vnworthily but of the sacrament vnworthily For he saith whosoeuer eateth of this bread and drinketh of this cup vnworthily eateth drinketh his own damnation because he maketh no difference of the Lords body and not because hee eateth the Lords body if Iudas had eaten Christs body he must needs be saued For Christ saith in the 6. of Iohn Whosoeuer eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternal life Chich. Do you not beleeue that after the words be spoken that there remaineth neither bread nor wine but the very body of Christ really Wood. I haue told you my mind without dissimulation more you get not of me except you wil talk by the scriptures then I wil proue it more plaine 3. or 4. waies Then they made a great laughing and said this is an heretick indeed it is time he were burned Then I said as you iudge me you shall be iudged your selues for I serue God truely with that which you call heresie as you shall well know when you are in hell and haue bloud to drinke and shall say in paine this was thâ— man we iested on and whose talk we thought foolishnes and his â—nd without honour now we may sée how he is counted amongst the Saints of God and wee are punished these words shall you say being in hell if you repent not with speed if you consent to the shedding of my bloud Priesâ—â— You were at Baxell a tweluemonth agone and sent for the Parson and talked with him in the Church-yard and would not goe into the Church for you said it was the Idols temple Story came in pointing at me with his finger I can say nothing to him but an heretick I haue heard you talke this houre and a halfe and can heare no reasonablenes in him Wood. As you iudge me you shall be iudged your selfe Story What be you a preaching you shall preach at a stake shortly with your fellowes Kéeper carry him to the Marshalsey againe and let no body come to speake with him The fourth examination before Doctor LANGDAL LAngd Your childe was not Christned in a fortnight or in thrée wéekes after it was borne and then the chifest of the Parish were faine to fetch it out of your house against your will which declareth that you allow not Baptisme of Children and if the childe had died it had beene damned because it was not Christned and you should haue beene damned because you were the let thereof Wood. It was baptized as soone as it was borne by the Midwife and the cause I blamed my neighbour was because they fet my childe out of my house without my leaue and did more to it then need was the which was not well done And where you said if a childe die and be not baptized it is damned be all damned that receiue not the outward signe of Baptisme Lang. Yea that they be For Christ saith And baptise them in the name of the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost And he that beleeueth and is baptized shall be saued And he that beleeueth not shall be damned Wood. Then by your saying baptizing bringeth faith and all that be baptized in the water shall be saued Lang. Yea if they dye before they come to discretion they shall be saued euery one of them and all that be not baptized shall be damned Wood. You vnderstand not the Scriptures but as farre as naturall reason can comprehend the Scriptures are plaine that they which beleeue not shall be damned But it saith not in any place that they that are not baptized shall be damned And where you say Faith commeth by
themselues to be Christians whereat the Iudges and their Assistants were greatly amased and the Christians imboldened and they departed glad for the testimony they had giuen Ischrion often moued of his Master to doe Sacrifice and refusing he runne him through with a speare In this time many wandred in wildernesse suffered hunger colde danger of wilde beasts Clerimon Bishop of Nilus an olde man with his wife flying to the mountaine of Arabia could neuer be found againe Dionisius Alexandrinus suffered much aâ—flâ—ction and had strange deliuerances First the messenger was struckâ—n blinde could not finde his house after which three daies God had him flye after comming to Ierusalem he was taken the Keeper was from home when he was brought to Prison and the Keeper returning home and finding diuerse runne away he ranne away himselfe and tolde the matter to one he met going to a Mariage who tolde it to them at the wedding who in the night rushed towards the priâ—oners with great shouting they that kept the prisoners were afraid and left them then the company willed them to depart and they tâ—â—ke Dionisius set him vpon an Asse and conueyed him away In this time suffered one Christopherus a Cananite 12. cubits high also Meneates a Florentine and Agatha a holy virgine in Sicily who suffered imprisonment was beâ—ten racked famished rayled on tormented with sharpe shels and 〈◊〉 coâ—es and her breasts were cut from her body Amongst others also suffered 40. virgines by diuerse kâ—nds of deathes Triphon a very holy and constant man of Nice after much torments suffered death by the sword Decius erected a Temple at Ephesus and compelled all the citie to dee Sacrifice 7. of his Souldiers refused and they hiâ— themselues in Mount Celius in caues the Emperour caused them to be rammed vp with stones and so they wâ—re Martired Hieronimus writeth of a godly Souldier which could not be brought from his Faith was brought into a pleasant Garden laid vpon a soft bed and an Harlot sent to allure him she offering to kisse him he bit off her tongue and â—pit it in her face Theodora a virgine was commanded to the Stewes a young man a Christian caused her to change garments with him and conuey herselfe away and offering himselfe to their violence being found a man he confessed himselfe a Christian and was condemned to suffer Theodora offered herselfe to the Iudge and desired that the other might be discharged he commanded them both to be beheaded and cast into the fire Agathon was condemned to lose his head for rebuking them that derived the dead bodies of Christians One Paulus and one Andreas were scourged drawne through the citie and aftrer troden to death vnder the féete of people also Iustinus a Priest of Rome and Nicostratus a Deacon and Portius a Priest of Rome which is reported to haue conuerted the Emperour Phillip were all Martyred Secundarius as he was led to the Iaile Verianus Marcellinus