Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
lord_n earl_n henry_n northumberland_n 11,343 5 11.8561 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A67926 Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.; Actes and monuments Foxe, John, 1516-1587. 1583 (1583) STC 11225; ESTC S122167 3,159,793 882

There are 37 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

you shall not speake but when I commaund you Then quoth Philpot I had rather be absent altogether Thus they reasoning to and fro at length about the 13. of December Q. Mary to take vp the matter sendeth her commaundement to Boner Byshoppe of London that he should dissolue and breake vp the conuocation Decemb●● The copie of which commaundement here followeth The precept of the Queene to Boner Bishop of London for the dissoluing of the foresayde Conuocation MAria c. Reuerendo in Christo patri Domino Domino Edmundo London Episcopo salutem Q. Mary breaketh 〈◊〉 the Conuocation Cum praesens cō●●catio Cleri Cantuariensis prouinciae apud Sāctum Paulum London iam modo tenta instans existit certis tamen vrgentibus causis considerationibus nos specialiter mouentibus de aduisamento Consilij nostri ipsam praesentem conuocationem duximus dissoluendam Et ideo vobis mandamus quòd eandem praesentem conuocationem apud sanctum Paulum praedictum debito modo asque aliqua dilatione dissoluatis dissoluiue faciatis prout conuenit significantes ex parte nostra vniuersis singulis Episcopis nec non Archidiaconis Decanis omnibus alijs personis Ecclesiasticis quibuscunque dictae Cantuariensis Prouinciae quorum interest vel interesse poterit quod ipsi eorum quilibet huic mandato nostro exequendo intendentes sint obedientes prout decet Teste meipsa apud Westmonasterium 13. die Decembris Anno regni nostri primo During the time of this disputation the 20. day of Nouēber y e Maior of Couentrie sent vp vnto y e Lordes of the Coūsel Baldwine Clarke I. Carelesse Tho. Wilcockes and Richard Estlin for their behauiour vpon All halowe day last before Whereupon Carelesse and Wylcocks were committed to the gatehouse and Clarke and Astelyn to the Marshalsey The same day there was a letter directed to Sir Christopher Heydon and Sir William Farmer knight for the apprehension of Iohn Huntingdon preacher for making a rime against D. Stokes and the sacrament Who appearing before the counsell the 3. of December next after was vpon his humble submission and promise to amend aswel in doctrine as liuing againe suffered to depart In the daies of king Henry This Lord Courtney was sonne to the M●●●ques of Ex●●ceter and also of king Edward raigning after him diuers noble men Bishops and other were cast into the Tower some charged with treason as Lord courtney and the Duke of Northfolke whose sonne Lorde Henry Earle of Surrey had bene the same time beheaded a worthy ingenious gentlemen for what cause or by whom I haue not hear to deale this is certaine that not many yeres after his death folowed the beheading of both the L. Semers and at last of the Duke of Northumberland also some for y e Popes supremacie Steuē Gar●diner Byshop of Winchester made Lor● Chauncellor of England and suspicious letters tending to sedition as Tonstal B. of Durham and other for other things all which continued there prisoners til Q. Maries comming in Unto whome the saide Q. eftsoones graunted their pardone and restored them to theyr former dignities Amongst whom also was Gardiner B. of Winchester whom she not onely freed out of captiuitie but also aduaunced him to be high chancelor of Englande Furthermore to the L. Courtney she shewed such fauour The Lord Courtney made Earl of Deuonshyre that shee made him Earle of Deuonshire in so muche that there was a suspition amongst many that she would marie him but that prooued otherwise The same time Bonner also had bene prisonner in the Marshalsey whome likewise Queene Mary deliuered restored to the Bishopricke of London againe displacing Doct. Ridley with diuers other good Bishops moe as is aboue mentioned as Cranmer from Canterb. the Archbyshoppe of Yorke likewise Poynette from Winchester Iohn Hooper from Worcester Barlow from Bath Harley from Hereforde Taylor from Lincolne Ferrar from S. Dauids Couerdale from Excester Scorye from Chichester c. with a great number of Archdeacons Deanes and briefly all suche beneficed men which either were married or woulde constantly adheere to theyr profession All which were remooued from their liuings 〈…〉 intru●●d by Q. ●●ry and other of the contrary secte sette in the same as Cardinall Poole who was then sent for Gardiner Heath White Daye Troublefield c. And as touching Cranmer of whome mention was made before for so much as there was a rumor spreade of hym the same time at London that he hadde recanted and caused Masse to be sayde at Caunterburye for purging of hymselfe hee published abroade a declaration of hys truthe and constancie in that behalfe protestinge that hee neyther had so done 〈…〉 Peter 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of their 〈◊〉 agaynst all men nor mineded so to doe adding moreouer that if it woulde so please the Queene he wyth Peter Martyr and certaine other whome he would chuse would in open disputation sustaine the cause of the doctrine taught and set foorth before in the time of king Edward againste all persons whomesoeuer But while he was in expectation to haue this disputation obtained he with other bishops wer laid fast in the Tower and P. Martir permitted to depart the realme and so wen● he to Argentine After this in the moneth of Nouemb. the Archbyshop Cranmer notwithstāding he had earnestly refused to subscribe to the kings wil D. Cranmer with the Lady 〈◊〉 arr●●g●●d of treason in the Guildhall Archbishop Cranmer quit of treason in disheriting his sister Marye ●lledging many graue and pithy reasons for her legitimation was in Guild hall of London arraigned and attainted of treason with the L. Iane and three of the Duke of Northumberlandes sonnes which at the intreatye of certayne persons were had againe to the Tower and there kept for a time All which notwithstanding Cranmer beinge pardoned of treason stoode onely in the action and case of doctrine why●h they called heresie whereof hee was ryghte glad and ioyfull This being done in Nouember the people and especially the Churchmen perceiuing the Queene so eagerlye set vpon her olde religion they likewise for theyr partes to shewe themselues no lesse forwarde to serue the Queenes appetite as the manner is of the multitude commonlye to frame themselues after the humour of the Prince and time present began in their Quiers to set vp the pageants of s. Katherine Going about of S. Katherin and S. Nicholas and of S. Nicholas and of their processions in Latine after all their olde solemnitie with their gaye garde●iance and gray ami●es And when the month of December was come the Parliament brake vp but first of all such statutes were repealed which were made either of Premunire or touched anye alteration of religion and administration of Sacramentes vnder king Edward In the which parliament also communication was mooued of the Queenes mariage wyth king Phillip the Emperors sonne In this meane while
against me maister Ridley and maister Latimer in three matters concerning the Sacrament First of the reall presence secondly of Transubstātiation thirdly of the sacrifice of the Masse vpon Monday against me vpon Tuesday against Doctour Ridley and vppon Wednesday against maister Latimer Howe the other two were ordered I knowe not for we were seperated so that none of vs knoweth what the other sayd nor how they were ordered But as concerning my selfe I can report Doctour Chadsey was appoynted to dispute against me but the disputation was so confused that I neuer knewe the like euery man bringing foorth what him liked without order and such hast was made The Archb. not suffered to aunswere fully to any argument that no aunsweare coulde be suffered to be taken fully to any argument before an other brought a newe argument and in suche waightie matters the disputation must needes be ended in one day which can scantly well be ended in three moneths And when we had answeared them they woulde not appoynte vs one day to bring foorth our proofes that they might answeare vs being required by me thereunto whereas I my selfe haue more to say then can be well discussed as I suppose in twentie dayes The meanes to resolue the truth had bene to haue suffered vs to aunsweare fully to all that they coulde say and then they again to answeare vs fully to all that we can say But why they woulde not answeare vs what other cause can there be but that either they feared their matter that they were not able to answere vs or else for some consideration they made such hast not to seke the truth but to condemne vs that it must be done in poast haste before the matters coulde be throughly heard for in all haste we were all 3. condemned of heresie Thus much I thought good to signifie vnto your Lordshippes that you may knowe the indifferent handlinge of matters leauing the iudgement thereof vnto your wisedomes Hast made in condemning the Archb. and hys fellowes And I beseeche your Lordships to remember me a poore prisonner vnto the Queenes Maiestie and I shall pray as I doe daily vnto God for the long preseruation of your good Lordshippes in all godlinesse and felicitie April 23. Doctour Ridley to the Archbishop of Caunterburie I Wishe ye might haue seene these mine answeares before I had deliuered them y t yee myght haue corrected them B. Ridley writeth to the archbishop But I truste in the substaunce of the matter wee doe agree fully both led by one spirite of truth and both walking after one rule of Gods woorde It is reported that Sergeant Morgane This Iustice Morgan gaue sentence against Lady Iane. the chiefe Iustice of the Common place is gone madde It is sayde also that Iustice Hales hath recanted peruerted by D. Moreman Item that M. Rogers D. Crome and M. Bradforde shall be had to Cambridge and there be disputed with as we were here and that the Doctours of Oxforde shall goe likewise thither Disputation in Cambridge intended as Cambridge men came hither When ye haue red mine answeares sende thē againe to Austen except ye wil put any thing to them I trust the day of oure deliuerie out of all miseries and of our entrance into perpetuall rest and vnto perpetuall ioye and felicitie draweth me the Lorde strengthe vs wyth hys mighty spirite of grace If you haue not to wryte with you must make your man your frende And this bearer deserueth to be rewarded so he may and will doe you pleasure My man is trustie but it greeueth both him and mee that when I sende hym with any thing to you your man will not let him come vp to see you as he maye to M. Latimer and yours to me I haue a promise to see how my answers were wrytten in the schooles but as yet I cannot come by it Praye for me I pray for you and so shall I for you The Lord haue mercy of his church and lighten the eyes of the magistrates that Gods extreme plagues light not on this realme of England Turne or burne These disputations being thus discoursed and ended which were at Oxforde in the moneth of April as is aforesayd nowe let vs returne againe to the prosecuting of our story touching other things likewise y t happened in other parties of the realme in this tumultuous time of Queene Marie And because thinges that happened in that time were so many and diuers that it is hard to keepe a perfecte order in reciting them all to the entent therefore to inserte things leaft out before or els to prosecute the same more at full we haue thought heere a litle to interrupt the order of time albeit not muche returning againe to the moneth of Iulie the yeare before videlicet 1553. In the which moneth of Iuly I shewed before howe the Duke of Northumberland was apprehended by the Gard and brought to London by the Earle of Arundell and other Lordes and Gentlemen appoynted for that purpose on S. Iames day being the 25. day of Iuly and so to the tower where they remained These be the names of them which were committed to the Tower with the Duke First the Earle of Warwike the Earle of Huntington Lord Ambrose The names of them that were committed to the Tower with the Duke of Northumberland and Lord Henry Dudley Lord Hastings who was deliuered againe y e same night sir Iohn Gates sir Henry Gates sir Andrew Dudley sir Thom. Palmer and D. Sandes Chancelour of Cambridge The 26. day the Lorde Marques of Northampton the B. of London Lord Robert Dudly and sir Richard Corbet were brought and committed to the Tower The 27. day the Lorde chiefe Iustice of Englande and the Lord Mountacute chiefe Iustice of the common place were committed to the Tower Uppon the Friday being the 28. of Iulye the Duke of Suffolke and Sir Iohn Cheeke were committed to the Tower The 30. of Iulye the Lorde Russell was committed to the Sheriffe of Londons custodie The 31. day the Earle of Rutlande was committed to the Fleete The Duke of Suffolke deliuered out of the Tower Uppon the monday the last of Iuly the Duke of Suffolke was deliuered out of the Tower againe Upon thursday the 3. of August the Queene entred into the citie of London at Algate so to the Tower where shee remained seuen daies and then remooued to Richmond Uppon friday the fourth day doct Day was deliuered out of the Fleete Upon saterday the 5. day the Lorde Feries was committed to the tower and the same daye D. Boner was deliuered out of the Marshalsey The same day at nyght D. Co●kes was committed to the Marshalsey and one M. Edward Underhill to Newgate Also the same day doctor Tons●●● and Ste. Gardiner were deliuered out of the Tower and Gardiner receiued into the Quenes priuie counsaile and made Lord Chancelor Uppon Sunday the 7. day Henry Dudley captaine of the Garde at
done and finally albeit it be a good while since hee was put to death yet the memorie of hys death as frutefull seede hath taken such roote in some that euen vnto this present day he is a liuely and diligent preaching vnto them against superstition and Idolatry vsed in their Churches Ex testimonio N. Fildi Pendigrace aliorum qui rei gestae interfuerunt The tragicall hystorie of the worthy L. Edward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector with the whole cause of his troubles and handling AFter so many troublous matters in this historie aforepassed comming nowe to the lamentable and tragicall narration of the L. Edward duke of Somerset Anno 1552. the kings vncle and Protector of his person of his realme I could not wel enter into the story of him without some premonition first to all noble personages The story of the L. Protector Duke of Somerset of what honor or calling soeuer within this realme by way of history briefly to admonish them no man to plant any trust or assurance vpon the brickle pillers of worldly prosperity howe high soeuer it seemeth consideringe that there is no state so high but it hath his ruine wisedome so circumspecte but it maye bee circumuented no vertue so perfecte but it may be enuyed neither any mans trade so simple but it maye be beguiled And therefore seeing the condition of mortall things is so Worldly prosperity not to be trusted vnto that no man can alwaies stand in this so ruinous a world y e surest way is euery man to chuse his standing so that his fall may be y e easier But because my purpose is as I haue said in the stories before to abridge and make short I will here stay referring to the secrete cōsideration of that which remaineth further by me in this matter to be vttered and so falling into the storie of the Lorde Protectoure Duke of Somerset we will the Lorde willing declare in order the original and whole occasion of his trouble and decay euen from the beginning King Edwarde after that both his father and mother were dead had three vncles least him by his mothers side Edwarde Thomas and Henry Semer of the which two first one was made Protectour of the Realme and the other high admirall of the same These two brethren so long as they were knit ioyned together in amitie and cōcorde Concorde maketh brethren strong preserued both themselues the king their nephew and the whole common wealth from the violence and feare of all danger But the subtil old serpent alwaies enuying mans felicitie through slanderous tongues sought to sowe matter first of discord betwene them then of suspition and last of all extreme hatred in so much that the Protectour suffered his brother being accused whether truely or falsely the Lorde knoweth to be condemned and to loose hys heade Wherby it came to passe whether by y e correction of Gods iudgement vpon him or whether that he after the death of his brother and the king being yet but yong and tender of age was the lesse able to shift for himselfe that not long after he was ouermatched and ouerthrowen of his enemies and so cast into the Tower and at last lost hys head also to the great lamentation of many good men as in the sequele of this hystorie foloweth to be declared For the better introduction of which hystorie firste to begin with the foresaide brother of the Lorde Protectoure Syr Thom●● Semer 〈◊〉 admirall namely Sir Thomas Semer high Admirall of England and the kings Uncle here is to vnderstande that he hadde maried Queene Katherine late wife to kinge Henrye the eight of whome ye heard before pag. 1342. Displeas●●● betweene the Quee● the Du●●ches of So●merset Now it happened vppon what occasion I knowe not that there fell a displeasure betwixt the sayde Queene and the Duchesse of Somerset and therupon also in the behalf of their wiues displeasure and grudge began betwene the brethrē Which albeit through perswasion of frendes it was for a time appeased betweene them Discorde betweene the L. Pr●●tectour 〈◊〉 the L. A●●mirall his brother The L. A●●mirall beheaded at tower hy● yet in shorte space after perchaunce not without y e priuie setting forward o● some whych were backefrendes to the Gospell it brake out againe both to the trouble of the Realme and especially to the cōfusion of them both as after it is prooued First to the Lorde Admiralles charge it was laide that hee purposed to destroy the young king and translate the Crowne vnto hymselfe and for the same being attainted and condemned did suffer at Tower hill the 20. of Marche An. 1549. As manye there were which reported that the Dutches of Somersette had wrought his death so manye moe there were En quo discordial fratres per●ducit mise●ros who misdoubting the long standing of the Lord Protectour in hys state and dignity thought and affirmed no les but that the fall of the one brother woulde be the ruine of the other the experiment whereof as it hath often ben proued so in these also eftsoones it ensued It was not long after the beheading of the Lorde Admirall but insurrections began to kindle the same yeare in diuers quarters of the realme as is aboue storied Iohn Du●●ley Earle 〈◊〉 Warwicke afterward Duke of Northumberland By the occasion wherof the lord Russel lord priuy Seale was sent to the West parts and the lord Dudley Earle of Warwike was sent w t an armie into Norfolke where bothe he hymselfe a great number of Gentlemen that were with hym meeting with the rebels were in great daunger notwithstanding in the ende the ouerthrowe was geuen to the rebels which was aboute the beginning of Septemb. 1549. After this victorie atchieued in the next moneth folowing whiche was October Discorde betweene the Earle 〈◊〉 Warwick● the Lo●● Protecto● howe the matter fell oute betweene the Lorde Protectour and certaine other Lordes I knowe not but at the retourne of the Earle of Warwike aforesaid greate workinge and consultation there was amonge the Lordes assembling them selues in the house of M. Yorke and at Bainardes Castle and in the Lorde Maiors house at London against the Lorde Protectoure remaining the● with the King at Hampton Court Of the which businesse and trouble thus the Lorde Protectoure wryteth in hys letters to the Lorde Russell in the West countrey as followeth A letter of the L. Protectour to the L. Russel Lord priuie Seale concerning troubles working against him AFter our right harty commendations to your good Lordship heere hath of late risen such a conspiracie against the kinges Maiestie and vs as neuer hath bene seene A letter o● the L. Pr●●tectour to the L. 〈◊〉 Seale the which they can not maintaine but with such vaine letters and false tales surmised as was neuer meant nor entended on vs. They pretend and say that we haue solde Bulloigne to
much vnlike so in matters of religion and in discerning truth from falshood their zeale seemed not much discrepant Although the light of the Gospell did not so fully then shine out as in the time of this latter Duke the Lord be praysed therfore yet the wisedome and towardnes of y e other Duke also touching the same was not vtterly vnworthy of his commendation A false miracle detected by Duke Humfrey of Glocester For the more manifest declaration whereof amongest many other his godly doinges we may take for example the prudent and famous acte of that noble Duke in descerning and trying out the false lying miracle and popish hipocrisie of the blinde begger at S. Albons mentioned in his story before pag. 679. For the whiche cause and for his dilligent studye in reforming that and such other blinde abuses of fayned Religion he was the more hated of the spiritualtie and suche as Winchester then was Finally as thys Lorde Protector Duke of Somerset the kinges vncle by certayne of the Counsayle was then accused arraigned cōdemned for the trespasse as it was geuen forth of felonie although I neuer heard he murdered or robbed any so the other vncle of king Henry the 6. was made away The testimonye of M. William Tindall of good Duke Humfrey The happy successe of the Duke of Somerset in his victoryes Of whose decease thus writeth Mayster W. Tindall in his practise of Prelaets At y e last they found the meanes to contriue a drift to bring their matters to passe made a Parliamēt far from the Citizens of Londō where was slayne the sayd good Duke the onely wealth of the Realme and y e mighty shield which so long had kept it from sorowe which shortly after his death fell vpon thē by heapes But the Chronicles sayth he cannot tel wherfore he dyed nor by what meanes Neuertheles this they testifie that he was a vertuous man godly and good to the common wealth But to leaue Duke Humfrey and to return to the maners and vertues of the Duke of Somerset whiche before we were about to describe as he was a gentle and courteous Duke at home so was he no lesse fortunate a Captain in warfare abroad Gods chastisement vpon the Duke of Somerset Under whose gouernment guidyng not onely diuers rebellious commotions were happily suppressed here at home but also abroad in the expedition of Scotland such a victory was geuen him of God that w t the losse scarse of sixe hundred of his own men there were of the enemies as good or little lesse then x. thousand slayn and put to flight and euen the very same day and tyme in the which all the Idolatrous Images were here burnt at London And yet al these warres notwithstanding wherunto he was agaynst his will compelled he was a man of nature singularly geuen to peace as may be seene by the sweete and peaceable exhortation by him set forth in print before and sent to the realme of Scotland But as there is nothing in this worlde so perfect in all respectes which is not blotted or darckned with some spot of vice adioyned withal so amongst the manifold commēdations of this Duke one thinge there was too whiche both desteyned his honour and estimation much and also more empayred and hindered his owne life safety which was that he in condescending to the death of his brother followed too rashly the perswasion of certayne whosoeuer they were for that matter lacked not perchaunce some singular fetche and pollicie of some more craftely then godly disposed persons as many good men haue supposed But what soeuer of that matter is to be deemed credible it is that the said Duke in suffering or procuring this death of his brother not only endamaged himselfe weakened his own power but also prouoked the chastisement of Gods scourge and rod which did so light vpon him Furthermore as touching the death and decay of the Lord Henry Earle of Surrey who suffered also at the Tower next before the Lord Admirall the Lorde Protectours brother because the casting of him was so neare to the death of King Henry The beheading of the Earle of Surrey as I know not vpon whome or what cause the same did proceede so I passe it ouer and leaue it to the Lord. Notwithstanding as for the Duke of Somerset whatsoeuer his other vices and vertues were this is certayne that his ende the Lord so working wyth him was constant in Christes truth as his life was before a great maintenance of the same Moreouer on the xxvj day of February in the same yeare was sir Rafe Uane Syr Rafe Vane Syr Myles Partrige Syr Michael Stanhop and Syr Thomas Arundell suffered at Tower hyll sir Miles Partrige both hāged at the Tower hill And sir Michaell Stanhop sir Thomas Arundell beheaded vppon the scaffold all which four were condemned by the saide Acte of vnlawfull assemblie and as accessaries vnto the Duke of Somerset Not long after the death of the Duke of Somerset in the next yeare folowing deceassed the King himselfe about the moneth of Iune whereof more shall be said the Lord graunting in his due order and course heereafter In the meane season before we come to close vp the latter end and story of this good King the place heere present seemeth not vnfitte to intermixt by the way a few other things before Religion hindered by discorde hapning within the time of his reigne namely concerning matters incident of the Church of Religiō Which state of Religion begā wel to grow to come happely forward during this Kings daies had not the vnhappy troubles of the outward state amongst the Lords not agreeing within themselues disquieted the good towardnes of things begon But the malice of the diuell how subtilly worketh it if men could see it So long as the Lordes agreed in concord among themselues Winchester and Boner with all that faction was cut short and began to condescend to good cōformitie But afterward perceauing the states and nobles of the Realme to be amōg themselues diuided and y e Lord Protectour the Kings vncle displaced and his brother the Admirall before beheaded and the yong King now left in that case they begā vpon some hope to take more hart vnto them Discorde what decay it worketh in a common wealth till at last it came to passe as they themselues desired And thus though nothing else will leade vs yet experience may teach vs what discorde worketh in publicke weales and contrary what a necessary thing concord is to the aduancemēt especially of Gods matters apperteining to his Church Examples whereof in this Kings daies be not farre to seeke For as touching the successe of the Gospell of peace D. Smyth Chadsey Standish Younge Oglethorpe reclaymed from their errours while publicke peace and the Gospel did ioine together marueilous it was how errour Popery were in themselues confounded and ashamed
at large In whome I wyshe thee to continue in health and to perseuere in the trueth Anno 1549. ❧ The first entring of Queene Mary to the Crowne with the alteration of Religion and other perturbations happening the same time in this Realme of England Anno 1553. WHat time King Edward by long sickenesse beganne to appeare more feble and weake in the meane while during the time of this his sickenesse The reigne of Queene Mary a certayne mariage was prouided concluded and shortly also vpon the same solempnised in the moneth of May betwene the Lord Gilford sonne to the Duke of Northumberland 〈◊〉 ●●tweene the Lor● Gilfo●d and the Lady ●ane and the Lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes daughter whose mother being then aliue was daughter to Mary King Henryes second sister who first was maried to the French king and afterward to Charles Duke of Suffolke But to make no long tariance hereupon the mariage being ended and the king waxing euery day more sicke then other where as in deede there seemed in him no hope of recouerye it was brought to passe by the consent not onely of the Nobility but also of all the chiefe Lawyers of the Realme that the king by his Testament did appoynt the foresayde Ladye Iane daughter to the Duke of Suffolke to be inheretrice vnto the crowne of England passing ouer his two sisters Mary and Elizabeth To this order subscribed all the kinges Counsell and chiefe of the Nobility Syr Iames Hales standeth with Queene Mary the Maior and city of London and almoste all the Iudges and chiefe Lawyers of this Realme sauing onely Iustice Hales of Kent a man both fauoring true Religion and also an vpright iudge as any hath bene noted in this Realme who geuing his consent vnto Lady Mary would in no case subscribe to Lady Iane. Of this man God willing you shall perceiue more in the sequele of this story The causes layd agaynst Lady Marye were as well for that it was feared she would mary with a Straunger and thereby entangle the crowne as also that she would cleane alter Religion vsed both in king Henry her father and also in king Edwarde her brothers dayes so bring in the pope to the vtter destruction of the Realme which indeed afterward came to passe as by the course and sequele of this story may well appeare Two things feared in Queene Mary Much probable matter they had thus to coniecture of her by reason of her great stubbernnes shewed and declared in her brothers dayes as in the letters before mentioned passing betwene her and king Edward the Counsell may appeare The matter being thus concluded and after confirmed by euery mans hand King Edwarde an Impe of so great hope not long after this departed by the vehemency of his sickenes when he was sixtene yeares of age with whom also decaid in maner the whole florishing estate and honor of the English nation Queene Iane procla●med at ●ondon Comparisō●●tweene 〈◊〉 king ●dward ●oung Lady 〈◊〉 This 〈◊〉 of the Lady Iane was M. Elmer When king Edwarde was deade this Iane was established in the kingdome by the Nobles consent and was forthwith published Queene by proclamation at London and in other Cityes where was any great resort and was there so taken and named Betweene this young Damosell and kyng Edwarde there was litle difference in age though in learning knowledge of the tongues she was not onely equall but also superior vnto him being instructed of a Mayster right notablye learned If her fortune had bene as good as was her bringing vppe ioyned wyth ●inenesse of wit vndoubtedly she might haue semed comparable not onelye to the house of the Uaspasians Semp●onians and mother of the Grachies yea to anye other women beside that deserued high prayse for theyr sigulart learning but also to the vniuersity men which haue taken many degrees of the Schooles In the meane time while these thinges were a working at London Mary which had knowledge of her Brothers death writeth to the Lords of the Councell in forme as foloweth ¶ A Letter of the Lady Mary sent to the Lordes of the Counsell wherein shee claymeth the Crowne after the decease of king Edwarde Lady Maryes letter sent to the Coun●ayle wherein shee 〈◊〉 the Crowne MY Lordes we greete you well and haue receiued sure aduertisement that our dearest Brother the king our late soueraigne Lord is departed to Gods mercye whiche newes howe they be woefull vnto our hart he onely knoweth to whose will and pleasure we must and do humbly submitte vs and our willes But in this so lamentable a case that is to witte now after hys Maiesties departure and death concerning the Crowne and gouernaunce of thys Realme of England with the title of Fraunce and all thinges thereto belonging what hath bene prouided by Act of Parliament and the Testament and last will of our dearest Father besides other circumstaunces aduauncing our right you know the Realme and the whole world knoweth the Rolles and Recordes appeare by the authority of the kyng our sayde Father and the king our sayde brother and the subiectes of thys Realme so that we verily trust that there is no good true subiect that is can or would pretend to be ignoraunt therof and of our parte wee haue of our selues caused and as God shall ayde and strength vs shall cause our right and title in this behalfe to be published and proclaymed accordingly And albeit this so weighty a matter seemeth straunge that the dying of oure sayde brother vpon Thursday at night last past we hytherto hadde no knowledge from you thereof yet we consider your wisedomes and prudence to be such that hauing eftsoones amongest you debated pondered and well wayed this present case with our estate with your own estate the common wealth and all our honours wee shall and may conceiue greate hope and trust with much assuraunce in your loyaltye and seruice and therefore for the tyme interprete and take thinges not to the worst and that ye yet will like Noble men woorke the best Neuerthelesse wee are not ignoraunt of your consultations to vndoe the prouisions made for our preferment nor of the great bandes and prouisions forceable wherewith yee bee assembled and prepared by whom and to what ende God and you know and nature can but feare some euill But be it that some consideration politicke or whatsoeuer thing else hath mooued you thereto yet doubte you not my Lordes but we can take all these your doynges in gracious part being also right ready to remit fullye pardon the same with that freely to eschewe bloudshed and vengeance agaynst all those that canne or will intend the same trusting also assuredly you will take and accept this grace and vertue in good part as appeateyneth and that wee shall not be enforced to vse the seruice of other our true subiectes and frendes which in thys our iust and right cause
