embracinge the crosse and reioycing therein Matthew conuerted Ethiopia and Egypt Hercan the King sent one to run him through with a speare Matthias preached to the Iewes and they stoned and beheaded him Phillip preached to the barbarous Nations who crucified and stoned him at Hirapolis of Phrygia where hee and his Daughters with him were burned The Iewes required Iames to stand vppon the Battlement of the Temple and disswade the people from Christ but hee preached him there and was throwne downe headlong and stoned where hee was buried at which time the Iewes put many other to death for the testimony of Christ. The first Persecution by Nero Domitius NEro Domitius caused the first persecution hee regarded neither sect condition of life or age the streets were spread with dead bodies of Christians hee indeuored vtterly to abolish the name of Christians in this persecution Peter was crucified who required his head to be hanged downward as vnworthy to dye like Christ the cause was thought to bee because Symon Magus pretending to flye from the Mount Capitolinus to Heauen by Peters prayers was brought downe headlong and his ioynts beeing broken hee dyed at that time Peters wife suffred and the same day twelue-month Paule suffred The Second Persecution by Domitian THe Church had some rest vnder Vespatian but Domitian mooued the second persecution he killed all the Nephewes of Iuda called the Lords brothers and slew all hee could find of the stocke of Dauid as Vespatian did before him least any of that stocke should inioy the kingdome in his time Symon Bishop of Ierusalem after other torments was crucified and Iustus succéeded in his Bishopricke Hee banished Iohn to Pathmos and vnder Pertinax hee was released and came to Ephesus and continued there vnto the time of Trayanus Gouerned the Church of Asia and wrote his gospell there Flauia Daughter to Flauius Clemens a Consull of Rome suffred for Christs name and with many other was banished out of Rome to Pontia Some of the stocke of Dauid were brought to Domitian to bee slaine who séeing they were poore and vnderstanding by them that Christs Kingdome should bee heauenly and not worldly he let them go and stayed persecutions they after gouerned Churches and liued in peace vnto the time of Traianus in the time of which persecution no kind of torment was omitted that might empaire the credit of the Christians they would not suffer their bodies to bee buried and yet the Church dayly increased Euaristas Bishop of Rome next to Clement succéeded in the third yéere of Traianus and suffred nine yéeres after Alexander succéeded him and conuerted many of the Senators of Rome to the faith he raysed the son of Hermes from death to life and made his mayd being blind to sée which Adrianus the Emperour hearing of him sent word to the Gouernor of Rome to apprehend him and his two Deacons Euentus aâ—d Theodorus and the said Hermes and Quirinus a Tribune whose daughter Albina hee cured which Cure moued him to bee baptized and suffer for the faith of Christ and Aurelianus tooke Alexander with Hermes his wife Children and whole houshold 1250. put them in prison and burned them all in a furnace and martired the said Theodorus for rebuking him thereof and Quirinus had his tongue cut out then his hands and â—eete cut off after was beheaded and east to the Dogges The third Persecution THere was but one yeare betweene the second and the third persecution by the Emperour Traianus which was so grieuous that Plinius Secundus an Infidell wrote to the Emperour that so many thousands were put to death without cause sauing that they gathered themselues together before day to sing Hymmes to a God which they called Christ he reasoned why that sin should be punished more then all other sins and that he had put two Christian maides vpon the racke to proue if they could haue extorted confession of further crime but could not wherevpon the persecutions were greatly alayed Symeon sonne of Cleophas Bishop of Ierusalem was accused by the Iewes to be a Christian and of the stocke of Dauid wherefore Attalus commanded him to be scourged many dayes together beeing an hundred and twenty yeares old his constancy was greatly admired he was crucified Because Phocas Bishop of Pontus refused to sacrifice to Neptune Traianus cast him into a hotâ—e furnace and after into a scalding â—ath Sulpitius and Seruilia with there wiues whom Salma conuerted to the faith were also then martired Salma was beheaded and Lepidus in the Mount Auentine with whom suffred Seraphia a Uirgen of Antioch in this time Nereus and Achilleus suffred at Rome and one Sagaris who was martired in Asia In this time Ignatius suffred hee was sent from Siria to Rome comming to Asia hee confirmed the Churches and comming to Smirna where Policarpus was he wrote diuers Epistles to Ephesus to Magnesia and to Trallâ—â— hee was aiudged to be deuoured of Beasts and hearing the Lions roare I am the wheate of Christ said he and shall be ground with the teeth of wild beasts that I may be pure bread at this time many thousands died for the faith amongst them one Publius Bishop of Athens Hadrian the Emperour succéeded Traianus who slew Zenon a Noble man of Rome and 10023 for Christ. Borgomensis Lib 8. makes mention of ten thousand in Hadrians dayes to bee crucified in Mount Ararat crowned with thornes their sides pearced with Darts after the example of the Lords passion Eustachius a Captaine who was sent against the Barbarians and subdued them Hadrian met him honourably and doing sacrifice to Apollo for the victory willed Eustachius to doe so also which hee refusing hee was brought to Rome and with his wife and children suffred marterdome Faustinâ— us and Iobita Cittizens of Brixia suffred marterdome with grieuous torments Caelocerius seeing their great paâ—ience cryed out vere magnus deus Christianorum wherevpon he was apprehended and suffred with them Anthia a godly woman committed Eleutherius her sonne vnto Anicetus Bishop of Rome who after was Bishop of Apulia she with her sonn was beheaded and Iustus and Pastor two brethren suffred vnder Adrian at Complutum in Spaine About the same time Simpronissa the wife of Gerulus the Marter suffred with her seauen children beeing first often scourged then hanged by the haire of the head then a stone fastned about her necke she was cast into the Riuer after her children were martired wâ—th diuers punishments they were tied to seauen staâ—es so racked with a pully thrusting thorough one in the necke another in the brest another in the heart another about the nauell another cut in euery ioynt another runne thorough with a speare the last cut a sunder in the middle then were they cast into a déepe pit which the Idolatrous Priests intituled Ad septem Biathanatos Getulius also a preacher at Tiber with Cerdelis Amantius and Prinitiuus were condemned to the fire at Hadrians commandment Sophia with her
preaching sundry things wherevpon the said Ierome was condemned and deliuered to the seculer power to be burned In the seuentéenth and eighteenth Sessions there was great proces giuen out against Duke Frederick accusing him for sacriledge and excommunicating him for not obaying the admonition of the Councell concerning the vsurpation of the possessions of the Bishop of Austridge as aforesaid In the one and thirtieth Session Letters were directed to a certaine Earle in Italy for laying violent hands vpon the Bishop of Asce and imprisoning him commanding him to set him at liberty vnder paine of interdiction and excommunication and an other Decree was set forth for the restoring of the Liberties of the Church of Baron In the nine and thirtith Session it was ordered that euery Pope should sweare to beleeue and hold the Catholick Faith after the traditions of the Apostles generall Councels and holy Fathers namely of the eight generall Counsels Ephisme Calcedone two of Nice and foure of Constantinople also the Councels of Lateran Lyons and Uiâ—nna to obserue preach and defend him to death and by all meanes to prosecute the right of the Sacraments canonically deliuered to the Catholick Church and writing his Oath he should offer it before witnesses vpon some Altar On Saint Martins Euen a new Pope was chosen therefore they called him Martin and hee was brought to the Emperour and Councell into the Church of Constance and there authorized for Pope and was brought thence most honorably with sumptuous procession vnto the Monasterie of Saint Augustine to bee crowned The Emperour on foote leading his horse on the right hand and the Marquesse of Brandenburge Prince Elector leading his Horse on the left hand When this Councell should be ended the Pope sent a Cardinall with proclamation to dismisse the Councell and to giue euery man leaue to depart and to shew the Popes indulgence which he had granted to all and euery person present at that Councell that they should haue full absolution during his life so that hee procured his absolution in writing within two monethes also an other iudulgence was granted of plenarie remission of sinnes at the houre of death and was not onely for their Maisters but for their houshould vpon condition that from notification thereof they should fast euery Friday one whole yeare for the absolution of their life time and for their absolution at the houre of death to fast the same Friday one other yeere if they had no lawfull impediment and after the second yeere they should fast to their liues end euery Friday or else doe some other good worke There were at this Councell three hundred forty and six Arch-bishops and Bishops fiue hundred threescore and foure Abbots and Doctors sixteene thousand seculer Princes Dukes Earles Knights Esquires foure hundred and fifty common women six hundred Barbers three hundred and twenty Minstrels Cookes and Iesters there was 60500. forrenners at that Councell from Easter to Whitsontide the chiefe thing to be noted in this Councell was that the Popes authority is vnder the Councell The History of IOHN HVS IOhn Hus being a preacher at Prage in the temple of Bethelem those rather to teach the Gospell of Christ then the humane traditions of Bishops their sprung vp certaine which accused him as an heretick to the Bishop of Rome the Pope committed the matter to the Cardinall of Columna who appointed a day hee should appeare at Rome The King and Nobilitie of Boheme sent to the Pope to acquit him from his appearance and if they suspected the Kingdome to be infected with any heresie they should send an Ambassadour to correct the heresie and the King would beare the charge and likewise assist the Legate with all his authoritie to punish such as shall bee sound with erronoous Doctrine and Iohn Hus sent his meete procurators vnto the Court of Rome and with firme and strong reasons did prooue his Innocencie but when the Cardinall would admit no defence his procurators appealed to the Pope notwithstanding the Cardinall excommunicated him as an obstinate heretick because he came not at his day and the matter was referred to two other Cardinals who after they had delayed the matter a yeere and a halfe confirmed the Iudgement of the first Cardinall and some of his procurators were committed and grecuously punished for being so earnest for him But the generall Councell being assembled as aforesaid The Emperour sent certaine of his Gentlemen to bring Iohn Hus Bacheler of Diuinitie vnto the Councell to purge himselfe of the blame which was laid against him and granted him a safe conduct that hee might come freely to Constance and returne home without fraud or interruption he seeing so many faire promises and his safe conduct sent vnto the Emperour that he would come vnto the Councell but before he went hee caused certaine writings to bee set vpon the gates of the Cathedrall Churches Parish Churches Cloister and Abbies signifying hee would goâ— to the Councell and that if any that haue suspition of his Doctrine that hee should declare it before the Lord Conrade or the Bishop of Prage or if hee had rather at the generall Councell for there he would render an account of his Faith before them all the Bishop of Nazareth the inquisitor for heresie made his certificate vnder his hand and Seale with a testimoniall vnto Maister Iohn Hus that hee had oftentimes beene before him and had conferred with him and yet could neuer finde any heresie in him and so did the Bishop of Prage set vp Letters in euery Citie as he passed to Constance that hee was going to the Councell to descud his faâ—th and if any could lay any thing to him as touching his Faith let him come thither many resorted vnto him all the way as hee went and hee was gently â—â—reateâ— especially of the Citizans and Burgesses and sometimes of the Curates and if there were noise of his comming the streets were euer full to see him In Norrenberge many Curats came to him desiring talk with him secretly hee said he had rather shew his opinion openly before all men so after dinner vntill night he spake before the Priests and Senators and Citizens that all had him in great reuerence saue one Doctor which was a Charter-house Monke who impraued all that hâ—â— had said then after he was come to Constance Master Clum and M. Latzembodge which came with him went to the Pope and certified him Iohn Hus was come to Constance that he had the Emperors safe conduct desiring him to grant him libertie likewise to remaine there without trouble which the Pope promised hee would in the meane time Maister Pallets Iohn Hus his great Aduersarie was come to Constance but his Companion Zuoyma Husses other Aduersarie died of an impostume by the way then this Pallets associated himselfe with one Causis a Bohâ—mian which afore-time had vndertooke to finde a Mine of gold for the King and hauing receiued much money of the King towards the
