N quid sit opprimere fraudare in negotio fratrem and what followeth thereof It is truely sayde non tollitur peccatum nisi restituatur oblâ—tum No restitution no saluation which is as well to bee vnderstand de rebus per fraudes technas dolos as de rebus per manifestum furtum latrocinium partis Wherefore let not your brother mayster N. by cauillation continue in the Deuils possession I will doe the best I can and wrestle with the Deuill omnibê° viribus to deliuer you both froÌ„ him I will leaue no one stone vnmoued to haue both you and your brother saued There is neither Archbishoppe nor Byshoppe nor yet any learned man either in Vniuersities or elswhere that I am acquaynted withal that shall not write vnto you and in theyr writing by their learning confute you There is no Godly man of Lawe in this realme that I am acquaynted withall but they shall write vnto you and confute you by the law There is neither Lord nor Lady nor yet anye noble personage in this Realme that I am acquaynted withall but they shall write vnto you and Godlye threaten you with their authoritie I will doe all this yea and kneele vppon both my knees before the kinges maiestie and all his honourable Counsaile with most humble petition for youre reformation rather then the Deuill shall possesse you still to you â—inall damnation So that I doe not dispayre but verely trust one way or other to plucke bothe you and also your crabbed brother as crabbed as you saye hee is out of the Deuilles clawes maugre the Deuilles heart These premisses well considered looke vppon it good maister N. that wee haue no farther adoe Gods plague is presentlye vppon vs therefore let vs now dilligently looke about vs and in no wise defend but willingly reknowledge and amend what soeuer hath bene amisse These were the capitall poyntes of youre talke as I was informed after you had perused that my nipping and vnpleasaunt letter and I thought good to make you some aunswere to them if perchaunce I might so moue you the rather to call your selfe to some better remembrance and so more earnestly apply your selfe to accomplish and performe what you haue begunne and promised to doe namely the thing it selfe being of suche sorte as apparantly tendeth both to your worship and also to Gods high pleasure Thus loe with a madde head but yet a good will after longe scribling I wotte not well what but I knowe you can reade it and comprehende it well enough I bid you most hartily to fare in the Lord with good health and long life to Gods pleasure Amen From Baxsterley the xv of Iuly During the time that the said M. Latimer was prisoner in Oxford we read not of much that he did wryte besides his conference with Doctor Ridley and his protestation at the time of hys disputation Otherwise of letters we finde very fewe or none that he did write to his friendes abroad saue onely these few lynes whiche hee wrote to one maistres Wilkinson of LondoÌ„ a godly matron and an exile afterwarde for the Gospels sake Who so long as she remayned in England was a singular patronesse to the good saynctes of God and learned Byshoppes as to mayster Hooper to the Byshop of Hereford to Mayster Couerdale M. Latimer Doctor Cramner with many other The copy and effect of which hys letter to Maystres Wilkinson here followeth ¶ A letter sent to maystres Wilkinson of London widowe from mayster Hugh Latimer out of Bocardo in Oxford IF the gifte of a pot of a cold water shall not bee in obliuion with God how can God forget your manifolde bountifull giftes when he shall say to you I was in pryson and you visited me God graunt vs all to do and suffer while we be here as may be to hys will and pleasure Amen Yours in Bocardo Hugh Latimer Touching the memorable actes and doynges of thys worthye man among many other this is not to bee neglected what a bold enterprise he attempted in sendyng to kyng Henry a present the maner whereof is this There was then and yet remayneth still an old custome receaued from the old Romaynes that vpon Newyeares day being the first day of Ianuary euery Bishoppe with some handsome Newyeares gifte shoulde gratify the king and so they did some with golde some with siluer some with a purse full of money and some one thing some an other but maister Latimer being bishoppe of Worcester then among the rest presented a new Testament for his New-yeares gifte with a napkyn hauing this posie aboute it Fornicatores adulteros iudicabit Dominus And thus hast thou gentle reader the whole life both of maister Ridley of mayster Latimer two worthy doers in the churche of Christ seuerally and by themselues sette foorthe and descrybed with all theyr doynges writinges disputations sufferinges their paynefull trauayles faythfull preachinges studyous seruice in Christes Churche their patiente imprisonmente and constaunt fortitude in that whiche they had taught with all other their proceedinges from time to time synce theyr first springinge yeares to thys present tyme and Moneth of Queene Mary beyng the Moneth of October Anno. 1555. In the whiche Moneth they were bothe brought foorth together to theyr finall examination and execution Wherfore as we haue heretofore declared both theyr liues seuerallye and distinctlye one from the other so nowe ioyntly to couple them bothe together as they were together both ioyned in one society of cause and Martyrdome we will by the grace of Chryst prosecute the rest that remayneth concerning their latter examination disgrading and constant suffering with the order and maner also of the Commissioners which were Mayster White Byshop of Lincolne Mayster Brookes Bishop of Glocester with others and what were theyr wordes theyr obiections theyr Orations there vsed and what againe were the aunsweres of these men to the same as in the processe here followeth to be seene The order and maner of the examination of Doctour Ridley and mayster Latimer had the xxx day of September 1555. FIrst after the appearyng of Thomas Cranmer Archbyshop of Caunterbury before the Popes Delegate and the Queenes Commissioners in S. Maryes Church at Oxford about the xii day of September whereof more shal be sayde by the Lordes grace when wee come to the death of the sayd Archbyshoppe shortly after vpon the 28. day of the sayd month of September was sent downe to Oxforde an other Commission from Cardinall Poole Legate a latere to Iohn White Byshoppe of Lincolne to Doctour Brokes Byshop of Glocester and to Doctour Holiman Byshoppe of Bristowe The contentes and vertue of which Commission was that the sayd Iohn of Lincoln Iames of Glocester and Iohn of Bristow they or two of them shoulde haue full power and authoritye to ascite examine and iudge mayster Hugh Latimer and M. Doctour Ridley pretensed Byshoppes of Worcester and London for dyuers
Lord Iesus Christ our God with the father and the holy Ghost with a lowde voyce And let the most religious priests know this that if they neglect any of these things in the dreadful iudgement of the great God and our sauiour Iesus Christ neither will we when we know it rest and leaue it vnreuenged ¶ Out of this constitution of Iustinian the Emperour three things are worthy to be noted First that the common prayer and ministration done with a lowd voyce so as may be heard and vnderstanded of the people is a meane to stirre vp deuotion in the people contrary to the common assertion of Eckius other aduersaries who affirme that ignorance maketh a great admiration and deuotion Secondly that Iustinian maketh this matter of not ordering common ministration and prayers so as it may be vnderstanded of the people not a matter of indifferencie but such a thyng as must be answered for at the day of iudgement Thirdly that this Emperour beyng a christian Emperor doth not onely make constitution of Ecclesiasticall matters but also threateneth reuenge and sharpe punishment to the violaters of the same These are sufficient to prooue that it is agaynst Gods word and the vse of the primitiue church to vse a lāguage not vnderstanded of the people in common prayer ministration of the sacraments Wherfore it is to be meruailed at not onely how such an vntruth and abuse crept at the first into the Church but also how it is maintayned so stifly at this day and vpon what ground these that will be thought guides and pastors of Christes church are so loth to returne to the first originall of S. Pauls doctrine the practise of the primitiue catholike Church of Christ. ⧠The God of pacience and consolation geue vs grace to bee lyke mynded one towardes another in Christ Iesu that we all agreeyng together may with one mouth prayse God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ Amen Iohn Scory Rich. Coxe Dauid Whitehead Edmund Grindall Iohn Iewel Rob. Horne Iohn Aelmer Edmund Gest. And the same beyng ended with some likelyhood as it seemed that the same was much allowable to the audiēce certaine of the Bishops began to say contrary to their former aunswer that they had now much more to say to this matter wherein although they might haue bene well reprehended for such maner of cauillation yet for auoidyng of any more mistakyng of orders in this colloquy or conference and for that they should vtter all that which they had to say it was both ordered thus openly agreed vpō of both partes in the full audience that vpon the monday folowing the bishops should bring their minds reasons in writyng to the second assertion and the last also if they could and first read the same and that done the other part should bring likewise theirs to the same And beyng red ech of them should deliuer to other the same writings And in the meane tyme the Bishops should put in writyng not onely all that which D. Cole had that day vttered but al such other matters as they any otherwise could thinke of for the same and as soone as they might possible to send the same booke touching that firste assertion to the other part and they should receiue of them that writyng which Mayster Horne had there read that day and vpon Monday it should be agreed what day they should exhibite theyr aunsweres touching the first propositiō Thus both partes assented thereto and the assembly was quietly dismissed * The order of the second dayes talke ¶ The Lord keeper of the great Seale the Archbyshop of Yorke the Duke of Northfolke and all the Counsell being set the Byshops on the one side and the Protestantes that is the late banished Preachers on the other side thus beganne the Lord Keeper MY Lords and maisters I am sure ye remember well what order of talke and writing was appoynted to be had this day in this assembly at our last meeting whiche I will not refuse now to repeat agayne for the shortnes of it which was that ye appoynted here on both sides should bring in english writing what ye had to say in the second question and in this place appoynted to reade the same Therfore begin my Lordes Winchester I am determined for my part that there shall be now red that which we haue to say for the first questiō L. Keper Will ye not then proceede in the order appoynted you Winch. I am as I sayd prouided for the first question or proposition and we should suffer preiudice if ye permit vs not to intreat of that first and so we would come to the second questiō and this is the order we would vse I iudge all my brethren are so minded Bishops We are so determined L. Keper I know not what you would do for your determined order but ye ought to looke what order is appointed you to keepe which ye by this meanes doe breake and litle regard Winch. Sith our aduersaryes part if it please your Grace and honours haue so confirmed theyr affection and purpose we suffer a preiudice or domage if ye permit vs not the like Hereat Doctour Watson bishop of Lincolne being at this talke very desirous to haue spoken sayd nowe to the Bishop of Winchester I pray you let me speake which was permitted him we are not vsed indifferently sithen that you allowe vs not to open in present writyng what we haue to say for the declaration of the first question in so much as that whiche ye take for the infirmation of the same was meant nothing to that purpose for that which Mayster Cole spake in this last assembly was not prepared to strengthen our case but he made his Oration of himselfe and ex tempore that is with no forestudyed talke At such the Bishops wordes the Nobility and other of the audience muche frowned and grudged at sith that they well knew that Maister Cole spake out of a writing which he held in his hand and often read out of the same in that the same places which the Bishop informed him and appoynted him vnto with theyr fingers all whyche thinges doe well declare the matter to bee premeditate and not done ex tempore for that Mayster Cole was appoynted by them to be theyr speaker Whereupon this the bishop of Lincolne was the worse takē notwithstanding he went onward complayning sayd we are also euil ordered as touching the time our aduersaries part hauing warning long before we were warned only two dayes before the last assembly in this place What with this busines other trouble we haue bene driuen to haue bene occupyed the whole last night For we may in no wise betray the case of God nor will not doe but susteine it to the vttermost of our powers as we ought so to endeuour by all maner of meanes But hereunto we want presētly indifferent vsing L. Keper Take ye heede that yee deceiue not
snares for your Brethren on this manner This is now the third snare you haue layd for me First to make me confesse that the Churche of Englande is not the church of Christ SecoÌ„dly to say it is not knowne· Thirdly to say the church of God is not vniuersall but particular and this is not the office of a bishop For if an innocent had come in your way you would haue done your best I see to haue entangled him Harps Well frend quoth one of my Lordes Chapleynes you are no innocent as it appeareth Smith By the grace of God I am that I am this grace in me I hope is not in vayne Boner Well quoth my Lord laughing tell me how sayst thou of the church Smith I tolde you whereupon the true Chrch is builded and I affirme in England to be the congregation of God and also in Omnem terram as it is written Theyr sounde is gone forth into all landes and that this is the afflicted persecuted Church which ye cease not to imprison slay kyll And in Corinth was not all the congregation of God but a number of those holy and elect people of God For Paul neither Peter were present at Corinth when they wrote yet were they of the Church of God as many thousandes moe which also communicate in that holy spirit Boner What call ye Catholick and what call you church Smith Catholique is vniuersall and Church is a congregation knit together in vnity Then after much like vâ—â—ne talke it was layde to my charge that my felowe and I spake one thing Whereof I praysed God and was sent agayne to a garden Where after a while as my Brother Harwood and I had bene together commeth one of my Lords Chapleynes that much desired to common with me demaunding first if I were not a prisoner Smith I am in this fleshe a Prisoner and subiecte to my Mayster and yours but I hope yet the Lordes free man through Christ Iesu. Doct. I do much desire to talke with you louingly for because ye are a man that I muche lament with many other sweet wordes To which I aunswered Sub melle latet venenum And after much ado about his God I coÌ„pelled him to say that it must needs enter into the belly so fal into the draught To which he answered Doct. What derogation was it to Christ wheÌ„ the Iewes spit in his face Smith If the Iewes being his enemies did but spit in his face and we being his frends throw him into the draught which of vs haue deserued the greatest damnation Then by your argument he that doth iniury to Christ shal haue a most plenteous saluation Doct. Then start he away and would haue his humanity incoÌ„prehensible making a comparison betwene our soule and the body of Christ bringing in to serue his turne whiche way Christ came in among his disciples the dores being shut Smith Although it be sayd that when he came the doores were shut yet haue I as much to proue that the doores opened at his coÌ„ming as ye haue to proue he came through the dore For that mighty God that brought the Disciples out of prisons which yet wheÌ„ search came were fouÌ„d shut was able to let Christ in at the dore although it were shut and yet it maketh not for your purpose for they saw hym heard him and felt him and so can we not say ye doe neyther is he in more then in one place at once At which aunswere when he had made many scoffinges he departed away from me and we were caryed vnto my Lordes Hall where we were bayted of my Lordes band almost all the day vntill our keeper seing theyr misorder shut vs vp all in a fayre Chamber while my Lord went into his Synagogue to condemne M. Denly and Iohn Newman Then brought they vp my Lorde Maior to heare our matter aboue in the chamber and I first of all was called into the chamber where my Lord intended to sup Where my Lord Maior being set with the Bishop and one of the Sheriffes wine was walking on euery side I standyng before them as an outcast which made me remember how Pilate Herode were made frendes but no man was sory for Iosephes hurt But after my Lords had well druÌ„ke my arâ—icles were sent for read and he demaunded whether I sayd not as was written Smith That I haue sayde I haue sayde and what I haue sayd I do meane vtterly Boner Well my Lorde Maior your Lordship hath hearde somewhat what a stout hereticke this is and that his Articles haue deserued death Yet neuertheles for so much as they report me to seeke bloud and call me bloudy Boner where as God knoweth I neuer sought any mans bloud in all my life I haue stayed him from the Consistory thys day whither I might haue brought him iustly and yet here before your Lordship I desire him to turne and I will with all speed dispatch him out of trouble and this I professe before your Lordship and all this audience Smith Why my Lord do ye put out this fayre visor before my Lord Maior to make him beleue that ye seeke not my bloud to cloke your murthers through my stoutnesse as ye call it Haue ye not had my brother Tomkins before you whose hand when you had burned most cruelly ye burnt also his bodye and not onely of him but of a greate many of the members of Christ men that feared God and liued vertuously and also the Queenes Maiestyes moste true subiectes as theyr goodes and bodies haue made manifest and seing in these Sayntes ye haue shewed so little mercy shall it seeme to my Lord and this audience that ye will shew me more fauour No no my Lorde But if ye meane as ye say why then examine ye me of that I am not bound to aunswere you vnto Boner Well what sayst thou by the Sacrament of the aultar is it not the very body of Christ fleshe bloud bone as it was borne of the virgin Smith I haue aunsweared that it is none of Gods order neither any Sacrament but mans owne vayne inuention and shewed him the Lordes institution But when he was so earnest before the audieÌ„ce declaring that we knew nothing brynging out his Hoc est corpus meum to laye in my Dishe I prooued before the audience that it was a dead God declaring the destinction appoynted betwene the two creatures of bread and wine and that a body with out bloud hath no life At which Harpsfield found himselfe much offended and tooke the tale out of my Lords mouth saying Harps I will approoue by the Scriptures that ye blaspheme God in so saying for it is geuen in two partes because there is two thinges shewed that is to saye his body and his Passion as sayth S. Paule and therefore is the bread his body and the wine the representatioÌ„ of his death and bloud shedding
of them a token a bowed grote and desire them for Gods sake to helpe vs with theyr prayers Haue litle Katherine in minde Commend me vnto all good friendes Continue in prayer Beware of vanitie Let not God be dishonored in your conuersation but like a good Matron keepe your vessel in holines The peace of God rest with you for euer Amen My brother Iuison sendeth to you a tokē to your mother a token and to Katherine a token iij. pence Iohn Launder sendeth you a peece of Spanish mony father Heralt a peece of vi d. William Androwes sendeth you a rase of Ginger and I sēd your mother one and a Nutmeg I send Katherine Comfites for a token to eate I haue sent you a keyclog for a token Your husband Robert Smith A letter sent to his frende THe eternall God keepe you in his feare I haue hearty commendations vnto you and your husbande beseeching almighty God to preserue you in well doing and in perfecte knowledge of his Christe that yee may be founde faultles in the day of the Lorde I haue heard saye that my frende is geuen ouer to vanitie it breaketh my hearte not onely to heare that he so doeth but also teacheth other that it is vnhurtful to goe to all abhominations whych nowe stand in the Idols temples neuerthelesse deare frende be ye not mooued to follow sinners for they haue no inheritance with God and Christe But looke that by going into the Idoll temple ye defile not the temple of God for light hath no felowship with darkenesse But looke what the Lord hath commaunded that doe For if not going to Churche were without persecution they would not learne you that lesson But all thing that is sweete to the flesh is allowed of the fleshly The Lord shal reward euery man according to his woorkes and he that leadeth into captiuitie shall go into captiuitie and hee that by the fleshly man is led in the flesh shall of the flesh reape corruption The Lorde Iesu geue thee his holy spirite Amen I haue sent thee an Epistle in metre whiche is not to be laid vp in thy cofer but in thy heart Seeke peace and ensue it Feare God loue God with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy strength Thy frend and al mens in Christ Iesus Rob. Smith Scribled in much hast from N. the 12. of May. Robert Smith to all faithfull seruants of Christ exhorting them to be strong vnder persecution Content thy selfe with pacience With Christ to beare the crosse of paine Which can and will thee recompence A thousande folde with ioyes againe Let nothing cause thy heart to quaile Lanch out thy boate hale vp thy saile Put from the shore And be thou sure thou shalt attaine Vnto the port that shall remaine For euermore The burning of Steuen Harwood and Thomas Fust martyred for the testimonie of the Gospel ABout this time died also by cruell fire these two martyrs of God that is to saye Steuen Harwoode at Stratford and Thomas Fust at Ware Which both two as they were about one time burned with the fore mētioned Robert Smith and George Tankerfield although in sundry places so were they also examined and openly cōdemned togethers wyth them Their processe because it was ioyned all in one with the processe of Robert Smith other of the said company aboue mentioned I thought it superfluous againe to repeate the same saue that of Thomas Fust this is to be added that where as he in his last appering the 12. of Iuly was mooued by the Byshop to reuoke his opinion thus he answered No said he my Lorde for there is no truth commeth out of your mouth but all lyes Yee condemne men and will not heare the truthe Where can ye finde any annoynting or greasing in Gods booke I speake nothing but the truthe and I am certaine that it is the truthe that I speake This answere of hym onely I finde noted by the Register although howe slenderly these Registrers haue dealt in vttering such matters that is in omitting those thinges which moste woorthy were to be knowen by their doings it is easie to be seene But to be short after their answeres made both he Thomas Fust were for their faithfull perseuerance condemned together by the Bishop in his accustomed pitie as heretikes to be burned and so as before ye haue heard finished they their martyrdom the one at Stratford and the other at Ware in the moneth of August and yere abouesayd The constant Martyrdome of William Haile burned at Barnet OF the same companie of these x. aboue recorded whych were sent vp to Byshop Boner by sir Nicholas Hare and other Commissioners in the companie of George Tankerfielde and Roberte Smith was also Willyam Hayle of Thorpe in the Countie of Essex who lykewise being examined with the rest the 12. day of Iuly receiued with them also the sentence of cōdemnation Geuing thys exhortation with al to the lookers on Ah good people sayd he beware of this Idolatrer and thys Antichriste poynting The martyrdome of VVilliam Haile vnto the Bishop of London and so was he deliuered to the Sheriffes as an heretique to be burned who sente him to Barnet where about the latter ende of August hee moste constantly sealed vp his faith with the consuming of his bodye by cruell fire yeelding hys soule vnto the Lorde Iesus his onely and most sure redeemer George King Thomas Leyes Iohn VVade sickened in prisone and were buried in the fieldes YEe hearde before of ten sundry personnes sent oute of Newgate by Maister Hare and other Commissioners to be examined of Boner Bishoppe of London Of whome sixe already haue bene executed in seuerall places as hathe beene shewed whose names were Elizabeth Warne George Tankerfielde Robert Smith Steuen Harwoode Thomas Fust and William Haile Other three to witte George King Thomas Leyes and Iohn Wade sickening in Lollardes Tower were so weake that they were remooued into sundry houses wythin the Citie of London and there departed and cast out into the fieldes and there buryed by nighte of the faithfull brethren when none in the day durste doe it propter metum Iudaeorum The last that remained of thys foresayde company was Ioane Layshe or Layshforde the Daughter in lawe to Iohn Warne and Elizabeth Warne Martyrs but because shee was reprieued to a longer day her storie and Martyrdom we will deferre till the moneth of Ianuarie the next yeare following William Andrewe THe like catholike charitie was also shewed vpon William Andrew of Horsley in the Countie of Essex Carpenter who was brought to Newgate the firste day of Aprill 1555. by Iohn Motham Constable of Mauldon in Essex The first and principall promoter of hym was the Lorde Riche who sent him first to prisone An other great doer against him also seemeth to be sir Richard Southwel Knighte by a letter wrytten by him to Boner as
the Lords supper can not be verified For Christe commaunded aswell Take ye eate ye as This is my body Chadsey Christ sayd Take eate this is my body and not take ye eate ye Phil. No did Mayster Doctour Be not these the wordes of Christ Accipite manducate and do not these wordes in the plurall number signifie Take ye eate ye and not take thou eate thou as you would suppose Chadsey I graunt it as you say Phil. Likewise of consequencie you Mayster Doctour must needes deny which you haue sayd that these words This is my body being onely spoken be sufficient to make the body and bloud of Christe in the sacrament as you haue vntruely sayd London Then came in the bishop agayne and sayd what is it that you would haue mayster Doctor deny Phil. My Lord M. Doctor hath affirmed that these words This is my body spoken by the prieste onely doe make the sacrament London In deede if mayster Briges shoulde speake these wordes ouer the bread and wine they woulde be of none effect but if a priest speake them after a due maner they are effectuall and make a reall body Phil. Mayster Doctor hath sayd otherwise London I thinke you mistake him for hee meaneth of the wordes duely pronounced Philpot. Let hym reuoke that he hath graunted and then will I begin agayne with that whiche before was sayde that This is my bodye hath no place except blesse take and eate duely go before And therfore because the same words do not go before This is my body but preposterously follow in your sacrament of the Masse it is not the sacrament of Christ neither hath Christ in it present Chadsey If This is my body onely do not make the Sacrament no more do blesse take and eate Philpot. I graunt that the one without the other cannot make the sacrament And it can be no sacrament vnlesse that whole action of Christ doth concurre together accordynge to the first Institution Chadsey Why then you will not haue it to be the bodye of Christ vnlesse it be receaued Phil. No verely it is not the very body of Christ to none other but to such as condignely receaue the same after hys Institution London Is not a loafe a loafe being set on the table though no body eate therof Phil. It is not like my Lord. For a loafe is a loafe before it â—e set on the Table but so is not the Sacrament a perfecte Sacrament before it be duely ministred at the table of the Lord. London I pray you what is it in the meane while before it is receaued Phil. It is my Lord the signe begon of a holy thing yes no perfect sacrament vntill it be receaued For in the sacrament there be two thinges to be considered the signe and the thing it selfe which is Christ and hys whole Passion it is that to none but to such as worthily receaue the holy signes of bread wine according to Christes institutioÌ„ Winsor There were neuer none that denyed the words of Christ as you do Did he not say This is my body Philpot. My Lord I pray you be not deceaued We do not deny the wordes of Christ but we say these wordes bee of none effect being spoken otherwise then Christe did institute them in hys last supper For an example Chryst biddeth the churche to baptise in the name of the father the sonne and the holy Ghost if a Priest say those wordes ouer the water and there bee no childe to be Baptised those wordes onely pronounced doe not make Baptisme And agayne Baptisme is not onely Baptisme to suche as bee baptised and to none other standing by L. Chamb. I pray you my Lord let me aske him one question What kinde of presence in the sacrament duely minystred according to Christes ordinaunce do you allow Philpot. If any come worthely to receaue then do I confesse the presence of Christ wholy to bee with all the fruites of his Passion vnto the sayd worthy receauer by the spyrite of God and that Christ is therby ioyned to hym and he to Christ. L. Chamb. I am aunswered London My Lordes take no heede of him for hee goeth about to deceaue you His similitude that he bryngeth in of Baptisme is nothing like to the sacrament of the aultar For if I should say to sir Iohn Briges beyng with me at supper hauing a fat CapoÌ„ take eate this is a fat Capon although he eate not thereof is it not a Capon still And likewise of a peece of Beefe or of a cup of wyne if I saye drinke this is a good cup of wyne is it not so because hee drinketh not therof Phil. My lord your similitudes be to grosse for so high misteryes as wee haue in hande as if I were your equall I could more playnly declare and there is much more dissimilitude betweene common meates and drinkes then there is betweene baptisme and the sacramente of the body and bloud of Christ. Like must be compared to lyke spirâ—tuall things with spirituall and not spirituall things with corporall things And meates and drinkes be of theyr owne natures good or euill and your woordeÌ„s commending or discommeÌ„ding do but declare what they are But the sacraments be to be considered according to the worde which Christ spake of them of the which Take ye eate ye besome of the chiefe concurrent to the making oâ— the same without the which there can be no sacraments and therfore in Greeke the Sacrament of the body and bloude of Christ is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .i. Communion and likewyse in the Gospell Christe commaunded saying Diuidite inter vos i. Diuide it among you Chadsey S. Paule calleth it a Communication Phil. That doeth more expresly shew that there must be a participation of the Sacrament together Lon. My Lords I am sory I haue troubled you so long with this obstinate man with whom we can do no good I wil trouble you no longer now and with that the Lordes rose vp none of them saying any euil worde vnto me half amazed in my iudgement God worke it to good Thus endeth the sixt part of this Tragedie The seuenth looke for with ioy The vij examination of Iohn Philpot had the xix of Nouember before the Bishops of London and Rochester the Chauncellour of Lichfield and Doctour Chadsey LOndon Syrha come hither How chance you come no sooner It is wel done of you to make master Chauncellor and me to tary for you this houre by the faith of my body halfe an houre before masse and halfe an houre euen at masse looking for your comming Phil. My Lorde it is not vnknowen to you that I am a prisoner and that the doores be shut vpon me I can not come when I list but as soone as the dores of my prison were open I came immediately London We senâ— for thee to the intent thou shouldest haue come to Masse Howe
and the authoritie of the Church of Rome To the fift article they aunswered the same to be true accordyng to the contents thereof Tho. Whittle addyng moreouer that he had swarued gone away not in whole but in part not from the whole Catholike Church but frō the church of Rome in speakyng agaynst the masse the sacrifice thereof and the Sea of Rome Ioane Lashford aliâs Ioane Warne grauntyng with the other the sayd Article addeth moreouer that she neuer hitherto swarued or went awaye nor yet doth from any part of Christs catholike faith and religion but saith that from the tyme she was xj yeres of age shee hath misliked the sacrifice of the masse the sacrament of the altar and the authoritie of the See of Rome with the doctrine thereof because they be agaynst Christes catholike church and the right fayth of the same Bartlet Greene answering with the other to this Article addeth saith that he swarued not from the Catholike fayth but only from the church of Rome c. ¶ Concernyng the sixt article that they refuse to be reconciled to the vnitie of the sayd Church of Rome To the 6. article they aunswer and confesse the same to be true rendering the cause thereof because say they the same church and doctrine therein set forth and taught disagreeth from the vnitie of Christes word and the true catholike fayth c. Whereunto Bartlet Greene answered that he is contented to be reconciled to the vnitie of Christes Catholike church but not of the church of Rome In lyke maner added also Iohn Went. ¶ Concernyng the seuenth Article that they refuse to come to heare Masse and to receyue the sayde Sacrament callyng it an Idol c. To the seuenth Article they aunswer and confesse the contents thereof to be true geuyng withall the reason and cause of this their so doyng for that the masse with the sacrament thereof as it was then vsed and set foorth in the Church of England is dissonant to the word teachyng of the Gospell c. Iohn Went furthermore said as concerning the masse that he beleueth no lesse but the masse which he calleth the supper of the Lord as it is now vsed in the realm of England is naught full of Idolatry and against gods worde so farre as he seeth it howbeit he sayd that since the Queens coronation by chance he hath bene present where the Masse hath bene sayd whereof he is sory Isabel Foster also answering to the sayd articles with the other before confessed moreouer that since Queene Maries raigne she hath not heard Masse nor receiued the sacrament but hath refused to come in place where it was ministred for she knoweth no such sacrament to bee And beyng demanded of her beliefe in the same she sayth that there is but onely materiall bread and material wine and not the substance reall of the body of Christ in the same sacrament for so she hath bene taught to beleue by the preachers in the tyme of K. Edward whom she beleeueth to haue preached the truth in that behalfe ¶ Concerning the 8. Article that they were sent by the Commissioners to the B. to be examined and imprisoned To the 8. Article they grant the same and the contents thereof to be so Thom. Whittle addyng and affirmyng that the Lord Chancellor that then was sent hym vp to the Bish. there present Bartlet Greene added that he was sent vp to the sayd B. but for no offence herein articulate Iohn Went sayd that D. Story Quene Maries commissioner examined hym vpon the Sacrament because he denied the reall presence he presented this Examinate to the bishop Iohn Tudson likewise examined by M. Cholmly and D. Story vpon the same matters and for not commyng to the Church and accused by the same because he would not agree to them was sent to the B. Tho. Browne also sayde that he for not commyng to the church of S. Brides was brought by the Constable to the B. c. Ioane Warne confessed that she was sent by Doctour Story to the Bishoppe of London about twelue weekes agoe since which tyme shee hath continued with the sayd Bishop ¶ Concernyng the 9. Article To the 9. Article they confesse and say that as they beleeue the premisses before by them confessed to be true so they deny not the same to be manifest and that they bee of the iurisdiction of London And thus hauyng expressed their Articles with their answers iointly made vnto the same yet remayneth further more fully now to discourse the stories handlyng of all the 7. aforesayd Martyrs seuerally and particularly by themselues first beginning with Tho. Whittle ⧠The history of all these 7. Martyrs particularly described in order here followeth first of Tho. Whittle who first recanting then returning agayne with great constancy and fortitude stoode to the defence of Christes doctrine agaynst the Papists to the fire IN the story of M. Philpot mention was made before of a maried Priest whom he found in the Colehouse at hys first commyng thither in heauines of mynd and great sorow for recantyng the doctrine which hee had taught in K. Edwards dayes whose name was Thom. Whittle of Essex and thus lyeth his story This Tho. Whittle after he had bene expulsed from the place in Essex where he serued went abroad where he might now here and there as occasion was ministred preachyng and sowyng the Gospel of Christ. At length beyng apprehended by one Edmund Alabaster in hope of reward promotion whiche he miserably gaped after he was brought first as prisoner before the B. of Winchester who then was fallen lately sicke of his disease whereof not long after hee dyed most straungely But the apprehender for his profered seruice was highly checked rated of the B. askyng if there were no man vnto whome he might bring such Rascals but to him Hence quoth he out of my sight thou varlet what doest thou trouble me with such matters The gredy cormorant beyng thus defeated of his desired pray yet thinking to seek and to hunt further caried his prisoner to the B. of London with whom what an euill messe of hādling this Whittle had and how he was by the B. all to beaten buffeted about the face by this his owne narration in a letter sent vnto his friend manifestly may appeare Upon Thursday which was the x. of Ianuary the B. of London sent for me Thom. Whittle minister out of the porters lodge where I had bene all night lying vpon the earth vpō a pallet where I had as painful a night of sicknes as euer I had God be thanked And when I came before hym he talked with me many thyngs of the sacrament so grossely as is not worthy to be rehearsed And amongst other thynges he asked me if I would haue come to masse that mornyng if he had sent for me Whereunto I answered that I would haue come to
he were not among the lawyers such a phenix that he had very few or no fellowes to fâ—ye with hym or to followâ— hys steppes But God is to be praysed that although we read of few or none among that sort that dyed as he did yet good witnesse doe spring vpp dayly of the same profession to such towardnes and Godly zeale that some hope already appeareth shortly to come to passe that this godly Phenix shall not flye alone These foresayde notes and gatheringes of his out of the Doctoures were taken from him by Boner being found about hym which was to him no little griefe Hee among the rest was first apprehended but last of them condemned which was the xv day of Ianuary and afterward burned with the other Martyrs the 27. of the same moneth 3. Thomas Browne Martyr THomas Browne borne in the Paryshe of Hyston wythin the Dyoces of Elye came afterwarde to London where hee dwelled in the Parysh of Sainct Brides in Fleetestreete a maryed manne of the age of 37. yeares who because he came not to hys parish church was presented by the Constable of the Parishe to Boner As touching whose articles wherupon he was examined by the sayd Boner with his aunsweres also annexed to the same mention goeth before as in the generall processe of him and of the rest may appeare This Tomas Browne being had to FulhaÌ„ with the other thereto be examined was required vpon Thursday being the xxvi day of September to come into the Chappell to heare Masse whiche he refusing to doe went into the warren and there kneled among the trees For this hee was greatly charged of the Bishop as for an haynous matter because he sayd it was done in despite and contempt of theyr masse which seemed to the Byshop and his Chaplaynes no small offence At length being producted to his last examination before the sayd Bishop xv day of Ianuarye there to heare the sentence diffinitiue agaynst him first hee was required wyth many fayre wordes and glosing promises to reuoke hys doctrine to whome the foresayd Byshoppe speaking these woordes sayde Browne ye haue bene before me many tymes and ofte and I haue trauailed with thee to wynne thee from thyne erroures yet thou and suche like haue and doe reporte that I goe about to seeke thy bloud c. To whome the sayd Thomas Browne aunswered agayne yea my Lord sayd he in deede ye be a bloudsucker I would I had as much bloud as is water in the Sea for you to sucke Boner then proceeding to the articles when he hadde red them vnto him agayne as he had done diuers tymes before asked him whether he was content and willing to relinquishe those hys heresies and erroneous opinions as he called them and returne agayne vnto the vnitie of the catholicke fayth Whereunto he made aunswere again saying if they were heresies he would forsake them They be heresies quoth the Byshoppe Howe will ye proue it sayd Browne for I will not goe froÌ„ mine aunsweres except you caÌ„ proue them to be heresies which ye shal neuer do For that whiche you call heresie is no heresie Wyth that Boner not able or els not disposed to supply the part of a sufficient teacher in prouing that which the other had denyed by good authoritie and doctrine of the scripture went about with wordes and promise of pardon to allure him to renounce those his heresies as he called them and to returne vnto the vnitie of his mother the Catholicke Churche c. To whom the sayd Thomas inferred agayne as followeth Proue it sayd he to be heresie that I do hold and mayntayne and I will turne to you But you condemne me because I wil not confesse and beleue the bread and in the sacrament of the aultar as you call it to be the body of Christ and therfore ye spill myne and such like innocents bloud being the Queenes true subiectes for whiche you shall aunswere and that shortly After this being spoken Boner as hee had done to the other before read in writing the sentence diffinitiue agaynst him The copie and forme of which sentence wherwith the Papistes were wont to condemne all the innocent saynts of Christes is aboue expressed pag. 1417. And so this done he was committed to the Sheriffes to be had away and burned the xxvii day of the sayd moneth of Ianuary constantly abiding with the other the Popes tormentes for the true confession of his Christian fayth 4. Iohn Tudson Martyr THe same daye and tyme when the foresayde Iohn Browne with his fellowes was condemned as is aboue rehearsed being the xv day of Ianuarye was also producted Iohn Tudson with the rest of the sayde company vnto the like condemnation This Iohn Tudson was borne in Ipswich in the Countye of Suffolke after that apprentise in London dwelling with one George Goodyeare of the parishe of saynct Mary Botulphe within the dioces of London who being complayned of to Sir Richard Cholmley and Doct. Story was by them sent vnto Boner bishop of London and was diuers tymes before him in examination The Articles and interrogatories ministred vnto hym as vnto the rest before are specified with hys aunsweres also to the same annexed c. After this hee was brought vnto the open Consistory where the sayd blessed and true seruaunt of the Lord Iohn Tudson appearyng before the sayde byshoppe and his complices was moued with sundry perswasions as theyr maner is to goe from his opinion which they named heresie and to persiste in the vnitie of the Churche which they were of but hee constaÌ„tly persisting in that which he had receiued by the preachers in king Edwardes tyme refused so to doe saying there was no heresie in his answeres For I sayd he defy all heresie The Byshop yet still vsed his olde accustomed perswasions to remoue him promising moreouer all hys offences and erroures as he called them to bee forgeuen hym if he would returne c. Then sayde Tudson Tell me wherein I haue offended and I will returne Then sayd the Byshop In your aunsweres No sayd Tudson agayne I haue not therein offended and ye my Lord pretend Charitie but nothing therof appeareth in your workes Thus after a few wordes the bishop did likewise promulgate agaynst hym sentence of condemnation whiche being red the godly and constant martyr was committed to the secular power and so wyth much pacience finished this life with the other aboue named the xxvii daye of Ianuary 5. Iohn Went Martyr IOhn Went borne in Langham in Essex within the Dyoces of London of the age of 27. a Shereman by occupation first was examined as partly is touched before by Doctor Story vpon the sacrament of his popishe Aultar and because the poore man did not accord with him throughly in the reall presence of the body and bloud of Chryst the sayd Story did send hym vp to Boner Byshop of London Who
but that within a fewe yeares they began to waxe hungry agayne for so much as no more could be scraped now out of the Abbeys they began to seeke how by some other pray to satisfie their appetites which was to tickle the kings eares with the rich reuenue of the bishops lands And to bring this deuise to passe they procured sir Thomas Seimour knight of the priuy chaÌ„ber to be a promooter of the matter who not in all pointes much fauouryng the Archbishop hauing time and a conuenient occasion declared to the king that my Lord of Caunterbury did nothyng els but sell his woods and let hys Leases by great and many fines makyng hauocke of all the Roialties of the Archbishoprike and that not onely to the intent to gather vp treasure for his wyfe and hys children keepyng no maner of hospitalitie in respect of so great a reuenew aduertising the Kyng further that it was the opinion of many wyse men that it were more meete for the bishops to haue a sufficient yerely stipend in money out of the Exchequer then to be comhered with those temporall affaires of their Roialties beyng impedimentes vnto their studie and pastoral charge and hys hyghnesse to haue their Landes and Royalties conuerted to hys proper vse whiche besides their honest stipends would be vnto his maiestie no small commoditie and profite When the kyng had heard hys faire tale he sayd little thereunto other then this Well quoth he we wil talke more of this matter an other tyme. Nowe within a fortnight after or thereabout whether by chance or of set purpose it is not knowen it came to passe that one day hys highnes going to diner had washed sir Thomas Seimor then holdyng the Ewer he sayd to the sayd sir Tho. Goe you out of hand to Lambeth vnto my L. of Caunterbury bid hym to be with me at two of the clocke at after noone and faile not Sir Tho. straightwayes went to Lambeth and as he came to the gate the Porter beyng in the lodge came out and conueighed hym to the Hall whiche was throughly furnished and set both with the housholde seruants straÌ„gers with 4. principal hed messes of officers as daily it was accustomed to be When sir Thomas Seimor sawe that stately large Hall so well set and furnished beyng therewith abashed and somewhat guiltie of an vntruth told to the Kyng before he retired backe and would needes haue gone to the Archbishop of Caunterbury by the Chappell and not through the Hall Richard Neuell Gentleman then Steward of the household perceiuyng hys retire came by and by vnto hym and after gentle intertaynment demanded of hym whether he would speake with my Lord or no. Sir Tho. sayd that he must needes do so from the Kyngs highnesse saying to hym and this way I am goyng to my Lords grace Sir said the Steward you cannot go that way for the dore is fast shut in the diner tyme and so by gentle meanes brought hym vp to my Lordes chamber through the Hall who then was at diner with whom he dined after he had done his message whose ordinarie fare might alwayes well beseeme a right honorable personage When dinner was scarce done Sir Thomas tooke hys leaue of my Lorde and went againe to the Court. So soone as the Kyngs highnesse sawe hym he sayde to hym Haue you bene with my Lord of Caunterbury Sir Thomas aunswered That I haue if it please your Maiestie and he wyll be with your Highnesse strayghtwayes Dined you not with hym sayd the Kyng Yes sir sayd he that haue I done And wyth that worde whether hee espied by the Kinges countenaunce or by hys wordes any thing tendyng to displeasure he straightway without delay kneeled downe vppon hys knee and sayd I beseech your Maiestie to pardon me I doe now well remember and vnderstand that of late I tolde your highnesse a great vntruth concernyng my Lord of Canterburies house keepyng but from hencefoorth I entend neuer to beleeue that person which dyd put that vayne tale into my head For I assure your hyghnesse that I neuer sawe so honourable a Halle set in this Realme besides your Maiesties Hall in all my lyfe with better order and so well furnished in eche degree If I had not seene it my selfe I could neuer haue beleeued it and hymselfe also so honourably serued Ah sir quoth the Kyngs highnesse Haue you now espied the truth I thought you would tell me another tale when you had bene there Hee was a very varlet quoth the kyng that told you that tale for he spendeth ah good man sayd the kyng all that he hath in housekepyng But now I perceyue which way the wynde bloweth There are a sorte of you to whome I haue liberally geuen of the possessions and reuenewes of the suppressed monasteries which lyke as you haue lightly gotten so haue you more vnthriftily spent some at dice other some in gay apparell other ways worse I feare me now as al is gone you would fain haue me make another cheuance with the Bishops lands to accomplish your gredy appetites But let no other bishops bestow their reuenewes worse then my L. of Cant. doth then shall you haue no cause to complain of their kepyng of house And thus the tale beyng shutte vp and ended by the kings highnes neither sir Tho. Seimor nor none els on hys behalfe euer after durst renue or reuine that sute any more in K. Henries dayes so that it may be euident to all indiffereÌ„t men the liberality of the Archb. in housekeping what it was which beyng defended and commended by the prince himselfe rather may geue a good example to his posterity to follow then was then to be depraued of any priuate subiect such as knew hym not In which Archb. this moreouer is to be noted with a memorandum touchyng the reliefe of the poore impotent sicke and such as then came from the warres at Bullen other partes beyond the seas lame wounded destitute for whom he prouided besides hys mansion house at Beckjsborne in Kent the Personage barne well furnished with certayne lodgyngs for the sicke and maymed souldiours To whom were also appoynted the Almosiner a phisitioÌ„ and a surgeon to attend vppon them and to dresse cure such as were not able to resort to their countries hauyng dayly from the bishops kitchin whoâ—e broth and meate for otherwyse the common almes of the housholde was bestowed vpon the poore neighbours of the shiere And wheÌ„ any of the impotent dyd recouer and were able to trauail they had conuenient money deliuered to beare their charges accordyng to the number of myles from that place distant And this good example of mercy and liberal benignity I thought here good not in silence to be suppressed wherby other may be mooued accordyng to their vocatioÌ„ to walke in the steps of no lesse liberality then in hym in this behalfe appeared ¶ One
sayde by the fayth I owe to God I take this man here my L. of Canterbury to bee of all other a most faythfull subiect vnto vs and one to whom we are much beholding geuyng him great commendations otherwise And with that one or two of the chiefest of the Counsaile makyng their excuse declared that in requesting his induraunce it was rather ment for hys triall and his purgation agaynst the common fame and slaunder of the world then for any malice conceyued agaynst hym Well well my Lordes quoth the kyng take hym and well vse hym as he is worthy to be and make no more adoe And with that euery man caught hym by the hand and made fayre weather of altogethers which might easily bee done with that man And it was much to be meruailed that they would go so far with hym thus to seeke his vndoyng this well vnderstandyng before that the kyng most entirely loued him and always would stand in hys defence whosoeuer spake against hym as many other tymes the Kynges pacience was by sinister informations agaynst hym tried In so much that the Lorde Cromwell was euermore woont to say vnto hym My Lord of Caunterbury you are most happy of all men for you may doe and speake what you list and say what all men can agaynst you the kyng wyll neuer beleeue one worde to your detriment or hinderance I am sure I take more paynes then all the counsaile doth and spend more largely in the Kings affayres as well beyond the seas as on this side yea I assure you euen very spies in other forreine Realmes and at Rome else where costeth me aboue one 1000. markes a yeare and doe what I can to bryng matters to knowledge for the commoditie of the King and the Realme I am euery day chidden and many false tales now and then beleeued agaynst me and therefore you are most happy for in no poynt can you be discredited with the kyng To this the Archbishop agayne aunsweryng If the kyngs Maiestie were not good to me that way I were not able to stande and endure one whole weeke but your wisedome and pollicy is such that you are able to shift well enough for your selfe Now when the kyngs highnes had thus benignly mercifully dispatched the sayd Archbishop from this sore accusation by the Counsaile layd agaynst hym all wise mē would haue thought that it had bene meere follye afterwards to haue attēpted any matter agaynst hym but yet looke where malice raigneth there neither reason nor honesty can take place Such therfore as had conceiued deep rancor and displeasure agaynst hym ceased not to persecute hym by all possible meanes Then brought they against him a new kynde of accusation and caused sir Iohn Gostwike knight a man of a contrary religion to accuse the Archb. openly in the Parliament house laying to hys charge his sermons preched at Sandwich his Lectures red at Canterbury wherein should be conteined manifest heresies agaynst the Sacrament of the aultar c. Whiche accusation came to the kyngs eare Why quoth the kyng where dwelleth Gostwike As I take it eyther in Bedfordshire or Buckinghamshire and hath he so opē an eare that he can heare my L. of Cant. preachyng out of Kent This is very like sayde the kyng If hee had bene a Kentishman there had bene some thyng worthy of consideration but as for Gostwike I know him well enough and what good religion he is of Go to hym and tell hym sayd the king to one of his priuy chamber if he go not to my L. of Cant. and so reconcile hymselfe to hym that he may become hys good Lord I will pull the Goslings fethers so that hereafter he shall haue little lust to slaunder the Metropolitane or any other learned man When sir I. Gostwike heard these words it was no neede to bid hym hast hymselfe to Lambheth vnto the Metropolitane makyng to hym as many friends as possible he myght When hee came to the Archb. he was fayne to disclose vnto hym by what meanes he was procured to doe that he did requestyng hys clemency to be his good lord or els he tooke him selfe vtterly vndone beyng so in the kyngs indignation as he vnderstood he was by that afore declared which sute was soone wonne at hys hand and so the Archb. castyng into the satchell behynd him all those sir Iohn Gostwikes ingratitudes went to the king and wan to sir Iohn hys princes fauour agayne And thus the kyng made a short end of this accusation Well here you may perceyue that malicious inuention went not the wisest way to worke to procure a stranger dwellyng a farre of to accuse the Archbishoppe of hys doctrine preached in his Diocesse and therfore hath blind malice learned some more wisedome nowe to accuse the Archbishop in such sort as he shall neuer be able to auoyd it And therfore it was procured by hys ancient enemies that not onely the Prebendaries of his Cathedral Church in Caunterbury but also the moste famous Iustices of Peace in the Shire should accuse hym and Article against hym which in very deed was most substantially brought to passe and the Articles both well written and subscribed were deliuered to the kyngs highnesse as a thyng of such effect that there must needes follow to the said Archbishop both indignation of the prince and condigne punishment for hys grieuous offence committed by him and his chaplaines in preachyng such erroneous doctrine as they did within his Diocesse of Cant. whereof they beyng such witnesse of credite no man had cause to doubt of their circumspect doyngs This accusation articularly sent out was deliuered to the Kyng by some of the Counsailes meanes When the kyng had perused the booke he wrapt it vp and put it into hys sleeue and findyng occasion to solace hymselfe vpon the Thames came with hys Barge furnished with hys Musitions a long by Lambeth bridge towards Chelsey The noyse of the Musitions prouoked the Archb. to resort to the bridge to do his duety and to salute hys prince Whome when the kyng had perceyued to stand at the bridge eftsoones he commaunded the Watermen to draw towards the shore and so came straite to the Bridge Ah my Chaplaine sayd the kyng to the Archb. Come into the barge to me The Archb. declared to his highnes that he would take his owne barge and waite vppon hys maiestie No sayd the kyng you must come into my barge for I haue to talke with you When the kyng the Archbishop all alone in the barge were set together sayde the kyng to the Archb. I haue newes out of Kent for you my Lord. The Archb. answered Good I hope if it please your highnes Marry sayd the king they be so good that I now know the greatest heretike in Kent and with that pulled out of hys sleeue the booke of Articles agaynst both the said Archb. and his preachers and gaue
the place of iudgemēt spying where the king queenes maiesties Proctors were putting of his cap he first humbly bowing his knee to the ground made reuerence to the one and after to the other That done beholding the bishop in the face he put on his bonet agayne making no maner of token of obedience towardes him at all Whereat the Bishop being offended sayd vnto him that it might beseeme him right well weying the authority he did represēt to do his duety vnto him Wherunto Doctor Cranmer aunswered and sayd that he had once taken a solemne othe neuer to consent to the admitting of the bishop of Romes authority into this realm of England agayne and that he had done it aduisedly and meant by Gods grace to keepe it and therefore would cōmit nothing either by signe or token which might argue his consent to the receiuing of the same and so he desired the sayd Bishop to iudge of him and that he did it not for any contempt to his person which he could haue bene cōtent to haue honored as well as any of the other if his cōmission had come from as good authority as theyrs Thys answered he both modestly wisely and paciētly with his cappe on hys head not once bowing or making anye reuerence to hym that represented the Popes person whiche was wonderouslye of the people marked that was there present and saw it and marked it as nye as could be possible * The Oration of D. Brokes Bishop of Glocester vnto D. Cranmer Archb. of Caunt in the church of S. Mary at Oxford Anno. 1556. March 12. WHen after many meanes vsed they perceiued that the Archbishop would not moue his bonet the Bishop proceded in these wordes folowing My Lord at this present we are come to you as Commissioners and for you not intruding our selues by our owne authority but sent by Commission partly from the Popes holines partly from the king and Queenes moste excellent Maiesties not to your vtter discomfort but to your comfort if you will your self We come not to iudge you but to put you in remembraunce of that you haue bene shall be Neither come we to dispute with you but to examine you in certayne matters which being done to make relation thereof to him that hath power to iudge you The first being well taken shall make the second to be well taken For if you of your part be moued to come to a conformity then shall not onely we of our side take ioy of our examination but also they that haue sent vs. And first as charity doth moue vs I would think good somewhat to exhort you and that by the second chapiter of S. Iohn in the Apoc. Memor esto vnde excideris age poenitentiam prima opera fac Sin minus i. Remember from whence thou art fallen and do the first workes Or if not and so as ye knowe what foloweth Remember your selfe from whence you haue fallen You haue fallen from the Vniuersall and Catholicke Churche of Christe from the verye true and receiued fayth of all Christendome and that by open heresye You haue fallen from your promise to God from your fidelitye and allegeaunce and that by open preaching mariage and adultery You haue fallen from your soueraigne prince and Queene by open treason Remember therfore from whence you are fallen Your fall is great the daunger can not be sene Wherefore when I say remember from whence you haue fallen I put you in mind not onely of your fall but also of the state you were in before your fal You were sometime as land other poore men in a meane estate God I take to witnesse I speake it to no reproche or abasement of you but to put you in memory how god hath called you from a low to an high degree from one degree to another from better to better neuer gaue you ouer till he had appoynted you Legatum natum Metropolitanum Angliae Pastorem gregis sui Such great trust did he put you in in his Church What could he doe more for euen as he ordeined Moyses to be a ruler ouer his Churche of Israell and gaue him full authority vpon the same so did he make you ouer his Church of England And when did he this for you forsooth when you gaue no occasion or cause of mistruste either to hym or to his Magistrates For although it be coniectured that in all your time ye were not vpright in the honour and faith of Christ but rather set vppe of purpose as a fitte instrument whereby the Church might be spoyled and brought into ruine yet may it appeare by many your doings otherwise and I for my part as it behoueth ech one of vs shall thinke the best For who was thought as then more deuout who was more religious in the face of the world Who was thought to haue more cōscience of a vow making and obseruing the order of the Church more earnest in the defence of the reall presence of Christes bodye and bloude in the Sacrament of the aultar then ye were and then all things prospered with you your Prince fauored you yea God himselfe fauoured you your candlesticke was set vp in the highest place of the Church and the light of your candle was ouer all the Churche I would God it had so continued still But after you beganne to fall by Schisme and would not acknowledge the Popes holines as supreame head but would stoutly vphold the vnlawfull requestes of king Henry the 8. would beare with that should not be borne withall then began you to fansy vnlawfull libertye and when you had exiled good conscience then ensued a great shipwracke in the Sea whiche was out of the true and Catholicke Churche cast into the sea of desperation for as he saith Extra Ecclesiam non est salus When you had forsaken GOD God forsooke you and gaue you ouer to your owne will and suffered you to fall from Schisme to Apostacy frō Apostacy to heresy from heresy to periury from periury to treason and so in conclusion into the full indignation of our soueraigne prince which you may thinke a iust punishment of god for your other abhominable opinions After that ye fell lower and lower now to the lowest degree of all to the end of honor life For if the light of your candle be as it hath bene hitherto duskey your candlesticke is like to be remoued haue a great fal so low and so farre out of knowledge that it shal be quite out of Gods fauour and past all hope of recouery Quia in inferno nulla est redemptio The daūger wher of being so great very pity causeth me to say Memor esto vnde excideris I adde also and whether you fall But here peraduenture you will say to me what sir my fall is not so great as you make it I haue not yet fallen from the catholicke Church For that is not
indifferentlye handled it shal therefore not greatly be out of our matter as ye haue heard the Orations of Byshop Brokes with the reasons talk of the other Commissioners amplified and set forth at large on the one side so now in repeatyng the wordes answeres of the other part to declare sette forth somewhat more amply and effectually what speach the sayd Archb. vsed for himselfe in the same Action by the faythfull relation and testimonye of certayne other who were lykewise there present and do thus report the effect of the Archbishops wordes aunswering to the first Oration of Bishoppe Brookes in manner as followeth * A more full aunswere of the Archbishop of Cant. to the first Oration of Bishop Brookes MY Lorde you haue very learnedly and eloquently in your Oration put me in remeÌ„brance of many things touching my selfe wherein I doe not meane to spende the time in aunswering of them I acknowledge Gods goodnes to me in all his giftes and thanke him as hartily for this state wherein I finde my selfe now as euer I did for the time of my prosperitie and it is not the losse of my promotions that greueth me The greatest griefe I haue at this time is and one of the greatest that euer I had in all my life to see the kinge and Queenes Maiesties by theyr Proctours here to become my accusers and that in theyr owne Realme and Country before a forraigne power If I haue transgressed the lawes of the Land their maiesties haue sufficient authoritie and power both from God and by the ordinaunce of this Realme to punish me wherunto I both haue and at all times shal be content to submitte my selfe Alas what hath the Pope to doe in Englande whose iurisdiction is so farre differeÌ„t from the iurisdiction of this Realm that it is impossible to be true to the one and true to the other The lawes also are so diuers that whosoeuer sweareth to both must needes incurre periury to the one Whiche as ofte as I remember euen for the loue that I beare to her grace I cannot be but hartily sorye to thynke vpon it how that her highnesse the day of her coronation at which time shee tooke a solemne othe to obserue all the lawes liberties of this realm of EnglaÌ„d at the same time also tooke an othe to the Bishop of Rome and promised to mayntaine yâ— See The state of Englande being so repugnant to the supremacie of the Pope it was impossible but shee muste needes be forsworne in the one Wherein if her grace had bene faythfully aduertised by her Counsaile then surely she would neuer haue done it The lawes of this Realme are that the king of England is the supreme and sole gouernour of all his Countryes and dominions that hee holdeth hys crowne and Scepter of himself by the auncient lawes customes and descentes of the kinges of the Realme and of none other The Pope sayth that all Emperoures and kinges holde theyr Crownes and Regalities of him and that hee may depose them when he list whiche is high treason for anye man to affirme and thinke being borne within the kinges dominions The Lawes of England are that all Bishoppes and Priestes offending in cases of Felonie or Treason are to be iudged and tryed by the lawes and Customes of the Realme The Popes lawes are that the secular power cannot iudge the spirituall power and that they are not vnder their iurisdiction which robbeth the king of the one part of hys people The lawes also of England are that whosoeuer hindereth the execution or proceeding of the Lawes of England for any other forraigne lawes Ecclesiasticall or temporall incurreth the daunger of a Premunire The Popes Lawes are that whosoeuer hindereth the proceedinges or executions of hys lawes for any other lawes of any other king or country both the Prince himselfe his Counsayle all his Officers Scribes Clerkes and whosoeuer geue consent or ayd to the making or executing of any such lawes standeth accursed A heauy case if hys curse were any thing worth that the king and Queene caÌ„not vse their owne lawes but they and all theyrs must stande accursed These thinges and manye more examples hee alleadged whiche he sayde styrred him that he coulde not geue his consent to the receiuing of suche an enemy into the realme so subuerting the dignitie and auncient lyberties of the same And as for the matter of heresie and schisme wherewith he was charged he protested and called God to witnes that he knewe none that hee mayntayned But if that were an heresie to deny the Popes authoritie and the Religion which the See of Rome hath published to the world these latter yeares then all the auncient Fathers of the Primitiue Churche the Apostles and Christe hym selfe taught heresie and he desired al them present to beare him witnesse that he tooke the traditions and Religion of that vsurping Prelate to be most erroneous false and against the doctrine of the whole scripture whiche he had oftentimes well proued by writing and the Authour of the same to be verry Antichrist so often preached of by the Apostles and Prophetes in whome did most euidently concurre al signes and tokens whereby he was paynted to the world to be knowne For it was most euident that he hadde aduaunced him selfe aboue all Emperours and kinges of the world whoÌ„ he affirmeth to hold their states and Empyres of hym as of their chiefe to be at his commaundement to depose erect at his good will and pleasure and that the storyes make mention of his intollerable insolent pride tyranny vsed ouer them in such sorte as no king woulde haue vsed to his christian subiectes nor yet a good mayster to his seruauntes setting his feet on the Emperoures necke affirming that to be verified in him which was â—oken onely of our sauiour Iesus Christ in these wordes Super AspideÌ„ Basiliscum ambulabis conculcabis Leonem Draconem Other some had he made to hold his styrrops others hee had displaced remoued from their Empyres and seates royall and not content herewithall more insolent then Lucifer hath occupyed not onely the highest place in thys world aboue kinges and Princes but hathe further presumed to sit in the seat of almighty God whiche onely he reserued to himself which is the conscience of man and for to keep the possession therof he hath promised forgeuenes of sinnes totiens quotiens He hath brought in Gods of his owne framing inuented a new religion full of gayne and lucre quite contrary to the doctrine of the holy scripture onely for the mainteyning of his kingdome displacing Christ from his glory holding his people in a miserable seruitude of blindnes to the losse of a great number of soules whiche God at the latter day shall exact at hys hande boasting manye tymes in his Canons and Decrees that hee can dispense Contra Petrum contra
purpose the rest they committed to all aduenture as became men of that religion to doe The Queene hauing nowe gotten a time to reuenge her old grieef receiued his recantation very gladly but of her purpose to put him to death she would nothing relēt Now was Crāmers cause in a miserable taking who neither inwardly had any quietnes in his owne cōscience nor yet outwardly any helpe in his aduersaries Besides this on the one side was praise on the other side scorne on both sides daunger so that neither he could die honestly nor yet vnhonestly liue And where as hee sought profite hee fell into double disprofite that neyther with good men he could auoid secrete shame nor yet with euill men the note of dissimulation In the meane time while these things were a doyng as I said in the prison among the doctours the Queene taking secrete Counsel howe to dispatch Cranmer out of the way who as yet knew nothing of her secrete hate and looked for nothing lesse then death apoynted D. Cole and secretely gaue him in commandement that against the 21. of March he should prepare a funerall sermon for Cranmers burning so instructing him orderly and diligently of her wil pleasure in that behalfe sendeth him away Soone after the Lord Williams of Tame the Lorde Shandoys syr Thom. Bridges and syr Iohn Browne were sent for with other woorshipfull men and Iustices commanded in the Queenes name to be at Oxford at the same day wyth their seruauntes and retinue least Cranmers death should raise there any tumult Cole the Doctor hauing this lesson geuen hym before and charged by her commandement returned to Oxford ready to play hys part who as the day of execution drewe neare euen the day before came into the prison to Cranmer to try whether he abode in the catholicke faith wherin before he had left him To whom when Cranmer had aunsweared that by Gods grace he would daily be more confirmed in the catholicke faith Cole departing for the tyme the next day following repaired to the Archb. agayne geuing no signification as yet of hys death that was prepared And therefore in the morning which was the 21. day of Marche appoynted for Cranmers execution the sayde Cole comming to hym asked if he hadde any money To whome when he answeared that he had none he deliuered hym 15. crownes to geue the poore to whome hee woulde and so exhorting him so muche as hee coulde to constancie in Faith departed thence aboute hys businesse as to hys Sermon appertained By this partly and other like Argumentes the Archbishop began more and more to surmise what they went about Then because the day was not farre past and the Lordes and Knightes that were looked for were not yet come there came to him the Spanish frier witnes of hys recantation bringing a paper with articles which Cranmer shoulde openly professe in hys recantation before the people earnestly desiring him that hee woulde wryte the sayd instrument with the articles with his owne hande and signe it with his name which when he had done the said frier desired that he would wryte an other copy thereof which should remaine with him and that he did also But yet the Archbishop being not ignoraunt whereunto theyr secreat deuises tended and thinking that the time was at hande in which he could no longer dissemble the profession of his faith with Christes people he put secretely in hys bosome his Prayer with his exhortation wrytten in an other paper which he minded to recite to the people before he should make the last profession of hys faith fearing least if they had heard the confession of his faith first they woulde not afterward haue suffered hym to exhort the people Soone after about 9. of the clocke the Lord Williams Syr Thomas Bridges syr Iohn Browne and the other Iustices wyth certaine other noble men that were sent of the Queenes counsell came to Oxford with a great traine of wayting men Also of the other multitude on euerye side as is wōt in such a matter was made a great concourse and greater expectation For first of all they that were of the Popes side were in great hope that day to heare somthing of Cranmer that should stablish the vanitye of their opinion the other parte which were endued with a better minde coulde not yet doubte that he which by continuall studie and labour for so many yeres had set foorth the doctrine of the gospel either would or could nowe in the last Acte of hys life forsake his part Briefly as euery mannes wil enclined eyther to this part or to that so accordyng to the diuersitie of their desires euery mā wished and hoped for And yet because in an vncertaine thing the certaintye could be knowen of none what would be the end al theyr mindes were hanging betwene hope and doubt So that the greater the expectation was in so doubtfull a matter the more was the multitude that were gathered thether to heare and beholde In this so great frequence and expectation Cranmer at length commeth from the prison Bocardo vnto s. Maries churche because it was a foule and a rainy daye the chiefe church in the vniuersity in this order The Mayor went before next him the Aldermen in their place and degree after them was Cranmer brought betwene two friers which mumbling to and froe certaine Psalmes in the streetes aunsweared one an other vntill they came to the Church doore and there they began the songe of Simeon Nunc Dimittis and entering into the Churche the Psalme saying Friers brought hym to his standing and there left him There was a stage set vp ouer against the pulpit of a meane height from the ground where Cranmer hadde hys standing wayting vntill Cole made him ready to his Sermone The lamentable case and sight of that man gaue a sorrowfull spectacle to al Christian eyes that beheld him He that late was Archbishop Metropolitane and Primate of England and the Kings priuy Councellor being now in a bare and ragged gowne and ill fauouredly cloathed wyth an olde square cappe exposed to the contempt of all men did admonish men not onely of his owne calamitie but also of theyr state and fortune For who woulde not pitie hys case and bewaile his fortune might not feare his owne chaunce to see such a Prelate so graue a Councellour and of so long continued honoure after so manye dignities in hys olde yeares to be depriued of his estate adiudged to die and in so painefull a death to end his life and now presently from such fresh ornaments to discende to such vile and ragged apparell In this habite when hee had stoode a good space vpon the stage tourning to a piller neare adioyning thereunto he lifted vppe hys handes to heauen prayed vnto God once or twise till at the length D. Cole comming into the pulpit and beginning his sermon entred first into mention of Tobias and Zacharie
while her husbande was in prison Where the keepers wife named Agnes Penycote had secretlye heated a key fire hoate and laid it in grasse on the backeside So speaking to Alice Coberley to set her the key in all haste the said Alice went with speed to bring the key and so taking vp the key in hast did pitiously burne her hand Wherupon she crying out at the sodein burning of her hand Ah thou drabbe quoth the other thou that canst not abide the burning of the key howe wiâ—e thou be able to burne the whole body and so she afterward reuoked But to returne agayne to the story of Coberley who being somewhat learned and being at the stake was somewhat long a burning as the wynde stoode After his bodye was skorched with the fire and hys leafte Arme drawne and taken from hym by the violence of the fyre the fleshe beinge burnt to the whyte boare at length he stouped ouer the cheyne and wyth the ryghte hande being somewhat starckned knocked vpon his brest softly the bloud and matter issuing out of his mouth Afterward when all they thought he had bene deade sodenly he rose right vp with his body agayne And thus muche concerning these three Salisbury Martyrs ¶ A discourse of the death and Martyrdome of sixe other Martyrs suffering at London whose names here folow ABout the xxiij day of Aprill Anno Dom. 1556. were burned in Smithfielde at one fire these sixe constaunt Martyrs of Christ suffering for the profession of the Gospell viz. Robert Drakes Minister William Tyms Curate Richard Spurge Shereman Thomas Spurge Fuller Iohn Cauell Weauer George Ambrose Fuller They were al of Essex and so of the dioces of London and were sent vp some by the Lord Rich and some by others at suÌ„dry times vnto Stephen Gardiner B. of Winchester then Lord Chauncellor of England about the 22. day of March an 1555. Who vpon small examination sent them some vnto the kinges Benche and others vnto the Marshalsea where they remained almost all the whole yere vntill the death of the sayd Bishop of Winchester and had during that time nothing said vnto them Wherupon after that Doctor Heath Archbishop of Yorke was choseÌ„ to the office of Lord Chauncellorshippe foure of these persecuted brethren being now wery of this theyr long imprisonmeÌ„t made theyr supplication vnto the said D. Heath requiring his fauour and ayd for their deliueraunce the copy whereof ensueth * To the right reuerend father Tho. Archb. of Yorke Lord Chauncellour of England MAy it please your honorable good Lordship for the loue of God to tender the humble sute of your lordships poore Orators whose names are subscribed which haue lien in great misery in the Marshalsea by the space of x. monethes and more at the commaundement of the late Lord Chauncellour to their vtter vndoing with theyr wiues children In consideration wher of your Lordships sayd Oratours do most humbly pray and beseeche your good Lordship to suffer them to be brought before your honour and there if any man of good conscience can lay any thing vnto our charge we trust either to declare our innocency agaynst theyr accusations or if otherwise theyr accusations can be proued true and we faulty we are ready God helping vs with our condigne punishments to satisfy the law according to your wise Iudgement as we hope ful of fatherly mercy towardes vs and all men according to your Godly office in the which we pray for your Godly successe to the good pleasure of GOD. Amen This Supplication was sent as is sayd and subscribed with the names of these 4. vnder folowing Richard Spurge Thomas Spurge George Ambrose Iohn Cauell * Richard Spurge VPon the receipt and sight hereof it was not long after but Syr Richard Read Knight then one of the Officers of the Court of the Chauncery 16. day of Ianuary was sent vnto the Marshalsea to examine the sayd foure prisoners therefore beginning first with Richard Spurge vpon certaine demaundes receiued his answeres therunto the effect whereof was that he with others were complayned vpon by the Parson of Bocking vnto the Lorde Rich for that they came not vnto theyr Parish Church of Bocking where they inhabited and therupon was by the sayd Lord Rich sent vnto the late Lord Chauncellour about the xxij day of March last past videl an 1555. And farther he sayd that he came not to the Church sithens the first alteration of the English seruice into Latin Christmasse day then a tweluemoneth only except that because he misliked both the same and the Masse also as not consonant and agreing with Gods holy word Moreouer he required that he might not be any more examined vpoÌ„ the matter vnles it pleased the Lord ChauÌ„cellour that then was to know his fayth therein which to him he would willingly vtter * Thomas Spurge THomas Spurge being then next examined made the same aunswere in effect that the other had done confessing that he absented himselfe from the church because the word of God was not there truely taught nor the Sacramentes of Christ duely ministred in such sort as was prescribed by the same word And being farther examined of his beliefe concerning the sacrament of the aultar he said that if any could accuse him thereof he would then make aunswere as God had geuen him knowledge therein ¶ George Ambrose THe like answere made George Ambrose adding moreouer that after he had read the late Byshop of Winchesters booke intituled De vera obedientia with Boners preface thereunto annexed inueying both against the authority of the Bishop of Rome he did much lesse set by theyr doinges then before ¶ Iohn Cauell IOhn Cauell agreyng in other matters with them aunswered that the cause why hee did forbeare the comming to the Churche was that the Parson there had preached two contrary doctrines For firste in a Sermon that hee made at the Queenes first entrye to the crowne he did exhort the people to beleue the Gospell for it was the truth and if they did not beleue it they shoulde be damned But in a second Sermon he preached that the Testament was false in forty places which contrariety in him was a cause amongest other of his absenting from the Church ¶ Robert Drakes ABout the fourth day of Marche next after Robert Drakes also was examined who was ParsoÌ„ of ThuÌ„dersley in Essex and had there remayned the space of three yeares He was first made Deacon by Doctour Taylour of Hadley at the commaundement of Doctour Cranmer late Archbyshop of CauÌ„terbury And within one yeare after which was the thyrd of the reigne of kyng Edward he was by the sayd Archbyshop and Doctour Ridley Bishop of London admitted Minister of Gods holy word Sacramentes not after the order then in force but after such order as was after established was presented vnto the sayd benefice of Thundersley by the Lord Rich at the
sute of Maister Caustâ—n and Maister Treheron and now notwithstanding was sent vp by the sayde Lord Riche with the others before mentioned and at his comming to the Bishop of Winchester was by him demaunded whether he would conforme him self like a subiect to the lawes of this realme then in force To the which he sayd he would abyde all lawes that stode with the lawes of GOD and thereupon was committed to prison where he and the rest aboue named did remaine euer sithens ¶ William Tyms NOW remaineth likewise to declare the examinatioÌ„ of William Tyms DeacoÌ„ Curate of Hocley in Essex But before I come to his examination first here is to be opened and set forth the order maner of his trouble how and by whom he was first apprehended in Essex and froÌ„ thence sent vp to London the story whereof followeth in this maner * The Story of William Tyms Deacon and Curate of Hockeley with the maner of his taking THere was at Hocley in Queene Maries dayes two Sermons preached in the Woodes the which woodes weare appertayning to Maister Tyrrell and the name of the one wood was called Plumbrow wood and the other Becheswood and there was at the same Sermons an honest man and his wife with him whose name was Iohn Gye the which Gye was Maister Tyrrels seruaunt and did dwell vnder him being his Herd at a farm of his called Plomborow Shortly after it was knoweÌ„ to Maister Tyrrell how that his woods were poluted with Sermons the which he did take very euill and much matter did rise about it as an vnlawfull assembly the which was layd to Iohn Gyes charge because he did not disclose that vnlawfull acte to his Maister being then in the coÌ„mission of the peace appointed at that tyme to keep down the Gospell that which he did to the vttermost as it may appeare in many of his actes Good God geue him repeÌ„tance if it be thy will Shortlye after it pleased Mayster Tyrrell to come to Hockley to sift out this matter and to know who was at these preachings Well there were found many faultes for it is supposed there were a hundred persons at the least So it pleased Mayster Tyrrell to begin first with Iohn Gye and asked him where that noughty felow was that serued theyr parish one Tyms for it is tolde me sayde he that he is the causer to bring these noughty felowes into the couÌ„try Therfore I charge thee Gye to fet me this noughty felow Tyms for thou knowest where he is No said Gye I doe not knowe So in no wise he could not make him fette him Then stepped forth an other of M. Tyrrels men willing to shew his Mayster pleasure whose name was Richard Shereffe sayd to his mayster Syr I know where he is Well said mayster Tyrrell go to the Constables and charge them to bring him to me So this Shereffe being diligent made sure work and had him brought before his Maister with the Constables whose names be these Edward Hedge and Ioh. Iames. So when he came before Maister Tyrrell then Mayster Tyrrell commauÌ„ded all men to depart it was wisely done for hee was not able to open his mouth agaynste Tyms without reproch and there he kept him about three houres But there were some that listened at the walles and heard M. Tyrrell say thus to Tyms Me thinketh sayd he that wheÌ„ I see the blessed Rood it maketh me thinke of God Why Syr sayde Tyms if an Idoll that is made with mans handes doth make you remember God how much more ought the creatures of God as man being his workmaÌ„ship or the grasse or the trees that bringeth forth fruit make you remember God So Mayster Tyrrell ended his talke with Tyms it should seme in an heat for he brast out and called him traytorly knaue Why Syr sayd Tyms in king Edwardes dayes you did affirme the truth that I do now Affirme quoth Tyrrell nay by Gods body I neuer thought it with my hart Well sayd Tyms then I pray you M. Tyrrell beare with me for I haue bene a Traytor but a while but you haue bene a Traytor 6. yeares After this Tyms was sent to LondoÌ„ to the byshop from him to the Bishop of Winchester and so from him to the Kynges Bench then was Mayster Tyrrels rage seased with theÌ„ that were in the woods at the sermons So M. Tyrrel took away Gyes coate gaue it to Ioh. Traiford and sent him to S. Tosies to see good rule kept there WheÌ„ Tyms came before the Bishop of London there was at that time the Bishop of Bathe there was William Tyms examined of his fayth before them bothe So mightely god wrought with this true harted man that he had wherwith to aunswere them both for the Constables did say that brought him before the byshop that they neuer heard the like Then the bishop as though he would haue had Tyms to turne froÌ„ the truth sayd to the Constables I pray you sayd he geue him good counsell that he may turne from his errour My Lord sayd the Constables he is at a poynt for he will not turne TheÌ„ both the Byshops waxed wery of him for he had troubled them about a sixe or seuen houres Then the Byshops began to pity Tyms case to flatter him saying Ah good felow sayd they thou art bold thou hast a good fresh spirit we would thou hadest learning to thy spirit I thanke you my Lordes sayd Tyms and both you be learned I would you had a good spirit to your learning So thus they broke vp sent Tyms to the Bishop of Winchester and there were Edward Hedge and Iohn Iames the CoÌ„stables aforenamed discharged Tyms was commaunded to the Kinges Bench whereas he was mightely strengthened with the good men that he found there And thus hitherto ye haue heard first vpon what occasion this William Tyms was apprehended how he was entreated of M. Tyrrell the Iustice by him seÌ„t vp to the Ordinary of the Dioces which was Rishop Boner who after certein talke debating he had with the sayd Tyms at length directed him to the Bishop of Winchester beyng then Lord Chauncellour and yet liuing and so was commaunded by him vpon the same to the Kinges Bench. Here by the way is to be vnderstanded that Tyms as he was but a Deacon so was he but simply or at least not priestly apparelled forasmuch as he went not in a gown but in a coat and his hosen were of two colours the vpper part white the neather stockes of sheepes russet WhervpoÌ„ the proud prelate sending for him to come before him and seeing his simple attyre began to mocke him saying Ah syra are you a Deacon Yea my Lord that I am quoth Tyms So me thinketh said the Bishop ye are decked like a Deacon My Lord sayde Tyms my vesture doth not so much vary from a Deacon but
also to the encouragemēt of others in the same quarell to doe the like The Lorde of strength fortify vs to stand as his true soldiors in what standing soeuer he shall thinke it good to place vs. Amen ¶ In the examinatiō of Roger Bernard ye heard a litle before how he was compared by the Priestes there to Iohn Fortune called his scholer This Iohn Fortune otherwise called Cutler of Hintlesham in Suffolke was by his occupation a Blacke Smith whom they had before them in examination a litle before the 20. day of Aprill In spirit he was zelous and ardent in the Scriptures ready in Christes cause stout and valiant in his answeres maruellous no lesse patient in his wrongfull suffering then constant in his doctrine Whether he was burned or dyed in prison I cannot certenly find but rather I suppose that he was burned Certeine it is howsoeuer he was made away he neuer yelded What his aunswers and examinations were before D. Parker and the Bishop ye shall heare him although not with his owne mouth speaking yet with his owne hande you shall see written what he did saye as foloweth ¶ The examination of Iohn Fortune before Doctour Parker and Mayster Foster FIrst Doct. Parker asked me how I beleued in the Catholicke fayth And I asked him which fayth he meant whether the sayth that Steuen had or the fayth of them that put Steuē to death D. Parker being moued said what a noughty felow is this you shall see anon he will denye the blessed Sacrament of the aulter M. Foster Then sayd Mayster Foster I know you well enough You are a busy marchant How sayest thou by the blessed Masse Fort. And I stood still and made no aunswere Fost. Then sayd M. Foster why speakest thou not and make the gentleman an answere Fort. And I sayde silence is a good aunswere to a foolishe question Park Then sayd the Doctour I am sure he will denye the blessed Sacrament of the aulter also Fort. And I sayd I know none such but onely the sacrament of the body and bloud of our Lord Iesus Christ. Park Then sayd he you deny the order of the seuen sacramentes And why doest thou not beleue in the Sacrament of the aulter Fort. And I sayd because it is not written in Gods booke Park Thē sayd he you will not beleue vnwrittē vereties Fort. And I sayd I will beleue that those vnwritten verities that agree with the written verities be true but those vnwritten verities that be of your owne making inuented of your owne brayne I do not beleue Fost. Well sayd M. Foster you shall be whipped and burned for this geare I trow Fort. Then sayd I if you knew how these wordes do reioyce my hart you would not haue spoken them Fost. Why thou foole doest thou reioyce in whipping Fort. Yea sayd I for it is written in the Scriptures and Christ sayth thou shalt be whipped for my names sake since the time that the sworde of tyrannye came into your handes I heard of none that was whipped Happy were I if I had the maydenhead of this persecution Away with him then sayde he for he is tenne times worse then Samuel and so was he caried to prison again ¶ The second examination of Iohn Fortune before the Bishop of Norwich WHen I came before the Bishop he asked me if I did not beleue in the Catholick church I sayd I beleue that Church wherof Christ is the head Then sayd the Bishop doest thou not beleue that the Pope is supreame head of the Churche And I sayde no Christ is the head of the true Church Bish. So do I beleue also but the Pope is Gods Uicar vpon earth and the head of the Churche and I beleue that he hath power to forgeue sinnes also Fort. Then sayd I the Pope is but a man and the Prophet Dauid sayth That no man can deliuer his brother nor make agreement for him vnto God For it cost more to redeeme their soules so that he must let that alone for euer Bysh. And the Bishop agayne fetching about a great circumstaunce sayd like as the Belweather weareth the bell and is the head of the flocke of sheepe so is the Pope our head And as the hiues of Bees haue a Mayster Bee that bringeth the bees to the hiue again so doth our head bring vs home agayne to our true Church Fort. Then I asked him whether the Pope were a spirituall man and he sayde yea And I sayde agayne they are spitefull men for in xvij moneths there were three Popes and one poysoned an other for that presumptuous seat of Antichrist Bysh. It is maliciously spoken sayd he for thou must obey the power and not the man And thus was the pope denied to be supreme head Well sayd he what sayst thou to the Ceremonyes of the Church Fort. And I aunswered All thinges that are not planted by my heauēly father shal be plucked vp by the rootes saith christ For they are not from the beginning neither shall they cōtinue to the end Bysh. They are good and godly and necessary to be vsed Fort. S. Paule called them weake and beggarly Bysh. No that is a lye Fortune I hearing that sayd that Saynt Paule writeth thus in the fourth to the Galathians You foolish Galathians sayth he who hath bewitched you that ye seeke to bee in bondage to these weak and beggarly Ceremonies Now which of you do lye you or Saynt Paule And also it is sayde that woorkes instituted and enioyned without the commaundement of GOD perteyne not to the worship of God according to the text In vayne doe men worshippe mee with mens traditions and commaundementes And Sayncte Paule sayth Wherefore doe ye cary vs away from the grace of Christ to another kind of doctrine And Christ opēly rebuked the Scribes Lawyers Phariseis Doctors Priestes Bishoppes and Hypocrites for making Gods commaundementes of none effect to support theyr owne tradition Byshop Thou lyest there is not such a worde in all the Scriptures thou noughty hereticke Thou art woorse then all other heretickes for Hooper sayd he and Bradford alow them to be good and thou doest not Away with him ¶ Here you may perceiue howe that the Catholicke church can not erre but whatsoeuer they say must needes be true And so my Lord Bishop can not lye as it may appeare to all men most playnely in the text ¶ The third examination of Iohn Fortune before the Byshop of Norwich THe next day I was brought before the sayd Bishop agayne where he made a Sermon vpon the 6. chapter of S. Iohns Gospell of Christes wordes I am the breade that came downe from heauen c. and therupon had a great bibble babble to no purpose So in the end I was called before him and he sayd to me Bish. How beleuest thou in the Sacrament of the aultar doest thou not beleue that after the consecration
of diuine seruice 13 Item if there be any that doe practise or exercise any artes of Magike or Necromancy or do vse or practise any Incantations Sorceries or witchcraft or be vehemently suspected therof 14 Item whether any be maried in the degrees of affinity or consanguinitye prohibited by the Lawes of holye church or that do mary the banes not asked or do make any priuy contractes 15 Item whether in the time of Easter last any were not confessed or did not receiue the blessed sacrament of the aultar or did reuerētly behaue themselues in the receiuing thereof 16 Item whether any do keepe any secret conuenticles preachinges lectures or readinges in matters of religion contrary to the lawes 17 Item whether any do now not duly keep the fasting and embring dayes 18 Item whether the aultars in the Churches be consecrated or no. 19 Item whether the Sacrament be caryed deuoutly to them that fall sicke with light and with a little Sacring Bell. 20 Item whether the common scholes be well kept and that the scholemaisters be diligent in teathing and be also Catholicke and men of good and vpright iudgemēt that they be examined and approued by the Ordinary 21 Item whether any do take vpon them to minister the goodes of those that be dead without authority from the Ordinary 22 Itē whether the poore people in euery parish be charitably prouided for 23 Item whether there do burne a Lampe or a Candle before the sacramēt And if ther do not that then it be prouided for with expedition 24 Item whether infantes children be brought to be confirmed in conuenient time 25 Item whether any do keepe or haue in theyr custody any erroneous or vnlawfull bookes 26 Item whether any do withhold any mony or goodes bequeathed to the amending of the high wayes or any other charitable deede 27 Item whether any haue put away theyr wyues or any wiues do withdraw thēselues from theyr husbandes being not lawfully diuorced 28 Item whether any do violate or breake the sondaies and holy dayes doing theyr daily labors exercises vpon the same 29 Item whether the Tauernes or Alehouses vpon the sondayes and holy dayes in the time of Masse matins and Euensong do keepe open theyr doores and do receiue people into theyr houses to drink and eat and therby neglect theyr dueties in comming to the church 30 Item whether any haue or do depraue or contemne the authority or Iurisdiction of the Popes holynes or the See of Rome 31 Item whether any Minstrels or any other persons do vse to sing any songes against the holy sacramēts or any other the rites and ceremonies of the church 32 Itē whether there be any hospitals within your parishes whether the foundations of them be duely truly obserued and kept And whether the charitable contributions of the same be done accordingly 33 Item whether any goodes plate iewels or possessions be taken away or withholden from the sayd Hospitals and by whom ¶ A History of tenne Martyrs condemned and burned within the Dioces of Caunterbury for the testimony of Iesus Christ and trueth of his Gospell MEntion was made a little before of the persecution in Kent pag. 1860. Where we declared that fiftene were in the Castle of Canterbury imprisoned and cōdemned for Gods word Of the which fiftene moreouer we shewed declared fiue to be famished vnto death within the said castle and buryed by the high waye about the beginning of Nouember The other tenne in the first month of the next yeare folowing which was the yeare of our Lord. 1557. were committed vnto the fire and there cōsumed to ashes by Thornton called Bishop or Suffragane of Douer otherwise called Dicke of Douer and by Nicholas Harpsfield the Archdeacon of the sayd Prouince The names of these tenne godly and Christian Martyrs be these Iohn Philpot of Tēterden W. Waterer of Bedingden Stephen Kempe of Norgate W. Haye Hythe Thomas Hudsonne of Salenge Mat. Bradbridge of Tenterden Thomas Stephens of Bedingden Nich. Finall of Tenterden W. Lowicke of Crābroke W. Prowting of Thornhā What the ordinarye articles were commonly obiected to them of Canterbury Dioces is before rehearsed Pag. 1672. saue onely that to some of these as to them that folowed after as the time of theyr persecution did growe so theyr articles withall did encrease to the number of two twenty conteining such like matter as serued to the mainteinaunce of the Romish See To these articles what theyr answeres were likewise needed here no great rehearsall seeing they all agreed together though not in the same fourme of woordes yet in much like effecte of purposes first graunting the Churche of Christ and denying the Church of Rome denying the seuen Sacramentes refusing the Masse and the hearing of Latine Seruice praying to Saynctes iustification of works c And though they did not al answere vniformely in some smaller thinges as theyr learning serued them yet in the most principall and chiefest matters they did not greatly discord c. ¶ The burning of sixe Martyrs at Caunterbury Of these tenne Godly Martyrs of Christe sixe were burned at Canterbury about the fiftene of Ianuary that is Kempe Waterer Prowting Lowike Hudson and Haye Other two that is Stephēs and Philpot at Wye about the same moneth Other two which were Finall Bradbrige were burned both together at Ashford the xvj of the same The next moneth folowing whiche was Februarye came out an other bloudy Commission from the king and Queene to kindle vp the fire of persecution as though it were not hoate enough already the contentes of whiche Commission I thought here not to pretermit not for lack of matter whereof I haue too much but that the Reader may vnderstand how kinges princes of this world like as in the first persecutions of the primitiue Church vnder Ualerianus Decius Maximian Dioclesian Licinius c. so now also in these latter perillous dayes haue set out all theyr maine force and power with lawes policy authorit to the vttermost they coulde deuise agaynst Christe and his blessed gospel And yet notwithstāding al these lawes constitutions Iniunctions and terrible proclamations prouided agaynst Christ and his Gospell Christ yet styll continueth his gospel florisheth truth preuaileth kings and Emperors in their owne purposes ouerthrown their deuises dissolued theyr counselles confounded as exāples both of this of all times ages do make manifest But now let vs heare the intent of this Commission in tenor as foloweth ¶ A bloudy Commission geuen forth by King Philip and Queene Mary to persecute the poore members of Christ. PHilip and Mary by the grace of God king Queene of England c. To the right reuerend Father in God our right trusty welbeloued Counsellour Thomas B. Elye and to our right trusty welbeloued Williā Windsore knight L. Winsore Edw. North knight L. North and to our trusty welbeloued Counsellours Io.
