and excellent lady Queene Katherine Parre Anno 1546. the laste wife to king Henrye The storie wherof is thys About the same time aboue noted whych was about the yeare after the king returned from Bullein he was informed that Queene Katherine Parre at that time his wife was very much geuen to the reading and study of the holy scriptures Queene Katherine Parre that she for that purpose had retained diuers well learned and godly persons to instruct her throughly in the same w t whom as at al times conuenient she vsed to haue priuate conference touching spiritual matters so also of ordinarie but especially in Lente euery day in the after noone for the space of an houre The religious âeale of Queene Katherine toward Godâ word one of her sayd Chaplains in her priuie Chamber made some collation to her and to her Ladies and Gentlewomen of her priuie Chamber or other that were disposed to heare in which sermons they oft times touched suche abuses as in the churche then were rife Which things as they were not secretely done so neyther were their preachings vnknowen vnto the Kynge Wherof at the first and for a great time he semed very wel to like Which made her y e more bold being in deed become very zealous toward the Gospell and the professors therof âranckly to debate with the king touching Religion and therein flatly to discouer her selfe oftetimes wishing exhorting and perswading the king The exhortation of Queene Katherine to the king that as hee had to the glorye of God and hys eternall fame begonne a good and a goolye woorke in banishinge that monsterous Idolle of Rome so he would throughly perfite and finish the same cleansing and purging hys Churche of Englande cleane from the dregges therof wherin as yet remained great superstition The king toward his latter ând waxed more impacient And all be it the king grewe towardes hys latter ende very sterne and opinionate so that of fewe he could be content to be taught but worst of all to be contended wyth all by argument notwythstanding towardes her he refrained hys accustomed manner vnto others in like case vsed as appeared by great respectes either for the reuerence of the cause whereunto of hym selfe he seemed well inclined if some others coulde haue ceased from seeking to peruert hym or els for the singular affection which vntill a verye smal time before hys death he alwayes bare vnto her For neuer handmaide soughte wyth more carefull diligence to please her mistresse then shee did with all painfull endeuor apply her selfe by all vertuous meanes The vertuous inclination of Q. Katherine toward the king in all thynges to please hys humour Moreouer besides the vertues of the minde shee was endued wyth very rare giftes of nature as singular beautie fauour and comely personage being thynges wherein the King was greatly delyghted and so enioyed shee the kings fauour to the great likelihoode of the setting at large of the Gospell within this Realme at that time hadde not the malicious practise of certain enemies professed against the truth which at that time also were very great preuented y e same to the vtter alienating of the kings mind from Religion and almost to the extreme ruine of the Queene and certaine others with her if God had not maruelously sucâoured her in that distresse Enemyes conspirers agaynst the Gospell The conspirers and practisers of her death were Gardiner B. of Winchester Wrisley then Lord Chauncellor and others more aswell of the kings priuie chamber as of his priuie councell These seeking for the furtheraunce of theyr vngodly purpose to reuiue stirre vp and kindle euil and pernicious humours in their Prince and soueraigne Lord to the intent to depryue her of thys great fauour which then she stoode in wyth the king which they not a litle feared would turne to the vtter ruine of their Antichristian secte if it shoulde continue and thereby to stoppe the passage of the Gospell and consequently Queene Katherine a patronesse of Gods truth .. hauing taken away her who was the only Patronesse of the professours of the trueth openlye wythout feare of checke or controlment wyth fire and sworde after theyr accustomed maner to inuade the small remainder as they hoped of that poore flocke made theyr wicked entrie vnto this theyr mischieuous enterprise after thys manner following The kinges Maiestie as you haue hearde misliked to be contended with all in any kinde of argument This humour of hys although not in smaller matters yet in causes of Religion as occasion serued the Queene would not sticke in reuerent termes and humble talke entring wyth him into discourse with sound reasons of Scripture now and then to contrary The whych the Kyng was so well accustomed vnto in those matters that at her handes he tooke all in good part or at the least did neuer shew countenance of offence thereat The king sometyme contraây to the king in argument which did not a litle appall her aduersaries to heare and see During which tyme perceyuing her so throughly grounded in the kings fauour they durst not for theyr liues once opeÌ their lips vnto the king in any respect to touch her either in her presence or behind her backe And so long shee continued this her accustomed vsage not onely of hearing priuate sermons as is sayde but also of her free conference with the king in matters of Religion without all perill The king waâeth sickly and difficult to please vntill at the last by reason of his sore leg the anguish whereof began more and more to encrease he waxed sickly and therwithall froward and difficult to be pleased In the tyme of this his sicknes he had left his accustomed maner of comming and visiting the Queene therefore she according as she vnderstoode him by such assured intelligence as shee had about him to be disposed to haue her company sometimes being sent for other sometymes of her selfe would come to visite him either at after dinner or after supper as was most fit for her purpose At whiche tymes shee woulde not fayle to vse all occasions to moue him according to her maner zelously to proceede in the reformation of the Church The king beginneth to mislyâââ of the Queene The sharpenes of the disease had sharpened the kinges accustomed pacience so that he began to shew some tokens of misliking and contrary vnto his maner vpon a day breaking of that matter hee tooke occasion to enter into other talke which somewhat amazed the Queene To whome notwithstanding in her presence he gaue neither euill word nor countenance but knit vp al arguments w t gentle wordes and louinge countenaunce and after other pleasant talke shee for that time tooke her leaue of his maiesty Who after his maner bidding her farewell sweete hearte for that was his vsuall terme to the Queene licenced her to depart At this visitation chaunced the Bishop of
Christ of the strength of the law of the horrour of sinne of difference betwene the lawe and the Gospel of the true liberty of conscience c. no meÌtion or very litle was heard Wherefore in this so blinde time of darknes it was muche needefull and requisite that the Lord of his mercy shoulde looke vpon his churche send downe hys gratious reformation which also he did For shortly vpon the same thorowe the gratious excitation of God came Martine Luther of whome the order of story nowe requireth that we should and will intreat Christ willingly after the storie of Richard Hunne and a fewe other things premised for the better opening of the storie to folowe Mention was made sufficiently before of the doings of Pope Iulius Anno. 1510. and of hys warlike affaires for the whych he was condemned and not vniustly in the couÌcell of Turone in Fraunce Pope Iulius plaieth the warrior Anno 1510. and yet all thys coulde not asswage the furious affection of this pope but the same yere he inuaded the Citie of Mutina and Mirandula in Italie Anno. 1512. and tooke them by force of warre Which Pope Iulius not long after The Pope ouercome in Battaile in the yeare of our Lorde 1512. refusing peace offered by Maximilian the Emperour was encountered by Lewes the French king about Rauenna vpon Easter day where he was vanquished and had of his army slaine to the number of xvj thousande Ex Chron. Carion And the yere next folowing Anno 1513. this Apostolical warriour Anno. 1513. which had resigned his keyes vnto the riuer of Tybris before made an end together both of fighting and liuing The death of Pope Iulius after he had raigned and fought x. yeeres Atter whome succeded next in the sea of Rome Pope Leo the 10. About the compasse of which time Pope Leo x great mutatioÌs and stirres began to worke as well in states temporall as especially in the state of the Church Pope Leo 10. in Rome An. 1513. reigned 9. The state succession of Princes Charles 5. Emperour in Germanie An. 1519. reigned 39. Fraunces K. of France An. 1515. reigned 32. Henry 8. K. of England An. 1509. reigned 38. Iames 5. K. of Scotland An. 1514. reigned  In the time of which Pope Emperour and kinges of England and of France great alterations troubles and turnes of religion were wrought into the Churche by the mighty operation of Gods hand in Italy Fraunce Germanie Englande and all Europe suche as haue not bene seene although muche groned for many hundreth yeares before as in further discourse of this historie Christe willing more manifestly shall appeare But before wee come to these alterations taking the time as it lieth before vs wee will first speake of Richarde Hunne and certaine other godly minded persons heere in Englande afflicted for the woorde of Christes Gospell in great multitude as they be found and taken out of the Registers of Fitziames Bishop of London by the faithfull helpe and industry of R. Carket citizen of London The historie of diuers good men and women persecuted for religion in the Citie and Dioces of the Bishop of London briefly extracted out of the Registers of Richard Fitziames AMongest and besides the great number of the faithful martyrs and professours of Christe that constantly in the strength of the holy Ghost gaue their liues for the testimonie of his truthe Ex Registro Fitziames I finde recorded in the Register of London betwene the yeares of our Lorde 1509. and 1527. the names of diuers other persons both men and women who in the fulnes of that darke and mystie times of ignoraunce had also some portion of Gods good spirite whiche induced them to the knowledge of his trueth and Gospel and were diuersly troubled persecuted and imprisoned for the same notwithstanding by the proud cruell and bloudy rage of the Catholique seat and through the weaknes and frailtie of their owne nature not then fully strengthned in God it was againe in them for the time The professioÌ of the Protestantes no new doctrine suppressed and kept vnder as appeareth by their seueral abiuratioÌs made before Richard Fitziames then bishop of London in hys time a most cruell persecutor of Christes church or els before his vicar general deputed for y e same And for asmuch as many of the aduersaries of Gods trueth haue of late dayes disdainefully and braggingly cried out and made demaunds in their publique assemblies and yet do asking where this our church and religion was wythin these 50. or 60. yeares I haue thought it not altogether vaine somewhat to stop such lying crakers both by mentioning theyr names and likewyse opening some of the chiefe and principal matters for which they wer so vnmercifully afflicted and molested thereby to geue to vnderstand as wel the continuaunce and consent of the true church of Christe in that age touching the chiefe poynts of our faith though not in like perfection of knowledge and coÌstancie in all as also by the way something to touch what fond and friuolous matters the ignoraunt Prelates shamed not in that time of blindnesse to obiect against the poore simple people accounting them as heynous and great offences yea such as deserued death both of body and soule But least I shauld seeme too prolixe and tedious heerein I will nowe briefly proceede wyth the storie and first begin wyth theyr names whych are these Anno. 1510. Ioanne Baker William Pottyer Iohn Forge Thomas Goodred Thomas Walker alias Talbot Thomas Forge Alyce Forge Iohn Forge theyr son William Couper Lewes Iohn Ioanne Iohn Ihon Webbe alias Baker Anno. 1512. Iohn Houshold Robert Rascal Anno. 1517. Elizabeth Stanford George Browne Anno. 1518. Iohn Wykes Richard Butler Anno. 1511. Iohn Caluerton Anno. 1521 Iohn Woodrofe Richard Woolman Roger Hyllyar Anno. 1521. Alyce Couper Anno. 1523. Thomas Austye Ioanne Austye Thomas Graunt Iohn Garter Anno. 1526. Christofer Rauins Dionise Rauins Anno. 1527. Thomas Vincent Richard Butler Iohn Samme William Kyng Robert Durdant Henry Woolman Edmond Spilman Iohn Higges aliâs Noke aliâs Iohnsonne Henry Chambers Iohn Hynggyns Thomas Egleston Here foloweth the particular examination of all these heere aboue named To these were diuers and sundry particular Articles besides the common and generall sort accustomably vsed in such cases priuately obiected euen such as they were then accused of either by their curate or other their neighbours And because I thinke it somewhat superfluous to make any large recitall of all and euery part of their seuerall processe I minde therefore briefly only to touch so many of their articles as may be sufficient to induce the Christian Reader to iudge the sooner of the rest being I assure you of no greater importance then these that folow Except that sometime they were charged most slanderously with horrible and blasphemous lies against the maiestie and truth of God which as they vtterly
and opinion is touching y e premisses and whether they thinke it conuenient and agreeable for him to proceede to the sentence against the sayd Richard Hunne in this parte to be awarded 10 Tenthly after their consent and counsayle geuen let the Bishop reade out the sentence 11 Finally after the sentence read let the Byshop appoint the publication and denuntiation of the foresaid sentence to be read at Paules Crosse or elsewhere as to hym shall seeme expedient with a Citation likewise generally against all them that be receiuers fauourers and beleeuers of the sayde Hunne to geue to vnderstand why he ought not farther to proceed against them c. Now according to the tenure of these prescriptes and rules the Bishop of London accompanied with the Bishops of Durham and Lincolne A solemne processe of Fitziames Bishop of London against Richard Hunne being dead sate in iudgemeÌt the xvj day of December then next folowing within the place by the same appointed adioining also vnto them as witnesses of their procedings sixe publique Notaries his owne Register and about xxv Doctours Abbots Priours and Priests of name with a great rabble of other common annoynted Catholiques Where after a solemne proclamatioÌ made that if there were any that would defend the opinionâ and bookes of Rich. Hunne they should presently appeare and be heard according to law he commaunded all the Articles and obiections against Hunne openly to be read before the assembly and then perceyuing that none durst appeare in his defence by the aduise of his assistants he pronounced the sentence definitiue against the dead carkase coÌdemning it of heresie and therwith committed the same vnto the secular power The corpes of Richard Hunne burned after his death to be by them burned accordingly Which ridiculous decree was as fondly accomplished in Smithfield the xx day of the same moneth of December being full xvj daies after they had thus horribly murthered him to the great griefe and disdaine of all the people And because the Bishop in his sentence definitiue vseth a more formall and ample order of words then accustomably is vsed in others and also pretendeth full hypocritically in the beginning as it were by way of induction diuers causes that moued him to proceed against the dead carkase I thought therefore good heere to insert the same as a finall conclusion of their craftie coloured tragedie the tenure whereof is this IN Dei nomine Amen Cum nuper pendente sacra synodo generali prelatorum cleri prouinciae Cantuariensis conuocatione The sentence definitiue against Richard Hunne after his deathe in ecclesia nostra Cathedrali sancti Pauli London per prelatos clerum prouinciae Cantuariensis actualitèr ibidem exercita contigisset quod quidam Richardus Hune de parochia sanctae Margaretae in Brigestrete Lond. de super crimine hereticae prauitatis notatus diffamatus extitisset Reuerendiss in Christo pater dominus dominus Willielmus miseratione diuina Cantuariensis Arciepiscopus totius Angliae primas Apostolicae sedis Legatus ipsius venerabilis caetus conuocationis caput praesidens ex vehemeÌtibus violentis quas coÌtra eundem Richardum Hune super heretica prauitate tuÌc habebat presumptionibus coÌtra eundeÌ Richardum debitam facere inquisitionem cupiens vt si ratione heresis huiusmodi meÌbrum fuisset a corpore Christi mistico precisum ipsum ad caput corpus id est Christum sanctaeque matris ecclesie vnitateÌ per salutaria monita condignam poenitentiam reuocaret reduceret ne idem Richardus inter simplices deuotas Christi fidelium catholicorum animas coerrando zizania heretica seminando fidelium mentes macularet inficeret sinistris ac peruersis assertionibus opinionibus a veritatis semita vera fide Christiana aberrare faceret ad effectum citandi eum ad comparendum coram dicto reuerendissimo patre domino Archiepiscopo suisque coepiscopis suffraganeis ceterisque illius concionis siue sacrae Synodi praelatis super praemissis responsurum perquiri fecit mandauit Verum idem Richardus apprehendi non potuit Vnde dictus reuerendissimus pater suum tam pium tam sanctum laudabile propositum ad effectum perducere noÌ potuit Quod cum nos Richardus permissione diuina Londinensis Episcopus dicti Richardi ordinarius cui etiam tanquam de heresi suspectus ideÌ Richardus a multis retroactis temporibus delatus detectus extiterat intellexerimus non volentes nec audentes praedicta facinora silentio conniuentibus oculis pertransire pretermittere ne ob nostram negligentiam torporem sanguis eius in districto examine siue Dei iudicio de manibus nostris requiratur volentes cerciorari informari an ea quae de ipso coÌtra eum nobis delata dicta fuerant veritate aliqua fulcitentur an in luce vel in tenebris ambularet ne fortasse ouis morbida existens innocuas animas gregis dominici pestifera heresi corrumperet inficeret ad informandum animum nostrum ipsum coram nobis vocanduÌ super praemissis diligentèr interrogandum examinandum omniaque facienduÌ quae secunduÌ canonicas sanctiones erant facienda eius animaÌ pio paterno zelantes affectu descendimus properauimus coÌtra quem obiectis iudicialitèr propositis publice in iudicio articulis de super quibus nobis vt praefertur delatus detectus notatus fuerat Quos per venerabilem virum magistruÌ Iohannem Downam hic publicè iam lectos pro hic lectis insertis habemus habeti volumus habitisque receptis ad eosdeÌ articulos responsionibus coÌfessionibus suis. Deinde testes fide dignos de super eisdem articulis alijs contra dictum RicharduÌ in debita iuris forma recepimus admisimus diligenter examinari fecimus propositoque nuper per nos verbo Dei ad cruceÌ diui pauli eius detestabiles hereses errores in articulis libris suis quibus vsus est comprehensas in eius ipsoruÌ detestationeÌ damnationeÌ publicantes atque publicè recitantes populo in magna multitudine ibideÌ tunc congregato notificauimus intimauimus Quod isto die coÌtra eundeÌ Richardum tanquam contra haereticum ad ipsiusque condemnationeÌ excoÌmunicationeÌ in specie ad aliaque in hac parte requisita necnon ad excoÌmunicationem receptatoâuÌ defensoruÌ fautorum credentiuÌ ipsius in genere iuxta canonicas sanctiones sanctorum patrum decreta omnem iuris vigorem dispositioneÌ deo duce procedere intendebamus monitionemque siue denuntiationem quandam generaleÌ dedimus fecimus tunc ibidem videl quod si qui fuerint eius receptatores defensores fautores credentes quod citra hunc diem ad nos sanctae matris ecclesiae gremium redirent se submitterent quod si
poore innocent manne Wherefore all we doe perceiue that this murther coulde not bee done but by the commaundement of the Chauncellour and by the witting and knowing of Iohn Belringer Charles Ioseph within the tower of Lond. of his owne free will vnconstrayned said that maister Chauncellor deuised wrote with his owne hand all such heresyes as were layde to Hunnes charge Witnes of Charles Ioseph Sumner recorde Iohn God Iohn True Iohn Pasmere Richarde Gibson with many other Also Charles Ioseph sayth that when Richard Hunne was slayne Iohn Belringer bare vp the steyre into Lollardes tower a waxe candle hauing the keyes of the doore hanging on his arme and I Charles went next to him and maister Chauncellour came vppe last and when all wee came vppe wee found Hunne lying on his bed and then maister Chauncellour sayd lay handes on the theefe and so all we murdered Hunne then I Charles put the gyrdle about Hunnes neck and then Iohn Belringer and I Charles did heue vp Hunne and Mayster Chauncellour pulled the gyrdle ouer the staple and so Hunne was hanged ¶ The Deposition of Iulian Littel late seruaunt to Charles Ioseph by her free will vnconstrayned the 6. yere of our soueraigne Lord king Henry the eight within the Chappel of our Lady of Bethlem shewed to the Inquest The witnes of Iulian Littell against Charles Ioseph FFrst Iulian sayth that the wednesday at night after the death of Richard Hunne Charles Ioseph her Mayster came home to his supper then Iulian sayd to him Mayster it was tolde me that ye were in prison Charles aunswered It is mery to turne the penny and after supper Charles trussed vp a parcel of his goodes and with helpe of Iulian bare them into Maister Porters house to keepe and that done Charles sayd to Iulian Iulian if thou wilt be sworne to keepe my counsell I wyll shew thee my mind Iulian aunswered yea if it be neyther felony nor treason Then Charles tooke a booke out of his purse and Iulian sware to him therupon then sayd Charles to Iulian I haue destroyed Richard Hunne Alas mayster said Iulian how he was called an honest man Charles aunswered I put a wyer in his nose Alas sayd Iulian nowe be ye cast away and vndone Then sayd Charles Iulian I trust in thee that thou wilt keepe my counsell and Iulian aunswered yea but for Gods sake Mayster shyft for your selfe and then Charles sayde I had leuer then a hundred pound it were not done but that is done can not be vndone Moreouer Charles sayd then to Iulian. Upon Sonday when I rode to my cosin Baringtons house I taryed there and made good cheare all day til it was night and yet before it was midnight I was in London and had killed Hunne and vpon the next day I rode thyther aagayne and was there at dinner and sent for neighbors and made good cheare Then Iulian asked Charles where set you your horse that night you came to towne and wherefore came ye not home Charles aunswered I came not home for feare of bewraying and then Iulian asked Charles who was with you at the killing of Hunne Charles aunswered I will not tell thee and Iulian saith that vpon the Thursday folowing Charles taried all day in his house with great feare and vpon Friday folowing early in the morning before day Charles went forth as he sayd to Paules and at his comming in agayne he was in a great feare saying hastely get me my horse with greate feare and haste made him ready to ride and bade Mayââer Porters lad leade hys horse into the field by the backeside and then Charles put into his sleeue hys Mase or Masor with other plate borowed of mayster Porter both golde siluer but howe much I am not sure and Charles went into the field after his horse and Iulian brought hys bouget after hym Also vpon friday in Christmas weeke folowing Charles came home late in the night and brought with him three Bakers and a Smyth of Stratforde and the same night they carryed out of Charles house all hys goodes by the fieldes side to the Bell in Shordich and early in the morning conueyed it with Cartes to Stratford Moreouer Iulian sayth that the Saterday at night before the death of Hunne Charles came home and brought with him a gurnard saying it was for Hunne Charles boy called to Iulian that there was also ordeyned a piece of fresh Salmon which Iohn Belringer had Also Charles said to the said Iulian were not this vngracious trouble I could bring my Lord of LondoÌ to the doores of heretiques in London both of men and women that bene worth a thousand pound But I am afrayd that the vngracious midwife shall bewray vs all Also Charles sayd vnto maistres Porter in likewise more larger saying of the best in London whereto maistres Porter aunswered the best in London is my Lorde Maior then Charles sayde I will not scuse him quite for that he taketh this matter hoate Whereas Charles Ioseph sayth he laye at Neckehyll with a harlot a mans wife in Baringtons house the same night and there abode vntill the morrowe at eleuen of the clock that Richard Hunne was murthered wherupon he brought before the kinges Counsell for his purgation the foresayd Baude Baringtons wyfe and also the foresayde Harlot which purgation we haue proued all vntrue as right largely may appeare aswel by the deposition of Iulian Littel Thomas Chichesley Taylor Tho. Symondes Stationer of Rober Iohnsonne and his wife of Iohn Spalding Belringer Also of Peter Turner sonne in lawe of the foresayde Charles Ioseph who sayde before to an honest woman a waxe chaundelers Wyfe The witnes of Peter Turner that before this day seuenth night Hunne should haue a mischieuous death c. Also of Iohn Enderbye Baker to whome Iohn Spalding himselfe declared these wordes That there was ordeined for Hunne so grieuous penaunce that when men heare of it they shal haue great maruel therof c. Besides the deposition moreouer of Alen Creswel wax chauÌdelor The witnes of Iohn-Spalding himselfe and Richard Horsenayle Bayliffe of the Sanctuary towne called Godsture in Essex Which testimonyes depositions hereafter folow * The Deposition of Alen Creswell waxechaundeler THe sayde Alen sayeth that Iohn Graunger seruaunt with my Lord of London in my L. of Londons kitchin at such time as the said Alen was seruing of Hunnes coffeÌ that GrauÌdger told to him that he was present with Ioh. belringer the same sonday at night that Rich. Hunne was found dead in the morow when the keepers set him in the stocks in so much the sayd Hunne desired to borow the kepers knife the keper asked him what he would do with his knife he answered I had leuer kil my selfe then to be thus entreated This deposition the sayd Alen will prooue as far forth as any christian man may saying that GrauÌdger shewed to him these wordes of his owne
Heliar and one Walker a Thicker of S. Clements concerning diuers such matters of Pilgrimage offering to Images worshipping of Sainctes and the sacrament of the altar A perilous heresie Ex Regist. Lond. Item when Thomas Goodred William Sweting and he in the fieldes keeping beastes were talking together of the sacramente of the Lordes bodye and like matters this Iames Brewster shoulde thus say Nowe the sonne of the liuing God helpe vs. Unto whome William Sweting agayne shoulde aunswere Nowe almightye God so doe And thus haue you the causes likewise and crymes layd against Iames Brewster vpon which he with William Sweting was together examined and condemned Then being asked as the Romishe maner is whether he had any cause why he shuld not be adiudged for relapse he trusting to finde fauoure and grace in submitting himselfe sayd that he submitted him to the mercy of almighty God and to the fauourable goodnes of him his iudge And likewise did William Swetinge submit himselfe trusting belike that they should finde some fauour and reliefe in thys humble subiecting themselues vnto their goodnes But note here the vnmerciful and vnchristian dealing of these Catholique fathers The vnmercifull and vnchristian dealing of the catholique Papists who vppon their submission were contented to geue out a solemne commission the tenor whereof was to release and pardon them from the sentence of the excommunication whereinto they had incurred But immediately after vpon the same the Byshop all this notwithstanding pronounced vpon them the sentence of death and condemnation Whereupon they were both deliuered to the secular power William Sweeting Iames Brewster burnt in Smithfield and both together brent in Smithfield at one fire the 18. day of October an 1511. ¶ Christopher Shoomaker Martyr TO these blessed saintes before past we will also adioyne Christopher Shoomaker of whom this I finde briefly in the Register of syr Iohn Longland and that the sayde Christopher Shoomaker Christoph. Shomaker burnt in Newbery mariir a parishioner of great MissendeÌ came to the house of one Iohn Say and after other matters of talke read to him out of a little booke the woordes which Christ spake to his disciples And thus comming to his house about foure times at euery time read something out of the same booke vnto him teaching him not to be deceiued in the priestes celebration at Masse and declaring that it was not the same very present body of Christ as the priestes did phantasie but in substance bread bearing the remembraunce of Christ. And taught him moreouer that the Pilgrimage worshipping and setting vp candles to saintes were all vnprofitable And thus the sayde Ioh. Say beyng taught by this Christopher and also confirmed by Iohn OkendeÌ and Robert pope was brought to the knowledge of the same doctrine Thus much briefly I find in that Register concerning Christopher Shoomaker declaring further that he was burned at Newbery about this time which was an 1518. And thus much out of Registers of London * The burning of Christopher Shoomaker The death of Christopher Shomaker Foure principall pointes they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of sainctes in reading scripture bookes in English and in the carnall presence of Christes body in the sacrament Abiuratio magna After the great abiuration aforesayd which was vnder William Smith Bishop of Lincolne they were noted and termed among themselues by the name of knowne men or iust fast men Knowen men Iust fast men as nowe they are called by the name of Protestantes As they were simple yet not vncircumspect in theyr doings so the crafty serpent being more wily then they by fraudulent subtletie did so circumuent theÌ that they caused the wife to detect the husband The practise of Romish prelats the husband the wife the father the daughter the daughter the father the brother to disclose the brother and neighbour the neighbor Neither were there any assemblies nor readinges kept but both y e persons and also the bookes were knowne The practise of prelates Neither was any word so closely spoken nor article mentioned but it was discouered So subtilly and sleightly these Catholicke prelates did vse their inquisitions and examinations that nothing was done or sayd among these Knowne men xv or xx yeares before so couertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence Such captious interrogatories so many articles and suspicions they had suche espyals and priuie scoutes they sent abroad such authoritie and credite they had with the king and in the kinges name such dilligence they shewed in that behalfe so violently and impudently they abused the booke of y e peaceable Euangelistes wresting mens consciences vppon their othe swearing them vpon the same to detect theÌselues their fathers mothers other of their kinred with their friends neighbours and that to death All whiche thinges in the further processe of the table ensuing Christ willing whiche we haue collected out of some part of the Registers of Lincolne shall appeare For the better declaration wherof first here is to be premonished by the way touching the see of Lincoln that after William Smith succeded Iohn Longland This William Smith W. Smith Bish. of Lincolne although he was somewhat eger sharpe against the poore simple flocke of Christes seruauntes vnder whome some were burned many abiured a great nuÌber molested as partly hath bene afore declared yet was he nothing so bloudy or cruell Iohn Longland B. of Lincolne as was the sayd Longland which afterward succeeded in that Dioces For so I fynde of him that in the time of the great abiuratioÌ and troublesome affliction of Buckinghamshyre men wherein many were abiured certaine burned yet diuers he sent quietly home without punishment and pennaunce bidding them go home and liue as good Christen men should doe And many which were enioyned penaunce before he did release This Smith dyed about the yeare of our Lord. 1515. by whome was builded as is aforesaid the Colledge of Brasan nose in Oxford The College of Brasen nose in Oxford builded Not long after him folowed Iohn Longland a fierce cruell vexer of y e faythfull poore seruantes of Christ who to renue again the old sparkles of persecutioÌ whiche were not yet vtterly quenched first began w t one or two of them which had bene abiured whom he thought to be most notorious causing them by force of their othe to detect bewray not onely their owne opinions touching poyntes of religioÌ but also to discouer al other of their affinitie which were either suspected or abiured before And them likewise he put to their othe most violently constrayning them to vtter and confesse both themselues and whom els so euer they knew By reason whereof an incredible multitude of men women and maydens were brought forth to examination and straightly handled And such as were found in relapse were burned The rest were so burdened with superstitious and
articles where he with great daunger of his life did very much good Henry taketh his iourney to Meldorph Finally they should promise to the congregation in his name that when he had perfourmed his enterprise he woulde straight returne againe They being perswaded with these words coÌsented vnto him stedfastly hoping that they of Diethmar should be conuerted vnto the true faith which people aboue all other haue alwaies bene most geuen to Idolatrie Hauing prepared all things toward his setting foorth the xxij day of October he tooke his iourney and came to Meldorphe whither he was sent for wheras he was ioyfully receiued of the parish priest and other as soone as he was come thither Albeit he had not yet preached the Diuell with his members by and by began to freat and fume for anger Aboue all other one Augustine Torneborch Prior of the Blacke friers began to fume who went out of hand vnto maister Iohn Swicken his companion and Commissary to the Officiall of Hamburge to take counsell what was to be done least they should loose their kingdome The Prior of of the Blacke Fryers with the 48. Presidentes conspireth the death of Henry Finally it was decreed by them aboue all things to withstand the beginnings that he should not haue licence to preach for if by any meanes it happened that he preached and the people should heare him it was to be feared that the wickednes and craft of the Priestes and Monkes should be opened which being made manifest they knew plainely that it would be but a folly to resist remembring what had happened lately before in Breme This determination had the Prior the next day early in the morning for he had not slept well all night for cares wente wyth great speede vnto Heyda to speake with the 48. PresideÌts of the countrey vnto whome with great complaintes he shewed how that a seditious felow a Monke was come from Breme which would seduce all the people of Diethmar as he had done the Bremers The chiefe doers of thiâ conspiracye There was moreouer that did assist this Prior maister Gunterus Chauncelour of that countrey and Petrus Hannus both enemies vnto the Gospell These two stoutly assisted the Prior perswading the other 46. being simple and vnlearned men that they should obteine great fauour and good will of the Bishop of Breme if they would put this hereticke monke to death When these poore vnlearned men heard these words they decreed that this Monke shoulde be put to death neither heard nor seene much lesse conuict Furthermore this Prior obteined letters from the 48. Presidents vnto the parish priest commanding him vnder great penaltie that he shoulde put the Monke out of his house and commaunde him to depart without preaching With these letters he came speedily vnto Meldorphe Nicolas Boyes parish priest of Meldorph commauÌded to put away Henry and deliuered the letters ouernight vnto the parish Priest trusting that by their threatnings and commandement the sayd Henry should be feared from preaching diligently watching whether he did preach or not When as the parish priest had read ouer the letters he marueyled not a little at that proud commaundement for that it had not bene heard of before that the xlviij Presidents should meddle with Ecclesiasticall matters and that it had bene of long time vsed that the ruling therof should be in the hands of the parish priest and long time before it was decreed by the whole prouince and customably vsed that in euery church y e parish priest should haue free libertie to receiue or put out the preacher These letters the parish priest deliuered vnto Henry which when he had diligently looked ouer he answeared that for so muche as he was come being sent for by y e whole coÌgregatioÌ to preach the Gospell of Christ he would satisfie that vocation because he saw it would be acceptable vnto the whole coÌgregation and that he ought rather to obey the word of God then maÌ Also y t if it pleased God that he should lose his life in Diethmar there was as neare a way to heauen The constaÌcy of Henry in his vocation as in any other place for that he doubted nothing at all y t once he must suffer for y e Gospels sake Upon this courage and boldnes the next day Henry went vp into the Pulpit and made a Sermon expounding the place of Paul which is Rom. 1. Testis est mihi Deus c. That is God is my witnes and the Gospell of the day After the Sermon was done the whole congregation being called together the Prior deliuered the letters that were sent by the 48. Presidents the tenor whereof was this that they of Meldorph should be fined with a fine of a thousand gildrens if they suffered the Monke to preach and commaunded moreouer that they should send ambassadours vnto Heida with full power and authoritie When they heard these letters read they were much moued because they were so charged contrary to the custome of the countrey for so much as euery parish priest hath alwaies had authority according to his discretion to choose or put away the preacher Briefly they all determined with one voice to keepe Henry for their preacher and to defend him for when they had heard the Sermon they were greatly offended with the Prior. After dinner Henry preached againe Henry preacheth at Meldorph The Citizens of Meldorph write in defence of their preacher expouÌding y e place of S. Paule Rom. 15. Debemus nos qui potentes sumus c. We ought which are strong c. The next day the Citizens of Meldorphe sent their messengers vnto Heyda offering to aunsweare in all causes before all men for their preacher whome they had receiued Besides that the messengers declared what christian godly Sermons they heard him preach The parish priest also wrote letters by the said Legates vnto the 48. rulers wherin he excused himselfe that it was neuer his mind nor the intent of the said Henry to moue sedition but only sincerely to preach y e word of God and offred himselfe ready to answer for the said Henry to al meÌ whensoeuer he should be called most earnestly desiring them not to geue credite vnto y e Monks which being blinded with hatred auarice had fully determined to oppresse y e truth saieng moreouer that it was against all reason that a man should be condemned before the truth be tried out and his cause declared and if after due inquisitioÌ had he should be coÌuict then he should suffer coÌdigne punishment This submission with y e publique testimoniall was nothing esteemed or regarded neither was there any answeare geuen therunto but euery man repined murmured thereat Last of all one Peter Dethleues one of the Seniors answered Good counsaile of Peter Dethleues that albeit there were diuers dissensions in euery place about the Christian faith and that they as men ignorant could not redresse the same yet this
was taken prisoner by the Cardinall of Loraines seruants by whome he was caryed from Gorze to the Castell of Nommeny Doctor Castellane carriâd to the Castell of Nommenye The zelous affection of the CitezeÌs of Metz toward their preacher wherupon the citizens of Merz tooke no little displeasure and greeuance who being greeuously offended to haue their preacher so to be apprehended and imprisoned within short space after tooke certaine of the Cardinalles subiectes and kept them prisoners so long vntill the Abbot of S. Antonies in Uiennois called Theodore de Chaumont vicar generall as wel in causes spirituall as teÌporall through the iurisdiction both of the Cardinall and Bishopricke of Metz Tollouse and Uerdune being furnished with a letter commission from the See of Rome came to the saide towne of Metz and after diuers declarations made to the Prouost and the other Iustices and Counsellers of the Citie he so wrought and brought to passe that immediately the sayde subiectes of the Cardinall were set at libertie But Iohn Castellane was kept still prisoner in the Castell of Nommeny Whosoeuer escape the Christians are sure to suffer and was most cruelly handled from the time of the fourth day of May vntill the twelfth day of Ianuary during all which time he perseuered constant in y e doctrine of the sonne of God Wherupon he was carried from Nommeny Doctor Castellane constant in his doctrine to the towne and Castell of Uike alwaies perseuering constantly in the profession of the same doctrine so that they did proceed vnto the sentence of his degradation that he might be deliuered ouer vnto the secular power according to the custome and manner And for so much as the fourme and manner of the sentence and processe of disgrading is notable and hath bene reported vnto vs word for word we haue thought good heere to annexe the same to declare the horrible blasphemies ioined with grosse and brutish subtiltie in those high misteries which the enemies of the truth do vse in their processe against the children of God whereby euery man euen the most ignoraunt may euidently perceaue the horrible blindnes that these vnshamefast Catholiques are blinded withall The sentence of the degradation The senteÌce of his degradation Ex actis episcopalibus COncerning the processe inquisitorie fourmed and geuen in fourme of accusation against thee Iohn Castellane priest and religious man of the fryer Eremites of the order of S. Austine vnderstanding likewise thy confession which thou hast made of thine owne good will mainteining false and erroneous doctrine and marking also besides this the godly admonitions and charitable exhortations which we made vnto thee in the towne of Metz which thou like vnto the serpent Aspis hast refused and geuen no eare vnto also considering thine answeares made and reiterate vnto our interrogatories by meanes of thine othe in the which diuelishly thou hast hydden and kept backe not onely the truth but also following the example of Caine hast denyed to confesse thy sinnes and mischeuous offence and finally hearyng the great number of witnesses sworne and examined agaynste thee theyr persons and depositions diligently considered and all other things woorthy of consideration beeing iustly examined the reuerende mayster Nicholas Sauin doctour of diuinitie and inquisitour of the fayth assistaunt vnto vs hath entred processe agaynst thee and geuen full information thereof this our purpose and intent being also communicate vnto diuers Maysters and Doctours both of the Ciuile and Canon lawes heere present which haue subscribed and signed heereunto whereby it appeareth that thou Iohn Castellane hast oftentimes and in diuers places openly and manifestly spread abroade and taught manye erroneous propositions full of the heresie of Luther contrary and against the Catholique faith and the veritie of the Gospell and the holy Apostolique see and so accursedly looked backe turned thy face that thou art founde to be a lyer before Almighty God It is ordeyned by the sacred rules of the Canon lawe that such as through the sharpe dartes of their venemous tongue doo peruert the Scriptures and go about with all their power to corrupt and infect the soules of the faithfull should be punished and corrected with most sharpe correction to the ende that others should be afrayde to attempt the like and apply themselues the better to the study of Christian concorde through the examples set before their eyes as well of seuerity as of clemency For these causes and others rising vpon the saide processe by the Apostolique authoritie and also the authoritie of our sayde reuerende Lorde the Cardinall whych we doo vse in this our sentence definitiue whiche wee sitting in our iudgement seate declare in these writinges hauing God onely before our eyes and surely considering that what measure we do meat vnto other the same shal be measured to vs againe True you say for your measure is death definitiue and therfore looke you for the same measure agayne at Gods hand we pronouÌce and declare senteÌtially and diffinitiuely thee Iohn Castellane beyng here present before vs and iudge thee because of thy desertes to be excoÌmunicate with the most great excoÌmunication and therewithall to be culpable of treason against the diuine maiesty and a mortall enemy of the Catholicke fayth and veritie of the Gospell also to be a manifest hereticke a folower partaker of the execrable * If Luther be to be noted of cruelty which teacheth all meÌ and killeth no man what then is to be noted in the Pope which killeth all Gods children and teacheth none crueltie of Martin Luther a stirrer vp of old heresies already coÌdemned and therfore as thou oughtest to be deposed and depriued of all Priestly honor and dignitie of all thy orders of thy shauing religious habite also of thy Ecclesiasticall benefices if thou hast any and from all priuilege of the Clergy so we here presently do depose depriue and seperate thee as a rotten member from the communion and companie of all the faythfull and beyng so depriued we iudge that thou oughtest to be actually disgraded that done we leaue thee vnto the secular powers committyng the degradation and actuall execution of this our sentence vnto the reuerend Lord and Byshop here present with the authoritie and commaundement aforesayd This senteÌce beyng thus ended with their Catholicke Sermon also the sayd Byshop of Nicopolis sittyng in his pontificalibus in the iudgement seate beyng Suffragan of Metz with the clergy nobles and people about him proceeded to the disgradyng as they call it of the sayd maister Iohn Castellane Thus the sayd maister Iohn Castellane being made ready to his degradation by the officers of the sayd Byshop was apparelled in his Priestly attyre and afterward brought forth of the Chappell by the Priestes which were therunto appointed with al his priestly ornamentes vpon him and holdyng his handes together he kneeled downe before the Bishop Doc. Castellane disgraded Then the officers gaue him the chalice
in his handes with wyne water the patine the host all which thinges the sayd bysh which disgraded him tooke froÌ him saying we take away froÌ thee or coÌmaund to be takeÌ froÌ thee all power to offer sacrifice vnto God to say Masse aswell for y e quicke as the dead Moreouer Priests annoynted fingers y e Bysh. scraped y e nayles of both his hands with a peece of glasse saying By this scrapyng we take away froÌ thee all power to sacrifice to coÌsecrate to blesse which thou hast receiued by the annoyntyng of thy haÌds Then he tooke from him the Chesille saying by good right we do dispoyle thee of this priestly ornameÌt The Chesile which signifieth charitie for certainly y u hast forsakeÌ the same all innocencie Then taking away the stole he sayd The Stole Thou hast vilanously reiected despised the signe of our Lord which is represented by this stole wherefore we take it away froÌ thee and make thee vnable to exercise and vse the office of Priesthood all other things apperteinyng to Priesthood The degradation of y e order of Priesthood beyng thus ended they proceeded to the order of Deacon The Gospell booke TheÌ the ministers gaue him the booke of the Gospels which the Bysh. tooke away saying we take away from thee all power to read y e Gospels in the Church of God for it apperteineth onely to such as are worthy After this he spoyled him of the Dalmatike which is the vesture that the DeacoÌs vse The Dalmatike saying we depriue thee of this Leuiticall order for somuch as thou hast not fulfilled thy ministerie office The Stole behinde his backe After this the bysh tooke away the stole froÌ behind his backe saying we iustly take away from thee the white stole which thou haddest receiued vndefiledly The Epistle booke which also thou oughtest to haue borne in the presence of our Lord and to the end that the people dedicate vnto the name of Christ may take by thee example we prohibite thee any more to exercise or vse the office of Deaconshyp Bennet and Collet Then they proceeded to the disgradyng of Subdeaconshyp taking away from him the booke of the Epistles his Subdeacons vesture deposed him from reading of the Epistles in the Church of God Exorcist Lectorship so orderly proceedyng vnto all the other orders disgraded him from the order of Benet and Collet from the order of Exorcist from the Lectorshyp and last of all froÌ the office of Doorekeeper taking froÌ him the keyes Dorekeper coÌmaundyng him hereafter not to opeÌ or shut the Reuestry nor to ring any more belles in the Church That done The Church-dore keyes the bysh went forward to disgrade him from his first shauing takyng away his Surplice sayd vnto him by y e authoritie of God almighty the father the sonne the holy ghost by our authoritie we take from thee all Clerkely habite Ringing of Belles The Surplice and dispoyle thee of all ornament of religion Also we depose and disgrade thee of all order benefite priuilege of the Clergy as one vnworthy of that profession we commit thee to the seruitude ignominie of the secular estate The Popes Clergy accompteth the secular state ignominious seruile The royall signe of priesthoode TheÌ the Byshop tooke the sheeres and began to clyp his head saying in this maner we cast thee out as an vnthaÌkfull child of the Lordes heritage whereunto thou wast called and take away from thy head the crowne which is the royall signe of Priesthood through thine owne wickednesse and malice The Bishop also added these wordes that whiche thou hast song with thy mouth thou hast not beleeued with thy hart nor accomplished in worke wherefore we take from thee the office of singing in the Churche of God The disgrading thus ended the procurator fiscall of the Court and citie of Metz Singing in the Church required of the Notary an instrument or copie of the disgrading Then the ministers of the Bishop turned him out of his clerkely habite and put vpon him the apparell of a seculer man That done for so much as he which is disgraded Pope Inâocent author of disgraââng according to the institution of Pope Innocent the third ought to be deliuered vnto the seculer court the Bishop that disgraded him proceeded no further but said in this manner we pronounce that the seculer court shall receiue thee into their charge being thus disgraded of all clerkly honour and priuilege This done the Bishop after a certaine maner intreated the seculer Iudge for him Note here these persecutors how they will seeme outwardly to be lambes but inwardly are rauening Wolues sayeng My Lord Iudge we pray you as hartily as we can for the loue of God and the contemplatioÌ of tender pitie mercie and for y e respect of our praiers that you will not in any point do any thing that shal be hurtful vnto this miserable man or tending to his death or maiming of his body These thinges thus done the seculer Iudge of the towne of Uike confirming the foresaid sentence coÌdemned the said maister Iohn Castellane to be burned quicke which death he suffred the xij day of Ianuary 1525. with such a constancie that not onely a great company of ignorant people were thereby drawne to the knowledge of the veritie but also a great number which had already some taste thereof were greatly confirmed by that his constant and valiant death * The burning of Iohn Castellane It would fill another volume to comprehend the actes stories of all them which in other countreys at the rising of the Gospell suffered for the same But praised be y e Lord euery Region almost hath his owne history writer which sufficiently hath discharged that part of duty as euery one in matters of his owne countrey is best acquainted wherfore I shall the lesse neede to ouerstraine my trauaile or to ouercharge this volume therwith Only it shall suffice me to collect iij. or iiij histories recorded by Oecolampadius and the rest to bring into a briefe table so returning to occupy my self w t our own domestical matters here done at home ¶ The history of a good pastour murthered for the preaching of the Gospell written by I. Oecolampadius IN the yeare of our Lord 1525. there was a certaine good and godly minister A good Priest for euill will who had coÌmitted something in the Commotion there rased by the rusticall clownes of the countrey which they said that knew him was but of small importance He because he had offended his prince before not with any fact or crime but with some word something sharply spoken was therefore condemned to be hanged After sentence was geuen there was a Gentleman of a cruell hart sent with a certaine troupe of men to apprehend the said priest and to hang him Who
comming into his house saluted him frendly pretending as though their comming had bene to make good cheare for he was a good housekeeper and the Gentlemen of the Countrey thereaboutes vsed oftentimes to resort vnto his house familiarly This priest made ready for them in short space a very sumptuous banket whereof they did eate and drinke very cheerefully After dinner was ended and that the Priest was yet at the table thinking no hurt Vngentlenes in a gentleman the Gentleman said to his seruants take ye this priest our host and hang him and that without delay for he hath wel deserued to be hanged for the great offence he hath committed agaynste hys Prince the seruaunts were marueylously astonied wyth his words and abhorring to do the deede sayd vnto theyr maister God forbid that we should coÌmit any such crime to hang a man that hath intreated vs so gently for y e meate which he hath geuen vs is yet in our stomackes vndisgested It werâ a wicked acte for a noble man to render so great an euill for a good turne but especially to murder an innocent Briefly the seruaunts sought no other occasion but only to geue him way to flee that they might also auoide the execution of that wicked purpose As the Gentleman and his seruants were thus contending the priest said vnto them I beseech you shewe no such crueltie vpon me rather leade me away captiue vnto my prince where I may purge my selfe I am falsely accused and I trust to pacifie his anger which he hath conceiued against me At least remember the hospitalitie which I haue euer shewed to you and all Noble meÌ at al times resorting to my house But principally speaking to the Gentleman he aduertised him of y e perpetuall sting which would follow vpon an euill conscience protesting that he had faithfully and truely taught them the doctrine of the Gospell and that it was the principall cause why he had such euill will whiche long time before he had foreseene would come to passe for so much as he had oftentimes in the pulpit reproued sharply and openly the horrible vices of the Gentlemen Many thinges maâ be preteÌded but religion is euer the cause why good men goe to wracke which mainteined their people in their vicious liuing and they themselues were geuen vnto blasphemie and drunkennes whereas they should shewe example of faith true religion and sobernes but they had oftentimes resisted him sayeng that it was not his part to reprooue them for so much as they were his Lordes and might put him to death if they woulde that all things which they did was allowable and that no man ought to gaynesay it also that he went about some things in hys Sermons that would come to an ill ende This good man whatsoeuer he coulde saye coulde not make his matter seeme good for the Gentleman continued in his wicked enterprise and pricked forth his seruants still to accomplish their purpose for it was resolued by the Prince that he shoulde be put to death and turning hymselfe vnto the Priest he said that he could gaine nothing by preaching in such sorte Kindnes vnkindly rewarded with vnkindnes but that he shoulde fully determine himselfe to die for the prince had geuen expresse commaundement to hang him whose fauour he woulde not loose for to saue his life At the last the seruants after great sorrow and lamentation bound their hoste hanged him vpon a beame in his owne house the Gentleman standing by looking vpon This good man seeing no remedy spake none other wordes but onely Iesus haue mercy vpon me Iesus saue me This is the truth of this most cruell acte which a Turke would scarsely haue committed against his mortall enemie Now let euery man iudge with himselfe which of them haue the greatest aduantage either they which commit the crueltie against the good or the good men which do suffer the same vniustly The first sorte haue a continuall gnawing in their conscience and the other obtaine an immortall crowne ¶ The like historie of the death of a certaine Minister named M. Peter Spengler which was drowned in the yeare of our Lord 1525. collected by Oecolampadius IN a certaine village named Schlat in the countrey of Brisgois there was a vigilant minister a man very wel learned in the Scriptures of a good name for that he liued a godly a blamelesse life hauing loÌg time faithfully done his office and dutie being also courteous and gentle A descriptioÌ of a good minister or curate and wel beloued of meÌ but specially of the Bysh. of ConstaÌce with whom he was in great authority peaceable and quiete with all men that he had to doo withall He quieted discordes and contentions with a marueilous prudencie exhorting all men to mutuall charity loue In al assembles wheresoeuer he came he greatly commended honest lyfe amendment of maners When the purity of the gospell began to shine abroad he began to read with great affection the holy Scriptures which long tyme before he had read but without any vnderstanding When he had recouered a litle iudgement and came to more vnderstanding by coÌtinuall reading being also further grown in age he begaÌ to consider with himselfe in how great darckenes and errors the whole order of priests had bene a long time drowned O good God sayd he who would haue thought it that so many learned and holy men haue wandred out of the right way and could haue so loÌg time bene wrapped in so greate errors or that the holy Scripture coulde haue bene so deformed with such horrible abuses for he neuer wel vnderstood before he sayde that the Gospell was the verity of God in that order wherein it is written seeing it conteyned so much touching the Crosse persecution and ignominious death The crosse discerneth betweene true Christians and counterfeit and yet the Priestes liued in great prosperity and no man durste mayntayne any quarrell agaynst them without great daunger He also saw that the howre was come that the Gospell should be displayd that persecution was at hand that the enemies of the truth beganne now to rage that the wicked and proud lyfted vppe theyr heades on high He that seeketh to lyue godly in Christ shall suffer persecution and feared not to enterprise and take in hand all kynde of mischiefe and wickednesse agaynst the faythfull that the Byshops which ought by theyr vertue and power to defend the word were more barbarous and cruell then any tyrauntes had bene before He thus considering the present estate of the world â Tim. 4. put all doubte from his hart and sawe presently before hys eyes that Iesus Christ had taught the trueth seeing so many bodyes of the faythful were dayly so tormented beaten exiled and banished drowned and burned For who can report the great tormentes which the innocent haue endured these yeares passed euen by those which cal themselues Christians and for no
sayd Vengeance is myne and I will punish Rom. 12. And for so much as he was a very leane man he added thys moreouer saying It is all one for shortly I must haue forsaken thys skin which already scarsely hangeth to my bones I know well that I am a mortall and a corruptible worme and haue nothing in me but corruption I haue long time desired my latter day haue made my request that I might be deliuered out of this mortall body to be ioyned with my Sauiour Christ. I haue deserued through my manifold sinnes committed agaynst my Sauior Christ my crosse and my Sauiour Christ hath borne the crosse and hath died vpon the crosse and for my part I will not glory in any other thing but onely in the crosse of Iesus Christ. There were present by This blessed Martyr drowned certayne naughtye persons which tould not endure to heare this godly exhortatioÌ but made a signe vnto the hangman to cast him down into the riuer After he was throwne downe he moued by a certayne space in the water in such sort that the riuer whereinto he was cast was redde with bloud This was a certayne signe and token that innocent bloud was that daye shed They which were there present beholding that whiche had happened The water miraculously couloured with bloud where he was drowned were greatly amazed and astonyed coÌsidering with themselues what the stayning of the water with the bloud should signify Euery man returned home peÌsiue and sad maruelling at the cruel deed that was done that day notwithstanding no man durst open his mouth to speake one word because that all thinges were exercised with such cruelty This was done in the towne of Ensissheim an 1525. These thinges I did vnderstand by one which did behold them with his eyes The Lord of his great grace be mercifull vnto vs and forgeue vs our sinnes Ex Oecolam Such was the wickednes then of those dayes and yet is still that who so euer was perceiued to fauour the Gospel or any thing to dislike the doctrine of the popes church he was hated and despited of the Rulers Lawiers and al other Papistes through the whole countrey about but especially of priestes monks and friers And though the life of the Gospellers were neuer so sound vpright yet such was the hatred and malice of the Popes frendes agaynste them that they neuer ceased to seek all occasioÌs and deuise matters how to bring them to death It so happened a litle before this present time that there was a commotion of the rude and rusticall people of the country rising in armour inordinately agaynst theyr Rulers to the great disturbance of the whole country of Germany no lesse to theyr owne destruction of whom were slayn aboue 20000. At length when this rebellion was appeased and all things quiet such as were the popes freÌds to worke theyr malice agaynst the Gospell tooke occasion thereby not long after to accuse and entangle such as they knew to be Gospellers Protestantes And although the sayd Gospellers were neuer so inculpable cleare from al rebellion yet that sufficed not for causes were made false witnesses brought corrupt Iudges suborned to condemne the innocent many were put to death theyr cause neither being heard nor knowne By reason whereof a great nuÌber of good innocent Christians were miserably brought to theyr end and martyrdome In the number of whome was this poore man also whose story by Oecolampadius is thus described ¶ An other history of a certayne man of the country wrongfully put to death collected by the sayd Iohn Oecolampadius Ex Ioan. Occolampadio THere was sayth he a certayne manne of the countrey which in my iudgement was a good man and louer of iustice and a mortall enemye of all the cruell exactions of the Gentlemen which oppressed the poore people Thys man after the tumult and commotion of the countrey was appeased was grieuously vexed and tormented because he had cryed Alarme when as a great number of horsemen raunged about the countrey to seeke out those which had bene the authours of that sedition This poore man was taken by pollicy so vpholden with fayre promises that they made him coÌfesse whatsoeuer they requyred He thinking that they would not haue put him to death was cast in prison wheras he was long time deteined well cherished to take away all suspition from him but after he had taried a long time in prison they put him to the Pinbank laying diuers and many grieuous offences to his charge where they kept him hanging in the trusse of the corde The trusse of the corde is a certaine hanging vp by the handes behinde hauing a waightie stone fastened at their feete the space of sixe houres hanging a great stone fastened at hys feete The sweat that dropped from his body for very payne and anguish was almost bloud In this distresse he cryed out pitifully but all that could not once moue the tormenters hartes When as all the power strength in his body beganne to fayle him with great violence they let him fall downe There this poore man lay euen as a stocke not mouing any part or member of his body but a little drawing his breath which was a token that there was some life in him Here the tormenters were in great doubt what to do with the man whom they sought by al meanes to destroy in what place they might put him that he should not die of that torment Amongest them there was one which brought vineger and rose water and rubbing him therewithall they dyd somewhat recouer him After that they had caused hym to eate and drinke such as they had prouided for him they let him downe into a deepe dungeon where he could see neyther Sunne nor Moone All this was done to the intent to put him to more torment when he had somewhat recouered his strength agayne There they let him continue xviij dayes after which time they brought him agayne to examination propouÌding certaine articles vnto him whiche he constantly denyed They deuised diuers and sundry kindes of tormentes to the intent they might euen of force extorte something of this poore man which might seeme woorthy of death yet for all that they were fayne to depart without theyr purpose The xx day after these tyrauntes hyred a hangman a man sure worthy of his office whiche lefte no kinde of cruelty vnpractised The innocent man againe tormented Yet did he misse of his purpose also and was constrained to leaue his cruelty and to pronounce eueÌ with his own mouth that the man was innoceÌt in that he had so constantly endured so many horrible and grieuous tormentes Yet these tyrauntes came agayne the fourth time False witnes suborned two witnesses agaynst him thus coÌcluding that he was worthy of death because he had cried Alarme after the truice was taken woulde haue moued a new sedition The day was appointed
