What said he If God was so angry for an Apple that he cast our first parents out or Paradise for the same Why may not I being his Vicar be angry then for a Peacock since a Peacock is a greater matter then an Apple Behold here good Reader by this Pope the holiness of that blasphemous See and yet thou shalt see how what affection was born unto this Pope here in England by the Dirigies Hearses and Fâ—nerals commanded to be had and celebrated in all Churches by the Queen and her Counsel At what time it chanced a woman to come into St. Magnus Church at the Bridge foot in London and there seeing an Hearse and other preparation asked what it meant and others that stood by said it was for the Pope and that she must pray for him nay quoth she that will I not for he needeth not my prayer and seeing he could forgive us all our sins I am sure he is clean himself therefore I need not to pray for him she was heard to speak these words of certain that stood by which by and by carried her to the Cage of London Bridge and bade her cool her self there In the close of the Examination of John Simpson and John Audely two Husband-men is to be noted the sudden fear of Bishop Boner and his Doctors which was thus there was assembled at that time a great multitude of people that because the Consistory was not able to hold them they were fain to stand in the Church near about the said Consistory waiting to see the said prisoners when they should depart and hearing the Bishop say Have him speaking to Simpson being in a rage at his stout answers Have him away Now the people hearing in the Church these words and thinking because the day was far spent that the prisoners had their judgement they being desirous to see the prisoners had to Newgate severed themselves one running one way another another way which caused such a noise in the Church that they in the Consistory were all amazed and marvelled what it should mean wherefore the Bishop also being somewhat afraid of this so sudden fear asked what there was to do The standers by answering said that there was like to be so tumult for they were together by the ears When the Bishop heard this by and by his heart was in his heels and leaving his seat he with the rest of that Court betook them to their legs hastning with all speed possible to recover the door that went into the Bishops house but the rest being somewhat lighter of foot then my Lord did soon recover the door thronging hastily to get in keeped the Bishop still our and cried Save my Lord save my Lord but meaning yet first to save themselves if any danger should come whereby they gave the standers by good matter to laugh at the rediculous fear of Boner and his Doctors and so thereafter thir two godly persons Simpson and Audely were burnt The Counsell of Trent was in this Pope Julius his time betwixt the first and last Session thereof were eighteen years In it all the Articles of the Popish Doctrine were confirmed At this time by the Popish Clergy the bones of Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagins which had lyen almost two years in their graves were taken up and burned at Cambridge besides this they caused Peter Martyrs wife a woman of worthy memory to be digged out of the Church-yard to be burned on the dung-hill A little before Thomas Hawkes Gentleman his death some of his aqâ—â—intance friends which seemed not a little to be confiâ—med by the example of his constancy and by his talk yet notwithstanding the same again being feared with the sharpnesse of the punishment which he was going to privily desired that in the midst of the flamme he would shew them some token if he could whereby they might be more certain whether the pain of such burning were so great that a man might not therein keep his mind qâ—iet and patient Which thing he promised them to do and so secretly between them it was agreed that if the rage of the pain were tollerable and might be suffered then he should lift up his hands above his head towards Heaven before he gave up the Ghost In the fire when he continued long when his speech was taken away by violence of the flamme his skin also drawn together and his fingers consumed with the fire so that now all men thought certainly that he had been gone suddenly and contrary to all expectation the blessed servant of God being mindfull of his promise made before reached up his hands burning in a lighâ— fire which was marvellous to behold over his head to the living God and with great rejoycing as seemed did strike or clap them three times together At the sight whereof there followed such applause and out-cry of the people and especially of them which understood the matter that the like hath not commonly been heard And so the blessed Martyr of Christ straight way siâ—king down into the fire gave up his spirit Mr. John â—radfoord Preacher most constantly suffered for the tâ—stimony of Christ and his truth he was long in prison he had many conflicts with his adversaries he was burnt at Smithfield many Doctors and Bishops did talk with him in prison and two Spanish Friers dealt with him to recant and to leave his errors but he abode constant in the truth When he came to the Stake he took a Fagot in his hand and kissed it and so likewise the Stake And when he had so done he desired of the Sheriffs that his servant might have his rayment for said he I have nothing else to give him and besides that he is a poor man and the Sâ—eriff said he should have it And so forthwith Mr. Bradfoord did put off his Rayment and went to the Sâ—â—ke and holding up his hands and casting his countenance to Heaven he said thus O England England â—epent thee of thy sins beware of Idolatry bâ—ware of false Antichrists take heed they do not deceive you but he was commanded by the Sheriff to be quiet At that time with him was burnt a young man named John Lease a Prentise of ninteen or twenty years whom he greatly encouraged said to him be of good comfort brother for we shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night he spak no moe words that any man did hear but imbracing the reed sâ—id thus strait is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth to eternal salvation and few there be that find it Here is not to be passed by a notable example of Gods hand upon Wâ—droff one of the Sheriffs that would not suffer him to speak but dealt churlishly with him It happened within half an year after the burning of this blessed Martyr that he was so stricken on the right side with such a Palsie or stroak of Gods hand whatsoever it was that for the space
chief thing objected against her as against all the rest was touching the real and corporall presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar many other matters was objected against them as for not comming to the church for speaking against the masse for dispising their Ceremonies and new found Sacraments with diverse other fond and trifling toyes not worthy any mentioning This woman being exhorted to recant she said do what ye will for if Christ was in an errour then am I in an errour upon which answer shee was adjudged and condemned as an Heretick and so delivered unto the secular power to be by them put to death and so she was burnt George Tankerfield a little before his execution prayed his Host to let him have a good fire in his Chamber he had so and then he sitting on a Form before the fire put off his shoos and hose and stretched out his leg to the flame and when it had touched his foot he quickly withdrew his leg shewing how the flesh did perswade him one way and the Spirit another way The Spirit said be not afraid for this is nothing in respect of fire eternall The flesh said leave not the company of thy friends acquaintance which love and will not let thee lack nothing The Spirit said the company of Jesus Christ and his glorious presence doth exceed all fleshly friends The flesh said do not shorten thy time for thou mayest live if thou wilt much longer The Spirit said this life is nothing unto the life in Heaven which lasteth for ever c. And when he came to the place of execution after he ended his prayer he arose and with a joyfull faith he said that although he had a sharp dinner yet he hoped to have a joyfull supper in Heaven While the Fagots were set about him there came a Priest unto him and perswaded him to believe â—n the Sacrament of the Altar and he should be saved But George Tankerfield cryed out vehemently and said I defy the Whore of Babylon I I defy the Whore of Babylon fy on that abominable Idol good people do not believe him Then the Major of the Town commanded to set fire to the Heretick and said if he had but one load of Fagots in the whole world he would give them to burn him There was an certain Knight by and went unto Tankerfield and took him by the hand and said good brother be strong in Christ this he spoke softly and Tankerfield said O Sir I thank you I am so I thank God so he was put to the fire and burnt Robâ—rt Samuel a very godly and right faithfull Pâ—eacher of Gods Word in King Edward his dayes was now apprehended and cast into prison and miserably handled under the Bishop of Norwich Doctor Hopâ—on an unmercifull Prelat he so far exceeded the bounds of piety and compassion in tormenting their poor brethren as this Bishop did in such sort that many of them he perverted and brought quite from the truth and some from their wits also he is keeped in strict prison where he was chained bolt upright to a great poast in such sort that standing only on the tiptoe he was fain to stay up the whole poise or weight of his body thereby and to this they added a far more grievous to ment keeping him without meat and drink whereby he was unmercifully vexed through hunger and thrist saving that he had every day allowed two or three mouthfuls of bread and three spoonfuls of water to the end rather that he might be reserved to further torment then that they would preserve his life O worthy constancy of the Martyr O pitilesse hearts of Papists worthy to be complained of and to be accursed before God and nature O the wonderfull strength of Christ in his members whose stomack though it had been made of Adament stone would not have relented and these intollerable vexations and extream pains above nature how often times would he have drunken his own water but his body was so dried up with his long emptinesse that he was not able to make one drop of water At the last when he was brought forth to be burned which was but a trifle in comparison of these pains that he had passed certain there were that heard hâ—m what strange things had hapened unto him during the time of his imprisonment to wit that after he had been famished or pined with hunger two or three dayes together he then fell into a sleep as it were one half in a slumber at which time one cloathed all in white seemed to stand before him which ministred comfort unto him by these words Samuel Samuel be of good cheer and take a good heart unto thee for after this day shalt thou never either be hungry or thirsty which thing came even to passe accordingly for sppedily after he was burned and from that time that he should suffer he feit neither hunger nor thrist And thus declared he to the ends as he said that all men might behold the wonderfull works of God Many more like matters concerning the great comfort he had of Christ in his afflictions he could utter he said besides this but shamefastnesse and modesty would not suffer him to utter it The report goeth among some that were there present and saw him burnt that his body in burning did shine as light and white as new tryed silver in the eyes of them that stood by After the suffering of Robert Samuel was burned William Allen in Walfinghame a labouring man he being brought before the Bishop and asked the cause why he was imprisoned answered that he was put in prison because he would not follow the Crosse saying that he would never go in procession Then being willed by the Bishop to return again to the Catholick Church he answered that he would turn to the Catholick Church but not to the Romish Church and said that if he saw the King and Queen and all other follow the Crosse or kneel down to the Cross he would not for the which sentence of condemnation was given against him and he burned who declared such constancy at his martyrdom and had such credit with the justices by reason of his upright and well tryed conversation amongst them that be was suffered to go untved to his suffering and there being fastned with a Chain stood quietly without shrinking untill he died There were five worthy Martyrs burned at Canterbury in one fire because they denied that Christ was corporally and bodily in the Sacrament Master Robert Glover at Coventree being apprehended for suspiâ—ion of Heresie and imprisoned was burnt for the testimony of the truth There was one Austen Bernher a Minister and a familiar friend of his testified this of him After he was condemned by the Bishop and was now at the point to be delivered out of this world It so happened that two or three dayes before his heart being lumpish and desolate of all
