cometh in with the keyes about nine of the clock at night after his usuall manner to view his prison and see whether all were present when he â—spied the said Cuthbert to ly there departed again locking the doors after him within two hours after about eleven of the clock toward midnight the said Cuthbert whether being in a slumber or being awake I cannot say heard one coming in first opening the outward door then the second afterward the third door and so looking in to the said Cuthbert having no Candle or Torch that he could see but giving a brighnesse ligh most comportable and joyful to his heart saying Ha unto him and departed again who it was he could not tell neither I dare define this that he saw himself he declared four or five times to the said Mr. Austen and to others at the sight whereof he received such joyfull comfort that he also expressed no little solace in telling and declaring the same Roger Holland in his examination by Bishop Boner propnefied thus this I dare be bold in God to speak which by his Spirit I am moved to say that God will shorten your hand of cruelty that for a time ye shall not molest his Church And this shall ye in short time well perceive for after this day in this place shall there not be any by him put to the tryal of fire and fagot And after this day there was never one that suffered in Smithfield for the restimony of the Gospel So Roger Holland was the last that suffered in Smithfield This Loner was a bloody persecutor for in the space of three years he put three hundred to death The last that suffered in Queen Maries time were five at Carterbury burned about six dayes before the death of Queen Mary Thir godly Martyrs in their prayers which they made before their martyrdome desired God that their blood might be the last that should be shed and soit was Many were delivered by Gods providence from the fiâ—e in Queen Maries time amongst others the Dâ—chesse of Suffolk with her husband were preserved and fled out of the Countrey Great were the bâ—oubles of Lady Elizabeth in Queen Maries im her sister being assly suspect of Sir Thomas Wyats rising was sent for by the Queen with great routs and bands being armed men as the greatest traitor in the world And as at that time she was sick and not able to travel and yet notwithstanding they brought her to London and not seeing the Queen she was clapped into prison into the Tower And again tossed from thence from house to house from prison to prison at length also prisoner in her own house and guarded with a sort of cut-throats and was continually in fear and danger of her life Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Chancelloâ— was a great foe unto her and sundry conspired against her to take her life but God graciously delivered her out of their hands especially out of the hands of the Bishop of Winchester being in prison at Woodstock in the hands of her enemies hearing upon a time a certain milk-maid singing pleasantly wishing her self to be a milk-maid as she was saying that her case was better and life more merry then was hers in that state as she was At this time died the Bishop of Winchester and so by Gods providence Lady Elizabeth was delivered from the snares and plots that by him was laid for her life three years after the death of Winchester died Queen Mary Queen Mary being long sick died on the 17. day of November Anno 1558. and the same day she died was Elizabeth proclaimed Queen As touching the manner of her death some sayes she died of a Tympany some by her much sighing before her death supposed that she died of thought and sorrow Whereupon the Counsell seeing her sighing and desirous to know the cause to the end they might minister the more ready consolation unto her feared as they said that she took that thought for the Kings Majesty her husband which was gone from her To whom she answering again Indeed said she that may be one cause but that is not the greatest wound that pierceth my oppressed mind but what that was she would not express to them but afterward opened the matter now plainly to Mr. Rise c. When I am dead and opened ye shall find Caleice lying in my heart she took though for the losse of Calice There was more English blood shed in Queen Maries time for the space of four years then ever was in any Kings raign before her and so her raign was unprosperous to her and to all her Realm in all respects for she had never good successe in any thing she went about She raigned only five years and five moneths The severe punishment of God upon the persecuters of his People and enemies to his Word with such also as have been blasphemers contemners and mockers of his Religion LEaving now Queen Mary being dead and gone I come to them which under her were the chief Ministers and doers in this persecution the Bishops I mean and Priests of the Clergy to whom Queen Mary gave all the execution of her power as did Queen Alexandra to the Pharisees after the time of the Machabees of whom Josephus thus writeth Ipsa solum nomen Regium serebat caeterum omnent Regni potestatem Pharisaei possidebant that is she only retained to her self the name and title of the Kingdome but all her power she gave to the Pharisees to possesse c. Touching which Prelats and Priests here is to be noted in like sort the wonderfull and miraculous providence of Almighty God which as he abridged the raign of their Queen so he suffers them not â—o escape unvisited First beginning with Stephen Gardiner the Arch-persecuter of Christs Church whom he took away about the midst of the Queens Raign or wâ—ose poysoned life and stinking end for so much as suâ—ficient hath been touched before I shall not need here to make any new rehearsall thereof After him dropped others away also some before the death of Queen Mary and some after as Morgan Bishop of St. Davids who sitting upon the condemnation of the blessed Martyr Bishop Farrar and unjustly usurping his room not long after was stricken by Gods hand after such a strange sort that his meat would not go down but rise and pick up again sometimes at his mouth sometimes blown out of his nose most horrible to behold and so continued till his death Where note moreover when Mr. Leyson being then Sheriff at Bishop Farrars burning had fercht away the Cattel of the said Bishop from his servants house into his own enstody the cattel coming into the Sheriffs ground diverse of them would never eat meat but say bellowing and roaring and so died Also Jâ—stice Morgan who sare upon the death of the Lady Jane and not long after the same fell mad and was beseft of his wits and so died having ever in his
so often or so long as it pleased their ordinary to appoint by which long rigorous and open punishing of them they meant as it should seem utterly to terrifie and keep back all others from the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Gospel But the Lord be evermore praised what effect their wicked purposes therein have been taken these our most lightsome dayes of Gods glorious Gospell doe most joyfully declare William Sweting and John Brewster were put to death and burnt together in Smithfield the chiefest case of Religion alledged against them in their Articles was their Faith concerning the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood which because it differed from the absurd grosse and Capernaiticall opinion of the new School men was counted as most hainous Heresie John Brown was put to death and burned at Ashford in the year of God 1517. about the fourth year of King Henry the eighth upon the declaration of a Priest in a conference between him and the Priest who took him for an Heretick whereupon he was apprehended and committed to Prison the same night as he was in the Stocks at Ashford where he and his Wife dwelt his Wife came and sat beside him all the night before he should be burned to whom he declaring the whole story how he was handled shewed and told how that he could not set his feet to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham and Fisher his feet were heated upon the hote coals and burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will never do for if I should deny my Lord in this World he would hearafter deny me I pray thee therefore said he good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begun and bring up thy Children vertuously and in the fear of God and so the next day this godly Martyr was burned commending his spirit into the hands of the Lord At the fire the Bayllie Arrant bade cast in his Children also for they would spring said he of his ashes This blessed Martyr John Brown had born an Faggot seven years before in the dayes of King Henry the 7. Richard Hunne Merchand Tailyour dwelling within the City of London and free-man of the same who was esteemed during his life and worthily reputed and taken not only for a man of true dealing and good substance but also for a good Catholick man this man was suspect of Heresie and committed to the Lollords Tower where he was first murthered by his adversaries the Priests and by them hanged whereupon they made the people to believe that he had desperatly hanged himself and after his death led a processe against him and condemned him of Heresie and at last burned him in Smith-field Thomas Man for alledged Heresie suffered much trouble and long imprisonment and in end was condemned and burnt in Smithfield This Tomas Man called Doctor Man confessed that he turned seven hundred people to his Religion and Doctrine for the which he thanked God Against the faithfull Christians of Amershame was great trouble and persecution in the time of William Smith Bishop of Lincolne At which time diverse and many were abjured and it was called abjuratio magna the great abjuration and they which were noted of that Doctrine and profession were called amongst themselves by the name of known men or just fast men as now they are called by the name of Protestants At this time although publick authority then lacked to maintain the open Preaching of the Gospel yet there were many in secret good Christians and true Professors of the Gospel truly the fervent zeal of those Christian-dayes seemed much superiour to these our dayes and times as manifestly may appear by their sitting up all night in reading and hearing also by their charges and expenses in buying of Books in English In which rarity of books and want of Teachers this one thing may be much marvelled and mused at to note in the Registers and to consider how the word of truth notwithstanding did multiplie so exceedingly as it did amongst them wherein is to be seen no doubt the marvellous working of Gods Almighty power for so it is found and observed in considering the Registers how one neighbour resorting and conferring with another oft seemed with a few words of the first and second Table did win and turn their minds to that wherein they desired to perswade them touching the truth of Gods Word and their Sacraments To see their travells their earnest seeking their burning zeal their readings their watchings their sweet assemblies their love concord their godly living their faithfull meaning with the faithfull may make us now in these our dayes of free profession to blush for shame Four prinipal points they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of Saints in reading of Scripture-books in English and in the carnall presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament After the death of William Smith succeeded John Longland a bloody and cruell persecutor of the Saints of God he caused the Wife to detect the Husband the Husband the Wife the Father the Daughter the Daughter the Father the Brother to disclose the Brother and Neigbour the Neighbour neither were there any Assemblies nor readings kept but both the persons and also the books were known neither was one word so closely spoken nor Article mentioned but it was discovered So subtilly and slightly these Catholick Prelats did use their inquisions and Examinations that nothing was done or said among these known men fifteen or twenty years before so covertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence as appears in a Table describing the grievous afflictions of good Men and Women in the Diocesse of Lincolne under John Longland their Bishop with the names both of the accusers and of them that were accused also with the crimes to them objected out of the Registers of the said Diocesse all these were constrained to abjure and do penance and they which were Relapse were committed to the Secular power and burnt As touching the burning of John Scrivener here is to be noted that his Children were compelled to set the fire unto their Father in like manner as Joan Clerk also Daughter of William Tylesworth was compelled to give fire for the burning of her own naturall Father The example of which cruelty as it is contrary both to God and Nature so it had not been seen nor heard of in the memory of the Heathen Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of other Countreys and the Persecutions for Religion there we shall begin first with Germany OF MARTIN LUTHER by whom God began the Reformation of his CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER born at Isleben in Saxonie one Augustine Frier arose in the year of God 1516. to detect and discover the errors of the Church of Rome and to cry out against indulgences upon this occasion Leo the tenth of that name Pope of Rome
