and of my seat All the earth is my Diocesse and I the ordinary of all menâ— having the authority of the King of all Kings upon subjects I am all in all and above all so that God himself and I the Vicar of God hath but one Consistory and I am able to do almost all that God can do clavenon errante It is in my power to alter and abrogate Lawes to dispence with all things yea with the precepts of Christ and in a word I declare and pronounce to stand upon necessity of salvation for every humanâ— creature to be subject to me And as their pride so their avarice is insatiable in exacting and gathering of money of all under their jurisdiction putting it into their treasury for Petrarch recordeth that in the Treasury of Pope John the 22. were found after his death 250 Tuns of gold And of Boniface the 8. It is storied that when he was taken by Phâ—lip the fair King of France and his Palace rifled there was more Treasure found then all the Kings of the earth were able to shew again What hudge summes of money did Thecelius and his companions take together out of Germany for indulgences and pardons The Pope had yearly out of England above nine Tuns of Gold Otto one of the Popes Muscipulatores mice catchers as the story calls departing out of England left not so much money in the whole Kingdome as he either carried with him or sent to Rome before him It was trulie an trimly said by Pope Innocent the fourth Vere enim hortus deliciarum Papis fuit tum Anglia puteus in exhaustus England was then a gallant garden to the Pope and a Wel-spring of wealth that could not be drawn drie Cardinal Volsey emptied the land of Twelve score thousand pound to relive and ransome Pope Clement the seventh imprisoned by the Duke of Burbon The Apostle Paul in the 2. to the Thes foretells of the nature and manners of those wicked men and their destruction and by speaking of one he pointeth out the body of that tyrannous and persecuting Church hee calls him that man of sin that breathing Devill so portentuously so peerlesly vitious Vtejus nomen non hominis sed vitii esse videatur as Lipsius saith of one Tubulus a Roman Praetor that sin it self can hardly be more sinfull next he cals him the son of perdition destined to destruction even to be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimston Rev. 19.29 Well might Pope Marcellus the second strike his hand upon the Table and say Non video quomodo qui locum hunc altissimum tenent salvari possunt I see not how any Pope can be saved when I was first in order said Pope Pius Quintus I had some good hope of Salvation when I wae made a Cardinal I doubted but now that I am Pope I almost despaire Again the Apostle calls him an adversary and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped all men know who hee is that saith he can shut up heaven and open it at his pleasure and take upon him to be Lord Master above all Kings and Princes before whom Kings and Princes fall down and worship honouring that Antichrist as a God And he sitteth as God in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God In the year 1540. Pope Paul the third suffered himself to be thus blasphemously flattered Paulo tertio optimo maximo in terris Deo In the year 1610. Books were printed at Bononi and at Naples with this Inscription Paulo 5. Vice Deo christianae reipublicae Monarchae invictissimo pontificiae omnipotentiae conseruatori acerrimo To Paul the 5. Vice-god most invincible Monarch of Christendom most stout defender of the Papal Omnipotency The Pope can do all that Christ can do of wrong he can make right of vice vertue of nothing something saith Bellarmine he is lifted above the Angels so that he can excommunicate them he can dispence against not only the law of nature but against all the Evangelists Prophets Apostles saith Pope John c. In Extract One of his parasits clawed him thus Oraclis vocis mundi moderaris habenas Et merito in terris diceris esse Deus He is cried up for the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and that hath both the swords throughout the World and an illimited Empire over all resonable creatures duliae adorandus c. Ye see then what kind of men thir Popes are who call themselves universal Bishops and that the charge and government of Christs universal Church is committed to them that they are the Vicars of Christ and the successors of Peter yet they are the greatest enemies that Christ and his Church have they are subverters and overthrowers of his Kingdome what cruell and bloody practises they have used throughout Christendom to subvert the Gospel and the professors thereof what innocent blood they have shed the Book of Martyrs doth abundantly testifie and this small ensuing Treatise doth compendiously declare but God will bring down their intollerable pride and Tyrranny and lay them low and consume them with the breath of his mouth as saith the Apostle And as for Rome the Seat of Antichrist which is called Babylon shall come to fearfull ruine and destruction as St. John in the 18. Rev. foretells it is fallen It is fallen Babylon that great City and is become the habitation of devils and the hold of all soul Spirits and a Cage of every unclean and hatefull bird for all Nations have drunken of the wrath of her Fornication and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her that is spirituall whoredom which is Idolatry the Merchants of the Earth which were inriched with the pomp and luxuriousnesse of it shall weep and wail c. But all the Elect shall rejoice for the just vengeance that God hath taken on her Also the Emperor Frederick is reported to have foretold the ruine of Rome in this distick Roma diu titubans variis erroribus acta Corruet mundi desinet esse caput But not to trouble Thee Gentle Reader with longer preface I rest Thine in the Lord to serve thee Mr. ROBERT YOUNG A BREVIARY OF THE LATER PERSECUTIONS Of the Professors of the Gospel of CHRIST JESUS under the Romish and Antichristian Prelats THe Persecution of the Christians in the Primitive Church under the Heathen Emperors and Tyrants of Rome continued the space of three hundred years after the passion of Christ to the seventh year of Constantine the great who stayed the Persecutions and setled peace in the Church so that there was no set or universall persecution in the Church for the space of a thousand years thereafter for all that time Satan was tyed and bound up and his rage restrained against the Professors of the Gospel thereafter was Satan let loose again for a time to vex and trouble the Church as we have it in the 20. of
the Revelation in these words And I saw an Angel descending from Heaven having a key of the bottomlesse pit and a great chain in his hand and he took the Dragon the old Serpent which is the Devil and Satan and bound him for a thousand years and put him into the bottomlesse dungeon and shut him up and signed him with his seal that he should no more seduce the Gentiles till a thousand years were expired and after that he must be loosed again for a little space of time c. The thousand years being now expired Satan let loose he begins again to persecute the Church of God and the professors of the truth in the person of Wickliff in the year of our Lord 1371. in the dayes of Edward the third King of England This Wickliff was an English-man and a Professor of Divinity in Oxford a man of great spirit and of great learning he came to such a degree or erudition that he was thought the most excellent amongst all the Theologians at that time he perceiving the true Doctrine of Christs Gospel to be aduldeâ—at and defiled with so many filthy inventions of Bishops Sects of Monks and dark errors and after long debating and deliberating with himself with many secret sighs and bewalings in his mind the generall ignorance of the whole world could no longer sâ—ffer or abide the same he at the last determined with himself to help and remedy such things as he saw to be wide and out of the way and so he began as from a deep night to draw out the truth of the Doctrine of the Son of God with the purity of the Doctrine which hee taught he also lively touched the abuses of the Popedome in so much that the Locusts that is to say the Monks and begging Friers listed themselves up against him to persecute him with all the rable of the Popish Clergie but the Lord gave him for a Protector King Edward the third the Duke of Lancaster the Kings son and Lord Henery Peircy the Marshaâ—l of England for all the time of King Edwards raign he had great liberty of his profession and that the King carried a speciall favour and good-will to him appears in this that he sent him with his Ambassadour over into the parts of Italy to treat with the Popes Legats concerning affairs betwixt the King and the Pope with full commission This King Edward was a good man and hath this commendation that he was Orphanis quasi Pater afflictis compations miseris condolâ—ns oppressis relevaâ—s cunctis indigentibus impendens auxilia opportuna that is to the Orphans he was a Father competient to the afflicted mourning with the miserable releiving the oppressed and to all them that wanted a helper in the time of need c. Pope Gregory being informed of Wickliffs Doctrine that was pred abroad through the land He wrot to the Archbishop of Canterbury and to the Bishop of London to cause apprehend the said John Wickliffe and to cast him into prison and that the King and Nobles of England should be admonished not to give any trust to the said John VVickliffe or to his Doctrine in any wayes As also he wrote unto King Edward or rather unto King Richard who succeeded King Edward to persecute this VVickliff but God shortned the rage and fury of this cruel Prelate against him for that in the same year or in the beginning of the next year following the forsaid Pope Gergory the eleventh turn'd up his heels and died Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London did vex trouble him and held sundry meetings of the Clergy against him to condemne him and his Doctrine And here is not to be past over the great miracle of Gods Divine admonition or warning for when as the Archbishop and Suffraganes with the other Doctors and Lawiers with a great company of babling Friers and Religious persons were gathered together to consult as touching John VVickliffs books and that whole sect When as I say they were gathered together at the Gray-friers in London to begin their businesse upon St. Dunstanes day after dinner about two in the cloak the very hour and instant that they should go forward with their businesse a wonderfull and terrible earthquake fell throughout all England whereupon diverse of the Suffraganes being feard by the strange and wonderfull demonstration doubting what it should mean thought it good to leave off from their determinat purpose But the Archbishop as the chief Captain of that Army more rash and bold then wise interpreting the change which had happened clean contrary to another meaning and purpose did confirm and strengthen hearts and minds which are almost danted with fear stoutly to proceed and to go forward in their attempted enterprise who then discoursing VVickliffs Articles not according to the sacred Cannons of the Holy Scripture but unto their own private affections and traditions pronounced and gave sentence that some of them were simply and plainly Hereticall other some false erroneous other irreligious some seditious and not consonant to the Church of Rome John VVickliff a long time after this returning again either from his banishment being banished by King Richard or from some other place where he was secretly keeped repaired to his Parish at Lutterworth where hee was Parson and there quyetly departing this mortall Life sleept in peace in the Lord 1384. Here is to be noted in this Man as in diverse others whom the Lord so long preserved in such rages of so many enemies from all their hands even to his old age This VVickliff had written diverse and sundry works the which in the year of our Lord 1410. were burnt at Oxford And not only in England but in Bohemia Likewise the Books of the said VVickliff were set on fire by the Archbishop of Prage who made diligent inquisiition for the same and burned them The numbers of the Volumes which he is said to have burned most excellently written and richly adorned with bosses of Gold and coverings as Aeneas Silvius writes were about the number of two hundred Great was the testimony given out by the Vniversity of Oxford touching the commendation of the great Learning and good Life of John VVickliff as also great was the testimony and commendation of Master John Hus concerning John VVickliff who affirmed that he was no Heretick and yet the Counsel of Constance condemned him for an Heretick and caused his Body and Bones to bee raised and burnt 41. years after his Death and took his Ashes and threw into the River thinking thereby utterly to extinguish and abolish both the Name and Doctrine of VVickliff for ever for though they digged up his Body and burnt his Bones and drowned his Ashes yet the Word of God and truth of his Doctrine with the fruit and successe thereof they could not burn which yet to this day for the most part of his Articles do remain After the Death of Pope Gregory