his counsell that my life mother children brethren sisters and frendes with other delightes of life G. Marsh forsaket● kindred al togeth●● to sticke 〈◊〉 Christ. were as deare sweet vnto me as vnto any other man and that I would be as loth to lose them as an other would if I might hold them with good conscience and without the ignominy of Christ and seeing I could not doe that my trust was that God would strenthen me with his holy spirit to lose them all for his sake for I take my selfe sayd I for a sheepe appaynted to be slayne paciently to suffer what crosse so euer it shal please my merciful father to lay on me And so after I had desired them that if I were committed to prison my frendes might be suffered to relieue me they departed Mayster More afore this brought vnto me a booke of one Alphonsus a Spanish Frier Alphonsu● booke brought 〈◊〉 G. Marsh of all heresies wherwith the church of Rome which he called Christes true church had bene troubled since Christes time willing me to read and take Counsell of that booke appoynted me a place where this author did write agaynst them that say the lay people ought to receiue vnder both kindes This Authour I perceiued did vehementlye write agaynst Luther Melancthon Pellicā other Germaynes of this our time in all pointes defēding y e blasphemous abuses and enormities of the Romish Church condēning as detestable heresies whatsoeuer was written taught or beleued contrary to the same vsing for his strōgest and surest argumentes the consent agrement and determinatiō of the Romish Church So within a fewe dayes Mayster More came to me againe asking me how I liked the book I sayd the authour of the booke did in all poyntes beyng a Papist allow the rites and abuses of the Romish church Marshes iudgement of Alpho●sus booke and shewed him further that this author without authority and contrary both to the Scriptures olde Doctors did condemn for heresy the lay people receiuing of this sacrament vnder both kindes where as this Authour witnesseth his owne selfe that Christes church 900. yeares after Christ vsed the contrary So in conclusion he rebuketh me saying I was vnlearned erred from the Catholicke fayth stubburne and stoode altogether in mine owne conceite I aunswered for my learning I knowledge my selfe to know nothing but Iesus Christ euen him that was crucified and that my fayth was grounded vpon Gods holy word onely such as I doubted not pleased God and as I would stand in vntill the last day God assisting me and that I did not say or do any thing either of stubbernes selfe wilfulnes vayn glory or any other worldly purpose but with good conscience and in the feare of God and desired him to speake to my Lord and his Counsell that I might finde some gētlenes and mercy at theyr handes He made me but short answere Then I sayd I commit my cause vnto God who hath numbred the hayres of my head and appoynted the dayes of my life saying I am sure God which is a righteous Iudge would make inquisition for my bloude according as he hath promised Then he tooke his booke frō me and departed I continued still in Ward vntill Low sonday and after dinner my keeper Richard Scot came to mee into my chamber G. Marsh 〈◊〉 to Lancaster Castell and told me that two young men were come to cary me to Lancaster and so deliuered me vnto them a great company both of my Lordes seruauntes and others accompanying and bringing mee on the way vnto Rich. Addertons and somewhat further counselling and perswading like as is aforesayd To whome I made playne aunswere that in matters of faith I would geue place to no earthly creature So they comforted me and sayd y t they wer sory for me saying if I knew mine opinion to be good I did wel and so they departed willing my bringers to entreate me honestly My bringers by the way shewed me they were willed aduised to binde me and that they desired first to see me and after they had looked on me sitting at dinner they answered they would take charge of me beyng loose for they sayd I seemed to be an honest man The first night we were all night at Broughton and the second day we came to Lācaster betimes at after noone and so they kept me all night with them of their gētlenes and on the morow deliuered me to y e Iaylor who brought me into the highest prison where I do remaine G. Marsh caused to ●old vp his handes at Lancaster amongest other malefactours After that the sayd George came to Lancaster Castle there being brought with other prisoners vnto the Sessions was made to hold vp his hāds w t other malefactors The Earle of Darby had this communication with him as here followeth Communication betweene George Marsh and the Earle of Darby Talke betweene G. Marsh and the Earle of Darby I Sayd vnto my Lord I had not dwelled in the countrey these three or foure yeares past and came home but lately to visite my mother children and other my friends and to haue departed out of the country before Easter thē next to haue gone out of the realme Wherfore I trusted seing nothing could be layd against me wherein I had offended agaynst the lawes of this realme his Lordship would not with captious questions examine me to bring my body into daunger of death to the great discomfort of my mother but suffer me to auoyd peaceably seeing I might haue fled out of the country and yet of mine owne will came to hys Lordship He sayd to his Counsell he had heard tell of me aboue at London and intended to make search for me and take me either in Lancashyre or aboue at London and asked me into what land I would haue gone The Earle of Darby cha●geth the calme of 〈◊〉 of heresie I aunswered I would haue gone either into Almain or els into Denmarke He sayd to his Counsell in Denmarke they vsed suche heresie as they haue done in England but as for Almayne hee sayde the Emperour had destroyed them So after such like woordes I sayde vnto him my trust was that his Lordship being of the honourable Counsell of the late king Edward consenting and agreeing to acts concerning fayth toward God and religion vnder great payne woulde not so soone after consent to put poore men to shamefull death as he had threatned me for embrasing the same with so good a conscience He aunswered that he with the Lord Windsor Lord Dacars The Earle of Darby L. 〈◊〉 and Lord Dacars in ● Edwards 〈◊〉 agreed 〈…〉 with one moe whose name I haue forgotten did not consent to those Actes and that the nay of them foure would be to be seene as long as y e Parliamēt house stode Then my Lord did rehearse the euill luck of the Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolke with
wished and greatly groned for in tymes past of many godly learned men so much more ought wee nowe to reioyce and geue God thankes seeyng these dayes of reformation which God hath geuen vs. If Iohn Husse or good Hierome of Prage or Iohn Wickliffe before them both or William Brute Thorpe Swynderby or the Lord Cobham if Zisca with all the company of the Bohemians if the Earle Raymundus with all the Tholossians if the Waldoys or the Albingensis with infinite other had bene eyther in these our times now or else had seene then thys ruyne of the Pope and reuealing of Antichrist which the Lord now hath dispensed vnto vs what ioye and triumph would they haue made Wherefore now beholding that thyng which they so long tyme haue wished for let vs not thinke the benefite to be small but render therefore most humble thankes to the Lorde our God Who by his mightie power and brightnes of his word Antichrist longe hyd and now reueled hath reuealed this great enemie of his so manifestly to the eyes of all men who before was hid in the Church so coulourably that almost few Christians could espye him For who would euer haue iudged or suspected in hys mynde the Byshop of Rome commonly receyued and beleeued almost of all men to be the Vicare and Vicegerent of Christ heere in earth to be Antichrist and the great aduersary God whome S. Paule so expresly prophesieth of in these latter dayes to be reuealed by the brightnes of the Lords commyng as all men now for the most part may see is come to passe Wherefore to the Lord and Father of lightes who reuealeth all things in hys due tyme be prayse and glory for euer Amen The ende of the seauenth Booke The eyght Booke continuing the hystorie of English matters appertayning to both states as well Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill and Temporall Martyrs of Couentrye Persecuters Martyrs The Causes Symon Mourton the bishops Somner The bishop of Couentry Frier Stafford Warden Maistres Smith Rob. Hatchets Archer Haukins Tho. Bond. Wrigsham Landsdale Martyrs Maistres Smyth widow Rob. Hatchets a shomaker Archer a shomaker Hawkins a shomaker Tho Bond a shomaker Wrigsham a Glouer Landsdale an Hosier At Couentry An. 1519. THE principall cause of the apprehēsion of those persons was for teaching their children and familie the Lordes prayer and tenne Commaundementes in English for which they were vpon Ashwednesday taken and put in prison some in places vnder the grounde some in chambers and other places about till Friday following Then they were sent to a Monasterye called Mackestocke Abbey sixe miles from Couentry During which time their children were sente for to the Gray friers in Couentry before y e Warden of the sayd friers called Frier Stafford Who straitly examining them of their beliefe and what heresie their fathers had taught them charged thē vppon payne of suffering suche deathe as their fathers should in no wyse to meddle any more with the Lords prayer The Lordes prayer in Englishe fo●byddē of the Papists the Creede and Commaundements in English Which done vpon Palmesonday the fathers of these children were broughte backe agayne to Couentry and there the weeke next before Easter were condemned for relapse because most of them had borne fagots in the same Citie before to be burned Onely Maistres Smith was dimissed for that present and sent away And because it was in the euenyng beyng somewhat darke as she should go home the foresayd Symon Mourton the Somner offered him selfe to goe home with her Now as he was leadyng her by the arme and heard the rattelyng of a scrole within her sleeue yea sayth he What haue ye here And so tooke it from her espyed that it was the Lordes prayer the Articles of the fayth Maistres Smith cōdēned for hauing the Lords prayer in Englishe the x. Commaundementes in Englishe Which when the wretched Somner vnderstood ah serrha sayd he come as good now as an other tyme so brought her backe agayne to the Byshop where she was immediately condemned and so burned with the vj. men before named the fourth of Aprill in a place thereby called the litle parke An. 1519.   Robert Silkeb At Couentry An. 1521. IN y e same nūber of these Couētry men aboue rehearsed was also Robert Silkeb Anno. 1521. who at the apprehension of these as is aboue recited fled away Robert Silkeb Martyr and for that tyme escaped But about two yeares after he was taken agayne brought to the sayd Citie of Couentry where he was also burned the morowe after hee came thether whiche was about the xiij day of Ianuary An. 1521. Thus when these were dispatched immediatly the Sheriffes went to theyr houses and tooke all their goodes and cattell to theyr owne vse not leauyng their wiues and children any parcell therof to helpe themselues with all And for somuch as the people began to grudge somewhat at the crueltie shewed and at the vniust death of these innocent Martyrs the Byshop with his Officers and Priestes caused it to bee noysed abroad by their Tenauntes seruantes and fermers y t they were not burned for hauyng the Lordes prayer and commaundementes in English but because they did eate fleshe on Fridayes and other fastyng dayes Which neither could he proued either before their death or after nor yet was any such matter greatly obiected to them in their examinations Testimony of this storye The witnesses of this history bee yet aliue whiche both saw them and knew them Of whom one is by name mother Halle dwelling now in Bagington two myles from Couentry By whom also this is testified of them Note how these Martirs holding with the popish sacramentes yet were burned of the papists only for a few Scriptures in English that they aboue all other in Couentry pretended most shew of worshyp and deuotion at the holdyng vp of the Sacrament whether to colour the matter or no it is not knowen This is certain that in godlinesse of life they differed from al the rest of the Citie Neither in their occupying they would vse any oth nor could abyde it in them that occupyed with them Iames Betō Archb. of S. Andrew M. Hew Spēs dean of diuinity in the vniuersitie of S. Andrew M. Iohn Weddell Rector of the vniuersitie Iames Symson Officiall Tho. Ramsay Chanon and Deane of the Abbey of S. Andrewes Allane Meldrum Chanon Iohn Greson Principall of the Blacke Friers Iohn Dillidaffe Warden of the Gray Friers Martin Balbur Lawyer Iohn Spēs Lawyer Alexander Yong The godly zeale of M. Hamelton towardes his countrey bacheler of Diuinitie Chanon Iohn Annand Chanon Frier Alex. Chambell Priour of the Blacke Friers c. Patricke Halmentō At Saint Andrewes in Scotlād An. 1527. PAtricke Hamelton a Scottish man borne of an hygh and noble stocke and of the kynges bloud Anno. 1527. young and of flourishyng age and excellēt towardnesse of xxiij yeares called Abbot of Ferme
attemptes wherefore he directed his letters to the Earle of Northumberland willing him with all diligence to arrest the Cardinall to deliuer him to the Earle of Shrewsbury great Steward of the Kings housholde When the Earle had sene the letters he with a conuenient number came to the Manor of Cawood the fourth daye of Nouemb. and whē he was brought to the Cardinal in his chāber he said to him My Lord I pray you take patience The Cardinal arrested for here I arrest you Arrest me said y e Cardinal Yea sayd the Earle I haue a commaundement so to do You haue no such power said the Cardinall for I am both a Cardinall and a Legate De Latere and a Peere of the College of Rome ought not to be arrested by any tēporall power for I am not subiect to that power wherefore if you arrest me I will withstand it Well saide the Earle heere is the Kings commission which he shewed him and therefore I charge you to obey The Cardinall somewhat remembred himselfe and sayd Well my Lord I am contente to obey but although y t I by negligence fell into the punishment of the Premunire and lost by the lawe all my lands goodes yet my person was in the Kings protection and I was pardoned that offence wherefore I maruell why I nowe should be arrested specially cōsidering that I am a member of the Sea Apostolique on whome no temporall man ought to lay violent hands Well I see the King lacketh good counsayle Well sayd the Earle when I was sworne Warden of y e Marches you your self told me that I might with my staffe arrest all mē vnder the degree of a King nowe I am more stronger for I haue a commission so to do which you haue seene The Cardinal at length obeyed and was kept in a priuie chamber and his goodes seased and his officers discharged and his Phisitiō called Doctor Augustine was likewise arrested and brought to the Tower by Sir Walter Welsh one of the Kings chamber The sixt day of Nouember he was conueyed from Cawood to Sheffeld Castle and there deliuered to the Earle of Shrewsburies keeping till the Kings pleasure were knowne Of this attachement was much communing amongst the common people wherefore many were glad for he was not in the fauour of the commonaltie When the Cardinall was thus arrested the King sente sir William Kingston Knight Captaine of the Gard The Cardinal brought vp toward London and Constable of the Tower of Lōdon with certeine yeomen of the gard to Sheffeld to fetch y e Cardinal to the Tower When the Cardinall sawe the Captaine of the Garde he was sore astonished and shortly became sicke for then he perceiued some great trouble toward him for that cause mē said that he willingly toke so much quātitie of a strong purgatiō that his nature was not able to beare it Also the matter that came frō him was so blacke that the stayning therof could not be gottē out of his blākets by any means The Cardinall poysoneth hym selfe But sir William Kingston cōforted him and by easie iorneyes he brought him to the Abbey of Leycester the xxvij daye of Nouember where for very feeblenes of nature caused by purgations and vomites he dyed the seconde night folowing and in the same Abbey lyeth buried It is testified by one yet being aliue in whose armes the sayde Cardinall dyed that hys body being dead was blacke as pitch also was so heauie that sixe coulde scarse beare it Furthermore it did so stinke aboue the grounde that they were constrayned to hasten the buriall thereof in the night season before it was daye At the which buriall such a tempest with such a stinch there arose that all the torches went out and so he was throwne into the tombe and there was layde By the ambitious pride and excessiue worldly wealth of this one Cardinal al mē may easily vnderstand iudge what the state and condition of al the rest of the same order whom we cal spiritual men were in those dayes The pride of the Cardinall as well in all other places of Christendome as especially heere in England where as the princely possessions great pride of the Clergie did not only farre passe and exceed the common measure and order of subiectes but also surmounted ouer Kings and Princes and all other estates as may well appeare by his doings and order of his storie aboue described Amongst other actes of the foresayd Cardinall this is not to be forgotten that he founded a new College in Oxford for the furniture wherof he had gathered together all the best learned he could heare of amongst which number were these Clarke Tindall Sommer Frith and Tauerner with other mo which holding in assemble together in the College were accoūted to be heretiques as they called them and thereupon were cast into a prison of the college where saltfish lay through the stinke wherof the most part of them were infected Clarke died i● the Cardinals Colledge in prison and the sayde Clarke beyng a tender yong man and the most singular in learning amongst them all died in the said prison and other in other places in the towne also of the same infection deceased And thus hauing deteined the Reader enough or rather too much with this vaineglorious Cardinal now we wil reduce our storie again to more other fruiteful matter and as the order of time requireth first beginning wyth M. Humfrey Mummuth a vertuous and a good Alderman of London who in the time of the said Cardinal was troubled as in the storie heere foloweth ¶ The trouble of Humfrey Mummuth Alderman of London MAister Humfrey Mummuth was a right godly and sincere Alderman of London The st●ry of Humfrey Mummuth who in the dayes of Cardinall Woolsey was troubled and put in the Tower for the Gospell of Christ and for mainteyning them that fauoured the same Stokesley then Bishop of London ministred Articles vnto him to the nūber of xxiiij as for adhering to Luther and his opinions Articles ministred against Hūfrey Mummuth by Byshop 〈◊〉 for hauing and reading heretical bookes and treatises for geuing exhibition to William Tindall Roy and such other for helping them ouer the sea to Luther for ministring priuie helpe to translate as well the Testament as other bookes into English for eating flesh in Lent for affirming faith only to iustifie for derogating from mens constitutions for not prayeng to Saintes not allowing Pilgrimage auricular confession the Popes pardons briefly for being an aduauncer of all Martin Luthers opinions c. He being of these articles examined and cast in the Tower at last was compelled to make his sute or purgation writing to the foresaid Cardinall then Lord Chauncelor and the whole Counsayle out of the Tower In the contents whereof he answered to the criminous accusation of them which charged him with certayne bookes receyued from beyond the sea Also for
willingly discouer to any person The Popedome of Rome the rules of the holy fathers and the regalities of S. Peter I shall helpe and retaine and defende against all men The legate of the sea Apostolicke going comming I shall honourably entreat The rightes honours priuiledges authorities of the Church of Rome and of the Pope and hys successours I shall cause to be conserued defended augmented promoted I shall not be in counsell treatie or any acte in the which any thing shall be imagined against him or the Churche of Rome their rights states honours or power and if I knowe anye such to be mooued or compassed I shall resist it to my power and assoone as I can I shall aduertise him or suche as maye geue hym knowledge The rules of the holy fathers the decrees ordinances sentences dispositions reseruations prouisions and commandements Apostolike to my power I shall keepe and cause to be kept of other Heretikes schismatikes and rebels to our holy father and his successors I shall resist and persecute to my power I shal come to the Synode whē I am called except I be letted by a Canonicall impediment The lights of the Apostles I shall visite personally or by my deputie I shall not aliene nor sell my possessions wythout the Popes councell so God me helpe and the holy Euangelistes ¶ This othe of the Clergie men which they were wont to make to the Bishoppe of Rome nowe Pope quondam was abolished and made voyde by statute and a new othe ministred confirmed for the same wherein they acknowledged the King to be the supreame heade vnder Christe in this Church of England as by tenor thereof may appeare here vnder ensuing The othe of the Clergie to the king I Iohn B. of A. vtterly renoūce and clerely forsake al such clauses words sentences grants which I haue or shal haue hereafter of the Popes holines Pope quondam● The othe of the Clergye to the king of for the bishoprike of A that in any wise hath bene is or hereafter may be hurtfull or preiudiciall to youre highnes your heirs successors dignity priuiledge or estate royal and also I doe sweare that I shal be faithful and true and faith and truth I shall beare to you my soueraigne Lord and to your heires kings of the same of life and limme and earthly worship aboue all creatures for to liue die with you and yours against al people and diligently I shal be attendant to all your nedes and businesse after my wit and power and your counsel I shall kepee and holde knowledging my selfe to hold my Bishopricke of you onely beseeching you of restitutiō of the temporalties of the same promising as before that I shal be faithfull true and obediēt subiect to your said highnes heires and successours during my life and the seruices and other things due to your highnesse for the restitution of the temporalties of the same Bishoprike I shall truely do and obediently performe so God me helpe and all Saintes These othes thus being recited and opened to the people were the occasion that the Pope lost al his interest and iurisdiction heere in Englande wythin shorte while after Upon the occasion and reason whereof Syr Tho. More the matter falling out more more against the Pope Syr Thomas More of whome mention is made before being a great maintainer of the Pope a heauy troubler of Christes people and nowe not liking well of this othe by Gods good worke was enforced to resigne vp his Chauncelorship and to deliuer vp the great seale of England into the kings hands After whom succeeded syr Thomas Audley Keeper of the great seale Tho. Audeley made Lord Chauncellour a man in eloquence and giftes of tonge no lesse incomparable then also for hys godly disposed minde and fauorable inclination to Christes religiō worthy of much commendation These things being done in the parlament the king w tin short time after proceeded to the mariage of the foresayd lady Anne Bullen mother to our most noble Quene now who w tout all controuersie was a special comforter aider of all the professors of Christes gospell The maryage of Queene Anne as well of the learned as the vnlearned her life being also directed according to the same as her weekely almes did manifestly declare Who besides the ordinarye of a C. crownes and other apparell that she gaue weekely a yeare before she was crowned The great almes of Quene Anne both to men and women gaue also wonderfull much priuie almes to wydowes and other pore housholders cōtinually til shee was apprehended and she euer gaue three or foure pounde at a time to the poore people to buy them kine withall and sent her Subamner to the townes about where shee lay that the parishioners should make a bill of all the poore householders in their parish and some towns receiued 7.8 or 10. pound to buy kine withal according as the number of the poore in the Townes were Shee also maintained many learned mē in Cambridge Likewise did the Erle of Wilshire her father and the Lord Rochford her brother and by them these men were brought in fauour w t the king of whome some are yet aliue and can testifie the same which would to God they were nowe as great professors of the gospell of Christ as then they appeared to be which were D. Heath and D. Thirlby with whome was ioyned the L. Paget who at that present was an earnest protestant Heath Thirlby L. Paget gaue vnto one Rainolde West Luthers bookes and other bokes of the Germaines as Franciscus Lambertus de Sectis and at that time he red Melancthons Rhetorike openly in Trinitie hall in Cambridge and was w t his M. Gardiner a mainetainer of D. Barnes and all the Protestantes that were then in Cambridge Lord Paget a mainteyner of D. Barnes holpe many religious persons out of their cowles It hath bene reported vnto vs by diuers credible persons which were about this Quene and daily acquainted with her doings concerning her liberall and bountiful distribution to the pore how her grace caried euer about her a certaine little purse The praise of Quene Anne out of the which she was wont daily to scatter abroad some almes to the needy thinking no day well spent wherein some man had not fared the better by some benefite at her handes And this I write by the relation of certain noble personages which were chiefe principall of her waiting maides about her especially the Duches of Richmond by name Also concerning the order of her ladies gentlewomen about her one that was her silkwoman a Gentlewoman not nowe aliue but of great credite and also of fame for her worthy doings The name of this gentlewoman was Maistres Wilkinson did credibly report that in all her time she neuer saw better order amongst the ladies gentlewomē of the Courte then was in this good Queenes
