of Peter the one in his first Epistle the other in the latter and so be you contented with this present answer rashed vp in haste Fare ye hartily wel And comfort my William the good aged father by the grace of God which is in you Commende me to Iohn Eggenberge From Zuricke the 1. day of September An. 1527. FRom the first beginning of this whole booke and historie hitherto good reader thou hast hearde of many and sundry troubles much businesse in the church of Christe concerning the reformation of diuers abuses and great errors crept into the same namely in the Churche of Rome as appeareth by the doings of them in diuers and sundry places wherof mention hath bene made heretofore in this said historie For what godly man hath there bene wythin the space of these 500. yeares The corruption of the Sea of Rome continually cryed out against either vertuously disposed or excellently learned which hath not disprooued the misordred doings and corrupt examples of the See and Bishop of Rome from time to time vnto the cōming of this Luther Wherin this appeareth to me may also appeare no lesse to al godly disposed mē to be noted not without great admiration that seeing this foresaid Romish Bishop hath had great ennemies and gainsaiers continually from time to time both speaking working preaching and wryting against him yet notwithstanding neuer any could preuail before the comming of this man The cause whereof although it be secretely knowen vnto God and vnknowen vnto men yet so farre as men by cōiectures may suppose it may thus not vnlikely be thought That whereas other men before him speaking against the pomp pride whoredom and auarice of the Bishop of Rome charged him only or most specially with examples and maners of life Luther went further with hym charging him not wyth life but with his learning not with doings but with his doctrine not picking at the rine but plucking vp the roote not seeking the man but shaking his seate yea charging him with plaine heresie The Pope charged with heresie by Luther as preiudicial and resisting plainly against the bloud of Christ cōtrary to the true sense and direct vnderstanding of the sacred testament of Gods holy woord For whereas the foundation of our faith grounded vpon the holy scripture teacheth leadeth vs to be iustified onely by the worthines of Christ the onely price of his bloud The foundation of the Popes doctrine contrarye to Christen faith the Pope proceeding with a contrary doctrine teacheth vs otherwyse to seeke our saluation not by Christ alone but by the way of mennes meriting and deseruing by works Wherupon rose diuers sorts of orders religious sects amongst men some professing one thing and some an other euery man seeking his owne vnrighteousnes but few seking the righteousnes of him which is set vp of God to be our righteousnes redemption and iustification Martin Luther therefore vrging reducing things to the foundation and touchstone of the Scripture Iustification by faith reuiued by Luther opened the eyes of many which before were drowned in darknes Whereupon it can not be expressed what ioy comforte and consolation came to the hearts of men some lying in darknes and ignoraunce some wallowing in sinne some being in despaire some macerating them selues by woorkes and some presuming vppon their owne righteousnesse to beholde that glorious benefite of the greate libertie and free iustification set vp in Christ Iesus And briefly to speake the more glorious the benefite of this doctrine appeared to the world after long ignoraunce the greater persecution followed vppon the same And where the elect of God tooke most occasion of comfort and of saluation thereof the aduersaries tooke moste matter of vexation disturbance As commonly we see the true woord of God to bring with it euer dissention and perturbation and therefore truely it was sayde of Christ That he came not to send peace on earth but the swoorde Math. 10. And this was the cause why that after the doctrine and preaching of Luther so great troubles and persecutions followed in all quarters of the world Great persecution after the doctrine of Luther wherby rose great disquietnesse among the Prelates and many lawes and decrees were made to ouerthrowe the same by cruell handling of many good and Christian men Thus while authoritie armed wyth lawes and rigour did striue againste simple veritie lamentable it was to heare howe many poore men were troubled and went to wracke some tost from place to place some exiled out of the land for fear some caused to abiure some driuen to caues in woodes some racked wyth torment and some pursued to deathe wyth fagot and fire Of whom we haue nowe Christ willing in this hystorie following to entreat first begynning with certaine that suffered in Germanie then to returne to our owne stories and Martyrs here in England Henry Voes and Iohn Esch Friers Augustines IN the yeare of our Lorde 1523. two young menne were burnt at Bruxelles the one named Henry Uoes Two Fryers burned at Bruxelles being of the age of 24. yeares and the