the eleventh there ensued such a great Schisme in Rome between two Popes Urban and Clement and other succeeding after them one striving against another that the Schisme thereof indured the space of 39. years or there about untill the time of the Counsell of Constance As touching this pestilent and miserable Schisme It would require here another Iliad to comprehend in order all the circumstances and tragicall parts thereof what trouble in the whole Church what parts taking in every country what apprehending and imprisoning of Priests and Prelats taken by land and sea what shedding of Blood did follow thereoff how Otho Duke of Brunswick and Prince of Tarentum was taken and murthered how Joan his wife Queen of Jerusalem and Sicilia who before had sent to Pope Urban beside other gifts at his Coronation 40. m. Duckets in pure Gold was after by the said Urban committed to prison and in the same prison strangled What Cardinals were racked and miserably without all mercy tormented on Gibbets to death what slaughter of men what Battels were fought between the Popes whereof 5000. on the one side were slain beside the number of them who are taken Prisoners of the beheading of five Cardinals together after long torments And how the Bishop of Aquilonensis being suspected of Pope Urban for not ryding faster with the Pope his horse not being so good was there slain by the Popes commandement sending his Souldiers unto him to slay him and cut him in pieces with many moe acts of horrible cruelty happening in the time of this abominable Schisme About the same time aâ—so or about three years after there fell a cruell dissention in England between the common people and the Nobility the which did not a little disturb and trouble the Common-wealth In this tumult Simon of Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury was taken by the Rusticall and rude people and was beheaded In the year of God 1397. there was a battel foughteen betwixt Tamerlane the Tartarian Prince and Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks not far from the Mount Stella where Bajazer there lost his son Mustapha with two hundred thousand of his men and Tamerlane not many fewer Bajazet himself was taken and being brought to Tamerlane and after sundry things asked of him he inqired of him what he would have done with him if it had been his fortune to have fallen into his hands as thou art now in mine I would said Bajazer have inclosed thee in a Cage of Iron and so in triumph have carried thee up and down my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlane shalt thou be served And so he made him to be schaked in fetters and chains of gold and to be shut up in an Iron Cage made like a Grat in such sort as that he might on every side be seen and so carried him up and down as he passed through Asia to be of his own people scorned and derided And to his own further disgrace upon Festival dayes used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted to horse and at other times scornfully feed him like a Dog with crumes fallen from his Table A rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honour that he unto whose ambitious mind Asia and Europe two great parts of the world were too little should be now carried up and down cooped up in a little Iron Cage like some perillous wild beast all which Tamerlane did not so much for the hatred to the man as to manifest the just judgement of God against the arrogant folly of the proud It is reported that Tamerlane being requested by one of his Noblemen that might be bold to speak unto him to remit some part of his severity against the person of so great a Prince answered that he did not use that rigour against him as a King but rathet did punish him as proud ambitious Tyrant polluted with the blood of his own brother About this time Berthold Schwartz and Alchimist invented the Guns and Artilery After the death of John Wickliff many were persecuted and suffered most cruel death in England and many moe did forsake the Realm and weâ—e persecuted for the embracing professing and maintaining of VVckliffs doctrine And first of all we begin at one VVilliam Sawtre a good man and a faithfull Priest of the Churrh of St. Margaret in the Town of Lin and zealous of the true Religion he is brought before Thomas Arnndell Archbishop of Canterbury and his Clergie and is before them convict and condemned for Heresie he is first desposed and degraded from his Office and thereafter delivered to the secular power to be burned This it may appear how tKings and Princes have been blinded and abused by â—he false Prelates of the Church in so much that they have been their slaves and butchers to slay Christs poor innocent members See therefore what danger it is for princes not to have knowledge and understanding themselves but to be led by other mens eyes and especially trusting to such guides who through hypocrisie both deceive them and through cruelty devour the people As this King Henry the fourth was the first of English Kings that began the unmercifull burning of Christs Saints for standing against the Pope so was this VVilliam Sawtre the true and faithfull Martyr the first of all them after VVickliffs death which I find to be burned in the raign of the forsaid King which was in the year of our Lord 1400. After the Martyrdome of this godly man the rest of the same company began to keep themselves more clearly for fear of the King who was altogether bent to hold up the Popes Prelacie Such was the raign of this Prince that to the godly he was ever terrible in his actions immeasurable of few men heartily beloved but Princes never lack flatters about them neither was the time of his raigne very quiet but full of trouble of blood and misery After the death of VVilliam Sawtre was apprehended one John Badby a Taylor a Lay-man he was accused of heresie and other Articles repugnant to the determination of the Church of Rome before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury and other his assiants both Lords Spirituall and Temporall and was condemned for an Heritick and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt the Kings warrand is given for his burning he is brought into Smithfield and there being put in an empty Barrell was bound with Iron Chains fastened to an Stake having dry Wood put about him And as he was thus standing in the Pipe or Tun it happened that the Prince the Kings eldest son was there present who shewing some part of the good Samaritan began to endeavour and essay how to save his life he admonished counselled him that having respect unto himself he would speedily withdrawn himself out of these dangerous Labyrinths of opinions adding oftentimes threatnings the which might have daunted any mans stomack but hee hearkened not thereunto and then was the Tun put over him and fire put
this Disputation continued fifty dayes where many things were alledged on either part In end after long dispute and reasoning between the Bohemians and the Counsel there was a concord and unity concluded between them The Counsel permitted the Bohemians to Communicate under both kindes as a thing lawfull by the authority of Christ and profitable and healthfull to all such as duely received it As for the other three Articles the Bohemians promised to receive the Declaration of the Church touching them and confirmed it setting to their hands what the determination was of these three Articles I find it not Thus the Bohemians did constantly defend and maintain their Religion that Bishop of Rome could never yet divert them from it especially from the Communion of both kinds In the year of God 1438. The noble Art of Printing with Letters made in Brasse was found out a very Divine Invention worthy of memory and admiration yet were it more admirable if it ware not so much prophaned The Invention was Germanick and very strange at the beginning and of great profit John Gutemberge Knight was the first Author of this goodly Invention The thing was first essayed at Magance sixteen years before it was divulged in Italy One saith that John Faustus called Gutman Invented it with Peter Scheffer Now to leave the estate of the Church of Bohemia for a while we return to speak of the Persecutions in England and elsewhere for if we will read and mark and take a view of the stirres that have been from time to time for Religion we shall finde that in England is more burning and slaying for Religion and more blood shed amongst them then in any other Countrey or Nation in Christendome besides and because we cannot name all that hath been troubled and persecuted amongst them for Religion we shall name some of the most memorable And first of all in the first year of King Henry the sixth his Raign was burned the constant witnesse-bearer and testis of Christs Doctrine William Taylor a Priest under Henry Chichelie Archbishop of Canterbury for maintaining erroneous and hereticall Doctrine as they alledged as that prayer ought to be directed to God alone and to pray to any creature is to commit idolatry After long imprisonment with great constancy did consumat his Martyrdome Next William White Priest he was a follower of Iohn Wickliff and a Priest not after the common sort of Priests but rather reputed amongst the number of them whom the Wise-man speaks he was as the Morning Star in the midst of a Cloud c. This man was well learned upright and a well spoken Pâ—iest he was apprehended and taken by the Bishop of Norwich and of him condemned and burnt in Norwich this man was of so divine and holy life that all the people had him in great reverence and desired him to pray for them insomuch that one Margret Wright confessed that if any Saints were to be prayed unto she would rather pray to him then any other when he was come unto the Stake thinking to open his mouth to speak unto the people to exhort and confirm them in the verity one of the Bishops Servants took him on the mouth thereby to force him to keep silence And thus this good man receiving the Crown of Martyrdome ended this mortall life to the great dolour and grief to all the good men of Norfolk About this time also was burned Father Abraham of Colchester and John Waddon Priest for suspected Heresie Many both men and women in those dayes in the time of King Henry the sixt being suspect of Heresie or Lollaroy were apprehended and accused and cast into prison and greatly vexed and after their abjuration brought into open shame in Churches and Markets the form of the Popish pennance was this three fuistgations or displings in procession about the Cathedrall church three severall Sundays and three displings about the market place three principall market dayes his head and neck and feet being bare and his Body covered only with a short shirt or vesture having in his hands a taper of Wax of a pound weight which the next Sunday after his pennance hee should offer to the Trinity and that for the space of three years after every Ash wednesday and Munday and thursday he should appear in the Cathedrall Church before the Bishop or his Vicegerents to do open pennance among the penetentiaries for his offences In the year of God 1430. shortly after the solemn coronation of King Henry the sixt a certain man named Richard Hoveden a woll-winder and a citizen of London was burnt for suspition of Heresie This man when hee could by no perswasions be withdrawn or plucked back from the opinions of Wickliff he was by the rules of the Church condemned for Heresie and burned hard by the town of London Thomas Bagely a Priest being a valiant Disciple and adherent of Wickliff was condemned by the Bishop of Heresies at London and was degraded burnt in Smithfield In the dayes of King James the first Anno 1431. was deprehended in the University of St. Andrews one named Paul Craw a Bohemian and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt for holding contrary opinions unto the church of Rome touching the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the worshipping of Saints Auricular confession with others of Wickliffs opinion they put a ball of Brasse in his mouth to the end he should not give confession of his Faith to the people neither yet that they should understand the defence which they had against their unjust acculation and condemnation Richard Wich Priest a man suspect of Heresie was degraded and burned at the Tower-hill It is testified of him that before his death he spoke as prophesying that the posterior of the Tower should sink which also afterward came to passe wherefore of many of the people hee was counted for an holy man in so much as it is affirmed they came to the place where he was burnt and there made their oblations and prayers and a red great heap of stones and set up a crosse there by night so that by this means a great clamour ran upon the Church men and especially upon such as put him to death Then to cease therein more the King gave commandement to punish such as went thither on pilgrimage Here is to be remembred the lamentable losing of Constantinople in the year of God 1453. Constantinus Palaeologus being Emperor of Constantinople was taken by the Turk Mahometes after the siege of fifty four dayes which siege began in the beginning of April The Emperor was slain and the Turks sacking and ranging about streets houses and corners did put to the sword most unmercifully whomsoever they found both aged and young Matrons Virgins Children and Infants sparing none The Noble Matrons and Virgins were horriblie ravished the Goods of the City the Treasures in houses the Ornaments in the Churches were all sacked and spoyled the Pictures of Christ opprobriously
