the king to the conuocation house sent him therewith to the Conuocation house among the Byshops Cromwell commyng with the kynges signet boldly into the Clergy house and there placyng himselfe among the Byshops W. Warham beyng then Archbyshop begā to make his Oration declaryng to them the authoritie of a kyng and the office of subiectes and especially the obedience of Byshops Churchmen vnder publicke lawes necessaryly prouided for the profite quyet of the cōmon wealth Which lawes notwithstandyng they had all transgressed highly offended in derogation of the kynges royall estate fallyng in the law of Premunire in that no◠onely they had consented to the power Legatiue of the Cardinall For the copie of the Bishops 〈◊〉 to the Pope read before pag. 1025. The clergy condemned in the Premunire Syr Tho. Cromwell made knight and M. of the kinges Iewel house but also in that they had all sworne to the Pope contrary to the fealtie of their soueraigne Lord the kyng therfore had forfeyted to the kyng all their goodes cattels landes possessions and whatsoeuer liuynges they had The Byshops hearyng this were not a litle amased and first began to excuse and deny the fact But after that Cromwell had shewed them the very copie of their othe made to the Pope at their cōsecration and the matter was so playne that they could not deny it they begā to shrinke and to fall to entreatie desiryng respite to pause vpon the matter Notwithstandyng the end thereof fell so out that to be quite of that Premunire by Act of Parliament it cost them to the kyng for both the prouinces Canterbury and Yorke no lesse then .118840 poundes whiche was about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. whereof before you may read more at large pag. 1020. After this an 1522. Syr Thomas Cromwell growyng in great fauour with the kyng Cromwell made M. of the Rolles Cromwell made knight of the Garter was made Knight Maister of the kynges Iewell house shortly after was admitted also into the kynges Coūsaile which was about the commyng in of Queene Anne Bullen Furthermore within two yeares ofter the same an 1524. he was made Maister of the Rolles Doct. Taylor beyng discharged Thus Cromwel springyng vp in fauour and honour after this in the yeare .1527 a litle before the byrth of kyng Edward was made Knight of the Garter L. Cromwell made Earle of Essex great Chamberlaine of England and Vicegerent to the king not long after was aduaunced to the Earledome of Essex and made great Chamberlaine of England Ouer and besides all which honours he was constitute also Uicegerent to the kyng representyng his person Whiche office although it standeth well by the law yet seldome hath there bene sene any besides this Cromwell alone either to haue susteined it or els to haue so furnished the same with counsayle and wisedome as Cromwell did And thus much hytherto cōcernyng the steppes and degrees of the Lord Cromwels risyng vp to dignitie and high estate Now somewhat would be sayd likewise of the noble Actes the memorable examples and worthy vertues not drowned by ease of honour in him but encreased rather quickened by aduauncemēt of authority place to work more abundantly in the common wealth Among y t which his woorthy actes and other manyfolde vertues in thys one chiefely aboue all other riseth his commendation The actes and doinges of the L. Cromwell described for his singular zeale and laborious trauaile bestowed in restoring the true Church of Christ and subuerting the Synagogue of Antichrist the Abbeyes I meane and religious houses of Friers and Monkes For so it pleased almighty God by the meanes of the said Lord Cromwell to induce the King to suppresse first the Chauntries then the Friers houses and small Monasteries till at length all the Abbeys in England both great and lesse were vtterly ouerthrowne and pluckt vp by the rootes The which acte and enterprise of him as it may geue a president of singular zeale to all Realmes christened which no Prince yet to this day scarse dare folow so to this Realme of Englande it wrought such benefit commoditie as the fruite thereof yet remayneth and will remayne still in the Realme of Englande though we seeme little to feele it Rudely and simply I speake what I suppose without preiudice of other which can inferre any better reason In the meane time my reason is this that if God had not raised vp thys Cromwell as he did to be the instrument of rooting out of the Abbeyes and Celles of straunge religion The L. Cromwel a profitable instrument in suppressing Abbayes what other men see I know not for my part I neuer yet saw in thys Realme any such Cromwell since Cromwels time whose hart and courage might not sooner haue bene subuerted with the money and bribes of Abbots then he to haue subuerted any Abbey in all England But heere I must of necessitie answeare the complaynt of certayne of our countrey men For so I heare of many the subuersion of these Monasteries to be reprehended The defence of the L. Cromwell for ouerthrowing the Abbayes as euill and wicked The building say they mighte haue bene conuerted vnto schooles and houses of learning The goodes and possessions might haue bene bestowed to much better and more godly vse of the poore and mainteining of hospitalitie Neyther do I denie but that these thyngs are well and godly spoken of them and could willingly embrace their opinion with my whole hart if I did not consider heerein a more secret and deeper meaning of Gods holy prouidence then at the first blush peraduenture to all men doth appeare And first to omit the wicked and execrable life of these religious orders The abhominable life in Monasteryes bewrayed by their owne confessiō ful of al feditie found out by the Kings visitours and in their Registers also recorded so horrible to be heard so incredible to be beleeued so stinking before the face of God and man that no maruayle it is if Gods vengeance from heauen prouoked woulde not suffer anye stone or monument of these abhominable houses to be vnplucked vp But as I sayd letting these things passe vnder chaste silence whiche for very shame will abhorre any storie to disclose let vs now come to the first institution of these orders and houses of Monkerie and consider howe and to what end they were first instituted and erected here among the Saxons at the first foundation of them about the time 666. In the former parte of thys Hystorie declaration was made before Read afore pag. 133.134 page 133.134 first by whome and at what time these Monkish houses heere in England among the Saxons flowing no doubt out of the order of Saint Benet The first beginning of religious houses in the time of the Saxons and brought in by Augustine began first to be founded as by Augustine the Monke Furseus Medulphus
word to the great perill of their soules 6. The sixt cause was because one Priest being litle learned Pluralities of benefices had tenne or twelue benefices and was resident on none and many well learned scholers in the Uniuersitie which were able to preach and teach had neyther benefice nor exhibition These thinges before this time mighte in no wise be touched nor yet talked of by any man except he woulde be made an hereticke or lose all that he had for the Byshops were Chauncellours and had all the rule about the King so that no man durst once presume to attempt any thyng contrary to their profite or commoditie But now wheÌ„ God had illuminated the eyes of y e king and the time so serued Three bils drawen out against the misorder of the clergye that men more boldly durst expresse with voyce such grudges as they had long conceaued in their harts against the Clergy the Burgesses of the Parliament appoynted certayne of the common house men learned in the Lawe to drawe one bill of the probates of testaments another for Mortuaries the third for none residence pluralities and taking fermes by spiritual men The first bill for mortuaryes And first to y e bill of Mortuaries being drawen and being also passed the commoÌ„ house and sent vp to the higher the Spirituall Lords shewed a faire face sayeng that assuredly Priestes and Curates tooke more then they shoulde and therefore it were well done to take some reasonable order Thus they spake because it touched them but little The second bill for probates of testamentes After this within two dayes was sent vp the secoÌ„d bill concerning probates of testaments which bill because it touched their profite somewhat neare both the Archbishop of Canterbury and all other Bishops in generall began to frowne and grunt in so much as Doctor Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester staÌ„ding vp in the Parlament chamber openly protested that such billes were sent vp froÌ„ the coÌ„mon house tending to no other thing but to the destruction of y e Church which Church being downe the glory then of y e whole kingdome said he must needes fall desiring therfore the Lords for Gods sake to take example by the kingdome of Boheme For as it was then with the people there D. Fysher chargeth the coÌ„mons with lacke of faith The grudge oâ— the commons in the lâ—wer house against Fisher Bishop of Rochester so now what say the coÌ„mons here but down with y e Church And all this said he seemeth only to be for lacke of faith When these words were reported to the coÌ„mons of the lower house what the Bishop had sayde in noting all their doings to be for lacke of faith they tooke the matter greeuously so to be esteemed of the Bishop for no better then heretikes vnderstanding moreouer how that he by those slaÌ„derous words went about to perswade the Lords temporall against them and so to ouerthrowe the two billes by them passed before as ye haue heard Whereupon after long debate it was at length agreed by the said commons that Thomas Audeley their speaker with xxx of the chief of that house should be sent to the kyng beyng then in his palace at Westminster before called Yorke place where they eloquently declared what a dishonour to the kyng and the realme it was to say that they which were elected for the wisest meÌ„ of all y e Shyres Cities and Boroughes within the Realme of England should be declared in so noble and open presence to lacke fayth which was equiualent to say that they were Infidels and no Christians as ill as Turkes or Sarasins so that what payne or study soeuer they tooke for the commoÌ„ wealth or what actes or lawes soeuer they made or stablished should be taken as lawes made by Paynims and Heathen people and not worthy to be kept by Christian men wherefore they most humbly besought the kynges hyghnesse to call the sayd Byshop before him and to cause him to speake more discretly of such a number as was in the common house The kyng not beyng well contented with the saying of the Byshop yet gently aunswered the speaker The king not contented with the Byshop of Rochester and sent them away Who immediately sent for the Archbyshop of Canterbury vi other Byshops and Rochester also signifying vnto them the grudge of the commons The Byshop of Rochester excusing himselfe aunswered that he in so saying meant onely the doyngs of the BohemiaÌ„s to be for lacke of fayth The Byshops excuse not the doynges of them that were in the coÌ„mon house which saying was confirmed by the Byshops there present which had him in great reputation so by that onely saying the kyng accepted his excuse and therfore sent word to the coÌ„mons by Syr WilliaÌ„ Fitzwilliams Knight Treasurer of his houshold which blynde excuse pleased the commons nothyng at all After this Difference betweene the laity and spiritualtye about certaine constitutions diuers assemblies were kept betwene certaine of the Lordes and certaine of the Commons for the Billes of the probates of Testamentes and Mortuaries The temporaltie layd to the spiritualtie their own lawes Constitutions and the Spiritualtie sore defended them by prescription vsage To whom it was thus aunswered by a GentlemaÌ„ of Greyes Inne The vsage hath euer bene of theeues to rob on Shoters hill Ergo is it lawfull With this aunswere the spirituall men were sore offended LoÌ„g vse maketh not euill thinges lawfull because their doynges were called robberies but the temporall men stood still by their sayinges in somuch that the sayd GentlemaÌ„ sayd to the Archb of CaÌ„terbury that both the exaction of probates of Testamentes Mortuaries as they were vsed differed but litle from theft and the takyng of Mortuaries as they were vsed were open robbery and theft After long disputation the temporall Lordes began to leane to the commoÌ„s but for all that the Bylles remayned vnconcluded a while It folowed shortly after in the ParliameÌ„t that a Byll was assented to by the Lords of the higher house and sent downe to the commons in the lower house and by them also with much labour agreed vnto of whoÌ„ the most part were the kynges seruauntes in the which Bill it was required and concluded that the kyng should be released of all such loane of money which he had borowed of his subiectes in the xv yeare of his reigne The passing of which Byll went sore agaynst the stomackes of the poore Commons for many rested vpon it countyng and passing it ouer one to an other for good debt as if it had bene ready money in their purses Wherfore the king to regratifie theÌ„ agayne graunted to them a generall pardoÌ„ of all offences onely certaine great offences debts excepted also he ayded them for the redresse of their grieues agaynst the spiritualtie caused two new Bylles to be made indifferently both for the probates
other good deedes and as for one of them whatsoeuer he haue of money in his purse he will distribute it for the loue of God to poore people Also he sayde that no man should geue laud nor prayse in no maner of wise to no creature nor to no Saint in heauen Tim. 1. but only to God Soli Deo honor gloria that is To God alone be all honour and glory Also he sayd ah good Sir Edmund ye be farre from the knowledge and vnderstanding of the Scripture for as yet ye be a Pharisey with many other of your company but I trust in God I shall make you and many other mo good and perfect Christen men ere I depart from the Citie The Godly courage of Rich Bayfilde for I purpose to reade a common lecture euery day at S. Fosters Church which lecture shall be to the edifyeng of your soules that be false Phariseys Also he sayde that Bilney preached nothing at Wilsedone but that was true Also he sayd that Bilney preached true at Wilsedone if he sayd that our Ladyes crowne of Wilsedone The peoples offringes bestowed bestowed vppon harlots her rings beades that were offered to her were bestowed amongest harlots by the Ministers of Christes Churche for that haue I seene my selfe he sayd heere in London and that will I abide by Also he sayde he did not feare to commen and argue in Arthur and Bilneys opinions and Articles and if it were with my Lord Cardinall Also he sayd that he would hold Arthur and Bilneys opinions and Articles and abyde by them that they were true opinions to suffer death therfore I know them said he for so noble and excellent men in learning Also he sayde if he were before my Lord Cardinall hee would not let to speake to him and to tell hym that he hath done nought in prisoning of Arthur and Bilney whyche were better disposed in their liuings to God then my Lord Cardinall or my Lord of London as holy as they make themselues Also he sayd my Lord Cardinall is no perfect nor good man to God for he keepeth not the Commaundements of God for Christ he said neuer taught him to folow riches nor to seeke for promotions nor dignities of this worlde nor Christ neuer taught him to weare shoes of siluer and gilt set with pearle and precious stones The Cardinals shooes nor Christ had neuer ij crosses of siluer ij axes nor piller of siluer gilt Also he sayde that euery Priest might preach the Gospell without licence of the Pope my Lord Cardinall my Lord of London or any other man And that would he abide by and thus he verified it as it is written Marke 16. Euntes in mundum vniuersum praedicate Euangelium omni creaturae Christ commaunded euery Priest to go foorth thoroughout all the worlde and preache the word of God by the authoritie of this Gospel and not to runne to y e Pope nor to no other man for licence and that would hee abyde by he sayd Also he sayd Wel Sir Edmund say you what you will and euery man my Lord Cardinall also and yet will I say and abide by it my Lord Cardinall doth punishe Arthur Bilney vniustly for there be no truer Christen men in all the world liuing then they two be and that punishment that my Lord Cardinall doth to them he doth it by might and power as who say this maye I do and thys will I do who shall say nay but he doth it of no iustice Also about the xiiij day of October last past at iij. of the clocke at after noone Syr Richarde Bayfilde came to S. Edmunds in Lumbardstreete where he founde me Syr Edmund Peerson Sir Iames Smith and Syr Myles Garnet standing at the vttermost gate of the personage Syr Edmund sayd to Syr Richard Bayfilde how many Christen men haue yee made since yee came to the Citie Quoth Sir Richard Bayfilde I came euen now to make thee a Christen man and these two other Gentlemen with thee for well I know ye be all three Phariseis as yet Also he sayd to Syr Edmund that Arthur and Bilney were better Christen men then he was or any of them that did punish Arthur and Bilney Per me Edmundum Peerson And thus we haue as in a grosse summe coÌ„piled together the names and causes though not of al yet of a great and to great a number of good men good women whych in those sorowful daies from the yere of our Lord 1527. to this present yere 1533. that is til the comming in of Queene Anne were manifold wayes vexed and persecuted vnder the tiranny of the Bishop of Rome Ten Dutchmen Annabaptists put to death Segor Derycke Symon Runa Derycke Dominicke Dauid Cornelius Ellâ—en Milo Where again we haue to note that froÌ„ this present yeare of our Lord 1533. during the time of the sayd Quene Anne we read of no great persecution nor any abiuration to haue bene in the Church of Englande saue onely that the Registers of London make mention of certaine Dutchmen counted for Anabaptists of whom 10. were put to death in sondry places of the realme an 1535. other 10. repented and were saued Where note again that 2. also of the said company albeit the diffinitiue sentence was read yet notwithstaÌ„ding were pardoned by the king which was contrary to the Popes law Now to proceede forth in our matter after that the Byshops and heads of the clergy had thus a long time taken their pleasure Anno. 1533. exercising their cruell authoritie against the poore wasted flocke of the Lord Complaynt of the CoÌ„mons against the Clergy Ex Edw. Hallo A Parliament an 1534. and began furthermore to stretch foorth their rigour and austeritie to attach molest also other greater persons of the temporaltie so it fell that in y e beginning of the next or 2. yere following which was an 1534. a parlament was called by the king about the 15. day of Ian. In the which parlament the commons renuing their old griefes complained of the cruelty of the Prelates Ordinaries for calling men before them Ex Officio For suche was then the vsage of the Ordinaries and theyr Officials Crueltye of the Clergye against the temporaltie that they would send for men lay accusations to them of heresie onely declaring to them that they were accused and would minister Articles to them but no accuser should be brought forth wherby the coÌ„mons was greuously anoyed oppressed for the party so acited must eyther abiure or do worse for purgatioÌ„ he might none make As these matters were long debating in the Common house as last it was agreed that the temporall men should put their griefs in wryting and deliuer them to the King Whereuppon the 18. day of Marche the common speaker accompanied wyth certaine Knights and Burgeses of the common house came to the Kyngs presence and there declared how the temporal