was Anno 1415. if wee count from this yeare vnto the yeare one thousand fiue hundred and sixtéene in which yéere Martine Luther first began to write against the Pope wee shall finde the number of an hundred yéeres fully complete When as the Newes of the barbarous cruelty exercised against Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage was reported in Boheme their Disciples assembled and celebrated a memoriall of their deaths decréeing it to be holden yéerely and after they obtained certaine Churches of the King to preach and minister the Sacraments in then they suppressed diuers Monasteries and Pharasaicall and Idolatrous Temples driuing the vicious Priests and Monkes out of them or compelling them to a better order whereby their number augmented vnder the conduct of one Nicholas a Noble man and comming againe to the King for more Churches the King told Nicholas thou hast begun a Web to put me out of my Kingdome and I will make a rope of it wherewith I will hang thée Wherevpon Nicholas departed and the king went to a new Castle which he had builded and sent Ambassadours vnto the Emperour his brother for ayde The Protestants being assembled at Prage the King sent his Chamberlain with thrée hundred horsemen to run vpon them but he was faine to fly for fears of his life at this newes the King and all about him were amazed but his Cup-bearer said I knew these things would thus come to passe the King in a rage caught him threw him downe and would haue slaine him with his Dagger but béeing let with much adâ—e he pardoned him immediately the King fell sick of a Palsie and within eightéene daies died when he had marked the names of them which hée would haue put to death before the Princes which he had sent to for ayde were come when he had raigned 55. yeares and was 57. yéere old Immediatly after whose death a Noble man named Zischa minding to reuenge the iniuries of Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage gathered a number of men of Warre and subuerted the Monasteries and Idolatrous Temples breaking in péeces the Images driuing away the Priests and Monkes which hée said were kept vp in their Cloisters like Swine in their fat sties a fatting his army increased to fortie thousand men hée went to Pelzina where hee knew hée had many friends of his faction and tooke the Towne and fortified it strongly and some of his company tooke the Castle of Uissegard then the Quéene sent Letters to the Emperour Sygismond and other Nobles requiring ayde in the meane time the Quéene raised an armie with the treasure of the King which could not preuaile against them Then the Protestants sent Letters throughout the whole Realme that they should not let the Emperour enter who was an enemy to Boheme had bound the ancient Citie of the Prutenians vnto order by pledges put the Marques of Brandenburge from the Bohemian Crowne and not onely suffred but procured Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage to be burned and with all his endeuour doth impugne the Doctrine which they taught Zisca was twise assaulted of his enemies but was alway victor after he went to Ausca a towne out of which the Papists had cast many Protestants he tooke the towne and set it on fire the chéefe Papists fled to the Castle Lytius but he took the Castle and put them all to sword saue one then he chose a place by a riuer which was fenced by nature this place he compassed in with walles and commanded euery man to build them houses and named it Thaber and his companions Thabarites as if they had seene the transfiguration of Christ in the mount the way to it by land was scarse thirty foot broad for it is almost an Iland they had no horsemen vntill the Emperour sent Nicholas Maister of the Mintes with a thousand horsemen to withstand the Thaborites vpon whome Zisca came in the night and tooke away all his horses and armour In this time one Picardus comming out of the Low Countries into Boheme by inchantments got credit with the people and allured a number of men and women vnto him whom hee commanded to goe naked calling them Adamits and possessing a certaine Iland he called himselfe the Sonne of God they had no respect of marriage yet it was against the Law for any man to know a woman without the leaue of Adam but when any desired a woman hee must leade her in his hand to him and say I am inflamed to this woman and he answereth goe and multiply and replenish the earth he affirmed that they and their posteritie were free and all other bondmen on a time forty of this sect came out of the Iland anâ— slew two thousand husbandmen whom they called the children of the diuell Zisca hearing hereof and detesting their abominable doings let his army against them and subdued the Iland and slew them all sauing two of whom hee might vnderstand the superstition of the people In the meane time the Emperour with a great armie entered Boheme and got Cencho with large gifts and promises to render vp vnto him the Castle of Prage and there placed himselfe to anoy the towne the Cittizens of Prage sent for Zisca who speeded thether with his Thaborites and receiued the Citie vnder his gouernance the Castle was so strong it could not be conquered but by famine therefore they stopped all the passages that no victuals should bee carried in but the Emperour opened the passages by force and gaue them in the Castle all things necessarie and besieged the Citie and was crowned in the Metropolitane house in the Castle Zisca planted a strong Garrison vpon a high hill neere the Towne of Prage with whom the Emperours host skermishing hauing gotten the top of the hill were driuen back into a corner Some were slaine and some falling headlong from the hill were destroyed wherevpon the Emperour raised his siege and Zisca and his company returned to Taber they of Prage strongly besieged the Castle then they were compelled to eate horse-flesh and except the Emperour did ayde them by such a day they promised to yeeld it vp the Emperour was present before the day but entering into a strait vnder the Castle was sodenly set vpon by the Souldiers of Prage had a great ouerthrow and so leauing his purpose vndone returned back againe and the Castle was deliuered vnto them Zisca subuerted and burned fiue Monasteries in Pelâ—â—na and pitched himselfe at the Monastery of Saint Clare thither came the Emperour with his army but when Zisca brought his armie against him hee fled and shortly after left Boheme Then Zisca wonne Commitauia a famous Citie and burnt all the Priests therein and hauing but one eye in the siege of Raby hee lost that eye and was blind yet still he tooke the charge of his army After the Garisons of Prage went to Uarona where was a great garison of the Emperours and tooke it by force and tooke many other townes and holds After
two children Serapia and Salma were likewise martired Hadriana at Eleusina in Athens sacrifising to the gentiles Gods gaue all men liberty to kill the Christians wherevpon Quadracus Bishop of Athens and Aâ—stydes â— Philosopher Serenus Granus a great Noble man wâ—ote Apologies for the Christians so lâ—arnedly laâ—ing out their innocency that the Emperour wrot to the Proconsull of Asia henceforth to exercise no more cruelty vpon the Christians thus for a time they had some quiet Antonius Pius succeeded Hadrian the rage of the Heathen ceased not to persecute the Chrâ—stians but the Emperours affection toward them appeared by an Edict of his to the Commons of Asia to â—ay the rage against the Christians exâ—eâ—t they offended the laow of the Empire willing them to consider their patience in torments and bouldnesse in Earthquakes and Tempests when others quaked This Edict was proclamed at Ephesus in the publicke assembly of all Asia which applased the tempest of perâ—ecution in his dayes The fourth Persecution AFter him succéeded M Antonius Verus many Christians in his time suffred diuers torments at Smirna some were whipped that their â—eines appeared and their bowels were seene and after they were set vpon sharpe shelles taken out of the Sea and nayles and thornes set for them to goe vppon and then throwne to beasâ—s to be deuoured amongst whom Germanicus suffred so constantly that they admirâ—d him Policarpus a Disciple to the Apostles 86. yeares a preacher 70. yeares placed by St. Iohn in Smirna these persecutions beeing begunne hee hid himselfe with a few of his company and continued night and day in supplication for the peace of the congregation .3 dayes before his apprehension he dreamed his bed was suddenly consumed with fire vnder him which hee interpreted that hee should suffer martirdome by fire and beeing found by the pursuers hee intertained them cheerfully made them diâ—e and desired an houres respit to pray which he did in such sort that they which heard him were astonied then they brought him to the Citty vppon an Asse where Irenarcus Herodes and his father Nicetes met him caused him to come into their Chariot and perswaded him to doe sacrifice but when hee would not they gaue him rough words and thrust him downe the Chariot that he might breake hiâ— legs but he went merrily to the place appoynted where there came a voyce from Heauen to comfort him the Proconsull disswaded him from the faith and willed him to say with them destroy these naughty men who with constant countenance beheld the whole multitude looking vp to heauen said thou thâ—â— it is that will destroy these wicked men then the Proconsuâ—l was â—arneâ—â— with him and said take thine Oth and defie Christ I will discharge thee who answered these foure score and sixe yeares I haue béene his seruant and hee hath not hurt me how then may I speake euill of my Lord and King which hath thus preserued me and when they could not preuaile by perswasions nor threatnings he was commanded to be cast to the Lion but because the Lion had his prey already the people with one voyce required that he might be burned and when they would haue nayled him to the stake with iron hoopes he said hee that hath giuen me strength to abâ—de the fire shall also giue me power that I shall not stirre in this fire which when they onely bound him hee praysed God and testified his faith the fire seemed to the beholders to compasse the body like a vayle which seemed like gold and siluer and yéelded a plesant smell the fire not consuming his body one thrust him in with a sword whereby so much blood issued out of his body that it quenched the fire after the body was taken and burned At that time suffred twelue that came from Philadelphia with diuers other as Metrodorus a Minister and Pionius a worthy man who after grieuous torments were burned and Carpus Papylus and Agothonica a woman were put to death at Pergamopolis in Asia Felicitas with her seauen Children suffred at Roome the first was whipped and prest to death the second and third had their braines broken out the fourth was cast downe head-longe and had his necke broken the other thré were beheaded and left the mother slaine with the sword At this time Iustinus the learned Piilosopher suffred who wrote appologies to the Senate of Rome the Emperour and Liefetenant of the Citty for the Christians hee preuayled so much with Antonius Pius that he stayed the persecution in Asia he vanquished Crescens a Philosopher in reueng whereof hee procured his death Under this Tyrant also suffered Ptolomeus and Lucius for confessing Christ in Alexandriaâ—in Egyptâ— a vicious infidell whose wife was vicious but conuerted by Ptolameus and departed from her vicious husband wherefore in reuenge hee suborned a Centurion to accuse him who beeing brought before Vrbanus hee condemned him to death and Lucius a