the left arm was on fire and burned he rubbed it with his right hand and it fell from his body and he continued in prayer to the end without moving At the burning of James Baynham a Lawier appeared a miracle and wondrous work of God that as he was at the stake in the midst of the flamming fire which fire had half consumed his arms and legs he spake these words O ye Papists behold ye look for miracles and hear now may yee see a miracle for in this fire I feel no more pain then I were in a bed of Down but it is to me as a bed of Roses These words spake he in the midst of the flamming fire when his legs and arms as I said were half consumed William Tracie a worshipful Esquire in Glocester and then dwelling at Todingtown made in his will that he would have no funeral pomp at his burying neither passed he upon masse and he further said that he trusted in God only and hoped by him to be saved and not by any Saint This Gentleman died and his Son as Executor brought the Will to the Bishop of Canterbury to prove which he shewed to the Convocation and there most cruelly they judged that he should be taken out of the ground and burnt as an Heretick This Commission was sent to Doctor Parker Chancellor of the Diocesse of Worcestâ—r to execute their wicked of sentence who accomplished the same The King hearing his Subject to be taken out of the ground two years after his death and burnt without his knowledge or order of the Law sent for the Chancellor and laid high offence to his charge who excused himselâ— by the Archbishop of Canterbury which was late dead but in conclusion it cost him three hundred pound to have his pardon And as many were burnt at this time for the profession of the truth so multitudes both of men and women were compelled to abjure and recant and to do pennance and to bear faggots So great was the trouble of these times for either they were driven out of the Realm or were cast out from their goods and houses or brought to open shame by abjuration Such decrees and injunctions then were set â—orth by the Bishops such Laws and Proclamations were provided such watch and narrow search was used such wayes were taken by force of oath to make one detect another so subtilly that unneth any good man could or did escape their hands that either his name was known or else his person was taken yet neverthelesse so mightily the power of Gods Gospel did work in the hearts of good men that the number of them did no lessâ—lâ—ssen for all the violence or policy of the adversaâ—ies but rather increased King Henry is divorced from Lady Cathrene Dowager and married with Lady Annâ—â—ullen which was the fiâ—st occasion and beginning of a publick Refoâ—mation The King had married Prince Arthur hiâ— Bâ—others wife the Pope which then ruled at Rome was Pope Julius the second by whose dispensation this Marriage which neither sense of nature would admit nor Gods Law would bear was concluded approved and ratified and so continued as lawfull without any doubt or scruple near the space of twenty years thereafter there arose doubts and scruples about the lawfulnesse of his Marriage that first hindered the Emperour to marry Lady Mary the Kings Daughter and upon the same doubt the King of France refused to marry the said Lady Mary the Kings daughter The King being herewith perplexed anent the lawfulnessâ— of his Marriage consulted the Universities of all Christendome by whom it was discussed to be unlawfull whereupon ensued a divorce between the King and the Queen In the Parliment in the year 1533. the commons gave in a supplication complaining of the strait dealing of the Clergy in their proceeding exofficlo this wicked act was broken by the King for the King having more clear understanding of the abuses and enormities of the Clergy and in special of the corrupt Authority of the See of Rome provided certain Acts against the same In the same parliament it was enacted and decreed that no man should appeal to the court of Rome even the Parliament decreeth the popes Annats to cease c. All exactions and sums of money used to be payed to the Bishop of Rome in pensions Peter Pence should utterly surcease As touching these Peter Pence they were first brought in imposed by King Iva about the year of our Lord 70. Which Iva king of the West Saxons caused thâ—ough all his dominion in every house having a Chimney a penny to be collected and payed to the Bishop of Rome in the name of Peter and thereof were they called Peter Pence And the said Peter Pence ever since or for the most part have used of along custom to be gathered and summoned by the Popes Collectors here in England from the time of Iva to this present Parliament The oath of the Clergy-men which they were wont to make to the Bishop of Rome now pope quondam was abolished and made void by stature and a new oath ministred and confirmed for the same wherein they acknowledged the King to be supream head under Christ in this Church of England these oaths were the occasion that the pope lost all his interest and jurisdiction in England within short while after In this Parliament amongst other diverse statutes most graiously and by the blessed will of God it was enacted that the Pope and all his Colledge of Cardinals with his Pardons Indulgences which so long had clogged this Râ—al n of England to the miserable slaughter or so manny good men and which never could be removed â—way before was never abolished eradicat and exploded out of this land and sent home â—gâ—in to their own country of Rome from whence they came God be everlastingly praised therefore Amen An act was made concerning the Kings highnesse to be the suppream head of the Church of England and to have authority to reform and redresse all errors heresies and abuses in the same When all other the Kings subjects and the learned of the Realm had taken and accepted the oath of the Kings supreamacy only Fisher the Bishop of Rochester and Sir Thomas Moor refused to be sworn who therefore falling into the danger of the Law were committed unto the Tower executed for the same This Fisher with Sir Thomas Moor were great persecutors of the saints of God Tindal betrayed be Henry Philips was delivered into his enemies hands and burnt in Flanders by Filfoord castle The worthy vertues and doings of this blessed Martyr who for his painfull travels and singular zeal to his country may be called in these our days an Apostle of England it were long to recite Among many other this because it seemeth to me worthy of remembrance I thought it not in silence to overpasse which hath unto me credibly been testified by certain grave Merchants and some of them also such as were present the same
Prince of Spain and Mary Queen of England were married together by the Bishop of Winchester in the presence of a great number of Noblemen of both the Realms in the year of God 1554. Cardinal Pool is sent legate to the King and Queen to reconcile England to their mother Church Rome the Parliament suâ—mit themselves to the Pope his authority is restored which was matter of great joy to Rome Great was the bloody murthering of Gods Saints in the time of Queen Mary And first to begin with Master John Rogers he is condemned of the Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor for two articles first for that he affirmed the Romish Catholick Church to be the Church of Antichrist and that he denied the reality of their Sacrament he cursed him to be disgraded and condâ—mned and put into the hands of the Lâ—itie and so he gave him over into the Shireffs hand which were much better then his 2. That in the Sacrament of the Altar there is not substantially nor really the natural body and blood of Christ After that this John Rodgers had been long and straitly imprisoned by the space of an year and an half at New-gate amongst Theeves often examined and very uncharitably entreated and at length unjustly and most cruelly by wicked Winchester condemned Such was the Bishop of Winchester and Boner Bishop of London their charity that he could not obtain of them that favour as to talk a little with his wife before his burning for his wife and children being eleven in number ten able to go and on sucking on her breast met him by the way as he went towards Smithfield this sorrowfull sight of his own flesh blood could nothing move him but that he constantly and chearfully took his death with wonderful patience in the defence and quarrel of Christs Gospel As he was going to Smithfield he said the Psalm Miserere by the was all the people wonderfully rejoycing at his constancy with great praises and thanks to God for the same A littâ—e before his burning at the stake his pardon was brought if he would have recanted but he utterly refused it so he was burned into ashes washing his hands in the flamme as he was in burning he was the first Protomartyr of all that blessed company that suffered in Queen Maries time that got the first adventure upon the fire he was viccar of St. Pulchers and Reader of Pauls in London After that Mâ—ster Rodgers had broken the yce here under Queen Mary there suffered in like sort an Archbishop four Bishops twenty one Divines eight Gentlemen eighty four Artificers one hundred Husband-men Servants and Labourers twenty six Wives twenty Widows nine Virgins two boyes and two Infants with many moe yea it is recorded that in lesse then four years they sacrificed the lives of eight hundred innocents here to their Idols in Queen Maries daies We shall take a view of them that are most memorable Lawrence Sanders Preacher a man of worshipfull Parentage was burned for the defence of the Gospel at Coventree being led to the place of Execution he went in an old Gown and a Shirt bare-footed and oftentimes fell flat on the ground and prayed When he came to the fire he fell to the ground and prayed he rose up again and took the Stake to which he should be chained in his arms and kissed it saying welcome the Crosse of Christ welcome everlasting life and being fastned to the Stake and fire put to him full sweetly he sleeped in the Lord. Mr. John Hooper Bishop of Worchester and Glocester was burnt for the defence of the Gospel at Glocester he was a worthy Bishop endued with these qualities that St. Paul requires in a Bishop he was condemned at London and degraded by Bishop Winchester and others and sent to Glocester to be burnt As he went to the fire he was led between two Sheriffs as it were a Lamb to the place of slaughter in a Gown of his Hosts his Hat upon his head and a staff in his hand to stay himself withall for the grief of the Sciatica which he had taken in prison caused him sometimes to halt All the way he was straitly charged not to speak the people mourned bitterly for him After he was entred into his prayer a Box was brought and laid before him upon a Stool with his pardon or at the least wise it was fained to be his pardon from the Queen if he would he at the sight thereof cryed if ye love my soul away with it if ye love my soul away with it the Box being taken away the Lord Shandois said seeing there is no remedy dispatch him quickly Mr. Hooper said God my Lord I trust your Lady will give me leave to make an end of my prayers Then said the Lord Shandois to Sir Edmund Bridges take heed that he do nothing else but pray if he do tell me and I shall quickly dispatch him so he prayed in these words following Lord said he I am hell but thou art heaven I am swill and a stink of sin but thou art a gracious God and a merciful Redeemer have mercy therefore upon me most miserable and wretched offender after thy great mercie and according to thy inestimable goodnesse Thou that art ascended into heaven receive me hell to be partaker of thy joyes where thou sittest in equall glory with tâ—y Father for well knowest thou Lord whereof I am come hither to sâ—ffer and why the wicked do â—â—â—secute this thy poor servant not for my sins and â—â—â—sgressions committed against thee but because I will not allow their wicked doings to the contaminating of thy blood and to the denyall of the knowledge of thy truth wherewith it did please thee by thy holy Spirit to instruct me the which with as much diligence as a poor wretch might being thereto called I have set forth to thy glory And well seest thou my Lord and God what terrible pains and cruel torments be prepared for thy creature such Lord as without thy strength none is able to bear or patiently to passe but all things that are impossible with man are possible with thee Therefore strengthen me of thy goodnesse that in the fire I break-not the rules of patience or else aswage the terrour of the pains as shall seem most to thy glory After he had done he was put to the fire and he abode three quarters of an hour in the fire for it was slow in burnning and thrise it was kindled before he was consumed In the midst of the fire he prayed with a loud voice Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus have mercy upon me Lord Jesus receive my spirit and these were the last words that he was heard to utter But when he was black in the mouth and his tongue swollen that he could not speak yet his lips went til they were shrunk to the Gams and he knocked his breast with his hands untill one of his arms fell off and then knocked