other Iohn Esch whych before had bene of the order of the Augustine Friers They were disgraded the first day of Iulie and spoiled of theyr friers weede at the suite of Egmondanus the Popes Inquisitour and the diuines of Louaine Egmondanus and Hochestratus doctors of Louain persecuters for that they would not retracte and deny their doctrine of the Gospell which the Papistes call Lutheranisme Theyr examiners were Hochestratus and other who demaunded of them what they did beleeue They sayde the bookes of the olde Testament and the newe wherein were contained the Articles of the Creede Then were they asked whether they beleued the decrees of the Councels and of the Fathers They sayde such as were agreeing to the Scripture Their examination they beleeued After thys they proceeded further asking whether they thought it any deadly sinne to transgresse the decrees of the fathers and of the bishop of Rome That said they is to be attributed onely to the precepts of God to binde the conscience of man or to loose it Wherein when they cōstantly persisted and would not turne they were condemned and iudged to be burned Then they beganne to geue thanks to God their heauenly father which had deliuered them through his great goodnes from the false and abhominable priesthoode had made of them priests of his holy order receiuing thē vnto him as a sacrifice of sweete odor Then there was a bill written which was deliuered vnto them to read opēly before the people to declare what faith and doctrine they helde The cause of their accusation Martirdōe The greatest error that they were accused of was that men ought to trust only in God for so much as men are liers and deceitful in all their words and deedes and therefore there ought no trust or
and to deny our kingdome as to require that our lawes may be brokeÌ„ vnto 21. yeres Be we not your crowned anoynted and established king wherein then be we of lesse maiestie of lesse authoritie or lesse state then our progenitors kings of this realme except your vnkindnes our vnnaturalnes wil diminish our estimation We haue hitherto since the death of our father by the good aduise and counsaile of our deare and entirely beloued vncle kept our state maintained our realme preserued our honour defended our people from all enemies we haue hitherto bene feared and dreade of our ennemies yea of princes kings and nations yea heerein we be nothing inferiors to any our progenitours which grace we knowledge to be geuen vs from God and how els but by good obedience of our people good counsaile of our magistrates due execution of our lawes By authoritye of oure kingdom England hitherto hath gained honour during our raigne it hath wonne of the enemie and not lost It hath bene maruailed that we â—f so yong yeres haue raigned so nobly so royally so quietly Younge yeares by 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 And howe chanceth it that you our subiectes of that our countrey of Deuonshire will geue the first occasion to slander this our realme of Englande to geue courage to the ennemye to note our Realme of the euil of rebellion to make it a pray to our old enemies to diminish our honour which God hath geuen our father leaft our good vncle and Counsail preserued vnto vs What greater euill could ye commit then euen now when our forraine enemie in Scotland and vppon the sea seeketh to inuade vs to arise in thys manner againste our lawe to prouoke our wrath to aske our vengeance and to geue vs an occasion to spende that force vpon you whyche we meant to bestow vpon our enemies to beginne to slay you with that sworde which we drewe foorth agaynste the Scots and other enemies to make a conquest of our owne people whych otherwise shoulde haue bene of the whole Realme of Scotland Thus â—arre yee see we haue descended from oure highe maiestie for loue to consider you in your base and simple ignorance and haue bene coÌ„tent to send you an instruction like a fatherly Prince who of iustice might haue sent you your destructioÌ„ like a king to rebels now let you know that as you see our mercy abuÌ„dant so if ye prouoke vs further wee sweare to you by the liuing God by whome wee raigne ye shal fele the power of y e same God in our sword which how mighty it is no subiect knoweth how puissant it is no priuate man can iudge how mortall it is no English heart dare thinke But surely surely as your Lord and Prince your onely king and maister we say to you repent your selues take our mercy without delay or els we wil foorth with extend our princely power execute our sharpe sword against you as against very Infidels and Turkes and rather aduenture our owne roial person state and power then the same shall not be executed And if you wil prooue the example of our mercy learne of certaine which lately did arise pretending some griefâ—s and yet acknowledging their offeÌ„ces haue not only receiued most humbly their pardon but feele also by our order to whom al publike order only pertaineth redresse deuised for their griefs In the end we admonish you of your