so often or so long as it pleased their ordinary to appoint by which long rigorous and open punishing of them they meant as it should seem utterly to terrifie and keep back all others from the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Gospel But the Lord be evermore praised what effect their wicked purposes therein have been taken these our most lightsome dayes of Gods glorious Gospell doe most joyfully declare William Sweting and John Brewster were put to death and burnt together in Smithfield the chiefest case of Religion alledged against them in their Articles was their Faith concerning the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood which because it differed from the absurd grosse and Capernaiticall opinion of the new School men was counted as most hainous Heresie John Brown was put to death and burned at Ashford in the year of God 1517. about the fourth year of King Henry the eighth upon the declaration of a Priest in a conference between him and the Priest who took him for an Heretick whereupon he was apprehended and committed to Prison the same night as he was in the Stocks at Ashford where he and his Wife dwelt his Wife came and sat beside him all the night before he should be burned to whom he declaring the whole story how he was handled shewed and told how that he could not set his feet to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham and Fisher his feet were heated upon the hote coals and burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will never do for if I should deny my Lord in this World he would hearafter deny me I pray thee therefore said he good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begun and bring up thy Children vertuously and in the fear of God and so the next day this godly Martyr was burned commending his spirit into the hands of the Lord At the fire the Bayllie Arrant bade cast in his Children also for they would spring said he of his ashes This blessed Martyr John Brown had born an Faggot seven years before in the dayes of King Henry the 7. Richard Hunne Merchand Tailyour dwelling within the City of London and free-man of the same who was esteemed during his life and worthily reputed and taken not only for a man of true dealing and good substance but also for a good Catholick man this man was suspect of Heresie and committed to the Lollords Tower where he was first murthered by his adversaries the Priests and by them hanged whereupon they made the people to believe that he had desperatly hanged himself and after his death led a processe against him and condemned him of Heresie and at last burned him in Smith-field Thomas Man for alledged Heresie suffered much trouble and long imprisonment and in end was condemned and burnt in Smithfield This Tomas Man called Doctor Man confessed that he turned seven hundred people to his Religion and Doctrine for the which he thanked God Against the faithfull Christians of Amershame was great trouble and persecution in the time of William Smith Bishop of Lincolne At which time diverse and many were abjured and it was called abjuratio magna the great abjuration and they which were noted of that Doctrine and profession were called amongst themselves by the name of known men or just fast men as now they are called by the name of Protestants At this time although publick authority then lacked to maintain the open Preaching of the Gospel yet there were many in secret good Christians and true Professors of the Gospel truly the fervent zeal of those Christian-dayes seemed much superiour to these our dayes and times as manifestly may appear by their sitting up all night in reading and hearing also by their charges and expenses in buying of Books in English In which rarity of books and want of Teachers this one thing may be much marvelled and mused at to note in the Registers and to consider how the word of truth notwithstanding did multiplie so exceedingly as it did amongst them wherein is to be seen no doubt the marvellous working of Gods Almighty power for so it is found and observed in considering the Registers how one neighbour resorting and conferring with another oft seemed with a few words of the first and second Table did win and turn their minds to that wherein they desired to perswade them touching the truth of Gods Word and their Sacraments To see their travells their earnest seeking their burning zeal their readings their watchings their sweet assemblies their love concord their godly living their faithfull meaning with the faithfull may make us now in these our dayes of free profession to blush for shame Four prinipal points they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of Saints in reading of Scripture-books in English and in the carnall presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament After the death of William Smith succeeded John Longland a bloody and cruell persecutor of the Saints of God he caused the Wife to detect the Husband the Husband the Wife the Father the Daughter the Daughter the Father the Brother to disclose the Brother and Neigbour the Neighbour neither were there any Assemblies nor readings kept but both the persons and also the books were known neither was one word so closely spoken nor Article mentioned but it was discovered So subtilly and slightly these Catholick Prelats did use their inquisions and Examinations that nothing was done or said among these known men fifteen or twenty years before so covertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence as appears in a Table describing the grievous afflictions of good Men and Women in the Diocesse of Lincolne under John Longland their Bishop with the names both of the accusers and of them that were accused also with the crimes to them objected out of the Registers of the said Diocesse all these were constrained to abjure and do penance and they which were Relapse were committed to the Secular power and burnt As touching the burning of John Scrivener here is to be noted that his Children were compelled to set the fire unto their Father in like manner as Joan Clerk also Daughter of William Tylesworth was compelled to give fire for the burning of her own naturall Father The example of which cruelty as it is contrary both to God and Nature so it had not been seen nor heard of in the memory of the Heathen Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of other Countreys and the Persecutions for Religion there we shall begin first with Germany OF MARTIN LUTHER by whom God began the Reformation of his CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER born at Isleben in Saxonie one Augustine Frier arose in the year of God 1516. to detect and discover the errors of the Church of Rome and to cry out against indulgences upon this occasion Leo the tenth of that name Pope of Rome
spread in further Realms and Countries the one part called of Luther Lutherians the other having the name of Sacramentaries Notwithstanding in this one unity of opinion both the Lutherians and Sacramentaries do accord and agree that the Bread and Wine there present is not transubstantiat unto the Body and Blood of Christ as said but is a true Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ Many conflicts he had with the Pope his Cardinals and Clergy and notwithstanding their furie and rage and plots against him and the great power of his adversaries the Emperor and the King of Spain and other Potentats yet they could not prevail against him God keeping and defending him that they could not bereave him of his life but died peaceably in his own country where he was born teaching and preaching Christ the space of 29 years Many dangers he escaped especially these two which are not to be passed by wherein appears the great providence of God toward him First when a certain Jew by his enemies was appointed to come to destroy him by poyson yet was it so the will of God that Luther had warning thereof before and the face of the Jew sent to him by picture whereby he knew him and avoided the perill Another time as he was sitting in a certain place upon his stool a great stone there was in the Voult over his head where he did sit which being stayed miraculously so long as he was sitting assoon as hee was up immediatly fell upon the place where hee sate able to have crushed him all in pieces if it had light upon him And what should I speak of his prayers which were so ardent unto Christ that as Melancton writes they which stood under his window where he stood praying might see his tears falling and dropping down Again with such power he prayed that he as himself confesseth had obtained of the Lord that so long as he lived the Pope should not prevail in his country After his death said he let them pray who could Again it is reported of him that a young man about Wittemberge who being kept bare and needy by his Father was tempted by way of Sorcery to bargain with the Devill or a familiar as they call him to yeeld himself body and soul into the Devils power upon condition to have his wish satisfied with money so that upon the same an Obligation was made by the young man written with his own blood and given to the Devill Upon the sudain wealth and alteration of this young man the matter first being noted began afterward more and more to be suspsuspected and at length after long and great admiration was brought unto Martin Luther to be examined the young man whether for shame or fear long denyed to confesse and would bee known of nothing yet God so wrought being stronger then the Devil that he uttered unto Luther the whole substance of the case as well touching the money as the Obligation Luther understanding the matter and pittying the lamentable estate of the man willed the whole congregation to pray and he himself ceased not with his prayer to labour so that the Devill was compelled at the last to throw in his Obligation at the window and bade him take it again unto him And as he was mighty in his prayers so in his â—â—â—mons God gave him such a grace that when like preached they which heard him thought every one his own temptations severally to bee noted and touched Whereof when signification was given unto him by his friends and he demanded how that could bee my own manifold temptation said he and experiences are the causes thereof For Luther from his tender years was much broken and exercised with severall conflicts for he confessed that he was afflicted and vexed with all kind of temptations saving only one which was with covetousnesse With this vice he was never said he in all his life to be troubled nor once tempted Pope Leo the tenth of that name bare an irreconciliable heatred unto the Gospel of the Kingdom of God which he persecuted in the person of Luther and many others for as one day the Cardinal Bembo uttered before him a certain thing drawn from the Gospel he answered him mocking It hath ever sufficiently been known what profit that sable of Jesus hath brought us and our company O execrable blasphemy