A BREVIARY OF THE LATER PERSECUTIONS Of the Professors of the Gospel of CHRIST JESUS under the Romish and Antichristian Prelats through Christendome from the time of John VVickliff in the year of God 1371. to the Raign of Queen Elizabeth of England and the reformation of Religion in Scotland And of the cruell Persecutions of the Christians under the Turkish Emperors with some memorable occurrences that fell out in these times through diverse Realmes Countreys Collected out of the Ecclesisticall History and Book of Martyrs By Mr. Robert Young Luke 9 23. And he said unto them all if any man will come after me let him deny himself take up his crosse daily follow me Vers 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake the same shal save it Verse 25. For what advantageth it a man if he gain the whole World and destroy himself or lose himself Verse 26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words of him shalt the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy Angels GLASGOW Printed by ROBERT SANDERS Printer to the City and are to be Sold at his Shop 1674. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER Rome is not now as it was in the Primitive times it was then the seat of the true service and worship of God where the Word or God was truly and purely preached professed and maintained but now Rome is full of errors superstition and idolatry of all iniquitie and wickednesse full of vile abominations Petrark Mantuan and many others call Rome the Shop of all wickedness Babylon Sodom the School of errors the Church of heresies an harlot with a shameless face Mantuan thus noteth the vice there used Pudor in villas si non patiantur easdem Et villae vomicas Roma est jam tota lupanar that is go shame to the Villages if they be yet as free from the same filth or now all Rome is nought save boâ—therlie And Pasquil confirmeth the same when one having bâ—en at Rome at his departure taketh his leave thus Roma vale vidi satis est vidisse revertar Cum leno aut mertrix scurra cynedus ero That is Rome farewell I have seen and now I am glutâ—ed wi h the fight I will return when I am baud gester catamit All things are now saleable at Rome saith Mantuan Venalia nobis Templa Sacerdotes Altaria Sacra Coranae Ignis Thura Preces Coelum est venale deusque Temples Priests Altars rites I tell not tale Crowns Sacrifices Heaven and God are set to sale and the souls of men Tecelius the Popes pardon-monger perswaded the people in Germany that whosoever would give ten shillings should at his pleasure deliver one soul out of the pains of Purgatory and assoon as the money rang in the Basen that soul was set at liberty but if it were one jot lesse then ten shillings it would profite them nothing This gainfull gulâ—eâ—â—e Luther cryed down with all his might and so marred the Market and therefore it is said by onâ— very well Vivere qui sanctè cupitis discedite Roma Omnia cum liceant non licet essepium that is ye that desire to live holy depart from Rome for when all things are lawfull it is not lawfull to be holy And as Rome is not now as it was of old so neither are the Bishops of Rome such men as were in the primitive times they were then Preachers of the Gospel of Christ Jesus maintainers and defenders of it and gave their lives to Martyrdome for the cause of Christ and his Gospel so that there were 25. of them that died Martyrs in order one after another But now the Bishops of Rome â—re become Tyrants and cruel persecuters of the Saints of God and Professors of the Gospel of Christ Jesus with fire and sword as we may see in the Martyrdome of John Hus and Jerome of Prage and thousands â—â—oe And as this insuing Treatise doth declare they are men of wicked and vicious lives given to unlawfull Arts and Sciences as to Necromancy There were eighteen Popes Necromancers one succeeding another they are lifted up in intollerable pride and claim and take to themselves high and arrogant titles as universall Bishops Princes of Priests supream head of the Universall Church and Vicars of Christ here one earth which must not be judged of any having all knowledge of Scriptures and all Laws contained within the Chest of their breasts chief Magistrates of the world they exalt themselves above Kings Princes and Emperours causing some of them to ly under their feet some to hold their stirrop some to lead their horse by the bridle some to kisse their feet placing and displacing Emperors Kings Dukes and Earles whom and when they pleased Was it not a presumptuous thing in Gregorius the seventh to cause the Emperor Henry the fourth to stand at his gate three dayes and three nights bare-foot and bare-legged with his wife and childe in the deep of Winter both frost and snow entreating for his absolution and after did Excommunicate him again so that he was twise Excommunicate in his dayes And did not I Paschalis after Gregorie set up the son of the said Henricus against his father in war to possesse the Empire and to put down his father and so he did And did not I Gregorius set up Robert Wysard and make him King of Sicilia and Duke of Capua Did not I Pope Alexander bring under Henry the second King of England for the death of Thomas Becket and cause him to go bare foot to his Tomb at Caunterbury with bleeding feet Did not I Innocentius the third cause King John to kneel down at the feet of Pandolphus my Legat and offer up his Crown to his hands and to kisse the feet of Stephen Langtoun Bishop of Canterburie and besides merced him in a thousand Meâ—ks be year Did not I Alexander bring the valiant Emperor Frederick the first to Venice by reason of his son Otho there taken prisoner and there in St. Marks Church made him fall down flat upon the ground while I set my feet upon his neck saying that verse of the Psalm Super aspidem Basiliscum ambulubis c. Did not I Adrianus Pope an Englishman born controle and correct the forsaid Frederick the Emperor for holding the left stirrop of my horse when he should have holden the right and afterward did I not Excommunicate him and curse him for that he was so sâ—wcy to set up his own name in writing before mine Did not I Pope Celestine Crown Henry the fifth Emperour with my foot and with my foot spurned the Crown from his head again in St. Peters Church to make him know that the Popes of Rome have power both to Crown Emperors and to dispose them again And briefly sayes the Pope who is able to comprehend the greatnesse of my power
also apprehended for religion into the temple of St. Mary at Rome either to revoke or to be burned There sate on them six Cardinals in high seats beside the Judge before whom preached a dominick-Frier which cruelly inveying against the poor prisoners incensed the Cardinalls with all the vehemency he might to their condemnation the poor man stood holding a burning Taper in their hands of whom some for fear of death revolted But this Doctor Mollius with a weaver of Perusium remained constant Then Mollius began an earnest sermon in the Italian tongue wherein he confirmed the articles of faith by the sacred Scriptures declaring also that the Pope was not the successor of Peter but Antichrist and his sectaries do figure the whore of Babylon Moreover he cited them up to the tribunal seat of Christ and they being replenished with anger condemned him with the weaver to the fire and commanded them to be had away So were they carried incontinent to the camp or field called Florianum where they remained chearfull and constant first the weaver was hanged Mollius then willing the hangman to execute his office likewise upon him began to exhort the people to beware of idolatry and to have no other Saviour but Christ alone for he only is the Mediator between God and man and so also he was hanged commending his soul to God and afterward laid in the fire and burned The people having diverse judgments upon him some said he died an heretick some said he was a good man Furthermore in the same citie of Rome and about the same time in the Monastery of St. Augustine were found two monks in their Celles with their tongues and heads cut off only for rebuking the immoderat and outragious excesse of the Cardinals Such was the cruelty then of the malignant adversaries In Pope Pius the fourth his time was hot persecution in all the territories of the church of Rome against them which were suspected for Lutherans whereupon insued great trouble and persecution in the Kingdom of Naples in such cruel sort that many Noble Men with their wives and others are reported there to bee slain in Calabria beyond Naples in Italy likewise the same time suffered a great number of Christs welbeloved Saints both old and young put together in one house to the number of 88. persons all which one after another were taken out of the house and so being laid upon the Butchers stall like the sheep in the shambless with one bloody knife were all killed in order a spectacle most tragicall for all posterity to remember and almost incredible to believe beside also a great number condemned Now to return again to the Isse of Brittain to England and Scotland and to take a view of the affairs of the Churches there And first to begin with England In the reign of King Henry the eight at Coventree there were seven apprehended and burnt for the gospell of Christ to wit Mistresse Smith widow Robert Hatchers a Shoemaker Wrigsham a glover Lansdale a Hosier Archer a shoemaker Hawkings a shoemaker Thomas band shoemaker The principal cause of the apprehension and burning of these persons was for teaching their children and family the Lords prayer and ten commandments in English the children were sent for to the Gray-friers in Coventree before the Warden of the said Friers called Frier-Stafford who straitly examining them of their beliefe and what Heresie their Fathers had taught them charged them upon pain of suffering such death as their Fathers should in no wayes to medle any more with the Lords prayer the Creed and the ten Commandments in English Thomas Harding dwelling at Cheâ—ham in the County of Euchingham with Alice his Wife was first abjured by Wiâ—â—am Smith Bishop of Lincoln with diverse others moe which the same time were taken and compelled some to beat Faggots some were burned in the check with hotirons some condemned to perpetual prison some threstinto Monasteries and spoyled clean of all their goods some compelled to make pilgrimage to the great Block otherwise called our Lady in Lincoln some to one part some to another Harding for reading upon English booâ—s waa condemned for relâ—pse to be burned to ashes and was burnt being of the age of threescore years Many simple people in the Diosie of Lincoln were vexed afflicted and persecuted for then Religion the Son was compelled to testifie against the Father the Father against the son the wife against the Husband and the husband against the wife the sister against the brother A Brief Discourse concerning the story and Life of Thomas Volsey laâ—e Cardinal of York wherein is to be seen and noted the express Image of the proud vain glorious Church of Rome how fare it differeth from the true Church of Jesus Christ. THis Cardinall Volsey and the Popes Legat of Rome was so puft up in pride that he thought himself equal with the King And when hee had said Masse he made Dukes and Earies to serve him of Wine with a say taken and to hold the basen at the Lavatories Furthermore as he was Ambassadour sent to the Emperor at Eruxels he had over with him the great Seal of England and was served with his Servitours kneeling on their knees and many Noble men of England waiting upon him to the great admiration of all the Germans that beheld it such was his monstruous pomp and pride That glorious Cardinal in his tragicall doings did exceed so far all measure of a good subject that he became more like a Prince then a priest for although the King bare the sword he bare the strok making in a manner the whole Realm to bend at his beck and to dance after his pipe Such practises and fetches he had that when he had well stored his own Coffers first he fetched the greatest part of the Kings Treasure out of the Realm in twelve great barrels full of gold and silver to serve the Popes wars And as his avaritious mind was never satisfied in getting so his restlesse head was so busie rufling in publick matters that he never ceased before he had set both England France Flanders Spain and Italy together by the ears for his pride and avarice he was hated of all men At what time Pope Clement was taken prisoner Cardinal Volsey wrote tot he Emperor to make him Pope but when he returned an answer wherein he was not pleased he waxed furious mad and sought all means to displease the Emperor writeing very sharply unto him many minacing letters that if he would not make him Pope he would make such a ruffling between christian Princes as was not this hundreth years before to make the Emperor repent year though it should cost the whole Realm of England Whereupon the Emperor answering biddeth him look well about him lest through his doings and atempts he might bring the matter in that case that it should cost him the Realm of England indeed The King finding himself deluded by Cardinal Campegius and Cardinal
Almighty and from thence he shal come to judge the quick and the dead Lo this is the heresie that I hold and for it must suffer the death But as touching the holy and blessed Supper of the Lord I believe it to be a most necessary remembrance of his glorious suffering and death Moreover I believe as much therein as my eternall and only Redeemer Jesus Christ would I should believe She is brought into Smithfield to her execution in a Chair because she could not go on her feet by means of her great torments there she patiently endured death with sundry moe that at that time was burnt with her Then Urisley Lord Chancellor sent to Anna Askew Letters offering to her the Kings pardon if she would recant who refusing once to look upon them made this answer again that she came not thither to deny her Lord and Master Then were the Letters offered unto the other who in like manner following the constancy of the woman denyed not only to receive them but also to look upon them whereupon the Lord Major commanding fire to be put to them cryed with a loud voice fiat Justitia Queen Catherine Parre late Queen and wife to King Henry the eight was in great danger for the Gospel the Chancellor Bishop of Winchester and others of their conspiracy but she was graciously preserved by her kind and loving Husband the King King Henry died in the thirty eight year of his Reign King Henry of his own nature and disposition was so inclinable and forward in all things vertuous and commendable that the like interprise of redresse of Religion hath not lightly been seen in any other Christned Prince as in abolishing the stout and almost invincible authority of the Pope in suppressing Monâ—steries in repressing custome of Idolatry and Pilgrimages c. which interprises as never King of England did accomplish though some began to attempt them before him so yet to this day we see but few in other Realmes dar follow the same So long as Queen Bullâ—n Thomas Cromwell Bishop of Cranmer and such like good counsellours were about him he did much good So again when sinister and evil counsell under subtill and crafty pretences had gotten once the foot in thrusting truth and verity out of the Princes ears how much Religion and all good things went prosperously forward before so much on the contrary side all revolted backward again Prince Edward succeeded his father being of the age of nine years and Reigned six years and eight months and eight dayes and deceased Anno 1553. He was a vertuous and religious Prince of admirable gifts and graces far beyond his years Religion flourished in his time for by the advise of his Governours especially by his Uncle Lord John Simer Duke of Somerset Protector of the Realm that monstrous Hydra with six heads the six Articles I mean