time at the fact and men yet alive the story whereof was this There was at Antwerp on a time amongst a company of Merchants as they were at supper a certain Juglar which through his Diabolicall inchantments or Art magicall would fetch all kind of Viandes and Wine from any place they would and set it upon the table incontinent before them with many other such like things The fame of this Jugler being much talked of It chanced that as Master Tindal heard of it he desired certain of the Merchants that he might also bee present at Supper to see him play his parts To be brief the supper was appointed and the Merchants with Tindall were there present Then the Juglar being required to play his feats and to shew his cunning after his wonted boldnesse began to utter all that he could do but all was in vain At the last with his labour sweating and toyling when he saw that nothing would go forward but that all his enchantment were void he was compelled openly to confesse that there was some man present at Supper which disturbed and setted all his doings So that a man even in the Martyrs of these dayes cannot lack the miracles of true faith if miracles were now to be desired After King Henry his Marriage was declared to be unlawfull and being divorced from Lady Cathren he married Lady Anna â—ullen who three years after she was married was had to the Tower with the Lord Rochford her brother and the nineteen day thereafter was beheaded The words of this worthy and christian Lady at her death were these Good Christian people I am come hither to die for according to the Law by the Law I am judged to death and therefore I will speak nothing against it I am to accuse no man nor to speak any thing of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die but I pray God to save the King and send him long to raign over you for a Gentler or more mercifull Prince was there never to me he was ever a Good a Gentle and a Soveraigne Lord. And if any person will medle of my cause I require them to judge the best And thus I take my leave of the World and of you all I heartily desire you all to pray for me so she was beheaded Whatsoever the cause was or quartell objected against her life this was a great commendation she left behind her that during her life the Religion of Christ most happily flourished and had a right prosperous course for she was an enemy to Popery she was a great giver of alms beyond all other Queens and the Revenues almost of her estate in so much that the almes which she gave in three quarters of a year in distribution is summed to the number of fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds beside the great peece of money which Her grace intended to impart unto four sundry quarters of the Realm as for a stock there to be imployed to the behoove of poor Artificers and occupyers Again what a zealous Defender she was of Christs Gospel all the world doth know and her acts do and will declare to the worlds end After the suffering of Queen Anna the King marrid Lady Jane Seimer of whom came King Edward as great an enemy to Gods enemies the Pope as ever his father was and greater too Shorâ—ly after his birth Queen Jane his Mother the second day after died in Child bed and left the King again a Widower which so continued the space of two years together After this Religion bâ—gan to go backward as appears in the condemnation burning and martyrdom of John Lambert and others For as the King was ruled and gave over some time to one some time to another so one while Reliâ—ion went forâ—wâ—rd and at another time as much backward again and sometimes clean altered and changed foâ— a season according as they could prevail which were about the King so variable was the change and mutation of Religion in King Henries days for the state of R ligion decayed all the residâ—e of King Henry A Parliament is summoned at Westmi ster in the ear 15 〈◊〉 through the devise and practiâ—â— of certain of the Popes factors about him Alâ—o a Synod or convocation of all the Archbishops Bishops and other leaâ—nâ—d of the clergy of this realm to be in like manner assembled In which Parliament Syâ—od or convocation certain articles matters and qâ—estions touching religion were decreed to the numbâ—r especially of six comonly called the six Articles or the whip â—ith six strings to be had and receivâ—d among the Kings Sâ—bjects in pretence of Unity The first Article in the present Parliament accorded and agreed upon was this that in the most blessed Sacrament of the Altar by the strength and efficacy of Christs mighty word it being spoken by the Priest is present really under the form of Bread and Wine the naturall body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary and that after the consecration there remaineth no substance of Bread or Wine or any other substance but the substance of Christ God and man Secondly that the Communion in both kinds is not necessary ad salutem by the Law of God to all persons and that it is to be believed and not doubted of but that in the flesh under the form of Bread is the very Blood and with the Blood under the form of Wine is the very flesh as well in parts as they were both together Thirdly that the Priests after the order of Priesthood received may not marry by the Law Fourthly that the vows of chastity of Widowhood by man or woman made to God advisedly ought to be observed by the Law of God and that it exeemeth them from other liberties of Christian people which without that they might enjoy Fifthly that it is meet and necessary that privat Masses be continued and admitted in this English Church and Congregation as whereby good Christian people ordering themselves accordinâ—ly do receive both godly and goodly consolations and benefites and it is agreeable also to Gods Law Sixthly that Auricular Confession is expedient and necessary to be retained and contained used and frequented in the Church of God All agreed to these six Articles except Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who stood openly in the Parliament against them bringing forth such Allegations as might easily have helped the cause nisi paucos major vicisset ut saepe solet meliorem Great was the trouble and persecution at London for these six Articles and else-where through the land Doctor Barnes Garret and Hicrome were burnt for the Gospel at Smithfield At this time when Lambert was burnt there was one Colins at London sometime a Lawyer and a Gentleman being distracted of his wits coming into a Church where a Priest was saying Masse and was come to the place where they use to hold and shew the Sacrament he seeing the Priest holding the host over his head and
far returned with him to Glasgow where they went first to the Church and gave thanks to God for the victory they had obtained almost without any effusion of blood This conflict happened upon the 13. of May the eleventh day after her escape from Lochlevin The Queen fleeth to England and writeth to Queen Elizabeth The Bishop of Orkney was reponed to his place and for removing the scandall he was injoyned in his first Sermon to make publick acknowledgement of his fault and crave forgivenesse of God the Church and State whom he had offended The Duke of Chattellerault returned and being made Deputy by the Queen caused publish his Letters prohibiting the subjects to acknowledge any other Soveraign then the Queen hereupon the Regent gave forth Proclamations charging the Lieges in the Kings name to meet him in Armes at Glasgow the 10. of March The Regent and the Duke were agreed by the means of the Superintendents James Hamiltoun of Bothwell-Haugh taketh in hand the Regents murther he is killed by him at Linlithgow as he was riding by the shot of a Bullet the Murtherer escapeth and the death of the Regent was greatly lamented The Earle of Lennox is chosen Regent Governour of the Realm untill the Kings Majority or till he were able by himself to administrate the publick affairs The Regent was shot by Captain Calder at Stirling and with the same bullet Wormestoun who did what he could to save the Regent was stricken dead After him the Earle of Marre was elected Regent After the Earle of Marre was the Earle of Morton elected Regent as the man in that time of greatest courage and counsell The Earle of Morton is challenged for the murther of the Kings father by Captain James Steward and is committed and thereafter brought to his tryall sentence is pronounced and he execute for concealing the Kings murther The Queen is excute and beheaded after 19. years captivity in England The Spanish Navy was in the year of God 1583. In the year of God 1597. there was a great businesse for the tryall of Witches Amongst others one Margaret Aikin being apprehended upon suspitiâ—n and threatned with torture did confesse her self guilty being examined touching her associats in that trade she namâ—d a few and peâ—ceiving her delations find credit made offer to detect all of that sort and to purge the countrey of them so she might have her life granted for the reason of her knowledge she said that they had a secret mark all of that sort in their eyes whereby she could surely tell how soon she looked upon any whether they were Witches or not and in this she was so readily believed that for the space of three or four moneths she was carried from Town to Town to make discoveries in that kind Many were brought in question by her delations especially at Glasgow where diverse innocent women through the credulity of the Minister Mr. John Cowper were condemned and put to death In end she was found to be a meer deceiver for the same persons that the one day she had declared guilty the next day being presented in another habit she cleansed and sent back to Fife where first she was apprehended At her tryall she affirmed all to be false that she had confessed either of her self or others persisted in this to her death which made many for think their to great forwardnesse that way and moved the King to recall the commissions given out against such persons discharging all proceedings against them except in case of voluntary confession till a solid order should be taken by the Estates touching the forme that should be keeped in their tryall In the year of God 16â—0 was Gowries conspiracy against the King discovered both he and his brother Mr. Alexander Ruthven were killed at St. Johnstoun and the King delivered The Ministers of Edinburgh being râ—qâ—ired by the Counsel to give thanks for his Majesties deliverance refused to obey excusing themselves that nothing ought to be deliv red in Pulpit but that whereof the truth was known and that all which is uttered in that place should be spokâ—n in faith When by no perswasion they could be moved to perform that duty it was resolved that the Counsel should go together to the Market Crosse and that the Bishop of Rosse should after a naration of the Kings daughter and deliverance conceive a publick thanksgiving which was done the multitude applauding and expressing a great joy Mr. Patrick Galloway the Mononday thereafter in presence of the King Preached at the Market Crosse who choosed the 124. Psalm for his Theam did take occasion to discourse of all the particulars of the conspiracy and gave the people great satisfaction for many doubted that there had been any such conspiracy the condition of Princes being as the Emperor Domitian said herein miserably that even when conspiracies made against their persons are discovered yet they are not credited unlesse they be slain The King to testifie his thankfulnesse for his deliverence mortified a thousand pound to the poor yearly to be