Luther died in the year of our Lord 1546. being 63. years of age The Prayer of Luther at his death was this My Heavenly Father eternall and merciful God thou bath manif sted unto me thy dâ—ar Son our Lord â—esus Christ I have taught him I have known him I love him as my life my health and my redemption whom the wicked have persecuted maligned and with injury afflicted draw my soul to thee After this he said as ensueth thrise I commend my spirit into thy hands thou hast redeemed me O God of truth God so loved the World that he gave his only Son that all these that believe in him should have life everlasting Joh. 3. The Martyres of GERMANY MAny after the death of Luther were troubled for their Religion some tost from place to place same exiled out of the Land for fear some cauâ—ed to abjure some driven to Caves in Woods some racked with torment and some pursued to death with fagot and fire And because we cannot name all that were persecuted and put to death for their Religion we shall name some few of the choisest And first there were two young men burnt at Bruxlies the one named Henry Voes being of the age of twenty four years and the other Iohn Esh which before had been of the order of the Augustine Friers for that they would not retreat and deny their Doctrine of the Gospel which the Papists call Lutheranisme As they were led to the place of Execution they went joyfully and merrily making continually protestations that they died for the glory of God and the Doctrine of the Gospel believing and following the holy Church of the Son of God saying also that it was the day which they had long desired After they were come to the place where they should be burned and were dispoyled of their garments they tarried a great space in their shirts and joyfully embraced the Stake that they should be bound to patiently and joyfully enduring whatsoever was done unto them praising God with Te Deum laudamus and singing Psalms and rehearsing the Creed in testimony of their death One of them seeing that fire was kindled at his feet said me thinks ye do straw Rose under my feet finally the smoak and the flame mounting up to their face choaked them The next year after the burning of these two young men before rehearsed was Henry Sutphen put to death by the conspiracy of the Monks and Friers without all order of judgement or just condemnation about the City of Diethmar in the borders of Germany in the year 1524. they resolved to take him by
price I cannot afford it yet had I rather break it in pieces yea saith the Inquisitor break it let me see thee Rochus with that he took up a chissâ—l and dashed it upon the face of the Image wherewith the nose or some othe part of the face was blemished The Inquisitor seing that cryed out as he were mad and commanded Rochus forthwith into prison To whom Rochus cryed again that he might do in his works what he listed And if the workmanship of the image were not after his fantasie what was that to them But all this could not help Rochus but within three dayes after sentence was given upon him that he should be burned and so was he committed to the Executer As Rochus was entering the place there to be burned he cryed with a loud voice asking among the multitude which there stood by if any man of Flanders were there It was answered Yea and also that there were two Ships already fraught and appointed to sail to Flanders Then said he I would desire some of them to signifie unto my father dwelling in Antwerp that I was burned here in this City and for this cause which ye all have heard And thus after his prayers made to God this good man being wrongfully condemned after his godly lâ—fe made this blessed end And thereafter a certain Spainard coming to Antwerp made diligent Inquisition there among the Image-makers to find out the Parents of this Rochus and signified to them what had happened toward their son as hath been by his said Parents and friends declared And the Father at the hearing of the said message for sorrow thereof died shortly after many were imprisoned and died in prison The execrable Inquisiton of SPAIN THe cruell and barbarous Inquisition of Spain first begun by King Ferdinandus and Elizabeth his Wife and was instituted against the Jews which after their Baptism maintained again their own Ceremonies that now it is practised against them that be never so little sâ—spected to favour the verity of the Lord the Spainards and especi lly the great Divines there do hold that this holy and sacred Inquisition cannot erre and that the holy Eathers the Inquisitors cannot be deceived Three sorts of men most principally be in danger of these Inquisiâ—ors they that be greatly rich for fear the spoil of their goods they that be Learned because they will not have their misdealings and secret abuses to be espied and detected they that begin to increase in honour and dignity lest they being in Authority should work them some shame or dishonour The abuse of the Inquisition is most execrable If any word shall passe out of the mouth of any which may be taken in evill part yea and though no word be spoken yet if they bear any grudge or ill-will against the Party incontinent they command him to be taken and put into an horrible Prison and then find out crimes against him at leasure and in the mean time no man living is so hardy once to open his mouth for him If the Father speak on word for his child he is also taken and cast into Prison as a favourer of Hereticks neither is it permitted to any Person to go in to the Prison but there he is alone in such a place where he cannot see so much as the ground where he is and is not suffered either to read or write but there endureth in darknesse palpable in horrours infinite in fear miserable wrestling with the assaults of death And moreover to these distresses and horrours of the Prison the injuries threats whippings and scourgings Irons Tortures and Racks which they endure And thus are they detained there some many years and murthered by long torments and whose dayes together entreated much more cruelly out of all compassion then if they were in the Hang-mans hand to be slain at once During all this time what is done in the Processe no person knoweth but only the Holy Fathers and the Tormenters which are sworn to execut the Torments c. By the vigour and rigour of this Inquisiton many good true servants of Jesus Christ have been brought to death especially in the laâ—ter years since the Raign of Queen Elizabeth In the Town of Valedolid where commonly the Counsell of the Inquisition is wont to be keeped the Inquisitors had brought together many Prisoners both of high and low estate to the number of thirty also the Coffin of a certain Noble-woman with her Picture lying upon it which had been dead long before there to receive Judgement and Sentence To the heating of which sentence they had ordained in the said Town there might be Theaters or Stages Upon the first was placed Dame Jane sister to King Philip and chief Regiment of his Realms Also Prince Charles King Philips son with other Princes and Estates of Spain Upon the other Scaffold mounted the Archbishop of Sivill Prince of the Synagogue of the Inquisitors with the Counsel of the Inquisition also other Bishops of the Land and the Kings Counsel with them After all were set and placed in great pomp were brought forth as a spectacle and triumph the poor servants and witnesses of Jesus Christ to the number of thirty clothed with their Sanbenito as the Spaniards do call it which is a manner of Vesture of yellow Cloath comming both before them and behind them spangled with red Crosses having burning Clerges in their hands also before them was born a Crucifix covered with black Linnen-cloath in token of mourning Moreover they which were to receive the sentence of death had Miters of Paper upon their heads which the Spaniards call Coracas After this followed a Sermon made by a Dominick Frier which endured about an hour After the Sermon was finished the Procurator Generall with the Archbishop went to the Stage where the Princes and Nobles stood to Minister a solemn Oath unto them upon the Crucifix painted in the Masse Book the tennor of which Oath was this Your Majesties shall swear that ye will favour the holy Inquisition and also give your consent unto the same and not only that ye shall by no manner of way hinder and impeach the same but also ye shall imploy to the uttermost of your help and endeavour hereafter to see all them to be executed which swerve from the Church of Rome and adjoyn themselves to the Entherian Hereticks without all respect of any person or persons of what estate degree quality or condition soever they be Item your Majesties shall swear that ye shall constrain all your Subjects to submit themselves to the Church of Rome and to have in reverence all the Laws Commandements of the same And also to give your aid against all them whosoever shall hold of the Heresie of the Lutherians or take any part with them After the Oath the Archbishop lifting up his hand gave them his Benediction saying God blesse your Highnesse and give you long life In end the poor Captives Prisoners were called our
shewing it to the people he in like manner counterfeiting the priest took up a little dog by the legs and held him over his head shewing him unto the people for this he was by and by apprehended and condemned to the fire and burned and the dog with him About the same time John Longland Bishop of Lincoln burned two upon one day the one named Thomas Bernard and the other James Morton the one for teaching the Lords Prayer in English and the other for keeping the Epistle of St. James translated into English Richard Mekins a boy not past the age of fifteen years was condemned to be burnt by Boner for speaking against the Sacrament of the Altar In Oxford also the same time or not much there-about recanted one Master Barker master of Art of that University a man excellently learned who being called up to Lambeth before the Archbiâ—hop Thomas Granmer was in his examination so stout in the cause of the Sacrament and so learnedly defended himself therein neither Cranmer himself nor all they could well answer to his allegations brought out of Auâ—eu wherein he was so promp ripe of himself that the Archbiâ—hop with the residue of his company were brought in a great admiration of him notwithstanding by compulsion of the time and danger of the six articles at last he relented and returning again to Oxford was there caused to recant After which the good man prospered not but wore away The year 1541. The King was divorced from the Lady Anna of Cleve which was his fourth wife and married to the fifth which was to Lady Cathren Howard Nice to the Duke of Norfolk and Daughter to my Lord Edmund Howard the Dukes brother but this Marriage likewise continued not long At this time were six Popish Monks executed for denying the Kings Supremacy Now as touching the late Marriage between the King and the Lady Howard this Matrimony endured not long for in the year next following 1542. the said Lady Cathren was accused of the King of incontinâ— nâ— living not only before her marriage with Frances Durham but also of spouse breach since her marriage with Thomas Culpeper for the which both the men aforesaid by act of Parliament were attained and executed for high Treason and also the said Lady Cathren late Queen with the Lady Jane Rochford Widow late Wise to Georg Bullen Lord Rochfords Brother to Queen Anna Eullen were beheaded for their deserts within the Tower The King missing Cromwell his old Counsellour Earle of Essex and smelling somewhat the wayes of Winchester began a little to set his foot again in the cause of religion And therefore in the same year after the execution of this Queen the King understanding some abuses yet to remain unreformed namely about pilgrimages and Idolatâ—y and other things moe besides to be corrected within his dominions directed his letters unto the Archbishop of Canterbury for the speedy redress and reformation of the samâ— A proclamation concerning white meats as milk egges butter cheese and such like during the time of lent without any scruple or grudg of conscience any law constitution use or custom to the contrary notwithstanding All this time great was the persecution in Caleice for Religion Amongst the rest one Adam Damlip was falsly accused for Treason and innocently put to death At his death Sir Ralph Elleker Knight then knight marshall there would not suffer the innocent and godly man to declare either his faith or the cause he died for but said to