no woodden God but onely that God whiche is in heauen and so with a merry and ioyfull countenance she went to the stake desiring the executioner to see the stake to be fast that it fall not then taking the powder and laying it to her brest she gaue her neck willingly to be bound with an ardent prayer commending her selfe to the hands of God WheÌ the time came that she should be straÌgled modestly she closed her eyes bowed down her head as one that would take a sleepe which done the fire then was put to the wood and she being strangled was burned afterward to ashes in stead of this life to get the immortall crowne in heauen an 1527. Ex Pantal. * Petrus Flistedius and Adolphus Clarebachus put to death at Colen IN the number of these Germane Martyrs Petrus Flistedius Adolphus Clarebachus Martyrs are also to be comprehended Peter Flisteden and Adolphe Clarebach two meÌ of singuler learning hauing rype knowledge of Gods holy word Which two in the yere of our Lord. 1529. for that they did dissent froÌ the papistes in diuers poyntes specially touching the supper of the Lord and other the popes traditions ceremonies after they had endured imprisonment a yeare and a halfe by the commaundement of the Archb. and Senate were put to death and burned in Colen not without the great griefe lamentatioÌ of many good Christians The bloud of Martyrs spilt to stoppe the sweating sicknes at Colen all the fault being put vpon certayne Diuines which at that time preached that the punishment death of certayne wicked persons should pacify the wrath of God which then plagued Germany grieuously with a new and straunge kinde of disease For at that season the sweating sicknes did mortally rage and reign throughout all Germany Ex Commenta Ioan. Sled Lib. 6. ¶ A Preface to the Table folowing IF thou well remember in reading this booke of storyes louing reader it was before mentioned declared pag. 842. how in the yeare of grace 1501. certayne prodigious markes and printes of the Lordes passion as the crowne crosse nayles scourges speare were sene in Germanye vpon the garmeÌts of men womeÌ Which miraculous ostent passing y e ordinary course of natural causes as it was sent of God no doubt to foreshew the great terrible persecution which afterward fell in the countrey of Germany and other regions besides for the testimony of Christ so if the number names of all those good men womeÌ which suffered in the same persecution with theyr actes doings should be gathered coÌpiled together it would aske a long time a large volume Notwithstanding partly to satisfy the history which we haue in hand partly also to auoyd tedious prolixity I thought briefely to coÌtract the discourse therof drawing as in a compendious Table the names of the persecutors of the Martyrs which suffered and the causes wherfore in as much shortnes as I may referring the full tractation of their liues doyngs to those writers of theyr owne countrey where they are to be read more at large And to keep an order in the same Table as much as in such a coÌfused heape of matters I may according to the order and distinctioÌ of the countryes in which these blessed Saintes of Christ did suffer I haue so diuided the order of the Table in such sort as first to begin with them that suffered in Germany then in Fraunce also in Spayne with other forrein countries mo The Dutche Martyrs The French Martyrs The Spanish Martyrs The English Martyrs shewing only the names with the principall matters of them referring the rest to the further explication of their owne Storywriters from whence they be collected The which Table being finished my purpose is Christ willing to returne to the full history of our owne matters Martirs which suffred here in England ¶ A Table of the names and causes of such Martyrs which gaue theyr liues for the testimony of the Gospell in Germany Fraunce Spayne Italy and other forreigne Countryes since Luthers tyme In which Table first is contayned within the first space betweene the lines the Persecutours next the Martyrs and thyrdly the causes ¶ The Martyrs of Germany ¶ Of diuers which suffered in Germany for the witnesse of the Gospell partly some rehearsall is made before as of Voes and Esch of Sutphen Iohn Castellanne Pet Spengler with a certayne Godly Minister and an other simple man of the countrey mentioned in Oecolampadius Also of them in Diethmar and Prage of M. George of Hala Gaspar Tambert Georgius of Vienna Wolfgangus Schuch Iohn Huglius George Carpenter Leonard Keyser Wendelmuta P. Flistede Adol Clarebach and other moe The residue folow in order of this Table here to be shewed Persecutors Martyrs The causes Charles the Emperour Nicholas of Antwerpe Martyr Two seruauntes of a Butcher did apprehend One Nicholas of Antwerpe At Antwarpe An. 1254. The Curate of Melza by Antwarpe had vsed to preach to a great number of people without the towne The Emperour hearynge thereof gaue leaue to take the vppermost garment of all theÌ that came to heare and offered 30. gilders who so would take the Prieste Afterwarde when the people were gathered and the Curate not there thys Nicholas stepped vp in place and preached Wherefore hee beinge apprehended by these two seruauntes of a Butcher was put in a sacke and drowned by the Crane at Antwerpe 1524. Margarete daughter of MaximiliaÌ Ioannes Pistorius Martyr Princes of Holland M. Montane M. Rosemund M. Anchusanus Inquisitours M. Iodocus Loueryng Vicare of Mechlin Ioan. Pistorius a learned man of Holland and partly of kynne to Erasm Roterod An. 1524. The storye of Pistorius is largely sette foorth by Gnapheus First he was a Priest then he maryed after that he preached commyng from Wyttenberge Hee spake agaynst the Masse and pardons and agaynst the subtile abuses of Priests He was committed vnto prisoÌ with 10. malefactors whom he did coÌfort to one being halfe naked and in daunger of colde he gaue his gowne Hys father visiting him in prison did not dissuade him but bad him bee coÌstant At last he was coÌdemned and disgraded hauing a fooles coate put vppon him His fellow prisoners at his death song Te Deum Commyng to the stake he gaue hys necke willingly to the band wherwith he was first strangled and then burned saying at his death O death 1. Cor. 15. where is thy victory Sabastian Braitestein Abbot Mathias Weibell Scholemaister In Sueuia An. 1525. For sayinge somewhat agaynst the Abbots first Masse and agaynst carying about the reliques Mathias Wiebell Martyr through the procurement of the Abbotte he was hanged by Campidonium in Sueuia Certayne noble men after the coÌmotion of the countrymen in Germany A certayne godly Priest An. 1525. This Priest beyng commaunded to come and geue good counsell to 16. countrymen that shoulde be beheaded A Priest Martyr
where he shoulde take horse where was a certayne Gentleman a straunger who drinkyng to him in a cup of wine desired hym to haue pity vpon him selfe and if he would not fauour his life yet that he would fauour his owne soule To whome sayd Austen after he had thanked hym for his good will what care I haue sayd he of my soule you may see by this that I had rather geue my body to be burned then to do that thing that were agaynst my conscience WheÌ he was come to the towne of Bellimont where he should be burned the same day there was a great buriall of the Duke Ariscotus his sonne which was slayne a litle before as is before touched by the occasion whereof many nobles and gentlemen were there present The death and martyrdome of Austen which hearing of this Austen came to him and talked with him When the day came of hys martyrdome the people being offended at his coÌstancy cryed out to haue him drawne at an horse tayle to the place of burning but the Lord would not suffer that In fine being tyed to the stake and fire set vnto him hartely he prayed to the Lord so in the fire paciently departed Ex Crisp. alijs The names of the persecutours be not expressed in the story Ex Ioan Sled lib. â2 A certayne woman of Auspurge At Auspurge An. 1550. At Auspurge a certayne woman there dwelling seeing a priest to cary the hoste to a sicke person wyth Taper lyght as the maner is asked hym what he meant so to goe with candle lyght at noone daye For thys shee was apprehended and in great daunger had it not bene for the earnest sute and prayer of the women of that City and at the intercession of Mary the Emperours sister Ex Ioan Sled lib. 22. Â Two Virgins In the Dioces of Bamberge An. 1551. In the Dyoces of Bamberge 2. maydes were ledde out to slaughter Two Virgins Martyrs whych they susteyned wyth patient hartes and cheereful couÌtenauÌces They had garlands of straw putte on theyr heades Whereupon one comforting the other going to theyr martyrdome seing Christ sayd she for vs bare a Crowne of thorne why shoulde wee sticke to beare a Crowne of straw No doubt but the lorde wil render to vs agayne better then Crownes of golde some sayd that they were Anabaptistes And it might be sayd Melanct that they had some fond opinion admixed withal yet they did hold sayth he the foundation of the Articles of our fayth and they dyed blessedly in a good conscience and knowledge of the sonne of God Fewe doe liue without errors Flatter not your selues thinking your selues so cleere that you can not erre Haec Philip. Melancth The names of the persecutors appeare not in the story The Christian City of Magdeburge An. 1551. When Charles the emperour had almost gotte all his purpose in Germany Constancie to be noted in the citie of Magdeburge in obtruding hys Religion of Interim into all places which was receiued of the most part of all the chiefe Princes and Cittyes onely the Citty of Magdeburge continuing in the constancy of their doctrine reformed refused to admit the same Wherefore warre was raysed agaynst them theyr City besieged and great violence vsed so that many honest and religious Citizens for the Gospels cause susteyned great perils and daunger of death At last when they had manfully and constantly endured such great distresse and calamity the space of a whole yere thorow the blessed prouideÌce of almighty God who about the same time sent warre betwene the French king and the Emperour honest reconciliation was made betwene them and the Emperor whereby they were receiued into fauor and suffered to enioy theyr former religion quietly Ex Ioan. Sled lib. 23. Iames Hesselius ChaÌberlayne of Gaunt and the Friers there Hostius other wise called George At Gaunt An. 1555. This Hostius borne at Gaunt Hostius martyr was cunning in grauing in armour and in steele He first was in the French Church here in England during the reigne of King Edward After the comminge of Queene Mary he weÌt to Norden in Friseland wyth hys Wyfe and Children From thence hauing businesse hee came to Gaunt where after a certayne space that hee hadde there continued instructing diuers of hys friendes he heard that there was a blacke Fryer which vsed to preach good doctrine to the people Wherefore he being desirous to heare came to hys Sermon where the Frier contrarye to his expectation preached in defence of transubstantiation At the hearing whereof his hart was so full that he had muche a doe to refrayne while the Sermon was finished As soone as the Frier was come downe he braste out and charged him with false doctrine persuadyng the people as well as he could be heard by the scriptures that the bread was but a Sacrament onelye of the Lordes body The Fryer not willing to heare him made signes vnto him to depart Also the throÌg of the people was such that it caryed hym out of the dores He had not gone far but Hesselius the Chamberlaine ouertooke him caried him to prison Then were Doctours and other Friers as Pistorius and Bunderius brought to reason with him of the Sacrament of Inuocation of Saintes and Purgatory He euer stood to the triall onely of the scripture whiche they refused Then was it agreed that he shoulde declare his mind in writing which he did He wrote also to his wyfe at Emden comforting her and requiring her to take care for Samuel and Sara hys children When he was condemned he was coÌmauÌded not to speake to the people Hesselius the Officer made great hast to haue him dispatched Wherfore he myldely like a lambe praying for his enemyes gaue him selfe to bee bounde paciently taking that they would doe agaynst him whom first they strangled then consumed his body being dead wyth fire And this was the Martyrdome of Hostius Ex Lud. Rabo lib. 6. Â Iohn Frisius Abbot Ioan. Frisius Abbot In Bauaria An. 1554. Ioanne Sled Lib. 25. maketh recorde of one Ioan. Frisius Abbotte of Newstat within the Dioces of the B. Herbipolensis in Bauaria who being suspected of Lutheranisme was called to accompt of his fayth and stroÌgly persisting in his assertions and defeÌding the same by the scriptures he was therefore displaced and remooued from all hys iurisdictions .25 of Iune an 1554. Ex Sled The Bayliffe of Hennegow The pittious martirdome of Bertrand le Blas gouernour of the towne and Castle of Dornic Peter De uentiere LieuetenauÌt to the sayd Bayliffe Philip de Cordis chiefe couÌsellour in criminall causes Nic. Chambree Pet. Rachelier Iames de Clerke Nicholas of Fernague M. Hermes of Wingles one of the counsell for the sayd Baliwicke Bertrand le Blas At Dornic An. 1555. The Story of Bertrand is lamentable his tormentes vncredible the tyrannye shewed vnto him horrible the constancye of the Martyr admyrable This Bertrand beyng a Sylkeweauer
him and he was comforted and they beganne to sing As they were in the fire the maister staÌdyng vprighte to the stake shifted the fire froÌ him to his seruaunt being more carefull for hym then for himselfe and when he saw him dead he bowed downe into the flame so expired Ex Crisp. alijs  Hugonius Grauier a Scholemayster and minister after of Cortillon in the County of Newcastle At Burge An. 1552. At Burge in Bresse a dayes iourney from Lyons Hugh Grauier martyr this Grauier was burned He comming from Geneua to Newcastle there was elected to be Minister But first hee going to see hys wyues frends at Mascon there as he was commyng away out of the towne was taken vppon the Brydge wyth all hys company and in the ende hee willing the women and rest of the companye to laye the fault in him for bringing them out was senteÌced to be burnt notwithstanding y e Lords of Berne sent theyr Heraldes to saue his life also that the Officiall declared him to bee an honest man to holde nothing but agreeing to the scriptures Ex Ioan Crisp. lib. 3. Tignacius the gouernour or deputy of Lyons Buatherius Officiall to the Archb. of Lyons Clepierius Chamberlayne Thre orders of Friers Iudge Melierus Doct. Cunubanus a gray frier Iudge Vilard Primatius Officiall Cortrerius Iudge Martiall Alba. Petrus Scriba Bernard Seguine Charles Faber Peter Nauihere At Lyons An. 1553. These 5. Students V. studentes martyrs Martiall Alba. after they head remayned in the Uniuersitye of Lausanna a certayn time Petrus Scriba Bernard Seguine consulted among themselues being all French men to return home euery one to hys countrey to the intent they mighte instructe theyr parentes other theyr friendes in suche knowledge as y e Lord had geuen them So taking theyr iourney froÌ Lausanna Charles Faber Peter Nauihere firste they came to Geneua wher thei remained a while FroÌ thence they weÌt to Lyons Where they sitting at the table of one that mette them by the way and desired them home to his house were apprehended and led to prison where they continued a whol yeare that is from the first day of May to the 16. of the sayd moneth agayne As they were learned and well exercised in the scriptures so euery one of theÌ exhibited seuerally a learned confession of his fayth and with great dexterity through the power of the Lordes spirite they confounded the Friers with whoÌ they disputed especially Peter Scribe or Scriuener and Seguine They were examined sonderly of the Sacrament of the Lordes body of Purgatory of confession and Inuocation of freewill and of the supremacy c. Although they approued their cause by good scripture and refuted theyr aduersaryes in reasoning yet right being ouercome by might sentence was geuen and they burned in y e said towne of Lions Being set vpon the cart they began to sing psalmes As they passed by the market place one of theÌ with a loud voyce saluted the people with the words of the last chap. to the Heb. The God of peace which brought again froÌ death the great pastor of the sheep in the bloud of the eternall Testament c. Comming to the place first the 2. youngest one after an other went vp vpon the heap of wood to the stake there were fastened and so after them the rest Martiall Alba being the eldest was the last who likewise being stripped of his clothes and brought to the stake desired this petitioÌ of the gouernor which was that he might go about his felowes tied at the stake and kisse them Which being graunted he went and kissed euery one saying farewel my brother Likewise the other foure following the same example bad each one farewel my brother With that fire was commaunded to be put vnto theÌ The hangman had tyed a rope about al theyr necks thinking first to strangle them but theyr faces being smered with fat and brimstone the rope was burnt before they were strangled So the blessed Martyrs in the midst of the fire spake one to an other to be of good cheare and so departed Ex Crisp Pantal. c. ¶ Theyr examinations briefely touched The Frier Thou sayst frend in thy confession that the Pope is not supreme head of the Church Supremacy I will proue the contrary The Pope is the successor of S. Peter Ergo he is supreame head of the Church The Martyr I deny first your antecedent The Frier The Pope sitteth in the place of S. Peter Ergo he is the successor of S. Peter The Martyr I will graunt neither of both First because that he which succeedeth in the roome of Peter ought to preach and teach as Peter did Which thing the pope doth not The head of the Church Secondly although he did so preach as Peter did he might wel folow the example of Peter yet should he not therefore be the head of the Church but a member onely of the same The head of menne and Aungels whom God hath appoynted is Christ alone Ephe. 1. sayth S. Paule The Frier Although Christ be the head of the whole church militant and tryumphant yet his vicar here in earth is left to supply his roome The Martyr Not so for the power of his Diuinitye being so great to fill all things he needeth no Uicar or deputy to supply his absence The Frier I wil proue that although Christ be king both of heauen and earth yet he hath here in earth many vicars vnder him Regiment ciuile Regiment spirituall to gouerne his people The Martyr It is one thing to rule in the ciuill state another thing to rule spiritually For in ciuill regiment we haue kinges princes ordeined of God by the scriptures for the obseruation of publicke society In the spirituall regiment and kingdome of the Church it is not so Then another Frier Thou sayest that S. Peter is not the head of the church I will proue he is Our Lord sayd to Peter Thou shalt be called Cephas Which Cephas is as much to say in latine as head Iohn 1. Cephas Ergo Peter is head of the Church The Martyr Where finde you that interpretation S. Iohn in his first chap. doth expouÌd it otherwise Thou shalt be called Cephas y t is as much saith he as Petrus or stone Then the iudge Uilardus calling for a new testament turned to the place and found it to be so Wher upon the Frier was vtterly dashed and stood mute The Frier Thou sayst in thy confession that a man hath no free will I wil proue it It is written in the Gospel how a man going from Hierusalem to Iericho Luke 10. fell among theeues was spoyled maymed left halfe dead c. Thomas of Aquine expoundeth this parable to meane free wil which he sayth is maymed yet not so but y e some power remayneth in maÌ to work The Martyr This interpretation I do refuse and denye The
she came first from the partes of gascoigne with her husband who was Lord of GrauoroÌ vnto Paris Philip de Luns gentlewoman and martyr there to ioyne her selfe to the Churche of God Where her Husband also hadde bene a Senior or Elder who in the moneth of May before was takeÌ with an agâe and deceased leauing this Philip a Widow which neuerthelesse ceased not to serue the Lord in hys Churche and also in the house was taken with the sayde compapany Many conflictes she had with the Iudges and the Sorbonistes namely Maillard But she alwayes sent him awaye with the same reproch as the other did before bad him auaunt Sodomyte saying she would not aunsweare one woorde to suche a villaine To the Iudges her answere was this that she had learned the fayth whyche shee confessed in the woord of God and in the same shee woulde liue and die And being demaunded whether the body of Christ was in the Sacrament The Sacrament How is that possible sayde she to be the bodye of Christ to whom all power is geuen which is exalted aboue all heauens when as we see the mice rattes apes and Munkies playe with it and teare it in pieces Heâ petition to them was that seing they had taken her sister from her yet they would let her haue a Byble oâ Testament to comfort her selfe Her wicked neighbors although they could touche her conuersation with no part of dishonestye yet many thinges they layde to her charge as that there was muche singyng of Psalmes in her house and that twise or thrise an infinite number of persons were seene to come out of her house Also when her husband was in dying no Priest was called for neyther was it knowne where he was buryed Neyther dyd they euer heare any word of their infant to be baptised for it was baptised in the Churche of the Lord. Among other her neighbours that came agaynst her twoe there were dwelling at S. Germain in y e suburbes The iust hand of God against false and bloudy witnesses betwene whoÌ incontinent rose a strife wherin one of theÌ sticked the other with a knife The death of thys gentlewomaÌ was the more hastened of the Lord keper of the Seale Bertrand Cardinall of Sens and his sonne in law the Marques of Tran for to haue the confiscation of her goodes These 3. holy martyrs aboue recited The martyrdom of Clinet Grauelle and Philip de Luns were condeÌned the 27. of Sep. by the proces of the coÌmissioners and the Lieuetenaunt ciuile and then being put in a Chappell together certayne Doctours were sent to them but theyr valiaunt constancye remayned vnmooueable After that they were had out of Prison and sent euery one in a doung cart to the place of punishment Clinet euer cryed by the way protestyng that he sayd or mayntayned nothing but the veritye of God And being asked of a Doctour whether he would beleue S. Austen touching certayne matters he sayd yea and that he had sayd nothing but which he would proue by his authority The Gentlewoman seeing a Priest come to confesse her sayd that she had confessed vnto God and had receiued of him remission other absolution she found none in Scripture And when certayne CouÌsellers did vrge her to take in her handes the woden Crosse The crosse according to the custome of them that go to theyr death alledging how Christ commaunded euery one to beare his crosse she answerred my Lordes sayde she you make me in very deede to beare my Crosse condemning me vniustly and putting me to death in the quarell of my Lord Iesus Christ. Who willeth vs to beare our Crosse but no suth Crosse as you speake of Grauelle looked with a smiling countenaunce shewed a chearefull colour declaring how little hee passed for his condemnation and being asked of hys frends to what death he was condemned I see well sayd he that I am condemned to death but to what death or torment I regard not And comming from the chappell when he perceiued they went about to cut out his toung vnles he would returne he sayd that was not so conteined in the arrest and therefore he was vnwilling to graunt vnto it but afterward perceiuing the same so to be agreed by the Court he offered his toung willingly to be cut and incontineÌt spake playnely these words I pray you pray to God for me The Gentlewoman also being required to geue her toung did likewise with these wordes Seing I do not sticke to geue my body shall I sticke to geue my tongue No no. And so these three hauing theyr tongues cutte out Their tongues cut out were brought to Malbert place The constancy of Grauelle was admirable castyng vp his sighes and gronings vnto heauen declaring therby his ardent affectioÌ in praying to God Clinet was somewhat more sad then the other by reason of the feeblenes of nature and his age But the Gentlewoman yet sermouÌted al the rest in constancy which neither chaunged countenaunce nor colour being of an excellent beauty After the death of her husband shee vsed to go in mourning weed after the maner of the country But the same day Precious in the sight of God is the death of hys Saintes going to her burning shee put on her French hood and decked her selfe in her best aray as going to a new Mariage the same day to be ioyned to her spouse Iesus Christ. And thus these three with singuler constancy were burned Grauelle and Clinet were burned aliue Philippe the Gentlewoman was strangled after she had a litle tasted the flame with her feet and visage and so she ended her Martyrdome Ex Ioan Crisp. lib. 6. The Lieuetenant Doctour Maillard Counsellers Friers Nicolas Cene. Peter Gabert At Paris An. 1558. Of the same company was also Nicholas Cene a Phisition Brother to Phillippe Cene aboue meÌtioned and martyred of Dyion Peter Gabart which two about fiue or sixe dayes after the other three before Nicolas Cene Pet. Gabart martyrs were brought foorth to theyr death Octob. 2. Nicholas Cene was but newe come to Paris the same day when he was aduertised of y e asseÌble which theÌ was coÌgregate in the street of S. Iames as he desired nothing more then to heare the word of God came thither euen as he was booted was also with them apprehended susteyning y e causee of Gods holye Gospell vnto death The other was Peter Gabart a Sollicitor of processes about the age of 30. yeares whose constancye dyd muche comfort to the prisoners He was put amonge a great number of Scholers in the little Castle Whome when he heard to passe the time in talking of Philosophy No no sayde he let vs forget these worldly matters A wholesome lesson for all studentes and learne how to sustein y e heauenly cause of our God which lie here in defeÌce of the kingdome of Christ Iesus our sauiour and so he began to instruct
burned aliue at a little fire Moreouer he procured Caual and Caualieri the Consuls to threaten the Lieuetenaunt that they woulde complayne of him to the high Court of parliament if hee would not after that sort coÌdemne hym to be burnt In the meane time the faythfull Christians of y t sayd towne fearing least by his racking daunger might happen to the brethren sent to Romian again in the prison certayne instructions and meanes howe hee might be ayded such as should not be against God But when the Lieuetenaunt came Filij huius seculi prudentiores in sua generatione quam filij lucis the poore man forgot his instructions so simple he was and ignoraunt of the subtleties of this world When the time came that the Iudges were set and the proces should be read Barbosi with other whoÌ the Frier had procured had agreed before y t he shuld be fired aliue and put to the racke to disclose his fellowes also gagged that he might not speake infect the residue On the other parte one there was of the aduocates albeit a man wholly superstitious seing the rage of the other Good councell of an Aduocate gaue contrarye aduise saying that he should be sent home agayne for that hee was a town dweller of Geneua neither had ââught there any kinde of doctrine nor brought any bookes neyther had they any informations agaynst him that which he had spoken was as a thing coÌstrayned by hys othe forced by the Iustice. And as touchinge his opinion it was no other but as other younge men did follow which were eyther of the one parte or of the other and therefore that here remayned no more but onely the lieuetenaunt to geue his verdict c. Thus much being spoken and also because the Lieuetenaunt was before suspected and the tyme of dinner drewe neare they arose for that tyme differring the matter to an other season The Frier still bloweth the coale of persecution The Fryer obseruaunt in this meane while was not idle incityng still the Consuls and the people who at the ringing of a bell being assembled together with the Officiall and the priestes in a great route came crying to the Lieutenaunt to burne y e hereticke or els they would fire him and all his family and in semblable wyse did the same to the other Iudges and Aduocates The Officiall moreouer added that if it were not better seen to then so the Lutheranes would take such courage and so shut vp theyr Churche doores that no man shold enter in Then because the Liuetenant would not take to him other Iudges after their mindes in all posthast the people contributed together that at their owne charge the matter should be pursued at the parliament of Aix and so compelled the LiuetenaÌt to bring the proces vnto iudgemeÌt euery man crying to y e fire to the fire that he may be burned The Lieuetenaunt being not able otherwise to appease the people The cause of Romian remoued to the parliament of Aix promised to bring the matter to y e high court of Aix and so he did They hearing the information of the cause commaunded the Lieuetenaunt and the other Iudges to deal no further therin but to sende vp the proces and the prisoner to theÌ This went greatly agaynst the mindes of them of Draguignan which would fayne haue him condemned there Wherupon Barbosi was sent out to the parliament of Aix where he so practised and labored the matter that the cause was sent downe agayn to Lieuetenaunt and hee enioyned to take vnto hym such auncient Aduocates as their olde order requyred and to certifie them agayne within 8. dayes And so Romiane by the sentence of thoso olde Iudges was condemned to be burned aliue if he turned not if he did then to be strangled and before the executioÌ to be put vpon the racke to the intent he should disclose the rest of his company From the whiche sentence Romian then appealed saying that he was no hereticke Wherupon he was caryed vnto Aix singing the Commaundementes Romian brought to Aix as he passed by y e town of DraguignaÌ Which when the kings aduocate did see looking out of hys window he sayde vnto hym that hee was one of them that concluded hys death The kinges Aduocate repenteth but desired God to forgeue hym Romiane aunswered agayne and sayd God will iudge vs all in y e last day of IudgemeÌt After he was come to Aix he was brought before the Counsellers before whome he remayned no lesse constant and firme then afore TheÌ was a fumishe Fryer sent who beeing three houres with him and could not remoue him came out to the Lordes and sayd that he was damned By reason whereof the sentence geuen before his condemnatioÌ was confirmed and he sent backe agayn froÌ whence he came At his returne agayne from Aix the Consuls of Draguignan sent abroad by Parishes Romian returned againe from Aix to Draguignan vnto the Curates that they should signifie to theyr Parishners the day of his death to y e end that they should come also caused to be cryed through the town by y e sound of a trompe that all good Christians shoulde bring wood to the great market place to burne the Lutherane The day being come which was saterday the 16. day of May the poore seruaunt of God first was brought to the racke or torture where at his first entre were brought before hym The cordes yrons waightes to terrifie him Then sayde they hee must vtter his complices renounce his religion or els he should be burned aliue He answered wyth a constant hart that he had no other complices nor coÌpanions neyther would he hold any other fayth but that which Iesus Christ did preach by his apostles Then was he demaunded of hys fellowes taken w t him whether they did hold y e fayth of Rome or whether he did euer communicate with theÌ or did know them in the towne or in prouince to be of his fayth He sayd no. Item what he had to doe in that towne He sayd to sell hys Corall Item who gaue hym couÌsell to appeale God he sayd by his spirite Upon this he was put vpon the gynne or racke where he being torne most outragiously Romian draweÌ most piteously vpon the racke ceased not still to cry vnto God that he woulde haue pittie on him for the loue of Iesus Christ his sonne Then was he commanded to call to the virgin Mary but that he would not Wherupon his torture was renued a fresh in such cruell sort that they thought they had left hym for dead For the which they sent him to the Barbers and finding that hee coulde endure no longer were afraid least he had bene past RomiaÌ broken with the racke not able to goe was borne to the fire and hastened to bring him to the fire So after they had assayd hym by priestes and Fryers as much as
the poore captiues and prisoners were called out the Procurator fiscall or the Popes great Collectour first beginning with Doctor Cacalla and so proceding to the other in order as here vnder in this Table followeth with theyr names theyr iudgementes described The Inquisitours of Spayne The Popes great Collector or Procurator fiscall The Archbishop of Senille The bishop of Valence The bishop of Orense 1. Doctour Cacalla a Frier Augustine Before the Popes great Proctor or Collector fiscall first was called forth Doct. Austen Cacalla Thys Doctour was a Frier of Austens order Doct. Cacalla a Frier Augustine preacher sometyme to Charles 5. Martyr and Priest of the towne of Ualledollid and preacher sometimes to the Emperour Charles the 5. a man wel accouÌted of for his learning Who for that hee was thought to be as the standert bearer to the Gospellers whoÌ they called LutheraÌs and preacher and Doctour vnto theÌ therfore they being first called for was brought from his stage nearer to y e proctor fiscal there to heare the sentence of his condeÌnation which was that he should be degraded and presently burned and all his goods confiscate to the profit auauncement of iustice  2. Fraunces de Biuero Frances de Biuero priest and brother to Cacalla martyr priest of Valledolid and brother to the foresayd Cacalla The second prisoner next to Doctor Cacalla y t was called was Fraunces de Biuero his brother Priest also of Ualledolid who receiued likewise y e same sentence of condemnation And to the intent he should not speake any thing to the preiudice or agaynst the abuse of the sacrate Inquisition as he before had done both within and without the prisoÌ with much boldnes also because hee was much fauored of y e people to y e end therfore y t no coÌmotioÌ shold come by his speaking hys mouth was so stopped shut vp that he could not speake one word  3. Dame BlaÌche de Biuero The 3. was Dame Blanche Dame Blanche sister to them martyr Sister to the other two aforesayd agaynst whoÌ also was pronounced the like seÌtence as vpon her brethren before  4. Iohn de Biuero Iohn de Biuero brother to the same martyr The fourth was Iohn de Biuero brother to the same kinred who was also iudged an hereticke and coÌdemned to perpetuall prison and to beare his Sanbenito all bys life long whiche is an habillemeÌt of dishonor  5. Dame Constance de Biuero Dame CoÌstance de Biuero an other sister martyr sister to the same aforesayd Dame Constance de Biuero was the fifte Sister to the other before specified Widowe of Ferdinando Ortis dwelling sometime at Ualledolid who was also condeÌned with the like sentence with her brethren to be burned The Inquisitours of Spayne Dame Leonore de Biuero mother to these Martyrs aboue burnt after her death 6. The coffin with the dead corpes of Dame Leonore de Biuero the mother of these aforesayd The sixt thunderbolt of condemnation was thundered out agaynst a poore coffine with the dead corps of dame Leonore de Biuero mother to these aboue named beyng her selfe the sixt being already dead long before at Ualledolid Aboue her coffin was her picture laid which was also condemned with her dead corpes to be burned for an hereticke And yet I neuer heerd of any opinion that this picture did holde eyther with or agaynst the Church of Rome This good Mother while shee liued was a woorthye maynteiner of christes gospell with great integritye of life and reteyned diuers assemblies of the sayntes in her house for the preaching of the woorde of god In fine her corps and Image also being brought before y e Fiscall was condemned lykewise as the Mother with her 7. chyldreÌ in the book of Machabees to be burned for a Lutherane heretick This good mother with her children burned by Antichrist resembled to the mother with her 7. children burned in the booke of Machabees and all her goodes to be seased to the behoofe of the Superiour powers and also her house vtterly to be rased cast down to the grouÌd for memoriall of y e same a marible stone was appointed there to be set vp in y e house wherein the sayd cause of her burning should be ingraued  7. Maister Aflonse Perez Priest of Valence In the seueÌth place was condemned mayster Aflonse Perez priest of Valence M Aflonse Perez martyr first to be degraded after to be burned as an heretick all his goodes likewise confiscate and seased to the behoofe of the superiority â When these 7. aforesayd had receiued theyr sentence then the Bishop of Ualence The degradation of Doct. Cacalla Frances his brother and Astonse in his pontificalibus caused Doctour Cacalla Fraunces his brother and Aflonse Perez to be apparelled and reuested in priestly vesture Which done he tooke from them first the chalice out of theyr handes and so all theyr other trinckets in order according to theyr accustomed solemnity And thus they being degraded and all their priestly vnctions taken from their fingers also their lippes and theyr crownes rased so were theyr yellow habites of Sanbenito put ouer theyr shoulders agayne with theyr Miters also of paper vpon theyr heades This done Doctor Cacalla began to speak praying the Princes and the Lords Doct. Cacalla not suffered to speake to geue him audience but that being not graunted to him he was rudely repulsed returned agayne to his standing Onely thus much he protested clearely and openlye that his fayth for which he was so handled was not hereticall but consonant to the pure and cleare word of God For the which also he was prest and ready to suffer death as a true Christian and not as an hereticke Besides many other worthy sentences of great consolation which he there vttered in y e meane space while the Iudges were busy in theyr sentences agaynst the residue of the Martyrs The Inquisitours of Spayne 8. Don Peter Sarmiento Knight of the order of Alcantara The viij that was brought before y e foresayd Fiscall was Don Peter Sarmiento knight of the order of Alcantara dwelling at Ualence and sonne of Marques de Poza who was pronounced an hereticke Don Peter Sarmiento Knight coÌdemned for a perpetuall prisoner iudged to beare the marke habite of dishonor all his life and condeÌned to perpetuall prison w t the losse of his order of all his goodes To whome moreouer it was enioyned neuer to weare any more gold siluer pearles or any precious stone about him  9. Dame Mencia wife of the sayd Don Peter Dame Menâia wyfe of Don Peter âondemned for a perpeâuall prisoâer Ninthly after hym was called dame MeÌcia de Figueroa Wyfe of the foresaid Don Peter Sarmiento Who likewise being proclaimed for an Heretique was condemned to the same punishmeÌt as her husband was  10. Don Louys de Roxas sonne and heyre of
Gospell not w tout great fruit and effect in places as he went As he was thus labouring it so fell out that he was apprehended againe Faninus againe imprisoned an 1547. in a place called Bagnacauallo where also he was condemned to be burned but he said his houre was not yet come and the same to be but the beginning of his doctrine and so it was for shortly after he was remoued vnto Ferraria where he was deteined ij yeares At last y e Inquisitours of the popes heresies condemned hym to death an 1549. and yet his tyme beyng not come he remayned after that to the moneth of September an 1550. In the meane time many faythfull and good men came to visite him for the which the pope commanded him to be inclosed in straiter custody wherin he suffered great tormentes y e space of 18. monthes and yet had suffered greater if the Dominick Friers might haue got him into their house as they went about Thus Faninus remoued from prison to prisoÌ many times chaunged his place but neuer altered hys constancy At length he was brought into a prison where were diuers great Lordes Captaynes and noble personages there committed for stirring vp commotions and factions as the country of Italy is ful of such who at first hearing him speake beganne to set him at light and to deride him supposing that it was but a melancholy humor that trobled his brain wherupon such as seemed more sage amongst them began to exhort him to leaue hys opinion to lyue with men as other men do and not to vexe his mind but to suspend hys iudgement till the matter were decided in a generall Councell To whome Faninus agayne first geuing them thankes for their friendly good willes wherwith they seemed to respecte hys well doyng modestly and quietly declared vnto theÌ how the doctrine which he professed was no humore nor opinion of mans brayne but the pure veritie of God founded in hys worde and reuealed to men in the Gospell of Iesus Christ and especially nowe in these dayes restored whiche veritie he had fully determined in his minde neuer to renye to beleeue the lying phantasies of men And as in his soule The modest answere of Faninus to his felow prisoners whiche was redeemed by the bloud of the sonne of God hee was free from all bondage so likewise as touchyng Counsels he looked for no other sentence nor authority he sayd but that onely whiche hee knewe to be declared to vs by Christ Iesus in hys Gospel whiche both he preached wyth hys word and confirmed with hys bloud c. With these and such other words he so moued theyr myndes that they were cleane altered vnto a new kynde of lyfe hauing hym nowe in admiration whom they had before in derision and recounted hym for an holye person To whome hee proceeded still to preach the word of grace declaring and confessing hymselfe to be a miserable sinner but by the fayth of the Lorde Iesus through the grace onely of hym he was fully perswaded and well assured hys sinnes to be forgeuen like as al theyr sinnes also shal be remitted to theÌ through their fayth onely in Christ beleuing hys Gospell There were other also besides these who hauing vsed before a more delicate kinde of lyfe coulde not well away w t the sharpenes and hardnes of y e prison These also receaued such comfort by the sayde Faninus that not onely they were quietly contented Prisoners conuerted by Faninus but also reioysed in this theyr captiuitie by the occasion wherof they had receaued and learned a better libertie then euer they knew before When the prisonment of thys Faninus was knowne to hys parentes and kinsfolke hys wyfe sister came to hym with weeping perswasions to moue hym to consider and care for hys poore family To whom he aunswered agayn that hys Lord and mayster had coÌmanded him not to deny hym for lookyng to his family and that it was enough for them that he had once for theyr sakes fallen into y e cowardlines whiche they knew Wherefore he desired them to depart in peace and sollicite hym no more therein for hys end he sayd he knew to drawe neare and so he commended them vnto the Lord. About the same tyme dyed Pope Paulus the 3. and after hym succeeded Iulius the 3. whiche then sent letters and commaundement Pope Iulius the thiâd that Faninus shuld be executed Wherof wheÌ one of y e magistrates officers brought hym word the next day he reioysed therat and gaue the messenger thankes and began to preache a long sermon to them that were aboute hym of the felicitie and beatitude of the life to come Then the messeÌger exhorted hym y t in case he would change hys opinion he should saue both thys lyfe enioy that to come An other asked hym in what case he should leaue his little children and hys wyfe or what stay should they be at he so leauing theÌ wherfore he desired hym to haue respect both to hymselfe and to them Faninus aunswered y t he had left them with an ouerseer which woulde see vnto them sufficiently And being asked who he was the Lorde Iesus Christ sayd he a faythfull keeper and a conseruer of all y t is committed to hym Christ preferred before wife and children After that the messenger was thus departed from Faninus all full of teares and sorrow the next daye following he was remoued into the common prison and deliuered to the secular magistrate Who in all his wayes hys wordes hys gestures and countenaunce declared such constancy of faith such modesty of manners and tranquillitie of mynde that they which before were extreme agaynst hym thinking hym rather to haue a deuill began nowe fauourably to harken to hym and to commend hym With such grace and sweetenes he calâed euer speaking of the worde of God that diuers of the Magistrates wyues in hearyng him could not abstayne from weeping The executioner also wept himself One of the publicke Scribes then came to hym and sayd that if he woulde relent from his opinion the Popes pleasure was that he should be saued but that he refused This was marueilous Life refused that he hauing but small skill in the Latine yet recited so many and sondry places of the Scripture without booke and that so truely and promptly as though he had studyed nothing els One seyng him so iocound and mery goyng to hys death asked why he was so mery at his death seing Christ himselfe sweat bloud and water before his passion Christ sayd he sustayned in hys body How Christ feared death himselfe yet hath he taken away the feare of death from others all y e sorowes and conflictes with hell and death due vnto vs by whose suffering we are deliuered from sorrowe and feare of them all Finally early in the morning hee was brought forth where he should suffer Who after his prayers moste earnestlye made vnto the
Lorde meekly paciently gaue himselfe to the stake where with a corde drawne about his neck he was secretly strangled of the hangman in the Cittie of Ferraria three houres before day to the intent y e people shuld not see him nor heare him speake and after about dinner time his body in the same place was burned At the burning whereof such a fragrant and odoriferous sent came to all them there present A myracle as it is reported and so stroke theyr senses that the sweetenes therof semed to refresh them no lesse then hys words would haue done if they had heard him speake The custome is of that cittie that the bones and ashes which be lefte The death and martyrdome of Faninus should be caryed out of the city but neyther the magistrate nor the Byshop nor hys great Uicar or Chauncellor nor anye Diuine els would take any charge thereof euery man transferring that burden from themselues to him whiche was the cause of hys death Wherby it may appeare what secret iudgement and estimation all they had of that good blessed man At last the people tooke his burned bones with the cinders and caried them out of the streete of the Citie Ex Henri Pantal lib. 7. Ex Ioan Crisp. pag. 363. The name of the persecutor in the story appeareth not Dominicus de Basana Dominicus de Basana martyr At Placentia Ann. 1550. The same yeare y t the foresayd Faninus suffered in Ferraria Dominicus also suffered in the Citie of Placentia This Dominicus was Cittizen in Basana and followed the wars of Charles the Emperour in Germany where he receiued the first taste of Christes gospel Wherin he encreased more more by conferring reasoning with learned men so y t in shorte tyme hee was able to instruct manye and so did working and traueling in the Churche till at length in y e yeare 1550. he comming to y e City of Naples there preached the worde from thence proceding to Placencia preached there likewise vnto y e people of true confession of Purgatorye of Pardons Furthermore the next day entreated of true fayth of good workes howe farre they are necessary to saluation promising moreouer y e nexte daye to speake of Antichrist and to paynt him out in his colours Antichrist can not abyde to be detected When the houre came that he should begin hys sermon the magistrate of the cittye commaunded hym to come downe from the chayre in the market place deliuered him to the officers Dominicus was willing ready to obey the commaundement saying that hee did much maruayle that the deuill could suffer hym so long in that kind of exercise From thence he was led to the bishops Chauncellour and asked whether he was a priest and how he was placed in that function He answered that he was no priest oâ the pope but of Iesus Christ by whom he was lawfully called to that office Then was he demaunded whether he would renounce hys doctrine He answered that he mayntayned no doctrine of hys owne but onely the doctrine of Christ whiche also he was readye to seale with hys bloud and also gaue harty thankes to God wbiche so accepted hym as worthye to glorifie hys name with his martyrdome Upon this he was committed to a filthy and stinking prison Where after he had remayned a few monthes he was exhorted diuers tymes to reuoke otherwise he should suffer but still he remayned constaunt in hys doctrine The martiâdome of Dominicus de Bassana Wherupon when the tyme came assigned for his punishment he was brought to the market place wher he preached and there was hanged Who most hartely praying âor his enemies so finished his dayes in this miserable wretched world Ex Pantal. lib. 7. The byshop of Santangelo hys priestes Galeazius Trecius At the Cittye called Laus Pompeia in Italy Ann. 1551. Santangelo is a certayne fortresse or castle in Italy within Lombardy Galeazius Trecius martyr not farre from the Cittye called Laus Pompeia belongyng also to the same dioces In this sort of Santangelo was an house of Augustine Friers vnto whome vsed muche to resorte a certayne fryer of the same order dwelling at Pauia named Maianardus a man well expert in the study of scripture and of a godly conuersation By this Maianardus diuers not onely of the Fryers but also of other townesmen were reduced to the loue knowledge of Gods worde to the detestatioÌ of the popes abuses AmoÌg whom was also this Galeazius a gentle man of a good calling welthy in worldly substaunce and very beneficiall to the pâore Who first by conference with y e fryers and also with hys brother in law began to conceaue some light in Gods truth and afterwarde was confirmed more thoroughly by Caelius Secundus Curio who then being driuen by persecution came from Pauia to the sayd place of Santangelo In proces of tyme as this Galeazius encreased in iudgement and zeale in settyng forward the wholesome word of Gods grace as a light shining in darkenes coulde not so lye hyd but at last in the yeare of our Lorde 1551. certayne were sent from the forenamed Cittie of Laus Pompeia to lay handes vppon hym The iniurious fraudulent dealyng of the Papistes and brought hym to the bishops Pallace where he was kept in handes hauing vnder hym but onely a pad oâ straw Although his wife sent vnto him a good fetherbed with shetes to lye in yet the Byshops chaplaynes and officers kept it froÌ him deuiding the pray among theÌselues When the tyme came that he should be examined he was thrise brought before the Commissioners where he rendered reasons and causes of hys fayth answering to theyr interrogatories w t such euidence of Scriptures constancy of mind that he was an admiration to them that that heard hym Albeit not long after through the importunate perswasions of hys kinsfolkes frendes and other colde Gospellers laying many considerations before hys eyes Galeazius relenteth he was brought at length to assent to certain points of the popes doctrine But yet the mercye of God which began with him so left him not but brought him againe to suche repentance bewayling of his facte that he became afterward according to the example of Peter Galeazius repenteth and S. Cyprian and other doublewise more valiaunt in defence of Christes quarrell neither did he euer desire any thing more then occasion to be offered to recouer agayne by confession that he had lost before by denyall affirming that hee neuer felt more ioy of hart then at the tyme of his examinations where hee stoode thrise to the constant confession of the truth and contrary that he neuer tasted more sorrow in al his life then when he slipt afterward from the same by dissimulation Declaryng moreouer to hys brethren A sentence of a martyr to be marked that death was muche more sweete vnto him with testimony of the veritie then
men which were also appreheÌded for religion into the Temple of S. Mary called De Minerua the 5. daye of Septemb an 1553. either there to reuoke or to be burned There sate vpon them 6. Cardinals in high seates beside the Iudge before whome preached a Dominicke Fryer which cruelly inueighing agaynst the poore prisoners incensed the Cardinals with al the vehemency he might to theyr condemnation The poore men stoode holding a burning taper in theyr handes Of whome some for feare of death reuolted But this Doctor Mollius with a Weauer of Perusium remayned constant Then Mollius began an earnest sermon in the Italian tongue whereââ hee confirmed the Articles of the fayth by y e sacrete scriptures declaring also that the pope was not the successour of Peter but Antichrist and his sectaryes do figure the whore of Babilon Doct. Mollius cyteth the Pope to the tribunal seate of Christ. Moreouer he cited theÌ vp to the Tribunall seate of Christ and threw away the burning taper from hym Wherupon they being replenished with anger condemned hym with the Weauer to the fire and commaunded them to be had away So were they caried incontinent to the camp or fielde called Florianum Where they remayned cheerefull and constant First the Weauer was hanged The martyrdome of Doct. Mollius and the Weauer Mollius then willing the hangman to execute hys office lykewise vpon hym began to exhorte the people to beware of Idolatry to haue no other sauiours but Christ alone for he onely is the mediator betweene God and man And so was he also hanged commending hys soule to God and afterward layd in the fire and burned The people hauing diuers iudgementes vpon hym some sayd he dyed an hereticke some sayd he was a good man Ex Henr. Pantal. lib. 19. an 1543. Â Two monkes of the house of S. Austen in Rome At Rome Ann. 1554. Furthermore in the same Cittye of Rome Two Augustine MoÌks Martyrs and about the same time in the Monastery of Saint Austen were found two Monkes in their Celles with theyr tonges and theyr heades cut of onely for rebukyng the immoderate outragious excesse of the Cardinals as witnesseth Manlius Suche was the cruelty then of the malignant aduersaryes Ex Ioan. Manl. in dictis Phil. Melanct The Senate of Millain Franciscus Gamba Franciscus Gamba martyr At the City of ComuÌ in the dioces of Millian Ann. 1554. Fraunces Gamba borne in the Cittye of Brixia in Lobardie after he had receaued the knowledge of the gospell went to Geneua to conferre about certain necessary affayres with them that were wise learned in that Church which was about the time wheÌ the Lordes Supper there was administred at Penticoste Who there also at the same tyme did communicate with them Afterwarde in hys returning home as he was passing ouer the Lake of Come hee was taken brought to Come and and there coÌmitted to ward During the tyme of which imprisonment diuers and sondry as well nobles as others with Doctors also especially priestes and monkes resorted vnto hym laboring by all maner of meanes The blynde iudgement of the world in Gods matters most fayre promises to reduce him froÌ his opinions which semed to some but phantasies comming of some humors to some they semed vncatholicke or hereticall But hee constantly disputing w t them by the manifest scriptures declared the opinions whiche he defended not to be any vayn speculations or imaginary phantasies of mans doting brayne but y e pure verity of God and y e euident doctrine of Christ Iesus expressed in hys word necessary for all men to beleue also to maintayn vnto death and therefore for hys part rather then he would be found false to Christ his word he was there ready not to deny but to stand to Christs Gospel to the effusion of hys bloud Thus when he coulde in no wise be reclaymed froÌ y e doctrine of trueth letters came from the Senate of Millain that he should be executed w t death Which execution as they of Comum were about to prepare in y e mean while came other letters from Geneua writteÌ by the Emperours Ambassadour and other nobles of Millain by y e which letters his death was delayed for a tyme till at length other letters were sent from the Senate againe of Millain requiring execution of y e sentence Neuertheles through intercession of his friendes one weekes respite more was graunted hym to proue whether he might be wonne agayne to the popes Church that is to say lost from God Thus he being mightely long assayled both by friendes by enemies terrified Patience in persecution yet by no perswasions would be expugned but gaue thankes to God y t hee was made worthy to suffer the rebukes of this world and cruell death for the testimonye of hys sonne and so went he chearfully vnto hys death Then came certayn Franciscan Fryers to hym to heare his confession whiche he refused Also they brought in theyr handes a crosse for him to behold to keep hym from desperation at the feeling of the fire But hys mynde he sayd was so replenished with ioy and comforte in Christ that he needed neither their Crosse nor theÌ After this as he was declaring manye comfortable things to the people of the fruition of those heauenly ioyes aboue whiche God hath prepared for hys because he should speake no more to the people hys tongue was bored thorough and so immediately beyng tyed to the stake there was straÌgled till he was dead euery man there geuing testimony Frances Gamba his tongue bored thorough which saw hys constancie that he dyed a good man Ex Epistola cuiusdam Nobilis Comensis apud Henr. Pantal. Lib. 10. Celium Pope Paulus the 4. The Magistrates of Venice Pomponius Algerius At Rome Ann. 1555. Pomponius Algerius borne in Capua Pomponius Algerius martyr a young man of great learning was student in the Uniuersitie of Padua where hee not beyng able to conceale and keepe close the veritie of Christes Gospell whiche he learned by the heauenlye teaching of Gods grace ceased not both by doctrine and example of lyfe to informe as many as he could in the same doctrine and to bring them to Christ. For the whiche he was accused of heresie to Pope Paulus the fourth Who sending immediately to the Magistrates of Uenice caused hym to be apprehended at Puada caryed to Uenice where hee was long deteyned in prison bandes till at last the Pope commaunded y e Magistrates there to send hym vp bouÌd vnto Rome which the Uenetians eftsoones accomplished After he was broughe to Rome manifolde perswasions and allurementes were assayed to remoue the vertuous and blessed younge man from hys sentence But when no worldly perswasions could preuayle against the operation of Gods spirit in hym then was hee adiudged to be burned aliue which death most constaÌtly he susteyned to the great admiration of all that beheld
to his brethren all the poynts of hys commission and opened vnto them how many and great errours they were in into the which their olde Ministers whome they called * These were their ministers for lacke of better vntill they came to more sincere knowledge which enstructed theÌ most commonly by night abroade in caues and quarries for feare of persecution Of these Calabrians Vide infra Barbes that is to say Uncles had broughte them leading them from the right way of true Religion When the people heard this they were moued with such a zeale to haue their Churches reformed that they sent for the moste ancient brethren the chiefest in knowledge and experience of all Calabria Apulia to consult wyth them touching the reformation of y e Church This matter was so handled that it stirred vp the bishops priests monkes in all Prouince Ioan. de Roma a wretched persecutor with greate rage against them Amongest other there was one cruel wretch called Iohn de Roma a monke who obtaining a commissioÌ to examine those that were suspected to be of y e Waldois or Lutheran profession forthwith ceased not to afflict the faithful with all kinde of cruelty y t he could deuise or imagine Amongest other most horrible torments The cruelty of a Papist this was one which he most delighted in and most commoÌly practised He filled bootes with boiling grece put them vpon their legs tying them backeward to a forme with their legges hanging downe ouer a small fire and so he examined them Thus he tormeÌted very many and in the ende most cruelly put them to deathe Michelottus Serra W. Melius Martirs The first whome hee thus tormented were Michelottus Serra and W. Melius with a number moe Wherfore Fraunces the French king being informed of the strange and outragious cruelty of this hellish monke sent letters to the high Courte or Parlament of Prouince y e foorthwith he should be apprehended by forme of proces and order of law he should be condemned aduertisement sent vnto him w t all spede or his condemnation The monke being aduertised heereof by his frendes conueyed himselfe to Auinion where hee thought to enioy the spoylings which he like a notorious thefe had gotten by fraud extortion from the pore Christians But shortly after he which had so shamefully spoiled other was spoiled of altogether by his owne houshold seruants Wherupon shortly after he fell sicke of a most horrible disease straunge and vnknowen to any Phisition The iust iudgement of God against a cruell persecutor So extreme were the paines torments wherwith he was continually vexed in al his body that no oyntment no fomeÌtation nor any thing els could ease him one minute of an houre Neither was there any man that could tary neare about him ne yet wold any of his owne frendes come neare to him so greate was the stinch that came from him For the which cause he was caried from the Iacobines to an hospitall there to be kepte But the stinche infection so encreased that no man durst there come neare him no nor he himself was able to abide the horrible stinch that ishued from his body full of vlcers and sores and swarming with vermin and so rotten that the flesh fell away from the bones by peecemeale Whiles he was in these torments and anguish he cried out ofteÌtimes in great rage Oh who wil deliuer me who will kill and rid me out of these vntolerable paines which I know I suffer for the euils and oppressions that I haue done to the poore men And he himselfe went about diuers times to destroy hymselfe but hee had not the power In these horrible torments and anguish and fearfull dispaire A spectacle to all persecutors this blasphemer and most cruel homicide moste miserably ended his vnhappye daies and cursed life as a spectacle to all persecutors receiuing a iust reward of his crueltye by y e iust iudgement of God When he was dead there was no man y t would come nere him to bury him but a yong nouice newly come to his order in steade of a more honorable sepulture caught hold w t a hooke vpon his stinking carian drew him into a hole hard by which was made for hym After the death of this cruell monster the bishop of Aix The Bishop of Aix Perionet his Officiall Meiranus cruell persecutors by his Officiall Perionet continued the persecution put a great multitude of them in prison of whom some by force of torments reuolted from the truth the others which coÌtinued constant after he had condemned theÌ of heresy were put into the hands of the ordinary iudge which at y â time was one Meiranus a notable cruel persecutor who with out any forme of proces or order of law such as the Official had pronouÌced to be heretikes he put to death with most cruell tormeÌts But shortly after he receiued a iust reward of his crueltie in like maner After the deathe of the good President Cusinetus An other exaÌple of Gods terrible iudgement vppon a persecutor the Lord of Reuest being chief President of the Parliament of Aix put many of the faithful to death Who afterwarde being put out of his office returned to his house of Reuest where he was stroken with such an horrible sicknesse that for the fury and madnes which he was in hys wife or any that were about him durst not come neare him and so hee dying in this fury and rage was iustly plagued for his vnmercifull and cruell dealing After him succeded Barthol Cassaneus likewise a pestilent persecutor An other exaÌple of Gods iudgement vpon Cassaneus a bloudy persecutor whom God at length stroke with a fearful sodeine death In the time of this tyran those of Merindol in the persone often were cited personally to appeare before y e kings atturny But they hearing that y e court had determined to burn them w tout any further processe or order of law durst not appeare at y e day apointed For which cause the court awarded a cruel senteÌce against Merindol A bloudy decree against the Merindolians condemned al the inhabitants to be burned both men women sparing none no not the litle children infantes the towne to be rased their houses beaten downe to the grouÌd also the trees to be cut down as wel oliue trees as al other and nothing to be left to the entent it shuld neuer be inhabited again but remaine as a desert or wildernesse This bloudye arrest or Decree seemed so straunge and wonderfull that in euery place throughout all Prouince there was great reasoning and disputation coÌcerning the same especially among the aduocates and men of lerning vnderstanding in so muche that many durst boldly openly say that they greatly marueiled how that Court of parlameÌt could be so mad or so bewitched to giue out such an arrest so
