then to come He tooke bread he blessed and brake it and gaue it to hys Disciples and sayde Take yee eate yee Math. 26. thys is my bodye whyche shall bee broken and geuen for you And lykewise the cuppe blessed and badde them drinke all thereof for that was the cup of the new testament which should be shed for the forgeuing of many How oft ye do this do it in my remembraunce Then saide the B. of S. Andrewes The Archb. of S. Andrewes speaketh The Earle of HuÌtly speaketh and the Officiall of Lowthaine with the Deane of Glasgue and many other Prelates we know this well enough The earle of HuÌtly said thou aunswerest not to that which is laide to thee say either nay or yea thereto He aunswered if ye will admitte God his word spoken by the mouth of his blessed sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour ye will admit that I haue sayd for I haue sayd or taught nothing but that the word which is the triall and touchstone sayth whych ought to be Iudge to me and to all the world Why quoth the Earle of Huntley hast thou not a Iudge good inough and trowest thou that we know not God and his word Aunswere to that is spoken to thee and then they made the accuser speake the same thing ouer againe Thou saydest quoth the accuser and hast taught that the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the aultar after the words of the consecration are not the body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. He aunswered I sayd neuer more then the write sayth nor yet more then I haue sayd before 1. Cor. 11. For I know wel by S. Paule when he sayeth Whosoeuer eateth this bread and drinketh of thys cup vnwoorthely receaueth to hymselfe damnation And therefore when I taught which was but seldome and to them only which required and desired me I sayd that if the Sacrament of the aultar were truly ministred and vsed as the sonne of the liuing God did institute it where that was done there was God himselfe by hys diuine power by the which he is ouer all The Bishop of Orkney asked him Beleeuest thou not sayd he that the bread and wine in the sacrament of the aultar after the wordes of the consecration is the very body of God flesh bloud and bone He answered I wot not what that word consecration meaneth I haue not much latine Adam Wallace aunswereth by his Creede but I beleeue that the sonne of God was conceaued of the holy Ghost and borne of the Uirgin Mary hath a naturall body with handes feete and other members and in the same body hee walked vp downe in the world preached and taught he suffered death vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buryed and that by his godly power hee raysed that same body agayne the thyrd day and the same body ascended in to heauen and sitteth on the right hand of the father Christs naturall body cannot be in two places at once whiche shall come agayne to iudge both the quicke and y e dead And that this body is a naturall body with handes feete and cannot be in two places at once he sheweth well hym selfe For the whiche euerlasting thankes be to hym that maketh this matter cleare Math. 26. When the woman brake the oyntment on hym aunswering to some of hys Disciples which grudged thereat he sayd The poore shall you haue alwayes with you but me shall you not haue alwayes meaning of his naturall body And likewise at his Ascention sayd he to the same Disciples that were fleshly and would euer haue had him remayning with them corporally Iohn 16. It is needfull for you that I passe away for if I passe not away the comforter the holy Ghost shall not come to you meaning that his naturall body behoued to be taken away froÌ theÌ But be stoute and be of good cheare Math. 28. Iohn 16. for am with you vnto the worldes end And that the eating of his very flesh profiteth not The eating of the very flesh of Christ profiteth nothing may well be knowne by his wordes which he spake in the 6. of Iohn where after that he had sayd Except ye eate my fleshe and drinke my bloud ye shall not haue life in you they murmuring therat he reproued them for their grosse fleshly taking of his wordes and sayd What will ye thinke when ye se the sonne of man ascend to the place that he came froÌ It is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing to be eaten as they tooke it and euen so take ye it Iohn 6. The B. of Orknay speaketh It is an horrible heresie sayde the Bishop of Orknay When he began to speake again and bad the Lord Gouernour iudge if hee had righte by the write the accuser cryed Ad secundam Nunc ad secundam aunswered the Archbishop of S. Andrewes The 2. article agaynst Adam Wallace Then was he bidden to heare the accuser who propounded the second Article and sayd Thou saydest lykewyse and openly diddest teach that the Masse is very Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God Aunswere He aunswered and sayde I haue read the Bible and word of God in three tounges and haue vnderstand them so farre as God gaue me grace and yet read I neuer that word Masse in it all The Masse not found in Scripture but I found sayd he that the thyng that was highest and most in estimation amongst men and not in the word of God was Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God And I say the Masse is holden greatly in estimation Argument and high amongest men and is not founded in the word therefore I said it was Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God But if any man will find it in the Scripture and proue it by Gods word I will graunt mine errour and that I haue fayled otherwise not and in that case I will submit me to all lawfull correction and punishment Ad tertiam sayd the Archbyshop Then sayde the accuser Thou hast sayde and openly taught that the God which we woorship is but bread sowen of corne The 3. Article Aunswere growing of the earth baked of meÌs hands and nothing else He aunswered I worship the father the sonne and the holy Ghost three persons in one Godhead which made fashioned the heauen and earth and all that is therein of naught but I know not which God you worship and if you will shew me whome you worship The popes God I shall shew you what he is as I can by my iudgement Beleeuest thou not sayd the accuser that the sacrament of the alter after the words of the consecration betwixt the Priests hands is the very body and bloud of the sonne of God and God himselfe What the body of God is sayde he and what kind of body he hath I haue shewed you so farre as I
neuerthelesse that by these and the like wordes we should conceiue any grosse or carnall intelligence such as the Capernaites once dreamed of but that quoth he we myghte labour endeuour to expresse by some kinde of wordes the ineffable maiestie of this misterie For the maner whereby Christ is there present and ministreth to the faythfull hys flesh is altogether inexplicable but we must beleue quoth he and thinke that by Gods mighty power the holy operation of his spirit this so notable a mistery was made that heauen earth was ioined together in that momeÌt as the blessed man s. Gregory saith y e lowest parts are ioined w t the highest By which is vnderstand that holy food whereby they whiche be regenerate by the holy Ghost in baptisme are nourished to immortalitie And further hee sayd that Christes body was receiued in the sayde Sacrament by faith which being receiued both body and soule were quickned to euerlasting life Beeing then required to say his minde about transubstantiation he gaue answere that he had much trauelled in that point Transubstantiation and that he first much fauoured and enclined to that part which mainteined transubstantiation in searching the veritie whereof most studiously he had bene no little while occupied and founde to arise thereabout infinite and almost inexplicable absurdities In confutyng whereof when he had but smally contented himselfe he said he tooke in hand the Scholemens works and perused Gabriell and other writers of that sorte for that by theyr helpe and aide he hoped that all inconueniences which did spring and arise by maintenance of Transubstantiation might be cleane conuinced and wiped away Of which his hope he was vtterly frustrate sayd he for that he did finde in those works many fond and fantasticall things which were both too foolish to be recorded in writing and also to be alledged about such a mistery and truly saide he euer after the reading of them my former zeale and opinion touching the maintenance of transubstantiation did euery day more and more decrease and therefore in conclusion perswaded himselfe to thinke that there was no such transubstantiation as the Schoolemen imagined and fained to be saying that in deede the auncient writers were plainâly against the maintenance thereof amongst whome he recited by name Iustine Irene and Tertullian notorious aduersaries to the same Furthermore he added heereunto Consecratiââ ãâã it meaneth that the whole Schoole vnderstoode not what this word Consecratio was which he defined to be the full and entire action of the whole Communion Being demaunded also whether we ought to worship Christ present in his holy Supper he told vs that we are bound so to do and that it was most agreeing to piety and godly Religion Likewise being asked whether he would haue the visible Sacrament to be worshipped which we see with our eyes and is lifted vp betweene the Priestes hands he answered that nothing which was visible and to be seene with the eye is to be adored or worshipped nor that Christ woulde be eleuated into any higher or pulled downe into any lower place Nothing to be worshiââped that may be seene The Sacrament not to be caryed about and that he can neither bee lifted vp higher nor pulled downe lower Againe being asked what his iudgement was about the custome and maner in carying about the Sacrament in solemne pompes processions and otherwise he said that he alwaies misliked and reproued that order in so much that about xvj yeares agon openly in the pulpit at Cambridge he spake against that abuse and disalowed that ceremony shewing that Christ had expressed by playne and euidente wordes a very fruitefull and right vse of this Sacrament when he sayde Take ye by which phrase quoth hee he doth expresse that he will giue a gift Eate yee by whyche words he doth declare the proper vse and order of that hys precious gift This is my body whereby he doth euidently and plainely shewe what by that gift they should receaue and how royall and precious a gift he woulde giue them and therefore he iudged such pompous and superstitious ostentations vtterly to be condemned and taken as plaine mockeries and Counterfaite visars His iudgement also being asked about the Commemoration of the dead and the remembrance of them in orisons whether he thought it profitable or no he aunswered that it seemed to him to be no lesse profitable then religious and godly and that might be well proued out of the bookes of Machabees The which bokes although Saint Hierome adiudging as not authentike In this poynt the iudgement of Doct. Redman is not to be followed thought good to bee read in the Temples onely for the edifying of the Church and not for the assertion of opinions yet with me the opinions of the other writers to whome those bookes are allowed as Canons preuaileth which he in that point thinketh good to be read Being furthermore required to shew hys mynde about trentall Masses and Masses of Scala coeli Trentall Masses disproued he shewed them that they were altogether vnprofitable superstitious and irreligious flowing out of the filthy and impure fountaine of superstition not yelding the fruite which they promised to bring forth The Sacrifice of the Supper of the Lorde the Eucharist I meane that sacrifice he sayd could not be offered for the sinnes of the quicke and the dead Sacrifice of the Masse disproued Finally of his owne voluntary will and no man as farre as I can call to remembrance demaunding of him he shewed his opinion concerning Iustification by Christ I lament said he and repent beseching God forgiuenes for the same that to seriously and earnestly I haue wythstand this proposition that onely fayth doth iustifye but I alwayes feared that it should be taken to the libertie of the fleshe Fayth onely iustifieth and so should defile the innocencie of life which is in Christ. But that proposition that onely faith doth iustifye is true quoth he sweete and full of spirituall comfort if it be truely taken and rightly vnderstanded And when hee was demaunded what he thought to be the true and very sense thereof I vnderstand quoth he that to be the liuely faith which resteth in our only Sauiour Iesus Christ and imbraceth him so that in our only Sauiour Iesus Christ all the hope and trust of our saluation be surely fixed And as coÌcerning good works said he they haue their crowne and merite and are not destitute of their rewards Yet neuerthelesse they do not merite the kingdome of heauen For no workes said he coulde not purchase and obteyne that blessed happy and euerlasting immortalitie Workes do not merite saluation no nor yet those things whiche we do vnder grace by the motion of the holy Ghost For that blessed and immortall glory is giuen and bestowed vpon vs mortall men of the heauenly father for his Sonne our Sauiour Christes sake as S. Paule testifieth The gift of God
Gospell of Iesus Christ my fellow Elder and most deare brother in England THe heauenly father graunt vnto you and to all those which are in bands and captiuitie for his name sake grace and peace through Iesus Christ our Lord A letter of M. Bullenâer to M. Hooper ãâ¦ã of latin ãâã Engâââh with wisedome patience and fortitude of the holy Ghost I haue receiued from you two letters my most deare brother the former in the moneth of September of the yeare past the latter in the moneth of May of this present yeare both written out of prison But I doubting least I should make aunswere to you in vayne whilest I feared that my letters should neuer come vnto your handes or else increase and double your sorrow did refrayne from the duety of writing In the which thing I doubt not but you will haue me excused especially seeing you did not vouchsafe no not once in a whole yeare to aunswere to my whole libels rather then letters whereas I continued still notwithstanding in writing vnto you as also at this present after I heard that you were cast in prison I did not refraine from continuall prayer beseeching our heauenly Father through our onely mediatour Iesus Christ to graunt vnto you and to your fellowe prisoners faith and constancie vnto the ende Now is that thyng happened vnto you my brother the which we did oftentimes prophecie vnto our selues at your being with vs should come to passe especially when we did talke of the power of Antichrist and of his felicitie and victories For you know the saying of Daniell The power of Antichrist described in Daniell chapt 8. Math. 10. Iohn 15.16 â Tim. 2.3 His power shall be mighty but not in his strength and he shall wonderfully destroy and make hauocke of all things and shall prosper and practise and he shall destroy the mighty and the holy people after his owne will You knowe what the Lord warned vs of before hand by Mathew in the tenth chapter by Iohn in the 15. chapter and the 16. and also what that chosen vessell Saint Paule hath written in the second to Timothy and the third chapter Wherefore I do nothing doubt by Gods grace of your faith and patience whilest you knowe that those things which you suffer are not looked for or come by chaunce The doctrine of the Protestants what it is wherefore they are persecuted but that you suffer them in the best truest and most holy quarell for what can be more true and holy then our doctrine which the Papistes those worshippers of Antichrist do persecute All things touching saluation we attribute vnto Christ alone and to his holy institutions as we haue bene taught of him and of his disciples but they would haue euen the same things to be communicated as well to their Antichrist and to his institutions Ephes. 1. Such we ought no lesse to withstand then we reade that Helias withstoode the Baalites For if Iesus be Christ then let them knowe that he is the fulnes of his Church and that perfectly but and if Antichrist be King and Priest then let them exhibite vnto him that honor How long do they halt on both sides 2. Thes. 2. Christ is sufficient and not be patched with the Pope Can they geue vnto vs any one that is better then Christ Or who shall be equall with Christ that may be compared with him except it be he whome the Apostle calleth the Aduersarie But if Christ be sufficient for his Church what needeth this patching and peecing But I know well enough I neede not to vse these disputations with you which are sincerely taught and haue taken roote in Christ being perswaded that you haue all things in him and that we in hym are made perfect Go forwardes therefore constauntly to confesse Christ and to defye Antichrist Apoc. 21 being mindfull of this most holy and most true saying of our Lorde Iesus Christ He that ouercommeth shall possesse all things and I will be his God and he shall be my sonne but the fearefull and the vnbeleeuing and the abhominable and the murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers and Idolaters and all lyers shall haue theyr part in the lake which burneth with fyre and brimstone whych is the second death The fyrst death is soone ouercome although a man must burne for the Lordes sake for they say well that do affyrme thys our fyre to be scarcely a shadowe of that which is prepared for the vnbeleeuers and them that fall from the trueth Moreouer the Lorde graunteth vnto vs that wee may easily ouercome by his power the fyrst death the which he hymselfe dyd taste and ouercome promising withall such ioyes as neuer shall haue ende vnspeakeable and passing all vnderstanding the which we shall possesse so soone as euer we departe hence For so agayne sayeth the Angell of the Lord If any man woorship the beast and his Image and receyue hys marke in hys forehead or on his hande the same shall drinke of the wrath of God Apoc. 14. Gods wrath vpon the beast and them that taâe his ãâã yea of the wyne which is poured into the cup of his wrath and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb and the smoke of their tormeÌts shal ascend euermore and they shall haue no rest day nor night which worship the beast his Image and whosoeuer receiueth the print of his name Here is the patieÌce of Saintes here are they that keep the commandements of God In this time of Antichrist is the pacience and fayth of Gods children tryed whereby they shall ouercome all his tyranny read Math. 24. and the fayth of Iesus To this he addeth by and by I heard a voyce saying to me write blessed be the dead that dye in the Lord froÌ henceforth or speedely they be blessed Io. 5 euen so sayth the spirite for they rest froÌ their labours but their works follow theÌ for our labour shall not be frustrate or in vayne Therefore seeing you haue such a large promise be strong in the Lorde fight a good fight be faythfull to the Lorde vnto the ende consider that Christ the sonne of God is your Captaine and fighteth for you and for that all the Prophets Apostles and Martyrs are your fellow souldiours They that persecute and trouble vs are men sinfull and mortall whose fauour a wise man would not buy with the value of a farthing besides that our life is frayle short brickle and transitory Happy are we if we depart in the Lorde who graunt vnto you and to all your fellow prisoners fayth and constancy Commend me to the most reuerend fathers and holy Confessours of Christ Doctor Cranmer Bishop of Canterbury D. Ridley Bishop of London and the good old father D. Latimer Them and all the rest of the prisoners with you for the Lordes cause salute in my name and in the name of all my fellow
garland of our Lady compiled by the said S. Bonauenture wherein these words are to be red as followeth O Mediatrix betweene God and man the Lorde hath worthily magnified thee Blasphemye The Rosary or Garland of our Lady called Corenâ beatae Mariae Mary made a commaunder of Christ. that thou onely shouldst conceyue hys sonne c. Wherefore O good Mary our mediatrix mother of Grace and mother of Mercy c. And moreouer within fewe lynes it followeth in these woordes Therefore O our Empresse and Lady most bountifull by the authoritie of a Mother commaund commaund I say thy welbeloued sonne that he wil stirre vp our myndes from the loue of worldly thyngs to heuenly desires c. Item O the Aduocate of the miserable the eyes of thy seruants be directed to thee c. To these premisses I might also adioyne the horrible and most blasphemous wordes of the said Bonauenture in the said booke Fol. 100. pag. 2. col 1. which I besech thee to read and note Quae maior bonitas quam quod Christus i. What greater goodnes can be then that Christ is content to be captiue vpon the aultar Whereupon he speaketh in the person of Ieremy saying Behold I am in your hands do with me as you see good c. Where note sayth he that when any Duke or prince âs taken prisoner for hys subiectes he is not let goe before he paye some great summe of mony for hys ransome Christ made a captiue and a prisoner in the Popes Church Euen so neither we ought to let Christ go out of our hands beyng our prisoner and captiue except he graunt vnto vs remission of our sinnes and his heauenly kingdome The priest therfore lifteth vp the body of Christ vpon the aultar as though he sayd thus behold hym whome the whole world is not able to comprehend he is holden here our captiue wherfore let vs hold hym fast and not let hym go before we obtayne of hym our requests c. Notes The Church of Rome examined Is not here good Catholike stuffe christen Readers trow you Conferre I beseech you this doctrine wyth the doctrine of the Apostles which teach vs that we are fullye complet in Christ and I wil referre me to no better iudge then to your own conscience And now therfore if any maÌ haue bene in doubt in tymes past of the doctrine and proceedings of the church of Rome The Church of Rome connâct of manifest idolatry whether it be rightly charged with blynd errors with blasphemy intollerable Idolatry abominable or not here now may he be fully certified resolued For where was euer idolatry or blasphemy to be found if it be not here in this Mattins Psalter of our Lady Our Lady made equall with God in the Church Rome If Idolatry be to make an idoll to bee worshipped as God which is no God what doe we here but make an idoll of our Lady as we call her to be worshipped with no lesse dignity glory authority reuerence and seruice then is the Lord God himselfe As he is called our Lord so she is called our lady And if he be kyng yet she is the queene of heaueÌ The doctrine of the Romish Church directly against the first commaundemeÌt of God And though he haue the name of god yet she bereth so the title of the mother of God that as mothers haue authority ouer their children so she is willed to shew her selfe to be his mother to cause him to graÌt our petitions Finally if he be our patron yet is she our patronesse The commandement saith Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and hym only shalt thou serue And what worship or seruice can we geue to God more then we doe ascribe vnto her Or what benefit is to be asked at y e hands of Christ our Sauiour which is not equally asked of her To saue our soules to geue vs peace to graunt grace to comfort the desperate to loose our captiuity to release our sinnes To trust and beleeue in our Lady to deliuer from the fiend to bryng to heauen c. to her we pray we cry we creepe we sigh we grone wee knock and kneele to her we trust and if we beleue not also in our Lady Our Lady hath her Church as well as Christ. we be heretikes ipso facto Furthermore as Christ our onely Lord and Sauiour hath his Church and Congregation which professeth hys name of whom we are called Christians so neither is she likewise without her chapels her cloisters her Chapters fraternities and brotherhoods which professing her name in like sort are called our Ladies brethren or white friers besides an innumerable sort of other patrons of churches of whom euery one hath his peculiar church and religion by himselfe yet all these together be included vnder the generall deuotion of our Lady their supreme patronesse and gouernesse Now to proceed further to the other prrt of the commaundement which sayeth Him onely shalt thou serue What seruice hath the Lord in all the church but our Lady also iointly with him hath the lyke Her Masse her Mattins her Euensong her Houres and Complin her Rosaries her Anthems her Collects her Primer her Psalter her holydaies likewyse yea fiue to one Finally as y e Lord hath his prayer called the Lordes prayer so hath shee her Aue Maries yea x. Aues to one Pater noster yea read further in the said Bonauenture 10. ãâã to one Pââter nosteâ and ye shal see her also to haue her Te Deum her Benedictus her Magnificat and also her Quicunque vult If the Lorde our God had not expressed vnto vs hys own will by playne worde limiting vnto vs by expresse iniunction what to beleue what to folow how to worship and serue him how to receiue from him our saluation but had left vs to the imagination of our owne inueÌtions euery man to shift for himself after his own pollicy then peraduenture this way taken by the Popes Church to make frends mediators betwene God and vs for reconciliation remission saluation might haue some ryme or reason but now gods word doth bynde vs doth prescribe and limite vs precisely in euery point touching saluation what to beleue what to do shewing vs plainly that we cannot be saued but by the bloud of hys sonne only neither caÌ be iustified but by faith only in y e same Christ his sonne Wherfore not to beleue that which he hath promised is infidelitie and to follow any other beliefe then he hath set vs is plaine idolatry Infidelity Idolatrye The which ij special errors most commonly doe followe the doctrine of the Romish church as not only in this primer and psalter of our Lady aforesaid but also in all their proceedings teachings and preachings besides may well appeare The ãâã of Rome charged with Infidelitye ãâã Idolatryâ The church of Rome neyther taketh ãâã
rooted out Scriptures reduced to the knowledge of the vulgarr tongue and the state of the Church and religion redressed Concerning all whyche things in the processe of thys volume heere folowing wee will endeuour Christe willing particularly and in order to discourse after that first we shall comprehende a fewe matters which within the beginning of hys raigne are to be noted and collected Where leauing of to write of Empson and Dudley who in the time of king Henry 7. being great doers in executing the penall lawes ouer the people at that time and purchasing thereby more malyce then lands with that whych they had gotten were shortly after the entring of this king beheaded the one a Knight the other an Esquier leauing also to intermeddle w t hys wars triumphes and other temporal affaires we meane in this volume principally to bestowe our trauaile in declaration of matters concerning moste chiefly the state of the Church and of religion as well in this Church of England as also of the whole Church of Rome Wherein first commeth to our handes a turbulent tragedie and a fierce contention which long before had troubled the Churche and nowe thys present yeare 1509. was renewed afresh betweene two certaine orders of begging friers to wit the Dominike friers and the Franciscanes about the Conception of the virgine Marye the mother of Christe The Franciscanes were they which did holde of S. Fraunces Franciscane Friers followed the rule of his testament commonly called Gray friers or Minorites Their opinioÌ was this that the virgine Mary preuented by the grace of the holy Ghost was so sanctified Dominicke Fryers that shee was neuer subiecte one moment in her conception to Original sinne The Dominike Friers were they which holding of Dominike were commonly called Blacke friers or preaching friers Theyr opinion was that the virgine Mary was conceiued as all other children of Adam be so that thys priuiledge onely belongeth to Christe to be conceiued wythout Originall sinne notwithstanding the sayd blessed virgin was sanctified in her mothers wombe and purged from her Original sinne so as was Iohn Baptist Ieremie or any other priuileged person This friuolous questioÌ kindling and gendring betweene these two sectes of friers brast out in suche a flame of partes and sides taking that it occupyed the heades and wits scholes and vniuersities almost through the whole Church some holding one parte wyth Scotus A troublous dissention in the Church for the conception of the Virgin Mary some the other parte with Thom. Aquine The Minorites holding with Scotus their maister disputed and concluded that she was conceiued without al spot or note of Original sinne and therupon caused the feast and seruice of the conception of S. Mary the virgine to be celebrate and solemnised in the Church Contrary the Dominike Friers taking side wyth Aquinas Whether the Virgin Mary was conceaued without originall sinne preached that it was heresie to affirme that the blessed virgine was conceiued without the guilte of Originall sinne and that they which did celebrate the feast of her Conception or sayd any Masses thereof did sinne greeuously and mortally In the meane time as thys fantasie waxed hote in the church the one side preaching against the other came pope Sixtus 4. Anno 1476. who ioyning side wyth the Minorites or Franciscanes first sent forth his decree by authoritie Apostolique willing ordaining and commaunding all men to solemnise thys new found feast of the conception in holy Church for euermore offering to al men and women A new fouÌd feast of the conception of the virgin Mary which deuoutly frequenting the church wold heare masse and seruice from the first euensong of the sayde feast to the Octaues of the same as many dayes of pardone as Pope Urbane the 4. and Pope Mactin the 5. did graunt for hearing the seruice of Corpus Christi day c. and thys Decree was geuen and dated at Rome An. 1476. Moreouer the same Pope to the entent that the deuotion of the people myght bee the more encouraged to the celebration of thys Conception hee added a clause more to the Aue Maria A new Aue Maria of the Popes making graunting great indulgence and release of sinnes to all such as woulde inuocate the blessed Uirgine wyth the same addition saying thus Aue Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum benedicta tu in mulieribus benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus Christus benedicta sit Anna mater tua de qua sine macula tua processit caro virginea Amen That is Haile Marie full of grace the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women blessed is the fruite of thy wombe Iesus Christ The Pope addeth to the wordes of the scripture and blessed is Anna thy mother of whome thy virgines flesh hath proceeded wythout blot of originall sinne Amen Wherin thou maist note gentle reader for thy learning three things First how the Pope turneth that vnproperly into a prayer whiche properly was sent of God for a message or tidinges Secondly howe the Pope addeth to the wordes of the Scripture 3. absurdities to be noted in this decree of the pope contrary to the expresse precept of the Lorde Thirdly howe the Pope exempteth Marye the blessed virgine not onely from the seede of Abraham and Adam but also froÌ the condition of a mortall creature For if there be in her no originall sinne then she beareth not the Image of Adam neither doth shee descende of that seede of whose sede euil proceedeth vpon al men and women to coÌdemnation as S. Paul doth teach Rom. 5. Wherfore if she descende of that seede Rom. 5. then the infection of Originall euill must necessarily proceede vnto her If she descend not therof then commeth she not of the seede of Abraham nor of the seede of Dauid c. Againe seeing that death is the effect and stipende of sinne by the doctrine of S. Paule Roma 6. then had her flesh iniurye by the lawe as Christe hym selfe had to suffer the malediction and punishment of death Rom. 6. and so should neuer haue died if originall sinne had no place in her c. But to returne vnto our storie Thys constitution of the Pope being set foorth for the conception of the blessed virgin which was the yeare of our Lorde 1476. it was not long after but the sayde Pope Sixtus perceiuing that the Dominike friers with their complices wold not conforme themselues hereunto The tenour of the popes Bull for the conception of the virgin to be without original sinne directed foorth by the authority Apostolicall a Bul in effect as foloweth Sane cum sancta Romana ecclesia de intemeratae semperque virginis c In English Whereas the holy Churche of Rome hath ordained a speciall and proper seruice for the publique solemnising of the feast of the conception of the blessed virgin Mary certaine orders of the Blacke friers in their publique sermons to the
Christ of the strength of the law of the horrour of sinne of difference betwene the lawe and the Gospel of the true liberty of conscience c. no meÌtion or very litle was heard Wherefore in this so blinde time of darknes it was muche needefull and requisite that the Lord of his mercy shoulde looke vpon his churche send downe hys gratious reformation which also he did For shortly vpon the same thorowe the gratious excitation of God came Martine Luther of whome the order of story nowe requireth that we should and will intreat Christ willingly after the storie of Richard Hunne and a fewe other things premised for the better opening of the storie to folowe Mention was made sufficiently before of the doings of Pope Iulius Anno. 1510. and of hys warlike affaires for the whych he was condemned and not vniustly in the couÌcell of Turone in Fraunce Pope Iulius plaieth the warrior Anno 1510. and yet all thys coulde not asswage the furious affection of this pope but the same yere he inuaded the Citie of Mutina and Mirandula in Italie Anno. 1512. and tooke them by force of warre Which Pope Iulius not long after The Pope ouercome in Battaile in the yeare of our Lorde 1512. refusing peace offered by Maximilian the Emperour was encountered by Lewes the French king about Rauenna vpon Easter day where he was vanquished and had of his army slaine to the number of xvj thousande Ex Chron. Carion And the yere next folowing Anno 1513. this Apostolical warriour Anno. 1513. which had resigned his keyes vnto the riuer of Tybris before made an end together both of fighting and liuing The death of Pope Iulius after he had raigned and fought x. yeeres Atter whome succeded next in the sea of Rome Pope Leo the 10. About the compasse of which time Pope Leo x great mutatioÌs and stirres began to worke as well in states temporall as especially in the state of the Church Pope Leo 10. in Rome An. 1513. reigned 9. The state succession of Princes Charles 5. Emperour in Germanie An. 1519. reigned 39. Fraunces K. of France An. 1515. reigned 32. Henry 8. K. of England An. 1509. reigned 38. Iames 5. K. of Scotland An. 1514. reigned  In the time of which Pope Emperour and kinges of England and of France great alterations troubles and turnes of religion were wrought into the Churche by the mighty operation of Gods hand in Italy Fraunce Germanie Englande and all Europe suche as haue not bene seene although muche groned for many hundreth yeares before as in further discourse of this historie Christe willing more manifestly shall appeare But before wee come to these alterations taking the time as it lieth before vs wee will first speake of Richarde Hunne and certaine other godly minded persons heere in Englande afflicted for the woorde of Christes Gospell in great multitude as they be found and taken out of the Registers of Fitziames Bishop of London by the faithfull helpe and industry of R. Carket citizen of London The historie of diuers good men and women persecuted for religion in the Citie and Dioces of the Bishop of London briefly extracted out of the Registers of Richard Fitziames AMongest and besides the great number of the faithful martyrs and professours of Christe that constantly in the strength of the holy Ghost gaue their liues for the testimonie of his truthe Ex Registro Fitziames I finde recorded in the Register of London betwene the yeares of our Lorde 1509. and 1527. the names of diuers other persons both men and women who in the fulnes of that darke and mystie times of ignoraunce had also some portion of Gods good spirite whiche induced them to the knowledge of his trueth and Gospel and were diuersly troubled persecuted and imprisoned for the same notwithstanding by the proud cruell and bloudy rage of the Catholique seat and through the weaknes and frailtie of their owne nature not then fully strengthned in God it was againe in them for the time The professioÌ of the Protestantes no new doctrine suppressed and kept vnder as appeareth by their seueral abiuratioÌs made before Richard Fitziames then bishop of London in hys time a most cruell persecutor of Christes church or els before his vicar general deputed for y e same And for asmuch as many of the aduersaries of Gods trueth haue of late dayes disdainefully and braggingly cried out and made demaunds in their publique assemblies and yet do asking where this our church and religion was wythin these 50. or 60. yeares I haue thought it not altogether vaine somewhat to stop such lying crakers both by mentioning theyr names and likewyse opening some of the chiefe and principal matters for which they wer so vnmercifully afflicted and molested thereby to geue to vnderstand as wel the continuaunce and consent of the true church of Christe in that age touching the chiefe poynts of our faith though not in like perfection of knowledge and coÌstancie in all as also by the way something to touch what fond and friuolous matters the ignoraunt Prelates shamed not in that time of blindnesse to obiect against the poore simple people accounting them as heynous and great offences yea such as deserued death both of body and soule But least I shauld seeme too prolixe and tedious heerein I will nowe briefly proceede wyth the storie and first begin wyth theyr names whych are these Anno. 1510. Ioanne Baker William Pottyer Iohn Forge Thomas Goodred Thomas Walker alias Talbot Thomas Forge Alyce Forge Iohn Forge theyr son William Couper Lewes Iohn Ioanne Iohn Ihon Webbe alias Baker Anno. 1512. Iohn Houshold Robert Rascal Anno. 1517. Elizabeth Stanford George Browne Anno. 1518. Iohn Wykes Richard Butler Anno. 1511. Iohn Caluerton Anno. 1521 Iohn Woodrofe Richard Woolman Roger Hyllyar Anno. 1521. Alyce Couper Anno. 1523. Thomas Austye Ioanne Austye Thomas Graunt Iohn Garter Anno. 1526. Christofer Rauins Dionise Rauins Anno. 1527. Thomas Vincent Richard Butler Iohn Samme William Kyng Robert Durdant Henry Woolman Edmond Spilman Iohn Higges aliâs Noke aliâs Iohnsonne Henry Chambers Iohn Hynggyns Thomas Egleston Here foloweth the particular examination of all these heere aboue named To these were diuers and sundry particular Articles besides the common and generall sort accustomably vsed in such cases priuately obiected euen such as they were then accused of either by their curate or other their neighbours And because I thinke it somewhat superfluous to make any large recitall of all and euery part of their seuerall processe I minde therefore briefly only to touch so many of their articles as may be sufficient to induce the Christian Reader to iudge the sooner of the rest being I assure you of no greater importance then these that folow Except that sometime they were charged most slanderously with horrible and blasphemous lies against the maiestie and truth of God which as they vtterly
iudgemeÌt vnto the godly and discrete reader Not forgetting yet by the way if that the report shoulde be true vpon so iust an occasion to charge that catholique clergy their wicked lawes with a more shameles tirannie vncharitable cruelty theÌ before For if they nothing stay theyr bloudy malice towards such as so willingly submit themselues vnto their mercies what fauour may the faithfull and constant professours of Christ looke for at their haÌds I might here also aske of them how they folow the pitiful and louing admonitioÌ or rather precept of our Sauiour Christ whose true and only Church they so stoutly bragge to be who in the 17. chapt of S. Luke sayth Though thy brother sinne against thee seuen times in a day No mercy in the popes Church and seuen times in a day turne to thee saieng It repenteth me thou shalt forgiue him But what go I about to allure them vnto the folowing of the rule and counsaile of him vnto whose worde and Gospell they seeme most open and vtter enemies Wherefore not purposing to stay any longer thereupon I will leaue theÌ vnto the righteous reuengemeÌt of the Lord whereunto let vs now heere adioine the story of one Iohn Browne a good Martir of the Lord burnt at Ashford about this fourth yeare of King Henry the eight whose story heereunder foloweth ¶ Iohn Browne father to Richard Browne which Richard was in prison in Canterbury and should haue bene burned with two more besides himselfe the next day after the death of Queene Mary but by the proclaiming of Queene Elizabeth they escaped Ioh. Brown burned in Asheforde about the 4. yeare of king Henry 8. THe occasion of the first trouble of this Iohn Browne was by a priest sitting in Grauesend barge I. Brown being y e same time in the barge came sate hard by hym wherupon after certain coÌmunicatioÌ the Priest asked him doest thou know said he who I am thou sitst too neere me thou sitst on my clothes No sir said he I know not what you are I tell thee I am a Priest What sir are yee a Person or Uicar or a Ladies Chaplen No quoth he againe I am a soule priest I sing for a soule saith he Do ye so sir quoth the other that is well done I pray you sir quoth he where find you y e soule when you go to Masse I can not tel thee said the Priest I pray you where do you leaue it sir wheÌ the Masse is done I can not tell thee sayde the Priest Neither can you tell where you finde it when you go to Masse nor where you leaue it when the Masse is done how can you then haue the soule said he Go thy waies said y e Priest thou art an heretike and I will be euen with thee So at the landing the Priest taking w t hym Water More and William More two Gentlemen breethren rode straightwaies to the Archb. Warham wheruppon the said Iohn Browne within three daies after his wife being churched the same day Chilten of wey a Baily arrant and one Beare of Wilselborough with 2. of the Byshops seruantes set him vpon the horse and so carried him away he bringing in a messe of pottage to the boord to his guests was sent for and hys feete bound vnder his own horse so brought vp to Cant. neither his wife nor he nor any of his knowing whether he went nor whether he should And there continuing froÌ Lowsonday to y e friday before Whitsonday not knowing to his wife all this while where he was He was set in the stockes ouer night and on the morrow went to death and was burned at Ashford an 1517. The same night as he was in the stocks at Ashford where he his wââe dwelt his wife then hearing of him came sate by him al y e night before he should be burned to whom he declaring y e whole story how he was handled shewed told how y t he coulde not set his feete to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham Fisher his feet were heat vpon the whote coales burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will neuer do for if I should deny my Lord in this world he would hereafter denie me I pray thee said he therefore good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begon and bring vp thy childreÌ vertuously in the feare of God so y e next day on Whitsonday eueÌ this godly Martir was burned StaÌding at y e stake this praier he made holding vp his hands O Lord I yeeld me to thy grace Graunt me mercy for my trespasse Let neuer the feend my soule chase Lord I will bow and thou shalt beate Let neuer my soule come in hell heate Into thy hands I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord of truth and so he ended Ex testimonio Aliciae Browne eius filiae cuius mariti nomen dicebatur strat in paârochia S. Pulchri At the fire the said Chilten the Bayly Arrant bade cast in his children also for they would spring sayd he of hys ashes This blessed Martyr Iohn Browne had borne a fagot seauen yeares before in the daies of King Henry the 7. As it is the propertie of SathaÌ euer to malice the prosperous estate of the Saintes of God true professours of Christ so ceasseth he not continually to styrre vp his wicked meÌbers to the effectuall accomplishyng of that which his enuious nature so greedily desireth if not alwayes openly by colour of tyrannicall lawes yet at the leastwise by some subtill practise of secret murther Which thing doth most playnly appeare not onely in a great number of the blessed Martyrs of Christes Churche mentioned in this booke but also and especially in the discourse of this lameÌtable history that now I haue in hand concernyng the secrete cruell murderyng of Richard Hunne whose story here consequently ensueth decerped and collected partly out of the Registers of London partly out of a Bill exhibited and denounced in the Parliament house ¶ The story of Richard Hunne THere was in the yeare of our Lord. Richard Hunne martir 1514. one Richard Hunne marchauÌt Taylour dwelling within the Citie of London freeman of the same who was esteemed during his lyfe worthely reputed and taken not onely for a man of true dealyng and good substaunce but also for a good Catholicke maÌ This Richard Hunne had a child at nourse in Middlesex in the Parish of S. Mary Matsilon which dyed Anno. 1514. by the occasion wherof one Thomas Drifield Clerke beyng Parson of the sayd Parish sued y e sayd Richard Hunne in the spirituall Court for a bearyng sheete which the sayd Thom. Drifield claymed vniustly to haue of the sayd Hunne for a mortuary for SteueÌ Hunne sonne of the sayd Richard Hunne which SteueÌ beyng at nourse in the sayd Parish dyed being of
free will and minde without any question or Inquyry to him made by the sayd Alen Moreouer the sayde Alen sayth that all that euening Graundger was in great feare ¶ The Deposition of Richard Horsnayle Bayliffe of the Sanctuary Towne called Goodesture in Essex THe sayd Richard sayeth that friday before Christmas day last past that one Charles Ioseph Somner to my Lord of London became a Sanctuary man and the aforesayd Friday he registred his name the sayde Charles saying it was for the sauegard of his body for there be certein men in London so extreame agaynste him for the death of Richard Hunne that he dare not abide in London Howbeit the sayd Charles sayth he knowledgeth himselfe guiltlesse of Hunnes death for he deliuered the keyes to the Chauncellour by Hunnes life also the sayd Bayliffe sayth that Charles payd the duty of the sayd Regestring both to him and syr Iohn Studley Uicar ¶ The Copy of Richard Fitziames Letter then Bishop of London sent to Cardinall Woolsey I Beseeche your good Lordshippe to stand so good Lord vnto my poore Chauncellour nowe in Warde and indighted by an vntrue quest for the death of Richard Hunne The letter of the B. of London to Cardinall Woolsey vpon the onely accusation of Charles Ioseph made by payne and duraunce that by your intercession it may please the kinges grace to haue the matter duely and sufficiently examined by indifferent persons of hys discreete counsell in the presence of the parties ere there be any more done in the cause and that vpon the innocency of my sayde Chauncellour declared it may further please the kinges grace to award a Plackard vnto his Attorney to confesse the sayde Enditement to be vntrue when the time shall require it for assured am I if my Chauncellour be tryed by any twelue men in London they be so maliciously set In fauorem hereticae prauitatis that they will cast and condemne any Clerke though he were as innocent as Abel Quare si potes beate pater adiuua infirmitates nostras tibi imperpetuum deuincti erimus Ouer this in most humble wise I beseech you that I may haue the kinges gracious fauour whom I neuer offended willingly and that by your good meanes I might speake with his grace and you and I with all mine shall pray for your prosperous estate long to continue Your most humble Oratour R.L. Lastly nowe remayneth to inferre the sentence of the questmen which foloweth in like sort to be seene and expeÌded after I haue first declared the wordes of the Byshop spoken in the Parliament house ¶ The wordes that the B. of London spake before the Lordes in the Parliament house MEmorandum that the bishop of London said in the parliament house that there was a bil brought to the parliament to make the Iury that was charged vpon y e death of Hunne true men and sayde and tooke vpon his conscience that they were false periured Caytiffes and sayd furthermore to all the Lordes there then being For the loue of God look vpon this matter for if you do not I dare not keepe mine owne house for heretiques And sayde that the sayd Richard Hunne hanged himselfe and that it was his owne deed and no mans els And furthermore sayde that there came a man to his house whose wife was appeached of heresy to speake with him he sayd that he had no mind to speake with the same man which man spake and reported to the seruauntes of the same Bishoppe that if his wife would not hold still here opinion he would cut her throat with his owne handes with other wordes ¶ The sentence of the Inquest subscribed by the Crowner THe inquisition intended and taken at the city of LondoÌ in the Parish of S. Gregory in the ward of Baynard Castle in London the sixt day of December in the 6. yeare of the raigne of K. Henry the 8. before Thomas Barnewel Crowner of our souereigne Lord the king within the city of London aforesayd Also before Iames Yarford and Iohn Mundey Sheriffes of the sayde City The senteÌce of the Inquest vpon the sight of the body of Richard Hunne late of London Taylour which was found hanged in the Lollardes tower and by the oth and proofe of lawfull men of the same warde and of other three wardes next adioyning as it ought to be after the custome of the city aforesayd to inquire how in what maner wise the sayd Richard Hunne came vnto his death and vpon the oth of Iohn Bernard Thomas Stert William Warren Henry Abraham Iohn Aborow Ioh. Turner Robert Alen William Marler Ioh. Burton Iames Page Thomas Pickehill William Burton Robert Brigewater Thomas Busted Gylbert Howel Richard Gibson Christopher Crafton Iohn Eod Richard Holt Iohn Pasmere Edmunde Hudson Iohn Arunsel Richard Couper Iohn Tyme the which saide vpon theyr othes that where the sayd Richard Hunne by the commauÌdement of Richard Bishop of London was emprisoned and brought to holde in a prison of the sayd Bishops called Lollardes Tower lying in the Cathedrall Church of S Paule in London in the parish of S. Gregory in the ward of Baynard Castle aforesayd William Horsey of London Clerke Richarde HuÌne cleared by the Inquest not to haue haÌged himself otherwise called William Heresye Chauncellouâ to Richard Bishop of London and one Charles Ioseph late of London Sumner and Iohn Spalding of London otherwise called Iohn Belringer feloniously as felons to our Lord the king with force and armes agaynst the peace of our soueraigne Lord the king dignity of his crowne the fourth day of December the sixt yeare of the raygne of our soueraigne Lord aforesayd of theyr great malice at the parish of S. Gregory aforesayde vpon the sayde Richarde Hunne made a fray and the same Richard Hunne felonously strangled and smodered and also the necke they did breake of the sayde Richard Hunne and there feloniouslye slue him and murdered him and also the body of the sayde Richard Hunne afterward the same fourth day yere place parish and ward aforesayd with the proper gyrdle of the same Richard Hunne of silke blacke of coulor of the value of 12. d. after his death vpon a hooke driuen into a piece of timber in the wall of the prison aforesayd made fast and so hanged him agaynst the peace of our Soueraigne Lord the king and the dignity of his crowne and so the sayd Iurye hath sworne vpon the holy Euangelistes that the sayd W. Horsey Clerke Charles Ioseph and Iohn Spalding of theyr set malice then and there felonously killed and murdered the sayd Richard Hunne in maner and forme aboue sayd agaynst the peace of our soueraign Lord the king his crowne and dignity Subscribed in this maner Thomas Barnewel Crowner of the City of London After that the 24. had geuen vp theyr verdict sealed and signed with the Crowners seale The Parlament iudging with Richarde Hunne y e cause was theÌ brought into the Parliament house where the