dueties to God whom ye shal answere in the day of the Lord and of your dueties toward vs whom ye shal answere by our order take our mercy whilest God so enclineth vs least when yee shall be constrained to aske wee shall be too much hardened in heart to grauÌ„t it you and where ye shall nowe heare of mercy mercy and life ye shall then heare of iustice iustice and death Geuen at Richmond the 8. day of Iuly the third yeare of our raigne Besides the Articles of these Deuonshire men aboue meÌ„tioned the sayd rebels sent vp also not long after a supplication to the king wherunto answere again was made by the kings learned Counsaile which here to make short leisure serueth not to rehearse Ouer and besides to behold the malitious working of those popish Priests to kindle more the sparke of sedition in the peoples hearts what bruites and rumours did they raise vp against the king and his Counsaile makinge the vulgare multitude to beleeue that they should be made to pay first for their sheepe then for their geese and pigges also and suche other thinges like and what soeuer they had in store or should put in their mouths they must fine therfore to the king Of all which matter neuer a worde was eyther thought or meant But this seemed matter fitte for such priests whereby to set the Prince and hys subiects together by the eares Against this seditious company of rebels was apoynted and sent by the king and his counsaile Syr Iohn Russel knight Lord priuy Seale as Lieutenant general of the kings armie of whome chiefly depended the charge and achiuaunce of that voyage in the West partes To hym also were adioyned as in parte of ordinary counsail in those affaires vnder him syr William Harbert syr Iohn Pawlet Syr Hugh Pawlet Syr Thom. Specke wyth the Lorde Gray and other besides Thus the sayde Lorde priuie Seale accompanied wyth the Lord Gray aduauncing his power against the rebels although in number of soldiers not equally furnished like to the other yet throughe the gratious assistaunce of the Lordes helpe fighting in his cause and geuing the aduenture against the enemie about the latter end of Iuly Anno 1549. gaue them the repulse Who notwythstanding recouering them selues againe wyth suche stomackes as they had encountred the seconde time with the foresayde Lorde priuie Seale about the beginning of August following of whom through the Lords mighty power they with their whole cause of false religion were vtterly vanquished and ouerthrowen In the which victorie a great woorke of Gods mightye power vndoubtedly did appeare For althoughe the number of the rebels did surmounte in great quantitie the power and strength of the Lorde priuie Seale and theyr stomackes were so fiercely set vpon al desperate aduentures and though the power of Sir W. Harbert being the same time at Bristow was not yet presently come which shuld haue ioyned with the Lorde priuie Seale yet all thys notwithstanding the goodnes of the Lorde so wrought on the kings behalfe more then any industry of man which in al respects in handling that matter was very raw and farre behinde that the victorie fell to the kings parte vnder the valiant guiding of the aforesayd L. priuie Seale so that the popishe rebels not onely lost the fielde The great goodnes of God in the 〈…〉 the â—â—bells but a great parte of them also lost their liues lying there slain miserably in the chase to the compasse of 2. miles space Where also were taken and apprehended the chiefetaines
knaues to meddle with Counsellers matters Had not mony bene well bestowed vpon such a good felow as this is that knoweth not a Councellers man froÌ„ a Coblers man And with those wordes the Lord Cromwell went vp into the kinges chamber of presence and the Archbishops Secretary with him where he found in the chamber the Lord of Caunterbury To whoÌ„ he sayde my Lord I haue founde here good stuffe for you shewing to him the paper booke that he had in his hand ready to bring both you this good felow your maÌ„ to the halter The wordes of the L. Cromwel to the Archb. Cranmer namely if the knaue Beareward now in the Hall might haue well compassed it At these wordes the Archbishop smiled and sayd he that lost the booke is lyke to haue the worse bargayne for besides that he was well washed in the Thames he must write the booke fayre agayne at those wordes the Lord Cromwell cast the booke vnto the Secretary saying I pray thee Morice go in haÌ„d therwith by by with all expedition for it must serue a turne Surely my Lord it somwhat reioyseth me quoth the L. Cromwell that the verlet might haue had of your man xx s. for the book and now I haue discharged the matter with neuer a peny And shaking him wel vp for his ouermuch maleparâ—nes I know the felow wel enough quoth he there is not a rancker Papist within this realme theÌ„ he is most vnworthy to be seruaunt vnto so noble a Princesse And so after huÌ„ble thanks geuen to the Lord Cromwell the sayd Morice departed with his booke which when he agayne had fayre written was deliuered to the kinges Maiesty by the sayd Lord