humbly desire your highnes to examine the truth therof indifferently and either will your maiesties ambassadour nowe being with the Emperor to enquire of the same if it be your pleasure to haue him moue it or els to cause it to be demanded of the Emperors ambassador here although he were not within this realme at that time And thereby it shall appeare that in this poynt I haue not offended your maiestie if it may please you so to accepte it And albeit your maiestie GOD be praised hath at these yeres as much vnderstanding and more then is commonly seene in that age yet considering you do hear but one part your highnes not offended I would be a suter to the same that till ye were grōwen to more perfect yeres it might stand with your pleasure to stay in matters touching the soule So vndoubtedly shuld your Maiestie knowe more and heare others and neuerthelesse be at your liberty and do your wil and pleasure And whatsoeuer your maiestie hath conceiued of me either by letters to your coūsaile or by their report I trust in the ende to proue my selfe as true to you as any subiect within your realm wil by no meanes stand in argument with your maiestie but in most humble wise beseche you euen for Gods sake to suffer me as your highnesse hath done hitherto It is for no worldly respecte I desire it God is my iudge but rather then to offend my conscience I woulde desire of God to lose all that I haue and also my life and neuerthelesse liue and die your humble sister and true subiect Thus after pardon craued of your maiestie for my rude and bold writing I beseche almighty God to preserue the same in honor with as long continuance of health and life as euer had noble king From Beauliene the 3. of Februarie Your Maiesties most humble and vnworthy sister Marie The Ladie Marie to the Lordes of the Counsaile 4. December 1550. MY Lords your letters dated the second of this present were deliuered vnto mee the thirde of the same And where you wryte that two of my Chaplaines Doctor Mallet and Barkley be indicted for certaine things committed by them contrary to the kings Maiesties lawes and processe for them also awarded forth and deliuered to the Sheriffe of Essex I can not bur maruell they should be so vsed cōsidering it is done as I take it for saying masse wythin my house and although I haue bene of my selfe mineded alwayes and yet am to haue Masse within my house yet I haue bene aduertised that the Emperours Maiestie hath bene promimised that I shoulde neuer be vnquieted nor troubled for my so doing as some of you my Lordes can witnesse Furthermore besides the declaration of the saide promise made to me by the Emperors ambassador that dead is from his Maiesty to put my chaplaines more out of feare when I was the last yeare with the kings maiestie my brother that question was then mooued and coulde not bee denyed but affirmed by some of you before his Maiestie to bee true beinge not so muche vnquieted for the trouble of my sayde Chaplaines as I am to thinke how this matter may be taken the promise to such a person being no better regarded And for mine owne part thought full little to haue receiued suche vngentlenes at your hāds hauing alwaies God is my iudge wished vnto the whole nūber of you as to my self haue refused to troble you or to craue any thing at your hāds but your good wil frēdship which very slenderly appeareth in this matter Notwithstāding to be plain with you how soeuer you shal vse me or mine with Gods helpe I will neuer varie from mine opinion touching my faith And if yee or any of you beare me the lesse good wil for that matter or faint in your frendship towardes me onely for the same I must and will be contented trusting that God will in the ende shew his mercy vpon me assuring you I would rather refuse the frendship of all the world whereunto I trust I shall neuer be driuen then forsake any poynte of my faith I am not without some hope that yee will stay this matter not enforcing the rigor of the law against my chaplaines The one of them was not in my house these 4. moneths D. Mallet hauing my licence is eyther at Windsor or at his benefice who as I haue hearde was indicted for saying of Masse out of my house whiche was not true But in deede the day before my remoouing from Woodham water my whole housholde in effecte was gone to Newhall he sayde Masse there by mine appoyntment I see and heare of diuers that doe not obey your statutes and proclamations and neuerthelesse escape without punishmēt Be ye Iudges if I be well vsed to haue mine punished by rigour of a lawe besides all the false bruits that ye haue suffered to be spoken of me Moreouer my Chaplaine D. Mallet besides mine owne commandement was not ignorant of the promise made to the Emperour which did putte him oute of feare I doubt not therfore but ye wil consider it as by that occasion no peace of friendship be taken away nor I to haue cause but to beare you my good will as I haue done heeretofore for albeit I coulde do you little pleasure yet of my friendship ye were sure as if it had lien in my power yee shoulde haue well knowen Thus with my hearty commendations to you all I pray almighty God to send you as muche of his grace as I woulde wish to mine owne soule From Beulien the 4. of Decemb. Your assured frend to my power Mary The Counsaile to the Ladie Marie the 25. of December AFter our due commendations to your grace By your letters to vs as an answeare to ours touching certain processe against two of your Chaplaines for saying Masse against the law and statute of the realme we perceiue both the offence of your chaplains is otherwise excused then the matter may beare and also our good willes otherwise misconstrued then we looked for And for the first parte where your greatest reason for to excuse the offence of a lawe is a promise made to the Emperours Maiestie whereof you wryte that first some of vs be witnesses next that the Ambassadour for the Emperour declared the same vnto you and lastly that the same promise was affirmed to you before y e kings maiestie at your last being with him We haue thought conuenient to repeate the matter from the beginning as it hath hitherto proceeded whereupon it shal appeare howe euidently your Chaplaines hath offended the lawe and you also mistaken the promise The promise is but one in it selfe but by times thrise as you say repealed Of whiche times the firste is chiefly to be considered for vppon that doe the other two depende It is very true the Emperour made request to the kinges Maiestie that you might haue libertye to vse the Masse in your house
was made conditionally to be putte into the handes of Sir Thomas Ioanes Knighte for safe custodie for the kings Clearkes behoofe after the fourteene dayes to be executed at the hands of the sayde Defendaunt if he failed to shewe Wythin whyche time the sayde Defendaunt did shewe an olde auncient recorde declaring the full righte of Patronage on the sayde Defendauntes behalfe and so that Institution and Induction was neuer by the sayde Defendaunt putte in execution Neuerthelesse the sayde Dauid Ieinkin contrary to hys promesse and othe geuing thereuppon his righte hande to the sayde Syr Thomas Ioanes Knight tooke aduauntage by the sayde wryting wythout knowledge of the sayde Defendaunt After whych time the Lord Chauncellour by hys letters wrytten to the sayde Defendaunt aduertised hym to admitte one Iohn Appowell clearke presented by vertue of a vowson which the L. Chancellor iudged to be good and so to be admitted notwythstanding his former presentation whereby he would not abarre the other mannes right And so thys Defendaunt made one Collation two Institutions and three Mandates doyng no wrong thereby to hys knowledge And further he sayeth that there was no businesse nor vnquietnesse aboute the possession of the sayde Uicarage but this Defendaunt geuing place was content to loose hys right for that time To the seuenth he sayth that as he nowe remembreth hee neuer decreed anye Caueates to be made in benefices neither did institute nor cause to be inducted any into benefices being knowne to hym litigious To the eight he sayeth that because the Archdeacons be absent from theyr Offices and haue not had faithfull diligent Officials he hathe directed his Mandates to them or their Officials or to other lawfull persons in that behalfe so farre as he knoweth To the ninthe and tenthe Articles he denieth as verye vntrue To the xi he sayth that whereas Syr Thomas Ioans Knighte aduertised hym that Thomas Pricharde had celebrated Matrimonie in a priuate house betwixte a certaine Priest and a woman whose sister hadde refused the same the sayde Pricharde leauing his owne cure vnserued on that Sonday this defendant did put the same Thomas Prychard to penance for so doing marying them without banes And wheras he made the said Thomas Aprichard who is a Bachelor of law his Commissary it was for the respect of learning in the law thereby faythfully to execute his office according to Iustice. And the sayde Defendaunt dyd neuer fauour nor beare with any man wittinglye in his wrong doinges He confesseth that the Matrimonye was solemnized in a priuate church and that the cure was that day vnserued To the 12. he sayth that it is slaunderous and vtterlye vntrue And that one syr Iohn Hughs Priest made Sage Hughs daughter to his Steppemother an harlot at 11. yeares of age and after maryed openly to an other man being Minister thereof himselfe After whiche doyng he tooke her away from her Husband agayne and kept her alledging a former contract And when the sayde Iohn Hughs was lawfully conuicted before the sayde Byshop in open Court at Carmarthen of that his abhominable adultery clayming the kinges pardon thereof yet the sayde Sage confessed that he had to do with her the night before that day of appearaunce Whiche latter crime he denyed Neuerthelesse she proued with childe affirming both before the byrth and after the childe to be his the Midwife and other being witnesses thereof Yet notwithstandinge George Constantine as a wicked Bolsterer of the sayde Priest in hys naughtye doinges with the helpe of the aforesayd Chaunter fyrst vttered that Meredith Thomas was Father of the sayd childe which matter was ordered in the Ecclesiasticall Court according to Iustice without any parciall affection of the sayd Bishop or of any other to his knowledge To the 13. hee sayth it is vtterly false so farre as he knoweth To the 14. he sayth that by lawfull sequestration in the Kinges Maiesties name he committed the custody of the fruites of Langatnok and Lanuihangell to two houost men for the behoufe of the Kynges first fruites and tenthes and of the next incumbent and further he did not meddle nor minister any cause of vnquietnesse in that behalfe To the 15. he sayth that he made a collation lawfull as he supposeth of the prebend of Lanbister to Stephen Greene his Chapleine without any couenaunt or colour and further he did not meddle in that behalfe To the 16. he sayth all is vntrue as farre as he knoweth To the 17. he sayth it is all vntrue for his owne part for his officers as farre as he knoweth To the 18. he sayth it is vntrue as farre as he knoweth and that he did certify the recusants iustly as he thinketh because they refused wilfully to paye the Kynges whole Subsidye of theyr whole diuidenesse as it standeth in the Kinges booke perteyning to the Canons resident To the 19. he sayth that after trauayle of fourtene Miles beyng not able fastyng to Celebrate Communion in a Chappell within the house of Syr Thomas Ioanes Knyght one of the Kinges Maiesties honourable Counsayle of the Marches of Wales this Defendaunte celebrated Matrimony without the receyuing the Communion for the causes abouesayd betwixt Mayster Griffith Ryce and the Daughter of the sayde Syr Thomas Ioanes accordynge to the kinges ordinaunces And Thomas Upricharde Prieste administred the holy Communion there without any superstition to this defendauntes knowledge and the maryed persons not disposed to receiue the holy Communion he coulde not compell them agaynst theyr consciences and sayeth that hee didde not dispense with them as it is contayned in the article ¶ To the slaunderous and vntrue title of mayntenance of superstition c. he sayeth that he did not maynteyne any superstition contrary to the kinges ordinaunces and iniunctions but abhorring in his hart all superstition hath trauelled and doth trauell to abolish the same by true doctrine and doyng as much as he can with the kinges peace amongst his people there TO the 20. he sayth that George Constantine in the third yeare of the kinges Maiestyes reigne not regarding the daungerous time of rebellion in other places rashly caused to be pulled downe without any authoritye knowne to this defendaunt the communion altar in Carmarthen Church by his owne presumptuous mynde appointing the vse thereof in another place of the church not without grudge of the people Wherefore the Bishop fearing tumult cōmaunded the vicar to set vp the communiō table for the time nere to the place where it was before To the 21. he sayth that he hath bene diuers tymes in the quere of Carmarthen and hath taried there in the communion time not communicating himselfe and that in euery Church where he commeth on the holy day to preach or to pray he kneeleth in the quere bareheaded as well at Matines before the Communion as at Euensong after without any superstition he thinketh it not necessary for the Communions sake to leaue kneeling to Christ. But he hath diligently taught the people
his learning in the law therby faythfully to execute his office according to iustice and none otherwise Item in the xiiij Article of the sayde surmised Information it is vntruely declared that through the vnlawfull sequestration of the fruites of the Benefices of Langatok and Lanuihangell Cundy and the vndiscreete handlyng of the sayd Byshoppe there were raysed a great number of people to the great daunger of the Inhabitantes theraboutes Trueth it is that the sayd Byshoppe vpon good and Lawefull considerations and specially for that the Kynges Maiestye should be truely aunswered of his first fruites and Tenthes of the sayd Benefices he did lawfully and as he was bounde to doe sequester the sayde fruites in the Kinges Maiestyes name and by his authority and committed the custodye thereof for a time vnto two honest men to the effect aforesaid and none otherwise without any occasion of tumult or gathering of the people through his default or folly Item whereas it is alleadged in the xix article of the information that the Byshop did celebrate Matrimonye in his owne person without receiuing or Ministryng the Communion to the persons maryed it is true for that the sayd Byshop had trauayled xiiij long wealche myles and not able to celebrate the holye Communion fasting and for other reasonable and lawefull causes him mouing did in a Chappell within the house of Syr Thomas Ioanes Knighte one of the Kinges honourable Counsell of the Marches of Wales solemnise Matrimony betwixt Mayster Griffith Ryce and the Daughter of the sayd Syr Thomas Ioanes without either receiuing the holy Communion hymselfe or Ministring the same to the persons maried being as then not disposed so to do it lawfully and godly without any such superstitious knockinges or blessinges or other vncomely gestures as is deduced in that article Item touching the contentes of the residue of all the sayd articles conteined in the sayde information the sayde Bishop partly for the auoyding of tediousnes and partly for that some of them be vntrue and mere false some other generall obscure friuolous vayne and of none effect but of malice and euill will contrary to truth conceaued leaueth them particularly vnaunswered vnto Item the sayd Bishop alledgeth that he hath not by al the time that he hath bene Byshop vsed any superstitions or Papistry as it is vntruelye surmised agaynst him but hath and doth to the vttermost of his power witte and cunning set forth maynteine preach and teache the true doctrine of the Gospell and such laudable doctrine as hee ought to do by the kinges Lawes Iniunctions and proceedinges and for such a teacher he hath bene and is commonly knowne named reputed taken and accepted notoriously And where the sayde Chauntour and George perceyued theyr depositions to be insufficient they required and hadde Commission into the Countrey to examine further Witnesses which they executed very parcially and vnlawfully as is alleadged in the Byshops exceptions aboue mentioned And whereas to the sayd Raulins Lee were awarded two seuerall Commissions they by fauour of the officers and for sparing of costes conioyned both in one had iij. months to make returne as appeareth by the copy of their commission which hereafter followeth ¶ A copy of the Commission awarded downe into the Countrey for the examination of Witnesses EDwardus sextus dei gratia Angliae Franciae Hyberniae rex fidei defensor in terra Ecclesiae Anglicanae Hyberniae supremum caput dilectis fidelibus suis Georgio Harbert militi Thomae Iones militi Iohanni Wogan militi ac dilectis sibi Dauid Vaughan Owino ap Owen armigeris salutem Sciatis quod nos de fidelitatibus prouidis circumspectionibus vestris plurimum fidentes assignauimus vos quatuor tres ac duos vestrum ac tenore praesentium damus vobis quatuor tribus vel duobus vestrum plenam potestatem autoritatem capiendi recipiendi depositiones examinationes quorumcunque testium ex parte Hugonis Rawlins Clerici Thomae Leghe de super quibusdam articulis per ipsos Hugonem Thomam Leghe consilio nostro exhibitis praesentibus inclusis Necnon depositiones examinationes in scriptis redigendas Et nos de huiusmodi examinationibus depositionibus cum sic per vos quatuor tres vel duos vestrûm captae fuerint in Cancellariam nostram in crastino AsceÌ„sionis domini proxime futurae vbicunque tuÌ„c fuerit sub sigillis vestris quatuor trium vel duorum vestrum clausis certificandum remittentes nobis tunc articulos praedictos vna cum hoc breui Et ideo vobis mandamus quod circa pâ—aemissa diligenter intendatis cum effectu Teste me ipso apud Westmon 9. die Martij Anno regni nostri sexto Marten DUryng all this tyme of the examination of the witnesses the sayd Bishop was stayed at London vpon the allegation of the sayd aduersaries which was that if the sayd B. should depart into his dioces he would let them of their prooues And at the returne of their commission it was signified vnto the Counsail what a great number of witnesses they had examined viz. sixe score and vij which sounded very hamons in the counsailes eares And about three weekes after Publication of theyr witnesses was graunted and after that it was a fortnight or the B. could get a copy written of their depositions because the booke therof is so huge and monstrous Then the Bishop desired tyme First to enquire of what condition the persones were that had witnessed agaynst hym and to make exceptions and matters to iustifie direct contrary and to haue a commission for the proofe thereof which was then graunted And now it is obiected that the Bishop was appoynted so to trauell with the expedition of hys matter that he should haue sued out his Commission and haue made returne therof at Alhallowtide last past but there was no such decree put in writyng And it was not possible for the Bishop to doe it in so short a time these causes considered which he would not auoid as followeth First it was the latter end of Iuly ere he came home to S. Dauids where he began his visitation which before was appointed Secondly he was by force of law constrained to aunswer at the barre daily during all the tyme the great Sessions at Carmarthen in defence of hys iust cause agaynst the pretensed matter of premunire which his aduersaries of meere malice hath procured agaynst hym Thirdly the said aduersaries to molest hym further did priuily packe a quest of ignorant persons of no reputation and indited hym vpon the words of Raulins information as appeareth by a copy of the inditement entending thereby to make the matter sound more hainous notwithstanding y t the same cause dependeth before the kings high counsaile vndetermined Fourthly hee was appointed by the Commissioners before his departure from London to pay two hundreth pound which was arrerages into the court of first fruits and tenths at