the executioner dispatch the knave have done Sir Ralph Elleker saying that he would not away before he saw the traitors heart out But shoâ—tly after Sir Ralph Elleker in a skirmish or road between the French-men and us at Eullen was amongst others slain whose only death sufficed not his enemies but after they had stripped him stark naked they cut off his privy members and cut the heart out of his bodie and so left him a terrible example to all bloody and mercilesse men for no cause was known why they shewed such indignation against the said Sir Ralph Elleker more then against the rest but that it is â—ritten faciens justitias Dominus judicia omnibus injuria pressis It is reported of a certain poor labouring man of Caleice who being in a certain company said that he would never believe that a priest could make the Lords body at his pleasure whereupon he was then accused and condemned by one Harvie Commissary there which Harvie in time of his judgement inveying against him with approbrious words said that he was an Heretick and should die a vile death The poor man answering for himself again said that he was no Heret ck but was in the faith of Christ and whereas thou sayest said hee that I shal die a vile death thou thy self shal die a viler death and that shortly and so it came to passe for within half an year after the said Harvie was hanged drawn and quarterd for Treason in the said town of Caleice Here is a notable example of Gods judgement upon a bloody Persecutor The rigour of the six Articles were a little aswaged in a Parliament Anno 1544. Mistrisse Anna Askew was brought before the Inquisitors and examined and after that sundry times examined and put to great trouble and put to the rack because she would not confesse what Ladies or Gentlewomen were of her opinion and therein sayes she they keeped me along time and because I lay still and did not cry my Lord Chancellor and M. Rich took pains to rack me with their own hands till I was nigh dead then the Leivtenant caused me to be loosed from the Rack incontinently I sowned and then they recovered me again After that I sat two long hours reasoning with my Lord Chancellor upon the bare floor whereas he with many flattering words perswaded me to leave my opinion but my Lord God I thank his everlasting goodnesse gave me grace to persevere and will do I hope to the very end then was I brought to an house and laid in a bed with as weary and painfull bones as ever had patient Job I thank the Lord my God therefore Then my Lord Chancellor sent me word if I would leave my opinion I should want nothing if I would not I should forth to Newgate and so be burned I sent him again word that I would rather die then to break my faith heareafter she is condemned to be burnt for her opinion touching the Sacrament for holding that after the Priest hath spoken the words of Consectation there remaineth bread still they both say and also teach it for a necessary Article of faith that after these words be once spoken there remaineth no bread but even the self same body that hang upon the Crosse on goodfryday both flesh blood and bones to this belief of theirs said I nay for then were ouâ— common Creed false which saith that he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father
I may root or die with many moe who felt the stroak of his hand To adde to these also the stinking death of Edmond Boner commonly named the bloody Bishop of London who not many years ago in the time and raign of Queen Elizabeth after he had long feasted and banquetted in Durance at the Marshal-sea as he wretchedly died in his blind Popery so as stinkingly and as blindly at midnight was he brought out and buried in the out-side of all the City amongst theevs and murtherers a place right convenient for such a murtherer with confusion and derision both of men and children who trampling upon his grave well declared how he was hated both of God and man I might bring in here many moe and forrain examples of Kings Princes and great men of the wrath of God that hes pursued them for persecuting of the Professors of the Gospel but I content me with these already rehearsed After the death of Queen Mary succeeded Lady Elizabeth her sister to the Crown a godly and religious Princess that brought much joy and happinesse to the Realm by her gracious and peaceable government The Queen immediatly at her entry haying heard of the diversitie of opinions in certain matters of Religion amongst sundry of her loving subjects and being very desirous to have the same reduced to some godly and christian concord by the advise of the Lords and others of the privy Counsell as well for the satisfaction of persons doubtfull as also for the knowledge of the very truth in certain matters of difference to have a convenient chosen number of the best learned of either part and to confer together their opinions and reasons and thereby to come to some good and charitable agreement And so there was named on the one side nine and on the other nine On the Papists side were named the B. of Winchester the B. of Lich the B. of Chester the B. of Carlill the B. of Lincolne Doctor Cole Doctor Harpsfield Doctor Langdale Doctor Chedsey On the Pretestants side oâ— lâ—tâ— bâ—n shed Pâ—eachers Doctor Scorie B of Chicester Doctor Cox Mr. Whythead Mr Grindal Mr Horner Doctor Sands Mr. Gest Mr. Aimer Mr Juel who were to confer and reason at Westminster upon certain questions or Articles of Rellgion to be proposed in presence of the Nobility and Lords of his Majesties secret Counsel the matter they should talk upon was comprehended in these three propositions under-specified 1. It is against the Word of God and the custome of the ancient Church to use a Tongue unknown to the people in common prayer and administration of the Sacrament 2. Every Church hath authority to appoint take away and change Ceremonies and Ecclesisticall Râ—tes so the same be to edification 3. It cannot be pâ—oved by the Word of God that there is in the Masse offered up a Sacrifice propitiatory for the quiâ—k and the dead It was hereupon fully resolved by the Queens Majesty with the advise aforesâ—id that it should be in writting on both parts for avoiding of much alteration in words and in English and each of them should deliever their Writings to the other what were to be improved therein c. And their writings were to be put in the English Tongue Now after they had sitten one day in this conference the second day it was broken up by the Papists default for they would have the order inverted and altered that was appointed and agreed upon Afterward for this contempt so notoriously made and dissolving of the Assembly and the godly and most christian purposes of the Queens Majesty made frustrate the B. of Winchester and Lincolne who shewed more folly then the other were condinly committed to the Tower of London Boner about this time B. of London was committed to the Marshal-sea whereas he both in his blind bloody Heresie as also in his deserved captivity long remained abiding the Queens pleasure About this time at the beginning of the flourishing Raign of Queen Elizabeth was a Parliament summoned and holden at Westminster wherein was much debating about matters touching Religion and great study on both parts imployed the one to retain still the other to impugne the Doctrine faction which before in Queen Maries time had been established But especially here is to be noted that though their lacked no industry on the papists side to hold fast that which they most cruelly from time to time had studied and by all means practised to come by yet notwithstanding was the providence of God at that time that for lack of the other Bishops whom the Lord had taken away by death a little before the residue that there were left could do the lesse And in very deed God be praised therefore did nothing at all in effect although yet not withstanding their laicked in them neither will nor labour to do what they could if their cruell ability there might have served Although in this Parliament then some diversitie there was of judgement and opinion between parties yet notwithstanding through the mercifull goodnesse of the Lord the true cause of the Gospel had the upper hand the Papists hope was frustrate and their rage abated the order and proceedings of King Edwards time concerning Religion was revived again the Supremacy of the Pope abolished the Articles of bloody statutes of Queen Mary repealed briefly the furious fire-brands of cruell persecution which had consumed so many poor mens bodies were now extict quenched Finally the old Bishops deposed for that they refused the Oath in renouncing the Pope and not subscribing to the Queens just and lawfull Titles in whose roomes and places were others put The SCOTISH Martyrs HAving spoken of the Martyrs of England let us now speak of the Martyrs of Scotland And first to begin with M. Patrick Hammilton Abbot of Ferm he was a man nobly descended for he was Nephew to the Earle of Aran by his Father to the Duke of Albany by the Mother and not much past twenty three years of age this young Gentleman had travelled in Germany and falling in familiarity with Martin Luther Phi. Melanchton Frances Lamberr other learned men was by them instructed in the knowledge of true religion In the profession whereof he was so zealous as he was resolved to come back into his country communicate the light he had received unto others c. under colour of conference he is brought to S. Andrews accused before the B. for maintaining erronious points of doctrine as that the corruption of sin remains in children after their Baptisme 2. That no man by the power of his free will can do any good 3. That no man is without sin so long as he liveth c. After answer and censure of the Theologs of thee Articles he maintained is declared to be an heretick and given over into the hands of the secular power to suffer punishment due to heresie He was condemned by the secular Judge and burnt alive when he came to the
place of Execution hee put off his gown and gave it with his bonnet coat and other apparrell to his servant saying this stuffe will not help in the fire yet will do thee some good I have no more to leave thee but the example of my death which I pray thee keep in mind for albeit the same be bitter and painfull in mens judgement yet is it the entrance to everlasting life which none can inherite that denieth Christ before this congregation At his death the Friers vexed him bidding him convert pray to our Lady and say salve Regina but none was more troublesome then Fier Alexander Campbell whom he often besought to depart and not to vex him but when he would not cease he said wicked man thou knowest I am not an heretick and that it is the truth of God for which I now suffer so much thou diddest confesse unto me in privat and thereupon I appeal thee to answer before the Judgement seat of Christ his body was quickly conâ—umed for the fire was vehement but the patience and constancy he shewed in his dying stirred up such compassion in the beholders as many of them doubted not to say that he suffered an innocent and was indeed a true Martyr of Christ This opinion was further confirmed by the death of the Fâ—â—er and that manner of it for within a year and lâ—sse he fell into a frensie and died as one despeâ—at numbers were brought to the knowledge of â—he truth by his suffering This Mr. Patrick Hammiltoun suffered martyrdomâ— in the year of God 1527 Under Jimes Beton Archbishop of St. Andrews â—â—d Chancelâ—o r of the Kingdom After the deâ—â—h of Mr. Patrick Hammilton his Brother german James Hammilton oâ— Levingston was accused likewise but the King did cause convey him secretly out of the way Also Kathren Hammilton his sister was accused and being questioned upon works she answered that none was saved by his works Then John Spence spake to her of the works of congruo and condigno to which she answered work here work there what kind of working is all this no works can save me but Christs At this the king being present laughed and after conveyed her away secretly One Henry Forrest a Monk of the order of Benet and Cellet as they spoke then was also accused of Heresie but without sufficient proof Then he was sent to Walter Ange whom Buchanan in his Satyr against the gray Friers called Langius to be confessed Langius having asked him by way of confession what he thought of Patrick Hammilton he answered that he was a good man and that his articles were to be mantained Lang discovers this simple mans confession and this confession being taken for a