Cromwell within 4. dayes after * The Lord Cromwell not forgetting his olde frendes and benefactours IT is commonly sene that men aduauÌ„ced once from base degree to ample dignityes do rise also with fortune into such insolency and exaltatioÌ„ of mind The gentle behauiour of the L. Cromwell in remembring his olde frende that not only they forget themselues what they were from whence they came but also cast out of remembraunce al their old frendes and former acquayntance which haue bene to them before beneficiall FroÌ„ which sort of men how farre the curteous coÌ„dition of this christen Earle did differ by diuers examples it may appeare As by a certain poore woman keping some time a vitailing house about Hownsloe to whom the said Lord Cromwell remayned in debt for certayne old reckonings to y e summe of xl.s. It happened that the L. Cromwel with Cranmer Archbishop of CaÌ„terbury riding thorow Cheapeside toward the Court in turning his eye ouer the way and there espying this poore woman brought now in need misery eftsones caused her to be called vnto him Who being come after certayn questions asked of her if she were not such a womaÌ„ and dwelling in such a place At last he demaunded if he were not behind for a certayne payment of mony betwene him and her To whoÌ„ she with reuerent obeisance confessed that he ought her money for a certayn old reckoning which was yet vnpayd wherof she stoode now in great necessity but neuer durst call vpoÌ„ him nor could come at him for to require her right TheÌ„ the L. Cromwell sending the poore woman home to hys houâ—e and one of his seruants withall Example of a gratefull debter that the Porter should see her in after his returne from the Court not onely discharged the debte which he ought but also gaue her a yearely pension of foure poundes and a liuery euery yeare while she liued The like curtesy the said L. Cromwell shewed also to a certayne Italian who in the city of Florence had shewed him much kindnes in succoring and relieuing his necessity as in this story following may appeare Which storie set forth and compiled in the Italian tong by Bandello imprinted at Luke by Busdrago an 1554. Ex historia Italica I thought here to insert with the whole order and circumstance therof as it is reported Not many yeares past sayth the author there was in Florence a merchant whose name was Fraunces descended from the noble auncient family of the Frescobaldes A notable story of the â— Cromwel and an Itallan this Gentleman was naturally indued with a noble liberall minde vnto whome also through prosperous successe and fortunate lucke in his affayres and doings much aboundaunce of riches increased so that he grew in great wealth hauing his cofers replenished w t many heapes of much treasure He according to the custome Marchantes vsed his trade into many countries but chiefely into England where long time he liued soiourning in London keping house to his great commendation and prayse It happened that Fraunces Frescobald being in Florence there appeared before him a poore yong man CroÌ„well asking hys almes of Frescobald asking his almes for Gods sake Frescobald as he earnestly beheld this ragged stripling who was not so disguised in his tottered attire but that his countenaunce gaue significatioÌ„ of much towardnes vertue in him with coÌ„formity of maners agreing to the same being mooued with pity demauÌ„ded of what couÌ„try he was where he was borne I am Syr quoth he of England Note that this cloth sherer was his father in lawe my name is Thomas Cromwell My father is a poore man by his occupation a cloth sherer I am straied from my country and am now come into Italy with the campe of frenchmeÌ„ that were ouerthrowne at Gatilyon Cromwel page to a souldiour where I was the page to a footman carying after him his pike and burganet Frescobald partly considering the present state of this yong man and partly for the loue he bare to the english natioÌ„ of whom he had receiued in times past sondry pleasures receiued hym into his house with such curtesy interteined his gest as at his departure wheÌ„ he was in mind to returne to his couÌ„try he prouided such necessaries as he any way neded The gentlenes of Frescobald shewed to Cromwell He gaue him both horse new apparrel 16. duckats of gold in his purse to bring him into his couÌ„try Cromwell rendering his harty thanks tooke leaue of his host returned into England This Cromwell was a man of noble courage heroicall spirite geuen to enterprise great matters very liberall a graue Counseller c. But to our purpose At what tyme Cromwell was so highly fauoured of his prince and aduanced to such dignitie as is aforesaid FraÌ„ces Frescobald as it many tymes happeneth vnto Merchants was by many misfortunes and great losses cast backe and become very poore For according to conscience and equitie he payd whatsoeuer was due to any other froÌ„ himself but such debts as were owing vnto him he could by no meanes obtaine An Italian Ducate coÌ„meth to as much as our Englishe crowne yet calling further to remembrance that in