geue away and not himselfe vse that his authoritye and power geuen him of God or lawfully may without offence to God and his people after knowledge thereof hadde suffer himselfe by fraud or guile or by any other vnlawfull meane to be beguiled defrauded and spoyled thereof and whether any subiect of what dignity estate or calling soeuer he or they be without offence to God and to his kinge to the minishing or derogating of the supreme prerogatiue roial of his king or of any part therof may do ought or after knowledge therof had without offence to God to his king may conceale the same 9. Whether the holy written law of God be geuen of God vnto all men of what dignity estate or calling by office soeuer they be aswell thereby to gouerne all theyr Dominions Regions and Countryes and theyr people therin inhabiting as themselues and whether any law or lawes the holy law of God onely excepted not being made within any Dominion Region or Country whereas it or they be vsed may be lawfully vsed before it or they be as the lawfull law or lawes of the same Dominion Region oâ— Countrey by publicke and common order of the same Dominion Region or Countrey lawfully allowed and whether any subiect without offence agaynst God and his king within the Dominion of his king may lawfully vse any such lawe or lawes not so allowed Emanuell ¶ Ascribe vnto the Lord O ye mighty ascribe vnto the Lord worship and strength geue the Lord the honor of his name and bow your selues to the holy maiesty of the Lord. I will harken what the Lord God will say for he shall speake peace vnto his people that they turne not themselues vnto foolishnes This 6. of Aprill 1557. By me Richard Gibson ¶ The death and Martyrdome of Iohn Rough Minister and Margaret Mearing burned at London the 22. of December IN this furious time of persecution were also burned these two constant and faythfull Martyrs of Christ Iohn Rough a Minister and Margaret Mearing This Rough was borne in Scotland who as himselfe confesseth in his aunsweres to Boners Articles because some of his kinsfolke woulde haue kept hym froÌ„ his right of inheritaunce which he had to certaine landes did at the age of xvij yeares in despite and the rather to displease his frendes professe himselfe into the order of the blacke Friers at Sterling in Scotlande where he remained the space of xvj yeres vntill such time as the Lord Hamulton Earle of Arren and gouernour of the Realme of Scotland aforesayde casting a fauour vnto hym did sue vnto the Archbishop of Saynt Andrewes to haue him out of his professed order that as a Seculare Prieste he might serue hym for his Chapleine At which request the Archbishoppe caused the Prouincial of that house hauing thereto authority to dispence with hym for his habite and order This sute beyng thus by the Earle obteined the sayde Rough remayned in his seruice one whole yeare duryng which time it pleased God to open his eyes and to geue him some knowledge of his truth and thereupon was by the sayd gouernour sent to preach in the freedome of Ayre where he continued foure yeares and then after the death of the Cardinall of Scotland he was appoynted to abyde at S. Andrewes and there had assigned vnto him a yearely pension of xx pound from king Henry the eight Kyng of England Howbeit at last waying with himselfe hys owne dauÌ„ger and also abhorring the Idolatry and superstition of this countrey and hearing of the freedome of the Gospell within this Realme of England he determyned with himselfe not to tary any longer there And therefore soone after the battel of Muscle bourough he came first vnto Carliell and from thence vnto the Duke of Somerset then Lord Protectour of England and by his assignment had appoynted vnto him out of the Kinges treasurye xx poundes of yearely stipend and was sent as a Preacher to serue at Carliell Barwicke and Newcastell From whence after he had there according to the lawes of God and also of this Realme taken a countrey woman of hys to wife he was called by the Archbyshoppe of Yorke that then was vnto a benefice nighe in the Towne of Hull where he continued vntill the death of that blessed good king Edward the 6. But in the beginning of the reigne of Queene Marye perceyuyng the alteration of Religion and the persecution that woulde thereupon arise and feeling hys owne weakenes he fled with his wife into Friseland dwelte there at a place called Norden labouring truely for his liuing in knitting of Cappes hose and such like thinges till about the end of the moneth of October last before hys death At which tyme lacking yearne and other suche necessary prouision for the mainteinaunce of his occupation he came ouer againe into England here to prouide for the same and the x. daye of Nouember arriued at London Where hearing of the secret society and holy Congregation of Gods children there assembled he ioyned himselfe vnto them and afterwardes being elected theyr Minister and Preacher did continue moste vertuously exercised in that Godly felowshippe teaching and confirming them in the trueth and Gospell of Christ. But in the ende suche was the prouidence of God who disposeth all thinges to the best the xij day of December he with Cutbert Symson and others through the crafty and trayterous suggestion of a false Hipocrite and dissembling Brother called Roger Sergeaunt a taylour were apprehended by the Uicechamberlayne of the Queenes house at the SaraceÌ„s head in Islington where the Congregation had theÌ„ purposed to assemble themselues to theyr Godly and accustomable exercises of prayer and hearing the word of God which pretence for the safegarde of all the rest they yet at theyr examinations couered and excused by hearing of a playe that was then appoynted to be at that place The Uicechamberlayne after he had apprehended them caried â—ough and Symson vnto the Counsell who charged theÌ„ to haue assembled together to celebrate the Communion or Supper of the Lord and therefore after sundry examinations and aunsweares they sent the sayd Rough vnto Newgate but his examinations they seÌ„t vnto the bishop of London with a Letter signed with they handes the copy wherof foloweth ¶ A Letter sent from the Queenes Councell vnto Boner Bishop of London touching the examination of Iohn Rough Minister AFter our harty commendations to your good Lordship we send you here inclosed the examination of a Scottish man named Iohn Rough who by the Queenes Maiesties commaundement is presentlye sent to Newgate beyng of the chiefe of them that vpon Sonday last vnder the colour of comming to see a Play at the Saracens head in Islington had prepared a communion to be celebrated and receiued there among certayne other seditious and hereticall persons And forasmuch as by the sayde Roughes examination conteining the story and progresse
Religion tooke such effect agaynst the enemye that within sixe dayes after Queene Mary dyed and the tyranny of all Englishe Papistes with her Albeit notwithstanding the sicknes and death of that queene wherof they were not ignorant yet the Archdeacon with other of Caunterbury thought to dispatch the Martyrdome of these men before ¶ The burning of fiue Martyrs at Caunterbury In the which fact the tyranny of this Archdeacon seemeth to exceede the crueltye of Boner who notwithstanding he had certayne the same time vnder his custodye yet he was not so importune in haling them to the fire as appeareth by father Liuing and his wife and diuers other who being the same time vnder the custody and daūger of Boner deliuered by the death of Queene Mary remayne yet some of them aliue These godly martirs in theyr prayers which they made before their martirdome desired God that theyr bloud might be the last that should be shed and so it was This Katherine Tynley was the mother of one Robert Tynley now dwelling in Maydstone which Robert was in trouble all Queene Maryes time To whom hys Mother comming to visite him asked him how he tooke this place of Scripture which she had seene not by reading of the Scripture for she had yet in maner no taste of Religion but had found it by chaunce in a Booke of prayers I will poure out my spirite vpon all flesh and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophesy your olde men shall dreame dreames and your young men shall see visions And also vpon the seruantes and vpon the maydes in those dayes will I poure my spirite c. Which place after that he had expounded to her she began to take hold on the Gospell growing more and more in zeale and loue thereof and so continued vnto her Martyrdome Among such young women as were burned at Caunterbury it is recorded of a certayne mayd and supposed to be this Alice Snoth here in this story mentioned or els to be Agnes Snoth aboue storied pag. 1751. for they were both burned that when she was brought to bee executed she being at the stake called for her godfather and godmothers The Iustice hearing her sent for thē but they durste not come Notwithstanding the Iustice willed the messēger to go agayne and to shew them that they should incur no daunger therfore Then they hearing that came to knowe the matter of theyr sending for When the maide saw them she asked thē what they had promised for her and so she immediatly rehearsed her fayth and the commaundements of God and required of them if there were any more that they had promised in her behalfe and they sayd no. Then sayd shee I dye a Christian woman beare witnes of me and so cruelly in fire was she consumed gaue ioyfully her life vp for the testimony of Christes Gospell to the terrour of the wicked and comfort of the godly and also to the stopping of the sclaunderous mouthes of suche as falsly doe quarrell agaynst these faythfull Martyrs for going from that religion wherein by theyr Godfathers Godmothers they were first baptised ¶ The story and condemnation of Iohn Hunt and Richard White ready to be burnt but by the death of Queene Mary escaped the fire BEsides these Martyrs aboue named diuers there were in diuers other places of the Realme imprisoned whereof some were but newly taken and not yet examined some begon to be examined but were not yet condemned certayne both examined and condemned but for lacke of the writ escaped Other there were also both condemned and the writ also was brought downe for theyr burning and yet by the death of the Chaūcellor the bishop and of Queene Mary happening together about one time they most happely maruellously were preserued and liued many yeres after In the number of whom was one Iohn Hunt and Rich. White imprisoned at Salisbury Touching which historie something here is to be shewed First these two good men and faythfull seruauntes of the Lord aboue named to wit Iohn Hunt and Richarde White had remayned long time in prison at Salisburye other places therabout the space of two yeares and more During which time oft times they were called to examination manifold waies were impugned by the Bishop and the Priestes All whose examinations as I thoughte not much needefull here to prosecute or to searche out for the length of the volume so neither agayne did I thinke it good to leaue no memorye at all of the same but some part to expresse namely of the examination of Richarde White before the Bishop of Salisbury the Bishop of Glocester with the Chauncellour and other Priestes not vnworthy perchaunce to be rehearsed * The examination of Richard White before the Byshop of Salisbury in his chamber in Salisbury the 26. day of Aprill an 1557. THe Bishop of Salisbury at that time was Docor Capon The Bishop of Glocester was Doctor Brookes These with Doctour Geffrey the Chauncelour of Salisbury and a great number of Priestes sitting in iudgemēt Richarde White was brought before them With whome first the Bishop of Glocester which had the examination of him beginneth thus Bishop Brookes Is this the prisoner The chauncellour Yea my Lord. Brookes Frend wherefore camest thou hether White My Lord I trust to know the cause for the lawe saith in the mouth of two or three witnesses things must stand Doctour Capon Did not I examine thee of thy fayth whē thou camest hether White No my Lord you did not examine me but cōmaūded me to the Lollardes Tower and that no man should speake with me And now I do require mine accuser Then the Register said the Maior of Marlborow did apprehend you for wordes that you spake there for that I commaunded you to be conueyed hither to prison White You had the examination of me in Marlborow Say you what I haue sayd And I will aunswere you Geffray Thou shalt confesse thy fayth ere thou depart and therfore say thy minde freely and be not ashamed so to do White I am not ashamed of the Gospell of Christ because it is the power of God to saluation vnto all that beleue S. Peter sayth If any man do aske thee a reasō of the hope that is in thee make him a direct aunswere and that with meekenes Who shall haue the examination of me Chaunc My Lord of Glocester shall haue the examinatiō of thee White My Lorde will you take the paynes to wet your coate in my bloud be not guilty thereof I warne you before hand Brookes I will do nothing to the contrary to our law White My Lorde what is it that you doe request at my handes Brookes I will appose thee vpon certayne articles principally vpon the sacramēt of the aultar How doest thou beleue of the blessed Sacrament of the aulter Beleuest thou not the reall carnall and corporall presence of Christ in the same euen
execution done vpoÌ„ the same which for that he had not done the matter he sayd was great and therfore wylled him to look well vnto it how he would aunswere the matter And thus began he fiercely to lay to his charge Wherin note gentle Reader by the way the close and couert hypocrisy of the Papistes in theyr dealinges Who in the forme and stile of their owne sentence coÌ„demnatory pretend a petition vnto the seculer power In visceribus Iesu Christi vt iuris rigor mitigetur atque vt parcatur vitae That is That the rigour of the law may be mitigated and that their life may be spared And how standeth this now with their owne doinges and dealinges when this Chauncellour as ye see is not onely contented to geue Sentence agaynst them but also hunteth here after the Officer not suffering him to spare them although he would What dissimulation is this of men goyng and doyng contrarye to their owne wordes and profession But let vs returne to our mattâ—â— agayne The Sheriffe hearing the ChauÌ„cellours wordes and seeing him so vrging vpon him tolde him agayne that he was no babe which nowe was to be taught of hym If he had any writ to warrant and discharge him in burning those men then he knew what he had to do Why saith the Chauncellour did not I geue you a writ with my hande and 8. moe of the Close set vnto the same Well quoth the Sheriffe that is no sufficient discharge to me and therfore as I told you if ye haue a sufficient writ and warrant froÌ„ the superiour powers I know then what I haue to do in my office otherwise if you haue no other writ but that I tell you I wil neither burne them for you nor none of you all c. Where note agayne good Reader how by this it may be thought and supposed that the other poore Saintes and Martyrs of God such as had bene burned at Salisburye before were burned belike without any authorised or sufficient writ from the superiours but onely vpon the information of the Chauncellour and of the Close through the vncircumspect negligence of the Sheriffes which shoulde haue looked more substantially vpon the matter But this I leaue and referre vnto the Magistrates Let vs returne to the story agayne Doct. Geffrey the Chauncellour thus sent away from the Sheriffe went home and there fel sicke vpon the same for anger belike as they signified vnto me whiche were the partyes themselues both godly and graue persons who were then condemned the one of them which is Richarde White being yet aliue The vnder Sheriffe to this Syr Anthony HuÌ„gerford aboue named was one M. Michell likewise a right and a perfect godly man So that not long after this came down the writ to burne the aboue named Rich. White Iohn Hunt but the vnder Sheriffe receiuing the said writ sayd I will not be guilty quoth he of these mens bloud immediately burnt the writing and departed his way With in 4. dayes after the Chauncellour dyed Concerning whose death this coÌ„meth by the way to be noted that theâ—e 2. foresaid Iohn Hunt and Richard White being the same time in a lowe and darcke Dungeon being Saterday toward euening according to theyr accustomed maner fell to euening prayer Who kneeling there together as they should begin theyr prayer sodeÌ„ly fel both to such a strauÌ„ge weeping tendernes of hart but how they could not tell that they could not pray one word but so coÌ„tinued a great space brusting out in teares After that night was past and the morning come the first word they heard was that the Chauncellour theyr great enemy was dead The tyme of whose death they found to be the same houre wheÌ„ as they fell in such a sodeyne weeping The Lord in all his holy workes be praysed Amen Thus muche concerning the death of that wicked Chauncellour This Richard White and the sayd Iohn Hunt after the death of the Chauncellour the Byshop also being dead a litle before continued still in prison til the happy coÌ„ming in of Queene Elizabeth and so were set at liberty * The Martyrdome of a young lad of eight yeares olde scourged to death in Bishop Boners house in London IF bloudy tormâ—ntes and cruell death of a poore innocent suffering for no cause of his owne but in the trueth of Christ and his Religion do make a Martyr no lesse deserueth the child of one Iohn Fetty to be reputed in the Catalogue of holy Martirs who in the house of Bishop Boner vnmercifuly was scourged to death as by the sequele of this story here folowing may appeare Amongest those that were persecuted miserably imprisoned for the profession of Christes Gospell yeâ— mercifully deliuered by the prouidence of God there was one Iohn Fetty a simple and godly poore man dwelling in the parish of Clerkenwell was by vocation a Taylor of the age of 42. yeres or therabout who was accused and complained of vnto one Brokenbury a priest a parson of the same parish by his own wife for that he would not come vnto the church be partaker of theyr Idolatry superstition therfore through the sayd priestes procurement he was appreheÌ„ded by Rich. Tanner his felow constables there and one Martin the Hedborough Howbeit immediatly vpoÌ„ his appreheÌ„sion his wife by the iust iudgemeÌ„t of God was stricken mad and distract of her wits which declared a maruelous exaÌ„ple of the iustice of God agaynst such vnfaythfull and most vnnaturall treachery And although this example perhaps for lack of knowledge instruction in such cases little moued the consciences of those simple poore meÌ„ to surcease their persecutioÌ„ yet natural pity towards that vngratefull woman wrought so in theyr harts that for the preseruation sustentatioÌ„ of her her 2. children like otherwise to perishe they for that present let her husband alone and would not cary him to prison but yet suffered him to remayne quietly in his own house During whiche time he as it were forgetting the wicked and vnkinde fact of his wife did yet so cherish and prouide for her that within the space of three weekes through Gods mercifull prouidence she was well ameÌ„ded and had recouered agayne some stay of her wits and senses But suche was the power of Sathan in the malicious hart of that wicked woman that notwithstanding his geÌ„tle dealing with her yet she so soone as she had recouered some health did agayne accuse her husband whereupon he was the second time apprehended and caryed vnto Syr Iohn Mordaunt Knight one of the Queenes Commissioners and he vppon examination sent him by Cluny the Bishops Sumner vnto the Lollardes Tower where he was euen at the first put into the paynefull stockes and haâ— a dish of water set by him with a stone put into it To what purpose God knoweth except it were to shew that he shuld look for
to the Tower of London and there remained vntill Queene Elizabeth was proclaimed Queene at whych time he being deliuered fell sicke and dyed The common talke was that if he had not so sodēly ended his life hee woulde haue opened and reuealed the purpose of the chiefe of the Cleargy meaning the Cardinall whyche was to haue taken vp K. Henries body at Windsore and to haue burned it And thus much of doctor Weston The residue that remained of the persecuting Clergy and escaped the stroke of deathe were depriued and committed to prisones the Catalogue of whose names heere followeth In the Tower Nicholas Death Archbishop of Yorke and Lord Chauncellour Thomas Thurlby B. of Ely Thomas Watson B. of Lincolne Gilbert Burne B. of Bath and Welles Richard Pates B. of Worcester Troublefield B. of Exetor Iohn Fecknam Abbot of Westminster Iohn Boxal Deane of Windsore and Peterborough Of Dauid Poole B. of Peterborough I doubte whether he was in the Tower or in some other prisone Ran away Goldwell B. of S. Asse Maurice Elect of Bangor Edmunde Boner B. of London in the Marshalsea Thomas Wood B. Elect in the Marshalsea Cutbert Scothish of Chester was in the Fleete from whence he escaped to Louane and there died In the Fleet. Henry Cole Deane of Paules Iohn Harpesfield Archdeacon of London and Deane of Norwich Nicholas Harpesfield Archd. of Cant. Anthony Draycot Archdeacon of Hūtington W. Chadsey Archdeacon of Midlesex ¶ Concerning which Doctour Chadsey here is to be noted that in the beginning of king Edwards raigne he recanted and subscribed to 34. Articles wherein hee then fully consented and agreed with his owne hand wryting to the whole forme of doctrine approoued allowed then in the church as well concerning iustification by faith only as also the doctrine of the two sacramentes then receaued denying as well the Popes supremacie transubstantiation Purgatory Inuocation of Saints eleuation and adoration of the Sacrament the sacrifice veneration of the Masse as also all other like excrements of Popish superstition according to the kings booke then set foorth Wherefore the more maruel it is that he being counted such a famous and learned Clearke would shew himselfe so fickle and vnstable in hys assertions so double in hys doinges to alter hys Religion according to time and to maintein for truth not what he thought best but what he myght most safely defend So long as the state of the lord Protectour and of hys brother stoode vprighte what was then the conformitie of this D. Chadsey hys owne Articles in Latine wrytten and subscribed wyth hys owne hand doe declare which I haue to shewe if he will denye them But after the decay of the kings vncles the fortune of them turned not so fast but his Religion turned withall and eftsoones he tooke vppon hym to dispute agaynste Peter Martyr in vpholding Transubstantiation at Oxforde which a little before with his owne hād wryting he had ouerthrowen After this ensued the time of Queene Mary wherein doctor Chadsey to shew hys double diligence was so eger in his commission to sit in iudgement to bring poore mē to their death that in the last yeare of Quene Mary when the Lord Chauncellor Syr Thomas Cornwalles Lorde Clinton diuers other of the Counsell had sent for hym by a special letter to repaire vnto London out of Essex he wryting againe to the bishop of London sought meanes not to come at the Counsels bidding but to continue still in his persecuting progresse The Copie of whose letter I haue also in my handes if neede were to bring foorth Mention was made not long before of one William Mauldon who in king Henries time suffered stripes and scourgings for confessing the veritie of Gods true religion It happened in the first yeare of Queene Elizabeth that the sayd W. Mauldon was bound seruaunt with one named Maister Hugh Aparry then a wheat taker for the Quene dwelling at Grenewich Who being newly come vnto him and hauing neuer a booke there to looke vpon being desirous to occupie himself vertuously loked about the house and founde a Primer in English whereon hee read in a winters euening Whiles he was reading there sat one Iohn Apowel that had ben a Seruing man about 30. yeres of age borne toward Wales whom the said M. Hugh gaue meat and drink vnto til such time as he could get a seruice And as the foresayd William Mauldon read on the Booke the sayde Iohn Apowell mocked hym after euery worde with contrary gaudes and flouting wordes vnreuerently in so muche that he coulde no longer abide him for grief of hart but turned vnto him and sayd Iohn take heede what thou doest Thou doest not mocke mee but thou mockest God For in mocking of his word thou mockest hym and thys is the word of God though I be simple that read it and therfore beware what thou doest Then Mauldon fell to reading agayne and still hee proceeded on in hys mocking and when Mauldon had redde certayne Englyshe Prayers in the ende he redde Lorde haue mercye vppon vs Christe haue mercye vpon vs. c. And as Mauldon was reciting these wordes the other with a start sodenly sayd Lord haue mercy vpon me With that Mauldon tourned and sayde what ailest thou Iohn He sayee I was afraide Whereon wast thou afraide said Mauldon Nothing now sayd the other and so he would not tel hym After thys when Mauldon and he went to bedde Mauldon asked him whereof he was afraide He sayde when you red Lord haue mercye vppon vs Christ haue mercy vppon vs me thought the haire of my head stoode vpright with a great feare which came vpon me Then sayd Mauldon Iohn thou mayest see the euill spirite could not abide that Christ should haue mercy vppon vs. Wel Iohn said Mauldon repent and amend thy life for God will not be mocked If we mocke and iest at his woord he will punish vs. Also you vse rebauldry woordes and swearing verye much therfore for Gods sake Iohn amend thy life So I will sayd he by the grace of God I pray God I may Amen said the other with other words and so went to bed On the next day about 8. of the clocke in the morning the foresaid Iohn came running downe out of his chamber in his shirt into the Hall and wrasteled with hys mistresse as he would haue throwen her downe Wherat she shriked out and her seruauntes holpe her and tooke hym by strength and caried him vp vnto his bed bound him downe to his bed for they perceiued plainely that he was out of his right minde After that as he lay almoste day and night his toung neuer ceased but he cried out of the deuill of hell and hys woordes were euer stil O the deuill of hell now the deuill of hell I would see the deuill of hell thou shalt see the deuil of hel there he was there he goeth with other words but
my father contÃnueth here to the intent to heare some godly and ioyfull tidynges both for soule and body whiche I trust it shal be to your singular comfort and consolation and to the great reioysing of all other of my frendes Therefore I desire you gentle mother to admonish my brother vnto a godly life with dilligent attendance and to pray for me considering his bound duety that God may by your faythfull prayer ayd and strengthen me in this my prosperous iourney and course whiche I run trusting to obtayne a crowne of euerlasting life whiche doth euer endure No more vnto you at this time but God preserue you vnto euerlasting life So be it ¶ The Oration in effecte of Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England spoken in the Starre Chamber the 29. of December in the 10. yeare of the reigne of our Souereigne Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England Fraunce and Ireland Queene Defender of the fayth c. And in the yeare of our Lord God .1567 Then being present Mathew Archbishop of Caunterbury William Marques of Northhampton Fraunces Earle of Bedford Lord Clinton Admirall of England William Howard Lord Chamberleyne Byshop of London Lord Gray of Wilton Sir Edward Rogers Knight Controler Sir Ambrose Caue Knight Chanc. of the duchy Sir William Cicill Knight principall Secretary Sir Fraunces Knolles Knight Vicechamberleyne Sir Walter Mildemay Knight Chauncelor of the Eschequer Lord Cattelene chiefe Iustice of the kings bench Lord Dyer chiefe Iustice of the common place Sir William Cordale Knight M. of the Rolles Iustice Weston Iustice Welch Iustice Southcotes Iustice Carowes IT is geuen to the Queenes Maiestye to vnderstand that certayne of her Subiectes by theyr euill dispositions do sow and spread abroad diuers sedicions to the derogation and dishonor first of almighty God in the state of Religion stablished by the lawes of this Realme and also to the dishonor of her highnesse in disprouing her lawfull right of supremacy amongest her subiectes And this that they doe is not done as in secrecy or by stealth but openly auouched in all companyes disputed on And thus by theyr bold attemptes seme not to obey or regard the authority of lawes nor the quiet of her subiectes As for example by bringing in and spreading abroad diuers leud libels and sedicious bookes from beyonde the seas and in suche boldnes that they do commend those writers in their sedicious bookes conteining manifest matter agaynste the estate established Which boldnesse of men so Vniuersally and euery where seene and heard cannot be thought to be done but by the comfort and ayd or at the least way winckt at by theÌ„ whoÌ„ the Queenes highnes hath placed in authority to repres these insolencyes And the Queenes highnes can not more iustlye charge any for this disorder then such who be in commissioÌ„s chosen to represse these disorders If it be aunswered me that they cannot see such opeÌ„ boldnes factious disorders I must say that they haue no eyes to see if they heare not of suche contemptuous talke and speeche I may say that they haue no eares I would haue those men iudge what will come of these vnbridled speeches in the end if reformatioÌ„s be not had therof What coÌ„meth of factions seditions we haue bene taught of late yeares what the fruites be which I beseech God long to defend vs from If such disorders be hot redressed by law then must force violence reforme Which when they take place may fortune fall assoone on theÌ„ that seeme to haue least consideration in this matter If force and violence preuayle then ye know that law is put to silence and cannot be executed which should onely maynteine good order If it be replyed agaynst me that to the suppressing of these open talkes there is no law which by speciall letter can charge any man offender I must say that whatsoeuer the letter of the law be the meaning of the law was and is cleane contrary to the liberty of these doinges If it be sayd that no man can be charged by the law except it can be proued agaynst him that his speeche and deedes be done maliciously what ye call malice I can not tel But if the bringing in of these sedicious bookes make meÌ„s mindes to be at variance one with one another destruction of mindes maketh sedicions seditions bring in tumults tumults worke insurrections and rebellion Insurrections make depopulations and desolations and bringeth in vtter ruine destruction of mens bodies goodes landes And if any sow the roote wherof these men come yet can be sayd that he hath no mallice or that he doth not maliciously labour to destroye both publicke priuate wealth I can not tell what act may be thought to be done maliciously And further if it be sayd to me that the man which should be charged with offeÌ„ce must be proued to haue done his acte aduisedly To that I answere If any bring in those hookes distribute them to others commend defend them yet can not be charged to haue done aduisedly I haue no skill of their aduisednesse If it be sayde that the law intreateth of such actes as be directly derogatory and of none other what is direct ouerthwarting the Law when the contrary thereof is playnely treated holden and defended and the truth by argumentes condemned It maye be sayd agayne that the worlde doth not now like extremitye in lawes penal and calleth them bloudy lawes As for extreme and bloudy lawes I haue neuer liked of them But where the execution of such lawes touching halfe a dosen offenders and the not execution may bring in daunger halfe a hundred I thinke this law nor the execution therof may iustly be called extreme and bloudy In such like comparison I may vtter my meaning as to make a difference betwene whipping hanging In deed though whipping may be thought extreme yet if by whipping a man may escape hanging in this respect not whipping bringeth in this bloudinesse and extremity and not the execution of the law And better it were a man to bee twise whipped then once hanged The paynes do differre but wise men will soone consider the diuersity The truth is to suffer disobedient subiectes to take boldnes agaynst the lawes of God their prince to wincke at the obstinate minds of such as be vnbridled in theyr affections to mainteine a forraigne power of the Byshop of Rome directly agaynst the Princes prerogatiue stablished by lawes is not this to hatch dissentioÌ„ to chearish sedition To extoll the writinges of such who by all their wittes deuise to supplant the princes lawfull authority If these doinges be not meanes to the disturbance vtter ruine of the Realme I know not what is good gouernance If these be not the sparkes of Rebellion What be they Thus much hauing spoken to your wisedomes I doubt not of your assenting with me the rather also because I vtter them vnto
make his aunswereâ— Succession of Bishopâ— alone is â—o sufficient poynt to proue the Catholicke Church Leaue your reuiling termes 〈◊〉 Lord 〈◊〉 goe to the matter Note how these men grouÌ„d their fayth not vpon Gods word but vpon the determination of their owne knowne Church My Lord of 〈◊〉 driâ—eâ— to seeke 〈◊〉 bookes August de implicitate â—â—edendi â— Philpot 〈◊〉 repâ—â—ted to 〈…〉 â— Poyntes 〈◊〉 proue 〈◊〉 Cathoâ—â—cke church 〈◊〉 of S. Austen 1. Consent of al natioÌ„s 2. Sea Apoâ—â—â—licall 3. Vniuersalitye 4. Catholicke Aunswere to the Archbishops 4. poyntes Christes church ceaseth not 〈◊〉 his Church albeit 〈◊〉 tyme of persecution iâ— be hid sometime in corners First aunswere to his reason and 〈◊〉 him obâ—tinate â—â—terward * Because 〈◊〉 Lord 〈◊〉 be not 〈◊〉 to aunswere him Anotâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of M. Philâ—â—â— before â—he â—ishop Concerning these 4. poynt aunswered sufâ—ficiently befoâ—â— It is best for you to lay so when you haue no other way to shift of his Argumentes The last examinations of M. Philpot in open iudgement with his finall condemnation by B. Boner in the consistory at Paules December 14. M. Philpot called into open iudgement 3. Speciall Articles layd to M. Philpot. * Here eyther the Register belyeth M. Philpot or els he ment as not offeÌ„ding the law thereby to be accused for otherwise â—all his former examinations doe declare that he spake against the Sacrament of the Altar B. Boner with all his Doctors not able to satisfie M. Philpots offer December 16. The last examination of Iohn Philpot. B. Stokesleys prayer when he gaue sentence vpon any B. Boner prayeth against himselfe B. Boner hath no authoritye by right to proceed agaynst M. Philpot. B. Boner noted to 〈◊〉 ignorant 〈◊〉 the lawe This law seemeth eyther blindly câ—pared of the Bishop or els not rightly collected of his Register The Lord Maioâ— with the Shâ—â—efâ—e assistanâ— to B. Boner against M. Philpot. The 3. arâ—â—â—cles agaynst Iohn Philpot agaynst repeated An exhortation of â— Boneâ— to Iohn Philpot December 16. 〈◊〉 Philpot answeâ—eth to the Bâ—â—hops exhortation before the Lord Maior To the first aâ—ticle Iohn Philpot is of the Catholicke Church but not of the â—aâ—ilonical Church To the 2. Article Iohn Philpot speaketh not agaynst the 〈◊〉 sacrifice 〈◊〉 agaynst 〈◊〉 sacrifice 〈◊〉 â—pon the 〈◊〉 vsed 〈◊〉 prâ—uate masâ—es To the 3. article Pâ—â—â—pot denyeth not 〈◊〉 Sacrament of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 but the Sacrament of the Altar of 〈◊〉 he deâ—â—eth Philpot chargeth the clergy of Q Mar· time to be idolaters to 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 church where their 〈…〉 church 〈◊〉 England 〈◊〉 K. Edwardeâ—â—â—me B. Boner chargeth him with false surmises for want of true matter Philpot had a knife brought him vnder a pig Ergo the Church of Rome is a Catholicke church Articles concluded in Cambridge and Oxford The catechisms set forth in K. Edwards dayes The booke of report of the disputation in in the Conuocation house A letter written to M. Philpot touching the handling of M. Grene. exhibited by B. Boner Boner breaketh promise M. Grene strong in sriptures Doctors Fecknams report of Bart. Grene. This bill was a supplication to be offred vp in the Parlament A letter written to M. Philpot by the faythfull Christen Lady the Lady Vane A supplication of Iohn Philpot to the King and Queene The strayte handling of Iohn Philpot in the Bishops Colehouse Of this booke of disputation 〈◊〉 the Conuocation reaâ—â— before pag. 1410. Ah my Lord what needed this question when no reasonable aunswere could be allowed Sentence of condemnation read agaynst M. Philpot. M. Philpots words in reading the senteÌ„ce M. Philpot deliuered to the Sheriffes M. Philpot to his seruaunt M. Philpot brought into Newgate his man permitted to enter with him Talke betweene M. Philpot Alexander the keeper Good Philpot lâ—den with yrons because he would not recant at Alexanders bidding Alexander taketh Philpots tokens from his man Alexander the cruell keeper requireth 4. poundes of M. Philpot for his yrons M. Philpot 〈…〉 Note the 〈…〉 Phâ—lpot with much 〈…〉 M. Philpot warned by the Sheriffes â—o prepare him agaynâ—t the next day to 〈…〉 Decemb. â—â— M. Philpot brought to the place of Martyrdome M. Philpotâ— words going to the stake M. Philpotâ— prayers Iohn Philpot geueth the Officers money The writinges examinations of M. Iohn Philpot by the prouideÌ„ce of almighty God preserued A godly prayer to be sayd at the tyme of Martyrdome He prayeth for restoring of the Gospell and peace in England A letter of M. Philpot to the Congregation Heb. 6· Math. 25. Math. 5. Rom. 10. Math. 11. Luke 12. Math. 7. Luke 9. Math. 7. Aggeus â— Wisedome of the flesh not to be harkened vnto Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 6. Math. 16. Heb. 11. Psal. 116. Death for righteousnes bringeth felicity Godly counsell Luke 18. 3. Reg. 18. Apoc. â— 3. Reg. 31. God will not be serued after mans imagination but as himselfe prescribeth Ephe. 2. Psal. 21. Psal. 26. 〈…〉 5. 1 Cor. 3. Not lawfull 〈◊〉 true 〈…〉 Popish 〈◊〉 Not 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 God in 〈◊〉 but in 〈…〉 A lesson for large consciences Persons 〈…〉 true Christians ought in no 〈◊〉 to parâ—â—cipate with 〈◊〉 Heb. 10. Apoc. 13. 〈◊〉 5. 〈◊〉 2. 1 Cor. 6. Apoc. 18. 〈◊〉 3. The place 〈…〉 5. 〈◊〉 Math. 24. A cursed thing to sinne vpon hope of forgeuenes Psal. 102.146 Luke 20. 1. Pet. 2. Obedience to Magistrates what and how farre Actes 4. Daniell 6. Math. 15. Agaynst such â— sinne wilfully vpon hope of Election Rom. 3. Ephe. 1. 2. Heter 1. Prouerb 24. Iohn 12. Iohn 3. Heb. 6.10 Large conscieÌ„ce 1. Cor. 4. 1. Tim. 1. Charitye Pure hart Fayth vnfayned Good conscieÌ„ce An other letter of M. Philpot to Iohn Careles Experience of the Lordes comfort in trouble Example of Christes comfort to be taken by M. Philpot. Apoc. 21. An other letter of M. Philpot to the same partye To this letter Careles maketh a very godly aunswere which you shall see after in his story Math. 15. Psal. 125. Psal. 51. Luke 7. Sorow in a Christian man ought to be moderate 1. Thess. 4. 2. Cor. 7. Rom. 5. Sathans practise to bring the godly repeÌ„tance of a sinner to desperatioÌ„ Gods children fall The deuills children lye still Luke 11. Strife agaynst sinne iâ— a token of Gods child Iames. 4. Wholsome and godly preceptes of lyfe An other letter of M. Philpot to his owne Sister full of fruitfull exhortation Spirituall consanguinitye and naturall compared The Sieue of afflictions Luke 22. Eccle. 2. Christ our first borne brother A Christen mans backe should alwayes be ready to beare Christes crosse Vngodly fellowship to be eschewed Psal. 15. 2. Tim. 2. Apoc 4. This was for the first fruites of his Aâ—chdeaconry whereof all the tyme of his imprisonmeÌ„t he had no commoditye and yet his suretieâ— were compelled to pay the same An other letter of Iohn Philpot contayning godly exhortations He commeÌ„deth their faythfull zeale to Gods word He exhorteth them
to the king Note the glorious head of D. Stephens D. Cranmer sent for to the Kâ—ng D. Cranmer seeketh excuses both to come vnto the kinges presence D. Cranmer brought to the king Talke betweene the king and D. Cranmer The king troubled in conscience Marke this you Papistes which so rashly iudge the kinges diuorce and the Popes ouerthrowe to haue sprong of light causes D. Cranmer excusing and disabling himself to the king D. Cranmer assigned by the king to search the Scriptures in the cause of his diuorce The king first geuen to vnderstand that the Pope hath no authority to dispence with the word of God The kinges 〈…〉 the Popeâ— CanoÌ„â—â—â— to the 〈◊〉 of the â—â—â—â—â—tures The kinges mariage found by Gods word vnlawfull Doctor Cranmer with other sent to Rome Ambassadour to the Pope The English Ambassadours not hasty to kisse the Popes foote The vnmanerly nature of a Dogge presuming to kisse the Popes foote Arguing to the Popes face that contrary to the word of God he had no power to dispense Doctor Cranmer made the Popes Penitenciary Doctor Cranmer Ambassadour to the Emperour Conference betwene B. Cranmer Cornelius Agrippa tâ—e order 〈◊〉 Cranâ—â—â— study The gentle nature of Doctour Cranmer Cranmer stout and constant in Gods cause D. Cranmer a stout enemy agaynst the 6. articles Of this coÌ„ming of the L. Cromwell and the two Dukes to the Archbishop read before Example for Ecclesiasticall pastors Archbishop Cranmer in displeasure about the imploying of Chauntrey landes The singular patience of this Archbishop A story betwene the Archbishop of Canterbury a popish priest his enemy The rayling of a Popish Priest agaynâ—t Doctor Cranmer Chersey suing for his kinsman to the Archbish. The Priest sent for to the Archbishop The Archâ—bishopâ— wordes to the Parson The Priest confesseth his fault to the Archbishop The rashe tongues of men sclauÌ„derously speaking euill by men whom they neuer knew nor saw before The Priests aunswere The Lord Câ—omwell offended wâ—en the Archbiâ—hop 〈…〉 Priest Not geuen to filthy luker but harberous The liberall doinges of this Archbishop The Archbishop clearing all his debtes before his attainder The large expenses of Doct. Cranmer The Bishops landes sought Vnâ—roth told to the king of the Archbiâ—hop of Canterburyes housekeeping The kinges answere to the coÌ„playner of the Archbishop The Archbishop of Canterburyes house keeping The comylayneâ— asketh pardon of the king for his vntrue report The King speaketh in defence of 〈◊〉 Archbishop of Canterbury The almes of the Archbishop towardes the poore To cleaue fast to the worde of doctrine able to exhorte in holsome learning to reproue the gayn-sayer Titus 1. Archbishop Cranmer euer constaÌ„t in defence of Christes truth and Gospell 〈◊〉 Papists 〈…〉 the Arcâ—bishop out of 〈◊〉 wâ—th 〈◊〉 The Archb. agayne 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 The kingeâ— wordes and aduise for the supportation of the Archbishop The Archbishops aunswere to the king The kinges fauorable care and consideration toward the Archbishop of Canterbury The king sendeth his signet in the behalfe of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Archbishop being one of the Counsel made to stand at the Counsell chamber dore wayting D. Buttes the kings Phisition a friend of the Archbishops The Archb called before the Counsayle The Counsaile being set against the Archb he sheweth the kinges ring and appealeth from them The kinges wordes to the Counsaile in defence oâ— the Archbishop The Lordes of the Counsaile glad to be friendes agayne with the Arrhbishop The king a great supporter of Cranmer The L Cromwells wordes to the Archbishop An other accusation brought into the Parlament house by Sir Iohn Gostwicke agaynst the Archb. Gostwicke checkâ—e of the king for accusing the Archbishop Gostwâ—â—â—â— glad to 〈◊〉 in agayâ—â—â— with th◠〈…〉 New 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 Iustice◠〈◊〉 Kent agaynst the Archb. Articles put to the King agaynst D. Cranmer The king maketh the Archbishop priuy of the articles CommissioÌ„ appointed to be sent into Kent for tryall of the articles Commissioners appointed to Cranmer Doct. Bellowes D. Coxe Chime M. Husley Register The false Suffragan and Barbar the Ciuilian aske the Archbishop forgiuenes The Archbishop forgiueth his enemyes Practise to get pardon for malefactors Richard Turner a faithfull preacher in Kent Papistes set against the Archbishop by occasion of Turners Preaching The troubleâ— of Richard Turner minister at Cartham M. Raphe Morice patrone of Richard Turner Preacher The great concourse of people to M. Turnerâ— Preaching Syr Iohn Baker Syr Christopher Hales Syr Tho. Moile Iustices with the Prebendaryes of Canterbury persecuters of Gods people Syr Thomas Moile hearing Turner could finde no fault with his doctrine M. Turner appearing before the Commissioners at Lambeth was discharged and sent home New matter made agaynst Richard Turner The practise of of Papistes to hold vp their kingdome with lyes The king deceiuâ—d by sinister information New matter made agaynst Richard Turner Conspiracye against the Archbâ—â—â—op Cranmer by the Iustices of Kent Sander and Browne 2. perâ—ecuting Papistes This Archbiâ—hop maryed his second wyfe at Noremberge The true 〈…〉 of the â—acrament 〈◊〉 bookes 〈◊〉 forth by 〈◊〉 Archb. 〈◊〉 Cant. The aunswere of D. Cranmer Archb. of Câ—nterbury agaynst Stephen Gardiner Marcus Anthonius written by Stephen Gardiner Archbshop of Cant. about an aunswere to Marcus Anthonius Notes of D. Ridley agaynst Marcus Anthonius Peter Martyrs booke of defeÌ„ce agaynst Marcus Anthonius Lady Iane. Cranmer refuseth to sweare to Lady Iane. Cranmer thorough the perswasion of the Counsell the king and lawyers subscribed to K. Edwardes Testament Manet alta mente repostuÌ„ Iudicium paridis â—pretaeque iniuria matris Virgil. Aeneid 1. This Doctour Thornton was after the Bishop of Douer a cruell and wicked persecuter This Bishoppe was D. Heath Bishop after of Yorke Cranmer condemâ—â— of treasoâ— Cranmer released treason 〈◊〉 accused 〈◊〉 heresie Cranmer had to Oxford D. Brookes D. Martyn D. Storye Commissioners agaynst the Archb. D. Martyn not so bitter in this persecution as other CoÌ„missioners were The order of 〈◊〉 placing 〈◊〉 Commiâ—â—â—â—oners The appeâ—â—â—ng of the Archb. of Canterbury before the Commissioners The Archb. goeth reuerence to the Quenes Câ—mmâ—â—â—â—â—ners D. Cranmer 〈…〉 reuereâ—ce to 〈…〉 The Oration of Bish. brookes Apoc. â— Heresâ—e 〈◊〉 treason 〈◊〉 to Doct. Cranmer That is without the Church there is no saluation That is for in hell there is no redemption That is remember from wheÌ„ce thou hast fallen That is for in hell there is no redemption That is remember from wheÌ„ce thou hast fallen Cyprian lib. â— Epist. 6. Prouoking to the Scripture Breaking of vowes That is repent and do thy first workes Ezech. 33. Orig. in Epist. Paul ad Rom. Berengarius * That is according to the hardnes of your hart ye treasure vp to your selfe anger in the day of wrath A good conscience Marke of an euill conscience Abuses in the Church require a reformation and not a defection Cogite intrare Clarkely expounded Math. 5· Melle lita pernicâ—es
expoundâ— the Scripture yet he dare â—â—dge vpon heresie The Papists dare not assure them selues to haue the holy Ghost The Capernaites faith The place of Iohn cap. 6. expounded how Christes fleshe is meate Christes flesh is flesh in our flesh say the Papistes Christes fleshe is meate for our soule by the Christians In the Sacrament ministred receaued according to Christes institution we receaue Christ. One question solued by an other The Sacrament a witnes both of Christes death and of his comming agayne Christes body occupyeth but one place at once The 6 examination of Elizabeth Young The fleshly reason of the Papistes Name of Sacramentes geuen by the Church Two Sacramentes Wedlocke Priestes mariage Praying for the dead Purgatory Oblation for the dead The holy Communion blasphemed So many Martyrs haue beene slâ—yâ—e and yet the Papistes bragge as though none will come forth to aunswere them Fysher B. of Rochester Nothing to be receaued to saluaâ—ion but onely that which is found or founded in Scripture But we read not that Christ did draw them into priâ—ons and condemned them to be burnt that would not câ—me Elizâ—beth YouÌ„g deemed 〈◊〉 heretick because shee beleeueth all thinges written and agreeable to the Scripture nothing els Elizabeth Young had to the Stockhouse and then to the Lollardes Tower The 7. examination of Elizabeth Young Two Sacramenteâ— Head of the Church Byshop of Rome From the Byshop of Rome and all his detestable enormities Elizabeth Young refuseth to go to Masse Elizabeth Young setteth her hand to her examination The 8. examination of Elizabeth Young The Deane made sute for Elâ—zabeth YouÌ„g Story The beliefe 〈◊〉 the Papâ—â—â—es followeth the multitude True belief dependeth not vpon men but vpon the 〈◊〉 of Gods word Elizabeth Young committed to the Deane The 9 examiâ—ation of â—lizabeth Young Talke betweene the Deane and Elizabeth Young aâ—â—ut receauing the Sacrament Christ 〈◊〉 â—bsent from his Sacramentes Two women suretyes for Elizabeth Young Elizabeth YouÌ„g vpon suretyes deliuered Elizabeth Lawson Confessour Robert Kitrich Tho. Elas persecutours Syr Iohn Sylliarde Shâ—râ—ffe Elizabeth Lawson in prison two yeares and three quarters Elizabeth Lawson sory that shee was not burned Elizabeth Lawson bayled vpon suretyes in Q. Elizabethes tyme. Elizabeth Lawson preserued from persecution ended her lyfe in peace Elizabeth Lawson troubled with the falling sicknes after her persecution neuer felte it more Tho. Christenmas W. Wattes Gods prouidence vpoÌ„ Tho. Châ—istenmas W. Wattes W. Wattes an other tyme deliuered by the Lordes prouidence W. Wattes apprehended and brought before the Byshop An other notable example of the Lordes prouidence W. Wattes deliuered out of his enemyes handes W. Wattes sought for agayne W. Wattes wyfe set in the stockes Gods prouidence in deliuering M. Iohn Glouer Read before pag. 1709. An other narrow escape of M. Iohn Glouer Read before pag. 1714. The escape of a godly man called Dabney Gods 〈◊〉 working in the deliuerance of Dabney Alexander â—imshurst a Minister deliuered by Gods prâ—uidence from his enymies Wymshurst taken by Robin Caly. Wymshurst taâ—â—eth with Doct. Chadsey D. Chadsey asure friend at neede Wymshurst brought to D. Story D. Cooke Commissioners Wimshurst commaunded to prison Good couÌ„seâ—l sent of God A way made by Gods 〈◊〉 to Alexander Wimshurst to escape Bosoms wyfe The behauiour of Bosoms wyfe in the Church Bosoms wyfe summoned to appeare at Kingstone Bosoms wyfe through Gods helpe escapeth The Lady Anne Kneuet Lady Kneuet threatned by the Byshop The great age of the Lady Kneuet Lady Elizabeth Vane a great relieuer of Gods people Iohn Dauis a childe vnder the age of 12. yeares cast to be burned â—or the 6. articles and yet by Gods prouidence preserued 〈…〉 before and to whom he wrote a letter pâ—g 1â—93 Syr Iohn Gilford a troubler of 〈◊〉 Robertes Syr Iohn Gilford stopped of his purpose by Gods working Mistres Anne Lacy. Crosmanâ— wyfe Barbour of Tibnam Constable persecutor Example of Gods gratious prouidence The story of a congregation at Stoke in Suffolke Confessors Cotes Parishe Priest it Stoke Iohn Steyre and Iohn Foxe 〈◊〉 The christian constancye of Elizabeth Foxe The effecte of Christian prayer Iohn Foxe recouered agayne to the truth by prayer The womeÌ„ of Stoke summoned by the Byshop How the women of Stoke escaped The preseruation of the congregation at London The congregation at M. Cardens house The congregation agayne deliuered The congregation agayne deliuered The congregation in a shippe at Billinsgate The congregation in a shippe betwixt Ratcliffe and Redriffe The congregation in a Couperâ— house in Pudding lane The congregation in a house in Thamis streete An other notable example of Gods mercyfull prouidence The Ministers of this congregation A story of Mayster Bentham The Queenes proclamation no man to pray for the Martyrs nor to speake vnto them The congregation embracing the Martyrs contrary to the Proclamation M. Bentham Minister of the congregation Master Bentham speaketh and prayeth for the Martyrs without daunger An other deliuery of Master Bentham out of great perill Master Bentham forced agaynst his will to sit in the Crowners quest Master Bentham refuseth to sweare vpon a Popishe Primer Meanes wrought wherby Master Benthâ—m escaped English men at Calice preserued Iohn Thorpe his wyfe A story of Edward Benet now dwelling in S. Brides Parishe Edward Benet 25. weekes in the Counter for bringing a new Testament to Tynâ—le which after dyed in prison and was buryed on a dounghill D. Storyes wordes to Edward Benet Edward Benet brought to Bonet and examined How Edward Benet escaped out of the Byshops house An other escape of Edward Benet 8. Of the 24. taken at Islington escaped and how good warning sent of God The story 〈◊〉 Ieffrey Hurst dwelling in the towne of Shakerley in the Parish 〈◊〉 Ieffrey Hurst brother to George Marsh the Martyr Ieffrey Hurst leaueth wyfe children house for persecution Preachers vsing to Ieffrey Hurstes house and to Preach M. Thomas Lelond Iustice of peace at Morlese in Lancashire a cruell persecutor Ieffâ—ey Hurst conueyed vnder a Dâ—fat Mistres Sâ—akerlay Hurstes Landlady M. Lelond entreth to search Hurstes house Rafe Parkinson a Popishe persecuting Priest The Papists follow false Prophesies of the Gospell to come againe after 4. Monethes and more The new Testament of Tyndalls translation made heresie Searche made for Hurst and his sister Alice The olde mother threatned to goe to Lancaster Castle Hurstes mother and brother bound in a 100. pound for his forth comming Master Lelonde maker Talke betweene Ieffrey Hurst and the Iustice. Ieffrey Hurst denyeth to come to Masse Examination after Masse Ieffrey Hurst Alice his sister let go vnder suertyes Ieffrey Hurst by the death of Q. Mary released Ieffrey Hurst in Queene Elizabethes tyme put in authoritye to see the proceeding of Religion Thomas Lelond the Popishe Iustice would not come to the Church in Queene Elizabethes tyme yet continued Iustice still A Catholicke father of the Popishe church Note a Catholicke knaue of
daunger to libertie of life then as one passing out of the world by any paines of death Such was the change of the meruailous workyng of the Lordes hand vpon that good man ¶ Cornelius Bongey felow Martyr with Mayster Robert Glouer IN the same fire with him was burned also Cornelius Bongey a Capper of Couentrey and condemned by the sayd Radulph Byshoppe of Couentry and Liechfield As concerning the Articles which were to him obiected the effect therof was this Firste it was articulate agaynste him that these three yeres last in the City of Couentry and Liechfield other places about he did hold mainteyne argue and teach that the Prieste hath no power here to absolue any sinner from his sinnes Secondly that by Baptisme sinnes be not washed away because he sayd that the washing of the flesh purgeth the flesh outwardly and not the soule Thirdly that there be in the Church onely two sacramentes that is Baptisme and the Lordes Supper Fourthly that in the sacrament of theyr popish aulter was not the reall body bloud of Christ but the substance of bread wine there remayning stil because S. Paul calleth it bread and wine c. Fiftly that he within the compasse of the sayd yeares time did hold maintayne and defend that the Pope is not the head of the visible church here in earth c. Sixtly that he was of the dioces and iurisdiction of the Bishop of Couentry and Liechfield c. Seuēthly that the premises are true manifest and notorious and that vpō the same there hath bene is a publick voice and fame as well in the places aboue rehearsed as in other quarters also about c. ¶ His aunsweres Unto the which articles he aunswering agayne to the first he graunted and to euery part therof meaning after the Popish maner of absolution The second he graunted first after reuoked the same To the thyrd also he graunted adding withall that in scripture there be no more conteined To the fourth touching the sacrament he graunted to euery part therof To the fift concerning the Pope likewise Also to the sixt he graūted and likewise to the seuenth Upon these articles and his answeres to the same the sayd Radulph the Bishop read the sentence and so cōmitted him also after the condemnation of Mayster Roberte Glouer to the seculer power Thus this foresayd Cornelius falsely condēned by the Bishop before mentioned suffered at the same stake wyth the Christian Martyr Mayster Robert Glouer at Couentry about the xx day of September ¶ The burning of Mayster Robert Glouer and Cornelius Bongey at Couentry ¶ Here foloweth the story of Iohn Glouer and William Glouer how they were excommunicate and cast out after theyr death and buried in the fieldes NOwe that wee haue discoursed the storye of Mayster Robert Glouer something also woulde bee touched of his other two brethrē Iohn and William Glouer Who albeit they were not called to finishe theyr course by lyke kinde of Martyrdome in the fire as the other did yet because for theyr constaunt profession of Gods Gospell vnto the latter ende they were exempted after theyr death cast out of the same Church as the other was I thought them not vnworthy therefore in the story to be ioyned together which in one cause and the same profession were not sūdered one from the other And first concerning Mayster Iohn Glouer the eldest brother what inward stormes and agonies he susteined by the ghostly enemy partly ye heard before described nowe what his bodily enemies wrought against him remaineth to be declared Whose rage and malice although god so restrained that they coulde litle preuayle agaynst him so long as his life endured yet after his decease hauing power vpon him what they did ye shall now vnderstand After the Martyrdome of mayster Robert Glouer although Iohn Glouer seing his brother to be apprehended for him had small ioy of his life for the great sorow of his hart wherewith he was sore oppressed and would gladly haue put himselfe in his Brothers stead if frendes had not otherwise perswaded with him shewing that in so doyng he might intangle himselfe but should doe his brother no good He thus in great care and vexation endured yet notwithstanding rubbing out as well as he could til at lēgth about the latter end of queene Mary there was a new search made for the sayd Iohn Glouer Whereupon the Sheriffes with theyr vnder Officers and seruauntes being sent to seek him came into his house where he and his wife were It chaūced as he was in his chamber by himselfe the Officers brusting into the house and searching other roomes came to the Chamber doore where this Iohn Glouer was Who being within and holding the latch softly with his hand perceiued and heard the Officers buskeling about the doore amongest whome one of the sayd officers hauing the string in his hand was ready to draw and plucke at the same In the meane time an other comming by whose voice he heard and knew bad them come away saying they had bene there before Whereupon they departing thence wēt to search other corners of the house where they found Agnes Glouer his wife who being had to Liechfilde there examined before the bishop at length after much ado was constrayned to geue place to their tyranny Ioh Glouer in the meane time partly for care of his wife partly through cold taken in the woodes where he did lye tooke an Agew whereupon not long after he left this life which the cruell Papistes so long had sought for Thus by the mighty protectiō of the almighty Lord how Iohn Glouer was deliuered and defended frō the handes of the persecuting enemies during all the time of hys life ye haue hearde Nowe what befell after his death both to him to William his brother it is not vnworthy to be remēbred Who after that he was dead buried in the churchyard without Priest or Clerke D. Dracot then Chauncellour sixe weekes after sent for the parson of the Towne demaunded howe it chaunced that hee was there buryed The parson aunswered that he was then sicke and knewe not of it Then the Chauncellour commaunded the parson to go home and to cause the body of the said Iohn Glouer to be taken vp to be cast ouer the wall into the hie way The Parson agayne answered that he had bene 6. weekes in the earth so smelled that none was able to abide the sauor of him Well quoth D. Dracot then take this byll and pronounce him in the pulpit a damned soule and a twelue moneth after take vp his bones for then the fleshe will be consumed and cast thē ouer the wall that cartes and horses may tread vpon them and then will I come hallow againe that place in the churchyard where he was buried Recorded by the Parson of the towne who tolde the same to Hugh Burrowes dwelling at
heart as I graunt I haue fealt sometimes before O good brother blessed be God in thee and blessed be the time that euer I knewe thee Farewell farewell Your brother in Christ Nicholas Ridley Brother farewell To the brethren remaining in captiuitie of the flesh and dispearsed abroad in sundry prisones but knit together in vnity of spirit and holy Religion in the bowels of the Lorde Iesu. GRace peace mercye be multiplied among you What worthy thankes can we render vnto the Lorde for you my brethren namely for the great coÌ„solation which through you we haue receiued in the Lorde who notwithstanding the rage of Sathan that goeth about by all maner of subtill meanes to beguile the worlde and also buâ—lâ— laboreth to restore and set vp his kingdome againe that of late began to decay and fall to ruine ye remaine yet stil 〈◊〉 as men surely grounded vpon a strong rocke And nowe albeit that sathan by his souldiors and wicked ministers daily as we heare draweth numbers vnto hym so that it is sayd of him that he plucketh euen the very starres out of heauen whiles hee driueth into some men thâ— feare of death and losse of all their goods and sheweth and offereth to other some the pleasaunt baites of the worlde namelye richesse wealth and all kinde of delightes and pleasures faire houses great reuenues â—at benefices and what not and all to the intent they should fall downe worship not the Lorde but the Dragon the olde Serpent whych is the deuil that great beast and his image and should be inâ—iced to commit fornication with the strompet of Babilon together wyth the kings of the earth wyth the lesser beast and with the false Prophetes and so to reioyce and be pleasant wyth her and to be drunken wyth the wine of her fornication yet blessed be God the Father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe which hath geuen vnto you a manly courage and hath so strengthened you in the inwarde man by the power of his spirite that you can contemne as well all the terrours as also the vaine flatteringe allurementes of the worlde esteeming them as vanities mere trifles things of nought Who hath also wroughte planted and surely stablished in your hearts so stedfast a fayth and loue of the Lorde Iesus Christe ioyned with such constancie that by no engines of Antichriste be they neuer so terrible or plausible yee will suffer any other Iesus or any other Christ to be forced vpon you besides him whom the Prophetâ— haue spoken of before the Apostles haue preached the holy Martyrs of God haue coÌ„fessed and testified with the effusion of their bloud In thys Faith stand ye fast my brethren and suffer not your selues to be brought vnder the yoke of bondage and superstition any more For ye know brethren howe that our sauiour warned his beforehand that such shoulde come as would poynt vnto the world an other Christ and woulde set him out wyth so many fals myracles and with such deceiueable and subtill practises that euen the very electe if it were possible should be therby deceiued such strong delusion to come did our Sauiour geue warning of before But continue ye faithful and constant and be of good comfort remember that our graund captaine hath ouercome the world for he that is in vs is stronger then he that is in the world and the Lorde promiseth vnto vs that for the elects sake the daies of wickednes shall be shortned In the meane season abide ye endure with patience as ye haue begun endure I say and reserue your selues vnto better times as one of the heathen Poetes said cease not to shew yourselues valiant Soldiours of the Lorde and helpe to maintaine the trauelling faith of the Gospell Yee haue neede of patience that after ye haue done the wil of God ye may receiue the promises For yet a very litle while and he that shall come will come and wil not tarie and the iust shall liue by faith but if anye withdrawe him selfe my soule shall haue no pleasure in him sayth the Lorde But we are not they which doe withdrawe oure selues vnto damnation but beleeue vnto the saluation of the soule Let vs not suffer these woordes of Christ to fall out of our hearts by any manner of terrours or threatnings of the worlde Feare not them which kil the body the rest ye know For I wryte not vnto you as to menne which are ignoraunt of the truth but which know the truthe and to this ende onely that we agreeing together in one faith may take comfort one of an other and be the more confirmed and strengthened thereby We neuer had a better or more iust cause either to contemne our life or shed our bloud we can not take in hande the defence of a more certaine cleare and manifest truthe For it is not any ceremonie for the which we contend but it toucheth the very substance of our whole Religion yea euen Christ him selfe Shall we either can we receiue and acknowledge any other Christe in steade of hym who is alone the euerlasting sonne of the euerlasting Father and is the brightnesse of the glory and liuely image of the substaunce of the Father in whome onely dwelleth corporally the fulnesse of the Godhead who is the onely waye the truth and the life Let such wickednesse my brethren lette such horrible wickednesse be farre from vs. For althoughe there be that are called Gods whether in heauen either in earth as there be many Gods and many Lordes yet vnto vs there is but one God which is the Father of whome are al things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whome are all things and wee by him but euery man hath not knowledge This is life eternal sayth S. Iohn that they know thee to be the onely true God and whome thou haste sent Iesus Christ. If any therfore would force vpon vs any other GOD besides him whom Paule and the Apostles haue taughte let vs not heare him but let vs flee froÌ„ him and hold him accursed Brethren ye are not ignorant of the deepe and profouÌ„d subtleties of Satan for he will not cease to raunge about you seking by all meanes possible whom he may deuour but play ye the men and be of good comfort in the Lorde And albeit your enemies and the aduersaries of the truth armed with all worldly force and power that may be doe set vppon you yet be not ye faynt harted nor shrinke not therfore but trust vnto your Captayne Christ trust vnto the spirit of truth trust to the truth of your cause which as it may by the malice of satan be darckened so can it neuer be cleane put out For we haue high prayse be geuen to God therfore most playnely euidently and clearely on our side all the Prophets all the Apostles and vndoubtedly all the auncient Ecclesiastical writers which haue writtan vntill
Doctor Ridley to the letter abouesayd BLessed be God our heaueÌ„ly father which enclined your hart to haue such a desire to write vnto me blessed be he againe which hath heard your request hath brought your letters safe vnto my handes and ouer all this I blesse him through our Lorde Iesus Christe for the great comfort I haue receiued by the same of the knowledge of your state and of other our dearely beloued brethren and countreymen in those parties beyond the sea Dearely beloued brother Grindall I say to you and all the rest of our brethren in Christe with you reioyce in the Lord and as ye loue me and the other my reuerend fathers and concaptiues whiche vndoubtedly are Gloria Christi lament not our state but I beseech you and them all to geue to our heauenly Father for his endlesse mercies and vnspeakeable benefits euen in the myddest of all our troubles geuen vnto vs most harty thankes For knowe ye that as the weight of his crosse hath increased vpoÌ„ vs so he hath not nor doth not cease to multiply his mercies to strengthen vs and I trust yea by his grace I doubt nothing but he will so do for Christe our Maisters sake euen to the end To heare that you and our other brethren doo finde in your exile fauour and grace with the Magistrates Ministers and Citizens at Tigury at Frankford and other where it doth greatly comfort I dare say all here that do in deede loue Christe and his true woorde I ensure you it warmed my hart to heare you by chaunce to name some as Scory and Coxe c. Oh that it had come in your mynde to haue sayd somewhat also of Cheeke of Turner of Leauer of Sampson of Chambers but I trust in God they be all well And sir seeyng you say that there be in those parties with you of studentes and Ministers so good a number nowe therefore care ye not for vs otherwyse then to wish that Gods glory may be set forth by vs. For whensoeuer God shall call vs home as we looke dayly for none other but when it shal please God to say come you blessed be God are enough through his ayde to light and set vp againe the lanterne of his worde in Englande As concerning the copies ye say ye haue with you I wonder how euer they did and could find the way to come to you My disputation except he haue that whiche I gathered my selfe after the disputation done I can not thynke ye haue it truly If ye haue that then ye haue therwithall the whole maner after the which I was vsed in the disputation As for the treatise in English Contra transubstantiationem vix possum adduci vt credam operaepretium fore vt in latinum transferatur Caeterum quicquid sit nullo modo velim vt quicquam quocunque modo meo nomine ederetur donec quid de nobis dominus constituerit fieri vobis prius certo constiterit and thus much vnto your letters Now although I suppose ye know a good parte of our state here for we are forth commyng euen as when ye departed c. You shall vnderstande that I was in the Towar about the space of two monethes close prisoner and aâ—ter that had graunted to me without my labour the liberty of the Tower and so continued about halfe a yeare and then because I refused to allow the Masse with my presence I was shut vp in close prison agayne The last Lent saue one it chaunsed by reason of the tumult styrred vp in Kent there was so many prisoners in the Tower that my Lord of Canterbury M. Latimer Maister Bradford and I were put altogether in one prison where we remayned still almost to the nexte Easter and then we three Canterbury Latimer and I were sodenly sent a litle before Easter to Oxford and were suffered to haue nothing with vs but that we caried vpon vs. About the Whitsontide followyng was our disputations at Oxford after the which was all taken from vs as pen and inke c. Our owne seruauntes were taken from vs before and euery one had put to hym a straunge man and we eche one appoynted to be kept in seuerall places as we are vnto this day Blessed be God we three at the writing hereof were in good health and in God of good cheare We haue looked long agoe to haue bene dispatched for we were all three on one day within a day or two of our disputations of D. Weston being the head Commissioner condemned for heretikes and since that tyme we remayne as we were of hym left The Lordes will be fulfilled in vs as I do not doubt but by his grace it shal be to his glory and our endles saluation through Iesus Christ our Lord. Likewise the Lord hitherto hath preserued aboue all our expectation our deare brother and in Christes cause a strong Champion Iohn Bradford He is likewyse condemned and is already deliuered to the secular power and writtes as we haue heard say geuen out for his execution and called in agayne Thus the Lord so long as his blessed pleasure is preserueth whom he listeth notwithstanding the wonderfull raging of the world Many as we heare say haue suffered valiauntly confessyng Christes truth and nothyng yeeldyng to the aduersary yea not for the feare or paynes of death The names of them whiche I knewe and haue nowe suffered are these Farrar the Bishop of S. Dauides Hooper the Bishop of Worcester Rogers tuus olim comprebendarius D. Tailour of Hadley M. Sanders and one Tomkins a weauer and now this last day M. Cardmaker with an other were burnt in Smithfielde at London and many other in Essex and Kent whose names are written in the booke of lyfe whom yet I do not know West your olde companion and sometyme myne officer alas hath relented as I haue heard but the Lorde hath shortned his dayes for anone he dyed and is gon Grimbolde was caught by the heele and caste into the Marshalsey but now is at liberty againe but I feare me he escaped not without some becking and bowyng alas of his knee vnto Baall My deare friende Thomas Ridley of the Bulhead in Cheape which was to me the most faythfull friende that I had in my trouble is departed also vnto God My brother Shipside that hath maried my sister hath ben almost halfe a yeare in prison for deliuering as he was accused of certayne thynges I wene from mee but now thankes be to God he is at libertie agayne but so that the Bishop hath taken from him his Parke Of all vs three concaptiues at Oxford I am kept most strait and with least libertie Vel quia viro in cuius aedibus ego custodior vxor dominatur licet modo sit Prefectus ciuitatis mulier vetula morosa superstiosiss quae etiam hoc sibi laudi ducit quod me dicatur arctissime cautissime
of the harte and veritie wherein consisteth true Christian Religion and not in the outward deedes of the letter onely or in the glisteryng shewe of mans traditions or pardons pilgrimages ceremonies vowes deuotions voluntarie workes and workes of supererogation foundations oblations the Popes supremacie c. so that all these either were nedeles where the other is present or els were of small estimation in comparison of the other The tenour and effect of these his Sermons so far as they could come to our handes here foloweth ¶ The tenoure and effecte of certayne Sermons made by mayster Latimer in Cambridge about the yeare of our Lord. 1529. TV quis es which wordes are as much to say in Englyshe Who art thou These be the wordes of the Phariseis which were sent by the Iewes vnto sainct Iohn Baptist in wildernesse to haue knowledge of hym whom he was which woordes they spake vnto hym of an euill intent thinkyng that he would haue taken on hym to be Christe and so they woulde haue had him done with their good willes because they knewe that he was more carnall and geuen to their lawes then Christ in deede should be as they perceyued by their old prophecies and also because they maruayled muche of his great doctryne preachyng and baptising they were in doubt whether he was Christ or not wherefore they sayd vnto him who art thou Then answered sainct Iohn and confessed that he was not Christ. Now here is to be noted the great and prudent answere of saincte Iohn Baptist vnto the Phariseis that when they required of him whom he was he would not directly answere of himselfe what he was him selfe but he sayd he was not Christ by the which saying he thought to put the Iewes and Phariseis out of their false opinion beliefe towardes him in that they would haue had him to exercise the office of Christ and â—o declared farther vnto them of Christ saying he is in the middes of you and amongst you whoÌ„ ye know not whose â—atchet of his shoe I am not worthy to vnlose or vndoe By this you may perceiue that saint Iohn spake much in the lande and prayse of Christ his maister professing himselfe to be in no wise like vnto him So likewise it shal be necessary vnto all men women of this world not to ascribe vnto them selues any goodnes of themselues but all vnto our Lorde God as shall appeare herafter when this question aforesayd Who art thou shall be moued vnto theÌ„ not as the Phariseis did vnto saint Iohn of an euill purpose but of a good and simple minde as may appeare hereafter Now then according to the preachers mynd let euery man and woman of a good simple mind contrary to the Phariseis intent aske this question Who art thou this question must be moued to themselues what they be of themselues on this fashion What art thou of thy only and natural generatioÌ„ betwene father mother wheÌ„ thou camest into this world What substaÌ„ce what vertue what goodnes art thou of by thy selfe which question if thou reherâ—e often times vnto thy selfe thou shalt well perceiue vnderstand how thou shalt make aunswer vnto it which must be made on this wayes I am of my selfe and by my selfe coÌ„ming from my naturall father mother the childe of the ire indignation of God the true inheritour of hel a lumpe of sinne working nothing of my selfe but all towardes hell except I haue better helpe of an other then I haue of my selfe Now we may see in what state we enter in to this world that we be of our selues the true and iust inheritours of hell the children of the ire indignation of Christ working all towardes hell whereby we deserue of our selues perpetuall dampnation by the ryght iudgement of God and the true clayme of our selues which vnthrifty state that we be borne vnto is come vnto vs for our own desertes and proueth well this example followyng Let it be admitted for the probatioÌ„ of this that it might please the kynges grace now being to accept into his fauour a meane man of a simple degre and byrth not borne to any possession whom the kynges grace fauoureth not because this person hath of himselfe deserued any such fauoure but that the kyng casteth this fauoure vnto him of his owne mere motion fantasy and for because the kings grace will more declare his fauoure vnto him he geueth vnto his sayd man a thousand poundes in landes to hym and his heyres on this condition that he shall take vpon him to be the chiefe captayne and defendour of his towne of Calice and to be trew and faythfull vnto hym in the custodie of the same agaynst the Frenche men specially aboue all other enemies This man taketh on hym this charge promysing his fidelitie thereunto It chaunceth in processe of tyme that by the singuler acquaintaunce and frequent familiaritie of this Captaine with the French men these French men geue vnto this sayde Captayne of Calice a great summe of money so that he will be content and agreeable that they may enter into the sayde towne of Calice by force of armes and so thereby to possesse the same vnto the Crowne of Fraunce vpon this agreement the French men doe inuade the sayde Towne of Calice alonely by the neglygence of this Captayne Now the Kynges grace hearyng of this inuasion commeth with a great puissaunce to defende this his sayd Towne and so by good pollicie of warre ouercommeth the sayd French men and entreth againe into his Towne of Calice Then he beyng desyrous to knowe how these enemies of his came thyther he maketh profound searche and enquirie by whom this treason was conspyred by this searche it was knowen and founde his owne Captayne to be the very authoure and beginner of the betraying of it The King seeing the great infidelitie of this person dischargeth this man of his office and taketh from him and his heyres this thousande poundes possessions Thinke you not but the Kyng doth vse iustice vnto him and all his posteritie and heyres Yes truely the sayde Capitayne cannot deny hymselfe but that he hadde true iustice consyderyng howe vnfaythfully he behaued hym to his Prince contrary to his own fidelitie and promyse so likewyse it was of our fyrst Father Adam He had geuen vnto him the spirite of science knowledge to worke all goodnesse therewith this sayd spirite was not geuen alonely vnto him but vnto all his heyres and posteritie He had also deliuered him the Towne of Calice that is to say Paradise in earth the most strong and fayrest Towne in the worlde to be in his custodie He neuerthelesse by the instigation of these Frenche menne that is to say the temptation of the Feende dyd obey vnto their desire and so brake his promise and fidelitie the commaundemeÌ„t of the euerlasting kyng his maister in eatyng of the apple by hym inhibited Now then the kyng seyng this great treason in
of my soule that is true fayth that his bloud was shed for me c. An other in the Epistle of Iohn Nos scimus quod translati sumus de morte ad vitam quoniam diligimus fratres i. We know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren But I read not that I haue peace with GOD or that I am translated from death to life because I see with my bodelye eye the bloud of Hailes It is verye probable that all the bloud that was in the body of Christ was vnited and knitte to his Diuinity and then no part thereof shall returne to his corruption And I maruell that Christ shall haue two resurrections And if it were that they that did violently and iniuriouslye plucke it out of hys body when they scourged him and nayled him to the Crosse did see it with theyr bodily eye yet they were not in cleane life And we see the selfe same bloud in forme of wine when we haue consecrate and may both see it feele it and receiue it to our damnation as touching bodily receiuing And many do see it at Haâ—les without confession as they say God knoweth all and the Deuill in our time is not dead Christ hath left a doctrine behinde him wherin we be taught how to beleue and what to beleeue he doth suffer the Deuill to vse his craftye fashion for our triall and probation It were little thanke worthy to beleue well rightly if nothing should moue vs to false fayth to beleue superstitiously It was not in vayne that Christ when hee had taught truely by and by badde beware of false Prophettes whiche woulde bring in errour slilye But we be secure and vncarefull as though false Prophets could not meddle with vs and as though the warning of Christ were no more earnest and effectuall then is the warning of Mothers when they trifle with theyr children and bid them beware the bugge c. Loe Syr how I runne at ryot beyond measure When I began I was minded to haue written but halfe a dosen lynes but thus I forget my selfe euer when I write to a trusty frende which wyll take in worth my folly and keepe it from mine enemy c. As for Doctour Wilson I wotte not what I should say but I pray God endue him with charity Neyther he nor none of his countreymen did euer loue me since I did inuey agaynst theyr factions and partialitye in Cambridge Before that who was more fauoured of him then I That is the byle that may not be touched c. A certayne frend shewed mee that Doctour Wilson is gone nowe into his countrey about Beuerley in Holdernes and from thence he will go a progresse through Yorkeshire Lancashyre Cheshyre and so from thence to Bristow What he entendeth by this progresse God knoweth and not I. If he come to Bristowe I shall here tell c. As for Hubberdin no doubt he is a manne of no great learning nor yet of stable witte He is here seruus hominum for he will preach whatsoeuer the Byshops will bidde him preach Verely in my minde they are more to be blamed then he He doeth magnifye the Pope more then enough As for our Sauior Christ and Christian kynges are little beholding to hym No doubte hee did misse the cushion in many thinges Howbeit they that did sende him men thinke will defend him I pray GOD amend him and them both They woulde fayne make matter agaynst mee entendyng so eyther to deliuer him by me or els to ridde vs both together and so they woulde thinke hym well bestowed c. As touching Doctour Powell howe highly he tooke vppon him in Bristow and how little hee regarded the sword which representeth the kinges person many can tell you I thinke there is neuer an Earle in this Realme that knoweth his obedience by Christes coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t to his Prince wotteth what the sword doth signify that would haue taken vpon hym so stoutly Howbeit Mayster Maior as he is a profound wise man did twicke him pretily it were to long to write all Our pilgrimages are not a little beholding to him For to occasion the people to them he alledged this text Omnis qui relinquit patrem domos vxorem i. Whosoeuer leaueth father house wife c. By that you maye perceiue hys hoate zeale and crooked iudgement c. Because I am so belyed I could wish that it would please the kinges grace to commaunde me to preach before his highnesse a whole yeare together euerye Sonday that he himselfe might perceiue how they belye me saying that I haue neither learning nor vtterance worthy thereunto c. I pray you pardon me I cannot make an end * A briefe digression touching the rayling of Hubberdin agaynst M. Latimer FOrasmuch as mention hath bene made in this letter of Hubberdin an olde Diuine of Oxford a right paynted Pharisey and a great strayer abroad in all quarters of the realme to deface and impeach the springing of Gods holy Gospell something woulde be added more touchinge that man whose doinges and pageantes if they might be described at large it were as good as any Enterlude for the Reader to beholde Who in all his life and in all his actions in one word to describe him seemeth nothing elles but a right Image or counterfayt setting out vnto vs in liuely colours the paterne of perfecte hypocrisye But because the man is now gone to spare therefore the dead although he little deserued to be spared which neuer spared to worke what vilany he could agaynst the true seruantes of the Lord this shall be enough for example sake for all Christian men necessarily to obserue howe the sayd Hubberdin after his long rayling in all places against Luther Melangthon Zuinglius Iohn Frith Tindale Latimer and all other like Professours after his hypocriticall opeÌ„ almes geuen out of other mens purses his long prayers pretensed deuotions deuoute fastinges hys wolwarde goyng and other his prodigious demeanor riding in his long Gowne downe to the Horse heeles like a Pharisey or rather like a slouen dyrted vp to the Horse bellye after his forged Tales and Fables Dialogues dreames dauncinges hoppinges and leapinges with other like histrionicall toyes and gestures vsed in the Pulpit and all agaynst heretickes at last riding by a Churche side where the youth of the Parishe were dauncing in the Churchyarde sodeinely this Silenus lighting from his horse by occasion of their dauncing came into the Church and there causing the bell to tolle in the people thought in stead of a fitte of myrth to geue them a Sermon of dauncing In the whiche Sermon after he had patched vp certayne common textes out of Scriptures and then comming to the Doctors first to Augustine then to Ambrose so to Hierome and Gregory Chrisostome and other Doctors had made them euery one after his Dialogue maner by name to aunswere to
it in very deed but to knowe whether non linguam sed facta attendamus viuendi genus nuÌ„ studeamus officia vocationis praestare an non studeamus immo persuasi forte sumus non necesse esse vt praestemus sed omnia in primitiuam ecclesiam tempora praeterita c. quasi nobis sat sit dominari seculaâ—ibus negotijs nos totos voluere ac voluptatibus pompae inhiare and yet we will appeare vel soli ex Deo esse sed longe aliter Christum confitentur qui confiteÌ„do ex Deo esse comprobantur And yet as long as they minister the word of God or his Sacramentes or any thing that God hath ordeined to the saluation of mankinde wherewith GOD hath promised to be present to worke with the ministration of the same to the end of the world they be to be heard to be obeyed to bee honoured for Gods ordinaunce sake which is effectuall and fruitefull whatsoeuer the minister be though he bee a Deuill and neyther Churche nor member of the same as Origene saith and Chrisostome so that it is not all one to honour them and trust in them Saynt Hierome sayth but there is required a iudgement to discerne when they minister Gods woorde and ordinaunce of the same and theyr owne least peraduenture we take chalke for cheese whiche wyll edge our teethe and hinder digestion For as it is commonlye sayd the blinde eateth many a flye as they did which were perswaded à principibus sacerdotum vt peterent Barrabam Iesum autem crucifigeâ—ent i. Of the high Priestes to aske Barrabas and to crucify Iesus and ye know that to followe blinde guides is to come into the pit with the same And will you know sayth Saynt Augustine how apertly they resist Christ when men beginne to blame them for theyâ— misliuing and intollerable secularity negligence they dare not for shame blaspheme Christ himselfe but they will blaspheme the ministers and preachers of whome they be blamed Therefore whereas yee will pray for agreement both in the truth and in vttering of the trueth when shall that be as longe as we will not heare the trueth but disquiet with crafty conueiance the Preachers of the trueth because they reprooue our euilnesse with the truth And to say trueth better it were to haue a deformity in preaching so that some would preach the truth of God and that which is to be preached without cauponation and adulteration of the word as Lyranus sayth in his time few did what they do now a dayes I report me to them that can iudge then to haue such an vniformity that the sely people should be thereby occasioned to continue still in theyr lamentably ignorance corrupt iudgement superstition and Idolatry and esteeme thinges as they doe all preposterously doyng that that they neede not for to doe leauing vndone that they ought to doe for lacke or want of knowing what is to be done and so shewe theyr loue to God not as God biddeth which sayth Si diligitis me praecepta mea seruate And agayne Qui habet praecepta mea facit ea hic est qui diligit me but as they bid qui quaerunt quae sua sunt non quae Iesu Christi i. Which seeke theyr owne thinges not Christes as though to tythe mynt were more then iudgement fayth and mercy And what is to liue in state of Curates but that hee taughte which sayd Petre amas me pasce pasce pasce Peter louest thou feede feede feede which is now set aside as though to loue were to doe nothing els but to weare ringes miters and rochets c. And when they erre in right liuing how can the people but erre in louing and all of the new fashion to his dishonor that suffered his passion and taught the true kinde of louing whiche is nowe turned into piping playing and curious singing which will not be reformed I trow nisi per manuÌ„ Dei validam And I haue both S. Austen and S. Thomas with diuers other that lex is taken not alonely for Ceremonies but also for Moâ—als where it is sayd Nâ— estis sub lege though your frendes reproue the same But they can make no diuision in a christian congregation And whereas both you and they would haue a sobernes in our preaching I pray god send it vnto vs whatsoeuer ye meane by it For I see well whosoeuer will be happy and busye with vae vobis he shall shortly after come coram nobis And where your frendes thinke that I made a lye when I said that I haue thought in times past that the Pope had bene Lord of the world though your frendes bee much better learned then I yet am I sure that they knowe not what eyther I thinke or haue thought better then I iuxta illud nemo nouit quae sunt hominis c. as though better men then I haue not thought so as Bonifacius as I remember Octauus the great learned manne Iohn of the burnt Tower presbiter Cardinalis in his book where he proueth the Pope to be aboue the counsell Generall and Speciall where he sayth that the Pope is Rex â—egum Dominus dominantium i. The King of Kinges and Lord of Lordes and that he is verus Dominus totius orbis iure licet non facto i. the true Lord of the whole worlde by good right albeit in fact he be not so and that Constantinus didde but restore his owne vnto him when he gaue vnto him Rome so that in propria venit as S. Iohn sayth Christ did sui eum non receperunt and yet I heare not that any of our Christian congregation hath reclamed agaynste him vntill now of late dissention began Who be your frendes I cannot tell but I would you woulde desire them to be my good maysters and if they will doe me no good at the least way do me no harme and though they can do you no more good then I yet I am sure I would be as loth to hurt you as they either with mine opinions maner of preaching or writing And as for the Popes high dominion ouer al there is one Raphaell Maruphus in London an Italian and in times past a Marchaunt of dispensations which I suppose woulde dye in the quarell as Gods true Knight and true Martyr As touching Purgatory and worshipping of Sayntes I shewed to you my minde before my Ordinary and yet I maruelled something that after priuate communication had with him ye would as it were adiure mee to open my minde before him not geuing mee warning before sauing I cannot interpret euill your doinges towardes me yet neither mine Ordinary nor you disalowed the thing that I sayd and I looked not to escape better then Doctor Crome â—ut wheÌ„ I haue opened my mind neuer so much yet I shall be reported to denye my preaching of them that haue belyed my preaching as he was Sed
and the Apostles doctrine wherof in particularity I haue touched something before in my talke had with the Sea of London and in other treatises more at large wherein if it shall please God to bring the same to light it shal appeare I trust by Gods grace plainly to the man of God and to him whose rule in iudgement of Religion is Gods word that that Religion that rule order that doctrine and fayth which this whore of Babylon and the Beast whereupon she doth sit mainteineth at this day with all violence of fire and sword with spoyle banishment according to Daniels Prophecy and finally with all falshood deceit hypocrisy and all kinde of vngodlines are as cleane contrary to Gods word as darkenesse is vnto light or light vnto darckenes white to blacke or blacke to white or as Beliall vnto Christ or Christ vnto Antichrist himselfe I know my Lordes and foresaw when I wrote this that so many of you as should see this my writing not beyng before endued with the spirite of grace and the light of gods word so many I say would at these my words lordlike stampe and spurne and spitte thereat But sober your selues with pacience and be still and knowe ye that in my writing of this my minde was none other but in God as the liuing God doth beare me witnes both to do you profite and pleasure And otherwise as for your displeasure by that time this shal come to your knowledge I trust by gods grace to be in the hands and protection of y◠almighty my heauenly father and the liuing Lord which is as S. Iohn sayeth the greatest of all and then I shall not need I trow to feare what any Lord no nor what kyng or prince can do vnto me My Lordes if in times past ye haue bene contented to heare me sometimes in matters of religion before the prince in the Pulpit and in the Parliament house and haue not seemed to haue despised what I haue sayd when as els if ye had perceiued iust occasion yee might then haue suspected me in my talk though it had bene reasonable eyther desire of worldly gayne or feare of displeasure how hath thē your Lordshyppes more cause to harken to my word and to heare me paciently seing now ye can not iustly think of me being in this case appoynted to dye and lookyng dayly when I shall be called to come before the eternall iudge otherwise but that I onely study to serue my Lord God and to say that thyng which I am perswaded assuredly by Gods woorde shall and doth please him and profite all them to whome God shall geue grace to heare and beleue what I do say And I do say euen that I haue sayd heretofore both of the Sea of Rome and of the Byshop thereof I meane after this theyr present state at this day Wherin if ye will not beleue the Ministers of GOD and true preachers of his word verely I denounce vnto you in verbo domini except ye do repent betime it shall turne to your confusion and to your smart on the latter day Forget not what I say my Lordes for Gods sake forget not but remember it vpon your bed For I tell you moreouer as I knowe I muste bee countable of this my talke and of my speaking thus to the eternall Iudge who will iudge nothing amisse so shall you be countable of your duety in hearyng and you shall bee charged if ye will harken to Gods word for not obeying to the truth Alas my Lords how chaunceth this that this matter is now a new again to be perswaded vnto you Who would haue thought of late but your Lordships had bene persuaded in deed sufficiently or that ye coulde euer haue agreed so vniformelye with one consent to the abolishment of the vsurpation of the bishop of Rome If that matter were then but a matter of policy wherin the prince must be obeyed howe is it now made a matter wherin as your Clergy sayth now so sayth the Popes lawes in deed standeth the vnity of the Catholicke church and a matter of necessity of our saluation Hath the time being so short since the death of the two last kinges Henry the 8. Edward his sonne altered the nature of the matter If it haue not but was of the same nature and daunger before God then as it is now be now as it is sayd by the Popes lawes and the instructions set forth in Englishe to the curates of the dioces of Yorke in deed a matter of necessity to saluation how then chaunced it that ye were all O my Lordes so light and so litle passed vpon the catholicke faith and the vnity therof without the which no man can be saued as for your Princes pleasures which were but mortall men to forsake the vnity of your catholick fayth that is to forsake Christ and his gospell And furthermore if it were both then and nowe is so necessary to saluation how chaunced it also that ye all the whole body of the Parliament agreeing with you did not onely abolish and expell the Bishop of Rome but also did abiure him in your owne persons and did decree in your actes great othes to bee taken of both the spiritualtye and temporalty whosoeuer shoulde enter into any weighty chargeable office in the common wealth But on the other side if the law decree which maketh the supremacy of the sea bishop of Rome ouer the vniuersall church of Christ be a thing of necessity required vnto saluation by an Antichristian law as it is in deed such instructiōs as are geuen to the Dioces of Yorke be in deed a setting forth of the power of that beast of babilon by the craft falshood of his false Prophetes as of truth compared vnto Gods word and truely iudged by the same it shall playnely appere that they be then my Lordes neuer thinke other but the daye shall come when ye shal be charged with this your vndoing of that that once ye had well done and with this your periury and breache of your othe which othe was done in iudgement iustice and truth agreable to Gods lawe The whore of Babilon may wel for a time dally with you and make you so dronken with the wine of her filthy stewes whooredome as with her dispensations and promises of pardon à poena culpa that for dronkennesse and blindenesse ye may think your selues safe But be ye assured whē the liuing Lord shall trye the matter by the fire and iudge it according to his word when al her abhominations shal appeare what they bee then ye my Lordes I geue your Lordships warning in time repent if ye be happy loue your owne soules health repent I say or els wythout all doubt ye shall neuer escape the handes of the liuing Lord for the guilt of your periury and breach of your oth As ye haue banquetted and layne by the
bee free from chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye bastardes and no children Seing then when as we haue had carnall parents which chastened vs we reuerenced them shall not we much more be subiect vnto our spirituall father that we might liue And they for a litle time taughte vs after theyr owne mind but this father teacheth vs to our commodity to geue vnto vs his holinesse Al chastisment for the present tyme appeareth not pleasaunt but paynefull but afterward it rendereth the fruite of righteousnesse on them which are exercised in it Wherefore let vs bee of good cheere good Brethren and let vs plucke vppe our feeble members that were fallen or beganne to faynt hart handes knees and all the rest and let vs walke vpright and straight that no limping no◠〈…〉 bring vs out of the way Let vs looke not vpon the thinges that be present but with the eyes of our fayth let vs stedfastly behold the thinges that be euerlasting in heauen and so choose rather in respecte of that whiche is to come with the chosen members of Christ to beare Christes Crosse then for this short life time to inioy all the riches honours and pleasures of the broade worlde Why should we Christians feare death Can death depriue vs of Christ which is all our coÌ„â—ort our ioy and our life Nay forsooth But contrary death shall deliuer vs from this mortall body whiche lodeth and beareth downe the spirite that it cannot so well perceiue heauenly thinges in the which so long as we dwell wee are absent from God Wherefore vnderstanding our state in that we be Christians that if our mortall body which is our earthly house were destroied we haue a building a house not made with handes but euerlasting in heauen c. therefore wee are of good cheere and know that when we are in the body we are absent from GOD for we walke by fayth and not by cleare fight Neuerthelesse we are bolde and had rather be absent from the bodye and present with GOD. Wherefore we striue whether we be present at home or absent abroad that we may alwayes please him And who that hath true fayth in our Sauior Christ whereby he knoweth somewhat truely what Christ our Sauiour is that he is the eternall sonne of God life light the wisedome of the father all goodnesse all righteousnesse and whatsoeuer is good that heart canne desire yea infinite plentye of all these aboue that that mans hart canne either conceiue or thinke for in him dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godheade corporally and also that he is geuen vs of the Father and made of GOD to be our wisedome our righteousnesse our holâ—nesse and our redemption who I say is he that beleueth this in deede that woulde not gladly bee with his mayster christ Paul for this knowledge coueted to haue bene loosed from the body and to haue beene with Christ for that he counted it muche better for himselfe and had rather to be loosed then to liue Therefore these wordes of Christe to the thiefe on the Crosse that asked of him mercy were full of comfort and solace This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise To dye in the defence of Christes Gospell it is our bounden duety to Christ and also to our neighbour To Christ for he dyed for vs and rose agayne that he might be Lord ouer all And seing he dyed for vs we also sayth S. Iohn shoulde ieopard yea geue our life for our Brethren And this kinde of geuing and loosing is getting and winning in deede for hee that geueth or looseth his life thus getteth winneth it for euermore Blessed are they therefore that die in the Lord and if they dye in the Lordes cause they are most happy of all Let vs not then feare death which can do vs no harme otherwise then for a momeÌ„t to make the flesh to smart but that our fayth whiche is surely fastened and fixed vnto the worde of GOD telleth vs that we shall be anon after death in peace in the handes of GOD in ioye in solace and that from death we shall go straight vnto life For Saynt Iohn sayeth he that liueth and beleeueth in me shall neuer dye And in an other place he shall depart from death vnto life And therefore this death of the Christian is not to be called death but rather a gate or entraunce into euerlasting life Therefore Paule calleth it but a dissolution and resolution and both Peter and Paul a putting of this Tabernacle or dwelling house Meaning thereby the mortall body as wherein the soule or spirite doth dwell here in this worlde for a small time Yea this death may be called to the Christian an end of all miseries For so long as we liue here we must passe through many tribulations before we canne enter into the kingdome of heauen And nowe after that death hath shot his bolt all the christian mans enemies haue done what they canne after that they haue no more to doe What coulde hurte or harme poore Lazarus that lay at the rich mannes Gate His former penury and pouerty his misery beggery and horrible sores and sickenesse For so soone as death had stricken him with his dart so soone came the aungels and caryed him straight vp into Abrahams bosome What lost he by death who from misery and payne is set by the ministery of Aungels in a place both of ioy and solace Farewell deare brethren farewell and let vs comforte our hartes in all troubles and in death with the worde of God for heauen and earth shall perish but the word of the Lord endureth for euer Farewell Christes dearely beloued spouse here wandering in this world as in a straunge land farre from thine owne couÌ„try coÌ„passed about on euery hand with deadly enemies which cease not to assault thee euer seeking thy destruction Farewell farewell O ye the whole and vniuersall congregation of the chosen of God here liuing vpon earth the true churche militant of Christ the true misticall body of Christ the very house holde and family of God and the sacred temple of the holy ghost Farewell Farewell O thou litle flocke of the highe heauenlye pastour Christ for to thee it hath pleased the heauenlye father to geue an euerlasting and eternall kingdome Farewell Farewell thou spirituall house of God thou holy and royall priesthood thou choseÌ„ generatioÌ„ thou holy nation thou wonne spouse Farewell Farewell N. R. ¶ An other treatise of B. Ridley wherein is conteyned first a lamentation for the chaunge of Religion in England then a comparison betwene the doctrine of the Gospell and the Romish religion with wholesome instructions in the end to all christians how to behaue themselues in time of tryall ALas what misery is thy church brought vnto O lord at this day Where of late the worde of the Lord was truely preached was read and heard in euery towne in euery Church