asked whether they led the innocent whereupon they were taken and after torments and beatings with waisters were hanged with fire put to their sides but the Tormentors some fell sodainly dead others were possessed with euill Spirits Beza registers these to suffer in this Tyrants time Hipolitus Concordia Hierenius Abundus Victoria a virgin being Nobles or Antioch Belias Bishop of Apollinia Leacus Tyrsus and Galmetus Nazaâ—zo Triphon Phillas Bishop of Philocomus Philocronius Bishop of Babilon Thesiphon Bishop of Pamphilia Nestor Bishop of Corduba Parmeuius Priest Circensis Marianus and Iacobus Nemesianus Felix Rogatianus Priest Felicissimus Iouinius Basilius Ruffina and Secunda virgins Tertullianus Valerianus Nemesius Sempronianus Olimpiadus Teragone Zeno Bishop of Cesaria Marinus Archinius Priuatus Bishop Theodorus Bishop of Pontus Pergentius and Laurencius children suffered Persecution in Tuscia Many reuolted as Serapion Nichomachus in the middest of his torments Euaristus Bishop of Africa Nicoftratus a Deacon diuerse of them were punished by Gods hand some with euill spirits some with strange diseases At this time rose the heresie of Nouatus he disturbed Cyprian Bishop of Carthage and Cornelius Bishop of Rome he was assisted with Maximus Vrbanus Sidonius and Celerius but they forsooke him after he allured three simple Bishops in â—taly to lay their hands on him to make him Bishop of Rome with Coruelius whom by all meanes he sought to defeate and made the people that came to receiue the Eucharist sweaâ—e they would stand with him Two young men Aurelius which was twise tormented and Mapalicus in the middest of his torments told the Proconsull to morrow you shall see the running for a wager meaning his Maâ—tyrdome Decius the Emperour raigned but two yeares and with his sonne was slaine of the Barbarians presently God sent a pleâ—ue 10 yeares together which made diuerse pâ—aces desolate especially where the Persecution most raigned the Christians comforted and ministred vnto their sicke brethren the Infidels forsooke their neighbours and friends and left them destitute of succour vpon this Plague Ciprian wrote his Booke De mortalitate Vibias Gallus and Volusian his sonne by treason succeeded Decius Gallus at the first was quiet anone after published Edicts against Christians Cyprian Bishop of Carthage was banished others were condemned to the Mines as Nemisianus Fex Lucius with their Bishops Priests and Deacons to whom and to Seagrius and Rogatianus Cyprian wrote consolatory Epistles Lucius Bishop of Rome was banished whom Cornelius succeeded but a while after hee returned againe to his Church and Stephanus succéeded him and sate 7. yeares 5. monethe and died a Martyre betwixt him end Cyprian fell a contention about rebaptizing of Hereticks Emilianus slew the former Emperours and succéeded himselfe after 3. moneths he was slaine and Valerius and Galienus his sonne succeeded him Valerius 3. or 4. yeares was so cutâ—eous to Christians as no Emperour before him that his Court was full of Christians but he was seduced by an Egyptian Magitian finding himselfe hindred by them from the practising of his charmes hée brought the Emperour to Idols he Sacrificed Infants and reised the eight Persecution ¶ The eight Persecution CIprian was an African borne in Carthage an Idolater and giuen to Magicke he was conuerted to the Faith by Ceciâ—a Priest by hearing the Prophet Ionas as sOOne as he was conuerted he gaue his goods to the poore not long after he was Priest he was bishop of Carthage he had the gouernment of the whole East Church and Church of Spaine he was called the Bishop of Christian men he loued to read Tertullian and called him his Master In the time of Decius and Gallus he was banished in the time of Valerianus he returned againe but after he was found in a Carden and his head stricken off At this time Zistus Bishop of Rome with sixe of his Deacons more beheaded one Laurence a Deacon seeing the bishop goe to execution cryed to him Deare Father whether goest thou without thy deare sonne He answered within three daies thou shalt suffer in
to Scotland he was not able to suffer the filthinesse and blindnesse of the Countrey he was accused of Heresie and after disputed constantty with the Cardinall and his Band he confessed Christ to be his onely Aduocate excluding the merits of Saints acknowledged frée â—ustification by the merits of Christ and denied Purgatory At last he was condemned and the same day after dinner burned The King being but a Child by the Testimonie of his bloud hee left the verity oâ— of God fixed in the hearts of many William Tindal in his Apology against Moore maketh mention of Thomas Hitten a preacher at Maidstone in Kent whom the Bishops of Canterbury and Rochester kept long in prison and tormented him with diuers torments yet he continued constant and at the lasâ— they burned him at Maidestone for the constant testimony oâ— Iesus Christ and of his frée grace and saluation Thomas Bilâ—ey of the Uniuerâ—itie of Cambridge a man of excellent constancy Cambridge taking roote in him after long barrennes did begin to flourish He conuerted many of his fellowes to the Gospell amongst whom was Thomas Arthur and Maister Hugh Latimer who was Crosse-kéeper of Cambridge bringing it on procession daies at last he forsooke the Uniuersitie and went to diuers places preaching associated with Arthur the authoritie of Cardinall Woolsey was then great but his pride â—reater which declared the vanity of his life and of the liues of the Bishops and Clergy Bilney with others maruelling at the incredible insolency of the Clergy which they could no longer suffer they began to preach against this dignity and against the Pope Then the Cardinall which did not greatly feare any power of Kings but onelie feared the Gospell of Christ to be preached least it should detect their Hypocrisie and deceits Whereupon he caused the said Bilney and Arthur to bee cast into prison then they were brought before the Cardinall and â— number of Bishops into the Charter-house of Westminster then the Cardinall required of them wherefore they had taught the people the opinions of Luther which are condemned and whether he had not once made an oath not to preach or defend any of Luthers opinions but to impugne the same He