or wrong and they answered no for the most part of them were such men The Popes churchmen worse then the olde Pharisies Then sayd the Lord Beauieu euen so is it with the bishops and priests which I haue spoken of for they are suche kinde of men or rather worse and I so abhorre their filthy and abhominable life that I dare not speake the one halfe of that which I know and therfore in speaking the truth to coole the babling of a harlot I do them no iniurie Then monsieur de Senas an auncient counsailor sayd let vs leaue of this contentious talke for we are here asseÌbled come together to make good chere And afterwarde he said monsieur de Beauieu for the loue and amity which I beare vnto you I will aduertise you of 3. things which if you will do you shall finde great ease therein The first is that you neither by worde nor deede aide or assist those which you heare to be Lutheranes Secondly y t you do not entermeddle openly to reproue ladies and gentlewomen for their pastime and pleasures Thirdly that you doe neuer speake against the life and liuing of * ChurchmeÌ be they neuer so euill must not be spoken against 1. Par. 16. Priests howe wicked so euer it be according to this saying Do not touch mine annoynted To whom monsieur Beauieu answered as touching y e first poynt I know no Lutherans neither what is meant by this word Lutheranisme except you do call them Lutherans which professe the doctrine of the gospel Neither yet will I euer allowe any Arrest which shall be geuen out to death against men whose cause hath not bene heard especially against women and yong infantes and I am assured that there is no Court of parliament in all Fraunce which will approoue or allowe any such arrest And where as you say that I shuld not meddle to reproue ladies or geÌtlewomen if I knewe any kinswoman of mine which would abandone her selfe vnto a priest or clerke How priests harlots should be handled yea albeit he were a cardinal or bishop I would not do her so much honor as to rebuke her therfore but at the least I would cutte of her nose And as touching priestes as I am contented not to meddle with their busines so likewise I will not that they meddle with mine heereafter or come from henceforth w tin my house For as many as I shall finde or take there I wil set their crownes so nere their sholders that they shal nede no more to weare any hoodes about their necks The like also said the President Chassanee Then the byshop of Aix his sweete heart Well spokeÌ and like an harlot which had begon the quarell said I shal not be in quiet except I speake yet one word more vnto monsieur Beauieu Do you think sayd she vnto hym that all the Cardinals Byshops Abbots Priestes and all those holy religious men which goe oftentimes to gentlemens houses and haunte the Castels and palaces of Princes and noblemen that they go thither to commit wickednesse Also you must not thinke euil of al those ladies and gentlewemen that go to Bishops houses of deuotion and for to reueale those whome they know to be Lutherans as it was commaunded in the pulpitte vppon payne of Excommunication If so be you will maintaine those wordes I will not cease to accuse you of crime and also of Treason both to God and to man for heere be those in this companie which shall make you geue an accompt thereof Shee had not so soone ended her talke but Monsieur Beauieu sayde vnto her auaunte O Herodias As Heropias wrought the death of Iohn Baptist âo this strââpeâ seeke the death of the Meâââdolians two strumpet well compared togeather thou filthy and impudent harlot is it thy part to open thy mouth to talke in this coÌpany Doest thou well vnderstaÌd and knowe what treason to God and man meaneth Iâhn Baptist so this strumpet seeke the death of the Merindoliâââ two stâumpet will compared togeather Is it not sufficient for thee to be as thou arte but thou must sollicite other to shed innocent bloude With these words the Gentlewoman was somewhat amased All men thought that this talke had bene at an end and euery man began to inuent some mery communication that the former matter should be no more talked of At the last the gentlewoman aduising her self and thinking that she was to much iniured to be sayd that she weÌt about to shed the innocent bloud she brake of al their talk and with a loud voice sayde Monsieur Beauieu if I were a man God seÌdeth a ãâ¦ã shorte ãâã as I am a woman I would offer you the combate to prooue that I am no such manner of woman as you say I am that I desire to shed innocent bloud Do you call the bloude of these wicked men of Merindoll innocent bloud True it is that I desire and offer with my whole power that these naughty packes of Merindol such like as they are shoulde be slaine and destroyed from the greatest euen vnto the least The cruell hart of an harlot And for to see the beginning of thys worke I haue emploied all my credite and all my frends and do not spare neither body nor goods to worke the ruine destruction of these people and to rase out and to deface their memorie from amongest men Doe you then Monsieur Beauieu call the slaughter of these Lutherans the effusion of innocent bloude And say you what you will I wil not refraine for no man liuing to goe either by day eyther by night vnto the houses of Bishops in all * The visor oâ honestye on a harlots face honesty and honor for the deuotion which I beare vnto our holy * Like mother like daughter mother the church and also I wil receiue into my house all religious men to coÌsult and deuise the meanes how to put these Lutherans to death But as Monsieur Beauieu tooke no more regarde vnto her talke so likewise al that were at the table dispraised her and were weary of her prating Then there was a certaine younge gentleman whych merely iesting said vnto her GentlewomaÌ it must nedes be that these poore people vnto whome you doe wish thys cruell death OderuÌt me gratis Iohn 15. haue done you some great displeasure Then sayd she I may well take an othe that I neuer knewe one of those wretched people neither that I wot of euer sawe any of them And I had rather to meete 10. deuils then one of those naughty knaues for theyr opinions are so detestable that happy and blessed are they which neuer heard tell of them And I was not then wrll aduised at what time by curiositie I seeing the Bishop of Aix so muche troubled and angry that he could not eate nor drinke did desire him and constraine him to tell me the cause thereof Then hee
perceiuing that I would not be wel contented if he should not tel me The Popes clergy caÌnot abiâe honest mariage to dye for it declared vnto me some part of the cause that is to say that there was certaine heretickes whyche spake against our holy mother the churche and amonge other errours they maintained yea to death that all Bishoppes Priests pastors ought to be maried or els to be gelded and hearing this I was maruellously offended and euer since I did hate them to the death And also it was enioyned vnto me by penaunce that I should endeuour with al my power to putte these heretickes to death After these friuolous talkes there was great trouble and debate amongst them and many threatnings which were too long here to describe Querebant Principes sacerdotum ât scribae que modo interficerent Iesum Luke 22. Then the President Chassance and the CouÌcellers parted aside and the Gentlemen went on the other part The Archbishop of Arles the Bishop Aix and diuers Abbots Priors and others assembled them selues together to coÌsult how this Arrest might be executed with all speede entending to raise a newe persecution greater then that of Iohn the Iacobine Monke of Rome For otherwise sayd they our state and honour is like to decay We shall be reprooued contemned and derided of all menne And if none should thus vaunt and set themselues against vs but these pesantes and such lyke it were but a smal matter but many Doctours of Diuinitie and men of the religious order diuers Senatours and Aduocates many wise and well learned men also a great parte of the nobilitie if we may so say and that of great renoume Note how-the Popes church is led not with any conscieÌce of truth but onely with loue of liuinges yea euen of the cheefest Peeres in all Europe begyn to contemne and despise vs counting vs to be no true pastours of the church so that except we see to this mischiefe and prouide for remedie betime it is greatly to be feared least not onely wee shall be compelled to forsake our dignities possessioÌs and liuings which we now wealthely enioy but also the church being spoiled of her pastors and guides shall hereafter come to a miserable ruine and vtter desolation Thys matter therefore now requireth great diligeÌce and circumspection and that withall celeritie Then the Archbishop of Arles not forgetting his Spanish subtilties and pollicies gaue his aduise as foloweth Against the nobilitie we must sayde he take heede that we attempt nothing rashly but rather we must seeke all the meanes we caÌ how to please them for they are our shield our fortresse and defence And albeit we knowe that many of them doe both speake thinke euill of vs and that they are of these new gospellers yet may we not reprooue them to exasperate them in any case but seeing they are too much bent against vs already we must rather seeke how to win them and to make them our frendes againe by giftes and presents and by this pollicie we shall liue in safetie vnder their protection But if wee enterprise any thing againste them sure we are to gaine nothing thereby as we are by experience already sufficiently taught It is well sayd sayth the Byshop of Aix but I canne shew you a good remedy for this disease A butcherly religion which worketh all by bloud We must go about withall our endeuor power and policie and al the frends we canne make sparing no charges but spending goodes wealth and treasure to make suche a slaughter of the Merindolians and rusticall pesantes that none shal be so bold hereafter what soeuer they be yea although they be of the bloud royal once to open their mouthes against vs or the Ecclesiasticall state And to bring this matter to passe wee haue no better way then to withdrawe our selues to Auinion in the which Citie we shal finde many Bishops Abbots and other famous men which will with vs Cathedra Pestilentie employ their whole endeuor to maintaine and vphold the maiestie of our holy mother the Church This counsaile was well liked of them all Wherupon the sayd Archbishop of Arles and the Bishop of Aix went withall speede to Auinion there to assemble out of hand the Bishops and other men of authoritie and credite to entreate this matter In thys pestilent conspiracie the Bishop of Aix a stoute champion and a great defender of the traditions of men taking vppon hym to be the chiefe Oratour beganne in manner as followeth O Yee fathers and brethren An oration of Cateline that is the oration of the Bishop of Aix seditious bloudy Your oblations be against the Scripture Your pilgrimage is Idolatry Your charity is gone in deed wheÌ ye seeke so the bloud of your bretheren Your estimation is Pharisaicall Your iurisdictioÌ is tyrannicall Your ordinaÌces serue not to Christes glory but your owne yee are not ignoraunt that a great tempest is raised vp against the little barke of Christe Iesus nowe in great danger and ready to pearish The storme commeth from the North whereof all these troubles proceede The seas rage the waters rushe in on euery side the windes blowe beate vpon our house and wee without speedy remedy are like to sustaine shippewracke and losse of alltogether For oblations cease pilgrimage and deuotion waxeth colde charitie is cleane gone our estimation and authoritie is abased our iurisdiction decaied and the ordinaunces of the churche despised And wherefore are we sette and ordained ouer nations and kingdomes but to roote out and destroy to subuert and ouerthrow whatsoeuer is against our holy mother the Churche Wherefore let vs now awake lette vs stande stoutly in the right of our owne possession that we may roote out from the memorie of men for euer the whole route of the wicked Lutheranes those Foxes I say whiche destroye the vineyard of the Lorde those great Whales which goe aboute to drowne the little barke of the sonne of God We haue already wel begonne and haue procured a terrible Arrest against these cursed heretickes of Merindoll nowe then resteth no more but onelye the same to be put in execution Let vs therefore employe oure whole endeuour that nothyng happen whych may lette or hinder that we haue so happely begon and lette vs take good heede that our gold and siluer do not witnesse agaynst vs at the day of iudgement if we refuse to bestowe the same The day shall come when men shal thinke they do a good sacryfice to God in putting you to death Iohn 16. that we may make so good a sacrifice vnto God And for my parte I offer to wage furnishe of mine owne costes and charges a 100. men well horsed with al other furniture to them belonging and that so long vntill the vtter destruction and subuersion of these wretched and curssed caitiffes be fully performed and finished This Oration pleased the whole multitude sauing one doctor of
diuinitie a frier Iacobine named Bassinet who then answered againe with this Oration This is a weyghty matter sayd he and of great importaunce The oration of Bassinet answering to the Byshop of Aix We muste therefore proceede wisely and in the feare of God and beware that we do nothing rashly For if we seeke the deathe and destruction of these poore and miserable people wrongfully wheÌ the King and the Nobilitie shall heare of suche an horrible slaughter we shall be in great daunger least they doe to vs as we reade in the Scriptures was done to the priestes of Baal For my parte I must say and vnfainedly confesse that I haue too rashly and lightly signed many processes against those which haue bene accused of hereticall doctrine but nowe I do protest before God whyche seeth and knoweth the hearts of men that seeing the lamentable end and effect of mine assigments I haue had no quietnesse in my conscience considering that the secular iudges at the reporte of the iudgement and sentence geuen by mee and other Doctours my companions haue condemned all those vnto most cruel death whome wee haue iudged to bee heretickes The godly repentance of Bassinet And the cause why in conscience I am thus disquieted is this that now of late since I haue geueÌ my self more diligently to the reading coÌteÌplatioÌ of the holy scriptures I haue perceiued that the most part of those Articles which they that are called Lutheranes doe maintayne are so conformable and agreeing to the Scriptures The testimony of Bassinet for Lutherans that for my part I can no longer gainesay them except I should euen wilfully and maliciously resist and striue against the holy ordinances of God Al be it hetherto to maintaine the honour of our holy mother the Churche and of our holy father the Pope and of our order I haue consented to the opinions doings of the other Doctours as well through ignoraunce as also because I woulde not seeme to attempt any thing against the will and pleasure of the Prelates and Vicares generall But now it seemeth vnto mee that wee ought not any more to proceede in this matter as wee haue done in time past It shall be sufficient to punish them with fines or to banish them which shall speake too intemperately or rashly against the constitutions of the Churche and of the Pope and such as shall be manifestly conuicted by the holy Scriptures to be blasphemers or obstinate heretickes to be condemned to deathe according to the enormity of the crimes or errours or els to perpetuall prisone And this my aduise and counsaile I desire you to take in good part With this counsaile of Bassinet al the company was offended but especially the Bish. of Aix who lifting vp his voyce aboue all the rest sayd thus vnto hym O thou man of litle faith God and the Pope and the obedience to them two compared together whereof art thou in doubt Doest thou repent thee of that thou haste well done Thou haste tolde heere a tale that smelleth of fagottes and brimstone Is there any differeÌce thinkest thou betwene herisies and blasphemies spoken and mainteined againste the holy Scriptures and opinions holden against our holy mother the Church and contrary to our holy father the Pope a most vndouted and true God in earth Iohn 3. Art thou a maister in Israel and knowest not these things Then said the Bishop of Arles could any man entreat better of the little Barke of Christ Iesus then my Lorde of Aix hath done Then stoode vp Bassinet agayne and made thys Oration It is true that my Lorde the Bishop of Aix hathe very well set out the manners and state of the Clergie An other Oration of Bassinet and hath aptly reprooued the vices and heresies of this present time and therefore so soone as mention was made of the shippe of Christ Iesus it came in my minde first of all of the high Bishop of Hierusalem the Priestes the Doctours of the lawe the Scribes and Phariseys whyche sometime had the gouernaunce of this shippe being ordeined pastours in the Church of God But when they forsooke the lawe of God and serued him with mennes inuentions and traditions he destroyed those Hypocrites in his great indignation and hauing compassion and pitie vppon the people which were lyke sheepe without a shepheard hee sent diligent fishers to fishe for menne faithfull workemen into his haruest and labourers into hys vineyeard which shall all bring foorth true fruites in their season Secondly considering the purpose and entent of the reuerent Lord Bishop of Aix I called to minde the saying of the Apostle in his â Epistle and 4. chapter vnto Timothe That in the latter daies some shall fall away from the faith following after deceitfull spirites and the doctrine of deuils And the Apostle geueth a marke whereby a man shall know them Likewise our Lord Iesus Christ in the 7. chapter of Mathew sayeth That the false Prophetes shall come clothed in sheepes skinnes but inwardly they are rauening Wolues and by their fruites they shall be knowen By these two and diuers such other places it is easy to vnderstand who are they that goe about to drowne this little barke of Christ. False pastors in Christes church described Are they not these which fill the same wyth filthy and vncleane thinges With mire and dirt with puddle and stinking water Are they not those which haue forsaken Iesus Christe the fountaine of liuing water and haue digged vnto them selues pittes or cesternes whych will holde no water Truely euen those they are which vaunt themselues to be the salte of the earth and yet haue no sauour at all which cal them selues pastours yet are nothing lesse then true pastours for they minister not vnto the shepe the true pasture and feeding neither deuide and distribute the true bread of the word of life And if I may be bolde to speake it would it not be at this present as a great wonder to heare a Bishop preache as to see an Asse flie Are not they curssed of God whych glorye and vaunte them selues to haue the keyes of the kingdome of heauen and neither enter in them selues Math. 23. nor suffer them that wold enter to come in They may be knowen right well by their fruites for they haue forsaken faith iudgement and mercy there is no honest cleane or vndefiled thing in them but their habite theyr rochet theyr surplesse and such other Outwardly they are exceeding neat and trimme but wythin they are full of al abhomination rauine gluttonie Take heede of those that come to you in shepes skinnes but inwardly they are rauening Wolues filthy luste and all manner of vncleannesse They are like painted sepulchers which outwardly appeare beautifull faire but wythin they are full of filth and corruption A man shal know I say these rauening Wolues by their fruites which deuour the quicke and the dead
and sower sweete whiche mainteine abhominable and detestable bookes and pictures and reiect that which is holy Then the Bishop of Aix and the other Bishops began to rage and gnashed their teeth against this poore prisoner What neede you said they any more examination let him be sent straight vnto y e fire without any more words But the Iudge Laberius and certaine others were not of that mind neither founde they sufficient cause why to put him to death but went about to haue him put vnto hys fine and to make him confesse acknowledge the Byshop of Aix and other his companions to be the true pastors of the Church But the bookeseller aunswered that he could not do it with a good conscience forsomuch as he did see before his eies y t these Byshops mainteined filthy bookes and abhominable pictures reiecting and refusing the holy bookes of God and therefore he iudged them rather to be the Priests of Bacchus and Uenus then the true pastors of the Church of Christ. Whereupon he was immediately condemned to be burned and the sentence was executed y e very same day A godly bookeseller with two Bibles about his ãâã burned in Auinion And for a signe or token of the cause of hys condemnation he caried two Bibles hanging about hys necke the one before the other behind him but this pore man had also the word of God in his hart in his mouth and ceased not continually by the way vntill that he came to the place of execution to exhort and monish the people to reade the holy Scriptures in so much that diuers were thereby mooued to seeke after the truth The Prelates seeing a great dissention amongst the people of Auinion and that many murmured and grudged against them for the death of this good man and also for the dishonour which they had done vnto the holy Testament of God minding to put the people in a feare they proceeded the next day to make a proclamatioÌ by the sound of a Trumpet Proclamation agaynst French Bibles throughout the whole towne and Countie of Uenice that all such as had any bookes in the French tongue intreating vpon the holy Scriptures should bring them foorth and deliuer them into the hands of the Commissioners appointed for that purpose contrarywise they which had any suche bookes found about them should be put to death Then after that these Prelates had taken aduise to raise great persecution in Uenice the Bishop of Aix returned to prosecute the executioÌ of the arrest against Merindol trauelling earnestly with the President Cassaneus to that effect The Bishop of Aix stirreth vp Cassaneus the President to persecution The aunswere of Cassaneus to the Byshops for Merindoll declaring vnto him the good will of the Prelates of Auinion and Prouince the great affectioÌ they bare both to him and his with many faire promises if he would put the Arrest in execution The President aunswered hym that it was no small matter to put the Arrest of Merindoll in execution Also that the saiyd Arrest was geuen out more to keepe y e Lutheranes in feare which were a great number in Prouince then to execute it in effect as it was conteined in the sayd Arrest Moreouer he said that the arrest of Merindoll was not definitiue and that the lawes and statutes of the realme did not permit y e executioÌ thereof without further processe Then said the Bishop if there he either lawe or statute which doth hinder or let you we cary in our sleeues to dispence therwithall The President answered it were a great sinne to shed the innocent bloud Then sayd the Byshop the bloud of them of Merindoll be vpon vs and vpon our successours Then said the President Sanguis eius super nos filios nostros Math. 27. I am very well assured that if the Arrest of Merindoll be put in execution the kyng will not be well pleased to haue such destruction made of his subiectes Then sayd the Bishop although the kyng at the first do thinke it euil done we will so bring it to passe that within a short space he shall thinke it well done For we haue y e Cardinals on our side specially the most reuerent Cardinall of Tournon the which will take vpoÌ him the defence of our cause The Cardinall of Tournon the oâgane of Antichrist and we can doe him no greater pleasure then vtterly to roote out these Lutheranes so that if we haue any neede of his couÌsaile or ayde we shall be wel assured of him And is not he the principall the most excellent prudeÌt aduersary of these Lutheranes which is in all Christendome By this such other like talke the Byshop of Aix persuaded the PresideÌt Counsellours of the Court of Parliament to put the sayd Arrest in execution and by this meanes through the authoritie of the sayd Court the drum was sounded throughout all Prouince y t Captaines were prepared with their Ensignes displayd The popes army setteth forward toward Merindoll and a great number of footemeÌ and horsemen began to set forward marched out of the towne of Aix in order of battell well horsed and furnished agaynst Merindoll to execute the Arrest The inhabitauntes of Merindoll beyng aduertised hereof and seyng nothyng but present death to be at haÌd with great lamentation commended themselues their cause vnto God by prayer makyng theÌselues ready to be murthered and slayne as sheepe led vnto the butchery Whiles they were at this greeuous distresse pitiously mournyng and lamentyng together The army againe retyred by the meanes of the Lord of Alenc the father with the sonne the daughter with y e mother the wife with the husband sodenly there was newes brought vnto them that the army was retired and no maÌ knew at that tyme how or by what meanes notwithstandyng afterward it was knowen that the Lord of Alenc a wise man learned in the Scriptures in Ciuill law beyng moued with great zeale and loue of iustice declared vnto the PresideÌt Chassanee that he ought not so to proceede agaynst the inhabitantes of Merindoll by way of force of armes contrary to all forme and order of iustice without iudgement or condemnation or without making any differeÌce betwene the gilty the vngilty And furthermore he sayd I desire you my Lord PresideÌt call to remeÌbraunce the counsell which you haue written in your booke A story of excoÌmunycatyng the Rattes for eating vp the corne entituled Catalogus gloriae mundi in the which booke you haue intreated and brought forth the processes whiche were holden agaynst the Rats by the officers of the Court and iurisdiction of the Byshop of Authun For as it happened there was almost through out all the Bailiwyke of Laussois such a great number of Rats that they destroyed and deuoured all the corne of the couÌtrey Wherupon they tooke counsell to send vnto y e Byshop of Authuns Official for
rest and quietnes for a space in so much that euery man feared to goe about to trouble them seyng those which persecuted them did receaue nothyng but shame and confusion as it dyd manifestly appeare The sodeine death of a persecutor not onely by the suddeyne death of the President Chassanee but also many other of the chiefest Counsellers of the Parliament of Prouince whose horrible end terrified many but specially y e strauÌge and fearefull exaÌple of that bloudy tyran Iohn de Roma set out as a spectacle to all persecutours whereof we haue spoken before Thus the Lord repressing the rage of the aduersaries for a tyme stayd the violence and execution of that cruell sentence or Arrest geuen out by the Parliament of Prouince agaynst the MerindoliaÌs vntill Iohn Miniers an exceedyng bloudy tyran began a new persecution This Miniers beyng Lord of Opede neare to Merindoll Minerius a pestilent persecutor without all reasoÌ and measure first began to vexe the poore Christians by pillyng and polyng by oppression extortion getting froÌ them what he could to enlarge his Segnorie or Lordshyp whiche before was very base For this cause he put v. or vi of his owne Tenauntes into a Cisterne vnder the grounde 6. Martirs of Opede and closing it vp there he kept them till they dyed for hunger preteÌding that they were Lutheranes and Uaudoys to haue their goodes and possessions By this and such other practises this wretche was aduauÌced in short space to great wealth and dignitie so at leÌgth became not onely the chief PresideÌt of the high Court of Parliament but also the kynges Lieutenaunt generall in the countrey of Prouince Minerius made the kinges Lieutenant of Prouince in the absence of the Lord Grignan then beyng at the Councell of Wormes in Germany Now therfore seyng no oportunitie to be lacking âo accomplish his deuilish enterprise he employed all his pâwer richesse authoritie not onely to confirme and to reuâue that cruell Arrest geuen out before by the Court of Parâiament but also as a right minister of Sathan hee exceedyngly encreased the cruelty thereof which was already so great that it seemed there could nothyng more be added thereunto And to bryng this mischief to passe he forged a most impudentlye False accusatioÌs and crimes forged vpoÌ the innoceÌt ChristiaÌs geuyng the kyng to vnderstaÌd that they of Merindoll all the countrey neare about to the nuÌber of twelue or fiueten thousand were in the field in armour with theyr Ensigne displayed entendyng to take the Towne of Marseille and make it one of the Cantons of the Switzers And to stay this enterprise The king abused by wicked counsaile he sayd it was necessary to execute the Arrest manu militari and by this meanes he obteyned the Kings letters patents thorough the helpe of the Cardinall of Tournon commaunding the sentence to be executed against the Merindolians notwithstanding that the King had before reuoked the sayde sentence and geuen straight commaundement that it should in no wise be executed as before is mentioned After this he gathered all the Kynges armey whyche was then in Prouince ready to go agaynst the Englishmen and tooke vp all besides that were able to beare armour in the chiefest Townes of Prouince and ioyned them with the armey which the Popes Legate had leuied for that purpose in Auinion and all the countrey of Uenice and employed the same to the destruction of Merindoll Cabriers and other Townes and Uillages to the number of xxij geuing commission to his souldiours to spoile ransacke burne and to destroy altogether and to kill man woman and child without all mercy sparing none no otherwise then the Infidels and cruell Turkes haue dealt with the Christians as before in the story of the Turkes you may reade For as the Papistes and Turkes are like in their Religion so are the sayd Papistes like or rather exceede them in all kindes of cruelty that can be deuised But this Arch-tyrant before he came to Merindoll ransackt and burnt certaine townes namely La Roche S. Stephens Uillelaure Lormarin La Motte Cabrierettes S. Martin Pipin 8. townes with the most parte of the people destroyed for true religion and other places mo notwithstanding that the Arrest extended but only to Merindol Where the most of the poore inhabitants were slaine and murthered without any resistance womeÌ and maydens rauished women with child and little infants borne and to be borne were also most cruelly murthered Horrible cruelty vpon women young infantes the pappes of many women cut off which gaue sucke to their children which looking for sucke at their mothers brest being dead before died also for hunger There was neuer such crueltie and tirannie seene before The Merindolians seeing all on a flaming fire round about them left their houses and fled into the woods and remained that night at the Uillage Sanfales and thereaboutes in wonderfull feare and perplexitie for the Bishop of Cauaillon deputie to the Bishop of Romes Legate had appointed certaine Captaines to go and slay them The next day they went a little further hiding theÌselues in woods for there was daunger on euery side and Miniers had commaunded vnder paine of death that no maÌ should ayde them by any meanes but that they should be slaine without pitie or mercy wheresoeuer they were found The same Proclamation was of force also in the Bishop of Romes dominions thereby and it was sayde that the Bishops of that countrey did finde a great part of the army Wherefore they went a tedious and a paynefull iourney carieng their children vpon their shoulders and in their armes and in their swadling clothes and many of them also being great with child were constreined so to do And when they were come to the place appointed thether was already resorted a great number which had lost their goodes and saued themselues by flight Not long after it was shewed them how that Miniers was comming with all his power to giue the charge vpon them This was in y e euening and because they should go thorough rough and combersome places and hard to passe by they all thought it most expedient for their safegard to leaue behinde them all the women and children with a few other and among them also certeine Ministers of the Church the residue were appointed to go to the towne of Mussie And this did they vpon hope that the enemie would shew mercy to the multitude of women and children A lamentable separatioÌ of the MerindoliaÌs froÌ their wyues and children being destitute of all succour No toung can expresse what sorrow what teares what sighing what lamentation there was at that wofull departing when they were compelled to be thus separated asuÌder the husband from his deare wife the father from his sweete babes and tender infants the one neuer like to see the other againe aliue Notwithstanding after the Ministers had ended their ordinary Sermons with
ought to vanishe the sayde Waldoys which mainteined not the Popes religion alleging that he could not suffer such a people to dwell within his dominion without preiudice and dishonour to the Apostolique Sec. Also that they were a rebellious people against the holy ordinaunces and decrees of their holy mother the Churche And briefly that he might no longer suffer the said people being so disobedient stubbern against the holy father if he would in dede shew him selfe a louing and obedient sonne Such deuilishe instigations were the cause of these horrible and furious persecutions wherewith this poore people of the valleys and the Countrey of Piemont was so long vexed And because they foresawe the great calamities which they were like to suffer to find some remedy for the same if it were possible al the saide Churches of Piemont with one common consent wrote to the duke declaring in effect that the onely cause why they were so hated and for the which he was by their enemies so sore incensed against them was their religion which was no newe or light opinion but that wherein they and their auncitours had long coÌtinued being wholy grounded vpon the infallible worde of God conteined in the olde and new Testament Notwithstanding if it might be prooued by the same worde that they held any false or erroneous doctrine they would submit them selues to be reformed with all obedience But it is not certaine whether thys aduertisemente was deliuered vnto the Duke or no for it was sayde that he woulde not heare of that Religion But howe so euer it was in the moneth of March following there was great persecution raised against the poore Christians which wer at Carignan Amongest whom there were certaine godly persones taken burnt within foure daies after that is to saye one named Mathurine and his wife Mathurin his wife Iohn de Carquignan Martyrs and Iohn de Carquignan dwelling in the valley of Luserne taken prisoner as he went to the market at Pignerol The woman died with great constancie The good man Iohn de Carquignan had ben in prison diuers times before for religion and was alwaies deliuered by Gods singulare grace and prouidence But seeing him selfe taken this last time incoÌtineÌt he said he knew that God had now called him Both by the way as he went and in prison and also at his death he shewed an inuincible coÌstancie and maruelous vertue aswel by the pure confession which hee made touching the doctrine of saluation as also in suffering with patience the horrible torments which he endured both in prison also at his death Many at that time fled away others being afraid of that great crueltie and fearing man also more then God looking rather to the earth then vnto heaueÌ consented to returne to the obedience of the Church of Rome Within fewe daies after Persecution beginnerh in the Valleys these Churches of the sayde Waldoys that is to say Le Larch Meronne Meane and Suse were woonderfully assaulted To recite all the outrage crueltie and villany that was there coÌmitted it were too long for breuities sake we will recite onely certaine of the principal and best knowen The Churches of Meane Suse suffered great afflictions Their minister was taken amongst other Many fled away and their houses and goodes were ransackt and spoiled The Minister of Meane Martyr The Minister was a good a faithfull seruaunt of God and endued with excellent giftes and graces who in the ende was put to moste shamefull and cruell death The great pacience which hee shewed in the middes of the fire greatly astonished the aduersaries Likewise the Churches of Larche and Meronne were marueilouslye tormented and afflicted For some were taken and sent to the galleis other some consented yelded to the aduersaries and a great number of them fled away It is certainly knowen Gods secret iudgements vpoÌ them that shrinke from his truthe that those which yeelded to the aduersaries were more cruelly haÌdled then the others which coÌtinued constant in the truth Wherby God declareth howe greatly he detesteth all such as play the Apostataes and shrinke from the truth But for the better vnderstanding of the beginning of this horrible persecution against the Waldoys heere note that first of all proclamations were made in euery place that none should resort to the Sermons of the Lutherans but should liue after the custome of the Churche of Rome vpon paine of forfaiture of their goods and to be condemned to the Galleyes for euer or loose their liues Three of the most cruel persons that could be founde Cruell persecutors Thomas Iacomell a cruell Apostata were appoynted to execute this coÌmission The first was one Thomas Iacomel a Monke and Inquisitour of the Romish faith a man worthy for suche an office for hee was an Apostata and had renounced the knowen truth and persecuted mortally and malitiouslye the poore Christians againste his owne conscience and of set purpose as his bookes do sufficiently witnesse He was also a whoremonger and geuen ouer to al other villanies and filthy liuing and in the horrible sinne of Sodomitrie which he coÌmonly vsed he passed all his fellowes Briefly The rigorous handling of the Waldoys he was nothing els but a mis-shapen monster both against God and nature Moreouer he so afflicted and tormented the poore captiues of the sayd Waldoys by spoiling robbery and extortion that he deserued not only to be hanged but to be broken vpon y e whele a hundred times and to suffer so many cruell deathes if it were possible so great so many and so horrible were the crimes that he had committed The seconde was the Collaterall Corbis who in the examination of the prisoners was very rigorous cruell for he only demaunded of them whether they would go to the masse or be burnt within three dayes and in very dede executed his sayings But it is certainly reported Martyrs that hee seeing the constancie and hearing the confession of the pore Martyrs feeling a remorse and tormented in conscience protested that he would neuer meddle any more The thirde was the Prouost de la Iustice a cruell and crafty wretch accustomed to apprehende the poore Christians either by night or early in the morning or in the high way going to the market and was commonly lodged in the valley of Luserne or there aboutes Thus the poore people were alwayes as the seely sheepe in the Woolues iawes or as the shepe which are ledde vnto the slaughter house At that season one named Charles de Comptes of the valley of Luserne and one of the Lordes of Angrongne wrote to the sayde Commissioners to vse some leuitie towardes them of the valley of Lusern By reason whereof they were a while more gently entreated then the rest At that season the monks of Pignerol theyr associates tormented greeuously the churches neare about them The cruell Monkes of Pigneroll They tooke the poore Christians as
alleging certain reasons to perswade him so to do Whereunto the minister answeared that he was bound to God and his church and if it seemed conuenient to the ministers and people that he should go he would be content to do the same and therof he promised to send him aunswere immediately with the which aunswere he seemed to be contented Shortly after the foresayd Lord not tarying for an auÌswere sent his army to the temple of S. Laurence in Angrongne pretendyng to sing a Masse there sodenly the souldiours besieged the Ministers house The Minister beyng warned therof assayed to escape The souldiers attempted nothyng by force but vsed geÌtle perswasions to the contrary for there were not yet many of them But the Minister pushed on further the souldiers folowed him halfe a myle but fearyng the people durst go no further The Minister withdrew himselfe into the rockes vpoÌ the mouÌtaine accompanied with v. other The army was by by at his heeles The minister of AngroÌgne pursued of the souldiers sought a good while in the houses and cotages on euery side cruelly handlyng the people whom they tooke to make theÌ coÌfesse where their Minister was spoylyng their houses takyng some prisoners beatyng other some but yet they could not learne of them where their Minister was At the leÌgth they espyed him amoÌgest the rockes where they thought to haue enclosed him so they pursued him in y e rockes all couered with snow vntill it was night could not take him Then they returned spoyled his house and diligently searched out all his bookes writynges The ministerâ house spoyled and caried them to the Lord of Trinitie in a sacke who caused them al to be burnt in his presence supposing as it well appeared that y e letters which he had sent to Angrongne touchyng the agreemeÌt should be with the rest burnt for he did not the lyke in the other Ministers houses 40 houses in Angrongne spoyled That day they spoyled fourtie houses in AngroÌgne broke their mylles and caried away all the corne and meale that they found About midnight the souldiours returned with torch-light to the Ministers house to seeke him searched euery corner The next mornyng commaundement was geuen to the rulers of Angrongne that within xxiiij houres they should deliuer their Minister or els AngroÌgne to be put to the fire sword The Rulers aunswered that they could not so do for they knew not where he was and the souldiours had chased him ouer the mountaine After certaine dayes wheÌ the souldiours had burned houses spoyled the people broken their mylles done what mischief they could the army retired Notwithstandyng the Lord of Trinitie left garrisons in the forenamed Fortresses but all at y e costes and charges of the Waldoys the which garrisons not contented with their wages spoyled continually Upon a night v. souldiers went with torches to a rich mans house of Angrongne spoyled the same The good man of the house hardly escaped with life Gods holy protection in sauing his seruant by the top of the house for there were xij pellets shot of at him Whereof one touched his face stroke his hat from his head without any further hurt The Rulers of Angrongne whiche were gone to the Fortresse to cary thether victuals and money Two rulers of Angrongne beaten almost to death for not kneeling to the Masse were by the souldiours receiued in despite of them the people caused a Masse to be song before them and forced them to be present at it and because they would not kneele downe to it they were beateÌ almost to death The one of them was sent agayne for more money the other with great perill of his lyfe lept ouer the walles and beyng pursued to Angrongne escaped Certaine dayes after a certaine coÌpany of souldiours came vnto the midst of AngroÌgne as though they would haue passed through and called for meate and drinke The poore men brought that they had vnto theÌ in a close court WheÌ they had eaten and drunken Cruelty shewed for kindnes they caused the women to auoyde then bounde xiiij of those which had brought theÌ victuals by ij and ij together led them away Their wiues children perceiuyng this Note how God did blesse his seruantes standing in their owne defence so fiercely pursued them with stones that they were fayne to let go x. of their prisoners for hast had much ado to saue them selues The other iiij they led away to the Fortresse of the which two were ransomed the other two were haÌged vp by the feete the handes hauyng tormented them almost to death they released them for a great summe of money Two Martyrs of Angrongne The one of the which dyed the next night the other lay sicke without hope of lyfe long tyme after and his flesh fell from his handes and his feete and therof he became lame and after that his fingers fell of also In like manner did the other garrisons entreate the villages adioyning vnto them The garrison of Tour of Uillars beyng assembled together in a night went to Tailleret to the place called Bouuets breakyng in at the windowes and toppes of the houses breakyng open the doores sackyng spoylyng all that they could lay handes of tooke also xiiij prisoners and bound them two two together by the armes and so led them to the Fortresse of Tour. But two which were escaped whiles the souldiers were taking other set vpon them which led the prisoners Note againe how God blesseth his people staÌding to their defence against the bloudy Papistes Two Martyrs A barbarous kinde of toâment vsed agaynst a Martyr of the Loâd called Odul Gemet by âhe cruell Papistes and so valiantly assaulted beat them with stones that they forced them to let go xij of the prisoners the which tumbling and rolling themselues downe the mountaine hauing their hands bound behinde their backes and fastened two and two together by the armes were contented rather so to dye then to be caried to the Fortresse and yet in the ende they escaped The other two which were led to the Fortresse were cruelly tormented and in the end the one of them the Captayne strangled with his owne handes who was very young and but a child the other which was about threescore yeares of age whose name was Odull Gemet suffered a strange cruel death For when they had bound him they toke a kynde of beastes which liue in horsedoung called in French Escarbotz and put them vnto his nauell couering them with a dishe the which within short space pearced into his belly and killed him These and the like more then barbarous cruelties haue bin reuealed by the souldiours themselues The poore Waldoys were yet in great captiuitie and distresse but especially because they had not the preaching of Gods word amongst them as they were wont to haue
that people and are confounded and their Religion brought in disdayne Thus God beateth down those which exalte themselues aboue measure and maketh his aduersaries to fall into the pits whiche they themselues haue made Let vs pray vnto him therefore that it would please him likewise to stretch out his puissaunt arme at this day to maintayne his poore Church now afflicted and to confound all the deuises of Sathan and his members to the aduauncement of his glory and kyngdome ¶ The conclusion of the story And thus hast thou ChristiaÌ reader for thy erudition and comfort the story and doyngs The conclusioÌ of the story of Merindoll Angrongne Merindoll and Cabriers in Prouince vnder the FreÌche king discoursed concernyng these two countreys both of Prouince also of Piemont the one beyng subiect vnder the dominion of Fraunce the other beloÌgyng to the Duke of Sauoy In the which two foresayd regions and countreys how long the Gospell of Christ hath continued eueÌ from the tyme of the first Waldenses the history it selfe declareth Furthermore what iniuries and wronges haue bene done agaynst them for the Gospels sake Angrongne and others in Piemont vnder the Duke of Sauoy The cruelty of the aduersaryes The patience of the Martyrs what rigour and cruelty hath bene shewed of the aduersary part agayn for their part what pacience in their sufferyng what constancie in their doctrine what truth in their wordes and simplicitie in their deedes what obedience toward their Magistrates and fayth toward God they haue vsed finally how miraculously and mightily God hath fought for his people and confounded the enemyes the sayd history may geue thee full knowledge and experience Wherein this thou hast moreouer for thy more learnyng to note and to consider with thy selfe besides many other memorable thinges in this story conteined how vnwillyng this people were at first what remorse of conscience they had for their obedience toward their Magistrates to lift vp any haÌd or finger for their owne defence And therfore many of them beyng slayne cruelly murthered as willingly offeryng their throates without any resistaunce to the cruell handes of their enemyes the rest were coÌpelled to flye into the mountaines beyng spoyled of house vittaile weapon onely to saue their poore liues with flying TheÌ they which are in Iewry let theÌ flye into the Mountaines Luke 21. whiche otherwise they would not with resisting in rockes caues thinking there rather to perish by famine then to vse that defence for theÌselues which nature geueth to euery brute beast to helpe it selfe as it may agaynst violeÌce iniury Yet these poore Waldoys refusing all resistaunce laying downe their own weapon for obedience sake yea not liftyng vp their own handes to defend their owne heades onely vsed the poore shift of flying froÌ their enemies till at leÌgth the rage of those bloudy persecutours satisfied with no bloud nor contented with any reason ceased not still most furiously to infest them yea to take also the mountaines froÌ them which had taken from them their houses before neither yet permittyng them to liue with the wild beastes in the desert whiche could not liue in their townes at home till at length by extreme necessitie the prouideÌce of God so workyng with them The Waldois compelled to defeÌd theÌselues they were coÌpelled to turne their faces to take those weapoÌs which the grounde gaue to their handes And with those stones so marueilously the God of hostes wrought for his people that they beat vaÌquished ouerthrew their aduersaries they coÌfouÌded their pride they abated their malice at last stayd the intollerable rage of their persecutioÌ So mercyfully and victoriously the Lorde God omnipotent fought with his people Note how the Lord blessed the Waldois standing to their owne defence or rather for his people they but turning almost their faces vnto their enemies no otherwise then he fought in times before with Iosue agaynst the heathen with the Israelites against the Phelistians with the Macabees against Antiochus and the Sirians This hystorie caryeng with it a true narration of things done in the sayd country of Piemont and written as it semeth by certayne of the Ministers whiche were at the doyng thereof with the like faith and simplicitie we haue collected partly out of the Italian partly out of the French tongue for in both the languages it is written although in the French tongue Ex Histor. Gallica Italica it is much more largely discoursed which booke most principally heerein we haue followed The title whereof thus beginneth Histoire des persecutions Guerres faites contre le peuple appellé Vaudois c. Now that we haue finished these forreine Histories concerning suche matters as haue bene passed in other Realmes and nations of Germanie Italie Spaine Fraunce and Sauoy consequently it remayneth after this degresse to returne and reduce our story againe to our owne countrey matters heere done and passed at home after that first we shall haue added one forreine storie more concerning y e Martyrdome of a Christian Iewe which suffered about these yeares in Constantinople among the Turkes in this wise as foloweth ¶ The story of a christian Iew in Constantinople martyred by the Turkes A Christian Iewe Martyr Persecutors Martyrs The causes The Turkes of ConstaÌtinople A Iew christened and Martyred At Constantinople An. 1528. TO these forreyne Martyrs aforesayd we wil also adioine the Hystorie of a certayne Iew who in the yeare of oure Lorde 1528. dwelling in the Citie of ConstaÌtinople and there receyuing the sacrament of Baptisme was conuerted and became a good Christian When the Turkes vnderstoode heereof Anno. 1528. they were vehemently exasperated agaynste hym that he forsaking his Iewishnes should bee regenerate to the faith of Christ and fearing least his conuersion shoulde be a detrimente to theyr Mahometicall lawe they sought meanes howe to put hym to deathe whiche in shorte tyme after they accomplished And for the greater infamie to be done vnto the man they cast his dead corps into the streetes commanding that no man should be so hardy as to bury the same The Martyrdome of a Christian Iewe. HAuing thus comprehended the troubles and persecutions of such godly Saintes and blessed Martyrs which haue suffered in other foreine nations aboue mentioned heere now endyng with them and beginning the eyght booke we haue God willing to returne agayne to our owne matters The contents of the booke folowing and to prosecute such Actes and recordes as to our owne countrey of England do appertayne In the proees whereof among many other thyngs may appeare the maruelous worke of Gods power and mercy in suppressing and banishing out of thys Realme the long vsurped supremacie of the Pope also in subuerting and ouerthrowing the houses of Monkes and Friers with diuers other matters perteyning to the reformation of Christes true Church and Religion All which things as they haue bene long
for the singulare promptnesse in the Italian toung wherein hee seemed nothing inferior neither to Peter Uanne here in Englande the kings Secretary for the Italian toung nor yet to any other which were the best in that toung in all Uenice For opinion fame of lerning he was so notoriously accepted not onely here in England w t Linacre Grecinus More other but also knowen reported abroad in such sort that in all the great heap of Erasmus Epistles he wrote almost to none so many as he wrote to thys Richard Pacie As the sayde Pacie was resident Ambassadour at Uenice the king hauing warre the same time Richard Pacie Ambassadour at Venice with Fraunces the French king as is afore rehersed through the conducting of the duke of Bourbon whom he then waged w t hys expenses sent commandement to Pacie to geue atteÌdance to the duke of Bourbon The Duke of Bourbon waged with the king of EnglaÌds money concerning the receite of that money and other necessities exploits to that expedition appertaining In the meane while as the French king wyth his army and the Duke of Bourbon were approchyng in battel together neare about the citie of Pauia it so hapned some thinke through the craftie packing of the Cardinall that the kings money was not so ready The Duke of Bourbon disapointed of the kinges money as it was looked for By reason wherof y e duke of Bourbon perceiuing his soldiors about to shrinke from him to the French king for lacke of paiment called to him the Ambassador coÌplaining vnto him how the king of England had deceiued him and broke promise with him to hys great dishonor vtter vndoing c. Pacie then being sure of the kings wil and suspecting the crafty fetch of the Cardinall desired y e duke not to take discomfort nor any diffidence of the Kings assured promise excusing the delay of y e money as wel as he could by intercipation or other causes by the way incident rather then for any lacke of fidelitie on the kings behalfe adding moreouer that if it would please him happely to proceede as he had couragiously begon Richard Pacie helpeth the Duke of BourboÌ with money he should not stay for the kings mony so sure he was of the kings mind therin that he would supply the lacke of that paiment vppon hys owne credite amongest his frendes at Uenice and so did Wherupon the soldiors being sufficieÌtly satisfied with paiment of theyr wages proceeded foorth wyth the Duke vnto the battaile In the which battaile the foresayde French king the same time before the Citie of Pauie Richard Pacie was the meanes why the French king was taken was taken prisoner as is afore declared Which being eftsoones knowen to the king of Englande Pacie had bothe condigne thankes for his faithfull seruice and also his money repaid againe with the vttermost as he wel deserued But as the laude and the renowmed praise of men for theyr woorthy prowesses commonly in this world neuer go vnaccompanied without some priuie canker of enuie and disdaine following after so the singulare industrie of Pacie as it wan much commendation with many so it could not auoyd the secrete sting of some Serpents The Cardinall hated Pacie For the conceiued hatred of this Cardinal so kindled against him that he neuer ceased till first he brought hym out of the kings fauour and at last also out of his perfect wittes The occasion howe hee fell beside hymselfe was thys for that the Cardinall after the death of Pope Adrian hoping no lesse but that he should haue bene aduaunced vnto the Papacie and yet missing thereof hee supposed wyth him selfe the faulte chiefly to rest in Pacies negligence by whose great witte and learning and earnest meanes and sute he thought easily he might haue acheued and compassed the triple crowne Wherfore he seing it otherwise come to passe and inflamed against Pacie for the same wrought such wayes and meanes that by the space almoste of two yeares The Cardinall practiseth against Pacie Pacie continuing at Uenice had neither wrytinge from the king nor his counsaile what he shuld do nor yet any maner of allowaunce for his diet although he wrote and sent letters for the same to England very often for the Cardinall had altogether incensed the king against hym Whereupon the sayd Pacie tooke such an inward thoughte and conceite that his wittes began to faile hym he beynge notwithstanding in such fauour among the Senatours of Uenice Pacie in great credite with the Venetians that neyther for gold nor siluer he could there haue lacked By some it is reported that the Uenitian Legate heere in Englande comming to the Cardinall required if he would commaunde any thyng to the Englishe Ambassadour at Uenice The Cardinall falsely belyeth Pacie To whome he should aunswer agayne in high woordes sayinge Paceus decepit Regem Whyche wordes comming to Pacies eares so deepely pearced hys stomacke that he fel quite besides himself I hard it moreouer of an other thus testified who had a brother the same time dwelling wyth Pacie that the Cardinall aboute the returning of Pacie from Uenice sent him a letter so powdered wyth what spices I can not tell that at the reading therof Pacie then being in the fieldes fell sodenly in such a mighty running for the space of 2 miles that his seruants had much a do to take him and bring him home This pitious case of Pacie was not a litle lamented by the whole Senate and chiefe learned men in Uenice in so much that the king was not onely certified therof by Thomas Lupset who then was chiefe man about Pacie Pacie be straught of his wittes and his Secretarye for that Ambassage but also the sayde Senate of Uenice wrote in such sharpe vehement wise vnto their Ambassador then being in England that he should signifie to the king touching Pacies case that thereby the king knowing the trueth and the whole circumstaunce of the matter was not a litle sorowful therefore Whereupon Pacie was forthwith sent for home and when hee came to England he was commanded by the king to be specially well tended to lacke no keeping In so much that within a small processe of time he was pretely well come agayne to his wittes began to studie the Hebrew tongue wyth Wakefield Pacie pretely recouered so that the Cardinall then being absent suche waies was founde by his frendes that he was brought to the king lying then at Richmond where he and the kynge secretely communed together by the space of 2. houres and more Pacie brought to the kinges speech not wythout greate reioycing to the king as it was perceiued to see him so well amended returned to hymselfe againe geuing likewise strait charge and commaundement that he should lacke nothing The Cardinall being then not present when he heard of this fearing least he had disclosed somewhat to the king
tuum Pasce gregem tuum vt cum venerit Dominus The wordes of Tho. Bilney to Doct. Warner inueniat te sic facientem That is Feede your flocke feede your flocke that when the Lord commeth he may finde you so doing and farewell good M. Doctour and pray for me and so he departed without any answere sobbing and weeping And while he thus stood vpon the ledge at the stake certayne Friers Doctours and Priors of theyr houses beyng there present as they were vncharitably and malitiously present at his examination and degradation The Fryers ãâã Bilny ãâã for them c. came to him and sayd O M. Bilney the people be perswaded that we be the causers of your death and that we haue procured the same and thereupon it is like that they will withdraw theyr charitable almes from vs al except you declare your charity towards vs and discharge vs of the matter Whervpon the sayd Tho. Bilney spake with a loud voyce to the people and sayd I pray you good people be neuer y e worse to these men for my sake as though they should be the authors of my death It was not they and so he ended Then the officers put reed and Fagots about hys body and set fire on the reed which made a very great flame which sparcled and deformed the visour of his face he holding vp his handes and knocking vpon his brest crying sometimes Iesus sometimes Credo Which flame was blowne away froÌ him by the violence of the winde which was that day 2. or 3. dayes before notable great in which it was sayd that the fieldes were maruellously plagued by the losse of corne and so for a litle pause The pacient death Martyrdome of M. Bilney he stoode without flame the flame departing recoursing thrise ere the wood tooke strength to be the sharper to consume him and theÌ he gaue vp the ghost and his body being withered âowed downeward vpon the chayne TheÌ one of the officers with his halbard smite out the staple in the stake behinde him suffered his body to fall into the bottome of the fire laying wood on it and so he was consumed Thus haue ye good readers the true history Martyrdome of this good man that is Saint Bilney of blessed Saint Bilney as M. Latimer doth call him without any recaÌtation testified and ratified by the authority abouesayd By the which authority and party being there present yet aliue it is furthermore constantly affirmed that Bilney not only did neuer recant but also that he neuer had any such bill or script or scrolle in his hand to read either softly or apertly as M. More per licentiaÌ Poeticam would beare vs downe M. Moââs false report refuted Wherfore euen as ye see M. More deale in this so ye may trust him in the residue of his other tales if ye will ¶ Mayster Stafford of Cambridge AS the death of this Godly Bilney did much good in Northfolke where he was burnt so his diligeÌt trauel M. Bilney the cheife ãâ¦ã Apostle of Cambridge in teaching and exhorting other and example of life correspondent to his doctrine left no small fruite behinde him in Cambridge beyng a great meanes of framing that Uniuersity drawing diuers vnto Christ. By reason of whoÌ and partly also of an other called M. Stafford the word of God begaÌ there most luckely to spread and many toward wittes to florish In the company of whom was M. Latimer D. Barnes D. Thistell of Penbroke hall M. Fooke of Benet Colledge and M. Soude of the same Colledge D. Warner aboue mentioned with diuers other moe This M. Stafford was then the publicke reader of the Diuinity lecture in that Uniuersity Who as he was an earnest professour of Christes Gospell so was he as diligeÌt a folower of that which he professed as by this exaÌple here folowing may appeare For as the plague was then sore in Cambridge The notable zeale of M. Stafforde in sauing a damnable Priest and amongest other a certaine Priest called Syr Henry Coniurer lay sore sicke of the sayd plague M. Stafford hearyng therof and seing the horrible daunger that his soule was in was so moued in conscience to helpe the dauÌgerous case of the Priest that he neglecting his owne bodely death to recouer the other from eternall damnatioÌ came vnto him exhorted and so labored him that he would not leaue him before he had conuerted him and saw his coniuring books burned before his face Which being done maister Stafford went home and immediatly sickened shortly after most christianly deceased Ex fideli testimonio D. Ridlei Edmund Episcoporum Lond. Concerning which M. Stafford this moreouer is to be noted how that M. Latimer being yet a feruent and a zealous Papist M. Latimer asketh M. Stafford forgeuenes standing in the Schooles when M. Stafford read bad the Scholers not to heare him and also preaching agaynst him exhorted the people not to beleue hym and yet the sayd Latimer confessed himselfe that he gaue thankes to God that he asked him forgeuenesse before hee departed And thus much by the way of good M. Stafford who for his constant and godly aduenture in such a cause may seeme not vnworthy to goe with blessed Bilney in the fellowship of holy and blessed Martyrs ¶ The story of M. Symon Fish BEfore the time of M. Bilney and the fall of the Cardinall M Symon Fishe author of the booke called the supplication of Beggars I should haue placed the story of SimoÌ Fish with the booke called the Supplication of Beggars declaring how and by what meanes it came to the kynges hand and what effect therof folowed after in the reformation of many thinges especially of the Clergy But the missing of a few yeares in this matter breaketh no great square in our story though it be now entred here which shold haue come in sixe yeares before The maner and circumstaunce of the matter is this After that the light of the gospell working mightely in Germany began to spread his beames here also in England great styrre alteration folowed in the harts of many so that colored hipocrisy and false doctrine paynted holynes began to be espyed more and more by the reading of Gods word The authority of the Bishop of Rome and y e glory of his Cardinals was not so high but such as had fresh wits sparcled with Gods grace began to espy Christ from Antichrist that is true sincerity from counterfait religion In the number of whom was the sayd M. Simon Fish a gentleman of Brayes Inne It happened the first yeare that this Gentleman came to LondoÌ to dwel which was about the yeare of our Lord 1525. that there was a certayne play or interlude made by one M. Roo of the same Inne gentlemaÌ in which play partly was matter agaynst the Cardinall Wolsey And where none durst take vpoÌ theÌ to play that part which