taken of the readiest fruits of the Abbacie of Scoon After this order was taken for a publick and solemn thanksgiving to be made in all the Churches of the Kingdome The Ministers of Edinburgh who gave the refuse were commanded to remove themselves out of the town within 48. hours and inhibited to Preach within his Majesties dominions under the pain of death Three of the number to wit Mr. Walter â—elcanquel Mr. William Watson and Mr. John Hall acknowledging their fault were pardoned Mr. James Balfour likewise remitted But Mr. Robert Truce taking a course by himself and saying he would reverence his Majesties report of that accident but could not say he was perswaded of the truth of it was banished the King dominions and went into France The 15. of November a Parliament was held at Edinburgh wherein sentence of the forfeiture was pronounced against Gowry and Mr. Alexander his brother their posterity disinherited and in detestation of the paracid attempted the whole surname of Ruthven abolished but this last was afterwards dispensed with and such of that name as were knowen to be innocent tollerated by the Kings clemency to enjoy their surnames and titles as in former times The bodies of the two brethren being brought to the Parliament house were after sentence given hanged upon a Gibbet in the publick street and then dismembred their hands cut off and affixed upon the top of the prison house and the 5. of August ordained to be keeped yearly in remembrance of his Majesties delivery Prince Charles was born at Dumfermling The Queen of England continuing constant in her affection when she was asked a little before her death by the Lord Keeper and Secretary who were directed by the Counsel to understand her will touching her Successor answered none but my Cousen the King of Scots After which words she spake not much A Queen incomparable for wisedom and fidelity of Government She
the Revelation in these words And I saw an Angel descending from Heaven having a key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chain in his hand and he took the Dragon the old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years and put him into the bottomlesse dungeon and shut him up and signed him with his seal that he should no more seduce the Gentiles till a thousand years were expired and after that he must be loosed again for a little space of time c. The thousand years being now expired Satan let loose he begins again to persecute the Church of God and the professors of the truth in the person of Wickliff in the year of our Lord 1371. in the dayes of Edward the third King of England This Wickliff was an English-man and a Professor of Divinity in Oxford a man of great spirit and of great learning he came to such a degree or erudition that he was thought the most excellent amongst all the Theologians at that time he perceiving the true Doctrine of Christs Gospel to be aduldeâ—at and defiled with so many filthy inventions of Bishops Sects of Monks and dark errors and after long debating and deliberating with himself with many secret sighs and bewalings in his mind the generall ignorance of the whole world could no longer sâ—ffer or abide the same he at the last determined with himself to help and remedy such things as he saw to be wide and out of the way and so he began as from a deep night to draw out the truth of the Doctrine of the Son of God with the purity of the Doctrine which hee taught he also lively touched the abuses of the Popedome in so much that the Locusts that is to say the Monks and begging Friers listed themselves up against him to persecute him with all the rable of the Popish Clergie but the Lord gave him for a Protector King Edward the third the Duke of Lancaster the Kings son and Lord Henery Peircy the Marshaâ—l of England for all the time of King Edwards raign he had great liberty of his profession and that the King carried a speciall favour and good-will to him appears in this that he sent him with his Ambassadour over into the parts of Italy to treat with the Popes Legats concerning affairs betwixt the King and the Pope with full commission This King Edward was a good man and hath this commendation that he was Orphanis quasi Pater afflictis compations miseris condolâ—ns oppressis relevaâ—s cunctis indigentibus impendens auxilia opportuna that is to the Orphans he was a Father competient to the afflicted mourning with the miserable releiving the oppressed and to all them that wanted a helper in the time of need c. Pope Gregory being informed of Wickliffs Doctrine that was pred abroad through the land He wrot to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to cause apprehend the said John Wickliffe and to cast him into prison and that the King and Nobles of England should be admonished not to give any trust to the said John VVickliffe or to his Doctrine in any wayes As also he wrote unto King Edward or rather unto King Richard who succeeded King Edward to persecute this VVickliff but God shortned the rage and fury of this cruel Prelate against him for that in the same year or in the beginning of the next year following the forsaid Pope Gergory the eleventh turn'd up his heels and died Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London did vex trouble him and held sundry meetings of the Clergy against him to condemne him and his Doctrine And here is not to be past over the great miracle of Gods Divine admonition or warning for when as the Archbishop and Suffraganes with the other Doctors and Lawiers with a great company of babling Friers and Religious persons were gathered together to consult as touching John VVickliffs books and that whole sect When as I say they were gathered together at the Gray-friers in London to begin their businesse upon St. Dunstanes day after dinner about two in the cloak the very hour and instant that they should go forward with their businesse a wonderfull and terrible earthquake fell throughout all England whereupon diverse of the Suffraganes being feard by the strange and wonderfull demonstration doubting what it should mean thought it good to leave off from their determinat purpose But the Archbishop as the chief Captain of that Army more rash and bold then wise interpreting the change which had happened clean contrary to another meaning and purpose did confirm and strengthen hearts and minds which are almost danted with fear stoutly to proceed and to go forward in their attempted enterprise who then discoursing VVickliffs Articles not according to the sacred Cannons of the Holy Scripture but unto their own private affections and traditions pronounced and gave sentence that some of them were simply and plainly Hereticall other some false erroneous other irreligious some seditious and not consonant to the Church of Rome John VVickliff a long time after this returning again either from his banishment being banished by King Richard or from some other place where he was secretly keeped repaired to his Parish at Lutterworth where hee was Parson and there quyetly departing this mortall Life sleept in peace in the Lord 1384. Here is to be noted in this Man as in diverse others whom the Lord so long preserved in such rages of so many enemies from all their hands even to his old age This VVickliff had written diverse and sundry works the which in the year of our Lord 1410. were burnt at Oxford And not only in England but in Bohemia Likewise the Books of the said VVickliff were set on fire by the Archbishop of Prage who made diligent inquisiition for the same and burned them The numbers of the Volumes which he is said to have burned most excellently written and richly adorned with bosses of Gold and coverings as Aeneas Silvius writes were about the number of two hundred Great was the testimony given out by the Vniversity of Oxford touching the commendation of the great Learning and good Life of John VVickliff as also great was the testimony and commendation of Master John Hus concerning John VVickliff who affirmed that he was no Heretick and yet the Counsel of Constance condemned him for an Heretick and caused his Body and Bones to bee raised and burnt 41. years after his Death and took his Ashes and threw into the River thinking thereby utterly to extinguish and abolish both the Name and Doctrine of VVickliff for ever for though they digged up his Body and burnt his Bones and drowned his Ashes yet the Word of God and truth of his Doctrine with the fruit and successe thereof they could not burn which yet to this day for the most part of his Articles do remain After the Death of Pope Gregory
compearing after some examination he is sent to prison where he is cruelly handled with chains and bolts of Iron put upon him and being hardly intertained he is keeped in prison the space of an year in end he is forced to abjure and recant and consent unto the death of Master John Hus that hee was justly and truely condemned and put to death by them He what for fear of death and hoping thereby to escape out of their hands according to their will and pleasure and according to the tenour which was exhibited unto him did make abjuration and that in the Cathedral Church and open Session the draught thereof penned to him bee the Papists may be seen in the Book of Martyrs After his abjuration he returns to prison where he is not so straitly chained and bound as he was before notwithstanding he is keeped every day with Souldiers and armed men he is brought again before the Counsell where his enemies laid against him of new an hundred and seven Articles to the intent he should not escape the snare of death which they provided and led before him unto the which Articles most subtilly objected against him he denyed that he held or maintained any such Articles as were either hurtfull or false and affirmed that these witnesses had deposed them against him falsly and slanderously as his most cruell and mortall enemies he revoked his former recantation that he had wickedly consented and agreed to the sentence and judgement of the condemnation of Wickliff and Hus and that he had most shamefully lied in approving and allowing the said sentence neither was he ashamed to confesse that he lied yea he did also revock and recant his confession approbation and protestation which he had made upon their condemnation affirming that he never at any time had read any errors or heresie in the Books and Treatises of the said Wickliff and Hus c. The Counsell condemns him as an Heritick and drowned in all kind of Heresies Excommunicat and accursed leaving him unto the Arbitrement and Judgement of the Secular Judge to receive just and due punishment according to the quality of so great an oftence After he is condemned of the Counsell he told them that his death would leave a remorse in their consciences and a nail in their hearts and said he Et cito vos omnes ut respondeatis mihi coram altissimo justissimo judice post centam annos that is And here I cite you to answer unto me before the most high and just Judge within an hundred years as also when the sentence was given out against him a great and long Miter of Paper was brought unto him Painted about with red Devils the which when he beheld and saw throwing away his Hood upon the ground amongst the Prelates he took the Miter and put it upon his head saying Our Lord Jesus Christ when as he should suffer death for the most wretched sinner did wear a Crown of Thorns upon his head and I for his sake in stead of that Crown will willingly wear this Miter and Cap Afterward he was laid hold of by the Secular power and brought forth to execution When he was going out of the Church with a chearfull countenance and loud voice lifting his eyes up to Heaven he began to sing Credo in unum Deum as it is accustomed to be sung in the Church Afterward as he passed along he did sing some Canticles of the Church After he came to the place of Execution where Master John Hus had before suffered death innocently kneeling down he made a certain devour prayer while he was thus praying the tormenters took him up and lifting him up from the ground spoiled him of all his garments and left him naked and afterwards girded him about the Loyns with a Linnen Cloath and bound him fast with cords and chaines of Iron to the picture of John Hus. which was made fast unto the earth and so standing upon the ground when as they began to lay the Wood about him he sang Salve festa dies and when the Hymn was ended he sang again with a loud voice Credo in unum Deum unto the end That being ended he