said He had made such an Oath but not lawfullie After hee was sworne to make true answere and not to reueale his examinations 1 It was laid against him that he preached though Preachers bee restrained now adaies yet he had warranty by the Word of God where he said Goe iâ—to all the world and preach the Gospell By which authority euery man that hath the gift may preach and the Pope nor any other can make any law to the contrary which he confessed 2 That he said when crosses were set vp against Walls in London that men should not pisse there When there were but few men did reuerence them but when in euerie corner there was a Crosse of necessitie men pissed vppon the Crosses So that when there were but few Lawes in the Church then men were afraid to offend them after ward they made many lawes whereof some are pecuniall as they call them and them they doe obserue those that are not pecuniall they call palea and regard them not To this or the like effect he confessed he spake 3 If I should suffer persecution for the Gospell yet there are seuen thousand more that would preach the Gospell as I doe now therefore good people thinke not much if these tyrants put a man to death for preaching the Gospell This Article he confessed 5 That euery Christian man is a Priest so offer vp sacrifice of prayer and if they murmured against Priesthood they murmured against themselues and that we should not pray to Saints nor worship Images 6 That he should preach at Cambridge that a Bachelor of Diuinity or any other knowing the Gospell should be let from preaching by no man and if any Bishop did accurse them for so doing their curses should returne to themselues All these hee confessed Master Luther did recant and submit himselfe vnto the punishment and iudgement of the Church but these Interrogatories were ministred vnto Master Bilney Whether hee beléeued the assertions of Luther impugned by the Bishop of Rochester were detestable Whether generall Councells and Constitutions where or ought to be obserued of all men euen for conscience whether the Popes Keyes were noâ— profitable or against Gods word whether the Catholikâ— Church may erre or whether it may bee demonstrated or poynted out or else whether it is a spirituall Church knowne to God whether Images of Saints ought to bee worshipped of all true Christianâ— whether a man may beléeue that there is not yet any Iudgement giuen vppon the souâ—es departed whether a man may beléeue that our Lady remained not alwayes a Uirgine whether Holy dayes and fasting dayes may without 〈◊〉 bee broken by any priuate man whether we are bound to be obedient to Bishoppes and Kings as vnto Parents whether the Church doo godly in praying to Saints whether all true Christians bee Priests and haue the Keyes of binding and loosing whether faith may bee without workes and charity whether it is more agreable vnto faith that the people should pray in their owne tongue or in a learned and vnknowne tongue whether children should be taught the Lords prayer without the salutation of the Uirgine whether beades be to be denied or no whether Scriptures ought to bee translated into English or no whether Organs and all maner of songs ought to bee in the Churches whether a Bishoppe haue any Temporall power whether it bee a godly Constitution that no man should preach in an others Dioces without lycence of the Bishop whether vowes of priuate men commeth of the spirit of God whether we should pray for the dead or that there is a Purgatory whether Morall philosophy helpe the vnderstanding of the Scriptures whether the Popes pardons are to be â—eiected whether there may bee any Morall verâ—ues without the gracâ— of Christ whether Saluation and damnation come of necessity and nothing to bee in our owne wills whether Images ought to be taken out of the Churches whether preachers should exhort men to Pilgrimage or to the worshipping of reliques hee in a maner confesseth them all Hee answereth that he did beléeue the assertions of Luther and that men were not bound to beléeue Councells and Constitutions and St. Augustine in his timâ— marnailed that we could liue in safety amongst so many snares of Constitutions when Adam and Eue could not obserue one Fourthly he sayd that the Catholike Church cannot erre in fayth for it is the whole Congregation of the Elect knowne onely to God otherwise no man could be assured of his owne or anothers saluation for it is written no man knoweth whether â—e be worthy of hatred or loue yet I may truely say of the generall Councell congregated by the holy Ghost Behold here the Catholike Church denominating the whole by the most worthy part and hee affirmed
Psalme Dauid saith The word of God is true and his way verity euery man is vanity and lying and Christ saith Euery one that heareth my words and doth them is like one that buildeth his house vpon a sure foundation and that there is none other foundation by S. Paule and he would haue vs follow one doctrine of Christ to a vnitie of faith that we may bee perfect men not carried about with euery winde of doctrine brought vp by the slights and wilines of men that â—tudie to deceiue vs. Touching the question that there are many things to be beléeued vpon paine of saluation that are not in the Scripture I say lawes ordained for the ciuill regiment of the body and all other Lawes so they be not hurtfull to Faith or Charitie but help to the same we ought to keep them not onely for feare of punishment but for Conscience sake although such ordinance be not expressely in the Scripture but I say there is nothing that is not expressely in the Scriptures that is to bee beleeued vpon necessitie of saluation Touching your Question of purgatory and whether soules departed be there in torment and purged I say there is a purgatory in this world which is the fire of tribulations through which all Christians shall passe as S. Paul saith All that liue godly in Christ shall suffer persecution In this purgatory I doe reckon my selfe now to stand God send me well to perseuere vnto his honour Other Purgatory doe I know none neither can any be proued by any place of Scripture And S. August de ebrietate saith let no man deceiue himselfe for there be two places the third is not knowne He that with Christ hath not deserued to raigne shall perish with the