ouerthrowne for euer In the tyme of pope Alexander the 6. and about the yeare of our Lord. 1500. as is before specified The fall of the Popedome signified by the fall of the Angel from the Church toppe of the popes Castle Ex Baleo Centur. 8. pag. 000. the hygh angell which stoode in the top of the popes churche and castle of S. Angell was throwne downe with a terrible thunder into the riuer of Tybris whereby might seeme to be declared the ruine and tall of the popedome To this may be adioyned whiche in certayne Chronicles and in Iohn Bale is recorded which sayth that in y e yeare of our Lord. 1516. whiche was the same yeare when Martine Luther began Pope Leo the x. dyd create 31. Cardinals In the which yeare and day of theyr creation there fell a teÌpest of thuÌder and lightning in Rome which so strake the church where the Cardinals were made that it remoued the little Childe Iesus out of the lappe of hys mother and the keyes out of Saint Peters hand An other signification of the popes subuersion Whiche thing many then did interprete to signifie and foreshow the subuersion and alteration of the sea of Rome Hetherto pertayneth also a strange portente and a prodigious token from heauen in the yeare of our Lord. 1505. Ex Ioan. Carione Fronc Mirandula alijs Bloudie markes of the Lordes passion seen vpon mens garments In the which yeare vnder the reigne of Maximilian Emperour there appeared in Germany vpon the vestures of men as well of Priestes as lay men vpon womens garmentes also and vpon theyr rockes as they were spynning diuerse printes and tokens of the nayles of the spunge of the spayre of the Lordes coate and of bloudy Crosses c. All which were seene vpon theyr cappes and gownes as is most certaynly testified and recorded by diuers which both did see also did write vpon the same Of whom first was Maximilian the Emperour who both had and shewed the same to Franciscus Mirandula which wrote thereupon a booke in Latine meter called Staurostichon wherin for the more credite these verses be conteyned Non ignota cano Caesar monstrauit ipsi Vidimus Innumeros prompsit Germania testes c. Of this also writeth Iohn Carion Functius The exposition of this portent Phil. Melanct. Flaccius with diuers other moe These markes and tokeÌs as they were very straunge so were they diuersly expounded of many some thinking that they pretended affliction and persecution of the churche to drawe neare some that God by that token did admonishe them or foreshewed vnto them the true doctrine of their iustification which onely is to be sought in the Crosse and passion of Christ and no other thing This I maruell that Christianus Masseus and other of that profession doe leaue it out Belike they sawe some thinge in it that made not to theyr liking For whether it signifieth persecution to come vpon the Germayns they cannot be euill that suffer and beare the Crosse wyth Christ Or whether it signifieth the true doctrine of Christ comming to the Germaynes it cannot otherwise be but that the doctrine of the Byshop of Rome must needes be wrong which is contrary to this which God hath styrred vp in Germany By this and such like prophecies it is euident to vnderstand the time not to be farre of when God of his determinate prouideÌce was disposed to reforme to restore his Churche And not onely by these prophecies the same might well appeare but also and much rather by y e hartes of the people at that tyme whose mindes were so insenced and inflamed with hatred agaynst the pompe and pryde of Rome both through all nations and especially the people of Germany that it was easie to perceaue the tyme was neare at hand wheÌ the pride of popish prelacy would haue a fall Such disdeyne there was such contempte and derision began to ryse on euery side then agaynst the pope and the Courte of Rome that it might soone appeare by the heartes of the people that God was not disposed to haue it long to stand For neither were their detestable doinges of secret that men did not see them neither did any man be hold them hauing any sparckle of godlines that could abide them And thereupon grewe these prouerbes to their derision in euery country As in Germany it hath bene Prouerb amongst them Prouerbes against the corrupt sea of Rome Was i st nu in der werlt fur ein wesen Wir moegen fur den pfaffen nicht genesen What is this to see the world now round about That for these shaueling priestes no man that once maye route Quà m primum clericus suscipit rasuram statim intrat in eum diabolus That is So soone as a Clerke is shorne into his order by and by the deuill enterth into him In nomine Domini incipit omne malum That is In the name of God beginneth all euill alluding to the Popes Bulles which commonly so begin Item when Bulles come from Rome bind well your purses The nearer Rome the farther from Christ. Item he that goeth once to Rome seeth a wicked man He that goeth twise learneth to know him He that goeth thrise bringeth him home with him Item the Courte of Rome neuer regardeth the sheepe without the woll Once were wodden chalices and golden priestes Ex Auen Now we haue golden chalices and wodden Priestes Once Christan men had blinde churches and light hartes Now they haue blinde hartes and light Churches Item many are worshipped for Saintes in heauen whose soules be burning in hell What should I speake of our English prouerbe which so vily esteemeth the filthy Friers that it compareth them sauing thy reuerence good Reader to a fart In Fraunce Gallus Senonensis writeth .400 yeares agoe that amongest them it was an old saying Romae solui Satanam in perniciem totius Ecclesiae That is That Sathan was let lose at Rome to destroy the whole Church Thomas Becket himselfe in his time writing to the Colledge of Cardinals denieth it not but to be a common word both through town and city Quod non sit iustitia Romae That is That there is no right at Rome To these may be adioyned also the A. B. C. Whiche we find in the margent of a certayne ould register to be attributed to William Thorp whose story we haue comprehended in the booke before ¶ A wake ye ghostly persons awake awake The A.B.C. against the pride of the Clergie B oth Priest pope Byshop and Cardinall C onsider wisely what wayes that ye take D aungerously beyng like to haue a fall E uery where the mischiefe of you all F arre and neare breaketh out very fast G od will needes be reuenged at the last ¶ H ow long haue ye the world captiued I n sore bondage of mens traditions K inges and Emperours ye haue depriued L ewdly vsurping theyr chiefe possessions M uch
iestingly and merely to answere the Dukes request The iudgement of Erasmus touching Luther saying that in Luther were two great faultes first that he would touch the bellyes of monks the second y t he would touch the popes crown which two matters in no case are to be dealt withall Then opening his minde playnly to y e Duke thus he sayde Monkes belies and the Popes crowne not to be touched that Luther did well in detecting errours and that reformation was to be wished and very necessary in the church and added moreouer that the effect of his doctrine was true but onely that he wished in him a more temperate moderation and maner of writing and handling Wherupon Duke Friderick shortly after wrote to Luther seriously Ex Chron. Casp. Peâcer lib. 5. exhorting him to temperate the vehemency of his style This was at the City of Colen shortly after the Coronation of the newe Emperour where also Huttenus Aloisius Marlianus Ludouicus viues Halonius with other learned men were assembled together wayting vpon the Emperour Furthermore the same Erasmus the yeare next folowing that Ex epist. Erasm ad Moguntinensem wrote vp to the Archbishop of Mentz a certayne Epistle touching the cause of Luther In whiche Epistle thus he signifieth to the Byshop That many thinges were in the books of Luther condemned of monkes and Diuines for hereticall whiche in the bookes of Bernarde and Austen are redde for sound and godly Also that the world is burdened with mens institutions with schole doctrines and opinions The ãâã burdened ãâã and with the tyrannye of begging Friers which Fryers when they are but the Popes seruaunts and vnderlinges yet they haue so growne in power and multitude that they are nowe terrible both to the pope himselfe and to all princes Who so long as the pope maketh with them so long they make him more theÌ a God But if he make any thing agaynst their purpose or commoditie then they wey his authoritie no more then a dreame or phantasie Once sayd he it was counted an heresie when a man repugned agaynst the Gospell or Articles of the fayth Now he that dissenteth from Thomas of Aquine is an hereticke whatsoeuer doth not like them whatsoeuer they vnderstand not that is heresie To speake Greeke is heresie Or to speake more finely then they do that is with them heresie And thus much by the way concerning the iudgement of Erasmus Now to returne and to entreate something orderly of the actes and conflictes of Luther with hys aduersaryes after y e Tecelius the foresayd Fryer w t his fellow monkes and Frierly fellowes had cried out w t open mouth against Luther in mayntayning the popes indulgences and that Luther agayn in defence of hys cause had set vp propositions against the open abuses of the same maruell it was to see how soone these propositions were sparckled abroad in sundry and farre places and howe greedely they were catched vp in the hands of diuers both far near And thus y e contentioÌ of this matter increasing betwene them Ex Paralâp Abbat Vrsperg Luther was coÌpelled to write therof more largely fully theÌ other wise he thought which was in y e yeare of our Lorde 1517. Yet all this while Luther neuer thought of anye alteration to come of any ceremony much lesse such a reformation of doctrine and ceremonies as afterward did follow But onely hearing that he was accused to the Bishop of Rome he did write humbly vnto him in the beginning of which writing he declareth y e vnordinate outrage of those his pardonmongers whiche so excessiuely did pill pole the simple people to the great slaunder of the Church and shame to his holines and so proceeding in the ende of the sayd his writing thus he submitteth himselfe The submission of Luther to the Pope Wherefore sayth he most holy father I offer my selfe prostrate vnder the feete of your holines with all that I am and that I haue Saue me kill me call me recall me approoue me reproue me as you shall please Your voyce y e voyce of Christ in you speaking I wil acknowledge If I haue deserued death I shall be contented to dye For the earth is the Lordes Psal. 23. and all the fulnes therof who is to be blessed for euer Amen This was the yeare of our Lorde 1518. After that Martine Luther prouoked thus by Tecelius had declared hys minde in writing lowly and humbly and had set vp certayn propositions to be disputed not loÌg after The ragyng Dialogue of Syluester Prieââas against Luther among other monkes and Fryers steppeth vp one Siluester de Priero a Dominicke Frier who fyrst began to publish abroad a certayne impudent and rayling Dialogue against him Unto whom Luther answered agayn first alledging the place of the Apostle 1. Thes. v. That we must proue all thinges Also the place Gal. 2. That if an aungell from heauen do bryng an other Gospell then that we haue receiued he ought to be accursed The aunswere of Luther against Syluester Item he alledged the place of Austen vnto Hierome where the sayd Austen sayth That he is wont to geue thys honour onely to the book of Canonicall Scripture that who soeuer were the writers thereof he beleueth them verily not to haue erred But as touching all other mens writings were they neuer so holy men or learned he doth not beleue them therefore because they so say but in that respect as they doe agree with the Canonicall Scripture which cannot erre Clem. De poenit remiss C. Abusionibus Item he alledged the place of the Canon law Clem. de Poenit. remis C. Abusionibus Wherein he proued y t these pardonsellers in their setting forth of the popes indulgenses ought to go no further by the lawe then is enioyned them within the letters of their commission And in the latter part of his aunswer thus Luther writeth to the reader Let opinions sayth he remayne opinions so they be not yokes to the Christians Let vs not make mens opinions equall with the articles of fayth to the decrees of Christ and Paule Moreouer I am ashamed quod he to heare the common saying of this Diuine schole doctours who holding one thing in the schooles and thinking otherwise in their own iudgement thus are wont secretly among theÌselues Ex Paralipominis Abba Vrsperg and with their priuy friendes talking together to say Thus we do hold and thus would I say being in the schooles but yet be it spoken here amongst vs it cannot be so proued by the holy Scriptures c. Ex. Paralip Abb. Vrsperg Eckius wryteth against Luther D. Andraeas answereth for Luther Next after this Siluester stept forth Eckius and impugned the conclusions of Luther Agaynst whom encountered D. Andraeas Bedenstein ArchdeacoÌ of Wittenberg makyng hys Apologie in defence of Luther Then was Martin Luther cited the 7. of August by one Hieronimus
pestiferous canker can not with supple and gentle medecines be cured more sharper salues must be proued and fiery searinges the putrified members must be cut of from the body least the sound partes also be infected So God did cast downe into hell the schismaticall brethren * * Let the Pope followe the worde of God as Moses dyd and be sent of God expresly as Moses was and then let Luther be punished as Dathon and Abyron were Againe if the Pope be the succâssour of Peter haue his authoritie why then doeth not the Pope beaâing the keyes of Peter exercise the power of his spirite vpon Luther his great enemie as Peter did vpon Ananias and Sâphira Dathan and Abiron And him that would not obey the authority of the priest God commaunded to bee punished with death So Peter prince of the Apostles denounced sodeine death to Ananias and Saphira which lyed vnto God So the olde and godly Emperours commaunded * * If Iouinianus Priscillianus and Vigilantius were proued heretickes They were proued not onely by CanoÌs couÌcels but by scripture so was Lutherneââr Iouinianus and Priscillianus as heretiques to be beheaded So S Ierome wisheth Vigilantius as an heretick to be geuen to the destructioÌ of the flesh that the spirit might be saued in the day of the Lord. So also did our predecessours in the Councell of * * Your fathers in the Councell of Constance did kill the prophets of God and you make vp their graues But thankes bee vnto God whiche hath geuen suche light to the world to vnderstande your cruell impietie in killing I. Hus which you thought should neuer be espied CoÌstance condemne to death Iohn Hus his felow Hierome which now appeareth to reuiue agayne in Luther The worthy * * You haue well imitated your forefathers alreadie in burning so many Lutherians yet how haue you prospered against the Turkish Infidels the space of these 40. yeares acts and examples of which forefathers if you in this doinges seeing otherwise ye can not shall imitate wee doe not doubt but Gods mercifull clemency shall eftsoones releue his Church which being now sore vexed of infidels hath her eies chiefely and principally directed vpoÌ you as being the most puisaunt and most populous nation that wee haue in Christendome Wherefore vpon the blessing of almighty God and of blessed S. Peter which here we send vnto you take courage vnto you The false Dragon resembleth the Pope and the strong Lyon the Turke as well agaynst the false Dragon as the strong Lion that both these that is as well the inward heresyes as the forreigne enemyes by you being ouercome you may purchase to your honours an immortal victory both here and in the world to come This we geue you to vnderstand that whatsoeuer the Lord hath geuen vs to aid you withall either in money or authoritye wee will not fayle to support you herein The false Dragon here seeth that it is time to bestirre hym yea and to bestowe our life also in this holye quarrell and for the health of our sheepe to vs committed Other thinges as touching the matter of Luther we haue committed to this Cheregatus our Legate whom wee haue directed purposelye for the same vnto your assemble whom we wish you to Credite as being our trusty Legate Datum Rom. apud S. Petrum sub anulo piscatoris die .25 Nouemb. ann 1522. pontificatus nostri anno primo ¶ By this letter aboue prefixed thou hast gentle reader to note and vnderstand what eyther wyly perswasions or strength of authoritie could deuise against Luther here not to haue lacked If plausible termes or glosyng sentences or outward facyng and bracyng could haue serued where no ground of scripture is brought this might seeme apparantly a pithie Epistle But if a man should require the particulars or y e specialties of this doctrine which he here reprehendeth to bee examined and tryed by Gods word there is no substaunce in it but onely wordes of office whiche may seeme well to serue for waste paper And yet I thought to exhibite the saide letter vnto thee to the entent that the more thou seest mans strength with all his policie bent against Luther the more thou mayst consider the almightie power of God in defending the cause of this poore man against so mightie enemies Nowe heare further what instructions the sayde Pope Adrian sent to his Legate Cheregatus how and by what reasons to moue and inflame the princes of Germany to the destruction of Luther and his cause and yet was not able to bring it to passe Instructions geuen by Pope Adrian to Cheregatus his Legate touching his proceedings in the diete of Norenberg how and by what persuasions to incense the Princes agaynst Luther IN primis Instructions of the Pope against Luther you shall declare to them the great griefe of our hart for the prospering of Luthers secte to see the innumerable soules redemed with Christs bloud and committed to our pastorall gouernement to be turned away from the true fayth and religion into perdition by this occasion that especially in the nation of Germany being our natiue country which hath bene euer heretofore til these few yeares past most faythfull and deuour in religion therefore our desire to be the greater that this pestilence should be stopped by time least the same happen to that countrey of Germany which happened of late to Bohemia And as for our part * The first cause to stirre men against Luther there shal be no lacke to helpe forward what we may As likewise we desire them to ândeuoure them selues to the vttermost of theyr power whom these causes ought to moue which here we direct vnto you to be declared vnto them * The honour of God consisteth principally in honouring Iesus the Sonne of God whom the father hath sent Now examine good reader whether more extoileth the honour of Christ the doctrine of Luther or the doctrine of the Pope Luther sendeth vs onely to christ The Pope sendeth vs to other Patrons and helpers Luthers doctrine tendeth wholy to the glory of Christ the popes doctrine if it be well wayed tendeth to the glory of man Luther cleaueth onely to Scripture The Pope leaneth to the Canons and Councels of men First the honor of God which before all other thinges ought to be preferred whose honor by these heresyes is greatly defaced and his worship not onely diminished but rather whollye corrupted Also the charity toward our neighbor by which charity euery man is bound to reduce his neighbor out of errour otherwise God will requyre at theyr handes all such as by theyr negligence do perish The second cause to moue them agaynst Luther The 2. cause is the infamy of theyr nation whiche being counted before time alwayes most Christian now by these sectaries of Luther is euill spoken of in all other quartes The third cause is the respecte of theyr owne
thou wilt The martyrdom of Hen. SutpheÌ Then another treading vpon his brest bounde his necke hard to a step of the ladder that the bloud gushed out of his mouth and nose This was done to strangle him withall for they saw that for all his sore woundes he would not die After he was bound to the ladder he was set vpright Then one running vnto him set his halbard for the ladder to leane against for those countreymen vse no commoÌ hangman but euery maÌ exerciseth the office without difference but the ladder slipping awaye from the point of the halbard caused that the halbard strake him through the body Then they cast this good man with ladder and all vpon the wood which tumbling downe light vpon the one side Then Iohn Holmeus ranne vnto him strake him with a mace vpon the brest till he was dead and stirred no more Afterward they rosted him vpon the coles for the wood as afteÌ as it was set on fire would not burne out And thus this godly preacher finished his martyrdome Ex Epist. Mart. Lut. which was ann 1524. Ex Epist. Mart. Luth. About the same time many other godly persons such as feared God for the testimonie of the Gospell were throwne into the riuer of Rhene and into other riuers where their bodies afterward were found Diuers Martyrs secretly drowned in riuers Iohn of Diethmar Martir and taken vp Also in the saide Towne of Diethmar another faithfull Saint of God named Iohn suffered the like martirdome Thus these two blessed and constant Martyrs as two shining lights set vp of God in testimonie of his truth offered vp the sacrifice of their confession sealed with their bloud in a sweete odor vnto God At the Towne of Hala likewise another preacher named M. George for ministring in both kindes M. George of Hala preacher in Saxony Martyr was martired and slaine of a like sort of cutchrotes set vp by monks and friers to murther him neere to the towne called Haschemburge Ex Crisp. Pantal. At Prage also in Bohemia another for changing hys Monkerie into Matrimonie did suffer in like maner Ex Lud. Rab. Furthermore in the same yeare of our Lord aboue mentioned 1524. and 22. of Octob. the Towne of Miltenberge in Germany was taken and ransackt The towne of Miltenberge and diuers of the inhabitants there slaine and many imprisoned for mainteining and keeping with them Carolostadius to be theyr preacher Ex Raba Pantal. In the same catalogue of holy Martirs likewise is to be placed Gaspar Tamber Also another called Georgius Gasper TaÌbar George a Scriuener of Vienna Martirs a Scriuener which both wer burned at Uienna in Austria ¶ The lamentable martyrdome of Iohn Clerke of Melden in Fraunce MElden is a citie in Fraunce x. miles distant from Paris where Iohn Clerke first was appreheÌded takeÌ Ioh. Clerke of Melden Martir ann 1523. for setting vp vpon the Church dore a certayne Bill against the Popes pardons lately sent thyther from Rome in which Bill he named the Pope to be Antichrist For the which his punishment was this Ioh. Clerke scourged for calling the Pope Antichrist that three seueral days he should be whipped afterward haue a marke imprinted in his forehed as a note of infamy His mother being a christiaÌ womaÌ although her husband was an aduersary when she beheld her sonne thus pitiously scourged and ignominiously deformed in the face Ioh. Clerke marked in the forehead coÌstantly boldly did encourage her sonne crieng with a loude voice Blessed be Christ and welcome be his printes and markes After this execution and punishment susteined the sayd Iohn departed that towne and went to Roisie in Bry from thence remoued to Metz in Lotharing where he remained a certaine space applyeng his vocation beyng a Wollecarder by his occupation Wheras he the day before that the people of that city should go out to the suburbs to worship certaine blind idols neere by after an old vse and custome amongst them receiued being inflamed with the zeale of God went out of the Citie to the place where the Images were and brast them all downe in peeces The next morow after when y e Canons Priestes Monkes keping their old custome had brought with them the people out of the Citie to the place of Idolatry to worship as they were wont they found all their blocks and stocks almighty lye broken vpon the ground At the sight whereof they being mightely offended in theyr mindes set all the Citie on a gog to search out the author thereof Who was not hard to be found for so much as this foresayde Clerke besides that he was noted of them to be a man much addicted that way he was also seene somewhat late in the euening before to come from the same place into the Citie Wherfore he being suspected and examined vpoÌ the same at first confessed the fact rendring also the cause Ioh. Clerke taken for casting downe Images which moued him so to do The people hearing this and being not yet acquainted with that kinde of doctrine were moued marueilously against him crieng out vpon him in a great rage Thus his cause being infourmed to the Iudges wherin he defended the pure doctrine of the sonne of God he was condemned and led to the place of executioÌ where he susteined extreme tormeÌts The greeuous tormentes of Ioh. Clerke For first his hand was cut off from his right arme then his nose with sharp pinsons was violently pluckt from his face after that both his armes and his pappes were lykewise pluckt and drawne with the same instrument To all them that stoode looking vpon it was an horrour to behold the greeuous and dolefull sight of his paines againe to behold his pacience or rather the grace of God geuing him the gift so to suffer The Constancye of this blessed Martyr it was a wonder Thus quietly and constantly he endured in his torments pronouncing or in a manner singing the verses of the 115. Psal. Simulacra eorum sunt argentum aurum c. Their Images be syluer and golde the woorke only of mans hand c. The residue of his life that remayned in his rent body was committed to the fire and therewith consumed which was about the yeare of our Lord 1524. Ex Plant. Crisp. Iohn Castellane THe yeare next ensuing Iohn Castellane Doctour Martyr which was 1525. mayster Iohn Castellane borne at Tourney a Doctour of Diuinitie after that he was called vnto y e knowledge of God and became a true preacher of his word and had preached in Fraunce in a place called Barleduc also at Uittery in Partoise at Chalon in Champaine and in the towne of Uike which is the Chamber and Episcopall Seate of the Bishop of Metz in Loraine after he had laide some foundation of the doctrine of the Gospell in the towne of Metz in returning from thence he
to be theyr Pastor labored by all meanes how to extirp out of the harts of the people Idolatry and Superstition Whiche through the grace of Christ working with him he in short time had brought prosperously to passe according to his desire In so muche that the obseruation of Lent Images and all Idols with the abhominatioÌ also of the Masse in the same towne was vtterly abolished So reformable God made the hartes of the people there such affection had they to theyr minister It was not long but the rumour thereof came to the hearing of Duke Antony prince of Loraine vnder whose dominion they were through the swift report of the aduersaries False and pernitious tongues falsly belying these Hippolitans to y e duke as though they in relinquishing the doctrine and faction of the Pope went about to reiect and shake of all authority power of princes all superior gouernors By the meanes of which sinister report they incensed the Prince to such displeasure and indignation The Duke of Loraine threateneth the town of S. Hypolitus that he threatned to subuert and vtterly to destroy the Towne with swoord and fire Wolfgangus hauing word of this wrote vnto the Duke his Epistle in most humble obedient wise in defence both of his ministery of his doctrine which he taught of the whole cause of the Gospell In which Epistle first he excused the people to be innocent blamelesse The letter of WolfgaÌgus to the Duke rather those slaunderous reporters to be both worthy to be blamed and also punished for theyr false rumors forged sclaunders raysed vp agaynst them After that he opened and explaned the cause and state of the Gospell and of our saluation coÌsisting only in the free grace of God through fayth in Christ his sonne coÌparing also the same doctrine of the Gospell with the confused doctrine of the Church of Rome That done thirdly he proceeded to our obedience honor and worship which first we owe to God to Christ next vnder him to Princes here and Potestates whom God hath placed in his roome and endued with authoritye here in earth vnto whom they offered themselues nowe at all times prest and most ready to obey with all seruice duety c. But with this Epistle Wolfgangus did nothing preuayle eyther for that it was intercepted by the way or els for that the false accusations wicked tongues of the aduersarye parte tooke more effect to winne credite wyth the Duke then could the simple defence of verity Whereupon Wolfgangus when he saw no other remedy rather then the towne should come in any dauÌger for his cause y e good man of his owne accord came to the city of Nancey which is the head towne of Loraine there to render a confession of his doctrine and also to deliuer the towne of S. Hippolite out of perill deriuyng all the daunger vppon hymselfe As soone as he was come thyther The Constancie of Wolfgangus vnremoueable incontinent handes were layd vpon him and he laid fast in a straight and stinking prison where he was sharpely and bitterly handled vnder the custody of the churlish and cruell kepers All this notwithstanding Wolfgangus coÌtinuing in that prisoÌ the space of a whole yeare yet would not be moued from hys coÌstancy neither with the straitnes of the prison nor wyth the hardnesse of his kepers nor yet with the compassion of his wife children which he had about sixe or seuen Wolfgangus had to the Gray Fryers Then was he had to the house of the Gray fryers to professe there his fayth where he both wittyly and learnedly confuted all them that stood agaynst him ¶ The Martyrdome of Wolfgangus As he was led to the place of execution passing by the house of the Gray Friers Bonauenture the greate Cyclops sitting at the doore cryed out to him thou heretique do thy reuerence here to God and to our Lady and to his holy Sayntes shewing to him the Idols standing at the Friers gate To whom Wolfgangus aunswered agayne thou hypocrite thou paynted Wall the Lord shall destroy thee and bring all thy false dissimulation vnto light When they were come to the place of his Martyrdome fyrst hys bookes before him were throwne in the fire Then they asked him whether he woulde haue his payne mynished or shortned to whom he sayd no bidding theÌ to do theyr will for sayd he as God hath bene with me hitherto so I trust now he will not leaue me when I shall haue most need of him concluding his wordes thus that they should put the sentence in execution Note the quiet and ioyful death of this blessed Martyr so beginning to sing the 51. Psalme he entred into the place heaped vp with fagots and wood continuing in his Psalme and singing till the smoke the flame tooke from hym both voyce and life The singuler vertue constancye and learning of thys blessed man as it refreshed and greatly edified the harts of many good men The iust punishment of God vpon persecutors so it astonyed as much the mindes of hys aduersaryes and wrought to theyr confusion For shortlye after his death the CommeÌdator of S. Antony of Uienna who sate as spirituall iudge ouer him and gaue sentence of his condemnation fell sodenly down and dyed Also his felow which was Abbot of Clarilocus and suffragan to to the Bishop of Metz sodenly at the comming of the Duches of Denmarke into the city of Nancy strokeÌ with soden feare at the cracke of gunnes fell downe and dyed as they which were preseÌt and saw it haue made faythfull relation of the same an 1525. Ex Ludou Rabo Pantal. ¶ Iohn Huglein Martyr OF Iohn Huglein Priest mention is made in the Commentaryes of Iohn Sled in Lib. 6. who the next yeare folowing Iohn Huglein Martyr Ex Comment Sled lib. 6. an 1526. was burned at Merspurge by the bishop of Constance for that he did not holde with the Byshop of Romes doctrine in all poyntes Moreouer besides other matters in this yeare occurrent Promise of maryage broken with Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxony here is also a Memorandum to be made to all posterity that in this present yeare .1526 vnto Iohn Friderick sonne and heyre to the Prince and Electour of Saxony was promised the Lady Katherine the Emperours younger sister in Mariage and writinges made of the same But when the alteration of religion was sent by Gods prouidence in to Saxonye The Popes church keepeth no promise with heretickes they swarued from theyr couenauntes and Hawnart which was then the Emperours Ambassadour in Germany sayde playnely that there was no promise to be kept with heretickes wherin they seemed to folow well the footsteppes of the Councell of Constance as before you haue partly heard in the story of Iohn Hus of the Emperour Sigismund pag. 593.587 ¶ George Carpenter of Emeryng Martyr burned in the towne of
in heauen where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God c. And where as I affirme the Sacrament not to be the body but bread speaking of bread remayning in his owne substaunce herein I do no other but as S. Paule doth which Cor. 11. doth call it bread likewise 4. or 5. times together The Frier Iesus Christ sayd that he was the bread of life The Officiall Thou noughty hereticke Iesus Christ sayd that he was a vyne a dore c. Where he is to be expouÌded to speak figuratiuely But the wordes of the Sacrament are not so to be expounded· The Martyr Those testimonyes which you alledge make more for me then for you The Officiall What sayst thou leud hereticke is the bread of the Lordes Supper and the bread that we eate at home all one and is there no difference betwene them The Martyr In nature and substance there is no difference in quality and in vse there is much difference For the bread of the Lordes table though it be of the same nature substance with the bread that we eat at home yet when it is applyed to be a sacrament it taketh an other quality and is set before vs to seale the promise of our spiritual and eternal life And this was the effect of their examinations Ex Crisp. The name of his persecutour appeareth not in his story Petrus Bergerius At Lyons An. 1553. About the same time Petrus Bergerius martyr when these 5. students aboue specified were apprehended this Bergerius also was taken at Lions with them examined and made also the like confession with them together shortly after them suffered the same martyrdome He had bene before an occupier or marchant of wines He had wife and children at Geneua to whom he wrote sweet and comfortable letters In the doungeon with him was a certayne Theefe and Malefactor which had lyen there the space of seauen or eyght monethes This Theefe for payne and torment cried out of God and cursed his parentes that begat him being almost eaten vp with lice miserably handled and fed with such bread as dogs and horses had refused to eat The notable coÌuersion of a theefe in prison So it pleased y e goodnes of almighty God that through the teaching and praiers of this Bergerius he was brought to repentaunce of hymselfe and knowledge of God learning much comfort and patience by the word of the Gospel preached vnto him Touching his conuersion he wrote a sweete letter to those 5. studentes aboue mentioned wherein he praiseth God for them and especially for this Bergerius declaring also in the same letter that the next day after that he had taken holde of the Gospell and framed himself to pacience according to the same his life whith he could plucke out before no lesse then 12· at once betwixte his fingers nowe were so gone from him that he had not one Furthermore so the almes of good men was extended towardes him that he was fed with white bread and that which was very good Such is the goodnes of the Lord toward theÌ that loue and seeke his trueth The name of this conuert was Iohn Chambone Ex Epist. Ioan. Cambon Ex Crisp. Pantal. c.  Stephanus Peloquinus Dionysius Peloquinus At Ville Franche about Lyons An. 1553. Steuen Peloquine Brother to this Dionysius Steuen and Dionyse Peloquine brethren and martyrs was taken about 2. or 3. yeares before with Anne Audebert aboue mentioned and also martyred for the testimonye of the Gospell at the same time with a smal fire After whome followed Dyonise Peloquine in the same steppes of Martyredome which was his Brother Thys Dionise had bene sometime a Monke and chaungyng hys weede tooke a Wyfe with whom he liued a certayne space at Geneua in Godly order and modesty of life Comming afterward to Uille Franche sixe myles from Lyons from thence he was had to Lyons where he remayned in prison 10. monethes FroÌ thence he was reuersed to Uille Franche where he was condemned degraded and burned The Articles wherupon he was condemned were for the Masse the Sacrament auricular confession Purgatory the Uirgine Mary and the Popes supremacy He suffered in the yeare of our Lord. 1553. Septemb 11. In his martyrdome such pacience and fortitude God gaue that wheÌ he was halfe burned yet he neuer ceased holding vp his handes to heauen and calling vpon the Lord to the great admiration of theÌ that looked on Ex Ioan Crisp. The kinges Lieuetenant at Lyons The Officiall The Fryers Lodouicus Marsacus Michael Gerard his cosin Steuen Granot Carpenter At Lyons An. 1553. At Lyons the same yere these 3. also were appreheÌded and sacrificed Lodouicke Marsac Michaell Gerard Steuen Granot Martyrs Ludouicus hadde bene of the order of the Dimilances whiche serued the king in hys warres Afterwarde comming to Geneua he was trayned vppe in the knowledge and doctrine of the Lorde Upon diuers Articles he was examined as inuocation to Saynts and of the Uyrgyne Mary free wyll merites and good woorkes auricular confession fasting the Lords supper In his second examinatioÌ they inquired of him and also of the other 2. touching vowes the Sacramentes the Masse and the Uicar of Christ. In all which articles because his and their iudgement dissented from the doctrine of the Popes Church they were condemned The aunsweres of Marsac to the articles are to be seene at large in the booke of the French martyrs set out by Ioan. Crisp. The blasphemies of the Papistes The Lieuetenant among other blasphemies had these woordes Of the iiij Euangelistes but ij were pure Mathew and Iohn The other two Marke Luke were but gatherers out of the other The Epistles of S. Paule but that the Doctors of the church had authorised them he would otherwise esteme theÌ no better then the fables of Aesope Item the sayde Lieuetenant sayd to M. Copes mayd Note what opinion the Papists haue of the law of God when it standeth not with their law speaking somewhat of the law Cursed be the God of that law When the sentence of condemnation was geuen agaynst these three they were so glad thereof that they went out praysing God and singing Psalmes Which troubled the iudges sore to see them so litle to esteme their death in so much that the Lieuetenaunt caused theÌ to be made to hold theyr peace saying shal these vile abiectes so vaunt themselues agaynst the whole state of the realme TheÌ as Marsac was going to a corner by to pray one of y e souldiors woulde not suffer him To whoÌ he sayd that litle time which we haue wil you not geue vs to pray With that the souldiour being astonished went his way As they should be brought out of prison to y e stake the hangman tyed a rope about the neckes of the other two Marsac seing himself to be spared because of his order and degree called by the way to the Lieuetenaunt that he
doctrine The miserable handeling of gods people in Spaine Adde moreouer to these distresses and horrors of the prison the iniuries threates whippings and scourginges yrons tortures and rackes which they endure Somtimes also they are brough out shewed forth in some higher place to the people as a spectacle of rebuke and infamy And thus are they deteyned there some many yeares and murthered by long tormentes whole dayes together entreated much more cruelly out of al comparison then if they were in the hangmaÌs handes to be slayne at once During all this time what is done in the proces no person knoweth but onely the holy fathers and the tormentors which are sworne to execute the tormentes All is done in secret as great misteries passe not the handes of those holy ones And after all these tormentes so many yeares endured in the prison if any man shall be saued it must be by gessing For all the procedinges of the Court of that execrable Inquisition is opeÌ to no maÌ but all is done in hugger mugger in close corners by ambages by couert waies and secret counselles The accuser secret the crime secret the witnes secret whatsoeuer is done is secret neither is the poore Prisoner euer aduertised of any thing If he can gesse who accused hym whereof wherfore he may be pardoned peradueÌture of hys life but this is very seldome and yet he shall not incontineÌt be set at liberty before he hath endured loÌg time infinite tormentes and this is called theyr penitence and so is he let go and yet not so but that he is enioyned before he passe the Inquisitors handes that he shall weare a garment with yellow colours for a note of publicke infamy to him and his whole race And if he can not gesse right shewing to y e Inquisitours by whom he was accused whereof and wherfore as is afore touched incontinent the horrible sentence of condemnation is pronounced against him that he shall be burned for an obstinate hereticke and so yet the sentence is not executed by and by but after that he hath endured imprisonment in some haynous prison ¶ And thus haue ye heard the forme of the Spanish Inquisition Diuers martyrs in Spain since the tyme of Queene Elizabeth By the vigour and rigour of thys Inquisition many good true seruauntes of Iesus Christ haue bene brought to death especially in these latter yeares since the royall and peaceable reign of this our Queene Elizabeth The names and storyes of whom partly we wil here recite according as we haue faythfull recordes of suche as are come to our hands by writing The other which be not yet come to our knowledge we will deferre till further intelligence and oportunity by the Lords ayd and leaue shall serue hereafter An. 1559. Maij 21. In the towne of Ualedolid where commonly the counsell of the Inquisition is wont to be kept 30. Christian prisoners brought before the councell of the Inquisition the Inquisitors had brought together many prisoners both of high and low estate to the number of xxx also the coffin of a certayne noble womaÌ with her picture lying vpoÌ it which had bene dead long before there to receiue iudgement and sentence To the hearing of which sentence they had ordeined in the sayd town 3. mighty Theatries or stages Upon the first was placed Dame Iane sister to king Philip Three stages and chiefe RegimeÌt of his realmes also Prince Charles king Philippes sonne with other Princes and States of Spayne Upon the other scaffold mounted the Archbishop de Seuille The ceremoniall pompe of the Spanish Inquisition Prince of the Synagoge of the Inquisitors with the CouÌsell of the Inquisition also other Byshops of the landes and the kinges counsell with them After that the Princes and other spirituall iudges couÌsellers were thus set in theyr places wyth a great garde of Archers and Halberdiers and harnessed souldiours with 4. Herauldes also of armes geuing theyr atteÌdance to the same and the Earle of Buendia bearing the naked sword all the markette place where the stages were being inuironed wyth an infinite multitude of all sortes of the world there standing and gasing out of windowes houses to heare see the sentences iudgementes of this Inquisition then after all were brought forth as a spectacle and triumph the poore seruauntes and witnesses of Iesus Christ to the number as is aforesayd of thirty clothed with theyr Sanbenito The Spanish Mantell of S. Benet of yellow coulor with red crosses both before behinde called Sanbenito as the Spaniards do call it which is a maner of vesture of yellow cloth coÌming both before them behind theÌ spangled with read Crosses hauing burning Cierges in theyr handes also before them was borne a Crucifixe couered with blacke lynen cloth in token of mourning Moreouer they which were to receiue the sentence of death had Miters of paper vpoÌ theyr heads which y e Spaniardes call Coracas Thus they being produced were placed in theyr order one vnder an other according as they were estemed culpable So y e first of all stood vp Doctor Cacalla an AusteÌ Frier a maÌ notable singular in knowledge of diuinity preacher sometime to Charles the 5. Emperor both in higher and lower Germany These thinges thus disposed theÌ folowed a Sermon made by a Dominicke Frier This Dominicke was M. Melchior Cano. which endured about an houre After the Sermon finished the Procurator generall with the Archbishop went to the stage where the Princes and Nobles stood to minister a soleÌne othe vnto them vpoÌ the Crucifixe painted in the Massebooke the tenour of which othe was this Your Maiestyes shall sweare that you will fauor the holy InquisitioÌ also geue your conseÌt vnto the same and not onely that you shal The oth geuen to the princes by the Inquisition of Spaine by no maner of way hinder and impeach the same but also you shall employ the vttermost of your helpe endeuour hereafter to see all them to be executed whiche shall swerue from the Church of Rome adioyne themselues to the sect of the Lutheran hereticks without all respect of any person or persons of what estate degree quality or condition soeuer they be ¶ And thus much for the first Article of the othe The second was this as foloweth Item your Maiesties shall sweare that you shal constrayne all your subiectes to submitt themselues to the Church of Rome and to haue in reuerence all the lawes and commaundementes of the same and also to geue your ayde agaynst all them whosoeuer shal hold of the heresy of the Lutheranes or take any part with them In this sort and maner when all the Princes states euery one in theyr degree had receyued theyr othe then the Archbishop lifting vp his hand gaue them his benediction saying God blesse your highnesses and geue you loÌg life This solemne Pageon thus finished at last
be in a great choler some he beat and some things also of a smal value he caused to be restored but all the rest was kept backe and caryed away Two womeÌ the mother and the daughter Martyrs The same day two women the mother and the daughter were found in a caue in the mountaine wounded to death by the souldiers and died immediatly after So likewise a blinde man a hundreth yeares of age which was fled into a caue with his sonnes daughter being eighteene yeares olde whych fed him was slaine by the enemies The grandfather hys nyce dyed Martyrs and as they would haue forced the mayden she escaped from them and fell from the top of the mountaine and dyed At that tyme also a great company of women of Tailleret Uillars were taken as they fled with their goodes and brought to the campe and sent away emptye There was at the same tyme a certaine souldier whiche promised the Lord of Trinitie to find out the minister of Tailleret and to deliuer him into his owne hands And to bring his purpose to passe he neuer ceased vntill he had founde him and after that he pursued hym a long time But as he was pursuing and chasing him A wicked persecuter killed with stones certaine at vnwares comming out of the mountaine rescued the poore minister and killed the souldier with stones But this especially is to be noted that duryng these troubles diuers of the Papistes had sent their daughters into the mountaines vnto the Waldoys to be kept fearing least they should haue ben rauished by the souldiers being wholy geuen ouer as to all crueltie and rauine so to all villany and abhomination by whome they were before threatned to be so abused All this being done the sayd Lord of Trinitie caused the head officers and chiefest of y e people to assemble together and declared vnto them that the mainteining of the army was a greate charge vnto the Duke and that it was meete that they should beare the one halfe of the charges For this cause he demaunded of them twentie thousande crownes But by the meanes of his Secretarie Gastaut who was promised a hundreth crownes for hys wyne that is to say for a bribe foure thousand of those twenty were abated The poore Waldoys pressed at 16. thousaÌd crownes so that they graunted vnto him xvj thousand of the which summe the Duke released the one halfe Then the Lord of Trinitie pressed this poore people to deliuer the eight thousand out of hand to pay the souldyers their wages as he sayde and so to withdraw his armye The yeare before corne was exceeding deare for a sacke was commonly sold for sixe crownes yea and some for eight crownes and also they had very litle corne growing vpon their mountaines wherefore they were now verye bare of money But they being in this perplexitie and desiring nothing more then to liue in peace and quietnes went about to sell their cattell to pay this money But the Lord of Trinitie had geuen out a commandement y t none should buy any cattell of the Waldoys The Papists false of promise without his liceÌce Then licence was geuen out to certaine to buy great store of cattell and that for a small price and the common brute was that he had part of the gaine When this money was payd yet the army notwithstanding retyred not After this the Lord of Trinitie commaunded the Waldoys to surrender vp al their armour to furnish y e Dukes fortes otherwise he threatned to sende his souldyers amongest them and in deede he constrained many so to do Then he demanded moreouer the eight thousand crownes whiche the Duke had remitted and constrayned them to promise the payment thereof After that he commaunded that the ministers should be sent awaye vntill the matter were determined before the Duke otherwise he woulde send his souldiers to dislodge them out of hand whereuppon with one common assent and accord they determined that their ministers shoulde withdrawe themselues for a space vntill the army were retired which was not done without marueilous sighes lamentation and teares At that season there fell such abundance of snowe that the like had not bene seene of a long time before so that the people were constrained to make a way with great trauaile and paine through the top of the mountayne of S. Martin for their ministers to passe Now thought the Lord of Trinitie so to haue enclosed them he keeping the plaine and the mountaynes beyng couered so thicke with snowe that by no meanes they shoulde haue escaped his handes But the people caused theÌ to passe the top of the mountayne and at their departure The care of the Waldois for their ministers there flocked out of euery quarter greate multitudes to the village of Boby and came together into a secrete place there called le Puis not withoute greate griefe and sorowe For they found theÌ altogether in teares and mourning that their ministers should so be taken froÌ them and they now leaft as lambes amongst wolues The armye was aduertised that the ministers were assembled together and incontinent a greate troupe of harquebushes were at hand whiche sought them euen to the very top of the mountaine in so much that if they had remained there but one houre longer they had bene all taken From that time for certaine dayes after they dyd nothing but raunge about in all places Gods prouidence for his ministers seeking for the ministers and there was no house chamber caue nor secrete corner into the whiche they dyd not enter vnder pretence to seeke the Ministers There was neither chest nor any thing else so strong but they brake it open saying that the ministers were hidden therein and by that meanes they tooke spoyled and caried away whatsoeuer they would The Lorde of Trinitie promised often tymes that although it were forbidden to all the Ministers to preache yet the Minister of Angrongne shoulde be excepted and furthermore sent the sayd Minister word that if he would demaunde any thyng of the Duke it shoulde be graunted hym Whereupon the sayde Minister made thys request that the poore people might liue peaceably in their religioÌ A while after he sent for the saide Minister to confer wyth him priuately vpoÌ certaine points of religion The minister went vnto him hauing therto the coÌsent of the people The Lord of Trinitie propounded vnto him three points Marke here the faire pretence trayterous meaning of the Lord of Trynitye which by by after seeââth the death of this good Minister The first concerning the supremacie of the Pope the other concerned transubstantiation Of the whyche two points the minister then immediatly declared his opinioÌ and he seemed to agree thereunto and required him to put the same in writing The last which was his whole drift was to perswade the minister to go to the Dukes Court and there to defend the cause of the people