sufficient proof the poor man was condemned to be burnt and so he was immediatly after they degraded him according to their custome As they were leading him to the execution place he complained of the Frier who had betrayed him and said let no man trust the false Friers after me They were despisers rof God and deceivers of men they burnt him at the north style of the Abbey Church in Sr. Andrews that the hereticks of Angus might see the fire Mr. Normend Gourley and David Straton were brought to tryal and condemned the one for denying Purgatory and that the Pope should have no jurisdiction within Scotland the other was charged with the same points and further was accused for maintaining the Tithes were not due to Church-men which point he denied confessig that the tithes of â—ome fish which his servants had taken at sea being too rigourously exacted hee said that if they would have the tithes of the fishes they should go and receive them where the stock was taken that he gave order to his servants to cast every tent fish they took into the sea because he saw nothing but rigour would content the Church these two were burnt at one stake as hereticks between Leith and Edinburgh to the intent the inhabitants of Fife seeing the fire might bee stricken with the more terrour and fear not to fall into the like After the death of the foresaid Martyrs under James Betoun Archbishop of St. Andrews consultation was taken by the Bishops to proceed and to burn moe hereticks for then men began liberally to speak of religion A merry Gentle-man named John Lindsay familiar to B. James Betoun standing by when consultation was had said my Lord if ye burn any more except ye follow my counsell ye will utterly destroy your selves if ye will burn them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoak of Mr. Patrick Hammilton hath infected as many as it blew upon Thus it pleased God that they should be taunted in their own face At this time when Normond Gourlay and David Straton were put to tryal and condemned were summouned Sir William Kird Adam Dayes Henry Kernes John Stewart of Leith with diverse others such as Mr. William Johnstoun Advocat Mr. Henry Henderson School-master of Edinburgh of whom some compeared in the Abby Kirk of Halyrudhouse and so abjured and publickly burnt their Bills the burning of the Bill was a sign of recantation others compeared not and therefore was exiled About this time Mr. George Buchanan for some byting verses against the Franciscans was commanded to prison but he escaping by a window of the Chamber where hee was detained prisoner whilest the Keepers were fast asleep fled into France thus there passed few dayes wherein some one or other was not called into question for Religion but the more hote the persecution was the favourers of the truth did every day the more increase The Archbishop James Betoun committed the charge of the Church affairs to his Nephew the Cardinal who succeded in his place for he was sickly himself and not seen often abroad In his time lived Mr. John Major Hector Boeth Gilbert Crab and William Gregory men of good learning and worthy to be remembred Hector Boethius was Principall of the Colledge of Aberdene a great Philosopher and much commended by Erasmus for his Eloquence and felicitie of ingenie Buchanan who could well discern of learned men speaking in a certain place of him saith quod non solum artium liberalium cognitione supraquam illa ferchant tempora insignis erat sed etiam humanitate comitate singulari praeditus that he was not only learned in the liberall Sciences above the condition of these times but also of an exceeding courteous and humane inclination yet is he traduced by some of the English Writers for a fabulous and partiall Historian But they who like to peruse his History will perceive that is spoken out of passion and malice and not upon just cause Mr. John Mair wrote also the History of Scotland and wrote upon the four Evangelists Sir John Borthwick Knight commonly called Captain Borthwick who being accused of heresie as the Papists call it and cited therefore and not appearing and escaping into other Countreys was condemned for the same being
word of God John Knox returned again to France to visite that little flock of his which he had in Geneva of the Englishes which the wickednesse of men had compessed him to leave Immediatly after his going away the Bishop summoned him for non-appearance burnt him in Effigie at the Cross of Edinburgh in the year of our Lord 1555. from the which unjust sentence the said John made his appellation and caused to print the samine and directed it to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland which is yet to be seen But John Willock returning again from Emden and others as William Harlaw John Dowglas and others began in Edinburgh and others Towns of the Country publickly to exhort The Nobility and Gentry and others being by them godly instructed and comforted they keep their conventions and held Counsels with such gravity and closnesse that the enemies trembled The Images were stollen away in all parts of the Countrey And in Edinburgh was that great Idol called St. Gile or Sanctus Egidius first drowned in the north Loch after burnt which raised no small trouble in the Town for the Friers rooping like Ravens upon the Bishops the Bishops ran upon the Queen who to them was favourable enough but that she thought it could not stand with her advantage to offend such a multitude as then took upon them the defence of the Gospel and the name of Protestants and yet consented she to summond the preachers whereat the Protestants neither offended nor yet thereof afraid determined to keep the day of summonds as that they did which perceived by the Prelats and Priests they procured a Proclamation to be publickly made that all men that were come to the town without commandement of the authority should with all diligence repair to the Borders and there remain fifteen dayes for the Bishop of Galloway in this manner of ryme said to the Queen Madam because they are come without order I rid you send them to the Border Now had God so provided that the quarter of the West-land in the which was many faithful men was that same day returned from the Border who understanding the matter to proceed from the malice of the Priests assembled themselves together and made passage to themselves till that they came to the very privie Chamber where the Qâ—een Regent and the Bishop were The Gentlemen began to complain upon their strange entertainment considering that her Majesty had found in them so faithfull obedience in all things lawfull While the Queen began to craft a zealous and bold man James Chalmers of Gaithgyrth said Madame we know that this is the malice and device of the Iewels and of that Bastard meaning the Bishop of St. Andrews that standeth by you we avow to God we shal make a day of it they oppress us and our Tennants for feeding of their idle bellies they trouble our Preachers and would murther them and us shall we suffer this any longer no Madame it shal not be and therewith every man put on his stee bonnet There was heard nothing of the Queens part but my joyes my hearts what ailes you me meanes no evill to you nor to your preachers the Bishops shall do you no wrong ye are all my loving subjects I know nothing of this proclamation the day of your Preachers shall be discharged and we will hear the controversie that is betwixt the Bishops and you they shall do you no wrong My Lords said she to the Bishops I forbid you either to trouble them or their preachers unto the Gentlemen who were wondrously commoved she turned again and said O my hearts should you not love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your minds and should ye not love one another as your selves With these and the like words she keeped the Bishops from buffers that time and so the day of summonds being discharged began the brethren universally further to be encouraged but yet could the Bishops in no fort be quiet for St. Geils day approaching they gave charge to the Provest Baillies and Counsell of Edinburgh either to get again the old St. Gile or else upon their expenses to make a new Image The Counsel answered that to them the charge appeareth very unjust for they understood that God in some places had commanded idols and Images to be destroyed but where he had commanded Images to be set up they had not read and desired the Bishop to find a warrand for his commandement Whereat the Bishop offended admonished under pain of cursing which they prevented by a former appellation appealing from him as a partial and corrupt Judge unto the Popes holinesse and so great things following that passed in oblivion Yet would not the Priests and Friers cease to have that great Solemnity and manifest abomination which they accustomedly had upon St. Giles day to wit they would have that Idole born and therefore was all preparation duly made A Marmouset Idol was borrowed from the Gray-friers Thus the Priests and the Friers carried with Tabors and Trumpeters Bâ—nners and Bâ—g-pipes and who was there to lead the ring but the Queen Regent her self with all her shavelings for honour of that feast well about goeth it and cometh down the high street to the Bow The Queen Regent dyned that day in Alexander Carpenter his house betwixt the Bowes and so when the idol returned back again she left it and past into her dinner The hearts of the brethren were wonderfully inflamed to see such abomination so manifestly maintained and so immediatly after that the Q. was entered into the lodging some of them drew nigh unto the Idol and willing to help to bear him and getting the ferror upon his shoulders c. And some began to cry down with the idol down with it and then without delay it was pulled down and broken the Priests and Friers fleed Queen Regent laid up this amongst her other inventions till that she might have seen the time proper to have revenged it After this some Noblemen and Barrons and others resolving upon a Reformation of Religion their petitions put up to the Queen Regent taking no effect joyning in Counsel did bind themselves by oaths and subscriptions to assist one another and hazard their lives and substance to advance the cause of Religion and so proceed peace and peace till the Reformation was established Shortly after these things that cruel tyrant and unmerciful hypocrite falsly called B. of St. Andrews apprehended that blessed Martyr of Christ Jesus Walter Mill a man of decreeped age whom most cruelly and unjustly he put to death by fire in St. Andrews in the year of God 1558. Which thing did so highly offend the hearts of all godly that immediatly after his death began a new fervency among the whole people yea even in the Town of St. Andrews began the people plainly to condemn such unjust cruelty his constancy moved so the hearts of many that the B. steward of his Regality Provest of the