the poore people barly bread M. Buceâ—â— saying or whatsoeuer els the Lord hath committed vnto thee And whiles Bradford was thus persuaded to enter into the ministry Doctour Ridley that worthy Byshop of LoÌ„don and glorious Martyr of Christ accordyng to the order that then was in the Churche of England called hym to take the degree of Deacon Iohn Braâ—â—ford madâ— Deacon by Bishop 〈◊〉 withâ—â—â— any superâ—stitious abuse there Iohn Braâ—â—ford madâ— Prebendaâ—â— in Paules 〈◊〉 licensed 〈◊〉 preach Which order because it was not without some such abuse as to the whiche Bradford would not consent the Byshop yet perceauyng that Bradford was willing to enter into y e ministery was content to order him Deacon without any abuse euen as he desired This beyng done he obteyned for him a licence to preache and did geue him a Prebend in his Cathedrall Church of Saint Paules In this preaching office by the space of three yeares how faithfully Bradford walked how diligently he labored many partes of England can testify Sharply he opened and reproued sinne sweetely he preached Christ crucified pithily he impugned heresies and errours earnestly he persuaded to godly life After the death of blessed yong King Edward the sixt when Queene Mary had gotten the crowne still continued Bradford diligent in preaching vntil he was vniustly depriued both of his office libertie by the Queene and her Councell To the doyng whereof because they had no iust cause they tooke occasioÌ„ to do this iniurie for such an acte as among Turkes and Infidels would haue bene with thankfulnes rewarded and with great fauour accepted as in deed it did no lesse deserue The fact was this The xiij day of August in the first yere of the raigne of Queene Mary M. Bourne then B. of Bath made a seditious sermon at Paules crosse in LoÌ„don as partly is declared before pag. to set popery abroch in such sort that it mooued the people to no small indignation beyng almost ready to pull hym out of the pulpit Neither could the reuerence of the place nor the presence of the B. Boner who then was his maister nor yet the commandement of the Maior of London whoÌ„ the people ought to haue obeied stay their rage but the more they spake the more the people were inceÌ„sed At length Bourn seyng the people in such a moode and himselfe in such peril whereof he was sufficiently warned by the hurlyng of a drawen dagger at hym as he stoode in the pulpit and that he was put from endyng his sermon fearing least against his will hee should there ende his wretched lyfe desired Bradford who stood in y e pulpit behynd him to come forth and to stande in his place and speake to the people Bradford 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 people â—â—gardeth Papistâ—◠〈◊〉 Good Bradford at his request was content and there spake to the people of godly and quiet obedience Whome as soone as the people saw to beginne to speake vnto them so glad they were to heare him that they cried with a great shout Bradford Bradford God saue thy life Bradford well declaring not only what affectioÌ„ they bare vnto him but also what regard they gaue to his words For after that he had entred a little to preach vnto them 〈◊〉 reuereÌ„t and 〈◊〉 of people 〈…〉 and to exhort them to quiet pacience eftsoones all the raging ceased and they in the end quietly departed ech man to his house Yet in the meane season for it was a long tyme before that so great a multitude could all depart Bourne thought and truely himselfe not yet full sure of his lyfe till he were safely housed notwithstanding that the Maior Shirifes of London were there at hand to helpe him Wherfore he desired Bradford not to depart from him till hee were in safetie Bradford â—ureth Bournes 〈◊〉 which Bradford according to his promise performed For while the Maior and Shiriffes did leade Bourne to the Scholemaisters house which is next to the pulpit Bradford went at his backe shadowyng him from the people with his gowne and so to set him safe Let the Reader now consider the peril of Bourne the charitie of Bradford and the headines of the multitude also the grudging mynds of certaine which yet still there remayned behind greeued not a little theyr mindes to see that so good a man should saue y e life of such a popish priest so impudently and openly rayling against K. Edward Among whoÌ„ one gentlemaÌ„ sayd these words Ah Bradford Bradford thou sauest him y t wil help to burne thee I geue thee his life if it were not for thee I would I assure thee tâ—â— him through with my sword Thus Bourne for that tyme through Bradfordes meanes escaped bodily death but God hath his iudgement to be shewed in the tyme appoynted The same sonday in the after noone Bradford preached at the Bow church in Cheapside and reproued the people sharply for theyr seditious misdemeanor After this he did abide still in London with an innocent conscience to try what should become of his iust doing Within three daies after he was sent for to the Tower of London where the Queene then was to appeare there before