alleging certain reasons to perswade him so to do Whereunto the minister answeared that he was bound to God and his church and if it seemed conuenient to the ministers and people that he should go he would be content to do the same and therof he promised to send him aunswere immediately with the which aunswere he seemed to be contented Shortly after the foresayd Lord not tarying for an auÌswere sent his army to the temple of S. Laurence in Angrongne pretendyng to sing a Masse there sodenly the souldiours besieged the Ministers house The Minister beyng warned therof assayed to escape The souldiers attempted nothyng by force but vsed geÌtle perswasions to the contrary for there were not yet many of them But the Minister pushed on further the souldiers folowed him halfe a myle but fearyng the people durst go no further The Minister withdrew himselfe into the rockes vpoÌ the mouÌtaine accompanied with v. other The army was by by at his heeles The minister of AngroÌgne pursued of the souldiers sought a good while in the houses and cotages on euery side cruelly handlyng the people whom they tooke to make theÌ coÌfesse where their Minister was spoylyng their houses takyng some prisoners beatyng other some but yet they could not learne of them where their Minister was At the leÌgth they espyed him amoÌgest the rockes where they thought to haue enclosed him so they pursued him in y e rockes all couered with snow vntill it was night could not take him Then they returned spoyled his house and diligently searched out all his bookes writynges The ministerâ house spoyled and caried them to the Lord of Trinitie in a sacke who caused them al to be burnt in his presence supposing as it well appeared that y e letters which he had sent to Angrongne touchyng the agreemeÌt should be with the rest burnt for he did not the lyke in the other Ministers houses 40 houses in Angrongne spoyled That day they spoyled fourtie houses in AngroÌgne broke their mylles and caried away all the corne and meale that they found About midnight the souldiours returned with torch-light to the Ministers house to seeke him searched euery corner The next mornyng commaundement was geuen to the rulers of Angrongne that within xxiiij houres they should deliuer their Minister or els AngroÌgne to be put to the fire sword The Rulers aunswered that they could not so do for they knew not where he was and the souldiours had chased him ouer the mountaine After certaine dayes wheÌ the souldiours had burned houses spoyled the people broken their mylles done what mischief they could the army retired Notwithstandyng the Lord of Trinitie left garrisons in the forenamed Fortresses but all at y e costes and charges of the Waldoys the which garrisons not contented with their wages spoyled continually Upon a night v. souldiers went with torches to a rich mans house of Angrongne spoyled the same The good man of the house hardly escaped with life Gods holy protection in sauing his seruant by the top of the house for there were xij pellets shot of at him Whereof one touched his face stroke his hat from his head without any further hurt The Rulers of Angrongne whiche were gone to the Fortresse to cary thether victuals and money Two rulers of Angrongne beaten almost to death for not kneeling to the Masse were by the souldiours receiued in despite of them the people caused a Masse to be song before them and forced them to be present at it and because they would not kneele downe to it they were beateÌ almost to death The one of them was sent agayne for more money the other with great perill of his lyfe lept ouer the walles and beyng pursued to Angrongne escaped Certaine dayes after a certaine coÌpany of souldiours came vnto the midst of AngroÌgne as though they would haue passed through and called for meate and drinke The poore men brought that they had vnto theÌ in a close court WheÌ they had eaten and drunken Cruelty shewed for kindnes they caused the women to auoyde then bounde xiiij of those which had brought theÌ victuals by ij and ij together led them away Their wiues children perceiuyng this Note how God did blesse his seruantes standing in their owne defence so fiercely pursued them with stones that they were fayne to let go x. of their prisoners for hast had much ado to saue them selues The other iiij they led away to the Fortresse of the which two were ransomed the other two were haÌged vp by the feete the handes hauyng tormented them almost to death they released them for a great summe of money Two Martyrs of Angrongne The one of the which dyed the next night the other lay sicke without hope of lyfe long tyme after and his flesh fell from his handes and his feete and therof he became lame and after that his fingers fell of also In like manner did the other garrisons entreate the villages adioyning vnto them The garrison of Tour of Uillars beyng assembled together in a night went to Tailleret to the place called Bouuets breakyng in at the windowes and toppes of the houses breakyng open the doores sackyng spoylyng all that they could lay handes of tooke also xiiij prisoners and bound them two two together by the armes and so led them to the Fortresse of Tour. But two which were escaped whiles the souldiers were taking other set vpon them which led the prisoners Note againe how God blesseth his people staÌding to their defence against the bloudy Papistes Two Martyrs A barbarous kinde of toâment vsed agaynst a Martyr of the Loâd called Odul Gemet by âhe cruell Papistes and so valiantly assaulted beat them with stones that they forced them to let go xij of the prisoners the which tumbling and rolling themselues downe the mountaine hauing their hands bound behinde their backes and fastened two and two together by the armes were contented rather so to dye then to be caried to the Fortresse and yet in the ende they escaped The other two which were led to the Fortresse were cruelly tormented and in the end the one of them the Captayne strangled with his owne handes who was very young and but a child the other which was about threescore yeares of age whose name was Odull Gemet suffered a strange cruel death For when they had bound him they toke a kynde of beastes which liue in horsedoung called in French Escarbotz and put them vnto his nauell couering them with a dishe the which within short space pearced into his belly and killed him These and the like more then barbarous cruelties haue bin reuealed by the souldiours themselues The poore Waldoys were yet in great captiuitie and distresse but especially because they had not the preaching of Gods word amongst them as they were wont to haue
regem me esse grata tuta Nam omnia vt paucis absoluam in tuo ingenio fide reposuimus Nihil super est aliud scribenduÌ nisi quod supplex orem vt omnes actiones tuas secundet Deus opt maximusque ex corde vale Ex edibus meis Westmonest vij Febr. Tuae salutis amplitudinis cupidissimus T. Ebor. After this letter of the Cardinall Steuen Gardiner the Cardinalls trusty factor consequently heere ensueth an other letter of the kynge to the foresayde Stephen Gardiner and other his Oratours at Rome conteining suche instructions and documentes as they shoulde practise with the Cardinalles of Rome in canuesynge for the sayde Thomas Wolsey Cardinall of Yorke to be elected Pope if Pope Clement were dead Or if he were not dead yet at least to instructe them what to doe when hee should die The contents of the letter albeit they include no great matter worthy our knowledge nor greatly necessary for our story yet for the ridiculous maner of the handling and the curious secretariship therof ful of glorious affectation I thought it not heere vnmeete for the studies and appetites of some to exemplify the same or at least to make the reader some pastime by the way in beholding the glorious stile of this vaine glorious Cardinal being sute like to his glorious life The copie of the letter bearing the name of the king but in deede sauouring altogether of the Cardinals deuise and swelling vaine doth thus procede in forme and stile as followeth ¶ Instructions sent by the kings highnesse to his trustie Counsailours and seruaunts Marke the ãâã you shall see that it is all one with the Cardinals former letter whiâch he sayeth he wââte with his âwne hand M. Stephen Gardiner Doctor of both lawes Syr Fraunces Bryan Syr Gregory de Cassalis Knights and M. Peter Vanne the kings Secretarie for the Italian toung his ambassadours in the Court of Rome for the election of the Cardinal of Yorke to the Papacie if Pope Clement were dead FIrst where as a good season since the depeache of M. Stephen Gardiner an Ambassiate towardes the Courte of Rome the kings highnes by sondry wayes hath bene aduertised of the death of our holy father the Pope Clement of that name the 7. whose soule Iesu pardon Instructions in the kinges name to his Legates at Rome by meane wherof the charge heretofore committed by his grace vnto his Orators to haue ben now executed with the sayd late Pope can not at his hands take effect his highnesse pondering and profoundly considering the present state of Christendom miserably and piteously afflicted wyth the intestine warres dissentions and discords reigning amongst the Princes of the same and how the dignity of the sea Apostolicke by such troble and persecution as hath bene inferred therunto these yeares passed is not a little diminished and empaired like to come to total ruine if by the helpe assistance of good and vertuous Princes The totall ruine of the Apostolicke Papacye God send it the ambition of those which studye the exterminion thereof be not in time repressed considering furthermore that as well to conduce rest and tranquillitie in Christendome as to restore repaire and reintegrate the state authoritye and reputation of the sayd sea Apostolicke nothing is more requisite necessary then that such a head and common father be now at this time of vacation of the dignitie Papal prouided and elected to succede in the same as both may can and will puruey to the restauration of the said Sea and that hath and may haue the assistance of such vertuous and puissant Princes as teÌder the defence maintenance and encrease of the dignitie aforesayde and that may meete with the inordinate ambition of the Emperour who nothing more studyeth then for his owne exaltation to suppresse the Church Sea Apostolicke remembring also the high importance of the kinges great and weighty cause of matrimony committed to the charge of his sayd Orators He meaneth them ãâã betwene kyng ãâã and ãâã Katheââne his brother Arthuâ wyfe whâther it wââ lawfull ãâã and how manifolde dangers and irreparable damages depend vpon the tracte delay or disappoyntment thereof which by no way or meane can be conduced to the kings purpose and desire by the authority of the Church but onely by speciall assured and perfect fauour of the head of the same Churche his highnes also being as loth as any liuing Prince or person may be to recurre vnto other refuge succour or remedy in his sayde cause then to the authoritie of the Sea Apostolicke if his grace may there finde the fauour and benignitie that to his merites towardes the same be correspondent of which fauour his highnesse shoulde be clearely depriued and frustrate in case the election of the future Pope should passe vpon any person of whom his grace were not perfectly assured his highnes for the respects and considerations before specified perceiuing his good brother and perpetuall alye the Frenche king in the sayde intention to be vnite knitte and in all actions and doings of importaunce assuredly combined vnto his grace proceeding together in one wil minde purpose and conformitie hath by good and mature deliberation studied deuised and excogitate with himselfe who were might be the most able meete and conuenient person hauing the qualities before specified to be aduaunced at this time vnto the sayde dignitie Papall And finally when his grace hath well reuolued with himselfe all the respects and considerations aforesayde noting also al things meete to be regarded in euery of the Cardinals of the Church of Rome both present now in the Court there and absent from the same it can not be found that there is any person sufficiently furnisâed with the requisites before specified but only the most reuârend father in God and his most trusty Counsellour the Lord Legate Cardinall Archbishop of Yorke Primate Chauncellour of this Realme Who being well knowen to haue as feruent zeale studie minde and desire to the vniuersall weale repose and tranquillitie of Christendome to the reintegration restauration of the dignity authority reputation See how this Prelate is all in his exaltation rightes of the Churche and sea Apostolicke to the surety weale and exaltation of the kings highnes the French king other their confederates and finally to the perfection of the kings sayde great and waightie cause whereupon dependeth the surety of his royall persone successioÌ Realme people dominions as any person liuing can or may haue that the sayd most reuereÌd father hath the fast assured fauor herein of the sayd FreÌch king who of his owne mere motion hath frankly and liberally offred vnto hym all that by himself his frendes his power his agentes or otherwise hee may or can possible doe for his auancement to the sayd dignitie Papal is the person who for his singular vertue his entire deuotion to peace and restauration of
to his mercifull goodnes Of which diuorcement and suppressing of the Popes authority we haue likewise to make declaration But first as we haue begun with the Cardinall of Yorke so we will make an ende of him That done we will God willing addresse our selfe to other matters of more importance As the ambassadours were thus trauailing in Rome to promote the Cardinall to be Pope althoughe the Pope was not yet dead in the meane time the Cardinall played the Popish persecuter here at home Fryer Barnes with two Marchantes of the Stilliard caused by the Cardinal to beare fagots For first hee sitting in his Pontificalibus in the Cathedrall Churche of Paules vnder his cloth of estate of rich cloth of golde caused Frier Barnes an Augustine Frier to beare a fagot for certayne poyntes which he called heresie Also hee caused the same two marchants of the stilliarde likewise to beare fagottes for eating fleshe on a friday At the which time the Byshop of Rochester made a sermon in reproofe of M. Luther who had before wrytten agaynst the power of the B. of Rome This bishop in his sermon spake so muche of the honoure of the Pope and his Cardinals and of their dignitie and preeminence that he forgate to speake of the Gospel which he tooke in hande to declare which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1526. Anno. 1528. After this the said Cardinall likewise An. 1528. and in the moneth of Nouemb. sitting at Westminster as legate called before him the whole Cleargie and there promysed that all abusions of the church shuld be amended but there nothing els was done saue onely he caused to be abiured Arthur Bilney Geffrey Lome and Garret for speakinge against the Popes authoritie and his pompous pride Of whome more shal be sayd the Lord assisting vs hereafter And this was An. 1528. Anno 1529 The yeare next following which was An. 1529. began the question of the kings mariage to be reuiued Wherupon Cardinal Campegius was sent againe into Englande from Rome The occasion of the Cardinalls fall for the hearing and debating of the matter Who then with Cardinall Wolsey consulting with y e king although at first he seemed with his felow Cardinal to incline to the kings disposition yet afterward perceiuing the sequele of the case whether it tended so farre as peraduenture might be the occasion of a blot to the court of Rome The cause of the kinges mariage with his brothers wife was daÌgerous to the Pope for this For if it were vnlawfull then the dispensation of Pope Iuly was voyde If it were lawfull then the iudgementes of so manye vniuersities were false and might shake perhaps the chaire of the Popes omnipotent authoritie as wel in other cases like if this one case were throughly decided by learning and trueth of Gods word he therefore slipping his necke out of the collar craftily shifted him selfe out of the Realme before the day came appoynted for determination leauing his suttle felowe behinde him to wey with the king in the meane time while the matter might be brought vp to the court of Rome The king thus seeing himselfe disappoynted foded wyth false promises and craftily doubled withal by the Cardinalles and at last after so many delaies and long expectation nothing to be concluded was sore agreeued in his mind with them but especially with Cardinall Wolsey whom he had before so highly exalted and promoted to so many greate dignities as to the Archbishoprike of York the bishoprike of Winchester The king deluded by the two Cardinalls of Duresme the abby of S. Albons besides the Chancelorship of England and many other high roumes preferments in the realme which caused him clearly to cast him out of his fauour so that after that time he neuer came more to the kings presence Ex Hallo Then folowed first a counsaile of the nobles called the first of Octob. A Counsaile of the Nobles called During the which counsaile all the Lordes and other the kings Counsaile agreeing together resorted to Windsore to the king and there informed the king that all things which he had done almost by his power LegaÌtine were in the case of the Premunire and prouision and that the Cardinall had forfaited all his lands The Cardinall cast in the Premunire tenements goods and cattels to the king wherefore the king willing order to him according to the order of his lawes caused his attourney Christopher Hales to sue out a Wryt of Premunire against him in the which he licenced hym to make an Attourney And further the 17. day of Nouember hee sent the two Dukes of Norffolke Suffolke The Cardinall depriued of the Câauncellourship to his place at Westminster to fetch away the great Seale of England whyche he was lothe to deliuer if there had bene any remedie but in conclusion he deliuered it to the two Dukes which deliuered the same to Doctor Tailour Maister of the Rolles to carie it to the king which so did the next day Besides this the king sent Syr William Fitzwilliams Knight of the Garter and Treasurer of his house and doctor Steuen Gardiner newly made Secretary to see that no goodes should be embesiled oute of his house Steuen Gardiner the kinges secretarye and further ordeined y t the Cardinal should remoue to Asher beside Kingston there to tary the kings pleasure and to haue all things deliuered to hym which were necessary for him but not after his olde pompous and superfluous fashyon for all hys goodes were seased to the kinges vse When the Seale was thus taken from the Cardinall The Cardinalls goods seased to the king the Dukes of Norffolke and Suffolke wyth many Earles Byshops and Barons came into the Starre chamber the xix day of October where the Duke of Norffolke declared that the kings highnesse for diuers and sundry offences had taken from hym his great Seale and deposed him of all offices and lest men might complaine for lacke of iustice he had apointed him and the Duke of Suffolke with the assent of the other Lordes to sitte in the Starre chamber to heare and determine causes indifferently and that of all thyngs the kings pleasure and commaundement was that they should keepe their hands close from any rewards taking or maintenance and so that weeke they sate in the Starre chamber and determined causes The Cardinalls remouing from Yorke place A fewe dayes after in the same moneth the Cardinall remooued out of hys house called Yorke place wyth âne Crosse saying that he woulde he had neuer borne more meaning that by his crosse that which he bare as Legate which degree taking was hys confusion as you see openly and so hee tooke his barge and went to Pueney by water and there tooke his horse and roade to Asher where he remained till Lent after During which time hee being called on for an aunswere in the kings Bench to the Premunire for geuing
Fryer Birde about Bilney Bishop of Chester was he that brought apples to Boner mentioned in the story of Haukes An other was a blacke Fryer called Hodgekins who after being vnder the Archbyshop of Caunterbury maryed Frier Hodgekins a black Fryer against Bilney and afterward in Queene Maryes tyme put away hys wyfe These 4 orders of Fryers were sent as is sayd to bayte Bilney who notwithstandyng as hee had planted hymselfe vppon the fyrme rock of Gods word was at a poynt and so continued vnto the end But here nowe commeth in sir Thomas More trumping in our way with hys paynted carde would needs take vp this Tho. Bilney from vs and make hym a conuert after his secte Thus these coated cardes though they could not by playn scriptures conuince hym beyng aliue yet now after hys death by false play they will make hym theirs whither he will or no. This syr Thom. More in hys rayling preface before hys booke agaynst Tindalll doth challenge Bilney to hys catholicke Church and sayth that not onely at the fyre but many dayes before both in wordes and writing reuoked abhorred 4. Reason of Syr Thomas More and detested hys heresies before holden And how is this proued by 3. or 4. mighty argumentes as big as milpostes fet out of * Vtopia one of Mores phantasies Aunswere to Syr Tho. More Utopia from whence thou must know reader can come no fittons but all fine Poetrie First he sayth that certayne Norwichmen writing to London and denying that Bilney did recant afterward being therupon examined were compelled to graunt that he at his examination redde a bill but what it was they could not tel for they stood not so neare to heare hym And albeit they stood not so neare yet some of them perceaued certayne thinges there spoken whereby they thought that he did reuoke Some agayne added to those things spoken certayne additions of their owne to excuse him from recantation First to aunswere hereunto and to try out this matter somewhat roundly with M. More let vs see with what conueyaunce he proceedeth in this narratioÌ At his first examination sayth he he waxed stiffe in hys opinions but yet God was so good Lord vnto hym that he was fully coÌuerted to the true Catholicke fayth c. And when might thys goodly conuersion begin Many dayes quoth he before his burning Here is no certayn day assigned but many dayes lefte at large that he might haue y e larger roume to walke inuisible Well then but how many dayes coulde these be I would fayne learne of M. More when hee was not many dayes in theyr hands no longer then they could sende vpp to London for a writte to burne him Belike then shortly after his apprehension at the first comming of the fryers vnto hym by and by he reuolted A straunge matter that he which 2. yeares before had layne in suche a burning hell of dispayre for his first abiuration and could find no other comfort but onely in returning to the same doctrine agayne which before he had denyed vtterly resigning himselfe ouer to death and taking his leaue of his frendes and setting his face with Christ purposely to goe to Hierusalem voluntarily there to fall into the handes of y e Scribes Pharisies for that doctrines sake should now so soone euen at the first brunt geue ouer to the contrarye doctrine agayne It is not like God was so good Lord vnto hym sayth M. More That God was good Lord vnto him very true it is But that God did so turne him in deede to be a member of that Romish Churche that hath not M. More yet sufficiently proued To affirme without proufe or demonstration in matters of storye it is not sufficient But what hath bene done in deede that must be proued by good euidence and speciall demonstration of witnesses that we may certaynly know it so to be It followeth moreouer in M. More And there lacked not some sayth he that were sory for it The first reason of M. More No doubt but if our Bilney had so relented some would haue bene very sorye therfore But what one man in all this summe in all Norwich was sory that M. More must specifie vnto vs before we beleue him so well are we acquaynted with his Poeticall fictioÌs But how els should this narratioÌ of M. More seeme to runne with probabilitie if it were not watered with such additions He addeth moreouer and sayth And some wrote out of Norwiche to London that he had not reuoked his heresies at all but still did abide in them This soundeth rather to come more neare to a truth Read of Sinon in the 2. booke âf Virgil who craftely mixeth one thing with false to betray the Citie of Troye And here is a knack of Sinons arte to interlarde a tale of vntrueth with some parcell of truth now and then among that somethings being found true may winne credite to the rest which is vtterly false And why then be not the letters of these Norwich men beleued for the not recanting of Bilney Because sayth he afterwarde they being called to examination it was there prooued playnly to their faces that Bilney reuoked By whoÌ was it proued By those sayth he which at his execution stood by and heard him read his reuocation hymselfe c. What men were these or what were their names or what was any one mans name in all the Cittie of Norwich y t heard Bilney recant There M. More will geue vs leaue to seek them out if we can M. More hââe painteth Antickes for he can name vs none Well why could not the other part heare Bilney read hys reuocation as well as these Because sayth More hee read so softly that they could not heare him Well all this admitted that Bilney read his reuocation so softly that some could heare some could not hear him theÌ this would be knowne what was the cause why Bilney read his reuocation so softly which must needes be either for lacke of good will to read or good voyce to vtter If good will were absent in reading that reuocation then it appeareth y t he recanted against his owne minde and conscience If it were by imbecillitie of voyce vtterance theÌ how followeth it M. More in this your narration where you say that the sayd persons whiche coulde not heare hym read the bill yet notwithstanding could heare hym rehearse certaine other thinges spoken by him the same time at the fire wherby they could not but perceaue well that he reuoked his errors c. Ah M. More for all your pouder of experience doe ye thinke to cast such a mist before mens eyes that we cannot see how you iuggle with truth and take you tardy in your own narration vnlesse peraduenture you wil excuse your selfe per licentiam Poeticam after the priuiledge of Poets and paynters for as ye know the old liberty of these two Pictoribus atque Poetis
tuum Pasce gregem tuum vt cum venerit Dominus The wordes of Tho. Bilney to Doct. Warner inueniat te sic facientem That is Feede your flocke feede your flocke that when the Lord commeth he may finde you so doing and farewell good M. Doctour and pray for me and so he departed without any answere sobbing and weeping And while he thus stood vpon the ledge at the stake certayne Friers Doctours and Priors of theyr houses beyng there present as they were vncharitably and malitiously present at his examination and degradation The Fryers ãâã Bilny ãâã for them c. came to him and sayd O M. Bilney the people be perswaded that we be the causers of your death and that we haue procured the same and thereupon it is like that they will withdraw theyr charitable almes from vs al except you declare your charity towards vs and discharge vs of the matter Whervpon the sayd Tho. Bilney spake with a loud voyce to the people and sayd I pray you good people be neuer y e worse to these men for my sake as though they should be the authors of my death It was not they and so he ended Then the officers put reed and Fagots about hys body and set fire on the reed which made a very great flame which sparcled and deformed the visour of his face he holding vp his handes and knocking vpon his brest crying sometimes Iesus sometimes Credo Which flame was blowne away froÌ him by the violence of the winde which was that day 2. or 3. dayes before notable great in which it was sayd that the fieldes were maruellously plagued by the losse of corne and so for a litle pause The pacient death Martyrdome of M. Bilney he stoode without flame the flame departing recoursing thrise ere the wood tooke strength to be the sharper to consume him and theÌ he gaue vp the ghost and his body being withered âowed downeward vpon the chayne TheÌ one of the officers with his halbard smite out the staple in the stake behinde him suffered his body to fall into the bottome of the fire laying wood on it and so he was consumed Thus haue ye good readers the true history Martyrdome of this good man that is Saint Bilney of blessed Saint Bilney as M. Latimer doth call him without any recaÌtation testified and ratified by the authority abouesayd By the which authority and party being there present yet aliue it is furthermore constantly affirmed that Bilney not only did neuer recant but also that he neuer had any such bill or script or scrolle in his hand to read either softly or apertly as M. More per licentiaÌ Poeticam would beare vs downe M. Moââs false report refuted Wherfore euen as ye see M. More deale in this so ye may trust him in the residue of his other tales if ye will ¶ Mayster Stafford of Cambridge AS the death of this Godly Bilney did much good in Northfolke where he was burnt so his diligeÌt trauel M. Bilney the cheife ãâ¦ã Apostle of Cambridge in teaching and exhorting other and example of life correspondent to his doctrine left no small fruite behinde him in Cambridge beyng a great meanes of framing that Uniuersity drawing diuers vnto Christ. By reason of whoÌ and partly also of an other called M. Stafford the word of God begaÌ there most luckely to spread and many toward wittes to florish In the company of whom was M. Latimer D. Barnes D. Thistell of Penbroke hall M. Fooke of Benet Colledge and M. Soude of the same Colledge D. Warner aboue mentioned with diuers other moe This M. Stafford was then the publicke reader of the Diuinity lecture in that Uniuersity Who as he was an earnest professour of Christes Gospell so was he as diligeÌt a folower of that which he professed as by this exaÌple here folowing may appeare For as the plague was then sore in Cambridge The notable zeale of M. Stafforde in sauing a damnable Priest and amongest other a certaine Priest called Syr Henry Coniurer lay sore sicke of the sayd plague M. Stafford hearyng therof and seing the horrible daunger that his soule was in was so moued in conscience to helpe the dauÌgerous case of the Priest that he neglecting his owne bodely death to recouer the other from eternall damnatioÌ came vnto him exhorted and so labored him that he would not leaue him before he had conuerted him and saw his coniuring books burned before his face Which being done maister Stafford went home and immediatly sickened shortly after most christianly deceased Ex fideli testimonio D. Ridlei Edmund Episcoporum Lond. Concerning which M. Stafford this moreouer is to be noted how that M. Latimer being yet a feruent and a zealous Papist M. Latimer asketh M. Stafford forgeuenes standing in the Schooles when M. Stafford read bad the Scholers not to heare him and also preaching agaynst him exhorted the people not to beleue hym and yet the sayd Latimer confessed himselfe that he gaue thankes to God that he asked him forgeuenesse before hee departed And thus much by the way of good M. Stafford who for his constant and godly aduenture in such a cause may seeme not vnworthy to goe with blessed Bilney in the fellowship of holy and blessed Martyrs ¶ The story of M. Symon Fish BEfore the time of M. Bilney and the fall of the Cardinall M Symon Fishe author of the booke called the supplication of Beggars I should haue placed the story of SimoÌ Fish with the booke called the Supplication of Beggars declaring how and by what meanes it came to the kynges hand and what effect therof folowed after in the reformation of many thinges especially of the Clergy But the missing of a few yeares in this matter breaketh no great square in our story though it be now entred here which shold haue come in sixe yeares before The maner and circumstaunce of the matter is this After that the light of the gospell working mightely in Germany began to spread his beames here also in England great styrre alteration folowed in the harts of many so that colored hipocrisy and false doctrine paynted holynes began to be espyed more and more by the reading of Gods word The authority of the Bishop of Rome and y e glory of his Cardinals was not so high but such as had fresh wits sparcled with Gods grace began to espy Christ from Antichrist that is true sincerity from counterfait religion In the number of whom was the sayd M. Simon Fish a gentleman of Brayes Inne It happened the first yeare that this Gentleman came to LondoÌ to dwel which was about the yeare of our Lord 1525. that there was a certayne play or interlude made by one M. Roo of the same Inne gentlemaÌ in which play partly was matter agaynst the Cardinall Wolsey And where none durst take vpoÌ theÌ to play that part which
touched the sayd Cardinall thys foresayd M. Fish tooke vpon him to do it wherupon great displeasure ensued agaynst him vpon the Cardinals part In so much as he being pursued by the sayd Cardinall Ex certa relatione ãâ¦ã propriae ipsius coniugis the same night that this Tragedy was playd was compelled of force to voyd his owne house so fled ouer the Sea vnto Tindall vpon occasion wherof the next yeare folowing this booke was made being about the yeare .1527 and so not long after in the yeare as I suppose 1528. was sent ouer to the Lady Anne Buileyne who then lay at a place not farre from the Court. Which book her brother seing in her hand tooke it and read it gaue it her agayne willing her earnestly to geue it to the king which thing she so dyd This was as I gather about the yeare of our Lord. 1528. The booke of the supplication of beggars geueÌ to the king The king after he had receiued the booke demaunded of her who made it Wherunto she aunswered and said a certayne subiect of his one Fish who was fled out of the Realme for feare of the Cardinall After the king had kept the booke in his bosome 3. or 4. dayes as is credibly reported such knowledge was geuen by the kinges seruaunts to the wife of the sayd Simon Fish that she might boldely send for her husband without all perill or daunger Whervpon she therby being incouraged came first made sute to the king for the safe returne of her husband Who vnderstanding whose wife she was shewed a maruellous geÌtle chearefull countenance towardes her asking where her husband was She answered if it like your grace not farre of Then sayth he fetch him and he shall come and goe safe without perill no man shal do him harme saying moreouer that he had much wrong that he was from her so loÌg who had bene absent now the space of two yeares and a halfe In the which meane time the Cardinall was deposed as is aforeshewed and M. More set in his place of the Chauncellorship Thus Fishes wife being emboldened by the kinges words M. Fiâhe brought and gently entertayned of the king went immediatly to her husband being lately come ouer and lying priuily within a myle of the Courte and brought him to the king which appeareth to be about the yeare of our Lord 1530. When the king saw him and vnderstood he was the author of the booke he came and embraced him with louing countenance who after long talke for the space of 3. or 4. houres as they were riding together on hunting at length dimitted him and bad him take home his wife for she had takeÌ great paynes for him Who aunswered the king agayne and said he durst not so do for ââare of Syr Thomas More then Chauncellour Stoksley then Bishop of London This seemeth to be about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. The king taking his signet of his finger wylled hym to haue him recommended to the Lord Chauncellor M. Fishe rescued by the king charging him not to be so hardy to worke him any harme M. Fish receiuing the kinges signet went and declared hys message to the Lord Chauncellour who tooke it as sufficient for his owne discharge but he asked him if he had any thing for the discharge of his wife for she a litle before had by chaunce displeased the Friers for not suffering them to say theyr Gospels in Latine in her house as they did in others vnlesse they would say it in English Whereupon the Lord Chauncellor though he had discharged the man yet leauing not his grudge towardes the wife Syr Thomas More persecuteth M. Fishes wââe the next morning sent his man for her to appeare before him who had it not bene for her young daughter which then lay sicke of the plague had bene like to come to much trouble Of the which plague her husband the sayd M. Fish deceasing w t in halfe a yeare M. Fishe dyeth oâ the Plague she afterward maryed to one M. Iames Baynham Syr Alexander Baynhams sonne a worshypfull knight of glostershyre The which foresaid M. Iames Baynham not long after was burned as incontinently after in the processe of this story shall appeare And thus much concerning Symon Fishe the author of the booke of beggars The summe of the Scripture traââlated by M. Fyshe who also translated a booke called the Summe of the Scripture out of the Dutch Now commeth an other note of one Edmund Moddys the kinges footman touching the same matter This M. Moddys being with the king in talke of religion and of the new bookes that were come from beyond the seas sayd if it might please his grace to pardon hym such as he would bring to his grace M. Moddys the kinges âooâman he shoulde see such a booke as was maruell to heare of The king demaunded what they were He sayd two of your Marchauntes George Elyot George RobinsoÌ The king poynted a time to speake with them WheÌ they came afore his presence in a priuy closet he demauÌded what they had to say or to shew him One of theÌ said y t there was a book come to their hââs which they had there to shew his grace When he saw it he demaunded if any of them could read it Yea sayd George Elyot if it please your grace to heare it I thought so sayd the king for if need were thou canst say it without booke The whole booke being read out the king made a long pause then sayd if a man should pull downe an old stone wall and begin at the lower part the vpper part thereof might chaunce to fall vpon his head and then he tooke the book and âut it into his deske and commaunded them vpon theyr allegiance that they should not tell to any man that he had seene the booke c. The Copy of the foresayde booke intituled of the Beggars here ensueth ¶ A certaine Libell or booke intituled the Supplication of Beggars throwne and scattered at the procession in Westminster on Candlemas day before king Henry the 8. for him to read and peruse made compiled by M. Fish ¶ To the king our Soueraigne Lord. MOst lamentably coÌplayneth theyr wofull misery vnto your highnes A libell oââled the âââplication ãâã beggars your poore daily bedemen the wretched hydious monsters on whoÌ scarsely for horror any eye dare looke the soule vnhappy sort of lepers and other sore people needy impotent blind lame and sick that liue only by almes how that their nuÌber is dayly so sore increased that all the almes of all the well disposed people of this your realme is not halfe enough for to susteine them but that for very constraint they dye for hunger And this most pestilent mischiefe is come vpon your sayd poore bedemen by the reason y t there is in the times of your noble predecessors passed
Rich ãâ¦ã and Fâythe This Bayfild mightely prospered in y e knowledge of God and was beneficiall to M. Tyndall and M. Frith for hee brought substaunce wyth him and was their owne hand and solde all their workes and the Germaynes workes both in Fraunce in England and at the last comming to London to M. Smithes house in Bucklers Bury there was he bewrayed dogged from that house to his Bookebynders in marke lane and there taken and caryed to Lollardes Tower from thence to the Colehouse by reason y t one person Patmore Parson of Much Haddam in Essex theÌ lying in Lollards Tower was in the doctrine and in the kingdom of Christ there confirmed by hym This Parson Patmore after loÌg trouble was abiured and condemned by the Byshops to perpetuall prison and deliuered afterwarde by the kinges pardon PersoÌ Patmore died in Lollards tower As more appeareth in the sequele of hys storye among abiurers c. He was taken because he maryed hys priest in those dayes He had alwayes corne plentye and when the markets were very deare he would send plenty of hys corne thither to plucke downe the prices thereof This Richard Bayfilde being in the Colehouse was woorser handled then hee was before in the Lollardes tower for there he was tyed both by the neck The cruell haÌdling of Richard Bayfilde in the Colehouse middle and legges standing vpright by y e walles diuers times manicled to accuse other y t had bought hys books but he accused none but stoode to his religion and confession of his fayth vnto the very end and was in the consistorye of Paules thrise put to his triall whether he would abiure or no. He sayd he would dispute for hys fayth so did to theyr great shame Stokesley then being his iudge with the assistance of Winchester and other Bishops whereof here followeth now the circumstance in order to be seene The articles layd to Richard Bayfield by the foresayd Bishops were these an 1531. Nouemb. x ¶ Articles layd to Richard Bayfield FIrst that hee had bene many yeares a Monke professed of the order of S. Benet Articles obiected agaynst Rich. Bayfilde of S. Edmundes Bury in the diocesse of Norwiche 2. That he was a priest and had ministred and continued in the same order the space of 9. or x. yeares 3. That sithens the feast of Easter last hee being beyonde the sea brought and procured to haue diuers and manye bookes and treatises of sundry sortes as well of Martyne Luthers owne workes as of diuers other of hys damnable sect and of Oecolampadius the great heretique and diuers other heretickes both in Latine and Englishe y e names of which bookes were contayned in a little bill written with hys owne hand 4. That in the yeare of our Lord. 1528. he was detected accused to Cutb. then B. of London A rancke heresie in the Popes church to geue al laude praise to God alone for affirming and holding certayne Articles contrary to the holy Churche and specially that all laud and prayse should be geuen to God alone and not to sayntes or creatures 5. That euery priest might preach the word of God by y e authoritie of the Gospell and not to runne to the Pope or Cardinals for licence as it appeared sayd they by his confession before the sayd Byshop 6. That he iudicially abiured the sayde articles before the sayd Bishop and dyd renounce and forsweare them and all other articles contrarye to the determination of holye Church promising that from thenceforth hee woulde not fall into any of them nor any other errors 7. That he made a solemne othe vpon a booke the holy Euangelistes to fulfill such penaunce as shoulde be enioyned hym by the sayd byshop 8. After hys abiuration it was enioyned to hym for penance that he should goe before the crosse in procession in the parish church of S. Buttolphes at Billings gate and to beare a fagot of woode vpon hys shoulder 9. It was enioyned hym in penaunce that he shuld prouide an habite requisite and meete for hys order and profession as shortly as he might and that he should come or go no where without such an habite the which he had not fulfilled 10. That it was likewise enioyned him in penaunce that sometyme before the feast of the ascention then next ensuing hys abiuration he should goe home vnto the Monastery of Bury and there remayne according to the vowe of hys profession which he had not fulfilled 11. That he was appoynted by the sayd bishop of LondoÌ to appeare before the sayd byshop the 25. day of April next after hys abiuration to receiue the residue of his penance and after hys abiuration he fled beyond the sea and appeared not 11. That the 20. day of Iune next following hys abiuration he did appeare before the sayd Bysh. Tonstall in the Chappell of the Byshop of Norwiche hys place and there it was newly enioyned hym in part of penaunce that hee shuld prouide him an habite coÌuenient for his order profession w tin 8. dayes then next following whiche hee had not done That it was there agayne enioyned him that he should depart from the city diocesse iurisdiction of London and no more to come within it without the speciall liceÌce of the bishop of London or his successor for the time being which he had not fulfilled ¶ The aunswer of Richard Bayfield to the Articles prefixed TO the first Article he confessed that hee was professed a Monke in the monastery aforesayd The aunswee of Rich. Bayfilde to the Articles in the yeare .1414 To the ij Article he answered that he was a priest and tooke orders An. 1518. To the third Article he confessed the bil and scedule to be written with his hand which is annexed thereunto and that he brought ouer the sayde bookes and workes a yeare and a half past a great number of euery sort Being further demaunded for what intent he brought them into the realme he aunswered to the intent y t the Gospel of Christ might be set forward and God the more gloryfied in thys realme amongst Christen people and that he had solde and dispersed many of those bookes before named to suÌdry persons within thys Realme and to diuers of the diocesse of London Being further demaunded whether Martin Luther were coÌdemned as an heretike by the Pope he answered that he heard say that Martin Luther with all his sect and adherents were and are condemned as heretikes by y e Pope And being demauÌded whether Zwinglius was of Luthers sect he aunswered that he neuer spake with him Being asked whether Zwinglius was a Catholicke hee aunswered that he could not tell Being inquired whether the bookes contained in the scedules did coÌtain any errors in theÌ he said he could not tell neither could he iudge Also he confessed that the common fame hath bene within these ij or iij. yeres that Oecolampadius Zwinglius be
trust not in his holynesse To this he aunswered take ye it as ye will I will take it well enough Item Almes whom and how farre it profiteth now seest thou what almes meaneth and wherfore it serueth He that seeketh with his almes more then to be mercifull to be a neighbour to succour his brothers need to do his duty to his brother to geue his brother that he ought him the same is blind seeth not Christes bloud Here he answereth God to be serued and worshipped onely as he commaundeth otherwise not that he findeth no fault throughout all the booke but all the booke is good and it hath geuen him great comfort and light to his conscience Item that ye do nothing to please God but that he coÌmaunded To that he answereth and thinketh it good by his truth Item so God is honored on all sides in that we couÌt him righteous in all his lawes and ordinaunces And to worship him otherwise then so it is Idolatry To that he answered that it pleaseth him well The examination of these Articles being done the Bishop of London did exhort the sayd Iohn Tewkesbery to recant his errors abouesayde and after some other coÌmunication had by the Bishop with him the sayd Bishop did exhort him again to recant his errors and appoynted him to determine with himselfe against the next Session what he would do Iohn Tewkesbery submitteth himselfe IN this next Session he submitted himselfe and abiured his opinions and was enioyned penaunce as foloweth which was the 8. of May. In primis that he should keepe well his abiuration vnder payne of relaps Secondly that the next Sonday folowing in Paules Church in the open procession he should cary a Fagot and stand at Paules Crosse with the same That the Wednesday folowing he should cary the same Fagot about Newgate market and Chepeside That on Friday after he should take the same fagot agayne at S. Peters church in Cornehill and cary it about the market of Ledenhall That he should haue 2. signes of Fagots embrothered one on his left sleue the other on his right sleue which he should weare all his life time vnles he were otherwise dispensed withall That on Whitsonday eueÌ he should enter into the Monastery of S. Bartholomew in Smithfield and there to abide and not to come out vnles he were released by the bishop of London That he should not depart out of y e city or dioces of London without the speciall licence of the B. or his successors Which penance he entred into the 8 day of May. an 1229. And thus much concerning his first examinatioÌ which was in the yeare .1529 at what time he was inforced thorow infirmitye as is before expressed to retract and abiure his doctrine Tewkesbery returned againe to the truth NotwithstaÌding the same Iohn Tewkesbery afterward coÌfirmed by the grace of God and moued by y e example of Bayfild aforesayd that was burned in smithfield did returne and constantly abide in the testimonye of the truth and suffered for the same Who recouering more grace better strength at the hand of the Lord two yeares after being apprehended agayne was brought before Syr Thomas More and the Bishop of LondoÌ where certaine Articles were obiected to him the chiefe wherof we inteÌd briefly to recite for the matter is prolixe In primis that he confesseth that he was baptised and intendeth to keepe the Catholicke fayth Articles agayne obiected to Tewkesbery Secondly that he affirmeth that the abiuration othe subscription that he made before Cutbert late Byshop of London was done by compulsion Thirdlye that he had the bookes of the obedience of a Christian man and of the wicked Mammon in his custody and hath read them since his abiuration Fourthly that he affirmeth that he suffered the two fagots that were embrothered vpon his sleue to be taken froÌ him for that he deserued not to weare them Fiftly he sayth that fayth onely iustifieth which lacketh not charity Sixtly he sayth that Christ is a sufficient Mediator for vs therfore no prayer is to be made vnto any Sayntes Wherupon they layd vnto him this verse of the Antheme Salue Regina aduocata nostra c. To the which he aunswered that he knew no other Aduocate but Christ alone Seuenthly he affirmeth that there is no Purgatory after this life Christ is our Purgatorye but that Christ our Sauior is a sufficient purgation for vs. Eightly he affirmeth that the soules of the faythful departing this life rest with Christ. Ninthly he affirmeth y t a priest by receiuing of orders receiueth more grace if his fayth be increased or els not Tenthly and last of all he beleueth that the sacrament of the flesh bloud of Christ is not the very body of Christ in flesh bloud as it was borne of y e virgin Mary Whervpon the Byshops Chauncellor asked the sayd Tewkesbery if he could shew any cause why he should not be takeÌ for an hereticke falling into his heresy agayne and receiue the punishment of an hereticke Wherunto he aunswered that he had wrong before and if he be condemned now he reckoneth that he hath wrong agayne Then the ChauÌcellor caused the articles to be read opeÌly with the aunsweres vnto the same the which the sayde Tewkesbery confessed therupon the Bishop pronounced sentence agaynst him deliuered him vnto the Shyriffes of LondoÌ for y e time being who were Rich. GreshaÌ Edward Altam who burned him in Smithfield vpoÌ S. Thomas euen being the 20. of DeceÌber in the yeare aforesayd the tenor of whose sentence pronounced agaynst hym by the Bishop doth here ensue word for word IN the name of God Amen The deseruinges and circuÌstances of a certein cause of hereticall prauity falling again thereunto by thee Iohn Tewkesbery of the Parish of S. Michaels in the Querne of the City of LondoÌ of our iurisdiction appearing before vs sitting in iudgement being heard seene vnderstand fully discussed by vs Iohn by the sufferance of God bishop of LondoÌ because we do find by inquisitions manifestly enough that thou didst abiure freely voluntarily before Cutbert late Bishop of LondoÌ thy ordinary diuers sundry heresies errors damnable opinions contrary to y e determination of our mother holy church as well speciall as generall that since and beside thy foresaid abiuration thou art agayne fallen into y e same damnable heresies opinioÌs errors which is greatly to be lameÌted the same doest hold affirme beleue we therfore Iohn the Bishop aforesayd the name of God first being called vpon the same only God set before our eyes with the couÌsell of learned men assisting vs in this behalfe with whoÌ in this cause we haue coÌmunicated of our definitiue sentence finall decree in this behalfe to be done do inteÌd to proceed do proceed in this maner Because as it is aforesayd we do finde thee
or al saynts of Barking An other apperaunce where as he ministred these interrogatories vnto him First y t since y e feast of Easter last past he sayd affirmed and beleued that the sacrament of the altar was but a misticall body of Christ and afterwarde he sayd it was but a memoriall y t which article Bainham denied The the vicar general declared vnto him that our holy mother y e catholick church determineth teacheth in this maner that in the sacrameÌt of the altar after the words of consecration there remaineth no bread The officiall asked BainhaÌ whether he did so beleue or not Wherunto Bainham answered saying that S. Paul calleth it bread S Paul calleth the sacrament bread rehearsing these words Quotiescunque comederitis panem hunc de poculo biberitis mortem Domini annunciabitis and in that poynt he sayth as S. Paul sayth and beleueth as y e church beleueth And being demaunded twise afterward what he thought therin he would geue no other answere Item that since the feast of Easter aforesaid he had affirmed beleued that euery man that would take vpoÌ him to preach the Gospel of Christ clearly True preachers haue as much power of the keyes as the Pope had as much power as the Pope To the which article he aunswered thus He that preacheth the word of God whatsoeuer he be and liueth thereafter he hath the key that bindeth and looseth both in heauen and earth The which key is the same scripture that is preached and the Pope hath no other power to binde and to loose but by the key of the Scripture Item that he affirmed that S. Thomas of Canterbury was a thiefe and a murderer in hel Articles falslye depraued Wherunto he answered as before Item that he sayde he had as leue pray to Ioane hys wife as to our Lady the which he denyed as before Item that he affirmed beleued that Christ himselfe was but a man the which article he also denyed The premisses thus passed the vicar generall receiued Frances Realms Iohn Edwards Raphe Hilton Iohn Ridly Frances Dryland and Raphe Noble as witnesses to be sworne vpon the articles aforesayd Witnes agaynst M. Baynham and to speake the truth before the face of the sayd Iames BainhaÌ in the presence of M. Iohn Nayler Uicar of Barking M. Iohn Rode Bacheler of diuinity WilliaÌ Smith Richard Griuel Tho. Wimple and Richard Gill. The 26. day of Aprill in the yeare aforesayd before M. Ioh. Foxford vicar general of the bish of LondoÌ The last appearance of Iames Baynham in y e presence of Mathew GreftoÌ Register and Nicolas Wilson Will Philley professors of diuinity Iohn Oliuer WilliaÌ Midleton Hugh Apprise doctors of the law M. Richard Gresham Sheriffe of London a great coÌpanye of others Iames Bainham was brought forth by the Lieutenaunt of the Tower in whose presence the vicar general rehearsed the merites of the cause of inquisition of heresye agaynst him proceded to y e reading of the abiuratioÌ And wheÌ the Iudge read this article folowing conteined in the abiuration IteÌ Soules departed that I haue said that I wil not determine whether any soules departed be yet in heauen or no but I beleue that they be there as it pleaseth God to haue them that is to say in the fayth of Abraham I wote not whether the soules of the apostles or any other be in heauen or no. To this Iames aunswered that I did abiure and if that had not bene I would not haue abiured at all After all the articles were read conteined in the abiuration certeine talke had as touching the sacrament of baptisme the sayd Iames Bainham spake these words If a Turke a Iew The sacrament of Baptisme or Sarasen do trust in God keepe hys law he is a good Christian manne Then the Officiall shewed vnto him the letters which he sent vnto his Brother written with his owne hand and asked him what he thought as touching this clause folowing Yet could they not see and know him for God when in deed he was both God man yea he was three persons in one the father y e sonne and the holy ghost Wherunto Bainham said that it was nought that he did it by ignorance did not ouersee his letters TheÌ M. Nicholas Wilson amongest other talke as touching the sacrament of the alter The sacrament of the aultar declared vnto him that the church did beleue the very body of Christ to be in the Sacrament of the alter Bainham aunswered The bread is not Iesus Christ for Christes body is not chewed with teeth therefore it is but bread Being further demaunded whether in the sacrament of the altar is the very body of Christ God and man in flesh and bloud after diuers doubtfull aunsweres Bainham aunswered thus He is there very God and man in forme of bread This done the Officiall declared vnto him the depositions of the witnesses which were come in agaynst him obiected vnto him that a litle before Easter he had abiured all heresies as well particularly as generally Then the sayd vicar generall after he had takeÌ deliberation aduise with the learned his assistantes did proceed to the reading of the definitiue sentence agaynst him also published the same in writing wherby amongest other thinges besides his abiuration Sentence read against BaynhaÌ he pronounced condemned him as a relapsed hereticke damnably fallen into sundry heresies so to be left vnto the secular power that is to say to one of y e Sherifs being there preseÌt After the pronouÌcing of which sentence M. Nicolas Wilson counselled admonished tha said Iames y t he would conforme himself vnto the church To whoÌ he aunswered that he trusted that he is the very childe of God which ye blinde Asses sayd he doe not perceiue And last of al departing froÌ his iudgement he spake these wordes The wordes of Iames Baynham to M. Wilson M. Wilson nor you my Lord Chauncellor shall not proue by scripture that there is any Purgatorye Then the sentence of condemnation was geuen agaynste him the which here to repeat word for word is not necessary for so much as the tenour thereof is all one with that which passed before in the story of Bayfeld aliâs Somersam Here also should ensue the letter of the Bishop of LoÌdon directed vnto the Maior and Sheriffes of the same city for the receiuing of him into their power that putting of him to death the tenor wherof is also of like effect to that before written in the story of Bayfeld After this sentence geuen Iames Bainham was deliuered into the handes of Syr Richarde Gresham Sheriffe then being present who caused him by his Officers to be caryed vnto Newegate the said Iames Baynham was burned in Smithfielde the last day of Aprill in the yeare aforesayd at three a clocke at afternoone This M. Bainham