into theyr handes wherefore it is manifest it can not be of Christ Christ submitted himselfe vnder temporall gouerment The cause touched why the Popes clergy will ãâã let the ãâã Testamâââ goe abâââd the mother tonguâ for he gaue more to the temporall kingdome he himselfe payd tribute to Cesar he tooke nothing froÌ him but taught that the high powers should be alwaies obeied yea he himself although he were most free Lord of al innoceÌt was obedient vnto y e high powers vnto death This is the great skabbe why they will not let y e new testameÌt go abroad in your mother toung least men should espye that they by theyr cloked hypocrisy do translate thus fast your kingdome into their haÌdes that they are not obedient vnto your high power that they are cruell vncleane vnmercifull and hâpocrites that they seeke not the honor of Christ but theyr owne that remission of sinnes are not geuen by the Popes Pardon but by Christ for the sure fayth and trust that we haue in him Here may your grace well perceiue that except you suffer their hipocrisy to be disclosed all is like to runne into theyr handes and as long as it is couered so long shal it seme to euery man to be a great impiety not to geue them * For this I am sure your grace thinketh as the truth is I am as good a man as my Father why may I not as well geue them as much as my father did And of this minde I am sure are all the Lordes knightes squires gentlemeÌ yeomen in England yea and vntill it be disclosed all your people will think that your statute of Mortmaine was neuer made with no good coÌscience seing that it taketh away the liberty of your people in that they may not as lawfully buy their soules out of Purgatory by geuing to the spiritualty as theyr predecessors did in times past Wherfore if you will eschew the ruine of your crowne dignity let theyr hipocrisy be vttred that shal be more speedefull in this matter then all the lawes that may bee made be they neuer so strong For to make a law for to punish any offender except it were more for to geue other meÌ an ensample to beware how they commit such like offence what should it auayle Of Doctour Alen the Cardinalls Chauncellour read before pag. 986. Of this Doct. Horsey the biâh of Londons Chauncellour read before pag. 807. Did not Doct. Alen most presumptiously now in your time agaynst al his allegiance all that euer he could to pull froÌ you the knowledge of such plees as belong vnto your high Courtes vnto an other Court in derogation of your crown and dignity Did not also D. Horsey and his complices most heinously as al the world knoweth murder in prison that honest Marchaunt Rich. Hunne for that he sued your writ of Premunire agaynst a priest that wrongfully held him in plee in a spiritual court for a matter whereof the knowledge belonged vnto your high Courtes And what punishment was there done that any man may take example of to beware of like offence Truely none but that the one payd 500. pound as it is sayd to the building of your chamber when that paymeÌt was once passed the Captaynes of his kingdome because he fought so manfully agaynst your crowne and dignity haue heaped to him benefice vpon benefice so that he is rewarded 10. tymes that is 10. times as much as he had in ãâã before not as he payde to the king And althoughe these murtherers of Hunâe were not recompensed with 10. times or withe 4. tymes as much which More denieth yet can he neuer be able to denie the substance of the story that is that Hunne by these was broughte to hys death that they being put to their fines wer afterward sufficiently recompeÌsed with benefices vpon benefices x. times as much The other as it is sayd payd 600. pound for him hys complices which for because that he had like wise fought so manfully against your crown and dignity was immediately as he had obteyned your most gracious pardon promoted by the captaynes of his kingdome wyth benefice vpon benefice to the value of foure times as much Who can take example of punishment to beware of suche like offence Who is he of their kingdome that will not rather take courage to commit like offence seing the promotions that fell to these men for theyr so offending so weake and blunt is your sword to strike at one of the offenders of this crooked and peruerse generation And this is by the reason that the chiefe instrument of your law Vnconuenient ãâ¦ã spirituall man to be Lord Chauncellour yea y e chiefe of your Councell and he which hath your sword in his hand to whom also all the other instrumentes are obedient is alwayes a spirituall man which hath euer such an inordinate loue vnto his own kingdome that he will maintayne that though all the teÌporall kingdomes and common wealthes of the world should therefore vtterly be vndone Here leue we out the greatest matter of all least that we declaring such an horrible caren of euill agaynst the ministers of iniquity should seeme to declare the one onely fault or rather the ignorance of our best beloued minister of righteousnes which is to be hid till he may be learned by these small enormities that we haue spoken of to know it playnly himselfe But what remedy to releue vs your poore sicke lame and sore bedemen To make many hospitals for the reliefe of the poore people Nay truely The moe the worse for euer the fat of the whole fouÌdation hangeth on the Priestes beardes Diuers of your noble Predecessours kinges of this realme haue geuen landes to Monasteries to geue a certeine summe of mony yearely to the poore people wherof for the auncienty of the time they geue neuer one peny They haue likewise geuen to them to haue a certayne of masses sayd dayly for them wherof they say neuer one If y e Abbot of Westminster shold sing euery day as many masses for his founders as he is bound to do by his foundatioÌ a thousand Monkes were to few Wherefore if your grace will build a sure hospitall that neuer shall sayle to releeue vs all your poore bedemen then take froÌ theÌ all these thinges Set these sturdy loubies abroad in the world to gette theÌ wiues of their owne to get theyr liuing with theyr labor in the sweat of their faces according to the commaundement of God Gen. 1. to geue other idle people by theyr example occasion to go to labor Tye these holy idle theues to the cartes to be whipped naked about euery market Towne ãâ¦ã and ãâ¦ã to the ãâã by putting out ãâã Frâers and ãâã till they fall to labour that they by theyr importunate begging take not away the almes y t y e good christeÌ people wold geue vnto vs
during his imprisonment was very cruelly handled For almost the space of a fourtnight he lay in the bishops colehouse in the stockes with yrons vpon his legs The cruel handling of BaynhaÌ TheÌ he was caryed to the Lord ChauÌcellors and there chayned to a post 2. nightes TheÌ he was caryed to Fulham where he was cruelly handled by y e space of a seuen nighte TheÌ to the Tower where he lay a fourtnight scourged with whips to make him reuoke his opinions FroÌ thence he was caryed to Barking theÌ to Chelsey and there condemned and so to Newgate to be burned ¶ The burning of Iames Baynham The death and Martirdome of M. Iames Baynham Iames Baynham Anno. 1532. At whose burning here is notoriously to be obserued that as he was at the stake in the midst of the flaming fyre which fire had halfe consumed his armes legs A ãâã and ãâ¦ã of God to beholde he spake these wordes O ye Papistes behold ye looke for miracles and here now you may see a myracle for in this fire I feele no more paine then if I were in a bed of Downe but it is to me as sweet as a bed of roses These words spake he in the middest of the flaminge fire when his legges and hys armes as I sayd were halfe consumed ¶ Iohn Bent Martyr AT the writing hereof came to our hands a certeyn notice of one Iohn Bent Ioh. Bent Martyr who about this present time or not long before being a Tailor dwelled in a village called Urcheuaunt was burnt in the Towne of the Deuises Ioh. Bent burnt at Deuise within the country of Wilkeshire for the denying of the sacrament of the altar as they terme it ¶ One Trapnel Martyr ALso much about the same tyme Trapnell Martir burnt at Brodford was one Trapnell burned in a Towne called Brodford within the same County * The History of three men hanged for the burning of the Rood of Douercourt collected out of a letter of Robert Gardner which was one of the doers of the same IN the same yeare of our Lord 1532. there was an Idoll named the Roode of Douercourt Out of a letter of Robert Gardner written to Chapman Londoner and yet aliue The Rooâe of Douercourt whereunto was much and greate resorte of people For at that time there was great rumour blowne abroad amonges the ignorant sort that the power of the Idoll of Douercourt was so greate that no man had power to shutte the Church doore where he stood and therefore they lette the Churche doore bothe nyght and daye continually stand open for the more credite vnto theyr blinde rumour Which once beyng conceyued in the heades of the vulgare sort seemed a great maruell vnto many men but to many agayne whom God had blessed with his spirite was greatly suspected especially vnto these whose names here folow as Robert King of Dedham Robert Debnam of Estbergholt Rob. king Rob. Dâbnam Nicholas Marsh Martyrs Nicholas Marshe of Dedham and Robert Gardner of Dedham whose consciences were sore burdened to see the honor and power of the almighty liuing God so to be blasphemed by such an Idoll Wherefore they were moued by the spirit of God to trauell out of Dedham in a woondrous goodlye night both hard frost and fayre moone shine although the nighe before and the night after were exceeding foule and rayny It was from the towne of Dedham to the place where the filthy Roode stood x. miles The blinde opinions of the people Notw tstanding they were so willing in that theyr enterprise that they went these x. myles without payne and found the Church doore open according to the blinde talke of the ignorant people for there durst no vnfaithful body shut it Which happened wel for their purpose for they founde the Idol which had as much power to keepe the doore shut Experience of ââlle Idolatry as to keepe it open And for proofe thereof they tooke the Idol from his shrine and caryed him a quarter of a myle from the place where he stoode without any resistaunce of the sayd Idol Whereuppon they strake fire with a Flint stone The Idâll set on a ãâ¦ã and sodenly set him on fire who burned out so brym that he lighted them homeward one good myle of the ten This done there went a great talke abroade that they should haue great riches in that place Falle surâââse alwayes ready but it was very vntrue for it was not their thought or enterprise as they themselues afterward confessed for there was nothing taken away but his coate his shoes and tapers The tapers did helpe to burne him the shooes they had againe The right handling of an Idoll and the coate one sir Thomas Rose did burn but they had neither peny halfe peny golde grote nor iewel ¶ Robert King Robert Debnam and Nicholas Marshe hanged for taking downe the Roode of Douercourt The fourth man of thys companye named Robert Gardner Robert Gardner escaped escaped their handes and fledde Albeit he was cruelly sought for to haue had the like death but y e lyuing Lord preserued him to whom be al honour glory world without ende The same yeare and the yeare before there were manye Images cast downe and destroyed in manye places Ex teâimonio ipsius ãâ¦ã as the Image of the Crucifixe in the hygh waye by Cogshall the Image of saint Petronil in the Church of great Horksleigh the Image of saint Christopher by Sudburye and an other Image of saint Petronil in a Chappell by Ipswiche Also Iohn Seward of Dedham ouerthrew a Crosse in Stoke Parke and tooke two Images out of a chappell in the same parke and cast them into the water ¶ The storie examination death and martyrdome of Iohn Frith AMongest al other chaunces lamentable there hath ben none a great tyme whiche seemed vnto me more greeuous Anno 153. then the lamentable death and cruel handlinge of Iohn Frith so learned and excellent a young man which had so profited in al kind of learning and knowledge that scarsely there was his equal amongest al his companions and besides withal had such a godlynes of lyfe ioined with his doctrine Iohn Frith Martyr that it was hard to iudge in whether of them he was more commendable being greatly prayse worthie in them both But as touchinge his doctrine by the grace of Christ we will speake hereafter Of the great godlynes which was in him this may serue for experiment sufficieÌt for that notwithstanding his other manifold and singular giftes ornaments of y e mind in him most pregnant wher withall he might haue opened an easie way vnto honor dignitie notwithstanding he chose rather wholly to consecrate himselfe vnto the Church of Christ excellently shewing forth practising in himselfe the precept so highly coÌmended of the Philosophers touching the life of man which life they say is geuen vnto vs
goodes Howbeit one of his brethren afterwardes made such sute vnto the Kyng by meanes of the Queene that after three yeares imprisonment he was both released out of prison and also obtained of the Kyng a Commission vnto the Lord Awdeley beyng then Lord Chauncelor and to Cranmer Archbyshop of CaÌterbury and to Crumwell then Secretary with others to enquire of the iniurious and vniust dealynges of the Byshoppe and his Chauncelor agaynst the sayd Patmore notwithstandyng his appeale vnto the kyng and to determine therof accordyng to true equitie and iustice to restore the sayd Patmore agayne vnto his sayd benefice But what was the ende and issue of this Commission wfinde not as yet Iohn Row Bookebinder a FreÌch man 1531. This man for bynding buyng and dispersing of bookes inhibited Christopher a bookeseller dyed in prison was enioyned beside other penaunce to goe to Smithfield with his Bookes tyed about hym and to cast them in the fire there to abide till they were all brent to ashes Christ of a dutchmaÌ of Antwerpe 1531. This man for sellyng certeine new Testaments in English to Iohn Row aforesayd was put in prison at Westminster and there dyed W. Nelson Priest 1531. His crime was for hauyng and buiyng of Peryman certain bookes of Luther Tyndall Thorpe c. and for reading and perusing the same contrary to the Kings proclamation for the which he was abiured he was Priest at Lith Tho. Eue Weauer 1531. His Articles That the Sacrament of the aultar was but a memory of Christes passion That men were fooles to go on pilgrimage or to set any candle before images Item it is as good to set vp staues before the Sepulchre as to set vp tapers of waxe That Priestes might haue wiues Rob. Hudson of S. Pulchers 1531. A dogge offered to S. Nicholas Byshop His Article On Childermas daye sayth the Register he offred in Paules Churche at offering time to the childe Byshop called S. Nicholas a dogge for deuotion as he sayd and meant no hurt for he thought to haue offered a halfepeny or else y e dogge and thought the dogge to be more better then a half-peny and the dogge should raise some profite to the child and sayd moreouer it was the tenth dogge c. Ex Regist. Edward Hewet seruingman 1531. His crime That after the Kynges proclamation he had and read the new Testament in English Also the booke of I. Frith against Purgatory c. Walter Kiry seruant 1531. Hys Article That he after the kings proclamation had vsed these bookes the Testament in English the summe of Scripture a Primer and Psalter in Englishe hidden in hys bedstrawe at Worcester Michaell Lobley 1531. His Articles That hee beeing at Antwerpe bought certeine bookes inhibited as the Reuelation of Antichrist the obedience of a Christian man the wicked Mammon Frith against Purgatory Item for speaking against Images and Purgatory Item for sayeng that Bilney was a good man Why then doth M. More say that Bilney recanted and dyed a good man if these be punished for commending him to dye a good maÌ A ladde of Colchester dyed in prison for bringing to Bayfilde his bookes and dyed a good man because of a Bill that one did send from Norwich that specified that he tooke his death so pacientlye and did not forsake to die wyth a good will c. A boy of Colchester 1531. A boy of Colchester or Northfolke brought to Richard Bayfield a budget of bookes about four dayes before the sayd Bayfield was taken for the which the lad was taken laid in the counter by M. More Chancellor there dyed Wil. Smith Taylor 1531. His Articles That he lodged oftentimes in his house Rich. Bayfield and other good men That he receiued hys bookes into hys house and vsed much reading in the new Testament He had also the Testament of William Tracy He beleeued there was no Purgatory Wil. Lyncoln Prentise 1532. His Articles For hauing and receiuing bookes from beyond the Sea of Tindall Frith Thorpe and other Item he doubted whether there were any Purgatory Whether it were well done to set vp candles to Saincts to go on pilgrimage c. Iohn Mell of Bocksted 1532. His heresie was this for hauing and reading the new Testament in english the Psalter in English and the booke called A B C. Iohn Medwell seruant to M. Carkit Heresy with the Pope to trust onely to the merites of Christ. Scriuener 1532. This Medwell lay in prison xxiiij weekes till he was almost lame Hys heresies were these That he doubted whether there was anye Purgatory He woulde not trust in pardons but rather in the promises of Christ. He doubted whether the merites of anye but onely of Christ did helpe him He doubted whether pilgrimages and setting vp of candles to images were meritorious or not He thought he should not put his trust in any Saint Item hee had in his custody the new Testament in Englishe the examination of Thorpe the wicked Mammon a booke of Matrimony Ex ipsius scedula ad Episc Scripta Christofer Fulman seruaÌt to a Goldsmith 1532. This yong man was attached for receiuing certayne bookes at Antwerp of George Constantine and transporting them ouer into England and selling them to sondry persons beeyng bookes prohibited by the proclamation Item he thought then those bookes to haue bene good and that he had bene in errour in times past Margaret Bowgas 1532. Her heresies were these Being asked if she would go on pilgrimage she sayd I beleeue in God and he can do me more good then our Lady or any other Sainct and as for them they shal come to me if they will c. Then Richard Sharples Parson of Millend by Colchester asked her if shee sayde her Aue Maria I say sayd she hayle Mary but I will say no further Then said he if she left not those opinions she would beare a fagot If I do saide she better then I shall adding moreouer that she would not go from that to die therefore To whome the Priest aunswered and sayd she would be burned Heereunto Margaret againe replyeng asked the Priest who made Martyrs Tyrauntes make Martyrs Tyrants quoth the Priest make Martirs for they put Martirs to death So they shall or may me quoth Margaret At length with much ado and greate persuasions she gaue ouer to Foxford the Chanceller and submitted her selfe Iohn Tyrel an Irishman of Billery key Taylor His Articles were these That the Sacramente of the aulter was not the body of Christ but only a cake of bread Furthermore the occasion being asked how he fell into that heresie he answered and sayd that about three weekes before Midsomer last past hee heard M. Hugh Latimer preach at S. Mary Abchurch that men should leaue going in pilgrimage abroade M. Latyâââ preached agaynst Pilgrimages and do their pilgrimage to their poore neighbours Also the sayde M. Latimer in his Sermon did set the Sacrament of the aulter
other good deedes and as for one of them whatsoeuer he haue of money in his purse he will distribute it for the loue of God to poore people Also he sayde that no man should geue laud nor prayse in no maner of wise to no creature nor to no Saint in heauen Tim. 1. but only to God Soli Deo honor gloria that is To God alone be all honour and glory Also he sayd ah good Sir Edmund ye be farre from the knowledge and vnderstanding of the Scripture for as yet ye be a Pharisey with many other of your company but I trust in God I shall make you and many other mo good and perfect Christen men ere I depart from the Citie The Godly courage of Rich Bayfilde for I purpose to reade a common lecture euery day at S. Fosters Church which lecture shall be to the edifyeng of your soules that be false Phariseys Also he sayde that Bilney preached nothing at Wilsedone but that was true Also he sayd that Bilney preached true at Wilsedone if he sayd that our Ladyes crowne of Wilsedone The peoples offringes bestowed bestowed vppon harlots her rings beades that were offered to her were bestowed amongest harlots by the Ministers of Christes Churche for that haue I seene my selfe he sayd heere in London and that will I abide by Also he sayde he did not feare to commen and argue in Arthur and Bilneys opinions and Articles and if it were with my Lord Cardinall Also he sayd that he would hold Arthur and Bilneys opinions and Articles and abyde by them that they were true opinions to suffer death therfore I know them said he for so noble and excellent men in learning Also he sayde if he were before my Lord Cardinall hee would not let to speake to him and to tell hym that he hath done nought in prisoning of Arthur and Bilney whyche were better disposed in their liuings to God then my Lord Cardinall or my Lord of London as holy as they make themselues Also he sayd my Lord Cardinall is no perfect nor good man to God for he keepeth not the Commaundements of God for Christ he said neuer taught him to folow riches nor to seeke for promotions nor dignities of this worlde nor Christ neuer taught him to weare shoes of siluer and gilt set with pearle and precious stones The Cardinals shooes nor Christ had neuer ij crosses of siluer ij axes nor piller of siluer gilt Also he sayde that euery Priest might preach the Gospell without licence of the Pope my Lord Cardinall my Lord of London or any other man And that would he abide by and thus he verified it as it is written Marke 16. Euntes in mundum vniuersum praedicate Euangelium omni creaturae Christ commaunded euery Priest to go foorth thoroughout all the worlde and preache the word of God by the authoritie of this Gospel and not to runne to y e Pope nor to no other man for licence and that would hee abyde by he sayd Also he sayd Wel Sir Edmund say you what you will and euery man my Lord Cardinall also and yet will I say and abide by it my Lord Cardinall doth punishe Arthur Bilney vniustly for there be no truer Christen men in all the world liuing then they two be and that punishment that my Lord Cardinall doth to them he doth it by might and power as who say this maye I do and thys will I do who shall say nay but he doth it of no iustice Also about the xiiij day of October last past at iij. of the clocke at after noone Syr Richarde Bayfilde came to S. Edmunds in Lumbardstreete where he founde me Syr Edmund Peerson Sir Iames Smith and Syr Myles Garnet standing at the vttermost gate of the personage Syr Edmund sayd to Syr Richard Bayfilde how many Christen men haue yee made since yee came to the Citie Quoth Sir Richard Bayfilde I came euen now to make thee a Christen man and these two other Gentlemen with thee for well I know ye be all three Phariseis as yet Also he sayd to Syr Edmund that Arthur and Bilney were better Christen men then he was or any of them that did punish Arthur and Bilney Per me Edmundum Peerson And thus we haue as in a grosse summe coÌpiled together the names and causes though not of al yet of a great and to great a number of good men good women whych in those sorowful daies from the yere of our Lord 1527. to this present yere 1533. that is til the comming in of Queene Anne were manifold wayes vexed and persecuted vnder the tiranny of the Bishop of Rome Ten Dutchmen Annabaptists put to death Segor Derycke Symon Runa Derycke Dominicke Dauid Cornelius Ellâen Milo Where again we haue to note that froÌ this present yeare of our Lord 1533. during the time of the sayd Quene Anne we read of no great persecution nor any abiuration to haue bene in the Church of Englande saue onely that the Registers of London make mention of certaine Dutchmen counted for Anabaptists of whom 10. were put to death in sondry places of the realme an 1535. other 10. repented and were saued Where note again that 2. also of the said company albeit the diffinitiue sentence was read yet notwithstaÌding were pardoned by the king which was contrary to the Popes law Now to proceede forth in our matter after that the Byshops and heads of the clergy had thus a long time taken their pleasure Anno. 1533. exercising their cruell authoritie against the poore wasted flocke of the Lord Complaynt of the CoÌmons against the Clergy Ex Edw. Hallo A Parliament an 1534. and began furthermore to stretch foorth their rigour and austeritie to attach molest also other greater persons of the temporaltie so it fell that in y e beginning of the next or 2. yere following which was an 1534. a parlament was called by the king about the 15. day of Ian. In the which parlament the commons renuing their old griefes complained of the cruelty of the Prelates Ordinaries for calling men before them Ex Officio For suche was then the vsage of the Ordinaries and theyr Officials Crueltye of the Clergye against the temporaltie that they would send for men lay accusations to them of heresie onely declaring to them that they were accused and would minister Articles to them but no accuser should be brought forth wherby the coÌmons was greuously anoyed oppressed for the party so acited must eyther abiure or do worse for purgatioÌ he might none make As these matters were long debating in the Common house as last it was agreed that the temporall men should put their griefs in wryting and deliuer them to the King Whereuppon the 18. day of Marche the common speaker accompanied wyth certaine Knights and Burgeses of the common house came to the Kyngs presence and there declared how the temporal
Bayfild Bainham Teukesbery falsely belying their articles doctrine M. More a persecutour as God graunting me life I haue sufficient matter to proue against him Briefly as he was a sore persecuter of them that stoode in defence of the Gospel so againe on the other side such a blynd deuotion he bare to the Pope holy See of Rome so wilfully stoode in the Popes quarell against his owne prince that he woulde not giue ouer tyll he had brought y e Scaffolde of the Towre hyll with the axe and all vppon his owne necke Edwarde Hall in his Chronicle writing of the death and manners of this Syr Thomas More seemeth to stand in doubt whether to call him a foolishe wise man or a wise foolishe man For as hy nature he was indued with a great witte so the same againe was so mingled sayth he with taunting and mocking that it seemed to them that best knewe him that he thought nothing to be wel spoken except he had ministred some mock in the communication in so much as at his comming to the Tower one of the officers demaunding his vpper garment for his fee meaning his gowne he answered that he should haue it and tooke him his cappe saying it was the vppermoste garment that he had Likewise euen going to his death at the Tower gate a poore woman called vnto him besought him to declare that he had certain euidences of hers in the time that he was in office which after he was apprehended M. More a scoffer vnto his death she could not come by and that he woulde intreat that she might haue them againe or els she was ãâã He answered Good woman haue patience a little ãâã for the king is good vnto me that euen within this halfe houre he will discharge me of all businesses and help thee him selfe Also when he went vppe the stayre on the Scaffold he desired one of the Sheriffes officers to giue hym hys hand to helpe him vp and sayde when I come downe againe let me shyft for my selfe so well as I can Also the hangman kneeled downe to him asking him forgiuenes of his death as the manner is To whom he said I forgiue thee but I promise thee that thou shalt neuer haue honestie of y e striking of my head my neck is so short Also euen when he should lay downe his head on the block he hauing a great gray beard striked out his beard and said to the hangman I pray you let me lay my beard ouer the block least you should cut it Thus with a mocke he ended his life There is no doubt but that the Popes holines hath halowed and dignified these two persons long since for Catholike martirs Neither is it to be doubted but after an hundred yeres expired they shal also be shrined portissed dying as they did in that quarrel of the church of Rome y t is in taking the bishop of Romes part against their own ordinary natural prince Wherunto because y e matter asketh a long discourse a peculiar tractation I haue not in this place much to contend with Cope my friend This briefly for a memorandum may suffice that if the causes of true martyrdome ought to be pondred not to be nuÌbred if the end of martyrs is to be weyed by iudgement noâ by affection then the cause and quarrell of these men standing as it doth being tried by Gods word perhaps in y e Popes kingdome they may go for martirs in whoâe cause they dyed but certes in Christes kingdome their cause wil not stand how so euer they stand them selues The like also is to be said of the three monkes of Charterhouse Exmewe Middlemore and Nudigate Rochester More Exmew Myddlemore Nudigate executed for treasoÌ who the same yeare in the moneth of Iune were likewise attached and arrained at Westminster for speaking certaine trayterous words against the kings crown and dignitie for the which they were hanged drawen and quartered at Tyborne whoÌ also because Cope my good freÌd doth repute accept in the number of holy Catholique Martyrs here would be asked of him a question What Martyrs be they which standing before the iudge denye their owne words and sayings and plead not guiltie so as these Carthusians dyd whereby it appeareth that they would neither haue stand nor haue died in that cause as they did if they might otherwise haue escaped by denying Wherefore if my friend Cope had bene so well aduised in setting out his martyrs as God might haue made him he woulde first haue seene the true recordes ben sure of the ground of such matters wherupon he so confidently pronounceth and so censoriously controlleth others In the same cause quarrell of treason also the same yeare a little before these aforesaide in the moneth of May Ex actiâ in termino ãâã Anno. 2â Reg. Hen. 8. were executed with the like punishmeÌt Iohn Houghton Priour of the Charterhouse in London Robert LaureÌce Prior of the Charterhouse of Beluaile Austen Websteâ Prior of the Charterhouse of Exham Beside and with these three Priors suffered likewise the same time two other Priestes one called Reignolde brother of Syon the other named Iohn Haile vicare of Thistleworth 9. Carthusians dyed in prison refusing the kinges supremacy Diuers other Charterhouse monks also oâ LondoÌ were then put in prison to the number of nine or tenne and in the same prison dyed for whom we will the Lorde wyllyng reserue an other place hereafter to intreate of more at large In y e meane time M. Copes 9. worthyes for so much as y e foresaide Cope in his doughty Dialogues speaking of these nine worthies doth commend them so highly and especially the three priors aboue recited here by the way I would desire maister Cope simply and directly to answere me to a thing or two that I would put to him and first of this Iohn HoughtoÌ that angelical Prior of the Charterhouse his olde companion acquaintance of whoÌ thus he writetâ ãâã qui cum Ioannem illum Houghtonum cogito non tam homiââ ãâã quà m angelum in humana forma intueri mihi videor Copus in Dialog 9. pap 995. cuius eminentes virtutes diuinas dotes heroicam animi magnitudinem nemo vnquam poterit satis pro dignitate explicare c. By these his owne wordes it must needes be confessed that the authour of these Dialogues who so euer he was had well seene and considered the fourme and personable stature proportion and shape of his excellent bodye with such admiration of his personage that as he sayth as oft as he calleth the said Iohn Hughton to mind it seemeth to him euen as though he saw an angel in the shape and forme of a man Whose eminent vertues moreouer whose diuine gifts and heroical celsitude of mind no man saith he may sufficiently expresse c. And how old was this M. Cope then I would know
tooke what stirre hee kept and what practises hee wrought wyth Cardinall Poole to stirre vp other natioÌs to warre against vs what difficultie also there was w t the Emperor with the French king and with the king of Scottes about the matter and what labour was vsed on the kings parte to concile these Princes for hys owne indemnitie to keepe him from their warres and inuasions and especially to obtein the Popes approbation and to auoide his censures of excommunication and finally what despitefull iniuries open wrongs the Pope wrought against hym vpon the which Pope the king had bestowed so much money and great treasors before all this likewise by the premisses may appeare Wherefore to end now with these and to go forwarde in our storie as the order and computation of yeares doe giue we haue now consequently to enter into the storie of the good Martyr of God William Tindal being this present yeare falsly betraied and put to death Whych William Tyndall as he was a speciall organe of the Lord appoynted and as Gods mattock to shake the inward rootes and foundation of the Popes proud prelacie so the great prince of darknes with his impious impes hauing a special malice against him left no way vnsought how craftely to entrap him and falsly to betray him maliciously to spil his life as by the proces of his story here folowing may apear ¶ The life and storie of the true seruaunt and Martyr of God William Tyndall Who for his notable paines and trauell maye well be called the Apostle of England in this our latter age WIlliam Tindall the faithfull Minister and constant Martyr of Christ W. Tindall Martyr was borne about the borders of Wales and brought vp from a childe in the Uniuersitie of Oxforde Anno 1536. where he by long continuance grewe vp and increased as well in the knowledge of tounges and other liberall Artes as especially in the knowledge of the Scriptures The first taste of gods truth in Magdalen Coâledge by the meanes of M. âindall wherunto his mind was singularly addicted In so much that hee lying then in Magdalene Hall read priuely to certaine students and felowes of Magdalen Colledge some parcell of Diuinitie instructinge them in the knowledge and truth of the Scriptures Whose maners also and conuersation being correspondent to the same were suche that all they which knewe him reputed and esteemed hym to be a manne of most vertuous disposition and of life vnspotted Thus he in the Uniuersitie of Oxforde increasing more and more in learning and proceeding in degrees of the schooles spying his time remoued from thence to the Uniuersitie of Cambridge where after hee had likewyse made his aboade a certaine space being nowe further ripened in the knowledge of Gods worde leauing that Uniuersitie also he resorted to one M. Welche a Knight of Glocestershire and was there Scholemaister to his children and in good fauour with his master This Gentleman as he kept a good ordinarie commoÌly at his table ther resorted to him many times sondry Abbots Deanes Archdeacons wyth other diuers Doctors and great beneficed men who there together with M. Tindall sitting at the same table did vse many times to enter communication and talke of learned men as of Luther and of Erasmus Also of diuers other controuersies and questions vpon the Scripture Then maister Tindall Tindall dispâting with the Doctours as hee was learned and well practised in Gods matters so he spared not to shewe vnto them simply and plainely hys iudgement in matters as hee thought and when as they at any time did varie from Tyndal in opinions and iudgement he would shew them in the booke and lay plainly before them the open and manifest places of the Scriptures to confute their errors and to confirme his sayings And thus coÌtinued they for a certaine season reasoning and conteÌding together diuers and sondry times till at lengthe they waxed weary and bare a secrete grudge in their hearts against him Not longe after thys it happened that certaine of these great Doctours had inuited M. Welche and his wife to a banket where they had talke at wil and pleasure vttering their blindnesse and ignoraunce without any resistance or gainesaying Then M. Welche and his wife commynge home and calling for M. Tyndall began to reason w t him about those matters whereof the Priestes had talked before at their banket M. Tyndall answering by scriptures maintained the truthe and reproued their false opinions Then sayde the Ladye Welche a stoute and a wise woman as Tyndall reported Well sayd shee there was suche a Doctour which may dispend a C.li. and an other CC.li. an other CCC.li and what were it reason think you Tindall instructeth M. Welch and his wyfe in the truth that we should beleue you before them Maister Tindall gaue her no answere at that time nor also after that because hee sawe it would not auaile he talked but little in those matters At that time hee was about the translation of a booke called Enchiridion militâs Christiani which being translated he deliuered to his maister and Ladie Who after they had read well perused the same Enchiridion a booke of Erasmus translated by Tindall the Doctorly Prelates were no more so often called to the house neyther had they the cheare countenance when they came as before they had Which thyng they marking and well perceiuing and supposing no lesse but it came by the meanes of M. Tyndall refrained them selues and at last vtterly withdrew themselues and came no more there As thys grewe on the Priestes of the Countrey clustring together The priestes stârme agaynst Tindall began to grudge and storme against Tindall railing againste him in Alehouses and other places Of whome Tyndall him selfe in his Prologue before the first booke of Moses this testifieth in his own words and reporteth that he suffred much in that countrey by a sort of vnlearned Priestes being full rude and ignoraunt sayeth hee God knoweth which haue seene no more Latine then that onely which they read in their Portesses Missalles whyche yet many of them can scarsely reade excepte it be Albertus de secretis mulierum The rudenes of the countrey priestes in which yet thoughe they be neuer so sorily learned they pore day and night and make notes therein and all to teache the midwiues as they say and also an other called Lynwood a booke of constitutions to gather tythes mortuaries offerings customes and other pillage which they call not theirs but Gods part the duetie of holy Church to discharge theyr consciences withall For they are bound that they shal not diminish but encrease all things vnto y e vttermost of theyr powers which pertaine to holy church Thus these blind rude Priestes flocking together to the Alehouse for that was their preaching place raged and raiâed againste him affirming that his sayings were heresie Tindal troubled by the priests of the
Iacob yet vnderstand good Reader that it was written in very deede to Iohn Frith as is aboue tolde thee For the more proofe and euidence whereof read Frithes booke of the Sacramente and there thou shalte finde a certayne place of this Epistle repeated word for word beginning thus I call God to record against the day we shall appeare before our Lorde Iesus to geue a reckening of oure doings that I neuer altered one sillable of Gods word against my conscience c. Which Epistle Iohn Frith hymselfe witnesseth that he receaued from Tyndall as in hys testimonie aboue appeareth ¶ The death of the Lady Katherine and of Queene Anne THe same yeare in the which W. Tyndall was burned which was the yeare of our Lord 1536. in the begynning of the yeare Anno. 1536. first died Lady Katherine Princes Dowager in the moneth of Ianuary The death of Lady Katherine ãâã Dowagar After whome the same yeare also in the moneth of May next following followed the death also of Queene Anne who had now bene married to the King the space of three yeares In certeine records thus we finde that the Kyng being in his Iustes at Greenewich sodenly with a fewe persons departed to Westminster and the next daye after Queene Anne his wife was had to the Tower The death of Queene Anne with the Lord Rochford her brother and certayne other and the xix day after was beheaded The wordes of this worthy and Christian Lady at her death were these Good Christen people I am come hether to die for according to the Law and by y e Lawe I am iudged to death and therefore I will speake nothing against it The wordes of Queene Anne at her death I am come hether to accuse no man nor to speake any thing of that whereof I am accused and condemned to die but I pray God saue the King and sende him long to raigne ouer you for a gentler or a more mercifull Prince was there neuer and to me he was euer a good a gentle and soueraigne Lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause I require them to iudge the best And thus I take my leaue of the world and of you all and I hartely desire you all to pray for me O Lord haue mercy on me To God I commend my soule And so she kneeled downe sayeng To Christ I commend my soule Iesu receiue my soule repeating the same diuers times till at length the stroke was geuen and her head was striken off And this was the end of that godly Lady and Queene Godly I call her Queene Anne beheaded CommendatioÌs of Quene Anne for sundry respectes whatsoeuer the cause was or quarell obiected against her Fyrst her last wordes spoken at her death declared no lesse her sincere fayth and trust in Christ then dyd her quiet modestie vtter forth the goodnesse of the cause and matter whatsoeuer it was Besides that to such as wisely can iudge vpon cases occurrent this also may seeme to geue a great clearing vnto her that the King the third day after was maried in his whites vnto an other Certaine this was that for the rare and singular giftes of her minde so well instructed and geuen toward God with suche a feruent desire vnto the trueth and setting foorth of sincere Religion ioyned wyth like gentlenes modestie and pitie toward all men there hath not many suche Queenes before her borne the Crowne of England Principally this one commendation she left behinde her that during her life the Religion of Christ most happely florished and had a right prosperous course Many things might be written more of the manyfolde vertues and the quiet moderation of her milde nature how lowly she would beare not onely to be admonished The milde nature of Queene Anne in taking admânition but also of her owne accorde woulde require her Chapleynes playnely and freely to tell whatsoeuer they sawe in her amisse Also how bountifull shee was to the poore passing not only the common example of other Queenes but also the reuenues almost of her estate in so much that the almose which she gaue in three quarters of a yeare in distribution is summed to the number of xiiij or xv thousand pounds Beside the great peece of money which her grace intended to impart into foure sundry quarters of the Realme as for a stocke there to be employed to the behoofe of poore artificers and occupyers Agayne The great Almose of Queene Annne what a zelous defender she was of Christes Gospell all the world doth knowe and her actes doe and will declare to the worldes ende Amongst which other her actes this is one that shee placed M. Hugh Latymer in the Byshopricke of Worcester and also preferred Doctor Shaxton to his Byshopricke being then accompted a good man Furthermore what a true fayth she bare vnto the Lorde this one example may stande for many for that when King Henry was with her at Wodstocke and there being afrayde of an olde blinde prophesie for the which neyther he nor other Kings before him durst hunt in the sayde parke of Woodstocke nor enter into the Towne of Oxford at last thorough the Christian and faithfull counsayle of that Queene he was so armed against all infidelitie that both he hunted in the foresayde parke and also entred in the Towne of Oxford and had no harme But because touching the memorable vertues of this worthy Queene partly we haue sayd something before partly because more also is promised to be declared of her vertuous life the Lord so permitting by other who then were about her I will cease in this matter further to proceede This I can not but meruayle why the Parlament holden this yeare that is the xxviij yeare of the King which Parliament three yeares before had established and confirmed this Mariage as most lawfull shoulde now so sodeinly and contrary to their owne doings Statuâ An. 28. Hen. 8. cap. 7. repeale and disable the sayd Mariage agayne as vnlawfull beeyng so lawfully before contracted But more I meruayle why the saide Parliament after the illegitimation of the Mariage enacted not contented with that should further proceede and charge her with such carnall desires of her body as to misuse her selfe with her owne naturall brother the Lorde Rochford and others Parliamentâ not alwayes constant being so contrary to all nature that no naturall man will beleeue it But in this Acte of Parliament did lie no doubt some great mistery which heere I will not stand to discusse but onely that it may be suspected some secrete practising of the Papistes here not to be lacking considering what a mightie stoppe she was to their purposes and proceedings and on the contrary side what a strong Bulwarke she was for the maintenance of Christes Gospell and sincere religion which they then in no case could abide By reason wherof it may easily be considered that this Christian and deuout Debora could lacke no enemies
cyuill and also the lawes of God be on our side For a free man borne doth not lose his liberty no nor hurt the plee of his libertie though he write himselfe a bond man Againe if they leane to custome we send them to sainct Ciprian which saith that custome Custome if trouth be not ioyned with it is nothing but erroris vetustas that is an old error Christ sayd Ego sum via veritas vita I am y e way trouth and life He neuer sayd Ego sum consuetudo I am the custome Wherfore seeing custome serueth you on y e one side and Scripture vs vppon the other are ye able to matche vs In how many places doth Christ monish you to seek no primacie to preferre your selues before no body no The Popes ãâã and his digniââ agree not to geather to be obedient vnto all creatures Your old title Seruus seruorum euill agreeth with your new forged dignitie But we will not tary in matters playne We onely desire God y t Cesar other Christian Princes would agree vpoÌ some holy Councell where trouth may be tried and ReligioÌ set vp which hath bene hurt by nothing so sore as by general not generall Councels Errours and abuses grow to fast Best that euery Prince reforme his owne realme and tary not for generall Councells Erudimini erudimini qui iudicatis terram Get you learning you y t iudge the earth excogitate some remedy for these so many diseases of y e sick Church They that be wisest do dispayre of a generall Councel Wherfore we think it now best that euery Prince call a Councell prouincial and euery Prince to redresse his owne Realme We make all men priuy what we thinke best to be done for the redresse of religion If they like it we doubt not but they wil follow it or some other better Our trust is that all Princes will so handle themselues in this behalfe that Princes may enioy their own and Priests of Rome content themselues with that they ought to haue Princes as we trust will no longer nourish Wolues whelpes they wil subscribe no more to popish pride to the Papacie c. Fauour our doinges O Christen Princes Your honor ancient Maiestie is restored RemeÌber there is nothing pertaining so muche to a Princes honour as to set forth truth and to helpe religion Take you heed that their deceite worke not more mischief then your vertue can doe good euerlasting warre we would all Princes had with this Papacie As for their Decrees so harken to them that if in this Mantua assemble thynges be well done ye take them but not as authorised by them but that trouth and thyngs that mainteyne ReligioÌ are to be taken at all meÌs haÌdes And eueÌ as we will admit thynges well made so if there be any thyng determined in preiudice of trouth for mainteinauÌce of their euill grounded primacy or that may hurt y e authoritie of kings we protest vnto y e whole world that we neither allow it nor will at any tyme allow it Ye haue Christen Readers our mynde coÌcernyng the generall Councell We thinke you all see that Paule his Cardinals Byshops Abbots Monkes Friers with the rest of the rablemeÌt do nothing lesse inteÌd then the knowledge or search of trouth Ye see this is no tyme meete MaÌtua no place meete for a generall CouÌcell And though they were both meete yet except some other cal this CouÌcell you see that we neither neede to come nor to seÌd You haue heard how euery Prince in his owne Realme may quiet thynges amisse If there be any of you that can shew vs a better way we promise w t all harty desire to do that that shal be thought best for the setlyng of Religion that we wil leaue our owne aduises if any maÌ shew vs better Which mynde of ours we most hartly pray GOD that gaue it vs not onely to encrease in vs but also to send it vnto all Christen Princes all Christen Prelates and all Christen people A little before the death of Queene Anne there was a ParliameÌt at Westminster wherin was geueÌ to the kyng by coÌsent of the Abbots all such houses of religioÌ as were vnder 300. markes Which was a shrewde prognosticate of the ruine of greater houses which in deede folowed shortly after as was might easely be perceaued before of many who theÌ sayd that the low bushes and brambles were cut downe before but great okes would folow after Although the proceedyng of these thyngs did not well like the myndes of the Popes frendes in EnglaÌd The Papistes purpose disapointed Queene Iane maryed to the king yet notwithstandyng they began agayne to take some breath of comfort when they sawe the foresayd Queene Anne dispatched Neuerthelesse they were frustrate of their purpose as is aforeshewed and that doblewise For first after they had their willes of Queene Anne the Lord raysed vp an other Queene not greatly for their purpose with her sonne kyng Edward L. Cromwell groweth in authoritye And also for that the Lord CroÌwell the same tyme began to growe in authoritie Who like a mighty piller set vp in the Churche of Christ was enough alone to confounde and ouerthrow all the malignant deuises of the aduersaries so long as God gaue him in lyfe here to continue whose story hereafter followeth more at large Shortly after this foresayd Mariage of the kyng with this Queene Iane Semer aboue mentioned in y e moneth of Iune duryng the continuation of the Parliament by the consent of the Clergy holdyng theÌ a solemne conuocation in the Church of S. Paule Alteration of religion a little beginneth a booke was set forth conteyning certaine Articles of religon necessary to be taught to the people wherein they intreated specially but of three Sacramentes Baptisme Penaunce the Lordes Supper Where also diuers other thyngs were published concernyng the alteration of certaine pointes of Religion as that certaine holy dayes were forbiddeÌ and many Abbayes began to bee suppressed For the whiche cause the rude multitude of Lincolneshyre fearing the vtter subuersion of their old Religion Commotion in Lincolnshire wherein they had bene so long nousled did rise vp in a great coÌmotion to the nuÌber welneare of 20. thousaÌd hauyng for their Captaine a Monke named D. Makerell calling himselfe then Captaine Cobbler but these rebels being repressed by the kyngs power and desiryng pardon A moÌke stirrer of the coÌmotioÌ soone brake vp their assembly For they hearing of the royal army of the king coÌming against them wyth his owne persone there present fearing what would follow of this first the noble men and Gentlemen which before fauoured them began to w tdraw themselues so that they were destitute of Captaines and at the laste they in writing made certaine petitions to the king protesting that they neuer intended hurt toward his royal person These petitions the king
quo edere non habent potestaté qui tabernaculo deseruiunt Anno 1538. Quorum enim animalium infertur sanguis pro peccato in sancta per pontificeÌ A Sermon of Bish. Longland before the king an 1538. The ThâaÌe Hebr. 13. horum corpora cremantur extra castra Propter quod Iesus extra portam passus est Exeamus igitur ad eum extra castra improperium eius portantes These are the wordes of the Apostle Many things conteined in few wordes and the English thereof is this We haue an aulter we haue an aulter sayth the Apostle an aulter and a sacrifice vpon this aulter And they that serueth the Tabernacle may not eat of this aulter may not eat of the Sacrifice that is offred vpon this aulter For the Apostle here Per metonymiam doth put the aulter for that that is sacrificed vpon the aulter The bloud of those beastes that were slayne for the sacrifice was brought into the holy secret high place of the temple where the Arke was betwene the high aultar as ye will say and the veile by the bishop there offered vp for the sinne of the people The bodies of the beastes that were burned without the pauilions or tentes for the which Propter quod for which what for the fulfilling of which mistery Also to verifie and fulfill the figure and that the thing figured might be correspondent to the figure Iesus suffered without the gate to sanctify the people by his bloud Let vs go out therefore and suffer with Christ bearing his opprobries and rebukes These be the wordes of the Apostle now taken I will by the helpe of our Lord God declare these wordes in order eueÌ as they do staÌd Here is an aultar here is a Sacrifice here is a Byshop which did offer this Sacrifice here is a Tabernacle a seruing of the Tabernacle the bloud of the sacrifice which was offered by the Byshop for the sinnes of the people in the moste holy place of the temple and the bodies of the beastes whose bloud was offered were burned without the tentes And this was done the x. day of the vij moneth Ye heare now the words of the Apostle Wherin appeareth the manifest figure of the Passion of our sauior Iesus Christ which we this day do honor In these wordes the Apostle toucheth the figure of the lawe And bringeth it to a spirituall vnderstanding For it was commaunded in the law in the booke of Numbers Num. 19. that the x. day of the vij moneth in the feast that was called the feast of the propitiation of mercy of remission or the feast of purgation when the people were purged At which time they should take a calfe and a kidde and slay them whose bloud the onely Bishop should bring In sancta sanctorum into the most holy solemne Heb. 11. and secret place of the temple wherein the bishop neuer came vnlesse he brought with him bloud to offer in Sacrifice Quia omnia ferè in sanguine secundum legem mundabuntur sine sanguinis effunone non sit remissio sayth the Apostle Almost al thinges after the law or in the law were cleansed in bloud and by bloud without the effusion of bloud was no remission And in that place of the temple called Sancta Sanctorum the Bishop prayed and offered for the people The flesh and corps of the sacrifice was burned without the tentes without theyr pauilions And it was not law full to any that did serue the tabernacle to eat of the flesh of that sacrifice Here is a manifest figure as I sayd of the Passion of our Sauiour Christ. The aultar that was consecrate and halowed in this solemnity of the bloud of the eternall Testament was that holye crosse that Christ suffered on Which as on this day he did consecrate hallow dignifie and dedicate and did adourne and decke the same with the members of his most precious body more gloriously then if it had bene embrodered and insert with precious stones For as golde which is the most precious metall is made more precious when it is set with precious stones 1. Pet. 2. and is dignified therwith whether it be aulter Image crowne ring or owchâ so was the aulter the holy Crosse beautified dignified adourned made precious with the members of that most precious stone Christ which is as Peter sayth Lapis viuus The stone christ ab hominibus reprobatus a deo electus probatus angularis praeciosus This Christ is he sayth the liuely stone which men did reproue which God did elect for the approued stone for a corner stone for the chiefe stone in the building of his church for the stone that ioyneth the walles of the Church together for the stone wherupon the fayth of Christ and his Church is builded A precious stone a stone of price a stone of high value far passing in the estimation of a good Christen man all other precious stones in the world This precious stone Christ with the members of his most precious body did decke adourne and made precious this aulter of the Crosse when his body was by the âewes with violency Psal. 21. extremely strayned vpon the same that all his bones as testifieth the Prophet mought be numbred Vpon this aultar was the great Sacrifice of the world offered Christ himselfe He was the Sacrifice he was the Priest He offered vp himselfe to God his father Christ the sacrifice of the world for the sinne of man Obtulit semetipsum immaculatum deo vt sanctificaret iniquinatos sayth the Apostle He offered himselfe a pure cleane immaculate hoste to God to redeeme the world to sanctify sinners to iustify man This Christ the Bishop of good thinges to come as the Apostle witnesseth entred once into the place called Sancta Sanctorum not onely of the temple but in Sancta sanctorum into that holy place of places into heaueÌ He entred with sacrificed bloud like a Bishop Not with the bloud of goates or calues Heb. 9. Heb. 9. Heb. 9. not with the bloud of rammes or buls but with his owne precious bloud For if the bloud of goates and bulles and the ashes of the burned calfe sprinckled abroad were sufficient to the making cleane of flesh how much more then the bloud of Christ who by the holy Ghost did offer vp himselfe to God a most pure most cleane immaculate sacrifice is able to purge clense and make fayre our coÌsciences froÌ the works of death and to liue in the liuing God This is our great bishop as the Apostle sayth Leuit. 16. Heb. 4. Habemus pontificem magnum qui penetrauit coelos Iesum filium dei We haue a great bishop which did penitrate the heauens whose name is Iesus the sonne of God This is our great Byshop our high Byshop our vniuersall Byshop This is the head byshop of all Bishops and of all the worlde named God as the Apostle sayth to be our
and bringer vp of the Secte of the Nazarens which was also minded to haue polluted our temple c. Truth taken for falshode Christ taken for a seducer In what causes men forbidden ought not to cease from preaching This is to call by peruerse iudgement trueth falsehoode And thus did theyr predecessours speake of the Prophets yea and of Christ himselfe calling him a seducer and preacher of heresy which is written for our instruction And men thus being suspected as I woulde none were ought in no wise therefore to cease neither from preaching ne teaching Ensample of this we haue in the Actes of the apostles where is shewed that wheÌ Peter Iohn had done a myracle vpon a man that had bene lame froÌ his natiuity whoÌ by the power of Christ they healed Act. 4.5.6 caused to go where he pleased the people hearing of this came running about Peter Iohn Peter seeing this did exhort the people in a sermon that they should not thinke him his felow S. Iohn to haue done this woÌderfull thing by their own power or holynes but by the vertue of Christ whom they theyr head rulers had slayne While they were thus speaking with the people there came vpoÌ them the priestes officers of the temple accompanyed with the Saduces being sore displeased that they should enterprise to teach the people and preace that men should arise from death by the name of Christ whom they had caused to be crucified and therewith they layd handes vpon them and put them in warde vntill next day The next day they sent for the Apostles before them demaunding by what power and in whose name they did this myracle Peter made aunswere Act. 4. If you quoth he that are head rulers ouer the people lust by examination to knowe by what meanes we did it we woulde you should all know that we did it throvgh the name of Christ Iesu of Nazareth whom you did crucify but God did cause him to arise agayne In the vertue of hys name doth this man that afore was lame now stand before you here both whole and found For Christ is that high corner stone whoÌ you cast away which should haue builded the peoples fayth vpon him neither is there any saluation without him These great men seing that Peter spake so freely and that he with his felow Iohn were simple men without any pompous apparel or great garde of seruaunts being like ideots and men vnlearned wondred therat At the last they did commaunde them to depart out of theyr Councell house whiles they should coÌmon more largely of y e matter Peter and the Apostles prohibited by the Phariseis to preach Christ. Afterward they called y e Apostles afore them agayde commaunding them that they should no more preach ne teache in the name of Iesus But the Apostles aunswered saying I beseeche you iudge better ought we to obey you more then God or no For certaynely we must needes testify of those thinges which we haue both heard and seene Then the head Priestes threatning them sore did geue them strait charge Act. 4. not to breake theyr precept and so did let them goe not knowing any cause why they might punish them for they feared least the people would haue taken part with the Apostles for the people gaue glory to God for the myracle shewed by them NotwithstaÌding al these great threats Peter wrought miracles still amongst the people Peter disobeyed the precepte of the Phariseis doing theÌ to know that glory therfore ought to be geueÌ to Iesus by whose power and name they were done Wherwith the harts of the people melted for ioy so that they folowed after the Apostles whyther soeuer they went The primate of the priestes hearing of this and all that were about him repleate with indignation layd handes vpon the Apostles putting them in the common Prison But the Aungell of God in the night opened the Prison dores and brought them out saying Peter deliuered out of prison Goe you into the Temple and stand there preaching vnto the people all the wordes of life That is to say Christes doctrine and so they did earely in the morning Then came foorth the chiefe Priest and they whom he vsed to haue about him and called a Councell in which were all the Priestes of Israel or auncientes of Israel So they sent vnto the prison house for to haue the apostles brought forth before them When theyr seruaunts came to the prison house found the apostles gone thence they returned to theyr maisters saying we found the prison fast shut round about in euery part the keepers watching at the dores without full diligently But when we had opened the prison we could find no body within Then as the high priestes officers of the temple heard this they were in a great perplexity doubting what wold therof come Act. 5. Then came one vnto them shewed theÌ saying Behold the men that ye put in prison are standing in the temple preaching vnto the people Then weÌt they thither and brought the apostles with theÌ without any violence but they were afrayd lest the people would haue beaten them downe with stones Then they caused the apostles to be brought into their Councell house the high priest beginning his proposition agaynst the apostles in this forme Haue we not straytly commaunded you sayd he that you should not preach in the name of Christ And see you haue filled all Hierusalem with your doctrine Will you bring this mans bloud vpoÌ vs God to be obeyed more then men Act. 5. that we should vnrighteously haue caused him to suffer death Then aunswered Peter and the other Apostles saying We ought to obey God more then any man The God of our fathers hath raysed Iesu from death whom you did slay hanging him vpon a tree Him notwithstanding hath GOD raysed and by his power aduaunced to be our king and Sauiour by whom shal be geuen to all Israel that will take repentaunce forgeuenes of sinne These great rulers hearing this their harts were therwith clouen a sunder and they couÌselled together for to slay the apostles But one good man amoÌg theyr multitude aduised them otherwise whose aduise they did approue TheÌ they called the apostles againe afore them causing them to be scourged charged them no more to preach in the name of Iesu and so did let them depart Then went they away out of the Councell reioycing that God had made theÌ worthye to suffer such rebukes for his name sake The counsell of Gamaliell But yet they neuer ceased to teach preach of Iesus Christ euery day in the temple and in all houses that they came into This is written in the 4.5 and 6. of the Actes of the apostles for our instruction doubt you not for such practise is shewed in all ages So that hereby you may set Act. 4.5.6 when men be wrongfully suspect or infamed