said unto the people in the Germane Tongue in effect as followeth Dearly beloved children even as I have now sung so do I believe and none otherwise And this Creed is my whole faith notwithstanding I die for this cause because I would not consent and agree to the Counsell and with them affirm and hold that Master John Hus was by them holily and justly condemned for I did know well enough that he was a true Preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ After that he was compassed with the Wood up to the crown of the head they cast all his garments upon the Wood also and with a Firebrand they set it on fire the which being once fired he began to sing with a loud voice In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meam When that was ended and that he began vehemently to burn he said in the vulgar Bohemian Tongue O Lord God Father Almighty have mercy upon me and be mercifull unto mine offences for thou knowest how sincerely I have loved thy truth Then his voice by the vehemency of the fire was choaked and stopped that it was no longer heard but he moved continually his mouth and lips as though he had still prayed or spoken within himself As he was burning in the sire they brought his bedding his straw-bed his Boots his Hood and all other things he had in the Prison and burned them all to ashes in the same fire The which ashes after that the fire was out they did diligently gather together and carry them in a Cart and cast them into the River of Râ—ine which ran hard by the City The Bohemians understanding what was done at Constance against their Doctors and being greatly grieved thereat directed their Letters to this Barbarous Counsell of Popish murderers compleaning of their cruel and unjust dealing against Master John Hus being a just good and catholick man c. Also that they have apprehended imprisoned and condemned and even now peradventure like as ye did to Master John Hus ye have most cruelly murthered the worshipfull man Master Jerome of Prage a man abounding in eloquence Master of the seven liberall Arts and a famous Philosopher not being convict but only at the sinister and false accusations of his and our accusers and betrayers as the Letter in it self at more length bears The Nobles and Gentlemen of Bohem and Moratia are cited up to the Counsell and to suppresse the Bohemians from making any stir did make Lawes and Articles to the number of 14. whereby to bridle them And first that the King of Bohemia shall be sworn to give obdience and to defend the Liberties of the Church of Rome 2. That all Ministers Doctors and Priests shall be sworn to abjure the Doctrine of Wickliff and Hus c. The
our Lord 1200. for this cause they were often accused and complained of to the King as contemners and despisers of the Magistrats and Rebels they were oftentimes persecuted and many put to death for their Profession in end the Court or Parliament at Province gave out a cruell sentence against Merindol and condemned all the Inhabitants to be burned both Men and Women sparing none no not the little Children and Infants the Town to be razed and their Houses to be beaten down to the ground also their trees to be cut down as well Olive-trees as all other and nothing to be left to the intent it should never be inhabited again but remain as a Desert or Wildernesse The violence and execution of this cruell and bloody sentence was for a time restrained and the rage of the adversaries repressed till Minerius a bloody persecuter and the Kings Lievtenant of Province forged a most impudent lye against these innocent Christians giving the King to understand that they of Merindol and all the Countrey near about to the number of twelve or fifteen thousand were in the field in Armour with their Ensigne displayed intending to take the Town of Mansfield and make it one of the Cantons of the Switzers and to stay this enterprise he said it was necessary to execute the Arrest manumilitari and by this means he obtained the Kings Letters Patents though the help of the Cardinall of Tournon commanding the sentence to be executed against the Meridolians notwithstanding the King had before revoked the said sentence and given strait commandement that it should no wayes be executed After this he gathered all the Kings Army which was then in Province ready to go against the Englishmen and took up all besides that were able to bear Armour in the Chief Towns of Province and joyned them with the Army which the Popes Lâ—gat had Levied for that purpose in Avinion and all Countries of Venice and imployed the same to the destruction of Merindol Cabriers and other Towns and Villages to the number of 22. giving Commission to his Souldiers to spoyl ransack burn and destroy all together and to kill Man Woman and child without all mercy sparing none no otherwise then the Infidels and cruel Turks have dealt with the Christians So Merindol without any resistance was taken ransacked burnt razed and laid even with the ground and killed all both young and old whom they found in the Town When he had destroyed Merindol he laid siege to Catriers and battered it with his Ordinance but when he could not win it by force he with the Lord of the Town and Powling his chief Captain perswaded with the Inhabitants to open their Gates solemnly promising that if they would so do they would lay down their Armour and also that their cause should be heard in Judgement with all equity and justice and no violence or injury should be shewed against them Upon this they opened their Gates and let in Minerius with his Captains and all his Armie but the Tyrant when he was once entred falsified his promise and raged like a Beast for first of all he picked out about thirty men causing them be bound and carried into a Meadow near to the Town and there to be miserably cut and hewn in pieces by his Souldiers then because he would not leave no kind of cruelty unattempted he also exerciâ—ed outrage and fury upon the poor silly women and caused fourty of them to be taken of whom diverse were great with child and put them into a Barn full of Straw and Hay and caused it to be set on fire at four corners And when the silly women running to the great Window where the Hay is wont to be cast into the Barn would have leaped out they were keeped in with Pikes and Halberds then there was a Souldier which moved with pity at the crying out and lamentation of the Women opened a door to let them out but as they were comming out the Tyrant caused them to be slain and cut in pieces opening their bellies that the children fell out whom they trod under their feet with many other cruel and barbarous acts against the poor innocents This done this Tyrant more cruel then ever was Herod commanded one of his Captains with a Band of Ruffians to go into the Church where was a great number of Women Children and young Infants to kill all whom he found there which the Captaine at the first refused to do saying that were a cruelty unused among men of War Whereat Minerius being displeased charged him upon pain of Rebellion and disobedience to the King to do as he had commanded him The Captain fearing what might ensue entreth with his men and destroyed them all sparing neither young nor old We are not here to passe by the fearfull Jugement of God that fell upon Minerius the cruel Persecuter of thir innocents being stricken with a strange kind of bleeding at the lower parts in manner of a bloody Flux and not being able to avoid any Vrine thus by little and little his Guts within him rotred and when no Remedy could be found for this terrible disease and his Intrals now began to be eaten of Worms a certain famous Chirurgeon named La Motte which dwelt at Arles a man no lesse Godly then expert in his Science was called for who after he had cured him of this difficulty of making Water and therefore was in great estimation with him before he would proceed further to search the other parts of his putrified body and to search out the inward cause of his Maladie he desired that they which were present in the Chamber with Minerius would depart a little aside Which being done he began to exhort Minerius with earnest words saying how the time now required that he should ask forgivenesse of God by Christ for his enormous crimes and cruelty in shedding so much innocent blood and declared the same to be the cause of this so strange profusion of blood comming from him These words being heard so pierced the impure conscience of this miserable wretch that he was therewith more troubled then with the agony of his disease in so much that he cryed out to lay hands upon the Chirurgeon as an Heretick La Motte hearing this eftsoones convyed himself out of sight and returned again to Arles notwithstanding it was not long but he was sent for again being intreated by his friends and promised most firmly that his comming should be without any perill or danger and so with much adoe he returned again to Minerius raging and cast out most horrible and blasphemous words and feeling a fire which burnt him from the Navel upward with extream stinck of the lower parts finished his wretched life whereby we have notoriously to understand that God through his mighty arm at length confoundeth such persecuters of his innocent and faithfull servants and bringeth them to nought to whom be praise and glory for ever The Persecutions of the
the Procurator-Fiscall or the Popes great Collector first beginning with Doctor Cacalla this Doctor Cacalla was a Frier of Austines Order a Priest of the Town of Valedollid and Preacher sometimes to the Emperor Chrales the fifth a man well accounted of for his learning who for that he was thought to be as the Standard-bearer to the Gospellers whom they called Lutherians and Preacher and Doctor unto them therefore he being first called for whose sentence was to be degraded and presently burned and all his goods couns cat to the profit and advancement of the Justice Sentence was given out against the rest some put to pennance whereof there were some Noble Personages some to be condemned to perpetuall Prison and the most part to be burnt After the sentence pronounced they which were condemned to be burned with the Coffin of the dead Lady and her Pâ—cture upon the same were committed to the Secular Magistrate and their Executioners which were commanded to do their endeavour then were they all incontinent taken and every one set upon an Asse their faces turned backward and led with agreat Garison of armed Souldiers unto the place of punishment which was without the Gate of the Town called Del Campo And thus these faithfull Christians for the verity and pure World of God were led to death as sheep to the shambles who not only most Christianly did comfort one another but also did so exhort all them there present that all men marvelled greatly both to hear their singular constancy and to see their quiet and peaceable end There dwelt in Valadolid a Knight well qualified who in the Inquisition had two daughters which constantly perservering in the true Religion that they had learned of the good Doctor Cacalla and others Martyrs of Jesus Christ were condemned to be burned The father being a most rank Papist besought the Inquisitors to permit them for their better information to be carried to his house which thing the inquisitors in regard of the great credit they reposed in him granted And brought thâ—s to his house the father endeavoured to divert them from their constant resolution but seeing he could not convince them but it was in vain for the Lord as in Luk. 21.15 he had promised gave them utterance and wisdome which the new Pharisees Priests and Friers were not able to resist or gainsay The father seeing then that his endeavour not availed went humself to his Grove cut down Wood and caused it to be drawn to Valadolid he himself kindled the fire and so they were both burned Now to come to speak of the Martyrs that suffered for the Testimony of the Gospel in Italy The ITALIAN Martyrs GAleacius Trecius of the City called Laus Pompeia in Italy a Gentle-man of a good Calling and wealthy in wordly substance and very beneficiall to the poor he was apprehended and brought to the Bishops Palace where he was kept in bands having under him but only a Pad of Straw although his Wife sent unto him a good Feather-bed with Sheets to ly in yet the Bishops Chaplains and Officers keeped it from him dividing the prey among themselves When the time came that he should be examined he was thrise brought before the Commissioners where he