Diuell and in his Booke de vanitate seculi he saith know you that when the soule is departed from the body it is incontinent for the good deeds put into paradice and else throwne headlong into the Dungeon of hell for the sinnes and to this all Scripture agreeth Touching your question whether Martirs Apostles and Confessors departed ought to be honored and prayed vnto Saint Augustine in his Booke de vera religione would haue that we should worship no men departed be they neuer so good and holy no nor yet an Angell nor to honour them but onely in imitating their good liuing as they followed God not building Churches to them no the Angels would not haue vs builde Churches to them but would with them we should honour the Maker of all things They refuse all honour sauing honor Charitatis which loue wee should expresse in helping the poore and helplesse And the Scripture teacheth that there is but one Mediator and we are exhorted in all places of Scripture to call vpon God in néed but in no place to call vpon any Saint Touching your demaund whether Oblations and Pilgrimages may deuoutlie and meritoriously be done vnto the Sepulchers and Reliques of Saints Moses when he died would be buried where no man should know which was his graue it was because the Iewes which were prone to new fangled worshipping should not fall into Idolatrâ— worshipping him as God for the great and many miracles that were wrought by him when he was aliue It is no point of my beleefe to thinke that Oblations Pilgrimages at Saints graues and Reliques are meritorious workes neither is there any deuotion at all in doing of them Touching fasting daies and time I say they are good for diuers respects but it is no deadly sinne to breake them for they are but the traditions of men Touching your question whether Images ought not to be in the Churches for a remembrance of Christ and his Saints I know no Images made with hands that ought to be worshipped For the Psalme saith Confusion be vnto all such as worship carued Images and glory in pictures And S. Augustine in his Book de vera religione let vs not be bound to worship the workes of men for the workemen are more excellent then the things that they make whom notwithstanding we ought not to worship and if Christs Doctrine were so opened that people might vnderstand it as Prelates chiefely ought to doe by teaching we should haue no need of Images for nothing is so effectuall to excite the remembrance of Disciples as the liuely voice of good teachers Touching your demands whether men forbidden to preach as suspected of Heresiâ— ought to cease from preaching Christ and his Apostles were counted heretickes and the Apostles were forbidden oftentimes of the High Priest and others to preach any more and were imprisoned and scourged for it yet they would not leaue preaching but told them to their faces they must obey God which bad them preach rather then men which forbad them yea the Angel deliuering them out of prison bad them go preach againe This is for our instruction doubt not for such practice is shewed in all ages so you may sée when men bée wrongfully infamed of heresie and so prohibited by Bishops to preach the Word of God they ought not to stop for any mans commandement Touching your question of hauing the Bible in English in England In my opinion I say it was not well done to inhibit it and worse that the Bishops haue not sithence amended it if they could that the people might haue it to vse vertuously And I will adde one reason the Scripture is the food and sustinance of mans soule as it appeareth by many places of the Scripture as other meate is the foode of the body then if he be an vnkind Father that kéepeth away the bodily meate the space of a wéeke or a month from his Children it should seeme that our Bishops be no gentle Pastors or Fathers that kéep away the food of mens souls from them both months yeares and ages especially when others offer the same Touching you question whether faith onely iustifieth I answer with S. Augustine Good works make not a man iustified or right wise but a man once iustified doth good works These Articles being directed to the Archbishop of Canterburie which was not Cranmer but Doctor Warham whereby it may be gathered that this godly learned man was long before he disputed before the King or was condemned to death vpon the day that was appointed for him to suffer this holy martyre of God was brought out of prison vnto the house of the Lord Cromwell and carried into his inward chamber where it is reported Cromwell asked him forgiuenesse for what he had done And being admonished of his houre of death he was greatly comforted and comming into the hall he saluted the Gentlemen and sate down to breakfast shewing no manner of sadnes or feare after breakfast he was carried to the place of execution where he should offer himselfe a sacrifice of sweet sauour vnto the Lord who is blessed in his Saints for euer and euer Amen The storie of one COLLINS ONe Collins a Gentleman was burnt at London
false in that he presently declareth what manner of women Bishops wiues ought to be S. Paul reckoneth matrimony amongst the principall vertues of a Priest and these men call it in the Canons the poluting of the flâ—sh God instituted matrimony Christ sanctified it with his presence and the turning water into wine and would haue it the Image of his loue to the Church They aleadge the Leuiticall Priests which as often as they came to minister were bound to be apart from their wiues being our sacraments be more excellent then theirs and daily vsed it would be very vncomely that they should be handled by married men The Priests of the old Law were forbidden all outward vncleannesse of the flâ—sh when they ministred to signifie the holines of Christ whom they did prefigure but our holines consâ—steth of the inward cleannesse of the spirit and S. Paul is witnesse that the Apostles did both keep their wiues carry them about with them 3 Touching that he should say that the Scottish nation and their Cleargy be altogether blinded no man will deny that people to be blind that neither heare Christ nor his Apostles such is the people of Scotland in that they cal the Pope supreme head of the Church whith belongeth onely to Christ and contrary to the word they forbid Priests to