Christian blaming the Iudge therefore was with him also martired also Concordus a Minister of Spoletum because hee would not sacrifice to Iupiter but spate in his face after sundry torments hee was beheaded Diuers other martires suffred vnder this tyrant as Symetricus Florellus Pontianus Alexander Caius Epipodus Victor Corona Marcellus and Valerian who were killed because they would not sacrifice to Idols Under this Tyrant suffred diuers Martirs at Uienna and Lions in France amongst whom Vetius Zacharias Sanctus Maturus Attallus Blandina Alexander and Alcibiades are chiefly renowned Vetius Epagathus for reprouing the cruell sentence of the Iudge against the Christians and making an apology for them was martired hee was called the aduocate of the Christians At that time Photinus Deacon to the Bishop of Lyons about 90. yeares old was first beaten then cast into prison where hee dyed within two dayes Blandina was fastened to a stake and cast to beasts to bée deuoured but none would touch her so they put her in Prison vntill another time Attalus was brought forth with one Alexander a Phrigian Phisition who because hee encouraged the Christians before the Iudge died most patiently broyled in an iron chaire After Blandina and one Ponticus but fifteene yeares ould was brought forth the child dyed with extremity of torments Blandina after whipping gridirons and beasts was cast into a nette and throwne vnto a wild Bull and so gored to death they would not suffer the dead bodies to bee buried the causes why these Persecutions were so sharpe was because the Ethnicks being seruants to the Christians by threatning for feare said the Christians kept the feast of Thiestes and incest of OEdipus with other haiuous crimes Meleto Bishop of Sardis and Claudius Apolinaris Bishop of Hierapolis exhibited Apologies vnto these Emperours for the Christians so did Athenagoras a Philosopher and Legate of the Christians whereby the persecution for the same time was stayed others thinke that if was by a miracle in the Emperours Campe for when the soldiers wanted water fiue dayes and
side were diuers Bishops of Asia as Policrates Bishop of Ephesus alleadging the example of Philip the Apostle with his three daughters of Iohn the Euangelist at Ephesus Policarpus at Smirna Thraseas at Eumenia Bishop and Martyr and of Sagaris of Laodicea Bishop and Martyr and Iapirius and Melito at Sardis with diuers other more This sheweth that varience of Ceremonies was no strange thing in Gods Church After Victor succéeded Zepherinus he sate 17. yeares Under Seuerus also suffered Perpetua Felicitas and Rouocatus her brother and Saturnius and Satyrus brethren and Secumdulus who dyed in prison the rest were throwne to wild beasts Seuerus hauing raigned 18. yeares was slaine at Yorke by Northerne men and Scots leauing two Sonnes Bassianus and Geta Bassianus hauing slaine his brother in Brittaine gouerned the Empire 6. yeares he was slaine by his 〈…〉 with his sonnâ— Pyadumenus raigned one yeare and were 〈…〉 people then Varius Heliogab raigned two yeares very 〈…〉 and was slaine by his Souâ—â—iers drawne through the 〈…〉 Aurelius Alâ—xander Sâ—uerus raigned 13. yearâ—s well commended 〈…〉 fauoured the Christians Mammea the Emperours mother commanded of â—erome for 〈…〉 she sent to â—nâ—ioch for Origen who stayed a while with the 〈…〉 and returned to Alexandria the Emperour and his mother were 〈…〉 Commotion in Germany Though there was no open persecution in his 〈…〉 Iudges martyred many because there was no 〈◊〉 to the contrary as Calixus 〈◊〉 of Rome who was tied to a great stone and throwne out of a 〈…〉 He succeeded Zâ—pherinus and Vibanus succeeded him who died a 〈…〉 many 〈◊〉 amongst whom was â—yburtius and Valerianus 〈…〉 of Rome and remained constant to Martyrdome Agapitus but 15. yeares old suffered in his time who was 〈…〉 because he would not doe Sacâ—ifice after other torments 〈…〉 the torments were executing the â—udge fall suddenly from his 〈…〉 his Bewels burned within him and dyed vnder whom also 〈…〉 of Rome was drawne through the Citie and cast into â—â—ber In his time also Pamachus a Senator of Rome with his wife 〈…〉 other men and women and Sin pliciuâ— a Noble Senator all these 〈…〉 had their heads smitten off and their hands hanged vp on diuerse 〈…〉 Under him also suffered Quiritius a Noâ—le man of Rome with his 〈…〉 many more also Tâ—berius and Valerianus 〈◊〉 of Rome and 〈…〉 with 〈◊〉 and afterwords beheaded also Martina a Uirgin ¶ The sixt Persecution MAximinus succéeded Alexander and for the hatered he bare him he 〈…〉 Persâ—cution against the Teachers of the Church 〈…〉 in his 〈◊〉 Origen writ his Booke De Martyrio in â—is time 〈…〉 Rome who â—uccâ—â—ded Vâ—banus with Phillip his Priest was banished 〈…〉 there died In these times notable men were raised vp to the Church as Philetus Bishop of Antioch and Zebenus Biâ—hop of the same Ammonius Schoolemaster of Origen 〈…〉 Africanus Origens Scholler and Natalius who had suffered for the 〈…〉 â—â—clepiodotus and Theodâ—tus Arrians promise◠〈…〉 to be the Bishop of their Sect whereunto he yeelded but the Lord 〈…〉 and regarding it not he was 〈◊〉 with Angels and hee 〈…〉 and what had happened vnto him so Zephirinus Bishop with the 〈…〉 him againe After Pontianus Bishop of Rome Antonius succéeded and after him 〈◊〉 Hipolitus Bishop of a head citie in Arabia hee was a Martyre he was a great 〈◊〉 Prudentius maketh mention of great heapes of Martâ—res burned by 60. 〈…〉 saith that Hipolitus was drawne with 〈◊〉 horses through fields 〈…〉 Goâ—ianus succâ—â—ded Maximinus and Phillip succeeded him and 〈…〉 two Emperours were Christned with their Families and conuerted by Fabianus Bishop of Rome and Origen Phillip with his Sonne was 〈…〉 Captaines because the Emperours had commitâ—ed thâ—â— treasures vnto â—â—bianus ¶ The seauenth Persecution DEcius hauing slaine the former Emperours inuaded the Crownâ— in the yeare 50. who 〈◊〉 a terrible Persecution against the Christians Fabianus was made Bishop of Rome by lighting of a Doue vpon him in the Congregation which was minded to elect some Noble 〈…〉 and was put to death by Decius who proclamed the 〈◊〉 of Christians Origen wrote of the rightuousâ—â—â—â— of his Faithâ— Origen taught and 〈…〉 and sustained 〈◊〉 persecutions Under Decius be 〈…〉 with bats of 〈…〉 and death and 〈…〉 part of Scripture 〈…〉 of the 46. Psalme Why dost thou preach my Iustification and why dost thou take my Testament in thy mouth 〈…〉 In his time Alexanderines Bishop of 〈◊〉 where he had 〈◊〉 40. yeares and was brought from thence of Casaria and died therein prison Mâ—zananes succeeded him the 36. Bishop after Iames. Babilas Bishop of â—nâ—â—och resisted an Emperour who against his promise had 〈◊〉 a Kings sonne 〈…〉 suffer him to 〈◊〉 to the Temple of the Christianâ—s 〈…〉 was 〈◊〉 by him his body was 〈◊〉 into the Subâ—â—bs of 〈…〉 the Christians as sâ—tte as his body taken out of the Tempâ—e 〈…〉 with fire In Decius his 〈◊〉 40. Uirgine suffered in Antioch one Peter 〈…〉 one Andrew one Paulâ—onâ— one Nichomachus anâ— Dionisia a virgin were 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 Chrâ—stians were led from 〈…〉 Cappadocta Germanus Theophilus Cesarius and Vitalis suffered Martyrdome and Policronios Bishop of Bathlon and Nestoâ— Bishop of 〈…〉 Olimpiades and Maximus in 〈◊〉 Anatolia a virgin and Audâ—x 〈…〉 the Faith In his time diuerse suffered in Alexandria before the 〈…〉 sayer 〈◊〉 vp the people first they 〈…〉 a Priest beat him with 〈…〉 him in the face and eyes with 〈◊〉 and them stoned him 〈◊〉 tooke Quinta a faithful◠〈…〉 through the 〈◊〉 vpon the hard stones dashed 〈◊〉 against 〈…〉 then they spoyled all the Christians 〈◊〉 the citie and tooke the They tooke Apollima an ancient Uirgin rashed out all her teeth made a fire 〈…〉 she would deny Chrâ—st but she 〈◊〉 suddenly into the 〈◊〉 and was burned They tooke one Serapion and broke almost all the 〈…〉 and cast him from an vpper oft so he dyed shortly after came the 〈…〉 against the Christians wherevpon the Persecution grew more 〈◊〉 Cromon and Iulianus were laid vpon Camels and whipped then cast into thy 〈◊〉 for the testimony of Iesus a Soldier tooke part with them going to Martâ—â—â—â— and was beheader also 〈…〉 was burned and Epimacus and Alexander hauing suffred bands and torments with 〈◊〉 scourges were burned with 4. women Ammonarion a holy virgin Marcuria an aged Matâ—on and Dionisia mother of many faire children after many torments were slaine by the â—word Horon and â—â—odorus Egyptianâ— were grieuously tormented and then burned there was one Dioscorus of their company but â—5 yeares old wheâ—â— the Iudge 〈◊〉 for his 〈◊〉 age being 〈◊〉 at his 〈…〉 Nâ—mesian an Egyptâ—an was accused of theft and purgâ—d and then was 〈◊〉 of Christianitie and was more grieuously scourged then the théeues and then was burned Amnon Zenon Ptolomeus Ingenius Souldiers and an old man Theophilus they séeing a Christian fearing to confesse his Faith incouraged him by signes and being noted and ready to be taken they pressed to the Tribunall Seate and confessed
yeare 310 and wee buried at Yorke Aâ—bon the fiâ—st that suâ—â—â—red Martyrdome in England he was conuerâ—â—d by Aâ— phibolus a persecuted Clarke which he loâ—ged the Prince hearting thereof sent out 〈◊〉 for him Albon came to the Souldiers who brought him to the Iudge and 〈…〉 would not sacrifice to Diuels after he was grieuoâ—sly scourged he was beheaded the Clarke fled into Wales where he was set and made to runne about a Stake his bâ—lly being opened whilst 〈◊〉 owels were drawne out hee was stabbed with waggers and after stoned this was Anno 301. It is to be noted that England was noâ— touched with any of the nine Persecutions but onely with the tenth in which almost all Christiantie was in the 〈◊〉 exâ—inguished Galerius threatning the Christians in Antioch Romanus a Noble man encouraged them he was strangely tormented he requâ—red the Tyrant that a childe should be presented vnto him he asked the childe whether it was â—ore reasonâ—ble to serue one God rathâ—r thâ—n â—umerable the Childe answered the Tyrant that one God was to be worshipped the Tyrant scourged the Childe and pulled off the skinne of his head the mother being by exhorted the Childe to patience the Childe was beheaded and Romanus cast in the fire which when it would not burne him hee was â—â—angled in prison Gordius a Centurion liued in the Desert a long time but at a â—eest of Mars he got vpon the highest pâ—ace of the Theaâ—or and vâ—tered himselfe to all the people to bee a Christian after many torments he was â—urned Menas likewise a Souldier conâ—essed himselfe a Christiâ—n in Colis and afâ—er diuerse torments waâ— beheaded Basilius writeth of 40. Martyres young Gentlemen professing themselues Christians they were caused to stand in winter in a Pond all night and in the morning bnrneâ— Nicephorus reporteth of 40. Martyres drowned in a Ponde at Sebestia Cirus a Poysition with one Ioannes led a solitary life in Arabia in Persecuâ—ion they hearing of the imprisonment of Athanasia with her three daughters Theoâ—â—ste Theodota and Eudoxa they came to confiâ—me them and being accused and would not doe Sacrâ—fice they were put to death Sebastian Lieutenant or Diaclesian was accused to the Emperour for encouraging diuers Martyres he was brought into the Fielde and of his owne Souldiers shot through with innumerable Darts after threw his body into a Iakes Nicostratus with Zoe his Wife Tranquillinus with Martia his Wife Traglianus Claudius Castor Tiburtus Castullus Marcus and Marcellus with others moe suffered with him Barla a Nobleman whom Basilius mentions in a Sermon after many torments he was sacrificed on an Altar of their Idols they put Fire and Incense into his hand thinking he would scatter it vpon the Altar and so haue sacrificed but the fire burning about his hand it endured as if it had béene couered about with Embers he saying the Psalme Blessed is my God which teacheth in hands to fight Vincentius was so racked that all the ioynts of his body cracked then there was many wounds made in his body then his flesh was combed with Iron Combes sharply filed then they scourged him then they laid his body vpon an Iron Grate and opened it with Hooks then they seared it with diuers plates sprinkling the same with hot Salt then they drew him into a Dungeon sprinkled with sharpe shels and locked his féete in the stockes Philoronimus forsooke great possessions for Christ and was beheaded and neither Friends Wife or Children could moue him also Procopius being conuerted brake his Siluer Images and gaue them to the poore after gréeuous torments his hands and féet being cut off he was beheaded so was Grigotius a young man vsed Panthion Theodorus and Gerion with 318. were martyred Hermogines