rendred Reasons and Causes of his Faith answering to their Interrogatories with such evidence of Scriptures and constancy of mind that he was an admiration to them that heard him Albeit not long after through the importonat perswasions of his Kins-folks and friends and other cold Gospellers laying many considerations before his eyes he was brought at length to assent to certain points of the Popes Doctrine but yet the mercy of God which began with him so left him not but brought him again to such Repentance and bewailing of his fact that he became afterward according to the example of Peter and St. â—yprian and others more valiant in defence of Christs quarrel neither did he ever desire any thing more then occasion to be offered again by confession that he had lost before by deniall affirming that he never felt more joy of heart then at the time of his Examinations where he stood thrise to the constant confession of the Truth and contrary that he never tasted more sorrow in all his life then when he slipt afterward from the same by dissimulation declaring moreover to his brethren that death was much more sweet unto him with Testimony of the verity then life with the least deniall of Truth and loss of a good conscience Again Galeacius returned again to the defence of his former Doctrine with much more boldnesse of spirit confessing Christ as he did before and detested Images affirming and proving that God only is to be worshipped and that in spirit and verity Also to be no moe Mediators but Christ alone and that he only and sufficiently by his sufferings hath taken away the sins of the whole world and that all they which depart hence in his faith are ascertained of the everlasting life they which do not are under everlasting damnation with such other like matter which was repugnant utterly to the Popes proceedings His adversaries perceiving that he in no case could be revoked caused him to be committed to the Secular Judge to be burned Thus Galeazius early in the morning being brought out of Prison to the Market-place there was left standing bound by the Stake till noon as a gazing-stock for all men to look upon In the which mean time many came about him exhorting him to recant but nothing could stir the setled mind of this valiant Martyr and so he was brought to the fire and burned Touching the story of this blessed Martyr this by the way is to be given for a Memorandum that a little before this Galeazius should be burned there was a controversie between the Major of the City and the Bishops Clergy for the expenses of the Wood that should go to his burning he hearing thereof sent word to both the parties to agree for he himself of his own goods would see the cost of that matter discharged Another note moreover is here to be added that while Galeazius was in captivity certain of the Papists perceiving that Galeazius had great goods and possessins practised with his wife under colour to release her husband that she should lay out a sum of money to be sent to the wife of the chief Lord of Millain called Ferrarius Gonzaga to the end that she should intreat both with her husband and with the Senat for Galeazius life which money when they had thus jugled into their hands Galeazius notwithstanding was burned and so was the silly woman robbed and defeated both of her husband and also of her money Doctor Mollius a Gray-frier for the teaching and profession of the Gospel of Christ Jesus was four times imprisoned and as oft delivered out of prison all the time hee remained constant in the defence of Christs gospel at last was brought with certain other men which were
spiritual consolation felt in himself no apâ—nesse nor willingness but rather a heaviness and dulnesse of spirit finding much discomfort to bear the bitter crosse of martyrdome ready now to be laid upon him and here we see that Gods Saints may be destitute for a time of the Lords comfort Unto whom the said Austen answering again willed and desired him patiently to wait the Lords pleasure and how soever his present feeling was yet seeing his cause was just and true he exhorted him constantly to stick to the same and to play the man nothing misdoubting but the Lord in his good time could visite him and satisfie his desire with plenty of consolation whereof he faid he was right certain and sure and therefore desired him whenâ—oever any such feeling of Gods heavenly mercies should begin to touch his heart that then he would shew some signification thereof whereby he might witnesse with him the same and so departed from him The next day when the time came of his martyrdome as he was going to the place and was now come to the sight of the Stake although all the night before praying for strength and courage hee could feel none suddenly he was so mightily replenished with Gods holy comfort and heavenly joyes that he cried out clapping his hands to Austen and saying in these words Austen he is come he is come and that with such joy and alacrity as one seeming rather to be risen from some deadly danger to liberty of life then as one passing out of the world by any pains of death And so he was put to the fire and burnt for the testimony of the truth Denton being afrayed of burning said to Wolsey that he cannot burn but he that could not burn in the cause of Christ was afterward burned against his will when Christ had given peace to his Church for his house was set on fire and while he went in to save his goods he lost his life with two other that were in the same house Not much unlike to this was also the example of Mr. West Chaplain to B. Ridley who refusing to die in Christs cause with his masters said masse against his conscience and soon afterward died The Death and Martyrdome of Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer MAster Ridley Bishop of London and Latimer Bishop sometimes of Worcester men of memorable leaning and incomparable ornaments and gifts of grace joyned with no lesse commendable sincerity of life as all the Realm can witnesse sufficiently were burnt at Oxford for the testimony of the truth This B. Ridley was descended of a stock right worshipfull he was born in Northumberland-shire After he past his course at Cambrige made Doctor of Divinity he went to Paris and after his return was made Chaplain to King Henry the eight and promoted afterward by him to the Bishoprick of Worcester and so from thence translated to the Seâ— and Bishoprick of London in King Edwards days now in Queen Maries time they were laid hands upon and committed to prison and accused as Hereticks Great was the conference and godly talk that was between them while they were in prison Mr. Ridley wrote many letters from the prison as a letter from him and his prison-fellows unto Mr. Braidford and his prison-fellows in the Kings bench at Southwark and to many others And besides these letters of his diverse other tracttations were written by him partly out of prison and partly in prison As for Mr. Latimer that famous Preacher and worthy Martyr of Christ and his Gospel he was a long time a zealous and superstitious Papist and in this blind zeal he was a very enemy to the professors of Christs Gospel as both his Oration made when he proceeded Batchelor of Divinity against Philip Melancton and also his other works did plainly declare but he through the goodness of God was converted by Mr. Bilney unto the truth so that whereas before he was an enemy and almost a persecuter of Christ he was now a zealous seeker after him howbeit as Satan never sleepeth when he seeth his kingdom begin to decay so likewise now seing that this worthy member of Christ would be a shrowd shaker thereof he raised up his impious Impes to molest and trouble him He wrote also many letters from the prison Touching the memorable acts and doings of this worthy man amongst many other this is not to be neglected what a bold enterprise he attempted in sending to King Henry a present the manner whereof was this There was then and yet remaineth still an old custome received from the old Romans that upon new years day being the first day of January every Bishop with some handsome new years gift should gratifie the King and so they did some with gold some with silver some with a purse full of money some with one thing and some with another but Mr. Latimer being Bishop of Worcester then amongst the rest presented a new Testament for his new years gift with a napkin having this poesie about it Fornicatores adulteros judicabit Dominus Now in Queen Mariâ—s time after their long imprisonment they are brought forth to their finall examination and execution are degraded and condemned as Hereticks and delivered to the Secular power to be put to death When they came to the fire they brought a Eagot kindled with fire and laid the same down at Doctor Ridleys feet to whom Mr. Latimer spake in this manner be of good comfort Mr. Ridley and play the man we shall this day light such a Candle by Gods grace in England as I trust shall never be put out And here we see the Church to be lightened by the Martyrdome of Saints And so the fire being given to them when Doctor Ridley saw the fire flaming up toward him he cried with a wondeâ—ful loud voice In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum Domine sujcipe spiritum meum and after repeated this latter part often in English Lord Lord receive my spiâ—it Mr. Latimer crying as vehemently on the other side Oh Father of Heaven receive my soul who receiving the flame as it were embracing of it After as he had stroaled his face with his hands as it were bathed them a little in the fire he soon died as it appeared with very little pain or none Bâ—t Mr. Ridley by reason of the evill making of the fire unto him he was long in burning he câ—ied to let the fire come to him for his nether paâ—ts were burnt before the fire touched his upper parts yet for all this to ment he forgot not to call upon God still it moved hundreds to tears in beholding this horrible sight for I think there was none that had not clean exiled all humanity and mercy which would not have lamented to behold the fury of the fire so to rage upon their bodies Thus thir two godly and learned men ended their lives for the cause of Christ and testimony of his truth The death and end of
Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of the Kingdom enemy of Gods Word THe next moneth after the burning of Doctor Ridley and Mr. Latimer which was the moneth of November Stephen Gardiner Bishop and Chancellor a man hated of God and all good men ended his wretched life The same day when as Bishop Ridley and Mr. Latimer suffered at Oxford came the servant of the said Winchester posting in all possible speed from Oxford bringing intelligence to the Bishop that Ridley and Latimer were burnt he came out rejoycing and saying to the old Dâ—ke of Norfolk being then in his house Now saith he let us go to dinner Whereupon they being set down meat was immediatly brought and the Bishop began merrily to eat but what followed The bloodyly â—yrant had not eaten a few bits but the sudden stroak of God his terrible hand fell upon him in such sort as immediatly he was taken from the Table and so brought to bed where he continued for the space of fifteen dayes in such intollerable anguish and torments that all that mean while during these fifteen dayes he could not avoid by order of Urine or otherwise any thing that he received whereby his body being miserably inâ—amed within who had inflamed so many good Martyrs before was brought to wretched end And therefore no doubt as most like it is came the thrusting out of his tongue from his mouth so swolen and black with the Inflamation of his body a spectacle worthy to be noted and behold of all such bloody persecuters Moreover it is recorded concerning the said Bishop that when Doctor Daie Bishop of Chicester came to him and began to comfort him with words of Gods promise and with the free justification in the blood of Christ our Saviour repeating the Scriptures to him Winchester hearing that What my Lord quoth he will ye open that gap now then farewell altogether to me and such other in my case ye may speak it but open this window to the people then farewell altogether The Martyrdome of Mr. John Philpot Arch-deacon was burnt for the defence of the Gospels cause against the Antichristian See of Rome After long â—mprisonment oft Examination he is condemned as an Heretick and delivered to the Secular Power to be burnt When he came to the place of suffering to wit in Smithfield he kissed