the eleventh there ensued such a great Schisme in Rome between two Popes Urban and Clement and other succeeding after them one striving against another that the Schisme thereof indured the space of 39. years or there about untill the time of the Counsell of Constance As touching this pestilent and miserable Schisme It would require here another Iliad to comprehend in order all the circumstances and tragicall parts thereof what trouble in the whole Church what parts taking in every country what apprehending and imprisoning of Priests and Prelats taken by land and sea what shedding of Blood did follow thereoff how Otho Duke of Brunswick and Prince of Tarentum was taken and murthered how Joan his wife Queen of Jerusalem and Sicilia who before had sent to Pope Urban beside other gifts at his Coronation 40. m. Duckets in pure Gold was after by the said Urban committed to prison and in the same prison strangled What Cardinals were racked and miserably without all mercy tormented on Gibbets to death what slaughter of men what Battels were fought between the Popes whereof 5000. on the one side were slain beside the number of them who are taken Prisoners of the beheading of five Cardinals together after long torments And how the Bishop of Aquilonensis being suspected of Pope Urban for not ryding faster with the Pope his horse not being so good was there slain by the Popes commandement sending his Souldiers unto him to slay him and cut him in pieces with many moe acts of horrible cruelty happening in the time of this abominable Schisme About the same time aâ—so or about three years after there fell a cruell dissention in England between the common people and the Nobility the which did not a little disturb and trouble the Common-wealth In this tumult Simon of Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury was taken by the Rusticall and rude people and was beheaded In the year of God 1397. there was a battel foughteen betwixt Tamerlane the Tartarian Prince and Bajazet the fourth King of the Turks not far from the Mount Stella where Bajazer there lost his son Mustapha with two hundred thousand of his men and Tamerlane not many fewer Bajazet himself was taken and being brought to Tamerlane and after sundry things asked of him he inqired of him what he would have done with him if it had been his fortune to have fallen into his hands as thou art now in mine I would said Bajazer have inclosed thee in a Cage of Iron and so in triumph have carried thee up and down my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlane shalt thou be served And so he made him to be schaked in fetters and chains of gold and to be shut up in an Iron Cage made like a Grat in such sort as that he might on every side be seen and so carried him up and down as he passed through Asia to be of his own people scorned and derided And to his own further disgrace upon Festival dayes used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted to horse and at other times scornfully feed him like a Dog with crumes fallen from his Table A rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honour that he unto whose ambitious mind Asia and Europe two great parts of the world were too little should be now carried up and down cooped up in a little Iron Cage like some perillous wild beast all which Tamerlane did not so much for the hatred to the man as to manifest the just judgement of God against the arrogant folly of the proud It is reported that Tamerlane being requested by one of his Noblemen that might be bold to speak unto him to remit some part of his severity against the person of so great a Prince answered that he did not use that rigour against him as a King but rathet did punish him as proud ambitious Tyrant polluted with the blood of his own brother About this time Berthold Schwartz and Alchimist invented the Guns and Artilery After the death of John Wickliff many were persecuted and suffered most cruel death in England and many moe did forsake the Realm and weâ—e persecuted for the embracing professing and maintaining of VVckliffs doctrine And first of all we begin at one VVilliam Sawtre a good man and a faithfull Priest of the Churrh of St. Margaret in the Town of Lin and zealous of the true Religion he is brought before Thomas Arnndell Archbishop of Canterbury and his Clergie and is before them convict and condemned for Heresie he is first desposed and degraded from his Office and thereafter delivered to the secular power to be burned This it may appear how tKings and Princes have been blinded and abused by â—he false Prelates of the Church in so much that they have been their slaves and butchers to slay Christs poor innocent members See therefore what danger it is for princes not to have knowledge and understanding themselves but to be led by other mens eyes and especially trusting to such guides who through hypocrisie both deceive them and through cruelty devour the people As this King Henry the fourth was the first of English Kings that began the unmercifull burning of Christs Saints for standing against the Pope so was this VVilliam Sawtre the true and faithfull Martyr the first of all them after VVickliffs death which I find to be burned in the raign of the forsaid King which was in the year of our Lord 1400. After the Martyrdome of this godly man the rest of the same company began to keep themselves more clearly for fear of the King who was altogether bent to hold up the Popes Prelacie Such was the raign of this Prince that to the godly he was ever terrible in his actions immeasurable of few men heartily beloved but Princes never lack flatters about them neither was the time of his raigne very quiet but full of trouble of blood and misery After the death of VVilliam Sawtre was apprehended one John Badby a Taylor a Lay-man he was accused of heresie and other Articles repugnant to the determination of the Church of Rome before Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury and other his assiants both Lords Spirituall and Temporall and was condemned for an Heritick and delivered over to the Secular power to be burnt the Kings warrand is given for his burning he is brought into Smithfield and there being put in an empty Barrell was bound with Iron Chains fastened to an Stake having dry Wood put about him And as he was thus standing in the Pipe or Tun it happened that the Prince the Kings eldest son was there present who shewing some part of the good Samaritan began to endeavour and essay how to save his life he admonished counselled him that having respect unto himself he would speedily withdrawn himself out of these dangerous Labyrinths of opinions adding oftentimes threatnings the which might have daunted any mans stomack but hee hearkened not thereunto and then was the Tun put over him and fire put
so often or so long as it pleased their ordinary to appoint by which long rigorous and open punishing of them they meant as it should seem utterly to terrifie and keep back all others from the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and his Gospel But the Lord be evermore praised what effect their wicked purposes therein have been taken these our most lightsome dayes of Gods glorious Gospell doe most joyfully declare William Sweting and John Brewster were put to death and burnt together in Smithfield the chiefest case of Religion alledged against them in their Articles was their Faith concerning the Sacrament of Christs Body and Blood which because it differed from the absurd grosse and Capernaiticall opinion of the new School men was counted as most hainous Heresie John Brown was put to death and burned at Ashford in the year of God 1517. about the fourth year of King Henry the eighth upon the declaration of a Priest in a conference between him and the Priest who took him for an Heretick whereupon he was apprehended and committed to Prison the same night as he was in the Stocks at Ashford where he and his Wife dwelt his Wife came and sat beside him all the night before he should be burned to whom he declaring the whole story how he was handled shewed and told how that he could not set his feet to the ground for they were burned to the bones and told her how by the two Bishops Warham and Fisher his feet were heated upon the hote coals and burnt to the bones to make me said he to deny my Lord which I will never do for if I should deny my Lord in this World he would hearafter deny me I pray thee therefore said he good Elizabeth continue as thou hast begun and bring up thy Children vertuously and in the fear of God and so the next day this godly Martyr was burned commending his spirit into the hands of the Lord At the fire the Bayllie Arrant bade cast in his Children also for they would spring said he of his ashes This blessed Martyr John Brown had born an Faggot seven years before in the dayes of King Henry the 7. Richard Hunne Merchand Tailyour dwelling within the City of London and free-man of the same who was esteemed during his life and worthily reputed and taken not only for a man of true dealing and good substance but also for a good Catholick man this man was suspect of Heresie and committed to the Lollords Tower where he was first murthered by his adversaries the Priests and by them hanged whereupon they made the people to believe that he had desperatly hanged himself and after his death led a processe against him and condemned him of Heresie and at last burned him in Smith-field Thomas Man for alledged Heresie suffered much trouble and long imprisonment and in end was condemned and burnt in Smithfield This Tomas Man called Doctor Man confessed that he turned seven hundred people to his Religion and Doctrine for the which he thanked God Against the faithfull Christians of Amershame was great trouble and persecution in the time of William Smith Bishop of Lincolne At which time diverse and many were abjured and it was called abjuratio magna the great abjuration and they which were noted of that Doctrine and profession were called amongst themselves by the name of known men or just fast men as now they are called by the name of Protestants At this time although publick authority then lacked to maintain the open Preaching of the Gospel yet there were many in secret good Christians and true Professors of the Gospel truly the fervent zeal of those Christian-dayes seemed much superiour to these our dayes and times as manifestly may appear by their sitting up all night in reading and hearing also by their charges and expenses in buying of Books in English In which rarity of books and want of Teachers this one thing may be much marvelled and mused at to note in the Registers and to consider how the word of truth notwithstanding did multiplie so exceedingly as it did amongst them wherein is to be seen no doubt the marvellous working of Gods Almighty power for so it is found and observed in considering the Registers how one neighbour resorting and conferring with another oft seemed with a few words of the first and second Table did win and turn their minds to that wherein they desired to perswade them touching the truth of Gods Word and their Sacraments To see their travells their earnest seeking their burning zeal their readings their watchings their sweet assemblies their love concord their godly living their faithfull meaning with the faithfull may make us now in these our dayes of free profession to blush for shame Four prinipal points they stood in against the Church of Rome in pilgrimage adoration of Saints in reading of Scripture-books in English and in the carnall presence of Christs Body in the Sacrament After the death of William Smith succeeded John Longland a bloody and cruell persecutor of the Saints of God he caused the Wife to detect the Husband the Husband the Wife the Father the Daughter the