sufferaunce might be found vnexcusable and seeme to consent to that which you do not resist Here we omitte and passe ouer what enormity and more the enormity that is that such a great and so deuoute a nation should by one fryer who relinquishing the Catholique fayth and Christian religion which he before professed playeth the Apostata hath lyed to God be nowe seduced from that way whiche first * * Christ and his Apostles taught vs that we are saued by Fayth onely in the Sonne of God the same doeth Luther preache and the Pope denyeth Holy Martyrs and fathers in the old time ministred the Communion in both kindes to the people and taught that fayth was necessary in receauing the Sacramentes the same doth Luther affirme and the Pope denyeth the old way of the fathers was this that they neuer had any aduocates and mediators but Christ alone and that they neuer solde the merites of Christes passion for money In the same way doeth Luther now walke whereas the pope hath deuised a newe way to walke in for money with an hundreth other new deuises newe sectes and newe ordinances which the olde fathers neuer knewe Christ our redemer his blessed apostles haue opened vnto vs which so many Martyrs so many holy Fathers so many greate learned men also your owne foreelders and old auncitours haue alwayes hitherto walked in as though onely Luther had all wit and cunning as though he onely nowe first had receiued the holy ghost as the heretick Montanus vsed to boast of himselfe or as though the Church froÌ„ which Christ our sauiour promised himselfe neuer to depart hath erred hitherto alwayes in darcke shadowes of ignorance and perdition tyll now it should be illuminate with newe râ—splendent beames of Luther Al which thinges there is no doubt but to such as haue iudgement will seeme ridiculous but yet may be pernitious to simple and ignoraunt mindes and to the other which being wery of all good order do gape stil for new changes may breed matter and occasion of such mischiefes as partly your selues haue experienced already And therfore do you not consider O princes and people of Germany that these be but prefaces preambles to those euils and mischiefes which Luther with the secte of his Lutherianes do intend purpose here after * * The doctrine of Luther hath bin preached in Germanie aboue these 40. yeares and yet is there neuer a Prince nor Magistrate nor Citizen in Germany God be praysed which by the doctrine of Luther is worse by one halfepeny whereas by the pope good reckenyng hath beene made that Germany hath bin worse by 3000000. Florens by the yeare Out of the territory of the bishop of Ments amounteth to the Pope for the Archbishops Palle 26000. Florens In the counsel of Basil it was openly declared that 9. Millions of Gold were gathered in the tyme of Pope Martyne and translated to Rome Pag. 698. Nowe let the Princes of Germany consider this Do you not see playnly perceiue with your eyes that this defending of the verity of the Gospell first begun by the Lutherians to be pretended is now manifest to be but an inuentioÌ„ to spoile your goods which they haue long inteÌ„ded Or do you thinke that these sonnes of iniquity do tend to any other thing then vnder the name of liberty to supplant obedience and so to open a generall * * The preaching of ChristiaÌ„ libertie of the soule breaketh no ciuil order touching the outwarde Obedience of the bodie But the Pope would haue the soules of men in his bondage and therfore he can not abide this inwarde libertie of the spirite to be touched for that were agaynst the popes purse and profite which were an heresie intollerable licence to euery man to do what him listeth And suppose you that they will any thing regard your commauÌ„dementes or esteeme * * This is no good consequent Luther burned the popes stinckyng decretals Ergo hee wil not sticke also to burn the bookes of the ciuil law your lawes whiche so contemptuously vilipend the holy Canons and decrees of the fathers yea and the most holy Councels also to whose authorite the Emperors lawes haue alwayes geuen roome and place not onely vilipeÌ„d them but also with a diabolicall audacitye haue not feared to rent them in pieces and set them on a light fire They which refuse to render due obedience to priestes to byshops yea to the high bishop of al which dayly before your owne faces make theyr bootyes of Church goodes and of thinges consecrated to God thinke ye that they will refrayne theyr sacrilegious handes froÌ„ the spoyle of lay mens goods yea that they wil not plucke from you whatsoeuer they can rap or reaue The persecuting pagans in the olde time did obiect to the old Fathers of the Primatiue church the blasphemies of Thyestes supper and of the incest of Oedipus the worshipping also of an Asses head pag. 43.39 In much like sort doth the pope heere lay vnto Luther riots rebellions and all mischiefes hee can deuise not because they be true but because hee would haue the world so to beleue Finally to conclude how can you hope that they will more spare you or hold theyr murthering handes from your throates which haue bene so bold to vexe to kill to slay the Lordes annoynted which are not to be toucbed Nay thinke you not contrary but this miserable calamity will at length redound vpon you your goodes your houses wiues children dominioâ—s possessions these your temples which you hallow reuereÌ„ce except you prouide some speedy remedy agaynst the same Wherefore we exhort your fraternities nobilities deuotions of all and singuler in the Lord and beseech you for Christian charity religion for which religion your forefathers oft times haue geuen their bloud to vpholde and encrease the same and notwithstanding require you also in vertue of that obedience which all Christians owe to God blessed S Peter Obedience to God and to S. Peter and to his vicare do not well match together by the Scripture for the obedience to the Creator is one and the obedience to the creature is an other and to his Vicar here in earth that setting aside all other quarrels and dissentions among our selues you conferre your helping handes euery man to quench this publique fire and endeuour and study the best way ye can howe to reduce the sayd M. Luther and all other fautours of these tumultes and errours to better conformitye and trade both of lyfe and fayth And if they which be infected shal refuse to heare your admonitioÌ„s yet proued that the other part which yet remayneth sound by the same contagion be not corrupted He to whom all secretes of men are open doth know how we both for our nature and also for our pastorall office whereto we are called are much more prone to remit then to reuenge But when this
benefices by preuention in disturbance of mens inheritance and diuers other open causes in the Premunire accordynge to the kings licence constituted Iohn Scute Edmonde Ienny Apprentises of the lawe his attourneys whych by his owne warrant signed w t his hand confessed all thyngs concerning the said suit for they were too open to be cloked or hidden and so iudgement was geuen that hee shoulde forfeite all his landes tenements goodes and cattels and shoulde be put oute of the kings protection but for al that the king sent him a sufficient protection and of hys gentlenes left to him the bishoyprikes of Yorke and Winchester and gaue to hym plate and stuffe conuenient for hys degree Doctour Tunstall Byshop of Duresme Iohn Stokesly made Byshop of London and the Bishoprike of Duresme he gaue to Doctour Tonstall Bishop of London and the Abbey of S. Albones he gaue to the Priour of Norwich and to London he promoted Doctour Iohn Stokesley then Ambassadoure to the vniuersities for the marriage as you hearde before For all this kindnesse shewed to the Cardinall yet still hee maligned against the king as you shal hereafter perceiue but first we will proceede in the course of these matters as they passed in order The next yeare following whych was Anno. 1530. Anno 1530. in the moneth of Nouemb. was summoned a generall parlament to be holden at Westminster In the which yeare about the 23. day of October A parliameÌ„t called the king came to his manor of Grenwich and there much consulted wyth his Counsaile for a meete man to be his Chauncelour so that in no wise he were no man of the Spiritualtie and so after longe debate the king resoluted him selfe vpon sir Thomas Moore knight Chauncelor of the Duchy of Lancaster Syr Thomas More made lord ChauÌ„celour of England a man wel learned in the tonges and also in the common law whose wit was fine and full of imaginations by reason whereof hee was a litle too muche geuen to mocking more then became the person of M. More and then on the Sonday the 24. day of the same moneth the king made him his Chauncelor and deliuered him the great seale which Lord Chancelor the next morow after was ledde into the Chancerye by the two Dukes of Norffolke and Suffolke and there sworne and then the Mace was borne before him Of this fall of the Cardinall and of the placing of Syr Thomas More in the Chauncelorship Erasmus in an Epistle to Iohn Uergera thus wryteth The Cardinall of Yorke hath so offended the kings minde Ex Eras. that he being turned out of his goodes and all his dignities is coÌ„mitted not into prison but into a certaine Lordshippe of his with 30. seruaunts or kepers to geue attendance vpon him Many and sundry complaintes are coÌ„menced against him so that he is not like to escape with his life Such is the daliaunce of fortune of a scholemaister to be made a king For so hee raigned more like a king then the king him selfe Hee was dreaded of all men he was loued but of a fewe almoste of none A litle before he was appreheÌ„ded he caused Richard Pacie to be cast in the towre Also he threatned my Archbishop of Canterburie Salomon sayeth By this Archbyshop he meaneth William Warham That before the fall of man his spirite shall be eleuated The Archb. of Caunterbury was called or restored to be chosen Lord Chancellor which is the chiefest office in all that realme but he excused himselfe by his age as being not able to weld such a function Wherefore the sayde office was bestowed vpon Tho. More no les to the reioycing of many then the other was displaced from it These newes my seruaunt brought me out of England c. Ex Epist. Erasm. ad Ioan Vergeram You heard before A parliameÌ„t summoned in Nouemb. anno 1530. how a counsaile of the Nobles was appoynted by the king in the moneth of October to assemble in the Starre chamber aboute the Cardinals matter and also how a parliament was summoned to begin in the moneth of Nouember in the yeare following An. 1530. At the beginning of which Parliament after that M. Moore the newe Chauncelour had finished hys oration the commons were commaunded to chuse them a Speaker Thomas Audely speaker of the Paâ—liament Sixe greuaÌ„ces of the commons agaynst the clergye who was Thomas Audeley Esquire and attorney of the Duchie of Lancaster Thus the Parlament being begun the 6. day of the foresaid month of Nouember at Westminster where the king with all the Lordes were set in the Parlament chamber the commoÌ„s after they had presented their speaker assembling in the nether house began to common of their grieues wherwith the spiritualtie had before time greeuously oppressed them contrary both to all righte and to the lawe of the realme and especially were sore mooued with these 6. great causes ¶ Greeuances against the Cleargie of Englande 1. THe first for the excessiue fines which the Ordinaries tooke for probate of Testaments 〈…〉 of testamentes in so much that Sir Henry Guilford Knight of the Garter and Comptrollour of the Kings house declared in the open Parliament of his fidelitie that he and other being executours to Syr William Compton Knight payed for the probate of hys will to the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand marke sterling After this declaration were shewed so many extortions done by Ordinaries for probates of willes A thousand 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 probate 〈…〉 testaâ—â—â—t The vnreasâ—â—â—ble 〈◊〉 of the clergye for Mortuaries that it were too much to rehearse 2. The second cause was the great poling extreame exaction which y e spirituall men vsed in taking of corps presents or Mortuaries for the childreÌ„ of the dead should all die for huÌ„ger and go a begging rather then they would of charitie geue to theÌ„ the sely cow which the dead maÌ„ ought if he had but onely one such was the charitie of them 3. The third cause was that Priestes being Surueyers Stuards Fâ—rmes and Granges in Priestes handes and officers to Byshops Abbots and other spirituall heads had and occupied Farmes Graunges and grasing in euery Countrey so that the poore husbandmen could haue nothing but of them and yet for that they shuld pay dearely 4. The fourth cause was that Abbots Priors and spirituall men kept Tannehouses Monkes and priests marchauntes and bought and sold wooll cloth and all maner of Marchaundise as other temporall Marchaunts did 5. The fift cause was because the spirituall persons promoted to great benefices Beneficed men take of their flocke but geue nothing and hauing their liuing of theyr flocke were lying in the Court of Lords houses and tooke all of their parishioners and nothing spent on them at all so that for lacke of residence both the poore of the parishe lacked refreshing and vniuersally all the parishioners lacked preaching and true instruction of Gods
receiued and made thys answere againe to them as followeth The kings answere to the rebels FIrst we begin and make answere to the fourth and sixt articles The kinges aunswere to the rebels because vpon them dependeth much of the rest Concerning choosing of Counsailours I neuer haue red heard nor knowen that Princes Counsailours and Prelates should be appoynted by rude and ignorant common people nor that they were persons meete or of habilitie to discerne and choose meete and sufficient Counsailours for a Prince How presumptuous then are ye the rude coÌ„mons of one shire and that one the most base of y e whole realme and of the least experience to finde fault with your Prince for the electing of his Counsailours and Prelates and to take vpon you contrary to Gods lawe and mans lawes to rule your Prince whom ye are bouÌ„d by al law to obey and serue with both your liues landes and goodes and for no worldly cause to withstand As to the suppression of religious houses Monasteries we wil that ye and al our subiects should wel know For suppression of religious houses that this is graunted vs by all the nobles spirituall temporall of thys realme and by al the commons in the same by Acte of Parlament and not set foorth by any Counsailour or Counsailours vpon their mere wil and fantasy as ye full falsely would perswade our realme to beleeue And where ye alleage that the seruice of God is muche diminished the trueth thereof is contrary for there bee no houses suppressed where God was well serued but where most vice mischiefe and abomination of liuing was vsed and that doth well appeare by their owne confessions subscribed wyth their owne handes in the time of their visitations and yet we suffred a great many of them more then we needed by the Acte to stand wherin In these visitations of religious houses horrible it is to read what wickednes and abomination was there founde and regystred by the vysitors if they amend not their liuing we feare we haue more to aunswere for then for the suppression of all the rest And as for the hospitalitie for the reliefe of the poore we wonder ye be not ashamed to affirme that they haue bene a great reliefe of poore people when a great many or the most parte hath not past foure or fiue religious persons in them diuers but one which spent the substaunce of the goodes of their houses in nourishing of vice and abhominable liuing Nowe what vnkindnes and vnnaturalitie may we impute to you and all our subiects that be of that minde which hadde leuer suche an vnthriftie sorte of vicious persons shoulde enioye suche possessions profites and emoluments as grow of the sayd houses to the maintenance of their vnthriftie life then we your naturall Prince soueraigne Lorde and King whych doth hath spent more in your defences of our owne then sixe times they be woorth As touching the acte of vses we maruaile what madnes is in your braine The acte of vses or vpon what ground ye wold take authority vpon you to cause vs to breake those lawes and statutes which by all the noble Knightes and Gentlemen of this Realme whom the same chiefly touched hath bene graunted and assented too seeing in no maner of things it toucheth you the base commons of our realme Also the groundes of all those vses were false and neuer admitted by law but vsurped vpon the prince contrary to all equitie and iustice as it hath bene openly both disputed declared by all the well learned meÌ„ in the Realm of Englande in Westminster Hall whereby yee may well perceiue howe madde and