daunger to fall in like perill again there he maketh them perfite to be without danger paine or perill after that for euermore But this hys loue towards thē howsoeuer the worlde doth iudge of it is al one both when he deliuereth when he suffereth thē to be put to death He loued as well Peter and Paul whē after they had according to hys blessed will pleasure and prouidence finished their courses and done theyr seruices appoynted them by hym here in preaching of his Gospel the one was beheaded and the other was hanged or crucified of the cruell tyraunt Nero as the Ecclesiasticall hystory sayth as when hee sent the Aungell to bringe Peter out of prison and for Paules deliuery he made all the dores of the prison to flye wide open and the foundation of the same like an earthquake to tremble and shake Thinkest thou O thou man of God that Chryst our sauiour had lesse affection to the first martyr Stephen because he suffered his enemies euen at the first conflicte to stone him to death No surely nor Iames Iohns brother which was one of the three that Paule calleth Primates or Principals amongst the Apostles of Christ. Hee loued him neuer a whit the worse thē he did the other although he suffered Herode the tyrauntes sword to cut of his head Nay doth not Danyell say speaking of the cruelty of Antichristes time Et docti in populo docebunt plurimos ruent in gladio in flamma in captiuitate rapina dierum c. Et de eruditis ruent vt conflentur eligantur dealbentur c. That is and the learned hee meaneth truely learned in Gods lawe shall teache many and shall fall vppon the sworde and in the flame that is shall bee burned in the flaming fire and in captiuitie that is shall bee in prison and be spoyled and robbed of theyr goodes for a longe season And after a little in the same place of Daniell it followeth and of the learned there be whiche shall fall or be ouerthrowne that they may be knowne tryed chosen made white he meaneth be burnished scoured a new picked and chosen and made fresh and lustye If that then was foreseene for to be done to the godly learned and for so gracious causes let euery one to whom any such thing by the will of God doth chaunce be mery in God and reioyce for it is to Gods glory and to his owne euerlasting wealth Wherefore well is he that euer he was borne for whom thus graciously God hath prouided hauing grace of God and strength of the holy Ghost so stand steadfastly in the height of the storme Happy is he that euer hee was borne whome God his heauenly Father hath vouchsafed to appoynt to glorifie him and to edifie hys Churche by the effusion of hys bloud To dye in Christes cause is an high honour to that whiche no man certaynly shall or can aspire but to whō God vouchsafeth that dignitie For no man is allowed to presume for to take vnto hym selfe any office of honour but he which is thereunto called of God Therfore Ioh. saith well speaking of them which haue obtayned the victorye by the bloud of the Lambe and by the worde of hys testimony that they loued not theyr liues euen vnto death And our sauiour Christ sayth He that shall lose his life for my cause shall finde it And this manner of speach pertayneth not to one kinde of Christians as the worldly dothe wickedly dreame but all that doe truelye pertayne vnto Christ. For when Christe had called vnto hym the multytude together with hys Disciples he said vnto thē mark that he sayde not this to the Disciples and Apostles onely but he sayd it to al who soeuer wil follow me let him forsake or deny hymselfe and take vp his crosse and followe me for who soeuer will saue his lyfe shall lose it he meaneth who soeuer will to saue hys life both forsake or leaue hym and his truth and whosoeuer shall lose his lyfe for my cause and the Gospels sake shall saue it For what shall it profite man if he shall winne the whole world and lose his owne soule hys owne lyfe or what shall a manne geue to recompence that losse of his owne lyfe and of hys own soule Who soeuer shal be ashamed of me my words that is to confesse me and my Gospell before this adulterous and sinful generation of him shall the sonne of man be ashamed when he commeth in the glory of hys Father with the holy Aungels Know thou O man of God that all thinges are ordayned for thy behoufe and to the furtheraunce of thee towardes thy saluation All thinges saith Paule worketh with the good to goodnes euen the enemies of God such kind of punishmentes whereby they goe about to destroy them shall be forced by Gods power might fatherly prouidence for to do them seruice It is not as the wicked thinketh that pouerty aduersitie sickenes tribulation yea paynfull death of the godly be tokens that God doth not loue them but euen cleane the contrary as all the whole course of scripture doth euidently declare for then he would neuer haue suffered hys most dearly beloued the Patriarkes to haue had such troubles his Prophetes his Apostles his martyrs and chiefe Champions and mayntayners of hys truth and Gospell so cruelly of the wicked to haue bene murdered and slayn Of the which some were racked as the Apostle sayth and woulde not be deliuered that they might receaue a better resurrection Some were tryed by mockinges scourginges yea moreouer by bondes and imprisonment they were stoned they were hewen and cut a sunder they were tempted they were slayne with the sword they wandered vp and down in sheepes skinnes and Gotes skinnes beyng forsaken afflicted and tormented such men as the world was not worthy to haue wādring in wildernes in moūtaynes in Dennes and Caues of the earth All these were approued by the testimony of fayth and receaued not the promise because God did prouide better for vs that without vs they should not be consummated They tary nowe for vs vndoubtedly longing for the day but they are commaunded to haue pacience yet saith the Lord a litle while vntill the number of theyr fellow seruauntes bee fulfilled and of theyr brethren whiche are yet to be slayne as they were Now thou O man of God for our Lordes sake let vs not for the loue of thys lyfe tary then to long and bee occasion of delay of that glorious consummation in hope and expectation wherof the departed in the Lord and the whiche also the liuing endued with Gods spirite ought so earnestly to desire and to grone for with al the creatures of God Let vs all with Iohn the seruaunt of God cry in our harts vnto our sauiour Christ Veni Domine Iesu come Lorde Iesu come For then when Christ which is our life
doctrine is hys fathers doctrine fol. 33. 5. He that sayth that the law of the Gospell ought onely to be holden in Christes church and is sufficient alone for it speaketh so far out of reason that he is not worthy to be reasoned withall fol. 37. 6. They that hold that the crosse of siluer or golde ought not to be worshipped with kissing of it bowyng kneeling to it are enemies to Christes true crosse take away the meanes that might set out the glory of Christes crosse fol. 49. 7. Neither Paule nor the crosse can be worshipped with godly honour fol. 61. 8. As Christ vsed clay for an instrument to heale the blind mans eyes withall hath saued diuers by fayth made it an instrument of saluation and as God hath ordained Timothy to be an instrument of saluation both to himselfe and for other so may the Pope ordaine holy water to bee an instrument of saluation both of body and soule to all them that are sprinkled with it fol. 64. 9. No man can commit Idolatry with his body alone in onely kissyng of an Image or Idol in only kneelyng to it can no Idolatry be committed fol. 52. 10. For as much as God vnderstandeth them that sing in Latin though they vnderstand not themselues their praier is acceptable before God fol. 76. 11. As a father may forbid certain of his children to marry so may a king in hys kingdom forbid certayne of hys subiects to marry that is to lay all the priests of his realme fol. 83. 12. He that would take away the Popes ceremonies out of the church should driue away all godlinesse and seemelines all religious and deuout behauiour out of the church fol. 94. Here hast thou good Reder this stout prelate of Winchest with all his properties doyngs qualities as in a certaine Anatomie proportioned out vnto thee whereby thou maiest boldly iudge and nothing erre in thy iudgement what is to be estemed of hym by his fruits as who neither was tene Protestant nor right papist neither cōstant in hys error nor yet stedfast in the truth neither frēd to the Pope yet a perfect enemy to Christ false in king Henries tyme a dissembler in K. Edwards tyme double periured and a murderer in Queene Maries tyme mutable and inconstāt in all tymes And finally where in his letters to the L. Protector and others vsually he vanteth so much of his late soueraign lord K. Henry the 8. of the great reputation that he was in with him read I beseech thee behold in the depositions of the L. Paget in the old booke pag. 806. col 1. also in the depositions of the Erle of Bedford pag. 824. and there ye shall see the king before his death both excepting hym out of his pardons quite strikyng hym out of his last wyll testament so detested abhorred hym as he did no english man more And where as the L. Paget beyng sent in message from the K. to the bishoppe by other words then the kings mynde and will was of his owne dexteritie gaue to hym good gracious words which in deed the kyng neither knew nor yet wer sent by hym the B. perswading himselfe otherwise of the kings fauor towards hym then it was in deed was therin far deceiued and brought into a fooles paradise wherof read both in the old booke before and also in this present volume To describe paint out the vnstable mutabilitie of this B. aforesaid albeit here need no more to be added besides that which is alredy declared yet notwithstanding seyng the matter is not long it shal not be out of the way to annexe withall vnto the premisses a piece of Drianders letter written to one Crispine phisition in Oxford sent from Antwerpe concerning the doyngs and behauiour of this B. of Winchester whose story we haue now in hand The copy of which Drianders letter written to the sayd Crispine hys friend beginneth thus ¶ Doctissimo viro Edmundo Crispino amico integerrimo Oxoniae ANte meam ex Lutetia profectionē dedi literas ad te per Anglum illum communem amicum nostrum c. ¶ The English wherof as much as to the present purpose appertaineth here followeth translated BEfore my departure from the Citie of Paris I wrote vnto you by our friend the Englishman c. Now you shal be contented onely with the narration of your B. of Winchester who as appertained to the embassadour of so noble a Prince came to Louane with a great brauerie and was there receiued at one Ieremies house and most honourably entertained where the facultie of Diuines for honor sake presented him wyne in the name of the whole Uniuersitie But our famous doctors and learned Maisters for that they would more deepely search and vnderstand the learnyng and excellency of the Prelate perused and scanned a certaine Oration made by hym and now extant intituled De vera obedientia in the which hys Oration he did impugne the supremacy of the B. of Rome and preferred his Lords and kyngs authoritie before the holy Apostolike sea as they terme it whiche beyng read and considered by them they did not onely repent them for geuyng hym such honour but also recanted that which they had done and did not so much honor him afore but now they were as earnest as spitefull agaynst hym Richard Lathomus interpreter of termes with the fauourers of that fraternitie and other champions of the fallyng church disputed with hym concernyng the Popes supremacy This B. stoutely defended his sayd Oration The Diuines contrary stifly maintained their opinion diuers tymes openly with exclamations called the sayde B. an excommunicate person and a schismatike to no litle reproch and infamy of the English nation The Byshop not long after mindyng to say masse in S. Peters church they did deny vnto hym as to an excommunicate person the Ornamentes and Uestimentes meete for the same wherewyth he beyng hyghly offended sodaynely hastned hys iourney from thence The Deane the next day after made an eloquent Oration wherein hee openly disgraced and defamed hym You haue heard now a true storye for oure Doctour was a beholder of the whole Tragedie c. And this now beyng sufficient for Gardiners story to leaue hym to his iudge to let him go we shall returne proceed by the grace leaue of the Lord as the course of these dolefull dayes shall lead vs to prosecute the residue of Christes Martyrs as now in order followeth ¶ The burnyng of Iohn Webbe gentleman George Roper and Gregory Parke at Caunterbury as followeth NExt after the death constant Martyrdom of the two most worthy champions standerdbearers of Christes army D. Nich. Ridley and M. Hugh Latymer of whom ye haue heard at large followed three other stoute and bold souldiours that is to say Iohn Web gentlemā George Roper and Gregory Parke This Iohn Web
with me and nothing against me as my Lord of London hath pretended For I will aske of my Lorde Rich here whom I know to haue good knowledge in the lawes and statutes of this realm albeit a Iudge may discerne the meaning of a statute agreable to the wordes whether the same may iudge a meaning contrary to the expres wordes or no Rich. He cannot so do Phil. Euen so say I that no man ought to iudge the word of God to haue a meaning contrary to the expresse words therof as this false church of Rome doth in many things and with this the Lordes seemed to be satisfied and made no further replication herein Rich. I meruaile thē why you do deny the expresse words of Christ in the sacrament saying This is my body and yet you will not sticke to say it is not his body Is not GOD omnipotent and is not he able as well by his omnipotencie to make it his body as he was to make man flesh of a peece of clay Did not he say This is my body whiche shal be betrayed for you and was not his very bodye betrayed for vs therfore it must needes be his body London My Lord Rich you haue sayde wonderfull well and learnedly But you might haue begon with hym before also in the 6. of Iohn where Christe promised to geue his body in the sacrament of the aultar saying Panis quem ego dabo caro mea est The bread which I will geue is my fleshe How can you answere to that Phil. If it please you to geue me leaue to answere first my Lord Rich I will also answere this obiection Rich. Answere my lord of Lōdon first after come to me Philpot. My Lord of London may be soone answered that that the saying of S. Iohn is that the humanitie of chryst which he took vpon him for the redemption of man is the bread of life whereby our bodyes soules be susteined to eternall lyfe of the which the sacramentall bread is a liuely representation and an effectuall cohabitation to all suche as beleue on his Passion and as Christ sayth in the same 6 of Iohn I am the bread that came downe from heauen but yet he is not materiall neither naturall bread Likewise the bread is his flesh not naturall or substantiall but by signification and by grace in a sacrament And now to my Lord Riches argument I do not deny the expresse wordes of Christ in the sacrament This is my body but I deny that they are naturally and corporally to be taken they must be taken sacramentally and spiritually according to the expresse declaration of Christ saying that the wordes of the sacrament whiche the Capernites tooke carnally as the papistes nowe doe ought to be taken spiritually not carnally as they falsly imagine not waying what interpretation of Christe hath made in this behalfe neither follow the Institution of Christ neyther the vse of the Apostles and of the primatiue Churche who neuer taught neither declared no such carnall maner of presence as is now exacted of vs violently without any ground of scripture or antiquitie who vsed to put oute of the Church all such as did not receiue the sacrament wyth the rest and also to burne that which was left after the receiuing as by the Canon of the Apostles and by the decree of the Councell of Antioch may appeare London No that is not so they were onely Cathecumeni which went out of the Church at the celebration of the cōmunion and none other Phil. It was not onely of such as were Nouices in fayth but all others that did not receaue London What say you to the omnipotencie of God is not be able to performe that which he spake as my Lord Rich hath very well said I tell thee that God by his omnipotency may make himselfe to be this carpet if he will Phil. As concerning the omnipotencie of God I say that God is able to do as the Prophet Dauid sayth what soeuer he willeth but he willeth nothing that is not agreeable to hys word as that is blasphemy which my Lorde of London hath spoken that God may become a Carpet For as I haue learned of auncient writers Non potest Deus facere quae sunt naturae suae contraria That is God cannot doe that which is contrary to his nature as it is contrary to the nature of God to be a Carpet A Carpet is a creature God is the creator and the creator cānot be the creature wherfore vnlesse you can declare by the worde that Christ is otherwise present with vs then spiritually and sacramentally by grace as he hath taught vs you pretend the omnipotencie of God in vayne London Why wilt thou not say that Christ is really present in the sacrament Or do you deny it Phil. I deny not that Christ is really in the Sacrament to the receauer therof according to Christes institution London What meane you by really present Phil. I meane by really present present in deed London Is God really present euery where Phil. He is so London How proue you that Phil. The Prophet Esay sayth That God filleth all places and where soeuer there be two or three gathered together in Christes name there is he in the middest of them London What his humanitie Phil. No my Lord I meane the deitie accordinge to that you demaunded Rich. My Lord of London I praye you let mayster Doctour Chedsey reason with him and let vs see how hee can aunswere him for I tell thee he is a learned man in deede one that I do credite before a great many of you whose doctrine the Queenes maiestie and the whole realme doth well allow therefore heare him Lond. My Lordes I pray you wil it please you to drinke you haue talked a great while and much talke is thursty I will leaue M. Doctour and him reasoning together a while with your leaue and will come to you by and by agayne He went as I suppose to make rowme for more drinke after the Lordes had dronken Rich. My Lord Rich sayde to the Lordes I praye you let the poore man drinke for hee is thirsty and with that hee called for a cup of drinke and gaue it me and I dranke before them all God requite it hym for I was a thyrst indeede Afterwardes Doctor Chadsey began in this wise making a great processe of the which this is the effect Chadsey M. Philpot findeth fault with the Conuocation house before your Lordships that he hath layne this long in prison and that he had there a dosen Arguments wherof he could not be suffred to prosecute one throughly whiche is not so for he had leaue to say what he could was aunswered to asmuche as he was able to bring and when he had nothing els to say he fell to weeping I was there present and can testifie therof albeit there is a
book abroad of the report of the disputation to the contrary in the which there is neuer a true worde And where as you require to be satisfied of the sacrament I will shew you the trueth therof both by the scriptures and by the Doctors Philpot. It is a shrewed lykelihoode that you will conclude with any truth since you haue begonne with so many vntruthes as to say that I was aunswered whiles I had any thyng to say and that I wept for lacke of matter to say and that the booke of the reporte of the disputation is nothing true God be praysed there were a good many of Noble men Gentlemen and worshipfull men that heard and saw the doings therof which can testifie that you here haue made an vniust report before these honorable Lords And that I wept was not for lacke of matter as you slauÌ„der me for I thank God I haue more matter theÌ„ the best of you all shall euer be able to answere as litle learning as I haue but my weeping was as Christes was vpon Hierusalem seeing the destruction that should fall vppon her and I foreseeing then the destruction whiche you thorough violence and vnrighteousnesse which you there declared would worke agaynst the true Churche of Christ and his faythfull members as this daye beareth witnesse was compelled to weepe in remembraunce of that whiche I with infinite more haue felt and shall feele Al these words I did then speake out being interrupted by my Lord Rich saying that I shoulde suffer hym to proceede out in his matter and afterwardes I shuld haue leysure to aunswere him in euery Article But he promysed more then he could performe as the end did wel declare for he had not the consent of the spiritualtie to his promise which now rule the rost God shorten their cruell dayes for his electes sake And therfore I adde this which I had purposed to haue spoken if then I might haue bene suffered least any that perfectly know not the thinges done in the Conuocation house and now layd to my charge if they shoulde not be aunswered by me might recken Doctour Chadseys sayinges to bee true And as concerning the booke of the report of the disputations I wrote the same it is true in euery argument as M. Deane of Roochester and M. Cheyney Archdeacon of Herford yet being aliue and within the realme can testifie Chadsey You haue of scriptures the foure Euangelistes for the probation of Christes reall presence to be in the sacrament after the wordes of consecration with S. Paule to the Corinthians whiche all saye Hoc est corpus meum This is my body They say not as you woulde haue me to beleue this is not the bodye But specially the 6. of Iohn prooueth the same most manifestly where Christ promised to geue his body which hee performed in his last supper as it appeareth by these wordes Panis quem ego dabo caro mea est quam ego dabo pro muÌ„di vita The bread whiche I wyll geue is my flesh which I wil geue for the life of the world Phil. My Lord Rich with your leaue I must needes interrupt him a litle because he speaketh open blasphemy against the death of Christ for if that promise brought in by s. Iohn was performed by Christ in his last supper theÌ„ needed he not to haue dyed after he had geuen the sacrament Rich. Let maister Doctour make an end of his argumeÌ„ts and afterward obiect to him what you can Chadsey You must note that there is twise Dabo in thys saying of S. Iohn the first is referred to the sacrament of the auâ—tar the second to the sacrifice vpon the crosse and besides these manifest scriptures there bee many auncient Doctors proouing the same as Ignatius Irenaeus S. Cyprian whose authoritie he recited at large which I do omitte because I was not permitted to answere the same Rich. Now aunswere and obiect to him what you can you shal be heard Phil. My Lord the chiefest ground where he with the rest of his side do ground theÌ„selues agaynst vs be these words This is my body with a false pretence of the omnipotency of God And before I will come to the particular aunsweres of all that he hath alledged for that your Lordships may the better vnderstand me what I meane and whereuppon I stand I will require mayster Doctor to aunswere me one question But first of all I do protest to your honours that I thinke as reuerently of the sacrament as a christian maÌ„ ought to do and that I acknowledge the sacrament of the body and bloud of Christe ministred after Christes Institution to bee one of the greatest treasures and comfortes that he left vs on the earth and contrariwise it is most discomfort and abhominable not being ministred as it ought to be as it is vsed now a dayes And now to my question which is this whether these wordes onely Hoc est corpus meum This is my body spoken by a priest ouer the bread and wine may make the body and bloud of Christ as you suppose or no Chedsey Staggering what he might say at last hee sayd that these wordes alone pronounced by the Priest be sufficient to make the bread and the wyne the very bodye and bloud of Christ really Philpot. That is blasphemy to say and agaynst al the scriptures and Doctours who affirme that the forme and substance in consideration must be obserued whiche Christ vsed and did institute as S. Cyprian sayth In sacrificio quod Christus est non nisi Christus sequendus In the sacrifice whiche is Christ onely is Christ to be followed And by the lawe it is forbidden to adde or take away from Gods word And S. Peter sayth If anye man speake let him speake as the worde of God Wherfore whosoeuer sayth that these wordes onely This is my body do make a presence of christ without blesse take and eate which be three as substanciall poyntes of the Sacramente as Thys is my bodye is he is highly deceiued Therfore S. Austen sayth Accedat verbum ad elementum fit sacramentum Let the word be ioyned to the element and it be commeth a sacrament So that if the entier worde of Christes Institution be not obserued in the ministration of a Sacrament it is no sacrament as the sacrifices which the ten tribes did offer at Bethell to God were not acceptable because they were not in all poyntes done according to Gods word Wherfore except blessing be made after the word whiche is a due thankesgeuing for our redemption in Christ and also a shewing forth of the Lordes death in such wise as the congregation may be edified and moreouer a taking and eating after Christes commaundement except I say these three partes be first performed which is not done in the Masse these wordes This is my bodye which are last placed in the Institution of
strikers and my womanish backe to theyr burthens of reproofe and so in the strength of my God I truste to leape ouer the wall for his sweetenesse ouercommeth me dayly maketh al these poticary druggs of the world euen medicinelike in my mouth For the continuance wherof I beseech thee my deare fellow souldior make thy faythful prayer for me that I may with a strong and gladsome conscience finish my course and obtayne the reward though it be no whit due to my worke I am not content that you so often gratifie me with thankes for that which is none worthy but duty on my part small reliefe to you But if you would loue me so much that I might supply your lackes then would I think ye beleued my offers to be such as agreed with my hart And for the short charges ye speake of the meanes are not so pleasant if god who my trust is in will otherwise prepare but Salomō saith Al things haue here their time You to day I to morow so the ende of Adams line is soone ronne out The mightye God geue vs his grace that during this time his glory be not defaced through our weakenes Because you desire to shew your selfe a worthy souldiour if neede so require I will supply your request for the Scarfe yee wrote of that ye may present my handy worke before your Captayne that I be not forgotten in the odours of incense which our beloued Christ offereth for his owne to whom I bequeth both our bodies and soules Your owne in the Lord. F.E. Ouer and besides these letters the Bishops did also bring forth a supplication made by mayster Philpot vnto the high Court of Parliament whereof mention is made in the first of the two letters last mentioned the copy wherof doth here ensue as followeth To the King and Queenes Maiesties highnesse the Lordes spiritual and temporall and the commons of this present Parliament assembled IN most humble wise complayneth vnto this honorable Courte of Parliament Iohn Philpot Clarke that where there was by the Queenes highnesse a parliament called in the first yeare of her gracious raygne and after the olde custome a Couocation of the Clergy your suppliant then being one of the sayd Conuocation house and matters there rising vppon the vsing of the Sacramentes did dispute in the same knowing that there all men had and hath had free speach and ought not to be after troubled for any thinge there spoken and yet that notwithstanding not long after the sayd Parliament your sayd suppliant without any acte or matter was commaunded to prison to the kings Benche by the late Lord Chauncellour where he hath remayned euer sithens vntil now of late that my Lord the B. of London hath sent for your sayd suppliant to examine him being none of his Dioces vpon certayn matters wherein they would haue your Oratour to declare his conscience whiche the sayd bishop sayth hee hath authoritie to do by reason of an Acte of Parliament made in the first and second yeares of the king and queeenes Maiesties raignes for the reuiuing of three Satutes made agaynst thē that hold any opinion agaynst the Catholicke fayth whereby he affirmeth that euery Ordinary may Ex Officio examine euery mans conscience and for that your sayde Oratour hath and doth refuse that the sayd Bish. of London hath any authoritie ouer your sayd Oratour for that he is neyther Diocesane nor hath publyshed preached nor held any opinion against the Catholicke faith notwithstanding the said Bishop of London deteineth him in the Colehouse in the stockes without eyther bed or any other thing to lye vpon but straw and for that your sayde Oratour cannot appeale for his reliefe from the sayd Bishop to anye other Iudge but the same bishop may refuse the same by theyr law and therefore hath no succour and helpe but by this high Courte of Parliament for the explanatiō of the sayd Acte therefore it may please you that it may be enacted by the kinge and Queenes Maiesties the Lordes spirituall and temporall and the Commons of this present Parliament assembled and by the authoritie of the same that no Byshop nor Ordinary shall committe nor detayne in prison any suspect person or persones for the Catholicke fayth except he or they haue spoken written or done some manifest Act against the Catholicke fayth and the same to be lawfully proued agaynst euery such person and persons by the testimony of two lawfull witnesses to be brought afore the sayd person or persons so accused before he or they shal eyther be committed to prison or conuict for any such offence or offences the sayd former statute made in the sayd first second yeare of our said soueraigne Lord and Lady notwithstanding Whereby your sayde Oratour shal not only bee set at libertie diuers other mo remayning in prison but also the bloude of diuers of the Quueenes Maiesties true and faythfull subiectes preserued The condemnation of the worthy Martyr of God Iohn Philpot. THese bookes Letters Supplications and other matters being thus read the bishop demaunded of him if the booke intituled The true report of the disputation c. were of his penning or not Whereunto Philpot aunswered that it was a good and true booke and of hys owne penning and setting forth The bishops waxing now weary and being not able by any sufficient ground either of Gods worde or of the true ancient Catholicke fathers to conuince ouercome him fell by fayre and flattering speach to perswade wyth him promising that if he would reuoke his opinions and come home agayne to their Romishe and Babilonicall Church he should not onely be pardoned that which was past but also they would with al fauour and chearefulnes of hart receiue him agayne as a true member therof Whiche words when Boner saw would take no place hee demandeth of M. Philpot and that with a charitable affection I warrant you whether he had any iust cause to alledge why he shoulde not condemne him as an hereticke Well quoth M. Philpot your idolatrous sacrament which you haue found out ye would fayne defend but ye cannot nor neuer shall In the end the Byshop seeing hys vnmoueable stedfastnes in the trueth did pronounce openly the sentence of condemnation against him In the reading wherof when he came to these words Teque etiam tanquam haereticum obstinatum pertinacem impoenitentem c. M. Philpot said I thanke God that I am an hereticke out of your cursed Church I am no hereticke before God But God blesse you and geue you once grace to repent youre wicked doinges and let all men beware of your bloudy church Moreouer whiles Boner was about the middest of the sentence the bishop of Bath pulled him by the sleeue sayd My Lord my Lord knowe of him first whether hee will recant or no Then Boner sayd full like himselfe oh let me alone and so read forth the sentence And
constant martyr Who the xviii day of December in the middest of the fiery flames yelded his soule into the handes of the almighty God and full like a lambe gaue vp his breath his body being consumed into ashes Thus hast thou gentle reader the lyfe and doyngs of this learned and worthy souldiour of the Lord Iohn Philpot with all his examinations that came to our handes first penned and written with his owne hand beyng meruaylously reserued from the sight and hands of hys enemies who by all maner meanes sought not onely to stop hym from al writing but also to spoyle and depriue him of that which he had written For the which cause he was manye tymes stripped and searched in the prison of his keeper but yet so happily these his writinges were conueyed and hid in places about him or els hys keepers eies so blinded that notwithstanding all this malicious purpose of the Bishops they are yet remayning and come to light A prayer to be sayd at the stake of all them that God shall account worthy to suffer for his sake MErcifull God and father to whome oure sauiour Christ approched in his feare and neede by reason of death found comfort Gracious God and most bounteous Christe on whome Stephen called in his extreeme neede and receiued strength Most benigne holy spirite whiche in the middest of all Crosses and death diddest comfort the Apostle S. Paule with more consolations in Christ then he felt sorowes and terrors haue mercy ⧠The martirdome of maister Iohn Philpot Archdeacon with the manner of his kneeling and praying at the stake vpon me miserable vile and wretched sinner which now drawe neare the gates of death deserued both in soule and body eternally by reason of manifold horrible olde and new transgressions which to thyne eyes O Lorde are open and knowne Oh be mercifull vnto me for the bitter death and bloudshedding of thine owne onely sonne Iesus Christ. And though thy iustice do require in respecte of my sinnes that nowe thou shouldest not heare me measuring me with the same measure I haue measured thy Maiesty contemning thy dayly calles yet let thy mercy whiche is aboue all thy works and wherewith the earth is filled let thy mercy I say preuaile towardes me through and for the mediation of Christ our sauiour And for whose sake in that it hathe pleased thee to bring me forth now as one of his witnesses and a record bearer of thy veritye and trueth taught by him to geue my life therefore to which dignitie I do acknowledge dear God that ther was neuer any so vnworthy and so vnmeet no not the theef that hāged with him on the Crosse I most hūbly therfore pray thee that thou wouldest accordingly ayde helpe assiste me with thy strength and heauenly grace that with Christe thy sonne I may finde comfort with Stephen I may see thy presence and gracious power with Paule and all others whiche for thy names sake haue suffered affliction and death I may finde so present with me thy gracious consolations that I may by my deathe glorifie thy holy name propagate and ratifie thy veritie comfort the hartes of the heauy confirme thy Church in thy veritie conuert some that are to be conuerted and so depart foorth of thys miserable world where I do nothing but daily heape sinne vpon sinne and so enter into the fruition of thy blessed mercy wherof now geue and encrease in me a liuely truste sense and feelinge wherethrough the terrours of death the tormentes of fire the panges of sinne the dartes of Sathan and the dolours of hel may neuer depresse me but may be driuen away thorough the working of that most gracious spirite which now plenteously endue me withall that through the same spirite I may offer as I nowe desire to do in Christ by him my selfe wholy soule and body to be a liuely sacrifice holy and acceptable in thy sight Deare Father whose I am and alwayes haue bene euen from my mothers wombe yea euen before the world was made to whome I commend my selfe soule and body family and frendes countrey and all the whole Churche yea euen my very enemies accordynge to thy good pleasure beseeching thee intirely to geue once more to this Realme of England the blessing of thy word agayn with godly peace to the teaching setting forth of the same Oh dear father now geue me grace to come vnto thee Purge and so purifie me by this fire in Christes death and Passion through thy spirite that I may be a burnt offering of sweete smell in thy sight which liuest and raignest with the sonne and the holy God nowe and euermore world without end Amen ¶ Letters of Mayster Philpot. ¶ A letter which he sent to the christian congregation exhorting them to refrayne from the Idolatrous seruice of the papists and to serue God after his word IT is a lamentable thing to behold at this present in England the faithles departing both of men women frō the true knowledge vse of Christes sincere religion which so plētifully they haue bene taught do know their own consciences bearing witnes to the veritie thereof If that earth be cursed of God which eftsoones receiuing moisture pleasant dewes from heauen doth not bring forth fruite accordingly how much more greuous iudgemēt shal such persons receiue which hauing receiued from the father of heauē the perfect knowledge of his word by the ministery therof do not shew forth Gods worship after the same If the Lord wil require in the day of iudgemēt a godly vsury of all maner of talentes which he sendeth vnto men women how muche more wil he require the same of his pure religion reuealed vnto vs which is of al other talents the chiefest most pertayning to our exercise in this life if we hide the same in a napkin and set it not forth to the vsurye of Gods glory and edifying of his church by true confessiō God hath kindled the bright light of his Gospel which in times past was suppressed hid vnder the vile ashes of mās traditiōs and hath caused the brightnes therof to shine in our harts to the end that the same might shine before men to the honor of his name It is not onely geuen vs to beleue but also to confesse declare what we beleue in our outwarde couersation For as S. Paule writeth to the Romaynes The beliefe of the hart iustifieth and toe acknowledge wyth the mouth maketh a man safe It is al one before God not to beleue at al not to shew forth the liuely works of our belief For Christe sayth Either make the tree good and his fruites good or ells make the tree euill and the fruites euill because a good tree bringeth forth good fruites So that the person which knoweth his maysters will and doth it not shal be beaten with many stripes And not all they
Gods spirite in vs accordyng to the rule of the Gospell he that coÌ„formeth not him selfe to the same in godly conuersation may iustly treÌ„ble doubt that he is none of the elect children of God but of the viperous generation and a child of darkenesse For the children of light will walke in the workes of light and not of darkenes though they fall they do not lye still Let all vayne excusations be set a part and whiles ye haue light as Christ commaundeth beleue the light and abide in the same lest eternall darkenesse ouertake you vnwares The light is come into the world but alas men loue darkenesse more theÌ„ the light God geue vs his pure eyesalue to heale our blindnes in this behalfe O that men and women would be healed and not seeke to be wilfully blinded The Lord open their eyes that they may see how dauÌ„gerous a thyng it is to decline from the knowledge of truth contrary to their conscience But what sayd I conscience many affirme their conscience will beare them well enough to do all that they do and to go to the Idolatrous Church to seruice whose coÌ„scieÌ„ce is very large to satisfie man more then God And although their conscience can beare them so to do yet I am sure that a good conscience will not permit them so to doe which caÌ„ not be good vnlesse it be directed after the knowledge of Gods word and therfore in Latin this feelyng of mynde is called Conscientia which souÌ„deth by interpretation as much as with knowledge And therfore if our conscience be led of her selfe not after true knowledge yet we are not so to be excused as S. Paul beareth witnes saying Although my coÌ„science acseth me not yet in this I am not iustified And he ioineth a good coÌ„science with these 3. sisters charitie a pure heart vnfayned fayth Charitie keepeth Gods commaundements a pure hart loueth and feareth God aboue all vnfayned fayth is neuer ashamed of the profession of the Gospell whatsoeuer damage he shal suffer in body therby the lord which hath reuealed hys holy will vnto vs by hys word graunt vs neuer to be ashamed of it and geue vs grace so earnestly to cleaue to hys holy word and true church that for no maner of worldly respecte we become partakers of the workes of hipocrisie which God doth abhorre so that we may be found faythfull in the Lords Testament to the end both in hart word and deede to the glory of God and our euerlasting saluation Amen Ioh. Philpot prisoner in the Kinges Benche for the testimony of the truth 1555. * To hys deare frend in the Lord Iohn Careles prisoner in the kinges Benche MY dearely beloued brother Careles I haue receaued youre louing letters full of loue and compassion in somuch that they made my hard hart to weepe to see you so carefull for one that hath bene so vnprofitable a member as I haue bene and am in Christes church God make me worthy of that I am called vnto and I pray you cease not to pray for me but cease to weep for him who hath not deserued such gentle teares and prayse God with me for that I now approch to the company of them whose want you may worthily lament God geue your pittiful hart his inward consolation In deede my deare Careles I am in thys world in hell and in the shadow of death but he that hath brought me for my desertes downe vnto hell shall shortly lift me vpp to heauen where I shall looke continually for your commyng others my faythfull brethren in the kinges Benche And though I tell you that I am in hell in the iudgement of this world yet assuredly I feele in the same the consolation of heauen I prayse God and thys lothsome and horrible prison is as pleasaunt to me as the walke in the garden of the kinges Bench. You know brother Careles that the way to heauen out of this life is very narrow and wee must striue to enter in at a narrowe gate If God do mitigate the ouglenes of myne imprisonment what will he do in the rage of the fire whereunto I am appoynted And this hath happened vnto me that I might be hereafter an ensample of comfort if the like happen vnto you or to any other of my deare brethren with you in these cruell dayes in the which the deuill so rageth at the faythfull flock of Chryst but in vayne I trust against any of vs who be perswaded that neither lyfe neither death is able to seperate vs from the loue of Christs Gospell which is Gods high treasure committed to your brittle vessels to glorifie vs by the same God of hys mercye make vs faythfull stewardes to the end and geue vs grace to feare nothing what soeuer in hys good pleasure we shal suffer for the same That I haue not written vnto you eâ—st the cause is our strayt keepyng and the want of light by night for the day serueth vs but a while in our darke closet This is the first letter that I haue writteÌ„ since I came to prison besides the report of mine examinations and I am fayne to scribble it out in hast Commend me to al our faythfull brethren and bid theÌ„ with a good courage looke for theyr redemption frame themselues to be harty souldiours in Christ. They haue taken his prest money a great while and now let them shew themselues readye to serue hym faythfully and not to fly out of the Lordes campe into the world as many do Let them remeÌ„ber that in the Apocalips the fearfull be excluded the kingdome Let vs be of good cheare for our Lord ouercame the world that wee shoulde doe the like Blessed is the seruaunt whome when the Lord commeth he findeth watching O let vs watch and pray earnestly one for an other that we be not led into teÌ„ptation Be ioyful vnder the crosse prayse the Lord coÌ„tinually for this is the whole burnt sacrifice which the Lord delighteth in CoÌ„meÌ„d me to my father Hunt and desire him to loue and continue in the vnitie of Christs true Church which he hath begon and then shal he make me more more to ioy vnder my crosse with him Tel my brother Clements that he hath coÌ„forted me much by his louing token in significatioÌ„ of an vnfayned vnitie with vs let him encrease my ioy vnto the end perfectly The Lord of peace be with you al. Salute al my louyng frends M. Mering M. Crooche with the rest and specially M. Marshal his wife with great thaÌ„ks for his kindnes shewed vnto me Farewel my deare Careles I haue dalied with the deuil a while but now I am ouer the shoes God sende me well out Out of the Colehouse by your brother Iohn Philpot. An other letter to Iohn Careles profitable to be read of all them which mourne in repentaunce for theyr sinnes THe God
be Pray I beseech you that I may be stil careles in my careful estate as you haue cause to be carelesse in your easier condition Be thaÌ„kful and put away all care and then I shall be ioyfull in my straite present care Commend me to all our brethren and desire them to praye for me that I may ouercome my teÌ„ptations for the deuil rageth against me I am putte in the stockes in a place alone because I would not answer to such articles as they would charge me wtall in a corner at the bishops appoyntment and because I did not come to Masse when the bish sent for me I will sic all the dayes of my life in the stockes by Gods grace rather then I wil consent to the wicked generation Praise God be ioyfull that it hath pleased him to make vs worthy to suffer somwhat for his names sake The deuil must rage for 10. daies Commend me to maister F. and thanke him for his lawe bookes but lawe neither equitie wil take any place among these bloud thirsty I would for your sake their vniust dealing were noted vnto the parlament house if it might auaile God shorteÌ„ these euil daies I haue answered the bish meetely plaine already and I said to him if he wil cal me in open iudgement I wil answer him as plainly as he will require otherwise I haue refused because I feare they will condemne me in hugger mugger The peace of God be with you my dear brother I canne wryte no more for lacke of light and that I haue wrytten I can not reade my selfe and God knoweth it is wrytten farre vneasily I pray God you may picke out some vnderstanding of my minde towards you Wrytten in a Colehouse of darkenesse oute of a paire of paynefull stockes by thine owne in Christ. Iohn Philpot. An other letter of M. Philpot to certaine godlye women forsaking their owne countrey for the Gospell full of frutefull precepts and lessons for all good women THe spirite of truthe reuealed vnto you my dearely beloued by the Gospell of oure Sauiour Iesus Christe be continually abiding with you and augmented into a perfect building of you into the liuely temple of God through the mighty operation of hys power Amen I reade in the Euangelistes of certaine Godly women that ministred vnto Christ folowing him in the daies of his Passion and neuer forsoke him but being dead in his graue brought oyl to annoynt him vntill that he had shewed himselfe vnto them after his resurrection and bidden them shewe vnto his Disciples which at his Passion were dispearsed and tell them that he was riâ—en and that they shoulde see him in Galile To whome I may iustly compare you my louinge Sisters in Christe who of late haue seene him suffer in his meÌ„bers and haue ministred to theyr necessity annoynting them with the comfortable oyle of your charitable assistance euen to the death and now since yee haue seene Christ to liue in the ashes of them whome the tyrans haue 〈◊〉 he willeth you to go away vpon iust occasion offred you and to declare to our dispearsed brethren and sisters that he is 〈◊〉 and liueth in his electe members in Englande and by death doth ouercome infidelitye and that they shall see him in Galile which is by forsaking this world and by a faithful desire to passe out of this world by those waies which he with his holy Martyrs hath gone on before God therfore entire sisters directe your way as he did Abraham Tobias vnto a strange land God geue you health both of body and soule that ye may go from vertue to vertue and grow from strength to strength vntil yee may see face to face the God of Syon in his holy hil with the innumerable companye of hys blessed Martyrs and Saintes Let there be continuall ascensions vnto heauen in your hearts Let there be no decrease of any vertue which is already planted in you Be as the light of the iuste such as Salomon saith increaseth to the perfect day of the Lord. Let the strength of God be commended in your weake vessels as it is Be examples of faith and sobrietie to al that ye shal come in company with all Let your godly conuersation speake where your toung may not in the congregation Be swift to heare and slow to speake after the counsell of S. Iames. Be not curious about other mens doings but be occupied in praier and coÌ„tinual meditation with reuerent talking of the word of God wythout contention amongst the Saintes Lette your faith shine in a straunge countrey as it hath done in youre owne that your father which is in heauen may be glorified by you to the ende This farewel I send you not as a thing nedefull which know already what your duety is be desirous to performe the same but as one that would haue you vnderstand that he is mindeful of your godly conuersation wherof he hath had good experieÌ„ce and therfore wryteth this to be as a perpetual memorial betwixt you and him vntil our meeting together before God where we shall ioy that we haue here louingly put one an other in memory of our duetie to performe it Farewell againe mine owne bowels in Christ and take me with you where soeuer you goe and leaue your selues wyth me that in spirite we may be present one with an other Commende me to the whole congregation of Christe willing them not to leaue their countrey without witnesse of the Gospell after that we al be slaine which already be stalled vp and appoynted to the slaughter and in the meane season to praye earnestly for our coÌ„stancie that Christ may be glorified in vs and in them bothe by life and death Farewel in the Lord. Yours for euer Iohn Philpot. An exhortation to his owne sister constantly to sticke to the truth which she had frutefully professed GOd the eternall Father who hath iustified you by the bloud of his sonne Iesus Christ and called you to hallow his name through a good conuersation and profession of life he sanctifie you with daily encrease of vertue faith by his holy spirit that you may appeare a vessell of sanctification in the middest of this wicked peruerse generation to the laud and praise of the Gospel Amen I haue occasion mine owne deare sister to praise God in you for 2. causes the one that to your habilitie you are ready to shew your self a naturall louing sister to me your poore afflicted brother as by your geÌ„tle tokens you haue eftsoones testified being absent as also presently visiting me which wel declareth that you be a very naturall sister in dede and to be praised in this behalfe But in the other that you be also a sister to me in faith after Christes Gospell I am occasioned to thanke God so muche the more howe much the one excelleth the other and the spiritual consanguinitie is more perdurable then that which is of flesh bloud
is a worker of that which is by nature for commonly such as be vngodly be vnnatural only louers of themselues as daily experience teacheth vs. The lyuing Lord which through the incorruptible sede of his worde hath begotten you to be my liege sister geue you grace so to growe in that generation that you may encrease to a perfect age in the Lord to be my sister with Christ for euer Looke therfore that you continue a faythfull sister as you are called and are godly entered not onely to me but to all the Church of Christ yea to Christ himselfe who voucheth you in this your vnfayned fayth worthy to bee his sister Consider this dignitie to surmount all the vayne dignities of the worlde let it accordingly preuayle more with you then all earthly delightes For therby you are called to an equall portion of the euerlasting inheritaunce of Christ if now in no wise you do shew your selfe an vnnaturall sister to him in forsaking him in trouble which I trust you will neuer for no kinde of worldly respect doe You are vnder daungerous temptations to be turned frō that naturall loue you owe vnto Christ and you shal be tryed with Gods people thorough a siue of great afflictiō for so Sathan desireth vs to be sifted that through feare of sharp troubles we might fall from the stablenes of our fayth and so be depriued of that honour ioy and reward which is prepared for such as continue faythfull brothers and sisters in the Lordes couenant to the ende Therfore the wise man in the booke of Ecclesiasticus biddeth them that come to the seruice of the Lorde To prepare them selues to suffer temptations Since then that for the glory of God and our faith we are called now to abide the brunt of them and that when our aduersary hath done all that he can yet wee may be stable and stand this Christ our first begotten brother loketh for at our handes and all our brethren and sisters in heauen desire to see our faith thorough afflictions to be perfecte that we might fulfil their number and the vniuersal church here militant reioyceth at our constancie whom al by the contrary we should make sorie to the daunger of the losse both of body and soule Feare not therfore what soeuer be threatned of the wicked world prepare your back and see it be ready to carye Christes crosse And if you see any vntowardnes in you as the flesh is continually repugnant to the will of God aske with faithfull praier that the good spirit of God may lead your sinful flesh whether it would not for if we will dwell in the flesh and folow the counsell therof we shall neuer doe the will of God neither worke that tendeth to our saluation You are at this present in the confines and borders of Babylon where you are in danger to drink of the whores cup vnles you be vigilant in praier Take hede the Serpent seduce you not frō the simplicitye of your faith as he did our first mother Eue. Let no worldly felowship make you partaker of iniquitie He that toucheth tarre can not but be defiled therby With such as be peruerse a mā shall sone be peruerted with the holy you shal be holy Therfore say continually with the Prophete Dauid Vnto the Saints that be on the earth al my wil is on them You haue bene sanctified and made pure thorough the truth take heede you be not vnholied and vndefiled lest the last be worse then the first I wryte not this because I stand in any doubt of your sincere continuance of the which I haue had so good experience but because the daies be euil and in the same it is the duety of euery one of vs to exhort an other I am bold to put you my good sister in remembrance of that which doth not a litle comfort me to remember in my troubles daily temptations Wherfore I doubt not you will take that in good part which commeth frō your brother both in spirit body who tendreth your saluation as earnestly as his owne that we might ioye together eternally with such ioy as the world shal neuer be able to take from vs. Thankes be vnto God you haue begon to run a good great time wel in the waies of the Lorde run out of the trace to the end which you haue begon then shall you receiue the crown of glory None shal be crouned but such as lawfully striueth Be not ouercome of euill but ouercome euil with good the Lorde shall make you one of those faithfull virgines that shal follow the Lambe wheresoeuer he goeth the which Christ graunt both you and me Amen Commend me to all them that loue me in the Lord vnfainedly God encrease our faith and geue vs neuer to be ashamed of his Gospell That same request which I haue made to my brother Thom. I make also to you desiring you by all meanes you can to accōplish my request that my sureties might be satisfied with that is mine owne to the contentation of my minde which can not be quiet vntill they be discharged therefore I pray you help to purchase quietnes that I might depart out of this worlde in peace My dissolution I looke for daily but the Lorde knoweth howe vnworthy I am of so high an honour as to die for the testimony of his truth Pray that God would vouchsafe to make me worthy as he hath don of long imprisonment for the which his name be praised for euer Pray and looke for the comming of the Lorde whose wrath is great ouer vs and I wil pray for you as long as I liue The 9. of Iuly in the kings Bench. Your owne louing brother as well in faith as in body Iohn Philpot. An other Letter of Iohn Philpot to certaine Godly brethren THe grace of God the Father and the peace of our sauiour Iesus Christ his eternall sonne and the consolation of the holy Ghost our comforter strengthen your hearts and cōfort your mindes that you maye reioyce and liue in the truthe of Christes Gospel to the ende Amen I doe much reioyce dearely beloued in the Lord to heare of your cōstant faith in the word of God which you haue so purely receiued which doe not with the wordlings decline frō the purity therof albeit ye suffer grief trouble therby for the which I praise God most hartely and the Lord of all strength who hath begon this good woorke in you make it perfite to the ende as I doubt not but he wil for the faithful zeale ye haue to his truth to his afflicted church Therfore that ye may the better stand and beare the brunte of many temptations which you are like to be assaulted withall in these wicked and stormie daies I thought it good as it is the duety of one christian man to exhort an other in the time of trouble
to put you in remembraunce therof to wil you with the wise man to prepare your selues to temptatioÌ„s to beware that ye which yet do stand by the goodnes of God may not fall from your liuely knowledge and hope It is an easie thing to begin to do wel but to coÌ„tinue out in well doing is the onely property of the children of God and such as assuredly shal be saued For so sayth our Sauiour in his Gospel Blessed are they that perseuere to the ende Let not therefore this certaintye of your saluation which is coÌ„tinuance in the sincerity of faith slide froÌ„ you Esteme it more then al the riches pleasures of this world for it is the most acceptable treasure of eternall life This is that precious stone for the which the wise marchant man after the Gospell doeth sell all that he hath bieth the same God in the 3. of the Apocal. doth signifye to the church that there shall come a time of temptation vpon the whole world to trye the dwellers on the earth FroÌ„ the danger of which temptation al such shal be deliuered as obserue his worde which worde there is called the worde of patience to geue vs to vnderstande that we must be ready to suffer all kinde of iniuries and sclaunders for the profession thereof Therfore God coÌ„mandeth vs there to hold it fast that no man might berefte vs of our crowne of glorye and S Peter telleth vs now we are afflicted with diuers assaies as it is need it should so be That the triall of our faith being much more precious then gold that perisheth and yet is tried by fire might redound to the laud glory and honour of Iesus Christ. S. Paule to the Hebrues sheweth vs that Christe our Sauiour was in his humanitie made perfect by afflictions that we being called to perfection in him might more willingly susteine the troubles of the worlde by the which God geueth all them that be exercised in the same for his sake his holinesse And in the 12. chap. of the said Epistle is wrytten My sonne refuse not the correction of the Lord nor shrinke not when thou art rebuked of him for the Lord doth chastice euery sonne whome he receiueth c. Christ in the Gospell of S. Iohn biddeth his disciples to looke after afflictions saying in the worlde yee shall haue trouble but in me yee shall haue ioy And therefore in the middest of their trouble in the 21. of S. Luke hee biddeth them looke vp and lift vp their heads for your redemption sayeth he is at hand And in the 22 he sayth to all suche as be afflicted for him You are those that haue abidden with me in my temptations and therefore I appoynt vnto you a kingdom as my father hath appoynted for me to eate and drinke vpon my table in my kingdome O howe glorious be the crosses of Christe which bring the bearers of them vnto so blessed an ende Shall we not be glad to be partakers of such shame as may bring vs to so high a dignitie God open their eyes to see al things as they be and to iudge vprightly Then doubtlesse we would thinke with Moises that it is better to be afflicted with the people of God then to be counted the king of Egypts sonne Then should we ioyfully say with Dauid in all our aduersities and troubles It is good O Lord thou hast brought me lowe to the ende I might learne thy righteousnesse Therefore S. Paule woulde not glory in any other thyng of the worlde but in the crosse of Christ in other his infirmities We haue the commaundement of Christe daily to take vppe his crosse and follow him We haue the godly ensamples of all his apostles and holy martyrs which with great ioy and exultation haue suffered the losse of landes goods and life for the hope of a better reward which is laide vp for all those in heauen that vnfainedly cleaue to the gospel and neuer be ashamed therof Great is the felicitye of the world to the outwarde man and very pleasant are the transitory delights therof but the rewarde of the rightuous after the word of God doth incomparably excell them all in so much that S. Paul to the Rom. doth plainly affirme that all the tribulations of this world can not deserue that glory which shall be shewed vpon vs. Let vs therfore good brethren and sisterne be mery glad in these troublesome daies the which be sent of God to declare our faith and to bring vs to the ende and fruition of that which we hope for If we woulde enter into the Lordes Sanctuarie and behold what is prepared for vs we could not but desire the Lord to hast the day of our death in the which we might set forth by true confession his glory Neither should we be afraide to meete our aduersaries which so earnestly seeke our spoile and death as Christ did Iudas and that wicked route which came to appreheÌ„d him saying I am he whom ye seeke It is commaunded vs by the Gospel not to feare them that canne kill the bodye but to feare God who can cast both body and soule into hel fire So muche wee are bounde to obserue this commaundement as anye other which God hath geuen vs. The Lorde encrease our faith that we feare God more then man The Lord geue vs such loue towards him his truth that we may be content to forsake all followe him Nowe wil it appeare what we loue best for to that we loue we will sticke There is none to be counted woorthy a Christian except he can finde in his heart for Christes sake if the confession of his truth doth require it to renounce al which he hath and followe him and in so doing he gaineth an hundreth folde more in this life as our Sauiour sayde to Peter and heere after is assured of eternal life Beholde I pray you what he loseth whâ—ch in this life receiueth a 100. for one with assuraÌ„ce of eternall 〈◊〉 O hapy exchaunge Perchaunce your outward man will say if I were sure of this great recompence here I could be glad to forsake all But where is this 100. folde in this life to be founde Yes truely for in stead of worldly richesse which thou doest forsake which be but temporall thou hast found the euerlasting richesse of heauen which be glory honour and praise both before God aungels and men and for an earthly habitation hast an eternall mansion with Christ in heauen for euen now thou art of the citie and housholde of the Saints with God as it is verified in the 4 to the Philippians For worldly peace which canne last but a while thou doest possesse the peace of God which passeth al vnderstanding and for the losse of a few frends thou art made a felowe of the innumerable companye of heauen and a perpetuall frend of all those
that haue died in the Lord from the beginning of the world Is not this more then an 100. fold Is not the peace of God which we in this world haue through faithfull imitation of Christ which the world can not take from vs x. M. fold more then those thinges that moste highly be esteemed in the worlde without the peace of God Al the peace of the world is no peace but mere anguish and a gnawing fury of hel As of late God hath set example before our eyes to teach vs how horrible an euill it is to forsake the peace of Christes truth which breedeth a worm in conscience that neuer shall rest O that we would way this with indifferent ballances Then shoulde we not be dismaied of this troublous time neyther sorrow after a worldly manner for the losse which we are now lyke to sustaine as the weake faithlesse persones do which loue theyr goods more then God and the things visible aboue those which be inuisible but rather would heartely reioyce and be thankful that it pleaseth God to call vs to be souldiours in his cause against the woorkes of hypocrisie and to make vs like vnto oure Sauiour Christ in suffering whereby we maye assure our selues of his eternall glory For blessed are they sayth Christ that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake And as S. Paule witnesseth to Timothe If we die with Christ we shall liue with Christ and if we deny him he will deny vs. O that wee woulde enter into the veile of Gods promises Then should we wyth S. Paule to the Phillippians reiect all and count all things but for drosse so that we may gaine Christ. God which is the lightener of all darkenesse and putter awaye of all blindnesse annoynte oure eyes with the true eyesalue that wee might beholde his glory and our eternall felicitie which is hidden with Christ and prepared for vs that doe abide in his Testament for blessed is that seruaunte that whome the maister when he commeth as Christ sayde doth finde faithfull Let vs therefore watch and pray one for an other that we yelde not in any poynt of our Religion to the Antichristian Synagogue and that we be not ouerthrowen of these temptations Stande therefore and be no cowardes in the cause of your saluation for his spirite that is in vs is stronger then he which in the worlde doth nowe rage against vs. Let vs not put out the spirit of God from vs by whose might we shall ouercome our ennemies and then death shall be as greate a gaine to vs as it was to the blessed Apostle S. Paule Why then doe ye mourne why do ye weepe why be ye so carefull as though God had forsaken you hee is neuer more present with vs then when we be in trouble if we doe not forsake hym We are in his handes and no bodye can doe vs anye iniurie or wrong without his good will and pleasure He hath commaunded hys aungels to kepe vs that we stomble not at a stone without his diuine prouidence The Deuill can not hurt anye of vs and muche lesse any of his ministers without the good will of our eternall father Therefore let vs be of good comfort and continuallye geue thankes vnto God for our estate what so euer it be for if we murmure against the same wee murmure against God who sendeth the same Which if we doe we kicke but against the pricke and prouoke more the wrath of God against vs which by pacient suffering otherwise would sooner be turned into our fauor through faithfull prayer I beseeche you with S. Paule to geue your bodies pure and holy sacrifices vnto God He hath geuen vs bodies to bestowe vnto his glory and not after our owne concupiscence If manye yeares God hathe suffered vs to vse oure bodies which bee his temples after the lust of the flesh in vaine delightes not according to his glory is it not our duetie in the latter end of our life the more willingly to yeelde vnto Gods glory our bodies with all that wee haue in demonstration of true repentaunce of that we haue euill spent before Cannot the ensample of the blessed man Iob horribly afflicted cause vs to say The Lord hathe geuen it the Lorde hath taken it blessed be the name of the Lord Euen as it hath pleased the Lord so is it come to passe If we cast oure whole care likewise vpon God he will turne our misery into felity as well as he did to Iob. God tempteth vs now as he did our father Abraham commaunding him to slaye his sonne Isaac in sacrifice to him which Isaac by interpretation doth signifie mirth and ioy Who by his obedience preserued Isaac vnto long lyfe and offered in his stead a Ramme that was tied by the hornes in the brambles Semblably we all are commanded to sacrifice vnto God our Isaac which is our ioy and consolation the which if we be ready to do as Abraham was our ioy shall not pearish but liue and be encreased although our ramme be sacrificed for our Isaac which doth signifie that the pride and cōcupiscence of our flesh entangled thoroughe sinne with the cares of this stinginge world must be mortified for the preseruation and perfecte augmētation of our mirth ioy which is sealed vp for vs in Christ. And to withstande these present temptations wherewithall we are nowe encombred ye can not haue a better remedy then to set before our eyes howe our Sauiour Christ ouercame them in the desert and to follow his ensample that if the deuill hymselfe or any other by him willeth you to make stones bread that is to take suche a worldly wise way that yee may haue your faire houses landes and goodes to liue on still yee must say that man liueth not onely by bread but by euery woorde that procedeth out of the mouth of God Againe if the deuill counsailleth you to cast youre selues downe to the earth as to reuoke your sincere beliefe and Godly conuersation and to be conformable to the learned men of the world pretending that God will be wel enough content therewith yee must aunsweare that it is wrytten that a man shall not tempt his Lord God Further if the deuill offer you large promises of honoure dignitie and possessions so that yee will worshippe Idols in hys Synagogue ye must say goe behinde me Sathan for it is otherwise wrytten that a man must worship his Lorde God and serue him onely Finally if your mother brother sister wife childe kinsman or frend do seeke of you to do otherwaies then the word of God hath taught you ye must say with Christ that they are your mothers brothers sisters wiues children and kinsmen whiche doe the wil of God the father To the which wil the Lord for his mercy conforme vs all vnfainedly to the end Amen Your louing and faithful brother in Christ in captiuitie Iohn Philpot. An. 1555· To his friend and faithfull
triall of our faith that we might bring foorth that excelleÌ„t vertue pacience by the which we are made like to our redeemer Christ with whome we heere being like in suffering assuredly shall heereafter be pertakers of his eternall glory Therefore s. Paul saith God forbid that I should glory in any thing but in the crosse of our lord Iesus Christ. I that am vnder the crosse with you thankes be geuen to God therefore haue felt in the same more true ioye and consolation then euer I did by any benefite that God hath geuen mee in my life before For the more the world doth hate vs the nigher God is vnto vs and there is no perfect ioy but in God Wherefore Christ sayd In me you shall haue ioy but in the worlde affliction Blessed be God which sendeth vs this affliction that we mighte perfectly ioy in hym For this cause in the ripest time of iniquitie and in the moste feruent season of persecution of the true church which Christ in the 21. of Luke prophesied to come he willeth vs to be of good chere and to lift vp our heads for our redemption is at hand O that the Lorde would come and deliuer vs from this worlde which is a vale of miserie vnto his owne kingdome where floweth perpetuall ioy and consolation And verily that is the true and onely ioy which is conceiued not of the creature but of the Creator the which when we doe possesse no body canne take it away from vs. To the which ioy all other ioyes being compared are but mournings all delights sorrow al sweetenes sower all beauty filth and finally al other things that be counted pleasant are tediousnes Your owne selfe is better witnes of thys then I aske your selfe with whom you are best acquainted Doeth not the holy Ghost speake the same in your heart Haue you not perswaded your selfe this to be true before I wrote thereof For howe should you being a woman and a yong Gentlewoman beautifull and at your owne liberty haue ouercome this your fraile kinde and age and despised your excellent beautie and estate vnlesse all those things which be subiect to the senses had bene counted of you vile lâ—tle to be estemed in coÌ„parison of those things which inwardly do comfort you to ouercome the flesh the world and the deuil c. God encrease your ioy in all spirituall things and establish your hope to the day of eternal rest You haue forsaken darkenes and are entred into light God graunt the same may shine stil in you vntil the perfect day come of the Lord in the which is all our consolation Here we must be darkened that there we may appeare as brighte as the sunne in the face of the whole world of all them that now condemne vs for our wel doing whose iudges then we shall be to their horrible griefe though nowe wrongfully they iudge vs. Pray hartily that often that God once again for his Christes sake woulde be mercifull to his afflicted church in England Faithfull prayer is the onely remedy that we haue against the fierie dartes of the Deuil that be kindled against vs. By prayer the Amalechites shall be ouercome and the roarings of the Lion which seeketh still to deuoure vs shal be stopped put to silence The Lorde stoppe Leuiathans mouth that he swalow not vp Gods seely people according to his expectation Praise the Lord for the faithfull testimonie and sacrifice which 2. of our brethren of late haue through fire rendred to the truth of the gospell which nowe triumpheth by the death of godly Martyrs The Lorde is at hande therefore watche and pray The last of May. 1555. Captiue in the kings Bench. Yours with heart in Christ Iohn Philpot. An other letter of maister Philpot to the godly Ladie Vane GOd the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ encrease in your godly heart the faith of the gospell which is your eternall inheritance the holy ghost comfort your spirite with all spirituall consolation to the day of the Lord. Amen I can not but praise God moste highly earnestly my deare faithful lady for the great vnfained loue whych you beare vnto me in Christ declared oftentimes as wel now as of late by manifest and liberal tokens Blessed be God that hath made you so worthy a meÌ„ber in his kingdome For it can not be but such shal reape with abuÌ„dance in time of reward that here do sowe so plenteously in well doing Albeit I am moste vnwoorthy to receiue any suche benefit at your hands as in respect of a piller of Christes church which am scarse a shadow thereof But the zeale of Christes church in you wisheth me to be such a one as the time doth require God fulfill your desire of me that I may be fouÌ„d constant no wandring starre I am not worthy of the name of a prophet or of a minister of Gods woorde for that I haue being letted by the iniquitie of time little or nothing labored therein I am a friend of our common spouse Iesus and do reioyce of the veritie of his woorde for the which praised be hys name hee hath counted mee worthy to suffer and in deede who that geueth a draughte of water in the name of a disciple as Christ hath promised shall not lose his reward Therefore that your gentlenes doth in the name of him which I am not the Lorde recompence vnto you in all hys blessings which he is accustomed to powre on them which loue his flocke vnfainedly Good Lady you haue to ioy that the kingdome of God is thus continually before your eies and that you are not ashamed of the bands of Christ which you with his people in part do suffer They may be assured of the glory euerlasting which heere are not ashamed to take vp the crosse of Christ to folowe him Heere we must weepe and lament whiles the worlde laugheth triumpheth ouer vs but our teares shall shortly be turned into vnspeakeable ioy and we shall eternallye be merrye together when the world shall lament their infidelitie without ende c. I woulde I were able to doe any thing that myght shewe condigne thaÌ„ks for that sincere loue you beare vnto me in Christ. You adiure me as it were by your gentle letters to be bolde on you in all my needes I thanke God whych ceaseth not to prouide for his I lacke nothing at this present but only hability to thank your faithful hart for your goodnesse towards me I loue you and not yours as it is meete christians to loue one an other in God your faith which I beholde in you is more woorth vnto me then al your possessioÌ„s And I thinke I shal not neede long to be chargeable vnto you for that this weeke I looke for commissioners to sit on me my fellow prisoners in prison least the spirit of our breath might blowe further abroade The
wil of God be don We are not so good as Iohn the Baptist which was beheaded in prison Darknes cannot abide the light Therefore their doings must declare what they are We are as shepe appoynted for a sacrifice to the Lord. We must not feare the fire for our Lord is a cōsuming fire which will put out the fiercenes of raging torments from vs. Be not afraid of them that can kil the body but feare him that can cast both body and soul into hel fire God forbid that we should reioyce otherwise then in the crosse of Christ pray that he would make vs worthy to suffer for his sake God wil haue our faith tried knowen and therefore let vs willingly humble our selues vnder the mighty hād of God that he may gloriously lifte vs vp in his good time There is none perfectly faithfull in deede till he can say with S. Paule I am perswaded that neither death neither life neyther aungels neither princes or powers neither things present neither things to come neither highnes neither lownes neither any other creature is able to separate me from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesu our Lord. This faith God plant both in you and me vnmooueably In this faith we haue to reioyce and in none other All the tribulations of the worlde are not worthy of the eternall weighte of glory which is prepared for them that here do with pacience abide the crosse Wherefore let vs be stronge with the strengthe in him that is able to make vs strong lament the weakenes I might say the infidelitie of our faint gospellers Christ whome we woulde pretend to haue put vpon vs is the strēgth of God and how then may they be weake where Christe is We haue more to be glad touching our selues of this time then we haue had of any time before in the which we haue so ready a way to goe vnto God and so good occasion to shew our duety in glorifying his holy name For if we be imprisonned in this cause we are blessed If we loose all that we haue we are blessed a 100. fold If we die we are blessed eternally so that in suffering of persecutions all is full of blessings Be blessed therefore O elect Lady of God with the blessed of God and flee as you do the concupiscence of the worlde Embrace that which is perfect and ioyfully looke for the comming and crosse of our Lorde Iesus Christ. c. Thus desiring God to preserue you to his true peace to geue you victorie of that temptation which now is come to try our faith Christe be with you and blesse you both in body and soule and my praier shal folow you wheresoeuer you goe as I desire that you may be with me The last weeke I sent your beneficence to Oxforde I coulde not before haue a conuenient messenger As soone as I haue worde you shall be satisfied of your request Loue me as you doe and the God of loue be with you The 20. day of August By yours with all his power in the Lord Iohn Philpot. An other Letter full of spiritual consolation to the sayd Ladie THe mercye of God the father the consolation of the holy ghost thorow Iesus Christ be with you strengthē you my deare mother and sister in the Lord in these daungerous dayes to the crowne of eternall glorye whiche is nowe offered to all faithfull souldiours in the Gospell Amen As your good Ladiship doeth desire to heare from me so am I desirous to wryte as your gentlenesse and daily goodnes binedeth me But Sathan of late hath letted me who enuying al good exercises which I haue had and receiued by mine easie imprisonment in times past hath brought me out of the kings Bench into the bishop of Londons Colehouse a darke and a vgly prison as any is about London but my darke body of sinne hathe well deserued the same and the Lord now hath brought me into outward darkenes that I might the more be lightened by him as he is moste present with his children in the middest of darkenesse where I can not be suffred to haue any candle light neither inke nor paper but by stealth Wherefore I can not wryte to you as I would neither as my duety is As Christ my maister was sent frō Annas to Caiphas so am I sent from Winchester Dioces to London I trust to make a speedye ende of my course God geue mee grace and patience to be a faithfull follower of my master I haue beene already this seuennight in his Colehouse and haue of late bene foure times called to mine answere but hitherto not called to iudgement which I do daily looke for but I feare they wil prolong me and trie me by straight imprisonmēt a whyle in the which Gods will be done Pray deare Lady that my faith faint not which I praise God is presently more liuely wyth mee then it hathe beene in tymes past I taste and feele the faithfulnesse of God in his promise who hathe promised to be wyth hys in their trouble and to delyuer them I thanke the Lorde I am not alone but haue sixe other faithfull companions who in our darknesse doe chearfully sing Hymnes and praises vnto God for his great goodnesse Wee are so ioyful that I wish you part of my ioy For you that are so carefull of my bodely reliefe howe can I but wish you spirituall consolation and that aboundantly Let not deare heart my straite imprisonment any thing molest you for it hath added and daily doth vnto my ioy but rather be glad and thankfull vnto GOD with me that it hath pleased him to make me most wretched sinner woorthy to suffer any thing for his sake Hitherto we haue not resisted vnto bloud God make vs neuer to count our bloud more precious in our eyes then his truth Ah my deare sister I thanke you againe for your last letter you sent me it is a singular comfort vnto me as oft as I reade the same I haue it in my bosome and wil carie the same euen to the stake with me in witnesse that Christ hath so constant and faithfull a Ladie in Englande God succoure and keepe that spirite in you for it is the verye spirite of adoption of the childe of God Suche chearefull and holy spirites vnder the crosse bee acceptable sacrifices in the sight of God for Christ came to cast fire into the earth and looketh that it shoulde be kindled Be you feruent in spirite in our Christes cause as you haue begonne for that is the principall spirite wherewithall Dauid desired to be confirmed O howe I doe reioyce your Ladiship to goe arme in arme with me vnto Christe or rather before me I can not but ioye of suche a worshipfull fellowe Me thinketh I see you to mourne and desire to be loosed out of the earthly and fraile habitacle of this body O how amiable and pleasant is it
to dwel in the Lords tabernacle Our Christe and his heauenly companye looke for vs let vs haste and runne thereto for beholde the Lord is ready to embrace vs. Mine owne bowels in the Lorde be merry in the Lorde with your afflicted brother who daily offereth your merciful almes which most vnworthely I do receiue still of you vnto the Lorde But nowe deare mother you neede not to burden so muche your selfe as my last letters did signifie for that my chargeable imprisonment is cut off and a litle nowe serueth me wherefore I praye you sende no more vntill I sende to you for I haue sufficient and abounde Gods peace be with you for euer Out of my Lord of Londons Colehouse the last of October Your owne Iohn Philpot. An other Letter of Maister Philpot to the sayde Ladie wherin partly he complaineth of the dissimulation and periurie of English men falling againe to the Pope and partlye he expresseth his ioy in his afflictions I Cannot but ioy with you my hearty beloued in Christ of the fall of Senacherib since it is to the glory of God and to the consolation of his church to see the fall of theyr enemies before their face according as it is wrytten The iust shall reioyce when hee seeth the vengeaunce of the wicked God make this your ioy perfite for as cōcerning my self I counte not to see those good dayes whereof you haue a glimmering in this life For although the Cockatrice be dead yet his pestilent chickens with the whore of Babylon yet liueth But a great hope there is of their shorte confusion because god doth not prosper their doings according to their expectation Most happiest shal he be whome the Lorde shall moste soonest take out of this life that he may not see the plagues which the manifest periurie and the manifolde idolatrie and detestable dissimulation and that of such as do know the truth do threaten to come The Lord is iust all vnrighteousnes displeaseth him either heere or els in an other world he will punish this grosse infidelity of the worlde but his elect and such as he loueth wil he punish here that they should not be condēned heereafter with the world eternally we haue nothing so much to reioyce in as in the crosse of Iesu Christ and in that we are partakers of his afflictions which be the earnest penie of that eternall kingdome which he vppon the crosse for vs hathe purchased For as Paule hys faithfull witnes saith If we suffer with him we shall raigne with him If we die with him we shall liue with him Wherefore mine owne deare bowels praise God with me moste intirely that it hath pleased him now mercifully to visite the sinnes of my youth my huge vnthankfulnes and by the same doth geue me such consolation that he assureth me of his great goodnesse mercy and turneth his fatherly castigation into my crown of glory O good God what am I on whome he should shew this great mercy To him that is immortal inuisible and onely wise be all honor praise and glory therfore Amen This is the day that the Lord hath made let vs reioyce and be glad in the same This is the way though it be narrow which is ful of the peace of God leadeth to eternal blisse O how my heart leapeth for ioy that I am so neare the apprehēsion therof God forgiue me mine vnthākfulnes and vnworthines of so great glory The swordes whyche pearced Maries hart in the passion of our Sauiour whych daily also go through your faithful hart be more glorious and to be desired then the golden Scepters of this world O blessed be they that mourne in this world to Godwarde for they shall eternally be comforted God make my stony heart to mourne more then it doth I haue so muche ioy of the reward that is prepared for me most wretched sinner that though I be in a place of darknes mourning yet I cā not lament but both night day am so ioyfull as though I were vnder no Crosse at all yea in all the dayes of my life I was neuer so merry the name of the Lorde be praised therfore for euer euer and he pardon mine vnthankfulnes Our enemies do freat fume and gnash their teeth to see and heare that we vnder this grieuous affliction in the world can be so mery We are of them counted as desperate persones for the certaine hope feeling which we haue of our euerlasting saluation and it is no maruell for the worldly man can not perceiue the things of God it is meere foolishnesse and abhomination to them Be thankefull vnto our God mine owne deare helper for his wonderous working in his chosen people Praye instantly that this ioy be neuer taken from vs for it passeth all the delightes of this worlde This is the peace of God which surmounteth all vnderstanding this peace the more his chosen be afflicted the more they feele therfore can not faint neither for fire neither for water Lette vs pray for our weake brethren sisters sake that it may please God to alleuiate the greeuous and intollerable burden of these cruel daies But touching our selues let vs hartily besech our sauiour to vouchsafe to geue vs this glorious gifte to suffer for hys Gospels sake and that we may thincke the shame of the world to be our glory as it is in deede God increase our faith and open our eyes to beholde what is prepared for vs. I lack nothing praise be to God I trust my marriage garment is ready I will send you my examinations as soone as I can get them wrytten if you be desirous of them God of his mercy fill your mercifull heart with all ioy and consolation of the hope to come Out of the colehouse the 19. of Nouember Your owne louer Iohn Philpot. A Letter of M. Philpot to a frende of his prisoner the same time in Newgate wherein is debated and discussed the matter or question of Infants to be baptised THe God of all lighte and vnderstanding lighten your heart wyth all true knowledge of his word and make you perfect to the day of our Lorde Iesus Christ wherevnto you are nowe called through the mighty operation of his holy spirite Amen I receiued yesternight from you deare brother S. and felow prisoner for the truth of Christes Gospell a Letter wherein you gently require my iudgement cōcerning the Baptisme of infantes which is the effect thereof And before I doe shewe you what I haue learned out of Gods word of his true infallible church touchyng the same I thinke it not out of the matter first to declare what vision I had the same night whiles musing on your letter I fell a sleepe knowing that God doth not without cause reueale to his people who haue their mynds fixed on him speciall and spirituall reuelations to their comfort as a tast of their ioy and kingdome
meere office for thy soule health for reformation of thyne offences and misdemeanours nourishyng thee in the vertue of obedience and vnder the paynes of both censures of the Churche and also of other paynes of the lawe to aunswere fully playnely and truely to all the same 1 FIrst that thou N. hast firmly stedfastly and constātly beleeued in tymes past and so doest now beleue at this present that there is here in earth a catholike Church in the which Catholike Church the fayth and religion of Christ is truely professed allowed receyued kept and reteined of all faithfull and true christian people 2. Item that thou the sayd N. in tymes past hast also beleeued and so doest beleeue at this present that there are in the Catholique Church seuen Sacramentes instituted ordeined by God and by the consent of the holy churche allowed approoued receiued kept and reteyned 3. Item that thou the sayd N. wast in tymes past baptised in the fayth of the sayd catholike church professyng by thy godfather and godmothers the fayth and Religion of Christ and the obseruation thereof renouncing there the deuil all hys pomps and works and wast by the said sacrament of baptisme incorporate to the catholike church made a faythfull member thereof 4. Item that thou the sayd N. commyng to the age of 14. yeares and so to the age of discretion didst not depart from the sayd profession and fayth nor diddest mislike any part of the same fayth or doyngs but diddest like a faythfull Christian person abide and continue in all the same by the space of certayne yeares ratifieng and confirmyng all the same 5. Item that thou the said N. notwithstanding the premisses hast of late that is to say within these two yeares last past within the City dioces of London swarued at the lest way from some part of the sayd catholike faith and religion and among other thyngs thou hast misliked and earnestly spoken agaynst the sacrifice of the Masse the sacrament of the altar and the vnity of the church raisyng malignyng on the authoritie of the See of Rome and the fayth obserued in the same 6 Item that thou the sayd N. hast heretofore refused doest refuse at this present to be reconciled againe to the vnitie of the church knowledging and confessing the autoritie of the sayd See of Rome to be lawfull 7 Item that thou the sayd N. mislikyng the sacrifice of the Masse and the sacrament of the aultar hast refused to come to thy parish Church to heare Masse and to receyue the sayd Sacrament and hast also expresly sayd that in the sayd Sacrament of the aultar there is not the very bodye and bloud of our Sauiour Christ really substantially truly but hast affirmed expresly that the Masse is idolatry and abhomination and that in the Sacrament of the aultar there is none other substance but only material bread and materiall wyne which are tokens of Christes body bloud onely and that the substance of Christes bodye and bloud is in no wyse in the sayd Sacrament of the aultar 8 Item that thou the sayd N. beyng conuented before certaine Iudges or Commissioners for thy disorder herein and beyng found obstinate wilfull and heady wast by their commaundement sent vnto me and my prison to be examined by me Processe to be made against thee for thy offence herein 9. Item that all and singuler the premisses haue bene and be true and manifest and thy selfe not onely infamed and suspected therof but also culpable therin and by reason of the same thou wast and art of the iurisdiction of me Edmund B. of London and before me accordingly to the order of the Ecclesiasticall lawes art to be conuented and also by me to be punished and reformed ¶ Here follow likewyse their aunsweres in a generall made to the Articles aboue rehearsed ¶ And first concernyng the first Article in beleeuyng there is a Catholike Church TO the first Article they altogether agreeyng affirmed the same to bee true Iohn Tudson and Thomas Browne further addyng that the Church of England as it was at that present vsed was no part of the true catholike Church ¶ Concernyng the second Article that there be in the Churche seuen Sacraments To the second Article they aunswered that they acknowledged but onely two Sacraments in Christes catholike Church that is to say Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord Iohn Went and Tudson affirmyng that the sacrament of the aultar as it is vsed is an Idoll and no sacrament at all ¶ Concernyng the third Article that they were first baptised in the fayth of the Catholike Church professing by their Godfathers the profession of the same c. To the third article they agreed and confessed all to be true that they were baptised in the fayth of Christ and of the church then taught and afterward duryng the time of K. Edward the vj. they hearyng the Gospel preached and the truth opened followed the order of religion doctrine then vsed and set foorth in the raigne of the sayd kyng Edward Concernyng the fourth Article that they for the space of certayne yeares did ratifie or allowe and not departe from any part of the profession of the same Church To this fourth Article they graunted also and agreed Iohn Went addyng moreouer that about seuen yeares past he then beyng about twenty yeares of age began to mislyke certayne thyngs vsed in the Church of England as the ministration of the Sacrament of the aultare likewyse all the ceremonies of the sayd Church and dyd lykewyse at that present tyme mislike the same as they were vsed although hys godfathers and godmothers promised for hym the contrary Iohn Tudson added also in much like sort and sayde that when he came to the yeres of discretion that is about nine yeares past beyng about eighteene yeares of age he did mislike the doctrine and religion then taught and set forth in the church of England sauyng in king Edwards tyme in whose tyme the Gospell was truly set forth and further sayde that the doctrine set forth in the Queenes raigne was not agreeable to Gods word nor yet to the true catholike church that Christ speaketh of c. Isabell Foster with other graunted adding likewyse and saying to the sayde foure Articles that she continued in the same faith and Religion which she was baptised in after she came to the yeres of discretion as other common people did howbeit blindly and without knowledge till the raigne of King Edward the sixt at which tyme shee hearing the Gospel truly preached and opened to the people receyued thereupon the fayth and religion then taught and set forth c. ¶ Concernyng the fift Article that they of late yeares haue swarued and gone away misliked and spokē agaynst the profession of the same Church at least some part thereof especially the sacrifice of the Masse the Sacrament of the aultar
he styrred vp his seruauntes the Bishops and Pharises to kill his body wherby notwithstanding the Deuill loste his title and interest whiche hee had to mans soule and man by his precious passion and death was raunsomed from the Deuil death and Hell to immortality life euerlasting and so when Sathan thought to haue wonne all in killing of Christ he lost all and so shall he doe in vs if wee abide constaunt◠and strong in the fayth of our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe vnto the ende God graunte it for his mercyes sake in Christ. Blessed are all they that put theyr trust in him Amen Wherefore my hartely beloued brethren and sisters be of good comfort through Iesus Christ for he that is in vs is stronger then he that is in the world Therfore draw ye neare to God and he will drawe neare to you Resist the Deuill and he will as Iames sayth flee frō you Beware of the leuen of the Phariseis Touch not pitch least ye be defiled therewith Eate no Swines flesh for it is agaynst the law I meane defile not your selues neither inwardly nor outwardly with this false and wicked religion of Antichrist for it is nothing els but pitche and Swines fleshe Beware of the beastes marke least ye drinke of the cup of Gods wrath If God haue geuen you knowledge faith dissemble not therewith Denye not the knowne veritye before men least Christ deny you before his Father Come away from Babilon as Iohn biddeth you and touche no vncleane thinge but separate your selues from the company of the vngodly as Paule commaundeth you Whatsoeuer ye haue done amisse heretofore now repent amend for with the Lorde there is mercy and plenteous redemption The thirde thing and note which I gather out of the forsayd wordes of Peter is this that he sayth Reioyce because ye are pertakers of Christes Passion Our sufferinges my welbeloued are Christes sufferinges and that iniury that is done to vs for his sake he reckoneth it to be done to himselfe as he sayd to Paule Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Therefore we ought to reioyce in our sufferinges as Paule writeth whiche we suffer with Christ and one with another as Peter sayeth and so to fulfill that whiche is behinde of the Passions of Christ in our flesh whiche Christ hath by his Passion fully redeemed and saued vs in his owne person how be it hys electe must suffer with hym and for him vnto the worldes ende that he may be glorified in them and they thereby corrected and cleansed from sinne in this worlde and bee made more meete Temples for the holy Ghoste and also obteyne a greate rewarde in heauen for theyr suffering for righteousnesse sake according to his promise And therfore I saye my Brethren reioyce in the Lorde alwayes and agayne I say reioyce Let vs reioyce in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ whereby the world is crucified to vs and we to it And why shoulde wee so greatly reioyce in the Crosse of Christ which we now suffer Because sayth Peter when his glory appeareth we may be mery and glad And this is the fourth note that I gather out of his wordes aboue written Wherein is set out the reward of suffering not to be had in this worlde but at his comming to iudgement when we shal be raysed agayne and then shal they that haue sowne in teares reape in ioy as Christ sayth Blessed are they that weepe here for they shall laughe Blessed are ye when men hate you and thrust you out of theyr companye raylinge on you and abhorring your name as an euill thing for the sonne of mans sake reioyce ye in that day and be gladde for your reward is greate in Heauen Wherefore my dearely beloued through the hope of this heauenly ioy and rewarde which he that can not lye hath promised whiche ioye is so greate that no eare hath heard no eye hath sene nor the hart can thinke where we shall dwell for euer in the heauenly City the celestiall Ierusalem in the presence of God the Father Iesus Christ our Mediatour as Paul sayth and in the company of innumerable Angels and with the spirites and soules of all faythfull and iust men reioyce and be glad and seing ye be called to so great glory see that ye make your election and vocation sure by good workes and specially by sufferinge aduersitye for the Gospelles sake for it is geuen vs of GOD sayth Paule not onely to beleue in Christ but also to suffer for his sake Continue in prayer and praye for me that I may ende my course with ioy Haue Brotherly loue amongest your selues whiche is a token that ye be Christes Disciples Edify and comfort one an other in the word of the Lord and the God of peace and loue be with you alwayes Amen For your liberality and kindnesse shewed vppon the Prisoners and afflicted people of GOD in thys time of persecution the Lorde wyll reward you when he commeth to reward euery man according to theyr deedes and will not leaue a cuppe of colde water bestowed vpon his faythfull people vnrewarded God make you riche in all grace that ye alwayes hauyng sufficient maye be riche vnto all manner of good woorkes The Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of GOD and the felowship of the holy ghost be with you alwayes Amen Your brother now in bondes for the Gospell Thomas Whittell * To my louing and faythfull brother Iohn Careles Prisoner in the kinges bench THe same fayth for the which Abraham was accounted iust Mary blessed whereby also all iust men liue the Lord GOD our louing father encrease and stablish in you and me to the obteining of eternal life in our alone and sweet Sauior Iesus Christ. Amen I can not worthely and sufficiently prayse GOD my hartely beloued brother for the consolation and ioy that I receiued by reason of your louing letters repenting me much that I being so long so neare you did not enterprise to styrre vppe familiarity and communication betweene vs by writing to mutuall consolation in Christe For what is there vpon earth wherein to reioyce where all thinges are transitory and vayne yea manne himselfe respecting this life but as Dauid sayeth the Saynctes that dwell vpon the earth and such as excell in vertue But here now I consider that if the felowshippe loue and ioye of faythfull men and children of God being as wee nowe be in double bondage the body within clay walles and the soule within these frail earthly bodies be so greate and comfortable how vnspeakeable will these ioyes be when we shall be deliuered from all corruption into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God Where we shal be present together continuallye in our glorified bodies beholding the face of our father presently whō now we see but in the glasse of fayth with his deare sonne
likewise after diuers examinations vppon the articles aforesayde in the Consistory attempted the lyke maner of perswasions with hym as he did to the other to recant and returne To whome in fewe wordes the sayde Went aunswered agayne he woulde not but that by the leaue of God he would stand firme and constant in that he had sayd And when the Bishop yet notwithstanding did still vrge and call vpon him with words and fayre gloses to geue ouer himselfe to theyr opinion he could haue no other answer of hym but this No I say as I haue sayd c. Whereuupon being condemned by the Bishops sentence he was committed vnto the Sheriffes whom that shameles shaueling at yâ— time abused for hys seruile Butchers and so brought to hys martyrdome which he with no lesse constancie suffered to the ende with the rest of that blessed societie of Martyrs aboue named 6. Isabell Foster Martyr WIth these fiue persons aboue recited and condemned were also two women in the foresayd company condemned the same tyme and likewise burned for the same cause the one a wife called Isabell Foster the other a mayde named Ioane Warne or otherwise Lashford This foresayd Isabell was borne in Grafestocke in the Dioces of Carlill and afterward maried to one Iohn Foster Cutler of the Parish of S. Brides in Fleetstreete beyng of the age of Lv. yeares She likewise for not commyng vnto the Churche beyng sent vnto Boner and so imprisoned was sundry tymes examined by the sayd Byshop but neuer ouercome nor remoued from the constant confession of Christes Gospell At length commyng vnto her finall examination before the Byshop in the Consistory the xv day of the sayd moneth of Ianuary she was moued agayne whether she would yet goe from her former aunsweres Whereunto she gaue a resolute aunswere in few wordes I will not sayth she goe from them by Gods grace and thereunto did adhere neither beyng cast downe by the manacyng threates of the Byshop nor yet yeldyng thorough his alluryng enticementes promising both lyfe and libertie if she would associate her selfe in the vnitie of the Catholicke Churche Whereunto she sayd agayne in this wise that she trusted she was neuer out of the Catholicke Church c. and so persisting in the same continued constaunt till the sentence diffinitiue was pronounced and theÌ„ she was committed by commaundemeÌ„t of the Byshop to the secular power and so brought a fewe dayes after to the stake the 27. day of the foresayd moneth where she like a faythfull witnesse of the Lordes truth with the other fiue aforesayd ended her troubles here to finde a better rest in the kyngdome of Christ our Sauiour 7. Ioane Lashford alias Ioane Warne Martyr IN a certaine place of these Actes and Monumentes heretofore meÌ„tion was made of one Elizabeth Warne pag. 1608. col 2. who with her husband Iohn Warne as is aforesayd in the begynnyng of Queene Maries Reigne was apprehended in Bowe Churchyard for beyng there at a CoÌ„munion and both suffered for the same first the man in the moneth of May then the wife in Iuly after and now the daughter in the moneth of Ianuary followed her parents in the same martyrdome Furthermore in the same place and page mention was made also of D. Storie who there we sayde was somewhat neare vnto the sayd parties eyther in kindred or alliance albeit as I vnderstande since of some there was no kindred betweene them but only that she was his seruant Yet notwythstanding the said D. Storie as it is aboue specified before he was Commissioner made intercession for the parties to D. Martine then Commissioner but afterwarde being placed in Commission hymselfe so farre forgat him selâ—e and hys olde seruaunt that hee became no small procurer of theyr deathes I will not heere expostulate wyth the hard heart of that man nor with hys incoÌ„stancie Who â—et notwythstanding after he had brought them to death was rested him selfe for lx pounde charged wyth dette in theyr behalfe which if it be true it may thereby appeare that he was in some peece of kindred ioyned or allied vnto them But leauing that persone vnto the good pleasure of the Lord let vs returne vnto that we haue in hand Thys Ioane Lashforde borne in the parishe of little Hallowes in Thames streete was the daughter of one Robert Lashford Cutler and of the foresayde Elizabeth who afterward was married to Iohn Warne vpholster who as is sayde was persecuted for the Gospell of God to the burning fire and after him his wife and after her thys Ioane Lashford theyr daughter Who about the age of xx yeares ministring to her father and mother in prisone suspected and knowen to bee of the same doctrine and religion was sent vp to Boner bishop of London by D. Storie as is aboue in her answeres to the articles declared and so committed to the Counter in the Poultrie where shee remained the space of 5. wekes and froÌ„ thence had to Newgate where shee continued the space of certaine moneths After that remaining prisonner in the custodie of the sayd Boner her confession was being examined that the whole xij moneth before and more she came vnto no popish masse seruice in the church neither would doe eyther to receiue the Sacrament of the aultare or to be confessed because her conscience would not suffer her so to doe confessing and protesting that in the sacrament of the aultar there is not the reall presence of Christes body and bloud nor that auricular coÌ„fession or absolution after the popish sort was necessary nor the Masse to be good or according vnto the scripture but sayd that both the sayd sacrament confession absolution and the Masse with all other theyr superfluous sacrameÌ„ts ceremonies and diuine seruice as then vsed in thys Realme of Englande were moste vile and contrary to Christes woordes and institution so that neyther they were at the beginning nor shal be at the latter ende Thys godly damosell feeble and tender of age yet strong by grace in this her Confession and faith stoode so firme that neyther the flattering promises nor the violent threates of the Byshops could â—ourne her but being mooued and exhorted by the Byshoppe to retourne to the catholicke vnitie of the church sayth boldly to him againe If yee wil leaue off your abhomination so I wil returne and otherwyse I will not Whereupon the Bishop yet againe promised her pardon of all her errours as he called them if shee would be conformed To thys shee answeared againe saying vnto the Bishop Doe as it pleaseth you and I pray God that you may doe that whych may please God And thus shee constantly perseueryng in the Lordes holy truthe was by the sentence definitiue coÌ„demned and committed vnto the Sheriffes by whom the foresayd 27. day of Ianuarie shee with the rest being brought vnto the stake there washed her clothes in the bloud of the lambe