who devoured up so many men before was abolished and taken away the holy Scriptures were restored to the Mother Tongue Mastes extinguished and abolished these that were before in banishment for the danger of the truth were again received to their Countrey for the most part of the Bishops of Churches and Diocesses were changed Such as had been dumb Prelats before were compelled to give place to others then that would preach take pains Besides other also out of foraign Countreys men of learning and notable knowledge were sent for and received among whom was Peter Martyr Martin Bucer and Paulus Phagius which were set into the Universities Of the old Bishops some were committed to one Ward some to another but these meek and gentle times of King Edward under the Government of this noble Protector hath this one commendation proper unto them for that amongst the whole number of the popish sort of whom some privily did steal out of the Realm many were crafty dissemblers some were open and manifest adversaries yet of all that multitude there was not one man that lost his life for during all the time of King Edwards Reign which was about six years neither in Smithfield nor any other quarter of this Realm any was heard to suffer for any matter of Religion either Papist or Protestant either for one opinion or other except only two one an English-woman called Joan of Kent and the other a Dutch-man named George who died for certain Articles not much necessary here to be rehearsed Besides these two there was none else in all King Edwards Reign that died in any manner or cause of Religion but that one Thomas Dobbie who in the beginning of this Kings Reign was apprehended for speaking against the Idolatry of the Masse and in the same Prison died whose pardon notwithstanding was obtained of the Lord Protector and should have been brought him if he had continued The horrible and bloody Time of Queen MARY QUeen Mary succeeded her brother King Edward to the Crown ingyring her self by force and violence notwithstanding that Lady Jane was proclaimed Queen before her by King Edwards testament and the consent of the Nobility She altered Religion that was in King Henries time and King Edwards she made an Inhibition by proclamation that no man should preach or read openly in the Churches the word of God the Masse is set up and a proclamation that no man should interrupt any of these that would say masse the Popes Authority is restored In a word she banished the Gospel and true Religion and brought in the Antichrist of Rome with his Idolatry supperstition turned the English service into Latine again c. About this time a priest of Canterbury said masse the one day and the next day after he came into the Pulpit and desired all the people to forgive him for he said he had betrayed Christ but not as Judas did and there made a long Sermon against the Masse Marriage is concluded between Queen Mary and the King of Spain Strange sights were seen before the comming in of King Philip and subversion of Religion for in the month of February 1553. there was seen within the City of London about the 9. of the clock in the forenoon two Suns Shining at once the one a good pretty way distant from the other At the same time was also seen a rain bow turned contrary and a great deal higher then hath been accustomed it stood with the head downward and the feet as it were upward In the second year of Queen Mary there was a Cat hanged upon a Gallows at the crosse in Cheap apparelled like a priest ready to say masse with a shaven crown her two fore feet tyed over her head with a round paper like a wafer cake put between them whereon arose a great ill-will against the city of London for the Queen and the Bishops were very angry withall and therefore the same afternoon there was a proclamation that whosoever could bring forth the party that did hang up the Cat should have twenty Nobles but none could or would earn it Philip
apprehended and at one time 22. prisoners were sent up together for Gods word to London from Colchester all whom bloody Boner B. of London was minded to have executed by perswasion of the Cardinal he was stayed This Cardinal was a Papist but no bloody papist alwayes for fear of stir among the people to see so many execute at once upon a reasonable submission were sent away again yet the rage of the persecution ceased not so that sometime ten at once sometime seven sometimes five excuted and burnt in Smithfield and some in other parts of the Countrey A certain woman being condemned of the Bishop to be burnt at Canterbury had two children named Patience and Charity who then said to the Bishop that if he would need burn her she trusted that he would take and keep Patience and Charity meaning her two children Nay quoth the Bishop by the faith of my body I will meddle with none of them both for the Bishop will neither keep patience nor charity At Colchester there were three men and three women burned in the forenoon besides four other burned at afternoon There that were put to the fire before noon they clapped their hands for joy in the fire that the standers by which were very many cryed generally all almost the Lord strengthen them the Lord comfort them the Lord pour his mercies upon them with such like words as was wonderfull to hear thus yeelded they up their souls and bodies into the Lords hands for the testimony of his truth Cicely Ormes was burnt at Norwich she was a very simple woman but yet zealous in the Lords cause she did for a twelve month before she was taken recant but never after was she quiet in conscience untill she was utterly driven from all their Popery between the time she recanted and that she was taken she had gotten a letter made to give the Chancellor to let him know that she repented her recantation from the bottome of her heart and would never do the like again whilest she lived but before she exhibited her bill she was taken and sent to prison and going to execution she said unto the people I would ye should not think of me that I believe to be saved in that I offer my self here unto the death for the Lords cause but I believe to be saved by the death of Christs passion and this my death is and shall be a witnesse of my faith unto you all here present Good people as many of you as believe as I believe pray for me Note well this saying of hers Then she came to the Stake and kissed it and said welcome the sweet crosse of Christ and so gave her self to be bound thereto After the Tormenters had kindled the fire to her she said my soul doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour And in so saying she set her hands together right against her breast casting her head and eyes upward and so stood having up her hands by little and little till the very sinews of her arms brast asunder and then they fell but she yeelded her life unto the Lord and quietly as she had been in a slumber or as one feeling no pain So wonderfully did the Lord work with her his name therefore be praised for evermore Amen In this furious time of persecution was burned John Rough Minister he was born in Scotland At the age of 17. years he entred into the order of the black Friers at Sterling he remained the space of 16. years untill such time as the Lord Hamiltoun Earle of Arrane and Governour of the Realm of Scotland casting a favour unto him did sue unto the Archbishop of St. Andrews to have him out of his professed order that as a Secular Priest he might serve him for his Chaplaine At which request the Archbishop caused the Provincial of that house having thereto authority to dispense with him for his habit and order This sute being thus by the Earle obtained the said Rough remained in his her service one whole year during which time it pleased God to open his eyes and to give him some knowledge and thereupon was by the said Governour sent to preach in the freedom of Air where he continued four years and then after the death of the Cardinal he was appointed to abide at St. Andrews and there he had assigned unto him a yearly pension of twenty pound from King Henry the eight King of England howbeit at last weying with himself his own danger and also abhorring with himself the idolatry and superstition of his countâ—ey and hearing of the freedome of the Gospel within the Realm of England he went to England in King Edwarâ—s time and there was preferrâ—d by the Duke of Somerset as a Preacher to serve at Caâ—lill and other placâ—s but in the beginning of the raign of Queen Mary he fled with his wife into Friesland there labouring truly for his living in knitting of Capes Hose and such like things till about the end of the moneth of October last before his death At which time lacking yarn and other necessarie provision for the maintenance of his occupation he came over again into England here to provide for the same he joyneth himself to the Congregation at London and was there Minister and thereafter he was betrayed and apprehended and sent to Newgate he is brought to his examination before Boner After his examination he is condemned as an Heretick and degraded exeeming him from all bene fits and priviledges of their Church and committed his body to the Secular power Touching him two things may be noted first he being in the north Countrey in the dayes of King Edward the sixth was the mean to save Doctor Watsons life who in Queen Maries time was Bishop of Lincoln for a Sermon that he made there The said Watson after that in the said dayes of Queen Mary being with Boner at the examination of the said Mr. Rough to requite the good turn in saving his life detected him there to be a pernicious Heretick who did more hurt in the north parts then an hundred beside of his opinion Unto whom Mr. Rough said again Why Sir Is this the reward that I have for saving your life when ye preached erroneous Doctrine in the dayes of King Edward the sixth 2. Being before Boner among other talk he affirmed that he had been twise at Rome and there had seen plainly with his eyes which he many times heard of before namely that the Pope was the very Antichrist for there he saw him carried on mens shoulders and the false named Sacrament born before him yet was there more reverence given unto him then unto that which they counted to be their God When Boner heard this rising up and making as though he would have torn his garments hast thou said he been at Rome and seen our holy father the Pope and dost thou blaspheme him After this sort and with that flying upon him he plucked
the eleventh there ensued such a great Schisme in Rome between two Popes Urban and Clement and other succeeding after them one striving against another that the Schisme thereof indured the space of 39. years or there about untill the time of the Counsell of Constance As touching this pestilent and miserable Schisme It would require here another Iliad to comprehend in order all the circumstances and tragicall parts thereof what trouble in the whole Church what parts taking in every country what apprehending and imprisoning of Priests and Prelats taken by land and sea what shedding of Blood did follow thereoff how Otho Duke of Brunswick and Prince of Tarentum was taken and murthered how Joan his wife Queen of Jerusalem and Sicilia who before had sent to Pope Urban beside other gifts at his Coronation 40. m. Duckets in pure Gold was after by the said Urban committed to prison and in the same prison strangled What Cardinals were racked and miserably without all mercy tormented on Gibbets to death what slaughter of men what Battels were fought between the Popes whereof 5000. on the one side were slain beside the number of them who are taken Prisoners of the beheading of five Cardinals together after long torments And how the Bishop of Aquilonensis being suspected of Pope Urban for not ryding faster with the Pope his horse not being so good was there slain by the Popes commandement sending his Souldiers unto him to slay him and cut him in pieces with many moe acts of horrible cruelty happening in the time of this abominable Schisme About the same time aâ—so or about three years after there fell a cruell dissention in England between the common people and the Nobility the which did not a little disturb and trouble the Common-wealth In this tumult Simon of Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury was taken by the Rusticall and rude people and was beheaded In the year of God 1397. there was a battel foughteen betwixt Tamerlane the Tartarian Prince and Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks not far from the Mount Stella where Bajazer there lost his son Mustapha with two hundred thousand of his men and Tamerlane not many fewer Bajazet himself was taken and being brought to Tamerlane and after sundry things asked of him he inqired of him what he would have done with him if it had been his fortune to have fallen into his hands as thou art now in mine I would said Bajazer have inclosed thee in a Cage of Iron and so in triumph have carried thee up and down my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlane shalt thou be served And so he made him to be schaked in fetters and chains of gold and to be shut up in an Iron Cage made like a Grat in such sort as that he might on every side be seen and so carried him up and down as he passed through Asia to be of his own people scorned and derided And to his own further disgrace upon Festival dayes used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted to horse and at other times scornfully feed him like a Dog with crumes fallen from his Table A rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honour that he unto whose ambitious mind Asia and Europe two great parts of the world were too little should be now carried up and down cooped up in a little Iron Cage like some perillous wild beast all which Tamerlane did not so much for the hatred to the man as to manifest the just judgement of God against the arrogant folly of the proud It is reported that Tamerlane being requested by one of his Noblemen that might be bold to speak unto him to remit some part of his severity against the person of so great a Prince answered