vnreasonable your demaundes be both in that and in the rest and howe vnmeete it is for vs dishonorable to graunt or assent vnto and lesse mete and decent for you in such a rebellious sort to demande the same of your Prince As touching the fifteene which yee demaunde of vs to be released thinke yee that we be so faint hearted The acte of fiftene that perforce ye of one shire were ye a great many mo could compell vs with your insurrections such rebellious demeanour to remitte the same or thinke yee that any man will or may take you to be true subiects that first make shewe a louing graunt and then perforce would compel your soueraigne Lord and King to release the same The time of paiment whereof is not yet come yea and seeing the same will not counteruaile the tenth peny of the charges whych we haue and daily do susteine for your tuition safegarde make you sure by your occasioÌ„s of these your ingratitudes vnnaturalnes and vnkindnes to vs now administred ye geue vs cause which hath alwayes bene asmuche dedicate to your wealth as euer was King not so muche to set our study for y e setting forward of the same seing how vnkindly and vntruly ye deale now wyth vs wythout any cause or occasion And doubt yee not though you haue no grace nor naturalnes in you to consider your duetie of allegiaÌ„ce to your king soueraigne Lord the rest of our Realm we doubt not hath we and they shall so looke on thys cause y t we trust it shal be to your confusion if according to your former letters you submit not your selues As touching the first frutes we let you to witte it is a thing graunted vs by Acte of Parlament also The acte of first fruites for the supportation of part of the great and excessiue charges which we support beare for the maintenaunce of your wealthes and other our subiects and we haue knowen also that yee our commons haue much complained in times passed that the most part of our goodes landes and possessions of the Realme were in the spirituall mens handes and yet bearing vs in hande that yee be as louing subiectes to vs as may be yee can not finde in your hearts that your Prince and soueraigne Lord should haue any part therof and yet it is nothing preiudiciall vnto you our commons but doe rebel and vnlawfully rise against your Prince contrary to the dueâ—y of allegiaunce Gods commaundement Syrs remember your follies and traiterous demeanours and shame not your natiue country of England nor offend no more so greuously your vndoubted king natural prince which alwayes hathe shewed him selfe most louinge vnto you and remember your duetie of allegiance and that yee are bound to obey vs your king both by Gods commandement and lawe of nature Wherfore we charge you eftsoones vppon the foresayde bondes and paines that yee wythdrawe your selues to your owne houses euery manne and no more to assemble contrary to our lawes and your allegiaunces and to cause the prouokers of you to thys mischiefe to â—e deliuered to our Lieutenaunts handes or ours and you your selues to submitte you to suche condigne punishment as wee and our nobles shal thinke you worthy for doubt you not els
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 CouÌ„saile 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 haÌ„ds 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 supâ—resse 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 〈◊〉 Earle of Bedforde through the â—olicy 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 conteÌ„ted 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 coÌ„monly 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 obeysauÌ„ce 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 reâ—ort 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 weÌ„t 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 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 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 coÌ„maunded 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. WilkensoÌ„s 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 coÌ„ming 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 〈◊〉 â—eliueâ—ed by the Lord Cromwell who being accused for denying y e sacrameÌ„t 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 circuÌ„stances 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 conseÌ„t of the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas CraÌ„mer The Archb. Cranmer disputed 3. dayes in the Parliament against the 6. Aâ—ticles 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 ParliameÌ„t 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 ParliameÌ„t 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 touchâ—â—g 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 argumeÌ„ts 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 chauÌ„ced the father of the sayd Secretary to come to the Citty by whose occasion it so â—ell 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 coÌ„ditioÌ„ 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 thâ—usting 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
name that the Musitions in Windsore colledge thought hym a woorthye man to haue a roume among them Whereupon they informed D. Sampson beeyng then their Deane of him But for so much as some of the Canons at that tyme hadde heard of Testwood howe that he smelled of the newe learning as they called it it would not be consented vnto at the first Notwithstanding with often sute of the foresayd Musitions made to one Doctor Tare who beyng halfe a Musition himselfe bare a great stroke in such matters a roume beyng voyd Testwoode was sent for to bee heard And beyng there foure or fiue dayes among the quier men he was so well lyked both for hys voyce and cunnyng that he was admitted and after setled in Windsore wyth hys houshold and had in good estimation wyth the Deane and canons a great while But when they had perceyued him by hys often talke at theyr tables for he could not well dissemble his religion that he leaned to Luthers sect they began to mislike him And so passing forth amoÌ„g them it was his chaunce one day to bee at dinner with one of the Canons named D. Rawson At the which dinner amongst all other was one of Kyng Edwardes 4. Chauntrie priests named M. Ely an old Bacheler of Diuinitie Which Ely in his talke at the boord began to raile against lay men which took vpon them to mell with the Scriptures and to be better learned knowing no more but the English tongue then they which had bene students in the Uniuersities of Oxford and Cambridge all the dayes of their lyues M. Ely persecuter Then Testwood perceiuing he ment that by him could forbeare his railyng no longer but said M. Ely by your pacience I thinke it be no hurt for lay men as I am to read and to know the scriptures Which of you quoth Ely that be vnlearned knoweth them or vnderstandeth them S. Paul saith If thine enemy hunger feed him if he thirst geue hym drinke and in so doyng thou shalt heape coales of fire vppon hys head Now sir quoth Elye what meaneth Sainte Paule by these coales of fire Marry sir quoth Testwoode hee meaneth nothing els by them as I haue learned but burning charitie that with doyng good to our enemies wee shoulde therby win them A sirah quoth he you are an old scholer in deed After this they fell into further communication of the Pope whose supremacy was much spokeÌ„ of at that tyme but not knowen to be so farre in question in the parliameÌ„t house as it was And in their talk Ely demanded of Testwood whether the Pope ought to be head of the church or no. Agaynst the which Euery king in his owne realme and Church is head vnder Christ. Testwoode durst not saye hys full mynd but reasoned within his bouÌ„ds a great while But when they were both well striken in an heate Testwoode forgetting himselfe chaunced to say that euery king in his own realme dominion ought to be the hed of the church vnder Christ At the which words Ely was so chafed that he rose vp from the table in a great fume calling him heretike and all that nought was and so went brawling chiding away to the great disquieting of al the company that weee there Then was Testwood very sory to see the olde man take it so greuously Wherupon after dinner he went and sought M. Ely and found him walking in the bodye of the church thinking to haue talked with him charitably so to haue bene at one againe but euer as Testwood preased towardes him the other shunned him and would not come niâ— him but spit at him saieng to other that walked by beware of this fellow for he is the greatest heretike and schismatike that euer came in Windsore Now began the matter to brew For after that Elye had made his complaint to the Deanes deputie and other of the canons they were all against Testwood purposing surely at the Deanes comming home if all thynges had chaunced euen to haue put hym to hys trumpe But see the fortune It was not twelue dayes after â—re that the kings supremacie passed in the Parliament house Whereupon the Deane D. Sampson came home sodainly in the night late The first newes of the kinges supremacye brought to Windsore and forthwithall sent his Uerger about to all the Canons and ministers of the colledge from the highest to the lowest commaunding them to be in the Chapter house by eight of the clocke in the mornyng Then Ely coÌ„sulted with the Canons ouer night as late as it was and thought on the next day to haue put Testwood to a great plunge But he that layeth a snare for another man sayth Salomon shall be taken in it himselfe And so was Elye For when the Deane and euery man were come and placed in the Chapter house and that the Deane had commended the ministers of the Church for their diligence in tendyng the Quire exhortyng them also to continue in the same he began contrary to euery mans expectation to inuey agaynst the Bishop of Romes supremacie and vsurped authoritie confoundyng the same by manifest Scriptures and probable reasons so earnestly that it was a woonder to heare and at length declared openly that by the whole consent of the Parliament house the Popes supremacie was vtterly abolished out of this Realme of England for euer and so commanded euery man there vpon his allegiance to call hym Pope no more but bishop of Rome whatsoeuer he were that would not so do or did from that day forth maintaine or fauour his cause by any manner of meanes he should not only loose the benefit of that house but be reputed as an vtter enemy to God and to the king The Canons hearing this were all striken in a dumpe Yet notwithstanding Elies hart was so great y t he would faine haue vttred his cankerd stomack agaynst Testwood M. Ely thinking to complayne of other was called foole for his labour but the Deane breaking his tale called him old foole and tooke him vp so sharply that he was fain to hold his peace Then the Deane commanded all the popes pardoÌ„s which hanged about the Church to be brought into the Chapter-house and cast into the chimney and burnt before all their faces and so departed Another cause of Testwoods trouble AS it chanced Testwood one day to walke in the church at after noone An other trouble of Testwood beheld the pilgrimes specially of Deuonshire Cornwal how they came in by plumpes with candles images of waxe in their hands to offer to good king Henry of Windsore as they called hym it pitied hys hart to see so great idolatry committed Idolatry to king Henry of Windsore how vainly the people had spent their goods in comming so farre to kisse a spur to haue an old hat set vpon their heds In so much that he could not refraine but seing a certaine company which had
iudgemeÌ„ts and causes The night before they were areyned a bil was set vp vpon the townehouse doore by whom A 〈…〉 the L. Wentworth 〈…〉 Kerby and â—oger it was vnknowne and brought the next day vnto the Lord Wentworth who aunswered that it was good counsell Whiche bill in the latter end shall appeare In the meane time Kerby Roger beyng in the Gailers house named I. Bird an honest and a good man who had checkes diuers times at the barre that he was more meet to be kept then to be a keeper came in Mayster Robert Wingfielde sonne and heyre of Humfrey Wingfielde knight with M. Bruesse of Wennenham who then hauing conference with Kerby being then in a seuerall chaÌ„ber separate froÌ„ the other mayster Wingfeld sayd to Kerby The wordes of W. Wingfield to 〈◊〉 and Roger in pâ—â—soÌ„ Remember the fire is hot take heed of thine enterprise that y u take no more vpoÌ„ thee theÌ„ thou shalt be able to performe The terror is great the payne will be extreme and life is sweet Better it were be time to stick to mercy while there is hope of life then rashly to begin then to shrink with such like words of perswasion To whom he answered agayne Ah M. Wingfield be at my burning and you shall say The aunswere of Kerby to M. Wingfield there standeth a christen souldier in the fire For I know that fire and water sword and all other thinges are in the handes of God and he will suffer no more to be layd vpon vs then he will geue vs strength to beare Ah Kerby sayd mayster Wingfield if thou be at that poynt I will bâ—â—de thee farewell For I promise thee I am not so strong that I am able to burne And so both the Gentlemen saying that they woulde pray for them tooke handes with them and so departed Now first touching the behauiour of Kerby Roger when they came to the iudgement seate The behauiour of Kerby and Roger when they wer brought before the Iudges the Lorde Wentworth with all the rest of the Iustices there readye the Commissary also by vertue ex officio sitting next to the L. Wentworth but one betwene Kerby and Roger lifted vp theyr eyes and handes to heauen with great deuotion in all mens eyes making theyr prayers secretly to God for a space of time whilest they might say the Lordes praier fiue or sixe times That done theyr articles were declared vnto theÌ„ with all circumstances of the law Questions propounded to Kerby Roger. and then it was demaunded and enquired of them whether they beleued that after the wordes spoken by a priest as Christ spake them to his Apostles there were not the very body and bloud of Christ flesh bloud and bone as he was borne of the virgin Mary and no bread after Unto the which wordes they answered and sayd No they did not so beleue but that they did beleue the Sacrament which Christ Iesus did institute at his last supper Their aunsweres on Maundy thursday at night to his disciples was onely to put all men in remembraunce of the precious death and bloud shedding for the remission of sinnes and that there was neither flesh nor bloud to be eaten with the teeth but bread and wine The Sacrament more then bare bread and wine Foster a sore enemye to Gods people and yet more then bread and wine for that it is consecrated to an holy vse Then with much perswasions both with fayre meanes and threates besides if it would haue serued were these two poore men hardly layd to but most at the handes of Foster an inferior Iustice not being learned in such knowledge But these two continued both saythful and content chusing rather to dye then to liue and so continued vnto the end Then sentence was geuen vpon them both Kerby to be burned in the sayd towne the next Saterday Sentence geueÌ„ against Kerby and Roger. and Roger to be burned at Bury the Gang Monday after Kerby when his iudgement was geuen by the Lord Wentworth with most humble reuereÌ„ce holding vp his hands and bowing himselfe deuoutly sayd Praysed be almighty God and so stood still without any moe wordes Then did the Lord Wentworth talke secretly putting his head behinde an other iustice that sate betweene them The sayd Roger perceiuing that Rogers wordes to the Lord WeÌ„tworth sayd with a loud voyce Speake out my Lord and if you haue done any thing contrary to your conscience aske God mercy and we for our partes do forgeue you and speake not in secret for ye shall come before a Iudge and then make answere openly eueÌ„ he that shall iudge all men with other like wordes The Lord Wentworth somewhat blushing and chauÌ„ginge his countenaunce through remorse as it was thought sayd I did speake nothing of you nor I haue done nothing vnto you but as the Lawe is Then was Kerby and Roger sent forth Kerby to prison there Roger to saynt Edmundes Bury The one of the two brusting out with a loud voyce Roger as it is supposed thus spake with a vehemency Fight sayd he for your God For he hath not long to continue The next day which was Saterday about ten of the clocke Kerby was brought to the market place wheras a stake was ready wood broome and straw and did of hys clothes vnto his shyrt hauing a night cap vpon his dead and so was fastened to the stake with yrons there beyng in the galery the Lord Wentworth with the most part of all the Iustices of those quarters where they might see his execution how euery thing should be done and also might heare what Kerby did say and a great number of people about two thousand by estimation D. Rugham Monke of Bury preached at the burning of Keâ—by There was also standing in the galery by the Lord Wentworth D. Rugham whiche was before a Monke of Burye and sexten of the house hauing on a Surplis and a stoole about his necke Then silence was proclaymed and the sayd Doctour beganne to disable himselfe as not meet to declare the holye Scriptures being vnprouided because the time was so short but that he hoped in Gods assistance it should come well to passe All this while Kerby was trimming with yrons and fagottes broome and straw The chearfull countenance courage of Kerby as one that should be maryed with new garmentes nothing chaunging cheare nor couÌ„tenaunce but with most meeke spirite gloryfied GOD which was wonderfull to behold Then Mayster Doctor at last entred into y e sixt Chapter of S. Ioh. Who in handling that matter so oft as he alledged the Scriptures and applyed them rightly Kerby tolde the people that he sayd true and bade the people beleue him But when he did otherwise he tolde him agayne You say not true beleue him not good people Whereupon as the voyce of the people was they iudged Doctour Rugham