dayes who kepte her maides and suche as were about her so occupyed in sowing and woorking of shirts smockes for the poore The good order of the Court in Queene Annes tyme. that neither was there sene any idlenes then amōgst them nor any leisure to followe such pastimes as daily are seene now a daies to raigne in princes courtes Thus the king being deuorced from the lady Dowager his brothers wife maried this gracious Lady makyng a prosperous and happy change for vs The king diuorced from Lady Catherine frō the Pope both at one tyme. being diuorced from the foresaide Princesse and also from the Pope both at one time Notwythstanding as good and godly purposes are neuer without some incommoditie or trouble following so it happened in this diuorcement that the sayde Princesse procuring from Rome the Popes curse caused both the king and the realme to be interdited wherof more is hereafter to be spoken In the meane time Quene Anne shortly after her mariage Anno 1533 being great with childe the next yeare followynge which was 1533. after the first diuorcement publikely proclaimed Queene Anne crowned Queene Elizabeth borne was crowned wyth high solemnitie at Westminster and not long after her Coronation the 7. day of September she was brought a bed and deliuered of a faire Lady for whose good deliueraunce Te Deum was songe in all places and great preparation made for the Christening The Maior and his brethren with 40. of the chiefe Citizens were commaunded to be present withall the nobles and Gentlemen The kings Pallace and all the wals betweene that and the Friers was hanged with Arras and the Friers Churche Also the Fonte was of siluer stoode in the midst of the Churche three steppes high whych was couered with a fine cloth and diuers Gentlemen wyth aprons and towels about their neckes gaue attendance about it Ouer the Fonte hong a faire Canapy of crimosine Satten fringed wyth Golde About it was a raile couered wyth saie Betweene the Quire and the body of the church was a close place with a pan of fire to make the childe ready in These things thus ordered the childe was brought into the Hall and then euery man set forward First the citizens 2. and 2. Then the gentlemen Esquiers and Chapleins Next after folowed the Aldermen and the Maior alone Next the Maior folowed the kings Councell Then the kings Chappel Then Barons Bishops and Earles Then came the Earl of Essex bearing the couered Basons gilte After him the Marques of Exeter wyth the taper of Uirgin waxe Next him the Marques Dorset bearynge the Salte Behinde him the Ladie Marie of Northfolke bearing the Chrisome which was very riche of Perle and stone The olde Duchesse of Northfolke bare the childe in a Mantle of Purple Ueluette with a longe traine Furred with Ermine The Duke of Northfolke with hys Marshal rod went on the right hand of the sayde Duchesse and the Duke of Suffolke on the left hande Before them went the Officers of armes The Countesse of Kente bare the long traine of the childes mantell Betwene the Countesse and the child went the Erle of Wilshire on the right hand and the Erle of Darby on the left hand supporting the said traine In the middest ouer the childe was borne a Canapie by the Lord Rochford the Lord Hussey the Lord William Haward and the Lord Thomas Hawarde the elder In this order they came vnto the Churche dore where the Bishop of London mette it with diuers Abbots and Byshops and began the obseruances of the Sacrament The Archbishop of Caunterbury was Godfather and the olde Duchesse of Northfolke and the old Marchionesse of Dorset widowes were Godmothers and the childe was named Elizabeth After all thinges were done at the Churche doore the child was brought to the Fonte Christened This done Cranmer godfather to Queene Elizabeth Garter the chiefe king of armes cryed aloud God of his infinite goodnes send prosperous lyfe and longe to the high and mighty princesse of England ELIZABETH Then the Trompettes blew and the childe was brought vp to the aultare and immediately confirmed by the Archbishop the Marchionesse of Exceter beyng Godmother Then the Archbishop of Caunterbury gaue to the Princesse a standing cup of Gold The Duchesse of Northfolke gaue to her a standing cup of Golde fretted with Pearle The Marchionesse of Dorset three gilte boles pounced with a couer The Marchionesse of Exceter three standing boles gilt grauen with a couer And so after a solemne bancket ended with Ipocras Wafers and such lyke in great plenty they returned in like order agayne vnto the Courte wyth the Princesse and so departed At the Maryage of this noble Lady as there was no small ioy vnto al good and godly men and no lesse hope of prosperous successe to Gods true Religion so in like maner on the contrarye parte the papistes wanted not theyr malicious and secret attemptes as by the false hipocrisie and fayned holynesse of a false fayned hipocrite this yeare before espyed found out may sufficiently appeare what theyr deuilishe deuises and purposes were For certayne Monks Friers other euill disposed persōs of a deuilish intent had put into the heades of many of the kinges subiectes that they had reuelation of God and hys sayntes y t he was highly displeased w t king Henry for y e diuorcement of the Lady Katherine and surmised amongst other thyngs that God had reuealed to a Nunne named Elizabeth Barton whome they called the holy maide of Kente that in case the Kinge proceeded in the sayde deuorce The maide of Kent with her false fained hipocrisie apprehēded hee should not be king of this realme one moneth after and in the reputation of God not one day nor hour This Elizabeth Barton by fals dissimulation practised and shewed to the people marueilous alteration of her visage and other partes of her body as if she had bene rapt or in a traunce in those fained traunces by false hipocrisie as though shee had bene inspired of God she spake many words in rebuking of sinne and reproouing the Gospell whiche shee called heresie and among them vttered diuers thyngs to the great reproch of the king and Quene to the establishing of Idolatrie Pilgrimage and the derogatiō of Gods glory whych her naughtines being spied out by the great labour and diligence of the Archbishop of Caunterbury the Lord Cromwell and Maister Hugh Latimer shee was condemned and put to death with certeyne of her affinitie and Councell in the moneth of Aprill Elizabeth 〈◊〉 with her 〈◊〉 cōspir●t●rs an 1533. The names of which conspiratours with her were these Edwarde Bocking Monke of Canterbury Richard Master Person of Aldington Iohn Dering Monke of Canterbury Hugh Riche Frier Warden of the Gray Friers of Canterbury Richard Risby Henry Gold bacheler of Diuinitie and Person of Aldermary Fisher Byshop of Rochester Iohn Adeson Priest his Chapleine Thomas
with them the Lord Cromwell to dyne with him at Lambeth as is afore declared and within few dayes also vpon the same required that he would geue a note of all his doings and reasonynges in the sayd Parlament whiche the sayd Cranmer eftsoones accomplished accordyngly Cranmers reasons and allegations against the 6. articles writtē to the king drawyng out his reasōs allegations the copy wherof beyng fayre written out by his Secretary was sent and deliuered vnto the kyng and there remayned Now after these thynges thus discussed as touchyng the vi wicked Articles it foloweth next in returnyng to the order of our story agayne to declare those thynges which after the settyng out of these Articles ensued commyng now to the tyme and story of the Lord Cromwell a man whose worthy fame and deedes are worthy to lyue renowmed in perpetuall memory ¶ The history concernyng the lyfe actes and death of the famous and worthy Counsailour Lord Thomas Cromwell Earle of Essex THomas Cromwell although borne of a simple parentage and house obscure The story of the Lord Thomas Cromwell through the singular excellencie of wisedome and dexteritie of witte wrought in him by God coupled with like industrie of mynde and desertes of lyfe rose to hygh preferrement and authoritie in somuch that by steppes and stayres of office and honour The base degree of the L. Cromwell recompensed with noble Ornamentes he ascended at length to that that not onely he was made Earle of Essex but also most secret and deare Counsellour to kyng Henry and Uicegerent vnto his person which office hath not commonly bene supplied at least not so fruitfully discharged with in this Realme First as touchyng his byrth he was borne at Putney or thereabout being a Smithes sonne whose mother maried after vnto a shyreman In the simple estate rude begynnyngs of this man as of diuers other before him we may see and learne that the excellencie of noble vertues heroicall prowesses which aduaunce to fame and honour stād not onely vpon byrth bloud as priuileges onely intayled appropriat to noble houses but are disposed indifferently proceede of the gift of God who rayseth vp the poore obiect many tymes out of the donghill matcheth him in throne with Peeres and Princes Psal. 113. As touching the order and maner of his comming vp Commendation of the L. Cromwell it would be superfluous to discourse what may be sayd at large onely by way of story it may suffice to giue a touch of certaine particulars and so to proceede Although the humble condition and pouertie of this mā was at the begynnyng as it is to many other a great let hinderaūce for vertue to shew her selfe yet such was the actiuitie and forward rypenes of nature in him so pregnaūt in witte so ready he was in iudgemēt discret in toung eloquent in seruice faythfull in stomacke couragious in his penne actiue that beyng conuersaūt in the sight of mē he could not long be vnespied not yet vnprouided of fauour helpe of frēdes to set him forward in place and office Neither was any place or office put vnto him whereunto he was not apt fit Nothyng was so hard which with witte and industrie he could not cōpasse Neither was his capacitie so good but his memorie was as great in reteining whatsoeuer he had atteined Which well appeared in cannyng the text of the whole new Testament of Erasmus translation without booke in his iourney going and comming from Rome Tho. Cromwell learned the new Testament in ●atin without booke whereof ye shall heare anone Thus in hys growing yeares as he shot vp in age and ripenes a great delite came in his mynde to stray into foreine countreys to see the world abroade and to learne experience whereby he learned such toungs and languages as might better serue for his vse hereafter And thus passing ouer his youth being at Antwerpe he was there reteined of the Englishe Marchauntes to be their Clerke or Secretary or in some suche lyke condition placed perteining to their affaires It happened the same time that the Towne of Boston thought good to send vp to Rome The towne of Bosten for renuing of their two Pardons one called the great Pardon the other the lesser Pardon Which thing although it should stand them in great expenses of money for the Popes Marchaundise is alwayes deare ware yet notwithstanding such sweetenesse they had felt thereof The popes marchaundise deare ware and such gayne to come to theyr Towne by that Romish Marchandise as all superstition is commonly gaynefull that they like good Catholicke Marchauntes Superstition commonly is gaynfull The popes lea●es of pardons and the Popes good customers thought to spare for no coste to haue their leases agayne of theyr Pardon 's renewed whatsoeuer they payde for the fine And yet was all this good Religion then suche was the lamentable blindnes of that time This then being so determined decreed amongest my coūtreymen of Boston to haue their pardōs needes repaired renewed from Rome one Geffray Chābers with an other cōpanion was sent for y e messengers with writings money no small quātity well furnished with all other things appointed necessary for so chargeable costly exployt who cōming in his iorney to Antwarpe misdoubting himselfe to be too weake for the compassing of suche a weightie peece of worke cōferred perswaded with Tho. Cromwell to associate him in that legacie and to assist him in the contriuing thereof Cromwell although perceauing the enterprise to be of no small difficultie to trauerse the Popes Court for the vnreasonable expenses amōgst those greedy cormorantes yet hauing some skill of the Italian toung and as yet not grounded in iudgement of religion in those his youthfull daies was at length obteined and content to giue the aduenture and so tooke his iourney toward Rome Cromwell goeth to Rome Cromwell loth to spend much time more loth to spend his money and againe perceiuing that the Popes greedy humor must needes be serued wyth some present or other for without rewards there is no doing at Rome began to cast with himselfe what thing best to deuise wherein he might best serue the Popes deuotion At length hauing knowledge how that the Popes holy tooth greatly delited in new fangled straunge delicates and dayntie dishes it came in his minde to prepare certeine fine dishes of gelly after the best fashion made after our countrey maner heere in Englande which to them of Rome was not knowne nor seene before This done Cromwell obseruing his time accordyngly as the Pope was newly come frō hunting into his pauillion he with his companions approched with his english presents brought in with a three mans song as we call it in the English tongue and all after y e English fashion The Pope sodenly marueiling at the straungenes of the song and vnderstanding that they were Englishmen and that
to rule all vnder the King or rather with the King so that the freshest wittes and of best towardnes most commonly sought vnto him Among whome was also Thomas Cromwell to his seruice aduaunced where he continued a certayne space of yeares Cromwell solliciter to the Cardinall Cromwell More and Gardiner companions in the Cardinalls house growing vp in office and authoritie till at length he was preferred to be sollicitour to the Cardinall There was also about the same tyme or not much different in the houshold of the sayd Cardinall Tho. More afterward knight and Chauncelour of England Steuē Gardiner Byshop after of Wint. and of the Kings Coūsaile All these three were brought vp in one houshold and all of one standing almost together Whose ages as they were not greatly discrepant nor their wittes much vnequall so neither was their fortune and aduauncementes greatly diuers A comparison betwene Cromwell More and Gardiner albeit their dispositions and studies were most contrary And though peraduenture in More and in Gardiner there was more arte of letters and skill of learning yet notw tstanding there was in this mā a more heauenly light of minde more prompt perfect iudgement eloquence equall and as may be supposed in thys man more pregnant and finally in him was wrought a more heroicall and princely dispositiō borne to greater affayres in the common wealth and to the singular helpe of many It happened that in this meane season ● Cromwell was placed in this office to be sollicitour to the Cardinall the said Cardinal had then in hand the building of certeine Colledges Small Monasteryes suppressed by the Cardinall namely his Colledge in Oxforde called then Frideswide now Christes Churche By reason whereof certayne small monasteries and priories in diuers places of the realme were by the saide Cardinall suppressed and the lands seased to the Cardinals hāds The doing wherof was committed to the charge of Thomas Cromwell In the expedition whereof he shewed himselfe very forward Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to sup●resse religious houses and industrious in such sort as in y e handling thereof he procured to himselfe much grudge with diuers of the superstitious sorte and with some also of noble calling about the King And thus was Cromwell first set a worke by the Cardinall to suppresse religious houses Which was about the yeare of our Lord 1525. As this passed on it was not long but the Cardinall whiche had gotten vp so high began to come downe as fast first from the Chauncellorship in whiche roome was placed Sir Tho. More as is aforesayd then he fell into a Premunire So that his houshold being dissolued Tho. Cromwell amongst other laboured also to be reteyned into the Kings seruice Syr Christopher Hales helper of Cromwell to the king Cromwell commended to the king by Sir Christopher Hales M. of the Rolles Cromwell complayned of to the king There was at the same tyme one Syr Christopher Hales Knight Maister of the Rolles who notwithstanding was then a mightie Papist yet bare he suche fauour and good liking to Cromwell that he commended him to the King as a man most fitte for his purpose hauing then to do against the Pope But heere before is to be vnderstand that Cromwel had greatly bene complained of and diffamed by certeine of authority about the King for hys rude maner and homely dealing in defacing the Monkes houses in handling of their aultars c. Wherfore y e king hearing of the name of Cromwell began to detest y t mention of him neither lacked there some standers by who w t reuiling words ceased not to encrease and inflame y e kings hatred against him What their names were it shall not neede heere to recite Among other there present at the same hearing was the Lorde Russell Earle of Bedforde whose life Cromwell before had preserued at Bononye through politicke conueyance at what time the said Earle comming secretly in the kings affaires The Lord 〈◊〉 Earle of Bedforde through the ●olicy of Cromwell escaped at Bononie The Lorde Russel commendeth Cromwell to the king was there espyed and therefore being in great daunger to be taken through the meanes and pollicie of Cromwell escaped This Lord Russell therefore not forgetting the olde benefites past with like grauitie willing againe to requite that he had receaued in a vehement boldnes stoode forth to take vpon him the defence of Thomas Cromwel vttering before the king many commendable words in the behalfe of him and declaring withall how by his singulare deuice and policie he had done for him at Bononie beyng there in the Kings affaires in extreame perill And for as much as now his Maiestie had to do with the Pope his great enemy there was he thought in all England none so apt for the kynges purpose which could say or do more in that matter then could Thomas Cromwell and partly gaue the kyng to vnderstand wherein The kyng hearyng this specially markyng the latter end of his talke was contēted and willyng to talke with him to heare and know what he could say This was not so priuily done but Cromwell had knowledge incontinent that the kyng would talke with him whereupon therfore prouidyng before hand for matter had in a readynesse the copie of the Byshops othe which they vse cōmonly to make to the Pope at their consecration and so beyng called for was brought to the king in his garden at Westminster which was about the yeare of our Lord. 1530. Cromwell after most loyall obeysaūce doyng his duetie to the kyng accordyng as he was demaunded Cromwell brought to talke with the king made his declaration in all pointes this especially making manifest vnto his highnes how his Princely authoritie was abused within his own Realme by the Pope his Clergy who beyng sworne vnto him were afterward dispensed from the same sworne a new vnto the Pope so that he was but as halfe kyng and they but halfe his subiectes in his owne land which sayd he was derogatorie to his crowne Cromwels wordes to the king concerning the premunire of the Clergy and vtterly preiudiciall to the common lawes of his Realme Declaryng therupō how his Maiestie might accumulate to himselfe great riches so much as all y e Clergy in his Realme was worth if it so pleased him to take the occasion now offered The kyng geuyng good eare to this and likyng right well his aduice required if he could auouch that which he spake All this he could he sayd auouch to be certaine so well as that he had the copie of their owne othe to the Pope there present to shewe and that no lesse also he could manifestly proue if his highnesse would geue him leaue therewith shewed the Byshops othe vnto the kyng The kyng folowyng the veyne of his counsayle tooke his ryng of his finger first admittyng him into his seruice Cromwell sent by
knaues to meddle with Counsellers matters Had not mony bene well bestowed vpon such a good felow as this is that knoweth not a Councellers man frō a Coblers man And with those wordes the Lord Cromwell went vp into the kinges chamber of presence and the Archbishops Secretary with him where he found in the chamber the Lord of Caunterbury To whō he sayde my Lord I haue founde here good stuffe for you shewing to him the paper booke that he had in his hand ready to bring both you this good felow your mā to the halter The wordes of the L. Cromwel to the Archb. Cranmer namely if the knaue Beareward now in the Hall might haue well compassed it At these wordes the Archbishop smiled and sayd he that lost the booke is lyke to haue the worse bargayne for besides that he was well washed in the Thames he must write the booke fayre agayne at those wordes the Lord Cromwell cast the booke vnto the Secretary saying I pray thee Morice go in hād therwith by by with all expedition for it must serue a turne Surely my Lord it somwhat reioyseth me quoth the L. Cromwell that the verlet might haue had of your man xx s. for the book and now I haue discharged the matter with neuer a peny And shaking him wel vp for his ouermuch malepar●nes I know the felow wel enough quoth he there is not a rancker Papist within this realme thē he is most vnworthy to be seruaunt vnto so noble a Princesse And so after hūble thanks geuen to the Lord Cromwell the sayd Morice departed with his booke which when he agayne had fayre written was deliuered to the kinges Maiesty by the sayd Lord Cromwell within 4. dayes after * The Lord Cromwell not forgetting his olde frendes and benefactours IT is commonly sene that men aduaūced once from base degree to ample dignityes do rise also with fortune into such insolency and exaltatiō of mind The gentle behauiour of the L. Cromwell in remembring his olde frende that not only they forget themselues what they were from whence they came but also cast out of remembraunce al their old frendes and former acquayntance which haue bene to them before beneficiall Frō which sort of men how farre the curteous cōdition of this christen Earle did differ by diuers examples it may appeare As by a certain poore woman keping some time a vitailing house about Hownsloe to whom the said Lord Cromwell remayned in debt for certayne old reckonings to y e summe of xl.s. It happened that the L. Cromwel with Cranmer Archbishop of Cāterbury riding thorow Cheapeside toward the Court in turning his eye ouer the way and there espying this poore woman brought now in need misery eftsones caused her to be called vnto him Who being come after certayn questions asked of her if she were not such a womā and dwelling in such a place At last he demaunded if he were not behind for a certayne payment of mony betwene him and her To whō she with reuerent obeisance confessed that he ought her money for a certayn old reckoning which was yet vnpayd wherof she stoode now in great necessity but neuer durst call vpō him nor could come at him for to require her right Thē the L. Cromwell sending the poore woman home to hys hou●e and one of his seruants withall Example of a gratefull debter that the Porter should see her in after his returne from the Court not onely discharged the debte which he ought but also gaue her a yearely pension of foure poundes and a liuery euery yeare while she liued The like curtesy the said L. Cromwell shewed also to a certayne Italian who in the city of Florence had shewed him much kindnes in succoring and relieuing his necessity as in this story following may appeare Which storie set forth and compiled in the Italian tong by Bandello imprinted at Luke by Busdrago an 1554. Ex historia Italica I thought here to insert with the whole order and circumstance therof as it is reported Not many yeares past sayth the author there was in Florence a merchant whose name was Fraunces descended from the noble auncient family of the Frescobaldes A notable story of the ● Cromwel and an Itallan this Gentleman was naturally indued with a noble liberall minde vnto whome also through prosperous successe and fortunate lucke in his affayres and doings much aboundaunce of riches increased so that he grew in great wealth hauing his cofers replenished w t many heapes of much treasure He according to the custome Marchantes vsed his trade into many countries but chiefely into England where long time he liued soiourning in London keping house to his great commendation and prayse It happened that Fraunces Frescobald being in Florence there appeared before him a poore yong man Crōwell asking hys almes of Frescobald asking his almes for Gods sake Frescobald as he earnestly beheld this ragged stripling who was not so disguised in his tottered attire but that his countenaunce gaue significatiō of much towardnes vertue in him with cōformity of maners agreing to the same being mooued with pity demaūded of what coūtry he was where he was borne I am Syr quoth he of England Note that this cloth sherer was his father in lawe my name is Thomas Cromwell My father is a poore man by his occupation a cloth sherer I am straied from my country and am now come into Italy with the campe of frenchmē that were ouerthrowne at Gatilyon Cromwel page to a souldiour where I was the page to a footman carying after him his pike and burganet Frescobald partly considering the present state of this yong man and partly for the loue he bare to the english natiō of whom he had receiued in times past sondry pleasures receiued hym into his house with such curtesy interteined his gest as at his departure whē he was in mind to returne to his coūtry he prouided such necessaries as he any way neded The gentlenes of Frescobald shewed to Cromwell He gaue him both horse new apparrel 16. duckats of gold in his purse to bring him into his coūtry Cromwell rendering his harty thanks tooke leaue of his host returned into England This Cromwell was a man of noble courage heroicall spirite geuen to enterprise great matters very liberall a graue Counseller c. But to our purpose At what tyme Cromwell was so highly fauoured of his prince and aduanced to such dignitie as is aforesaid Frāces Frescobald as it many tymes happeneth vnto Merchants was by many misfortunes and great losses cast backe and become very poore For according to conscience and equitie he payd whatsoeuer was due to any other frō himself but such debts as were owing vnto him he could by no meanes obtaine An Italian Ducate cōmeth to as much as our Englishe crowne yet calling further to remembrance that in
concerning his sermons one Doct. Wilson entred into disputation wyth him Workes no part of our saluation● and defended that good works iustified before God and were necessary and auaileable to saluation To whome Hierome answered agayne that all workes whatsoeuer they were were nothing worthe nor no part of saluation of themselues but only referred to the mercy and loue of God Good workes auayle not but onely by imputation which mercy and loue of God directeth the workers therof yet it is at his mercy goodnes to accept them Which to be true doctor Wilson neither could nor did denie And thus muche concerning the seuerall storyes of these iij. good mē Now let vs see the order of their martyrdome ioyning them al together what was the cause of their condemnation and what were their protestations and words at theyr suffering Ye heard before howe Barnes Hierome and Garret were caused to preach at Easter at the spittie Out of the preface of Steuen Gardiner against George Ioye The occasion whereof as I finde it reported by Steuen Gardiner wryting againste George Ioye I thoughte heere to discourse more at large Steuen Gardiner hearing that the sayd Barnes Hierome Garret should preach the Lent folowing an 1541. at Paules crosse to stoppe the course of theyr doctrine sent his chaplaine to the B. of London the Saterday before the first Sonday in Lent to haue a place for hym to preache at Paules Which to him was graunted and time appointed that he should preach the sonday following whych should be on the morrowe which Sonday was appoynted before for Barnes to occupie that roome Gardiner therefore determining to declare the gospell of that sonday containing the deuils 3. temptations began amongst other things to note the abuse of scripture amongst some as the deuil abused it to Christ and so alluding to the temptation of the deuil wherin he alledged the scripture against Christe to cast himselfe downeward and that he shoulde take no hurt he inferred thereupon saying Now a dayes quoth he the deuil tempteth the world and biddeth them to cast themselues backwarde The effecte of Steph. Gar●yners Sermon at Paules crosse the first sonday in Lent An 15●1 There is no forward in the new teaching but all backwarde Now the Deuill teacheth come backe from fastinge come backe from praying come backe from confession come back from weeping for thy sinnes and all is backewarde In so much that men must now learne to saye their Pater noster backewarde For where we sayde forgeue vs our debtes as we forgeue our debters now it is as thou forgeuest our debts so I wil forgeue my debters and so God must forgeue first and all I say is turned backward c. And amongst other things moreouer he noted the deuils crafte and shifte in deceiuing man who enuying hys felicitie and therfore coueting to haue man idle and voide of good workes and to be led in that idlenesse wyth a wan hope to liue merely at hys pleasure heere and yet to haue heauen at the last Pardon● procured by the deuil quod Steuen Gardiner hath for that purpose procured out pardons from Rome wherin heauen was sold for a litle money and for to retaile that marchaundise the deuill vsed Friers for his ministers Now they be gone withall theyr trumperie but the deuill is not yet gone c. And now that the Deuill perceiueth that it can no longer be borne to buy and sell heauen by the Friers he hath excogitate to offerre heauen without workes for it Gardiner against Fryers pardons Steuen Gardiner cannot abide onely onely so freely that men shall not neede for heauen to worke at all what so euer oportunitie they haue to work mary if they wil haue any higher place in heauen God wil leaue no worke vnrewarded but as to be in heauen needes no works at all but onely belief onely onely and nothing els c. This sermone of Steuen Winchester finished Doctor Barnes who was put of from that sonday The sermon of D. Barnes replying to Winchester had his day apoynted which was the thirde Sonday next ensuinge to make his sermon who taking the same text of the Gospell which Gardiner had done before was on the cōtrary side no lesse vehement in setting forwarde the true doctrine of Christian religion thē Winchester had done before in plucking men backwarde from truth to lies from sinceritie to hypocrisie from religion to superstition from Christ to antichrist In the processe of which sermon he proceeding and calling out Steuen Gardiner by name to answer him alluded in a pleasaunt allegorye to a Cockfight terming the sayd Gardiner to be a fighting Cocke and hymselfe to an other but the Garden Cock he sayd lacked good spurres obiecting moreouer to the said Gardiner opposing hym in his Grammer rules thus saying that if he had answered hym in the Schooles so as he had there preached at the crosse he would haue geuen him 6. stripes declaring furthermore what euill herbes this Gardiner had sette in the Garden of Gods scripture c. Finally with this sermon Gardiner was so tickled in the splene Steph. Gardiner complayneth to the king of D. Barnes that he immediately went to y e king to cōplain shewing how he being a bishop and a prelate of the realm was handled and reuiled at Paules crosse Wherupon the king geuing to much eare to Gardiners griefe was earnestly incensed against Barnes and w t many high words rebuked his doings in his priuy closet hauing with him the Erle of Southhampton which was the Lorde Wrisley The king displeased agaynst Barnes and the master of the horse which was Anthony Browne D. Cockes and D. Robinson Unto whō when Barnes had submitted himselfe Nay said the king yeld thee not to me I am a mortall man and therewith rising vp and turning to the Sacrament and putting of his bonet sayd yonder is the maister of vs al author of truth yeld in truth to him and that truth will I defend otherwise yelde thee not vnto me Much ado there was great matter layd against Barnes In cōclusion this order was taken D. Cockes and D. Robinson Arbyters betweene D. Barnes and Steph Gardiner that Barnes should goe apart with Winchester to conferre common together of their doctrine certain witnesses being therunto appoynted to be as indifferent hearers of whom the one was D. Cockes the other was D. Robinson with 2. other also to them assigned which shuld be reporters to the king of the disputation At the first entry of which talke Gardiner forgeuing him as he saith al that was past offred him the choice whether he wold answer or oppose which was the Friday after that Barnes had preached The question betweene D. Barnes and Steph. Gardiner The question betwene them propoūded by Gardiners narration was this Whether a man coulde doe anye thynge good or acceptable before the grace of iustificatiō