Daughter the Father the Brother to disclose the Brother and Neigbour the Neighbour neither were there any Assemblies nor readings kept but both the persons and also the books were known neither was one word so closely spoken nor Article mentioned but it was discovered So subtilly and slightly these Catholick Prelats did use their inquisions and Examinations that nothing was done or said among these known men fifteen or twenty years before so covertly but it was brought at length to their intelligence as appears in a Table describing the grievous afflictions of good Men and Women in the Diocesse of Lincolne under John Longland their Bishop with the names both of the accusers and of them that were accused also with the crimes to them objected out of the Registers of the said Diocesse all these were constrained to abjure and do penance and they which were Relapse were committed to the Secular power and burnt As touching the burning of John Scrivener here is to be noted that his Children were compelled to set the fire unto their Father in like manner as Joan Clerk also Daughter of William Tylesworth was compelled to give fire for the burning of her own naturall Father The example of which cruelty as it is contrary both to God and Nature so it had not been seen nor heard of in the memory of the Heathen Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of other Countreys and the Persecutions for Religion there we shall begin first with Germany OF MARTIN LUTHER by whom God began the Reformation of his CHURCH MARTIN LUTHER born at Isleben in Saxonie one Augustine Frier arose in the year of God 1516. to detect and discover the errors of the Church of Rome and to cry out against indulgences upon this occasion Leo the tenth of that name Pope of Rome
word of God John Knox returned again to France to visite that little flock of his which he had in Geneva of the Englishes which the wickednesse of men had compessed him to leave Immediatly after his going away the Bishop summoned him for non-appearance burnt him in Effigie at the Cross of Edinburgh in the year of our Lord 1555. from the which unjust sentence the said John made his appellation and caused to print the samine and directed it to the Nobility and Commons of Scotland which is yet to be seen But John Willock returning again from Emden and others as William Harlaw John Dowglas and others began in Edinburgh and others Towns of the Country publickly to exhort The Nobility and Gentry and others being by them godly instructed and comforted they keep their conventions and held Counsels with such gravity and closnesse that the enemies trembled The Images were stollen away in all parts of the Countrey And in Edinburgh was that great Idol called St. Gile or Sanctus Egidius first drowned in the north Loch after burnt which raised no small trouble in the Town for the Friers rooping like Ravens upon the Bishops the Bishops ran upon the Queen who to them was favourable enough but that she thought it could not stand with her advantage to offend such a multitude as then took upon them the defence of the Gospel and the name of Protestants and yet consented she to summond the preachers whereat the Protestants neither offended nor yet thereof afraid determined to keep the day of summonds as that they did which perceived by the Prelats and Priests they procured a Proclamation to be publickly made that all men that were come to the town without commandement of the authority should with all diligence repair to the Borders and there remain fifteen dayes for the Bishop of Galloway in this manner of ryme said to the Queen Madam because they are come without order I rid you send them to the Border Now had God so provided that the quarter of the West-land in the which was many faithful men was that same day returned from the Border who understanding the matter to proceed from the malice of the Priests assembled themselves together and made passage to themselves till that they came to the very privie Chamber where the Qâ—een Regent and the Bishop were The Gentlemen began to complain upon their strange entertainment considering that her Majesty had found in them so faithfull obedience in all things lawfull While the Queen began to craft a zealous and bold man James Chalmers of Gaithgyrth said Madame we know that this is the malice and device of the Iewels and of that Bastard meaning the Bishop of St. Andrews that standeth by you we avow to God we shal make a day of it they oppress us and our Tennants for feeding of their idle bellies they trouble our Preachers and would murther them and us shall we suffer this any longer no Madame it shal not be and therewith every man put on his stee bonnet There was heard nothing of the Queens part but my joyes my hearts what ailes you me meanes no evill to you nor to your preachers the Bishops shall do you no wrong ye are all my loving subjects I know nothing of this proclamation the day of your Preachers shall be discharged and we will hear the controversie that is betwixt the Bishops and you they shall do you no wrong My Lords said she to the Bishops I forbid you either to trouble them or their preachers unto the Gentlemen who were wondrously commoved she turned again and said O my hearts should you not love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your minds and should ye not love one another as your selves With these and the like words she keeped the Bishops from buffers that time and so the day of summonds being discharged began the brethren universally further to be encouraged but yet could the Bishops in no fort be quiet for St. Geils day approaching they gave charge to the Provest Baillies and Counsell of Edinburgh either to get again the old St. Gile or else upon their expenses to make a new Image The Counsel answered that to them the charge appeareth very unjust for they understood that God in some places had commanded idols