aire there remaineth moisture as you doe say but that is not the moisture of water but the proper and naturall moisture of the aire Whereupon there is an other doctrine amongest the Philosophers as a perpetuall rule that it can by no meanes be that the qualities accidents in natural things should remaine in their owne proper nature without their proper subiect Then againe the king and the Byshops raged against Lambert in somuch that he was not only forced to silence but also might haue ben driuen into a rage if his eares had not bene acquainted with such tauntes afore After this the other Bishoppes euery one in his order as they were appoynted supplied their places of disputation There were appoynted ten in number for the performing of this Tragedie for his ten Arguments which as before we haue declared were deliuered vnto Taylor the preacher It were too long in this place Ten disputers agaynst Lambert to repeate the reasons and arguments of euery Byshop and no lesse superfluous were it so to doe specially for somuch as they were all but common reasons and nothing forceable and suche as by the long vse of disputation haue ben beaten LaÌmbert ingreat perplexity and had little in them either worthy the hearer or the reader Lambert in the meane tyme beyng compassed in wyth so many and great perplexities vexed on the one side with checkes and taunts and pressed on the other side with the authority and threats of the personages and partly being amazed with the maiestie of the place in the presence of the King and especially being wearied with longe standinge Lambert kepeth silence when speaking would do no good whych continued no lesse then fiue houres from twelue of the clocke vntill fiue at nyght being broughte in despayre that he shoulde nothing profite in thys purpose and seeing no hope at all in speaking was at this poynt that he chose rather to holde his peace Whereby it came to passe that those Byshoppes which last of all disputed with him spake what they lusted wythout interruption saue onely that Lambert now and then would alledge somwhat out of S. Augustin for the defence of hys cause in which author he seemed to be very prompt and ready But for the most parte as I sayde being ouercome with wearines and other griefes he held his peace defending himselfe rather with silence then with argumentes which he saw would nothing at al preuayle At the last when the day was passed and that torches begaÌ to be lighted the king minding to breake vp this pretensed disputation sayd vnto Lambert in this wise What sayst thou now sayd he after al these great labours which thou hast taken vpon thee The kinges wordes to Lambert and all the reasons instructions of these learned men art thou not yet satisfied Wilt y u liue or dye What sayst thou Thou hast yet free choose Lambert aunswered I yelde and submit my selfe wholy vnto the will of your Maiestie Then said the king Commit thy selfe vnto the handes of God and not vnto myne Lambert I commend my soule vnto the handes of God but my body I wholy yeld submit vnto your clemency Then sayd the king if you do committe your selfe vnto my iudgement you must dye The king condemneth the Martir of Christ Iohn Lambert for I will not be a patron vnto heretickes and by and by turning himself vnto Cromwell he sayd Cromwell read the sentence of condeÌnation agaynst him This Cromwel was at that time the chiefe frend of the Gospellers And here is it muche to be maruailed at L. Cromwell commaunded by the king to read the sentence to see how vnfortunately it came to passe in this matter that through the pestiferous crafty counsaile of this one Bishop of Winchester Sathan whiche oftentimes doth raise vp one brother to the destruction of an other did here performe the condemnation of this Lambert by no other ministers then Gospellers themselues Taylor Barnes Cranmer and Cromwell who afterwardes in a maner al suffered the like for the Gospels sake of whoÌ God willing we will speake more hereafter This vndoubtedly was the malicious and crafty subtiltie of the Bishop of Winchester whiche desired rather The crafty fetch of Steph. Wint. that the sentence might be read by Cromwell then by any other so y t if he refused to doe it he shoulde likewise haue incurred the like daunger But to be short Cromwell at the kings commaundement taking the schedule of condeÌnation in hand read the same Wherein was conteined the burning of heretickes whiche either spake or wrote anye thing or had any bookes by them repugnant or disagreeing from the Papisticall Church and theyr tradition The sentence agaynst Iohn Lambert touching the sacrament of the aultare also a decree that the same shoulde be sette vppe vppon the Churche porches and be read foure tymes euery yeare in euery Churche throughout the Realme whereby the worshipping of the bread should be the more firmely fixed in the heartes of the people And in this maner was the coÌdemnation of Iohn Lambert Wherein great pitie it was and muche to be lamented to see the Kinges highnesse that day so to oppose and set his power and strength âo fiercely and vehemently in assisting so manye proude and furious aduersaries against that one poore seely soule to be deuoured WhoÌ hys Maiestie wyth more honour might rather haue aided and supported being so on euery side oppressed and compassed about wythout helpe or refuge amonge so many Wolues and vultures The part âf a gâod Prince what to doe especially in suche a cause tending to no derogation to him nor to his realme but rather to the necessary reformation of syncere truth and doctrine decaied For therein especially consisteth the honour of Princes to pity the miserable to relieue the oppressed to rescue the wroÌgs of the poore and to tender and respect the weaker parte especially where righte and truth standeth with him which if the King had done that day it had ben in my minde not so much for the comforte of that poore persecuted creature as it woulde haue redounded to the immortall renoume of his Princely estate to all posteritie But thus was Iohn Lambert in this bloudy Session by the king iudged and condemned to death whose iudgement now remaineth with the Lord against that day wheÌ as before the tribunall seate of that great iudge both princes and subiects shall stande and appeare not to iudge but to be iudged according as they haue done and deserued Ex testimonio cuiusdam ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã A.G. And thus muche hetherto of Lambertes articles aunsweres disputation and his condemnation also Nowe to proceede further to the storie of his death Upon the day that was appoynted for this holy martyr of God to suffer Lambert going to his death he was brought out of the prisone at 8. of the clocke in the morning vnto the house of
may easily be coniectured what these practisers haue likewyse done in the rest Thirdly by one Italian tricke of Polydore Uirgill in our daies An ItaliaÌ tricke of Polydore Virgill to burne his bookes which he had gotten into his handes the properties and doinges of all other Italian papists of elder time may partly be coniectured For so I am informed by such as precisely will affirme it to be true y t when Polydore being licensed by the king to viewe and searche all Libraries had once accomplished his storye by the help of such books as he had compiled out of Libraries in y e end when he had taken out what he would like a true factor for y e popes own tooth he piled his bookes together set them al on a light fire For what cause he so did I can not certaynly pronounce but who so considereth well his religion may shrewdly suspect him For a probatioÌ wherof this may serue for a sufficient tryall that whereas of all other writers of historyes that haue bene in EnglaÌd as of Fabian Lanquer Rastall More Leland Balle Halle such other some of their bookes which they then occupyed yet remayn in hands to be seene Onely of suche books as Polydore vsed and which past his handes what Englishe man is he that hath seene or can shewe me one Whereby it may wel be thought the foresaid information to be true As also by this one Italian tricke of Polydore may other Italians likewise be suspected in making away such Latin books within this land as made not for their purpose But for somuch as those Latine bookes be nâw abolished and can not be had let vs returne to our Saxon tongue agayne and see what this Saxon sermon of Elfricus translation doth say for transubstantiation The copy whereof here ensueth ¶ A Sermon translated out of Latin into the Saxon tongue by Aelfricus against Transubstantiation An. 996. In die Sanctae Pascae ¶ The Alphabet of the Saxon tongue ¶ a. b. c. d. d. e. f. f. È g. h. i. l. m. n. o. p. r. r. s. s. t. t u. Æ¿. w. x. y. y. z. z. Abbreuiations AE Ae. Ã. Th. Ã. Th. S. S. Æ¿. W. and. ð. th þ. th This Sermon was vsuall to be read in the Church here in England in the Saxons time An. 366. ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã The same in English A Sermon on Easter day MEn beloued it hathe bene often sayde vnto you about our Sauiours resurrection A Sermon ãâã Saxon ãâã into transâââed into Englishe howe hee on this present day after his suffering mightely rose from deathe Nowe will we open vnto you through Gods grace of the holye housell which ye should nowe go vnto and instruct your vnderstanding about this mysterie both after the olde couenaunt and also after the newe that no doubting maye trouble you about thys liuely foode The almightye God bad Moses hys Captaine in the Lande of Egypt to commaund the people of Israel to take to euery family a lamb of one yere old the night they departed out of the countrey to the land of promise and to offer that lambe to God and after to cutte it and to make the â â This signe of the crosse is beside the text but here we must beare with the ignorance of that time Exod. 12. signe of the Crosse wyth the lambes bloud vpon the side postes and the vpper post of theyr doore and afterwarde to eate the Lambes flesh rosted and vnleauened bread with wilde lettisse God sayeth vnto Moyses Eate of the Lambe nothing rawe nor sodden in water but rosted at the fire Eate the heade the feete and the inwardes and lette nothing of it be left vntill the morning if anye thing therof remaine that shall you burne with fire Eate it in this wise Girde your loynes and doe your shoes on your feete haue you staues in your handes and eate it in haste The tyme is the Lordes Passeouer And there was slaine on that night in euery house through oute Pharaos raigne the firste borne childe and Gods people of Israel were deliuered froÌ that sodaine death through the Lambes offering his bloudes marking Then sayde God vnto Moyses Keepe this day in your remembraunce and holde it a great feaste in your kindredes wyth a perpetuall obseruation and eate vnleauened breade alwayes seuen dayes at this feaste Exod. 14. After thys deede God led the people of Israel ouer the red Sea with drye foote drowned therein Pharao and all his army together with theyr possessions and fedde afterward the Israelites 40. yeares wyth heauenly foode Exod. 17. and gaue them water out of the hard rocke vntill they came to the promised land Parte of thys storie we haue treated off in an other place partly we shall nowe declare to witte that which belongeth to the holye housell Christen men may not nowe keepe that olde lawe bodely but it behooueth them to knowe what it Ghostlye signifieth That innocent Lambe which the old Israelites did then kil had signification after Ghostly vnderstanding of Christes suffering who vnguiltie shedde his holy bloud for our redemption Hereof sing Gods seruaunts at euery * * This Masse was not theÌ ãâã to these ãâã Popishe ãâã blasphemous masâes ãâã Masse Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis That is in our speach Thou Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercy vppon vs. Those Israelites were deliuered from that sodaine deathe and from Pharaos bondage by the lambes offeryng which signified Christes suffering through which we be deliuered from euerlasting death and from the deuils cruell raigne if we rightly beleue in the true redemer of the whole world Christ the Sauiour That Lambe was offered in the euening and our sauiour suffered in the sixt age of this world This age of this corruptible worlde is reckened vnto the euening They marked with the lambes bloud vppon the doores and the vpper postes * * This Hebrewe letter Thau was not marked for the signe of the crosse but for the word âorat that ãâã the law of God the first letter for the whole world Ezech. 9. Thau that is the signe of the crosse and wer so defended from the Angels that killed the Egyptians first borne childe And wee * * That oneây crosse is it wherewith we are marked that S. Paule speaketh of Ephe 2. Christ reconciled both to God ãâã one body through ãâã crosse ought to marke our foreheades and our bodies with the token of Christes roode y t we may be also deliuered from destruction when we shal be marked both on forehead and also in heart with the bloude of oure Lordes suffering Those Israelites dyd eate the lambes flesh at their Easter time when they were deliuered and we receiue ghostly Christes body
of the other Lordes what he had promised You shall commend me sayd he to the Kyng and tell hym By that he hath so well tryed and throughly prooued you as I haue done hee shall finde you as false a man as euer came about hym Syr Rafe Sadler the L. CroÌwels trusty frend Besides this he wrote also a letter from the Tower to the kyng whereof when none durst take the cariage vpon him sir Rafe Sadler whom he also had preferred to the kyng before beyng euer trusty faythfull vnto hym went to the king to vnderstand his pleasure whether he would permit him to bring the letter or not Which when y e kyng had graunted the sayd M. Sadler as he was required presented the letter vnto the king which he commaunded thrise to be red vnto him in so much the kyng seemed to be mooued therewith Notwithstanding by reason of the Acte of parliament afore passed the worthy and noble Lorde Cromwell oppressed by his enemies and condemned in the Tower and not comming to his answer the 28. day of Iuly an 1541. was brought to the scaffold on Tower hill where he sayd these words followyng I am come hither to die and not to purge my selfe The L. Cromwel brought ãâã the ãâã as some thinke peraduenture that I will For if I should so do I were a very wretch and a miser I am by the law coÌdemned to die and thanke my lord God that hath appointed me this death for myne offence For sithens the tyme y t I haue had yeares of discretion I haue lyued a sinner and offended my Lord God for the which I aske him hartelie forgiuenes And it is not vnknowne to many of you that I haue bene a great traueller in this world being but of a base degree was called to high estate and sithens the tyme I came thereunto I haue offended my Prince for the which I aske him hartily forgiuenes and beseech you all to pray to God with me that he will forgiue me And now I pray you that be here to beare me record I dye in the catholike fayth not doubting in any Article of my faith no nor doubting in any sacrament of the church Manye haue slaundered me and reported that I haue bene a bearer of such as haue mainteined euill opinions which is vntrue But I confesse that like as God by his holy spirit doth instruct vs in the truth so the deuill is ready to seduce vs I haue bene seduced A true Christian confession ãâã the L. Cromâwel at his death but beare me witnes that I die in the catholike faith of the holy church And I hartily desire you to pray for the kings grace that he may long lyue with you in health and prosperitie and that after him his sonne prince Edward that goodly impe may long raigne ouer you And once again I desire you to pray for me that so long as life remaineth in this flesh I wauer nothing in my faith And so making his prayer kneling on his knees he spake these words the effect whereof here followeth A prayer that the Lord Cromwell sayd at the houre of his death O Lord Iesu which art the onely health of all men liuing The prayer of the L. Cromwel at his death and the euerlasting life of them which die in thee I wretched sinner do submit my selfe wholy vnto thy most blessed will and being sure that the thing cannot perish which is committed vnto thy mercy willingly now I leaue this fraile and wicked fleshe in sure hope that thou wilt in better wise restore it to me agayne at the last day in the resurrection of the iust I beseech thee moste merciful lord Iesus Christ that thou wilt by thy grace make stroÌg my soule against all temptations and defend me with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of the deuill I see and knowledge that there is in my selfe no hope of saluation but all my coÌfidence hope and trust is in thy most mercifull goodnesse I haue no merites nor good works which I may alledge before thee Of sinnes and euill workes alas I see a great heape but yet thorough thy mercy I trust to be in the number of them to whome thou wilt not impute their sinnes but wilt take and accept me for righteous and iust and to be the inheritour of euerlasting lyfe Thou mercifull lord wast borne for my sake thou didst suffer both hunger and thirst for my sake thou didst teach pray and fast for my sake all thy holy actions and workes thou wroughtest for my sake thou suffredst most grieuous paines and tormentes for my sake finally thou gauest thy most precious body and thy bloud to be shed on the crosse for my sake Nowe most mercifull Sauior let al these things profit me that thou frely hast done for me which hast geuen thy selfe al so for me Let thy bloud cleanse and wash away the spots and foulenes of my sinnes Let thy righteousnes hide and couer my vnrighteousnes Let the merites of thy passion and bloudsheding be satisfaction for my sinnes Geue me Lord thy grace that the faith of my saluation in thy bloud wauer not in me but may euer be firme and constant That the hope of thy mercy and life euerlasting neuer decay in me that loue waxe not cold in me Finally that the weaknes of my fleshe be not ouercome with the feare of death Graunt me mercifull Sauiour that when death hath shut vp the eyes of my body yet the eyes of my soule may still behold and looke vpon thee and when death hath taken away the vse of my tongue yet my heart may cry and say vnto thee Lord into thy hands I commend my soule Lord Iesu receaue my spirit Amen And thus his prayer made after he had godly louingly exhorted them that were about him on the scaffold The death of the â Cromwel he quietly committed his soule into the hands of God and so paciently suffred the stroke of the axe by a ragged and butcherly miser which very vngodly performed the office ¶ Of the Bible in English printed in the large volume and of Edmund Boner preferred to the Bishoprike of London by the meanes of the Lord Cromwell ABout the time and yere when Edmund Boner bishop of Hereford ambassadour resident in Fraunce begaÌ first to be nominate preferred by the meanes of the lord Cromwel to the bishoprike of London The Bibles of the ãâ¦ã Paris which was anno 1540. it happened that the said Thomas Lord Cromwell and Erle of Essex procured of y e king of england his gracious letters to the French king to permitte and licence a subiect of his to imprint the Bible in English within the vniuersitie of Paris because paper was there more meete and apt to be had for the doing therof then in the realme of England also that there were more store of good workmen for the readie dispatch of
which had the doing therof to chaunge the name of William Tyndall because that name then was odious and to farther it by a straÌge name of Thomas Mathew Iohn Rogers the same time beyng corrector to the print who had then translated the residue of the Apocripha and added also certaine notes thereto in the margent The Byble presented to the king by the Lord Cromwell The Byble put forth with the kinges priuiledge and therof came it to be called Thomas Mathewes Bible Which Bible of Thomas Mathew after it was imprinted and presented to the Lord Cromwell the Lord Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who liked very well of it the sayd Cromwell presented it to y e kyng and obteined that the same might freely passe to be read of hys subiectes with hys graces licence So that there was Printed vpon the same booke one lyue in red letters with these wordes Set forth with the Kings most gracious licence The setting forth of this booke did not a little offend the Clergy namely the Bishop aforesayd both for the Prologues specially because in the same booke was one special table collected of the common places in the Bible and the scriptures for the approbation of the same chiefly about the supper of the lord and mariage of priests and the masse which there was said not to be found in Scripture Furthermore after the restraint of this foresayde Bible of Mathew An other Byble of the great volume printed at Paris another Bible began to be printed at Paris an 1540. Which was called the Bible of the large Uolume The Printers whereof were the foresayde Richard Grafton and Whitchurche which bare the charges A great helper thereto was the lord Cromwell The chiefest ouerseer was Myles Couerdale who taking the translation of Tyndall conferred the same with the Hebrue and amended many things In this Bible although the former notes of Thomas Mathew was omitted The Byshops offended at the Byble translated into Englishe yet sondry markes handes were annexed in the sides which ment that in those places shuld be made certeine notes wherwith also the clergy was offended though the notes were not made After this the bishops bringing their purpose to passe brought the Lord Cromwell out of fauour and shortly to his death and not long after great complaint was made to the king of the translation of the Bible and of y e preface of the same The sale of the Byble stayd by the king throug the Byshops meanes· and then was the sale of the Bible commaunded to be stayed the B. promising to amend correct it but neuer performing the same Then Grafton was called first charged with the printing of Mathewes Bible but he being feareful of trouble made excuses for himselfe in all things Then was he examined of the great Bible and what notes he was purposed to make To the which he aunswered that he knewe none For his purpose was to haue retayned learned men to haue made the notes Rich. Grafton imprisoned for printing the Bible but when he perceyued the kynges maiestie and his Clergye not willing to haue any he proceded no further But for al these excuses Grafton was sent to the Fleet and there remayned vi wekes and before he came out was bound in CCC.li that he should neither sell nor imprint or cause to be imprinted any moe Bibles vntill the king the clergy should agree vpon a translation And thus was the Bible from that tyme stayed during the raigne of Kyng Henry the viij But yet one thing more is to be noted that after the imprinters had lost their Bibles they continued suiters to Boner as is aforesaid to be a meane for to obteyne of the French king their bookes againe but so long they continued suters and Boner euer fed them with faire wordes promising them much but did nothing for them till at the last Boner was discharged of his ambassade and returned home where he was right ioyfully welcomed home by the lord Cromwell who loued him dearely and had a maruelous good opinion of him Edm. Boner a great frend to L. Cromwell al the tyme of his prosperitye And so long as Cromwell remained in autoritie so long was Boner at his beck and friend to his friends and enimy to his enimies as namely at that tyme to Gardmer B. of Winchester who neuer fauoured Cromwell therefore Boner could not fauour him but that he and Winchester were the greatest enemies that might be Steph. Gardiner and Boner of enemyes made frendes But so soone as Cromwell fel immediatly Boner and Winchester pretended to be the greatest men that liued and no good word could Boner speake of Cromwell but the lewdest vilest and bitterest that he could speake calling him the rankest heretike that euer liued and then such as the sayd Boner knew to be in good fauour with Cromwell Doct. Boner altereth his frendship religion he could neuer abide their sight Insomuch as the next day after that Cromwell was appreheÌded the abouenamed Grafton who before had bene very famâliarâ with Boner met with the sayd Boner sodenly and sayd vnto hym that he was sory to heare of the newes that then was abroad What are they sayd he Of the apprehension of the L. Cromwell sayd Grafton Are ye sory for that sayd he It had bene good that he had bene dispatched long ago With that Grafton looked vpon hym and knew not what to say but came no more to Boner Howbeit afterward the sayd Grafton beyng charged for the imprinting of a ballet made in the fauour of Cromwel was called before the Councel Doctor Boner agaynst the L. Cromwell where Boner was present and there Boner charged hym with the wordes that hee spake to hym of Cromwell and told out a great long tale But the lord Awdeley who then was Lord Chauncellor right discretly and honourably cut of the matter and entered into other talke The history of Robert Barnes Thomas Garret and William Hierome diuines LIke as in forreine battails the chiefe poynt of victorie consisteth in the safetie of the Generall or captayne Rob. Barnes T. Garret W. Hierome Martyrs euen so when the valiaunt standerd bearer and stay of the church of England Tho. Cromwell I meane was made away pitie it is to behold what miserable slaghter of good men and good women ensued thereupon wherof we haue now Christ willing to entreat For Winchester hauyng now gotten his full purpose free swinge to exercise his cruelty wonder it was to see that Aper Calydonius or as the scripture speaketh that Ferus singularis Psal. 40. what troubles he raised in the Lordes vineyard And least by delayes he might loose the occasion presently offered he straight wais made his first assaultes vpon Robert Barnes Thomas Garret and William Hierome whom in y e very same moneth within ij dayes after Cromwels death he caused to be put to execution Whose
burned and these heretikes after the sermon to goe thryse about the fire and to cast in theyr fagots Now while the sermon was a doing D. Barnes and the stilliard men were commanded to knele downe aske God forgeuenes the catholike church and cardinals grace and after that hee was commaunded at the ende of the sermon to declare that he was more charitablier haÌdled then he deserued or was worthy hys heresies were so horrible and so detestable and once againe kneeled downe on hys knees and desiring the people of forgeuenesse and to praye for him and so the cardinal departed vnder a canapie with all his mitred men with him till he came to the second gate of Paules and then he tooke his mule and the mitred men came backe againe Then these poore men being commanded to come downe from the stage whereon the sweepers vse to stande when they sweepe the Church the Byshops sate them downe againe and commanded the knight marshall and the Warden of the Fleete with theyr company to carie them aboute the fire and so were they brought to the bishops and there for absolution kneeled downe Where Rochester stode vp and declared vnto the people how many dayes of pardon and forgeuenes of sinnes they had for beyng at that Sermone Dayes of pardon geuen for hearing a Popishe Sermon and there did assoyle D. Barnes wyth the other and shewed the people that they were receiued into the church agayne This done the Warden of the Fleete and the Knyght Marshall were commanded to haue them to the Fleete againe and charged that they should haue the libertie of the Flete as other prisoners had and that theyr frends myght resort vnto them and there to remaine till the Lorde Cardinals pleasure was knowen After that Barnes there in the Fleete had coÌtinued the space of halfe a yeare at length beyng deliuered was committed to be free prisoner at the Austen friers in London When those Caterpillers and bloudy beasts had there vndermined hym they complained againe to their Lord cardinall Wherupon he was remoued to the Austen Fryers of Northampton there to be burned Yet he himself vnder staÌding nothing therof but supposing still y t he shuld there remaine and continue in free prison at last one M. Horne who had brought hym vp and was his speciall frende hauing intelligence of the writte which should shortly be sent downe to burne him gaue him counsaile to faine him selfe to be desperate and that hee shoulde wryte a letter to the Cardinal and leaue it on his table where he lay and a paper by to declare whether he was gone to drown hymself to leaue his clothes in the same place Doct. Barnes fayned himselfe to be drowned and there an other letter to be left to the Maior of the towne to search for hym in the water because hee had a letter written in parchment about hys necke closed in waxe for the Cardinall whyche would teach all men to beware by hym Uppon thys they were 7. dayes in searching for hym but hee was conueyed to London in a pore mans apparel and so taried not there but tooke shipping and went by long Seas to Antwerpe and so to Luther and there fell to studie till hee had made aunswere to all the Bishops of the Realme and had made a Booke intituled Acta Romanorum pontificum And an other booke wyth a supplication to king Henrie Immediatly it was tolde the Cardinall that he was drowned and he sayde Perit memoria eius cum sonitu But thys did lyghte vppon hymselfe shortly after whyche wretchedly dyed at Leicester In the meane season D. Barnes was made strong in Christ Doct. Barnes sent Ambassadour from the king of Denmarke to king Henry into England and got fauour both of the learned in Christe forreine Princes in Germanye and was great wyth Luther Melancthon Pomeran Iustus Ionas Hegendorphinus and Aepinus and with the Duke of Saxon and the king of Denmarke which king of Denmarke in the time of More and Stokesley sent hym wyth the Lubeckes as an Ambassadour to king Henry the viij He lay wyth the Lubeckes Chauncellor at the Stilliard Syr Tho. More then Chancelour woulde fayne haue entrapped him Syr Thomas More sought the death of Doct. Barnes but the king would not let him for Cromwell was his great frende And ere he went the Lubeckes he disputed wyth the Bishops of this realme in defence of the truth and so he departed agayne wythout restrainte wyth the Lubeckes After hys going againe to Wittemb to the Duke of Saxon and to Luther hee remained there to set forwardes hys workes in Printe that he had begon from whence hee returned againe in the beginning of the raigne of Queene Anne Doct. Barnes returned agayne into England in the tyme of Queene Anne as other did continued a faythfull preacher in this Citie being all her time wel entertained and promoted After that he was sent Ambassador by K. Henrye the 8. to the Duke of Cleue for the marriage of y e Lady Anne of Cleue betwene the king and her and was wel accepted in that Ambassade and in all hys doings Doct. Barnes sent Ambassadour by king Henry to the Duke of Cleue vntil the time that Ste. Gardiner came out of Fraunce but after he came neither religion prospered nor the Queenes maiestie nor Cromwell nor the preachers who after the marryage of the Ladie Anne of Cleue neuer ceased vntill hee had grafted the mariage in an other stocke by the occasion wherof he began his bloudy broyle For not long after Doctor Barnes with hys brethren were apprehended and caryed before the kyngs maiestie to Hampton courte and there he was examined Where the kynges maiestie seeking the meanes of his safety to bring Wintc and hym agreed at Wynchesters request graunted him leaue to go home with the bishop to coÌferre with him and so he did But as it happened they not agreeing Gardiner and his coÌpartners sought by al subtil meanes how to entangle and to entrappe them in further danger which not long after was brought to passe For by certaine complaintes made to the kinge of them they were enioyned to preache 3. sermones the next Easter folowing at the Spittle At the which sermones besides other reporters whych were thether sent Ste. Gardiner also was there present sitting with the Maior either to beare recorde of theyr recantation or els as the Phariseis came to Christ to trippe them in their talke if they had spokeÌ any thing awry WheÌ these 3. had thus preached their Sermons among whome Barnes preaching the first sermon and seeing Ste. Gardiner there present humbly desired him in the face of al the audience if he forgaue hym to holde vp hys hande and the sayd Gardiner thereupon held vp his finger yet notwithstanding shortly after by the meanes of the sayd reporters they were sent for to Hampton Courte who from thence were caryed to the tower by Syr
fouÌd nothyng What nothyng By the fayth I owe to God quoth he to the foremaÌ I would trust you vpon your obligatioÌ but by your oth I will trust you nothyng TheÌ sayd some of the Commissioners My Lord geue them a loÌger day No quoth he in LoÌdon they euer finde nothyng I pray you what say you to Mekins My Lord quoth the foreman we can say nothing to him for we finde the witnesses to disagree One affirmeth that he should say the Sacrament was nothyng but a ceremonie the other nothing but a signification Why quoth Boner did he not say that Barnes dyed holy TheÌ pausing a while he bad cal the other Iury. Put in your Uerdict quoth he My Lord sayd one we haue fouÌd nothyng Rafe Foxley ãâã Iesus quoth he is not this a straunge case Then spake one of the same Iury whose name was Raph Foxley sayd My Lord wheÌ you gaue vs charge we desired to haue the Persons Curates of euery Parish to geue vs instructions Thiâ Recorder ãâ¦ã Rog. ãâã and it was denyed vs. Then stoode vp the Recorder and sayd it was true in deede that he had spoken and therewithall sayd this last yeare were charged two Iuries which did many thinges naughtely and foolishly and did as much as in them lay to make an vprore among y e Kings people therefore it was thought not meete that they should geue information to you Nay nay quoth Boner this was the cause Iâ the Person or Curate should geue information according to hys knowledge then what will they say I must tell my confession to a knaue priest and he shal go by and by and open it What sayd my Lord Maior there is no man I trow that wyll say so Yes by my trouth quoth Boner knaue Priest knaue Priest Then sayde the Lorde Maior somewhat smiling there be some of them slipper fellowes and as men finde them so will they oft times report Boner not well contented with those wordes said to the Iurie My maisters what say you to Mekins They aunswered the witnesses doe not agree therefore we do not allow them Why quod Boner this court hath alowed them TheÌ said one of the Iurie to the Recorder Is it sufficient for our discharge if this court do allow them Yea sayd the Recorder it is sufficieÌt said Go you aside together a while bring in your verdicte After the Iury had talked together a litle while they returned to the bar again with their inditement which at Boners hand was frendly receaued so both they and the other Iurie were discharged bidden take their ease Thus ended the court for that day Shortly after they sate for life and death Mekins being brought to the barre and the inditement read Boner sayd to him Mekins confesse the truth and submit thy selfe vnto the Kings law that thy death may be an example to all other This Rich. Mekins being a child which passed not the age of fifteene yeares as Halle reporteth as he had heard some other folkes talke so chaunced he to speake against y e sacrament of the altar Which comming to Boners eares he neuer left him as afore doth plainely appeare before he had brought him to the fire During the time of his imprisonment neither his poore father nor mother for feare durst ayde him with any reliefe whereby he there indured in great misery At what time he was brought vnto the stake he was taught to speake much good of the Bishop of London and of the great charitie he shewed to him and to defie and detest all heretickes and heresies but specially Doctor Barnes vnto whome he imputed the learning of that heresie which was the cause of his death The poore ladde would for sauegard of his life haue gladly sayde that the xij Apostles had taught it him such was his childishe innocencie and feare But for this deede many spake and sayd it was great shame for the Bishop whose parte and dutie it had bene rather to haue laboured to saue his life then to procure that terrible execution seeing that he was such an ignoraunt soule that he knew not what the affirming of heresie was ¶ Richard Spenser Ramsey and one Hewet suffered at Salisbury ABout the same time also a certeine Priest was burned at Salisbury who leauing his Papistry had married a wife and became a player in enterludes with one Ramsey and Hewet which three were all condemned and burned Against whome and specially against Spenser was layd matter concerning the Sacramente of the altar He suffered at Salisbury Although this Inquisition aboue meÌtioned was ment properly and especially concerning the vj. Articles yet so it fell out that in short space doubts beganne to rise and to be moued by the Quest whether they might enquire as well of all other opinions articles and cases of Lollardy or for speaking against holy bread holy water or for fauoring the cause of Barnes of Frier Warde Sir Thomas Rose c. Whereupon great perturbation followed in all Parishes almost through London in the yeare aforesayd which was 1541. as heere ensueth in a briefe summary Table to be seene ¶ A briefe Table of the troubles at London in the vj. Articles time Persons presented Their causes Iohn Dixe THis Dixe was noted neuer to be confessed in Lente nor to receiue at Easter and to be a sacramentary Rich. Chepeman Chepeman for eating fleshe in Lente and for working on holydayes and not comming to the Church Mistres Cicely Marshall Cicely for not bearing her Palme and despising holye bread and holy water Michaell Haukes Haukes for not comming to the Churche receiuing yong men of the new learning M. Iohn Browne Browne for bearyng wyth Barnes Annes Bedikes wife Bedikes wife for despising our Lady and not prayeng to Saints Andrew Kempe William Pahen Richard Manerd Kempe Pahen Manerd for disturbing the seruice of the Churche with brabling of the new Testament Wylliam Wyders Wyders denied two yeares before The parishe of Trinitye the little the Sacramente to bee Christes body and sayd that it was but only a signe Willi. Stokesley Stokesley for rebuking hys wife at the Church for taking holy water Roger Dauy. Dauy for speaking agaynste worshipping of Saints M. Blage. M. Blage for not comming to his parish Church not confessing nor receauing Wil. Clinch For sayeng when he seeth a Priest preparing to the Masse ye shall see a Priest now goe to masking S. Iohn Baptist in Walbroke Item for calling the Bish. of Winchester false flattering knaue Item for buryeng his wife without Dirige and causing the Scotte of S. Katherines to preach the next day after the buriall Wil. Playne Playne seeing a Priest go to Masse said now you shall see one in masking Item when hee came to the Churche wyth loud reading the english bible he disturbed the diuine seruice Herman Iohnson S. Buttolphs at Billingsgate Hierome Akon Giles Hosteman
are deceaued oft times in small trifles which thinke themselues so wise in Gods matters as though they coulde not erre should see by theyr own senses and iudgements how blind and infatuated they were in these so small matters sensible trifles Thus this strong imaginatioÌ of fire being fixed in their heades as nothing could remoue them to thinke contrary but that the Church was on fire so euery thing that they saw or heard What strong imagination can do in deluding mans senses encreased this suspition in them to make it seme most true which was in deede most false The first chiefest occasion that augmeÌted this suspition was the hereticke there bearing his fagot which gaue them to imagine that all other heretickes had conspired with him to set the Church on fire After this through the rage of the people running too and fro the dust was so raysed that it shewed as it hadde bene the smoke of fire Which thing together with the out-cry of the people made all men so afrayd that leauing the Sermon they began altogether to runne away But such was the preasse of the multitude running in heapes together that the more they laboured the lesse they could geue out For whilest they ranne all headlong vnto the doores euery man striuing to get out first the thrust one another in such sort and stucke so fast that they which were without neither could get into the Church agayn neither they that were within could get out by any meanes So the one dore being stopped the ran to an other litle wicket on the North side towardes the Colledge called Brason nose Much ãâã done in the thronge whereof some dyââ some yet ãâã aliue ãâã mothers armes were there ãâã thinking so to passe out But there agayne was the like or greater throng So the people clustring thronging together it put many in daunger and broughte many vnto theyr end by brusing of their bones or sides There was yet an other dore towardes the West which albeit it was shut and seldom opened yet now ranne they to it with such sway that the great barre of iron which is incredible to be spoken being pulled out and broken by force of mens handes the dore notwithstanding could not be opened for the preasse or multitude of people At the last when they were there also past all hope to get out then they were all excedingly amazed and ran vp and downe crying out vpon the heretickes which had coÌspired theyr death The more they ranne about cried out the more smoke dust rose in the Church euen as though all thinges now had bene on a flaming fire I thinke there was neuer such a tumultuous hurly burly rising so of nothing heard of before nor so great a feare where was no cause to feare nor peril at all so y t if Democritus the mery philosopher sitting in y e top of the church Democritus was a Phiââsopher âhich ãâ¦ã laugh ãâ¦ã thingeâ ãâ¦ã vsed to weepe at ãâã tâânges seing al things in such safety as they were hadde looked downe vpon the multitude and beholden so great a number some howling and weeping running vppe and downe and playing the madde men now hither now thither as beyng tossed too and fro with waues or tempestes trembling and quaking raging and faring without any manifest cause specially iâ he had sene those great Rabbines the Doctors laden with so many badges or cognisaunces of wisedome so foolishly and ridiculously seeking holes and corners to hide themselues in gasping breathing and sweating and for very horror being almost beside themselues I thinke he would haue satisfied himself with this one laughter for all his life time or elles rather woulde haue laughed his hart out of his belly whilest one sayd that he playnely heard he noice of the fire an other affirmed that he sawe it with his eyes and an other sware that he felt the molten leade dropping downe vpon his head and shoulders Such is the force of imagination when it is once graffed in mennes hartes through feare In all the whole company there was none that behaued himselfe more modestly then the Hereticke that was there to do penaunce who casting his Fagot of froÌ his shoulders vpon a Monkes head that stood by kept himselfe quiet minding to take such part as the other did All the other being careful for themselues neuer made an end of running vp and downe crying out None cried not more earnestly then the Doctor that preached who was as I sayd D. Smith who in a maner first of all cryed out in the pulpit saying These are the traines and subtleties of the heretickes agaynst me Lord haue mercy vpoÌ me Lord haue mercy vpon me But might not God as it had bene to speake with Iob out of a whyrle winde haue aunswered agayne vnto this Preacher thus Thou doest now implore my mercy but thou thy self shewest no mercy vnto thy felowes and brethren How doth thy flesh treÌbell now at the mention of fire but you thinke it a sport to burne other simple innocents neither do you any thing at all regard it If burning seme so grieuous a matter vnto you and to suffer the torment of fire then you should also haue the like consideration in other mens perils and dauÌgers when as you do burne your felowes and brethren Or if you thinke it but a light or trifling matter in theÌ go to now do you also with like courage coÌtemne with like patience suffer now the same tormentes your selues And if so be it I shoulde nowe suffer you with the whole Church to be burned to ashes what other thing shoulde I do vnto you then you do dayly vnto your felowes and brethren Wherefore since you so litle esteme the death of others be now content that other men shoulde also litle regard the death of you With this I say or with some other like aunswere if that either God or humane charity either the common sense of nature would expostulate with them yea if there had bene a fire indeed as they were more feared then hurt who would haue doubted but that it had happened vnto them according to their deserts But now worthy it is the noting how the vayne feare and folly of those catholicks either was deluded either how theyr cruelty was reproued whereby they being better taught by theyr owne example might herafter learne what is to put other poore men to the fire which they themselues here so much abhorred A good warning for the Papistes to know what burning meaneth But to returne agayn to the descriptioÌ of this pageantâ wherin as I sayd before there was no daunger at all yet were they all in such feare as if present death had ben ouer their heades In all this great maze and garboyle there was nothing morâ feared then the melting of the lead which many affirmed that they felt dropping vpoÌ their bodies Now in this sodein
purpose of this Bishop of suche like bloudy aduersaries practising thus against the Queene proceeding of gods gospel as ye haue heard putteth me in remembraÌce of such an other like story of his wicked working in like manner a litle before but much more pernitious pestilent to the publick church of Iesus Christ then this was daungerous to the priuate estate of the Queene Whyche storie likewise I thought heere as in conuenient place to be adioyned notified to be knowen to all posteritie according as I haue it faithfully recorded and storied by hym which heard it of the Archbishop Cranmers own mouth declared in order and forme as foloweth * A discourse touching a certaine pollicie vsed by Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester in staying king Henrie the 8. from redressing of certaine abuses of ceremonies in the church being Ambassadour beyonde the seas Also the communication of king Henrye the 8 had wyth the ambassador of France at Hampton Court concerning the reformation of religion as wel in France as in Englande Anno 1546. Mens August IT chanced in the time of K. Henrie the 8. when his highnes did lastly not many yeres before his death conclude a league betwene the Emperor the French king and himselfe that the B. of Winchester SteueÌ Gardiner by name was sent in Ambassage beyonde the seas for that purpose In whose absence the Archbishop of CaÌterbury Thomas Cranmer attending vpon the kings Court sought occasion somwhat to further the reformation of the corrupt religion not yet fully restored vnto a perfection SteueÌ Gardiner Ambassadour For lyke as the sayd Archb. was alwaies diligent and forward to prefer and aduaunce the sincere doctrine of the Gospel so was that other byshop a contrary instrument coÌtinually spurning against the same in whatsoeuer coast of the worlde he remained For euen now he being beyond y e seas in y e temporal affaires of y e realme forgate not but fouÌd the meanes as a most valiant champion of the B. of Rome to stop and hinder aswel the good diligence of the sayd Archbishop Winchester a great hindârer of the course of the Gospell as the godly disposition of the kings Maiestie in that behalfe whych thus chaunced Whilest the sayde B. of Winchester was nowe remaining beyond the seas about the affaires aforsaide y e kings maiesty and the saide Archbishop hauing conference together for reformatioÌ of some superstitious enormities in the Church amongst other things the king determined forthwith to pull downe the Roodes in euery churche The kinges conference with D. Cranmer about reformation of the Ghurch Rood loftes Ringing on Alhallow night and to suppresse the accustomed ringing on Alhalow night wyth a few such like vaine ceremonies And therefore when the said Archb. taking his leaue of the king to go into Kent his dioces his highnes willed him to remember that he shuld cause 2. letters to be deuised for me quoth the King to be signed the one to be directed vnto you my Lorde and the other vnto the Archbishop of Yorke wherein I will commaund you both to send forth your precepts vnto all other Byshops wythin your prouinces Lettets of reformation to be sent by the king to see those enormities and Ceremonies reformed vndelaidly that we haue communed off So vppon this the kings pleasure knowen when the Archbishop of Canterburye was then come into Kent hee caused his Secretarye to conceiue and write these Letters according to the kings minde and being made in a readinesse sent them to the Courte to Syr Anthony Denie for hym to get them signed by the king when maister Denie had mooued the king thereunto the king made answere I am now otherwayes resolued for you shal send my Lorde of Canterburye worde that sithence I spake with hym about these matters I haue receiued letters from my Lord of Winchester nowe being on the other side of the Sea about the conclusion of a league betweene vs The kinges minde altered by Wint. the Emperor and the Frenche king he wryteth plainely vnto vs that the league wil not prosper nor go forward if we make any other innouation change or alteration either in Religion or ceremonies Reformation of Religion stopped by Steuen Gardiner then heretofore hath ben already commensed and done Wherefore my Lorde of Canterburye must take patience heerein and forbeare vntill we may espye a more apt and conuenient time for that purpose Which matter of reformation began to be reuiued again at what time the great Ambassador from the French king came to the kings Maiestie at Hampton Courte not long before his death Anno. 1546. Where then no Gentleman was permitted to waite vpon his Lord and maister This Ambassadour was admirall of Fraunce whose name was Mounsieur de Annebault he came to Hampton Court the 20. day of Aug. an 1546. The matter of reformation againe renued a little before the kinges death The kinges bancket for the French Ambassadour wythout a veluet coate and a chaine of golde And for that entertainment of the Ambassadour were builded in the parke there 3. very notable great and sumptuous banketting houses At the which it was purposed that the sayd Ambassadour should haue bene 3. sundry nightes very richly banketted But as it chaunced the French kings great affaires were then sodenly such that thys Ambassadoure was sent for home in post hast before he had receiued halfe the noble entertainement that was prepared for him so that he hadde but the fruition of the first banketting house Now what princelike order was there vsed in the furniture of y e banket as well in placing of the noble estates namely the kings Maiestie and the French Ambassadour w t the noble men both of England and Fraunce on the one parte and of the Queenes highnesse and the Ladye Anne of Cleeue with other noble women Ladyes of the other part as also touching the great sumptuous preparation of both costly and fine dishes there out of number spent it is not our purpose heere presently to entreate thereof but onely to consider the note of the conference and communication had the first night after the sayd baÌket was finished Secrete communicatioÌ betwene the king the French Ambassadour and the Archb. of Cant. betweene the kings Maiestie the sayde Ambassadour and the Archbishop of Canterburye the kings highnesse standing openly in the banketting house in the open face of all the people and leaning one arme vpon the shoulder of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the other arme vppon the shoulder of the Ambassadour touching the establishing of godly religion betweene those two Princes in both theyr realmes As by the report of the sayd Arch. vnto hys secretarie vppon occasion of his seruice to be done in king Edwards visitation then being register in the same visitation The testimony and credite of the story relation was made on that behalfe in thys sorte When the sayd visitation was put
seate do as they teache but not as they do Thus confesse they that they are abhominable c. Heere followe other heresies and errours collected by the Byshops out of the booke named the obedience of a Christian man with the places of the booke annexed to the same 1. HE saieth we are bounde to make satisfaction to our neighbour but not to God fol. 132. Satisfaction is a full recompence or amends making to him whome we haue offended which recompence we are able to make one man to another and are bound so to do but to God no man can make any mends or recompence but onely Gods owne sonne Christ Iesus our Sauiour For else if man could haue made satisfaction to God then had Christ died in vayne Gal. 2. Loe what heresie or errour is in this Article 2 He sayth that children ought not to marry without the consent of theyr parents fol. 120. The wordes of Tindall in the obedience be these Let the fathers and mothers marke howe they themselues were disposed at all ages and by experience of their owne infirmities helpe their children and keepe them from occasions Let them prouide marriages for them in season teaching them also to know that she is not his wife which the sonne taketh nor he her husband which the daughter taketh without the consent or good will of their Elders or them that haue authoritie ouer them If their friendes will not marry them then are they not too blame if they marry themselues Let not the fathers and mothers alwayes take the vttermost of their authoritie of their children but at all times suffer with them and beare theyr weakenes as Christ doth ours c. 3 He saith that vowes are against the ordinance of God fol. 109. They that say that this Article is an heresie Let them shew where these vowes in all the new testament be ordeyned by God â article especially such vowes of single life and wilfull pouertie as by the canon law be obtruded to yong Priests and Nouices S. Paule playnely forfendeth anye widowes to be admitted vnder the age of threscore yeres Is not heere trow you a perilous heresie 4 He saith that a christian man may not resist a prince being Infidell and an Ethnike This taketh away free will fol. 113. 4. article S. Peter willeth vs to be subiect to our princes 1. Pet. 2. S. Paule also doth the like Rom. 13. Who was also hymselfe subiecte to the power of Nero and although euerye commaundement of Nero against God he did not follow yet he neuer made resistaunce against the authoritie and state of Nero as the Pope vseth to do against the state not only of Infidels but also of Christen Princes 5 Whatsoeuer is done before the spirit of God commeth and geueth vs light is damnable sinne This is against morall vertues fol. 113. 5. article What heresie Aristotle in his Ethikes can finde by thys article I can not tell sure I am that the word and spirite of God well considered can finde none but rather wyll pronounce the contrary to be a damnable heresie 6 He reproueth men that make holy Saints their Aduocates to God 6. article and there he sayth that Saints were not rewarded in heauen for their holy workes fol. 114. The words of Tindall be these They turne from Gods word and put their trust and confidence in the Sainct and his merites and make an aduocate or rather a God of the sainct The place aââexed c. They ascribe heauen to their imaginations and mad inuentions and receiue it not of the liberalitie of God by the merites and deseruing of Christ c. 7 God moued the harts of the Egiptians to hate the people Likewise he moued Kings c. fol. 118. 7. article The words in the obedience be these In the 107. Psalme thou readest He destroyed the Riuers and dried vp the springs of water The place annexed and turned the frutefull land into barrânnes for the inhabitaunces thereof When the children of Israell had forgotten God in Egypt God moued the harts of the Egyptians to hate them and to subdue them with craft and wilines Psalme 105. In the second chapter of the first booke of the Kings God was angry with the people and moued Dauid to number them when Ioab and the other Lords wondered why he would haue them numbred and because they feared least some euill should follow disswaded the King yet it holpe not God so * God sometimes hardneth the harte of good Princes for the wickednes of the people The place annexed hardened his hart in his purpose to haue an occasion to sley the wicked people c. 8 Paule was of higher authority then Peter fol. 125. The words in the Obedience be these I suppose sayeth he speaking of Paule that I was not behinde the hygh Apostles meaning in preaching Iesus Christ and his Gospell and in ministring the spirit And in the same cha he proueth by the doctrine of Christ that he was greater then the high Apostles For Christ saith to be great in the kingdome of God is to do seruice and take payne for other Upon which rule Paule disputeth sayeng If they be the ministers of Christ I am more in labours more aboundant in stripes aboue measure in prison more plenteous in death oft c. If Paule preached Christ more then Peter and suffered more for his congregation then is hee greater then Peter by the testimonie of Christ c. 9. article The place annexed 9 A Priest ought to haue a wife for two causes fol. 133. The words of Tindall be these He must haue a wife for two causes One that it may thereby be knowne who is meete for the rowme he is vnapt for so chargeable an office Truth turned into heresie which had neuer houshold to rule An other cause is that chastitie is an exceeding seldome gift and vnchastitie exceeding perillous for that degree in as much as the people looke as well vnto the liuing as vnto the preaching and are hurt at once if the liuing disagree and fall from the faith and beleeue not the word c. 10 He condemneth auricular confession fol. 140. 10. article Of this reade aboue page 1166.1167 Read afore pag. 1166.1167 11 Euery man is a Priest and we neede no other Priest to bee a meane for vs vnto God fol. 144. 11. article The words in the obedience be these There is a worde called in Latin Sacerdos in Greeke ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã in Hebrue CohaÌ that is The place annexed a Minister an Officer a Sacrificer or a Priest as Aaron was a priest and sacrificed for the people and was a mediatour betweene God and them and in the English it should haue had some other name then Priest But Antichrist hath deceiued vs with vnknown and strange terms to bring vs into confusion and superstitious blindnes And made vs Kinges
his first Epistle and v. chapter Hereby a man may gather by these wordes of Christ y e either there was no autoritie geuen vnto Peter more then vnto others or els that Peter did equally communicate that right and autority which he had receiued vnto others and did not reserue it vnto himselfe after his death to bee transported vnto the Bishops of Rome As for such reasons as they doe alledge which are not gathered or taken out of holy scriptures I passe them ouer least I myght seeme to contend with shadowes The second Article That Indulgences and pardons graunted by our supreme head the pope are of no force strength or effect but tend onely to the abuse of the people and the deceiuyng of their soules Borthwike Indulgences to be of no effect It shal be euidently declared that indulgences and pardons are of none effect after that I haue first of all taught what they do call Indulgences or pardons They say they are the treasure of the church that is to say the merites of Christ of the Saints Apostles and Martyrs which they impudently affirme to haue performed and merited more at Gods hand at the tyme of their death then was necessary or needfull for them that of the aboundance of their merites there did so much superabound which was not onely sufficient for themselues The treasure of the church as popeholders taâe it but also might redound to the helpe of others And because so great a goodnes should not be superfluous or in vayne they affirme and teach that their bloud was mixed and ioyned with y e bloud of Christ and of them both the treasure of the church was compouÌd and made for the remission and satisfactioÌ of sinnes How cunning and notable cookes these are which can make a confection of so many sundry herbes Furthermore they do fayne the custody and keping of this treasure to be coÌmitted wholy vnto the bishop of Rome Lord treasurer of the church Papists hold to be the Pope in whose power consisteth the dispensation of so great treasures that he eyther by himselfe may geue or graunt or otherwyse geue power vnto other to geue the same And hereupon riseth the plenary Indulgences and pardons graunted by the Pope for certaine yeares by cardinals for 100. dayes by bishops for 40. dayes This is the iudgement and opinion which they hold of the Indulgences But I pray you who taught those saints to worke or deserue for other but only Sathan who would vtterly haue y e merits of Christ extinguished and blotted out which he knoweth to be the onely remedy of saluation For if the Scripture do teache vs that no man of himselfe can deserue or worke their saluation No man of himsâlfe can worke his owne saluation how did the saints then worke or merit for others It is manifest that Christ saith in the xvij of Luke when we haue done all that which is commanded you for to do yet sayth he we are vnprofitable seruaunts Besides this all that which may be deserued or merited in the righteousnes of man in the 64. chapter of Esay they are compared vnto the garment menstruous defiled to be cast out There are almost infinite places in y e scripture wherein mans power is so extenuate and the corruption frowardnes of our nature so made manifest that euen in the best and most perfect workes there lacketh not imperfection Notwithstanding the parable of the x. virgins written in the 25. chapter of Mathew The parable of the 10. virgines expounded ought to put vs out of all controuersie and doubt There Christ describeth two kindes of men the one kynde of holy men which obserue and keepe the inward righteousnesse of the heart as the oyle of fayth the other sorte is of suche which hauyng no mynde of theyr oyle are aunswered by them whiche are wyse no least that there be not sufficient for you and for vs but go you rather to them which doe sell and buy for your selues in the whiche place it is manifestlye declared how vainely the second sorte of men doth flye to the patronage of the elect by whose merites they thinke to be saued Now let vs waie and consider vpon what places of scripture they build or establish their fayned inuention of pardons they alledge the saying of S. Paule to the Colossians I supply or fulfill the afflictions of Christ which were wanting in my flesh for his body which is y e church But Paul in this place doth not referre that defect or supplement to any worke of redemption expiation or satisfaction but to those afflictions by the which the members of Christ that is to say all faithfull should be afflicted so long as they liue in the flesh wherefore he sayth that this doth yet remaine of the passions of Christ that those afflictions which once he suffered in his owne body he nowe daily suffereth in his members For Christ hath vouchsaued to honour vs with this honour that he doth impute and call our afflictions to be his And where as S. Paule doth adde this word for the church he doth not vnderstaÌd thereby for the redemption reconciliation satisfaction or expiation of the church But for the ediââeng and profitâng of the same as in the ij epistle to Timothie he saith That for the elect sake he suffered all these things y t they myght obtaine saluation but to the intent no man should thinke that saluation to depend vpon those things which he himselfe had suffered he added further The ãâã of ãâ¦ã a profiteth the which is in Christ Iesu. As touching the reason that the bloud of the Martyrs is not shed in vayne without fruit or profit therefore ought to be conferred to the common vtilitie and profite of the church I answer that the profit and fruit therof is aboundant to glorify God by their death to subscribe and beare witnesse vnto the truth by their bloud and by the contempt of this present lyfe to witnesse that he doth seeke after a better lyfe by his constancie and stedfastnesse to confirme and establish the fayth of the church and subdue and vanquish the enemy The third Article That the Pope is an open vser of Simony daily selling the gifts of the spiritualties and that it is lawfull for all bishops to be coupled and ioyned in matrimony Borthwike This article hath his seuerall partes for those things which we haue spoken or answered vnto the article before written doth sufficiently declare that the Pope is not only a vser of Simony but also a notable deceiuer which selleth such kynd of merchandise as can in no place helpe or preuaile For so much as his pardons are nothyng lesse then such as he faineth them to be Doth he not then shew himselfe a manifest deceiuer when as he maketh faires and markets of them but to the intent I will not seeme in this behalfe vainly to labour or trauaile Pristes mââriage