the Stake and said Shall I disdain to sâ—ffer at this Stake seeing my Redeemer did not refuse to suffer most vile death upon the Crosse for me and then with an obedient heart full meekly he said the 106.107 and 108. Psalms and when he had made an end of all his prayers he said to the Officers What have ye done for me and every one of them declared what they had done and he gave to every one of them money then they bound him to the Stake and set fire unto that constant Martyr who in the midst of the firey flames yeelded his soul into the hands of the Almighty God and like a Lamb gave up his breath his body being consumed into ashes The writings and examinations of Mr. Phipòt were by the providence of God preserved from the sight and hands of his enemies who by all manner and means sought not only to stop him from all writing but also to spoil and deptive him of that which he had written for the which cause he was many times stripped and searched within the prison by his Keeper but yet so happily these his Writings were couveyed and hid in places about him or else his Keepers eyes so blinded that notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the Bishops are yet remaining and come to light There were seven Martyrs that suffered together at one fire in Smithfield at London for the testimony of Christs Gospel in the second year of persecution under Qâ—een Mary five men one wife and one maid all which seven as they were burned together in one fire so were they likewise all upon one sort and form of Aâ—ticles condemned in on day Amongst the rest of the Articles objected against them were that they misliked the Sacrifice of the Masse and the Sacrament of the Altar refusing to come to their Parish Church to hear Masse and that they did expresly say that in the Sacrament of the Altar is not the very body and blood of our Saviour Christ really substantâ—â—ly and truly and hath affirmed expresly that the Masse is idolatry and abomination and that in the Sacrament of the Altar there is none other substance but only materiall bread and materiall wine which are tokens of Christs body and blood and that the substance of Christs body and blood is no wayes in the Sacrament of the Altar c. As for the first of these seven to wit Thomas Whitlie Minister upon perswasion and counâ—â—l râ—canted and subscribed a Bill of submission to renounce all errors and heresies against the Sacrament of the Altar c. And I do protest and declare by these presents that I do both now hold obâ—erve and keep in all points the Ctaholick â—aâ—th and belief of Christs Church according as this Church of England â—eing a member of this Catholick Church doth now profess and keep and in no wayes to swerve decâ—ine or go from the said faith during my naturall life submitting my self fully and wholly to you reverend Father my said ordinary in all things concerning my reformation and amendement at all times Now when he had thus done he was troubled in his mind and conscience for forsaking the crosse of Christ and had no rest till he obtained again the submission he had subscribed which havinâ— gotten he was very glade and returned again and with great constancy and fortitude stood to the defence or Christ Doctrine to the fire against the Papists Five other Martyrs in Canâ—erbury four Women and on Man at two staiks and one fire altogether burned who when the fire was flaming about their ears do sing Pâ—alms Where at the good knight Sir John Norton being there present weeped bitterly at the sight thereof The Martyrdome of Thomas Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury THe Martyrdom of the reverent Pastor and Prelat Thomas Cranmâ—r Aâ—ch-Bishop of Canterbury who was burned at Oxford â—nder Queen Marie for the confession of Christs true Doctrine he was a gentleman born of good parentage he attained to great knowledge and learning and was reader of Divinity lecture in the Colledge of Cambridge and was in such special estimation and reputation with the whole University that being Doctor of Divinity he was commonly appointed one of the heads which are two or three of the chiefest learned men to examine such as yearly professe in comencement either Batchelors or Doctors of Divinity by whose approbation the whole University licenseth them to proceed unto their degree and again by whose dissalowance the University also rejecteth them for a time to proceed untill they be better furnished with more knowledge When the great and weighty cause of Kiâ—g Henry
absent by the sentence of David Betown Archbishop of St. Andrews and other Prelats of Scotland and all his goods confiscat and his Picture at last burned in the open Market-place the Articles whereupon he was accused and condemned came to his hands whereunto he answered very wisely and religiously confuting them all At this time also was Thomas Forret Priest Frier John Kello Frier Beverage Duncan Simpson Priest Robert Foster a Gentleman with three or four other men of Striviling persecuted for the Gospel and testimony of Christ This Dean Thomas Forret preached every Sunday to his Parishoners the Epistle or Gospel as it fell for the time which then was a great novelty in Scotland to see any man preach except a black Frier or a gray Frier and therefore the Friers envyed him and accused him to be the B. of Dunkel in whose Diocesse he remained as an heretick and one that shewed the mysteries of the Scriptures to the vulgar people in English to make the Clergy detestable in the sight of the people The B. of Dunkel named George Crighton moved by the Friers instigation called the said Dean Thomas and said unto him my Joy Dean Thomas I love you well and therefore I must give you my counsel how ye shall rule and guide your self To whom Thomas said I thank your Lordship heartily Then the B. began this counsel on this manner my Joy Dean Thomas I am informed that ye preach the Epistle or Gospel every Sunday to your parishoners and that ye take not the Cow nor the upermost cloath from your parishoners which thing is very prejudicial to the Church-men and therefore my Joy Dean Thomas I would ye took your Cow and your upmost cloath or Mortuary as other Church-men do or else it is too much to preach every Sunday for in so doing ye make the people think that we should preach likewise but it is enough for you when ye find any good Epistle or any good Gospel that setteth forth the liberty of the holy Church to preach that and let the rest be Thomas answered My Lord I think that none of my parishoners will complain that I take not the Cow nor the uppermost cloath but will gladly give me the same together with any other thing that they have and I will give and communicate with them any thing that I have and so my Lord we agree right well and their is no discord amongst us And where your Lordship saith it is too much to preach every Sunday indeed I think it too little and also would with that you L. did the like Nay nay Dean Thomas saith my Lord let that be for we are not ordained to preach Then said Thomas when your L. biddeth me preach when I find any good Epistle or a good Gospel truely I have read the New Testament and the Old and all the Epistles and the Gospels amongst them all I could never find any evil Gospel or any evil Epistle but if your L. will shew me the good Epistle and the good Gospel and the evil Epistle and the evil Gospel then I shall preach the good and ommit the evil Then spake my Lord stoutly and said I thank God that I never knew what the Old and New Testament was and of these words arose a proverb which is common in Scotland ye are like the B. of Dunkelden that knew neither new nor old Law therefore Dean Thomas I will know nothing but my Portuise and my Pontificall Go your way and let be all these fantasies for if ye persevere in these erroneous opinions ye will repent it when ye may not mend it Thomas said I trust my cause is just in the presence of God and therefore I pesse not much what do follow thereupon and so my Lord and he departed at that time And soon after a summonds was directed from the Cardinal of St. Andrews and the said B. of Dunkelden upon the same Dean Thomas Forret and upon two black Friers called Frier John Kello and another called Reverage and upon one Priest of Striviling called Duncan Simpson and one Gentleman called Robert Forrester in Stirling with other three or four with them of the Town of Stirling who at this day of their appearance after their summonding were condemned to the death without any place of recantation because as was alledged they were Heresiarchs or chief Hereticks and teachers of Heresies and especially because many of them were at the Brydell and Marriage of a Priest who was Vicar of Tillâ—bodie beside Stirling and did eat flesh in Lent at the said Brydell and so they were altogether burnt upon the Castle-hill of Edinburgh where they that were first bound to the Stake godly and marvellously did comfort them that came behind At this time likewise were apprehended two of the Diocesse of Glasgow the one named Jeremiah Russel a gray Frier a young man of a meek nature quick spirit and good learning and one Alexander Kennedy who passed not eighteen years of age one of excellent wit in vulgar poesie To assist the B. of Glasgow in that cruell judgement or at lest to dip his hands in the blood of the Saints of God were sent Mr. John Lawder Mr. Andrew Oliphant and Frier Mortman servants to Satan apt for that purpose The day appointed to the cruelty approaching the two poor Saints of God were persecuted before these bloody Boutchers Grievous were the crimes that were laid to their charge Kennedy at the first was faint and gladly would have recanted but while the place of repentance was denyed unto him the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of all comfort began to work in him yea the inward comfort began to brust forth as well in visage as in tongue and word for his countenance began to be cheerfull and with a perfect joy upon his knees he said O eternal God how wonderfull is that love and mercy that thou bearest unto mankind and unto me the most catiff and miserable wretch above all others for even now when I would have denyed thee and thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ my only Saviour and so have cast my self into everlasting damnation thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottom of hell and made me to feel that heavenly comfort which takes from me that ungodly fear wherewith before I was oppressed Now I defy death do what ye please I praise God I am ready This godly and learned Jerremie railed upon by these godlesse Tyrants answered this is your hour and power of darknesse Now sit ye as Judges and we stand wrongfully accused and more wrongfully to be condemned but the day shall come when our innocency shal appear and that ye shall see your own blindnesse to your everlasting conconfusion Go forward and fulfill the measure of your iniquity While that these servants of God thus behaved themselves variance ariseth betwixt the B. and the beasts that came from the Cardinal for the B. said I think it better