Thomas Cardine other of the priuy chamber how al the matter stode Wherupon Ockam was layde for and had by the backe as soone as he came to Oking and kepte from the byshop On the next morrowe very early Bennets wyfe sent her man to the Courte after Ockam to see howe he spedde with her husbandes letter And when hee came there hee founde sir Thomas Cardine walking wyth Ockam vppe and downe the greene before the Courte gate whereat he marueled to see Ockam with him so early mistrusting the matter whereuppon he kept himselfe out of sight till they had broken off theyr communication And assoone as he saw M. Cardine gone leauing Ockam behinde he went to Ockam and asked hym if hee had deliuered hys maisters letter to the Bishop No sayd Ockam the king remooueth thys day to Gilforde and I must goe thether and will deliuer it there Mary quoth hee and I will goe with you to see what aunswere you shall haue and to carie woord to my mistres and so they rode to Gilford together Where Bennets man being better acquainted in the towne then Ockam was gat a lodging for them both in a kinsmans house of hys That done he asked Ockam if he would goe and deliuer his mistres letter to the Byshop Bennets mā goeth with hys mistres letter to the Byshop of Winchester Nay sayde Ockam you shall go and deliuer it your selfe and tooke him the letter And as they were goynge in the streate togethers and comming by the Earle of Bedfordes lodging then Lorde priuie seale Ockam was pulled in by the sleeue no more seene of Bennets man till he sawe him in the Marshalsey Then went Bennets man to the bishops lodging and deliuered hys letter And when the Byshop had red the contentes thereof he called for the man that brought it Come Syrha quoth he you can tell me more by mouth then the letter specifieth had hym into a litle garden Now quoth the Bishop what say you to me Forsoth my Lorde quoth he I haue nothing to say vnto your Lordshippe for I did not bryng the letter to the Towne No quoth the Byshop where is he that brought it Forsoth my Lorde quoth he I left him busie at his lodging Then he wil come quoth the Byshop Bid him be wyth me betimes in the mornyng I wil quoth he Bennets mā 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 Oking Bennet discharged out of prison by good men of the priuy-chamber Certayne of the priuy chamber indited Syr Tho. Cardine and his wife Syr Phillip Hobby and his wife M. Edmund H●●●an do your lordships commandement and so he departed home to hys lodging And when hys kinsfolkes saw him come in alas cosin quoth they we are all vndon Why so quoth he what is the matter Oh sayde they heere hath bene since you went M. Padget the kings secretary with sir Tho. Cardine of the priuie chamber and searched all our house for one that should come to the towne w t Ockam therfore make shift for your selfe assoone as you cā Is that all the matter quoth hee then content your selfe for I wil neuer flee one foote happe what hap will And as they were thus reasoning together in came y e foresaid searchers againe when M. Cardine saw Bennets man he knewe him very well sayde was it thou that came to the towne w t Ockam Yea sir quoth he Now who the deuill quoth M. Cardine brought thee in company w t that false knaue Then he tolde them hys busines and the cause of his comming whych being knowen they were satisfied and so departed The nexte day had Bennets man a discharge for hys master procured by certaine of the priuie chamber and so went home Nowe was Ockam all this while at my Lorde priuie Seales where he was kept secret til certaine of the Counsaile had perused all his wrytings amonge the which they found certaine of the priuie Chamber indited w t other the kings Officers with their wiues that is to say Sir Tho. Cardine sir Phillip Hobby wyth both theyr Ladies M. Edmund Harman M. Thomas Weldone wyth Snow-ball and hys wife M. Thomas Weldone Snowbale and hys wife All th●se were indited for the 6. articles with a great number moe The king gaue his pardon to his gentlemen of his priuy chamber The king certified of the pityfull death of these Godly Martyr● at windsore The kinges testimony of the Martyrs of Windsore All these they had indited by the force of the 6. Articles as aiders helpers and maintainers of Anthony Person And beside them they had indited of heresie some for one thing and some for an other a great nomber moe of the Kings true and faithfull subiects Whereof the kings Maiestie beynge certified hys grace of hys speciall goodnes without the sute of any man gaue to the foresayd Gentlemen of his priuie Chamber and other his seruants with theyr wiues hys gracious pardō And as God wold haue the matter further knowen vnto hys maiestie as hee roade one day a huntinge in Gilforde Parke and sawe the Sheriffe wyth syr Humfrey Foster sitting on theyr horse backes together he called them vnto him asked of them how hys lawes was executed at Windsore Then they beseching hys grace of pardon tolde hym plainely that in all theyr liues they neuer sate on matter vnder his graces authoritie that went somuch against theyr consciences as the death of these men did and vp and told hys grace so pitiful a tale of the casting away of these poore men that the King turning hys horsehead to departe from them sayde Alasse poore Innocents After thys The Bishop of wynchester out of the kinges fauour D. London W. Simons and R. Ockam apprehended condemned of periury the king withdrew hys fauour from the B. of Winchester being more and more enformed of the conspiracie of doctor London and Symons he commaunded certaine of his counsaile to search out the ground thereof Whereupon Doctour London and Symons were apprehended and brought before the Counsail and examined vpon their othe of allegeaunce And for denying their mischeuous and traiterous purpose whiche was manifestlye proued to theyr faces they were both periured and in fine adiudged as periured persons to weare papers in Wyndsore and Ockam to stand vpon thē pillerie in the towne of Newbery where he was borne The iudgemēt of all these 3. was to ride about Windsore Reading and Newbery with papers on their heads The punishmēt of D. London W. Symons and of R. Ockam for false accusation and periury Ex testimonio Ioan. Marbeck● and theyr faces turned to the horse tales so to stand vpon the Pillerye in euery of these Townes for false accusation of the forenamed Martyrs and for periurie And thus much touching the persecution of these good Saintes of Windsore according to the copie of their owne acts receiued and wrytten by Iohn Marbecke who is yet aliue both a present witnes and also was then a
maruelled at it said plainly that y e Scripture knew no such terme of transubstantiation Damlip threatned by the Byshops Then begā the other Bishops to threaten him shortly to cōfute him with their accustomed argument I meane fire and fagot if hee should still stand to y e defence of that he had spoken Wherunto he constantly answered that he would the nexte day deliuer vnto them fully so much in writing as he had said whereto also he would stand and so was dismissed The next day at the houre appointed to appeare when they looked surely to haue apprehended hym in the meane season he had secrete intimation from the Bishop of Canterbury Damlip secretly warned to voide that if he did any more personally appeare he should be committed vnto Warde not like to escape cruell death Wherupon he plaieng in deede then somewhat old Adams part for such is man left in his owne handes had him commended vnto them and sent them four sheetes of paper learnedly written in the Latin toung cōteining his faith with his argumentes conferences of the Scriptures and allegations of the Doctours by a messenger or frend of his Whiche done he hauyng a little money giuen him in his purse by his frends stepped aside and went to the West countrey and there kept all the time whyle great trouble kindled against Gods people in Calice vpon the same as ye shall heare the Lord permitting After his departure the Kings Maiestie was aduertised that there was great dissention diuersitie of pernitious opinions in his sayd towne of Calice greatly tending to the daunger of the same Wherupō during yet the daies of the Lord Cromwell D. Champiō and M. Garret sent to preach at Calyce were sent ouer Doct. Champion Doctour of Diuinitie M. Garret who after was burned two godly and learned men to preach and instruct the people and to cōfute all pernitious errours who in effect preached and mainteined the same true doctrine which Adam Damlip had before set foorth and by reason thereof they left the Towne at their departure very quiet and greatly purged of the sclaunder that had runne on it After the departure of the sayd Champion and Garret one Sir William Smith Curate of our Lady Parishe in Calice a man very zelous though but meanely learned did begin to preach and earnestly to inuey against Papistrie and wilfull ignoraunce exhorting men obediently to receaue the word and no longer to contemne the same Syr W. Smith Curate and a zealous preacher at Calyce least Gods heauie plagues and wrath should fall vpon them which alwayes foloweth the contempt of his holy word Which sir William Smith for that sometime he would be very feruent zelous sharply inueying against the despisers of the word was moued by some of y e Counsell there who woulde seeme to fauour Gods word that he should not be so earnest against them that yet could not away with the same willing him to beare with suche for by bearing with them they might hap to be wonne Well well said the same Smith openly in the Pulpit one day as he preached some men say I am too earnest and will me to beare with such as continue open enemies against Christes holy Gospell and refuse nay forbid that any should reade the Bible or holy scripture within their house but let all such take heede for before God I feare that God for their contemning of his word will not long beare with them but make them in suche case as some of them shall not haue a head left them vpon their shoulders to beare vp their cap withal which also after came to pas This Smyth continued in the diligente bestowing of his talent there till shortly after the deuill got such hold in the harts of a number of Gods enemies that he with diuers other godly men were called ouer into Englande and charged with erroneous opinions worthy of great punishment as hereafter more at large shall appeare First the Lord Lislie the Kings deputy there whome we shewed to be the maintainer of Damlip albeit he were himselfe of a most gentle nature of a right noble bloud The Lord Lisli● base sonne to K. Edward the 4. the base sonne of that noble Prince King Edwarde the fourth being fiercely set on and incessauntly entised by the wicked Lady Honor his wife who was an vtter enemie to Gods honour and in Idolatry hypocrisie pride incomparably euill she beeing dayly and hourely thereunto incited and prouoked by Sir Thomas Palmer Knight Iohn Rookewood Esquire two enemies to Gods word Syr Thomas Palmer M. Rookewood The Councell of Calice letters against the Protestantes beginning now to flourish at Calice these I say with certayne other of the Counsell of the sayd Towne of Calice to the number of vij mo besides themselues seeking occasion or rather a quarell where no iust cause was geuē begā to write very heinous letters and greuous complaints vnto the Lordes of the priuie Counsell agaynst dyuers of the Towne of Calice affirming that they were horribly infected with heresies and pernitious opinions As first the foresaid Adam Damlip who though he were for a time escaped their hands yet stacke still in their remembraunce from time to time vntill at last the innocent man was cruelly put to death as a traitor as hereafter shal appeare Also besides this Damlip they complained of Thomas Broke Rafe Hare likewise of Sir Iohn Butler then Commissarie and Sir W. Smith Iames Cocke aliàs Coppen de Hane Iames Barber other and the names of them all sente ouer Of the wich persons first the sayde Thomas Broke and Rafe Hare Coppen de Hane and Iames Barber were apprehended and sent ouer and cōmitted to prison in Westminster gate and then commanded to appeare before the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bish. of Winchester the Bishop of Chichester and ten other appointed by the Kings maiesties commission for the examination of them And their accusers also were sent ouer with letters from the Counsell there vnto his priuie Councell here in the furtheraunce of their malicious sutes against those honest men with certaine speciall letters directed vnto the Lord Fitzwilliams then Earle of South-hampton great Admirall of Englād to the L. Sandes Lord Chamberlayne of the Houshold likewise also to sir William Kingstone Knight Comptroller of y e houshold and to D. Sampson then B. of Chichester and other tending all to one effect that is to say to the vtter destruction of these godly men if God after his wonted manner had not mightely preserued them and as it were ouershadowed them with the wings of his mercy That the same may the better appeare you shall vnderstand that first Rafe Hare a man rude and so vnlearned that scarce he could reade yet through Gods grace The trouble o● Rafe hare souldiour of Calice was very zelous and therwith lead so godly temperate a life as not one of his enemies
good aunswere sayd the Byshop of Bathe Then Butler made lowe curtesie and said the shirt is aunswered Then Chichester said thou mockest vs. But he sayde no. And thus muche concerning that time ¶ The story of William Smyth THen after Butler was Sir William Smith Curate of our Lady Parish in Calice The trouble examination of Syr W. Smith Curat●● called before them and charged in a manner with the same haynous errours and pernitious opinions that were obiected against the sayde Rafe Hare and therto was added that he had spoken and preached against our blessed Lady against prayeng to Saincts against doing of good workes and many other like things and therewithall one Richard Long a man of armes of Calice prooued against the said Sir Smyth and y e foresaid Brook by an othe taken vpon a booke that the sayd Smith and Brooke did eate flesh together in Lent in the sayd Brookes house For a Millers boy sayd hee came into Brookes kitchen and sawe halfe a Lambe lye a roasting at the fire Where as the truth is that the sayde Sir William Smith during all the Lent came neuer once within the sayd Brookes house And it is as true also that the sayd Richard Long vpon a displeasure taken with his wife went shortly after out of his owne house to the Iu●rie end of the hauen at Calice where desperately he drowned himselfe False accusation periury punished of God not one boy but many men women girles and boyes seeing him miserably taken vp againe starke dead all which lamented his pitifull ruine A terrible example vnto all such as are ready to forsweare themselues on a booke vpon malice or whatsoeuer other cause it be a thing in these dayes ouer rise euery where and almost no where regarded as it ought to be ¶ The trouble of Iohn Butler THere was also called before them sir Iohn Butler then Commissary of Calice The trouble of Iohn Butler Commissarye whom they would haue burdened with the maintenance or at y e leastwise sufferaunce of the foresayd Adam Damlip which preached so lōg time there and was not by him punished Who for his defence aunswered that the Lord Deputie and the whole Counsell there so highly entertained and so frendly vsed the said Damlyp and with their owne presence high commendations outwardly so allowed and cōmēded his doctrine that it lay not in him to do otherwise thē he did therfore humbly besought their Lordships and other the Commissioners to be good vnto him At whose handes after long attendance geuen he was discharged so returned home againe being also dismissed of his Commissaryship The recantation of certayne Calyce men NOw to declare what order was taken with these foresayd Calycemen it was appointed that sir W. Smith Rafe Hare Iames Cocke and Iames Barber The recantation and pennance of Syr W· Smith Rafe Hare Iames Cocke Iames Barber at Calice should be sent to Calice there to abiure and to do penaunce Where sir W. Smith was enioined to make the Sermon Rafe Hare Iames Cocke and Iames Barber standyng wyth fagots vpō their shoulders The Sermon was made in y e market of Calice Which being done they went with their fagottes about the market place the Drumme and Fife going before them and then returning to the Commissioners with testimoniall of the same they departed Albeit in this recātation the said W. Smith Curate of our Ladyes Church handled his Sermon after that sort as in effect he denied nothing at all that he had before preached or taught but yet it satisfied somewhat hys aduersaries malicious harts in that it bare the name of a recantation according to the Commissioners order appointing him thus openly to preach and so to depart the towne and marches As touching Iames Barber aforesayde for so much as his dwelling was not at Calice Iames Barber but foure miles off from the towne it was therfore enioyned him to beare his Fagot not at Calice but on the Saterday next following to stand in the market there where he dwelled with his Fagot vpon his shoulder and the sayd Syr William Smyth likewise there preached as before And thus much concerning the firste Commission sente ouer to Calice to enquire vpon the heretickes there Another Commission sent ouer to Calice AFter all these thynges done and past the grudgyng mindes of the aduersaries yet were not satisfied but still suggested new cōplaints to the Kings eares against the towne of Calice making the king beleue A new commission sent downe to Calice that through new opinions the towne was so diuided that it was in great daunger of the aduersary to be ouercome Whereupon shortly after the weeke before Easter next folowing other newe Commissioners were sent ouer by the King to Calice to witte the Earle of Sussex Lorde great Chamberlaine the Lord S. Iohn False accusation agaynst the towne of Calice Sir Iohn Gage Knight Sir Iohn Barker Knight M. Layton Clerke of the closet and Doctor Currin with speciall instructiōs besides signed by the Kings Maiesties owne hand for his highnes had bene incensed once againe from the Counsell at Calice that the towne was in perill through dissension The Commissioners appointed and diuersitie of opinions Upon their arriuall M. Doct. Currin preached a notable Sermon exhorting all men to charitie hauing nothing in his mouth but charitie charitie But as it seemed afterwarde such a burning charitie was in him and the rest of the Commissioners that had not God pitied the innocencie of mens causes there had a hundred bene burnt or hanged shortly after But it happened farre otherwise For of the number of those accusers four were by those Commissioners sent ouer into England to witte Clement Philpot seruaunt to the Lorde Lisle sir Edmund Curate of our Ladyes Church W. Touchet a Postmaister Peter Bequet of the which four Example of Gods punishment vpon false accusers Touchet and Bequet were sente to theyr places againe the other two were drawne hanged and quartered at London But contrary of all them that were accused there was not one that lost one heare of his head After the Sermon was done on the morowe to witte on Sherethurseday all the Commissioners solemnely receiued the Sacramente And at after noone the Counsell were with the Commissioners and after their consultation tipped staues warned aboue the number of foure score so peruerse persons as the like were not in y e towne or marches to appeare on the morrow at viij of the clocke before the Counsell at the Staple Inne who at their appearance were commaunded vpon their allegiance to present all such heretickes schismatickes and seditious persons as they did know and in no wise to doubt or dread so to do for they shoulde haue great aduauntage thereby yea they should haue eyther their linings An other inquisition at Calice agaynst heretickes or their goodes and besides that they shoulde haue greate thankes at the Kings Maiesties hand
sitting in Smithfield Hetherto we haue entreated of this good woman Now it remayneth that we touch somewhat as concernyng her ende and Martyrdome After that she beyng borne of such stocke and kynred that she might haue liued in great wealth and prosperitie if she would rather haue followed the world then Christ now had bene so tormented that she could neyther lyue long in so great distresse An. Askew brought ●●to the 〈◊〉 neyther yet by her aduersaries be suffered to die in secret the daye of her execution beyng appoynted she was brought into Smithfield in a chayre because she could not goe on her feete An. Askew 〈◊〉 vpon the racke by meanes of her great tormentes When she was brought vnto the stake she was tyed by the middle with a chayne that held vp her body When all things were thus prepared to the fire D. Shaxton who was then appoynted to preach ●●axton ●reached at Anne 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 began his Sermon Anne Askew hearyng and answering agayne vnto him where he sayd wel confirmed the same where he sayd amisse there sayde she he misseth and speaketh without the booke The Sermon beyng finished the Martyrs standyng there tyed at three seuerall Stakes ready to theyr Martirdome beganne theyr prayers The multitude and concourse of the people was exceedyng the place where they stoode beyng rayled about to keepe out the prease Upon the Benche vnder Saint Bartlemewes Church sate Wrisley Chauncellour of England the old Duke of Norfolke the olde Earle of Bedford the Lord Mayor wyth dyuers other moe Before the fire should be set vnto them one of the Benche hearyng that they had gunnepouder about them and beyng afrayde least the fagots by strength of the gunnepouder would come ●lieng about their eares began to be afraid but the Erle of Bedford declaring vnto him how y e gunpouder was not laid vnder the fagots but onely about theyr bodies to rydde them out of their paine which hauyng vente there was no daunger to them of the fagottes so diminished that feare Anne Askew refuseth the kinges pardon Then Wrisley Lord Chauncellour sent to Anne Askew letters offring to her the kyngs pardon if she would recant Who refusing once to looke vpon them made this answer agayne that she came not thether to deny her lord and Maister Then were the letters likewise offered vnto the other who in lyke manner followyng the constancie of the woman denied not onely to receyue them Ius●titia iniusta but also to looke vpon them Whereupon the Lord Mayor commaundyng fire to be put vnto them cryed wyth a lowde voyce Fiat iustitia And thus the good Anne Askew with these blessed Martyrs beyng troubled so many maner of ways and hauing passed through so many torments hauyng now ended the long course of her agonies beyng cōpassed in with flames of fire as a blessed sacrifice vnto God she slept in the lord an 1546. leauyng behynd her a singular example of christian constancy for all men to follow John Lacels Iohn Adams and Nicholas Belenian The Martyrdome of Anne Askew Io. Lacels Io. Adams Nich. Belenian THere was at the same time also burnt together wyth her one Nicholas Belenian priest of Shropshire I. Adams a Taylor and Iohn Lacels Gentleman of the court and houshold of king Henry It happened well for them that they dyed together with Anne Askew For albeit that of themselues they wer strong and stout men yet through the example and exhortation of her they beyng the more boldened receyued occasion of greater comfort in that so paynefull and dolefull kynd of death who beholdyng her inuincible constancie and also stirred vp thorough her perswasions did set apart all kynd of feare Thus they confirming one another with mutual exhortations taried looking for the tormenter and fire which at the last flaming round about them consumeb their blessed bodies in happy Martyrdome in the yeare of our saluation 1546. about the month of Iune There is also a certayne letter extant which the sayd I. Lacels briefly wrote beyng in prison touchyng the sacrament of Christes body and bloud wherin he doth both cōfute the errour of them which being not contented wyth the spirituall receyuing of the sacrament wil leaue no substance of bread therin and also confuteth the sinister interpretation of many therupon The tenor of which letter is as here vnder followeth The copy of the letter of Iohn Lacels written out of prison SAint Paule because of sectes and dissention among the Corinthians The letter of M. Iohn Lacels written out of prison wrote his epistle vnto them and in lyke case pertaining to my conscience I doe protest my whole hart in the blessed supper of the Lord wherein I trust in God to bryng nothyng for me but I shall be able wyth Gods holy worde to declare and manifest the same And herein I take occasion to recite the saying of saint Paule in the sayd Epistle the xi chapter That which I deliuered vnto you ● Cor. 11. I receyued of the Lorde For the Lorde Iesus the same night in which he was betrayed tooke breade gaue thankes and brake it and sayd take ye eate ye this is my body which is broken for you Here me seemeth S. Paule durst not take vpon hym hys Lord and maisters authoritie Wherefore as at Gods hand the breaking of the most innocent and immaculate body and bloud of Christ is the quietnes of all mens consciences the onely remedy of our sinnes and the redemption of mankynd which is called in the scripture the dailye offering so the Masse whiche is the inuention of man whose author is the Pope of Rome as it doth appeare in Polydore Uirgill and many others is the vnquietnesse of all Christendome The blasphemy wickednes of the Masse a blasphemy vnto Christes bloud and as Daniel calleth it the abhominable desolation as the Scripture shall hereafter more manifest it S. Paule was belyke to learne of the Romaines church A prophesie the manner of the consecration as they call it wyth the breathyng ouer the hoste and other ceremonies besides that he durst not take vpon him to say Hoc est corpus meum S. Paule did not take vpon him in the person of Christ to say Hoc est corpus meum as our Priestes doe But this I will admitte it was the Lord Iesus that made the supper which also did finish it and made an end of the onely acte of our saluation not onely here in this world but with his father in heauen as he declareth hym selfe that he will drinke no more of this bitter cuppe tyll he drinke it new in his fathers kingdom where all bitternes shall be taken away Now if any man be able to finish the acte of our Sauiour in breakyng of hys body and sheadyng of his bloude here and also to finish it with the father in heauen then let hym say it But I thinke that if men will looke vpon saint Paules wordes well