far returned with him to Glasgow where they went first to the Church and gave thanks to God for the victory they had obtained almost without any effusion of blood This conflict happened upon the 13. of May the eleventh day after her escape from Lochlevin The Queen fleeth to England and writeth to Queen Elizabeth The Bishop of Orkney was reponed to his place and for removing the scandall he was injoyned in his first Sermon to make publick acknowledgement of his fault and crave forgivenesse of God the Church and State whom he had offended The Duke of Chattellerault returned and being made Deputy by the Queen caused publish his Letters prohibiting the subjects to acknowledge any other Soveraign then the Queen hereupon the Regent gave forth Proclamations charging the Lieges in the Kings name to meet him in Armes at Glasgow the 10. of March The Regent and the Duke were agreed by the means of the Superintendents James Hamiltoun of Bothwell-Haugh taketh in hand the Regents murther he is killed by him at Linlithgow as he was riding by the shot of a Bullet the Murtherer escapeth and the death of the Regent was greatly lamented The Earle of Lennox is chosen Regent Governour of the Realm untill the Kings Majority or till he were able by himself to administrate the publick affairs The Regent was shot by Captain Calder at Stirling and with the same bullet Wormestoun who did what he could to save the Regent was stricken dead After him the Earle of Marre was elected Regent After the Earle of Marre was the Earle of Morton elected Regent as the man in that time of greatest courage and counsell The Earle of Morton is challenged for the murther of the Kings father by Captain James Steward and is committed and thereafter brought to his tryall sentence is pronounced and he execute for concealing the Kings murther The Queen is excute and beheaded after 19. years captivity in England The Spanish Navy was in the year of God 1583. In the year of God 1597. there was a great businesse for the tryall of Witches Amongst others one Margaret Aikin being apprehended upon suspitiâ—n and threatned with torture did confesse her self guilty being examined touching her associats in that trade she namâ—d a few and peâ—ceiving her delations find credit made offer to detect all of that sort and to purge the countrey of them so she might have her life granted for the reason of her knowledge she said that they had a secret mark all of that sort in their eyes whereby she could surely tell how soon she looked upon any whether they were Witches or not and in this she was so readily believed that for the space of three or four moneths she was carried from Town to Town to make discoveries in that kind Many were brought in question by her delations especially at Glasgow where diverse innocent women through the credulity of the Minister Mr. John Cowper were condemned and put to death In end she was found to be a meer deceiver for the same persons that the one day she had declared guilty the next day being presented in another habit she cleansed and sent back to Fife where first she was apprehended At her tryall she affirmed all to be false that she had confessed either of her self or others persisted in this to her death which made many for think their to great forwardnesse that way and moved the King to recall the commissions given out against such persons discharging all proceedings against them except in case of voluntary confession till a solid order should be taken by the Estates touching the forme that should be keeped in their tryall In the year of God 16â—0 was Gowries conspiracy against the King discovered both he and his brother Mr. Alexander Ruthven were killed at St. Johnstoun and the King delivered The Ministers of Edinburgh being râ—qâ—ired by the Counsel to give thanks for his Majesties deliverance refused to obey excusing themselves that nothing ought to be deliv red in Pulpit but that whereof the truth was known and that all which is uttered in that place should be spokâ—n in faith When by no perswasion they could be moved to perform that duty it was resolved that the Counsel should go together to the Market Crosse and that the Bishop of Rosse should after a naration of the Kings daughter and deliverance conceive a publick thanksgiving which was done the multitude applauding and expressing a great joy Mr. Patrick Galloway the Mononday thereafter in presence of the King Preached at the Market Crosse who choosed the 124. Psalm for his Theam did take occasion to discourse of all the particulars of the conspiracy and gave the people great satisfaction for many doubted that there had been any such conspiracy the condition of Princes being as the Emperor Domitian said herein miserably that even when conspiracies made against their persons are discovered yet they are not credited unlesse they be slain The King to testifie his thankfulnesse for his deliverence mortified a thousand pound to the poor yearly to be taken of the readiest fruits of the Abbacie of Scoon After this order was taken for a publick and solemn thanksgiving to be made in all the Churches of the Kingdome The Ministers of Edinburgh who gave the refuse were commanded to remove themselves out of the town within 48. hours and inhibited to Preach within his Majesties dominions under the pain of death Three of the number to wit Mr. Walter â—elcanquel Mr. William Watson and Mr. John Hall acknowledging their fault were pardoned Mr. James Balfour likewise remitted But Mr. Robert Truce taking a course by himself and saying he would reverence his Majesties report of that accident but could not say he was perswaded of the truth of it was banished the King dominions and went into France The 15. of November a Parliament was held at Edinburgh wherein sentence of the forfeiture was pronounced against Gowry and Mr. Alexander his brother their posterity disinherited and in detestation of the paracid attempted the whole surname of Ruthven abolished but this last was afterwards dispensed with and such of that name as were knowen to be innocent tollerated by the Kings clemency to enjoy their surnames and titles as in former times The bodies of the two brethren being brought to the Parliament house were after sentence given hanged upon a Gibbet in the publick street and then dismembred their hands cut off and affixed upon the top of the prison house and the 5. of August ordained to be keeped yearly in remembrance of his Majesties delivery Prince Charles was born at Dumfermling The Queen of England continuing constant in her affection when she was asked a little before her death by the Lord Keeper and Secretary who were directed by the Counsel to understand her will touching her Successor answered none but my Cousen the King of Scots After which words she spake not much A Queen incomparable for wisedom and fidelity of Government She
departed this life the 24. of March in the 70 year of her age and 44. of her raign The same day in the forenoon the King of Scots was proclâ—imed King first at the Palace of White hall next at the Crosse in Cheapside within the City of London with an infinite applause of all sorts of people But leaving the prosecution of any moe occurences that fell out in this our Realm which late Histories at large does declare I shall close this part with one or two remarkable things specially concerning Glasgow in reckoning out the Bishops of Glasgow till the Reformation I find St. Mungo to be the first This City was made famous at first by Kentigern commonly called St. Mungo He was begotten by Engenius the third King of the Scots upon Thametis Daughter to Loth King of Picts His Mother finding her self with child out of shame and fear of her Fathers wrath stole privily away and entering into a little Vessel that she found in the nearest coast was by the wind and waves cast on land where the town of Culrosse is now situated and there was delivered of her birth and leaving the Child with a Nurse returned home His Parents bâ—ing unknown he was brought to Servanus and baptized and bred up by him yet it seems by the Hymne they did ordinarly sing in the Festivals that made his Father afterwards to be known They repo t of him that a Lady of good place in the Country having lost a King which her Husband gave her as she crossed the River of Clyde and her Husband waxing jealous as if she had bestowed the same upon one of her lovers she did mean her self unto him in râ—ating his help for the safty of her honour and that he going to the river after he had used his devotion willâ—d one who was making to fish to bring him the first that he caught which was done in the mouth of the fish he found the Ring and sending it to the Lady she was thereby fred of her Husbands suspition The credit of this I bâ—lieve upon the reportes but howsoever it be the sea and City do both of them wâ—ar in their Arms a fish with a ring in the mouth even to this day He was certainly a man of rare piety and to the poor exceeding bountifull lived to a great age beyond the ordinary course of men to wit nine score and five years as in the conclusion of the hyme is said Cum octogenos centum quâ—que quinque vir annos Complerat sanctus est Closgow sunere sunctus He laid the foundation of the high Church of Glasgow and was therein at his dâ—ath interred After his death for many ages the See was in a manner desolate unto the raign of Malcolm the third who restored the same to some integrity The first Bishop I find named after the restitution was 1. John Achaian who took great pains in building the Cathredal and having brought it to a reasonable perfection did dedicate â—he same in the year 1137. Jocelin Abbot of Melrosse was his successor in his time the City of Glasgow was erected a Burgh royall Williâ—m Babinton Chancellor of the Kingdom was after him elected Bishop In his time as Boeth writeth the fabrick of the Church of Glasgow was fully accomplished his words are absolutum est ea tempâ—state Templum Catâ—edrâ—le Glasgu nsis sedes profeâ—to magnifica cujus â—aud exignam partem Guilielmus ibid m Epise pus iberalitate sua extruxerat nec dâ—u operi perfecto supersuit He died the 25. of January 1261. William Rae the 19. Bishop a good and zâ—aloâ—s man build the stone Brid e of Glasgow and died in year 1367. In the time of Mr. Mathew Gl n linniâ—g the 21. Bishop the steeple which was all built of timber wâ—s burnt by lightning in place whereof he intended to build one of stone and made therefore great preparation but was prevented by death in the year 1408. His successor William Lawder finished the work he was Chancellor of Scotland Mr. VVilliam Tuâ—â—bull the 25. Bishop founded the Colledge of Glasgow The cruel persecutiâ—n of Châ—istians under the TURKISH Emperors NOw last of all having spoken of the persecutions of the Christians under the Roman Emperoâ—s in a tractate by it self and of the persecutions of the Roman Bishops in this place for the professing of the Gospel of Christ Jesus we shall speak a little of the miserable persecutions slaughter and captivity of the Christians under the Turks thus from time to time the Church of Christ almost hath had little or no rest in this earth what for the heathen Emperors on the one side what for the proud Pope on the other side on the third side what for the barbarous Turk for these are and have been from the beginning the three principall and capitall enemies of the Church of Christ signified in the Apocalypse by the Beast the false lamb and the false prophet from whom went out three foul spirits like Frogs to gather together all the Kings of the Earth to the battel of the day of the Lord God Almighty Apoc. 16. The cruelty and malice of these enemies against Christs people hath been such that to judge which of them most exceeded in cruelty of persecution it is hard to say but it may bee thought that the bloody and beastly tyrranny of the Turks especially above all the rest incomparable surmounteth all the afflictions and cruel slaughters that ever were seen in any age or read of in any story in so much that their is neither History so perfect nor writter so diligent who wryting of the miserable tyranny of the Turks is able to expresse or comprehend the horrible examples of the unspeakable cruelty and slaughter exercised by these twelve Turkish tyrrants upon poor Christian mens bodies within the compasse of these later three hundreth years Where of although no sufficient relation can be made nor number expressed yet to give to the Reader some generall guesss or view thereof let us first perpend and consider what Dominions and Empyres how many countries Kingdoms Provinces Cities Towns Strong holds and forts these Turks have surprised and wone from the Christians in all which victories beeing so many This is secondly to be noted that there is almost no place which the Turks ever came to and subdued where they did not either slay all the inhabitants thereof or led away the most part thereof into such captivity and slavery that they continued not long after alive or else so lived that death almost had been to them more tollerable Like as in the time of the first persecutions of the Roman Emperors the saving was that no man could step with his feet in all Rome but should tread upon a Martyr so here may be said that almost there is not a town city or village in all Asia Grecia also in a great part of Europe and Africa whose streets have not flowed wi h the blood of the Christians whom the