to deathe and that by an Assise for violatinge as was alleaged the Acte of Parliament in reasoning and conferrynge vppon Scriptures for eating flesh vppon dayes forbidden for interrupting the holy frier in the pulpitte for dishonouryng of Images and blaspheming of the virgine Mary as they alleaged After sentence geuen theyr handes were bounde and the men cruelly entreated Which thing the woman beholding desired likewise to be bounde by the sergeantes with her husband for Christes sake There was great intercession made by the Towne in the meane season for the lifâ of these persones aforenamed to the Gouernour who of him self was willing so to haue done that they myght haue bene deliuered But the Gouernour was so subiect to the appetite of the cruel priestes that he could not do that which he would Yea they manaced to assist his ennemies and to depose him except he assisted their crueltie There were certaine priestes in the Citie who did eate and drinke before in these honest mens houses to whoÌ the priestes were much bounden These priestes were earnestly desired to entreate for their hostesse at the Cardinalles handes but they altogether refused desiring rather theyr death then preseruation So cruell are these beastes from the lowest to the highest Then after they were caried by a great band of armed men for they feared rebellion in the towne except they had theyr men of warre to the place of execution whych was common to all theeues that to make their cause appeare more odious to the people Robert Lambe at the gallowes foote made his exhortation to the people desiring them to feare God and leaue the leauen of Papisticall abominations The Marâtyrdome ãâã these ãâã manifestly there prophesyed of the ruine and plague whych came vpon the Cardinall thereafter So euerye one comforting an other and assuring them selues to sup together in the kingdome of heauen that night commended themselues to God and died constantly in the Lord. The woman desired earnestly to die with her husband but shee was not suffered yet folowing him to the place of execution shee gaue him comfort exhorting hym to perseueraunce and pacience for Christes sake and parting from him with a kisse sayd on this maner Husband reioyce for we haue liued together many ioyful dayes but this day in which we must die ought to be most ioyfull to vs both because we must haue ioy for euer Therefore I will not bid you good night for we shall sodainely meete with ioy in the kingdome of heauen The woman after was taken to a place to be drowned and albeit she had a child sucking on her brest yet this moued nothing the vnmercifull hearts of the enemies So after she had commended her children to the neighbors of the towne for Gods sake and the sucking barne was geuen to the nurse she sealed vp the truth by her death Ex Registris instrumentis à Scotia missis * The condemnation of M. George Wiseheart Gentleman who suffered Martyrdome for the faith of Christ Iesus at saint Andrewes in Scotland An. 1546. Marche 1. wyth the Articles obiected againste him and his answeares to the same WIth most tender affection and vnfained heart consider gentle Reader the vncharitable manner of y e accusation of M. George Wiseheart Anno 1546 made by y e bloudy enemies of Christs faith Note also the articles whereof he was accused by order digested and hys meeke answeares The exaââation of George ãâã so farre as he had leaue and leisure to speake Finally ponder with no dissembling spirite the furious rage and tragicall cruelnes of the malignant Church in persecuting of thys blessed man of God and of the contrary hys humble pacient and most godly answeres made to them sodainly without all feare not hauing respect to their glorious manasings and boysterous threats but charitably and wythout stop answearing not moouing his countenaunce nor changing his visage as in his accusation hereafter folowing manifestly shall appeare But before I enter into his Articles I thoughte it not impertinent somewhat to touche concerning the life and conuersation of this godlye man according as of late came to my handes certified in wryting by a certaine scholler of hys sometime named Emerey Tylney whose wordes of testimoniall as he wrote them to me here folow Aboute the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth fortie and thre there was in the vniuersitie of Cambridge one maister George Wiseheart commonlye called maister George of Bennettes Colledge who was a man of talle stature polled headed and on the same a rounde Frenche cappe of the best Iudged of Melancholye complexion by his Phisiognomie blacke heared long âearded comelye of personnage well spoken after his countrey of ScotlaÌd courteous lowly louely glad to teach desirous to learn was wel traueled hauing on him for his habit or clothing neuer but a mantell friese gowne to the showes a blacke Millian fustian dowblet and plaine blacke hosen course newe canuesse for his Shirtes and whyte fallinge Bandes and Cuffes at the handes All the whych Apparell hee gaue to the poore some weekelye some monethly some quarterlye as hee liked sauing hys Frenche cappe whyche hee kepte the whole yeare of my being with hym Hee was a manne modest temperate fearinge God hatinge Couetousnesse For his Charitie had neuer ende nyghte noone nor daye hee forbare one meale in three one daye in foure for the moste parte except somethyng to comforte nature Hee lay harde vppon a pouffe of straw course newe canuesse Sheetes whyche when hee chaunged hee gaue awaye hee hadde commonly by his beddes side a tubbe of water In the whyche hys people being in hedde the candell puâte out and all quiet he vsed to bathe hymselfe as I being very yong being assured often heard him and in one light nighte descerned hym hee loued mee tenderly and I him for my age as effectually He taught wyth great modestie and grauitie so that some of his people thought hym seuere and woulde haue slaine hym but the Lorde was hys defence And hee after due correction for their malice by good exhortation amended them and he went hys way O that the Lord hadde left hym to me his poore boye that hee might haue finished that he hadde begonne For in his Religion he was as you see heere in the rest of hys life when he went into Scotland with diuers of the Nobilitie that came for a treatie to kinge Henry the eighte Hys learning no lesse sufficient then his desire alwayes prest and readye to doe good in that hee was able bothe in the house priuately and in the Schoole publikely professing and reading diners authours If I shoulde declare hys loue to mee and all menne hys Charitie to the poore in geuinge relieuinge caringe helpinge prouidinge yea infinitelye studyinge howe to doe good vnto all and hurte to none I shoulde sooner wante woordes then iuste cause to commende All thys I testifie wyth my whole heart and trueth of thys Godly manne
vnderstand first the condition or promise made by the Frenche man or straunger So likewyse I woulde that wee vnderstoode what thing we promise in the name of y e infant vnto God in Baptisme For this cause I beleeue ye haue confirmation Then said master Bleiter chapleine that he had the deuill within hym and the spirite of error Then answeared him a child saying The deuill cannot speake suche wordes as yonder man doth speake 6 Thou heretike traitour and thiefe thou saidest that the Sacrament of the altar was but a peece of bread baken vppon the ashes and no other thing els and all that is there done 6. Articââ is but a superstitious rite against the commaundement of God Oh Lorde God so manifest lies and blasphemies the Scripture doeth not teache you Aunswâââ As concerning the sacrament of the aultare my Lordes I neuer taught any thing against the Scripture The Paâpistes reâproued lyers aââ ãâã The ãâã vse of ãâã Sacramâââ of the ãâã the whych I shall by Gods grace make manifest thys daye I being ready therefore to suffer death The lawfull vse of this Sacrament is most acceptable vnto God but the great abuse of it is very detestable vnto hym But what occasion they haue to say such wordes of me I shall shortly shew your Lordships I once chaunced to meete wyth a Iewe when I was sailing vpon the water of Rhene I did enquire of him what was the cause of his pertinacie The ãâã of a Iewâ that he did not beleue that the true Messias was come considering that they had seene all the Prophecies whych were spoken of him to be fulfilled Moreouer the Prophecies taken away and the Scepter of Iuda by many other testimonies of the scripture I vaÌquished him that Messias was come The priââââpall ãâã which the ãâã from Cââââstianity y t which they called Iesus of Nazareth Thys Iewe aunsweared againe vnto mee when Messias commeth he shall restore all things and hee shall not abrogate the law which was geuen to our forfathers as ye do For why we see the poore almost perish through hunger amongst you yet you are not mooued with pity towards them but among vs Iewes though we be poore there are no beggers found Secondarily it is forbidden by the lawe to faine anye kind of imagery of things in heauen aboue Images or in the earth beneath or in the sea vnder the earthe but one God onely to honour but your Sanctuaries and Churches are ful of Idolles Thirdly a pece of bread baken vpon the ashes The Saââââment of ãâã altar ye adore and worship and say that it is your God I haue rehersed heere but the sayings of the Iewe which I neuer affirmed to be true Then the bishops shooke their heads and spitted on the earth and what they meant in this matter further they would not heare 7 Thou false heretike diddest say 7. Articlâ that extreeme vnction was not a sacrament My Lordes forsooth I neuer taught any thynge of extreme vnction in my doctrine whether it were a Sacrament or no. 8 Thou false heretike saidest that holye water is not so good as washe and suche like Thou condemnest coniuring and sayest that holy Churches cursings auaile not My Lordes as for holy water what strengthe it is of I taught neuer in my doctrine Coniuringes and Exorcismes Aunswere if they were conformable to the woorde of God I would commend them but in so much as they are not conformable to the commaundement and woord of God I reprooue them â Article 9 Thou false heretike and runnagate hast sayde that euery lay man is a priest and suche like Thou sayest that the Pope hathe no more power then any other man My Lordes I taught nothyng but the worde of God I remember that I haue read in some places in S. Iohn and S. Peter Aunswere of the which one sayth He hath made vs kings and priests The other sayeth Hee hath made vs a kingly priesthood Wherefore I haue affirmed that any man being cunning in the woorde of God the true faith of Iesu Christ hath his power geuen him from God and not by the power or violence of men but by the vertue of the woorde of God the which woord is called the power of God as witnesseth S. Paule euidently enough And againe I say that any vnlearned man Rom. 1. not exercised in the worde of God nor yet constant in his faith what so euer estate or order hee be of I say he hath no power to binde or loose seeing he wanteth the instrument by the which he bindeth or looseth that is to say the woorde of God After that he had sayd these wordes all the Byshoppes laughed mocked him When that he behelde their laughing Laugh yee sayeth he my Lordes Though that these sayings appeare scornefull and worthy of derision to your Lordships neuertheles they are very waighty to me and of a great value because they stand not only vpon my life but also the honour and glory of God In the meane time many godly men beholding the woodnes and great crudelitie of the Bishops and the inuincible patience of maister George did greatly mourne and lament 10 Thou false heretike saidest that a man hath no free wil. But is like to the Stoikes ââ Article which say that it is not in mans will to doe any thing but that all concupiscence desire commeth of God what soeuer kinde it be of My Lordes I saide not so truely I say that as many as beleeue in Christe firmely vnto them is geuen libertie conformable to the saying of S. Iohn Aunswere If the sonne make you free then shall ye verely be free Of the contrary as many as beleue not in Christ Iesu Iohn 8. they are bond seruants of sinne He that sinneth is bond to sinne 11. Article 11 Thou false heretike sayest it is as lawfull to eate flesh vpon the friday as on sonday Pleaseth it your Lordshippes I haue read in the Epistles of S. Paule Aunswere that who is cleane vnto him all thyngs are cleane Of the contrary to the filthy men all things are vncleane ãâã 1. A faithful man cleane and holy sanctifieth by the woorde the creature of God But the creature maketh no manne acceptable vnto God So that a creature may not sanctifie any impure and vnfaithful man But to the faithfull man all things are sanctified by the praier of the word of God The creaââre doth ãâã sanctify without the ãâã After these sayings of master George then said all the Bishops wyth theyr complices what needeth vs any witnesse against him hath he not openly here spoken blasphemie 12 Thou false heretike doest say that wee shoulde not praye to Saintes 12. Article but to God onely Say whether thou hast sayd this or no say shortly For the weakenes and the infirmitie of the hearers he said without doubt
redire sed tanquam iniquitatis tenebrarum filius in tantum indurasti cor tuum vt non velis intelligere vocem tui pastoris tibi paterno compacientis affectu nec velis pijs paternis monitionibus allici nec salubribus reduci blanditijs Nos vero nolentes quod tâ qui iniquus es fias nequior gregem dominicum in futurum tuae hereticae prauitatis labe de quo plurimum timemus inficias idcirco de consilio Iurisperitorum nobis in hac parte assistentium cum quibus communicauimus in hac parte te Willielmum Carder predictum de meritis atque culpis per tuam damnabilem pertinatiam aggrauatis de super huiusmodi detestabili hereticae prauitatis reatu conuictum ad Ecclesiae vnitatem poenitentialiter redire nolentem haereticum haereticisque credentem ac eorum fautorem receptatorem praetextu praemissorem fuisse esse cum dolore amaritudine cordis iudicamus declaramus finaliter diffinitiuè in his scriptis relinquentes te ex nunc tanquam haereticum iudicio siue curiae seculari teque Willielmum Carder praedictum vt praefertur hereticum nihilominus in maioris excommunicationis sententiam occasione praemissorum incidisse incurrisse nec non excommunicatum fuisse esse pronuntiamus decernimus declaramus etiam in his scriptis Moreouer besydes these fyne blessed Sainctes of God whome they so cruelly by theyr sentence dyd condemne to deathe we finde also in the same Registers of William Warrham a greate number of other whome they for the same doctrine and lyke Articles caused to be apprehended and put to open recantation the names of which persons in the Catalogue heere following bee these ¶ Here foloweth a Table contayning the names of them which were abiured the same time vnder William Warham Archbishop in the Dioces of Caunterbury An. 1511. Iohn Grebyll the elder of Benynden Christopher Grebyll hys sonne Ioh. Grebill sonne of Iohn the elder of Benynden W. Rich of Beninden W. Olbert the elder of Godmersham Agnes Iue of Canterbury Agnes Chytenden of Canterbury Thomas Manning of Beninden Ioane Colyn of Tenterden Rob. Hilles of Tenterden Alice Hilles his wife Tho. Harwood of RowendeÌ Ioane Harwood his wife of RowendeÌ Phil. Harwood of RowendeÌ Stephen Castelin of Tenderden W. Baker of Cranbroke Margeret Baker his wife W. Olbert the younger of Godmersham Rob. Reygnolde of Godmersham Agnes Reygnold of Cranbroke Thomas Fielde of Boxley Ioane Olbert wyfe to W. Olbert the elder of Godmersham Elizabeth White of Caunterbury Thomas Church of greate Charte Vincent Linche of Halden Iohn Ryche of Wyttysham Ioane Lynche of Tenterden Thom. Browne of Crambroke Iohn Franke of Tenterden Ioyce Bampton Wyfe of Iohn Bampton of Berstede Rich. Bampton of Boxley Robert Bright of Maydstone William Lorkyn of Eastforley Iohn Bannes of Boxley 1512. Iohn Buckherst of Stapleherst Ioane Dodde wife of Iohn Dodde Iohn Bennet of Stapleherst Rebecka Bennet his Wife Ioane Lowes Wyfe of Tho. Lowes of Crambroke Iulian Hilles Wyfe of Robert Hilles of Tenterden Robert Francke of Tenterden ¶ The Articles layd to these abiurers appeare in the Registers to be the same which before were obiected to the other v· Martyrs aforesayd which was for beleuing and defending 1. FIrst that the sacrament of the aultar was not the very body of Christ but materiall bread 2. That coÌfessioÌ of sinnes ought not to be made to a priest 3. That there is no more power geuen of God to a priest then to a lay man 4. That the solemnization of Matrimony is not necessary for the weale of mans soule 5. That the sacrament of externe vnction called aneyling is not profitable nor necessary for mans soule 6. That Pilgrimages to holy and deuoute places be not necessary nor meritorious for mans soule 7. That Images of Saintes or of the Crucifixe or of our Lady are not to be worshipped 8. That a man should pray to no saint but onely to God 9. That holy water and holy bread is not better after the benediction made by the Priest Ex verbis Regist. W. WarrhaÌ Fol. 176. an 1511. By these articles abrueations of the forenamed persons thou hast to vnderstand Christian Reader what doctrine of religion was here styrring in this our Realme of England before the time that the name of Martine Luther was euer heard of here amongest vs. * Three diuers sortes of iudgements amongest the Papistes agaynst heretickes as they call them AS touching the penaunce penalty enioyned to these aforesaid as also to al other such like first here is to be noted that the Catholick fathers in theyr processes of hereticall prauity haue three diuers and distinct kindes of iudgementes and proceedinges For some they iudge to be burned to the intent that other being brought into terrour by them they might therfore more quietly hold vp theyr kingdome reign as they list And thus condeÌned they these v. aforesayd notwithstanding they were willing to submit themselues to y e bosome of the mother Church yet could they not be receiued as by the words of the Register and by the tenor of theyr sentence aboue specified may well appeare And this sort of persons thus by them condemned coÌsisteth either in such as haue bene before abiured and falleÌ agayne into relapse or els such as stand constantly in their doctrine and refuse to abiure eyther els such as they inteÌd to make a terrour and example to all other notwithstanding that they be willing and ready to submit themselues and yet cannot be receiued And of this last sort were these v. Martyrs last named So was also Iohn Lambert who submitting himselfe to the king could not be accepted So was likewise Richard Mekins the sely lad pag. 1174. and the three women of Gernesey whose submission woulde not serue to saue theyr liues with many other in like case Agaynst this sort of persons the processe which the papists vse is this First after they beginne once to be suspected by some Promotor they are denouÌced and cited then by vertue of Inquisition they are taken and clapt fast in Irons and prison from thence they are brought forth at last to examination if they be not before kilde by famine colde or strayghtnesse of the prison Then be articles drawne or rather wrested out of theyr writinges or preachinges they put to theyr othe to answere truely to euery poynt and circumstaunce articulated agaynst them Ex histor Cochlaei contra Hussitas Lib. Whiche Articles if they seeme to deny or to salue by true expounding theÌ are witnesses called in and admitted what witnesses soeuer they are be they neuer so much infamous vsurers ribaldes women yea and common harlots Or if no other witnesses can be founde then is the husband brought in and forced to sweare agaynst the wife or the wife agaynst the husband or the children agaynst the naturall mother as in this example of
is eternall life Rom. 6. And these be the resolutions which I heard him geue to the questions by M. Nowell proposed The iudgement of D. Yonge about the controuersies of religion From which hys sentence and iudgement so heard by me and of him vttered as I remember I neuer declined or varied I beseeche our Lorde Iesus Christ to cease these troublous stormes wherewith the Church is tossed and vouchsafe for his holy names sake tenderly to beholde looke vpon his poore wretched flocke so miserably scattered and dispersed Anno 1552. beseeching him also of his goodnes to preserue your worship At London the third of Nouember * Heere followeth the history no lesse lamentable then notable of William Gardiner an Englishman suffering most constantly in Portyngale for the testimony of Gods truth The story of W. Garââner most ãâ¦ã in Portugale COmming now to the yeare next following 1552. wee will some what step aside and borow a little leaue coasting the Seas into Portingale amongst the Popish marchauntes there whither a certaine countrymaÌ of ours doth call me named William Gardiner a man verely in my iudgement not only to be compared with the most principall chiefe Martirs of these our daies but also such one as the auncient Churches in the time of the first persecutions can not shew a more famous whether we do behold the force of his faith his firme and stedfast constantnes the inuincible strength of his spirit or the cruell and horrible tormentes the report only and hearing whereof were enough to put any man in horror or feare Yet notwythstanding so farre it was of that the same did discourage him that it may be doubted whether the payne of his body or the courage of his mind were the greater when as in deede both appeared to be very great Wherfore if any prayse or dignity amongst men as reason is be due vnto the Martirs of Christ for their valiant actes W. Gardiner comparable with the Martyrs in the primitââe church What duâty is to be geueÌ of ChristiaÌs to the blessed Martyrs past The memory of Christes Martyrs not to be forgotten this one man amongst many seemeth worthy to bee numbred and also to be celebrate in the Church with Ignatius Laurentius Ciriatius Grescentius and Gordianus And if the Church of Christ do receiue so great and manifolde benifits by these martirs with whose bloud it is watred by whose ashes it is enlarged by whose constancie it is confirmed by whose testimonie it is witnessed and finally through whose agonies and victories the truth of the Gospell doth gloriously triumph let not vs then thinke it any great matter to requite them with our duety againe by committing them vnto memory as a perpetuall token of our good will towards them Albeit they themselues receiue no glory at our hands and much lesse challenge the same but referre it wholy vnto the Lord Christ froÌ whom it came whatsoeuer great or notable thing there was in them Notwithstanding for so much as Christ himselfe is glorified in his Saints we caÌ not shew our selues thankefull vnto him except we also shew our selues dutifull vnto those by whome his glory doth increase Heereupon I thinke it came to passe that the aunciente Christians in the time of the first persecutioÌs How it ãâã to passe that ãâ¦ã Church ãâã yearely ãâ¦ã Martyrs ââperstitioÌ ãâã honouâââg Martyrs What ãâã coÌmeth ãâã memory ãâã Martyrs ãâã vs. thought good to celebrate yearely commemorations of the Martirdome of those holy men not so much to honour theÌ as to glorifie God in his souldiours vnto whom all glory praise doth worthely belong and moreouer that we being instructed by their example might bee the more prompt and ready in the policies of those warres to stand more stoutly in battaâle against our aduersaries and learne the more easily to contemne and despise thys worlde For in considering the ende and death of these men who will greatly long or luste after this life which is so many wayes miserable through so many afflictions dolorous through so many casualties rumous wherin consisteth so litte constancie lesse safety being neuer free from some hard calamitie one or other What good maÌ would haue this world in reputatioÌ wherin he seeth so many good men so cruelly oppressed wherin no man can liue in quietnes except he be wicked Wherfore I do not a little merueile The world ãâ¦ã to ãâã wicked ââecially that in this great slaughter of good meÌ with so many spectacles and examples of cruell tormeÌt Christians do yet liue as it were drowned in y e foolish desires of this world seeing dayly before their eyes so many holy and innocent men yeeld vp their spirits vnder the handes of such tormentors to lye in filthy prisons in bondes darkenes and teares in the end to be consumed with fire We see so many Prophets of God euen Christ himself the sonne of God to be so cruelly and many waies afflicted in this world tormoiled scourged and crucified yet we laugh drinke and giue our selues vnto all losenes of life and all lasciuiousnes For honour great possessions we contend we build we study labour by al meanes to make our selues rich Unto whome it doth not suffice y t we with safety and freedome from their afflictions racks wheeles scourges yrons read hote grediroÌs fleshhookes mallets and other kyndes of tormentes may serue our Christ in peace and quiet but being herewith not content will giue ouer our selues to all kinde of wickednes to be led away at the will and pleasure of Sathan ãâ¦ã be lessons to vs to plucke vs from âhis world But what do we thinke in so doing Eyther we must recken those meÌ to be most miserable in this life or els our selues to be most vnhappy But if their blessednes be most certaine and sure then let vs direct the course of our life to the same felicitie These men haue forsaken this life which they might haue enioyed But if wâ cannot willingly put of this life yet let vs not be slow to amend and correct the same and though wee cannot dye with them in like martyrdome yet let vs mortifie the worldly and prophane affections of y e flesh which striue agaynst y e spirite at the least let vs not runne thus headlong into the liceÌtious desires of the world as we do As the lyfe of Christen men is nowe I praye thee what doe these bondes prisons these woundes and scarres these great fires and other horrible tormentes of martirs then vpbrayd vnto vs our slouthful sluggishnes worthely make vs ashamed therof Which Martirs if in their liues they liued so innocently in their death continued so constant what then is to be deemed of vs which suffer nothing for Christ and will not take vpon vs the small conflict agaynst vices our owne affections How would we suffer the cruell looks of tirannes The great difference
done and finally albeit it be a good while since hee was put to death yet the memorie of hys death as frutefull seede hath taken such roote in some that euen vnto this present day he is a liuely and diligent preaching vnto them against superstition and Idolatry vsed in their Churches Ex testimonio N. Fildi Pendigrace aliorum qui rei gestae interfuerunt The tragicall hystorie of the worthy L. Edward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector with the whole cause of his troubles and handling AFter so many troublous matters in this historie aforepassed comming nowe to the lamentable and tragicall narration of the L. Edward duke of Somerset Anno 1552. the kings vncle and Protector of his person of his realme I could not wel enter into the story of him without some premonition first to all noble personages The story of the L. Protector Duke of Somerset of what honor or calling soeuer within this realme by way of history briefly to admonish them no man to plant any trust or assurance vpon the brickle pillers of worldly prosperity howe high soeuer it seemeth consideringe that there is no state so high but it hath his ruine wisedome so circumspecte but it maye bee circumuented no vertue so perfecte but it may be enuyed neither any mans trade so simple but it maye be beguiled And therefore seeing the condition of mortall things is so Worldly prosperity not to be trusted vnto that no man can alwaies stand in this so ruinous a world y e surest way is euery man to chuse his standing so that his fall may be y e easier But because my purpose is as I haue said in the stories before to abridge and make short I will here stay referring to the secrete coÌsideration of that which remaineth further by me in this matter to be vttered and so falling into the storie of the Lorde Protectoure Duke of Somerset we will the Lorde willing declare in order the original and whole occasion of his trouble and decay euen from the beginning King Edwarde after that both his father and mother were dead had three vncles least him by his mothers side Edwarde Thomas and Henry Semer of the which two first one was made Protectour of the Realme and the other high admirall of the same These two brethren so long as they were knit ioyned together in amitie and coÌcorde Concorde maketh brethren strong preserued both themselues the king their nephew and the whole common wealth from the violence and feare of all danger But the subtil old serpent alwaies enuying mans felicitie through slanderous tongues sought to sowe matter first of discord betwene them then of suspition and last of all extreme hatred in so much that the Protectour suffered his brother being accused whether truely or falsely the Lorde knoweth to be condemned and to loose hys heade Wherby it came to passe whether by y e correction of Gods iudgement vpon him or whether that he after the death of his brother and the king being yet but yong and tender of age was the lesse able to shift for himselfe that not long after he was ouermatched and ouerthrowen of his enemies and so cast into the Tower and at last lost hys head also to the great lamentation of many good men as in the sequele of this hystorie foloweth to be declared For the better introduction of which hystorie firste to begin with the foresaide brother of the Lorde Protectoure Syr Thomââ Semer ãâã admirall namely Sir Thomas Semer high Admirall of England and the kings Uncle here is to vnderstande that he hadde maried Queene Katherine late wife to kinge Henrye the eight of whome ye heard before pag. 1342. Displeasâââ betweene the Queeâ the Duââches of Soâmerset Now it happened vppon what occasion I knowe not that there fell a displeasure betwixt the sayde Queene and the Duchesse of Somerset and therupon also in the behalf of their wiues displeasure and grudge began betwene the brethreÌ Which albeit through perswasion of frendes it was for a time appeased betweene them Discorde betweene the L. Prââtectour ãâã the L. Aââmirall his brother The L. Aââmirall beheaded at tower hyâ yet in shorte space after perchaunce not without y e priuie setting forward oâ some whych were backefrendes to the Gospell it brake out againe both to the trouble of the Realme and especially to the coÌfusion of them both as after it is prooued First to the Lorde Admiralles charge it was laide that hee purposed to destroy the young king and translate the Crowne vnto hymselfe and for the same being attainted and condemned did suffer at Tower hill the 20. of Marche An. 1549. As manye there were which reported that the Dutches of Somersette had wrought his death so manye moe there were En quo discordial fratres perâducit miseâros who misdoubting the long standing of the Lord Protectour in hys state and dignity thought and affirmed no les but that the fall of the one brother woulde be the ruine of the other the experiment whereof as it hath often ben proued so in these also eftsoones it ensued It was not long after the beheading of the Lorde Admirall but insurrections began to kindle the same yeare in diuers quarters of the realme as is aboue storied Iohn Duââley Earle ãâã Warwicke afterward Duke of Northumberland By the occasion wherof the lord Russel lord priuy Seale was sent to the West parts and the lord Dudley Earle of Warwike was sent w t an armie into Norfolke where bothe he hymselfe a great number of Gentlemen that were with hym meeting with the rebels were in great daunger notwithstanding in the ende the ouerthrowe was geuen to the rebels which was aboute the beginning of Septemb. 1549. After this victorie atchieued in the next moneth folowing whiche was October Discorde betweene the Earle ãâã Warwickâ the Loââ Protectoâ howe the matter fell oute betweene the Lorde Protectour and certaine other Lordes I knowe not but at the retourne of the Earle of Warwike aforesaid greate workinge and consultation there was amonge the Lordes assembling them selues in the house of M. Yorke and at Bainardes Castle and in the Lorde Maiors house at London against the Lorde Protectoure remaining theâ with the King at Hampton Court Of the which businesse and trouble thus the Lorde Protectoure wryteth in hys letters to the Lorde Russell in the West countrey as followeth A letter of the L. Protectour to the L. Russel Lord priuie Seale concerning troubles working against him AFter our right harty commendations to your good Lordship heere hath of late risen such a conspiracie against the kinges Maiestie and vs as neuer hath bene seene A letter oâ the L. Prââtectour to the L. ãâã Seale the which they can not maintaine but with such vaine letters and false tales surmised as was neuer meant nor entended on vs. They pretend and say that we haue solde Bulloigne to
sayd in the time of the rebellion that you liked wel the doings and proceedings of the sayde rebelles and traitors and sayde that the couetousnes of the gentlemen gaue occasion to the common people to rise sayinge also that better it were for the Commons to die then pearish for lacke of liuing 16 Also you saide that the Lordes of the parlamente were loth to encline themselues to reformatioÌ of enclosures and other things therfore the people had good cause to reforme the things them selues 17 Also you after the reporte and declaration of the defaultes and lackes reported to you by suche as did suruey Bulleine and the Peeces there woulde neuer amende the same defaultes 18 Also you would not suffer the kings peeces beyoÌd the seas called Newhauen Blacknest to be furnished wyth men and vitailes although you were aduertised of the defaults therin by the captaines of the same peeces others were thereto aduertised by the kings Counsaile wherby the French king being the kings open enemy was encouraged and comforted to inuade and win the sayd peeces to the kings great losse and dishonor of his realme 19 Also you declared and published vntruely as well to the kings maiestie and other the young Lordes attendant vpon his graces persone that the Lordes of the Counsaile at London minded to destroy the king you required the king neuer to forget it but to reuenge it and likewise you required the yong Lordes to put the king in remembrance therof to the entent to make sedition and discord betwene the king and his Lordes 20 Also where the kinges Maiesties priuie Counsaile of their loue and zeale that they did beare vnto the king his Realme did consulte at London to haue communed wyth you to the entent to mooue you charitablie to amend your doings and misgouernment you hearing of their sayd assembly did cause to be declared by letters in diuers places the said Lordes to be high traitors to the king to the great disturbance of the realme And thus muche hitherto concerning the first trouble of the Lorde Protectoure Duke of Somersette The mercifull working of the Lord for the Lord Protector wyth the crimes and articles obiected against him with his prisonment also in the Tower and the terrible proclamatioÌ geuen out against hym All which purposes of man thoughe they seemed fully entended to no lesse but to the spilling of his life yet the Lorde aboue the onely disposer of all mens purposes The Lord Protectour deliuered out of the tower so ordered the matter by the meanes of the kinge labouring for his Uncle that in short while after hee was lette out of the Tower and the Proclamation whyche before had made hym a traitor wythin three dayes was called in agayne a Domino factum est istud wyth commaundement geuen none of them to be solde And so the Duke of Somerset gratiously escaping thys aduersitie was againe restored though not to his former office yet vnto libertie wherein he continued the space of two yeares and two dayes After the which time of respite being expired the sayde Duke of Somerset was apprehended committed againe to the Tower The second trouble of the Duke of Somerset and wyth him also Sir Michaell Stanhop sir Raufe Uane sir Miles Partrige other c. At length the time being come of his arrainment the foresayde good Duke being conueied from the Tower was brought thorow London with the axe of the tower before him wyth great preparance of bils halbardes pikes and polaxes in most forcible wise a watch also sette and appoynted before euery mans doore through the hie streat of London The Duke of Somerset agayne brâught to the toweâ and so was he brought into Westminster hal where the Lords of the counsaile sitting as his iudges in the middle of the hal vpon a newe scaffolde he was there before them arrayned and charged both with treason and felonie In the whiche iudgement I passe ouer the vnseemely speach the vile taunts and despiteful rebukes without all modesty or honesty The vile tauntes of certayne Iustices and others sitting in iudgement against the good Duke of Somerset vsed by certaine of the Sergeants and Iustices and some other sitting there Al which notwythstanding he patiently quietly did suffer neither storming inwardly in stomacke nor reuiling them with woordes againe but like a lambe folowing the true lambe example of all meekenes was conteÌted to take al things at their handes and with no lesse patience to beare now theyr vngentle and cruell railings The great patieÌce of the Duke of Somerset in taking rebukes then hee did before their glauering wordes and flatterings in time of his high estate and prosperitie And as the patience of this good Duke was marueilous in forbearing his ennemies so also was his discretion and temperance no lesse seene in answearing for himself to the articles to him obiected wherunto he wisely and substantially replied The discrete behauiour of the Duke in aunswering for himselfe putting himselfe in the ende to be tried by his Peeres Who then at length after consultation had did frame and temper their verdicte thus that as concerning y e case of treason wherewith he was charged they discharged him but they accounted him guiltie of fellonie When the people which were there present to a great noÌber hearde the Lordes say Not guiltie meaning by the case of treason supposing no lesse but y t he had bene clearly acquited by these woordes The harty affection of the people toward the Duke of Somerset and especially seeing the Axe of the Tower to be carried away for great ioy and gladnesse made an outcrie well declaring theyr louing affection and hearty fauour vnto the Duke whose life they greatly desired But thys opinion of the people was deceiued and the innocent Duke condemned to die for fellonie Which act of fellonie had bene made a litle before against the rebels and vnlawfull assembles suche as shoulde seeke or procure the death of any Counsailour The Duke of Somerset condemned of felony so that euery suche attempt and procurement according to the act should be iudged felony By the vertue of whych Act the Duke being accused with certaine other hys complices to intende and purpose the death of the Duke of Northumberlande and of certayne beside Statut. an 5. Reg. Edw 6. was therfore caste and condemned of felonie and so was returned toward the Tower againe At whose passage throughe the Citie greate exclamations and outcries were made againe of the people The Duke of Somerset accused for seeking the death of the Duke of Northumberland some reioycing y t hee was acquited some bewayling that hee was condemned Thus the good Duke passing through a great parte of the Citie landinge at the Crane of the Uinetrie was conueyed vnto the Tower where hee endured till the 22. of Ianuary Upon the which day at the comminge downe of the
wee say that there is a great difference and separation betwixt the body in the which Christe suffered and the bloud which he shed vpon the Crosse thys body which euery day is celebrated in the mysterie of the Passion of Christe For this body is a pledge and a similitude but the other is the very truthe it selfe Ergo it appeareth that these two are seperated a sunder by no lesse difference then is betweene a pledge and the thing whereof y â pledge is geuen or then is betweene an Image of a thing and the thing it selfe whereof the Image is or then is betwene the forme of a thing and the veritie it selfe This wrote Bertramus Druthmarus manye other Bertramus Ioan. Scotus Druthmarus and yet were neuer in all their time once reprooued of heresie Thys wrote Ioannes Scotus also in whose life time men had not eies to espie his heresies But about 200. yeare after his death he was iudged and condemned for an hereticke his bookes burned in a Councell holden at Vercellae in Lombardie in the yeare of our Lorde God .1015 Bertramus condemned for an hereticke 200. yeares after his death Since which time euen vntill this day although Idolatrye had great encrease yet there neuer wanted some good men whiche boldly woulde professe and sette foorth the truth although they were well assured that theyr worldly reward shoulde be spite malice imprisonning sworde fire and all kindes of tormentes Thus so shortly and in so few woordes as I could I haue declared to you what Christe meant by these woordes This is my bodye what the Apostles thought therein in what sorte they deliuered them to theyr successors in what sense and meaning the holy Fathers and olde wryters and the Uniuersall and Catholicke Churche hath euermore taken them The ende and deceasse of king Edward the sixt THus hauing discoursed thinges done and past vnder the raigne of king Edwarde The decease of king Edward .6 suche as seemed not vnfruitfull to be knowen we will now draw to the ende and death of this blessed king our young Iosias Who about a yeare and a halfe after the death of the Duke of Somerset hys Uncle Anno 1553. in the yeare of our Lorde 1553. entring into the 17. yeare of his age and the 7. yeare of his raigne in the month of Iune was takeÌ from vs for our sinnes no dout Whome if it had so pleased the good wil of the Lord to haue spared with longer life not vnlike it was by all coÌiectures probably to be esteemed by those his towarde and blessed beginnings but proceeding so as he began he would haue reformed suche a Common wealth heere in the Realme of England as by good cause it might haue bene sayd of hym y t was sayd in y e olde time of the noble Emperour Augustus in reforming and aduauncing the Empire of Rome Quam quum ille lateritiam vt aiebat accepit Ex Suetonio marmoream reliquit Which Empire he receiued he sayd of bricke but he left it of fine Marble But the condition of this Realme and the customable behauiour of English people whose propertie is commonly to abuse the lighte of the Gospell when it is offered deserued no suche benefite of so blessed a reformation but rather a contrarye plague of deformation suche as hapned after his raigne as ye shall heare the Lord graunting in the nexte Queenes dayes that followed Thus then this godly and vertuous Impe in the time and moneth aboue mentioned was cut from vs of whose worthy life and vertues haue bene partly afore declared Neuerthelesse to haue some monument of him remaining to testifie of the good nature and gentle disposition of that Prince we will adde heere for a remembraunce thys little Epistle of his own hand wryting to the Archb. of Canterbury his Godfather as followeth An Epistle of yong Prince Edward to the Archb. of Canterbury his Godfather Prince Edward when he wrote this epistle seemed to be very younge not aboue seauen yeares of age lying then at Antile IMpertio te plurima salute colendissime Praesul charissime Susceptor Quia abes longè a me vellem libenter audire te esse incolumem Precor autem vt viuas diu promoueas verbum Dei Vale. Antilae decimo octauo Iunij Tuus in Christo filius Edwardus Princeps An other Epistle of the young Prince Edward to the Archb. his Godfather ETsi puer sum colendissime Susceptor non tamen immemor sum vel officij erga te mei An other Epistle of Prince Edward to his godfather vel humanitatis tuae quam indies mihi exhibere studes NoÌ excideruÌt mihi humanissimae tuae litterae pridie diui Petri ad me datae Quibus ante hac respondere nolui non quòd illas neglexerim aut non minerim sed vt illarum diuturna meditatione fruerer fideliîue memoria reponerem atque demum bene ruminatis pro mea virili responderem Proinde affectum erga me tuum verè paternum quem in illis expressisti amplector veneror optoque vt multos viuas annos tuoque pio ac salubri consilio pergas esse mihi venerandus pater Nam pietatem ante omnia mihi amplectendam exosculandam esse duco quoniam diuus Paulus dicit 1. Tit. 4. Pietas ad omnia vtilis est Optimè valeat tua paternitas in plurimos annos Hartefordioe tertio decimo Ianuarij Tui studiosissimus EDOVARDVS Princeps The aunswere of the Archbishop to Prince Edwardes Epistle Alludit ad verba Terentijin Comoedia NOn magis poterit ipsa me seruare salus fili in Christo charissime quam salus tua Mea vita non dicenda est vita absque tua salute valitudine Quapropter cum te incolumem ac saluum intelligo vitam etiam mihi integram esse incolumem sentio The aunswere of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. to the epistle of Prince Edward Neque certè absentia mea tam est iniucunda tibi quà m sunt litterae tuae periucundae mihi Quae arguunt tibi iuxta adesse ingenium dignum tanto principe praeceptorem dignum tanto ingenio Ex quibus tuis litteris te sic litteras video colere vt interim doctrinae coelestis tua nequaquam minima sit cura quae cuicunque sit curae non potest illum quaeuis cura frangere Perge igitur qua via incoepisti Princeps illustrissime Spartam quam nactus es hanc orna vt quam ego per literas video in te virtutis lucem eadem olim illuminet vniuersam tuam Angliam NoÌ scribam prolixius tum quidem vt me intelligas breuitate non nihil affici tum etiam quod credam te aetate quidem adhuc paruulum paruo gaudere similem simili tum etiam praeterea ne impolita mea oratio in causa sit quò generosa illa tua indoles
not probably appeare to all the Nobilitie and Commons in the highe Court of Parliament that thys Marryage shall be for the high benefit coÌmoditie of all the whole Realme then I wil abstaine from Mariage while I liue And now good Subiects plucke vp your hearts and like true men The promise of Queene Mary touching her Maryage stande fast against these rebels both our enemies and yours and feare them not for I assure you I feare them nothing at all And I will leaue with you my Lord Haward my Lord Treasoror who shal be assistants with the Mayor for your defence ¶ Here is to be noted that at the comming of Queene Mary to the Guild hall being bruted before that shee was comming w t harnessed men such a feare came among them that a number of the Londiners fearing least they shoulde be there intrapped put to death made out of the gate before her entring in Furthermore note that when shee had ended her Oration which she semed to haue perfectly conned without booke Winchester standing by her when the Oration was done with great admiration cried to y e people O how happy are we to whom God hath geuen such a wise and learned Prince c. Two dayes after whiche was the 3. of Februarie the L. Cobham was committed to the Tower February 3. M. Wyat in southwarke and M. Wyat entred into Southwarke Who for so muche as he coulde not enter y t way into London returning another way by Kingstone with his army came vp through the streetes to Ludgate and returning thence hee was resisted at Temple barre M. Wyat came to Ludgate and there yealded himself to Sir Clement Parson and so was brought by him to the Courte with hym the residue of his armye for before Sir George Harpar almost halfe of his men ran awaye from him at Kingstone bridge were also taken M. Wyat apprehended at Templebar and aboute an 100. killed and they that were taken were had to prisone and a great manye of them were hanged and he himselfe afterwarde executed at the Tower hill and then quartered whose heade after being set vp vpon Haihil M. Wyat executed was thence stolne away and great search made for the same Of which story ye shal here more the Lord willing heereafter The 12. day of February was beheaded the lady Iane to whom was sent M. Fecknam alias Howman from the Queene 2. dayes before her deathe February 12. to commune wyth her and to reduce her from the doctrine of Christe to Queene Maries religion The effect of which communication here followeth The communication had betweene the Ladie Iane and Fecknam FEcknam Madam I lament your heauy case and yet I doubt not Talke betweene the Lady Iane and Fecknam but that you beare out this sorow of youres wyth a constant and patient minde Iane. You are welcome vnto me sir if your comming be to geue Christian exhortation And as for my heauye case I thanke God I do so litle lament it that rather I accompt the same for a more manifest declaration of Gods fauor towarde me then euer he shewed me at any time before And therefore there is no cause why either you or other whych beare me good wil Lady Iane comfortably taketh her trouble should lament or be grieued wyth thys my case being a thing so profitable for my soule health Feck I am heere come to you at this present sent from the Queene and her counsaile to instructe you in the true doctrine of y e right faith although I haue so great confidence in you that I shall haue I trust little neede to trauaile wyth you much therein Iane. Forsooth I heartely thanke the Queenes highnesse which is not vnmindful of her humble subiect and I hope likewise that you no lesse will doe your duety therein both truely and faithfully according to that you were sent for Feck What is then required of a Christian Iane. That he should beleue in God the Father y e Sonne and the holy Ghost three persons and one God Feck What is there nothing els to be required or looked for in a Christian but to beleeue in him Iane. Yes we must also loue him with all our heart with all our soule and with all our minde and our neighbor as our selfe Feck Why then faith iustifieth not nor saueth not Iane. Yes verely faith as Paule sayth only iustifieth Feck Why S. Paul sayeth If I haue all faith without loue it is nothing Iane. Faith onely iustifieth True it is for how caÌ I loue him whom I trust not or how can I trust him whome I loue not Faith and loue go both together and yet loue is comprehended in faith Feck How shall we loue our neighbour Iane. To loue our neighbor is to feede the hungry to cloth the naked and geue drinke to the thirsty and to doe to him as we would doe to our selues Feck Why then it is necessary vnto saluation to doe good workes also and it is not sufficient only to beleeue Iane. I denye that and I affirme that faith onely saueth Good ãâ¦ã in a ãâ¦ã they ãâã profite to saluatioâ but it is meete for a Christian in token that hee followeth his Maister Christe to doe good workes yet may wee not say that they profit to our saluation For wheÌ we haue done all yet we be vnprofitable seruaÌts and faith only in Christes bloud saueth vs. Feck How many Sacraments are there Iane. Two The one the Sacrament of Baptisme 2. Sacraâmenteâ and the other the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper Feck No there are seuen Iane. By what Scripture finde you that Feck Well we will talke of that heereafter The Sacâââment of Baptism what it âââânifieth But what is signified by your two Sacraments Iane. By the Sacramente of Baptisme I am washed wyth water and regenerated by the spirite and that washing is a token to mee that I am the childe of God The Sacrament of the Lordes Supper offered vnto mee The Sacâââment of ãâã Lordes ãâã what signifietâ is a sure seale and testimonie that I am by the bloude of Christ which he shedde for me on the Crosse made partaker of the euerlasting kingdome Feck Why what doe you receiue in that Sacrament Doe you not receiue the very body and bloud of Christ Iane. No surely I doe not so beleeue I thinke that at the Supper I neyther receiue flesh nor bloude What ãâã receaue with thâ sacrameââ but bread and wine Which bread when it is broken and the wine when it is dronken putteth mee in remembraunce howe that for my sinnes the body of Christ was broken his bloudshed on the Crosse and with that breade and wine I receiue the benefites that come by the breaking of his body sheding of his bloud for our sinnes on the Crosse. Feck Why doeth not Christ speake these woordes Take eate this is my body
Suffolke with his brethren departed from his house at Shene and tooke hys voyage into Leycester shyre After whome was sent the Earle of Huntington to take hym and bring hym to London who proclaimed the said Duke traytor by the way as he râade As touching the rising of master Wyate with Syr W. Cobham and others in Kent and there comming to London in the moneth of Februarie also of the Queenes comming to the Guilde Hall and her Oration there made and after of the taking of the said Wyat and his company likewise of the apprehension of the Duke of Suffolke with his brother Lord Iohn Gray and the next day after of beheading of Lord Gildford and Lady Iane which was the 12. day of February and how the day before which was 11. of the sayd moneth Lord William Haward and sir Edwarde Hastings were sent for the Ladie Elizabeth and how the same Sonday Syr Harrye Iseley M. Culpeper The Lady Elizabeth sent for The byshoâ of Winchââster preacheth and M. Winter were committed to the Tower the B. of Winchester the same daye being the 11. of Februarie preaching before the Queene and perswading her to vse no mercy towarde these Kentishmen but seuere execution all whyche was in the moneth of February because most of these matters haue bene briefly touched before or els may be founde in other Chronicles I wil cease to make any further story of them hauing somwhat notwithstanding to declare touching the rainment and death of the Duke of Suffolke Uppon Saterday beinge the 17. day of Februarye the Duke of Suffolke was arraigned at Westminster and the same day condemned to die by his Peres the Earle Arundel was chiefe Iudge for this day The Duke of Suffolke arraigned Uppon the Sonday following which was the 18. day of the sayd moneth Sessions was kept in London whych hath not before bene sene to be kept vpon the Sonday Upon the monday the 19. of Februarie the Lord Cobhams 3. sonnes and 4. other men were arraigned at Westminster of whiche sonnes the youngest was condemned whose name is Thomas and the other two came not at the barre and the other 4. were condemned Upon the Tuesday being the 20. of February The Lord Iohn Graâ arraygned the Lord Iohn Gray was araigned at Westminster and there condemned the same day and other 3. men whereof one was named Nailer Upon the Wedensday the 21. of Februarie the L. Thomas Gray and sir Iames Croft were broughte throughe London to the Tower with a number of horsemen Sir Nicholas Throgmorton committed to the Tower Upon the Thursday being the 22. of Februarie syr Nicholas Throgmorton was committed to the Tower Uppon the Friday being the 23. of Februarie 1554. the Duke of Suffolke was beheaded at the Tower hil the order of whose death heere followeth The godly ende and death of the Duke of Suffolke beheaded at Tower hil An. 1554. Febr. 23. ON Friday the 23. of February 1554. about 9. of y e clocke in the fore noone the Lorde Henrie Gray duke of Suffolke was broughte foorth of the Tower of London vnto the Scaffolde on the Tower hill The order and maner of the Duke of Suffolkes death D. Weston the Duke Ghostly ââther agaiâââ the Dukeâ will Weston ãâã back by the Dukes ãâã The word of the Duââ to the people wyth a greate company c. and in his comming thither there accompanied him Doctor Weston as his Ghostly father notwythstanding as it should seeme against the will of the sayde Duke For when the Duke went vp to the Scaffolde the sayd Weston being on his left hand preased to goe vp wyth hym The Duke with his hand put him downe againe of the staires and Weston taking holde of the Duke forced hym downe likewise And as they ascended the second time the Duke againe put him downe Then Weston sayde that it was the Queenes pleasure he shoulde so doe Wherewyth the Duke casting hys handes abroade ascended vppe the Scaffolde and paused a pretie while after And then he sayde Maisters I haue offended the Queene and her lawes and thereby am iustly condemned to die and am willing to die desiring all men to be obedient and I praye God that thys my death may be an ensample to all men The godly fayth and confession of the Duââ at his deaââ beseeching you all to beare mee witnesse that I die in the faithe of Christe trusting to bee saued by his bloude onely and by no other trumperie the whych died for me and for all them that truely repent and stedfastly trust in him And I do repent desiring you all to pray to God for me that when you see my breathe departe froÌ me you wil pray to God that he may receiue my soule And then he desired all men to forgeue him saying that the Queene had forgeuen him Then M. Weston declared with a loude voyce that the Queenes Maiestie had forgiuen him With that diuers of the standers by said with meetely good and audible voice such forgiuenes God send thee meaning Doctor Weston Then the Duke kneeled downe vpon his knees and sayd the Psalme Miserere mei Deus vnto the end holding vp his hands and looking vp to heauen And when he had ended the Psalme The Duke ãâã he sayd In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum c. Then he arose and stoode vp and deliuered his cap and his skarffe vnto the executioner Then the sayd executioner kneeled downe and asked the Duke forgiuenes And the Duke sayd God forgiue thee I do when thou doest thine office I pray thee do it wel and bring me out of this world quickly The Duke ãâ¦ã and God haue mercy to thee Then stood there a man and sayd my Lord how shal I do for the money that you do owe me And the Duke sayd alas good felow I pray thee trouble mee not now but go thy way to my officers Then he knit a kercher about his face and kneeled downe and said Our father which art in heauen c. vnto the ende And then he saide Christ haue mercy vpon me The end of the Duke of Sufolke and layd downe his head on the blocke and the executioner tooke the Axe and at the first chop stroke off his head and held it vp to y e people c. The same day a number of prisoners had their pardon and came through the Citie with their halters about theyr neckes They were in * The number of these are 240. which with ãâã their ãâã passed through ãâã citty to Wâstminster and had their pardon Priestes diuorced number about two hundreth Upon the Saterday the 24. of February Syr William Sentlow was committed as prisoner to the maister of the horse to be kept This Syr William was at this time one of the Lady Elizabeths Gentlemen Upon the Sonday beeing 25. of February Syr Iohn Rogers was committed to the Tower In this weeke all suche Priestes
to talke one of them one thynge and an other a nother Alas neither wil these men heare me if I speake neither yet wil they suffer me to write There is no remedy but let them alone and commit the matter to God Yet I began to go forward and said that I would make the texts to agree and to prooue my purpose well enough L. Chan. No no thou canst proue nothing by the scripture The scripture is dead it must haue a liuely expositor Rog. No the Scripture is aliue But let me goe forwarde wyth my purpose Wor. All heretikes haue alleaged the scriptures for them and therefore we must haue a liuely expositor for them Rog. Yea all heretikes haue alleaged the Scriptures for them but they were coÌfuted by the scriptures and by none other expositor Wor. But they wold not confesse that they were ouercome by the scriptures I am sure of that Rog. I beleeue that and yet were they ouercome by them and in all CouÌcels they were disputed with ouerthrown by the scriptures Confused ãâã withâut order And heere I would haue declared howe they ought to procede in these daies so haue come againe to my purpose but it was vnpossible for one asked one thing an other saide an other so that I was faine to holde my peace and let them talke And euen wheÌ I would haue taken holde on my proofe the Lord Chauncelor bad to prison with me again and away away said he we haue more to talke withall if I woulde not be reformed so he termed it away away Then vp I stoode for I had kneeled all the while Then sir Richard Southwell who stoode by in a window sayd to me thou wilt not burne in this geare when it commeth to the purpose Sir Rich. Southwell âpeaketh I know well that Rog. Sir I cannot tel but I trust to my Lorde God yes lifting vp mine eyes vnto heauen B. of Ely The bishop of Ely speaketh Then my Lord of Ely told me much of the Quenes Maiesties pleasure and meaning and set it out wyth large wordes saying that shee tooke them that woulde not receiue the Bishop of Romes supremacie to be vnworthy to haue her mercy c. Roger. I sayde I would not refuse her mercye and yet I neuer offended her in all my life And that I besought her Grace and all their honors to be good to me reseruing my conscience Diuers speake at once No quoth they then a great sorte of them Diuers âpeake at ânce and specially Secretary Bourne a maried priest and haue not offended the lawe Rog. I sayd I had not broken the Queenes lawe nor yet any poynt of the law of the Realme therin For I married where it was lawfull Diuers at once Where was that sayd they thinking that to be vnlawfull in all places Diuers speake at ânce Rog. In Dutchland And if ye had not heere in England made an open law that Priestes might haue had wiues I would neuer haue come home again âawfulnes of priestes mariage ãâã Rogers ârought 8. children with him ânto Engâând for I brought a wife and eight children with me whych thing yee might be sure that I would not haue done if the lawes of the realme had not permitted it before Then there was a great noise some saying that I was come too soone with such a sort I should finde a soure comming of it and some one thing some another And one said I coulde not well perceyue who that there was neuer catholike man or countrey that euer graunted that a priest might haue a wife Rog. I sayd the Catholike churche neuer denied mariage to Priests M Rogers had away to prison nor yet to any other man and therewith was I going out of the chamber the sergeaunt which brought me thether hauing me by the arme Wor. Then the B. of Worcester turned his face towardes me and saide that I wist not where that church was or is Rog. I sayd yes that I could tell where it was but therewith went the sergeant with me out of the doore This was the very true effecte of all that was spoken vnto me and of all that I answeared thereunto And here would I gladly make a more perfect answere to al y e former obiections as also a due proofe of that which I had taken in hande but at this present I was informed that I should to morrow come to further answer Wherefore I am compelled to leaue out that which I wold most gladly haue done desiring here the hearty vnfained helpe of the praiers of all Christes true members the true imps of the true vnfained Catholicke Churche that the Lorde God of all coÌsolation wil now be my comfort aid streÌgth buckler and shield as also of all my brethren that are in the same case distresse that I and they all may despise all maner of threats and cruelty and euen the bitter burning fire and the dreadfull dart of death and sticke like true soldiors to our deare louing captaine Christ our onely redemer and sauiour and also the only true head of the church that doth all in vs al which is y e very property of an heade and is a thing that all the Bishops of Rome cannot doe and that we doe not traiterously run out of his tents or rather out of the plaine field from him in the most ieopardy of the battaile but that wee may perseuere in the fight if he will not otherwise deliuer vs till we be most cruelly slayne of his enemies For this I most hartely and at thys present with weeping teares most instantly earnestly desire and beseeche you all to pray And also if I die to be good to my poore and most honest wife being a poore straunger and all my little soules hers and my children M. Rogers carefull prayer for his wife and children Whom with all the whole faithfull and true catholicke congregation of Christ the Lord of life and death saue keepe and defend in all the troubles and assaults of this vaine world and to bryng at the last to euerlasting saluation the true sure inheritance of all crossed Christians Amen Amen The 27. day of Ianuarie at night The 2. confession of Iohn Rogers made and that should haue bene made if I might haue ben heard the 28. and 29. day of Ianuarie 1555. FIrst being asked againe by the Lord Chauncelor The 2. examination of Maister Rogers whether I would come into one Church wyth the Bishops and whole realme as now was concluded by ParliameÌt in the which all the Realme was conuerted to the Catholike churche of Rome and so receiue the mercy before profered me arising againe with the whole realme Winchesters mercy what it meaneth out of the schisme and errour in which we had long bene with recantation of my errors I answered that before I coulde not tell what his mercy meant but now I vnderstoode that it was