to spare these men then to put them to death whereat the idiot Doctors offended said what will ye do my Lord Will ye condemn all that my Lord Cardinall and the other Bishops and we have done If ye so do ye shew your self enemy to the Church and us and so we will repute you be ye assured At which words the faithlesse man afraid adjudged the innocents to die according to the desire of the wicked and so they were burnt constantly triumphing over death and Satan in the midst of the fire The King at this time was ruled wholly by the Cardinal and made a solomn vow that none should be spared that was suspect of heresie yea although it were his own son which put many into fear The fearfull vision which the King had by night much terrified him that he withdrew his mind wholly from the extremities on which the Clergy had set him The King died in the year of the Lord 1542. being overwhelmed with grief and passion for the losse of his Army received at Solway by the Englishes he departed this life at Falkland in the 32. year of his age some few dayes before he died he had advertisement that his Queen was deliveaed of a daughter at Linlithow at which time it is said he brust forth in passion saying it came with a Laste meaning the Crown and will go with a Lasse fie upon it after which he was not heard to utter many words The Earle of Arran Lord Hammilton was chosen Regent and Governour of the Realm At this time there was a certain act of Parliament made giving priviledge to all men of the Realm of Scotland to read the Scripture in their Mother tongue and language secluding neverthelesse all reasoning conference convocation of people to hear the Scriptures read or expouned Which liberty of private reading being granted by publick proclamation lacked not his own fruite so that in sundry parts of Scotland thereby were opened the eyes of the elect of God to see the truth and to abhor the Papistical abominations Now there was certain in St. Johnstoun that were apprehended and accused for transgressing the act of Parliament before expressed and then conference and assemblies in hearing and expounding the Scripture against the Tenor of the said act All these were condemned and judged to death as Robert Lamb William Anderson James Hunter and his wife Helen Stirk and others and that by an assise by violating as was alledged the act of Parliament in reasoning and conferring upon the Scripture for eating flesh upon the dayes forbidden for dishonouring of images c. There was great intercession made by the Town in the mean season for the life of these persons aforenamed to the Governour who of himself was willing to have done that they might have been delivered But the Governour was so subject to the appetite of the cruel Priests that he could not do that which he would yea they menaced to assist his enemies and to depose him except he assisted their cruelty the men were hanged and the women drowned Robert Lamb prophesied of the ruine and plague that came upon David Beton the Cardinal thereafter The Martyrdome of Mr George Wisher This Mr. George was a brother of the house of Pittarrow in Merns a great knowledge c. He made his chief resort in the Towns of Dundie and Montrose where hee taught publickly with great profite and applause He is discharged from preaching at Dundie he goeth to the West where the Archbishop of Glasgow seeketh to apprehend him In end he is apprehended and put to his tâ—yall and condemned to be burnt as an heretick As he came forth of the Castle gate there met him certain beggars asking his almes for Gods sake To whom he answered I want my hands wherewith I should give you almes but the mercifull Lord of his benignity and aboundance of grace that feedeth all men vouchafe to give you necessaries both unto your bodies and souls then afterward met with him two false fiends I should say Friers saying Mr. George pray to our Lady that she may be Mediatrix for on to her Son to whom he answered meekly cease tempt me not my brethren After this he was led to the fire with a rope about his neck and a chain of iron about his midle After his prayer made to God and his exhortation to the people the hangman that was his tormentor â—ate down upon his knees and said sir I pray you forgive me for I am not gullty of your death to whom he answered come hither to me when that he was come to him he kissed his cheek and said Lo here is a token that I forgive thee my heart do thy office and by and by he was put upon the Gibbet and hanged and there burnt to powder At his execution he prophecies of the Cardinals death he who from you higher place beholdeth us with such pride shal within few dayes lye in the same as ignominiously as now he is seen proudly to rest himself The Cardinals death is conspired by Normond Lesly brother to the Earle of Rothesse John Lesly his Unckle William Kirkaldy of Grange Peter Carmichel of Fyfe and James Melvill one of the house of Carnbie they met at St. Andrews and entered into the Cardinals chamber and killed him in his chamber The people of the town crying for a sight of the Cardinals corpes was brought to the very same place where he sat be holding Mr. George Wishart his execution many then did call to mind the Martyr his last words were thereby confirmed in the opinion they had of his piety and holinesse After this David Betoun succeeded John Hammilton Archbishop of St. Andrews who to the intent that he would in no wayes appear inferiour to his predecessor in augmenting the number of the holy martyrs of God in the next year following called a certain poor man to judgement whose name was Adam Wallace he was accused for teaching saying and teaching of abominable heresies which are particularly laâ—d to his charge as first thou hast said and taught that the bread and wine on the Altar after words of consecration are not the body and blood of Christ He turned to the L. Governor who was there present with a number of Noblemen and of the Câ—ergy saying I said never nor taught nothing but that I found in this book and writ having there a Bible at his belt in French Dutch and English which is the word of God and if ye will be content that the Lord God and his word be judge to me and this his holy writ here it is and where I have said wrong I shall take what punishment ye shal put to me for I never said nothing concerning this that I am accused of but that which I find in this write c. They gave forth sentence and condemned him by the Laws and so left him to the hands of the secular power in the hands of S. J. Campbâ—l Justice Deputy who
time Queen Regent sickned and shortly thereafter she finished her life unhappy to Scotland from the first day she entred into it untill the day she departed this life which was the 9. day of June in the year of God 1560. Upon the 16. day of June after the death of the Q. Regent came into Scotland Monsieur Randam and with him the B. of Valance in commission from France to negotiate a peace from England there came Sir William Cecill chief Secretary Doct. Whitton their negotiation was long some for both England and we fearing deceit sought by all means that the Contract should be sure In end peace was concluded and proclaimed and sudden provision was made for transporting of the French to France The English Army departed by Land the most part of our Nobility Protestants honourably conveyed them as in very deed they had well deserved but Lord James would not leave the Lord Gray with the other Noblemen of England till that they entered into Berwick After whose r turning the Counsel began to look as well upon the affairs of the Common-wealth as upon the matters that might concern the stability of Religion And first of all there is publick thanksgiving to God for their delivery and the Ministers distributed as the necessity of the Countrey required And so was John Knox appointed to Edinburgh Christopher Goodman who the most part of the troubles had remained at Air was appointed to St. Andrews Adam Herriot to Aberdene Mr. John Row to St. Johnstoun Paul Messen to whom was no infamy then known to Jedburgh William Christison to Dundee David Ferguson to Dumfermling Mr. David Lindsay to Leith There were nominated for Superintendents overseers that all things should be carried in the Church with order and well Mr. John Spotswood for Lothian Mr. John Winram for Fyfe Mr. John Willock for Glasgow the Laird of Dun for Angus and Merns Mr. John Carswell for Argyl and the Isles these to be elected at the dayes appointed unless that the Countreys whereto they were to be appointed could in the mean time find out men more able and sufficient or else shew such causes as might disable them from that imployment The sum of the Doctrine that they were to establish maintain was drawn up in plain and several heads as most true and necessary to be believed and to be received within the Realm which was presented to the Parliament and by them confirmed ratified and approven as wholsome and sound Doctrine grounded upon the infallible truth of God Also at the same time in the Parliament there was an act made against the Masse the sayers the hearers thereof the abuse of the Sacraments And an act for the abolishing of the Pope and his usurped authority in Scotland The 19. day of August 1561. betwixt seven eight hours before noon arived from France Mary Queen of Scotland then widow her husband the King of France then being dead she is received with great mirth joy but the Sunday thereafter the 24. of August when that preparations began to be made for that Idol of the Masse to be said in the Chapel the godly began to be offended displeased thereat to cry out against it and openly to say shall that Idol be suffered again to take place within this Realm It shall not be The Lord Lindsay then but Master with the Gentlemen of Fyse and others plain cried in the Closse or Yard the idolatrous Priests should die the death according to Gods Law the godly departed with grief of heart and after noon repaired to the Abbey in great companies and gave plain signification that they could not abide the Land which God by his power had purged from idolatry should in their eyes be polluted again Great pains and travel was taken by the Nobility the Church to move the Queen to renounce the Mass but could never prevail with her but were forced to suffer her to enjoy it In the year of God 1564 about the midst of July the dispensation of the Marriage being brought from Rome the Queen was espoused to the Lord Darnley after the Popish manner in the Chapell of Halyrudhouse by the Dean of Restalrig and the next day he was by the sound of Trumpet proclaimed King and declared to be associated with her in the Government The slaughter of Signeur Davie is conspired Diverse tails were brought to the King of the neglect contempt that he was holden in of the great respect carried to the stranger the vanity and arrogancy of the man himself was likewise so great as not content to exceed the chief of the Court he would outbrave the King in his apparrel in his Domestick furniture in the number and sorts of his horses and in every thing else so as no speech was for the time more common and current in the countrey then that of Davies greatnesse of the credit and honour whereunto he was risen and of the small account that was taken of the King this the King taking in heart he did open his grief to his Father who advised him to assure the Nobility at home and to recall these that were banished in England which done he might easily correct the insolency and aspyring pride of that base fellow The slaughter of Davie was this The King taking of the Lord Ruthven with him who was but lately recovered of a feaver and followed by four or five men at most entred into the room where the Queen sat at supper Ruthven seeing Davie at the table for the Queen was accustomed when she supped private to admit others to sit by her and that night the Countesse of Argyle and beneath her Davie was placed commanded him to arise and come forth for the place where he sat did not beseem him The Queen starting up hastily went hastily between Davie and Ruthven to defend him and Davie clasping his hands about her midle the King laboured to loose them willing her not to be afraid for that they were come only to take order with that villane Then was he dragged down the stairs to the Gallery where Morton with his company was walking there they set upon him and striving who should give the first stroak killed him with many wounds The conspirators fleed into England The King by sound of Trumpet at the Markâ—â— Crosse of Edinburgh protested his innocency denying that ever he gave his consent to his death yet was the contrary known to all men so as this served only to the undoing of his reputation and made him find few or no friends thereafter to aid him in his necessity Inquisition being made for the murtherers Thomas Scot Sheriff-Depute of Perth and servant to the Lord Ruthven with Sir Henry Zair sometimes a Priest being apprehended were after tryall hanged and quartered Many for not appearing were denounced rebels In all this proceeding there was none more earnest or forward then the King notwithstanding whereof the hatred of the fact