trustie person with whome I shall be contented to talke and make answere as the case shall require assuring you that if any seruaunte of mine owne eyther man or woman or Chaplaine shoulde moue me to the contrary of my conscience I woulde not geue eare to them nor suffer the lyke to be vsed wythin my house And thus my Lorde wyth my hearty commendations I wishe vnto you and the rest as well to doe as my selfe From my house at Kinning hall the 22. of Iune 1549. Your assured frend to my power Mary A remembrance of certaine matters appoynted by the Counsaile to be declared by Doctor Hopton to the Ladie Maries grace for answer to her former letter which said Hopton was after shee came to her raigne B. of Norwiche Her grace wryteth that the lawe made by Parlament is not woorthy the name of a lawe meaninge the statute for the Communion c. You shall say thereto THe fault is great in any subiect to disallow a law of the king a Lawe of a Realme by long studie free disputation and vniforme determination of the whole Cleargie consulted debated and concluded But the greater fault is in her grace being nexte of any subiect in bloude and estate to the kings Maiestie her brother and good Lorde to geue example of disobedience being a subiecte or of vnnaturalnesse being his Maiesties sister or of neglecting the power of the crowne shee being by limitation of lawe nexte to the same The example of disobedience is most perilous in this time as shee can wel vnderstand her vnkindnesse resteth in the kinges owne acceptation the neglecting of the power before God is answereable and in the worlde toucheth her honour The executours shee sayth were sworne to king Henrie the eight his lawes You shall say It is true they were sworne to him his Lawes hys heires and successours which oth they duely obserue and should offend if they should breake any one iote of y e kings lawes nowe being without a dispensation by a lawe and herein her grace shall vnderstand that it is no lawe which is dissolued by a law Neither may her grace do that iniurie to the kinges Maiestie her brother to diminish his authoritie so farre that he may not by the free coÌ„sent of a â—arlament amend and alter vnprofitable lawes for the number of inconueniences which hereof mighte folowe as her grace with consideration may well perceiue Offence taken by the sending for of her officers You shall say If her grace consider the firste letters of that purpose they will declare our good meaning to her and our gentle vsage requiring the presence of her trusty seruant because shee might geue more trust to our message Her house is her flocke You shall say It is well liked her grace shoulde haue her house or flock but not exempt from the Kings orders neither may there be a flocke of the kings subiects but such as wil hear and folowe the voice of the king their shepheard God disaloweth it law and reason forbiddeth it pollicie abhorreth it and her honour may not require it Her grace deferreth her obedience to the kings lawe till his Maiestie be of sufficient yeares You shall say Shee coulde in no one saying more disallow the authoritie of the king the maiestie of his crowne and the state of the Realme For heerein shee suspendeth hys kingdome and esteemeth his authoritie by his age not by his right and title Her grace must vnderstande he is a King by the ordinaunce of God by descent of Royall bloude not by the numbering of his yeares As a creature subiecte to mortalitie hee hathe youthe and by Gods grace shall haue age but as a Kinge he hath no difference by dayes and yeares The Scripture plainly declareth it not only young children to haue ben kings by Gods speciall ordinaunce but also whiche is to be noted to haue had best successe in their raigne and the fauour of God in theyr proceedinges Yea in their first yeares haue they most purely refourmed the Church and state of ReligioÌ„ Therfore her grace hath no cause thus to diminish his maiesties power and to make him as it were no king vntil she thinke him of sufficient yeares Wherin howe much his maiestie may be iustly offended they be sorie to thinke Shee saith shee is subiecte to none of the Counsaile You shall say If her grace vnderstandeth it of vs in that acceptation as we be priuate men and not counsailours sworne to the kings maiesty we knowledge vs not to be superiors but if shee vnderstande her wryting of vs as Counsailors and magistrates ordained by his maiestie her grace muste be contented to thinke vs of authority sufficient by the reason of our office to chaleÌ„ge a superioritie not to rule by priuate affection but by Gods prouidence not to our estimation but to the kings honour and finally to encrease the kings estate with our counsaile our dignitie and vocation and we think her grace wil not forget the saying of Salomon in the 6. chapter of the booke of Wisedome to mooue a king to rule by counsaile and wisedome and to builde his estate vpon them Wherefore her grace must be remembred the kings Maiesties pollitike body is not made onely of hys owne Royall material body but of a Counsaile by whom his maiestie ruleth directeth and gouerneth hys Realme In the place of which Counsaile her grace is not ignorant that we be set and placed Wherfore the reputation she shal geue vs shee shall geue it to the kings honor that which shee shall take from vs shee shall take from his Maiestie whose maiestie wee thinke if it might take encrease of honour as God geueth a daily abundance it should receiue rather encrease from her beinge his Maiesties sister then thus any abatement Shee receiued maister Arundel and maister Englefelde You shall say All the Counsaile remembreth well her refusall to haue her house charged w t any more number alleaging the smal proportion for her charge and therefore it was thought to come of their earnest suite meaning to be priuiledged subiectes from the lawe then of her desire which refused very often to encrease her number Their cautel the king might not suffer to haue his law disobeied their countreis where they shoulde serue by them to be destitute and hauing bene seruantes to his maiestie the circumstances of their departure might in no wise be liked Shee refused to heare anye man to the contrarye of her opinion You shall say It is an aunswer more of will then of reason and therfore her Grace muste bee admonished neither to truste her owne opinion without ground neither mislike al others hauing grounde If hers be good it is no hurt if shee heare the worse If it be ill shee shall doe well to heare the better Shee shall not alter by hearing but by hearing the better And because shee shall not mislike the offer lette her grace name of learned men whome shee will and further
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 Winchesâ—â—â— agaynst Players 〈◊〉 bâ—llademâ—â—kers 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. 〈◊〉 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 Answeâ—â— the 11. 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 Wynchester committed 〈◊〉 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 suâ—e 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. LieftenaÌ„t 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 ChauÌ„cellour 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
kings Maiesties person his realme and subiectes No worde hetherto sent from the Lords to the Lord Protector what they required of him to doe Reasonable coÌ„ditions offered by the Lord Protector you shall finde vs agreeable to any reasonable conditions that you will require For we doe esteeme the kings wealth and tranquillitie of the realme more then all other worldly things yea more then our owne life Thus praying you to send vs your determinate answer heerein by M. Secretarie Peter or if you will not let him go by this bearer we beseeche God to geue both you and vs grace to determine this matter as maye be to Gods honour the preseruation of the king and the quiet of vs all which may be if the fault be not in you And so we bid you most heartily fare well From the kings maiesties Castle of Windsore the 7. of Octob. 1549. Your Lordships louing frend E. Somerset After these letters receiued and the reasonable condition of the Lorde Protectour and yet not much regarded of the Lordes they persisting still in their pretended purpose tooke this aduise first to keepe themselues in the Citie of London as strong as they might and therfore calling vpon the Maior and the Aldermen they willed them in any case to prouide a good and substantiall watch by nyght A solemne watch commauÌ„ded in London and a good warde by day for the safegard of their Citie and the portes and gates thereof which was consented vnto and the CoÌ„panies of London in theyr turnes warned to watch and warde accordingly Then the sayd Lordes and Counsailours demaunded of the Lorde Maior and hys brethren 500. menne to ayde them to fetche the Lorde Protectour out of Windsore from the king but therunto the Maior answeared The Citye of London pressed with 500. mâ—n to fetch the L. Protector The aunswere of the Lorde Maior to the Lordes The Lordes assembled in the L. Maiors house that he could graunt none aide without the assent of the common Counsaile of the citie wherupon the next day a common councell was warned But in this meane time the said Lordes of the Counsaile assembled theÌ„selues at the Lorde Maiors house of London who then was Syr Henrye Amcottes Fishmonger and W. Locke Mercer and sir Iohn Aileph Sheriffes of the said citie and there the said Counsaile did agree and publishe a Proclamation foorthwith agaynst the Lorde Protector the effect of which Proclamation was as followeth 1 First The effect of the proclamation seâ— out agaynst the Lord Protector that the Protector by his malitious and euill gouernment was the occasion of all the sedition that of late happened within the realme 2 The losse of the kings peeces in France 3 That he was ambitious and sought his owne glorye as appeared by building of most sumptuous costly houses in the time of the kings warres 4 That hee esteemed nothinge the graue Counsell of the Counsailours 5 That he sowed diuision betwene the Nobles the gentlemen and the commons 6 That the Nobles assembled themselues together at LondoÌ„ for none other purpose but to haue caused the protectour to haue liued wythin limites and to haue put such order for the suretie of the kings maiestie as appertained whatsoeuer the Protectours doinges were whyche they sayd were vnnaturall ingrate and traiterous 7 That the Protectour sclaundered the Counsaile to the king and did that in him lay to cause variaunce betweene the king and the nobles 8 That hee was a great traitor and therefore the Lordes desired the citie commons to aid them to take hym from the king And in witnes and testimonie of the contents of the said Proclamation the Lordes subscribed theyr names whych were these The Lorde Rich Lord Chauncellour The Lord S. Iohn Lord great maister president of the Counsaile The Lord Marques of Northampton The Earl of Warwike Lord great Chamberlaine The Earle of Arundel L. Chamberlaine The Earle of Shrewsburie The Earle of South-hampton Wriothesley Sir Thomas Cheyney knighte treasurer of the kings house and Lord Warden of the Cinque portes Syr Iohn Gage knight Constable of the Tower Syr Wil. Peter knight Secretarie Syr Edwarde North knight Syr Edwarde Montague chief Iustice of the common place Syr Rafe Sadler Syr Iohn Baker Syr Edw. Wootton Doctour Wootton Deane of Cant. Syr Rich. Southwell After the foresaide Proclamation was Proclaimed the Lordes or the most parte of them continuing and lying in London came y e next day to the Guild hal during the time that the Lord Maior and their brethren sate in their Court or inner chamber The Lordes comming into the Guild hall and entred and communed a long while with the Maior and at the last the Maior and his brethren came foorth vnto the common Counsaile where was read the kings letter sent to the Maior and citizens commaunding them to aid him with a thousand wel appoynted men out of their citie and to send the same with all speede to his Castle at Windsore Thys Letter by name was directed to Syr Henrye Amcottes knighte Lorde Maior to Syr Roulande Hyll knight Maior electe and to the Aldermen and common Counsaile of the Citie of London The daye and Date of the Letter was the sixte of October in the thirde yeare of his raigne being assigned with the hand of the King and of the Lorde Protectour the contentes of which letter for the satisfaction of the reader are heere to be seene in maner and forme as followeth EDWARD By the King TRustie and welbeloued we greete you wel Wee charge and commaunde you most earnestly to geue order with all speede for the defence and preseruation of that our citie of London for vs The Copy of the kinges letter sent to the L. Maior Aldermen and Citizens of LoÌ„don in the behalfe of the L. Protectour and to leuy out of hande and to put in order as many as conueniently you maye well weaponed and arraied keeping good watch at the gates and to sende vs hither for the defence of oure person one thousand of that our Cittie of trustie and faithfull men to attend vpon vs and our most entirely beloued vncle Edward Duke of Somerset Gouernour of our person and Protector of our Realmes dominions and subiects well harnessed and with good and conuenient weapon so that they do make their repaire hither vnto vs this night if it be possible or at the least to morow before noone and in the meane time to doe what as appertaineth vnto your duetie for ours and our sayd vncles defence against all such as attempt any conspiracie or enterprise of violence against vs our sayd Vncle as you knowe best for our preseruation and defence at thys present Geuen vnder our Signet at our Honor of Hampton Court the sixte of October the thirde yeare of oure raigne You shall farther geue credite to our trustie and welbeloued Owen Cleydon the bearer heereof in all such things as hee shall further declare vnto you
euill disposed persons being borne out of her highnes dominions in other sondry nations flyeng from the obeysaunce of the Princes and Rulers vnder whome they be borne some for heresie some for murther treason robbery and some for other horrible crimes be resorted into this her maiesties Realme and heere haue made theyr demour and yet be commoraunt and lingring partly to eschew such conding punishment as their said horrible crimes deserue and partly to dilate plant and sowe the seedes of their malicious doctrine and lewd conuersation among the good subiectes of this her said Realme of purpose to infect her good subiectes with the like in so much as besides innumerable heresies which diuers of the same beeing heretickes haue preached and taught within her highnes sayd Realme it is assuredly knowne vnto her Maiesty Causes layd agaynst straungers that not only their secret practises haue not fayled to stirre comfort and ayde dyuers her highnes subiectes to this most vnnaturall rebellion against God and her grace but also some other of them desist not still to practise with her people eftsoones to rebell her Maiestie therefore hauing as afore is sayd knowledge and intelligence heereof hath for remedie heerein determined and most straightly chargeth and commaundeth that all and euery such person or persons borne out of her highnes dominions now commoraunt or resident within this Realme of whatsoeuer Nation or Countrey beeing eyther Preacher Printer Bookeseller or other Artificer or of whatsoeuer calling else not being Denizen or Marchant knowne vsing the trade of Marchaundize or seruaunt to such Ambassadours as be liegers heere from the Princes and states ioyned in league with her grace shall within 24. dayes after this Proclamation auoyde the Realme vpon payne of most greeuous punishment by enprisonment and forfayture and confiscation of all their goodes and moueables and also to be delyuered vnto their natuâ—all Princes or Rulers agaynst whose persons or lawes they haue offended Geuing to all Mayors Sheriffes Bayliffes Constables and all other her ministers officers and good subiectes straightly also in charge if they knowe any such person not borne in the Queenes highnes dominion◠〈◊〉 before excepted that shall after the time and day limitted in â—his Proclamation tarry within thys Realme that they shall apprehende the same person or persons and commit him or them to 〈◊〉 there to remayne without bayle or mayneprise till her graces pleasure or her Counsayles be signifyed vnto them for the further ordering of the sayde person or persons And that if any of her sayde officers after the sayd 24. dayes apprehend take or knowe of any such they shall with diligence immediatly certifie her sayd Counsell thereof to the intent order may forthwith be geueÌ„ for their punishmeÌ„t according In the meane while vpoÌ„ the Proclamation before mencioned not only y e strangers in K. Edwards time receiued into the Realme for Religion Pet. Martir and Iohannes Alasco banished the realme amoÌ„g whoÌ„ was Pet. Martir Iohn Alasco vncle to the King of Poleland but many Englishmen fled some to Freeseland some to Cleueland some to high Germany where they were diuersly scattered into diuers companies congregations at Wesell at Frankford Emden Markpurgh Strausborough Basill Arow Zurich Geneua and other places where by the prouidence of God they were al susteined and there entertained with greater fauour among strangers abroad Englishmen fled out of the realm for religion The number of English exiles well neare 800. persons March 15. Lady Elizabeth and Lord Courtney vpon suspicion of Syr Thom. Wyats rising committed to the Tower then they could be in their owne countrey at home welneare to the number of 800. persons Students other together In the saide moneth of March the Lorde Courtney Earle of Deuonshire whome the Queene at her first entring deliuered out of the Tower and Lady Elizabeth also the Queenes Sister were both in suspection to haue consented to Wiats conspiracie and for the same this March were apprehended and committed to the Tower Touching the imprisonment of which Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney thou shalt note heere for thy learning good Reader a politicke point of practise in Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Wint. not vnworthy to be considered This Gardiner being alwayes a capitall enemie to the Lady Elizabeth and thinking â—owe by the occasion of maister Wyate to picke out some matter against the Lorde Courtney and so in the end to entangle the Lady Elizabeth deuised a pestilent practise of conueyance as in the story heere following may appeare The story is this The same day that Sir Tho. Wyate died A poynt 〈◊〉 practise 〈◊〉 Ste. Garâ—â—â—ner agaynâ—â— the Lady â—â—lizabeth he desired the Lieutenant to bring him to the presence of the Lord Courtney Who there before the Lieutenaunte and the Sheriffes kneeling downe vpon his knees besought the Lorde Courtney to forgeue him for that he had falsly accused both the Lady Elizabeth and him and so being brought from thence vnto the scaffold to suffer there openly in the hearing of all the people cleared the Lady Elizabeth and the Lorde Courtney to be free and innocente from all suspition of that commotion At which confession D. Westoâ— against 〈◊〉 Lady Eliâ—â—â—beth Doctor Weston there standing by cryed to the people saying Beleeue him not good people for he confessed otherwise before vnto the Counsell After the execution done of Sir Thomas Wyat which was the 11. day of Aprill word was brought immediately to the Lord Maior Sir Thomas White a little before dinner The Lorâ— Mayors iudgemeâ—â— of D. Weâ—ston how maister Wyate had cleared the Lady Elizabeth and Lorde Courtney and the wordes also which Doctor Weston spake vnto the people wherunto the Lord Maior aunswering Is this true quoth he said Weston so In sooth I neuer tooke him otherwise but for a knaue Upon this the Lord Maior sitting downe to dinner who dyned the same day at the Bridgehouse commeth in Sir Martin Bowes with the Recorder newly come from the Parliament house who hearing of the Maior and Sheriffes this report of Wiats confession both vpon the Scaffold and also in the Tower marueiled thereat declaring how there was another tale contrary to this told the same day in the Parliament house which was that Sir Thomas Wyate should desire the Lord Courtney to confesse the truth so as he had done before Upon this it followed not loÌ„g after that a certaine prentice dwelling in S. Laurence lane named Cut as he was drinking with one DenhaÌ„ a plasterer being one of Quene Maries seruaunts amongst other talke made mentioÌ„ how Sir Thomas Wyate had cleared the Lady Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney to be no coÌ„senters to his rising Which wordes being brought to Gardiner by what meanes I know not incoÌ„tinent vpon the same Cut preâ—â—tise in Lâ—â—â—doÌ„ brouâ—â—â— before 〈◊〉 Gardineâ— Syr Andrew Iudde was sent by the sayd Bishop to y e Lord Maior commaunding him to bring the said prentise