Eugraphus Samonas Gurias Abilus Hieron Indes Dominas with two thousand were martired Enclasius and Maximinius whom Fausta the Uirgin conuerted in her torments also Thusus Lucius Callinicus Apollonius Philemon Asilas Leonides Arianus Cyprian Byshop of Antioch before his conuersion being a Magitian suffered with Iustina a Uirgine Glicerius Felix Fortunatus Achileus Arthemius Ciriacus Anthonius Marcellinus Cucusatus Barcimonia Felix Byshop Audactus Ianuarius Fortunatus Septimus these suffered vnder Dioclesian Cassianus was stabbed of his Schollers with Iron Penâ— wherewith they vsed to write Eulalia was shut vp of her Parents least she should be cause of her death shee brake out in the night came to the Iudge confessed her selfe a Christian and reprooued the cruelty of the Iudge and their vanity in worshipping Images she threw downe the Idols and scattered the Incense when she was brought to worship them she had one ioynt pulled from another her flesh was scraped off with clawes of beasts to the bones she reioysing and praising God they seared her breasts with torches when they had caught her haire which hanged downe to her féet and couered her shame shee opened her mouth ouer the flame and died Agnes a Romaine virgine not marriageable for her constancy in Christ was condemned to be committed to the common Stewes and Younkers appointed to assayle her whom when she refused she was tied to a corner of a stréet naked one beholding the Uirgine with vnchast eyes was striken with lightning his eies dashed out of his head whom Agnes prayed for and restored after â—he was beheaded she preferred the sight of her Executioners more then of her louers There are many myracles reported of her Katherine openly resisted the Emperor Maxentius to his face and rebuked him of his cruelty after she had felt the racke and the fouresharp cutting wheeles she was beheaded Iulitta sued to the Emperor for goods wrongfully detained from her her aduersary accused her of Christianity being commanded to doe sacrifice with Incense shee refused it and encouraged others and was burned Barbara a Noble woman suffering cruell torments as cords and burning of her sides was lastly beheaded for her Faith Fausta Iuliana Anisia Iustina Lucia Agatha and Tecla with all holy Uirgines suffered in the tenth Persecution â—aius succéeded Xistus B. of Rome Marcellinus Marcellus Eusebius were Byshops afterward and then Miltiades which was the last Bishop of Rome that was martyred These all were Martyrs Sapores King of Persia put to death Acyndiuus Pegasius Anempodistus Epidephorus Simeon Arch-byshop of Seleuâ—ia Câ—esiphon B. in Persia with other religious men 128. Symon chéefe Bishop of Persia was accused by the Magitians as he was leading to Prison Vâ—â—hazares who was the Kings Schoole-maister and had fallen from Christianity who sitting at the Kings Gate rose vp and reuerenced him but Simion rebuked him with sharpe words which made him put on mourning wéeds sit wéeping at the gate saying what hope haue I of God when my familiar friend Simion disdaineth me which being knowne to the King and he confessing himselfe a Christian the King commaunded he should be beheaded He desired of the King to certifie that he died for nothing but Christianity which he obtained Simion being in prison and hearing of
number of Holly daies and the increase of vice thereby whoores say they vantage more in one Holy day then in fiftie other dayes and of the curious singing in Cathedrall Churches wherein much time is spent that might better be beâ—towed in other Sciences and learning And of the multitude of begging Fryers and other professed men and women the cause of Idlenesse and vncomely life of promotion of euill Prelates and their negligence in reprouing vice Of the wantonnesse of their seruants and their excesse in apparell Of the excessiue gaines of the prelates and their officers for their Seales giuing them they care not for what so they get money That Prelates bée too slacke in looking to non residents Of giuing benifices not for godlinesse and learning but for fauour friendship or hope of gaine of which commeth the great ignorance in the Church How Prelates wast the Church goods in superfluitie on kinsfolkes or worse wayes and not on the poore How by negligence the Bookes of the olde Coâ—ncels and oâ— the new are not to be found which should be kept in all Cathedral Churches The negligence of Preâ—ates and their voluptuousnesse by example of Storks whose nature is if one leauâ— his mate and ioyne with another all the rest fly on him and plucke his feathers off so and much more should prelates dâ—e to their fellowes that defile so many and stinke in the whole Church And as Eâ—dras in purging Israel from strange women began with the priests so now the purgation ought to begin with them as it is written in Ezechiâ—ll Begin with my Sarctuary c. Againe if the whole Realme of France was interdicted because Phillip the King had but one Concubine which was not his lawfull wife And the King of Portugall sequestred from his Dominion and thought by the Clergie insufficient to rule What shall be said to prelates which abuse mens Wiues Uirgings Nunnes and are insufficient to take charge of Soules About this tiâ—â—e the Order of the Knights of the Rhodes called Iohannits and the Order of the Teâ—â—lers rose vp After Honorius succéeded Pope Innocentius the 2. At euery mutation of new Popes came new troubles sometime two Popes sometimes thrée together The Romaines elected another Pope called Anacletus betwixt whom was great conflicts The Duke of Sicile taking with Anacletus vntill Lotharius the Emperour droue Anacletus 〈◊〉 of Italy This Pope decréed that whose strucke a shauen Priest should be excommunicated and not absolued but onely by the Pope Steuen king of England reserued to himselfe the authoritie of bestowing Spirituall liuings and of inuesting Prelates At which time Lodouicus the Emperoue would haue done the like had not Bernardus giue in him contrary councell At this time came in the manner of cursing with Booke Bell and Candle in a Councell of London holden by William Bishop of Winchester vnder Pope Celestinus successor of Innocentius After Lotharius succeeded in the Emperiall Crowne Conradus Nephew of Henry the fift he raigned 15. yeares There was diuerse Popes in his dayes as Celestinus the 2. Lucius the 2. Eâ—genius the 3. at which times the Romaines endeauored to recouer the old manner of chusing Conâ—uls and Senators but the Popes being in their ruffe would not abide it which caused much ciuill warre insomuch that Pope Lucius sent 〈◊〉 the Emperour for ayde who thought to haue destâ—oyed them in the Senate but they were ware oâ— it and were all in aray the Pope being in the fight was well pelted with stones and blowes that he liued not long after Eugenius cursed the Romaines for that matter with excommunication which when he saw would not serue came vpon them with his Host and compelled them to abolish their Consuls and to take such presidents as the Pope should assigne Then followed Anastatius the 4. after him Adrianus the 4. an English man called Breakespeare belonging once to Saint Albons he likewise kept great slurâ—e with the Citizens of Rome to abolish Consuls with cursing and warres vntill he had brought them vnder In the meane time Fredericus called Barbarossa succeeded Conradus in the Empire marched to Italy to subdue rebels the Pope and his Clergie met him to haue ayde against their enemies the Emperour lighted to receiue him and held his left stirrop where he should the right the Pope displeased he smiling excused himselfe as not vsed to hold stirrops and that it was not of duetie the next day the emperour sent for him receiued him and held his right stirrop and all was well When they came in the Pope told the Emperour that his predecessors left some token of beneuolence for crowning of them as Carolus Magnus subdued the Lumbards Otho the Bexingarians Lotharius the Normans therefore required him to restore the Country of Apâ—lia to the Church of Rome He and his Princes seeing he could not otherwaies â—e crowned promised to doe it and the next day was crowned Whilst the Emperour was prouiding for Apulia the Pope excommunicated William Duke thereof and sent Emanuell Emperour of Constantinople incensing him to warre against the said Duke Thâ— Duke hearing it sent vnto the Pope for peace promising to restore what hee would which the Pope by the Councell of the Cardinals would not grant The Duke put Emanuell the Emperour to flight and besieged the Câ—tie Beneâ—entum where the Pope and Cardinals were looking for victory that they were glad to intreat for the peace they refused the Duke onely granted not to inuade the possessions of Rome and the Pâ—pe made him King of both Sicils The Pope was so troubled with the Senators and Consuls of Rome that when his curses would not auaile he was faine to remoue from Rome to Ariminium The Emperour considering the wrongs the Pope had done to his predecessors required of the Bishops of Germany Homage and Oath of alegiance commaunding if the Popes Legats came thither without sending for they should not be receiued charging his subiects not to appeale to Rome and prefixed his name in his Letters before the Popes name Whereupon the Pope wrote to him that God promiseth long life to thâ—m that honoured their Parents and death to them that cursed them and the word of truth saith He that exalâ—eth himselfe shall be brought lowe He maruelled not a little that he shewed not the reuerence he ought to blessed Saint Peter and the holy Church of Rome 〈◊〉 preferre your name before Ours wherein your incurre the note of insolencie or rather arrogancie How kéepe you the Oath of fidelitie to Saint Peter and vs séeing you require Homage and Alegiance of them that be Gods and all the sonnes of the high God and presume to ioyne their holy hands with yours and exclude from your Churches and Cities our Cardinals Legates from our side amend amend â—hile you goâ— about to obtaine the things you haue not I feare mée your Honour will loose the things which you haue The Emperour wrote againe that Iustice giueth to
taken in the Dukedome of Horrissaw and sent again by the Duke to the Councell the chéefe Priests Scribes and Pharisies vnderstanding thereof assembled and sent for him and they led him in chaines making a great noise one going a great way before leading him by the same chaine with which chaine they kept him bound in the Cloister when he was before them the whole rabble rising vp alledged sundry accusations testimonies against him with a great noise and tumult when they held their peace the Chancellor of Paris said Ierome when thou wast at Paris thoâ— thoughtest thy selfe an Angell by thine owne eloquence alledging in the Schooles many erroneous conclusions and consequences Answere I put them philosophically teach mee that any of them be erroneous and I will amend them Then said the Maister of the Uniuersitie of Colleyn when thou wast at Colleyn thou didst propound many erroneous matters then he said shew mee one errour he said I remember them not now but they shall bee obiected against thee Then said the Maister of the Uniuersitie of Heidelberge when thou wast with vs thou didst propound many erroneous matters and compared the Trinity to Water Snow and Ice That which I taught there I will teach heere and teach me that they be erroneous and I will recant then certaine cried out let him be burned he answered if my death doe delight you let it be so the Archbishop of Rygen sent some of his seruants which led away Maister Ierome béâ—ing fast bound in chaines both by the hands and neck and when it was night they carried him into a â—ower of the Citie tying him to a great block his féet in the stocks his hands being made fast vpon them the block was so high he could not sit thereon but his head must hang downward thus he lay two daies two nights reléeued only with bread and water one M. Peter hearing thereof got leaue to giue him meat hanging thus by the héels 11. daies he fell sore sick euen to death he lay in that prison a yéere lacking but seuen daies after they had put Iohn Hus to death they threatned him with death and what with feare of death and hope of deliuery they made him recant yet they sent him to prison againe but not so straitly chained as before but when his Aduersaries plainly perceiued that he did not recant of pure mind but to the intent to scape there hands and also certaine Friers of Prage put vp new accusations against him certain Cardinals being appointed to heare his answer he refused to answere in prison desiring open audience they thinking hee would renew his recantations granted him open audience at which time hee