be all these fantasies for if you perseuer in these erroneous opinions ye wil repent it when you may not mende it Thomas saide I trust my cause be iust in the presence of God Thomas Forret Fryer Iohn Kelow fryer Benerage Dunkane Simpson Priest Rob. Foster gentleman with 3. or 4. other of Striueling Martyrs and therefore I passe not muche what doe followe thereupon and so my Lorde and he departed at that tyme. And soone after a Summons was directed from the Cardinall of S. Andrewes and the sayde Bishop of Dunkelden vpon the saide Deane Thomas Forret vpon 2. blacke Friers called frier Iohn Kelowe and an other called Benarage and vpon one priest of Striueling called Duncane Sympson and one Gentleman called Robert Foster in Striuelyng with other three or foure wyth them of the towne of Striuelyng who at the day of their appearaunce after their summoning were cōdemned to the death without any place of recantation because as was alleged they were heresiarkes or chiefe heretikes and teachers of heresies and especially because manye of them were at the bridall and marriage of a Priest who was vicar of Twybodye beside Striuelynge and did eate fleshe in Lent at the said bridal and so they were altogether burnt vpon the castle hill of Edenbrough where they that were first bounde to the stake godly and marueilously did comfort them that came behinde Heere foloweth the manner of persecution vsed by the Cardinall of Scotland against certaine persons in Perth Persecuters Martyrs Theyr Causes Dauid Beton Byshop and Cardinall of S. Andrewes Robert Lambe William Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Iames Foūleson Hellen Stirke hys wife FIrst there was a certaine Acte of Parlamente made in the gouernement of the Lorde Hamleton Earle of Arran Anno. 154● and Gouernour of Scotlande geuinge priuiledge to all men of the Realme of Scotlande to reade the Scriptures in their mother tongue and language secluding neuerthelesse all reasoning conference conuocation of people to heare the Scriptures reade or expounded Proclamation in Scotland permitting the priu●te ●eading of Scripture Which liberty of priuate reading being granted by publike proclamation lacked not hys owne ●ruite so that in sondrie partes of Scotland therby were opened the eies of the elect of God to see the truthe and abhorre the Papistical abhominations Amongest the which were certaine persones in S. Iohnston as after is declared At thys time there was a Sermone made by Fryer Spense Blasphemous doctri●e of a Papist Robert Lambe Martyr in saint Iohnston aliâs called Perth affirmynge prayer made ●o saintes to be so necessarye that wythoute it there coulde be no hope of saluation to man Whyche blasphemous doctrine a Burges of the sayd towne called Robert Lambe could not abide but accused hym in open audience of erroneous doctrine and adiured hym in Gods name to vtter the trueth The which the Frier being striken with feare promised to doe but the trouble tumulte and sturre of the people encreased so that the Frier coulde haue no audience and yet the sayde Roberte wyth greate daunger of his life escaped the handes of the multitude Robert Lambe in great daunger namely of the women who contrary to nature addressed them to extreme cruelty against him At this time in the yeare of our Lorde 1543. the ennemies of the truth procured Iohn Chartuous who fauoured the truthe and was Prouost of the saide citie towne of Perth to be deposed from his office by the sayde Gouernours authoritie A papist set in office and a Papist called Maister Alexander Marbecke to be chosen in his roume y t they myght bring the more easily their wicked enterprise to an ende Robert Lambe Will. Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Hellen Styrke his wyfe cast in prison After the deposing of the former Prouost and election of the other in the moneth of Ianuary the yere aforesayde on saint Paules day came to sainte Iohnston the Gouernour the Cardinall the Earle of Argile Iustice sir Iohn Campbell of Lunde knighte and Iustice De●orte the Lorde Borthwyke the Bishop of Dumblane and Orkeney with certaine other of the Nobilitie And althoughe there were manye accused for the crime of heresie as they terme it yet these persones were onely apprehended vppon the sayde sainte Paules day Robert Lambe William Anderson Iames Hunter Iames Raueleson Iames Founleson and Hellen Stirke his wife and cast that night in the Spay tower of the sayde Citie the morowe to abide iudgement Uppon the morrowe when they appeared and were brought foorth to iudgement in the towne was said in generall to all their charge the violating of the Acte of Parliament before expressed and their conference and assemblies in hearing and expoundinge of scripture againste the tenour of the sayde Acte Robert Lambe was accused in speciall for interrupting of the Frier in the pulpit whyche he not onely confessed but also affirmed constantly that it was the duetie of no manne whych vnderstood and knewe the trueth to heare the same impugned wythoute contradiction and therefore sundry which there were presente in iudgement who hidde the knowledge of the truth shoulde beare their burden in Gods presence for consenting to the same The sayde Robert also wyth William Anderson and Iames Raueleson were accused for hanging vp the image of S. Fraunces in a corde Lambe Anderson Raueleson for hanging S. Fraunces in a corde Iames Hunter for vsing suspect company nailing of Rammes hornes to his head and a Cowes rumpe to hys taile and for eatinge of a goose on Alhalow euen Iames Hunter being a simple man and wythout learning and a Fletcher by occupation so that hee coulde be charged wyth no greate knowledge in Doctrine yet because he often vsed the suspect companye of the rest he was accused The woman Hellen Stirke was accused for that in her childbed she was not accustomed to cal vpon the name of the virgine Mary Hellen Styrke for calling vpon Iesus and not our Lady in childebed being exhorted thereto by her neyghbours but onely vpon God for Iesus Christes sake and because she said in like maner that if she her selfe had beene in the time of the virgin Mary God might haue looked to her humilitie and base estate as hee did to the virgines in making her the mother of Christe thereby meaninge that there was no merites in the virgine whyche procured her that honour to be made the mother of Christe and to bee preferred before other women but Gods only free mercy exalted her to that estate Whiche woordes were counted moste execrable in the face of the Clergie and whole multitude Iames Raueleson aforesayde building a house set vppon the round of his fourth staire the 3. crowned diademe of Peter carued of tree which the cardinal tooke as done in mockage of his Cardinals hat and this procured no fauor to the sayd Iames at theyr handes These forenamed persones vppon the morrowe aft●● sainte Paules day were condemned and iudged
then to come He tooke bread he blessed and brake it and gaue it to hys Disciples and sayde Take yee eate yee Math. 26. thys is my bodye whyche shall bee broken and geuen for you And lykewise the cuppe blessed and badde them drinke all thereof for that was the cup of the new testament which should be shed for the forgeuing of many How oft ye do this do it in my remembraunce Then saide the B. of S. Andrewes The Archb. of S. Andrewes speaketh The Earle of Hūtly speaketh and the Officiall of Lowthaine with the Deane of Glasgue and many other Prelates we know this well enough The earle of Hūtly said thou aunswerest not to that which is laide to thee say either nay or yea thereto He aunswered if ye will admitte God his word spoken by the mouth of his blessed sonne Iesus Christ our Lord and Sauiour ye will admit that I haue sayd for I haue sayd or taught nothing but that the word which is the triall and touchstone sayth whych ought to be Iudge to me and to all the world Why quoth the Earle of Huntley hast thou not a Iudge good inough and trowest thou that we know not God and his word Aunswere to that is spoken to thee and then they made the accuser speake the same thing ouer againe Thou saydest quoth the accuser and hast taught that the bread and wine in the Sacrament of the aultar after the words of the consecration are not the body and bloud of our Sauiour Iesus Christ. He aunswered I sayd neuer more then the write sayth nor yet more then I haue sayd before 1. Cor. 11. For I know wel by S. Paule when he sayeth Whosoeuer eateth this bread and drinketh of thys cup vnwoorthely receaueth to hymselfe damnation And therefore when I taught which was but seldome and to them only which required and desired me I sayd that if the Sacrament of the aultar were truly ministred and vsed as the sonne of the liuing God did institute it where that was done there was God himselfe by hys diuine power by the which he is ouer all The Bishop of Orkney asked him Beleeuest thou not sayd he that the bread and wine in the sacrament of the aultar after the wordes of the consecration is the very body of God flesh bloud and bone He answered I wot not what that word consecration meaneth I haue not much latine Adam Wallace aunswereth by his Creede but I beleeue that the sonne of God was conceaued of the holy Ghost and borne of the Uirgin Mary hath a naturall body with handes feete and other members and in the same body hee walked vp downe in the world preached and taught he suffered death vnder Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buryed and that by his godly power hee raysed that same body agayne the thyrd day and the same body ascended in to heauen and sitteth on the right hand of the father Christs naturall body cannot be in two places at once whiche shall come agayne to iudge both the quicke and y e dead And that this body is a naturall body with handes feete and cannot be in two places at once he sheweth well hym selfe For the whiche euerlasting thankes be to hym that maketh this matter cleare Math. 26. When the woman brake the oyntment on hym aunswering to some of hys Disciples which grudged thereat he sayd The poore shall you haue alwayes with you but me shall you not haue alwayes meaning of his naturall body And likewise at his Ascention sayd he to the same Disciples that were fleshly and would euer haue had him remayning with them corporally Iohn 16. It is needfull for you that I passe away for if I passe not away the comforter the holy Ghost shall not come to you meaning that his naturall body behoued to be taken away frō thē But be stoute and be of good cheare Math. 28. Iohn 16. for am with you vnto the worldes end And that the eating of his very flesh profiteth not The eating of the very flesh of Christ profiteth nothing may well be knowne by his wordes which he spake in the 6. of Iohn where after that he had sayd Except ye eate my fleshe and drinke my bloud ye shall not haue life in you they murmuring therat he reproued them for their grosse fleshly taking of his wordes and sayd What will ye thinke when ye se the sonne of man ascend to the place that he came frō It is the spirit that quickeneth the flesh profiteth nothing to be eaten as they tooke it and euen so take ye it Iohn 6. The B. of Orknay speaketh It is an horrible heresie sayde the Bishop of Orknay When he began to speake again and bad the Lord Gouernour iudge if hee had righte by the write the accuser cryed Ad secundam Nunc ad secundam aunswered the Archbishop of S. Andrewes The 2. article agaynst Adam Wallace Then was he bidden to heare the accuser who propounded the second Article and sayd Thou saydest lykewyse and openly diddest teach that the Masse is very Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God Aunswere He aunswered and sayde I haue read the Bible and word of God in three tounges and haue vnderstand them so farre as God gaue me grace and yet read I neuer that word Masse in it all The Masse not found in Scripture but I found sayd he that the thyng that was highest and most in estimation amongst men and not in the word of God was Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God And I say the Masse is holden greatly in estimation Argument and high amongest men and is not founded in the word therefore I said it was Idolatry and abhominable in the sight of God But if any man will find it in the Scripture and proue it by Gods word I will graunt mine errour and that I haue fayled otherwise not and in that case I will submit me to all lawfull correction and punishment Ad tertiam sayd the Archbyshop Then sayde the accuser Thou hast sayde and openly taught that the God which we woorship is but bread sowen of corne The 3. Article Aunswere growing of the earth baked of mēs hands and nothing else He aunswered I worship the father the sonne and the holy Ghost three persons in one Godhead which made fashioned the heauen and earth and all that is therein of naught but I know not which God you worship and if you will shew me whome you worship The popes God I shall shew you what he is as I can by my iudgement Beleeuest thou not sayd the accuser that the sacrament of the alter after the words of the consecration betwixt the Priests hands is the very body and bloud of the sonne of God and God himselfe What the body of God is sayde he and what kind of body he hath I haue shewed you so farre as I
bishop of Winchester for so much as he in king Edwardes tyme bragged so much of his old mayster of famous memory king Henr. 8. to y e entent y t the glorious vanitie of this bishop of all other like vnto him more notoriously may appeare to al mē heere is to be noted by the testification as well of mayster Deny as also of Sir Henry Neuell who were there present witnesses of the matter whose record is this that king Henry before the time of his sicknes taking his horse vppon the tarras at Windsore to ride out on hauking sawe standing before him the Lorde Wryothesley Lord Chancelour with diuers other Counsellours and amōgst them the Bishop of Winchester Whereupon he called the Lorde Chancelour and sayd Winchester commaunded no more to come in the kings sight Did not I commaund you he shuld come no more amongst you meaning the Bishop Wherunto the Lorde Chauncellour aunswered that his comming was to bring his Maiestie word of a beneuolence geuen vnto him by the Cleargie Whereat the King sayd Ah let him come hether and so he did his message and the King went straight away Item another time the King immediatly after his repaire to London fell sicke and caused diuers times hys whole Counsell to come vnto him about his will and other his graue affaires Winchester though he wer excluded yet would seeme stil to be of the kinges Counsel At what time the Bishop also would come vp with them into the vtter priuie Chamber and there remayne vntill the Counsell came from the King and then go downe with them agayne to the ende as then was thought to blind the world withall Furthermore as the King grewe more in sickenes he considering vpon his will and testament made before at his going ouer to Bullein willed the same to be drawne out againe with leauing out and excluding the Byshop of Winchester by name from amongst his Executors Which being to him no small corsey and a cutting off of all theyr purposes Win● excluded out of the kinges will a way was found that Sir Anthony Browne a principall pillar of Winchesters side pretending vnto the King as though by the negligence of the writer the Byshops name had bene left out of the Kings will kneeled downe to the Kings Maiestie Syr Anthony Browne a great frend to Wint. lying in his bed and sayd My Lord of Winchester I thinke by negligence is left out of your Maiesties wil who hath done your highnes most paynefull long and notable seruice and one without whome the rest shall not be able to ouercome your greate and weighty affaires committed vnto them Hold your peace quoth the King I remembred hym well inough and of good purpose haue left him out For surely if he were in my testamēt and one of you he would cumber you all and you should neuer rule him he is of so troublesome a nature Mary quoth the King I my selfe could vse him and rule him to all maner of purposes as seemed good to me King Henryes opinion of the Bishop of Winchest but so shall you neuer do and therefore talke no more of him to me in this behalfe Syr Anthony Browne perceiuing the king somewhat stiffe heerein gaue place to the Kings words at that time Howbeit seeking farther occasion vpō more perswasions put into his head tooke in hand once againe to moue the King to haue the Byshop one of his Executors When the King perceyued that this instant sute would not cease haue you not yet done quoth the King to molest me in this matter If you wil not cease farther to trouble me by the faith that I owe vnto God I will surely dispatch thee out of my will also and therefore let vs heare no more of this matter All thys Sir Anthony Deny was heard to report to the Archbyshop of Cant. Thom. Cranmer Witnes of the sayd Archbyshops Secretary who is yet aliue and witnes to the same And thus much touching the end of King Henry who if he had continued a few moneths longer all those obites and Masses whiche appeare in his will made before hee went to Bulleyne notwithstandyng most certayne it is to be signified to all posteritie that his full purpose was to haue repurged the estate of the Church to haue gone through with the same The purpose of the king if he had liued was to make a perfect reformation of religion so that he would not haue left one masse in all England For the more certayne intelligence whereof two things I haue to leade me The one is the assured report and testimonie of Tho. Cranmer Archbyshop of Caunterbury hearing the King declare the same out of his owne mouth both to himselfe to Mounsieur de Annebault Lord Admirall the French Ambassadour in the moneth of August a little before his death as aboue may appeare more at large Credite of this narration that it is true page 1240. The other cause which leadeth me thereunto is also of equall credite groūded vpon the declaration of the Kings owne mouth after that time more neare to his death vnto Bruno Ambassadour of Iohn Fridericke Duke of Saxonie Unto the which Ambassadour of Saxony the King gaue this aunswere openly that if the quarrell of the Duke of Saxony were nothing else against the Emperour but for religion The kinges aunswere to the Duke of Saxonies Ambassadour a little before his death he should stand to it strongly and he would take his part willing him not to doubt nor feare and so with this aunswere dimissed the Ambassadour vnto the Duke openly in the hearing of these foure sufficient witnesses the L. Scym●r Earle of Harforde Lorde Lisley then Admirall the Earle of Bedford Lorde Priuy Seale and Lorde Paget But the secret working of Gods holy prouidence whyche disposeth all things after his own wisedome and purpose thought it good rather by taking the King away to reserue the accomplishmēt of this reformation of his church to the peaceable time of his sonne Edward and Elizabeth his daughter whose handes were yet vndefiled wyth any bloud and life vnspotted with any violence or crueltie And thus to finish this booke I thought heere to close vp King Henries raigne But because a little vacant space of empty paper remayneth behinde needefull to be filled vp to employ therefore and to replenishe the same wyth some matter or other I thought to annexe heere vnto one story which hapned in this King Henries raigne Which albeit it serueth not to the purpose of this our matter now in hand yet neuerthelesse to supply the roome it may stand in some place either to refreshe the traueiled minde of the Reader wearied with other stories or else to disclose the detestable impietie of these counterfeite sectes of Monkes and Friers who vnder the hipocriticall visour of pretensed Religion haue so long seduced and deceiued the world Although the deceitfull parts and practises of these
offend him and much lesse in his yong age My L. Chancelor then shewed me the beginning of the acte for common prayer how dangerous it was to breake the order of it I told him that it was true therefore if I came abroade I would be wel ware of it But it is quoth I after in the act how no man should be troubled for this act vnles he were first indited and therefore quoth I I may not be kept in prisone for this acte Ah quoth he I perceiue ye knowe the lawe well enough I tolde hym my Chaplaine had brought it vnto mee the after noone before Then they required me to looke on the boke and to say my minde in it I answeared that I thought not mete to yelde my selfe a scholler to go to schoole in prison then slaunder my selfe as though I redemed my faults with my conscience As touching the law which I know not Winchester wil not go to scoole in prison I wil honor it like a subiect and if I keepe it not I wil willingly suffer the paine of it And what more conformitie I should shew I cannot tell for mine offences be past if there be any If I haue not suffred enough I will suffer more if vpon examination I be found faulty as for this new law if I keepe it not punish me likewise Then my Lorde Chaunceloure asked mee whether I would not desire the kings Maiestie to be my good Lorde At which worde I sayde alas my Lorde quoth I doe yee thinke that I haue so forgotten my selfe Wynchester desireth the king to be his good Lord. My duety quoth I requireth so and I will on my knees desire hym to be my good Lord and my Lord Protectour also quoth I that is wel sayd quoth my Lord Chaunceler And what will ye say further quoth my L. Chanceler In good faith quoth I thys that I thought when I had preached that I had not offended at all and thinke so still and had it not ben for the article of the supremacie I woulde haue rather fayned my selfe sicke then be occasion of this that hathe followed but going to the Pulpit I must needes say as I sayde Well quoth my lord Chanceler let vs go to our purpose again Ye will quoth he desire the kings maiestie to be your good Lord and my Lord Protectour also and ye say ye thought not to haue offended All this I will say quoth I. Winchester yet will not confesse himselfe to be an offender Winchester will not submit himselfe to the Lord Protector but to the law And yee wil quoth my Lord Chanceler submit your selfe to be ordered by my Lorde Protector Nay quoth I by the lawe for my Lord Protectour quoth I hath scourged mee ouersore this yere to put my matter in his hands now And in the latter poynte I varyed with my Lorde Chauncellour when I could not refer my order to my Lord Protectour but to the law and staying at this poynt they were cōtent to graunt me of their gentlenes to make their sute to procure me to be heard and to obtaine me libertie to goe in the galery and that I should heare of one of them within two daies following I desired them to remember that I refused not the boke by way of contempt nor in no euil maner but y t I was loth to yelde my selfe a scholer in the Tower and to be seene to redeme my faults if I had any with my conscience My body I sayde shoulde serue my conscience but not contrariwise And this is the truth vpon my conscience and othe that was done and said at their comming There was more sayde to the purposes aforesayde And I binde not my selfe to the precise forme of wordes but to the substaunce of the matter and fashion of the intreating So neare as I can remember I haue truely discharged mine oth But I heard no more of my matter in one whole yere after almost wythin 14. dayes notwithstāding two letters wrytten by me to the Counsaile of most humble request to be heard according to iustice And then at y e ende of 2. yeres almost came vnto me the Duke of Somerset with other of the counsel which matter because it is left out here I shall not touch but prepare it in a matter aparte for declaration of my behauiour at all times The 12. Article Item that after that c. the 9. day of Iuly in the 4. yeare of his Maiesties raign his highnes sent vnto you his graces letters with a certaine submission and Articles whereunto his grace willed and commaunded you to subscribe to whiche submission you contemptuously refused to subscribe Winchester To the 12. article for answer therunto he graunted that about the time mentioned in this Article the Lorde Treasurer the Erle of Warwike lord great maister The kings letter deliuered to Winchester in the tower sir William Harbert and M. Secretary Peter came to the tower and called me before them and deliuered vnto me the Kynges maiesties letters which I haue to shew and receiued them at the handes of the lord Treasurer vpon my knees kissed them as my duety was and still vpon my knees red them where as they right gently required me to take more ease to go apart with them consider them which after that I had throughly read I much lamented that I should be commaunded to say of my selfe as was there wrytten and to say otherwise of my selfe then my conscience will suffer me where I trust my dedes wil not condemne me therto condemne my selfe w t my tongue I should sooner quoth I to them by commaundement thinke if ye would bid me to tumble my selfe desperately into the Thames My lord of Warwicke seeing me in that agonye sayde What say ye my Lorde quoth he to the other Articles I aunswered that I was loth to disobey where I might obey and not wrast my conscience destroying the comfort of it as to say vntruely of my selfe Well quoth my Lorde of Warwicke Other articles put to Winchester will ye subscribe to the other Articles I tolde him I would But then quoth I the Article that toucheth me must be put out I was answered that needeth not for I might wryte on the one side what I woulde say vnto it and then my Lorde of Warwicke entertained mee verye gently The article which touched him was the first article prescribing him to subscribe which article he wisheth here to be put out and would needes whiles I should write haue me sit downe by him and when hee sawe me make somewhat straunge so to do he pulled me nearer him and said we had ere this sit together trusted we should do so againe And then hauing pen inke geuen me I wrote as I remember on the Article that touched me these words I can not with my conscience say this of my selfe or such like words And there folowed an Article of the
the French and that we do withhold wages from the souldiours and other such tales and letters they doe spreade abroade of the which if any one thing were true we would not wish to liue the matter now being brought to a marueilous extremitie such as we wold neuer haue thought it could haue come vnto especially of those men towardes the kings maiestie and vs of whom we haue deserued no such thing but r●ther much fauour and loue But the case being as it is this to require and pray you to hastē you hither to the defence of the kings maiestie in such force and power as you may to shew the parte of a true Gentleman and of a very frende the which thing we truste God shall rewarde and the kinges Maiestie in time to come and we shall neuer be vnmindefull of it too We are sure you shal haue other letters from them but as ye tender your duety to the kings Maiestie we require you to make no stay but immediately repair with such force as yee haue to his highnesse Castle of Windsore and cause the rest of such force as yee may make to followe you And so we bid you right heartily farewel From Hampton Court the sixt of October Your Lordships assured louing frend Edward Somerset An answere to the L. Protectors letter TO this letter of the Lorde Protectoure sent the sixte of Octob. the L. Russel returning answere againe vppon the eight of the sayde moneth first lamenteth the heauie dissention fallen betwene the Nobilitye and him which he taketh for suche a plague as a greater could not be sent of almighty God vpon this Realme being the next way saith he to make of vs conquerors slaues like to induce vpon the whole realme an vniuersal calamitye thraldome vnlesse the mercifull goodnes of the Lorde do helpe some wise order be taken in staying these great extremities And as touching the Dukes request in his letters for as much as he heard before of this broile of the Lords feared least so●e conspiracie had ben meant against the kings person he hasted forwarde with such company as he coulde make for the surety of y e king as to him appertained Now perceiuing by the Lordes letters sent vnto him the same sixte day of Oct● these tumults to rise vpon priuate causes betwene him and them he therfore thought it expedient that a conuenient power should be leuied to be in a readines to withstand the worste what perils soeuer might ensue for the preseruation both of the king state of the realm from the 〈◊〉 of forraine enemies and also for the staying of bloudshed if any such thing should be intended betwixt the partes in the heate of thys faction And this hee thinking beste for discharge of his allegeance humbly beseecheth his grace to haue y e same also in speciall regard and consideration first that the kings Maiestie be put in no feare that if there be any such thing wherein he hath geuen iust cause to them thus to proceede hee will so conforme him selfe as no such priuate quarels do redound to the publike disturbance of the Realme certifying moreouer the Duke that if it were true whyche he vnderstandeth by the letters of the Lordes y t he should send about proclamations and letters for raising vp of the commons he liked not the same Notwithstanding hee trusted well that his wisedome woulde take such a way as no effusion of bloud should follow And thus muche being contained in his former letters of the eight of October in his next letters againe wrytten the 11. day of Octob. the said Lord Russel reioysing to heare of the most reasonable offers of the Lord Protectour made to the Lordes The contents of the second aunswer of the L. Russell to the Lord Protector wryteth vnto him promiseth to doe what in the vttermost power of him and likewise of sir W. Harbert ioyned together with him doe 〈◊〉 to worke some honorable reconciliation betwene him them so as his sayd offers being accepted satisfied some good cōclusion might ensue according to their good hope expectation Signifying moreouer that as touching the leuying of men they had resolued to haue the same in readinesse for the benefite of the realme The goo● L. Russell a solicitor for peace betweene the Lord Protector and the Lordes to occurre all incōueniences whatsoeuer either by forraine inuasion or otherwise might happen so hauing their power at hand to drawe neare wherby they might haue the better oportunitie to be solicitours and a meanes for this reformation on both parties c. And thus much for answer of the Lord Russel to the Lorde Protectours letters But nowe to the matter againe of the Lordes who together with the Earle of Warwike vppon what occasion God knoweth being assembled at London The Lordes of the Co●●●ell assembled against the Lorde Protectour as ye heard against the Lorde Protector when the king with his counsaile at Hampton court heard therof first Secretarye P●ter with the kings message was sent vnto them whome the Lords notw tstanding detained still with them making as yet no answer to the message Whe●upon the L. Protectour wryteth to them in this maner as followeth A letter of the Lorde Protectour to the Counsaile at London The Lord Protecto●s l●tter to the Lordes of the Counsaile at London MY Lordes we commend vs most hartily vnto you wheras the kings Maiestie was infourmed that you were assembled in such sorte as you doe and nowe remaine and was aduised by vs and such other of his Counsaile as were then heere aboute his persone to send M. Secretarie Peter vnto you with such message as whereby mighte haue ensued the suretie of hys Maiesties persone with preseruation of his realme and subiects the quiet both of vs and your selues as maister Secretarye can well declare to you his maiestie and we of his Counsaile heere doe not a litle maruel that you stay still with you the sayd M. Secretarie haue not as it were vouchsafed to send aunswer to his Maiestie neyther by him nor yet any other And for our selues we doe much more maruell and are right sory as both wee and you haue good cause to be to see the manner of your doinges bent● with violence to bring the kings Maiesty and vs to these extremities Which as we doe intende if you wil take no other way but violence to defend as nature and our allegeaunce doeth binde vs to extremitye of death and to put all to Gods hand who geueth victory as it pleaseth him so that if any reasonable conditions and offers woulde take place as hetherto none hath bene signified vnto vs frō you nor we do not vnderstand what you do require or seeke or what you do meane that you do seek no hurt to the kings Maiesties person as touching all other priuate matters to auoid the effusion of Christian bloud and to preserue the