and Images to be destroyed but where he had commanded Images to be set up they had not read and desired the Bishop to find a warrand for his commandement Whereat the Bishop offended admonished under pain of cursing which they prevented by a former appellation appealing from him as a partial and corrupt Judge unto the Popes holinesse and so great things following that passed in oblivion Yet would not the Priests and Friers cease to have that great Solemnity and manifest abomination which they accustomedly had upon St. Giles day to wit they would have that Idole born and therefore was all preparation duly made A Marmouset Idol was borrowed from the Gray-friers Thus the Priests and the Friers carried with Tabors and Trumpeters Bâ—nners and Bâ—g-pipes and who was there to lead the ring but the Queen Regent her self with all her shavelings for honour of that feast well about goeth it and cometh down the high street to the Bow The Queen Regent dyned that day in Alexander Carpenter his house betwixt the Bowes and so when the idol returned back again she left it and past into her dinner The hearts of the brethren were wonderfully inflamed to see such abomination so manifestly maintained and so immediatly after that the Q. was entered into the lodging some of them drew nigh unto the Idol and willing to help to bear him and getting the ferror upon his shoulders c. And some began to cry down with the idol down with it and then without delay it was pulled down and broken the Priests and Friers fleed Queen Regent laid up this amongst her other inventions till that she might have seen the time proper to have revenged it After this some Noblemen and Barrons and others resolving upon a Reformation of Religion their petitions put up to the Queen Regent taking no effect joyning in Counsel did bind themselves by oaths and subscriptions to assist one another and hazard their lives and substance to advance the cause of Religion and so proceed peace and peace till the Reformation was established Shortly after these things that cruel tyrant and unmerciful hypocrite falsly called B. of St. Andrews apprehended that blessed Martyr of Christ Jesus Walter Mill a man of decreeped age whom most cruelly and unjustly he put to death by fire in St. Andrews in the year of God 1558. Which thing did so highly offend the hearts of all godly that immediatly after his death began a new fervency among the whole people yea even in the Town of St. Andrews began the people plainly to condemn such unjust cruelty his constancy moved so the hearts of many that the B. steward of his Regality Provest of the
unto him and when he felt the fire he cryed mercy calling belike unto the Lord and so the Prince immedialy commanded to take away the Tun and quench the fire The Prince his commandement being done asked him if he would forsake Heresie to take him to the faith of Holy Church which thing if he would do he should have Goods enough promising also unto him a yearly Stipend out of the Kings Treasury so much as should suffice his contentation but this valiant Champion of Christ neglecting the Princes fair words and promises continued constant in his profession then the Prince commanded him straight to be put again into the Pipe or Tun and that he should not afterward look for any grace or favour and so he was burnt to death Other servants of God good religious men were accused of Heresie and brought before the Archbishop of Canterbury as VVilliam Thorp who gave a large and notable confession of his Faith and answered wisely and godly to all the points whereof he was accused by the Archbishop where he suffered mocking and scorning and threatning what became of this good man and blessed servant of God is not at yet in Story specified by all conjecture it is thought that the Archbishop Thomas Arundell being so hard an adversary against him would not let him go much lesse it is to be supposed that he would ever retract his sentence and opinion which he so valiantly maintained before the Bishop neither doth it seem that he had any such recanting spirit Again neither is it found that he was burned wherefore it remaineth most likely to be true that he being committed to some strait Prison according as the Archbishop in his Examination before did threaten him was so straitly keeped that either he was secretly made away or else there he died by sicknesse The like end also I find happen to John Ashton another good fellower of VVickliff he was condemned by the Bishops and because he would not recant he was committed to perpetuall Prison wherein the good man continued till his death And as great was the constancy of the true professors so many did shrink and did revolt and renounce for danger of the Law In those dayes great was the pride and glory of the Clergie of England that none durst stir or once mute against them having the King so full on their side armed moreover with Laws Statutes Punishments Imprisonments Sword Fire and Fagot reigned and ruled as they listed as Kings and Pâ—inces within themselves So strong were they of power that no humane force was able to stand against them so exalted in pride and puft up in glory that they thought all things to be subject to their reverend Majesties whatsoever they set forth or decreed it must be of all men received and obeyed What greater shew of arrogancy and pride could there be then in this When Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury passed by the high Street of London and because they did not ring their Bells for a triumph of his coming took great snuffe thereat and did suspend all such Churches in London not only with the Steeple and Bells but also with the Organs so many as did not receive his coming with the noise of Bells The like stir for Bell-ringing and for Processions had almost happened between the Archbishop of Canterbury Successor to this Thomas Arundell named Henry Chicâ—ly on the