answered all their arguments profoundly subtilly disputing of many matters at last he much praised the blessednes of Iohn Hus affirming that he knew him from his youth vpward that he was neither Fornicator drunkard or any vicious person but a chast sober man and a iust true preacher of the Gospel and whatsoeuer thing Maister Iohn Hus had holden or written against the enormities pomp and disorder of the Prelates he would defend vnto the death and added that all his sinnes did not so much gnaw and trouble his Conscience as that sinne which hee committed in that pestiferous seat which in his recantation he had spoken against that man and his Doctrine concluding that he vtterly reuoked and denied that wicked recantation and that he did it throgh weaknes of heart and feare of death when hee had spoken these and many other things touching the praise of Iohn Wickliffe and Iohn Hus then was he caried again vnto prison and greeuously fettered by the hands armes and feete with great chaines and fetters of Iron and when he was brought againe to his Iudgement they exhorted him againe to recant he answered I take God to my witnes I hold all the Articles of the Catholick Faith but I shall be condemned because I will not consent vnto the condemnation of those most holy blessed men aforesaid whom you haue most wickedly condemned for certaine Articles abhorring your abominable life then hee confessed his beliefe and vttered many things profoundly and eloquently that all that were present could not sufficiently commend his great eloquence and profound learning and by no meanes could they perswade him to recant he said further you will condemne mee vniustly and wickedly but I after my death will leaue a remorce in your consciences and a naile in your hearts and I cite you all to answere mee bâ—fore the most high and iust Iudge within a hundred yeeres when sentence was giuen they brought vnto him a great long miter of paper painted about with red Diuels then hee throwing away his hood he put the Miter on his head saying Christ when he suffered death for mee wore a crowne of Thornes and I for his sake will willingly weare this Miter when he was led to execution with a loud voice he sung Credo in vnum Deum after he sung other Canticles of the Church hee was tyed to a stake like the picture of Iohn Hus whilst hée was praying the tormenters tooke him vp and lifted him vp from the ground stript him naked and girded him about the lomes with a linnen cloth and so bound him to the Image when they beganne to lay the wood to him hee sung Salue festa dies then they cast his Garments on the Woode and set them on fire and when hee was fired hee sung In manus tuas domine commendo Spiritum meum when hee vehemently burnâ—d hee said Lord haue mercie vppon mee for thou knowest how sincerely I haue loued thy truth after hee was dead they burned his bedding Bootes Hood and all things he had in prison after they gathered his ashes and cast them into the Riuer Thus endeth the tragicall Historie of Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage faithfully collected by a Bohemian being a present beholder of the same Iohn Hus beeing a Minister at Bethelem had a vision by night that he had pictured in his Church of Bethelem pictures of Christ and his Apostles and the Pope and his Cardinals came and defaced them and that a while after other Painters renued the said pictures much more fairer then before and that there was so many Painters that they gloried against the Pope and his Cardinals bidding them put them out if they could which with all their power they were not able to doe this vision he thus expoundeth applying the pictures to the preaching of Christ and his Apostles which though the Pope and Cardinals should extinguish in him yet the time would come that Doctrine should be renued by other preachers so plentiously that the Pope with all his power should not be able to preuaile against it wherevnto the prophesie of the said Hus a little before his death and printed in the Bohemian come called Moneta Huâ—sa hauing this superscription Centum reuolutis annis Deo respondebitis mihi this
question for it and so handled him that they made him to recant or else they would haue dissolued him and his argument in the fire ANNE ASKEW AFter she had bin many times examined and she had answered so wisely that though she had affirmed the truth of the Sacrament yet none could touch her for her arguments by the law Then she wrote her minde of the Sacament as followeth I perceiuâ— deare friends in the Lord that you are not yet perswaded of the truth in the Lords Supper because Christ sayth Take eate this is my bodie but he giuing the bread as an outward signe to be receiued with the mouth hee meant in perfect beléefe they should receiue his body which should die for the people and to thinke his death the onely saluation of their soules The â—read and Wine were left vs for a Sacramentall communion of the benefite of his death and that we should be thankefull for the grace of redemption And in the closing thereof he sayth This doe in remembrance of me so often as you eate and drinke or else we should haue béene forgetfull of that we ought to haue in daily remembrance and also been vnthankefull therefore we ought to pray to GOD for the true meaning of the Holy Ghost touching this communion for the letter slayeth and the spirit giueth life In the sixth of Iohn all is applied vnto â—aith and in 1. Cor. 4. The things which are seene are temporall but the things which are not seene are euerlasting and in the third of the Hebrewes Christ ruleth ouer his house whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and reioycing of hope vnto the end and the dead Temple is not his house Wherefore to day if you will heare his voice harden not your hearts Her confession in Newgate CHrist took the bread saying to his Disciples Take eate this is my body which shall be broken for you meaning his body the bread but a signe and Sacrament and so he said He would break downe the Temple and in three dayes build it vp againe signifying his body by the Temple although there be many that cannot perceiue the true meaning thereof for the vayle that Moses put euer his face before the children of Israell remayneth to this day but when God shall take it away then shall these blinde men see For it is plainly expressed in the Historie of Bell O King saith Daniell be not deceiued for God will be worshipped in nothing that is made with hands of men O what stiffe-necked people are these that will alwayes resist the Holy Ghost as their fathers haue done Truth is layde in prison Luk. 21. The law is turned to wormwood Amos 6. and there can no right iudgement goe forth Esay 59. Her condemnation THey said I was an heretick and condemned by the law if I would stand to my opinion I said touching my Faith I said and wrote to the Councell I would not deny because I knew it true then they would knowe whether I would denie the Sacrament of Christs bodie and bloud I answered yea for the same Sonne of GOD that was borne of the blessed Uirgin Mary is now glorious in the heauens and will come againe at the last day as he went vp and that which you call your God is a peece of bread and for more proofe thereof let it lie in a boxe but thrée monthes and it will be mouldy and turne to nothing that is good therefore I am perswaded it is no God Then they willed me to haue a Priest and then I smiled then they asked mee if it were not good I sayd I would confesse my faults vnto God for I was sure hee would heare me with fauour and so we were condemned by the quest This was my beléefe which I wrote to the Councell that the Sacramentall bread was left vs to bee receaued with thanksegiuing in the remembrance of his death the onely remedy of our soâ—les recouery and thereby we also receaue the whole benefit of his passion then they would needs know whether the bread in the boxe were God or no I sayd God is a spirit and will bee worshipped in spirit and truth then they sayd will you plainely deny Christ to bee in the Sacrament I answered I beléeue the eternall sonne of God not to dwell there in witnes whereof I recited againe the history of Bell and the 7. and 17. of the Acts and the 24 of Mathew concluding I neither wish death nor feare it God haue the praise thereof with thankes then she wrâ—te to the Lord Chancelour and the King but it preuayled not After she was sent from Newgate to the Tower then Maister Rich and one of the Councell charged me vppon mine obedience to shew vnto them if I knew any of my Sect I answered I knew none they asked me of my Lady Suffolke my Lady Sussex my Lady Hereford my Lady Denny and my Lady Fitzrallins I sayd if I should pronounce any thing against them I am not able to proue it they said the King was informed I could name if I would a great number of my sect I sayd the King was as well deceaued in that behalfe as dissembled with in other matters Then they commanded mee to shewe how I was maintayned in the Counter and who willed me to stick to mine opinion I sayd there was none did strengthen me therein and I was maintayned in the Counter by the meanes of my Mayde for she made mone vnto the Prentises and they by her did send mee money but who they were I know not Then they sayd diuers Gentlewomen gaue me money but I know not their names then they said many Ladies sent me money I answered there was a man in a blew cote deliuered me ten shillings and said my Lady of Hereford sent it me and another in a Uiolet cote gaue me eyght shillings and sayd my Lady Denny sent it mee but I am not sure who sent it me then they said there were of the Councell which did maintaine mee and I said no. Then they put mee vpon the Racke and kept me there a long time because I would not confesse any Gentlewomen or Ladies on my opinion and because I did not cry my Lord Chancelor and Sir Iohn Baker tooke paines to racke me with their owne hands vntill I was nie dead Then the Liefetennant caused mee to be loosed from the racke and incontinently I swounded and they recouered me againe after I sat two houres reasoning with my Lord Chancâ—llor vppon the bare floure where with flattering words hee perswaded me to leaue my opinions but God gaue mee grace to perseuere and will doe I hope then I was brought to bed with as painefull bones as euer pacient Iob then my Lord Chancellor sent me word if I would leaue mine opinions I should lacke nothing if I would not I should to Newgate and be burned I sent him word againe I would die rather then breake my faith She was borne
bring life or death if Christs body be not there Rid. When you heare Gods word truely preached if you doe beléeue you receiue life and if you beléeue not it bringeth vnto you death yet Christs body is not carnall in euery preachers mouth Pope How answere you this which shall be giuen for you was the figure of Christs body giuen for you Rid. No Sir but the very body it selfe whereof the Sacrament is a figure Tertullians exposition maketh it plaine For hee saith the body is a figure of the bodie now put too which shall be giuen for you and it agreeth excéeding well Maister Secretary You know well that Origen and Tertullian were not Catholick but erred Rid. There is none of the Doctors but are thought to haue erred in some things but I neuer heard that Tertullian or Origen were thought to haue erred in the Sacrament Feck Forty yeares agone all were of one opinion of this matter Rid. Forty yeares agoe all held that the Pope was supreme head of the vniuersall Church Maister Secretarie That was but a positiue Law Rid. It is in the Decrees that the Pope challengeth his supremacie not by any Councell nor any way else but by Christs own words saying to Peter thou art Peter And in another place thou art Cephas that is the head and his Decree is that we must be obedient to the Bishop of Rome vpon necessity of saluation Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury Ridley Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer Bishop of VVorster were sent to Oxford to dispute with the Diuines of Oxford and Cambridge THere was thrée questions First whether the naturall body of Christ be really in the sacrament after consecration secondly whether any other substancâ— doth remaine after consecration then the substance of the body and bloud of Christ thirdly whâ—ther in the masse there be a sacrifice propitiatorie for the sinnes of the quick the dead Thirty thrée Commissioners being set in the Quire of S. Maries Church in Oxford before the Altar Cranmer Archb. was brought to them with a number of Bill-men When he had read ouer the Articles he said they were all false and against Gods holy word Then was Doctor Ridley brought in who hearing the Articles