that he did not use that rigour against him as a King but rathet did punish him as proud ambitious Tyrant polluted with the blood of his own brother About this time Berthold Schwartz and Alchimist invented the Guns and Artilery After the death of John Wickliff many were persecuted and suffered most cruel death in England and many moe did forsake the Realm and weâ—e persecuted for the embracing professing and maintaining of VVckliffs doctrine And first of all we begin at one VVilliam Sawtre a good man and a faithfull Priest of the Churrh of St. Margaret in the Town of Lin and zealous of the true Religion he is brought before Thomas Arnndell Archbishop of Canterbury and his Clergie and is before them convict and condemned for Heresie he is first desposed and degraded from his Office and thereafter delivered to the secular power to be burned This it may appear how tKings and Princes have been blinded and abused by â—he false Prelates of the Church in so much that they have been their slaves and butchers to slay Christs poor innocent members See therefore what danger it is for princes not to have knowledge and understanding themselves but to be led by other mens eyes and especially trusting to such guides who through hypocrisie both deceive them and through cruelty devour the people As this King Henry the fourth was the first of English Kings that began the unmercifull burning of Christs Saints for standing against the Pope so was this VVilliam Sawtre the true and faithfull Martyr the first of all them after VVickliffs death which I find to be burned in the raign of the forsaid King which was in the year of our Lord 1400. After the Martyrdome of this godly man the rest of the same company began to keep themselves more clearly for fear of the King who was altogether bent to hold up the Popes Prelacie Such was the raign of this Prince that to the godly he was ever terrible in his actions immeasurable of few men heartily beloved but Princes never lack flatters about them neither was the time of his raigne very quiet but full of trouble of blood and misery After the death of VVilliam Sawtre was apprehended one John Badby a Taylor a Lay-man he was accused of heresie and other Articles repugnant to the determination of the Church of Rome before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury and other his assiants both Lords Spirituall and Temporall and was condemned for an Heritick and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt the Kings warrand is given for his burning he is brought into Smithfield and there being put in an empty Barrell was bound with Iron Chains fastened to an Stake having dry Wood put about him And as he was thus standing in the Pipe or Tun it happened that the Prince the Kings eldest son was there present who shewing some part of the good Samaritan began to endeavour and essay how to save his life he admonished counselled him that having respect unto himself he would speedily withdrawn himself out of these dangerous Labyrinths of opinions adding oftentimes threatnings the which might have daunted any mans stomack but hee hearkened not thereunto and then was the Tun put over him and fire put
handled in hatred of Christ The spoyl and havock of the city lasted three days together while the barbarous Souldiours murthered and rispled what them listed These things thus beâ—ng done and the tumult ceased after three dayes Mahomets the Turk entreth into the city and first calling for the Heads and Ancients of the city such as he found to be left alive he commanded them to be mangled and cut in pieces It is also reported that in the feasts of the Turks honest Matrons and Virgins and such as were of the Kings stock after other contumelies were hewen and cut in pieces for their disport And this was the end of that princely and famous city of Constantinople beginning first by Constantinos and ending also with Constantinus This terrible destruction of the city of Constantinople the Queen of cities may be a warning to all Christendome Rynold Peacock Bishop of Chichester is greatly afflicted persecuted by the Pops Prelats for his faith and profession he is forced by menaces and threatnings to recant and notwithstanding his recantation he is deteined still in prison where some say that hee was privately made away to death In the Reign of King Edward the fourth Joh Goose or John Hus a goodly constant servant of Christ was unjustly condemned and burnt at the Tower-hill Thus had England also this John Hus as well as Bohemia John Goose in Englsh is as much as John Hus in the Bohemian Language This John Goose being delivered to Robert Belisdon one of the Sheriffs to see him burnt in the afternoon The Sheriffliffe a charitable man had him home to his house and there exhorted him to deny saith the Story his error But the godly man after long exhortation heard desired the Sheriff to be content for he was satisfied in his conscience notwithstanding this he desired of the Sheriff for Gods sake to give him some meat saying tha the was very sore hungred Then the Sheriff commanded him meat whereof he took and did eat as if he had been toward no manner of danger and said to such as stood about him I eat now a good and compleat Dinner for I shall passe a little sharp showre ere I go to Supper and when he had Dined he gave thanks and requested that he might shortly be led to the place where he should yeeld up his spirit unto the Lord and so he was burned In the time of this King Edward the fourth this is not to be passed by that one Burdet a Merchand dwelling in Cheapside at the Sign of the Crown which is now the Sign of the Flower deluce merrily speaking to his son that he would make him Inheritor of the Crown meaning indeed his own house for the which words King Edward causing them to be misconstrued and interpreted as though he had meant the Crown of the Realm within leffe then four houres he was apprehended judged drawn and quartered at Cheapside here is Tyrannie in misconstruing a mans words and the Laws of the Realm misconstrued for the Kings pleasure In the ninth year of the Reign of Henry the seventh was burned a very old Woman above fourscore years named Joan Boughton Widow and Mother to Lady Young which Lady was also suspect to be of that opinon that her Mother was she was a Disciple of Wickliff and held so fast and firmly eight of his opinions that all the Doctors of London could not turn her from one of them And when it was told her that she should be burnt for her obstinacy and self-belief she set nothing by their menacing words but defyed them for she said that she was so beloved of God and his holy Angels that she passed not for the fire And in the mids thereof she cried to God to take her soul into his holy hands and so she was burnt he night following the most part of her ashes were had away of such as had a love unto the Doctrine she died for In the next year following was a Priest burnt which was so strong in his opinion that all the Clerks and Doctors then there being could not remove him from his Faith whereof the King being informed he caused the said Priest to be brought before his presence who by his perswasion caused him to revolt and so he was burnt immediatly The storm of persecution which had raged long in England against many good and godly men brake forth likewise in other parts of Christendome as in Germany Italy and France In Germany and other parts there about after the burning of John Hus were many put to death for religion In Italy one Thomas Rhedone a French-man and a Camelit Frier was burnt for the profession of Christ at Rome At this time also fell out the Martyrdome and burning of Hieronymus Savanatola a man no lesse godly in heart then constant in his profession he was a Monk in Italy and singularly well learned he Preached sore against the evill life and living of the Spirituality and especially of his own Order complaining sore upon them as the Springs and Authors of all mischiefs and wickednesse c. He with his two companions was hanged and burnt for the Gospels truth This man foreshewed many things to come as the destruction of Florence and Rome and the renewing of the Church which three things have happened in these times in this our remembrance also he foreshewed that the Turks and Mores in the latter dayes should be converted unto Christ he also declared that one should passe the Alps into Italy like unto Cyrus who should subvert and destroy all Italy whereupon Johannes Franciscus Picus Earl of Mirandula called him a holy Prophet and defended him by his Writtings against the Pope as many other learned men also defended the innocency of the said Savanarola And speaking of this Joannes Picus Earl of Mirandula it shall not be amisse to shew this Story of him This Picus being but a young man was so excellently witred and so singularly learned in all Sciences and in all Tongues both Latine Greek and Hebrew Chaldie and Arabie that coming to Rome Booted and Spurred he set up nine Conclusions to Dispute in the same with any in all Christenstome whosoever would come against him Of which Conclusions diverse were touching the matter of the Sacrament And when none was found in all Rome or in Europe that openly would Dispute with him privily and in corners certain of the Popes Clergy Prelat Lawyers and Friers by the Pope appointed consulted together to enquire upon his Conclusions whereupon they did Articulat against him for suspition of Heresie And thus the unlearned Clergy of Rome privily circumvented and intangled this learned Earl in their snare of Heresie against whom they durst never openly Dispute he died being of the age of thirty two years of such wit and towardnesse as is hard to say whither ever Italy bred up a better In his sicknesse Charles the eight then French King moved with fame of his Learning came to visite him
Volsey anent the question of his Marriage the decision whereof was referred to them by the Pope but nothing in it by them done Volsey tell from the Kings favour so that after that time he never came more to the Kings presence for he was mightily offended with him whom he before so highly exalted and promoted to so many great dignities as to the Archbishoprik of York the Bishoprick of Winchester of Durham the Abbee of St. Albons besides the Chancelorship of England and many other high dignities and preferments in the Realm He is deprived of his Chancelorship and it is given to Sr Thomas More There are sundry Articles given in against the Cardinal he is arrested and brought up toward London he fell sick by the way and by immoderat Purgations killed himself This was the end of this vain glorious Cardinal It is recorded of one Humfrey Mummuth Alderman of London much troubled for his Religion a notable example of Christian patience In the Sermons of Master Latimer which the said Latimer heard in Cambridge of Master George Stafford Reader to the Divinity Lecture in that University who expounding the place of St Paul to the Romans that we shall overcome our enemie with well-doing and so heap hot coals upon his head brought in this example saying that he knew in London a great rich Merchand meaning this Humfrey which had a very poor neighbour yet for all his poverty he loved him very well and sent him money at his need and let him come to his Table whensoever he would Now the Rich Man began to be a Scripture-man he began to smell the Gospel the poor man was a Papist still It chanced on a time when the rich man talked of the Gospel at the Table where he reproved Popery and such kind of things This poor man being there present took a great displeasure against the rich man in so much that he would come no more to his house he would borrow no more money of him as he was wont to do before-times yea and conceived such hatted and malice against him that he went and accosed him before the Bishops Now the rich man not knowing of any such displeasure offered many times to talk with him and to set him at quiet It would not be The poor man had such a stomack that he would not vouchsafe to speak with him If he met the rich man in the street he would go out of his way On a time it happened that he met him so in a narrow street that he could not avoid but come near him yet for all that this poor man I say had such a stomack against the rich man that he was minded to go forward and not to speak with him The rich man perceiving that caught him by the hand and asked him saying Neighbour What is come into your heart to take such displeasue with me What have I done against you Tell me and I will be ready at all times to make you amends Finally he spake so gently so charitably so lovingly and friendry that it wrought so in the poor mans heart that by and by he fell down upon his knees and asked him forgivennesse The rich man forgave him and so took him again to his favour and they loved as well as ever they did before Agree with thine enemy while thou art in the way with him Mat. 5. Great was the courage and constancy of Thomas Bilney in his Martyredome The night before his execution one of his friends comming to him finding him at his repast with such a chearfull heart and quiet mind said that he was glad to see him at that time so shortly before his heavy and painful departure so heartily to refresh himself whereunto he answered Oh said he I follow the example of the husband men of the countrey who having a ruinous house to dwell in yet bestow cost so long as they may hold it up And so do I now with this ruinous house of my body and with Gods creatures in thanks to him to refresh the same as ye see Then sitting with his said friends in godly talk to their edification some put him in mind that though the fire which he should suffer the next day should be of great neat to his body yet the comfort of Gods spirit should coole it to his everlasting refreshing At this word the said Thomas Bilney putting his hand toward the flamme of the candle barning before then as also he did diverse times besides and feeling the heat thereof O said he I feel by experience and have known it long by Phâ—losophy that fire by Gods ordinance is naturally hot but yet I am perswaded by Gods holy word and by the experience of some spoken or in the same that in flamme they felt no heat and in the fire they felt no consumption And I constantly believe that howsoever the stuble of this my body shall be wasted by it yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby a pain for a time whereon notwithstanding followes joy unspeakeable At the comming forth of the said Thomas Bilney preacher out of the prison doors one of his friends came unto him and with few words as he durst speak to him and prayed him in Gods behalf to be constant and take his death as patiently as he could Whereunto the said Bilney answered with a quiet and milde countenance ye see when the Mariner is entered his ship to sail on the troublous sea how he for a while is tossed in the billows of the same but yet in hope that he shall once come to the quiet haven he beareth in better comfort the perrels which he feeleth So am I now toward this sailing and whatsoever storms I shall feel yet shortly after shal my ship bee in the haven as I doubt not thereof by the grace of God desiring you to help me with your pâ—ayers to the same effect And going forth into the streets he gave much almes by the way by the hands of one of his friends Doctor Warner taking his leave of Thomas Bilney he said pasce gregem tuum pasce gregenituum ut cum venerit Dominus inveniat te sic facientem that is feed your flock feed your flock that when the Lord cometh he may find you so doing When Richard Byfield was degraded kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar the Bishop of London took his crosier staffe and smote him on the breast that hee threw him down backwards and brake his head that he sowuned and when he came to himself again he thanked God he was delivered from the Malignant church of Antichrist and that he was come into the true sincere church of Jesus Christ Militant here on earth and I trust anone said he to be in heaven with Jesus Christ and the Church triumphant for ever and so he was led to the fire in his apparell manfully and joyfully and there for laik of a speedy fire was half an hour alive and when