during his imprisonment was very cruelly handled For almost the space of a fourtnight he lay in the bishops colehouse in the stockes with yrons vpon his legs The cruel handling of BaynhaÌ TheÌ he was caryed to the Lord ChauÌcellors and there chayned to a post 2. nightes TheÌ he was caryed to Fulham where he was cruelly handled by y e space of a seuen nighte TheÌ to the Tower where he lay a fourtnight scourged with whips to make him reuoke his opinions FroÌ thence he was caryed to Barking theÌ to Chelsey and there condemned and so to Newgate to be burned ¶ The burning of Iames Baynham The death and Martirdome of M. Iames Baynham Iames Baynham Anno. 1532. At whose burning here is notoriously to be obserued that as he was at the stake in the midst of the flaming fyre which fire had halfe consumed his armes legs A ãâã and ãâ¦ã of God to beholde he spake these wordes O ye Papistes behold ye looke for miracles and here now you may see a myracle for in this fire I feele no more paine then if I were in a bed of Downe but it is to me as sweet as a bed of roses These words spake he in the middest of the flaminge fire when his legges and hys armes as I sayd were halfe consumed ¶ Iohn Bent Martyr AT the writing hereof came to our hands a certeyn notice of one Iohn Bent Ioh. Bent Martyr who about this present time or not long before being a Tailor dwelled in a village called Urcheuaunt was burnt in the Towne of the Deuises Ioh. Bent burnt at Deuise within the country of Wilkeshire for the denying of the sacrament of the altar as they terme it ¶ One Trapnel Martyr ALso much about the same tyme Trapnell Martir burnt at Brodford was one Trapnell burned in a Towne called Brodford within the same County * The History of three men hanged for the burning of the Rood of Douercourt collected out of a letter of Robert Gardner which was one of the doers of the same IN the same yeare of our Lord 1532. there was an Idoll named the Roode of Douercourt Out of a letter of Robert Gardner written to Chapman Londoner and yet aliue The Rooâe of Douercourt whereunto was much and greate resorte of people For at that time there was great rumour blowne abroad amonges the ignorant sort that the power of the Idoll of Douercourt was so greate that no man had power to shutte the Church doore where he stood and therefore they lette the Churche doore bothe nyght and daye continually stand open for the more credite vnto theyr blinde rumour Which once beyng conceyued in the heades of the vulgare sort seemed a great maruell vnto many men but to many agayne whom God had blessed with his spirite was greatly suspected especially vnto these whose names here folow as Robert King of Dedham Robert Debnam of Estbergholt Rob. king Rob. Dâbnam Nicholas Marsh Martyrs Nicholas Marshe of Dedham and Robert Gardner of Dedham whose consciences were sore burdened to see the honor and power of the almighty liuing God so to be blasphemed by such an Idoll Wherefore they were moued by the spirit of God to trauell out of Dedham in a woondrous goodlye night both hard frost and fayre moone shine although the nighe before and the night after were exceeding foule and rayny It was from the towne of Dedham to the place where the filthy Roode stood x. miles The blinde opinions of the people Notw tstanding they were so willing in that theyr enterprise that they went these x. myles without payne and found the Church doore open according to the blinde talke of the ignorant people for there durst no vnfaithful body shut it Which happened wel for their purpose for they founde the Idol which had as much power to keepe the doore shut Experience of ââlle Idolatry as to keepe it open And for proofe thereof they tooke the Idol from his shrine and caryed him a quarter of a myle from the place where he stoode without any resistaunce of the sayd Idol Whereuppon they strake fire with a Flint stone The Idâll set on a ãâ¦ã and sodenly set him on fire who burned out so brym that he lighted them homeward one good myle of the ten This done there went a great talke abroade that they should haue great riches in that place Falle surâââse alwayes ready but it was very vntrue for it was not their thought or enterprise as they themselues afterward confessed for there was nothing taken away but his coate his shoes and tapers The tapers did helpe to burne him the shooes they had againe The right handling of an Idoll and the coate one sir Thomas Rose did burn but they had neither peny halfe peny golde grote nor iewel ¶ Robert King Robert Debnam and Nicholas Marshe hanged for taking downe the Roode of Douercourt The fourth man of thys companye named Robert Gardner Robert Gardner escaped escaped their handes and fledde Albeit he was cruelly sought for to haue had the like death but y e lyuing Lord preserued him to whom be al honour glory world without ende The same yeare and the yeare before there were manye Images cast downe and destroyed in manye places Ex teâimonio ipsius ãâ¦ã as the Image of the Crucifixe in the hygh waye by Cogshall the Image of saint Petronil in the Church of great Horksleigh the Image of saint Christopher by Sudburye and an other Image of saint Petronil in a Chappell by Ipswiche Also Iohn Seward of Dedham ouerthrew a Crosse in Stoke Parke and tooke two Images out of a chappell in the same parke and cast them into the water ¶ The storie examination death and martyrdome of Iohn Frith AMongest al other chaunces lamentable there hath ben none a great tyme whiche seemed vnto me more greeuous Anno 153. then the lamentable death and cruel handlinge of Iohn Frith so learned and excellent a young man which had so profited in al kind of learning and knowledge that scarsely there was his equal amongest al his companions and besides withal had such a godlynes of lyfe ioined with his doctrine Iohn Frith Martyr that it was hard to iudge in whether of them he was more commendable being greatly prayse worthie in them both But as touchinge his doctrine by the grace of Christ we will speake hereafter Of the great godlynes which was in him this may serue for experiment sufficieÌt for that notwithstanding his other manifold and singular giftes ornaments of y e mind in him most pregnant wher withall he might haue opened an easie way vnto honor dignitie notwithstanding he chose rather wholly to consecrate himselfe vnto the Church of Christ excellently shewing forth practising in himselfe the precept so highly coÌmended of the Philosophers touching the life of man which life they say is geuen vnto vs
him the tenour whereof here ensueth ¶ The sentence geuen against Iohn Frith IN the name of God Amen We Iohn by the permission of God Byshop of London lawfully and rightly proceeding with all godly fauour by authoritie and vertue of our office against thee Iohn Frith of our iurisdictioÌ Sentence against Iohn Frythe before vs personally here present being accused and detected and notoriously slaundered of heresie hauinge hearde seene and vnderstande and with diligent deliberation wayed discussed and considered the merites of the cause all thinges being obserued which by vs in this behalfe by order of law ought to be obserued sittyng in our iudgement seate the name of Christ being first called vppon and hauing * As they had which crucified Christ. God onely before our eyes because by y e actes enacted propouÌded and exhibited in this matter and by thine owne confession iudicially made before vs we do finde that thou hast taught holden and affirmed and obstinately defended dyuers errours and heresies and damnable opinions contrarie to the doctrine and determinatioÌ of the holy Church and specially agaynst the reuerende Sacrament and albeit that we following the example of Christ which woulde not the death of a sinner but rather that he should conuert and lyue haue oftentimes gone about to correct thee and by al lawfull meanes that we coulde and moste wholesome admonitions that we did knowe to reduce thee againe to y e true fayth and the vnitie of the vniuersall Catholique Churche notwithstanding wee haue founde thee obstinate and stiffe necked willingly continuing in thy damnable opinions heresies and refusing to returne againe vnto the true faith and vnitie of the holy mother Church and as the childe of wickednesse and darkenesse so to haue hardened thy harte that thou wylt not vnderstande the voyce of thy sheapeheard which with a fatherly affection doth seeke after thee nor wilt not be allured with his godly and fatherly admonitions We therefore Iohn the Bishop aforesaid not willyng that thou whiche arte wicked shouldest become more wicked and infecte the Lordes flocke wyth thy heresye which we are greatly afrayde of do iudge thee and definitiuely condemne thee the sayde Iohn Frith thy demerites and faultes beyng aggrauate through thy damnable obstinacie as gyltie of most detestable heresies and as an obstinate vnpenitent sinner refusing penitently to returne to y e lappe and vnitie of the holy mother Church and that thou haste bene and arte by Lawe excommunicate and pronounce and declare thee to be an excoÌmunicate person also wee pronounce and declare thee to bee an heretique to be cast out from the Church and left vnto the iudgement of the secular power and nowe presentlye so do leaue thee vnto the secular power and their iudgement moste earnestly requiring them in the bowels of our Lorde Iesus Chryst that this execution and punishment worthily to be done vppon thee maye so bee moderate that the rigour thereof be not too extreme nor yet the gentlenesse too muche mitigated but that it may bee to the saluation of thy soule to the extirpation terrour and conuersion of heretiques to the vnitie of the Catholique fayth Moderation pretended but none shewed by this our sentence definitiue or finall decree which we here promulgate in this fourme aforesayde This sentence thus readde the Byshop of London directed hys letter to Syr Steuen Pecocke Mayor of London Iohn Fryth deliuered to the secular handes and the Sheriffes of the same Citie for the receyuyng of the foresayde Iohn Frith into their charge Who being so deliuered ouer vnto them the fourth daye of Iulie in the yeare aforesayde was by them caryed into Smithfield to be burned and when he was tyed vnto the stake there it sufficiently appeared with what constancye and courage he suffered death The constant death of Iohn Fryth for when as the fagots and fire were put vnto hym hee willingly embraced the same therby declaring with what vprightnesse of mynde he suffered hys death for Christes sake and the true doctryne whereof that daye hee gaue with his bloud a perfect and firme testimonie The wynde made hys death somewhat the more longer which bare away the flame from him vnto his felowe that was tyed to his backe but hee had established hys minde with such pacience God geuinge hym strength that euen as though he had felt no paine in that long torment he seemed rather to reioyce for his felow theÌ to be careful for himselfe This truely is the power and strength of Christ stryuing vanquishing in his Saintes who sanctifye vs together with them and direct vs in all thinges to the glory of his holy name Amen This day before the burning of these worthye men of God the Bishop of London certified king Henry the eight of his worthy ye rather wooluish proceeding against these men the tenour whereof for as muche as it proceedeth as the other do before we therefore omit it referryng the reader to the same ¶ Andrewe Hewet burned with Maister Frith ANdrewe Hewet borne in Feuersham in the county of Kent Andrew Hewet Martyr a yong man of the age of foure and twenty yeres was apprentise with one maister Warren Taylor in Watlyng streete And as it happened that hee went vppon a holy daye into Fleete streate Anno. 1533. towarde Saint Dunstanes he met with one William Holt which was foreman with the kyngs Taylour at that present called maister Malte and beynge suspected by the same Holt which was a dissemblyng wretche to be one that fauoured the Gospel after a litle talke had with hym he went into an honest house about Fleete Bridge whiche was a bookesellers house Then Holt thynking he had founde good occasion to shew foorth some fruit of his wickednesse Andrew Hewet apprehended sent for certaine offycers and searched the house fynding the same Andrew apprehended hym and caryed hym to the Byshops house where he was cast into yrons The man that gaue him this file was Valentine Freese the Painters brother who was afterward with his wyfe burned in Yorke and being there a good space by the meanes of a certaine honest man he had a File conueyed vnto hym wherewith he fyled of his yrons when he spyed his tyme he got out of the gate But being a man vnskilfull to hyde hym selfe for lacke of good acquaintance he went into Smythfielde and there mette with one Wythers whych was an hypocrite as Holt was Which Wythers vnderstandynge howe he had escaped and that hee knewe not whyther to goe pretendyng a faire countenaÌce vnto hym willed hym to go wyth him promysing that he shoulde bee prouyded for and so kept hym in the countrey where he had to do from Lowe Sunday til Whitsuntide and then brought him to London to y e house of one Iohn Chapman in Hosier lane beside Smithfielde and there left him by the space of two dayes Then he came to the layde Chapmans house againe and brought Holt with
righteous for a righteous man liueth by faith and whatsoeuer springeth not of fayth is sinne Rom. 14. c. And all my temporall goodes that I haue not geuen or deliuered or not geuen by writing of mine owne hande bearing the date of this present writing I doe leaue and geue to Margaret my wife and to Richard my son whom I make mine Executors Witnes hereof mine own hand the tenth of October in the xxij yeare of the reigne of King Henry the eyght This is the true copie of his will for the whiche as you heard before after he was almost two yeares dead they tooke him vp and burned him Persons abiured with their Articles Iohn Periman Skinner Ex Regist. Lond. 1531. Hys Articles were much lyke vnto the others before Addyng moreouer that all the Preachers then at Paules Crosse preached nothyng but lyes and flatterings and that there was neuer a true Preacher but one namyng Edward Crome Rob. Goldston Glasier 1531. His Articles That men should pray to God onely and to no Saints That Pilgrimage is not profitable That men should giue no worship to Images Item for sayeng that if he had as much power as any Cardinall had he woulde destroye all the Images that were in all the Churches in England Laurence Staple Seruing man Hys Articles For hauing the Testament in English the fiue bookes of Moses the practise of Prelates the summe of Scripture the A B C. Item about the burning of Baineham for sayeng I would I were with Baynham seeing that euery man hath forsaken him that I might drinke with him and he might pray for me Item that he moued Henry Tomson to learne to reade the new Testament calling it the bloud of Christ. Item in Lent past when he had no fish he did eate egges butter and chese Also about sixe weekes before M. Bilney was attached Eating of egges made heresie the sayd Bilney deliuered to him at Greenewich foure new Testamentes of Tindals translation which he had in his sleeue and a budget besides of bookes whiche budget hee shortly after riding to Cambridge deliuered vnto Bilney c. Item on Fridayes he vsed to eate egges thought y t it was no great offeÌce before God c. Henry Tomson Taylor 1531. Hys Articles That which the priest lifteth ouer his head at the sacring time is not the very body of Christ nor it is not God but a thing that God hath ordeyned to be done This poore Tomson although at the first hee submitted himselfe to the Byshop yet they with sentence coÌdemned him to perpetuall prison Iasper Wetzell of Colen 1531. His Articles that he cared not for goyng to the Churche to heare Masse for hee could say Masse as well as the Priest That he would not pray to our Lady for she could do vs no good Item beyng asked if he would goe heare Masse he sayd he had as lieue go to y e gallowes where the theeues were hanged Item beyng at S. Margaret Patens and there holdyng his armes a crosse he sayd to y e people that he could make as good a knaue as he is for he is made but of wood c. Rob. Man Seruyngman 1531. His Articles There is no Purgatory The Pope hath no more power to graunt pardon then an other simple Priest That God gaue no more authoritie to S. Peter theÌ to an other Priest That the Pope was a knaue and his Priestes knaues all for sufferyng his Pardons to goe abroad to deceiue the people That S. Thomas of Canterbury is no Saint That S. Peter was neuer Pope of Rome Item he vsed commonly to aske of Priestes where he came whether a maÌ were accursed if he handled a chalice or no If the Priest would say yea Priestes set more store by a payre of gloueâ then they do bâ a lay mans hand then would he reply agayne this If a man haue a sheepes skinne on his handes meanyng a payre of gloues hee may handle it The Priestes saying yea wel then quoth he ye wil make me beleue that God put more vertue in a sheepes skinne then he did in a Christian mans hand for whom he dyed Henry Feldon 1531. His trouble was for hauyng these bookes in English a proper Dialogue betwene a Gentleman and a husbandman The summe of Scripture The Prologue of Marke A written booke conteinyng the Pater noster Aue Maria and Credo in English The ten Commaundementes and the 16. conditions of Charitie Rob. Cooper Priest 1531. His Article onely was this for saying that the blessyng with a shoe sole is as good as the Byshops blessing c. Thomas Row 1531. His Articles were for speakyng agaynst auricular CoÌfession and Priestly penaunce and agaynst the preaching of the Doctours Wil. Walam 1531. His opinion That the Sacrament of the aulter is not the body of Christ in flesh bloud and that there is a God but not that God in flesh and bloud in the forme of bread Grace Palmer 1531. Witnesse was brought agaynst her by her neighbours Ioh. Rouse Agaynst bearing of Palmes Agnes his wife Iohn Pole of S. Osithes for saying Ye vse to beare Palmes on Palme Sonday it skilleth not whether ye beare any or not it is but a thyng vsed and neede not Also ye vse to go on Pilgrimage to our Lady of Grace of Walsingham other places ye were better tarye at home and geue money to succour me and my children and other of my poore neighbours then to goe thether for there ye shall finde but a peece of tymber painted there is neither God nor our Lady Item for repentyng that she did euer light candles before Images Item that the Sacrament of the aulter is not the body of Christ it is but bread which the Priest there sheweth for a token or remembraunce of Christes body Philip Brasier of Bocksted 1531. His Articles That the Sacrament holden vp betwene the Priests haÌdes is not the body of Christ but bread and is done for a signification That confession to a Priest needeth not That images be but stockes and stones That pilgrimage is vayne Also for sayeng that when there is any miracle done the Priests do noint the images and make men beleeue that the Images do sweate in labouring for them and with the offerings the priests find their harlots Ioh. Fayrestede of Colchester 1531. Hys Articles For words spoken against pilgrimage and images Also for sayeng these words A prophesie that the day should come that men should say cursed bee they that make these false gods meaning images George Bull of Much hadham Draper 1531. Three coÌfessioÌs Hys Articles That there be three confessions One principall to God another to his neighbour whom he had offended and the third to a Priest and that without the two first confessions to God and to his neighbour a man could not be saued The third confession to a Priest is necessary for counsaile to such as be ignorant and vnlearned
Laurence the Byshops Register of Caunterbury Edwarde Thwates Thomas Abell Of the which persons the sayd Elizabeth Berton Henry Gold Richard Master Edwarde Bocking Iohn Dering Hugh Riche Richarde Risby were attaynted of Treason by Acte of Parliament and put to execution The residue as Fisher Byshop of Rochester Thomas Golde Thomas Laurence Edwarde Thwates Iohn Adeson Thomas Abell being conuicte and atteynted of misprison were condemned to prison and forfayted theyr goodes possessions to the King Ex Statut an 25 Reg Hen 8. Edward Hall a writer of our Englishe Stories making mention of this Elizabeth Barton aforesayd adioyneth next in his booke A maruelous iudgement of god against Pauier an open enemye to his worde the narration of one Pauier or Pauie a notorious enemie no doubt to Gods truth Thys Pauier beyng the towne Clerke of the Citie of London was a man sayth he that in no case coulde abyde to heare that the Gospell shoulde be in Englishe In so much that the sayd Hall hymselfe heard hym once say vnto hym and to other by swearing a great othe that if he thought the Kings highnes would set forth the Scripture in English and let it be read of the people by his authoritie rather theÌ he would so long liue he would cut his owne throate but he brake promise sayth Hall for he dyd not cut his throate with any knife but with an halter did hang himselfe Of what minde and intent he so did God iudge My information farther addeth this touching the sayd Pauier or Pauie that he was a bitter enemie very busie at the burning of Richard Bayneham aboue mentioned Who hearing the sayd Baynham at the stake speakyng against Purgatory and transubstantiation Pauier a bitter eenemy against Rich. Baynham set fire sayd he to this hereticke and burne hym And as the trayne of gunpouder came toward the Martyr he lifted vp his eyes and hands to heauen saieng to Pauier God forgiue thee and shewe thee more mercy then thou doest to me The Lord forgiue Sir Thomas More and pray for me all good people and so continued he praieng till the fire tooke hys bowels and his head c. After whose Martyrdome the next yeare folowing this Pauier the towne Clerke of the Citie went and bought ropes Which done he went vp to an hygh garret in hys house to pray as he was wont to doe to a roode which he had there before whom he bitterly wept And as his own mayde comming vp found him so doyng he bad her take the rustye sworde and go make it cleane and trouble him no more and immediately he tied vp the rope and hoong himselfe The maydes hart still throbbed and so came vp and founde him but newly hanged Then she hauing no power to helpe him ranne crieng to the Church to her mistres to fetch her home His seruants and Clerkes he had sent out before to Finisbery Pauier a persecutor haÌged him selfe and to Maister Edney Sergeant to the Lord Maior dwelling ouer Byshops gate to tary for him at Finisebery Court till he came but he had dispatched himselfe before so that they might long looke for him before he could come Which was an 1533. To this story of Pauier may also be added the lyke terrible example of Doctor Foxford Chauncellour to the Byshop of London a cruell persecutor and a common butcher of the good Saincts of God who was the condemner of all those aforenamed The terrible haÌd of Gods iudgement vpon Foxford the Byshops ChaÌcellour The death of W. Warham Archb· of Cant. Tho. Cranmer Archb. of Cant. which were put to death troubled or abiured vnder Byshop Stokesley through all the dioces of London This Foxford dyed about this present yeare and time of whose terrible end it was then certainely reported and affirmed by suche as were of right good credite vnto certayne persons of whom some be yet aliue that he dyed sodenly sitting in his chayre his belly being brust and his guts falling out before him About the same time died also William Warrham Archbyshop of Canterbury in whose roume succeeded Thomas Cranmer which was the Kings Chapleyne and a great disputer against the vnlawful mariage of Lady Katherine Princesse Dowager being then so called by Act of Parliament Queene Catherine appealeth to Rome Ye heard before how the Parliament had enacted that no person after a certeine day should appeale to Rome for any cause Notwithstanding which Acte y e Queene now called Princesse Dowager had appealed to the Courte of Rome before that Acte made so y t it was doubted whether that Appeale were good or not This question was well handled in the Parliament house but much better in the Conuocation house and yet in both houses it was alledged yea and by bookes shewed that in the Councels of Calcedone Affrike Toletane and diuers other famous Councels in the primatiue Church yea in the tyme of S. Augustine it was affirmed declared determined that a cause rising in one Prouince Concluded by councells of the primitiue church that noÌe should appeale out of their prouince should be determined in the same that neither the Patriarke of CoÌstaÌtinople should medle in causes moued in the iurisdictioÌ of the Patriarke of Antioch nor no Byshop should entermedle within an others Prouince or couÌtrey Which thyngs were so clerkly opened so cuÌningly set forth to all inteÌtes y t euery maÌ that had witte was determined to folow y e truth not wilfully wedded to his owne mynde might playnly see y t al appeales made to Rome were clearely voyde of none effect Which doctrines couÌsailes were shewed to y e Lady Katherine Princesse Dowager but she as womeÌ loue to lose no dignitie euer continued in her old song trusting more to the Popes partialitie then to the determination of Christes veritie Wherupon the Archbyshop of CaÌterbury Cranmer aboue named accoÌpanied with y e Bishops of LoÌdon Winchester Bathe Lincolne diuers other great Clerkes ãâã a great number road to Dunstable which is vi myle froÌ Ampthyl where the Princesse Dowager lay there by a Doctor called Doctor Lee she was ascited to appeare before the sayd Archbyshop in cause of Matrimony in the sayd towne of Dunstable at the day of appearaunce she would not appeare but made default so was called peremptorily euery day .xv. dayes together and at the last for lacke of appearaunce for contumacie by the assent of all the learned men there beyng present she was diuorced from the kyng Lady Catherine solemnly diuorced froÌ the king their Mariage declared to be voyde and of none effect which sentence geuen the Archbyshop and all the other returned backe agayne ¶ Where note that although this diuorce folowyng after the new Mariage needed not at all to be made the first Mariage beyng no Mariage at all before God A note yet to satisfie the voyce of the people more then for any necessitie the
also conferring with Iohn Frith The causeâ mouing Tindall to translate the Scripture into the Englishe tongue thought wyth him selfe no way more to conduce therunto then if the Scripture were turned into the vulgar speach that the poore people might also reade and see the simple plaine woord of God For first hee wisely casting in hys minde perceiued by experience how that it was not possible to stablish the lay people in any truth except the Scripture were so plainly layde before theyr eyes in theyr mother tongue that they myght see the processe order and meaning of the text For els what so euer truth shuld be taught them these enemies of the truth would quenche it againe either wyth apparant reasons of Sophistrie and traditions of their own making founded without all ground of Scripture either els iuggling with the text expouÌding it in such a sense as impossible it were to gather of the text if the right processe order meaning thereof were seene Againe right wel he perceiued and considered this only or most chiefly to be y e cause of all mischief in the church Hiding of Scripture the cause of mischiefe that the Scriptures of God were hidden from the peoples eyes For so long the abhominable doings and idolatries maintained by the Pharisaicall Clergie could not be espied and therefore al theyr labour was wyth might maine to keepe it downe so that eyther it should not be red at all or if it were they would darken the right sense with y e misâ of theyr Sophistrie and so entangle them whych rebuked or despised theyr abhominations wyth arguments of philosophie and with worldly similitudes and apparant reasons of naturall wisedom and with wresting the scripturâ vnto their owne purpose contrary vnto the processe order and meanyng of the texte woulde so delude them in descanting vppon it with Allegories and amaze them expounding it in many senses layed before the vnlearned lay people that though thou felt in thy hart were sure that all were false that they said yet couldest not thou solue their subtle ridles For these and such other considerations this good man was moued and no doubt styrred vp of God to translate the Scripture into his mother tongue The newe testament and the 5. bookes of Moyses translated with Tindalls prologues for the publicke vtility and profit of the simple vulgar people of the country first setting in hand with the newe Testament whiche he first translated about the yeare of our Lord 1527. After that he tooke in hand to translate the olde Testament finishing the fiue bookes of Moyses with sondry most learned and godly prologues prefixed before euery one most worthy to be read and read againe of all good Christians as the lyke also he did vpon the new Testament Hee wrote also diuers other woorkes vnder sundry titles among the which is that most worthy monument of his intituled The obedience of a Christian man wherin with singulare dexteritie he instructeth all men in the office and duetie of Christian obedience wyth diuers other treatises as The wicked Mammon The practise of Prelates wyth expositions vppon certaine partes of the Scripture and other Bookes also aunswearing to Syr Thom. More and other aduersaries of the truthe no lesse delectable then also most fruitfull to be read which partly before beyng vnknowen vnto many partly also being almost abolished and worne out by time the Printer heereof good Reader for conseruing and restoring such singulare treasures hath collected and set foorth in Print the same in one generall volume all and whole together as also the woorkes of Iohn Frith Barnes and other as are to be seene most special and profitable for thy reading These bookes of W. Tyndal being compiled published sent ouer into England it cannot be spoken what a dore of light they opened to the eies of the whole English nation which before were many yeres shut vp in darkenesse At his first departing out of y e realme he toke his iorny into y e further parts of Germany as into Saxony Tindal weââ into Saxony where he had conference w t Luther and other learned meÌ in those quarters Where after y t he had continued a certen season he came down from thence into the netherlands Tindal came to Antwerpe had his most abiding in the town of Antwerp vntil y e time of hys appreheÌsioÌ wherof more shal be said god willing hereafter Amongst his other bokes which he compiled one work he made also for the declaration of the sacrament as it was then called of the alter the which he kept by him considering how the people were not as yet fully persuaded in other matters tending to superstitious ceremonies grose idolatry Wherefore he thought as yet time was not come to put forth that work but rather that it should hinder the people from other instructions supposing that it woulde seeme to them odious to heare any such thing spoken or set foorth at that time sounding againste their great Goddesse Diana that is againste their Masse being had euery where in great estimation as was the Goddesse Diana amongest the Ephesians whom they thought to come from heauen Wherfore M. Tindall being a man both prudent in his doings and no lesse zealous in the setting foorth of Gods holy truth Tindal bearing with âyme after such sort as it might take most effect wyth the people did forbeare the putting forth of that work not doubting but by Gods mercifull grace a time shuld come to haue that abhomination openly declared as it is at this present day the Lorde almighty be alwaies praised therefore Amen These godly bookes of Tindall and specially the newe Testament of his translation after that they begaÌ to come into mens handes and to spread abroad as they wroughte great and singuler profite to the godly Darckenes hateth light so the vngodly enuying and disdaining that the people should be any thing wiser then they againe fearing least by the shining beames of truth their false hypocrisie workes of darkenesse should be discerned began to stirre with no small ado like as at the birth of Christ Herode al Ierusalem was troubled with him Sathan an enemye to all good purposes especially to the Gospell But especially Sathan the prince of darkenes maligning y e happy course and successe of the Gospel set to his might also how to empeache and hinder y e blessed trauailes of that man as by this and also by sondry other wayes may appeare For at what time Tindall had translated the fift booke of Moises called Deuteronomium minding to Printe the same at Hamborough hee sailed thereward where by the way vpon the coast of Holland he suffred shipwracke by the which he loste all his bookes wrytings and copies and so was compelled to begin al againe a new to his hinderaÌce and doubling of his labors Thus hauing lost by that ship both money his copies and time he
that we our nobles can nor wil suffer this iniury at your hands vnreueÌged if ye geue not place to vs of soueraignetie shew your selues as bounden and obedient subiects and no more to entermeddle your selues from hencefoorth wyth the waightie affaires of the Realme the direction whereof onely appertaineth to vs your king and such noble men and counsailours as we list to electe and choose to haue the ordering of the same And thus wee pray vnto almightie God to geue you graee to doe your dueties to vse your selues towardes vs like true and faithfull subiectes so as wee may haue cause to order you therafter and rather obediently to consent amongest you to deliuer into the hands of our Lieutenant a hundreth persons to be ordered according to their demerites at our will and pleasure then by your obstinacie and wilfulnes to put your selues your wines children lands goodes and cattels beside the indignation of God in the vtter aduenture of total destruction vtter ruine by force and violence of the sword After the Lyncolneshyre menne had receiued thys the Kynges aunswere aforesayd The commotion of Lyncolnshire asswaged made to theyr petitions eche mistrusting other who shoulde be noted to be the greatest meddler euen very sodeinly they began to shrinke and out of hand they were all deuided and euery man at home in his owne house in peace but the Captaines of these rebels escaped not all cleare but were after apprehended and had as they deserued Ex Edw. Hallo After thys immediately wythin sixe dayes vpon the same followed a newe insurrection in Yorkeshire for the same causes A Popishe insurrection in yorkshire through the instigation and lying tales of seditious persons especially Monkes and Priests making them beleeue that their siluer chalices crosses iewels and other ornaments shoulde be taken out of their Churches and that no man should be maried or eate any good meate in his house but should geue tribute therfore to the King but their speciall malice was against Cromwell and certaine other Counsailours The number of these rebelles were neare about 40. M. hauing for their badges the 5. woundes The badges of the rebels wyth the signe of the Sacrament and Iesus wrytten in the middest This their deuilish rebellion they termed by the name of a holy pilgrimage A holy Pilgrimage but they serued a wrong and a naughty Saint They had also in the field their streamers and banners whereuppon was painted Christ hanging vpon the Crosse on the one side and a chalice with a painted cake in it on the other side with other such ensignes of like hypocrisie and fayned sanctitie pretending thereby to fight for the faith and right of holy Church As soone as the king was certified of this newe seditious insurrection hee sent with all speede against them the Duke of Northfolke The kinges power agaynst the âebels in the North. Duke of Suffolke Marques of Excetor Earle of Shrewsbury other wyth a great armye forthwith to encounter with the rebels These noble Captaines and Counsailours thus well furnished with habilement of warre approching towarde the rebels and vnderstaÌding both their number and howe they were ful bent to battaile first with policy went about to assay and practise how to appease all without bloudsheding The blinde âââburnnes âf superstitiâus people âebelling âhere they ââue no ãâã but the Northern men stoutly and sturdely standing to their wicked cause and wretched enterprise wold in no case relent froÌ their attempts Which when the nobles perceiued saw no other way to pacifie their furious mindes vtterly sette on mischiefe determined vppon a battel The place was appoynted the day assigned and the houre set but see y t wanderous worke of Gods gracious prouideÌce The night before the day of battaile came as testifieth Edward Hall fell a small raine nothing to speake of A great ãâã of God in dââfeÌding the ãâã of his Gospelâ but yet as it were by a great miracle of God the water which was but a very small forde and that men in maner y e day before might haue gone brishod ouer sodenly rose of suche a height deepenes and breadth that the like no man that there did inhabite could tell that euer they sawe afore so y t the day euen when the houre of battayle shoulde come it was impossible for the one army to come at the other After this y e appoyntment made betweene both y e armies being thus disappoynted as it is to be thought onely by God who extended his great mercye and had compassion on the great number of innocent persons that in that deadly slaughter had like to haue bene murthered could take no place then by the great wisedome and pollicie of y e said Captaines a communication was had a pardon of the kings Maiestie obteined for al the captayns and chiefe doers of this insurrection and they promised y t such thinges as they found themselues agreeued with all they shoulde gently be heard and theyr reasonable peticions graunted that their articles shoulde be presented to the king that by his highnesse authoritie and wisedome of his Counsayle all thinges shoulde be brought to good order and conclusion and with this order euery man quietly departed and those which before were bent as hote as fire to fight being letted therof by God went now peaceably to their houses and were as cold as water A Domino factum est istud In the time of this ruffle in Yorkeshyre and the king lying the same time at Windsore there was a Butcher dwelling within 5. miles of the saide towne of Windsore Popishe priesteâ rebelling against the king whiche caused a Priest to preach that all they that tooke part with the Yorkshire men whom he called Gods people did fight in Gods quarrell for the whiche both he and the priest were apprehended and executed Diuers other priestes also with other about the same tyme committing in like sorte treason agaynst the king suffered the like execution Such a busines had the Kyng then to ridde the realme from the seruitude of the Romish yokes Tantae molis erat Romanam euertere sedem But Gods haÌd did still worke with all in vpholding hys Gospell and troden truth against all seditious sturres coÌmotions rebellions and what soeuer was to the contrary as both by these storyes aforepassed and by suche also as hereafter follow may notoriously appeare The yere next after this which was of the Lord. 1537. after that great execution had bene done vpon certayne rebellious Priestes and a fewe other lay men Anno. 1537. with certayne noble persons also and gentlemen amongest whome was the Lord Darcy the Lorde Hussy Syr Robert Constable Syr Thomas Percy Syr Frances Bygot Syr Stephen Hamelton Syr Iohn Bulmer and his wife William Lomeley Nicholas Tempest with the Abbottes of Gerney and of Riuers c. in the month of October the same yeare folowing was borne Prince Edward Shortly
out of Wales was brought to the gallowes and there also with the foresayd Frier as is sayde was set on fire Whome the Wealshmen muche worshipped and had a Prophecye amongest them that this Image shoulde set a whole forrest on fyre Which prophecy tooke effect for he set this Fryer Forest on fire and consumed hym to nothing The Fryer when he saw the fire come and that present death was at hand he caught hold vpon the lader and would not let it go but so vnpaciently took his death as neuer any man that put his trust in God at any time so vngodly or vnquietly ended his life In the month of October Nouember the same yere shortly after the ouerthrow of these images and pilgrimages folowed also the ruine of the Abbeis religious houses which by the speciall motion of the Lord Cromwel or rather and principally by the singuler blessing of almighty God were suppressed being geuen a litle before by acte of Parliament into the kinges hand wherupoÌ not onely the houses were rased but theyr possessions also disparcled among the nobility in such sort The ruyne dissolutioÌ of Abbeyes âonasteryes in England as all friers monkes Chanons Nunnes and other sectes of religion were then so rooted out of this Realme from the very foundation that there semeth by Gods grace no possibility hereafter left for the generation of those straunge weedes to grow here any more according to the true verdict of our Lord and Sauior Christ in his Gospell saying Euery plantation being not planted of my father Math. 15. shal be plucked vp by the rootes c. ¶ The history of the worthy Martir of God Iohn Lambert otherwise named Nicolson with his troubles examinations and aunsweres as well before the Archbishop of Caunterbury Warham and other Bishops as also before K. Henry 8. by whom at length he was condemned to death burned in Smithfielde Ann. 1538. IMmediatly vpon the ruine and destruction of the monasteries Anno 1538. the same yeare in the month of Nouember followed the trouble and condemnation of Iohn Lambert y e faythfull seruaunt of Iesus Christ and Martyr of blessed memory This Lambert being borne and brought vp in Northfolke was first conuerted by Bilney and studied in the Uniuersity of Cambridge Where after that he had sufficiently profited both in Latin and Greeke and had translated out of both tongues sondry things into the English tongue being forced at last by violence of the time he departed from thence to the partes beyond the seas to Tyndall and Frith Lambert ââeacher to the Englysh ãâã at Antwerpe and there remained the space of a yeare and more being preacher and Chapleine to the Englishe house at Antwerpe till he was disturbed by sir Thomas More and by the accusation of one Barlow was caried froÌ Antwerpe to London Lambert brought froÌ Antwerpe to London where he was brought to examination first at Lambeth then at the Bishops house at Oxford before Warham y e Archb. of Cant. and other aduersaries hading 45. articles ministred agaynst him wherunto he rendred answere agayne by writing The which answeres for as much as they conteine great learning may geue some light to the better vnderstanding of the common causes of religion now in controuersy I thought here to exemplify the same Lambert accused by one Baââow as they came right happely to our handes The copy both of the articles and also of his aunsweres here in order foloweth ¶ Articles to the number of 45. layd to Lambert IN primis whether thou wast suspecte or infamed of heresy Articles agaynst Iohn Lambert 2. Whether euer thou hadst any of Luthers bookes and namely sith they were condemned how long thou kepst them and whether thou hast spent any study on them 3. Whether thou wast constitute priest and in what Dioces and of what bishop 4. Whether it be lawfull for a Priest to mary a wife and whether a priest in some case be bouÌd by the law of God to mary a wife 5. Whether thou beleuest that whatsoeuer is done of man whether it be good or ill commeth of necessity 6. Whether the sacrament of the aulter be a sacrament necessary vnto saluation and whether after the consecration of the bread and wine done by the priest as by the minister of God there is the very body and bloud of Christ in likenes of bread and wine 7. Item what opinion thou holdest touching the Sacrament of Baptisme whether thou doest beleue that it is a sacrament of the Church and a necessary sacrament vnto saluation and that a Priest may baptise and that the order of baptising ordeined by the church is necessary and wholsome 8. Item whether you beleue that matrimony be a sacrament of the church necessary to be obserued in the church that the order appointed by the Church for the solemnising therof is allowable and to be holden 9. Item whether thou doest beleue orders to be a sacrameÌt of the church Sacrament of orders and that saying of masse ordeined by the Church is to be obserued of Priestes whether it be deadly sinne or not if it be omitted or contemned and whether the order of Priesthoode were inuented by mans imagination or ordeined by God 10. Item whether penaunce be a sacrament of the Church and necessary vnto saluation Sacrament of penance and whether auricular confession is to be made vnto the priest or is necessary vnto saluation and whether thou beleuest that a ChristiaÌ is bouÌd besides contrition of hart hauing the free vse of an apte or meet priest vnder necessity of saluation to be confessed vnto a Priest and not vnto any lay man be he neuer so good and deuout whether thou beleuest that a Priest in cases permitted vnto him may absolue a sinner beyng contrite and confessed from his sinnes and enioine him wholsome penaunce 11. Item whether thou doest beleue and holde Sacrament of confession that the sacrament of confirmation extreme vnction be sacrameÌts of the church and whether that they doe profite the soules of them which receiue them and whether thou beleuest the foresayde seuen sacramentes to geue grace vnto them that do duly receiue them 12. Whether all thinges necessary vnto saluation are put in holy Scripture Vnwritten verities and whether things onely there put be sufficient and whether some thinges vpon necessity of saluation are to be beleued and obserued which are not expressed in Scripture 13. Whether thou beleuest that Purgatory is and whether that soules departed be therin tormented and purged Purgatory 14 Whether holy martyrs apostles and confessors departed from this world ought to be honored and called vpon Praying to Saintes and prayed vnto 15. Whether the Sayntes in heauen as Mediatours pray for vs 16. Whether thou beleuest that oblations pilgrimages may be deuoutly and meritoriously done to the sepulchres and reliques of sayntes Pilgrimage 17. Whether
his owne proper person is yet sayde to be offered vp not only euery yeare at Easter but also euery day in the celebration of the Sacrament because his oblation once for euer made is thereby represented Euen so saith Augustine is the SacrameÌt of Christes body the body of Christ and the sacrament of Christes bloud the bloud of Christ in a certayne wise or fashion The celebration of the sacrament representeth the oblation of Christes body The sacrameÌt of Chrrists body is not his body in deede but in memoriall or representation Not that the Sacrament is his naturall body or bloud in deede but that it is a memoriall or representation thereof as the dayes before shewed be of his verye and naturall body crucified for vs and of his precious bloud shed for the remission of our sinnes And thus be the holy signes or Sacramentes truely called by the names of the very thinges in them signified But why so For they saith Augustine haue a certaine similitude of those things wherof they be signes or Sacraments for else they should be no Sacraments at all And therefore do they commonly and for the most part receiue the denomination of the things whereof they be Sacraments So that we may manifestly perceiue that he calleth not the Sacrament of Christes body and bloud the very body and bloud of Christ but as he sayd before But yet he sayth in a certaine maner or wise Not that the Sacramente absolutely and plainely is his naturall body or bloud For this is a false argument of Sophistrie which they call Secundum quid ad simpliciter that is to say A Fallaâ in Logike a secundum quid ad simpliciter The Popes argument The Sacrament of Christes body is Christs body Ergo the sacrament is Christes body really â substaÌtially that the SacrameÌt of Christes body is in a certaine wise the body of Christe Ergo it is also playnely and expressely the naturall body of Christ. For such an other reason might this be also Christ is after a certayne maner a Lion a Lambe and a doore Ergo Christe is a naturall Lion and Lambe or materiall doore But the Sacrament of Christes body and bloud is therefore called his body and bloud because it is thereof a memoriall signe sacrament token representation spent once for our redemption Which thing is further expounded by an other speach that he doth heere consequently allege of baptisme Sicut de ipso baptismo apostolus dicit c. The Apostle quoth Augustine sayeth not we haue signified buryeng but he sayeth vtterly we be buried with Christ For else should all false Christians be buried wyth Christ from sinne which yet do liue in all sinne And therfore saith Augustine immediately therupon he called therfore the sacrament of so great a thing by none other name then of the thing it selfe Thus O moste gracious and godly prince do I confesse and knowledge that the bread of y e sacrament is truely Christes body and the wyne to be truely his bloud according to the wordes of the institution of the same Sacrament but in a certaine wise that is to wit figuratiuely sacrameÌtally or significatiuely according to the exposition of the Doctours before recited heereafter folowing And to this exposition of the old Doctours am I enforced both by the articles of my Creede and also by the circumstances of the sayde Scripture as after shall more largely appeare But by the same can I not finde the natural body of our Sauiour to be there naturally but rather absent both from the sacrament from all the world collocate and remaining in heauen where he by promise must abide corporally vnto the end of the world The same holy Doctor writing agaynst one Faultus sayth in like manner Aug. contra Faustum Si Machabaeos cum ingenti admiratione praeferimus quia escas quibus nunc Christiani licitè vtuntur attingere noluerunt quia pro tempore tunc Prophetico non licebat quanto nunc magis pro Baptismo Christi pro Eucharistia Christi pro signo Christi c. If we doo preferre wyth greate admiration the Machabees because they would not once touche the meates which Christian men now lawfully vse to eate of for that it was not lawfull for that tyme then beyng propheticall that is in the tyme of the olde Testament how muche rather now ought a Christian to be more ready to suffer all things for the Baptisme of Christ and for the Sacrament of thankesgiuing and for the signe of Christe seeyng that those of the old Testamente were the promises of the things to be complete and fulfilled and these Sacramentes in the newe Testamente are the tokens of things complete and finished In this do I note that according to the expositions before shewed he calleth the Sacrament of Baptisme and the Sacrament of Christes body bloud otherwise properly named Eucharistia signum Christi and that in the singular number The signe of Christ. for as much as they both do signifie welnigh one thing In both them is testified the death of our Saueour And moreouer he calleth them Indicia rerum completarum that is to wyt The tokens or benefits that we shall receiue by the beliefe of Christe for vs crucified And them doth he call vsually both the sacraments signum Christi in the singular number And as the same Saint Augustine in his fiftie treatise vpon the Gospel of Saint Iohn teacheth where he sayeth thus Si bonus es si ad corpus Christi pertines quod significat Petrus habes Christum in praesenti in futuro In praesenti per fidem c. If thou be good August in Ioan tract 50. if thou pertayne to the body of Christ which this word Petrus doth signifie then hast thou Christ both heere presente and in time to come Heere presente through fayth heere presente by the signe and figure of Christe heere presente by the Sacrament of Baptisme heere presente by the meate and drinke of the altar c. More there was that Iohn Lambert wrote to the king but thus much onely came to our hands The death of Robert Packington AMong other actes and matters passed and done thys present yeare Robert Packington which is of the Lorde 1538. heere is not to be silenced the vnworthy and lamentable death of Robert Packington Mercer of London Anno 1538. wrought and caused by the enemies of Gods worde and of all good proceedings The story is this The said Robert Packington being a man of substance and dwelling in Chepeside vsed euery day at fiue of the clocke Winter and Sommer to goe to prayer at a Churche then called S. Thomas of Acres but now named Mercers Chappell And one morning amongst all other being a great mistie morning such as hath seldoÌe bin seene euen as he was crossing y e streate from his house to the Churche he was sodenly murthered with a gunne which of y e neighbours was plainly