Apostle s. Paul wryting to two Bishops Timothie and Titus setteth oute vnto vs a perfecte description of a true Bishop wyth all the properties and conditions belonging to the same vnto the which exemplare it shall be harde in these straunge daies to finde the image of any Bishop correspondent yet for example sake let vs take thys Archbishop of Canterburie and trie him by the rule thereof to see either howe neere hee commeth to the description of S. Paule or els howe farre off he swarueth from the common course of other in his time of his calling The rule of S. Paule is to be found first 1. Timothie 3. also in his Epistle to Titus chap. 1. in these woordes A Bishoppe must be faultlesse as becommeth the Minister of God Not stubburne nor angrie no drunkard no fighter not geuen to filthy luker but harberous one that loueth goodnesse sober minded righteous holy temperate and such as cleaueth vnto the true word and doctrine that he may be able to exhort c. Unto this rule and touchstone to lay now the life and conuersation of this Archb. we will first begin wyth that which is thus wrytten A Bishop must be faultlesse as becommeth the Minister of God Like as no man is without sinne and euery man carieth with him his especiall vice fault so yet neuerthelesse the Apostle meaneth that the Bishop and minister must be fautlesse in comparison of the common conuersation of men of the world which seeme more licentiously to liue at their owne liberties and pleasures then the bishop or minister ought to doe hauing small regard vnto good example geuing which a bishop and minister most carefully ought to consider least by hys dissolute life the woord of God be sclandered euill spoken of Which thing to auoide and the better to accomplish thys precept of the Apostle this woorthy man euermore gaue him selfe to continuall studie not breaking that order that he in the Uniuersitie commonly vsed that is by 5. of the clocke in the morning at his booke and so consuming that time in studie and praier vntill 9. of the clocke he then applied himselfe if the Princes affaires did not call hym away vntill dinner time to heare suters and to dispatche suche matters as appertained vnto his speciall cure and charge coÌ„mitting his temporall affaires both of his housholde and other forraine businesse vnto his officers So that such things were neuer impediments neither to hys studie nor to his pastoral charge which principally consisted in reformation of corrupt religion in setting foorth of true and sincere doctrine For the most parte alwaies being in Commission he associated himselfe with learned men for sifting and boulting out of one matter or other for the commoditie and profite of the Church of Englande By meanes wherof what for his priuate studie he was neuer idle besides that he accounted it no idle poynte to bestow one houre or twaine of the day in ouer reading such woorkes and bookes as daily came from beyond the seas After dinner if any suters were attendant he woulde very diligently heare them and dispatch them in such sort as euery man commended hys lenitie and gentlenesse althoughe the case required that some whiles diuers of them were committed by him to prisone And hauing no suters after dinner for an houre or thereabout he would play at the Chests or behold such as could play That done then againe to his ordinarye study at the which commonly he for the most part stoode and seldome sate and there continuing vntill 5. of the clocke bestowed that houre in hearing the common prayer and walking or vsing some honest pastime vntill supper time At supper if he had appetite as many times he would not suppe yet would he sit downe at the table hauing his ordinarie prouision of hys mâ—sse furnished with expedient companye he wearing on his haÌ„ds his gloues because he would as it were therby weane himself froÌ„ eating of meat but yet keping the company with such fruitful talke as did repast much delight the hearers so that by this meanes hospitalitie was well furnished and the almes chest well maintained for reliefe of the poore After supper he would consume one houre at the least in walking or some other honest pastime and then againe vntill 9. of the clocke at one kinde of study or other So that no houre of the day was spent in vaine but the same was so bestowed as tended to the glory of God the seruice of the Prince or to the commoditie of the Church Which his well bestowing of his time procured to him most happely a good report of all men to be in respecte of other mennes conuersation fautlesse as it became the Minister of God That a Bishop ought not to be stubberne Secondly it is required That a Bishop ought not to bee stubberne With which kinde of vice without great wrong thys Archbyshop in no wise oughte to be charged whose nature was such as none more gentle or sooner wonne to any honest sute or purpose specially in such things wherin by hys woord wryting counsell or deede he might gratifie either any gentle or noble manne or doe good to anye meane person or els relieue the needy and poore Onely in causes pertaining to God or his Prince no man more stoute more constant or more harde to be wonne as in that part hys earnest defence in the Parliament house aboue three dayes together in disputing against the six articles of Gardiners deuice can testifie And thoughe the King would needes haue them vpon some politicke consideration to goe forwarde yet hee so handled himselfe aswell in the Parliament house as afterwardes by wryting so obediently and with suche humble behauioure in woordes towardes hys Prince protesting the cause not to be his but almighty Gods who was the authoure of all truthe that the King did not onely well like hys defence willing hym to departe out of the Parliament house into the Counsaile chamber whilest the Acte should passe and be graunted for safegard of hys conscience which he wyth humble protestation refused hoping that his Maiestie in processe of time woulde reuoke them againe but also after the Parliament was finished the King perceiuing the zealous affection that the Archbishop bare towardes the defence of hys cause whiche many wayes by Scriptures and manifolde authorities and reasons he had substantially confirmed and defended sent the Lorde Cromwell then Uicegerent with the two dukes of Northfolke and Suffolke and all the Lordes of the Parliament to dine wyth hym at Lambeth Where it was declared by the Uicegerent and the two Dukes that it was the Kinges pleasure that they all shoulde in hys highnesse behalfe chearish comfort and animate him as one that for his trauaile in that Parliament had shewed hymself both greatly learned and also discrete and wise and therefore they willed hym not to be discouraged for any thyng that
was passed contrary to hys allegations Hee moste humblye thancked the Kings maiestie of hys greate goodnesse towardes hym and them for all their paines saying I hope in God that heereafter my allegations and authorityes shall take place to the glorye of God and the commoditie of the Realme in the meane time I will satisfie my selfe wyth the honourable consent of your honoures and the whole Parliament Heere is to be noted that this mans stoute and godly defence of the truthe heerein so bounde the Princes conscience that he woulde not permitte the truth in that man to be cleane ouerthrown wyth authoritie and power and therefore this way God woorking in the Princes minde a playne token was declared heereby that all thynges were not so sincerely handled in the confirmation of the sayde sixe Articles as it oughte to haue beene for else the Prince mighte haue hadde a iust cause to haue borne hys great indignation towardes the Archbishop Let vs pray that both the like stoutnesse maye be perceiued in all Ecclesiasticall and learned men where the truthe ought to be defended and also the like relenting and flexibilitie maye take place in Princes and Noble menne when they shall haue occasion offered them to maintaine the same so that they vtterly ouerwhelme not the truth by selfe wil power and authority Now in the end this Archb. cōstancie was such towardes Gods cause that he confirmed al hys doinges by bitter death in the fire without respecte of anye worldly treasure or pleasure And as touching hys stoutnesse in his Princes cause the contrary resistaunce of the Duke of Northumberland against him prooued right wel his good minde that waye which chaunced by reason that hee woulde not consent to the dissoluinge of Chaunteries vntill the Kynge came of age to the intent that they myghte then better serue to furnishe hys royall estate then to haue so greate treasure consumed in hys nonage Which his stonenesse ioyned with suche simplicitie surely was thought to diuers of the Counsaile a thing incredible specially in such sorte to contende with him who was so accounted in this realm as few or none would or durst gainstande him So deare was to him the cause of God and of hys Prince that for the one he would not keepe his conscience clogged nor for the other lurke or hide his heade Otherwise as it is sayde his very enemies might easily intreat him in any cause reasonable and such things as he graūted hee did without any suspition of rebroiding or meede therefore So that hee was altogether voide of the vice of stubbernnesse and rather culpable of ouer muche facilitie and gentlenesse Not angrie Then foloweth Not angrie Surely if ouermuch pacience may be a vice this man maye seeme peraduenture to offend rather on this part then on the contrary Albeit for all his doings I cannot say for the most parte suche was his mortification that way that few we shal finde in whom the saying of our Sauiour Christ so much preuailed as with him who would not onely haue a man to forgiue his ennemies but also to pray for them that lesson neuer went out of his memory For it was knowen that he had many cruel ennemies not for his owne deserts but only for his religion sake and yet what soeuer he was that either sought his hinderance either in goods estimation or life and vpon conference woulde seeme neuer so slenderly any thing to relent or excuse himself he would both forget the offence committed and also euermore afterwards frendly entertaine him shew such pleasure to him as by any meanes possible he might performe or declare In so muche that it came into a common prouerb Do vnto my Lord of Canterb displeasure or a shrewed turne and then you may be sure to haue him your frende whiles he liueth Of which his gentle disposition in abstaining from reuengement amongst many examples thereof I wil repeat heere one It chaunced an ignoraunte Priest and parsone in the North parties the Towne is not now in remembrance but he was a kinsman of one Chersey a grocer dwelling within London being one of those priestes that vse more to studie at the alehouse then in his chamber or in his studie to sit on a time with his honest neighbours at the alehouse within his owne Parish where was communication ministred in commendation of my Lorde Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. This said parson enuying his name only for Religion sake sayd to his neighbors what make you of him quod he he was but an Hostler and hathe no more learning then the Goslings that goeth yonder on the greene with suche like sclaunderous and vncomelye woordes These honest neighbours of his not well bearing those his vnseemely woordes articled against hym and sent their complaint vnto the Lorde Cromwell then Uicegerent in causes Ecclesiasticall who sent for the priest and cōmitted hym to the Fleete minding to haue had him recant those his sclaunderous woordes at Paules Crosse. Howbeit the Lord Cromwell hauing great affairs of the Prince then in hand forgate his prisoner in the Flete So that this Chersey the Grocer vnderstanding that his kinsmanne was in duraunce in the Fleete onely for speaking woordes against my Lord of Canterb. consulted wyth the Priest and betwene them deuised to make sute rather vnto the Archbishoppe for his deliuerance then to the Lord Cromwel before whome he was accused vnderstanding right well that there was greate diuersitie of natures betweene those two estates the one gentle and full of clemencie and the other seuere and somewhat intractable namely against a Papist So that Chersey tooke vppon him firste to trie my Lorde of Caunterburies benignitie namely for that his cousins accusation touched onely the offence against him and none other Whereupon the sayde Chersey came to one of the Archbish. Gentlemen whose father bought yearely all his spices and fruite of the sayde Chersey and so thereby of familiar acquaintance with the Gentleman who openinge to him the trouble wherein his kinsman was requested that hee woulde be a meanes to my Lorde his maister to heare his sute in the behalfe of his kinsman The matter was mooued The Archbishop like as he was of nature gentle and of much clemencie so woulde he neuer shewe him selfe straunge vnto suters but incontinently sent for the saide Chersey When hee came before him Chersey declared that there was a kinsman of his in the Fleete a Priest of the North countrey and as I maye tell your grace the truth quod Chersey a man of small ciuilitie and of lesse learning And yet he hath a personnage there which now by reason that my lord Cromwel hath laid him in prisone being in his cure is vnserued and hee hath continued in durance aboue 2. monethes and is called to no answer and knoweth not when he shall come to any ende so that this his imprisonment cōsumeth his substaunce and will vtterly vndoe him vnlesse your grace be
his good Lord. I know not the maÌ„ sayd the Archbishop nor what he hath done why he should be thus in trouble Said Chersey againe hee onely hath offended against your grace and against no man els as maye well be perceiued by the Articles obiected against him the copie wherof the sayd Chersey then exhibited vnto the sayd Archb. of Canterbury Who well perusing the sayd Articles sayde This is the common talke of all the ignorant Papisticall Priests in England against me Surely sayde he I was neuer made priuie vnto this accusation nor of his indurance I neuer heard before this time Notwithstanding if there be nothing els to charge him withall against the Prince or any of the Counsail I will at your request take order with him and send him home againe to his cure to doe his duetie and so therupon sent his ring to the Warden of the Fleete willing him to sende the prisonner vnto him with his keeper at after noone When the keeper had brought the prisoner at the hour appoynted and Chersey had well instructed his cousin in any wise to submit himselfe vnto the Archbishop confessing his fault where by that way hee shoulde moste easely haue an ende and winne his fauour thus the persone being brought into the garden at Lambeth and there sitting vnder the vine the Archbishop demaunded of the parsone what was the cause of his induraunce and who committed him to the Fleete The parsone answeared and sayde that the Lord Cromwel sent him thether for that certaine malicious parishioners of his parish had wrongfully accused him of woordes which hee neuer spake nor meante Chersey hearing his foolish cousin so farre out of the way from his former instruction sayde Thou dasterdly dolte and varlet is this thy promise that thou madest to me Is there not a great number of thy honest neighbors handes against thee to prooue thee a lier Surely my Lorde quod Chersey it is pitie to do him good I am sorie that I haue troubled your grace thus farre with him Well said the Archb. vnto the parsone if you haue not offended me I can doe you no good for I am intreated to helpe one out of trouble that hath offended against me If my Lord Cromwel hath committed you â—o prison wroÌ„gfully that lieth in himselfe to amende and not in mee If your offence onely toucheth me I will be bold to do some what for your friendes sake heere If you haue not offended against me then haue I nothing to doe with you but that you maye goe and remaine from whence you came Lorde what adoe his kinsman Chersey made wyth him calling him all kinde of opprobrious names In the end my Lorde of Caunterburie seeming to rise and goe hys waies the fond priest fell downe on his knees and sayde I beseeche your grace to forgeue me this offence assuring your grace that I spake those woordes being druncke and not well aduised Ah said my Lord this is somewhat and yet it is no good excuse for drunkennes euermore vttereth that which lieth hid in the heart of man when he is sober alleadging a text or twaine out of the Scriptures concerning the vice of drunckennesse which commeth not nowe to remembraunce Now therfore said the Archbishop that you acknowledge somewhat your fault I am coÌ„tent to common with you hoping that you are at this present of an indifferent sobrietie Tell me then quod hee did you euer see me or were you euer acquainted with me before this day The Priest answered and sayd that neuer in his life he saw his grace Why than saide the Archbishop what occasion had you to call me an Hostler and that I had not so muche learning as the Goslings which then went on the greene before your face If I haue no learning you may nowe trye it and be out of doubt thereof therfore I pray you appose me either in Grammer or in other liberall sciences for I haue at one time or other tasted partly of them Or els if you are a Diuine say somewhat that way The priest being amased at my Lords familiar talke made answere and sayd I beseeche your grace to pardon me I am altogether vnlearned and vnderstand not the Latin toung but very simply My onely studie hath bene to say my seruice and Masse faire and deliberate which I can do aswel as any priest in the countrey where I dwel I thanke God Well said the other if you will not appose me I wil be so bolde to appose you and yet as easely as I can deuise and that only in the storie of the Bible nowe in English in which I suppose that you are daily exercised Tel me therfore who was king Dauids father sayd my Lord The Priest stoode still pausing a while and sayd In good fayth my Lord I haue forgotten his name Then said the other agayne to him if you cannot tel that I pray you tel me then who was Salomons father The fonde foolishe priest without all consideration what was demaunded of hym before made answer Good my L. beare with me I am not further seene in the Bible then is daily read in our seruice in the Church The Archb. then aunswering sayd this my question may be found well answered in your seruice But I now well perceiue howsoeuer ye haue iudged heretofore of my learnyng sure I am that you haue none at all But this is the common practise of all you which are ignorant and superstitious Priestes to slaunder backbite and hate all suche as are learned and well affected towardes Gods word and sincere religion Common reason myght haue taught you what an vnlikely thyng it was and contrary to all maner of reason that a Prince hauyng two Uniuersities within his realme of well learned men desirous to be resolued of as doubtfull a question as in these many yeares was not mooued the lyke within Christendome should bee driuen to that necessitie for the defence of hys cause to send out of his Realme an Hostler beyng a man of no better knowledge then is a gosling in an ambassade to answer all learned men both in the court of Rome and in the Emperours court in so difficult a question as toucheth the kings matrimony and the diuorce thereof I say if you were men of any reasonable consideration you might thinke it both vnseemly and vncomely for a Prince so to doe But looke where malice raigneth in man there reason can take no place and therefore I see by it that you all are at a poynt with me that no reason or authoritie can perswade you co fauor my name who neuer ment euill to you but your both commoditie and profite How be it God amend you all forgeue you and send you better myndes With these words the Priest seemed to weepe and desired his grace to pardon his fault and frailetie so that by hys meanes he myght returne to hys cure agayne and he would
to accuse him but if it would please his highnesse to committe him to the Tower for a tyme there would be accusations and proofes enough against him for otherwise iust testimonie and witnesse against him would not appeare and therefore your highnesse sayde they must needes giue vs the Counsell libertie and leaue to commit him to duraunce The King perceiuing their importunate sute against the Archbishop but yet meaning not to haue him wronged and vtterly geuen ouer vnto their handes graunted vnto them that they should the next day committe him to the Tower for his triall When night came the King sent Sir Anthonie Denie about midnight to Lambeth to the Archbishop willing him forthwith to resorte vnto him at the Court The message done the Archbishop spedely addressed himselfe to the Court and comming into the Galerie where the king walked and taried for him his highnesse sayd Ah my Lord of Caunterburie I can tell you newes For diuers waightie considerations it is determined by me and the Counsaile that you to morrowe at nine of the clocke shal be committed to the Tower for that you and your Chaplains as information is geuen vs haue taught and preached and thereby sowen within the realme such a number of execrable heresies that it is feared the whole realme being infected with them no smale contention and commotions will rise thereby amongest my subiectes as of late dayes the like was in diuers partes of Germanie and therefore the Counsaile haue requested me for the triall of the matter to suffer them to commit you to the Tower or els no man dare come forth as witnesse in these matters you being a Counsellour When the king had sayde his minde the Archbishop kneeled downe and sayd I am content if it please your grace with all my heart to goe thither at your highnesse commandement and I most humbly thanke your Maiesty that I may come to my trial for there be that haue many wayes slandered me and now this way I hope to try my selfe not worthy of such report The king perceiuyng the mans vprightnesse ioyned with such simplicitie sayd Oh Lorde what maner a man be you What simplicitie is in you I had thought that you would rather haue sued to vs to haue taken the paynes to haue heard you and your accusers together for your trial without any such induraÌ„ce Do not you know what state you be in with the whole world and how many great enemies you haue Do you not consider what an easy thing it is to procure three or foure false knaues to witnesse agaynst you Thinke you to haue better lucke that way theÌ„ your maister Christ had I see by it you will run hedlong to your vndoyng if I would suffer you Your enemies shall not so preuayle against you for I haue otherwyse deuised with my selfe to keepe you out of their handes Yet notwithstandyng to morrow when the Counsaile shal sit and send for you resort vnto them and if in chargyng you with this matter they do commit you to the Tower require of them because you are one of them a Counsailor that you may haue your accusers brought before theÌ„ without any further indurance and vse for your selfe as good perswasions that way as you may deuise and if no intretie or reasonable request wil serue then deliuer vnto them this my ring which when the king deliuered vnto the Archbishop and say vnto them if there be no remedy my Lordes but that I must needes go to the Tower then I reuoke my cause from you and appeale to the kings own person by this his token vnto you all for sayd the Kyng then vnto the Archbishop so soone as they shall see this my ryng they know it so well that they shall vnderstande that I haue resumed the whole cause into myne owne handes and determination and that I haue discharged them thereof The Archbishop perceiuyng the Kinges benignitie so muche to hym wardes had much adoe to forbeare teares Well sayde the Kyng goe your wayes my Lorde and doe as I haue bidden you My Lord humblyng himselfe with thankes tooke hys leaue of the Kynges highnesse for that nyght On the morrow about 9. of the clocke before noone the Counsaile sent a gentleman Usher for the Archbish. who when he came to the Counsaile chamber dore could not be let in but of purpose as it seemed was compelled there to waite amonge the Pages Lackies and seruyng men all alone D. Buts the Kings phisition resortyng that way espying how my Lord of Cant. was handled went to the Kings highnesse and sayd My Lord of Cant. if it please your grace is well promooted for nowe hee is become a Lackey or a seruyng man for yonder he standeth this halfe hower at the Counsaile chamber dore amongest them It is not so quoth the Kyng I trowe nor the counsail hath not so little discretion as to vse the Metropolitane of the Realme in that sort specially beyng one of their own nuÌ„ber But let them alone said the King and we shal heare more soone Anone the Arcchbishop was called into the Counsaile chamber to whome was alledged as before is rehearsed The Archb. aunswered in lyke sort as the kyng had aduised hym and in the ende when he perceiued that no manner of perswasion or intreatie could serue he deliuered theÌ„ the Kings ring reuoking his cause into the kings hands The whole Counsaile beyng thereat somewhat amased the Erle of Bedford with a loude voyce confirmyng hys wordes with a solemne othe sayde when you first began the matter my Lordes I told you what would come of it Do you thinke that the king will suffer this mans finger to ake Much more I warrant you will hee defend hys lyâ—e agaynst brabling varlets You doe but comber your selues to heare tales fables agaynst hym And so incontinently vpon the receipt of the kyngs token they all rose and caried to the king his ryng surrenderyng that matter as the order and vse was into hys owne hands When they were all come to the kynges presence hys highnes with a seuere countenaunce sayd vnto them Ah my Lordes I thought I had had wiser men of my counsaile then now I finde you What discretion was this in you thus to make the Primate of the realme one of you in office to waite at the counsaile chamber dore amongest seruyng men You might haue considered that hee was a counsellor as well as you and you had no such commission of me so to handle hym I was content that you should try hym as a Counseller and not as a meane subiect But now I well perceiue that thynges bee done agaynst him maliciously if some of you might haue had your minds you would haue tried him to the vttermost But I do you all to wit and protest that if a Prince may bee beholdyng vnto hys subiect and so solemnly laying his hand vppon his brest
the booke to hym willyng hym to peruse the same When the Archb. had red the Articles and saw hymselfe so vncurteously handled of his owne church whereof he was head I meane of the Prebendaries of his Cathedral Church and of such his neighbours as he had many wayes gratified I meane the Iustices of the Peace it much grieued hym Notwithstāding he kneeled downe to the kyng and besought hys Maiesty to graunt out a Commission to whomsoeuer it plesed his highnesse for them to try out the truth of this accusation In very deede sayde the kyng I doe so meane and you yourselfe shall be chiefe Commissioner to adioyne to you such two or three more as you shall thinke good your self Then it will bee thought quoth the Archb. to the kyng that it is not indifferent if it please your grace that I should be myne owne iudge and my Chaplains also Well sayde the kyng I will haue none other but your selfe suche as you will appoynt For I am sure that you will not halt with me in any thyng although you bee driuen to accuse your selfe and I know partly how this geare proceedeth and if you handle the matter wisely you shall find a prety conspiracy deuised agaynst you Whome will you haue wyth you sayde the kyng Whome it shall please your grace to name quoth the Archb. I will appoynt Doc. Belhouse for one name you the other said the kyng meete for that purpose My Chancellor D. Coxe and Hussey my Register sayd the Archb. are men expert to examine such troublesome matters Well sayd the kyng let there be a Commission made forth and out of hand get you into Kent aduertise me of your doyngs They came into Kent and there they sate aboue three weekes to bult out who was the first occasion of this accusation for thereof the kyng would chiefly be aduertised Now the Inquisition beyng begunne by the Commissioners euery man shronke in his hornes and no mā would confesse any thyng to the purpose For D. Coxe and Hussey being friendly vnto the Papistes handled the matter so that they would permit nothyng materiall to come to sight This thyng beyng well perceyued by one of the Archbishops seruants his Secretary he wrote incontinently vnto Doct. Buttes and Master Deny declaring that if the Kynges Maiestie did not send some other to assist my Lord then those that then were there with him it were not possible that any thing should come to light and therefore wished that Doct. Lee or some other stoute man that had beene exercised in the Kings Ecclesiasticall affaires in his visitations might be sent to the Archbishop Upon these letters Doct. Lee was sent for to yorke by the King and hauing the kings farther mind declared vnto him when he came to the Court he resorted incontinently into Kent so that on Alhallow euen he deliuered to the Archbishop the kings Ring with a declaration of his highnes farther pleasure and by and by vpon his message done he appointed the Archbishop aforesaid to name him a dosen or xvi of his Officers and gentlemen such as had both discretion wit and audacitie to whom he gaue in Commission from the King to search both the purses Chestes and chambers of all those that were deemed or suspected to be of this confederacie both within the Cathedrall church and without and such letters or writinges as they could find about them to bring them to the Archbishop and him These men thus appointed went in one houre and instant to the persons houses and places that they were appointed vnto and within foure houres afterwardes the whole conspiracie was disclosed by finding of letters some from the Bishop of Winchester some from D. London at Oxford and from Iustices of the Shiere with other so that the first beginning the proceeding and what should haue beene the ende of their conspiracie was now made manifest Certaine chambers and Chests of Gentlemen of the shiere were also searched where also were found letters seruing to this purpose Amongst all other came to my Lords hands two letters one of the Suffragan of Douer and an other of Doct. Barbar a Ciuilian whom continually the Archbishop reteined with him in housholde for expedition of matters in sute before him as a counsellour in the Law when need required These two men being well promoted by the Archbishop he vsed euer in such familiarity that when the Suffragan being a prebend of Caunterbury came to him he alwaies set him at his owne messe and the other neuer from his table as men in whom he had much delight and comfort when time of care and pensiuenes chaunced But that which they did was altogither counterfait and the Deuill was turned into the Aungell of light for they both were of this confederacy When my Lord had gotten these their letters into his hands he on a day when it chanced the Suffragan to come to him to his house at Bekisburne called to him into his studie the said Suffragan of Douer and D. Barbar saieng come your waies with me for I must haue your aduise in a matter When they were with him in his study all togethers he said to them you twaine be men in whom I haue had much confidence and trust you must now giue me some good counsaile for I am shamfully abused with one or twaine to whom I haue shewed all my secretes from time to time and did trust them as my selfe The matter is so nowe fallen out that they not onelie haue disclosed my secretes but also haue taken vpon them to accuse me of heresie and are become witnes against me I require you therfore of your good aduice how I shall behaue my selfe towards them You are both my frends and such as I alwaies haue vsed when I needed counsell What say you to the matter quoth the Archbishop Mary quoth Doct. Barbar such vilens and knaues sauing your honour were worthy to be hanged out of hand without any other law Hanging were to good quoth the Suffragan and if there lacked one to do execution I would be hangman my selfe At these words the Archbishop cast vp hys handes to heauen and sayd Oh Lord most mercifull God whome may a man trust now adayes It is most true whiche is sayde Maledictus qui confidit in homine ponit carnem brachium suum There was neuer man handled as I am but oh Lord thou hast euermore defended me and lent me one great friend and maister meanyng the kyng wythout whose protection I wer not able to stand vpright one day vnouerthrowen I prayse thy holy name therfore and with that he pulled out of his bosome their two letters sayd Know ye these letters my maisters With that they fell downe vpon their knees and desired forgiuenesse declaring how they a yeare before were attempted to do the same and so verye lamentably weeping and bewailyng their doynges besought hys grace to pardon
of two Papists of the parish of Chartham his vtter enemies Sander and Browne by name for a Sermon preached at Chartham or Passion Sunday which chanced on S. Gregories euen they both beyng absent that day at Wye faire as it is well prooued namely for that he preached against the Masse saying that our Sauiour Christ was the onely soule Priest which song Masse on the aultar of the Crosse there sacrifising for the sinnes of the worlde once for euer and that all other Masses were but remembraunces and thankesgeuing for that one sacrifice or such wordes in effect Wherefore to conclude right worshipfull knowyng your godly zeales as well towardes the preferment of sincere Religion as your no lesse affection towardes the Kyng hys Maiesties persone and his godly proceedinges I most humbly beseeche you in the bowels of our Sauiour Christ so to ponder the weightye consideration of the premisses as by your trauailes vnto the Kinges Maiestie or to the honourable Counsaile we here in Kent that haue now of late our heartes bent towardes the obseruation of the lawe of God and the Prince thorough Turners godlye perswasions may receyue from your worships some comfortable worde of his deliueraunce or els certaynely many an honest and simple man lately embracing the trueth may perhaps fall away desperately from the same not without danger of their soules In accomplishing whereof your worships shall not onely do vnto almighty God and the Prince most true and acceptable seruice but also binde the sayd M. Turner with all other to whom this cause doth apperteine both dayly to pray for your prosperities and also to bee at your commaundementes during theyr lyues From Caunterbury the second day of Nouember Your worships euermore at commaundement R. M. And thus much conteineth the letter sent as is sayd by M. Morice to Doctor Buttes and Syr Anthony Denye Now what successe and speede this letter had it foloweth to be declared For Doctour Buttes the kinges Phisition aforesayd after the receipte of these letters considering the weighty contentes of the same as he was euer a forwarde friend in the Gospels cause so he thought not to forsâ—acke this matter to the vttermost of his diligence and so spying his time wheÌ„ the king was in trimming and in washing as his maner was at certayne times to call for his Barbar Doctour Buttes whose manner was at such times euer to be present and with some pleasaunt conceites to refresh and solace the kinges minde brought with hym in his hand this Letter The king asking what newes Doctour Buttes pleasantly and merely beginneth to insinuate vnto the king the effect of the matter and so at the kinges commaundement read out the letter which when the king had heard and paused a little with himselfe vpon the same commaunded agayne the letter to be read vnto him The hearing and consideration wherof so altered the kinges minde that wheras before he commaunded the sayde Turner to be whipped out of the countrey he now commaunded him to be reteined as a faythfull Subiect And here of that matter an end Let vs now returne to the Archbishop agayne Who although he was compassed about as is sayde with mighty enemies and by many crafty traynes impugned yet through Gods more mighty prouideÌ„ce working in the kinges hart so to fauor him he rubbed out all Kyng Henryes time without blemishe or foyle by meanes of the kinges supportation who not onely defended the sayd archbishop agaynst all his conspired aduersaryes but also extended such speciall fauour vnto him in such sort that he being not ignorant of hys wife whoÌ„ he had maryed before at Noremberge being Niece to the wife of Osiander keping her also all the sixe Articles time contrary to the law notwithstanding he both permitted the same and kept his counsell Then after the death of Kyng Henry immediatelye succeeded his sonne K. Edwarde vnder whose gouernement and protection the state of this Archbishoppe beyng his Godfather was nothing appayred but rather more aduaunced During all this meane time of king Henry aforesayd vntill the entring of king Edward it seemeth that Cranmer was scarsly yet throughly persuaded in the right knowledge of the Sacrament or at least was not yet fully rypened in the same wherin shortly after he being more grouÌ„dly confirmed by confereÌ„ce with Bishop Ridley in processe of time did so profite in more ryper knowledge that at last he tooke vpon him the defence of that whole doctrine that is to refute and throw downe first the corporall presence secondly the phantasticall Transubstantiation Thirdly the Idolatrous adoration Fourthlye the false errour of the Papistes that wicked menne doe eate the naturall body of Christ and lastly the blasphemous sacrifice of the Masse Whereupon in conclusion he wrote fiue bookes for the publicke instruction of the Church of England which instruction yet to this day standeth and is receiued in this Church of England Agaynste these fiue bookes of the Archbishop Steuen Gardiner the archenemy to Christ and his Gospell being then in the Tower slubbereth vp a certayne answere such as it was which he in open Court exhibited vp at Lambeth being there examined by the Archbishop aforesayd other the kinges CoÌ„missioners in king Edwardes dayes which booke was intituled An Explication and assertion of the true Catholick fayth touching the blessed SacrameÌ„t of the aultar with a confutation of a booke written against the same Agaynste this Explication or rather a cauilling Sophistication of Steuen Gardiner Doctour of law the Archbishop of Caunterbury learnedlye and copiously replying againe maketh aunswere which also he published abroad to the eies and iudgementes of all men in print All which writinges and bookes as well of the one part as of the other our present story woulde require here to be inferred but because to prosecute the whole matter at length wyll not be comprehended in a small roome and maye make to long taryaunce in our story it shall therfore be best to put of the same vnto the place of the Apendix folowing wherin the Lord willing we intend to close vp both these and other diuers treatises of these learned Martyrs as to this our story shall apperteine The vnquiet spirite of Stephen Gardiner beyng not yet contented after all this thrusteth out an other booke in Latine of the like Popishe Argument but after an other title named Marcus Anthonius Constantius Whereunto first the Archbishoppe agayne intending a full confutation had already absolued three partes of his aunsweare lying in prison Of the which partes two perished in Oxforde the other yet remayneth in my handes ready to bee seene and set forth as the Lord shall see good Also Bishop Ridley lying likewise the same time in prison hauing ther the sayd booke of Marcus Antonius for lack of penne and paper with a lead of a window in the margent of the booke wrote annotations as strayghtnesse of time would serue him in refutation of the
present And thus Bishop Brokes finishing his Oration sate downe After whom Doctor Martin taking the matter in hand beginneth thus * The Oration of Doctor Martyn ALbeit there be two Gouernmentes the one spirituall the other tēporal the one hauing the keyes the other the sword yet in all ages we read that for the honour and glory of GOD both these powers haue bene adioyned together For if we read the olde Testament we shall finde that so did Iosias and Ezechias So did the king of the Niniuites compell a generall fast thorow all the whole Citty So did Darius in breaking the greate Idoll Bell and deliuered Godly Daniel out of the denne of Lions So did Nabuchodonosor make and institute lawes agaynste the blasphemers of God But to let passe these examples with a great number more and to come to Christes time it is not vnknowne what great trauayle they tooke to set forth Gods Honour and although the rule and gouernement of the Church did onely apperteine to the spiritualty yet for the suppression of heresyes schismes Kinges were admitted as ayders thereunto First Constantinus the great called a councell at Nyce for the suppression of the Arrians secte where the same time was raysed a greate contention among them And after long disputation had when the Fathers could not agree vpon the putting downe of the Arrians they referred theyr iudgement to Constantine God forbid quoth Constantine you ought to rule me and not I you And as Constantine did so did Theodosius against the Nestorians so did Martianus agaynst Manichaeus Iouinian made a law that no man shoulde marrye with a Nunne that had wedded her selfe to the Church So had king Henry the 8. the title of Defender of the fayth because he wrote against Luther his cōplices So these 900. yeres the kinges of Spayne had that title of Catholicke for the expulsion of the Arrians and to say the truth the king and the Queenes maiesties do nothing degenerate from their auncetry taking vpon them to restore agayne the title to be Defender of the faith to the right heyre thereof the Popes holinesse Therefore these two princes perceiuing this noble Realme how it hath bene brought from the vnitye of the true and Catholicke Church the which you and your confederates do and haue renounced perceyuing also that you doe persist in your detestable errours and will by no meanes bee reuoked from the same haue made theyr humble request and petition to the Popes holynesse Paulus 4. as supreme head of the church of Christ declaring to him that where you were Archbishop of Caunterbury Metropolitane of England and at your consecration tooke two solemne othes for your due obedience to bee geuen to the Sea of Rome to become a true preacher or Pastour of his flock yet cōtrary to your othe and alleagiaunce for vnitie haue sowed discord for chastity mariage and adultery for obedience contention and for fayth ye haue bene the author of all mischiefe The Popes holines considering their request and petition hath graūted them that according to the Censure of this Realme processe should be made agaynst you And where as in this late time you both excluded Charity Iustice yet hath his holinesse decreed that you shall haue bothe Charity and Iustice shewed vnto you Hee willeth you shoulde haue the lawes in most ample maner to answere in your behalfe and that ye shall here come before my Lord of Glocester as high Commissioner from his holynesse to the examination of such articles as shal be proposed agaynst you that we should require the examination of you in the King and Queenes Maiestyes behalfe The King and Queene as touching themselues because by the law they cannot appeare personally Quia sunt illustris personae haue appoynted as theyr atturneys Doctor Storie and me Wherefore here I offer to your good Lordship our Proxie sealed with the broad seale of England and offer my selfe to be Proctor in the Kings Maiesties behalfe I exhibite here also certayne Articles conteining the manifest adultery periury Also bookes of heresy made partly by him partly set forth by his authority And here I produce him as partly principal to aunswere to your good Lordship Thus when Doc. Martin had ended his Oration the Archbishop beginneth as here foloweth Cran. Shall I then make mine aunswere Mart. As you thinke good no man shall let you And here the Archbishoppe kneeling downe on both knees towarde the West sayde first the Lordes Prayer Then risinge vppe he reciteth the Articles of the Creede Which done he entreth with his protestation in forme as foloweth * The Fayth and Profession of Doctour Cranmer Archbishop of Cant. before the Commissioners THis I do professe as touching my fayth and make my protestation which I desire you to note I will neuer consent that the Bishop of Rome shall haue any iurisdiction within this Realme Story Take a note thereof Mart. Marke M. Cranmer how you answer for your self You refuse and denye him by whose lawes ye yet doe remayne in life being otherwise attaynted of high treason but a dead man by the lawes of this Realme Cran. I protest before God I was no traytor but in deed I confessed more at my arraignment then was true Mart. That is not to be reasoned at this presēt You know ye were condemned for a Traytor and Res iudicata pro veritate accipitur But proceed to your matter Cran. I will neuer consent to the Bishop of Rome for thē should I geue my selfe to the Deuill for I haue made an othe to the king I must obey the king by Gods lawes By the Scripture the king is chiefe and no forreigne person in his owne Realme about him There is no Subiect but to a king I am a Subiect I owe my fidelitye to the crowne The pope is contrary to the crowne I cannot obey both for no mā can serue two maisters at once as you in the beginning of your Oration declared by the sword the keyes attributing the keies to the Pope and the sword to the king But I say the king hath both Therfore he that is subiect to Rome the lawes of Rome he is periured for the Popes and the Iudges Lawes are contrary they are vncertayne and confounded A Prieste indebted by the Lawes of the Realme shall be sued before a temporall Iudge by the Popes Lawes contrary The Pope doth the king iniury in that he hath his power from the Pope The king is head in his owne realm But the Pope claimeth all Bishops Priests Curates c. So the Pope in euery Realme hath a Realme Agayne by the lawes of Rome the Benefice muste bee geuen by the Bishop by the lawes of the Realme the patron geueth the Benefice Herein the lawes be as contrary as fire and water No man can by the lawes of Rome proceed in a premunire and so is the law of the Realme expelled and the
thought I may erre but hereticke I can not be for as much as I am ready in all things to followe the iudgement of the most sacred worde of God and of the holy catholicke church desiring none other thing then mekely and gently to be taughte it any where which God forbid I haue swarued from the truth And I protest and openly confesse that in all my doctrine and preaching both of the Sacrament of other my doctrine what soeuer it be not onely I meane and iudge those things as the catholicke churche and the moste holy fathers of olde with one accorde haue meant and iudged but also I would gladly vse the same wordes that they vsed and not vse any other woordes but to set my hande to all and singulare their speaches phrases wayes formes of speache which they doe vse in theyr treatises vppon the Sacrament and to keepe still their interpretation But in thys thing I onely am accused for an hereticke because I allowe not the doctrine lately broughte in of the Sacrament and because I consent not to woordes not accustomed in scripture and vnknowen to the ancient Fathers but newly inuented and broughte in by men and belonging to the destruction of soules and ouerthrowing of the pure and olde religion Yeuen c. This appeale being put vp to the B. of Ely he sayde My Lorde our Commission is to proceede agaynste you Omni appellatione remota and therefore we cānot admit it Why quoth he then you doe mee the more wrong for my case is not as euery priuate mans case The matter is betweene the Pope and mee immediatè and none otherwise and I thincke no man oughte to be a Iudge in hys owne cause Well quoth Ely if it may be admitted it shall and so receiued it of hym And then beganne he to perswade earnestly with the Archbyshop to consider hys state and to weigh it wel while there was time to doe hym good promising to become a suter to the K. and Queene for hym and so protested his great loue frendship that had beene betweene them hartily weeping so that for a time he coulde not go on with his tale After going forward he earnestly affirmed that if it hadde not bene the King and Queenes cōmandement whome he could not deny els no worldly cōmoditye should haue made him to haue done it concluding that to be one of the sorowfulst things that euer hapned vnto him The Archb. gently seeming to cōfort him sayd he was very well content withall and so proceeded they to his degradation the perfect forme wherof withal the rites ceremonies therto appertaining taken out of the popes Pontifical because it is already described at full in our first booke of Monuments I shall refer the reader to the same which he shall finde pag. 1493. Heere then to be short when they came to take of hys Pall which is a solemne vesture of an Archb. then sayde he Which of you hathe a Pall to take off my Pall Whych imported as much as they being his inferiors coulde not disgrade him Whereunto one of them said in y◠they were but Bishops they were his inferiors and not competent iudges but being the popes Delegates they myght take his Pal so they did and so proceeding tooke euery thing in order from him as it was put on Then a Barbar clipped his heare round about and the Bish. scraped the tops of hys fingers where he had bene annoynted wherein B. Boner behaued him selfe as roughly and vnmanerly as the other Bishop was to him soft and gentle Whiles they were thus doing All this quoth the Archbishop needed not I had my selfe done wyth this geare long ago Last of all they stripped him out of his gown into his iacket and put vpon him a pore yeoman Bedles gowne ful bare and nearely worne and as euil fauouredly made as one might lightly see and a townes mans cap on hys head and so deliuered him to the secular power After this pageant of degradation all was finished then spake Lord Boner saying to him Nowe are you no Lord any more and so when soeuer he spake to the people of him as hee was continually barking against him euer he vsed this terme This Gentleman heere c. And thus with great compassion and pitie of euery man in this euil fauored gown was he caried to prison Whom there followed a gentleman of Glocestershire with the archbishops owne gowne who standing by being thought to be toward one of the Bishops had it deliuered to him who by the way talking with him said the B. of Ely protested his frendship with teares Yea sayde he he myght haue vsed a great deale more frendship towarde me neuer haue bene the worse thought on for I haue wel deserued it and going into the prison vp wyth him asked hym i◠he would drinke Who answeared him saying if he had a peece of saltfish that he had better wil to eate for he had beene that day somewhat troubled with this matter and had eaten little but now that it is past my heart sayd he is wel quieted Whereupon the gentleman sayd he would giue him mony withal his heart for he was able to do it But he being one toward the lawe and fearing M. Farmers case durst therfore geue him nothing but gaue mony to the bailifs that stood by said that if they were good men they would bestowe it on hym for my L. of Cant. had not one peny in his purse to help him and so left him my Lord bidding him earnestly farewell cōmending him selfe to his praiers and all his friendes That nyght thys gentleman was staide by Boner and Ely for geuing him this mony and but by the help of friends he had bene sent vp to the counsaile Such was the cruelty and iniquity of the time that men could not do good without punishmēt Here foloweth the recantation of the Archbishop wyth his repentance of the same IN this meane time while the Archbishoppe was thus remaining in durance whom they had kept now in prison almost the space of 3. yeares the doctours and diuines of Oxford busied thēselues all that euer they could about M. Cranmer to haue him recante assaying by all craftye practises and alluremēts they might deuise how to bring theyr purpose to passe And to the intent they myghte win him easily they had him to the Deanes house of Christes church in the said Uniuersity where he lacked no delicate fare plaied at the bowles had his pleasure for walking all other things that might bring him from Christ. Ouer and besides all thys secretely and sleightly they suborned certaine men which when they could not expugne him by arguments and disputation should by entreaty and faire promises or any other meanes allure him to recantation perceiuing otherwise what a great wounde they shoulde receiue if the Archb. had stoode stedfast in his sentence and
present doe testifie that they neuer sawe in any chylde more teares then brast oute from hym at that time all the Sermone while but specially when he recited hys Prayer before the people It is marueilous what commiseration and pitye mooued all mennes hearts that behelde so heauie a countenaunce and suche aboundance of teares in an olde man of so reuerende dignitie Cole after he had ended his Sermon called backe the people that were ready to departe to prayers Brethren sayde he least any man should doubt of thys mans earnest conuersion and repentaunce you shall heare hym speake before you and therefore I pray you master Cranmer that you will now perfourme that you promised not long agoe namely that you woulde openly expresse the true and vndoubted profession of your faith that you may take away all suspition from men and that all men may vnderstand that you are a Catholicke in deede I wil doe it sayde the Archbyshop and wyth a good will who by and by rising vppe and putting of hys cappe beganne to speake thus vnto the people I desire you well beloued brethren in the Lorde that you will praye to God for mee to forgeeue me my sinnes whyche aboue all menne both in noumber and greatnesse I haue committed But among all the rest there is one offence which of all at thys time doth vexe and trouble me wherof in processe of my talk you shall heare more in hys proper place and then putting hys hande into hys bosome hee drewe foorth his Prayer which hee recited to the people in thys sense The Prayer of Doctour Cranmer Archbyshop GOod Christen people my dearly beloued brethren and sisters in Christ I beseech you most hartely to pray for me to almighty God that he wil forgeue me al my sinnes and offences which be many without number and great aboue measure But yet one thing grieueth my conscience more then all the rest whereof God willing I entende to speake more heereafter But howe great and howe many soeuer my sinnes be I beseeche you to pray God of hys mercy to pardon and forgeue them all And heere kneling downe he sayd O Father of heauen O sonne of God redeemer of the worlde O holy Ghoste three persones and one God haue mercye vppon me moste wretched caitife and miserable sinner I haue offended both againste heauen and earth more then my tounge can expresse Whether then may I goe or whether should I flie To heauen I may be ashamed to lifte vp mine eyes and in earth I finde no place of refuge or succour To thee therefore O Lorde doe I runne to thee doe I humble my selfe saying O Lorde my God my sinnes be great but yet haue mercye vppon me for thy great mercy The great mysterie that God became man was not wrought for little or fewe offences Thou diddest not geue thy sonne O heauenly father vnto death for smal sinnes onely but for all the greatest sinnes of the world so that the sinner returne to thee with his whole heart as I do here at this present Wherefore haue mercye on mee O God whose propertie is alwayes to haue mercy haue mercy vpon me O Lord for thy great mercy I craue nothing for mine owne merites but for thy names sake that it maye be hallowed thereby and for thy deare sonne Iesus Christes sake And nowe therefore Our father of heauen halowed be thy name c. And then he rising sayde Euery man good people desireth at that time of their death to geue some good exhortation that other maye remember the same before theyr death be the better thereby so I beseche God graunt me grace that I may speake some thyng at thys my departing whereby God may be glorified and you edified First it is an heauy case to see that so many folke be so much doted vpon the loue of this false world and so carefull for it that of the loue of God or the world to come they seeme to care very little or nothing Therefore this shal be my first exhortation that you sette not your mindes ouer much vpon thys glosing world but vpon God and vpon the world to come and to learne to know what this lesson meaneth whych s. Iohn teacheth that the loue of this world is hatred against God The seconde exhortation is that next vnder God you obey your King and Queene willingly and gladly without murmuring or grudging not for feare of them onely but much more for the feare of God knowing that they be Gods ministers appoynted by God to rule and gouerne you and therefore who soeuer resisteth them resisteth the ordinance of God The third exhortatiō is that you loue altogether lyke brethren and sisters For alasse pitie it is to see what contention and hatred one Christen man beareth to an other not taking cache other as brother and sister but rather as strangers and mortall ennemies But I pray you learne and beare well away this one lesson to doe good vnto all men asmuch as in you lieth and to hurt no man no more then you would hurt your owne naturall louing brother or sister For thys you maye be sure off that who soeuer hateth any person and goeth about maliciously to hinder or hurte hym surely and wythout all doubte God is not wyth that man although he thinke himself neuer so much in Gods fauour The fourth exhortation shall be to them that haue great substance riches of this world that they will well consider and weigh three sayinges of the Scripture One is of our Sauiour Christ him selfe who sayeth It is harde for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen A sore saying and yet spoken of hym that knoweth the truth The second is of S. Iohn whose saying is thys Hee that hath the substaunce of this worlde and seeth hys brother in necessitie and shutteth vp his mercy from him howe can he saye that hee loueth God The third is of S Iames who speaketh to the couetous riche man after thys maner Weepe you and howle for the miserie that shall come vpon you your riches do rotte your clothes be mothe eaten your golde and siluer doeth canker and rust and their rust shall beare witnesse against you and consume you like fire you gather a hoarde or treasure of Gods indignation against the last day Let them that be riche ponder well these three sentences for if they had occasion to shew their charitie they haue it now at this present the poore people being so many and victuals so deare And now for as much as I am come to the last end of my life whereupon hangeth al my life past and all my life to come either to liue with my maister Christe for euer in ioy or els to be in paine for euer with wicked Deuilles in hell I see before mine eyes presently either heauen ready to receiue me or els hell ready to swallow me vppe I shall
the sayde moste wholesom preceptes geuen vs of oure maister Christe and of hys Apostles and nowe in thys troublesome time wherein the Gospell is persecuted shewe our selues fearefull souldiours as it is manifestly declared in the Reuelation of S. Iohn where it is wrytten That the fearefull shall haue theyr parte wyth the vnbeleeuing and abhominable in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone which is the seconde death Agayne it is wrytten in the same Booke for our warnyng Because thou art betwixt both and neither colde nor hote I wil spew thee out of my mouth Now therefore good christians these true testimonies of Gods liuely woord deepely considered and weighed let vs chiefly stand in awe of his most terrible iudgementes and be not as they that presumptuously tempt hym Lette him alwayes be our feare and dread He nowe chasteneth he nowe nourtereth vs for oure profite deliting in vs euen as a louing Father in his beloued childe to make vs perfecte and to haue vs to be partakers of his holynesse Hee nowe iudgeth vs not vtterly taking away hys euerlasting loue and mercy from vs as he doth from the malignant wicked that we should not be condemned with the wicked world but if we now refuse his moste louyng chastising and folow the worlde we must nedes haue our portion with the worlde Wide is the gate and broade is the way whych leadeth to destruction and many there be whych goe in thereat But straite is the gate and narowe is the waye that leadeth vnto life and fewe there bee that finde it O howe muche better is it to goe thys narrowe waye with the people of God then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a time In consideration whereof let vs wythout any more slackinge and further delaies in thys greate warninge by Gods louing visitation submit our selues betime vnder hys mighty hand that he may exalte vs when the tyme is come And thus I wholely commit you to him and to the woorde of hys grace which is able to build further beseeching you most heartily to pray for me that I may be strong through the power of his might and stande perfect in all things being alwaies prepared and ready looking for the mercy of our Lorde vnto eternall rest and I will pray for you as I am most bounde So I trust he will graciously heare vs for hys promise sake made vnto all Faithfull in hys dearely beloued sonne Christe oure alone Sauioure whose grace be wyth your spirite most deare Christians for euer So be it By your Christian brother Iohn Hullier a prisoner of the Lorde Iohn Hullyer being of long time prisonner and nowe openly iudged to die for the testimony of the Lord Iesus wisheth hartely to the whole cōgregation of God the strength of his holy spirit to their euerlasting health both of body and soule I Nowe most deare Christians hauing the sweete comfort of Gods sauing health and being confirmed with hys free spirit be he only praised therefore am constrayned in my conscience thinkyng it my verye duetie to admonishe you as ye tender the saluation of your soules by al maner of meanes to separate youre selues from the companie of the Popes hirelings considering what is sayd in the Reuelation of S. Iohn by the Aungell of God touching all men The woordes be these If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receiue his marke in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drinke the wine of the wrathe of God whiche is powred into the cuppe of his wrathe and hee shall be punished with fire and brimstone before the holye Angels and before the Lambe and the smoke of their torment ascendeth vp euermore Marke well heere good Christians who is this beast and worshippers that shal be partakers of that vnspeakeable torment This beast is none other but the carnal fleshly kingdome of Antichrist the Pope with his rabble of false Prophets and Ministers as it is most manifest which to maintaine theyr high titles worldly promotions and dignities do with much cruelty daily more and more setforth and establish theyr owne traditions decrees decretalles contrary to Gods holy ordinaunces statutes lawes and commaundements and wholy repugnante to his sincere and pure religion and true woorshipping Nowe what doe they els but worshyp this Beast and his Image who after they had once already escaped from the filthinesse of the world through the knowledge of the Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ are yet agayne tangled therin and ouercome vsing dissimulation vnfaithfully for feare of theyr displeasure doing one thing outwardly and thinking inwardly an other so hauing them in reuerence vnder a cloke and colour to whō they ought not so much as to say God speede and adioyning themselues to the malignant congregation whych they oughte to abhorre as a den of theeues and murtherers and as the Brothel house of moste blasphemous fornicators whose voyces beynge contrary to Christes voyce if they were of his flocke they would not knowe but would flee from them as he hymselfe being the good shepeheard of our soules doth full wel in his holy gospel testify Againe what do they els I pray you but receiue the Beastes marke in theyr forheads and in theyr handes whych doe beare a faire face and countenaunce outwardly in supporting them as other do being ashamed onely to confesse Christe and hys holy Gospell But thys fainednesse and dissimulation Christe and hys Gospel will in no wise allowe Of whome it is sayd Who soeuer shall be ashamed of mee and of my woordes in thys adulterous and sinfull generation of him also shall the sonne of man be ashamed when he shal come in the glory of his father with his holy Angels Therefore sayeth almighty God by hys Prophet Malachie Curssed be the dissemblers Yee were once lyghtened and tasted of the heauenlye gifte and were become partakers of the holy Ghost and tasted of the word of God and of the power of the worlde to come And oure Sauiour Christ sayth No man that putteth hys hande to the ploughe and looketh backe is apte for the kingdome of GOD. Therefor S. Iohn the Apostle vseth this for a manyfest token that the backsliding from the true preachers of Gods woord declareth euidently that they be not of the number of them For sayeth he They went out from vs but they were not of vs for if they had bene of vs no doubt they woulde haue continued wyth vs. Surely so long as we vse dissimulation and to play on both hādes we are not in the light For what soeuer is manifest the same is light as the elect vessell of God S. Paule witnesseth Wherfore good Christians for Gods most dear loue deceiue not your selues through your own wisedom and through the wisedome of the worlde which is foolishnesse before God but certifye and stay your owne conscience with the sure truth and faithfull woord of
God and with the infallible testimonies of holy scripture For although Gods mercy is ouer all his woorkes yet it doth not extende but onely to them that holde fast the confidence and reioysing of hope vnto the ende not being weary in well doing but rather waxing euery day stronger and stronger in the inward man Therfore in the Reuelation of S. Iohn wher it is entreated of the Beast and his image it is also sayde Heere is the sufferance of Saintes and heere are they that keepe the commaundements and the faith of Iesus Christ. Where by almighty God doth shewe plainely that he doth vse those wicked men as instruments for a time to try the pacience and faith of his peculiar people wythout the performance whereof we can haue no part among the liuing but as it is sayd in the same Reuelation The fearfull shall haue theyr parte in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone whyche is the second death But peraduenture ye will obiect say vnto me what shall we do Shal we cast our selues headlong to death I say not so But thys I say that we are all bounde if euer we looke to receiue saluation at Gods hande in thys case wholy to be obedient to hys determinate counsell foreknowledge expressed by the gift of the spirit in holy scripture and then to cast all our care vpon him who worketh all in all for the best vnto them that loue him and thus he geueth commaundement saying Come awaye from her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye receue not of her plagues Nowe who hearing this terrible voyce of God which must needes be fulfilled will not wyth all speede and diligence applye him selfe to doe thereafter except such as will presumptuously tempt him And as touching such the Wise man sayeth Hee that loueth pearill and daunger shall pearish therein But they that be of the Faith of Abraham euen as he did so will they in all assayes and trials be obedient to the heauenly voyce how soeuer it semeth contrary to their owne naturall wil and carnal reason according to the sure worde of faith which saith Hope thou in the Lorde and keepe his way holde thee stil in the Lord and abide patiently vpon him Let not thy ielousie moue thee also to doe euill Come out from among them and ioyne not your selues to your vnlawfull assemblies yea do not once shew your selues with the least part of your body to fauour theyr wicked doinges but glorifye God as moste right is so well in your whole bodye outwardlye as inwardly in your spirite or els you can doe neither of both well for your body doth belong to God so well as youre spirite At the dreadfull day of iudgement we shall all receiue the workes of our bodies according to that we haue done whether it be good or bad Therefore what soeuer we doe we may not bryng the spirite in bondage to the body but contrariwise we must subdue the body and the will of the flesh to the spirit that the spirite maye freely accomplishe the will of God in all things for otherwise we shall neuer be partakers of hys promise with the true childrē of Abraham For as s. Paul sayeth They which are the children of the flesh are not the children of God If we shall liue according to the flesh we shall dye For to be carnally mineded is death but to be spiritually mineded is life and peace because that the fleshly mineded is enmitie to God for it is not obedient to the lawe of God neyther canne be So then they that are in the flesh can not please God Nowe chuse you which way you will take either the narow way that leadeth vnto life which Christ hymself and hys faithfull followers haue gone throughe before or else the broad path way that leadeth to destruction which the wicked worldlinges take theyr pleasure in for a while I for my part haue now wryttē thys short admonition vnto you of good will as God be my witnesse to exhort you to that way which at length you your selues shuld prooue and finde to be best yea and reioyce thereof And I do not onely wryte thys but I will also wyth the assistaunce of Gods grace ratifie and confirme and Seale the same wyth the effusion of my bloude when the full tyme shall be expired that hee hath appoynted whych so farre soorth as I maye iudge must needes be within these few daies Therefore I nowe bidde you all moste heartely farewell in the Lorde whose grace bee wyth youre spirite Amen Watch and pray watch and pray pray pray So be it Iohn Hullier Besides these letters the said Iohn Hullier leaft also a godly prayer whiche if any be disposed to peruse it is extant in the old booke of Acts to be found pag. 1515. The death and Martyrdome of sixe constant professours of Christ burned at Colchester for the testimonie of the Gospell the 28. day of Aprill NOt long after the death of Robert Drakes William Tymmes and the other Essex Martyrs executed in Smithfielde as is aboue specified followed in the same order likewise of martyrdome at one like fire in the town of Colchester where the most parte of them did inhabite sixe other blessed Martyrs whose names be these Christopher Lyster of Dagneham Husbandman Iohn Mace of Colchester Apothecarie Iohn Spenser of Colchester Weauer Symon Ioyne Sawyer Richard Nichols of Colchester Weauer Iohn Hamond of Colchester Tanner With these sixe was also ioyned an other whose name was Roger Grasbroke but he afterwarde submitted him selfe These aboue named the Byshoppe because he as it semeth by the short processe recorded by his register waxed now weary made a very quicke dispatche For soone after that they were deliuered vnto one Iohn Kingstone Bacheler of Ciuil law and then Commissarye to the Bishop by the Earle of Oxford other Commissioners as appeareth by a bil endented made betwene the Commissioners and the said Commissary for the receit of the sayd prisoners dated the 28. day of Marche Anno regni regis Reginae Philippi Mariae secundo tertio which is the yere of our Lord 1556. and by him sent vp vnto hys Lord and Maister the Bishop caused them to be broughte vnto hys house at Fulham Where in the open Churche iudicially were ministred vnto them the same Articles that were propounded vnto Bartlet Grene and others mentioned before To the whych they made their seuerall answeres agreeing altogether in one truthe as by the summe and effect thereof heere ensuing more plainly appeareth 1 To the first article they al consented and agreed Iohn Spenser adding further thereto that the churche malignant which is the Church of Rome is no parte of Christes Catholike church and that he neither hath nor dothe beleeue the doctrine and religion taughte and set foorth in the sayd Romish and malignant
Idole at the commandement of sir Iohn Tirrell knight of Gippyng hall in Suffolke and certaine other Iustices there who sent both hym and them to Eay dungeon in Suffolke till at length they were all three together broght before Dunnyng then Chauncellor of Norwich and M. Myngs the Register sittyng at the Towne of Beckles to be examined And there the sayd Chancellour perswading what he could to turne them from the truth could by no meanes preuaile of his purpose Whereby mynding in the ende to geue sentence on them he burst out in teares intreatyng them to remember themselues and to turne agayne to the holy mother church for that they were deceiued and out of the truth and that they should not wilfully cast away thēselues with such like wordes Now as he was thus labouryng them and semed very loth to read the sentence for they were the first that he condemned in that dioces the Register there sittyng by beyng weary belike of tarying or els perceiuyng the constant Martyrs to be at a point called vpon the Chauncellour in hast to ridde them out of the way and to make an ende At which wordes the Chauncellour read the condemnation ouer them with teares and deliuered them to the secular power ¶ Their Articles THe Articles obiected to these and commonly to all other condemned in that Diocesse by Doctor Hopton Bishop of Norwich and by Dunnyng his Chauncellor were these 1. First was articulate agaynst them that they beleeued not the Pope of Rome to bee supreme head immediately vnder Christ in earth of the vniuersall Catholike Church 2. Item that they beleeued not holy bread and holy water ashes palmes and all other lyke ceremonies vsed in the Churche to be good and laudable for stirring vp the people to deuotion 3. Item that they beleeued not after the wordes of consecration spoken by the Priest the very naturall body of Christ and no other substance of bread and wine to be in the sacrament of the Altar 4. Item that they beleeued it to be Idolatry to worship Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar 5. Item that they tooke bread and wine in remembrance of Christes Passion 6. Item that they would not follow the Crosse in procession nor be confessed to a Priest 7. Item that they affirmed no mortall man to haue in himselfe free will to do good or euill For this doctrine and articles aboue prefixed these three as is aforesayd were condemned by Doctor Dunning committed to the secular power Syr Iohn Sylliard being the same tyme hyghe Sheriffe of Northfolke and Suffolke And the next day following vpon the same they were all burnt together in the sayd towne of Beckles Whereupon it is to be thought that the writte De comburendo was not yet come downe nor could not be the Lord Chaunlour Bish. Heath being the same time at London Which if it be true then it is playne that both they went beyond their Commission that were the executioners also the Clergy which were the instigatours thereof cannot make good that they now pretend saying that they did nothing but by a lawe But this let the Lord finde out when he seeth his tyme. In the meane tyme while these good men were at the stake had prayed they sayd there beliefe and when they came to the reciting of the Catholicke Church Syr Iohn Silliard spake to them That is well sayd Syrs quoth he I am glad to heare you say you do beleeue the Catholicke Church That is the best word I heard of you yet To which his sayinges Edmund Pole aunswered that though they beleeue the Catholicke Churche yet doe they not beleeue in their Popish Church which is no part of Christes Catholicke Churche and therefore no part of their beliefe When they rose from prayer they all went ioyfully to the stake and being bounde thereto and the fire burning about them they praysed God in such an audible voyce that it was wonderfull to all those which stoode by and heard them Then one Robert Bacon dwelling in the sayd Beckles a very enemye to Gods truth and a persecutour of his people being there present within hearing thereof willed the tormentours to throw on fagots to stoppe the knaues breathes as he termed them so hotte was his burning charitye But these good men not regarding there malice confessed the truth and yelded their liues to the death for the testimony of the same very gloriously ioyfully The which their constancye in the lyke cause the Lord graunt we may imitate and follow vnto the ende Whether it be death or lyfe to glorifye the name of Christ Amen And forasmuch as we haue here entred into the persecution of Northfolke and Suffolke it commeth therefore to minde by occasion hereof brieflye to touche by the way some part for the whole matter cannot bee so exprest as it was done touching the troubles of the towns of Winson and Mendlesam in Suffolke raysed and stirred by the sayd Syr Iohn Tyrrell other Iustices there of the lyke affinitye The summe and effecte of which briefly is thus signifyed to me by writing * The persecution in the Townes of Winson and Mendlesam in Suffolke BY the procurement of Syr Iohn Tyrrell Knight and other of his Colleagues there were persecuted out of the Towne of Winson in Suffolke these persons hereafter following Anno. 1556. Maistresse Alice Twaites Gentlewoman of the age of three score yeres and more and two of her seruaunts Humfrey Smith and his wyfe William Katchpoole and his wyfe Iohn Maulyng and his wyfe Nicholas Burlingham and his wyfe And one Rought and his wyfe Such as were persecuted and driuen out of the towne of Mendlesam in the Countie of Suffolke Symon Harlstone and Katherine his wife with his fiue children William Whitting and Katherin his wife Thomas Dobson and his wife Thomas Hubbard and his wife Iohn Doncon and his wife his maide William Doncon Thomas Woodward the elder One Konnoldes wife A poore widow One mother Semons maide Besides those that were constrained to do against their conscience by the helpe of the parishe Priest whose name was sir Iohn Brodish ¶ These be the chiefest causes why those aboue named were persecuted FIrst they did hold and beleeue the holy word of God to be the sufficient doctrine vnto their saluation Secondly they denied the Popes vsurped authoritie and did hold all that church of Antichrist to be Christs aduersaries And further refused the abused sacraments defied the masse and all popish seruice and ceremonies saying they robbed God of his honour Christ of his death and glory and would not come at the Church without it were to the defacyng of that they did there Thirdly they did hold that the ministers of the church by Gods word might lawfully marry Fourthly they helde the Queene to be as chiefe head and wicked rulers to bee a great plague sent of God for sinne c. Fiftly
was burnt at Leicester the 26. of the moneth of Iune aboue named ⧠Thirteene Martyrs burned at Stratford the Bowe NOt long after the death of the Merchaunts seruaunt before mentioned there followed in this happye and blessed order of Martyrs burned in one fire at Stratford the Bowe by London a xj men and two women whose dwellings were in sundry places in Essex whose names hereafter followeth Henry Adlington Laurence Pernam Henry Wye William Hallywell Thomas Bowyer George Searles Edmund Hurst Lyon Cawch Rafe Iackson Iohn Deryfall Iohn Routh Elizabeth Pepper Agnes George Unto whom the 6. of Iune an 1556. D. Darbyshiere Boners Chancellour in forme of law ministred the same Articles that were propounded vnto Tho. Whittle hys company mentioned before to the which they made their seuerall answers in simplicitie and in a good conscience The summe and effect whereof ensueth To the first they all answered affirmatiuely but Lyon Cawch added further that he beleued that the true fayth and religion of Christ is wheresoeuer the word of God is truly preached To the second Article they all answered in effect deniyng that there be 7. sacraments some affirmyng that in the Church of Christ there be but two sacraments that is to say Baptisme and the Lordes Supper Others referryng themselues to beleeue as the scripture teacheth them And other some refused to make aunswer because of theyr simplicitie To the third article they all answered affirmatiuely To the fourth Article they all aunswered affirmatiuely sauing Iohn Routh who sayd he would make no answer thereunto But Lyon Cawch added that he beleued the article to be true but it was because he had no better knowledge And Agnes George added that in king Edward the 6. his tyme she went from her old fayth and religion and beleued in the faith and religion that was then taught and set forth To the fift they all aunswered in effect affirmatiuely sauing Iohn Routh whose aunswer was that the Masse is such a thyng which cannot nor will not enter into hys conscience And Henry Adlington answered that for 9. or 10. yeres before he misliked the Masse and also the Sacrament of the aultar because they cannot bee prooued by the scriptures And as touching the authoritie of the Sea of Rome he beyng but xiiij yeares of age tooke an othe agaynst the same which othe he sayd he intended to keepe by the grace of God To the vj. they all aunswered affirmatiuely sauyng Iohn Routh and Wil. Halywel who both refused to answer because they knew not what they meant by this article But the two women added that they refused to bee reconciled to the fayth and religion that was then vsed in the Realme of England And Laurence Pernam added that he neuer refused to bee reconciled and brought to the vnitie of the catholike church of Christ. To the vij Article they all aunswered affirmatiuely but Wil. Halywell denied that euer he called the Masse Idolatry and abhomination And Henry Wye affirmyng the Article to be true yet he confessed hys infirmitye that he went to hys parish church and receyued before he was put in prison To the viij Article Edmund Hurst Rafe Iackson George Searles aunswered affirmatiuely Henry Wye sayd he was brought before certaine Iustices of Peace in Essex concernyng one Higbed his late maister and therevpon he was committed to Colchester Castell and from thence sent to London to the Bishop to be further examined Wil. Hallywell affirmed the like confession as Henry Wye did onely Higbed excepted Iohn Derifall said he was called before the Lord Rich and Maister Mildmay of Chelmesford and was by them sent to Boner Bish. of London to be further by hym examined Tho. Bowyer sayd he was brought before one M. Wiseman of Felsed by hym was sent to Colchester castle and from theÌ„ce was caried to Boner bishop of London to be by hym further examined Lion Cawch sayd that he was sent to come before the Kyng and Queenes Maiesties Commissioners and there before them appearyng three tymes was sent to Boner bishop of London to be by hym further examined Henry Adlington sayd that he commyng to Newgate to speake with one Gratwike there beyng prisoner for the testimony of Iesu Christ was apprehended and brought before D. Story and by hym sent to Boner bish of London to be by hym further examined Iohn Routh sayd that he was conuented before the Earle of Oxford and by hym sent to the castle of Colchester from thence conueyed to Boner B. of London to bee by hym further examined Laurence Pernam sayd that he was committed to Harford prison because he would not go to church and from thence sent to Boner B. of London to be by him further examined Agnes George sayd that she was committed to prison in Colchester at the commaundement of one M. Maynard an Alderman of the towne because she would not go to church and from thence was sent to Boner B. of London to be by hym further examined Elizabeth Pepper sayd she was apprehended by two Conâ—â—ables and an Alderman for that shee woulde not come to church and by them was sent to Boner B. of London to be by hym further examined To the ix Article they all beleued the premisses to bee true aboue by them confessed and that they were of the dioces and iurisdiction of London But Elizabeth Pepper added that she was of the towne of Colchester And Agnes George added that she was of the Parish of Barefold And Lyon Cawche added that he was then of the Citie of London by reason that he was at that present a merchant there Henry Wye Brewer was of the parish of Stantford le Hoxe and of 32. yeres of age William Hallywell was a Smith of the Parishe of Waltham Holle crosse and of the age of 24. yeres or theraboutes Rafe Iackson was a seruingman of Shepping Onger and of the age of 24. yeares Laurence Parnam was a Smith of Hodsâ—on within the parish of Amwell in the County of Hartford of the age of 22. yeres Iohn Derifall was a Labourer of the parish of Rettington in Essex and of the age of 50. yeres Edmund Hurst was a Labourer of the parish of S. Iames in Colchester and of the age of fiftye yeares and aboue Thomas Bowyer was a Weauer of Much Dunnemow and of the age of 36. yeares George Searles was a Tailor betwene 20. 21. yeres of age of the parish of White Nottle where he was taken and caried to the Lord Rich who sent hym to Colchester castle with a commaundement that no friend he had shuld speake with hym There he lay 6. weekes and was sent vp to London where he was sometyme in the Bishops colehouse sometyme in Lollards Tower and last of all in Newgate He was appreheÌ„ded in Lent about a fortnight before Easter in the place aforesayd Lyon Cawch was a Broker borne in
there is the reall substance of the body of Christ Fort. And I aunswered him that it is the greatest plague that euer came into England Bish. Why so Fort. I sayd if I were a Bishop and you a poore man as I am I would be ashamed to aske such a question For a Bishop should be apt to teach and not to learne Bish. I am appoynted by the law to teach so are not you Fort. And I sayd Your lawe breaketh out very well for you haue burned vp the true Bishops and preachers and mainteined lyers to be in theyr steed Bish. Now you may vnderstand that he is a traytour for he denyeth the higher powers Fort. I am no traytour for S. Paule sayth All soules must obey the higher powers and I resist not the higher powers concerning my body but I must resist your euill doctrine wherwith you would infect my soule A Doct. Then sayd a Doctor my Lord you doe not well let him aunswere shortly to his articles Bish. How sayst thou make aunswere quickly to these articles Fort. S. Paule sayth Christ did one sacrifice once for all and set him downe on the right hand of his father triumphing ouer hell and death making intercession for sinnes Bish. I aske thee no suche question but make aunswere to this article Fort. If it be not GOD before the consecration it is not God after for God is without beginning and without ending Bish. Then sayd he lo what a stiffe hereticke is this He hath denyed altogether how sayest thou Is it idolatry to worship the blessed sacrament or no. Fort. God is a spirit and will be worshipped in spirit and trueth Bish. I aske thee no such question answere me directly Fort. I answere that this is the God Mauzzim that robbeth God of his honor Bish. It is pity that the grounde beareth thee or that thou hast a toung to speak Thē sayd the scribe here are a great many more articles Bish. Then sayde the Bishop Away with him for he hath spoken to much ¶ An other examination of I. Fortune ANd when I came to mine examination agayne the bishoppe asked me if I would stand vnto mine answere that I had made before and I sayd yea for I had spoken nothing but the truth And after that he made a great circumstance vpon the Sacrament Then I desired him to stand to the text he read the Gospell on Corpus Christi day whiche sayd I am the breade which came downe from heauen beleuest thou not this And I sayd yea truely And he sayd why doest thou deny the Sacrament Because your doctrine is false sayd I. Then sayd he how can that be false which is spoken in the Scripture And I sayd Christ sayd I am the bread and you say the breade is he Therefore your doctrine is false sayd I. And he sayd doest thou not beleue that the bread is he And I sayd no. Bish. I will bring thee to it by the Scriptures Fort. Hold that fast my Lord for that is the best Argumēt that you haue yet Bish. Thou shalt be burned like an hereticke Fort. Who shall geue iudgement vpon me Bish. I will iudge an hundred such as thou art and neuer be shriuen vpon it Fort. Is there not a lawe for the spiritualty as well as for the temporaltye and Syr Clement Higham sayde yes what meanest thou by that Fort. When a man is periured by the law he is cast ouer the barre and sitteth no more in iudgement And the Byshop is a periured man and ought to sit in iudgement of no mā Bish. How prouest thou that Fort. Because you tooke an oth by king Henries dayes to resist the Pope So both spirituall and temporall are periured that here can be no true iudgement Bish. Thinkest thou to escape iudgement by that no for my Chaūcellor shall iudge thee He took no oth for he was out then of the Realme M. Hygham It is time to weede out such felowes as you be in deed Bysh. Good fellowe why beleuest not thou in the Sacrament of the aultar Fort. Because I finde it not in Gods booke nor yet in the Doctors If it were there I would beleue it with al my hart Bysh. How knowest thou it is not there Fort. Because it is contrary to the second cōmaundement and seing it is not written in Gods booke why do you thē robbe me of my life Then the Bishop hauing no more to saye commaunded the Bailiffe to take him away And thus much touching the examinations of this man Now whether he died in fire or otherwise preuented with death as I sayd before I am vncertayne In the Registers of Norwich this I do finde that his sentence of condemnation was drawne and Registred but whether it was pronounced in the said Register it is not expressed according as the vsuall maner of the Notary is so to declare in the end of the sētēce Neuertheles this is most certayne that he neuer abiured nor recanted howsoeuer it pleased the Lord by death to call him out of this world ¶ The death of Iohn Careles in the Kynges Benche ABout this time the first day of Iuly amongest diuers other prisoners which dyed the same yeare in the Kinges Bench was also one Iohn Careles of Couentry a weauer Who though he were by the secret iudgemēt of almighty God preuented by death so that he came not to the full Martyrdome of his body yet is he no lesse worthy to be counted in honor place of Christes martyrs then other that suffered most cruell torments aswell for that he was for the same truthes sake a long time imprisoned as also for his willing mind zelous affection he had thereunto if the Lord had so determined it as well may appeare by his examinatiō had before Doct. Martin Which examination because it conteineth nothing almost but wrangling interrogations and matters of contentiō wherin Doctour Martin would enter into no communication about the articles of his accusation but onely vrged him to detect his felowes it shall not be greatly materiall therfore to expresse the whole but onely to excerpt so much as perteining to the question of predestination may bring some fruit to the Reader ¶ The effect of Iohn Careles examination before Doctour Martin briefly declared FIrst Doctour Martin calling Iohn Careles to hym in his Chamber demaunded what was his name To whom when the other had answered that his name was Iohn Careles then began Doctour Martin to descant at his pleasure vpon that name saying that it would appere by his conditions by that time he had done with him that he would be a true careles man in deed And so after other by talke there spent about much needelesse matter then he asked him where he was borne Careles Forsooth sayth he at Couentry Mart. At Couentry what so farre man How camest thou hither Who sent thee to the kinges Bench to prison Carel. I was
not awaye all thy true preachers forth of this realme O Lord but leaue vs a seede least England be made like vnto Sodome and Gomorre when thy true Lothes be gone But what goe I aboute to mingle your myrthe wyth my mourning and your iust ioy with my deserued sorow If I loued you in deede as I haue pretended I shoulde surely reioyce with you most hartily praise god on your behalfe from the very bottome of my hart I should prayse God day and night for your excellēt election in through his great mercy and should geue him most humble thākes for your vocation by his Gospell your true knowledge in the same I should earnestly prayse him for your sweete iustification wherof you are most certayne by Gods grace and spirite should instantly pray vnto him for your glorification which shall shortly ensue I should reioyce and be glad to see you so dignifyed by the crowne of Martyrdome and to be appoynted to that honour to testify hys truth and to seale it with your bloud I should highly extoll the Lord who hath geuen you a glorious victory euer al your enemies visible and inuisible and hath geuen you grace and strength to finish the Tower that you haue begunne to build Finally if I loued you I should most hartily reioice and be glad to see you deliuered from this body of sinne and vile prison of the fleshe and brought into that heauenly tabernacle where you shal be safely kept and neuer offend him more This and much more should I do if I had a good hart towardes God or you his deare childe But alas I am an hypocrite do seeke nothing but mine owne commodity I would haue gods euerlasting prouidēce geue place to my peeuish will purpose although it were to the hinderance of his glory and your sweet commodity God forgeue me my horrible ingratitude sinnes offēces agaynst him and good brother do you forgeue me my great negligence and vnthankfulnes towards you and henceforth I promise you I will put my will to Gods wil pray that the same may be fulfilled in you so long as you be on this earth and when you are taken hence I will most hartely prayse the Lord for you so lōg as I haue my being in this world Ah my deare hart nowe I muste take my leaue of you and as I thinke my Vltimum vale in this lyfe but in the life to come I am righte well assured we shall merilye meete together that shortly I trust And in taking of my leue of you my deare hart in the Lord I shall desire you faythfully to remēber all the sweet messages that the Lord our good God most deare louing father hath sent you by me his most vnworthy seruaunt which as they are moste true so shall they be most truly accōplished vpon you eternally and for the more assurance and certificate thereof to your godly cōscience he hath cōmaunded me to repeat the same vnto you agayne in his owne name and word Therfore now geue eare and faithfull credence Harken O ye heauens and thou earth geue eare and beare me witnes at the great day that I do here faythfully and truly the lordes message vnto his dear seruant his singularly beloued and elect childe Iohn Bradford Iohn Bradford thou man so specially beloued of God I pronoūce testify vnto thee in the word name of the Lord Iehoua that all thy sinnes whatsoeuer they be be they neuer so many so grieuous or so great be fully freely pardoned released forgeuen thee by the mercy of God in Iesus Christ thyne onely Lord sweet sauiour in whom thou doest vndoubtedly beleue Christ hath cleansed thee with his bloud and clothed thee with his righteousnes and hath made thee in the sight of God his father without spotte or wrinckle so that when the fire doth his appoynted office thou shalt be receyued as a sweete burnt sacrifice into heauen where thou shalt ioyfully remayn in Gods presence for euer as the true inheritor of his euerlasting kingdome vnto that whiche that wast vndoubtedly predestinate ordeined by the Lords vnfallible purpose and decree before the foundation of the worlde was layde And that this is most true that I haue sayd I call the whole Trinity the almighty and eternall maiesty of God the father the sonne and the holy ghost to my record at this present whom I humbly beseech to confirme and stablish in thee the true and liuelye feeling of the same Amen Selah Now with a mery hart and a ioyfull spirit something mixed with lawful teares I take my farewel of you mine owne deare brother in the Lorde who sende vs shortly a merye meeting in his kingdome that we maye both sing prayses together vnto him with hys holy Aungelles and blessed spirites for euer euer Farewel thou blessed of the Lord farewell in Christ depart vnto thy rest in the Lorde and pray for me for Gods sake As I had made an ende of this simple Letter I hearde some comfort both of good Maister Philpots seruant and yours but alas I doe scarcely beleue them Well I wyll hope in God pray all night that God will send me some comfort to morrowe and if the Lorde geue you sparing to morow let me heare foure words of comfort from you for Gods sake The blessing of God be with you now and for euer Amen Yours for euer in the Lord Iesus Iohn Careles liuing in hope agaynst hope In reading this letter of Iohn Careles to M. Bradford aboue prefixed wherein he maketh so much mētion of a certayne letter of his sent to him and of the great exceeding consolation he receiued of the same thou wilt wishe peraduenture good louing Reader in thy mynd to haue some sight also of the sayd Letter of M. Bradford Wherein to satisfy thy desire or rather to preuent thy petition I haue hereunto annexed the same to the entent thou mayest not onely vnderstand the contentes therof but also receiue fruit therof to thy cōsolation likewise The purport of the letter here foloweth ¶ Mayster Bradford to Careles ALmighty God our deare father through and for the merits of his dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ be mercifull vnto vs pardon vs our offences vnder the winges of his mercy he protect vs from all euill from henceforth and for euer Amen Deare brother Careles I hartely pray you to pray to GOD for me for the pardon of my manifold sinnes and most grieuous offences whiche neede none other demonstration vnto you then this namely that I haue behaued my selfe so negligently in aunswering your godly triple letters whiche are three witnesses agaynst me God lay not them nor none other thing to my charge to condemnation though to correction not my will but his wil be done Concerning your request of absolution my dearest brother what shall I saye but euen as trueth is that the
Lorde of all mercy and Father of all comfort through the merites and mediation of his deare sonne thy onely Lord and Sauiour hath clearely remitted and pardoned all thy offences whatsoeuer they bee that euer hitherto thou hast committed agaynst his maiesty and therefore he hath geuen to thee as to his childe deare Brother Iohn Careles in token that thy sinnes are pardoned he I say hath geuen vnto thee a penitent and beleuing hart that is a hart which desireth to repent and beleue For suche a one is taken of him he accepting the will for the deede for a penitent and beleuing hart in deed Wherefore my good Brother be mery gladde and of good cheare for the Lorde hath taken away thy sinnes thou shalt not dye Goe thy wayes the Lord hath put away thy sinnes The East is not so farre from the West as the Lord now hath put thy sinnes from thee Looke how the heauēs be in comparison of the earth so far hath his mercy preuayled towardes thee his deare chylde Iohn Careles through Christ the beloued Say therfore with Dauid prayse the Lord oh my soule and all that is within me prayse his holy name for he hath forgeuen thee all thy sinnes as truely he hath And hereof I desire to be a witnesse God make me worthy to heare from you the like true message for my selfe Myne owne dearly beloued you haue great cause to thanke God moste hartily that he hath geuen you such repētance and fayth the lord encrease the same in you and me a most miserable wretch whose hart is harder then the Adamant stone or elles I coulde not thus long haue stayed from writing vnto you If I liue and may I purpose and promise you to make amendes Praye for me my moste deare brother I hartely beseech you and forgeue me my long silence God our father be with vs for euer Amen Yours in the Lord Iohn Bradford ¶ To my most deare and faythfull brethren in Newgate condemned to dye for the testimony of Gods euerlasting truth THe euerlasting peace of God in Iesus Christ the cōtinual ioy strength and comfort of his most pure holy mighty spirite with the increase of fayth liuely feeling of his eternall mercy be with you my most deare faythfull louing brother Tyms with all the rest of my deare hartes in the Lord your faithfull felow souldiers most constant cōpanions in bonds yea of men condēned most cruelly for the sincere testimony of Gods euerlasting truth to the full finishing of that good worke which he hath so graciously begon in you all that the same may be to his glory the commodity of his poore afflicted church and to your euerlasting comfort in him Amen Ah my most sweet and louing brethrē and dearest hartes in the Lord what shall I say or how shall I write vnto you in the least poynt or part to vtter the great ioy that my poore hart hath cōceiued in God through the most godly example of your christian constancy and sincere confession of Christes verity Truely my tongue can not declare nor my pen expresse the aboūdance of spirituall myrth and gladnes that my minde and inward man hath felte euer since I heard of your harty boldnes and modest behauior before that bloudy butcher in the time of al your crafty examinations especially at your cruell condēnation in theyr cursed Consistory place Blessed be God the Father of all mercy praysed be his name for that he hath so graciously performed vpon you his deare darlinges his most sweete and comfortable promises in not onely geuing you the cōtinuall aide strength and comfort of his holye and mighty spirite to the faythfull confession of his Christ for whose cause O most happy mē ye are condemned to dye but also in geuing you such a mouth wisedom as al your wicked enemies were not able to resist but were fayne to cry Peace peace not suffer you to speake As truely as God liueth my deare brethrē this is not only vnto you a most euident probation that God is on our side and a sure certainty of your euerlasting saluatiō in him but also to your cruell aduersaries or rather gods cursed enemies a plaine demōstration of their iust eternall woe damnatiō which they shal be full sure shortly to feele whē ye shal ful sweetly possesse the place of felicity pleasure prepared for you frō the beginning Therefore my dearly beloued cease not so long as ye be in this life to prayse the Lord with a lusty courage for that of his great mercy and infinite goodnesse he hath vouched you worthy of this great dignity to suffer for his sake not onely the losse of goodes wife and childrē long imprisonment cruell oppressiō c. but also the very depriuation of this mortall life with the dissolution of your bodies in the fire The which is the greatest promotion that GOD can bring you or any other vnto in this vale of misery yea so great an honour as the highest Aungel in heauen is not permitted to haue yet hath the Lord for his dere sonne Christs sake reputed you worthy of the same yea and that before me and many other which haue both long looked longed for the same Ah my most deare brother Tyms whose time resteth altogether in the handes of the Lorde in a full happy time camest thou into this troublesome world but in a much more blessed houre shalt thou depart forth of the same so that the sweete saying of Salomon or rather of the holye ghost shall be full well verified vpon thee yea and all thy faythfull fellowes Better is the day of death sayth hee then the day of byrth This saying cannot be verified vpon euery man but vpon thee my deare brother and suche as thou art whose death is most precious before God full deare shal your bloud be in his sight Blessed be God for thee my deare brother Tymmes and blessed be God agayn that euer I knew thee for in a most happy time I came first into thy company Pray for me deare brother pray for me that God will once vouch me worthye of that great dignitie whereunto he hath now brought you Ah my louing brother Drake whose soule draweth now nigh vnto God of whom you haue receiued the same ful glad may you be that euer God gaue you a life to leaue for his sake Full well will he restore it to you agayne in a thousand fold more glorious wife Prayse God good brother as you haue great cause and pray for me I beseeche you which am so muche vnworthy so great are my sins of that great dignitie whereunto the Lord hath called you and the rest of your godly brethren whome I beseech you to comfort in the Lorde as you can full well praysed be God for his giftes which you haue hartily applyed to the setting forth of his glory and the commoditie of his
poore afflicted Church Which thing shal surely redound to your euerlasting ioy and comfort as you shall most effectually feele or euer it be long though the wicked of the world iudge farre otherwise Ah mine owne hartes and most dearely beloued brethren Cauell Ambrose and both the Spurges blessed be the Lord on your behalfe and praysed be his name which hath geuen you such a glorious victory Full valiant haue you shewed your selues in the Lords fight ful faithfully in your paynefull seruice Faint not but go on forward as ye haue most godly begun for great shall your reward be at the end of this your trauell Ah my good faythfull brethren all what shall I say or what shall I write vnto you but euen the same that good Elizabeth did say to her godly kinswoman Mary the blessed mother of Christe Happy art thou quoth that good woman which hast beleued for al thinges which the Lord hath spoken to thee shal be fulfilled So I say to you my deare heartes in the Lorde happy are ye all yea twise happy shall ye bee for euermore because yee haue stedfastly beleued the most sweete promises which god the father hath made vnto you with his owne mouth in that he hath promised you which are the faythfull seede of the beleuing Abraham that ye shall be blessed euer world without end The promises of God your sweet father as ye do beleue so do ye beare record that God is true The Testymony wherof ye haue full worthily borne to the worlde shortly will full surely seale the same with your bloud yea euen to morow I do vnderstand Oh constant Christians oh valiant souldiers of the high captayne Iesus Chryste who for your sake hath conquered the deuill death sinne hel hath geuē you full victory ouer them for euermore Oh worthy witnesses and most glorious martyrs whose inuincible fayth hath ouercome that proude sturdye bragging Prince of the world al his wicked army ouer whom ye shall shortly triumph for euermore Ah my sweet harts the euerlasting treasures are full surely layd vp for you in heauen The immercessible and moste glorious crowne of victory is already made and prepared for you to be shortly clapt vpon all your happy heades The holy Aungelles of your heauenly father are already appoynted to conducte your sweete soules into Abrahams bosome All the heauēly host reioyseth already for that they shall shortly receiue you with ioy felicitie into their blessed fellowship Selah Reioyce with double ioy and bee glad my deare brethren for doubtles ye haue more cause then can be expressed But alas I that for my sinnes am left behinde may lye and lament with the holy Prophet saying Woe is me that the dayes of my ioyfull rest are prolonged Ah cursed Satan which hath caused me so sore to offend my most deare louing father whereby my exile and banishmente is so much prolonged Oh christ my deare aduocate pacifie thy fathers wrath which I haue iustly deserued that he may take me home to him in his sweete mercye Oh that I might now come home vnto thee with my blessed brethren Wel thy will O Lord be effectuously fulfilled for it is onely good and turneth all thinges to the best for suche as thou in thy mercies hast chosen And now farewell my deare heartes most happy in the Lord. I trust in my good God yet shortly to see you in the celestiall citie wherof vndoubtedly the Lord hath already made you free citizens Though ye be yet with vs for a litle time your very home is in heauē where your treasure doth remayne with your sweet Lord and Redeemer Iesus Christe whose calling you haue heard with the eares of youre heartes and therefore yee shall neuer come into iudgement but passe from death to life Your sinnes shall neuer be remembred be they neuer so many so greeuous or so great for your sauiour hath cast them all into the bottome of the sea he hath remoued them from you as farre as the East is from the West and his mercy hathe muche more preuayled ouer you then is distaunce betweene heauē and earth and he hath geue you for an euerlasting possession of the same al his holinesse righteousnesse and iustification yea and the holy Ghost into your harts wherwith ye are surely sealed vnto the daye of redemption to certifie you of your eternall election and that yee are hys true adopted sonnes whereby yee may boldly crye vnto God Abba deare father for euermore so that now no creature in heauen earth nor hell shall be able to accuse you before the throne of the heauenly king Satan is now cast out from you he himselfe is iudged and hathe no parte in you He will once more byte you by the heele and then he hath don for at that time you shall squise his head through your owne good Christ and so haue you finall victory for euermore In ioyfull triumphe whereof yee shall sweetly ascend into the place of eternall rest whether youre eldest brother christ is gone before you to take possession for you and to prepare your place vnder the holy aultar with Cranmer Latimer Ridley Rogers Hooper Saunders Farrar Taylour Bradford Philpot with many other who will be full glad of your comming to see sixe moe of their appoynted number that their bloud may so muche the sooner be reuenged vpon them that dwell on the earth Thus I make an ende committing you all to Gods most mercifull defence whose quarrell yee haue defended whose cause ye haue promoted whose glory yee haue sette forth and whose name ye haue constantly confessed Farewell for a while my deare hartes in the Lord I wil make as much haste after you as I may All our deare brethren salute you They pray for you and prayse God for you cōtinually Blessed be the dead that dye in the Lord for they rest from their labours sayth the holy Ghost and their workes follow them Your owne Iohn Careles a most vnprofitable servaunt of the Lord. Pray pray pray ¶ In the pag. 1742. ye heard before the letter of Thomas Whittel written to Iohn Careles wherin he yeldeth great thankes vnto him for the singular ioy and consolatiō receiued by his letters The copie of which letters sent vnto him if any be disposed to peruse here vnder foloweth to satisfie his desire ¶ To M. Greene M. Whittel and certaine other prisoners in Newgate condemned and ready to be burnt for the testimonie of our Lord Iesus THe euerlasting peace in Iesus Christe the continual comfort of his most pure and holy spirite be with you my most deare and faithfull brethren and sisters of Newgate the Lordes appointed sheepe vnto the slaughter to the good performaunce of the great and notable worke of the Lord which he hath so graciously begon in you al that the same may redoūd to the setting forth of his glory to the commoditie of his