beleue and confesse all the Articles of faith doctrine set forth in the Simbole of the Apostles The Creede whiche we commonly cal the Creede and in the Symboles of the Councels of Nice kept An. dom 324. of Constantinople An. dom 384. of Ephesus kept An. dom 432. of Calcedon kept An. dom 454. of Toletum the first and fourth Also the Symboles of Athanasius Irenaeus Tertullian of Damasus which was about the yeare of our Lorde 376. we confesse and beleue we saye the Doctrine of the Symboles generally and particularly so that who soeuer doth otherwise we hold the same to erre from the truth Fourthly we beleue and confesse concerning iustification Iustification by fayth onely in Christ. that as it commeth onely from Gods mercy through Christ so it is perceaued and had of none whiche be of yeares of discretion otherwise then by fayth onely which fayth is not an opinion but a certaine perswasiō wrought by the holy Ghost in the minde and hart of man What fayth is where through as y e minde is illumined so the hart is soupled to submitte it selfe to the will of God vnfaynedly so sheweth forth an inherēt righteousnes Righteousnes in man righteousnes without man The doctrine of free iustification defended for no curiositie but for quiet of conscience which is to be discerned in the Article of iustification from the righteousnes which God endueth vs withall iustifying vs although inseperably they goe together And this we do not for curiositie or contention sake but for conscience sake that it might be quyet whiche it can neuer be if we confounde without distinction forgeuenes of sinnes and Christes Iustice imputed to vs with regeneratiō and inherent righteousnes By this wee disalowe Papisticall doctrine of free will of woorkes of supererogation of merites of the necessitie of auricular confession and satisfaction to Godwardes Seruice in the vulgar tongue Fiftly we confesse and beleue concerning the exteriour seruice of God that it ought to be according to the word of God and therfore in the congregation al thinges publike ought to be done in such a tongue as may be most to edifie not in Latin where the people vnderstād not the same Sixtly we confesse and beleue that God onely by christ Iesus is to be prayed vnto and called vpon Inuocation to God alone Purgatory and Masses suffragatory denied therfore we disalow inuocation or prayer to Saints departed this life Seuenthly we confesse and beleeue that as a man departeth this life so shall he be iudged in the last day generally in the meane season is entred either into the state of the blessed for euer An. no 1554. May. or damned for euer and therefore is either past all helpe or else needes no helpe of any in this life By reason whereof we affirme Purgatory Masses of Scala coeli Trentals and suche Suffrages as the Popishe Church doth obtrude as necessary Two sacramentes to be the doctrine of Antichrist Eightly we confesse and beleeue the Sacramentes of Christ which be Baptisme and the Lordes Supper that they ought to be ministred according to the institution of Christ concerning the substantiall partes of them and that they be no longer Sacraments then they be had in vse and vsed to the end for the which they were instituted The supper to be ministred in both kindes Against transubstantiation Agaynst Adoration of the sacrament The masse to be no propitiatory sacrifice Inhibition of Priestes mariage Antichristian And heere we playnly confesse that the mutilation of the Lords Supper and the subtraction of the one kinde from the lay people is Antichristian And so is the doctrine of transubstantiation of the Sacramentall bread and wyne after the words of consecration as they be called Item the adoration of the Sacrament with honor due vnto God the reseruation and carying about of the same Item the Masse to be a propitiatory sacrifice for the quicke and dead or a worke that pleaseth God All these we confesse and beleeue to be Antichristes doctrine as is the inhibition in Mariage as vnlawfull to any state And we doubt not by Gods grace but we shal be able to prooue all our confessions heere to be most true by the veritie of Gods word and consente of the Catholicke Churche which followeth and hath followed the gouernaunce of Gods spirit and the iudgement of his word And this thorough the Lordes helpe we will do eyther in disputation by word before the Queenes hyghnesse and her Counsayle eyther before the Parliament houses of whome we doubt not but to be indifferently heard eyther with our pennes whensoeuer we shall be thereto by them that haue authoritie required and commaunded In the meane season as obedient Subiectes wee shall behaue our selues towardes all that be in authoritie and not cease to pray to God for them that he woulde gouerne them all generally and particularly with the spirite of wisedome grace And so we hartily desire humbly pray all men to do Exhortation agaynst rebelliō in no point consenting to any kinde of rebellion or sedition against our soueraigne Lady the Queenes highnes but where they can not obey but they must disobey God there to submit themselues with all patience and humilitie to suffer as the will and pleasures of the higher powers shall adiudge as we are ready thorough the goodnes of the Lord to suffer whatsoeuer they shall adiudge vs vnto rather then we will cōsent to any doctrine contrary to this which we heere confesse vnlesse we shall be iustly conuinced therof either by writing or by word before such Iudges as the Queenes hyghnes and her Counsell The bigger part agaynst the better Appeale from the Vniuersitie Doctors as not indifferent iudges or the Parlamēt houses shall appoint For the Uniuersities and Clergy haue condemned our causes already by the bigger but not by the better part without all disputation of the same and therefore most iustly we may do appeale from them to be our Iudges in this behalfe except it may be in writing that to al men the matter may appeare The Lord of mercy endue vs all with the spirit of his truth and grace of perseuerance therein vnto the end Amen The 8. of May Anno Dom. 1554. Robert Menauen aliâs Robert Ferrar. Rowland Taylor The names of the prisoned preachers subscribing to this declaration Iohn Philpot. Iohn Bradford Iohn Wigorne and Glouc. Episcopus aliâs Iohn Hooper Edward Crome Iohn Rogers Laurence Saunders Edmund Laurence I. P. T. M. ☞ To these things abouesayd do I Myles Couerdale late of Exon consent and agree with these my afflicted breethren being prisoners with mine owne hand And thus much concerning this present declaration subscribed by these preachers which was on the viij day of May. Furthermore the xix day of the sayd moneth the Lady Elizabeth May. 19. Lady Elizabeth Sir Iohn Williams Sister to the Queene was
Nicholas Arnall sir George Harper sir Edw. Warner sir W. Sentlow sir Gawen Carew M. Gybbes Cuthbert Uaughan wyth many other Upon the Tuesday folowing Ianuary 22. â—he Preachers called before the B. of Winchester at S. Mary Oueryes being the xxij of Ianuary all the preachers that were in prison were called before the B. of Wincher L. Chancellour and certain other at the bishops house at S. Mary Oueries From whence after communication beyng asked whether they would conuert and enioy the Queenes pardon or els stande to that they had taught they all aunswered that they would stand to that they had taught they were coÌ„mitted to straiter prison then before they were with charge that none should speake with them Amongst the which number of prisoners one Iames George the same tyme died in prison Iames George dyed in prison and was buryed in the fieldes being there in bands for religion righteousnes sake who therfore was exempted to be buried in the popish churchyard and was buried in the field Upon the Wednesday folowing beyng the 23. of Ianuary all the bishops with all the rest of the Conuocation house were before the cardinal at Lambeth Ianuary 25. where he willed them to repaire euery man where his cure and charge lay exhorting them to intreat the people and their flocke with all gentlenes and to endeuour themselues to winne the people rather by gentlenes then by extremity rigor and so let them depart Upon the Friday following being the 25. of Ianuary the day of the Conuersion of S. Paule there was generall and solemne procession through London to geue God thanks for their conuersion to y e catholike church Ianuary 25. Generâ—ll procession for ioy of the Realmes coÌ„uersion Wherin to set out their glorious pompe there were fourescore ten crosses 160. priests and clerkes who had euery one of them copes vpon their backs singing very lustely There followed also for the better estimation of the sight 8. Bishops and last of all came Boner the B. of London carying the popish pixe vnder a Canapy Besides there was also present the Maior Aldermen and all the liuery of euery occupation Moreouer the king also himselfe and the Cardinall came to Paules Churche the same day From whence after Masse they returned to Westminster againe As the king was entred the Church at the steps goyng vp to the Quiere all the Gentlemen that of late were set at libertie out of the Tower kneeled before the king and offred vnto him themselues and their seruices After the procession there was also commaundement giuen to make Bonefires at night Whereupon did rise among the people a doubtful talke why all this was done Some sayd it was that the Queene beyng then as they said with child might haue a safe deliuery Others thoght that it was for ioy that the realme was ioyned agayne to the sea of Rome which opinion of both seemed most true Upon the Monday folowing being the 28. of Ianuary Ianuary 28. Commission from the Cardinall to sit vpon the persecuted Preachers for religion the B. of Winchester and the other bishops had Commission from the cardinall to sit vpon and order according to the lawes all such preachers and heretikes as they termed them as were in prison and according to this Commission the same day the B. of Winchester and the other bishops with certaine of the counsail sate in S. Mary Oueries church and called before them these three M. Hooper M. Rogers and M. Cardmaker who were brought thether by the shriues from whence after communication they were committed to prison till the next day but Cardmaker this day submitted himselfe vnto them Ianuary 29. M. Hooper and M. Rogers condemned Upon the Tuesday beyng the 29. of Ianuary Hooper Rogers D. Taylor and Bradford were brought before them where sentence of excommunication and iudgement ecclesiasticall was pronounced vpon M. Hooper and M. Rogers by the Bish. of Winchester who sate as Iudge in Caiphas seat who droue them out of the church according to their law and order D. Taylor and Bradford were coÌ„mitted to prison till the next day Upon the Wednesday being the 30. of Ianuary Doct. Taylor D. Crome M. Bradford M. Saunders and D. Ferrar sometyme B. of S. Dauids Ianuary 30. D. Ferrar D. Taylor and M. Saunders condemned were before the sayd bishops where iij. of them that is to say D. Taylor M. Sanders and M. Bradford were likewise excommunicated sentence pronounced vpon them so committed to the Shiriffes D. Crome desired two months respite and it was granted him M. Ferrar was againe committed to prison till another tyme. All these men shewed theÌ„selues to be learned as in deed they were no lesse but what auaileth either learning reason or truth it self where will beareth rule After the examination and condemnation of these good men and preachers aboue recited Commissions and Inquisitours were sent abrode likewise into all partes of the realme by reason wherof a great number of most godly true christians out of all the quarters of the realme but especially Kent Essex Northfolke and Suffolke were apprehended brought vp to London and cast in prison and afterward most of them either consumed cruelly by fire or els thorough euill handlyng died in the prisons were buried on dunghils abroad in the fields or in some backeside of the prison Of all which matters coÌ„cerning the tragicall handling of these blessed Martyrs and witnesses of Iesus Christ of all the bloudy persecution of this tyme now followeth the Lord so grantyng seuerally and more particularly in this next booke in order to be declared after that I shall first recite a generall supplication giuen vp in the name of the preachers aforesayd lying in prison vnto the King and Queene during the tyme of the Parliament as followeth ¶ Vnto the King and Queenes most excellent Maiesties and to their most honourable and high Court of Parliament IN most humble and lamentable wise complain vnto your Maiesties and to your high court of Parliament A supplâ—câ—â—tion of 〈◊〉 persecute preachers the king Queene your poore desolate obedient subiects H. F. T. B. P. R. S. c. That where as your said subiects liuing vnder the lawes of God and of this realme in the days of the late most noble king Edward 6. did in all things shew themselues true faithfull and diligent subiects accordâ—ng to their vocation as well in the sincere ministring of Gods holy word as in due obedience to the higher powers in the dayly practise of such vertues and good demeanor as the lawes of God at all tymes and the statutes of the realme did then allow Your sayd subiects neuerthelesse contrary to all lawes of iustice equitie and right are in very extreme maner not onely cast into prison where they haue remained now these 15. or 16. months but their liuings also their houses and possessions The long inprisonmâ—â—â— of
him selfe vntill suche time as the world had thought verely y t both he al his had ben cleane destroyed and cast away as the wise man sayth of the wicked people We thought them to be foles but they be in peace Sâ—p 5. Example taken of our meate and drinke how thinges neuer come to their perfâ—â—ction before they be vtterly wasted Wee may learne by things that nourish and maintaine vs both meat and drinke to what lothsomnes and in maner abhorring they come vnto before they woorke theyr perfection in vs. From life they be brought to the fire and cleane altered from that they were when they were aliue from the fire to the trencher and knife and all to hacked from the trencher to the mouth and as small ground as the teethe can grinde them and from the mouth into the stomack and there so boyled and digested before they nourish that who soeuer saw the same would loth and abhorre hys owne nourishment before it come to hys perfection Is it then any marueile if suche Christians as GOD delighteth in be so mangled and defaced in thys worlde whych is the kitchin and mill to boyle and grinde the flesh of Gods people in till they atchieue their perfection in the worlde to come And as a man looketh for the nutriment of his meate when it is ful digested and not before so must hee looke for hys saluation when hee hath passed thys troublous worlde and not before Vnmorte fiâ—ed men be no people to God Math. 10. Rawe fleshe is not meate wholesome for man and vnmortified men and women be not creatures meete for God Therefore Christ sayeth that his people must be broken and all too torne in the mill of thys worlde and so shall they be moste fine meale vnto the heauenly father And it shall be a Christian mannes parte and the duetie of a mynde repleanished wyth the spirite of God to marke the order of God in all his things howe he dealeth wyth them and howe they suffer and be content to lette God do his will vpon them as S. Paule sayeth They waite vntill the number of the electes be fulfilled and neuer be at rest Rom. 8. but looke for the time when Gods people shall appeare in glorie We must therfore paciently suffer and willingly attend vppon Gods doings althoughe they seeme cleane contrary after our iudgement to our wealth and saluation as Abraham did when hee was bid to offer his sonne Isaac Example of Abraham Example of Ioseph in whom God promised the blessing and multiplying of hys seede Ioseph at the last came to that which God promised him although in the meane time after the iudgemeÌ„t of the worlde he was neuer like to be as God said he should be Lorde ouer hys brethren When Christe woulde make the blinde man to see he put clay vppon hys eyes whych after the iudgement of man Iohn 9. was meanes rather to make hym double blind then to geue him his sight but he obeied and knew that God could worke his desire what meanes soeuer he vsed contrary to mans reason and as touching this world he vseth all hys after the same sort If any smart 1. Pet. 4. Iudgement 〈◊〉 beginneth with the house of God Colos. 3. his people be the first if any suffer shame they begin if any be subiecte to sclaunder it is those that hee loueth so that hee sheweth no face or fauour nor loue almost in thys worlde outwardly to them but laith clay vpon their sore eyes that be sorowfull yet the pacient man seeth as S. Paul sayeth life hid vnder these miseries and aduersities and sight vnder soule clay and in the meane time he hath the testimony of a good conscience and beleueth Gods promises to be his consolation in the worlde to come whych is more woorthe vnto him then all the worlde is woorth besides and blessed is that man in whom Gods spirite beareth recorde that he is the sonne of God what soeuer troubles he suffer in thys troublesome worlde Rom. 8. And to iudge things indifferently my godly wife the troubles be not yet generally as they were in our good fathers time soone after the deathe and resurrection of oure Sauiour Christ Iesu whereof hee spake in S. Mathewe Math. 24. Of the whych place you and I haue taken manye tymes greate consolation and especially of the latter parte of the Chapter wherein is contained the last daye and ende of all troubles I doubt not both for you and me and for suche as loue the comming of our sauiour Christe to iudgement Remember therefore that place and marke it againe and yee shall in thys time see great consolation and also learne muche pacience Was there euer suche troubles as Christe threatned vppon Ierusalem was there sithens the beginning of the worlde suche affliction who was then best at ease The Apostles that suffered in body persecution and gathered of it ease and quietnesse in the promises of God And no marueile for Christ sayeth Lifte vp your heades for your redemption is at hande that is to saye your eternall rest approcheth and draweth neare The world is starke blind Luke 1. and more foolish then foolishnesse it selfe and so be the people of the worlde For when God sayth trouble shal come they will haue ease And when God sayeth be merrye and reioyce in trouble we lament and mourne as thought we were castawayes But this our flesh which is neuer merry with vertue nor sorrie with vice Flesh neuer mery with vertue not sory with 〈◊〉 neuer laugheth wyth grace nor euer weepeth wyth sinne holdeth fast wyth the worlde and letteth God slippe But my dearely beloued wife you knowe howe to perceiue and to beware of the vanitie and craftes of the deuill wel enough in Christ. And that yee may the better haue pacience in the spirite of God reade againe the 24. chap. of S. Mathew and marke what difference is betwene the destruction of Ierusalem Math. 24. and the destruction of the whole world and you shall see that then here were left aliue many offenders to repent but at the latter day there shall be absolute iudgement and sentence neuer to be reuoked of eternall life and eternal death vppon all meÌ„ and yet towards the end of the world we haue nothing so much extremitie as they had then but euen as we be able to beare So doth the mercifull father lay vpon vs now imprisonment and I suppose for my part shortly death now spoile of goodes losse of frends and the greatest losse of all the knowledge of Gods word Ann. 1555. February Gods wyll be done I wish in Christ Iesu our onely mediatour and Sauiour your constancie and consolation that you may liue for euer and euer whereof in Christ I doubt not to whome for his blessed and most paynefull passion I commit you Amen 13. October 1553. * To a certayne godly woman instructing her how she should