crueli Turks have murthered and of whom are to be seen in Histories Heaps of souldiours slâ—in of men and women cut in pieces of children sticked upon Poles and staiks whom these detestable Turks most spytfully and that in the sight of their Parents use to gore to death some they drog at their horse tails and famish to death some they tare in pieces tying their arms and legs to four hors s other some they make Marâ—â—s to shoot at upon some they try their swords how deep they can cut and slash the aged and feeble they tread under their horse Women wi h child they spare not but â—ip their bodies and cast the Infants into the fire or otherwise destroy them Whether the Christians yeeld to them or yeeld not all is a matter As in their promises their is no truth so in their victories there is no sense of manhood or mercy in them but they make havock of all So the Citizens of Croia after they had yeelded were all promised their lives were all destroyed that horribly In M sia after the King had given himself to the Turks hand having promise of life Mahomet the Turk slew him with his own hands The Princes of Rasia had both their eyes put out with Bâ—sâ—ns red hot set before them Theodosia otherwise called Capha was also surrendred the Turke having the like assurance of life and safty and yet contrare to the league the citizins were put to the sword an slain At the winning and yeelding of Lesbos what a number of young men and children were put upon sharp stakes and poles and so thrust throw At the winning of the City of Buda what tyrranny was shewed and exercised against the poor Christians which had yeeled themselves and against the two Dukes Christopher Bissâ—rer and Joannes Tranbunger contrary to the promise and hand writing of the Turk is to be seen in the story of Malchior Soiterns de bello pannonico The like aâ—so is to be read in the story of Pernardus de Brydenbach who writing of the talking of Hydrantum a City in Apulia testifieth of the miserable slaughter of the young men that were there slain of old men trodden under horse feet of matrons and virgins ravished of women with child cut and rent in pieces of the Priests in the Churches slain and of the Archbishop of that City who being an aged man and holding the Crosse in his hands was cut asunder with a wooden Saw c. The same Bernardus also writing of the overthrow of Nigro-Pontus otherwise called Chalcides describeth the like terrible slaughter which was their exercised where the Turk after his promise given before to the contrary most cruelly caused all the youth of Italy to be pricked upon sharp stakes some to be dashed against the hard stones other some to be cut asunder in the midst and other more with other kinds of torments to be put to death insomuch that all the streets and ways of Chalcidâ—s did flow with the blood of them which were there slain In which History the foresaid Writer recordeth one memorable example of maidenly chastity worthy of all Christians to be noted and commended The story is told of the Pretors daughter of that City who being the only daughter of her father and noted to be of an exceeding singular beauty was saved out of the slaughter and brought to Mahomet the Turk to be his Concubine But she denying to consent to his Turkish appetite and filthinesse was commanded forthwith to be slain and murthered and so died she a Martyr keeping both here faith and her body undefiled unto Christ her Spouse The like cruelty also was shewed upon them that keeped the Castle and afterwards yeelding themselves upon hope of the Turks promise were slain every one What should I speak of the miserable slaughter of Methone and the Citizens thereof dwelling in Peloponesus who seeing no other remedy but needs to come into the Turks hands set the Barn on fire wherein they were gathered together men women and Children some women also with childe voluntarily cast themselves into the sea rather then they would sustain the Turks captivity Miserable it is to behold long to recite incredible to believe all the cruell attempts and horrible slaughters wrought by these miscreants against the Christians through all places almost of the world both in Asia and Africa but especially in Europe c. At the siege of Vienna were all the Christian captives were brought before the whole Army and slain and diverse drawn in pieces with horses but especially at the winning of Constantinople above-mentioned also at Croia and Methone what beastly cruelty was shed it is unspeakable for as in Constantinople Mahomet the drunken Turk never rose from dinner but he caused every day for his disport 300. Christian captives of the Nobles of that City to be slain before his face So in Methone after that his Captain Omares had sent unto him at Constantinople five hundred prisoners of the Christians the cruell tyrant commanded them all to be cut and divided asunder by the midle and so being slain to be thrown out into the fields Leonicus Chalcondyla writing of the same story addeth moreover a prodigious narration if it be true of a brute Ox who being in the fields and seeing the carcasses of the dead bodies so cut in two made there a loud noise after the lowing of his kind and nature and afterwards coming to the quarters of the dead bodies lying in the field first took up tâ—e one half and then coming again took up likewise the other half and so as he could joyned them both together Which being espyed of them which saw the doing of the brute Ox and marvelling thereat word being brought thereof to Mahomet he commanded the quarteâ—s again to be brought where they were before to prove whether the beast will come again who failed not as the Author recordâ—th but in like sort as before taking the fragments of the dead Coâ—ps laid them again together It followeth more in the Author how that Mahomet being astonied at the strange wonder of the Ox commanded the quarters of the Christian mens body to be interred and the Ox to be brought to his house and much made of Some said it to be the body f a Venâ—ian some affirmed that he was an Illyrian but whatsoever he was certain it is that the Turk himsâ—lf was much more bestiall then was the brute Ox which being a beast shewed more sense of humanity to a dead man then one man did to another What Christian heart will noâ— pity the incredible slaughter done by the Turks in Euboia where Fabâ—r testifieth that innumerable people sticked and goâ—ed upon stakes diverse were thrust through with a hot iorn children and infants yet not wained f om the mother were bâ—shed against the stones and many cut asunder in the midst But never did countrey taste and feel more the better and deadly tyranny of the Turks
the Revelation in these words And I saw an Angel descending from Heaven having a key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chain in his hand and he took the Dragon the old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years and put him into the bottomlesse dungeon and shut him up and signed him with his seal that he should no more seduce the Gentiles till a thousand years were expired and after that he must be loosed again for a little space of time c. The thousand years being now expired Satan let loose he begins again to persecute the Church of God and the professors of the truth in the person of Wickliff in the year of our Lord 1371. in the dayes of Edward the third King of England This Wickliff was an English-man and a Professor of Divinity in Oxford a man of great spirit and of great learning he came to such a degree or erudition that he was thought the most excellent amongst all the Theologians at that time he perceiving the true Doctrine of Christs Gospel to be aduldeâ—at and defiled with so many filthy inventions of Bishops Sects of Monks and dark errors and after long debating and deliberating with himself with many secret sighs and bewalings in his mind the generall ignorance of the whole world could no longer sâ—ffer or abide the same he at the last determined with himself to help and remedy such things as he saw to be wide and out of the way and so he began as from a deep night to draw out the truth of the Doctrine of the Son of God with the purity of the Doctrine which hee taught he also lively touched the abuses of the Popedome in so much that the Locusts that is to say the Monks and begging Friers listed themselves up against him to persecute him with all the rable of the Popish Clergie but the Lord gave him for a Protector King Edward the third the Duke of Lancaster the Kings son and Lord Henery Peircy the Marshaâ—l of England for all the time of King Edwards raign he had great liberty of his profession and that the King carried a speciall favour and good-will to him appears in this that he sent him with his Ambassadour over into the parts of Italy to treat with the Popes Legats concerning affairs betwixt the King and the Pope with full commission This King Edward was a good man and hath this commendation that he was Orphanis quasi Pater afflictis compations miseris condolâ—ns oppressis relevaâ—s cunctis indigentibus impendens auxilia opportuna that is to the Orphans he was a Father competient to the afflicted mourning with the miserable releiving the oppressed and to all them that wanted a helper in the time of need c. Pope Gregory being informed of Wickliffs Doctrine that was pred abroad through the land He wrot to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to cause apprehend the said John Wickliffe and to cast him into prison and that the King and Nobles of England should be admonished not to give any trust to the said John VVickliffe or to his Doctrine in any wayes As also he wrote unto King Edward or rather unto King Richard who succeeded King Edward to persecute this VVickliff but God shortned the rage and fury of this cruel Prelate against him for that in the same year or in the beginning of the next year following the forsaid Pope Gergory the eleventh turn'd up his heels and died Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London did vex trouble him and held sundry meetings of the Clergy against him to condemne him and his Doctrine And here is not to be past over the great miracle of Gods Divine admonition or warning for when as the Archbishop and Suffraganes with the other Doctors and Lawiers with a great company of babling Friers and Religious persons were gathered together to consult as touching John VVickliffs books and that whole sect When as I say they were gathered together at the Gray-friers in London to begin their businesse upon St. Dunstanes day after dinner about two in the cloak the very hour and instant that they should go forward with their businesse a wonderfull and terrible earthquake fell throughout all England whereupon diverse of the Suffraganes being feard by the strange and wonderfull demonstration doubting what it should mean thought it good to leave off from their determinat purpose But the Archbishop as the chief Captain of that Army more rash and bold then wise interpreting the change which had happened clean contrary to another meaning and purpose did confirm and strengthen hearts and minds which are almost danted with fear stoutly to proceed and to go forward in their attempted enterprise who then discoursing VVickliffs Articles not according to the sacred Cannons of the Holy Scripture but unto their own private affections and traditions pronounced and gave sentence that some of them were simply and plainly Hereticall other some false erroneous other irreligious some seditious and not consonant to the Church of Rome John VVickliff a long time after this returning again either from his banishment being banished by King Richard or from some other place where he was secretly keeped repaired to his Parish at Lutterworth where hee was Parson and there quyetly departing this mortall Life sleept in peace in the Lord 1384. Here is to be noted in this Man as in diverse others whom the Lord so long preserved in such rages of so many enemies from all their hands even to his old age This VVickliff had written diverse and sundry works the which in the year of our Lord 1410. were burnt at Oxford And not only in England but in Bohemia Likewise the Books of the said VVickliff were set on fire by the Archbishop of Prage who made diligent inquisiition for the same and burned them The numbers of the Volumes which he is said to have burned most excellently written and richly adorned with bosses of Gold and coverings as Aeneas Silvius writes were about the number of two hundred Great was the testimony given out by the Vniversity of Oxford touching the commendation of the great Learning and good Life of John VVickliff as also great was the testimony and commendation of Master John Hus concerning John VVickliff who affirmed that he was no Heretick and yet the Counsel of Constance condemned him for an Heretick and caused his Body and Bones to bee raised and burnt 41. years after his Death and took his Ashes and threw into the River thinking thereby utterly to extinguish and abolish both the Name and Doctrine of VVickliff for ever for though they digged up his Body and burnt his Bones and drowned his Ashes yet the Word of God and truth of his Doctrine with the fruit and successe thereof they could not burn which yet to this day for the most part of his Articles do remain After the Death of Pope Gregory