the counsell There was he charged with this act of sauing of Bourne which act they there called seditious also obiected agaynst him for preaching and so by them he was coÌ„mitted first to the Tower then vnto other prisons out of the which neither his innocency godlines nor charitable dealing could purchase him liberty of body till by death which he suffred for Christes cause he obteyned the heauenly liberty of which neither Pope nor papist shall euer depriue him From the Tower he came to the kinges Benche in Southwarke and after his condemnation he was sent to the Counter in the Poultry in London in the which two places for the time he did remayne prisoner he preached twise a day continually vnlesse sicknes hindered him where also the sacrament was often ministred thorow his meanes the keepers so well did beare with him such resort of good folkes was dayly to his lecture and to the ministration of the sacrament that commonly his chaÌ„ber was well nigh filled therewith Preaching reading praying was all his whole life He did not eate aboue one meale a day which was but very little when he took it his continuall study was vpon his knees In the middest of dinner he vsed often to muse with himselfe hauyng his hat ouer his eyes from whence came commonly plenty of teares droppng on his trencher Uery gentle her was 〈◊〉 man and childe and in so good credite with his keeper y t at is desire Bradford came into London without his keeper and returned that night to prison agayne The description of Bradford Bradford content with a little sleepe Bradfordes recreation The holy lyfe of Bradford in an euening beyng prisoner in the kinges Bench in Soutwarke he had licence vpoÌ„ hys
you shall finde more copiously described in Franc. Encenas Ex Franc. Encen Friers and priestes of Flaunders Great persecution in Gaunt other partes of Flaunders At Gaunt An. 1543. 1544. As Charles the Emperour did ly in GauÌ„t the Fryers and Doctours there obtayned that the Edicte made agaynst the LutheraÌ„s might be read openlye twise a yeare Whiche being obtayned great persecution followed Persecution 〈…〉 Bruzels so that there was no Citty nor towne in all Flaunders wherein some eyther were not expulsed or headed or condemned to perpetuall prison Ex Francisco Encenate or had not theyr goodes confiscate neither was there any respect of age or sexe At Gaunt especially many there wer of the head men which for religion sake were burned Afterward the Emperour comming to Brusels there was terrible slaughter and persecution of Gods people namely in Brabant Hennegow and Artoys the horror and cruelty wherof is almost incredible In so much that at one time as good as ij hundreth men and women together were brought out of the countrey about into the Citty of whome some were drowned some buryed quicke some pryuely made awaye others sent to perpetuall prison wherby all prisons and towers there about were replenished with prisoners and captiues and the handes of the hangmen tyred with slaying and killing to the great sorrowe of all them which knew the Gospel being now compelled eyther to deny the same or to confirme it with theyr bloud The storye hereof is at large set forth by Francis Encenas a notable learned man who also himselfe was prisoner y e same time at Bruzels whose booke written in Latine I my selfe haue seene and read remayning in the handes of Iohn Oporine at Basill Franciscan Fryers of Gaunt Martynus Hoeurbloc FishmoÌ„ger At Gaunt An. 1545. This Martine euer almost to his latter age Martyn Hoeurblock Martyr was a man much geuen to al wickednes and fleshly lyfe so long as he continued a follower of the popes superstitioÌ„ and Idolatry Afterwarde as God hath alwaies his calling thorough the occasion of a SermoÌ„ of his parish priest beginning to tast some working of grace and repentance of his former lyfe went out of Gaunt for the space of iij. monethes seeking the company of godly Christians such as he heard to vse the readyng of the scriptures by whome he beyng more groundly instructed returned agayn to the Cittye of Gaunt where all his neighbours first beganne to maruell at the sodayne chaunge of this man The Franciscanes which knewe hym before so beneficiall vnto them nowe seing hym so alterrd from theyr wayes and superstition and seeing hym to visite the captiues in prison to comforte theÌ„ in persecution and to confirme them in the worde of God whiche went to the fire conspired agaynst hym whereby he was detected and layd in bandes After that with sharp and grieuous tormentes they would haue constrayned hym to vtter other of the same Religion To whome thus he aunswered that if they could proue by the scripture that hys detecting and accusing of hys brethren whoÌ„ they would afflict with the like tormentes were not agaynst y e second Table of Gods law then he would not refuse to preferre the honor of God before y e safegard of his brethren Then the friers examined hym in the sacrament asking him why he was so earnest to haue it in both kyndes seing sayd they it is but a naked sacrament as