the either his divorce with the Lady Kathren Dâ—wager of Spain came into qâ—estion which being many wayes by the space of two or three years amongst the Canonists Civilians and other learned men diversly disputed and debated at what time Cardinal Campeius and Cardinal Volsey being in commission from the Pope to hear and determine that great cause in controversity between the King and the Queen his pretended wife dalied and delayed all the Summer time hearing the said cause in controversie debated and the little minding to pâ—oceed to sentence giving took occasion to finish their commission and not further to determine therein So on a night two Doctors of the kings side and Doctor Cranmer being lodged in one house and as they were at supper they conferred with Doctor Cranmer concerning the Kings cause and asking his judgement he answered that in his opinion they made more adoe in prosecuting she law ecclesiasticall then needed It were better I suppose quoth Doctor Cranmer that the question whether a man may many his brothers wife or no were decided and discurssâ—d by the Divines and by the authority of the word of God whereby the conscience of the Prince may be better satisfied and qâ—ieted then thus from year to year by frustretory delayes to prolong the einâ— leaving the very trâ—th of the matter unâ—oulted o it by the wâ—rd of God and this may be done as well in England in the Universities here as at Rome or else where in any foâ—raign nation When Doctor Cranmer had thus endâ—d his Tale the other two well liked of his devise The King hearing of this advise of â—ranmers caused in all haste to send for him I perceive said the King I peâ—ceive that that man hath the Sow by the right ear And if I had known of this devise two years ago it had been in my way a great peece of money and had also red me out of much disquietnesse he comes to the King and after conference between the King and him he layes a charge upon him to search the Scripture in the cause of his divorce and to write his mind therein so he went about the businesse and incontinent wrote his mind concerning the Kings question adding to the same besides the authority of the Scriptures of General Counsels and of ancient writers also his opinion which was this that the Bishop of Rome had no such authority as whereby he might dispense with the word of God and the Scriptue When Doctor Cranmer had made this book and committed it to the King the King said to him will ye abide by this that yee have here written before the B. of Rome that will I do by Gods grace quoth Doctor Cranmer if your Majesty do send me thither Marie quoth the King I will send you even to him in a sure Ambassage And this by means of Doctor Cranmers handling of this matter with the King not only certain learned men were sent abroad to the most part of the Universities in Christendom to dispute the question but also the same being by commission disputed by the Divines in both the Universities in Cambrige and Oxford It was there concluded that no such Matrimony was by the word of God lawfull Whereupon a solemn Ambassage was then prepared and sent to the Bishop of Rome wherein went the Earle of Wiltshire Doctor Cranmer and other Doctors And when the time came that they should come before the Bishop of Rome to declare the cause of their Ambassage the Bishop sitting on high in his cloath of state and in his rich apparâ—el with his Sandals one his feet offering as it were his foot to be kissed of the Ambassadours the Earie of Wiltshire disdaining thereat stood still and made no countenance thereunto so that all the rest keeped them from that idolatry howbeit one thing is not here to be omitted as a Prognosticat of our separation from the seat of Rome which then chanced by a Spaniel of the Earle of Wiltshire for he having there a great Spaniel which came out of England with him stood directly between the Earle and the Bishop of Rome when the said Bishop had advanced forth his foot to be kissed now whether the Spaniel perceived the Bishop foot of another matter than it ought to be and so taking it to be some kind of repast or whether it was the will of God to shew some token by the Dog unto the Bishop of his inoâ—dinate pride that his foot were moâ—e meet to be bitten of dogs then kissed of Christian men the Spaniel I say when the Bishop extended his foot to be kissed no man regarding the fame straight waies as though he had been of purpose appointed thereunto went directly to the Popes foot and not only kissed the same unmannerly but as some plainly reported and affirmed took fast with his mouth the great toe of the Pope so that in hast he pulled in his glorious feet from the Spaniel whereat one man smileing in their sleeves what they thought God knoweth But in fine the Pontificall B. after that sought no more at that present for kissing his feet but without any ceremony gave ear to the Ambassadors what they had to say Who entring there before the Bishop offered on the Kings behalf to be defended that no man Jure Divino could or ought to Marrie his Brothers wife and that the Bishop of Rome by no means ought to dispense to the contrary Diverse promises were made and sundry dayes appointed wherein the question should have been disputed and when one part was ready to answer no man there appeared to dispute in that behalf So in the end the B. making to our Ambassadors good countenance and gratifying Doctor Cranmer with the office of the penitentiariship dismissed them undisputed withal the Ambassadors retuâ—ned but Cranmer went forward in his Ambassage to the Emperor and there to answer such learned men of the Emperors Counsell as would or could say any thing to the contrary part c. At this time B. Warhame then Archbishop of Canterbury departed this transitoâ—y life whereby that dignity then being in the gift and diâ—position of the King was given unto Cranmer as worthy for his travel of such a promotion He proved a notable B. being indued with all these qualities that the Apostle requires in a Bishop He had many enemies in King Henries time but the King held him up In Queen Maries time he is put to great trouble for his Religion he is imprisoned and keeped long in prison and brought out to his examination and tryall sundrie times he is degraded from his office and condemned The Doctors and Divines of Oxford busied themselves all that ever they could about Mr. Cranmer to have him recant assaying by all crafty practices and allurements they might devise to bring their purpose to passe he at last overcome with their perswasions whether through their importunity or by his own imbecillity or of what mind I cannot tell the recantation
delivered him to the Provâ—st of Edenburgh to be burnt on the Castle-hill who incontinent made him to bee put into prison with Irons about his legs and neck At his forthcomming the Provest with great menacing words forbade him to â—peak to any man or any to him as belike he had commandment of his superiors Comming from the town to the Castle-hill the common people said God have mercy upon him and on you said he being beside the fire he lifted up his eyes to heaven twise or thrise and said to the people let it not offend you that I suffer the death this day for the truths sake for the Disciple is not above his Master Then was the Provest angry that he spake then looked he to Heaven again and said they will not let me speak The cord being about his neck the fire was lighted and so departed he to God constantly and with good countenance to our sights There arose in Scotland about this time a Schisme for the Pater Noster by reason of a Sermon of Richard Marshall a black Frier teaching that the Pater Noster should not be said to Saints whereupon the Doctors of the University of St. Andrews together with the gâ—ay Friers who long ago tâ—ught the people to pray the Pater Nâ—ster to Saints had great indignation that their old Doctrine should be repugned and stirred up a gray Frier called Toitts to preach again to the people that they should and might pray the Pater Nostâ—r to Saints Upon this followed incontinent a dangerous schisme in the Church of Scotland for not only the Clergy but the whole people were divided among themâ—elves one defending the truth and another the Papistry in such sort that there arose a Proverb to whom say ye your Pater Noster And although the Papists had the upper hand as then whose works were almost holden for Law so great was the blindnesse of that age yet God so inspired the hearts of the common people that so many as could get the understanding of the words of the Lords Prayer in English which was then said in Latine utterly detested that opinion holding that it should be in no wayes said to the Saints so that the Craftsmen and their servants in their Booths when the Friers came exploded him with shame enough crying Frier Pater Noster Frier Pater Noster who at last being convict with his own conscience was ashamed of his former Sermon was compelled to leave the Town of Sâ— Andrews Shortly the Christians were so hotly offended and the Papists on the other side so proud and wilfull that necessary it was to eschew greater inconveniences that the Clergy at last should be assembled to dispute and conclude the whole matter that the Lay people might be put out of doubt which being done and the University agreed whosoever had been present might have heard much subtill Sophistry for some of the popish doctors affiâ—med that it should be said to God formaliter and to Saints materialiter others ultimate non ultimatè Others said iâ— should be sâ—id to God Principaliter and to Saints minus Principaliter Others that it should be said to God Primarie and to Saints Secundarie Others that it should be said to God Capiendo stricte and to Saints Capieâ—do large Which vain distinctions being heard and considered by the people they that were simple remained in greater doubtfulnesse then they were in before so that a well aged man and a servant to the Superiour of St. Andrews called the Subprior Thome being demanded to whom he said his Pâ—â—er Noster he answered to God only Then he asked again what should be said to the Saints he answered give them Aves and Creeds enough in the devils name for that may suffice them well enough albeit they do not spoil God of his right Others making their vaunt of the Doctors said that because Christ who made the Pater Noster never came into the Isle of Britain and so understood not the English tongue therefore it was that the Doctors concluded it should be said in Latine This perturbation and open slander yet depending it was thought good to call a Provinciall Counsel to decide the matter which being assembled at Edinburgh the Papists being destitute of reason defended their parts with lies alleadging that the Univeasity of Paris had concluded that the Lords prayer should be said to Saints but because that could not be proved and that they could not prevail by reason they used their will in place of reason and sometime despitefull and injurious talk As Frier Scot being asked of one to whom he should say the Pater Noster he answered saying say it to the devil knave So the Counsel perceiving they could profit nothing by reasoning they were compelled to passe voting that is to the numbering of votes But then incontinent they that were called Church-men were found divided and repugnant among themselves for some Bishops with the Doctors and Friers consented that the Pater Noster should be said to Saints but the Bishops of Sr. Andrews Caithnes and others with other moe learned men refused utterly to subscribe the same Finally with consent of both parties commission was given by the holy Church to Dâ—an John Winram then Superior of St. Andrews to declare to the people how and after what manner they should pray the Lords prayer who accepting to the Commission declared that it should be said to God with some other restrictions which are not necessary to be put in memory and so by little and little the bruit and tumult ceased Queen Dowager past by sea to France and took with her diverse of the Nobility of Scotland with diverse Barrons and Gentlemen and many others The Dowager had to practise somewhat with her brethren the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorrane the weight whereof the Governor after felt for shortly after her return was the Governor deposed of his government justly by God but most unrustly by man and she made Regent in the year of our Lord 1554. She was an deadly enemy to the Gospell In the cruel persecution used by Queen Mary of England were godly men dispersed into diverse nations of whom it pleased the goodness of God to send some unto us for our comfort and instruction And first came a simple man William Harlaw whose erudition although it excelled nor yet for his whole and diligent plainnesse in doctrine is he to this day worthy of praise and remains a faithfull member within the Church of Scotland After him came that notable man John Willock as one that had some commission â—o the Q. Regent from the Dutchesse of Emden but his principal purpose to assay what God would work by him in his native country These two did some times in several companies assemble the Brethren who by their exhortations began greatly to be encouraged and did shew that they had an earnest thrist of godlinesse And last came John Knox who bot privatly and publickly preached the