one part and the Abbey of St. Albons on the other part had not the Abbot in time submitting himself to the Archbishop so provided that the ringing of their Bells at his comming might not redound to any derogation of their Liberties whereunto the Archbishop granted by his Lettert direct to them To expresse moreover and describe the glorious pomp of these Princely Prelates in those blind dayes of Popish Religion reigning then in the Church I though to adjoyn hereunto another example not much unlike neither differing much in time concerning certain poor men cited up and enjoyned strait pennance by VVilliam Courtney predecessor of the said Thomas Arundell for bringing Litter to his Horse not in Wains as they should do but in privie Sacks in a secret manner under their Cloaks or Coats for the which so hainous and horrible trespasse the said Archbishop sitting in his Tribunall-seat did call and cite before him the said persons pro litera 1. For Litter after his own Latin and after their submission injoyns them Pennance that is that they going leafurly before the Procession every one of them should carry openly on his shoulder his Bag stuffed with Hay and Straw so that the said Hay or Straw should appear hanging out the mouths of the Sacks being open whereupon it was said This Bag full of Straw I bear on my back Because my Lords Horses his Litter did lack If ye be not good to my Lords Graces horse Ye are like to go bare foot before the Crosse King Henry the fourth had a Prophesie that he thould die in Jerusalem and lying sick in a fair Chamber at VVestminster and lying on his Bed he asked how they called the said Chamber and they answered and said Jerusalem and then he said it was his Prophesie that he should make his end in Jerusalem And so disposing himself toward his end in the foresaid Chamber he died upon that sicknesse whether of Leprosie or of some other sharp disease I have not to affirm The like Prophesie we read of Pope Sylvester 2. to whom being inquisitive for the time and place where he should die it was answered that he should die at Jerusalem who then saying Masse in a Chappel called likewise Jerusalem perceived his end there to be near and died Sir John Oldcastle the Lord Cobham a most worthy and religious Knight was suspect of Heresie and to bee a favourer and maintainer of VVickliffs Doctrine and the professors thereof for the which he was apprehended and accused and falsly condemned for Heresie In his examination before the Archbishop Arundell and his Clergy he answered wisely and Religiously to every point he was posed upon especially anent the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and constantly and zealously maintained the Truth but in end he is falsly and unjustly condemned as an Heretick After that the Archbishop Thomas Arundell had read the bill of his condemnation with most extremity before the whole multitude the Lord Cobham said with a most chearfull countenance though ye judge my body which is but a wretched thing yet am I certain and sure that ye can do no harm unto my Soul no more then could Satan unto the Soul of Job hee that created that will of his infinit mercy and promise save I have therein no manner of doubt And as concerning these Articles of my Belief that I have given in unto you I will stand to them even unto the very death by the grace of my Eternall God And therewith he turned him unto the People casting his hands abroad and saying with a very loud voice
Good Christian people for Gods love be well war of these men for they else will beguile you and lead you blindfold into Hell with themselves for Christ saith plainly unto you If one blind man lead another they are like both to fall into the ditch After this he fell there down upon his knees and thus before them all prayed for his Enemies holding up both his hands and his eyes toward Heaven and saying Lord God Eternall I beseech thee of thy great mercy sake to forgive my persewers if it be thy blessed will And then he was delivered to Sir Robert Morley and so led forth again unto the Tower of London there to be imprisoned but he escaped afterward out of the Tower how and by what means it is uncertain and was in VVales about the space of four years at which time a great summe of Money was proclaimed by the King to him that could take the said Sir John Oldcastle either quick or dead about the end of which four years being expired the Lord Powes whether for love or greedinesse of the money or whether for the hatred of the true and sincere Doctrine of Christ seeking all manner of wayes how to play the part of Judas at length obtained his bloody purpose and brought the Lord Cobham bound up to London and was brought before the Parliament and being out-lawed in the Kings binch and excommunicated before the Archbishop of Canterbury for Heresie where he was adjudged that he should be taken as a Traitour to the King to the Realm What was the point of Treason is not expressed that he should be carried to the Tower of London unto the new Gallows in St. Giles without Temple-bar and there to be hanged and burned hanging Treason was falsly surmized against him his execution arose principally of his Religion which first brought him in hatred of the Bishops the Bishops brought him in hatred of the King the hatred of the King brought him to his death martyrdome The Clergy then tanqâ—am Leones rugientes ceased not to roar after Christian blood and whatsoever else was in fault still the Clergy cryed Crucifie Christ and deliver us Barrabas for then all horrible facts and mischiefs if any were done were imputed to the poor Lollards whom they so misnamed that is withered Darnell Lollard by the Popes interpretation is a word derived of Lollium that is Darnell Yet after the burning of the Lord Cobham the Bishops and priests were in great discredit both with the Nobility and Commons partly for that they had so cruelly handled