kings Maiesties person his realme and subiectes No worde hetherto sent from the Lords to the Lord Protector what they required of him to doe Reasonable cōditions offered by the Lord Protector you shall finde vs agreeable to any reasonable conditions that you will require For we doe esteeme the kings wealth and tranquillitie of the realme more then all other worldly things yea more then our owne life Thus praying you to send vs your determinate answer heerein by M. Secretarie Peter or if you will not let him go by this bearer we beseeche God to geue both you and vs grace to determine this matter as maye be to Gods honour the preseruation of the king and the quiet of vs all which may be if the fault be not in you And so we bid you most heartily fare well From the kings maiesties Castle of Windsore the 7. of Octob. 1549. Your Lordships louing frend E. Somerset After these letters receiued and the reasonable condition of the Lorde Protectour and yet not much regarded of the Lordes they persisting still in their pretended purpose tooke this aduise first to keepe themselues in the Citie of London as strong as they might and therfore calling vpon the Maior and the Aldermen they willed them in any case to prouide a good and substantiall watch by nyght A solemne watch commaūded in London and a good warde by day for the safegard of their Citie and the portes and gates thereof which was consented vnto and the Cōpanies of London in theyr turnes warned to watch and warde accordingly Then the sayd Lordes and Counsailours demaunded of the Lorde Maior and hys brethren 500. menne to ayde them to fetche the Lorde Protectour out of Windsore from the king but therunto the Maior answeared The Citye of London pressed with 500. m●n to fetch the L. Protector The aunswere of the Lorde Maior to the Lordes The Lordes assembled in the L. Maiors house that he could graunt none aide without the assent of the common Counsaile of the citie wherupon the next day a common councell was warned But in this meane time the said Lordes of the Counsaile assembled thēselues at the Lorde Maiors house of London who then was Syr Henrye Amcottes Fishmonger and W. Locke Mercer and sir Iohn Aileph Sheriffes of the said citie and there the said Counsaile did agree and publishe a Proclamation foorthwith agaynst the Lorde Protector the effect of which Proclamation was as followeth 1 First The effect of the proclamation se● out agaynst the Lord Protector that the Protector by his malitious and euill gouernment was the occasion of all the sedition that of late happened within the realme 2 The losse of the kings peeces in France 3 That he was ambitious and sought his owne glorye as appeared by building of most sumptuous costly houses in the time of the kings warres 4 That hee esteemed nothinge the graue Counsell of the Counsailours 5 That he sowed diuision betwene the Nobles the gentlemen and the commons 6 That the Nobles assembled themselues together at Londō for none other purpose but to haue caused the protectour to haue liued wythin limites and to haue put such order for the suretie of the kings maiestie as appertained whatsoeuer the Protectours doinges were whyche they sayd were vnnaturall ingrate and traiterous 7 That the Protectour sclaundered the Counsaile to the king and did that in him lay to cause variaunce betweene the king and the nobles 8 That hee was a great traitor and therefore the Lordes desired the citie commons to aid them to take hym from the king And in witnes and testimonie of the contents of the said Proclamation the Lordes subscribed theyr names whych were these The Lorde Rich Lord Chauncellour The Lord S. Iohn Lord great maister president of the Counsaile The Lord Marques of Northampton The Earl of Warwike Lord great Chamberlaine The Earle of Arundel L. Chamberlaine The Earle of Shrewsburie The Earle of South-hampton Wriothesley Sir Thomas Cheyney knighte treasurer of the kings house and Lord Warden of the Cinque portes Syr Iohn Gage knight Constable of the Tower Syr Wil. Peter knight Secretarie Syr Edwarde North knight Syr Edwarde Montague chief Iustice of the common place Syr Rafe Sadler Syr Iohn Baker Syr Edw. Wootton Doctour Wootton Deane of Cant. Syr Rich. Southwell After the foresaide Proclamation was Proclaimed the Lordes or the most parte of them continuing and lying in London came y e next day to the Guild hal during the time that the Lord Maior and their brethren sate in their Court or inner chamber The Lordes comming into the Guild hall and entred and communed a long while with the Maior and at the last the Maior and his brethren came foorth vnto the common Counsaile where was read the kings letter sent to the Maior and citizens commaunding them to aid him with a thousand wel appoynted men out of their citie and to send the same with all speede to his Castle at Windsore Thys Letter by name was directed to Syr Henrye Amcottes knighte Lorde Maior to Syr Roulande Hyll knight Maior electe and to the Aldermen and common Counsaile of the Citie of London The daye and Date of the Letter was the sixte of October in the thirde yeare of his raigne being assigned with the hand of the King and of the Lorde Protectour the contentes of which letter for the satisfaction of the reader are heere to be seene in maner and forme as followeth EDWARD By the King TRustie and welbeloued we greete you wel Wee charge and commaunde you most earnestly to geue order with all speede for the defence and preseruation of that our citie of London for vs The Copy of the kinges letter sent to the L. Maior Aldermen and Citizens of Lōdon in the behalfe of the L. Protectour and to leuy out of hande and to put in order as many as conueniently you maye well weaponed and arraied keeping good watch at the gates and to sende vs hither for the defence of oure person one thousand of that our Cittie of trustie and faithfull men to attend vpon vs and our most entirely beloued vncle Edward Duke of Somerset Gouernour of our person and Protector of our Realmes dominions and subiects well harnessed and with good and conuenient weapon so that they do make their repaire hither vnto vs this night if it be possible or at the least to morow before noone and in the meane time to doe what as appertaineth vnto your duetie for ours and our sayd vncles defence against all such as attempt any conspiracie or enterprise of violence against vs our sayd Vncle as you knowe best for our preseruation and defence at thys present Geuen vnder our Signet at our Honor of Hampton Court the sixte of October the thirde yeare of oure raigne You shall farther geue credite to our trustie and welbeloued Owen Cleydon the bearer heereof in all such things as hee shall further declare vnto you
disputation he desired that the Prolocutor would bee a meane vnto the Lords that some of those that were learned setters forth of the same Catechisme might be broght into the house to shew their learning that mooued them to set forth the same Request to haue Doct. Ridley M. Rogers at the disputation Aunswere of the Bishops vnto the request and that D. Ridley M. Rogers with two or three mo might be licenced to be present at this disputation and to be associate with them This request was thought reasonable and was proposed vnto the Bishops who made this aunswer that it was not in them to call such persons vnto our house since some of them were prisoners But they sayd they would be petitioners in this behalfe vnto the Counsayle and in case any were absent that ought to bee of the house they willed them to bee taken in vnto them if they listed After this they mindyng to haue entred into disputation there came a Gentleman as messenger from the Lord great master signifiyng vnto the Prolocutor that the L. great maister and the Earle of Deuonshire would be present at the disputations and therfore he deferred the same vnto monday at one of the clocke at after noone ¶ The Acte of the third day Upon Monday the xiij of October at the time apointed The third Sessiō October 23. in the presence of many Erles Lordes Knights gentlemen and diuers other of the Court and of the Citie also the Prolocutor made a Protestation that they of the house had appoynted this disputation not to call the truth into doubt to the which they had alredy all subscribed sauing v. or sixe but that those gainsayers might be resolued of their arguments in the which they stood as it shall appeare vnto you not doubting but they will also condescēd vnto vs. M. Haddon and M Elmar refus● to aunswere except their request were graunted Then he demanded of M. Haddon whether he would reason against the questions proposed or no. To whom he made answer that he had certified hym before in writyng that he would not since the request of such learned men as were demaunded to be assistent with them would not bee graunted M. Elmar likewyse was asked Who made the Prolocutor the like aunswer addyng moreouer this that they had done too much preiudice already to the truth to subscribe before the matter was discussed and little or nothyng it might auayle to reason for the truth since all they were now determined to the contrary After this he demaunded of M. Cheyney whome the Prolocutor sayd allowed the presence with them M. Cheyny the Archdeacon of Herford now B. of Glocester but he denyed the transubstantiation by the meanes of certayne authorities vppon the which he standeth and desireth to be resolued as you shall heare whether he will propose his doubtes concernyng Transubstantiation or no. Yea quoth he I would gladly my doubts to be resolued which mooue me not to beleeue Transubstantiation The first is out of S. Paule to the Cor. who speakyng of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ M. Cheynyes doubtes about transubstantiation calleth it oft tymes bread after the consecration The second is out of Origene who speaking of this sacrament sayth that the materiall part therof goeth down to the excrements The third is out of Theodoretus who making mention of the sacramentall bread and wine after the consecration saith that they go not out of their former substance forme and shape These be some of my doubts among many other wherein I require to be answered Then the Prolocutor assigned D. Moreman to answer him Moremans aunswere to S. Paule who to Saint Paule answered him thus That the Sacrament is called by hym bread in deede but it is thus to be vnderstood that it is the sacrament of bread that is the forme of bread Then M. Cheyney inferred and alledged that Hesychius called the sacrament both bread and flesh M. Cheyny replyeth to Moremans aunswere Yea quoth Moreman Hesychius calleth it bread because it was bread not because it is so And passing ouer Origen he came to Theodoretus sayd that men mistooke hys authoritie by interpreting a general into a special as Peter Martyr hath done in y e place of Theodoret interpretyng 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for substance Moremans aūswere to Theodore●tus which is a special signification of y e word whereas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a general word as well to accidence as to substane and therefore I answer thus vnto Theodoret y t the sacramental bread and wine do not go out of their former substance forme and shape that is to say not out of their accidentall substance and shape After this M. Cheyney sat him downe by and by M. Elmar stood vp as one that could not abide to heare so fōd an answer to so graue an authoritie M Elmar argueth a●gaynst D. Moremans aunswere reasoned vpon the authoritie of Theodoret alledged before by M. Cheyney declared that Moremans aunswer to Theodoret was no iust nor sufficient answer but an illusion and a subtill euasion contrary to Theodorets meaning For said he if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should signify an accident in the place alledged as it is answered by M. Moreman then were it a word superfluous set in Theodoret there where do follow two other wordes which sufficiently do expound the accidēces of y e bread y t is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signify in English shape and forme so prooue out of the same author by diuers allegations Moremans shift is ou●●throwen y t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek could not be so generally taken in that place as Moreman for a shift would haue it But Moreman as a man hauing no other salue for that sore affirmed stil that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth substance must needes signify an accidental substance properly To whose importunity since he could haue no other answer Elmar as a man wearied with his importunity gaue place After this stood vp Iohn Philpot and sayd Philpots replicatio● to Moremans shif● y t hee could prooue that by the matter that Theodoret intreateth of in the place aboue alledged and by the similitude whiche hee maketh to prooue his purpose by no meanes M. Moremans interpretation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might be taken for an accidētall substaunce as he for a shift would interprete it to be For the matter which Theodoret intreateth of in y t place The place of Theod●●ret opene● is against Eutiches an hereticke whiche denied two natures of substance to remayne in Christ beyng one person and that his humanitie after the accomplishment of y e mysterie of our saluation ascendyng into heauen The argu●ment of Theodore● a simili being ioined vnto the Diuinitie was absorpt or swalowed vp of y e same so that Christ should bee no more but of one deuine substance
then in question Which thing the Prolocutor perceiuyng by and by he forbade Philpot to make any Oration or declaration of any matter commanding him also that he should make no argument in Latin but to conclude on his arguments in English D. Weston contrary to his owne wordes Then said Philpot this is contrary to your order takē at the beginning of this disputatiō For then you appointed that all the arguments should be made in Latine and thereupon I haue drawn and deuised all myne argumēts in Latine And because you M. Prolocutor haue said heretofore openly in this house that I had no learning I had thoght to haue shewed such learning as I haue in a briefe Oration and short declaration of the questions now in cōtrouersie thinking it so most conuenient also that in case I should speake otherwise in my declaration then should stand with learnyng or then I were able to warrant and iustifie by gods word it might the better be refourmed by such as were learned of the house so that the vnlerned sort beyng present might take the lesse offence therat But this allegation preuayled nothyng with the Prolocutor who bade hym still forme an argument in Englishe or els to hold hys peace Then sayd Philpot You haue sore disappoynted me thus sodenly to go from your former order but I will accomplish your commandement leauyng myne oration apart and I wil come to my arguments the which as wel as so sodaine a warnyng will serue I will make in English The presence of Christ in the Sacrament distincted The true presēce of Christ in the Sacrament not denyed But before I bring forth any argument I will in one word declare what maner of presence I disallow in the sacrament to the intent y e hearers may the better vnderstand to what end effect myne arguments shal tend not to deny vtterly the presence of Christ in his Sacrament truely ministred according to his institution but onely to deny that grosse carnal presence which you of this house haue alredy subscribed vnto to be in the sacrament of the aultar contrary to the true manifest meaning of the scriptures The grosse presence of the Papistes denyed that by Transubstantiation of the sacramentall bread and wyne Christes naturall body should by the vertue of the words pronounced by the Priest be conteyned and included vnder the formes or accidences of bread wyne This kind of presence imagined by men I do deny quoth Philpot and agaynst this I wyll reason But before he could make an end of that he would haue sayd he was interrupted of the Prolocutor and commaunded to descend to hys argument At whose vniust importunitie Philpot beyng offended and thinkyng to purchase hym a remedy therefore Philpot craueth of the Lordes 〈◊〉 prosecute his argumentes without interruptiō Philpot agayne interrupted by the Prolocutor he fell downe vpon hys knees before the Earles and Lordes which were there present beyng a great number wherof some were of the Queenes counsaile beseechyng them that he might haue libertie to prosecute hys arguments without interruption of any man the which was gently graunted hym of the Lordes But the Prolocutor puttyng in vre a poynt of the practise of Prelates would not condescend therunto but still cryed hold your peace or els make a short argument I am about it quoth Philpot if you would let me alone But first I must needes aske a question of my Respondent who was D. Chedsey concerning a word or twaine of your supposition that is of the sacrament of the aultar what he meaneth thereby and whether he take it as some of the ancient writers doe Altar diuersly taken termyng the Lordes Supper the Sacrament of the aultar partly because it is a Sacrament of that liuelye sacrifice which Christ offered for our sinnes vpon the aultar of the Crosse and partly because that Christes body crucified for vs was that bloudy sacrifice which the bloudsheddyng of all the beastes offered vpon the aultar in the old lawe dyd prefigurate and signify vnto vs in signification whereof the old writers sometime do call the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ among other names which they ascribe there vnto the sacrament of the aultar or whether you take it otherwyse as for the sacrament of the aultare which is made of lime and stone ouer the which the sacrament hangeth and to be all one with the sacrament of the Masse as it is at this present in many places This done I wyll direct mine arguments according as your answer shall geue me occasion Then made D. Chedsey this answer Chadsey that in their supposition they tooke the sacrament of the aultar and the sacrament of the Masse to be all one Then quoth Philpot I wyll speake plaine English as M. Prolocutor willeth me and make a short resolutiō therof that the sacrament of the aultar which ye recken to be all one with the masse once iustly abolished now put in full vse agayne is no sacrament at all neither is Christ in any wyse present in it and this his sayeng he offred to prooue before the whole house if they listed to cal him therunto and likewyse offered to vouche the same before the Queenes grace her most honourable Counsaile before the face of vj. of the best learned men of the house of the contrary opinion and refused none And if I shall not be able quoth he to maintayne by Gods word that I haue said confound those vj. which shall take vpon them to withstand me in this poynt let me be burned with as many fagots as be in London before the court gates This he vttred with great vehemency of spirit At this the Prolocutor with diuers other were very much offended demanding of hym whether he wist what he sayd or no Yea quoth Philpot I wote well what I say desiring no mā to be offended with his saying for that he spake no more thē by gods word he was able to proue Philpots offer in the Conuocati●● house And praysed be God quoth he that the Queenes grace hath granted vs of this house as our Prolocutor hath informed vs that wee may freely vtter our consciences in these matters of controuersie in Religion and therfore I will speake here my conscience freely grounded vpō gods holy worde for the truth albeit some of you here present mislike the same Then diuers of the house beside the Prolocutor taunted reprehended hym for speaking so vnfaringly against the Sacrament of the Masse The Prolocutor thre●neth Phil●pot and the Prolocutor sayd he was mad threatned hym that he would send hym to prison if he would not cease hys speakyng Philpot seeyng hymselfe thus abused Argument a loco tropico carceris not permitted with free liberty to declare his mynd fel into an exclamation castyng his eyes vp towards the heauen and said O Lord what a world is this that the truth of thy
me downe the hangman sayd no Madame Then tyed she the kerchefe about her eyes and feeling for y e block she sayd what shall I doe where is it where is it One of the standers by guiding her thereunto she layd her head downe vpon the blocke and then stretched foorth her body and sayd Lord into thy handes I commend my spirit and so finished her life in the yeare of our Lord God 1553. the 12. day of February ¶ Certayne prety verses written by the sayd Lady Iane with a pinne Non aliena put es homini quae obtingere possunt Sors hodierna mihi tunc erit illa tibi Iane Dudley Deo iuuante nil nocet liuor malus Et non iuuante nil iuuat labor grauis Post tenebras spero lucem ¶ Certaine Epitaphes written in commendation of the worthy Lady Iane Gray De Iana Graia Ioan. Parkhursti Carmen Graia being her surname signifieth in Latina Grecyan Miraris Ianam Graio sermone valere Quo primum nata est tempore Graia fuit In historiam Ianae I. F. Tu quibus ista legas in certum est lector ocellis Ipse equidem siccis scribere non potui De Iana D. Laurentij Humfredi decastichon Iana iacet saeuo non aequae vulnere mortis Nobilis ingenio sanguine martyrio Ingenium latijs ornauit foemina musis Foemina virgineo tota dicata choro Sanguine clara fuit regali stirpe creata Ipsaque Reginae nobilitata throno Bis Graia est pulchrè Graijs nutrita camaenis Et prisco Graiûm sanguine creta ducum Bis Martyr sacrae fidei verissima testis Atque vacans regni crimine Iana iacet Thus the xij day of February as I sayd was beheaded the Lady Iane February 12. Lady Iane and L. Gylforde Dudley beheaded and with her also the Lord Gilford her husband one of the Duke of Northumberlands sonnes two innocēts in comparison of them that sate vpon them For they did but ignorantly accept that which the others had willingly deuised and by open Proclamation consented to take from others and geue to them Touching the condemnation of this Lady Iane heere is to be noted that the Iudge Morgan who gaue the sentence of condemnation against hir A wonderfull example vpon Morgan the Iudge who gaue sentence agaynst the Lady Iane. shortly after he had condemned her fell madde and in his rauing cried out continually to haue the Lady Iane taken away from hym and so ended his life And not long after the death of the Lady Iane vppon the xxj of the same moneth was Henry Duke of Suffolke her father also beheaded at the Tower Hill the iiij day after his condemnation about which time also were condemned for this conspiracie many Gentlemen and Yeomen February 21. whereof some were executed at London and some in the Countrey Henry D. of Suffolke beheaded L. Thomas Gray apprehended and executed In the number of whome was also Lorde Thomas Gray brother to the sayde Duke being apprehended not long after in North Wales and executed for the same Sir Nicholas Throgmorton very hardly escaped as ye shall heare the Lord willing in another place The xxiiij of the same moneth the yeare of our Lorde 1554. Boner Bishop of London sent downe a Commission directed to all the Curates and Pastors of his dioces for the taking of the names of such as would not come the Lent following to auriculare confession February 24. and to the receyuing at Easter the copie of which monition heere followeth ¶ A monition of Boner Byshop of London sent downe to all and singular Curates of his Dioces for the certifying of the names of such as would not come in Lent to Confession and receiuing at Easter EDmund by the permission of God Byshop of London to all Parsons A monition of Boner B. of London to all ministers of his Dioces Vicares Curates and Ministers of the Church within the Citie and Dioces of London sendeth grace peace and mercy in our Lorde euerlasting For as much as by the order of the Ecclesiasticall lawes and constitutions of thys Realme and the lawdable vsage custome of the whole Catholicke Church by many hundreth yeares agone duely and deuoutly obserued and kept all faithfull people beeing of lawfull age and discretion are bounde once in the yeare at least except reasonable cause excuse them to be confessed to theyr owne proper Curate and to receaue the Sacrament of the aultar with due preparation and deuotion and for as much also as we be credibly enformed that sundry euill disposed and vndeuout persons geuen to sensuall pleasures and carnall appetites following the lusts of their body and neglecting vtterly the health of their soules do forbeare to come to confession according to the sayd vsage Comming to confession and to receaue the Sacrament of the aulter accordingly geuing therby pernicious and euill example to the yonger sort to neglect and contemne the same we minding the reformation heereof for our owne discharge Receiuing the sacrament of the aultar and desirous of good order to be kept and good example to be geuen do will and commaund you by vertue heereof that immediately vpon the receipt of this our commaundement yee and euery ech of you within your cure and charge do vse all your diligence and dexteritie to declare the same straightly charging and commaunding all your parishioners being of lawfull age and discretion to come before Easter next comming to confession according to the sayd ordinaunce and vsage and with due preparation and deuotion to receiue the sayd Sacrament of the aulter and that ye do note the names of all such as be not confessed vnto you and do not receiue of you the sayd Sacrament certifying vs or our Chauncellour or Commissary thereof before the sixt day of Aprill next ensuing the date heereof so that we knowing thereby who did not come to confession and receyuing the Sacrament accordingly may proceede agaynst them as beeyng persons culpable and transgressours of the sayd ecclesiasticall lawe and vsage Further also certifying vs or our sayd Chauncellour or Commissary before the day aforesayde whether ye haue your aultars set vp chalice booke vestiments and all things necessary for Masse and the administration of sacraments and sacramentals with procession and all other diuine seruice prepared and in readines according to the order of the Catholike Church and the vertuous and godly example of the Queenes Maiesties and if ye so haue not yee then with the Churchwardens cause the same to be prouided for signifying by whose faulte and negligence the same want or faulte hath proceeded and generally of the not comming of your parishioners to Church vndue walking talking or vsing of themselues there vnreuerently in the tyme of diuine seruice and of all other open faults and misdemeanours not omitting thus to doo and certifie as before as you will answere vpon your perill for the contrarye Geuen at London the 23. of
Guynes Boner set at libertie whych before had beene sente to the French king by his cosin the Duke of Northumberlande after the dispatch of his ambassage with the French kinge returned to Guines so was taken and this day brought to the Tower Uppon mondaye the seuenth day of August Dirige in Latine was songe wythin the Tower by all the Kynges Chappel and the bishop of Winchester was chief minister wherat was present the Queene and the most parte of the Counsaile Uppon Tuesday the viij day of August the kings body was brought to Westminster and there buryed where D. Day Bishop of Chichester preached The same daye a Masse of Requiem was songe within the tower by the Byshop of Winchester who had on his Miter did al things as in times past was done at whyche Masse the Queene was present Upon thursday the Duke of Northfolke came foorth of the Tower King Edwardes body buryed with whom the Duches of Somerset was also deliuered this thursday Uppon sonday the 11. of August Doctor Bourne preached at Paules Crosse of the whych sermone reade before pag. 1339. In the weeke folowing commaundement was geuen throughout the citie that no Prentises should come to the sermon nor weare any knife or dagger Uppon the wednesday being the xvi daye of August M. Bradford M. Beacon and M. Ueron were committed to the Tower with whom also M. Sampson shoulde haue bene committed M Bradford with others committed to the Tower and was sought for the same time in M. Elsinges house in Fleetestreete where M. Bradforde was taken and because he was not founde the Byshop of Winchester fumed like a prelate with the messenger Upon the Fridaye being the 18. of August the Duke of Northumberland the marques of Northampton and the Earle of Warwicke were arrayned at Westminster and there y e same day condemned the Duke of Northfolke that day being the high Iudge Upon saterday the 19. of August sir Andrew Dudley sir Iohn Gates sir Henrye Gates and sir Thomas Palmer were araigned at Westminster condemned the same day the L. Marques of Winchester being hie Iudge Upō which day a letter was sent vnto sir Henry Tirrel Anthony Browne and Edmonde Browne Esquiers praying them to committe to warde all suche as shall contemne the Queenes order of religion or shall keepe them selues from church there to remaine vntill they be conformable and to signifie their names to the counsaile Upon Sonday the 20. of August D. Wats●● preache● 〈◊〉 Paules Crosse. Doctour Watson the Byshoppe of Winchesters Chaplaine Preached at Paules Crosse at whose Sermone was presente the Marques of Winchester the Earle of Bedford the Earle of Penbroke the Lord Rich and two hundreth of the Garde wyth their Halbardes lest the people would haue made any sturre against the Preacher Uppon Monday the 21. of August the Duke of Northumberlande the Marques of Northampton Syr Andrewe Dudley Syr Iohn Gates and Syr Thomas Palmer hearde a Masse wythin the Tower and after Masse they all fiue receaued the Sacramente in one kinde onely as in the Popishe time was vsed On the whiche day also Queene Mary set forth a Proclamation signifying to the people that she could not hide any longer the religiō which she from her infancy had professed c. inhibiting in the said Proclamation Printing Preaching the tenour wherof read before pag. 1334. Uppon the Tuesday being the 22. of August the Duke of Northumberlande Syr Iohn Gates and Syr Thomas Palmer were beheaded at the Tower hil as before is sayd pag. 1338. Execution at the Tow●er hill The same day certaine noble personnages heard Masse wythin the Tower and likewise after masse receaued the Sacrament in one kinde Uppon Sonday the 27. day of August Doctour Chedsey Preached at Paules Crosse and the same daye the Byshop of Canterbury Syr Thomas Smith and the deane of Paules were cited to appeare the weeke following before the Queenes Commissioners in the Bishops Consistorie within Paules In this meane time it was noysed abroade by running rumours falsely and craftely deuised eyther to stablish the credite of the Masse or els to brynge Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury out of credite that he to currye fauour with Queene Mary should promise to say Dirige Masse after the old custome for king Edward and that he had already sayd Masse at Caunterburie c. Wherefore to stoppe the noyse and slaunder of those rumours the sayde Thomas Archb. of Caunter the 7. day of September sette foorth a letter which was also printed in purgation of him selfe the copie of which letter heere ensueth A purgation of Thomas Archbishoppe of Caunterburie against certaine sclaunders falsely raised vpon him AS the deuill Christes auncient aduersarie is a lier and the father of lies The archbishop of Canterbury purgeth himselfe agaynst false rumours euen so hath he stirred vp his seruaunts and members to persecute Christ and his true worde and religion with lying which hee ceasseth not to doe most earnestly at this present time For where as the Prince of famous memorie kinge Henrie the eighte seeing the greate abuses of the Latine Masse reformed some things therein in his life time and after our late soueraigne Lord king Edward the 6. tooke the same whole away for the manifolde and great errours and abuses of the same and restored in the place therof Christes holy Supper according to Christes own institution and as the Apostles vsed the same in the primatiue Church the deuill goeth about nowe by lying to ouerthrow the Lordes holy Supper againe and to restore his Latine satisfactorie Masse a thing of his owne inuention and deuise And to bringe the same more easilye to passe some haue abused the name of mee Thomas Archb. of Canterburie bruting abroad that I haue set vp the Masse again at Canterburie that I offred to say Masse at the buriall of our late soueraign prince K. Ed. 6. that I offred also to say Masse before the Queenes highnesse and at Paules Churche and I wot not where And although I haue bene well exercised these xx yeres to suffer and beare euill reports and lyes and haue not bene much greued thereat but haue borne all things quietly yet when vntrue reports lyes turne to the hinderance of Gods truth they are in no wise to be suffered Wherefore these bee to signifie vnto the world that it was not I that dyd set vp the Masse at Caunterbury but it was a false flatteryng lying and dissembling monke Ann. 1454. Aprill which caused Masse to be set vp there without mine aduise or Counsell Reddat illi Dominus in die illo And as for offering my selfe to say Masse before the Queenes highnesse or in any other place I neuer did it as her grace well knoweth But if her grace will geue me leaue 〈…〉 murtherer of Gods people Of whose hor●ible and ye shal 〈…〉 also the life of Cranmer I shal be ready to prooue against all