Town called Patrick Lermond refused to be his temporall Judge to whom it appertained if the cause had been just Also the B. Chamberlane beeing therewith charged would in no wayes take upon him so ungodly an office yea the whole Town were so offended with his unjust condemnation that the B. servants could not get for their money so much as one cord to tye him to the Stake or Tar-barrel to burn him but were constrained to cut the cords of their own masters Pavilion to serve their turn Neverthelesse one servants of the B. more ignorant and cruel then the rest called Allexander Somervel interprysing the office of atemporal judge in that part conveyed him to the fire While he was exhorting the people there was gâ—eat mourning and lamentation of the multitude for they perceiving his patience stournesse and boldnesse constancy and hardinesse were greatly moved and stirred up and their hearts mightily inflammed for him This Walter Mill was the last Martyr that died in Scotland for Religion and his death the every death of Popry in this Realm John Knox returns again from Geneva to Scotland and joynes himself to the congregation for the Reformers of Religon at this time were called the congregation he preached to them at Perth where the Reformation began The people having heard how odious idolatry was in Gods presence what commandment he had given for the destruction of the Monuments thereof and what idolatry and what abomination was in the Masse they were so inflammed that neither could the exhortation of the Preachers nor the commandment of the Magistrat stay them from destroying the place of idolatry So the Monastry at Perth was demolished the Charterhouse a building of exceeding cost and largnesse was not only ruined but the stones and timber so quickly taken away as in lesse then two dayes space a vestige thereof was scarce remaining to be seen the Images were publled down at Cowper in Eyfe which the Curat took so heavily as the night following he put violent hands in himself And so the Images Altars and Monasteries were demolished throughout the Country and by the just judgement of God in the same place where Walter Mill was burnt the Images of the great Church of the Abbey which passed both in number and costlinesse were burnt as the rest were When Q. Regent heard what was done at Perth she was so inraged that she did vow utterly to destroy St. Johnston Man Woman and Child and to consume the same by fire and the reafter to salt it in sign of a perpetuall desolation The congregation labours to pacifie the Q. Regents rage by their Letters directed unto her but her rage and the Priests could not be stayed but forward they move against these who then were in St. Johnston a very few and mean number of Gentlemen who perceiving the extremity to approach did write to all their brethren to repair toward them for their relief to the which they found all men so ready bent that the work of God was evidently to be espied for the Earle of Glencarn and the brethren of the West came with all haste for the relief of St. Johnston by whose presence the tyranny of the enemy was bridled There is an appointment concluded between Q. Regent and them and so the Lords departed out of the Town but before their departure they make a new Covenant to concur and assist one another for the mentinance of Religion The Q. entered into the Town the Duke Monsieur Dosel and the Frenchmen who in discharging their volley of Harquebuts killed a Son of Patrick Murray about ten or twelve years of age who being brought to the Q. presence and understanding whose Son he was said It is pity it chanced on the Son and not on the Father but seeing it is so chanced we cannot be against fortime She erects idolatry against the appointment The Q. began to rage against all godly and honest men their houses were oppressed by the French the lawful Magistrats as well Provest and Bâ—illies were unjustly and without all order deposed from their Authority She left four colours of the Souldiers to abide in the Town to mantain idolatry and to ressist the congregation and so she left the Town in extream bondage but shortly after from this bondage was the Town delivered by the Congregation and the French forced to leave the Town and made parent to all the Kings subjects When the Nobility and Gentry and others of the Congregation saw that their just petitions was rejected of Queen Regent for Reformation of Religion and strangers brought in to suppresse them their commonwealth and posterity Idolatry mantained and Christ Jesus his true Religion despised while idle bellies and bloody tyrants the Bishops maintained and Christs true Messengers persecuted while finally vertue contemned vice extolled and while that a great part of the Nobility and Commonallity are most unjustly persecuted after consultation and good advice they deprive her from all regiment and authority amongst them and this was divulgaâ— by sound of Trumpet at the Mercat crosse of Edinburgh and proclamed by officers of Arms in head Burrows within the Realme of Scotland The day following all the Souldiers in Leith French and Scots are summoned by sound of Trumpet to depart out of Leith within the space of 12. hours defyance is given whereupon there was Skirmishing without great slaughter and preparation of Scalls and Ladders was made for the assault which was concluded by common consent of the Nobility and Barrons The French Souldiers issued many a time out of Leith and did great harm through the Country the Congregation not able to suppresse them Queen Regent her faction they were constrained to implore the Q. of England her aid and support which she most willingly granted upon certain conditions specified in a Treaty past at Barwick betwixt the Duke of Norfolk Lievtenant to her Majesty on the one part and certain of our Commissioners on the other part The Army she sent by Land was esteemed ten thousand men the Town is assaulted The Queen Regent sate all the time of the assault which was both terrible and long upon the fore-wall of the Castle of Edinburgh and when she perceived the overthrow of us and that the Ensignes of the French were again displayed upon the walls she did laugh heartily and said now I will go to the Masse and praise God for that mine eyes have seen The French proud of the victory stripped naked all the slain laid their dead carcasses before the Sun along the wall where they suffered them to ly more dayes then one And here we may see the inhumanity of the mercilesse French The siedge is continued and 2000. fresh men sent for that purpose which the Camp greatly comforted began to forget the former discomfiture and to sustain the daily Skirmishing as they did before In the which the French after the day of the assault did ever receive the hurt and the repulse At this
time Queen Regent sickned and shortly thereafter she finished her life unhappy to Scotland from the first day she entred into it untill the day she departed this life which was the 9. day of June in the year of God 1560. Upon the 16. day of June after the death of the Q. Regent came into Scotland Monsieur Randam and with him the B. of Valance in commission from France to negotiate a peace from England there came Sir William Cecill chief Secretary Doct. Whitton their negotiation was long some for both England and we fearing deceit sought by all means that the Contract should be sure In end peace was concluded and proclaimed and sudden provision was made for transporting of the French to France The English Army departed by Land the most part of our Nobility Protestants honourably conveyed them as in very deed they had well deserved but Lord James would not leave the Lord Gray with the other Noblemen of England till that they entered into Berwick After whose r turning the Counsel began to look as well upon the affairs of the Common-wealth as upon the matters that might concern the stability of Religion And first of all there is publick thanksgiving to God for their delivery and the Ministers distributed as the necessity of the Countrey required And so was John Knox appointed to Edinburgh Christopher Goodman who the most part of the troubles had remained at Air was appointed to St. Andrews Adam Herriot to Aberdene Mr. John Row to St. Johnstoun Paul Messen to whom was no infamy then known to Jedburgh William Christison to Dundee David Ferguson to Dumfermling Mr. David Lindsay to Leith There were nominated for Superintendents overseers that all things should be carried in the Church with order and well Mr. John Spotswood for Lothian Mr. John Winram for Fyfe Mr. John Willock for Glasgow the Laird of Dun for Angus and Merns Mr. John Carswell for Argyl and the Isles these to be elected at the dayes appointed unless that the Countreys whereto they were to be appointed could in the mean time find out men more able and sufficient or else shew such causes as might disable them from that imployment The sum of the Doctrine that they were to establish maintain was drawn up in plain and several heads as most true and necessary to be believed and to be received within the Realm which was presented to the Parliament and by them confirmed ratified and approven as wholsome and sound Doctrine grounded upon the infallible truth of God Also at the same time in the Parliament there was an act made against the Masse the sayers the hearers thereof the abuse of the Sacraments And an act for the abolishing of the Pope and his usurped authority in Scotland The 19. day of August 1561. betwixt seven eight hours before noon arived from France Mary Queen of Scotland then widow her husband the King of France then being dead she is received with great mirth joy but the Sunday thereafter the 24. of August when that preparations began to be made for that Idol of the Masse to be said in the Chapel the godly began to be offended displeased thereat to cry out against it and openly to say shall that Idol be suffered again to take place within this Realm It shall not be The Lord Lindsay then but Master with the Gentlemen of Fyse and others plain cried in the Closse or Yard the idolatrous Priests should die the death according to Gods Law the godly departed with grief of heart and after noon repaired to the Abbey in great companies and gave plain signification that they could not abide the Land which God by his power had purged from idolatry should in their eyes be polluted again Great pains and travel was taken by the Nobility the Church to move the Queen to renounce the Mass but could never prevail with her but were forced to suffer her to enjoy it In the year of God 1564 about the midst of July the dispensation of the Marriage being brought from Rome the Queen was espoused to the Lord Darnley after the Popish manner in the Chapell of Halyrudhouse by the Dean of Restalrig and the next day he was by the sound of Trumpet proclaimed King and declared to be associated with her in the Government The slaughter of Signeur Davie is conspired Diverse tails were brought to the King of the neglect contempt that he was holden in of the great respect carried to the stranger the vanity and arrogancy of the man himself was likewise so great as not content to exceed the chief of the Court he would outbrave the King in his apparrel in his Domestick furniture in the number and sorts of his horses and in every thing else so as no speech was for the time more common and current in the countrey then that of Davies greatnesse of the credit and honour whereunto he was risen and of the small account that was taken of the King this the King taking in heart he did open his grief to his Father who advised him to assure the Nobility at home and to recall these that were banished in England which done he might easily correct the insolency and aspyring pride of that base fellow The slaughter of Davie was this The King taking of the Lord Ruthven with him who was but lately recovered of a feaver and followed by four or five men at most entred into the room where the Queen sat at supper Ruthven seeing Davie at the table for the Queen was accustomed when she supped private to admit others to sit by her and that night the Countesse of Argyle and beneath her Davie was placed commanded him to arise and come forth for the place where he sat did not beseem him The Queen starting up hastily went hastily between Davie and Ruthven to defend him and Davie clasping his hands about her midle the King laboured to loose them willing her not to be afraid for that they were come only to take order with that villane Then was he dragged down the stairs to the Gallery where Morton with his company was walking there they set upon him and striving who should give the first stroak killed him with many wounds The conspirators fleed into England The King by sound of Trumpet at the Markâ—â— Crosse of Edinburgh protested his innocency denying that ever he gave his consent to his death yet was the contrary known to all men so as this served only to the undoing of his reputation and made him find few or no friends thereafter to aid him in his necessity Inquisition being made for the murtherers Thomas Scot Sheriff-Depute of Perth and servant to the Lord Ruthven with Sir Henry Zair sometimes a Priest being apprehended were after tryall hanged and quartered Many for not appearing were denounced rebels In all this proceeding there was none more earnest or forward then the King notwithstanding whereof the hatred of the fact