marry in the tenth of Iohn Christ is the doore they affirme they must enter by the Uirgine Mary and S. Peter Christ would haue vs worship him in Spirit and truth The Scots build Temples and Chappels for Idols in which they commit Fornication In the tenth to the Hebrews Christ By one sacrifice hath made those perfect for euer which are sanctified And to this effect Christ said on the Crosse It is finished shewing that by his death all Sacrifices for sinne ended yet the Scottish Church-men daily offer Christ for sins both of them aliue and them that be dead God commaundeth not to worship any Grauen Images the Scots fall flat to them and offer them Incense Paul teacheth that Christ is our wisdome righteousnes satisfaction and redemption the Scots prefer the traditions of men before the law of God they stablish righteousnes in their own works and Sanctification in holy water and other outward things and Redemption in péeces of Lead which they buy of their great Antichrist Touching the possessions temporall and iurisdiction in temporalities in the 18. Chapter of Numbers God said to Aaron Thou shalt haue no portion amongst theÌ„ I am thy portion and heritage thou and the Leuits shall haue all the tithes of Israell for their ministry but what heritage is prâ—uided for them I doe not say but they may possesse but all temporall iurisdiction should be taken from them when twice there rose a contention which of Christs disciples should be greatest he told them they should not haue dominion one ouer another like the Kings of the Nations Christ in the 12. of Luke answered him that desired him to deuide his Brothers inheritance vnto him Who made me a Iudge And in the 8. of Iohn he refused to giue iudgement vpon the Adulteresse whereby it appeareth Christ reiected the office of a Iudge as a thing not agréeable to his office When Moses tooke vpon him the ciuill gouernment and the priest-hood he was commaunded to resigne the Priest-hood to Aaron for it was against nature one man should suffice both charges and as long as the face of the true Church did continue no Priest did vsurpe the right of the sword S. Ambrose saith Emperors rather desired the Office of Priest-hood then Priests any Empire then sumptuous Palaces belonged to Emperors and Churches to Priests And S. Barnard saith Peter could not giue that which he had not but he gaue to his successors that which he had carefulnesse ouer the Congregation for this cause the kingdom of heauen is giuen vnto you why do you inuade other mens bounds They were ignorant of all iudgement that did fat with their possessions these belly-beasts all they which do indow such filthy sinkes with their reuenues they follow the steps of Iezabell for what do they daily but bleat and bow before their Images burning Incense aud falling flat before the altars as the Prophets of Baall did and if Daniell and Elias were Hereticks when they would destroy the Priests of Baall so am I We do but desire that their riches wickedly bestowed vpon them might be taken from them but Elias was more rigorous for he cast the Prophets of Baall into the brooke Kidron The Pope cannot make lawes according to his owne mind and will and say they are spirituall and pertaine to the soule and are necessary to eternall life for the word of God giueth them no such authority in the 23. of Iosua Thou shalt not swarue from my law to the right hand nor to the left And in the 12. of Deuteronomy Thou shalt neither adde to nor take from my Commaundements Therefore in the second of Malachy The Priest shall maintaine wisdome and the law shal they require at his hands And where he speaketh of hearing them he putteth this condition that they answere according to the Law of the Lord then these are couenant-breakers that binde the consciences of men with new lawes And in the 33. of Ezekiell Thou shalt heare the word out of my mouth and declare it vnto my people So he could not speake any thing of himselfe and God by Ieremie calleth it Chaffe whatsoeuer doth not procéede from himselfe The Prophets speake nothing but the words of God therefore they so often vsed these wordes The word of the Lord the burden of the Lord the vision of the Lord thus saith the Lord The Apostles must not teach their owne deuises but that which God commaunded them Paul in the second to the Collosians denieth he hath any dominion ouer their Faith though their Apostle And in the â—â—nth to the Romains Faith commeth by hearing the word of God and not by hearing the dreames of the Pope Christ himselfe saith for our example My doctrin is not mine but his that sent me to teach Ministers what to do The power of the Church is not such that it may teach new Doctrines frame new Articles of Faith and new lawes but is subiect to the word of the Lord included in the same They defended their Constitutions by these reasons if it were lawfull to the Apostles to make a decree besides the commaundement of Christ that the people should abstain froÌ„ things offered to Idols blood it is lawful for their successors as oft as néede requireth to do the same but the Apostles made no new decree but to warne them how to rule themselues amongst their Brethren least they should abuse their liberty to the offence of others and contrary Peter in the same councel pronounceth God to be tempted if any yoake be laid vpon the necke of the Disciples and S. Iames saith the Gentiles that are conuerted vnto God are not