the circumstances before diuers persons to the forenamed Byshop Who notwithstanding did institute and cause to be inducted one Harry Goddart vnto the same personage making no mention of the kinges maiesties authority nor supremacie in contempt and derogation of the same hys hignes crowne and dignitie and in extolling the forreine vsurped aucthoritye contrary to the fourme of the statute c. Item the sayde Bishop immediately after the vnlawfull institution and induction of Goddart aforesayde molested the sayd I. Gough lawfully instituted inducted as before citing him frō place to place obiecting no matter vnto him of long season till at the length hee articled Emong which Articles was contayned Item Interrogatur quo titulo tenet rectoriam de Haskard So taking vppon him the cognition of the title of the hole fruites and patronage in contempte of the kinges highnesse regall crowne and dignitie and in derogation of the lawes and statutes of this Realme Item hee hath commonly made his collations and institutions as hee did his first commission in hys owne name and authoritie without expressing the kinges supremacie Item hee hath made vnder his seale one collation two institutions and three mandates inducte in one vocation of one benefice to three seuerall persons wythout order of law or reuocation of anye of them geuing to euery one like authoritye title and right Whereby except good foresight aswell of Iustices of the peace as of the frendes had not bene there had ensued much inconuenience amonges the partakers of the intituled incumbentes in that behalfe Item the sayde Bishop decreeing Caueates to be made in benefices thereby knowing the titles litigious instituted and causeth to be inducted without tryall of anye title or due order of lawe Item hee directeth hys mandates of induction vnto priuate men and not to Tharchdeacons nor theyr Officialles contrary to the lawe and custome vsed in that behalfe Notwithstanding he hath bene counsayled to the contrary of men that be learned Item hauing no maner of knowledge nor practise in the lawe he sitteth euery day in haruest and other times vpon causes without assistaunce of learned in the law hauing with him onely an vnlearned boy which is no Notary to his scribe neither obseruing the law nor yet reasonable order And therefore doth no good but tryfeleth the time as may appeare by his actes if he haue them to be shewed Item hee and his officers by his knowledge vseth to dispense with mariages to be solemnized without banes contrarye to the lawes and ordinaunces in that behalfe Item where as one Thomas Pricharde a Chapleine of his solempnized matrimony in a priuate house wythout banes that betwixt a priest and a sister of hers that was appointed to be maryed with the said priest that day hee also being a parson and leauing his cure vnserued that day being sondaye notwithstanding that one of the kinges counsell in the marches of Wales enformed the sayd bishop of the same misdemeanours requiring due reformation therof he hath done nothing therein but put the same Chapleine in office and made him his Commissary generall since that tyme bearyng a speciall fauour to the rest of the offendours Item whereas one Meredith ap Thomas his housholde seruaunt was accused of one Sage Hugh for to haue bene father of her chylde the sayde Byshop wythout purgation of his seruaunt caused hym to sue the parentes of the sayde Sage of infamie first in hys principall consistory and from thence before a commissary of hys being his housholde Chaplaine and at the last tooke the matter before hymselfe so rayling agaynst all his officers because they proceeded not after hys parciall affection and agaynst the lawe that honest men of Carmarththē where he then satte vppon the cause iudged him to be or at the least to haue bene distracte of his witte and by his partial handling the cause remayneth vnfinished and the childe without father Item wheras one Ienkin Ph. accused William Chābers a seruaunt of the Bishoppes that founde this William in adulterouse maner with his wife by reason wherof the Byshop expelled the wife out of his house and the said infamie not purged the parties haue bene both agayn in the Bishops house and seruice since that time to the euill example of other Item by his vnlawfull sequestration of the fruites of the benefices of Langattocke and Lamyhangell by the vndiscreete handling of the same there were raysed the number of foure hundred people or more which bickered sondry times together to the great daunger of thinhabitauntes thereabout had it not bene pacified by the discreete meanes of syr Roger Uaughan Knight Item by his like vnlawfull collation of the Prebend of Lambister to one Stephen Grene a Chaplayne of his by couenaunt and promise to mayntayne the sute by whose crafty and vndiscreete handling of the same there was raysed in the countie of Radner the 19. day of August last yast about three or foure hundreth men to like daunger but that the matter was stayed by Iohn Bradshaw Rice ap Glin and Stephen ap Rice Iustices of the same countie Who with great daunger to them selues and theirs pacified the matter committing an hundred of the offendours to warde Item such as he oweth displeasure vnto he citeth from place to place and daye to daye onely for their vexation laying no matter agaynst them and being diuers tymes required the copye of his proceedinges agaynst them to thintent they might aunswere accordingly and be at their lawfull defence he denyeth to all such persons the copies of his proceedinges Item he and his officers winke at the manifest and open crimes of his fautours and adherentes to the euil example of the whole Dioces and abuseth the censures of excommunication and suspension making it an instrument of reuenging agaynst such as they do not fauour Item hauing receiued payment of the kinges maiesties subsidie due in October the fourth yeare of his graces reigne of the foresayde Chaunter of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Dauids and Rowland Meyrike two of the Residentaries there before Christmas last he vniustly of a prepensed minde and purpose afterward certified them for recusantes to their vndoyng if they had not bene admonished of his cruell purpose and prouided lawfull defence for the same Item the sayd Bishop celebrating matrimony in his owne person dispensed contrarye to the booke of ordynaunce with the parties maryed for not receauing the holy communion the parties both bring young and lusty persones hauing no reasonable cause wherefore they should abstayne At whiche celebration the Byshoppe communicated not himselfe And further the communion was celebrated by a Chapleyne of hys with superstitious blowynges kneelynges and knockinges both of the Chaplayne that ministred of all the company onely one other Priest communicating for the maner * Mayntenaunce of superstition contrary to the kinges ordinaunce and Iniunctions ITem where the Officiall of Tharchedeacon of Carmarthen in his visitation within Carmarthen founde contrary vnto the sayde ordinaunce
force of suche authoritie visite anye Deanrie of the sayde Diocesse nor gaue anye monition to the Chauntour and Chapiter there by force of that Commission for any like intent or purpose but onely offered in y e kings Maiesties name and authoritie to the said Bysh. committed for to enter visitation of the Chaunter and Chapter of the Cathedrall Churche at an other daye to be executed by the Byshoppe himselfe for reformation of the Chapiter Churche and Ministers there accordinge to the kings gracious ordinaunces and Iniunctions in that behalfe But the aforesayd Chanter and Canon of the church before the sight of any Commission stubbornely answeared the sayde Chauncellour that they woulde not receyue him nor any other to visit them except he were one of their Chapter And further desiring to see his Commission deâ—â—uered the same into their handes and would not deliuer it him again And so it may appeare that he did nothing by force of that Commission To the seconde Article hee sayeth that they opened not vnto hym the danger of any statute to hys knowledge and remembraunce Neuerthelesse hee not knowing anye defaulte in the sayde Commission and certainely minedynge wyth all diligence the faithfull execution of hys Office of preachinge and visitinge the whole Diocesse in hys owne persone by the kings Maiesties authoritie for the conseruation of Gods peace and the kings in that daungerous time of rebellion then beginning to arise in other places did neglect and lay apart the stubborne behauiour and vngodly doings of the sayde Chaunter and Canon and agreed wyth them omitting all contemptes and reproches towardes him and his sayde Chauncellor and all manner of contention by them done fearing els that through theyr vnquietnesse some tumult mighte haue risen amonges the people there and did also make the sayd Chanter his ChaÌ„cellour and Canon hys Commissarie according to theyr ambitious desires to appease their malice in that daungerous time And further he sayeth that he made a Collation to syr Ioh. Euans of the Uicarage of Pembrin what day or time he remembreth not not by any olde forraine vsurped authoritie but by the kinges authoritie onely making full mention of the kinges stile and authoritie in the same Collation To the thirde and fourth hee sayeth that whereas hee hadde graunted to George Constantine the office of a Register who brought vnto hym a Commission for the ChaÌ„cellourshippe to be sealed and deliuered to the foresayde Chaunter of Saint Dauids desiring the sayde Byshoppe to Seale it hee vtterlye refused so to doe because the sayde George hadde put therein a clause of admitting Clearkes into benefices the which authority the said Bishop would not in any wise graunte reseruing the examination and admission of Clearkes onely to hymselfe for the auoiding of wicked briberie and parcialitie Whereuppon the sayde George and the Chaunter promised the said Byshoppe by their faith and trouthe afore three or foure honest witnesses not to execute that clause of Institution into benefices but onely to those Clearkes whome the Bishop did firste examine and admitte and send vnto them for to be instituted and inducted vppon whych promise the Byshop sealed the sayde Commission And after that time the parsonage of Haskarde being voyde and by the reason of laps deuolued to the Byshoppes gifte for that time hee conferred it to one Sir Henrie Godherd wyth a Collation or Institution by the kings authoritie not extolling any forreine vsurped authoritie In the which collation or institution is fully mentioned the renuntiation of the Byshop of Rome and all forreine powers and authoritie wyth the full stile of hys Maiesties supremacie And this collation of the Churche of Haskarde he gaue before he vnderstoode or knewe that hys Chauncellour had geuen oute the lyke and hee surely thinketh his Collation was the firste That notwythstanding the sayde George Constantine and the sayde Chaunter hauing a vowson determined by reason of laps admitted and instituted one Iohn Gough to the sayde personnage of Haskarde by vertue of their expired vowson and sealed hys institution wyth a wronge Seale because they hadde not the right seale of office to that purpose contrary to theyr former earnest promesse and the Bishoppes ryghte and wythout any manner of warning or foreknowledge thereof to hym geuen whych thynge by them vntruely done the sayd George Constantine neuerthelesse came to the Byshoppes house and there did wryte wyth hys owne hand the letters of Induction for the said Sir Henrye Godherd Prieste comprising in the same the whole summe of the Institution or Collation whyche the sayde Byshoppe hadde made and the same George did seale the sayde letters of induction wyth his owne hande fineding no maner of fault therein nor making any worde or mention of hys and the Chauntours former wrong doings but so departed for that time And afterward he came againe and shewed the Byshoppe what they hadde done before concerning the Parsonage aforesayde And further the sayde Defendant sayeth that he did not molest the sayd Iohn Gough but lawfully did call him in the kings Maiesties name not for any title of Patronage but to knowe whether he were Parson of Haskarde and howe hee was thereto admitted and instituted and inducted and by what authoritie he presumed to preach there wythout the kings Maiesties licence wyth other like lawfull demaundes whereunto he sturdely refused to geue answere and sayeth that the Article contained in hys accusation sayinge thus Item interrogetur quo titulo tenet rectoriam de Haskarde was not ministred vnto the partie in that sorte so farre as hee knoweth but in these woordes or lyke Quomodo intrauit in Rectoriam c. To the fifth he sayth that all be it George Constantine Register did wilfully wythdrawe hys bounden seruice due to the Kings highnesse and to the sayde defendaunt in the Kings name refusing to attende either by hymselfe or hys sufficient Deputie for wryting of Recordes and other Instruments yet the sayd Defendant made his CollatioÌ„s and Institutions in hys owne name not by his owne authoritie nor by any others saue onely the Kings authoritie according as hee hath declared in hys aunsweare to the first Article expressing in them the kings supremacie with the Byshops owne name and seale of office as hee oughte to doe according to the prouision of the kinges Statute in suche a case To the sixth he sayeth that the Uicarie of Pembrin being voyde he as righte patrone thereof to his knowledge conferred it to Iohn Euans Clearke wyth letters of institution and induction and after when the kings presentation came to him for one Dauid Ieinkin clearke he desired fourtene daies respite at that time either to shew auncient recorde for hys right and then the matter to stande to the determination of the lawe or elles if hee shewed not bothe he and hys clarke to geue place to the kings Clarke Whych condition was by Syr Thomas Ioanes Knight Doctour M. and the sayde Dauid Ieinkin receyued and an Institution wyth an Induction
euer he sayd as they alledge To the slaunderous vntrue and vngodly conclusion he saith that George Constantine with other his aduersaries before named and theyr adherents not regarding the feare of God and theyr bounden duety of louing obedieÌ„ce towards God and the king and his true Ministers haue to much slaunderously with false tongues contumelious wordes and spitefull deedes labored by all meanes to discredite and deface the kinges gracious authority to hym committed Who euer sithe he came to the Dioces hath endeuored himselfe to shew his faythfull ministerye by his true honest doinges and to vse his authority according to his vocation to Gods glory and the kinges honour And that he hath bene diligent in teaching of trueth reforming of superstition free of hospitality diligent in ouerseeing with Godly wisedome peace and mercifulnesse as he trusteth in God may be truely approoued And he is able iustly to charge his aduersaries with all the faultes herein by them most vniustlye and slaunderously agaynst hym obiected And he doth maruell greatly that George Constantine with other his adherentes are not ashamed maliciously to obiect for the intent to sclaunder hym with molesting of preachers founden there For trueth it is that he hath molested none but hath iustly brought vnder significauit one Morice a Preacher liuing lewdly for his stubborne behauiour and malicious contemptes euen yet continuing in his wilfull contempt and irregularity And he hath to his knowledge iustlye certified Hugh Raulyns Parson of Tynby for his wilfull recusancy of two other Personages shamefully deceiuing the Kynges maiestye by coulour of Commission as appeareth by the same And as for the rayling contemptuous preaching of R. M. and the vnlearned arrogant preaching of the Chauntoure he referreth to discreete Hearers whiche were offended thereat as they shewed this Defendaunt And this Deponent brought into his Dioces both learned Preachers and learned men in the lawe to his verye great charges which men George CoÌ„stantine with his adherentes hath weried away ¶ After these aunsweres thus exhibited by the vertuous and Godly Byshop agaynst the quarrelling and friuolous articles of his foresayd aduersaryes to wit Hugh Raulins and Thomas Lee then came in for witnes vpon the sayd articles and informations George Constantine and the Chauntour of S. Dauids agaynst whom the Byshop layde first exceptions then also exhibited matter iustificatory the tenor and processe whereof here foloweth in order to be sene first concerning the exceptions and after the matter iustificatory * Exceptions generall layd and purposed on the behalfe of Robert Byshop of S. Dauids agaynst all and singuler the pretensed Witnesses producted on the behalfe of Hugh Raulins Clerke and Thomas Lee vpon theyr vntrue surmised Articles by them exhibited vnto and before the kinges most honorable Counsel by the deuise and procurement of the Chaunter and George Constantine with R. M. Clerke agaynst the sayd Byshop FIrst the sayd Byshop sayth and alledgeth that by law there ought no fayth or credence to bee geuen vnto the depositions and