late mariage of the Ladie Anne of Cleue who in the beginning of the yere of our Lord. 1540. was maried to the king as also greued partly at the dissolution of the Monasteries The mariage of Queene Anne Cleue and fearing the growing of the Gospell sought al occasions how to interrupt these happy beginnings and to traine the king to their owne purpose Now what occasion this wilye Winchester found out to worke vpon ye shall heare in order as followeth It happened the same time that the Lorde Cromwell for the better establishing of sincere religion in this realm deuised a mariage for y e king to be concluded betwene him the Lady Anne of Cleue The occasiââ which Winchester did worke by This Lady Anne of Cleue was maryed to the king ãâã 1540. whose other sister was already maried vnto the duke of Saxony By this mariage it was supposed that a perpetual league amitie and ally shold be nourished between this realm and the princes of Germany so therby godly religion might be made more strong on both parts against the bishop of Rome and his tyrannical religion But the diuel euer enuying the prosperity of the gospell layd a stumbling blocke in that cleare way for the king to stumble at For when the parentes of the noble lady were commoned withall for the furtherance of y e sayd mariage among others of her frends whose good wil was required y e duke of Saxony her brother in law misliked y e mariage partly for that he wold haue had her bestowed vpon some prince of Germany more nigh vnto her sister partly for other causes which he thoght reasonable Wherupon it followeth that the slacknes of the Duke in that behalfe being espyed crafty Winchester taking good holdfast theron so alienated the kinges mind from the amity that semed now to begin and grow betwene the Duke and the king that by the occasion thereof he brought the king at length cleane out of credit with that religioÌ and doctrine which the duke had then mayntained many yeares before Thus wily Winchester with his crafty fetches partly vpon this occasion aforesayd partly also by other pestilent perswations creping into the kinges eares ceased not to seeke all meanes how to worke his feat to ouerthrow Religion first bringing him in hatred with the Germane Princes The king brought out of credite with the doctrine of the Germaynâ Princes then putting him in feare of the Emperor of the French king of the Pope of the king of Scottes and other forraigne powers to rise agaynst him but especially of Ciuil tumultes commotions here within this realme which aboue all thinges he most dreaded by reason of innouation of religioÌ and dissoluing of Abbies and for abolishing of rites and other customes of the Church sticking so fast in the mindes of the people that it was to be feared least theyr hartes were or woulde be shortly styrred vp agaynst him The wicked councell of Steph. Gardiner and other about the king vnlesse some spedy remedy were to the contrary prouided declaring moreouer what a dauÌgerous matter in a common wealth it is to attempt new alterations of any thing but especially of Religion Which being so he exhorted the king for his owne safegard and publicke quiet and tranquility of his realme to see betime how and by what pollicy these so manifold mischiefes might be preueÌted Agaynst which no other way nor shift could better be deuised then if he would shew himself sharp and seuere agaynst these new Sectaryes Anabaptistes SacrameÌtaries as they called them would also set forth such Articles confirming the auncient Catholick fayth as wherby he might recouer agayne his credence with Christen Princes and whereby all the world besides might see and iudge him to be a right and perfite Catholicke By these such like crafty suggestions The king abused by wicked couÌcell the king being to much seduced and abused began to withdraw his defeÌce from the reformation of true Religion supposing thereby to procure to himselfe more safety both in his owne realme and also to auoide such daungers which otherwise might happen by other Princes especially seing of late he had refused to come to the generall Councell at Uincence being thereto inuited both by the Emperor other forraigne poteÌtates as ye haue heard before And therfore although he had reiected the Pope out of this Realme yet because he woulde declare himselfe neuerthelesse to be a good Catholicke sonne of the mother Church and a withstander of new innouations and heresies as the blinde opinion of the world did then esteme them first he stretched out his hand to the condemning and burning of Lambert Anno. 1540. then after he gaue out those Iniunctions aboue prefixed now further to encrease this opinion with all men The Popes crafty factorâ in England in the yeare next folowing which was of the Lorde 540. through the deuise and practise of certayne of the Popes factors about him he suÌmoned a solemne ParliameÌt to be holden at Westminster the 28. day of Aprill of all the states and Burgeses of the Realme Also a Synode or conuocation of all the Archbishops Bishops and other learned of the Clergy of thys Realme to be in like maner assembled The Acte of the vi Articles In which ParliameÌt Synode or conuocation certein Articles maters and questions touching religioÌ were decreed by certein prelates The 6. Articles to the nuÌber especially of 6. commonly called the 6. Articles or the whip with 6. stringes to be had receiued among the kings subiects in pretence of vnity But what vnity therof folowed y e groning harts of a great number and also the cruell death of diuers both in the dayes of K. Henry of Queene Mary can so well declare as I pray God neuer the lyke be felt hereafter The doctrine of these wicked articles in the bloudy act conteined although it be worthy of no memory amongest christen men but rather deserueth to be buried in perpetuall obliuion yet for that the office of history compelleth vs therunto for the more light of posterity to come faythfully and truly to comprise thinges done in the church as well one as another this shal be briefely to recapitulate y e suÌme effect of the foresayd 6. articles in order as they were geuen out and hereunder do folow The first Article THe first Article in this present Parliament accorded and agreed vpon was this that in the most blessed SacrameÌt of the aultar by the strength and efficacy of Christes mighty worde it being spoken by the priest is present really vnder the forme of bread and wine the naturall body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesu Christ conceiued of the virgine Mary and that after the coÌsecration there remayneth no substaunce of bread or Wyne or any other substance but the substance of Christ God and man The 2. Article Secondly that the communion in both
to rule all vnder the King or rather with the King so that the freshest wittes and of best towardnes most commonly sought vnto him Among whome was also Thomas Cromwell to his seruice aduaunced where he continued a certayne space of yeares Cromwell solliciter to the Cardinall Cromwell More and Gardiner companions in the Cardinalls house growing vp in office and authoritie till at length he was preferred to be sollicitour to the Cardinall There was also about the same tyme or not much different in the houshold of the sayd Cardinall Tho. More afterward knight and Chauncelour of England SteueÌ Gardiner Byshop after of Wint. and of the Kings CouÌsaile All these three were brought vp in one houshold and all of one standing almost together Whose ages as they were not greatly discrepant nor their wittes much vnequall so neither was their fortune and aduauncementes greatly diuers A comparison betwene Cromwell More and Gardiner albeit their dispositions and studies were most contrary And though peraduenture in More and in Gardiner there was more arte of letters and skill of learning yet notw tstanding there was in this maÌ a more heauenly light of minde more prompt perfect iudgement eloquence equall and as may be supposed in thys man more pregnant and finally in him was wrought a more heroicall and princely dispositioÌ borne to greater affayres in the common wealth and to the singular helpe of many It happened that in this meane season â Cromwell was placed in this office to be sollicitour to the Cardinall the said Cardinal had then in hand the building of certeine Colledges Small Monasteryes suppressed by the Cardinall namely his Colledge in Oxforde called then Frideswide now Christes Churche By reason whereof certayne small monasteries and priories in diuers places of the realme were by the saide Cardinall suppressed and the lands seased to the Cardinals haÌds The doing wherof was committed to the charge of Thomas Cromwell In the expedition whereof he shewed himselfe very forward Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to supâresse religious houses and industrious in such sort as in y e handling thereof he procured to himselfe much grudge with diuers of the superstitious sorte and with some also of noble calling about the King And thus was Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to suppresse religious houses Which was about the yeare of our Lord 1525. As this passed on it was not long but the Cardinall whiche had gotten vp so high began to come downe as fast first from the Chauncellorship in whiche roome was placed Sir Tho. More as is aforesayd then he fell into a Premunire So that his houshold being dissolued Tho. Cromwell amongst other laboured also to be reteyned into the Kings seruice Syr Christopher Hales helper of Cromwell to the king Cromwell commended to the king by Sir Christopher Hales M. of the Rolles Cromwell complayned of to the king There was at the same tyme one Syr Christopher Hales Knight Maister of the Rolles who notwithstanding was then a mightie Papist yet bare he suche fauour and good liking to Cromwell that he commended him to the King as a man most fitte for his purpose hauing then to do against the Pope But heere before is to be vnderstand that Cromwel had greatly bene complained of and diffamed by certeine of authority about the King for hys rude maner and homely dealing in defacing the Monkes houses in handling of their aultars c. Wherfore y e king hearing of the name of Cromwell began to detest y t mention of him neither lacked there some standers by who w t reuiling words ceased not to encrease and inflame y e kings hatred against him What their names were it shall not neede heere to recite Among other there present at the same hearing was the Lorde Russell Earle of Bedforde whose life Cromwell before had preserued at Bononye through politicke conueyance at what time the said Earle comming secretly in the kings affaires The Lord ãâã Earle of Bedforde through the âolicy of Cromwell escaped at Bononie The Lorde Russel commendeth Cromwell to the king was there espyed and therefore being in great daunger to be taken through the meanes and pollicie of Cromwell escaped This Lord Russell therefore not forgetting the olde benefites past with like grauitie willing againe to requite that he had receaued in a vehement boldnes stoode forth to take vpon him the defence of Thomas Cromwel vttering before the king many commendable words in the behalfe of him and declaring withall how by his singulare deuice and policie he had done for him at Bononie beyng there in the Kings affaires in extreame perill And for as much as now his Maiestie had to do with the Pope his great enemy there was he thought in all England none so apt for the kynges purpose which could say or do more in that matter then could Thomas Cromwell and partly gaue the kyng to vnderstand wherein The kyng hearyng this specially markyng the latter end of his talke was conteÌted and willyng to talke with him to heare and know what he could say This was not so priuily done but Cromwell had knowledge incontinent that the kyng would talke with him whereupon therfore prouidyng before hand for matter had in a readynesse the copie of the Byshops othe which they vse coÌmonly to make to the Pope at their consecration and so beyng called for was brought to the king in his garden at Westminster which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. Cromwell after most loyall obeysauÌce doyng his duetie to the kyng accordyng as he was demaunded Cromwell brought to talke with the king made his declaration in all pointes this especially making manifest vnto his highnes how his Princely authoritie was abused within his own Realme by the Pope his Clergy who beyng sworne vnto him were afterward dispensed from the same sworne a new vnto the Pope so that he was but as halfe kyng and they but halfe his subiectes in his owne land which sayd he was derogatorie to his crowne Cromwels wordes to the king concerning the premunire of the Clergy and vtterly preiudiciall to the common lawes of his Realme Declaryng therupoÌ how his Maiestie might accumulate to himselfe great riches so much as all y e Clergy in his Realme was worth if it so pleased him to take the occasion now offered The kyng geuyng good eare to this and likyng right well his aduice required if he could auouch that which he spake All this he could he sayd auouch to be certaine so well as that he had the copie of their owne othe to the Pope there present to shewe and that no lesse also he could manifestly proue if his highnesse would geue him leaue therewith shewed the Byshops othe vnto the kyng The kyng folowyng the veyne of his counsayle tooke his ryng of his finger first admittyng him into his seruice Cromwell sent by
her and them but onely her husband who laboured for theyr liuings Unto whom the Maior aunswered what come ye to me You are taken vp with the Kinges Counsell I supposed that you had come to desire me that your husbande shoulde not stand vpon the Pillary in Cheapeside on Monday nexte with the one halfe of the pyg on his one shoulder and the other halfe on the other Also the Maior sayd vnto her that he could not deliuer him without the consent of the rest of his brethren the Aldermen Wherefore he bade her the next day folowing which was Sonday to reâort vnto Paules to Saint Dunstones Chappell and when he had spoken with his brethren he woulde then tell her more Other answere could she get none at that time Wherfore she weÌt vnto M. Wilkenson then being Sheriffe of London desiring him to be good vnto her and that she might haue her poore husband out of prison Unto whom M. Wilkenson answered O woman Christ hath layd a piece of his crosse vpon thy necke The gentle ãâã of ãâ¦ã of London to the poore woman to proue whether thou wilt helpe hym to beare it or no saying moreouer to her that if the Lord maior had sent him to his Counter as he sent him to his brothers he should not haue taryed there an houre and so coÌmaunded her to come the next day vnto him to dinner and he would do y e best for her he could So the next day came this woman resorted again to M. WilkensoÌs according as he bad her who also had biddeÌ diuers gestes vnto whoÌ he spake in her behalfe But as they were set at dinner and she also sitting at the table wheÌ she saw the hote fish come in she felt downe in a swound so that for the space of two houres the could keepe no life in her Wherefore they sent her home to her house in Pater noster row and then they sent for the Midwife supposing that she would haue bene deliuered incontinent of her childe that she went with but after that she came somewhat agayn to herselfe where she lay sicke and kept her bed the space of xv weekes after being not able to helpe her selfe but as she was helped of others during the time of xv weekes Now to shew further what became of this Pig wherof we haue spoken so much it was carryed into Finsburye field by the Bishop of Londons Sumner That God ordeyneth to be eaten superstition buryeth at his maisters commaundement and there buried The Monday folowing being the fourth day after that this prisoner aforesayd was apprehended the Maior of London with the residue of his brethren being at Guild hall sent for the prisoner aforenamed and demaunded sureties of him for his forth coÌming what so euer hereafter should or might be layd vnto his charge Thomas Frebarne deliuered out of prisoÌ Tho. Frebarne discharged out of his house by M. Garter his Landlorde but for lacke of such suretyes as they required vpon his owne band which was a Recognisaunce of twenty pound he was deliuered out of theyr handes But shortly after that he was deliuered out of this his trouble mayster Garter of whome we haue spoken before beyng his landlord warned him out of his house so that in foure yeares after he could not get an other but was constrayned to be within other good folkes to his great hindrance and vndoing Hard it were and almost out of number to rehearse the names and stories of all them which felt the gentle helpe of this good man in some case or other Where might be remembred the notable deliueraunce of one Gray a Smyth of Bishops Starford Gray a Smith accused of ãâã âeliueâed by the Lord Cromwell who being accused for denying y e sacrameÌt of the aulter to be our Sauior was sent vp for the same to LondoÌ and there should haue bene condemned to be burnt but that by the meanes of the L. Cromwell he was sent home agayne and deliuered One other example though it be somewhat long with the circuÌstances and all I will declare how be helped the Secretary that theÌ was to Doctor Cranmer Archbishop of Caunterbury whiche Secretary is yet aliue and can beare present record of the same ¶ How the Lord Cromwell helped Cranmers Secretary MEntion was made before how king Henry in y e yeare of his reigne 21. caused the 6. Articles to passe much agaynst the mind and contrary to the conseÌt of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas CraÌmer The Archb. Cranmer disputed 3. dayes in the Parliament against the 6. Aâticles who had disputed three daies against the same in the Parliament house with great reasons and authorities Which Articles after they were graunted and past by the ParliameÌt the king for the singuler fauor which he euer bare to Cranmer and reuerence to his learning being desirous to know what he had sayd and obiected in the ParliameÌt agaynst these Articles or what could be alleged by learning agaynst the same required a note of the Archbishop of his doings what he had sayd and opposed in the Parliament touchââg that matter And this word was sent to him from the king by Cromwell and other Lordes of the Parliament whom the king then sent to dine with him at Lambeth somewhat to comfort agayne his greued mind and troubled spirits as hath bene aboue recited pag 1136. Wherupon when his dinner was finished the next day after the Archbishop collecting both his argumeÌts authorities of scriptures and Doctors together caused his Secretary to write a fayre booke therof for the king after this order First the Scriptures were alleadged then the Doctors thirdly folowed the Arguments deducted from those authorities This booke was written in his Secretaryes Chamber Where in a by Chamber lay the Archbishops Almosiner When this booke was fayre writteÌ The name of this Secretary was M. Rafe Morice being yet aliuâ and whiles the Secretary was gone to deliuer the same vnto y e Archbishop his maister who was as it then chaunced rydde to Croydon returning backe to his chamber found hys doore shut and the key caryed away to London by the Almosiner At this season also chauÌced the father of the sayd Secretary to come to the Citty by whose occasion it so âell out that he must nedes go to London The booke he could not lay into his chamber neither durst he commit it to any other person to keepe being straitly charged in any coÌditioÌ of the Archbishop his maister to be circumspect thereof so that he determined to go to his father and to keep the book about him And so thâusting the booke vnder his girdle he went ouer vnto Westminster bridge with a sculler where he entred into a whirry that went to London wherein were 4. of the Garde who ment to land at Paules wharfe and to passe by the kinges highnesse who then was in hys Barge with a great number of Barges and boates about him then baiting of
or not Which question rose vpon a certaine conteÌtion which had beene betwene them before For Barnes had affirmed that albeit God requireth of vs to forgeue our neighbour God forgeueth vs first before we forgeue our neighbour Rom. 15. to obtaine forgeuenesse of hym yet he sayd that God must forgeue vs first before we forgeue our neighboure For els to forgeue our neyghbour were sinne by the text that sayeth All that is not of faith is sinne c. Thus the matter being propounded Gardiner to proue the contrary came foorth wyth hys arguments two or three to the which argumentes sayeth Gardiner Barnes coulde not aunswere but desired to be spared that nyght Gardiners report Disputation betweene Barnes Gardiner and the next morning he would answer his arguments In the morning Gardiner wyth the hearers being againe assembled D. Barnes according to the appoyntment was present who then went about to assoil his arguments To his solutions Gardiner againe replied And thus continued they in thys altercation by y e space of two houres Steuen Gardiner in his preface to George Ioye In the ende of thys Cockfight Winchester thus coÌcludeth thys glorious tale and croweth vp the triumph declaring howe Barnes besought him to haue pitie of hym to forgeue hym and to take hym to be hys scholer whome then the sayd Winchester as he confesseth himself receiuing not as his scholer but as hys companion offred to hym a portion oute of his liuing to the summe of xl li a yere Steuen Gardiner offereth to Doct. Barnes 40. pounde a yeare Which if it be true as Steuen Gardiner himselfe reporteth why then doth this glorious Cackatrice crowe so much against Barnes afterward and cast him in the teeth bearing all the world in hand that Barnes was his scholler whereas he himselfe heere refuseth Barnes to be hys scholer but receiueth hym as hys companion fellowlyke But to the storie This done the king being aduertised of the conclusion of this matter betweene Barnes and Winchester was coÌtent that Barnes shoulde repaire to the Bishoppes house at London the moÌday folowing Which he did with a certaine other coÌpanion ioyned vnto him Who he was Winchester there doth not expresse only he saith y t it was neyther Hierome nor Garret In this next meeting betweene Barnes and the bishop vpon the foresaid monday the said bishop studying to instruct Barnes vttered to him certain articles or conclusions to the number of x. the effect wherof here followeth Winchesters Articles against Barnes THe effect of Christes passion hath a condition The fulfilling of the condition diminisheth nothing the effecte of Christes passion They that wil enioy the effect of Christes passion must fulfill the condition The fulfilling of the condition requireth firste knowledge of the coÌdition which knowledge we haue by faith Faith commeth of God and thys faith is a good gifte It is good and profitable to me it is profitable to me to do well and to exercise thys faith Ergo by the gifte of God I may do well before I am iustified Therfore I may do wel by the gift of God before I am iustified towardes the attainment of iustification There is euer as muche Charitie towardes God as faith And as faith encreaseth so doth charitie encrease To the attainment of iustification is required faith and charitie Euery thing is to be called freely done wherof the beginning is free and at liberty wythout any cause of prouocation Faith muste be to me the assuraunce of the promyses of God made in Christ if I fulfil the condition loue must accomplish the condition wherupon foloweth the attainment of the promise according to Gods truth A man being in deadly sinne maye haue grace to do the workes of penaunce whereby he may attaine to hys iustification These Articles for somuch as they be sufficiently aunswered and replyed vnto by George Ioy in his Ioynder Reioynder agaynst Winchester I shall not neede to cuÌber this work with any new adoe therewith but onely referre the reader to the bookes aforesayd where he may see matter enough to answere to these popish articles I told you before how the king was contented y e Barnes shuld resort to the house of the bishop of Winchester to be traded and directed by the bishop which Barnes then hearing the talk of y e people hauing also conference with certayne learned men within two dayes after his comming to y e bishops house waxed weary thereof so comming to the bish signified vnto him that if he would take him as one y t came to conferre he would come still but els he would come no more so cleane gaue ouer the bishop This beinge knowen vnto the king thorough sinister complaints of popish Sycophantes Barnes againe was sent for and coÌuented before the king who grieuously being incensed against him enioyned both him Hierom and Garret at the solemne Easter sermons at S. Mary spittle opeÌly in wryting to reuoke the doctrine whych they before had taught At which sermons Ste. Gardiner also himself was present to heare theyr recantation First Doctor Barnes according to hys promise made to the king solempnely and formally beganne to make his recantation whych done he wyth much circumstance and obtestation called vpon the Byshop as is aboue touched and asking of hym forgeuenes required hym in token of a graunt to holde vp hys hand to the entent that he there openly declaring his charitie before the worlde the Byshop also would declare his charitie in like maner Which when the bishoppe refused to doe at the first as he was required Barnes againe called for it desiring him to shew his charitie and to holde vp his hande Which when he had done w t much a do wagging his finger a litle then Barnes entring to his Sermon after his prayer made beginneth the processe of a matter preaching contrarye to that which before he had recanted In so much that the Maior wheÌ the Sermon was finished sittinge wyth the Bishop of Winchester asked him whether he should from the pulpit sende hym to warde to be forth comming for that his bold preaching contrary to hys recantation The like also did Hierome and Garret after hym The king had appointed before certain to make report of the sermons Besides them there was one who wryting to a frende of hys in the Court in the fauour of these preachers declared how gayly they had all handled the matter both to satisfie the recantation and also in the same Sermons to vtter out the truth that it might spread without let of the world Wherfore partly by these reporters partly by the negligent looking to this letter Barnes Garret and Hierome commaunded to the ãâã which came to the Lord Cromwels hands sayeth Gardiner Barnes wyth his other fellowes were apprehended and committed to the Tower Steuen Gardiner in his foresayde booke against George Ioye woulde needes cleare himselfe that he was in
and yet will he vtter none of them Alas my Lord quoth she my husband was neuer beyond the seas nor no great trauailer in the Realme to be so acquainted therfore good my Lord let me goe see him But all her earnest sute from day to day would not help but still he put her of harping always vpon this string thy husband wil vtter nothing At the last she finding him in the court at s. Iames going toward his chamber was so bold to take him by y e ratchet and say O my Lord these 18. dayes I haue troubled your Lordship now for the loue of God and as euer ye came of a woman put me of no longer but let me go to my husband Winchesâââ argument He hath read much Scripture Ergo he ãâã an ãâã Henry Câââricke playeth the ãâã of a good neighbâââ And as she was standing with the Bishop his men in a blynd corner goyng to his chamber one of the kings seruantes called Henry Carrike and her nexte neighbor chanced to be by hearing the talke betweene the B. and her desired his Lordship to be good Lord vnto the poore woman which had her owne mother lying bedred vpon her hands beside 5. or 6. children I promise you quoth the B. her husband is a great heretike hath reade more scripture then any man in the Realme hath done I cannot tel my Lord quoth Carrike what he is inwardly but outwardly he is as honest a quiet neighbour as euer I dwelt by He will tell nothing quoth the B. He knoweth a great sort of false harlots and will not vtter theÌ Yes my Lord quoth Carrike he will tell I dare say for hee is an honest man Well quoth the B. speaking to the wyfe thou seemest to be an honest woman and if thou loue thy husband well go to him and geue him good counsayle to vtter such naughty felowes as he knoweth and I promise thee he shall haue what I can doe for him for I doe fansie him well for his Art wherin he had pleased me as well as any man and so stepping into his chamber said she shold haue his letter to the keper Marbecâââ wife permitted at last to go ãâã her husband But his mynd being changed he sent out his ring by a Gentleman which Gentleman deliuered the ring to his man charging him with the Bishops message And so his man went with the woman to the water side tooke boat who neuer rested rayling on her husband all the way till they came to y e prison which was no small crosse vnto the poore woman And when they were come to the Marshalsey the messenger shewed the B. ring to the Porter saying Maister Stokes my Lord willeth you by this token that ye suffer this woman to haue recourse to her husband but he straitly chargeth you that ye search her both comming going least she bring or cary any letters to or fro that she bryng no body vnto him nor no word from no maÌ Gods bloud quoth the Porter who was a foule swearer what wil my Lord haue me to do Like ãâã man Can I let her to bring word from any man Either let her go to her husband or let her not go for I see nothyng by him but an honest man The poore woman fearing to be repulsed spake the Porter faire saying Good maister be content for I haue found my Lorde very good Lord vnto me This yong man is but the Gentlemans seruant which brought the ring from my Lord I thinke doth his message a great deale more straiter then my Lord commanded the Gentleman or that the Gentleman his maister commanded him But neuerthelesse good M. quoth she I shal be content to strip my selfe before you both commyng and goyng The part ãâã good ãâ¦ã so farre as any honest woman may do with honesty For I entend no such thyng but only to comfort and helpe my husband Then the Messenger sayd no more but went his way leauing the womaÌ there who from that tyme forth was suffered to come and go at her pleasure The fourth examination of Marbecke before the Commissioners in the Bishop of Londons house ABout a three weekes before Whitsonday was Marbecke sent for to the B. of Londons house where sat in Commission Doctor Capon Bishop of Salisbury Doctor Skyp Bishop of Harford Doct. Goodricke Bishop of Ely Doct. Okyng Doct. May and the Bishop of Londons Scribe hauyng before them all Marbeckes bookes Then sayd the Byshop of Salisbury Marbecke we are here in commission sent froÌ the kings maiesty to examine thee of certaine things wherof thou must be sworne to answer vs faithfully truly I am content my lord quoth he to tell you the truth so far as I can and so tooke hys othe Then the Bishop of Salisbury layd forth before hym hys 3. bookes of notes demaunding whose hand they were He answered they were his owne hand notes which he had gathered out of other mens works 6. yeres ago For what cause quoth the Byshop of Salisbury diddest thou gather them For none other cause my Lorde quoth he but to come by knowledge For I being vnlerned desirous to vnderstaÌd some part of scripture thought by readyng of lerned mens works to come the sooner therby where as I found any place of Scripture opened and expounded by theÌ that I noted as ye see with a letter of his name in the margent that had set out the worke So me thinke quoth the Byshop of Ely who had one of the bookes of notes in his hand al y e time of their sitting thou hast read of al sorts of bookes both good and bad as seemeth by the notes So I haue my Lorde quoth he And to what purpose quoth the Byshop of Salis. by my trouth quoth he for no other purpose but to see euery mans minde Then the B. of Salis drew out a quire of the Concordance and layd it before the B. of Harford who looking vppon it a while lifted vp hys eyes to D. Oking standing next him and sayd Thys man hath ben better occupied then a great sort of our priestes To the which he made no answer Then sayd the Byshop of Salisbury whose helpe hadst thou in setting foorth this booke Truely my Lorde quoth he no helpe at al. How couldest thou quoth the bishop inuent such a booke or know what a Concordance meant w tout an instructer I wil tell your Lordship quoth he what instructer I had to begin it The occasioÌ why Marbecke began the Concordance in Englishe When Thomas Mathewes bible came first out in print I was much desirous to haue one of them and being a poore man not able to buye one of them determined wyth my selfe to borrow one among my frends to wryte it foorth And when I had wrytten oute the 5. bookes of Moises in faire greate paper was entred into the booke of Iosua M. Richard
a gentleman which before he knewe not by reason of his apparell he saw it was the same person that first examined him in the Marshalsey and did also cause him to write in the Bishoppes gallery but neuer knew his name till now he heard Doct. Oking call hym M. Knight This M. Knight helde foorth the paper to Marbecke and sayd looke vppon this and tell me whose hand it is When Marbecke had taken the paper This gentleman of Winchesters was M. Knight seene what it was he confessed it to be all his hand sauing y e first leafe and the notes in the margent TheÌ I perceiue quoth Knight thou wilt not go from thine owne hand No Sir quoth he I will deny nothing that I haue done Thou doest well in that quoth Knight for if thou shouldest we haue testimonies enough besides to trye out thy hand by but I pray thee tell me whose hand is the last leafe That I cannot tell you quoth Marbecke TheÌ how camest thou by it quoth Knight Forsooth I will tell you quoth he There was a prieste dwelling with vs vppon a v. or .vi. yeares ago called Marshall who sent it vnto me with the first leafe written desiring mee to write it out with speede because the copy could not be spared past an houre or twain and so I wrote it out and sent him both the copye and it agayne And howe came this hand in the margent quoth hee which is a contrary hand to both the other That I wyll tell you quoth Marbecke When I wrote it out at the first I made so much hast of it that I vnderstoode not the matter wherefore I was desirous to see it agayne and to read it with more deliberation and being sent to me the second tyme it was thus coted in the margent as ye see And shortly after this it was his chaunce to go beyond the seas where he liued not long by reason whereof the Epistle remayneth with me but whether the first leafe or y e notes in the margent were his hand or whose hand els Surmise agaynst D. Haynes that I cannot tell Tush quoth D. Oking to M. Knight he knoweth well enough that the notes be Heynes owne hande If you know so much quoth Marb ye knowe more then I doe for I tell you truely I knowe it not By my faithe Marbecke quoth Knyghte if thou wylt not tell by fayre meanes those fingers of thine shall be made to tell Inconstancy and little truth in Papistes By my trouth Syr quoth Marbecke if ye do teare the whole body in peeces I trust in God yee shall neuer make me accuse man wrongfully If thou be so stubburne quoth D. O king thou wilt die for it Dye M. Okyng quoth hee Wherfore should I die You told me the last day before the Byshops that assoone as I had made an ende of the peece of Concordance they tooke me I shoulde be deliuered and shall I nowe die This is a sodaine mutation You seemed then to be my frend but I know the cause ye haue red the ballet I made of Moses chayre and that hath sette you agaynst mee but when soeuer yee shall putte me to death I doubt not to dye Gods true man and the kyngs How so quoth Knight howe canst thou die a true manne vnto the kyng when thou hast offended his lawes Is not this Epistle and moste of thy notes thou hast wrytten directly against the 6. articles No syr quoth Marbecke I haue not offended the kyngs lawes therein for since the first time I began wyth the Concordance whych is almoste 6. yeares agoe I haue bene occupied in nothing els The kinges generall pardon claymed So that bothe this Epistle and al the notes I haue gathered were written a great while before the 6. Articles came foorth and are clearely remitted by the kings generall pardon Trust not to that quoth Knight for it wil not help thee No I warrant hym quoth Doct. Okyng and so going downe to the body of the church they committed him to his keeper who had him away to prison againe The sute of Filmers wife to the Bishops which sate in commission for her husband IN lyke maner y e wife of Filmer knowing her husbands trouble to be only procured of malice by Simons his old ennemie made great sute and labour vnto the Byshops which were commissioners desiring no more of them but that it would please their goodnes to examine her husband before them Filmers wife laboureth for her husband and to heare hym make his purgation Thys was her only request to euery of the Byshops from day to day wheresoeuer shee coulde finde them In so muche that two of the Byshops Ely and Harforde were verye sorye considering the importune and reasonable sute of the woman that it lay not in them to help her Thus trauailing long vp and downe from one to an other to haue her husbande examined The wordes of Filmers wyfe to the bishops it was her chaunce at the last to finde the Byshops all three together in the Byshoppe of Elye hys place vnto whom she sayd O good my Lordes for the loue of God let now my poore husbande be brought foorth before you while yee be heere all togethers For truely my Lordes there can nothing be iustly laide against hym but that of malicious enuie and spite Simons hath wroughte him this trouble And you my Lorde of Salisburye quoth the poore woman can testifie if it woulde please your lordship to say the truth what malice SimoÌs bare to my husband when they were both before you at Salisburie litle more then a yeare agoe for the Uicar of Wyndsors matter For as your Lordship knoweth when my husbande had certified you of the Priests sermone which you sayde was plaine heresie then came Symons after the Prieste hymselfe had confessed it and would haue defended the priestes error before your Lordship and haue had my husband punished At what time it pleased your Lordship to coÌmend and praise my husband for his honesty and to rebuke Symons for maintaining the Priest in his error thereupon commanded the priest to rekant his heresy at his comming home to Windsore This my Lord you knowe to be true And now my Lords quoth the woman it is most certain that for thys cause only did Symons euermore afterward threaten my husband to be euen with him Therefore good my Lordes call my husbande before you and heare hym speake and if ye finde any other matter againste hym then this that I haue tolde you let me suffer death Is thys so my Lord quoth the B. of Ely and Harforde and the other could not deny it Then they spake Latine to the B. of Salisbury and he to them so departed For the matter was so wrought betweene Doctor London and Symons that Filmer could neuer be suffred to come before the Commissioners to be examined Filmer could not come to hys aunswere The
be all these fantasies for if you perseuer in these erroneous opinions ye wil repent it when you may not mende it Thomas saide I trust my cause be iust in the presence of God Thomas Forret Fryer Iohn Kelow fryer Benerage Dunkane Simpson Priest Rob. Foster gentleman with 3. or 4. other of Striueling Martyrs and therefore I passe not muche what doe followe thereupon and so my Lorde and he departed at that tyme. And soone after a Summons was directed from the Cardinall of S. Andrewes and the sayde Bishop of Dunkelden vpon the saide Deane Thomas Forret vpon 2. blacke Friers called frier Iohn Kelowe and an other called Benarage and vpon one priest of Striueling called Duncane Sympson and one Gentleman called Robert Foster in Striuelyng with other three or foure wyth them of the towne of Striuelyng who at the day of their appearaunce after their summoning were coÌdemned to the death without any place of recantation because as was alleged they were heresiarkes or chiefe heretikes and teachers of heresies and especially because manye of them were at the bridall and marriage of a Priest who was vicar of Twybodye beside Striuelynge and did eate fleshe in Lent at the said bridal and so they were altogether burnt vpon the castle hill of Edenbrough where they that were first bounde to the stake godly and marueilously did comfort them that came behinde Heere foloweth the manner of persecution vsed by the Cardinall of Scotland against certaine persons in Perth Persecuters Martyrs Theyr Causes Dauid Beton Byshop and Cardinall of S. Andrewes Robert Lambe William Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Iames FouÌleson Hellen Stirke hys wife FIrst there was a certaine Acte of Parlamente made in the gouernement of the Lorde Hamleton Earle of Arran Anno. 154â and Gouernour of Scotlande geuinge priuiledge to all men of the Realme of Scotlande to reade the Scriptures in their mother tongue and language secluding neuerthelesse all reasoning conference conuocation of people to heare the Scriptures reade or expounded Proclamation in Scotland permitting the priuâte âeading of Scripture Which liberty of priuate reading being granted by publike proclamation lacked not hys owne âruite so that in sondrie partes of Scotland therby were opened the eies of the elect of God to see the truthe and abhorre the Papistical abhominations Amongest the which were certaine persones in S. Iohnston as after is declared At thys time there was a Sermone made by Fryer Spense Blasphemous doctriâe of a Papist Robert Lambe Martyr in saint Iohnston aliâs called Perth affirmynge prayer made âo saintes to be so necessarye that wythoute it there coulde be no hope of saluation to man Whyche blasphemous doctrine a Burges of the sayd towne called Robert Lambe could not abide but accused hym in open audience of erroneous doctrine and adiured hym in Gods name to vtter the trueth The which the Frier being striken with feare promised to doe but the trouble tumulte and sturre of the people encreased so that the Frier coulde haue no audience and yet the sayde Roberte wyth greate daunger of his life escaped the handes of the multitude Robert Lambe in great daunger namely of the women who contrary to nature addressed them to extreme cruelty against him At this time in the yeare of our Lorde 1543. the ennemies of the truth procured Iohn Chartuous who fauoured the truthe and was Prouost of the saide citie towne of Perth to be deposed from his office by the sayde Gouernours authoritie A papist set in office and a Papist called Maister Alexander Marbecke to be chosen in his roume y t they myght bring the more easily their wicked enterprise to an ende Robert Lambe Will. Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Hellen Styrke his wyfe cast in prison After the deposing of the former Prouost and election of the other in the moneth of Ianuary the yere aforesayde on saint Paules day came to sainte Iohnston the Gouernour the Cardinall the Earle of Argile Iustice sir Iohn Campbell of Lunde knighte and Iustice Deâorte the Lorde Borthwyke the Bishop of Dumblane and Orkeney with certaine other of the Nobilitie And althoughe there were manye accused for the crime of heresie as they terme it yet these persones were onely apprehended vppon the sayde sainte Paules day Robert Lambe William Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Iames Founleson and Hellen Stirke his wife and cast that night in the Spay tower of the sayde Citie the morowe to abide iudgement Uppon the morrowe when they appeared and were brought foorth to iudgement in the towne was said in generall to all their charge the violating of the Acte of Parliament before expressed and their conference and assemblies in hearing and expoundinge of scripture againste the tenour of the sayde Acte Robert Lambe was accused in speciall for interrupting of the Frier in the pulpit whyche he not onely confessed but also affirmed constantly that it was the duetie of no manne whych vnderstood and knewe the trueth to heare the same impugned wythoute contradiction and therefore sundry which there were presente in iudgement who hidde the knowledge of the truth shoulde beare their burden in Gods presence for consenting to the same The sayde Robert also wyth William Anderson and Iames Raueleson were accused for hanging vp the image of S. Fraunces in a corde Lambe Anderson Raueleson for hanging S. Fraunces in a corde Iames Hunter for vsing suspect company nailing of Rammes hornes to his head and a Cowes rumpe to hys taile and for eatinge of a goose on Alhalow euen Iames Hunter being a simple man and wythout learning and a Fletcher by occupation so that hee coulde be charged wyth no greate knowledge in Doctrine yet because he often vsed the suspect companye of the rest he was accused The woman Hellen Stirke was accused for that in her childbed she was not accustomed to cal vpon the name of the virgine Mary Hellen Styrke for calling vpon Iesus and not our Lady in childebed being exhorted thereto by her neyghbours but onely vpon God for Iesus Christes sake and because she said in like maner that if she her selfe had beene in the time of the virgin Mary God might haue looked to her humilitie and base estate as hee did to the virgines in making her the mother of Christe thereby meaninge that there was no merites in the virgine whyche procured her that honour to be made the mother of Christe and to bee preferred before other women but Gods only free mercy exalted her to that estate Whiche woordes were counted moste execrable in the face of the Clergie and whole multitude Iames Raueleson aforesayde building a house set vppon the round of his fourth staire the 3. crowned diademe of Peter carued of tree which the cardinal tooke as done in mockage of his Cardinals hat and this procured no fauor to the sayd Iames at theyr handes These forenamed persones vppon the morrowe aftââ sainte Paules day were condemned and iudged
to deathe and that by an Assise for violatinge as was alleaged the Acte of Parliament in reasoning and conferrynge vppon Scriptures for eating flesh vppon dayes forbidden for interrupting the holy frier in the pulpitte for dishonouryng of Images and blaspheming of the virgine Mary as they alleaged After sentence geuen theyr handes were bounde and the men cruelly entreated Which thing the woman beholding desired likewise to be bounde by the sergeantes with her husband for Christes sake There was great intercession made by the Towne in the meane season for the lifâ of these persones aforenamed to the Gouernour who of him self was willing so to haue done that they myght haue bene deliuered But the Gouernour was so subiect to the appetite of the cruel priestes that he could not do that which he would Yea they manaced to assist his ennemies and to depose him except he assisted their crueltie There were certaine priestes in the Citie who did eate and drinke before in these honest mens houses to whoÌ the priestes were much bounden These priestes were earnestly desired to entreate for their hostesse at the Cardinalles handes but they altogether refused desiring rather theyr death then preseruation So cruell are these beastes from the lowest to the highest Then after they were caried by a great band of armed men for they feared rebellion in the towne except they had theyr men of warre to the place of execution whych was common to all theeues that to make their cause appeare more odious to the people Robert Lambe at the gallowes foote made his exhortation to the people desiring them to feare God and leaue the leauen of Papisticall abominations The Marâtyrdome ãâã these ãâã manifestly there prophesyed of the ruine and plague whych came vpon the Cardinall thereafter So euerye one comforting an other and assuring them selues to sup together in the kingdome of heauen that night commended themselues to God and died constantly in the Lord. The woman desired earnestly to die with her husband but shee was not suffered yet folowing him to the place of execution shee gaue him comfort exhorting hym to perseueraunce and pacience for Christes sake and parting from him with a kisse sayd on this maner Husband reioyce for we haue liued together many ioyful dayes but this day in which we must die ought to be most ioyfull to vs both because we must haue ioy for euer Therefore I will not bid you good night for we shall sodainely meete with ioy in the kingdome of heauen The woman after was taken to a place to be drowned and albeit she had a child sucking on her brest yet this moued nothing the vnmercifull hearts of the enemies So after she had commended her children to the neighbors of the towne for Gods sake and the sucking barne was geuen to the nurse she sealed vp the truth by her death Ex Registris instrumentis à Scotia missis * The condemnation of M. George Wiseheart Gentleman who suffered Martyrdome for the faith of Christ Iesus at saint Andrewes in Scotland An. 1546. Marche 1. wyth the Articles obiected againste him and his answeares to the same WIth most tender affection and vnfained heart consider gentle Reader the vncharitable manner of y e accusation of M. George Wiseheart Anno 1546 made by y e bloudy enemies of Christs faith Note also the articles whereof he was accused by order digested and hys meeke answeares The exaââation of George ãâã so farre as he had leaue and leisure to speake Finally ponder with no dissembling spirite the furious rage and tragicall cruelnes of the malignant Church in persecuting of thys blessed man of God and of the contrary hys humble pacient and most godly answeres made to them sodainly without all feare not hauing respect to their glorious manasings and boysterous threats but charitably and wythout stop answearing not moouing his countenaunce nor changing his visage as in his accusation hereafter folowing manifestly shall appeare But before I enter into his Articles I thoughte it not impertinent somewhat to touche concerning the life and conuersation of this godlye man according as of late came to my handes certified in wryting by a certaine scholler of hys sometime named Emerey Tylney whose wordes of testimoniall as he wrote them to me here folow Aboute the yeare of oure Lorde a thousande fiue hundreth fortie and thre there was in the vniuersitie of Cambridge one maister George Wiseheart commonlye called maister George of Bennettes Colledge who was a man of talle stature polled headed and on the same a rounde Frenche cappe of the best Iudged of Melancholye complexion by his Phisiognomie blacke heared long âearded comelye of personnage well spoken after his countrey of ScotlaÌd courteous lowly louely glad to teach desirous to learn was wel traueled hauing on him for his habit or clothing neuer but a mantell friese gowne to the showes a blacke Millian fustian dowblet and plaine blacke hosen course newe canuesse for his Shirtes and whyte fallinge Bandes and Cuffes at the handes All the whych Apparell hee gaue to the poore some weekelye some monethly some quarterlye as hee liked sauing hys Frenche cappe whyche hee kepte the whole yeare of my being with hym Hee was a manne modest temperate fearinge God hatinge Couetousnesse For his Charitie had neuer ende nyghte noone nor daye hee forbare one meale in three one daye in foure for the moste parte except somethyng to comforte nature Hee lay harde vppon a pouffe of straw course newe canuesse Sheetes whyche when hee chaunged hee gaue awaye hee hadde commonly by his beddes side a tubbe of water In the whyche hys people being in hedde the candell puâte out and all quiet he vsed to bathe hymselfe as I being very yong being assured often heard him and in one light nighte descerned hym hee loued mee tenderly and I him for my age as effectually He taught wyth great modestie and grauitie so that some of his people thought hym seuere and woulde haue slaine hym but the Lorde was hys defence And hee after due correction for their malice by good exhortation amended them and he went hys way O that the Lord hadde left hym to me his poore boye that hee might haue finished that he hadde begonne For in his Religion he was as you see heere in the rest of hys life when he went into Scotland with diuers of the Nobilitie that came for a treatie to kinge Henry the eighte Hys learning no lesse sufficient then his desire alwayes prest and readye to doe good in that hee was able bothe in the house priuately and in the Schoole publikely professing and reading diners authours If I shoulde declare hys loue to mee and all menne hys Charitie to the poore in geuinge relieuinge caringe helpinge prouidinge yea infinitelye studyinge howe to doe good vnto all and hurte to none I shoulde sooner wante woordes then iuste cause to commende All thys I testifie wyth my whole heart and trueth of thys Godly manne