the good Lord Cobham and partly again because his opinion as they thought all at that time was perfect concerning the Sacrament The prelats feared this to grow to further inconvenience toward them both wayes wherefore they drew their heads together and at the last consented to use another practice somewhat contrare to that they had done before they caused by and by to be blown abroad by their hyred servants friends and babling Sir John's that the said Lord Cobham was become a good man and had lowly submitted himself in all things unto the holy Church utterly changing his opinion concerning the Sacrament and thereupon they counterfeited an abjuration in his name that the people should take no hold of his opinion by any thing they heard of him before and so to stand the more in aw of them considering him so great a man and by them subdued At this time Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury died and this may seem strange that the same Thomas Arundell who a little before sat in Judgement against the Lord Cobham and pronounced sentence of death upon him did himself feel the stroak of death and the sentence of God executed upon him before the other who would have thought but that the Lord Cobham being so cast and condemned definitely by the Archbishops sentence should have died long before the Bishop but such be the works of Gods Almighty hand whoso turned the Wheel that this condemned Lord survived his condemner three or four years Now to leave England for a while and to take a view of the Church of Bohemia and the persecution there for the profession of the Gospel of Christ in the year of our Lord 1400. there was great divisions in Religion in the Country of Bohemia The Emperor Charles the fourth instituted the University of Prage and provided it of learned men and as a Prince given to Letters adorned often with his presence the Disputations made in Schools but because theâ— Teutonians or Almains in that University seemed to carry away the praise and honour there in Disputations above the Bohemians they were greatly ashamed that strangers should surmount them It came to passe that one of the Bohemians having recovered the Books of VVickliff communicated them to his companions and they drew out of them great Arguments which the Teutonians could not resist whereupon many dissentions fell amongst them even to Batteries and Murthers The Teutonians seeing this forsook the place in so much that more then 2000 Schollars on one day went out of Prage and came to Lipse where they began an University after leave obtained John Hus then had the greatest renown a man that came out of a Village called Hus which signisieth an Hen whereof he took his name he was of a great and quick spirit and well spoken beginning to recommend the Doctrine of VVickliff in his Sermons to the people the occasion how the Doctrine of wickliff came to Bohemia was this there chanced at this time a certain Student of the Countrey of Bohemia to be at Oxford one of a wealthy house and also of a noble stock who returning home from the University of Oxford to the University of Prage carried with him certain Books of wickliffs who being communicated to John Hus a man of great knowledge and of a prognant wit took such pleasure in reading of them that not only he began to defend this Author openly in the Schooles but also in his Sermon commending him as a good man an holy and heavenly man wishing himself when hee should die to bee there placed whereas the Soul of wickliff should bee The Bohemians being instructed with his Doctrine began first to set against the Pope esteeming him no more Honourable nor great nor other Bishops or Priests and thereupon reformed the Doctrine by the conclusions and Articles following First that the dignity makes not the Priest or Bishop honourable but Sanctity of life and good Doctrine 2. That souls separat from the bodies go right unto eternall pains o straight obtain happy life 3. That there is no witnesse in all the Scripture whereby can be proved that there is purgatory after this life 4. To make oblation and Sacrifices for the dead is an invention of the covetousnesse of Priests 5. Images of God or Saints benedictions of waters and such like things are forged of men against the Word of God 6. That the orders of begging Friers
burnt a mercilesse and barbarous fact Such was the bloody rage of persecution at this time that â—pared nâ—ither man nor woman child wife nor maid lame blind nor creeple The Martyrdome of Joan Wast a blind woman from her birth in the Town of Derbie about the age of 22. years burnt In her examination before the B. and Doctor Draicot and being asked sundry questions of them and if she believed there things answered she believed as the holy Scriptures taught her and according to that she had heard preached unto her by diverse learned men whereof some suffered imprisonment and other some suffered death for the same Doctrine among whom she named beside others Doctor Taylor whom she said took on his conscience that that Doctrine was true and asked of them if they would do so in like case for their Doctrine which if they did not she desired them for Gods sake not to trouble her being a blind poor and unlearned woman with any further talk saying by Gods assistance that she was ready to yeeld up her life in that faith in such sort as they should appoint for all this she is condemned and given over to the secular power tobe burnt Doctor Draicot being appointed to preach at her execution the blind woman being brought to the Church and set before the Pulpit where the Doctor entering the Sermon he railed mightily against this poor blind woman saying to the people that she was condemned for denying the blessed Sacrament of the Altar to be the very body and blood of Christ really and substantially and was thereby cut off from the body of the Catholick Church and said that she was not only blind