sayinges of the sayde witnesses nor anye part thereof because they are infamous false periured and in some part of theyr depositions discording parciall conducted subornate instructed and for fauour of the informers theyr bolsterers haue deposed of malice more then the articles wherupon they were producted doth coÌ„teine and beside and without the compasse of the same articles and in diuers other partes of theyr depositions they depose vnum eundem praemeditatum sermonem as by theyr sayd depositions doth appeare vnto the which the sayd Bishop referreth himselfe as much as it shal be expedient for him and none otherwise And further for other causes particularly and specially as is declared in y e booke of exceptions ¶ Exceptions agaynst the vnlawfull proceedinges of Hugh Raulins Clerke and Thomas Lee Promoters of the foresayd vntrue Articles in executing of theyr commission for proofe of the same ITem the sayd Thomas Lee for himselfe and the other Promotour dyd contrary to iustice at the execution of theyr Commission examine certayne of the Wytnesses himselfe in the house of his Brother in law George Constantine and the sayde Lee and Dauid Walter the Byshoppes mortall enemy and seruaunt to the sayd George Constantine did write these Depositions vpon the Articles at theyr owne pleasures and also after the deuise of the sayd George Constantine and the Chauntour and R. M. the Byshoppes mortall enemies and the very Deuisers and Procurers of the informations and bolsterers and bearers of the Promotours in the suite thereof These are the names of the Wytnesses so examined whyche are already knowne Dauid ap Syr Richarde of Gertus a periured and an adoulterous personâ— standinge in the number for two Wytnesses written in two places of the booke Item ap Ruddz of Kemarthe Griffeth ap Howell Guyne of Kennarthe Lewes Dauid Clerke Dauid ap Haruye Clerke Syr Goghe alias Morgon c. Item one Iohn Draper of Carmarthen and adherent of the foresayd aduersaryes and enemies to the sayd Bishoppe did also contrary to the tenour of theyr Commission examine certayne Wytnesses and hadde to hys Clerke one William Dauids seruaunt in Liuery vnto the foresayd Griffith Donne the Bishoppes vtter enemy by whiche shamefull parciallity they haue written more matter moe wordes other termes and sentences then some of the Deponentes hath deposed or coulde depose Humphery Toye the fift Deponent Rice Goughe the 14. Deponent William ap Ienkins the 5. Deponent Iohn Bengâ—y the lxviij Deponent Richard Parson 39. which are already knowne what maner of men the Promoters are Item the sayd Hugh Raulins was not present at the Bishops sermon whereof his information maketh mention neither yet at there cutting of the Commission for proofe therof for the foresayd aduersaries did deuise y e same gaue it vnto the sayd Raulins to promote choosing him for the same purpose knowing him to be a man willing setting his whole delight to worke mischiefe both wyth word and deede who abuseth his toung most shamefully with most vnsetting wordes euer rayling vpon the sayde Bishop to euery man that will heare him without eyther respect or reuerence of the kinges Maiesties authoritye to the sayd Bishop committed And the said Raulins hath 4. or 5. Benefices aboue the vallure of 200. Markes a yeare and is resident vppon none of them but spendeth his liuing to the hinderaunce of other men going aboute here and there wandring to and fro without either man or boye wayting on him more like a light person then a man of such liuelode and of his vocatioÌ„ being a preacher And in deede he is taken for a lewd felow of all that know his behauiour in so muche that when a certayne man obiected vnto the aduersaries that it was ill done to putte so lewd a felow as Raulins to promote theyr cause they answered and reported his honesty with these wordes wee know Raulins to be a very knaue and so meet for no purpose as he is to set
with an exhortation that Bradford would recant his doctrine After the Lorde Chauncellor had ended his long Oration Bradforde began to speake thus As yesterday I besought your honours to set in your sight the Maiesty and presence of God to followe him which seeketh not to subuert the simple by subtle questions so I humbly beseech euery one of you to do this day M. Bradfordes aunâ—swâ—re to Winchester for that you know well enough that guiltles bloud wil cry for vengeance And this I pray not your Lordships to do as one that taketh vpon me to condemne you vtterly herein but that ye might bee more admonished to do that which none doth so muche as he should doe For our nature is so much corrupt that wee are very obliuioâ—s and forgetâ—ull of God Agayne as yesterday I pretended mine othe and othes agaynst the Byshop of Rome that I shoulde neuer conâ—ent to the practysing of anye iurisdiction for him or on his behalfe in the realme of England so do I agayn this day least I should be periured And last of all as yesterday the aunsweres I made were by protestation and sauing mine othe so I would your honors should knowe that mine aunsweres shall be this day and this I do that when death which I look for at your hands shall come I may not be troubled with the guiltines of periury L. Chaunc At which wordes the Lord Chauncellour was wroth and sayd that they had geuen him respite to deliberate till this day whether he would recant his errours of the blessed Sacrament which yesterday quoth he before vs you vttered Brad. My Lord you gaue me no time of any such deliberation neither did I speake anye thing of the Sacrament which you did disalow For when I had declared a preseÌ„ce of Christ to be there to fayth you went froÌ„ that matter to purge your selfe that you were not cruell and so went to dynner L. Chaunc What I perceiue we must beginne all agayne with thee Did not I yesterday tell thee playnely that thou madâ—st a coÌ„science where none should be Did not I make it playne that the oth against the Bishop of Rome was an â—â—â—awfull oth Brad. No in deed my Lord You sayd so but you proued it not yet nor neuer can do L. Chaunc Oh Lord God what a felowe art thou Thou wouldest go about to bring into the peoples heades that we all the Lordes of the parliament house the Knyghtes and Burgesses and all the whole realme be periured Oh what an heresy is this here good people you may see what a senceles heretick this fellow is If I should make an oth I would neuer help my brother nor lend him mony in his need Winchesters 〈…〉 no poynt 〈◊〉 were this a good aunswere to tell my neighbour desiring my helpe that I had made an oth to the contrary O that I could not do it Brad. Oh my Lord discerne betwixt othes that be against charity and fayth and othes that be according to fayth and charity as this is agaynst the byshop of Rome Chaun Here the Lord Chauncellor made much ado and a long time was speÌ„t about othes which were good which were euill he captiously asking often of Bradford a direct aunswere concerning othes which Bradford woulde not geue simply but with a distinction Wherat the Chauncellor was much offended but Bradforde still kept him at the bay that the oth agaynst the Bishop of Rome was a lawful oth vsing thereto the Lord Chauncellors owne booke de vera Obedientia for confirmation At the length they came to this issue who shoulde bee Iudge of the lawfulnes of the othe and Bradford sayd the word of God according to Christs word Ioh. 12. My word shall iudge and according to the testimony of Esay and Mithe that Goddes worde comming out of Ierusalem shall geue sentence among the Gentiles By this word quoth Bradford my Lord I will proue the othe agaynst the byshop of Romes authority to be a good a godly and a lawfull othe So that the Lord Chauncellor left his holde and as the other day he pretended a deniall of the queenes authority and obedience to her highnes so did he now But Bradford as the day before proued that obedieÌ„ce in this poynt to the Queenes highnesse if she should demaund an othe to the Bishop of Rome being denied was not a * generall deniall of her authority and of obedience to her no more quoth he theÌ„ the sale gift or lease of a piece of a mans inheritaunce proueth it a sale gift or lease of the whole inheritaunce And thus much ado was made about this matter The Lord Chauncellour talking much and vsing many examples of debt of going out of the Towne to morow by oth and yet tarying till Friday and suche like Whiche trifling talke Bradford did touch saying that it was a wonder his honor weyed conscience no more in this and would be so earnest in vowes of Priestes Mariages made to bishops and be careles for solemne othes made to God to Princes Summa this was the end The Lord Chauncellor sayd the Queene might dispense with it and didde so to all the whole Realme But Bradford sayd that the queenes highnes could do no more but remitte her right as for the othe made to God she could neuer remit forasmuch as it was made vnto God L. Chaunc At which wordes the Lord Chauncellour chased wonderfully and sayd that in playne sence I sclaundered the Realme of periury And therefore quoth he to the people you may see how thys felow taketh vpon him to haue more knowledge and conscience M. Bradford imprisoned without a cause then all the wise meÌ„ of England and yet he hath no conscience at all Brad. Well my Lorde let all the standers by see who hath conscience I haue bene a yere and an halfe in prison Now before al this people declare wherfore I was imprisoned or what cause you had to punish me You sayd y e other day in your owne house my Lord of London witnessing with you that I tooke vpon me to speake to the people vndesired There he sitteth by you I meane my Lorde of Bathe which desired me himselfe for the passioÌ„ of Christ M. Bradford neaâ—e slayne in the pulpit with the dagger throwen against M. Bourne I would speake to the people Upon whose words I commyng into the Pulpite had like to haue bene slayne with a dagger which was hurled at him I thinke for it touched my sleeue He then prayd me I would not leaue him I promised him as loÌ„g as I liued I would take hurt before him that day and so went out of the pulpit and entreated with the people at length brought him my selfe into an house Besides this in the afternoone I preached in Bowe church and there going vp into the Pulpit one willed me not to reproue y e people M. Bradford ieoparded his lyfe
to Newgate about the last day of February an 1555. by the sayd Bearde Yeoman of the Gard and Simon Ponder Pewterer Constable of S. DuÌ„stons in the West sent in by Syr Roger Chomley knight and by Doctor Martin Tankerfield thus being brought to prison by hys aduersaryes at leÌ„gth w t the other aboue named was brought to his examination before Boner Who after his accustomed maner ordered his articles and positions vnto him the copy and tenor of which his ordinary Articles ye may read aboue expressed pag. 1585. To these Articles as aboue rehearsed he aunswered agayne constantly declaring his mind both touching auriculer confession and also the sacrament of the popish alter and likewise of the Masse c. First that he was not confessed to any priest 5. yeares past nor to any other but only to God and further denying that he would hereafter be confessed to anye Prieste for that hee founde it not in Christes booke and tooke it onely to be a counsell And concerning the sacrament commonly called here in England of the aultar 〈…〉 altar he confessed that hee neither had nor did beleue that in the sayd sacrament there is the reall body and bloud of Christ because that the bodye is ascended into heauen and there doth sit at the right hand of god the father And moreouer he sayd that the Masse now vsed in the Church of England was nought 〈◊〉 Masse 〈…〉 and ful of Idolatry and abomination and agaynst the word of God affirming also that there are but two Sacramentes in the Church of Christ Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. c. And to these assertions he sayd he would stand and so he did to the end And when at last the Byshop began to read y e sentence exhorting him before with manye woordes to reuoke hys professed opinion which they called damnable heretical he notwithstanding 〈◊〉 wordes 〈…〉 resisted all contrary perswasions answering the bishop agayne in this forme of words I will not sayd he forsake mine opinions except you my Lord can repell theÌ„ by scriptures and I care not for your Diuinity â—he wordes 〈…〉 at his â—â—â—demnaâ—â—â—n for you condemne al men and proue nothing against them And after many fayre wordes of exhortation which Boner then vsed after his ordinary maner to conuerte or rather peruert him he aunswered boldlye agayne saying moreouer that the church wherof y e pope is supreme head is no part of Christes Catholicke Church â—â—â—kerfield 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 of Boâ—â—r adding thervnto and poynting to the Bishop spake to the people saying Good people beware of him and such as he is for these be the people that deceiueth you c. These with other wordes moe he spake whereupon the Bishop reading the sentence of his popish condeÌ„natioÌ„ gaue him to the secular power Tankerfield coÌ„demned And so this blessed seruaunt of God was had to saynct Albons The Marâ—â—â—dome of George â—â—nkerfield â— Albons â—â—no 1555. â—â—gust 26. and there with much pacience and constaÌ„cy ended his life the xxvi day of August for the defence of the truth which at length will haue the victory * Certayne notes concerning George Tankerfielde after he came to suffer martyrdome at Saynt Albons IN primis he was brought vnto S. Albons by the high Shiriffe of Hereford Shyre M Edw. Brocket Esquire and one Pulter of Hitchen which was vnder Shiriffe Item theyr Inne was the crosse keyes whereas there was great coÌ„course of people to see and heare the prisoner among the which multitude some were sory to see so godly a man brought to be burned others praised God for his constancy and perseuerance in the trueth Contrarywyse some there were which said it was pity he did stand in such opinions and others both old womeÌ„ men cried against him one called him hereticke sayd it was pity that he lyued But George Tankerfield did speake vnto them so effectually out of the word of God in lamenting of theyr ignorance protesting vnto them his vnspotted conscience that God did mollify theyr hardened hartes insomuch y t some of them departed out of the chamber w t weping eies Item there came vnto him a certayne Scholemayster which reteined vnto sir Tho. Pope knight this man had certayne coÌ„munication w t G. Tankerfielde the day before he was coÌ„ming toward S. Albons as touching theyr sacrament of y e aultar other poyntes of papisticall religioÌ„ but as he vrged Tankerfield w t the authority of y e doctors wrasting theÌ„ after his own will so on y e other side TaÌ„kerfield aunswered him mightily by y e scriptures not wrested after y e mind of any man but being interpreted after y e will of the Lord Iesus c. So that as he would not allow such allegatioÌ„s as Tankerfield brought out of the scriptures w t out the opinioÌ„s of y e doctors so agayn Tankerfield would not credit his doctrine to be true except he could coÌ„firme it by the scriptures In y e end Tankerfield prayd him that he would not trouble him in such matters for his conscience was established c. and so he departed from him wishing him well protesting that he meant him no more hurt theÌ„ his owne soule Item when the houre drew on apace y t he should suffer he desired the wine drawer that he might haue a pinte of malmesy a loafe that he might eat drinke that in remeÌ„brance of Christes death and passion because he could nor haue ministred vnto him by others in such maner as christ coÌ„maunded theÌ„ he kneeled downe making his coÌ„fession vnto the Lord w t all those which were in the chaÌ„ber wyth him after y t he had prayd earnestly vnto the Lord had read the institution of the holy supper by the Lord Iesus out of y e euangelistes out of S. Paule he sayd O Lord y u knowest it I do not this to derogate authority froÌ„ any maÌ„ or in conteÌ„pt of those which are thy ministers but only because I cannot haue it ministred according to thy word c. when he had spoken these such like wordes he receiued it with geuing of Thankes Item when some of his frends willed him to eat some meat he sayd he would not eat that which should do other good that had more need y t had loÌ„gertime to liue theÌ„ he Item he prayd his host to let him haue a good fire in y e chaÌ„ber he had so theÌ„ he sitting on a forme before the fire put of his shoes hose stretched out his leg to y e flame wheÌ„ it had touched his foot he quickely withdrew his leg shewing how y e flesh did perswade him one way the spirit another way The flesh sayd O thou foole wilt y u burne needest not The spirit sayd be not afrayd for thys is nothing in respect of fire eternall The flesh sayd do not leaue the coÌ„pany of thy freÌ„des acquaintance which loue will let thee lack nothing The spirit sayd the coÌ„pany of Iesus Christ his glorious presence doth exceed al fleshly freÌ„ds The flesh sayd do not shorteÌ„ thy time now for y u mayst liue if thou wilt much loÌ„ger The spirit said this life is nothing vnto y e life in heauen which lasteth for euer c. And all this time the shiriffes were at a certayn geÌ„tlemans house at diner not far froÌ„ the towne whither also resorted knightes many geÌ„tlemeÌ„ out of y t couÌ„try because his sonne was maried that day vntill they returned from diner the prisoner was lefte w t his host to be kept looked vnto And G. Tankerfield all y e time was kindly louingly entreated of his host and considering that his time was short his saying was that although the day were neuer so long yet at the last it ringeth to Euensong c. Item about two of y e clocke wheÌ„ the shiriffes were returned froÌ„ diner they brought G. Tankerfielde out of his Inne vnto y e place where he shoulde suffer which is called Romeland being a greene place nigh vnto y e west end of y e Abbey church vnto the which wheÌ„ he was come he kneled downe by the y e stake that was set vp for him after he had ended his prayers he arose with a ioyfull fayth he sayd y t although he had a sharpe diner yet he hoped to haue a ioyfull supper in heauen Item while the fagots were set about him there came a priest vnto him perswaded him to beleue on y e sacrament of y e aulter he should be saued But G. Tankerfield cried out vehemeÌ„tly sayd I defye the whore of Babilon I defie the whore of Babilon fie of y e abhominable Idoll good people do not beleue him good people doe not beleue him And theÌ„ y e Maior of the towne coÌ„maunded to set fire to the heretique and sayd if he had but one loade of fagots in the whole world he would geue theÌ„ to burn him There was a certayne knight by went vnto Tankerfield took him by the hand sayd good brother be stroÌ„g in Christ this he spake softly and Tankerfield sayd O syr I thanke you I am so I thanke God Then fire was set vnto him he desired the shiriffe all the people that they woulde pray for him the most part did so And so embracing the fire he bathed