sayde he in the meane tyme taking no heede or care of the cruell torments which were then prepared for him The Martyrdome of M. George Wisehart And last of all the hangman that was hys tormentor sate downe vpon hys knees and said Syr I pray you forgeue me for I am not giltie of your death To whome hee answeared come hether to me When that he was come to him he kissed his cheeke and sayd Loe here is a token that I forgeue thee My heart do thine office and by and by he was put vpon the gibbet and hanged and there burnte to pouder When that the people beheld the great tormeÌting they might not withholde from pitious mourning complaining of this innocent Lambes slaughter A note of the iust punishment of God vpon the cruell Cardinall Archbishop of S. Andrewes named Beaton IT was not long after the martyrdom of the blessed man of God M. George Wisehart aforesayd who was put to death by Dauid Beaton the bloudy Archbishop and Cardinall of Scotland as is aboue specified an 1546. the first day of March but the sayd Dauid Beaton Archbyshop of S. Andrewes by the iust reuenge of Gods mighty iudgement was slaine within his owne Castle of S. Andrewes by y e hands of one Lech other GeÌtlemeÌ who by the Lord stirred vp brake in sodenly into his Castle vpon him and in his bed murthered him the same yeare the last daye of May crying out Alas alas sley me not I am a Prieste And so like a butcher he liued The death of Dauid Beaton Archb. of Saint Andrewes and like a butcher he dyed lay 7. monethes and more vnburied at last like a carion buried in a dunghill an 1546. Maij vlt. Ex histor impressa After this Dauid Beaton succeeded Iohn Hamelton Archbishop of S. Andrewes an 1549. who to the entent that he would in no wayes appeare inferiour to his predecessour Iohn Hamelton Archbishop of S. Andrewes in augmenting the number of the holy Martirs of God in the next yeare following called a certayne poore man to iudgement whose name was Adam Wallace The order and maner of whose story heere followeth The story and Martyrdome of Adam Wallace in Scotland Iohn Hamelton a peââââutor THere was set vpon a scaffold made hard to the Chauncelary wall of y e blacke Friers Church in Edinbrough on seates made therupon Adam Wallace Martir the L. Gouernour Aboue hym at his back sate M. Gawin Hamelton Deane of Glasgue representing the Metropolitane Pastor thereof The condeÌnatâân of Adam Wallace â pâore man Upon a seate on his right hand sate the Archb. of S. Andrewes At his backe and aside somewhat stoode the Officiall Lowthaine Next to the Byshop of S. Andrewes the Byshop of Dunblane the Bishop of Murray the Abbot of Dunfermeling the Abbot of Glenâuce with other Churchmen of lower estimation as the Officiall of S. Andrewes other Doctours of that nest and City And at the other ende of the seate sate maister Uchiltrie On his left hand sate the Earle of Argyle Iustice with his Deputye Syr Iohn Campbell of Lundy vnder his feete Next him the Earle of Huntley Then the Earle of Anguish the Byshop of Gallaway the Prior of S. Andrewes the Bish. of Orkenay the L. Forbes Dane Iohn Wynrime Suppriour of S. Andrewes and behinde the seates stoode the whole senate the Clarke of the Register c. At the further end of the Chauncelary wall in the pulpit was placed M. Iohn Lauder parson of Marbottle accuser clad in a Surplice and a red hood and a great Congregation of the whole people in y e body of the church staÌding on the ground After that Syr Iohn Ker Prebendary of S. Giles Church was accused conuicted and condemned for the false making and geuing forth of a senteÌce of diuorce and thereby falsly diuorced and parted a man and his lawfull wife in the name of the Deane of Roscalrige and certaine other Iudges appointed by the holy Father the Pope Baârabâs let ãâ¦ã crucified He graunted the falshood and that neuer any such thing was done in deede nor yet ment nor moued by the foresad Iudges and was agreed to be banished the realmes of Scotland and England for his life time and to lose his right hande if he were found or apprehended therein heereafter and in the meane time to leaue his benefices for euer and they to be vacant After that was brought in AdaÌ Wallace a simple poore man in appearance Adam Walââce broââht in befâââ the ãâã and Pharisâis coÌueyed by Iohn of Cunnoke seruant to the B. of S. Andrewes and set in the middest of y e scaffold who was commaunded to looke to the accuser who asked him what was his name He aunswered Adam Wallace The accuser sayd he had another name which he graunted and sayd he was commonly called Feane Then asked he where he was borne Ioh. Lauder his accuser Within two myle of Fayle said he in Kyle Then sayd the accuser I repent that euer such a poore man as you should put these noble Lords to so great encombrance this day by your vaine speaking Adam Wallace otherwise named Iohn Feane And I must speake sayd he as God geueth me grace and I beleue I haue said no euil to hurt any body Would God said the accuser ye had neuer spokeÌ but you are brought forth for so horrible crimes of heresie as neuer was imagined in this countrey of before and shall be sufficiently proued that ye can not deny it and I forethinke that it should be heard for hurting of weake consciences Now I wyll yea thee no more thou shalt heare the points that thou art accused of Adam Wallace aliâs Feane thou art openly delated and accused for preaching The Sacraâent of the Popishâ ãâã saying and teaching of the blasphemies and abominable heresies vnderwritten In the first thou hast said and taught that the bread and wine on the altar after the words of consecration are not the body and bloud of Iesu Christ. He turned to the Lord Gouernour and Lords aforesayd saying I sayd neuer nor taught nothing but that I found in this booke and writte hauyng there a Bible at his belte in French Dutch and English which is the word of God and if you will be content that the Lord God and his word be Iudge to me and this his holy writ here it is and where I haue sayd wrong The doctrine of Adam Wallace touching the Sacrament of the Lordes body I shal take what punishment you wil put to me for I neuer said nothing concerning this that I am accused of but that which I found in this writte What diddest thou say sayd the accuser I sayde quoth he that after our Lord Iesus Christ had eaten the Pascall Lambe in his latter Supper with his Apostles and fulfilled the ceremonies of the old law he instituted a new Sacrament in remembraunce of his death
in Parliamente that none shoulde speake anye thing of the Kings death the Act being made onely for Southsayers and talkers of prophesies moued them that were about the King to put him in remembrance of his mortall state and fatall infirmitie Which when the rest were in dread to do M. Deny who was specially attendant vpon hym boldly comming to the King told him what case he was in to mans iudgement not like to liue and therefore exhorted him to prepare himselfe to death calling himselfe to remembrance of his former life and to call vpon God in Christ betime for grace and mercy as becommeth euery good Christian man to do Although the K. was loth to heare any meÌtion of death yet perceiuing the same to rise vpon the iudgement of hys Phisicians and feeling his owne weakenes he disposed himselfe more quietly to harken to the wordes of his exhortation and to consider his life past Which although he much accused yet said he is the mercy of Christ able to pardon me all my sinnes though they were greater then they be M. Deny being glad to heare him thus speake required to know his pleasure whether he would haue any learned man sent for to conferre withall and to open hys mind vnto To whome the King aunswered againe that if he had any he would haue D. Cranmer who was then lying at Croydon And therefore M. Denye asking the King whether he woulde haue him sente for I will first said the King take a little sleepe and then as I feele my selfe I will aduise vpon the matter After an houre or two the King awaking and feeling feeblenes to encrease vpon him commanded D. Cranmer to be sent for but before he could come y e king was speachles and almost senseles Notwithstanding perceiuing D. Cranmer to be come he reaching his hande to D. Cranmer did hold him fast but could vtter no word vnto hym and scarse was able to make any signe Then the Archbyshop exhorting him to put his trust in Christ and to call vpon his mercy desired him though he could not speake yet to geue some token with his eyes or with hand as he trusted in the Lord. Then the King holding him with his hand did wring his hand in his as hard as he could and so shortly after departed after he had reigned in this land the terme of 37. yeares and 9. monethes The kings children leauing behinde him three children Edward Mary and Elizabeth Moreouer for so much as mention is inserted in thys place of the good inclination of King Henry in his latter dayes to the reformation of religion Talke betweene Thom. Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. and the Duke of Suffolk about Ste. Gardiner by the occasion hereof it commeth also to minde somewhat likewise to adde by way of appendix touching the talke betweene the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer and the Duke of Suffolke Charles Branden as coÌcerning the Kings purpose and intent conceaued against the Bishop of Winchester Steuen Gardiner in that he could neuer allowe any reformation in religion in this realme and namely beeing offended with this that men should vse in their talke The Lord as well as our Lord. The sayd Duke sayd vnto the sayd Archbyshop We of the Counsell had him once at a good lift and should well haue dispatched him from his authoritie if the Kings Maiestie our Maister had stayed himselfe from admitting him to his presence as then hys highnes was content that we should throughly haue sifted and tried him It was my Lord quoth the Duke to the Archbishop at that time when Gardiner his Secretarie was attached and suffred for defending the Popes authoritie For then I and certaine of the Counsell hauing conference with the Kings Maiestie for that matter his highnesse was fully perswaded that the Bishops Secretarie being in such speciall fauour with his Maister would neuer stande so stiffe in defence of the Bishop of Romes vsurped power and authoritie Stephen Gardiner appoynted by the king to to be had to the Tower without his said maisters both aduise knowledge and perswasion For already quoth the King he played but a homely part with me when he was Ambassadour to the Pope concerning my cause of diuorce And therefore quoth the King to me send for him my Lord incontinently and by assistance of two or three moe of the Counsell whome you thinke good let him be committed to the Tower to aunswere to suche thynges as may bee obiected agaynst hym Thys communicatioÌ was in y e euening so that we purposed to haue executed the kinges pleasure and commaundement y e next morning How beit our talke was not so secrete but that some of his friendes of the priuy chamber then suspecting the matter where he had many frends sent him word ther of Who incontinently repayred to the kings presence Ste. Gardiner priuily commeth to the king and finding some matter to minister vnto y e king his highnesse sayd to the bish We doe marueile that your secretary hath thus notoriously offended agaynst vs our lawes It is surely though that you are not all cleare in this offeÌce but that you are of the same opinion with him therefore my Lord be playne with me King Henry layeth to Winchesters charge and let me know if you be y e way infected or no If you will tell me the trueth I will rather pardon the fault but if you halt or dissemble with me looke for no fauour at my hand With this monition Winchester fell downe vppon hys knees besought his maiesty of mercy and pardon Winchester confesseth his popery to the king manifestly confessing y t he of long time had bene of that opinion w t his sayd secretary and there bewayling himselfe promised from that day forward to reform hys opinion become a new man Well quoth y e king this way you haue of me that which otherwise you should neuer haue obtayned I am content to remitte all thinges past and pardon you vpon your amendment The next morning I had worde how the matter was handled whereupon I came to his highnes sayde Your Maiestie hath preuented our commission whiche I and other had from your grace concerning my Lord of Winchesters coÌmitting to the tower Wot you what quoth the K. hee hath confessed himselfe as giltie in this matter as hys man K. Henryes nature to pardon them that come to him and confesse their fault and hath with muche sorrowe pensiuenes sued for my pardon And you know what my nature and custome hath bene in such matters euermore to pardon them that will not dissemble but confesse their fault Thus wilâly and politickely he got himselfe out of our hands But if I had suspected this I would haue had him in the tower ouer night and stopped his iourny to y e court Well sayd my Lord of Caunterbury hee was euermore to good for you all Moreouer as touching this foresaid
vpon the holy Euangelistes truâly to aunswere and depose vppon the same Articles in the presence of the Byshop who vnder his former Protestation like a wilye Lawyer protested of the nullity of the reâeiuing admitting and swearing of those witnesses with Protestation also to obiect agaynst the persons sayinges of the witnesses for the time and place conuenient Protestation and obiections of Boner against the Witnesses demaunding also a competent and lawfull time to minister Interrogatories agaynst them with a copy of all the Actes to that day Wherwith the delegates were wel pleased and assigned him to minister his Interrogations agaynst Maister Cheeke on that present day and agaynst the rest the next day before noone All whiche Interrogatories who so listeth to peruse may here vnder read the same as foloweth ¶ Certayne Interrogatories exhibited by Boner to be ministred agaynst the foresayd witnesses vpon the Articles aboue mentioned 18. September I Edmund Byshop of London vnder my Protestations heretofore made before you doe minister these interrogatoryes ensewing agaynst all and singuler the pretenced Witnesses already receiued and sworne as hereafter to be receyued and sworne agaynst me the sayd Byshoppe in thys matter requiring and desiring vnder the sayd Protestation that all and singuler the sayde pretensed Witnesses may be examined in vyrtue of theyr othe vppon the sayde Interrogatoryes and euerye part and percill of them 1. First that all and singuler the sayd Witnesses in vyrtue of theyr othe be examined generally and specially of al and singuler Interrogatories commoÌly vsed and accustomed to be made in such matters especially touching their age theyr condition their dwelling place now and heretofore by the space of these 12. yeares last past with whom all thys tyme they haue also dwelled and bene familiar or conuersant with all with the names of the places and persons and other circumstances expedient in this behalfe and by whom they haue bene fouÌd and maynteined and for what purpose Et interrogetur coniunctim diuisim de quolibet 2. Item touching the pretensed Articles made in thys behalfe and Iniunctions mentioned in the same that they and euery of them in virtue of theyr sayd othe maye be examined whether they knowe the sayde Articles and Iniunctions to be true in all parts how they know them to be true by whom when and in what place deposing the formall wordes of the sayd pretensed Articles and Iniunctions in especially as they are deduced The first Article And therein let them depose Boners interrogatoryes concerning the first article how he or they knew the said Articles and Iniunctions to be receiued from the Kyngs Maiesty how also he or they knewe that I the sayd Byshoppe receiued the sayde Iniunctions at the handes of the Lord Protectors Grace How also they were sitting in the Counsell Chamber moreouer which were the rest of the Counsell then sitting specifiyng theyr names and surnames or titles Also whether the x. of August this present yeare or of the last yeare moreouer whether the Articles or iniunctions were ioyned together or apart whether the tenor thereof and the forme and maner of the doing and folowing touching me the sayd Byshop and also touching the preaching therunto as is deduced in the first Article declaring moreouer when where and how I the sayd Byshop accepted the sayde Iniunctions or promised to obserue and folow the same and by what expresse wordes interrog vt supra 3. Item whether they or any of them were present at my last sermon made at Paules Crosse where they then stoode by whom when they came to it and at what part of the sayd Sermon how long they taryed therat at what part thereof or in all they were offended what were the formall wordes or at the least wise in substaunce that I the sayd Byshop then vttered or wherewith they were offended and by what occasion and who with him or then did heare it in what place theyr contestes did stand how long they taryed and at what part they came thyther or departed thence interrog vt supra 4. Item whether the sayd witnesse or any of them were desired or required by any person or persons to be Wytnesse in this matter and by whom when where and how the same was done and in whose presence interrogetur vt supra 5. Item whether they or any of them had consulted wyth other to come vnto my sayd sermon for what purpose by whom they were induced and moued and how they agreed and what they did after my sayd sermon for the impugnation or deprauing therof interrog vt supra 6. Item whether they or any of them haue bene or be conuersant or familiar with any that hath bene knowne noted or reputed for a sacramentary in denying the veritye of Christes true and corporall presence in the sacrament of the aultar and whether he and they detest and abhorre absteine from the company of all suche persons as be vnknowne noted or suspected for sacramentaryes in that be halfe and what opinion he and they haue with theyr contestes touching the sayd presence interrog vt supra 7. Item whether they or any of them haue wished me the sayd Bishop to be depriued or put in prison and whether they or any of theÌ haue reported and sayd that I shall be depriued or imprisoned reioysing thereof and for what cause they haue so wished or reported or any of theyr contestes interrog vt supra 8. Item whether they or any of them haue bene in times past a Frier Preacher minorite Augustine or Carmelite Monke Canon obseruant or religious person professing solemnely pouerty chastitye and obedience according to the lawes customes or ordinaunces of this Realme then vsed and obserued interrog vt supra 9. Item whether they or any of them being so professed haue bene or be since that time maryed to any person hauing likewise or otherwise bene professed or lose or bene a widow and how oft they haue bene maryed and whether any of theyr wiues bene yet aliue interrog vt supra 10. Item whether they or any of them haue read the commission in this matter and whether they or any of them do know or thinke that the commission Iniunctions Articles and denunciation do agree togethers or no wherin they thinke or knowe discrepantes or diuersityes to be betwene them in this behalfe interrog vt supra 11. Item if they or any of them do depose that I haue not sincerely and wholy declared as is conteined in the second article Interrogatoryes concerning th 2. article let him and euery of them be examined in vertue of theyr othe how they do know it and by what meanes declaring how they thinke to haue knowledge therein with them interrogetur vt supra 12. Item if they or any of theÌ do depose that I haue trangressed and offended in the fourth article beginning thus Item that ye haue not declared Interrogatoryes concerning
good eftsoones to desire you that my sayde Chaplayne may haue his libertye wherein I assure you yee shall much gratifie me beeing not a little troubled that he is so long in prison without iust cause seeyng the matter of hys imprisonmente is discharged by the promise made to the Emperours Maiestie as in my late letter I declared vnto you Wherefore my Lordes I pray you let me haue knowledge by this bearer how ye will vse me in this matter wherein if ye do pleasure me accordingly then shall it well appeare that ye regard the foresayd promise and I wil not forget your gentlenes therein God willing but requite it to my power And thus with my harty commendations to you all I bid you farewell From Beaulien the 21. of Iune Your assured friend to my power Mary ¶ The Counsaile to the Lady Mary the 24. of Iune 1551. AFter our humble coÌmendatioÌs to your grace we haue receiued your graces letter of the 21. heereof wherin is receaued the same request that in your former letters hath bene made for the release of Doctor Mallet and therein also your grace seemeth to haue looked for the same answer of your former letter y t which indeed partly was omitted as your grace coÌiectureth by the reason of y e Kings Maiesties affaires wherwith we âe throughly occupied partly for that we had no other thing to answere then you had heeretofore heard in the same matter And therefore where your grace desireth a resolute answere we assure the same we be right sory for y â matter that it should be your graces chaunce to moue it as we cannot with our duties to y e Kings Maiestie accomplishe your desire So necessary a thing it is to see the lawes of the Realme executed indifferently in all manner of persons and in these cases of contempt of the Ecclesiasticall orders of this Church of England the same may not without y e great displeasure of God the slaunder of y e state be neglected and therfore your grace may please to vnderstand we haue not only punished your Chaplein but all such others whom we find in like case to haue disobeyed the lawes of the Kings maiestie And touching the excuse your grace oftentimes vseth of a promise made we assure your grace none of vs al nor any other of the Counsell as your grace hath bene certified hath euer bene priuie to any such promise otherwise then hath bene written And in that matter your grace had plaine answer both by vs of the kings maiesties Counsell at your being last in his Maiesties presence and therein also your grace might perceiue his Maiesties determination whereunto we beseech your grace not only to incline your selfe but also to iudge well of vs that do addict our selues to doe our dueties And so also shall we be ready to do with all oure harts our due reuerence towarde your grace whose preseruation we commend to almighty God with our praier The Copie of the Lady Maryes letter to the Kings Maiestie MY duetie most humbly remembred vnto your Maiesty it may please the same to be aduertised that I haue receyued by my seruauntes your most honourable letters the conteââes whereof do not a little trouble me and so muche the more for that any of my sayd seruants should moue or attempt me in matters touching my soule which I thinke the meanest subiect within your highnes Realme could euill ãâã at their seruauntes handes hauing for my part vtterly refused heeretofore to talke with them in such matters and of all other persons ãâ¦ã them therein to whome I haue declared what I thinkâ ãâã âhee which trusted that your Maiestie woulde haue suffered ãâã your poore sister and beadewomaÌ to haue vsed the accustomed masse which the King your father mine with all his predecâssours did euermore vse wherein also I haue ben brought vp froÌ my ãâã And therevnto my conscience doth not only bind me which by no meanes will suffer me to thinke one thing and do another ãâã also the promise made to the Emperour by your Maiesties counsaile was an assurance to me that in so doing I should not offând the âwes although they seeme nowe to qualifie and ãâ¦ã thing And at my last wayting vpon your Maiesty I was ãâã to declare my mind and conscience to the same and desired your highnes rather then you should constraine me to leaue ãâ¦ã my life wherunto your maiesty made me a very geÌtle answer And now I most humbly beseech your highnes to geueÌ me leaue to write what I thinke touching your Maiesties letters In deede they be signed with your owne hand and neuertheles in mine opinioÌ not your maiesties in effect because it is wel knoweÌ as heretofore I haue declared in the preseÌce of your highnesse that although our Lorde be praysed your Maiestie hath farre more knowledge and greater giftes then others of your yeres yet it is not possible that your highnes can at these yeares be a iudge in matters of religion and therefore I take it that the matter in your letters proceedeth from such as doe wish those thinges to take place which be most agreeable to themselues by whose doinges your maiesty not offended I entend not to rule my conscience And thus without molesting your Highnes any further I humbly beseech the same eueÌ for Gods sake to beare with me as you haue done and not to thinke that by my doinges or example anye inconuenience might growe to your maiestie or your Realme for I vse it not after such sorte putting no doubt but in time to come whether I liue or dye your maiestie shall perceaue that mine intent is grounded vpon a true loue towardes you whose royall estate I beseeche almighty God long to continue which is and shall be my dayly praier according to my duety And after pardon craued of your maiesty for these rude and bold letters if neyther at my humble suite nor for the regard of the promise made to the Emperour your Highnesse will suffer and beare with mee as you haue done till your Maiestye may be a iudge herein your selfe and rightly vnderstand theyr proceedinges of whiche your goodnesse yet I despayre not otherwise rather then to offend God and my conscience I offer my body at your wil and death shall be more welcome then life with a troubled conscience most humbly beseeching your Maiestye to pardon my slownes in aunswering your letters For mine olde disease woulde not suffer me to write any sooner And thus I praye almighty God to keep your Maiesty in all vertue and honor with good health and long life to his pleasure From my poore house at Copped hall the xix of Aug. Your Maiesties most humble sister Mary ¶ A Copy of the kinges maiesties letters to the sayde Lady Mary RIght deare and right intirely beloued sister we greete you well and let you knowe that it greeueth vs muche to perceiue no amendment in you of that which we for Gods
the one nor the other And as for tumult none could reasonably be feared of any thing spoken agreable to the kings maiesties lawes as there did folow none nor the people or any man did offer my person any wrong or make tumult against me not withstanding players iesters rimers ballademakers did signify me to be of the true catholike faith Winchesâââ agaynst Players ãâã bâllademââkers which I according to my dutie declared to the kings maiesty from whoÌ I may hide no truth that I thinke expedient for hym to know And as the name of God cannot be vsed of any creture agaynst God no more can the kings name beyng vsed of any subiect against his highnes Wherfore seyng the abuse of this holy sacrament hath in it a danger assured by scripture of body soule whosoeuer is perswaded in y e catholike faith as I am findeth himself so burdened to vtter that vnto his maiesty as no worldly losse caÌ let him to do his duty in that behalfe and much lesse my Lordes priuate letters written without other of the counsails hands The 11. Article Item that after the premisses viz. in the month of May or Iune or one of them in the 3. yeare of his hyghnes raigne 11. ãâã his maiestye sent eftsoones vnto you to know your conformitie towards hys sayd reformations and specially touchyng the booke of common prayer then lately set foorth by hys maiestie whereunto you at the same tyme refused to shew your selfe conformable Winchester To the xi article for answer and declaration thereof he sayd The next day at after noone after he had preached Answeââ the 11. ãâã when he looked for no such matter came to his house the right worshipfull Sir Anthony Wingfield and Sir Rafe Sadler knights accompanied wyth a great nomber of the gard and vsed themselues for their part according to theyr worships and I doubt not as they were appoynted Sir Rafe Sadler begaÌ thus w t me My L. said he ye preached yesterday obedience but ye did not obey your selfe went forth w t his message very soberly as he can and discretely I asked him wherein I obeied not He sayde touching my L. of Somersets letter Maister Sadler quoth I I pray you say to my Lords grace I would he neuer made mention of that letter for the loue I beare him And yet quoth I I haue not broken that letter I was mineded quoth I to haue wrytten to my L. vpon the receipt of it and loe quoth I ye may see how I begaÌ and shewed him because we were then in my study the beginning of my letter and reasoned with him for declaration of my selfe and told him therwith I wil not spend quoth I many wordes w t you for I caÌ not alter this determination And yet in good faith quoth I my maner to you and this declaration may haue this effecte that I be gently handled in the prisone and for that purpose I pray you make sute on my behalfe Wynchester ãâã Wynchester committed ãâã the tower Maister Wingfield laide his hand on my shoulder and arested me in y e kings name for disobedience I asked them whether I shoulde They sayde to the Tower Finally I desired them that I might be spoken wyth shortly heard what I could say for my selfe and praied them to be suters in it and so they saide they would After y t I was once in the tower vntill it was within 6. dayes of one whole yere I could heare no maner word message comfort or relief sauing once when I was sicke and me thought some extremity towardes me my Chaplaine had licence to come to me for one time then denied againe being aunswered that my feuer was but a tertian which my said Chaplaine tolde me when he came to me at the Easter followinge and there beinge wyth me from the morning till night on Easter day departed and for no suâe could neuer haue him since To M. Lieftenant I made diuers sutes to prouoke the duke of Somersets grace to hear me And if I might haue the liberty of an English man I would plainly declare I had neither offended law statute acte proclamation nor his own letter neither but al wold not help I shal report me to M. LieftenaÌt whether in al this time I maligned grudged or vsed any vnsemely wordes euer demanding iustice to be heard according to iustice When I had bene thus in the tower one whole yeare within 6. daies or 7. as I remember The Lord Chauncellour and Secretary Peter commeth to Wynchester in the tower came to the Tower the Lord Chancellor of England now being the L. Treasurer and master Secretarye Peter who calling me vnto them as I remember entred this They sayde they hadde brought with them a booke passed by the parlament which they would I should looke on and say my minde to it and vpon my conformitie in it my Lord of Somerset would be suter to the kings maiestie for mercy to be ministred to me Wherunto I answered that I trusted if I might be heard the kings Maiesties iustice would releue me which I had longsued for and could not be heard And to sue for mercy quoth I when I haue not in my conscience offended and also to sue out of thys place Wynchester denyeth to sue for mercy wher asking of mercy emploieth a further suspition then I woulde be for all the worlde touched in it were not expedient And therefore quoth I not guiltie is and hath bene allowed a good plee for a prisoner Then my Lord sayd why quoth he were ye not commaunded to preache of the kings authoritie in his younge age yet did not I told him I was not commaunded Is not quoth he that Article in the papers yee had deliuered you I assured him no. And after communication of the kings Maiesties authority wherein was no disagrement Take betweene the Lord ChauÌcellour and Wynchester in the tower then my lord Chancellor said I had disobeied my Lordes graces letter I told him I thought not and if the matter came to iudgement it should appeare And then I sayd to him my Lord howe many open iniunctions vnder Seale and in open Courte haue bene broken in this Realme the punishment wherof hath not ben handled after this sort yet I would stande in defence y t I had not broken his letter waying the words of the letter wherein I reasoned with M. Peter Secretarie what a controuersie was and some part what I could say further But what so euer I canne saye quoth I you must iudge it and for the passion of God do it and then let me sue for mercy when the nature of the offence is known if I will haue it Wynchester will acknowledge no offence But when I am quoth I declared an offender I will with humilitie of suffering make amendes to the kings Maiestie so farre as I am able for I shoulde neuer
wee say that there is a great difference and separation betwixt the body in the which Christe suffered and the bloud which he shed vpon the Crosse thys body which euery day is celebrated in the mysterie of the Passion of Christe For this body is a pledge and a similitude but the other is the very truthe it selfe Ergo it appeareth that these two are seperated a sunder by no lesse difference then is betweene a pledge and the thing whereof y â pledge is geuen or then is betweene an Image of a thing and the thing it selfe whereof the Image is or then is betwene the forme of a thing and the veritie it selfe This wrote Bertramus Druthmarus manye other Bertramus Ioan. Scotus Druthmarus and yet were neuer in all their time once reprooued of heresie Thys wrote Ioannes Scotus also in whose life time men had not eies to espie his heresies But about 200. yeare after his death he was iudged and condemned for an hereticke his bookes burned in a Councell holden at Vercellae in Lombardie in the yeare of our Lorde God .1015 Bertramus condemned for an hereticke 200. yeares after his death Since which time euen vntill this day although Idolatrye had great encrease yet there neuer wanted some good men whiche boldly woulde professe and sette foorth the truth although they were well assured that theyr worldly reward shoulde be spite malice imprisonning sworde fire and all kindes of tormentes Thus so shortly and in so few woordes as I could I haue declared to you what Christe meant by these woordes This is my bodye what the Apostles thought therein in what sorte they deliuered them to theyr successors in what sense and meaning the holy Fathers and olde wryters and the Uniuersall and Catholicke Churche hath euermore taken them The ende and deceasse of king Edward the sixt THus hauing discoursed thinges done and past vnder the raigne of king Edwarde The decease of king Edward .6 suche as seemed not vnfruitfull to be knowen we will now draw to the ende and death of this blessed king our young Iosias Who about a yeare and a halfe after the death of the Duke of Somerset hys Uncle Anno 1553. in the yeare of our Lorde 1553. entring into the 17. yeare of his age and the 7. yeare of his raigne in the month of Iune was takeÌ from vs for our sinnes no dout Whome if it had so pleased the good wil of the Lord to haue spared with longer life not vnlike it was by all coÌiectures probably to be esteemed by those his towarde and blessed beginnings but proceeding so as he began he would haue reformed suche a Common wealth heere in the Realme of England as by good cause it might haue bene sayd of hym y t was sayd in y e olde time of the noble Emperour Augustus in reforming and aduauncing the Empire of Rome Quam quum ille lateritiam vt aiebat accepit Ex Suetonio marmoream reliquit Which Empire he receiued he sayd of bricke but he left it of fine Marble But the condition of this Realme and the customable behauiour of English people whose propertie is commonly to abuse the lighte of the Gospell when it is offered deserued no suche benefite of so blessed a reformation but rather a contrarye plague of deformation suche as hapned after his raigne as ye shall heare the Lord graunting in the nexte Queenes dayes that followed Thus then this godly and vertuous Impe in the time and moneth aboue mentioned was cut from vs of whose worthy life and vertues haue bene partly afore declared Neuerthelesse to haue some monument of him remaining to testifie of the good nature and gentle disposition of that Prince we will adde heere for a remembraunce thys little Epistle of his own hand wryting to the Archb. of Canterbury his Godfather as followeth An Epistle of yong Prince Edward to the Archb. of Canterbury his Godfather Prince Edward when he wrote this epistle seemed to be very younge not aboue seauen yeares of age lying then at Antile IMpertio te plurima salute colendissime Praesul charissime Susceptor Quia abes longè a me vellem libenter audire te esse incolumem Precor autem vt viuas diu promoueas verbum Dei Vale. Antilae decimo octauo Iunij Tuus in Christo filius Edwardus Princeps An other Epistle of the young Prince Edward to the Archb. his Godfather ETsi puer sum colendissime Susceptor non tamen immemor sum vel officij erga te mei An other Epistle of Prince Edward to his godfather vel humanitatis tuae quam indies mihi exhibere studes NoÌ excideruÌt mihi humanissimae tuae litterae pridie diui Petri ad me datae Quibus ante hac respondere nolui non quòd illas neglexerim aut non minerim sed vt illarum diuturna meditatione fruerer fideliîue memoria reponerem atque demum bene ruminatis pro mea virili responderem Proinde affectum erga me tuum verè paternum quem in illis expressisti amplector veneror optoque vt multos viuas annos tuoque pio ac salubri consilio pergas esse mihi venerandus pater Nam pietatem ante omnia mihi amplectendam exosculandam esse duco quoniam diuus Paulus dicit 1. Tit. 4. Pietas ad omnia vtilis est Optimè valeat tua paternitas in plurimos annos Hartefordioe tertio decimo Ianuarij Tui studiosissimus EDOVARDVS Princeps The aunswere of the Archbishop to Prince Edwardes Epistle Alludit ad verba Terentijin Comoedia NOn magis poterit ipsa me seruare salus fili in Christo charissime quam salus tua Mea vita non dicenda est vita absque tua salute valitudine Quapropter cum te incolumem ac saluum intelligo vitam etiam mihi integram esse incolumem sentio The aunswere of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. to the epistle of Prince Edward Neque certè absentia mea tam est iniucunda tibi quà m sunt litterae tuae periucundae mihi Quae arguunt tibi iuxta adesse ingenium dignum tanto principe praeceptorem dignum tanto ingenio Ex quibus tuis litteris te sic litteras video colere vt interim doctrinae coelestis tua nequaquam minima sit cura quae cuicunque sit curae non potest illum quaeuis cura frangere Perge igitur qua via incoepisti Princeps illustrissime Spartam quam nactus es hanc orna vt quam ego per literas video in te virtutis lucem eadem olim illuminet vniuersam tuam Angliam NoÌ scribam prolixius tum quidem vt me intelligas breuitate non nihil affici tum etiam quod credam te aetate quidem adhuc paruulum paruo gaudere similem simili tum etiam praeterea ne impolita mea oratio in causa sit quò generosa illa tua indoles
at large In whome I wyshe thee to continue in health and to perseuere in the trueth Anno 1549. ⧠The first entring of Queene Mary to the Crowne with the alteration of Religion and other perturbations happening the same time in this Realme of England Anno 1553. WHat time King Edward by long sickenesse beganne to appeare more feble and weake in the meane while during the time of this his sickenesse The reigne of Queene Mary a certayne mariage was prouided concluded and shortly also vpon the same solempnised in the moneth of May betwene the Lord Gilford sonne to the Duke of Northumberland ãâã ââtweene the Lorâ Gilfoâd and the Lady âane and the Lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes daughter whose mother being then aliue was daughter to Mary King Henryes second sister who first was maried to the French king and afterward to Charles Duke of Suffolke But to make no long tariance hereupon the mariage being ended and the king waxing euery day more sicke then other where as in deede there seemed in him no hope of recouerye it was brought to passe by the consent not onely of the Nobility but also of all the chiefe Lawyers of the Realme that the king by his Testament did appoynt the foresayde Ladye Iane daughter to the Duke of Suffolke to be inheretrice vnto the crowne of England passing ouer his two sisters Mary and Elizabeth To this order subscribed all the kinges Counsell and chiefe of the Nobility Syr Iames Hales standeth with Queene Mary the Maior and city of London and almoste all the Iudges and chiefe Lawyers of this Realme sauing onely Iustice Hales of Kent a man both fauoring true Religion and also an vpright iudge as any hath bene noted in this Realme who geuing his consent vnto Lady Mary would in no case subscribe to Lady Iane. Of this man God willing you shall perceiue more in the sequele of this story The causes layd agaynst Lady Marye were as well for that it was feared she would mary with a Straunger and thereby entangle the crowne as also that she would cleane alter Religion vsed both in king Henry her father and also in king Edwarde her brothers dayes so bring in the pope to the vtter destruction of the Realme which indeed afterward came to passe as by the course and sequele of this story may well appeare Two things feared in Queene Mary Much probable matter they had thus to coniecture of her by reason of her great stubbernnes shewed and declared in her brothers dayes as in the letters before mentioned passing betwene her and king Edward the Counsell may appeare The matter being thus concluded and after confirmed by euery mans hand King Edwarde an Impe of so great hope not long after this departed by the vehemency of his sickenes when he was sixtene yeares of age with whom also decaid in maner the whole florishing estate and honor of the English nation Queene Iane proclaâmed at âondon ComparisoÌââtweene ãâã king âdward âoung Lady ãâã This ãâã of the Lady Iane was M. Elmer When king Edwarde was deade this Iane was established in the kingdome by the Nobles consent and was forthwith published Queene by proclamation at London and in other Cityes where was any great resort and was there so taken and named Betweene this young Damosell and kyng Edwarde there was litle difference in age though in learning knowledge of the tongues she was not onely equall but also superior vnto him being instructed of a Mayster right notablye learned If her fortune had bene as good as was her bringing vppe ioyned wyth âinenesse of wit vndoubtedly she might haue semed comparable not onelye to the house of the Uaspasians Sempâonians and mother of the Grachies yea to anye other women beside that deserued high prayse for theyr sigulart learning but also to the vniuersity men which haue taken many degrees of the Schooles In the meane time while these thinges were a working at London Mary which had knowledge of her Brothers death writeth to the Lords of the Councell in forme as foloweth ¶ A Letter of the Lady Mary sent to the Lordes of the Counsell wherein shee claymeth the Crowne after the decease of king Edwarde Lady Maryes letter sent to the Counâayle wherein shee ãâã the Crowne MY Lordes we greete you well and haue receiued sure aduertisement that our dearest Brother the king our late soueraigne Lord is departed to Gods mercye whiche newes howe they be woefull vnto our hart he onely knoweth to whose will and pleasure we must and do humbly submitte vs and our willes But in this so lamentable a case that is to witte now after hys Maiesties departure and death concerning the Crowne and gouernaunce of thys Realme of England with the title of Fraunce and all thinges thereto belonging what hath bene prouided by Act of Parliament and the Testament and last will of our dearest Father besides other circumstaunces aduauncing our right you know the Realme and the whole world knoweth the Rolles and Recordes appeare by the authority of the kyng our sayde Father and the king our sayde brother and the subiectes of thys Realme so that we verily trust that there is no good true subiect that is can or would pretend to be ignoraunt therof and of our parte wee haue of our selues caused and as God shall ayde and strength vs shall cause our right and title in this behalfe to be published and proclaymed accordingly And albeit this so weighty a matter seemeth straunge that the dying of oure sayde brother vpon Thursday at night last past we hytherto hadde no knowledge from you thereof yet we consider your wisedomes and prudence to be such that hauing eftsoones amongest you debated pondered and well wayed this present case with our estate with your own estate the common wealth and all our honours wee shall and may conceiue greate hope and trust with much assuraunce in your loyaltye and seruice and therefore for the tyme interprete and take thinges not to the worst and that ye yet will like Noble men woorke the best Neuerthelesse wee are not ignoraunt of your consultations to vndoe the prouisions made for our preferment nor of the great bandes and prouisions forceable wherewith yee bee assembled and prepared by whom and to what ende God and you know and nature can but feare some euill But be it that some consideration politicke or whatsoeuer thing else hath mooued you thereto yet doubte you not my Lordes but we can take all these your doynges in gracious part being also right ready to remit fullye pardon the same with that freely to eschewe bloudshed and vengeance agaynst all those that canne or will intend the same trusting also assuredly you will take and accept this grace and vertue in good part as appeateyneth and that wee shall not be enforced to vse the seruice of other our true subiectes and frendes which in thys our iust and right cause
neither for hope of life nor for feare of death For if ye will denie his truth to lengthen your lyfe God will denie you and yet shorten your dayes And if you will cleaue vnto him he will prolong your dayes to your comfort and his glory to the which glory God bring me now and you heereafter when it pleaseth him to call you Fare you well good Sister and put your only trust in God who only must helpe you * Heere followeth a certayne effectuall prayer made by the Lady Iane in the time of her trouble O Lord thou God and father of my life heare mee poore and desolate woman A prayer of the Lady Iane. which flyeth vnto thee onely in all troubles and miseries Thou O Lord art the onely defendour and deliuerer of those that put their trust in thee and therefore I beeyng defiled wyth sinne encombred with affliction vnquieted wyth troubles wrapped in cares ouerwhelmed with miseries vexed with temptations and greeuously tormented wyth the long imprisonment of this vile masse of clay my sinfull body do come vnto thee O mercifull Sauiour crauing thy mercy and helpe without the which so little hope of deliueraunce is lefte that I may vtterly despayre of any libertie Albeit it is expedient that seeyng our life standeth vpon trying we should be visited sometyme wyth some aduersitie whereby we might both be tryed whether we be of thy flocke or no and also knowe thee and our selues the better yet thou that saydest that thou wouldest not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our power be mercifull vnto me now a miserable wretch I beseech thee which with Salomon do cry vnto thee humbly desiring thee that I may neyther be too much puffed vp with prosperitie neither too much pressed down wyth aduersitie least I beeyng too full should denie thee my GOD or beeyng too lowe brought should despayre and blaspheme thee my Lord and Sauiour O mercifull GOD consider my miserie best knowne vnto thee and be thou now vnto me a strong tower of defence I humbly require thee Suffer me not to be tempted aboue my power but eyther be thou a deliuerer vnto me out of thys great miserie eyther else geue me grace paciently to beare thy heauie hand and sharpe correction It was thy righte hande that delyuered the people of Israell out of the handes of Pharao which for the space of foure hundred yeares did oppresse them and keepe them in bondage Let it therefore lykewyse seeme good to thy fatherly goodnes Psal. ââ to delyuer mee sorrowfull wretch for whome thy Sonne Christ shedde hys precious bloud on the Crosse out of thys miserable captiuity bondage wherein I am now Howe long wilt thou be absent for euer Oh Lord hast thou forgotten to be gracious and hast thou shut vp thy louing kindnes in displeasure wilt thou be no more entreated Is thy mercy cleane gone for euer and thy promise come vtterly to an end for euermore why doest thou make so long tarying shall I despaire of thy mercy O God farre be that from me I am thy workmanship created in Christ Iesu geue me grace therefore to tary thy leysure and patiently to beare thy woorkes assuredly knowing that as thou canst so thou wilt deliuer me when it shall please thee nothing douting or mistrusting thy goodnes towardes me for thou wottest better what is good for me then I do Therefore do with me in all thinges what thou wilt plague me what way thou wilt Onely in the meane time arme me I beseech thee with thy armour that I may stand fast my loynes being girded about with veritie hauing on the brest plate of righteousnes shod with the shoes prepared by the Gospell of peace Ephes. 6. aboue all thinges taking to me the shield of fayth wherewith I may be able to quench all the fiery dartes of the wicked and taking the helmet of saluatioÌ the sword of the spirit which is thy most holy word praying alwaies with al maner of praier supplicatioÌ that I may refer my selfe wholy to thy wil abiding thy pleasure and comforting my selfe in those troubles that it shall please thee to send me seeing such troubles be profitable for me and seeing I am assuredly perswaded that it can not be but well all that thou doest Heare me O mercifull father for his sake whoÌ thou wouldest shoulde be a sacrifice for my sinnes to whome with thee and the holy Ghost be all honour and glory Amen After these thinges thus declared it remayneth nowe comming to the end of this vertuous Lady next to inferre the maner of her execution with the words and behauiour of her in time of her death ¶ These are the wordes that the Lady Iane spake vpon the Scaffold at the houre of her death FIrst when she mounted vpon the Scaffold The wordââ and behauiour of the Lady Ianâ vppon the Scaffold she sayde to y e people standing thereabout good people I am come hether to dye and by a lawe I am condemned to the same The fact against the Queenes highnes was vnlaw full and the consenting thereunto by me but touching the procurement and desire therof by me or on my behalfe I doe wash my handes thereof in innocency before God and the face of you good Christian people this day and therewith she wrong her handes wherein she had her booke Then said she I pray you all good Christian people to beare me witnes that I dye a true Christian woman and that I do look to be saued by no other meane but onely by the mercy of God in the bloud of his only sonne Iesus Christ and I confesse that when I did know the word of God I neglected y e same loued my selfe and the world therfore thys plague and punishment is happily and worthily happened vnto mee for my sinnes and yet I thanke God of hys goodnes that hee hath thus geuen me a time and respite to repent and now good people while I am aliue I praye you assist me with your prayers And then kneeling down she turned her to Fecknam saying shall I say this psalme and he sayd yea Then sayd she the Psalme of Miserere mei Deus in English in most deuoute maner throughout to y e end and then she stoode vpp and gaue her mayden Maistresse Ellen her gloues and handkerchefe and her book to Maister Bruges and then she vntyed her gowne and the hangman pressed vpon her to helpe her off with it but she desiring him to let her alone turned towardes her two Gentlewomen who helped her of therwith and also with her frowes past and neckerchefe geuing to her a fayre handkerchefe to knit about her eyes Then the hangman kneeled downe and asked her forgeuenesse whom she forgaue most willingly TheÌ he willed her to stand vpon the straw which doing she sawe the blocke Then shee sayd I pray you dispatche me quickely Then she kneeled downe saying wil you take it off before I lay