of the bodily eyes but also blind in the eyes of her soul And he said that as her body should be presently consumed with materiall fire so her soul should be burned in hell with everlasting fire assone as it should be separated from the body and there to remain world without end And said that it was noâ— lawfull for the people to pray for her And thereafter she was taken to the fire which she constantly endured praying to the Lord to have mercy upon her Follows a pitifull Story concerning the unmercifull handling of William Dangerfield and Joan his wife being in child-bed taken out of her house with her sucking infant of fourteen dayes old and laid in the common Jayle amongst theeves and robbers There was in Gloccester in the Parish of Wotton not far from Bristow one Dangerfield a right honest and godly poor man who by his wife had nine children and she now lying in child bed of the tenth This William after he had been abroad from his house a certain space for fear of persecution hearing that his wife was brought to bed repaired home to visite her as natural duty required and to see his children she being now delivered four dayes before The return of this man was not so soon known to some of his unkind and uncharitable neighbours but they incensed with the spirit of Papistry eftsoones beset the house about and there took the said William and carried him to prison and so at length was brought to the Bishop being then Doctor Brooks in whose cruell handling he remained a certain space so long till his legs were almost fretted off with irons After the apprehension of the husband the wife likewise was taken with her young born child being but fourteen dayes of her childbed and carried into the common Jayle and there placed among theeves and murtherers where both she and her poor innocent found so small charity among the Catholick men that she could never come to any fire but was driven to warm the cloaths that she should put about the child in her bosome In the mean season while they lay thus inclosed in severall prisons the husband and the wife the B. practises with the man and made him believe falsly that his wife had recanted and so perswaded him likewise to recant and so subtilly drew out a form of recantation and so likewise promised to recant he being permitted to go to his wife he shewed this to her whereat she was wonderfully grieved and lamented the fall of her husband and he lamented his promise made to the B. and to make his prayer to the Almighty God and so departed he home to his house whereby the way he took his death and shortly after departed After this Joan his wife continued still in prison with her little Infant till at length also the child being staâ—ved for cold and famine was sent away when it was past all remedy and so shortly after died and not long after the mother also followed besides the old woman which was Mother of the husband of the age of â—o years and upward who being left in the house after their apprehension for lack of comfort there perished also what became of their nine children it as uncertain There were five famished at Canterbury Castle by the unmercifull tyranny of the Papists There were at this time fifteen Martyres and confessors together prisoned in the Castle of Canterbury of which number not one escaped with their lite but either were burned oâ— else famished in prison In the fifth year of Queen Marie there is an visitation commanded to bee holden by the Cardinall at the University of Cambridge and Oxford for reformation of Religion and any abuses and disorders that were there many Bishops and Doctors with great pomp and solemnity were conveened there among other things done there they enter into processe against Martin Eucer and Paulus Phagius for heresie who were now dead and buried long ago they are condemned for heresâ—â— they are taken up and their bones and books burned When the country people saw this Mâ—â—â—ed to execution that were dead before partly deteâ—â—ed and abhorred the extream cruelty of the Commissioner toward the rotten Carcasses and partly laughed at their folly in making such preparation for their burning for what needeth any weapon said they as though they were afraid that the dead bodies which felt them not would do them some harm or to what purpose serveth that chain wherewith they are tyed since they might be burnt loose without any perill for it was not to be feared that they would run away And not only digged they up Peter Martyes bones and burnt them but such was the despitefull handling and madnesse of the Papists towards his wife at Oxford that they took her out of her grave at the comandement of Cardinal Pool and after buried her in a dunghill for they could not prove her to be an Heretick to burn her but in the time of Queen Elizabeth she was taken out of that unclean and dishonest place where she lay and solemnly in the face of the whole Town to bury her again in amore decent and honest monument After this there is abloody commission given forth by King Philip and Queen Mary to persecute the poor members of Christ There were many