the booke of Iulianus Apostata wherein Christ and Pilate were the speakers which Sermon was learnedly confuted in writing by Maister Couerdall About this time a Priest of Canterbury said Masse on the one day and the next day he came into the Pulpit and desired all the people to forgiue him for he said hee had betrayed Christ but not as Iudas as Peter and made a long Sermon against the Masse In February one thousand fiue hundred fifty and foure before the comming of King Philip vpon the fifteenth day about nine of the clock in the forenoone there was séene two Sunnes both shining at once and that time was also seene a Raine-bow turned contrary and a great deale higher then it was wont About this time at Saint Pancrase in Cheape the Crucifixe with the Pixe were taken out of the Sepulchre before the Priest rose to the resurrection so that when he put his hand into the Sepulchre said very deuoutly surrexit non est hic he found his words true for he was not there indéede wherevpon being dismaide and debating amongst themselues whom they thought likest to doe it they layed it to one Marsh which a little before had beene put from that parsonage because he was married but when they could not proue it being brought before the Mayor they burdened him to haue kept company with his wife since they were diuorced He answered that the Queene had done him wrong to take from him both his liuing and his wife wherevpon he and his wife were committed seuerall Counters About this time there was a Cat hanged vpon a Gallowâ—s at the Crosse in Cheape apparelled like a Priest ready to say Masse with a shauen Crowne her two fore-feete were tyed ouer her head with a round paper like a Wafer Cake put betweene them where on rose great euill will against the Citie of London the Quéene and the Bishops were very angry and there was a proclamation in the afternoone that whosoeuer could bring forth the party that hanged vp the Cat should haue twenty Nobles which after was increased to twenty Markes but none would â—arâ—e it the occasion of this was because the Bishop of Winchester had preached before the Queene for the straite execution of Wyats Souldiours Wherevpon there was twenty Gibbets and Gallowes set vp in and about the streets of London which there remained for the terrour of others from the 13. of February vntill the fourth of Iune and at the comming of King Philip were taken downe One Maister Walter Mantell one of them which rose with Wyat being prisoner in the Tower the Quéene sent vnto him Doctor Bourne to conuert him he answered Bourne that he beleeued in the holy Catholick church of Christ grounded vpon the Prophets and Apostles but he tooke exception to the Antichristian popish Church and hee said hee thought the Masse not fit both for the occasion of Idolatry and also the cléere 〈◊〉 of Christs institution and said it was not a propitiatory sacrifice for sinne for the death of Christ was onely that sacrifice and certaine Collects therein are blasphemous Then said the Doctor see how vaine-glory toucheth you then I found fault it was not a Communion Yes said he one Priest saying Masse heere and another there and the third in an other place is a Communion Then he desired God to receiue him to his mercy that he might die vndefiled in his truth at vtter defiance with all papisticall and Antichristian Doctrine and to defend all his chosen from the tyrany of the Pope and Antichrist and from his subtilties at his first casting off the Gallowes the rope broke then they would haue had him reâ—ant and receiued the Sacrament of the Altar and then he should haue the Queenes Pardon but Master Mantell like a worthy gentleman refused their serpentine Councell and chose rather to die then to liue for dishonouring of God Maister Bradford Maister Sanders and diuers other good preachers hearing that they should be brought vnto a Disputation at Cambridge sent a Declaration out of prison to the effect as followeth That they did not purpose to dispute otherwise then by writing except it be before the Queenes Highnes her Councell and before the Parliament houses because we shall dispute against the things which already they haue determined whereby it appeareth they seeke not the derity but our destruction and their glory otherwise they would haue called vs to shew our consciences before their lawes were so made and againe the Censors and Iudges are manifest enemies of the truth before whom Pearles are not to be cast by the commandement of Christ and by his example and because some of vs haue been in prison eight or nine monethes where we haue had no Bookes paper nor Inke and because we shall bee stopped of our Arguments as the Bishops were at Oxford and because the Notaries that shal write our Arguments shal be such as either doe not or dare not fauour the truth therefore must write to please them or else they will put to or take from at their pleasure as it appeared at Oxford Yea if any man was seene there to write he was sent for and his writings taken from him If they will write we will answere by writing and proue by the word of God and most ancient Fathers this our faith euery péece thereof and we are ready to seale it with our liues First we confesse beléâ—ue all the Canonicall bookes of the Old Teâ—â—ament and the New to bee truth written by the Spirit and to bee the Iudge of all Controuersies of Religion and we beléeue the Catholike Church is the Spouse and beloued Wife of Christ and to imbrace the doctrine of these bookes in all matters of Religion and therefore to bee heard accordingly and those that will not heare her are Heretickes and Schismaticks according to the saying He that will not heare the Church let him be an Hereticke and wee beléeue the Symbols of the Créede of the Apostles and of the Councels of Nice Constantinople Ephesus Chalcedon and of Toletum before the foure hundred fifty foure yeare and the Symbols of Athanasius Ireneus Tertullian and of Damasus which was in the yeare thrée hundred seauenty sixe We beléeue that Iustification commeth onely from the mercy of GOD through Christ and it is had of none of discretion but by Faith which Faith is a certaine perswasion wrought by the Holy Ghost and as it lightneth the mind so it suppleth the heart to submit it selfe to the will of God By this we disalow Papisticall Doctrines of free will of workes of supererogation of merits of the necessity of auriculer confession and satisfaction And we beléeue that the exterior seruice of God ought to be according to the word in such a tongue as may be most to edifie and not in Latine where the people vnderstand not the same And we beléeue that God onely by Iesus Christ is to bee prayed vnto and we disalow inuocation to