read answered they were all false and that they sprang out of a bitter root Then came in Latimer when he had denied the Articles he said he had read ouer the new Testament seuen times and yet could not find the maisâ— in it nor the mary-bones nor sinewes of the same All their arguments were of nothing but the reall presence in the Sacrament which point is already sufficiently argued in many places of this book and will 〈◊〉 more hereafter If thou desire to sée the disputations resort to the book at large for the Commissioners were so clamorous that they could not be suffered to speak as it appeareth by the report of Bishop Ridley Bishop RIDLEY his report NEuer did I see a thing done more vainly and contumeliously then the disputations with me in the Schooles in Oxford I thought it had not been possible to haue béen found amongst men of learning and knowledge any so brazen faced and shamelesse so disorderly and vainely to behaue themselues more like to Stage-players then Diuines The Sorbonicall clamours which in times past I haue séene in Paris when Poperie most raigned might be thought modestie in respect of them yea and the chiefest did as it were blow the Trumpe vnto the rest to rayle rore rage and crie out whereby it appeareth they neuer sought for the veritie but for their owne glorie and bragging victorie Much time appointed for Disputations was vainly consumed in opprobrious checks taunts hissings and clapping of hands Whensoeuer I would make an end of my probations they would euer crie out Blasphemies blasphemies I neuer heard or read the like but by Demetrius the Siluer-smith and them of his occupation crying but against Paule Great is Diana of the Ephesians and except it be a disputation of the Arrians against the Orthodoxes where it is said that such as the Presidents of the disputations were such were the rest all were in a hurly-burly and the Arrians cast out such great slanders that nothing could quietly be heard and he concludes thus ended this glorious disputation of the Sacrificers Doctors and Masters which fought manfully for their God and goods their faith and felicitie countrey and Kitchin and for their beautie and bellie with triumphant applauses and fauour of the whole Uniuersitie After seuerall disputations with euery one of them the Commissioners sate in Saint Maries Church and Doctor Weston vsed particular perswasions with euery one of them and would not suffer them to answere but peâ—emptorily to say whether they would subscribe or no Hee told the Bishop of Canterbury hee was ouercome in Arguments which he said was false for hee was not suffered to oppose as he would nor answere as he would vnlesse hee would haue brauled with them all denying to subscribe then sentence was read ouer them that they were no members of the Church and therefore condemned for hereticks Then the Archbishop Cranmer answered from this your sentence I appeale to the iust iudgement of God trusting to be present with him in heauen for whose presence in the Altar I am thus condemned Bishop Ridley answered though I be not of your company yet my name is written in another place whither this sentence will send mee sooner then wee should by nature haue come Bishop Latimer I thanke God most heartily that hee hath prolonged my life to this end that I may in this case glorifie GOD by that kinde of death After they were all three called to behold a solemne procession wherein Doctor Weston carried the Sacrament and foure Doctors carried the Canapie ouer him In the last yeere one thousand fiue hundred forty and three it is shewed how the Duke of Northumberland was apprehended by the Guard and brought to London by the Earle of Arundell and others these were committed to the Tower with the Duke the Earle of VVarwick the Earle of Huntington Lord Ambrose and Lord Henry Dudley Lord Hastings who was deliuered the same night Sir Iohn Gates Sir Henry Gates Sir Andrew Dudley Sir Thomas Palmer and Doctor Sands Chancelor of Cambridge many were committed to diuers prisons about the same time About this time Maister Bradford Maister Beacon and Maister Veron were committed vnto the Tower and Maister Sampson was sought for and because he could not be found the Bishop of Winchester fumed About this time Doctor Weston preached at Paules Crosse he willed the people to pray for the soules departed that be neither in heauen nor hell but in a place not yet sufficiently purged to come to heauen that they may be releeued by your deuout prayers he named the Lords Table an Oyster boord hee said the Catechisme lately set forth was abominable heresie and likeneth the setters forth of the same to Iulianus Apostata and the booke to
it to his betters yet he went to Maister Philpot at ten of the clocke and tooke off his Irons and gaue his man that which he tooke from him He gaue God thanks when newes came he should be burned the next day when the Sheriffe called him to goâ— to execution he came downe most ioyfullie when he came to Smithfield the way was soule so two of the Officers tooke him vp and carried him vnto the stake Then he said merrily what will you make me a Pope then he kissed the stake and said Shall I disdain to suffer at this stake séeing my Redéemer suffered vile death vpon the Crosse for me in the midst of the flames hee yéelded vp his soule vnto Almighty God and like a Lamb gaue vp his breath Thomas Whittle Priest Bartelet Greene Gentleman Iohn Tudson and Thomas Went Artificers Thomas Browne Isabell Foster wife Ioane Warren alias Lashford Maid THe Papists hauing this last years murdred the learned and princiâ—all members of Christs Church whereof there were now very few which either were not consumed with fire or compelled to flie their Countrey they continued this yeare likewise no lesse cruelty towards the inferior sort of people whereof these seuen were burned in Smithfield the 27. day of Ianuary at one fire and they were condemned all in one day vpon one manner of Articles the speciall points were for denying the Sacrament of the Altar and the Masse This Thomas Whittle was the Priest that Philpot maketh mention of where you may sée how he recanted and then became desperate and could not be at quiet in conscience vntill he had gotten to sée the Bill againe which he had subscribed and torne off his name wherefore Boner buffeted him and plucked off a peece of his beard but after he had torne it he was in great peace of conscience and stood out manfully for the faith and sealed to the truth with his martyrdome In an Epistle of his he calleth the Bishops and Priests the sworne Souldiours of Sathan the arch-enemies in whom so liuely appeare the very visage and shape of Sathan that a man may well affirme them to be Diuels incarnate as I by experience do speak wherefore who so shall for conscience matterscome into their hands had neede of the wilinesse of the Serpenâ—â—e saue his head and to take heed how hee consenteth to their wicked writings sore did they assault me and craftily tempt mee to their wicked wayes Bartlet Greene was borne in the Parish of Bassinghall in London being a Student in Oxford at the first he was an vtter enemy to the truth vntill God of his mercy opened his eyes by comming vnto the Lectures of Peter Martire Reader of the Uniuersity Lecture in the said Uniuersity wherof when he had once tasted it came vnto him as the Fountaine of liuing Water so that he neuer thirsted any more but had a Well springing vnto eternall life and though he were called by his Friends from the Uniuersity vnto the Temple in London to study the Common Lawes yet bee continued in his earnest study and profession of the Gospell He writing a Letter vnto one Goodman who was fledde beyond the Sea for Religion containing a report of certaine Articles of questions which were cast abroad in London and an answere to a Letter that Goodman wrote vnto him in which he required to haue the certainty whether the Quéene were dead as it was reported beyond-sea Whereupon Greene answered that she was not dead The bearer of this letter and many other letters from others was apprehended by the way and the letters brought to the Councell These words The Queene is not yet dead seemed heynous to some of the Councell yea they would haue made treason of them if they could by Law but when they could not make it treason they examined him vpon poynts of Religion and after they had long detained him in prison as well in the Lower as elsewhere they sent him at last to Bonner to be dealt withall according to the Ecclesiasticall Lawes And being presented to Bonner his Arch-deacon and diuers others sitting at the Table with him who demanded of him the cause of his imprisoning which when he had shewed him he asked him if he had not since written or spoken against the naturall presence in the Sacrament Then he desired to be charged according to the order of the Law to heare his accusers Then Doctor Chadsey was sent for who reported that before him M. Mosly and the Lieuetenant of the Tower hee spake against the reall presence and the Sacrifice of the Masse and affirmed our Church to be the Church of Antichrist which he confessed and said he would continue therein and maintaine it Then M. Welâ—h arose and desired to talke with mee alone and hauing taken mee into another Chamber he said he was sorry for my troubles and would be glad to see me at liberty and he maruailed that I being a yong man should stand against all the learned men of the Realme against the determination of the Catholique Church from Christs time I promise you quoth he I haue read all Peter Martyrs and Cranmers and all the rest of their Bookes and haue conferred them with the contrary as Roffensis and the Bishop of Winchester and the rest and could not perceiue but that there was one continuall truth which from the beginning had beene maintained and those that any time seuered from this vnity were answered and answered againe This was the summe of his talke which lacked neither wit nor eloquence I answered I am yong and lacke both wit and learning but God is not bound to time wit or knowledge but rather chuseth the weake things of the world to confound the strong neither can men appoint bounds to Gods mercy For he saith I will haue compassion on whom I will Hee hath no respect of persons whether old or yong rich or poore wise or foolish Fisher or Basket-maker God giueth knowledge of his truth through his free grace to whom he listeth Iames. 1. And I beleeue Christ hath his vniuersall Church his Spouse scattered through many Realmes where hee list the Spirit inspireth where it will he is no more adicted to any one place then to the person and quality of any one man of this Church I know I am a member trusting to bee saued by the faith that is taught therein But how this Church is knowne is the end of all Controuersies the true markes of this Church is the true preaching of his Word ministring of his Sacraments these markes were sealed by the Apostles and confirmed by the ancient Fathers vntill the wickednesse of Men and the Diuell these markes were sore worne and almost taken away but God hath â—enued the Print that his Church may bee knowne in many places I would all that were of contrary opinion would seeke the knowledge of the truth with prayer and teares as I haue done Now I am brought before a many of Bishops and