are much offended for it felleth all mans righteousnes to the ground I had like to haue sayd to the bottome of hell extolleth onely the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ whiche is allowed before God and is freely geuen to al those that firmely beleue as blessed be God you doe Ah my good brother Tymmes Sathan hath put hys hand in a wrong boxe when he beginneth to tempte you either to vayne glory or mistrust for you are an old beaten souldier and haue had good experience of these manner of temptations both by your selfe and other whome you know well were the beloued of God Bee of good cheare therefore deare hart be of good cheare for now Satā hath wrought all his malice he hath done all that hee can and hath shot of all his last Peeces wherwith he had thought to haue done most mischiefe but now he seeth hee cannot preuaile the strong tower of your fayth being so inuincible he will plucke vp all his tentes and get him to some other place to practise the like assaultes and then will the Aungels of God come and minister vnto you the moste sweete heauenly consolations of the holy Ghost To hym therefore who is able to do exceeding aboundantly aboue all that euer we can desire or thinke I do most hartily cōmit you with all the reste of youre godly prison fellowes who comfort strengthen and defend you with his grace mighty operation of his holye spirit as hee hath hitherto done that you hauing a most glorious victory ouer the subtle serpent and all his wicked seede may also receaue the crowne of glory and immortalitie prepared for you before the foundations of the world were layde and is so surelye kept for you in the handes of him whose promise is vnfallible that the Deuill sinne death or hell shall neuer be able to depriue you of the same The blessing of God bee with you now for euermore Amen Pray pray pray for me Your owne for euer Iohn Careles * To my good sister M.C. THe peace of God in Iesus Christ the eternal comforts of his sweete spirite be with you my deare and faithful sister to the ful accomplishment of that good worke which hee hath most graciously begon in you that the same may be effectuall to the setting forth of his glory and to your euerlasting consolation in him Amen My louing and faythful Sister in the Lord I thanke you for all your louing kindnes shewed vnto me in youre feruent and faithfull prayers and for your most godly and comfortable letter wherby you do not only much encrease my ioy and comfort but also put me in remembraunce of my duetie towardes you Blessed be the Lord our God which of his great merhath so beautified his Church in these our dayes that euen vnto many godly women hee hathe geuen most excellent giftes of knowledge and vnderstanding of his truth so that they are not onely well able to enforme their owne consciences in all thinges necessarye to saluation but also moste sweetly to comfort their sorrowfull brethren sisters that susteine any trouble for the testimony of Gods trueth yea that which is more euen in the middest of their great cōflictes of conscience Of which most happy number of godly and vertuous women my deare hart you are one and that of the chiefest being plentifully endued with the gifts of Gods most gracious spirite as it doth full wel appeare in your dayly doinges God onely haue the prayse therefore For asmuch then as God hath geuen you the gift to write I shall moste hartily desire you to let me heare from you sometimes be it neuer so little for truely I take great cōfort and courage thereby specially in my poore conscience whiche is sore assaulted of subtile Satan and in a manner oppressed of my sinnes Pray deare sister that GOD may geue me true hartie and earnest repentaunce increase my fayth for they are bothe the good giftes of God onely and farre passe the reache of my power to take at my pleasure Therfore deare sister if you wil helpe me to begge the same of our deare louing father I am sure that he both cā and will geue them in his good time As for the feare of death or terrour of the fire I most hartily thanke my good God I feele it not onely it is mine owne sinnes and vnthankfulnes which holdeth hard battayle wageth strōg warre against me which onely goeth about to separate me from my good captayne Christ that I shoulde not enioye his glorious victory but God being on my side as I am sure hee is that cannot continually preuayle agaynst me Though God for a time permitte Satan to take his pleasure on me as he did vpon Iob yet I doubt not but in the end all shall turne to my profite through the merites of our Lord sauiour Iesus Christ to whose most mercifull defence I commit you deare Sister with al the rest of the Lordes elect Farewell in Christ. Yours vnfaynedly Iohn Careles Pray pray pray pray * To my deare brother T. V. THe euerlasting peace of God in Iesus Christ the continuall comfortes of his most pure and holy spirite be with you my most deare frend and faythfull brother U. to the increase of your fayth and comfort of your sorrowful spirite which is to the father a sweete sacrifice through chryst for whose sake he will neuer despise your humble and contrite hart but doth fauourably accept the same and wil in most ample wise performe the desire thereof to his glorye your eternall comfort in him In the mids of my manifold crosses troubles wherin I am constrayned to flee vnto God for refuge succour by earnest faithful prayer I cannot forget you my deare hart in the Lord but esteeming your state for mine owne I do poure forth my complaynt for you as I do for my selfe rather more as I thinke present neede doth require desiring most hartily to heare the good successe of the same in you The lord God for his great mercies sake accomplish my desire as I doubt not but he wil when he seeth it good and most to his glory and to your comforte and commoditie Oh that I might once see you so merry in Christ as you haue iust cause to be that you might say with Dauid Awake my glory awake Lute and Harpe bring forth the Psalter with the merry song that I might sing a newe song of prayse and thankesgeuing vnto the Lord for the light of his fauourable coūtenaunce his helpe and deliueraunce Oh that would refresh me as a most precious oyle and gladden my poore heart whiche is assaulted with sorrow moe wayes then one I doubt not but the same shal by your meanes receiue much comfort though for a time it doth mourne with you that we may be made both glad together yea that with such gladnes as shal continue for
euer But in the meane space I saye most happy are you that so hartily mourne the absence of the bridegrome If you were not a wedding child you could neuer doe it Onely Christes true Disciples doe mourne for his absence therefore shall they doubtles reioyce at his presence which will be so muche more ioyfull by how much the absence is more sorrowfull Therfore my good brother take a good hart vnto you be of good cheare Say with the Prophet Dauid O my soule why art thou so heauy and why art thou so disquieted with in me O put thy trust in God for I will yet geue him thankes for the helpe of his louing countenance and because he is my God Read the Psal the xli and the xlij for your comfort consider that the holy kng and Prophet at the making first saying of them was euē in the same case that you are now in but he still comforted himselfe with the sweet promises of God and so do you my deare hart for to you they do as well pertayne as they did to him and as surely shall they be performed vpon you as they were vpon him for he is one God and deare father vnto you both for his mercy truth and promise sake he must needes make good vnto you all that he hath sayd If his loue towardes you stoode in the respect of your own merite or worthines you might well mourne lamēt and complayne yea you had good cause to doubt feare mistrust But seeing he loueth you onely for and in Iesus christ who is your whole holines righteousnesse and redemption lay away all mourning lamenting and complayning banish from you all feare mistrust and infidelitie and know that as long as Christ doth continue Gods sonne so lōg must the loue of the father continue towards you immutable and his good will vnchangeable and can not be altered through any of your infirmities For this is most true that as long as the cause of any thinge doth last so long must the effect remayne but Christ is the whole cause why the father loueth you and hee also continueth for euer then must I needes conclude that the loue of the father continueth towardes you for euer and as the Psalmist most ioyfully so often singeth His mercye endureth for euer and euer This is most true mine owne deare hart although the Lorde for a time hide it from your senses that you might be the more earneste in prayer to him for the feeling of it also the more thankefull for it when he doth geue the liuely tast of it as doubtles he will do ere euer it be long and then shall you be well able to comforte other in the same state that you are now in with the same comforte wherewith you are and further shal be comforted of God Therefore lifte vp youre handes that are now a little fallen downe and stretche forth the weake knees of youre troubled minde whiche now mourneth with a godly mourning and therefore shal it be full well comforted with that sweete peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding and you are sure already to enioy the blessing that Christ gaue vnto the Godly mourners of Sion vppon the Mount at the first sermon that he made Oh happy U. in whose mourning company I had rather be then in the house of mirth and banqueting of such as see not what cause they haue to mourne and be sory But yet my good brother vse a measure in this your godly mourning make not your faithfull frendes too much sory for you Let the perswasions of such godly louers as you do dayly company withal or rather the perswasions of the holy Ghoste by them moue you to some godly mirth and reioising Consider that you are commaunded of God by the mouth of Sainct Paule thereto Reioyce in the Lord sayth he and I say again reioyce Marke how he doubleth the sentence that wee may perceaue it is a most earnest and necessary thing he requireth Obey the commaundement of God in this behalfe wherin as you cannot but highly please him so I assure you you shall very much reioyce my poore hart and the harts of other whiche pray for you with mourning teares and make that cruell enemy Sathan and all your aduersaryes sory which will reioyce and laugh to see you mourne Oh my good brother let it manifestly appeare that the Lorde of his great mercy hath heard our faythfull and harty requestes for you Oh how would that reioyce me in the midst of my troubles Therfore now to conclude because the darkenes constrayneth me to make an end for this time I say my deare faithful brother U. in respect of the great cause you haue of your own part through Christ for the glory and honor of almighty God the comfort ioy and reioysing of your deare brethren and sisters in Christ also your owne duetie by the commaundement of God and last of all to vexe molest and greeue Satan withall reioyce in the lord and be most hartily glad in him who is wholy yours and you are his and shal be for euermore Selah Farewel mine own bowels in the Lord praise God with ioyfull lips a mery hart pray for me his most vnprofitable seruant which haue more cause concerning my selfe to lament then any one man liuing but my good bridegrome is present biddeth me cast away my mourning garmentes and therfore I must needes be merry with him and so he biddeth you to be by my mouth for hee is present with you although for sorow you cannot know him as Magdalen could not in the garden vntill he spake vnto her The Lorde God speake these wordes of comforte in your hart open the eyes of your minde that you may perfectly perceiue and feele his blessed presence so reioyce in the same for euermore Amen Comfort your hart in christ and cast your care vpon him for he careth for you Your brother in the Lord abiding his good pleasure Iohn Careles * To my deare and faythfull brother Augustine Bernher The peace of God in Iesus Christ the helpe comforte and assistance of his eternall spirite be with you my deare and faythfull brother Augustine and with all the rest of my good brethren and sisters of the houses of Baxterley Manceter which mourneth for the miserye of Gods people to your euerlasting consolation in hym Amen Right glad I am to heare my deare and faithfull brother Augustine that God of his greate mercy and infinite goodnes hath yet so graciously deliuered preserued you out of your enemyes handes beseeching almighty God also from the bottome of my hart to be your continuall defence vnto the ende as hitherto he hath most graciously bene that you may liue dye both to Gods glory the commodity of his Church and to the increase of your owne euerlasting ioy and comfort in hym Knowe you deare brother
the which I truste will be shortly O hasten it good Lorde and shorten these sorrowfull and sinfull dayes for thy great mercies sake Farewell my deare and faithfull louing brother The Lorde defende keepe and preserue you from the power of youre enemies visible and inuisible and sende vs a most ioyfull and merry meeting here or elswhere as it shall please his goodnes to appoynt vs. In the meane space I shall most earnestly desire you to pray for me for I neuer had more neede in my life and doubtles you shall neuer want my poore prayer if it shall please God to accept the prayer of so sinnefull a wretch as I am The Lord impute not my sinnes to me for Iesus Christes sake vnto whose most mercifull defence I do most hartily commit you The blessing of God be with you now and euer Amen I pray you doe my most hartye commendations vnto M. Iohn Glouer I doe not forget him in my dayly prayers and I trust he doth remember me Your poore brother alwayes mindefull of you in my prayer Iohn Careles prysoner abiding Gods pleasure ¶ To my deare brother Harry Adlington prisoner in the Lolardes Tower THe euerlasting peace of God in Iesus Christe the continuall ayde strength ioy and comforte of his moste pure holye and mightye spirite with the increase of faythe and liuely feelyng of hys mercies be most effectuously wrought in your hart my deare and faythfull louing brother Adlington and in the hartes of all your other godly prison fellowes to the full finishing of that good worke which the Lorde hath most graciously begonne in you that the same may bee to the settyng foorth of his glorye the commoditie of his poore afflicted Churche and to your owne eternall ioy and comfort in in him Amen My most deare and faythfull louing brother in oure Lorde I withall the reste of my louing brethren here with me doe moste humbly and hartily commend vs vnto you with al faithfull remembraunce of you in our dayly prayers geuing GOD earnest thankes on your moste happy behalfe for that hee hath geuen you suche hartye boldnes and Christian constancie in the faythfull confession of his euerlasting veritie Blessed bee GOD for thee my dearely beloued brother whiche hathe vouched thee worthy of so great dignitie as to suffer for his sake and settyng foorth of his glory Oh glad in hart mayest thou bee to whom it is geuen not onely to beleue in thy Lord and Christ most liuely but also to suffer for his sake as one of his seely sheepe appointed to the slaughter Bee of good comfort therefore my good brother for your callyng vnto the Crosse of Christ was after a marueilous sorte Surely it was onely the Lordes appointement and therefore hee will well performe his owne worke in and vpon you to the great magnifying of his glory and comfort of your brethren whose hartes are mightely refreshed to heare how hartely you haue behaued your selfe hetherto This present day I receaued a Letter from you at the readyng whereof my brethren and I were not a little comforted to see your conscience so quieted in Christ and your continuaunce so stedfast in him whiche thynges be the speciall giftes of GOD not geuen vnto euery man but to you his deare dearelyng electe and chosen in Christ and such as you bee And where as you doe require to knowe my simple mynde concernyng your aunswere vnto Doctour Story and the Chauncelour truely I say you did aunswere them very well for there are but two Sacramentes in deede that is to say the Sacrament of Baptisme and the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ as you haue full well aunswered them praysed be GOD for his good giftes who chuseth the weake to confounde the strong and the foolishe to confounde the worldly wise If when you come before them agayne they doe aske you what a Sacrament is say you that a Sacrament beyng ministred accordyng to Christes institution is a visible signe of an inuisible grace and hath the promise of GODS mercy annexed vnto it auaylable to all such as doe worthely receaue it and not vnworthely worshyppe it as they would haue vs to doe contrary to GODS commaundement And these properties belongyng to Christes true Sacramentes can not bee applyed vnto any one of those fiue Sacramentes whiche they haue inuented of their owne brayne since Antechrist began to reigne to blinde the people withall I perceiue deare hart that vppon Friday they doe entend to condemne you and to geue you your iudgement Therefore I thinke they will haue no great reasonyng with you but bidde you aunswere them directly either yea or nay to all such thynges as they haue to charge you withall whiche they haue gathered of you since you came into their cruell handes But if they will needes make many wordes with you because you are but a simple man and therefore perchaunce they will be the busier with you to trouble you with many questions to comber your knowledge and then seeme to triumph ouer you and that truth that you do hold if I say they do this as perhappes for some euill purpose they will then bee you so playne and as short as you cā saying roundly vnto them these or such like wordes as nigh as you can Be it knowen vnto you that I in all pointes doe beleeue as it becommeth a true Christian and as I haue bene truely taught in the dayes of that good Kyng Edwarde of such godly Preachers and Prophetes sent of GOD as haue sealed their doctrine with their bloud from whom I will dissent in no poynt for I am a poore man without learnyng but am commaunded of GOD to folow the counsell of his constant Preachers and so doe I entend to doe GOD geuyng me grace and assistaunce thereto As for you I knowe you to bee none of Christes shepeheardes but rauenyng Wolues whiche come to kill and scatter the flocke of Christ as the Lorde sayd you should and doth will vs to beware of you and your poysoned doctrine biddyng vs to iudge you accordyng to your fruites whereby all men may see and knowe what you be that will not be wilfully blind But the good shepeheardes haue geuen their liues for the defence of Christes flocke and I am commaunded to folowe their faythfull and Godly example and to confesse with them one trueth euen to the fire if GOD shall see it good and this as a true Christian I haue hetherto done and hence foorth by GODS grace entend for to doe And if for the same GOD shall suffer you to take awaye my lyfe as you haue done theirs I am contented therewith his will be done for that onely is good But of this bee you sure the Lord will shortly call you to accompt for all the innocent bloud that is shedde within this Realme whiche you haue brought into a most woefull case and made many a heauie hart in the same and moe I perceaue you
sake we suffer whose cause we defend and what glorious reward we shall haue at the day of our victory then doubtles the consolation of these things will make sweete all our suffringes soone swallowe vp all the sorrowes that we are sowâ—ed in for Gods sake I coulde recite diuers textes of the Scriptures to confirme this pointe But I neede not for I am well assured that you do knowe them most perfectly alreadye The Lorde geue you strength and assist you with his holy spirite that you may continually walke in all pointes according to your godly knowledge And then shall you not doe as the moste parte of our Gospellers doe nowe adaies the more is the pitie There are a greate manye in Englande that doe perfectlye knowe that the Idolatrous Masse is abhominable Deuelishe and detestable in the sight of God And yet alasse they be not afrayde to pollute and defile theyr bodyes whych oughte to be the temples of the holy Ghoste with being present at it so sinning against God and theyr owne conscience But dere sister K. do you flie from it both in body soule as you would flie from the very Deuill himselfe Drinke not of the whore of Babylons cuppe by no meanes for it will infecte the body and poyson the soule Be not partakers of her sinnes sayth the Aungell least you be partakers of the plagues that shortly shall be powred vppon her O what an aray is this that so many that know Gods truth wil nowe tourne againe and defile them selues in the filthy puddle of antichristes stinking religion They goe about to saue theyr liues wyth their dowble dissimulation but doubtlesse they shall loose euerlastinge life by it if they doe not repent in time and tourne vnto the Lorde But deare sister my trust is that you doe vtterly abhorre the comming to anye such thyng I hope that you wil not by any meanes turne backe into Egypt nowe but that you will boldly venter throughe the wildernesse of trouble and persecution that you may come into the lande that floweth with all kinde of heauenly pleasures and ioyfull delectations and possesse the same for euer Lette vs consider howe that euery one of vs doeth owe vnto God a death by nature and howe soone the Lord wil require it of vs we knowe not O howe happye are we then if God of hys goodnesse appoynt vs to pay natures dette wyth sufferyng for hys trueth and Gospels sake and so making vs his faithfull witnesses wyth the Prophetes Apostles Martyrs and Confessours yea wyth his dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christe to whome he doeth heere begin to fashion vs lyke in suffering that we myght be like hym also in glory Thus my dearely beloued sister I haue ben bold to trouble you a little with my rude simple letter being made in hast as it doth appeare Yet I desire you to take it in good woorthe as a token of my poore zeale vnto you and to accept my good will And if it please God to spaâ—e me life and libertye I trust heereafter to wryte vnto you more largely Fare yee well deare sister E.K. the Lorde blesse you and all yours and powre vpon you the heauenly dewe of his grace The Lorde endue you wyth plentifull knowledge of hys verity and fill you with hys holy and mighty spirite that you may continuallye reioyce in the comfortes of the same nowe and euer Amen Pray pray pray with stedfast faith Your daily Oratour Iohn Careles prisoner of the Lord. ¶ In the letters of William Tymmes ye heard before page 1897. much mention made of Agnes Glascock Thys Agnes Glascocke through infirmity and her husbandes perswasion was allured to goe to Masse For whyche cause shee falling in great sorrow and repentance was raised vppe againe by the comfortable Letters of William Tymmes and Iohn Careles as before you maye reade and after that was constante in the syncere profession of the verity and in danger for the same of persecution vnto whome Iohn Careles wryteth therefore thys letter as followeth A letter of Careles to Agnes Glascocke THe euerlasting peace of God in Iesus Christ the continuall aide strengthe and comfortes of his moste pure holye and mighty spirite be with you my deare faithfull sister Glascock to the good performance of that good woorke which God hath so graciously begun in you to his glory the commoditye of hys poore afflâ—cted Churche and to your owne eternall comfort in hym Amen In our Lorde I haue my most humble and hearty commendations vnto you my deare sister most faithfull mother Glascocke with all remembrance of you in my daily prayers geuing God most hearty laude praise and thankes for you and on your behalfe in that he of his great mercye hath hetherto so mightely strengthened you constantly to cleaue vnto youre Captayne Christ notwithstanding the great assaultes and manifold temptations that you haue had to the contrary Doubtles deare heart it can not be expressed what ioy and comfort it is vnto my very soule to see howe mightely the Lorde hathe magnified hym selfe in you and other his deare electe darlings whome hee will shortly glorify with himselfe as he hath done other of his sweete Sainctes that are gone before you Reioyce therefore be glad for verilye you haue good cause if you diligentlye consider the great dignitie that God hath called you vnto euen now in your olde age to be one of his woorthy witnesses vnto the worlde and I thinke you shall wyth mee and other youre brethren in bonds seale the Lords verity with the testimony of your bloud Surely sweete sister this is the greatest promotion that God caÌ„ bring you or any other vnto in this life and an honour that the highest aungel in heauen is not permitted to haue Therefore happye are you Oh faithfull daughter of Abraham that the Lorde will nowe preferre you before many other yea or any other of your age that I doe know in Englande Oh faithfull and vertuous matrone which wilt not be moued from the sure rocke Christe vppon whome you haue so firmely built your house that neither stormes nor tempestes neither yet bell gates or any other temptations shall euer be able once to preuaile against it Full wel doeth it appeare by your constant continuance that you haue played the parte of a wise builder in counting the cost afore hand belonging to the finishing of your tower And I doubt not but through Gods gift you haue sufficient to the performaunce thereof that the hypocrites of theyr parte shall haue no iuste cause to triumphe againste you or to mocke you saying loe thys woman beganne to builde but is not able to make an ende Therefore goe on boldlye and feare not for God is faithfull as S. Paule sayeth which will not suffer you to be tempted aboue your strength but eyther will hee geue you grace and strength to stande vnto the death whych is the gate and entraunce into
your fall shall tourne to hys glorye and youre profite For if you hadde not by this prooued the experience of your owne strength or rather your owne weakenes you would haue stande too muche in your owne conceite or perchaunce haue glorified in your selfe and haue despised and condempned other weake personnes that haue committed the like offence Therfore now you may see what the best of vs all can do if God leaue vs to our selues Which thing ought to moue you to be diligent to call earnestly vpon God for his grace and the strength of his holy spirite without the which we are not able to stande one houre to be most thankefull for the same when you haue it and then to be more circumspecte in time to come Therefore deare sister seeing that you haue done otherwise then the word of God and your owne cōscience would allow yet deare hart do you not thinke that God therfore wil cast you cleane away but know that he hath mercy enough in store for al them that truely repent and beleeue in him although the sinnes of them were as many in number as the sandes in the sea and as great as the sinnes of the whole worlde It is a greater sinne to mistrust the mercye and promises of God then to commit the greatest offence in the world Therefore good sister beware in any wise that you doe not once mistrust the promises of Gods mercy towardes you but knowe for a very surety that all youre sinnes be vtterlye forgeuen you for Christes sake be they neuer so many so grieuous or so great But now deare heart take heede and beware that you doe not cloake that sinne and increase the same daily in communicating with the wicked in their Idolatrie and deuelish doinges at their denne of theeues Do not I say deare sister come at any of their Antichristian seruice least by little and little you vtterly lose a good conscience and at length esteeme it for none offence as alas a great nomber doth at this day to the great pearill of theyr soules The Lorde be merciful vnto them and geue them grace to repent in time and tourne to the Lorde and then they shal be sure to finde mercy at the Lordes hand as doubtles you haue done praised be his name therefore Ah my deare sister you may nowe see the wordes of Christe verified vppon your selfe that a mans greatest foes shall be they of his owne household for your husband hath gotten you to do that which all the tyrants in the world could neuer haue made you to doe Doubtlesse he may be sory for it God geue him grace to repent or els without doubt it will be laid to his charge one day when he would not by his will heare it for all the goods in the worlde Well I thinke my brother Tymmes will wryte him a letter shortly that shall touche his conscience if hee haue anye conscience at all But now againe to you dere sister The thing that is done can not be vndone and you are not the first that hath offended neither are you so good and so holy as hath at a time slipt forth of the way Therfore I would not haue you to be so much discomforted as I heare saye you be as thoughe God were not able to forgeue you your offence as he was to forgeue his deare Saints that offended him in times past or as though God were not as mercifull nowe as euer he was Where as in very deede There is with the Lord as the Prophet sayth mercy and plentiful redēption and his mercy farre surmounteth all his workes and he neuer faileth any that put their whole trust and confidence in him howe great an offender or howe wicked a trespasser so euer he bee No he maketh their falles and backeslidings manye times to tourne to their profite and commoditie and to the settynge foorth of his glorye As doubtlesse deare sister yours shall doe if you put your whole faith hope and trust only in his infinite and eternall sweete mercies Oh what a suttel crafty lying serpent is that Sathan our old enemie that when he seeth that he can not make vs to continue in our wickednes to do him seruice would then bring vs into a doubting and mistrusting of the mercye of God whyche is the greatest offence that can be yea infidelitye is the roote and originall of all other sinnes Therefore my sweete sister geue no place to that cruell aduersary of mankinde who hath bene a lier and a murtherer from the beginning but stedfastlye beleeue the Lord who hath sent you word by me his most vnworthy seruāt that all your sinnes be pardoned forgeuen and cleane released for Iesus Christes sake our only Lorde and Sauiour To whome with the father and the holy Ghost be all honour glory praise thankes power rule and dominion for euer for euer Amen Farewell my deare sister and be of good cheare Beleeue in the Lorde and you shall liue for euer The Lord increase your faith Amen Amen Your poore brother and daily faithfull Oratour Iohn Careles prisoner of the Lord. Pray for me An other letter of Iohn Careles to A.B. a faithfull Minister of the Lorde containing certaine frutefull precepts of Matrimonie I Beseech the same euerlasting Lord my deare and faithful brother that blessed yong Tobias with his wife Sara brought them together in due time with reuerence and feare preserue and blesse you both and your seede after you that they may encrease the number of the faithful by thousandes and thousandes And as the Lord of his great mercy and fatherly prouidēce hath bene alwaies carefull for you and nowe hath for your comforte accomplished his good worke in coupling you with a faithfull mate so see that you be thankefull for his prouidence towardes you that it may euery way in you be an encrease of loue godlinesse yea of Christian ioye and gladnesse in these sorrowfull dayes but yet so that you mourne with the true mourners of Syon and be sorie yet in measure for the hurt of the same Pray also in faith for her prosperity that the Lord may builde vp the walles of Hierusalem againe Oh that the Lord would turne Syons captiuity as the riuer into the South Then shoulde our hearts be made glad and oure mouthes filled with laughter Then woulde the heathen hypocrites say the Lord hath done much for them Oh the Lord hath done great things for vs already wherof let vs heartely reioyce and praise his name therefore For though we nowe sowe wyth teares yet shall wee be sure to reape with gladnesse and as wee now goe foorth weeping bearing foorth good seede so shall we come againe with ioy and bring our sheaues full of corne Yea the death of the Martyrs which is most precious in hys sighte shal be the life of the Gospell spite of the Papists hearts Pray for me deare heart that I may
benefites not only for your election creation redemption and preseruation but also for his other temporal gifts wherwith he hathe indued you amongst the which the chiefe and moste excellent is as testifieth the holy Ghost your good godlye and faithfull louynge husbande For as the wise man sayeth Goods and possessions may come to a man by the death of his frendes but a good wife is the gift of God which the Lord will geue for a good portion to suche as feare him And the like is of a good husband as the Lord hathe nowe geuen you praised be his name therfore He hath not geuen you an ignorant froward churlish brawling wastfull rioting dronken husband wherwith he hath plagued many other as he myght also haue done you but he hath geuen you a moste godlye learned gentle louing quiet patient thriâ—tye diligent sober husband by whom he wil nourish cherish kepe and defend you instructe and teach you yea care and prouide for you and your childreÌ„ the which he wil also by him geue you such things as be necessary for you He hath not dealt so with euery body and yet he hath done this and much more for you my deare sister wil therto increase ioy and loue betwene you For as he delighteth in the loue godly agreement of man and wife together so is it he only that maketh them and all the whole houshold to be of one mind Vnto the which his gracious work he requireth your diligence and will vse you as his instrument and meane the more effectuously to accomplish the same And therefore I nowe require you to obserue this my simple counsel the which I haue here wrytten as a testimonial of my good will towardes you because I thinke in this life I shall neuer more see you Nowe as I haue shewed you how you shoulde be thankefull vnto God for his good giftes so I exhort you and as much as in me lieth charge you to be euermore thankfull vnto your deare louing husband who hath geuen him selfe vnto you whych is a more precious iewel in the Church of God then perchance you are yet aware of Thincke your selfe vnwoorthy to be matched with suche an instrument of God and also reuerence euermore the gifts of God in him and seeke with true obedience and loue to serue him in recompence of his true painful hart towards you Be lothe in any wise to offend him yea rather be carefull diligent to please him that his soule maye blesse you If at anye time you shall chaunce to anger him or to doe or speake anye thing that shall grieue him see that you neuer rest vntill you haue pacified him and made him merry againe If at any time he shall chance to blame you without a cause or for that you can not doe therewith whiche thyng happeneth sometimes of the best men liuing see that you beare it paciently and geue hym no vncomely or vnkinde woorde for it but euer more looke vppon him wyth a louing and chearefull countenaunce and rather take the fault vppon you then seeme to be displeased Be alwaies mery and chereful in his company but not with too muche lightnesse Beware in any wise of swelling powting or lowring for that is a token of a cruel and vnlouing heart except it be in respect of sinne or in the time of sickenesse Be not sorowful for any aduersity that God sendeth but beware that nothing be spilte or goe to waste through your negligence In any wise see that you be quicke and cleanly about his meat and drinke and prepare him the same according to his diet in due season Goe cleanely and wel fauouredly in your apparel but beware of pride in any wise Finally in woord and deede shewe your selfe wise humble merry and louing towardes him and also towardes suche as he doeth loue and then shall you leade a blessed life I could speake of many things the whiche I haue learned and prooued true by experience but I knowe that you will doe in all thyngs muche better then I can teache you because you haue that annoynting that teacheth you all thyngs who hath also geuen you an heart to obey and serue hym Yet I trust you will not be offended for this whych I haue wrytten but rather accept my good will towardes you whom I loue in the Lord as well as I do my daughter Iudith Thus as mine owne soule I commende you bothe to God desiring him to blesse you with all maner of spirituall blessings in heauenly thinges and also wyth the dewe of heauen and fatnesse of the earth that in all thynges you maye be made ryche in Iesus Christe our Lorde and onely Sauiour The Lorde increase and blesse the fruite of your bodyes that your children maye stande rounde about your table thicke fresh and lustie lyke the Oliue braunches God geue you both a long life that you maye see and blesse your childrens children vnto the third and fourth generation and teach them the true feare and loue of God and that faith for the which they shal be accepted in his sight God lette you see the prosperitie of Syon for whose lying in the dust let your hearts mourne The Lorde make perfecte your loue together in hym and alwaies encrease the same and bryng you bothe in peace to your graues at a good age And nowe I bid you bothe moste heartely farewell and I thinke I shall now take my leaue of you for euer in this life I beseeche you both to aide me with your continuall prayers as I wil not forgette you in mine that I may haue a ioyfull victorie through Iesus Christ To whose most mercifull defence I doe moste heartely for euer commende you to be kepte vnblameable vntill hys comming The which I beseeche him to hasten for his mercies sake Your owne vnfainedly Iohn Careles prisonner of the Lord. Heere endeth the Letters of Iohn Careles The hystorie and Martyrdome of a learned and vertuous yonge man called Iulins Palmer sometime fellow of Magdalene Colledge in Oxford with two other Martyrs to wit I. Gwin and Thomas Askine burned together in Newberie at a place there called the Sande pittes THe same moneth of Iuly in which Careles as before is declared was released out of prison by death in short time after about the 16. day of the sayd moneth of Iuly suffered these 3. godly and constante Martyrs aboue mentioned at Newbery in which number was Iulins Palmer sometime student and fellowe of Magdalene Colledge in Oxford and afterwardes Schoolemaister in the towne of Reading Concerning whose storie and Martyrdome here foloweth although not so much as he deserueth to be sayde yet so much as sufficiently may set foorth the great woorking of God in this yong man Iulins Palmer AS all Gods woorkes are wonderous in calling of all sorts of men to confirme hys truth and to beare witnesse vnto his assured and infallible woord which the aduersaries
were burned he speaketh neuer a worde of theyr condemners and true murderers in deede Thirdly for so much as M. Harding is here in hande with infantacide and with casting away young childrens liues I woulde wishe that as he hath sisted the doynges of this woman to the vttermost who was rather murdered then a murderer so hee would with an indifferent eye looke on the other side a little vppon them of hys owne Clergy and see what he could finde there amongest those wilfull contemners of immaculate mariage Not that I do accuse any of incontinencie whose liues I knowe not but there is one aboue that well knoweth and seeth all thinges be they neuer so secret to man and most certainly will pay home at length wyth fire and brimstone when hee seeth his time I say no more and not so much as I might following herein the Paynters whiche when their colours will not serue to expresse a thing that they meane they shadow it with a veile But howsoeuer the matter goeth with them whether they may or may not be suspected touchyng thys crime aforesayd of infantacide most sure and manifest it is that they are more then worthely to be accused of homicide in murdering the children and seruauntes of God bothe men and women wines and maydes old young blinde and â—ame madde and vnmadde discreete and simple innocentes learned with the vnlearned and that of all degrees from the high Archbishop to the Clark and Sexten of the church and that most wrongfully and wilfully with such effusion of innocent Christian bloud as cryeth vp dayly to God for vengeance And therefore M.H. in my minde shoulde doe well to spare a little time from these his inuectiues wherewith he appeacheth the poore protestantes of murder whom they haue murdered themselues and exercise his penne wyth some more fruitfull matter to exhort these spirituall Fathers first to cease from murdering of their owne children to spare the bloud of innocentes not to persecute Christ so cruelly in his members as they do and furthermore to exhort in like maner these Agamistes and wilful reiecters of matrimony to take themselues to lawfull wiues and not to resist Gods holy ordinaunce nor encounter his institution with an other contrary institution of theyr own deuising lest perhappes they preuented by fragilitie may fall into daunger of suche inconueniences aboue touched which if they be not in theÌ„ I shall be glad but if they be it is neyther theyr rayling agaynst the poore protestantes nor yet theyr secret auricular confession that shall couer theyr iniquities from the face of the Lord when hee shall come to reueale abscondita tenebrarum iudicare saeculum per ignem And thus for lacke of further laysâ—re I end with M. H. hauing no more at this time to â—ay vnto him but wish him to feare God to embrace his truth to remember himselfe and to surcease from this vncharitable rayling and brawling especially agaynst the dead whiche cannot aunswer him or if he will needes coÌ„tinue still to be suche a vehement accuser of other yet that hee will remember what belongeth to the part of a right accuser First that his accusation be true secondly that no blinde affection of partialitiâ— be mixt withall thirdly whosoeuer taketh vppon them to carpe and appeache the crimes of other oughte themselues to be sincere and vpright and to see what may be written in their owne foreheades Whoredome and murder be greeuous offences and worthy to bee accused But to accuse of murder the parties that were murdered and to leaue the other persons vntouched whiche were the true murderers it is the part of an accuser which deserueth himself to be accused of partialitie As verily I thinke by this woman that if she hadde bene a Catholicke Papiste and a deuout follower of their Church as she was a Protestant she had neyther bene condemned theÌ„ aliue of them nor now accused being dead of M. H. But God forgeue him and make him a good man if it be his will Three Martyrs burned at Greenstead in Sussex NEre about the same time that these three womeÌ„ with the infant were burned at Garnesey suffered other three likewise at Grenestead in Sussex two men and one woman the names of whome were Thomas Dungate Iohn Foreman and mother Tree who for righteousnes sake gaue themselues to death and tormentes of the fire patiently abiding what the furious rage of man could say or worke agaynst them at the sayde Towne of Grenested ending theyr lines the xviij of the said month of Iuly and in the yeare aforesaide ¶ The burning and Martyrdome of Thomas More in the Towne of Leicester Iune xxvi the yeare .1556 AS the bloudy rage of this persecution spared neyther manne woman nor childe wife nor mayde lame blynde nor creple and so through all men and women as there was no difference either of age or sexe considered so neyther was there any condition or qualitie respected of anye person but whosoeuer he were that helde not as they did on the pope and sacrament of the Aultar were he learned or vnlearned wise or simple innocent all went to the fire As may appeare by this simple poore creature innocent soule named Thomas More retayning as a seruaunt to a Mans house in the towne of Leicester about the age of 24. and after in manner of an housbandman for speakyng certayne wordes that his Maker was in heauen not in the Pixe was thereupon apprehended in the countrey being with his frendes Who comming before his Ordinary first was asked whether he did not beleue his Maker there to be poynting to the high Aultar Whiche he denyed Then asked the Bishop how then sayd hee doest thou beleue The young man aunswered agayn as his Creede did teache him To whom the bishop sayde and what is yonder that thou seest aboue the aultar He aunswering sayd forsooth I cannot tell what you would haue me to see I see there fine clothes with golden tassels and other gay geâ—e hanging about the pixe What is within I cannot see Why Doest thou not beleue sayth the bishoppe Christ to be there fleshe bloud and bone No that I doe not sayd he Whereupon the Ordinary making short with him red the sentence and so condemned the true and faythfull seruaunt of Christ to death in sainct Margaretes Churche in Leicester who was burnt and suffered a ioyfull glorious Martirdome for the testimony of righteousnesse in the same Towne of Leicester the yeare of our Lord aboue mentioned .1556 about the 26. of Iune To this Thomas Moore we haue also annexed the aunsweres and examination of one Iohn Iackson before Doctour Cooke one of the Commissioners for that it belongeth much vnto the same time ¶ The examination of Iohn Iackson had before Doctor Cooke the 11. day of March An. 1556. FIrst when I came before him he railed on me and called me hereticke I aunswered and sayde
poore blinde womans life and deathe in suche sorte as is aboue prefixed hath bene confessed to be very true by diuers persons of worthy credite and yet liuing and also hath bene specially perused and examined by W. Baynbridge tofore mentioned Bayliffe then of Darbye who aswell of his own knowledge as by speciall enquiry and conference by him made with diuers others hath certified vs the same to be vndoubted besides the Testimoniall of Iohn Cadman Curate of the sayd towne and of other also vppon whose honesty well knowne and theyr report herein nothing differing from such as were best acquaynted with that matter I haue bene here the more bold to commit this story to posteritie for all good men to consider and to iudge vpon * Edwarde Sharpe ABout the beginning of the next month folowing whiche was September a certayn godly aged deuout zelous person of the Lords glory borne in Wiltshyre named Edward Sharpe of the age of lx yeares or thereabout was condemned at Bristow to the like Martyrdom where he constantly manfully persisting in the iust quarrel of Christes Gospell for misliking and renouncing the ordinaunces of the Romishe Churche was tryed as pure gold and made a liuely sacrifice in the fire in whose death as in the death of all hys other saynts the Lord be glorified and thanked for his great grace of constancy to whom be praise for euer Amen ¶ Foure suffered at Mayfield NExte after the Martyrdome of Edward Sharpe aboue sayd followed iiii which suffered at Mayfield in Sussex the xxiiii day of September anno 1556. Of whose names ii we finde recorded and the other two we yet know not and therefore according to our register here vnder they be specified as we find them Iohn Hart. Thomas Rauensdale A Shomaker And a Coriar Which sayd .4 being at the place where they shoulde suffer after they hadde made theyr prayer and were at the stake ready to abide the force of the fire they constantlye ioyfully yelded their liues for the testimony of the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ vnto whome be prayse for euer and euer Amen The day after the Martyrdome of these foresayde at Mayfield which was the 24. of September an 1556. was a young man which by science was a Carpenter whose name we haue not put to death for the like testimonye of Iesus Christe at Bristowe where he yelding himselfe to the tormentes of the fire gaue vp his life into the handes of the Lord with such ioyfull constancye and triumphe as all the Church of Christe haue iust cause to prayse God for him The martyrdome of Iohn Horne and a woman NOw not long after the death of the sayde young man at Bristow in the same moneth were two mo godly Martyrs cōsumed by fire at Wotton Underhedge in Glocestershyre whose names are aboue specified which dyed very gloriously in a constaunt fayth to the terrour of the wicked and comforte of the Godly So graciously did the Lord worke in them that death vnto them was life and life with a blotted conscience was death ¶ A pitifull storye concerning the vnmercifull handling of W. Dangerfield and Ioane hys wife beyng in childbed taken out of her house wyth her sucking infant of 14. daies old layd in the common Iayle amongest theeues and murderers WHen I had written and finished the story of the Garnsey women with the young infant there with them burned and also had passed the burning of the poore blind woman Ioane Wast at Darby I well hoped I shoulde haue found no moe such stories of vnmerciful cruelty shewed vppon seely women with theyr children and young infantes but now cōming to the persecution of Glocester shyre about the partes of Bristow I finde an other story of such vnmercifulnes shewed agaynst a woman in child-bed as farre from all charitie and humanitie as hath ben anye other storye yet hetherto rehearsed as by the sequele hereof may appeare In the Parish of Wotton Underhedge not farre from Bristow was dwelling one W. Dangerfield a right honest and godly poore man who by Ioane Dangerfield his wife had ix Children and she nowe lying in childbed of the tenth Thys William after he had bene abroad from his house a certayne space for feare of persecution hearing that his wife was brought to bed repayred home to visite her as naturall duety required and to see his children she being now deliuered foure dayes before The returne of this man was not so soone known to some of his vnkinde vncharitable neighbours but they incensed with the spirite of Papistrye eftsoones beset the house about and there tooke the sayd W. Dangerfield caryed him to prison and so at length hee was brought to the Bishop being then Doctor Brookes in whose cruell handling he remayned a certayne space so longe till hys legges almost were freated off with yrons After the apprehension of the Husband the wife likewise was taken with her younge borne childe being but 14. dayes olde as is sayde out of her childbed and caryed into the common Iayle and there placed amongst theues and murderers where both shee and her poore innocent found so small charitie amongest the catholicke men that she neuer could come to any fire but was driuen to warm the clothes that she should put about the childe in her bosome In the meane season while they lay thus inclosed in seuerall prisons the husband and the wife the Bishop beginneth to practise not with the woman first as the serpent did with Eue but with the man craftily deceiuing his simplicitie with fayre glosing wordes falsely perswading him that his wife had recanted and asking him wherfore he should more stande in his owne conceate then shee being as well learned as he and so subtilly drew out a form of recantation wherewith hee deceiued the simple soule Whereunto after that he had once graunted that hee would consent although hee had not yet recanted they suffered hym to to go to his wife where shee laye in the common Iayle Then they with melting hartes opening their minds one to an other when he saw hys wife not released perceauing that he had not done well he declared vnto her the whole matter how falsely he was circumuented by the subtile flatteringes of the Byshop bearyng him in hand that certaynly she had recanted and thus deceiuing me sayde he brought this vnto me and so plucked out of hys bosome the copy of the recantation whereunto he had granted his promise At the sight whereof the wife hearyng what her husband had done her hart claue a sunder saying Alacke thus long haue we continued one and hath Satan so preuayled to cause you to breake your first vow made to Christ in Baptisme And so departed the saide W. and Ioane his wife with what heartes the Lorde knoweth Then began hee not a little to bewayle his promyse made to the Bishop and to make hys prayer to almighty God
desiring him that he might not liue so long as to cal euill good and good euill or light darkenes or darkenes light and so departed he home toward hys house where by the way homeward as it is affirmed he took his death and shortly after departed according to his prayer after he had endured in prison xii weekes After this Ioane his wife continued still in prison with her tender infant till at last she was brought before that Bishop to be examined Whereunto what her aunswers were it is not certainely knowne Howbeit most like it is what soeuer they were they pleased not the Bishoppe as appeared by his ire increased agaynst the poore woman her long continuance in the prison together with her tender babe which also remayned with her in the Iayle partaker of her Martyrdome so long as her milke would serue to geue it sucke till at length the childe being starued for colde and famine was sent away when it was past al remedie and so shortly after dyed And not long after the mother also followed besides the olde woman whiche was mother of the husband of the age of 80. yeares and vpwarde Who being left in the house after their apprehēsion for lacke of comfort there perished also And thus haue ye in one story the deathe of foure together first of the old woman then of the husband after that of the innocent childe and lastly of the mother What became of the other nine children I am not perfectly sure but that I partly vnderstand that they were all vndone by the same This story is reported and testified as well by other as namely by Mistres Bridges dwelling in the same town and partaker then of the like afflictions and hardly escaped with her life A Shomaker suffering in Northamton IN the moneth of October folowing was burned at the towne of Northampton a Shomaker a true witnesse and disciple of the Lorde who accordinge to the grace of God geuen vnto him cleauing fast to the sounde doctrin and preaching of Gods woord renounced the vntrue and false coloured religion of the Romish sea wherein manye a good man hath bene drowned After whom not long after in the same month of October died also in the Castle of Chichester thre godly confessors being there in bonds for the like cause of Christes Gospel who also should haue suffred the like Martyrdom had not theyr naturall deathe or rather as it is to be suspected the cruel handling of the papists made them away before and afterward buried them in the fielde I reade moreouer that in this present yeare to witte An. 1556. was burnt one called Hooke a true witnes of the Lordes truthe at Chester ¶ Fiue famished in Caunterbury Castell by the vnmercifull tyrannie of the Papistes about the beginning of Nouember AS among all the Bishops Boner bishop of London principally excelled in persecuting the poore members and Saintes of Christe so of all Archdeacons Nicholas Harpesfield Archdeacon of Cāterburie as may by mans sight appeare was the forest and of least compassion only Dunning of Norwich excepted by whose vnmercifull nature and agrest disposition verye many were putte to death in that dioces of Canterbury not onely in the bloudy time of that Queene but some also in the blessed beginning of this our moste renowmed Queene that nowe is as by the grace of Christ heereafter shall appeare Of those that suffered in Queene Maries time within the foresayd diocesse of Canterburie some be recited already with the order and fourme set downe of suche Articles as then were most commōly ministred to the examinates by Thorneton Suffragane of Douer and the sayde Nicholas Harpsefielde and other as before in the volume of this hystorie may appeare pag. 1683. Now to proceede in the order and course of time where we left next followeth the moneth of Nouember In the beginning whereof were together in the Castell of Caunterburie 15. godly and innocent Martyrs of which number not one escaped with theyr life but either were burned or els were famished in prisone Of that which two sortes which is the easier death God knoweth it is hard to iudge Notwithstāding the truth is that of these 15.10 were burned and suffered in the fire of whom in the next booke more shall follow hereafter the Lord willing The other 5. were pined and famished most vnmercifully in the straite prisone of whome we haue heere presently to entreate Whose names were these Whiche two were yet vncondemned 1. Iohn Clearke 2. Dunston Chittenden These were condemned to bee burnt 3. W. Foster of Stone 4. Alice Potkins wife of Stapleherst 5. Iohn Archer of Cranbroke weauer Of these 5. prisonners the firste two were vncondemned the other thre last were condemned and should haue bene burned but suffered no lesse tormentes then if they had abidde the fire being macerate and pined to death by famine What theyr articles and answers were it needeth not heere to recite seeing all they in that time of Queene Mary commonly suffered for one maner sort of cause that is for holding against the 7. Sacraments against the realtie of Christes being in his supper for speaking against the churche of Rome and determinations of the same against Images set vp and woorshipped in the churche for not comming to the church and such other like c. First William Foster answearing to these and like articles sayde that he beleeued well in all the Articles of the Creede but to beleeue to be m0e Sacraments then two and to pray to Saintes either to profite vs or to praye for soules in purgatorie to profit them that faith and works doe iustifie or to alow the popish ceremonies in the church that he denied Moreouer hee sayde to carie Candels vpon Candelmasse daye were as good for him as to carye a dungforke and that it is as necessary to cary the galowes about if his father were hanged as the crosse To come to the church he cannot sayd he with a safe conscience Concerning fish daies and flesh daies hee graunted it good to put difference therein except where necessity required the contrary This William Foster was a labouring man of the age of xl yeares He was apprehended and imprisoned by Sir Thomas Moyle Knight Alice Potkins for the like confession was condemned to be burned for that she was not neyther would be confessed to the Priest for that shee receiued not the sacrament of the aultare because shee would not pray to saincts nor creepe to the Crosse. c. Being demaunded of her age she sayde that shee was xlix yeares olde according to her olde age according to her yong age since she learned Christ shee was of one yeares age and was committed by maister Roberts to prisone The answer and confession of Iohn Archer of Crambroke was muche in like sorte And although certayne of these vpon ignorant simplicitie swarued a litle in the
and scholemaster sometimes to king Edwarde The worthinesse of which man deserueth much to be sayd but his fall woulde rather be couered in silence and obliuion Onely to note a woorde or two of a few things to the present storye moste principally appertaining it shall suffice First M. Cheeke being in the countrey of Germanie out of all danger of persecution with many moe of his owne countreymen and acquaintance was not onely in safetie but also with reputation accordingly esteemed among the Germaines and also well placed in the Citie of Strausbourgh Where if he had contented himself to haue remained rather geuing place to time then to presume vppon aduentures peraduenture it had bene better wyth hym But what fatall instigatiō wrought in his mynd I know not In the ende so it fell that he woulde needes take hys iourney with Sir Peter Carew from hie Germanie vnto Bruxels and that as I haue credibly hearde of them which knew somwhat not without the forecasting of his aduentured iourney by the constellation of starres disposition of the heauens aboue For as he was a man famously expert and trauailed in the knowledge of sundrye artes and sciences so was he a little too much addicted to the curious practising of this Starre diuinitie which we call Astrologie But how soeuer it was or what soeuer it was that the starres did promise him truth was that mē heere in earth kept litle promise with him For hauing as it is sayde king Phillips safeconduct to passe and repasse and that by the meanes as I find of the Lord Paget and Sir Iohn Mas. pledging for his safegarde king Phillips fidelitie he came to Bruxels to see the Quenes Ambassadors and hauing brought the lord Paget on his way toward England in the retourne betweene Bruxels Anwarpe was taken with sir Peter Carewe by the Prouest Marshal spoiled of their horses and clapped into a carte theyr legges armes and bodies tied wyth halters to the body of the carte and so shipped being blindfielde vnder the hatches and so brought to the tower of London Thus the good man being intrapped in the handes now of his enemies had but one of these 2. wayes to take either to chaunge his religion or to chaunge his life Other remedy with those holy catholikes there was none Neither could his conscience excuse him nor truth defend him nor learning helpe him Albeit M. Fecknam whether by the Queene suborned or vppon his owne deuotion and frendship towarde his olde acquaintance tooke vpon him the defence commendation of M. Cheeke speaking in his behalfe yet no mercy coulde be had with the Queene but he must needes recant and so did he The copie of whose recantation prescribed vnto him because it is knowen and in the handes of diuers it needeth not heere to be expressed Then after his recantation he was throughe the craftie handling of the Catholickes allured firste to dine and companie with them at lengthe drawen vnwares to sitte in place where the poore Martyrs were broughte before Boner and other Bishops to be condempned the remorse whereof so mightely wroughte in hys heart that not long after he left thys mortall life Whose fall although it was full of infirmitie yet his rising againe by repentaunce was great and hys ende comfortable the Lorde bee praysed ⧠The ende of the XI Booke ⧠Heere beginneth the XII Booke containing the bloudye doings and persecutions of the aduersaries against the Faithfull and true seruantes of Christ with the particular processes and names of such as were put to slaughter from the beginning of Ian. An. 1557. and the fifte of Queene Marie The order and maner of the Cardinals visitation in Cambridge with the condemning taking vp and burning the bones and Bookes of Bucer and Paulus Phagius An. 1557. Ian. 9. CArdinall Poole three yeares after his retourne into Englande hauinge somwhat withdrawn his mind from other affaires of the realme and hauing in all poyntes established the Romish religion began to haue an eye to the vniuersity of Cambridge whiche place amōg other speciallye seemed to haue neede of reformation out of hand To perform this charge were chosen Cuthbert Scot not long before consecrated Bishop of Chester Nicholas Ormanet an Italian Archpriest of the people of Bodolon in the dioces of Ueron professed in bothe the lawes and bearing the name of the popes Datary Tho. Watson elected Bish. of Lincolne Iohn Chrystopherson elected bish of Chichester and Henry Cole Prouost of the colledge of Eaton There was good cause why the matter was especially cōmitted to these persons For as touching Ormanet it is wel knowen that he was a man of much estimation with Iulius the 3. at that time B. of Rome and was appoynted to come into Englande with Cardinall Poole because without his knowledge as in whome hee put his chief trust and confidence the B. would haue nothing done that was of any importance or weight These persones thus appoynted in the meane while as the visitors were addressing themselues to their iourney sent their letters with the Cardinals Citation before doctor Andrew Perne Uicechācellor then of Cambridge with the other Commissioners associate commāding him to warne all the Graduates of the Uniuersitie in theyr name to be in a readinesse against the 11. day of Ianuarie betwixt 8. and 10. of the clocke in the churche of S. Marye the virgin willing him especially to be there hym selfe in presence and also to sette forward all the residue to whose charge it belonged that they should search out all Statutes Bookes Priuiledges and Monuments appertaining to the Uniuersitie or to any of the Colledges or finally to any of thēselues and these to present the same before them at the day appoynted and euery mā to appeare there personally for they woulde not faile but be there at the same time to lay before them such things as should seme necessary to this charge of reforming the vniuersitye and further to geue charge of all such things as should seeme most for the profit behoue of the same together with such thyngs as were to be done on theyr parte accordinge as shoulde seeme most agreeable to the Decrees of the Canon lawe This citation of the Cardinal being brought to Cambridge by master bullocke was first exhibited in the Conuocation house of Regents and there openly redde by the Orator of the Uniuersitie the 11. of December After thys vppon the 24. of December whyche was Christenmasse euen the Uicechancellor wyth the heads of houses meeting together in the Schooles it was there cōcluded that the visitors charges should be borne by the vniuersitie and Colledges which then cost the Uniuersitie an 100. pound thicke and also that no master of any Colledge should suffer any of the fellowes scholers or ministers to goe foorth of the towne but to retourne before the Uisitation On friday the 8. of Ianuarie the Queenes Commissioners
contented for frendshippe and curtesye sake not to fayle them in this theyr businesse Hauyng made this Preface he entered into the pith of the matter wherein he blamed greatly the barbarous crueltye of the Court of Rome so fiercely extended agaynst the dead He sayd it was a more heynous matter then was to be borne with to haue shewed such extreme cruelnesse to them that were aliue but for any manne to misbehaue himselfe in such wise towarde the deade was such a thing as hadde not lightly bene heard of Sauing that he affirmed this custome of excommunicating and curssing of deade folke to haue come first from Rome For Euagrius reporteth in his wrytinges that Eutichius was of the same opinion induced by the example of Iosias who slew the Priestes of Baall and burnt vppe the boanes of them that were deade euen vppon the Aultars Whereas before the time of Eutichius this kinde of punishment was welneare vnknowne neither afterwarde vsurped of any manne that euer he heard of vntill a nine hundreth yeares after Christ. In the latter times the whiche howe muche the further they were from that golden age of the Apostles so much the more they were corrupted this kinde of cruelnesse beganne to creepe further For it is manifestlye knowne that Stephen the sixt Pope of Rome digged vp Formosus his last Predecssour in that Sea and spoyling him of hys Popes apparell buryed him agayne in lay mans apparell as the call it hauing first cut off and throwne into Tyber his two fingers with which according to theyr accustomed maner he was woont to blesse and consecrate The whiche his vnspeakeably tyrannye vsed against Formosus within sixe yeares after Sergius the third encreased also agaynst the same Formosus For taking vp his dead body and setting it in a Popes chayre hee caused his heade to be smitten of and his other three fingers to be cut from his hand and his body to be cast into the ryuer of Tyber abrogating and disanulling all his decrees which thinge was neuer done by any man before that daye The cause why so great crueltye was exercised by the reporte of Nauclerus was this because that Formosus had beene an aduersarye to Stephen and Sergius when they sued to be made Bishops This kinde of crueltye vnharde of before the Popes a while exercised one agaynst an other But nowe or euer they had sufficiently felte the smarte thereof themselues they had turned the same vpon our neckes Wherefore it was to be wished that seeing it began among thē it might haue remayned still with the Authors thereof not haue bene spread ouer thence vnto vs. But such was the nature of all euill that it quickely passeth into example for others to do the like For about the yeare of our Lord 1400. Iohn Wicklyfe was in lyke maner digged vp and burnte into ashes throwen into a brooke that runneth by the towne where he was buryed Of the which selfe same sauce tasted also William Tracye of Gloucester a man of a worshipfull house because he had written in his laste will that he shoulde be saued onely by fayth in Iesus Christe and that there needed not the helpe of any manne thereto whether he were in heauen or in earth and therefore bequethed no legacye to that purpose as all other men were accustomed to doe This deede was done sithens we may remember aboute the 22. yeare of the raigne of Henry the 8. in the yeare of our Lord. 1530. Now seeing they extended suche crueltye to the dead he sayde it was an easye matter to coniecture what they would doe to the liuing Whereof we had sufficient tryall by the examples of our owne men these fewe yeares past And if we woulde take the paynes to peruse thinges done somewhat lenger ago we might find notable matters out of our owne Chronicles Howbeit it was sufficient for the manifest demonstration of that matter to declare the beastly butchery of the Frenche King executed vppon the Waldenses at Cabryer and the places nere thereabout by his captayne Miner aboute the yeare of our Lorde 1545. then the which there was neuer thing read of more cruelty done no not euen of the barbarous Paganes And yet for all that when diuers had shewed theyr vttermost cruelty both agaynste these and many others they were so farre from theyr purpose in extinguishing the light of the Gospell which they endeuoured to suppresse that it increased dayly more and more The which thing Charles the 5. then whom all christendome had not a more prudēt Prince nor the Church of Christ almost a sorer enemy easily perceiued and therefore when he had in his hand Luther dead and Melancthon and Pomeran with certayne other Preachers of the Gospell aliue he not onely determined not any thing extreamely agaynst them nor violated theyr graues but also entreating them gently sent thē away not so much as once forbidding them to publish openly the doctrine that they professed For it is the nature of Christes Church that the more that Tyrauntes spurne agaynst it the more it encreaseth and florisheth A notable proofe assuredly of the prouidence and pleasure of God in sowing the Gospell was that comming of the Bohemians vnto vs to the intent to heare Wickliffe of whom we spake before who at that time read openly at Oxford and also the goyng of our men to the sayde Bohemians when persecution was raysed agaynste vs. But muche more notable was it that we had seene come to passe in these our dayes that the Spanyardes sent for into thys Realme of purpose to suppresse the Gospell as soone as they were returned home replenished many partes of theyr Countrey with the same trueth of Religion to the which before they were vtter enemyes By the which examples it might euidently be perceiued that the Princes of this world labour in vayne to ouerthrowe it considering how the mercy of GOD hath sowne it abroad not onely in those Countryes that wee spake of but also in Fraunce Poole Scotland and almoste all the rest of Europe For it is sayd that some partes of Italy although it be vnder the Popes nose yet do they of late encline to the knowledge of the heauenly trueth Wherefore sufficient argument and proofe mighte be taken by the successe and encreasement therof to make vs beleue that this doctrine is sent vs from heauen vnlesse we will wilfully be blinded And if there were any that desired to be perswaded more at large in the matter hee might aduisedlye consider the voyage that the Emperor and the Pope with both theyr powers together made ioyntly agaynste the Bohemians In the which the Emperour tooke suche an vnworthy repulse of so small a handfull of his enemyes that he neuer almost in all his life tooke the like dishonour in any place Hereof also might bee an especiall example that death of Henry Kyng of Fraunce who the same day that he had purposed to persecute the Churche of Christe and to
the morow after Holy Roode day when wee shall meete at Chelmesford for the deuision of these landes I thinke Mayster Archdeacon you and Mayster Smith shal be fayn to ride with certaine of the Iury to those porcions and manours in your part of Essex and in like case deuide our selues to tread and view the ground with the Quest or els I thinke the Quest will not labour their matter and so doe you saye vnto Mayster Archdeacon Alice the wyfe of William Walleys of Colchester hath submitted herselfe abiured her erroneous opinions asked absolution promised to do her solemne penance in her Parish Church at Saint Peters on Sonday next and to continue a Catholicke a faythfull woman as long as GOD shall send her lyfe And for these couenauntes her husband standeth bounde in fiue pounde Which Alice is one of the nine women of this your Indenture and that shee is bigge with childe Wherefore she remayneth at home and this done in the presence of the Bayliffes Aldermen towneclarke And for that Maister Browne was certyfied there was no Curate at Lexdon he inquired who was the Farmer The aunswere was made Syr Fraunces Iobson Who is the Parson They of the Questmen aunswered Syr Roger Chostlow When was he with you Not this fourtene yeares How is your Cure serued Now and then Who is the Patron My Lord of Arundell And within shorte tyme after Syr Fraunces Iobson came with great curtesy vnto my Lord Darcies place And of all GentlemeÌ„ about vs I saw no more come in Sir Robert Smith Priest sometime Chanon of Bridlington now Curate of Appledote in the wild of Kent came to Colchester the 28. day of Aug. with his wife bigge with childe of late diuorced taken on suspition examined of the Lordes and M Browne tolde me that they haue receiued letters from the counsell for the attachment of certayn persons and eâ—peciallye of one Priest whose name is Pullen but hys right name is Smith doubting this Priest to be he the sayd Pullen although neither he nor his wife would confesse the same Wherfore he lyeth stil in prison but surely this is not PulleÌ„ If it please your Lordshippe to haue in remembraunce that the housholders might be compelled to bring euerye man his owne wife to her owne seate in the Churche in time of Diuine seruice it would profite much And also there be yet standing Hospitals and other of like foundation about Colchester whiche I haue not knowne to appeare at any visitation as the Maister and Lazars of Mary Magdalene in Colchester the Proctour of saynct Katherines Chappell in Colchester the hospitall or Beadhouse of the foundation of Lord H. Marney in Laremarny the Hospital and Beadman of little Horksley Thus presuming of youre Lordships goodnes I more then bold euer to trouble you with thys worldly busines beseeching almightye God to send your honorable Lordship a condigne reward From Eastthorp this present xxx of August We found a letter touching the Maryage of Priestes in the handes of the foresayd Syr Robert Smith Also I desired Mayster Browne the doer of all thinges to require the audience to bring in theyr vnlawfull writinges and bookes Who asked me if I had proclaymed the Proclamation I sayd yea Then he sayd openly on the Benche that they shoulde be proclaimed euerye quarter once And then take the Constables and Officers and they alone â—ake and punish the offenders accordingly By your poore Beadman Iohn Kingston Priest An Indenture made betweene the Lordes and the Iustices within specified and Boners Commissary concerning the deliuery of the prisoners aboue named THis IndeÌ„ture made the xix day of August in the third and 4. yeres of the raygnes of oure soueraigne Lord and Lady Philip and Mary by the grace of God King Queene of England Spayne Fraunce both Cicils Ierusalem and Ireland defenders of the fayth Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Burgundy Myllayne Brabant Countyes of Hasburgh Flaunders and Tirell betwene the ryght honourable Lord Iohn de Ueere Earle of Oxenford Lord high Chamberlayne of England Thomas Lord Darcy of Chiche Henry Tirel Knight Anthony Browne the King and Queenes Maiestyes Sergeaunt at lawe William Bendelowes Sergeaunt at lawe Edmund Tirel Richard Weston Roger AppletoÌ„ Esquiers Iustices of Ooyer and determiner of the peace within the sayd County of Essex to be kept of the one party and Iohn Kingstone clerke Bacheler at law Commissary to the Bish. of London of the other party witnesseth that Ro. Colman of Walton in the County of Essex labourer Ioan Winseley of Horseley Magna in the said County Spinster Steuen Glouer of Raylye in the County aforesayd Glouer Richard Clerke of much Holland in the sayd County Mariner William Munt of much Bently in the sayde County husbandmaÌ„ Tho. Winseley of much Horseley in the sayd County Sawyer Margaret field of Ramesey in the sayd County Spinster Agnes Whitlocke of Douercourt in the sayd Countie Spinster Alice Munt of much Bentley in the sayd Countye Spinster Rose Alin of the same towne and County Spinster Richard Bongeor of Colchester in the sayd County Corier Richard Atkin of Halstead in the sayd County Weauer Robert Barcocke of Wiston in the sayde Countye of Suffolke Carpenter Rich. George of Westbarhoult in the county of Essex laborer Rich. Iolley of Colchester in the said County Mariner Tho. Feeresanne of the same towne and County Mercer Robert Debnam late of Dedham in the said couÌ„ty Weauer Cicely Warren of Cocksall in the sayd county Spinster Christian Peper widow of the same town and County Allin Simpson Elene Euring Alice the wife of William Walles of Colchester Spinster and William Bongeor of Colchester in the sayd County Glasier being indited of heresie are deliuered to the sayde Iohn Kingstone Clerke Ordinary to the Byshop of London according to the statute in that case prouided In witnesse wherof to the one part of this Indenture remayning with the sayd Erle Lord and other the Iustices the sayd Ordinary hath set to his hand and seale and to the other part remayning with the sayd Ordinary the sayd Earle Lord and other the Iustices haue set to their seueral handes seales the daye yeares aboue written Oxenford Thomas Darcy Henry Tyrell Antony Browne William Bendelowes Edmund Tyrell Richard Weston Roger Appleton These xxii aforesayd prisoners thus seÌ„t from Colchester to London were brought at length to B. Boner As touching the order and maner of their comming brynging the sayd Boner himselfe writeth to Cardinall Poole as you shall heare * A letter of B. Boner to Cardinall Poole MAy it please your good grace with my most humble obedience reuerence and duetie to vnderstand that going to London vpon Thursday last and thinking to be troubled with M. Germaynes matter onely and such other common matters as are accustomed enough to wery a right strong body I had the day following to comfort my stomacke withall letters from Colchester that either
in me and I in him Arch Then he faced out the matter with Sophistrie and sayde I did eate Christe as that Church was in his eye with many such like mockes but woulde not let me aunswere one woorde Commis Then the Commissarie did aske mee if I did not remember S. Paule which did rebuke the Corinthes for theyr euill behauior and because they made no difference of the Lordes body and brought in to prooue hys matter howe he called him selfe bread in the 6. of Iohn So Paul sayth So oft as ye eate of this breade meaning Christes body vnwoorthely ye eate and drinke your owne damnation because ye make no difference of the Lordes body For thus sayeth Christ The bread that I will geue you is my flesh Now it is no bread but it is his flesh And thus he alledged euery Scripture false to make vp the matter Auns Then I sayde I did beleeue the woordes of Paule very wel euen as he had spoken them For thus he sayeth He that eateth and drinketh vnwoorthely eateth and drynketh hys owne damnation because hee maketh no difference of the Lordes body Commis What is the cause that he eateth his owne damnation Auns I sayd Saint Paule declareth it plainly wyth these woordes If ye had iudged your selues ye should not haue bene iudged of the Lord. Arch. Then the Archdeacon sayde he marueiled whye I would not say that he called the breade hys bodye seeing Cranmer Ridley and Latimer with many other sayd he called it his bodye Auns I saide you haue condemned them as heretickes and you wold haue me say with them because you wold kill me Arch. Then he saide In that they said it was his bodye they did say the truth Auns I asked wherefore they were killed seeing they sayd the truth Bishop Then sayde the Byshop that he had all theyr aunsweres and that they did not beleue as they said For they sayd Christ called it his body but it was not his naturall body but thou shall answere me by and by whether it be his body or not or els I will anger thee Auns Then I sayd I had answeared him by the word already and did beleeue it also therefore if he did condemne me for that my life was not deare vnto me I was sure he should not scape vnpunished for God wil be reuenged vpon such murtherers Arch. Then the Archdeacon intreated mee to be ruled by him take mercy while it was offered for if I were condemned I must needes be burned Yet he would not say but my soule might be saued with many moe wordes and desired me that I would beleue hym for he would speake the truth beginning how Christ fed fiue thousande wyth foure loaues and how he turned the water into wine euen so Christ tooke breade and blest it and when he had done he brake it and sayd This is my body and then he commāded them to eat it and therfore it must nedes be his body Auns Then I desired him to speake the text right or els I would not beleeue him Arch. Then he stoode vp and put off his cap and thanked me for teaching of him and sayde I was a stubberne fellow and tooke scorne to be taught Auns I sayd I ought to holde him accursed if he taught doctrine contrary to Christ and his Apostles Arch. Then he asked me whether I did beleue that Christ did geue that he tooke or not Auns I said I do beleue as much as can be proued by the Scripture and more I will not beleeue Arch. Then he began with Moyses rod howe God commanded him to lay it down and it was turned into a serpent Seing that this was by Moyses being but a man how much more Christ being both God man tooke one thing and gaue to his Disciples an other Ans. I said his comparison was nothing like for Moyses rod when it was laid downe he saw that it was tourned into a verye Serpent in deede but in this Sacrament no mā can see neither qualitie nor yet quantitie to be chāged Bish. Then sayd the Bishop that mine opinion and Faith was like vnto the Capernaites Ans. I sayd theirs was more like theyr opiniō then mine Arch. The Archdeacon asked me whether Christe tooke not one thing and gaue an other Auns I sayde Looke what he brake hee gaue vnto them and had them eate and other answere I will make none contrary to the woorde Arch. Then he sayd he marueiled why I woulde not beleue them seeing this learning had continued this fiftene hundred yeares neither yet did saye as other had before howe Christ did call it his bodye Auns Then I sayde when Cranmer whyche was heere Byshop was in authoritie he sayde that he did holde the truth and commaunded vs to beleeue him and hee hathe geuen his life for his opinion and would you haue me to beleeue you because you say that you holde the truth and that which makes me beleeue chiefly is the scripture which I am sure is the truth in deede Bish. The Bishop sayd he hath spoken the truthe that I would not beleeue him Auns I sayde if he did not nowe speake the truthe I was sure he had spoken the truthe for hee had preached before doctrine cleane contrary vnto this Then were the rest of my articles read which I aunswered and in euery article we had vp this breaden god And they sent for a candle light I thought they woulde haue condemned me but God would not suffer their cruel hearts to haue theyr pleasure at that time blessed he hys name for euermore Amen Arch. Then the Archdeacon was angry began to chide with me because I woulde not desire a day of the byshop and said I was a noughty stubberne felowe and sayde it had bene my duety to haue desired him to haue bene good to me that I might haue a day Auns Then I sayde I haue spoken the truth and therefore I would aske him no day except he would geue me a day of his owne minde Commis Then sayde the Commissarie Doest thou not thinke that thou maiest be deceiued seeing hee may be deceiued that hath gone to study all the daies of his life Auns I saide Yes I mighte be deceiued in that I was a man but I was sure Gods woord could not be deceiued Com. Then hee praied me to be content and confesse that I might learne and said they would be glad to teach me Auns And I sayde I would be as glad to learne as any man And thus they roase vp and went away saying nothing What became of this Mathewe Plaise after whether he died in prison or was executed or deliuered I haue as yet no certaine knowledge The hystorie of ten true godly Disciples and Martyrs of Christ burnt together in one fire at Lewes An. 1557. Iune 22. IN the towne of Lewes were ten faithfull seruauntes of God put in one fire the xxij day of Iune whose names
me to my Lord Chamberlaine that was then to the Queene Sir Iohn Gage shewyng him that I baptised children and married folks with many such lyes to bryng me into their hands agayne Then the Commissioners sent out certaine Citations to bring me to the Court My L. Chamberlain had directed out 4. or 5. Warrantes for me that if I had come there I should haue bene attached and sent to prisō straite way Which was not Gods will for I had warnyng of their laying await for me and came not there but sent my deputie he brought me word that the Bailifs waited for me there but they mist of their pray for that tyme wherevpon they were displeased Then within 3. dayes after my L. sent 3. of his men to take me whose names were Deane Ieffrey and Frāces I beyng at plough with my folkes right in the waye as they were commyng to my house least mistrusting thē of all other came to them and spake to them asking thē how they did And they sayd they arested me in the Kyng and Queenes name and that I must goe with them to their Maister the L. Chamberlaine Which wordes made my flesh to tremble and quake because of that sodayne But I answered them that I would go with them Yet I desired them that they would go to my house with me that I might breake my fast and put on some other geare and they said I should Then I remembred my selfe saying in my hart Why am I thus afraid they can lay no euill to my charge If they kill me for well doyng I may thinke my self happy I remembred how I was contented gladly before to dye in that quarell and so had continued euer since and should I now feare to dye God forbid that I should for then were all my labour in vayne So by and by I was perswaded I praise God considering it was but the frailty of my flesh which was loth to forgo my wife childrē and goods for I saw nothing but present death before mine eyes And as soone as I was perswaded in my mynd to die I had no regard of nothing in this worlde but was as mery and glad and ioyfull I prayse GOD as euer I was This battaile lasted not a quarter of an houre but it was sharper then death it selfe for the tyme I dare say So when I had my breakfast I desired them to shew me their warrant thinkyng thereby I should haue seene wherfore I was arested to the intent I might the better answer for my self whē I came before their maister And one of them answered they had not their warrāt there Which words made me astonied and it was put in my mynde by God that I neede not to goe with them vnlesse they had their warrant Then said I to them that is meruaile that you will come to take a man without a warrant It seemeth to me that you come of your owne mind to get thāke of your maister for in deed I heard say sayd I that there was 4. or 5. warrants out for me but they were called in agayne because I had certified my L. and the Commissary by a letter that I sent to the Commissaries court that I was not faulty in that they layd to my charge which was for baptising of children and marying of folks the which I neuer did for I was neuer minister appointed to do any such thyng wherfore set your hartes at rest I will not go with you said I vnlesse you will cary me by force and if you will do so at your owne aduentures And so I rose from the boord and stepped into my chamber meanyng to goe from them if I could possible seeyng God had made the way so open for me I ment to play Peters part with them but God would not it should be so but sent a feare amongst them that as soone as I was gone into my chāber ere euer I could come out againe they were gone out of my house When I saw that I knew it was Gods doyng to set me at liberty once againe Yet I was compelled to speake to them and said If you haue a warrant I desire you for Gods sake to shew it me and I wil go with you with all my hart if not I desire you to depart in Gods peace and the kings for surely I will not go with you without the order of the law for I haue bene too simple in such things already For before I was sent to prison first I went to the Iustices to two Sessions without any warrant or cōmandement but had word by one of their men I went gently to them they sent me to prison and kept me there almost a yere and thre quarters without all right or equitie as it is openly known not hearing my cause iustly debated And it semeth to me that I should be thus euil hādled and therefore I will not go to none of them all henceforth without the extremitie of the law Then one of them answered me and said we haue not the warrant here but it is at home at my house the worst is you can but make vs fetch it Then I said Fetch it if you wil but if you come in my house before you haue it at your owne aduenture So I shut my doore and went my way out of the other doore So they got helpe to watch my house while one of them fet the Constable and many moe thinking to haue had me in my house and to haue takē me in my house caried me away with a licence but I was gone before as god would haue it Notwithstanding they sought euery corner of my house but could not preuaile I mistrusted they would search it again that night and kept me abroad and in deed there came seuen of his men the Constable and searched my house And when they sawe that they could not meete with me they were redy to rent their coats that I had scaped them so knowing they should haue such a checke of their maister When I heard that they had sought so for me againe I perceiuyng that they were greedy of their pray came home and my wyfe told me all thyngs Then I supposed that they would lay all the countrey for me and the sea coast because I should not go ouer and thē I thought that they would not mistrust that I would dare bee nigh home So I tolde my wyfe that I woulde make my lodgyng in a woode not past a flight shotte from my house as I did in deede euen vnder a tree and there had my Bible my penne and myne inke and other necessaries and there continued a sixe or seuen weekes my wife bringing me meate daily as I had neede Yea I thought my selfe blessed of God that I was counted worthy to lye in the woodes for the name of Christ. Then there came word into the countrey that
if I might be in choice and not displease God Chichest The sheriffe tooke paine to come to me of loue he sayd which he bare to you as to himselfe and sayd you were desirous to speake with me Wood. I thought it mete to appeale to my Ordinarie For they goe about to shed my bloud vnrighteously For they haue laid many vniust things to my charge Wherefore I thoughte it meete to appeale to you that if you can finde any fault in me meete to be reformed by Gods woorde I stād to be reformed and likewise if my bloud shal be shed vnrighteously that it mighte be required at your handes because you haue taken vppon you to be the Phisition of our countrey Story Is not this a peruerse felow to lay to your charge that his bloude shal be required at your hands Thinkest thou that thou shalt be put to death vniustly that thy bloude should be required No if he should condemne a hundred such heretickes as thou art I helped to ridde a good sort of you And I promise thee I will helpe to ridde thee too the best that I can Wood. Then I would haue answeared him but the Bishop desired vs both to geue him place Chichest Well neighbour Woodman I call you neyghbour because you be one of my Diocesse and you are sent to me that I should geue you spirituall counsell for I am your spiritual Pastour Therefore heare what I shall say to you Wood. First I desire you to heare me a few woordes You haue said you wil geue me spiritual counsell Be you sure that you haue the spirite of God Chichest No I am not sure of that Wood. No be you not sure of that Chich. So by S. Mary I dare not be so bold to say so I doubt of that Wood. Then you be like the waues of the sea as saith S. Iames that be tossed about with the wind and be vnstable in all your wayes and can looke for no good thyng at the Lordes hand Yea yee are neither hote nor colde and therefore God will spew you out of his mouth as sayeth S. Iohn Then they were in a great furie especially doc Storie saying Storie What a peruerse fellow is this he hath the Deuil within him and is madde Hee is woorse then the Deuill Nowe I perceiue that it is true that is reported by thee and it is the pride of all suche heretickes to boaste themselues Chich. Yea surely hee is sent to mee to learne and taketh vpon him to teache me Wood. I seeing their blindnesse and blasphemie it made my heart melt and mine eies gush oute with teares saying The Iewes saide to Christ he hadde the Deuill and was madde as you haue said heere by me But I knowe the seruant is not aboue his maister And God forbid that I should learne of him that confesseth that he hath not the Spirite of God Chich. Why doe you thinke that you haue the Spirite of God Wood. I beleeue verely that I haue the spirite of God Chich. You boast more then euer Paul did or any of the apostles the which is great presumption Wood. I boast not in my selfe but in the gift of God as Paule did for he sayd he beleued verily that he had the spirit of God makyng thereof no doubts in the 1. to the Cor. the 7. chap. Chich. It is not so you belye the text Wood. If it be not so let me be burned to morow Story Thou shalt not be burned to morow but thou shalt be burned within these 6. dayes I promise thee Chich If it be so it is wrong translated as it is in a thousand places more Wood. Then one looked in a Latine Testament and another in a Greeke Testament and they said it was in them both that Paul supposed that he had the spirit of God but he was not sure Chich. Euen so I hope and suppose that I haue the spirite of God but I am not sure Wood. If that place be wrong trāslated and so many places of the Bible as you say then I may say with Christ it cannot be auoyded but offences must be geuen But woe vnto them by whom they come I may say woe vnto false Translaters For cursed are they that adde or take away But take you heed that you belie not the Translaters I beleeue they had the feare of God more before their eies then you report of them And yet if that place bee wrong translated I can prooue places enough that Paule had the spirit of God as I my selfe and all Gods elect haue Chich. How prooue you that Wood. No man can beleeue that Iesus is the Lorde but by the holy Ghost First to the Corrinth the 7. chap. I do beleeue that Iesus Christ is my redeemer and that I shall bee saued from all my sinnes by his death and bloudsheding as Paule and all the Apostles did and as all faithfull people ought to do which no man can doe without the spirite of God And there is no damnation to thē that are in Christ Iesus so is there no saluation to them that are not in Christ Iesu. For he that hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his but is a cast away as he saith in the same text And againe We haue not receyued the spirite of bondage to feare any more but we haue receyued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba father The same spirit certifieth our spirites that we are the sons of God Here are proofes enough that Paule was sure that he had the spirite of God Also S. Iohn sayth He that beleeueth not that Christ is come in the flesh is an Antichrist denieth both the Father and the sonne which is sinne against the holy Ghost which shall neuer bee forgeuen in this world nor in the world to come Besides all this Hee that beleeueth in God dwelleth in God and God in hym So is it impossible to beleue in God vnlesse God dwell in vs. Oh good God what more iniurie can be done vnto thee then to mistrust that we haue receyued thy holy spirite by thy gift Thus may all men see their blindnes and whose seruants they be as they do declare themselues both by their words and deeds Story Oh my Lord what an heretike is this same Why heare you hym Sende hym to prison to his fellowes in the Marshalsee and they shall bee dispatched within these xij dayes Wood. When I heard hym say so I reioyced greatly in my hart desiring God if it were his will to keepe hym in that mynd For I looked surely to haue gone to the B. of Londons colehouse or to Lollards tower yea I thoght my selfe happy if I might haue gone to Lollardes tower but it pleased God to put in the hartes of them to send me to the Marshalsee amongst our brethren and my olde prison fellowes So mercifully hath God delt with mee in casing of my
generall CouÌ„cell and his picture burned Wood. If he were an heretick I thinke he vnderstoode it not so in deed but I am sure all Christians ought to vnderstand it so Chich. O what vayne glory is in you as though you vnderstood all thing other men nothing Heare me I will shew you the true vnderstanding both of the aultar the offering on the aultar We haue an aultar sayd Paul that ye may not eate of meaning thereby that no man might eat of that which was offered on the aultar but the Priest For in Paules time all the liuing that the Priest had the people came offered it on the aultar mony or other thinges and when the people came to offer it and then remeÌ„bred that they had any thing agaynst their brother theÌ„ they left their offering vpon the aultar and went were reconciled to theyr brother and they came agayne and offred their gift and the Priest had it This is the true vnderstanding of the place that you haue rehersed wherefore you be deceiued Wood. My Lord that was the vse in the olde law Christ was the ende of that But in deede I perceiue by Paules wordes the sacrifice was offered in Paules time yet that maketh not that it was wel done but he rebuked it Wherfore it seemeth to me that you be deceiued Chich. Who shall be iudges betwixt vs in this matter Wood. The xij of Iohn declareth who shall be iudge in the last day Chich. You meane the word shall iudge the word Howe can that be Wood. Saynct Peter sayth The Scripture hath no priuate interpretation but one scripture must be vnderstand by an other Chich. And you will vnderstande it one way and I wyll vnderstand it an other way and who shal be Iudges betwixt vs then Wood. The true church of God is able to discusse al doubtes to whom I referre it Chich. I am glad you say so if you will say so in deed Wood. My Lord I neuer meant otherwise Chich. The Church of God doth allow the Sacrament of the aultar Wood. What do you offer now vpon the aultar Chich. We offer vp in the blessed Sacramente of the Aultar the body of Christ to pacifye the wrath of God the Father and therewith they put off their cappes all to that abominable Idoll Wood. Saynt Paule sayth to the Hebrues in the x. chap. We are sanctified by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ vpon the crosse once for all and euery Priest is dayly ministring oftentimes offereth one maner of offering which can neuer take away sinnes and that is the offering that you vse to offer As farre as I can see you be priestes after the order of Aaron that offered vp Sacrifice for their own sinnes and the sinnes of the people Chichest Nay Aarons sacrifice was with bloud whiche signifieth the death of Christe the whiche was ended vpon the Crosse by his bloudshedding but we are Priestes after the order of Melchisedech the whiche offered breade to the king in remembraunce and signified the geuing of Christes body in bread wine at his last supper the whiche he gaue to his disciples commaunded it to be vsed to the end of the world This is the sacrifice that we offer according to his word Woodman Me thinke you haue made the matter verye playne to me that as Christ was the ende of all Sacrifices so was he the beginning of the Sacramentes willing them to be vsed in the remembraunce of him to the worldes end Chichest What in remembraunce of hym and not hym selfe as his worde sayth Take eate this is my body It is not the signe onely but the thing it selfe How say you is it not his body after the words be spoken by the priest How say you goe briefly to worke for I can not long tary with you Wood. My Lord if you will answere me to one sacrameÌ„t I will answere you to another Chich. Yes I am very well contented with that Wood. If you say the words of baptisme ouer the water there be no childe there is there true baptisme Chich. No there must be the water the worde and the child and then it is baptisme Wood. Uerye well Then if a childe bee Baptised in the name of the Father and of the Sonne it is not truely baptised Chich. No the childe muste bee baptised in the name of the father of the sonne the holy ghost or els it is not truly baptised Wood. Then there may be nothing added nor takeÌ„ away from the Sacraments may there Chich. No sayd the Bishop Wood. Now my Lord I will answere to you if it please you Chich. Well how say you Take eat this is my body is it not Christes body as soone as the wordes be sayd Wood. My Lorde I will aunswere you by your owne wordes that you aunswered me whiâ—h is true the water the word and the childe all these together make baptisme the bread wine and the word make the Sacrament the eater eating in true fayth maketh it his body Here I proue it is not Christes body but to the faythfull receiuer For he sayd Take eat this is my body He called it not his body before eating but after eating And Saynt Augustine sayth Crede manducasti Beleue and thou hast eaten And Saynt Iohn sayth He that beleueth in God dwelleth in God and God in him wherfore it is vnpossible to dwell in God and to eat his body without a true fayth Priest Then the fayth of the receiuer maketh it his body not his word by your saying I pray you what did Iudas eate Wood. Iudas did eat the sacrament of Christ and the deuill withall Priest He eat the body of Christ vnworthely as S. Paule sayth Wood. Nay S. Paule sayth no such thing He speaketh not of eating of his body vnworthely but of the sacrament vnworthely For he sayth Who soeuer eateth of this bread drinketh of this cup vnworthely eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because he maketh no difference of the Lordes body and not because he eateth the Lordes body If Iudas had eat Christes body it must needes folow that Iudas is saued For Christ sayth in the sixt of Iohn Who so euer eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternall life and I will raise him vp agayne at the last day Priest My Lord this man is an interpreter after his own minde Chich. I see it is but folly to talke with you it is but lost labour How say you Doe you not beleue that after the wordes be sayd there remayneth neither bread nor wyne but the very body of Christ really make me a playne aunswere for I will talke no more with you Wood. I will make you no directe aunswere howe I beleue of the true Sacrament I doe beleue that if I come to receiue the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ truely ministred beleuing that
you be your selues You will go to hell all the sorte of you if you condemne me if you repent iâ— not with speede Wood. Then my keeper and the Sheriffes deputie Fuller rebuked me because I spake so sharpely to them And I sayde I praye you let me alone I aunswere for my life Then there was muche adoe that I shoulde keepe silence and so I held my peace Then spake the Bishop of Winchester and the Archdeacon of Caunterbury saying we go not about to condemne thee but goe aboute to saue thy soule if thou wilt be ruled ane doe as we would haue thee Wood. To saue my soule nay you can not saue my soule My soule is saued already I praise God therefore There can no man saue my soule but Iesus Christ and hee it is that hath saued my soule before the foundation of that would was layd The fat Priest What an heresie is that my Lorde here is an heresie He sayth hys soule was saued before the foundations weâ—e layd Thou canst not tell what thou saiest Was thy soule saued before it was Wood. Yes I prayse God I can tell what I say I say the truth Looke in the first of the Ephesians and there you shall finde it where Paule sayth Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ whiche hath blessâ—d vs with all maner of spirituall blessinges in heauenly thinges by Christ according as hee hathe chosen vs in himselfe before the foundation of the earth was layd that we shuld be holy and without blame before him through loue and thereto were wee predâ—stinated These be the wordes of Paule and I beleue they be moste true And therefore it is my fayth in and by Iesus Christe that saueth and not you or any man els The fat priest What fayth without workes Saint Iames sayth faythe without workes is dead and wee haue free will to do good workes Wood. I would not that any of you should think that I do disallow good workes For a good fayth cannot be wtout good works Yet not of our selues but it is the gift of God as sayth S. Paule to the Phillippians the 2. Chapt. It is God that worketh in vs both the wil and also the deed euen of good will Winchester Make an ende aunswere to me Here is your Ordinary the Archdeacon of Caunterbury hee is made your Ordinary by my Lord Cardinall and he hath authoritie to examine you of your fayth vppon a booke to aunswere to such Articles as he will laye to you And I praye you refuse it not for the daunger is great if you do Wherfore we desire you shew your selfe a subiect in this matter Then they spake al and said loe my Lord desireth you gently to aunswere to him and so we do all For if you refuse to take an othe hee may excommunicate you For my Lord Cardinall may put whom he wil in the Bishops office vntill he is consecrated Wood. I know not so much If you will geue me time to learne the trueth of it if I can proue it be as you saye I will tell you my mind in any thing that he shall demauÌ„d of me without any flattering Priest My Lord and all we tell thee it is true therefore aunswere to him Wood. I will beleue none of you all for you be turne coates chaungelinges be wauering minded as sayth S. Iames you be neither hoate nor colde as sayth S. Iohn therfore God will spue you out of his mouth Wherfore I can beleue none of you all I tell you truth Winchest What be we turne coates and chaungelinges what meanest thou by that Wood. I meane that in king Edwardes time you taught the doctrine that was set forth then euery one of you and now you teach the contrary and therfore I call you turne coates and chaungelinges as I may well enough Which wordes made the most part of them to quake Winc. Nay not all as it chaunced Wood No I pray you where were you then Winch. I was in the Tower as the Lieutenaunt wyll beare me record Wood. If you were in the Tower it was not therefore I dare say it was for some other matter TheÌ„ they tooke all hart of grace and sayd my Lord he coÌ„meth to examine you we think if he will not answere to the Articles you were best to excommunicate him Winch. He is the naughtiest verlet hereticke that euer I knew I will read the sentence agaynst him Wood. Then they spake all at once and I aunswered then as fast as I could But I can not remember it all the wordes came out so thicke that I spared them not I prayse God therfore for I spake freely Then they that stood by rebuked me sayd you caÌ„ not tell to whom you speake I thinke Wood. No thinke you so they be but men I am sure I haue spoken to as good as they bee and better then they will euer be for any thing that I can see if they repent not with speed Winc. Geue eare for I will read sentence agaynst you Wood. Will you so wherefore will you you haue no iuste cause to excommunicate me and therefore if you doe condemne me you wil be condemned in hell if you repent not and I prayse God I am not afrayd to dye for Gods sake if I had a hundred liues Winch. For Gods sake nay for the Deuilles sake Thou sayest thou art not afrayde to dye No more was Iudas that hanged himselfe as thou wilt kill thy selfe wilfully because thou wilt not be ruled Wood. Nay I defye the deuill Iudas and all their members And Iudas flesh was not afrayd but his spirite and conscience was afrayde and therefore despayred and hong himselfe But I prayse God I feele no lothsomnes in my flesh to dye but a ioyfull conscience and a willing mynde thereto Wherfore my flesh is subdued to it I prayse God and therfore I am not afrayd of death Chichester Woodman for Gods sake be ruled You know what you sayd to me at my house I coulde say more if I would Wood. Say what you can the most fault that you founde in me was because I praysed the liuing God and because I sayd I prayse God and the Lorde which you ought to be ashamed of if you haue any grace for I told you where the wordes were written Winc. Well how say you will you confesse that Iudas receiued the body of Christ vnworthely tell me playnely Wood. My Lord if you or any of you all can proue before all this audience in all the bible that any man euer eat the body of Christ vnworthely then I will be with you in all thinges that you will demaund of me of the which matter I desire all this people to be witnes Priest Will you so then we shall agree well enough S. Paule sayth so Woodman I pray you where sayeth he so rehearse the wordes Priest In