that will saye the contrary that all that is contained in the holy Communion set out by the most innocent and godly Prince king Edward the 6. in his high court of Parliament is conformable to that order which our Sauiour Christ did both obserue and commaund to be obserued which his Apostles primatiue church vsed many yeares whereas the Masse in many things not onely hath no foundation of Christe his Apostles nor the primatiue Church but is manifestly contrary to the same and cōtaineth many horrible abuses in it And although many either vnlearned or malitious do report that M. Peter Martyr is vnlearned yet if the Queene● highnes wil graunt thereunto I with the sayde M. Peter Martyr and other 4. or 5. whiche I shall chuse will by Gods grace take vppon vs to defende not onely the common praiers of the Church the ministration of the Sacraments and other rites ceremonies but also al the doctrine and religion set out by our said soueraigne Lord king Edward the 6. to be more pure and according to Gods worde then any other that hath bene vsed in England these 1000. yeares so that Gods word may be iudge that the reasons and proufes of both parties may be sette out in wryting to the intent as well that all the worlde maye examine and iudge thereon as that no man shall start backe from his wrytinge And where they boast of the faith that hath bene in the Churche these 1500. yeres we will ioyne with them in this poynt and that the same doctrine and vsage is to be followed whiche was in the Church .1500 yeres past and we shall prooue that the order of the Churche let out at this present in this Realme by Acte of Parlament is the same that was vsed in the Church .1500 yeres past so shall they be neuer able to prooue theirs The same Thursday beinge the 7. of Septemb. Lorde Mountacute chiefe Iustice and Lorde chiefe Baron were deliuered out of the Tower The 13. of September the reuerende father M. Hughe Latimer was committed to the Tower The 14. of Septemb. the bishop of Caunterburye was committed to the Tower The 26. of September one Maister Graye of Cambridge called before hym one M. Garth for that he would not suffer a boy of Peter house to helpe hym saye Masse in Penbroke hal which was before any law was established for that behalfe The Queene came to the Tower of London vpon the Thursday being the 28. of September Amongest these Pageantes stood a certaine man vpon the top of the Eagle vpon Paules steeple with a flagge in his hand and vpon the Saterday following shee rode from the Tower thorough the Citie of London where were made many Pageants to receiue her and so was triumphantly brought to Westminster to White hall Uppon the Sonday being the first day of October the Queenes highnesse went from White hall to Westminster Abbey accompanied wyth the most part of the Nobility of this Realme namelye these The Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Shrewsburie the Marques of Winchester the Earls of Darby Bedford Worcester Cumberland Westmerland Oxford Sussex Deuonshire Penbroke the Lord Dacres of the North Lord Ferris Lorde Cobham Lord Aburgeiny Lord Wentwoorth Lord Scroupe Lord Rich Lord Uaus Lorde Hawarde Lord Conias Lord Morley Lorde Paget and the Lorde Willowbye with many other Nobles and all the Embassadours of diuers countreys the Maior of London wyth all the Aldermen Also out of the Abbey to receiue her comming came three siluer Crosses and to the number of four score or neare vppon Q. Mary crowned Doctor sayes Sermon Generall pardon at the Queens Coronatiō ●xempted 〈◊〉 of the Pardon of singing men all in very rich gorgeous coapes Amongest whom were the Deane of Westminster and diuers of her Chaplaines which bare euerye one some ensigne in their handes and after them followed 10. Byshops mytred all and their Croyser staues in theyr handes and rich Copes vpon them euery one And in this order they returned frō Westminster hal before the Quene to the Abbey where she was crowned by Steuen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lorde Chancellor of England At the time of the Coronation Doctour Day Bishop of Chichester made a sermon to the Queenes maiestie and to the rest of the nobilitie Also there was a generall Pardon proclaimed wythin the Abbey at the sayd time of her Coronation out of which Proclamation all the prisonners of the Tower and of the Flete were excepted and 62. more Wherof M. Whitchurch and M. Grafton were two The thirde of October the Uicechauncellour of Cambridge did chalenge one M. Pierson for that hee ministred still the Communion in his owne Parish and did receyue straungers of other Parishes to the same and woulde not say masse Whereupon within 2. dayes after he was cleane discharged from farther ministring in his Cure Uppon the Wedensday following Q. Mary rideth to the Parliament house Sergeant Pollard speaker in the Parliament The Earle of Huntington deliuered out of the Tower M. Saunders for preaching agaynst the Masse committed to the Marshalsey the Archb. of Yorke was committed to the Tower Uppon Thursdaye being the 5. of October 1553. the Queene road to the Parliament in her roabes and all the nobilitie with her and when they were set in the Parliament house the Bishop of Winchester made to them a solemne Oration and Sergeant Pollarde was chosen speaker of the Parliament The same day the Bishops of Lincolne Harford and Westchester were discharged from the Parliament and Conuocation Also the 10. daye of October the Earle of Huntington was deliuered out of the Tower Upon the Sonday after being the 15. of Oct. M. Laurence Saunders preached at Alhallowes in Breadstreete in y e morning where he declared the abhomination of the masse with diuers other matters very notably and godly Wherof more shal be heard by the Lordes leaue heereafter when we come to his story In which his doing as he shewed himselfe to be Gods faithful minister so is he sure not to be defrauded of gods faithful promise who sayth Omnis qui confitebitur me coram hominibus confitebor ego illum coram patre meo qui est in coelis Math. 10. But about noone of the same day he was sent for by the bishop of London and from thence committed to the Marshalsee Upon the Sonday folowing being the 20. of October Doctor Weston preached at Paules Crosse. D. Westons popish Sermon at Paules Who in the beginning of his Sermone willed the people to praye for the soules departed on this wise You shall pray for all them y t be departed that be neither in heauē nor hell but in a place not yet sufficiently purged to come to heauē that they may be releued by your deuout prayers He named the Lordes table an oyster board He saide that the Catechisme in Latin lately sette out was abhominable heresie likened the setters
Tower hill where hee vttered these woordes M. Wiats words touching the Lady Elizabeth touching the Lady Elizabeth and the Earle of Deuonshyre Concerning sayd he what I haue sayd of other in my examination to charge any other as partakers of my doings I accuse neyther my Lady Elizabeths grace nor my Lord of Deuonshyre I can not accuse them neyther am I able to say that to my knowledge they knew any thing of my rising And when Doctour Weston tolde him that his confession was otherwise before the Counsell he aunswered that which I said then I sayd but that which I say now is true Uppon the Tuesday beeing the xvij of Aprill Syr Iames Croft and Maister Winter Aprill 17. Sir Iames Croft M. Winter Sir Nicho●las Throgmorton were brought to the Guild hall with whom also the same time and to the same place was brought sir Nicholas Throgmorton and there arraigned of treason for that he was suspected to be of the conspiracie with the Duke of Suffolke the rest agaynst y e Queene where he so learnedly and wisely behaued him selfe as well in clearing his owne case as also in opening such lawes of the Realme as were then alledged agaynst him that the Quest which was charged with his matter could not in conscience but finde him not gilty The Que●●● troubled 〈◊〉 Sir Nicho●las Throgmorton for y t which the said xij persons of the Quest being also substantiall mē of the Citie were bounde in the summe of 500. poundes a peece to appeare before y e Queenes Counsell at a day appointed there to answere such things as should be laid against thē for his acquiting Which Quest appeared accordingly before the Counsell in the Starre chamber vppon Wednesday being the xxv of Aprill and S. Markes daye Aprill 25. From whēce after certaine questioning they were cōmitted to prison Emanuell Lucar maister Whetstone were committed to the Tower and the other ten to the Fleete As concerning the condemnation of Thomas Archbyshop of Cant. of Doctour Ridley and M. Latymer which was the xx of this moneth of Aprill also of their disputations because we haue sayd enough before it shall not neede now to bestow any further rehearsall thereof The Friday next following after the condemnation of them the xxvij of Aprill Lord Thomas Gray L. Thomas Gray behe●●ded Aprill 27. Aprill 28. the late Duke of Suffolkes brother was beheaded at Tower hil Upon the Saterday beeing the xxviij of Aprill Syr Iames Croft and Maister Winter were agayne brought to the Guild hall where Sir Iames Croft was arraigned and condemned and because the day was farre spent Maister Winter was not arraigned Upon the Thursday being the xvij of May William Thomas was arraigned at the Guild Hall W. Thomas condemne● May. 17. and there the same day condemned who the next day after was hanged drawne and quartered His accusation was for cōspiring the Queenes death which how true it was I haue not to say This is certaine that he made a right godly ende and wrote many fruitefull exhortations Letters and Sonets in the prison before his death In the moneth of May it was so giuen out and bruitted abroad A certaine disputation intended to be had at Cambridge that a solemne disputation should be holden at Cambridge as ye heard before in Maister Ridleys letter page 1396 betwene M. Bradford M. Saunders mayster Rogers and other of that side and the Doctours of both the Uniuersities on the other side like as had bene in Oxford before as you haue heard Whereupon y e godly Preachers which were in prison hauing word therof albeit they were destitute of their bookes neither were ignorant of the purpose of the aduersaries and how y e cause was preiudicate before also how the disputations were cōfusedly hādled at Oxford neuerthelesse they thought not to refuse the offer of disputatiō so that they might be quietly and indifferently heard and therefore wisely pondering the matter with themselues by a publicke consent directed out of prison a declaration of their minde by writing the vij day of May. Wherein first as touching the disputation although they knew that they should do no good wheras all things were so predetermined before yet neuertheles they would not deny to dispute The preachers in pr●●son refuse not to dispute before indifferent Iudges so that the disputation might be either before the Queene or before the Counsaile or before the Parlamēt houses or else if they might dispute by writing for else if the matter were brought to the Doctours handling in their owne scholes they haue sufficient proofe they sayd by the experience of Oxford what little good will be done at Cambridge and so cōsequently declaring the faith and doctrine of their Religion and exhorting the people withall to submit themselues with all patience and humilitie either to the will or punishmēt of the higher powers they appealed in the end from them to be theyr Iudges in this behalfe and so ende their protestation the copie and contents whereof I thought not vnfit here to be inserted * A copie of a certayne declaration drawne and sent out of prison by Mayster Bradford Mayster Saunders and dyuers other godly Preachers concerning theyr disputation A declarati●on of the godly preachers written and sen● abroad out of prison and doctrine of their Religion as followeth BEcause we heare that it is determined of the magistrats and such as be in authoritie especially of the Clergye to send vs speedely out of the prisons of the kings Bench the Fleet the Marshalsey and Newgate where presently we are and of long time some of vs hath ben not as rebelles traytors seditious persons theeues or transgressours of any lawes of this realme inhibitions Proclamations or commaundements of the Queenes highnes or of any of y e Councels Gods name be praysed therfore but alonely for the conscience we haue to God and his most holy word truth vpon most certayne knowledge because we say we heare that it is determined we shal be sent to one of the vniuersities of Cambridge or Oxford there to dispute with such as are appointed in that behalfe A 〈◊〉 of a pre●en●ed 〈…〉 at Cambridge in that wee purpose not to dispute otherwise then by writing except it may be before the Queenes highnes and her Counsell or before y e Parlament houses and therfore perchaunce it will be bruted abroad that we are not able to mayntaine by the truth of Gods word and the consent of the true and Catholicke Church of Christ the doctrine we haue generally and seuerally taught and some of vs hath writtē set forth wherthrough the godly and simple may be offended somwhat weakened we haue thought it our bounden dutie now whilest we may by writing to publish and notifie the causes why we will not dispute otherwise then is abouesayd to preuent the offences which might come thereby First because it is euidently knowne vnto the whole
brought out of the Tower and committed to the custody of Syr Iohn Williams after Lord Williams of Tame of whom her highnes was gently and curteously entreated who afterward was had to Woodstocke and there committed to the keeping of Sir Henry Benifield Knight of Oxeborough in Northfolke Sir Henry Benefield who on the other side both forgetting her estate and his owne duty as it is reported shewed hymselfe more hard straight vnto her then either cause was geuen of her part or reason of his owne part would haue led him Iuly 20. K. Phillip arriueth at Southampton if either grace or wisedome in him might haue sene before what daunger afterward might haue ensued thereof Whereof we haue to entreate more at large the Lorde willing hereafter in the story life of Queene Elizabeth Upon the Friday following being the xx of Iuly and S. Margarets day the prince of Spaine lāded at South-hampton The Prince him selfe was the first that landed who immediately as he set foote vppon the land drew out his sword and caried it naked in his hād a good prety way King Phillip caryeth his sword naked comming into England The keyes of Southampton deliuered to K. Phillip Then met him without the Towne a little the Maior of Southampton with certayne Commoners who deliuered the keyes of the Towne vnto the Prince who remoued his sword naked as it was out of his right hand into his left hand and so receiued the keyes of the Maior without any word speaking or countenaunce of thankefulnes and after a while deliuered the keyes to the Maior againe At the Towne gate met hym the Earle of Arundell and Lord Williams and so he was brought to his lodging Upon the Wednesday following being S. Iames day Iuly 25. Mariage be●tweene K. Phillip an● Q. Mary and the xxv of Iuly Philip Prince of Spayne Mary Queene of England were maryed together solemnely in the Cathedrall Church at Winchester by the Byshop of Winchester in the presence of a great number of noble men of both the Realmes At the time of this mariage the Emperours Embassadour being present opēly pronounced y t in cōsideration of that Mariage the Emperour had graūted giuen vnto his sonne the Kingdome of Naples c. Whereupon the first daye of August following there was a Proclamation that from that tyme foorth the style of all maner of writings should be altered August 1. and this following should be vsed ☞ Philip and Mary by the grace of God Kyng and Queene of England Fraunce Naples Ierusalem and Ireland defenders of the Fayth Princes of Spayne and Cicill Archdukes of Austrich Dukes of Millaine Burgundie and Brabant Counties of Haspurge Flaunders and Tyroll Of this Mariage as the Papistes chiefly seemed to be very glad so diuers of them after diuers studyes to shew forth their inward affections some made Interludes and Pagentes some drewe foorth Genealogies deriuing his petigrue from Edwarde the third and Iohn of Gaunte some made Uerses Amongst all other Mayster Whyte then Byshop of Lincolne his Poeticall vayne beeyng drunken with ioye of the Mariage spued out certayne Uerses the copy whereof we haue heere inserted ¶ Philippi Mariae Genealogia qua ambo Principes ex Iohanne de Gandauo Edwardi tertij Angliae Franciaeque Regis filio descendisse ostenduntur Whito Lincolniense Authore I Lle parens regum Gandaua ex vrbe Iohannes Somersetensem comitem profert Iohannem Somersetensis venit hoc patre dux Iohannes Qui Margaretam Richemundi habuit Comitissam Haec dedit Henricum qui regni septimus huius Henrico octauo solium regale reliquit Hoc patre propitio fausto quasi sydere nata Iure tenes sacram teneasque Maria coronam ¶ Verses of M. White Byshop of Lincolne concerning the Marriage of Philip and Mary NVbat vt angla anglo regina Maria Philippo Inque suum fontem regia stirps redeat Noluit humani generis daemon vetus hostis Sed Deus Anglorum prouida spes voluit Nollet Scotus inops timidusque ad praelia Gallus Caesar Italia Flandria tota volet Noluit Haereticus stirps Caiphae pontificum grex Pontificum sed grex Catholicus voluit Octo vxorati Patres in daemone nollent Quinque Cathenati pro pietate volent Noluit Iohannes D●dley Northumbrius vrsus Sed fidum regni Consilium voluit Noluit aetatis nostrae Catelina Viatus Sed proceres plebs pia turba volet Nollet Graius dux Cantia terra rebellans Nos quoniam Dominus sic voluit volumus Clarior effectus repetat sua limina sanguis Cum sit Philippo iuncta Maria viro ¶ Aunswere by the reuerend Byshop of Norwich to the Byshop of Lyncolne EXterno nubat Maria vt regina Philippo Vt sint pulsa suis sceptra Britanna locis Vult Daemon generis nostri antiquissimus hostis Anglorum non vult anchora sola Deus Nolunt hoc Galli nolunt Scoti armipotentes Vult Caesar Flandrus vult Italus Golias Vult grex Pontificum stirps Caypha turba bicornis Ann. ●●54 〈◊〉 Non vult sanctorum sed pia turba patrum Nolunt octo quibus sunt vincla iugalia curae Quinque cathenati Daemonis arte volunt Hoc neque tu prorsus Dudlaee animose volebas Inuitum regni Consilium voluit Dedecus hoc non vult fortissimus ille Viatus Inuitus populus sic proceresque volent Vos vultis quoniam semper mala cuncta voletis Non vul● Graius Dux nec pia turba volet Quot tulit Hispanus rex ergò commoda secum Reginae socias cum dedit ille manus ¶ Another aunswere by the sayd Author HIspano nubat Maria vt regina Philippo Extirpetur stirps vt quoque Nobilium Vult pater id vester disturbans omnia Daemon Non vult Anglorum sed pater Altitonans Non vult bellipotens Gallus non vult Scotus acer Vult Caesar Flandrus Papicolaeque volunt Grex mitratorum vult Cayphae ipsa propago Non vult sanctorum sed pius ordo patrum Nolunt octo pios qui iure colunt hymenaeos Quinque cathenati pro impietate volunt Dudlaeus minimè voluit Northumbrius Heros Cui sua perchara est patria nemo volet Libertatis amans non vult bonus ille Viatus Non proceres non plebs nec pia turba volet Vos vultis pietas qui vultis vt exulet omnis Non Graius sed nec Cantia turba volet Ergò magis clarus quî fit rogo sanguis auitus Quando iugalis sit iunctus vterque thoro ¶ Other Verses aunswering to Byshop White made by I. C. QVamlibet Anglorum stirps ementita Philippo Et Maria Hispana de genetrice fuit Vt tamen Hispano confusi sanguinis Angla Nuberet in gentis dedecus atque patris Noluit Anglorum priscae virtutis amator Sed Deus in nostram perniciem voluit Noluit in nostram nisi conspirata salutem Turba quid ad nos
great sorte of people he made low curtesie and sayd sir your Maistership is welcome to towne Salutation to the Roode of Paules I had thought to haue talked further with your Maistership but that ye be here clothed in the Queenes colours I hope yee bee but a sommers byrd in that ye be dressed in white and greene c. The Prince thus being in the Church of Paules after Doctour Harpesfield had finished his Oration in Latine set forwarde through Fleetestreete and so came to White hall where he with the Queene remayned four dayes after and from thence remoued vnto Richmond After this all the Lords had leaue to departe into theyr countreies with straite commaundement to bring all their harnesse and artillery into the Tower of London with all speede Now remained there no English Lord at the court but the Byshop of Winchester From Richmond they remoued to Hampton Court where the hall doore within the Court was continually shut so that no man might enter vnlesse his arrand were first knowne which seemed straunge to English men that had not bene vsed thereto About the eight day of September Byshop Bouer began his visitation Septemb. 3. who charged vj. men in euery parish to inquire according to their othes and to present before him the day after S. Mathewes day being the xxij of September all such persons as either had or should offend in any of his Articles which he had set forth to the number of 37. Of the whiche visitation of Boner I haue somewhat more largely to entreate after that first I shall ouerpasse a few other things folowing in course of this present story The xvij day of September was a Proclamation in London Septemb. 17. that all Uacabonds and master●es men as well straungers as Englishmen should depart the Citie within fiue dayes straitly charging all Inholders Uictuallers Tauerners and Alehousekeepers with all other that sell victuals that they after the said fiue dayes should not sell any meate drinke or any kind of victuall to any Seruingman whatsoeuer vnlesse he brought a testimoniall from his Maister to declare whose seruaunt he was and were in continuall houshold with his sayd Mayster vpon payne to runne in daunger of the law if they offend herein Uppon the Sonday following beeyng the xxx daye of September Septemb. 30. the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chauncellour of England preached at Paules Crosse at whose Sermon were present all the Coūsell that were at the Court The B. of Winchester preacheth namelye the Marques of Winchester the Earle of Arundell Lord North Sir Anthony Browne Maister Rochester Maister Walgraue Maister Englefild Lord Fitzwaters and Secretary Peter the Bishop of London Duresme Ely which iij. sate vnder the Bishops armes The Gospell wherof he made his Sermon is writtē in the xxij cha of Math. Where the Phariseis came vnto Christ amōgst them one asked Christ which was the greatest commaundement Christ aunswered Thou shalt loue thy Lorde God with all thy hart c. and thy neighbour as thy selfe in these two is comprehended the Lawe and the Prophetes After his long declaration of these wordes speaking very much of loue and charitie at the last he had occasion vpon S. Iames his wordes to speake of the true teachers and of the false teachers saying that all the Preachers almost in King Edwards tyme preached nothing but voluptuousnesse A blasphemous mouth agaynst the true preachers of Gods word and filthy and blasphemous lyes affirming their doctrine to be that false doctrine whereof S. Iames speaketh saying that it was full of peruerse zeale earthly full of discord and discensiō that the preachers aforenamed would report nothing truly that they taught that it was lawfull for a man to put awaye his wyfe for adultery and marry another The church neuer confessed the naturall body of Christ so to be in the Sacrament that the substaunce of bread was taken away before the time of pope Innocent the 3. anno 1215 Winchester preacheth in commendation of king Phillip and that if a man vowed to day he might breake it to morrowe at hys pleasure wyth many other thyngs which I omit And when he spoke of the Sacrament he sayd that all the Church from the beginning haue cōfessed Christes natural body to be in heauen here to be in the Sacramēt and so concluded that matter then willed al men to say with Iosephs brethren Peccauimus in fratrem We haue all sinned against our brother and so sayd he haue I to Then he declared what a noble King Queene we haue saying that if he should go about to shew that the King came hether for no necessitie or neede what he had brought w t him it should be superfluous seing it is euidētly known that he hath x. times as much as we are in hope possession of affirming him to be as wise sober gentle temperate a Prince as euer was in Englād and if it were not so proued then to take him for a false liar for his so saying Exhorting all men to make much of him to wynne him whylest we had him and so should we also winne all such as he hath brought with him and so made an ende Upon the Tuesday following being the seconde day of October xx carts came from Westminster laden as it was noysed with gold and siluer and certain of the Gard with them through the Citie to the Tower and there it was receiued in by a Spanyard who was the Kings Treasurer and had custody of it within the Tower It was matted about with mattes and mayled in little bundels about two foote long and almost halfe a foote thicke and euery cart were sixe of those bundels What it was in deede God knoweth for it is to vs vncertayne Aboute the same time or a little before vppon Corpus Christi day the processiō being made in Smithfield Ioh. 〈◊〉 where after the manner the Priest with his boxe went vnder the Canapy by chaunce there came by the way a certaine simple man named Iohn Streate a ioyner of Colemā streete who hauing some hast in his busines The 〈◊〉 worse 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 and finding no other way to passe through by chaunce went vnder the Canapy by the Priest The Priest seeing the man so to presume to come vnto the Canapy being belike afraid and worse feared then hurt for feare let his Pixe fall downe The 〈◊〉 let the 〈◊〉 fall for feare The poore man being straight wayes apprehended was had to the Counter the Priest accusing him vnto the Counsayle as though he had come to slay him whē as y e poore man as he himselfe hath since declared vnto vs had no such thought euer in his mind Then from the Counter he was had vnto Newgate where he was cast into the Dongeon Ioh. 〈◊〉 innoce●● cast in the Dunge●● there chayned to a post where he was cruelly miserably handled so