me downe the hangman sayd no Madame Then tyed she the kerchefe about her eyes and feeling for y e block she sayd what shall I doe where is it where is it One of the standers by guiding her thereunto she layd her head downe vpon the blocke and then stretched foorth her body and sayd Lord into thy handes I commend my spirit and so finished her life in the yeare of our Lord God 1553. the 12. day of February ¶ Certayne prety verses written by the sayd Lady Iane with a pinne Non aliena put es homini quae obtingere possunt Sors hodierna mihi tunc erit illa tibi Iane Dudley Deo iuuante nil nocet liuor malus Et non iuuante nil iuuat labor grauis Post tenebras spero lucem ¶ Certaine Epitaphes written in commendation of the worthy Lady Iane Gray De Iana Graia Ioan. Parkhursti Carmen Graia being her surname signifieth in Latina Grecyan Miraris Ianam Graio sermone valere Quo primum nata est tempore Graia fuit In historiam Ianae I. F. Tu quibus ista legas in certum est lector ocellis Ipse equidem siccis scribere non potui De Iana D. Laurentij Humfredi decastichon Iana iacet saeuo non aequae vulnere mortis Nobilis ingenio sanguine martyrio Ingenium latijs ornauit foemina musis Foemina virgineo tota dicata choro Sanguine clara fuit regali stirpe creata Ipsaque Reginae nobilitata throno Bis Graia est pulchrè Graijs nutrita camaenis Et prisco Graiûm sanguine creta ducum Bis Martyr sacrae fidei verissima testis Atque vacans regni crimine Iana iacet Thus the xij day of February as I sayd was beheaded the Lady Iane February 12. Lady Iane and L. Gylforde Dudley beheaded and with her also the Lord Gilford her husband one of the Duke of Northumberlands sonnes two innoceÌts in comparison of them that sate vpon them For they did but ignorantly accept that which the others had willingly deuised and by open Proclamation consented to take from others and geue to them Touching the condemnation of this Lady Iane heere is to be noted that the Iudge Morgan who gaue the sentence of condemnation against hir A wonderfull example vpon Morgan the Iudge who gaue sentence agaynst the Lady Iane. shortly after he had condemned her fell madde and in his rauing cried out continually to haue the Lady Iane taken away from hym and so ended his life And not long after the death of the Lady Iane vppon the xxj of the same moneth was Henry Duke of Suffolke her father also beheaded at the Tower Hill the iiij day after his condemnation about which time also were condemned for this conspiracie many Gentlemen and Yeomen February 21. whereof some were executed at London and some in the Countrey Henry D. of Suffolke beheaded L. Thomas Gray apprehended and executed In the number of whome was also Lorde Thomas Gray brother to the sayde Duke being apprehended not long after in North Wales and executed for the same Sir Nicholas Throgmorton very hardly escaped as ye shall heare the Lord willing in another place The xxiiij of the same moneth the yeare of our Lorde 1554. Boner Bishop of London sent downe a Commission directed to all the Curates and Pastors of his dioces for the taking of the names of such as would not come the Lent following to auriculare confession February 24. and to the receyuing at Easter the copie of which monition heere followeth ¶ A monition of Boner Byshop of London sent downe to all and singular Curates of his Dioces for the certifying of the names of such as would not come in Lent to Confession and receiuing at Easter EDmund by the permission of God Byshop of London to all Parsons A monition of Boner B. of London to all ministers of his Dioces Vicares Curates and Ministers of the Church within the Citie and Dioces of London sendeth grace peace and mercy in our Lorde euerlasting For as much as by the order of the Ecclesiasticall lawes and constitutions of thys Realme and the lawdable vsage custome of the whole Catholicke Church by many hundreth yeares agone duely and deuoutly obserued and kept all faithfull people beeing of lawfull age and discretion are bounde once in the yeare at least except reasonable cause excuse them to be confessed to theyr owne proper Curate and to receaue the Sacrament of the aultar with due preparation and deuotion and for as much also as we be credibly enformed that sundry euill disposed and vndeuout persons geuen to sensuall pleasures and carnall appetites following the lusts of their body and neglecting vtterly the health of their soules do forbeare to come to confession according to the sayd vsage Comming to confession and to receaue the Sacrament of the aulter accordingly geuing therby pernicious and euill example to the yonger sort to neglect and contemne the same we minding the reformation heereof for our owne discharge Receiuing the sacrament of the aultar and desirous of good order to be kept and good example to be geuen do will and commaund you by vertue heereof that immediately vpon the receipt of this our commaundement yee and euery ech of you within your cure and charge do vse all your diligence and dexteritie to declare the same straightly charging and commaunding all your parishioners being of lawfull age and discretion to come before Easter next comming to confession according to the sayd ordinaunce and vsage and with due preparation and deuotion to receiue the sayd Sacrament of the aulter and that ye do note the names of all such as be not confessed vnto you and do not receiue of you the sayd Sacrament certifying vs or our Chauncellour or Commissary thereof before the sixt day of Aprill next ensuing the date heereof so that we knowing thereby who did not come to confession and receyuing the Sacrament accordingly may proceede agaynst them as beeyng persons culpable and transgressours of the sayd ecclesiasticall lawe and vsage Further also certifying vs or our sayd Chauncellour or Commissary before the day aforesayde whether ye haue your aultars set vp chalice booke vestiments and all things necessary for Masse and the administration of sacraments and sacramentals with procession and all other diuine seruice prepared and in readines according to the order of the Catholike Church and the vertuous and godly example of the Queenes Maiesties and if ye so haue not yee then with the Churchwardens cause the same to be prouided for signifying by whose faulte and negligence the same want or faulte hath proceeded and generally of the not comming of your parishioners to Church vndue walking talking or vsing of themselues there vnreuerently in the tyme of diuine seruice and of all other open faults and misdemeanours not omitting thus to doo and certifie as before as you will answere vpon your perill for the contrarye Geuen at London the 23. of
peccata mundi à sacerdotibus sacrificatum Let vs not not looke alow by the grounde vpon the bread and the drinke set before vs but lifting vppe our minde let vs faithfully beleue there vpon y e holy table to lye the Lambe of God taking away the sinnes of the world being sacrificed of the priestes Rid. That Councell was collected out of anâient Fathers and is to me of great authority for it sayth Positum esse panem in altâri exaltata mente considerandum eum qui in coelis est i. That breade is set vpon the aultare and hauing our mindes ãâã vp we must consider him which is in heauen The words of the Councell make for me Wat. Exaltata mente with a minde exalted That is not as brute beastes at the racke or maunger hauing an eye onely vpon the thing that is set before them Agnus Dei iacet in mensa the Lambe of God lieth on the table sayeth the Councell Rid. The Lambe of God is in heauen accordyng to the verity of the body and here he is with vs in a mistery according to his power not corporally Wat. But the Lambe of God lyeth on the table Rid. It is a figuratiue speach for in our minde we vnderstand him which is in heauen Wat. But he lyeth there the Greeke word is ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Rid. He lyeth there that is he is there present not corporally but he lyeth there in his operation Wat. He lyeth but his operation lyeth not Rid. You thinke very grossely of the sitting or lying of the Celestiall Lambe on the Table of the Lorde For we may not imagine any such sitting or lying on y e table as the reason of man would iudge but all thinges are here to be vnderstand spirituallye For that heauenly Lambe is as I confesse on the table but by a spirituall presence by grace and not after any corporall substance of his flesh taken of y e virgin Mary And indeed the same Canon doth very playnly teach that the bread which is set on the table is materiall bread and therefore it the Canon I meane commaundeth that we shoulde not creepe on the ground in our cogitation to these thinges which are set before vs as who shoulde say what other things are they as much as perteineth to their true substaunce then breade and wine but rather sayth the Canon lifting vp our mindes into heauen let vs consider w t fayth the Lambe of God which taketh awaye the sins of y e world sitting or lying vpon y e table For a lifted vp fayth sayth he seeth him which sitteth on the right hande of God the father after y e true maner of a body set by grace on the Lordes Table and taking away the sinnes of the worlde For I thinke you meane not so as though the Lambe did lye there prostrate with his members spreade upon the table Smith I bring an other place out of the Councell of Nice Nullus Apostolorum dixit An other place of Nicene Counâell alleaged haec est figura corporis Christi Nullus venerabilium praesbyterorum dixit incruentum altaris sacrificium figuram Ergo. c. That is None of the Apostles sayd this is a figure of the body of Christ None of the reuerend Elders sayd the vnbloudy sacrifice of the aultar to be a figure Ergo you are deceiued Rid. This Chanon is not in the Councell of Nice For I haue read ouer this Councell many times Then came in an other whom M. Ridley knew not sayd the vniuersall church both of the Greekes Latines of the East and of the West haue agreed in the Councell of Florence vniformably in y e doctrine of the sacrament that in the Sacrament of the Aultar there is the true and reall Body Rid. I denye the Greeke and the East Churche to haue agreed either in the Councel at Florence or at any time els with the Romish Church in the doctrine of Transubstantiation of bread into the body of Christ. For there was nothing in the Councell of Florence wherein the Greekes would agree with the Romanistes albeit hitherto I confesse it was left free for euery Churche to vse as they were wont leuened or vnleauened bread Here cryed out D. Cole sayde they agreed together concerning transubstantiation of breade into the bodye of Christ. M. Ridley sayd that could not be Here start vp an other vnknowne to M. Ridley but thought to be one of the Scribes who affirmed with him y t in deed there was nothing decreed coÌcerning traÌsubstaÌtiation but the Councell left that as a matter not meete nor worthy to disturbe the peace and concord of the church To whom M. Ridley answered agayne saying that he sayd y e trueth Pie What say you to that councell where it is sayde that the Priest doth offer an vnbloudy sacrifice of the Bodye of Christ Rid. I say it is well sayd if it be rightly vnderstand Pie But he offereth an vnbloudy sacrifice Rid. It was called vnbloudy and is offered after a certain maner and in a misterye and as a representation of that bloudy sacrifice and he doth not lye which sayth Christ to be offered West I with one argument will throw downe to y e grouÌd your opinion out of Chrysostome Sacrifice called vnbloudy is nothing els but a representation of the bloudy Sacrifice of Christ. Weston playeth Golyah with Dauid This argument after the disposition termes as it standeth iâ not formall Homi. 24. in 1. ad Corinth and I wil teach not onely a figure or signe or grace onely but the very same body which was here conuersant in the earth to be in the Eucharist We worship the selfe same body in y e Eucharist whiche the wise men did worship in the maunger But that was his naturall reall body not spirituall Ergo the reall body of Christ is in the Eucharist Agayne the same Chrysostome sayth We haue not here the Lord in the maunger but on the aultare Here a woman holdeth him not in her handes but a priest Rid. We worship I confesse the same true Lord and Sauiour of the world which the wise men worshipped in the maunger howbeit we do it in mystery and in the sacrameÌt of the Lordes supper and that in spiritual liberty as sayth S. Aust Lib 3. de doctrina Christiana not in carnall seruitude that is we do not worship seruilely the signes for the thinges for that shuld be as he also sayth a part of a seruile infirmity But we behold with the eyes of fayth him present after grace and spiritually sette vppon the Table and we worship him which sitteth aboue is worshipped oâ the Aungels For Christ is alwaies assistant to his mysteries as the sayd August sayth And the diuine maiesty as sayth Cyprian doth neuer absent it selfe from the diuine mysteries but this assistaunce and presence of Christ as in Baptisme is wholy spirituall and by grace and not
I trust I haue obteined of M. Prolocutor that no maÌ shall exact that thyng of me which is not in me M. Latimer modestly maketh himselfe vnable to dispute And I am sory that this worshipfull audience should be deceyued of their expectation for my sake I haue geuen vp my mynde in writing to M. Prolocutor Smith Whatsoeuer ye haue geuen vp it shall be registred among the Acts. Latimer Disputation requireth a good memory Ast abolita est mihi memoria My memorie is gone cleane and maruellouslye weakened and neuer the better I wis for the pryson West How long haue ye bene in prison Lat. These three quarters of this yere West And I was in prison sixe yeres Lat. The more pitie Sir West How long haue you bene of this opinion Lat. It is not long sir that I haue bene of this opinion Weston The tyme hath bene when you sayd Masse full deuoutly Lat. Yea I cry God mercy hartily for it West Where learned you this new fanglenes Then they hist and clapt their handes at him M. Latimer confirmed by Doct. CraÌmers booke Lat. I haue long sought for the truth in this matter of the Sacrament and haue not bene of this mynde past seuen yeres and my L. of Canterbury his booke hath especially confirmed my iudgement herein If I could remember all therein conteined I would not feare to answer any man in this matter Tres. There are in that booke sixe hundred errors West You were once a Lutheran Latâ No I was a Papist For I neuer could perceiue how Luther could defend his opinion without transubstantiation The zeale of M. Latymer sometymes in Popery agaynst the Tygurines In that booke the deuill doth not dissuade him so much from saying Masse as to bring him to desperation for saying Masse such temptatioÌs many times happen to good men The Tigurines once did write a booke agaynst Luther and I oft desired God that he might liue so long to make them answer Weston Luther in hys booke De priuata Missa sayd that the deuill reasoned with hym and perswaded hym that the Masse was not good Fol. 14. Contigit me c Wherof it may appeare that Luther said Masse and the deuill disswaded hym from it Lat. I do not take in hand here to defend Luthers sayings or doyngs If he were here he would defend himself well enough I trow I told you before that I am not meete for disputations I pray you read myne aunswer wherein I haue declared my fayth West Do you beleue this as you haue written Lat. Yea Sir West Then haue you no faith Lat. Then would I be sory Sir Tres. It is written Iohn 6. Except ye shall eate the fleshe of the sonne of man and drinke his bloud ye shall haue no lyfe in you Here Tresham bâgan to dispute in Latin Which when the Capernaites and many of Christes disciples heard they said This is a hard saieng c. Now that the truth may the better appeare here I aske of you whether Christ speaking these wordes did meane of his fleshe to be eaten with the mouth or of the spirituall eatyng of the same Lat. I aunswer as Augustine vnderstandeth that Christ meant of the spirituall eating of his flesh Tres. Of what flesh ment Christ his true flesh or no Lat. Of his true flesh spiritually to be eaten in the supper by faith and not corporally Tres. Of what flesh ment the Capernaites Latimer Of hys true fleshe also but to bee eaten wyth the mouth Tresh They as ye confesse did meane his true flesh to be taken with the mouth D. Treshams argument without forme or mode concluding affirmatiuely in the 2. figure And Christ also as I shall prooue did speake of the receiuyng of his flesh with the mouth Ergo they both did vnderstand it of the eating of one thing which is done by the mouth of the body Lat. I say Christ vnderstoode it not of the bodily mouth but of the mouth of the spirit mynd and hart Tres. I prooue the contrary that Christ vnderstandeth it of the eatyng with the bodily mouth For where as custome is a right good maistresse and interpreter of things D Tresham flyeth to Custome and where as the actes put in practise by Christ doe certainly declare those things which he first spake Christes deeds in his supper where he gaue his body to bee taken with the mouth together with the custom which hath ben euer since that tyme of that eating which is done with the mouth doth euidently inferre that Christ did vnderstand his words here cited of me out of the vj. of Iohn of the eatyng with the mouth Lat. He gaue not his body to be receyued with the mouth but he gaue the sacrament of hys body to be receyued with the mouth The Sacrament geuen to the mouth the body to sayth he gaue the sacrament to the mouth his body to the mynd Tresham But my reason doth conclude that Christ spake concernyng hys fleshe to bee receyued wyth the corporall mouth for otherwyse which God forbid he had bene a deceyuer and had bene offensiue to the Capernaites and his Disciples if hee had not meant in this point as they thought he ment for if he had thought as you do fayne it had bene an easie matter for him to haue sayd * And what doth Christ els meane by these words where he sayth My words be spirite lyfe the flesh proââteth nothing You shall not eate my flesh with your mouth but the Sacrament of my flesh that is to say ye shall receyue with your mouth not the thyng it selfe but the figure of the thyng and thus he might haue satisfied them but so he sayd not but continued in the truth of his words as he was woont Therfore Christ meant the selfe same thyng that the Capernaits dyd I meane concerning the thyng it selfe to bee receyued with the mouth videlicet that his true flesh is truly to be eaten with the mouth Moreouer for as much as you doe expound for corpus Christi the body of Christ Sacramentum corporis Christi the sacrament of the body of Christ hereby do suppose that we obteine but a spirituall vnion or vnion of the mynd betweene vs and Christ playne it is that you are deceyued in this thyng and do erre from the mynd of the Fathers for they affirme by playne and expresse wordes that we are corporally and carnally ioyned together And these be the wordes of Hyllarie Si verè igitur carnem corporis nostri Christus assumpsit verè homo ille qui ex Maria natus fuit nos quoque verè sub mysterio carneÌ corporis sui sumimus per haec vnum erimus quia pater in eo est ille in nobis Quomodo voluntatis vnitas asseritur cum naturalis per sacramentum proprietas perfectè Sacramentum sit vnitatis That is Therefore if Christ dyd truely take the flesh of our body vpon
iustice nor vnwoonted to thy mercy It is well knowen vnto vs how maruelously thou diddest worke in Sara of the age of xc yeares and in Elizabeth the barren and also far striken in age for thy counsel is not in the power of men Thou Lord that art y e searcher of harts thoughts thou knowest that thy seruaÌt neuer lusted after man neuer gaue her selfe to wanton coÌpany nor made her selfe pertaker w t them that walk in lightnes but she consented to take an husband with thy feare not with her lust Thou knowest that thy seruaunt tooke an husband not for carnal pleasure but only for the desire loue of posteritie wherein thy name might be blessed for euer and euer Geue therfore vnto thy seruaunts Phillip our king and Mary our Queene a male issue which may sit in the seat of thy kingdome Geue vnto our Queene thy seruant a little infant in fashion and body comely beautifull in pregnant wit notable and excellent Graunt the same to be in obedience like * It is not best such one to be graunted vnto you ãâã being lyke Abrahamâ Ioseph Moses and Salomon hâ may chauÌââ to smel oâ your corrupt doctrine and detest yoâ bloudy tyranny c. Abraham in hospitalitie like Loth in chastitie and brotherly loue lyke Ioseph in meekenes myldnes like Moses in strength valiantnes like Sampson Let him be found faythful as Dauid after thy hart Let him be wise among kings as the most wise Salomon Let him be like Iob a simple and an vpright man fearing God eschewyng euill Let hym finally be garnished with the comelynes of all vertuous coÌditions and in the same let him waxe old and lyue that he may see his childrens children to the third fourth generation And geue vnto our soueraigne Lord and Lady K. Phillip and Queene Mary thy blessing and long life vpoÌ earth And graunt that of theÌ may come kings Queenes which may stedfastly continue in faith loue and holynesse And blessed be their seed of our God that all nations may know thou art only God in all the earth which art blessed for euer and euer Amen ¶ Another prayer for Queene Mary and her conceiued chyld O Almighty father which diddest sanctifie the blessed Virgine and mother of Mary in her conception and in the byrth of Christ our sauiour thy onely sonne also by thy omnipotent power didst safely deliuer the prophet Ionas out of the Whales belly Defend O Lord we beseech thee An other prayer for the same thy seruaunt Mary our Queene with child conceyued and so visite her in and with thy godly gift of health that not onely the child thy creature within her conteined may ioyfully come from her into this worlde and receyue the blessed Sacraments of Baptisme and Confirmation enioying therwith dayly encrease of all princely and gracious gifts both of body soule but that also she the mother thorowe thy speciall grace and mercy may in tyme of her trauaile auoyde all excessiue dolour and payne and abide perfect and sure from all perill and danger of death with long and prosperous life thorough Christ our Lord Amen It followeth now further in processe of the story that vpon the Tuesday being the x. of Ianuary xix of the lower house of the Parliament with the Speaker Ianuary 1â came to the White Hall to the kyng and there offred him the gouernment of the realme and of the Issue if the Queene should faile which was confirmed by act of Parliament within ten dayes after Upon Wednesday folowing Ianuary ââ beyng the xxvi of Ianuary the Parliament was cleane dissolued In this Parliament among other things the bishop of Rome was established and all such lawes as were made against hym since the xx yeare of K. Henry the 8. were repealed also cardinall Poole bish Pates The Pope supremacy establisheâ by Parlament Matters coÌâcluded in the Parlaâment Lilly other were restored to their bloud Also there was an acte made for speakyng of words that whosoeuer should speake any thyng agaynst the king or Queene or that might mooue any sedition or rebellion at the first tyme to haue one of his eares cut of or to forfeit an C. markes and at the second tyme to haue both his eares cut off or els to forfeit an C. pounds who so euer should write cipher or print any of the premisses to haue their right hand cut off Three statutes agaynst heretickes reâuiued Also in this Parliament three statutes were reuiued for triall of heresie one made in the fift yere of Richard the 2. an other in the 2. yeare of Henry the 4. and the third in the 2. yeare of Henry the 5. Also the doyng of M. Rose and the other that were with him was communed of in this Parliament and vpon that occasion an acte was made that certaine euill prayers should be treason agaynst the Queenes highnes The prayers of these men were thus God turne the hart of Queene Mary from Idolatrie or els shorten her dayes Wherof read the statute Ann. 1. 2. Reg. Phil. Mariae Cap. 9. As touching the taking of M. Rose his felows word was brought therof to M. Hooper being theÌ in the Fleete Whereupon the said M. Hooper sendeth aunswer againe with a letter also of consolation sent to the sayd prisoners the copie wherof I thought here not to ouerpasse ¶ The aunswer of M. Hooper to a letter sent vnto him concerning certaine prisoners taken in Bowe churchyard ãâã aunââre to a ãâ¦ã sent ãâã him THe grace of God be with you Amen I perceiue by your letter how that vpon Newyeres day at night there were taken a godly company of Christians whilest they were praying I doe reioyce in that men can be so well occupied in this perilous time and flee vnto God for remedy by prayer as well for theyr owne lackes and necessities as also charitably to pray for them that persecute them So doth the worde of God commaund all men to pray charitably for them that hate them and not to reuile any Magistrate with wordes or to meane him euill by force or violence They also may reioyce that in well doyng they were taken to the prison Wherfore I haue thought it good to send them this little writing of consolation praying God to send them pacience charitie constancie in the truth of his most holy word Thus fare you well and pray God to send his true word into this Realme againe amongest vs which the vngodly Bishops haue now banished Ianua 4. ann 1555. ¶ A letter of consolation sent from M. Hooper to the godly brethren taken in Bow churchyard in prayer and layd in the Counter in Breadstreat THe grace fauor consolation and ayd of the holy ghost be with you now and euer So be it Dearely beloued in the Lord euer sithens your imprisonment A letter of ãâã Hooper ãâã of most âeauenly âonsolatioÌ I haue
vs notwythstanding when they were charged therewithall they aunsweared Obedire oportet Deo magis quam hominibus that is we ought more to obey God then man euen so we may and doe answere you God is more to be obeyed then maÌ your wicked lawes can not so tongue tie vs but we will speake the truthe The Apostles were beaten for theyr boldnesse and they reioyced that they suffered for Christes cause Yee haue also prouided roddes for vs and bloudy whippes yet when ye haue done that whiche Goddes hande and Counsell hathe determined that yee shall doe be it life or deathe I truste that God wil so assist vs by his holy spirite and grace that wee shall paciently suffer it praise God for it and whatsoeuer become of mee and others whiche nowe suffer for speaking and professing of the truthe yet be yee sure that Goddes woorde will preuaile and haue the ouer hande when youre bloudy lawes and wicked decrees for want of sure foundation shall fal in the dust and that which I haue spoken of your Actes of Parliament the same may be sayd of the generall Councels of these latter dayes whych haue bene wythin these fiue hundreth yeares where as the Antichrist of Rome by reason of hys vsurped authority ruled the roaste and decreed suche things as made for his gaine not regarding Goddes glorye and therefore are they to be spoken wrytten and cried against of all such as fear God and loue hys truthe And thus muche I purposed to haue sayde concerning the first poynte Nowe touching the second poynte That where as my Lorde Chauncellour hadde the daye before sayde hys pleasure of them that ruled the Realme while hee was in prysone and also reioyced as though God hadde make this alteration euen for his sake and his Catholike Churche as hee calleth it and to declare as it were by myracle that we were before in a Schisme and Heresie and the Realme was nowe brought to an vnitie and to a trueth and I can not tell whereto Thereto was I fully purposed to haue sayde Secondlye my Lorde where as yee yesterdaye so highly dispraised the gouernment of them that ruled in innocent King Edwardes dayes it maye please your Lordshippe to vnderstande that wee poore Preachers whome yee so euill allowe did moste boldly and plainely rebuke theyr euill gouernaunce in manye things speciallye theyr couetousnesse and neglecte and small regarde to liue after the Gospell as also theyr negligence to occasion other to liue thereafter wyth mo things then I can now rehearse Thys can all London testifie wyth vs I would also haue tolde hym what I my selfe for my parte did once at Pauls Crosse concerning the misuse of Abbeys and other church goodes and I am assured right well that neuer a Papiste of them all did euer so much therein as I did I thanke the Lorde therefore I was also as it is well knowen faine to aunsweare therefore before all the Counsell and manye of my brethren did the like so that wee for the not rebuking of theyr faultes shall not aunsweare before God nor be blame worthy before menne Therefore lette the Gentlemen and the Courtiers them selues and all the Citizens of London testifie what we did But my Lord you could not abide them for that which they did vnto you and for that they were of a contrary Religion vnto you Whereâore in that you seeme so infest against them it is neither any iust or publique cause but it is your owne priuate hate that maketh you to reporte so euill of their gouernaunce And yee may now say what yee list of them when they be partely dead and gone and partly by you put out of office But what shal be sayde of you when your fall shall folowe yee shall then heare And I muste say my conscience to you I feare me ye haue and wil with your gouernance bring England out of Gods blessing into a warme sunne I pray God you doe not I am an Englishe manne borne and God knoweth doe naturally wishe well to my Countrey And my Lorde I haue often prooued that the thyngs which I haue much feared afore hande shoulde come to passe haue in deede followed I praye God I may faile of my gessing in thys behalfe but truely that will not be wyth expellyng the true woorde of God out of the Realme and wyth sheading of innocent bloude And as touching your reioycing as thoughe God had sette you alofte to punishe vs by myracle for so you reporte and bragge openly of yourselfe and to minister Iustice if wee will not receaue youre holye fathers mercye and thereby to declare youre churche to be true and oures false to that I aunsweare thus Goddes workes be wonderful are not to be compreheÌded and perceiued by maÌs wisedome not by the witte of the moste wise and prudent Yea they are soonest deceiued and doe moste easely iudge amisse of Goddes wonderfull woorkes that are moste worldly wise God hathe made all the wisedome of thys worlde foolishnesse first Corrinthians the firste and the seconde Chapter Dedit dilectam animam suam in manus inimicorum eius Hierem. xij That is Hee doeth putte his beloued and deare heart into the handes of the ennemies thereof Thys thing doeth God whiche thing all wise menne accompte to be the moste foolish and vnwise parte that can be Will the wise of the worlde trowe ye putte their most deare frendes and tenderly beloued children into their enmies handes to kill slaye burne c. that is vnto them a madnesse aboue all madnesse And yet doeth God vse thys order and thys is an highe and singular wisedome in his syght which the world taketh to be most extreme madnes Canne the worlde shewe a cause whye hee suffered the greate multitude of innocente children to be murthered of Herode of Ascalon or why he putte that moste holy man Iohn Baptiste into the handes of Herode hys sonne to be headed and that in prisone secreatly wythout open iudgement moste tyrannously Whye he suffered hys beloued Apostle Iames to be beheaded of another Herode Acts 12 Whye he suffered his beloued seede of Abraham Isaac and Iacob to be foure hundred yeares in thraldome and bondage and vnder Pharao And all the stocke of Iuda and Beniamin hys beloued children and Churche to come vnder the power sweard and tyrannie of Nabuchodonosor No verely but hys true Catholicke Churche knoweth diuers causes heereof whyche are nowe too long to reherse and whych I would right gladly shew if I had time But this I am righte sure off that it was not because that the aforesayd Godly menne were in heresies and subiecte to false gods seruices and Idolatrie and that theyr aduersaries were men of God and beloued of God The contrarye was true Ihon Baptist was beloued of God and Herode hated and so foorth of the rest and Iohn Baptist the innocent children Iames the Children of Israel in Egypte and in Babylon were the catholike members and
Doctor Taylour for Hadley hearyng of the wicked prophanation of my late pulpit by such a wily Wolfe Gods loue mercy goodnes and fauour hath bene vnspeakable in teachyng vs the right way of saluation and iustification Let vs all haue some zeale some care how to serue him accordyng to his good will written The God of loue and peace be euer in Hadley through Christ our onely aduocate Amen Rowland Taylor After that Steuen Gardiner Bish. of Winchester had got the lawes The proceedings of the Popes catholickes in maintayning their religion and the secular arme on his side as ye haue heard with full power and authoritie to raigne and rule as he listed and had brought these godly bishops and reuerend preachers aforesayd vnder foote namely the Archbishop of Cant. D. Ridley B. of London M. Latimer M. Hooper B. of Worcester and Gloucester M. Rogers M. Saunders D. Taylor and M. Bradford all which he had now presently condemned and some also burned he supposed now all had bene cocke sure and that Christ had bene conquered for euer so that the people beyng terrified with example of these great learned men condemned neuer would ne durst once route against their violent religion not much vnlike in this behalfe to the manner of the Turkes who when they cannot maintaine their sect by good learnyng and truth of Gods word thinke by violeÌce of sword to force whome they can to their beliefe and that done afterward make lawes no man vnder payne of heresie to dispute or once to call in question any âf their proceedyngs The maner of proceeding like in the Catholickes in the Turkes Euen so St. Gardiner and his fellowes when they see they cannot preuaile by triall of Gods word and discourse of learnyng neither are disposed simply to seeke for truth where it is to be found they take exceptions agaynst Gods word to bee intricate obscure and insufficient to bee his owne iudge and therefore that of necessitie must bee iudged by the Popes Church and so hauyng Kyngs and Queenes of theyr side they seeke not to perswade by the worde of God nor to winne by charitie but in stead of the law of God they vse as the Prouerb saith ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã Prouerb compelling men by death fire and sworde as the Turkes do to beleue that in very deed they think not And in deed after flesh and bloud this seemeth to bee a sure way Neither peraduenture are they ignoraunt how gaily this way thriueth with the Turkes and therefore thinke they to practise the same at least wise so they do vpon what example so euer they doe it And thus condemned they these godly learned preachers and bishops aforesayd supposing as I said that all the rest would soone be quailed by their example But they were deceiued for w tin 8. or 9. dayes after that Ste. Gardiner had geuen sentence against M. Hooper M. Rogers M. Saunders D. Taylor February 8. and M. Bradford being the 8. of Febru sixe other good men wer brought likewyse before the bishops for the same cause of religion to be examined whose names were W. Pigot butcher 6. Men conuented before B. Boner for heresie St. Knight Barber Th. Tomkins Weauer Th. Hawkes gentleman Ioh. Laurence priest Will. Hunter prentise St. Gardiner seyng thus his deuise disappointed and that cruelty in this case would not serue to his expectation gaue ouer the matter as vtterly discouraged Ste. Gardiner geueth ouer his muâthering office to B. Boner from that day medled no more in such kinde of condemnations but referred the whole doyng therof to Boner B. of London who supplied that part right doughtily as in the further processe of this hystory hereafter euidently and too muche may appeare Thus B. Boner taking the matter in hand called before him in his Consistory at Paules the L. Maior and certaine Aldermen sitting with him the 6. persons aforenamed February 9. Ex Regist. Boneri Lond. vpon the 8. day of Febr. in the yere aforesaid and in the next day beyng the 9. of Febr. red the sentence of condemnation vpon them as appeareth in Boners own registers Such quicke speed these men could make in dispatching their busines at once Notwithstandyng because the death of these condemned martyrs did not folow incontinently before the next month of March 6. Men condeÌned by B. Boner I wyll deferre the prosecuting of their matter til I come by y e grace of the Lord to the tyme and day of their suffering In the meane tyme what was the cause that their execution was so long deferred after their condemnation I haue not precisely to say vnlesse peraduenture the sermon of Alphonsus the Spanish Frier and the kings Confessor did some good For so I find that when these sixe persons aforesaid were cast vpon saterday the 9. of Febr. vpoÌ sonday following which was the x. of February the sayd Alphonsus a Gray Frier preached before the king in which sermon he did earnestly inuey against the bishops for burning of men February Alphonsus K. ãâã confessor preaching agaynââ ãâ¦ã saying plainly that they learned it not in scripture to burne any for his conscience but the coÌtrary that they should lyue be conuerted with many other things more to the same purport But touchyng the lingeryng of these mens death as I haue not certainly to affirme so I let it passe Upon the 14. of February M. Rob. Ferrar B. of S. Dauids was sent toward S. Dauids February 14. there to be coÌdemned and executed Touching whose martyrdome for so much as it fell not before the month of March we wil deferre the history thereof till we come to the day and tyme of his suffering Furthermore this foresaid 14. day of February Tho. Becâkets Imagâ set vp at Mercers chappell February 17. M. Iohn Barnes troubled for Beckeâ Image the L. Chauncellor other his felow Bishops caused the image of Thomas Becket that olde Romish traitor to be set vp ouer the Mercers Chappell dore in Chepeside in LondoÌ in the forme and shape of a bishop with Miter and Croââer Howbeit within two dayes after his erection his two blessing fingers were first broken away and on the nexte day beyng the 17. of February his head also was striken of wherupon arose great trouble and many were suspected among whom one M. Ioh. Barnes Mercer dwellyng ouer agaynst the same Chappel was vehemently by the Lord Chancellour charged withall as the doer therof the rather for that he was a professour of truth Wherefore he and three of his seruauntes were committed to pryson and at his deliuery although it coulde not be prooued vpon him he was bound in a great summe of money as well to build it vp agayne as often as it should be broken downe as also to watch and keepe the same And therfore at this his compelled charges Beckets Image Beckets Image agayne broken downâ
Bartlemew day then next folowing which payment he made accordingly notwithstanding that hys aduersaries wrought meanes to haue made hym breake hys day namely one Edward Harbard Gentleman who hath a personage of his to Farme kept backe his rent to the very last day because that money should not helpe to serue his turne and so by crafty cauillation deteyneth it still in his hand with a yeres rent and a halfe more for the sayd Edward Harbert is an adherent of the sayd Bishops aduersaries Fiftly the booke of their depositions is so great that it asketh a long tyme to peruse And also the greatest part of their witnesses were vtterly vnknowen of the bishop and all his And also dwellyng in so many sondry places of the Dioces among the mountaines and els where scarcely within the circuit of two hundred miles Item another great Sessions holden at Carmarthen in the moneth of October last during which tyme he was attendant there as is aforesayd All which causes considered beyng also in the tyme of his ordinary visitatioÌ which he did execute himselfe he could not make redy his exceptions in shorter tyme. The sayd Bishop dispatched his man towards London the 23. day of October who euer sithens hath bene and is attendaunt in the same sute for the obtainyng of the Commission for proofe of his matter agaynst hys aduersaries ¶ A copy of a certaine letter written by the Bish. of S. Dauids MOst humbly sheweth vnto your honour your poore Orator Robert Bishop of Saint Dauies that where as one Thomas Lee by the procurement of T. Y. and R. M. beyng both Canons of Saint Dauies George Constantine Register to the sayd Bishop hath exhibited vnto your honour agaynst him certayne articles in the which are mentioned many triflyng things vnworthy to be declared in your honourable audience and also theyr pretensed weighty articles as they haue alledged there are vtterly vntrue for proofe whereof the âayd Thomas Lee hath had Commissions into the countrey Therefore it may please your honour of your fauourable goodnes to graunt vnto your sayd Oratour a lyke Commission for the examination of witnesse in defence of his truth and honesty against the sayd Thomas Lee George Constantine and the aforenamed Rowland Merike and all other persons with theyr iniust articles attestations and sayings which hath deposed against hym And in tender consideration that your sayd Orator standeth bounâen and sureties with hym in the summe of a thousand markes to appeare before the Kings Iustice in the Sessions at Carmarthen in Iuly next commyng to aunswer to a forged matter of premunire by the procurement and counsaile of his forenamed aduersaries maliciously surmised agaynst hym to his vtter vndoyng And furthermore your Orator beyng in debt to the Kings Maiesty by reason of the malicious vexation of his foresayd aduersaries cannot if hee remayne here satisfie the same for where as there be rerages to a great summe as well of the Kings money as of his owne rentes he can receiue none thereof hys aduersaries hath made such ill report to his discredite bearyng the people in hand that he shall come no more thether By reason of which brute neither his owne tenants will pay theyr rentes and rerages nor the priests their rerages due to the Kyngs Maiesty as well for anno secundo and tertio as for quarto and quinto In consideration of all which thyngs it may ylease your honourable goodnes to licence your sayd Orator to depart into the Diocesse for these affayres and other And hee is ready at all tymes at your honourable commaundement and pleasure to repayre agayne and euer to pray to the Lorde Iesu for the perpetuall conseruation of your honour to his glory ¶ Another letter written by the Bishop of S. Dauies RIght honourable and my very especiall good Lorde with humble seruice and harty thanks to God and to you for your godly fauour towardes me at all tymes as right playnly appeareth by your fatherly letters most louingly admonishing me to enclyne vnto that which is very necessary as charitable concorde and vnitie This is furtherly to besiche your Lordship for the Lordes sake not to be grieued but benignly to heare and grauely to ponder that weighty matter which appearing to other but a light griefe to me is in very deede a right grieuous offence to God with no little hinderaunce of his holy word and disturbance of the Kings godly proceedyngs may be a great occasion of much inobedience and disorder of good lyfe Wherefore I am straightly bounden for the true zeale that I ought to beare vnto Gods worde of lyfe Christian religion the Kings Maiesties honour and the godly quiet state of hys people not faintly to let fall the burthen of diligent redresse to bee sought at his Maiesties handes by the godly wisedome of hys most honourable and vpright Counsaile but with harty affection to beare it vp against those high mynded arrogant stubburne ambitious couetous canons trusting in their biting tonges with crafty preuention and vtterly vntrue surmises to stoppe the light that their vngodly misdoings in darknes shal either not be seene or at the lest may seeme to appeare in colourable appearance of right In so much that I doe not a little maruell at these qualities in M. Chaunter the Canon and the Deane of Worcester whose vngentle and vntrue behauiour I haue not only knowen but expertly prooued and sensibly feeled in two of the first to my great losses whereof I make no complaynt But I woonder in my mynd and lament in my heart the straunge alteration and wilfull goyng backeward of myne old faithfull brother George Constantine the whiche knowing them all three to haue bene in tymes past eyther obstinate enemies to the true bearers of the Crosse of Christ or at the least priuye lurkers vnder pretence of fauour towardes the Gospell to sting the poore followers thereof seekyng but their owne lucre and pleasure in all their doinges would so earnestly cleaue vnto them in their wroÌg deeds as to betray me with his tong become vntrue of his promise and a bearer of filthy sinne for lucres sake euen yet stifly persisting in the same namely in thyngs manifestly known vnto many although he would deny it and that I might not be credited And as for their premunire both George and they at my first commyng vngeÌtly deteining from M. Ferlee hys commission for the Chauncellorship would haue faced mee downe with premunire because it was written in my owne name accordyng to the statute yet was I fayne for the zeale of vnitie not to see their vncurteous deedes departing with M. Farlee for the auoydyng of their malice and enuy and gaue that office for the aââtie of George vnto M. Chaunter his sonne in lawe and to D. Merike the office of Cardigan But seyng afterward their couetous respect to their own glory and lucre not regarding the reformation of sinne and specially of shameles whoredome I was compelled to remooue theÌ
the truth beyng at all tymes and in all such places not without y e company of his litle boy whom as I haue said he vsed as an assistance to this hys good purpose And to this his great industry and indeuor in holy scripture God did also adde in him a singular gyft of memory so that by the benefite therof he would could do that in vouching and rehersing of the text The gift of memory in Rawlins which men of riper and more profound knowlege by their notes and other helpes of memory could very hardly accomplish In so much that he vpon the alledging of scripture very often would cite the booke the leafe yea and the very sentence such was the wonderfull working of God in this simple and vnlearned father Nowe when he had thus continued in his profession the space of fiue yeares K. Edward died vpon whose decease Queene Mary succeeded and with her all kynde of superstition and Papistrie crepte in Which thing beyng one perceyued Rawlins did not altogether vse open instruction and admonition as before he was woont and therfore ofteÌtimes in some priuate place or other he would call his trusty friends together with earnest prayer and great lamentation passe away the time so that by his vertuous instructions being without any blemish of errour he conuerted a great number which number no doubt had greatly encreased had not the cruel storme of persecution bene The extremitie and force whereof at the last so pursued this good father Rawlins that hee looked euery houre to goe to prison whereupon many of those which had receyued comfort by his instructions did resort vnto hym and by all meanes possible began to perswade him to shift for hymselfe and to dispose hys goods by some reasonable order to the vse of his wyfe and children Rawlins exhorted to shifte for himselfe by that meanes he should escape that daunger which was imminent ouer his head But Rawlins nothyng abashed for hys owne part through the iniquity of the tyme at all nothyng mooued with these their fleshly perswasions thanked them most hartily for their good will and told them plainely that hee had learned one good lesson touching the confessing denial of Christ Rawlins promiseth to be constant to the death aduertising them that if he vpon their persuasions should presume to deny his maister Christ Christ in the last day would deny and vtterly condemne hym and therfore quoth he I will by hys fauourable grace confes and beare witnes of him before men that I may find him in euerlastyng lyfe Notwithstandyng which aunswer his friends were very importunate with hym Howbeit father Rawlins continued still in his good purpose so long till at the last he was taken by the Officers of the towne as a man suspected of heresie vpon which apprehension he was conuented before the B. of Landaffe that then was Rawlins apprehended and conuented before the B. of Landaffe named Anthony Kechin the sayd B. lying then at hys house besides Chepstow by whome after diuers combates and conflicts with him and his chaplains this good father Rawlins was committed to prison in Chepstow But this hys kepyng whether it were by the Bishops meanes because he would rid hys handes of hym or through the fauour of hys keeper Rawlins might esâcape and would ãâã Rawlins whole yeare in prison A godly woman styrred ãâã to relieuâ Rawlins was not so seuere and extreme but that if he had so listed hee myght haue escaped oftentymes But that notwithstandyng hee continued still in so much that at the last he by the aforenamed Bishop was remooued from Chepstow to the castle of Cardiffe where he continued by the space of one whole yeare Duryng which tyme this reporter resorted to him very often with money and other reliefe from this reporters mother who was a great fauourer of those that were in affliction in those dayes and other of hys friends which he receyued not without great thanks and prayses geuen to the name of God And albeit that he was thus troubled and imprisoned as ye haue heard to hys owne vndoyng in this world and to the vtter decay of his poore wyfe children yet was hys heart so set to the instruction and furtherance of other in the way of saluation that he was neuer in quiet but when he was perswading or exhorting such of hys familiar frends as commonly came vnto him Exhortatâââ of Rawlâââ to his friendes In so much that on the Sondayes and other tymes of laisure when his friends came to visite hym hee would passe away the tyme in prayer and exhortations admonishyng them alwayes to beware of false Prophets which come in sheeps clothyng Now when hee had continued in Cardiffe Castle by the space of one whole yeare as I haue sayde the tyme of hys further triall was at hand Whereupon Rawlins ãâã no meaneâ could be rââduced to rââturne to Popery the aforenamed Bishop of Landaffe caused him to be broughte agayne from the castle of Cardiffe vnto his owne house besides Chepstow whilest he continued there y e Bishoppe assayed many wayes howe to reduce him to some conformitie But when all meanes eyther by theyr threatning wordes or flattering promises were to no purpose the Byshoppe willed him to aduise and be at a full poynte with hymselfe eyther to recant hys opinions or els to abide the rigor of the lawe and thereupon gaue him a day of determination Which day beyng come the Bishop with hys Chaplaynes went into his chappell Rawlins brought before thâ B. of Lanâdaffe in oâ iudgemeââ not without a great number of other by dwellers that came to behold the manner of their doyngs When the Bishop with his retinue were placed in order poore Rawlins was brought before them The Bishop after great deliberation in addressyng hymselfe as it seemed and silence forewarned to the rest that were there present vsed a long kynd of talke to him declaring the cause of hys sendyng for which was for that hee was a man well knowen to hold hereticall opinions and that through his instruction many were led into blynd errour In the end he exhorted hym to consider hys owne estate wherein he stood for said the B. Rawlins you haue bene oftentymes since your first trouble both here in my house The worâ of the B. Rawlins and els where bene trauailed withal touching your opinions and that notwithstandyng ye seeme altogether obstinate and wilfull Now hereupon we thought good to sende for you to see if there were any conformity in you so that the matter is come to this poynt that if you shall shew your selfe repentant for that which you haue done both agaynst God and the princes law we are ready to vse fauour towards you but if by no meanes we can perswade with you touching your reformation we are minded at this time to minister the law vnto you and therfore aduise your self what you
had vsed long afore And thus being brought out of the prison as I haue sayd he was accompanyed or rather garded with a great company of Billes and gleaues Rawlins goinâ to the place of execution which sight when he behelde Alas quoth he what meaneth all this All this needed not By Gods grace I wyll not start away but I with all my hart minde geue vnto God most harty thankes that he hath made me worthy to abide all this for his holy names sake So he came to a place in his waye where as his poore wife and children stoode weeping and makyng greate lamentation the suddein sight of whom so pierced his hart that the very teares trickeled downe his face Rawlins somewhat moued at the sight of his wyfe and children But he soone after as though he had misliked this infirmity of his flesh began to be as it were altogether angry with himselfe In so muche that in striking his brest with his hand he vsed these wordes Ah flesh stayest thou me so wouldest thou fayne preuayle Well I tell thee doe what thou canst thou shalt not by Gods grace haue the victory Rawlins wrâstleth agaynst his fleshe By this tyme this poore innocent came to y e very altar of his sacrifice I meane the place appoynted for his death and there fouÌd a stake ready set vp with some wood toward the making of the fire Which when he behelde he sette for7ard hymselfe very boldly but in going toward y e stake he fell down vpoÌ his knees and kissed the grouÌd in rising agayn the earth a litle sticking on his nose he said these words Earth vnto earth and dust vnto dust thou art my mother and vnto thee I shall returne Then went he chearfully very ioyfully and set his backe close vnto the stake when he had stood there a while he cast his eye vpon this Reporter The agony and fight of this Christian warriour called him vnto him and sayd I feele a great fighting betwene the flesh and the spirit the flesh would very fayne haue his swinge and therfore I pray you when you see me any thing tempted hold your finger vp to me and I trust I shall remember my selfe As he was thus standing with his back close vnto the stake a Smith came with a great chayne of yron whom when he saw he cast vp his hand with a loude voice and gaue God great thankes Then the Smith cast the chayne about him and as he was making it fast on the other syde Rawlins fastened to the stake Rawlins sayde vnto him I pray you good frend knocke in the chayne fast for it may be that the fleshe would striue mightely but God of thy great mercy geue me strength pacience to abide the extremity Nowe when the Smyth had made hym sure to the stake the officers beganne to lay on more woode with a litle strawe and Reede wherein the good old man was no lesse occupied then the best The chearfulnes of father Rawlins at his death for as far as he could reach his handes he would plucke the strawe and Reede and lay it about hym in places moste conuenient for his speedy dispatche Which thing he did with suche a chearefull countenance and familiar gesture that al men there present were in a maner astonyed Thus when all thynges were readye so that there lacked nothyng but the putting to of the fire directly ouer against the stake in the face of Rawlins there was a standing erected A Popishe sermon preached at Rawlins Martyrdome whereon stept vp a Priest addressing hym selfe to speake to the people which were many in number because it was market day WheÌ Rawlins perceiued him and considered the cause of his comming he reached a litle straw vnto him and made two litle stayes set them vnder his elbowes Then went the priest forward in his sermon wherin he spake of many thinges touching y e authoritie of the church of Rome In the meane time Rawlins gaue such good care and intention that he seemed nothing at all moued or disquieted At the last the priest came to the sacrament of the altar and there he began to inuey against Rawlins opinions in which his inuection he cited the common place of Scripture and therupon made a Clerklye interpretation Now when Rawlins perceyued that he went aboute not onely to preach and teach the people false doctrine but also to confirme it by Scripture he suddenly starte vp and beckened his hands to the people saying twise Come hither good people heare not a false prophet preaching and then sayd vnto the preacher Ah thou naughty hypocrite doest thou presume to proue thy false doctrine by Scripture Looke in the text what foloweth dyd not Christ say Doo this in the remembraunce of me Rawlins wordâ to the false Prophet After which wordes the Priest being rather amazed then interrupted forthwith held his peace Anno 1555. March ¶ The burning of Raulins Martyr It is recorded furthermore of the sayd good father Raulins by this Reporter that as he was going to his death and standing at the stake A sodayne alteration of nature maruelous in Rawlins before his death he seemed in a maner to be altered in nature For wheras before he was wont to go stooping or rather crooked through the infirmity of age hauing a sad countenance and a very feeble complexion and withall very soft in speech and gesture Now he went and stretched vppe himselfe not onelye bolt vpright but also bare withall a most pleasant and coÌfortable countenaunce not without great courage and audacity both in speache and behauiour He had of whiche thing I shoulde haue spoken before about his head a kerchiefe The heares of his head somewhat appearing beneath his kerchiefe and also of his beard were more inclined to white then to gray whiche gaue such a shewe and countenaunce to his whole person that he semed to be altogether angelicall The reporter of this story one M. Dane It is also sayd by this Reporter that a litle before the fire flashed vp to his body as ye haue heard many of his frendes came to him and tooke him by the hand amongest whome the Reporter of this story held him so long by the hand till the flame of the fire rose and forced them to sunder In the meane time the priest of whome I spake afore cryed out and sayd that it was not lawfull for any man to take him by the hand because he was an hereticke and coÌdemned by the Churche The chiefe cause of his trouble was his opinion touching the sacrament of the aultar He was at the time of his death of the age of threescore yeares or thereaboutes * The summe of the wordes spoken by Queene Mary to certayne of her Counsellers March 28. an 1555. touching the restitution of Abbey landes BEfore I passe ouer this moneth of Marche I can not but leaue a