you say to whom he aunswered that the elementes thereof were naked but the Sacrament was not naked for somuch as the sayd elementes of bread and wine beeing receaued after the institution of Christ do now make a Sacrament and a mistical representation of the Lordes body coÌ„municating him selfe with our soules And as touching the receauyng in both kindes because it is the institution of the Lorde who is he sayd Martyne that dare alter the same Then was he brought before the counsayle of Flanders The causes layd against him were the Sacrament Purgatory and praying for the dead for the which he was condemned and burned at Gaunt in Uerle place all hys goodes being confiscate As he stoode at the stake a Franciscan Frier sayd to him Martine vnlesse thou doest turne thou shalt goe from this fire to euerlasting fire It is not in you sayd Martine againe to iudge For this the Friers after were so hated y t many billes and rimes were set forth in diuers places agaynst them Ex Pantal. The counsayle of Flaunders Nicholas Vanpole Nicholas Danpole Iohn de Brucke and hys wyfe Martyrs Iohn de Brucke hys wyfe At Gaunt An. 1545. The next day after the burning of Martin aforesayd whiche was the 9. of Maye these three also were burned for the same causes likewise for the which y e other was coÌ„demned burned the day before but onely y t the woman was burned aliue All whiche tooke theyr Martyrdome ioyfully wyth much cheerefulnes  Vrsula Maria Mary and Vrsula two virgins Martyrs Uirgines of noble stocke At Delden An 1545. Delden is a towne in lower Germany 3. myles from Dauentry where these two virgines of noble parentage were burned Who after dilligent frequenting of Churches and Sermons being instructed in the worde of the Lord defended that seeyng the benefite of our saluation commeth only by our fayth in Christ all the other marchaundise of the pope which he vseth to sel to y e peole for mony was needles First Mary beyng the yonger was put to the fire where she prayed ardently for her enemies commeÌ„ding her soule to God At whose constancie the Iudges did greatly maruell Then they exhorted Ursula to turne or if shee would not at least that she should require to be headed To whom she sayd that she was guiltie of no errour nor defended any thing but which was consonant to the scripture in which she trusted to perseuer vnto the end And as touching the kinde of punishement she sayde she feared not y e fire but rather wold follow the example of her deare sister that went before A myraculous worke of God in the dead bodies of these two virgines This was maruellous that the executioners could in no wise consume their bodyes with fire but left them whole lying vpoÌ„ the ground whyte which certayn good Christians priuily tooke vp in y e night and buryed Thus God many times sheweth hys power in the middest of tribulations Ex. Lud. Rab. Pantal. c. The person of S. Catherines Doctour Tapertus William Clericken ruler of Mechlin Andreas Thiessen Catherina hys wife Nicholas Thiessen Fraunces Thiessen brethren At Mechlin An. 1545. Andrew Thiessen Citizen of Mechlin Andrewe Thiessâ—â— his wife Nicholâ—â— Frauncâ—â— Thiessen their 〈◊〉 Martyr of his wyfe Catherine had three sonnes and a daughter whom he instructed dilligently in the doctrine of the gospell and despised the doynges of Poperye Wherfore being hated and persecuted of the Fryers and Priestes there he weÌ„t into England and there dyed Fraunces and
Nicholas hys two sonnes went to Germany to study Returning agayne to theyr mother and sister and younger brother by dilligent instruction brought theÌ„ to the right knowledge of Gods Gospel whiche being not vnknown to the Person there of S. Catherine he called to him Doctour Rupert Tapert other Maisters and Fryers who takyng counsaile together with William Clericken the head Magistrate of the towne of Mechlen agreed that the mother with her foure Children shoulde be sent to prison separated one from an other where great labour was employed to reclayme them home vnto theyr Church that is from light to darcknes agayn The ij yonger to wit the daughter with the yonger brother beyng yet not setled neyther in yeares nor doctrine something inclined to them and were delyuered The mother which woulde not consent was condemned to perpetuall prison The other 2. Frances and Nicholas Fraunces Nicholas constant in Christ. standing firmely to theyr confession defended that the Catholicke Church was not y e Church of Rome that the Sacrament was to be mynistred in both kynds that auricular confession was to no purpose that Inuocation of Sayntes was to be left that there was no Purgatory The Fryers they called hypocrites and contemned theyr threatninges The Magistrates after disputations fell to torments to know of them who was theyr mayster and what fellowes they had Theyr mayster they sayd was Christ which bare hys crosse before Felowes they sayd they had innumerable dispersed in all places At last they were brought to the Iudges their Articles were read and they condemned to be burned Comming to