that it was against his conscience it pleased God that so great vertues in this man should not be without some blemish and that y â— falshood of the Popâ—sh generation by this meanes might be the more euident and that we should haue the lesse confidence of our owne strength presently this recantation was put in Print and published notwithstanding it was decréed that Cranmer should be burned out of hand and the Quéene commanded a funerall Sermon to be made for him by Doctor Cole and hauing his lesson giuen him he went spéedily to Oxford to play his part The morning before hee should bee executed Cole gaue him 15 crownes to giue to y â— poore The Archbishop surmised whereabouts they went after the Spanish Frier came vnto him with a paper of Articles which Cranmer should openly professe in his recantation before the people desiring him to write his name vnto it then he prayed him to write a Copy of it and kéepe it with him which he did knowing wherunto their deuices tended he put secretly into his bosome his prayer with his exhortation written in another paper Cranmer was brought from prison to S. Maries Church betwixt two Friers which mumbled certaine Psalmes in the stréets as they went when they came vnto the Church they sung Nunc dimittis then they brought him to his standing where they left him there he stood all y â— Sermon in a bare ragged gowne ill-fauouredly clothed with an old square cap exposed to the contempt of all men In this habite when he had stood a good while vpon the stage he turned vnto a pillar knéeling lifting vp his hands to heauen he praied vnto God once or twice After a while Cole came began his Sermon altogether to the disgrace of Cranmer shewing that he was the onely man that began this heresie schisme from the Catholique Church that he was the cause of the diuorce betwixt the Quéenes father and mother and that for these and other maine causes the Quéene and Councell did thinke fit that he should be burned although he had recanted At the end of his Sermon he brought many scriptures to comfort him that such as die in Gods faith he will either abate y â— fury of y â— flame or else giue him strength to abide it he glorified God much in his conuersiâ—n because it appeared to be only his worke shewing what great meanes was vsed to conuert him but none could preuaile vntill God reclaimed him saying whilst he flowed in riches honor he was vnworthy of death but lest he should carry with him no comfort he promised that immediatly after his death there should be Dirges Masses Funerals executed in all the Churches in Oxford for â—uccour of his soule But Cranmer during the Sermon lifted vp his hands eyes to heauen the very shape of forrow was liuely expressed in him more then twenty times he shed aboundant teares from his fatherly face but especially when he made his prayer before the people After Cole had done his Sermon he had Cranmer performe his promise to expresse your faith that you may take away suspicion from men that they may vnvnderstand you a Catholique indéed I wil do it said the Archbishop with a good will then he desired y â— people to pray for him that God would forgiue him his sins and one offence doth trouble me more then all the rest whereof in processe of my talke you shall heare and after he had made a very pithy praier with y â— people which you may sée in y â— book at large then he said euery man at the time of his death desireth to giue some god exhortation vnto others so I pray God at this my departing I may speake somwhat whereby God may be glorified you edified His first exhortation was that we should not set our minds too much vpon this glozing world but vpon God the world to come His next exhortation was to obedience to y â— King Quéenâ— His third exhortation was that they should loue together like brothers sisters The fourth was that rich men would weigh three sayings in y â— scripture First Christ saith it is hard for a rich man to enter into y â— kingdome of heauen Secondly S. Iohn saith he that hath this worlds goods and shutteth his compassion vpon his needy brother how can he say he loueth God Thirdly Saint Iames biddeth them weepe and howle for the miseries that shall come vpon you your clothes be moth-eaten your gold and siluer cankred and rusty and the rust shall witnesse against you and consume you like fire you hoord vp treasure of Gods indignation against the last day Let them that be rich ponder well these thrée sentences for if euer they had occasion to shew their charity it is now the poore beeing so many and victuals so deere Now being I am come to the end of my life whereupon hangeth my life past and my life to come either to liue with my Maister Christ for euer in ioy or else for euer in paine with the Diuell Therefore I will declare my faith vnto you without dissembling I beleeue all the Articles of the Créede and all the Doctrine of Christ his Apostles and Prophets in the new and old Testament and now I come vnto the great thing that so much troubled my conscience more then all that euer I did in all my life and that is in setting abroad a writing contrary to truth which now I renounce as written with my hand contrary to my heart for feare of death and that is all such Billes and Papers which I haue written or signed with my hand since my degradation and because my hand writ contrary to my heart it shall be first burned And as for the Pope I refuse him as Christs enemy and Antichrist with all his false Doctrine And as for the Sacrament I beléeue as I haue taught in my Booke and my Booke shall stand at the last day before the iudgement of God when the Papisticall doctrine shall be ashamed to shewe her face It was a world to sée the Doctors beguiled of so great a hope I thinke there was neuer cruelty more notably deluded and when he began to speake more of the Sacrament and of the Papacie Cole cried to stop the Heretiques mouth then the Friers pulled him from his seate and led him to the fire then they cried to him What madnesse hath brought thee againe into this error by which thou wilt draw innumerable soules with thee into hell Hee answered them not but directed his talke vnto the people But the Spanish Barker raged and foamed almost out of his wits and he and the other Spanish Frier began to exhort him afresh but all in vaine When the fire began to burne neere him he put his right hand into the flame which he held so stedfastly that it was burned before his body was touched he abode the fire with such constancy
and thus he did vntill hee came vnto the stake but as soone as the fire was put vnto Abbes this blasphemer was striken with madnes wherewith he had charged the good martyr he cast off his shooes the rest of his clothes cried out thus did Abbes that true seruant of God who is saued but I am damned Thus hee ranne about the towne of Berry still crying Iames Abbes was a good man and saued but I am damned The Sheriffe tyed him vp in a darke house but he continued his old note and being brought to his Masters house in a Cart within halfe a yeere he died And beeing ready to die the parish Priest came to him with the Crucifix and the Host of the Altar but he cryed out of the Priest and defied all that baggage saying that the Priest aâ—d such other as he was were the cause of his damnation And that Iames Abbes was a good man and saued Clarke an open enemie of the Gospell and all good preâ—chers in King Edwards dayes hanged himselfe in the Tower of London The great and notable Papist called Troling Smith of late fell downe suddenly in the street and died Dalâ— the Promoter was eaten in his body with Lice and so died Cox a Protestant in King Edwards daies and in Quéene Maries daies a Papist and a Promoter being well when he went to bed he was dead before morning Alexander the keeper of Newgate who to hasten the poore lambes vnto the slaughter hee would goe to Boner Story and Colmley and others crying out rid my prison I am too much pestered with hereticks and he dyed very miserably being swollen and so rotten within that no man could abide the smell of him and Iames his son being left very rich in three yeares brought it to nâ—ght and shortly after as he went in Newgate market he fell downe suddenly and died Iohn Pether sonne in law to this Alexander ad horrible blasphemer of God and no lesse cruell vnto the prisoners rotted away and so died who commonly when he affirmed any thing he would say if it be not true I pray God I rot ere I die Iustice Lelon persecutor of Ieffrey Hurst died suddenly Robert Baulding aâ— the taking of William Seaman was striken with lightning wherevpon he pined away and died Beard the Promoter died wretchedly Robert Blomfield persecutor of VVilliam Browne consumed away miserably In K. Henries time Iohn Rockwood who in his horrible end cried All to late which were the words that he vsed in persecuting Gods children at Callice The Lady Honer a persecutor and George Bradway a false accuser were both bereft of their wits Richard Long a persecutor drowned himselfe Sir Rafe Ellerker as he was desirous to see the heart taken out of Adam Damlip he being slaine of the Frenchmen after they had mangled him and cut off his priuy members would not leaue him vntill they saw his heart cut out Doctor Foxford Chancelor to Bishop Stokely a cruell persecutor died suddenly Pauier or Pauie towne Clarke of London a bitter enemy vnto the Gospel hanged himselfe Doctor Pendleton died miserably and at his death he repented that euer he had yeelded to the Doctrine of the Papists Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochestâ—â— and Sir Thomas Moore after they had broâ—ght Iohn Frith Bayfield and Bainham and diuers others to death shortly after they themselues were made a publike spectacle of bloudy death at tower hil These persecuting Bishops died a little before Quéene Mary Coates Parfew Glune Brookes King Peto Day Holiman After Quéene Mary immediately followed Cardinall Poole and these persecuting Bishops Iohn Christopherson Hopton Morgan Iohn VVhite Rafe Bayne Owen Oglethorpe Cutbert Tonstall Thomas Raynolds And about the same timâ— died Doctor VVeston Maister Slethurst Seth Holland VVilliam Copinger and Doctor Steward great persecutors The residue that remained of the persecuting Clergy and escaped the stroke of death were depriued and committed vnto prisons these Bishops were committed vnto the Tower Nicholas Heath Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Thurlby Thomas Watson Dauid Poole Gilbert Burne Richard Pates Troublefield and Iohn Fecknam Abbot of Wesâ—minster and Iohn Boxell Dean of Windsor and Peterborough were committed with the said Bishops vnto the Tower Gouldwell Bishop of Saint Asse aâ—d Maurice Elect of Bangor ranne away Boner Thomas Wood Bishops were committed to the Marshalsey Cutbert Scot Bishop of Chester was in the Fleete from whence he escaped to Loâ—ane and there dyed These were committed vnto the Fleete Henry Cole Deane of Paules Iohn Harpsfield Arch-deacon of London Nicholas Harpsfield Arch-deacon of Canterbury Anthony Draycot Archdeacon of Huntington William Chadsey Archdeacon of Middlesex One Iohn Apowell mockeâ— one William Maulden as he was reading an English Seruice Booke in a Winters Euening mocking him at euery word with contrariâ— gaudes and flouting words Wherefore the said William checked him saying hee mocked not him but God As the said William was reading these words Lord haue mercy vpon vs Christ haue mercy vpon vs The other with a start suddenly said Lord haue mercy vpon me The said William asked him wherfore he was afrayd He answered when you reade Lord haue mercy vpon vs me thought the hayre of my head stood vpright with a great feare that came vpon me The next day in the morning he fell mad and after that hee lay day and night and his tongue neuer ceased crying out of the Diuell of hell I would see the Diuell of hell there he is there he goeth and such like words Thus he lay six daies that his Maister and all the rest of the house was weary of the noise and sent him to Bedlam At Waltamstow six miles from London certaine children were talking what God was and one said he was a good Old Father and a Maide of twelue yéeres old named Denys Benifield said what he is an old doting Foole The next day she was suddenly striken by the hand of God that all one side of her was black and she speechlesse and so she died the same night Some beeing in communication about Cranmer Ridley and Latimer in an house of Abingdon in Barkeshire One Leâ—ar â— plowman dwelling at Brightwell said that he saw that euill fauoured knaue Latimer when hee was burned and that he had téeth like a horse at which time and houre the son of the said Leauer most wickedly hanged himselfe in Shepton a mile from Abbington Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury gaue sentence against the Lord Cobham and died himselfe before him being sâ— striken in his tongue that he could neither swallow nor speake a good while before his death When Patrick Hamelton was burned for the truth in Scotland in the fire hee cited and appealed Frier Campbell that accused him to appeare before the High God to answere whether his accusation was iust or not betwixt that and a day of the next moneth which he named The said Frier dyed immediatly before the day came Haruy a Commissary which condemned a