them they clapped their hands for ioy ioyfully ioyed in the fire and thousands standing by cryed generally all almost the Lord strengthen them the Lord comfort them as was wonderfull to heare Iohn Thurstone HE was taken in the house of William Munt with him he died in May in Colchester castle a constant confessor of Iesus Christ. Thomas Moore HE was a Merchant dwelling in Leicester about 24. yeares olde for saying his maker was in heauen and not in the Pixe he was apprehended the Bishop said to him what is yonder aboue the altar he said I cannot tel what you would haue me to sée I sée fine clothes with golden tassels and other gay geare hanging about the Pixe what is within I cannot sée why said the Bishop doest thou not beléeue Christ to be there flesh and bone 〈◊〉 said he that I do not whereupon the Ordinary condemned him who suffâ—red a ioyfull and glorious Martyrdome for testimony of righteousnesse in Leicester George Eagles alias Trudge-ouer HE wandred abrode in diuers countries where he could finde any of his brethren did there more earnestly encourage and comfort them now tarrying in this towne and somtimes in that certaine months as occasion serued sometimes for feare lying in fields and woods who for his vnreasonable going abroade was called Trudge-ouer for thrée yeares he dranke nothing but water and when hée perceiued that his body by Gods prouidence prooued well enough therewith hée thought best to inure himselfe therewithall against all necessities when he had profited the Church of God by this going abroade a yeare or two diuers spyes were sent out for him who had in commandement to bring him quicke or dead wheresoeuer they found him but when they could not take him they sent out an Edict in the Quéenes name into foure shires promising twenty pounds to him that should take him at length he was séene at a faire in Colchester and being pursued he hid himselfe in a wood and from thence got into a corne field when they could not finde him they returned but one got vpon the top of a trée to spy if he could sée him stirre the poore man thinking all sure because he heard nothing rose vpon his knées the lurker perceiuing him came downe and tooke him and brought him to prison to Colchester notwithstanding the Iudas-knaue which had so much promised him was faine to take a little reward this George within foure dayes after was conuayed to Chelmester where he was so cruelly handled that he had but two pound of bread and a little water measured to him to serue him a wéeke together after a while hee was brought out and indicted of treason because he had assembled companies together contrary to the lawes in that case prouided to auoyde sedition that if aboue sixe should flocke together they should be attached of treason which straight law was the casting away of the good Duke of Sommerset This George was led to be hangd drawne and quartered betwixt two théeues the one of them did nothing but mocke him and the more he was rebuked the more he mocked him but when he should die he could not speake to vtter his mind nor say his prayers and one said the Pater noster to him word by word as to a childe which he could not answer but fumblingly many did wonder at the iust iudgement of God vpon him for mocking the good martyr He that apprehended the said George Eagles his name was Ralph Hardin dwelling in Colchester who in the yeare 1561. was condemned at Chelmsford to be hanged and being at the barre â—he told the Iudge and a great multitude of people this is most iustly fallen vpon me for that I betrayed the innocent blood of a good and iust man George Eagles who was condemned here in the time of Quéene Marie through my procurement who sold his blood for a little money Richard Crashfield of Wimondham HE suffered at Norwich whose examination before Downings the Chancellour written by himselfe as followeth Chanc. Do you beléeue this that aftee the consecration there is the substance of Christs body and blood in the Sacrament Crash I beléeue that Christs body was broken for me vpon the crosse and his blood shed for my redemption wherefore the bread and wine is a perpetuall memory the pledge of Christ mercie the ring or seale of his promise and a perpetual memory for the faithfull vnto the end of the world then he was commanded vnto prison and the next day he was brought forth Chanc. Cannot you find in your heart when you come to Church to knéele before the Roode and pray I answered no alledging the commandements of God to the contrary he said Haue you not read that God commanded the brazen serpent to be made I said I haue read that God commanded it to be made and likewise to be broken downe Doctor Bridges Wherfore did God command the Cherubins and Seraphins to be made I said I cannot tell I would faine learne he said can you finde in your heart to fall downe before the Roode the picture of Christ I said I feare the curse of God is yonder Roode the picture of Christ It is written God curseth the hands that made them and the hands that made the tooles which carued them Chanc. When were you confessed to a Priest I said I confesse my selfe dayly the eternall God whom I most gréeuously offend I take confession to a Priest not be good but rather wicked then he said how say yoâ— by yonder singing and playing on the Organs is it not good and godly I said I can perceiue no godlines in it he said is it not written in the Psalmes that we shall praise God with hymnes and spirituall songs I said spirituall songs must be had but yonder is of the flesh and of the spirit of errour for to you it is pleasant and glorious but vnto the Lord it is bitter and odious then he said is it not written My house is an house of prayer I said yes it is written also that you made my house of prayer a den of theeues then he said haue we done so then I was commanded to ward and the next thursday sent for againe Chanc. Are you a new man I answered I trust I am a new man borne of God God giue you grace to be so then he prayed Doctor Pore to talke with me Doctor Take eate this is my body Do you not beléeue it is Christs body what was it that Christ gaue I said Christ tooke bread and gaue thanks and gaue it and they tooke bread and did eate bread and S. Paul saith So oft as you shal eate of this bread and drinke of this cup you shall shew forth the Lords death vntill he come S. Paul doth not call it Christs body Chanc. We will haue your minde more plainely for we intend not to haue many words with you I said my faith is grounded vpon Christ the Easter lambe he hath offered his