the place of execution as they began to exhort the people gagges or balles of wood were thrust in their mouthes whiche they through vehemencye of speaking thrust out agayne desiring for y e Lord sake that they might haue leaue to speake And so singing with a loud voyce Credo in vnum Deum c. they went and were fastened to the stake praying for theyr persecutors and exhorting the one the other they did abide the fire paciently The one feeling the flame to come to hys beard Ah sayd he what a small payn is this to be compared to the glory to come Thus the pacient martyrs committyng theyr spirite to the hands of God to the great admiration of the lookers on through constancy atchieued the crowne of martyrdome Ex. Phil Melanct. The names of their accusers appeare not in the Authours Marion wyfe of Adrian Taylor At Dornic An. 1545. In the same persecution agaynst Brulius and his companye in Dornic Adrian and Marion his wyfe Martyrs was apprehended also one Adrian and Marion hys wyfe The cause of theyr trouble as also of the others was the Emperoures decree made in the Councell of Wormes agaynst y e Lutherians mentioned before pag. 841. Adrian not so strong as a man for feare gaue backe from y e truth and was but onely beheaded The wife stronger theÌ„ a woman did withstand their threates and abide the vttermost and beyng inclosed in an yron grate formed in shape of a pastie Marion buryed quicke was layd in the earth and buryed quicke after the vsuall punishment of that countrey for women When the aduersaryes fyrst tolde her that her husband had relented she beleeued them not and therefore as shee went to her death passing by the Tower where he was shee called to hym to take her leaue but he was gone before Et Pant. lib. 4. The Magistrates of Dornic or Tornay M. Peter Bruly Preacher At Dornic An. 1545. M. Peter Bruly was preacher in the Frenche Churche at Strausburgh Peter Bruly Martyr Who at the earnest request of faythful brethren came downe to visite the lower countryes about Artoys and Dornic in Flanders wher he most dilligeÌ„tly preached the word of God vnto the people in houses the dores standing open Wherupon wheÌ„ y e magistrates of Dornic had shut the gates of the towne and had made searche for hym three dayes he was priuelye let downe the wall in the night by a basket and as he was let downe to the ditch ready to take his way one of them whiche let him downe leaning ouer the wall to byd hym fare well caused vnawares a stone to slip out of y e wall which falling vpon hym brake hys legge by reason whereof he was heard of the watchmen complayning of hys wounde and so was taken geuing thankes to God by whose prouidence he was there stayed to serue the Lord in that place Gods secret working in disposing the wayes of his seruauntes So long as he remayned in prison hee ceased not to supply the part of a diligent preacher teaching and confirming all them that came to hym in y e word of grace Beyng in prison he wrote hys owne confession and examination sent it to the brethren He wrote also an other Epistle to them that were in persecution an other also to all the faithfull also an other letter to hys wife the same day that he was burned He remayned in prison 4. monethes His sentence was geuen by the Emperours Commissioners at Bruxels that he should be burneh to ashes and hys ashes to be throwne into the riuer Although the fryers and priestes made the fire but small The Martirdome of Brulius to multiply hys payne yet he the more cheerefully and constantly tooke hys martyrdome and suffered it The letters of Duke Fredericke and of the Lantgraue came to entreat for hym but hee was burned a little before the letters came Ex Lud. Rab. Lib. 6. The Senate of Dornic Doctour Hasardus a Gray Fryer Peter Miocius Bergiban At Dornic An. 1545. The comming of M. Peter Bruly into the countrey of Flaunders Pet. Mioce Martyr did exceeding much good among the brethren as appeared by diuers other good men and namely by thys Peter Mioce which was by hys occupation a silke weauer This Peter before he was called to y e Gospell led a wicked lyfe geuen to much vngraciousnes almost to all kyndes of vyce But after the taste of the Gospell began to worke in hym so cleane it altered hym from that former man that he excelled all other in godly zeale and vertue In his first examination he was asked whether he was one of the scholers of Peter Bruly He sayd he was and that hee had receiued muche fruite by his doctrine Wilt thou then defend hys doctrine sayd they Yea sayd he Crueltie shewed vpoÌ„ Châ—istes seruauntes for that it is consonant bothe to the old Testament and to the new and for thys he was let downe vnto a deepe dongeon vnder y e castle ditch ful of toades and filthy vermine Shortly after the Senate with certayne Friers came agayne to examine him to see whether they coulde conuert hym To whome he answered and sayd that when he before had liued such an vngodly lyfe they neuer spake word agaynst hym but now for sauouring and fauoring the worde of God they were so infeste agaynst hym