the xi of the first to the Corinthians he sayeth Who so eateth of this bread and drinketh of this cup vnworthely eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because he maketh no difference of the Lordes body Wood. Doth these wordes proue that Iudas eat the body of Christ vnworthely I pray you let me see them They were contēted Then said I these be the wordes euen that you sayd Good people harken well to them Who so eateth of this bread drinketh of this cup vnworthely He sayth not who so eateth of this body vnworthely or drinketh of this bloude vnworthely But hee sayeth Who so eateth of this bread and drinketh of this cuppe vnworthely which is the sacrament eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because he maketh no difference of the sacrament which representeth the Lordes body and other bread and drinke Here good people you may all see they are not able to proue their sayinges true Wherefore I can not beleue them in any thing that they do Winc. Thou art a rancke hereticke in deed Art thou an expounder Now I will read sentence agaynst thee Wood. Iudge not leaste you be iudged For as you haue iudged me you be your selfe Then he read the Sentence Why sayd I Will you read the Sentence agaynst me and can not tell wherfore Winc. Thou art an hereticke and therefore thou shalt be excommunicated Wood. I am no heretick I take heauē earth to witnes I defie all heretickes and if you condemne me you wil be damned if you repēt it not But God geue you grace to repent all if it be his will and so he read forth the sentence in latin but what he said God knoweth and not I. God be iudge betwene thē me Whē he had done I would haue talked my mind to thē but they cried away away with hym So I was caried to the Marshalsea againe where I am shal be as long as it shall please God I prayse god most hartely that euer he hath elected predestinated me to come to so high dignity as to beare rebuke for his names sake his name be praysed therfore for euer and euer Amen And thus haue you the Examinations of thys blessed Woodman or rather Goodman wherein may appeare as well the great grace and wisedome of God in that man as also the grosse ignorance and barbarous cruelty of his aduersaries especially of Doct. White bishop of Winchester Now foloweth likewise the effect of his Letter A godly Letter of Richard Woodman written to a Christian woman Mistres Robertes of Hawkhurst GRace mercy and peace from God the father and from hys sonne our alone Sauiour Iesus Christe by the operation and working of the holy Ghost be multiplied plenteously vpon you deare sister Robertes that you may the more ioyfully beare the crosse of Christ that ye are vnder vnto the end to your onely cōfort and consolation and to all our brethren and sisters that are round about you both now and euer Amen In my most humble wise I commend me vnto you and to al our brethren and sisters in those parties that loue our Lorde vnfaynedly certifying you that I and all my brethren with me are mery and ioyfull we prayse God therfore looking daily to be dissolued frō these our mortall bodyes according to the good pleasure of our heauenly father praysing God also for your cōstancy and gentle beneuolence that you haue shewed vnto Gods electe people in this troublesome time of persecution which may be a sure pledge and token of Gods good will and fauour towardes you and to all other that heare thereof For blessed are the mercifull for they shall obteine mercy Wherfore the fruites declare alway what the tree is For a good man or woman out of the good treasure of theyr hartes bring forth good thinges Wherfore deare Sister it is not as many affirme in these dayes the more it is to be lamented that say God asketh but a mās hart which is the greatest iniury that can be deuised agaynst god and his word For S. Iames sayth Shew me thy faith by the deeds and I will shew thee my fayth by my deedes saying the deuilles haue fayth and tremble for feare yet shal be but deuils still because theyr minds were neuer to do good Let vs not therfore be like them but let our fayth be made manifest to the whole world by our deedes and in the middest of a crooked and peruerse nation as S. Paule sayth let your light shine as in a darcke place Oh deare hartes nowe is the Gospell of God ouerwhelmed with many blacke and troublesome cloudes of persecution for the which cause very few go about to haue their eies made clere by the true light of the Gospell for feare of loosing of their treasures of this world which are but vayne and shall perish Let not vs therfore be like vnto them which light their candle and put it vnder a bushell but let vs set our candle vpon a cādlesticke that it may geue light vnto all thē that are in the house that is to saye let all the people of the housholde of God see our good workes in suffering all thinges patiently that shal be layde vpon vs for the Gospels sake if it be death it selfe For Christ dyed for vs leauing vs an example that we should follow his steps and as he hath geuen his life for vs so ought we to geue our liues for the defence of the Gospell to the comfort of our brethren How is it then that some will say that theyr fayth is good yet they do all the deedes of Antichrist the deuill and be not ashamed to alledge certayne Scriptures to maynteine their wickednesse Saynt Paule sayth To beleue with the hart iustifieth to confesse with the mouth maketh a man safe Oh good GOD here maye all menne see that no man or woman can haue a true faith vnlesse they haue deedes also and he that doubteth is like the waues of the Sea tossed about of the winde and can looke for no good thing at the Lordes handes Maye not a man iudge all such to be like those whiche Saynt Iohn speaketh of that be neyther hoate nor colde and therfore God will he sayth spue them out of his mouth If we iudge euill of such haue not they geuen vs occasion Had it not bene better for them to haue had a myll stone tyed about theyr necks and to haue bene cast into the Sea then they should geue such offences to Gods elect people in cōdemning them as they doe in going to the sinagogue of Sathan and there to receiue the marke of the beast in that they see and heare God blasphemed there and hold their peace Doth not that declare to the whole world that they allow theyr doinges to be good and these do not only defile themselues but also be an occasion to confirme the Papistes
specified much against his owne coÌ„science which he now earnestly repenteth This good woman being condemned and at the stake with Simon Miller to be burnt when the fire came vnto her she a little shronke thereat with a voyce crying once ha When the sayd Simon Miller hearde the same he put his hand behinde him towarde her and willed her to bee strong and of good cheare For good sister said he we shall haue a ioyfull and a sweete supper Whereat she beyng as it seemed thereby strengthened stoode as still and as quiet as one moste glad to finish that good worke whiche before most happely shee had begonne So in fine she ended her life with her companion ioyfully committing her soule into the handes of almighty God ¶ The Martyrdome of x. faythfull and blessed Martyrs fiue men and fiue women burnt at Colchester fiue in the forenoone and fiue in the afternoone for the testimony and witnesse of Christ Iesus and his glorious Gospell AS it is no nâ—w thing in those whom we call Prelates and Priestes of the Churche to be raysers vp of persecution agaynst Christ and his poore flocke so is it much to be maruelled or rather lamented that noble persons and meÌ„ of honor and worship would be made such Ministers to serue the affections of these tyrauntes as commonly as well in all the sorowful dayes of the late Queene Mary as namely in this present story is to be marked And first thou remembrest gentle Reader how mention was made a litle before pag. 1863. of xxij which were sent vp prisoners together from Colchester to London by the Earle of Oxforde the Lord Darcy Maister Tyrrell of Saynt Osithes and other Commissioners Iustices c. The which xxij as is aforesayd through a gentle submission put vnto them were afterward released deliuered In the number of these foresayd xxij was one William Mount of Muchbently in Essex husbandman with Alice his wife and Kose Allin mayd the daughter of the said Alice Mount whiche comming home agayne to their house at Muchbently aforesayde refrayned themselues from the vnsauery seruice of the Popish Churche and frequeÌ„ted the company of good men and women which gaue themselues diligently to reading inuocating calling vpon the name of God through Christ wherby they so fretted the wicked Priest of the towne called Syr Thomas Tye other like vnto him that casting theyr heades together they made a pestilent Supplication to the Lord Darcy in the name of the whole Parish the tenour whereof hereafter foloweth ¶ The maner of a Supplication to the Lord Darcy and by him deliuered to Syr Iohn Kingstone Priest and Commissary PLeaseth it your honorable Lordship to be aduertised that we confesse whilest your good Lordship laye here in the country the people were stayed in good order to our great comfort but since your Lordshippes departure they haue made digression from good order in some places namely in the Parish of Muchbentley by reason of three seditious persons William Mount and his wife Rose her daughter who by theyr colourable submission as it doth appere were dismist and sent nowne from the Bishop of London and since theyr comming home thei haue not onely in their owne persons shewed manifest signes and tokens of disobedience in not comming to the Churche nor yet obseruing other good orders but also most maliciously and seditiously haue seduced many from comming to the Church and froÌ„ obeying all other good orders mocking also those that frequent the Church and calling theÌ„ Church Owles and blasphemouslye calling the blessed Sacrament of the aultar a blind God with diuers such like blasphemies In consideration whereof may it please your honour for the loue of God and for the tender zeale your good Lorshippe beareth to Iustice and common peace and quietnes of the king and Queenes Maiesties louing subiectes to award out your warrant for the sayd William Mount his wife Rose her daughter that they being attached brought before your good Lordshippe we trust the rest will feare to offend their ring leaders of sedition being appreheÌ„ded to the quietnes of theyr obedient subiectes Your dayly Orators the Parishioners of Muchbentley Thomas Tye Priest Iohn Carter Thomas Candeler Iohn Barker Richarde Mere Iohn Paynter William Harrys Iohn Richard with other This being done the said sir Thomas Tye bethought with himselfe where the persecuted did resorte For in the beginning of Queene Maries reign for a xij moneth and more he came not to the Church but frequented the coÌ„panye of Godlye men and women which absteined from the same and as they thought he laboured to keepe a good coÌ„science but the sequele shewed him to be a false brother Now as I said he partly knowing the places of refuge for honest meÌ„ did further enquire of other about the same being therof sufficiently as he thought instructed to hys purpose immediatly about the time the supplication aboue specified was exhibited to the sayd L. Darcy wrote secretly a letter to Boner B. of LondoÌ„ wherin he maketh his accouÌ„t how he had bestowed his time coÌ„playned of diuers honest meÌ„ among the which was the sayd W. Mount hys company The tenour of which letter herafter foloweth * A Letter sent to Boner Byshop of London from Syr Thomas Tye Priest RIght honourable Lord after my bounden duety done in most humble wise these shall be to signify vnto your Lordship the state of our parties concerning religion And first since the comming downe of the 24. rancke hereticks dismissed from you the detestable sort of Schismaticks were neuer so bold since the king and Queenes Maiesties reignes as they are nowe at this present In Mucâ—bently where your Lordship is Patrone of the Churche since WilliaÌ„ Mount Alice his wife with Rose Allin her daughter came home they doe not onely absent themselues from the church and seruice of God but do dayly allure many other away from the same which before did outwardly shew signes tokens of obedience They assemble together vpon the Sabbaoth day in the time of diuine seruice sometimes in one house sometime in an other and there keâ—pe theyr priuy conuenticles and scholes of heresy The Iurates sayth the Lordes Commission is out they are discharged of theyr othe The Quest men in your Archdeacons visitation alleadged that forasmuch as they were once presented now sent home they haue no more to do with them nor none other Your Officers sayth namely Mayster Boswell that the CouÌ„sell sent them not home without a great consideration I praye God some of your Officers proue not fauorers of hereticks The rebels are stout in the Towne of Colchester The ministers of the Church are hemd at in the open streets and called knaues The blessed Sacrament of the aultar is blasphemed and rayled vpon in euery Alehouse and Tauerne Prayer and fasting is not regarded Seditious talkes and newes are rife both in towne and
countrey in as ample and large manner as though there had no honorable Lords and Commissioners bene sent for reformation thereof The occasion riseth partly by reason of Iohn Lone of Colchester Hâ—eâ—h a peruerse place which Iohn Lone was twise indicted of heresye and thereupon fled with his wife and householde and hâ—s goodes seased within the Towne of Colchester to the King and Queenes Maiesties vse Neuerthelesse the sayd Iohn is come home agayne and nothing sayde or done to him Whereupon the heretickes are wonderfully encouraged to the no litle discomfort of good and Catholicke people which dayly prayeth to God for the profite vnity and restauration of his Church agayne whiche thing shall come the sooner to passe through the trauell and paynes of suâ—h honourable Lordes and reuerend fathers as your good Lordshippe is vnto whome I wish long life and continuaunce with encrease of much honour From Colchester the xviij of December Your humble Bedes man Thomas Tye Priest When Iudasly this wicked Prieste had thus wrought his malice agaynst the people of god within a while after the stormes began to arise agaynste those poore persecuted William Mount and his company wherby they were enforced to hide themselues from the heat thereof And continuing so a litle space at last the vij day of March an 1557. being the first Sonday in Lent and by 2. of the clock in the morning one Maister Edmund Tyrrell who came of the house of that Tyrrels which murdered king Edward the v. and his brother tooke with him the Bailiffe of the hundred called William Simuell dwelling in Colchester and the two CoÌ„stables of Muchbently aforesayd named Iohn Baker William Harries with diuers other a great nuÌ„ber besetting the house of the said William Mount rouÌ„d about called to them at length to open the doore which being done M. Tyrrell with certein of his coÌ„pany went into the chamber where the sayd father Mount and his wife lay willing them to rise for sayd he ye must goe wyth vs to Colchester Castle Mother Mount hearing that beyng very sicke desired that her daughter might first fetche her some drinke for she was she sayd very ill at ease Then he gaue her leaue bad her go So her daughter the forenamed Rose Allin mayde tooke a stone pot in one hand a candle in the other went to draw drink for her mother as she came back again through the house Tyrrel met her willed to geue her father mother good couÌ„sell and to aduertise them to be better Catholicke people Rose Syr they haue a better instructour then I. For the holy Ghost doth teach them I hope which I trust wil not suffer them to erre Tyrrell Why sayd Mayster Tyrrell art thou still in that minde thou noughty houswife Mary it is time to look vpon such heretickes in deed Rose Syr with that which you call heresy do I worshyp my Lord God I tell you troth Tyrrell Then I perceiue you will burne gossip with the rest for companies sake Rose No syr not for companies sake but for my Christes sake if so I be compelled and I hope in his mercies if he call me to it he will enable me to beare it Tyrrell So he turning to his companye sayde Syrs thys gossip wil burne do ye not thinke it Mary sir quoth one proue her and you shall see what she will do by and by ⧠The burning of Rose Allins hand by Edmund Tyrrell as she was going to fetch drinke for her Mother lying sicke in her bedde Then that cruell Tyrrill taking the candell from her held her wrest and the burning candell vnder her hande burning crosse wise ouer the backe thereof so long till the very smowes crackt a suÌ„der Witnes hereof WilliaÌ„ Kandler then dwelling in Muchbently which was there preseÌ„t and saw it Also Mistres Bright of Romford with Anne Starky her mayd to whom Rose Allin both declared the same and the sayd Mistres Bright also ministred salue for the curing therof as she lay in her house at Romforde going vp towardes London with other prisoners In which time of his tyranny he sayd ofteÌ„ to her why whore wilt thou not cry Thou young whoore wilt thou not cry c. Unto which alwayes she aunswered that she had no cause she thanked God but rather to reioyce Hee had she sayd more cause to weepe then she if he considered the matter well In the ende when the sinnowes as I sayd brake that all the house heard them he then thrust her from him violeÌ„tly and sayd ha strong whore thou shamelesse beast thou beastly whore c. with such like vile wordes But she quietly suffering his rage for the time at the last said Syr haue ye done what ye will doe And he sayd yea and if thou thinke it be not well then mend it Rose Mend it nay the Lord mend you and geue you repentance if it be his will And now if ye thinke it good begin at the feet and burne the head also For he that set you a worke shall pay you your wages one daye I warrant you and so she went and caryed her mother drinke as shee was commauÌ„ded Furthermore after the searching of the house for more company at the last they found one Iohn Thurston and Margaret his wife there also whome they caried with the rest to Colchester Castle immediatly And this sayd Rose Allin being prisoner tolde a frend of hers this cruell act of the sayd Tirrell and shewing him the maner therof she sayd while my one hand quoth she was a burning I hauing a pot in my other hand might haue laid him on the face with it if I had would for no maÌ„ held my hand to let me therin But I thanke God quoth she with all my hart I did it not Also being asked of another howe she could abyde the paynefull burning of her hand she said at first it was some griefe to her but afterward the longer she burned the lesse she felt or well neare none at all And because Mayster Tyrrell shall not goe alone in this kinde of cruelty you shall heare another like example of a blynde Harpers hand burnt by Bishop Boner as is testified by the relation of Ualentine Dyngley sometime gentleman to the sayd Bishop who declared before credible witnes as followeth how the sayd Bishop Boner hauing this blind Harper before him spake thus vnto him that such blinde abiectes whiche folow a sorte of hereticall Preachers when they come to the feeling of the fire wyll be the first that will flye from it To whoÌ„ the blind man sayd that if euery ioynt of hym were burnt yet he trusted in the Lord not to flye Then Boner signifying priuily to certeine of his men about him what the should do they brought to him a burning coale Which coale being put into the poore mans hand they closed it fast again and so was his hand piteously burned
Robert Maynard the Bayliffe and such like which Maynard commonly when he sate in iudgment vpon life and death would sit sleeping on the Bench many times so careful was his mind on his Office Further shee willed halting Gospellers to beware of bloud for that would cry for vengeaunce c. And in the end she told them all laying her hand on the Barre if they dâ—d not repent their wicked doynges therin that vndoubtedly the very barre should be a witnes agaynst them at the day of iudgement that they had there that day shed innocente bloud This Elizabeth Folkes the day before she was condemned was examined onely vpon this article whether she beleued that there was a Catholicke Church of Christ or no. Unto which she answered Yea. Then was she immediately by Bowsels meanes the Scribe deliuered vnto her vncle Holt of the same towne of Colchester to keep who caried her home vnto hys house shee being there might haue departed thence many tymes if she had wold for there was meanes offered to conuey her awaye But she hearyng that some doubted that shee hadde yealded to the Pope although it was most vntrue would in no wise content her selfe but wept and was in suche anguishe of minde and terrour of conscience that no remedye shee woulde to the Papistes agayne for any perswasions that could bee and commyng before them at Cosins house at the white Harte in Colchester she was at vtter defiaunce with them and their doctrine and so had as ye haue heard in the end a papisticall reward as the rest of her brethren had ¶ The Lordes faythfull prisoners in Colchester Castle WIlliam Munt of Muchbentley in Essex of the age of 61. yeares sayde that the sacrament of the Aultar was an abhominable Idoll and that if he should obserue any part of their popish proceedinges he should dysplease God and bring his curse vpon him and therfore for feare of his vengeaÌ„ce he durst not doe it This good father was examined of many thinges but God be thanked he stoode to the truth and in the end therfore had sentence of condemnation read agaynst hym Iohn Iohnson of Thorpe in Essex wydower of the age of xxxiiii yeares was examined as the rest and made answere in suche sorte as the Papistes counted them none of theirs and therefore condemned him with theyr bloudye senteÌ„ce as they had done the rest before This Ioh. Iohnson affirmed that in the receauing of the sacrament accordyng to Christes institution he receiueth the body of christ spiritually c. Alice Munt the wife of the sayde William Munt of the age of xli yeares being also examined as the rest sayd and confirmed the same in effect as her husband dyd and was therefore also condemned by their bloudy sentence in lyke maner Rose Allyn mayd the daughter of the sayd Alice Munt of the age of twenty yeares being examined of auricular confession goyng to the church to heare Masse of the Popish seuen sacramentes c. aunswered stoutlye that they stanke in the face of God and she durst not haue to do with them for her life neyther was she she sayde anye member of theirs for they were the members of Antichriste and so shuld haue if they repented not the reward of Antichrist Being asked further what she could saye of the Sea of the Bishop of Rome whethere she would obey hys authoritie or no she aunswered boldly that she was none of hys As for hys See quoth she it is for Crowes kytes owles and Rauens to swimme in such as you be for by the grace of God I shall not swimme in that See while I lyue neither will I haue any thing to doe therewith Then read they the sentence of condemnation agaynst her and so sent her vnto prison agayne vnto the rest where she song with great ioy to the wonder of many Thus these poore condemned Lambes beyng deliuered into the handes of the secular power were committed agayn euery one vnto the Prison from whence they came where they remayned with much ioy great comfort in continuall reading and inuocating the name of God euer looking and expecting the happy day of their dissolution In which time the cruell Papistes left not their mischieuous attemptes agaynst them although they would seeme now to haue no more to doe with theÌ„ for bloudy Boner whose throte neuer cryed ho shortly aâ—ter got a writ for the burning of the foresayd ten good creatures and to shewe the more dilligence in the cause he sent hys owne trusty man downe with it named Edward Cosin and with hym also his letter for the furtheraunce of the matter the thirtye day of Iuly the next month after the condemnation The writ being thus receiued of the sayde Bayliffes they hauing then no leysure thereaboutes appoynted the day of the executioÌ„ therof to be the second day of August next following And because the faythfull soules were in two seuerall Prisons as the Castle was for the Countrey and Mote Hall for the Towne therfore it was agreed among them that they in Mote Hall should be burnt in the forenoone and those at the Castle by the Sheriffe of the Shyre in the after noone as here thou mayest see it more playne how it came to passe accordingly ¶ The martyrdome of three men and three women at Colchester burned in the forenoone besides 4 other burned at after noone When all sixe were also nayled likewise at their stakes and the fire about them they clapped their handes for ioy in the fire that the standers by which were by estimation thousandes cryed generally all almost The Lord strengtheÌ„ them the Lord comfort them the Lord poure his mercies vpon them with such like wordes as was wonderfull to heare Thus yealded they vp theyr soules and bodyes into the Lordes handes for the true testimony of his trueth The Lord graunt we may imitate the same in the like quarrell if hee so vouche vs worthye for hys mercies sake Amen In like manner the sayde day in the afternoone was brought forth into the Castle yard to a place appoynted for the same W. Munt Iohn Iohnson Alice Munt and Rose Allyn aforesayd which godly constant persons after they had made theyr praiers and were ioyfully â—yed to the stakes calling vpon the name of God and exhorting the people earnestly to flee from Idolatry suffered their martyrdome with such triumphe and ioye that the people did no lesse showte therat to see it then at the other that were burnt the same day in the morning Thus ended all these glorious x. soules that day their happy liues vnto the Lord whose ages all did growe to the summe of 406. yeares or thereaboutes The Lord graunt we may well spend our yeares and dayes likewise to his glory Amen ¶ Iohn Thurston dyed in Colchester Castle BEfore you haue heard of the taking of one I. Thurston at Muchbentley in the house of one William Munt
sithens the 10. day of Ianuarie last or to vse receiue or alow any ceremonies sacramēts or other rites then vsed in the church To all these Articles he answeared affirmatiuely denieng precisely none of them sauing to this clause contained in the 12. article that a man is not bounde to fast and pray but at his owne will pleasure he sayde that he had affirmed no such thing but he confessed that he had not fasted nor prayed so oft as he was bounde to doe And vnto this answer he also subscribed in this sorte Except it be prooued otherwise by the holy Scripture I doe affirme these articles to be true By me Rafe Allerton The next examination was the fourth daye of Iulie The actes whereof because they do appeare more amply in hys other examination had the 10. daye of September I doe heere omit geuing you farther to vnderstande that vppon the seuenth daye of the same moneth of Iulie hee was brought before Doctor Darbishiere in the Byshops Palace who examined him againe vppon the former Articles and after perswaded him to recant threatning hym that otherwise he should be burned To whome he boldly answeared I woulde I mighte be condemned euen to morrowe for I perceiue my Lord meaning Boner doth nothing but seeke mennes bloud Uppon whiche sayinge Darbishire committed him againe to prisone and the 10. day of September the Bishop caused him with the other thre aboue named to be brought vnto Fulham and there in his priuate Chappell wythin his house hee iudiciallye propounded vnto him certaine other newe Articles of the whyche the tenours of the first fifte sixte and seuenth are already mentioned in the seconde thirde and fourthe former obiections as for the rest the contentes thereof here followeth Thou Rafe Allerton canst not denie but that the Information geuen against thee and remaining now in the Actes of this court of thine Ordinarie Edmunde Bishop of London was and is a true information This information was geuen by Tho. Tie Curate of Bentley of whome yee haue already heard and certaine other of the same parishe and affinitie as namelye Iohn Painter William Harris Iohn Barker Iohn Carter Thomas Candeler Ieffrey Bestwoode Iohn Richarde Richard Meere The effect whereof was that one Laurence Edwards of Bentley aforesayde had a child that was vnchristened and being demaunded by the sayde Tye whye hys childe was not Baptised he made aunsweare it should be when he coulde finde one of his religion meaning a true professour of Christes gospell Whereat the Curate sayd Ah ye haue hadde some instructer that hathe schooled yo◠of late Yea quoth the sayd Edwardes that I haue and if youre doctrine be better then his then I will beleeue you and therewithall fondly offered to fetch him Wherupon the Cōstable going with him they brought before the said curate the said Rafe Allerton of whome in this information they make this reporte that he was a seditious person who sithens his comming down from the bish had set vpon the Constables doore certaine seditious Letters moouing and perswading thereby the people to folow his malicious disobedience and that these his perswasions had taken effecte in manye And farther that the saide Rafe Allerton the Curate asking him whether he had instructed thys Laurence Edwardes that it was agaynst Gods commandement to enter into the church casting abroad his hands should say Oh good people now is fulfilled the saying of the godly Priest and Prophet Esdras who sayeth The fire of a multitude is kindled against a fewe they haue taken away their houses spoiled their goods c. Which of you all haue not seen this day who is he here amongest you that seeth not all these things done vpon vs this day The church which they call vs vnto is the church of Antichrist a persecuting church and the church malignant With these and many mo words said they most maliciously and falsly alledged out of the Scriptures he thus perswaded a great multitude there present as muche as in him lay vnto disobedience For the which cause the constables did then apprehend him 3. Item thou Rafe Allerton canst not denie but that the letter sent vnto me by my Lorde Darcie beginning wyth these woordes pleaseth it your Lordship c. was thine owne letter and was subscribed by thine owne hand The contents of the letter mentioned in this Article and wrytten by Allerton vnto the Lorde Darcie was a confession of his demeanor before his first apprehension the effect and purport whereof because it appeareth in the beginning of this his Historie I doe heere omit 4. Item thou Rafe Allerton canst not deny but that the other letter sent also to me from my said Lord Darcy beginning thus pleaseth it youre Lordship c. and ending with these woordes whensoeuer it be is thine owne very letter and subscribed with thine owne hand This was also an other letter wrytten by hym vnto the Lorde Darcie the contents whereof were that where the said Lorde had commaunded him to declare where he had bene euer sithens Whitsontide last before hys first apprehension this was to certifie his Lordship that he was not able so to do otherwise then as he had already shewed him by his former letters And moreouer where as hee charged him to haue read vnto the people abroade in the woodes he certified him that he did neuer read any thyng abroad sauing once whē he was in the cōpany of George Eagles and others Richarde Roth tooke a wryting out of his bosome and desired the saide Rafe to read it which request heethen accomplished and demaunding of hym whose doing the same was the said Roth told that it was maister Cranmers late Archbishop of Canterburie and farther he could not shew him Neuertheles he was ready and willing to suffer such punishment as his lordship should thinke meete desiring yet that the same myghte be with fauour and mercye although hee feared neither punishment nor death praying the Lord that it might be in his feare when soeuer it should be 8. Item thou Rafe Allerton canst not denie but that the letters wrytten with bloud beginning with these words Grace mercy and peace c. and ending thus Farewell in God remaining nowe Registred in the Actes of thys Court were wrytten voluntarily with thine owne hand He wrote this letter in the prison with bloud for lacke of other inke and did meane to send the same vnto Agnes Smith alias Siluerside at that time imprisoned and afterwardes burned at Colchester for the testimonie of the Gospell of Christe as before is mencioned The Copie of which letter heere ensueth A letter wrytten by Rafe Allerton vnto Agnes Smith Widowe GRace mercy and peace from God the father and from our Lord Iesus Christ with the assistance of Gods holy spirite and the aboundant health both of soule and body I wish vnto you as to mine owne soule as GOD knoweth who is the searcher of all secretes Forasmuch as it hath pleased
great deale better welcome then lyfe But this tooke not effect at that time as she thought it would and therfore as I sayd was she not a little troubled Beyng in this great perplexitie of mynde a friend of hers came to her and required to knowe whether Abrahams obedience was accepted before God for that hee did sacrifice his sonne Isaac or in that he would haue offered hym Unto which she answered thus I know quoth she that Abrahams will before God was allowed for the deede in that he would haue done it if the Aungell of the Lorde had not stayed him but I said she am vnhappy the Lorde thinketh me not worthye of this dignitie and therfore Abrahams case and mine is not alyke Why quoth her friend would ye not willingly haue gone with your company if God should so haue suffered it Yes said she with all my hart and because I did not it is now my chiefe and greatest griefe Then said her friend My deare sister I pray thee consider Abraham and thy self well thou shalt see thou doest nothing differ with him in will at all Alas quoth she there is a farre greater matter in Abraham then in me for Abraham was tried with the offering of his owne childe but so am not I and therefore our cases are not lyke Good sister quoth her friend way the matter but indifferently Abraham I graunt sayd he would haue offered his sonne and haue not you done the lyke in your little suckyng babe But consider further then this my good sister sayd he where Abraham was commanded but to offer his sonne you are heuy and grieued because you offer not your selfe which goeth somewhat more neere you then Abrahams obedience did therefore before God assuredly is no lesse accepted allowed in his holy presence which further the preparing of your shroud also doth argue full well c. After which talke betweene them she began a little to stay her selfe and gaue her whole exercise to readyng and prayer wherein she found no little comfort In the tyme that these foresayd ij good women were prisoners one in the Castle the other in Motehall God by a secret meane called the sayd Margaret Thurston vnto his truth agayne who hauyng her eyes opened by the workyng of his spirit did greatly sorrow and lament her backsliding before and promised faithfully to the Lord in hope of his mercies neuer more while she liued to doe the like agayne but that she would constantly stand to the cōfession of the same against all the aduersaries of the crosse of Christ. After which promise made came in short tyme a writ from London for the burning of them which accordyng to the effect thereof was executed the 17. day of September in the yeare aforesayd * The burning of Margaret Thurston and Agnes Bongeor at Colchester to Laxfield to bee burned and on the next day mornyng was brought to the stake where was ready agaynst hys commyng the foresayd Iustice M. Thurstō one M. Waller then beyng vnder shiriffe and M. Tho. Louell beyng high Constable as is before expressed the which commanded men to make redy all things meete for that sinful purpose Nowe the fire in most places of the streete was put out sauyng a smoke was espied by the said Tho. Louell proceeding out from the top of a chimney to which house the shiriffe and Grannow his man went and brake open the dore and thereby got fire and brought the same to the place of execution When Iohn Noyes came to the place of execution When Iohn Noyes came to the place where he should be burned he kneeled downe and sayde the 50. Psalme with other prayers and then they making haste bound hym to the stake and beyng bounde the sayd Iohn Noyes sayd Feare not them that can kill the body but feare hym that can kill both bodye and soule and cast it into euerlastyng fire When he saw his sister weeping and making mone for him he bade her that she should not weepe for hym but weepe for her sinnes Then one Nich. Cadman beyng Hastler a valiaunt champion in the Popes affaires brought a fagotte and set agaynst him and the said Ioh. Noyes tooke vp the fagot and kissed it and sayd Blessed bee the tyme that euer I was borne to come to this Then he deliuered his Psalter to the vndershirife desiring him to be good to his wyfe and children to deliuer to her that same booke and the shiriffe promised hym that he would notwithstāding he neuer as yet performed his promise Then the sayd Iohn Noyes sayd to the people They say they can make God of a piece of bread beleeue them not Then sayd he good people beare witnes that I do beleeue to be saued by the merites passion of Iesus Christ and not by myne owne deedes and so the fire was kindled and burned about him and thē he sayd Lord haue mercy vpon me Christ haue mercy vppon me Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon me ¶ The burnyng of Iohn Noyes Martyr And so he yelded vp his lyfe and when his body was burned they made a pit to bury the coales and ashes and amongst the same they found one of his feet that was vnburned whole vp to the anckle with the hose on and that they buried with the rest Now while he was a burnyng there stoode one Iohn Iaruis by a mans seruant of the same towne a plaine fellow which sayd Good Lorde how the sinewes of hys armes shrinke vp And there stood behynd hym one Gran now and Benet beyng the shiriffes men and they sayd to their maister that Iohn Iaruis said what villeine wretches are these And their maister bade lay hand on hym then they tooke hym and piniond hym and caried hym before the Iustice that same day and the Iustice did examine hym of the words aforesayd but he denied them and aunswered that he sayd nothing but this Good Lorde howe the sinews of his armes shrinke vp But for all this the Iustice did bynd his father and his maister in v. poundes a piece that he should be forth commyng at all tymes And on the Wednesday next hee was broughte agayne before these Iustices M. Thurston and M. Kene they sittyng at Fresingfield in Hoxton hundred and there they did appoint and commaund that the sayd Iohn Iaruis shoulde be set in the stockes the next market day and whipt about the market naked But his Maister one William Iaruis did after craue friendship of the Constables and they dyd not set him in the stockes till Sonday morning and in the after noone they did whip hym about the market wyth a dog whip hauyng three cords and so they let hym go Some doe geue that Iohn Iaruis was whipped for saying that Nich. Cadman was Noyes Hastler that is such one as maketh and hasteth the fire The copy of a certaine letter that he sent to comforte his Wyfe at such tyme as he lay
of God and whosoeuer commandeth lawes contrary to Gods laws I may not do them for losing of my soule but rather obey God then man And he sayd why doest thou not these lawes theÌ„ are they not agreeable to Gods law And I sayd no you cannot prooue them to bee Gods lawes Yes sayth he that I can Then sayd I if you can prooue me by the word of God that you should haue any grauen Images made to set in your churches for lay mens bookes or to worship God by them or that you should haue any Ceremonies in your church as you haue prooue them by the word of God and I will do them Then sayde hee It is a good and decent order to furnishe the Church as when you shall goe to dinner you haue a clothe vppon the table to furnish the Table before the meate shall come vppon it so are these ceremonies a comely decent order to be in the Church among Christian people These sayd I are inuentions and imaginations out of your owne braine without any worde of God to prooue them For God sayth looke what you thinke good in your owne eyes if I commaund the contrary it is abhominable in my sight And these ceremonies are agaynst Gods lawes For S. Paul sayth they be weake and beggerly rebuketh the Galathians for doyng of them Well sayd he If you will not do them seyng they bee the lawes of the realme you are an heretike and disobedient and therefore come home agayne and confesse your fault with vs that you haue bene in errour c. Wyll you doe so And I sayd no I haue bene in no error for the spirituall lawes were neuer trulier set forth then in my maister K Edwards tyme and I trust vnto God I shall neuer forsake them whiles I lyue Then came a Gentleman to me and sayd are ye wiser then all men and haue ye more knowledge then all men will you cast away your soule willingly my Lord and other men also woulde fayne you woulde saue your selfe therfore chuse some man where you will eyther spirituall or temporall and take a day my Lord wyll geue it you Then sayd I if I saue my lyfe I shall loose it and if I loose my lyfe for Christes sake I shall finde it in lyfe euerlasting And if I take a day wheÌ„ the day commeth I must say then euen as I do now except I will lye and therfore that needeth not Well then haue him away sayd the Bishop This aboue named Thomas Spurdance was one of Queene Maries seruauntes and was taken by two of his fellowes the sayd Queenes seruauntes named Iohn Haman otherwise called Barker and George Loosâ—n both dwelling in Codman in the Countie of Suffolke who caried hym to one maister Gosnall dwellyng in the sayd Codnam and by hym he was sent to Bury where he remayned in prison and afterward burned in the moneth of Nouember ¶ The story and Martyrdome of three constant witnesses of Christ. NOt long after the Martyrdome of the two good women at Colchester aboue named were three faythfull witnesses of the Lordes Testament tormented and put to death in Smithfield at London the 18. of Nouemb. in the yeare aforesayd whose names hereafter follow Iohn Hallyngdale William Sparow Richard Gybson Which three were produced before Boner B. of London the v. day of Nouem 1557. and had by hym and his Officers certaine Articles ministred the summe whereof hereafter followeth * Articles ministred by Boner vnto Iohn Hallingdale FIrst that the sayd Iohn Hallyngdale is of the Diocesse of London and so subiect to the iurisdiction of the Bishop of London Secondly that the sayd Iohn before the tyme of the raigne of K. Edward the 6 late K. of England was of the same fayth and religion that was then obserued beleeued taught set forth in the realme of England Thirdly that duryng the raigne of the sayd K. Edward the 6. the said Iohn Hallingdale vppon occasion of the preachyng of certaine ministers in that tyme did not abide in his former fayth and religion but did depart from it and so did and doth continue till this present day and so determineth to do as he sayeth tyll his lyues ende Fourthly that the sayd Iohn Hallyngdale hath thought beleeued and spoken diuers tymes that the sayth religion and ecclesiasticall seruice receiued obserued vsed now in this realme of England is not good and laudable but agaynst Gods commaÌ„dement and word especially concernyng the Masse and the seueÌ„ Sacraments and that he the sayd Iohn wil not in any wyse conforme hymselfe to the same but speake and thinke agaynst it duryng his naturall lyfe Fiftly that the sayd Iohn absenteth himselfe continually froÌ„ his owne Parish church of S. Leonards neyther hearing Mattins Masse nor Euensong nor yet confessing his sinnes to the Priest or receiuyng the Sacrament of the aultar at his hands or in vsing other Ceremonies as they are nowe vsed in this Churche and realme of England and as he remembreth he neuer came but once in the parish church of S. Leonard and careth not as hee sayth if he neuer come there any more the seruice beyng as it is there and so many abuses being there as he saith there are especially the Masse the Sacraments and the ceremonies and seruice set forth in Latine 6. Sixtly that the sayd Iohn when his wife called Alyce was brought in bed of a man child caused the said child to be christened in English after the same maner and forme in all poyntes as it was vsed in the time of the reigne of king Edward the 6. aforesayd and caused it to be called Iosue would not haue the sayd child christened in Latin after the forme and maner as it is nowe vsed in the Church and Realme of Englande nor will haue it by his will as he sayth to be confirmed by the Byshop Unto all whiche Articles the sayde Iohn Hallingdale made aunswere confessing them all and euery part of theÌ„ to be true and saying that he would not reuoke hys sayde aunsweres but stand vnto them according as it was in euery Article aboue written Furthermore the sayde Iohn Hallingdale being demaunded by the sayde Boner whether he did firmely beleue that in the sacrament commonly called the sacrament of the aultar there is really and truely the very body and bloud of our Sauiour Christ or nor made answere that he neither in the time of the sayd king Edward 6. nor at that present did beleue that in the sayd Sacrament there is really the very body and bloud of Christ. For he sayd that if he had so beleued he would as other had done haue receiued the same which he did not because he had and then did beleue that the very body of Christ is onely in heauen and no where els And furthermore the sayd Ioh. Hallingdale sayd that CraÌ„mer Latimer Ridley Hooper and generally all that of late haue bene burned for heretickes were
parties I thought here to communicate to the Reader for him to iudge thereof as God shall rule hys mynd The matter is this The day before thys Simson was condemned he being in the stockes Cloney his keeper commeth in with the keies about 9. of the clocke at night after his vsuall maner to view hys prison and see whether all were present who when he espyed the sayd Cutbert to be there departed agayne locking the dores after him Within two houres after about eleuen of the clocke towarde midnighte the sayd Cutbert whether being in a slumber or beyng awake I cannot say heard one comming in first openyng the outwarde dore then the seconde after the thyrd dore and so looking into the sayd Cutbert hauing no Candell or Torche that he could see but geuing a brightnesse and light most comfortable and ioyfull to hys hart saying Ha vnto him and departed agayne Who it was hee coulde not tell neither I dare define This that he saw he hymselfe declared foure or fiue tymes to the sayd Mayster Austen and to other At the sight whereof hee receiued suche ioyfull comfort that he also expressed no little solace in telling and declaring the same Articles seuerally ministred to Cutbert Simson the xix of March with his aunsweres also to the same annexed FIrst that thou Cutbert Simson art at this present abidinge within the Cittie and Dioces of London and not out of the iurisdiction of the bishop of Rome Item that thou within the Cittie and Diocesse of London hast vttered many times and spoken deliberately these wordes and sentences following videlicet that though thy parentes auncestours kinsefolkes and friendes yea and also thy selfe before the time of the late schisme here in this realme of Englande haue thought and thoughtest that the fayth and religion obserued in times past here in this Realme of Englande was a true fayth and religion of Christ in all poyntes and Articles though in the Churche it was set foorthe in the Latine tongue and not in Englishe yet thou beleuest and sayest that the faythe and religion now vsed commonly in the Realme not in the Englysh but in the Latine tongue is not the true faythe and religion of Christ but contrary and expressely agaynst it Item that thou within the sayde Cittie and Dioces of London hast willingly wittingly and contemptuously done spoken agaynst the Rites and the Ceremonyes commonlye vsed here tbrough the whole realme and obserued generally in the Churche of England Item that thou hast thought and beleued certaynlye and so within the Dioces of London hast affirmed and spoken delyberateâ—y that there bee not in the Catholicke Churche seuen Sacramentes nor of that vertue and efficacie as is commonly beleued in the churche of England them to be Item thou hast likewise thought and beleeued yea and so within the Cittie and Dioces of London spoken and deliberately affirmed that in the sacrament of the aultar there is not really substantially and truely the very body and bloud of our sauiour Iesus Christ Item that thou hast beene and to thy power arte at this present a fauourer of all those that eyther haue beene here in this Realme heretofore called heretickes or els conuented condemned by the Ecclesiasticall Iudges for heretickes Item that thou contrary to the order of this Realme of Englande and contrary to the vsage of the holy Churche of this Realme of England hast at sundry tymes and places within the Citye and Dioces of London beene at assemblyes and conuenticles where there was a multitude of people gathered together to hâ—are the Englishe seruice sayed which was set forth in the late yeares of King Edward the sixte and also to heare and haue the Communion booke reade and the Communion ministred both to the sayd multitude and also to thy selfe and thou hast thought and so thinkest and hast spoken that the sayd Englishe seruice and Communion booke and all thinges conteyned in eyther of them was good and laudable and for such thou diddest and doest allowe and approue eyther of them at this present * The aunswere of the sayd Cutbert to the foresayd articles VNto all which articles the sayd Cutbert Simson aunswered thus or the lyke in effecte To the 1 2 3.4 5. and 6. article he confessed them to be true in euery parte thereof To the 7. article he sayd that he was bounde to aunswere vnto it as he beleeueth ¶ A letter of Cutbert Simson written to his wyfe out of the Colehouse DEarely beloued in the Lorde Iesus Christe I can not write as I doe wishe vnto you I beseeche you with my soule committe your selfe vnder the mighty hande of our God trusting in his mercye and hee will surely helpe vs as shall be moste vnto his glory and oure euerlasting comforte being sure of this that hee wyll suffer nothing to come vnto vs but that whiche shall bee moste profitable for vs. For it is either a correction for our sinnes or a tryall of oure faythe or to set forthe his glorye or for altogether and therefore must needes be well done For there is nothing that commeth vnto vs by fortune or chaunce but by oure heauenlye Fathers prouidence And therefore praye vnto oure heauenly Father that he will euer geue vs his grace for to consider it Let vs geue hym moste hartye thankes for these his fatherly corrections for as many as hee loueth hee correcteth And I beseech you nowe bee of good cheare and compte the Crossâ— of Chryste greater ryches then all the vayne pleasures of Englande I do not doubt I prayse God for it but that you haue supped wyth Chryste at his Maundie I meane beleeue in hym for that is the effecte and then muste you drynke of hys cuppe I meane hys Crosse for that doth the cuppe signifie vnto vs. Take the Cuppe wyth a good stomacke in the name of GOD and then shall you be sure to haue the good wyne Chrystes bloude to thy poore thirstie soule And when you haue the wyâ—e you muste drinke it out of this cuppe Learne this when you come to the Lordes supper pray continually In all thinges geue thankes In the name of Iesus shall euery knee bowe Cutbert Simson Hugh Foxe Iohn Deuenishe WIth Cutbert likewise was apprehended and also suffered as is before mentioned Hugh Foxe and Iohn Deuenish Who being brought into their examinations with the sayd Cutbert before Boner Byshoppe of London the xix day of March had articles and Interrogatories to them ministred by the sayd officer albeit not al at one time For first to the sayd Cutbert seuerall Articles were propounded then other articles in generall wer ministred to them altogether The order and maner of which articles now ioyntly to them ministred here follow with their aunsweres also to the same annexed to be seene * Articles generally ministred to them all three together the sayd xix day of March with theyr answeres to the same annexed AFter
Boner certayne articles were ministred in this effect as followeth Articles FIrst that ye being within the Cittye and Dyoces of London haue not according to the commō custome of the catholick churche of this realme of Englande come to your owne parishe churche nor yet to the Cathedrall church of this citie and diocesse of London to heare deuoutly and christianly the Matins the Masse the Euensong song or sayd there in the Latine toung after the common vsage and maner of the church of this realme 2. Second that ye haue not come to any of the said churches to pray to goe in procession or to exercise your selues there in godly and laudable exercises 3. Thirde yee haue not conformed your selues duely to all the laudable customes rites and Ceremonies of anye the sayde churches 4. Fourth ye haue not bene confessed at due times and places to your owne curate of your sinnes 5. Fifth yee haue not receiued at your sayd Curates handes as of the minister of Christ absolution of your sinnes 6. Sixt ye haue not at due times and places of your Curate receiued reuerently and duely the sacrament of the altar 7. Seuenth yee haue not faithfully and truely beleeued that in the said sacrament of the altar there is really and truely the very body and bloud of Christ. 8. Eight yee haue not by your mouthe nor otherwise by your deede expressed or declared in any wise that ye without wauering or doubting doe thinke and beleeue that the faith and religion now obserued in the church of England is a true faith and religion in all poyntes 9 Ninthe yee haue not made any signification that yee doe in deede approoue or allowe in any wise the common seruice in Latine heere obserued and kepte in the Church of this Realme of Englande 10. Tenth ye haue not beleeued nor doe beleeue at this present that the seruice in Latine commonly vsed and obserued in the Churche of this realme is good and lawfull and not against the woorde of God 11. Eleuenth yee haue in times past liked allowed and approued as good and godly and so do like alow and approue at this present the seruice in English the bookes of Common prayer the bookes of Communion the religion setforth and vsed in the time of king Edward the sixt especially as it was set forthe and vsed in the latter daies of the said king Edward 12. Twelfth ye haue in times past bene very desirous and so are at this present that the sayde English seruice the sayde booke of common praier the sayd booke of communion and the sayd religion and faith so set foorth and vsed in King Edwardes time might nowe againe be restored set foorth and vsed and youre selfe freely at your libertie without anye restraint or lets to vse it and also in all poyntes and things to doe therein as ye did especially in the latter daies of the said Edward the sixt 13. Thirtene yee haue of late bene charitably sent to from me the Bishop of London and also by mouth exhorted that where of late yee did leaue your Churches and went in the time of diuine seruice into the fieldes and prophane places to reade English Psalmes and certaine English bookes ye wold leaue of that and being out of prisone and at your libertie come in to youre owne parish churches there to heare Mattens Masse and Euensong after the common order of the churches of this realme to make due confession of your sinnes to your owne curate and receiue at his handes as of the minister of Christ hauing therein sufficient authoritie absolution of your sinnes heare Masse receiue the Sacrament of the altare with a true faith according to the beliefe of the catholicke church and obserue all other the rites and customes of the saide catholicke churche vsed in thys realme of England aswell in going in procession after the crosse as also otherwise generally 14. Fourtene ye being so required haue refused and do refuse so to do saying amongst other vaine and light wordes that forasmuch as yee were imprisoned by the space of sixe weekes not knowing wherewith you were charged your petition should be and was that yee might first aunswere to your former cause and then ye would be ready to answere me the said bishop to al that by me should be laid to your charge Unto the which Articles all the forenamed 7. onely Reinold Eastland excepted made answer in effect as here after followeth The aunsweres of the forenamed persons to the Articles aforesayde 1. TO the first article they aunsweared affirmatiuely Roger Holland adding that hee came not to their Latine seruice these two yeares before Mathewe Ricarby added that he came not to churche since Latine seruice was renewed because it is against the woorde of God and Idolatrie committed in creeping to the crosse Henry Pond added if hee had licence then to goe to church he woulde 2. To the 2. Article they all aunsweared affirmatiuelye Henrye Ponde adding as in the first Article Iohn Floyd adde that the Latine seruice then vsed was set vp by man and not by God this he learned he sayd in king Edwardes daies which he beleued to be true Robert Southam added that he refused to come to churche because it is furnished with idoles and because the sacrament of the altar he beleeued to be an idoll 3. To the 3. Article they all aunsweared affirmatiuely For they sayd that the customes rites and ceremonies of the church then vsed are not agreeable to Gods woord 4 5. To the 4 and 5. Articles they all answeared affirmatiuely adding that they beleeued no Priest hath power to remit sinne 6. To the 6. Article Ihon Holiday Henry Ponde and Robert◠Southam aunsweared that since the Queenes maiesties raigne but Robert Southam added not for 10. yeares before he had receiued the Sacrament of the altar either at their Curates hands or any other Priest Ihon Floyde Mathewe Ricarby and Roger Holland answeared affirmatiuely adding in effecte that the Sacrament of the altare is no Sacrament approoued by the worde of God c. 7. To the 7. Article they all confessed the contentes thereof to be true in euery part Henry Ponde adding that he knoweth not nor beleeueth any such Sacrament called the Sacrament of the altare but confesseth the Sacrament of the Lordes Supper and beleeueth that to be approoued Iohn Floyde added that those that kneele and worship the Sacrament of the altare committe idolatrie c. 8.9.10 To the 8 9.10 Articles they all confessed the contentes of those Articles to be true But Iohn Holiday Henry Pond and Iohn Floyd added that they do allow the Latine seruice for thē that vnderstandeth the same so farre as it agreeth with Gods word For some parte thereof is not agreeable to Gods woorde they sayd but to such as do not vnderstand the sayd seruice in Latine they doe not allowe it for it doeth not profite them Robert Southam added and sayd that it was a fond
do vs. But this I dare be bold in God to speake which by his spirit I am moued to say that God will shorten your hand of cruelty that for a time you shal not molest his church And this shal you in short time well perceiue my deare brethrē to be most true For after this day in this place shall there not be anye by hym put to the triall of fire and fagot And after this daye there was neuer none that suffered in Smithfielde for the testimonie of the gospell God be thanked After these woordes spoken saith Boner Roger thou art I perceiue as madde in these thy heresies as euer was Ioan Butcher In anger and fume thou woldest become a railing Prophet Thoughe thou and all the sorte of you would see me hanged yet I shall liue to burne yea I wil burne all the sort of you that come in my handes that wil not worship the blessed sacrament of the altare for all thy pratling and so he went his way Then Roger Holland began to exhort his frendes to repentance and to thinke wel of them that suffered for the testimonie of the Gospel and with that the B. came back charging the keeper that no man shoulde speake to them without his licence and if they did they should be cōmitted to prison In the meane season H. Pond and Roger spake stil vnto the people exhorting them to stande in the truthe adding moreouer that God woulde shorten those cruel and euil daies for his elect sake The day they suffred a proclamation was made that none should be so bold to speake or talke any word vnto them or receiue any thing of them or to touche them vpō payne of imprisonment without either bale or mainprise wyth diuers other cruell threatninge woordes contained in the same Proclamation Notwithstanding the people cryed out desiring God to strengthen them and they likewyse still praied for the people and the restoring of his woorde At length Roger embracing the stake and the reedes said these woordes Lord I most humbly thanke thy Maiestie that thou hast called mee from the state of death vnto the lighte of thy heauenlye worde and nowe vnto the fellowship of thy Sainctes that I may sing and say Holy holy holy Lord God of hoastes And Lord into thy handes I commit my spirite Lord blesse these thy people and saue them from Idolatrie and so ended his life looking vp into heauen praying and praising God with the rest of his fellowe Sainctes For whose ioyfull constancie the Lord be praised The Martyrdome of vj. which suffered at Brainforde for the true testimonie of Iesus Christ. NOt long after the death of the fore named vij godlye Martyrs that suffered in Smithfielde were vj. other faithfull witnesses of the Lordes true Testament Martyred at Braynforde vij miles from London the xiiij day of Iuly 1558. which sayd sixe were of that companie that were apprehended in a close harde by Islington as is aboue specified and sent to prisone Whose names and articles proponed to them with their answers vnto the same hereafter followeth Robert Milles. Stephen Corton Robert Dynes Stephen Wight Iohn Slade William Pikes or Pikers a Tanner These vj. forenamed Martyrs gentle Reader hadde their articles ministred to them by Thomas Darbishire Boners Chancellor at sundrye times as Robert Mules the 20. day of Iune Stephen Wight the 21. day of the said moneth Ste. Cotton and Iohn Slade the 22. day Robert Dines and William Pikes the 23. day At which said times though they were seuerally examined yet had they all one maner of articles ministred to them yea th◠selfe same Articles that were ministred to Iohn Holiday Hēry Pond and their companie aforesayd Which sayde articles I leaue the reader to looke for in page 1967. and think it not necessarye anye more to rehearse them but onely to proceede with their aunsweres to the same which briefly and in summe hereafter followeth The answeres of the forenamed persons to the Articles aforesayd 1 TO the first Article they all graunted the same and added thereto for going to Church that Robert Milles and Stephen Wight came not there for 3. quarters of a yere before and Iohn Slade William Pikes not since the Queenes raigne Stephen Cotten not for a twelue moneth before and Rob. Dynes not for two yeares before The 2.3.4.5 and 6 Articles they all answeared in effecte as the forenamed Iohn Holiday Henry Ponde and their companye did pag. 1931 sauing they added that as their rites customes ceremonies are against the worde of God so will they obserue and keepe no parte of the same Stephen Wight added further that he receiued not their Sacrament of the aultar for two yeres before nor Iohn Slade and William Pikes since Queene Maries raigne nor Stephen Cotton for a twelue moneth before nor Robert Dines for three yeres before To the 7. article they all graunted the same in euerye parte like vnto the aforenamed Henry Pond and his companye page 1931 sauing Rob. Dines added that it was no part of his beliefe To the 8. Article they all graunted the same in euery part as the forenamed William Holliday and his companye page 193◠but Robert Milles added therto that he wil not come to church nor allowe their religion so long as the crosse is crepte too and worshipped and Images are in the Church Iohn Slade affirmed in effecte as Robert Milles did adding further that there be not 7. Sacraments but 2. Sacraments which is Baptisme the Supper of the Lord. Stephen Cotton woulde no further allowe the Popish religion then it agreeth with Gods woorde and Robert Dines affirmed in effect the like to Stephen Cotton also To the 9. and 10 articles Robert Milles Iohn Slade Steuen Cotton answered that they do not allow the popish seruice then set foorth because it is against the truthe and in a straunge language which the common people vnderstand◠not Robert Dines and William Pikes will neither allow nor disallowe the Latine seruice because they vnderstād it not And Steuen Wight would make no directe aunswer to the articles at all and to the 11.12.13 and 14. articles we finde no answeres recorded of the said Steuen Wight but of the rest of his fellowe prisoners wee finde answers to those articles which hereafter followe To the 11. article Robert Milles Iohn Slade and Steuen Cotton answered that concernīg the bookes faith and religion specified in this article they doe allowe them so farre foorth as they agree with Gods word c. Robert Dines would make no answer thereto because he thoughte himselfe vnmeete to iudge thereof and William Pikes doeth not remember that hee hathe misliked the seruice and the faith and religion set foorth in king Edward the sixt his time To the 12. they graunt that if they might receiue the sacrament as they did in king Edward the sixt daies they would with all their heart so doe To
to speake he sayd Doest thou answer my Archdeacon so thou naughty boy I shall handle thee well enough be assured so he sent for a couple of rods and caused him to kneele agaynst a long bench in an arbor in his garden where the sayd Thomas without any enforcement of his part offered hymselfe to the beatyng did abide the fury of the sayd Boner so long as the fat panched B. could endure with breath and til for werines he was fayne to cease geue place to his shamefull act He had two willow rods but he wasted but one and so left of Now after this scourgyng the sayd Thom. Hinshaw notwithstandyng did sustaine diuers conflictes and examinations sundry tymes At last beyng brought before the sayd Bishop in his chappell at Fulham there hee had procured witnesses and gathered Articles agaynst hym which the yong man denied and woulde not affirme or consent to any interrogatory there and then ministred do what they could ¶ The Articles were these COncernyng Palmes Ashes Holy bread Holy water Auriculer confession receiuyng the Sacrament at Easter hearyng deuine seruice then set forth c. Whether he had receiued all these or whether he would receiue them or no. Item what he thought of the seruice set forth in K. Edwards tyme in his latter dayes and in especiall what he thought of the veritie of Christes body in the sacrament In which all his answers the sayd Tho. Hinshaw kept an vpright conscience and entangled himselfe with none of their ceremonies so mercifull was the Lord vnto hym Not long after this his examination about a fortnight or such a thyng the foresayd Examinate fell sicke of a burnyng agâ—â— wherby he was deliuered vpon entreatie vnto his maister Martin Pugson in Paules Churchyard aforesayd for the bishop thought verily he was more like to dye then to lyue The whiche hys sickenesse endured a twelue month or more so that in the meane tyme Queene Mary dyed Then he shortly after recouered health and escaped death beyng at the writyng of this yet alyue both witnesse and reporter of the same the Lord therefore bee praysed Amen The scourging of Iohn Milles by B. Boner BEsides the aboue named was scourged also by the haÌ„ds of the sayd B. one Iohn Milles a Capper a right faith full and true honest man in all his dealyngs and conditions Who was brother to the foresayd R. Milles burned before at Brainford as is aboue signified pag. 1967. Who also was apprehended in the same number with them at Islington as is mentioned also before pag. 1969. and beyng brought before Boner and there examined was commaunded to the Colehouse with the foresayde Tho. Hinshaw where they remained one night in the stocks From thence he was sent to Fulham where hee with the sayde Hinshaw remayned 8. or 10. dayes in the stockes during which tyme hee susteined diuers conflictes with the sayde Boner who had hym oft tymes in Examination vrgyng hym and with a sticke which he had in his hand oft times rappyng him on the head and flirting him vnder the chin on the eares saying he looked downe like a thiefe Moreouer after he had assaied all maner of wayes to cause him to recant and could not at length hauyng him to his Orchard there within a little arbor with his owne handes beat hym first with a willowe rod and that beyng worne well nigh to the stumps he called for a birchin rod which a lad brought out of his chamber The cause why hee so beat him was this Boner asked hym when he had crept to the crosse He answered not since he came to the yeares of discretion neither would to be torne with wyld horses Then Boner bade him make a crosse in his forehed which he refused to do Whereupon he had him incontinently to his Orchard and there callyng for rods sheweth his crueltie vpon hym as he did vppon Tho. Hinshaw as is aboue declared This done he had hym immediately to the Parishe Church of Fulham with the sayd Tho. Hinshaw wyth Rob. Willis to whom there beyng seuerally called before hym he ministred certaine Articles asking if they would subscribe to the same To the which the sayd Iohn Milles made his answer according to his conscience denying theÌ„ all except one article which was coÌ„cernyng K. Edwards seruice in English Shortly after this beating Boner sent to him in prison a certain old priest lately come froÌ„ Rome to coniure out the euill spirite from hym who laying hys hand vpon his hed began with certaine words pronounced ouer hym to coniure as hee had bene woont before to do Milles meruailing what the Priest was about to doe sayd he trusted no euill spirit to be within hym laughed hym to scorne c. As this Iohn Milles was diuers tymes and oft called before Boner so much communication and talke passed betwene them which to recite all it were too long And yet it were not vnpleasaunt for the Reader that lusteth to laugh to see the blynd and vnsauorie reasones of that B. which he vsed to perswade the ignorant withall As in the processe of his other talke with this Milles Boner going about to perswade hym not to meddle with matters of the scripture but rather to beleeue other mens teachyng which had more skill in the same first asked if he dyd beleue the scripture Yea sayd he that I do Then the Bish. Why quoth he S. Paul saith if the man sleepe the woman is at libertye to goe to another man If thou were a sleepe hauing a wyfe wouldst thou be content thy wyfe to take another man And yet this is the scripture Item if thou wilt beleue Luther Zuinglius and such then thou canst not go right But if thou wilt beleue me c thou canst not erre And if thou shouldst erre yet thou art in no peril thy bloud should be required at our hands As if thou shouldst go to a far country meete with a fatherly man as I am for these were his termes and aske the way to the head citie and he should say go this way and thou wilt not beleeue hym but follow Luther and other heretikes of late dayes and go a contrary way how wiâ—te thou come to the place thou askest for so if thou wilt not beleeue mee but followe the leadyng of other heretickes so shalt thou bee brought to destruction and burne both body and soule As truly as thou seest the bodies of them in Smithfield burnt so truly their soules doe burne in hell because they erre from the church Oft tymes speaking to the sayde Iohn Milles hee would say they call me bloudy Boner A vengeaunce on you all I would faine â—e rid of you but you haue a deâ—ire in burnyng But if I might haue my will I would sowe your mouthes and put you in sacks and drowne you Now somewhat to say concerning the deliueraunce of the said Iohn
haue done But within two or three dayes after he was brought forth into the Court where he beganne to demaunde hys goodes and because it was a deuise that well serued their turne without any more circumstance they bad him saye his Aue Maria. The party began said it after this maner Aue Maria gratia plena Dominus te cum benedicta tu in mulieribus benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus Amen The same was written word by word as hee spake it and without anye more talke of clayming his goodes because it was booteles they commaunde him to prison agayne and enter an action agaynst him as an hereticke for asmuch as he did not say his Aue Maria after the romish fashion but ended it very suspiciously for he should haue added moreouer Sancta Maria mater Dei ora pro nobis pecca toribus by abbreuiating whereof it was euident enough sayd they that he did not allow the mediation of saintes Thus they picked a quarrell to deteine him in prison a longer season and afterwardes brought him forth into their stage disguised after theyr manner where sentence was geuen that he should loose all the goodes whiche he sued for though they were not his own and besides this suffer a yeares imprisonment ¶ The Martyrdome of an other Englishman in Spayne AT what tyme this blessed Martyr of Christe suffered which was the yeare of our Lord .1560 December 22. there suffered also an other Englishman with other xiii one of them being a Nunne an other a Fryer both constant in the Lord. Of which xiii read before pag. 934. * Iohn Baker and Willam Burgate Martyrs IOhn Baker and William Burgate bothe Englishmen in Cales in the countrey of Spayne were apprehended and in the Citty of Siuill burned the second day of Nouember ¶ Marke Burges and William Hoker Martyrs MArke Burges an Englishman Mayster of an English ship called the Minion was burned in Lushborn a citty in Portingale an 1560. William Hoker a young manne about the age of xvi yeares being an Englishman was stoned to death of certayne young men there in the Citty of Siuill for the confession of his fayth an 1560. But of these and such other actes and matters paste in Spayne because they fell not within the compasse of Q. Maryes raygne but since her tyme an other place shall serue hereafter the Lord willing to entreat more at large of the same when we come to the yeares and raygne of the Queene that now is where we haue more conueniently to inferre not onely of these matters of the Martyrs wherof somewhat also hath bene touched before pag. 907. but also of the whole Inquisition of Spayne and Plackarde of Flanders with the tragical tumults troubles happening wtin the last memory of these our latter dayes according as it shall please the mercy of the Lord to enable our endeuor with grace and space to the accomplishment therof ¶ A chapter or treatise concerning such as were scourged and whipped by the Papistes in the true cause of Christes Gospel ANd thus through the mercifull assistaunce and fauourable ayd of Christ our Sauiour thou hast as in a generall Register good Reader the story collected if not of all yet of the most part or at least not many I trust omitted of such good Sayntes and Martyrs as haue lost theyr lyues and geuen theyr bloud or dyed in prison for the testimony of Christes true doctrine and sacramentes from the time of the cruell Statute first geuen out by king HeÌ„ry the 4. Ex officio pag. 523. vnto this present tyme especially vnder the raygne of Queene Mary Now after this bloudy slaughter of GODS good sayntes and seruauâ—tes thus ended and discoursed let vs proceede by the good pleasure of the Lord somewhat like wise to entreate of such as for the same cause of Religyon haue bene although not put to death yet whipped and scourged by the aduersaryes of Gods worde first begynning with Richard Wilmot and Thomas Farefaxe who about the tyme of Anne Aschue wer pittifully rent tormented with scourges and stripes for theyr faythfull standing to christ and to hys truth as by the story and examination both of the sayde Rich. Wilmot and of Thomas Farefaxe nowe following may appeare The scourging of Richard Wilmot and Thomas Fayrefaxe AFter the first recantation of Doct. Crome for his Sermon which he made the fift Sonday in Lent at Saint Thomas Acons being the mercers Chappell his Sermon was on the Epistle of the same day written in the x. chap. to the Hebrues wherein he proued very learnedly by the same place of Scripture and others that Christ was the onely and sufficient Sacrifice vnto God the Father for the sinnes of the whole world and that there was no more sacrifice to be offered for sinne by the Priestes for as muche as Christ had offered his body on the Crosse and shed his bloud for the sinnes of the people that once for all For the which Sermon he was apprehended of Boner brought before Stephen Gardyner other of the Counsell where he promised to recant his Doctrine at Paules Crosse the second Sonday after Easter And accordingly he was there Preached Boner with all his Doctours sitting before him but he so Preached and handled his matter that he rather verified his former saying then denyed any parte of that which he before had Preached For the whiche the Protestantes praysed God and hartely reioysed But Byshop Boner with his Champions were not therewith pleased but yet notwithstanding they had hym home with them so handled him amongest the woluish generation that they made him come to the Crosse agayne the next Sonday And because the Magistrates shoulde now heare him be witnesses of this recantation which was moste blasphemous to deny Christes sacrifice to be sufficient for penitent sinners to say that the sacrifice of the Masse was good godly and a holy sacrifice propitiatorye and auayleable both for the quicke and the deade Because I saye that they would haue the nobles to heare this blasphemous doctrine the viperous generation procured all the chiefe of the Counsell to be there present Nowe to come to our matter at this tyme the same weeke betweene his first Sermon and the last and while Doct. Crome was in duraunce one Rich. Wilmot being Prentise in Bow lane being of the age of eighteene yeares and sytting at his worke in his Maysters shop the Tuesday in the moneth of Iuly One Lewes a WelchmaÌ„ being one of the Garde came into the shoppe hauing things to doe for himselfe One asked him what newes at the Court and he answered that the old hereticke D. Crome had recanted now in deede before the Counsell and that he should on Sonday nexte bee at Paules Crosse agayne and there declare it Then Wilmot sitting at his Maysters worke hearing hym speake these
to intreat for thee and they haue informed me that thou hast bene a very honest a quiet neighbor amongest them and I thincke it be Gods will that I should deliuer thee before my Lorde come home For if he come and thou go home againe I will be burned for thee for I knowe his minde already in that matter Lith I geue you hearty thankes for your gentlenesse and my neighbours for their good report Chauncellour Lithall if thy neighbours will be bounde for thy foorth comming wheÌ„soeuer thou shalt be called for and also thou wilt be an obedient subiect I shal be content to deliuer thee Neighbours If it please your woorship we will be bounde for him both in body and goodes Chauncellour I will require no such bond of you but that two of you will be bound in 20. pound a peece that he shal come to aunswere when he shall be called Lithall Where finde you maister Chancelloure in all the Scripture that the Churche of God did binde any manne for the profession of his faithe whiche profession you haue heard of me that all oure iustification righteousnesse and saluation commeth onely and freely by the merites of our Sauiour Iesus Christe and all the inuentions workes of men be they neuer so glorious be all together vaine as the wise man sayeth Chauncellour Loe where he is now I put no such matter to you for in that I beleeue as you doe but yet S. Iames sayth that a man is iustified by woorkes Lithall Sainte Iames spake to those that boasted themselues of faithe and shewed no woorkes of faith But O maister Chauncellour remember I praye you howe all the promises and Prophesies of the holy Scripture euen from the firste promise that God made to Adam and so euen to the latter ende to the Reuelation of Sainte Iohn doe testifie that in the name of Iesus and onely by hys merites all that beleeue shal be saued from all their sinnes and offences Esay sayeth I am founde of them that sought mee not and am manifest to them that asked not after mee but against Israel he sayeth All daye long haue I stretched oute my hande to a people that beleeue not And when the Iayler asked S. Paule what he shoulde doe to be saued the Apostle sayde Beleeue in the Lorde Iesus and thou shalt be saued and all thy housholde Againe S. Iohn sayeth in the Reuelation that there was none neither in heauen nor in earth neither vnder the earth that was able to open the booke nor the seales therof but onely the Lambe Iesus our onely Sauiour And S. Paule sayth With one offering hath he made perfecte for euer them that are sanctified Chaunc With vaine glory you reherse much Scripture as al the sort of you do but you haue no more vnderstanding then a many of sheepe But to the purpose Will you that your neighbors shall enter into boÌ„ds for you or not Lith By my minde they shall not Wherfore I desire you that you would not binde me but let me serue God with my conscience freely For it is wrytten They that leade into captiuitie shall goe into captiuitie and they that strike wyth the sworde shall pearish with the sworde Also it is wrytten in the Gospel of our Sauiour Iesus Christ that who so doeth offend one of these little ones whych beleeue in mee it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his necke and that he were cast into the depth of the sea Of the which I am assured by his holye spirite that I am one Wherefore be you well assured that such mercy as you shew vnto you shall be shewed the like Chaunc You are a mad man I would not binde you but that I must needes haue somewhat to shewe for your deliueraunce Then he called ij of my neighbours Thomas Daniel and Saunders Maybe which offered themselues to be bounde and called me before them and sayd I haue a letter of his own hand wryting with his name and seale at it with a booke also againste the Regiment of women for the which I coulde make him to be hanged drawen quartered but on my faith I will him no more hurt then I meane to mine owne soule Lith I desire you that be my neighbours and frends that you wil not enter into bondes for me for you knowe not the danger therof neither I my selfe It goeth against my conscience that ye should so doe Chaunc Why I wil not binde you to do any thing against your conscience Neighbours Then they made the bonde and sealed to it and willed me that I shoulde seale to it also and I saide that I would not neither could I obserue the bond and therfore I would not set too my hand Chaunc It is pitie that thou hast so much fauour shewed thee yet for these honest mens sake I wil discharge thee Notwithstanding all these dissembling woords of maister Darbishire pretending for fauoure of his sureties to set him at libertye it was no suche thing nor anye zeale of charitie that mooued him so to do but onely feare of the time vnderstanding the daungerous and vnrecouerable sicknesse of Queene Mary which then began somwhat to asswage the cruel proceedings of thesâ— persecutors wherby they durst not do that they would for els Lithall was not like to haue escaped so easily Edward Grew MOreouer there was one Edward Grewe priest and Appline his wife compelled to flie from theyr dwelling at a Towne called Broke and the man being verye aged trauailed abroade to keepe a good conscience At the last he was taken and laid in Colchester Castle where he remained till Quene Elizabeth came to her regal seat and by the alteration of Religion he was deliuered His wife good womaÌ„ was in great care for him and to her power did what she could to succour him William Browne WIlliam Browne Parson of Little Stanham in the Countie of Suffolke made a Sermon in the sayde Towne incontinently after the buriall of our good King Edward and in his sermon he sayde there goeth a report that our good king is buried with a Masse by the Bishop of Winchester he hauing a miter vpon his head But if it were so sayeth hee they are all traitours that so doe because it is bothe againste the truthe and the lawes of thys realme and it is greate Idolatrie and blasphemie and against the glory of God and they are no frends neither to God the king nor yet vnto the realm that so do For this his preaching one Robert Blomefielde an aduersarye to the truth being then constable of the sayd towne and bailâ—â—se vnto sir Iohn Ierningham knight the chiefe lord of the towne immediatly rode foorth brought home with him one Edward Goulding which was then vnder sheriffe Syr Thomas Cornewalis being then high sheriffe So the sayd Golding and Blomfield sent for certaine men of the sayd Towne and examined
God brake the bond shortened her iourney for hee tooke her home to hymselfe out of this lyfe in peace This good old woman long before she went to prison had the fallyng sicknesse and told a friend of hers one Symon Harlston after she was apprehended that she had it neuer more but liued in good health ioy of hart through her Lord Christ. She had a very vnkinde man to her husbande who while shee was in prison solde away her raimente and would not helpe her and after she was out of prison shee returned home vnto him yet would he shew her no kindnesse nor helpe her neither and yet the house land that he dwelt in he had by her wherfore as long as she lyued she was found of the congregation The said Elizabeth Lawson also had a sister wyfe to one Rob. Hollon of Mickfield in the same countie of Suffolk which likewise was persecuted and driuen out from house to house a yong man her sonne with her because they would not go to the church to heare masse receyue the sacrament of the aultar ¶ Thomas Christenmasse and William Wattes IN this perillous rage of Queene Maries raigne were two men persecuted one called Tho. Christenmas the other Wil. Wats of Tunbridge in Kent As these trauailed from place to place not resting two nights together in one place it happened them on a tyme to come to Rochester in Kent where as they entryng into the Towne euē at the Townes ende met with a little Damosell of eyght yeares of age but whether she went they knewe not It was then night and they wery and fayne therfore would haue lyen in the same town but could not tell where they feared so the bloudy Catholickes At last they deuised to aske the Damosell whether there were any heretikes in the towne or no and she said yea They asked her where She aunswered them At such an Inne tellyng them the name and where the Inne was Shortly after as they were gone from her they bethought themselues better and God so moouyng their hartes they went to the childe agayne and asked her how she knew that the Innekeper of whome shee spake before was an heretike Marrie quoth she well enough and his wyfe also How knowest thou prety mayden said they I pray thee tel vs. How know I sayd she Marrie because they go to the church and those that will not holde vp their handes there they will present them and hee hymselfe goeth from house to house to compel them to come to Church When these two men heard this they gaue God prayse and auoyded that house takyng the warnyng of that Mayde of good bringyng vp as it should seeme to be Gods maruelous prouidence towards them ¶ Another escape of William Wats THis foresayd William Wats dwelling in Queen Maries dayes at Seale in Kent the last yere of her raigne saue one was apprehended by his enemies and brought by the Constables before the Bish. and Iustices at Tunbridge where the B. and Iustices would haue perswaded hym all they coulde to turne from the truth howbeit in vayne for they could not remooue him although they spēt all the forenoone therabouts with many flattring words so mercifull was the Lord vnto hym Now when dinner tyme was come as they shoulde rise they committed the prisoner to the constables againe and so rose vp to go to diner The Constables tooke Wats and led him to a vitailing house where after they had wel filled themselues they fel a sleepe supposing their prisoner to be sure enough vnder their handes Wats wife beyng then in the house with her husband and very carefull for his well doyng seyng the Constables thus fast a sleep desired her husband to depart and go thence for so much as the Lord had made such away for hym Unto which her words he would not consent althogh she perswaded him all that she could At the last they replieng one against an other a strāger heard them and asked her what the matter was that shee was so earnest with her husbande The wyfe tolde hym Then sayde the straunger vnto Wats these words Father goe thy wayes in Gods name and tary no longer the Lorde hath opened the way vnto thee Wherevpon the sayde Wattes went hys way and his wyfe departed from hym and went home to her house at Seale thinkyng her husband had gone another way Nowe as she was goyng in at her dore tellyng her friendes of hys deliueraunce immediately came the sayd Wattes in also and they all beyng amased thereat willed hym in all haste to get hym away for they thought there would bee search for hym immediately Then Wats sayd he would eate meate first and also pray which he did and afterward departed thence So soone as he was out of the dores and had hid hymselfe in an holly bush immediately came the said constables with thirtie persons into the sayd house to search for him where they pierced the Fetherbeds broke vp hys Chestes and made such hauocke that it was wonderfull and euer among as they were searchyng the Constables cryed I will haue Wats I will haue Wats I tel thee I wil haue Wattes but God be thanked Wats could not be found And when they saw it booted not to search for hym in the ende they tooke his wyfe and set her in a payre of stockes where she remayned two dayes and she was very bolde in the truth and at the last deliuered thorough the prouidence of God whose name be glorified in all his workes Amen * Iohn Glouer of Manceter Gentleman WHat a fatherly and manifest prouidence of the Lord likewyse did appeare in the preseruyng of M. Iohn Glouer in the Diocesse of Couentry and Lichfield in the Towne of Manceter first at the takyng of Robert hys brother At which tyme although the Commission came downe for hym yet so God ordered the matter that hys brother beyng sicke was apprehended and yet hee beyng whole escaped wherof mention is made before pag. 1709. And agayne another tyme how miraculously the mercifull prouidence of the Lorde wrought his escape oute of his enemies handes they beyng at his chamber dore and drawyng the latch to search for hym and how hys wyfe the same tyme was taken and sent to Lichfielde read before pag. 1714. ¶ One Dabney THere was at London a certaine honest godly person a Painter named Dabney whom Iohn Auales in the tyme of Queene Mary had brought before Boner to bee examined for his fayth It happened the same tyme. as the sayde Dabney was there that the Bishop was occupied with examination of other so that hee was bidde to stand by and to wayte the Bishops laysure Uppon the same or not long after sodainely commeth worde to the Bishop to prepare hym in all speede the generall procession taried for hym The Bishop hearyng that settyng all businesse aparte bustleth hymselfe with all speede
euermore be praysed Amen ¶ Lady Kneuet in Northfolke AMong the number of the godly that were kept vnder the prouidence of the Lord in those perillous dayes I may not forget an auncient good Lady of much worship called Lady Anne Kneuet who till her death dwelte in Norfolke in a towne named Wimonâ—ham vj. miles from Norwich Which sayd good Lady in Queen Maries days beyng iudged by the common people more then an hundreth yeare of age and by her owne estimation well towards a C. kept her selfe from their popish church or hauyng any papisticall trash ministred in her house but only the seruice that was vsed in the latter dayes of K. Edward the 6. which daily she had sayd before her either by one M. Tollin who was then by Gods prouidence preserued in her house or els by one of her Gentlewomen or houshold seruant that could serue the place in the sayd M. Tollins absence Now this worshipfull Lady continuing in this maner of true seruyng of God she and her familie were many tymes threatened by messengers that the Bish. would visite her therfore Unto which messengrs she would always answer that if his Lordship sent word before what day he would come he should thereafter be entertained at her hand But God whose prouidence ruleth the ragyng seas neuer suffred them al that toyling tyme to molest her Although oftentimes wheÌ„ she had seruice before her there were very great enemies to the truth and of much authoritie that came in and kneled to prayer among them and yet had no power to trouble her therfore This good Lady gentle Reader kept good hospitalitie as any in that countrey of her liuyng She also succored many persecuted that came to her house in the said M. Maries dayes Were they neuer so simple they were esteined of her as the frends of the gospel and departed not froÌ„ her without money and meat Borne she was long before K. Edward the 4. dyed and ended her life in the Lord Iesus peace about the beginning of the 2. yeare of our most soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeths raigne as one fallyng into a most sweete sleepe Unto whom not vnworthely may bee compared the Lady Elizabeth Uane who likewyse beyng a great harborer and supporter of the afflicted Martyrs and Confessors of Christ was in great â—assards daungers of the enemies and yet notwithstandyng thorough the mercifull prouidence of the Lord remained still vntouched Of this Lady Uane thou shalt read before ¶ Iohn Dauis of the age of twelue yeares and vnder AN Dom. 1546. and the last yeare of King Henry the 8. Iohn Dauis a child of xij yeares vnder who dwellyng in the house of M. Iohnson Apothecarie in the toune of Worcester his vncle vsing sometymes to read of the testament and other good English bookes was complained of by Alice Iohnson his maistresse which Alice beyng an obstinate person consulted with one Tho. Parton one Alice wyfe to Nich. Brooke Organemaker with certaine of the Canons and M. Iohnson Chancellor to D. Heath their Bish. The meanes wherby he was entrapped was wrought by the foresayd Alice Brooke who procured Olyuer her sonne schoolefellow with the sayd Iohn Dauis to faine friendship with hym and vnder pretence to be instructed to see his English bookes and especially to gette some thyng of his writyng against the vj. Articles Which beyng had was soone brought to the Canons of the church and the Chauncellor Wherupon Tho. Parton whether beyng sent or of his owne mynd came to apprehend him and his Uncle was forced agaynst his will to bynde the poore boyes armes behynd him and so hee was brought to the Officers of the towne where he lay from the 14. of August till the last of September Then was he commaÌ„ded to the Free mans prison where one Rich. Howborough commyng to perswade him from burnyng willed hym to prooue first with a candle who then holdyng hys finger and the other the candle vnder it a good space yet as the partie hymselfe to me assureth felte no burnyng therof neither would the other that held the candle beleue hym a great while til he had looked and saw no skorching of the candle at all appeared Then was the child remooued from thence to an inner prison called Peepehole where the lowe Bailiffe called Rob. Youl l layd vpon hym a paire of bolts so that he could not lift vp his small legs but leanyng on a staffe slipt theÌ„ forward vpon the ground the coldnesse of which irons he feeleth yet in his anckles and shall so long as he lyueth with these bolts his lying was vpon the cold ground hauyng not one locke of strawe nor cloth to couer him saue onely two sheepe skins neither durst father nor mother or any of his friends come at hym Besides this and many great threates of the papists there was a mad man put to hym in the prison with a knife about hym wherewyth he oft tymes in his frantike rage profered to thrust hym in After this came to him one Iolyfe and N. Yewer two Canons which had his writings against the sixe Articles and his Ballet called Come downe for all your shauen crowne to see whether he would staÌ„d to that he had writen Which done with many great raging wordes not long after sate M. Iohnson the Chancellour in the Guild hall vpon the poore lad Where first were brought in hys accusers and sworne then were sworn also 24. men which went on his Quest and found hym guiltie but hee neuer came before the Chancellor Upon this he was sent to the common Gaole among thieues and murtherers there to tary the commyng of the iudges and so to be had straight to execution But the mighty mercy of the Lord who helpeth the desolate miserable when all other helpe is past so prouided for this silly condemned lad that the purpose of all his hard harted enemies was disappointed For before the Iudges came God tooke away Henry the 8. out of this lyfe By reason whereof the force of the lawe was then staied howbeit he was neuerthelesse arraigned beyng holden vp in a mans armes at the Barre before the Iudges who were Portman and Maruen Which when they perceiued that they could not burne him would haue hym presently whipped But M. Iohn Bourne Esquire declared to the Iudges how hee had whipping enough After that hee had lyen a weeke more in prison had hym home to hys house his wyfe annoynted his legs her selfe with ointment which then were stiffe and nummed with irons till at length when M. Bourne and his wyfe sawe they could not winne hym to the beliefe of their Sacrament they put him away least he should infect their sonne Anthony as they thought with heresie Thus Iohn Dauis of the age aforesayde in what damage he was for the Gospell ye see and howe the Lorde preserued hym ye vnderstand He endured in prisone from the 14. day of August till within seuen dayes
warning euery one to come to the Church the next Sonday following If they woulde not come they shoulde appeare before the Commissary out of hand to render account of theyr absence But the women hauing secret knowledge of this before kept themselues out of the way for the nonce to auoyd the sūmons or warning Therefore when they were not at the Church at the day appoynted the Commissary did first suspend them according to the Bishop of Romes lawe and within three weekes after did excommunicate them Therefore when they perceiued that an Officer of the Towne was sette to take some of them they conueying themselues priuily out of the towne escaped all daunger ¶ The Congregation in London NO lesse maruellous was the preseruation of the congregation in London which from the first beginning of Queene Mary to the latter end thereof continued notwithstynding whatsoeuer the malice deuise searching and inquisition of men or streitnes of lawes could work to the contrary Such was the mercifull hand of the Lord according to his accustomed goodnes euer working with hys people Of this great bountifull goodnes of the Lord many and great examples appered in the congregation whiche now I speake of How oft and in what great daūgers did he deliuer them First at the Blacke Friers when they should haue resorted to Syr Thomas Cardens house priuy watch was layd for them but yet through the Lordes vigilant prouidence the mischiefe was preuented and they deliuered Agayne howe narrowly did they escape about Algate where spies were layd for them had not Thomas Simson the Deacō espied them and bid them disperse thēselues away they had bene taken For within two houres the Constable comming to the house after they were gone demaunded of the wife what company had bene there To whom she to excuse the matter made aunswere agayne saying that halfe a dosen good fellowes had bene there at breakefast as they went a maying An other time also about the great conduit they passing there through a very strayt Alley into a Cloth workers loft were espied and the Sheriffes sent for but before they came they hauing priuy knowledge thereof immediatly shifted away out of the Alley Iohn Auales standing alone in the Mercers Chappell staring at them An other like escape they made in a ship at Billinsgate belonging to a certayne good man of Ley where in the open sight of the people they were congregated together yet through Gods mighty power escaped Betwixt Ratcliffe and Redriffe in a ship called Iesus Ship twise or thrise they assembled hauing there closely after theyr accustomed maner both Sermon prayer cōmunion and yet through the protection of the Lorde they returned although not vnspied yet vntaken Moreouer in a Coopers house in Pudding Lane so neare they were to perill and daungers that Iohn Auales comming into the house where they were talked with the good man of the house and after he had asked a question or two departed God so working that either he had no knowledge of them or no power to apprehend them But they neuer escaped more hardly thē once in Thames street in the night time where the house being besette with enemies yet as the Lord would they were deliuered by the meanes of a Mariner who being at that present in the same cōpany and seing no other way to auoyd pluckt of his slops and swam to the next boate and so rowed the company ouer vsing his shooes in steed of owres so the ieopardy was dispatched I haue heard of one who being sent to thē to take their names and to espy theyr doinges yet in being amongest them was conuerted and cryed them all mercy What should I speak of the extreame and present daūger whiche that Godly companye was in at the taking of maister Rough theyr minister and Cutbert Simson their Deacon had not the Lords prouidence geuen knowledge before to maister Rough in his sleepe that Cutbert should leaue behinde him at home the booke of all theyr names which he was wont to cary about him whereof mention is made before pag 2034. In this Church or congregation were sometyme xl sometymes an hundred sometimes two hundred sometymes mo and sometymes lesse About the latter tyme of Queene Mary it greatly increased From the first beginnyng which was about the first entry of Queen Maries reigne they had diuers ministers first M. Scamler then Thom. Fowle after him M. Rough then M. Augustine Bernher and last M. Bentham Concerning the deliuerance of which M. Bentham beyng now B. of Couentry and Lichfield Gods mighty prouidence most notably is to be considered For how is it possible by mans estimation for the sayd M. Bentham to haue escaped had not the present power of the Lord passing all mens expectation bene prest and redy to helpe his seruaunt in such a straite The story and case is this At what tyme the vij last burned in Smithfield mentioned in this booke before pag. 2039. were condemned brought to the stake to suffer came downe in the name of the king and Queene a proclamation beyng twise pronounced openly to the people first at Newgate then at the stake where they should suffer straightly charging and commanding that no man should either pray for them or speake to them or once say God helpe them It was appointed before of the godly there standyng together which was a great multitude that so soone as the prisoners should be brought they should goe to them to embrace and to comfort them and so they did For as the sayd Martyrs were comming toward the place in the peoples sighte beyng brought with bils glaues as the custome is the godly multitude and Congregation with a generall sway made toward the prisoners in such maner that the byllmē and the other officers beyng all thrust backe could nothyng do nor any thing come nigh So the godly people meetyng and embracing and kissing them brought them in their armes which might as easily haue conueied them cleane away vnto the place where they should suffer This done and the people geuing place to the Officers the proclamation with a loud voyce was read to the people containyng as is before sayd in the K. Queens name that no man should pray for them or once speake a word vnto them c. Maister Bentham the minister then of the congregation not sparyng for that but as zeale and Christian charitie mooued hym and seeyng the fire set to them turnyng his eyes to the people cried and sayd We know they are the people of God and therefore we cannot choose but wish well to them and say God strengthen thē And so boldly he sayde Almighty God for Christes sake strengthen them With that all the people with a whole consent and one voice folowed and sayd Amen Amē The noyse whereof was so great and the criers thereof so many that the
Officers could not tell what to say nor whom to accuse And thus much concerning the congregation of the faythfull assembling together at London in the time of Queene Mary The said M. Bentham an other time as he passed thorow S. Katherines intending to walke and take the ayre abroad was enforced by two or three men approching vpon him needes to go with them to a place whether they would lead him M. Bētham astonied at the sodeinnes of the matter and maruelling what the thing shoulde be required what theyr purpose was or whether they woulde haue him They aunswered that by the occasion of a man there found drowned the Crowners quest was called and charged to sit vpon him of the whiche quest he must of necessity be one c. He agayne loth to medle in the matter excused himselfe alledging that in such kind of matters he had no skill and lesse experience if it would please them to let him goe they should meete with other more meete for theyr purpose But when with this they would not be satisfied he alledged further that he was a scholer of Oxford and thereby was priuiledged from being of any inquest The Crowner demaunded the sight of his priuiledge He sayd if he woulde geue him leaue he would fetch it Then sayd the Crowner the queene must be serued without all delay so cōstrayned him notwithstanding to be with thē in hearing the matter Beyng brought to the house where the Crowner and the rest of the quest were sitting as the maner is a booke was offered him to sweare vpon M. Bentham opening the booke and seing it was a papisticall Primer refused to sweare thereupon and declared moreouer what superstition in that booke was conteined What sayde the Crowner I thinke we shall haue here an hereticke among vs. And vpon that after much reasoning amongest them he was committed to the custody of an officer till further examination by occasion wherof to all mens reason hard it had bene and ineuitable for M. Bentham to haue escaped had not the Lord helped where man was not able What folowed Incontinent as they were thus contending and debating about matters of heresye sodeynly commeth the Crowner of the Admiralty disanulling and repealing the order calling of that inquest for that it was as he sayde perteining to his office and therefore the other Crowner and his company in that place had nothing to do And so the first Crowner was discharged and displaced by reasō whereof M. Bentham escaped theyr handes hauing no more sayd vnto him * English men preserued at the taking of Calice THe worthy workes of the Lordes mercy toward hys people be manifolde and can not be comprehended so that who is he liuing in the earth almost who hath not experienced the helping hand of the Lord at some time or other vpon him Amōgst many other what a piece of gods tender prouidence was shewed of late vpon our English brethren and country men what time Calice was takē by the Tyrant Guise a cruell enemy both to Gods truth and to our English nation And yet by the gracious prouision of the Lorde few or none at all of so many that fauoured Christ and his Gospell in that terryble spoyle miscaried In the number of whome there was a godly couple one Iohn Thorpe and his wife which feared the Lord and loued his trueth who being sicke the same time and cast out into the wild fieldes harbourles desolate and despayring of all hope of life hauing theyr young infant moreouer taken from them in the sayd fieldes and caried awaye of the souldiors yet the Lord so wrought that the poore woman being almost past recouery of life was fet and caried the space welnigh of a mile by straungers whome they neuer knewe into a village where both shee was recouered for that night also the next day comming toward England they chaunced into the same Inne at the next town where they found theyr young child sitting by the fire side ¶ Edward Benet ONe Edw. Benet about the second yeare of the reigne of Q. Mary then dwelling at Quenehieth with one Grynocke a Baker was desired of one Tyngle prisoner then in Newgate to bring him a new testament He procuring one of M. Couerdals translatiō wrapt it in a handkerchiefe saying to George the keeper whiche asked hym what he had that it was a piece of pondred biefe Let mee see it sayd he Perceiuing what it was he brought him to Syr Roger Cholmley who examined him why he did so saying that booke was not lawfull so committed him to the Counter in woodstreet wher he continued 25. weekes Doctor Story comming to the prison to examine other Prisoners this Benet looking out at the grate spake to him desiring him to be good vnto him and to helpe hym out for he had lien long in prison To whom D. Story thē aunswering What sayd he wast not thou before me in Christes Church Yes forsooth sayd Benet Ah sayd Story thou doest not beleue in the Sacrament of the Aultar Mary I will helpe thee out come sayd he to the keeper turne him out I will helpe him and so tooke Benet wyth him and brought him to Cluney in Pater noster Row and bade him bring him to the Colehouse and there he was in the stockes a weeke Then the Bishoppe sent for him to talke with him and first asked him if he were shriuen No sayd Benet He asked him if he would be shriuen No sayd he Then he asked him if the Priest could take away his sinnes No sayd Benet I do not so beleue Then he and Harpsfielde laughed at him and mocked him asking him if he did not beleue that what so euer the Prieste here bounde in earth should be bound in heauen and what so euer he loosed in earth shoulde be loosed in heauen No quoth Benet But I beleue that the Minister of God preaching Gods word truely and ministring the Sacramentes accordyng to the same whatsoeuer he bindeth in earth shal be bound in heauen and what so euer he looseth c. Then the Bishop putting him aside sayd he should go to Fulham and be whipped Then came to him M. Buswell a Pries◠lying in the Colehouse in the stockes and brought Cranmers recantation saying that he had recanted My fayth sayth the other lyeth in no mans booke but in him which hath redeemed me The next saterday Benet with fiue other was called for to come to masse into the Chappell The Masse being done and they comming out fiue of thē went to prison and were after burned Benet being behind and comming toward the gate the porter opening to a company goyng out asked if there were no prisoners there No sayd they Benet standing in open sight before him with other seruing men whiche were there by reason that Boner made many priestes that day hauing one of his sleues and halfe the fore part of his coat