The furniture of his Books cost him 70â—0 Florents a little before his death his mind was to give all away and to take a Towl and Preach but the Lord would not permit him With two Popes that is with Pope Innocent and Alexander the sixt he had much vexation Under the Raign of Fredericus the third Emperor of Germany was one Iohn a Pastor or a Neat herd which was a keeper of Cattel him the Bishop of Herbipolis condemned and burnt for an Heretick because he taught and held that the life of the Clergy was ignominious and abominable before God But to proceed in the Persecutions of the Godly in England in King Henry the seventh his Raign In the Diocesse of Lincoln in Buckinghame-shire William Smith being Bishop of the same Diocesse one William Tylesworth was burned in Amershame his only Daughter being a married Woman a Godly and a Faithfull Woman was compelled with her own hands to set fire to her dear father and at the same time her husband did penance at her fathers burning and bare a Fagot as did also many moe At the burning of this William Tylsworth were sixty and above that were put to bear Fagots for their Penance of whom diverse were injoyned to bear and wear Fagots at Lincoln for the space of seven years some at one time some at another c. In which number was also Robert Barlet a rich man who for his Possessions sake was put out of his Farm and Goods and was condemned to be kept in the Monasterie of Ashange were he did wear on his right Sleeve a square piece of Cloath the space of seven years together About the same time also of the burning of Wilâ—iam Tylesworth was one Father Roberts burned at Buckinghame he was a Miller and dwelt at Missenden and at his burning there were about twenty persons that were compelled to bear Faggots and to do such pennance as the wicked Pharisees did compell them After that by the space of two or three years was burned at Amersham Thomas Bernard a husband man and James Mordan a labourer and they two was burned both at one fire Also there were thirty burned on the right Cheek at the same time and bare Faggots the cause was that they would table against Superstition and Idolatrie and were desireous to hear and read the holy Scriptures The manner of their burning on the cheek was this their necks was tyed fast to a Poast or Stay with Towels and their hands holden that they might not stir and so the Iron being hot was put to their cheeks and thus bare they the Prints and Marks of the Lord Jesus about them At this time also in the dayes of King Henry the seventh was one Laurence Ghest which was burned in Salisbury for the matter of the Sacrament he was of a comely and tall Personage he was kept in Prison the space of two years This Laurence had a Wife and seven Children wherefore they thinking to expugne and perswade his mind by stirring his fatherly affection toward his Children when the time came which they appointed for his burning as he was at the Stake they brought before him his Wife and his foresaid seven Children at the sight whereof although Nature is commonly bent to work in other yet in him Religion overcoming Nature made his constancy to remain unmoveable in such sort as when his Wife began to exhort and desire him to favour himself he again desired her to be content and not to be a block in his way for he was in a good course running towards the mark of his Salvation and so fire being put to him he finished his life renouncing not only Wife and Children but also himself to follow Christ As he was in burning one of the Bishops men threw a fire-brand at his face whereat the brother of Laurence standing by ran at him with his Dagger and would have slain him had he not been otherwise stayed It is recorded likewise in the raign of this King Henry the seventh when the people was returning from the burning of a faithfull woman at Cheaping Sadbery for alledged Heresie by Doctor Whitington the Bishops Chancelour who was present at the execution as hee returned with the rest there happened that a Bull escaping from the Butcher into the street he passed through the throng of the people every one drawing aside and shifting for himself and touching neither man nor childe till hee came where the Chancelour was against whom the Bull as pricked with a sudden vehemency ran upon him with his horns and taking him upon the paunch gorred him throw and throw and so killed him immediatly carrying his guts and trailing them with his horns all the streets over to the great admiration and wonder of all them that saw it Here we see a plain miracle of Gods mighty power and judgement both in the punishing of this wretched Chancellour and also in admonishing all other like persecutors by his example to fear the Lord and to abstain from the like cruelty Besides these before mentioned many moe in this King Henry the seventh his raign were persecuted for their Religion specially in the diocesse of Coventree and Lich-field among whom we shall name these few First John Blomston was openly and publickly infamed accused reported and apeached that he was a very Heretick because he had preached taught holden and affirmed that the power attributed to St. Peter in the Church oâ— God by one Saviour Jesus Christ immediatly did not flitte or passe from him to remain with his Successors Item that there was as much vertue in an Herb as in the Image of the Virgine Mary Item that prayer and Alms avail not the dead for incontinent after death he goeth either to Heaven or hell whereupon hee concludeth there is no Purgatory c. Richard Heghame in the same City of Coventree was accused to be a very Heretick because that hee did hold that a Christian man being at the point of death should renounce all his own works good and ill and submit him to the mercy of God Item It was fondnesse to worship the images of our Lady of Tower in the forsaid City or of other Saints for they are but stocks and stones Item that if the image of our Lady of Tower were put into the fire it would make a good fire Item that it were better to deal money unto the poor folks than to offer to the Image of Christ and other Saints which are but dead stocks and stones John Smith was accused to be a very Heretick because he did hold every man is bound to know the Lords Prayer and the Creed in English if he might for these false Priests Thomas Butler was likewise accused to bee a very Heretick because he did hold that there were but two wayes that is to say to heaven and to hell Item that there was no Purgatory for every man immediatly after death passeth either to heaven or hell Item that prayers
and pilgrimages are nothing worth and avail not to purchase heaven c. All these and many moe were forced to recant and put to penance We are not here to let passe the fearfull and miserable end of Pope Alexander who before was called Roderick Borgia that fell out at this time in the year 1502. who made a covenant with the Devill that he might attain to the Popedome and being inquisitive how long he should raigne It was told him that hee should raign the space of eleven and eight which was an ambiguous answer for the Pope promised to himself the tyme of nineteen years in his Popal dignity but Satans meaning was but eleven years and eight moneths the time being expyred and his death drawing near on a certain day as he made ready an exceeding great banquet for certain rich Senators and Cardinals and had recommended to his son Valentine that hee should give Wine to drink unto one of the said Cardinals wherein there was poyson put It came to passe that he that had the charge to deliver the Wine unwitting he gave unto the Pope of that flagon wherein the poyson was who being of great age was taken with a languishment and grievous paine he had by the space of eleven years and ceretain moneths excessively oppressed Italy and troubled the world Being then detained in his Bed as John Baleus saith he commanded one of his men called Madena which amongst all them of his Court and House was his most faithfull and familiar to go into his Gard rob or Wadrop and to bring him a certain little Book inriched with Gold and precious stones which was in an armory which hee specified but this little Book contained all manners and kinds of illusions and inchantments of Necromancies whereby the old man thought to inform himself to be certified of the close and end of his life The servant obeying the commandement of the Pope his Master and going unto the place specified And after hee had opened the door he was ready to have entered into the Chamber he saw a certain person sit in the Popes Chaire who was altogether like unto his Master at whose sight being supprised with an horrible fear and astonishment and as it were half dead without taking the book ran back again toward Alexander unto whom he rehearsed what he had seen namely that in his Wardrop he found such a Pope as himself set in a Chaire Alexander after he had understood the thing and seeing his servant exceedingly afraid suffered him to rest a while after he did so much perswade him that he returned unto the said Wardrop to see if again hee could find the said Pope The servant then being entred found in the said chamber him whom before hee had seen and that more is being asked by him that sate there what cause brought him into that place and what businesse hee had there he being taken with a sore trembling and as it were out of breath answered he came to take a certain garment for the Pope All which words the Devill being then in the chaire making an horrible noise said what Pope I am the Pope But after that these things were reported unto Alexander his evill began to encrease and death aproach A short day after a man apparalled like a carrier or Lackie came and fiercly knocked at the Chamber door wherein the Pope was deteined sick saying the must needs speak with him The door being opened and he admitted partly with the Pope all others drew aside and the Pope and hee spake together as two use to do in secret causes yet men may see a great and marvelous strife and debate betwixt them two and that the Pope was not content for he said unto him how goes this My tearm is not accomplished thou knowest that thy promise was 19. years whereof I have brued but eleven and eight months Unto which words the Lucky hardly answered yee understand not well the speach but are with it abused for I said not nineteen years as ye imagined but I said yee should remain Pope eleven years and eight moneths the which are come and passed and therefore ye must needs die But although the Pope was very active to require and to pray instantly that he would have regard to his life and to the tearm that he had granted him in his Popedome yet it was as to speak to a deaf man and to plead in vain for all his allegations remonstrations exceptions and requests profited nothing so that they which were in the chamber and heard this marvelous debate and difference might judge that Sathan was more expert in the Art of Arithmetick then the Pope was and they might easily conclude that Alexander erred in his account Finally to close up the matter even as Sathan went and departed from the place in like manner also with great cryes sighs and fearful sobs the Popes soul as it were following his steps dislodged and miserably departed from his Body This miserably and ungodly died this Pope Alexander leaving to his Son his Seigniory altogether wasted and ruinous and to the Italians their common-wealth all confused perverted and wasted to the end hee might be a publick example to all ages how things evil gotten melt away and are wickedly and unluckily spent This Pope had with his said Son a daughter called Lucretia with whom both he and his Son lay as Potantus and Samazarias have left written Now to come to the Persecutions that were in King Henry the eight his Raign During the time and Raign of King Henry the eight there was great alteration of things as well to the civile State of the Realm as especially to the State Ecclesiasticall and matters of the Church appertaining for at last by him was exiled and abolished out of the Realm the usurped power of the Bishop of Rome idolatry and superstition some what supprest Images and pilgrimages defaced Abbeyes and Monasteries pulled down Sects of Religion rooted out Scriptures reduced to the knowledge of the vulgar tougue and the estate of the Church and Religion redressed There was at this time a fierce contention which long before had troubled the Church and now this present year 1509. was renewed afresh between two certain orders of begging Friers to wit the Dominick Friers and the Franciscans about the Conception of the Virgin Mary the Mother of Christ The Franciscans or Gray-fries held that the Virigin Mary prevented by the grace of the Holy Ghost was so sanctified that she was never subject one moment in her conception to Original sin As for the Dominicks which were commonly called Black-friers or Preaching Friers held that he Virgin Mary was conceived as all other Children of Adam be so that this priviledge only belongeth to Christ to be conceived without Original sin not withstanding the said blessed Virgin was sanctified in her Mothers womb and purged from the Original sin so as John Baptist Jeremiah or any other priviledged person This frivolous Question kindling