others to be brought before the honourable Earle of Darby to be examined in matters of Religion c. I knowing by this relatiō of diuers of my frends was diuersly affected my mother and other my frendes aduertising me to flee and to auoid the perill which thing I had intended afore after a weeke then nexte ensuing if thys in the meane while had not chaunced seeing that if I were takē and would not recant in matters of religion as they thought I would not and as God strengthening and assisting me with his holy spirit I neuer wyll it woulde not onely haue put thē to great sorow heauines losses with costes and charges to theyr shame rebuke in this world but also mine owne selfe after troubles and paynfull prisonment vnto shamefull death This considered G. Mars● in a pe●plexitye whether flye or to tarry they aduised me coūselled me to depart flie y e coūtry as I had entended to haue done if this had not happened To whose coūsel my weak flesh would gladly haue cōsented but my spirit did not fully agree thinking and saying thus to my selfe that if I fled so away it would be thought reported and sayd that I did not onely flie the countrey and my nearest and dearest frendes but much rather from Christes holy worde according as these yeares past I had with my hart or at least with mine ou●ward liuing professed and with my mouth word taught according to the small talent geuen me of the Lord. I being thus with theyr aduise coūsell and the cogitations counselles of mine owne minde drawne as it were diuers wayes went trom my mothers house saying I woulde come agayne at euening In the meane time I ceased not by earnest prayer to aske and seeke counsell of God who is the geuer of al good gyftes and of other my frendes whose godly iudgemētes and knowledge I much trusted vnto After this I mette with one of my sayd frends on Deane Moore about sunne goyng downe and after we had consulted together of my busines not without harty prayer kneeling on our knees we departed I not fully determinyng what to doe but taking my leaue with my frende sayde I doubted not but God according as our prayer and trust was would geue me such wisedome and counsell as should be most to hys honor and glory the profite of my neighbors and brethren in the worlde and ob●eining of mine eternall saluation by Christ in heauen This done I returned to my mothers house agayne where had bene diuers of M. Bartons seruantes seekyng after me who when they could not finde me G. Marsh consulted with 〈◊〉 straitly charged my brother and William Marsh to seek me that night and to bring me to Smethehilles the next day who beyng so charged were gone to seeke me in Adderton or elswhere I know not Thus intending afore to haue bene all night with my mother but thē cōsidering that my tarying there would disquiet her with her householde I departed from thence 〈◊〉 ●●ethren ●●arged to 〈◊〉 him ●he marue●●●● proui●ence of 〈…〉 and went beyond Deane Church and there taried all night with an old frend of mine taking ill rest and consulting much with my selfe of my trouble So at my first awaking one came to me from a faythfull frend of mine with letters which I neuer read nor yet looked on who sayd this My frendes aduise was that I should in no wise flie but abide boldly confesse the fayth of Iesus Christ. At whose wordes I was so confirmed established in my conscience that from thenceforth I consulted no more whether was better to flie or to tarye but was at a poynt with my selfe that I woulde not flye but go to maister Barton who did seeke for me and there present my selfe and paciently beare suche crosse as it shoulde please God to lay vpon my shoulders Wherupō my mind and conscience afore being much vnquieted and troubled was now mery and in quiet estate So betimes in the morning I arose and after I had sayd the English Letany as my custome was with other prayers kneeling on my knees by my frendes beddeside I prepared my selfe to goe towarde Smethehilles and as I was going thitherward I went into the houses of Harry Widdowes G. Marsh 〈◊〉 his leaue of his 〈◊〉 of my mother in law of Rafe Yeton and of the wife of Thomas Richardsonne desiring them to pray for me and haue me commended to all my frendes and to comfort my mother and be good to my litle children for as I supposed they should not see my face any more before y e last day so tooke my leaue of thē not without teares shed on both parties G. Marsh of his owne voluntary minde offereth himself to his enemies and came to Smethehilles about 9. of the clocke presented my selfe afore M. Barton who shewed me a letter from the Earle of Darby wherin he was commaunded to send me with others to Lathum Wherupon he charged my brother and William Marsh to bring and deliuer me the next day by x. of the clocke before the sayd Earle or his Counsell I made earnest sute with other speciall frendes which I had there at the same time to M. Barton that he woulde take some one of them or them all bound by recognisaunce or otherwise for mine appearing before the sayd Earle or his sayd Counsell that my brother William Marsh might be at home because it was the chiefest time of seding their ploughes could not go if they wer not at home but nothing could be obteined G. Marsh taketh his leaue of his mother So we went to my mothers and there I dyned shifted part of my clothes and so praying took my leaue of my mother the wife of Richard Marsh and both theyr householdes they and I both weping so departed from them and went toward Lathum and were al night a mile and a halfe on this side Lathum So the next daye whiche was Wednesday we arose prayd came to Lathum betimes and taryed there till foure of the clocke at afternoone Thē was I called by Roger Mckinson to come to my Lord and his counsell so I was brought into the chamber of presence where was present Syr William Nores Syr Pierce Alee G. Marsh brought before the Earle of Darby Mayster Shereburne the Parson of Grapenhall mayster More with others Where when I had taryed a litle while my Lord turned him toward me and asked what was my name I aunswered Marsh. Then he asked whether I was one of those that sowed euill seed and dissention amongest the people Which thing I denied desiring to know mine accusers and what could be layd agaynst me G. Marsh examined before the Earle of Darby but that I could not know Then sayd he he would with his counsell examine me themselues asked me whether I was a priest I sayd no. Then he asked me what
had bene my liuing I aunswered I was a Minister serued a Cure and taught a schole Then sayd my Lord to his Counsell this is a wonderfull thing Afore he sayd he was no Priest and now he confesseth himselfe to be one I aunswered by the lawes now vsed in this Realme as farre as I do know I am none Then they asked me who gaue me orders or whether I had taken any at all I aunswered I receiued orders of the Bishops of London and Lincolne Then sayd they one to an other those be of these new heretickes and asked me what acquayntaunce I had with them I aunswered I neuer sawe them but at the tyme when I receiued orders They asked me how long I had bene Curate whether I had ministred with a good conscience I aunswered I had bene Curate but one yere and had ministred with a good conscience I thanked God and if the Lawes of the Realme would haue suffered me I would haue ministred still This blasphemous mouth of the pa●son of Grapnal if the lawes at any time hereafter woulde suffer me to minister after that sort I would minister agayne Whereat they murmured and the person of Grapnall sayd this last Communion was the most deuilishe thing that euer was deuised Then they asked me what my beliefe was I answered I beleued in God the Father the Sonne the holy Ghost according as the Scriptures of the olde and new testament do teach and according as the 4. Symboles or Creedes that is to wit the Creed commonly called Apostolorum the Creed of Nice Councell of Athanasius and of Austen and Ambrose do teach And after a few wordes the parson of Grapnall sayd but what is thy beliefe in the Sacrament of the aultar I aunswered I beleued that whosoeuer according to Christes institution G. Marshes beliefe in the Sacrament dyd receyue the holye Sacrament of Christes body and bloud did eate and drinke Christes body and bloud with all the benefites of his death and resurrection to their eternall saluation for Christ sayd I is euer present with his sacrament Then asked they me whether the bread and wyne by the vertue of the wordes pronounced of the Priest were chaunged into the flesh and bloud of Christ and that the sacrament whether it were receiued or reserued was the very body of Christ Wherunto I made aunswere G. Marsh loth to aunswere to the question of transubstantiation I knew no further then I had shewed already For my knowledge is vnperfecte sayd I desiring thē not to aske me such hard vnprofitable questions whereby to bring my body into daūger of death to sucke my bloud Whereat they were not a little offended saying they were no bloud succours and intēded nothing to me but to make me a good Christian man So after many other questions whiche I auoyded as well as I could remembring the saying of Paule Foolishe and vnlearned questions auoide knowing they do but ingender strife my Lord commaunded me to come to the boord and gaue me pen and incke in my hand and commaunded me to write mine aunsweres to the questions of the Sacrament aboue named I wrote as I had answered before G. Marsh commaunded by the Earle of Darby to write his answeres Wherat he being much offended cōmaunded me to write a more direct answere saying I should not chuse but do it Then I tooke the pen and wrote that further I knew not Whereat hee being sore greeued after many threatnings sayd I should be put to shamefull death like a traitor with such other like words and sometimes geuing me ●ayre wordes if I would turne and be conformable as other were how glad he would be In conclusion after much adoe he commaunded me to Ward in a cold windy stone house The Earle of Darby cōmaundeth G. Marsh into prison where was little roome where I lay two nightes without any bed sauing a fewe great canuasse tentclothes and that done I had a payre of sheetes but no wollen clothes so cōtinued till Palm-sonday occupying my selfe aswel as I could in meditatiō prayer study for no man could be suffered to come to me but my keeper twise a day when he brought me meat and drinke ¶ An other examination of G. Marsh before the Earle of Darby ON Palme sonday at after dinner I was sent for to my Lord and his counsell sauing Syr William Nores Syr Pierce Alee were not then present in place amongest whō was Syr Iohn Beram the Uicar of Prescot So they examined me yet once agayne of the sacramēt Marsh agayne examined about the Sacrament And after I had communed aparte with the Uicare of Prescot a good space cōcerning that matter he returned to my Lorde and his Counsell with me saying that aunswere which I had made before and then did make as it is aboue writtē was sufficient for a beginner and as one which did not professe a perfect knowledge in that matter vntil such time as I had learned further Marsh yet keepeth himselfe close in the Sacrament Wherewith the Earle was very well pleased saying hee doubted not but by the meanes help of the vicar of Prescot I would be conformable in other thinges So after many fayre wordes he commaunded I should haue a bed with fire and libertye to goe amongest his seruantes so that I would do no harme with my communication amongest them And so after much other communication I departed much more troubled in my spirit then afore because I had not with more boldnes confessed Christ but in such sort Marsh troubled in his consciēce for being no more bolde touching the Sacrament as mine aduersaries therby thought they should preuayle agaynst me wherat I was much greued For hytherto I went about as much as in me lay to rid my self out of their handes if by any meanes without open denying of Christ and his word that could be done This considered I cried more earnestly vnto God by prayer desiring him to strengthen me with his holy spirit Marsh prayetheth for more boldenes with boldnes to confesse him and to deliuer me from their intising words and that I were not spoyled through their Philosophy deceitfull vanity after the traditions of men and ordinaunces of the world and not after Christ. And so after a day or two I was sent for to y e Uicar of Prescot and the Parson of Grapnall where our most cōmunication was concerning the masse and he asked what offended me in the Masse I aunswered the whole Masse did offend me Marsh agayne examined before the Bishops Chaplens Talke about the Masse Allegations against the Masse first because it was in a straunge language wherby the people were not edified cōtrary to S. Paules doctrine 1. Cor. 14. and because of the manifold and intolerable abuses errors cōteined therin contrary to Christs Priesthood and sacrifice Then they asked me in what place therof and I
so praying God to geue him repētance and a good minde after the excommunication was read he was deliuered to the Shyriffe of London so had to the Clincke and after to the Counter in the Poultry in the same City of London this being then purposed of his murtherers that he should be deliuered from thēce to the Earle of Darby to be cōueyed into Lankeshyre and there to be burned in the towne of Manchester where he was borne but theyr purpose concerning the place was afterward altered for they burned him in London After the condemnation of M. Bradford which was the last day of Ianuary M. Bradford being sent into pryson dyd there remayne vntill the fyrst day of Iuly during all which time diuers other conferences and conflictes he susteineth with sondry aduersaries whiche repayred vnto him in the prison Of whom first byshop Boner comming to the Counter to disgrade D. Taylor the 4. daye of February entred talk with y e said M. Bradford y e effect wherof here ensueth ¶ Priuate talke had with Iohn Bradford by such as the Prelates sent vnto him after the time of condemnation by his own writing Rogers 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 Brad●●rd VPpon the 4. of February that is the same day M. Rogers was burned Bonor bishop of London came to y e Counter in the Poultry to disgrade M. Doctor Taylor about one of y e clocke at after noone But before he spake to M. Taylor he called for Iohn Bradford which was prisoner there whome when he saw he put of his cap and gaue him his hand saying because I perceaue that ye are desirous to conferre with some learned men therefore I haue brought M. Archdeacon Harpsfield to you And I tel you you doe like a wise man But I pray you goe roundly to worke for the time is but short Bradford Bradford ●●sireth to ●●nferre with none 〈◊〉 yet is 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 My Lorde as roundly as I can I will goe to worke with you I neuer desired to conferre with any mā nor yet do Howbeit if ye will haue one to talke with me I am ready Boner What quoth the Byshop in a fume to the keeper did you not tell me that this man desired conference Keeper No my Lord I told you that he would not refuse to conferre with any but I did not say that it is his desire Boner Wel M. Bradford you are welbeloued I pray you consider yourselfe refuse not charitie when it is offered Bradford More 〈…〉 the Turkes then 〈…〉 the persecu●ing Papists In deede my Lord this is small charitie to condemne a man as you haue condemned me whiche neuer brake your lawes In turky a man may haue charitie but in England I could not yet finde it I was condemned for my fayth so soon as I vttered it at your requests before I had committed any thing agaynst the lawes And as for conference I am not afrayd to talke with whom you will But to say that I desire to conferre that do I not Boner Well well And so he called for M. Taylour and Bradford went his way An other priuate matter of talke betweene M. Bradford and Willerton Creswel Harding Harpsfield and other moe VUon an other day of February one M. Willerton a Chapleine of the bishop of London Talke betweene M. Bradford Willerton Chaplaine 〈◊〉 Bishop Boner did come to confer with Bradford but when he perceaued that Bradford desired not his comming and therfore wished rather his departing them abiding well maister Bradford quoth hee yet I pray you let vs conferre a litle perchaunce you may do me good If I can doe you none Upon which wordes Bradford was content and so they began to talke Willerton spake much of the Doctours the fathers of the bread in the 6. chapter of Sainct Iohn c. labouring to proue transubstantiation and that wicked men doe receaue Christ. But Bradford on the contrary part improued hys authorities so that they came to this issue that Willerton should draw out of the scriptures and Doctours hys reasons and Bradford woulde peruse them and if hee coulde not answere them then he would geue place Likewyse should Bradford draw out his reasons out of the scriptures and Doctours to which Willerton shoulde answere if he could and so for that day they departed The next day following in the morning Willerton sēt halfe a sheete of paper written on both sides Willerton 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 to Bradford to 〈…〉 contaynyng no reasons howe he gathered his doctrine but onely bare sentēces Panis quem ego dabo c. The bread which I wil geue is my fleshe And the places in the 26. of Mathewe 14. of Marke 22. of Luke and the 10. and 11. to the Corinthians with some sentences of the Doctours All whiche made as much agaynst hym as with hym Willerton ●●mmeth agayne to Bradford In the after noone he came himself and there they had a long talke to little effect At the length Willerton began to talk of the Church saying that Bradford swerued from the Church Brad. No that I do not but ye doe For the * Churche is Christes spouse and Christes obedient spouse which your Church is not which robbeth the people of the Lords cup and of seruice in the English tongue Willerton Why it is not profitable to haue the seruice in English for it is written Labia Sacerdotis custodiunt legem The lips of the Priest should keepe the law and out of his mouth man must looke for knowledge Bradford Soulde not the people then haue the scriptures Wherefore serueth this saying of Christ Searche the Scriptures Willerton This was not spoken to the people but to the Scribes and learned men Brad. Then the people must not haue the scriptures Argument Erunt docti a Deo Ergo the people must not haue the Scriptures Willerton No for it was written Erunt docti a Deo They shal be all taught of God Brad. And must we learne all at the priestes Willerton Yea. Brad. Then I see you would bring the people to hang vp Christ and let Barrabas goe as the priestes did then perswade the people At whiche wordes Mayster Willerton was so offended that he had no lust to talke any more M. Bradford●● reason agaynst transubstantiation not answered In the end Bradford gaue him the reasons which he had gathered agaynst transubstantiation prayed him to frame his into the forme of reasons and then quoth Bradford I will aunswere them Willer Well I will do so But first I wil answere yours The which thing vntill this day he hath not done Upon the 12. of February there came one of the Earle of Darbies seruantes to Bradford saying The Earle of Darbyes seruant My Lord hath sent me to you he willeth you to tender your selfe and he would be good Lord vnto you Bradford I thanke his Lordship for his good will toward me but in this case I can not tender
so many thowsandes it pleaseth his mercy to choose me to be one in whome he will suffer For although it be moste true that iuste patior i. I iustly suffer for I haue bene a great hypocrite and a greeuous synner the Lorde pardon me yea hee hath done it he hath done it in deede yet hic autem quid mali fecit i. What euill hath he done Christ whome the Prelates persecute his verity which they hate in me hath done no euill nor deserueth death Therefore ought I most hartely to reioyce of this dignation and tender kyndnesse of the Lord towardes me This is a singular mercy of God to haue death which is a due punishment for sinne ● turned into a demonstration testification of the Lordes tru●he 4. Reg. 2. which vseth the remedy for my sinne as a testimoniall of hys Testament to his glory to my euerlasting comfort to the edefying of his Church and to the ouerthrowing of Antichrist and hys kingdome O what am I Lorde that thou shouldest thus magnifye me so vile a man and miser as alwayes I haue bene Is this thy wont to sende for suche a wretche and an hypocrite as I haue bene in a fiery Charyot as thou diddest for Helias Oh deare Fathers be thankefull for me and pray for me that I styll may be found worthy in whom the Lord would sanctify his holy name And for your part make you readye for we are but your gentlemen hushers Nuptiae agni paratae sunt venite ad nuptias 1. The mariage of the Lambe is prepared come vnto the mariage I now go to leaue my flesh there where I receiued it He meaneth that he should be conueyed by the Queenes Garde into Lankeshire to be burnte as the aduersaryes had once determined lyke as Ignatius was by a company of soldiours conueyed to Rome and cast to the Leopardes I shall be cōueied thither as Ignatius was at Rome to Leopardis by whose euill I hope to bee made better God graunt if it be his will that I aske it may make them better by me Amen For my farewell therfore I write and send this vnto you trusting shortly to see you where we shall neuer be separated In the meane season I will not cease as I haue done to commende you to our father of heauen And that you would so do by me I most hartely praye euerye one of you You knowe nowe I haue moste neede But fidelis Deus qui nunquam sinet nos tenta●i supra id quòd possumus i. Faythfull is God which will not suffer vs to be tempted aboue our strength He neuer didde it hytherto nor now I am assured he will neuer do Amen A dextris est mihi non mouebor Propter hoc laetabitur cor meum quia non derelinquet animam meam in inferno nec dabit me sanctum suum per gratiam in C●risto videre corruptionem E carcere raptim expectens omni momento carnificem i. He is on my righte hand therefore I shall not fall Wherefore my hart shall reioyce Psalme 16 for he shall not leaue my soule in hell neither shall suffer me his holy one by his grace in Christ to see corruption Out of prison in haste looking for the Tormentour The 8. of February Ann. 1555. Iohn Bradford * To the honourable Lord Russell now Earle of Bedford being then in trouble for the verity of Gods Gospell THe euerlasting and most gracious God and Father of our Sauiour Iesu Christ A letter of M. Bradford to the Lord Russell now Earle of Bedford ●lesse your good Lordshippe with all maner of heauenlye blessinges in the same Chryst our onely comfort and hope Amen Praysed be God our Father which hath vouched you worthye as of fayth in his Christ so of his Crosse for the same Magnifyed be his holy name who as he hath deliuered you from one crosse so he hath made you willing I trust and ready to beare another whē he shall see his time to lay it vpon you for these are the most singular giftes of God geuen as to few The excellencye of fayth and what it worketh so to none els but to these few whiche are moste deare in his sight Fayth is reckoned and worthely among the greatest gyftes of GOD yea it is the greatest it selfe that we enioy for by it as we be iustified and made Gods childrē so are we temples and possessours of the holy spirite yea of Christ also Eph. 4. And of the Father hymselfe Iohn 14. By fayth we driue the Deuill away 1. Peter 5. We ouercome the world 1. Ioh. And are already Citttizens of heauen and fellowes wyth Goddes deare Sayntes But who is able to reckon the riches that this fayth bringeth with her vnto the soule she sitteth vpon No man or Aungell And therefore as I sayd of all Gods giftes she may be set in the top and haue the vpmost seate The which thing if men considered in that she commeth alonely from Goddes owne mercy seat Fayth commeth by hearing the word and not by hearing Masse by the hearing not of Masse or Mattyns Dyriges or such drasse but of the worde of God in such a toung as we canne and doe vnderstand as they would be diligent and take greate heede for doyng or seeyng any thyng whiche might cast her downe for then they fal also so would they with no lesse care read and heare Goddes holy word ioyning thereto most earnest and often prayer aswell for the more and better vnderstanding as for the louing liuyng and confessing of the same mauger the head of the deuill the worlde our fleshe reason goodes possessions carnall frends wife children and very life here if they should pull vs backe to harken to the voyce and counsell for more quiet sure and longer vse of them Philip. 1. Now notwithstanding this excellency of fayth in that we read the Apostle to matche therewith yea as it were to preferre suffering persecution for Christes sake I trowe no man will be so fond as to thinke otherwise but that I and all Goddes children haue cause to glorify and prayse God whiche hath vouched you worthye so greate a blessing The efficacy of the crosse and what it worketh in Gods children For though the reason or wisedome of the worlde thinke of the Crosse according to theyr reach and according to theyr present sence and therefore flyeth from it as from a most great ignominye and shame Yet Gods Scholers haue learned otherwise to thinke of the Crosse that is the frame house in the which God frameth his children lyke to his sonne Christ the Fornace that fineth Gods golde the high way to Heauen the Sute and Liuery that Gods seruauntes are serued withall the earnest and beginning of all consolation and glory For they I meane Gods scholers as your Lordshyp is I trust doe enter into Goddes sanctuary Psalme 72. least theyr fecte slippe They looke not as beastes do on thinges
present onely but on thinges to come and so haue they as present to fayth the iudgemente and glorious comming of Christ like as the wicked haue now theyr worldly wealth wherein they wallow and will wallowe till they tumble headlong into Hell where are tormentes too terrible and endlesse The ende of prosperitye Nowe they followe the Feende as the Beare doth the trayne of Honye and the Sowe the swillinges till they be brought into the slaughter house and then they know that theyr prosperitye hath brought them to perdition Then crye they woe woe We went the wrong way Sap●ence 5. wee counted these men I meane such as you bee that suffer for Goddes sake losse of goodes frendes and life whome they shall see endued with riche robes of righteousnesse crownes of most pure precious golde and Palmes of conquest in the goodly glorious palace of the Lambe where is eternall ioy felicity c. Wee counted will they then say these men but fooles and mad men we tooke theyr conditions to be but curiosity c. But then will it be to late then the time will be turned laughing shal be turned into weeping and weeping into reioysing Read Sapien. 2.3.4.5 Therefore as before I haue sayd great cause haue I to thanke God whiche hath vouched you worthy of thys most bountifull blessing Few noble men called to Christes kingdome muche more then you haue cause my good Lord so to be I meane thankefull For looke vpon your vocation I pray you and tell me how many noble menne Earles sonnes Lordes Knightes and menne of estimation hath God in this Realme of England dealt thus withall I dare say you thinke not that you haue deserued this Only Gods mercy in his christ hath wrought this on you as he did in Ieremyes tyme on Abimelech in Achabs time on Abdias in Christes tyme on Ioseph of Arimathia in the Apostles tyme on Sergius Paulus and the Queene of Candaces Chamberlayne Onely now be thankefull and continue continue continue my good Lorde continue to confesse Christ. Bee not ashamed of hym before men for then will not he bee ashamed of you Nowe will he trye you sticke fast vnto him and he wyll sticke fast by you he will be with you in trouble and deliuer you But then must you cry vnto him for so it proceedeth Psalme 91. He cried vnto me and I heard him I was with him in trouble c. Remember Lottes wyfe whiche looked backe Remēber Fraunces Spira Remember that none is crowned but he that striueth lawfully Remēber that all you haue is at Christes commaundement Remember he lost more for you then you canne lose for him Remember you lose not that which is lost for his sake Godly remembrances for you shall finde much more here and elsewhere Remember you shall dye and when where and howe ye can not tell Remember the death of sinners is most terrible Remember the death of Gods Sayntes is precious in his sight Remember the multitude goeth the wide waye whiche windeth to woe Remember that the straight gate which leadeth to glorye hath but few trauellers Remember Christ biddeth you striue to enter in thereat Remember he that trusteth in the Lord shall receiue strength to stand agaynst all the assaultes of his enemies Be certayn all the hearers of your head are numbred Be certayne your good Father hath poynted boundes ouer the which the deuill dare not look Commit your selfe to him he is hath bene and will bee your Keeper Cast your care on hym and he will care for you Let Christ be your scope and marke to pricke at let hym be your patron to worke by let him be your ensample to folow geue him as your hart so your hand Christ 〈◊〉 must 〈◊〉 both 〈◊〉 and hand● as your minde so your toung as your fayth so your feete and let his word be your candle to go before you in all matters of Religion Blessed is he that walketh not to these Popish prayers nor standeth at them nor sitteth at them glorifye God in both soule and body Psalme ● 2 Cor. 6. He that gathereth not wyth Christ scattereth abroad Use prayer looke for Gods help which is at hand to them that aske and hope thereafter assuredly In which prayer I hartely desire your Lordshyp to remember vs who as we are goyng with you ryght gladly God therefore be praysed so we looke to go before you hoping that you will folow if God so will according to your dayly prayer Thy will be done on earth c. The good spirite of God alwayes guide your Lordshippe vnto the end Amen Your Lordships owne for euer Iohn Bradford * To M. Warcup and his Wyfe Maistres Wilkenson and others of his godly frendes with theyr familyes THe same peace our Sauiour Christ left with his people A pithy 〈◊〉 effectuall letter of 〈◊〉 Bradford M. War●●● and 〈◊〉 Wilkins● which is not without warre with the world almighty God woorke plentifully in your hartes now and for euer Amen The tyme I perceiue is come wherein the Lordes grounde will be knowne I meane it will now shortly appeare who haue receiued Goddes Gospell into theyr hartes in deede to the taking of good roote therein for such will not for a litle heate or sunburning wither but stiffely will stand and grow on maugre the malice of all burning showers and tempestes And for as much as my beloued in the Lorde I am perswaded of you that ye be in deede the children of GOD Gods good ground whiche groweth and will grow on by Goddes grace bringyng foorth fruite to Goddes glory after your vocations as occasion shall bee offered burne the Sunne neuer so hoate therefore I can not but so signify vnto you and hartely pray you and euery one of you accordinglye to goe on forwardes after your Mayster Christ not sticking at the foule waye and stormye weather whiche you are come into and are like so to doe of this beyng most certayne that the ende of your iourney shall be pleasaunt and ioy full in suche a perpetuall rest and blissefulnesse as can not but swallow vppe the showers that ye nowe feele and are soussed in if ye often sette it before your eyes after Paules counsell in the latter ende of the 4. and beginning of the 5. chapter of the second Epistle to the Corinthians Read it I pray you and remember it often as a Restoratiue to refreshe you leaste ye faynt in the way And besides this set before you also that though the weather be foule and stormes grow apace yet go not ye alone but other your brothers and sisters pad the same path as Saynt Peter telleth vs and therefore company shoulde cause you to be the more couragious and chearefull But if ye had no company at all to go presently with you I pray you tell me if euen from the beginning the best of Goddes frendes haue founde any fayrer weather and way to the place whether