lay heavy upon him nor could he ever after this again recover his former favour with the Queen Anno. 1566. the 19. of June betwixt nine and ten of the Clock in the evening the Q. was brought to bed of a son to the exceeding joy of the Subjects for which the Nobles and whole people assembled the next day in the Church of St. Geils gave solemn thanks to God The Queen waxing strong went by water to Allaway a house belonging to the Earl of Mar and keeped private a fâ—w dayes In that place brake out first her displeasure against the King her husband for he followed her thither was not suffered to stay but commanded to be gone And when at anytime after he came to Court his company was so loathsome unto her as all men perceived she had no pleasure nor content in it such a deep indignation had possessed her mind because of the disgrace offered to her in the slaughter of her man Davie the envy whereof was all laid upon the King as she would never digest it Preparation is made for the Princes Baptism he is baptized in Stirling the 15. day of December 1566. Ambassadors were sent from France to be Gossips and witnesses to the Baptisme The Earle of Bedford is sent from the Queen of England who brought with him a Font of Gold weying two stone weight with a Basen and Ewer for the Baptism 's the King was neither admitted to come to the Baptism nor suffered to come to the feast the Ambassadors had a watch word given them not to see nor salute him the King all this time keeped his Chamber his Father hearing how he was used writ to him to repair unto him who soon after went without goodnight toward Glasgow to his Father he was hardly a mile out of Stirling when the poyson which they had given him wrought so upon him that he had very great pain and dolour in every part of his body At length being arrived at Glasgow the blisters brake out of a blewish colour so the â—â—â—ysicians presently knew the disease to come by Poyson he was brought â—o low that nothing but death was expected yet the strength of his youth at last did surmount the poyson The Queen hearing that the King was recovered she went to Glasgow to visite him and thereafter goes with her to Edinburgh where he is murthered by Bothwell and the house where he lay burned with powder about twelve of the clock in the night his body was cast forth in a yaird without the Town wall adjoyning close by there was a servant likewise murthered beside him who had been also in the Chamber with him he had been King but 18. Months he was of a comly stature and none was like unto him within this Island he died under the age of 21. years The Earl of Lennox in the mean time wrote to the Queen to cause punish Bothwell with his other complices for murthering the King A day is appointed for his triall by an assyle he is acquite of the murther by the Jury yet the suspicions of the people were nothing diminished Bothwell is devorced from his wife the banes of Bothwell with the Queen asked Mr. John Craig protesteth against it notwithstanding of his opposition the marriage went on and was celebrated the 15. of May by Adam B. of Orkney in the Abbey of Halyrudhouse after the manner or the reformed Church yet was no sooner finished then the ill fruits thereof began to break out The Qâ—een by Bothwels perswasion taking purpose to visite the Borders and having chaâ—g d the Subjects to accompany her thither with a provision for 15. dayes it was publickly rumoured that these forces were gathering for some other businesse and that the intention was to have the Prince her Sone in her own custody and taken out of the Earie of Mar his hands The Noble men that had combined themselves at Stirling took Arms Bothwell flieth and the Qâ—een rendereth her self to the Lords she is sent prisoner to Lochlevin and Bothwell was declared by open proclamationâ— not only the murtherer of the King but also the committer of it with his own hand and a thousand crowns were offered to any man that would bring him in Bothwell taketh the sea and there he playes the Pirat and made spoyl of all that came in his way he is pursued by Grange with five ships well manned who comming upon him unlooked for as he lay in one of the Creeks of Orkney gave him the chase and had certainly taken him if they had not been hindered by Rocks and shallow waters Shortly after hee was taken upon the coast of Norroway and conveyed to Denmark where being detected by some Scotish Merchants he was put in a vile and loathsome prison and falling in a frensie which keeped him 14. years made an ignominious and desperat end such as his wicked and flagitious life had deserved The Q. is moved to make resignation of the Crown the King is Crowned at Stirling the Earle of Murray is elected Regent Few dayes after the commitment of the Quenn the Earle of Glencairn with his domesticks went to the Chapell of Halyrudhouse where he brake down the Altars and the Images which fact as it did content the zealous Protestants so it did highly offend the Popish affected The Bishop of Orkney was conveened before the Generall Assembly of the Church and deposed from his function and Office for marrying the Queen and Bothwell and the Countesse of Argyle ordained to make publick satisfaction for giving her presence at the Princes baptisme at the Papistical rites there used At this time John Hepburn called Bolton John Hay younger of Tallow and two chamber boyes of Bothwells Powry and Dalgleish were brought to triall for the Kings murther and found guilty by their confessions being entised to the said wicked fact by Bothwell The Queen after eleven months imprisonment escapeth out of Lochlevin The Queens resignation is decerned null being extorted by fear and proclamations made in her name commanding all the Leeges to meet is Armes at Hamilton for pursuing the Rebels that had usurped the Royal Authority Many of the Nobility took her part The Regent assembleth his Forces there gathered to him about 40â—0 The Queens power was much greater The Earle of Argyle was Lievtenant on the Queens part the battel between them was foughten at Langside the 13. of May 1568. The Queen who stood a mile off from the battell on a little height perceiving the field lost made towards the borders the rest that escaped fled the readiest way they could find every man to his own house the number of the slain was about 300. Many were taken prisoners amongst whom the most eminent was Lord Seaton Rosse the Mrs. of Cassels and Eglinton Sir James Hamilton of Evendale and Sherifts of Air and Linlithgow Of the Regents side one only was slain the Lords Hoome and Ochilerie wounded all the rest with few escaped that followed the chase too
far returned with him to Glasgow where they went first to the Church and gave thanks to God for the victory they had obtained almost without any effusion of blood This conflict happened upon the 13. of May the eleventh day after her escape from Lochlevin The Queen fleeth to England and writeth to Queen Elizabeth The Bishop of Orkney was reponed to his place and for removing the scandall he was injoyned in his first Sermon to make publick acknowledgement of his fault and crave forgivenesse of God the Church and State whom he had offended The Duke of Chattellerault returned and being made Deputy by the Queen caused publish his Letters prohibiting the subjects to acknowledge any other Soveraign then the Queen hereupon the Regent gave forth Proclamations charging the Lieges in the Kings name to meet him in Armes at Glasgow the 10. of March The Regent and the Duke were agreed by the means of the Superintendents James Hamiltoun of Bothwell-Haugh taketh in hand the Regents murther he is killed by him at Linlithgow as he was riding by the shot of a Bullet the Murtherer escapeth and the death of the Regent was greatly lamented The Earle of Lennox is chosen Regent Governour of the Realm untill the Kings Majority or till he were able by himself to administrate the publick affairs The Regent was shot by Captain Calder at Stirling and with the same bullet Wormestoun who did what he could to save the Regent was stricken dead After him the Earle of Marre was elected Regent After the Earle of Marre was the Earle of Morton elected Regent as the man in that time of greatest courage and counsell The Earle of Morton is challenged for the murther of the Kings father by Captain James Steward and is committed and thereafter brought to his tryall sentence is pronounced and he execute for concealing the Kings murther The Queen is excute and beheaded after 19. years captivity in England The Spanish Navy was in the year of God 1583. In the year of God 1597. there was a great businesse for the tryall of Witches Amongst others one Margaret Aikin being apprehended upon suspitiâ—n and threatned with torture did confesse her self guilty being examined touching her associats in that trade she namâ—d a few and peâ—ceiving her delations find credit made offer to detect all of that sort and to purge the countrey of them so she might have her life granted for the reason of her knowledge she said that they had a secret mark all of that sort in their eyes whereby she could surely tell how soon she looked upon any whether they were Witches or not and in this she was so readily believed that for the space of three or four moneths she was carried from Town to Town to make discoveries in that kind Many were brought in question by her delations especially at Glasgow where diverse innocent women through the credulity of the Minister Mr. John Cowper were condemned and put to death In end she was found to be a meer deceiver for the same persons that the one day she had declared guilty the next day being presented in another habit she cleansed and sent back to Fife where first she was apprehended At her tryall she affirmed all to be false that she had confessed either of her self or others persisted in this to her death which made many for think their to great forwardnesse that way and moved the King to recall the commissions given out against such persons discharging all proceedings against them except in case of voluntary confession till a solid order should be taken by the Estates touching the forme that should be keeped in their tryall In the year of God 16â—0 was Gowries conspiracy against the King discovered both he and his brother Mr. Alexander Ruthven were killed at St. Johnstoun and the King delivered The Ministers of Edinburgh being râ—qâ—ired by the Counsel to give thanks for his Majesties deliverance refused to obey excusing themselves that nothing ought to be deliv red in Pulpit but that whereof the truth was known and that all which is uttered in that place should be spokâ—n in faith When by no perswasion they could be moved to perform that duty it was resolved that the Counsel should go together to the Market Crosse and that the Bishop of Rosse should after a naration of the Kings daughter and deliverance conceive a publick thanksgiving which was done the multitude applauding and expressing a great joy Mr. Patrick Galloway the Mononday thereafter in presence of the King Preached at the Market Crosse who choosed the 124. Psalm for his Theam did take occasion to discourse of all the particulars of the conspiracy and gave the people great satisfaction for many doubted that there had been any such conspiracy the condition of Princes being as the Emperor Domitian said herein miserably that even when conspiracies made against their persons are discovered yet they are not credited unlesse they be slain The King to testifie his thankfulnesse for his deliverence mortified a thousand pound to the poor yearly to be taken of the readiest fruits of the Abbacie of Scoon After this order was taken for a publick and solemn thanksgiving to be made in all the Churches of the Kingdome The Ministers of Edinburgh who gave the refuse were commanded to remove themselves out of the town within 48. hours and inhibited to Preach within his Majesties dominions under the pain of death Three of the number to wit Mr. Walter â—elcanquel Mr. William Watson and Mr. John Hall acknowledging their fault were pardoned Mr. James Balfour likewise remitted But Mr. Robert Truce taking a course by himself and saying he would reverence his Majesties report of that accident but could not say he was perswaded of the truth of it was banished the King dominions and went into France The 15. of November a Parliament was held at Edinburgh wherein sentence of the forfeiture was pronounced against Gowry and Mr. Alexander his brother their posterity disinherited and in detestation of the paracid attempted the whole surname of Ruthven abolished but this last was afterwards dispensed with and such of that name as were knowen to be innocent tollerated by the Kings clemency to enjoy their surnames and titles as in former times The bodies of the two brethren being brought to the Parliament house were after sentence given hanged upon a Gibbet in the publick street and then dismembred their hands cut off and affixed upon the top of the prison house and the 5. of August ordained to be keeped yearly in remembrance of his Majesties delivery Prince Charles was born at Dumfermling The Queen of England continuing constant in her affection when she was asked a little before her death by the Lord Keeper and Secretary who were directed by the Counsel to understand her will touching her Successor answered none but my Cousen the King of Scots After which words she spake not much A Queen incomparable for wisedom and fidelity of Government She