his course till at length he came to a steepe downe hil at the hedge end downe the which hil he ran from them for they could not ride downe the hill but must fetch a great compasse about and so this Thomas Sprat ran almost a mile and as god would got a Wood. By that tyme he came to the Wood they were euen at hys heeles but the night drew on and it began to rayne and so the malice of these persecutors was at an ende the Lord working for his seruauntes whose name be praised for euer and euer Amen Not long after this one of the two Blanchendens aforesayd which so cruelly sought the destruction of other was cruelly murdered by hys owne seruauntes ¶ Iohn Cornet HEre might also be recited the hard adueÌ„tures and sufferinges of Iohn Cornet and at lengthe his deliueraunce by Gods good working out of the same Who being a prentise with a minstrell at Colchester was sent by hys mayster about the 2. yeare of Queene Maryes raygne to a wedding in a towne thereby called Roughhedge where hee being requested by a companye there of good men the Constables also of the parish being present thereat so sing some songes of the scripture chanced to sing a song called Newes out of London whiche tended agaynst the Masse and agaynst the Queenes misproceedinges Whereupon the next day he was accused by the Parson of Roughhedge called Yackesley and so committed first to the Constable where both his mayster gaue hym ouer and hys mother forsooke and cursed him From thence hee was sent to the next Iustice named M. CaÌ„nall and then to the Earle of Oxford where he was first put in yrons chaynes and after that so manacled that the bloude spurt out of hys fingers endes because he woulde not confesse the names of them which allured hym to sing And marueile it was that the cruell Papistes were so contended that they sent him not also to Bishop Boner to suffer the extremitie of the fire But Gods gracious prouidence disposed otherwise for hys seruaunt For after hee was manacled the Earle coÌ„maunded hym to be brought agayne to the towne of Roughhedge there to be whipped till the bloud followed and to be banished the towne for euer and so hee was during all the time of Queene Mary ¶ Thomas Bryce IF our story should proceede so wide and so large as dyd the exceeding mercy of Gods prouidence in helpyng hys seruauntes out of wretchednes and thraldome of those bloudy dayes our treatise I thinke would extende to an endlesse processe For what good man or woman was there almost in all this tyme of Queene Mary who eyther in carying a good conscience out of the land or tarying within the realm could well escape the Papistes handes but by some notable experience of the Lordes mightye power and helpyng hand working for him What shoulde I here speake of the myraculous deliueraunce of Thomas Bryce who beyng in the house of Iohn Seale in the parish of Horting and the Bayliffe with other neighbours comming in sent by Sir Iohn Baker to search and apprehend hym knowing perfectly both hys stature and colour of his garments yet had no power to see or know him standing before their faces So mightely the Lorde did blinde their eyes that they asking for him and looking vpon him yet notwithstanding he quietly tooke vpp his bagge of books and so departed out of the house wythout anye hand layd vpon him Also an other time about the 2. yeare of Queene Mary the sayde Thomas Bryce with Iohn Bryce his elder brother comming then from Wesell meeting together at their fathers house as they iornyed towardes London to geue warning there to one Springfield whiche els was like to bee taken vnawares by his enemies wayting for him vpon Gaddes hill fell in company with a promoter which dogged them and followed them again to Grauesâ—ad into the towne and layed the house for them where they were and all the waies as they should go to the water side so that it had not bene possible for them to haue auoyded the present daunger of those persecutors had not the Lordes prouident care otherwise disposed for hys seruauntes through the Hostler of the Inne couertly to conuey them by a secret passage whereby they tooke Barge a mile out of the towne and so in the ende both the liues of them and also of Springfield was preserued through the Lordes gracious protection ¶ Gertrude Crockhey GErtrude Crokehey dwelling at S. Katherines by the Towne of London and being then in her husbandes house it happened in the yeare 1556. that the Popes childish S. Nicholas went about the parish Whiche shee vnderstanding shut her dore agaynst him not suffering him to enter into her house Then Doct. Mallet hearing thereof and being then Mayster of the sayd S. Katherines the next daye came to her wyth twenty at hys tayle thinking belike to fray her and asked why shee woulde not the night before let in S. Nicolas and receaue hys blessing c. To whom she aunswered thus Syr I knowe no S. Nicholas sayd she that came hether Yes quoth Mallet here was one that represented S. Nicolas In deede sir sayd she here was one that was my neighbours childe but not S. Nicolas for S. Nicholas is in heauen I was afrayde of them that came with him to haue had my purse cut by them for I haue hearde of men robbed by S. Nicolas clerkes c. So Mallet perceiuyng that nothing could be gotten at her handes went his way as he came and she for that time so escaped Then in the yeare 1557. a little before Whitsontide it happened that the sayde Gertrude aunswered for a childe that was baptised of one Thomas Saunders whyche childe was christened secretly in a house after the order of the seruice booke in king Edwardes time and that beyng shortly knowne to her enemies she was sought for Whiche vnderstanding nothing therof went beyond the Sea into Gilderland to see certayne landes that should come to her children in the right of her first husband who was a straunger borne being there about a quarter of a yeare at the lengthe comming homeward by Andwarpe shee chaunced to meete with one Iohn Iohnson a Ducth manne alias Iohn de Uilla of Andwerpe shipper who seeing her there went of malice to the Margraue and accused her to be an Anabaptist whereby shee was taken and caryed to prison The cause why this naughty manne did thus was for that he claymed of M. Crokhay her husband a peece of mony whiche was not his due for a ship that Mayster Crokhay bought of him and for that hee coulde not get it he wrought this displeasure Well she being in prison lay there a fortnight In the whiche time she sawe some that were prisoners there who priuily were drowned in Renish wine fattes and after secretly put in sackes and cast into
with him that night but committed him to the Clinke tyl Tuesday after * The first examination of Thomas Rose before Winchester at saint Mary Oueryes ON Thursday being brought before the B. of Winchester at S. Mary Oueries the said Tho. Rose spake as followeth Rose It maketh me to maruayle my Lord quoth he that I should be thus troubled for that which by the worde of God hath bene established by the lawes of this Realme allowed by your own writing so notably in your booke De vera obedientia confirmed Bysh. Ah sirha hast thou gotten that Rose Yea my Lord I thanke God and do confesse my self much thereby confirmed For as touching the doctrine of the supremacie agaynst the B. of Romes vsurped authoritie no man hath sayde further And as I remember you confesse in it that when this truth was reuealed vnto you you thought the scales to fall from your eyes Bishop Thou lyest like a varlet there is no such thinge in my booke but I shall handle thee and suche as thou art well enough I haue lōg looked for thee at length haue caught thee I will knowe who be thy maynteiners or els I will make thee a foote longer Rose My Lord you shall doe as much as pleaseth God no more yet the lawe is in our hand but I haue God for my maynteiner none other At these wordes one of his seruāts stepped forth and said my lord I heard this man preach by Norwich in sir Iohn Robsters house in hys praier he desired God to turne Q. Maries hart or elles to take her out of the world and this was in K. Edw. time Rose My Lord I made no such prayer but next after the king I prayed for her after this sort saying Ye shall pray for my Lady Maries grace that God wil vouchsafe to indue her with his spirite that she graciously may perceiue the misteries conteined within his holy lawes and so render vnto him her hart purified with true fayth true loyall obedience to her soueraigne lord and king to the good ensample of the inferiour subiects And this my Lord is already aunswered in mine own hand writing to the counsel Unto this he sayd little but turning his face to certayne that were by him This is he quoth the Bishop that my Lord of Norwich told me had begotten his mayd with chylde Rose This is no heresie my Lord although it be a lye In deed certayn wicked persons raysed this report of me for the hatred they bare to the doctrine whiche I preached but for purgatiō of my self herein I had no lesse then 6. of the counsails hands that there might be due dilligent examination for this matter in the country by men of worship appointed for that purpose who can al testifie I thank god that I am most cleare frō such wickednes in deede they haue cleared me frō it therfore I doubt not but all good mē will espye the mischieuous deuise of mine aduersaryes whych when other wayes fayled by such sinister means went about to draw me into discredite hatred but God which is the helper of the innocēt searcher of mens harts hath doth defend me hath layd open thinges that wer hid to their shame One of the chief reporters of this that I should so abuse my self was one M. Clarke seruaunt in some estimation with the old Lord Treasurer of England reputed taken for a coniurer who afterwards for his good demerites hanged himself in the Tower Then the bishop commanded that I shoulde be caryed to the tower be kept safely where I did lye til it was the weeke before Whitsōtide Before which time I was twise called when as the bish came to the tower about other prisoners Notwythstanding the B. had no great talk with me but spake frēdly Howbeit one sir Rich. Southwell knight still accused me for my prayer sayde I did put a difference betwixte Lady Mary Lady Elizabeth for that I prayed in king Edwardes fayth prayed that he would confirme Lady Elizabeth in that which was well begō in her Unto this the bish sayde little but in the weeke before Pentecost I was conueyed from the tower to Norwich there to be examined by the bish and his clergy as concerning my faith the maner wherof here followeth ¶ The second examination of Tho. Rose before the bishop of Norwiche Hopkins by name in his owne Palace in the presence of sir William Woodhouse knight M. Stewarde the Chauncellor Doct. Barret with diuers others the Wednesday in Whitson weeke an Domini 1553. AFter I was presented by my keeper the bishop immediately asked me what I was I told him I had bene a Minister Bishop What is this to the purpose were yee a Fryer or a Priest Rose Fryer was I neuer but a Prieste haue I bene and beneficed by the kinges Maiesty Byshop Where were ye made Priest Rose In Exceter in the county where I was borne Thē the bishop required of me my letters of orders I told hym I knew not where they were become for they wer things of me not greatly regarded Byshop Well you are sent to me to be examined what say you will you submit your selfe to the order of the Churche of England Rose My Lord I trust I am not out of the order of chrystes Church in England neither do I knowe my selfe an offender there agaynst Bysh. What ye◠ye haue here preached moste damnable deuilish doctrine Rose Not so my lord The doctrine by me here preached was both true sincere holy But in deede the doctrine that is now set forth is most wicked and damnable yea that both agaynst Gods lawes mans But as for the doctrin by me preached it is grounded vpon the word of God set out also by the authoritie of two most mighty kings with the consent of all the Nobilitie and clergy of the same so that I preached nothing but their lawfull proceedinges hauing their lawfull authoritie vnder their broad Seales for confirmation of the same for which my doyng ye cannot iustly charge me For why sithens the lawe ceased I haue kept silence so that the Counsaile which sent me vnto you haue not charged me therwith Wherefore ye doe me open wrong to burden me with that wherein I am free Chanc. What sir ye are very captious answerest thou my Lord after such a sort Rose Syr sayd I I aunswere for my selfe and accordyng to the truth wherwith ye ought not to be offended if ye be of God Chaunc Thou art an euill man Wast thou not abiured before now Rose No ye vntruely report me and are in no wise able to proue that whiche ye haue spoken so that your wordes appeare to proceede altogether of malice whiche I haue not deserued at your handes But in this I well perceiue ye are made an instrument to vtter other mennes malice conceiued of olde Chaunc
as both may be to the glorye of God the discharge of the storie the profite of the Reader and hurte to none suppressing the names of some whome heere although I could recite yet I thought not to be more cruell in hurting their name then the Queene hath bene mercifull in pardoning their liues Therefore now to enter into the discourse of thys tragical matter first here is to be noted that Queene Marye when shee was first Queene before shee was crowned would goe no whither but would haue her by the hande and send for her to dinner and supper but after shee was crowned shee neuer dined nor supped wyth her but kept her aloofe from her c. After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of sir Thomas Wiat as before was mentioned pag. 1418.1419 that the Ladye Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Syr Thomas Wyates rising Whereuppon Queene Marye whether for that surmise or for what other cause I know not being offended with the sayde Elizabeth her sister at that time lying in her house at Ashridge the next day after the rising of Wyat sent to her three of her Counsailours to wit Sir Richard Sowthwel syr Edwarde Hastings then maister of the horse and Syr Thomas Cornwalles with their retinue and troupe of horsemen to the number of 200. and 50. Who at their sodaine and vnprouided comming founde her at the same time sore sicke in her bedde and very feeble weake of body Whither wheÌ„ they came ascending vp to her graces priuie Chamber they willed one of her Ladies whome they mette to declare vnto her grace that there were certaine come from the court which had a message from the Queene Her grace hauing knowledge therof was right glad of their comming howbeit being then very sicke and the night farre spent which was at 10. of the clock she requested them by the messenger that they would resort thither in the morning To this they answeared and by the sayde messenger sent woorde againe that they must needes see her and would so do in what case soeuer she were Wherat the Lady being against went to shewe her grace theyr woordes but they hastely folowing her came rushing as soone as shee into her graces chamber vnbidden At whose so sodaine comming into her bed chamber her grace being not a litle amased sayd vnto them 〈◊〉 the hast suche that it myghte not haue pleased you to 〈…〉 morrow in the morning They made answere that they were righte sorye 〈◊〉 her in that case And I quoth shee am not glad to see 〈◊〉 here at this time of the night Whereunto they answered that they came from the Queene to doe their message and duetie which was to this effecte that the Queenes pleasure was that she shoulde be at London the 7. day of that present moneth Whereunto shee sayde Certesse no creature more glad then I to come to her maiestie being right sorie that I am not in case at this time to waite on her as you your selues doe see and can well testifie In deede we see it true quoth they that you doe say for which we are very sorie Albeit we â—ette you to vnderstande that our Commission is such and so straineth vs that we must needes bring you with vs eyther quicke or dead Wherat she being amased sorowfully said that their Commission was very sore but yet notwithstanding she hoped it to be otherwise and not so strait Yes verely said they Whereupon they called for two Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendy demaunded of them whether she might be remoued from thence with lyfe or no. Whos 's aunswere and iudgement was that there was no impediment to theyr iudgement to the contrary but that shee might trauayle without daunger of lyfe In conclusion they willed her to prepare agaynst the morning at nine of the clocke to goe with them declaring that they had brought with them the Queenes Lytter for her After much talk the messengers declaring how there was no prolonging of times daies so departed to theyr chamber being entertained and cheared as appertained to their worships On the next morow at the time prescribed they hadde her forth as shee was very faynt and feeble and in suche case that shee was ready to swound three or foure tymes betweene them What shoulde I speake here that cannot well bee expressed what an heauy house there was to behold the vnreuerend and doulefull dealyng of these men but espcially the carefull feare and captiuitie of their innocent Lady and Mistresse Now to proceed in her iourney from Ashrydge al sick in the Litter she came to Redborne where she was garded all night From thence to S. Albones to Syr Rafe Rowlets house where she taryed that night both feble in body and comfortles in minde From that place they passed to Maister Doddes house at Mymmes where also they remayned that night and so from thence she came to Highgate where she being very sicke taryed that night and the next day During whiche time of her abode there came many Purseuantes and messengers from the court but for what purpose I cannot tell From the place she was conueied to the Court whereby the way came to meete her many Gentlemen to accoÌ„pany her highnesse which were very sory to see her in that case But especially a great multitude of people ther were standing by the way who then flocking about her Luter lameÌ„ted and bewailed greatly her estate Now when she came to the Court her grace was there straight wais sâ—â—t vp and kept as close prisonner a fortnight which was till Palme sonday seeing neither King nor Queene nor lead nor frend all that time but only then the Lord Chamberlaine Syr Iohn Gage and the Uicechamberlaine which were attendant vnto the dores About whiche time Syr William Sentlowe was called before the Counsaile To whose charge was laid that he knew of Wyats rebellion Which he stoutly denied protesting that hee was a true man both to God his Prince defying al traytors and rebels but being straitly examined he was in coÌ„clusion committed to the Tower The Friday before Palme sonday the B. of Winchester with xix other of the Counsaile who shall bee here namelesse came vnto her grace from the Queenes Maiestie and burdened her with Wiates conspiracie which she vtterly denied affirmyng that she was altogether gilt lesse therin They beyng not contented with this charged her grace with busines made by sir Peter Carew and the râ—st of the Gentlemen of the West country which also she vtterly denying cleared her innocencie therein In conclusion after long debating of matters they declared vnto her that it was the Queenes will pleasure that she should go vnto the tower while the matter were further â—ried and examined Whereat shee beyng agaste said that shee trusted the Queenes Maiestie would bee more gracious Lady vnto her and that her highnesse would not
God vpon the persecutours of his people and enemyes to his word with such also as haue bene blasphemers contemners and mockers of his Religion LEauing now Queene Mary being dead and gone I come to them whiche vnder her were the chiefe Ministers and doers in this persecution the Byshops I meane and Priestes of the Clergy to whoÌ„ Queene Mary gaue all the execution of her power as did Queene Alexandra to the Phariseis after the tyme of the Machabees Of whom Iosephus thus writeth Ipsa solum nomen regium ferebat caeterum omnem regni potestatem Pharisaei possidebant That is She onely reteyned to her selfe the name and title of the kingdome but all her power she gaue to the phariseis to possesse c. Touching which Prelates and Priestes here is to be noted in lyke sorte the wonderfull and miraculous prouidence of almighty GOD which as he abridged the reigne of theyr Queene so he suffered them not to escape vnuisited first beginning with Stephen Gardiner the Archpersecutour of Christes Church whom he tooke away about the middest of the Queenes reigne Of whose poysoned lyfe and stincking end forsomuche as sufficient hath bene touched before pag. 1786. I shall not need here to make any newe rehearsall therof After him dropped other awaye also some before the death of Queene Mary and some after as Morgan Byshop of S. Dauids who sitting vppon the condemnation of the blessed Martyr bysh Farrar and vniustly vsurping his rowm not long after was stricken by Gods haue after such a strange sort that his meate would not go down but rise pycke vp agayne somtyme at his mouth sometyme blowne out of his nose most horrible to beholde so he continued till his death Where note moreouer that when Mayster Leyson being then Sheriffe at Byshop Farrars burning had fet away the cattell of the sayde Byshoppe from his seruauntes house called Matthewe Harbottell into his owne custody the cattell comming into the Sheriffes ground diuers of them would neuer eate meate but lay bellowing and roaring and so dyed This foresayd Byshoppe Morgan aboue mentioned bringeth me also in remembraunce of Iustice Morgan who sate vpon the death of the Lady Iane not long after the same fell mad and was bereft of his wittes so died hauing euer in his mouth Lady Iane Lady Iane. c. Before the death of Queene Mary dyed Doct. Dunning the bloudy and wretched Chauncellour of Norwich who after he had most rigorously condeÌ„ned and murthered so many simple and faythfull Sayntes of the Lord coÌ„tinued not longe himselfe but in the middest of his rage in Queene Maryes dayes dyed in Lincolnshyre being sodaynly taken as some say sitting in his chayre The like sodayne death fel also vpon Berry Commissary in Northfolke who as is before shewed in the story of Thomas Hudson foure dayes after Queene Maryes death when he had made a great feast and had one of hys concubines there comming home from the Church after Euensong where he hadde ministred Baptisme the same tyme betweene the Churchyard and his house sodeinly fell downe to the ground with a heauy grone and neuer styrred after neither shewed any one token of repentance What a stroke of Gods hand was brought vppon the cruell persecutour of the holy and harmeles sayntes of the Lord Byshop Thornton Suffragan of Douer who after he had exercised hys cruell tyranny vpon so many Godly men at Canterbury at length comming vppon a Saterday from the Chapter house at Caunterbury to Borne there vpon sonday following looking vpon his meÌ„ praying at the bowles â—ell sodeÌ„ly in a Palsey and so had to bed was willed to remember God Yea so I doe sayd he and my Lord Cardinall to c. After hym succeeded an othher Byshop or Suffragan ordayned by the foresayd Cardinall It is reported that he had bene Suffragan before to Boner who not 〈◊〉 after was made Bysh. or Suffragan of Douer brake his necke fallyng downe a payre of stayres in the Cardinals chaÌ„ber at Grenewich as he had receiued the Cardinals blessing Among other plentifull and sondrye examples of the Lordes iudgement and seueritie practised vpon the cruell persecutors of hys people that is not the least that followeth concerning the story of one William Fenning the effect and circumstance of which matter is this Iohn Cooper of the age of 44. yeares dwelling at Watsam in the County of Suffolke beyng by science a Carpenter a man of a very honest report a good house-keeper a harbourer of straungers that trauayled for conscience and one that fauoured Religion and those that were religious he was of honest conuersation and good lyfe hating all popish and papisticall trash This man being at home in his house there came vnto hym one William Fenning a seruing man dwellyng in the sayd Town of Watsam and vnderstanding that the sayd Cooper had a couple of fayre Bullockes did desire to buy them of hym whiche Cooper told hym that hee was loth to sell them for that hee had brought them vp for hys owne vse and if he shoulde sell them he then must be compelled to buy other and that he would not do When Fenning saw he could not get them for he had often assayed the matter he sayd he woulde sit as much in his light and so departed and weÌ„t and accused him of high treason The words he was charged with wer these how he should pray that if God would not take away Queene Mary that then he should wishe the Deuill to take her away Of these wordes did this Fenning charge him before sir Henry Doâ—ell knight vnto whome he was caryed by M. Timperley of HinchlesaÌ„ in Suffolke one Grimwood of Lowshaw CoÌ„stable which words Cooper staâ—ly denyed sayd he neuer spake them but that coulde not helpe Notwithstanding he was arrayned therfore at Berry before sir Clement Higham at a Lent assise and there this Fenning brought two noughty menne that witnessed the speaking of the foresayd wordes whose names were Richard White of Watsam and Grimwood of Higham in the sayd Countie of Suffolke Whose testimonies were receiued as truth although this good man Iohn Cooper had said what he could to declare himselfe innocent therein but to no purpose God knoweth For his life was determined as in the ende appeared by sir Clement Hyghams woordes who said he should not escape for an example to all heretickes as in deede hee throughly performed For immediatly he was iudged to be hanged drawn and quartered which was executed vpon him shortly after to the great griefe of manye a good heart Heere good Cooper is bereft of his life and leaues behinde him aliue his wife and 9. children with goodes and cattell to the value of 3. hundred markes the which substance was al taken away by the sayd sir Henry Doyel Sheriffe but his wife pore children left to the wide world in their cloathes and suffered not to enioy one pennie of that
most of the Deuill of hell Thus he lay without amendment about 6. daies that his maister and all his houshold was weary of that trouble and noyse Then his maister agreed with the keepers of Bedlem and gaue a peece of money and sent hym thether It seemeth that he was possessed with an euill spirit from the which God defend vs all This is a terrible example to you that be mockers of the word of God therfore repent amend lest the vengeance of God fall vpon you in like maner Witnes heereof William Mauldon of Newington The same William Mauldon chaunced afterwarde to dwel at a Towne 6. miles from London called Waltamstow where his wife taught yong children to read which was about the yeare of our Lorde 1563. and the 4. yeare of Queene Elizabeths raigne Unto this schoole amongest other children came one Benfieldes daughter named Dennis about the age of twelue yeares As these children sate talking together they happened among other talke as the nature of children is to be busy with many things to fall in communication of God and to reason among them selues after their childish discretion what he should be Whereunto some answered one thing some an other Among whom when one of the children had sayd that he was a good olde father the foresayd Denis Benfielde casting out impious woordes of horrible blasphemie what he sayd shee is an olde doting foole What wretched and blasphemous wordes were these yee heare Nowe marke what followed When William Mauldon heard of these abhominable woordes of the girle hee willed his wife to correcte her for the same Which was appoynted the nexte day to be done But wheÌ„ the next morow came her mother would nedes send her to the market to London the wenche greatly intreating her mother that she might not go being marueilously vnwilling thereunto Howebeit thorough her mothers compulsion shee was forced to goe and went And what happened Her businesse being done at London as she was returning againe homewarde and being a little past Hackney sodenly the yong girle was so stricken that all the one side of her was black and she speachles Wherupon immediately she was caried backe to Hackney and there the same night was buried Witnes of the same storie William Mauldon and his wife also Benfielde her father and her mother which yet be all aliue A terrible example no doubt both to old and young what it is for children to blaspheme the Lord theyr God and what it is for parentes to suffer their young ones to grow vp in such blasphemous blindnes not to nurture them betime in the rudimeÌ„ts of the christian Catechisme to know first their creation and then their redemption in Christ our Sauiour to feare the name of God and to reuerence his Maiestie For els what do they deserue but to be taken away by â—â—eathe whiche contemptuously despise him of whome they take the benefite of life And therefore let all young maides boyes and yong men take example by this wretched seely wench not only not to blaspheme the sacrede Maiestie of the omnipotent God their creator but also not once to take his name in vaine according as they are taughte in hys commaundementes Secondly let all Fathers Godfathers and Godmothers take this for a warning to see to the instruction and Catechising of their children for whom they haue bounde them selues in promise both to God and to hys Churche Which if the Father and godfather the Mother and godmothers had done to this younge girle verely it maye be thought this destruction had not fallen vpon her Thirdly al blinde Atheists Epicures Mammonists belly Gods of this worlde and sonnes of Beliall hypocrites infidelles and mockers of Religion which saye in their hearts there is no God learne also hereby not only what God is and what he is able to doe but also in thys miserable creature here punished in this world to behold what shall likewise fall on them in the world to come vnlesse they will be warned betime by such examples as the Lord God doth geue them Fourthly and lastly heere may also be a spectacle for all them which be blasphemous and abhominable swearers or rather tearers of God abusing his glorious name in suche contemptuous and despitefull sort as they vse to do Whome if neither the woorde and commaundemente of God nor the calling of the preachers nor remorse of conscience nor rule of reason nor theyr wytheringe age nor hory haires will admonish yet let these terrible examples of Gods districte Iudgement somewhat mooue them to take heede to them selues For if thys young maiden who was not fully 12. yeares old for her vnreuerent speaking of God and that but at one time did not escape the stroke of Gods terrible hande what then haue they to looke for which being men growen in yeares and stricken in age being so often warned preached vnto yet cease not continually with theyr blasphemous othes not only to abuse his name but also most coÌ„tumeliously and despitefully to teare him as it were and all his partes in peeces About the yeare of our Lorde 1565. at Bryhtwell in the County of Backshyre vppon certaine communication as touching the right reuerende Martyrs in Christ Byshop Cranmer Bishop Ridley and maister Hughe Latimer there came into an house in Abyngdon one whose name is Leuar being a Plowman dwelling in Bryhtwel afore sayd and sayd that he saw that euill fauoured knaue Latimer when he was burned And also in despite sayd that he had teeth like a horse At which time and hour as neare as could be gathered the sonne of the sayde Leauer moste wickedly hanged him selfe at Shepton in the Countie aforesayd within a mile of Abingdon These wordes were spoken in the hearing of me Thomas Ienens of Abyngdon Did not Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterburie geue sentence against the Lord Cobham and died him self before him being so stricken in his toung that neither he could swallow nor speake for a certain space before his death pag. 588. Frier Campbell the accuser of Patricke Hamelton in Scotlande what a terrible ende hee hadde reade before pag. 957. Haruey a Commissarie that condemned a poore man in Calice was shortly after hanged drawen and quartered pag. 1229. William Swallow the cruell tormentor of George Egles was shortly after so plagued of God that al the hair of his heade and nailes of his fingers and toes went off his eyes welneare closed vppe that hee coulde scante see Hys wife also was stricken wyth the falling Sickenesse wyth the whych Maladie shee was neuer infected before pag. 2010. Likewise Richard Potto an other troubler of the sayd George Egles vppon a certaine anger or chafe with hys seruauntes was so sodenlye taken with sicknesse that falling vpon his bed lyke a beast there he died neuer spake woorde pag. 2010. Richard Denton a shrinker from the Gospel while he refused to suffer the fire in
the Lordes quarell was afterward burned in his owne house with two mo pag. 1717. The wife of Iohn Fettye beinge the cause of the taking of her husband how she was immediatly vppon the same by Gods hand stricken wyth madnesse and was distracte out of her wittes read before pag. 2055. Thomas Mowse and George Reuet two persecutors were stricken miserably wyth the hand of God and so died pag. 1917. Also Robert Edgore for that hee hadde executed the office of a Parish Clearke against his conscience thoroughe anguish and grief of conscience for the same was so bereft of his wits that he was kept in chaines and bondes many yeares after pag. 1917. As touching Iohn Plankney fellow of new Colledge in Oxford Ciuilian and one Hanington both fellowes of the same house aforesaid and both stubburne Papistes the matter is not much worthy the memory yet the example is not vnworthy to be noted to see what little coÌ„fort grace commonly followeth the comfortlesse doctrine and profession of papistry as in these two yong men amongst many other may well appeare Of whome the one which was Plankney scholer somtyme to Marshal who wrote the booke of the crosse is commonly reported and known to them of that Uniuersitie to haue drowned himselfe in the riuer about Ruly at Oxford anno 1566. the other in a Well about Rome or as some do say at Padua and so beyng both drowned were both taken vp with Crucifixes as it is sayde of some hangyng about their neckes The more pitie that such young studentes did so much addicte their wittes rather to take the way of papistrie then to walke in the comfortable light of the Gospell nowe so brightly spreading his beames in all the worlde which if they had done I thinke not contrary but it had prooued much better with them Albeit I trust the Gospell of Christ beyng now receiued in the Queenes Court amongst the Courtiers and seruaunts of her Gard hath framed their lyues and maners so to lyue in the due feare of God and temperance of lyfe with all sobrietie and mercifull compassion towarde their euenchristen that they neede not greatly any other instructions to be geueÌ„ them in this story yet for so much as examples many tymes doe worke more effectually in the myndes and memories of men also partly considering with my selfe how these aboue all other sorts of men in the whole Realme in tyme past haue euer had most neede of such wholesom lessons and admonitions to leaue their vnordinate riote of quaffing and drinking and their Heathenish prophanatie of lyfe I thought here to set before their eyes a terrible example not of a strange and forreine person but of one of their owne coate a Yeoman of the Gard not fayned by me but brought to me by Gods prouidence for a warnyng to all Courtiers and done of very truth no longer ago then in the yeare of our Lord 1568. And as the story is true so is the name of the partie not vnknowen beyng called Christopher Landesdale dwellyng in Hackney in Middlesex The order of whose lyfe and maner of his death beyng worthy to be noted is this as in story here vnder followeth This foresayd Landesdale beyng maried to an auncient woman yet liuing hauing by her both goods lands notwithstandyng liued long in filthy whoredome with a yonger woman by whom he had two children a sonne a daughter and kept them in his house vnto the day of his death Also when he should haue bene in seruing of God on the Saboth day hee vsed to walke or ride about hys fieldes and seldome hee or any of his house came to the Church after the English seruice was againe receyued Besides this he was a great swearer and a great drunkard and had great delight also in makyng other menne drunken and would haue them whom he had made druÌ„kards to call him father and he would cal theÌ„ his sonnes and of these sonnes by report he had aboue fortie And if he had seene one that would drinke freely hee would marke hym and spende his money with him liberally in ale or wyne but most in wyne to make him the sooner drunken These blessed sonnes of his should haue great chere oftentymes both at his owne house and at Tauernes and not long before his death he was so beastly drunken in a Tauerne ouer against his dore that he fell downe in the Tauerne yard and could not arise alone but lay grouelyng till he was holpen vp and so caried home This father of drunkards as he was a great feaster of the rich and welthy of Hackney and others so hys poore neighbours and poore tenauntes fared little the better for hym except it were with some broken meate which after his feastes his wyfe would cary and send vnto them or some almes geuen at his doore Besides all this he did much iniury to his poore neighbours in oppressing the commons nere about hym which was a speciall reliefe vnto them so that his cattaile eat vp all without pitie or mercy There chaunced after this about two yeres before hee died a poore man beyng sicke of the bloudy flixe for very weakenes to lie downe in a ditch of the sayd Landsdales not a stones cast from his house where he had a litle straw brought him Notwithstanding the said Landesdale had backe houses and Barnes enough to haue layed hym in but would not shew hym so much pitie And thus poore Lazarus there lay night and day about sixe weekes ere he died Certaine good neighbours hearyng of this procured things necessary for his reliefe but he was so farre spente that he could not bee recouered who lay broyling in the hote sunne with a horrible smell most pitifull to behold This poore man a little before he died desired to be remooued to another ditch into the shadowe Whereuppon one of the neighbours commyng to Landesdales wyfe for a bundle of strawe for him to lye vppon shee required to haue hym remooued to Newyngton side because she said if he should dye it would be very farre to cary him to the Church Besides this there was a mariage in this Landsdales house and the gestes that came to the mariage gaue the poore man mony as they came went by him but Landesdale disdained to contribute any relief vnto him notwithstanding that he had promised to M. Searles one of the Queenes Gard who had more pitie of him to minister to him things necessary To be short the next day poore Lazarus departed this lyfe was buried in Hackney churchyard Upon whom Landsdale did not so much as bestow a â—inding sheet or any thyng els towards his buriall And thus much coÌ„cerning the end of poore Lazarus Nowe let vs heare what became of the rich glutton About two yeres after this the said Landesdale beyng full of drinke as his custome was came ridyng in great hast from London on s. Andrews day
your selues when it shall come to iust triall of the matter and that theÌ„ it be not proued agaynst you that ye complayne without cause when the order and your maner towardes it shal be duely wayed I am willing and ready to heare you after the order taken and appoynted for you to reason therein and farther or contrary to that I cannot deale with you Lich. Cou. Let vs suffer no misorder or iniury herein but be heaâ—d with indifference that is to say conuenient and meet we should haue here L. Keper I praye you Syrs heare me and marke it you well It was concluded on by my Lordes of the counsell who you wel know of that theyr writing whiche ye are now so willing to haue heard should haue bene read the first day and then did we vnderstande that Mayster Cole had sayd what you would haue him and as much as you willed him to say and vpon that indifferency emonges I iudge ye were asked in the ende of Mayster Coles rehersall whether that whiche he spake was it ye woulde haue him say and ye graunted it Then whether ye would that he shuld say any more in the matter Ye answered no wherupon the other part was hard which you hearing then in deede without all good indifferencie or playne dealing ye pretended that ye had more to saye So marke you wyth how small equitie you vsed your selfe The B. We had in deede more to say if we might haue bene indifferently heard L. Keeper Geue me leaue I saye and looke what gaynes you should haue if your present request should be granted you that call so muche of indifferent vsing howe you shoulde vse those other men For many who are here presently were then away so would you haue your writyng now red to them whiche heard not this Marke ye whether it had not bene more fit that ye had prouided it against the first day when they orderly read theyrs sith to my knowledge and as farre as I haue hadde to doe in the matter you were of both sides I am sure warned at one tyme. Howbeit to satisfy your importunacie and earnestnes of this crying out to haue your first writing heard I might well allow if it so pleased the rest of the Queenes most honorable Counsell that you dispatching the worke on the second question appoynted for this daye and geue vs vp your writing for the first so that when the daye commeth that each of you shall aunswer the other in confirmation of the first question that then the same daye ye shall haue time to read this your first writing whiche ye now would so fayne read To this order all the Counsel willingly condescended Lich Co. Nay my Lordes they reading one and we two bookes in one day wee shoulde not haue time enough to read them both It would occupy to much time L. Keeper For my part I might well stay at the hearing of them both and I iudge the rest of the Counsell and lykewise the whole audience At whiche saying there was a shoute crying on all sides yea yea wee woulde heare it gladly Lincolne We cannot read them both at one time for theyr writing I am sure would require an houre and a halfe if so be it be so long as theyr laste was and then our aunswere woulde require no lesse time after the fyrste question L. Keeper I haue shewed you we could be well contented to tary out the time when it commeth thereunto Therefore ye neede not to be therein so curious and wee graunting you thus muche and yet ye will obey no orders I cannot tell what I shall say vnto you Lincoln We haue bene wonderfully troubled in the order of this disputation For first it was appoynted vs by my Lord the Archbishop that we shoulde dispute and that in Latine and then had wee an other commaundement that we should prouide a Latine writing and nowe at last we willed to bring forth our writinges in english At these wordes the Lord keeper of the great seale the Archbishop with all the Counsell muche mused and many murmured at such his wrong report of the order well taken Whereupon with an admiration the Lorde keeper aunswered I maruaile much of the vsing of your selfe in this poynt sith I am assured the order was neuer otherwise taken then that you shoulde bring forth in Englishe writing what you had to say for your purpose Hereupon the Byshops of Lichfield and Chichester to excuse my Lord of Lincolne sayd we so vnderstood the order my Lordes L. Keeper Howe likely is that sith that it was so playnely told you But to end these delayes I pray you follow the order appoynted and beginne to entreate of the seconde question Lich. Co. We were appoynted this day by youre honours to bring in what we had to say in the first question At the which saying the audience much grudged who heard the former talke contrary to such his reporte L. Keeper The order was taken for that your writinges were not ready the last time that ye shoulde yeld the same to these men meaning the Protestantes as soone as ye might and vpon the receipt of your writinges you shuld haue theyrs and this day ye should entreate of the second question and of the thyrd if that ye had leysure enoughe This was the order my Lordes except my memory much fayle me The same all the Counsell affirmed Lincoln We were willed then to bring in this daye oure writing for the first question also Lorde Keeper Ah syrs if ye bee so harde to bee satisfied and to encline to the trueth let my Lordes here say what was then determined B. Yorke Ye are to blame to stand in this issue for there was a playne decreed order taken for you to intreat of the second Question Wherefore leaue you your contention herein and shew what ye haue to say in the second Question L. Keper Go to now begin my Lordes Linc. Couen It is coÌ„trary to the order in disputatioÌ„s that we should begin Chester We haue the negatiue the affirmatiue therefore they must begin Lich. Couen· They must first speake what they can bring in agaynst vs sith that we are the defending part Chester So is the schole maner and likewise the maner in Westminster hall is that the plaintifes part should speak first and then the accused party to answere Lich. Couen I pray you let the proposition be read then let vs see who hath the negatiue part and so let the other begin L. Keper The order was taken that ye should begin Lich. Couen But then we should do agaynst the Schoole order L. Keper My maisters ye inforce much the schole orders I wonder muche at it sith diuers of those orders are ofte times taken for the exercise of youth and ought to mainteine a fashion and many prescriptions whiche we neede not here to recite much lesse obserue We are come hither to keepe the order of God and to set forth his truth
and burning them hee denyed not but that he was once at the burning of an herewygge fo◠so he termed it at Uxbridge where he tost a faggot at his face as hee was singing Psalmes and set a wynbushe of thornes vnder his feete a little to pricke him wyth many other words of like effect In the whiche words he named moreouer syr Phillip Hobby an other knight of Kent with such other of the richer and higher degree whom his Counsell was to plucke at to bring them vnder coram wherein sayd he if they had followed my aduise then had they done well and wisely This or much like was the effect of the shameles and tyrannicall excuse of hym selfe more meete to speake with the voyce of a beast then of a man Although in this Parliament some diuersitie there was of iudgement opinion betweene parties yet notwithstanding through the mercifull goodnes of the Lord the true cause of the Gospell had the vpper hand the Papistes hope was frustrate and theyr rage abated the order and proceedinges of king Edwardes time concerning religion was reuiued agayne the supremacie of the Pope abolished the articles and bloudy statutes of Queene Mary repealed briefly the furious firebrandes of cruell persecution which had consumed so many poore mens bodyes were now extinct and quenched Finally the olde Byshops deposed for that they refused the othe in renouncing the pope and not subscribing to the Queenes iust and lawfull title In whose rowmes and places first for Cardinall Poole succeeded D. Mathew Parker Archbishop of Canterbury In the place of Heth succeeded D. Young In steede of Boner Edmund Grindall was Bishop of London For Hopton Thurlby Tonstall Pates Christoferson Peto Coates Morgan Feasy White Oglethorpe c. were placed Doctor Iohn Parkust in Norwich D. Coxe in Ely Iuell in Salisbury Pilkenton in Duresme Doctor Sandes in Worcester Mayster Downam in Westchester Bentam in Couentry and Lichfield Dauid in S. Dauies Ally in Exceter Horn in Winchester Scory in Hereford Best in Carlile Bullingham in Lincoln Scamler in Peterbury Bart let in Bath Gest in Rochester Barlo in Chi. c. ¶ And here to make an end of this Story Now it remayneth to proceed further to the Appendix in supplying such thinges as haue either bene omitted or newly inserted as foloweth ⧠The Appendix of such Notes and Matters as either haue bene in this History omitted or newly inserted IN this Story of Sir Roger Acton aboue mentioned pag. 587. I finde that with him were taken many other persōs that all the prisons in about London were replenished with people The chiefe of thē which were 29. were condemned of heresy atteynted of high treason as mouers of war agaynst theyr king by the temporall law in the Guild hall the 12. day of December and adiudged to be drawne and hanged for treasō and for heresy to be consumed with fire Gallowes and all which iudgement was executed in Ianuary following on the sayde Syr Roger Acton and 28. other Some say that the occasion of theyr death was the cōueyance of the Lord Cobham out of Prison Other write that it was both for treason as the aduersaries termed it and heresy Certayne affirme that it was for feyned causes surmised by the spiritualty more of displeasure thē truth as seemeth more neare to the truth * Concerning Iohn Frith of his life and story this foloweth more to be added and to be referred to the page 103◠FIrst this Iohn Frith was borne in the Towne of Westrame in Kent who after by diligent especialles was takē in Essex flying beyond the seas brought before the Counsaile Syr Thomas More thē being Chauncellor and so from them committed vnto the Tower where he remayned prisoner the space of a quarter of a yeare or there about It chaunced that Doctour Curreyne ordinary Chapleyne vnto King Henry the eighte preached a Sermō in Lent before his Maiesty And there verye sore enueying agaynste the Sacramentaryes as they thē termed and named which fauored not the grosse opinion that Christes body was carnally reall in the Sacrament he so farre discoursed in that matter that at the length he brake out thus far and sayd It is no maruayle though this abhominable heresye doe muche preuayle among vs for there is one nowe in the Tower of London so bolde as to write in the defence of that heresye and yet no man goeth about his reformation meaning Iohn Fryth who then had aunsweared Syr Thomas More in writing agaynste a confutation of that erroneous opinion which of late before the sayd Maister More had writen agaynst Iohn Frythes assertion in that behalfe This Sermon of purpose was deuised and appoynted by the Byshop of Winchester and other to seeke the destruction of Fryth by putting the king in remembraunce that the sayd Fryth was in the Tower there stayd rather for hys sauegarde then for his punishment by suche as fauoured hym as the Lorde Cromwell who being Uicegerent in causes Ecclesiasticall came then into suspition therefore For in suche sorte was the matter handeled before the Kyng that all men mighte well vnderstande what they meant The Kynge then being in no poynte resolued of the true and sincere vnderstanding of the doctrine of that Article but rather a peruerse stout Aduersary to the contrary called to hym my Lorde of Caunterburye and my Lord Cromwell and willed them forthwith to call Fryth vnto examination so that he might eyther be compelled to recant or elles by the Lawe to suffer condigne punishment Frythes long protract in the Tower withouten examination was so heynously taken of the King that nowe my Lorde of Caunterburye with other Byshoppes as Stokesly thē bishop of London other learned mē were vndelayedly appoynted to examine Fryth And for that there shuld be no concourse of Citizens at the sayd examination my L. of Canterbury remoued to Croydon vnto whome resorted the rest of the Commissioners Nowe before the day of execution appointed my Lord of Cant. sent one of his gentlemen and one of his porters whose name was Perlebene a Welchman borne to fetche Iohn Frith from the Tower vnto Croydon This gentleman hadde both my Lords letters and the kings ring vnto my Lord Fitzwilliams Constable of the Tower then lying in Canon row at Westminster in extreme anguish and payne of the strangulion for the deliuery of the prisoner Mayster Fytzwilliams more passionate then patient vnderstanding for what purpose my Lordes gentleman was come banned and cursed Frith and all other heretickes saying take this my King vnto the Lieuetenaunt of the Tower and receiue your man your hereticke with you and I am glad that I am ridde of him When Frith was deliuered vnto my Lord of Canterburyes Gentleman they twaine with Parlebeane sitting in a Wherry and rowing towardes Lambeth The sayd Gentleman much lamenting in his mind the infelicitie of the sayd Frith began in this wise to exhort him to consider in what estate
that is agreable to Gods worde and no heresie in it that I red and when it drewe toward seruice time there came men to the church and some of then comming to me whoÌ„ I knewe not asking me what good booke I had I sayd it was a new booke that I haue not yet read it ouer then they prayed me that I would read so that they might heare some part with me and so I did not calling pointing nor assembling any company to me And for the seruice being in latine that for the strangenes of the tongue besides muche superstition ioyned with it was not vnderstood of the most part of them that saide or soung it much lesse of them that stood by and did heare it where as by the word of God all thinge in the Churche or congregation shuld be done to the edifying of the people and seeing I could haue no such thing by theyr seruice I did endeuour to edifie my selfe and other that were desirous of reading of godly bookes And because the Churche is so abused contrary to the worde of God being beset round about with a sorte of abhominable Idols before whome no man ought to kneele nor doe no maner of reuerence because the scriptures doth curse both the Idoll and the Idoll maker and all that doth any worship or reuerence vnto them or before them for that cause I vsed no reuerence there Well sayd my Lorde I woulde thou couldest aunswere to the rest as well as thou hast done to this but I feare me thou canst not for it is tolde me that thou hast spoken agaynst the blessed sacrament and I said and it please your Lordship that did I neuer in al my life nor neuer wil doe by the grace of God With that my chief accuser sir Leonard Becksmith knight sayd to me diddest thou not say to me yesterday that thou diddest not beleue the sacrament of the aulter after the wordes of consecration by the priest to be the very body of Christ flesh bloud bones as it was borne of the virgine Mary It is true in deede that I sayd so for neyther do I beleue it to remayne Christes body nor neuer will by the grace of God beleue it so to be for I beleue that christ with that body that was conceaued and borne of the virgine Mary did ascend vp into heauen and there according to our beliefe he sitteth on the right hand of God the father and from thence that body shal come at the day of iudgement to iudge the quick and the dead and yet in the meane while I beleue that the sacrament duely ministred according to Christes institution that the faithfull receauers of this sacrament lifting vp the eyes of theyr minde into heauen where Christes body is that they do receaue in that sacrament into theyr soule or inward man the very body of our sauiour Iesus Christ yea and I beleeue further that Christ concerning his diuine power or the power of his godhead is whersoeuer two or three be gathered together in his name that he is in the middest euen amongest them and that hee is so with his faythfull flocke euen to the worldes end then they layed theyr heades together and had priuie talke after that two of them said to me that it was rancke heresie that I did beleue it to remayne bare bread after the Priest had consecrated it and not to beleue it to be the very body of Christ I was worthy to be burned then sayde I earnestly vnto theÌ„ thinke you not though I be a vile abiecte in your sight and he that is most busie among you to seek my bloud but that my bloud shall be required at hys or theyr handes Then had they priuy talke together againe after the which my Lord sayd vnto me thou hearest that they here lay heresie to thy charge and I am a manne of warre haue no skill in such high misteries wherefore thine accusers say that thou must suffer here as an hereticke that all the rest of the garrisene may beware by thee that they fal not into the like heresie and so cast away themselues Then sayd I I appeale from this Counsayle to the Counsayle of England then sayd my Lord I am very glad that thou hast appealed to the Counsayle of England for there are learned menne and Diuines that can skil of such matters thether shalt thou be sent or it be long Then was I caryed to sir Iohn Abriges house and hauing pen and incke I was bidden to write mine articles which were in effecte those poyntes of Religion that you haue heard before in my examination then on the morow being Thursday and the fiftene of Aprill I was brought to the prison in the towne called the Marshalsea where I was very gently vsed for a good gentleman one Maister Waghan was the keeper there at that time but surely when I was apprehended I had not so much as one peny to helpe my selfe with for we had bene longe vnpayd furthermore I thought in that towne of warre that there was very few or none that fauoured the word of God for I looked for no helpe there but to be hated and despised of all menne there for I knewe not past two or three there that hadde any loue to the Gospell till I was in prison and then there came very many souldiours vnto me that I neuer knew before and gaue me mony so that I hadde as good as a three pound geuen me in a smale tyme that I was in prison The fourthtene day of May toward night I was sent into Englande one Mayster Messenger and one other man brought me to London euen the same day being sonday at night and 15. daye of May there was a great talke ouer all the Cittye of one Doctor Smith that recanted that daye they brought me to the Marshalsea and there left me I hearing no more of them that brought me thether but Mayster Huntington as a faythfull minister of Iesus Christe that gaue me warning before of all this trouble came from Bullyn to London causing my Articles to be seene so that by his paynefull dilligence to the Counsayle for me after that I had bene there little more then one â—oneth I was dyscharged forth of prison and bed get me home to Bullin to my liuing agayne But surely if I hadde not appealed to the Counsayle of Englande I hadde bene burned in Bullyn for it was tolde me of them that knew muche in that matter that it was already determined shortly to haue bene accomplyshed if I had not appealed for the whiche deliueraunce I geue prayse to the euerliuing God ¶ This was layed in Queene Maryes Closet vpon her deske agaynst her commyng vnto her prayers O Louesome Rose most redolent Of vading flowers most fresh In England pleasant is the sente For now art thou peerelesse This Rose which beareth such a smell Doth represent our Queene O listen that I may you tell Her colours fresh and
for my help in stoppyng the malicious and enuious mouth of Thomas Thackam I would be as glad as any man to testifie the truth both for that I know of the shameles malice of the sayd party agaynst the members of Christ as also the godly and vertuous behauiour of Palmer both before he was in prison and after in prison with the credite of that good and godly worke of that history but surely many thinges are out of my hed which I cannot as yet remember And for these things I know I wryte vnto you And first as touching the frendship shewed vnto the Lady Uane and hys zeale therein vttered trueth it is that hee receaued her into hys house for mony for a small space in the whiche time they two did not well agree for that she coulde not suffer hys wickednes of wordes and gestures vnreproued but that his wife many times being of more honesty made the matter well agayne but to be short suche was his frendshyp in the ende towardes that good Lady being out of hys house that she feared no man more for her lyfe then him And I being her man she gaue me great charge alwayes to beware of him As touching his frendship towardes Iohn Bolton in prison I am sure he neuer found any as they that vsed to visite him can somewhat say Except you accompt this friendship that he beyng bereft of hys senses Thac wrought him to yeld vnto the papistes and as a right member of them became his suretie to be obedient vnto them And hee beyng burdened in conscience therewith fled away vnto Geneua for the which flieng Thac had nothing sayd vnto hym which sheweth that he was their instrument And this friendship to Iohn Bolton for Downer I haue heard no euill of him for Gateley and Radley now Uicar of S. Laurence and Bowyer a Tanner they three left no meanes vnpractised to catche and persecute the members of Christ as I my selfe can well prooue As touching Palmer for that I many tymes frequented his company in his lodging he woulde vtter sometymes vnto me the griefe of his mynd Among other things once he told me that for that he heard he was somwhat suspected with the womaÌ„ of the house he was much grieued withall the which he vttred with many teares I then counsailing him to depart thence to auoyd the occasion of offence he sayd no but the Lord should try him or it were long for sayd he Thac hath let me his schole and now would haue it againe and because I will not let him haue it this he hath brought vppon me but God forgeue him Afterward beyng in prison I talking with hym at the grate he shewed me his iudgement of the scriptures and deliuered it vnto me what became of it I knowe not now He praysed God highly for his estate and then hee sayd he trusted it would appeare whether Thac had sayd of him well or not And further he sayd that now Thack hath his will to haue his schoole agayne for if I woulde haue yelded vp the schoole he would haue sent me away I neuer trusted him so well sayd he to communicate my mynd vnto hym before witnesse but sometyme alone and therfore he hath deuised a letter in my name and brought it to light to cause me to bee examined of my conscience This is as much as I can say at this tyme. Thus fare you well in the Lord Amen From Corsly this 18. of May. Yours to commaund in Christ Iohn Moyer Minister Haue me commended I pray you to all my friends at Readyng A note of Iulius Palmer ALso being at Magdalene colledge about a moneth before he was burned and reasoning against â—ne Barwike Maister of Arte sometyme his familiar friende and olde acquaintance in the sayd Colledge after much talke Barwike said vnto him Well Palmer Now thou talkest boldly and stoutly at thy pleasure if thou were brought to a stake thou wouldst tell me another tale Take heed it is an hard matter to burne Hereunto Palmer answered In deed it is an hard matter for him to burne that hath his soule linked to his body as a thiefes foote is tied in a paire of fetters But if a man be once able through Gods helpe to seperate and deuide the soule from the body for him it is no harder a thing to burne theÌ„ for me to eat this crumme of bread ¶ A true Copy of the Confession of Patricke Patingham sent out of Newgate to certayn of his frends I Patricke Patingham being condemned for the veritie of Gods trueth that is to say in confessing of one God which was the creatour of all things visible and inuisible and also that he made those by his sonne whome he hath made heyre of all thinges And also I confesse that he is the onely begotten sonne of God in whome we haue redemption euen the forgeuenes of sinnes And also in confessing Gods most holy Church being builded vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophetes Iesus Christ being the head corner stone In whome sayth S. Paule euery building coupled together groweth to an holy temple in the Lord in whome I beleeue I am builded together as a member and made an habitation for God in the spirite And also I confesse that Christ is the head of the holy Church as S. Paule sayth and that God is Christs head And also I had x. articles that is to say agaynst theyr wicked traditions and commaundementes whiche they vse whiche are agaynst the commaundementes of God whereof they did condemne me not suffering me to speake in the consistory house but condemning me not my cause heard But yet I did protest vnto them that their Church or synagogue is of Sathan that is to say Sathan beyng the head thereof Furthermore my friend or friendes vnknown I haue receiued your letter and red it ouer wherin you say that I am in a blasphemous errour In deede frends I confesse that it is an error If you will make my beliefe that is to say that Christ is the sonne of the liuyng God to be an errour and to beleeue that there is one god as S. Paule saith and one mediatour betwixt God and man euen the man Christ Iesus And although there bee that are called Gods whether in heauen or in earth as there be Gods many and Lordes many yet vnto vs is there but one God which is the father of whome are all things and we in hym and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all thyngs and we by him I beleeue that there is but one Lord one fayth one Baptisme and one God in all and aboue all and thorough all which onely God as S. Paule sayeth worketh in all creatures that beleeue in him and speaketh in them as S. Paule sayeth God in tymes past diuersly and many wayes spake vnto the fathers by prophets but in these last daies he spake vnto vs by his sonne whom he hath made heire of all thyngs
wife for a tyme because persecution was so hote that hee coulde no longer stay there and I at his instaunce let him haue a place with me but within a fortnight after the Papists espyed him and complayned of him to the Bishop of Rochester and the bishop sent his chiefe man called Raphe Crowch and he caryed him to Rochester before the Byshop the sayd Apleby stood in the defence of the trueth boldly and the Bishoppe sent both hym and his wife to the Iayle of Maidstone and there they were burned for the Testimony of the Gospell of God And the Friday fortnight after I was in the market at Rochester talking with an other man and the sayde Raphe Crowch was sent for me and he comming within a stones cast of me where I was talking with my neighbour George Smally and one William Stanley a papist dwelling also in Strowde met with the sayd Crowch and they two talked together a whyle and I doubted that they talked of me because many times in theyr talke they looked on me and then the said Raphe Crowch went ouer the streete to an other officer or constable whiche knewe not me and sent the sayde Constable for me and comming for me knowing my neyghbour George Smally tooke him in the steade of me and caryed him to the Byshop and when he came before hym the Byshop sayd to the officers this is not he knaue thys is not he knaue and the bishop checked the Mayor hys officers and sayd that they mocked him because he caryed the other man for me suche was the mighty prouidence of God to defend me and the Mayor the same night sent 40. Billes and menne with other weapons to beset my house to take me but the Lord kept me from them and deliuered me out of theyr handes to hym be glory therefore Amen The third time that the Lorde deliuered me was on Easter day next after I had bene at London all the Lent and on Easter euen at night I came home to Strowde to to my wife and a childe of three yeares olde tolde one of the neighbours that her father was come home And on Easter day after theyr popishe euensong was done came Maister Read Thomas Crowch brother to the abouesaid Raphe Crowch William Stanley Thomas Bettes Lionell Newman and Roger Braunche with a 60. people or there aboutes and searched my house very straightly for me but as Gods prouidence was there was mault a drying vppon the Kell and they searched so narrowly for me that I was glad to heaue vp a corner of the hayre wheron the mault lay and went into the Kell hole and there stood till they were gone and so I escaped from them but within an houre after there came a woman to my wyfe to borrow a brush and spyed me thorough the key hole of a dore and she carying tidinges abroad Immediately came a great company of men and beset my house rounde about and I said to my wife you see that these foure men seeke for my life that is Maister Read Thomas Crowch William Stanley and Thomas Bettes for I doe thinke that none of the rest will lay handes on me and therefore I pray thee wife follow these 4. men and talke lowde to them that I may heare so escape if they search on the backe side I may auoyd on the street side be of good comfort for our liues are in Gods hand and though there be little helpe here on earth yet there is help enough from heauen and when these men were searching on the backside I went into the streete among as I gesse an 100. people and none of them layd handes on me neyther sayde they anye thing to me so I went out of the towne lay there at an honest mans house at the parish of Cobham that night And at that same time also two of my neighbours honest men and of good wealth the one called Iohn Pemmet a fisherman the other named Iohn Bayly a glouer because they came not to theyr popish Church to buy none of their Idolatrous wares were complayned of to the Iustices who did binde them to aunswere for theyr fayth before the Iudges at the ascises whiche were holden at midsommer after as I remember at Rochester in the pallace yard and there was at that tyme a sayle cloth of a ship tyed to the top of the Byshops Pallace wall to keep away the sonne from the Iudges because it was hote and the winde blew and shooke the sayle so that when these two men were called to be examined and when they shoulde haue aunswered there fell from the top of the wall 3. or 4. great stones vpon the Iudges neckes so that some of thē whiche sate on the Benche were sore hurt and maymed so that they arose sodenly all amased and departed and the two men were deliuered From Tuddenham in Suff. the 25. day of Iuly 1583. Per me Gulielmum Wood Vicarium de Tuddenham The history of Iohn Alcocke THis Iohn Alcocke or Aucock of whome mention is made before pag. 1561. was a very faythfull and honest man by his occupation a woad setter singularly wel learned in the holy scriptures and in all his conuersation a iust and righteous man that feared God and studyed to do in deed that thing that he had learned in the scriptures Nowe after that sir Richard Yeaman was driuen away and the people on sondayes and other dayes came to the Church and had no man to teach them any thinge for as yet person Newall was not come to Hadley to dwel nor had gotten any Curate Besides that the lawes made by king Eward were in force and the latin mumblinges not yet receaued euery where Iohn Alcocke therefore tooke the english booke vsed by king Edward exhorting the people to pray with him and so red certain prayers in english before them and moreouer hee gaue them godly lessons and exhortations out of the chapters that he red vnto them For this the Bishoppe of Winchester Steuen Gardiner sent for him cast him into Newgate at London where after many examinations and troubles for that he woulde not submitte himselfe to aske forgeuenesse of the Pope and to be reconciled to the romish religion he was cast into the lower doungeon where with euill keeping and sicknesse of the house he dyed in prison Thus dyed he a martyr of Christes veritie whiche hee hartely loued and constantly confessed and receaued the garland of a well foughten battell at the hand of the Lorde His body was cast out and buryed in a dounghill for the Papists would in all thinges be like themselues therfore would they not so much as suffer the dead bodyes to haue honest and conuenient sepulture He wrote two Epistles to Hadley whiche followe here * The first Epistle of Iohn Alcocke GRace be with you and peace from the father and our Lord Iesus Christ which gaue himself for our sinnes that he might deliuer vs from this present
be vnto you a strong defence and refuge in the needfull time Bow downe thine eare O Lorde sayth Dauid and heare me for I am poore and in misery Bee mercifull vnto me O Lord for I will call dayly vpō thee comfort the soule of thy seruaunt for vnto thee O Lord do I lift vp my soule For thou Lord art good and gracious and of great mercy vnto all thē that call vpon thee Geue eare Lorde vnto my prayer and ponder the voyce of my humble petition All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship thee O Lord shall glorify thy name For thou art great and doest wonderfull things thou art God alone Teach me thy wayes Oh Lord and I will walke in thy truth O knit my hart vnto thee that I may feare thy name I will thanke thee O my God with all my hart and will prayse thy name for euer O you Christen people of Hadley comfort your selues one another in these notable psalmes of dauid the whole bible Embrace the notable iewell of our Lord God the bible endeuor your selues to walke the way that it doth teach you My good brethren we as helpers sayth S. Paule doe exhort you that ye receiue not the grace of God in vayne For behold now is the accepted time now is the daye of saluation Let vs beware that we take sure hold while we haue time for time will away While wee haue the lighte walke in it least when ye would desire it ye can not haue it Understand the light to be the knowledge of Christe to obey that is to haue the light For that cause came our Sauiour Iesus Christe to make himselfe knowne vnto those that did receiue him He gaue power to be the sonnes of God and so to bee made inheritours of his kingdome which shal neuer haue end who would not be glad to become the kinges sonne that he therby might be partaker of the kingdome that neuer shall haue end O vayne man what art thou that will refuse euerlasting life for a day or two or an hower thou canst not tell howe short Open thine eies see thine owne cōfort refuge to christ O flie refuse this worldly wisedōe for worldly wisedom doth shut out the wisedome of God For the word of the crosse is foolishnesse vnto them that perish but vnto vs whiche are saued it is the power of God For it is written I will destroy the wisedome of the wise and will cast away the vnderstanding of the prudent Where are the wise where are the Scribes where are the disputers of this worlde hath not god made the wisedom of this world foolishnes For in so muche as the worlde by the wisedome thereof knew not God in his wisedome it pleased God through foolishnesse of preaching to saue them that beleue For the Iewes require tokens and the Greekes aske after wysedome but we preach Christ crucified sayth S. Paule to the Iewes an occasion of falling and vnto the Greekes a people that are wise in theyr owne conceites to them is the preaching of Christ crucified foolishnesse But vnto them that are called both Iewes and Greekes we preach Christ the power of God and the wisedome of God For the foolishnes of God is wiser then men and the weaknes of God is stronger then men Brethren looke vpon your calling how that not many wise men after the fleshe not many mighty not many of high degree are called But that which is foolish before the world hath God chosen that he might confound the wise and that which is despised before the worlde hath he chosen and that whiche is nothing that he might destroy that which is ought that no flesh should reioyce Of the same are ye also in Christe Iesu whiche is made of God vnto vs wisedome righteousnes and sanctifying and redemption according as it is written he that reioyseth should reioyce in the Lorde that your fayth should not stand in the wisedome of men but in the power of God We speake of this wisedome among them that are perfecte not the wisedome of thys world nor the rulers of this world which go to nought but we speake of the wisedome of God which the carnall man doth not vnderstand The naturall man perceiueth nothing of the spirite of God It is foolishnes with hym But God hath opened it to vs by his spirite For the spirite searcheth out all thinges Wherefore my deare Brethren trye your selues well whether ye haue the spirite of Christ or no. If you haue the spirite of Christ then are ye dead concerning sinne but ye are aliue vnto god through Iesus Christ. If this spirite dwell in you then will ye increase and go forward in your profession not feare what flesh may do vnto the carkasse Therefore stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and bee not wrapped vp agayne in the yoake of bondage that is to say to go from God by wicked life or serue God an other way then he hath commaunded in his holy word I truste you go forward my deare Brethren and Sisterne in your promise that you made to your Lorde God in your baptisme I pray God open vnto you the knowledge of hym selfe and lighten the eyes of your vnderstanding that ye may know what is the hope of your calling and what the riches of his glorious inheritaunce is vpon the Sayntes For ye are the chosen generation the kingly Priesthoode that holy nation that peculiar people that should shewe the vertues of him which hath called you out of darcknes into his maruellous light that is to say to feare God and to worke righteousnesse and so to receiue the end of your fayth the saluation of your soules This is a true saying if we be dead with Christ we shall liue with him also If we be patient we shall also reigne with him If we denye him he also shall denye vs. If we beleue not yet he abydeth faythfull he can not deny himselfe The very God of peace sanctify you throughout and I pray God that your whole spirit soule and bodyes be kept blameles vnto the cōming of our Lord Iesus Faythfull is he that hath called you which will also do it Brethren pray for vs and great all the brethren among you By me your brother in the Lord and Sauiour Christ Iohn Alcocke Prisoner in the Lorde at Newgate ⧠Geue glory to God GOd be mercifull to thee O England send thee great number of such faythfull Fathers and godly Pastors as Doctor Taylour was to guide thee feede thee and cōfort thee after thy great miseries and troubles that thou hast suffered vnder the tyrannous captiuitye and rage of the Romaine Antichrist and such rauening Wolues as haue without all mercy murdered thy godly and learned preachers and geue all men grace to consider that suche horrible plagues and mutations haue iustly
began at the second if not at the first dash to demaund her beliefe in theyr popish sacrament of the aulter The good poore woman who had learned not to bee ashamed to confesse her mayster Christ before menne and to render accōptes of her fayth when it was asked tould freely and franckly her opinion therein and hid backe nothing that eyther shee thought might profite them if they had anye grace to receiue it or els might sounde to Gods glory and prayse though it were neuer so muche by them threatned and rebuked Whereupon shee was forthwyth committed to the Gayle of Launceston where she remayned a quarter of a yeare or thereaboutes and afterwards was dispatched of that vile and filthy prison and deliuered ouer to the handes of two champions of the Popes the one called Doctor Raynoldes Deane of Exceter and the other named mayster Blaxton treasurer of the same church men surely feruent hote in the furtheraunce of the romysh affayres and in withstanding the truth of the pure euangelicall gospell So the time that this good poore woman was vnder theyr handes shee had many sore conflictes by them And the sayd Blaxton hauing a Concubine whiche sondry tymes resorted to him with other of his gossippes alwayes when they came this sayde good woman was called forth to his house and there to make his minion with the rest of his company some mirth hee woulde examine her with such mocking maner in deriding the truth that it would haue vexed any christian soule to haue seene it Then when he had long vsed his foolishnes in this sort and had sported himselfe enough in deriding this chrysten martyr in the end sent her to prison agayn and there kept her very miserably sauing sometimes he woulde send for her when hys foresayd gest came to him to vse with her his accustomed folly aforesayd But in fine the vile wretches after many combattes and scoffing perswasions when they had played the parte of a cat with a mouse at length they condemned her deliuered her ouer to the secular power who within shorte space after most cruelly brought her forth to the place where she should suffer and there in great contempt of the truth which she most constantly confessed they consumed her carcas immediately with fire into ashes which she very patiētly suffered and most ioyfully receiued yelding her soule and lyfe to the Lord and her body to the tormentors for the whiche the Lordes name therefore be praysed Amen ¶ The martirdome of one Snel burned about Richmond in Queene Maryes tyme omitted in this history AT Bedaile a market towne in Yorkshyre were two men in the latter dayes of Queene Mary the one named Iohn Snel and the other Richard Snel Who being suspected for Religion were sent vnto Richmond where Doctor Dakins had commission from the Bishop of Chester to haue the examination of them This Doctor Dakins many times conferred wyth them sometimes threatning fire and fagot if they woulde not recant and sometimes flattering them with fayre fables if they would returne into the holy catholick church But they stood constantly to the sure rocke Iesus Christ in whome they put theyr whole trust and confidence whiles at last being so sore imprisoned that theyr toes rotted of and the one of them could not go without crouches they brought thē to the church by compulsion where the one of them heard their abhominable Masse hauing a certaine summe of mony geuen him by the beneuolence of the people and so departed thence but the first newes that was heard of hym within three or foure dayes was that he had drowned him self in a riuer running by Richmond called Swaile Immediately after D. Dakins geuing sentence that the other should be burnt came home to hys house and neuer ioyed after but dyed The Commissary of Richmond named Hillinges preached at his burning exhorting him to returne to the Churche but hys labour was in vayne the constant martyr standing strongly to the fayth which hee professed Then being brought to the stake whereunto hee was tyed by a girdle of iron there was geuen vnto him gunpouder and a little straw was layd vnder his feete and set round about with smale woode and tarre barrels the fire was put in the straw which by and by flamyng about his head he cryed thrise together Christ helpe me Insomuch that one Robert Atkinson being present sayde hold fast there we wil all pray for thee Thus this blessed martyr ended his life ¶ A story of one Laremouth omitted in the body of the story ALbeit I am loth to insert any thing in this book which may seeme incredible or strange to ordinary working for quarelling aduersaryes whiche doe nothing but spye what they may cauill yet forsomuch as besides other reporters the person is yet aliue called Thorne a godly minister which heard it of the mouth of the party himselfe I thought therefore first for the incredible strangenes therof neither to place this storye in the bodye of these Actes and Monumentes and yet in some outcorner of the booke not vtterly to passe it vntouched for the reader to consider it and to credite it as he seeth cause The story is this There was one Laremouth otherwise called Williamson Chaplayne to Lady Anne of Cleue a Scotishman to whome being in prison in Queene Maryes daies it was sayd as he thought thus sounding in hys eares arise and go thy wayes Whereunto when he gaue no great heed at the first the second time it was sayd to him agayne in the same wordes Upon this as he fell to his prayers it was sayd the thyrd time likewise to him arise and go thy way which was about halfe an houre after So he arising vpon the same immediately a peece of the prison wall fell downe and as the officers came in at the outwarde gate of the Castle or prison he leaping ouer the ditche escaped and in the way meeting a certayne beggar chaunged hys cote with him and comming to the Sea shore where hee found a vessell ready to go ouer was taken in and escaped the search which was straytly layd for hym in all the coūtry ouer ¶ A little short letter of William Hunter sent out of prison to his mother a little before hys martirdome to be referred and placed in his story pag. 1538. MOst reuerent louing mother after my most humble wyfe I haue me harty commēded vnto you desiring you to pray vnto God most hartely for me that I may haue his blessing and yours the which I esteeme more worth vnto me thē any worldly treasure In this present letter you shall vnderstand the cause of my writing vnto you at this tyme that I am in good health and prosperitie as euer I was in this present life Wherefore I render thankes vnto almightye God for it who alone is moste woorthye of all prayse trusting in God you bee in health also Furthermore I certifie you wherefore
1231 Iohn Hunt Confessor his story 2054 Iohn Iohnson Martyr his storye burned at Colchester 2007.2008.2009 Iohn Iackson his story 1950.1949 Iohn Iourdelay Teler Dwarfe abiured 641 Iohn King of England his story 249 Iohn Kurd martyr his story 2021 Iohn Lacels Martyr 1240 Iohn Longlande his Sermon on good Fridaye before the king at Greenewich 1097 Iohn LawreÌ„ce his story .1542 his Martyrdome and death 1543 Iohn Longland Bishoppe of Lincolne a Persecutour of good men .820 his articles ministred to the poore members of Christ. ibid. Iohn Lomas Martyr his story 1859 Iohn Leafe Martyr his story .1623 his examinations martyrdome 1623.1624 Iohn Launder Martyr his storye his confession examination and aunsweares .1680 his articles obiected agaynste him with his aunsweres to the same 1681 Ioyce Lewes Martyr her story and martyrdome at Liechfielde 2012 Iohn Lambert his story and persecution .1101 articles obiected agaynst him with his seuerall answeres to the same articles .1102 1103.1104.1105.1106 his new trouble .1121 his learned godly disputation before the king and Nobles .1122 his condemnation .1123 his constaunt suffering of Martyrdome for the truth .1124 his treatise of the Sacrament to the king 1125 Iohn Meluyn his trouble for the Gospell his letter out of Newgate concerning the Eucharist of the Lordes supper 2140.2141 Iohn Martin plagued 2108 Iohn Morin Lieutenant criminall of the Prouost of Paris a persecutor plagued of God 2109 Ioane Manninges Martyr her story 1979 Iohn Milles scourged by Boner 2044 Iohn Martin a cruell persecutour his death 955 Iohn Maunsell a riche Priest 330 Iohannes Mountziger a Protestant agaynst the Pope 419 Iohn Maundrell William Coberley and Iohn Spicer Martyrs theyr story 1894 Iohn Marbecke his trouble persecution sondry examinations 1214. his wiues sute to the Bishop for him .1216 his Inditement .1219 saued from the fire why 1220 Iohn Mace his story and death 1909 Iohn a Neatheard Martyr 724 Iohn Norris 1917 Iohn Newman his story and examinations 1850.1951 Iohn Noyes martyr his story and apprehension .2021 his martyrdome 2022 Iohn Fortune his story his examinations and aunsweres 1918 1919 Ioane Norman 838 Iohn Oswald Martyr his story 1914. Iohn Oxlinus preacher his persecution for the Gospell 869 Iohn Puruey his recantation and imprisonment .543 hys articles collected out of his bookes 544. Iohn Patriarche of Constantinople began first to vsurpe the name of vniuersall Byshop 12. Iohn Patriarche of Alexandria his life and conuersation 119. Iohn Porter his story and Martyrdome 1206. Iohn Philpot of Tenderden martyr hys story and martyrdome 1970. Iohn Philpot martyr his excelleÌ„t story his actes and doynges .1795 his examinations and aunsweres .1796.1797.1798 hys condemnation .1826.1829 hys martyrdome and deathe .1830 his letters 1831.1832.1834.1838.1840.1842.1844 Iohannes de Poliaco 391. Iohn deâ—Poliaco recanteth at Paris 309. Iohn 10. Pope 146. Iohn 13. Pope wounded almost slayne in adultery 159. Iohn 14. Pope cast into prison 159. Iohn 15. Pope murthered 159 Iohn Roughe minister and Martyr his story and martyrdome .2028.2029.2034.2030.2031 his letters 2030.2031 Iohn de Rupe Scissa a protestant his trouble and persecution for the truth 390 Iohannes Rochtailada martyr hys story 391. Iohn Ruse persecutor plagued by the hand of God 2109. Iohn Russell Lorde priuy seale Lieuetenaunt ouer the kynges armie in the West 1307.1308 Iohn Slade Martyr 804. Iohn Segouâ—â—s in the Counsell of Basill 670. Iohannes Seneca excoÌ„municate 317 Iohn Simson martyr hys storye and Martyrdome 1582.1583 Iohn Spicer martyr hys constancie at the stake 2144. Iohn Streete hys trouble 1473. Iohn Stilman Martyr .814 hys constant martyrdome 815. Ioane Sole Ioane Catmer martyrs theyr storyes 1850. Iohn Scriuener martyr 838. Iohn Stafford Archbish. of Canterbury .383 hys letter to kyng Edward .3 382. Iohn Tewkesbury a godly martyr his story .1024 hys abiuraration .1026 his martyrdome ibid. Iohn Tudson Martyr hys story .1844 his condemnation martirdome 1857.1858 Iohn Thurstane confessor 2000. Ioane Trunchfield her trouble for the Gospell .1704 her story and marâ—yrdome 1893. Iohn Tooly hys story and deathe digged out of hys graue processe agaynst him after hys deathe .1583.1584 burned 1585. Ioane Waste a blinde woman in Darby Martyr .1951 articles ministred to her .1952 her martyrdome 1952. Ioh. Webbe martyr hys story 1794 Iohn Went artificer his story ibid. coÌ„demned .1857 martyred 1858 Ioane Warren alias Lashforde mayd her story .1844 her condeÌ„nation and constant martyrdom 1857.1858 Ioh. Wade Ioane Laishfield martirs 1689.1702 Iohn Warne hys story and martirdome 1578.1579.1580 Iohn de Wesalis persecuted .724 his Articles .726 hys opinions 726. Iohn Waldon Priest hys trouble martyrdome 661. Iohn Wickliffe his story sent ambassadour by the king .423 hys blemishes .424 his conclusions to the Bishops .432 his expositions vppon the same .433 his epistle to Pope Urbanus 6.445 hys bookes and friendes .447 his bookes condeÌ„ned in the councell of constance .449.450 his defence by Iohn Hus .451 hys bones burnt after his death .463 his bookes burnt in Prage by Swinco 607. Iohn Whiteman shoomaker martyr hys lamentable story .2112.2113.2114 hys martyrdoÌ„ ibid. I P. Ipswich persecuted 2089.2090 I R. Ireland when and by whom conuerted to England 226.227 Ironsyde king of Englande .162 his intended battell with King Canutus Stayed by an Oration ibid. Ireneus made Minister and commended to Elutherius 50 Ireneus Bishop of Lyons martir 55 Irene the Empresse burned the deade bodye of Constantine her husbande and set vp Images at Constantinople 132 I S. Isakius enemy to english men 244 Isakius king of Cyprus yeldeth to king Richard 245 Ischirion Martyr his story 62 Isabell Queene Wife to king Edward .2 goeth into Fraunce returneth agayne with a great power taketh the king and setteth vp her sonne .370.371.372 she is found with child by Syr Roger Mortimer 376 Isabell Foster Martyr her story .1844 her condemnation .1857 her martyrdome 1858 Islington persecuted and 22. godly persons taken there in prayer 2037.2038 I T. Italian Martyrs 934 Ita missa est in the Masse 1404 Italy in the number of bishopricks surmounteth all other nations 680 Italian Priests of England spoiled of theyr corne 275 ItaliaÌ„s receiued greater reuenews out of England then the crowne it selfe 389.289 I V. Iustinus his history 37. Iustine proueth all kinde of Philosophy is miraculously conuerted by an old man is baptised with all his household writeth an Apology in defence of the christians 48.49.50 Iulianus Martyr his story 62 Iudgement how vsed in the primitiue church and the maner therof 1807 Iueson Martyr his story martirdome 1682.1683 Iulius Palmer a vertuous learned young man his story .1934 his education ibid. was once an enemy to the truth .1934 his coÌ„uersion .1935 persecuted .1936 reiected of his Mother ibid. betrayed and apprehended .1937 his first examination with articles obiected agaynst him .1937.1938 his 2. examination ibid. his condemnation and martirdome .1939.1940 his Epitaph ibid. Iulins Palmer thinketh it no hard matter to burne to a spirituall man that is able to
Cranmer archbishop of Cant. 1889.1890.1891.1892 Letter of Carolus Magnus to Offa for intreaty of peace 131. Letter of Fredericke the Emperor to all the world agaynst the Pope 306.307 Letters of Germanus Patriarche of Constantinople to the Pope and Cardinals 282.283 Letter of Hadrian to Minutius Fundanus for the staying of persecution 41. Letter of Hildebrand Pope against Priestes mariage 175. Letters of M. Hooper full of godly comfort and consolation 1482. Letters moe of M. Hooper Martyr 1512.1514.1515.1516 Letter of Hulderike to Pope Nicholas in defence of Priests mariage 137.138 Letters of Iohn Hus. 626.627.628.629.630 Letters of king Richard 2. agaynst Walter Brute 504. Letter vnder the kinges authoritie to represse the Romayne benefices in England 275. Letters of the king of Denmarke in the behalfe of M. Couerdale with Queene Maryes aunsweres 1529.1530 Letter of king Henry 3. hys Confessor declaring his acts and exploytes in Fraunce 385. Letter of the Pope for an Italian boy to be Prebende or Chanon with aunswere thereto by Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne 323.324 Letter of the Prisoners of Caunterbury throwne out of Prison declaring how the Papistes had and entended to famishe them to death 1954 Letter of the Lord Protector aunswering to Winchester 1344 1345 Letters of M. Saunders martyr 1500.1501.1052 Letter of the suffraganes of CauÌ„terbury to Becket with his answere to the same 218.219 Letter of Tonstall and Stokesley to Cardinall Poole 1065 Letter of the Ladye Uane to M. Philpot. 1828 Letters agaynst Wickliffe 435 Letter of Winchester in defence of Images with aunswere thereto 1340.1341 Letters of Winchester to the Lord Protector 1342.1343 Letter of Wolsy to Gardiner lieger at Rome to be made pope 990 Leuiticall Priestes deuided froÌ„ the people and wherein 496 Lewlinus king of Wales warreth agaynst the king of England 328 Lewes the french king warreth in Englande and is expelled out of the same .257 dieth at the siege of Auinion 271 Lewes the french king his feruent sickenesse .292 his vow to visite the holy lande his preparation to the voyage ibid. Leâ—â—r of Abingdon a Blasphemer of Gods Martyrs punished 2103 Lewes the french king refuseth to warre in England .289.389 his vnfortunate voyage to the holye Land .292 ouerthrowne by the Turkes and Saracens .276.296 295 taken prisoner and rouÌ„sommed ibid. Leison Doctor his dyrefull end 2136 L I. Liberality of ConstaÌ„tine in geuing to Churches 104 Liberty of the Citizens of London in going to warre 372 Libâ—rty christiaÌ„ in outward vsages 56 Licinius Emperour a tyrant an enemy to all learning an Apostata his horrible vices .87 his death 88 Licenses to preach 532 Lie substantiall and reall 2007 Liyng miracles reproued 156.125 Lies innumerable in the Popes Church 584 Life of the Monkes and religious men abhominable 1180 Life to come the blessed state therof 681 Life of Tho. Becket Archbishop of Caunterbury and Traytour 205.206 Limits of England how farre they extend 166 Lincolne persecuted 982.983.984 Lincolne Minster buâ—â—te 184 Lincolne Dioces persecuted described in a Table 821.822 Lineall discent of the B. of Rome 1758 Lion Cawche Martyr his story constaunt Martyrdome for the truth of Gods word 1914.1915 Listâ—r his story and martyrdome 1909 Lithall his story and deliueraunâ—â— 2064. Liuingus priest a maryed manne 1176. L O. Lollards as the papists call the true professors of the worde of God burned in the cheek for theyr coÌ„stancie in the truth 774. Lollardes Tower described 1703. Lollardes as the papistes called theÌ„ or rather good Christians burned and hanged 587. Lollardes what they are and from whence deriued 465. London consumed with fire .160 besieged by the Danes ibid. London bridge built with stone 233. Londoners defend theyr bishop and fall into a great fury 427. London persecuted 802.799 Lowicke martyr his godly story and martyrdome 1970. London persecuted for the 6. articles 1202. London and Westminster at varyaunce about game 279. Londoners theyr assaulte agaynst the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Percie 427. Londoners take part with Wickliffe and are great fauoures of hys doctrine .513 complayned of to the king by the Bishoppes ibid. Longland hys sermon on good friday before the king at Greenewiche .1097 hys filthy falshood and dissimulation ibid. Lomas Martyr hys story 1859. Lord Admirall beheaded on the tower hill 1367 Lord of Alenc a good man 944 Lordes of Bohemia writ in defeÌ„ce of Iohn Hus .602 his appreheÌ„sion and cruell martyrdome 643 Lord of Reuest plagued 2108 Lord Cobham his lamentable story and persecution .557 cited .558 excommunicate ibid. his christian beliefe .559 his 1· and 2. examinations His godly answeres 560.561.562 his condemnation .564 his counterfeit abiuration by the Papistes .565 his beliefe and coÌ„fession of his fayth .566 his defence agaynste Alanus Copus .568 proued no Traytour but a Godly Martyr .568.569 his slaunders .572 his inditement with notes vpon the same 575. Lord Courtney made earle of Deuonshyre 1417 Lord Dane or Lordane 161 Lord Peter his Oration agaynst the pope in the parliament in france 353.354 Lord Gilford Dudley maryed to the vertuous Lady Iane. 1406 Lord Gray beheaded 1469 Lord Hastings beheaded 727 Lord Lifley Deputy of Calice coÌ„mitted to the Tower 1227 Lord Powes betrayer of the good L. Cobham 643 Lordes prayer in English forbidde by the Papistes 973 Lord Shandois his report agaynst the good Lady Elizabeth 1425 Lord Stanley wounded 727. Lord Shefield slayne at Norwich 1308. Lord keeper hys Oration 2150.2151 Lord of Trinitie a wicked persecucutor 962. Loosing of Sathan examined 397. Loseby martyr his story and persecution .1974 hys martyrdome 1975.1976 Lothbroke father to Inguar and Hubba hys story 140. Loue commaunded in the Gospell 483. Loue of God goeth not by our deseruings but by fayth in Iesus Christ. 1927. L V. Lucius king hys death 107. Lucius Bishop of Rome banished hys Epistles decretall 67. Lurdayne 161 Lucius a worthy martyr 45. Lucius first christened king of Enland 107. Lucius sonne of Coilus king of Britayne bringeth the christian fayth into England 107.108 Lucius king hys death 118. Lucius 1. king of Britayne christined 172. Lucifers Epistle to the Popes Clergy 502. Ludouicus king of Hungary and Boheme 723. Ludouicus Emperour crowned agaynst the good will of the Pope and therefore deposed by Benedicte the 12. and afterwarde by him poisoned 373. Ludouicus Pius and hys sonne Lotharius Emperors their godly sanctions and lawes .8 deposed and poisoned by Pope Boniface .12 373 Ludouike the yong French kyng his story 255 Ludouicus Pius Emperour and kyng of Fraunce 136 Ludouicus Pius his decre against the profession of monkery 7. Luther his story and actes .841.843 why he wrote agaynst pardons .844 his appearance before the Cardinall Caieâ—anus .845.849 hys aunswers to the Cardinall .846 hys appeale and disputation with Eckius .847 his bookes burned .848.849 he burneth the Popes buls decrees ibid. hys actes before the Emperor at Wormes .849 hee is outlawed .853 why he permitted Images to stand and wherein he dissented
true obedience ibid. Obiection of a late English writer in defence of the Popes supremacie confuted 13 Obiections of the papistes agaynst the Protestantes refusing their religion answered 2.3 O C. Ockam of Windsor his knauery abhominable periury 1218 Octobonus the Popes Legate his conuocation at London 335 O D. Odo Archb. of Cant. 151. his lying miracles ibid. O. E. Oecolampadius his historye and death· 873 O F. Offa and Kenredus make themselues monkes at Rome 129 Offrings bestowed vpon harlots 1048 Offrings in the church 1404 Offices of the law and of the gospel compared 977 Offertorie of the Masse 1402 Office of a christian magistrate 8. Officials how inconuenient in the church their corruptions 86 Officers of the court temporal compared with the Officers of the court spirituall 19 Office of a kyng described 166 Office of the ecclesiasticall minister 8. Ofrike king of Denmarke ariueth in England 141 O L. Old man and new man what their continuall war together is 1655 Oliuer Chancellor punished for his cruelty to Gods saints 2112 O M. Omnipotencie of God denied by the brood of cursed Papists 1650 Omnipotencie of God how to bee vnderstood .1808 doth not prooue Christes body to bee really in the sacrament 1951 Omnipotencie of Christ proueth no reall presence in the Sacrament 1686 O P. Opus tripartitum a booke shewyng the enormities of the clergy 200 O R. Ordinances of Lent fast falsly ascribed to Telesphorus 53 Orders of priesthoode amongest the papists inuented by the Deuill 1105. Order defined 21 Orders religious described in a table 260 Order and disposing of this booke of Acts and Monuments 30 Orders of Iesuites examined 4 Order kept in the church what true order is 21 Orders made merchaundise by the Pope and Prelates 610 Order taken in the parliameÌ„t house for Queene Maries child 1480 Orders in the church which lawful 21 Ordo Cluniacensis beginneth 146. Orchanes the second Emperour of the Turkes how he came to hys Imperiall dignitie his story 7â—8 Organes in temples mans deuise .536 suspended for not ringyng of the bels 555 Organes in the church 1404 Orem his sermon before pope Urbane 5. 411.412.416 Ormes her story and martyrdome 2023 Origene kept from martyrdome by his mother .54 his great praises ibid. his scholers Martyrs .54 his fall and persecution hys repentance hys blemishes 60 Originall sinne how it remaineth in vs how taken away by Christ. 1995 Originall sinne originall iustice 26. Oriall colledge in Oxford built 374 Oration of the Lord Keeper 2150 2151 Oration of K. Henry 8. to the parliament house .1233 with notes thereof 1234 Oration of the Emperour to Iohn Hus. 608 Oration of Armachanus agaynste the Friers 410 Oration of the Lord Peter in the parliament of Fraunce with answere of the Prelates 353 Oration of Doctor Bassinet 946 OratioÌ„ of Boner in praise of priesthood 1426 Oration of Becket resigning hys Bishopricke to the Pope 213 Oration of the Earle of Arundel to the Pope 213 Oration of Queene Mary in guild Hall 1418 Oration of K. Edgar to the Clergy 169 Oration of the Bishop of Aix most cruell and bloudy 945 Oration of the souldiers to the Emperour 80 Oration of Iohn Hayles to queene Elizabeth at the beginning of her raigne 2115.2116.2117.2118 Oration of Peter de Uineis in the Emperors behalfe 306.307 Oration of M. Acworth Oratour of the Uniuersity of Cambridge at the restitution of Bucer and Paulus Phagius agayne 1964 1965.1966 Oration of K. Henry 8. his Embassadors before the Emperour in defence of the kinges mariage 1074 O S. Oswold a zelous king preached the Gospell to the people 114.121 Oswoldus Archbishop of Yorke a fauourer of Monkery 150 Oswold Martyr his story 1914 Osmond Martyr his story martyrdome 1602 Osborne Martyr his story ibid. Osbright his adultery 140 Oswine trayterously murthered 122 Os Porci the name of a porkish pope 140 O T. Othe of the Bishops of Englande agaynst the Pope 1057 Othe of Henry 4. Emperor to pope Hildebrand 180 Othe betwene the french king and king Richarde at theyr first going to holy land 242.251 Othe of the Clergy to the king 1053 Othes with theyr differences how lawful how not which be against charity which not 1608 Othes of Queene Mary sworne to the Pope and the realme contradictory 1891.1892 Othes how farre tollerable .1118 how farre lawfull 500 Othes of Byshops to the Pope 229.1053 Othe of the french king 362 Otho the firste Emperour of the Germains .149 deposed .264 set vp agayne ibid. Otho Cardinall the Popes Legatt pouleth England is reiected in Scotland 286 Otho Duke of Brunswicke and his wife theyr fidelity to the Emperour 314 Otho Cardinall his actes in England .265.266 kept out of Scotland and pouâ—eth England 286 Otho Byshop of Constance rebuked of the Pope for not displacing maried priestes 175 Otho Cardinall feared in Oxford 267 Oâ—tomannus his life and firste aduauncement 738 O W. Owle defacyng the Pope and hys Councell gathered together at Constance 592 O X. Oxford prouisions 329 Oxford scholers their skirmish amongst themselues 393 Oxford famous for sincere religion 526 Oxford Commissarie his iurisdicon ouer the assise of breade and ale 393 Oxford at variaunce with the vniuersitie of Cambridge 328 Oxford at variance with the towns men Scholers conquered the towne interdicted 393 Oxe gathered a christians body beyng slayne together amongst the Turks 758 O Y. Oyle and creame by whom it was first inuented and brought into the chucch of God 60.1405 P. A. PAcie Martyr his sto and martyrdome 989 Pacience commeÌ„ded 486 Packington the Bishop of Londons Merchaunt 1019 Palmer his story .1934 persecuted and apprehended .1937 his condemnation most glorious martyrdome 1939.1940 Palmes bearyng 1043 Paleologus Emperour of Constantinople excommunicate and why 351 Palestina not holy for Christ hys walkyng there 425 Pamphilius bish of Cesarea martyr 78 Panormitan in the councell of Basill 668.669 Pandolphus the Popes Legate made Bishop of Norwiche .255 his Epistle in commendation of Frederike .2 Emperour 316 Pandolph accursed King Iohn by the commaundement of his maister the Pope 252 Papa in olde tyme a common name to all bishoppes of higher knowledge and learnyng then others were 8.12 Papacy reduced from Fraunce to Rome 418 Papists their wretched ends 2114 Papists neuer afflicted deepely in conscience 20 Papistes vsurpe the name of the church that falsly .1806 haue all one manner of solution of all arguments namely fire fagot 1929.1930 Papists three executed for treason 1201 Papists and Protestants their disputation at Westminster 2120.2121.2122.2123.2124.2125 Papists stronge heretikes 1258 Papists periured 271 Papistes their tottering fayth .22 their erroures touchyng good workes ibid. Papistes in their decrees contrary to themselues 11 Paphnutius his defence of priestes and their mariages in the councell of Nice 1118 Pardons by Pope Boniface the 8. 342 Pardon of Queene Elizabeth to the Garnesey men that murthered the 3. blessed sayntes of God for the Gospell 1945.1946 Pardons of the pope blasphemous