Placentia was accused vnto the Pope that he had a wife children the Pope depriued him of his Benifices and he went to Rome and shewed that she was another mans wife and but his Concubine and neuer married vnto him nor could be and though he was a vile Adulterer he was restored vnto his Benifices againe If any Iew become a Christian the Pope confiscates their goods according to a Law of the Iewes else many Iewes would become Christians S. Anthony is the Papists Saint to pray vnto for fire S. Rock for the plague S. Bastion for the pestilence S. Apolinia for the tooth-ache S. Blase for the disease of throat S. Anthony and S. Rocke were called Martires because they went from Citty to Citty to desire men to offer them by death and could get none Saint Christopherus THE Christians in old time pictured a Christian in the forme of a great Gyant because he must be strong to beare Christ and his truth before men they feigned he carrieth men ouer the water by water they meaâ—â— our life which we cannot come ouer to come vnto heauen except we be taught by a Christian the truth they pictured him with a tree in his hand to stay vpon by the which they meant faith without which we should often fal after hee vsed this tree it grew greene to signifie that Faith exercised with Charity is liuely His name was called Christopherus which signifieth bearing Christ Hee was painted at the entrances of the Churches The Papists haue conuerted it vnto a Saint and pray vnto it Saint George LIkewise Saint George that killed the Dragon to deliuer the Kings Daughter from that terrible beast which had destroyed all Capadocia By Capadocia is ment the world The Dragon signifieth the Diuell The Kings Daughter the Church And Saint George represents Christ of which fable the Papists haue made a great Saint and pray vnto it The Papists haue trantfsormed all the heathen Gods of Rome to be their Gods onely by giuing them other names Pantheon in Rome which was the house of all Gods is Maria Rotunda the house of all Saints In the place of Cibile mother of Gods is now placed to Mary The Temple that was dedicated to Pallas Minerua a Uirgine is now dedicated Minerua a Uirgine The Temple of Romulus and Rheimes is now the Temple of Saint Cosmus and Damian The temple that was ef Castor and Pollux is now of Saint Geruais and Protheys the Heathens had Lucian to heale their eyes the Papists in stead thereof haue Saint Lucy and in steed of Ceres God of Corne now is Saint Pancras The Heathens had Mars and Pallas Gods of Warre in steed of them the Papist haue Saint George and Saint Barbera The Heathen Sea men saw Castor and Pollux at the end of a tempest the papists in such case see Saint Erenius as Vesta Virgines could not marry so the Nunnes may not marry in the old time they washed to clense sinnes and now they fillip Holy Water vpon their foreheads to clense sinnes For the Heathens Iuno Feronia they haue Iuno Lucina For the heathens Iuno Saturnia they haue Iuno Curies For the Heathens Lady of Grace and Lady of Myracles the Papists haue our Lady our Lords Mother and our Lady of People The Papists fill their Churches with tables containing vowes for the help that the Saints haue done for them as were in the old time in the heathen Churches containing the myracles that their Idols had done Calapine saith that Cardinall is the selfe-same that Carneuale neither the one nor the other doth attend to any other thing then to eate drinke sleepe commit whooredome banquet and doe other wicked acts so many that no tongue can expresse In place of the foure Gospels the papists haue put the foure Councels Nice Constâ—ntinople Ephesus Calcedon Then foure Doctors Ambrose Augustine Ierome Gregory and foure Bookes to wit of Decrees of Decretals of Sects of Clementines and whosoeuer had a Coule or a shauen Crowne might write what they would and it should goe for Gospel whereby the Pope hath drawne all things to himselfe and made himselfe aboue Christ. They will haue Bels carued Images Crosses Lights Wax Uessels and Garments to be â—o vs in steed of Euangelists Saint Peter was made Pope after his death which neuer was Pope nor neuer could be nor yet was at any time at Rome so was Saint Ierome made a Cardinall Saint Iohn Baptist a Patriarck And Saint Dominick and Saint Frances Patriarcks long time after their deathes They picture Iohn Baptist a terrible fellow with a fayre sharpe sword in his hand and all in armour followed with a number of Sea Rouers called knights of the Rhodes they baptize no otherwise but by drowning men in the Sea they doe not make men repent of their sinnes as Iohn Baptist did but they make them repent that euer they were borne and driue them for necessitie to dwell in the wildernes They weare crosses on their breasts because they cannot beare them in their heart and to shew them selues crucifyers of others Iohn dwelt in deserts but they make deserts Iohn Baptist liued in Fasting and Prayer but these in pleasure like Sardanapalas when they had the Isle of Rhodes they did that which Turkes would not haue done Therefore they were driuen thence by Gods iust iudgement they marry not like Iohn Baptist but they haue the more harlâ—ts Dominick by the procurement of Innocent the third Hee at Tholosa quenched the heresie of the Lutherans with maruellous speed Hee said hee must not dispute but fell to the busines with fire and sword and for this cause he was made a Saint A Spaniard of the inquisition for heresies accused certaine of the best Spaniards for Lutherans and said he smelt them because they gaue almes vnto the poore and not vnto Fryers And because they left swearing and blaspheming of GOD and his Saints and playing whore-hunting and other vices applying themselues to things graue and profitable and all day long reade in the Scriptures Saint Francis was required of his Disciples to giue them a rule of liuing and he gaue them the Gospell but his Fryers haue set forth a Booke of conformities which is preferred before the Gospel with the whith if thou compare the Alâ—oran of Mahomet thou wilt say the Alcoran is more holy although in many things they agree His Fryers were bold to preach that a Frier once desired to knew in what place Saint Francis was and therewith ran out of his wits and was led about all parts of heauen and found him not at last he came vnto the throne of Diuinitie where demanding for Saint Francis Christ rose vp from his seate on the right hand of the Father and opened his clothes vpon his brest and S. Francis came out of his side Then the Fryer came to his wits againe In the strife for the supremacie Constantinople said to him it belonged because with him was the Sea of the Empire Ierusalem would
al people with whom they dare deale so to allow the Popes Buls and Authority and be discharged of their Allegeance and to be well warranted to take armes against her Maiesty when they shall bee thereunto called and to be ready secretly to ioyne with any Forraine force that can be procured to inuade the Realme whereof they giue great comfort of successe And because most euident perils would follow if these virmine were suffered to creepe by stealth into the Realme and spread their poyson therein therefore doe they most iustly sufâ—er death as Traitors One of their compaine Doctor Sanâ—ders a lewd Scholler and subiect of England a fugitiue a principall conspirator with the traytors and rebells at Rome was the Popes Legat and commander and treasorer for those warres aforesaid passing into Ireland openly by writing he gloriously auowed the Popes Bull as is before declared but God plagued him with a strange death who wandring in the monâ—ntaines in Ireland without succour died rauing in a frensie The miserable Earle of Desmond being a principall doer in the rebellion in Ireland secretly wandring without succour as a miserable beggar was taken by one of the Irishrie in his Cabbin and his head cut off from his body an eâ—d due to such an arch-rebell Iames Fitz Morrice the first traytor in Ireland next vnto Stukeley was slaine by an Irish yong Gentleman as he went to burne his fathers countrey Desmount brother vnto the Earle a blondie faithlesse traytor and a notable murtherer of his familier friends who likewise wandring to séeke some prey like a Welâ—e in the woods he was taken and beheaded as he had vsed others being as he thought sufficiently armed with the Popes Bulls and an Agnus Dei and a notable ring hanging about his neck sent from the Popes â—â—â—ger Iohn Someruile a furious yong man of Warwick shire of late he was discouered and taken in his way comming with a full intent to haue killed the Quéen he confessed his attempt and that he was moued thereunto in his wicked spirit by inticements of certaine seditious and trayterous persons his kinsemen and allies and by often reading of sundry seditious vile bookes lately published against the Quéenes Maiestie William Parry his treasons against Queene ELIZABETH HEe had committed a great outrage against a Gentlemâ—n one M. Hare of the Inner Temple meaning to haue murdered him in his owne chamber for which he was iustly conuicted wherefore he went beyond Sea and subiected himselfe vnto the Pope and vpon conference with certaine Iesuits he conceiued his detestable treason to kill the Quéene which he vowed himselfe by promise letters and vowes to performe it and so returned vnto England in Ianuary 1583. and put in practise diuers times to execute his diuellish purpose Pretending that he had matter of great importance to reueale vnto the Quéen he obtained secret accesse vnto her Maiestie she hauing then but one Councellor with her who was so farre distant as he could not heare his spéech he shewed her Maiestie his procéedings with the â—esuits and one Thomas Morgan a fugitiue at Parris who perswaded him to kill her Maiestie saying that his only intent of procéeding so farre with â—hem was but only to this end to discouer the dangerous practises deuised and attempted against her Maiestie by her diâ—loyal subiects and other malicious persons in forren parts but afterward it appeared most manifestly by his owne confession and by his dealing with one Edmund Neuill Esquire that his intent in discouering the same in such sort as he did was but to make the way the easier vnto his most diuellish purpose The Quéen suffred him diuers times to haue priuate conference with her â— offered him a most liberal pension yet notwithstanding he did vehemently importunat the said Neuill to be an associate vnto his wicked enterprise as to an action lawfull and meritorious but the Almighty God that was protector of her Maiesty euen from her cradle so wrought in Neuils heart as he was moued to reueale the same vnto her Maiesty whereupon the examination of the matter was committed vnto the Earle of Leicester and Sir Christopher Hatton vpon the examination whereof when Parrie saw the said Neuill so to declare the truth and so constantly affirme the same he confessed all saying that comming vnto the chamber of Thomas Morgan aforesaid one greatly beloued and trusted in the Papists side he broke with me that I should vndertake to kill the Quéen I told him it would be easily done if it were lawfully done and warranted in the opinion of som learned Deuines then I was resolued by Deuines and I went so farre by Letters and conferences in Italie that I could not goe backe but promised faithfully to performe the enterprise if his holinesse would allow it and grant me remission of my sinnes then I confessed my selfe vnto a Iesuite and tooke his aduice in the matter who most louingly imbraced and commended me then I wrote a Letter vnto the Pope to require of him absolution of my sinnes in consideration of so great an enterprise vndertaken without promise or reward then I went vnto the Popes Nuntio and read the letter vnto him and inclosed and sealed it he promised me to procure answer from the Pope and louingly imbraced me wished me good spéede and promised me that I should be remembred at the Altar Then he said he comming to England hee got accesse vnto the Quéene as before then came Letters into England vnto me from Cardinall Como whereby I found the enterprise commended and allowed and my selfe absolued in the Popes name of all my sinnes and willed to go forward in the name of God That Letter I shewed vnto some in Court who imparted it to the Quéene notwithstanding it confirmed my resolution to kill her and made it cleere in my conscience that it was lawfull and meritorious When I looked vpon her Maiestie and remembred her many excellencies I was greatly troubled yet I saw no remedie for my vowes were in heauen and my letters and promises in earth after Doctor Collens book was sent me out of France it redoubled my former conceits euery word in it was a warrant to a prepared minde it taught that Kings may he excommunicated depriued and violently handled it proueth that all wars ciuill or forren vndertaken for religion are honourable whereupon hee was condemned of treason and drawne vpon a Hurdle from the Tower vnto the Pallace of Westminster where he was executed Francis Throgmorton HIs confession was to this effect When I was at Spaw in the Countrey of Liege I entred into conference with one Ienney a notorious traytor touching the altering of the State of the Realme here and how the same might be attempted by forreign inuasion and to the like effect I had sundry conferences with Sir Francis Englefield in the Low Countries who daily solicited the K. of Spaine to inuade the Realme and I continued practising against her Maiestie and the State by