body a sacrifice to God the price of my redemption by that onely sacrifice all the faithfull are sanctified and he is our onely aduocate mediatour and he hath made perfect our redemption without any of your dadly oblations Doctor Bridges You take wel the litterall sence but as Christ offered his body vpon the Crosse which was a bloody sacrifice and a visible sacrifice so likewise we doe offer vp the selfe same body that was offered vpon the crosse but not bloudy and visible but inuisible vnto God I said then Christs sacrifice was not perfected but Christ is true when all men be liers then he saide Thou shalt not feare him that hath power to kill the body but thou shalt feare him enterpreting him to meane the Church which hath power to kill body and soule Christ said We should feare him and not them the hath power to cast body and soule into hel meaning God and not the Church and if you will presume to offer Christs body dayly then your power is aboue Christs power then he was condemned and with patience and constancie entred his blessed martyrdome at whose burning one Thomas Carman was apprehended for words praying with him and pledging him at his burning One Frier and the sister of George Eagles THese suffered the like martyrdome by the vnrighteous Papists whose tyranny the Lord of his mercy abate and cut short turning that wicked generation to abetter minde They were burned at Rochester IOHN CVRD HE was a Shoomaker of Sisam in Northamptonshire hée was imprisoned in Northampton castle for denying the Popish transubstantiation for the which William Bruâ—ter Chancelour vnto the Bishop of Peterborrow did pronounce sentence of death against him a popish priest standing by when he was to bee burned one Iohn Rote vicar of S. Giles in Northampton shewed him if he should recant he was authorised to giue him his pardon he answered he had his pardon by Iesus Christ. Cicelie Ormes SHe suffered at Norwich she was taken at the death of Symon Miller and Elizabeth Cooper for that she said she would pledge them of the same cup they dranke of one master Cobet of Sprowson tooke her and sent her to the Chancelour he asked her what she said vnto the Sacrament of Christs body and what is that the Priest holdeth ouer his head she answered it was bread and if you make it better it is worse so she was sent to prison after she was called and examined before the Chancelour and master Bridges the Chancelor offered her if she would go to Church kéep her tongue she should be at libertie and beléeue as she would but she tould him she would not consent to his wicked desire therein and if shée should God would plague her then he tolde her he had shewed more fauour vnto her then euer he did vnto any and when he could not preuaile he condemned her she was borne in East Derrham and was daughâ—er vnto one Thomas Hawood Tailor she was taken a twelue-moonth before and recanted but was neuer after quiet in conscience she had gotten a letter written to be deliuered to y e Chancelor to let him know she repented her recantation would neuer do the like againe as long as she liued but before she exhibited her bill she was taken and imprisoned as before when she was at the stake she told the people I would you should not report of me that I beléeue to be saued in that I offer my selfe here to death for the Lord cause but I beléeue onely to be saued by the death of Christs passion and this my death is and shall be a witnesse of my faith vnto you all good people as many of you as beléeue as I doe pray for me then she kissed the stake and sayd welcome swéet crosse of Christ aftâ—â— the fire was kindled she said My soule doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit doth reioyce in God my Sauiour and so yéelded her life vnto the Lord as quietly as if she had béene in a slumber or as one féeling no paine so wonderfully did the Lord worke with her Mistresse Ioyce Lewis SHe was the wife of Thomas Lewis of Mancetter in the beginning of Quéene Maries time she went to Church and heard Masse vntill the burning of Laurence Saunders in Couentry then she inquired of such as she knew feared God the cause of his death and when she knew it was because he refused to receiue the Masse she began to be troubled in conscience she reforted to master Iohn Glouer a very godly man of whom mentioned is made before and desired him to tell her the faults that were in the Masse who instructed her in the wayes of the Lord approuing vnto her out of Gods holy word that the Masse with al other papistical inuentions was odious in Gods sight so she began to hate the Masse being compelled by her husband to come vnto Church â—when the holy water was cast she turned her backe towards it wherupon she was accused vnto the Bishop and a citation was sâ—nt for her and her husband the Sumner deliuered the citation to her husband who willed him to take the citation away with him or else he would make him eate it and in the end he made the Sumner eate the citation by setting a dagger vnto his brest and then he caused him to drinke and so sent him away but after they were commanded to appeare before my Lord her husband desired my Lord to be good vnto him my Lord was content to receiue his submission so that his wife would submit her selfe likewise but she told the Bishop that she had neyther offended God nor his lawes in refusing holy water the Bishop gaue her a moneths respite binding her husband in a hundred pound to bring her to him at the moneths end When the moneth was almost expired her husband was aduertised by the said M. Glouer and others not to carry his wife to the Bishop but to séeke some way to saue her and if the worst should come to be content to forfeit the Band rather then to cast his wife into the fire he answered he would not forfeit any thing for her sake but carried his wife vnto the Bishop who found her more stout then she was before so she was sent to such a stinking prison that a maid that was appointed to kéep her company did sound in the said prison She was often examined and euer found stout at length she was pronounced an heretick When the Bishop asked her why she would not come vnto the masse and receiue the sacraments and sacramentals of holy Church she answered because she could not find them in Gods word he said if thou wilt beléeue no more then is in the scriptures concerning matters of religion thou art in a damnable case she told my Lord his words were vngodly and wicked After her condemnation she continued a year in prison Wherâ— the Writ came to burn her she said