and the law there end peruerted by the Papistes 25.26.27 Woorkes of manne vnperfecte .23 in what respect called good 26. Workes wich good in the Popes Churche 25. Word of God hath his authoritie of God not of the Churche 1824. is the foundation and pillar of the Churche and not the Churche of the word 1824.1825 Worlde committed as well to the rest of the Apostles as to Peter 15. Worshipping of sainctes and how 1108. Worshipping of Images disproued by Ridley 2128.2129.2130.2131 Worcester burnt 197.198 Wolsey Cardinall of Rome and Archbishop of Yorke his history .986 hys pryde and ambition 989.987· a great rayser of warres .987 conueyeth twelue score thousand poundes out of England .988 his ambicious letter to Gardiner to bee made Pope .990 his fall with the causes thereof .994 depriued of hys chancellership cast into a premunire and hys goodes confiscate .994 arested poisoned himselfe 996 Woman burned at Shipping Sad bery 775. Wolfangus Schuche his story and martyrdome 883. Wolferus first christened king of Mercia 122. Wolues first destroyed and driuen out of England 155.74 X I. XIstus 2. Bishoppe of Rome and Martyr with his sixe Deacons 71. Xistus Byshoppe of Rome .52 hys trifling ordinances ibid. Y E. YEoman martyr hys story persecution apprehension condemnation martyrdome 2045.2046 Yeare in olde time counted from Michaelmas to Michaelmas 368. Yeare of Iubiley reduced to the 50. yeare 374. Y O. Yong her troubles examination and deliueraunce 2065.2066.2067.2068.2069.2070 Yorke burned by the Danes .140 burned agayne with the minster also .171 Minster thereof built 172. Yorkeshyre men rebell .1308 suppressed and some executed 1309. Z E. ZEale without knowledge what it breedeth 1114 Zelinus 11. Emperour of the Turks made Emperoure without hys fathers will .745 and poysoneth hys father .746 his tyrannous raygne ibid. Zepherinus Byshoppe of Rome his ordinaunces suspected to bee falsified 56. Zenon martyr 62. Zenon a noble man of Rome with 10000. moe put to death for the truth 40. Zenokius Martyr 78. Z I. Zisca hys story .645 hee was a xi times victor in the field .648 his skiâ—ne made in a drumme .648 hys pollicies in warres .646.647 hys Oration to his souldiers .647 hys death and epitaph 648. Z V. Zuricke and Barne forsake theyr league with Fraunce 870. Zuinglius his lyfe and story .866 hys consent and difference with Luther in doctrine and opinions .848.863 hys comming to Tigury .848 slayne in Battayle 872. afterward burned 873. Zurickes law against filthy Adultery .869 reformeth Religion 867. FINIS ⧠The end of the Table ⧠Imprinted at London by Iohn Daye dwellyng ouer Aldersgate beneath S. Martins ⧠Cum Gratia Priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis An. Dom. 1583. ¶ The Description of Windsore Castle ⧠The condemning of Anthony Person Marbecke Testwood and Filmer with the burning of the sayd Person Testwood and Filmer vnder the Castle of Windsore here liuely described Read pag. 1219. Marbecke saued by the Kynges Pardon Robert Smith of London Martyr Robert Smith actiue in the art of paynting The first examination of Rob. Smith before B. Boner Confession not neede fall Reiectio criminis ingeniosa diuina The Sacrament of the Altar Boners argumeÌ„t to proue the Sacrament Steuen Harwod examined before the Bishop Robert Smith examined by the Bishop Where was the visible Church amongest the Protestants Where was the visible Church amongest the Apostles Here he would not aunswere me to the Church of Iury but flyeth to the 5. of Corinth How Boner layeth snares to catch the innocent The church of Christ is not vniuersally in one particular place Talke betweene Robert Smith and the Bishops Chapleyne Absurditye graunted by the Catholickes that the body of Christ goeth into the belly and â—o so into the draughte ComparisoÌ„ betweene the Iewes that spit in Christs face and Papists which let fall him into the draught Note this Catholicke doctrine which reâ—â—â—bleth the body of Christ to the incomprehensible 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 The questioÌ„ 〈…〉 what Christ is 〈◊〉 to doe 〈◊〉 the SacrameÌ„t but what â—e 〈…〉 Rob. Smith brought agayne before the Bishop and the Lord Mayor B. Boner excuseth himselfe of blouddines B. Boner pâ—â—ued to be cruell bloudy By this question it may appeare whether the B. sought bloud or no. The Papists deaâ— God hauing body without bloud Euen as the bread is the body so is the cup the bloud Rob. Smith commaunded of Boner into Limbo An other examination of R. Smith Boner beginneth with an vntruth The Church Auricular confession is but a pickepurse matter The inconueniences of auricular confession A false practise of a Priest vnder confession Example of terrible cruelty shewed vpon a poore innocent Anno 1555. August Syr Iohn Mordant Knight 2. Sacramentes Baptisme in what poyntes it is abused by the Catholickes This was spokeÌ„ more to confound the opinion of water then to let children to haue water The water of Baptisme a preacher and not a Sauiour The element of water in Baptisme bringeth not the holy Ghost The holy Ghost receaued of some before Baptisme The Sacrament of orders Boner shaueth himselfe in anger of Robert Smyth Holy bread Holy water Aâ—nnoynting Talke betwene Rob. Smyth and the Doctors Against auricular confession Confâ—ssing vnto â—ohn in the wilderneâ—â— was not to him but before him â—o God Anno 1555. Iuly The maruerlous boldenes of Robert Smith geueÌ„ him of God agaynst Christes enemyes The last examination of Robert Smith before B. Boner with his condeÌ„natâ—on in the Consistory Syr Iohn Mordant came in after this story was tolde The wordâ— of Robert Smith to the Lord Mayor Here my brother Tankerfield recited the story of my Lord Byshops Cooke Boner no Saint This Maior was Synâ—oh Lion Here my brother Tankerfield pulled out of his bosome a testament requiring iudgement by the same but it would not be heard This Sheriffe was M. Woodrofe Iustice required in the Bishops Consistory but could not be had A lawfull request not heard The Bishops sentence beginneth with a wrong name Where finde the Catholickes in the scripture to put any to death for their conscience sake Robert Smith wrongfully condemned by the Byshop The wordes of Robert Smith agayne to the Lord Mayor The godly behauiour of Robert Smith and his fellowe in pryson Prob 5. Esay 1. Sapien. 2. Genes 3. â— Peter 3. Sapien. 13. Iohn 7. 1. Corin. 2. 1. Tobi. 11. Iohn 9. Apoc. 14. Exoduâ— 22 Math. 15. Math. 25. 2 Cor 9. Luke 12. Iohn 1. 2. Cor. 6. Math. 7. Heb. 13. 〈◊〉 13. Math. 6. Math. 6. Prou. 4. Siâ—â—â— 30. Tobi. 3. 2. Pet. 3. This letter is thought of some to be M. Hoopers partly for that in one copy amongest diuers it is entitled vnto him and also by the phrase and maner of writing it may be well coniectured so to be Apo. 17. Psalâ— 115. Math. 7. Ephe. 2. 2. Tim. 2. Ephe. 6. Phil. 2. Heb. 12. Col. 1. Pet. 5. Apoc. 6. 1. Cor. 1. 1. Cor. 10 1. Pet 3. Luke
13. Act. 2. Psalme 51. 1. Reg 17. Psal. 6. 2. Cor. 6. Heb 8. Psalm 32. Psalm 117. Psalm 52. Psalm 65. Gene. 12. Psalm 33. Gene. 4. Gene. 21. Gene. 11. Phil. 3. Psalm â— 1. Corin. 3. Psalm 74. Iob. 5. Apoc. 12. Apo. 8. Psal. 145. 1. Corin. 6. 1. Cor. 8. Heb. 9. Actes 3. Heb. 1. 1. Pet. 3. Ephes. 1. Ephes. 2. Rom. 8. Ephes 2. 1. Iohn 2. Col. 1. 1 Cor. 2. Ephe. 2. 〈◊〉 2. Gala. 3. Act. 10. Luke 9. Iohn 14. Psal. 15. Ephe 4. Col. 5. Math. 10. Marke 8. Phil. 3. Luke 8.14 Romans 7. Ephe. 1. Gala. 4. Phi. 3. Heb. 6. 1. Cor. 2. Heb. 11. Phi. 3. Math. 3. Iohn 8. Psalm 34. Heb. 4. Iude. 1. Psalm 76. Math. 20. Luke 21. Math. 10. 1. Pet 2. Math. 10. Sapi. 3. Psalm 7. Exod. 13. Esd. 3 13. 2. Mach. 7. Iacob 4. 1. Peter 5. Apo. 9. Heb. 12. Iacob 2. 2. Cor. 12. Esdras 36. Romans 2. 1. Cor. 1. Luke 15. Ephes. 4. Osâ— 13. Rom. 12. Phil. 2. Luke 8. Marke 4. Psalme 8. Psalm 4. Ieremy 12. Ieremy 18. Math. 12. Iob. 12. Pro. 15.21 Psal. 24.30.78 Marke 6. Math. 10. Apo. 5. Iohn 16. The Martyrdome and comfortable death of Rob. Smith of Vxbridge An. 1555. August 8. A token of comfort and resurrection geuen by R. Smith at his Martirdome A letter of Robert Smith to his wyfe full of ghostly instruction Be good to thine enemy A double hedge to the tongue Cast out the moâ—e in thine owne eye first Coueâ— not to be rich Blessed be the mercifull An other letter of R. Smith to his wyfe Commendation of Peter the keeper An other letter of R. Smith to his wyfe Beholde here the CoÌ„munion of Saintes Anno 1555. August An other letter of Robert Smith to a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Steuen Harwood Thomas Fust Martyrs The aunsâ—ere of Thomas Fust to Byshop Boner The condeÌ„nation and Martyrdome of Steuen Harwood and Tho. Fust. Anno. 1555. August William Haile Martyr Thâ— Martyrdome of WilliaÌ„ Haile at Barnet about the ende of August Anno. 1555. Hailes wordes to the people Ex Regist. 3. Martyrs sickened in prison buryed in the fieldes George King Thomas Leyes Iohn Wade Martyrs The story of Ioane Layshford hereafter followeth among the Martyrs of the next yeare William Andrew buryed in the fieldes The L. Rich the first sender vp of W. Andrew A letter of Syr Richard Southwell to Bishop Boner W. Andrew twise before B. Boner W. Andrew through strayte handling dyed in Newgate W. Andrew buryed in the fieldes Mayster Foster Iustice persecutor of Christes people Robert Samuell in K. Edwardes dayes a godly Preacher Robert Samuell remoued from the ministery Robert Samuell woulde not consent to the wicked decree of Q. Mary to put away his wyfe Robert Samuell apprehended in his house by night Robert Samuell put in Ipswich Gayle Robert Samuell remoued to Norwich The cruelty of Dunninges the bloudy Chauncellour An other memorable 〈◊〉 of Samuell in prison Two godly 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Brueâ—â— wyfe the other a 〈◊〉 wâ—fe apprehended Eccle. 9. Eccle. 4. Esay 4. Complaynt agaynst England and that not vndeserued Math. 8. English people rightly resembled to the Gergesites Marke 5. Rom. 10. Aboundance of goodes is a thing perilous Gene. 19. Anno 1555. September Math. 19. Iob. 3. Esay 10 God hath alwayes a remnant whom he pullysheth with hard aduersaryes 1. Cor. 4. Two men in one God abhorreth Apoc. â—â— 1. Pet. 1. No true quietnes in Sathans seruice The miserable madnes of worldly men lamented 2 Câ—r 4. Iohn 1â— Transitory pleasures of this lyfe not to be passed vpon Psalm 58. Luke 16. Colos. 3. Heb. 13. Iohn 7. Ephes. 5. 1. Pet 4. Luke 14 2. Para 3. 2. Cor. 5. Ioyes layd vp in Christ to mans sense inestimable Samuell prophesieth of the destruction of the persecutâ—rs 1. Rev. 25. The bloud of Gods Martyrs preacheth with more fruite then did their mouthes Luke 1. God long looketh for repentance and we waxe worse and worse Esay 3. Wickednes of England declared Esay 3. England worthely rebuked Ieremy 5. He bewayleth the state of England Iohn ◠〈◊〉 to the aâ—flicted 〈◊〉 Math. 10. 〈◊〉 10. Christ himselfe suffereth in his members 〈◊〉 Esay 5. Ephe. 5. Gods promâ—se is immutable O mery last day â— Tim. 2. Christes Saintes be here in Butchers hands Psal. 16. Precious is the death of Goâ—s Saintes 2. Tim. â— An other letter of 〈…〉 3. Marke 8. One God Three persons Ephes. 1. Actes 17. Psalm 176. The 2. Article Heb. 1. No merites of saluation but onely in Christ. Esay 48.43 Gene. 1.22 Esay 53. Actes 10. Math. 8. The Catholick Church is the communion of Saintes Iohn 10.8 Galath 1. 1. Tim. 3. Remission of sinnes onely by the merites of Christ apprehended by fayth Confirmation of our resurrection Iohn 10. Iohn 1· Phil. 3. Iohn 12. 1. Cor. 15. Iohn 5. Rom 10. 〈◊〉 13. The â—â—ing of death pluckt out Hiâ— confession touching the Saâ—ramentes Sacramentes are confirmations of Goâ—s grace and acceptation â—he Sacrament oâ— Baptisme The Sacrament of the Lordes Supper Gods word to 〈◊〉 Gods word to the eye Actes 1.3 Christes body present in the Sacrament to our spirituall eyes How the body of Christ is spiritually to be 〈◊〉 Rom. 8. Heb. 9. Rom 5. Phil. 3. Iohn 6. Ephe. 5. Gala. 2 Marke â— W. Allen Martyr The Martyrdome of W. Allen at WalsinghaÌ„ Anno. 1555. September Roger Coo Martyr Talke betwene Roger Coo Hopton B. of Norwich Roger Coo to his accuser The Bishop of Rome The Sacrament of the Lordes Supper Daniell 9. * Well spoâ—en and lyke the Popes clarke The Martyrdâ—me of Roger Coo at Yexford Anno. 1555. September Tho. Cobbe of Hauerhill in Northfolke Martyr Examinatiâ—â—â— of Tho. Cobbe The reall presence of Christ only in heauen The Martyrdome of Thomas Cobbe at Thetford Anno. 1555. Septemb. Examinationâ— of these fiue Martyrs Examination aunsweres of Catmer Examination aunsweres of Streater Burward examined Brodbridge examined Thomas Tuttie examined with his aunswere to the same Thomas Hayward Iohn Goreway Martyrs The MartyrdoÌ„e of Thomas Hayward and Iohn Gâ—râ—way at Liâ—hfielâ— Anno. 1555. September The story of M. Robert Glouer Martyr and of M. Iohn Glouer his brother Iohn Glouer Robert Glouer William Glouer 2. godly brethren and zealous professors of the Gospell Touching further mention of 〈◊〉 Iohn Gloâ—â—◠〈◊〉 in the first edition The inward conflictes and exercises of M. Iohn Glouer Iohn Glouer a double Martyr A heauy Crosse of inward tormentes layd vpoÌ„ Iohn Glouer The first occasioÌ„ of Iohn Glouers inward afflictioÌ„ Heb. 7. No griefe lyke to the griefe of conscience Heb. 7. Christ a mercifull helper in temptation and hard distresses Iohn Glouer by the grace of Christ reâ—stored agayne to perfect tranquilitye The Mayor of Couentry sendeth a priuy watchword to Iohn Glouer M. Robert Glouer apprehended lying sicke in his chamber A letter of M. Robert Glouer to hâ—s wyfe certifâ—ing hâ—s troubles 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 apprehenâ—ion The worldly wantonâ—â—â—
commoÌ„ly of English women 〈◊〉 1. Tim. â— Ghosâ—â—ly 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 of â—â—ristian 〈◊〉 1. Peter 4. Iohn 12. 1. Cor. 1. Luke 17. Example of Lots wyfe Nothing vseâ— in Q. Maâ—yâ—s 〈…〉 The first note prouing the Church of the Papistes not to be the true Church 2. Note Iohn 10. 3. Note Actes 7. 4. Note to know the Church 5. Note Iohn 5 6. Note to know the Church Ephes. 5. Compare the proceedinges doinges of the Popes Church with the true members of Christs Church and you shall see what they are The Church of the valiant Papistes compared to Nemrod and why The Popes Church standeth all in lying and murdering 3. Reg. 18. Luke 9. The Popes Church vnder payne of damnation is to be auoyded Apoc. 2. Phil. 1. He exhorteth to be bolde in Christ. Math. 13. Worldly Christians resembled to Aesops Cocke Worldly allurements motions of drawing backe by Gods grace with standed Experience of the Lordes assistance in confirming his seruantes M. Glouer coÌ„mitted to the Iayle before any cause was declared Gods mighty consolation vpon Rob. Glouer in prison M. Glouer weepeth for ioy in prison M. Glouer couÌ„selled to put in bondes Rober Glouer refuseth to enter into bondes Worldly persuasions not receiued M. Glouer agâ—yne visited with Gods holy comfort M Glouer reasoning with himselfe M. Glouer taketh courage al 〈◊〉 and daungerâ— set aside M. Glouer resolued in himselfe to abyde the vttermost for the Gospells cause The Papistâ— proceede with M. Glouer agaynst the lawes of the realme Commaundement geuen to the Sumner agaynst Iohn Glouer and not agaynst Robert Glouer This Byshops name was Doct. Banes M. Warren of Couentry persecutor of Rob. Glouer A lesson for all persecutors Luke 16. R· Glouer brought before Banes B. of Lichfield and Couentrye M. Robert Glouer M. of Art in Cambridge R. Glouer charged for not comming to the Church The Bishop refuseth to be iudged by the primatiue Church Robert Glouer and his fellow prisoners remoued from Couentry to Lichfield in the face of the open market Iephcot the Chauncellours seruaunt Papistes keepe no promise Iephcot Persey cruell and straite agaynst M. Glouer Talke betweene M. Glouer and the Chancellor in prison * The Church geueth witnes which be the true bookes and writings of the Apostles as also the olde Sinagogue of the Iewes doth witnes which be the true bookes of the holy Prophetes yet it followeth not thereby that the Iewes haue authority ouer the Scripture The comforts sweete feelinges of M. Glouer in prison M. Glouer assaulted by the enemy in prison concerning vnworthynes Actes 24. Rom. 11. Rom. 4. Iohn 2. Gods election bound to no worthines or person Rom. 10. Psalme 145. It is no arrogaÌ„cye to presume vpon Gods promise Psalm 50. Robert Glouer replyeth against the tentation of the enemy in that he is a sinner M. Glouer brought agayne before the Bishop Reasoning betwene M. Glouer and the Byshop * The true Church is alwayes builded vp on the doctrine of the Apostles which though it appeare not alwaies alyke in outward â—â—ght the faulte is in the tyme not in the Church Tymes do alter and with the tymes the outward face of the Church may alter sometymes appearing more sometymes lesse sometymes very little sometymes nothing at all according as the persecution is Neuertheles the truth of the church abydeth alwayes one Neyther doth it goe by number of meÌ„ but by soundnes of truth Many agreeing in one may make an vnitye but the veritye of the word maketh the Church whether it be in few or in many The first question Power by Gods word in the ministery to remit sinnes 2. questioâ— 3. question Robert Glouer destitute foâ—â— tyme of the Lords comfort The Lord for a tyme may withdraw his comfortes but at leÌ„gth he visiteth his seruantâ— R. Glouer receaueth agayne coÌ„fort of the Lord. Cornelius Bongey Martyr Articles obiected to Cornelius Bongey Hâ—s Aunsweres to the articles Iohn Glouer William Glouer after their deaâ—h condemned and cast out for heretickes A new search made for Iohn Glouer The prouidence of God agayne in sauing Iohn Glouer Agnes Glouer wyfe to Iohn Glouer apprehended D. Dracot not suffering Iohn Glouer to be buryed in the Churchyearde Iohn Glouer after his death iudged of Doct. Dracot to be a damned soule Testimony of this story The maner of handling the body of WilliaÌ„ Glouer after his death Bernard a Popish Curate of Weme Iohn Thorlyne agaynst the burying of W. Glouers brother The letter of Raufe Bayne B. of Chester for the not burying of W. Glouers body The dead corpeâ— of W. Glouer dragged with horse into the field M. Edward Burton not suffered to be buryed in Christian buriall the same day when Q. Elizabeth was crowned Oliuer Richardine in Hartford West Martyr William Wolsey Robert Pigot Martyrs Richard Euerard extreame agaynst WilliaÌ„ Wolsey W. Wolsey commaunded to the Iayle D. Fuller Christopherson D. Yong come to conferre with Wolsey Wolsey putteth a question to the 〈…〉 D. Watsons booke of Sermons or Homelyes D. Fuller agayne resorteth to W. Wolsey The Chauncellour geâ—eth leaue to Wolsey to depart W. Wolsey layd in the Castle of Wisbich Rob. Pigot Painter presented for not coÌ„ming to the Chuâ—ch Talke betweene Syr Clement Higham Iudge and Rob. Pigot Rob. Pigot brought to the Iayle where W. Wolsey 〈◊〉 Anno 1555. October Wolsey and Pâ—got returned to Eley to prison Tho. Goodâ—â—â—e Biâ—â—hop of Eley The Bishops Câ—â—playne a FrenchmaÌ„ 〈◊〉 the prisoners in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Woâ—sey called to iudgment in the Bâ—shops 〈◊〉 Wolseys aunswere to Sâ—â—xton M. Christopherson writeth what he would haue Pâ—got conâ—â—â— of the â—acrâ—ment 〈◊〉 refuseth to 〈◊〉 to Christophersons 〈◊〉 M. Peacoke appoynted to preach at tâ—e burning of Wolsey and Pigot â— Wolsey 〈◊〉 himselfe to be â—ound in all pointes of the scripture belonging to his 〈…〉 The MartyrdoÌ„e of W. Wolsey and Rob. Pigot at Eley Anno 1555. Octob. 16. Bookes burned with Wolsey Pigot The natures of Wolsey and Pigot described The zelous spirite of William Wolsey W. Wolsey desirous of Martirdome Wolsey calleth the day of his Martirdome his glad day Thomas Hodilo Berebruer of Cambridge witnes of this story Richard Denton first conuerter of Wolsey Money sent by Wolsey to Denton Wolsey exhorting Richard Denton to persist in the truth Denton afraydâ— of burning Richard DentoÌ„ burned in his owne house which before would not burne for Christ. Anno. 1564. Aprill 18 Doct. Nicholas Ridley Martyr Nicholas Ridley borne in Noâ—thumberland Nicholas Ridley learned at Newcastle Nicholas Ridley mayster of Pembroke hall in Cambridge Nicholas Ridley made D. of Diuinitye Nicholas Ridley king Henryes Chapleine Nicholas Ridley made Bishop of Rochester Nicholas Ridley made Byshop of LondoÌ„ The fruitefull dilligence of B. Ridley in preaching Gods word B. Ridley of great memory and reading B· Ridley comely of proportion and complexion The fayre conditions of Byshop Ridley tender to his kinred yeâ— not otherwise then truth and right
No man so 〈◊〉 but he may learne The copy of Syr Edward BayntoÌ„s letter to M. Latimer These friendes of M. Bayâ—toÌ„ seeme to be some Popish Priestes and enemyes to the Gospell as Powell Wilson Sherwood Hubberdine c. The Papistes will not haue vnity disturbed Papistry coloured with authority of holy fathers M. BayntoÌ„ will follow the most number Note the proceedynge of the Popeâ— Church which would not haue the people certayne of Gods truth and religion Errour and false doctrine would fayne lye still in peace and noâ— be stirred Vnity in the Lord in Baptisme in fayth The Chayne of christen charity Answere of M. Latimer to M. BayntoÌ„s letter The Bee The Spinner Euery thing as it is taken Had I wist Example of a true diligent pastor M. Latimer vnfurnished with outward helpe M. Latimer blamed for saying he was sure of the truth which he preached As God alone knoweth all truth so some truth he reuealeth to be certaine to his seruauntes 〈◊〉 presumption in a Preacher being certayne of that which he Preacheth to shew it to the people Let not man Preach except that he be certayne of that which he preacheth Euery true christian ought to be certayne of his fayth The doubting doctrine of the Catholickes Argumentes Aunswere i. The 〈…〉 the most 〈◊〉 certayn◠〈◊〉 Certaâ—ne knowledge Clâ—are knowledge M. Latimer not 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 Which 〈…〉 had knowledg without any 〈…〉 while thâ—y knowing the will of God doe nothing theâ— after 1. 〈…〉 that alâ—o which he 〈…〉 as not to haue it And also seing it is true that Gods 〈…〉 will not dwell in a body subiect to sinne albeit he abound in carnall wisedome to much yet the same â—â—rnall and Philosophicall vnderstanding of Gods 〈◊〉 is not the wisedome of God which is hidde from the wiâ—e and iâ— reuealed to litle ones Euery Preacher ought to be suâ—e of the truth There be many truthes whereof a good man may well be ignoraunt There be many thinges in Scripture in the profundities whereof a man may wade to farre Agaynst preachers which take vpon theÌ„ to define great subtilties and highe matters in the Pulpit Vayne subtilties and questions to be declined Simple and playne preaching of faith and of the fruites thereof Foolishe humilitye A meane betweene to hie and to low Not euery thing wherâ—â—pon disseÌ„tion comâ—eth iâ— the 〈…〉 He 〈…〉 Pope and his Papists which 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 K. Henry and 〈◊〉 brâ—thers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be taken where 〈◊〉 is geuen The church of the Galathians Erasmus in 〈◊〉 epistle set before the Paraâ—â—rase in â—â— Cor. To pretend vnitye vnder the title of one Lord is not inough Chrisost. Hom. 49. in Mat. cap. 24. To be in vnity of fayth except the fayth be sound is not inough i. If we beleeue we shew the truth in working i. He that beleueth God attendeth to his commaundementes Hieron Tom. 5. in Hierem. Cap 26. How true preachers should order themselues when the wicked Priestes be against them Hieron Tom. 6. in Naum cap. 30. i. The people which before were brought a sleepe by their Maners must goe vp to the mountaynes not such mouÌ„taines which smoke when they are touched but to the mountaines of the old and new testament the Prophets Apostles and Euangelistes And when thou art occupyed with reading in those mountaines yf then thou find no instructors for the haruest is great and the workemen be few yet shall the diligent study of the people be flying to the mountaines and the slouthfulnes of the Maisters shal be rebuked i. Which witâ— mouth onely confesse Christ to come in flesh Naughty seruauntes not feeding but smitting their fellow seruauntes eating and drinking with the drunken which shall haue their portion with hypocrites i. Because they confesse Christ in flesh and naughty they are called because they deny him in their deedes not geuing meat in due season and excercising maistershippe ouer the flocke August in Ioan. Tract 3. Both Christians and Antichristians confesse the name of Christ. i. Let vs not stand vpon our talkes but attend to our doinges and conuersation of life whether we not onely do not put our indeuour thereto but also perswade our selues as though it were not necessary for vs to accomplish such thinges c. but that it is inough to beare rule and authoritye ouer them and to bestow our selues wholy vpon secular matters pleasures pompe of this world In the people is required a iudgmeÌ„t to discerne whether they tooke of their ministers chalke for cheese The blind eateth many a flye Intollerable secularitye and negligence in Churchmen Better is in the Church a deforme disagreement so that Christ be truely preached then vniforme ignorance agreeing in Idolatrye i. If ye loue me keepe my commaundementes i. He that knoweth my preceptes and doth them he loueth me The state of Curates what it is The true honour of Christ turned to Piping playing and Singing He that wilâ— be busie with Vâ— Vobis let him looke shortly for coraÌ„ nobis Iohannes do tuâ—â—e Cremata The Pope great Maister Lord and king ouer all the world i. He came into his owne and his owne receaued him not Iohn 1. The Popes dominion Purgatory Worshipping of Saintes i. I shall haue neede of great patience to beare the false reportes of the malignaÌ„t church A priuye nippe to such as haue many cures and are resident to none i. I must needes suffer and so enter so perilous a thing it is to liue vertuously in Christ. An other â—â—tter of M. â—aâ—imer to â— Henry August ad Caâ—ulaâ—uÌ„ Chrisost. M. Latimer tâ—uched in conscience 〈◊〉 write to the king 〈…〉 to truth Math. 23. The subtile wilines and practises of the prelats 〈…〉 2. 〈…〉 12. 1. 〈◊〉 2. 〈…〉 1. 〈◊〉 12. Math. 7. The rule of Christ. The pouerty of Christes life expressed The poore conâ—dition of Christs life is an example to vs to cast down our pride nor to set by riches It is not agaynst the pouertye of the spirite to be rich What is to be poore in spirite and what not Priuy enemyes to spirituall pouertye Against Monkes and Fryers and Prelates of the spiritualtye Math. 17. Subiection to superiour powers Ambition of the spiritualtye Math. 7. Math. 15. Christ promiseth no promotions but persecution to his followers Math. 1â— Iohn 16. Math. 10. Gods word only is the weapon of Spirituall Pastors The Apostles were persecuted but neuer no persecutors Phillip 1. Persecution a sure marke of true preaching The worde of the Crosse. Iohn 3. Crafty pretenses of the Prelates to stoppe the reading of holy Scripture Belly wisedome Perswation to let the Scripture to be read in Englishe Sinister counsell about Princes Wicked 〈…〉 his owne deâ—struction Vnder the 〈…〉 Christes Gospell Obiection preuented and aunswered The cause and causeâ—s of 〈◊〉 kinges Proclamation against â—he reading of Scripture booke in 〈◊〉 He meaneâ—h oâ— Cronmer Cromwell one or two moâ— agaynst whom the Bishop of Winchester his faction
and thing sigâ—â—â—fied Both the sigâ—â— and the thing signified in 〈◊〉 respectes 〈◊〉 the Sacrament Ye say ye seekâ— not his lyfe and yet ye 〈◊〉 to aunswere 〈◊〉 that ye aske 〈◊〉 be his death The protestatioÌ„ of Iohn Philpot before the Lordes Two thinge wherein the Clergy deceâ—ueth the whole realme The Papistes haue neytherâ— the Sacrament of the Lordes body nor the true Church Papistes vnto 〈◊〉 vsurpe the name of the Church M. Philpot offereth himselfe to stand against 10. of the best learned in the realme in proofe of his cause The Popes Catholickes when they haue no iust reason wherewith to perswade they fall to rating to charge men with stubbernes Psalme 8. Scriptures alledged How the letter killeth and whom 2. Cor 3. Iohn 6. 1. Cor. 6. 1. Cor. 2. M. Philpots request to the Lordes Iohn Philpot wil not be iudged by his aduersaryes but by the hearers so far as they shall iudge by Gods worde The true order of iudgement vsed in the primatiue Church B. Boner bewrayeth his owne ignoraunce B. Boner dare not fetch out his booke â— Boner â—â—â—â—pheth 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Iudge 〈…〉 law 〈…〉 the â—earing of 〈◊〉 oâ—â—â—â—wise 〈◊〉 â—greeâ—â—â—â— to the wordâ—s so 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 no power to â—dge the â—â—aning of Gods word â—â—â—trary to ◠〈◊〉 â—â—â—ection of the Lord 〈◊〉 why the wordes 〈◊〉 the scripâ—â—â— aâ—e not 〈◊〉 be taken â—his is my body Aunswere to B. Boners â—â—iâ—ction The place 〈…〉 â—he bread 〈◊〉 I will true is my 〈◊〉 c Aâ—nswere 〈◊〉 the Lord â—iches obâ—â—ction Papistes â—ater cosins â—â— the Capemaiâ—es 〈◊〉 hath neyther 〈…〉 150. B. Bonerâ— vnâ—euerent and blasphemous speaking of God The omnipotâ—â—cye pretended in vayne Christ in the Sacrament really present to the receauer What he calleth really B. Boner to weake for Iohn Philpot. The Lordes fall to drinking Lord Rich biddeth M. Philpot drinke Chadsey beginneth to dispute with M. Philpot. * 1. Vntruth * 2. Vntrth. 4. Vntruthes of Chadsey at onâ— clappe * 3. Vntruth * 4. Vntruth M. Philpot answereth D. Chadsey Iohn Philpot interrupted in his aunswere Prayse be to the Lord for so he hath Chadsey proueth the Sacrament by the 6. of Iohn * So is there twise Ego too and yet but one naturall body Iohn Philpot aunswereth with protestation A question of Iohn Philpot. Blasphemy to say that these wordes onely this is my body make a reall presence Cypri lib. â— Epistol 3. These wordes blesse take and eate be as substanciall pointes of the Sacrament as this is my body Hereof reade more in the examinations of M. Bradford M. Doctor taken with the maner The wâ—rds of Chrâ—â—â— this is 〈◊〉 body â—â—â—cept a 〈◊〉 speake 〈…〉 body Sacraments without their vse be no Sacramentes The Sacrament of the Lords body without receauing is no Sacrament As Baptisme â—â— no baptisme but to the child 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 and not 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 by so 〈◊〉 Sacrament of the body is no Sacrament but to them that worthely receaue My Lor◠〈◊〉 better 〈…〉 Capon 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Sacraâ—â—â—â— M. Philpot standeth vpon his conscience the feare of God B. Boner proceedeth Ex officio with Maister Philpot. 2. Vntruthes in the Bishops articles Iohn Philpot chalengeth the priuiledge of his ordinary ryght Spiritual things are not subiect to temporall powers and therefore the temporall commissioners had no power to remoue him into an other mans dioces A man is not baptised into his godfathers fayth nor his godmothers fayth but into the fayth of Christes church Iohn Philpot proueth his church to be from Christ. No rule better then Antiquity Vniuersalitie Vnitie to proue the true fayth Church of the Protestantes Because you dare not S. Cyprian meaneth euery church to haue his owne gouernour not all churches to be vnder one Cypri lib. 1. Epist. 3. The place of S. Ciprian explaned The Bishop of Rome no more head of the Church then the B. of LondoÌ„ Peter had no more authoritye ouer the church then euery one of the Apostles Peter beareth but a figure of the Church B. Boners diuinity lieth much in the ciuill lawe Cyprian The place of Cyprian expounded B. Boner goeth to the Parlament M. D. 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Peter 〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉 In Nice counsell 〈◊〉 B. o◠〈◊〉 was no 〈…〉 The scholer of Oxford shrinketh away The 〈◊〉 side notable to proue the Church to be the holy catholick church 3. Blind coniectâ—â—â— out of 〈◊〉 epistle of Austen to 〈◊〉 prouing the Sea of Rome to be supreaâ—e head The 〈…〉 Bishop from 〈…〉 tyme. The 〈…〉 may be cal The â—cope of S. Augustines argument is 〈…〉 the Church of Rome therfore 〈…〉 in the doctrine because it hath 〈…〉 Bishops from the Apostles but 〈…〉 Donatistes to be schismatickes 〈…〉 Churche of Rome continuing 〈…〉 the doctrine of the Apostles 〈◊〉 still succession of 〈◊〉 the Apostles tyme yet they 〈…〉 the vnitye of that Churche 〈…〉 other Churche of their owne The Argument is this 〈…〉 from that Churche which 〈◊〉 succession of Bishops 〈…〉 Apostles and keepeth the 〈◊〉 still in fayth and doctrine is 〈◊〉 the vnitye of the Churche and to 〈…〉 The Donatistes doe so from the Church 〈◊〉 hauing no iust cause of doctrine 〈◊〉 to doe 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 〈…〉 to their dinner afterward as they haue as iâ— they had eaten neuer a bit of meate before Iohn Philpot refuâ—eth to aunswerâ— but in open iudgement Iohn Philpot commaunâ—ed to be set in the stockes in the Colehouâ—e An other dayes talke of the Bishop with Iohn Philpot and other prisoners Iohn Philpot denyeth to come before the Bishop for feare of some priuy practise Iohn Philpot brought to the Bishop by violence Note here the iust dealinges of these Bishops This Bishop of Lincolne was D. White Iohn Philpot being Archdeacon excommunicated B. White for preaching falâ—ed doctrine Matter made of a knife sent to Iohn Philpot in a Pigs belly Articles agayne put to Iohn Philpot. B. Boner of mere power and authoritye pronounceth himselfe to be Philpots Ordinary False articles fayned aâ—aynst Iohn Philpot. B. Boner taken with an vntruth Other prisoners called in to beare witnes agaynst Iohn Philpot. The prisoners refuse to be sworne agaynst M. Philpot. B Boner agayne doth agaynst the lawe Note how the Bishops make Anabaptistes B. 〈◊〉 seeketh 〈◊〉 An other priuate talke or coÌ„ference betweene him and the Bishop B. Boner vewing his Colehouse He meaneth SteueÌ„ Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Good couÌ„sell geuen to B. Boner Iohn 〈…〉 a cloâ—e tower ioyning to Paules Church The 8. 〈◊〉 of â— Philpot. Articles 〈◊〉 Philpot 〈…〉 M. Philpot. B. Boner doth without order oâ— lawe The 9. examination of Iohn Philpot before the Bishop and his Chapleyns Iohn Philpot still standeth to his former plea to aunswere before his owne Ordinary Iohn Philpot will not heare his articles read Talke of the Sacrament This argument in the 2 figure concluding affâ—â—matiuely doth not holde by Logyke The Bishop being brought to a narrow straite
1â— 2. Cor. â— An other 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 16. Math. 26. Marke 24. Luke 22. 2. Cor. 11. No sacrifice of the Masse is to be made for sinne Heb. 9.10 Luke 11. Apocalip 18. Peter 4.3 Apocalip 23. An other letter of Thomas Whittell to a godly womaâ— To be strong agaynst Sathan and not to feare persecution Good counsell not to forsake the Lord for persecution The story of M. Bartlet Grene gentleman and Martyr Ianuary 27. Bartlet Grene student at Oxford M· Grene conuerted by the Lecture of Peter Martyr Iohn 4. M. Grene studeÌ„t in the Temple at London A good note or lesson for young Lawyers to marke and follow What leaude company doth i. Agreement of mindes ioyning in vnitye of fayth growing vp in charitye is true and stedfast amitye Farewell my Bartrame and remember me that euer we may be like together fare wel at Newgate Ianuary 20. An. 1556. Large 〈◊〉 offered 〈◊〉 M. 〈◊〉 by Doctâ—â— Bartlet 〈◊〉 returne to the Church of Rome Friendship betweene Christopher Goodman and M. Grene. Occasion of apprehending of M. Grene came by letters intercepted M. Grene examined by the counsell of his fayth Iohn Bourne a stirrer of persecution A letter from thâ— Counseâ—l to Boner Post script M Grene presented before B. Boner M. d ee was â—et vnder band of recognisance for the good â—â—earing sorth comming till Christmas next after M. Grene committed 〈◊〉 to the Fleete and vpon what occasion D. Chadsey witnesseth agaynst M. Grene. Talke betweene M. Grene and the Commissioners Perswasion of M. Welch to M. Grene. Aunswere of M. Grene to M. Welche Modestye of M. Grene. Rom. 9. The spirite of God addicted neyther to person nor place The end of all controuersies is to know the true Church Markes of the true Church * By this instrument he meaneth Peter Martyr M. Grene seeking his knowledge of God with teares M. Welche replyeth to M. Grene. * Where Philpot was he meaneth to whom he wrote this letter Friendly entertaynment of M. Grene in Bishop Boners house for a time M. Grene had in priuate examination before the Bishop M. Grene vrged with the literall sense of the wordes this is my body Causes mouing M. Grene from the literall sense of the woedes aforesayd Argument Why the words of Christ of his body must be taken Spiritually Argument Reasons mouing M. Grene to take the wordes Spiritually not literally The last exâ—aminatioÌ„ of M. Grene. A draught of Mayster Grenes confession gathered by the Bishops Register Ex Regist. Transubstantiatioâ— denyed M. Grene refusing to heare massâ— Sacrifice of the Masse not maintaynable by Gods word M. Grene agaynst the Sacrament of the Altar Auricular confession refused M. Grene 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 â—rought 〈◊〉 the CoÌ„sistory â— Articles 〈…〉 M. Grene. M. Grene 〈…〉 Doctors 〈◊〉 with â—ifferent â—â—â—gement 〈◊〉 more agaynst the Papistes 〈◊〉 with them Chrisost. Ad popul Aâ—tioch * 〈…〉 vp 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 behind him but Christ aâ—cending 〈◊〉 â—ooke 〈◊〉 and also 〈…〉 him Chrisost. in 1. Cor. 10. 〈◊〉 not the 〈◊〉 which we 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the Lordes body M. Grene 〈◊〉 a ranke Papist 〈◊〉 report of Peter Martyr Peter Martyr first 〈◊〉 froÌ„ Popery to the truth iâ— prayer and reading 〈◊〉 Doctors One holy Catholicke church True markes of the Church Disagreement noted amongest piofessors of the Gospell by Fecknam The Gospellers in words seeme to discent but in effect do agreeâ— with the worâ— Boner forbiddeth M. Grene to be called Maister Note the blind ignorance of Pendleton as though the kingdome of Christ was not gotten at the death of Christ. This Bishop belyke was the Bishop of Winchester In the old time excommunicatioÌ„ was the greatest penalty in matters of fayth and conscience Sentence geuen agaynst M. Grene. The wordes of M. Grene to his friendes by the way going to Newgate Verses of M. Grene written in his friendes booke The singular modesty and humble nature of M. Grene. The 〈◊〉 nature of M. Grene. A letter of M. Bartlet Grene to certayne of his louing friendes in the Temple What true frendship is True frendship is not measured by distance of place or of personâ— Loue onely coupleth together All other thinges fayle loue onely indureth for euer Loue vnfained neuer endeth The sute of M. Grene for the sauing of certayne poorâ— prisoners in Newgate An other letter of 〈…〉 to Miâ—tres Elizabeth Clarke 1. Tim. 5. â— Cor. 5. 1. Tim. 5. Psalm 3◠〈◊〉 2. Iudith 8. Ephesian 6. 1. Tim. 5. 1. Reg. 2. 1. Reg. 15. 1. Reg 8. â— Reg. 13. â— Reg. 1. â— Maâ—h 7. 1. Tim. 5. The office 〈◊〉 exercise of christen widowes 〈◊〉 the primâ—tiue Church * S. Ambrose tooke from the church gaue to the poore we take from the poore their tithes and improperations giue them to Churches and ministers where is nothing but singing and idlenes An other certayne writing of M. Bartlet Grene. A commendatioÌ„ of Lawyers Ex Regist. Tho. Browne Martyr Ianuary 27. Tho. Browne presented by the Constable of S. Brides Browne kneeleth among the trees at the Masse tyme. B. Boners words to Tho. Browne B. Boner charged to be a bloudsucker The aunswere of Thomas Browne to Bishop Boner Sentence read against Thomas Browne Iohn Tudson Martyr Ianuary 27. Of these articles read before pag. 215. The constant persisting of Iohn Tudson Sentence read against Iohn Tudson Iohn· Went Martyr Ianuary 27. Iohn Went withstandeth the Bishops perswasioÌ„s Iohn Went coÌ„demned Isabel Foster Martyr Ianuary 27. Isabell Foster constaÌ„t in confessing Christes Gospell The wordes of Isabell Foster of her last examination Isabell Foster condemned Ioane Lashford alias Ioane Warne Martyr Ianuary 27. The confession of Ioane Lashford before the Bishop Superfluous and Popish Ceremonyes The worthy constancye of a mayde The wordes of Ioane Lashford at her last examination The Sentence and condemnation of Ioane Lashford Ianuary 27. 〈◊〉 31. 4. Women and one man Martir Iohn Lomas Martyr The aunswere of Iohn Lomas at his examination The Sacrament of the Altar denyed Realty of Christ neyther vnder forme nor tressel Sentence against Iohn Lomas Ianuary 31. Confession auricular refused The Sacrament how to be receaued Penaunce is denyed to be a Sacrament Agnes Snoth condemned and committed to the secular power Anne Albright Martyr Auricular confession The wordes of Anne Albright to the Priestes Anne Albright denyeth the Sacrament of the Altar Condemnation of Anne Albright Ianuary 18. Ioane Sole Martyr Ionuary 31. Condemnation of Ioane Sole Ianuary 18. Ioâ—â—e Catmer martyr Ianuary 31. Persecutoâ—â— March 21. Thomas Cranmer Archb. of Canterbury and Martyr Thomas Cranmer a gentleman borne Of this Campeius and discourse of his legacy read before pag. 1049. Stephen Gardiner Doct. Foxe chiefe stirrers of the kinges diuorce D. Stephens D. Foxe D. Cranmer conferring together in the kinges cause D. Cranmers aunswere in the question of the kinges diuorce D. Cranmers deuise well liked of The king troubled about the diuorce D. Cranmers deuise reported
world Exhortation to obedience Exhortation to brotherly loue Exhortation to rich men of this world mouing them to charitable almes Luke 18. 1. Iohn 3. The Archb. declareth the true confession of his fayth without all colour or dissembling The Archb. rereuoketh his former recantation and repenteth the same The Archb. refuseth the Pope as Christes enemy and Antichrist The Archb. stâ—â—deth to his booke written agaynst Winchester 〈…〉 Papists â—â—ceaued The Papists in a great chase agaynst the Archb. Cranmers aunswere to the Papists Cranmer pulled downe froÌ„ the stage Cranmer led to the fire â— Ely 〈◊〉 to 〈…〉 to the Archbishop The Archâ—â—â—â—op tyed 〈…〉 stake Cranmer â—â—tteth his 〈◊〉 hand wâ—ich subscribed first 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 The last wordes of Cranmeâ— at 〈◊〉 death The Fryers lying report of Cranmer Archb. Cranmer the middle Martyr of all the Martyrs burnt in Q Maryes tyme. A writâ—ng or letter of the Archb. sent to Queene Mary The king and Queene make themselues no better then subiectes complayning of their owne subiect vnto the Pope The first cause why the Archb. would not make aunswere to the Popes delegate is to auoyd periury The second cause is that the Popes lawes are contrary to the Crowne and lawes of England The othe of the King Iustices and the duety of Subiectes Dist. 10. Constitutiones Extran De Sentâ—â—ti et reindit Nouerit The Popes lawes and the lawes of England do vary how and whereiâ— Cases wherin the popes lawes repugne agaynst our lawes Prouision agaynst the popes lawes by Premunire The prouiso of the Pope agaynst our Premunire Marke this well * The Clergyes duety in the Parlament The Clergy of England more addicted to the Pope then to their true alleageance to their Countrey The Pope commaundeth both agaynst God naturall reason The SacrameÌ„t ought to be receaued in both kindes of all Christians Ex Theophilo Alexandrino The excuse of the Papistes why they take away the cup. Misorder in the Pope in assoyling the disobedieÌ„ce of Subiects toward their Princes Note the saying of Gregory The deuill and the Pope are lyke Emperours and kinges made the Popes footmen The Pope is Antichrist that is Christes enemy True markes proâ—iâ—g that the Pope is Antichrist Note this conclusion The cause why the Archb. spake and wrote thus Math. 10. The Sacrament A double error of 〈◊〉 Papistâ—s in the 〈◊〉 of the sacrâ—meÌ„t Cranmer 〈◊〉 to the iuâ—ged by the old Church The Papistes not able to bring forth one olde author aboue a thousand yeares to make with the Sacrament With the substance the vse also changed of the Sacrament The Papists make Christ 2. bodyes Neyther truth nor comfort in the Popes doctrine of the Sacrament Marke the errours of the Papists in their doctrine of the Sacrament The Protestantes doctrine of the Sacrament more comfortable then the doctrine of the Papistes An other respecte why the Archb. refused B. Brookes to be his iudge Double periury in B. Brookes A peece of an other letter to the Queene Contradiction in the Queenes othes sworne both to the Realme to the Pope in one day This Constantinus was Stephen Gardiner as constant in deede as a Wethercocke who thus named himselfe writing agaynst this good Archbish. An other letter of the Archb. to Mistres Wilkinson Math 3. Iohn 4. Math. 5. 2. Cor. 12. A letter written to D. Cranmer his felloweâ— by D. Taylour Many professe God ad ignem exclusiue that is in wordes outward profession but few sticke to him ad ignem inclusiuè that is in deede and in suffering for his sake Agnes Potten Ioane Trunchfield Martyrs The opinions of these two Matrons and Martyrs The streÌ„gth of God in weake vessels The burning of Agnes Potten reuealed to her before in her sleepe â—he story 〈◊〉 Iohn Maundrell Mâ—â—ndrell â—â—â—rted 〈◊〉 Tinâ—â—â—l Testament Mâ—â—ndrell 〈…〉 and â—â—arer of Gods word Maâ—ndrell 〈◊〉 for speaking agaynst holy bread and holy water Maundrell 〈◊〉 to open 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Henryes â—â—yes Maundrell 〈◊〉 and Coberley 〈…〉 Maundrell Spicer Coberly seÌ„t to Salisbury D. Capon B. of Salisbury Confession of their beliefe Sacrament of the Aultar Agaynst the Popes supremacye Christ onely Supreame head of his Church vnder him euery Prince in his own dominion Purgatory Images Sentence read agaynst these 3. Martyrs March 23. Maundrell Spicer Coberly brought to the place of Martyrdome The wordes of Maundrell Alice Coberley being indurance how she was brought by the keepers to reuoke Aprill 14. 6. Martyrs burnt in Smithfield at one stake These Martyrs were sent vp by the Lord Rich by M. Tyrrell and others A supplication to the Lord Chauncellour Names subscribed to the supplication Richard Spurge examined The Parson of Bocking accuser For not coÌ„ming to the Popish Church Thomâ—â— Spurge â—â—â—â—mined Not coâ—ming 〈◊〉 Church why Sacramâ—â—â— of the 〈◊〉 George Ambrose examined Iohn Caâ—â—ll examined The causâ—â— why Iohn Cauell came not to Church The Parson of Bocking false and contrary to his owne doctrine Robert Drakes Parson of Thundersley examined Drakes placed in the benefice of Thundersley by the Lord Rich. The first occasion of taking W. Tyme M. Tyrrell offended with Sermons preached in his woodes 〈◊〉 Gye 〈◊〉 Tyrrell◠〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 man Talke betweene the Bishop of Winchester and W. Tyms These 5. Martyrs were R. Drakes Tho. Spurge Richard Spurge Cauell Ambrose Their examinations before the B. of London Sacrament of the Aultar March 2â— Drakes and W. Tyms with the rest agayne exmined March 2â— B. Boners wordes to W. Tyms Math. 18. 1. Tym. 5. The aunswere of W. Tyms to B. Boner B. Boners wordes One of the prisoners aunswereth to B. Boner W. Tyms agayne aunswereth B. Boner charged with periury and inconstancye Boners preface to Winchesters booke De obedientia B. Boner excuseth himselfe by feare Tyms agayne replyeth to the Bishop An hunters parable against W. Tyms wisely applyed The answere 〈◊〉 Tym◠〈…〉 B. Boners reason Robert Drakes answereth Boner replyeth Tyms â—â—swereâ—â— to Boner Boner denying the principleâ— of diuinitye Esay 59. B. Boner calleth for more helpâ— D. Pendleton studieth for talke Articles aunswered by William Tyms His baptisme by his godfathers Onely â— Sacraments The true visible Church Winchesters booke De obedientia The Masse blasphemous Sacrament of the Altar an Idoll The Popes Church The Sea of 〈◊〉 the Sea of 〈◊〉 Sentence 〈◊〉 against W. Tyms The aunâ—were of R. Draâ—â—â— Sentence geuen against 〈◊〉 The aunswâ—re of T. Spurge Sentence 〈◊〉 agaynâ—t Tho. Spurge R. Spurge 〈◊〉 Ambrose A letter of W. Tyms to Agnes Gâ—ascocke An other letter of Will Tyms to Mistres Glascocke An other letter of W. Tyms to certayne godly women of his Parish Anno 1556. March An other letter of Will Tyms to his friendes in Hocley An other letter of W. Tyms to the faythfull brethren in his parish A letter of W. Tyms to his sisters in the Lord Colfoxe Glascocke 1. Pet. 5. 1. Pet. 4. Rom. 1â— Stephen for the same Gospell put to death
the Sea The summe of his money cast into the Sea restored him agayne An other 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 Seas 〈…〉 vpon a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 â—hippe 〈◊〉 dayes 〈◊〉 two 〈◊〉 in the Sea May. 31. 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 Beâ—ch 〈…〉 in 〈…〉 〈◊〉 6. â— Martyrs 〈…〉 Eâ— Regist. Aâ—â—swere 〈◊〉 Thomas â—arland Aunswere of Iohn Oswald Iune 23. 2. Martyrs burnt at Lewes Iune 23. William Adhâ—rall Iune 25. Iohn Clement Iune 26. A marchaunteâ— seruaunt Iune 27.13 Martyrs suffering at Stratford the Bowe Aunswere to their articles Aunswere to the 2. article Aunswere to the 3 article Aunswere to the 4. article Aunswere to the .5 article Aunswere to â—he 6. article Aunswere to the 7. Article To the 8. article heir answeares To the 9. article their aunsweres Henry 〈◊〉 W. Hallâ—â—well Rafe Iackson Laurence Pernam Iohn Derisall Edmund Hurst Thomas Bowyer George Searles Lion Cauch Henry Adlington Anno 1556. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Ex Regist. A letter or Apologye of the Martyr purging themselues of the false sclaunder of M. Fecknam Vniforme agrement in ther fayth The profession of their Baptisme Sacramentes of the Church The visible Church The Sea of Rome The Masse Transubstantiation denyed 13. of these were Martyrs as is before sayd Iune 14. Rafe Bane B. of Couentrye and Lichfield a cruell persecuter Marying in Lent punished Iune 26. Thomas Iohnson for swearing by the holy Masse did pennauce Thomas Flyer slayne in Gods quarrell Iune 27. Thomas Parret Iune 26. Martyn Hunt Iohn Norice Confessours Iune 30. Roger Bernard Martyr Roger Bernard refuseth auricular confession Note the Catholicke charitye of this prelate An other examinatioÌ„ of Roger Bernard One of the Garde taketh Bernard to schoole A wholesome company of Caterpillers Roger Bernard condeÌ„ned by the Bishop of Norwich Bernard taken by Tamages men Iune 30. Adam Foster Martyr George Reuet Thomas Mouse Syr Iohn Tyrrell persecutors Gods stroke vpon wilful persecutors A youngâ— man 〈…〉 Clarke agaynst his conscience Anno 1556. Iuly 〈…〉 straunge token 〈◊〉 dyed 〈◊〉 strange 〈◊〉 The Lordes 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Martyr Robert Kereth a persecutor 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 Bernard Adam Foster Robert Lawson at Bâ—ry Anno 1â—â—6 Iune â—◠〈◊〉 examiâ—â—â—ion of 〈…〉 before â— Parker 〈◊〉 M. Foâ—â—er The Sacrament of the Aultar M. Foster threatneth Iohn Fortune to be whipped Psal. 49. The Pope likened to a Belwether or a Master Bee Poysoned Popes Ceremonyes of the Church Math. 15. Gal. 4. Math. 15. It is pitty that popish prelates cannot lye An other examination of Iohn Fortune Sacrament of the Aultarr Catholicke prelates obsequious to higher powers so long as they make for their dignity but when they do otherwise then they excommunicate them Heb. 10. Dan. 11. Other talke betweene Iohn Fortune and the B. of Norwich Iohn 6. The B. of Norwich charged with periâ—ry The death of Iohn Fortune Iuly 1. The death of Iohn Careles prisoner in the Kinges Bench. Iohn Careles examined before D. Martyn The effect of Iohn Careles examination How Iohn Careles was brought to the Kinges Bench. Iohn Careles examineâ— vpon predestinatâ—â—n Doct. Marâ—â—â— declareth his Commission Why Doct. Martyn woulde not 〈…〉 the Sacrament Careles opinion of Gods election Doctour Martyn 〈◊〉 Careles iudgement of Godâ— election A wrong fayth of Predestination beleeâ—â—ng to be elected in respect of good 〈◊〉 D. Martyn pretendeth fauor to Careles More variety in the Popes 〈◊〉 Church then is amongest the Protestantes Doctour Martin taketh his leaue gently of Careles Iohn Careles dyed in prison and was buryed in the fieldes A letter of Iohn Careles to M. Philpot. 1. Reg. 1. Iohn Careles raysed vp by the Lord out of great heauines This comfort receaued of M. Philpot read in M. Philpots letters pag. 1726. Ierem. 10. Ierem. 26. Ierem. 1. Ierem. 1â— Math. 7. The circumspect behauiour of M. Philpot Iohn Careles aduise to M. Philpot Psal. 68. I. Careles care turned into ioy Gods gracious worke through M. Philpots letter Iohn Careles drunken with ioy of the spirite 2. Reg. 6. Careles accused to the Councell by certayne backe friendes in Couentrye Note how comfortably the Lord worketh in 〈◊〉 prisoned Saintes Gods prouidence towad his people An other 〈◊〉 of Iohn Careâ—â—â— to his wyfe Here is a 〈◊〉 marke 〈…〉 Chriâ—â—â—an forsaâ—iâ—g wyfe 〈◊〉 childreÌ„ 〈◊〉 Christes 〈◊〉 Math. 10. Good counâ—â—â—â— geuen 〈…〉 wyfe 〈…〉 to 〈◊〉 vpon 〈◊〉 Lord. The 〈◊〉 duety 〈◊〉 â—ringing 〈…〉 chilâ—â—en A sweete letter of Iohn Careles to M. Bradford a little before his Martirdome He mourneth for the losse and lacke of M. Bradford in the Church He reioyceth for the honour of M. Bradfords Martyrdome Iohn Careles taketh his leaâ—e of M. Bradford Testimony of Gods spirite Iohn Careles doth Gods message to Master Bradford Power and practise of the keyes of the Gospell A comfortable letter of M. Bradford to Iohn Careles Practise of the keyes of the Gospell An other letter of Iohn Carles to the constant brethren in Newgate condemned Example of true loue charitye among the Martyrs The enemyes not able to withstand the wisedome of God in his Saintes but compelled to bydde them hold their peace Iohn Careles longeth to dye a Martyr in the Gospells causâ— Of the Martyrs 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Tyms read before pag 1895. 〈…〉 both the Spurges 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 pag. â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—19 Psal. 103. Triumph of Martyrs Gen. 3. Apoc. 11. An other letter of Iohn Careless wherein he doth animate Grene Whittell and the rest of that company vnto their Martyrdome Apoc 11. To dye in the Lord and for the Lord. Of this Barthelet Grene read before pag. 1846. Luke 12. Of this Thomas Whittell read before pag. 1833. Luke 21. Apoc. 16. Of Ioane Warner read before pag. 1850. He meaneth Elizabeth Foster pag. 1750. Math. 25. Iohn 5. B. Boner called the slaughter slaue of England Psal. 60. 4. Reg. 2. An other letter of Iohn Careles priuately written to his bâ—dfellow W. Tyms Gods children neuer tempted aboue their strength He confirmeth W. Tyms being condemned to the day of his Martyrdome It is the nature of Gods children to be tempted Math. 4. Sathans tempting tooles 2. Cor. 2. Two principal pelletâ— of Sathan whereby he assaulteth Gods seruauntes 1. Feare of sinne and death and infâ—delity of Gods 〈◊〉 Remedy agaynst feare and infideâ—â—tye Anno 1556. Iuly The second 〈…〉 Remedy agaynst the â— Peller Eâ—ay 64. An other 〈◊〉 of Iohn Careâ—â—â— to M. Coâ—ton a faythfull 〈◊〉 and fauourer of the Gospel Gods great 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Note how God sometyme geueth comfort by weaker vessels Iohn Careles nothing touched with feare of death or of the fire but onely of his sinnes An other letter of Iohn Careles wherein he comforteth the afflicted minde of a certayne good brother mourning for lacke of Gods feeling Psalm 57. Psalm 45. Comfort for a sicke conscience Math. 9. Psalm 42. Gods loue goeth not by our deseruinges but by fayth in Iesus Christ onely is the cause why his father loueth vs. Why God somtyme hydeth himselfe from vs. Heb. 12. Eccle.
Mary agaynst the poore seruauntes and members of Christ. Persecutors The meaning of the Gospellers falsely reported and sclauÌ„dered What watch is here to keepe downe Christ but yet he will ryse Anno 1557. Aprill Enormities or misbehauiours Not comming to the Church seruice Heretickes to be committed to their Ordinary Vacaboundes or maisterles men Decay of Churches and Chappell 's Prisoning of the obstinate Persecution about Colchester 22. For Gods word apprehended The aray order of these 22. prisoners comming vp to London Lorde of Oxford L. Darcy H. Tyrrell Anthony Browne William Bendelowes Edmund Tyrrell Richard Weston Roger Appleton Iohn Kingstone Commissarye persecutors Maister Browne a hoate and hasty Iustice in persecuting Gods people Anno 1557. March Indenture betweene the Iustices and Boners Commissary for receâ—uing of prisoners The names of Christes prisoners persecuted The names of the persecutors B. Boners letter to Cardinall Poole concerning the 22. prisoners aforesayd The maner how these 22. prisoners were brought vp from Colchester to London by 3. keepers B. Boners crueltye somewhat stayed by the Cardinall Cardinall Poole a Papist but no bloudy Papist Card Poole halfe suspected for a Lutheran at Rome Their opinion and iudgement of the Lords Supper Christes language to speake in parables The cause why the bread and cup waâ— geuen in the Supper Anno 1556. Aprill How the Scriptures ought to be examined Idolatry in worshipping the Sacramentall bread and wyne A letter or 〈◊〉 of the prisoners to the Iudges Aprill 12. 5. Martyrs Touching these articles read before pag. 1672. Their answeres to the articles Two SacrameÌ„ts onely Crafty dealing of the Papistes Simple ignoraunce deceiued Anno 1557. Aprill They which separate themselues from certayne trashe â—rought into the Church do not seperate themselues froÌ„ the Church Other new articles propounded to them by B. Boner Masse and 7. Sacramentes English seruice Comming to Church Ashes Palmes Creeping to the Crosse Holy bread Holy water c. Confession Absolute necessitye Christening of infantes Praying for the dead Mâ—â—tyrs that suffered Fasting dayes SacrameÌ„t of the Aultar Taking of an oth Their aunsweres to the articles before obiected True fasting Thomas Losebyes wordes to the Bishop Thomas Thyrtells wordes to Boner Henry Ramseys wordes to Boner Margaret Hydes wordes to Boner Agnes Stanleys wordes to Boner Losebyes wordes to the Byshop Sentence geuen agaynst Loseby Anno 1557. Maye The wordes of Margaret Hyde to the â—â—â—hop Sentence 〈◊〉 agaâ—nst Margaret Hâ—de The wordes Agnes 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Bishop The wordes 〈◊〉 Thomas Thâ—rtell to the Bishop Thâ—mas Thâ—rtell â—â—â—demned Tâ—e aunâ—were and 〈◊〉 HeÌ„â—â— Ramsey Maye W. Morant Stephen Gratwicke One King Martyrs The straunge dealing of the Byshops with Stephen Gratwicke Martyr The vnordinate handling of Stephen Gratwicke written and testified by his owne recorde The story and examination of Stephen Gratwicke Martyr vnder the B. of Winchester Rochester c. Stephen Gratwicke appealeth from the B. of Winchester to his owne Ordinary The Byshop of Rochester commeth in Catholicke conueyance among these Bishops Stephen Gratwicke not of Rochester Dioces Anno 1557. February· The Byshops counterfayte a false Ordinary against Stephen Gratwicke See what care these men haue of poore mens bloud Here commeth in the vice in the play Christ bringing the truth could not be heard of the Scribes and Phariseys Obiections of the Bishops owne making Sacrament of the Lordes Supper The Sacrament of the Aultar no Sacrament The wicked eate not the body of the Lord. The Bishop of Winchesters reason to proue the Sacraments in one kind The Catholickes make a Phantasticall body in the Sacrament If the wicked do eate the body of Christ they must needes be saued And if Infantes eate him not they must be condemned by the Popes doctrine Falsehoode in alleaging the Scriptures The Byshops fayled of their purpose and in a rage Anno 1557. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cruelty 〈…〉 vpon 〈…〉 True ChristiaÌ„s not suffered to purge themselues He meaneth agaynst the 〈◊〉 presence Winchester condemneth Stephen Gratwick and why Stephen Gratwicke condemned agaynst order both of temporall and spirituall lawe Stephen Gratwicke constant in Christ and in his death Gratwicke after his condemnation prayeth for his enemyes Stephen Gratwicke to the Reader Winchester attempteth Stephen Gratwick with flattering and praysing Iune 18. Richard Thornton Nicholas Hartsfield persecutorâ— The names of the Martyrs The story of Edmund Alen with his trouble and examination before Syr Iohn Baker Edmund Allen went to Calice Edmund Allen returneth againe from Calice and is apprehended Marke what a holy Masse saying was here what a charitable religion is this Witnesses to the story Iohn Doue Tho. Best Tho. Linsey Perciual Barbel persecutors Tho. Henden Priest persecutor The examination of Edmund Allen before Syr Iohn Baker Priuate reading or expounding of the scriptures forbidden to no man Luke 4. Preaching without licence in the olde Testament Coloss. 1. * Albeit the positiue law of Moses Iudicials do not binde the Gentiles with the same necessity absolutely in euery condition as it did the Iewes to whom it was peculiarly geuen yet may the Gentiles borow out of the same law such thinges that shall be expedient for theyr regiment Neyther can they borow any lawes better then out of Moses In tyme of publicke corruption in want of true teachers it is not forbidden to any man to teach Pope Gregory the 9. first restrayned lay men to teach or instruct others in Scriptures 〈◊〉 6. 〈◊〉 12. The reuenewes of Bishops and Prelates in England The Martyrdome of 5. women and 2. men at Cant. Anno. 1557. Iune 18. Iune 19. The story of 7. other Martyrs Vnmercifull cruelty of the Catholickes agaynst poore women * This Bradbridges wyfe was thought to be with childe Roger and Tho. Hall two godly brethren of Alice Benden The imprisonment of Alice Benden and maner of her handling M. Robertes of Crambroke persecutor Alice Benden imprisoned for not comming to the Church Alice Benden deliuered by suâ—e of her neighbours Anno 1556. Iune The husband procureth the trouble and imprisonment of his wyfe Syr Iohn Gilford commandeth Alice Benden to the Castle of Canterbury The spare dyet of Alice Benden and Potkins wyfe in Canterbury Castle The husband complayneth of his wiues broâ—â—er Roger Hall Alice Benden remoued from the Byshops prison The Byshops prison described Example of Gods mercyfull prouidence in relieuing his Saintes Alice Benden kept in the Byshops prison 9. weekes with bread and water The affliction of Alice Benden at her first comming to prison Alice Benden receaueth comfort of the Lord in the middest of her miseryes Alice Benden called before the Bishop The aunsweres of Alice Benden to the Bishop Alice Benden from the Byshops prison sent to Westgate Alice Benden condeÌ„ned sent to the Castle in Canterbury 〈◊〉 Bishop 〈◊〉 neither 〈◊〉 Patâ—ence nor Charitye Mathew Pâ—aâ—e ExaminatioÌ„ 〈◊〉 Mathew Pâ—â—se before the B. oâ— Douer Harpsfieâ—d Archdeacon and Collins Câ—mmisiaâ—â— c. Ose. 6. Math. 12. The Cathoâ—â—â—â—
a Popish Iustice. The trouble and escape of Henry Browne out of his enemyes handes Glaues wyfe maintayner of Popery and a persecutour Iustice Lelond writeth to the Constables to apprehende Henry Browne Henry Browne troubled for burning of Beades in Queene Elizabethes tyme. Like Maister lyke men A lamentable thing when such Iustices beare rule ouer Christian congregations Henry Browne vnder suertyes dismissed for a tyme. The punishment of Gods stroke vpon an obstinate persecutor Examination of William Wood. W. Wood charged for not comming to church .3 causes why William Wood durst not receiue the Sacrament of the Aultar Ezech. 5. William Woods question propounded to the Doctours The naturall quantitye of Chriâ—t not in the Sacrament The Papistes could not agree in their owne doctrine W Wood deliuered as was S. Paule by the contention of the Phariseys and Saduces The Story of Simon Grineus Ex Commentariis Phil. Melanct in cap. 10. Daniell Iohn Faber Bishop of Vienna persecutour Obsequium amicos Veritas odium parit Faber gently admonished of Grinaeus for his Sermon Godly warning seÌ„t by an old man to Grinaeus Grinaeus accused and pursued Grinaeus warned to flye escapeth Gods mercyfull prouidence in defeating the cruell purpose of persecutors The olde hatred of Stephen Gardiner Byshop of Winchester agaynst the Duchesse of Suffolke M. â—ich Bertie husband to the Dâ—chesse attached by the Byshop of Wynchester M. Bertâ—e appeareth before B. Gardiner Talke betweene B. Gardiner and M. Bertie The deuotion of B. Gardiner to good Friday M. Bertie attached for debt of 4000. poundes due to the Queene Kette Captaynâ— of the rebells in Northfolke in K. Edwardes tyme. A Dogge clothed in a Rochet vnder the name of B. Gardiner It is mery with Lambeâ— when wolues be tyed vp Purgation of the Lady Duchesse for not comming to Masse Religion goeth not by age but by truth M. Bertye released from his band of appearing Wayes practised how to conuey the Duchesse ouer the Seas with the Quâ—enes licence M. Bertye deuiseth cause to passe ouer into Flaunders M Bertye licensed by the Queene to passe the Seas Preparation made how to 〈◊〉 the Duâ—hesse ouer the â—eas M. Cranwell a 〈◊〉 friend to Maâ—ster Bertye The Duchesse with her company departeth the realme The maâ—er of the Duchesse â—â—â—ing out of her house The Duchesse with her company taketh Barge Pursute after the Duchesse The Duchesse retayned in M. Goslings house by Leigh vnder the name of his daughter The hard aduenture of the Duchesse vpon the Seas The Duchesse landed in Brabant M. Bertye with the Duchesse his wyfe ariued at Santon The free towne of Wesell in Cleueland A proteâ—tion procured for the Duchesse of the Magistrates of Wesell M. Bertye and the Duchesse in daunger of taking by the B. of Arras at Santon An other escape of the Duchesse and her husband The hard distresse of the Duchesse by euill wether The hard intertainment of M. Bertye and the Duchesse of their entring into Wesell Gods prouidence in tyme of 〈◊〉 The meeting of W. Perusell the Duchâ—sse of Wesell The Citizens of wesell admonished by their Preacher of their hardnes toward straungers A friendly part of Syr Iohn Mason towardes the Duchesse A trayne layd for the Duchesse by the Lord Paget and the Duke of Brunswicke M. Bertye and the Duchesse remoue to Wineheim vnder the Palsgraueâ— The helping hand of the Lord agayne in their necessitye Ioann Alasco a meanes to the king of Poole for the Duchesse of Suffolke The Duchesse inuited into Pooleland by the kinges letters M. Barlow a messenger from the Duchesse to the king of Poole The Pallatine of Vilua a great friend to the Duchesse The Duchesse taketh her iourney toward Pooleland The troubles happening to the Duchesse in her iourny to Pooleland M. Bertye with the Duchesse honourably intertayned of the king of Poole A story of Thomas Horton Minister The story of Thomas Sprat William Porrege M. Brent Iustice in Kent a persecutour The two Blachendens in Kent persecutours Thomas Sprat almost taken in the way by the Iustice. Thomas Sprat called of the Iustice but would not come God alwayes stronger then the deuill Thomas Sprat gotteth ouer the hedge from his persecutoâ—â— William Porrege escapeth The Lord disposing the way of his seruauntes Thomas Sprat deliuered by Gods helpe from his aduersaryes The troubles of Iohn Cornet how he was deliuered Yackesley Parson of Roughhedge persecutour The mother agaynst her own sonne Cornet whipped out of the towne and so banished Thomas Bryce preserued God blynded the eyes of them which â—â—ught for Thomas Bryce that they could not see him An other 〈◊〉 of Thomas 〈◊〉 and his brother Thomas Iohn Bryce 〈◊〉 by Gods good 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 The trouble and deliueraunce of Gertrude Crokchay This Doct. Mallet is now Deane oâ— Lincolne An other trouble of the sayde Gertrude in Dutchland Cruelty in â—â—aunder 〈◊〉 secretly agaynst the Christians Gertrude returneth into England A story of William Mauldon W. Mauldon accused and scourged for true religion The Prophesis of M. Mauldon in K. Henryes tyme for the fall of Masse and Sacrament of the Aultar Robert Horneby through Gods working preserued Mistres Sandes now Lady Bartlet preserued from persecution The story of Thomas Rose yet liuing Three offered to haue their liues saued to accuse Tho. Rose but would not Thomas Rose arested by a Sergeant at Armes The cruel handling of Thomas Rose by the Papistes Thomas Rose set at libertye by Doctour Cranmers meanes Tho. Rose Chaplaine to the Lord Cromwell The mighty prouidence of God in preseruing Tho. Rose from his enemyes Tho. Rose agayne deliuered Tho. Rose apprehended The 1. examination of Tho. Rose Tho. Rose 〈◊〉 of Winchester Tho. Rose 〈…〉 Winchesters sclaunder Tho Rose committed to the Tower The 2. examination of Tho. Rose before the B. of Winchester How Thomas Rose submitteth himselfe The 3. examination of Thomas Rose Auricular confession Nothing but scripture to be admitted for the regiment of the soule Transubstantiation and Reall presence agaynst the Scriptures the auncient fathers of the primitiue Church The Papistes affirme the reall body of Christ to be in the Sacrament but they know not how The last appearaunce of Thomas Rose before the Bishop Actes 2. How Christ is present in the Sacrament Pâ—pistâ—â—â—râ—estes 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 abroad lyes The blessed prâ—tection of almighty God in preseruing the Lady Elizabeth in her manifold daungers and troubles The troubles of Lady â—lizabeth in Queene Maryeâ— tyme. The history of the Lady Elizabeth Syr Richard Sâ—â—thwell Syr Edward Hastinges and Syr Thomas Cornwalles sent to fetch vp Lady Elizabeth with whom also afterward was sent the Lord Williâ—m Haward c. The 〈◊〉 of the knights A straye Commission from the Queene to bring the Lady Elizabeth either quicke or dead The gentlenes of Q. Mary to send her horselitter to bring her sister to trouble Lady Elizabeth taketh her iourney toward the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought vp to London Syr
rayling agaynst Iames Abbes. Example how Popery bringeth to desperation Clarke hanged himselfe The sodaine death of Troling Smith Dale the Promotor eaten with lyee Coxe the Promotor sodainely dyed Alexander the cruell keeper of Newgate dyed a rotten death The sodaine death of Iames Alexanders sonne Iohn Peter Alexanders sonne in lawe rotted away Iustice Lelond perâ—ecutour pâ—agued Robert Baulding persecutor Beard the Promotor Robert Blomfield persecutor The iudgement of God vpon Iohn Rocâ—â—wood Lady Honor and George Bradway persecutors in Calice Richard Long drowned himselfe The iust punishmeÌ„t of God vpoÌ„ Syr Rafe Ellerker persecutor The sodaine death of D. Foxford Pauâ—er a persecutor hanged himselfe The stinking end of Stephen Gardiner proueth Popery and not the Gospell to be the doctrine of desperaration Gods iust stroke vpon Iohn Fisher B. of Rochester and Syr Thomas More 2. Mach. 3. Of Valerianus read before pag. 74. Bishops that dyed before Q. Mary Byshops tâ—â—t dyed 〈◊〉 Q. Mary * Note that B. Tonstall iâ— Q Maryes tyme was no great bloudy persecutour For Maister Russell a Preacher was before him and D. 〈◊〉 his Chauncellour would haue had him examimined more particularly The Bishop stayed him saying hetherto we haue had a good report among our neighbours I pray you bring not this mans bloud vpon my head A note of D. Weston D. Weston out of fauour with the Papists D. Weston taken in adultry D. Weston appeâ—led to Rome The death of Doctour Weston Catholicke Bishops after Q. Marâ—es death depriued imprisoned Note that some of these Bishops afterward through the goodnes of Q. Elizabeth were dispersed and suffered to be kept in their friendes houses A note of Doct. Chadsey 34. Articles of D. Chadsey D. Chadsey subscribed to the reformed religion in King Edwardes time D. Chadsey mutable and inconstant in his religion The egernes of D. Chadsey in punishing the poore Martyrs Wil. Mauldon Prentise with M. Hugh Apparry at Grenewich A terrible example of Gods iudgement to be noted of all such as be contemners and mockers of God and his worde Gods punishmâ—nâ— vpon a young 〈◊〉 of 12 yeares 〈◊〉 blaspheming the Maiesty of God Blâ—sphemy punished A lâ—sson to children and young gyrles A leâ—â—â—n to all Athenites Epicures and Infideâ—â—â— A lesson to all blasphemers swearers Leuar of Abingdon a blasphemer of Gods Martyrs plagued Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury Fryer Champbell plagued Gods iudgment vpon Haruy a persecuting CoÌ„missary Gods iust plague vpon William Swallow Gods iust plague vpoÌ„ Richard Potto Richard Denton burned in his owne house Fettyes wyfe stricken with madnes Two Papistes of 〈◊〉 Colâ—â—â—ge in Oâ—ford 〈…〉 A story of a Courtyer oâ—e of the Garde which happened An. 1563. Admonitioâ— to Courtiers An example of Christopher Landeâ—dale one of the Garde for all Courâ—â—ers to looke vpon Landesdale a feaster of the rich and vnmercifull to the pore Poore Lazaruâ— lying by the rich mans doore Yet the â—icâ—e glutton was better for he suffered Lazarus to lye at his gates The death of poore Lazarus in the ditch The end of this vnmercifull 〈◊〉 in the ditch The image of the rich glutton and poore Lazarus Math. 5. 1. Iohn 3. A warning to gentlemen A fearefull example of 〈…〉 Gentle exhortatioÌ„ neglected The terrible ende of a swearer The miserable ende of Henry Smith a Lawier of the midle Temple after he was peruerted from the Gospell Note what leude company doth in corrupting good natures M. Smithes Images and Agnus dei Henry Smith a Lawyer hanged himselfe in his chamber after what maner One Williams a Lawyer and a rayler agaynst the Gospell fell madde Of the miserable end of this Twyford read before pag. 1258. DeclaratioÌ„ of foreine examples Hofmeister sodainely stricken with death going to Ratisbone What inconuenience commeth by thâ— Popes desperate doctrine The miserable ende of Guarlacus reader in Louane The story of Arnoldus Bomelius student aâ— Louane Note what euill instruction company doth An horrible example of Arnoldus Bomelius which killed himselfe with his owne dagger AdmonitioÌ„ to our Louanians Iacobus Latomus of Louane Iacobus Latomus an â—nemy to the Gospell brought to madnes and desperation The terrible wordes of Latomus in his desperation Gods will in his word to accept our fayth onely for iustification Obedience to Gods will rewarded Disobedience to Godâ— will punished The chiefe fountayne of all mischiefe in the world A Fryer of Munster stricke with lightning A Taylours seruaunt in Lipsia Gods punishment vpon a certaine Popish gentleman vnnamed Sadoletus Cardinall The Commendator of S. Antony plagued Abbot of Carilocus sodainely dead Dauid Beaton Archbyshop of Scotland persecutour slayne in hiâ— owne Castle Ex Ioan Sleidano lib. 23. The terrible iudgement of God vpon Cardinall Crescentius President of the Counsell of Trident. An. 1552. The wretched end of Cardinall Crescentius President of the Counsell of Trent Two aduouterous Byshops of Trident Counsell iustly slaine in adultery D. Eckius the Pâ—pes stout Champion· The end of Martyn Luther compared to the end of Eckius The maner of Iohn Eckius death Eckius last wordes Eckius dyeth dreaming of his Guildenâ— Ex appendice Hist. Ioan. Carionis Gods iudgment vpon one Iohn Vander Warfe Shoulted of Antwarpe a persecutour Shilpad a kinde of Shelfishe fashioned like a Tode with a hard and a broad shell vpon his backe Our Ladies druncken feast Fraunces Fraet the Printer and witnes hereof a good man Martyr Bartholomeus Cassaneus plagued Minerius plagued of God A Iudge with 3. persecutours plagued by Gods iudgment The terrible vengeaunce of God vpon Iohn de Roma a terrible persecutor Read before pag. 216. The Lord of Reuest plagued Iohn Martin plagued Erasm in Epistola Apologetica De vtili Coloquioâ— Gods punishment vpon a noble gentleman in going a pilgrimage Admonition False deuotion a perylous thing Agaynst Idolatrous pilgrimage A wonderfull example of Gods â—udgment at Gaunt Anno. 1565. Three causeâ— why Saintes are not to be prayed vnto Purgatory denyed The iudgement of God vpon Giles Brakelman the borough Maister William de Weuer Martyr burnt at Gaunt Anno. 1565. An other terrible example of Gods iudgment agaynst Syr Garret Trieste gentleman and then Alderman of Gaunt a persecutour Anno. 1566. An other example of Gods iudgement vpoÌ„ Marten de Pester one of the principall Secretaryes of Gaunt Anno. 1566. These men of Gaunt are witnesses hereof A story of a tame deuil conâ—â—â—ed in an Abbey in Sueuia A subâ—ill deuise of the Monkes to fray away their gestes The punishmeÌ„t of God vpon a Monke that would counterfeite the deuill Ex Gaspare Bruschio in Chronologia Monasteriorum Germaniae Read afore pag. 890. The doinges of Henry 2. French king agaynst the Lutherans neuer prospered with him This truce was betweene the French king the Emperour which the Pope caused to be broken The cruell purpose of the Duke of Guise disappointed The wicked vowe of the Constable of Fraunce defeated Lord Ponchet Archbishop of Tours The maruelous
first proposition Iustinus Apol. 2. The first argument out of Iustine Martyr The second argument 〈◊〉 of Basil Basilius Epist 63. Ambrosius An other argument of Saint Ambrose Ambrose Ambrose Ambrose Ambrose Hieronimus Basil. ho. 4. hexam Chrisostome in i. ad Cor. cap. 14. Idemeodem loco in illa verba si ingrediatur infidelis aut indoctus An other argument out of Chrisostome Dionisius Ciprianus ser. 6. de or dominica Aug. in Psal. 18. Aug. de magist Nouel const â—13 The second dayes talke Bishopspes coÌ„mitted to the Tower Boner cast in the Marshalsey D. Storyes impudent wordâ— in the Parliament The wordes of D. Story 〈◊〉 the Parâ—iamâ—nt house This Martyr burnt at Vxbridge was M. Denley Referre this to the pag. 587. Referre this to the pag. 1032. Referre this to the page 1407. A letter of Q Mary to 〈…〉 Duke of Northfolkeâ— Exod. 20. Deut 27. Referre this to the page 1717. Reade before page 1295. col 2. Referre this to the page 1717. * The secular state ignominious disdained with the proude Clergye Referre this to the page before 1437. col 2. Referre this to the pag. 1512. Referre this to the page 1555. Reade before page 997. col 2. The story and Martyrdome of Thomas Hitton William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury The examination of Thomas Hitton before the Archbishop Tho. Hitton refuseth to sweare agaynst himselfe The constaÌ„cye of Tho. Hitton in his confession An other appearance of Thomas Hitton before the Archbishop The sentence of condemnation against Thomas Hitton 〈◊〉 elect Math. 20. Pauci qui saluabuntur Luke 13 2. Tim. 2 Cognouit Dominus qui sunt eius Sanctis qui sunt in terra et preclaris his toto animo delector Ego vos elegi e mundo Regnum meum non est de hoc mundo Ezechiel 33. 34. Ioannes 17. Augustine Quid paraâ— dentem et ventrem crede et manducasti Ecclesia cum paucis diebus hâ—buit quantum ad humanitatem modo fide tenet occulis non videt Referre and conferre this with the pag. 1â—37 Referre this to the page 1686. Referre this to the page 1898. Wisedome 5. Wisedome 4. Hebr. 11. Referre this to the pag. 1734. Referre this to the pag. 1893. This belongeth to the pag. 1894. Referre this to the pag. 1894. Referre this to the page 1916. Referre this to the page 1955. and to the yeare of the Lord 1556. Read before pag. 2034. Two notable deliuerances of William Woodman Gal. 1. Heb. 9.10 Christes 〈◊〉 Church seruice True Prophetes Math. 11. Psal. 23. Iohn 10. Hyrelinges A vayne people Esay 1. Ierem. 2. An euill hurtfull thing Israell A letter 1. Cor. 10. Lusters after euill thinges Marke 10. Confession of the Gospell Luke 12. Inuocation and prayer Psalme 86. Psalmes of Dauid are comfortable The Bible is a iewell 2. Cor. 6. Iohn 12. Iohn 1. Vanitie of this lyfe Worldly wisedome 1. Cor. 1. Spirite of Christ. Galat. 5. 1. Pet. 2. â— Tim. 2. 1. Thess. 5. Math. 3. Gen. 3. Gen. 8.9 Gen. 1â— Luke 19. Reade Beda and our Englishe Chronicles Sinne is the cause of plagues Ierem. 6. Eccle. 10. Exod. 20. High tyme to turne to God Ieremie 3. Ezech. 33. Cautions of the Author to the Reader This Nicholas Vnderwoode dwelleth now at Coton by Nunne Eaton and Laurence in Nunne Eaton Referre this to the pag. 1953. William Sarton Martyr burnt at Bristow Referre this to the pag. 2051. Prestes wyfe of Exceter Martyr Doctour Raynoldes Deane of Exceter and Maister Blackston treasurer of the Churche of Exceter popishe persecutours The Martyrdome of one Snel by Richmond Gods punishment vpon the Doctour that condemned Snel The marueilous deliueraunce of one Laremouth A letter of William Hunter to his mother a little before his burning Stories education and birthe Story a bloudy persecutour Story inuenting new tormentes for the Martyrs Story apprehended Story conueyed himselfe ouer the Seas where he continued a bloudy persecutour Story obtayned a commission to search for Enlishe bookes Story intendeth the ouerthrow of England A platforme layde to apprehend Story Story searched the Englishe shippes for bookes and is apprehended and brought into England Story a traytor hanged drawne quartered The cruell Massaker in Fraunce Persecution in the City of Oringe Anno. 1570. Persecution at Rhoane 40. slaine comming from a Sermon Persecution at Diepe The horrible Massaker at Paris The kinges dissembled pretence The names of all the fauourers of the Amirall discreyde A bloudy mariage betweene the kinges sister and Prince of Nauarre Anno. 1572. August 18. August 22. Amirall wounded with a pistolet shot out of a Window Amirall slaine in his bedde and throwne out of the Window 10. thousand slayne in 3. dayes Ex historia Rich. dinothi lib. 5. Petrus Ramus Lambinus with other slaine Commentaria de statu Galliae part 3. The spirite and charity of the Pope to be noted 28. of August S. Bartlemew bloudy day The great distresse of the Protestantes in Fraunce Gods helping hand at neede The towne of Rochell example to other townes The cityes of the Protestanteâ— take courage to defende themselues Bironius Rochelme stand to their deliuery Rochell first besieged by Bironius Anno. 1573. The whole power of Fraunce set agaynst Rochell The siegâ— of Rochel during 7. monethes 7. Assaultes agaynst Rochell Three notable examples of Gods great mercy in preseruing his seruauntes The 2. example The 3. miraculous worke of God in sending in fishe 132. Captaynes of the Kinges army slaine Peace concluded betweene the King and the Protestantes Duke Aniow the kinges brother made King of Poleland Peace agreed and concluded betweene the King and Protestantes of Rochel and certayne other Cityes Anno. 1573. â—unii 10. The death of Charles 9. French King and of the Cardinall of Lorayne The maner of Charles the French Kings death to be noted Ex Commentarijs de Statu Gallico part 4.
therefore declare vnto you my very faith how I beleeue wythout any colour or dissimulation for nowe is no time to dissemble whatsoeuer I haue sayd or wrytten in time past First I beleeue in God the Father almightye maker of heauen and earth c. And I beleue euery Article of the Catholicke faith euery woord and sentence taught by our Sauiour Iesus Christ his Apostles and Prophets in the newe and olde Testament And nowe I come to the great thinge that so muche troubleth my conscience more then any thing that euer I did or sayd in my whole life and that is the setting abroad of a wryting contrary to the truth which now here I renounce and refuse as things wrytten with my hand contrary to the truth which I thought in my heart and written for feare of death and to saue my life if it might be and that is all suche billes and papers which I haue wrytten or signed with my hand since my degradation wherein I haue wrytten many thinges vntrue And for asmuche as my hand offended wryting cōtrary to my heart my hand shall first be punished therfore for may I come to the fire it shal be first burned And as for the Pope I refuse hym as Christes ennemie and Antichrist with all his false doctrine And as for the sacrament I beleeue as I haue taught in my booke against the Bishop of Winchester the whych my booke teacheth so true a doctrine of the sacrament that it shall stand at the last day before the iudgement of God where the Papisticall doctrine contrary thereto shal be ashamed to shewe her face Here the standers by were all astonied maruailed were amased did looke one vpon an other whose expectation he had so notably deceiued Some began to admonish hym of hys recantation and to accuse him of falshoode Briefly it was a world to see the doctours beguiled of so great an hope I thinke there was neuer crueltie more notably or better in time deluded deceiued For it is not to be doubted but they looked for a glorious victorie and a perpetuall triumph by this mans retractation Who assoone as they heard these things began to lette downe their eares to rage frette and fume and so much the more because they coulde not reuenge their griefe for they coulde nowe no longer threaten or hurt him For the most miserable manne in the world can die but once and where as of necessity he must needes die that day though the papists had bene neuer so well pleased now being neuer so much offended with him yet coulde hee not be twise killed of them And so when they coulde doe nothing els vnto him yet least they shoulde say nothinge they ceassed not to obiect vnto him his falshoode and dissimulation Unto which accusation he answered Ah my maisters quoth he do not you take it so Alwayes since I liued hitherto I haue bene a hater of falshood and a louer of simplicitie and neuer before this time haue I dissembled and in saying this al the teares that remained in his body appeared in hys eyes And when he began to speake more of the sacrament and of the papacie some of them beganne to cry out yalpe and baule and specially Cole cried out vppon him stop the heretickes month and take him away And then Cranmer beinge pulled downe from the stage was ledde to the fire accompanied wyth those Friers vexing troubling and threatning him most cruelly What madnesse saye they hath brought thee againe into this error by which thou wilt draw innumerable soules with thee into hel To whom he answeared nothyng but directed all his talke to the people sauing that to one troubling hym in the way hee spake and exhorted him to gette hym home to hys studie and applye hys booke diligently saying if he did diligently cal vpon God by reading more he should get knowledge ⧠The description of Doctour Cranmer howe he was plucked downe from the stage by Friers and Papists for the true Confession of hys Faith ⧠The burnyng of the Archbishop of Caunterbury Doctor Thomas Cranmer in the Towneditch at Oxforde with his hand first thrust into the fire wherewith he subscribed before Then the Spanish Friers Iohn Richard of whom mention was made before began to exhort him and playe their partes with him a freshe but with vayne and lost labour Cranmer with stedfast purpose abidyng in the profession of his doctrine gaue his hand to certaine old men and other that stood by biddyng them farewell And when he had thought to haue done so likewyse to Ely the sayd Ely drewe backe his hande and refused saying it was not lawfull to salute heretickes and specially such a one as falsly returned vnto the opinions that he had forsworne And if he had knowen before that hee would haue done so he would neuer haue vsed his company so familiarly and chid those sergeants and Citizens whiche had not refused to geue hym their hands This Ely was a priest lately made and student in Diuinitie beyng thē one of the fellowes of Brasennose Then was an iron chaine tied about Cranmer whom when they perceyued to be more stedfast then that he could be mooued from hys sentence they commaunded the fire to be set vnto hym And when the woode was kindled and the fire began to burne neere hym stretching out his arme he put hys right hand into the flame which he held so stedfast immoueable sauing that once with the same hand he wiped his face that all men might see hys hande burned before his body was touched His body did so abide the burning of the flame with such constancy and stedfastnes that standyng alwayes in one place without moouyng of his body he seemed to mooue no more then the stake to which hee was bound his eyes were lifted vp into heauen and oftentymes he repeated hys vnworthy right hand so long as his voyce would suffer hym and vsing oftē the words of Steuen Lord Iesus receiue my spirite in the greatnesse of the flame he gaue vp the Ghost This fortitude of mynd which perchaunce is rare and not found among the Spaniards when Frier Ioh. saw thinkyng it came not of fortitude but of desperation although such maner of examples which are of the like constancy haue bene common here in England ranne to the L. Williams of Tame crying that the Archb. was vexed in mind and died in great desperation But he which was not ignorant of the Archbishoppes constancy beyng vnknowen to the Spaniards smiled only and as it were by silence rebuked the Friers folly And this was the ende of this learned Archb. whom least by euill subscribyng he should haue perished by well recantyng God preserued and least he should haue lyued longer with shame and reproofe it pleased God rather to take him away to the glory of his name and profit of his Church So good was the Lord both to hys
Church in fortifieng the same wyth the testimony and bloud of such a Martyr and so good also to the man with this crosse of tribulation to purge his offences in this world not onely of his recantation but also of his standyng agaynst Iohn Lambert and M. Allen or if there were any other with whose burnyng and bloude hys hands had bene before any thyng polluted But especially he had to reioyce that dying in such a cause he was to be numbred amongst Christes Martyrs muche more worthy the name of S. Thomas of Caunterbury then he whom the Pope falsly before did Canonise And thus haue you the full story concernyng the lyfe and death of this reuerend Archbish. and Martyr of God Thomas Cranmer and also of diuers other the learned sort of Christs Martyrs burned in Queene Maries time of whom this Archb. was the last beyng burnt about the very middle tyme of the raign of that Queene and almost the very middle man of all the Martyrs which were burned in all her raigne besides Now after the lyfe and story of this foresayde Archbishop discoursed let vs adioyne withall his letters beginning first with his famous letter to Quene Mary which he wrote vnto her incontinent after he was cited vp to Rome by bishop Brookes and his fellowes the tenour whereof here followeth ⧠Letters of Doctor Tho. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury ¶ The Archbishop of Canterburies letter to the Queenes highnesse IT may please your Maiestie to pardone my presumption that I dare be so bold to write to your highnes But very necessitie constraineth me that your Maiestie may know my mynde rather by myne owne writyng then by other mens reports So it is that vppon Wednesday beyng the 12. day of this moneth I was cited to appeare at Rome the 80. day after there to make answer to such matters as should be obiected agaynst me vpon the behalfe of the K. your most excelleÌ„t maiestie which matters the thursday following were obiected against me by D. Martin and D. Story your Maiesties Proctors before the B. of Glocester sitting in iudgement by commissioÌ„ from Rome But alas it cannot but grieue the heart of a naturall subiect to be accused of the King and Queene of his owne realm and specially before an outward Iudge or by authoritie commyng from any person out of this realme where the king and Queene as they were subiects within their own Realme shall complaine and require Iustice at a straungers hands agaynst their owne subiectes beyng alreadye condemned to death by their owne lawes As though the king and Queene could not do or haue iustice within their owne Realmes agaynst their own subiects but they must seeke it at a strangers hands in a straunge land the lyke whereof I thinke was neuer seene I would haue wished to haue had some meaner aduersaries and I thinke that death shal not grieue me much more then to haue my most dread and most gracious soueraigne Lord and Lady to whome vnder God I do owe all obedience to bee myne accusers in iudgement within their owne Realme before any stranger and outward power But forasmuch as in the tyme of the prince of most famous memory kyng Henry the 8. your graces father I was sworne neuer to consent that the B. of Rome should haue or exercise any authoritie or iurisdiction in this realme of England therfore least I should allow hys authoritie contrary to myne othe I refused to make answer to the B. of Glocester sittyng here in iudgement by the Popes authoritie least I should run into periurie An other cause why I refused the Popes authoritie is this that his authoritie as he claimeth it repugneth to the crowne imperiall of this Realme and to the lawes of the same which euery true subiect is bound to defend First so that the Pope sayeth that all manner of power as well temporall as spirituall is geuen first to hym of God and that the temporall power hee geueth vnto Emperors and kyngs to vse it vnder hym but so as it be alwayes at hys commandement and becke But contrary to this claime the Imperiall crowne and iurisdiction temporal of this Realme is taken immediately from God to be vsed vnder hym onely and is subiect vnto none but to God alone Moreouer to the Imperiall lawes customes of this realme the kyng in his Coronation all Iustices when they receiue their offices be sworne all the whole realm is bound to defend and maintayne But contrary hereunto the Pope by his authoritie maketh voyde commandeth to blot out of our bookes all lawes and customes beyng repugnant to his lawes and declareth accursed al rulers and gouernours all the makers writers executors of such lawes or customes as it appeareth by many of the Popes lawes whereof one or two I shall reherse In the decrees Distinct. 10. is written thus Constitutiones contra Canones decreta praesulum RomanoruÌ„ vel bonos mores nullius sunt momenti That is The constitutioÌ„s or statutes enacted agaynst the Canons and decrees of the Bishops of Rome or their good customes are of none effect Also Extra de sententia excommunicationis nouerit Excommunicamus omnes haereticos vtriusque sexus quocunque nomine censeantur fautores receptores defensores eorum nec noÌ„ qui de caetero seruari fecerint statuta edita consuetudines contra Ecclesiae libertatem nisi ea de capitularibus suis intra duos menses post huiusmodi publicationem sententiae fecerint amoueâ—i Item excommunicamus statutarios scriptores statutorum ipsorum nec non potestates consules rectores consiliarios locorum vbi de caetero huiusmodi statuta consuetudines editae fuerint vel seruatae nec non illos qui secundum ea praesumpserint iudicare vel in publicam formam scribere iudicata That is to say We excommunicate all heretikes of both sexes what name so euer they be called by and theyr fautors and receptors and defenders and also them that shall hereafter cause to be obserued the statutes customs made agaynst the libertie of the Church except they cause the same to be put out of their recordes and chapters with in two moneths after the publication hereof Also we excommunicate the statute makers and writers of those statutes and all the potestates consuls gouernours counsellors of places where such statutes and customes shall be made or kept and also those that shall presume to geue iudgement accordyng to them or shall notifie in publike forme the matters so iudged Now by these lawes if the Bish. of Romes authoritie which he claymeth by God be lawfull all your Graces lawes and customes of your Realme being contrary to the Popes lawes be naught and as well your Maiestie as your Iudges Iustices and all other executors of the same stand accursed amongest heretikes which God forbid And yet this curse can neuer be auoyded if the
Antipas Iason Act 7. Apoc. 2.3 1. Thess. 2. Rom. 19. Act. 17. Iohn 16. Act. 9. Phil. 2. Luke 21. Iohn 1.3 1. Cor. 6. Math. 10. Christ may as well be called an hereticke as these men Math. 16. Luke 12. Deut. â— Apoc. 22. Psal. 6â— Gala. 4. Gala. 5. â— Pet 3. 〈◊〉 â—4 Aâ— other 〈◊〉 of W. Tyms to Gods faithâ—â—l seruaÌ„ts â— Boner 〈◊〉 away from 〈◊〉 Tyms 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 good Heb. 9. 〈…〉 mouth 〈◊〉 to his 〈◊〉 Warning to come away froÌ„ the wicked 2. Cor. â— Sirach 13. What it is to 〈◊〉 associate in ill company A vyle seruaunâ— of B. Boners Actes 1. Anno 1556. Aprill Rom. 15. Rom. 16. Math. 24. B. Boner not able to answere to this place of Dauid * How can corruption be referred to accidences when by all Philosophy generation and corruption belong onely to the predicameÌ„t of substance Math. 10. â— Cor. 4. Actes 21. A note 〈◊〉 theÌ„ 〈◊〉 shronke 〈◊〉 way 〈…〉 Roâ— â— 8 2. Tim. 3. 1. Peter 4. 1. Reg. 19. 3. Reg. 19. Iob. 21 Dan. â— ExhortatioÌ„ not to refuse Christs Crosse. Psal. 119. Gods word neuer so sweete aâ— in trouble Rom. 5. 2. Tim. 1. Ierem. â— Ierem. 7. Ierem. 23. Experiment oâ— Gods câ—nâ—ert in 〈…〉 of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13. The authoâ—â—tye of 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 â—â—proued 1. Pet. 5. Christes men bound to obey God in his Magistrates The honour of God to be preferred before all regall honour power Q Maryes Iniunctions disagreeing from Gods worde how wherin Hest. 3. 1. Esd 4. Queene Mary euill incensed Religion set forth in K. Edwardes tyme commendeâ— Luke 9. Math. 10. Math. 12. An honest petition to Queâ—â— Mary Examples of king Manasses 4. Reg. 23. Examples of Ieroboam Foule Idolatry set out with fayre shewes pretenses Ignorance wilfully mayntayned Seruice in Latin not to be admitted Iohn 11. Agaynst Latin Mattins In the Popes seruice there is no edifying what fables be in it the Lord knoweth 2. Thess. 2. The true vse of the Lordâ— Supper extincted Causes why the Commissioners commaundement ought not to be receaued Receauing in both kyndes The Masse hath nothing in it but an heape of ceremonyes The people robbed of Goâ—s worde Phil 2. All thinges doâ—e in the Church ought to be in a knowen tongue 〈◊〉 Prieâ—tes be not 〈…〉 it is 〈◊〉 owne 〈◊〉 Gods word 〈◊〉 true 〈◊〉 cast 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 in Q. Maryes 〈◊〉 The Popish 〈…〉 Chriâ—tes 〈◊〉 in Procession â—â—â—tisme in Englishe Catechisme in English The effectes of Gods word described Suffolke and Northfolke men moued by Gods word do â—et vp the Queene Inconuenienceâ— that follow by taking away Gods word Esay 6. Mich. 6. Luke 19. Apoc. 6. Louing of Gods word made heresie All that the Papistes striue for are but mans mere inuentions beside Gods worde The Queene her Commissioners and Iustices abused by â—he Bishops True subiectes wrongfully sclaundered Rom. 1. Psalm 69. What vnquietnes followeth the lacke of Gods worde Luke 13. Warning to Q. Mary to her Counsayle and Commissioners The duety of true subiectes declared first to Christ then to the Queene How farre a Prince ought to require obedience of his subiectes True obedience how farre it stretcheth Actes 4. True obedience Example of true obedience Feare and flattery enemyes to true obedience to God and man False dissemblers worthy to all men be hated 〈◊〉 The Martyrdome of Iohn Harpoâ—e and Ioane Beâ—ch at Rochester An. 1556. Aprill 1. Iohn Hullier Martyr The Martyrdome of Iohn Hullier minister who suffred at Cambridge Anno 1556. Aprill 2. A letter exhortatory of Iohn Huller to the flocke of the faythfull Christians Mach. 24 Ephe. 6. 1. Thess â—5 Luke 14. Math. 6. 3. Reg. 18. Rom. 15. Anno 1556. Maye Iohn 10. The wilines of the subtile Serpent 2. Tim. 2. Math. 10. Iohn 14.15.16 The peace of Christ to them that sustayne the troubles of this worlde Luke 14. The strayte way of Christ better then the broad way of this world â—ohn 15. Eccle. 41. Vngodly compâ—ny tâ— be auoyded Leuit. 18. Gods stipend commeth not but to such as play his souldiours 2. Tim. 1. Fearefulnes in Christes cause disproued Math. 10. Num. 13.14 Example by the fearefull Israelites 1. Pet. 3. Phil. 1. Apoc. 21. Apoc. 3. Esay 8. Prouer. 3. Heb. 12. 1. Cor 11. 2. Reg. 7. Math. 7. 〈…〉 Apoc. 14. 1 Pet 2. 〈◊〉 3. 〈…〉 16. 〈◊〉 10. 〈…〉 16. 〈◊〉 9. Ephe 4. 1. Cor. 3. Psal. 3. Heb. 3. 2. Cor. 4. Gods mercy to whom it belongeth Obiection aunswered 1. Cor 1â— Rom. 18. Apoc. 18. Eccle. 3. Psal. 36. 2. Cor. 6. The body must adioyne with the spirite in seruing God Fythfull admonitions Aprill 28. The Martyrdome of 6. men at Colchester Roger Grasbroke Iohn Kingston B. Boners CoÌ„missary in Essex These Martyrs were deliuered by the Earle of Oxford to the Commissary by the Commissary sent to the Bishop Their answeres to the Bishops articles The Church of Rome no part of Christes Catholicke church 2. Sacramentes Profession of Baptisme To deny the beggerly vsages of the Popes Church is not to deny the Catholicke fayth of Christ. The pope ought to haue no authoritye in England The Church of Rome to be abhorred Againâ—â— Popes trumperâ—â— Agaynâ—â— transubstaÌ„tiation Against the Masse Sentence geuen agaynst them by B. Boâ—er May. 15. Two burned together at one stake Hugh Lauerrocke an olde lame man and Iohn Apprice a blynd man May. 16. Katherin Hutte Elizâ—beth Thackuell Ioane Hornes Martirs A letter of certayne persecuting Iustices to Boner The simple ignorance of these women had more neede to be instructed then they to be burned Agaynst the Masse and Sacrament of the Aultar Syr Iohn Mordant Promoter Katherin Hutte The wordes of Katherin Hutte of the SacrameÌ„t Ioane Hornes mayde The wordes and profession of Ioane Hornes touching the Sacrament The Butcherly axe of Boner Maâ—garet Ellys dyâ—â— in Newgate Elizabeth Thackuell Mayde and Martyr * i. A persecutor May 5. T. Drowry a blind boy and Tho. Croker Martyrs Persecution at Glocester Of this blynd boy read before pag. 1509. Iâ—mes 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 W Dâ—uies persecutors Dunâ—ing 〈◊〉 persecutors The articles 〈◊〉 upon they were 〈…〉 Ceremoâ—â—â— Sacrament of the Altar Execution of burning in Northfolke done without a writte Syr Iohn Silliardes wordes Edmund Pole refuseth the Popes Church Robert Bacon an enemy Syr Iohn Tyrrell persecutor Persecution at Winson and Mendlesam in Suffolke The names of good men persecuted in Suffolke Mendlesam Gods people persecuted The fayth and doctrine of these Confessours Witnessed by the faythfull report of Suffolke men Psalm 106. A story of Gregory Crow maruelously preserued vpon the Sea with his new Testament Crowes boat broken vpon the sand Crow taketh his Testament and casteth his money away The boy beaten with Sea and drowned Crowes â—an deaâ— vpon the â—aste Gregory Crow 〈◊〉 vpon the Seas sitting 〈◊〉 a Maste Gods prouidence to be noted God a maruelâ—us 〈…〉 tyme of neede Crow with the Testament preserued on
iudgement of God vpon a burning persecutour Gods fearefull hand vpon Castellanus persecutour Legate Du Prat the first beginner of persecution agaynst the faythfull horribly plagued Iohn Ruse comming from accusing the faythfull was terribly stricken with Gods hand The wicked end of Claude de Asses a wicked persecutour Peter Lyset author of the burning chamber plagued The mighty hand of God vpon Iohn Morin a greeuous persecutor Iohn Andrew Booke bynder plagued The terrible vengeance of God vpoÌ„ Iohn de Roma a terrible persecutor Iohn Minerius a cruell persecutour plagued of God The French king by sundry sortes of troubles warned of God Riches and Pride of the Clergy the fountayne of all euills The purenes of the primatiue church how long it continued and whereby The false Donation of Constantine Exhortation to the king to seise vpon the temporalityeâ— of the Clergye The ryches of the Popes Clergye how they ought to bâ— employed The malicious and lying slaunders of the Papists to bring the true Gospellers in hatred with Princes Constantine confirmed in his kingdome the more by receauing the Gospel Examples of England and Germany how Princes lose no honour by the gospell The Popes religion more noysome to the state of Princes then the doctrine of the Lutherans Wholesome remedy shewed agaynst the Popes pryde A blynde shift of the Papistes to stop Princes from calling generall Councels The contrarietyes in the Popes Councells enough for their disproofe Prophesie agaynst the French king The story and end of Henry 2. the French king that would not be warned What commeth to kinges that refuâ—e good counsell Henry â— French king wholy set to persecute the Church oâ— Christ. Gods mighty power agaynst his enemyes Henry 2. the French king forâ— set agaynst the poore Protestantes Henry 2. the French king in his triumph iusteth agaynst Montgommery Montgommery agaynst his will commaunded to iuste agaynst the king Henry 2. the French king stricken and killed in his owne iusting The deuelishe perswasion of the Cardinall of Loraine at the death of the French king Certayne gentlemen executed at Amboyse for standing against the house of Guyse The Lordes punishment vpon the Chauncellour Oliuier for his sentence geuen agaynst certayne gentlemen Protestantes The death of Fraunces 2. french king after he began to withstande the course of the Gospell How the Lord worketh for his Gospell The wordes of king Fraunces at his death The terrible stroke of Gods reuenge vpon Carol. 9. the French king The death of Charles the Emperour An Epitaphe vpon Charles Emperour Henry .2 French king and Fraunces his sonne The sodaine death of President Minard The punishment of God vpon the king of Nauarre after he had reuolted from the Gospell to Popery The Duke of Guyse slâ—ine before Orleance The Constable before Paris The Marshall of S. Andrew before Dreux The story of one Drayner otherwise called Iustice nine holes A malitious practise to intrappe a good man Drayner conuict of falsehood A lamentable history of Iohn Whiteman snowmaker Iohn Whitman coulde not suffer the abhominable Idolatry of the Papists Iohn Whitman apprehended Iohn WhitmaÌ„ brought â—efore the â—udges Sentence geuen agaynst Iohn Whitman The Martyrdome and death of Iohn Whitman Iohn 16. 3. Argumentes agaynst the Papistes Gods worde Bloud of Martyrs Gods punishment The plagues of God set against pretensed antiquitye Henry .2 the French king and king FrauÌ„ces his sonne stricken the one in the eyes the other with an impostume in the eare Stephen Gardiner Queene Mary Constable of Fraunce King of Nauar. Henry Smith D. Shaxton The end of Gardiner Iohn de Roma Twyford Bayliffe of Crowland Suffragan of Douer D. Dunning D. Geffray Berrye Poacher Archbishop Crescentius Cardinall Rockwood Latomus Guarlacus Eckius Thornton Pattyer Longe Bomelius all professours of Popery Esay 50. Page 199. A secrete note of Papisteâ— which haue beene great cryers out of Priestes maryage and themselues after taken in open adultery Comparison betweene the ende of Popishe persecutours the Gospellers The godly ende of the Gospellers to be noted The blessed end of King Edward .6 The patient end of the Duke of Somerset the kings vncle The quiet and ioyfull end of the Martyrs Two speciall notes of the â—iue Church of Christ. Outward affliction peace of conscience 2. Tim. 3. 1. Cor. 1. The wretched end of Papistes geue testimony agaynst their owne doctrine Admonition to persecutours which yet remayne aliue The end and death of Edmund Boner God maketh the persecutors of his people commonly to be their owne persecutours Saul murderer of himselfe Achitophel murderer of himselfe Iudas murderer of himselfe Senacherib murdered of his owne sonnes Herode and Antiochus murdered by lyce Pilate murderer of himselfe Nero murderer of himselfe Dioclesianus and Maximinianus Emperours deposed them selues Maximinus eaten vp with lyce Maxentius and king Pharao both drowned in their owne harnesse Achaz Achab. Iesabell Manasses Ioachim Sedechias punished of God for theâ—r persecutions The murdering mother church with her bloudy children admonished Esay 1. Esay 1. What the lawes of this Realme could say agaynst the persecutours in Queene Maâ—les tyme. The nature of the Church is not to persecute with bloud In that the persecutours of the Church be suffered of the Church to liue it is to their confusion Syr Henry Bonifield forgiuen Nouember 18. Doctor Weston Great benefites and treasures do nothing profit where the vse of them cannot be inioyed Felicitye not in hauing but in vsing Wicked practises of most cruell Tyrantes Cruelty of late dayes farre exceeding al crueltyes committed by the auncyent and famous tyrauntes in tyme past Tyrantes euill gouernours be the plague of God God worketh all thinges to his owne glory Affliction tryeth men whether they be good or euill God plenteously poureth his benefites vpon vs not for our sakes but of his infinite mercy and for his gloryes sake Wonderfull is the mercy of God in deliuering this Realme from the tyranny of the Papistes The Papistes buildings stand so long onely as they be propt vp with rope sword fagot Burgesses vnlawfully disorderly and violently thrust out of the Parliament house in Queene Maryes dayes The third Parliament in Quueene Maryes dayes not orderly and formally called and therefore of none effecte A ioyfull day God preserueth the innocent maketh frustrate the malicious purposes of the wicked An apt similitude Three thinges which preserue the good estate of a Realme or câ—mmon wealth Charges not to be weyed where Gods glory is to be furthered The 1. proposition Two partes of the proposition The first part of the proposition The Argument or probation The Maior proued An other argument oâ— probation An other argument The fourth argument or probation Ambros. Per hos enim impletur confirmatio precis qui respondent Amen The fyfte argument The sixte argument Obiection dissolued The 7. reason The 8. reason The 9. reason The 10. reason The 11. reason or probation The 12. reasâ—n or probation The second part of the