people of God and theyr aduersaries into whose handes they were putte and deliuered and that of GOD and by hys good will and pleasure were Idolatrers and the people of the Deuill but they woulde be called the chiefe members of God and reioyced that they hadde the true God and that it was nowe declared by myracle that the Israelites hadde but a false God and a false religion seeing they were deliuered into the Babylonians handes And all the other the Herodes and Pharao I meane plainely determined that if the menne whiche they killed and handled euil hadde bene Goddes people God would neuer haue suffered them to come into their hands but rather haue done the contrarye and haue lette Iohn Baptist kill Herode and the Israelites Pharao and Nabuchodonosor Euen the like is nowe to be seene in vs and in our most cruell aduersaries They are not therfore the catholike Church because our merciful God hath at this present geueÌ our liues into their handes neyther are wee therefore heretickes because wee suffer punishment at theyr handes as the Lord Chauncellour by hys reioycing seemeth to gather the contrarye is hereby to be gathered that we be the members of the true Catholike church because wee suffer for the same Doctrine which Iohn Baptiste Iames the Israelites yea Christe the Apostles did teache of which none taught any thing of oure aduersaries doctrine namely that the rotten Antichristian heade of Rome shoulde be the heade of Christes church But they haue manifestly taught the contrary specially Paule 2. to the Thessalonians the 2. chapter Iohn in the Apocalipse Dan. 11. which thing if I might haue life and Bookes I would so by Gods grace set foorth that all the world should see it and that our aduersaries with their Antichristian head are the members of the Deuils church as they vndoubtedly are And in like case as the aboue meÌtioned holy men though they in their dayes were counted to be heretickes seditious and disturbers of the whole worlde for vnto Iohn Baptiste it was sayde Iohn 1. Wherefore baptisest thou if thou be not Helias nor that Prophet c. As who saye thou haste no such authoritie to beginne a newe Ceremonie in the Churche For we be in ordinarie possession of the churche and of vs thou haste receiued no such power We abide by our circumcision and the like coulde I declare of Iames and of all the Apostles and Prophetes and of our Sauiour Christe him selfe that were all condemned as heretickes blasphemers of God and disturbers of the whole world Paule and Silas Act. 16. heard like woordes of the Philippians these men trouble our Citie seeing they are Iewes and preache institutions whych are not lawful for vs to receiue seeing we be Romaines And in 17. In Athens the wise menne of this world suche as gaue their endeuour to wisedom said by S. Paule Quid vult spermologus hic dicere That is What will this prater as my Lord Chancelour sayd to me shall we suffer this felow to prate wheÌ I would faine haue sayd that thyng that I haue heere wrytten trifler newes caryer or âringer that telleth what so euer men will haue him for gaine and aduauntage that will for a piece of bread say what yee will haue hym c. And an other sayd in the same place hee seemeth to be a preacher of newe Deuelles c. And Actes 21. The Iewes say by Paule laying handes on hym helpe O yee Israelites saye they this is the manne that teacheth all men euery where against the people meaning the Iewes and the law and this place meaning Ierusalem and yet was neuer a woorde of these true And Actes 22. the same Iewes sayde of Paule out of the earthe wyth that man or away wyth him For it is not lawfull for him to liue or he is not woorthy to liue And howe many moe of these examples are to be found in the Bible Although I say these men were in their dayes taken for heretickes of them that were then in authoritye and of the great multitude of the worlde yet it is nowe wel knowen yea and very shortly after their deathes this was known yea and euen in theyr liues also vnto the true Catholicke Churche that they were not onely the chiefe and speciall members of the true Catholicke Churche but also the founders and builders thereof notwithstanding the sinister iudgement that the wise and mighty menne and the great multitude of the worlde hadde of them and in theyr consciences they were alwayes assuredlye certified of the same Euen the same shall the world find true in vs shortlye after oure deathes as also there be at thys houre the Lorde be thanked therefore not a fewe that already know it as we our selues also are by Gods grace assuredly certified in our consciences that we are no heretikes but members of the true catholike church and that our aduersaries the bishops and popish cleargie which wil haue that title are the members of Sathans churche and theyr Antichristian head of Rome wyth them But here they wil crie out loe these men wil be stil like Iohn Baptist the Apostles and the Prophets c. I answere we make not our selues like vnto them in the singular vertues and giftes of God geuen vnto them as of miracles doing and of many other things The similitude and likenesse of them and vs consisteth not in all things but only in this that is that we be like them in doctrine and in the sufferinge of persecution and infamie for the same We haue preached theyr very doctrine and none other thing that we are able sufficiently to declare by theyr wrytings by wryting for my part I haue profered to prooue the same as is now often sayd And for this cause we suffer the like reproche shame and rebuke of the worlde the like persecution leesing of our liues and goodes forsaking as our maister Christ commandeth father mother sister brethren wiues children and all that there is being assured of a ioyfull resurrection and to be crowned in glorye wyth them according to the vnfallible promises made vnto vs in Christ our onely and sufficient mediatour reconciler priest and sacrifice which hath pleased the father and quieted and pacified his wrath against our sinnes made vs wythout spot or wrinkle in his sight by imputation although wee off and in our selues are bespotted be blotted w t many filthy sinnes which if the great mercy graunted in Christ did not put away by not imputing them vnto vs of his measurelesse vnspeakeable mercye and loue to saue vs they woulde haue brought vs to euerlasting damnation and death perpetuall Heerein and in no other doe we affirme our selues to be like vnto our head Christe and all his Apostles Prophetes Martyrs and Saintes And heerein oughte all Christian menne to be like them and heerein are all true Christen men and women lyke them euery one according to the measure of y e faith that
God hath dealt vnto them and to the diuersitie of the gifts of the spirite geuen vnto them But let vs nowe consider y t if it be Gods good will and pleasure to geue hys owne beloued heart that is hys beloued church and the members therof into the handes of theyr ennemies to chasten trie prooue them and to bryng them to the true vnfained acknowledging of theyr owne naturall stubburnnesse disobedience towardes God and his commaundements as touching the loue of God and of their brethren or neighbours and their naturall inclination readinesse desire to loue creatures to seeke their owne lusts pleasures and things forbidden of God to obtaine a true and earnest repentaunce and sorowfulnesse therefore and to make them to sigh and crie for the forgeuenesse of the same and for the aide of the spirite daily to mortifie and kill the saide euill desires and lustes yea and often falling into grosse outwarde sinnes as did Dauid Peter Magdalen and other to arise againe also thereout with a mighty crying for mercy wyth many other causes lette vs also consider what he hereafter doeth with the said enemies into whose hands he hath geuen his tenderly beloued dearlings to be chastened and tried Forsothe wheras he but chasteneth his dearlings and crosseth them for a small while accordinge to his good pleasure as all fathers doe with their children Heb. 12. Prouerb 3. Gods iusticâ vpon his enemies and persecuters He vtterly destroyeth yea and euerlastingly damneth the vnrepentant enemies Let Herode tell me what he wanne by killing Iames and persecuting Peter and Christes tender dearlings and beloued spouse and wife hys Churche Uerely God thought him not worthy to haue death ministred vnto him by meÌ or Angels or any worthy creatures but those small and yet most vile beastes lice and small wormes must consume and kill his beastly vile and tirannous body Pharao and Nabuchadonoser for all their pride and most mighty power must at the length let Gods dearlings go freely away out of their land yea out of their bandes and tirannie For when it could not be obtained at theyr handes that Gods congregation mighte haue true mercy ministred vnto them but the counterfaite mercye of these our dayes that is to saye extreeme crueltie and euen the very and that most horrible and cruel death God arose and awoke out of his sleepe and destroyed those ennemies of his flock with a mighty hand and a stretched out arme Pharao did wyth moste great and intollerable labors and burdens expresse and bring vnder the poore Israelits and yet did the Courtiers vndoubtedly noyse abroade that the king was mercifull vnto them to suffer them to liue in his land and to sette them aworke that they might gette them theyr liuings If he shoulde thruste them out of hys lande whether should they go like a sort of vagabunds and runagates This title name of mercy wold that tyaÌt haue and so did his flattering false Courtiers spreade hys vayne praise abroade Haue not wee the like examples nowe a dayes O that I had nowe time to wryte certaine thyngs pertaining to our Winchesters mercy Winchesteââ mercy Howe mercifull hee hath bene to me and to my good brethren I will not speake of neither yet vnto the Duke of Suffolkes moste innocent daughter and to her as innocent husband For althoughe their fathers were faultie yet had their youth and lacke of experience deserued a pardon by all true merciful mennes iudgements O that I had time to painte out thys matter a right but there be many aliue that can doe it muche better when I am deade Pharao had hys plagues and hys moste flourishinge lande was by his counterfaite mercye whych was in deede righte crueltie and abhominable tyrannie vtterly destroyed And thinke yee that thys bloudy butcherly Byshoppe of Winchester and his moste bloudie brethren shall escape Or y e Englande shall for theyr offences and specially for the maintenaunce of theyr Idolatrie and wilful following of them not abide a great brunt Yes vndoubtedly If God looke not mercifully vpon England Ann. 1554. âebruaây the seedes of vtter destruction are sowen in it already by these hypocriticall Tyrauntes and Antichristian Prelates Popishe Papistes and double Traytours to theyr naturall Countrey And yet they speake of mercy of blessing of the Catholicke Church of vnitie of power and strengthening of the Realme This double dissimulation will shew it selfe one day when the plague commeth which will vndoubtedly light vpon these crowneshorne capteines and that shortly whatsoeuer the godly and the poore Realme suffer in the meane while by Gods good sufferaunce and will Spite of Nabuchodonosors beard and maugre his heart the captiue thrall and miserable Iewes must come home agayne and haue their Citie and temple builded vp agayne by Zorobabell Esdras and Nehemias c. And the whole Kingdome of Babylon must go to ruine and be taken in of straunges the Persians and the Medes So shall the disperpled English flocke of Christ be brought againe into theyr former estate or to a better I trust in the Lorde God than it was in innocent Kyng Edwardes dayes and our bloudy Babylonicall Byshops and the whole crowneshorne companye brought to vtter shame rebuke ruyne decaye and destruction for God can not and vndoubtedly wyll not suffer for euer theyr abhominable lying false doctrine theyr hypocrisie bloudthrist whoredome idlenesse theyr pestilent lyfe pampored in all kynde of pleasure theyr thrasonicall boasting pryde theyr malicious enuious and poysoned stomackes which they beare towardes hys poore and miserable Christians Peter truely warneth that if iudgemente begynneth at the house of God what shall be the ende of them that beleeue not the Gospell If the righteous shall scant be saued where shall the vngodly and sinfull appeare Some shall haue theyr punishmente heere in thys worlde and in the worlde to come and they that doo escape in thys worlde shall not escape euerlastyng damnation Thys shall bee youre sauce O yee wicked Papistes make yee merry heere as long as yee may After that I. Rogers as yee haue heard had bene long straitly imprisoned Febr. 4. lodged in newgate amoÌgst theeues ofteÌ examined and very vncharitably intreated at leÌgth vniustly and most cruelly by wicked Winchester coÌdemned the 4. of February M. Rogers warned to prepare to death in the yeare of our Lord 1555. beeyng Monday in the morning hee was warned sodenly by the kepers wife of newgate to prepare himself to the fire who then being sound a slepe scarse with much shogging could be awaked M. Rogers ãâã At length being raysed and waked and byd to make haste then saide he if it be so I neede not to tye my poyntes M. Rogers coulâ not be ãâã of Boner to ãâã to his wife before his burning M. Rogers brought to Smithfield and so was had downe first to Boner to bee disgraded That done hee craued of Boner but one petition Boner asking what that
hee would not preuent them but taryed still sayeng Once I did flee and tooke me to my feete but now because I am called to this place and vocation I am throughly perswaded to tary and to liue and dye with my sheepe And when at the day of his appearaunce which was the first of September he was come to London before he could come to the foresayd D. Heath and Boner hee was intercepted commaunded violently agaynst hys wyll to appeare before the Queene and her Counsaile M. Hoopeâ refused to flye away to answer to certaine bonds and obligations wherein they sayd hee was bound vnto her And when he came before theÌ Winchester by and by receyued hym very opprobriously M. Hoopââ commeth vp to Loâdon and rayling and ratyng of hym accused him of Religion Hee agayne freely and boldly told his tale and purged hymselfe But in fine it came to this conclusion that by them he was commaunded to Ward it beyng declared vnto hym by his departure M. Hoopââ charged to aunswere the Queââ for bonds ãâã debt that the cause of his imprisonment was only for certaine summes of money for the which he was indebted to the Queene and not for religion This how false and vntrue it was shall hereafter in his place more plainly appeare The next yeare beyng 1554. the 19. of Marche M. Hopeâ commaâââded to warde he was called agayne to appeare before Winchester and other the Queenes Commissioners where what for the Bishop and what for the vnruly multitude when he could not be permitted to plead his cause he was depriued of hys Bishoprikes Which how in what order it was done M. Hoopââ depriued ãâã his Bishoprickâs here now followeth to be seene by the testimonie and report of one which being present at the doing committed the same to writyng ¶ A letter or report of a certaine godly man declaring the order of M. Hoopers depriuation from hys Bishoprike An. 1554. March 19. FOr so much as a rumor is spread abroad of the talk had at my L. Chuancellours A letter reportinâ the ordeâ ãâã M. Hoopââ depriuatiââ betweene hym with other Commissioners there appoynted and M. Hooper cleane contrary to the veritie and truth thereof in deede and therfore to bee iudged rather to be risen of malice for the discrediting of the truth by false suggestions and euill reportes then otherwise I thought it my duetie bâyng present thereat my selfe in writyng to set forth the whole effect of the same partly that the veritie therof may be knowen to the doubtfull people and partly also to aduertise them how vncharitably M. Hooper was handled at their hands which with all humilitie vsed hymselfe towards them desiryng that with patience he might haue bene permitted to speake assuryng all men that where I stood in a mammeryng and doubt which of these two religions to haue credited eyther that set forth by the kings maiesty that dead is or els that now mainteyned by the Queens maiesty theyr vnreuerend behauiour towards M. Hooper doth mooue me the rather to credite hys doctrine then that which they with railyng and cruell words defended consideryng that Christ was so handled before And that this which I haue written here was the effect of theyr talke as I acknowledge it to bee true my selfe so I appeale to all the hearers consciences that there were present so they put affection away for the witnesse to the same ¶ The Bishops of Wint. of London of Duresme of Landaffe of Chichester sate as Commissioners Lord Chauncellour AT M. Hoopers commyng in the L. Chauncellour asked whether he was maried Hooper Yea my L. and will not be vnmaried tyll death vnmary me Duresme That is matter enough to depriue you Hooper That it is not my Lord except ye do agaynst the Law The matter concerning mariage was no more talked of then for a great space but as well the Commissioners as such as stood by began to make such outcries laughed and vsed such gesture as was vnseemely for the place and for such a matter The Bishop of Chichester D. Day called M. Hooper hypocrite with vehement wordes and scornefull countenance Bekonsall called him beast so did Smyth one of the clerkes of the Counsayle and diuers other that stoode by At length the Bishop of Winchester said that all men might liue chast that would and brought in this text Castrauerunt se propter regnum coelorum That is There he that haue gelded themselues for the kingdom of heauen Math. 19. M. Hooper sayd that text prooued not that all men could lyue chaste but such onely to whome it was geuen and read that which goeth before in the text But there was a clamour and cry Priest maââage not âorbyd by âhe olde âanon mocking and scorning with callyng hym beast that the text could not be examined Then M. Hooper sayd that it did appeare by the olde Canons that marriage was not forbidden vnto Priestes and named the Decrees But the Bishop of Winchester sent for another part namely the Clementines or the Extrauagants But M. Hooper said that booke was not it which he named Then cryed out the Bishop of Winchester and sayd You shall not haue any other vntill ye be iudged by this And then began such a noyse tumult and speakyng together of a great many that fauoured not the cause ãâã More ãâã shortly ãâã into ãâ¦ã dyed of ãâã that nothyng was done ne spoken orderly nor charitably Afterwardes Iudge Morgan began to rayle at M. Hooper a long time with many opprobrious fowle words of hys doyng at Glocester in punishing of men said there was neuer such a tyrant as he was After that D. Day Bishop of Chichester said that the Councel of Ancyra which was before the Councell of Nice was against the marriage of Priests Then cryed out my L. Chancellor many with him that M. Hooper had neuer read the Councels Yes my Lord quoth M. Hooper and my L. of Chichester Doctor Day knoweth that the great Councell of Nice by the meanes of one Paphnutius decreed that no Minister should be separated from his wife But such clamours and cries were vsed that the Councel of Nice was not seene After this long brutish talke Tonstall Bishop of Duresme asked M. Hooper whether he beleeued the corporal presence in the sacrament And maister Hooper said plainly that there was none such neither did he beleue any such thyng Then would the Bish. of Duresme haue read out of a booke for his purpose belike what booke it was I cannot tell but there was such a noise and confuse talke on euery side that he dyd not read it Then asked Winchester of M. Hooper what authoritie mooued him not to beleue the corporall presence He said the authoritie of gods worde and alleged this text Quem oportet coelum suscipere vsque ad tempus restaurationis omnium i. Whom heaueÌ must hold vntill the latter
him selfe vntill suche time as the world had thought verely y t both he al his had ben cleane destroyed and cast away as the wise man sayth of the wicked people We thought them to be foles but they be in peace Sâp 5. Example taken of our meate and drinke how thinges neuer come to their perfââction before they be vtterly wasted Wee may learne by things that nourish and maintaine vs both meat and drinke to what lothsomnes and in maner abhorring they come vnto before they woorke theyr perfection in vs. From life they be brought to the fire and cleane altered from that they were when they were aliue from the fire to the trencher and knife and all to hacked from the trencher to the mouth and as small ground as the teethe can grinde them and from the mouth into the stomack and there so boyled and digested before they nourish that who soeuer saw the same would loth and abhorre hys owne nourishment before it come to hys perfection Is it then any marueile if suche Christians as GOD delighteth in be so mangled and defaced in thys worlde whych is the kitchin and mill to boyle and grinde the flesh of Gods people in till they atchieue their perfection in the worlde to come And as a man looketh for the nutriment of his meate when it is ful digested and not before so must hee looke for hys saluation when hee hath passed thys troublous worlde and not before Vnmorte fiâed men be no people to God Math. 10. Rawe fleshe is not meate wholesome for man and vnmortified men and women be not creatures meete for God Therefore Christ sayeth that his people must be broken and all too torne in the mill of thys worlde and so shall they be moste fine meale vnto the heauenly father And it shall be a Christian mannes parte and the duetie of a mynde repleanished wyth the spirite of God to marke the order of God in all his things howe he dealeth wyth them and howe they suffer and be content to lette God do his will vpon them as S. Paule sayeth They waite vntill the number of the electes be fulfilled and neuer be at rest Rom. 8. but looke for the time when Gods people shall appeare in glorie We must therfore paciently suffer and willingly attend vppon Gods doings althoughe they seeme cleane contrary after our iudgement to our wealth and saluation as Abraham did when hee was bid to offer his sonne Isaac Example of Abraham Example of Ioseph in whom God promised the blessing and multiplying of hys seede Ioseph at the last came to that which God promised him although in the meane time after the iudgemeÌt of the worlde he was neuer like to be as God said he should be Lorde ouer hys brethren When Christe woulde make the blinde man to see he put clay vppon hys eyes whych after the iudgement of man Iohn 9. was meanes rather to make hym double blind then to geue him his sight but he obeied and knew that God could worke his desire what meanes soeuer he vsed contrary to mans reason and as touching this world he vseth all hys after the same sort If any smart 1. Pet. 4. Iudgement ãâã beginneth with the house of God Colos. 3. his people be the first if any suffer shame they begin if any be subiecte to sclaunder it is those that hee loueth so that hee sheweth no face or fauour nor loue almost in thys worlde outwardly to them but laith clay vpon their sore eyes that be sorowfull yet the pacient man seeth as S. Paul sayeth life hid vnder these miseries and aduersities and sight vnder soule clay and in the meane time he hath the testimony of a good conscience and beleueth Gods promises to be his consolation in the worlde to come whych is more woorthe vnto him then all the worlde is woorth besides and blessed is that man in whom Gods spirite beareth recorde that he is the sonne of God what soeuer troubles he suffer in thys troublesome worlde Rom. 8. And to iudge things indifferently my godly wife the troubles be not yet generally as they were in our good fathers time soone after the deathe and resurrection of oure Sauiour Christ Iesu whereof hee spake in S. Mathewe Math. 24. Of the whych place you and I haue taken manye tymes greate consolation and especially of the latter parte of the Chapter wherein is contained the last daye and ende of all troubles I doubt not both for you and me and for suche as loue the comming of our sauiour Christe to iudgement Remember therefore that place and marke it againe and yee shall in thys time see great consolation and also learne muche pacience Was there euer suche troubles as Christe threatned vppon Ierusalem was there sithens the beginning of the worlde suche affliction who was then best at ease The Apostles that suffered in body persecution and gathered of it ease and quietnesse in the promises of God And no marueile for Christ sayeth Lifte vp your heades for your redemption is at hande that is to saye your eternall rest approcheth and draweth neare The world is starke blind Luke 1. and more foolish then foolishnesse it selfe and so be the people of the worlde For when God sayth trouble shal come they will haue ease And when God sayeth be merrye and reioyce in trouble we lament and mourne as thought we were castawayes But this our flesh which is neuer merry with vertue nor sorrie with vice Flesh neuer mery with vertue not sory with ãâã neuer laugheth wyth grace nor euer weepeth wyth sinne holdeth fast wyth the worlde and letteth God slippe But my dearely beloued wife you knowe howe to perceiue and to beware of the vanitie and craftes of the deuill wel enough in Christ. And that yee may the better haue pacience in the spirite of God reade againe the 24. chap. of S. Mathew and marke what difference is betwene the destruction of Ierusalem Math. 24. and the destruction of the whole world and you shall see that then here were left aliue many offenders to repent but at the latter day there shall be absolute iudgement and sentence neuer to be reuoked of eternall life and eternal death vppon all meÌ and yet towards the end of the world we haue nothing so much extremitie as they had then but euen as we be able to beare So doth the mercifull father lay vpon vs now imprisonment and I suppose for my part shortly death now spoile of goodes losse of frends and the greatest losse of all the knowledge of Gods word Ann. 1555. February Gods wyll be done I wish in Christ Iesu our onely mediatour and Sauiour your constancie and consolation that you may liue for euer and euer whereof in Christ I doubt not to whome for his blessed and most paynefull passion I commit you Amen 13. October 1553. * To a certayne godly woman instructing her how she should
his counsell that my life mother children brethren sisters and frendes with other delightes of life G. Marsh forsaketâ kindred al togethââ to sticke ãâã Christ. were as deare sweet vnto me as vnto any other man and that I would be as loth to lose them as an other would if I might hold them with good conscience and without the ignominy of Christ and seeing I could not doe that my trust was that God would strenthen me with his holy spirit to lose them all for his sake for I take my selfe sayd I for a sheepe appaynted to be slayne paciently to suffer what crosse so euer it shal please my merciful father to lay on me And so after I had desired them that if I were committed to prison my frendes might be suffered to relieue me they departed Mayster More afore this brought vnto me a booke of one Alphonsus a Spanish Frier Alphonsuâ booke brought ãâã G. Marsh of all heresies wherwith the church of Rome which he called Christes true church had bene troubled since Christes time willing me to read and take Counsell of that booke appoynted me a place where this author did write agaynst them that say the lay people ought to receiue vnder both kindes This Authour I perceiued did vehementlye write agaynst Luther Melancthon PellicaÌ other Germaynes of this our time in all pointes defeÌding y e blasphemous abuses and enormities of the Romish Church condeÌning as detestable heresies whatsoeuer was written taught or beleued contrary to the same vsing for his stroÌgest and surest argumentes the consent agrement and determinatioÌ of the Romish Church So within a fewe dayes Mayster More came to me againe asking me how I liked the book I sayd the authour of the booke did in all poyntes beyng a Papist allow the rites and abuses of the Romish church Marshes iudgement of Alphoâsus booke and shewed him further that this author without authority and contrary both to the Scriptures olde Doctors did condemn for heresy the lay people receiuing of this sacrament vnder both kindes where as this Authour witnesseth his owne selfe that Christes church 900. yeares after Christ vsed the contrary So in conclusion he rebuketh me saying I was vnlearned erred from the Catholicke fayth stubburne and stoode altogether in mine owne conceite I aunswered for my learning I knowledge my selfe to know nothing but Iesus Christ euen him that was crucified and that my fayth was grounded vpon Gods holy word onely such as I doubted not pleased God and as I would stand in vntill the last day God assisting me and that I did not say or do any thing either of stubbernes selfe wilfulnes vayn glory or any other worldly purpose but with good conscience and in the feare of God and desired him to speake to my Lord and his Counsell that I might finde some geÌtlenes and mercy at theyr handes He made me but short answere Then I sayd I commit my cause vnto God who hath numbred the hayres of my head and appoynted the dayes of my life saying I am sure God which is a righteous Iudge would make inquisition for my bloude according as he hath promised Then he tooke his booke froÌ me and departed I continued still in Ward vntill Low sonday and after dinner my keeper Richard Scot came to mee into my chamber G. Marsh ãâã to Lancaster Castell and told me that two young men were come to cary me to Lancaster and so deliuered me vnto them a great company both of my Lordes seruauntes and others accompanying and bringing mee on the way vnto Rich. Addertons and somewhat further counselling and perswading like as is aforesayd To whome I made playne aunswere that in matters of faith I would geue place to no earthly creature So they comforted me and sayd y t they wer sory for me saying if I knew mine opinion to be good I did wel and so they departed willing my bringers to entreate me honestly My bringers by the way shewed me they were willed aduised to binde me and that they desired first to see me and after they had looked on me sitting at dinner they answered they would take charge of me beyng loose for they sayd I seemed to be an honest man The first night we were all night at Broughton and the second day we came to LaÌcaster betimes at after noone and so they kept me all night with them of their geÌtlenes and on the morow deliuered me to y e Iaylor who brought me into the highest prison where I do remaine G. Marsh caused to âold vp his handes at Lancaster amongest other malefactours After that the sayd George came to Lancaster Castle there being brought with other prisoners vnto the Sessions was made to hold vp his haÌds w t other malefactors The Earle of Darby had this communication with him as here followeth Communication betweene George Marsh and the Earle of Darby Talke betweene G. Marsh and the Earle of Darby I Sayd vnto my Lord I had not dwelled in the countrey these three or foure yeares past and came home but lately to visite my mother children and other my friends and to haue departed out of the country before Easter theÌ next to haue gone out of the realme Wherfore I trusted seing nothing could be layd against me wherein I had offended agaynst the lawes of this realme his Lordship would not with captious questions examine me to bring my body into daunger of death to the great discomfort of my mother but suffer me to auoyd peaceably seeing I might haue fled out of the country and yet of mine owne will came to hys Lordship He sayd to his Counsell he had heard tell of me aboue at London and intended to make search for me and take me either in Lancashyre or aboue at London and asked me into what land I would haue gone The Earle of Darby chaâgeth the calme of ãâã of heresie I aunswered I would haue gone either into Almain or els into Denmarke He sayd to his Counsell in Denmarke they vsed suche heresie as they haue done in England but as for Almayne hee sayde the Emperour had destroyed them So after such like woordes I sayde vnto him my trust was that his Lordship being of the honourable Counsell of the late king Edward consenting and agreeing to acts concerning fayth toward God and religion vnder great payne woulde not so soone after consent to put poore men to shamefull death as he had threatned me for embrasing the same with so good a conscience He aunswered that he with the Lord Windsor Lord Dacars The Earle of Darby L. ãâã and Lord Dacars in â Edwards ãâã agreed ãâ¦ã with one moe whose name I haue forgotten did not consent to those Actes and that the nay of them foure would be to be seene as long as y e ParliameÌt house stode Then my Lord did rehearse the euill luck of the Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolke with
other time for which he gaue God thankes and vsed the same to his necessitie Amây Couper Shiriffes of Chesâer When the time and day appointed came that he should suffer the Sheriffes of y e Cittie whose names were Amry Couper with their Officers and a great nuÌber of poore simple Barbers with rousty Billes Polaxes went to the Northgate there tooke out the said George Marsh who came with them most humbly meekly Marsh led to his MartyrdoÌe with a lock vpon his feete And as he came vpon the waye towardes y e place of execution some folkes proferd him money looked that he should haue gone with a litle purse in his hand as the maner of felons was The old vse in Lancashyre to geue money to bye Trântalls accustomed in that Cittye in times past at their goyng to execution to y e end to gather money to geue vnto a priest to say Trentals of Masses for theÌ after their death wherby they might as they thought be saued G. Marsh refuseth to receaue money going to his death but Marsh sayd he would not as theÌ be troubled w t medling with mony but willed some good man to take the mony if y e people were disposed to geue any to geue it vnto the prisoners or poore people So hee went all the way vnto his death w t his booke in his hand looking vpoÌ the same many of y e people sayd this maÌ goeth not vnto his death as a theefe or as one that deserueth to dye Now when he came to the place of execution w tout the Citie G. Marsh refuseth the Quenes pardon neare vnto Spittle boughton one Uawdrey being then deputie chamberleine of Chester shewed Marshe a writyng vnder a great seale saying that it was a pardon for him if he would recant Wherat Marsh answered that he would gladly accept the same and sayd farther that he loued the Queene but for asmuch as it tended to plucke him froÌ God he would not receiue it vpon that condition After that hee began to speake to the people shewing the cause of his death G. Marsh not suffred to speake to the people and woulde haue exhorted them to sticke vnto Christ. Whereupon one of the Sheriffes sayd George Marshe we must haue no sermoning nowe To whom he sayd Mayster I cry you mercy and so kneeling downe made his prayers and then put of his clothes vnto his shirt and then was he chayned vnto the post hauyng o number of Fagottes vnder him and a thing made like a firkin with pitch and tarre in the same ouer his head by reason the fire was vnskilfully made and that the winde dyd dryue the flame to and fro he suffered great extremitie in his death whiche notwithstanding he abode very paciently ¶ The cruell burning of George Marsh Martyr Wherein this in him is to be noted that when as hee had bene a long time tormented in y e fire without mouing hauing his fleshe so broyled and puft vp that they whiche stoode before him vnneth could see the chayne wherewith he was fastened and therfore supposed no lesse but he had bene dead notwithstanding sodenly he spread abroad hys armes saying father of heauen haue mercy vpon me so yelded his spirite into the handes of the Lord. Upon this many of y e people sayd that he was a martyr and died maruelous patiently and godly The ãâã of G. Marââ the blesseâ Martyr Which thing caused the Bishop shortly after to make a Sermon in the Cathedrall Church and therein affirmed that the sayde Marshe was an hereticke burnt like an hereticke was a firebrand in hell In recompence of this hys good and charitable sermoÌ within short time after the iust iudgement of God appeared vppon the sayde Byshop Gods iust reuenging hand vpoÌ persecutiââ Bishop recompensing hym in suche wise that not long after he turned vp his heeles and dyed Upon what cause his death was gendred I haue not here precisely to pronounce because the rumour and voyce of y e people is not alwayes to be followed Notwithstanding such a report went in all mens mouthes that he was burned of an harlot Whereupon whether he dyed or no I am not certayne neyther dare leane to much vppon publicke speach Albeit this is certayn that wheÌ he was afterward searched being dead by some of hys secret frends certain Aldermen for stoppyng the rumour of y e people this maydenly Priest and Byshop was fouÌd not to be free froÌ certayne appearaunce which declared but small virginitie in him that the rumour was not raysed vp altogether vpoÌ naught amongest the people But of this I will stay and proceed no further not because more caÌ not be said but because I will not be so vncharitable in defacing these men as they are cruel in condemning Gods seruants to death Letters of George Marshe This good maÌ wrote diuers and sondry letters out of prison besides his examinations as before ye haue heard Touching the which hys examinations this letter first he sendeth to his frendes the copy wherof here followeth ¶ A letter of George Marsh to the reader touching the matter of his examination HEre haue ye dearely beloued frendes in Christ the chiefe principal Articles of Christian doctrine briefly touched A letter of G. Marshâ to the reader whiche heretofore I haue both beleeued professed and taught and as yet do beleue professe and teach and am surely purposed by Gods grace to continue in the same vntill the last day I do waÌt both time and oportunitie to write out at large the probations causes partes effectes and contraries or erroures of these Articles which who so desireth to know let them read ouer the coÌmon places of the godly learned men Philippe Melancthon and Erasmus Sarcerius whose iudgement in these matters of Religion I do chiefly follow and leane vnto The Lorde geue vs vnderstanding in all thinges and deliuer vs from this present euill world according to his will and pleasure and bryng vs agayn out of this hell of affliction into which it hath pleased the mercifull Lord to throw vs downe and deliuer vs out of the mouth of the Lyon and from all euill doing and keepe vs vnto his heauenly and euerlasting kingdome Amen Though Sathan be suffered as wheate to sift vs for a tyme yet fayleth not our fayth through Christes ayde but that we are at all tymes able and readye to confirme the fayth of our weake brethren 1. Pet. 3. and alwayes ready to geue an aunswere to euerye man that asketh vs a reason of the hope that is in vs and that wyth meekenes and reuerence hauing a good conscience that when as they backbyte vs as euill doers they may be ashamed for asmuch as they haue falsely accused our good coÌuersatioÌ in christ I thought my selfe nowe of late yeares for the cares of this lyfe well setteled with my louing
and faithfull wife and children and also well quieted in the peaceable possession of that pleasaunt Euphrates I do confesse it but the Lord who worketh all thyngs for the best to them that loue him would not there leaue me but did take my deare and beloued wife from me whose death was a paynefull crosse to my flesh Also I thought my selfe nowe of late well placed vnder my most louing and most gentle mayster Laurence Saunders in the cure of Langhton G. Marsh Curate to Laurence Saunders But the Lord of his great mercy woulde not suffer me there long to continue although for the small tyme I was in his vineyard I was not all an idle workman But he hath prouided me I perceiue it to taste of a farre other cuppe The glory of the Church standeth not in outward shewes for by violence hath he yet once agayne driuen me out of that glorious Babilon that I should not taste to much of her wanton pleasures but wyth his most dearely beloued Disciples to haue my inward reioysing in the Crosse of his sonne Iesus Christe the glorye of whose Church I see it well standeth not in the harmonious souÌd of Bells and Organes nor yet in the glistring of Mitors Copes neither in the shining of gilte Images and lightes as the blynde Papistes do iudge it but in continuall labours and dayly afflictions for his names sake God at this present here in Englande hath his fanne in hys hand and after hys great haruest whereinto these yeares past he hath sent his labourers is now sifting the corne froÌ the chaffe and purging his floore and ready to gather the wheate into hys garnar and to burne the chaffe with vnquenchable fire Take heede and beware of the leuen of the scribes and of the Saduces I meane the erroneous doctrine of the papistes whiche with their gloses depraue the Scriptures For as the Apostle S. Peter doth teach vs There shal be false teachers amongst vs whiche priuily shall bring in damnable sectes And sayth that many shall follow theyr damnable wayes by whom the way of trueth shall be euill spoken of and that through couetousnes they shall with fayned wordes make marchaundise of vs. And Christ earnestly warneth vs to beware of false Prophetes which come to vs in sheepes clothing but inwardly are rauening Wolues by their fruites ye shall know them The fruites of the Prophetes is theyr doctrine In this place are we Christians taught that wee shuld try the preachers other that come vnder colour to set forth true Religion vnto vs according to the saying of S. Paule Try all thinges and chose that whiche is good Also the Euangelist S. Iohn sayth Beleue not euery spirite but proue the spirites whether they be of God or not for many false Prophetes sayth he are gone out into the world Therefore if thou wilt knowe the true Prophetes froÌ the false try theyr doctrine at the true touchstone whiche is the worde of God and as the godly Thessalonians did search ye the scriptures whether those thinges which be preached vnto you be eueÌ so or not for els by the outward conuersatioÌ of theÌ ye may easely be deceiued DesuÌt fortassis aliqua ¶ A letter exhortatory of George Marshe to the faythfull professours of Langhton GRace be vnto you and peace be multiplied in y e knowledge of Iesus Christ our Lord. A letter of G. Marsh âo men of Langhton Amen I thought it my duety to write vnto you my beloued in y e Lord at Langhton to stirre vp your mindes to call to your remeÌbrance the wordes which haue bene told you before and to exhort you as that good man full of y e holy Ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians that with purpose of hart ye continually cleaue vnto the Lord that ye staÌd fast Actes 11. and be not moued away from the hope of the Gospel wherof God be thaÌked ye haue had plenteous preaching vnto you by your late pastor M. Saunders other faithfull ministers of Iesus Christ which now when persecution ariseth because of y e word Luke 3. Rom. 1. do not fall away like shrinking children and forsake the truth being ashamed of the Gospell wherof they haue bene preachers but are willing and ready for your sakes which are Christes misticall body to forsake not onely the chiefe and principall delites of this lyfe I do meane theyr natiue countryes frendes lyuinges c. but also to fulfill theyr ministery vnto y e vtmost that is to witte with their painefull imprisonmentes and bloudsheddinges if need shall require to confirme seale Christes Gospell Acteâ 12. wherof they haue bene Ministers and as S. Paul sayth they are ready not onely to be cast into prison but also to be killed for the name of the Lord Iesu. Whether these being that good salt of the earth that is true ministers of Gods worde Math. 5. by whose doctrine beyng receiued through fayth men are made sauory vnto God which themselues lose not theyr saltnes True salte ãâ¦ã the ââârupt and ââsauory ââlt now when they be prooued with the boysterous stormes of aduersity and persecutioÌ or others being that vnsauery salt which hath lost his saltnes that is to witte those vngodly ministers which do fall from the word of God into the dreames and traditions of Antichrist whether of these I say be more to be credited and beleued let all men iudge Wherfore my dearely beloued receiue y e word of God with meekenes y t is graffed in you whiche is able to saue your soules Iames. 2. And see that ye be not forgetfull hearers deceiuing yourselues with sophistry but doers of the word whom Christ doth liken to a wise maÌ Math. 7. which buildeth his house on a rocke that when the great rayn discendeth and the flouddes come and beate vpon the house it fel not because it was grounded vpon a rocke this is to witte that when Sathan with all his legion of deuils with all theyr subtill suggestions and the world with all y e mighty princes therof ãâã 2. with their crafty counsels doe furiously rage against vs we faint not but abide constant in the truth being grounded vpon a most sure rock which is Christ and the doctrine of the Gospell against which the gates of hel that is ãâã 16. the power of Sathan cannot preuayle And be ye followers of Christ and the Apostles and receaue the word in much affliction as the godly Thessalonians did Thes 1. ãâã receaâââ of the ãâã who ãâã be for the true followers of Christ and the Apostles be they which receiue the word of God They onely receiue the word of god which both beleue it also frame their liues after it be ready to suffer all maner of aduersitie for the name of the Lord as Christ all y e Apostles did and as all that will liue godly in Christ Iesu must doe for there
withstande vs. For as I was with Moses so will I be with thee sayth God and wil neuer leaue thee nor forsake thee Be strong and bolde neither feare nor dread for the Lord thy God is wyth thee whether soeuer thou goest Nowe if God be on oure side who can be against vs Iosua 2. Rom. 8. In this our spirituall warfare is no man ouercome vnles he traiterously leaue and forsake his captaine Spirituall cowardlynes either cowardly cast away his weapons or willingly yelde himselfe to his ennemies either fearefully turne his backe and flie Be strong therefore in the Lord deare brethren and in the power of his might and put on all the armour of God Ephe. 6. 2. Cor. 11.12 Actes 21. that ye may be able to stand stedfast against the craftie assaults of the deuill Now what weapons ye must fight withall learne of S. Paul a champion both much exercised and also most valiaunt and inuincible A Christian mans lyfe is a perpetuall warfare For we must thinke none other but that the life of man is a perpetuall warfare vppon earth as the examples of all godly men throughout all ages to declare The valiant warrior S. Paul being deliuered from the handes of the vngodly and that so many times and also from so many extreme pearils and dangers of death as he his owne selfe doth witnes is faine to commit him selfe in the ende to the rough waters of the sea The manifâââe deliuerances of S. Paule be examples âor our comfort where he was in great pearil and ieoperdie of his owne life yet was God alwaies to the great comfort of all that heare of it most ready to comfort and succour him and gloriously deliuered him out of all his troubles so that no manne that inuaded him could doe him any harme and in the ende he was compelled to saye I haue finished my course Actes 18. â Tim. 4. Phil. 1. the time of my departing is at hand I long to be loosed and to be with Christ which is best of all most heartely desiring death These things be written for our learning and comforte and be to vs a sure obligation Rom. 15. that if we submit our selues to God his holy word no man shal be able to hurt vs and that he will deliuer vs from all troubles yea from death also vntil such time as we couet and desire to die Let vs therefore runne with patience vnto the battaile that is set before vs Heb. 12. Persecution foloweth Christian godlines 2. Tim. 3. and looke vnto Iesus the Captaine and finisher of our faith and after his example for the rewardes sake that is set out vnto vs patiently beare the crosse and despise the shame For all that will liue godly in Christ Iesu shall suffer persecution Christ was no sooner baptised and declared to the world to be the sonne of God Math. 3.4 Where Christ is Sathan there is alwayes ready Ephe. 6. but Sathan was by and by ready to tempte hym which thing we must looke for also yea the more we shall encrease in faith and vertuous liuing the more strongly will Sathan assault vs whom we must learne after the example of Christ to fight againste and ouercome with the holy and sacred Scriptures and worde of God which are our heauenly armour and sword of the spirite And let the fasting of Christ while hee was tempted in the wildernes be vnto vs an example of sober liuing not for the space of 40. daies as the Papists doe fondly fansie of their owne braines but as long as wee are in the wildernesse of this wretched life assaulted of Sathan Math. 4. The fast of Christ is to vs Example of sober liuing 1. Pet. 5. who like a roaring Lyon walketh about and ceaseth not seeking our vtter destruction Neither can the seruaunts of God at any time come stand before God that is leade a godly life and walke innocently before God But Sathan commeth also among them that is he daily accuseth finedeth fault vexeth Iob. 1.2 When the seruantes of God stand before him Sathan commeth also Math. 8. persecuteth and troubleth the godly for it is the nature and propertie of the deuill alwayes to hurt and do mischiefe vnlesse he be forbidden of God for vnlesse God do permit him he can do nothing at all not so much as enter into a filthy hogge but we are more of price then many hogs before God if we cleaue vnto his sonne by faith Let vs therefore knowing Sathans deceits and rancor walke the more warely and take vnto vs the shield of faith Ephe. 6. The shield of fayth The helmet of saluation The sword of the spirite wherewith we may be able to quench and ouercome all the fiery and deadly dartes of the wicked Let vs take to vs the helmet of saluation sworde of the spirit which is the word of God and learne to vse the same according to the example of oure graunde Captayne Christ. Let vs fast and pray continually For this frantike kinde of deuils goeth not out otherwise as Christ doeth teach vs but by faithfull praier and fasting whiche is true abstinence and sobernesse of liuing Math. 4. Math. 17. if we vse the same according to the doctrin of the gospell and worde of God Fasting is acceptable to God if it be done without hypocrisie that is to say âf we vse it to this entent that thereby this mortall body and disobedient carcase maye be âamed and brought vnder the subiection of the spirite Prayer and fasting True fast what it is How to fast without hipocrisie Abuse of fasting among Christians Esay 58. and againe if we fast to this intent that we maye spare wherewyth to helpe and succour our poore needie brethren This fast do the true Christians vse all the dayes of their life although among the common sort of people remaineth yet still that superstitious kinde of fasting which God so earnestly reprooueth by his Prophet Esay For as for true chastening of the body and abstaining from vice with shewing mercye towardes our needy neighbours we wil neither vnderstand nor heare of but still thinke with the Iewes that we doe God a great pleasure when we fast and that we then fast The Iewish maner of fasting reproued The Christians in superstitious fasting exceede the Iewes Mercy to the poore when we abstaine from one thing and fil our bellies with an other And verely in this poynt doth our superstition much excede the superstitioÌ of the Iewes for we neuer reade that they euer tooke it for a fast to abstaine from flesh and to eate either fish or white meat as they call it To fasting and praier must be ioyned almes and mercye towardes the poore and needie and that our almes may be acceptable vnto God three things are chiefly required First that we geue with a chearefull and ioyfull heart For the Lord loueth a chearefull geuer Secondly
into his kingdom The triumph victory ouer death where he now sitteth at his fathers right hand that is to say in power glory equall in maiesty coeternall From thence he shal come to iudge the quicke the dead He shal appeare againe in great glory to receiue his elect vnto himselfe to put his enemies vnder his feete chaunging all liuyng men in a moment and raising vp al that be dead that all may be brought to his iudgement In this shall he geue ech man according to his deedes They which haue folowed him in regeneratioÌ which haue their sinnes washed away in hys bloud are clothed with hys righteousnes shall receiue the euerlasting kingdome and raigne with him for euer and they which after the race of the corrupt generation of Adam haue followed fleshe and bloud shall receiue euerlasting damnation with the deuill and hys angels I beleeue in the holy ghost I do beleue that the holy ghost is God the third person in Trinitie in vnitie of the Godhed equal with the father the sonne geuen through Christ to inhabite our spirites by which we are made to feele and vnderstand the great power vertue louing kindnes of Christ our lord For he illumineth quickneth and certifieth our spirit that by him we are sealed vp vnto the day of redemption by whom we are regenerate and made new cretures so that by hym and through hym we do receyue all the aboundaÌt goodnes promised vs in Iesus Christ. The holy Catholike Church This is an holy number of Adams posteritie elected gathered The Church washed and purified by the bloud of the Lambe from the beginning of the world and is dispersed through the same by the tiranny of Gog Magog that is to say the Turke and his tiranny and Antichrist otherwyse named the Bish. of Rome and hys aungels as this day also doth teach The Communion of Saints Which most holy congregation beyng as Paule teacheth builded vppon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophetes Christ beyng the head corner stone though it be by the tyranny of Satan and his ministers persecuted some by imprisonment some by death and some by other afflictions painful torments yet doth it remayne in one perfect vnitie both in faith and fellowship which vnity is knit in an vnspeakable knot as well of them which are departed from this mortal life as of them which now be liuyng and hereafter shall be in the same and so shall continue vntill they all do meete in the kyngdome where the head Iesus Christ with all hys holy members of which number thorough Christ I assuredly beleeue that I am one shall be fully complete knit and vnited together for euermore The forgeuenesse of sinnes I do beleeue that my sinnes and all their sinnes which do rightly beleeue the holy Scripture Remission only through Christ. are forgeuen onely thorough that Iesus Christ of whom onely I do professe that I haue my whole and full saluation and redemption which S. Paule saith commeth not through our workes and deseruyngs but freely by grace lest any should boast hymselfe Thorough the bloud of his Crosse all thyngs in heauen and earth are reconciled and set at peace wyth the Father without him no heauenly lyfe is geuen nor sinne forgeuen The resurrection of the body I do beleue that by the same my sauiour Christ I and all men shall rise againe from death for he as Paul sayth is risen agayne froÌ the dead and is become the first fruits of them which sleepe Resurrection For by a man came death and by a man commeth the resurrection from death This man is Christ through the power of whose resurrection I beleue that we all shall rise agayne in these our bodyes the elect clothed with immortalitie to liue with Christ for euer the reprobate also shall rise immortall to liue with the deuill and his angels in death euerlasting And the life euerlasting Through the same Iesus by none other I am sure to haue life euerlasting He onely is the way and entrance into the kingdome of heauen Iohn 3. For so God loued the world that he did geue his onely sonne Iesus Christ to the ende that so many as do beleue in him might haue euerlasting lyfe The which I am sure to possesse so soone as I am dissolued Life and Saluation onely by fayth in Christ. departed out of this tabernacle in the last day shall both body and soule possesse the same for euer to the which God graunt all men to come I beleue that the sacramentes that is to say of Baptisme and of the Lordes supper are seales of Gods moste mercyfull promises towardes mankind Two sacraments of the new Testament In Baptisme as by the outward creature of water I am washed from the filthines which hangeth on my flesh so do I assuredly beleue y t I am by Christes bloud washed cleane froÌ my sins through which I haue sure confidence of my certaine saluation In the partaking of the Lordes supper as I receyue the substance of bread wyne the nature of which is to strengthen the body so do I by faith receyue the redemption wrought in Christes body broken on the crosse life by his death resurrection by his resurrection and in summe all that euer Christ in his body suffered for my saluation to the strengthening of my faith in the same And I beleeue that God hath appointed the eatyng drinking of the creatures of bread and wine in his holy supper according to his word to mooue and to stirre vp my mynd to beleue these articles aboue written This is my faith this I do beleue and I am content by Gods grace to confirme and seale the truth of the same with my bloud By me Iohn Warne ¶ A letter of Iohn Cardmaker to a certaine friend of his The peace of God be with you YOu shall right well perceiue A ãâã M. Cââââmakeâ ãâ¦ã that I am not gone backe as some men do report me but as ready to geue my lyfe as any of my brethren that are gone before me although by a pollicie I haue a little prolonged it and that for the best as already it appeareth vnto me and shortly shall appeare vnto all That day that I recant any poynt of doctrine I shall suffer twenty kyndes of death the Lord beyng myne assistance as I doubt not but he wil. Commend me to my friend and tell hym no lesse This the Lorde strengthen you me and all his elect My riches and pouertie is as it was woont to be and I haue learned to reioyce in pouertie as well as in riches for that count I now to bee very riches Thus fare ye well in Christ. Salute all my brethren in my name I haue conferred with some of my aduersaries learned men and I finde that they be but Sophistes and shadowes ¶ A note concerning M. Cardmaker MAister Cardmaker beyng condemned in
Harpsfield THe bishop after many perswasions to cause him to recant willed him to depart as then and to come againe on Saterday at 8. of the clocke in the morning ãâ¦ã the Popes lawe Thomas Wattes priââtely appeareth againe before the Byshop Where the Bishop being absent D. Nicholas Harpesfielde as then being his deputie did sit and earnestly exhorted him to deny his opinions To whome in the ende he answeared Wel ye haue a law to condemne me and I submit my selfe to the law but not to the lawes of the Church as you call it And farther I doe affirme and will stande to mine answeres that I haue made Wherupon D. Harpsfield willed him to appeare there againe vpon friday being the 10. day of the same month of May. Uppon which day the bishop priuately sent for the sayd Thomas Wattes into his chamber and there wyth many faire promises tempted and tried him whether hee would reuoke hys errours as he then termed them But Wattes aunsweared hym in this sorte I will not beleeue your Church neither the Romish Churche and therefore you doe but labour in vaine thus to trauaile with me He was here vpon againe dismissed for that time Wattes aunswere to the Byshop vntil friday the 17. day of May and then commaunded to appeare in the Consistorie whych commandement he obeyed hauing the accustomed former Articles ministred vnto him made then such answeres as before Thomas Wattes brought againe to the consistorie THus being tost to and fro from day to day and houre to houre he was at the last the 18. day of the month of May The ãâ¦ã of Thomas Wattes brought into the consistorie where firste was made a briefe recitall of all the former processe and there the sayd Wattes being by the byshop and others willed to deny his profession made this final answer God kepe me from the doctrine that ye wold haue me to come vnto which ye haue now declared And I beseech God y t I may perseuer in that that I haue done for I wil stand to mine answers The Byshop perceiuing his faire flattering promises nothing to preuaile hauing no great store of other reasons to perswade with put forth his last and strongest argument of condemnation Sentence of condemnation agaynst Thomas Wattes Which being ended he was deliuered to the sheriffes of London by them was sent to Newgate where he remained vntil the 9. day of Iune or as some record to the 22. of May at what time he was caried vnto Chelmesforde and there was brought to Scots house keeping then an Inne at Chelmesforde where as they were eating meat with Hauks and the rest that came downe to their burning they prayed together both afore and after their meate Then Wats went and praied priuately to himself and afterward came to his wife and his 6. childreÌ being there and said these words in effect Wife and my good children I must now depart from you The ãâã of Thomas Wattes to his wife ãâã children Therfore hence forth know I you no more but as the Lord hath geuen you vnto me so I geue you againe vnto the Lord whom I charge you see you do obey and feare him and beware yee turne not to this abhominable papistrie against the which I shall anone by Gods grace geue my bloude Let not the murthering of Gods Saintes cause you to relent but take occasion thereby to be the stronger in the Lords quarel and I doubt not but he wil be a mercifull father vnto you All these and suche like woordes spake he vnto them and they vnto him of whome two as it is sayd offered to be burnt wyth him In the ende he badde them farewell and kissed them all and was caried to the fire The burning of Thomas Wattes Martyr At the stake after he had kissed it he spake to my Lord Rich these or the like words My Lord sayth he beware The wordes of Thomas Wattes to the L. Rich. beware for you doe against your owne conscience herein and without you repent the Lord wil reuenge it For you are the cause of this my death Concerning the childebed of Queene Mary as it was rumoured among the people LOng perswasion had bene in England with great expectation for the space of halfe a yeare or more The Childbirth of Q. Mary that the Queene was conceiued w t childe This report was made by the Queenes Phisitions other nie about the Court so that diuers were punished for saying the contrary And commaundement was geuen that in all churches supplication and prayers should be made for the Queenes good deliuerie the certificate whereof ye may read before in the letter of the Counsel sent to Boner pag. 1405. And also the same moreouer may appeare by prouision made before in the Act of Parliament for the childe pag. 1410. And now for somuch as in y e beginning of this month of Iune about Whitsontide Rockers and Nurses prouided for Queene Maryes childe the time was thought to be nie that this young Maister should come into the world and that midwiues rockers nurses with the cradle all were prepared and in a readines sodeÌly vpon what cause or occasion it is vncertaine a certaine vaine rumour was blowne in London of the prosperous deliuerance of the Queene and the birth of the childe In so muche that the Bels were rong Bonfiers and processions made not only in the Citie of London Processions and bonfiers in LondoÌ for ioy of the young Prince and in most other partes of the realme but also in the towne of Antwarpe gunnes were shot off vppon the riuer by the English shippes and the Mariners thereof rewarded wyth an hundred pistolettes or Italian crownes by the Ladie Regent who was the Queene of Hungarie Triumph at Antwarpe for the same Such great reioysing and triumph was for the Queenes deliuerie that there was a Prince borne Yea diuers Preachers namely one the Parson of S. Anne within Aldergate after Procession and Te Deum song tooke vpon him to describe the proportion of y e child how faire howe beautifull and great a Prince it was as the like had not bene seene In the middest of this great adoe there was a simple man this I speake but vppon information dwelling w tin 4. miles of Barwicke that neuer had bene before halfe way to London whiche sayde concerning the Bonfiers made for Queene Maries childe Here is a ioyful triuÌph but at length al wil not proue worth a messe of potage Q. Maryes childe would not come as in dede it came to passe For in y e end al proued clean coÌtrary the ioy and expectations of meÌ were much deceiued For the people were certified y t the Queene neither was as then deliuered nor after was in hope to haue any child At thys time many talked diuersly some sayd thys rumour of the Queenes conception was spread for a poâicie
little before he went out of the Counter hee made a notable prayer of his farewell Bradford maketh his prayer taking his farewell at the Counter with such plenty of teares and aboundant spirit of praier that it rauished the mynds of the hearers Also when he shifted himself with a cleane shirt that was made for his burning by one M. Walter Marlars wyfe who was a good nurse vnto him his very good friend he made such a prayer of the wedding garment that some of those that were present were in suche great admiration that their eyes were as throughly occupied in looking on hym as their eares gaue place to heare his prayer Bradfordes going from the Counter At his departing out of the chamber he made likewyse a prayer and gaue money to euery seruaunt and officer of the house with exhortation to them to feare and serue God continually labouring to eschew all maner of euill That done he turned him to the wall and praied vehemently that his words might not be spoken in vayne but that the Lord would worke the same in them effectually The prisoners take their leaue of Bradford with teares for his Christes sake Then beyng beneath in the Court all the prisoners cried out to him and bid him farewell as the rest of the house had done before with weping teares The time they caried him to Newgate was about xj or xij a clocke in the night when it was thought none would be stirring abroad and yet contrary to their expectation in that behalfe Bradford was caryed to Newgate at midnight The people in Cheapside bad Bradford farewell was there in Chepeside other places betweene the Counter and Newgate a great multitude of people that came to see him which most gently bade him farewell praying for him with most lamentable and pitifull teares and he againe as gently bade them fare wel praying most hartily for them their welfare Now whether it were a commandement from the Queene and her counsaile or from Boner and his adherentes or whether it were merily deuised of the Lord Mayor Aldermen Shiriffes of London or no I cannot tell but a great noyse there was ouer night about the city by diuers that Bradford should be burnt the next day in Smithfield by 4. of the clocke in the mornyng A noyse of Bradfords early burning before it should be greatly knowen to any In which rumor many heads had diuers myndes some thinking the feare of the people to bee the cause thereof Other thought nay that it was rather because the Papists iudged his death would conuert many to the truth and geue a great ouerthrowe to their kingdoÌ So some thought one thyng and some another that no iust coniecture of the cause could bee knowen that euer I heard yet But this was certayne the people preuented the deuise suspected for the next day at the said hower of 4. a clocke in the mornyng there was in Smithfield such a multitude of men and women A multitude in Smithfield by â a clocke that many beyng in admiration thereof thought it was not possible that they could haue warning of his death being so great a number in so short tyme vnlesse it were by the singular prouidence of almighty God Well this tooke not effect as the people thought for that mornyng it was ix a clocke of the day before Maister Bradford was brought into Smithfield Bradford going to Smithfield which in goyng thorow Newgate thitherward spied a friend of his whoÌ he loued standyng on the one side the way to the Keepers houseward vnto whom he reached his hand ouer the people and pluckt him to hym ãâã gaue ãâã night ãâã away and deliuered to him from his hed his veluet night cap and also his handkerchief with other things besides Which after a little secret talke with hym and ech of them parting froÌ other immediately came to him a brother in lawe of hys called Roger Beswike which as soone as he had taken the sayde Bradford by the hand one of the Shiriffes of London called Woodroft came with his staffe and brake the sayd Rogers head ãâã break ãâã the ãâã Bradfâââ brothââ lawe that the bloud ran about his shoulders Which sight Bradford beholdyng with griefe bade his brother farewell willyng to commend hym to his mother and the rest of his frends and to get hym to some Surgeon betymes and so they departing had little or no talke at all together Then was he led forth to Smithfield with a great company of weaponed men to conduct hym thither as the lyke was not seene at no mans burning for in euery corner of Smithfield there were some besides those which stood about the stake Bradford then beyng come to the place fell flatte to the ground secretly making his prayers to almighty god Then rising agayne and putting of his clothes vnto hys shirt he went to the stake and there suffered with a young man of xx yeares of age ioyfully and constantly whose name was Iohn Leafe Touchyng the order and maner of whose burnyng more shal be sayd God willyng hereafter In the meane tyme we will now shewe foorth the sundry examinations conflicts and conferences betwene hym and other hys aduersaries M. ãâã 2. yearâ lacking monetâ a halfe prison duryng the tyme of his imprisonment which was in all two yeares lacking one moneth and a halfe Which examinations here follow to be declared It was before a little aboue declared that Ioh. Bradford within three dayes after the Sermon of M. Bourne was by the Counsaile committed to the Tower where he remayned from the moneth of August an 1553. to the 22. day of Ianuary an 1555. vpon which day he was called out to examination before Ste. Winchester and other of the Commissioners The effect of which examination and communication which passed betwene him them proceded in maner as followeth ¶ The effect of the communication betweene Iohn Bradford and the Lord Chauncellour and other in Commission with him the xxij of Ianuary Anno. 1555. AFter the L. Chancellor and the residue of the Queens Counsaile in Commission with him Talke bââtweene Bradforâ Steuen ãâã had ended there talke with M. Farrer late Bish. of S. Dauids the vnder marshall of the kings Bench was commaunded to bring in Iohn Bradford who beyng come into the presence of the counsaile sittyng at a table kneeled down on his knee but immediately by the L. Chancellor was bidden to staÌd vp and so he did When he was risen the L. Chauncellor earnestly looked vpon him to haue belike ouerfaced him but he gaue no place that is he ceased not in like maner to looke on the L. Chauncellor still continually saue that once he cast vp his eyes to heauenward sighing for gods grace Wincheââââ ouerfaâââ and so ouerfaced hym L. Chauncellor Then the L. Chauncellor as it were amased and something troubled spake thus to him in effect The ãâã