time to time vppon his Aduersaryes In the number of whom commeth here to be remembred the notable workyng of Goddes hand vppon a certayne Priest in Kent named Nightingall Parson of Crondall besides Caunterbury who vpon Shrouesonday whych was about the third day of the sayde Moneth of Marche and yeare of our Lord aforesayd reioycing belike not a little at this alteration of Religion beganne to make a Sermon to his Parishioners taking his Theame out of the wordes of S. Iohn He that sayth he hath no sinne is a lyer A terrible example of Gods seuere punishment vpon Nightingall Parson of CroÌdall in Kent and the trueth is not in hym c. And so vpon the same verye impertinently declared to them all suche Articles as were set forth by the Popes authority and by the commaundement of the Byshoppes of this Realme saying moreouer vnto the people in this wise Now Maysters and neighbors reioyce and be mery for the prodigall sonne is come home For I knowe that the most part of you be as I am for I know your hartes well enough And I shall tell you what hath happened in this weeke past I was before my Lord Cardinall Pooles grace he hath made me as clean from sinne as I was at the fontstone on Thursday last being before him he hath appointed me to notify I thank him for it the same vnto you Blasphemy to Christs Gospell punished And I wyll tell you what it is And so reading the Popes Bull of pardon that was sent into Englande he sayde he thanked God that euer he had liued to see that day adding moreouer that he beleeued that by the vertue of that Bull he was as cleane from sinne as that night that he was borne and immediately * The Description of a Popish Priest who when he had taken away the glory and office of Christ fell downe sodenly and dyed The sodayne death of one Nightingall Parson of Crondall in Kent who was made by the Cardinalls authoritye chiefe Penitentiary of that Deanry vpon the same fel sodenly down out of the Pulpit and neuer stirred hand nor foote and so lay he Testified by Rob. Austen of Cartham which both heard and saw the same is witnessed also by the whole country round about ¶ Iohn Awcocke Aprill 2. Iohn Awcocke Martyr IN the Moneth of Aprill and the second day of the same Moneth dyed in prison Iohn Awcocke who after was buried in the fieldes as the maner of the Papistes was to deny theyr christian buriall to such as dyed out of their popish Antichristian Church Now forasmuch as hauing passed the month of March we are entred into the mouth of Aprill so set downe in order out of publicke Recordes what happened in the sayde Moneth here followeth to be noted That the 1. day of Aprill Ann. 1555. A Letter was sent to the Shiriffe of kent to apprehend Thomas Wodgat and William Maynard for preaching secretly and to send them vp to the Counsel The 7. day of the sayde Moneth an other Letter to the sayd Shiriffe for the apprehension of one Harwiche who went about with a boy with him preaching from place to place The 15. of Aprill a letter was directed to Syr Nicholas Hare and Syr Thomas Cornewallis willing them to examine M. Flower alias Braunche what he meant to weare about his neck written Deum time Idolum fuge and whoÌ els he knew to weare the like praying also to speake to Boner Byshop of London speedely to proceed agaynst him for his Religion according to the lawes and that the Iustices of Peace of Middlesex should likewise proceed agaynst him for shedding of bloud in the Church according to the statute so as if he continue his opinion he might be executed at the farthest by the latter end of this weeke and that his right hand be the day before his execution or the same day striken off The 22. of Aprill there was a like letter sent to the Iustices of peace of Middlesex with a writ for the executioÌ of the sayd Flower commaunding them to see his hand striken of before his burning The 29. of Aprill M. Robert Hornebey seruant then to the Lady Elizabeth was conuented before the Counsell for his religion and standing constantly to the trueth notwithstanding theyr threates and other perswasions was therfore commited to the Marshalsea ¶ A declaration of the life examination and burning of George Marsh who suffered most constant Martyrdome for the profession of the Gospell of Christ at Winchester the 24. day of Aprill Ann. 1555. THe sayd George Marshe was borne in the Parishe of Deane Aprill 24. George Marsh Martyr in the Countye of Lancaster and was well brought vp in learning and honest trade of liuing by hys Parentes who afterwardes about the xxv yeare of hys age tooke to wife an honest mayden of the countrey wyth whom he continued earning theyr liuing vpon a Farme hauing children betweene them lawefully begotten G. Marsh first a farmer and then God takinge his wyfe out of thys Worlde he beyng most desirous of godly studyes leauing his houshold and children in good order went vnto the vniuersity of Cambridge where he studyed and much encreased in learning and godly vertues was a minister of Gods holy worde and Sacramentes George Marsh made Minââster and for a while was Curate to Laurence Saunders as he himselfe reporteth In whiche condition of life he continued for a space earnestly setting forth Gods true Religion to the defacing of Antechristes false doctrine by his Godly Readinges and Sermons as well there and in the Parishe of Deane or els where in Lanckeshyre Whereupon at length by detection of certayne aduersaries he was appreheÌded kept in close prison by George Cotes then Byshoppe of Chester D. Cotes Bishop of Chester a persecutâr George Marsh detected .. in strayght Prison in Chester within the precincte of the Byshoppes house about the space of foure Monethes being not permitted to haue reliefe and comfort of his frendes but charge beynge geuen vnto the Porter to marke who they were that asked for him and to signify theyr names vnto the Byshop as by the particular descriptioÌ of his story testified and recorded with his own pen more euidently may appeare in the processe hereunder folowing ¶ The handling entreating and examination of George Marsh being sent first by the Earle of Derby to Doctor Cotes Byshop of Chester ON the monday before Palme Sonday which was the xij day of March The examâânation of George Marsh written with his owne hanâ M. Baâton GentlemaÌ and perseâcutour George Marsh adâuertised bâ his frendââ to flye it was told me at my mothers house that Rog. Wrinstone with other of M. BartoÌs seruants did make diligent search for me in Bolton and when they perceiued that I was not there they gaue strait charge to Roger Ward and Rob. Marsh to finde bring me to M. Barton the day next folowing with
and faithfull wife and children and also well quieted in the peaceable possession of that pleasaunt Euphrates I do confesse it but the Lord who worketh all thyngs for the best to them that loue him would not there leaue me but did take my deare and beloued wife from me whose death was a paynefull crosse to my flesh Also I thought my selfe nowe of late well placed vnder my most louing and most gentle mayster Laurence Saunders in the cure of Langhton G. Marsh Curate to Laurence Saunders But the Lord of his great mercy woulde not suffer me there long to continue although for the small tyme I was in his vineyard I was not all an idle workman But he hath prouided me I perceiue it to taste of a farre other cuppe The glory of the Church standeth not in outward shewes for by violence hath he yet once agayne driuen me out of that glorious Babilon that I should not taste to much of her wanton pleasures but wyth his most dearely beloued Disciples to haue my inward reioysing in the Crosse of his sonne Iesus Christe the glorye of whose Church I see it well standeth not in the harmonious souÌd of Bells and Organes nor yet in the glistring of Mitors Copes neither in the shining of gilte Images and lightes as the blynde Papistes do iudge it but in continuall labours and dayly afflictions for his names sake God at this present here in Englande hath his fanne in hys hand and after hys great haruest whereinto these yeares past he hath sent his labourers is now sifting the corne froÌ the chaffe and purging his floore and ready to gather the wheate into hys garnar and to burne the chaffe with vnquenchable fire Take heede and beware of the leuen of the scribes and of the Saduces I meane the erroneous doctrine of the papistes whiche with their gloses depraue the Scriptures For as the Apostle S. Peter doth teach vs There shal be false teachers amongst vs whiche priuily shall bring in damnable sectes And sayth that many shall follow theyr damnable wayes by whom the way of trueth shall be euill spoken of and that through couetousnes they shall with fayned wordes make marchaundise of vs. And Christ earnestly warneth vs to beware of false Prophetes which come to vs in sheepes clothing but inwardly are rauening Wolues by their fruites ye shall know them The fruites of the Prophetes is theyr doctrine In this place are we Christians taught that wee shuld try the preachers other that come vnder colour to set forth true Religion vnto vs according to the saying of S. Paule Try all thinges and chose that whiche is good Also the Euangelist S. Iohn sayth Beleue not euery spirite but proue the spirites whether they be of God or not for many false Prophetes sayth he are gone out into the world Therefore if thou wilt knowe the true Prophetes froÌ the false try theyr doctrine at the true touchstone whiche is the worde of God and as the godly Thessalonians did search ye the scriptures whether those thinges which be preached vnto you be eueÌ so or not for els by the outward conuersatioÌ of theÌ ye may easely be deceiued DesuÌt fortassis aliqua ¶ A letter exhortatory of George Marshe to the faythfull professours of Langhton GRace be vnto you and peace be multiplied in y e knowledge of Iesus Christ our Lord. A letter of G. Marsh âo men of Langhton Amen I thought it my duety to write vnto you my beloued in y e Lord at Langhton to stirre vp your mindes to call to your remeÌbrance the wordes which haue bene told you before and to exhort you as that good man full of y e holy Ghost Barnabas did the Antiochians that with purpose of hart ye continually cleaue vnto the Lord that ye staÌd fast Actes 11. and be not moued away from the hope of the Gospel wherof God be thaÌked ye haue had plenteous preaching vnto you by your late pastor M. Saunders other faithfull ministers of Iesus Christ which now when persecution ariseth because of y e word Luke 3. Rom. 1. do not fall away like shrinking children and forsake the truth being ashamed of the Gospell wherof they haue bene preachers but are willing and ready for your sakes which are Christes misticall body to forsake not onely the chiefe and principall delites of this lyfe I do meane theyr natiue countryes frendes lyuinges c. but also to fulfill theyr ministery vnto y e vtmost that is to witte with their painefull imprisonmentes and bloudsheddinges if need shall require to confirme seale Christes Gospell Acteâ 12. wherof they haue bene Ministers and as S. Paul sayth they are ready not onely to be cast into prison but also to be killed for the name of the Lord Iesu. Whether these being that good salt of the earth that is true ministers of Gods worde Math. 5. by whose doctrine beyng receiued through fayth men are made sauory vnto God which themselues lose not theyr saltnes True salte ãâ¦ã the ââârupt and ââsauory ââlt now when they be prooued with the boysterous stormes of aduersity and persecutioÌ or others being that vnsauery salt which hath lost his saltnes that is to witte those vngodly ministers which do fall from the word of God into the dreames and traditions of Antichrist whether of these I say be more to be credited and beleued let all men iudge Wherfore my dearely beloued receiue y e word of God with meekenes y t is graffed in you whiche is able to saue your soules Iames. 2. And see that ye be not forgetfull hearers deceiuing yourselues with sophistry but doers of the word whom Christ doth liken to a wise maÌ Math. 7. which buildeth his house on a rocke that when the great rayn discendeth and the flouddes come and beate vpon the house it fel not because it was grounded vpon a rocke this is to witte that when Sathan with all his legion of deuils with all theyr subtill suggestions and the world with all y e mighty princes therof ãâã 2. with their crafty counsels doe furiously rage against vs we faint not but abide constant in the truth being grounded vpon a most sure rock which is Christ and the doctrine of the Gospell against which the gates of hel that is ãâã 16. the power of Sathan cannot preuayle And be ye followers of Christ and the Apostles and receaue the word in much affliction as the godly Thessalonians did Thes 1. ãâã receaâââ of the ãâã who ãâã be for the true followers of Christ and the Apostles be they which receiue the word of God They onely receiue the word of god which both beleue it also frame their liues after it be ready to suffer all maner of aduersitie for the name of the Lord as Christ all y e Apostles did and as all that will liue godly in Christ Iesu must doe for there
furtherance of the gospel and that you will be none of those forgetfull and hypocritish hearers Wayside hereââ of the worde whereof some being but wayside hearers the deuil commeth and taketh away the woord out of their heartes least they shoulde beleeue and be saued but lette praier be made without ceassing by the congregation vnto God for them and no doubt God will to your consolation gloriously deliuer by one meanâs or other his oppressed Onely tary ye the Lords leisure be strong let your heart be of good comfort and waite yee still for the Lorde He tarieth not that will come looke for hym therefore and faint not and he will neuer faile you Yours George Marsh. A letter of a godly brother one Iames Bradshaw sent to George Marsh in prisone GRace and peace from God the father and the Lord Iesu Christ be with you alway A letter of Iames Bradshaw to George Marsh. Amen We had a letter from you which is a great coÌfort vnto vs to see you take the crosse so thankefully Trouble affliction doth prooue try instructe confirme strengthen the faith prouoke and stirre vp prayer driue and force vs to amendement of life What good affliction worketh in the godly to the feare of God to mekenes to patience to constancie to gentlenesse to sobernesse temperancie and to all maner of vertues and are the occasion of exceeding much good as wel transitorie as eternal in this world as in the world to come There is neither good nor bad godly nor vngodly but hee hathe one crosse or other And although some there be that can shift for a while and make prouision for theÌselues for a time by craft or subtilty and dissimulatioÌ or by some fashion in fellowship as they call it yet they bring them selues at length into the highest danger confusion and shame both in this world in the world to come And seing that all the troubles and aduersity in this world are a thousand times more light easy yea nothing in coÌparison of the eternal fire which is prepared and already kindled for the vnfaithfull and wicked enemies of God all faithfull and godly persons ought to beare and suffer their transitorye affliction and aduersitie the more patiently willingly and thankfully considering and remembring all the dearely beloued frendes of God which were wonderfully vexed plaged of their enemies Abraham of the Caldeis Lot of the Sodomites Isaac of Ismael Iacob of Esau Moses of his people Dauid of Saule and of his owne sonnes As for Iob Examplâ of holy suffering âââfliction he had not a drop of bloud in hys body Iohn Baptist the holyest that euer was borne of a woman was without any law right or reason beheaded in prison as thoughe God had knowen nothing at all of hym We haue many thousand fellow martyrs and companions of our miserie and aduersitie in respecte of whose imprisonment racking chaines fire wilde beastes and other meanes wherwith they were tormented al that we suffer is but a blast of winde Therefore nowe who soeuer is ashamed of the crosse of Christ and agreued therewith the same is ashamed to haue Christ for his fellow companion and therefore shal the Lord Iesus Christ be ashamed of him againe at the latter day Thus I leaue for this time beseeching you to lette me haue your aduise because I do not outwardly speake that with my tong that I do thinke w t my heart Pray for me as I for you I beseeche the holy Ghost haue you in hys keeping alway Amen By your frend Iames Bradshaw A prayer of George Marsh which he vsed daily to say OH Lord Iesu Christ which art the onely phisition of wouÌded consciences wee miserable sinners trusting in thy gratious goodnes doe briefly open to thee the euil tree of our heart with all the rootes boughes leaues and fruits withal the crookes A prayer oâ G. Marsh Martyr knots and knoures all which thou knowest for thou throughly perceiuest as wel the inwarde lustes doubtings and denying thy prouideÌce as these grosse outward sinnes which we commit inwardly and deadly Wherfore we beseeche thee according to the litle measure of our infirmitie althoughe we be farre vnable and vnapt to pray that thou wouldest mercifully circumcise our stonie hearts and for these old hearts create new within vs and replenish vs with a new spirite and water vs and moysten vs wyth the iuyce of heauenly grace and welles of spiritual waters wher by the inwarde venome and noysome iuyce of the flesh may be dried vp and custome of the olde man changed and our heart alwaies bringing forth thornes and briers to be burned with fire from hence foorth may beare spiritual fruites in righteousnes holinesse vnto life euerlasting Amen Beloued amonge other exercises I doe daily on my knees vse this confession of sinnes willing and exhorting you to do the same daily to acknowledge vnfainedly to God your vnbelief vnthaÌkfulnes disobedience against him This shal ye do if ye wil diligently consider and loke your selues first in the pure glasse of Gods commaundements and there see our outward filthines and vncleannes and so learne to vanquish the same that is to wit to fall in hearty displeasure against sinne therby be prouoked to long after Christ. For we truely are sinners but he is iust and the iustifier of all them that beleue on him We are poore 1. Cor. 1â Math. 2â but he is rich in mercy towarde all them that cal vpon him If we hunger and thirst for righteousnesse let vs resort vnto his table for he is a most liberall feast maker He wil set before vs his owne holy body which was geueÌ for vs to be our meat and hys precious bloud which was shed for vs and for many for the remission of sinnes to be our drinke He biddeth willeth calleth for geasts which hunger and thirst Come sayeth he all ye that labour and are laden and I will refresh you coole and ease you Math. 1ââ and you shall finde rest vnto your soules The life and historie of W. Flower who for striking of a priest was apprehended first hauing hys hande cut off and after martyred for his constant standing to the truth WIlliam Flower otherwise named Branch first coÌcerning his trade of life bringing vp he was born at Snowhil in the County of Cambridge W. Flower Martyr where he went to schoole certaine yeares and then came to the Abbey of Ely where after hee hadde remained a while hee was a professed Monke according to the order and rule of the same house wherein hee remained vsing and bearing the habite of a Monke and obseruing the rules and orders of the same house vntill he came to 21. yeres of age or thereabout and before hee came to that age and being a professed Monke hee was made a priest also in the same house and there did celebrate and singe Masse a good space
Bill with his bloud already * The behauyour of M. Iohn Bradford Preacher and the young man that suffered with him in Smithfield named Iohn Leafe a Prentise which both suffered for the testimony of Christ. FIrst when they came to the stake in Smithfielde to bee burned Bradford Iohn Leafe at the stake how they behaued themselues M. Bradford lying prostrate on the one side of the stake and the youÌg man Iohn Leafe on the other side they lay flat on theyr faces praying to theÌselues the space of a minute of an houre Then one of the Sheriffes sayde to M. Bradford Arise and make an end for the prease of the people is great At that word they both stoode vp vpon their feete and then M. Bradford tooke a fagot in his hand and kissed it and so likewise the stake And when he had so done he desired of the Sheriffes that his seruant might haue his rayment For sayde he I haue nothing els to geue him and besides that he is a poore man And the Shiriffe sayde hee should haue it And so forthwith M. Bradford did put off his rayment and went to the stake and holding vp hys handes and casting his countenaunce to heauen he sayde thus O England England repent thee of thy sinnes repeÌt thee of thy sinnes Beware of Idolatrye The wordes of M. Bradâford to England beware of false Antichristes take heede they do not deceiue you And as he was speaking these wordes the Sheriffe bade tye his hands if he would not be quiet O M. Sheriffe sayd M. Bradford I am quiet God forgeue you this Mayster Sheriffe And one of the officers wich made the fire hearing Mayster Bradford so speaking to the Shiriffe sayde If you haue no better learninge then that you are but a foole and were best to hold your peace To the which wordes M. Bradford gaue no answere but asked all the world forgeuenesse and forgaue all the world and prayed the people to pray for him and turned hys head vnto the young man that suffered with him and sayd Bee of good comfort Brother for we shall haue a mery supper with the Lorde thys night and so spake no more wordes that any man did heare but imbracing the Reedes sayd thus Strayt is the way and narrow is the Gate that leadeth to eternall saluation The saying of M. Braââford at his death and fewe there bee that finde it And thus they both ended theyr mortall liues moste likest two Lambes without any alteration of their countenaunce beyng voyde of all feare hoping to obteine the price of the game that they had long runne at to the which I beseeche Almightye God happily to conducte vs thorow the merites of Iesus Christe our Lorde and Sauior Amen ⧠The description of the burning of M. Iohn Bradford Preacher and Iohn Leafe a Prentise TOuching M. Wodroffe the Sheriffe mention is made a little before A notable ãâ¦ã Godâ hand âpon M. Woâdroffe how churlishly here hee aunswered M. Bradford at the stake not suffering him to speake but coÌmaunding his handes to be tyed c. The like extremity or worse he vsed also before to M. Rogers whereof ye haue heard before The sayd Wodroffe Sheriffe aboue mentioned was ioyned in office with an other Syr William Chester âommended called Syr William Chester for the yeare 1555. Betweene these two Sheriffes such difference there was of iudgement and Religion that the one that is Maister Wodroffe was woont commonly to laugh Difference betweene 2. Shriââes M. Woodroffe y e other to shedde teares at the death of Christs people And where as the other was woont to restrayne and to beate the people whiche were desirous to take them by the handes that should be burned the other Sheriffe contrariwise agayne with muche sorrow and mildnesse behaued himselfe which I wish here to be spoken known to the commendation of him although I doe not greatly know the partie Furthermore here by the way to note the seuere punishmeÌt of Gods hand agaynst the sayde Wodroffe as agaynst all other such cruell persecutours so it happened that within halfe a yeare after the burning of this blessed Martyr the sayde Sheriffe was so striken on the right side with such a paulsie or stroke of Gods hand whatsoeuer it was that for the space of eight yeares after till hys dying day hee was not able to turne himselfe in his bed but as two men with a sheete were fayn to stirre him and withall such an insaciable deuouring came vpon him that it was monstrous to see And thus continued he the space of eight yeares together ¶ In mortem Iohannis Bradfordi constantissimi Martyris Epitâphium iâ Ioan Bââdfordum per Ioan ãâã Discipulo nulli supra licet esse magistrum Quique Deo seruit tristia multa feret Corripit omnipotens natum quem diligit omnem Ad coelum stricta est difficilisque via Has Bradforde tuo dum condis pictore voces Non hominum rigidas terribilesque minas Sed nec blanditias non vim nec vincula curas Tradis accensae membra cremanda pyrae Here follow the letters of M. Bradford THis godly Bradford and heauenly martyr The letters of M. Bradford duryng the tyme of his imprisonment wrote sondrye comfortable Treatises and many godly Letters of whiche some hee wrote to the Citty of London Cambridge Walden to Lankeshyre and Chesshyre diuers to his other priuate friendes By the which foresayd Letters to the intent it may appeare how godly this man occupyed hys time being prisoner what speciall zeale he bare to the state of christes Church what care he had to performe his office how earnestly he admonished all men howe tenderly he comforted the heauy harted how fruitfully he confirmed theÌ whom he had taught I thought here good to place y e same although to exhibite here all the letters that he wrote Read the booke of letters of the Martyrs being in number so many that they are able to fill a booke it cannot well be compassed yet neuerthelesse we mynde to excerpt the principal of them referring the reader for the residue to the booke of Letters of the martyrs where they may be found And first for so much as yee heard in the storye before The copy of M. Bradfordes letter whereof the Earle of Darby complayned in in the Parliament how the Earle of Darby complayned in the Parliament house of certayne Letters written of Iohn Bradford out of prison to Lancashyre and also howe hee was charged both of the Bishop of Winchester and of M. Allen wyth the same letters to the intent the Reader more perfectly may vnderstand what letters they were being written in deede to his mother brethren and sisters out of the Tower before his condemnation we wil beginne first with the same letters the copy with the contentes wherof is thys as followeth ¶ A comfortable letter of M. Bradford to hys Mother a godly
vsed in the church of England The vse and Sacrifice of the Latin Masse denyed he beleueth that there is no sacrifice in the sayde Masse and that there is in it no saluation for a christian man except it should be said in the mother toung that he might vnderstand it and coÌcerning the ceremonies of the Church he sayth and beleeueth that they be not profitable to a Christian man Item Auricular confession and absolution of the Priest reiected being examined concerning auriculare confession he answeareth that he hath and doth beleeue that it is necessary to goe to a good Priest for good counsaile but the absolution of the Priest laying his hand vppon any mans head as is nowe vsed is nothing profitable to a Christian mans saluation And further he sayth that he hath not ben confessed nor receiued the sacrament of the aulter since the coronation of the Queene that now is Item concerning the faith religion now taught setfoorth beleeued in the church of England he answeareth and beleueth that the faith and doctrine nowe taught setfoorth and vsed in the sayd Church of Englande is not agreable to Gods word And furthermore he sayth The fayth of the Church of England in Quene Maryes tyme reproued that bishop Hooper Cardmaker Rogers other of their opinion which were of late burned were good christian men did preach the true doctrine of Christ as he beleeueth and sayth that they did shed theyr bloude in the same doctrine which was by the power of God as he sayth beleeueth And further being examined saith y t since the Quenes coronation he hath had the Bible and Psalter in English red in his house at Brighthamsted diuers times and likewise since hys comming into Newgate but the Keeper hearing thereof did take them awaye and sayeth also that about a twelue moneth now past he had the English procession sayd in his house with other English praiers Iueson Launder and Veisâe imprisoned for hearing the Gospell And further sayeth that Thomas Iueson Iohn Launder and William Ueisey being prisoners with hym in Newgate were taken with this examinat in his house at BrighthaÌsted as they were hearing of the gospel then read in English a litle before Alhollowne day last past and brought to the Court and being examined thereuppon by the Counsaile were committed by them to prison in Newgate The confession of Iohn Launder before Boner bishop of London IOhn Launder husbandman of the Parish of Godstone in the Countie of Surrey of the age of xxv yeres Iohn Launder his confession borne at Godstone aforesayde being examined doth confesse and say that about two dayes next before Allhollonâide nowe last past this Examinate and one Diricke Caruer Thomas Iueson William Ueisie with diuers other persons to the number of twelue being all together in their prayers and saying the seruice in English set foorth in the time of King Edwarde the sixte in the house of the sayde Diricke situate at Brighthamsted in Sussex were apprehended by one maister Edwarde Gage and by him sent vppe hether to London to the Kinge and Queenes Counsaile and by them vpon his examination committed to Newgate where he with his said other felowes hath euer since remained in prison And further being examined he doeth confesse and say that the occasion of his comming to the sayde Brighthamsted The cause of the apprehensioÌ of Iohn Launder was vpon certaine busines there to be sped for his father and so being there and hearing that the saide Diricke was a man that did much fauour the Gospel this Examinate did resorte to his house and companye whome before that time hee did neuer see or know and by reason of that hys resorte hee was apprehended as before And further doth confesse and beleeue that there is heere in earth one whole and vniuersall Catholicke Churche whereof the members he dispersed through the world and doth beleue also that the same Church doeth set foorth and teache onely two Sacraments videlicet the Sacrament of Baptisme Two Sacramentes onely and the Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord. And who soeuer doth teach or vse any more Sacraments or yet any ceremonies he doth not beleeue that they be of the Catholicke Churche but doth abhorre them from the bottome of his heart And doth further say and beleue that all the seruice Ceremonyes abhorred sacrifices and ceremonies now vsed in thys Realme of England yea in all other partes of the world whych ben vsed after the same maner be erroneous and naught contrary to Christes institution and the determination of Christes Catholicke church whereof he beleeueth that he him selfe is a member Also hee doeth confesse and beleeue that in the Sacrament The reall presence of Christs body vnder the formes of bread and wine denyed nowe called the sacrament of the aultar there is not really and truly contained vnder the formes of bread and wine the very naturall body and bloude of Christe in substaunce but his beliefe and faith therein is as followeth Videlicet that when he doth receiue the material bread and wine he doeth receiue the same in a remembrance of Christes death and passion and so receiuing it he doth eate and drinke Christes body and bloude by faith and none other wayes as he beleeueth And moreouer he doth confesse say and beleue that the Masse now vsed in the Realme of Englande The Masse abhominable or els where in all Christendome is nought and abhominable and directly against Gods worde and his Catholicke Churche and that there is nothing sayd or vsed in it good or profitable For he saith that albeit the gloria in excelsis the Creede Sanctus Pater noster Agnus and other partes of the Masse bene of themselues good and profitable yet the same being vsed amongest other things that be naught and superfluous in the Masse the same good things do become nought also as he beleeueth Auricular confession not necessary Also he doth beleeue and confesse that Auriculare confession is not necessary to be made to any Priest or to anye other creature but euery persone oughte to acknowledge confesse hys sinnes onely to God and also that no person hath any authority to absolue any man froÌ his sinnes and also beleeueth that the right and true way according to the Scripture after a man hathe fallen from grace to sinne to arise to Christe againe is to be sorie for his offences to doe the same or the like no more and not to make any auricular confession of them to the priest either to take absolution for them at the Priests handes All whyche hys sayde opinions hee hathe beleeued by the space of these seuen or eight yeares past and in that time hath diuers and many times openly argued and defendeth the same as hee sayeth c. Articles obiected by Boner Bishop of London against Diricke Caruer and Iohn Launder 1. FIrste I doe obiect against
facerent de misericordia omnipotentis Dei confisi polliciti sumus quod ipsos de erroribus reatibus suis huiusmodi poenitentes cum gratia benignitate misericordia fauore ad animarum suarum solatiuÌ salutem reciperimus quodque honestatem eorum pro posse seruaremus in hac parte Alioquin si sic sponte venire non curarent sed iuris ordinarium processum expectarent scirent nos hoc admissum aduersus eos seuerius executuros in quantuÌ iura permitterent Adueniente itaque iam die isto ad premissa infra scripta facienda sic vt prefertur per nos prefixo nos Richardus episcopus antedictus in negotio inquisitionis haereticae prauitatis predictae legitimè procedentes volentesque huiusmodi negotiuÌ sine debito terminare solenne consiliuÌ tam in sacra theologica facultate quam iure canonico ciuili doctorum hunc venerabilem coetum cleri populi coram nobis fecimus congregari visis auditis intellectis rimatis ac diligeÌtèr matura deliberatione discussis meritis circumstantijs negotij memorati actisque actitatis in eodem productis deductis praedictoruÌ digesto maturo coÌsilio cum nullus appareat contradictor seu defensor qui dicti Richardi opiniones articulos memoriam defendere velit soluÌ DeuÌ oculis nostris proponentes ad sententiam nostram contra eum eius opiniones libros receptatoresque fautores defensores credeÌtes se nobis iuxta tenorem formam monitionis denuntiationis nostraruÌ praedictaruÌ minime submittentes nec ad gremium sanctae matris ecclesiae redire curantes licet quidam saluationis pij filij citra monitionem denuntiationem nostras predictas ad nos venerunt se submiserunt quos cum gratia fauore recepimus in hac parte ferendam sic duximus procedenduÌ procedimus in huÌc qui sequitur modum Quia per acta actitata inquisita deducta confesâata probata necnon per vehementes vrgentes praesumptiones iudicia perspicua conperimus luculenter inuenimus dictuÌ Richardum Hune crimine haereticae prauitatis multipliciter irretitum atque haereticum fuisse esse nonnullasque opiniones assertiones detestabiles haereses damnatas dum in humanis agebat vitales caperet auras affirmasse proposuisse recitasse librisque suspectis de iure damnatis nonnullas haereses pestiferas in se continentibus vsum fuisse receptisque admissis examinatis testibus per commissarios ad hoc deputatos de super impoenitentia finali partinacia obitu dicti Richardi Hune Idcirco nos Richardus Episcopus antedictus seruatis seruandis prout in tali negotio postulat ordo iuris dicti Richardi Hune impoenitentia ac finali * What final obstinacy was in him when you say before by his owne hand writing that he submitted himselfe to the Bishops fauorable correction obstinatia pertinacia per euidentia signa testibus legitimis vehemeÌtissimis violentis praesumptionibus coÌprobatis prout iam coraÌ nobis legitime extitit facta fides edicto apud crucem diui Pauli die dominico vltimo praeterito ad audienduÌ per nos ferenduÌ senteÌtiam ad hunc diem per nos publice facto proposito paopterea de huius venerabilis coetus videlicet reuerendorum patruÌ dominoruÌ Thomae Dunelmensis Willihelmi Lincolniensis ac Iohannis Calipolensis EpiscoporuÌ necnon in sacra theologia decretoruÌ legum doctoruÌ cleri atque proborum venerabilium viroruÌ dodomini Maioris AldermanoruÌ Vicecomitum ciuitatis London populi hic congregatoâum nobis in hac parte assidentium assistentium consensu assensu consilio eundem Richardum Hunne diuersarum haeresium libris dum vixit vsum fuisse ac notorium pertinacem impoenitentem haereticum fuisse ac in haeresi decessisse atque consciencia criminis metu futurae seÌtentiae animo pertinaci impoenitenti corde indurato obijsse decessisse praemissorumque praetextu de iure excommunicatum fuisse esse atque in excommunicatione huiusmodi decessisse ipsiusque recâptatores fautores defensores credentes etiam in genere de iure excommunicatos atque sententia maioris excommunicationis innodatos inuolutos fuisse esse pronuntiamus decernimus declaramus ipsum Richardum Hunne libros suos haereticos de iure damnatos suamque ac librorum ipsorum memoriaÌ in detestationem damnationem sceleris criminis huiusmodi condemnamus dictumque Richardum Hunne ob premissa ecclesiastica carere debere sepultura sententiamus etiam pronunciamus decernimus declaramus in foro ecclesiastico tanquam membrum putridum proijcimus corpusque suum ossa brachio potestati seculari relinquimus committimus iuxta secundum canonicas legitimas sanctiones consuetudinesque laudabiles in regno Angliae ab antiquo vsitatas obseruatas in opprobrium sempiternum detestationem criminis nephandissimi predicti ad eternamque huius rei memoriam caeterorumque Christi fidelium metum atque terrorem per hanc nostram sententiam siue finale decretum quam siue quod ferimus promulgamus in his scriptis Notwithstanding after all this tragical cruell handling of the dead body with their âaire and colourable shew of iustice yet the inquest no whit stayed theyr diligent searching out of the true cause and meanes of his death In so much that when they had bene diuers times called both before the kinges priuy counsell his maiesty himselfe being sometime present also before the chiefe Iudges and Iustices of this realm that the matter being by theÌ throughly examined perceiued to much bolstered borne withall by the clergy was again wholy remitted vnto theyr determination and ending they founde by good proofe and sufficient euidence D. Horsey ChauÌcelor Charles Ioseph and Spalding murderers of Richard Hunne that Doctour Horsey the Chauncellour Charles Ioseph the Sumner and Iohn Spalding the Belringer had priuily maliciously committed this murther and therefore indicted them all three as wilfull murtherers Howbeit through the earnest sute of the Byshop of London vnto Cardinall Woolsey as appeareth by hys letters hereafter mentioned meanes was founde that at the next Sessions of Gayle deliuery the kinges Attorney pronounced the indicement agaynst D. Horsey to be false vntrue and him not to be guilty of the murther Who being then thereby deliuered in body hauing yet in himselfe a guilty conscience gat him vnto Exeter and durst neuer after for shame come agayne vnto London But now that ãâã trueth of all this matter may seeme more manifest and playn vnto all mens eyes here shall folow word by word the whole inquiry and verdict of the inquest exhibited by them vnto the Crowner of LondoÌ so geuen vp and signed with his owne hand ¶ The Verdict of the inquest The verdict of
the inquest THe fift and the sixte day of December in the sixte yeare of the raigne of our soueraigne Lord king Henry the eight William Barnewel Crowner of London the day and yeare abouesaid with in the ward of Castelbaynard of London assembled a quest whose names afterward do appeare and hath sworne them truely to inquire of the death of one Richard Hunne which lately was found deade in the Lollardes Tower within Paules Church of London whereupon all we of the inquest together went vp into the sayde Tower where we found the body of the sayd Hunne hanging vppon a staple of iron in a gyrdle of silke with fayre countenaunce his head fayre kemmed and his bonet right sitting vpon his head with his eyne and mouth fayre closed without any staring gaping or frowning also without any driueling or spurging in any place of his body whereupon by one assent all we agreed to take downe the deade bodye of the sayd Hunne and as soone as we beganne to heaue the body it was loose whereby by good aduisement we perceiued that the gyrdle had no knot about the staple but it was double cast and the linckes of an iron chayne which did hang on the same staple were layde vpon the same gyrdle whereby he did hang Also the knot of the gyrdle that went about his necke stood vnder his left eare which caused his head to leane towardes his right shoulder Notwithstanding there came out of his nostrels two small streames of bloud to the quantitye of foure droppes Saue onelye these foure droppes of bloud the face lippes chinne doublet coller and shyrt of the sayd Hunne was cleane from any bloud Also we fynde that the skinne both of his necke and throate beneath the gyrdle of silke was frette and faled away with that thing which the murtherers had broken his necke withall Also the handes of the sayd Hunne were wrong in the wristes wherby we perceiued that his handes had bene boâd Moreouer we find that within the sayd prison was no mean wherby a man might hang himselfe but onely a stoole which stoole stoode vpon a bolster of a bed so tickle that any manne or beaste might not touch it so litle but it was ready to fall Whereby wee perceiued that it was not possible that Hunne might hang himselfe the stoole so standing Also all the gyrdle from the staple to his necke as wel as the part which went about his necke was too litle for his head to come out therat Also it was not possible that the soft silken gyrdle shoulde breake his necke or skinne beneathe the gyrdle Also we finde in a corner somewhat beyond the place where he did hange a great parcell of bloud Also we finde vpon the left side of Hunnes Iacket froÌ the brest downeward two great streames of bloud Also within the flap of the left side of his Iacket we finde a great cluster of bloud and the Iacket folden down thereupon which thing the sayd Hunne could neuer fold nor doe after he was hanged Whereby it appeareth playnely to vs all that the necke of Hunne was broken and the great plenty of bloud was shed before he was hanged Wherefore all we finde by God and all our consciences that Richard Hunne was murdered Also wee acquite the sayd Richard Hunne of his owne death Also there was an end of a waxe candle whiche as Iohn Belringer sayth he lefte in the prison burning with Hunne that same Sunday at night that Hunne was murthered which waxe candle we founde sucking vpon the stockes fayre put out about seuen or eight foote from the place where Hunne was hanged which candle after our opinion was neuer put out by him for many likelyhoods which we haue perceiued Also at the going vp of mayster Chauncellor into the Lollardes tower we haue good proofe that there lay on the stockes a gowne either of Murrey or Crimosin in grayne furred with shankes Whose gowne it was we could neuer proue neither who bare it away All we finde that Mayster William Horsey Chauncellour to my Lord of London hath had at his commaundement both the rule and guiding of the sayd prisoner Moreouer all we finde that the sayde maister Horsey Chauncellor hath put Charles Ioseph out of his office as the sayd Charles hath confessed because he woulde not deale and vse the sayde prisoner so cruelly and doe to him as the Chauncellour woulde haue had him to do Notwithstanding the deliuerance of the keies to the Chauncellour by Charles on the Saturday at night before Hunnes death and Charles riding out of the towne on that sonday in the morning ensuing was but a conuention made betwixt Charles and the Chauncellour for to colour the murther For the same sonday that Charles rode forth he came agayne to the town at night and killed Richard Hunne as in the depositions of Iulian Littel Thomas Chicheley Thomas Simondes and Peter Turner do appeare After colouring of the murther betwixte Charles and the Chauncellour conspired the Chauncellour called to him one Iohn Spalding Belringer of Paules and deliuered to the same Belringer the keyes of the Lollardes tower geuing to the sayde Belringer a great charge saying I charge thee to keepe Hunne more straitely then he hath bene kept and let him haue but one meale a day Moreouer I charge thee let no body come to him without my licence neyther to bring him shirt cappe kirchiefe or any other thing but that I see it before it come to him Also before Hunne was caryed to Fulham the Chauncellour commaunded to be put vpon Hunnes necke a great coller of iron with a greate chayne which is too heauy for any man or beast to weare long to endure Moreouer it is well proued that before Hunnes death Proufes of Hunnes death the sayd Chauncellour came vppe into the sayd Lollardes tower and kneeled downe before Hunne holding vp his hands to him praying him of forgeuenesse of all that he had done to him and muste do to him And on sonday folowing the Chauncellour commauÌded the Penitensary of Paules to go vp to him and say a Gospell and make for him holy water and holy bread and geue it to hym which so did and also the Chauncellor commaunded that Hunne should haue his dinner And the same dinner time Charles boye was shut in prison with Hunne which was neuer so before and after dynner when the Belringer fet out the boy the Belringer sayd to the same boy come no more hither with meat for him vntill tomorow at noone for my maister Chauncellour hath commaunded that he shall haue but one meale a day and the same night folowing Richard Hunne was murdered which murther could not haue bene done without consent and licence of the Chauncellor and also by the writing and knowledge of Iohn Spalding Belringer for there could no man come into the prison but by the keies being in Iohn Belringers keeping Also as by my Lord of LondoÌs booke doth appeare Iohn Belringer is a
abuses of the place and order where he liued was cast in prison At length beyng weake and feable through imprisoÌment he sent for y e Warden of the Couent desiring and beâeching him to haue some respect of his woefull state pittifull case The Warden rebuking and accusing hym for that he had done spoken He aunswered againe and sayde that he had spoken nothyng whiche might be preiudiciall or hurtfull to their monkery or against their Religion Ex Phil. Melanct in Apologia cap. de vot Monast. But there shoulde come one and assigned the yeare an 1516. Who should vtterly subuert all monkery and they should neuer be able to resist him c. Long it were to induce here all Prophecies that be read in histories Certeine I minde briefly to touch passe ouer Ex Reuelat. Brigit lib. 4. cap. 17. And first to omit the reuelations of Brigit wherunto I doe not muche attribute who prophecying of the destruction of Rome in her 4. booke cap. 17. sayth That Rome shal be scoured and purged with three thinges with sworde fire and the plough Brigit prophesieth of reformaâion resembling moreouer the sayd Church of Rome to a plant remoued out of the old place into a new Also to a body condemned by a iudge to haue the skinne flayne off the bloud to be drawen from the fleshe the flesh to be cut out in peeces and the bones thereof to be broken and all the marow to be squiesed out from the same so that no part thereof remayne whole and perfect c. But to these speculations of Brigit I geue no great respect as neither I doe to the predictions of Katherine De Senis And yet notwithstanding Antoninus writing of the same Katherine in hys 3. part Antonia part 3. hist. titul 23. cap. 14. Tit. 23. cap. 14. reciteth her wordes thus prophesying of the reformation of the church to Fryer Reymund her ghostly father By these tribulations sayth she God after a secret maner vnknowne to man shall purge his holy Church and after those thinges shall follow such a reformation of the holy Church of God Katherina Senensis prophecying of reformation and such a renouation of the holy pastours that the onely cogitation and remembrance thereof maketh my spirite to reioyce in the Lord And as I haue oftentimes told you heretofore the spouse which is now all deformed and ragged shal be adourned and decked with most ritch and precious ouches and brouches and all the faythfull shal be glad and reioyse to see themselues so bewtified with so holye pastours Yea and also the infidels then allured by the sweete sauour of Christ shall returne to the catholicke folde and be conuerted to the true byshop and shepheard of theyr soules Geue thankes therefore to GOD for after this storme hee will geue a great calme c. Of the authoritie of this prophetisse I haue not to affirme or iudge but rather to heare what the Catholique iudge will say of this their owne saint and Prophet For if they do not credite her spirite of prophesie why then doe they authorise her for a pure saint amoÌg y e Sisters of deare S. Dominick If they warreÌt her prophesie let them say then when was this glorious reformation of the Churche euer true or like to be true if it be not true now in this maruellous alteration of the Churche in these our latter dayes Or when was there any such conuersion of Christian people in all countries euer heard of since the Apostles tyme as hath bene since the preaching of Martine Luther The prophesie of Hieron Sauonarola Vid. supra pag. 707. 753. Of Hieronimus Sauonarola I wrote before pag 000 shewing that he prophecied That one shoulde passe ouer the Alpes like to Cyrus who shoulde subuert and destroy all Italye Which may well be applyed to Gods word and the Gospell of Christ spreading nowe in all places since Luthers time The prophesie of Theodoricus Theodoricus Bishop of Croacia liued neare about the time when Hus and Hierome were martyred Who in y e ende of his propheticall verses which are extant in print declareth That the sea of Rome whiche is so horriblie polluted with Simonie and auarice shall fal and no more shal oppresse men with tyranny as it hath done and that it shal be subuerted by hys owne subiectes and that the Church and true pietie shal florish agayne more then euer it did before Nouiomagus testifieth that he in the yeare of our Lord 1520. heard Ostendorpius The prophesie of Doct. Weselus A prophesie of the popes head a Canon of Dauentrie say that when he was a young man Doctor Weselus a Phrysian which was then an old man told him That he should liue to see this new schoole diuinitie of Scotus Aquinas and Bonauenture to be vtterly forsaken and exployded of all true Christians In a booke of Carolus Bouillus mention is made of a certaine vision which one Nicholas an heretique of Heluetia had in which vision he saw the popes head crowned with 3. swordes proceeding from hys face and 3. swordes comming toward it This vision is also imprinted in the bookes of Martine Luther with hys preface before it Nicholas Medlerus being of late superintendent of BruÌswyke Ex Flacio de testibus veritatis affirmed and testified That he heard and knewe a certayne Priest in his country which told the priests there that they layd aside Paule vnder their deskes and pues but the time would come when as Paule should come abroad and driue them vnder the deskes and darcke stalles where they shoulde not appeare c. Matthias Flaccius in the ende of his booke intituled De testibus veritatis speaketh of one Michaell Stifelius which Michaell being an old man told him that he heard the Priestes and Monkes say many tymes by old prophecies that a violent reformation must needes come amongest them and also that the sayd Michaell heard CoÌradus Stifelius his father many tymes declare the same who also for the great hatred he bare agaynst this filthy sect of Monkes and priestes told to one Peter Piâer a friend and neighbour of hys that he should lyue and see the day and therefore desired him that when the day came besides those Priestes which he should kill for himselfe he woulde kill one priest more for hys sake Haec ex Flaccio This Stiteleus thought belike that this reformation shuld be wrought by outward violence The Gospel beginneth his reformation with peace and quietnes and force of sword but he was thereing deceiued Although the aduersarye vseth all forcible meanes and violent tyranny yet the proceeding of the Gospell alwaies beginneth with peace and quietnes In the table of Amersham men I signified a little before pag. 000. how one Haggar of LondoÌ speaking of this reformation to come declared That the Priestes should make battaile and haue the vpper hand a while but shortly they should be vanquished and