delivered him to the Provâ—st of Edenburgh to be burnt on the Castle-hill who incontinent made him to bee put into prison with Irons about his legs and neck At his forthcomming the Provest with great menacing words forbade him to â—peak to any man or any to him as belike he had commandment of his superiors Comming from the town to the Castle-hill the common people said God have mercy upon him and on you said he being beside the fire he lifted up his eyes to heaven twise or thrise and said to the people let it not offend you that I suffer the death this day for the truths sake for the Disciple is not above his Master Then was the Provest angry that he spake then looked he to Heaven again and said they will not let me speak The cord being about his neck the fire was lighted and so departed he to God constantly and with good countenance to our sights There arose in Scotland about this time a Schisme for the Pater Noster by reason of a Sermon of Richard Marshall a black Frier teaching that the Pater Noster should not be said to Saints whereupon the Doctors of the University of St. Andrews together with the gâ—ay Friers who long ago tâ—ught the people to pray the Pater Nâ—ster to Saints had great indignation that their old Doctrine should be repugned and stirred up a gray Frier called Toitts to preach again to the people that they should and might pray the Pater Nostâ—r to Saints Upon this followed incontinent a dangerous schisme in the Church of Scotland for not only the Clergy but the whole people were divided among themâ—elves one defending the truth and another the Papistry in such sort that there arose a Proverb to whom say ye your Pater Noster And although the Papists had the upper hand as then whose works were almost holden for Law so great was the blindnesse of that age yet God so inspired the hearts of the common people that so many as could get the understanding of the words of the Lords Prayer in English which was then said in Latine utterly detested that opinion holding that it should be in no wayes said to the Saints so that the Craftsmen and their servants in their Booths when the Friers came exploded him with shame enough crying Frier Pater Noster Frier Pater Noster who at last being convict with his own conscience was ashamed of his former Sermon was compelled to leave the Town of Sâ— Andrews Shortly the Christians were so hotly offended and the Papists on the other side so proud and wilfull that necessary it was to eschew greater inconveniences that the Clergy at last should be assembled to dispute and conclude the whole matter that the Lay people might be put out of doubt which being done and the University agreed whosoever had been present might have heard much subtill Sophistry for some of the popish doctors affiâ—med that it should be said to God formaliter and to Saints materialiter others ultimate non ultimatè Others said iâ— should be sâ—id to God Principaliter and to Saints minus Principaliter Others that it should be said to God Primarie and to Saints Secundarie Others that it should be said to God Capiendo stricte and to Saints Capieâ—do large Which vain distinctions being heard and considered by the people they that were simple remained in greater doubtfulnesse then they were in before so that a well aged man and a servant to the Superiour of St. Andrews called the Subprior Thome being demanded to whom he said his Pâ—â—er Noster he answered to God only Then he asked again what should be said to the Saints he answered give them Aves and Creeds enough in the devils name for that may suffice them well enough albeit they do not spoil God of his right Others making their vaunt of the Doctors said that because Christ who made the Pater Noster never came into the Isle of Britain and so understood not the English tongue therefore it was that the Doctors concluded it should be said in Latine This perturbation and open slander yet depending it was thought good to call a Provinciall Counsel to decide the matter which being assembled at Edinburgh the Papists being destitute of reason defended their parts with lies alleadging that the Univeasity of Paris had concluded that the Lords prayer should be said to Saints but because that could not be proved and that they could not prevail by reason they used their will in place of reason and sometime despitefull and injurious talk As Frier Scot being asked of one to whom he should say the Pater Noster he answered saying say it to the devil knave So the Counsel perceiving they could profit nothing by reasoning they were compelled to passe voting that is to the numbering of votes But then incontinent they that were called Church-men were found divided and repugnant among themselves for some Bishops with the Doctors and Friers consented that the Pater Noster should be said to Saints but the Bishops of Sr. Andrews Caithnes and others with other moe learned men refused utterly to subscribe the same Finally with consent of both parties commission was given by the holy Church to Dâ—an John Winram then Superior of St. Andrews to declare to the people how and after what manner they should pray the Lords prayer who accepting to the Commission declared that it should be said to God with some other restrictions which are not necessary to be put in memory and so by little and little the bruit and tumult ceased Queen Dowager past by sea to France and took with her diverse of the Nobility of Scotland with diverse Barrons and Gentlemen and many others The Dowager had to practise somewhat with her brethren the Duke of Guise and the Cardinall of Lorrane the weight whereof the Governor after felt for shortly after her return was the Governor deposed of his government justly by God but most unrustly by man and she made Regent in the year of our Lord 1554. She was an deadly enemy to the Gospell In the cruel persecution used by Queen Mary of England were godly men dispersed into diverse nations of whom it pleased the goodness of God to send some unto us for our comfort and instruction And first came a simple man William Harlaw whose erudition although it excelled nor yet for his whole and diligent plainnesse in doctrine is he to this day worthy of praise and remains a faithfull member within the Church of Scotland After him came that notable man John Willock as one that had some commission â—o the Q. Regent from the Dutchesse of Emden but his principal purpose to assay what God would work by him in his native country These two did some times in several companies assemble the Brethren who by their exhortations began greatly to be encouraged and did shew that they had an earnest thrist of godlinesse And last came John Knox who bot privatly and publickly preached the