called down to speak with mayster Weston which was then come in Mayster Bradford then being called downe so soone as he was entred into the Hall D. Westoâ commeth ãâã M. Bradford M. Weston very gentlye tooke him by the hand asked how he did with such other talke At length he willed auoydaunce of the chamber So they all went out saue Mayster Weston himselfe M. Colliar the Earle of Darbyes seruant the Subdeane of Westminster the Keeper Mayster Clayden and the Parson of the Church where the Counter is Now theÌ he began with M. Bradford to tell how that he was often minded to haue come vnto him beyng therto desired of the Earle of Darby and quoth he after that I perceiued by his man that you could be conteÌted rather to speake with me then any others I coulde not come but to do you good if I can for hurt you be sure I will not Bradford Syr quoth Mayster Bradford when I perceyued by the report of my Lords seruant that you did beare me good will more as he sayd then any other of your sort I tolde him then that therfore I could be better content more willing to talke with you if you shoulde come vnto me This did I say quoth he otherwise I desired not your comming West Wel quoth he now I am come to talk with you but before we shall enter into any talke certayn principles we must agree vpon which shall be this dayes worke First quoth he I shall desire you to put away all vain glory and not hold any thing for the prayse of the world D. Westoâ lessâns ãâã as he did ãâã follow himselfe Vain glorâ Brad. Syr S. Augustine maketh that in deed a piece of the definitioÌ of an heretick which if I cannot put away cleane for I thinke there will a spice of it remaine in vs as long as this flesh liueth yet I promise you by the grace of God that I purpose not to yeld to it God I hope wil neuer suffer it to beare rule in them that striue there against desire all the dregges of it vtterly to be driuen out of vs. Weston I am glad to heare you say so although in deed I thinke you do not so much esteme it as others do Secondly I would desire you that you wil put away singularity in your iudgement and opinions Singulâââ Brad. Syr God forbid that I should sticke to any singularity or priuate iudgement in Gods Religion Hytherto I haue not desired it neyther doe nor mynde at any tyme to hold any other doctrine then is publick and catholick vnderstanding catholicke as good men do according to Gods word West Uery well this is a good dayes worke I hope to do you good therfore now thirdly I shall pray you to write me Capita of those thinges wherupon you stand in the sacrament and to send them to me betwixt this and Wednesday next vntill which time yea vntil I come to you again be assured that you are without all perill of death Of my infidelity Weston wil ãâã M. Bradford to âut downe ãâã writing ãâã chiefe âround of ãâã âayth warrant you I therfore away with all dubitations c. Brad. Syr I will write to you the groundes I leane to in this matter As for death if it come welcome bee it this which you require of me shall be no great let to me therin West You know that S. Augustine was a Manichean yet was he coÌuerted at the length so haue I good hope of you Brad. Syr because I will not flatter you I woulde you should flatly know that I am euen setled in the Religion wherfore I am condemned West Yea but if it be not the truth you see euident matter to the contrary will you not then geue place Brad. God forbid but that I should alwayes geue place to the truth West I would haue you to pray so Brad. So I do and that he will more and more confirme me in it as I thanke God he hath done and doth West Yea but pray with a condition if you be in it Brad. No Syr I cannot pray so because I am setled and assured of his truth Well quoth Weston as the learned Bishop aunswered S. Augustines mother that though she was obstinate yet the teares of such a mother could not but winne her sonne so quoth he I hope your prayers for then Bradfordes eyes dyd shewe that hee hadde wept in prayer canne not but be heard of God though not as you would yet as best shall please God Do you not quoth he remember the hystory thereof Brad. Yea Syr quoth Bradford I thinke it be of Saynt Ambrose West No that it is not And here WestoÌ would haue laid a wager and begaÌ to triumph saying to Bradford as you are ouersene herein so are you in the other thinges Brad. Well Syr I will not conteÌd with you for the name This I remember Saynt Augustine writeth in his confessions After this talke Weston begunne to tell M. Bradforde howe the people were by him procured to withstande the Queene M. Bradâord wrongââlly charâed with ââdition Whereunto Bradforde aunswering agayne bade him hang him vp as a traytour and a thefe if euer he encouraged any to rebellion whiche thing his Keeper and others that were there of the Priests affirmed on his behalfe So much talke there was to litle purpose at that time Doctor Weston declared moreouer howe he had saued men going in the cart to be hanged and such like The end was this that Bradford should send vnto him capita doctrinae of the supper after wednesday he woulde come vnto him agayne and thus departed he after that he had dronken to him in beare and wine I omit here talk of Oxford of books of Germane writers of the feare of death and such other talke which are to no purpose * An other disputation or talke betwene Mayster Bradford and Doctour Pendleton ân other âââeptatioÌ ãâã taââe beâweene M. âradford D. Pendleâon IN the meane time wheÌ Mayster Bradford had written his reasons and argumentes had sent them to Doctor Weston in short space after about the 28. of Marche there came to the Counter Doctour Pendleton and with hym the foresayd M. Collier sometime Warden of Manchester and Steuen Bech After salutations Mayster Pendleton began to speak to Bradford that he was sory for his trouble And further quoth he after that I didde knowe you could be content to talke with me I made the more speed being as ready to doe thee good and pleasure thee that I can as ye would wish Brad. Syr the maner how I was content to speake wyth you was on this sorte Mayster Bech was often in hande with me whom he shoulde bring vnto me and named you amongest other and I sayd that I had rather speake with you then with any of all the other Nowe the cause why I so would I will briefly tell you I
in the supper of Christ which the Sacramente of the aultar as the Papists call it and vse it doth vtterly ouerthrow is a true and very preseÌce of whole Christ God and man to the fayth of the receiuer but not to the stander by looker vpon as it is a true very presence of bread wine to the sences of men to beleue this I saye will not serue and therfore as an herericke I am condemned and shal be burned whereof I aske God hartily mercy that I do no more reioyce then I do hauing so great cause as to be an instrument wherein it may please my deare Lorde God and Sauiour to suffer For albeit mo manifold sinnes euen sithen I came into prison haue deserued at the handes of God not onely this teÌporal but also eternall fire in hell much more then my former sinful life which y e Lord pardoÌ for his Christes sake as I knowe he of his mercy hath done neuer will lay mine iniquities to my charge to condeÌnation so great is his goodnes praised therfore be his holy name althogh I say my manifold and greeuous late sinnes haue deserued most iustly all the tyranny that maÌ or deuill can do vnto me and therfore I confesse that the Lorde is iust that his iudgements be true and deserued on my behalfe yet y e Bishoppes and Prelates do not persecute them in me but Christ himselfe his worde his trueth and Religion And therfore I haue great cause yea most great cause to reioice that euer I was borne and hetherto kept of the Lord that by my death which is deserued for my sinnes it pleaseth y e heauenly father to glorifie his name to testifie hys truth to confirme his veritie to repugne his aduersaries Oh good God and mercifull father forgeue my great vnthaÌkfulnes especially herein And you my dearely beloued for the Lord Iesu Christes sake I humbly and hartily in his bowels bloude do now for my last Vale and farewell in this present lyfe beseeche you and euerye of you that you will consider this worke of the Lord accordingly First by me to be admonished to beware of hipocrisie and carnall securitie professe not the Gospell with tongue and lippes onely but in hart veritie frame and fashion your liues accordingly beware Gods name be not euill spoken of and the Gospell lesse regarded by your conuersation God forgeue me that I haue not so hartily professed it as I shoulde haue done but haue sought much my selfe therein The Gospell is a new doctrine to the old man it is new wyne and therfore cannot be put in old bottels without more great hurt theÌ good wine to the bottels If we will talke with y e Lorde we must put of our shoes and carnall affections if wee will heare the voyce of the Lorde we must wash our garmentes and be holy if we will be Christes disciples wee must deny our selues take vp our crosse and follow Christ we cannot serue two maysters If we seeke Christs kingdome we must also seeke for the righteousnes thereof Christian profession requireth Christian conuersation To this petition Let thy kingdome come we must ioyne Thy will be done done on earth as it is in heauen If wee will not be doers of the worde but hearers of it onely we sore deceiue our selues If wee heare the gospell and loue it not we declare our selues to be but fooles and builders vpon the sand The Lordes spirite hateth fayning deceitfulnes the Lord abhorreth if we come to him wee must beware that we come not with a double hart for then may chance that God will aunswere vs according to the blocke which is in our heart and so we shall deceiue our selues and others To fayth see y t we couple a good conscience least wee make a shipwracke Fayth would be coupled euer with a good conscience To the Lord we must come with fear and reuerence If we will be gospellers we must be Christes if we be Christes we must crucifie our flesh with the lustes and concupiscences therof if we wil be vnder grace sinne must not beare rule in vs. We may not come to the Lord and draw nigh to him with our lips and leaue our hartes els where least the Lordes wrath waxe hot He exhorteth to repentance and he take from vs the good remayning In no case can y e kingdome of Christ approch to them that repent not Therfore my dearely beloued let vs repent and be hartily sory y t we haue so carnally so hipocritically so couetously so vaynegloriously professed the gospell For all these I confesse my selfe to the glory of God that he may couer mine offences in the day of iudgement Let the anger plagues of God most iustly fallen vpon vs be applyed to euery one of our desertes that from the bottome of our hartes euery of vs may say It is I Lord that haue sinned agaynst thee it is my hipocrisie my vaynglory my couetousnes vncleanes carnalitie securitie idlenes vnthankfulnes selfeloue Our sinnes prouoke persecutioÌ and such like which haue deserued the taking away of our good king of thy word and true religion of thy good ministers by exile prisonmeÌt and death it is my wickednes that causeth successe and increase of authoritie and peace to thine enemies Oh be mercifull be mercifull vnto vs. He exhorteth to pray how to pray with repentance Turne to vs agayne O Lorde of hostes turne vs vnto thee correct vs but not in thy furie least we be consumed in thyne anger chastice vs not in thy wrathful displeasure reproue vs not but in the middest of thine anger remember thy mercy For if thou marke what is done amisse who shall be able to abide it But with thee is mercifulnes that thou mightest be worshipped Oh then be mercifull vnto vs y t we might truely worship thee Helpe vs for the glorye of thy name be mercifull vnto our sinnes for they are great O heale vs and help vs for thine honor Let not the wicked people say where is their God c. On this sort my right dearely beloued let vs hartilye bewayle our sinnes repent vs of our former euil life hartily and earnestly purpose to ameÌd our lyues in all things continually watch in prayer diligently and reuerently attend heare and reade the holy scriptures labour after our vocation to amend our brethren Praying hearing reading the holy scriptures Let vs reproue the workes of darckenes Let vs flee froÌ al Idolatrye Let vs abhorre the AntichristiaÌ and romish rotten seruice detest the popishe Masse abrenounce their Romishe God prepare our selues to the crosse be obedient to all that be in authoritie in all thinges that be not agaynst God and his word for then aunswere with the Apostles It is more meete to obey God then man Howbeit neuer for any thinge resiste Obedience to magistrates in all that is not agaynst Gods word
in their owne sapience which is playne foolishnes amongest the wise indeede that is amongest such as haue heard Gods worde and doe followe it for they onely are counted wise of the wisedome of God our Sauiour In deede if I should simply consider my life with that whiche it ought to haue bene He confesseth his sinnes before God and as God in his lawe requireth then could I not but cry as I do Iustus es domine omnia iudicia tua vera i. Righteous art thou O Lord and all thy iudgemeÌts are true For I haue much greeued thee and transgressed thy holy preceptes not onely before my professing the Gospell but sithen also yea euen sithen my comming into prison I do not excuse but accuse my selfe before God and al his Church that I haue greeuously offended my Lord God I haue not loued his Gospell as I should haue done I haue sought my selfe and not simply and onely his glory and my brethrens commoditie I haue bene to vnthankefull secure carnall hipocriticall vayneglorious c. All which my euils the Lord of mercy pardon me for his Christes sake as I hope and certaynly beleeue he hath done for his great mercy in Christ oure redeemer But when I consider the cause of my condemnation I cannot but lament that I doe no more reioyce then I doe For it is Gods veritie and trueth The Papistes condemne not Bradford but Christ. So that the condemnation is not a condemnation of Bradford simply but rather a condemnation of Christ and his trueth Bradford is nothing els but an instrument in whome Christe and his doctrine is condemned And therefore my dearely beloued reioyce reioyce and geue thankes with me and for me that euer God did vouchsafe so great a benefite to our countrey as to choose the most vnworthye I meane my selfe to be one in whome it would please him to suffer any kinde of affliction muche more this violent kinde of death whiche I perceiue is prepared for me with you for his sake All glory and prayse be geuen vnto God our father for his great exceeding mercy towardes me through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen But perchaunce you will saye vnto me what is the cause for the whiche you are condemned we heare say that ye denye all presence of Christ in his holy Supper and so make it a bare signe and common bread and nothyng els My dearly beloued what is sayde of me and what will be I cannot tell It is tolde me that Pendleton is gone doune to Preach with you not as he once recanted for you all knowe hee hath preached contrary to that hee was wont to preach afore I came amongest you but to recant that which he hath recanted D. Pendleton recanted first in K. Edwardes tyme and now agayne in Q. Maryes tyme. Howe hee will speake of me and report before I come when I am come and when I am burned I muche passe not for he that is so vncertayne and wil speake so often agaynst him selfe I can not thinke hee will speake well of me except it make for hys purpose and profite but of this inough The causes why M. Bradford was coÌdemned In deede the chiefe thing which I am condemned for as an hereticke is because I deny in the sacrament of the aultar whiche is not Christes supper but a playne peruerting of it being vsed as the papistes now vse it to be a reall naturall and corporall presence of Christes bodye and bloud vnder the formes and accidences of bread and wine Transubstantiation the deuills darling and daughter of Antichrist that is because I deny transubstantiation whiche is the dearling of the Deuill and daughter and heyre to Antichristes religion whereby the Masse is mayntayned Christes supper peruerted his sacrifice and Crosse imperfited hys Priesthood destroyed the ministery taken away repentaunce repelled and all true godlynes abandoned In the supper of our Lord or sacrament of Christes body and bloud I confesse and beleeue that there is a true and very presence of whole Christ God and man to the fayth of the receiuer but not of the stander by and looker on as there is a verye true presence of bread and wine to the sences of him that is partaker thereof This fayth this doctrine whiche consenteth with the worde of God and with the true testimony of Christes Church whiche the Popishe Churche doth persecute will I not forsake and therefore am I condemned as an hereticke and shall be burned But my dearely beloued this trueth whiche I haue taught and you haue receiued I beleued and do beleue and therein geue my life I hope in God shall neuer be burned bound nor ouercome but shall triumphe haue victorye and be at libertye maugre the head of all Gods aduersaries For there is no counsayle agaynst the Lord nor no deuise of man can be able to defeate the veritie in anye other then suche as be children of vnbeliefe whiche haue no loue to the truth and therefore are geuen vp to beleue lyes FroÌ which plague the Lord of mercies deliuer you and all the realme my deare harts in the Lord I humblie beseeche his mercy Amen M. Bradfordes farewell to the countrey of Lankeshire And to the ende you might be deliuered from thys plague right deare to me in the Lorde I shall for my fare well with you for euer in this present lyfe hartely desire you all in the bowels and bloud of our most mercifull Sauiour Iesus Christ to attend vnto these things which I now shall shortly write vnto you out of the holy scriptures of the Lord. You knowe an heauy plague or rather plagues of God is fallen vpon vs Gods manifold plagues vpon England in Q. Maryes dayes in takyng away our good Kyng Gods true Religion Gods true Prophetes and Ministers c. And setting ouer vs such as seeke not the Lorde after knowledge whose endeuours GOD prospereth wonderfully to the tryall of many that his people may bothe better knowe themselues The cause of Gods plagues is our iniquities and not knowing the tyme of Gods visitation and be knowen Nowe the cause hereof is our iniquities and greeuous sinnes We did not know the tyme of our visitation we were vnthankefull vnto God we contemned the Gospell carnally abused it to serue our hipocrisie our vaynglory our viciousnes auarice idlenes securitie c. Long did y e Lord linger and tary to haue shewed mercy vppon vs but we were euer longer the worse Therefore most iustly hath God dealt with vs and dealeth with vs yea yet we may see that his iustice is tempered with much mercy whereto let vs attribute that we are not vtterly consumed For if the Lord should deale with vs after our desertes alas howe coulde we abide it In his anger therfore seeyng hee doeth remember his mercye vndeserued yea vndesired on our behalfe let vs take occasion the more speedily to goe out to meete him not with force
if ye loue not Gods Gospell yea if ye loue it not Therefore to conclude repent loue Gods Gospell liue in it all your conuersation so shall Gods name be praysed his plagues be mitigated his people comforted and his enemies ashamed GrauÌt all this thou gracious lord god to euery one of vs for thy deare sonnes sake our Sauiour Iesus Christ To whome with thee and the holy Ghost be eternal glory for euer and euer Amen The 12. of February 1555. By the bondman of the Lord and your afflicted poore brother Iohn Bradford * To my louing brethren B. C. c. their Wiues and whole families I. Bradford I Beseech the euerliuing God to graunt you all my good brethren and sisters An other letter of M. Bradford to certayne frendes of his whom for danger of that time he would not name the comfort of the holy spirit and the continuall sense of his mercy in Christ our Lord now and for euer amen The world my brethren semeth to haue the vpper hand iniquity ouerfloweth the trueth and verity seemeth to bee suppressed and they which take parte therewith are vniustly entreated as they which loue the trueth lament to see and heare as they doe The cause of all this is Gods anger and mercy his anger because we haue greuously sinned agaynst him his mercy because he here punisheth vs and as a Father nourtereth vs. Wee haue beene vnthankefull for his word We haue contemned his kyndenesse Gods anger and mercy both together vpon his Church The contempt of God and his Gospell punished Wee haue bene negligent in prayer We haue bene so carnall couetous licencious c. We haue not hastened to heauen warde but rather to hellwarde We were fallen almost into an open contempt of God and all his good ordinaunces so that of his iustice he coulde no longer forbeare but make vs feele his anger as now he hath done in taking his worde and true seruice from vs and permitted Sathan to serue vs with Antichristian religion and that in such sort that if we will not yelde to it and seeme to allow in deede an outwarde facte our bodyes are like to be layed in prison and our goodes geuen we can not tell to whom This should we looke vpon as a signe of Gods anger procured by our sinnes which my good brethren euery of vs should now call to our memories oftentymes so particularly as we can that wee might hartely lament them Exhortââ to repâââtance ãâ¦ã repent them hate them aske earnestly mercy for them and submit our selues to beare in this liâe any kinde of punishment which God will lay vpon vs for them This should we do in consideration of Gods anger in this time Now his mercy in this time of wrath is seene and should be sene in vs my dearely beloued in this that God doth vouchsafe to punish vs in this present life If he should not haue punished vs Gods ãâã the ãâã why we punished here do not you thinke that we would haue continued in the euilles we were in Yes verely we woulde haue bene worse and haue gone forwardes in hardenyng our hartes by impenitency and negligence of God true godlines And then if death had come should not we haue perished both soule and body into eternall fire and perdition Alas what misery shoulde we haue fallen into if God shoulde haue suffered vs to haue gone on forwarde in our euils No greater signe of damnatioÌ there is then to lie in euill and sinne vnpunished of God as now the Papistes my dearely beloued are cast into Iezabels bed of security which of all plagues is the grieuousest plague that can be They are bastards and not sonnes for they are not vnder Gods rod of correction A great mercy it is therefore that GOD doth punish vs For if he loued vs not he would not punish vs. Iesabeâ bed of ãâã Apoc. â Heb. 1â 1. Cor. â 1. Pet. â The ãâ¦ã God 's ãâã be ãâã in thââ world Phillip â Now doth he chastice vs that we shoulde not be damned with the worlde Nowe doeth he nourtour vs because he fauoureth vs. Now may we thinke our selues Gods house and children because he beginneth his chastising at vs Now calleth he vs to remember our sinnes past Wherefore that we might repent and aske mercy And why That he might forgeue vs pardon vs iustifye vs and make vs his children and so begin to make vs here lyke vnto Christ that we might be lyke vnto hym elswhere euen in heauen where already wee are sette by fayth with Christ and at his comming in very deede we shall then most ioyfully enioy when our sinnefull and vile bodyes shall be made like to Christes glorious body accordynge to the power whereby he is able to make all thinges subiect to himselfe Therefore my brethren let vs in respect hereof not lament but land God not to be sory but be mery not weep but reioyce and be gladde that God doth vochsafe to offer vs his Crosse Rom. â thereby to come to him to endlesse ioyes and comfortes For if we suffer we shall raigne 2. Tim. â if we confesse him before men he will confesse vs before his father in heauen if we be not ashamed of his Gospell now Math. ââ he wyll not be ashamed of vs in the last day but will be glorifyed in vs crowning vs with crownes of glorye and endlesse felicitye Math. â For blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake for theyrs is the kingdome of heauen Be glad sayâh Peter for the spirite of God resteth vpon you After that you are a litle afflicted God will comforte 1. ãâ¦ã strengthen and confirme you 1. ãâ¦ã And therefore my good brethren be not discouraged for Crosse for prison or losse of goodes for confession of Christes Gospell and truth He ãâ¦ã to takâ comforâ the ãâã Math. â whiche ye haue beleued and liuely was taught amongest you in the dayes of our late good Kyng and most holy Prince Kyng Edward This is most certayne if you loose any thing for Christes fake and for contemning the Antichristian seruice set vppe agayne amongst vs as you for your partes euen in prison shall finde Gods great and riche mercy farre passing all worldly wealth so shall your wiues and children in this present life finde and feele Gods prouidence more plentifully then tongue can tell For he will shew mercifull kindenesse on thowsands of them that loue hym Psalm â The good mannes seed shall not goe a begging his bread You are good men so many as suffer for Christes sake I truste you all my dearelye beloued Gods ãâã seene ãâã Crosse. wyll consyder this geare with your selues in the crosse see Gods mercy which is more sweete and to be set by then life it selfe muche more then anye Mucke or Pelfe of this worlde This mercy of God shoulde make you merye and chearefull for the afflictions of
with coâârage Cast you selues on Christ who careth for you Kepe company with him now stil to the ende he is faithfull and wil neuer leaue you nor tempt you further then hee will make you able to beare yea in the middest of the temptation hee will make an outscape Nowe pray vnto him heartely be thankefull of his indignation reioyce in hope of the health you shall receiue and be mindefull of vs whych are in the vawarde and by Gods grace trust in Christ to be made able to breake the Ise before you that you followynge may finde the way more easie God graunte it may so be Amen Amen Out of prison by your brother in Christ Iohn Bradford To Maistresse Wilkenson ALmighty God our most louing father increase in your heart my good mother deare maistresse in the Lord his true knowledge and loue in Christe A letter M. Bradfâââ to ãâã Wilkinsââ to y e encouraging and comforting of your faith in these stormy dayes as necessary vnto vs so profitable if we perâiste vnto the ende which thing God graunt to vs. Amen My righte dearely beloued I knowe not what other thing to wryte vnto you then to desire you to be thankfull vnto the Lord in that amongst thee not many of your calling and state it pleaseth him to geue you his rare blessing I meane to keepe you from all the filthe wherewyth onâe Countrey is horribly defiled Thys blessing assuredly is rare as you see But nowe if he shall blesse you with an other blessing which is more rare I meane to cal you foorth as a Martyr and a witnesse against this filth I hope you will become double thankefull For a greater token commonly we haue not to iudge of our election and saluation next to Christe and faith in him then the crosse especiallye when it is so glorious as on this sorte to suffer any thing The ãâã a great of Electâââ but chiefly losse of this life which in deede is neuer founde til it be so lost except the graine of wheate fall and be dead it remaineth fruitlesse You know how that he which was rapt into the third heauen and did knowe what he wrote doeth say That as the corne liueth not except it be dead and cast into the earth 1. Cor. ââ so truely oure bodies And therefore the crosse shoulde so little feare vs that euen death it selfe shoulde altogether be desired of vs as the Tailour which putteth off oure ragges and araieth vs with the Royall Roabes of immortalitie incorruption and glory Great shame it shoulde be for vs âom 8. that all the whole creatures of God shoulde desire yea grone in their kinde for our libertie and wee our selues to loath it as doubtlesse we doe if for the crosse yea for death it selfe we with ioy swallow not vp all sorrow that might let vs from following the Lordes calling and obtaining the Lordes prouidence whereby doubtles all crosses and death it selfe doth come and not by hap or chance In consideration whereof right deare Mother that this prouidence stretcheth it selfe so vnto vs and for vs that eueÌ the hair of our heads are numbred with God not one of them to fall to our hurte surely we declare our selues very faint in faith if we receiue not such comfort that we can willingly offer our selues to the Lord and cast our whole care vpon his backe honouring him with this honour that he is and euer will be carefull for vs and all we haue as for hys deare children Be therfore of good cheare euen in the middest of these miseries be thankful to the Lord and prepare your selfe for a further triall which if God sende you as I hope so do you beleeue that God therein wil help comfort you and make you able to bear whatsoeuer shall happen And thus much hauing this oportunitie I thoughte good to wryte praying God our father to recompence into your bosome all the good that euer you haue done to mee especially and to many others both in this time of trouble and alwaies heeretofore Your owne in the Lord Iohn Bradford An other letter wrytten to certaine godly persons encouraging them to prepare them selues with pacience to the crosse GRatious God and moste mercifull Father for Iesus Christes sake thy dearely beloued sonne graunte vs thy mercy grace wisedome and holy spirite to counsaile comforte and guide vs in al our cogitations woordes and woorkes to thy glorye and our euerlasting ioy and peace for euer Amen In my last letter you might perceiue my coniecturing to be no lesse towards you then now I haue learned But my dearely beloued I haue learned none other thyng then before I haue told you would come to passe if ye cast not away that which ye haue learned I do appeale to both your consciences whether herein I speake trueth as well of my telling though not so often as I might and should God forgeue mee as also of your learning Nowe God will trie you to make others to learne by you that whych ye haue learned by others and by them which suffred thys day ye might learne if already yee had not learned that life and honour is not to be set by more then Gods commandement They in no poynt for all y t euer their ghostly fathers could do hauing doctour Death to take their part would consent or seeme to consent to the popish masse and papisticall God otherwise then in y e daies of our late king they had receiued And this their faith they haue confessed with their deathes to their great glorye and all our comfortes if we follow them but to our confusion if we starre backe from the same Wherfore I beseeche you to consider it as well to praise God for them as to goe the same way with them if God so will Consider not the things of this life whyche is a verye prison to all Gods children but the things of euerlasting life which is our very home But to the beholding of thys geare ââample of ãâ¦ã goe with ãâ¦ã ye must open the eyes of your mind of faith I shuld haue sayde as Moses did which set more by trouble wyth Gods people then by the riches of Egypt and Pharaos Court Your house home and goodes yea life and all that euer yee haue God hath geuen you as loue tokens to admonish you of his loue to win your loue to him againe Nowe will he trie your loue whether ye set more by hym then by his tokens or no. If ye for his tokeÌs sake that is for your home house goods yea life will goe w t the world least ye should loose them then be assured your loue as hee can not but espie it to be a strumpets loue â strumpet ãâã more her ãâã then by âouer so will he cast it away with the world Remember that he which will saue his life shall loose it if Christ be true but he which aduentureth yea
tempt vs further then he wil make vs able to beare Therfore be not carefull for I heare say this day you shall be called forth what you shall aunswer The Lord promiseth and will geue them that stand in his defence how and what to aunswere The Lord which is true and cannot lye hath promised and will neuer faile nor forget it that you shall haue both what and how to aunswer so as shal make hys shameles aduersaries ashamed Hang therefore on this promise of God who is an helper at a pinch and a most present remedy to them that hope in him Neuer was it heard of or shall be that any hoping in the Lord was put to foile Therfore as I sayd I say agayne Deare Sister be not only not carefull for your answeryng but also be ioyfull for your cause Confesse Christ and be not ashamed and he will confesse you neuer bee ashamed of you Though losse of goodes and lyfe bee like here to ensue A blessed thing seeing a man must needes dye to dye for the Lord. Yet if Christ be true as hee is most true it is otherwyse in deede For he that looseth his lyfe sayth he winneth it but he that saueth it looseth it Our sinnes haue deserued many deathes Nowe if God so deale with vs that hee wyll make our deserued death a demonstratioâ of his grace a testimoniall of hys veritie a confirmation of hys people and ouerthrowe of hys aduersaries What great cause haue wee to bee thankefull Be thankefull therefore good Sister bee thankefull Reioyce and be mery in the Lord be stoute in his cause quaâell be not faynt harted but runne out your race and set your captaine Christ before your eyes Beholde howe great your a small congregation But be it so that Peter had as much geuen to him as they do affirme· Who yet will graunt that Peter had a patrimony geuen for his heires He hath left say the Papists to his successors the selfe âame right which he receyued Oh Lord God then must hys successor be a Sathan for hee receyued that title of Christ hymselfe I would gladly haue the Papistes to shew me one place of succession mentioned in the Scriptures I am sure that wheÌ Paule purposely painteth out the whole administration of the church he neither maketh one head nor any inheritable Primacie yet he is altogether in commendation of vnitie After he hath made mention of one God the father of one Christ of one spirit of one body of the Church of one fayth and of one Baptisme then hee describeth the meane and maner how vnitie is to be kept namely because vnto euery pastour is grace geuen after the measure wherwith Christ hath endued them Where I pray you is now any title of Plenitudinis potestatis of fulnesse of power When he calleth home euery one vnto a certayne measure why did he not forthwith say one Pope Which thing he could not haue forgotten if the thyng had bene as the Papists make it But let vs graunt that perpetuitie of the Primacye in the church was established in Peter I would gladly learne why the seat of the Primacy should be rather at Rome then elswhere Mary say they because Peters chaire was at Rome This is euen lyke to this that because Moses the greatest Prophet and Aaron the first Priest exercised their offices vnto their death in the deserte therfore the principallest place of the Iewish Church should bee in the wildernesse But graunt them their reason that it is good What should Antioch claime For Peters chaire was there also wherin Paule gaue hym a checke which was vnseemely and vnmanerly done of Paule that would not geue place to his President and better No say the Papistes Rome must haue this authoritie because Peter died there But what if a man should by probable coniectures shew that it is but a fable which is fained of Peters Bishoprike at Rome Read how Paule doth salute very many priuate persons when he writeth to the Romaines Three yeres after his Epistle made he was broght to Rome prisoner Luke telleth that he was receiued of the brethren and yet in all these is no mention at all of Peter which then by their stories was at Rome Belike he was proud as the Pope and Prelates be or els he woulde haue visited Paule Paule beyng in prison in Rome did write diuers Epistles in which hee expresseth the names of many whiche were in comparison of Peter but rascall personages but of Peter he speaketh neuer a word Surely if Peter had bene there this silence of hym had bene suspicious In the 2. Epistle to Tim. Paule complaineth that no man was with hym in his defence but al had left hym If Peter had bene then at Rome as they write then eyther Paule had belied hym or Peter had played his Peters part Luke 23. In another place how doth he blame all that were with hâm only Timothy excepted Therfore we may wel doubt whether Peter was at Rome B. as they prate for all this tyme long before they say that Peter was bishop there But I will not stirre vp coles in this matter If Rome bee the chiefe seate because Peter died there why should not Antioch be the second Why should not Iames Iohn which were taken with Peter to be as pillers Why I say shoulde not their seates haue honor next to Peters seate Is not this geare preposterous that Alexandria where Marke which was but one of the disciples was bishop should be preferred before Ephesus where Iohn the Euangelist taught and was bishop and before IerusaleÌ where not only Iames taught and died bishop but also Christ Iesus our Lord high priest for euer by whom beyng Maister I hope honour should be geuen to his chaire more theÌ to the chaire of his Chaplaines I need to speake nothyng how that Paule telleth Peters Apostleship to concerne rather circumcision or the Iewes therfore properly pertaineth not to vs. Neither do I need to bring in Gregorius the first bishop of Rome which was about the yere of our Lord. 600. who plainly in his works doth write that this title of Primacy to be head ouer all churches vnder Christ is a title meete and agreyng only to Antichrist and therfore he calleth it a prophane a mischieuous and an horrible title Whome should we beleeue now if we will neyther beleeue Apostle nor Pope If I should go about to tel how this name was first gotten by Phocas I should be too long I purpose God willing to set it forth at large in a worke which I haue begun of Antichrist if God for his mercies sake geue me life to finish it For this present therefore I shall desire your Ladyship to take this in good part If they wil needs haue the B. of Rome to be acknowledged for the head of the Church then will I vrge them that they shall
geue vs a bishop But they obtrude vnto vs a butcher rather or a bitesheepe then a Bishop They brag of Peters succession of Christes vicare this is alwayes in theyr mouth But alas how can we call hym Christes Vicare that resisteth Christ oppugneth his veritie persecuteth hys people and lyke a Prelate preferreth himselfe aboue God and man How or wherein doth the Pope and Christ agree How supplieth hee Peters ministery that boasteth of hys succession Therfore to beginne withall which I will vse presently for a conclusion The Bishop of Rome seemeth in deede rather a Butcher then a Bishop if the Papists will haue the B. of Rome supreme head of the Churche of Christ in earth they must afore they attayne this gâue vs a Bishop in deed and not in name For whosoeuer he be that will make this the bond of vnitie whatsoeuer the Bishop of Rome be surely this must needes folow that they do nothyng els but teach a most wicked defection and departing from Christ. But of this if God lend me lyfe I purpose to speake more at large hereafter Now will I betake your Ladyship vnto the tuition of God our father and Christ our onely head pastour keeper to whom see that you cleaue by true fayth which dependeth onely vpon the word of God which if you doe follow as a lanterne to your feete and a light to your steps you shall theÌ auoyd darkenes and the daungerous deepes whereinto the Papists are fallen by the iust iudgement of God and seeke to bryng vs into the same dungeon with them that the blynd following the blind they both mayfall into the ditch out of the which God deliuer them accordyng to hys good will and preserue vs for his names sake that we beyng in his lyght may continue therein and walke in it whilest it is day so shall the night neuer ouerpresse vs wee goyng from lyght to lyght from vertue to vertue from fayth to fayth from glory to glory by the gouernaunce of Gods good spirite which God our father geue vnto vs all for euer and euer Amen Your brother in bondes for the testimonye of Iesus Christ Ioh. Bradford Here followeth another letter of M. Bradford to one Richard Hopkins shiriffe sometimes of Couentry He wrote also an other fruitefull letter to this Richard Hopkins which you may read in the booke of letters of the Martyrs yet beyng as I heare say alyue This Hopkins whom M. Bradford commendeth so much in this letter duryng the tyme of his shiriâealtie was detected and accused by certaine malignant aduersaries of matter pertaing to religion What matter it was I am not yet certainly informed vnles it were for sending and lendyng vnto a theefe being then in prison ready to be hanged a certain English booke of scripture for his spirituall comfort Whereupon or els vpon some such like matter he being maliciously accused was sent for and committed to the Fleete and there endured a sufficient tyme not wythout great perill of lyfe Notwithstandyng the sayd Hopkins beyng at length deliuered out of prison followyng thys counsaile of M. Bradford and mindyng to keepe his conscience pure from Idolatry was driuen with his wife and 8. yong children to auoyde the realme and so leauyng all other worldly respects with his great losse and dammage went into high Germany where he contiued in the Citie of Basill till the death of Queene Mary being like a good Tobias to his power a frendly helper and a comfortable relieuer of other Englishe exiles there about him Gods holy blessing so working with hym therefore that in those far countries neither he fell in any great decay neither any one of all his houshold during all that tyme there miscaried but so many as he brought out so many he recaried home againe yea that with aduantage and gods pleÌty withall vpon him Now the letter written to this Richard Hopkins by M. Bradford is this ¶ A Letter to Maister Richard Hopkins then Shiriffe of Couentry and prisoner in the Fleete for the faythfull and constant confessing of Gods holy Gospell DEarely beloued in the Lord I wish vnto you as vnto myne owne brother yea as to myne owne hart roote A letter of M. Bradford to Richard Hopkins prisoner the same tyme for his conscience Gods mercy the feelyng of the same plentifully in Christ our sweete sauiour who gaue himselfe a raunsome for our sinnes and price for our redemption praysed therefore bee his holy name for euer and euer Amen I will not go about to excuse my selfe for not sendyng vnto you hetherto suffring for the Lordes sake as you do to the comfort of mee and of all that loue you in the truth but rather accuse my selfe both before God and you desiring you of forgiuenesse and with me to pray to God for pardon of this my vnkind forgetting you and al other my sinnes which I beseech the Lord in his mercy to do away for his Christes sake Amen Now to make amends to you ward I would be glad if I could but because I cannot I shall hartily desire you to accept that will and this which I shal now write vnto you there after I meane after my will and not after the deed to accept and take it At this present my deare hart in the Lord you are in a blessed state although it seem otherwise to you or rather vnto your olde Adam the which I dare now be so bold as to discerne from you because you would haue him not onely discerned but also vtterly destroyed For if God be true then is his word true Nowe his worde pronounceth of your state that it is happy therefore it must needes bee so To prooue this I thinke it need not for you know that the holy ghost saith That they are happy which suffer for righteousnes sake and that Gods glory and spirit resteth on them which suffer for conscieÌce to God Now this you cannot but know that this your suffering is for righteousnesse sake and for conscience to Godwards for els you might be out of trouble eueÌ out of hand I know in very deed that you haue felt and do feele your vnthankfulnesse to God and other sinnes to witnes to you that you haue deserued this prisonment and lacke of libertie Martyrs persecuted not for their sinnes but for Christ onely the Gospell betwixt God and your selfe and I would you so would confesse vnto God in your prayers with petition for pardon and thanks geuing for his correctyng you here But you know that the Magistrates doe not persecute in you your sinnes your vnthankfulnesse c. But they persecute in you Christ hymselfe his righteousnesse his veritie and therefore happy be you that haue founde such fauor with God your father as to accompt you worthy to suffer for his sake in the sight of man surely you shall reioyce therfore one day with a ioy vnspeakeable in the sight of man also You may thinke
they attempted an other way suborning great men to admonish the Citizens of Breme into what ieopardie their common wealth might fall by meanes of their Preacher preachyng contrary to the decree of the Pope and Emperour Besides that they sayd that he was the prisoner of the Lady Margaret for which cause they had gotten Letters of the Lady Margaret requiring to haue her prisoner sent vnto her agayne All these craftes and subtilties did nothyng at all preuayle for the Senate of Breme aunswered all thynges without blame When as the Byshop saw this his enterprise also frustrate he attempted an other way whereby he had certaine hope that both he also the word of God with him should be wholy oppressed WhereupoÌ they decreed a Prouinciall counsaile not to be holden at Breme An other practise of the Archbishop as it was accustomed but at Bucstade whiche place they thought most meete for their purpose To this Councell were called all the Prelates learned men of the Dioces to determine what was to be beleeued and whereto to trust Also to the sayd Councell was Henry called notwithstaÌdyng that they had already decreed to proceede agaynst him as agaynst a manifest hereticke A Councell of priestes called against Henry Sutphen albeit he was not yet conuict nor had pleaded his cause before Wherfore the rulers of the Citie together with the commonaltie deteyned him at home foreseyng and suspectyng the malice of the Councell HeÌry gathereth the suÌme of his doctrine in writing Then the sayd Henry gathered a summe of his doctrine into a fewe Articles and sent it with his letters vnto the Archbyshop excusing his innoceÌcie offering him selfe to be ready if he were conuict of any errour by the testimony of y e holy Scripture he would be ready to recaÌt y e same notw tstanding earnestly requiryng that his errours might be coÌuicted by y e holy Scriptures by the testimony wherof he had hetherto approued his doctrine doubted not hereafter to coÌfirme the same but this tooke no place amongest those annoynted prelates What y e determinatioÌ of their iudgemeÌt was it may hereupon wel be gathered in that shortly after they set vp vpoÌ the Church porche the Bull of Pope Leo the x. decree of the Emperour made at Wormes Wherupon Henry conteÌnyng their madnes Vide supra pag 847.849 The Catholike proceding of the Popes Clergy proceeded dayly in preaching the Gospel adding alwayes this protestatioÌ y t he was ready willingly to geue account touchyng his fayth doctrine to euery maÌ that would require the same In the meane tyme the holy Catholickes could not be idle but sent their chapleines vnto euery sermon to trappe him in his wordes But God They that wenâ about to take him were taken whose foote pathes are in y e middest of y e floudes would haue his marueilous power to be sene in theÌ for he coÌuerted many of them in so much that the greater part of those that were sent to hearken did opeÌly witnes his doctrine to be Gods truth against which no man could contend and such as in all their liues before they had not heard perswading them likewise that they forsaking all impietie should folow the word of God and beleeue the same if they would be saued But the chiefe priests canons and monkes were so indurate and blinded with Pharao that they became the worse for these admonitions When as God saw the time conuenient that Henry should confirme the veritie that he had preached he sente him among the cruell murtherers appointed for that slaughter by this occasion as followeth It happened in the yeare of our Lord 1524. that thys Henry was sent for by letters Henry Sutphen sent for to preach at Meldorph by Nicholas Boye parish priest and other faithfull Christians of the parish of Meldorph which is a towne in Diethmar to preach the Gospel vnto them and deliuer them out of the bondage of Antichrist which in that place had full dominion These letters being receiued vpon S. Catherines euen calling together sixe breethren honest Citizens he opened the matter vnto theÌ how y t he was sent for by them of Diethmar to preach y e Gospel adding moreouer that he was not only a debtour vnto theÌ but to all other which required his ayde Wherfore he thought good to go vnto Diethmar to see what God would worke by him requiring also that they woulde helpe him with their aduice by what meanes he might best take his iourney that no maÌ should know of it that thereby he might not be letted or stopped which thing without doubt had come to passe if his purpose had bene knowne to the people Unto whom the citizens answered The Citizens of Breme perswade Henrye not to go to Diethmar desiring him that he would not depart for a time for so much as y e Gospell had not yet taken so deepe roote in y e people but was as yet weake specially in the villages therabout that the persecution was very great willing him also to haue respect vnto this that he was by them called to the office of preaching and if they of Diethmar desired a preacher he shoulde send some other in hys place for they had before perceiued the disposition and vntrustines of them of Diethmar besides that it was not in their power to geue him free liberty to depart without the consente of the whole communaltie Whereunto Henry made answere in this manner The causes mouing Heâry to goe to Diethmar that albeit he could not denie but that he was sent for by them yet now there were many godly learned men at Breme whose labour they might vse in his absence in preaching of the Gospell Besides that the Papistes were for the most parte vanquished and ouerthrowne and their follie knowne euen vnto women and children adding thereunto that he had nowe preached the Gospell by the space of two yeares at Breme and that they of Diethmar liued without a pastour euen in the middest of the woolues wherefore he could not with safe conscience denie theyr request And whereas they alleged that they could not licence him without the consente of the whole congregation that said he was but of small effect for so much as he would not vtterly forsake them but determined only to remaine with them of Diethmar for a moneth or two to lay a foundation and then to returne againe desiring them that after his departure they would declare vnto the coÌgregation how he was sent for by them of Diethmar to whom he could not say nay willing them also to excuse his sodeine departure for that he was forced to departe secretly because of his aduersaries priuily lyeng in waite in euery place for him thinking that he should scarsely auoyde them which had alwayes gone about to bring him to his death In this rude couÌtry of Diethmar Maister Rogers our couÌtreyman was superintendent in tyme of the 6.
Les illustrarions de gaulles Les illustrations de gaulles Whosoeuer please may there read it as it standeth within 6. leaues afore the end of the same how the author with deepe sorrow lamenteth the ordinance that decreed first priests to liue vnmaried shewing that amply the miseries that haue ensued in France therby imputing it vnto Calixt the pope of whom he maketh a doleful mention in Meter wherof the first I yet remember And it is thus O sancte Calixte totus mundus odit te c. O holy Calixte al the world hateth thee Which followeth in writing to all that lust to behold therin But what nede I to make longer treatise hereof for so much as you do dayly both heare and see what soule abhomination ariseth in euery corner of this pitious law made of men y t would presume to be wiser then God Men will be wiser then God thinking as we euer do that eyther he would not or els for lack of wisdom he could not shew vs a sufficient law or way to direct our lyfe and conuersation to come to the ioy and resting place of him promised and so of vs longed and looked for Wherby we both be farre vnreasonable in so deeming of him after our vnwise wit and he much dishonoured The which I beseech him to helpe Amen Answere to the 5. Article ¶ Unto the v. where ye do aske whether I beleeue that whatsoeuer it done of man whether it be good or ill commeth of necessity that is as you construe to wit whether man hath free will so that he may deserue ioy or paine I say as I sayd at the beginning that vnto the first parte of your riddle I neyther can ne wil giue any diffinitiue answer forsomuch as it surmounteth my capacitie trusting that God shall sende hereafter Free will to deserue ioy or payne other that shall be of better learning and wit then I for to endite it As coÌcerning the second part wheras you do interpret that is to say whether man haue free will or no so that he may deserue ioy or payne as for our deseruing specially of ioy I thinke it very slender or none euen when we do the very commandementes and law of God and that am I taught by our sauiour in s. Luke where he sayth thus Which of you quod he hauing a seruaunt that hath eared your land or fed your beastes wil say vnto him when he commeth home out of the field go thy way quickly sit down to thy meat and rather will not say vnto him make ready my supper seruing me therat vntill I haue made an end thereof and afterwarde take thy selfe meate and drinke Thinke you that he is bound to thanke his seruaunt which thus shall doe his commaundement I trowe sayth he nay Euen so you sayth he when you haue done all thinges to you commaunded say yet you be vnprofitable seruaunts haue done that which you were bound to do In which words you may clearly see that he would not haue vs greatly esteeme our merites when we haue done that is commaunded by God Meriteâ ãâã to be esteemed but rather reckoning our selues to be but seruants vnprofitable to God for so much as he hath no neede of our wel doing for his own aduancement but onely that he loueth to see vs doe well for our owne behoufe and moreouer that when we haue done his bidding we ought not so to magnify neither our selfe ne our owne free will but laud him with a meeke heart thorowe whose benefite we haue done if at any time we doe it his lyking and pleasure not regarding our merite but his grace and benefite Wherby onely is done all that in any wise is to him acceptable And thus if we ought not to attend our merites in doing the commandement of God Obseruing of Gods workes worketh in vs no meriâââ Ergo much less the obseruing of mennes traditions much lesse should we looke for merite for obseruing of our owne inuentions or traditions of men vnto which there is no benefite in all Scripture which Paul calleth y e word of truth and of faith promised But here may be obiected against me that the rewarde is promised in many places to them that do obserue y e preceptes of God That I affirm to be very sooth Notwithstanding such reward shall neuer be atteyned of vs except by the grace and benefite of him which worketh all things in all creatures And this affirmeth well S. Augustine S. Ambrose Fulgentius with other as you may see euery where in their workes Vnio dissidentium and specially in the treatise called Vnio dissidentium wherein he entreateth de gratia meritis And of S. Augustine I remember ij or iij. right notable sentences concerning the same Rewarde how it is promysed to workes August libe Confessioâ One is in the 9. booke of hys Confessions in this fourme Vae etiam laudabili vitae hominum si remota misericordia discutias eam Quia verè non exquiris delicta vehementer fiducialiter speramus aliquem locum apud te inuenire indulgentiae Quisquis autem tibi enumerat vera merita sua quid tibi enumerat nisi munera tua O si cognoscerent se omnes qui gloriatur in Domino gloriaretur Woe be to the life of men be they neuer so holy it thou shalt examine them setting thy mercy aside Because thou doest not exactly examine the faultes of men therefore we haue a vehement hope and trust to find some place of mercy with thee And whosoeuer recounteth vnto thee his merites what other thing doth he recount but thy benefits O would God all men would see and knowe themselues and that he which glorieth would glorie in the Lord. Againe in the first booke he sayth thus vnto God Nunquid inops es gaudes lucris Nunquid auarus vsuras exigis Superogatur tibi vt debeas quis habet quicquam non tuuÌ Conf. lib. 1. Reddis debita nulli debens donas debita nihil perdens Doth any man giue that he oweth not vnto thee that thou shouldest be in his debte and hath any man ought that is not thine Thou rendrest debt and yet owest to no man Thou forgiuest debte and yet losest nothing And therefore his vsuall prayer was this Domine da quod iubes iube quod vis Lord giue that thou commaundest and commaund what thou wilt Also in the booke called Manuale Augustini or De contemplatione Christi he sayth in this wise Tota spes mea est in morte Domini Mors eius meritum meum refugium meum salus vita resurrectio mea Meritum meum miseratio Domini Non sum meriti inops quamdiu ille miserationum Dominus non defuerit Et si misericordiae Domini multae multus ego sum in meritis All my hope is in the Lordes death His death is my merite my refuge my health and my
resurrection My merites is the mercy of the Lord. I am not without merit so long as the Lord of mercie shal continue And if y e mercies of the Lorde be great and riche then am I also great and rich in merites And to conclude they be Christes owne merites and good works as sayth S. Ambrose wel nigh euery where that he worketh in vs which he doth reward and crowne Good workes how they be Gods and how they be ours and not ours if one should loke narowly vpon the thing speak properly Howbeit they yet neuerthelesse are ours by him for so much as his mercifull bountie imputeth hys goods to be ours So that in this I wot not how other do meane which lust to sel their merits vnto their neighbors that happely haue skarce enough for themselues but I do wholy deme beleue according as the scripture with these holy doctors and such other do teach wishing that men euer for good doing should not so much as the coÌmon people doth regard their merite or reward To walke with God after a seruile fashion is to worke for merite for that is not the thing that engendreth the loue of god in vs but rather maketh men to honour God in a seruile fashion for the loue of themselues in doing workes for loue of rewarde or for dread of payne more then because it so pleaseth God lyketh him whereas if we regarded first yea altogether that it is our duety to do wel which is the keping of his coÌmandements that so we should content his pleasure reward should vndoubtedly ensue good deedes ãâ¦ã works ãâ¦ã works ãâã done ãâã âewarde ãâã ability to doe ãâã will of ãâ¦ã 7.11 although we minded no whit the same as heat followeth euermore y e fire vnseperate therefrom And thus we shuld serue god with harty loue as children and not for meed or dread as vnlouing thraldes and seruauntes Concerning free will I meane altogether as doth S. Augustine that of our selfe we haue no libertie ne habilitie to doe the will of God but are subiect vnto sinne thralds of the lame conclusi sub peccatum vaenundati sub eodem Shut vp and sold vnder sinne as witnesseth both Esay also Paule but by the grace of God wee are rid and set at libertie according to the portion that euery man hath takeÌ of the same some more some lesse ¶ Whereas in your sixt demaund you do enquire whether the sacrament of the aulter be a sacrament necessarye vnto saluation âââwere to ãâã article and whether after the consecration of the bread wine done by the priest ãâã sacraâânt of the ãâã and ãâã of the ãâã as by the minister of God there is the very body and bloud of Christ in likenes of bread wine I neither can ne wil answere one worde otherwise theÌ I haue told sith I was first deliuered into your hands Neither woulde I haue aunswered one whit thereunto knowing so much at the first as I now doe till you hadde brought foorth some that would haue accused me to haue trespassed in the same which I am certayn you can not do bringing any that is honest and credible Aâswere to ãâã 7. article ¶ As concerning the other vi sacramentes I make you that same answere that I haue done vnto the sacrameÌt of the aulter and none other That is I will say nothing vntill some men appeare to accuse mee in the same vnlesse I know a more reasonable cause then I haue yet heard why I so ought to do But as touching y e forme and fashion I shall answere willingly so farre forth as my rudenes will serue I hold well that such as be duely elect Ministers in the Churche ought to baptise except necessitie require otherwise and that the forme vsed in the Churche âââtisme to ãâã the ãâ¦ã is in mine opinion not vncommendable Neuertheles it should edifie muche more if it were vttered in the vulgar language and cause people in the Baptisme of children more effectuously to thank God for hys institution and high benefite thereby represented In like condition do I also deeme of ministration in all the other ââswere to ãâã 8. article that it should be expedient to haue theÌ ministred openly in y e vulgar laÌguage for the edifying of y e people As concerning the forme vsed in matrimony I lyke it right wel and thinke it commendable sauing in all couÌtreyes lightly Iudas hath set in his foote ouer farre and taketh in hand to sell his maister accompanyed with Symon Magus saying what will you geue me if I deliuer vnto you Christ This is the saying of all them that require Mâtrimonie ãâã freely ãâã ãâã with out money without any lawfull authoritie in some places .xii. pence in some vi pence in some more in some lesse but in euery place lightly some mony when a couple shoulde be maryed and this they cal the churches right Moreouer y t they will not suffer mariage to be solemnised at al times of the yeare I thinke it standeth not with Christes rule but rather is agaynst the same and that they will not suffer the danes vpon all holydayes to be proclaymed vnlesse a dispensation for money be purchased therefore All this God forbiddeth Finally like as no mony ought to be geuen for this no more shoulde anye be taken for anye other But y e contrary is seene whiche is great pitty yea euen at the receiuing of the sacrament of the aulter priestes euery where vse to clayme somewhat and in some part of the West couÌtrey no lesse then 2. pence of euery pole Answere to the 9. article ¶ As touching priesthood in the primitiue church wheÌ vertue bare as auncient Doctors do deââe and scripture in mine opinion recordeth the same most roume there were no mo officers in the Churches of God theÌ byshops and Deacons that is to saye ministers as witnesseth beside scripture full apertly Bâshops âââestes all ãâã in the ãâã tyme. ãâã order ãâã of ãâ¦ã of âânisters in ãâ¦ã not ââthout the ãâã of the ãâã ãâã deacons ãâ¦ã and ãâã not ãâã of ãâã but ãâã Hierome in his Commentaries vpon the Epistles of Paule whereas hee sayth that those whome we call priestes were all one and none other but Bishyps and the bishops none other but priestes meÌ ancient both in age and learning so neare as could be chosen neyther were they institute and chosen as they be nowe a dayes with small regard of a Bishop ãâã his Officer onely apposing them if they can construe a Collect but they were chosen not onely of the B. but also to the consent of y e people amoÌg whoÌ they shuld haue their liuing as sheweth S. Cyprian and the people as he sayth ought to haue power to chuse priestes y t be men of good learning of good honest report but alack for pity ãâã elections are now banished and new